I just posted this on my blog and after a suggestion by @Valentinian , I thought I would post it here as well. Marcus Antonius, known more commonly as Marc Antony was part of the second triumvirate with Octavian (later Augustus) and Lepidus. He is also known as the lover of Cleopatra of Egypt. Just the fact that this coin was minted by such a historical figure is certainly one interesting aspect of this coin, but there is another. This coin was minted in 32 BCE. While 32 BCE may not be an historically interesting date, 31 BCE certainly is. This coin was minted the year before the battle of Actium. Octavian defeated Marc Antony, and Antony committed suicide not long after. Look at the reverse of the coin. It contains Antony's name and "AVG IMP". IMP is short for imperator and AVG is short for Augur. On many imperial coins "AVG" is used to mean "Augustus". The title "Augustus" was not used during the time of Antony. His position of Augur meant that he would "take the auspices", using the flight paths and other characteristics of the flight of birds to ascertain the will of the gods. I like the toning on this coin, but one cannot ignore the strong portrait on the obverse. The portrait has character and personality as by many accounts did the figure the portrait represents. This is part of why I love ancient coins and the study of them. After all, it is really about the people who handled the coins, spent the coins and yes, those who minted them. Marc Antony AR Denarius. Athens, 32 BC. M. Junius Silanus, quaestor proconsul. (20.16 mm 3.42g,) Obv: ANTON AVG IMP III COS DES III V R P C, bare head of Marc Antony right Rev: ANTONIVS AVG IMP III in two lines. Crawford 542/2; CRI 347; Sydenham 1209; RSC 2. SRCV I (2000) 1478. Ex: Manfred Swan Collection, Ex: Calgary Coin Please post your coins of Marc Antony.
I have one of those too - yours has much better centring. I enjoy the almost cartoonish square-jawed, bull-necked, boxer-nose portrait on these, and the irony of the appearance of "AVG" in the legend. Also note the tiny "p" and dot behind the ear; it's speculated this is a signature of the die engraver.
Antony and Octavia AR cistophorus, 25.6 mm, 11.71 gm Ephesus, 39 BCE Obv: M ANTONINVS IMP COS DESIG ITER ET TERT, Jugate heads of Marcus Antonius and Octavia to right; he wears ivy wreath. Rev: III VIR RPC, Cista mystica surmounted by figure of Bacchus, standing to left, holding cantharus and leaning on thyrsus; on either side, coiled serpent. Refs: SNG Cop. 408; SNG von Aulock 6555; Franke KZR 472; RSC 3; Sydenham 1198; RPC 2202; Sear 1513; BMCRR East 135.
Interesting writeup and nice coin I have an example of the OP, but the fourree version Mark Antony, Fourree denarius Minted in Athens in 32 BC ANTON AVG IMP III COS DES III III V R P C, bare head of Mark Antony right ANTONINVS / AVG IMP III in two lines 3,52 gr Ref : RCV # 1478, HCRI # 347, RSC # 2, Cohen # 2 Q
A nice OP with a great portrait. MARCUS ANTONIUS Ionia Silver Cistophoric Tetradrachm OBVERSE: M ANTONIVS IMP COS DESIG ITER ET TERT, head of Antony right, wreathed in ivy, lituus below, all within wreath of ivy and grapes REVERSE: III VIR R P C, bust of Octavia right on cista flanked by snakes Ephesus 39 BC 11.8gm, 26mm RPC I 2201, Sydenham 1197, Sear 262
Congrats @Orfew!! That's a VERY NICE and interesting coin!! Hmm. I notice @Bing and @Roman Collector each has a cool example of one of the two MA cistophoric types I've been unsuccessfully chasing...That's a VERY COOL foureee @Cucumbor !!! Here's my most recent---and I LOVE the historical context too: "Following the assassination of Julius Caesar, it was unclear who would inherit his legacy. The two primary contenders were Mark Antony and Octavian. Both issued a variety of coinages that propagandized their link to the slain dictator. In particular, Octavian, through his familial link, was able to associate the name CAESAR with his own portrait. Lacking a direct link of this nature, Antony often appeared with the symbols of the various offices he held which had been held by Caesar, such as the augurate. Perhaps Antony's most cunning propaganda, however, is the coinage he struck bearing both his portrait and that of Caesar. The first of these was struck while Antony was in Gaul following his defeat at Mutina in 43 BC, and was the first type struck by Antony's military mint. After the War of Mutina, Antony and Lepidus entered into an autocratic pact with Octavian, the Second Triumvirate. Antony struck these coins in this new atmosphere of cooperation to emphasize and remind the people of his former station as Caesar's right hand man - a shrewd publicity tactic at once connecting himself to the memory of the people's beloved dictator and subtly suggesting himself superior to his colleagues in prestige." My coin is from the second series of this type, and was struck following the settlement in November 43 BC between Antony, Octavian, and Lepidus, in which the Second Triumvirate was formed. Mark Antony & Julius Caesar. 43 B.C. AR denarius (17 mm, 3.44 g, 5 h). Mint traveling with Antony in Cisalpine Gaul. CAESAR [DIC], bare head of Julius Caesar right; behind, capis / M A[NT(Conjoined letters)]O IMP R P C (= ReiPublicae Constituendae---Regulation of the Republic), bare head of Marc Antony right; behind, lituus. Crawford 488/1; HCRI 118; Sydenham 1165; RSC 2. Lightly toned. Good metal.
I like you coin of Marcus Antonius, and your description of it. Congratulations on this addition to your collection. I do not have a portrait coin of Marcus Antonius, only this well-worn example which shows him in priestly attire. I found this coin 20+ years ago. The Triumvirs. Marcus Antonius. Summer 38 BC. AR Denarius. Athens mint. Obv: Marcus Antonius, veiled, and wearing the priestly robes of an augur, standing right, holding litmus Rev: Radiate head of Sol right. Crawford 533/2; CRI 267; Sydenham 1199; RSC 13.
That is a great Denarius @Orfew ! LOL, that AVG title for the Imperator was a great way for a military commander to allay the fears of the troops prior to battle. SOLDIERS "OMG, the German Hoard is TERRIFYING, they are going to overwhelm us!" IMPERATOR: " Hmmm... let me look in the skies... Yup, the birds are flying with us. Hmmmm... let's look at that calf liver... Yup, looks good. All's good! LET'S GO FOR IT... CHARGE!!!" Simple. Control their minds and souls through controlling the AVGVRY or the PONTIFICATE. RImp Antony-Octavian AR Denarius 41 BCE 3.65g 18.7mm Military mint Syria star Craw 528-2a Sear 1507 RImp Marc Antony AR Quinarius Concordia Clasped Hands Caduceus Cr 529-4b
Congrats on your new Antony, Orfew. It's a type I still don't have. Here's a few of my more interesting portraits for the Antony convention:
Congratulations for your beautiful collection. I am particularly jealous of your Marc Anthony/cleopatra precious coin !
