Lepidus, as Pontifex Maximus and Triumvir (43-36 BC), with Octavian, as Imperator and Triumvir. AR denarius (17mm, 3.90 gm, 5h). NGC Fine 2/5 - 5/5. Military mint with Lepidus in Italy, November-December 43 BC. LEPIDVS•PONT•MAX•-III•V•R•P•C• (NT and MA ligate), bare head of Lepidus right / C•CAESAR•IMP•III•-VIR•R•P•C• (MP ligate), bare head of Octavian right. Crawford 495/2a. Sydenham 1323. RSC 2a. Scarce. From the Werner Collection A wily and wealthy nobleman, Marcus Aemilius Lepidus managed to exploit his position as Julius Caesar's colleague, in the consulships of 46 BC, into the role of power broker between the rivals Marc Antony and Octavian, after the great dictator's murder. With this power brokerage, he won wide-ranging Triumviral powers for himself in 43 BC, even though he took no part in the campaign against Brutus and Cassius. He, however, soon lost his influence, and becoming a "third wheel" between the two strongmen personalities of Octavian and Marc Antony. Lepidus helped Octavian defeat Sextus Pompey in 36 BC, but afterward overreached and was easily outmaneuvered by Octavian and stripped of all real powers, retaining only the post of Pontifex Maximus, which he held until his death in 12 BC. Shakespeare calls him a "slight, unmeritable man, meant to be sent on errands," and most modern historians, novelists and screenwriters have agreed. This issue was struck by Lepidus to mark the foundation of the Second Triumvirate, composed of himself, Octavian and Antony. It was likely struck from metal seized from their political opponents in the bloody proscriptions of 43-42 BC.

HID09801242017

© 2022 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved

To the auctioneer's website