301, Lot: 253. Estimate $300. Sold for $320. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

The Triumvirs. Mark Antony. Autumn 32-spring 31 BC. AR Denarius (17mm, 3.04 g, 6h). Legionary issue. Patrae(?) mint. Praetorian galley right / [C]HORTIVM PRAETORIARVM, legionary aquila between two signa. Crawford 544/8; CRI 385; Sydenham 1213; RSC 7. Good Fine, toned, banker’s punches on both sides.

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 Guard, a unit that would come to possess tremendous political power.