An exceptionally evocative issue of Julius Caesar, combining the divine ancestry of the Julian family with a reminder of his greatest military achievements. The denarius was struck in 46–45 BC by a military mint operating in Spain during the final major campaign of the Civil War.
Following his victory at Thapsus, Caesar’s opponents concentrated their forces in Spain under Gnaeus and Sextus Pompey and Titus Labienus. Caesar personally led the campaign against them, which culminated in his victory at the Battle of Munda on 17 March 45 BC.
The obverse depicts Venus, the divine ancestress of the gens Iulia. The Julii claimed descent from Iulus (Ascanius), son of Aeneas, whose mother was Venus. The presence of Cupid behind the goddess further emphasises her identification.
The reverse has a distinctly military character. At its centre stands a trophy composed of Gallic arms, with two defeated figures seated at its base: a woman interpreted as a personification of Gaul and a bearded Gallic captive with his hands bound behind his back. The male figure has sometimes been identified as Vercingetorix, although this interpretation remains uncertain.
The imagery deliberately recalled the Gallic Wars of 58–50 BC, which had brought Caesar enormous prestige, wealth and a loyal, battle-hardened army. Placing a Gallic trophy on a coin struck during another difficult campaign reminded his soldiers of their commander’s earlier victories.
Together, the two sides form an exceptionally coherent programme of propaganda: the obverse proclaims Caesar’s ancestry, while the reverse celebrates his victories. Venus represents the divine genealogy of his family, while the trophy and captives symbolise the military achievements of its most illustrious living representative. The message is completed by the unequivocal inscription CAESAR.
Struck during Caesar’s final major military campaign and only about a year before his death, the present denarius provides remarkable numismatic testimony to a moment when his military and political dominance over the Republic was approaching its zenith.
Roman Republic
Julius Caesar (47-46 BC), Denarius 46-45 BC, military mint traveling with Caesar in Spain
Obverse: diademed head of Venus right, cupid on her shoulder
Reverse: Gallic captives beneath trophy, CAESAR in exergue
Diameter 19 mm, weight 3.78 g
