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The Triumvirs. Octavian and Julius Caesar. August 43 BC. AV Aureus (18mm, 8.15 g, 11h). Military mint travelling with Octavian in Italy. Bare head of Octavian right, wearing slight beard; C • CAESAR• COS • PO(NT) • (AV)G • around / Head of Julius Caesar right, wearing wreath; C • CAESAR • DICT • PERP • PO(NT) • (MA)X • around. Crawford 490/2; CRI 132; Sydenham 1321; Bahrfeldt 28; Calicó 52a (same rev. die as illustration); Biaggi 78–9; BMCRR Gaul 74–5; Kestner –; RBW 1714. Small field marks, faint hairlines. Well centered on both sides. Good VF. Extremely rare. Only five specimens recorded by both Bahrfeldt and Crawford. The most artistic portrait of Julius Caesar on an aureus.
From the PLZ Collection. Ex Triton XII (6 January 2009), lot 514.
When I first saw this coin in the catalog I knew I had to have it. Large, well-centered portraits and an almost wistful Julius Caesar described as "The most artistic portrait of Julius Caesar on an aureus." The coin fully lives up to its description and is one of the most evocative aurei I've seen. (PLZ)
In the lead up to Caesar’s planned march on the Parthian empire to retrieve the Roman legionary standards lost by Crassus, he minted massive quantities of silver denarii which, for the first time, included his image on the obverse of each coin. These coins were to be used to pay the many legions that would be traveling with him as well as the huge supply train that would be needed to support the expedition. Unfortunately, adding his portrait to the coinage likely contributed to the fateful events of March 15, the infamous Ides of March. Nonetheless, the die had been cast for Roman coinage of the future.
Events following the death of Julius Caesar unfolded quickly and chaos ensued throughout the Roman world. The conspirators seemed to hold the upper hand in Rome, but the fact remained that no one was certain who would ultimately control the empire. Caesar, as dictator for life, had certainly rewritten the gamebook but his death left no certain future. As a result, Marc Antony, Caesar’s right-hand man, was impelled to flee Rome and head north. For the moment it appeared the senate and the conspirators were in power. The senate even decided to send the two current consuls, Gaius Vibius Pansa and Aulus Hirtius, in pursuit of Antony. The first battle of Forum Gallorum saw heavy losses including the death of Pansa. Antony retreated to Mutina (modern Modena) where the pursuers laid siege to the city. Octavian became a part of this effort which continued to see heavy battles and further losses to both sides, this time including death of the surviving Consul, Hirtius. Antony would escape Mutina fleeing Italy completely. For the moment it appeared that Octavian, leading legions of Julius Caesar and now the troops committed to Hirtius, had led the senatorial troops to victory.
But upon this victory in the summer of 43 BC, following the battle of Mutina, Octavian demanded from the Senate one of the consulships recently left vacant by the deaths of Hirtius and Pansa. When the Senate refused, Octavian marched into Rome and organized consular elections. He was named consul on August 19 of 43 BCE. Octavian would go on to reconcile with Antony who, with the addition of Lepidus, would form the second triumvirate.
The present coin was struck by Octavian shortly thereafter and marks the first appearance of a living portrait on a Roman aureus. This type is known from a handful of different dies and, like the lifetime denarii issues of Julius Caesar, had been engraved by celators of widely differing talent levels. The key factor for this coin is that this Julius Caesar die is almost universally accepted as being the finest die for the type. His portrait is spectacular. Thus, this die is likely the finest representation of Julius Caesar found on a Roman gold coin.
The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 132 lots will be determined at the live online sale that will be held on 18-19 May 2026.
CNG Feature Auction 132 – Session One – Lot 1-318 will be held Monday morning, 18 May 2026 beginning at 9:00 AM ET.
Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.
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