Reply to Thread

Message:: [QUOTE="Bing, post: 2839330, member: 44132"]Well, it finally arrived today.  I have been waiting on pins and needles afraid something might happen to it in shipment.  I have been like a little kid waiting for his decoder ring, looking in the mailbox every afternoon only to be disappointed - until today.  This makes number 18 for my sub-collection of Marcus Antonius Legionary denarii (and my secret birthday present from my wife - secret from her that is).  My birthday is not till next month, but hey, why wait, eh?  Besides, I'm in negotiation for two more and will just add them to my birthday present if I get them. Serving as scouts and messengers, the Chortjs Speculatorum filled the role of a spy within each legion. Normally ten in number per legion, Mark Antony created a special group of chortis who specifically served around him, carrying out personal instructions and protecting his well-being, essentially acting as an early secret service–a concept which was further developed during the empire under Augustus[ATTACH=full]671381[/ATTACH] MARCUS ANTONIUSAR Denarius  OBVERSE:  ANT AVG III VIR R P C, Praetorian galley, thyrsos behind prow  REVERSE: CHORTIS SPECVLATORVM, three legionary standards  Patrae 32-31 BC  3.52g, 18.mm  Cr544/12; Syd 1214ex. Marti Classical Numismatics [/QUOTE]