Caesar, Iulia, Denarius, mint moving with Cesar, 49-48 BC (RRC) 50-49 BC (BMCRR), AR.
Obv: Pontifical emblems Ð culullus, aspergillum, axe and apex.
Rev: Elephant right, trampling dragon; in exergue, CAESAR.
RRC 443/1; BMCRR Gallia 27; Babelon, Iulia 9; Catalli 2001,631.

Religious implements are depicted on roman coins as symbols of religious offices.The jug and lituus are the images of functions linked to two main colleges of religious offices, the Pontifices and Augures. Together these functions ensured the legitimacy of all political actions and the safety of the Roman state. These emblems have references within Roman culture to augury and sacrifice. To Augures who took the auspices, which determined divine favour and alone carried lituus; to Pontifex Maximus who exercised a primary control of public sacrifices, preparing the sacred wine for libations, attending public vows and sacrifices to ensure that they were performed in accordance with traditional mos maiorum. They connect political power with the traditional rituals required of Republican magistracy. Caesar held many of the most important and influential priestly offices (Flamen Dialis in 87 or 86 BC, Pontifex in 73 BC, Pontifex Maximus in 63 BC and an Augur in 47 BC). He minted coins depicting religious imagery andthe accumulation of religious implements create a new coin type that focused solely on defining implements of these offices without any other imagery that would traditionally accompany them. This new iconography was intended to signify Caesar's supreme authority. The function of iconography is of representing power showing items linked to office which traditionally claimed political legitimacy and the right of a commander to command his army. The reverse displays an elephant about to trample on a raising snake, a symbol of victory and strenght, promised destruction of treacherous enemies. Caesar captures sixty four beasts and paraded them, turreted before the city of Tapsus (B. Af.86); for conspicuous bravery in fighting them he bestowed on the famed Fifth legion the Alaudae, the elphant as its badge (App, BCC II,96).

Weight: 3.30 g.
Diameter: 17 mm.