| Numismatica Ars Classica > Auction 143 | Auction date: 7 May 2024 |
| Lot number: 388 Price realized: This lot is for sale in an upcoming auction - Bid on this lot  | Show similar lots on CoinArchives Find similar lots in upcoming auctions on  |
| Lot description: The Dioscuri Collection. The Roman Republic. Caius Antonius. Denarius, mint moving with Caius Antonius January-March 43, AR 18 mm, 3.93 g. C ANTONIVS·M·F·PRO·COS Draped bust of genius of Macedonia r., wearing causia. Rev. Priestly implements; below, PONTIFEX. Babelon Antonia 148. C 1. Sydenham 1286. Sear Imperators 141. RBW 1699. Crawford 484/1. Extremely rare and in unusual condition for this difficult and fascinating issue. Struck on fresh metal, reverse slightly off-centre, otherwise extremely fine Ex Lanz 112, 2002, 268; Harlan J. Berk Buy or Bid 164, 2009, 327 and Gemini X, 2013, 287 sales. From the Randy Haviland collection. Caius Antonius had long been active in Caesarean politics, and he became deeply entrenched in the years 44 to 42 B.C. In 44 he was elected to the priestly college of the pontifices through the efforts of Julius Caesar, and after the dictator's murder he worked tirelessly to secure his brother Marc Antony's authority in Rome. Though he comes across as an unfortunate soul, Caius must have been ambitious, for he did not reject his brother's effort to get him appointed governor of Macedon late in November, 44 B.C. – an act that amounted to a direct challenge to Brutus, who already occupied the region. Brutus defended Macedon by blockading Caius at the port of Apollonia in March, 43. He was able to convince Caius' armies at Dyrrhachium and Apollonia to desert to his side, and through vigorous action he was able to keep Caius at bay until he surrendered. However, the worst was yet to come. As tensions continued to rise between the two factions, the Caesareans executed the orator Cicero. This silenced one of the great outspoken voices against the Caesareans, but it also seemed to result in the execution of Caius Antonius, who was still in captivity at that time. Caius' death not only sent a message to the supporters of Antony and Octavian, but it must have assuaged Marcus Tullius Cicero, the son of the orator, who had fought valiantly for Brutus during the siege of Caius' armies in Apollonia. Beyond these historical accounts, little remains to testify to the life of Caius, except this small issue of denarii, presumably struck in 43 B.C. at a mint travelling with him in Illyricum. Estimate: 30000 CHF |  |
