Mark Antony and Octavia, 40-35 BC. 'Tressis' (Bronze, 31 mm, 16.67 g, 5 h), 'Fleet coinage', heavy series. M. Oppius Capito, propraetor and praefectus classis. Uncertain mint in Achaea (?), summer 38. [M ANT IMP TERT COS DESIG ITER ET TER III VIR R P C] Conjoined bare heads of Mark Antony and Octavian, on the left, facing draped bust of Octavia, on the right. Rev. [M OPPIVS CAPITO PRO PR PR]AEF [CLAS]S F C Three galleys sailing right; below, Γ and triskeles. Amandry, Bronze II, Series III 1B.13 (this coin). CRI 286. RPC I 1463.20 (this coin). Sydenham 1266. Very rare. Somewhat smoothed and with two flan cracks, otherwise, good fine.



Although the mint for this issue is uncertain, it was probably located in Athens as the coins of Antony's admiral, M. Oppius Capito, are typically found in Greece, and Antony resided in Athens during that time. Since most of the fleet was based at Pireus at that time, it would seem likely that the mint striking this important series was located there. The obverse of this coin is interesting for the fact it has the portraits of both the Triumvirs, Antony and Octavian, facing that of Octavia, who was Octavian's older sister and the wife of Antony. The marriage between Antony and Octavia was doomed, however, as just a couple of years later Antony ran off with Cleopatra VII while he was in Antioch, forsaking his marital vows to Octavia, thereby destroying his alliance with Octavian.