Watch List notes:

AR Denarius 34 BC, ANTONIUS with CLEOPATRA Mint moving with Mark Antony. Diademed and draped bust of Cleopatra VII right CLEOPATRA· REGINAE (REGVM FILIORVM REGVM). Rev. bare head of Mark Antony right ANTONI ARMEN(IA DEVICTA), prow behind.Syd. 1210; Cr. 543/1.Of all ancient queens none are more famous than Cleopatra, queen of Egypt. From Macedonian origins and hailing from a long line of kings she became infamous for her romance with Julius Caesar and subsequent marriage to Mark Antony. With Caesar she supposedly had a son named Caesarion, and with Mark Antony she had three more children. When Octavian defeated her and her husband at Actium in 30 BC both committed suicide and Egypt was incorporated into the Roman Empire.

The Denarii portraying both Mark Antony and Cleopatra are due to their fame and the issue's historic importance highly collectible. They were struck shortly after Mark Antony's campaign against the kingdom of Armenia. During the celebration of his victory several royal titles were distributed amongst the children of Cleopatra, and Caesarion was hailed as the true heir to Julius Caesar. This enraged Octavian, the chosen heir of Caesar, to no end and the relation between the two former allies was ruined forever after. An intriguing type with connections to some of the most famous Romans.

Ex. Schulman Vault Collection.3.70 g. NGC Ch VF. Strike 4 out of 5; Surface 3 out of 5