Reconciliation of Antony & Octavian
October 40 BC

Triton XIX, Lot: 428. Estimate $50000. Sold for $150000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

The Triumvirs. Mark Antony and Octavian. Late 40-early 39 BC. AV Aureus (20mm, 8.09 g, 7h). Mint in central or southern Italy. Bare head of Mark Antony right; M • ANTON • IMP • III VIR • R • P • C around, star below / Bare head of Octavian right, wearing slight beard; CAESAR • IMP • III • VIR • R • P • C • around, pellet below. Crawford 528/1a; CRI 260a; Bahrfeldt 75a; Calicó –; Sydenham –; RBW –; NAC 54, lot 281 = NAC 18, lot 361 (same obv. die). Good VF, some underlying luster, typical scattered light marks. Extremely rare, one of four known, of which two are in public collections.

This coin was part of an issue that was struck to commemorate the reconciliation pact between Antony and Octavian made at Brundisium in October 40 BC. In the years following the Battle of Philipi in 42 BC, Antony and Octavian withdrew to their respective spheres of influence; Antony in the east and Octavian the west. The separation put stress on the relationship between them, as well as between their supporters. This stress built into open conflict between Octavian and Antony’s brother, Lucius, and wife, Fulvia in the Perusine War. Octavian quickly defeated his opponents, and it seemed as though all out war between Antony and Octavian was imminent, but the untimely death of Lucius and Fulvia, amazingly due to natural causes, allowed the conflict to quell. This interlude led to a meeting between the two leaders, who pledged peace, with Antony sealing the pact by marrying Octavian’s sister, Octavia.