Mark Antony, 44-30 BC. Denarius (Silver, 17 mm, 3.82 g, 6 h), military mint moving with Mark Antony (Patrae?), 32-31. ANT•AVG - III•VIR•R•P•C Galley right, with scepter tied with fillet on prow. Rev. LEG XX Aquila between two signa. Babelon (Antonia) 135. Crawford 544/36. CRI 380. RBW 1848. Sydenham 1243. A beautiful example, lightly toned and attractive. Struck slightly off center, otherwise, extremely fine.


Remnants of Antony's otherwise unattested Legio XX were likely incorporated into Octavian's Legio XX Valeria Victrix in 30 BC. This new unit fought in the Cantabrian Wars in Iberia in 29-19 BC, and was then moved to the Rhine frontier following Varus' disaster in 9 AD. Later, it relocated to Britain, where it helped suppressing Boudica's revolt, and was still stationed there under Carausius and Allectus in the late 3rd century.