Sicily. Lepidus. AE 15, 2.58g. (8h). Sicily, 42 BC. Obv: LEPIDVS PO[NT MAX III V R P C] Bare head of M. Lepidus right. Rx: [LEPIDV]S PONT MAX III V [R P C] Bare head of M. Lepidus right.. Cf. Crawford 495/2. Cf. Sydenham 1323. Cf. Sear, Imperators 140. Fine.
Ex Randy Haviland Collection.
At first glance, this fascinating piece appears to be simply the bronze core of a plated, but otherwise "normal," denarius of Lepidus and Octavian. Both portraits are that of Lepidus however, and enough of the reverse legend remains to demonstrate that both sides bear the titles of Lepidus as well. The portraits are quite refined, and were presumably copied from a denarius of the best style. There seems every reason to believe it was created intentionally and is at least quasi-official in nature, most likely as an attempt to fill a gap in small change in Lepidus' province of Sicily. Unpublished and probably unique.