Cn. Domitius L.f. Ahenobarbus AR Denarius

Cn. Domitius L.f. Ahenobarbus, 41 BC - AR Denarius (Silver, 20 mm, 3.69 g, 6 h), uncertain mint moving with Ahenobarbus. AHENOBAR Lighlty bearded male head to right. Rev. CN.DOMITIVS.IMP Trophy on prow to right. Babelon (Domitia) 21. Crawford 519/2. CRI 339. Sydenham 1177. Lightly toned. A few very small scratches on the obverse, otherwise, very fine.

Provenance from Nomos AG, Obolos 18; From the Trausnitz Collection, acquired prior to 2007.

The rare coinage of Ahenobarbus belongs to his stint as a “pirate king” 42-40 BC. This silver denarius bears an appropriately nautical reverse celebrating his victories at sea. The lean, bearded portrait on the obverse remains enigmatic; it may represent Gnaeus himself, or one of his ancestors.

Cn. Domitius Ahenobarbus was known more for his conflicting and intricate familial and political connections than for his military prowess. He was the son of L. Domitius Ahenobarbus (executed by Mithradates VI for alleged tax abuses by having gold poured down his throat) and Porcia Catones, sister of Cato the Younger (and half-sister to Servilia Caepiones, mistress of Caesar). He was also ancestor to the future emperor Nero through his son's marriage to Antonia, daughter of Mark Antony by Octavia, sister of Octavian/Augustus.

Originally an opponent of the Caesarian faction, commanded a fleet against the Triumvirs, achieving a minor victory in September of 42 BC. But that very day, the Triumvirs won the battle of Philippi and Ahenobarbus found himself fighting for a lost cause. He became a piratical rogue, terrorizing the ports of the Adriatic like his western counterpart, Sextus Pompey, until he signed the Pact of Brundisium in 40 BC, which reconciled him to Mark Antony in particular. He fought for Octavian and Antony against the assassins, led by Brutus (his cousin once removed) and Cassius. A close friend of Antony's, he became disenchanted by Cleopatra's increasing influence and ultimately switched sides to Octavian, shortly before his death.

Reference : Babelon (Domitia) 21. Crawford 519/2. CRI 339. Sydenham 1177

Source : https://www.coinarchives.com/a/lotviewer...

Collection : Roman Imperatorial collection