The Cohortes Speculatorum

453, Lot: 486. Estimate $300. Sold for $750. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

The Triumvirs. Mark Antony. Autumn 32-spring 31 BC. AR Denarius (17mm, 3.34 g, 6h). Legionary issue. Patrae(?) mint. Praetorian galley right / Three signa decorated with wreaths and rostra; CHORTIS • SPECVLATORVM above. Crawford 544/12; CRI 386; RSC 6; Sydenham 1214; RBW 1837. Lightly toned, a touch off center. VF. Rare.

Serving as scouts and messengers, the cohortes speculatorum filled the role of spies within each legion. Normally ten in number per legion, Mark Antony created a special group of cohortes 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.