The Triumph of 45 BC
Ex August Voirol Collection

CNG 108, Lot: 535. Estimate $7500. Sold for $20000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

The Caesarians. Julius Caesar. Late 46-early 45 BC. AV Aureus (21mm, 7.98 g, 6h). Rome mint; L. Munatius Plancus, praefectus Urbi. Diademed and draped bust of Victory right; C • CAESAR DIC • TER around / Sacrificial jug with one handle; L • PLANC upward to left, PRAEF • (VR)B downward to right. Crawford 475/1a; CRI 60; Calicó 45; Sydenham 1019-1019a; BMCRR Rome 4118; RBW 1663; Biaggi 29. Good VF, a few marks.

From the Jonathan P. Rosen Collection. Ex Chris J. Krausz Collection (Malter 51, 2 June 1993), lot 137; August Voirol Collection (Münzen und Medaillen AG 38, 7 December 1968), lot 262; M. Ratto (19 January 1956), lot 6.

The aurei of L. Munatius Plancus were distributed during Caesar’s triumph of October 45 BC, celebrating his final defeat of the Pompeians at Munda the previous year. This triumph raised some concerns in Rome, as it marked a victory over fellow Romans, an event never before deserving a triumph. Such actions only heightened the fears in some quarters over Caesar’s intentions, fears which lead to his assassination six months later.

Before his murder Caesar appointed Plancus governor of Transalpine Gaul, where he founded the colony of Lugdunum.