Description
Roman Republic. Marcus Antonius, 43-31 BC. Denarius, autumn 32 - spring 31 BC. Military mint. Silver 3.68 g.; 17.1 mm.
Obverse: Galley sailing to right. Obverse caption: ANT·AVG III·VIR·R·P·C // Reverse: Aquila between two signa. Reverse caption: LEG IV
Crawford: 544/17.
Splendid specimen, in a magnificent state of conservation, revealing the whole details of the galley, the eagle and the standards. One will note only a minor planchet flaw under the tail of the eagle on the reverse. Nice deep grey patina. Mint state MS 63
Comment
This coin was minted by Mark Antony in his itinerant military mint in the eastern Mediterranean, during the last civil war of the Republic era. This conflict ended with the defeat of Mark Antony, along with Cleopatra, in the naval battle of Actium, where hundreds of ships were lined up (230 are counted in fighting condition on Mark Antony's side), including triremes, such as can be seen on the obverse of our denarius. The victorious Octavian pursued the couple to Egypt where they both committed suicide, and then took power to become the first Roman emperor under the name of Augustus.
Many different types of this denarius exist. The one we offer for sale is identified with the IVth Legion of Mark Antony's troops, as indicated in the reverse legend by the inscription LEG IV at the foot of the eagle badge. The troops were paid with this coin, regardless of the legion numbers indicated on them.
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