| Antykwariat Numizmatyczny - Michal Niemczyk > Auction 42 | Auction date: 9 December 2023 |
| Lot number: 3389 Price realized: 300 PLN (Approx. 75 USD / 69 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Ancient coins: Roman Republic (Rome) Mark Antony - the period of the triumvirate and the struggle for power 43-27 BC, legionary denarius 32-31 BC, XX Legion Bardzo ciekawy denar z okresu walki o władzę pomiędzy Markiem Antoniuszem i Oktawianem Augustem, zakończonego bitwą morską pod Akcjum Details: 3,32 g Ag Condition: 3+ (VF+) Literature: Craw 544/36 ; Sydenham 1243 Starting price: 100 PLN |  |
Match 1:
| Numismatica Ars Classica > Auction 143 | Auction date: 7 May 2024 |
| Lot number: 434 Price realized: 4,250 CHF (Approx. 4,698 USD / 4,364 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: The Dioscuri Collection. The Roman Republic. Marcus Antonius. Denarius, mint moving with M. Antonius 37, AR 19 mm, 4.01 g ANT·AVGV (partially ligate)·III·VIR·R·P·C Head of M. Antonius r. Rev. IMP – TER Trophy with curved sword attached to r. arm and figure-of-eight shield attached to l.; at its base, prow and round shield. Babelon Antonia 78. C 18. Sydenham 1204. Sear Imperators 272. RBW 1824. Crawford 536/3 note. Very rare. Struck on a very large flan and with a light iridescent tone. Good extremely fine Ex Roma Numismatics sale XIII, 2017, 659. After the assassination of Julius Caesar on the Ides of March 44 BC, his former lieutenant, Mark Antony, became the de facto leader of the Caesarean faction in Rome. Unfortunately, Caesar's will named his adoptive great-nephew Octavian as his heir, forcing Antony to fight against him for much of the remainder of 44 and 43 BC. However, in May 43 BC, Octavian began to negotiate an end to the conflict in order to join forces against the threat posted to both of them by the formation of large armies under the command of the Liberatores in the East. Despite their deep differences, in November, Antony, Octavian, and Marcus Lepidus met to form the Second Triumvirate and raise the armies that defeated the Liberators at the Battle of Philippi (3 and 23 October 42 BC). In the aftermath of this great victory, in order to keep peace, the empire was divided, with Octavian taking Italy and the West, Lepidus North Africa, and Antony the East. In 37 BC, the division of the empire and the Triumvirate was renewed among the three mend for another five years, but by this time the old animosity between Antony and Octavian was returning and it would not be long before it would break out into an epoch-ending war in 32-31 BC. This denarius was struck in the year of the renewed Triumvirate, probably in the context of Antony's work to restore order in Syria and the eastern provinces following a Parthian invasion in 40 BC. This was followed up by a somewhat ineffective campaign against the Parthians in 36. The precise occasion for this issue appears to have been the repression of Antiochus I of Commagene, who previously rebelled against Roman authority during the Parthian invasion. The reverse type depicting a trophy and advertising Antony's third acclamation as imperator is thought to refer to his taking personal command of the siege of Samosata, which the general P. Ventidius was already successfully prosecuting against Antiochus I. Although the king offered to surrender, Antony would not provide him with terms until he could arrive and take over the siege himself, thereby allowing him to claim the glory. Antony reportedly gave peace terms to Antiochos I that included an indemnity of 300 talents of silver, although when facing Ventidius he had offered to pay 1,000 to have the siege lifted. Antony then returned Ventidius to Rome, where he celebrated the first ever Roman triumph over the Parthians. Antony's claim of a third imperatorial acclamation on this coin is believed to derive from Ventidius' triumph and does not truly reflect an acclamation properly earned by the triumvir. It has been noted that the trophy reverse type seems to echo the types used on the Asian coinage of Brutus issued four years earlier, but it seems a little out of place for Antony's Parthian war context. The arms displayed are not particularly Parthian and the figure-eight shield is decidedly archaic in flavour. Likewise, the prow at the foot of the trophy is rather unexpected since sea power had virtually no involvement in the Parthian campaign. It has been suggested that the prow, which sometimes appears as part of Brutus' trophy type, might have been added to generally emphasise the superiority of Antony's naval strength at a time when his rival, Octavian, was weak at sea. Likewise, the possibility has been raised that the general similarity to Brutus' trophy might reflect regret on the part of Antony as he drifted ever closer to the final conflict with Octavian Estimate: 4000 CHF |  |
Match 2:
| Salon Numizmatyczny Mateusz Wójcicki > Auction 13 | Auction date: 9 March 2024 |
| Lot number: 10042 Price realized: 57 EUR (Approx. 62 USD) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Roman Republic, Sextus Pompeius, AE - RARE Rare bronze minted in military mint in Sicily or Spain. Roman Republic Sextus Pompeius (40-39 BC), As 43-36 BC, military mint in Sicily or Spain Obverse: laureate Janus head, above MGN Reverse: prow to right, above PIVS, below IMP Diameter 29 mm, weight 22.86 g Offered coin was minted by the younger son of Pompey the Great (latin Pompeius Magnus), who took the nickname and republican beliefs from his father. When, in 42 BC, the allies in the second triumvirate, Octavian and Antony, defeated the army of Cassius and Brutus at Philippi, Sextus Pompey, who in 43 BC conquered Sicily, became the only enemy of the triumvirs. In 39 BC they made peace with him in Puteoli, giving him proconsular authority in Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica and the Peloponnese. However, after Marcus Agrippa's victory in the naval battle of Naulochos, Sextus's fleet was completely wiped out, and he was killed as a fugitive at Miletus. Coins minted by Sextus Pompey most often commemorate his famous father or, as here, they bring sea motifs, because Sextus based his power almost exclusively on a strong fleet. Rzadki brąz wybity w mennicy wojskowej na Sycylii lub w Hiszpanii. Republika Rzymska Sextus Pompeius (40–39 pne), As 43-36 pne, mennica wojskowa na Sycylii lub w Hiszpanii Awers: głowa Janusa w wieńcu laurowym, powyżej MGN Rewers: dziób statku w prawo, powyżej PIVS, poniżej IMP Średnica 29 mm, waga 22.86 g Oferowana moneta została wybita przez młodszego syna Pompejusza Wielkiego (łac. Pompeius Magnus), który przejął po ojcu przydomek oraz przekonania republikańskie. Gdy w 42 roku pne sprzymierzeni w drugim triumwiracie Oktawian i Antoniusz pokonali pod Filippi wojsko Kasjusza i Brutusa, Sekstus Pompejusz, który w 43 roku pne opanował Sycylię został jedynym wrogiem triumwirów. W 39 roku pne zawarli oni z nim pokój w Puteoli, oddając mu władzę prokonsularną na Sycylii, Sardynii, Korsyce i Peloponezie. Jednak po zwycięstwie Marka Agryppy w bitwie morskiej pod Naulochos flota Sekstusa została całkowicie rozbita, a on zabity jako zbieg w Milecie. Monety bite przez Sekstusa Pompejusza najczęściej upamiętniają jego słynnego ojca albo jak tutaj, przynoszą motywy morskie, gdyż Sekstus opierał swą potęgę niemal wyłącznie na silnej flocie. Reference: Crawford 479/1, Sydenham 1044 Grade: F Roman Republic Sextus Pompeius Starting price: 8 EUR |  |
Match 3:
| Savoca Numismatik GmbH & Co. KG > Online Auction 209 | Silver | Auction date: 28 April 2024 |
| Lot number: 367 Price realized: 80 EUR (Approx. 86 USD) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Augustus 27 BC-AD 14. Lugdunum (Lyon) Denarius AR 19 mm, 3,74 g CAESAR AVGVSTVS DIVI F PATER PATRIAE, laureate head right / AVGVSTI F COS DESIG PRINC IVVENT //C L CAESARES, Caius and Lucius standing facing, two shields and two sceptres between them; simpulum and lituus above. Very Fine RIC I 207; BNC I 1144; BMC 519; Cohen 43. Octavian, also known as Augustus, was a prominent Roman statesman and military leader who played a pivotal role in transforming the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire. Born in 63 BC in Rome, he was the great-nephew and adopted son of Julius Caesar. Octavian's political journey began when he was named Caesar's heir in his will after Caesar's assassination in 44 BC. Aligning himself with Mark Antony and Lepidus, he formed the powerful Second Triumvirate, seeking vengeance for Caesar's death by defeating his assassins. As conflicts arose within the Triumvirate, Octavian emerged as the dominant figure. The alliance between Octavian and Antony collapsed into a bitter civil war, culminating in the decisive Battle of Actium in 31 BC, where Octavian emerged victorious. In 27 BC, Octavian relinquished his extraordinary powers and accepted the title "Augustus" from the Senate, marking the inception of the Roman Empire. Though he held the title of princeps (first citizen), Augustus effectively became the first Roman Emperor. Under Augustus' rule, the Roman Empire experienced an era of relative peace known as the Pax Romana. He introduced various reforms to strengthen the state and initiated extensive building projects across the empire, leaving a lasting architectural legacy. Augustus' reign, which lasted for 41 years until his death in AD 14, marked the end of the Julio-Claudian dynasty and the beginning of the Roman Empire. His ability to consolidate power, navigate complex political waters, and maintain stability earned him admiration and secured his position as one of Rome's most influential leaders. Starting price: 50 EUR |  |
Match 4:
| Numismatica Ars Classica > Auction 143 | Auction date: 7 May 2024 |
| Lot number: 461 Price realized: 60,000 CHF (Approx. 66,320 USD / 61,605 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: The Dioscuri Collection. The Roman Empire. Octavian 32 – 27 and as Augustus, 27 BC – 14 AD. Brundisium and Roma Denarius 32-29 BC, AR 20 mm, 3.91 g. Bare head r. Rev. CAESAR – DIVI·F Pax, draped, standing l., holding olive branch and cornucopiae. C 69. BMC 605. RIC 252. Sear Imperators 399. CBN 27. Very rare and possibly the finest specimen known. An absolutely spectacular portrait in the finest style of the period. Lovely light iridescent tone, virtually as struck and almost Fdc Ex NAC 23, 2002, 1448 and NAC 94, 2016, 38 sales. Privately purchased from Freeman and Sear. This denarius was struck in the years of uncertainty between Octavian's defeat of Mark Antony and Cleopatra at the battle of Actium (31 BC), which made him sole master of the Roman Empire, and 27 BC, when he assumed the title and broad constitutional powers of Augustus, thereby becoming the first Roman Emperor. This was a dangerous period for both Octavian and Rome. Although his sheer military power made him the unquestionable ruler, to avoid the outbreak of a new round of civil wars, Octavian needed to carefully avoid the appearance of monarchy. To this end, he courted the Senate and public opinion to incrementally increase his authority through constitutional means. Despite his immense power, the obverse type seems to cast Octavian as just another magistrate of the Roman Republic. The portrait eschews any kind of ornamentation and there is no sign of the victor's laurel wreath or other headgear. Instead, he appears modestly bare headed as was generally expected of a respectable Roman citizen. The reverse type, however, provides the reason why both the Senate and People of Rome should honour the man portrayed on the obverse: through his victory at Actium he had allowed Pax, the Roman personification of Peace, to return after long years of ruinous civil war. Indeed, in 29 BC, he made a great show of the return of peace by personally closing the doors of the Temple of Janus. The short and simple message of this coin that must have been easily digestible by any Roman was that Octavian was a peace-bringer. That the message was clearly understood and accepted is indicated by the fact that when Octavian assumed full power as Augustus in 27 BC, the Senate awarded him the corona civica in recognition that he had saved the whole Roman people from civil war. However, at the same time the types of this denarius work to mould the public perception of Octavian in a post-civil war world, the old propaganda of the civil wars still lingers on in the legend, which names the issuer as Caesar, son of the god (i.e., Divus Julius). Estimate: 25000 CHF |  |
Match 5:
| Numismatica Ars Classica > Auction 143 | Auction date: 7 May 2024 |
| Lot number: 474 Price realized: 8,500 CHF (Approx. 9,395 USD / 8,727 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: The Dioscuri Collection. The Roman Empire. Octavian 32 – 27 and as Augustus, 27 BC – 14 AD. Roma L. Aquillius Florus. Denarius circa 19 BC, AR 19 mm, 3.81 g. L AQVILLIVS FLOR – VS III VIR Head of Sol r. Rev. CAESAR·AVGVSTVS Slow quadriga r., with modius-shaped car surmounted by three ears of corn (?); in exergue, S C. C 357. BMC 38. RIC 303. CBN 169. Very rare and in exceptional condition for the issue. A lovely portrait of fine stye and light iridescent tone. Good extremely fine Ex NAC sale 106, 2018, 547. This rare denarius illustrates not only Augustus' desire to present himself as the continuator of the Roman Republic, but also his wish to be seen as a benefactor to his. Although the traditional college of Roman moneyers-the tresviri monetales-ceased to exist by 39 BC due to civil war and the domination of the coinage by the members of the Second Triumvirate of Octavian, Mark Antony and Marcus Lepidus. However, in his efforts to restore an illusory Republican normalcy following his assumption of power as Augustus in 27 BC, Octavian briefly revived the college of moneyers, as indicated here by the obverse signed by L. Aquilius Florus, one of the moneyers for 19 BC. The obverse depiction of Sol wearing a radiate crown may perhaps subtly flatter Augustus for his universal rule, extending throughout the world like the rays of the sun, but most likely it reflects the return of the Republican tradition of moneyers employing types related to their ancestors. A very similar Sol had appeared on Republican denarii struck by Manius Aquilius almost a century earlier in 109-108 BC. Aquilius used the same obverse type for other coins struck for Augustus during his tenure as one of the tresviri monetales. The reverse type depicts a large modius (grain measure) in a chariot drawn by four horses and seems to refer to action taken by the emperor to improve the grain supply of Rome. Although he had personal reservations about maintaining a permanent annona (grain dole) distributed to the urban poor of Rome, in the interest of his public image and of stability in the imperial capital, he is known to have expanded the number of recipients from 150,000 to 200,000. In 23/2 BC, Augustus also took charge of the general grain supply to Rome during a period of shortage and at his personal expense ensured the provision of grain at reasonable prices. This successful intervention in the grain supply was considered by the emperor to be important enough to be trumpeted by Augustus in his Res Gestae. Both the Res Gestae and the coin type, however, fail to indicate that before action was taken the hungry people of Rome were rioting in the streets and threatening to burn down the Senate House if Augustus was not granted authority to intervene. The fact that he was able to resolve the shortage in a matter of days has led some commentators to suspect that the grain shortage was actually created by Augustus for the purpose of turning the people against the Senate and being seen as the hero to end the crisis. Estimate: 6000 CHF |  |
