Julius Caesar, as Dictator (49-44 BC). AV aureus (20mm, 7.92 gm, 11h). NGC VF 5/5 - 2/5, scuffs, brushed. Rome, ca. late 46-early 45 BC, L. Munatius Plancus, praefectus urbi. C•CAES-DIC•TER, draped and winged bust of Victory right, seen from front; dotted border / L•PLANC-PRAEF•VRB (VR ligate), praefericulum (sacrificial jug with one handle) left; dotted border. Crawford 475/1a. Sydenham 1019a. Munatia 2 and Julia 19. Calicó 45. Excellent obverse centering on honey colored flan. Ex Pegasi Numismatics, private sale with old dealer tag L. Munatius Plancus was one of the few Roman aristocrats who managed to navigate the transition from Republic to Empire with his life, career and fortune intact. An officer in Caesar's army during his conquest of Gaul and the civil war against Pompey, Plancus was rewarded with the important office of Urban Praefect in 45 BC, during which term he struck both gold aurei and quinarii. He was Proconsul of Gallia Comata when Caesar was assassinated in 44 BC, and spent the next several years adroitly shifting allegiances from the pro-Senatorial faction led by Cicero, to Marc Antony, and to the Triumvirate, and finally to Octavian, the ultimate victor. In 27 BC, he made the formal proposal that the Senate grant Octavian the unprecedented title of Augustus, by which he is known to history. As a reward, Augustus named him to the prestigious office of Censor in 22 BC. The huge circular tomb of Plancus still stands on a hill in Gaeta, about 20 miles from Rome.

HID09801242017

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