More Legionary Denarii

Nice additions!

 

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While we are on this subject, when I purchased this coin it was referenced as RRC 1220. This 'reference' is unknown to me. Can anyone give me any more information, please?

 

Hmm. "RRC" usually refers to "Roman Republican Coinage" by Crawford, but there is no number 1220. I wonder if the person who wrote the attribution meant "Sydenham 1220". I don't have Sydenham and so can't say how inclusive its number 1220 is, but I don't see how your coin could be attributed with much specificity beyond "Mark Antony AR legionary denarius". I guess a die match to the visible features of your coin's obverse might allow greater specificity.

Here's an example of Sydenham 1220 from CNG's archives:


MARK ANTONY. 32-31 BC. AR Legionary Denarius (3.16 gm). Patrae(?) mint. Galley right / LEG IIII, legionary aquila between two standards. Crawford 544/16; CRI 353; Sydenham 1220; RSC 29. VF, reverse slightly off center, partial flat strike. Rarer than the LEG IV variety.

Edited: browsing various legionary denarii in CNG's archives, maybe it is possible to narrow down your coin to legion 4 (not sure about further narrowing it by IIII vs IV). Although my browsing is only cursory, at a glance those prows seem to have an angularity unlike the other coins whose prows are curved extensions of the ships' bodies.

I've never taken a close look at these legionary denarius and would be interested to see what other people think about being able to narrow down TC's coin to a specific legion based on prow shape.

 

gogili's first Septimius is a very nice example of one of the more scarce legionaries from this series. LEG XXX VLP coins, in addition to being less common, tend to have sloppier centering or other signs of poor workmanship making one this nice especially appealing. I know that 95% of collectors have no interest in which legion is on their coin but this is the kind of coin the few people trying to fill out a set will be happy to find. It certainly is better than my three.


At least half of the Septimius legionaries you will see are LEG XIIII GEMMV but so many are part legend that people often fail when identifying them. There is a market, it seems, for only partially identifiable examples.

 

That is a very good thought, TIF.
I did that some time ago while trying to attribute this Legionary denarius which I found. I was unable to progress much because, if my recollection is correct, the shape of the galley, of the prow or the bow, or the number of rowers seemed to follow no set pattern, i.e unable to attribute a specific detail of the galley to a particular legion.
I also looked at the shape of the legionary standards and here too no set pattern could be discerned.

I thus remain ignorant for which legion this particular denarius was struck for.
(any help is appreciated!)

 

Nice additions to the set, Bing. I love thinking about the legionnaires that these were issued to, and in whose hands some of them spent the next century or two of their life in circulation.


MARK ANTONY
AR Denarius. 3.61g, 17.8mm. Patrae (?) mint, autumn 32 - spring 31 BC. Sear RCV Vol. 1 p. 284, 1483 (this coin illustrated); Crawford 544/8. O: ANT AVG above Praetorian galley right, III VIR R P C below. R: CHORTIVM PRAETORIARVM, Legionary eagle (Aquila) between two standards (signa).
Ex Stack's Sale December 2001, Lot #142; Ex Ponterio & Associates Sale 108 August 2000, Lot #307; Ex Gerhard Hirsch Auction 179, September 1993, Lot #770

 

Great Marc Antony legionary adds Bing!! Great coins everyone!


I have only one in low low grade, and no pic.

 

@TIF - In my copy of Sydenham, 1220 is at the top of a page. That might be how the seller picked the number. I don't think the ship's prow of the op coin looks like the prows of LEG IIIIs I see on line.

 

I agree. I looked at many, and it just doesn't seem to match very well.

 

I hope this is not against any rules here on CT, but I would ask the crew here to help me watch for any of the MA Legionary denarii that I am missing. More eyes on target so to speak.

 

I will keep my eyes open for them.

 

@TIF
I appreciate and thank you very much for your comments. Very incisive. Very helpful.

(Obviously) it is the wear on these coins that inhibits the accurate attribution in so many cases, (my own coin being but one example), and I wonder why these denarii exhibit so much wear when compared to other denarii? (Softer silver, soldier's marches, games of chance?)

 

It is my understanding that the silver content in these were quite low. Because of this, people spent them over and over rather than hoarding them along side quality silver coins.

 

That is an impressive collection of Marc Antony legionary coins Bing -- a collecting area I know little about but eventually would like to know more. Congratulations.

 

Nice additions @Bing !
I prefer the LEG XII most
Is it me or I don't see any LEG IV (or even IIII) neither in your "I have" list nor in your "I miss" list ?

My two :





Q

 

You're correct. I do not have either IV or IIII. I'll take yours if you please.

 

Thanks to one our CT coin brothers who allowed me to trade coins, I am now the proud owner of yet another MA Legionary denarius: Leg XVIII

MARCUS ANTONIUS
AR Denarius
OBVERSE: ANT AVG III VIR R P C, Praetorian galley, thyrsos behind prow
REVERSE: LEG XVIII. Legionary eagle between two standards
Patrae 32-31 BC
3.22g, 17mm
Crawford 544/33; Syd 1239
ex. Albert DeCrescenzo; ex Harlan J. Berk

One more down and lots to go.

 

Nice one @Bing

 

And thanks to Bing I have a really nice Republic denarius to add to my collection.

 

great coins