41 BC Silver Denarius Mark Anty & Octavian NGC CH AU-STAR

The Amazing Two-Headed Denarius of Mark Antony and Octavian (Augustus)!

From the desk of GovMint.com's resident ancient coin expert, David Levine:

Minted -- Spring to early summer, 41 BC

Grade -- NGC Choice About Uncirculated Star (CH AU*), Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5

Obverse -- Bare head of Marc Antony right

Reverse -- Bare head of Octavian right

Legend -- M ANT IMP AVG IIIVIR R P C M BARBAT Q P (Obverse), CAESAR IMP PONT IIIVIR R P C (Reverse)

Diameter -- 19 mm

Levine's Notes

• Since there are around 100 of these coins that are known to still exist, this coin is not considered rare by ancient standards. However, these coins are very popular among collectors because of the double portrait of these important Roman leaders.
• Only about 15 coins of this type come on the market each year and very, very few are in this high of a grade.
• Unlike the many denarius coins of the period which were minted off-center, this portraits on this coin are both very well centered.
• This coin was minted under the magistrate M. Barbatius Pollio during the time of the Second Triumvirate which consisted of Mark Antony, Octavian (later Augustus) and Lepidus. Mark Antony saw himself as the successor of Julius Caesar. However, Octavian was adopted by Caesar and nominated by him in his will to serve as his successor. While he was the third leg of the triumvirate, Lepidus was not a significant player.
• This coin contains the major players of probably the most famous power struggle of all time. Both strove to take control of the Roman Empire, competing against the other yet making a temporary truce in an attempt to maneuver themselves to the throne.