Nomos 12

PHRYGIA, Hierapolis. Augustus, 27 BC - AD 15. Assarion (Bronze, 14mm, 5.80 g 11), Fabius Maximus, consul 11 BC and proconsul of Asia, 10-9 (others suggest 9-8 and 6-5) with the local magistrates Zosimos Philopatris and Charax, 10-9 BC. ΦΑΒΙΟΣ ΜΑΞΙΜΟΣ Bare head of Fabius Maximus to right. Rev. ΖΩΣΙΜΟΣ ΦΙΛΟΠΑΤΡΙΣ / ΙΕΡΟΠΟΛΕΙΤΩΝ ΧΑΡΑΞ Double axe with long handle bound with a fillet. BMC 93-94. RPC 2930. SNG Copenhagen 447. Very rare. Attractive dark green patina. Minor ancient scratch on the reverse, otherwise, good very fine.

From a European private collection.

This very well-preserved coin presents us with one of the rare Augustan portraits of a private individual on a provincial coin. Paullus Fabius Maximus was a descendant of Lucius Aemilius Paullus Macedonicus (220-160 BC), the conqueror of king Perseos of Macedon. Paullus Fabius’ was a quaestor who accompanied Augustus on his trips to the East in 22-19. He was consul in 11 and was subsequently made governor of Asia. He apparently enjoyed poetry and was a correspondent of both Horace and Ovid (and was mentioned by both in their work).