Roman Silver & Bronze - Imperial

Lot 3394    SESSION 12 (11.30AM THURSDAY 2ND APRIL)    Roman Silver & Bronze - Imperial

Estimate $700
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $630

MARK ANTONY RESTORATION ISSUE BY MARCUS AURELIUS & LUCIUS VERUS, (A.D. 161-169), silver denarius, Rome mint, issued A.D. 161-169, (3.20 g), obv. praetorian galley to left with rowers, around ANTONIVS AVGVR below III VIR R P C, rev. legionary eagle between two standards, around ANTONINVS ET VERVS AVG REST, across field LEG VI, (RIC 443 (Marcus Aurelius), Babelon ii No.56 (p.587), BMCRE 500). Deep old toning and mild hoard patination, otherwise as struck and very rare.

Private purchase from Jaggard Coins 20 December 1983.
This enigmatic restoration of the legionary denarius of Mark Antony of 32-31 B.C., cannot be readily explained. Only one legion is honoured, the VI Ferrata, and it has been suggested that this unit distinguished itself in the Parthian war of A.D. 163-6. Another possibility is that the coin may commemorate the bicentennial of the battle of Actium, an anniversary which would have fallen at the end of the joint reign of Aurelius and Verus.