ROMAN. Mark Antony and Octavian. Spring to early summer 41 BC. Silver Denarius (3.99g). Ephesus mint. M. Barbatius Pollio, quaestor pro praetore. Bare head of Mark Antony right / Bare head of Octavian right. Crawford 517/2; CRI 243; Sydenham 1181; RSC 8; RBW 1798 var. Struck on a very broad flan, with very attractive toning and lustre. aEF. This denarius was struck in the tense years after Caesar's assassination, when the Roman world was split between rival armies and fragile alliances. This little silver piece was propaganda in metal, showing both men on opposite sides to reassure soldiers and citizens that the alliance of the Caesarians still held firm. In reality, their partnership would soon collapse into one of history's most famous power struggles, but for a brief moment this denarius symbolised a promised unity that never truly lasted. For the type see; CNG Auction 126, lot 629, the most recent similar example, hammered USD 2,750. (P)

Estimate: AUD 1500