History of coins · 44 BC
44 BC: Caesar's portrait on a coin
Julius Caesar becomes the first living Roman to appear on a coin – and portraits of rulers become the rule.
Early in 44 BC, the Roman mint struck denarii showing Julius Caesar during his lifetime – a break with republican tradition, where living politicians were not depicted. Weeks later Caesar was murdered on the Ides of March.
His assassins answered with coins of their own: Brutus' famous denarius with a cap of liberty between two daggers and the inscription EID MAR is one of the most sought-after ancient coins. From Augustus onwards, the emperor's portrait became standard – a tradition that continues on many coins to this day.
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