How to Identify the Mark Antony Legionary Denarius

Begin with the reverse, because it defines the type. Look for a legionary eagle (aquila) standing upright between two military standards (signa). Below or around it should be a legend reading LEG followed by a Roman numeral — the legion being paid. This eagle-between-standards design, repeated across dozens of legion numbers, is the single most reliable diagnostic; if the reverse shows anything else, it is not this type.

Next read the legend carefully. The common obverse legend of the series is ANT AVG III VIR R P C, naming Antony as Augur and Triumvir. On the coin here the obverse carries a bust of Mark Antony facing right; portrait obverses are scarcer than the well-known war-galley obverse, so use the reverse legion legend, not the obverse, as your primary identifier and to pin down the exact issue.

Check size, weight, and metal. A genuine legionary denarius is about 17-19 mm and roughly 3.3-3.9 grams. The alloy is debased, so the surfaces often look greyer and less bright than a high-silver denarius — this is normal and expected, not a sign of a fake. A coin that is oddly light, magnetic, or shows a copper core breaking through the silver is a warning of a plated fourrée or modern forgery.

Inspect any countermarks separately from the original design. This example bears an incuse IMP VES punch applied under Vespasian, a small stamped abbreviation sunk into the surface rather than part of the struck relief. Countermarks are later additions; note them, but identify the base coin from its own dies first.

Finally, apply authentication caution. This is one of the most imitated ancient types. Compare the eagle, standards, and lettering against verified examples, watch for the soft detail and repeated surface bubbles typical of casts, and treat suspiciously sharp or artificially toned pieces with care. For rarer legions or higher-value coins, seek expert opinion or third-party certification before buying.