A. Plautius Hypsaeus, as Curule Aedile (ca. 55 BC), AR denarius (19mm, 5h). NGC Choice VF S. Rome. A•PLAVTIVS-AED•CVR•S•C, turreted head of Cybele right, wearing pendant earring / IVDAEVS / BACCHIVS, camel standing right, figure kneeling right before, reins in left hand, olive branch upward in right. Crawford 431/1. Sydenham 932. Plautia 13. From the Bacchus Collection According to Crawford, the moneyer is perhaps the son of Aulus Plautius, who was Plebeian Tribunes in 70 BC, then legate of Pompey, perhaps also Legate in Asia. The obverse doubtless refers to the Ludi Megalenses, celebrated by the Curule Aediles. The reverse presumably refers to the surrender of an Eastern ruler, doubtless in the course of Pompey's campaigns (perhaps Dionysius of Tripoli or Aristobulus the High Priest). The S C would indicate the issue was struck under unusual circumstances and a chronological listing of 60 BC-50 BC in Crawford on p.609 works to explain the various issues where this occurs. In 55 BC, there was an int where the Senate presumably found it difficult to make the normal annual authorization of coinage.

HID09801242017

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