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Julius Caesar. P. Sepullius Macer. Denarius. 44 BC. Rome. (Ffc-31). (Craw-480/13). (Cal-1264). Anv.: CAESAR DICT. PERPETVO his laureate and veiled head right. Rev.: P. SEPVLLIVS. MACER, Venus standing left, holding Victory and sceptre resting on shield. . 3,81 g. Magnificent specimen with traces of original luster and an unusually clear strike for this type. Exceptional veiled portrait of Julius Caesar. Very rare, especially in this condition.
This denarius was minted shortly before the fateful Ides of March. Caesar's portrait is depicted in a veristic style, but his head appears veiled to emphasize the sacred status of the dictator—now with lifelong power, as indicated by the legend DICT PERPETVO.
The veil symbolizes his role as a member of the college of augurs. According to Roman religious custom, augurs covered their heads with a veil while interpreting the gods’ will by observing birds’ flight or movements. This practice ensured the augur looked only forward, avoiding any glimpse of a bad omen from the corner of the eye. Caesar, a pioneer in employing religious imagery for political purposes, was later surpassed in this art by his adoptive heir, Octavian, especially in his role as Augustus, the first Roman emperor.
The reverse type illustrates the suppression of monetary officials' influence on coinage in favor of Caesar's own iconography. Although the legend names the mint official, P. Sepullius Macer, the reverse features Venus Victrix, a goddess closely associated with the gens Julia and Julius Caesar’s personal achievements. The Julian family claimed descent from Aeneas and Venus, and Caesar had vowed a temple to Venus Victrix in exchange for victory over Pompey at the Battle of Pharsalus on August 9, 48 BCE. However, following his victory over the Pompeians, Caesar chose to build the temple in honor of Venus as Genetrix, the progenitor of the gens Julia.
This temple was dedicated at the end of Caesar's grand triumph on September 26, 46 BCE. Unfortunately, Julius Caesar did not live to see the temple and its associated forum completed. It remained unfinished at the time of his assassination and was only completed by Octavian as an act of filial piety. XF. Est...8000,00.
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