The coin is a reminder of what was arguably one of the pivotal events in Roman history in the struggle for control of the empire between Octavian and Antony and Cleopatra.
Roman coinage in the name of Marcus Antonius incudes the so-called legionary denarii issued in 32-31 BCE to pay his army are, by far, the most abundant Roman silver coins.
What happened at the Battle of Actium?
Actium, 31 BC was a sea battle which marked the beginning of the end for Mark Antony and Cleopatra.
The battle between Octavian and Agrippa (with 400 ships) versus Mark Antony and Cleopatra (with 500 ships, reduced to 230) took place on 2 September 31 BC, in the Ionian Sea near Actium, off the west coast of Greece.
How did this coin make its way from Greece to Suffolk over 2000 years ago – we will never know but it must have been quite a story!
