Sale: CNG 64, Lot: 883. Estimate $200.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 24 September 2003.  Sold For $225. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

OCTAVIAN. 36 BC. AR Quinarius (1.76 gm). Italian mint. Galley with rowers under full sail right / Victory standing left, holding wreath, palm, and rudder. Crawford -; CRI 315A; Sydenham 1339; RSC 94. Near VF, banker's mark on reverse. Scarce. ($200)

From the Tony Hardy Collection.

Although Crawford and Mattingly assigned this issue to the period after Actium, Octavian's titles here are consistent with the early 30s BC. The strongly naval theme (the galley, Victory also holding a rudder) suggests preparations for a naval engagement, perhaps against Sextus Pompey, and may commemorate both the battle of Naulochus in 36 BC, and the return of Octavian's legions to Africa.