Lot 180: 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 (22 mm, 6.05 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. A very complete and fantastic historical coin with the portrait of Crassus! Very rare - only eight specimens known to Barkay. Black patina, details unusually clear for the issue. Fine. 

Struck shortly before Crassus' ill-fated 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. The legend on the reverse, ΓAB [NY], refers to the renaming of the city to Gabinia Nysa under Gabinius, who restored several cities in Syria while he was governor.

• Offered By: Barry P. Murphy
• Lot #: 180
• Listing #: 239734
• Closed: Friday, June 21, 2019 4:59:40 PM CT
• Estimate: $300