Cn. Domitius L.f. Ahenobarbus, 41-40 BC. Denarius (Silver, 20 mm, 3.70 g, 5 h), uncertain mint moving with Ahenobarbus along the Adriatic or Ionian Sea. AHENOBAR Bare head of Ahenobarbus to right.
Rev. CN•DOMITIVS•IMP Trophy with helmet, cuirass, two spears and shield set on prow to right. Babelon (Domitia) 21. Crawford 519/2. CRI 339. RBW 1803. Sydenham 1177. Lightly toned and well centered. Struck from slightly worn dies and with a few small scratches on the obverse
, otherwise, very fine.
From the collection of Roman Imperatorial coins of Martinus J. L. Janssen and from the Trausnitz Collection, Obolos 18, 21 February 2021, 525, previously privately acquired before 2007.
This coin type of the imperator and admiral Cn. Domitius Ahenobarbus commemorates his defeat of Cn. Domitius Calvinus, depicting a trophy atop a prow on the reverse. Ahenobarbus is generally regarded as an inept commander. He was the son of L. Domitius Ahenobarbus, who was executed by Mithradates VI with molten gold poured down his throat for alleged tax abuses, and the brother-in-law of Cato the Younger through his sister, Porcia. Ahenobarbus’ descendant was the future emperor Nero, who seems to have inherited some of his more unpleasant traits.
Originally a Pompeian adherent, Ahenobarbus later defected to the Caesarian faction. He subsequently fought alongside Antony and Octavian against Caesar’s assassins, Brutus and Cassius, only to abandon Antony as well. As Antony’s admiral, he was once a close ally, but he ultimately switched sides yet again, joining Octavian.
