The Caesarians. Julius Caesar. April 44 BC. AR Denarius

The Caesarians. Julius Caesar. April 44 BC. AR Denarius (3.81 g). Rome mint; C. Cossutius Maridianus, moneyer. Laureate and veiled head right; apex behind, lituus before / C • COSSVTIVS and MARID–IANVS arranged in the form of a cross; A–A–A–F•F in angles. Crawford 480/19; Alföldi Type XVII; CRI 112; Sydenham 1069; RSC 8; RBW 1687. Lightly toned, scratch. In NGC encapsulation 4238539-001, graded VF, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 4/5. One of the rarer portrait types for Julius Caesar.

Ex Heritage 3054 (7 April 2017), lot 30198.

Gaius Cossutius Maridianus was apparently the last man appointed to the recently expanded quatrovirate of moneyers in 44 BC. All of his Caesar heads are veiled, alluding to Caesar's role as Pontifex Maximus. This issue is the last Caesar portrait type struck in 44 BC and is, according to David R. Sear, "clearly posthumous, presumably belonging to mid-April."