Lot 319: Samaria, Nysa-Scythopolis. M. Licinius Crassus. Proconsul, 54-53 B.C. Æ. CY 10 (54 B.C.).

Samaria, Nysa-Scythopolis. M. Licinius Crassus. Proconsul, 54-53 B.C. Æ (20 mm, 3.99 g, 12 h). CY 10 (54 B.C.). Head of the proconsul Crassus right / [ΓAB NY] in two lines in left field, Dionysus standing facing, head left, holding cantharus and thyrsus; in right field, date ([L I]); in exergue, [Λ]. Cf. Barkay 5; cf. Rosenberger 3; cf. RPC 4827. Very rare. Orange-brown patina with some roughness. Fine.

Struck shortly before Crassus' fateful campaign against the Parthians where he was killed, losing nearly the entirety of the Roman forces he had taken with him. RPC identifies the portrait of Crassus' predecessor, Gabinius, but Barkay argues for Crassus based on the dissimilarity of the portrait on this coin to that on the coins of Gabinius.

• Offered By: Barry P. Murphy
• Lot #: 319
• Listing #: 232724
• Closed: Friday, September 29, 2017 5:46:00 PM CT
• Estimate: $200