★ Ex Numismatik Lanz 2001 ★

JULIUS CAESAR. Aureus (46 BC). Rome mint. A. Hirtius, praetor.

Obv: C CAESAR COS TER.
Veiled female head (Vesta or Pietas ?) right.
Rev: A HIRTIVS PR.
Emblems of the augurate and pontificate: lituus, capis and securis.

Crawford 466/1; CRI 56; Calicó 37.

Ex Numismatik Lanz München 106 (2001), lot 207; ex Auktionshaus H. D. Rauch 92 (2013), lot 1187. Aulus Hirtius was a legate during the campaign in Gaul and served Pompey in 50 BC, but sided with Julius Caesar in 49 BC during the civil war, taking part in military action first in Spain and then in Asia Minor. After Caesar's victory, he became praetor in 46 BC, when this coin was struck, then proconsul in Transalpine Gaul. When Caesar was assassinated in 44 BC, Hirtius became consul and supported Mark Antony against Brutus, traveling with the other consul Gaius Vibius Pansa to Modena, where both fell in battle. Hirtius is also remembered for writing the eighth book of 'De bello Gallico', the only one not written by Caesar himself.

Condition: Very fine.

Weight: 8.13 g.
Diameter: 20 mm.