Sale: CNG 63, Lot: 1188. Estimate $400.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 21 May 2003.  Sold For $625. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Q. Caecilius Metellus Pius Scipio, Imperator. 47-46 BC. AR Denarius (4.04 gm). North African mint. Laureate head of Jupiter right / Elephant walking right. Crawford 459/1; CRI 45; Sydenham 1046; Caecilia 47. Toned EF, small banker's mark on reverse. ($400)

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 I, king of Numidia. Through the influence of Cato, he obtained control of the Pompeian forces but was defeated by Caesar in 46 BC at Thapsus, where, not wanting to be captured, he committed suicide. This coin was struck while Scipio was in Africa.