Two Fine Style Caesar Portraits

Triton XXII, Lot: 945. Estimate $15000. Sold for $20000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

The Caesarians. Julius Caesar. February-March 44 BC. AR Denarius (17mm, 3.76 g, 6h). Rome mint. C. Cossutivs Maridianus, moneyer. Wreathed and veiled head of Caesar right; CAESAR downward before, DICT • IN • PERPETVO upward behind / Venus Victrix standing left, holding Victory in outstretched right hand and resting left arm on shield set on globe; C MARIDIANVS downward behind. Crawford 480/15; Alföldi Type XVIII, 27 (A4/R2); CRI 111a; Sydenham 1068; RSC 10; BMCRR Rome 4186; RBW –. Choice EF, reflective surfaces. Great metal. A superb portrait.

From the Alan J. Harlan Collection. Ex Numismatica Ars Classica 59 (4 April 2011), lot 837.

Gaius Cossutius Maridianus was apparently the last man appointed to the recently expanded quattrovirate of moneyers in 44 BC. His portrait coinage for Julius Caesar commences later than that of his colleagues, starting after Caesar was named Dictator In Perpetuo (”Perpetual Dictator”) on February 15; uniquely, the obverse legend for this type reads DICT IN PERPETVO, including the IN. All of his Caesar heads are veiled, alluding to Caesar’s role as Pontifex Maximus.