Roman Imperatorial Octavian AR Denarius. Cyrene, autumn 31 BC. L. Pinarius Scarpus, moneyer. Open right hand; SCARPVS above, IMP below / Victory standing right on globe, holding wreath and palm; CAESARI downwards on right, DIVI•F downwards on left. Crawford 546/7; RIC 534; CRI 414; Sydenham 1283. Extremely Rare with the shortened legends, and known from only one obverse die.Condition: NGC 6947867-001 VF 4/5 - 2/5 ( I am sure that the quality of the coin is much higher than the grade it received from NGC.)
According to Crawford, this coin represents the last denarius of the Roman Republic. L. Pinarius Scarpus commanded four legions for Marc Antony in Cyrenaica against Octavian's African army, which was under the command of Cornelius Gallus. After learning of Antony's defeat at Actium, Scarpus changed his allegiance to Octavian. This issue was struck shortly after the battle of Actium, the open hand signalizing a gesture of friendship toward Octavian.
