ROMAN. Mark Antony. Autumn 32 to spring 31 BC. Silver Denarius (3.71g). Patrae (?) mint. Praetorian galley right / Three signa decorated with wreaths and rostra; CHORTIS SPECVLATORVM around above. Crawford 544/12; CRI 386; Sydenham 1214; RSC 6; RBW 1837. gVF. Toned. Rare. An amazing piece. Serving as scouts, couriers and intelligence gatherers, the speculatores, sometimes referred to collectively as a cohors speculatorum, functioned as a legion's eyes and ears, moving ahead of the main force, carrying messages and quietly collecting information in the field. They are often described in the sources as a small detachment attached to each legion, commonly counted at around ten men and chosen for reliability and speed. Mark Antony is said to have expanded this idea by maintaining a dedicated body of speculatores around his own headquarters, men who operated directly under his personal authority, delivered sensitive orders, handled discreet missions and helped safeguard his person, in effect a rudimentary 'secret service' built on military discipline and loyalty. Under Augustus and the early emperors, this kind of personal intelligence and protective role was refined and more clearly tied to the imperial court, with specialised agents and guard elements increasingly serving the security and communications needs of the princeps. Acquired from CNG Auction 468 (20 May 2020), lot 346, realised US$1,100; from the Jonathan P. Rosen Collection; ex CNG Auction 100 (7 Oct 2015), lot 1827. (P)

Estimate: AUD 1500