237, Lot: 386. Estimate $150. Sold for $165. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Mark Antony. Autumn 32-spring 31 BC. AR Denarius (18mm, 3.68 g, 6h). Legionary type. Patrae(?) mint. Praetorian galley right / CHORTIVM PRAETORIARVM, aquila right between two signa. Crawford 544/8; CRI 385; Sydenham 1213; RSC 7. Near VF, lighty toned, bankers’ marks, graffiti. Rare.

From the Collection of Professor L. Fontana.

Serving as scouts and messengers, the chortes speculatorum filled the role of a spy within each legion. Normally ten in number per legion, Mark Antony created a special group of chortes who specifically served around him, carrying out personal instructions and protecting his well-being, essentially acting as an early secret service–a concept which was further developed during the empire under Augustus.