Exceptional Strike for Issue
Lepidus and Octavian. Spring-summer 42 BC. AR Denarius (16mm, 3.87 g, 8h). Military mint traveling with Lepidus in Italy. Bare head of Lepidus right / Bare head of Octavian right. Crawford 495/2a; CRI 140; Sydenham 1323; RSC 2a. Good VF, toned. Exceptional portrait of Lepidus.
This issue was struck by Lepidus to commemorate the foundation of the Second Triumvirate, and was probably struck from the proceeds of the proscriptions in preparation for the campaign against Brutus and Cassius in 42 BC. Lepidus is shown with the title Pontifus Maximus, an office which he received after the assassination of Julius Caesar and held until his death in 12 BC.