★ Cabinet Toning ★

Julius Caesar, late 48-47 BC. Denarius (Silver, 17 mm, 3.73 g, 6 h), military mint traveling with Caesar in North Africa. Diademed head of Venus to right. Rev. CAESAR Aeneas advancing to left, holding palladium in right hand and bearing Anchises on his left shoulder. Babelon (Julia) 10. Crawford 458/1. CRI 55. Sydenham 1013. Toned. Good very fine.

From a Swiss collection, acquired from Dorotheum, Vienna.

On this coin Julius Caesar referred to the mythical Urmutter or foundress of his very own family clan - Venus Genetrix - on the obverse and the founder (via his descendant Romulus) of Rome, the Trojan refugee Aeneas. A masterpiece in combining private myth with state mythology.