Part I Greek Coins
1. Corieltauvi. Uninscribed Coinage. South Ferriby Type. Pink Gold Stater, 5.18g. c. 45-10 BC. Obv: Abstract head of Apollo. Rx: Disjointed horse. Van Arsdale 835-1 (ER). This coin is listed as extremely rare by Van Arsdale. VF $1,000
5. Calabria. Tarentum. c. 276-272 BC. Stater, 8.59g. Obv: Laureate head of Zeus facing right. Behind, monogram (ΝΚ). Rx: ΤΑΡΑΝΤΙΝΩΝ Eagle standing on thunderbolt left, spreading wings. In upper right field, ΣΩΣΙ. In left field, monogram (ΑΡ). Fischer-Bossert 38. Vlasto Coll. 36 = Gulbenkian Coll. 44 (same dies). Doublestruck on reverse. EF/Good VF with some mint luster $20,000 The stater belongs to a large issue of gold coins minted by the Tarentines during the first phase of the Pyrrhic War. As on earlier occasions when the Tarentine people hired foreign generals to lead an army against the native people of Italy, this gold issue does not utilize the South Italian (Achaean) standard, but the Attic. It was meant to appeal to the mercenaries who were accustomed to being paid by Philip II’s and Alexander’s gold coins.
2. Campania. Suessa Aurunca. c. 280-268 BC. Didrachm, 6.65g. Obv: Laureate head of Apollo facing right, bow symbol behind head. Rx: [S]VESAN[O] Horseman (desultor), naked, wearing pilos, leading second horse and holding palm branch with fillet in his hand. cf. Weber 404. cf. BMC 123,1. cf. SNG Copenhagen 579. M&M Auktion 61, 7-8 October 1982, lot 10. Only three specimens recorded with this symbol. Good VF $4,000
6. Pyrrhos of Epeiros. 281-272 BC. Obol, 0.84g. Calabria, Tarentum, c. 276-272 BC. Obv: Head of young Herakles facing right. Rx: TAPAΣ Taras on dolphin facing left. Vlasto 43. Fischer-Bossert G34. Good VF $1,000
3. Frentani. Larinum. c. 210-175 BC. Teruncius, 6.47g. Obv: Head of bearded Hercules facing right, wearing knotted lion-skin. Dotted border. Rx: LADINOD Centaur galloping right, with palm branch on shoulder. In exergue, three pellets. Line border. HN Italy 627. Green patination. VF $500
7. Tarentum. c. 250 BC. Diobol, 1.02g. Obv: Head of Athena facing left, wearing Attic helmet, the bowl of which is decorated by a Scylla. Rx: ΤΑ Infant Herakles, naked, strangling two serpents, leaning on left arm. In left field, Μ. In exergue, thunderbolt. Vlasto Coll. 1455. SNG ANS 1473. SNG France 2142. Very good mythological type. Toned EF $650
Enlargement
Ex David Freedman Collection, Triton V, 15 January 2002, lot 14. Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
4. Apulia. Teate. c. 325-275 BC. Diobol, 1.15g. Obv: Head of Athena right, wearing Attic helmet studded with stars. Rx: Herakles with club right, fighting lion; above, TIATI. HN Italy 696. Garrucci p. 108,4. Sambon, Recherches, p. 218.5, pl. XV. 14. Extremely rare. Good VF $1,000
8
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
8. c. 240-228 BC. Nomos, 6.57g. Obv: Hippokontist in close fitting lorica hurling javelin on horseback. ΟΛΥΜΠΙΣ beneath horse; wreath in left field. Rx: ΤΑΡΑΣ Taras on dolphin holding cornucopia and kantharos; tripod to his left. Vlasto Coll. 943 (same dies). HN Italy 1055. EF $900