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Auction: 19025 - Ancient, Indian and Islamic, British and Foreign Coins and Commemorative Medals
Lot: 1552

Marc Antony, AR Denarius, 'Legionary' type, Legio XIV 'Gemina Martia Victrix', 3.23g, moving Military mint, 31-30 BC, praetorian galley to right, rev. eagle between standards, leg xiv across field (Sydenham 1217; RSC 28; Crawford 544/15), a banker's mark on obverse, and surface porosity, otherwise fine and struck for a famed Legion

Formed by Julius Caesar in 57 BC, the Legion was understrength by the Battle of Actium in 31 BC, necessitating its amalgamation with another unit and earning the cognomen 'Gemina'. After further exploits in the Battle of Pannonia in AD 9 granted them the additional title 'Martia Victrix', the Legion came to be stationed on the Rhine until the summer of AD 43. Heavily involved in the subsequent conquest of Britannia, the Legion came to be based along Watling Street. From here it became the last line of defence during Boudicca's rebellion of AD 61, and according to Tacitus and Dio, succeeded in destroying an army over 20 times its size.

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Estimate
£120 to £150