This coin is one of the coins minted shortly before Julius Caesar’s assassination, on the infamous Ides of March, March 15, 44 BC, announcing him as perpetual dictator. It is said that these coins helped kill him. Romans of the republic were leery of anyone becoming too powerful or wanting to become king. Additionally, living Romans were not portrayed on coins. Though I am somewhat of a fan of Caesar, it is hard to find fault with Brutus, Cassius, and the rest for taking him out.
If you would like to see what a very, very nice sample of this coin looks like, click here. Note the price of the coin in the link and you will see why mine is so beat up. :) I’m not complaining though, I love this coin.
Julius Caesar. 44 BC. AR Denarius. L. Aemilius Buca, moneyer.
Obverse: CAESAR D[CT PER]PETVO, laureate head right.
Reverse: L BVCA, winged caduceus and fasces in saltire; axe, globe, and clasped hands in angles.
Crawford 480/6; CRI 103; Sydenham 1063; RSC 25. 18mm - 2.90 g.
Yeah, Augustus definitely learned from Caesar’s political mistake of being too arrogant in public. By the way, I heard some coins were found recently that came from the Eburone tribe that fought Caesar. Do you know if they were in decent condition?
They appear to be good condition. Here is a link with a picture to the story.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081113/ap_on_sc/eu_netherlands_celtic_coins_2
The Eburones were the tribe that ambushed and massacred a legion and a half under Cotta and Sabinus. They almost did the same to another legion under Quintus Cicero. Caesar annihilated them after that. He declared them outlaws and invited in other tribes to hunt them into extinction.
It might be my imagination but it seems like almost every Celtic coin or hoard found in Gaul is always from around the time of the Gallic War. I guess everyone was burying their money as the Romans advanced.