DR-710 | Crawford: 480/4
Lucius Aemilius Buca
Lucius Aemilius Buca

Gens: Aemilia
Moneyer: Lucius Aemilius Buca
Date and mint: 44 BC - Rome


Obverse: Bust of crowned Caesar, right. Dotted border.
Legend: CAESAR IM P M
Symbols: Obverse behind, Cross

Reverse: Venus left, holding Victoria in the right and Scepter in the left. Dotted border.
Legend: L AEMILIVS BVCA

Comment: The gens Aemilia was one of the oldest families in Rome, with several illustrious members. Among them stands out Lucius Aemilio Paulus, consul in 216 BC, who died in the battle of Cannae, and his descendant, Lucius Aemilio Paulus Macedonian, who was consul in 168 BC. and defeated King Perseus of Macedonia, consolidating Roman power in the east. Lucio Aemilio Buca, the moneyer of this issue, perpetuated the prestige of his family in the times of Caesar.

L. Aemilius Buca was one of the moneyermen responsible for issuing denarii in Rome during 44 BC. As a member of the gens Aemilia, his role was key in the issuance of coins with the image of Caesar in his last months of life.

This denarius was minted in 44 BC, before the assassination of Julius Caesar on March 15. In this period, Caesar had been proclaimed perpetual dictator and consolidated his power, which caused political tensions that would culminate in his assassination. The issuance of coins with his image as a leader was a symbol of his growing influence and his transformation into a quasi-divine figure.

On the obverse, the bust of Julius Caesar appears crowned with laurel, highlighting his status as perpetual dictator. The crescent behind could symbolize his divine ancestry. On the reverse, Venus, holding Victoria and a scepter, reinforces Caesar's connection to the goddess, indicating his supposed divine lineage through Aeneas, and also reinforces his image as victorious and protector of Roma.

Provenance: Bertolami Fine Arts (2018)
Price: 32,170 €