M. Aemilius Scaurus and Pub. Plautius Hypsaeus. 58 BC. AR Denarius (18mm, 4.03 g, 6h). Rome mint. Good VF.

Electronic Auction 551
Lot: 324. Estimated: $ 100

Roman Republican, Silver

Sold For $ 600. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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M. Aemilius Scaurus and Pub. Plautius Hypsaeus. 58 BC. AR Denarius (18mm, 4.03 g, 6h). Rome mint. Nabatean king Aretas kneeling to right, holding reins and olive branch before camel standing right / Jupiter, holding reins and hurling thunderbolt, driving quadriga left; scorpion below horses. Crawford 422/1b; Sydenham 913; Aemilia 8; RBW 1519. Beautifully iridescent toning, light marks under tone. Good VF. Unusually well struck and nicely centered.

The design celebrates an act of political bribery. King Aretas II of Nabataea had been expanding his realm into northern territory, threatening the “definitive” settlement of powers by Pompey the Great. The Roman Senate sent Scaurus and a military task force to Arabia to stop Aretas and bring him to heel. Instead, Aretas bribed Scaurus with 300 talents of silver and retained his newly won territory. On the coin, Aretas is shown kneeling before a camel, symbol of Arabia, in “supplication” to Roman power; in fact he had simply bought it off.

Closing Date and Time: 29 November 2023 at 11:47:40 ET.

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