National Currency Collection
Ancient Rome, Julius Caesar, denarius : 48 BC
Story
Money as advertising
Julius Caesar recognized that there was no better advertising medium for the power of his regime than coinage. After Caesar took control of Rome and, for a second time, crushed Gaul (France), he released coins featuring an elephant trampling a dragon. The elephant represented Rome and the dragon either Gaul or more broadly, Rome’s enemies. This sent a message to all those in his growing empire that to revolt was to be crushed. Variations on symbols of military power can still be seen on money today.
Item Details
Categorization
Collection
Coin
Class
Ancient
Name
Precious metal
Form
Circulating
Locations
Country
Ancient Rome
Denominations
Denarius
Dates
Period of issue
49 BC - 48 BC
Period Events
Period
Roman Republic
Designs
Subject Obverse
Triumph
Subject Reverse
Religion
Motif Obverse
Elephant trampling dragon
Motif Reverse
Pontifical emblems
Text Reverse
CAESAR
Production Types
Mint
Mint uncertain - moved with Caesar
Specifications
Preparation Method
Hand struck
Measurements
Object
Thickness
2.30mm
Diameter
17.6mm
Materials
Object
Silver
