Marcus Antonius, Gaius Sosius, Cleopatra VII Eagle - Zacynthus mint

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by MarcusAntonius, Jun 18, 2021.

  1. MarcusAntonius

    MarcusAntonius Well-Known Member

    Does a coin exists with the portrait of Marcus Antonivs, Legis of Gaius Sosivs and the eagle of Cleopatra VII as well? That would be a dream coin for many, and the answer is yes it does exists. Most collectors have to go to the museum to dream about this rare coin, but I am very happy to present this unique piece, a RPC I 1290 type, here on cointalk, just one other example on acsearch, the vast majority in musea. Seldom offered for private sales, since this day does it belong to my Great Imperatorial collection. Able to look at it, also able to actually touch it, and even able to put it under the pillow and have a (imaginary) chat with Marcus and Gaius before I fall a sleep (perhaps Cleopatra VII as well). All of these pleasures without having to go to jail for robbery attempt on a world famous museum. For sure one of them (Marcus or Gaius), or perhaps both did hold this coin in their hand once in their lives, perhaps even Cleopatra! You can't believe how happy I am with today's acquisition! Well what I will do now: empty some Paulaner Weissen, some pretzels and sour pickles, some XO (vey old) Dutch farm cheese. Enjoy this special moment and not even dream about the next coins which I would Love to acquire (just for a while)!

    Sosius, was governor of Syria and Cilicia in 38 BC and assisted in placing King Herod on the throne, he was a staunch supporter of Marcus Antonivs, and was in a position of some power at Antonivs' naval base, Zacynthus. We know this because between 39 BC (when the base was founded) and 32 BC, a series of coins were struck under Sosius' authority (RPC I 1290-3).

    The obverse of the first two coins carries the portrait of Marcus. The reverse of issue 1 bears a Ptolemaic eagle, a reference to Antoniv's alliance with Cleopatra. The second issue, struck in 36 BC, names Sosius as imperator and carries a military trophy on the reverse, a reference to Sosius' victory in Judea. It is unusual that Sosius uses his coinage to advertise his own personal achievements rather than that of the triumvirs, though the portrait of Antonivs on the obverse underlines the fact that Sosius was acting under Antoniv's support and patronage.

    RPC I  1290.jpg

    RPC I  1290 - 2.jpg

    Cleopatra VII II.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jun 18, 2021
    eparch, Broucheion, DonnaML and 20 others like this.
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  3. ancientone

    ancientone Well-Known Member

    Amazing coin, Congratulations!
     
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  4. Cucumbor

    Cucumbor Well-Known Member

    Excellent style on the portrait and great coin despite some wear and roughness.
    Thanks for sharing

    Q
     
  5. MarcusAntonius

    MarcusAntonius Well-Known Member

    Thank you J C, this coin means a lot to me, a incredible win for my Imperatorial collection.
     
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  6. MarcusAntonius

    MarcusAntonius Well-Known Member

    Please post your best, most rare, most beautiful or number one 'ugly' Imperatorial coin here. Bronze, Silver, Gold, does not matter, just the coin which stands out for any kind of reason in your collection.
     
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  7. MarcusAntonius

    MarcusAntonius Well-Known Member

    The day after the win, that was exciting yesterday! Can't believe that this coin ended up in collection actually. Was having a humble Imperatorial collection, with recent wins did it became a Great collection. Thought that I didn't have any change to win it (zero) and would end up being completely outbid!

    Recovering from a major hangover this morning. The counterpart in the collection was won the day before. It's the less impressive example (ugly), with a unflattering portrait of Marcus, perhaps even the most ugly on acsearch. Feel free to post your examples, no matter the condition or style.

    Philippi. Marcus Antonius, (Circa 42 BC). Assarion (Bronze, 23 mm, 5.82 g, 12 h), Q. Paquius Rufus, legatus coloniae deducendae, 42. A I C V P Bare head of Mark Antony to right; Rev. [Q P]AQVIVS / [RVF L]EG / [C D] Togate figure seated left, holding tablet; before, urn set on ground. Rare.


    The colony of Philippi was founded by Mark Antony in 42 BC following the victory of the Caesarians against Brutus and Longinus in the vicinity of the old Greek settlement. This rare issue was struck to commemorate the foundation of the new colony, and the obverse legend A I C V P is to be expanded to Antoni iussu colonia victrix Philippensis.

    Reference: RPC I 1647

    Boe.jpg boe2.jpg
     
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  8. Jay GT4

    Jay GT4 Well-Known Member

    Congratulations. I bid on this coin but fell by the wayside quite early on...
     
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  9. MarcusAntonius

    MarcusAntonius Well-Known Member

    Thank you very much, AncientOne!
     
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  10. MarcusAntonius

    MarcusAntonius Well-Known Member

    Competition was fierce, but was able to win this time till my great surprise. Had the pinch me, pinch me please feeling.

    Thanks for posting yours here!
     
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  11. Nemo

    Nemo Well-Known Member

    An absolutely amazing coin, one I would love to have in my collection, congratulations!
     
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  12. ancientone

    ancientone Well-Known Member

    Here is one of my favorites from Zacynthus.

    zacynthus.jpg
    Achaea. Zacynthus, Island off Elis. Marcus Aurelius AE20. Pan with infant Dionysus
    Zacynthus; Achaea; Peleponnessus (District: Zacynthus). Date 161–180. Obverse design laureate head of Marcus Aurelius, r. Obverse inscription ΑΥ ΚΑΙ Μ ΑΥ ΑΝΤΩΝΕΙΝ ΑΥ
    Reverse design Pan standing, r., nebris over shoulders, holding bunch of grapes and infant Dionysus
    Reverse inscription ΖΑΚΥΝΘΙΩΝ
    BMC 93-4
     
  13. MarcusAntonius

    MarcusAntonius Well-Known Member

    Nice coin, well toned! Thank you as well for sharing it here with us.
     
  14. MarcusAntonius

    MarcusAntonius Well-Known Member

    Bahrfehldt, JIAN 11 (1908), pl. XIII
    Thank you Nemo, was thinking exactly the same when I found this example! To find even one other example out of this rare series would be unique.

    Included the four different coins, images are citated from Warwick Blogs which reproduced them from Bahrfeldt, JIAN 11 (1908), pl. XIII


    1) https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/1/1290

    2) https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/1/1291

    3) https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/1/1292

    4) https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/1/1293


    Coins of Sosius from Zacynthus.jpg
     
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