Sale: Triton V, Lot: 1846. Estimate $2000.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 16 January 2002.  Sold For $2000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Cn. Domitius Calvinus. 39 BC. AR Denarius (3.57 gm). Osca mint. OSCA, bearded male head right / DOM COS ITER IMP, simpulum, sprinkler, axe and priest's hat. Crawford 532/1; Sear, CRI 342; BMCRR (Spain) 109; Burgos 1509. Toned EF, darker toning behind head. Very rare this nice. ($2000)

Cn. Domitius Calvinus was appointed governor of Spain by Octavian after that province was ceded by Sextus Pompey, son of Pompey the Great. The province was in a state of chaos after years of civil war and the rule by Sextus, who governed as little more than a brigand. The stern Calvinus, formerly magister equites under Caesar, pacified the province, putting down a revolt by the Ceretani, although not before subjecting a legionary detachment to the ancient punishment of decimation (executing one out of ten men) for cowardice in the face of the enemy. The minting of these denarii, probably at Osca itself, marks the restoration of Roman order in Spain and the renewed flow of Spanish silver to the Roman treasury.