Ryan Center for Biblical Studies

• Uselton Catalog #: 16
• Class: Roman Imperatorial & Imperial
• Ruling Authority: Mark Antony (N/A)
• Date Struck: 32-31 B.C.
• Type: AR (silver) denarius
• Size: 16.86 mm.
• Weight: 3.03 g.
• Die Axis: 180°
• Obverse: Galley right; ANT AVG above, III VIR • R• P• C below.
• Reverse: LEG ???, legionary eagle (aquila) between two standards. Legion number illegible.
• Exergue:
• References: Crawford 544/30. HCRI 371. Sydenham 1235. RSC 47?
• Original #: 2

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. “Mark Antony minted these coins from silver he received in Cleopatra’s dowry, but there wasn’t enough to pay his troops! So these coins were minted at a slightly lower standard than other Roman issues of the time. This sent Greek bankers into a frenzy, and for a time they tested all Roman silver. Antony’s denarii nearly always have a shallow “banker’s mark”, while Octavian’s and other issues of Antony that were tested often show a deeper punch. The reason? Pure silver is softer. And why are these legionary denarii so hard to find in high grade? Bad money replaces good; these legionary denarii circulated into the reign of Gallienus.” –CNG description.