Pre-Long Beach Auction #80

L. Scipio Asiagenus. Silver Denarius (3.89 g), 106 BC. Rome. Laureate head of Jupiter left; in right field, O and pellet. Reverse L SCIP ASIAG in exergue, Jupiter, holding scepter and reins, and hurling thunderbolt, driving galloping quadriga right. Crawford 311/1a; Sydenham 576; Cornelia 24b. Fine serrated edges. Well struck and perfectly centered, all delicately toned. Superb Extremely Fine.

The reverse records the decisive victory over Antiochos III the Great of Syria in 190 BC by the moneyer's ancestor, L. Cornelius Scipio, and his ancestor's brother, Scipio Africanus, at the Battle of Magnesia. The victory resulted in Roman control over the internal affairs of much of Asia Minor, greatly adding to the domains administered directly by Rome and bringing her one step closer to total dominance of the entire Mediterranean region.

In his later career, this moneyer become co-consul with C. Norbanus in 83 BC, and raised two armies to oppose Sulla during the Second Civil War. He was no match for the wily dictator and his hardened legions, however; both of his armies deserted him, defecting to Sulla, without ever committing to battle.
Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,200.
Ex Triton XV (3-4 January 2012), 1467; Tkalec (27 February 2008), 45.