Roman Republic (Imperatorial). Julius Caesar. AR Denarius,mint moving with Caesar, AD 49-48

Julius Caesar. AR Denarius. Mint moving with Caesar, AD 49-48. Obv. : CAESAR elephant trampling serpent to right. Rev. : Priestly implements: culullus, aspergillum, ax with wolf’s head at the top and apex. Ref. : Babelon (Julia) 9. Crawford 443/. Sear 9. Sydenham 1006. Beautifully centered and very attractively toned. Good extremely fine. 3. 8 g 18 mm Countermark up elephant Caesar's ‘elephant’ coinage, struck beginning around the time he crossed the Rubicon in January 49, was used to pay Caesar’s forces during the Civil war with Pompey. According to Crawford’s calculations, it was produced using at least 750 obverse dies, thus implying that at least 7-8 million denarii were struck! These coins have been popular with collectors since the Renaissance, and a great number are known; however, truly superb examples, like this one, are remarkably rare.