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One of the Coins that may have contributed to Caesar's death comes to auction in October. A Julius Caesar (February, 44 BC) AR Denarius in extremely fine condition is expected to fetch north of £5,000, but is there any merit to the common numismatic claim?
The depiction of Julius Caesar on Roman silver denarii as Dictator perpetuo (Dictator for Life) is often considered a contributing factor to his assassination, though it was not the sole reason. Several sources and interpretations provide insights into how this bold representation of Caesar on coinage may have accelerated the events leading to his murder.
The Romans had a deep-seated aversion to monarchy ever since the expulsion of their kings and the establishment of the Republic in 509 BC. Caesar's depiction of himself as Dictator for Life on coinage would have alarmed many senators who saw this as a step toward monarchy, a system they fiercely rejected. The image of Caesar wearing the laurel wreath, along with his title, reinforced the perception that he was positioning himself as king, directly challenging the core values of the Republic .
Several ancient sources discuss the symbolism of Caesar’s portrayal on coins and how it might have fueled conspiracies against him. Suetonius, in The Twelve Caesars, and Plutarch, in The Life of Caesar, both mention Caesar’s increasing autocratic behavior and his refusal to disassociate himself from monarchical trappings. The title of Dictator for Life, as displayed on his coins, only intensified these suspicions. According to these accounts, many senators saw Caesar’s ambition as incompatible with the Republic and feared he would dismantle their political system.
According to numismatists, Caesar was the first living Roman to have his image stamped on coins. This was a significant break from tradition, as only gods or deified individuals appeared on Roman coinage. By placing his own image on currency, Caesar presented himself as both a divine figure and a ruler with unquestionable authority. This act likely contributed to the fears of many senators that Caesar intended to establish himself as an all-powerful monarch
Caesar's increasing accumulation of titles and honours—culminating in his portrayal as Dictator perpetuo on coins—was part of a larger trend of his perceived overreach. He had accepted numerous honours that had previously been reserved for kings, including having his statue placed among those of the Roman kings and being given the privilege of wearing a triumphal dress at all public functions. The coin, issued shortly before his assassination, would have served as a constant reminder of Caesar’s intentions and likely exacerbated tensions among the elite
While his depiction on coins was not the only factor—political rivalries, personal grievances, and fears about Caesar's long-term ambitions all played a role—the coins certainly acted as a powerful symbol of his perceived desire to end the Republic and crown himself as king. This act of self-aggrandisement would have deeply unsettled many senators, ultimately contributing to the conspiracy that led to his assassination on the Ides of March.
After incensing his contemporaries and enemies alike by including his own likeness on coinage, it seems ironic the most famous coin in Roman history immortalises his murder in precious metals and features the bust of his murderer. The coin is a potent symbol of the very event that ended his reign. Issued in 42 BC, just two years after Caesar’s assassination, the coin celebrates the murder of the man who first placed his living image on Roman currency—a grim reversal of Caesar’s intentions to be immortalised in power.
The Eid Mar coin features the bust of Brutus on one side, emphasising his role as one of the leaders of the assassination plot. On the reverse side, it depicts a pair of daggers flanking a liberty cap (a symbol of freedom), along with the words "EID MAR," which stand for the Ides of March, the date of Caesar’s assassination. This imagery directly references the killing of Caesar as an act that restored the Republic’s "freedom" from his perceived tyranny. Ironically, while Caesar’s own coinage portrayed him as Dictator perpetuo, an eternal ruler, the Eid Mar coin forever associates his death with the concept of liberty. So highly sought after is this piece of numismatic and ancient history, even contemporary counterfeits, command high prices, including a recent example at Stanley Gibbons Baldwin's Auctions of a silver plated copper fourrée.
The coin has since become a symbol not just of political change but of how quickly power can shift and how the very symbols of power—like coinage—can be used to mark both the rise and fall of individuals. Today, the Eid Mar coin remains one of the most coveted and valuable artefacts from ancient Rome, serving as a testament to the irony of Caesar’s attempt to immortalise his rule, only to have his death immortalised instead.
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