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Crawford 517/5, ROMAN IMPERATORIAL, Marc Antony, AR Denarius
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Rome, The Imperators.
Marc Antony and M. Nerva, 41 BCE.
AR Denarius (3.69g; 20mm).
Ephesus mint.
Obverse: M·ANT·IMP·AVG·III·VIR· R·P·CM·NERVAPROQ·P; bare head of Marc Antony, facing right.
Reverse: L·ANTONIVS – COS; bare head of Lucius Antony, facing right.
References: Crawford 517/5a; HCRI 246; Sydenham 1185; BMCRR (East) 107; Antonia 48; Banti & Simonetti 3 (this coin illustrated)
Provenance: Ex Private Japanese Collection [Heritage 3081 (12 Jan 2020) Lot 30157]; Heritage 3030 (5 Jan 2014) Lot 23911; Stack's (14 Jun 1971) Lot 332; Valentine John Eustace Ryan (d. 1947) Collection [Glendining (2 Apr 1952) Lot 1932].
This coin was struck in Ephesus by Marc Antony and the pro quaestor M. Cocceius Nerva (ancestor of the Emperor Nerva) during the year of Lucius Antony’s consulship. Lucius Antony was Marc Antony’s younger brother and supporter. During Lucius’ time as consul, Octavian was in the process of allotting confiscated land throughout Italy to army veterans. In response to the unpopular policy, Lucius Antony conspired with Marc Antony’s wife, Fulvia, to defend cities and landowners against Octavian’s confiscations. Lucius and Fulvia expected Marc Antony’s Gallic colleagues to support their efforts, but such support never materialized. As a result, Octavian besieged them at Perusia, where they were hunkering-down, and they eventually capitulated. Octavian pardoned them, rather than risk incurring Marc Antony’s wrath. Lucius was made governor of Spain where he eventually died.
The portraiture of the brothers Antony on this coin are quite distinct, and likely veristic; Lucius being depicted with a bald pate and a more aquiline nose compared to his elder brother.
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