After a 5 month and 5 day long wait for export clearance from Italy, it's finally here. It's heavy, it's huge (40 mm!!) and it's extremely rare (3rd or 4th known heavy Sestertius issued by Oppius Capito to my knowledge). The heaviest denomination in Mark Antony's rare "fleet coinage". And in 14 days the fleet will grow even more as I will also have the Tressis (a very unusual denomination) in my hands Mark Anthony, with Octavia. Circa 38-37 BC. Æ Sestertius (40mm, 30.16 g). M. Oppius Capito, propraetor and praefectus classis. Minted at Piraeus(?). Obverse: M ANT • IMP TER COS DES ITER ET TER III VIR R• P • C •, bare head of Anthony right vis-à-vis head of Octavia left. Reverse: M • OPPIVS • CAPITIO • P[R) • PR • PRAEF • CLASS • F • C • - Mark Anthony and Octavia in quadriga of hippocamps; in l. field, HS and below, Δ and astragalus. Reference: RPC I 1462.3 Provenace: Aste Bolaffi, Auction 33 (29 November 2018), lot 310. "This unusual coin is an example of Mark Anthony's "fleet coinage," a series of bronzes in multiple, clearly marked denominations issued shortly after Antony's marriage alliance with Octavian, the nephew of Julius Caesar. The exact dates, the nature and purpose of the series have been the subject of much debate. David Sear places the commencement of the series in the summer of 38 BC at a still unidentified Eastern mint. The coins were struck in the names of Antony and three of his admirals--L. Sempronius Atratinus, M. Oppius Capito, and L. Calpurnius Bibulus, and falls into two distinct series, "heavy" and "light." Most of the coins depict overlapping, confronting or Janiform portraits of Antony and Octavia, his wife and Octavian's sister. A few also show Octavian, in a clearly subsidiary position. Reverses almost all feature nautical themes--galleys under full sail, or figures in chariots drawn by hippocamps. The admiral's names, themes, and the combination of Greek and Latin letters indicate the coins may have been used to pay sailors in Antony's fleet, and were intended for circulation in his Eastern realm. An intriguing feature of the series is the range of denominations, all Roman, all clearly marked in Greek letters. They range from a large bronze sestertius, previously a small silver coin, marked HS in Latin and the Greek letter-numeral D, or four, indicating a value of four asses. Next comes an unusual denomination, the tressis, or three asses, marked G; then the dupondius, two asses, marked B; and the as, marked A. The series is completed by two fractions, a semis and quadrans, marked S and with three dots (three unciae) respectively. M. Oppius Capito was Antony’s senior naval officer, stationed at the main naval base at Piraeus. His coins are found distributed around central Greece, and were most likely struck at Piraeus. His coins are found in two series, a heavy and a light and it has been suggested that some were struck at Tarentum where part of Antony’s fleet was based during the joint action against Sextus Pompey in 37-36 BC Although this experimental coinage was short-lived and very rare today, it is interesting to note that the great currency reform started by Octavian, after he had taken the name Augustus and become the first Emperor of Rome, resulted in a bronze coinage using exactly the same denominations as Anthony's fleet issues."
This is a massively important coin. Very very well done. For the RBW fleet bronzes, see photographs taken by me here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ahala_rome/albums/72157625713793045 I understand what a sensational acquisition this is along with your forthcoming Tressis; many may not hence why I really must emphasise my congratulations. Because essentially all the RBW fleet bronzes are now part of the ANS collection, the market for these piece is exceptionally tight. Andrew
Thank you very much Andrew! I often go to have a look at the RBW ones on your flickr page (and other stuff too of course). In case you remember, I have one coin from my collection in that album. The last one uploaded (Semis with possible star above prow). / Michael
Thank you very much I'm really excited about the Tressis, has some rough surfaces but retains very nice detail.
Thank you Yes indeed, it was a long wait but very well worth it, I may have to wait much much longer before one of these surfaces on the market again
Size comparison with a Half-Litra (11mm) (most likely the smallest Republican bronze coin ever issued)
Fantastic find @Michael Stolt ! Wow! Just really like that coin! I have several of the Roman Litrae, Double Litrae, and Half Litrae. That is a great size comparison in bronze.
Thank you very much Very interesting coinage but tough to collect I need to get back to early bronzes soon, love all those small denominations.
I am anxious to see that one. Please post when it arrives. Is that G as in Gamma? I hope it is clear on the coin. Being marked in two systems makes these especially interesting.
Hello Doug! Yes it is marked with a Gamma, the reverse is in decent shape so it is visible, here is a preview pic I got from the dealer
Extraordinary coin ! Another one from the ‘fleet coinage’ was sold in February ( with L.Calpurnius Bibulus ). I can’t believe that someone dared to cut it in two pieces to create smaller change !
Thank you I had a few bids on that one, but didn't have much funds for coins that time around so I had to let it go, even if halved the detail is still amazing for a fleet coin so I regret not being able to acquire it. Seems the person whol made the cut at least liked Anthony as the bust was spared lol
