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The Triumvirs. Mark Antony. Autumn 32-spring 31 BC. AR Denarius (18mm, 3.74 g, 6h). Legionary issue. Patrae(?) mint. Praetorian galley right / Aquila between two signa; LEG XI across lower field. Crawford 544/25; CRI 362; Sydenham 1229; RSC 39; RBW –. Lightly toned, minor edge split, a few faint scratches. Good VF.
Legio XI, later gaining the epithet Claudia Pia Fidelis, was another legion of Caesarian foundation, serving with him in Gaul from 58 BC and through the subsequent civil war, until its first disbandment in 45 BC. Like several other of Caesar’s legions, it was reconstituted by by the Triumvirs circa 43 BC; there were apparently two Legio XIs, one each serving Octavian and Antony, in the Actium campaign of 32-30 BC, after which they are either amalgamated or one was disbanded. Legio XI remained in the Balkans until the Varian disaster of AD 9, when it was shifted from to Dalmatia to shore up the endangered frontier. Along with its sister Legio VII, it became embroiled in a plot against Claudius in AD 42, but ultimately remained loyal to him and thus won the epithet Claudia Pia Fidelis. In AD 69 it staged a lightning invasion of Italy in support of Vespasian and won the Second Battle of Bedriacum over the legions of Vitellius. For some decades thereafter it was based at Vindonissa (modern Windisch) in upper Germany before settling into a new camp at Durostorum (modern Silistra, Bulgaria) circa AD 106. It remained steadfastly loyal to Gallienus in the chaotic mid third century AD. It was still at Durostorum circa AD 400, as recorded in the Notatia Dignitatum. Unusually for a Caesarian legion, its symbol was not a bull, but the sea god Neptune.
Closing Date and Time: 16 December 2020 at 11:58:20 ET.
All winning bids are subject to an 18% buyer’s fee.
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