MARK ANTONY. Denarius (37 BC). Antioch or military mint traveling with Canidius Crassus in Armenia.

Obv: ANTONIVS AVGVR COS DES ITER ET TERT.
Bare head right.
Rev: IMP TERTIO III VIR R P C.
Armenian tiara right, decorated with three stars; all over crossed bow and arrow.

Crawford 539/1; CRI 297; RBW 1828.

This Denarius commemorates the victory achieved in Armenia by Publius Canidius Crassus, general and lieutenant of Mark Antony. Crassus served under Lepidus in southern Gaul in 43 BC, then after the War of Perugia became suffect consul in 40. In 37 he was sent with six legions to Armenia, where he demonstrated great military and strategic qualities, defeating the king of Iberia Farnabazus II and then attacking Albania. Crassus then defeated the local king Zober and concluded advantageous alliance agreements. The operation had been ordered by Mark Antony in preparation for the more challenging offensive against the Parthians, occupying a strategic region that would allow him to attack the enemy from the north, avoiding passing through the Mesopotamian desert. Canidius Crassus joined the army of Mark Antony in 36 BC but the Parthian campaign proved a disaster. In 34 BC he also participated in the campaign against the Armenian king Artavasdes II and other operations in the East. During the war against Octavian Canidius Crassus remained loyal to Mark Antony but began to come into conflict with him mainly because of Cleopatra's interference. After the battle of Actium he also fled to Egypt, leaving the legions in the hands of Octavian. Following the suicide of Antony and Cleopatra, Canidius Crassus was captured and put to death.

Condition: Very fine.

Weight: 3.76 g.
Diameter: 20 mm.