The Republicans. Cn. Domitius L.f. Ahenobarbus. 41-40 BC. AR Denarius (18.5mm, 4.04 g, 11h). Uncertain mint in the region of the Adriatic or Ionian Sea. Good VF.

Electronic Auction 539
Lot: 604. Estimated: $ 750

Roman Republican, Silver

Sold For $ 6 000. 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, 4.04 g, 11h). 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. Lightly toned, metal flaw on obverse, hairlines on reverse, flan flaw on reverse likely caused by a piece of extraneous metal on flan or die and struck through, falling away after striking. Good VF. Struck through errors on ancient Roman Imperial coins are rare.

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.

Closing Date and Time: 31 May 2023 at 13:21:00 ET.

All winning bids are subject to an 20% buyer’s fee.