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.



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).

Ruler: Republic
Moneyer: Iulius Caesar, C.
Denomination: Denarius (Roman Republic)
Material: Silver
Mint: African Mint
Obverse: Laureate head right.
Reverse: Aeneas left, carrying palladium and anchises
Reverse legend: CAESAR
Dated: -47.0 to -46.0
Weight (g): 3.5
Diameter (mm): 17.6
Thickness (mm): 2.09
Completeness: Incomplete
Preservation: Good
Parish: Restricted Access
District: Selby
County: North Yorkshire
Region: Yorkshire and the Humber
Place known as: Tadcaster
Discovery method: Metal detector
RRC reference: rrc-458.1