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We offer a mix of NGC graded ancients as well as raw (unencapsulated) coins. NGC encapsulation provides a third–party opinion that the coins are genuine but does not financially guarantee them. In the event you wish to have any of our raw coins encapsulated, they may be submitted to NGC at your cost and with the understanding that we cannot guarantee specific grades or notations. In very few cases raw coins are marked as “not eligible for encapsulation,” and here we note the reason why NGC would not encapsulate them.
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SHIPPING CHARGES FOR COINS
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ILLUSTRATIONS USED IN THIS CATALOGUE
Coins are illustrated 1:1 and in various enlargements. In certain cases, we have also included images of older catalogues or publications wherein the specific piece is documented.
CREDITS
We are grateful to Oliver Hoover for his assistance in cataloguing and providing the historical notes, and to Mary Lannin for her editorial help. Photography and catalogue layout are the work of Alex Marinescu of Marinescu Designs, LLC.
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19203. CALABRIA. TARENTUM. Ca. 340–334 BC.
Silver Didrachm (nomos), 7.84 g, 23 mm.
Obv. Youthful rider right, crowning his horse, as crouching boy below removes stone from the horse’s hoof, Φ in right field. Rev. TAPAΣ, dolphin rider left, holding cantharus and trident, shield slung on arm, E in lower field, waves in exergue. Fischer–Bossert Group 50, 695 (O262/R542); Vlasto 510 (same dies); HN Italy 888; HGC 1, 786. NGC graded VF, Strike 5/5, Surface 3/5, “graffito,” a variety featuring one of the most charming scenes on Greek coinage. $ 2250
The Tarentine nomos series is well known for its depictions of all aspects of ancient horsemanship, but this particular piece is especially remarkable for its sensitive portrayal of the moments after a horse race, the most popular event of the ancient Olympic games. Here the youthful jockey places the laurel crown of victory on the head of his horse while another youth, perhaps a stable boy, attends to the horse’s front hoof. It is unclear whether he is removing a pebble lodged there during the race, as is sometimes suggested, providing a more general cleaning, or merely inspecting it for anything that might cause injury to the winning animal.
A COLORFUL MARVEL FROM THE GASVODA AND NELSON BUNKER HUNT COLLECTIONS
20369. BRUTTIUM. CROTON. Ca. 530–500 BC.
Silver Nomos, 7.59 g, 26 mm.
Obv. KPO, tripod with decorative volutes and legs terminating in lion’s feet resting on dotted base, heron standing left in right field. Rev. KPO, incuse of obverse design, but wreath on tripod. Hunt II, 212 (this coin); HGC 1, 1444; Gorini 11; Attianese 19; HN Italy 2081; SNG ANS 248–9; SNG Ashmolean 1467; SNG Lloyd 596.
Ex Mike Gasvoda Collection, CNG 109, 9/12/2018, lot 40 = Ex Edward J. Waddell Inventory 51305 (August 2014) = Numismatica Ars Classica 78, 5/26/2014, lot 1355 = CNG 50, 6/23/1999, lot 453 = UBS 45, 9/15/1998, lot 102 = Nelson Bunker Hunt Collection, Sotheby’s New York, 6/21/1990, lot 212.
NGC graded VF STAR, Strike 5/5, Surface 5/5, Hunt pedigree listed on label, a spectacular specimen, with spectacular multicolored toning. $ 5500
20064. BRUTTIUM. CAULONIA. Ca. 475–410 BC. Silver Stater, 7.95 g, 20 mm.
Obv. KAVΛ (retrograde), Apollo striding right, holding olive branch in raised right hand, a small daimon running on his extended arm, stag in right field. Rev. KAV (retrograde), stag right, laurel branch in right field. Noe, The Coinage of Caulonia, Group F, 75e (this coin listed); HN Italy 2046; HGC 1, 1419. Ex Hirsch 284, 9/26/2012, lot 2013, “Erworben bei Bruno Vigne, Paris, im März 1984” = Ex Samuel Pozzi Collection, Naville 3/14/1921, lot 273.
Good VF, traces of overstriking, dark cabinet patina. $ 6500
A RARE AND IMPRESSIVE GELA TETRADRACHM EX JAMESON COLLECTION
Jenkins, Gela, Group V, 371.1 (this coin listed citing Jameson collection); Jameson, 587 (citing Evans pedigree). Ex Salton Collection, Stack’s Bowers January 2022 NYINC Auction, 1/16/2022, lot 4113 = ex Robert Jameson Collection, no. 587, stated there to be ex Sir Arthur J. Evans Collection, together with a number of other specimens from Gela and South Italy that Jameson acquired. Although this tetradrachm is unpublished in the auction catalogues of Evans’ collection, it should be noted that the Naville Ars Classica IV of 6/17/1922, which included Evans’ coins, featured two specimens of this rare piece – lots 244 and 245, the latter from the same dies as this specimen. It seems possible this tetradrachm (and likely others) was acquired by Jameson from the Evans collection privately, perhaps to avoid overloading the sale with such rarities.
NGC graded VF, Strike 4/5, Surface 2/5, FINE STYLE, Jenkins publication and Jameson provenance noted on label. $ 19500
The basic types of this coin had a long history at Gela by the time this tetradrachm was struck. The quadriga obverse type alludes to victory in the chariot race at the Olympic Games – the most prestigious event for the elite of any Greek city. It also reflects the influence of the powerful Sicilian city of Syracuse, which had employed the chariot as the standard obverse type since the sixth century BC. The reverse depicts the river–god Gelas, after whom the city of Gela was named, in his usual form as a bull with a human face – a form derived from representations of Achelous, the shape–changing river–god defeated by Heracles. This tetradrachm departs from the regular typology of Gela in that the forepart of Gelas is not alone here but crowned by Sosipolis (literally “City Savior”), the nymph of a nearby spring.
FROM GLENDINING’S DECEMBER 1946 SALE
20319. SICILY. LEONTINI. Ca. 450–430 BC.
Silver Tetradrachm, 16.98 g, 26 mm.
Obv. Laureate head of Apollo right. Rev. ΛEONTINON, lion’s head right, surrounded by four barley grains. Boehringer, Leontini, 47; HGC 2, 667; SNG ANS 247. Ex Glendining, 12/19/1946, lot 175 (not illustrated).
NGC graded CHOICE VF, Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5, with the original Glendining circular label citing the sale.
REVERSE DIE SIGNED BY EUCLEIDAS
20123. SICILY. SYRACUSE. Ca. 400–390 BC.
$ 4250
Silver Tetradrachm, 17.22 g, 22 mm. Issue struck with signed reverse die of Eucleidas. Obv. Charioteer driving quadriga left, Nike flying above right, crowning driver, [ear of grain left in exergue]. Rev. [ΣΥΡΑΚΟΣΙΟΝ], diademed head of Arethusa left, her hair flowing upward from under the sphendone, [EYKLEI on scroll beneath neck truncation], pair of facing dolphins in front of the face, a third above the forehead and a fourth around the ampyx. Fischer–Bossert, Coins, Artists, and Tyrants, 86 (O32/R58); HGC 2, 1342.
NGC graded CHOICE VF, Strike 4/5, Surface 4/5, FINE STYLE, “rev signed by Eucleidas” noted on label, dark gray cabinet patina, struck from a documented signed die, although here the artist’s signature is off the tight planchet.
$ 4700
Inv. 20123
Inv. 20319
Inv. 20319 Tag
20320. SICILY. SYRACUSE. AGATHOCLES, 317–289 BC.
Silver Tetradrachm, 17.11 g, 26 mm. Issue of ca. 310–306 BC.
Obv. KOPAΣ, wreathed head of Kore right. Rev. AΓAΘOKΛEOΣ, Nike standing right, nailing armor to trophy, AI monogram beneath left wing, triskeles in right field.
Ierardi 91 (O18/R60); HGC 1, 1536.
Ex Numismatica Fiorentina, with their dealer tag = NAC 92 Part 1, 5/23/2016, lot 137 = Triton VII, 1/12/2004, 108 = Sternberg XXIX, 10/30/1995, 47.
NGC graded XF, Strike 4/5, Surface 4/5, FINE STYLE, Sternberg provenance noted on label, obverse with its characteristic die flaw, superlative multicolored iridescence and struck from the finely engraved dies that appear early in the series. $ 7000
20140. SICILY. SICULO–PUNIC. Ca. 300–289 BC.
Silver Tetradrachm, 16.88g, 23 mm. “Paymasters” issue of Entella.
Obv. Head of young Heracles right in lion skin headdress. Rev. Horse head left, palm tree right, grain ear in left field, MHSBM (in Punic) in exergue.
NGC graded CHOICE VF, Strike 4/5, Surface 5/5, dark patina, struck from high relief dies. $ 2500
Inv. 20320
Inv. 20140
ONCE IN THE PAYNE–KNIGHT COLLECTION AND THE BRITISH MUSEUM, SOLD IN THE NAVILLE V 1923 SALE, AND SUBSEQUENTLY PUBLISHED AND ILLUSTRATED BY JENKINS
20371. SICILY. SICULO–PUNIC. Ca. 410–390 BC.
Silver Tetradrachm, 16.50 g, 24 mm.
Obv. Horse protome left, Nike flying left above, crowning the head, barley grain in left field. Rev. QRT–ḤDŠT (“Carthage” in Punic), palm tree with dates on either side.
Jenkins, Coins of Punic Sicily, 31.6 (O8/R30, this coin listed and illustrated); HGC 2, 262; SNG Copenhagen 70 (same dies). Ex Salton Collection, Stack’s Bowers January 2022 NYINC Auction, 1/16/2022, lot 4163= Naville Ars Classica XIV (Capt. E.G. Spencer Churchill and others), 7/2/1929, lot 148 = ex Richard Payne–Knight, British Museum, Naville Ars Classica V (British Museum Duplicates), 6/18/1923, lot 2981 (Payne–Knight provenance cited specifically).
NGC graded VF, Strike 3/5, Surface 2/5, “scuff,” Jenkins publication and Naville V sale data noted on the label, with Salton’s original envelope and ticket. $ 9000
The coin comes originally from the collection of Richard Payne–Knight, who donated his holdings to the British Museum in the early 1800s prior to his death in 1824. An aristocrat, classicist, aesthete and politician, Payne–Knight travelled the “Grand Tour” beginning in 1767 and much of his collection must have been assembled in the second half of the 18th century. Some of the coins he donated to the British Museum were among the duplicates sold in the Naville V sale of 1923, and this piece was included and specifically noted as being from his collection. It is a coin that surely was acquired in the latter 1700s and has had a distinguished history ever since.
Naville Ars Classica XIV, 7/2/1929
Naville Ars Classica V (British Museum Duplicates), 6/18/1923
“SOLD
TO BUY EUPHRONIOS” FROM THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM COLLECTION, GIVEN TO THE MUSEUM IN 1905 BY J. P. MORGAN, EX WARD COLLECTION, AND FORMERLY ACQUIRED IN THE LATTER HALF OF THE 19TH CENTURY BY BARON FERDINAND DE ROTHSCHILD
1905 Sotheby’s Auction Forward
“Late Collector” (Rotschild) sale, Sotheby, Wilkinson and Hodge, 5/31/1900
Vinchon, 11/25/1994
20308. ZEUGITANA. CARTHAGE. Ca. 264–241 BC.
Electrum 1 1/2 Shekels (Trihemishekel), 10.90 g, 22 mm. Issue of the First Punic War, struck at Carthage. Obv. Heat of Tanit left, wearing wreath of grain, a triple–pendant earring and a necklace with pendants. Rev. Horse standing right on an exergue line, double uraeus flanking a solar disk with rays above, pellet in front of right rear leg. Jenkins & Lewis, Group Xa, 412–18 (unlisted dies).
Published: Ward Collection, no. 921.
Ex Grapevine Collection, purchased from Ed Waddell in 2012 = ex James and Sneja Velkov Collection, Vinchon, 11/25/1994, lot 32 = ex John Ward / Metropolitan Museum of Art Collection, Sotheby’s Zurich, 4/4/1973, lot 763 = ex J. Pierpont Morgan collection (who donated the Ward collection to the Metropolitan Museum in 1905) = ex “Late Collector” (Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild who died in 1898), Sotheby, Wilkinson and Hodge, 5/28/1900, lot 489. XF, deep gold toning with some iridescent highlights. $ 27500
Electrum issues like this shekel multiple were produced during the long First Punic War (264–241 BC), which was fought between Carthage and Rome over control of Sicily and southern Italy. They appear to have been struck primarily to pay North African mercenaries at the end of their service in the conflict and were sometimes overstruck by rebels during the so–called Truceless War (241–238/7 BC)—a major mercenary uprising against Carthage engendered by defeat in the First Punic War. The declining standard of gold fineness in electrum coins like the present piece suggests that they were probably struck in the 240s, as the tide of the war turned against Carthage and the struggle against Rome taxed the resources of the city.
20366. THRACE. BYZANTIUM. Ca. 240–220 BC.
Silver “9 Obols”, 5.48 g, 20 mm. Struck by magistrate Antipatros.
Obv. Veiled head of Demeter right, wearing wreath of grain. Rev. Poseidon, seated on a rocky outcropping, holding trident and aphlaston, BY – NE monograms in field, ΕΠΙ ANTIPATPOY in exergue.
Schönert–Geiss 1028 (these dies), listing only 12 coins for the issue.
NGC graded CHOICE XF, Strike 4/5, Surface 4/5, exceptional for issue.
19624. KINGDOM OF THRACE. LYSIMACHUS, 305–281 BC.
Silver Tetradrachm, 17.14 g, 29 mm. Early posthumous issue of Amphipolis or Byzantium, ca. 280–270 BC.
Obv. Head of deified Alexander the Great right, with the horn of Ammon. Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ
$ 1250
Athena enthroned left, holding Nike crowning Lysimachus’ name, MΦ control monogram in left field, AP monogram below throne.
Thompson –; Marinescu, Making and Spending Money along the Bosporus: the Lysimachi Coinages Minted by Byzantium and Chalcedon and their Socio–Cultural Context (Columbia University Dissertation, 1996), issue 2, no. 4 (as Byzantium), other specimens include London (1898,0602.100) and Paris (R 2035).
NGC graded CHOICE AU, Strike 4/5, Surface 3/5, “brushed.” This coin is either among the very last issues of Amphipolis or the first issues of Byzantium, struck soon after Lysimachus’ death. $ 3300
A SPECTACULAR AND VERY RARE PERINTHUS LYSIMACHUS PUBLISHED AND PLATED IN MARINESCU’S DIE STUDY AND IN THE HANDBOOK OF GREEK COINS
19271. THRACE. PERINTHUS. CIVIC ISSUE IN THE NAME AND TYPES OF KING LYSIMACHUS OF THRACE, ca. 280–250 BC.
Silver Tetradrachm of Lysimachus type, 16.93 g, 28 mm. Issue of ca. late 260s–late 250s BC. Obv. Head of deified Alexander the Great right, with the horn of Ammon. Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΛΥΣΙΜΑXΟΥ, Athena enthroned left, holding Nike crowning Lysimachus’ name, double horse protome above retrograde NK control monogram in left field, ΛH in exergue. Marinescu, “The Lysimachi Coinage of Perinthus,” BulgNJ 1.2 (2023), issue 7, no. 14(1) (this coin listed and illustrated); HGC 1611 (this coin illustrated).
Ex Heritage 3037, 1/5/2015, lot 29979 = Heritage 3020, 9/7/2012, lot 24938.
NGC graded AU, Strike 5/5, Surface 3/5, “edge scuff,” an exceptional coin with great eye appeal, areas of subtle iridescent glow, published and illustrated in the die study for the mint. $ 7500
This extremely rare coin is one of only two recorded by Marinescu for his issue 7 and was used as the illustration for this die pair. It was also illustrated by Oliver Hoover in his Handbook of Greek Coins
19096. KINGDOM OF MACEDON. PHILIP II, 359–336 BC.
Silver Tetradrachm, 14.40 g, 24 mm. Lifetime issue of Pella, ca. 348/7–343/2 BC.
Obv. Laureate head of Zeus right. Rev. ΦIΛIΠΠOY, nude rider right holding palm branch. Le Rider Group I.A.1, 162a (D100/R132 – this coin listed and illustrated).
Ex Münzen und Medaillen FPL 181 (July 1958), no. 1 = Münzen und Medaillen FPL 166 (March 1957), no. 8.
NGC graded CHOICE VF, Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5, FINE STYLE, Le Rider publication data cited on label.
AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE ALEXANDER GOLD DENOMINATION
20239. MACEDONIAN KINGDOM. ALEXANDER III, THE GREAT, 336–323 BC.
Gold Quarter Stater, 2.13 g, 10 mm. Late lifetime or early posthumous issue minted at Miletus, ca. 323–319 BC.
$ 6500
Obv. Head of Athena right, wearing large Corinthian helmet with snake ornament below the plume. Rev. AΛEΞANΔPOY, Nike standing, looking left, holding wreath in right hand and stylis over left shoulder, double axe in left field, grain stalk below right wing. Price 2097; Thompson, Miletus, III.130–132.
Ex David Feldman SA, The Silk Road Collection, 12/1/2024, lot 10006 = ex Goldberg 75, 9/24/2013, lot 2425 = ex Gemini Auction VI, 1/10/2010, lot 71.
NGC graded CHOICE VF, Strike 5/5, Surface 5/5, professionally cleaned to remove the earthen encrustation previously on the coin. An extremely rare denomination, with only six specimens in the Pella database, including Bibliothèque nationale de France 1973.138 and Münzkabinett Berlin 18250162, both struck from the same dies; this is the only specimen of this variety from Miletus available on the market for the last 25 years. $ 5000
20374. MACEDONIAN KINGDOM. ALEXANDER III, THE GREAT, 336–323 BC.
Gold Stater, 8.59 g, 18 mm. Lifetime issue of Tarsus, ca. 332/1–328 BC, among the first eight issues struck at Tarsus after Alexander conquered the city.
Obv. Head of Athena right, wearing large Corinthian helmet with rampant griffin ornament below the plume. Rev. AΛEΞANΔPOY, Nike standing, her hair gathered in a topknot, looking left, holding wreath in right hand and stylis with Nike finials over left shoulder, caduceus below right wing.
Price 3458 (as Sidon); Newell, Sidon 2 (Obv. G/Rev. a); Bibliothèque nationale de France, Fonds général 336 (same dies), one of seven specimens in public collections listed in the Pella database.
NGC graded CHOICE AU, Strike 5/5, Surface 3/5, “brushed,” among the the very first Alexander gold staters ever struck. The imagery of the reverse may well echo Alexander’s victory over Tarsus in 333 BC, as Nike, the goddess of victory, extends the wreath to Alexander’s name, and at the same time she carries her stylis decorated with small figures of Victories on each arm. $ 12850
It is generally accepted that Alexander the Great introduced his famous imperial silver coinage featuring Heracles and Zeus shortly after his capture of Tarsus in late summer 333 BC. This new coinage resulted from the sudden availability of Persian silver in the city, which was also an established satrapal mint, and from Alexander’s need to pay his army following the great victory at the Battle of Issus on November 5, 333 BC.
Recently, Georges Le Rider argued that a group of Alexander’s gold staters and distaters given to Sidon by E. T. Newell and Martin Price, to which the present stater belongs, were really minted at Tarsus alongside the early imperial silver. This reattribution is based on stylistic grounds such as the lion–griffin on Athena’s helmet and the small Nikai adorning the top of Nike’s stylis – both features known from subsequent Alexander stater issues at Tarsus. This highly convincing reattribution now makes Tarsus the epicenter for the development of Alexander’s influential imperial coinage in both silver and gold.
A VERY RARE ALEXANDER GOLD VARIETY FROM THE PHOENICIAN MINT AT SIDON
20375. MACEDONIAN KINGDOM. ALEXANDER III, THE GREAT, 336–323 BC.
Gold Stater, 8.60 g, 18 mm. Lifetime issue of Sidon, ca. 332/1–324/3 BC
Obv. Head of Athena right, wearing large Corinthian helmet with griffin ornament below the plume. Rev. [Α]ΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ, Nike standing, her hair gathered in a topknot, looking left, holding wreath in right hand and stylis over left shoulder, ΣI below left wing, palm below right wing.
Price 3472; Newell, The Dated Alexander Coinage of Sidon and Ake, 13 (dies P/β); British Museum 1878,0301.85 (same dies).
NGC graded Ch AU, Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5, attractive and lustrous, with a full head Nike. An extremely rare variety with Pella citing two specimens (ANS and British Museum, both from the same obverse die); CoinArchives cites four other specimens of this Price variety. $ 12500
20306. MACEDONIAN KINGDOM. PHILIP III, 323–317 BC.
Gold Stater of Alexander type, 8.50 g, 18 mm. Issue of Babylon, ca. 323–317 BC.
Obv. Head of Athena right, wearing a large Corinthian helmet with with snake ornament below the plume, M in left field. Rev. BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΥ, Nike standing, looking left, holding wreath in right hand and stylis over left shoulder, ΛY below left wing, M below right wing.
Price unlisted with the M on the obverse, but cf. Price P179 for an issue with the M on the obverse, but different arrangement of the controls on the reverse.
NGC graded CHOICE VF, Strike 4/5, Surface 4/5, “(unlisted in M. Price)” noted on label, this variety seemingly unique and unpublished. $ 6800
20317. CELTIC EUROPE. Ca. 4th–3rd CENTURIES BC.
Gold Stater of Alexander type, 8.55 g, 19 mm. Imitative issue based on an Alexander emission of Amphipolis.
Obv. Head of Athena right, wearing a large Corinthian helmet with snake ornament below the plume. Rev. AΛEΞANΔNΛ (garbled legend), Nike standing, looking left, holding wreath in right hand and stylis over left shoulder, downward oriented trident in left field, star below right wing.
For the general type see Kostial, no. 28; cf. Price 178 for prototype used.
Ex Schweizerische Kreditanstalt (Bern) 5, 4/18/1986, lot 18 (with SKA Monetarium tag with handwritten notation of the sale but noting wrong month).
NGC graded CHOICE XF, Strike 5/5, Surface 3/5, a particularly faithful Celtic copy of an Amphipolis issue in a bold and attractive style, but with garbled legend. $ 4500
20214. KINGDOM OF MACEDON. DEMETRIUS I POLIORCETES, 306–283 BC.
Silver Tetradrachm of Alexander type, 15.80 g, 25 mm. Issue of Tyre in the name of Demetrius, ca. 290–287 BC.
Obv. Head of young Heracles right in lion skin headdress. Rev. BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΔMHTPIOY, Zeus enthroned left, holding eagle and scepter, club in circle in left field, monogram below throne.
Newell, The Coinage of Demetrius Poliorketes, 29 (dies XXXIII/67), pl. III, 11 (same dies), cf. Price 3559 for the same issue with Alexander’s name.
Ex Roma Numismatics, E–Sale 31, 26 November 2016, lot 70.
NGC graded CHOICE FINE, Strike 4/5, Surface 3/5, “brushed,” rare with Demetrius’ name, CoinArchives lists about six other specimens of this type. $ 750
20368. MACEDONIAN KINGDOM. ANTIGONUS II GONATAS, 277–239 BC.
Fourrée Tetradrachm, 16.38 g, 32 mm. Based on an issue of Amphipolis, ca. 246/5–221 BC.
Obv. Macedonian shield with bust of Pan in the center, lagobolon over his shoulder, stellate designs within double crescents around border. Rev. BΛΣIΛCΩΣ ANTIΓONOΛ, Athena Alcidemos brandishing shield and thunderbolt left, helmet in lower left field, KT control in lower right field.
For original on which this coin is based see Panagopoulou, Early Antigonids, Period III, groups 14 ff. (helmet + KT); Panagopoulou lists 4 plated specimens, plate 55, 1–4, however none are based on the KT emissions.
Like the additional piece listed below, this Pan Shield tetradrachm closely imitates an official emission with the KT control, although the style is slightly off and the legend somewhat garbled, with several misrendered letters.
IMITATIVE FOURRÉE TETRADRACHM OF ANTIGONUS DOSON TYPE
20365. KINGDOM OF MACEDON. ANTIGONUS II GONATAS–ANTIGONUS III DOSON, 229–221 BC.
Fourrée Tetradrachm, 16.19 g, 31 mm. Based on an issue of 229–221 BC.
Obv. Bearded head of Poseidon right. Rev. [BAΣIΛEΩΣ ANTIΓONOΥ] in garbled script, Apollo, with closely cropped hair, seated left on prow of battle galley with ram, holding his bow, control monogram below.
See Leu Web Auction 3, 2/25/2018, lots 210–211 for fourrées struck using the same dies; Panagopoulou, Early Antigonids, lists several imitations on plates 57–58, nos. 11–17, but no fourrées.
NGC graded AU, Strike 4/5, Surface 3/5, “core visible,” “ancient forgery,” boldly struck and seemingly unique.
$ 1500
Some ancient fourrée issues were produced through the malfeasance of mint workers seeking to pocket the extra silver with which they were supposed to produce solid precious metal coins. Others seem to have been struck with the knowledge of the state as a means of stretching silver resources in times of crisis. In both cases, official dies were involved in producing the silver–plated copper coins. The present piece, however, does not fall into either of these categories. It is a flat–out ancient forgery struck for personal profit, and possibly to fill a need for coinage in a time or place when it was lacking. This piece is obviously struck from imitative dies. The style is unlike that of the original coins, being a little rougher, with Apollo’s body and head in a quite unusual style, and the legend entirely garbled and barely recognizable as Greek. This is a truly remarkable ancient forgery, with the silver cladding almost entirely intact.
20042. KINGDOM OF PAEONIA. PATRAUS, ca. 335–315 BC.
Silver Tetradrachm, 12.79 g, 24 mm. Issue of Astibus or Damastion.
Obv. Laureate head of Apollo right. Rev. [ΠATPAOY], helmeted and cuirassed warrior on horseback right, spearing fallen soldier defending himself with spear and shield, ƎM control monogram in left field.
Paeonian Hoard 410; Peykov E2140; HGC 3.1, 148.
NGC graded CHOICE XF, Strike 4/5, Surface 4/5.
1200
EX BCD SIGNED ISSUE OF PHARSALUS PUBLISHED AND PLATED IN LAVVA’S STUDY
20268. THESSALY. PHARSALUS. Ca. 425–350 BC.
Silver Drachm, 5.98 g, 17 mm.
Obv. Helmeted head of Athena right, IΠ in left field. Rev. Φ–A–P–Σ, Thessalian cavalryman right, holding goad.
Lavva 132a (V61/R59, this coin cited and illustrated); BCD Thessaly II 643 (same rev. die); HGC 4, 624.
Ex BCD Collection = New York sale 57, 1/10/2023, lot 43 = CNG Electronic Auction 374, 5/11/2016, lot 216 (specifically citing BCD).
NGC graded CHOICE XF, Strike 4/5, Surface 3/5, FINE STYLE, “flan flaws,” “edge marks” and “SIGNED ‘IP’ noted on label. Although not in the sales catalogues of BCD’s collection, this coin is cited as being from the collection by both CNG and Lavva. $ 1950
20062. ATTICA. ATHENS. Ca. 510/500–480 BC.
Silver Tetradrachm, 17.12 g, 21 mm. Issue of the early Archaic period, ca. 510 BC.
Obv. Helmeted head of Athena right. Rev. ΑΘΕ, owl standing right, head facing, olive sprig in left field, all within incuse square. Seltman Group Gii “Doric Style,” no. 228 (A150/P182, this obverse die) and Seltman 231 (A153/P185, this reverse die), hence a new die combination; Svoronos pl. 4, 3; HGC 4, 1589; Gillet 922 (this coin).
Ex Charles Gillet Collection, no. 922 = NAC 138, 5/18/2023, lot 181.
Good VF and of outstanding Archaic style with a well–articulated eye, glossy dark gray patina, and an exceptional pedigree. $ 12500
This spectacular Athenian tetradrachm, struck from silver from the Laurion mines in the years leading up to the Persian invasion of Greece, once belonged to Charles Gillet (1879–1972), the son of a prominent French industrialist and director of the businesses that ultimately became the important chemical firm Rhône–Poulenc. The great wealth that accrued to Gillet from inheritance and business success permitted him to become a collector of art, including coins. He probably began collecting Greek coins in the 1920s, and ultimately amassed a collection of exceptionally beautiful coins, often from famous collection sales. Gillet has a reputation for developing his collection with an outstanding eye for beauty, rarity, and quality, as is apparent from this Athenian piece. Although Gillet began to sell off some parts of his collection in the 1950s, many of its stars were sold after his death in the legendary anonymous sale simply entitled “Griechische Münzen aus der Sammlung eines Kunstfreundes.”
20189. ATTICA. ATHENS. 2nd–1st CENTURY BC.
Silver “NEW STYLE” Tetradrachm, 16.62 g, 28 mm. Issue of ca. 115/4 BC, under magistrates Metrodorus, Demosthen–, and Aristode–, with control symbol grape bunch.
Obv. Helmeted head of Athena right. Rev. AΘE, owl standing right, head facing, magistrates’ names (MHTPOΔΩΣ, ΔHMOΣΘEN, APIΣΘOΔH) in fields, grape bunch on a long vine in right field, Z (month) on amphora, ΠE? in exergue, all within wreath. Thompson 638c (same obverse die).
NGC graded CHOICE VF, Strike 5/5, Surface 3/5, “brushed,” rare, Thompson lists only eleven specimens with these three magistrates for 115/4 BC and this is the sole piece on CoinArchives. $ 1850
19854. ELIS. OLYMPIA. Ca. 256–240 BC.
Silver Hemidrachm, 2.33 g, 15 mm. Issue for the 131–135th Olympiad, ca. 256–240 BC.
Obv. Laureate head of Zeus right. Rev. F–A flanking winged thunderbolt, all within olive wreath. BCD Olympia 355.5 (same dies); HGC 5, 512. Ex CNG Electronic Auction 209, 4/22/2009, lot 143.
NGC graded CHOICE FINE, Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5.
$ 750
The head of Zeus on the coin is likely based on that of the famous chryselephantine (gold and ivory) colossal cult statue of Zeus from the Temple of Zeus at Olympia. It was executed in the Greek Classical period by the famous sculptor Phidias who claimed to have been inspired by the verses of Homer describing Zeus: “The son of Cronos spoke, and bowed his dark brow in assent, and the ambrosial locks waved from the king’s immortal head; and he made great Olympus quake.” [Iliad 1, 538–540]
20056. ELIS. OLYMPIA. Ca. 250–200 BC
Silver Drachm, 4.69 g, 19 mm. Issue of 134–143rd Olympiad, ca. 244–208 BC.
NGC graded VF, Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5, dark gray cabinet patina with iridescent highlights. This variety is associated with the Olympic games from the period of the 134th through the 143rd Olympiads. $ 1850
THE MYTHICAL LABYRINTH OF MINOS
20315. CRETE. CNOSSUS. Ca. 330–270 BC.
Silver Stater, 10.70 g, 23mm.
Obv. Head of a goddess (Hera or Demeter) right, wearing a wreath of grain. Rev. Labyrinth in a cruciform counterclockwise maeander pattern, eight–pointed star in the center.
Svoronos 28 (same obverse die); SNG Copenhagen 369; Le Rider pl. XXXII, 1 (possibly the same obverse die).
NGC graded CHOICE FINE, Strike 4/5, Surface 2/5. $ 9500
This stater is remarkable for its representation of the famous labyrinth—the intricate maze where the mythical King Minos kept the monstrous Minotaur imprisoned. The labyrinth was a common image on the coins of Cnossus, but it is usually depicted in a square or circular shape. Here, however, it is shown in a rare cruciform shape and with a star in the center as if to mark the location of the Minotaur. If Theseus had a map as good as this, he might not have needed Ariadne’s ball of twine to navigate the labyrinth. The obverse type has been variously described as a depiction of Hera or Demeter. The latter seems most likely, considering that a sanctuary of Demeter was located in the territory of Cnossus on the Gypsadhes hill south of the city’s Minoan palace complex.
rare figural countermark on cyzicus hecte
20286. MYSIA. CYZICUS. Ca. 500–450 BC.
Electrum Hecte, 2.48 g, 11 mm.
Obv. Bull striding left on tunny left, below. Rev. Quadripartite incuse square.
Von Fritze, Kyzikus, 88, SNG BN 224; another specimen in Vilmar Numismatics FPL V, 27, ex Jonathan Rosen Collection, Münzen & Medaillen A.G. Basel, 10/6/1987, lot 207.
NGC graded VF, Strike 5/2, Surface 2/5, “countermarks.” $ 2500
Extremely rare, with five specimens of this type known in the hecte denomination. This specimen, however, is particularly interesting in that it has a figural countermark on the edge. Although countermarks are encountered sporadically on these coins, figural ones such as this which depicts a quadruped right (charging boar?), are particularly rare.
PHILETAIROS TETRADRACHM FROM JACOB HIRSCH’S
1912
SALE,
PLATED AND ILLUSTRATED
IN WESTERMARK’S DIE STUDY OF THE COINAGE
20223. PERGAMENE KINGDOM. EUMENES I, ca. 263–241 BC. Silver Tetradrachm, 16.77 g, 31 mm. Issue of Westermark Group IVB, ca. 255/50–241 BC. Obv. Laureate head of Philetairos right. Rev. ΦΙΛETAIPOY, Athena enthroned left, crowning royal name, shield behind throne, grape cluster in outer left field, AΘ monogram in left field, bow in right field. SNG France 1616; SNG von Aulock 1358. Westermark, Das Bildnis des Philetairos von Pergamon, Group IV:B, V.LXIV–R4a (this coin listed and illustrated). Ex Jacob Hirsch XXXII, 11/14/1912, lot 529.
XF, dark gray cabinet patina with blue iridescent highlights, a coin with over a century of history and a plate coin in Westermark’s seminal work. $ 4500
20367. PERGAMENE KINGDOM. ATTALUS I, ca. 241–197 BC.
Silver Tetradrachm of Alexander type, 17.15 g, 31 mm. Issue of 215–200 BC.
Obv. Head of young Heracles right in lion skin headdress. Rev. ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ, Zeus enthroned left, holding eagle and scepter, horizontal bee flying right in left field.
Price 1476 var. (bee flying horizontally not vertically); Kleiner, “The Alexander Tetradrachms of Pergamum and Rhodes,” Series IV; Boehringer, Chronologie, 42.5.
A particularly interesting specimen where the issue symbol, a flying bee, is shown flying horizontally to the right, instead of the normal vertically oriented position. There was clearly some variation in the way the bee was engraved as it also appears flying horizontally left. The horizontally oriented bee is infrequently encountered, with four other specimens on CoinArchives and none in Pella. Perhaps of greater interest is that the coin was struck from a clashed die. This unusual ancient error occurs when dies strike against each other with no planchet between them. This causes parts of the designs to be impressed in relief onto the clashed dies. When clashed dies are subsequently used to strike coins, these raised design elements appear in incuse on the finished coins, in this case seen as traces of Heracles’ head on the reverse.
20359. PERGAMENE KINGDOM. EUMENES III (ARISTONICUS), ca. 133–129 BC. Silver Cistophorus, 12.68 g, 28 mm. Issue of Apollonis, Lydia, during year 3 of the revolt, 132/131 BC.
Obv. Cista mystica within ivy wreath. Rev. Snakes around bow case, BA–EY within their coils, AP–OΛ in exergue, Γ (date) on lower part of bow case, head of Zeus left in left field, head of Apollo (?) right in right field. Kleiner & Noe, Series 2, 2–g, p. 103, pl. XXXVIII, 4 (same obverse die).
NGC graded MINT STATE, Strike 5/5, Surface 3/5, “brushed.” $ 2250
When Attalus III died in 133 BC, his will granted autonomy to several major cities, including the royal capital, Pergamum, and bequeathed the territory of the Attalid kingdom to the Roman people. This event inspired Aristonicus, a pretended illegitimate son of Eumenes II, to claim the royal title and the throne name Eumenes III in opposition to the Romans. The so–called Revolt of Aristonicus (133–129 BC) seems to have largely drawn support from the enslaved and disenfranchised in the countryside, rather than from the Greek cities, the most important of which were now free and unwilling to return to royal control. Aristonicus/Eumenes III enjoyed some initial success in coastal Ionia before he was defeated by an Ephesian fleet and forced to withdraw to bases in inland Lydia. In 131 BC, the rebels managed to defeat the army of the Roman consul P. Licinius Crassus Dives Mucianus, who was captured and killed. However, this victory was fleeting. In 130 BC, the new consul M. Perperna arrived and, together with his Greek allies, dealt a crushing blow to the revolt in a battle near Stratonicea. In 129 BC, Aristonicus/Eumenes III was defeated and sent to Rome to march in Perperna’s triumph and suffer execution. The territory of the former Attalid kingdom was subsequently reorganized as the Roman province of Asia.
20342. IONIA. UNCERTAIN MINT. Ca. 650–600 BC.
Electrum Trite (1/3 stater), 4.70 g, 11 mm.
Obv. Group of pellets or dots. Rev. Pair of incuse punches.
SNG von Aulock 7761; Rosen 253; Boston MFA 1749.
NGC graded XF, Strike 4/5, Surface 4/5, a rare and very early electrum variety. $ 2950
20299. IONIA. CHIOS. CIVIC ISSUE IN THE NAME AND TYPES OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT, ca. early 3rd CENTURY BC.
Silver Drachm of Alexander type, 4.29 g, 18 mm. Issue of ca. 200–190 BC.
Obv. Head of young Heracles right in lion skin headdress. Rev. ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ, Zeus enthroned left, holding eagle and scepter, MP monogram above grape bunch in left field.
Price 2326.
Ex NFA Auction VIII, 6/6/1980, lot 116.
NGC graded AU STAR Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5, exceptional multicolored iridescence. $ 1500
UNLISTED IN PRICE AND POSSIBLY ONLY THE SECOND KNOWN SPECIMEN
20231. IONIA. COLOPHON. CIVIC ISSUE IN THE NAME AND TYPES OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT, Ca. 215–180 BC. Silver Tetradrachm of Alexander type, 16.92 g, 29 mm. Issue of ca. 200–190 BC.
Obv. Head of young Heracles right in lion skin headdress. Rev. ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ, Zeus enthroned left, holding eagle and scepter, ΠAO control monogram above lyre in left field, ME control monogram below throne.
Price unlisted with this placement of controls, cf. Price 1868 where very similar controls are positioned differently; Leu Numismatik Web Auction 3, 2/25/2018, lot 181 (same dies).
NGC graded CHOICE XF, Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5, “unlisted in M. Price” noted on label. Extremely rare, perhaps the second known, the other specimen from a 2018 Leu auction was struck from the same dies. $ 2250
AN IMITATIVE FOURRÉE OF PHANES’ SMALLEST DENOMINATION
20182. IONIA. EPHESUS. PHANES, ca. 625–600 BC.
Electrum Fourrée 1/96 Stater, 0.12 g, 3 mm.
Obv. Head of stag right. Rev. Pattern of globules within incuse square.
Cf. Fischer–Bossert, Phanes, 55a.
Good VF, the planchet shows numerous cracks suggesting that the piece is a fourrée and given the smaller than expected weight that may well be so. The head of the stag, with its impressive rack and large eye is very much like other specimens at this miniature scale, but the reverse punch appears to be unrecorded as all other recorded punches feature linear patterns rather than globules.
$ 1750
The somewhat crude style, low weight (Fischer–Bossert does not list any Phanes 1/96 staters lighter than 0.15 g), and numerous surface cracks suggest that this piece is an imitative fourrée. While the impressive rack of antlers is in keeping with the regular issues, their attachment to the head of the stag is peculiar, and the large eye of the animal appears as a pellet on the head without the usual surrounding incuse definition of the eye. While most of the 1/96 staters recorded by Fischer–Bossert feature incuse punches with linear designs, the pellet design on this piece may have been inspired by a similar design found on Fischer–Bossert 55a. A truly fascinating imitation from the earliest period of Greek coinage.
IONIA.
Ca. 394–325 BC.
Silver tetradrachm, 15.17 g, 24 mm. Issue of magistrate Polycles, ca. 380–370 BC.
Obv. E–Φ, bee seen from above. Rev. Forepart of stag right, head reverted, palm tree at left, ΠOΛYKΛHΣ (magistrate) in right field. Kinns, Pixodarus, Class C, p. 201, obverses 8, 10, 11, 13, 15–18 (8 specimens cited in all); this specimen is struck using obverse 11. NGC graded CHOICE VF, Strike 5/5, Surface 3/5, “light marks”; scarce magistrate, with only five specimens on CoinArchives, all inferior to this piece. $ 2950
20258.
EPHESUS.
A POSSIBLE UNPUBLISHED MAGISTRATE IN THE SERIES OF BEE
20321. IONIA. EPHESUS. Ca. 394–325 BC.
Silver Tetradrachm, 15.26 g, 24 mm. Issue of magistrate Comas, ca. 380–370 BC.
Obv. E–Φ, bee seen from above. Rev. Forepart of stag right, head reverted, palm tree at left, KOMAΣ (magistrate) in right field. Kinns, Pixodarus, Class C, p. 201 var., for a magistrate whose name is spelled KOMHΣ.
NGC graded XF, Strike 5/5, Surface 3/5, “bushed.”
$ 3750
This coin is signed by a magistrate named KOMAΣ, otherwise unknown in the Ephesian series according to Kinns. This is the Aeolic or Doric Greek form of Ionic KOMHΣ, an individual who was quite active in the production of Ephesian tetradrachms of Classes C, D, and later J (here, perhaps a different man). Since the reverse die of the present coin appears to be unlisted in Kinns, it is impossible to know if KOMAΣ is indeed a different individual or simply an error, perhaps caused by an engraver more familiar with the Aeolic or Doric Greek dialects. The Aeolic dialect was spoken in Aeolis, just north of Ephesus, and Doric was spoken in the Hexapolis of Caria in the south.
20344. LYDIA. ALYATTES OR WALWET, ca. 610–546 BC.
Electrum Trite (Third-Stater), 4.71 g, 13 mm. Uninscribed issue of Sardes.
Obv. Head of roaring lion right, “sun disk” on forehead. Rev. Incuse punch with two sections.
Linzalone LN1090; Weidauer Group XVI, 86–87; Kurth G24–G25.
NGC graded XF, Strike 5/5, Surface 2/5, “countermarks.”
This particular specimen bears an unusually large circular countermark on the lion’s cheek, carefully applied, unlike others seen on these coins. A smaller cross–shaped punch composed of small triangular segments was applied to the edge of the coin as well. An impressive example of the countermarked varieties of these trites.
20333. LYDIA. ALYATTES OR WALWET, ca. 610–546 BC.
Electrum 1/12 Stater, 1.14 g, 7 mm. Uninscribed issue of Sardes.
Obv. Head of roaring lion right, “sun disk” on forehead. Rev. Incuse punch with two sections.
Linzalone LN1091; Weidauer 90.
NGC graded CHOICE FINE, Strike 5/5, Surface 2/5, “countermarks.”
A spectacular example with multiple countermarks applied to the lion’s cheek and edge of the coin. The principal countermark appears to be a simplified triskeles – it appears on the obverse as well as the edge of the coin. Additional countermarks have different forms, including one that is reminiscent of an Egyptian solar disk framed by cobras. $ 1500
20343. SATRAPS OF CARIA. PIXODARUS, ca. 341–336/5 BC.
Gold 1/12th Stater, 0.66 g, 8 mm.
Obv. Laureate head of Apollo left. Rev. [Π]IΞΩΔ, Zeus Labraundos standing right, holding scepter and double axe.
SNG Copenhagen 595; SNG Kayhan 898.
NGC graded XF, Strike 4/5, surface 3/5, “marks,” extremely rare with three other specimens on CoinArchives. $ 1500
MINT STATE YEAR 1 TETRADRACHM OF PHASELIS’ DATED ALEXANDERS
19843. LYCIA. PHASELIS. CIVIC ISSUE IN THE NAME AND TYPES OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT, ca. 218–185 BC. Silver Tetradrachm of Alexander type, 17.07 g, 34 mm. Issue dated Civic Year 1 (218/7 BC).
Obv. Head of young Heracles right in lion skin headdress. Rev. ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ, Zeus enthroned left, holding eagle and scepter, A (date) above Φ in left field, o below throne. Price 2832.
NGC graded MINT STATE, Strike 4/5, Surface 3/5, “die shift.” $ 1850
AN ALEXANDER TYPE FOURRÉE TETRADRACHM OF PHASELIS YEAR 11
20372. LYCIA. PHASELIS. CIVIC ISSUE IN THE NAME AND TYPES OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT, ca. 218–185 BC. Fourrée Tetradrachm of Alexander type, 17.49 g, 32 mm. Issue dated Civic Year 11 (208/7 BC).
Obv. Head of young Heracles right in lion skin headdress. Rev. ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ, Zeus enthroned left, holding eagle and scepter, IA (date) above Φ in left field.
Cf. Price 2849 for official issue.
XF, a very well-made ancient counterfeit, likely produced at the mint itself, the silver cladding virtually intact, with only the unusually heavy weight betraying the true nature of the coin. $ 1500
20324. CYPRUS. CITIUM (?). Uncertain king, ca. 445–361 BC.
Silver 1/3 Stater, 3.43 g, 14 mm.
Obv. Heracles struggling with the Nemean lion, his club raised up to slay the monster, ankh symbol in left field. Rev. Seated lion left, right forepaw raised, bull with raised head standing left in the background, all within dotted square border.
BMC 83, pl. IV, 25; J.P. Six, “Monnaies Grecques, Inédites et Incertaines”, NC 8 (1888), p. 131, no. 26, pl. V, 13; Tziambazis –.
NGC graded XF, Strike 4/5, surface 3/5, “brushed,” an extremely rare emission with only one other specimen in market records, seldom available and impressive for its animal imagery. $ 7500
Citium was a major Phoenician colony on the island of Cyprus. Its importance was so great among the early Cypriot settlements that its name was regularly used in the Bible to refer to the entire island (Kittim in Hebrew). This extremely rare stater fraction of Citium illustrates the external cultural influences on the city. The ankh symbol is derived from Egyptian iconography, in which it was a symbol of life. The depiction of Heracles fighting the Nemean Lion comes from popular representations in Greek art, but here the hero was probably intended to be understood as the Phoenician god Melkart (“Lord of the City”). This deity was especially popular at Tyre, where he was regularly recognized as an equivalent of Greek Heracles
IMITATIVE TETRADRACHM OF SELEUCUS I FROM SUSA
20224. SELEUCID KINGDOM. ANTIOCHUS I, 281–261 BC.
Silver Tetradrachm of Alexander type struck in the name of Seleucus I, 16.74 g, 26 mm. Imitative (?) issue of Susa. Obv. Head of young Heracles right in lion skin headdress. Rev. ΣEΛEYKOY BAΣIΛEΩΣ, Zeus enthroned left, holding eagle and scepter, OB control monogram in left field, OY control monogram below throne. Cf. SC 399.4e; HGC 9,125c.
Ex CNG 76, 9/12/2007, lot 785. XF, struck in high relief from dies of unusual style, an irregular and infrequently seen emission from the East. $ 1500
This issue is a remarkable contemporary imitation of the SC 399.4e variety of Susian tetradrachms struck under Antiochus I. Only some stylistic peculiarities in the treatment of Heracles on the obverse and the blundered throne control give it away as an imitation rather than an official issue. The Susian issues of Antiochus I are notable for the retention of the old Heracles and Zeus types of Alexander the Great and Seleucus I, as well as a legend naming his deceased father. It has been suggested that these coins may have been struck for western mercenaries serving in the eastern Seleucid Empire, who required payment in coins with types that were already well–established, rather than with the personal types of Antiochus I.
20225. SELEUCID KINGDOM. ANTIOCHUS V, 164–162 BC.
Silver Tetradrachm, 16.50 g, 32 mm. Issue of Antioch on the Orontes, ca. 164–162 BC.
Obv. Diademed head of Antiochus V right. Rev. BAΣIΛEΩΣ ANTIOXOY EYΠATOPOY, Zeus enthroned left, holding scepter and Nike who crowns the royal name.
SC 1575.8; Le Rider, Antioche 239 (A21/P177) = CSE 134 (this coin listed and illustrated)
Ex Arthur Houghton Collection, CNG 72, 6/14/2006, lot 946.
Good VF, struck on a broad planchet with iridescent highlights.
FROM THE COLLECTION OF JONATHAN KERN
20347. SELEUCID KINGDOM. DEMETRIUS II, FIRST REIGN, 146/5–138 BC.
Silver Tetradrachm, 16.49 g, 29 mm. Issue of Antioch on the Orontes, dated Seleucid Era year 167 (146/5 BC).
$ 1800
Obv. Diademed youthful head of Demetrius II right. Rev. BAΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΔHMHTPIOY ΘEOY ΦIΛAΔEΛΦOY NIKATOPOΣ, Apollo seated left on omphalos, holding arrow in right hand and resting left hand on grounded bow, palm branch in outer left field, ΠA monogram in left field, ZΞP (date) and MYΔ monogram in exergue. SC 1906.5d; HGC 9, 957d.
Ex Jonathan K. Kern Collection.
NGC graded MINT STATE, Strike 5/5, Surface 3/5, lustrous with some colorful highlights on the obverse and with an exceptional portrait of the young king. $ 2250
This tetradrachm was struck at Antioch in 146/5 BC, at the very beginning of Demetrius’ reign. Unfortunately, he quickly turned the Syrian capital against him by disarming many members of the Seleucid royal army and replacing them with the Cretan mercenaries who had aided his rise to power and by embarking on reprisals against the Antiochenes for their previous support of his rival, Alexander I Balas. The Antiochenes responded with rioting that Demetrius only managed to repress by bringing in Jewish archers to fire on the crowds. Demetrius II made himself exceedingly unwelcome in Antioch and unpopular with the Seleucid military class. Thus, it is not surprising that the Antiochenes welcomed the child king Antiochus VI Dionysus and the army of his military handler, the scheming Diodotus Tryphon, when they forced Demetrius II to abandon the city and move his capital to Seleucia in Pieria in 144 BC.
Silver Tetradrachm, 16.61 g, 30 mm. Issue of Antioch on the Orontes.
Obv. Diademed head of Antiochus VII right. Rev. BAΣIΛEΩΣ ANTIOXOY EYEPΓETOY, Athena standing left, holding Nike, shield and lance, ΔI control above Λ in left field, all in wreath. SC 2061.1s; Lorber, “Die Study of the Antioch Tetradrachms of Antiochos VII Euergetes” in NC 176 (2016), Phase 1, Group 2, 115 (A22/P2 – this coin listed and illustrated); HGC 9, 1067d.
Ex CNG Electronic Auction 185, 4/2/2008, lot 93.
NGC graded CHOICE XF, Strike 4/5, Surface 4/5, Lorber publication noted on the label.
$ 1450
This attractive tetradrachm belongs to Lorber’s Phase 1 of Antiochus VII’s silver coin production at Antioch. As such, it was probably struck early in the king’s reign and may have served in part to finance his campaign to destroy the usurper Tryphon in 138 BC and his war to reduce the power of the Jewish High Priest John Hyrcanus I. The Judaean campaign ended with the siege of Jerusalem in 134 BC. Hyrcanus reportedly opened the tomb of King David to obtain 3,000 talents of silver with which to buy peace from the Seleucid king. The types of Antiochus VII’s tetradrachms were extremely popular and spawned a great number of imitations in Cappadocia in the late second and early first centuries BC, apparently to meet the requirements of Syrian mercenaries.
20352. CLEOPATRA THEA WITH ANTIOCHUS VIII, 126/5–121/0 BC.
Silver Tetradrachm, 16.56 g, 28 mm. Issue of Ake–Ptolemais, undated.
Obv. Jugate busts right of Cleopatra Thea, veiled and wearing diadem and stephane, and Antiochus VIII, diademed. Rev.
Zeus seated left on low throne, holding Nike in outstretched right hand and scepter in left, [ΣK monogram] in left field.
SC 2271.1; HGC 9, 1182g.
NGC graded CHOICE VF, Strike 5/5, Surface 3/5, “marks.” XF, die cracks on obverse, attractive toning overall, a rare emission with only eight specimens currently listed on CoinArchives. $ 2250 20353. SELEUCID KINGDOM. ANTIOCHUS VIII, 125–96 BC. Silver Tetradrachm, 16.29 g, 30 mm. Issue of Ake Ptolemais, ca. 121/0–113 BC. Obv. Diademed head of Antiochus VIII right. Rev. BAΣIΛEΩΣ ANTIOXOY EΠIΦANOYΣ, Zeus Uranius standing left with crescent above his head, holding star in outstretched right hand and scepter in the left, ΔAP control monogram in left field, all within laurel wreath.
SC 2336.2a; HGC 9, 1197h.
NGC graded CHOICE XF STAR, Surface 4/5, Strike 5/5, attractive glossy surface, with rich golden iridescent highlights, extremely attractive. $ 1350
Obv. Bee, monogram (date) to left, control monogram to right. Rev. APAΔION, stag right before palm tree. Duyrat, Arados hellénistique, 2771–8 (obverse die D45); HGC 10, 63.
Ex CNG 79, 9/17/2008, lot 431.
NGC graded CHOICE XF, Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5, “brushed,” nicely centered with great eye appeal. This specimen is from the first issue of pseudo–Ephesian drachms struck by the city of Aradus. $ 2250
20376. PHOENICIA. ARADUS. CIVIC ISSUE IN THE NAME AND TYPES OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT, ca. 245–165 BC.
Silver Tetradrachm of Alexander type, 17.07 g, 26 mm. Dated issue of civic year 44 or 43, ca. 217/6–216/5 BC.
Obv. Head of young Heracles right in lion skin headdress. Rev. ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ, Zeus enthroned left, holding eagle and scepter, palm tree in left field, AP monogram on throne, traces of the Phoenician date in exergue.
Price 3383 or 3384; Duyrat, Arados hellénistique, 1228–33 (obv. die D21 used over years 43 and 44); CNG Electronic Auction 397, lot 213 (same dies).
NGC graded CHOICE XF, Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5; the Pella database currently lists five specimens of Price 3384 (civic year 44), all struck using this same obverse die, but none of Price 3383 (civic year 43) struck from this die. $ 850
A SIDON FRACTIONAL ISSUE EX OLGA KNOEPKE AND PUBLISHED IN ELAYI & ELAYI
20066. PHOENICIA. SIDON. BA’ALSILLEM II, ca. 401–333 BC. Silver 1/16 Shekel, 0.94 g, 10 mm. Issue dated year 5 (349/8 BC).
Obv. Phoenician gallery left, sailing above stylized waves, Phoenician letter B above. Rev. Persian king standing right, facing, fighting lion standing left, Phoenician O between them.
Elayi & Elayi, Sidon, 945 (this coin listed and illustrated).
Ex Olga H. Knoepke Collection, Glendining 12/10/1986, lot 338.
XF, exceptional detail, gray patina. $ 1200
20362. PHOENICIA. TYRE.
Silver Shekel, 13.97 g, 24 mm. Issue dated Tyre year 161 (AD 35/6).
Obv. Laureate head of Melkart right. Rev. ΤΥΡΟΥ
eagle standing left on prow, PΞA (date) above club in left field, KP above NAP monogram in right field, Phoenician letter B between legs.
DCA Tyre Supplement Release 2, unlisted with this control monogram, but cf. 594 which bears a very similar monogram with additional components to its form.
This specimen is exceptionally interesting on two counts. First, is that it is an unlisted variant in Cohen. Cohen 594 shows the NAP monogram, but it is far more complex with an epsilon and lambda component. However, the same plain NAP control is known for the next year (Cohen 565), showing that its use began very late in year 161, and so far this coin is the only recorded instance documenting this. Furthermore, the coin appears to be overstruck, with significant traces of the undertype being visible on Melkart’s cheek, although the undertype remains elusive.
19653. PHOENICIA. TYRE.
Silver Shekel, 13.79 g, 23 mm. Issue dated Tyre year 166 (AD 40/1).
Obv. Laureate head of Melkart right. Rev. ΤΥΡΟΥ
[ΚΑΙ
eagle standing left on prow, PΞS (date) above club in left field, KP above ΦA monogram in right field, Phoenician letter B between legs.
DCA Tyre Supplement Release 2, 617 (same obverse die).
NGC graded VF, Strike 4/5, Surface 3/5, “flan flaw,” an extremely rare date with only one poorly preserved specimen on CoinArchives. $ 2000
TYRE YEAR 168 CONTROL MONOGRAM VARIETY UNKNOWN TO COHEN
20363. PHOENICIA. TYRE.
Silver Shekel, 13.89 g, 24. Issue dated Tyre year 168 (AD 42/3).
Obv. Laureate head of Melkart right. Rev. [ΤΥΡΟΥ
eagle standing left on prow, ΡΞH (date) and club to left, KP and BX– monogram to right, Phoenician letter B between legs.
DCA Tyre Supplement, unlisted with this control for year 168.
NGC graded CHOICE VF, Strike 3/5, Surface 3/5, “unlisted–Cohen (Tyre.R2)” noted on label. This is a control monogram variety for year 168 unknown to Cohen and seemingly unpublished. The monogram does appear on emissions of year 169, cf. Cohen 622–623, thus its use must have entered into production at the end of year 168. $ 2500
20356. PHOENICIA. TYRE.
Silver Shekel, 14.29 g, 24 mm. Issued dated Tyre year 150 (AD 24/5), struck during the LIFETIME OF CHRIST.
Obv. Laureate head of Melkart right. Rev. ΤΥΡΟΥ ΙΕΡΑΣ
eagle standing left on prow, PN (date) above club in left field, KP above monogram in right field, Phoenician letter B between legs.
DCA Tyre Supplement Release 2, 540–541 (same obverse die).
NGC graded CHOICE VF, Strike 4/5, Surface 3/5, a very rare year struck during the city’s sesquicentennial anniversary and the lifetime of Jesus Christ, with seven properly dated specimens on CoinArchives. $ 2850
AN EXTREMELY RARE ALEXANDER ISSUE SEEMINGLY STRUCK IN PERSIA
20230. ARABIA. UNCERTAIN MINT. Ca. 2nd CENTURY BC.
Silver Tetradrachm of Alexander type, 15.99 g, 28 mm.
Obv. Head of young Heracles right in lion skin headdress. Rev. ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ, Zeus enthroned left, holding eagle and scepter, gazelle standing left with head turned right above M control monogram in left field. Price 4017 (listing one specimen in the British Museum that was found at Susa).
NGC graded VF, Strike 5/5, Surface 2/5, “marks,” an extremely rare variety perhaps minted at Susa, Iran, known only from a handful of specimens (Pella lists 6 pieces, the present coin is from the same obverse die as the Berlin specimen, inv. 18250046); CoinArchives lists only one specimen, auctioned over 20 years ago.
NGC graded VF, Strike 5/5, Surface 2/5, “marks,” extremely rare, only the second specimen to be offered on the market in the last 25 years. Although labeled as “Arabia” by NGC, it is likely that this coin was struck in Iran, given the recorded provenance of the British Museum specimen. $ 1500
20282. AXUMITE KINGDOM. EBANA, AD 440–470. Gold Tremissis or Unit, 1.60 g, 15 mm.
Obv. Crowned bust right flanked by grain stalks, retrograde legend. Rev. Draped bust right wearing head cloth, flanked by grain stalks. Munro–Hay 71, BMC Axum 304.
NGC graded CHOICE VF, Strike 3/5, Surface 4/5. $ 850
20316. EGYPT, PTOLEMAIC KINGDOM. ARSINOE II, died 270 BC.
Commemorative Gold Mnaieion (Octodrachm), 27.89 g, 27 mm. Posthumous issue struck under Ptolemy V, probably ca. 195/4 BC. Obv. Veiled head of Arsinoe Philadelphus right, idealized and possibly with features of Cleopatra I, with ram’s horn curling around ear, wearing diademed stephane and holding lotus scepter with snake wound around it over far shoulder, Λ in left field. Rev. AΡΣINOHΣ ΦIΛAΔEΛΦOΥ, double cornucopiae bound with royal diadem with distinctive decorative bows on top.
CPE II 977 (obverse die 59); Arche e Cremata 3333–3350; Svoronos 1165 (7 specimens listed); Peus 378, 4/28/2004, lot 341 (same obverse die); CNG Triton IV, 12/5/2000, lot 314 (same obverse die); cf. CNG Triton XVI, 1/8/2013, lot 597 for a specimen likely from the same obverse die in an earlier state and a reverse die with a single bow (not two) on the fillet.
NGC graded CHOICE AU, Strike 5/5, Surface 3/5, “brushed,” “issue under Ptolemy V” noted on label. $ 36500
This attractive octodrachm of Ptolemy V is distinguished from the earlier series of Ptolemy II featuring the types of Arsinoe II with a lambda control by its more exuberant Hellenistic style – the emission of Ptolemy II features a drier, classicizing portrait of the deified queen. It has been suggested that the differences may indicate that here Cleopatra I, the wife of Ptolemy V, appears in the guise of Arsinoe II. The present piece, which was probably struck as a military donative on the occasion of the marriage of Ptolemy V and Cleopatra I, is also remarkable for the inclusion of a elegant bow on each of the fillets tied around the double cornucopia – an extremely rare feature, perhaps unique to this die. Normally, there is no bow, but in at least one case (the Triton XVI coin cited above), a single loop of the bow appears, giving the impression that the instructions regarding the treatment of the fillet were unclear at the mint.
19417. KINGDOM OF MAURETANIA. JUBA II with CLEOPATRA SELENE, 25 BC–AD 23/4. Silver Denarius, 2.97 g, 18 mm. Issue of Caesarea, Mauretania, ca. AD 11–23/24. Obv. REX IVBA, diademed head of Juba II right. Rev. KΛЄΟΠΑΤΡA BACIΛICCA, crocodile left, head raised. Mazard 344.
NGC graded AU, Strike 5/5, Surface 3/5, “brushed,” gray toning flashing with colorful highlights. $ 3250
It is interesting to note that while Juba’s legend is in Latin (Rex Iuba = King Juba) that of Cleopatra is in Greek, a convention making reference to her royal Macedonian and Egyptian heritage. Furthermore, on this coin type, the crocodile, a consummate symbol of Egypt, is restored to prominence even though on the Roman coinage of Augustus it was employed to portray a defeated Egypt.
20269. ROMAN REPUBLIC. ANONYMOUS. Ca. 225–214/2 BC.
Silver Quadrigatus, 5.63 g, 18 mm. Issue of an uncertain mint.
Obv. Laureate head of Janus. Rev. Jupiter, holding scepter and preparing to throw his thunderbolt from galloping quadriga driven by Victory, ROMA in exergue.
Crawford 28/3; Sydenham 65; HN Italy 334.
NGC graded CHOICE VF, Strike 5/5, Surface 3/5, “inked collection number,” steel gray cabinet toning, obviously from an old collection, the number (102 ?) applied in a thick white paste on the obverse. $ 850
20228. ROMAN IMPERATORIAL. M. JUNIUS BRUTUS, d. 42 BC.
Silver Denarius, 4.11 g, 19 mm. Issue of Rome, struck by Brutus while he served as moneyer, 54 BC. Obv. LIBERTAS, head of Libertas right. Rev. BRVTVS, procession of L. Junius Brutus, consul of 509 BC, and lictors.
Although this coin was struck years before M. Junius Brutus made the fateful decision to become one of the liberators of Rome by striking down Julius Caesar in 44 BC, it is somewhat uncanny how the types advertise the motive behind one of the most famous murders in ancient history. However, when Brutus chose the types for his denarii, he was actually trying to connect himself to the greatness of his famous ancestor rather than plotting the future. Both obverse and reverse types refer to L. Junius Brutus, who was responsible for expelling L. Tarquinius Superbus, the last Etruscan king of Rome from the city and inaugurating a new era of liberty for the Romans. This new freedom from the haughtiness of kings is illustrated by the personification of Libertas on the obverse. Following the overthrow of the Etruscan kingship in 509 BC, L. Junius Brutus established a new republican form of government in which supreme authority was granted to two annually elected officials called consuls, of which Brutus was one. He is shown on the reverse of this coin in procession flanked by lictors carrying the fasces (bundles of rods and axes symbolic of the consuls’ power of corporal and capital punishment) emblematic of the consular office.
20227. ROMAN IMPERATORIAL. M. JUNIUS BRUTUS, d. 42 BC.
Silver Denarius, 4.14 g, 18 mm. Issue of Rome struck by Brutus while he served as moneyer, 54 BC.
Obv. BRVTVS, head of L. Junius Brutus right, within dotted circle. Rev. AHALA, head of C. Servilius Ahala right. Crawford 433/2; Sydenham 907.
A historical coin on so many levels, this is part of an emission struck by the infamous Brutus, Caesar’s assassin, a decade earlier when he served as moneyer. The portraits on the coin make reference to his family’s proud history of service to the Republic as they illustrate L. Junius Brutus and C. Servilius Ahala. L. Junius Brutus was the man who banished the Tarquin kings and established the Republic while Ahala, a descendant on his mother’s side, was responsible for killing another politician who aspired to kingship. The coin, with its overwhelming pro–Republican sentiment, anticipates M. Junius Brutus’ role in the murder of Caesar.
A SUPERB PLANCUS DENARIUS PUBLISHED AND ILLUSTRATED IN A GUIDE TO THE DENARII OF THE ROMAN REPUBLIC TO AUGUSTUS
20270. ROMAN REPULIC. L. PLAUTIUS PLANCUS, ca. 47 BC.
Silver Denarius, 3.86 g., 18 mm.
Obv. L PLAVTIVS, facing head of Medusa. Rev. PLANCVS, Aurora (“Dawn”), flying, leading onward the horses of Sol, the sun. Crawford 453/1b; Sydenham 959; Plautia 14; RBW 1583–4
Ex. CNG 121, 10/8/2022, lot 748 = ex Roma XVII, 3/28/2019, lot 679 = Marian A. Sinton Collection, Triton III, 11/30/1999, lot 936.
Published: J. Fernandez–Molina et al, A Guide to the Denarii of the Roman Republic to Augustus (2002), 1004 (this coin illustrated). NGC graded AU, Strike 5/5, Surface 5/5, exceptional in every way, with gentle iridescence throughout, a plate coin in Fernandez–Molina’s guide to early Roman denarii. $ 3750
THE AMAZING CULTIC FIGURE OF DIANA NEMORENSIS
19920. ROMAN IMPERATORIAL. P. ACC. LARISCOLUS, 41 BC.
Silver Denarius, 4.09 g, 18 mm
Obv. P ACCOLEIVS LARISCOLVS, draped bust of Diana right. Rev. Cult figure of Diana Nemorensis, incorporating figures of Diana, Hecate and Selene, cypress branches at rear. Crawford 486/1; Sydenham 1148.
Ex Robert W. Hubel Collection, Michigan, acquired from John G. Watson in April, 1929, ex CNG 127, 9/1/2024, lot 445.
Good VF, iridescent toning, test cut on edge. $ 1250
MARK ANTONY DENARIUS CELEBRATING HIS ARMENIAN CAMPAIGNS EX PRINCE WALDECK COLLECTION FORMED DURING THE 18th CENTURY
20027. ROMAN IMPERATORIAL. MARC ANTONY, d. 30 BC. Silver Denarius, 3.61 g, 20 mm. Issue of Antioch or military mint traveling with Canidius Crassus in Armenia. Obv. AN[TONIVS AVG]VR COS DES ITER ET TERT, bare head of Antony right. Rev. IMP TERTIO III [VIR R P C], Armenian tiara right, decorated with three stars, bow and arrow behind. Crawford 539/1; Sydenham 1205.
Ex Leu 17, 5/3/1977, lot 874 = ex Prince Christian August of Waldeck and Pyrmont Collection (1744–1798), Münzhandlung Basel 3 (“Collection de monnaies et médaillons romains: formée en majeure partie par le Prince W. vers la fin du XVIIIe siècle”), 3/4/1935, lot 116.
NGC graded XF, Strike 3/5, Surface 3/5, Prince Waldeck provenance noted on holder.
$ 11000
Christian August, Prince of Waldeck and Pyrmont, was the son of Prince Karl August and his wife, Christiane Henriette of Palatinate–Zweibrücken–Birkenfeld. His parents were both fascinated by the classical past and together formed a collection of coins and antiquities at Castle Waldeck. The interests of his parents were passed on to their son who expanded the family collection with additional objects and coins. Early in the War of the First Coalition (1792–1797), Christian August had commanded Austrian elements of the Austro–Prussian Army against the French Revolutionaries in the Rhineland and after his successes briefly took command of the entire Austrian Army on the Rhine in 1794 before promotion to other important military positions in the Austrian Netherlands and Bohemia. He died in 1797, shortly after accepting an invitation to take command of the Army of Portugal. The painting illustrated above comes from the collection of the Residenzschloss Arolsen and is in the public domain. The Münzhandlung Basel catalogue is courtesy of the Heidelberg University Library, Germany.
A PAIR OF JULIUS CAESAR PORTRAIT DENARII ILLUSTRATED BY ANDREAS ALFÖLDI IN HIS GREAT WORK ON THE COINAGE
20115. ROMAN IMPERATORIAL. JULIUS CAESAR, d. 44 BC.
Silver Denarius, 3.78 g, 19 mm. Lifetime issue struck by moneyer P. Sepullius Macer at Rome, Feb–March 44 BC.
Obv. CAESAR DICT PERPETVO, laureate and veiled head of Caesar right, banker’s mark on cheek. Rev. P SEPVLLIVS MACER, Venus standing left, holding Victoria and scepter with star at bottom.
Alföldi Type VI, plate LIII, 7 (A24/R19 – this coin illustrated); Crawford, 480/11; Sydenham, 1072.
Ex CNG Triton XXVIII Online Sessions, 1/22/2025, lot 5638 = Robert W. Hubel Collection, acquired from Cahn 75, 5/30/1932, lot 778 (also cited in Alföldi).
NGC graded VF, Strike 4/5, Surface 2/5, “banker’s marks,” “graffito,” Alföldi publication noted on label.
This coin, with its articulated rendition of Julius Caesar, showing aspects of the “verism” (hyper realism) so characteristic of late Republican portraiture, was minted about one month prior to Caesar’s murder. Caesar’s use of the title DICT PEPETVO (“Dictator Forever”) likely fueled the conspiracy to murder him. $ 6750
20025. ROMAN IMPERATORIAL. JULIUS CAESAR, d. 44 BC.
Silver Denarius, 3.91 g, 22 mm. Lifetime issue struck by moneyer L. Aemilius Buca at Rome, Jan.–Feb 44 BC. Obv. CAESAR IM P–M, laureate ahead of Caesar right, crescent in field. Rev. [L AE]MILIUS BVCA , Venus standing left, holding Victoria and scepter with star finial.
Alföldi Type IV, plate XXXII, 103 (A8/R4 – this coin illustrated); Crawford 480/4; Sydenham 1060. Ex Triton XXVII, 1/9/2024, lot 611 = Oslo Myntgalleri 30, 5/6/2022, lot 736 = Ex Numismatica Ars Classica 78, 5/26/2014, lot 480 = Sternberg XI, 11/20/1981, lot 547 = ex Santamaria (according to Alföldi).
NGC graded XF, Strike 4/5, Surface 5/5, Alföldi publication noted on label.
$ 8500
19793. ROMAN IMPERATORIAL. JULIUS CAESAR, died 44 BC.
Silver Denarius, 4.09 g, 21 mm. Posthumous issue struck by Q. Voconius Vitulus in Rome, 40 BC.
Obv. Laureate classicizing head of Caesar right. Rev. Q VOCONIVS VITVLVS Q DESIGN, calf to left, S–C flanking. Crawford 526/4; Sydenham 1133. Ex Heritage 3089, 1/22/2021, lot 32161.
NGC graded CHOICE XF STAR, Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5, FINE STYLE, a superb specimen depicting a finely engraved idealized portrait of Caesar infused with classicizing features. This “idealized” type is quite unlike the frequently seen hyper–realistic (veristic) images of the great general. $ 11500
19963. ROMAN EMPIRE. TIBERIUS, AD 14–37.
Silver Denarius, 3.74 g, 19 mm. Issue of Lugdunum, ca. AD 15–18.
Obv. TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVGVSTVS, laureate head of Tiberius right. Rev. PONTIF MAXIM, female figure (Livia as Pax) enthroned right, holding scepter and olive branch.
RIC I rev, 30.
NGC graded CHOICE XF STAR, Strike 5/5, Surface 5/5, exceptional coin all around, with perfect strike and surface rating, the coveted star designation and a superb portrait. $ 5500
18988. ROMAN EMPIRE. NERO, AD 54–68.
Silver Denarius, 3.57 g, 18 mm. Issue of Lugdunum (Lyon, France), AD 58–59.
Obv. NERO CAESAR AVG IMP, youthful head of Nero right. Rev. PONTIF MAX TR P V P P, EX S C within oak wreath (corona civica).
RIC I rev 17 (R2).
NGC graded CHOICE XF STAR, Strike 4/5, Surface 4/5, lustrous with rose iridescent highlights, and depicting an exceptional portrait of the young emperor. $ 8000
On this coin the young Nero casts himself as a new Augustus, by adopting a famous Augustan coin type showing the corona civica, an oak wreath awarded by the Senate in 27 BC. Under the Roman Republic, this oak wreath was awarded for saving the life of a citizen in war, but it was presented to Augustus for saving all Roman citizens from civil war by defeating Mark Antony and assuming sole power.
20083. ROMAN EMPIRE. GALBA, AD 68–69.
Silver Denarius, 3.50 g, 19 mm. Issue of Rome, July AD 68–January AD 69.
Obv. IMP SER GALBA CAESAR AVG P M, laureate head of Galba right. Rev. ROMA RENASCES, Roma, in military dress, standing left, holding Victory on globe and scepter.
RIC I rev, 229.
NGC graded CHOICE VF STAR, Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5, FINE STYLE, an exceptional coin with dark cabinet patina. $ 5350
A ROMAN “POCKET MIRROR” MADE FROM
20307. ROMAN EMPIRE. NERO, AD 54–68.
Bronze Sestertius modified for use as a mirror, 8.39 g, 32 mm. Issue of Rome, ca. AD 64–65.
Obv. NERO CLAVD CAESAR AVG GER P M TR P IMP P P, laureate bust of Nero right, wearing aegis. Rev. hollowed out and carefully carved with a decorative edge.
Ex NAC 72, 5/16/2013, lot 1513.
Good VF, green patina, of exceptional quality and workmanship.
$ 2750
Such objects have been known since the 17th century and appear in a variety of formats. They were first studied by Froehner in 1889 and more recently by Paul–André Besombes, “Les mirroirs de Néron” in RN 153 (1998), pp. 119–140. Sometimes they were made from actual coins, like this piece, and often had silvered inserts to produce an image. Besombes discusses the association of such mirrors with Nero, and how they would likely have been official gifts given to important individuals at events such as concerts, shows at the amphitheater, etc. Very often they appear either in tombs or from military contexts such as forts, suggesting that their recipients were officers or public servants who treasured these gifts
20240. ROMAN EMPIRE. OTHO, AD 69.
Silver Denarius, 2.90 g, 18 mm. Issue of Rome, January to March, AD 69.
Obv. IMP M OTHO CAESAR AVG TR P, head of Otho right. Rev. PONT MAX, Ceres standing left, holding sheaves of grain and a cornucopia.
Cf. RIC I rev, 20 (aureus), but see footnote accompanying it.
NGC graded VF, Strike 4/5, Surface 4/5, dark cabinet toning, with superb multicolored iridescent highlights.
$ 3250
20283. ROMAN EMPIRE. TITUS, AD 79–81.
Silver Denarius, 2.88 g, 18 mm. Issue of Rome after July 1, AD 79.
Obv. IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M, laureate head of Titus right. Rev. TR P VIIII IMP XIIII COS VII P P, Jewish captive kneeling right, below trophy.
RIC II.1 rev, 30.
NGC graded CHOICE VF, Strike 5/5, Surface 3/5, a coin struck at the very time that the eruption of Vesuvius took place, burying the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. $ 1375
A SELDOM–SEEN BUST TYPE OF TRAJAN ON A PROVIDENTIA DENARIUS
20298. ROMAN EMPIRE. TRAJAN, AD 98–117.
Silver Denarius, 3.21 g, 18 mm. Issue of Rome, autumn AD 116–August 117.
Obv. IMP CAES NER TRAIAN OPTIM AVG GERM DAC, laureate bust three–quarters right, with aegis and small globe. Rev. PARTHICO P M TR P COS VI P P SPQR, Providentia standing left with scepter, globe at her feet, PRO–VID in fields.
Woytek 580tt (listing 5 specimens); RIC 361.
NGC graded CHOICE XF STAR, Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5, a rare bust type with the aegis and globe.
ROTATED DOUBLE–STRIKE TREMISSIS OF THEODOSIUS II
20313. EASTERN ROMAN EMPIRE. THEODOSIUS II, 402–450 AD.
Gold Tremissis, 1.48 g, 16 mm.
$1200
Obv. D N THEODOSIVS P F AVG, diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Theodosius right. Rev. VICTORIA AVGVSTORVM, Victory moving right, head turned to left, holding globus cruciger and wreath, CONOB in exergue. RIC 249.
Ex Heritage 61238, 12/5/2021, lot 99176.
NGC graded MINT STATE, Strike 3/5, Surface 4/5, “edge bend,” “double–struck w/rotation” noted on label, a remarkable coin with components of the original strike visible on the edges of both obverse and reverse. $ 1350
20314. EASTERN ROMAN EMPIRE. THEODOSIUS II, 402–450 AD.
Gold Solidus, 4.38 g, 20 mm. Issue of Constantinople ca. AD 420–422.
Obv. D N THEODO–SIVS P F AVG, diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly right, holding spear and shield with horseman trampling enemy device. Rev. VOT XX MVLT XXX, Victory standing left, holding plain long cross, CONOB in exergue. RIC X 219 var. (plain cross); Depeyrot 74/2.
NGC graded CHOICE AU, Strike 5/5, Surface 3/5, “clipped,” “brushed,” a rare variety with a “plain” cross. $ 2250
The legend of the coin indicates that it is issued for Theodosius’ Vincenallia (20th Year Anniversary) and there have been numerous suggestions that this emission may be linked with a large cross erected at the site of the Crucifixion during Theodosius’ reign. On the coin the cross is almost always shown “jeweled,” with a fine dotted border all around. The present coin depicts a “plain” cross, the outline being depicted as a raised relief line, quite unlike the “jeweled” effect seen generally. Although this variety is known from the market (there are ca. 15 specimens out of the 225 listed for RIC 219 on CoinArchives) it does not seem to have been noted in the literature.
20234. EASTERN ROMAN EMPIRE. THEODOSIUS II, AD 402–450.
Gold Solidus, 4.30 g, 21 mm. Issue of Thessalonica, ca. AD 424–430.
Obv. D N THEODOSIVS P F AVC, diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust of Theodosius three quarters right, holding spear and shield with horseman device. Rev. GLOR ORVIS TERRAR, Theodosius standing facing, dressed in military cuirass, holding labarum and cross on globe (globus cruciger), star in left field, TESOB in exergue. RIC X, 361.
NGC graded AU, Strike 5/5, Surface 3/5, “brushed,” “clipped,” a scarce type.
$ 1850
This coinage is the first time when the “globus cruciger,” a globe with a cross on top, appears held by an emperor – this imagery becomes standard in the numismatic repertoire henceforth. The legend “GLORY OVER THE WORLD’S SPHERE” may actually refer to the globus cruciger, namely that Christianity, represented by the cross, has spread over the entire world.
20340. WESTERN ROMAN EMPIRE. GALLA PLACIDIA, AD 421–450. Gold Solidus, 4.47 g, 21 mm. Vincennalia issue of Rome, AD 425/6.
Obv. D N GALLA PLACIDIA P F AVG, diademed and draped bust of Galla Placidia right, Chi–Rho ornament on shoulder, the hand of God (Manus Dei) above, crowning her. Rev. VOT XX MVLT XXX, Victory standing left, holding jeweled cross, star above, R–M (Rome) in fields, CONOB in exergue.
RIC X, 2007 (rarity R2); Depeyrot 45/2.
NGC graded CHOICE AU, Strike 4/5, Surface 4/5, “flan flaw,” a rare early emission of Galla Placidia struck at the mint of Rome, using the Vincennalia type referring loosely to the reign of Theodosius II. The coinage in the name of Placidia was struck at Rome only from 425 to February 426, after which the court moved to Ravenna. $ 14500
Galla Placidia was the daughter of Theodosius I and quite likely the most influential empress of Late Antiquity. She was first married to a Gothic king and subsequently to the emperor Constantius III with whom she had the future emperor Valentinian III. She served as regent for Valentinian until AD 437 when he reached maturity. A devout Christian and great patron of the faith, she commissioned several important churches in Ravenna and elsewhere. For an excellent book discussing her fascinating life and legacy see Hagith Sivan, Galla Placidia – the Last Roman Empress (2011).
PARKE BERNET
ON FEBRUARY 24, 1977
20295. ROMAN EMPIRE. AUGUSTUS, 27 BC–AD 14. PROVINCIAL ISSUE OF CELSA, SPAIN.
Bronze Unit, 14.89 g, 28 mm.
Obv. COL VIC CELSA II VIR, head of Augustus right. Rev. POMPE BVCCO, bull right, L CORNE FRONT in exergue. Ex Sanborn Collection, Sotheby Park Bernet 2/24/1977, lot 167 (part of). Burgos 804.
Near VF, with old tag noting acquisition at “Seaby’s ‘60.”
20296. ROMAN EMPIRE. AUGUSTUS, 27 BC–AD 14. PROVINCIAL ISSUE OF CELSA, SPAIN.
Bronze Unit, 10.09 g, 28 mm.
$ 175
Obv. DIVI F AVGVSTVS, laureate head of Augustus right. Rev. L BACCIO / C VI CEL / II VIR, bull right, (MN) FESTO in exergue. Ex Sanborn Collection, Sotheby Park Bernet 2/24/1977, lot 167 (part of). Burgos 810.
VF, dark brown patina, with old tag noting acquisition at “M&M ‘70.”
$ 175
20293. ROMAN EMPIRE. ANTONINUS PIUS, AD 138–161.
Bronze Sestertius, 23.33 g, 33 mm. Issue struck in Rome together with Marcus Aurelius as Caesar, ca. AD 140–144.
Obv. ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P COS III, laureate head of Antoninus right. Rev. AVRELIVS CAESAR AVG PII F COS S C, draped bust of Marcus right. RIC 1212.
Ex Sanborn Collection, Sotheby Park Bernet 2/24/1977, lot 287.
Near VF, dark brown patina, with old tag dated 1927, scarce emission.
$ 975
20290. ROMAN EMPIRE. FAUSTINA THE YOUNGER, WIFE OF MARCUS AURELIUS, AD 147–175.
Bronze Sestertius, 25.02 g, 31 mm. Posthumous issue of Rome, ca. AD 176. Obv. DIVAE FAVSTINAE PIAE, veiled and draped bust right. Rev. MATRI CASTRORVM, Faustina seated left holding eagle and long scepter, three military standards in the background, SC in exergue.
RIC 1711 (Marcus Aurelius).
Ex Sanborn Collection, Sotheby Park Bernet 2/24/1977, lot 317.
Near VF, some areas of corrosion, a rare emission with only eight specimens on CoinArchives, with old tag noting that it was acquired at “Baldwin ‘64.”
20289. ROMAN EMPIRE. ANTONINUS PIUS, AD 138–161.
Bronze Sestertius, 25.15 g, 33 mm. Posthumous issue struck in Rome, ca. AD 162.
$ 750
Obv. DIVVS ANTONINVS, bare head of Antoninus Pius to right. Rev. DIVO PIO, Corinthian column set on base and with statue of Divus Antoninus on top, S–C in fields. RIC 1269.
Ex Sanborn Collection, Sotheby Park Bernet 2/24/1977, lot 288.
NGC graded CHOICE VF, Strike 4/5, Surface 3/5, emerald green patina.
$ 1500
ROMAN EMPIRE. LUCIUS VERUS, AD 161–169.
Bronze Sestertius, 25.10 g, 32 mm. Issue of Rome, AD 166. L VERVS AVG ARM PARTH MAX, laureate head to right. Rev. TR POT VI IMP IIII COS II, Victory standing looking right, holding shield with inscription VIC PAR, S C in exergue. RIC 1456.
Ex Sanborn Collection, Sotheby Park Bernet 2/24/1977, lot 309 (part of).
VF, pleasing chestnut brown patina, with old tag noting acquisition at “Seaby’s ‘55.”
20294. ROMAN EMPIRE. MARCUS AURELIUS, AD 147–175.
$ 750
Bronze Sestertius, 24.09 g, 31 mm. Posthumous issue of Rome struck after AD 180. Obv. DIVS M ANTONINVS PIVS, bearded head of Marcus right. Rev. CONSECRA[TI], funeral pyre with architectural sculpture. RIC 662 (Commodus).
Ex Sanborn Collection, Sotheby Park Bernet 2/24/1977, lot 310 (part of).
Good Fine, some spots of green encrustation.
20297. BYZANTINE EMPIRE. HERACLIUS, 610–641 BC.
$ 150
Countermarked Bronze issue of Sicily, with obverse countermark showing draped bust of Heraclius and monogram at right, reverse countermark SCLs below line within round punch.
Host coin: 40 Nummi of Justinian I, 14.55 g, 29 mm. Sear 882 (host).
Ex Sanborn Collection, Sotheby Park Bernet 2/24/1977, lot 437 (part of).
Fine for the host coin, the countermarks exceptionally well struck, with old tag noting acquisition at “Habelt, ‘56.” $ 175
19503. BYZANTINE EMPIRE. JUSTIN I, AD 518–527.
Gold Solidus, 4.09 g, 21 mm. Issue of Constantinople officina I, AD 518–519.
Obv. DN IVSTINVS P P AVC, helmeted and cuirassed bust of Justin slightly right, holding spear and shield with horseman device. Rev. VICTORIA AVCCC I, Victory standing left, holding staff with staurogram, star in left field, CONOB in exergue. Sear 55.
A SCARCE ISSUE OF TIBERIUS II CONSTANTINE FROM THE MINT OF CARTHAGE
20302. BYZANTINE EMPIRE. TIBERIUS II CONSTANTINE, AD 578–582
Gold Solidus, 4.47 g, 19 mm. Issue of Carthage, officina S.
Obv. d m TIb CONSTANT PP AV, helmeted, draped and cuirassed bust facing, wearing crown with theta below cross, holding globus cruciger and shield with horseman design. Rev. VICTORIA AVCC S, cross potent on stepped base, CONOB in exergue. Sear 462.
NGC graded MINT STATE, Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5, superbly struck with exceptional luster. $ 3850
20304. BYZANTINE EMPIRE. MAURICE TIBERIUS, AD 582–602.
Gold Solidus, 4.41 g, 21 mm. Issue of Constantinople, officina I.
Obv. O N mAVRC TIB PP AVC, helmeted, draped and cuirassed bust facing, holding globus cruciger. Rev. VICTORI[A AVCC] I, angel standing, facing, holding staff with staurogram and globus cruciger, CONOB in exergue. Sear 478.
NGC graded MINT STATE, Strike 4/5, Surface 4/5, “clipped,” lustrous. $ 1150
A SCARCER EASTERN ISSUE OF HERACLIUS, PERHAPS MINTED IN JERUSALEM
20235. BYZANTINE EMPIRE. HERACLIUS WITH HERACLIUS CONSTANTINE, AD 613–641.
Gold Solidus, 4.50 g, 21 mm. Issue of an Eastern mint, officina IΠ, ca. AD 613–618.
Obv. [dd NN hЄRACLIЧS] ЄT hЄRA CONST, facing busts of Heraclius (left) and Heraclius Constantine (right), cross above. Rev. VICTORIA AVSЧ IΠ, cross potent on three–stepped base, CONOB in exergue. Sear 851 (Jerusalem). DOC 2.1, 187 (Alexandria). MIB 77 (Cyprus).
NGC graded MINT STATE, Strike 4/5 Surface 4/5, exceptional luster. This coin was struck at an eastern mint, various attributed to either Jerusalem, Alexandria or Cyprus. $ 1650
THE FIRST APPEARANCE OF JESUS CHRIST ON COINAGE
20300. BYZANTINE EMPIRE. JUSTINIAN II, FIRST REIGN, AD 685–695. Gold Solidus, 4.23 g, 19 mm. Issue of Constantinople, officina Θ. Obv. IhS CRISTOS RЄX REgNANTIЧM, bust of bearded Christ Pantocrator, facing, holding Gospels and raising his right hand in benediction. Rev. [D IЧSTINIA]NЧS SЄRЧ ChRISTI S, Justinian standing, facing, wearing loros and holding cross potent on a two–stepped base and akakia, CONOP in exergue. Sear 1248.
NGC graded XF, Strike 4/5, Surface 2/5, “graffito,” “clipped,” a slightly circulated specimen, well struck with full legend. $ 5500
The introduction of Jesus Christ on Byzantine coinage takes place with this issue minted under Justinian II, whose rule is separated into two distinct periods, before and after his exile from Constantinople. During Justinian’s “First Reign” Christ appears for the first time on coinage, shown bearded and with the traits of a classical philosopher, accompanied by the legend “Rex Regnantium” (“King of Kings”). The great French numismatist Lacam has referred to this portrait type as the “Christ of the Ascension and Redemption.”
20276. BYZANTINE EMPIRE. TIBERIUS III, AD 698–705.
Gold Tremissis, 1.41 g, 19 mm. Issue of Constantinople.
Obv. D TIbЄR[IЧS PЄ AV], helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly right, holding spear and shield with horseman device. Rev. VICTORIA AVSЧ S, cross potent, CONOB in exergue. Sear 1363.
20090. BYZANTINE EMPIRE. JUSTINIAN II, SECOND REIGN, AD 705–711.
Gold Solidus, 4.47 g, 21 mm. Issue of Constantinople.
Obv. DN IhS ChS RЄX RЄGNANTIЧM, bust of youthful Christ Pantocrator with closely cropped curly hair, facing, holding the Gospels and raising his right hand in benediction. Rev. DN IЧSTINIANЧS MЧLTЧS AN, facing bust of Justinian II wearing a loros and holding a cross potent in the right hand and a globus cruciger inscribed PAX in the left. Sear 1413.
NGC graded MINT STATE, Strike 4/5, Surface 4/5.
Following his return from exile and resumption of power (the “Second Reign”), Justinian II adopts an entirely new image of Christ for his coinage, a youthful portrait with eastern features, including curly short–cropped hair and a kind, welcoming, expression. It is an image likely inspired by the iconographical traditions of Christian Syria, and some have observed that it may be based on an icon of the “historical” Christ as he appeared before the Crucifixion. $ 4950
20277. BYZANTINE EMPIRE. CONSTANTINE V AND LEO IV, AD 741–775.
Gold Solidus, 4.41 g, 20 mm. Issue of Constantinople AD 750–775.
Obv. CONSTAN[TINO]S S LEON O NEOS, busts of Constantine V (left) and Leo IV (right), facing, cross above. Rev. LEON PA MЧL, crowned bust of Leo III, facing, wearing loros and holding cross. Sear 1551.
NGC graded CHOICE XF, Strike 4/5, Surface 4/5. $ 1250
20236. BYZANTINE EMPIRE. CONSTANTINE VIII, AD 1025–1028.
Gold Histamenon Nomisma, 4.41 g, 25 mm. Issue of Constantinople.
Obv. +IhS XIS RЄX RЄGNANTIЧM, bust of bearded Christ Pantocrator, facing, holding Gospels and raising his right hand in benediction. Rev. +CωNSτANτIN bASILЄЧS ROm, bearded bust of Constantine VIII, facing, holding labarum and akakia. Sear 1815.
NGC graded MINT STATE, Strike 4/5, Surface 5/5, with a finely engraved portrait of Christ, truly majestic and very much like the images on Orthodox icons. $ 3500
20256. BYZANTINE EMPIRE. CONSTANTINE IX, 1042–1055 AD. Gold Histamenon Nomisma, 4.44 g, 27 mm. Issue of Constantinople. Obv. + IҺS XIS RЄX RЄGNANTIҺM, facing bust of Christ, holding Gospels and raising his hand in benediction. Rev. + CωҺSTATҺ ЬASILЄЧS Rm, bearded bust of the emperor, holding long cross and globus cruciger with cross made out of pellets. Sear 1830.
Ex Sincona 51, 10/23/2018, lot 2145.
NGC graded CHOICE AU, Strike 5/5, Surface 5/5, exceptionally well struck, with NGC’s coveted double 5/5 designation for strike and surface. $ 2500
20305. BYZANTINE EMPIRE. CONSTANTINE X, AD 1059–1067.
Gold Histamenon Nomisma (scyphate), 4.42 g, 25 mm. Issue of Constantinople.
Obv. +IhS XIS RЄX RЄGNANTIЧM, Christ enthroned, facing, holding the Gospels. Rev. +KωN RAC Λ O ΔOVKAC, Constantine, standing, holding globus cruciger and labarum with pellet on the shaft. Sear 1847.
NGC graded CHOICE AU, Strike 4/5, Surface 4/5, with well–struck detail and a majestic representation of Christ. $ 1500
20091. BYZANTINE EMPIRE. ROMANUS IV, AD 1068–1071.
Gold Histamenon Nomisma (scyphate), 4.41, 27 mm. Issue of Constantinople.
Obv. KωN MX ANΔ, Michael VII (in center), Constantius (on left) and Andronicus (on right) all standing, facing, on footstools. Rev. +PωMAN ЄVΔOKIA, Christ standing, facing, on footstool, crowning Romanus IV (on left) and Eudocia (on right), both standing facing, IC–XC flanking Christ’s head. Sear 1859.
NGC graded AU, Strike 5/5, Surface 5/5, a perfectly centered coin with outstanding details and the coveted double 5/5 designation. $ 1950
20303. BYZANTINE EMPIRE. MICHAEL VII, AD 1071–1078.
Gold/Electrum Histamenon Nomisma (scyphate), 4.18 g, 28 mm. Issue of Constantinople.
Obv. IC–XC, bust of Christ Pantocrator, facing, holding the Gospels and raising his right hand in benediction, IC–XC in fields. Rev. + MIXAHΛ RACIΛE, bust of Michael VII, facing, wearing loros, holding labarum and globus cruciger. Sear 1868.
NGC graded AU, Strike 4/5, Surface 3/5, “lt. graffito,” with a very nicely rendered Christ portrait. $ 950
19375. BYZANTINE EMPIRE. MANUEL I, AD 1143–1180.
Electrum Aspron Trachy (scyphate), 3.97 g, 34 mm.
Obv. Christ enthroned, facing, holding Gospels and raising his right hand in benediction, IC–XC in field. Rev. [MANUHΛ ΔЄCΠOTH], Manuel on left holding akakia, and the Virgin on right, both holding patriarchal cross between them, M–TV around Virgin’s head. Sear 1958.
Ex Bob Guynn Collection.
NGC graded CHOICE AU, Strike 4/5, Surface 3/5, “edge crimps,” a well struck specimen of this scarce issue with exceptionally struck full faces. $ 1850
18808. BYZANTINE EMPIRE. ISAAC II, AD 1185–1195.
Electrum Aspron Trachy (scyphate), 3.73 g, 29 mm. Issue of Constantinople.
Obv. Virgin Mary enthroned, facing, holding bust of infant Christ, MP–ΘV (mother of God) in fields. Rev. ICAAKIOC O [MI]XAX, Archangel Michael, standing, crowning figure of the emperor. Sear 2002.
NGC graded MINT STATE, Strike 4/5, Surface 5/5, with an exceptionally well–struck obverse.
