Mark Antony. Denarius

Mark Antony; Military mint moving with Mark Antony (Patrae?), ca. autumn 32-spring 31 BC, Denarius, 3.50g. Cr-544/19, Syd-1223, C-33, Sear, Imperators-356. Obv: [ANT AVG] III VIR R P C, Praetorian galley r. Rx: LEG-VI Legionary eagle r. between two standards. The celebrated Legio VI Ferrata was raised in Gaul by Julius Caesar in 52 BC in preparation for the final confrontation against Vercingetorix and served under Caesar in the struggle against the Pompeians in Spain and at Pharsalus. It was one of Caesar's favorite units, as he took this legion with him to Egypt, Syria and Pontus, where the 'veteran Legio VI Ferrata' won the day at the decisive Battle of Zela, as Caesar himself noted. The legion was disbanded with honors in 45 BC, its veterans being settled in Arelate (Arles), but it was reconstituted by Lepidus one year later, going over to Antony the next year. After Actium, Legio VI mostly served in the East, most notably in Palestine, until being disbanded more than three centuries later by Theodosius I. Ex HJB BBS 206, Nov. 2018, lot 189; Ex HJB BBS 183, March 2013, lot 223; Ex Gemini X, Jan. 2013, lot 472; Ex Randy Haviland Collection.. VF