The Caesarians. Julius Caesar. Early 46 BC. AV Aureus (20mm, 8.11 g, 1h). Rome mint; A. Hirtius, praetor. Good VF.

CNG Feature Auction 121
Lot: 755. Estimated: $ 5 000

Roman Republican, Coin-in-Hand Video, Gold

Sold For $ 11 000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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The Caesarians. Julius Caesar. Early 46 BC. AV Aureus (20mm, 8.11 g, 1h). Rome mint; A. Hirtius, praetor. Veiled head of female (Vesta or Pietas?) right; C • CAESAR COS TER around / Emblems of the augurate and pontificate: lituus, capis, and securis; A • HIRTIVS • PR around from lower left. Crawford 466/1; Molinari 338-9 (D49/R256); CRI 56; Sydenham 1018; Calicó 37; Biaggi –; BMCRR Rome 4052; RBW 1634. Light marks and deposits, off center on reverse. Good VF.

From the Conti Collection, purchased from Freeman & Sear.

Aulus Hirtius, friend and confidant of Julius Caesar, was praetor in 46 BC, and thus charged with the distribution of the first truly large issue of Roman gold coins to date. The aurei were for distribution to the general’s successful troops after their final victory over the Pompeians in Africa at Thapsus. Each legionary received 5000 denarii (200 aurei), centurions twice that. Since Caesar had at least 40,000 legionnaires at Thapsus, the amount of coin needed was immense. But the amount of booty collected from Caesar’s many campaigns was also colossal, and Hirtius seems to have been able to supply the need. Hirtius later finished the dictator’s memoirs after his assassination and was himself killed at the siege of Mutina in 43 BC.

The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 121 lots will be determined during the live online sale that will be held on 6-8 October 2022. This lot is in Session Three, which will begin 7 October 2022 at 9 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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