Roma Numismatics Ltd
E-Sale 43 3 Feb 2018
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Q. Caecilius Metellus Pius Scipio AR Denarius. Military mint travelling with Scipio in Africa, 47-46 BC. Laureate head of Jupiter right, in archaic style with beard and hair in ringlets; Q•METEL PIVS around / Elephant standing right; SCIPIO above, IMP below. Crawford 459/1; CRI 45; RSC Caecilia 47. 3.67g, 17mm, 9h.
Very Fine.
After L. Caecilius Metellus' victory over the Carthaginian general Hasdrubal at the Battle of Panormus in 251 BC and the capture of many of the war elephants that had so terrorised the Roman soldiers, that beast became as a heraldic symbol to the gens Caecilia and was a frequent motif on their consular coinage. It is ironic then, that displayed on this coin it should be so reminiscent of Julius Caesar's own earlier issue bearing an elephant where, in a position that overshadows this later coinage, it was placed prominently on the obverse.
Very Fine.
After L. Caecilius Metellus' victory over the Carthaginian general Hasdrubal at the Battle of Panormus in 251 BC and the capture of many of the war elephants that had so terrorised the Roman soldiers, that beast became as a heraldic symbol to the gens Caecilia and was a frequent motif on their consular coinage. It is ironic then, that displayed on this coin it should be so reminiscent of Julius Caesar's own earlier issue bearing an elephant where, in a position that overshadows this later coinage, it was placed prominently on the obverse.