Sale: CNG 72, Lot: 1355. Estimate $10000.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 14 June 2006.  Sold For $10000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Octavian. 31 BC. AR Denarius (4.41 g, 1h). Cyrene mint. L. Pinarius Scarpus, moneyer. IMP CAESARI SCARPVS IMP, open right hand left / DIVI F AVG PONG (sic), Victory standing right on globe, holding palm-branch and wreath. Crawford 546/6; CRI 413; RIC I 534; Sydenham 1282; RSC 500. EF, lightly toned. Very rare, and one of the finest specimens known.

L. Pinarius Scarpus had been appointed by Antony to command his four legions in Cyrenaica against Octavian's African army which was under the command of Cornelius Gallus. After learning of Antony's defeat at Actium, Scarpus transferred his allegiance to Octavian. This issue was struck shortly after the battle of Actium, the open hand signaling a gesture of friendship toward Octavian.