Lot 3646

Description

Q. Caecilius Metellus Pius Scipio (Imperator), silver denarius, issued 47-46 B.C., North African Mint (Utica?), 3.87 grams, C.459/1, S.1046, BMC Africa 1, Sear Caecilia 47 (p.21), Obv. Head of Jupiter to r. laureated, around Q METEL PIVS, Rev. Elephant to r. SCIPIO weakly struck above. IMP below. Very fine or better and rare (16).

Scipio disclosed to Cicero the Catiline conspiracy. He was consul with Pompey in 52 B.C. and governor of Syria in 49 B.C.. He commanded the centre line of Pompey's army at Pharsalus, after which he fled to Africa and formed an alliance with King Juba of Numidia. The coin was struck during the African campaign and refers to Africa by the use of an elephant on the reverse. He was defeated by Caesar at Thapsus.