Pre-Long Beach Auction #84

Q. Metellus Pius Scipio. Silver Denarius (3.6 g), 47-46 BC. Military mint traveling with Scipio in Africa. Q METEL above, PI[VS] below, laureate head of Jupiter right. Reverse: SCIPIO above, IMP in exergue, elephant advancing right. Crawford 459/1; HCRI 45; Sydenham 1050; Caecilia 47. Rare. Very Fine.

A Pompeian loyalist, Q. Metellus Pius Scipio introduced the legislation that recalled Caesar from his Gallic command, thus precipitating the Civil Wars. This denarius was struck while Scipio was in supreme command of the Pompeian forces in North Africa, the elephant an obvious reference to the province, and was probably struck during the later stages of the campaign in a mobile mint traveling alongside the forces.
Estimated Value $500 - 600.