COIN (ROMAN)

A silver Roman Republican denarius of Julius Caesar, dating to the period c.47-46 BC (Reece Period 1). CAESAR (downwards) reverse type depicting Aeneas left, carrying palladium in right hand and Anchises on left shoulder. African mint. As RRC p. 471, no. 458/1. The somewhat elongated flan has not been trimmed to the outer circles.

Ruler: Republic
Moneyer: Iulius Caesar, C.
Denomination: Denarius (Roman Republic)
Material: Silver
Mint: African Mint
Obverse: Bust of Venus diademed, facing right
Reverse: Aeneas walking left bearing Anchises (his father) on his shoulders and the Palladium (statue of Pallas-Athena) in his left hand
Reverse legend: CAESAR
Dated: -47.0 to -46.0
Weight (g): 3.5
Thickness (mm): 2.05
Completeness: Complete
Parish: Little Somborne
District: Test Valley
County: Hampshire
Region: South East
Discovery method: Metal detector
RRC reference: rrc-458.1
Notes: 
There were 390 obverse dies and 433 reverse dies for this coin which means it was a significant issue. There are five specimens in the British Museum (BMCRR East 31-5). Caesar's family claims descent from Venus. Aeneas was used in Roman mythology to connect Troy with Rome, a few years later to be immortalised in Virgil's Aeneid which was written in Augustus' reign (27BC-AD14).