Twelve Caesars Roman Empire 43 BC Octavian & Divus Julius Caesar Gold Aureus NGC CH F 4 2

Octavian & Julius Caesar Portrait Aureus

A Rare Gold Witness to the Birth of the Roman Empire

Grade: Choice Fine | NGC Certified | Offered at $112,500

Few ancient coins capture a more consequential moment in history than the Octavian & Julius Caesar aureus, struck in 43 BC, just months after Caesar's assassination. Featuring the lifelike portraits of Gaius Octavian, soon to become Augustus, and his adoptive father, Julius Caesar, this remarkable aureus stands as a tangible witness to the extraordinary transition from the Roman Republic to the Roman Empire.

With only 11 known examples certified by NGC, this is an exceptionally rare ancient gold coin and an important opportunity for collectors who seek coins with both extraordinary historical significance and genuine scarcity.

A Coin Struck at a Turning Point in History

In 43 BC, Rome was emerging from one of the most turbulent periods in its history. Julius Caesar had been assassinated the previous year, leaving a dangerous power vacuum. His adopted heir, Octavian, was rapidly building his political and military position while asserting his legitimacy as Caesar's successor.

This aureus was part of that extraordinary political moment.

The coin presents the portraits of both men, with Caesar identified by the titles DICT PERP * Dictator for Life * and PONT MAX, Pontifex Maximus, or High Priest. The imagery was far more than commemorative. It reinforced Octavian's connection to Caesar and communicated his claim to Caesar's legacy at precisely the moment Rome's future was being decided.

Gold aurei such as this were also ideally suited for military payments, making the coin an evocative possibility as a piece of the financial machinery supporting Octavian's growing army.

One of the Most Important Portraits of Julius Caesar

The portrait of Caesar is among the most compelling features of the coin.

Unlike the idealized images of Caesar that appeared on later Roman coinage, this near-contemporary portrait presents him with remarkably naturalistic features, aged, gaunt and unmistakably human. Few surviving gold coins provide such a direct numismatic connection to the living memory of Julius Caesar.

On the reverse, Octavian's portrait represents the future.

Together, the two portraits tell a remarkable story: Caesar, whose assassination transformed Rome, and Octavian, the young heir who would ultimately become Augustus and establish the Roman Empire.

A Worthy Counterpart to the Legendary Eid Mar

The coin is sometimes overshadowed by the legendary Eid Mar aureus of Brutus, but the two coins tell very different chapters of Caesar's story.

The Eid Mar commemorates the assassination of Caesar.

The Octavian & Julius Caesar aureus represents what came next—the struggle for succession, the rise of Octavian and ultimately the transformation of Rome from Republic to Empire.

In that sense, this aureus is not simply a coin depicting two famous Romans. It is a golden document of the political birth of the Roman imperial world.

Extraordinary Rarity. Exceptional Market Opportunity.

The market has demonstrated the extraordinary demand for this issue.

The finest known example, graded CH AU★ by NGC, sold for an extraordinary $750,000 in mid-2025. More recently, a Choice Very Fine example brought $158,600 at auction, demonstrating the substantial collector demand for these exceedingly rare aurei.

Against that backdrop, this Choice Fine example is offered for $112,500—providing an opportunity to acquire one of only 11 NGC-certified examples at a level substantially below the recent Choice VF auction result.

For the serious ancient coin collector, this is precisely the type of coin that can become a cornerstone of an important collection: extraordinarily rare, historically consequential, visually compelling and connected directly to two of the most important figures in Roman history.

Coins of this importance seldom become available, and opportunities at this price point are even rarer.

A Golden Link Between Caesar and Augustus

Julius Caesar changed Rome.

Octavian finished the transformation.

This remarkable aureus brings the two together on a single piece of ancient gold struck at the very moment their destinies, and the destiny of Rome were becoming inseparable.

For the collector seeking an important ancient gold coin with genuine historical significance, extreme rarity and compelling market value, this Octavian & Julius Caesar aureus represents an exceptional opportunity.