Numismatic

Roman AR Denarius Julius Caesar (44 BC) Ch VF (Cr-458/1)

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Minted in Rome during the monumental year of 44 BC, this silver denarius connects us directly to the twilight of the Roman Republic. Weighing 3.58 grams with a diameter of 19 millimeters, the coin represents a standard of ancient currency that circulated through the hands of Roman citizens during a period of immense political transformation. The obverse side of the coin features the right-facing profile of Venus, the goddess of love and beauty, whom Julius Caesar claimed as an ancestral matriarch of his own family line. The legible inscription CAESAR anchors this side, linking the divine image directly to the famous Roman statesman. On the reverse, the imagery shifts to a foundational myth of Rome. It depicts the hero Aeneas fleeing the fallen city of Troy, carrying his elderly father, Anchises, on his shoulders. This powerful scene of family loyalty and survival is cataloged by scholars under the references Crawford 458/1 and Sydenham 1013, making this silver piece a fascinating artifact of Roman identity and legendary heritage.