L. Staius Murcus, 42-41 BC. Denarius (Silver, 19 mm, 3.95 g, 12 h), mint moving with L. Staius Murcus in the area of the Ionian Sea. Laureate head of Neptune to right; behind, trident. Rev. MVRCVS IMP Trophy in center; to right, male figure, togate, standing front, head to left, holding sword in his left hand and raising female figure, kneeling to right, with his right hand. Babelon (Statia) 1. Crawford 510/1. RBW 1782. Sydenham 1315. Very rare. A very attractive example of this important issue, with a well struck reverse and unusually good sivler. The obverse struck somewhat off center, otherwise, good very fine.
Although Staius Murcus served as legate and praetor under Julius Caesar in the civil war with Pompey, in the aftermath of the dictator's death in 44 BC, Murcus joined the senatorial faction. He was promptly sent to Syria to suppress the mutiny of Quintus Caecilius Bassus at the head of three legions. Bassus managed to hold out in Apamea, however, until the arrival of Cassius in the East circa 43 BC prompted him and Murcus to surrender their forces to the conspirator. Cassius then placed Murcus at the helm of a fleet which he used to some effect in harassing the forces of Octavian and Mark Antony. After the Battle of Philippi in autumn 42 BC, which saw Brutus and Cassius defeated, Murcus threw in his lot with Sextus Pompey, although the two eventually fell out, and Pompey had Murcus murdered in Syracuse in 39 BC.