Nomos 38

The Triumvirs. Marcus Antonius and Marcus Antonius Antyllus, 34 BC. Aureus (Gold, 20 mm, 8.00 g, 8 h), mint moving with Marcus Antonius. ANTON·AVG·IMP·III·COS·DES·III·III·V·R·P·C Head of Marcus Antonius to right. Rev. M·ANTONIVS[·M·F·F] Head of Marcus Antonius Antyllus to right. Babelon (Antonia) 92. Crawford 541/2. CRI 344. Sydenham 1207. Extremely rare. Slightly wavy flan; light marks and scratches, otherwise, about extremely fine.

The years between the assassination of Julius Caesar and the establishment of the principate under Augustus is probably THE most exciting period in ancient history! One of the main dramatis personae was Marcus Antonius. His character can be best described as that of an American Football “quarterback”. Not the smartest cookie in the jar, but a great tactician and open to advice from his coaches, Fulvia and Cleopatra. From them he learned that the most important element in establishing a dynasty is succession planning. Antyllus, his oldest son from Fulvia, played an important role in that scheme, acting as heir apparent to Antony’s Roman interests, which was basically the same legal status Octavian had in respect to Julius Caesar only a few years earlier. Unfortunately, this exalted position was also his death sentence after the downfall of his father. Antyllus was the only child of Marcus Antonius to be executed, while his siblings joined the household of Octavia, sister of the new master of the world. Maybe the 17-year-old lad reminded Octavian too much of himself – and made him fear for his life in the long run. Plutarch informs us that Antyllus was beheaded and that a precious jewel, which he always wore around his neck as a good luck charm, was stolen by Theodorus, his Greek tutor. A tragic shadow over a most desirable and extremely rare coin of a father and his son.