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Q. Caecilius Metellus Pius. 81 BC. AR Denarius (18mm, 3.32 g, 9h). North Italian mint. Diademed head of Pietas right; before, stork right / Capis and lituus within laurel wreath. Crawford 374/2; Sydenham 751; Caecilia 44; RBW 1397. Attractive iridescent blue toning, minor granularity. Good VF.
Quintus Caecilius Metellus Pius had a long career as a politician and general during the early first century BC. He earned the title “Pius” for his unwavering support for his father, Metellus Numidicus, after the elder was exiled due to the political maneuverings of Gaius Marius, a bitter enemy of the Metelli. During the Social War, Pius was a solid if unspectacular commander and a more successful magistrate administering the newly reconquered lands of Italy. During the Civil War of 84-80 BC, he reluctantly backed Sulla against the Marian regime of Cinna and Carbo, ultimately becoming Sulla’s second in command. It was during this period he struck silver denarii of this distinctive design at an unknown mint in Northern Italy, using the newly minted cash to raise armies in support of Sulla. The types refer to his title as Pontifex Maximus, or chief priest. After serving as co-consul with Sulla in 80 BC, his “reward” was a command in Spain against the rebel Quintus Sertorius, who badly outclassed Pius as a general and ran rings around him for several years. Help finally arrived in the form of the young Gnaeus Pompey Magnus in 77 BC; together, they eventually ran Sertorius to ground and procured his assassination, ending the rebellion. After being voted a Triumph that few thought he deserved, Pius retired to private life. His death in 63 BC opened up the office of Pontifex Maximus, which the young Julius Caesar sought and won.
Closing Date and Time: 6 May 2020 at 11:38:20 ET.
All winning bids are subject to an 18% buyer’s fee.
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