Got my first Marc Antony legionary denarius

Well said John.

 

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I wish there was a dislike button for one of the posts in this thread...

Nice coin VK!

 

Here is the reverse in hand. Photo 2 is at a slightly different angle than 1, and 3 is the same photo as 2. I've marked where the X is.

 

I don't know if you know this or not, but the 10th was called Julius Caesar's Elite from Spain and generally occupied the right wing of his formation, an honored, but tough position in the Roman formations. Caesar was known to headquarter with and rode to battle with the 10th. Caesar personally recruited the legion in 61BC. The 10th was recognized and feared by friend and foe alike.

 

Thanks for the interesting info JW. I also learned that the Tenth was Caesar's most trusted and his personal legion, serving with distinction in the Gallic Wars. Apparently the legion was still active by the late 4th century AD, by then known as the X Gemina.

 

May I recommend a book if you are interested in the history of this legion.

Caesar's Legion: An Epic Saga of Julius Caesar's Elite Tenth Legion and the Armies of Rome by Stephen Dando Collins.

An interesting and entertaining read.

 

An interesting thread, and very interesting information.
This is what numismatics is all about. Enjoy your legionary denarius, VK.

I wonder what the legionaries themselves called these coins.

 

I believe they knew the silver content was low so they spent these before earlier denarii. I have no idea what they may have called them if not Legionary Denarii.

 

Well they don't have an ebook that I could find of the 10th legion but there was a book on all the Legions by that author so that may be my next read.

 

What is the title? I have three books by this author:
1. Caesar's Legion
2. Mark Anthony's Heros (about the Third Gallica)
3. Nero's Killing Macine (about the 14th Legion)

 

I was just on my phone so I didn't look too deeply into it but this one is called 'Legions of Rome, The definitive history of every imperial Roman Legion.'.

When I get home I will probably delve into it a little deeper when I have the wider screen of my tablet. I did just see Mark Antony's Heroes though.

 

Here's a link I found of a chapter from an online version of a book, the chapter titled "Caesar Praises His Tenth legion". Thought it was interesting and relevant enough to post here:

http://www.heritage-history.com/index.php?c=read&author=macgregor&book=rome&story=tenth

 

Ummm, just for the record => man, after the dust has settled, it really does seem as though this coin was "worth the money", eh?

=> congrats Jango => months after purchasing this ugly duckling, we're all still rivetted to your thread, discussing this deceptive, yet beautiful swan!! (well done, brother)

 

HA!