Sale: CNG 67, Lot: 1219. Estimate $1500.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 22 September 2004.  Sold For $2200. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

MARK ANTONY. 37 BC. AR Denarius (3.55 gm). Antioch, or military mint travelling with Canidius Crassus in Armenia. ANTONIVS AVGVR COS DES ITER ET TERT, bare head right / IMP TERTIO III VIR R P C, Armenian tiara right; crossed bow and arrow behind. Crawford 539/1; CRI 297; Sydenham 1205; RSC 19. Good VF, underlying luster, flat strike on forehead, minor traces of horn silver. Rare. ($1500)

From the Garth R. Drewry Collection. Ex Ponterio & Associates 49 (13 June 1991), lot 2139.

Although this issue has been assigned to his conquest of Lesser Armenia in 35-34 BC, or his endowment of the region to Polemo I of Pontus the following year, Antony's titles firmly date this issue from summer 38 BC (IMP III)-35 BC (after which Antony became COS II). Since the years 36-35 BC were taken-up with Antony's disastrous campaign against Parthia and its aftermath, the only possible time for an issue celebrating a success in Armenia was the invasion of Canidius Crassus in the autumn of 37 BC, the purpose of which was to defeat Parthia's regional ally and provide a springboard for the subsequent attack on Parthia. As a result, Armenia's pro-Parthian king Artavasdes was compelled to swear allegiance to Rome and assist Antony against the Parthians, an event well-suited to the striking of this type. At a critical moment in the later Parthian campaign, however, Artavasdes betrayed his new allies. As a result, Antony's vital supply line was cut and two Roman legions were lost.