Imperatorial Issues
Cn. Pomepeius Magnus and M. Poblicius. Denarius, Spain 46-45, AR 3.87 g. M·POBLICI·LEG·PRO·PR Head of Roma r. wearing crested helmet. Rev. CN·MAGNVS·IMP Female figure (Hispania ?) standing r. with shield slung on her back, holding two spears over shoulder in l. hand, with r. presenting palm branch to Pompeian soldier, armed with sword, standing l. on prow. Babelon Pompeia 9 and Poblicia 10. C 1. Sydenham 1035. Sear Imperators 48a. RBW 1641. Crawford 469/1a.
Struck on a very broad flan and with a lovely light iridescent tone. Minor
areas of weakness, otherwise about extremely fine Gnaeus Pompey was the elder son of Pompey the great. Both Gnaeus and his younger brother, Sextus, survived the defeat of their father at Pharsalus. Both sons returned to Hispania along with Caesar’s former general Labienus. Soldiers loyal to Pompey joined their cause and they were able to force a protracted final confrontation with Caesar. The final battle was to take place on the outskirts of Munda where Caesar is said to have ‘actually fought for his life”. Ultimately Caesar was victorious and Labienus was killed on the battlefield. Gnaeus would be captured and executed about a month later. Only Sextus would survive to regroup and continue to harass the successors of Caesar. MSG.