Marc Antony, as Triumvir and Imperator (43-31 BC). AR denarius. Legionary issue, mint moving with Antony in Greece (Aegae or Patrae), 32-31 BC. ANT • AVG-III • VIR • R • P • C, war galley under oar right with triple ram prow and scepter tied with fillet / LEG-XIX, aquila between two standards. Crawford 544/35. CRI 378. Sydenham 1242. RSC 55.

Legio XIX was founded in 41 or 40 BC in Sicily by Octavian, likely to deal with Sextus Pompey, and settled in 30 BC near Pisa. It apparently never served under command of Marc Antony and the Legio XIX represented on this issue must be one of the legions formed by Antony, who simply copied many of the legion numbers already in use. According to David Sear in 'Coinage of the Roman Imperators', XIX was "an Antonian Legion which was disbanded or lost its separate identity after Actium." If this is correct, then the one on this issue is definitely not the Legio XIX formed under Octavian, as that legion went on to become part of the unfortunate legacy of Publius Quinctilius Varus and the disaster of the Battle

Condition: Very Fine

Weight: 3.90 gr
Diameter: 18 mm