Mark Antony restoration issue denarius under Marcus Aurelius. (169ad)
Marcus Aurelius, AD 161-180, with Lucius Verus. Silver Denarius (18mm, 3.5 g.). Restitution issue of a Mark Antony legionary denarius. Rome mint, struck 161-169 AD. ANTONINI AVGVR / III VIR R P C, galley right, with scepter tied with fillet on prow. Rev. ANTONINVS ET VERVS AVG REST / LEG VI, aquila between two signa. BMC 501; Cohen 83; RIC 443. Good very fine. Perfectly centered with a nice old cabinet toning.
I like this type a lot because it makes me think that Aurelius had a soft spot for Mark Antony and wanted to pay homage, and it shows the changing meaning of Latin Acronyms because the Restoration 200 years later says "ANTONIVS AVGVR" rather than "ANT AVG" on the original issue. Likely due to the fact that in 160s ad "AVG" no longer generally meant 'Augur', and instead meant 'Augustus', and it would have been ironic to call Mark Antony 'Augustus' on the re-issue. Hence spelling out "AVGVR" in the re-issue legends.
Also it keeps the legend (III VIR R P C = Triumvir for the establishing of the Republic)
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