Lot 209: Crete, Cnossus. Crassus. Ca. 37 B.C. Æ.

Crete, Cnossus. Crassus. Ca. 37 B.C. Æ (27 mm, 12.90 g, 12 h). Crocodile standing right / CRAS, rostrum right. RPC I 914; Svoronos 1903; BMC 24. Dark green and brown patina, some minor smoothing in fields. Fine. 

The Crassus who issued this coin is most likely Marcus Licinius Crassus, the oldest son of Crassus the Triumvir and Caecilia Metella. Early on, he sided with Sextus Pompey, but in 36 B.C. transferred his loyalty to Antony, who put him in control of Crete and Cyrene. Shortly before Actium, Crassus again switched sides, now jumping into the camp of Octavian, who rewarded him with a consulship in 30 B.C.

• Offered By: Barry P. Murphy
• Lot #: 209
• Listing #: 191264
• Closed: Thursday, April 17, 2014 6:09:20 PM CT
• Estimate: $300