Mark Antony, 44-30 BC. Denarius (Silver, 18 mm, 3.86 g, 8 h), military mint moving with Mark Antony (Patrae?), 32-31 BC. ANT•AVG III VIR R P C Galley right, with scepter tied with fillet on prow.
Rev. LEG XII Aquila between two signa. Babelon (Antonia) 137. Crawford 544/38. RBW -. Sydenham 1245. Nicely toned. A few minor banker's marks and the obverse struck somewhat off center
, otherwise, very fine.
From a European collection, formed before 2005.
Legio XII, which later came to be known as Fulminata ('Thunderbolt-bearer'), was levied by Caesar in 58 BC in preparation for the battle against the Nervians. It received its cognomen from its emblem, a thunderbolt, and another cognomen of this legion, also attested by the legionary denarii of Mark Antony, was Antiqua ('the old'). It served under Caesar's command in the wars against the Pompeians, and later went over to Antony. Legio XII survived Actium and Octavian's subsequent reforms, serving for several centuries in the East, where it was still guarding the Euphrates River crossing near Melitene at the beginning of the 5th century.
