Lot 1980

Description

Mark Antony (died 30 B.C.), denarius, issued 41 B.C., mint travelling with Antony, Moneyer M. Barbatius Pollio, obv. bare head of Antony to right, around, M ANT IMP AVG III VIR R P C M BARBAT Q P, dotted border, rev. bare head of Octavian to right, around CAESAR IMP PONT III VIR R P C, dotted border, (Cr.517/2, Syd.1181, S.424). Bankers mark on chin of Octavian, otherwise very fine and rare.

Ex Duke of Northumberland Collection. This coin also published in Rear Admiral William Henry Smyth book `Descriptive Catalogue of a Cabinet of Family Coins belonging to His Grace the Duke of Northumberland K.G.', 1856 as Tablet III, No.16. Although produced three years after Julius Caesar introduction of contemporary portraiture on Roman coinage, this issue displays a very developed style with encircling inscription, upon which all later imperial numismatic iconography was based. The coin was produced by Antony, honouring his colleague in the triumvirate, Octavian. The issue made in the name of M. Barbatius Pollio, a friend of Julius Caesar and quaestor pro praetore to Antony in the East. The year 41 B.C. saw the first meeting of Antony with Cleopatra, at Tarsus, and he spent the following winter with her in Egypt.