Obverse: IMP CAESAR DIVI F DIVI IVLI, Bare heads of Julius Caesar facing left, and Octavian facing right, back to back.

Reverse: Prow of quinquireme with multi-storey superstructure and mast, hull decorated with eye; C·I·V above. 

RPC: 517. SNG Copenhagen: 703. [Gaul, Vienna, Circa 36 BC].

Diameter: 32 mm. Weight: 17.7 g.

A scarce and unusual coin struck in Southern Gaul in the Roman colony of Vienna, founded by Julius Caesar circa 50 BC. The obverse has a superbly detailed portrait of Caesar, who when this coin was struck had been dead for nearly a decade. On the 1st of January 42 BC the senate posthumously recognised Julius Caesar as a divinity of the Roman senate "Divus Julius". As Caesar's adopted heir, Octavian was quick to emphasise that this made him "Divi filius": the son of a god.