LAKONIA. Lakedaimon (Sparta). L. Sempronius Atratinus, circa 39 BC. Tetrachalkon (Bronze, 21 mm, 4.75 g, 4 h). ATPATINOC Bare head of L. Sempronius Atratinus to right.
Rev. Λ-A Eagle standing right with closed wings; to left, monogram of ΑΠΟ; to right, CⲰ. BCD Peloponnesos 902 (
this coin). Grunauer -, cf. XVII, 16 (for magistrate). RPC I online 1101b.1 (
this coin). Unique and of great historical importance. A beautiful piece with a lovely green patina and an impressive pedigree. Minor traces of corrosion and light deposits and with an edge crack
, otherwise, very fine.
From the collection of Roman Imperatorial coins of Martinus J. L. Janssen, ex Künker 396, 13 November 2023, 1019, from the collections of BCD, LHS 96, 8-9 May 2006, 902 and that of M. Lafaille, Münzen & Medaillen AG 76, 19-20 September 1991, 374.
The portrait coins of L. Sempronius Atratinus from Lakedaimon (Sparta) are among the rarest in imperatorial coinage, with our piece even being unique. Atratinus was an important politician and military leader during the late Roman Republic, holding various high offices. Born in 73 BC, he was the son of the plebeian senator Lucius Calpurnius Bestia, who adopted him into the patrician Sempronian family.
Atratinus is best known for his close ties with Mark Antony, who advanced him through several important roles. He first appears as an augur on an as minted under Antony in Asia Minor. Later, he is mentioned as both augur and consul-designate in a Fleet Coinage issue under Mark Antony and Octavia in 38–37 BC. His name also appears on coins from Lilybaeum and Entella from 36 BC, where he served as fleet prefect in Sicily, fighting against Sextus Pompeius. Additionally, a monogram on a cistophorus, identified by Metcalf, has been tentatively linked to Atratinus, dating the coin to around 42–39 BC.
At an unknown time, Atratinus switched allegiances from Mark Antony to Octavian - an action that ensured his political future. He continued to rise through the ranks, becoming proconsul of Africa around 23-22 BC, a province he apparently governed with great success, as his achievements earned him a triumph in 21 BC, a high political honor that underscored his prominent role in the Roman state. Atratinus died in 7 BC at the venerable age of 80, and his death is traditionally attributed to suicide - an unfortunate end to a life marked by political shifts and military victories.
