Imperatorial Issues
Cn. Pompeius Magnus and Terentius Varro. Denarius, mint moving with Pompey on Illyrian coast, Dyrrachium or a camp mint near Dyracchium in 49, AR 3.89 g. VARRO·PRO·[Q] Bust of Jupiter facing r. wearing diadem. Rev. Sceptre between dolphin l. and eagle r., in exergue, MAGN.PRO / COS. Babelon Terentia 15 and Pompeia 7. C 3. Sydenham 1033 var. Sear Imperators 8. Woytek Arma et Nummi p. 558. RBW –. Crawford 447/1a.
Very rare and probably the finest specimen known. A superb portrait struck in high
relief and with an enchanting light iridescent tone, virtually as struck and Fdc Ex NAC sale 40, 2007, 529 and Nomos fixed price list 2008, 71.

I don’t believe this piece has an equal. The coin has it all and must be considered mint state. There is not even the slightest touch of wear. More importantly it is fully struck and very nicely centered - worthy of being in the finest collection. MSG.
When Julius Caesar and his armies defied orders from the senate and marched on Rome, Pompey, who was without troops in accordance with Roman law, was forced to flee. Many leading senators and the consuls fled with him. As they departed for Greece a call was put out to amass what troops could be found to try and sustain a response to Caesar’s bold confrontation. Deprived of the Rome mint, the Pompeian leaders were forced to use moving mint facilities to generate enough coinage to sustain their response. This coinage, which likely was supplemented by what money could be removed from Rome during the hasty flight, was needed for everything to support Pompey’s legions – food, arms, housing, transportation, etc. Given how large the production of such coinage must have been, surprisingly little of it survives today. The bulk of the coinage was likely melted and re-coined by Caesar.

The present coin type is one of only a couple of issues which seem to have been minted directly under, and in the name of, Pompey. The obverse bust relates to the powers bestowed upon him by the Roman senate granting him exceptional control over almost the entire Roman Empire. The reverse glorifies Pompey’s military victories, notably against Mithradates VI, of Pontus, and against piracy in the Mediterranean. MSG.