7744
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  [Image]                              Item Sold At Auction #35
                                  -----------------------------------
                 Lot Number: 63739
                 Estimate: $400.00
                 Final Sale Price: $327.80
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                 Denomination: Cistophoric Tetradrachm
                 Grade: VF black hoard patina
                 Reference: BMC Mysia pg. 126, 128; CNR Caecilia 75




  Mysia, Pergamon. Q. Metellus Pius Scipio, Imperator. 49 BC. AR Cistophoric
  Tetradrachm (11.81 gm). Serpent crawling from basket (cista) / Q.METELLVS PIVS SCIPIO
  IMPER, serpents entwined around legionary aquila; monogram. BMC Mysia pg. 126, 128;
  CNR Caecilia 75. VF, black hoard patina, a few light scrapes. Rare. Estimate $400.



  Metellus, the father-in-law of Pompey, took an active role in the Senate's attempt to
  strip Caesar of his Gaul command. When the Pompeian party fled Rome for the east in
  49 BC, Metellus was given command of the forces in Syria. He exacted funds from the
  cities of Asia Minor with brutal efficiency. He had set up his headquarters in
  Pergamon and was proceeding to loot the treasury when, early in 48 BC, he was ordered
  to link up with Pompey in Greece to meet Caesar's invasion. Attempts to coordinate
  the various forces in the Republican army fell apart in the face of quarrels among
  the commanders (frequently involving Metellus) over the division of spoils of a war
  not yet won. After the defeat at Pharsalia, Metellus fled to Africa where he once
  again plundered the countryside in search of supplies. It was only with great
  difficulty that Cato prevented him from sacking Utica, the main town held by Pompeian
  forces. He committed suicide by jumping into the sea after losing a naval battle off
  Hippo Regius in 46 BC. Metellus is described as cruel, avaricious and vindictive, and
  in neither Asia nor in Africa did his conduct reflect well on the Republican cause.
  His depredations in Asia and Africa are marked by this rare issue of tetradrachms
  from Pergamon and a series of denarii struck in Africa.





Online auction 35 closed August 13, 2001.



Used by permission of CNG, www.historicalcoins.com