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The Triumvirs. Mark Antony and Cleopatra. Autumn 34 BC. AR Denarius (18mm, 3.76 g, 12h). Alexandria mint(?). Bare head of Mark Antony right; Armenian tiara to left / Diademed and draped bust of Cleopatra right; at point of bust, prow right. Crawford 543/1 note; CRI 345; Sydenham 1210 var. (rev. legend); RSC 1c; RBW –. Lightly toned, porosity, scratches, off center on reverse. Near VF.
The consensus of opinion on the date and mint of this coin was relatively uniform until the publication by R. Newman, "A Dialogue of Power in the Coinage of Antony and Octavian" in AJN 2 (1990), pp. 37-64. Sear (CRI) follows Newman in calling it an issue from Alexandria struck for Antony's Armenian triumph of the autumn of 34 BC, when the "celebrated and enigmatic" (per Sear) "Donations of Alexandria" took place. Newman states the minting of this coin "must have taken place in 34, the year of Antony's Alexandrian triumph, since it would otherwise be without context." The legends on this coin could be translated as "[coin] of Antony, with Armenia being Conquered, for Cleopatra, Queen of Kings and of her Sons, being Kings." The Armenian crown behind Antony represents his victorious Roman army, the prow beneath Cleopatra (which appears on no other Roman coin of hers) stands for the mighty Egyptian fleet; combined they symbolize the full array of forces that Antony would soon marshal against Octavian.
The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 129 lots will be determined during the live online sale that will be held on 13-14 May 2025. This lot is in Session Two, which will begin 13 May at 2 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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