Coins from 59-44 BC
This category covers the coins minted from the first consulate of Caesar in 59 BC and until the Ides of March in 44 BC.

While the official coins of the late Republic were still minted under the control of the moneyers, it became more and more common practice for imperators to coin their own money to pay their troops and for propaganda purposes.
59-44 BC
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An AR Denarius struck 52 (51)BC in Rome
Obverse: head of Coelius Caldus (moneyer's grandfather) right; standard inscribed HIS (Hispania) behind, standard in the form of a boar (emblem of of Clunia, Hispania) in front, C·COEL·CALDVS / COS

Reverse: statue of god seated left between two trophies of arms, all on a high lectisternium with front inscribed L·CALDVS / VII·(VIR)·EP(VL) (Lucius Caldus Septemvir Epulo), C·CALDVS on left, IMP·(AV)·X (Imperator Augur Decemvir) on right, C(ALD)VS III VIR below

Diameter: 17 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 3.9 g
Scarce. Coin commemorates three moneyer's ancestors. The first, moneyer's grandfather C. Coelius Caldus, was consul in 94 BC. In 107 BC, he was elected tribune of the plebs and passed a lex tabellaria, requiring a secret ballot to determine the verdict in cases of high treason. He was a praetor in 100 or 99 BC, and proconsul of Hispania Citerior the following year. This is represented by standard on the obverse along with emblem of the conquered town Clunia. He was also moneyer in 104 BC. The second, L. Coelius Caldus, was member of septemviri epulones who prepared lectisternium - propitiatory ceremony, consisting of a meal offered to gods and goddesses (depicted on the reverse). He was responsible for sacrificial feast (epulare sacrificium) during Plebeian games (Ludi Plebeii) in Rome. The third, C. Coelius Caldus, was augur, member of decemviri sacris faciundis, and governor who gained the title Imperator. The trophies on the reverse commemorates his military campains.
Crawford 437/2a, Sydenham 894, RSC I Coelia 7, BMCRR II 3837, SRCV I 404
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An AR Denarius struck 60? (56)BC in Rome
Obverse: laureate draped bust of Venus Erycina right, wearing stephane, C·CONSIDI·NONIANI S·C

Reverse: tetrastyle temple of Venus Erycina on the top of mount Eryx, Porta Collina (place of Sulla's great victory)*, ERVC

Diameter: 17 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 3.6 g
scarce. *The temple of Venus Erycina on the top of mountain in the west of Sicily should had been founded by Aeneas and historian Polybios described it as the greatest and most splendid of all sacred places of Sicily. Venus Erycina was patroness of sex and protector of prostitutes. Chosen designe of coin indicates moneyer's loyalty to Pompey who competed for Venus' favour with Caesar. Pompey claimed he inherited Venus' favour from Sulla who worshipped this goddes. According Harlan temple is only structure in the background whereas in the foreground there is Colline Gate, place of Sulla's famous victory. Roman temple of Venus Erycina stood at Quirinal near Colline Gate.
Crawford 424/1, Sydenham 888, RSC I Considia 1b
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An AR Denarius struck 54 (57)BC in Rome
Obverse: head of Flora right wreathed with flower; lituus left; FLOR(AL)·PRI(MV)S

Reverse: Two soldiers facing each other, each holding shield and sword upright; C·F C·SE(RVE)IL·

Diameter: 17.5 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 3.7 g
No notes for this coin
Crawford 423/1, SRCV I 380, Crawford 423/1, Sydenham 890, RSC I Servilia 15
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An AR Denarius struck 48 BC in Rome
Obverse: mask of Pan right, PANSA

Reverse: radiate Jupiter Axurus seated left, holding patera and long scepter, IOVIS·AXVR· C·VIBIVS·C·F·C·N

Diameter: 17 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 3.9 g
Coin depicts radiated beardless Jupiter Axurus who seems to be simmilar to the Apollo, Sol or Syrian Jupiter Heliopolitanus. His temple complex from the first century BC stood on the cliff above town Terracina which gave to the world the word terrace. Moneyer was adoptive son of C Vibius C.f. Pansa. He became tribune in 51 BC and supported Caesar. In 43 BC he and Aulus Hirtius were sent with two senate armies to attack Marc Antony. Their armies won the battle of Forum Gallorum near Mutina but Hirtius died in the battle and Pansa was mortally wounded so Octavian Caesar became commander of the whole army.
Crawford 449/1a; SRCV I 420; Sydenham 947; RSC I Vibia 18; Sear CRI 20
(5) Cn. Nerius | L. Cornelius Lent | C. Claudius Marcellus
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An AR Denarius struck spring 49 BC in Military Mint
Obverse: head of Saturn right, harpa over shoulder; NERI·Q·(VR)B

Reverse: aquila between signum of Hastati and signum of Princeps; L·LE(NT) // C·(MA)RC // H__P / COS

Diameter: 17.5 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 3.6 g
No notes for this coin
Crawford 441/1; RSC Neria 1; CRI 2; BMCRR Rome 3950
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An AR Denarius struck 55 BC in Rome
Obverse: Head of Diana Planciana(?) right, wearing petasus, CN•PLANCIVS downwards in right field, AED•CVR•S•C downwards in left field.

Reverse: Cretan goat standing right; quiver and bow in left field.

Diameter: 18 mm
Die Orientation: 9 H
Weight: 3.86 g
"Cn. Plancius had a long political career. He first served as propraetor in Africa under A. Torquatus and in 68 BC and under Q. Metellus in Crete. In 62 BC he was a military tribune in the army of C. Antonius in Macedonia and in 56 BC was quaestor of Macedonia.

Cn. Plancius became friends with Cicero during Ciceros exile in Macedonia, and in 55 BC, after being elected to the curule aedileship, was defended by Cicero against charges of electoral corruption. The obverse and reverse types refer to his activities in Macedonia and Crete."

Provenance: Bertolami Fine Arts, E-Live Auction 49 (12 November 2017), lot 774.
Crawford 432/1
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An AR Denarius struck 54 (55)BC in Rome
Obverse: head of Macedonia right wearing causia; CN·PLANCIVS / AED·CVR·S·C

Reverse: agrimi standing right, bow and quiver left

Diameter: 18 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 4.1 g
No notes for this coin
Crawford 432/1, SRCV I 396, Sydenham 932, RSC I Plancia 1
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An Fourree Denarius struck 56 BC in Rome
Obverse: Head of Venus facing right, wearing laurel wreath and diadem; scepter on shoulder; SC behind

Reverse: Three military trophies between capis and lituus; FAVSTVS monogram in exergue

Diameter: 19 mm
Die Orientation: 1 H
Weight: 2.61 g
This moneyer was the son of the famous Lucius Cornelius Sulla, and his types honor his father
RSC Cornelia 63; Cr. 426/3
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An AR Denarius struck 49-48 BC in Military Mint
Obverse: Elephant advancing right, trampling on serpent; CAESAR in exergue

Reverse: Emblems of the pontificate: simpulum, aspergillum, securis (surmounted by wolf's head), and apex

Diameter: 18 mm
Die Orientation: 10 H
Weight: 4.12 g
Struck by a military mint travelling with Caesar.
Crawford 443/1; CRI 9; RSC 49; Sear 1399
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An AR Denarius struck I 49-VIII 48 BC in Military Mint
Obverse: elephant right, trampling on serpent; CAESAR

Reverse: sacrificial implements - simpulum (laddle), sprinkler, axe, apex (priest's hat)

Diameter: 18 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 4 g

moving mint (Cisalpine Gaul or Hispania). Oldschool interpretation of iconography is that elephant symbolize powerful Caesar and snake his enemies but this view must be revised. According to Harlan the Caesar's issue is reaction to the Acilius' with Salus holding snake which was in fact struck in 50 BC. Salus with snake represent health of the Republic. "Dio Cassius made it clear that the most vehement enemy of Caesar in the Senate debates of 50 was Quintus Caecilius Metellus Pius Scipio who put forward the motion that Caesar be declared a public enemy if he did not disband his troops. Caesar said that the Senate was intimated by threats from Pompey’s friends and reluctantly adopted Scipio’s proposal. Caesar put much of the blame for the civil war on Scipio who had become Pompey’s father-in-law in 52 and had shared the consulship with Pompey that year. Recounting the reasons for the civil war, Caesar was careful to avoid blaming Pompey directly and he claimed that Pompey had been led astray and corrupted (depravatum) by Caesar’s enemies who were jealous of his glory, while he himself had always promoted Pompey’s honor and dignity. …….. With a very clever, yet simple, turn on the Pompeian propaganda of Acilius’ coin, the snake has been taken from the hands of Valetudo and trampled by the Metellan elephant. Caesar showed Rome that Metellus Scipio and his supporters were the true threat to the health and safety of the Republic, the true cause of the civil war." Sacrificial implements reminds Caesar as Pontifex Maximus.

Crawford 443/1, RSC I 49, SRCV I 1399, Sydenham 1006
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An AR Denarius struck I - IV 46 BC in Military Mint
Obverse: head of Ceres right, grain wreath, DICT·ITER COS·TERT

Reverse: sacrificial implements: simpulum, aspergillum, capis (jug), lituus, AVGVR / PONT·MAX / M

Diameter: 17.5 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 3.7 g

moving mint (Africa or Sicily). Ceres symbolizes Africa as granary of Rome. M on reverse means munus - payment for soldier's service. These coins probably served to pay Caesar's veterans after battle of Thapsus.

Crawford 467/1, SRCV I 1403, RSC I 4
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An AR Denarius struck 49 - 48 BC in Military Mint
Obverse: Elephant advancing right, trampling on serpent. CAESAR in exergue

Reverse: Emblems of the pontificate: simpulum, aspergillum, securis (surmounted by wolf's head), and apex.

Diameter: 20 mm
Die Orientation: 7 H
Weight: 3.82 g
Military mint traveling with Caesar.
Crawford 443/1
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An AR Denarius struck 48 BC in Military mint traveling with Caesar
Obverse: Diademed female head (Clementia?) right, wearing oak wreath; LII (52, Caesar's age) behind

Reverse: Gallic trophy, holding oval shield and carnyx; securis surmounted by wolf’s head to right

Diameter: 18 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 3.87 g
Lightly toned, banker’s mark and scratches on obverse. EF.
Crawford 452/2; CRI 11; Sydenham 1009; RSC 18; DCA 937.
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An AR Denarius struck 46-45 B.C. in Travelling Military Mint in Spain
Obverse: Diademed head of Venus right, Cupid on her shoulder.

Reverse: CAESAR - Gallia and Gaulish captive seated beneath trophy of Gallic arms.

Diameter: 18.2 mm
Die Orientation: 10 H
Weight: 3.46 g
No notes for this coin
Syd 1014; RSC 13; Crawford 468/1.
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An AR Denarius struck 47-46 B.C. in Military mint travelling in North Africa
Obverse: Diademed head of Venus right, bankers mark in front.

Reverse: CAESAR - Aeneas walking left, carrying Anchises and the Palladium.

Diameter: 17.6 mm
Die Orientation: 6 H
Weight: 2.97 g
No notes for this coin
Cr458/1; Syd 1013.
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An AR Denarius struck 49-48 B.C. in Military moving mint
Obverse: CAESAR - Elephant right, trampling on serpent, bankers mark on elephant.

Reverse: Simpulum, sprinkler, axe and priest's hat.

Diameter: 19.3 mm
Die Orientation: 3 H
Weight: 3.49 g
UK Metal Detecting find.
Cr443/1; Syd 1006; BMCRR (Gaul) 27.
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An AR Denarius struck 48 BC in Rome
Obverse: female (Pietas or Clementia?) head right wearing oak-wreath, cruciform earring, necklace and jewel above her ear, hair collected into a knot behind, and falling down her neck

Reverse: Victory running right, holding caduceus, Gallic trophy and palm fronds, L·HOSTILI

Diameter: 18 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 3.5 g
No notes for this coin
Crawford 448/2, Sydenham 951, BMCRR I Rome 3989, RSC I Hostilia 5, Sear CRI 17, SRCV I 417
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An AR Denarius struck 48 BC in Rome
Obverse: Bare head of Gallia (or Pallor?) right, wearing long, dissheveled hair; carnyx to left.

Reverse: Diana (Artemis) standing facing, laureate, wearing long hair falling down her shoulders and long flowing robes, holding spear in left hand and stag by its antlers in her right; SASERNA upward around left, L • HOSTILIVS downward to right

Diameter: 19 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 3.82 g
"The gens Hostilia was an ancient family at Rome, which traced its origin to the time of Romulus. The most famous member of the gens was Tullus Hostilius, the third King of Rome; however, all of the Hostilii known from the time of the Republic were plebeians. Several of the Hostilii were distinguished during the Punic Wars. The first of the family to obtain the consulship was Aulus Hostilius Mancinus in 170 BC. Lucius Hostilius Saserna was a triumvir monetalis in 48 BC.

The obverse figure has not been definitively identified. Some speculate that she is a representation of Gallia, made to represent Julius Caesar's conquest of the area during the Gallic War. This belief is further bolstered by the presence of a carnyx behind the bust.

Another proposition is that the figure is a representation of Pallor, the goddess of fear and paleness. The complexion on the faces of different dies lend plausibility to this theory. There was another god, Pavor, who represented consternation, panic, and dread. Interestingly, Hostilius also struck a coin with a male head (who many bealieve may be a representation of the Gallic chieftain Vercingetorix). This may be an allusion to Tullus Hostilius, who vowed (and presumably later erected) temples to Pallor and Pavor during his war with the Etruscan cities Veii and Fidenae.

Another theory proposed is that Gallia is represented by Pallor, perhaps to show the fear of conquest.

The reverse probably refers to that Artemis was the chief goddess of Massalia, a Greek colony in southern Gaul. In the Civil War, Massalia declared for Pompey and Caesar besieged the city. When it submitted in 49 BC, Caesar allowed it to remain free, but took most of its lands."

Provenance: e-Bay sale (March 2018).
Crawford 448/3
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An AR Denarius struck 57 (56)BC in Rome
Obverse: diademed head of Ancus Marcius to right, lituus behind, ANCVS

Reverse: equestrian statue right on 5 archs of aquaduct (Aqua Marcia), flower below, PHILIPPVS / A-Q-V-A-(MAR)

Diameter: 18 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 3.7 g
Coin shows moneyer's ancestors. Ancus Marcius on obverse was the fourth legendary king who rulled 642 – 617 BC from who Marcii claimed their origin. On reverse there could be statue of Preator Q. Marcius Rex on aquaduct Aqua Marcia which he repaired in 144-140 BC. It was the longest Roman aquaduct which bringed water to Rome from 91 km far source. Aquaduct was financed from money gained by looting of Carthage and Corinth. Moneyer became consul in 38 BC. He was half-brother of Octavianus Augustus.
Crawford 425/1, SRCV I 382, Sydenham 919, RSC I Marcia 28
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An AR Denarius struck 56 BC in Rome
Obverse: Head of Ancus Marcius right, wearing diadem; lituus behind, ANCVS below

Reverse: Aqueduct on which stands equestrian statue, flower at horse’s feet; PHILIPPVS to left, AQVA MAR ligate within arches of aqueduct

Diameter: 18 mm
Die Orientation: 3 H
Weight: 4.07 g
This denarius was minted in 56 BC by Lucius Marcius Philippus, step-brother of the future Emperor Augustus (who was just seven years old when this coin was minted). The obverse features the bust of Ancus Marcius (the fourth Estruscan king of Rome) whom the Marcia family claimed descent from. The reverse commemorates the building of the Aqua Marcia aqueduct in 144 BC by another ancestor; the consul Quintus Marcius (likely depicted by the equestrian statue on the arches of the aqueduct shown on the reverse of the coin). The moneyer of the coin is therefore honouring two of his illustrious ancestors and their great contribution of the water supply to Rome. In his book Roman Republican Moneyers and their coins Harlan explains that the portrait of Ancus Marcius is not a realistic one, but what the Romans imagined he looked like. His thin diadem is characteristic of the portraits of Hellenistic monarchs and also reinforces his royal nature. Below the arches of the aqueduct on the reverse we see AQUA MAR, with ‘MAR’ ligate within the final arch; a clever technique often used by Roman moneyers to cram as much information into a small space. Interestingly, Pliny described the Aqua Marcia’s waters as the coolest and most rejuvenating of all the aqueducts in Rome, and the whole city regarded the Aqua Marcia as one of the gifts of the gods. Not a bad thing to associate yourself with on a coin...
Crawford 425/1; RSC Marcia 28; Sear 382
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An AR Denarius struck 45 BC in Rome
Obverse: head of Juno Sospita right wearing goat skin

Reverse: wolf right placing stick on fire, eagle left fanning flames with its wings, CELSVS·III·VIR / L.PAPIVS

Diameter: 18.5 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 3.9 g
Reverse depicts a founder myth from Lanuvium. "While Lavinium was building, the following omens are said to have appeared to the Trojans. When a fire broke out spontaneously in the forest, a wolf, they say, brought some dry wood in his mouth and threw it upon the fire, and an eagle, flying thither, fanned the flame with the motion of his wings. But working in opposition to these, a fox, after wetting his tail in the river, endeavoured to beat out the flames; and now those that were kindling it would prevail, and now the fox that was trying to put it out. But at last the two former got the upper hand, and the other went away, unable to do anything further. Aeneas, on observing this, said that the colony would become illustrious and an object of wonder and would gain the greatest renown, but that as it increased it would be envied by its neighbours and prove grievous to them; nevertheless, it would overcome its adversaries, the good fortune that it had received from Heaven being more powerful than the envy of men that would oppose it. These very clear indications are said to have been given of what was to happen to the city; of which there are monuments now standing in the forum of the Lavinians, in the form of bronze images of the animals, which have been preserved for a very long time. ... This myth according to Dionysios occured not in Lanuvium but in Lavinium. And there too the group depicting the myth should have been found. This localisation seems to be an error of the author. On the obv. of this coin appears Juno Sospita. the main centre of her worshipping was Lanuvium, not Lavinium. The allusion to this myth at Horace (Hor. epod. 3, 27, 4) appears directly after the mention of Lanuvium. The confusion of these two sites is not astonishing. Lanuvium and Lavinium were swapped very often and in important documents too like the Fasti. The strong connection with Aeneas in this story of Dionysios can be explained as addition of the author who doesn't miss the chance to beautify the myth. Dionysios ascribes an old age to the myth but this can't be looked at as reliable. But rather a group of statues whose meaning has been lost may be the reason of this aetiological myth (Krumme)." - Jochen's Coins of mythological interest
Crawford 472/1, RSC I Papia 2
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An AR Denarius struck 47 BC in Rome
Obverse: Facing mask of Medusa with disheveled hair, coiled serpents at either side of face; L PLAVTIVS below.

Reverse: Aurora, winged and draped, flying right, head facing slightly left, holding reins and palm branch, conducting the four rearing horses of the sun; PLANCVS below.

Diameter: 18 mm
Die Orientation: 12 H
Weight: 4 g
"This moneyer was adopted into the Plautia gens. In his 'Fasti', Ovid relates that during the censorship of C. Plautius and Ap. Claudius Caecus in 312 BC, the latter quarrelled with the tibicines (flute-players) and had them exiled to Tibur. As the people resented their loss, Plautius schemed to bring them back to Rome in the very early morning with their faces covered by masks, an event from his ancestry which the moneyer of this type chose to celebrate on his coinage. Hence, the depiction of Aurora is an allusion to their early morning arrival and the mask of Medusa to the concealment of their faces. This reverse was inspired by a specific ancient work of art, the painting "Victoria quadrigam in sublime rapiens" by Nicomachus of Thebes. This famous Greek work is believed to have been the personal property of Plautius Plancus at the time he commissioned the dies for this issue, to celebrate the victories of Julius Caesar in 48 and 47 BC." "The commemoration of this event was already a part of the yearly calendar of Roman religious festivals with the Quinquatrus Minusculae, celebrated at Rome on the Ides of June, at which the tibicines processed through the city to the Temple of Minerva whilst wearing masks."

Provenance: CNG Electronic auction 404 (23 August 2017), lot 453. Ex Hirsch Nachf. 284 (26 September 2012), lot 2585.
Crawford 453/1a
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An AR Denarius struck 47 BC in Rome
Obverse: facing head Medusa wearing hoop earrings; L·PLAVTIVS

Reverse: Aurora flying right with head slightly left conducting 4 horses; PLANCVS

Diameter: 19 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 3.9 g
This moneyer was adopted into the Plautia gens. Sear suggests that the reverse type may be related to a picture by Nichomachus of Thebes which was placed in the Capitol by L. Munatius Plancus as a part of the celebrations of his Gallic triumph. In his Fasti, Ovid relates the origin of the festival of the lesser Quinquatria Minerva. He states that an aedile exiled Rome’s flute-players to Tibur, and that the moneyer’s adopted ancestor C. Plautius, who was consul that year, smuggled them back into Rome to appease the citizens. The flute-players wore masks to conceal their identities and this became a tradition of the annual festival.
Crawford 453/1c, SRCV I 429, Sydenham 959b, RSC I Plautia 14
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An AR Denarius struck 47 BC in Rome
Obverse: Head of Medusa facing, with coiled snake on either side; [L•PLAVTI]VS below

Reverse: Aurora flying right, conducting the four horses of the sun and holding palm frond; PLANCVS below

Diameter: 18 mm
Die Orientation: 4 H
Weight: 3.86 g
No notes for this coin
Crawford 453/1a; CRI 29; RSC Plautia 15a
(25) M. Aemilius Scaurus | P. Plautius Hypsaeus
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An AR Denarius struck 58 BC in Rome
Obverse: Aretas, king of Nabatea, kneeling beside camel raising olive branch with fillet M SCAVR / AED CVR / EX S C / REX ARETAS

Reverse: Jupiter in quadriga left, holding reins and thunderbolt, scorpion right P HYPSAE / AED CVR / CAPT / C HYPSAE COS / PREIVE

Diameter: 18 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 4 g
Marcus Aemilius Scaurus and Publius Plautius Hypsaeus. The moneyers were Curule aediles in 58 BC. Scaurus became praetor in 56 BC and Hypsaeus in 55 BC. Scaurus lost his father when he was young. He was raised by Sulla as a step-son. He served as quaestor under Pompey and as proquaestor in the third Mithridatic war in 66-61 BC. In the same time conflict between Aristobulus II and Hyrcanus II broke out in Judea. Nabatean king Aretas III supported Hyrcanus and besieged Aristobulus in Jerusalem. Scaurus was send as intermediary. He sent Aretas back and settled the conflict in favour of Aristobulus. Later Pompey accused him of bribery and removed Aristobulus in 63 BC. Scaurus moved to Petra then he was called back after payment of 300 talent fine. Hypsaeus also served as quaestor under Pompey. Reverse commemorates conquest of Volscian town Priverna by moneyer's ancestor Gaius Plautius Decianus Hypsaeus in 330-329 BC. Scaurus was the first who depicted event from his own life on coins.
Crawford 422/1b, SRCV I 379, Sydenham 913, RSC I Aemilia 8
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An AR Denarius struck 54 BC in Rome
Obverse: LIBERTAS, Head of Libertas facing right

Reverse: BRVTVS, The consul L. Junius Brutus walking left between two lictors preceded by an accensus

Diameter: 19 mm
Die Orientation: 6 H
Weight: 3.43 g
This coin was struck by the famous Brutus earlier in his life when he was a moneyer and was going by the name Quintus Caepio Brutus as he was adopted by his uncle.
RSC Junia 31; BMC 3861; Syd. 906; Cr. 433/1
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An AR Denarius struck 54 BC in Rome
Obverse: head of Libertas right with hair rolled wearing drop pendant earring and necklace; LIBERTAS

Reverse: L. Junius Brutus between two lictors left, accensus in front of them; BRVTVS

Diameter: 19 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 3.9 g
No notes for this coin
Crawford 433/1, Sydenham 906, RSC I Junia 31, BMCRR 3861, Russo RBW 1542, SRCV I 397
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An AR Denarius struck 56 (59)BC in Rome
Obverse: head of Saturn right, harpa and conical stone left; S·C SVFENAS

Reverse: Victory standing left holding wreath and palm, crowning Roma seated left on pile of arms holding scepter and sword; ·PR·L ·V· P·F / SEX·NONI

Diameter: 17.5 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 4 g
Moneyer's ancestor Sextus Nonius Sufetas, Sulla's nephew, held ludi Victoriae Sullanae for the first time in 81 BC. SEX·NONI·PR·L·V·P·F = Sextus Nonius Praetor Ludos Victoriae Primus Fecit. Games were held to honor Sulla's victory at Colline gate in november 82 BC. Since then games were held every year 16.10.-1.11. Moneyer became praetor in 55 BC.
Crawford 421/1, SRCV I 377, Sydenham 885, RSC I Nonia 1
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An AR Quinarius struck 46 BC in Utica
Obverse: head of Bacchus or Liber right wearing ivy wreath; M·C(AT)O·PRO·PR

Reverse: seated Victory right holding patera and palm; VIC(TR)IX

Diameter: 12.5 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 1.8 g
"This coin was struck under Senate authority in Utica, North Africa where Cato was propraetor at the beginning of the civil war. The design is copied from an issue by another M. Cato in 89 B.C. Cato preferred to die with the Republic rather than outlive it. Defeated by Caesar he committed suicide in 46 B.C." ForumAncientCoins note
Crawford 462/2, SRCV I 1383, Sydenham 1054a,RSC I Porcia 11
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An AR Denarius struck 47-46 BC in Utica
Obverse: draped bust Roma or Libertas rirgt; M·CATO·PRO·PR

Reverse: Victory seated right, holding patera and palm; VIC(TR)IX

Diameter: 17.5 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 3.6 g
No notes for this coin
Crawford 462/1c, SRCV 1381, RSC I Porcia 9, Sydenham 1052, BMC Africa 15
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An AR Denarius struck 47-46 B.C. in Utica
Obverse: M CATO PRO. PR - Draped female bust right.

Reverse: VICTRIX - Victory seated right holding patera, VICTRIX in the ex.

Diameter: 18 mm
Die Orientation: 3 H
Weight: 3.61 g
Following Caesar’s victory at the battle of Thapsus, Cato fled to Utica along with the remaining Pompeians, where this type was struck. Having been pursued by Caesar, Cato refused an offer of clemency and committed suicide. The reverse design recalls those of an ancestor, another M. Cato the Elder, who struck coins at Rome in 89 BC.
Crawford 462/1c; Sear, CRI 46; RSC 1, Porcia 9; Sydenham 1052.
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An AR Denarius struck 47-46 BC in Utica
Obverse: head of Africa right, laureate and clad in elephant scalp, stalk of grain right, plough below; Q·METELL__SCIPIO·IMP

Reverse: naked Herakles facing, leaning on club set on rock draped with lion's skin; EPPIVS__LEG·F·C

Diameter: 17.5 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 3.8 g
No notes for this coin
Crawford 461/1, SRCV I 1380/1 (large Africa head), BMCRR Africa 10 (same), RSC I Caecilia 50, Sear CRI 44, Sydenham 1051
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An AR Denarius struck 47-46 BC in Utica
Obverse: G T A above, Q METEL PIVS right, SCIPIO IMP left, the Genius of Africa (Sekhmet the lion-headed Egyptian goddess) standing facing, holding ankh in right hand

Reverse: P CRASSVS IVN right, LEG PRO P R left - Victory standing left, holding winged caduceus in right hand, small round shield in left

Diameter: 18 mm
Die Orientation: 12 H
Weight: 3.15 g
Quintus Caecilius Metellus Pius Cornelianus Scipio Nasica (yea his full name was that ridiculous) as Imperator and Publius Crassus Junianus as Legatus Pro Praetore

During the civil war between Julius Caesar and the senatorial faction led by Pompeius Magnus ("Pompey the Great"), Scipio remained a staunch optimate. He led troops against Caesar's forces, mainly in the battles of Pharsalus and Thapsus, where he was defeated. He later committed suicide. Ronald Syme called him "the last Scipio of any consequence in Roman history."

Roma Numismatics Limited has put forward the thought that it is Tanit in leontocephalic form instead of "Genius of Africa" and the "ankh" is rather the linear female abstract symbol for Tanit. I agree with the rationality behind this, because it looks everything like that symbol and nothing like an anhk, but include the standard attributions as we know them.
RSC Caecilia 51
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An AR Denarius struck 49 BC in Rome
Obverse: SALVTIS, Laureate head of Salus right.

Reverse: MN ACILIVS / III VIR VALETV. Valetudo standing left, holding serpent and leaning upon column to right.

Diameter: 19 mm
Die Orientation: 0 H
Weight: 3.34 g
No notes for this coin
Crawford 442/1a; CRI 16.
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An AR Denarius struck 49BC in Rome
Obverse: Laureate head of Salus right, SALVTIS behind

Reverse: Valetudo standing left, holding snake and resting on column; MN ACILIVS III VIR VALETV around

Diameter: 17 mm
Die Orientation: 6 H
Weight: 3.45 g
No notes for this coin
Crawford 442/1; RSC Acilia 8; Sear 412
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An AR Denarius struck 50 (49)BC in Rome
Obverse: laureate head of Salus right; SALVTIS

Reverse: Valetudo standing left, resting left elbow on column, holding snake; (MN)·ACILIVS__III·VIR·VALE(TV)

Diameter: 19 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 3.9 g
No notes for this coin
Crawford 442/1a, RSC I Acilia 8, BMCRR I Rome 3944, Sydenham 922, SRCV I 412
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An AR Denarius struck 46 BC in Rome
Obverse: conjoined heads of the Dioscuri with laureate pilei right, stars above, RVFVS III VIR

Reverse: Venus Verticordia standing left, holding scales and scepter, Cupid on her shoulder, (MN)·CORDI

Diameter: 19 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 3.65 g
Rome or Athens mint. Moneyer is the only known member of Cordia gens. Later he served as preator and proconsul under Octavian. After scandal with Vestal virgins the temple was dedicated to Venus Verticordia ("Venus the changer of hearts") in Rome 114 BC . Venus Verticordia is on one hand pun for Cordia and on the other hand supports Julius Caesar. Iulii claimed that their origin comes from Iulus son of Aeneas who was son of Venus.
Crawford 463/1b, SRCV I 440, RSC I Cordia 2b, Sydenham 976a
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An AR Denarius struck 55 BC in Rome
Obverse: Veiled head of Concordia right, wearing stephane - P·FONTEIVS·CAPITO·III·VIR CONCORDIA around.

Reverse: The Villa Publica: building consisting of two stories, each with a row of columns; the lower columns are surmounted by arches, the upper ones by a sloping roof - T·DIDI· IMP VIL·PVB in fields.

Diameter: 18 mm
Die Orientation: 1 H
Weight: 3.86 g
"The Villa Publica was built in 435 BC to house the censor's records. It was situated on Rome's Campus Martius, west of the city proper. According to the reverse legend the building was renovated and amplified under the consul Titus Didius. The building was also used as an office to raise troops and for generals waiting for triumph, as well as for foreign emissaries. Inside the Villa thousands of Samnite and Lucani prisoners were murdered by Sulla, guilty of having supported Cinna during the feud against the famous general of the gens Cornelia. With this issue, Concordia is probabaly approached to the building, to remember that political enemies must be treated with respect to prevent the situation from escalating to the horrors that occurred inside the Villa"
Crawford 429/2a
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An AR Denarius struck 55 BC in Rome
Obverse: head of young Jupiter (or Bonus Eventus or Genius Populi Romani)* right, scepter behind

Reverse: eagle on thunderbolt right, lituus on left and jug on right, Q·CASSIVS

Diameter: 17 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 4.03 g
* The sceptrum, fulmen and aquila point to this being the bust of a young Jupiter, for whom such insignia are normally reserved. The priestly implements on the reverse likely allude to an ancestor who belonged to the college of pontiffs, and if we take the symbolism of this coin to be in reference to Jupiter, then it is probable that this coin is in reference to a family member who was once Flamen Dialis, (high priest of Jupiter), a position of great importance and privilege in Rome that entitled the holder of that office to many honours, including the right to a lictor, the toga praetexta, the sella curulis, and to a seat in the Senate. (ROMA NUMISMATICS historical articles) Q. Cassius Longinus was brother or cousin of C. Cassius Longinus (Caesar's murderer). He served as a quaestor of Pompey in Hispania Ulterior in 54 BC. In 49 BC, as tribune of the people, he strongly supported the cause of Caesar, by whom he was made governor of Hispania Ulterior. He treated the provincials with great cruelty, and his appointment (48 BC) to take the field against Juba I of Numidia gave him an excuse for fresh oppression. The result was an unsuccessful insurrection at Corduba. Cassius punished the leaders with merciless severity, and made the lot of the provincials harder than ever. At last some of his troops revolted under the quaestor Marcellus, who was proclaimed governor of the province. Cassius was surrounded by Marcellus in Ulia. Bogud, king of Mauretania, and Marcus Lepidus, proconsul of Hispania Citerior, to whom Cassius had applied for assistance, negotiated an arrangement with Marcellus whereby Cassius was to be allowed to go free with the legions that remained loyal to him. Cassius sent his troops into winter quarters, hastened on board ship at Malaca with his ill-gotten gains, but was wrecked in a storm at the mouth of the Iberus (Ebro). His tyrannical government of Hispania greatly injured the cause of Caesar. (wikipedia)
Crawford 428/3, SRCV I 391, Sydenham 916, BMCRR 3868, RSC I Cassia 7
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An AR Denarius struck 54 BC in Rome
Obverse: curule chair, arrow left, laurel branch right; Q·POMPEI·Q·F / RVFVS / COS

Reverse: curule chair, lituus left, wreath right; SVLLA·COS / Q·POMPEI·RVF

Diameter: 17 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 4.1 g
Coin commemorates two moneyer's grandfathers. Q. Pompeius Rufus, member of the college (collegium) with priestly duties - decimviri sacris faciundis (obverse), and L. Cornelius Sulla, Augur (reverse), held consularship together in 88 BC.
Crawford 434/2, SRCV I 400, RSC I Pompeia 5, Cornelia 49, Sydenham 909
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An AR Denarius struck c. 49 BC in Military Mint
Obverse: diademed head of Apollo right; star below, Q·SICINIVS III·VIR

Reverse: Nemean lion's skin draped over club; arrow left; bow right, C·COPONIVS ·PR·S·C

Diameter: 17.5 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 3.9 g

Pompey's moving mint (Greece). Issue was probably used to pay Pompey soldiers. It mentions S·C in legend in order to pretend to be the official issue authorized by senate. Q. Sicinus struck these coins in exile in the east when he retreated with Pompey from Italy before Ceasar's invasion. Praetor C. Coponius was commander of Pompey's fleet in the easter Mediterranien. Star below Apollo may represent a comet which occured in 49 BC.

Crawford 444/1a, RSC I 1, Sydenham 939, SRCV I 413
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An AR Denarius struck 46 BC in Rome
Obverse: head of Roma right wearing ornate helmet, ROMA

Reverse: cornucopia on celestial globe, scepter left, rudder right all within wreath, T·CARISI

Diameter: 18 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 4.3 g
No notes for this coin
Crawford 464/3a, RSC I Carisia 4, BMCRR Rome 4065, Sydenham 984a, SRCV I 448
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An AR Denarius struck 46 BC in Rome
Obverse: Head of Juno Moneta right; MONETA downwards in left field.

Reverse: Implements for coining money: anvil die with garlanded punch die above, tongs and hammer on either side; T•CARISIVS above; all within laurel wreath.

Diameter: 20 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 3.74 g
"A temple to Juno Moneta (or Juno "the Advisor") was dedicated on the Capitoline Hill in 344 BC and its grounds served as Rome's first mint. The association between this temple and minting of coinage was such that the English words "money" and "monetary" derive from "moneta."

Provenance: Jesus Vico S.A, Auction 150 (1 March 2018), lot 414. Ex Herrero (25 March 1993), lot 78.
Crawford 464/2
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An AR Denarius struck 46 BC in Rome
Obverse: head of Sibyla Herophile right

Reverse: sphinx seated right; T·CARISIVS / III·VIR

Diameter: 18 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 3.8 g
No notes for this coin
Crawford 464/1, SRCV I 321, Sydenham 983, RSC I Carisia 11
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An AR Denarius struck 46 BC in Rome
Obverse: Head of Roma right, wearing ornate helmet; ROMA behind.

Reverse: Scepter, cornucopia on globe, and rudder; T • CARISI below; all within laurel wreath.

Diameter: 18 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 3.61 g
The moneyer himself is more or less unknown and the little we know from Cassius Dio may actually be wrong. According to Cassius Dio, Titus Carisius defeated the Astures in Hispania, and took their chief town, Lancia, circa 25 BC; but in consequence of his cruelty and insolence, the Astures took up arms again in 22 BC.

There are coins in which Titus Carisius is identified as triumvir monetalis, and another which mentions Publius Carisius, as legatus and propraetor, together with the word Emerita, apparently referring to the town of Augusta Emerita in Lusitania, which the emperor Augustus established for the emeriti, veterans of the war in Hispania. From this it has been conjectured that the praenomen Titus, assigned to the conqueror of the Astures by Cassius Dio, should instead be Publius.

Provenance: Triton XXII (9 January 2019), lot 912. From the Alan J. Harlan Collection, purchased from Freeman & Sear. Ex Numismatica Ars Classica 33 (5 April 2006), lot 339.
Crawford 464/3c
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An AR Denarius struck 46 BC in Rome
Obverse: Head of Sibyl Herophile right, hair elaborately decorated with jewels and enclosed in a sling, tied with bands.

Reverse: Sphinx seated right; T • CARISIVS above, III • VIR in exergue.

Diameter: 19 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 3.8 g
"This evocative type demonstrates that Roman moneyers were quite familiar with the legends and coin types of obscure Greek cities. The city of Gergis in Troas, near the site of ancient Troy, was said to be the birthplace of the Sibyl Herophile, a priestess with prophetic powers. Coins of the city struck circa 350-300 BC depict a head of the Sibyl on the obverse and a seated sphinx, symbol of prophecy, on the reverse. The types are repeated here, surely intended as a nod to the Trojan origins of Julius Caesar's gens."

Provenance: Ex Aureo & Calicó Auction 319 – Alba Longa, vol. I (7 November 2018), lot 223, Ex Sotheby's "Greek and Roman coins" (28 October 1993), lot 1385.
Crawford 464/1