Julius Caesar Denarius Coin Pendant

Coin: Silver Denarius
Obverse: Elephant advancing right, trampling on serpent; CAESAR in exergue
Reverse:  Emblems of the pontificate: simpulum, aspergillum, securis (surmounted by wolf's head), and apex
Date: c. 49-48 B.B.
Bezel: 14k Gold
Weight:  5.49 grams
Diameter: 22 mm / .86 in

Description

This item is an authentic Roman silver Denarius minted in the Roman Republic under the rule of Julius Caesar, placed in a handmade bezel of 14 karat gold. There is only 1 of this item; you will receive the exact pendant shown in the photos.  

Chain necklaces can be purchased separately through this link.

History of the Artifact

The so-called "elephant denarius" was a silver coin issued by Julius Caesar in 49 BC, at the very beginning of the Roman Civil War. It is among the earliest coins minted by Caesar and is notable for being rich in political symbolism. On the obverse, it features a right-facing elephant trampling a serpent, while the reverse displays a collection of religious implements—a culullus (libation cup), aspergillum (sprinkler), axe, and apex (priestly cap)—all associated with the pontifex maximus, the chief priestly office which Caesar held at the time.

The imagery of the elephant crushing the serpent is generally interpreted as a representation of Caesar’s struggle against evil or chaos—possibly symbolizing his opposition to the corrupt Senate or Pompeian forces. Some scholars have suggested that the serpent could represent the genius of the Roman Republic or the forces of tyranny, depending on the political framing Caesar wished to convey. Importantly, Caesar did not depict his own image on the coin, which was still considered inappropriate in Roman Republican tradition, but the propaganda message is unmistakable. This coin not only funded Caesar’s military campaigns but also reinforced his claim to divine favor and religious authority, while subtly asserting his political legitimacy in a time of crisis.

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1. Ancient Artifacts exclusively sources artifacts from trusted and reputable antique distributors, many of whom have been selling Artifacts for decades.  
2. Next, the Artifact is inspected by an expert team member, who is professionally trained in counterfeit detection After the artifact passes inspection, the Certificate of Authenticity is signed and the Artifact is packaged. 
3. Finally, Ancient Artifacts gives an additional layer of protection by promising a full refund with no questions asked, in the extremely unlikely event that a counterfeit slips through our vetting process.

You will receive the exact pendant shown in the photos.

Roman Republic denarii are widely collected today because they were minted in large numbers over the course of several centuries and made of durable silver, which tends to survive well in the ground. These coins were the backbone of Roman commerce from the 3rd to the 1st century BC and were struck not only in Rome but also in military mints during campaigns, spreading them across the Mediterranean. Many were buried in hoards or lost in rural areas, later unearthed by metal detectorists or during agricultural work.

Most of the denarii on the market today come from countries like Spain, France, the Balkans, and North Africa—regions that were once under Roman control and where coin hoards have been regularly discovered. During the 19th and 20th centuries, collectors and dealers acquired vast quantities of them, especially during periods when laws surrounding antiquities were more relaxed. Even today, new finds continue to supply the market, making Republican denarii one of the most accessible and affordable ancient silver coins.