Quintus Labienus. Aureus 40-39 BC, mint moving in Asia Minor. Q · LABIENVS · – PARTHICVS · IMP Bare head right / Horse right, with bridle and saddle to which bow case and quiver are attached. 8,04g. Bahrfeldt 69; Calicó 70 (this coin); Crawford 524/1; CRI 340 (this coin); C. Hersh, SNR 59, 1980, p. 46, 3 (this coin); CNR 1 (this coin); Kent-Hirmer 101 (this coin); Sydenham 1356. Of the highest rarity, apparently only five specimens known. Struck in high relief on a full flan with a magnificent portrait. Good extremely fine. Provenance: Münzen & Medaillen 43, (12-13 November 1970), 242. Leu 48 (10 May 1989), 299. NFA XXV (29 November 1990), 313. Sotheby's (26 October 1993), 91. NAC 70 (16 May 2013), 192. Baron Lorne Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection. Quintus Labienus was the son of Titus Labienus, one of Caesar’s closest commanders in Gaul before becoming a leading cavalry commander under Pompey. A supporter of Brutus and Cassius, Quintus was sent to the Parthian court in 43–42 BC to seek military assistance for the Republican cause. Following their defeat at Philippi, he found himself stranded in Parthia and unable to return to Rome. He therefore allied himself with King Orodes II and, commanding some 20,000 Parthian cavalry alongside Pacorus, invaded Syria and Asia Minor, initially defeating the Romans. Mark Antony eventually sent Ventidius Bassus with eleven legions to restore Roman control. Labienus was defeated and killed in 39 BC. This exceptionally rare aureus – only five specimens known – bears Labienus’ portrait and title on the obverse: Labienus adopted the title Parthicus to emphasize his diplomatic achievement in turning the Parthians from enemies of Rome into allies of the Republican cause. The reverse depicts a fully equipped cavalry horse, unmistakably evoking the famous Parthian mounted archers. This fascinating coin thus combines a distinctly Roman portrait with Parthian imagery, reflecting its intended circulation among both Roman and Parthian populations. Its extreme rarity suggests that most examples were melted down following Labienus’ defeat and death.