Yet another Mark Antony denarius

Hi friends,

Yes, just another Mark Antony denarius entering my collection a few days ago. The quality isn't at it's best in terms of preservation, but it's quite rare a type, and the style was too good for me to pass. Mark Antony's portraits, for distinctive they are, often bear a crude vision of the guy, while this one looks much more refined. Anyway, I like it !!



Mark Antony, Denarius Struck in a travelling mint, moving with Mark Antony in 41 BC
ANT AVG IMP III VI R P C, Head of Mark Antony right
Fortuna standing left, holding rudder in right hand and cornucopiae in left; at feet, stork; below, PIETAS COS
3,82 gr - 20 mm
Ref : Crawford # 516/2, Sydenham # 1174, HCRI # 241, C # 77

The following comment is copied from NAC auction # 52/294 about the very rare corresponding aureus :

The year 41 B.C., when this [denarius] was struck at a mint travelling in the East with Marc Antony, was a period of unusual calm for the triumvir, who took a welcomed, if unexpected, rest after the great victory he and Octavian had won late in 42 B.C. against Brutus and Cassius at the Battle of Philippi. Antony’s original plan of organising an invasion of Parthia was put on hold after he sailed to Tarsus, where he had summoned Cleopatra VII, the Greek queen of Egypt. She was to defend herself against accusations that she had aided Brutus and Cassius before Philippi, but it is generally agreed that the summons was merely a pretext for Antony’s plan to secure aid for his Parthian campaign. Their meeting was anything but a source of conflict; indeed, they found much common ground, including their agreement that it was in their mutual interests to execute Cleopatra’s sister and rival Arsinoe IV, who had been ruling Cyprus. In addition to sharing political interests, the two agreed that Antony would winter in Egypt to share a luxurious vacation with Cleopatra that caused a further postponement of Antony’s designs on Parthia. Thus began another of the queen’s liaisons with noble Romans, a prior having been Julius Caesar (and, according to Plutarch, Pompey Jr. before him). During the course of his stay in Egypt Cleopatra was impregnated, which resulted in twins born to her in 40 B.C. But this care-free period was only a momentary calm in the storm, for trouble was brewing in both the East and the West. Early in 40 B.C. Syria was overrun by the Parthians, seemingly while Antony travelled to Italy to meet Octavian following the Perusine War, in which Octavian defeated the armies of Antony’s wife and brother. The conflict with Octavian was resolved when they signed a pact at Brundisium in October, and Syria was eventually recovered through the efforts of Antony’s commanders from 40 to 38 B.C.

Please, feel free to post anything related you like
Q

 

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Hang the condition. That is one extraordinary portrait.

 

Thanks David, that's the reason why I bought it straight

Q

 

My only ex-Trau coin:

 

Wow, @Cucumbor , great coin! I like the condition a lot... Been circulated and used by ancients. Excellent detail, condition, and rarity. Congrats to you! Personal observation: Roman Republic did not picture living people until the vanity of the Imperatorial period...

 

+1

 

A truly lovely portrait. Great coin Cucumbor.
Here is mine

 

Sweet OP-coin, Q (congrats) ... fantastic eye-appeal (great toned patina)

*rats* ... I don't have an example of this dude (pretty high on the ol' wish-list)

 

Great coin, love the portrait. Still need a MA of any kind.

 

I, on the other hand, only like the reverse of the OP coin...

Of course, I'm just kidding . Fantastic portrait! Congrats on the nice score.

 

Wonderful examples 'Q' and 'Volodya'!!!

My worn example is more like @Orfew post---less a 'pretty boy' and more 'rugged' ---not to mention he has Octavian hanging around...LOL

Please try to excuse the large size.....

 

Wow.

 

Nice catch, Cucumbor. I really like the portrait style on yours. Here's mine.

 

Wow, great coins C, V & C. A bit different portrait of Mark. Bing, I like your Mark and snake coin too.
I have one Mark pic & it is a 2fer with Octavian:

 

Nice M-A types coinfriends ! Keep on posting them

Of course, Volodya's and Carthago's examples are far above mine, but I'm quite pleased to having the same type as theirs, even though not exactly playing on the same ground

Q

 

Seconded.

 

WOW !!! What an incredible array of posts!!!

Why do I always feel the need for an upgrade LOL

 

Howdy Bing,

excellent example

cheers

eric

 

Great coins everyone! I also have a 2-fer, with his brother Lucius Antony.