Coins, Historical Medals and Antiquities

Roman Imperatorial Coinage, Sextus Pompeius, Denarius, Sicily, 42-36, bust of Pompey the Great right, jug to left and lituus to right, rev. Neptune standing between Anapias and Amphinomus, 3.93g (Craw. 511/3a; BMCRR Sicily 7-12; RSC 17). Scratched in field before face and with an area of striking weakness at 6 o’clock, otherwise good very fine, superb portrait £400-£600

Anapias and Amphinomus find prominence in mythology for their actions during the eruption of Mount Etna. The two brothers slowed their escape from Catana in order to carry their parents from the city, a scene visualised on the reverse of this coin. The subsequent lava flow from the volcano is said to have consumed those citizens who troubled only to save gold and silver but spared the pious Catanæan brothers. Sextus’ use of the scene parallels his familial piety to that of Anapias and Amphinomus.