Description
Imperatorial Rome, Marcus Antonius, as Imperator and Triumvir of the Second Triumvirate, Silver Denarius (3.49g, 18mm), Legionary series – Legio XX, military mint moving with Mark Antony (Patrae ?) circa 32-31 BC. Obverse: Praetorian Galley in sail to the right, ores extended, billowing flag atop ship’s mast, legend surrounds above and below, “ANT AVG IIIVIR· R· P· C”. Reverse: The Twentieth Legion’s Aquila central between two Signa Militaria, “LEG XX” below. Crawford-544/36; Sydenham-1243; RSC-57. Minorly struck off centre each side although with all design present on flan, deeply toned and with a striking display of blueish tones hugging the reverse devices, a nice legionary denarius, near Very Fine.
The obverse Latin legend reads “Antōnius Augur, Triumvir reī pūblicae cōnstituendae”, translated in English as “Antonius the Augur, Triumvir in deciding the Republic of the People”, in essence meaning “[Marcus] Antonius the Augur, Triumvir of the Second Triumvirate, one of three men responsible for the Roman Republic”. The reverse Latin wording reads “legiō vīcēsimus”, translated in English as “Twentieth Legion”.
At the time of the minting of the legionary denarii series leading up to the Battles of Actium, there doesn’t appear to be any records of a twentieth legion under the command Marcus Antonius. Regardless, the likely outcome of the legionaries of this unattested legio XX would be being incorporated into Octavian’s Legio XX Valeria Victrix which was raised in 30 BC after his victory over Antony.