The Cohortes Praetoriae

256, Lot: 326. Estimate $150. Sold for $450. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

The Triumvirs. Mark Antony. Autumn 32-spring 31 BC. AR Denarius (17mm, 3.07 g, 6h). Legionary type. Patrae(?) mint. Praetorian galley right / CHORTIVM PRAETORIARVM, legionary aquila between two signa. Crawford 544/8; CRI 385; Sydenham 1213; RSC 7. Good Fine, toned, a few light bankers’ marks, numerous light scratches.

From the Clarence & Helen Zaar Maritime Collection.

The praetorian cohorts take their name from the praetorium, or tent, of the commander. These elite troops went on campaign as the personal accompaniment of their generals (Mark Antony likely had four or more praetorian cohorts with him at Actium). Augustus drew from these cohorts to form the Praetorian Gaurd, a unit that would come to posses tremendous political power.