Lot 3620

Description

C. Marcius Censorinus, 88 B.C. (died 82 B.C.), AE As, Rome Mint, 10.06 grams, Crawford 346/3, Sydenham 716, BMC 2149, sear 267, Obv. Jugate heads of Numa pompilius, bearded and Ancus Marcius, not bearded, r. on either side legend not discernable. Rev. C.CENSO, below [ROMA], two arches; beneath l. arch, spiral column bearing statue of Victory, protruding from r. arch prow; another Sextus Pompey, AE As, Issued 45 B.C. and later, 24.28 grams, Spain and Sicily Mints, Crawford 479/1, Sydenham 1044, Sear 348, Cohen 16 (Pompey the Great), Obv. Laureate head of Janus, with features of Cn. Pompeius Magnus, above [MAGN], Rev. Prow to r. above [PIVS], below IMP. Fine, both scarce, (1529, 1530). (2)

Ex C. Pitchfork Collection and previously 1529 from Glendinings, London, May 6, 1987 (lot 52) and 1530 from Antiquarius, Auckland, November 8, 1988.

The moneyer in 1529 is the C. Marcius Censorinus of the Roman party, who died as legate in 82 B.C. in the course of the struggle against L.Sulla. 1530 an issue of Sextus Pompey who was the younger son of Pompey the Great by his third wife Mucia. He fought with his brother against Caesar at Munda and escaped with his life. After Caesar's death he managed to become master of the Mediterranean Sea and seized Sicily. He was defeated by Octavian and put to death in 35 B.C. This issue probably was issued initially in Spain and could have continued into Sicily.