★ Ides of March ★

Julius Caesar, early March 44 BCE, AR denarius, P. Sepullius Macer, moneyer. Rome, 3.55g, 19mm.
Obv: CAESAR DICT PERPETVO, wreathed head of Caesar right.
Rev: P. SEPVLLIVS MACER, Venus Victrix standing left, holding Victory and sceptre, shield set on ground to right.
Crawford 480/10, Sear 107a, Sydenham 1073, RSC 38
From the Severus Alexander collection; ex VL Nummus Auction 5, lot 30, 29.10.2016 (realized 850 euros); ex Gorny & Mosch Auction 118, 14.10.2002, lot 1926.
Nice dark toning, clear “CAESAR” and good detail, some lamination flaws.
The quintessential coin in the Roman Imperiatorial series: both Caesar's declaration of himself as dictator in perpetuity and the placement of his portrait on his coins helped motivate his assassination. Crawford dates the DICT PERPETVO issues to the first two weeks of March, 44 BCE, just before the fateful Ides.