First Portrait Denarius of Julius Caesar

Triton XV, Lot: 1481. Estimate $20000. Sold for $55000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

The Caesarians. Julius Caesar. January 44 BC. AR Denarius (19mm, 3.99 g, 12h). Rome mint. M. Mettius, moneyer. Wreathed head right; behind, lituus left and CAESAR • DICT, QVART before / Juno Sospita, wearing goat skin headdress, in galloping biga right, brandishing spear in right hand and holding shield in left; M METTIVS in exergue. Crawford 480/2a; Alföldi Type II, 6-7 (A2/R1); CRI 98 (same dies); Sydenham 1057; BMCRR Rome 4135-6; Kestner -; RSC 36. Good VF, darkly toned, even, light porosity under tone. Well centered and boldly struck. Exceptional.

Ex Rauch 83 (14 November 2008), lot 149.

This type is the first portrait denarius of Julius Caesar, struck in the first half of January 44 BC. His title on this issue, DICT QVART, dictator quartum, was given before he received the title dictator perpetuus.