Artemide Aste s.r.l.
Auction LV 24-25 Apr 2021
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Mark Antony. AR Denarius, c. 34 BC. Antioch or military mint traveling with Canidius Crassus in Armenia. Obv. ANTONIVS AVGVR COS DES ITER ET TERT. Bare head right. Rev. IMP TERTIO III VIR R P C. Seven-pointed Armenian tiara right; crossed bow and arrow behind. Cr. 539/1. AR. 3.79 g. 20.50 mm. RR. Very rare and historically important. Superb portrait, broad flan, lovely light golden toning. VF. ���
This reverse type refers to Antony's Armenian expedition of BC 34.
On his unfortunate expedition against tha Parthian Phraates in 36 BC, M. Antonius was accompanied by his ally Artavasdes, King of Armenia, with 6,000 horse and 7,000 foot. But, after the destruction of the Roman siege-train under Oppius Statianus, Artavasdes deserted the Roman cause, and returned to Armenia with his troops. As the king was thus in some measure responsible for the subsequent disasters to the Roman forces, Antonius determined to have his reveng. [...] In the spring of 34 BC he invaded Armenia, obtained possession of the person of Artavasdes by treachery, and carried him off to figure in the triumph which was celebrated at Alexandria.
(G.F. Hill, Historical Roman Coins, p.132).
This reverse type refers to Antony's Armenian expedition of BC 34.
On his unfortunate expedition against tha Parthian Phraates in 36 BC, M. Antonius was accompanied by his ally Artavasdes, King of Armenia, with 6,000 horse and 7,000 foot. But, after the destruction of the Roman siege-train under Oppius Statianus, Artavasdes deserted the Roman cause, and returned to Armenia with his troops. As the king was thus in some measure responsible for the subsequent disasters to the Roman forces, Antonius determined to have his reveng. [...] In the spring of 34 BC he invaded Armenia, obtained possession of the person of Artavasdes by treachery, and carried him off to figure in the triumph which was celebrated at Alexandria.
(G.F. Hill, Historical Roman Coins, p.132).