C Mamilius Limetanus, denarius serratus
18mm, 3.37 grams
Obverse: draped bust of Mercury right, caduceus over left shoulder, control letter A behind
Reverse: Ulysses standing right, holding staff in left hand, and extending right hand to dog Argos.
RSC Mamilia 6, Crawford 362/1; Ex: Ephesus Coins. Code: XLV
Legion II; Ca. 32-31 BC
Obverse Legend: ANT AVG [Antonius augur]; below, III VIR RPC [triumvir reipublicae constituendae], “one of the three men for the reconstitution of the republic.” (This was the official title of the Second Triumvirate formed November 43 BC between Marcus Antonius, Octavian, and Lepidus with the objective to combat the assassins of Caesar.) Praetorian galley right, with sceptre tied with fillet on prow.
Reverse Legend: LEG II. Aquila (eagle) between two standards. This legion is likely to have been recruited by consul Caius Vibius Pansa and Octavian (the later emperor Augustus) in 43 BCE and was called Sabina (“from the Sabine country”).
Notes: References: Crawford 544/14; CRI 349; Sydenham 1216; Kestner 3842; BMCRR East 190; RSC 27-28. Mint: Most likely minted in Patrae, Marc Antony’s winter headquarters. Some believe that the legionary denarii were minted from Cleopatra’s silver stores just prior to the Battle of Actium.
