Julius Caesar. Aureus

Julius Caesar; Third consulship, with Aulus Hirtius as Praetor, 46 BC, Aureus, 7.98g. Crawford-466/1, Syd-1017, Calico-I, 36. Obv: C CAESAR-COS TER, veiled female head (Vesta or Pietas?) r. Rx: A HIRTIVS P R, lituus, oenochoe, and securis (emblems of the augurate and pontificate). Aulus Hirtius was a key supporter of Caesar, who might have ended up as Caesar's successor in power had events taken a different turn. An experienced soldier, he served as one of Caesar's legates in Gaul from about 54 BC and was an envoy to Pompey in 50 BC. He served Caesar loyally during the Civil War against Pompey and his successors in 48-45 BC. Hirtius was appointed as Caesar's mintmaster in Rome in 46 BC, and it was then that he struck the first truly large issue of gold aurei from the spoils of Caesar's campaigns. These aurei were used to pay Caesar's soldiers after the great triumphal parade.. About EF