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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Mikey Zee, post: 2384494, member: 72818&quot;]From the date, it&#039;s obvious that this denarius is NOT attributable to the more familiar historical &#039;Scipio&#039;s&#039; but struck by a much later descendent---Q Caecillus Metellus Pius Scipio. Regardless, this Scipio has an interesting resume:</p><p><br /></p><p>Disclosed to Cicero the Catiline conspiracy.</p><p>Was consul with Pompey in 52 BC.</p><p>Governor of Syria in 49 BC.</p><p>He commanded the center line of Pompey&#039;s army at Pharsalus, after which he fled to Africa and formed an alliance with Juba, King of Numidia.</p><p><br /></p><p>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.</p><p><br /></p><p>Denarius of Q Caecillus Metellus Pius Scipio and Eppius Legatus</p><p>Struck by the military mint traveling with Scipio in Africa, circa 47-46 BC</p><p>Crawford 461/1; 17 mm, 3.87 grams</p><p>Q METELL SCIPIO IMP</p><p>Head of Africa wearing elephant skin headdress, staff of grain to right, plow below</p><p>EPPIVS LEG F C</p><p>Hercules standing/facing with hand on hip, leaning on club, draped with lion skin and set on rock.</p><p><br /></p><p>This &#039;series&#039; is described as &#039;crude&#039;. The styling generating statements that...&quot;Scipio must have had difficulty securing talented engravers as this type is typically crudely stylized...&quot;</p><p><br /></p><p>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 &#039;deity&#039; or the &#039;moneyers&#039; had some significant &#039;transgender&#039; issues<img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie11" alt=":rolleyes:" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /><img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie8" alt=":D" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" />....Needless to say, this denarius has already become my favorite of 2016.</p><p><br /></p><p>Please post any related issue or denomination....I&#039;d LOVE to see any of the more well known Scipios<img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie54" alt=":hungry:" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /><img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie1" alt=":)" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]489135[/ATTACH][/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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