PHRYGIA, Apameia. M. Cicero M. f. Proconsul, 51-50 BC. AR Tetradrachm (28mm, 12.34 g, 12h). Cistophoric type. Theopropos, son of Apollonios, magistrate. VF.

CNG Feature Auction 129
Lot: 408. Estimated: $ 10 000

Roman Provincial, Silver

Sold For $ 47 500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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PHRYGIA, Apameia. M. Cicero M. f. Proconsul, 51-50 BC. AR Tetradrachm (28mm, 12.34 g, 12h). Cistophoric type. Theopropos, son of Apollonios, magistrate. Cista mystica with serpent; all within ivy wreath / Two serpents entwined around bow and bowcase; M • CICERO • M • F/PRO • COS in two lines above; AΠA to left; [two flutes to right]; ΘEOΠPOΠOΣ AΠOΛΛΩNIOY in two lines below. LRC XI, 470–1 var. (unlisted dies); Stumpf 89; Pinder 200 var. (without M • F). Toned, some roughness. VF. Extremely rare, one of three known, the only one in private hands.

From the Kalevala Collection.

Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 BC) was perhaps the most brilliant and influential of all Roman men of letters from the late Republic, the rediscovery of whose writings in the 14th century is often credited with jump-starting the literary Renaissance. Thanks to his secretary Tiro, Cicero’s voluminous speeches, letters, and essays survived his murder at the hands of Mark Antony’s men in 43 BC to form the basis for subsequent studies of Latin as a written language. A student of Archias and Philo, his fame as an orator and lawyer representing celebrity clients in sensational cases allowed his political career to skip many minor magistracies of the Cursus Honorum, including the office of Moneyer. At the age of 30, he was one of the youngest men ever elected to the Roman Senate and was soon appointed to Sicily where he began his career as a lawyer, demonstrating his skill as an already seasoned orator. He was elected Consul for 63 BC and served as provincial governor, or proconsul, of Roman Cilicia in 51-50 BC. Although he took the up the post reluctantly, Cicero earned plaudits for his careful management of the public purse and returned monies embezzled by previous governorships, making him very popular with the people. Though an aging inveterate civilian, he strapped on a cuirass to lead two understrength legions against a Parthian raiding party, joining Cassius’ forces and eventually defeating the Parthians near Antigonea. This lead to an acclamation as Imperator by his soldiers; this small issue of cistophori was likely struck as their bonus, his name in Latin letters reminding the legionaries who was paying them. Upon his return to Rome in January 49 BC, he was still dutifully waiting outside the city boundaries for his expected triumphal parade when Julius Caesar crossed the Rubicon and Civil War exploded, opening the final chapter of Cicero’s long and eventful public career.

Unlike other Roman giants of this period, obtaining a coin with Cicero’s name is exceedingly difficult. Cicero struck only cistophori at the mints of Apameia and Laodicea, both extremely rare. Two Apamaian specimens can be found in Berlin and Paris; this is the only example to be offered for sale.

The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 129 lots will be determined during the live online sale that will be held on 13-14 May 2025. This lot is in Session Two, which will begin 13 May at 2 PM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.

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