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Marc Antony, Autumn 32-spring 31 BC. AR Denarius (16.5mm, 3.25 g, 6h). Legionary issue. Patrae(?) mint. Praetorian galley right / Aquila between two signa; LEG XXIII across lower field. Crawford 544/39; CRI 383; Sydenham 1246; RSC 60; RBW –. Lightly toned, prow of galley scraped, light scratches and marks. Fine. Rare.
Provenance from the collection of a Texas Wine Doctor. Ex Classical Numismatic Group 54 (14 June 2000), lot 1364.
The highest number given to a legion within Mark Antony's military, the group was most likely disbanded after their defeat at Actium. The twenty-third was never to be used again as a legionary numeration, as Augustus reorganized the Roman army and decreased the total number of legions. The only time a number greater than XXII was used for a legion was when Trajan raised the legio XXX Ulpia Victrix, most likely representing that it was the thirtieth in use by the military at that time.
Collection : In US Republican Imperatorial