ROMAN IMPERATORIAL. The Triumvirs. Lepidus (deceased, 13 B.C.) and Octavian. AR denarius. 3.45 gm. 16 mm. Military mint traveling with Lepidus in Italy. Spring-summer 42 B.C. Bare head of Lepidus right (partially off flan); [LEPIDVS PONT] MAX (ligate) III V R [P C] around / Bare head of Octavian right, with slight beard; CAES[AR IMP III] VIR R R C around. CRI 140 var. (rev. legend). Crawford 495/2a or 2c var. (same). RSC 2 or 2a var. (same). Near Extremely Fine; light old toning over fresh surfaces; unusually nice for this type; centering issues but what is here is beautiful. Very rare.

Purchased from John Jencek.

Lepidus was a loyal colleague of Julius Caesar (who in fact had dined at his home the night before he was assassinated) but he joined the triumvirate of Octavian and Antony until sidelined.Another prime error: off center and misengraved "R R C" instead of "R P C."