- Stock: In Stock
- Model: Metellius Pius Scipio hercules denarius
Q. Metellus Scipio and Eppius Legatus . Fourree Denarius (silver plated), Africa 47-46, AR 2,47 g. 21mm Q·METELL – SCIPIO·IMP Laureate head of Africa r., wearing elephant skin; in r. field, cornear and below, plough. Rev. EPPIVS – LEG·F·C Hercules standing facing with r. hand on hip and resting l. on club draped with a lion’s skin. Babelon Caecilia 50 and Eppia 1. Sydenham 1051. Sear Imperators 44. RBW 1605. Crawford 461/1. rare coin.
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.