FROM
THE SLOPES OF MOUNT ETNAA CLASSICAL PERIOD TETRADRACHM OF CATANE
20398. SICILY. CATANE. Ca. 465-450 BC. Silver Tetradrachm, 17.04 g, 24 mm. Issue of 461-450 BC. Obv. River god Amenanus kneeling right, palmette in exergue. Rev. KATANA[IO]N, Nike striding left, holding fillet and wreath, H in left field.
Randazzo Hoard 74-5 (same reverse die); SNG ANS 1236 (same dies); HGC 2, 565. Ex Markov 63, 1/16/2025, lot 1019 = CNG 99, 5/13/2015, lot 22 = CNG Electronic Auction 159, 2/28/2007, lot 7 = Peus 380, 11/3/2004, lot 189 = Künker 59, 9/26/2000, lot 55.
NGC graded XF, Strike 4/5, Surface 3/5, dark toning, very rare, with eight other specimens in market records. $ 8975
Catane, located in a fertile region of Sicily at the southern foot of Mount Etna, was settled by Chalcidian Greek colonists from nearby Naxos in 729 BC. The city prospered from the agricultural wealth of the surrounding volcanic soil and gained fame for the piety of two Catanean brothers who saved their aged parents from death during an eruption of Mount Etna by carrying them on their backs. Unfortunately, in 476 BC, the city drew the unwelcome attention of Hieron I, the tyrant of Syracuse. Greedy for the city’s agricultural territory, Hieron conquered Catane, expelled the inhabitants, and resettled the city with settlers from Leontini loyal to him. For more than a decade, the Cataneans lived in exile while their city, renamed Aetna, served the tyrants of Syracuse. At last, the Syracusan tyranny was overthrown, and in 461 BC, the Cataneans returned to their city to throw out the Leontinians and reclaim their homes. This tetradrachm was struck in the happy decade after the return of the Cataneans.
20400. THRACE. AENUS. Ca. 475-400 BC.
Silver Tetradrachm, 15.65 g, 25 mm.
Obv. Head of Hermes right, wearing petasos. Rev. AINI, goat striding right, caduceus in right field, all within incuse square. May Group XXXI, 258b (A161/P167); HGC 3, 1269; Boston 779. Ex Künker 304, 3/19/2018, lot 214 = Ex Auctiones A.G. Basel 6, 9/30/1976, lot 79.
NGC graded CHOICE XF, Strike 4/5, Surface 2/5, FINE STYLE, glossy dark gray patina. $ 5750
Local mythology held that the Greek city of Aenus (Ainos) in coastal Thrace was originally founded by a son of Apollo, although historically it was probably settled by colonists from Alopekonnessos. The chief deity of the city was Hermes, not only due to the role of Aenus as a center of commerce between Greeks and inland Thracians, but also due to the tradition that an ancient wooden cult image of the god was brought to shore near the city. At first, it was mistaken by local fishermen as an oddly shaped piece of driftwood. When it was discovered that it would always return when cast into the sea and that it would not burn, the fishermen realized that it was a sacred image of the god. It was subsequently housed in a temple dedicated to Hermes. As a god known for his protection of herds, Hermes’ sacred animal, the goat, appears on the reverse of this coin.
18434. THRACE. MESEMBRIA. CIVIC ISSUE IN THE NAME AND TYPES OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT, ca.
Silver Tetradrachm of Alexander type, 16.47 g, 30 mm.
Obv. Head of young Heracles right in lion skin headdress. Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ, Zeus enthroned left, holding eagle and scepter, Corinthian helmet right above ΠA in left field.
Price 992; Black Sea Hoard 172 (same dies).
Good VF, dark toning with deep colorful iridescence especially on the reverse.
20328. THRACE. THASOS. Ca. 500-480 BC.
Silver Drachm, 3.06 g, 16 mm.
Obv. Ithyphallic satyr right, abducting nymph. Rev. Quadripartite incuse square. Le Rider, Thasiennes, 3; SNG Copenhagen 1014-1016; HGC 6, 332. Near VF, a specimen of the smaller denomination of this popular series.
$ 875
$ 250
280–225 BC.
20450. KINGDOM OF THRACE. LYSIMACHUS, 305–281 BC.
Silver Tetradrachm, 17.00 g, 32 mm. Lifetime issue of Lampsacus, ca. 288/7–282/1 BC.
Obv. Head of deified Alexander the Great right, with the horn of Ammon. Rev. BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΛΥΣIMAXOΥ, Athena enthroned left, holding Nike crowning Lysimachus’ name, caduceus with handle in inner left field, KAΛ monogram in outer right field. Thompson 193; Müller 106; HGC 3, 1750l.
Good VF, struck on a broad planchet, with an expressive portrait of Alexander.
A PAIR OF SELDOM SEEN LYSIMACHI ISSUES FROM ASIA MINOR
20454. KINGDOM OF THRACE. LYSIMACHUS, 305–281 BC.
Silver Tetradrachm, 16.80 g, 30 mm. Lifetime issue of Magnesia on the Maeander, ca. 297/6–282/1 BC.
$ 1500
Obv. Head of deified Alexander the Great right, with the horn of Ammon. Rev. BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΛΥΣIMAXOΥ, Athena enthroned left, holding Nike crowning Lysimachus’ name, monogram in left field, maeander pattern in outer left field. Thompson 106; Müller 438; HGC 3, 1750e.
Good FINE, rare variety with only six specimens in market records for the last 25 years.
20451. KINGDOM OF THRACE. LYSIMACHUS, 305–281 BC.
Silver Tetradrachm, 16.81 g, 29 mm. Early posthumous issue of an unknown mint, perhaps Cyzicus, ca. 260-250 BC.
$ 675
Obv. Head of deified Alexander the Great right, with the horn of Ammon. Rev. BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΛΥΣIMAXOΥ, Athena enthroned left, holding Nike crowning Lysimachus’ name, ΦIΛA control monogram in outer left field, ME monogram in exergue. Thompson -; Mektepini Hoard 734 (same dies); Stack’s Coin Galleries, 9/10/2008, lot 66 (same dies but in worn state).
VF, scratch on obverse, extremely rare variety, none in market records except the Stack’s specimen cited above.
$ 850
20521. KINGDOM OF MACEDON. PHILIP II, 359-336 BC.
Gold Stater, 8.60 g, 21 mm. Lifetime or early posthumous issue of Pella (Pella II 2), ca. 340-328 or ca. 336-328 BC.
Obv. Laureate head of Apollo right. Rev. ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΥ, charioteer driving biga right, Nike flying right holding wreath, below the horses’ legs.
LeRider, Pella II 2, 369 (O162 / R275’).
NGC graded XF, Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5, the large Nike, gliding forward with her wreath, is particularly large and magnificently depicted on this die, so that it forms part of the design rather than just a subsidiary symbol.
20392. KINGDOM OF MACEDON. PHILIP II, 359-336 BC.
Gold Stater, 8.59 g, 18 mm. Lifetime or early posthumous issue of Pella (Pella II 2), ca. 340-328 BC or ca. 336-328 BC.
$ 8000
Obv. Laureate head of Apollo right. Rev. ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΥ, charioteer driving biga right, shield shown in profile below the horses’ legs. LeRider, Pella II 2, 389 (O166 / R288).
NGC graded CHOICE VF, Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5, the shield symbol is scarce.
$ 6700
Inv. 20392
Inv. 20521
20381. KINGDOM OF MACEDON. PHILIP II, 359-336 BC.
Silver Tetradrachm, 14.30 g, 26 mm. Lifetime issue of Pella (Pella IB), ca. 354/3-349/8 BC.
Obv. Laureate head of Zeus right. Rev. ΦIΛIΠΠOY, rider (Philip II ?) left, wearing kausia and saluting with his raised right hand, head of Helios below the horse, spear head left in exergue.
Le Rider, Pella IB, 83 (D52/R68), same dies.
NGC graded AU, Strike 4/5, Surface 3/5, FINE STYLE “scuffs,” iridescent toning on the obverse, a specimen from the lifetime of Philip II. $ 4500
AN INTERESTING IMITATIVE ALEXANDER BASED ON ISSUES OF BABYLON
20429. KINGDOM OF MACEDON. ALEXANDER III, THE GREAT, 336–323 BC.
Silver Tetradrachm, 16.81 g, 26 mm. Imitative issue copying a posthumous issue of Babylon.
Obv. Head of young Heracles right in lion skin headdress. Rev. ΛAΞEANΔΡ[ΟΥ] [sic], Zeus enthroned left, holding eagle and scepter, ON (?) in wreath below throne, [BA]ΣIΛEΩΣ (with retrograde E) in exergue.
Price -, cf. 3726 for a possible source.
VF, some roughness on the reverse, possibly unique and unknown to Martin Price. The overall style of the dies is reasonably good, however the letters are garbled and the epsilon in the royal title is retrograde. $ 850
ONE OF FIVE KNOWN SPECIMENS
19984. KINGDOM OF MACEDON. ALEXANDER III, THE GREAT, 336-323 BC.
Silver Tetradrachm, 16.81 g, 23 mm. Early posthumous issue of an uncertain mint in Greece or Macedonia, ca. 325-310 BC.
Obv. Head of young Heracles right in lion skin headdress. Rev. ΛΛΞEΛNΔΡΟΥ, Zeus enthroned left, holding eagle and scepter, monogram in circle in left field, TAY monogram under throne.
Price 818 (citing a specimen from the Armenak Hoard).
NGC graded CHOICE FINE, an exceedingly rare emission with none cited in the Pella database and only three on CoinArchives. $ 650
20384. MACEDONIAN KINGDOM. ALEXANDER III, THE GREAT, 336–323 BC.
Gold Stater, 8.47 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, wreath below right wing.
Price 3457 (as Sidon); Newell, Sidon, 1 c-d.
NGC graded VF, Strike 4/5, Surface 4/5, “die shift,” some spots of encrustation, among 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 carrying her stylis decorated with small figures of Victories. $ 6600
AN EXTREMELY RARE UNDATED ISSUE OF SIDON WITH THUNDERBOLT SYMBOL AMONG
20546. MACEDONIAN KINGDOM. ALEXANDER III, THE GREAT, 336–323 BC.
Gold Stater, 8.63 g, 17 mm. Lifetime-early posthumous issue of Sidon, undated, but ca. 333–305 BC.
Obv. Head of Athena right, wearing large Corinthian helmet with rampant griffin ornament below the plume. Rev. ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ, Nike standing, her hair gathered in a topknot, looking left, holding wreath in right hand and stylis over left shoulder, thunderbolt below right wing.
Price 3461; SNG Delepierre 978 = Bibliothèque Nationale 1966.453.978.
NGC graded XF, Strike 4/5, Surface 4/5, an extremely rare variety with only the Paris specimen cited by Price as well as the Pella database. $ 7500
20310. MACEDONIAN KINGDOM. ALEXANDER III, THE GREAT, 336–323 BC.
Silver Tetradrachm, 16.16 g, 25 mm. Posthumous issue of an uncertain Eastern Mint sometimes identified as a “Celtic Issue from Lykaonia” or “Galatian Issue,” ca. 250–200 BC. Obv. Head of young Heracles right in lion skin headdress. Rev. [ΑΛ]ΕΞΑΝΔΡΟ, Zeus enthroned left, holding eagle and scepter, wreath in left field.
Unlisted in Price, but cf. Price B2-B4 (as “barbaric”).
NGC graded CHOICE XF Strike 4/5, Surface 4/5, “flan flaw,” exceptionally nice for these emissions, a particularly rare variant from a distinctive and short–lived series. $ 1250
20478. ATTICA. ATHENS. Ca. 440–404 BC.
Silver Tetradrachm, 17.20 g, 30 mm. Obv. Helmeted head of Athena right. Rev. AΘE, owl standing right, head facing, olive sprig and crescent in left field, all within incuse square.
Kroll 8; SNG Copenhagen 31–40; Dewing 1591–1598; HGC 4, 1597.
NGC graded CHOICE AU, Strike 5/5, Surface 3/5, “brushed,” pleasantly lustrous, struck on an unusually elongated planchet with Athena’s head fitting perfectly within the narrow space.
Inv. 20478
Inv. 20310
$ 1500
20099. ISLAND OF AEGINA. Ca. 525–480 BC.
Silver Stater, 11.96 g, 21 mm.
Obv. Sea turtle with shell showing a thick collar, its beaked head turned left, square countermark with skew pattern applied on shell. Rev. Punch with skew pattern. Meadows, Aegina, Group IIb; HGC 6, 430. NGC graded CHOICE FINE, Strike 4/5, Surface 3/5, “countermark.” Countermarks applied to the turtle’s shell are a common feature on Aegina turtle staters. This countermark is particularly interesting in that it appears to show the same pattern as on the reverse punch that struck the coin.
20425. ISLAND OF AEGINA. Ca. 480–457 BC.
Silver Stater, 12.10 g, 23 mm.
$ 1500
Obv. Sea turtle with shell showing a thick collar, its beaked head turned left, circular dots at top of shell, oval countermark on shell seemingly applied over an earlier countermark (dots ?), additional flower countermark on edge. Rev. Skew pattern in incuse square. HGC 6, 435; Meadows, Aegina, Group IIIa; Milbank Period III, pl. I, 14-15; Milbank, p. 19, countermark 25 on edge and countermark 30 on shell.
VF, attractive turtle with full head, and very interesting multiple countermarks.
$ 2750
20445. BOSPORAN KINGDOM. LEUCON II, ca. 240-220 BC.
Silver Tetradrachm of Lysimachus type, 16.92 g, 29 mm. Probably issued in Panticapeion.
Obv. Head of deified Alexander the Great right, with the horn of Ammon. Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ
Athena enthroned left, holding Nike crowning Lysimachus’ name, shield in outer left field, sword in left field, MT monogram in exergue. Müller 458; Seyrig, “Monnaies Hellénistiques: Royaume du Bosphore Cimmérien,” Revue Numismatique 5, 1963, pp. 7-11, no. 1 (same dies, citing two specimens); Roma Numismatics E-Sale 78, 12/17/2000, lot 352 (same obverse die with different reverse die); Meydancikkale Hoard 2720 (different dies).
XF, edge impact, exceptionally rare and often misattributed, this is seemingly the only specimen of this emission in private hands. $ 3500
In his article from 1963, the noted French numismatist Henri Seyrig argued that a small group of Lysimachi tetradrachms bearing a shield and sword were struck by King Leucon II of Bosporus. He identified four specimens from three die pairs. The present coin is struck from the same dies as specimens in the Berlin and Gotha coin cabinets, both listed by Seyrig under his catalogue no. 1.
A UNIQUE CIUS LYSIMACHUS, UNPUBLISHED IN MARINESCU’S STUDY RARE
19697. BITHYNIA. CIUS. CIVIC ISSUE IN THE NAME AND TYPES OF KING LYSIMACHUS OF THRACE, ca. 280–250 BC. Silver Tetradrachm of Lysimachus type, 17.03 g, 30 mm. Issue of ca. 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, club in outer left field, ME monogram in left field, bow case and ΔI monogram in exergue. Marinescu, “Lysimachi Coinage of Cius, Bithynia,” in Ex Nummis Lux, Studies in Ancient Numismatics in Honour of Dimitar Draganov (2017), issue unlisted, but struck with Marinescu obverse 39; cf. issues 29 and 30 with the same left field control, but different exergue controls.
NGC graded XF, Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5, “Fine Style,” “unlisted in Marinescu,” and likely unique. $ 5000
This coin is a new issue that was unknown to Marinescu in 2017 when his Cius die study was published. The obverse die (Marinescu obverse 39) is documented as linked with other emissions from the 250s beginning with issue 25. This particular coin bears a ME control monogram in left field documented on issues 29 and 30, but couples it with an unattested control in the exergue (ΔI). This is the only instance of ΔI as exergue control, although it is rendered in a slightly altered form as OΔI, beginning with issue 37. Therefore, this is a very important new issue for Cius, probably to be placed before issue 30 by virtue of the association of the ME control with issues 29-30 as well as the state of wear seen on obverse 29.
20447. BITHYNIA. CIUS. CIVIC ISSUE IN THE NAME AND TYPES OF KING LYSIMACHUS OF THRACE, ca. 285–250 BC. Silver Tetradrachm of Lysimachus type, 16.89 g, 30 mm. Issue of ca. 285-275 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, ΦIΛ monogram in outer left field, ME above HPA monograms in left field, club in exergue. Marinescu, “Lysimachi Coinage of Cius, Bithynia,” in Ex Nummis Lux, Studies in Ancient Numismatics in Honour of Dimitar Draganov (2017), issue 5, no. 12 (obverse 5/reverse 11); Thompson 184; Müller 369 (as Heraclea Pontica).
NEAR VF, some circulation marks, issue 5 is a very rare emission with Marinescu citing only three other specimens from two different pairs of dies. $ 1450
20446. BITHYNIA. CIUS. CIVIC ISSUE IN THE NAME AND TYPES OF KING LYSIMACHUS OF THRACE, ca. 285–250 BC. Silver Tetradrachm of Lysimachus type, 17.00 g, 28 mm. Issue of ca. 285-275 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, ΦIΛ monogram in outer left field, ME above ΓAT monogram in left field, club in exergue. Marinescu, “Lysimachi Coinage of Cius, Bithynia,” in Ex Nummis Lux, Studies in Ancient Numismatics in Honour of Dimitar Draganov (2017), issue 6, no. 14 (obverse 5/reverse 13); Thompson 185; Müller 370 (as Heraclea Pontica). VF, some circulation marks, issue 6 is a very rare emission with Marinescu citing only seven other specimens from three different pairs of dies. $ 1500
20477. PERGAMENE KINGDOM. EUMENES I, ca. 263–241 BC.
Silver Tetradrachm, 16.91 g, 29 mm. Issue of Westermark Group IVA, ca. 255/0–241 BC.
Obv. Laureate head of Philetairos right. Rev. ΦΙΛETAIPOY, Athena enthroned left, crowning royal name, shield behind throne, ivy leaf in outer left field, AΘ monogram in left field, bow in right field.
SNG France 1610-1615; SNG von Aulock 1357. Westermark, Das Bildnis des Philetairos von Pergamon, Group IVA, plate 6, V.LXII-R.3 (same dies). VF, minor marks on reverse.
A rare variety with star symbol from the cistophoric series at pergamon
$ 900
20522. MYSIA. PERGAMUM ( PERGAMON ). Ca. 180/167-133 BC.
Silver Cistophorus, 12.69 g, 28 mm, struck ca. 160-150 BC
Obv. Cista mystica within ivy wreath. Rev. Snakes around quiver, ΠEPΓ monogram in left field (for Pergamon), star with 8 rays in right field.
Kleiner-Noe Series 12, 28e-30g (four specimens listed).
Good XF, a very scarce emission for Pergamon’s cistophori.
20401. IONIA. CLAZOMENAE. Ca. 380-350 BC.
Silver Hemidrachm, 1.96 g, 12 mm. Issue of magistrate Ikesios.
$ 875
Obv. Laureate head of Apollo, facing slightly left and wearing laurel wreath. Rev. KΛA, swan standing right, wings spread, [IKΕΣIO]Σ.
SNG Copenhagen 22 (same reverse die); SNG München 461 (same dies).
Ex Leu Numismatik Web Auction 7, 2/23/2019, lot 352.
NGC graded XF, Strike 4/5, Surface 3/5, marks, extremely rare variety with no other specimens listed on CoinArchives. $ 1200
20195. IONIA. EPHESUS. Ca. 394-325 BC.
Silver Tetradrachm, 15.29 g, 22 mm. Issue of magistrate Clytius (Klytios), ca. 370-360 BC.
Obv. E–Φ, bee seen from above, within dotted circle. Rev. Forepart of stag right, head reverted, with wreath on chest, palm tree at left, KΛYTIOΣ (magistrate) in right field.
Kinns, Pixodarus, Class D, p. 177, this magistrate coupled with obverses 50, 51, 52, 54, 55 for a total of six pieces cited.
NGC graded CHOICE VF, Strike 4/5, Surface 4/5, boldly struck bee, rare magistrate name. $ 2750
STRIKING COINS AT SMYRNA: A LIFETIME LYSIMACHUS AND A COUNTERMARKED ALEXANDER
20465. KINGDOM OF THRACE. LYSIMACHUS, 305–281 BC.
Silver Tetradrachm, 16.76 g, 29 mm. Lifetime issue of Smyrna, ca. 287/6–282/1 BC.
Obv. Head of deified Alexander the Great right, with the horn of Ammon. Rev. BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΛΥΣIMAXOΥ, Athena enthroned left, holding Nike crowning Lysimachus’ name, Φ in outer left field, Tyche head right in inner left field. Thompson 237; Meydancikkale Hoard 685; Müller 408.
VF, scarce emission, with a very powerful portrait of Alexander. $ 1350
20288. CARIA, ALABANDA. CIVIC ISSUE IN THE NAME AND TYPES OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT, ca. 173-167 BC.
Silver Tetradrachm of Alexander type, 16.09 g, 31 mm. Issue of Civic Year 1.
Obv. Head of young Heracles right in lion skin headdress. Rev. ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ, Zeus enthroned left, holding eagle and scepter, Pegasus flying left above A, A below throne.
Price 2458; Tell Kotchek Hoard 349-356.
VF, with the scarce Tyche head countermark usually attributed to Smyrna. $ 600
20390. KINGS OF LYDIA. Croesus, 561-546 BC.
Siver Sixth Stater, 11 mm. Issue of Sardes, ca. 550-546 BC.
Obv. Forepart of roaring lion right confronting forepart of bull left. Rev.Two incuse punches. Rosen 667; SNG Kayhan 1019.
NGC graded CHOICE FINE, “die shift.” The “die shift” is actually a very interesting error in which the die double struck the planchet duplicating the lion’s snout that appears twice. Minting errors on Croesid coinage are very rare.
SCARCE SELEUCUS I ISSUE WITH ARAMAIC CONTROLS
20145. SELEUCID KINGDOM. SELEUCUS I, 312–281 BC.
Silver Tetradrachm, 17.09 g, 27 mm. Issue of an “Uncertain Mint” in Persis, possibly Persepolis, ca. 305–295 BC.
$ 850
Obv. Head of Seleucus (or Alexander) right, wearing helmet with panther skin covering and bull’s ears and horns. Rev. BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΣEΛEYKOY, Nike standing right, crowning trophy, H below left wing, DW (?) (in Aramaic) below right wing. SC 195; HGC 9, 21.
NGC graded XF, Strike 3/5, Surface 4/5, scarce variety.
$ 4500
It is now generally believed that the helmeted head on the obverse is probably a lifetime portrait of Seleucus I with attributes to identify him as a conqueror of the East, while the representation of Nike erecting a trophy celebrates his victory over Antigonus Monophthalmus at the Battle of Ipsus in 301 BC. While the bulk of the trophy coinage was struck at Susa, hoard evidence suggests that it was intended for circulation in Persis. This particular variant, originally considered an imitation, bears an Aramaic inscription. Since these are now documented in conjunction with emissions of related drachms and obols with the same Aramaic letters (Marest–Caffey Group 6, A1; Group 8), it is almost certain that they were official emissions clearly involving a local official whose name was rendered in Aramaic.
A VERY RARE ANTIOCHUS I EMISSION OF TARSUS
20476. SELEUCID KINGDOM. ANTIOCHUS I, 281–261 BC. Silver Tetradrachm, 17.10 g, 28 mm. Issue of Tarsus.
Obv. Diademed head of Antiochus I right. Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ANTIOXOY, Apollo seated left on omphalos, holding arrow in right hand and resting left hand on grounded bow, HΓ and ΔPK controls in exergue.
SC 331.3a; HGC 9, 128d; CNG Electronic Auction 403, 8/9/2017, lot 241 (same dies).
CHOICE VF, an exceedingly rare emission, known from only two other specimens in the market.
$ 950
20444. PHOENICIA. ARADUS. Ca. 138/7–44/3 BC.
Silver Tetradrachm, 15.24 g, 29 mm. Issue dated Civic Year 196 (64/3 BC).
Obv. Veiled, draped and turreted bust of Tyche right. Rev. APAΔIΩN, Nike standing left, holding aphlaston in right hand and palm branch in left; Phoenician date above H (?) above AN in left field; all within laurel wreath.
Duyrat, Arados hellénistique, 3911-43 (obverse die 89); HGC 10, 72.
Ex Kelly Ramage Collection.
GOOD VF, iridescent highlights.
20357. EGYPT. PTOLEMAIC KINGDOM. PTOLEMY II, 285/4-246 BC.
Silver Tetradrachm, 14.08 g, 27 mm. Issue of Sidon, dated Year 30 (256/5 BC).
Obv. Diademed bust of Ptolemy I right, with aegis around neck. Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ
$ 750
eagle standing left on thunderbolt, ΣI (for Sidon) above MT monogram in left field, Λ (date) in right field.
CPE 520; Svoronos 732.
NGC graded CHOICE XF, Strike 5/5, Surface 2/5, “graffito.”
20402. CYRENAICA. BARCE. Ca. 480-435 BC.
Silver Tetradrachm, 12.07 g, 26 mm.
Obv. Silphium plant. Rev. Head of Zeus Ammon right.
SNG Copenhagen 1293; BMC 23.
$ 650
NGC graded CHOICE VF, Strike 4/5, Surface 2/5, some surface roughness accounting for the 2/5 grade, but an extremely elusive and rare coin. $ 3900
Barce, like the other cities of the Cyrenaica, grew wealthy from involvement in the Mediterranean grain trade and the export of silphium (possibly an extinct giant fennel), a plant widely used in antiquity for seasoning and medicinal purposes. Silphium, which grew only on a narrow coastal strip of the Cyrenaica, was supposed to be a good cure for a cough, sore throat, fever, indigestion, general aches and pains, and even insanity. However, it has been suggested that the plant may have been most desired for its use as a contraceptive. Excessive demand, overharvesting, and the encroachment of grazing animals seem to have led to the extinction of silphium in the first century AD. Pliny the Elder claims that the last known stalk of silphium was sent to Nero (AD 54-68) as a curiosity. The rarity and value of silphium, together with its uniqueness to Cyrenaica, made the plant and its fruit a popular emblem for coins struck by cities in the region as early as the sixth century BC. Cyrenaica was also famous for the oracular shrine of Zeus Ammon at the Oasis of Siwa. This god was really a local Libyan deity identified with the important Egyptian fertility god Amun, whom the Greeks in turn reimagined as a form of Zeus. He is easily distinguished from other depictions of the supreme Greek god by the addition of a ram’s horns.
20287. ROMAN REPUBLIC. L. C. PISO FRUGI, ca. 90 BC.
Silver Quinarius, 1.50 g, 14 mm.
Obv. Laureate head of Apollo right, rose bud in left field. Rev. PISO, Victory standing right, holding wreath and palm, FRVGI in exergue. Crawford 340/2e; Sydenham 672b.
Ex Naville Numismatics 90, 6/23/2024, lot 475 (professionally cleaned since).
XF, nicely centered, extremely rare symbol with no other specimens in market records. $ 395
20183. ROMAN REPUBLIC. M. VOLTEIUS, 78/75 BC.
Silver Denarius, 4.05 g, 17 mm.
Obv. Head of Jupiter right. Rev. Tetrastyle facade of the Capitoline Temple, M VOLTEI M F in exergue. Sydenham 774; Crawford 385/1; Elkins, Monuments, figure 23.
VF, a great architectural type depicting the most important temple in Rome, that of Jupiter Optimus Maximus on the Capitoline Hill. Today, remnants of the temple’s podium can be seen in the Capitoline Museum in Rome. $ 350
ODYSSEUS’ FAITHFUL DOG
20524. C. MAMILIUS LIMETANUS, 82 BC.
Silver serrate Denarius, 3.94 g, 20 mm. Issue of Rome. Obv. Draped bust of Mercury right, wearing petasus and holding caduceus. Rev. C MAMIL LIMET[AN], Ulysses (Odysseus) standing right, greeting his dog Argos who looks up and wags his tail in recognition. Crawford 362/1; Sydenham 741.
Ex Bob Guynn collection, purchased from Ed Waddell.
NGC graded AU, Strike 4/5, Surface 5/5, glossy steel–gray patination with iridescent highlights. $ 2500
The reverse type recounts the episode in Homer’s Odyssey 17.290 ff, when a disguised Odysseus, home after the Trojan War, is recognized by his faithful dog Argos: “[290] Thus they spoke to one another. And a hound that lay there raised his head and pricked up his ears, Argos, the hound of Odysseus, of the steadfast heart…yet even now, when he marked Odysseus standing near, he wagged his tail and dropped both his ears, but nearer to his master he had no longer strength to move. Then Odysseus looked aside and wiped away a tear… [324] So saying, (Odysseus) entered the stately house … But as for Argos, the fate of black death seized him straightway when he had seen Odysseus in the twentieth year...” (Odyssey 17.290 ff. in the A.T. Murray translation).
20494. ROMAN IMPERATORIAL. M. JUNIUS BRUTUS, d. 42 BC.
Silver Denarius, 20 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 left. Crawford 433/1; Sydenham 906. NGC graded VF, Strike, “brushed.”
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.
20406. ROMAN IMPERATORIAL. MARK ANTONY AND OCTAVIA. 39 BC
Silver Cistophorus, 11.71 g, 26 mm. Issue of Ephesus, summer–fall 39 BC.
Obv. M ANTONIVS IMP COS DESIG ITER ET TERT, head of Anthony right, wearing ivy wreath, lituus below, all within wreath of ivy and flowers. Rev. III VIR R P C, draped bust of Octavia right above cista mystica, flanked by coiled serpents with raised heads. Sydenham 1197; RPC I, 2201.
NGC graded CHOICE VF, Strike 5/5, Surface 2/5, areas of dark gray original find patina. $ 950
HIGHLY UNUSUAL DOUBLE STRIKE ERROR OF A LEGIONARY DENARIUS
20495. ROMAN IMPERATORIAL. MARC ANTONY.
Silver Denarius, 20 mm. Issue of a military mint traveling with Antony (Patrae ?), struck 32–31 BC. Obv. ANT AVG III VIR R P C, praetorian galley right. Rev. LEG XI, Legionary eagle between a pair of military standards. Crawford 544/25; Sydenham 1229.
NGC graded VF, “overstruck,” “banker’s mark.” $ 1500
Although NGC describes this coin as “overstruck,” it is in fact a grossly displaced double strike, the punch die hitting again the planchet just at the very top, impressing the lower left part of the galley. The partial image of the ship matches exactly that struck on the main coin, assuring that this is indeed the same die that was carelessly applied to the coin for the second time, creating this highly unusual error
THE PAST:
HADRIAN AND HIS CISTOPHORI OF ASIA MINOR
As part of Hadrian’s concern for the administration of the provinces, he ordered the recoinage of the cistophoric silver coinage that had been used in Asia since the establishment of the province in 129 BC. As the last silver coins had been produced there under Marc Antony (42-31 BC) and Augustus (27 BC- AD 14), by the time of Hadrian most of the circulating cistophori had become worn and subject to question about their face value and acceptability. As part of a major recoining effort in the period AD 128-132, old cistophori were collected and restruck with new types featuring the obverse portrait of Hadrian and reverse types reflecting various local deities. It is unclear whether the restriking coincided with a revaluation of the cistophorus as equivalent to four rather than the previous three denarii, or if the restriking was intended merely to combat the public reluctance to accept the worn coins. Coin 20523 below shows evidence of overstriking, although the types of the host coin are unclear. The Hadrianic types of 20527, however, are certainly struck over an early cistophoric issue of Augustus featuring a filleted altar on the reverse (RPC I, 2215).
A SEEMINGLY UNPUBLISHED MINERVA TYPE OF NICOMEDIA
20523. ROMAN EMPIRE. HADRIAN, AD 117–138.
Silver Cistophorus, 10.30 g, 30 mm. Issue of Nicomedia, ca. AD 138.
Obv. IMP CAES TRA HADRIANO AVG P PP, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Hadrian right. Rev. COS III, Athena (Minerva) standing facing, head looking right, holding spear and grounded shield.
RPC Online -; Metcalf, The Cistophori of Hadrian -, but cf. issue B18, nos. B41-B42 struck from the same obverse die.
Near VF, a seemingly unpublished type. $ 1750
20527. ROMAN EMPIRE. HADRIAN, AD 117–138.
Silver Cistophorus, 10.40 g, 30 mm. Issue of Miletus, after AD 128.
Obv. HADRIANVS-AVGVSTVS P P, bare head of Hadrian right. Rev. COS III, Diana standing facing, holding patera and bow, stag standing left in left field.
RPC Online III, 1355 (six specimens listed); Metcalf, The Cistophori of Hadrian, series 26, nos. 108-110 (obverse die 5/unlisted reverse die).
Near VF, a seldom seen type, overstruck on a cistophorus of Augustus with altar reverse (RPC I, 2215), clear traces of which are visible on the reverse. $ 850
20312. ROMAN EMPIRE. MARCUS AURELIUS, AD 161-180.
Bronze Dupondius, 12.50 g, 25 mm. Issue of Rome, AD 174.
Obv. Radiate head of Marcus right. Rev. Roma standing left, holding Victory on globe and spear. RIC III, 1117.
Good VF, marks, light smoothing. $ 375
THE FIRST APPEARANCE OF THE GLOBUS CRUCIGER ON COINAGE
20441. EASTERN ROMAN EMPIRE. THEODOSIUS II, AD 402–450.
Gold Solidus, 4.34 g, 20 mm. Issue of Thessalonica, ca. AD 424–430.
Obv. D N THEODOSIVS P F AVG, 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 XF, Strike 5/5, Surface 2/5, “graffito,” a scarce type. The graffito is the Greek letter Є.
$ 1250
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 itself, namely that Christianity, symbolized by the cross, has now spread over the entire world.
A SELDOM SEEN EMISSION OF TIBERIUS II CONSTANTINE FROM 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
20509. BYZANTINE EMPIRE. HERACLIUS WITH HERACLIUS CONSTANTINE, AD 613–641.
Gold Solidus, 4.43 g, 22 mm. Issue of Constantinople, officina H.
Obv. dd NN hЄRACLIЧS ЄT hЄRA CONST P P A, facing draped half busts of Heraclius (left), with impressive mustache and beard, and Heraclius Constantine (right), with slight beard, cross above. Rev. VICTORIA AVϚЧ H, cross potent on stepped base, CONOB in exergue.
Sear 749.
NGC graded CHOICE AU, Strike 4/5, Surface 4/5, “die shift,” extremely lustrous, with majestic imperial portraits. $ 1800
THE “THREE KINGS” SOLIDUS OF HERACLIUS AND HIS SONS
20510. BYZANTINE EMPIRE. HERACLIUS WITH HERACLIUS CONSTANTINE AND HERACLONAS, AD 632-641.
Gold Solidus, 4.43 g, 20 mm. Issue of Constantinople, officina Δ.
Obv. Facing and crowned standing figures of Heraclius in center, Heraclius Constantine at right and Heraclonas, uncrowned but with cross above, at left. Rev. VICTORIA AVGЧ Δ, cross on stepped base, monogram in left field, CONOB in exergue. Sear 758; DO 33.
NGC graded AU, Strike 4/5, Surface 2/5, “graffito,” lustrous, with an exceptional rendition of the imperial family, well centered with superb details of the faces on each of the figures. $ 1300
The grouping of imperial personages on these coins recalls the Biblical “Three Kings” and was often referred to as such in modern popular culture; this post-antique interpretation was no doubt facilitated by the presence of the cross above Heraclonas that was taken to be the Star of the Nativity.
20512. BYZANTINE EMPIRE. CONSTANS II with CONSTANTINE IV, AD 641–668. Gold Solidus, 4.39 g, 20 mm. Issue of Constantinople, officina B, struck AD 654–668.
Obv. d N CONST, crowned and draped facing busts of Constans and Constantine; cross above. Rev. VICTORIA AVϚЧ B, Heraclius and Tiberius standing, facing, on either side of cross potent on stepped base, CONOB in exergue. Sear 964.
NGC graded CHOICE AU, Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5, “clipped.” $ 1275
