Acquisition number: 1990.02
Other images
Obv.: Bare head of Lepidus, r. LEPIDVS PON(tifex) MAX(imus) IIIVIR [triumvir] R(ei) P(ublicae) C(onstituendae).
Rev.: Bare head of Octavian, r. CA[ESAR] [IMP.] IIIVIR R(ei) P(ublicae) C(onstituendae).
Title: Denarius of Lepidus (and Octavian) - 1990.02
Acquisition number: 1990.02
Culture or period: Roman Republic
Date: 42 BC
Material: Metal - Silver
Object type: Coins - Roman
Dimensions: 16mm (w)
Origin region or location: Italy
Origin city: Rome
Display case or on loan: 5
Keywords: Coin, denarius, Roman, Republic, Lepidus, Octavian, Augustus
Sear, D.R., Roman Coins and their Values 5 vols (London, Spink, 2000-2014) 1523; Crawford, M., Roman Republican Coinage 2 vols (Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2011) 495/2c; Sear, D.R., The History and Coinage of the Roman Imperators (London, Spink, 1998) 140, 140a; Grueber, H.A., Coins of the Roman Republic in the British Museum 3 vols (London, The Trustees of the British Museum, 1910; rev. edn London, 1970) Africa 30,31;Seaby, H.A., Roman Silver Coins (London, B.A. Seaby, 1967) 2a-c; (Italy spring-summer 42BC).
1990.02
Denarius of Lepidus (and Octavian)
3.83 g. 42 BC
Obv.: Bare head of Lepidus, r. LEPIDVS PON(tifex) MAX(imus) IIIVIR [triumvir] R(ei) P(ublicae) C(onstituendae).
Rev.: Bare head of Octavian, r. CA[ESAR] [IMP.] IIIVIR R(ei) P(ublicae) C(onstituendae).
All three triumvirs (Lepidus, Octavian, and Antony) were active in striking coins in the period 43-42 BC. (Cf. 1988.04, 1985.10.) Crawford attributes these to ‘the proceeds of the proscriptions in preparation for the campaign of 42’. This campaign was to be directed at Brutus and Cassius in Greece and Sextus Pompeius in Sicily, after the Triumvirate was formed late in 43 BC. Sextus Pompeius was also minting his own coinage (see 1972.02).
Lepidus was less entrepreneurial than Antony and Octavian in his coinage and was soon sidelined by the other triumvirs. On the obverse of this coin he advertises his office of Pontifex Maximus (high priest) which he had assumed after the death of Julius Caesar in 44 BC, and is named as one of the triumvirs, 'triumvir for settling the state'. On the reverse, Octavian is also named as triumvir and has in addition the title imp(erator) in recognition of military victories.
Sear, D.R., Roman Coins and their Values 5 vols (London, Spink, 2000-2014) 1523; Crawford, M., Roman Republican Coinage 2 vols (Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2011) 495/2c; Sear, D.R., The History and Coinage of the Roman Imperators (London, Spink, 1998) 140, 140a; Grueber, H.A., Coins of the Roman Republic in the British Museum 3 vols (London, The Trustees of the British Museum, 1910; rev. edn London, 1970) Africa 30,31;Seaby, H.A., Roman Silver Coins (London, B.A. Seaby, 1967) 2a-c; (Italy spring-summer 42BC).