Marcus Antonius and C. Caesar Octavianus with M. Barbatius. AV aureus, mint moving with M. Antonius, struck 41 BC (8,02 g). M·ANT·IMP·AVG·III·VIR·R·P·C·M·BARBAT·Q·P Bare head of M. Antonius right / CAESAR·IMP·PONT·III·VIR·R·P·C Bare head of Octavian right. A few minor edge marks and very minor circulation marks. Well centered and struck on a full flan.
Referanse:
Crawford 517/1a
Proveniens:
Ex Numismatica Ars Classica, Auction 100, lot 391
Info:
This remarkable gold aureus celebrates the establishment of the Second Triumvirate in 43 BC formally called the Triumvirate for Organizing the Republic. The political alliance divided power between the Roman Republic's most powerful men, Octavian, Marcus Antonius and Lepidus. The alliance was an official and legal institution granting the three men full legal sanction, even outranking the consuls. Their only limit was the five-year term determined by law. On the coin you can read; III VIR R P C, abbreviating tresviri rei publicae constituendae "One of Three Men for the Regulation of the Republic". The intention with the Triumvirate was to re-establish control of the Republic that was thrown into disarray after the assassination of Julius Caesar in 44 BC. The three men devided the provinces between them and managed to bring down Caesar's assassins and conspirators, including the chief conspirators Brutus and Cassius, who had fled Rome after the plot and taken control of the eastern provinces. The Second Triumvirate was not a stable alliance and was brought to an end by internal greed and jealousy. Octavian managed to defeat his rivals and emerged as the undisputed ruler of Rome, becoming the first Augustus in January 27 BC.
