Interesting denarius, minted in Rome in 58 BC, signed by both curule aediles of that year, Marcus Aemilius Scaurus and Publius Plautius Hypsaeus. The offered denarius brings a particularly rich ideological message, the obverse showing the Nabatean king Aretas alludes to Pompey's success in Palestine in 62 BC, who suppressed the revolt of that king and forced him to pay 300 talents of tribute. The reverse, however, praises the family of Publius Plautius Hypsaeus, recalling the success of his ancestor, consul Gaius Plautius Decianus, who in 329 BC conquered the city of Privernum.
Rare variety without scorpion on reverse.
Roman Republic
M. Aemilius Scaurus, P. Plautius Hypsaeus (58 BC), Denarius 58 BC, Rome mint
Obverse: kneeling right King Aretas of Nabataea, holding olive branch and reins of camel beside him, SC on right, REX
ARETAS in exergue
M SCAVR AED CVR
Reverse: Jupiter in quadriga left, holding reins in left hand and hurling thunderbolt with right, without scorpion below horses,
CAPTV on right, C HVPSAE COS PREIVE in exergue
P•HVPSAE AED CVR
Diameter 17 mm, weight 4.06 g
