Imperatorial Issues
Sextus Pompeius and Q. Nasidius. Denarius, mint moving with Sextus Pompey in Sicily in 44-43 or 42-38, AR 3.81 g. NEPTVNI Bare head of Cn. Pompeius Magnus r.; before, trident and below, dolphin. Rev. Galley r. with billowing sail and bank of rowers moving; in upper l. field, star. In exergue, NASIDIVS. Babelon Pompeia 28 and Nasidia 1. C 20. Sydenham 1350. Sear Imperators 235. Woytek Arma et Nummi p. 558. RBW 1698. Crawford 483/2.
Rare and exceptionally well-centred for the issue. Struck on excellent metal and
with a light iridescent tone. An insignificant area of weakness on obverse,
otherwise good extremely fine Ex Triton sale XIII, 2010, 290 (expertly conserved since).

This coin, no matter how good the photo, is better ”in hand” than a picture could ever be. The slight flatness on the hair in the portrait seems to be due to the broad flan and the lack of metal available to bring the strike up full. This is an amazingly clean coin with a completely detailed ship reverse. Really a nice coin! MSG.

Sextus Pompey managed to escape the defeat of the Pompeian forces at Munda and was deemed too insignificant for Caesar to expend the effort to track him down. He spent time in hiding until Caesar departed back to Rome. He then started recruiting the remnants of the Pompeian legions who had survived Munda. In this effort he managed to eventually control all of further Spain. He also managed to amass a rather large fleet and eventually moved both his troops and ships to Massillia. In the meantime, Caesar had been assassinated, and the senate had bestowed upon Sextus the title Command in Chief of the Fleet and of the Sea Coasts. This coin obviously declares Sextus’ mastery of the seas. The portrait of Pompey the Great which appears on the obverse is far superior in style to preceding issues. This would prove to be one of the best images of Pompey found on coinage. MSG.