The Roman Republic
Imperatorial Issues
Marcus Antonius and Octavia. Cistophoric tetradrachm, Ephesus (?) 39, AR 11.35 g. M·ANTONIVS·IMP ·COS· DESIG·ITER ET·TERT Jugate busts of Mark Antony and Octavia r. Rev. III·VIR – R·P·C· Bacchus standing l. on cista mistica between two interlaced snakes with heads erect. Babelon Antonia 61.
C 3. Sydenham 1198. Sear Imperators 263. RPC 2202.
Struck on a very broad flan and with a lovely old cabinet tone. Minor porosity
on reverse, otherwise about extremely fine
Ex Bankhaus H. Aufhöuser 7, 1990, 336 and Ira & Larry Goldberg 69, 2012, 3481 sales.

The marriage of Mark Antony and Octavia occurred to seal the pact made by Antony and Octavian at Brundisium in 42 B.C. The year before, Antony had commenced a liaison with Cleopatra VII, the Ptolemaic queen of Egypt. During his dalliance, his wife Fulvia died. When Antony returned to Rome, he married the sister of Octavian who bore him two daughters. Later Antony abandoned Octavia and returned to Cleopatra, with whom he had three more children. Antony and Cleopatra committed suicide together in 30 B.C., and Octavia raised all 5 children. Rare in this quality. MSG.