Mark Antony, 44–30 BC. AV Aureus

Mark Antony, 44–30 BC. AV Aureus (20 mm, 8.02 g, 11 h). With Octavia. Athens, summer 38 BC.

Obv. M•ANTONIVS•M•Γ•M•N•AVGVR•IMP•TIIRT. Bare head of Mark Antony to right.

Rev. COS•DIISIG•ITIIR•IIT•TIIRT•III•VIR•R P•C. Bare head of Octavia to right, her hair drawn back into a knot behind, with a single long plait looped on the crown.

Refs: Babelon Antonia 70; Calicó 116; Crawford 533/3b; CRI 268a; Sydenham 1201.

An extremely rare aureus, struck at Athens in the summer of 38 BC while Antony and Octavia were in residence, following the reconciliation between Antony and Octavian concluded at Brundisium in late 40 BC. This remarkable issue is of particular interest for its engraver’s error: the letter E is consistently rendered as II, a peculiarity confined to a single die-pair. As Sear observes (CRI p. 171), this reflects a provincial interpretation of the Latin alphabet by a local Athenian engraver, producing a fascinating numismatic curiosity.

The portraits are executed with notable artistry. Antony is shown with luxuriant hair and youthful features, while Octavia’s likeness is distinctive, her tightly bound coiffure surmounted by a looped plait. The long neck and stylised profile bear comparison with the portraiture of her younger brother Octavian, whose image likewise dominated Antony’s coinage in this period.

Historically, the issue holds great resonance. It was struck during the brief period when Octavia served as the dynastic link between Antony and Octavian, before her marriage was abandoned in favour of Antony’s renewed alliance with Cleopatra VII the following year at Antioch. This coin thus marks the first and last appearance of Octavia upon Antony’s precious metal coinage, making it one of the most significant and evocative issues of the late Republic.

Condition: Attractive style with a particularly fine portrait of Octavia.