© Heritage Auctions
© Heritage Auctions
Denarius - Mark Antony ANTONI•ARMENIA•DEVICTA / CLEOPATRAE•REGINAE•REGVM•FILIORVM•REGVM 32 BC
32 BC year| Silver | 3.95 g | 18 mm |
| Issuer | Rome › Roman Republic (509 BC - 27 BC) |
|---|---|
| Period | Republic (509 BC - 27 BC) |
| Triumvir | Mark Antony (Marcus Antonius) (43 BC - 32 BC) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Year | 32 BC |
| Value | Denarius (1) |
| Currency | Denarius of 16 Asses (141 – 27 BC) |
| Composition | Silver |
| Weight | 3.95 g |
| Diameter | 18 mm |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Orientation | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-06 |
| Numista | N#66604 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 88% |
Reverse
Bust of Cleopatra right, draped, wearing diadem; before, stem of prow of galley; around, inscription.
Border of dots.
Script: Latin
Lettering: CLEOPATRAE•REGINAE•REGVM•FILIORVM•REGVM
Unabridged legend: Cleopatræ Reginæ Regum Filiorum Regum
Translation: To Cleopatra, Queen above the Kings and their Sons who are Kings
Edge
Gross
Comment
Cleopatra's and Mark Antony's Alexandrian portrait denarii were traditionally dated to 32 BC. However, their legends and iconography clearly connect them to Antony's campaign against Armenia in 34 BC and the subsequent infamous 'Donations of Alexandria'. Upon Antony's return from what was little more than a looting expedition to distract from his disastrous defeats against the Parthians, a great victory spectacle was organized in the Egyptian capital in which captives were paraded and donatives distributed. Most striking, however, was that the queen and the general distributed titles and kingdoms to themselves and their children, with Cleopatra being named Queen of Kings and Queen of Egypt and claiming Cyprus, Libya and central Syria for herself, Alexander Helios 'receiving' Armenia, Media and Parthia, his twin sister, Cleopatra Selene, Cyrenaica and Libya, and Ptolemy Philadelphus Syria, Phoenicia and Cilicia.These donations of what were, with the exception of Egypt proper, mostly either Roman provinces or unconquered lands (such as Media and Parthia) caused great outrage in Roman society. Worst of all was the proclamation of Julius Caesar's and Cleopatra's mutual son, Caesarion, as King of Kings, god, and divi filius ('son of god'), and his appointment as his father's sole legitimate heir. This was a direct challenge to Octavian's claim to power, which stemmed from his adoption by Julius Caesar and the loyalty of the dictator's legions, and would only accelerate the irreversible break between the two most powerful men of the Roman world.
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about this coin is that it features the image of Cleopatra, the last pharaoh of ancient Egypt, on the reverse side, which is a rare representation of a foreign leader on a Roman coin. This coin was issued during the reign of Mark Antony, who was a Roman general and politician and had a close relationship with Cleopatra. The coin's design highlights the political alliance between Rome and Egypt during that time.
Price
| Date | Mintage | VG | F | VF | XF | AU | UNC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ND (-32) | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Values in the table are based on evaluations by sales realized on Internet platforms. They serve as an indication only for Denarius - Mark Antony (ANTONI•ARMENIA•DEVICTA / CLEOPATRAE•REGINAE•REGVM•FILIORVM•REGVM) (32 BC) coin.
