Marc Antony AR Denarius – Cohors Speculatorum

Silver Denarius of Marc Antony

Military mint moving with Antony – potentially Patrae

Obv: ANT•AVG•III•VIR•R•P•C Galley right, with scepter tied with fillet on prow.

Rev: CHORTIS SPECVLATORVM Aquila between two signa.

32 – 31 BC. · Patrae Military Mint · Cr 544/12

3.3g · 19mm

The ‘Cohors Speculatorum’ was a special army unit created by Antony, consisting of the so-called speculatores, men who served as spies, scouts, messengers, and explorers. Normally, each legion had ten such speculatores, but by forming a separate cohort, Antony had a cadre of such men at his direct disposal, no luxury in times of bitter civil strife. The function continued to exist under the Empire, where the speculatores served as messengers and bodyguards to Rome’s emperors and generals. Curiously, the aquilae on the reverse of Antony’s denarii are decorated with wreaths and prows. The latter in particular may refer to their task of manning the turrets on war galleys as lookouts.