A quinarius celebrating the reconciliation of Antony and Octavian

The pictures don't do this coin justice, so I've also created a short video:


This quinarius comes from an issue struck to celebrate the reconciliation pact between Octavian and Antony made at Brundisium in 40 B.C.. After the victory at Philipi, Octavian had withdrawn to the West and Antony to the East. The deaths of Antony’s wife Fulvia, and brother Lucius, prompted Antony’s return to Italy, a move which many must have thought meant that war between the two Triumvirs was imminent. Sextus Pompey approached Antony offering an alliance against Octavian, as did Octavian’s own general Salividienus. Fortunately, the Triumvirs were able to come to an agreement which was completed by Antony’s marriage to Octavian’s widowed sister, Octavia.

Both men then returned to their respective spheres of influence where each struck an issue bearing both of their names. Sear suggests that this particular type was struck under Octavian in Gaul, which had recently transitioned from Antony’s control to Octavian’s due to the agreement at Brundisium. The theme of Concordia, and the prominent placement of Antony on these issues, was likely Octavian’s attempt to sell this agreement and legitimize his authority in an area so recently under the control of Antony and those loyal to him.

Roman Imperatorial period AR quinarius(14.5mm., 1.69g), C Caesar Octavianus and Marcus Antonius, military mint with Octavian in Gaul, late 39 BC. Diademed and veiled head of Concordia right, III•VIR R•P•C around counterclockwise/Two clasped hands holding caduceus, M•ANTON C•CAESAR around counterclockwise. Crawford 529/4b; Sear HCRI 304.

"From a European Collection", Naville Numismatics Live Auction 64, 21 March 2021, lot 470, ex Dr Angelo Signorelli collection, part II, P.P. Santamaria, 4 June 1952, lot 853

Outside the wonderful historical context of this coin and its issuance, this has a wonderful pedigree: it is from the collection of Angelo Signorelli, sold by P.P. Santamaria in multiple parts in the 1950s. Below I've copied pictures of the text & plates from the Signorelli part II sale, which included his Roman Republican coins, thanks to a @Carausius who was kind enough to consult his library and provide these.




As always, feel free to post anything related

 

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Wow! That's lovely and the video really allows its beauty to shine!

This coin, issued to mark the marriage that brought a brief respite in the conflict between Rome's two most powerful men, depicts the conjugate heads of Antony and Octavia -- a public demonstration of conjugal bliss.


Antony and Octavia
AR cistophorus, 25.6 mm, 11.71 gm
Ephesus, 39 BC
Obv: M ANTONINVS IMP COS DESIG ITER ET TERT, Conjugate heads of Marcus Antonius and Octavia to right; he wears ivy wreath
Rev: III VIR RPC, Cista mystica surmounted by figure of Bacchus, standing to left, holding cantharus and leaning on thyrsus; on either side, coiled serpent
Refs: SNG Cop. 408; SNG von Aulock 6555; Franke KZR 472; RSC 3; Sydenham 1198; RPC 2202; Sear 1513; BMCRR East 135.

 

Congrats and nice writeup, @red_spork ...


RImp Marc Antony & Octavian AR Quinarius 1.58g Military Mint Gaul 39BCE Concordia r Hands clasped caduceus Cr-529-4b Sear 1575 Syd-1195



RImp Marc Antony AR Quinarius Concordia Clasped Hands Caduceus Cr 529-4b