★ The earliest portrait of Julius Caesar ★

BITHYNIA. Nicaea. Julius Caesar, 49-44 BC. Assarion (Bronze, 24 mm, 8.14 g, 12 h), C. Vibius Pansa Caetronianus, proconsul and governor of Bithynia et Pontus, CY 236 = 47/6. ΝΙΚΑΙΕΩΝ Bare head of Julius Caesar to right. Rev. ΕΠΙ ΓΑΙΟΥ - ΟΥΙΒΙΟΥ / ΠΑΝΣΑ // ϚΛΣ Nike advan­cing to right, holding wreath in her right hand and palm frond over her left shoulder; to right and below left, monograms. RG 11. RPC I 2026. Rare. Well centered and unusually well preserved for this important issue, with an impressive portrait of Julius Caesar. Nearly very fine.

From a European collection, formed before 2005.

This is the earliest portrait of Julius Caesar, predating that of Lampsacus (RPC I 2268-9) by a year and the earliest Rome mint denarii by two. Unfortunately, the issue is often weakly struck and poorly preserved - this example, with its attractive portrait and a legible date, thus is a pleasant exception.