Mark Antony and Octavia, 40-35 BC. Sestertius (Bronze, 33 mm, 29.39 g, 9 h), 'Fleet coinage', uncertain mint in Syria, with L. Calpurnius Bibulus, 38-37 BC. [M•ANT•IMP•TER•COS•DES•ITER•ET•TER•III•VIR•R•P•C] Bare head of Mark Antony, on the left, facing draped bust of Octavia, on the right. Rev. L•BIBVLVS•[M•F•PR•DESIG] Mark Antony and Octavia riding a quadriga of hippocamps to right; to left, HS; below, Δ and astragalus. Amandry, Bronze I, Series I A. CRI 273. RPC I 4088.6 (this coin). Sydenham 1255. Very rare and with a very attractive reverse. Pierced and with minor traces of corrosion, otherwise, good fine.



The 'Fleet Coinage' of Mark Antony with L. Calpurnius Bibulus is of the highest rarity, with only four examples appearing on the market in the past four decades. Together with lot 1994 above, our offering represents two of the four known examples to have appeared on the market. This underscores the significance of the Janssen Collection, providing a rare opportunity to acquire an important piece of this extraordinarily rare issue.

The 'Fleet Coinage' of Mark Antony was struck between 38 and 36 BC at various mints, with all types featuring nautical themes and listing an admiral of the fleet. The denominations, although indicated by Greek numerals, correspond to the Roman system of sestertius, dupondius, and as. The use of Greek numerals reflects the coins' minting in the eastern provinces and their intended local circulation. The 'Fleet Coinage' likely began after Antony and Octavian signed the Pact of Tarentum, renewing their partnership as Triumvirs. Octavia, Antony’s wife and Octavian’s sister, played a pivotal role in the negotiations between her husband and brother, which is reflected in her prominent appearance on the coinage, sharing the obverse with her husband.