CNG - Carthago Nova. SCIPIO AFRICANUS. Rare!
$208.50
07/14/99,
cngcoins 

Spain, Carthago Nova. Circa 209-205 BC. Æ 27mm (11.03 gm). Male
head left (Scipio Africanus?) / Horse standing right before palm.
Villaronga pg. 72, 69; Burgos 425. VF, black patina. Somewhat
weak strike. Very Rare! 713971.

Scipio Africanus, the first truly great Roman statesman and
general, led an assault on the Carthaginian stronghold of
Carthago Nova in Spain in 209 BC, capturing the city by means of
brilliant siegecraft and a providential tidal ebb. Shortly after
the Romans took control of the city, coins in both bronze and
silver were issued showing an enigmatic youthful male head on the
obverse. Comparison with known portrait busts of Scipio indicate
the coin images are a somewhat idealized portrait of the city's
conqueror, which makes Scipio the first Roman to have his image
placed on a coin.