Julius Caesar, as Dictator (49-44 BC). AR denarius (18mm, 3.88 gm, 9h). NGC Choice XF 4/5 - 3/5, bankers mark. Rome, February-March 44 BC, L. Aemilius Buca, moneyer. DICT•PERPETVO-CAESAR, laureate head of Julius Caesar right / L•BVCA, Venus Victrix standing facing, head left, Victory left in outstretched right hand, grounded scepter in left. Crawford 480/8. Sydenham 1061. RSC 23. Nicely centered with good portrait. For two centuries, Rome had spurned the Hellenistic practice of placing the ruler's portrait on the coinage of the realm, much as they rejected the concept of kingship altogether. So early in 44 BC, many Romans must have been stunned to see the image of Julius Caesar on circulating silver denarii. Like a profusion of other honors and titles, the right to place his image on coins had been bestowed on Caesar, by the Roman Senate. Caesar's enemies may have had an ulterior motive in approving the honor, as it almost certainly would fuel the growing suspicion that Caesar intended to name himself king of Rome. If this was the intent, it succeeded, for within three months a conspiracy had been formed and Caesar was duly assassinated at a meeting of the Senate, on 15 March 44 BC. This rare silver denarius by L. Buca carries a realistic portrait of Caesar on the obverse and the seated image of the dictator's patron goddess, Venus, on the reverse. The obverse legend acclaims Caesar as "DICT(ator) PERPETVO," or "Dictator For Life," a title approved by the Senate in February, 44 BC.

HID09801242017

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