A Denarius of Scipio, Circa 47-46 BC

From the date, it's obvious that this denarius is NOT attributable to the more familiar historical 'Scipio's' but struck by a much later descendent---Q Caecillus Metellus Pius Scipio. Regardless, this Scipio has an interesting resume:

Disclosed to Cicero the Catiline conspiracy.
Was consul with Pompey in 52 BC.
Governor of Syria in 49 BC.
He commanded the center line of Pompey's army at Pharsalus, after which he fled to Africa and formed an alliance with Juba, King of Numidia.

This coin was struck during his African campaigns and the type refers to Africa and the fertility of the province. He was defeated by Caesar at Thapsus and when cornered in flight by the fleet of Publius Sittius, he committed suicide. Apparently, he was the last man of any consequence to bear that famous name.

Denarius of Q Caecillus Metellus Pius Scipio and Eppius Legatus
Struck by the military mint traveling with Scipio in Africa, circa 47-46 BC
Crawford 461/1; 17 mm, 3.87 grams
Q METELL SCIPIO IMP
Head of Africa wearing elephant skin headdress, staff of grain to right, plow below
EPPIVS LEG F C
Hercules standing/facing with hand on hip, leaning on club, draped with lion skin and set on rock.

This 'series' is described as 'crude'. The styling generating statements that..."Scipio must have had difficulty securing talented engravers as this type is typically crudely stylized..."

I LOVE the obverse and that reverse is so cool---the annoyed expression on Hercules face and his hand on hip stance seem to suggest either the engraver, the 'deity' or the 'moneyers' had some significant 'transgender' issues....Needless to say, this denarius has already become my favorite of 2016.

Please post any related issue or denomination....I'd LOVE to see any of the more well known Scipios

 

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A wonderful and very interesting coin! I have no Scipios

 

Wow !

Nice coin and historical background

Q

 

Nice coin

 

I cannot but echo the above praise, utterly fantastic. Interesting depiction of Hercules too!

 

You've really outdone yourself here, Mikey. Absolutely fantastic coin!

 

Nice coin, Mikey. There seem to be 2 main variations that I know of with your issue, one with a large head and one with a small. You and I have the large. Here's a couple more Scipio's for your thread.





Q. Caecilius Metellus Pius Scipio and P. Licinius Crassus Iunianus. Denarius, Africa 47-46, AR (19mm, 3.89g, 10h). CRASS·IVN – [L]EG·PRO·PR Turreted female head r.; above and below respectively, uncertain object and rostrum tridens. On l. and r. respectively, ear of corn and caduceus. Rev. METEL·PIVS – SCIP·IMP Trophy between lituus and jug. Babelon Caecilia 52 and Licinia 22. Sydenham 1049. Sear Imperators 42. RBW 1603. Crawford 460/3.

M&M sale 43, November 12-13, 1970 Lot 201



Q. Caecilius Metellus Pius Scipio and and P. Licinius Crassus Iunianus. Denarius, Africa 47-46, AR 3.95 g. Q·METEL·PIVS -SCIPIO·IMP Lion-headed figure of Genius Terrae Africae, standing facing, clad in long robes, holding ankh in r. hand; at sides of head, G·T· – A. Rev. P·CRASSVS·IVN – LEG PRO·PR Victory standing l., holding caduceus and shield. Babelon Caecilia 51 and Licinia 21. Sydenham 1050. Sear Imperators 43. Crawford 460/4.

Henry Platt Hall, Glendining July 19th, 1950 Lot 586 sold to Sanataria

 

All the coins posted are very interesting.

 

Great coin, alas I am Scipio-less.

 

Those are simply WONDERFUL examples!!! Dang!! Now I have an 'itch' to compile a 'series' LOL

Thanks everyone for the kind words!

 

hey Mikey,

a real wanne have, for me in future looks very special to me

 

awesome coin @Mikey Zee . Makes me want one. Excellent background brings the coin to life.

 

Lovely coin, Mikey!

 

Great coins all!

How many lion headed human figures are there on ancient coins?

I don't mean lion skin head dresses either which are very common.

John

 

@Mikey Zee , nice job on the capture. I do not have a Scipio, save for the purported AE of Scipio Africanus (before he was Africanus, and while in Spain), from Carthago Nova...

 

Great coins, interesting history....that is why ancient coins are number one!

 

lovely...and a cool style, i wouldn't say crude. more...charming.

i have a scipio asiagenus...





Roman Republic. L. Scipio Asiagenus, AR serrate Denarius, Rome 106 BC

O: Laureate head of Jupiter left R: Jupiter driving galloping quadriga right, hurling thunderbolt and holding reins and scepter; L SCIP ASIAG and C• in ex. Crawford 311/1e; 19mm, 3.6 g

 

A type you may be interested in, although they are usually a bit pricey and I have not been successful with any of my bids, is the man-headed bull :
http://coinquest.com/cgi-bin/cq/coins?main_coin=7034

I just noticed JB Good posted a thread "Funny Little Artemis" with an example....

 

Love that serratus and that Jupiter obverse!!! The reverse is also wonderful!

Cool Carthago Novo bronze @Alegandron !!!

 

I love those pieces to mices. Serously, they are great coins with different varieties. I only have four or five denarii in my collection now. Switched out of Roman many years ago and went to Byzantine.
That being said, If I found one that hit me hard I'd have to get another.