Sextus Pompey, 43-35 BC. Denarius (Silver, 18 mm, 3.86 g, 7 h), military mint in Sicily, 37-36. MAG•PIVS•IMP•ITER Bare head of Cn. Pompeius Magnus to right; to left, jug; to right, lituus. Rev. PRAE[F] / CLAS ET ORAE / [MAR]IT EX S C \Neptune standing left, holding aplustre in his right hand and resting his right foot on prow; to left and right, the brothers Anapias and Amphinomus, with their parents on their shoulders, running in opposite directions. Babelon (Pompeia) 27. Crawford 511/3a. CRI 334. RBW 1785. Sydenham 1344. Struck from somewhat worn dies and with several peck marks, otherwise, very fine.


This type is interesting in that it expresses filial piety. As the brothers Anapias and Amphinomus rescued their aged parents from the eruption of Mt. Aetna in Sicily, Sextus Pompey honors his father by placing his portrait on this coin and alluding to his freeing the waters around Sicily from pirates.