Lot 4768

Description

M. Aemilius Scaurus and P. Plautius Hypsaeus, (c.58 B.C.), silver denarius, Rome mint, (4.12 g), obv. king Aretas kneeling beside camel to right, M.SCAVR and AED CVR above, REX [ARETAS] in exergue, EX to left, [SC] to right, rev. Jupiter in quadriga to left, P.HYPSAE / AED CVR above, [CAPTV] on right, [C.HYPSAE COS/ PREIVER] in exergue, scorpion below horses, (S.379, Cr.422/1b, Syd.913, RSC Aemilia 8). Attractive deep toning, nearly extremely fine and scarce.

The extraordinary obverse type commemorates the surrender to Scaurus of the Nabataean king Aretas III in 62 BC. This coin represents the first instance of a moneyer portraying an event from his own career on the coinage.