nomos
z端rich, switzerland in association with
Classical Numismatic Group, Inc.
Lancaster, Pennsylvania London, England
196 Distinctive Numismatic Items
Winter-Spring 2016
Doesn’t time fly! It feels like it was just yesterday that I was writing the introduction to the last Nomos AG Winter/Spring Fixed Price List…yet here is another! Once again I have the privilege of thanking those unsung people in Lancaster who, in often the most bare and primitive conditions, have done such a fine job organizing the photography, layout and printing of this catalogue. Without them we would be lost. This year we have an extremely varied selection of coins and medals – no less than 196 carefully chosen pieces, our biggest list ever: 146 ancient and 50 medieval and modern coins in gold, silver and copper. The ancient begins with two Celtic pieces followed by 69 coins from the Greek world: an absolute highlight is the second known example of Carthage’s first gold issue (20), once owned by a controversial French official. Having such a pedigree makes the coin even more interesting! But, of course, the Greek section is filled with attractive coins, from small fractions to tetradrachms and octadrachms! Then there are 71 Roman pieces, including provincial issues. An absolute personal favorite is the very rare sestertius of Diva Faustina II, with the astounding, medallionlike reverse of the Empress enthroned in heaven (120): she and her attendants are clearly floating on air. Finally come 6 early Byzantine solidi, all particularly nice. These coins are followed by a nice group of early Medieval pieces, all struck before the year 1000: the Carolingian deniers with mint names are really elegant examples (148-150). A truly remarkable coin is the wonderful Parisis d’or of Philippe VI (156), struck c. 1329: as an example of ‘Gothic’ art it can simply not be bettered. The amazing bracteate from Gotha (159) is an absolutely quintessential example of Medieval numismatic art: it too cannot be bettered. Then there comes a fine group of coins from the British Isles, ranging from the ancient Britons through William and Mary; and then a special group of medals, including a spectacular gold piece of over 200 g celebrating the British victory at Lowestoft in 1665 (184). Once again Nomos AG will be at the New York International Numismatic Convention, held at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel from the 7th through the 10th of January, 2016. We look forward to seeing all our friends there, and enjoying a wonderfully numismatic week of excitement. We have another Obolos electronic sale coming up in February and Nomos 12 will be held in May. If you have anything you would like to consign, we would be happy to help you.
Dr Alan Walker Nomos AG
Yves Gunzenreiner Dr. A. Peter Weiss
Victor England Eric J. McFadden
NOMOS AG CNG, Inc. WWW.NOMOSAG.COM WWW.CNGCOINS.COM nomos@nomosag.com cng@cngcoins.com Copyright CNG and Nomos
ORDERING INFORMATION 1. The point of sale for all items is Lancaster, Pennsylvania. All orders are sent from Pennsylvania. 2. All items are guaranteed genuine. Attribution, date, condition and other descriptions are the opinion of the cataloguer, and no warranty is expressed or implied. Any coin order may be returned within fourteen days of receipt for any reason. The customer shall bear the cost of returning all items and shall insure them for their full value. 3. Sales tax, postage, handling and insurance are the responsibility of the buyer and are added to all invoices where appropriate. For buyers in the European Union, CNG may import lots into the United Kingdom prior to shipment and charge buyers the import Value Added Tax. On any tax not paid by the purchaser which should have been paid, even if not invoiced by CNG, the purchaser agrees to pay the same on demand together with any interest or penalty that may be assessed. It is the responsibility of the buyer to comply with foreign customs and other regulations. 4. Orders may be paid by US$ check, credit card or wire transfer. US$ checks must be written on a US bank. We accept VISA and MasterCard. Credit card payment may be arranged by phone, fax or mail. Invoices can be provided in Euro, Swiss Francs or Pounds Sterling. Contact the office to arrange details. 5. Please provide a specific shipping address and advise us of any special shipping instructions. Unless other specific shipping instructions are indicated, coins are sent by U.S. Insured or Registered mail. Every effort is made to ship within 24 hours of receipt of payment. Please allow a reasonable time for delivery. For this list all orders are to be placed through CNG. OVER THE WEB Coins may be ordered directly off the website at www.cngcoins.com. To find the coins on this list go to the category Nomos List in the Coin Shop. BY PHONE, FAX, EMAIL, MAIL CNG, Inc. Post Office Box 479 Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17608-0479 +1 717 390 9194 Fax +1 717 390 9978
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Greek Coinage
1. CELTIC, Northwest Gaul. Aulerci Eburovices. Circa 120-80 BC. Half Stater (Gold, 18mm, 3.35 g 12). Stylized male head to left; below neck, boar to right with legs upwards. Rev. Horse with large eye galloping to right; below, boar to right; above, stylized ‘bird’ driver. DLT 2404 (?). A sharp and powerful example with a wonderful horse on the reverse. Extremely fine.
2. CELTIC, Northeast Gaul. Treveri. 2nd century BC. Quarter Stater (Gold, 12mm, 1.80 g 12). Celticized head of Apollo to right, wearing laurel wreath. Rev. Celticized human-headed horse galloping to left; to right, ‘charioteer’ holding the reins in left hand, and goad in his right; below, winged figure flying to left. D&T 124. De la Tour 6821. A very rare, lightly toned and attractive example. Very minor, hair-line crack, otherwise, nearly extremely fine.
3. CAMPANIA, Cumae. Circa 420-385 BC. Didrachm or Stater (Silver, 20mm, 7.50 g 11). Head of a nymph to right. Rev. ΚΥΜΑΙΟΝ Mussel shell and barley grain. HN III 532. Rutter 169. SNG Copenhagen 364 (same dies). Attractively toned and of unusually fine condition for the type. Beginning of a serious die break on the obverse, usually found far worse, otherwise, good very fine. Ex Numismatica Ars Classica P, 12 May 2005, 1308.
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4. CAMPANIA, Neapolis. 350-325 BC. Nomos (Silver, 20mm, 7.34 g 1). Head of the nymph Parthenope to right, wearing broad head band, triple-pendant earring and pearl necklace; behind head, Ε. Rev. [ΝΕΟΠΟΛΙΤΗΣ] Man-headed bull walking right, his head turned to face the viewer, and being crowned by Nike flying to right above him. HN III 565. Sambon 365. Toned and of attractive style. Good very fine. Ex Gorny & Mosch 196, 7 March 2011, 1034.
5. CALABRIA, Tarentum. Circa 315-302 BC. Stater (Silver, 20mm, 7.67 g 3). Nude rider on horse prancing to right, stabbing with spear held in his right hand and holding two other spears and a shield with his left; below, ΣΑ. Rev. ΤΑΡΑΣ Phalanthos riding dolphin to left, holding kantharos in his right hand and trident in his left; below, dolphin to left; to left, above and below arm, Ω / Σ. Fischer-Bossert Group 73, 886. SNG ANS 1004. Vlasto 614. An attractive piece of good style. Some die rust and surface erosion, otherwise, about extremely fine. From a Swiss collection and that of R. Alexander, The New York Sale V, 16 January 2003, 6.
6. LUCANIA, Metapontum. Circa 290-280 BC. Didrachm or Nomos (Silver, 22mm, 7.58 g 8). Head of Demeter to right, wearing wreath of barley ears. Rev. ΜΕΤΑ Ear of barley; to left, satyr standing on barley leaf and playing pipes. HN III 1614. Johnston D2.8. SNG Lloyd 395. Rare. Nicely toned. Areas flatly struck on the reverse, otherwise, extremely fine. From a Swiss collection, acquired from Maison Platt in Paris in 1980.
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7. LUCANIA, Metapontum. Circa 290-280 BC. Didrachm or Nomos (Silver, 19mm, 7.71 g 8). Head of Demeter to right, wearing wreath of barley ears; in field to left, Π. Rev. ΜΕΤΑ Ear of barley; to left, ram’s head right on barley leaf; between leaf and ear, aspirate and Α. HN III 1617. Johnston D3.1. Very nicely toned and attractive. Some areas of flat striking on the reverse, otherwise, extremely fine. Ex Sternberg VIII, 16 November 1978, 10.
8. LUCANIA, Velia. Circa 280 BC. Didrachm (Silver, 20mm, 7.42 g 1). Head of Athena to left, wearing crested Attic helmet adorned with Pegasus; above visor, A; before neck, Φ; behind neck, IE in shallow incuse square. Rev. ΥEΛH[TΩN] Lion attacking stag to left. Haeberlin Collection 1937, 33 (this coin). HN III 1318. Williams 545 ff. Nicely toned, struck on a broad flan and of lovely style. Good very fine. From the collection of E. J. Haeberlin (1847-1925).
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9. BRUTTIUM, Uncertain mint under Carthaginian occupation. Circa 216-211 BC. 3/8 Shekel (Electrum, 15mm, 2.82 g 1), produced to finance Hannibal’s invasion during the Second Punic War. Janiform female heads wearing grain wreaths. Rev. Jupiter, preparing to hurl thunderbolt with his right hand and long scepter in his left, standing right in a quadriga galloping to right, driven by Victory standing behind him. Bahrfeldt 8 and pl. 2, 22 (same dies). HN III 2010. Jenkins 487-493. Robinson NC 1964, p. 40. SNG ANS 146. Rare. Lightly toned. About extremely fine. These coins have long been thought to have been struck in Capua but more recent research have placed them in an uncertain mint in Bruttium under Carthaginian control.
10. SICILY, Akragas. Circa 420-406 BC. Tetras (Bronze, 22.5mm, 10.72 g 8). ΑΚΡΑ Eagle, with spread wings, standing right on the belly of a dead hare lying on a rock and bending his head down to tear at his prey. Rev. Crab; below, three pellets above large crayfish. CNS 54. SNG ANS 1041 ff. Well struck with a splendid dark, brownish-green patina. Extremely fine.
11. SICILY, Gela. Circa 480/75-475/70 BC. Didrachm (Silver, 19mm, 8.66 g 9). Rider galloping to right, bearded and nude but for high helmet, hurling spear with his raised right hand. Rev. CΕΛΑ Forepart of man-headed bull to right. Kraay & Hirmer 156. Jenkins, Gela 28. SNG ANS 5. SNG Ashmolean 1720. Attractively toned and with a very powerful reverse. Some striking flatness, otherwise, extremely fine. From an American collection.
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12. SICILY, Gela. Circa 420-405 BC. Tetras (Bronze, 16mm, 3.48 g 5). ΓΕΛΑΣ Bull walking slowly to the left; above, olive leaf; in exergue, three pellets. Rev. Head of youthful male river god to right (Gelas), his hair streaming upwards; behind, barley grain. CNS 32. Jenkins, Gela 516. SNG ANS 117. A very pleasant, attractive example with a brown-green patina. Extremely fine. From a Swiss collection, ex Münzen & Medaillen Deutschland 6, 23 March, 2000, 19.
13. SICILY, Katane. Circa 461-450 BC. Litra (Silver, 10mm, 0.86 g 7). Balding head of Silenos to left, with an animal ear and a long beard. Rev. ΚΑΤ - ΑΝΕ Winged thunderbolt. Boehringer, Kataneische Li.2. Jameson 536. Rizzo pl. IX, 16. Rare. Of splendid style and elegance. Somewhat rough surfaces as found, otherwise, good very fine. From the collection of a European specialist.
14. SICILY, Katane. Circa 415/3-404 BC. Litra (Silver, 12mm, 0.84 g 6). Head of Silenos to left, wearing ivy wreath. Rev. ΚΑΤΑΝΑΙΩΝ Winged thunderbolt between two shields. Boehringer, Kataneische LI 6-7. Rizzo pl. XIV, 18 var. SNG ANS 1266. A remarkably attractive example, nicely toned. Some minor striking weakness, otherwise, extremely fine. Ex Nomos 7, 15 May 2013, 9, from the Spina Collection, ex Triton VII, 13 January 2004, 55. The superlative quality of the die engraving for this coin has impelled some cataloguers to attribute it to a known engraver like Euainetos (or Kimon, why not?). In any case, it is yet another example of how the minters of the Sicilian cities lavished great care on even the smallest silver pieces. This coin amply proves that it was surely a matter of prestige and pride for local citizens to have even minor denominations made with outstanding artistry.
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15. SICILY, Leontini. Circa 450-440 BC. Litra (Silver, 11mm, 0.75 g 2). Laureate head of Apollo to right. Rev. Λ Ε / Ο Ν Barley grain to right. Boehringer, Münzgeschichte 43. SNG ANS 263. A splendid example with a wonderful head of Apollo. Toned. Some very minor pitting on the reverse, otherwise, extremely fine. From the collection of a European specialist, acquired prior to 2005.
16. SICILY, Leontini. Circa 450-440 BC. Litra (Silver, 13mm, 0.86 g 1). ΛΕΟ - Ν Lion’s head with open jaws to right. Rev. Apollo, nude, standing left holding phiale in his right hand and branch in his left; to left, altar; to right, barley grain. Boehringer, Münzgeschichte 50. SNG ANS 266. A splendid example, sharp and well preserved with a dark patina as found. Extremely fine. From the collection of a European specialist, acquired prior to 2005.
17. SICILY, Messana. 425-421 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 23mm, 14.34 g 12). Charioteer, wearing long chiton and holding goad and reins in his right hand and reins in his left, standing right and driving biga of mules walking to right; in exergue, olive leaf with fruit. Rev. ΜΕΣΣΑΝΙΟΝ Hare springing right; below, dolphin swimming right. Caltabiano 494 (same dies). SNG Lloyd 1094 (same dies), A lovely example, beautifully centered and struck. Good extremely fine. From a European collection acquired prior to 2000.
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18. SICILY, Syracuse. Timoleon and the Third Democracy, 344-317 BC. Dilitron (Bronze, 19.31 g 9), c. 339/8-334. ΖΕΥΣ ΕΛΕΥΘΕΡΙΟΣ Laureate head of Zeus to left. Rev. ΣΥΡΑΚΟΣΙΩΝ Free horse prancing to left. CNS 80 st 7. SNG ANS 533-541. SNG Lloyd 1456-1457. A coin of particularly elegant style with a rather tall and elongated head of Zeus with fine features. Attractive dark green patina. Nearly extremely fine. From the Z collecttion, Switzerland.
19. SICILY, Syracuse. Agathokles, 317-289 BC. 25 Litrai (Electrum, 19mm, 3.61 g 5), struck circa 310305. Laureate head of Apollo to left; behind to right, Corinthian helmet. Rev. ΣΥΡΑΚΟΣΙΩΝ Tripod with high ring handles. Jenkins O14/R18. SNG ANS 629. Toned and fairly well centered with a fine head of Apollo. Good very fine. From an American collection.
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20. ZEUGITANA, Carthage. Circa 390-380 BC. Shekel or Stater (Gold, 18mm, 7.64 g 2). Horse galloping to right. Rev. Palm tree with two date clusters. Jenkins, Punic pp. 30-31 and pl. 6, D. Jenkins & Lewis 1 = W. Giesecke, Antikes Geldwesen (Leipzig, 1939), pl. V, 8 (same dies); MAA 1 (this coin illustrated); cf. Müller, Afrique 16 ( a later copy in bronze); Viola 637 (Lilybaion?). Of the greatest rarity, the second known example - the other in Berlin was part of the great collection of General C. R. Fox, which was acquired en bloc by the museum in 1873). Struck from a worn reverse die, otherwise, extremely fine. From the Friend of a Scholar Collection and from the collection of C. H. Herrenschmidt, Maison Platt, 28 November 1983, 155, previously acquired from Paul Gauckler, director of the Service des Antiquités et des Arts de la Régence de Tunis, 1896-1905. This extraordinary coin was part of an apparently rather ephemeral issue of gold issued by Carthage, and surely minted in the African city rather than on Sicily. It is certainly related to the tetradachms minted in Carthage in the late 5th century BC with Horse forepart/Palm tree and those with Galloping horse/Palm tree struck in Sicily in the early 4th century BC; obviously, this coin is most closely related to the latter. However, the style differs from them in a number of ways, thus proving that they were not issued from the same mint. Between 600 and 265 BC, Carthage was engaged in a series of conflicts with the city-states of Sicily for control of that island. Known as the Greco-Punic, or Sicilian, Wars, by their end, Carthage enjoyed a brief period of unrivaled power in the Mediterranean before the Punic Wars with Rome. When this shekel/stater was struck, Carthage was engaged in a number of battles with the major Sicilian cities, especially Syracuse and its tyrant, Dionysios I. The defeat of the Syracusan army at Kronion in 376 BC forced Dionysios to pay 1000 talents in gold to the Carthaginians and left Carthage in control of Western Sicily. A further Syracusan defeat in 367 BC forced Dionysios’ successor, Dion, to sue for peace and secured Carthagian power in Sicily. The fact that this coin was once in the collection of Paul Gauckler (actually, Paul-Frédéric Gauckler) is most interesting. Born in Colmar in 1866, Gauckler had a particularly authoritarian father who wanted him to study sciences, but because of lung problems he went to Algiers in 1884 where he fell in love with archaeology. He studied in Algiers and in Paris and by 1890 had been appointed to the archaeological service in Algeria. He became a chief inspector of the service in Tunisia in 1892 and became director in 1896. He was extremely active, writing catalogues, excavating and building up local museums to a very high standard. Unfortunately he came into conflict with a number of highly placed ‘amateur’ archaeologists, who disliked his attempts to professionalize their activities. In the end, pressure from them, heart problems, and attacks on his personal lifestyle in the local press, resulted in his resignation. He was sent to the French Academy in Rome, where he excavated on the Janiculum, but committed suicide out of depression in 1911. That he had a collection is not surprising: alas, we do not know much about it save for the fact that this extraordinary coin was part of it.
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21. ZEUGITANA, Carthage. Circa 350-320 BC. Stater (Gold, 20mm, 9.42Â g 3). Head of Tanit to left, wearing grain wreath, triple pendant earring and necklace of eight oblong pendants. Rev. Horse standing right on exergual line; to right, three pellets. Jenkins & Lewis 70 (same dies?). A wonderful, sharply struck coin, beautifully detailed and minted from fresh dies. Virtually as struck.
22. ZEUGITANA, Carthage. Circa 300 BC. Shekel (Silver, 19mm, 7.50Â g 11). Head of Tanit to left, wearing wreath of grain ears, pendant earring and necklace. Rev. Horse standing right, his head turned back to left; behind, palm tree; to right, star. Gulbenkian 383. Muller 108. SNG Copenhagen 141. An attractive, toned example. Good very fine. From a collection in the USA.
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23. THRACE, Ainos. Circa 453/2-451/0 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 25mm, 16.42 g 1). Head of Hermes to right, wearing close-fitting petasos with knob at the top, the letters ΑΙΝΙ along the bottom and beads along the edge. Rev. ΑΝΤΙΑΔΑΣ: around a linear square containing a he-goat standing right; in field to right, Pan standing right, his left hand raised in salutation. May 85 (A55/P68). Very rare. Well-centered and well-stuck. Good very fine. From a German collection formed before 2000.
24. KINGS of THRACE. Lysimachos, 305-281 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 31mm, 17.15 g 9), Amphipolis, struck 288/7-282/1 BC. Diademed head of Alexander the Great to right with horn of Ammon over his ear. Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΛΥΣΙΜΑΧΟΥ Athena seated to left on throne, leaning her left elbow on her shield and holding Nike, crowning the king’s name, in her right; behind, transverse spear with point below left; on the inner left and the outer right, monogram. Müller 543 var. Thompson 201. An attractive, toned coin with a bold portrait of the deified Alexander in high relief. Nearly extremely fine.
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25. KINGS of THRACE. Lysimachos, 305-281 BC. Stater (Gold, 18mm, 8.52 g 5), uncertain mint in Asia Minor, c. 280s-250s. Diademed head of the deified Alexander III to right, ram’s horn behind his ear. Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΛΥΣΙΜΑΧΟΥ Athena seated left on backless throne, holding Nike in her outstretched right hand, resting her left elbow on shield and holding a transverse spear in her left hand; in field to left, monogram of ΤΥ; in exergue, monogram of ΜΠΥ. Müller 512. Thompson -. An attractive piece. Exergue monogram mostly off the flan, otherwise, extremely fine. From a Swiss collection.
26. MACEDON, Akanthos. Circa 480-470 BC. Tetrobol (Silver, 16mm, 2.37 g). Forepart of lioness to right, head seen from turned toward her right and seen from above; above, floral ornament. Rev. Quadripartite incuse square. Dewing 1000. SNG ANS 19. An unusually attractive, toned and well struck piece. Extremely fine. From a European collection, ex Leu 54, 28 April 1992, 74 and Hess-Leu 45, 12 May 1970, 114.
27. MACEDON, Akanthos. Circa 470 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 27mm, 17.22 g). Lion to right, attacking bull, collapsing to left with head raised; above, Α; below, in exergue, floral ornament. Rev. Quadripartite incuse square with granulated surfaces. Desneux 90 var. An attractive and bold piece with a lion and bull of particularly vigorous late Archaic style. Some minor scuffs and marks, otherwise, extremely fine. Ex Nomos 6, 8 May 2012, 39.
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28. MACEDON, Chalkidian League. Olynthos. 364-361 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 22mm, 14.36 g 6), Archidamos. Laureate head of Apollo to left. Rev. ΧΑΛΚΙΔΕΩΝ Kithara with seven strings; above bridge of Kithara, ΕΠΙ ΑΡΧΙΔΑΜΟΥ. Robinson & Clement Group S, 111. SNG ANS 492-3 var. Attractively toned and of excellent style. Some minor marks, otherwise, extremely fine. Ex Sternberg XXII, 20 November 1989, 76.
29. KINGS of MACEDON. Philip II, 359-336 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 25mm, 13.96 g 3), Amphipolis, struck c. 323/2-316/5. Laureate head of Zeus to right. Rev. ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΥ Young jockey, holding palm branch and reins, on horseback to right; below, wreath and Λ. Le Rider pl. 45, 22. An excellent, sharply struck and nicely toned example. Some slight roughness, otherwise, extremely fine. Ex Numismatica Ars Classica N, 26 June 2003, 1224.
30. KINGS of MACEDON. Philip II, 359-336 BC. Stater (Gold, 19mm, 8.53 g 6), Abydos, struck under Philip III, 323-317, probably prior to 319. Laureate head of Apollo to right. Rev. ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΥ Charioteer driving galloping biga to right, holding the reins in his left hand and a goad with his right; below horses, eight-pointed star and monogram of ΜΟ; in exergue, bull (?) leg. Le Rider p. 271, 14 = pl. 91, 14 var. (no leg). SNG ANS 303. Thompson, Drachm Mints II, p. 47, 107 (this piece cited). An attractive piece on a broad flan. Some edge marks, otherwise, good very fine. Ex Ars Classica XV, 2 July 1930, 465.
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31. KINGS of MACEDON. Alexander III ‘the Great’, 336-323 BC. Drachm (Silver, 17mm, 4.32 g 2), Miletos, c. 325-323. Head of Herakles to right, wearing lion’s skin headdress. Rev. ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ Zeus seated on backless throne to left, holding eagle in his right hand and scepter in his left; to left, monogram of ΔΗ. Price 2090. A virtually perfect piece, well-struck in high relief and well-centered. Good extremely fine.
32. KINGS of MACEDON. Alexander III ‘the Great’, 336-323 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 28mm, 17.08 g 12), Mylasa, c. 260s/250s. Head of Herakles in lion skin headdress to right. Rev. ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ Zeus seated left on backless throne, holding eagle in his right hand and scepter in his left; to left, double ax or labrys. Price 2074. SNG Saroglos 435. A splendid and attractive example, nicely toned and sharply struck. Good extremely fine. This coin is actually quite astounding in its monumental sculptural quality. The third century witnessed an outpouring of emotionally powerful and, as compared to the more restrained canons of the Classical period, flamboyant works of art; of which this is a perfect example. While the solid figure of Zeus on the reverse has a noble three-dimensional quality, the head of Herakles on the obverse is so filled with exuberant life that it is quite simply over the top! When this head is compared with those on life-time Alexander issues from Macedonian mints, Babylon and Alexandreia the difference in emphasis and feel is obvious.
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33. THESSALY, Pharsalos. Last quarter of the 5th Century BC. Drachm (Silver, 17mm, 5.98 g 9). Head of Athena right, wearing crested Attic helmet; small TH and IΠ between crest and neck guard. Rev. Φ-A-P-Σ Thessalian cavalryman on horse prancing right, wearing petasos and holding a lagobolon. Lavva 93b (V47/R53; this coin). Beautifully toned, of excellent style and with a wonderfully detailed reverse. Minor flaw on cheek, otherwise, good very fine. From the BCD collection, CNG 96, 14 May 2014, 271 and ex Leu 33, 3 May 1983, 304.
34. ATTICA, Athens. Circa 545-525/15 BC. Obol (Silver, 6mm, 0.53 g). Wheel with four spokes and struts. Rev. Diagonally divided incuse square. Agora 4. Seltman pl. IV, ξ. Svoronos pl. 1, 60. Rare. Good very fine. From the collection of Prof. R. Gaupp (1908-1979).
35. ATTICA, Athens. Circa 430s BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 24.5mm, 17.18 g 1). Head of Athena to right, wearing disc earring, pearl necklace and a crested Attic helmet adorned with three olive leaves and a spiral palmette. Rev. ΑΘΕ Owl standing to right, head facing the viewer; to left, olive sprig and crescent moon; all within incuse square. Agora 8b. Svoronos, Trésor pls. 12-13 passim. A splendid, bright and sharp example, very well-centered; the obverse struck from a slightly worn die. Extremely fine. From an American collection. The Athenian tetradrachm coinage struck from c. 449 until no later than 404 was one of the most immense series of silver coins ever struck. These coins were used all over the Mediterranean area for trade purposes. They were produced as a way of using the silver from the rich mines of Laurion and were often later reused as bullion to make local coinages all over the Greek world (sometimes they were melted down and remade, but they often were simply heated and used as flans for new coins).
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36. ATTICA, Athens. Circa 430s-420s BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 23mm, 17.21 g 1). Head of Athena to right, wearing a crested Attic helmet adorned with three olive leaves and a spiral palmette, a disc earring and a pearl necklace. Rev. ΑΘΕ Owl standing to right, head facing the viewer; to left, olive sprig and crescent moon; all within incuse square. Agora 8. Dewing 1596 ff. Svoronos pl. 13, 21 ff. An attractive bold example, struck in high relief on a broad flan. Extremely fine.
37. ATTICA, Athens. Circa 430s-420s BC. Drachm (Silver, 13mm, 4.18 g 2). Head of Athena to right, wearing crested Attic helmet adorned with olive leaves and palmette, disc earring and pearl necklace. Rev. ΑΘΕ Owl standing right with head facing; to left, olive spray; all within incuse square. Kroll 10e ff. SNG Copenhagen 41. Svoronos pl. 11, 20. Attractive, toned and well struck. About extremely fine. From an American collection.
38. ATTICA, Athens. Circa 430s-420s BC. Triobol (Silver, 13mm, 2.13 g 11). Helmeted head of Athena to right. Rev. Α Θ Ε Owl standing facing between two olive branches. Kroll 12. SNG Copenhagen 44. Toned and clear. Very fine. From the collection of Prof. R. Gaupp (1908-1978).
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39. ATTICA, Athens. Circa 420s BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 24 mm, 17.16 g 3). Head of Athena to right, wearing disc earring, pearl necklace and a crested Attic helmet adorned with three olive leaves and a spiral palmette. Rev. ΑΘΕ Owl standing to right, head facing the viewer; to left, olive sprig and crescent moon; all within incuse square. Agora XXVI, 8f. Cf. Dewing 1619. Svoronos cf. pl. 17, 18. Very well struck and with a lovely old toning. Extremely fine.
40. ISLANDS off ATTICA, Aegina. Circa 456/45-431 BC. Stater (Silver, 18mm, 11.28 g). Tortoise seen from above. Rev. Incuse square divided into five compartments. ACGC 127. Dewing 1683-1685. Milbank pl. 2, 1213. An attractive, toned example. Nearly extremely fine. From the collection of an old friend of Leo Mildenberg’s, acquired in the 1970s.
41. ELIS, Olympia. Circa 350s-340s BC. Obol (Silver, 12mm, 0.93 g 5). Head of the nymph Olympia to right. Rev. F A Eagle with closed wings standing right, head turned back to left. BCD Olympia 170 var. (from the same obverse die). Very rare, probably unpublished, and with a lovely head of Olympia. Good very fine. Ex Nomos 6, 8 May 2012, 71. From a European collection, acquired prior to 2009.
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42. ARKADIA, Pheneos. Circa 370-340 BC. Obol (Silver, 0.97 g 9). Bust of youthful Hermes to right, his cloak tied around his neck and with his petasos hanging behind, suspended by a cord. Rev. ΦΕ Ram standing to right; above, kerykeion to right. BCD 1608. BMC 5. Traité II, 3, 891. Weber 4317. Rare. A spectacular piece of great beauty. Ram with slight trace of striking flatness, otherwise, virtually as struck. A wonderful piece, as fresh as it was on the day it left the mint.
43. CYCLADES, Paros. Circa 500-497/5 BC. Drachm (Silver, 16mm, 6.08 g). Goat kneeling to right, his head raised. Rev. Quadripartite incuse square. H. Cahn, Monnaies grecques archaïque (Basel, 1947), 12 (this coin). Sheedy 63a (this coin). A very attractive piece, toned and with a lively and proud looking goat. Extremely fine. Ex The New York Sale IV, 17 January 2002, 171 and from the Paros Hoard of 1936/7 (IGCH 13).
44. KOLCHIS, The Caucasus Area. 1st century BC/1st - 2nd century AD. Stater (Gold, 16mm, 3.67 g 12). Stylized helmeted head with huge eye and crest; around, four pellets and a bucranium. Rev. Facing winged figure; to left and right, two pellets. N. Frolova, Caucasian Imitations of Alexander and Lysimachus’ Golden Stater, Studies Touratsoglou, pp. 127-133, pl. II, 1-8 var. Very rare. Struck from a rusty obverse die. Bold and with high rims. Good very fine. Ex Triton XV, 3 January 2012, 1189. This is one of the late Caucasian imitations of Alexander staters: it still has vaguely recognizable types - one wonders if the die cutter had actually seen an original or only copies of copies!
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45. KINGS of PAPHLAGONIA. Pylaimenes III Euergetes, Circa 108-89 BC. Chalkous (Orichalcum, 16mm, 3.79 g 12). Bell’s head facing. Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ // ΠYΛΑΙΜΕΝΟΥ / ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ Winged kerykeion. SNG BM 1555. SNG Greece, KIKPE, 733-734. SNG von Aulock 150. A wonderful, sharp and beautifully preserved example. Virtually as struck. Ex Gemini IV, 8 January 2008, 142. Greek bronze coins are remarkably hard to find in really good condition. This is certainly true because bronze coins primarily circulated by size (i.e., their diameter told their user what their denomination was) rather than by their intrinsic metal value. Thus, these coins could circulate as long as their size made them acceptable: exceedingly worn bronze coins are found in excavations in contexts proving that they still were in use at the time of their loss. The issuer of this coin was almost certainly Pylaimenes III, son of the Bithynian king Nikomedes III Euergetes (reigned c. 127-94 BC) - as their shared epithet suggests.
46. MYSIA, Kyzikos. Circa 500-450 BC. Stater (Electrum, 20mm, 16-12 g). Facing gorgoneion with open mouth, lined with sharp teeth and with a protruding tongue; her head crowned with six upright snakes, one coiled snake by each ear and with a further two coming out of her head below her mouth; below, tunny fish to left. Rev. Quadripartite incuse square. BMFA 1445 = Warren 1492. Von Fritze 129. Very rare. A clear, toned and well centered example. Good very fine. From an English collection. The electrum coinage of Kyzikos is characterized by an extraordinary variety of obverse types: the city’s symbol of a tunny fish is invariable and can appear to the left, right or below the main type, or even be connected with the type in some way (held by a figure, for example). The choice of the type almost certainly was due solely to the individual magistrate who was in charge of the issue. These magistrates may have served over a number of years, or in some collegiate way: this could explain the way that some types appear to be related in content with each other. We can assume that favorite deities or heroes might be chosen by the magistrates; in other cases types symbolizing a trading partner might be chosen (the gorgoneion on this coin closely follows those on coins from Abydos and Apollonia). In the 4th century there are portrait heads, which almost certainly represent actual people (in at least one case the bearded head has been identified as that of Philip II of Macedon).
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47. MYSIA, Pergamon. 334-332 BC. Stater (Gold, 17mm, 8.64 g 12). Head of youthful Herakles to right, wearing lion skin headdress. Rev. Palladium, wearing kalathos, standing facing in an archaistic manner, holding a shield over her left arm and thrusting with a spear held in her upraised right hand; in field to left, Corinthian helmet with crest; hanging from the shield, fillet ending in tassels. Gulbenkian 699 = Jameson 2580. SNG France 1557 = de Luynes 2492. Extremely rare, one of a very few examples known. An exceptional, very well centered piece of great beauty. Good extremely fine. Dated to 334-332 in the most recent sources, this may, in fact, be too early and we may have to visualize this as having been struck slightly later, after the ever increasing numbers of Alexander’s standard silver issues, with their comparable heads of Herakles, had begun to flood the markets of the ancient world. In every way this coin, accompanied by a small number of other pieces with differing symbols, must have been special: it bears no name of the authority that issued it, and only the characteristic Pergamene figure of Athena points to that city as its origin. The presence of examples of this type in the famous Saïda hoard, dating to the late 320s, makes it clear that it had to have been struck at some point during the reign of Alexander himself. If so, we might view it as a special issue designed to pay the troops who guarded Pergamon, location of one of the greatest stores of wealth in all of Alexander’s empire.
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48. LESBOS, Mytilene. Circa 521-478 BC. Hekte (Electrum, 10mm, 2.57 g 6). Head of a ram to right; below, rooster feeding to left. Rev. Lion’s head with open jaws to left; behind, rectangle divided into two squares; all incuse. BMC 10. Bodenstedt 11.5 (this coin). SNG Lockett 2754. Nicely toned. Extremely fine. From the collection of R. Abecassis, Leu 81, 16 May 2001, 263.
49. IONIA, Phokaia. Circa 625/00 BC. Hekte (Electrum, 10mm, 2.59 g). Head of a griffin to right. Rev. Irregular incuse square. Bodenstedt E1. De Luynes 2662 = Traité I, 170. Very rare. Attractively toned. Very fine.
50. ISLANDS off IONIA, Samos. Circa 600-570 BC. Stater (Electrum, 19mm, 17.28 g), Euboio-Samian standard. Irregular and uncertain design, probably random. Rev. Two parallel rectangular incuses with irregular surfaces. ACGC 66 = Barron p. 15, n. 3 = Weidauer 195. Weidauer 196. Extremely rare, one of perhaps a half dozen known examples. Good very fine. This stater comes from the earliest series of coins to be struck by Samos, and must have been produced very shortly after coins were first made by the Lydians. The obverse design (if it can be termed a design) is apparently just an irregular pattern that is probably meaningless. It is true that if studied long enough a coherent picture seems to emerge; however this is most likely wishful thinking! In fact, these very early pieces had obverses that mirrored the end of the punch die, a unique pattern that was an effective way to defeat forgers. Understandably, while useful as a protective feature, such obverses were surely unpopular with the coins’ users, and even their issuers, since not only would a coherent design be more attractive, it also could be used to make propaganda for the issuing state. Thus, this important coin stands directly at the beginning of the history of coin design.
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51. ISLANDS off IONIA, Samos. Circa 270-240 BC. Octobol (Silver, 19mm, 4.49 g 12), Ptolemaic standard. Lion’s scalp facing. Rev. [Σ]ΑΜΙΩΝ Forepart of an ox to right; below right, olive spray; below left, krater. Barron 24 (A211/P220). Very attractively toned. Good very fine. From the Ritter von Galatti collection (acquired prior to 1924), Dorotheum, 20 November 2013, 64.
52. SATRAPS of CARIA. Hekatomnos, Circa 392/1-377/6 BC. Drachm (Silver, 15mm, 4.25 g). ΕΚΑ Head of a roaring lion to left, his leg stretched to right below. Rev. Stellate pattern. SNG Copenhagen 588. SNG Keckman 275. SNG von Aulock 2356. Bold and nicely toned. Extremely fine.
53. ISLANDS off CARIA, Kos. Circa 500-480 BC. Hemiobol (Silver, 8mm, 0.49 g). Crab Rev. Rough incuse square. BMC 5. SNG Kayhan 903. A sharp, strong piece, with original find patina. About extremely fine.
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54. ISLANDS off CARIA, Kos. Circa 350-345 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 24.5mm, 15.05 g 6), Theodotos. Bearded head of Herakles to left, wearing lion’s skin headdress. Rev. ΚΩΙΟΝ / ΘΕΟΔΟΤΟΣ Crab with club below; all within square of dots. Pixodaros Hoard Kos 12 (these dies). BMFA 2019. SNG von Aulock 2747. A beautiful, toned example, well struck and most attractive. Extremely fine. From a European collection, acquired from Tradart in the early 1990s-.
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55. ISLANDS off CARIA, Rhodos. Rhodes. Circa 250-229 BC. Didrachm (Silver, 20mm, 6.72 g 12), Mnasimachos. Radiate head of Helios facing, turned slightly to the right. Rev. ΜΝΑΣΙΜΑΧΟΣ Rose with bud to left; below, Ρ Ο; to left, Athena Nikephoros standing to left. Ashton 208. SNG Keckman 537-539. Attractive and beautifully toned. Minor metal faults, otherwise, extremely fine. From a Swiss collection formed in the 1980s.
56. ISLANDS off CARIA, Rhodos. Rhodes. Circa 250-229 BC. Didrachm (Silver, 20mm, 6.71 g 12), Timotheos. Radiate head of Helios facing, turned slightly to the right. Rev. ΤΙΜΟΘΕΟΣ Rose with bud to left; below, Ρ Ο; to left, term. Ashton 209. SNG Copenhagen 767-768. SNG Keckman 540-1. A lovely, bright and lustrous, lightly toned example. Good extremely fine. From a Swiss collection formed in the 1980s.
57. ISLANDS off CARIA, Rhodos. Rhodes. Circa 150-125 BC. Hemidrachm (Silver, 13mm, 1.50 g 12), Timokrates. Radiate head of Helios, three-quarter facing to right. Rev. Ρ - Ο ΤΙΜΟΚΡΑΤΗΣ Rose with bud to right; below to left, coiled serpent; all within shallow incuse square. Jenkins, Rhodian 156. Extremely fine.
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58. ISLANDS off CARIA, Rhodos. Rhodes. Circa 125-88 BC. Drachm (Silver, 13mm, 1.35 g 12), plinthophoros, Antaios. Radiate head of Helios, three-quarter facing to right. Rev. Ρ - Ο ΑΝΤΑΙΣ Rose with bud to right; below to right, kerykeion; all within shallow incuse square. Jenkins, Rhodian 107. Extremely fine.
59. ISLANDS off CARIA, Rhodos. Rhodes. Circa 125-88 BC. Drachm (Silver, 17mm, 3.04 g 12), plinthophoros, Antaios. Radiate head of Helios to right. Rev. ΑΝΤΑΙΟΣ / Ρ - Ο Rose with bud to left; below to right, sun; all within shallow incuse square. Jenkins, Rhodian 128. A bright and attractive example. Minor doubling on the reverse, otherwise, extremely fine.
60. ISLANDS off CARIA, Rhodos. Rhodes. Circa 125-88 BC. Hemidrachm (Silver, 14mm, 1.41 g 12), Peritas. Radiate head of Helios, three-quarter facing to right. Rev. E (sic!) - Ο ΠΕΡΙΤΑΣ Rose with bud to right; below to right, kerykeion; all within shallow incuse square. Jenkins, Rhodian Group D1, cf. 238 (drachm). A bright, attractive piece with a remarkable obverse. Good extremely fine. Through a die cutter’s error the ethnic on the reverse of this coin reads Ε - Ο instead of Ρ - Ο!
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61. ISLANDS off CARIA, Rhodos. Rhodes. Circa 125-88 BC. Hemidrachm (Silver, 11mm, 1.40 g 12), Timokrates. Radiate head of Helios, three-quarter facing to right. Rev. Ρ - Ο ΤΙΜΟΚΡΑΤΗΣ Rose with bud to right; below to right, thunderbolt; all within shallow incuse square. Jenkins, Rhodian 134. Extremely fine.
62. DYNASTS of LYCIA. Mithrapata, circa 390-370 BC. Stater (Silver, 23mm, 9.90 g 2), Antiphellus, c. 380-375. Forepart of lion with open jaws to right. Rev. Methrapata (in Lycian script). Bearded head of Mithrapata to left; behind, triskeles. BMFA Suppl. 229. Kraay / Hirmer 658 (this coin). Olçay-Mørkholm 36 (dies XXX, this coin). SNG Berry 1185. SNG von Aulock 4237. Attractively toned and very well struck on broad flan of fine silver. Some areas flatly struck, otherwise, extremely fine. Ex Hess-Leu 11, 24 March 1959, 268, and from the Podalia Hoard of 1957 (IGCH 1262).
63. CILICIA, Tarsos. Pharnabazos, 380-374/3 BC. Stater (Silver, 22mm, 10.74 g 2), c. 380-379. B’LTRZ Baaltars seated left on backless throne, with his torso facing the viewer, draped to the waist and with a cloak over his shoulder, holding a long scepter in his right hand and with his left at his waist. Rev. PRNBZW Bearded male head to left, wearing crested Attic helmet. Moysey, ANSMN 31, Issue 2, 33/a (this coin cited). SNG Levante -. SNG Paris - . A very rare variety. Most attractive and very well struck. Extremely fine. From the Sunrise Collection, Triton XVIII, 6 January 2015, 65 and from the Prospero Collection, New York Sale XXVII, 4 January 2012, 598, ex Spink 25, 24 November 1982, 119, J. Schulman 248, 19 November 1968, 182 and Münzen und Medaillen FPL 228, January 1963, 14.
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64. CYPRUS, Salamis. Evagoras I, Circa 411-374 BC. Tenth Stater (Gold, 8mm, 0.72 g 12). Head of bearded Herakles to right, wearing lion skin headdress. Rev. Forepart of a he-goat to right; below, groundline. Dewing 2531 (same dies). Markou, Variant A, 213 (D5/R6, this coin, enlarged on pl. XXX). SNG Copenhagen 46. Well-centered and nicely toned. Minor marks on the reverse, otherwise, good very fine. Ex Peus 372, 30 October 2002, 408, Schweizerischer Bankverein 21, 24 January 1989, 86 and Galata FPL, March 1986, 39.
65. SELEUKID KINGS of SYRIA. Alexander I Balas, 152-145 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 29.5mm, 14.25 g 1), Tyre, year 164 = 149/148. Diademed and draped bust of Alexander Balas to right. Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ / ΔΞΡ/ΗΡ Eagle, with closed wings and palm over its right shoulder, standing left on prow of galley; in field to left, Monogram of ΤΥΡ on handle of vertical club. Newell ANSNNM 73, 63 var. SC 1835.3/2 var. SNG Spaer 1830/29 var. Beautifully toned and well-struck. Good extremely fine.
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66. KINGS of PARTHIA. Mithradates II, 121-91 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 29mm, 15.83 g 12), Seleukeiaon-the-Tigris, 120/119-109. Diademed and draped bust of Mithradates to left, wearing beard and simple torc. Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ Archer seated to right, holding bow; to right, palm branch. Sellwood 24.3. Shore 66. Sunrise 281. A remarkably sharp and attractive example, lightly toned and with a wonderful portrait. Good extremely fine.
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67. EGYPT. Ptolemy I Soter, as satrap, 323-305 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 26.5mm, 17.11 g 11), Attic weight standard, Alexandria, 316-312/310. Head of the deified Alexander III to right, wearing mitra of Dionysos and elephant skin headdress, with aegis around his neck, and with horn of Ammon on his forehead; next to elephant’s ear, tiny Δ. Rev. ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ Athena Alkidemos advancing right, hurling spear with her right hand and with shield over her extended left arm; to right, eagle with closed wings standing on thunderbolt to right, with ΕΥ to its left. SNG Copenhagen 15. Cf. Svoronos 42 (ΕΥ below eagle). Zervos XVIII. A very attractive, well-toned and well-struck example. Extremely fine. From the collection of David Sellwood.
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68. PTOLEMAIC KINGS of EGYPT. Arsinoe II, wife of Ptolemy II, Died 270 BC. Oktadrachm (Gold, 26mm, 27.92 g 12), 253-246. Diademed and veiled bust of Arsinoe II to right, with the tip of a lotos scepter at the top of her head; behind, Θ. Rev. ΑΡΣΙΝΟΗΣ ΦΙΛΑΔΕΛΦΟΥ Double cornucopiae filled with fruits and bound with fillet. SNG Copenhagen 134. Svoronos 460. An excellent, lustrous example. Extremely fine.
69. PTOLEMAIC KINGS of EGYPT. Ptolemy IV Philopator, 225-205 BC. Oktadrachm or Mnaieon (Gold, 27mm, 27.93 g 12), Alexandria. Radiate and diademed bust of the deified Ptolemy III to right, wearing aegis and with trident over his left shoulder. Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ Radiate cornucopiae bound with royal diadem; below, ΔΙ. BMC 103. Kraay/Hirmer 803. SNG Copenhagen 196. Svoronos 1117. A splendid, well-centered coin struck in high relief. Extremely fine. This coin was produced by Ptolemy IV in honor of his highly popular father, Ptolemy III: he himself was supposedly an unpleasant, debauched character who allowed venal ministers to rule as they wished. He did, however, manage to keep Egypt relatively free from foreign adventures and fostered the rights and privileges of native Egyptian population.
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70. KYRENAICA, Kyrene. Circa 480-435 BC. Drachm (Silver, 15.5mm, 3.49 g 6). Silphium plant with four leaves. Rev. Κ-Υ-Ρ-Α Bearded head of Zeus Ammon to right, with large ram’s horn curled around his ear and surrounded by a circle of pearls; all within a shallow incuse square. BMC 49-50 (same dies). BMFA 1313. SNG Copenhagen 1177. Very rare. A very attractive, toned example of fine style. Extremely fine.
71. KYRENAICA, Kyrene. Under Egyptian control, circa 308-305 BC. AE (Bronze, 17mm, 4.23 g 10). Ram’s head to right. Rev. Eagle standing right, with his head turned to left and with closed wings. Asolati 33. BMC -. SNG Copenhagen -. Very rare. Struck from slightly worn dies, otherwise, very fine. From a Swiss collection.
Roman Republican Coinage
72. Anonymous, 225-212 BC. Quadrigatus or Didrachm (Silver, 19.5mm, 6.67 g 9), Rome. Laureate janiform head of the Dioscouri; at the center on the top of the head, two feathery locks of hair. Rev. Jupiter, holding scepter and thunderbolt, standing right in a quadriga, which is driven to right by Victory who stands beside him; below, linear tablet with ROMA in relief letters. Crawford 31/1. Attractively toned, well struck and nicely centered. Extremely fine.
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73. Safra, 150 BC. Denarius (Silver, 18mm, 4.10 g 7), Rome. Head of Roma to right in winged helmet; behind, X. Rev. SAFRA / ROMA Victory driving biga galloping to right, holding reins in her right hand and whip in her left. Babelon (Afrania) 1. Crawford 206/1. Sydenham 388. A splendid, bright, sharply struck example. Virtually as struck. From a Swiss collection.
74. M. Marcius Mn.f, 134 BC. Denarius (Silver, 17mm, 3.91 g 2), Rome. Helmeted head of Roma to right, wearing earring and pearl necklace; behind, modius; below chin, XVI monogram. Rev. M - MAR - C / RO - MA Victory driving biga galloping to right, holding the reins in her left hand and a whip in her right; below, two grain ears. Babelon (Marcia) 8. Crawford 245/1. Sydenham 500. A brilliant, lustrous piece. Struck on a short flan, otherwise, virtually as struck. From a Swiss collection.
75. P. Maenius Antiacus M.f, 132 BC. Denarius (Silver, 19mm, 3.91 g 11), Rome. Helmeted head of Roma to right; behind, XVI monogram. Rev. P.MAE ANT / ROMA Victory in quadriga galloping to right, holding reins and palm-branch in her left hand and wreath in her right. Babelon (Maenia) 7. Crawford 249/1. Sydenham 492. Bright and very attractive. Virtually as struck. From a Swiss collection.
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76. The Social War. Coinage of the Marsic Confederation, 90-88 BC. Denarius (Silver, 18mm, 3.80 g 8), Bovianum, 89. Viteliu (in Oscan) Laureate head of Italia to left, wearing pendant earring and pearl necklace. Rev. Soldier, wearing helmet and robes, standing facing, his head to right, holding a reversed spear in his right hand and with his left foot on a Roman standard; to right, recumbant bull facing, head turned to left. Campana 137. HN III 407. Sydenahm 627. A beautifully toned, sharp and most attractive example. Extremely fine. From an old European collection, acquired prior to World War II.
77. M. Plaetorius M.f. Cestianus, 57 BC. Denarius (Silver, 17mm, 3.94 g 6), Rome. Youthful male head to right, with long hair; behind, dolphin. Rev. M.PLAETORI / CEST EX S C Winged caduceus. Babelon (Plaetoria) 5. Crawford 405/5. Sydenham 807. Very attractively toned. About extremely fine. From a Swiss collection, ex Monnaies et Médailles 52, 19 June 1975, 361.
78. Faustus Cornelius Sulla, 56 BC. Denarius (Silver, 19.5mm, 3.91 g 5), Rome. FAVSTVS Diademed and draped bust of Diana to right, with pendant earring, elaborate necklace and crescent above her forehead; behind neck, lituus. Rev. FELIX Sulla seated left on platform, extending his right hand to Bocchus, king of Mauretania, who kneels to right before him and holds a palm branch in his right hand; to right, figure of the defeated king Jugurtha of Numidia, kneeling to left, his hands bound behind his back. Babelon (Cornelia) 59. Crawford 426/1. RBW 1525. Sydenham 879. Rare. Beautifully toned and struck on a broad flan. Extremely fine. 37
79. C. Memmius C.f, 56 BC. Denarius (Silver, 19mm, 3.85 g 5), Rome. C.MEMMI.C.F Head of Ceres to right, wearing wreath of grain ears and earring. Rev. C.MEMMIVS / IMPERATOR Trophy of arms with, at its base, captive kneeling to right, his hands tied behind his back. Babelon (Memmia) 10. Crawford 427/1. Sydenham 920. An attractive, well-centered and nicely toned coin struck on a broad flan. Extremely fine. The reverse relates to the moneyer’s uncle, C. Memmius L.f., who was the commander of the Roman forces who were victorious in Bithynia in the early 50s BC. He was given the title imperator for those victories in BC 57; this coin was struck shortly thereafter to commemorate that event.
80. C. Servilius C.f, 53 BC. Denarius (Silver, 18mm, 4.06 g 12), Rome. FLORAL PRIMVS Wreathed head of Flora to right; behind, lituus. Rev. C.SERVEIL. / C.F Two soldiers standing and facing each other, presenting swords. Babelon (Servilia) 15. Crawford 423/1. RBW 1521. Sydenham 890. Toned and attractive. Extremely fine.
81. Julius Caesar, Denarius (Silver, 19mm, 3.98 g 7), military mint traveling with Caesar in North Africa, 4746. Diademed head of Venus to right. Rev. CAESAR Aeneas advancing left, holding palladium in his right hand and bearing Anchises on his left shoulder. Babelon (Julia) 10. Crawford 458/1. Sydenham 1013. A beautiful and finely toned example. Reverse struck slightly off center, otherwise, extremely fine. 38
82. Q. Caecilius Metellus Pius Scipio and P. Licinius Crassus Iunianus, 47-46 BC. Denarius (Silver, 19mm, 3.82 g 2), mint in Africa, Utica (?). SCIP.IMP - METEL.PIVS Archaizing diademed head of Jupiter to right; below, eagle’s head left above a scepter. Rev. CRASS.IVN - [LEG.PROPR] Curule chair between ear of grain and mouth of a carnyx; scales upon a cornucopiae. Babelon (Caecilia) 49, (Licinia) 20. Crawford 460/2. CRI 41. Sydenham 1048. Very rare. Attractively toned and nicely centered. About extremely fine. From an English collection formed in the 1960s and 1970s.
83. Julius Caesar, 46 BC. Aureus (Gold, 20.5mm, 8.04 g 9), with Aulus Hirtius, as praefectus urbi, Rome. C.CAESAR COS TER Veiled female head to right (Pietas?). Rev. A.HIRTIVS.PR Lituus, jug and axe. Babelon (Hirtia) 1, (Julia) 22. BMCRR 4050. Calicó 37a. Crawford 466/1. CRI 56. RBW 1636. Sydenham 1018. Toned. With an interesting engraver’s mistake on the reverse. About extremely fine. The production of dies by the mint in Rome was very carefully organized and controlled; this meant that many of the craftsmen employed there were highly specialized. There is good evidence that certain engravers did portraits and figures, while others just did legends. Even though the aurei signed by Aulus Hirtius were made very rapidly and in enormous numbers, it is clear that this specialization process was adhered to. On the reverse the legend engraver suddenly found that he had misjudged the spacing and had almost ran out of room: he initially realized that he lacked enough room for the last three letters, S PR. So he drastically squeezed in the S!
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84. Julius Caesar, Denarius (Silver, 18mm, 3.59 g 7), struck under the magistrate M. Mettius, March 44 BC. CAESAR IMPER Wreathed head of Julius Caesar to right. Rev. M METTIVS Venus standing left, holding Victory in her right hand, scepter in her left, and leaning her left elbow on a shield atop on globe; before, D. Alföldi 16, pl. cxiii-cxxvi (obverse 13 / reverse 27). Babelon (Julia) 33 and (Mettia) 5. Cohen 35. Crawford 480/17. Cf. Haeberlin 2819-2822 (but with A, C and E). Cf. RBW 1686 (with A). Sear Imperators 101. Sydenham 1055. Rare. A splendid, toned example with an excellent portrait of Caesar. Obverse slightly off center, otherwise, good very fine. Ex Numismatica Ars Classica L, 18 May 2001, 1566. The reverse die of this coin originally bore the letter A, prior to being re-engraved with B, C and, finally, D. K. Kraft first noticed that the wreath worn by Caesar differed significantly from those laurel-wreaths found on earlier types on portraits: for example, those of Venus. Therefore he suggested that it ought to be identified as the golden wreath, which was worn by Caesar at the Lupercalia in 44 BC. M. H. Crawford, however, thought that it was rather the corona aurea that he had been awarded as a triumphator. The same type of wreath had also been voted to Pompey; it has no resemblance to the Etruscan wreaths cited by Kraft.
85. L. Livineius Regulus, 42 BC. Denarius (Silver, 19mm, 3.59 g 7), Rome. Bare head of Livineius Regulus to right. Rev. L.LIVINEIVS / REGVLVS Curule chair; to left and right, three fasces. Babelon (Livineia) 11. Crawford 494/28. Sear Imperators 177. Sydenham 1110. A lovely example struck in very good metal and with an elegant portrait. Extremely fine.
86. Mark Antony and Octavian, 41 BC. Denarius (Silver, 20mm, 3.92 g 9), mint moving with Antony, under the moneyer L. Gellius. M.ANT.IMP.AVG.III.VIR. R.P.C.L.GELL.Q.P Bare head of M. Antony to right; in field to left, jug. Rev. CAESAR.IMP.PONT.III.VIR.R.P.C. Bare head of Octavian to right; in field to left, lituus. Babelon (Antonia) 54, (Gellia) 8. Crawford 517/8. CRI 250. Sydenham 1188. Very rare. Toned. Some minor marks, otherwise, about extremely fine. From a Swiss collection.
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87. Sextus Pompey, 37-36 BC. Denarius (Silver, 19mm, 3.49Â g 12), Sicily. MAG.PIVS.-IMP.ITER. Diademed and bearded head of Neptune to right, trident over his left shoulder. Rev. [PRAEF.CLAS ET] O RAE MARIT EX S C (partially ligate) Naval trophy set on an anchor and supported by a trident; at base, heads of Scylla and Charybdis. Crawford 511/2b. CRI 333. RBW 1784. Sydenham 1347. Rare. Nicely struck and beautifully toned. Struck on a tight flan, otherwise, extremely fine. From a Swiss collection.
Roman Imperial Coinage
88. Augustus, 27 BC-AD 14. Denarius (Silver, 18mm, 3.30Â g 4), Rome, under P. Petronius Turpilianus, 19/18 BC. TVRPILIANVS III VIR / FE-RON Diademed and draped bust of Feronia to right. Rev. CAESAR AVGVSTVS SIGN RECE Parthian kneeling in submission to right, holding out a standard with a vexillum inscribed with X. BMC 14. BN 129. Cohen 484. RIC 288. Toned and mostly very well struck, with an amazingly fine head of the kneeling Parthian. Some striking flatness, otherwise, extremely fine. From an American collection. This coin commemorates the return by the Parthians of the Roman standards they had captured from the Romans under Crassus and Antony.
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89. Augustus, 27 BC-AD 14. Denarius (Silver, 18mm, 3.69 g 6), Spanish mint (Colonia Caesaraugusta?), 19-18 BC. Head of Augustus wearing oak wreath to right. Rev. CAESAR AVGVSTVS Two laurel branches flanking S - P / Q - R arranged around a shield inscribed CL V. BMC 354 (Colonia Patricia). BN 1335 (Nimes). Cohen 51. RIC 36a. A most attractive example of excellent style, with a good portrait and fine old cabinet toning. Minor die flaws on obverse and slightly off-centered, otherwise, extremely fine. The CL V on the reverse of this issue represents the clipeus virtutis, which was - according to the Res Gestae Divi Augusti, the funerary inscription giving the achievements of Augustus - a golden shield displayed in the Curia Iulia that was given to Augustus by the Senate and the Roman people (Senatus PopulusQue Romanus) in commemoration of his virtue, piety, justice and clemency. Even though it seems to be obvious that Augustus must have been awarded the shield right after he achieved absolute power and declared the restoration of the Republic, Sydenham suggests “that there is no decisive evidence as to the exact date at which the golden shield was conferred, but the coins on which it is represented are of later date than the year BC 27”. In 19 BC the Parthians returned the standards they had captured from Crassus in 53, thus providing an excellent opportunity to recall Augustus’ pietas, one of the virtues recorded on the clipeus.
90. Augustus. 27 BC-AD 14. Denarius (Silver, 18mm, 3.84 g 5), Lugdunum, 15 BC. AVGVSTVS DIVI F Bare head of Augustus to right. Rev. IMP.X Bull with head lowered, butting to right. BMC 451. Cohen 137. RIC 167a. A splendid piece with a very good, Gallic-style portrait in high relief. Tiny flan crack and banker’s mark on the emperor’s cheek, otherwise, good extremely fine. From a Swiss collection.
91. Augustus, 27 BC-AD 14. Denarius (Silver, 19mm, 3.88 g 5), Lugdunum, 15-13 BC. DIVI F AVGVSTVS Bare head of Augustus to right. Rev. IMP X On the right, Augustus, bare-headed and togate, seated left on a stool on a platform, holding out his right hand towards two bare-headed men standing right, wearing military dress, and each holding a parazonium in his left hand and offering the emperor an olive-branch held in his right. BMC 445. BN 1366. Cohen 133. RIC 165a. A lovely and most attractively toned example of particularly fine style. Good very fine. Ex UBS 56, 28-30 January 2003, 212.
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92. Tiberius, 14-37. Aureus (Gold, 19mm, 7.79 g 6), Lugdunum, early 30s. T CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVGVSTVS Laureate head of Tiberius to right, with prominent wreath ties. Rev. PONTIF MAXIM The empress Livia seated right on throne with ornamented legs, holding long scepter in her left hand and olive branch in her right, and with her feet resting on a low footrest before her. BMC 46. Calicó 305b. RIC 29. A very well struck and elegant example. Extremely fine. This coin is quite remarkable for the detailed representation of Livia on the reverse: not only is the curved and solid back of her throne clearly visible, but her robes are very carefully and elaborately shown. This compares very favorably with the usual, more sketchy, figures on this massive coinage and must mean that this die was engraved with especial care.
93. Tiberius, 14-37. Aureus (Gold, 19mm, 7.80 g 2), Lugdunum, early 30s. TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVGVSTVS Laureate head of Tiberius to right. Rev. PONTIF MAXIM Livia seated right on a throne with decorated legs, holding a long vertical scepter and a branch. BMC 46. Calicó 305a. RIC 29. An attractive example with original mint luster. Well struck on both sides. Minor die break, otherwise, nearly extremely fine. From a Swiss collection formed in the 1990s. The gold coinage of Tiberius must have been enormous. It was struck in the great branch mint of Lyon and was, as a class, one of the most used gold coinages in Roman history. These pieces are found all over the Empire and beyond - they were very popular in India where they were imported as payment for the spices and luxuries the Romans craved. Nevertheless, the fact that these coins were so popular means that they were also extensively used and many lasted in circulation until at least the 2nd century AD. Thus, a lovely piece like this, is not at all common.
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94. Claudius, 41-54. Tetradrachm (Silver, 28mm, 10.85 g 6), Ephesus, 41/42. TI CLAVD CAES AVG Bare head of Claudius to left. Rev. DIAN - EPHE Tetrastyle temple of Diana at Ephesus, on a podium and three steps and with the cult statue of Diana facing in the central intercolumniation; in the pediment, three windows with a large round disc above the larger, central one, flanking the central window, two standing figures; in each angle, stag. BMC 229. RPC 2222. Rare. Toned, well-centered on a broad flan and with a noble and elegant portrait. Some deposits and minor marks, otherwise, about extremely fine.
95. Nero Claudius Drusus, died 9 BC. Denarius (Silver, 18mm, 3.64 g 9), Rome, 41-45. NERO CLAVDIVS DRVSVS GERMANICVS IMP Laureate head of Nero Claudius Drusus to left. Rev. Triumphal arch with DE above and GERM on the architrave surmounted by an equestrian statue of Nero Drusus galloping to right between two military trophies, each with a bound captive seated below. Banti & Simonetti XI, p. 116, 22/2 (this coin, but prior to repair). BMC 97. Cohen 2. RIC 70. Very attractively toned and with a fine portrait. Banker’s mark very skillfully removed and repaired on the reverse, otherwise, good very fine. From the collection of Sir Arthur Evans, Ars Classica XVII, 3 October 1934, 1233 and ex Hirsch XXXIV, 5 May 1914, 932 (bought by Spink’s on behalf of Evans for 35 RM against Hirsch’s three commission bidders).
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96. Nero, as Caesar, 50-54. Denarius (Silver, 18mm, 3.67 g 4), Rome, 50-54. NERONI CLAVDIO DRVSO GERM COS DESIGN Bare-headed and draped bust of Nero Caesar to right. Rev. Vertical spear on which hangs a circular shield inscribed: EQVESTER / OR-DO / PRINCIPI / IVVENT. BMC (Claudius) 93. BN (Claudius) 96. Cohen 97. RIC (Claudius) 79. Very rare. Attractively toned, well struck on a full flan and with a splendid youthful portrait. Good extremely fine. Ex I. & L. Goldberg 80, 3 June 2014, 3120 and from the collection of Pepe Fernandez Molina, Imagines Imperatorum, 8 February 2012, 29.
97. Nero, 54-68. Denarius (Silver, 17mm, 3.33 g 8), with his mother Agrippina Junior, Rome, OctoberDecember 54. AGRIPP AVG DIVI CLAVD NERONIS CAES MATER Confronted busts of Nero to right, bare headed, and Agrippina II to left, draped and with her hair in a long plait. Rev. NERONI CLAVD DIVI F CAES AVG GERM IMP TR P around an oak wreath enclosing EX S C. BMC 3. BN 8. RIC 2. WCN 36. Rare. Toned and superb portraits in high relief. Some slight roughness, otherwise, extremely fine.
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98. Nero, 54-68. Aureus (Gold, 19mm, 7.56 g 10), Rome, 55-56. NERO · CAESAR · AVG · IMP Bare head of Nero to right. Rev. PONTIF · MAX · TR · P · II · P P · EX · S C within wreath. BMC 9. Calicó 420. Cohen 204. RIC 8. A lovely, beautifully toned example with a splendid youthful head of Nero. Good very fine. The coinage of Nero is remarkable for the almost frightening physical changes he went through. He began as a thin, elegant and, even, handsome Julio-Claudian. Within a relatively few years gluttony, debauchery and psychological problems made his weight billow upwards, making him almost unrecognizable, at least when compared to his image as it appears here.
99. Vespasian, 69-79. Aureus (Gold, 18.5mm, 7.35 g 1), Rome, 76. IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG Laureate head of Vespasian to right. Rev. COS VII Heifer standing to right. Biaggi 314. BMC 176. Calicó 622. Cohen 117. RIC 840. A toned example with a nice portrait, but with some flatness on the high points. Nearly extremely fine.
100. Vespasian, 69-79. Aureus (Gold, 19mm, 7.16 g 6), Rome, 77-78. IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG Laureate head of Vespasian to left. Rev. COS VIII Vespasian, in military dress, standing left, holding spear with his right hand and parazonium in his left; behind him to right, Victory standing left, crowning him with her right hand and holding palm with her left. BMC 205. Calicó 625. Cohen 131. RIC 936. An attractive coin with a fine portrait of the powerful but elderly emperor. Good very fine. 47
101. Domitian, 81-96. Aureus (Gold, 19mm, 7.44 g 5), Rome, 82. IMP CAES DOMITIANVS AVG P M Laureate head of Domitian to right. Rev. TR POT IMP II COS VIII DES VIIII P P Helmeted and armored bust of Minerva to left. BMC -, but see the note to 33. Calicó 937. Cohen 608. RIC 139. Rare. Nicely toned. Some flatness and abrasion on Domitian’s cheek, otherwise, good very fine.
102. Domitian, 81-96. Denarius (Silver, 17mm, 3.61 g 6), Rome, September - December 88. IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P VIII Laureate head of Domitian to right. Rev. COS XIIII separated by a cippus inscribed with LVD / SAEC / FEC; all within a laurel wreath tied at the bottom and closed at the top with a medallion. BMC 137. BN 126. Cohen 70. RIC 604. A rare, attractive and toned piece, struck in honor of the Secular Games. Extremely fine. From an old English collection.
103. Julia Titi, Augusta, 79-90/1. Denarius (Silver, 18mm, 3.71 g 6), Rome, 80-81. IVLIA AVGVSTA TITI AVGVSTI F Diademed and draped bust of Julia Titi to right, her hair bound in a plait falling down the back of her neck. Rev. VENVS AVG Venus standing right, with her drapery below her buttocks, holding a helmet in her right hand and a long scepter in her left, leaning her left elbow on the capital of a low column standing behind her. Cohen 13. RIC² 386 (Titus). Rare. A fine, lightly toned example with an elegant portrait of the young empress. Extremely fine. 48
104. Nerva, 96-98. Sestertius (Orichalcum, 32mm, 27.78 g 6), Rome, after 18 September 97. IMP NERVA CAES AVG P M TR P II COS III P P Laureate head of Nerva to right. Rev. LIBERTAS PVBLICA / S - C Libertas standing left, holding pileus in her right hand and scepter in her left. Banti 34. BMC 135. BN 120. Cohen 118. RIC 100. A lovely piece with a fine portrait and a splendid glossy dark green patina of unusually fine quality and attractiveness. Some very minor scratches, otherwise, about extremely fine. From a private European collection, originally purchased from Spink’s in London in 2000.
105. Trajan, 98-117. As (Copper, 27mm, 11.83 g 7), Rome, 104/5-107. IMP CAES NERVAE TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS V P P Laureate bust of Trajan to right, with light drapery on his far shoulder. Rev. SPQR OPTIMO PRINCIPI / S - C Elaborately decorated oval shield set over a saltire of spears, a sword, one oblong shield and a vexillum. BMC 951. BN 532. Cohen 569. RIC 584. Woytek 198bB. A very attractive, well struck piece with a dark, blackish-green patina. Extremely fine. This splendid piece commemorates Trajan’s victories over the Dacians: it shows a pile of arms of types that were used by them and were captured by the Romans.
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106. Trajan, 98-117. Dupondius (Orichalcum, 27mm, 11.55Â g 7), Rome, 107-110. IMP CAES NERVAE TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P V P P Radiate bust of Trajan to right, with slight drapery over his left shoulder. Rev. S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI / S C Arched bridge of two stories spanning river; below span, river boat to left; at either end, arch surmounted by groups of statues. BN 337. Cohen 544. RIC 570. Woytek 315b. A lovely example with a fine dark, greenish-red patina. Extremely fine. From a Swiss collection.
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107. Trajan, 98-117. Sestertius (Orichalcum, 34mm, 29.00 g 7), Rome, 115. IMP CAES NER TRAIANO OPTIMO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS VI P P Laureate and draped bust of Trajan to right. Rev. SENATVS POPVLVSQVE ROMANVS / FORT RED / S C Fortuna seated left, holding rudder in her right hand and cornucopiae in her left. Banti 66. BMC 1016. Cohen 158. RIC 652. A most attractive coin of particularly fine style and with an attractive green patina. Extremely fine. From the collection of G. Steinberg, Numismatica Ars Classica and Spink Taisei, 16 November 1994, 378.
108. Trajan, 98-117. Sestertius (Orichalcum, 32mm, 23.19 g 6), Rome, 116/117. IMP CAES NER TRAIANO OPTIMO AVG GER DAC PARTHICO P M TR P COS VI P P Laureate and draped bust of Trajan to right. Rev. REX PARTHIS DATVS / S C Trajan, with soldier standing left behind him, seated left on platform, extending his right hand to crown Parthamaspates who stands left before him on the ground; to left, Parthia kneeling right. BMC 1046. BN 920. Cohen 328. RIC 667. An attractive, well struck example with a dark patina. Extremely fine. From a Swiss collection.
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109. Trajan, 98-117. As (Orichalcum, 22mm, 8.35 g 6), Rome, February 116 - early August 117. IMP CAES NER TRAIANO OPTIMO AVG GERM Radiate and draped bust of Trajan to right. Rev. DAC PARTHICO P M TR POT XX COS VI P P around S C within laurel wreath. BN 953ff. Cohen 122. RIC 644. An attractive and well struck example with a fine olive-brown patina. Extremely fine. From a Swiss collection. This coin comes from one of the exceptional issues that were produced in Rome for use in a specific province or region of the Empire; in this case, Asia. It is clearly set apart from the normal Rome issues by its unusual size (it is smaller than an As but larger than a Semis), its unexpected metal (orichalcum) and the emperor’s radiate crown (appropriate for dupondii but not for anything smaller). Modern research has shown that the issuance of such unusual issues included coins produced with legends in Latin and Greek, and varying denominations (tetradrachms for both Antioch and Alexandria, for example). In some cases, as here, the struck coins were shipped from Rome but other issues were almost certainly struck locally from dies sent from Rome.
110. Hadrian, 117-138. Denarius (Silver, 19mm, 3.48 g 6), Rome, circa 124-128. HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS Laureate head of Hadrian to right with slight drapery on his far shoulder. Rev. COS III Seven stars above crescent. Cohen 466. RIC 202. A most attractive and sharply struck example. Obverse struck slightly off center, otherwise, nearly extremely fine.
111. Hadrian, 117-138. Dupondius (Orichalcum, 25mm, 12.15 g 1), Rome, c. 132-135. HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS Laureate and draped bust of Hadrian to right. Rev. FELICITATI AVG / COS III P P / S - C Galley to left, with five rowers and steersman; at the prow, slanting mast with sail; at the stern, vexillum and standard. BMC 1461 var. Cohen 667. RIC 719. A pretty coin with an attractive dark brown patina. Some inobtrusive pitting from corrosion, otherwise, extremely fine. From the collection of Dr. E. P. Nicolas, Kampmann, 9 March 1982, 429.
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112. Egypt, Alexandria. Hadrian, 117-138. Tetradrachm (Billon, 24mm, 13.69 g 11), year 9 = 124/5. AΥΤ ΚΑΙ ΤΡΑΙ ΑΔΡΙΑ CΕΒ Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Hadrian to right. Rev. ΕΤ ΕΝΑΤ Nike advancing to left, holding wreath in her right hand and palm in her left. Dattari 1410. Kellner, Alexandreia, p. 105, pl. 5, 9 (this coin). RPC 5509 (this coin cited). Very rare. Toned. Good very fine. From the collection of A. Voirol and from the Steger collection, Münzhandlung Basel 6, 18 March 1936, 397.
113. Egypt, Alexandria. Hadrian, 117-138. Hemidrachm (Bronze, 28.5mm, 16.11 g 11), year 12 = 127/8. AΥΤ ΚΑΙ ΤΡΑΙ ΑΔΡΙΑ CΕΒ Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Hadrian to right. Rev. L ΔωΔΕΚ Euthenia reclining to left, holding grain ears in her right hand and resting her left elbow on the head of a sphinx. Dattari 1709. Geissen 989. Kellner, Alexandreia, p. 106 and pl. 6, 1 (this coin). RPC 5719 (this coin cited). An unusually nice coin with a splendid red-brown patina. Extremely fine. From the collections of W. Niggeler and Conte Alessandro Magnaguti, III, Santamaria, 26 June 1950, 929.
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114. Egypt, Alexandria. Hadrian, 117-138. Obol (Bronze, 20mm, 5.95 g 12), year 21 = 136/7. ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙC ΤΡΑΙΑΝ ΑΔΡΙΑΝΟC CΕΒ (but letters partially retrograde and jumbled) Laureate head of Hadrian to left. Rev. L ΚΑ Modius between two torches. Dattari 1927. Kellner, Alexandreia, p. 108, pl. 6, 20 (this coin). RPC 6247. An attractive piece with a reddish patina. Good very fine. From the collection of Conte Alessandro Magnaguti, III, Santamaria, 26 June 1950, 1014.
115. Antoninus Pius, 138-161. Aureus (Gold, 21.5mm, 7.46 g 5), Rome, 138. IMP T AEL CAES HAD-RI ANTONINVS Bare head of Antoninus Pius to right. Rev. AVG PIVS P M TR P COS DES II Pietas, draped and veiled, standing right, raising right hand and holding a box of incense in her left; to her right, altar. BMC 27. Calicó 1469a. Cohen 70. RIC 13. A very attractive piece, nicely struck on a broad flan. Good extremely fine.
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116. Antoninus Pius, 138-161. Denarius (Silver, 19mm, 3.32 g 5), Rome, 139. IMP T AEL CAES HADR ANTONINVS Bare head of Antoninus Pius to right. Rev. AVG PIVS P M TR P COS II Fortuna standing left, holding rudder set on globe with her right hand and cornucopiae with her left. Cohen 88. RIC 22. A most attractive piece of particularly nice style. Extremely fine.
117. Antoninus Pius, 138-161. Aureus (Gold, 19mm, 7.34 g 6), Rome, c. 145-161. ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P Laureate bust of Antoninus Pius to right, light drapery on his far shoulder. Rev. TR POT COS IIII Roma seated left, holding Palladium and spear; shield at her side. BMC 558. Calicó 1656a. Cohen -. RIC 147. An attractive coin, lightly toned. Some minor marks, otherwise, about extremely fine.
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118. Antoninus Pius, 138-161. Sestertius (Orichalcum, 32mm, 27.03Â g 11), Rome, c. 146. ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P Laureate head of Antoninus Pius to right. Rev. COS IIII / S C Pius standing in quadriga moving slowly to left, he stretches out his right hand and holds the reins and an eagle-tipped scepter in his left. BMC 1670. Cohen 320. RIC 767a. With a superb portrait and an attractive, dark olive green-brown patina. Extremely fine.
119. Antoninus Pius, 138-161. Denarius (Silver, 19mm, 3.66Â g 6), Rome, 149/150. ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P XIII Laureate head of Antoninus Pius to right. Rev. COS IIII Felicitas standing partially to left, holding caduceus in her right hand and cornucopiae with her left. BMC 709. Cohen 253. Attractive, bright and sharply struck. Virtually as struck. From an English collection.
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120. Diva Faustina Junior, died in the winter of 175. Sestertius (Orichalcum, 29mm, 24.02 g 6), Rome, c. 176-180. DIVA FAV-STINA PIA Draped bust of Faustina to right, her hair in a long braid bound up in a bun at the back. Rev. AETERNITAS The draped figure of the deified Faustina II seated left on a low-backed throne, holding a scepter in her upraised right hand, resting her left in her lap, and with her veil, one end held in her right hand and the other wrapped around her body, billowing out above her head; to left and right, draped female figure moving to left, each with a veil, held in her right hand and wrapped around her body, billowing over her head; each looks toward Faustina, the one on the left turning her head back to do so; below, S C. Banti 7. BMC (Marcus Aurelius) 1568 (variant - with S-C in field to left and right). Cohen 10. RIC (Marcus Aurelius) 1697 (variant - with S-C in field to left and right). Very rare. A remarkably beautiful example, perhaps the finest known, well-struck and well-centered with a lovely grey and olive-green patina. Minor flan crack, otherwise, extremely fine. From an Austrian collection. This coin bears one of the most extraordinary reverse depictions ever to appear on a Roman coin made for general circulation: it is, in fact, completely medallic in nature. It also forms part of a what can only be described as being as astonishing series of coins that shows Faustina II’s progress to the heavens. The series seems to begin with Faustina, draped but unveiled, who is apparently either sitting on the back of Victoria, or is somehow supported by her (Banti 10, BMC 1567, Cohen 12). Exceptionally, Victoria holds a torch, thus, showing that she is lighting the way forward. A most interesting fact is that on that piece, Faustina is unveiled: this probably indicates that she is being depicted at the time of her death (prior to her ‘putting on’ the veil symbolic of her passing); the figure of Victory alludes to her presence with her husband when he was on campaign in Asia. She then appears veiled either riding on the traditional peacock (Banti 38, BMC 1570, Cohen 69) or an eagle (Banti 37, BMC 1572, Cohen 68 - note that the legend given in Banti is incorrect). Another type, which is also extremely rare, bears the legend SIDERIBVS RECEPTA (all the others read AETERNITAS), and shows Faustina, veiled, borne to the stars in a biga (Banti 123, BMC 1591, Cohen 217). Finally we have the present coin, which shows the deceased empress after her arrival in the heavens, seated on a throne with two attendants. We can be sure that she is in her place among the stars, rather than anywhere else, because her veil, and those of her two companions, is billowing up over her head (just as it does when she is flying on the eagle or peacock, or in her chariot); additionally, there is no ground or exergual line, which would be most unexpected for any ‘normal’ scene. She is clearly to be visualized as being up in the heavens.
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121. Antioch. Septimius Severus, 193-211. Tetradrachm (Silver, 26mm, 12.99 g 12), 205-211. ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙ CΕΟΥΗΡΟC CΕ-Β Laureate head of Septimius Severus to right. Rev. ΔΗΜΑΡΧ ΕΞ ΥΠΑΤΟ Γ Eagle standing facing with spread wings, his head turned to right holding a wreath in his beak; held in his claws, leg and thigh of sacrificial animal. McAlee 659a. Prieur 200. A very attractive, well centered example. Nearly extremely fine. Ex Classical Numismatic Group 85, 15 September 2010, 629.
122. Divus Caracalla, died 217. Denarius (Silver, 19mm, 3.10 g 6), Rome, struck under Elagabalus in 218. DIVO ANTONINO MAGNO Bare head of Caracalla to right. Rev. CONSECRATIO Eagle, with spread wings, standing facing on globe, turned slightly to left and with his head to right. BMC 7. Cohen 32. RIC 717 (Severus Alexander). Very rare. Slightly rough surfaces but toned and with a powerful and attractive portrait. About extremely fine. From a Swiss collection.
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123. Philippopolis, Thrace. Elagabalus, 218-222. Okatassarion or ‘Quinarius’ (Bronze, with contemporary silver plating, 40mm, 38.77 g 12). ΑΥΤ Κ Μ ΑΥΡΗΛ ΑΝΤΩΝΕΙΝΟC CΕΒ Laureate, draped and cuirassed three-quarter length bust of Elagabalus to left. Rev. ΜΗΤΡΟΠΟΛΕΩC ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΠΟΛΕΩC ΝΕΩ / ΚΟΡΟΥ Youthful Herakles standing left, nude but for lionskin draped around his left forearm, resting his right hand on the handle of a club set on the ground and holding an apple in his left. SNG Copenhagen 784 (same dies). An extraordinary piece, especially with the remains of its original silver plating. Some marks from cleaning, otherwise, about extremely fine. During the Empire many Greek cities in the eastern Mediterranean area produced very large sized bronze coins. Commonly termed ‘medallions’ in numismatic literature, they should, in fact, be seen as commemorative high denomination circulating coins. The concept of a monetiform medal only began in the Remaissance, when artists, using Roman sestertii and other large-sized ancient coins as their models, began making them. As can clearly be seen from Roman precious metal ‘medallions’, the ancient versions, like the over-sized Imperial bronzes that were minted in Rome and were particularly common during the 2nd century, all had some sort of understood monetary value. Gold and silver pieces were actually multiples of normal denominations - this must have been the case for aes as well (you could have bimetallic pieces that would have been double sestertii or more). We can be certain of this because while some bronze were clearly kept as keepsakes, others must have circulated since they turn up in hoards containing all manner of smaller coins. This is even clearer with the many large-sized AE issued by the Greek cities in the eastern provinces of the Roman Empire. Since only a very few mints were allowed to strike silver coins, and those only for regional use such as the cistophori of Asia Minor or the various types from Caesarea in Cappadocia, the proud cities of Asia had to turn to the issuance of exceptionally large and heavy bronze coins when they wanted to celebrate a special event. These coins would have been the equivalent of quinarii and denarii, among others, and would have been easily recognized by their exceptional size (far bigger than contemporary sestertii for example). The fact that this piece was given a silver plating when it was made emphasizes its special nature and high denomination.
124. Diva Paulina, died before 235. Denarius (Silver, 20mm, 3.26 g 12), wife of Maximinus I, Rome, 236. DIVA PAVLINA Veiled and draped bust of Diva Paulina to right. Rev. CONSECRATIO Peacock in splendor. BMC 135. Cohen 1. RIC 1. A superb and lustrous coin. Good extremely fine.
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125. Maximus, Caesar, 235/6-238. Denarius (Silver, 19mm, 3.36 g 6), Rome, 235-236. IVL VERVS MAXIMVS CAES Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust of Maximus to right. Rev. PIETAS AVG Lituus, knife, jug, simpulum and sprinkler. BMC 118. Cohen 1. RIC 1. A remarkably beautiful example with an elegant portrait. Lustrous and sharp. Extremely fine.
126. Pupienus, 238. Denarius (Silver, 21mm, 3.17 g 5), Rome. IMP C M CLOD PVPIENVS AVG Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Pupienus to right. Rev. P M TR P COS II P P Felicitas standing left, holding a caduceus in her outstretched right hand and a long scepter with her left. BMC 52-54. Cohen 26. RIC 6. An exquisite example with a beautiful portrait and original mint luster. Reverse struck from a slightly worn die, otherwise, virtually as struck.
127. Trajan Decius, 249-251. Double Sestertius (Bronze, 36mm, 40.35 g 12), Rome. IMP C M Q TRAIANVS DECIVS AVG Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Trajan Decius to right. Rev. FELICITAS SAECVLI / S - C Felicitas standing facing, her head turned to left, holding long caduceus in her right hand and cornucopiae in her left. Banti 9. Cohen 39. RIC 115a. Rare. A very impressive and detailed coin struck on a broad and heavy flan. Dark brownish green patina. Minor corrosion on the obverse and some light smoothing, otherwise, extremely fine. Ex Owl Ltd. (John Barton), FPL 3, 29 February 1984 (this coin illustrated on the front cover).
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128. Postumus, usurper in Gaul, 260-269. Antoninianus (Silver, 21mm, 3.35 g 2), Cologne, 266. IMP C POSTVMVS P F AVG Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Postumus to right. Rev. DIANAE REDVCI Diana, in hunting dress, walking to right, leading a stag with her right hand, and holding a bow in her left. AGK (corr.) 13. Cunetio 2429. Elmer 398. RIC 300. Rare. A lovely toned piece with a magnificent portrait. Somewhat irregular flan, otherwise, good very fine. From the Gallic Empire Collection. This type of Diana Redux only appears on the silver coinage of Postumus. Eckhel laconically remarked that “novelty recommends it, but its origin is unknown.” Out of the more than 33,000 antoniniani of Postumus that were found in the hoards from Douvres, Etaples, Evreux and Cunetio, as well as those catalogued in CHRB II-V, there were only 4 pieces with this fascinating reverse.
129. Postumus, usurper in Gaul, 260-269. Antoninianus (Silver, 20mm, 3.74 g 5), Cologne, 268. POSTVMVS AVG Radiate bust of Postumus to left, in the guise of Hercules, holding a club over his right shoulder and with a lionskin over his left. Rev. IOVI STATORI Jupiter, nude, standing facing, his head turned to left, holding a thunderbolt in his left hand and a long scepter bound with ribbons with his right. AGK (corr.) 38 b. Cunetio -. Elmer 562. Gilljam, Seltene Antoniniani des Postumus, 42-45. RIC 310. Very rare. A lovely example with a very fine portrait. Some minor deposits, otherwise, extremely fine. From the Gallic Empire Collection. Coins of Postumus showing the emperor’s portrait with the attributes of Hercules are very rarely found, and as such are much in demand; they are lacking from many major collections. Out of the more than 33,000 antoniniani of Postumus that were found in the hoards from Douvres, Etaples, Evreux and Cunetio, as well as those catalogued in Coin Hoards from Roman Britain (CHRB) II-V, there were only 6 examples with this portrait type in combination with the IOVI STATORI reverse. Thus, the rarity and the excellent state of preservation of this piece makes it a prize for both advanced collectors and connoisseurs of Roman portraits.
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130. Marius, Romano-Gallic Emperor, AD 269. Antoninianus (Bronze, 18mm, 3.47 g 12), Cologne. IMP C M AVR MARIVS AVG Radiate and cuirassed bust of Marius to right. Rev. VICTORIA AVG Victory standing left, holding wreath in her right hand and palm frond in her left. AGK (corr.) 7b. Elmer 638. RIC 17. A coin with a dark, ‘chocolate’ toning and a surprisingly refined portrait. Extremely fine.
131. Probus, 276-282. Denarius (Billon, 19mm, 2.26 g 12), Rome. IMP PROBVS AVG Laureate and cuirassed bust of Probus to right. Rev. VICTORIA GERM Military trophy between two seated German captives. Cohen 767. RIC 259. Very rare. Sharply struck and perfectly centered, a particularly elegant coin. Extremely fine. Ex Numismatica Ars Classica 8, 3 April 1995, 923.
132. Constantine I, 307/310-337. Light Miliarense (Silver, 23mm, 4.16 g 12), Thessalonica, 320. CONSTANTINVS MAX P F AVG Laureate and cuirassed bust of Constantine I to right. Rev. FELICITAS ROMANORVM / THES Constantine standing left between two of his sons, all are in military dress and each holds a long scepter in his right hand, and rests his left hand on his waist; all under a curved arch supported by two columns. Bastien, Donativa, p. 79, a (but there dated to c. 325). Cohen -. RIC p. 718, 140A. Extremely rare. A splendid toned piece. Some remaining corrosion on the edges and traces of cleaning in the fields, otherwise, extremely fine. From the collection of J.M. Chouters of Liège.
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133. Valentinian I, 364-375. Solidus (Gold, ), Trier, 374-375. D N VALENTINI-ANVS P F AVG Draped and cuirassed bust of Valentinian to right, wearing rosette diadem and with a pearl chain over his neck. Rev. VICTOR-IA AVGG / TROBC Valentinian and Valens seated facing on broad throne, holding a globe between them in their right hands; behind them, half figure of Victory. Cohen 43. Depeyrot 43/1. RIC 17b3. A fresh, sharp example. Extremely fine.
134. Theodosius I, 379-395. Solidus (Gold, 21mm, 4.35 g 12), Constantinople , c. 389. D N THEODO-SIVS P F AVG Pearl and rosette diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Theodosius I to right. Rev. CONCORDI-A AVGGGΓ / CONOB Constantinopolis seated facing on throne, her head to right, wearing helmet, holding a spear with her right hand and, with her left, a round shield inscribed VOT/V/MVLT/XV resting on a column, and with her right foot on a prow. Cf. RIC IX, 71a, but, perhaps, unpublished. A splendid, sharp example. Good extremely fine. This is an example of the kind of die cutter’s error that can cause all sorts of headaches for researchers! On the reverse instead of having the expected inscription celebrating the completion of vows for a cycle of five years and the start of a second cycle, we have five years completed (V) and fifteen (!XV) expected! Clearly the engraver put in V instead of X for the completed cycle. Errors like this are surprisingly uncommon.
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135. Arcadius, 383-408. Solidus (Gold, 21mm, 4.50 g 1), Constantinople, 7th officina, c. mid 380s - 387, or in the early 390s. D N ARCADI - VS P F AVG Pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Arcadius to right. Rev. CONCORDI - A AVGGGGΖ / CONOB Constantinopolis seated facing on low throne with lion heads, her head turned to the right, holding globe in her right hand and long scepter in her left; prow under her right foot. RIC IX, 46f3. A very unusual coin, possibly extremely rare. Some areas struck slightly flat but, otherwise, lustrous and extremely fine. This coin is apparently most curious. It would seem to be a normal piece struck between January and August 383, when the four recognized emperors were Gratian, Valentinian II, Theodosius I and Arcadius (the four G’s on the reverse) except that the portrait shows him as an adult. He was, of course, a child of around five when he was raised to the throne, and the early solidi struck in his name do show him as a child (as Leu 86, 1040-1041). Of course, this coin could have been produced during the period when Magnus Maximus was somewhat uneasily recognized as an official emperor by Theodosius; thus, four G’s. Or it could be nothing more than an old, unused reverse die being re-used without change in the 390s.
136. Arcadius, 383-408. Solidus (Gold, 21.5mm, 4.41 g 6), Milan, 395-402. D N ARCADI - VS P F AVG Draped and cuirassed bust of Arcadius to right, wearing pearl diadem. Rev. VICTORI - A AVGGG / M - D / COMOB Emperor, in military dress, standing right, holding labarum in his left hand and Victory on globe in his right; treading, with his left foot, on bound captive to right. Depeyrot 16/1. RIC IX, 35b (RIC X 1205). Well struck and attractive. Good extremely fine.
137. Honorius, 393-423. Solidus (Gold, 20mm, 4.45 g 12), Thessalonica, 402-c. 403. D N HONORI - VS P F AVG Helmeted, diademed and cuirassed bust of Honorius facing, holding spear over his right shoulder, with shield, ornamented with a horseman spearing a fallen foe, over his left, and with a Christogram on his cuirass. Rev. CONCORDI - A AVGGG / COMOB Constantinopolis enthroned facing, her head turned right, placing her right foot on a prow and holding a scepter and Victory on globe. Depeyrot 45/2. RIC X, 40. Scuff on the obverse and minor surface roughness, otherwise, nearly extremely fine. 65
138. Honorius, 393-423. Solidus (Gold, 21mm, 4.46 g 6), Ravenna, 402-406. D N HONORIVS P F AVG Pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust of Honorius to right. Rev. VICTORIA AVGGG / R - V / COMOB Honorius standing right, with his left foot set on captive, holding labarum in his right hand and, in left, a globe topped by Victory holding a wreath to crown the emperor. RIC 1287. A very attractive, sharp and lustrous piece. Extremely fine.
139. Theodosius II, 402-450. Solidus (Gold, 20mm, 4.37 g 6), Thessalonica, 402-403. D N THEODOSIVS P F AVG Helmeted, diademed and cuirassed bust of Theodosius facing, holding spear over his right shoulder, with shield, ornamented with a horseman spearing a fallen foe, over his left, and with a Christogram on his cuirass. Rev. CONCORDIA AVGGG / COMOB Constantinopolis enthroned facing, her head turned right, placing her right foot on a prow and holding a scepter and Victory on globe. Depeyrot 45/3. LRC 298. RIC 41. A clear and lustrous example. Minor nick on Theodosius’ forehead, otherwise, virtually as struck.
140. Valentinian III, 425-455. Solidus (Gold, 22.5mm, 4.41 g 7), Milan, 430-455. D N PLA VALENTINIANVS P F AVG Rosette-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Valentinian III to right. Rev. VICTORI-A AVGGG / M-D / COMOB Valentinian III standing facing, his right foot set on a man-headed serpent, holding a long cross in his right hand and Victory on globe in his left. RIC 2025. Toned and well-struck. Extremely fine.
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Byzantine Coinage
141. Justinian I, 527-565. Solidus (Gold, 21mm, 4.45 g 6), Carthage, IA = 11 = 547/8. D N IVSTINI-ANVS P P AVC Diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust of Justinian facing, holding cross on globe in his upraised right hand and with a shield bearing a horseman over his left shoulder. Rev. VICTORI-A AVCCC IA / CONOB Angel standing facing, holding long cross in his right hand and globus cruciger in his left; in field to right, star. DOC 277a. MIBE 25. SB 250. Toned and clear. About extremely fine. Ex Stack’s 8 April 1989, 95.
142. Maurice Tiberius, 582-602. Half-siliqua (Silver, 14mm, 0.84 g 5), Carthage, 582-583/4. D N TIb MAVRIC PP Facing bust of Maurice, wearing helmet with cross at the top, cuirass and paludamentum. Rev. ✶SALVS MVNDI Cross potent within a circle of pearls. DOC 239. MIB 57. SB 551. Very rare. Dark grey patina as found. Extremely fine. Acquired from J. Elsen in November 1985.
143. Heraclius, with Heraclius Constantine and Heraclonas, 610-641. Solidus (Gold, 19mm, 4.47 g 6), Constantinople, 637/8. Three standing emperors, all crowned, wearing chlamys and holding a globus cruciger; from left to right, Heraclonas, Heraclius and Heraclius Constantine. Rev. VICTORIA AVႺЧΓ / CONOBA Cross potent on base and three steps; to left, Heraclian monogram; to right, Α. DOC 40b. MIB 47. SB 766. A lovely, well-struck and attractive piece. Good extremely fine. Acquired from J. Schulman in May 1988.
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144. Constans II, 641-668. Solidus (Gold, 20mm, 4.44 g 6), Constantinople, c. 642-643. dN CONSTANTINUS PP AVC Crowned and draped bust of Constans II facing, beardless and holding a globus cruciger in his right hand. Rev. VICTORIA AVςЧ I/ CONOB Cross potent on base and three steps. DOC 1 (Heraclonas). MIB 3a. SB 936. Rare and well struck. Good extremely fine. Ex Rauch, 5 February 1996, 722.
145. Constans II, with Constantine IV, Heraclius, and Tiberius, 641-668. Solidus (Gold, 19mm, 4.47 g 6), Constantinople, 659-661. D N CONSTANIT Facing busts of Constans II, large and with long beard, and Constantine IV, smaller and beardless, both wearing crowns with cross and Constans with a plume above; between them, cross. Rev. VICTORIA AVGY H / CONOB Long cross on globus between facing standing figures of Heraclius on left and Tiberius, smaller, on right, both beardless. Both wearing chlamys and holding globus cruciger in their right hands. DOC 28f. SB 962. A lustrous and particularly well struck example. Minor marks and metal flaws on the reverse, otherwise, extremely fine. Ex SKA Zürich FPL, May 1991, 83.
146. Constans II, with Constantine IV, Heraclius, and Tiberius, 641-668. Solidus (Gold, 21mm, 4.45 g 6), Constantinople, 667-668. VICTORIA AVGU S Facing, bearded bust of Constans II wearing a chlamys and with a plumed crown, holding a globus cruciger in his right hand. Rev. CONOB Three crowned and draped figures standing facing, each holding a globus cruciger in his right hand: from left to right, Tiberius, Constantine IV and Heraclius. DOC 42e. MIB 41. SB 974. A rare late issue, nicely struck on a broad flan. Some slight weakness, otherwise, good extremely fine. From the collection of W. H. Hunt, Sotheby’s New York, 21 June 1991, 56.
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Early Medieval & Islamic Coinage
147. LOMBARDS, Lombardy & Tuscany. Desiderius, 757-774. Tremissis (Gold, 16mm, 1.43 g 8), Lucca. + D N DЄSIDЄR · R Cross potent Rev. + FL·AVIA · LVCA Stellate symbol within inner circle. Bernareggi 227. BMC Vandals 1. MEC 1, 325. Slightly weakly struck, otherwise, nearly extremely fine.
148. CAROLINGIANS. Louis I, ‘le Pieux’ (the Pious), emperor, 814-840. Denier (Silver, 20mm, 1.86 g 3), Class II, Bourges, circa 819-822. + H LVDOVVICVS IMP Cross Rev. BITV RIGES in two lines. Depeyrot 177. M&G 410. MEC 1, 766. Deeply toned. Extremely fine.
149. CAROLINGIANS. Louis I, ‘le Pieux’ (the Pious), emperor, 814-840. Denier (Silver, 20mm, 1.80 g 8), Class II, Paris, circa 819-822. + H LVDOVVICVS IMP Cross Rev. PARISII. Depeyrot 759. M&G 361. MEC 1, 781. Deep cabinet toning. Extremely fine.
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150. CAROLINGIANS. Louis I, ‘le Pieux’ (the Pious), emperor, 814-840. Denier (Silver, 21mm, 1.74 g 10), Class II, Sens, circa 819-822. + H LVDOVVICVS IMP Cross Rev. SENO NES in two lines. Depeyrot 922. M&G 376. MEC 1, 783. Lightly toned, a few tiny deposits, otherwise, extremely fine.
151. CAROLINGIANS. Louis I, ‘le Pieux’ (the Pious), emperor, 814-840. Obol (Silver, 16mm, 0.82 g 12), Class III, uncertain mint, circa 822-840. + PISTIΛNΛ PI Cross Rev. + PISTIΛNΛ P Cross with pellets in angles. Depeyrot –. Haertle 752/002. M&G –. MEC –. Extremely rare. Darkly toned, but with a slight wave in the flan, otherwise, nearly extremely fine.
152. CAROLINGIANS. Louis II, emperor, 855-875. Denier (Silver, 17mm, 1.09 g 2), with Angilberra, Beneventum, circa 866/7-870/1. + LVDOVVICVS INP Cross potent on two steps Rev. + ANGILBERGA NP Cross over saltire cross. CNI XVIII 42. Depeyrot 141M. M&G 1178. MEC 1, 1116. Deeply toned. Extremely fine. 71
153. CAROLINGIANS. Odo (Eudes), King of West Francia, 887-898. Obol (Silver, 16mm, 0.79 g 9), Tolouse. + ODDO REX FRc cross Rev. + TOLOSA CIVI four circles. Depeyrot 1014. M&G 1339. MEC 1, 989. Very rare and deeply toned. Good very fine.
154. ISLAMIC, Seljuks. Rum. Ghiyath al-Din Kay Khusraw II, First reign, AH 634-644 / AD 1237-1246. Dirham (Silver, 22mm, 3.00 g 10), Siwas, AH 638 = 1240/1241. “Name of the Caliph” in ornamental Arabic script Lion walking to right; above, radiant sun with human face; to left and below lion, star. Rev. “Titles of Kay Khusraw, mint and date” in ornamental Arabic script Inscription in central square and around. Album 1218. Hennequin 1771. An attractive and nicely struck piece. Extremely fine.
World Coinage
155. DENMARK. Period of Svend III Grathe, Knud V, and Valdemar I den Store (the Great), 11461157. Bracteate (Silver, 15mm, 0.16 g), Mint in Nørrejylland (Northern Jutland). Two helmeted, confronted busts in stylized ship, each holding sword over shoulder; annulets above Rev. Incuse of obverse. Hauberg 1. Hauberg Collection 1434 = Hede III, 75. Rare. Toned, flan a little ragged, otherwise, good very fine. 72
156. FRANCE, Royal. Philippe VI de Valois, 1328-1350. Parisis d’or (Gold, 31mm, 7.04 g 12), authorized 6 September 1329. + PҺILIPPVS · DЄI : GRA : FRAИCORVИ : REX Philippe seated facing on elaborate gothic throne, holding scepter surmounted by Hand of Justice in left hand and lis-tipped scepter in right; lion crouching beside each foot; mullet flanked by annulets after PҺILIPPVS; triple annulet stops Rev. + XP’C VInCIT XP’C RЄGИAT XP’C ImPЄRAT Cross fleurée over voided short cross potent, with voided quatrefoil at center and lis in each quarter; all within double polylobe, with trefoil at each spandrel; triple annulet stops. Ciani 268. Duplessy 248. Friedberg 264. Lafaurie 252. Rich pale blue and orange toning, Extremely fine. From an early 20th century collection, with ticket in French labeled no. 342, and from the collection of E. Gariel, M. H. Hoffmann, 27 April 1885, 1593.
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157. FRANCE, Royal. Philippe VI de Valois, 1328-1350. Pavillon d’or (Gold, 31mm, 5.05 g 2), authorized 8 June 1339. (lis) PҺILIPPVS : DEI GRΛ : FRANCҺORVM : REX (triple annulet stops) Philippe, holding lis-tipped scepter, seated facing on throne decorated with lions and within draped pavilion decorated with lis Rev. + · XP’C : VIИCIT : XP’C : RЄGИAT : XP’C : IMPЄRAT (annulet and triple annulet stops) Arched cross fleurée over voided short arched cross, with voided quatrefoil at each limb; quatrefoil at center; all within quadrilobe, with inwardfacing lis in each angle and crown in each spandrel. Ciani 270. Duplessy 251. Friedberg 266. Lafaurie 254. Good extremely fine.
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158. FRANCE, Royal. Jean II le Bon (the Good), 1350-1364. Mouton d’or (Gold, 30mm, 4.72 g 3), authorized 17 January 1355. + AGn’ DЄI QVI TOLL’ PCCA mVDI mISЄRЄRЄ nOB’ Agnus Dei standing left, head upturned right, wearing nimbus crown and cradling banner on long cross fleurée; IOh’ RЄX below; pellet-inannulet stops Rev. + XP’C VIИCIT XP’C RЄGИAT XP’C IMPЄRAT Cross fleurée with star in angled quadrilobe at center and lis in each quarter; all within double linear angled quadrilobe; lis in spandrels; double quadrilobe stops. Ciani 354. Duplessy 291. Friedberg 280. Lafaurie 294. Good extremely fine. Ex Bourgey, 21 April 1989, 89 and Bourgey 1 December 1965, 15.
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159. GERMANY, Gotha (Landgrafschaft). Ludwig III der Fromme or der Milde, 1172-1190. Bracteate (Silver, 44mm, 0.93 g). + LVDЄVVICHVS · PROVINCIALIS · COMЄS · A Ludwig riding right, holding shield and banner; two small crosses behind Rev. Same, but incuse. Gotha 183a; Löbbecke 752-4; Kestner 2201-2. An unimprovable, toned and wonderful example. FDC. From the collection of Margaretha Ley, Lanz 69, 7 June 1994, 353 and from that of a Albrecht Marquis Kubinsky von Hohenkubin Collection, Lanz 41, 26 May 1987, 64. Bracteates, which were a peculiar form of coin primarily used in Germanic areas: they lent themselves to being rapidly struck and then, for fiscal reasons, withdrawn and then reissued to give the mint involved a profit. Their thin fabric enabled talented die cutters to excel in artistry, especially given the increasingly broad flans involved. This piece is a prime example of the outstanding workmanship these coins could show: the armored figure of the Count on the obverse immediately reminds us of the cavalrymen on the Bayeaux Tapestry! Ludwig III was the powerful Count of Thüringia, who reign during the time his uncle, Friedrich Barbarossa, was emperor. Ludwig was known as ‘the Pious’ or ‘the Mild’ because he was both deeply religious (he died returning from the Third Crusade) and because he championed the rights of the common people of his county against the overweening local nobility (in this he followed in his father’s footsteps). Probably the most bizarre thing to have occurred during his reign, in fact in any reign, was the infamous ‘Erfurter Latrinensturz’ of 1184. King Heinrich VI (the later emperor) called for a peace conference to reconcile Ludwig with the powerful and aggressive archbishop of Mainz, Konrad I. The meeting, which included numerous important members of the local nobility, was held on the second floor of the building used by the Provost for the estates of the cathedral of Erfurt. The large number in attendance caused the floor to collapse, precipitating the audience onto the ground floor, which, in turn, also collapsed under their weight, landing everything in the sewers in the basement. A considerable number were killed by falling debris, while others were drowned or suffocated: Heinrich and Konrad seem to have survived unhurt, though Ludwig was injured.
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160. ITALY, Ferrara. Ercole I d’Este, 1471-1505. Testone (Silver, 28mm, 7.72 g 7). · HERCVLES · FERRAR · DVX · II (wedge stops) Bare head right Rev. Seven-headed Hydra. Biaggi 769. CNI X 33. Morosini 4. Well struck from artistically engraved dies, and nicely toned. Extremely fine. This wonderful reverse type refers to the construction of the Addizione Erculea, a northern suburb of Ferrara. The area where the addition was made was covered with malaria-ridden swamps, which had to be filled before construction could begin. To symbolize this monumental task, Ercole chose a scene from the exploits of his namesake, Hercules, who slayed the mythological sevenheaded Hydra, and placed it on his coinage.
161. ITALY, Milan, Dukedom. Charles I of Spain (Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor), 1535-1554. Testone (Silver, 28mm, 9.78 g 10). · KROLVS · ROMR · IMPERATOR · Crowned coat-of-arma flanked by K K Rev. SA · AMB ROSIVS · St. Ambrosius enthroned facing, holding whip and croizer. CNI V 54; Crippa 9/A; MIR 283/01. Toned. Good extremely fine. Ex Leu 68, 22 October 1996, 395.
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162. LOW COUNTRIES, Utrecht (Bisdom). Frederik van Blankenheim, 1393-1423. St. Jans goudgulden – Florin (Gold, 25mm, 3.35 g 1). • S • IOhΛnnЄS BABTISTΛ • St. John the Baptist standing facing, holding crosstipped scepter; lion rampant left in legend Rev. + DnS • FRIDЄRIC’ • ЄPC • TRΛIЄCTЄnS Cruciform coats-ofarms within double linear quadrilobe; trefoils in spandrels. Delmonte, Or 929. Friedberg 179. Minor weak strike in center, otherwise, nearly extremely fine. From the collection of Dr. Lawrence A. Adams Collection and from the collection of G. W. de Wit, Part I, Künker 121, 12 March 2007, 906.
British Coinage
163. CELTIC BRITAIN, Trinovantes & Catuvellauni. Uninscribed, Circa 100-40 BC. Unit (Silver, 11mm, 0.98 g 1), Face Over Horse type. Celticized head right; pelleted curl below chin; rosette and pellet-in-annulet before Rev. Celticized horse right; ‘upturned anchor’ with two pellets above; rosettes below and before. ABC 2386; SCBC –; Van Arsdell –. Well struck for issue. Toned, Very fine.
164. CELTIC BRITAIN, Trinovantes & Catuvellauni. Uninscribed, Circa 100-40 BC. Quarter Stater (Gold, 12mm, 1.23 g 12), Rose Wings (Atrebatic B) type. Crossed vertical and horizontal wreaths with rosette at center; various motifs in quarters Rev. Celticized horse right; rosette with three pellets below, double-wing motif above, star and uncertain motif before. ABC 2469; cf. SCBC 48; Van Arsdell 244. Good very fine. 78
165. ANGLO-SAXON, Kings of Wessex. Edward the Elder, 899-924. Penny (Silver, 21mm, 1.65 g 4), circumscription cross/horizontal (HCT1) type (BMC ii), Wessex dies; Deorweald, moneyer, early II period, circa 903-910. + EADVVEARD REX Small cross pattée Rev. DEORV/VALD MO in two lines; + + + between; + above, trefoil below. BMC 31; CTCE 143(i) var. (rev. type); North 649; SCBC 1087; SCBI 30 (American), 321. Good extremely fine. The moneyer Deorwarld is famous for striking the unique gold mancus of Edward.
166. ANGLO-SAXON, Kings of Wessex. Eadmund, 939-946. Penny (Silver, 22mm, 1.22 g 7), Small cross/ Horizontal-Pellet 1 (HP1) type (BMC i), uncertain mint; Hunsige, moneyer. + EADM/ND REX Small cross pattée Rev. HVNS/GE M–O in two lines; + + + between; pellets above and below. BMC 78 var. (no pellet in field); CTCE 121; North 689; SCBC 1105; SCBI 34 (BM), 354. Extremely fine.
167. ANGLO-SAXON, Kings of Wessex. Aethelstan, 924-939. Penny (Silver, 22mm, 1.37 g 11), ‘Helmet’ crown / Cross-Crosslet rev. (BC NE II), North-Eastern II; Telia, moneyer. ÆÐELSTΛN REX Crowned and draped bust right Rev. + TELIΛ ΛΛONETΛ Cross crosslet. Blunt, Aethelstan 418 = SCBI 34 (BM), 250 (same dies); North 686; SCBC 1104. Very rare and toned. Extremely fine. 79
168. NORMAN. William I ‘the Conqueror’, 1066-1087. Penny (Silver, 19mm, 1.28 g 4), Bonnet type (BMC ii), Eoferwic (York); Harthulfr, moneyer, struck circa 1068-1070. + PILLEMII REXI Crowned facing bust Rev. + HIIRÐIIL ON EOF Voided cross, with annulet at center and pellet-between-crescents at each limb; pile surmounted by pellet in each quarter. BMC 170-1 (same dies); North 842; SCBC 1251; SCBI 29 (Merseyside), 859 (same dies). Toned, good very fine.
169. PLANTAGENET. Edward III, 1327-1377. Half Noble (Gold, 28mm, 3.86 g 4), Treaty period, group b, Tower (London); im: annulet/cross potent, struck 1361-1369. (annulet) ЄD WΛRD : DЄI : G : RЄX : ΛnGL : D : hУB · Z · ΛQIT’ (saltire and double saltire stops) Edward standing facing in ship, holding sword and shield; ornaments -11-11, ropes 3/2, quatrefoils 3/2, lis 4 Rev. + DOmInЄ : nЄ : In : FVRORЄ : TVO : ΛRGVΛS : mЄ (saltire stops) Voided short cross potent over cross fleurée; in each angle, crown over lion passant; at center, Є within quadrilobe; all within polylobe, with trefoil in each arch. Lawrence 1; Schneider 88-9; North 1239; SCBC 1507. Struck on a full round flan. Good very fine.
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170. TUDOR. Henry VII, 1485-1509. Angel (Gold, 27mm, 5.19 g 10), Group II, Tower (London); im: cinquefoil/–, struck 1489-1493. (cinquefoil) hЄnRIC’· GRΛ’· RЄX · ΛnGL’· Z FRΛnC ·’ Archangel Michael slaying dragon to lower Rev. PЄR CRVC’· TVΛ · SΛLVΛ · nOS · XPЄ’· RЄDЄTOR Ship bearing shield and cross; Һ and rose flanking cross. North 1695; SCBC 2181; cf. SCBI 23 (Ashmolean), 8-10 (dies unlisted); cf. Schneider 514 (same). Very rare. Nearly extremely fine.
171. TUDOR. Edward VI, 1547-1553. Halfcrown (Gold, 18mm, 1.37 g 1), Second period, Tower (London) mint; im: arrow/–, Struck 1549. (arrow) EDWARD · VI · D · G · AG · FR · Z · HI · REX Crowned and armored bust right Rev. SCVTVM : FIDEI : PROTE : EVM Crowned coat-of-arms. Potter, Coinage 2a; Schneider 679 (same dies); North 1916; SCBC 2444. Very rare. Well struck. Lightly toned, Very fine. From the collection of Samuel King, Spink 173, 5 May 2005, 36, ex Christie’s 26 February 1991, 592 and from the collections of Alderman H. Hird, Glendining 30 May 1961, 24 and William L. Raynes, Glendining 15 February 1950, 99.
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172. STUART. Charles I, 1625-1649. Halfcrown (Silver, 35mm, 15.09 g 6), Second milled (Nicholas Briot’s) issue, Tower (London) mint; im: anchor and small B, 1638-1639. (anchor and B) CAROLVS · D : G · MAGN · BRITANN · FR · ET · HIB · REX · (lozenge stops) Charles on horseback left, holding sword and reigns Rev. (anchor and B) CHRISTO · AVSPICE · REGNO · (lozenge stops) Crowned coat-of-arms; crowned C R over lozenges flanking. Brooker 724 (same dies); North 2304; SCBC 2858. Toned, very light adjustment marks, otherwise, extremely fine.
173. STUART, Siege money. Newark, Ninepence (Silver, 34mm, 4.61 g 12), besieged by the Parliamentarians, 1645-1646, 1646. Crowned over IX (denomination); C R flanking Rev. OBS :/ NEWARK/ 1646 in three lines. Brooker 1226; North 2641; SCBC 3145. Toned, good very fine.
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174. STUART, Siege money. Newark, Halfcrown (Silver, 29mm, 14.89 g 12), besieged by the Parliamentarians, 1645-1646, 1646. Crowned XXX (denomination); C R flanking Rev. OBS :/ NEWARK/ 1646 in three lines. Brooker 1222; North 2638; SCBC 3140A. Toned, good very fine.
175. COMMONWEALTH. 1649-1660. Sixpence (Silver, 27mm, 3.03 g 9), Tower (London); im: sun, 1649. (sun) · THE COMMONWEALTH · OF · ENGLAND · Coat-of-arms within wreath Rev. · GOD · WITH · VS · 1649 Two coats-of-arms; · VI · (denomination) above. ESC 1483; North 2726; SCBC 3219. Toned. Nearly extremely fine. From the collection of F. W. Willis, Glenidning 5 June 1991, 390.
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176. STUART (Restored). James II, 1685-1688. Shilling (Silver, 25mm, 5.79 g 6), Tower (London), 1687/6. IACOBVS · II · DEi · GRATIA Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust lef Rev. MAG/A · BR · FRA · ET · HIB · REX · 16 87/6 Crowned cruciform coat-of-arms around central rayed Garter Star. ESC 1072A; SCBC 3410. Toned, minor adjustment marks, otherwise, extremely fine.
177. SCOTLAND. Mary, 1542-1567. Abbey Crown (Gold, 25mm, 3.27 g 6), First period, Edinburgh mint; im: star/crown, struck 1542. (star) MΛRIΛ · DEI · GRΛ · REGINΛ · SCOTORVM Crowned coat-of-arms; cinquefoils flanking Rev. · CRVCIS · ΛRMΛ · EQVΛMVR Cross fleurée with quatrefoil at center; thistles in quarters. Burns 3 (fig. 808 – same dies); SCBC 5390; SCBI 35 (Ashmolean & Hunterian), 976 (same dies). Very rare. Deeply toned red and purple. Very fine. Ex Spink 20, 31 March 1982, 152 and Glendining, 7 July 1948, 32
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178. SCOTLAND. William & Mary, 1689-1694. Sixty Shillings (Silver, 39mm, 27.69 g 12), Edinburgh, dated both with1692 and the regnal year TERTIO. GVLIELMVS · ET · MARIA · DEI · GRA jugate laureate busts of William and Mary left Rev. MAG · BR · FR · ET · HIB REX · ET · REGINA · 1692 · crowned coat-of-arms. Burns 2 (fig. 1065); SCBC 5642. Toned, tiny rim nick on the reverse, otherwise, very fine.
179. IRELAND, The Great Rebellion. Issues of the Lords Justices, 1642-1649. Halfcrown (Silver, 26mm, 14.93 g 7), Inchiquin Money, first issue, sStruck 1642. ‘dw ··· gr/ 9 : I6’ in two lines Rev. ‘dw ··· gr/ 9 : I6’ in two lines. D&F 277; SCBC 6533. Obverse and reverse struck from the same die. Rare. Toned. Nearly very fine. From the collection of Colin Adams, Spink 177, 1 December 2005, 828 and from the collection of Herbert M. Lingford, purchased en bloc by Baldwin’s in 1951.
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180. IRELAND, The Great Rebellion. Issues of the Lords Justices, 1642-1649. Shilling (Silver, 27mm, 5.69 g 5), Ormonde Money, struck 1643-1644. Crown over C · R Rev. D/ XII (denomination) in two lines. D&F 297; SCBC 6546 (3rd ed. – this coin illustrated). Richly toned, slightly double struck on reverse, otherwise, extremely fine. From the collection of Lucien Lariviere, Spink 178, 22 February 2006, 122, ex Spink Numismatic Circular XCIV.3 (April 1986), no. 2496.
181. IRELAND, The Great Rebellion. Issues of the ‘Cities of Refuge’, 1642-1649. Sixpence (Silver, 19.5mm, 2.36 g), 1647. CORK/ 1647 in two lines Rev. Large VI (denomination). D&F 329; SCBC 6561A. Octogonal flan. Rare. Toned. Very fine.
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182. ANGLO-GALLIC. Edward the Black Prince, as Prince of Aquitaine, 1362-1372. Hardi d’or – Guyennois (Gold, 27mm, 3.98 g 8), Bordeaux, circa 1368–1371/2. + ЄD’ · PO’ · GnS · RЄGIS · ΛnGLIЄ · PnS · ΛQITΛNIЄ (rosette stops) Half-length figure of Edward facing, wearing fillet and holding sword and raising hand in benediction Rev. + : ΛVXILIVm · mЄVm · Λ · DOmInO · B : (rosette stops) Arched cross quernée, with quatrefoil at center and leopards and lis alternating in angles; all within tressure of arches. Bereseford-Jones, AngloGallic 261/268; Duplessy, Féodales 1122; Elias 161; Elias Collection 250; Poey d’Avant 2938; Schneider 60 var. (number of arches on obv.). Rare. Good very fine. From the collections of Dr. Lawrence A. Adams and M. Moriera, Superior, 31 May 1988, 221A.
Medals
183. FRANCE. Pierre André de Suffren de Saint-Tropez, admiral, 1729-1788. Medal (Silver, 49mm, 63.80 g 12), on his victories in the Indian Ocean, by Dupré, 1784 (in Roman numerals). P · AND DE SUFFREN ST. TROPEZ CHEV DS ORD · DU ROI GR · CROIX DE LORD · DE ST. JEAN DE JERUS. VICE AMIRAL DE FRANCE Bare head left Rev. LE CAP PROTÉGÉ/ TRINQUEMALE PRIS/ GOUDELOUR DELIVRÉ/ L’INDE DÉFENDUE/ SIX COMBATS GLORIEUX/ LES ´TATS DE PROVENCE/ ONT DÉCÉRNÉ/ CETTE MEDAILLE/ MDCCLXXXIV in nine lines within wreath; coat-of-arms above. Rare in silver. Toned. Extremely fine. Ex Maison Palombo 10, 27 November 2011, 690.
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184. GREAT BRITAIN. Charles II, 1660-1685. Medal (Gold, 63mm, 201.6 g 12), on the Battle of Lowestoft, by J. Roettier, 1665. (star) CAROLVS · SECVNDVS · D · G · MAG · BRI · FRAN · ET · HIB · REX Laureate and draped bust right Rev. Charles standing facing, head left, holding batton in right hand, naval battle in background; · PRO · TALIBVS/ · AVSIS ·. Eimer 230. MI 503/139. Van Loon II, p. 526. Extremely rare. Faint hairlines, otherwise, extremely fine. Ex Sotheby’s, 9 March 1989, 93 and from the Greta S. Hackett Collection, Sotheby’s Zurich, 25 May 1977, 218. This spectacular medal was first issued to reward those who had distinguished themselves in the Battle of Lowestoft, the first major naval engagement of the Second Anglo-Dutch War. War was declared in March 1665 after a period of mounting hostilities between colonial forces of the two countries including, most notably, the capture of New Amsterdam (later renamed New York) by the English in August 1664. On the 13th of June a Dutch fleet, commanded by Lieutenant-Admiral Jacob van Wassenaer Obdam, engaged the English under the command of Charles II’s brother, James, Duke of York, later James II. Despite having the weather gauge and out-gunning their opponents the Dutch failed to maintain the line of battle and were defeated with the loss of 17 ships and over 2000 men including van Obdam, killed when the magazine of his ship the Eendracht exploded. The victory was widely celebrated in England. A national holiday of thanks giving was declared for the 20th of June. Sir Peter Lely was commissioned to paint the Flag officers who fought at the battle among whom was William Penn, Captain of the Fleet to the Duke of York, and father to the colonist of the same name. The medal continued to be awarded to men who distinguished themselves in naval actions later in the reign of Charles II. Surviving specimens in gold, stuck to the weight of 20 Guineas (without mount) and presented to officers of the rank of Captain and above are extremely rare: perhaps no more than five being known.
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185. GREAT BRITAIN. Anne, 1702-1714. Medal (Gold, 35mm, 22.84 g 12), on the Peace of Utrecht, by J. Croker, 1713 in Roman numerals. ANNA · D : G · MAG : BRI : FR : ET · HIB : REG : Laureate and draped bust left Rev. COMPOSITIS · VENERANTVR · ARMIS · (peace they honor by laying aside their arms, —adapted from Horace) Britannia standing left, holding olive branch and spear; in background, ships under sail right and pastoral scene; MDCCXIII in exergue. Eimer 460. MI 400/257. Attractive and lustrous. Extremely fine.
186. ITALY. Faustina Junior, Roman empress, 147-175. Medal (Bronze, 35mm, 29.03 g 7), Padua, by Giovanni da Cavino, circa 1550. FAVSTINA · AVG · ANTONINI · AVG · PI F FIL Draped bust right, hair elaborately dressed and held by thin band Rev. Six Vestal Virgins sacrificing before the Temple of Vesta; S C in exergue. Klawans 2. Lawrence 59. With an attractive, deep brown patina, almost black in the fields. Good extremely fine.
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187. ITALY. Julius III (Giovanni Maria Ciocchi del Monte), Pope, 1550-1555. Medal (Silver, 48mm, 46.54 g 12), on the return of England to Roman Catholic faith under Queen Mary, by Giovanni da Cavino, dated RY V (= 1554). IVLIVS TERTIVS · PONT · MAX · A · V · Bust right, wearing zucchetto and mantum; IO · CΛVINO · F on truncation of bust Rev. ANGLIA RESVRGES/VT NVNC/NOVISSIMO/DIE (England, thou shalt rise again, as now, at the last day) Pope Julius standing left, raising personification of England kneeling right, casting aside bow and quiver; in background, Cardinal Reginald Pole and Holy Roman Emperor Charles V standing facing; to right, Philip and Mary standing facing one another. Eimer 31b (this piece illustrated). Cf. Johnson & Martini 1172 (in bronze). Lawrence 96. Cf. Lincoln 553-5 (bronze). Mazio –. MI 70/15. A high quality contemporary cast, chased in obverse field. Nearly extremely fine. This celebrated medal is most frequently encountered in French re-strikes made from the 18th Century onwards (see Eimer 31c). Contemporary cast examples are extremely rare especially so in silver. To complement his handsome portrait of Julius III on the obverse Cavino took as his model for the reverse a very rare sestertius of Vespasian; ‘Roma Resurges’ RIC ii, 2nd ed., 109. Cavino made struck copies (Paduans) of this sestertius, see Klawans 3-4. On the medal he added more participants to the scene. Pope Julius, who takes the place of Vespasian on the sestertius, raises England, who replaces Roma, to her feet. Cardinal Pole and the Emperor Charles V, substituted by Cavino for Minerva, accompany England. Behind the Pope stand Philip and Mary facing one another. Mary is clutching her stomach that appears swollen. This has been interpreted as alluding to the pregnancy that Mary announced in November of 1554. This was the same month Cardinal Pole came to London and the formalities of reconciliation with the Holy See were concluded in the English Parliament. Had a child been born and survived English and European history would have taken a very different course but tragically for Mary it was a phantom pregnancy.
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188. LOW COUNTRIES, The Dutch Republic. 1581-1795. Medal (Silver, 55mm, 53.99 g 12), On the capture of Sluys and the defence of Ostende, struck 1604. Map of the area of Sluys, fully labeled in Dutch Rev. +ΧΡΥΣΕΑ.ΧΑΛΚΕΙΩΝ+ITANE.FLANDRIAM.LIBERAS.IBER (they gained gold for copper; is this how you, Spaniard, saved Flanders?”) map of Ostende with the Dutch troops marching out and the Spanish marching in. Van Loon II, pp. 15-16, I. Lovely toning and surfaces, only a few trivial marks, otherwise, Extremely fine. The siege of Ostende was both one of the most famous sieges of the Eighty Years War, and one of the longest in history. Held by the Dutch, the Spanish began desperately trying to get it back in 1601. Due to Dutch valor and initial Spanish incompetence, all assaults on the city failed causing enormous casualties. In 1603 the Genoese aristocrat and military commander, Anbrogio Spinola, who had entered Spanish service in 1602, took over the command. On 20 September 1604 a treaty was made that allowed all who wanted to leave the devastated city and rejoin the Dutch forces to the north. The total number of casualties seems to have reached 80,000. Spinola was greatly honored for his fairness - even by his opponent Maurice of Nassau, however, he was financially ruined since he had to pledge his private fortune to finance the war and the Spanish government refused to repay him. As for Sluys, Spinola’s younger brother Frederico had been in command of a Spanish fleet that tried to relieve Sluys from a Dutch siege. This failed, its commander was killed, and the city fell to the Dutch who considered it a perfect trade for Ostende.
189. LOW COUNTRIES, The Dutch Republic. 1581-1795. Medal (Silver, 60mm, 63.09 g 12), On Frederik Hendrik’s capture of the Sas of Ghent, by K. Looff, dated 1644. Panoramic view of the fortress and the area around it Rev. : *CONCORDIA*RES*PARVAE*CRESCUNT*DISCORDIA*MAXIMÆ* DILABUNTUR* around legend of 12 lines: A°Flandriae/Hifpanicae fatali, cum/Grevelinga a Gallis terra/Mari vero claff nav. A fed. Belg./Ordd. Clauderentur, illuft. Princ./Henri-Fred. Xxvii Iul M.DC.XLIV/foffa Gandenf. Noctu fuis.nando/ptergress.Flandriae. fortiff/caftru (q’tSas dr) intravi hebd/Hifpanis oia fruftra/Obnitentib’cepit./I.L.F. Van Loon II, p. 270. Pleasing toning, some small contact marks and faint hairlines, otherwise, Extremely fine. This beautifully preserved medal commemorates the capture of the great fortress that led to the fall of the city of Ghent on 5 September 1644.
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190. LOW COUNTRIES, The Dutch Republic. 1581-1795. Medal (Silver, 6749.55mm, ), On the failure of William II’s attempt to occupy Amsterdam, by P. van Abeele, but unsigned, 1650. View of the city of Amsterdam from the Amstel; above, within clouds and rays, hand of God pointing towards ribbon bearing coupet. ons hert en handt - is voor het landt. Rev. Sijn Hoogheyt Wilhem Prins van Oranje, heest de Stadt Amstelodam beleegert den 30. July ende Weederom afgetrocken den 4. Augustij around wreath enclosing GODT / HEEFT ONS / BEWAERT. Cf. Frederiks 26/26a ff. Cf. Van Loon II, pp. 338-339, VI. Areas of toning, some shallow scratches and hairlines, otherwise, Extremely fine. Ex Künker 141, 19 June 2008, 4456.
191. LOW COUNTRIES, The Dutch Republic. 1581-1795. Medal (Silver, 62mm, 78.46 g 12), On the building of the Haarlem–Leiden Canal, by P. van Abeele, 1659. ANNO 1656, 26.7BRIS, IS DE TREKVAART VAN HAERLEM OP LEIDEN BEGONNEN. 1657, PRIMO 9BRIS, D’EERSTE SCHUYT GEVAREN view of Haarlem behind canal with ship. Rev. Ornamental border surrounding inscription of nine lines. Van Loon pp. 407408. Attractive light toning, deeply mirrored fields show some faint hairlines, a few tiny contact marks, otherwise, Extremely fine. A beautiful piece commemorating the building of one of the earliest canals in the Netherlands: it was 30 kilometers long and served as the main transportation link between the two cities for over 200 years.
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192. LOW COUNTRIES, The Dutch Republic. 1581-1795. Medal (Silver, 70mm, 117.4 g 12), On the recovery by Marseilis van der Goes of sunken treasure near West-Kapelle, 1660. SOLI DEO HONOR M. V. GOES ET GLORIA Two salvage boats on either side of a wrecked ship; on board the boats, crewmen using a special apparatus to raise up items within the wreck; behind view of the city of West-Kapelle Rev. Inscription of 14 lines: In memoriam rei / Quâ arte admirandâ / priorumq/3 faeculorum cogitata / fuperante, prope Valacros in ple / no ac aeftuanti mari, fub aufpiciis / Senatus Zelandici ac procuranti / Marcel. Goefio e navi submersâ ac / disruptâ profundumq/3 fub arenis la= / titante immenfa argenti, tum rudis / tum signati, vis, gemme plures, ac / tormenta bellica, fubducta, ser= / vata ac veteribus dominis / ex jure reftituta funt / 1660 ( = a memorial of how, by an admirable art, surpassing the inventions of past centuries, under the auspices of the Deputy Councillors of Zeeland and under the direction of Marcellus van der Goes, a great quantity of coined and bullion silver, many precious stones and many cannon were raised up near Walcheren, from a vessel lost, destroyed and sunk in the sands, and then returned to their proper owners). Van Loon II, pp. 458-460. Handsomely toned, deeply mirrored fields, a few shallow marks, some faint hairlines, otherwise, Extremely fine. A fascinating medal commemorating the recovery of silver, gems and cannon carried on a merchant ship, which sank under the command of the very appropriately named Captain Waterdrinker.
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193. LOW COUNTRIES, The Dutch Republic. 1581-1795. Plaquettepenning (Silver, 70mm, 78.43 g 12), On Charles II’s departure from Scheveningen, by P. van Abeele, 1660. CAROLUS.II.D:G.MAGNÆ.BRIT. FRA.ET.HIB.REX Facing bust of Charles II Rev. IN NOMINE MEO EXALTABITUR CORNU EIUS. PSAL.89 <actually 88, v. 25> Fleet below figure of Fama blowing horn and holding banner inscribed SOLI DEO GLORIA; below, shell inscribed: Die 2 do Jun:Ao 1662 Schevelinga Angliam versus-tetendit Regia Majestas. Eimer 210. Frederiks 16/16b variant. MI I, pp. 455-6, 44-46 variant. Van Loon II, pp. 462-463, II variant. Toned, a few thin, shallow scratches, otherwise, Extremely fine. Abeele did several versions of this impressive medal, of which the type with S.M. is… on the reverse is probably the best known. However this splendid piece, with the shell engraved with the legend in Latin rather than in Dutch, is extremely rare.
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194. LOW COUNTRIES, The Dutch Republic. 1581-1795. Plaquettepenning (Silver, 76mm, 99.75 g), on the death of Admiral Cornelius Evertsen, 1610-1666, by W. Muller, 1666. HEER EVERTS, MET TRIOMF, OP ‚T BED VAN EER GESNEEFT, ALDUS IN ‚T SILVER DOOR DE KUNST VAN MULLER LEEFT A° 1666 den 11 Junii Bareheaded facing bust of Admiral Evertsen with armament at his shoulders; to left and right, two putti crowning him with a wreath and holding a ribbon inscribed CORN.EVERTSEN ADMIRAAL V. ZEEL. Rev. HIER STRYCKT HET BRITISCH GEWELT VOOR NEDERLAND DE VLAGH – SE ZEE HEEFT NOIT GEWAEGHT VAN ZULK EEN SWAEREN SLAGH Scene of a sea battle with a sinking ship in the foreground. Frederiks 10a/8a. MI I, pp. 523-4, 171. Van Loon II, p. 529, VII. Lightly toned. Impressively high relief. Extremely fine. This dramatic and very well preserved medal commemorates one of the most prominent members of a family that produced numerous Dutch naval heros. Cornelis was killed on the first day of the Four Days’ Battle, one of the longest naval battles in history. He was on the Dutch warship Walcheren and had demanded that the English Captain John Harman surrender his badly damaged ship, the Henry. However, Harman continued to resist, firing a volley of shot that not only killed Evertsen, but enabled the English ship to escape in the confusion.
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195. LOW COUNTRIES, The Dutch Republic. 1581-1795. Medal (Silver, 71mm, 122.24Â g 12), On the Peace of Breda, by Christoffel Adolfzoon, 1667. MITIS ET FORTIS Hollandia, helmeted and partially armored, standing facing between a lamb and a lion, her left foot treading on the figure of Discord, a semi-nude gorgon-headed old woman, lying before her; behind her on her right, Dutch warships sailing to left; on her left, British warships burning; behind, the palace at Breda; in exergue, PROCUL.HINC.MALA.BESTIA / REGNIS! (= go away from these states, you vicious beast!) IUN: 22. / 1667.C.A. Rev. Pax standing facing; above, hand of God emerging from the clouds holding the shields of England and the Netherlands, and, long ribbon inscribed IRATO BELLUM PLACATO NUMINE PAX EST (= war from an angry divinity, peace from one appeased); below, REDIIT.CONCORDIAE.MATER / BREDAE (= Mother Concord has returned at Breda) and IUL.31 .Ao.1667. On edge: NUMISMA.POSTERITATI.SACRUM. BELGA.BRITANNOQUE RECONCILIATIS,CUM.PRIVIL:ORDIN:HOLLAND:ET:WEST (= A medal consecrated to posterity on the occasion of the Peace between the United Provinces and Great Britain. With the permission of the States of Holland and West Friesland). MI I, pp. 528-529, 176. PiN 257. Scher, The Proud Republic, 38. Van Loon II, pp. 534-536, I. Boldly struck in high relief. Handsome toning, a few shallow marks, some faint hairlines, small die break on reverse, otherwise, Extremely fine. A superb and very beautiful example. This is one of the most famous of all Dutch medals,but has the dubious distinction of while being struck in honor of the peace treaty that ended the Second Anglo-Dutch War (1665-1667), was actually one of the causes of a subsequent war! The reason for this is that the hag on whom Hollandia treads on the obverse has the epithet Mala Bestia, pernicious beast, which had been used for the English king Charles II by his enemies (and the features of the Hag are similar to those of Charles as well)! Not only that, but the Dutch destruction of the British fleet at Chatham (known as the Battle of Chatham in Dutch sources and the Raid on the Medway in British) appears as well. This remarkable feat, under the Dutch Lieutenant-Admiral Michiel de Ruyter, led to the Peace Treaty of Breda, which this medal commemorates. However, it was surely not the most diplomatic thing to put on a peace medal; Charles IIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s government protested and, in the end, the medal was recalled and its dies destroyed.
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196. LOW COUNTRIES, The Dutch Republic. 1581-1795. Medal (Silver, 50mm, 47.47 g 12), On the suppression of civic unrest in Amsterdam, by J. Boskam, 1696. MOTOS PRÆSTAT COMPONERE FLVCTVS (= it is better to control the billowing waves,Virgil, Aeneid I, 135) Neptune in biga drawn by seahorses to right Rev. HALCYONIBUS REDVCTIS / SENATVS AMSTELOD / CIVIBVS SVIS HOC / ANTIQVÆ VIRTVTIS / SPECTAT ÆQ FIDEI / PRÆMIUM LARGITVR (= The Halcyons having returned, the city council of Amsterdam gives its citizens this gift of ancient virtue and wondrous faith); Two kingfishers in a nest floating on the sea, below, MDCXVI. Van Loon IV, p. 221, II. Attractively toned, wonderful mirrored fields, a few minor marks, and some faint hairlines, otherwise, Extremely fine. This elegant piece commemorates the suppression of the riots of January 1696. They occurred when the city’s undertakers, concerned by funeral reforms including steep taxes, took to the streets and sacked a number of official buildings. They were almost immediately put down by troops who were rushed to the city by the authorities.
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Price List
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99 12500 100 12500 101 8750 102 1350 103 4250 104 5750 105 4250 106 2750 107 2450 108 3250 109 950 110 750 111 2500 112 895 113 3750 114 395 115 17500 116 475 117 6750 118 4250 119 650 120 45000 121 1250 122 2750 123 4750 124 1950 125 950 126 1250 127 6750 128 1250 129 1450 130 575 131 4250 132 8750 133 2250 134 2500 135 1750 136 1650 137 1000 138 1450 139 2250 140 1500 141 1450 142 1750 143 1000 144 1250 145 850 146 3500 147 6750
Production Credits Cataloging / Editing Victor England Eric J. McFadden Dr. Alan Walker Yves Gunzenreiner Dr. A. Peter Weiss Bradley R. Nelson Bill Dalzell
Photography Travis A. Markel
148 1450 149 1650 150 1650 151 975 152 1450 153 975 154 475 155 1650 156 47500 157 25000 158 14500 159 47500 160 5750 161 19500 162 795 163 1250 164 975 165 2450 166 1850 167 14500 168 2450 169 6500 170 9750 171 12750 172 4950 173 4650 174 4750 175 2650 176 4950 177 9750 178 2950 179 4750 180 3450 181 5950 182 18750 183 2750 184 75000 185 9750 186 5750 187 17500 188 5750 189 6950 190 3850 191 7500 192 7250 193 3950 194 6950 195 17500 196 3950
An Elegant Coin Case for the Connoisseur
• Archival, premium quality materials • Extra deep wells for archaic or high relief coins • Will fit larger safe deposit box • Holds 40 coins in two trays • Separate padded protector
$150 per case + shipping charges
S103
Auction 12 May 2016 Consignment deadline 7 March 2016
Webauction 4 21 February 2016 www.nomosag.com/obolos
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Classical Numismatic Group, Inc.
CNG Auction 99
An Internet & Mail Bid Sale Closing Wednesday, May 13, 2015
Classical Numismatic Group, Inc.
CNG Auction 100
An Internet & Mail Bid Sale Closing Wednesday, October 7, 2015
TRITON XIX In Conjunction with the 44th Annual New York International
CLASSICAL NUMISMATIC GROUP, INC. presents
THE ADAMS COLLECTION Ancient, Medieval, and Modern Gold Coins and Medals [PART III]
January 5, 2016
Triton XIX Sessions 3 and 4
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
Sessions 1 and 2
Printed Auction Schedule ••• Triton XIX - January 5 & 6, 2016 CNG 102 - May 18, 2016 CNG 103 - September 21 2016 Triton XX - January 10-11, 2017 Consignment Deadlines ••• CNG 102 - January 15, 2016 CNG 103 - June 17, 2016 Triton XX - September 16, 2016 Over 20 Electronic Auctions planned for 2016. Consult cngcoins.com for dates CNG E366 closes in January 2016
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