Just bought this silver galley of Marc Antony. Inspired by Bing's awsome collection of these coins, I had to have one. Not the best example but the price was right for a LEG IIII imho. ($90) It passed many hands and the bankers did test it again and again. Please show your Marc Antony galleys, thanks
Any MA Legionary denaeius for $90 where you can make out the legion, the legends, and the oars of the warship is a good buy in my book. I only still have the one, but I'm not in any hurry to add another. This one was definitely well above $90...much more in fact. But I'm a sucker for toning so I couldn't pass it up.
Very common type (below), decent-but-not-outstanding condition. Nothing special, but c'mon, it's Mark Anthony, you know? "Friends, Romans, countrymen . . ."; that guy? Silver Denarius Traveling legionary mint Obv: ANT AVG / IIIVIR RPC - Galley Rev: LEG XIX - Legionary eagle between two standards 17mm, 3.4g.
I would class this as one of the coins that would seem appropriate for every collection of ancient coins. It is common enough that we can all have one and available in regular and high octane versions for the needs of those who drive a Toyota and those who drive a Ferrari. We might class it with Athenian owls, Widow's Mites and Tribute Pennies in this regard. The demand is high and the supply is sufficient to cover. I offer two. One was selected for being a bit odd and might be equated to an older model Toyota. The second is fourree and more of a work truck. I have one that is a Pinto but can't find the photo this morning.
My bargain bin legions. Not the best shape but I'm pretty sure I didn't spend more than $10 for any of them 15+ years ago
Great score, @Andres2 Here's a LEG XII ANTIQVAE that picked up a couple of neat bankers' marks. THE TRIUMVIRS. MARC ANTONY AR 'Legionary' Denarius. 3.78g, 19mm, Military mint (Patrae?), autumn 32 - spring 31 BC. Crawford 544/9. O: ANT AVG above, Praetorian galley right with rowers, III VIR R P C below. R: LEG XII ANTIQVAE, Legionary eagle (aquila) between two standards (signa). Ex Andrew McCabe Collection
Glad you added your first legionary, Andres. A good example of Legio IIII. You may find you cannot stop at just one..... I have a small collection and add to it occasionally: the last one was this Classicae from the Frankfurt Numismata last Nov. 2018. Other Legionary denarii - including those struck for Septimius Severus:
I'm away from home and don't have a comlete set of coin images with me. However I can show a couple in my collection:
Here are a few... Legio XVI RImp Marc Antony Legio XVI AR Den 18mm 3.4g Mil mint 32-31 BCE Praetorian Galley Aquila 2 Stds Cr 544-31 RSC 48 Legio X RImp Marc Antony 32-31 BCE AR Legio X Equestris - Caesar Denarius B bankers mark Eagle Galley Standards Legio II Rome ISCA Legio II Augusta 75-300 CE Caerleon Concrete 2 pcs 26x21mm ea (THIS is what made Rome GREAT! - CONCRETE) Legio III RImp Marc Antony AR Denarius 32-31 BCE Legio III Ship Eagle Standards Sear 1479 Craw 544/15 Legio V RImp Marc Antony AR Den 32-31 BCE Legio V Ship Eagle Standards Sear 1479 Cr 544/18
I think it's safe to say that one probably saw over a century of circulation before it was lost or burried. Another few years of circulation and it would have been just a blank silver disk. How much does it weigh? I'm curious to see how much the heavy circluation affected the weight.