denarius, Roman Republic, 102 BCE

Date102 BCE

CultureRoman

MediumSilver

DimensionsCoin Dimensions: 1.7 cm, 3.59 g

Credit LineTransfer from Vassar College Classics Department, 1968

On View

Not on view

PeriodRoman Republic

Classification(s)

Coins and Medals

Denomination

Denarius

Language

Latin

Minting Official

L. Julius Caesar, son of Lucius

Minting Location

Rome

Region

Italy

Obverse Description

A border of dots surrounds the head of Mars, wearing a helmet which has a long crest and plume on each side. CAESAR is inscribed upwards, behind, and there is a control-mark, D, above.

Obverse Expanded

CAESAR

Obverse Legend

CAESAR

Obverse Translated

Caesar

Reverse Description

A border of dots surrounds Venus in a biga of Cupids, facing left, with a sceptre in her right hand and reins in her left hand. There is a control mark, a backwards D, above, and there is a lyre below. L IULI L F is inscribed in exergue.

Reverse Expanded

LUCIUS IULIUS LUCII FILIUS

Reverse Legend

L IULI L F

Reverse Translated

Lucius Julius, son of Lucius

BibliographyCrawford, 320.1DescriptionThe Julii Caesares were a prominent family in Rome long before the famous Julius Caesar took the helm. This coin, produced around the time of his birth, publicized the family's legend of divine descent from both Venus and Mars. The reverse shows Venus riding in a biga (two-horse chariot) accompanied by Cupid. The coin reveals already the Julian claim that they were descended from Venus' son Aeneas, Trojan hero and founder of Rome, through his son Iullus.

Terms

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email loebcollections@vassar.edu