★ Submission of King Aretas ★

M. Aemilius Scaurus and Pub. Plautius Hypsaeus, 58 BC. Denarius (Silver, 17 mm, 3.77 g, 7 h), Rome. M SCAVR / AED CVR / EX S C / REX ARETAS Male figure (king Aretas) kneeling to right, holding palm branch in his right hand and the reins of a camel standing right behind him in his left. Rev. P HYPSAE / AED CVR / CAPTV / C HYPSAE COS / PREIVE Jupiter in quadriga to left; below, scorpion to right. Babelon (Aemilia) 8, (Plautia) 8. Crawford 422/1b. RBW 1519. Sydenham 913. Clear and detailed. Somewhat narrow flan as is usual for this type, otherwise, good very fine.

From the collection of a Swiss connoisseur.

The obverse of this interesting coin depicts the submission of king Aretas III. Philhellenos of the Nabataeans. Aretas was a successful leader but came into conflict with the Romans when he tried to invade Syria.