Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XXI 24-25 Mar 2021
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Marc Antony AR Denarius. Military mint moving with Antony, 41 BC. Bare head to right, lituus behind, M•ANTONIVS•IMP•III•VIR•R•P•C• around / Pietas standing to left, holding turibulum and cornucopiae upon which two storks perch, PIETAS - COS across fields. Crawford 516/5; CRI 238; Sydenham 1172; RSC 79. 4.04g, 19mm, 3h.
Good Very Fine; in unusually good condition for the type. Very Rare.
Ex Spink & Son Ltd, Auction 19004, 27 March 2019, lot 258.
Following the defeat of Brutus and Cassius at Philippi in 42 BC, Marc Antony travelled to Asia to settle affairs in the East. During the course of this journey he produced a series of gold and silver coins in honour of his younger brother Lucius Antoninus, surnamed 'Pietas', who was consul in 41 BC. Lucius had been a firm supporter of his brother and of Caesar, and while Antony was absent from Rome Lucius and Antony's wife Fulvia acted in his interests. Lucius assumed the cognomen 'Pietas' which we see celebrated on this coin through fraternal devotion to his brother when he and Fulvia fell out with Octavian, resulting in an armed uprising towards the end of 41 BC (see Cassius Dio 48.5.4). Interestingly, matters could have gone very badly for Octavian at this time: he was attempting to fulfil his obligations to the army in Italy following Philippi and settle vast numbers of veterans on land which had been confiscated throughout the country, but delays and complications resulted in animosity which grew to such a height that Octavian feared for his life. Cassius Dio tells us that the final push to armed conflict was instigated by the veterans who, when Lucius and Fulvia refused to appear for a trial against themselves and Octavian regarding the progress of the veterans' settlement, sided with Octavian and began making preparations for war. Lucius withdrew from Rome and, confident that his brother's legions would soon arrive to assist him, remained in the city of Perusia which was duly besieged by Octavian. No rescue came for Lucius, and starvation forced him to surrender in February 40 BC. His life was spared and Octavian made him governor of Spain as a sign of his continuing goodwill towards Marc Antony.
The imagery on this coin is symbolic of the fraternal bond between Marc Antony and his brother. The storks were chosen as symbols of familial piety as it was believed these birds would support their elderly parents on their own wings, and were the personal sigil of Antony. Combined with the figure of Pietas, this reverse therefore signifies the deep bond of brotherly love between Marc Antony and Lucius.
Good Very Fine; in unusually good condition for the type. Very Rare.
Ex Spink & Son Ltd, Auction 19004, 27 March 2019, lot 258.
Following the defeat of Brutus and Cassius at Philippi in 42 BC, Marc Antony travelled to Asia to settle affairs in the East. During the course of this journey he produced a series of gold and silver coins in honour of his younger brother Lucius Antoninus, surnamed 'Pietas', who was consul in 41 BC. Lucius had been a firm supporter of his brother and of Caesar, and while Antony was absent from Rome Lucius and Antony's wife Fulvia acted in his interests. Lucius assumed the cognomen 'Pietas' which we see celebrated on this coin through fraternal devotion to his brother when he and Fulvia fell out with Octavian, resulting in an armed uprising towards the end of 41 BC (see Cassius Dio 48.5.4). Interestingly, matters could have gone very badly for Octavian at this time: he was attempting to fulfil his obligations to the army in Italy following Philippi and settle vast numbers of veterans on land which had been confiscated throughout the country, but delays and complications resulted in animosity which grew to such a height that Octavian feared for his life. Cassius Dio tells us that the final push to armed conflict was instigated by the veterans who, when Lucius and Fulvia refused to appear for a trial against themselves and Octavian regarding the progress of the veterans' settlement, sided with Octavian and began making preparations for war. Lucius withdrew from Rome and, confident that his brother's legions would soon arrive to assist him, remained in the city of Perusia which was duly besieged by Octavian. No rescue came for Lucius, and starvation forced him to surrender in February 40 BC. His life was spared and Octavian made him governor of Spain as a sign of his continuing goodwill towards Marc Antony.
The imagery on this coin is symbolic of the fraternal bond between Marc Antony and his brother. The storks were chosen as symbols of familial piety as it was believed these birds would support their elderly parents on their own wings, and were the personal sigil of Antony. Combined with the figure of Pietas, this reverse therefore signifies the deep bond of brotherly love between Marc Antony and Lucius.