Lot 1981

Description

Ahenobarbus (Imperator renegade Republican Naval Commander), (died c.30 B.C.), denarius, issued 41 B.C., mint travelling with Ahenobarbus, obv. bare head of Ahenobarbus to right, to right AHENOB[AR] before, rev. prow to right with a naval trophy mounted on board, below CN DOMITIVS IMP, (Cr.519/2, Syd.1177, S.392). Some surface porosity, otherwise very fine and very rare.

Ex Duke of Northumberland Collection. This coin also published in Rear Admiral William Henry Smyth book `Descriptive Catalogue of a Cabinet of Family Coins belonging to His Grace the Duke of Northumberland K.G.', 1856 as Tablet VI, No.30. The varied career of Ahenobarbus spans almost the entire period of the civil wars. A supporter of Pompey, he was pardoned by Caesar but was probably implicated in the conspiracy which led to the dictator's assassination. Given an important naval command by Brutus, he turned to piracy following the downfall of the republican cause at Philippi. It was during this period that he issued coins in his own name. Later, he was reconciled to Antony but deserted him shortly before the battle of Actium.