Lot 4706

Description

Macedon, Philippi, Civic issue, time of Claudius to Nero(?), (c. 41-69 A.D.), AE 20, (4.86 g), obv. Victory standing left on base, holding wreath and palm, VIC AVG across field, rev. around COHOR PRAE PHIL, three standards, (S.32, RPC 1651, SNG Cop.305-6, McClean 3267-8, AMC 1099 ff., SNG Evelpides 1275-7). Good very fine with green patina.

Ex Dr. Adrian Carr Collection and purchased from Steve Wilson in 2003 with ticket and invoice.
Believed to be minted at Philippi in Macedonia. This was the site of the great battle where Antony and Octavian had defeated the forces of Brutus and Cassius in 42 B.C. Augustus later settled the veterans of a Praetorian Cohort at Philippi, and he conferred upon them the right to mint coins, of which this is an example. This is a nicely struck coin which was struck to commemorate the anniversary of the battle of Philippi in 42 BC. It was originally thought to have been struck in the time of Augustus but has since been re-attributed to a much later date based on the metal composition of these pieces and hoard evidence. The 100 year anniversary was in 58 AD and it seems likely this is the date of these coins.