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Rome - The Republic

Moneyer: Q. Antonius Balbus
Held Office: 83 BC - 82 BC
Denomination: AR Denarius (serrated)
Mint: Rome
Obverse: Laureate head of Apollo right. "S•C" behind. "E•" below chin (control mark)
Reverse: Victory in a quadriga holding wreath and palm. In exergue "Q•ANTO•BALB /PR" NT and AL in monogram.
Reference: RCVM 279, RSC Antonia 1a, RRC 364/1c
Weight: 4 gms
Diameter: 18.5 mm
Comment: The serrated edges of this type of Denarius were supposed to deter forgers, who made their counterfeits by soldering silver sheet onto a base metal flan.

Q. Antonius Balbus

Q. Antonius Balbus was a member of the Marian party (the party of Marius, opposed to Sulla), and in 82 BC was appointed praetor of Sardinia. Before leaving for Sardinia, this issue was struck by order of the Senate which was dominated by members of the Marian party to pay the army preparing to resist the return of Sulla. Sulla was victorious, and in 82 BC, Q. Antonius Balbus was removed from his position as praetor by L. Philippus and slain.

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