Mark Antony, 44-30 BC. Denarius (Silver, 18 mm, 3.81 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 • XII • ANTIQVAE Aquila between two signa. Babelon (Antonia) 120. Crawford 544/9. CRI 363. RBW 1834. Sydenham 1231. Lightly toned. Reverse die shift, otherwise, very fine.

Legio XII Fulminata was raised by Caesar in 58 BC for his campaign in Gaul, and was bestowed the special cognomen of Antiqua (veteran) by Antony after his campaign against the Parthians. It survived the downsizing of the Roman Army that followed Antony's defeat at Actium and indeed became one of the most veteran and longest serving units, since it was still guarding the crossing of the Euphrates river as late as the 5th century AD. Here, the legion's full designation - LEG XII ANTIQVAE - is provided. This only occurred for three of Antony's legion's, this being the rarest instance of the three.