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Home > Catalog > Roman Coins > The Imperators > Pompeians > SH15301 Aulus Gabinius, Proconsul of Syria, 57 - 55 B.C., Nysa-Scythopolis (Beth-Shean), Decapolis  Aulus Gabinius, Proconsul of Syria, was prominent in the late Republic. As tribune, he obtained for Pompey his command against pirates. Following the Roman seizure of Ptolemaic Cyprus in 58 BC, the Ptolemaic economy was in shambles. A shortage of money drove up interest rates and created widespread unemployment. A mob drove Ptolemy XII from Alexandria. Ptolemy XII paid Gabinius 10,000 silver talents to invade Egypt and restore him to his throne. Cleopatra was 13 and may have met a young cavalry officer under Gabinius, Marcus Antonius. The only coin portraits of Gabinius are on these rare issues of Nysa-Scythopolis.SH15301. Bronze AE 19, Hendin 884, Meshorer 103, F, Nysa-Scythopolis (Beth-Shean) mint, weight 6.883g, maximum diameter 19.2mm, die axis 45o, obverse Gabinius' head right, wearing an ivy wreath, ΓAB behind; reverse ΓABINIC OIEN NYΣHI (of the People of Gabinian Nysa), Nike advancing left, holding wreath and palm; marked down to Forum's cost; very rare; SOLD  |