Metellius Pius Scipio - denarius Elephant, enemy of Julius Caesar! (JA2337)

Q. CAECILIUS METELLUS PIUS SCIPIO. Denarius (47-46 BC). Military mint traveling with Scipio in Africa.

Obv: Q METEL / PIVS.

Laureate head of Jupiter right.

Rev: SCIPIO / IMP.

Elephant advancing right.

Crawford 459/1.

Condition: almost very fine.

Weight: 3.53 g.

Diameter: 17 mm.

Scipio was Pompey's colleague in the consulship of 52 BC, and governor of Syria in 49 BC. He commanded the center line of Pompey's army at Pharsalus, after which he fled to Africa and formed an alliance with Juba I, king of Numidia. Through the influence of Cato, he obtained control of the Pompeian forces but was defeated by Caesar in 46 BC at Thapsus, where, not wanting to be captured, he committed suicide. This coin was struck while Scipio was in Africa.