The Republicans. Cn. Domitius L.f. Ahenobarbus. 41-40 BC. AR Denarius (18.5mm, 3.89 g, 9h). Uncertain mint in the region of the Adriatic or Ionian Sea. Near EF.

CNG Feature Auction 123
Lot: 523. Estimated: $ 2 000

Roman Republican, Coin-in-Hand Video, Silver

Sold For $ 4 250. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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The Republicans. Cn. Domitius L.f. Ahenobarbus. 41-40 BC. AR Denarius (18.5mm, 3.89 g, 9h). Uncertain mint in the region of the Adriatic or Ionian Sea. Bare head of Ahenobarbus right, wearing short beard / Prow right surmounted by a military trophy. Crawford 519/2; CRI 339; Sydenham 1177; Domitia 21; RBW 1803. Attractive old cabinet tone, some light scratches mostly under tone. Near EF.

From the Collection of a London Novelist. Ex Gorny & Mosch 261 (4 March 2019), lot 611.

Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus commanded a fleet against the Triumvirs, achieving a minor victory in September of 42 BC. But that very day, the Triumvirs won the battle of Philippi, and Ahenobarbus found himself fighting for a lost cause. He became a piratical rogue, terrorizing the ports of the Adriatic like his western counterpart, Sextus Pompey, until he signed the Pact of Brundisium in 40 BC, which reconciled him to Mark Antony. His great-grandson would become the Emperor Nero (AD 54-68). The rare coinage of Ahenobarbus belongs to his stint as a “pirate king” 42-40 BC. This silver denarius bears an appropriately nautical reverse celebrating his victories at sea. The balding, bearded portrait on the obverse remains enigmatic; it may represent Gnaeus himself, or one of his ancestors.

The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 123 lots will be determined during the live online sale that will be held on 23-24 May 2023. This lot is in Session Two, which will begin 23 May 2023 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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