Marcus Antonius, Denarius, Autumn 32-Spring 31 BC
Military mint - Pedigree
PLEASE NOTE: this collector's item is unique. We therefore cannot guarantee its availability over time and recommend that you do not delay too long in completing your purchase if you are interested.
Galley sailing to right.
Aquila between two signa.
Splendid specimen, in a magnificent state of conservation, revealing the whole details of the galley, the eagle and the standards. One will note only aminor planchet flaw under the tail of the eagle on the reverse. Nice deep grey patina. This coin was minted by Mark Antony in his itinerant military mint in the eastern Mediterranean, during the last civil war of the Republic era. This conflict ended with the defeat of Mark Antony, along with Cleopatra, in the naval battle of Actium, where hundreds of ships were lined up (230 are counted in fighting condition on Mark Antony's side), including triremes, such as can be seen on the obverse of our denarius. The victorious Octavian pursued the couple to Egypt where they both committed suicide, and then took power to become the first Roman emperor under the name of Augustus. Many different types of this denarius exist. The one we offer for sale is identified with the IVth legion of Mark Antony's troops, as indicated in the reverse legend by the inscription LEG IV at the foot of the eagle badge. The troops were paid with this coin, regardless of the legion numbers indicated on them.
ANT·AVG III·VIR·R·P·C
LEG IV
3.68 gr
Silver
Silver can fall into your pocket but also falls between copper and gold in group 11 of the periodic table. Three metals frequently used to mint coins. There are two good reasons for using silver: it is a precious metal and oxidizes little upon contact with air. Two advantages not to be taken for granted.
Here is thus a metal that won’t vanish into thin air.
It’s chemical symbol Ag is derived from the Latin word for silver (argentum), compare Ancient Greek ἄργυρος (árgyros). Silver has a white, shiny appearance and, to add a little bit of esotericism or polytheism to the mix, is traditionally dedicated to the Moon or the goddess Artemis (Diana to the Romans).
As a precious metal, just like gold, silver is used to mint coins with an intrinsic value, meaning their value is constituted by the material of which they are made. It should be noted that small quantities of other metals are frequently added to silver to make it harder, as it is naturally very malleable (you can’t have everything) and thus wears away rapidly.
The first silver coins probably date back to the end of the 7th century BC and were struck on the Greek island of Aegina. These little beauties can be recognized by the turtle featured on the reverse.
The patina of silver ranges from gray to black.
The millesimal fineness (or alloy) of a coin indicates the exact proportion (in parts per thousand) of silver included in the composition. We thus speak, for example, of 999‰ silver or 999 parts of silver per 1 part of other metals. This measure is important for investment coins such as bullion. In France, it was expressed in carats until 1995.
