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The Triumvirs. Mark Antony. Autumn 32-spring 31 BC. AR Denarius (19mm, 3.76 g, 6h). Legionary type. Patrae(?) mint. Praetorian galley right; ANT • AVG above, III • VIR • R • P • C below / Aquila between two signa; LEG IX across lower field. Crawford 544/23; CRI 359; Sydenham 1227; RSC 37; BMCRR East 201; Kestner 3852; RBW –. Well struck on a full flan, lustrous. Choice EF. A superb specimen.
Legio IX, later named Hispana, was already in existence when Julius Caesar took it under his command in 58 BC. This unit fought against Pompey and his followers and was finally retired after Munda in 45 BC. Its veterans were recalled to action by Antony and Octavian against Caesar’s assassins; each triumvir seems to have had his own Ninth, which fought on opposite sides at Actium. Antony’s Legio IX was either disbanded or absorbed into Octavian’s, which went on to distinguished service in Spain, gaining the epithet Hispana, before joining in the invasion of Britain by Claudius in AD 43. It remained on the island, stationed at Eboracum (York), for many decades, despite being badly mauled by Queen Boudica during her rebellion of AD 61. After about AD 108, however, its trail becomes faint, leading many to speculate the Ninth was wiped out fighting an uprising in northern Britain. This became the basis for Rosemary Sutcliff’s famous novel, “The Eagle of the Ninth,” and a subsequent TV series and movie. More recent evidence indicates Hispana may have been transferred to Noviomagus (modern Nijmegen, Netherlands) circa AD 120 before being destroyed during a war in the east, perhaps in the Bar Kochba revolt. Some scholars still call a British demise the most likely scenario, and the debate goes on.
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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