Lucius Antonius

264, Lot: 373. Estimate $500. Sold for $1200. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

The Triumvirs. Mark Antony and Lucius Antony. Summer 41 BC. AR Denarius (21mm, 3.37 g, 12h). Ephesus mint. M. Cocceius Nerva, proquaestor. Bare head of Mark Antony right / Bare head of Lucius Antony right. Crawford 517/5a; CRI 246; Sydenham 1185; RSC 2. VF, scratches, porous, reverse double struck.

After finalizing the arrangements of the second triumvirate, Mark Antony proceeded to Asia, first establishing a residence at Ephesus. Once there, he issued a series of coins commemorating the second triumvirate and the consulship of his brother, Lucius Antony, in 41 BC. M. Cocceius Nerva, a lieutenant of Mark Antony, was responsible for issuing the latter series. In his capacity as consul, Lucius took an overt stance against the unpopular Octavian, which eventually led to military hostilities between the two. Octavian, with the help of Agrippa and Salvidienus, besieged Lucius in Perusia (the “Perusine War”). Lucius eventually surrendered, and he was subsequently sent as a promagistrate to Spain, where he apparently died shortly thereafter.