Gemini, LLC
Auction X 13 January 2013
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L. Pinarius Scarpus, for Octavian. Denarius, 3.61g. (11h). Cyrenaica, 31 BC. Obv: Head of Jupiter Ammon right, [AVGVR] behind, PONTIF before. Rx: Victory on globe right, IMP CAE[SAR] / DIVI F in two lines across field. Crawford 546/4. Sydenham 1281 (R7). Sear, Imperators 411. Cohen 125 (d'Ailly Coll., 120 Fr.). VF.
Ex Randy Haviland Collection. Ex Harlan J. Berk 137, 31 March 2004, lot 288.
Scarpus ranks as one of the consummate survivors of the Imperatorial period. Despite his kinship with Julius Caesar and thus with Octavian, Scarpus served at the battle of Philippi as a commander under Mark Antony, and just before Actium Antony made him governor of Cyrenaica with command over four legions. After Antony's defeat, however, Scarpus defected to Octavian. As governor of Cyrenaica he issued rare coins first for Antony, then for Octavian. The reverse of the present coin seems to copy Octavian's denarius with reverse CAESAR - DIVI F, Victory standing left (rather than right) on globe, suggesting that this type of Octavian's must have been struck before 31 BC.
Ex Randy Haviland Collection. Ex Harlan J. Berk 137, 31 March 2004, lot 288.
Scarpus ranks as one of the consummate survivors of the Imperatorial period. Despite his kinship with Julius Caesar and thus with Octavian, Scarpus served at the battle of Philippi as a commander under Mark Antony, and just before Actium Antony made him governor of Cyrenaica with command over four legions. After Antony's defeat, however, Scarpus defected to Octavian. As governor of Cyrenaica he issued rare coins first for Antony, then for Octavian. The reverse of the present coin seems to copy Octavian's denarius with reverse CAESAR - DIVI F, Victory standing left (rather than right) on globe, suggesting that this type of Octavian's must have been struck before 31 BC.