VERCINGETORIX Genuine Ancient Roman silver coin 1st century BC silver pendant

The coin is a silver denarius of Julius Caesar, catalogued as Crawford 468/1. The correct date is 46–45 BC, more precisely often given as late 46–early 45 BC, from a traveling military mint accompanying Caesar in Spain. The British Museum describes this type precisely: the head of Venus to the right with Cupid over her shoulder and, on the other side, a Gallic trophy with two prisoners and the inscription CAESAR.

The meaning is crystal clear: Caesar presents himself as the victor of Gaul. The central trophy is a tropaeum, a ritual display of the defeated enemy's weapons: shields, a cuirass/helmet, and above all, the carnyx, Celtic war trumpets. At the foot of the trophy are two vanquished figures: a seated woman in mourning, usually interpreted as Gaul personified, and a bearded male prisoner with his hands tied behind his back. Vercingetorix is the natural historical candidate, because he was the great leader of the Gallic revolt defeated by Caesar at Alesia in 52 BC; he was then brought to Rome, displayed in Caesar's triumph in 46 BC, and killed after years of captivity.

The side with Venus and Cupid completes the message. Caesar is not showing his own face: he is showing Venus, because the gens Julia claimed descent from Venus through Aeneas and Iulus/Ascanios. Thus, the obverse reads: "Caesar has divine origin"; the reverse reads: "Caesar has conquered Gaul." It is a very powerful political propaganda coin, not just a military payment. The British Museum, discussing Caesar's issues, emphasizes that Caesar used the coins to recall the divine descent of the Julii from Venus and Aeneas.