AncientCoinnoisseur Posted July 5 · Member Share Posted July 5 Hello again! For the second episode of my Coin breakdown series, here I show in more detail the Julius Caesar elephant denarius and the pontifical emblems. I have used a coin from my own collection, so since it is not the best looking one out there, sometimes I had to use one in mint state to better show some details! Note: although the obverse and reverse should most likely be swapped, I decided to show the elephant on the obverse, since it is what all major auction houses have been doing for quite a while! Let me know if you like it and keep an eye out for the following ones I'll be posting here 🙂 17 1 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AncientCoinnoisseur Posted July 5 · Member Author Share Posted July 5 Some notes to add: Many people believe the snake/dragon to be a carnyx, a wind instrument used by the Celts during the Iron Age, between c. 200 BC and c. AD 200. It was a type of trumpet made of bronze with an elongated S shape. Here a carnyx on a coin. Another theory about the elephant is that Caesar was using the symbol of the Metellii, a very influential family of the Republic. Here a coin of Quintus Caecilius Metellus Pius. About the swapped obverse / reverse, here a listing for a Caesar denarius from Numismatica Ars Classica back in 2014, where they listed the elephant as being in the reverse. It is kinda obvious once we look at the other legionary denarii from Caesars military mints: RRC 452/2 RRC 452/3 RRC 452/4 RRC 458/1 RRC 468/1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor kirispupis Posted July 5 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted July 5 Very interesting breakdown. I like how clear it is. You could probably make/sell a book of these. Here's my example. Julius Caesar AR Denarius. Military mint travelling with Caesar, 49-48 BCE Elephant advancing to right, trampling on serpent; CAESAR in exergue / Emblems of the pontificate: simpulum, aspergillum, securis (surmounted by wolf's head), and apex. Crawford 443/1; CRI 9; BMCRR Gaul 27-30; RSC 49. 3.26g, 20mm, 2h. I also have this imitation, which is probably the worst photo of an ancient coin I have, but all the same elements are there. Celtic Gaul. Treveri. 50-30 BCE AE 16.51mm 3.23g Obverse: Elephant walking right, trampling on horned serpent Reverse: Simpulum, sprinkler, axe (surmounted by a wolf's head), and apex (priest's hat) De la Tour 9235, RPC I 501 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dafydd Posted July 5 · Supporter Share Posted July 5 Here is my example. Ref Julius Caesar RSC 49 denarius Julius Caesar. 49-48 BC. AR Denarius. CAESAR in exergue, elephant right, trampling on serpent / Simpulum, sprinkler, axe and priest's hat. Cr443/1; Syd 1006; BMCRR (Gaul) 27. 3.44 gm 7.97 mm 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Original Skin Coins Posted July 5 · Member Share Posted July 5 Great writeup! I personally like the carnyx explanation. I actually considered buying a modern carnyx reproduction, but realized that due to the height of the instrument I would only be able to practice/play it outside (which my neighbors may not have appreciated). Here's an elephant denarius I recently sold - this one has an interesting overstrike on the pontifical side, showing the imprint of another coin (most visibly the "A" from "CAESAR"). Unfortunately, it seems like eBay may have lost it within their international shipping hub after I sent it out... 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nerosmyfavorite68 Posted July 5 · Member Share Posted July 5 I believe there's two types; one with the elephant walking (like these) and one with legs together. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AncientCoinnoisseur Posted July 6 · Member Author Share Posted July 6 Nice coins everyone! Mine is a bit beaten up but I like the yellowish-orange colour! And yes, it would be cool to make a whole book out of these, but I guess getting permission to use all the photos I find on the internet would be a nightmare. Much better to just make these for fun, then if the project grows enough we'll see! 🙂 (Or I could ask some of you guys to use your coins for the book 😉 ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qcumbor Posted July 6 · Supporter Share Posted July 6 (edited) Very interesting iconography and writeup, congrats ! 1 hour ago, AncientCoinnoisseur said: Or I could ask some of you guys to use your coins for the book 😉 You can use mine if needed Julius Caesar, Denarius - minted in Italy, c.49 BCE CAESAR, elephant walking rigth, trampling on snake No legend, Simpulum, sprinkler, axe and apex 4.05 gr Ref : Crawford # 443/1, HCRI # 9, RCV #1399, Cohen #49 Q Edited July 6 by Qcumbor 5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AncientCoinnoisseur Posted July 8 · Member Author Share Posted July 8 On 7/6/2024 at 11:31 AM, Qcumbor said: Very interesting iconography and writeup, congrats ! You can use mine if needed Julius Caesar, Denarius - minted in Italy, c.49 BCE CAESAR, elephant walking rigth, trampling on snake No legend, Simpulum, sprinkler, axe and apex 4.05 gr Ref : Crawford # 443/1, HCRI # 9, RCV #1399, Cohen #49 Q I will keep that in mind, that is a beautiful specimen! 🙂 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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