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Important copyright information:
The data below is presented by permission of the copyright holder(s). Reproduction is allowed only by authorization from Numismatica Ars Classica.
| Numismatica Ars Classica > Auction 84 | Auction date: 20 May 2015 |
| Lot number: 872 | |
| Lot description: Roman Republican Coins Cleopatra and Marcus Antonius. Bronze, Dora Phoeniciae 34-33, Æ 9.33 g. Jugate busts of Cleopatra, laureate, and M. Anthony r. Rev. Tyche standing l., holding palm branch and caduceus; in field, LΘΙ / Ω / Δ. Crawford CMRR p. 255, fig. 109. RPC 4752. Exceedingly rare, the finest of very few specimens known (four listed in RPC). A coin of great interest and fascination, dark tone and good very fine Marc Antony and Cleopatra VII struck many millions of coins during their combined 33 years as coin-issuers. Relatively few of these, however, were joint issues. The most familiar of these are Roman-style tetradrachms and drachms, the former apparently from a Syrian mint, the latter presumably from Alexandria or a moving mint. In both cases Cleopatra's portrait occupies the obverse, giving it primacy over the image of Antony.The only other common issue for the couple was produced at Chalcis in Syria, dated to 32/1 B.C. It shows on its obverse the diademed and draped bust of Cleopatra, and on its reverse the bare head of Antony (RPC 4771). All that remain are three very rare emissions, including dual-portrait types from Ake-Ptolemais and Dora, and bronzes attributed to Cyrene that bear only inscriptions naming Cleopatra and Antony (RPC 924-5).The dual-portrait bronzes of Ake-Ptolemais are dated to 35/4 B.C., and these coins (RPC 4741-2) are the exception to the rule since Antony's portrait occupies the obverse. But this appears to have been a matter of practicality rather than political posturing since an obverse die with a masterful Antony portrait, which had been used four years earlier to strike coins solely Antony, had been put back into service in 35/4 to strike dual-portrait issues with Cleopatra.The final issue that certainly portrays Cleopatra and Antony is the present type (RPC 4752), struck at Dora in 34/3 B.C. In terms of iconography it is unique, being the only one to present their busts in a jugate fashion. The top-most bust is that of Cleopatra, again demonstrating her primacy. It may have had a companion issue (RPC 4753), also with jugate busts, but the identifications of its portraits – and even the issuing city – are still unsettled. Estimate: 12500 CHF |  |
