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Obolos 42

With selections from the collections of John Aiello and Beat A. Klein

Webauction, 3 May 2026
overview

Quinctilius Varus

Starting Price: 50 CHF
Hammer Price:  50 CHF
Lot 864

PHOENICIA. Berytus. Augustus, 27 BC-AD 14. (Bronze, 20 mm, 7.59 g, 2 h), struck under Publius Quinctilius Varus, circa 6-4 BC. IMP [CAESAR] AVGVSTVS Bare head of Augustus to right. Rev. [P] QVINCTIL[VS VARVS] Two legionary aquilae between two signa. BMC 55. Rouvier 493. RPC I 4535. Earthen highlights, otherwise, good fine.

From the Dr. John Wilson (Pepperdine University) Collection.

Over a decade after this coin was minted, the governor of Syria responsible for this issue, P. Quinctilius Varus, was killed at the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest in Germany. Three Roman legions vanished in this catastrophe and put an end to an era of Roman expansion. The writer Suetonius reports that the Emperor Augustus was heard uttering the words "Quintili Vare, legiones redde" ("Quintillius Varus, give me back my legions!") after having been informed about the Roman defeat.

Online bidding closes: 3 May 2026, 21:12:00 CEST Current Date & Time: 16 Jun 2026, 20:27:15 CEST Remaining Time: Closed Hammer Price:50 CHF by chnum (1 bid)
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