Heritage World Coin Auctions
NYINC Signature Sale 3037 Sess. 2-4 5 January 2015
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Ancients
Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus. AD 161-169. AR denarius (17mm, 3.18 g, 5h). Restitution issue of Mark Antony legionary type. Rome, AD 165-166. ANTONINVS AVGVR, praetorian galley under oar left, III VIT T P C below / ANTONINVS ET VERVS AVG REST, legionary eagle (Aquila) between two signa; LEG VI across field. RIC (Aurelius) 443. RSC (Antony) 83. Scarce! NGC Choice XF★ 5/5 - 5/5.The legionary denarii of Marc Antony, struck in slightly base metal, remained in circulation for centuries after their issue in 32-31 BC, thus serving to prove Gresham's Theory that "bad money drives out good." By the mid-second century AD, however, the coins were extremely worn and it is likely they were finally demonetized and withdrawn from circulation by Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus. Following a tradition established by earlier emperors, they issued a "restored" legionary denarius, bearing a somewhat updated version of the familiar design. It is not known why they chose to honor Legion VI on this new coinage to the exclusion of the other 24 legions named on Antony's coinage. The issuance also anticipated the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Actium in AD 169.
Estimate: 1500-2000 USD
Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus. AD 161-169. AR denarius (17mm, 3.18 g, 5h). Restitution issue of Mark Antony legionary type. Rome, AD 165-166. ANTONINVS AVGVR, praetorian galley under oar left, III VIT T P C below / ANTONINVS ET VERVS AVG REST, legionary eagle (Aquila) between two signa; LEG VI across field. RIC (Aurelius) 443. RSC (Antony) 83. Scarce! NGC Choice XF★ 5/5 - 5/5.The legionary denarii of Marc Antony, struck in slightly base metal, remained in circulation for centuries after their issue in 32-31 BC, thus serving to prove Gresham's Theory that "bad money drives out good." By the mid-second century AD, however, the coins were extremely worn and it is likely they were finally demonetized and withdrawn from circulation by Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus. Following a tradition established by earlier emperors, they issued a "restored" legionary denarius, bearing a somewhat updated version of the familiar design. It is not known why they chose to honor Legion VI on this new coinage to the exclusion of the other 24 legions named on Antony's coinage. The issuance also anticipated the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Actium in AD 169.
Estimate: 1500-2000 USD