★ The earliest portrait of Julius Caesar ★

BITHYNIA. Nicaea. Julius Caesar, 49-44 BC. Assarion (Bronze, 25 mm, 7.31 g, 12 h), C. Vibius Pansa Caetronianus, proconsul and governor of Bithynia et Pontus, CY 236 = 47/6. [ΝΙΚ]ΑΙΕΩΝ 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. Very well centered and in unusually nice condition for this difficult issue. Slightly rough, otherwise, nearly very fine.

From a Swiss 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.