A very interesting issue of Mark Antony, struck in 38 BC, during the period of the Second Triumvirate and the growing rivalry between Antony and Octavian. The coin belongs to an issue produced by a mobile mint associated with Antony in the East and represents a characteristic example of the use of coinage as an instrument of political legitimisation during the final decades of the Roman Republic.
On the obverse, Antony is depicted in his priestly role as an augur. He stands wearing a toga with his head ritually veiled and holds a lituus, the curved staff that was one of the principal symbols of the college of augurs. The legend records both his augural office and his third acclamation as imperator.
The reverse depicts Sol wearing a radiate crown. The legend includes the important title III VIR R P C – triumvir rei publicae constituendae, referring to the extraordinary authority exercised by Antony as one of the triumvirs. It is accompanied by references to his successive designations for the consulship.
The issue was struck at a particularly important moment in Antony’s career. Following the defeat of Brutus and Cassius at Philippi in 42 BC, the Roman East became Antony’s principal sphere of influence, while Octavian consolidated his position in the West. The coinage of both men increasingly served as a means of proclaiming their offices, victories and the legal foundations of their authority.
The present denarius is an excellent testimony to this process: Antony appears not merely as a military commander, but simultaneously as priest, imperator and triumvir. Its carefully selected iconography and extensive titulature present a man who in 38 BC ranked among the most powerful figures in the Roman world.
Porous surface.
Roman Republic
Marcus Antonius (32-31 BC), Denarius 38 BC, uncertain mint
Obverse: togate Marcus Antonius standing right, holding lituus
M·ANTONIVS·M·F·M·N·AVGVR·IM͡P·TER͡T
Reverse: radiate head of Sol right
III·VIR·R·P·C·COS·DESIG·ITER·ET·TERT
Diameter 19 mm, weight 3.32 g
