Triton XXI, Lot: 661. Estimate $7500. Sold for $13000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

The Caesarians. Julius Caesar. Early 46 BC. AV Aureus (19mm, 7.94 g, 4h). Rome mint; A. Hirtius, praetor. Veiled female head (Vesta or Pietas?) right; C • CAESAR COS • TER around / Emblems of the augurate and pontificate: lituus, guttus, and securis; A HIRTIVS PR around. Crawford 466/1; Molinari 3 (D1/R202 - this coin); CRI 56; Calicó 36; Sydenham 1017; RBW 1636. Near EF, a few marks on reverse. Excellent style from early in the issue.

Ex New York Sale XXIII (6 January 2010), lot 112; Leu 7 (9 May 1973), lot 312.

Aulus Hirtius, praetor at the time this coin was struck, was a close friend of both Cicero and Caesar, and had served as the latter’s legate in Gaul. He was consul in 43 BC, having been nominated by Caesar, and was sent along with Octavian and Pansa against Antony, who was besieging Decimus Brutus at Mutina. Hirtius defeated Antony but fell while leading the assault on his camp. Hirtius is credited with completing Caesar’s commentaries on the Gallic, Alexandrine, African, and Spanish wars.