Q Caecilius Metellus Pius Scipio AR Denarius – EPPIVS LEG F C (Military Mint in Africa)

Silver Denarius of Q Caecilius Metellus Pius Scipio

Obv: Q METELL SCIPIO IMP, laureate head of Africa right in elephant skin headdress, grain ear before, plow below.

Rev: EPPIVS LEG F C, Hercules standing facing, naked, hand on hip, leaning on club set on a rock.

47 – 46 BC. · Military Mint in Africa · Cr 461/1, RSC Caecilia 50, Syd 1051

3.7g · 16.8mm

This coin was struck during his African campaigns against Julius Caesar, the type refers to Africa and the fertility of the province. He was defeated by Caesar at Thapsus and when cornered he committed suicide. Ronald Syme calls him, “The last Scipio of any consequence in Roman history.”