Pre-Long Beach Auction #80

Sextus Pompey, younger son of Pompey the Great, Silver Denarius (3.44 g), 42-38 BC. Executed 35 BC. Minted in Massilia. Q. Nasidius, commander of the fleet. NEPTVNI behind, bare head of Pompey the Great right; before, trident; below, dolphin right. Reverse Q NASIDIVS in exergue, galley with billowing sail and bank of rowers moving right; in upper left field, star. Crawford 483/2; HCRI 235; Sydenham 1350; RSC 20 (Pompey the Great). Very Rare. Well centered on a full flan with the head of Pompey in high relief. A remarkable example! Extremely Fine.

Q. Nasidius was a Pompeian loyalist, having first served under Pompey unsuccessfully defending Massalia from the Caesarian forces under Decimus Brutus in 49 BC. Later he commanded the fleet of the Pompeian forces in north Africa until the disaster at Thapsus, after which he left for Spain to join with Pompey's son, Cn. Pompey Jr. He subsequently served as supreme naval commander under Sextus Pompey at Massilia, where this handsome coin was struck. Eventually Nasidius saw the futility of the Pompeian cause, deserting to Mark Antony where he fought at Actium in 31 BC.
Estimated Value $20,000 - 25,000.
Ex S. C. Markoff Collection (NAC 62, 6 October 2011), 2002.