ROMAN IMPERATORIAL. The Triumvirs. Lepidus and Octavian. AR denarius. 3.79 gm. 18 mm. Military mint traveling with Lepidus in Italy. November-December 42 B.C. Bare head of Lepidus right; LEPIDVS PONT MAX III V R P C / Bare head of Octavian right; CAESAR IMP III VIR R P C. CRI 140. Crawford 495/2a. RSC 2a. RBW 1752. Near Very Fine; rich old collection tone; nice surfaces; clear portraits, and full legends, well centered on a broad flan. Very Rare. Full legends and good centering are both extremely rare on this issue, which makes this piece as such doubly rare.

Purchased from David Sear.

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. This issue commemorates the founding of the Second Triumvirate, and was probably struck from funds raised preparing for the campaign against Brutus and Cassius in 42 BC. Lepidus bears the title Pontifex Maximus, an office he received after the assassination of Julius Caesar and held until he died in 12 BC.