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The Triumvirs. Mark Antony and Octavia. Summer 38 BC. AV Aureus (18mm, 8.14 g, 12h). Athens mint. Bare head of Mark Antony right; M • AN[TONIVS • ]M • F • M • N • AVGVR • IMP • TER around / Head of Octavia right, her hair tied in a knot behind with one long plait arranged as a loop on top of her head; [COS • DESIGN • ITER] • ET • [TER • III • VIR • R • P • C] around. Crawford 533/3a; CRI 268; Bahrfeldt 90 (Pl. IX, no. 6, same dies); Calicó 111; Sydenham 1200; BMCRR East 144; Cohen 1; Biaggi 67; Mazzini 1; RBW –. Toned, off center, reverse double struck. Good Fine. Extremely rare, one of approximately eight known: Bahrfeldt notes 5 examples, of which 4 were in museums (Berlin, London [2 examples], and Paris), with the fifth offered in the Trau sale; CoinArchives adds three examples, Triton XXIV, lot 979, as well as NAC 70, lot 194, and this coin.
Ex Numismatica Ars Classica 111 (24 September 2018), lot 153 (hammer CHF 27,000).
Shortly after the Battle of Philippi in 42 BC, cracks began to appear in the Second Triumvirate. Antony’s affair with Cleopatra, queen of Egypt, and his designs on Rome’s eastern holdings, prompted Octavian to formulate a binding agreement that would buy him time. At Brundisium a pact was signed, bringing about a reconciliation and some semblance of peace. As a condition of this reconciliation, Antony was married to Octavian’s widowed sister, Octavia. She stayed with him in Athens while he continued to prepare for a war against Parthia, and where, in 39 BC, he was associated with the “New Dionysus”. In 37 BC, she helped negotiate the Pact of Tarentum, which renewed the triumvirate until 33 BC. Antony, by this time, however, had renewed his affair with Cleopatra. He remained in the East, where he married the queen, and subsequently fathered several children. In 32 BC, as a renewal of civil war became imminent, Antony divorced Octavia. In the aftermath of Antony’s death, Octavia, known for her loyalty and nobilty, brought Antony’s surviving children to Rome to live with her.
The final winners of all Triton XXVII lots will be determined at the live public sale that will be held on 9-10 January 2024.
Triton XXVII – Session Two – Lot 338–647 will be held Tuesday afternoon, 9 January 2024 beginning at 2:00 PM ET.
Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.
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