ACHAEA, Fleet coinage. Uncertain mint. Mark Antony, with Octavia. Summer 37 BC. Æ “Sestertius” (27mm, 12.22 g, 4h). ‘Fleet coinage’ issue. Light series. Uncertain naval base mint (Tarentum?); L. Sempronius Atratinus, consul designatus. VF.

Triton XXVI
Lot: 539. Estimated: $ 5 000

Roman Provincial, Bronze

Sold For $ 8 000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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ACHAEA, Fleet coinage. Uncertain mint. Mark Antony, with Octavia. Summer 37 BC. Æ “Sestertius” (27mm, 12.22 g, 4h). ‘Fleet coinage’ issue. Light series. Uncertain naval base mint (Tarentum?); L. Sempronius Atratinus, consul designatus. Â ANT iÂp [Ter COÍ DeÍ iTer eT Ter iii uir r p C], bare head of Mark Antony and draped bust of Octavia, vis-à-vis / L ATr[ATiNuÍ Augur C]OÍ DeÍig, Mark Antony and Octavia in quadriga of hippocamps right, lituus above; hÍ to left; d and astragalus below. Amandry, Bronze I, Series II.2.A, 8 (D3/R–, unlisted reverse die); RPC I 1459; CRI 291; Sydenham 1261; BMCRR East 151. Brown surfaces, flan adjustment marks. VF. Very rare.

The curious “fleet coinage” of Mark Antony was struck at several mints over the course of 37/6 BC, probably commencing after Antony and Octavian signed the Pact of Tarentum, which renewed their triumval powers and partnership. Octavia, Antony’s wife and Octavian’s sister, was instrumental in the negotiations and frequently appears on the coins, including this rare specimen. The coins are all bronzes of a range of denominations that anticipate the ones in use during the empire -- sestertius, dupondius, as, etc. Three Antonian admirals are named as moneyers, including L. Sempronius Atratinus, as seen here. All coins feature nautical themes, hence the term “fleet coinage.” Although Roman denominations and legends are employed, many of the numerals, including marks of value, are Greek, indicated they were intended for use in the east, where many were struck. The evidence points to an early experiment in a revolutionary new universal coinage system that was ahead of its time, but was later taken up, tweaked, and fully implemented by Augustus.

The final winners of all Triton XXVI lots will be determined at the live public sale that will be held on 10-11 January 2023.

Triton XXVI – Session Two – Lot 335-673 will be held Tuesday afternoon, 10 January 2023 beginning at 2:00 PM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.

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