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Image search results - "Octavian"
QuinMAntonio.jpg
Mark Antony Quinarius - 39 B.C.
Obv. III VIR R.P.C.
Diademed and veiled head of Concordia right
Rev. M ANTON C CAES
Clasped hands holding caduceus
Mint travelling with Octavian in Gaul
Craw. 529/4b, Sear RCV 1575
g. 1,8 mm. 15,1
Maxentius
QuinAugusto.jpg
AR Quinarius - OCTAVIAN - Uncertain Italian mint - 29-27 BC.
Obv.: CAESAR IMP VII, bare head right
Rev.:ASIA RECEPTA, Victory standing left on cista mystica between two serpents erect.
gs. 1,7 mm. 13,4
RIC 276, Sear RCV 1568
Maxentius
rjb_ves_02_07.jpg
69bVespasian 69-79 AD
AR denarius
Obv "IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG"
Laureate bust left
Rev "TR POT X COS VIIII"
Figure (Octavian?) on rostral column
Rome mint
RIC 120
1 commentsmauseus
AUGUSTUS,_Marcus_Ambibulus.jpg
Biblical/Judean / AUGUSTUS, Marcus Ambibulus , Hendin-1329Augustus / Marcus Ambibulus, procurator of Judea under Augustus.
Marcus Ambibulus, procurator of Judea under Augustus, 9-12 AD, bronze prutah of 16 mm, 2.14 grams. Struck in the year 9 AD.
Jerusalem mint.
Obverse: Ear of grain, KAICA POC.
Reverse: Palm tree with 2 bunches of dates and date : LMO
Reference: Hendin-1329.

*Jesus was born sometime between 6 B.C. and 4 B.C.
According to St. Matthew, King Herod as the ruler during the time of the Nativity, and Herod died in 4 B.C. , according the dates of the later on struck coins with the new ruler name and dates (see note)
Later, to kill Jesus and eliminate him as a rival king, Herod ordered the "Massacre of the Innocents" - the killing of all male children in Bethlehem aged two years and under. This means that Jesus may have been up to two years old already by that time, and this sets the Nativity between 6 and 4 B.C.
**Surely All coins at that time were struck under the Roman emperor (who happened to be the first Roman emperor in history Augustus (Octavian) Not Julius Caesar as commonly known, Julius was only a dictator and Caesar during the Roman Republic time, never considered Emperor despite the title IMP on some of his coins).
The dates on coins struck during the time of Nativity, before that time, and even later, completely different story depends on the mint home , the ruler year and the kingdom or empire. Using AD (Anno Domini) was much later.

“Swear to me, young women of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or by the does of the field, that you won’t awaken or arouse love before its proper time.” Song of Solomon.

The Sam Mansourati Collection.
Given as a souvenir to a great man, a dear friend and brother Rev. Robert E. Burnock , on 2/25/2020.
2 commentsSam
107.jpg
Δ in circular punchMACEDON (?). Thessalonica (?). Augustus. Æ 22. 27 B.C.- A.D. 14. Obv: KAIΣAP-(ΣEBAΣTOΣ) or similar. Laureate head right; countermark before chin. Rev: Inscription obliterated. City ethnic in wreath. Weight: 9.25 g. CM: Δ in circular punch, 5 mm. Howgego 706 (1 pc). Note: Howgego lists only one (!) coin of the period, where the countermark may be a Δ. That coin was struck for Octavian in Thessalonica, dated to 28/27 B.C. It is listed as "not verified" and the countermark described as A or Δ. In regard to [107], the countermark is very clearly Δ! Collection Automan.Automan
lg004_quad_sm.jpg
"As de Nîmes" or "crocodile" Ӕ dupondius of Nemausus (9 - 3 BC), honoring Augustus and AgrippaIMP DIVI F , Heads of Agrippa (left) and Augustus (right) back to back, Agrippa wearing rostral crown and Augustus the oak-wreath / COL NEM, crocodile right chained to palm-shoot with short dense fronds and tip right; two short palm offshoots left and right below, above on left a wreath with two long ties streaming right.

Ó”, 24.5 x 3+ mm, 13.23g, die axis 3h; on both sides there are remains of what appears to be gold plating, perhaps it was a votive offering? Rough edges and slight scrapes on flan typical for this kind of coin, due to primitive technology (filing) of flan preparation.

IMPerator DIVI Filius. Mint of COLonia NEMausus (currently Nîmes, France). Known as "As de Nîmes", it is actually a dupontius (lit. "two-pounder") = 2 ases (sometimes cut in halves to get change). Dupondii were often made out of a golden-colored copper alloy (type of brass) "orichalcum" and this appears to be such case.

Key ID points: oak-wreath (microphotography shows that at least one leaf has a complicated shape, although distinguishing oak from laurel is very difficult) – earlier versions have Augustus bareheaded, no PP on obverse as in later versions, no NE ligature, palm with short fronds with tip right (later versions have tip left and sometimes long fronds). Not typical: no clear laurel wreath together with the rostral crown, gold (?) plating (!), both features really baffling.

But still clearly a "middle" kind of the croc dupondius, known as "type III": RIC I 158, RPC I 524, Sear 1730. It is often conservatively dated to 10 BC - 10 AD, but these days it is usually narrowed to 9/8 - 3 BC.

It is a commemorative issue, honoring the victory over Mark Antony and conquest of Egypt in 30 BC. The heads of Augustus and Agrippa were probably positioned to remind familiar obverses of Roman republican coins with two-faced Janus. Palm branch was a common symbol of victory, in this case grown into a tree, like the victories of Augustus and Agrippa grown into the empire. The two offshoots at the bottom may mean two sons of Agrippa, Gaius and Lucius, who were supposed to be Augustus' heirs and were patrons of the colony. Palm may also be a symbol of the local Nemausian deity, which was probably worshiped in a sacred grove. When these coins were minted, the colony was mostly populated by the settled veterans of Augustus' campaigns, hence the reminiscence of the most famous victory, but some of the original Celtic culture probably survived and was assimilated by Romans. The crocodile is not only the symbol of Egypt, like in the famous Octavian's coins AEGYPTO CAPTA. It is also a representation of Mark Antony, powerful and scary both in water and on land, but a bit slow and stupid. The shape of the crocodile with tail up was specifically chosen to remind of the shape of ship on very common "legionary" denarius series, which Mark Antony minted to pay his armies just before Actium. It is probably also related to the popular contemporary caricature of Cleopatra, riding on and simultaneously copulating with a crocodile, holding a palm branch in her hand as if in triumph. There the crocodile also symbolized Mark Antony.

Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa was born c. 64-62 BC somewhere in rural Italy. His family was of humble and plebeian origins, but rich, of equestrian rank. Agrippa was about the same age as Octavian, and the two were educated together and became close friends. He probably first served in Caesar's Spanish campaign of 46–45 BC. Caesar regarded him highly enough to send him with Octavius in 45 BC to train in Illyria. When Octavian returned to Rome after Caesar's assassination, Agrippa became his close lieutenant, performing many tasks. He probably started his political career in 43 BC as a tribune of the people and then a member of the Senate. Then he was one of the leading Octavian's generals, finally becoming THE leading general and admiral in the civil wars of the subsequent years.

In 38 as a governor of Transalpine Gaul Agrippa undertook an expedition to Germania, thus becoming the first Roman general since Julius Caesar to cross the Rhine. During this foray he helped the Germanic tribe of Ubii (who previously allied themselves with Caesar in 55 BC) to resettle on the west bank of the Rhine. A shrine was dedicated there, possibly to Divus Caesar whom Ubii fondly remembered, and the village became known as Ara Ubiorum, "Altar of Ubians". This quickly would become an important Roman settlement. Agrippina the Younger, Agrippa's granddaughter, wife of Emperor Claudius and mother of Emperor Nero, would be born there in 15 AD. In 50 AD she would sponsor this village to be upgraded to a colonia, and it would be renamed Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium (colony of Claudius [at] the Altar of Agrippinians – Ubii renamed themselves as Agrippinians to honor the augusta!), abbreviated as CCAA, later to become the capital of new Roman province, Germania Inferior.

In 37 BC Octavian recalled Agrippa back to Rome and arranged for him to win the consular elections, he desperately needed help in naval warfare with Sextus Pompey, the youngest son of Pompey the Great, who styled himself as the last supporter of the republican cause, but in reality became a pirate king, an irony since his father was the one who virtually exterminated piracy in all the Roman waters. He forced humiliating armistice on the triumvirs in 39 BC and when Octavian renewed the hostilities a year later, defeated him in a decisive naval battle of Messina. New fleet had to be built and trained, and Agrippa was the man for the job. Agrippa's solution was creating a huge secret naval base he called Portus Iulius by connecting together lakes Avernus, Avernus and the natural inner and outer harbors behind Cape Misenum at the northern end of the Gulf of Naples. He also created a larger type of ship and developed a new naval weapon: harpax – a ballista-launched grapnel shot with mechanisms that allowed pulling enemy ships close for easy boarding. It replaced the previous boarding device that Romans used since the First Punic War, corvus – effective, but extremely cumbersome. A later defence against it were scythe blades on long poles for cutting ropes, but since this invention was developed in secret, the enemy had no chance to prepare anything like it. It all has proved extremely effective: in a series of naval engagements Agrippa annihilated the fleet of Sextus, forced him to abandon his bases and run away. For this Agrippa was awarded an unprecedented honour that no Roman before or after him received: a rostral crown, "corona rostrata", a wreath decorated in front by a prow and beak of a ship.

That's why Virgil (Aeneid VIII, 683-684), describing Agrippa at Actium, says: "…belli insigne superbum, tempora navali fulgent rostrata corona." "…the proud military decoration, gleams on his brow the naval rostral crown". Actium, the decisive battle between forces of Octavian and Mark Antony, may appear boring compared to the war with Sextus, but it probably turned out this way due to Agrippa's victories in preliminary naval engagements and taking over all the strategy from Octavian.

In between the wars Agrippa has shown an unusual talent in city planning, not only constructing many new public buildings etc., but also greatly improving Rome's sanitation by doing a complete overhaul of all the aqueducts and sewers. Typically, it was Augustus who later would boast that "he had found the city of brick but left it of marble", forgetting that, just like in his naval successes, it was Agrippa who did most of the work. Agrippa had building programs in other Roman cities as well, a magnificent temple (currently known as Maison Carrée) survives in Nîmes itself, which was probably built by Agrippa.

Later relationship between Augustus and Agrippa seemed colder for a while, Agrippa seemed to even go into "exile", but modern historians agree that it was just a ploy: Augustus wanted others to think that Agrippa was his "rival" while in truth he was keeping a significant army far away from Rome, ready to come to the rescue in case Augustus' political machinations fail. It is confirmed by the fact that later Agrippa was recalled and given authority almost equal to Augustus himself, not to mention that he married Augustus' only biological child. The last years of Agrippa's life were spent governing the eastern provinces, were he won respect even of the Jews. He also restored Crimea to Roman Empire. His last service was starting the conquest of the upper Danube, were later the province of Pannonia would be. He suddenly died of illness in 12 BC, aged ~51.

Agrippa had several children through his three marriages. Through some of his children, Agrippa would become ancestor to many subsequent members of the Julio-Claudian dynasty. He has numerous other legacies.
Yurii P
JULIAN_AND_OCTAVIAN.jpg
(01) OCTAVIAN AND DIVUS JULIUS CAESARca 28 - 27 BC
AE 20 mm 7.62 g
O: JULIUS CAESAR, BARE HEAD R
R: OCTAVIAN (AUGUSTUS) CAESAR, HEAD R
THESSALONICA
RPC 1554
laney
octavian_julius_b.jpg
(01) OCTAVIAN AND DIVUS JULIUS CAESARca 28 - 14 BC
AE 20 mm 7.62 g
O: ΘEOC, bare head of Julius Caesar right;
R: ΘECCAΛONI KEΩN, bare head of Augustus right
Thessalonika (Salonika, Greece) mint; cf RPC 1554-1555
laney
aug_vic_stds.jpg
(02) AUGUSTUSAUGUSTUS
31 BC - 14 AD (time of Octavian/Augustus)
Æ 18mm 4.06 g  
O: VIC AVG, on either side of Nike standing left on globe, holding wreath and palm.
R: COHOR PRAE PHIL, three military standards.
Philippi
SNG ANS 677; SNG Copen 305, SGI 32. RPC 1651. No.3223.
laney
augustus_phil_victory.jpg
(02) AUGUSTUS31 BC - 14 AD (time of Octavian/Augustus)
AE 16 mm 3.30 g
O: VIC AVG, on either side of Nike standing left on globe, holding wreath and palm.
R: COHOR PRAE PHIL, three military standards.
Philippi
SNG ANS 677; SNG Copen 305, SGI 32. RPC 1651. No.3223.
laney
augustus_nike_standards.jpg
(02) AUGUSTUSAUGUSTUS
31 BC - 14 AD (time of Octavian/Augustus)
Æ 19 mm 3.98 6 g
O: Nike standing left on globe, holding wreath and palm.
R: Three military standards.
Philippi
SNG ANS 677; SNG Copen 305, SGI 32. RPC 1651. No.3223.
laney
rr_1074_revised_Large.jpg
0006 Sextus Pompey -- Pompey the Great and Neptune with Catanaean BrothersSextus Pompey, Imperator and Prefect of the Fleet
[Youngest Son of Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus (Pompey the Great)]

Obv: [MAG⦁PIVS⦁IMP⦁ITER]; portrait of Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus r.; behind jug; before lituus. Border of dots.
Rev: above, [PRAE (AE ligatured) F]; in exergue, CLAS⦁ET⦁[ORAE (AE ligatured)⦁MAR (ligatured) IT⦁EX⦁S⦁C]; Neptune standing l., wearing diadem, aplustre in r. hand, cloak over l. arm, r. foot on prow,; on either side a Catanaean brother bearing one of his parents on his shoulders1. Border of dots.
Denomination: silver denarius; Mint: Sicily, uncertain location2; Date: summer 42 - summer 39 BC3; Weight: 3.68g; Diameter: 17mm; Die axis: 30º; References, for example: Sear CRI 334; BMCRR v. II Sicily 7, 8, 9, and 10; Sydenham 1344; Crawford RRC 511/3a.

Notes:

Obverse legend: MAG[NUS]⦁PIVS⦁IMP[ERATOR]⦁ITER[UM]
Reverse legend: PRAEF[ECTUS]⦁CLAS[SIS]⦁ET⦁ORAE⦁MARIT[IMAE]⦁EX⦁S[ENATUS]⦁C[ONSULTO]

1Grueber BMCRR v. II Sicily appears a bit hesitant in his pronouncement that the representation of the Catanaean brothers in fact refers to Sextus' title Pius (p. 561), but Sear CRI appears to have no such hesitation when he states "...the type illustrates the theme of 'Pietas' in connection with the assumption of the name Pius." (p.203). DeRose Evans (1987) goes further (pp. 115 - 116), arguing that Sextus chose the Catanaean brothers ("...he consciously identifies himself with the south Italian heroes") as a way to deliberately contrast his Pietas with that of Octavian's.
2Grueber BMCRR v. II Sicily tentatively suggests Catana as a possible location and Sear CRI follows suit.
3This is the date range argued for in Estiot 2006 (p. 145). Estiot recommends returning to Crawford's proposal of 42 - 40 BC. Crawford RRC, p. 521 suggests the period in 42 BC after Sextus Pompey defeated Q. Salvidienus Rufus. Grueber BMCRR v. II Sicily, p.560 proposes 42 - 38 BC and Sydenham, p. 210 follows suit. DeRose Evans (1987), p. 129 offers a time between late summer 36 and September 36 BC.

Provenance: Ex Shanna Schmidt Numismatics 11 June 2019; from the collection of W. F. Stoecklin, Amriswil, Switzerland, acquired from Hess AG in Luzern prior to 1975. Ex Dr. Jacob Hirsch 33, 17 November 1913 Lot 1058.

Photo credits: Shanna Schmidt Numismatics

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4 commentsTracy Aiello
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000c. Sextus PompeySextus Pompeius Magnus Pius, in English Sextus Pompey, was a Roman general from the late Republic (1st century BC). He was the last focus of opposition to the second triumvirate.

Sextus Pompeius was the youngest son of Pompey the Great (Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus) by his third wife, Mucia Tertia. His older brother was Gnaeus Pompeius, from the same mother. Both boys grew up in the shadow of their father, one of Rome's best generals and originally non-conservative politician who drifted to the more traditional faction when Julius Caesar became a threat.

When Caesar crossed the Rubicon in 49 BC, thus starting a civil war, Sextus' older brother Gnaeus followed their father in his escape to the East, as did most of the conservative senators. Sextus stayed in Rome in the care of his stepmother, Cornelia Metella. Pompey's army lost the battle of Pharsalus in 48 BC and Pompey himself had to run for his life. Cornelia and Sextus met him in the island of Mytilene and together they fled to Egypt. On the arrival, Sextus watched his father being killed by treachery on September 29 of the same year. After the murder, Cornelia returned to Rome, but in the following years Sextus joined the resistance against Caesar in the African provinces. Together with Metellus Scipio, Cato the younger, his brother Gnaeus and other senators, they prepared to oppose Caesar and his army to the end.

Caesar won the first battle at Thapsus in 46 BC against Metellus Scipio and Cato, who committed suicide. In 45 BC, Caesar managed to defeat the Pompeius brothers in the battle of Munda. Gnaeus Pompeius was executed, but young Sextus escaped once more, this time to Sicily.

Back in Rome, Julius Caesar was murdered on the Ides of March (March 15) 44 BC by a group of senators led by Cassius and Brutus. This incident did not lead to a return to normality, but provoked yet another civil war between Caesar's political heirs and his assassins. The second triumvirate was formed by Octavian, Mark Antony and Lepidus, with the intention of avenging Caesar and subduing all opposition. Sextus Pompeius in Sicily was certainly a rebellious man, but the Cassius and Brutus faction was the second triumvirate's first priority. Thus, with the whole island as his base, Sextus had the time and resources to develop an army and, even more importantly, a strong navy operated by Sicilian marines.

Brutus and Cassius lost the twin battles of Philippi and committed suicide in 42 BC. After this, the triumvirs turned their attentions to Sicily and Sextus.

But by this time, Sextus was prepared for strong resistance. In the following years, military confrontations failed to return a conclusive victory for either side and in 39 BC, Sextus and the triumvirs signed for peace in the Pact of Misenum. The reason for this peace treaty was the anticipated campaign against the Parthian Empire. Antony, the leader, needed all the legions he could get so it was useful to secure an armistice in the Sicilian front. The peace did not last for long. Octavian and Antony's frequent quarrels were a strong political motivation for resuming the war against Sextus. Octavian tried again to conquer Sicily, but he was defeated in the naval battle of Messina (37 BC) and again in August 36 BC. But by then, Octavian had Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, a very talented general, on his side. Only a month afterwards, Agrippa destroyed Sextus' navy off Naulochus cape. Sextus escaped to the East and, by abandoning Sicily, lost all his base of support.

Sextus Pompeius was caught in Miletus in 35 BC and executed without trial (an illegal act since Sextus was a Roman citizen) by order of Marcus Titius, Antony's minion. His violent death would be one of the weapons used by Octavian against Antony several years later, when the situation between the two became unbearable.

Sicilian Mint
Magn above laureate Janiform head
PIVS above, IMP below, prow of galley right
Sear RCV 348, RPC 671, Sydenham 1044a, Cohen 16
43-36 BC

Check
ecoli
IMG_8025.JPG
001. Octavian "Augustus" (41 B.C. - 14 A.D.)Av.: IMP CAESAR DIVI F AVGVSTVS IMP XX
Rv.: TRIBVN POT XXXIII PONT MAXIM

AE As Ø27 / 9.3g
RIC 471 Rome, Cohen 226
IMG_8025.JPG
001. Octavian "Augustus" (41 B.C. - 14 A.D.)Av.: IMP CAESAR DIVI F AVGVSTVS IMP XX
Rv.: TRIBVN POT XXXIII PONT MAXIM

AE As Ø27 / 9.3g
RIC 471 Rome, Cohen 226
0017.jpg
0017 - Denarius Octavian 30-29 BCObv/Octavian head as Apollo, laureate, r.
Rev/IMP CAESAR, rostral column surmonted by cloaked figure (Octavian?), r. holding spear, l. parazonium.

Ag, 20.1mm, 3.47g
Mint: Rome.
RIC I/271 [S] - BMCRE 633 - BMCRR 4349 - RCV 1559 - Cohen (Imp.) 124 - Cohen (Rep.) 86 - Calicó 686 - RSC Augustus 124
ex-Kuenker, auction 124, lot 8598
4 commentsdafnis
2160368.jpg
001a. Cleopatra VII and Mark AntonySYRIA, Coele-Syria. Chalcis ad Libanum. Mark Antony, with Cleopatra VII. 36-31 BC. Æ 19mm (5.45 g, 12h). Dated RY 21 (Egyptian) and 6 (Phoenician) of Cleopatra (32/1 BC). Draped bust of Cleopatra right, wearing stephane / Bare head of Mark Antony right; dates in legend. RPC I 4771; Rouvier 440 (Berytus); SNG München 1006; SNG Copenhagen 383 (Phoenicia). Near Fine, green patina.

Chalcis was given by Antony to Cleopatra in 36 BC. At the culmination of his spectacular triumph at Alexandria two years later, further eastern territories - some belonging to Rome - were bestowed on the children of the newly hailed “Queen of Kings” (referred to as the “Donations of Alexandria”). Shortly after, Antony formally divorced Octavia, the sister of Octavian. These actions fueled Octavian’s propagandistic efforts to win the support of Rome’s political elite and ultimately led to the Senate’s declaration of war on Cleopatra in 32 BC.

Ex-CNG
ecoli
decius2.jpg
001c. Decimus BrutusDecimus Junius Brutus Albinus (27 April 81 BC – September 43 BC) was a supporter of Caesar, and Caesar reportedly was very fond of him, naming him a secondary heir in his will. Brutus was a very successful military commander He later was one of Caesar's assassins. He should not be confused with his relative Marcus Brutus (of much greater fame). In the later civil war, he fought against Mark Antony, but Octavian gave him little support. He was killed by a Gallic chief loyal to Mark Antony.

Coin: Denarius. 48 BC. 17.7mm, 3.84 g. Rome mint. Obv: Bust of Pietas right, with earring and pearl necklace. PIETAS right. Rev: Clasped hands holding winged caduceus. ALBINVS BRVTI F below. Crawford 540/2. Sydenham 942. A FORUM coin.
lawrence c
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001c. LepidusThe Triumvirs. Lepidus and Octavian. November-December 43 BC. AR Denarius (18mm, 3.35 g, 10h). Military mint traveling with Lepidus in Italy. Bare head of Lepidus right / Bare head of Octavian right. Crawford 495/2a; CRI 140; Sydenham 1323; RSC 2a. Near Fine, toned, struck off center, bankers’ marks.ecoli
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001h. BrutusMarcus Junius Brutus (also known as Quintus Servilius Caepio Brutus). The most famed assassin of Caesar. Brutus joined the Pompeian forces fighting against Caesar; after their defeat Caesar pardoned Brutus. Brutus then joined the forces fighting Octavian and Mark Antony. He was defeated at the battles of Philippi in October 42 BC and committed suicide.

Coin: Denarius. Spring/Summer 42 AD. Obv: LEIBERTAS, bare head of Libertas right. Rev: CAEPIO BRVTVS PRO COS, Lyre between a quiver and a laurel branch. Junia 34, Cr501/1, Syd 1287.
lawrence c
octavian~1.jpg
001j. Octavian001j. Octavian
Great-nephew of Julius Caesar, who named him as heir in his will. Octavian used this de facto legitimacy to maneuver for power. In 43 BC he, Mark Antony and Marcus Lepidus formed the Second Triumvirate to defeat the assassins of Caesar. The Triumvirate began proscriptions in which over 2,000 (mostly wealthy) Romans were branded as traitors, deprived of their property, and either executed or driven into exile. This served both to eliminate enemies, and to fill the coffers of the three. Following their victory at the Battle of Philippi (42 BC), the Triumvirate divided the Roman Republic among themselves and ruled as de facto dictators. The Triumvirate collapsed, and Octavian and Antony eventually fell into all-out war. Primarily due to the military leadership of Agrippa, Octavian won the war, with the decisive victory at Actium in 31 BC. Although Octavian made displays of personal bravery on several occasions, he demonstrated little aptitude for generalship. Octavian then consolidated his power in Rome. A note on naming: he was born Gaius Octavius; after Julius Caesar's death, Octavian insisted on being called Caesar. It was primarily his opponents who continued to call him Octavian. It is now primarily a matter of convenience to use the name Octavian for him in the pre-Augustus period prior to 27 BC.

Coin: Summer 37 BC. AR Denarius (18.5mm, 3.68 g, 12h). Mint in southern or central Italy. Bare head right, wearing beard / Emblems of the augurate and pontificate: simpulum, aspergillum, guttus, and lituus. Crawford 538/1; CRI 312; Sydenham 1334; RSC 91; RBW 1826. From the Kalevala Collection. Ex Bacchus Collection (Heritage 61175, 25 October 2020), lot 97135. CNG Triton XXVII – Session 5, Lot 5665 (17 Jan 2024)
1 commentslawrence c
octavian.jpg
001j1. Octavian Denarius (30-29 BC). Uncertain mint in Italy, possibly Rome. 21mm, 3.39 g. Obv: Laureate head of Apollo of Actium right, with features of Octavian. Rev: IMP CAESAR. Octavian, as city founder and holding whip and plow handle, plowing with yoke of oxen right. RIC² 272. Naumann Auction 114, Lot 643.
1 commentslawrence c
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001j2. OctavianOctavian
AR Quinarius.
14mm, 1.31 g.
Uncertain Italian mint, 29-27 BC.
Obv: CAESAR IMP VII, bare head right.
Rev: ASIA RECEPTA, Victory standing left on cista mystica between two serpents erect.
BMCRE 647, RSC 14, RIC 276.
lawrence c
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001j3. OctavianDenarius. Military mint with Octavian in Greece, autumn 42 BC. Helmeted and draped bust of young Mars right, spear over left shoulder; CAESAR III VIR•R•P•C around / Aquila between two signa, on ground line; above, trophy, holding oval shields; S-C flanking aquila. Crawford 497/3; CRI 138; RSC 248. 3.27g, 19mm, 2h. Roma Numismatics Auction 75 Lot 562.lawrence c
octavian~0.jpg
001j4. Octavian & ZenodorusSYRIA, Chalcis ad Belum. AE21mm, 6.40 g. Dated CY 282 (31/30 BC). ΝΕ L, Bare head of Octavian right; BΠΣ (date) in right field /ΖΗΝΟΔΩΡΟΥ ΤΕΤΡΑΡΧΕΙ ΚΑΙ ΑΡΧΗΡΕΩΣ Bare head of Zenodorus (tetrarch and archereus) left. RPC I 4774. CNG Auc 555, Lot 398.

Note: In 36 BC, Mark Antony removed the rulers of Chalcis and gave it to Cleopatra. After the battle of Actium, Octavian restored the tetrarchs to power. In 23 B.C., Augustus deposed Zenodorus and gave his lands to Herod the Great. Afterward Herod's death, Chalcis was returned to putative local rule before finally becoming fully part of the Roman Province of Syria in 92 AD.
lawrence c
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001k. Mark AntonyA partisan for Julius Caesar, who later formed the Second Triumvirate with Octavian and Lepidus. Antony probably was a better politician than soldier. His campaign against Parthia was a debacle. Frequent political conflicts with Octavian, ultimately leading to all-out war between the forces of the two. This culminated with the battle of Actium in 31 BC. After losing, Antony committed suicide. He is a particularly difficult historical figure to assess, given that most of the sources for his actions were written by supporters of Augustus. An interesting contrarian view of the relative virtues of Antony and Octavian is Syme, Ronald (1939). The Roman Revolution. Oxford: Clarendon. Although an older book, it remains available and worth reading for a different perspective.

Coin: AR Denarius. Ephesus mint, 41 BC. M. Barbatius Pollio, moneyer. Obv: M ANT. IMP AVG III VIR. R. PC. M. BARBAT Q P, bare head of Antony right
Rev: CAESAR. IMP. PONT. III. VIR. R. P. C., bare head of Octavian right, in slight beard. Cr517/2
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001k2. Marc AntonyPhilippi, Macedonia. 44-30 BC. AE25. 24.9mm, 8.94 g. Obv: AICVP, Bare head of Antony right. Rev: Q PAQVIVS/RVFCD/LEG M in three lines, two above, one in exergue, priest driving yoke of oxen right, plowing pomerium. A FORUM coin.

NOTE: The colony of Philippi was founded in 42 BC by Marc Antony. When Octavian refounded the colony in 30 BC, all of Antony's coinage ceased.

1 commentslawrence c
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001l. LepidusMarcus Aemilius Lepidus. Third member of the Triumvirate. A strong supporter of Julius Caesar. After Caesar's death, he was appointed as pontifex maximus. He played very much a subsidiary role in the Triumvirate and was of minimal impact in the struggle between Octavian and Mark Antony. After Octavian won the war, he stripped Lepidus of all his positions except pontifex maximus and put Lepidus in a rather loose exile. He died in 13 or 12 BC.

Coin: November-December 43 BC. AR Denarius (19mm, 3.70 g, 5h). Military mint traveling with Lepidus in Italy. LEPIDVS•PONT•MAX•III•VIR•R•P•C• Bare head of Lepidus right / CAESAR•IMP•III•VIR•R•P•C•, Bare head of Octavian right. Crawford 495/2a; CRI 140; Sydenham 1323; RSC 2a; RBW 1752. CNG Auction 524 Lot 452, 28 Sep 2022.
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001m. Lucius AntonyLucius was the younger brother of Marc Antony. Also rebelled against Octavian. During the winter of 41–40 BC, he was besieged in Perusia (present-day Perugia) and starved into surrender. His life was spared, and he was sent by Octavian to Spain as governor. Nothing is known of the circumstances or date of his death.

Coin: Denarius. L. Cocceius Nerva, quaestor pro praetore. Military mint moving with Antony, 41 BC. M•ANT•IMP•AVG III VIR•R•P•C•M NERVA PRO•Q•P, bare head of Marc Antony right / L•ANTONIVS COS, bare head of Lucius Antonius right. Crawford 517/5a; CRI 246; RSC Antonia 48 and Cocceia 2. 3.83g, 18mm. Roma Numismatics Auction 75 Lot 564.
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001n. FulviaFulvia was the second wife of Marc Antony. She previously was married to two powerful politicians and was very politically active herself. She reportedly controlled some gangs in Rome, 'inheriting' them after the death of her first husband. She married Marc Antony in 46-47 BC, and her daughter married Octavian. She continued to be very active in Roman politics, and according to Cassius Dio, may have been the most powerful woman in Rome during the period. Fulvia helped raise 8 legions for Antony. She died of illness in exile in 40 BC.

Coin: PHRYGIA. Ae. 41-40 BC. Zmertorix, son of Philonides, magistrate. Obv: Winged bust of Fulvia (as Victory) right. Rev: ΦOVΛOVIANΩΝ / ZMEPTΟΡΙΓΟΣ ΦΙΛΟΝΙΔΟV. Athena standing left, holding shield and spear. 7.72 g. 21 mm. RPC I 3139; BMC 21. Naumann Auct 111, Lot 621.
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001o. OctaviaOctavia was the elder sister of Octavian and due to a political marriage, the fourth wife of Marc Antony. She married him in 40 BC. After his death, she raised not only her children by him, but also his children by Cleopatra VII. She was the great-grandmother of the Emperor Caligula and Empress Agrippina the Younger, maternal grandmother of the Emperor Claudius, and paternal great-grandmother and maternal great-great-grandmother of the Emperor Nero. She died in 11 BC.

Coin: Cistophorus. 39 BC. Obv: M ANTONINVS IMP COS DESIG ITER ET TERT, Jugate busts of Marc Antony, wreathed with ivy and berries, and Octavia, bare-headed. Rev: III VIR RPCII VIR R P C, cista mystica between two coiled serpents, Dionysos (Bacchus) standing left above, holding kantharos and thyrsos. SNG Cop. 408; SNG von Aulock 6555; Franke KZR 472; RSC 3; Sydenham 1198; RPC 2202.
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001p. Cleopatra VIIPtolemaic queen of Egypt. She had an affair with Julius Caesar while he was in Egypt, probably producing the son Ptolemy XV Caesar, nicknamed Caesarion. She became a key figure in the struggle between Octavian and Mark Antony when the latter began a long-term affair with her. Several acknowledged children resulted from this affair. The affair was viewed with considerable dislike by the Romans, and Octavian and his supporters made the maximum propaganda use of it. Cleopatra provided significant military forces, particularly ships, to Mark Antony for his last war with Octavian. After losing the Battle of Actium and Octavian's occupation of Egypt, she committed suicide on 10 August 30 BC, at age 39.

Coin: AE20. Chalkis, Phoenicia. 32/31 BC. Obv: Diademed bust of Cleopatra right. Rev: Head of Marc Antony right. Svoronos 1887, BMC [Berytus] 15. RPC 4771. Roma Numismatics Auction 71 Lot 690.
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001r. AhenobarbusCn. Domitius L. f. Ahenobarbus was an opponent of Julius Caesar, but was pardoned by him. Successful naval commander for Brutus, and then he continued naval operations akin to piracy after Brutus fell. He then reconciled with Marc Antony. He was named consul in 32 BC. He broke with Antony over Cleopatra and defected to Octavian shortly before the battle of Actium in 31 BC. He died about the same time as the battle in which he did not participate. He was the nephew of Cato and the grandfather of Nero.

Coin: AR Denarius. Uncertain mint along the Adriatic or Ionian Sea, 41-40 BC. Bare head right, wearing short beard; AHENOBAR before / Prow right surmounted by a military trophy; CN•DOMITIVS•IMP below. Crawford 519/2; CRI 339; BMCRR East 94-97; RSC Domitia 21. 3.64g, 19mm, 6h. Flan flaw on obverse. The bust on obverse likely is an ancestor of Ahenobarbus. Roma Numismatics Auction 75 Lot 566.
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001s. AtratinusL. Sempronius Atratinus was a supporter of Marc Antony and was one of Mark Antony’s legates, serving as propraetor in Greece in 39 BC. In 36 BC he was given command of a portion of a fleet which Antony had sent to help Octavianus deal with Sextus Pompey. In 34 BC, he was elected as suffect consul. Prior to the Battle of Actium, Atratinus switched his support to Octavianus. He was made proconsular governor of Africa around 23 BC, and he was awarded a triumph for his actions there in 21 BC. He died in 7 AD.

Coin: Æ 27mm of Lilybaeum, Sicily. 36 BC. [ΛΙΛΥΒΑΙ]ΙΤΑΙϹ, veiled and turreted head to right, within triangular ornament / ΑΤΡΑΤΙΝΟ [ΠΥΘΙΩΝ], tripod with serpent coiled around. RPC I 655; SNG Copenhagen 376; BMC 4. 18.19g, 27mm, 12h. Roma Numismatics Auction 92, Lot 725.
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001t. Other Imperators CoinageSeveral other lesser imperators issued coins during this period. These included:

1. Cornuficius. Killed in battle, 42 BC.

2. Murcus. Executed, 40/39 BC.

3. Labienus. Allied with Parthians. Executed 39 BC.

4. Domitius Calvinus. Ally of both Caesar and Octavian. Not a particularly skilled general, he survived the wars of the imperators and seemed to prosper after the wars.
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001w. TriumvirsSecond Triumvirate, Marc Antony, Octavian and Lepidus
AE16 of Ephesus, Ionia, 39 BC.
15.8mm, 4.54 g.
Obv: Triple jugate heads right
Rev: EΦE, cult image of Artemis Ephesia facing, with supports.
RPC I 2569; BMC 191; SNG Cop 357.

A FORUM coin.
1 commentslawrence c
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001x1a. Kings of Galatia, Amyntas, 37 - 25 B.C.Coin: Bronze AE 23, RPC I 3505; SNG Cop 99; SNGvA 6108; SNG BnF 2377; BMC Galatia p. 3, 12, weight 8.214g, maximum diameter 22.5mm, die axis 0o, obverse bust of Herakles right, club over left shoulder, E - C behind; reverse Nemean lion walking right, B above, AMYNTOY monogram in exergue. A FORUM coin.

Amyntas was a King of Galatia and of several adjacent countries between 36 and 25 BC. He first seemed to have controlled Lycaonia and then added Derbe. He commanded the Galatian auxiliaries sent to help Brutus and Cassius against the Triumvires but deserted to Mark Anthony just before the battle of Philippi in 42 BC. After the death of Deiotarus, Amyntas was made king of Cappadocia in 37 as a client ruler of Mark Antony. He deserted to Octavian shortly before the battle of Actium, and he was confirmed as king of Galatia. After he took over Homonada and killed its ruler, he was killed in an ambush in 25 AD. After his death, Galatia became a Roman province.



1 commentslawrence c
Octavius_AR-Den__IMPCAESARDIVIFIIIVIR_ITERRPC__COSITER_ETTERDESIG_DIVOIVL_Crawford_5402_Rare_Q-001_axis-5h_18mm_3,89g-s.jpg
002 a Augustus (63 B.C.-14 A.D.), Octavianus, Crawford 540-2, Rome, AR-Denarius, COS•ITER•ET•TER•DESIG Tetrastyle temple, DIVO•IVL, Rare!!!,002 a Augustus (63 B.C.-14 A.D.), Octavianus, Crawford 540-2, Rome, AR-Denarius, COS•ITER•ET•TER•DESIG Tetrastyle temple, DIVO•IVL, Rare!!!,
Octavianus. Denarius, mint moving with Octavian 36 B.C.,
avers: IMP•CAESAR•DIVI•F•III•VIR• ITER•R•P•C Head of Octavian r., slightly bearded.
revers: COS•ITER•ET•TER•DESIG Tetrastyle temple within which veiled figure standing facing and holding lituus; on architrave, DIVO·IVL and within the pediment, star.
exergue: -/-//--, diameter: 18mm, weight: 3,89g, axis:- 5h,
mint: Rome, date: 36 B.C., ref: Crawford 540-2, Sydenham-1338,
Q-001
7 commentsquadrans
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002a. Agrippa Agrippa

A close friend of Octavian (later Emperor Augustus), he won a name in the wars in Gaul before becoming consul in 37 He organized Octavian's fleet and is generally given much credit for the defeat (36 ) of Sextus Pompeius in the naval battles at Mylae and Naulochus (N Sicily). Agrippa took part in the war against Antony, and his naval operations were the basis of Octavian's decisive victory at Actium in 31 He was perhaps the most trusted of all Augustus' lieutenants and rendered many services, notably in putting down disorders in both the East and West. His third wife was Augustus' daughter Julia.

AS. M AGRIPPA L F COS III Head left, wearing rostral crown. / Neptune standing, head left, S C at sides.

It seems like the quality and price of Agrippa coins run the whole spectrum...I think a decent example can be had for as little as $20. This is a bit more than that but I am happy with the quality of the metal and portrait.
ecoli
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002a16. Augustus (?)AE28. 28.4mm, 19.34 g. Uncertain date. Uncertain mint. Obv: Bare head right. Rev: Spear, quaestor's chair, and fiscus. Q below. RPC I 5409, Sear CRI 957.

NOTE: A somewhat controversial coin, with no confrmed attributions. RPC & Forum believe it to be Augustus. Sear has a similar view, but places in the Octavian period. Others have ascribed it to Sosius.

A FORUM coin.
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002B. LiviaWife of Augustus. Already married (to an opponent of Octavian), with a son, the future emperor Tiberius. Married Octavian in 38 BC while pregnant with her sevond son, Drusus the Senior. Her husband who had been pressured to divorce her then gave her away at the wedding. Octavian divorced Scribonia in order to marry Livia. She reportedly was very astute politically. Known as Julia Augusta from 14 AD. She died in 29 AD.lawrence c
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002c. AgrippaAgrippa was the closest ally of Augustus from the time that Octavian began his campaign for power. Agrippa was a very skilled general and without his military skills, it was unlikely that Octavian would have succeeded. This close relationship continued during the implementation of the empire. It is generally believed that Augustus intended for Agrippa to succeed him in power, but Agrippa died in 12 BC.lawrence c
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002d. Julia and Livia, Pergamon, MysiaBronze AE 18, RPC I 2359, SNG Cop 467, aF, weight 3.903 g, maximum diameter 18.3 mm, die axis 0o, Pergamon mint, obverse ΛIBIAN HPAN CAPINOΣ, draped bust of Livia right; reverse IOYΛIAN AΦPO∆ITHN, draped bust of Julia right; ex Forum, ex Malter Galleries

Julia was Augustus' only natural child, the daughter of his second wife Scribonia. She was born the same day that Octavian divorced Scribonia, to marry Livia.

Julia's tragic destiny was to serve as a pawn in her father's dynastic plans. At age two, she was betrothed to Mark Antony's ten-year-old son, but the fathers' hostility ended the engagement. At age 14, she was married to her cousin but he died two years later. In 21 B.C., Julia married Agrippa, nearly 25 years her elder, Augustus' most trusted general and friend. Augustus had been advised, "You have made him so great that he must either become your son-in-law or be slain." Agrippa died suddenly in 12 B.C. and Julia was married in 11 B.C. to Tiberius.

During her marriages to Agrippa and Tiberius Julia took lovers. In 2 B.C., Julia was arrested for adultery and treason. Augustus declared her marriage null and void. He also asserted in public that she had been plotting against his own life. Reluctant to execute her, Augustus had her exiled, with no men in sight, forbidden even to drink wine. Scribonia, Julia's mother, accompanied her into exile. Five years later, she was allowed to move to Rhegium but Augustus never forgave her. When Tiberius became emperor, he cut off her allowance and put her in solitary confinement in one room in her house. Within months she died from malnutrition.
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006b01. Octavia Nero & Octavia. AR Tetradrachm. Alexandria. Year 3 (56/57 AD). Obv: ΝΕΡ ΚΛΑΥ ΚΑΙΣ ΣΕΒ ΓΕΡ ΑΥΤΟ; laureate head of Nero, right.
Rev: ΟΚΤΑΟΥΙΑ ΣΕΒΑΣΤΟΥ, LΓ; draped bust of Octavia, right. RPC 5202.
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01 Augustus RIC 167aAugustus 27 B.C. - 14 A.D. AR Denarius. Lugdunum Mint. 15 - 13 B.C. (3,71 gr) Obv: AVGVSTVS DIVI F, Bare head right. Rev: in ex. IMP X, Bull butting right.
RIC 167a, RSC 137, Sear 1610.

Ex: Poinsignon Numismatique

This coin has great beauty in its simplicity and it's also a great example of propaganda. Divi F (filius) means that Octavianus is not only Augustus but also the son of a god.
2 commentsPaddy
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01- 01 - AUGUSTO, CAYO y LUCIO (27 A.C. - 14 D.C.)AR Denario 18 mm 3.5 gr.

Anv: "CAESAR AVGVSTVS DIVI F PATER PATRIAE" - Busto laureado a derecha.
Rev: "AVGVSTI F COS DESIG PRINC IVVENT" - Cayo y Lucio sus nietos de pié enfrentados c/u descansando su mano en un escudo redondo y lanza. En el campo centro superior Lituus (Báculo o cayado usado por los augures) a derecha y Simpulum (Copa pequeña) a Izquierda. "C L CAESARES" en exergo.

Acuñada 2 A.C. a 4 D.C.
Ceca: Lungdunum - Lyon Francia
Rareza: C

Referencias: RIC Vol.1 #207 Pag.55 - Sear RCTV Vol.1 #1597 Pag.317 - BMCRE #533 - RSC Vol.1 #43 Pag.134 - Cohen Vol.1 #42 Pag.69 - DVM #51b Pag.67 - CBN #1651
mdelvalle
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01- 01 - AUGUSTO, CAYO y LUCIO (27 A.C. - 14 D.C.)AR Denario 18 mm 3.5 gr.

Anv: "CAESAR AVGVSTVS DIVI F PATER PATRIAE" - Busto laureado a derecha.
Rev: "AVGVSTI F COS DESIG PRINC IVVENT" - Cayo y Lucio sus nietos de pié enfrentados c/u descansando su mano en un escudo redondo y lanza. En el campo centro superior Lituus (Báculo o cayado usado por los augures) a derecha y Simpulum (Copa pequeña) a Izquierda. "C L CAESARES" en exergo.

Acuñada 2 A.C. a 4 D.C.
Ceca: Lungdunum - Lyon Francia
Rareza: C

Referencias: RIC Vol.1 #207 Pag.55 - Sear RCTV Vol.1 #1597 Pag.317 - BMCRE #533 - RSC Vol.1 #43 Pag.134 - Cohen Vol.1 #42 Pag.69 - DVM #51b Pag.67 - CBN #1651
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01- 02 - AUGUSTO, CAYO y LUCIO (27 A.C. - 14 D.C.) AR Denario 17 x 16 mm 3.2 gr.

Anv: "CAESAR AVGVSTVS DIVI F PATER PATRIAE" - Busto laureado a derecha.
Rev: "AVGVSTI F COS DESIG PRINC IVVENT" - Cayo y Lucio sus nietos de pié enfrentados c/u descansando su mano en un escudo redondo y lanza. En el campo centro superior Lituus (Báculo o cayado usado por los augures) a izquierda y Simpulum (Copa pequeña) a derecha, "X" debajo. "C L CAESARES" en exergo.

Acuñada 2 A.C. a 4 D.C.
Ceca: Lungdunum - Lyon Francia
Rareza: S

Referencias: RIC Vol.1 #211 Pag.56 - Sear RCTV Vol.1 #1597 var Pag.317 - BMCRE #537 - RSC Vol.1 #43a Pag.134 - Cohen Vol.1 #43 Pag.69 - DVM #51c Pag.67 - CBN #1651
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01- 02 - AUGUSTO, CAYO y LUCIO (27 A.C. - 14 D.C.) AR Denario 17 x 16 mm 3.2 gr.

Anv: "CAESAR AVGVSTVS DIVI F PATER PATRIAE" - Busto laureado a derecha.
Rev: "AVGVSTI F COS DESIG PRINC IVVENT" - Cayo y Lucio sus nietos de pié enfrentados c/u descansando su mano en un escudo redondo y lanza. En el campo centro superior Lituus (Báculo o cayado usado por los augures) a izquierda y Simpulum (Copa pequeña) a derecha, "X" debajo. "C L CAESARES" en exergo.

Acuñada 2 A.C. a 4 D.C.
Ceca: Lungdunum - Lyon Francia
Rareza: S

Referencias: RIC Vol.1 #211 Pag.56 - Sear RCTV Vol.1 #1597 var Pag.317 - BMCRE #537 - RSC Vol.1 #43a Pag.134 - Cohen Vol.1 #43 Pag.69 - DVM #51c Pag.67 - CBN #1651
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01-68 - Irripo, Hispania - AUGUSTO (27 A.C. - 14 D.C.)Hoy Alcalá de Guadaira - Sevilla - España
AE Semis 19/21 mm 3.5 gr.

Anv: "IRIPPO" (Leyenda anti-horaria frente al busto)- Busto a cabeza desnuda viendo a izquierda.
Rev: Figura femenina/Tyche sentada a izquierda, portando piña en la mano de su brazo derecho extendido y cornucopia en izquierda; Guirnalda rodeando la alegoría.

Acuñada 30 A.C.
Ceca: Irippo - Hispania

Referencias: RPC I #55 P.76, Burgos #1581, Sear GICTV #17 Pag.3, Villaronga CNH #4 P.422, ABH (Ant) #1109 P.141, Ripolles #1919 P.251, Vv Pl.110 #1 a 4, Heiss #1 P.318 - Calicó #935-937, Guadan #922, ACIP #2630
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0116 - Denarius Octavian 32-29 BCObv/ Head of Venus r., wearing diadem.
Rev/ CAESAR DIVI F, Octavian l., in military dress, cloak flying behind, holding spear.

Ag, 20.2 mm, 3.51 g
Mint: Italy (Brundisium or Roma?)
RIC I/251 [S]
ex-Nomisma, auction e2, lot 18
dafnis
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02 Octavian RIC I 266Octavian. AR Denarius. Italian Mint, possibly Rome. Autumn 30- summer 29 B.C. (3.45g, 19.8mm, 2h). Obv: Bare head right. Rev: IMP CAESAR on architrave of the Roman Senate House (Curia Julia), with porch supported by four short columns, statue of Victory on globe surmounting apex of roof, and statues of standing figures at the extremities of the architrave. CRI 421; RIC I 266; RSC 122.. Ex Andrew McCabe.1 commentsLucas H
Augustus_altar_Providentia.jpg
0292 Octavianus Augustus - AE asposthumous - struck by Tiberius
Rome
22-30 AD
radiate head left
DIVVS AVGVSTVS PATER
altar
S C
PROVIDENT
RIC I Tiberius 81, BMCRE I 146, Cohen 228 (Augustus), SRCV I 1789
6,22g 25,5mm
J. B.
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03-01 - MARCO ANTONIO y OCTAVIO (43 - 30 A.C.)2do. Triunvirato (43 - 30 A.C.)
AR Denario 17 x 18 mm 2.5 gr.

Anv: Cabeza desnuda de MARCO ANTONIO viendo a derecha - "M ANT·IMP AVG III VIR R·PC·M·BARBAT Q P" Leyenda alrededor del busto.
Rev: Cabeza desnuda de un joven e inmaduro OCTAVIO con incipiente barba viendo a derecha - "CAESAR·IMP·PONT·III·VIR·R·P·C·" Leyenda alrededor del busto.

Acuñada primavera/verano 41 A.C.
Ceca: Ephesus - Hoy Turquía
Moneyer: Barbatius Pollio

Referencias: Sear RCTV Vol.1 #1504 Pag.289 - Sear CRI #243 - Craw RRC #517/2 - Syd CRR #1181 - BMCRR (este) #100 - RSC Vol.1 #8a Pag.128 - Cohen Vol.1 #8 Pag.50 - Kestner #3793
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03-01 - MARCO ANTONIO y OCTAVIO (43 - 30 A.C.)2do. Triunvirato (43 - 30 A.C.)
AR Denario 17 x 18 mm 2.5 gr.

Anv: Cabeza desnuda de MARCO ANTONIO viendo a derecha - "M ANT·IMP AVG III VIR R·PC·M·BARBAT Q P" Leyenda alrededor del busto.
Rev: Cabeza desnuda de un joven e inmaduro OCTAVIO con incipiente barba viendo a derecha - "CAESAR·IMP·PONT·III·VIR·R·P·C·" Leyenda alrededor del busto.

Acuñada primavera/verano 41 A.C.
Ceca: Ephesus - Hoy Turquía
Moneyer: Barbatius Pollio

Referencias: Sear RCTV Vol.1 #1504 Pag.289 - Sear CRI #243 - Craw RRC #517/2 - Syd CRR #1181 - BMCRR (este) #100 - RSC Vol.1 #8a Pag.128 - Cohen Vol.1 #8 Pag.50 - Kestner #3793
mdelvalle
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06-01 - OCTAVIO (32 - 27 A.C.)AR Denario 16.5 x 18 mm 3.3 gr.

Anv: Cabeza desnuda de un joven e inmaduro Octavio viendo a derecha.
Rev: Escudo Español (?) circular con tres filas concéntricas de clavos de adorno y un broche central - "IMP" sobre, "CAE" campo izq., "SAR" campo der. y "DIVI F" debajo.

Acuñada 35/34 A.C.
Ceca: Incierta

Referencias: RIC Vol.1 #543a Pag.85 - Sear RCTV Vol.1 #1546 Pag.299 - Sear CRI #392 - BMCRR (Galia) #119 (= BMCRE #309) - RSC Vol.1 #126 Pag.140 - Cohen Vol.1 #126 Pag.82
mdelvalle
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06-01 - OCTAVIO (32 - 27 A.C.)AR Denario 16.5 x 18 mm 3.3 gr.

Anv: Cabeza desnuda de un joven e inmaduro Octavio viendo a derecha.
Rev: Escudo Español (?) circular con tres filas concéntricas de clavos de adorno y un broche central - "IMP" sobre, "CAE" campo izq., "SAR" campo der. y "DIVI F" debajo.

Acuñada 35/34 A.C.
Ceca: Incierta

Referencias: RIC Vol.1 #543a Pag.85 - Sear RCTV Vol.1 #1546 Pag.299 - Sear CRI #392 - BMCRR (Galia) #119 (= BMCRE #309) - RSC Vol.1 #126 Pag.140 - Cohen Vol.1 #126 Pag.82
mdelvalle
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06-10 - OCTAVIO (32 - 27 A.C.)AR Quinario 13 x 15 mm 1.5 gr.
Conmemora el sometimiento de la Provincia de ASIA en el año 30 A.C.

Anv: Cabeza desnuda de Octavio viendo a derecha - "CAESAR" detrás, "IMP VII" delante.
Rev: Victoria de pié a izquierda sobre una cesta mística, flanqueada por dos serpientes erectas, portando corona de laureles en mano derecha y palma sobre hombro izquierdo - "ASIA" campo derecho y "RECEPTA" en campo izquierdo.

Acuñada 29/28 A.C.
Ceca: Brundisium ó Roma

Referencias: RIC Vol.1 #276 Pag.61 - Sear RCTV Vol.1 #1568 Pag.302 - Sear CRI #429 - BMCRR (este) #240 (= BMCRE #647) - RSC Vol.1 #14 Pag.132 - Cohen Vol.1 #14 Pag.64 - CBM #902 - Babelon MRR B#145
mdelvalle
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06-10 - OCTAVIO (32 - 27 A.C.)AR Quinario 13 x 15 mm 1.5 gr.
Conmemora el sometimiento de la Provincia de ASIA en el año 30 A.C.

Anv: Cabeza desnuda de Octavio viendo a derecha - "CAESAR" detrás, "IMP VII" delante.
Rev: Victoria de pié a izquierda sobre una cesta mística, flanqueada por dos serpientes erectas, portando corona de laureles en mano derecha y palma sobre hombro izquierdo - "ASIA" campo derecho y "RECEPTA" en campo izquierdo.

Acuñada 29/28 A.C.
Ceca: Brundisium ó Roma

Referencias: RIC Vol.1 #276 Pag.61 - Sear RCTV Vol.1 #1568 Pag.302 - Sear CRI #429 - BMCRR (este) #240 (= BMCRE #647) - RSC Vol.1 #14 Pag.132 - Cohen Vol.1 #14 Pag.64 - CBM #902 - Babelon MRR B#145
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1) Julius Caesar & OctavianJulius Caesar & Octavian
AE23 of Thessalonika.

ΘΕΟΣ, laureate head of Divus Julius right, countermark on neck / ΘΕΣΣΑΛΟΝΙΚΕΩΝ, bare head of Augustus right.

RPC 1554
RM0017
Sosius
Augusto_COLONIA_PATRICIA.jpg
1-2-4 - AUGUSTUS (27 A.C. - 14 D.C.)Colonia Patricia
Hispania Ulterior Bética

AE AS 26 mm 10.9 gr

Anv: ”PERM CAES AVG” – Cabeza desnuda, viendo a izquierda.
Rev: ”COLONIA PATRICIA” – Leyenda en dos lineas, dentro de una corona de hojas de roble.

Acuñada: aproximadamente 18 A.C. - 14 D.C.

Referencias: RPC #129 – SNG Cop #466 - Alvarez Burgos #1563 - Sear GICV I #16, Pag.3 - Sear '88 #537 - Cohen #607, Pag.150 - Lindgren #87 - Vives #165.3 - Heiss #6, Pag.298
mdelvalle
Augusto_JULIA_TRADUCTA.jpg
1-3-4 - AUGUSTUS (27 A.C. - 14 D.C.)Colonia Julia Traducta
Hispania

AE AS 25 mm 13.3 gr

Anv: ”PERM CAES AVG” – Cabeza desnuda, viendo a izquierda.
Rev: ”IVLIA TRAD” – Leyenda en dos lineas, dentro de una corona de hojas de roble.

Acuñada: aproximadamente 15 A.C. - 14 D.C.

Referencias: RPC #108 – SNG Cop #459 - Sear GICV I #18, Pag.3 - Sear '88 #538 - Cohen #623, Pag.151 - Vives #164.13 - Heiss #2, Pag.336
mdelvalle
1291_Augustus2.jpg
1291 Octavianus Augustus - Asia ?AE as
27-23 BC
head right
CAESAR
legend within laureate wreath
AVGVSTVS
RPC I 2235/RPC I 4100?, McAlee 190, RIC I 486, SNG Cop 143, Cohen I 34
8,5g 22mm
ex Aurea
J. B.
0023-065.jpg
1608 - Lepidus and Octavian, DenariusDenarius minted in Italy, 42 BC
LEPIDVS PONT MAX III V R P C, bare head of Lepidus right (NT and MA in monograms)
C CAESAR IMPIII VIR R P C, bare head of Octavian right (MP in monogram)
3.78 gr
Ref : HCRI # 140, RCV # 1523, Cohen # 2

The following from forum catalog :
"Lepidus was a faithful follower of Julius Caesar, and he served as Praetor and Consul. When Caesar was assassinated, Lepidus was in charge of the cavalry and commanded a legion. This position secured him a place in the Second Triumvirate along Marc Antony and Octavian. His cut was Africa. When Octavian attacked Sextus Pompey's Sicily, Lepidus' ships and troops supported him. In an uninspired move, Lepidus thought he could force Octavian to leave him the island. The two armies separated and isolated skirmishes occurred, but soon the soldiers sick of yet another civil war, acknowledging Octavian's superiority deserted Lepidus en-masse. Lepidus left the island as a simple civilian, retaining only his priesthood, but he was the only defeated Imperator not to suffer a violent death."
2 commentsPotator II
0023-056.jpg
1633 - Mark Antony, DenariusStruck in a travelling mint, moving with Mark Antony in 41 BC
ANT AVG IMP III VI R P C, Head of Mark Antony right
Fortuna standing left, holding rudder in right hand and cornucopiae in left; at feet, stork; below, PIETAS COS
3,82 gr - 20 mm
Ref : Crawford # 516/2, Sydenham # 1174, HCRI # 241, C # 77
Ex. Auctiones.GmbH

The following comment is copied from NAC auction # 52/294 about the very rare corresponding aureus :
The year 41 B.C., when this aureus was struck at a mint travelling in the East with Marc Antony, was a period of unusual calm for the triumvir, who took a welcomed, if unexpected, rest after the great victory he and Octavian had won late in 42 B.C. against Brutus and Cassius at the Battle of Philippi. Antony’s original plan of organising an invasion of Parthia was put on hold after he sailed to Tarsus, where he had summoned Cleopatra VII, the Greek queen of Egypt. She was to defend herself against accusations that she had aided Brutus and Cassius before Philippi, but it is generally agreed that the summons was merely a pretext for Antony’s plan to secure aid for his Parthian campaign. Their meeting was anything but a source of conflict; indeed, they found much common ground, including their agreement that it was in their mutual interests to execute Cleopatra’s sister and rival Arsinoe IV, who had been ruling Cyprus. In addition to sharing political interests, the two agreed that Antony would winter in Egypt to share a luxurious vacation with Cleopatra that caused a further postponement of Antony’s designs on Parthia. Thus began another of the queen’s liaisons with noble Romans, a prior having been Julius Caesar (and, according to Plutarch, Pompey Jr. before him). During the course of his stay in Egypt Cleopatra was impregnated, which resulted in twins born to her in 40 B.C. But this care-free period was only a momentary calm in the storm, for trouble was brewing in both the East and the West. Early in 40 B.C. Syria was overrun by the Parthians, seemingly while Antony travelled to Italy to meet Octavian following the Perusine War, in which Octavian defeated the armies of Antony’s wife and brother. The conflict with Octavian was resolved when they signed a pact at Brundisium in October, and Syria was eventually recovered through the efforts of Antony’s commanders from 40 to 38 B.C.{/i]

5 commentsPotator II
0023-060np_noir.jpg
1638 - Mark Antony and Octavian, DenariusDenarius minted in Asia minor c.41 BC
M ANT IMP AVG III RPCM BARBAT QP, Bare head of Mark Antony right
CAESAR IMP PONT III VIR RPC, Bare head of Octavian right
3.62 gr
Ref : HCRI # 243, RCV #1504, Cohen #8
Ex Coll Alain M.
4 commentsPotator II
0023-070np_noir.jpg
1641 - Mark Antony and Lucius Antonius, DenariusDenarius minted in Ephesus in 41 BC
M ANT IMP AVG III VIR RPCM NERVA PROQ P, Bare head of Mark Antony right
L ANTONIUS COS, Bare head of Lucius Antonius right
3.58 gr
Ref : HCRI # 246, RCV #1509, Cohen #2
Following description taken from NAC auction 40, #617, about an other example of the same coin :
"This denarius, depicting the bare heads of Marc Antony and his youngest brother Lucius Antony, is a rare dual-portrait issue of the Imperatorial period. The family resemblance is uncanny, and one wonders if they truly looked this much alike, or if it is another case of portrait fusion, much like we observe with the dual-portrait billon tetradrachms of Antioch on which the face of the Egyptian queen Cleopatra VII takes on the square dimensions of Marc Antony. When Antony fled Rome to separate himself from Octavian and to take up his governorship in Gaul, Lucius went with him, and suffered equally from the siege of Mutina. This coin, however, was struck in a later period, when Lucius had for a second time taken up arms against Octavian in the west. Marc Antony was already in the east, and that is the region from which this coinage emanates. Since Lucius lost the ‘Perusine War’ he waged against Octavian, and was subsequently appointed to an office in Spain, where he died, it is likely that he never even saw one of his portrait coins."
3 commentsPotator II
0030-310np_noir.jpg
1685 - Octavian, DupondiusMinted in Italy 38 BC
DIVI F, bare head of Octavian right
DIVOS IVLIVS, in a laurel wreath
27.07 gr
Ref : HCRI # 309, RCV # 1570
Potator II
0030-0210.jpg
1749 - Octavian, DenariusItalian mint, possibly Rome, 31-30 BC
Anepigraph, bare head of Octavian left
CAESAR - DIVI F, Victory standing right on globe, holding wreath
3.84 gr
Ref : HCRI # 408, RCV # 1552v, Cohen # 66, RIC # 255
The following comment is taken from CNG, sale 84 # 957 :
"Following his victory at Actium, Octavian ordered a golden statue of Victory, standing on a globe and holding a wreath and palm, to be set up on an altar in the Curia in Rome. This statue had been captured by the Romans from Pyrrhus in 272 BC, and it assumed a somewhat tutelary mystique, protecting the Roman state from dissolution. In AD 382, the emperor Gratian ordered its removal. Two years later, the senator and orator Symmachus urged Valentinian II to replace it, a request that was met with stiff opposition from the bishop of Milan, Ambrose. Though it was briefly returned to its place by the usurper Eugenius, it was again removed following his defeat. Petitions to Theodosius I for its subsequent replacement were refused, on grounds that the once-important symbol of the gods’ blessing on the Roman Empire was now nothing more than a piece of paganism"
11 commentsPotator II
PompeyDenNeptune.jpg
1ac1 Pompey the GreatFormed First Triumvirate with Caesar and Crassus in 60 BC. Murdered in Egypt, 48 BC.

Denarius, minted by son Sextus Pompey

42-40 BC

Head of Pompey the Great right between jug and lituus
Neptune right foot on prow, flanked by the Catanaean brothers, Anapias and Amphinomus, with their parents on their shoulders

Struck by Sextus Pompey after his victory over Salvidienus and relates to his acclamation as the Son of Neptune. Although Sextus Pompey was the supreme naval commander, Octavian had the Senate declare him a public enemy. He turned to piracy and came close to defeating Octavian. He was, however, defeated by Marcus Agrippa at the naval battle of Naulochus (3 September 36 B.C.). He was executed by order of Mark Antony in 35 B.C.

SRCV I 1392, RSC I Pompey the Great 17, Sydenham 1344, Crawford 511/3a, BM Sicily 93

Plutarch said of Pompey: In Pompey, there were many [causes] that helped to make him the object of [the Roman people's] love; his temperance, his skill and exercise in war, his eloquence of speech, integrity of mind, and affability in conversation and address; insomuch that no man ever asked a favour with less offence, or conferred one with a better grace. When he gave, it was without assumption; when he received, it was with dignity and honour.
1 commentsBlindado
MarcAntDenOctavian.jpg
1ae Marc Antony and OctavianFormed the Second Triumvirate, 43-33 BC, , along with Marcus Aemilius Lepidus. Antony killed himself in 30 BC.

Denarius
41 BC

Marc Antony portrait, right, M ANT IMP AVG III VIR RPCM BARBAT QP
Octavian portrait, right, CAESAR IMP PONT III VIR RPC

RSC 8

Plutarch described Antony thusly: Antony grew up a very beautiful youth, but by the worst of misfortunes, he fell into the acquaintance and friendship of Curio, a man abandoned to his pleasures, who, to make Antony's dependence upon him a matter of greater necessity, plunged him into a life of drinking and dissipation, and led him through a course of such extravagance that he ran, at that early age, into debt to the amount of two hundred and fifty talents. . . . He took most to what was called the Asiatic taste in speaking, which was then at its height, and was, in many ways, suitable to his ostentatious, vaunting temper, full of empty flourishes and unsteady efforts for glory. . . . He had also a very good and noble appearance; his beard was well grown, his forehead large, and his nose aquiline, giving him altogether a bold, masculine look that reminded people of the faces of Hercules in paintings and sculptures. It was, moreover, an ancient tradition, that the Antonys were descended from Hercules, by a son of his called Anton; and this opinion he thought to give credit to by the similarity of his person just mentioned, and also by the fashion of his dress. For, whenever he had to appear before large numbers, he wore his tunic girt low about the hips, a broadsword on his side, and over all a large coarse mantle. What might seem to some very insupportable, his vaunting, his raillery, his drinking in public, sitting down by the men as they were taking their food, and eating, as he stood, off the common soldiers' tables, made him the delight and pleasure of the army. In love affairs, also, he was very agreeable: he gained many friends by the assistance he gave them in theirs, and took other people's raillery upon his own with good-humour. And his generous ways, his open and lavish hand in gifts and favours to his friends and fellow-soldiers, did a great deal for him in his first advance to power, and after he had become great, long maintained his fortunes, when a thousand follies were hastening their overthrow.
1 commentsBlindado
FulviaQuinariusLion.jpg
1ae2 FulviaFirst wife of Marc Antony

ca 83-40 BC

AR Quinarius
Bust of Victory right with the likeness of Fulvia, III VIR R P C
Lion right between A and XLI; ANTONI above, IMP in ex

RSC 3, Syd 1163, Cr489/6

Fulvia was the first Roman non-mythological woman to appear on Roman coins. She gained access to power through her marriage to three of the most promising men of her generation, Publius Clodius Pulcher, Gaius Scribonius Curio, and Marcus Antonius. All three husbands were politically active populares, tribunes, and supporters of Julius Caesar. Fulvia married Mark Antony in 47 or 46 BC, a few years after Curio's death, although Cicero suggested that Fulvia and Antony had had a relationship since 58 BC. According to him, while Fulvia and Antony were married, Antony once left a military post to sneak back into Rome during the night and personally deliver a love letter to Fulvia describing his love for her and how he had stopped seeing the famous actress Cytheris. Cicero also suggested that Antony married Fulvia for her money. At the time of their marriage, Antony was an established politician. He had already been tribune in 49 BC, commanded armies under Caesar and was Master of the Horse in 47 BC. As a couple, they were a formidable political force in Rome, and had two sons together, Marcus Antonius Antyllus and Iullus Antonius.

Suetonius wrote, "[Antony] took a wife, Fulvia, the widow of Clodius the demagogue, a woman not born for spinning or housewifery, nor one that could be content with ruling a private husband, but prepared to govern a first magistrate, or give orders to a commander-in-chief. So that Cleopatra had great obligations to her for having taught Antony to be so good a servant, he coming to her hands tame and broken into entire obedience to the commands of a mistress. He used to play all sorts of sportive, boyish tricks, to keep Fulvia in good-humour. As, for example, when Caesar, after his victory in Spain, was on his return, Antony, among the rest, went out to meet him; and, a rumour being spread that Caesar was killed and the enemy marching into Italy, he returned to Rome, and, disguising himself, came to her by night muffled up as a servant that brought letters from Antony. She, with great impatience, before received the letter, asks if Antony were well, and instead of an answer he gives her the letter; and, as she was opening it, took her about the neck and kissed her."

After Julius Caesar was assassinated, Antony became the most powerful man in Rome. Fulvia was heavily involved in the political aftermath. After Caesar's death, the senate realized his popularity and declared that they would pass all of Caesar's planned laws. Antony had attained possession of Caesar's papers, and with the ability to produce papers in support of any law, Fulvia and Antony made a fortune and gained immense power. She allegedly accompanied Antony to his military camp at Brundisium in 44 BC. Appian wrote that in December 44 and again in 41 BC, while Antony was abroad and Cicero campaigned for Antony to be declared an enemy of the state, Fulvia attempted to block such declarations by soliciting support on Antony's behalf.

Antony formed the second triumvirate with Octavian (the future emperor Augustus) and Marcus Aemilius Lepidus on 43 BC and began to conduct proscriptions. To solidify the political alliance, Fulvia's daughter Clodia was married to the young Octavian. Appian and Cassius Dio describe Fulvia as being involved in the violent proscriptions, which were used to destroy enemies and gain badly needed funds to secure control of Rome. Antony pursued his political enemies, chief among them being Cicero, who had openly criticized him for abusing his powers as consul after Caesar's assassination. Though many ancient sources wrote that Fulvia was happy to take revenge against Cicero for Antony's and Clodius' sake, Cassius Dio is the only ancient source that describes the joy with which she pierced the tongue of the dead Cicero with her golden hairpins, as a final revenge against Cicero's power of speech.

In 42 BC, Antony and Octavian left Rome to pursue Julius Caesar's assassins, Marcus Junius Brutus and Gaius Cassius Longinus. Fulvia was left behind as the most powerful woman in Rome. According to Cassius Dio, Fulvia controlled the politics of Rome. Dio wrote that "the following year Publius Servilius and Lucius Antonius nominally became consuls, but in reality it was Antonius and Fulvia. She, the mother-in‑law of Octavian and wife of Antony, had no respect for Lepidus because of his slothfulness, and managed affairs herself, so that neither the senate nor the people transacted any business contrary to her pleasure."

Shortly afterwards, the triumvirs then distributed the provinces among them. Lepidus took the west and Antony went to Egypt, where he met Cleopatra VII. When Octavian returned to Rome in 41 BC to disperse land to Caesar's veterans, he divorced Fulvia's daughter and accused Fulvia of aiming at supreme power. Fulvia allied with her brother-in-law Lucius Antonius and publicly endorsed Mark Antony in opposition to Octavian.

In 41 BC, tensions between Octavian and Fulvia escalated to war in Italy. Together with Lucius Antonius, she raised eight legions in Italy to fight for Antony's rights against Octavian, an event known as the Perusine War. Fulvia fled to Greece with her children. Appian writes that she met Antony in Athens, and he was upset with her involvement in the war. Antony then sailed back to Rome to deal with Octavian, and Fulvia died of an unknown illness in exile in Sicyon, near Corinth, Achaea.
Blindado
Ephesus_AE_1_2_Unit_2d_Triumvirate_.jpg
1af2 Lepidus, Octavian, and Marc Antony40-39 BC

Ephesus, AE 1/2 unit 19mm

Jugate bare heads of the Second Triumvirate members, right

ΑΡΧΙΕΡΕΥΣ ΓΡΑΜ ΓΛΑΥΚΩΝ ΕΦΕ ΠΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΣ, facing cult statue of Artemis (with supports)

RPC 2572A

Thanks to OldMoney for the attribution

5.0 grams

See the individual descriptions of my coins from Octavian, Marc Antony, and Lepidus for more historical information.
4 commentsBlindado
BrutusDenLictors.jpg
1ag Marcus Junius BrutusTook his own life in 42 BC after being defeated at Philippi by Antony and Octavian

Denarius, issued as moneyer, 54 BC
Head of Liberty, right, LIBERTAS
Consul L. Junius Brutus between lictors, preceded by accensus, BRVTVS

Seaby, Junia 31

Plutarch wrote: Marcus Brutus was descended from that Junius Brutus to whom the ancient Romans erected a statue of brass in the capitol among the images of their kings with a drawn sword in his hand, in remembrance of his courage and resolution in expelling the Tarquins and destroying the monarchy. . . . But this Brutus, whose life we now write, having to the goodness of his disposition added the improvements of learning and the study of philosophy, and having stirred up his natural parts, of themselves grave and gentle, by applying himself to business and public affairs, seems to have been of a temper exactly framed for virtue; insomuch that they who were most his enemies upon account of his conspiracy against Caesar, if in that whole affair there was any honourable or generous part, referred it wholly to Brutus, and laid whatever was barbarous and cruel to the charge of Cassius, Brutus's connection and familiar friend, but not his equal in honesty and pureness of purpose. . . . In Latin, he had by exercise attained a sufficient skill to be able to make public addresses and to plead a cause; but in Greek, he must be noted for affecting the sententious and short Laconic way of speaking in sundry passages of his epistles. . . . And in all other things Brutus was partaker of Caesar's power as much as he desired: for he might, if he had pleased, have been the chief of all his friends, and had authority and command beyond them all, but Cassius and the company he met with him drew him off from Caesar. . . . Caesar snatching hold of the handle of the dagger, and crying out aloud in Latin, "Villain Casca, what do you?" he, calling in Greek to his brother, bade him come and help. And by this time, finding himself struck by a great many hands, and looking around about him to see if he could force his way out, when he saw Brutus with his dagger drawn against him, he let go Casca's hand, that he had hold of and covering his head with his robe, gave up his body to their blows.
2 commentsBlindado
LiviaAE23Tyche.jpg
1aj LiviaDied 29 AD

AE23 of Cilicia, Augusta
23–24 AD

ΙΟΥΛΙΑ [Σ]ΕΒΑΣΤΗ, Portrait, right
ΑΥΓΟΥCTA—NW—N, Tyche std., river god Saros at feet

This is one of my favorite pieces because I picked it up for a couple of bucks from a market stall in an Aegean country.

RPC I 4013-4014
Same design as RPC 4009v, but larger

Ancient sources accuse Livia off having schemed and murdered the heirs of Augustus to ensure the rule of her son, Tiberius. In this case, the citation comes from a modern scholar, Meagan Button:

Livia Drusilla was a devoted mother, wife, and citizen of Rome. She was a strong Roman woman who saw the importance of family and state life. Throughout the course of her 86 years, Livia enjoyed fortune, influence, motherhood, and an adoring husband. She was passionate about the beautification of Rome and the image of the Roman family. She built and restored many monuments in the empire, and was able to see the completion of many in her lifetime. As the first empress of Rome, Livia set standards for success that would never again be matched. Her enthusiasm for her country and willingness to inspire change was unprecedented in her time and legendary after her death. Livia was influenced largely by the ideas of her second husband, Octavian (who later became Augustus). Their marriage in 38 B.C. marked the fusion of two strong political minds. Together, they held power over one of the most prosperous periods in ancient Roman history.

According to Suetonius, "The last words [Augustus] spoke were to his wife: ‘Livia, keep the memory of our marriage alive, and farewell!’ and died the very moment he was kissing her."
Blindado
ClaudiusAE28Caesar_Augustus.jpg
1bb Octavian's Succession of Julius CaesarClaudius, Philippi, Macedon
Date unknown

AE 26

TI CLAVDIVS CAES AVG P M TR P IMP P P, Bare head left
COL AVG IVL PHILIP, Statue of Divus Julius being crowned by statue of Divus Augustus

I'm guessing this coin was meant to emphasize the succession of legitimacy from Julius Caesar to Augustus.

RPC 1654
Blindado
MarcAntonyDenGalley.jpg
1bd Mark Antony Battles OctavianMark Antony
32-31 BC

Denarius

Galley, ANT AVG III VIR R P C, counter-marked
Legionary eagle between two standards, counter-marked

Seaby, Mark Antony 26ff

Plutarch described the outbreak of the conflict thusly: That night Antony had a very unlucky dream, fancying that his right hand was thunderstruck. And, some few days after, he was informed that Caesar was plotting to take his life. Caesar explained, but was not believed, so that the breach was now made as wide as ever; each of them hurried about all through Italy to engage, by great offers, the old soldiers that lay scattered in their settlements, and to be the first to secure the troops that still remained undischarged. Cicero was at this time the man of greatest influence in Rome. He made use of all his art to exasperate the people against Antony, and at length persuaded the senate to declare him a public enemy, to send Caesar the rods and axes and other marks of honour usually given to proctors, and to issue orders to Hirtius and Pansa, who were the consuls, to drive Antony out of Italy.
Blindado
SextPompeyAs~0.jpg
1bd1 Sextus Pompey Battles OctavianPompey the Great

As, minted by son Sextus Pompey
43-36 BC

Janiform head with features of Pompey the Great, MAGN above.
Prow of galley, PIVS above, IMP below.

This engraver had at best a dim notion of what the great man looked like! Pompey was a member of the first triumvirate, 59-53 BC.
Struck by Sextus Pompey after his victory over Salvidienus and relates to his acclamation as the Son of Neptune. Although Sextus Pompey was the supreme naval commander, Octavian had the Senate declare him a public enemy. He turned to piracy and came close to defeating Octavian. He was, however, defeated by Marcus Agrippa at the naval battle of Naulochus (3 September 36 B.C.). He was executed by order of Mark Antony in 35 B.C.

Sydenham 1044a
Blindado
Octavian_denarius_victory.jpg
2. Octavian (31-30 BC)Denomination: AR Denarius
Date: 31-30 BC.
Obv: Bare head left.
Rev: Victory standing to left on globe, holding wreath and palm; CAESAR DIVI F across fields.
Diameter: 19mm
Weight: 3.96 grams
Mint: Italian mint (Rome?).
RIC I 54b.
Ex: Roma Numismatics E-Sale 82 (15 April 2021), lot 1078
2 commentsRomancollector
COLNEM~0.jpg
20-10 BC Octavian and AgrippaAugustus & Agrippa AE Dupondius
IMP DIVI F
back-to-back heads of Agrippa, wearing rostral crown, & Augustus, bare

COL NEM
palm shoot, crocodile before (not chained), two wreaths with long ties trailing above palm tip

Nemausus Mint
20-10 BC.

RPC 523

15.93g Heavy Early Issue!
5 commentsJay GT4
0030-405.jpg
2000 - Octavian & Agrippa, AE Dupondius Arausio mint (Orange), 30-29 BC (Colonia Firma Julia Secundanorum Arausio)
IMP DIVI F (IMPerator DIVI Filii), bare heads of Augustus (right) and Agrippa (left), back to back
Prow of galley right, ram's head (?) enclosed in a medaillion above
17.61 gr - 28 mm.
Ref : RPC # 533
Ex. CNG e-auction #181/28, from the Patrick Villemur collection

Following comment taken from http://www.asdenimes.com/ :

Un très bel exemplaire du dupondius d'Orange. Têtes adossées d'Agrippa (à gauche) et Octave (à droite). Très beaux reliefs.
L’as (ou dupondius) d’Orange est très rare et nombre d'exemplaires connus (quelques dizaines) sont souvent de médiocre conservation. Le dupondius d'Orange préfigure le dupondius de Nîmes frappé à partir de 28/27 av. J.-C. et qui reprendra l’avers quasiment à l’identique (y compris les légendes), avec les profils d’Octave devenu Auguste et d’Agrippa. Le revers sera interprété de façon parodique sur l’as de Nîmes, puisque la galère sera remplacée par le crocodile qui garde à peu près la forme générale du vaisseau et dont l’oeil prophylactique (pas visible sur cet exemplaire : voir les as de Vienne page suivante) deviendra l’oeil du crocodile. On y ajoutera la palme pour former le mat et quelques autres accessoires tout aussi symboliques.
La tête de bélier représentée dans le médaillon du revers serait l’emblème des vétérans de la légio II Gallica qui a fondé la colonie d’Arausio vers 35 av. J.-C.
On distingue 2 types de dupondius d'Orange : ceux dont les portraits occupent la plus grande partie de l'avers et ceux qui montrent des têtes plutôt petites.
1 commentsPotator II
Octavian_denarius_curia.jpg
3. Octavian (30-29 BC)Denomination: AR Denarius
Date: Autumn 30-Summer 29 BC
Obv: Bare head right.
Rev: IMP CAESAR on the architrave of the Roman Senate House (Curia Julia), porch supported by four short columns, statue of Victory on globe surmounting apex of roof, statues of standing figures at the extremities of the architrave.
Diameter: 20.1mm
Weight: 3.83 grams
Mint: Italian mint (Rome?)
RIC I 266
Ex: Apollo Numismatics
Romancollector
normal_Antony_and_Octavian_001.jpg
4) Antony and Octavian DenariusMark Antony and Octavian
AR Denarius, 2.97g
Ephesus, spring/summer, 41 BC

M ANT IMP AVG III VIR R P C M BARBAT Q P (MP and AV in monogram), Bare hd of Mark Antony right / CAESAR IMP PONT III VIR R P C, Bare head of Octavian right

Sear 1504

This series of coins commemorates the establishment of the second Triumvirate of November 43 B.C. between Antony, Octavian and Lepidus. Both sides bear the inscription "III VIR R P C", meaning "One of Three Men for the Regulation of the Republic. Within a few years Antony would depart Italy for the Eastern provinces.

The moneyer for this coin is M. Barbatius Pollio who was also a Questor in 41 BC. Barbatius bears the title of "Quaestor pro praetore" abbreviated to QP a distinction shared by his colleague L. Gelllius.

Photo and text credit goes to FORVM member Jay GT4, from whom I purchased the coin in 2011. Thanks, Jay!
RM0034
1 commentsSosius
0001SOS.jpg
4) Antony: SosiusGAIUS SOSIUS
General to Antony
Æ 26mm (14.5 g). ~ 38 BC.
Cilicia, Uncertain Mint.

Bare head right / Fiscus, sella, quaestoria and hasta; Q below.

Coin has been attributed to multiple rulers, including Julius Caesar, Augustus and Brutus. Now believed to be Sosius, General to Antony and Governor of Syria.

RPC I 5409; Laffaille 324; Grant, FITA, pg. 13. aFine, brown patina, scratches. Rare.
0001SOS


Sosius was wily and accomplished man. A talented general, he received a triumph. However, he consistently picked the wrong side in Rome's Civil Wars (Senate vs. Caesar, then Antony vs. Octavian) yet somehow managed to keep his head.

According to Wikipedia:

Gaius Sosius was a Roman general and politician.

Gaius Sosius was elected quaestor in 66 BC and praetor in 49 BC. Upon the start of the civil war, he joined the party of the Senate and Pompey. Upon the flight of Pompey to Greece, Sosius returned to Rome and submitted to Julius Caesar.

After the assassination of Caesar, Sosius joined the party of Mark Antony, by whom in 38 BC he was appointed governor of Syria and Cilicia in the place of Publius Ventidius. As governor, Sosius was commanded by Antony to support Herod against Antigonus the Hasmonean, when the latter was in possession of Jerusalem. In 37 BC, he advanced against Jerusalem and after he became master of the city, Sosius placed Herod upon the throne. In return for this services, he was awarded a triumph in 34 BC, and he became consul along with Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus as his colleague in 32 BC.

When civil war broke out between Antony and Octavian, Sosius espoused the cause of Antony and violently attacked Octavian in the senate, for which he was forced to flee to the east. In 31 BC, Sosius commanded a squadron in Mark Antony's fleet with which he managed to defeat the squadron of Taurius Rufus – according to Dio 50.14 – and put it to flight, but when the latter was reinforced by Marcus Agrippa, Sosius's ally Tarcondimotus – the king of Cilicia – was killed and Sosius himself was forced to flee. At Actium, Sosius commanded the left wing of Antony's fleet. After the battle, from which he managed to escape, his hiding place was detected and Sosius was captured and brought before Octavian but, at the intercession of Lucius Arruntius, Octavian pardoned him. He returned to Rome and completed his building project on the temple of Apollo Medicus (begun in 34 BC), dedicating it in Octavian's name.

Unknown sons, but two daughters : Sosia and Sosia Galla, possibly by an Asinia,[1] a Nonia or an Aelia. However the name reappears with Q. Sosius Senecio, (consul in 99 and 107).[2] and Saint Sosius (275-305 AD).

Sosius attended the Ludi Saeculares in 17 according to an inscription CIL 6.32323 = ILS 5050 as a quindecimvir.
RM0002
4 commentsSosius
Augustus_thunderbolt.jpg
40 BC Octavian denariusC CAESAR III VIR R P C
Bare haed of Octavian right

Q SALVIVS IMP COS DESIG
thunderbolt

Italy early 40 BC
3.43g

Sear 1541

SOLD!

David Sear says that this Q Salvius may be Quintus Salvius Salvidienus Rufus who was the boyhood friend and confidant of Octavian. In 42 BC Octavian made him admiral of his fleet and instructed him to attack Sextus Pompey in Sicily. Despite being beaten by Sextus he was granted the title of Imperator which appears on this coin.

After the battle of Philippi Salvidienus was given command of 6 Legions an sent to Spain however he quickly had to return to Italy to confront Fulvia (Antony's wife) and Lucius Antonius (Antony's brother). Salvidienus captured and destroyed the city of Sentinum and then moved on to Perusia with Agrippa to besiege Lucius Antony. At the end of the Perusian War Octavian sent Salvidienus to Gallia as Governor, with eleven legions. He was also designated as consul for 39 BC, although he had not reached senatorial rank.

Salvidienus proved to be unworthy of Octavian's trust and entered into secret negotiations with Mark Antony thinking that Antony would prevail. Unfortunately for Salvidienus, Antony and Octavian were reconciled and Antony informed Octavian of Salvidienus treachary. Antony's decision to inform on Salvidienus has been used to show his desire to settle the differences with Octavian. The senate declared Salvidienus a public enemy and shortly after he was killed, either by his own hand or by execution.
Jay GT4
Lepidus_and_Octavian.jpg
495/2a Lepidus and OctavianLepidus and Octavian. Military mint traveling with Lepidus in Italy. 43 B.C., late. AR Denarius.(3.35g, 16mm, 6h). Obv:LEPIDVS•PONT•MAX•III•VIR•R•P•C•, bare head of Lepidus right Rev: CAESAR•IMP•III•VIR•R•P•C•, bare head of Octavian right. Cf Crawford 495/2a 2c-d; Syd. 1323; Cf RSC 2-2a; 2c-d. “From Group SGF”

I’ve sought a coin with a portrait of Lepidus, and while worn, the obverse portrait is clearly identifiable. 43 B.C. saw the establishment of the Second Triumvirate giving Lepidus, Antony, and Octavian dictatorial powers over the Roman State.
1 commentsLucas H
Marc_Antony_Cr496.jpg
496/1 Marc AntonyMarc Antony AR Denarius. 42 BC, Greek Mint. (3.62g, 17.8m, 2.3h). Obv: M ANTONI IMP, bare head right. Rev: III VIR R P C, facing head of Sol in a temple of two columns. RSC 12, Sear5 1467, Syd 1168, Cr496/1.

After Caesar’s death, Antony, Octavian, and Lepidus formed the Second Triumvirate. Ultimately, Lepidus was pushed to the side and Antony was defeated by Octavian at the battle of Actium. Fleeing back to Egypt, Antony and Cleopatra committed suicide in the face of their defeat by Octavian.
2 commentsLucas H
Octavian_Denarius_both.jpg
5) OctavianOctavian
AR Denarius, Southern or Central Italian mint, summer 37 BC

IMP CAESAR DIVI F III VIR ITER R P C, bare head right / COS ITER ET TER DESIG, priestly implements: simpulum, sprinkler, jug & lituus.

Cr538/1, Syd 1334., Sear 1554
RM0035
1 commentsSosius
Augustus_Agrippa_Nemausus_2.jpg
5) Octavian and AgrippaAUGUSTUS & AGRIPPA
AE As of Gaul, Nemausus, struck. ca. 10 BC - 10 AD

IMP DIVI F, back-to-back heads of Agrippa, in rostral crown, & Augustus, in oak wreath / COL NEM, crocodile chained to palm behind, wreath to left.

Sear 1730, Cohen 10, RPC 523/4

Not really Imperatorial, but it definitely refers to Octavian and Agrippa's Imperatorial achievements!
RM0016
Sosius
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