Obverse: Laureate head of Janus with the features of Pompey the Great, MAGN (MA in monogram) above.

Reverse: Prow of Galley right, PIVS above, IMP below.

RRC: 479/1. RPC: 671. Sear: 1394. [Sicily, 43-36 BC].

Diameter: 30.5 mm. Weight: 19.4 g.

Ex Bertolami Fine Art Auction: sold with ticket.

A stunning example of this scarce and historically important issue. Sextus Pompey was the younger son of Pompey the Great. After the assassination of Julius Caesar in 44 BC Sextus came to an agreement with the Senate who gave him permission to anchor his powerful fleet in the strategically important Gallic port of Massilia (modern Marseille) the following year he was appointed supreme naval commander of the Republic. Unfortunately for Sextus, the political climate in Rome following Caesar's death was so volatile that under extreme pressure from Octavian the Senate were forced to declare him a public enemy. When word reached Sextus of the Senate's betrayal he set sail for Sicily, turning pirate - annexing the Island and using it as a base for raiding and blockading the Italian mainland. For the next six years Sextus successfully held Sicily - causing Octavian a severe headache whenever the opportunity arose. His piratical career finally came to an end when he was soundly defeated by Marcus Agrippa at the naval Battle of Naulochus on the 3rd of September 36 BC. In the aftermath of the battle Sextus managed to escape to Asia Minor but was captured in Miletus in 35 BC, and executed without trial by order of Mark Antony. This superb example must be one of the finest specimens knownwith an exceptionally detailed portrait and an attractive dark green patina.