Two Rare Portrait Issues - Proconsul P. Quinctilius Varus

Sale: CNG 78, Lot: 1548. Estimate $300.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 14 May 2008.  Sold For $10800. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

BYZACIUM, Hadrumentum. Augustus. 27 BC-AD 14. Æ Dupondius (14.31 g, 6h). P. Quinctilius Varus, proconsul. Struck 8-7 BC. Radiate head of Sol left; [trident to right] / Bare head of Varus right. RPC 776; MAA 87; SNG Copenhagen -. Near VF, black-green and brown patina.

From the Patrick Villemur Collection.

After serving in his administrative role in Africa, P. Quinctilius Varus went on to serve as governor of Syria and later occupied Jerusalem where he crucified 2,000 Jewish rebels, an act which aided to generate anti-Roman sentiments throughout the area. His second marriage to Claudia Pulchra, grand niece of Augustus. However, it was the battle at the Teutoberg Forest in AD 9 which forged the memory of Varus, as it was here that he lost three Roman legions as well as his life to the revolting Germanic tribe.