Ancient Roman Imperatorial - 43 BCE Julius Caesar AR Denarius NGC Choice AU

NGC as CHAU Strike 4/5; Surface 5/5. 

It last appeared 11 years ago, in 2008, in the Tallent & Belzburg Collection, and realized $19,550 with the Buyer's Fee included. In that catalog it was described as:

Today, this coin is a VISUAL DELIGHT-! The surfaces are supremely prooflike and there is ample mint luster on both sides. This coin GLEEMS-! Not to mention the fact that the obverse is so very well-centered with nearly complete borders. There is just the lightest hint of golden toning intermingled in the devices. We note this coin was struck with such care as to make a lasting representative example of such a fine piece, the pressure added must have been more intense than usual, as the reverse is slightly concave and would hold a drop of water if applied.

From a historical perspective, this coin was struck within a year of Julius Caesar's assassination. It features the glorious, idealized portrait on the obverse is believed to underline the divinity of Caesar and thus the claim to power of his adopted son Octavianus, while the lapel with the representation of Venus refers to the divine descent of the genus Iulia. 

Comparables in chronological order-

03/19 a VF sold for $17,959 in a German auction

10/13 a XF sold for $23,070 in a German auction

01/11 an AU sold for $55,000 in a US auction

09/10 an AU sold for $55,234 in a German auction

04/08 the present specimen sold for $19,550 in a US auction