TYPE Roman Imperatorial, Julius Caesar (63-44 BC), silver denarius, struck 49-8 BC DESCRIPTION . Obv: Elephant trampling serpent Rev: Pontifical emblems: simpulum, aspergillum, ax and apex; legend: CAESAR REFERENCE: SR 353, Cr 443/1 GRADING: F+, moderate porosity, lightly toned ORDER INFO: R2876, $135 Uneven strike, ranging from flat to EF, but with some key detail clearly visible. This popular issue was minted to fund Caesar's advance on Italy during the civil war, and the interesting obverse scene accordingly reflects the campaign's purpose. It is an allegory in reference to one of Caesar's opponents, Metellus Pius Scipio (see item R1105), symbolized by his elephant family emblem, crushing a snake representing the safety of the Roman Republic. By 45 BC, this situation was rectified - at least from Caesar's perspective - but he was not destined to enjoy the fruits of it for much longer, as his dramatic assassination was to come in the year to follow. However, his political legacy was to far outlast him, of course.