Roman

Coins

The

Imperators

Lepidus

Marcus Aemilius Lepidus, Triumvir, died 13 B.C.

Lepidus was a faithful follower of Julius Caesar, and he served as Praetor and Consul. When Caesar was assassinated, Lepidus was in charge of the cavalry and commanded a legion. This position secured him a place in the Second Triumvirate along Marc Antony and Octavian. His cut was Africa. When Octavian attacked Sextus Pompey's Sicily, Lepidus' ships and troops supported him. In an uninspired move, Lepidus thought he could force Octavian to leave him the island. The two armies separated and isolated skirmishes occurred, but soon the soldiers sick of yet another civil war, acknowledging Octavian's superiority deserted Lepidus en-masse. Lepidus left the island as a simple civilian, retaining only his priesthood, but he was the only defeated Imperator not to suffer a violent death.

Roman Republic, The Second Triumvirate, Lepidus and Octavian, 42 B.C.

From the Prof. Henry H. Armstrong collection. In 1909 and 1910, when he purchased this coin, Professor Armstrong lived in Rome working as a Research Associate of the Carnegie Institution in Archaeology teaching at the American School for Classical Studies. From 1918 until his death in 1935 he taught at Beloit College as head of the Department of Romance Languages. Nicknamed "Sparky" by the students, his death after a two-week illness came as a shock to the college. His coins, inherited by his son, sat in a cigar box for the next 74 years.

SH39693. Silver denarius, SRCV I 1523, RSC I Aemilia 35, RSC 2, Crawford 495/2, F, flat strike centers, weight 3.778 g, maximum diameter 20.6 mm, die axis 180^o, Italian mint, spring - summer 42 B.C.; obverse LEPIDVS PONT MAX IIIV(R) R P C, bare head of Lepidus right; reverse CAESAR IMP IIIVR R P C, bare head of Octavian right; old "cigar box" collection toning; from the Prof. Henry H. Armstrong collection, handwritten envelope notes, "Champion, Purchase, 1909 - 1910"; rare; $1000.00 (€830.00)

Marc Antony, Octavian and Lepidus, Triumvirs, 26 November 43 - 36 B.C.

RPC notes uncertainty regarding the reverse legend of this type. Apparently, none are fully and clearly legible. There is some question regarding the final Z. They note it may be X. On our example however, it seems clearly to be Z.

The Second Triumvirate officially expired after two five year terms in 33 B.C., but Octavian unilaterally expelled Lepidus in 36 B.C. While this effectively ended the three-man Triumvirate, Octavian and Mark Antony continued to serve as "triumvirs" despite their number.

SH26040. Bronze AE 17, RPC I 2573, BMCRR 194 corr, VF, green patina, weight 3.400 g, maximum diameter 16.6 mm, die axis 0^o, Ephesos mint, 39 B.C.; obverse three jugate heads of the Triumvirs right; reverse ARCIEREUS GRAM GLAUKWN EFE MAZAS, facing cult statue of Artemis with supports; ex CNG; $990.00 (€821.70) ON RESERVE

Roman Republic, M. Aemilius Lepidus, c. 61 B.C.
	An early appearance of triumvir Lepidus as simple moneyer. He later followed the late Julius Caesar in the position of Pontifex Maximus and in 43 B.C. formed the Second Triumvirate with Octavian and Marc Antony.

17985. Silver denarius, SRCV 371, Crawford 419/1, Sydenham 827, RSC Aemilia 20, aVF, weight 3.658 g, maximum diameter 18.0 mm, die axis 135^o, Rome mint, 61 B.C.; obverse laureate and diademed female head right; reverse equestrian statue of Consul M. Aemilius Lepidus, carrying trophy; scarce; SOLD

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Catalog current as of Friday, July 30, 2010.
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