Crawford 464/3c, Roman Republic, 46 BC., moneyer Titus Carisius, Denarius
Roman Republic, Rome mint, moneyer Titus Carisius, 46 BC.,
AR Denarius (17-18 mm, 3,64 g), silver, axis coin alignment ?? (ca. 180°),
Obv.: Head of Roma right in helmet with plain crest, ROMA behind.
Rev.: Cornucopia on celestial globe between scepter and rudder, T. CARIS below; all within wreath.
Crawford 464/3c ; Sydenham 984a. ; RSC Carisia 4a .
The gens Carisia was a Roman family during the latter half of the 1st century BC. The 46 BC monetary college consists of three men: Manius Cordus Rufus, Titus Carisius and Caius Considius. In his monetary iconography, Titus Carisius emphasizes the origin of Julius Caesar and participates in the celebrations of Caesar's four-time triumph in that year. Little is known about Titus Carisius' career other than his monetary triumvirate.
46 BC was an amazingly eventful year: Caesar celebrated his Gallic triumph, in which Vercingetorix was executed; he achieved a decisive victory at Thapsus over the Pompeians (an event Crawford indicates is celebrated on this coin); Cleopatra moved to Rome with her son by Caesar, Caesarion; and Caesar reformed the Roman calendar. This was also the year in which he secretly appointed his nephew, Octavius (the future Augustus) as his heir.
The reverse features emblems of power, a cornucopiae on celestial globe between sceptre and rudder. This is one of a series of types connected with the triumphs of Julius Caesar and the traditions of his family. The symbols of power are undoubtedly meant to refer to the vast power that Caesar had acquired by 46 BC.