Important and Extremely Rare Denarius of L. Staius Murcus
Ex RBW Collection

411, Lot: 371. Estimate $1500. Sold for $3750. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

The Republicans. L. Staius Murcus. 41 BC. AR Denarius (17mm, 3.50 g, 12h). Mint traveling with Murcus in the Ionian Sea. Head of Neptune right, trident over shoulder to left / Soldier (Murcus?) standing left, holding sword and with right hand raising female figure (Roma?) on left, who kneels right; trophy in background between them. Crawford 510/1; CRI 337; Sydenham 1315; Statia 1; RBW 1782 (this coin). Near VF, dark find patina. Extremely rare.

From the Andrew McCabe Collection. Ex RBW Collection (Numismatica Ars Classica 63, 17 May 2012), lot 536 (purchased by RBW from Frank L. Kovacs, 26 June 1989).

A typically badly made type indicative of a rare issue struck under military difficulties; perhaps only RRC 477 Pompey Pietas surpasses it. [Andrew McCabe]

Originally serving with Caesar – as legate from 48 to 46 BC, and then as praetor in 45 BC – L. Staius (Statius) Murcus was appointed by the Senate as proconsul in Syria following Caesar’s assassination. Following the arrival of Cassius in Syria in 43 BC, Murcus transferred control of his legions over to the tyrannicide, who, in turn, gave Murcus command of a fleet. Murcus immediately demonstrated his tactical abilities and soon joined forces with Cn. Domitius Ahenobarbus to gain joint control of the eastern Mediterranean. Following Philippi, Murcus (along with Ahenobarbus) picked up many of the survivors. He then began raiding along the Ionian Sea. In 41 BC, Murcus defected to Sextus Pompey. Soon, however, the two began to quarrel and Murcus was executed in 40/39 BC on a charge of conspiracy.