Sear, D.R., Roman Coins and their Values 5 vols (London, Spink, 2000-2014) 1504; Crawford, M., Roman Republican Coinage 2 vols (Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2011) 517/2; Sear, D.R., The History and Coinage of the Roman Imperators (London, Spink, 1998) 243; Grueber, H.A., Coins of the Roman Republic in the British Museum 3 vols (London, The Trustees of the British Museum, 1910; rev. edn London, 1970) East 100; Seaby, H.A., Roman Silver Coins (London, B.A. Seaby, 1967) 8 (Ephesus spring- summer 41BC); Sydenham, E. A. The Coinage of the Roman Republic (London, Spink, 1952; (Sanford J. Durst repr. 1976) 1181.

1988.04

Denarius of Antony (and Octavian)

3.62 g. 41 BC (mint moving with Antony)

Obv.: Bare head of Antony, r. M. ANT. IMP(erator) AVG(ur) IIIVIR R(ei) P(ublicae) C(onstituendae). M. BARBAT. Q(uaestor) P(ro praetore)

Rev.: Bare head of Octavian, bearded, r. CAESAR IMP(erator) PONT(ifex) IIIVIR R(ei) P(ublicae) C(onstituendae).

Antony minted similar coins in gold. Both Antony (on obverse) and Octavian (on reverse) have the title of ‘triumvir for settling the state’. Each is also imperator, commemorating military victories. They had defeated Brutus and Cassius at Philippi in late 42 BC.

After 42 BC, Antony was active in the East: first Asia Minor and then Egypt (where he spent the winter of 41-40 BC with Cleopatra). He uses the title of augur here, an office which he had held since 50 BC.

M. Barbatius was quaestor with praetorian powers, on Antony’s staff in the East. The quaestorship had financial responsibilities, and Barbatius issued coins for Antony.

Octavian’s titles include his pontificate (pontifex), which he had held since 47 BC.

There are coins of Octavian with Antony’s head on the reverse (e.g. in 39 BC, after their reconciliation at Brundisium late in 40 BC). But their relationship deteriorated during the 30s BC: see 85.10 for Octavian’s individual coinage and 68.03 for Antony’s coin reflecting war preparations in 32-31 BC, prior to the battle of Actium.

Sear, D.R., Roman Coins and their Values 5 vols (London, Spink, 2000-2014) 1504; Crawford, M., Roman Republican Coinage 2 vols (Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2011) 517/2; Sear, D.R., The History and Coinage of the Roman Imperators (London, Spink, 1998) 243; Grueber, H.A., Coins of the Roman Republic in the British Museum 3 vols (London, The Trustees of the British Museum, 1910; rev. edn London, 1970) East 100; Seaby, H.A., Roman Silver Coins (London, B.A. Seaby, 1967) 8 (Ephesus spring- summer 41BC); Sydenham, E. A. The Coinage of the Roman Republic (London, Spink, 1952; (Sanford J. Durst repr. 1976) 1181.