SELEUCIS and PIERIA, Antioch. temp. Gaius Cassius Longinus. AR Tetradrachm (27mm, 15.73 g, 12h). In the name and types of the Seleucid king Philip I Philadelphus. Dated year 6 of the Caesarean Era (44/3 BC). Near EF.

Electronic Auction 571 – Session 1
Lot: 469.
Closing Date: Sep 25 2024 10:00 ET

Roman Provincial, Silver

Estimate: $ 300

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SELEUCIS and PIERIA, Antioch. temp. Gaius Cassius Longinus. AR Tetradrachm (27mm, 15.73 g, 12h). In the name and types of the Seleucid king Philip I Philadelphus. Dated year 6 of the Caesarean Era (44/3 BC). Diademed head of Philip I right within fillet border / Zeus Nicephorus seated left; monogram to inner left and below throne, ς (date) and thunderbolt in exergue; all within wreath. McAlee 7; RPC I 4130; SC 2491.4; Prieur 7. Toned with underlying luster, light hairlines, spots of minor verdigris. Near EF.

Ex Harlan J. Berk BBS 109 (20 July 1999), lot 271.

Gaius Cassius Longinus took part in the campaign against Parthia that culminated in the Battle of Carrhae, one of Rome’s most humiliating military losses, where he served as quaestor to the general Marcus Licinius Crassus. When Crassus was killed in the battle, Cassius retreated to Syria with the remaining Roman army and assumed the governorship from 53-51, at which time this rare series of tetradrachms was struck. He returned to Rome in 50 BC amidst the growing conflict between Julius Caesar and Pompey, choosing to serve as naval commander for the latter. Caesar eventually pardoned Cassius and even appointed him legate. Despite Caesar’s clemency, Cassius became one of the chief architects in the plot to assassinate the dictator perpetuo in March of 44 BC. Two years later, following his defeat at Philippi, Cassius took his own life with the same dagger that he used to stab Caesar.

Closing Date and Time: 25 September 2024 at 12:36:00 ET.

All winning bids are subject to a 20% buyer’s fee.