Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 8006 - The Strathtay Collection of Historical Medals. The Prof Colin Rochester Collection of Engish Medieval Groats.
Lot: 998

Julius Caesar, (c.46-45 BC), AR Denarius, mint in North Africa, diademed head of Venus right, rev. Aeneas walking left carrying his father Anchises and holding Palladium. caesar behind (Cr. 458/1; Syd. 1013), die flaw on neck, good fine/nearly very fine Estimate £ 120-150 Caesar here alludes to his claimed ancestry from Venus, as a result of her union with Anchises. Thus the Trojan prince Aeneas is depicted carrying his father, Anchises, and the palladium - a statue of Athena which protected Troy and which he brought to Italy. Aeneas fathered Ascanius (=Iulus), and had enjoyed a relationship with Dido, Queen of Tyre, who had founded Carthage, making the issue extremely appropriate for Caesar´´s African campaign,

Estimate
£120 to £150