★ Antony's 15th Legion ★

Mark Antony, 44-30 BC. Denarius (Silver, 16 mm, 3.65 g, 6 h), military mint moving with Mark Antony (Patrae?), 32-31 BC. ANT•AVG - III VIR•R•P•C Galley right, with scepter tied with fillet on prow. Rev. LEG XV Aquila between two signa. Babelon (Antonia) 125. Crawford 544/30. CRI 371. Sydenham 1235. Nicely toned and well centered. Good very fine.

From a European collection, formed before 2005.

The original Legio XV was raised by Julius Caesar in Gaul in 53 BC to fight Vercingetorix and was destroyed during Caesar’ African campaign against the Pompeyans in 49-48 BC. Its namesake, the Legio XV mentioned on this coin, was recruited shortly before Philippi and was either destroyed or disbanded after Actium. Quite remarkably, at the same battle, Octavian had his own unit of the same number, the Legio XV Apollinaris.