Sale: Triton VI, Lot: 771. Estimate $500.  Closing Date: Monday, 13 January 2003.  Sold For $350. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Q. Caecilius Metellus Pius Scipio, Imperator. 47-46 BC. AR Denarius (3.92 gm). North African mint. Q. METEL PIVS, laureate head of Jupiter right / SCIPIO above, IMP in exergue, elephant walking right. Crawford 459/1; Sear CRI, 45; Sydenham 1046; Caecilia 47. Attractively toned EF. ($500)

Scipio was Pompey's colleague in the consulship of 52 BC, and governor of Syria in 49 BC. He commanded the center line of Pompey's army at Pharsalus, after which he fled to Africa and formed an alliance with Juba, king of Numidia. Through the influence of Cato, he obtained control of the Pompeian forces and was defeated by Caesar in 46 BC at Thapsus, where, not wanting to be captured, he committed suicide. This coin was struck during Scipio's African campaign to pay the soldiers under his command.