Sale: Triton IX, Lot: 1331. Estimate $5000.  Closing Date: Monday, 9 January 2006.  Sold For $9000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

[Roman Imperatorial Issues] JULIUS CAESAR. 48-47 BC. AR Denarius (3.80 g, 11h). Military mint moving with Caesar. Diademed female head (Clementia?) right, wearing oak-wreath, cruciform earring, and pearl necklace; ^II behind / CAE-SAR across field, Gallic trophy holding oval shield and carnyx above bearded captive (Vercingetorix?) seated right on ground with hands tied behind back, wearing neck torque. Crawford 452/4; Sydenham 1010; Kestner -; BMCRR Rome 3959; RSC 19a. Good VF. Extremely rare. ($5000)

This coin’s reverse may depict Vercingetorix, chief of the Arverni, who was captured in 52 BC at Alesia. Though Crawford and Sear believe this identification unlikely, the large, distinctive, and carefully individualized captive’s head suggests the die cutter worked with an eye toward creating an individualized portrait. Even the captive’s neck torque, a very popular ornament among the Gauls, is clearly visible.