Coin (reverse), Denarius, of Caius Iulius Caesar

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This silver coin was minted in Africa by Caius Iulius (Julius) Caesar in 47 or 46 BC. It is a type called a denarius, the most common Roman silver coin. This picture shows the reverse of the coin.

The reverse depicts the Trojan hero Aeneas carrying a palladium in his right hand and his father Anchises, a shepherd loved by Aphrodite (Venus), on his shoulder. The legend 'CAESAR' on the right shows that Caesar was responsible for this issue.

According to Roman legend, Aeneas fled from Troy carrying his father on his shoulder, and sailed to Italy. Virgil, author of the Aeneid, portrays him as a pious man, aware that his destiny is to make Rome great.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-190-000-100-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  A.1976.748
• Date: 47 - 46 BC
  47 or 46 BC
  
• Material: Silver. Inscription: Obv. Head of Venus r., wearing diadem / Rev. Aeneas l., carrying palladium in r. hand and Anchises on l. shoulder; on r., CAESAR downwards
  Coin, denarius
  
• Dimensions: 18.00 mm D / Die Axis: 4.5
  
• What: Coin, denarius
  
• Subject: Ancient Coin Collection
  
• Who: Aeneas
  Anchises
  Venus
  
• Where: Africa
  
• Event:
• Description: Silver denarius of the Roman Republic, Africa, 47 - 46 BC
  
• References:
  • Crawford, M.H. Roman Republican Coinage. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1976. 
• Translations:
• Related Records: