Sale: CNG 73, Lot: 708. Estimate $500.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 13 September 2006.  Sold For $3000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

BITHYNIA, Nicaea. Julius Caesar. Æ 24mm (8.38 g, 11h). C. Vibius Pansa, proconsul. Dated CY 236 (47/6 BC). Bare head of Caesar right / GAIOU OUBIOU PANSA, Nike advancing right, holding palm and wreath; monograms to left and right; date in exergue. RPC I 2026; RG 11; SNG Copenhagen -. VF, green and brown patina. Rare.

From the Garth R. Drewry Collection.

This coin was the first anywhere to feature the portrait of Julius Caesar. C. Vibius Pansa was part of the Caesarian faction at Rome, and probably owed his proconsulship to his patron. The only other definite lifetime portrait of Caesar from the provincial series was an issue of circa 45 BC at Lampsacus (RPC I 2268-2269). Both of these issues preceded the earliest appearance of his portrait at Rome, on the denarii of M. Mettius in January, 44 BC.