Q. Antonius Balbus was a member of the Marian party, and in 82 BC was appointed praetor of Sardinia.
Before leaving for Sardinia a denarius was struck by order of the Senate. At the time the senate was dominated by members of the Marian party. The denarius was produced to pay the army preparing to resist the return of Sulla. The reverse imagery reflects the expectations of the senate and of Q. Antonius Balbus.
Unfortunately for Balbus, Sulla was victorius in the battle of the Colline gate. Q. Antonius Balbus was removed from his position as praetor by L. Philippus and killed.
Before leaving for Sardinia a denarius was struck by order of the Senate. At the time the senate was dominated by members of the Marian party. The denarius was produced to pay the army preparing to resist the return of Sulla. The reverse imagery reflects the expectations of the senate and of Q. Antonius Balbus.
Unfortunately for Balbus, Sulla was victorius in the battle of the Colline gate. Q. Antonius Balbus was removed from his position as praetor by L. Philippus and killed.
An
AR
Denarius Serratus
struck 83-82 BC
in
Sardinia
Obverse: laureate head of Jupiter right, S·C / Q·
Reverse: Victory riding in quadriga right, holding wreath, reins and palm branch, Q·(ANT)O·B(AL)B / PR
Diameter:
-
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 3.9 g
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 3.9 g
Moneyer who belonged to the opposition of Sulla struck these coins as praetor in Sardinia according special decree of senate (Senatus Consulto). He was driven from Sardinia by L. Philippus, the legate of Sulla, and slain. Victory on reverse didn't avert defeat of oppositon in battle of Colline Gate.
Crawford 364/1a, SRCV I 279, Sydenham 742b, RSC I Antonia 1