Coin (reverse), Denarius, of Marcus Antonius

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This silver coin was struck by Marcus Antonius (Mark Antony) in 32 or 31 BC while he was campaigning in the east. It is a type called a denarius, the most common Roman silver coin. This picture shows the reverse of the coin.

The reverse depicts the standard of the Roman Legion between two other standards. The legend 'LEG XX' refers to the 20th legion. This was an enormous issue, with reverse dies recording the various legions under Mark Antony.

This issue was minted in large numbers to help finance the fleet and legions assembled by Antony in his struggle with Octavian. At the battle of Actium in 31 BC his forces were routed, and he fled with Cleopatra, his mistress, to Egypt.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-190-000-078-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  A.1932.461
• Date: 32 - 31 BC
  32 or 31 BC
  
• Material: Silver. Inscription: Obv. Ship r., with sceptre tied with fillet on prow; above, ANT.AVG;below, III.VIR.R.P.C / Rev. Aquila between two standards; below, LEG XX
  Coin, denarius
  
• Dimensions: 17.50 mm D / Die Axis: 7.5
  
• What: Coin, denarius
  
• Subject: Ancient Coin Collection
  
• Who:
• Where: East
  
• Event:
• Description: Silver denarius of the Roman Republic, East mint, 32 - 31 BC
  
• References:
  • Crawford, M.H. Roman Republican Coinage. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1976. 
• Translations:
• Related Records: