Imperatorial Issues
L. Livineius Regulus. Denarius 42, AR 3.08 g. Laureate head of Caesar r.; behind, laurel branch and before, caduceus. Rev. L·LIVINEIVS / REGVLVS Bull charging r. Babelon Julia 57 and Livineia 1. C 27. Sydenham 1106. Sear Imperators 115. RBW 1730. Crawford 494/24.
Rare. A very attractive portrait and a wonderful iridescent tone, insignificant
areas of weakness, otherwise good extremely fine Ex Gemini sale V, 2009, 252. Formerly displayed at Cincinnati Art Museum, 1994-2008, 141.

A great portrait of Julius Caesar and nearly mint state. The irregularity of the flan didn’t bother me because all the details were there. MSG.

L. Livineius Regulus’s father is known to have participated with Julius Caesar in the African campaigns. Other than his stint as moneyer little else is known about him. The symbolism on this coin type is also unclear. The obverse laurel branch and caduceus likely relate to hopes for peace and prosperity under Caesar although this meaning would seem pointless given that he had been deceased for more than a year when the coin was struck. Given that the triumvirate was now in control of Rome, the symbolism may still make sense as relating rather to the followers of Caesar.

The reverse type may relate to an event which occurred when Caesar was about to sacrifice a bull (Dio Cassius, Historia Romana, XLI, 39.2) The bull escaped and Caesar shrugged off the incident. Perhaps we can speculate that the triumvirate was ”shaking off” the loss of Caesar and was intending to continue on with his dreams thereby restoring the peace and prosperity alluded to on the obverse. Whatever the case, the coin type generally has good portrait style and is an excellent representation of the dead dictator. MSG.