ANCIENT ROME. Julius Caesar Denarius. (January - February 44BC) P. Sepullius Macer, moneyer. CAESAR IMP, laureate head of Caesar right, star of eight rays behind / P SEPVLLIVS MACER, Venus standing left, holding Victory in right hand, scepter set on star in left. Syd 1071, Cr480/5b about Extremely Fine

A superb example of this timeless and historic coin.

Revered in his own time as a god, Julius Caesar is studied to this day for his supremacy in military strategy. His name remains synonymous with absolute power, his life testament to the heights and depths that such power brings.

Through bribery, charm and sheer intimidation, Caesar rose quickly through the traditional ranks of Roman politics. The early years of his adult life were devoted to building relationships - the foundation for a bid for power.

His major political achievement was in forming The First Triumvirate, an alliance with two of the most powerful political and military men of the day - Pompey and Crassus. As part of this agreement, Caesar became consul in 59bc and was then granted the position of governor over Gaul.

It was during his years in Gaul that Caesar cemented his military power base. The more successful his campaigns, the higher his popularity rose with the plebes in Rome and apparently the more jealous Pompey became. A bitter rivalry between them developed, which Caesar manipulated to be an attack on the power of the senate. To maintain the freedom of the libertines, he crossed the Rubicon River and took Rome by force.

He systematically routed the enemies of the senate, and was showered with adulation. His person was declared sacred, he was given a golden crown and throne and most importantly he was awarded the dictatorship, which was renewed and given to him for life.

As undisputed ruler of the Graeco-Roman world, he set about major political and economic reform. He regulated local government; drastically reduced the number eligible for the dole of grain; set a ceiling on interest rates; and greatly influenced the calendar. Future plans included draining the Pontine Marshes; enlarging Ostia Harbour; a canal through the Isthmus of Corinth; the codification of Roman law and war on the Parthians and Dacians.

As his grand plans were unfolding, Julius Caesar was murdered on March 15th, 44BC. His autocratic, dictatorial, perhaps monarchistic tendencies turned some of the most influential senators in Rome against him. Their conspiracy led to his assassination - he was stabbed to death in the Senate with the daggers of his friends and colleagues.

 Even after 15 years as a full-time coin dealer, to this day I'm still mesmerised by the incredible history that the classical coins of ancient Rome and Greece have. A range of coins were struck in the name of Julius Caesar, "portrait denarii" (i.e. small silver coins featuring his portrait) are in my opinion among the most desirable to own. They're relatively affordable, and capture a lot of the history of the man and his time.

This particular example has been centrally struck on a quality planchet, has minimal wear, and retains a superb patina to boot - it really is something to behold. Classical coins such as this have a timeless appeal, and are traded right around the world each day of the week between like-minded collectors and dealers.

You could do far worse than indulge yourself in a solid, tangible and enduring asset such as this right now.