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SHOWCASE III VILMAR NUMISMATICS

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SHOWCASE III NOVEMBER 2023

Vilmar Numismatics LLC PO Box 60 Big Indian, NY 12410 vilmar@aol.com www.vilmarnumismatics.com

ORDERING INFORMATION AND TERMS OF SALE Email: vilmar@aol.com (See our website for complete terms of sale and bibliographical information regarding abbreviations used) Please place your orders by email and make reference to the inventory number provided at the beginning of each listing. The coins also appear as individual records on our website. All coins are offered subject to prior sale and no order is valid until confirmed by us in writing and accompanied by a formal invoice. OUR GUARANTEE We unconditionally guarantee the authenticity of all our coins. A coin may be returned for any reason within 10 days, but we ask that you first contact us and ship the piece back fully insured. Upon receipt of the return and providing it is in the same condition as originally sent out, we will issue a refund, minus any shipping and credit card charges. This guarantee does not apply if coins are removed from encapsulation. NGC ENCAPSULATED COINS Most of our coins are sold encapsulated in NGC holders. Such coins have been evaluated, graded and encapsulated by NGC Ancients. NGC Ancients does not encapsulate any coins that in their opinion are fakes, of uncertain authenticity or have been repaired. In some cases we offer raw coins, and these may be encapsulated upon request. PAYMENT TYPES Title does not pass until payment is made in full. Payment must be received within 7 days of the sale date. In the United States payment may be made by bank wire, money order or personal check drawn on a US bank. CREDIT CARDS (VISA, MC, AMEX) are generally accepted but an additional 4% service charge will be added. Payments from overseas (all foreign countries including Canada) may be made by bank wire. SALES TAX Sales tax will apply to all merchandise delivered within New York State and other select states as required. SHIPPING CHARGES FOR COINS United States: $50 for FEDEX or EXPRESS MAIL (delivery in 1-2 days within the US). Foreign, including Canada: $120 via fully trackable Fed Ex or USPS Global Express Mail. It is the responsibility of the buyer to comply with all customs regulations and pay for all duties/taxes in their country. 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 where 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. WE WILL BE ATTENDING THE FOLLOWING SHOWS AND LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU Whitman Baltimore Winter Expo, November 9-11, 2023 New York International Numismatic Convention, January 11-14, 2024 ANA 2023 World’s Fair of Money, Rosemont, IL, August 6-10, 2024

18488. CELTS OF EASTERN EUROPE. 4th-3rd centuries BC. Silver tetradrachm closely imitating a Philip II posthumous issue from Amphipolis, 13.98 g, 26 mm. Obv. Laureate head of Zeus right. Rev. ΦIΛΠ-OV, nude rider holding palm branch right, Λ above torch below horse, KO control monogram in right field, below horse’s leg. Cf. Lanz 351 for a less stylized specimen of this type; for the Macedonian model cf. Le Rider, pl. 47, 23. Ex Salton Collection, likely acquired in the 1950s-1960s when Mr. Salton owned a numismatic firm in New York. NGC graded AU, Strike 5/5, Surface 3/5, seemingly a rare variety of an issue copying the cited Amphipolis issue; although the controls are replicated faithfully, Philip’s name is garbled. $ 875

18492. CALABRIA. TARENTUM. Ca. 280-240 BC. Silver didrachm (nomos), 6.33 g, 20 mm. Issue of magistrate Kynon. Obv. Youthful rider right crowning horse, AP monogram in upper left field, KY/NΩN in right field, mask of Silenus below. Rev. TAPAΣ, dolphin rider left, holding cantharus, amphora and ΔI in left field. Vlasto 860 (same obverse die); HN Italy 1031; HGC 1, 889. Ex Salton Collection, likely acquired in the 1950s-1960s when Mr. Salton owned a numismatic firm in New York. NGC graded CHOICE AU, Strike 5/5, Surface 2/5, “marks.” $ 1350

18494. CALABRIA. TARENTUM. Ca. 280-240 BC. Silver didrachm (nomos), 6.40 g, 21 mm. Issue of magistrates Hippoda. Obv. Youthful rider right, |-IΠΠOΔA below. Rev. TAPAΣ, dolphin rider left, holding cantharus, amphora and ΔI in left field. Vlasto 904-906; HN Italy 1040; HGC 1, 894. Ex Salton Collection, likely acquired in the 1950s-1960s when Mr. Salton owned a numismatic firm in New York. NGC graded CHOICE VF, Strike 4/5, Surface 3/5, colorful iridescent highlights.

$ 675

16686. SICILY. MESSANA. Ca. 480-461 BC. Silver tetradrachm, 17.32 g, 26 mm. Issue of 475-471 BC. Obv. Charioteer in biga of mules right, olive leaf with berry in exergue. Rev. ΜΕϩϩE-Ν-ΙΟ-Ν, hare springing right. Caltabiano, Monetazione, Series III, 122.2 (D64/R64 - this coin listed); HGC 2, 779. Ex Peter J. Merani Collection, CNG E 343, 1/28/2015, lot 24 = Seaby’s Coin Bulletin 737, 1/1980, lot C10. NGC graded FINE, Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5, Merani provenance noted on label, a circulated example of an early Classical issue that is published in Caltabiano’s work. $ 1350

18500. SICILY. TAUROMENION. Ca. 305/4-289 BC. Silver 4 litrai, 16 mm. Obv. Laureate head of Apollo right, star in left field. Rev. TAYPOME-NITAN, tripod, API in left field. B. Carroccio. Dal basileus Agatocle a Roma, issue 11; SNG ANS 1122 (same dies); SNG Lockett 1028 (same dies); HGC 2, 1575. Ex Salton Collection, likely acquired in the 1950s-1960s when Mr. Salton owned a numismatic firm in New York. NGC graded CHOICE VF, “graffito,” some surface roughness, dark gray cabinet patina. $ 1250

18768. SICILY. SYRACUSE. Ca. 420-395 BC. Silver litra, 0.77 g, 12 mm. Obv. ΣΥΡΑΚΟΣΙΩΝ, head of Arethusa left, dolphin swimming downward at right. Rev. Octopus. SNG ANS 293; HGC 2, 1381. Ex NAC 21, 5/17/2001, lot 120. NGC graded AU, Strike 4/5, Surface 3/5, FINE STYLE, light colorful toning, a coin of exceptional artistic style and degree of preservation. $ 1750

17119. SICILY. SICULO-PUNIC EMISSION ATTRIBUTED TO LILYBAION (AS “CAPE OF MELKART”). Ca. 350-300 BC. Silver tetradrachm, 17.01 g, 23 mm. Obv. Charioteer driving quadriga right, Nike flying above right, crowning him, RŠMLQRT (in Punic) in exergue. Rev. Wreathed head of Arethusa/Persephone right, three dolphins around. Jenkins, Coins of Punic Sicily, 49 (O18 / R31); HGC 2, 741. Ex David Wray Collection, CNG 102, 5/18/2016, lot 113. NGC graded as CHOICE XF, Surface 3/5, Strike 4/5. $ 5500

18971. THRACIAN ISLANDS. THASOS. 500-450 BC. Silver stater, 9.20 g, 20 mm. Obv. Ithyphallic satyr abducting nymph. Rev. Quadripartite incuse square. Le Rider, Thasiennes 1-2; HGC 6, 331. NGC graded VF, Strike 5/5, Surface 5/5, perfectly centered with 5/5 ratings for both strike and surface and a pleasing cameo-like effect as the devices appear silver against the toned gray background. $ 1250

18511. THRACIAN ISLANDS. THASOS. 2nd-1st centuries BC. Silver tetradrachm of the “Imitative Series,” 16.86 g, 34 mm. Obv. Wreathed head of young Dionysus right. Rev. ΗΡΑΚΛΕΟΥΣ / ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ / ΘΑΣΙΩΝ, Heracles standing facing, head left, holding club, lion skin draped over left arm, M monogram to inner left. Prokopov, Silberprägung Insel Thasos, Group XII, 871-877 (V AF6 / unlisted reverse die); HGC 6, 359. Ex Salton Collection, likely acquired in the 1950s-1960s when Mr. Salton owned a numismatic firm in New York. NGC graded XF, Strike 4/5, Surface 5/5, dark gray cabinet patina. $ 675

18916. KINGDOM OF THRACE. LYSIMACHUS, 305-281 BC. Silver tetradrachm, 16.78 g, 30 mm. Lifetime issue of Lampsacus, ca. 297-281 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, ΔΞ control monogram in left field, herm in outer left field. Thompson 50; Müller 91. NGC graded CHOICE XF, Strike 5/5, Surface 2/5, “edge bend,” light porosity, with a particularly expressive portrait of Alexander the great. $ 2350

18785. KINGDOM OF THRACE. LYSIMACHUS, 305-281 BC. Silver tetradrachm, 29 mm. Late lifetime or early posthumous issue of an uncertain mint, perhaps Amphipolis, ca. 281-260 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, ΣΩ control monogram above theater mask left in left field, HAP control monogram in exergue. Thompson -; Müller 462. NGC graded CHOICE VF, light gray toning and slight porosity on the obverse, a rare emission with only 2 specimens on CoinArchives. $ 1250

18993. MACEDONIAN KINGDOM. ALEXANDER III, THE GREAT, 336-323 BC. Silver tetradrachm, 17.16 g, 24 mm. Lifetime issue of Tyre, Phoenicia, ca. 332/1-328/7 BC. Obv. Head of young Hercules right in lion skin headdress. Rev. ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ, Zeus enthroned left, holding eagle and scepter, M below throne. Price 3240 (Ake); Newell, The Dated Alexander Coinage of Sidon and Ake, 3 (obv. die III). Ex CNG Electronic Auction 414, 2/14/2018, lot 67. NGC graded CHOICE VF, Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5, “LIFETIME ISSUE.” $ 650

19056. MACEDONIAN KINGDOM. ALEXANDER III, THE GREAT, 336-323 BC. Silver tetradrachm, 17.19 g, 23 mm. Lifetime or early posthumous emission of Soloi, Cyprus, ca. 330-310 BC. Obv. Head of young Hercules right in lion skin headdress. Rev. ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ, Zeus enthroned left, holding eagle and scepter, prow in left field. Price 3094 (attributed to Amathus); Troxell, Alexanders from Soli on Cyprus, obv. die 2. NGC graded XF, Strike 4/5, Surface 4/5. The site of Soloi accommodated the Cypriote fleet who assisted Alexander in his siege of Tyre and later in his expeditions toward the East. It is possible that the prow symbol on this issue may be connected to the Cypriote fleet functioning out of Cyprus. $ 850

18759. KINGDOM OF MACEDON. ALEXANDER III, THE GREAT, 336-323 BC. Silver tetradrachm, 17.18 g, 26 mm. Posthumous issue of Amphipolis, ca. 307-297 BC. Obv. Head of young Heracles right in lion skin headdress. Rev. ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ, Zeus enthroned left, holding eagle and scepter, Λ above torch in left field, KO control monogram below throne. Price 490. NGC graded CHOICE VF, Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5, blue-green iridescent toning. $ 750

19006. MACEDONIAN KINGDOM. Alexander III, the Great, 336-323 BC. Silver tetradrachm, 17.16 g, 26 mm. Issue of Memphis, Egypt, struck by Ptolemy I ca. 323-317 BC, soon after Alexander’s death. Obv. Head of young Heracles right in lion skin headdress. Rev. ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ, Zeus enthroned left, holding eagle and scepter, rose in left field, ΔI-O below throne. Price 3971. NGC graded CHOICE XF, Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5, FINE STYLE, “light marks,” nicely struck in high relief and well centered, with areas of substantial luster. $ 1900

18114. MACEDONIAN KINGDOM. ANTIGONUS II GONATAS, 277-239 BC. Silver tetradrachm, 17.08 g, 31 mm. Issue of ca. 246/5-229 BC. Obv. Macedonian shield with bust of Pan in the center, lagobolon over his shoulder, stellar designs within double crescents around border. Rev. BAΣIΛEΩΣ ANTIΓONOΥ, Athena Alcidemos brandishing shield and thunderbolt left, helmet in lower left field, TI control monogram in lower right field. Panagopoulou, Early Antigonids, Period III, 109 (same dies). NGC graded XF, Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5. $ 1950

17449. MACEDON. PERSEUS, 179-168 BC. Silver tetradrachm, 15.49 g, 30 mm. Issue of Pella or Amphipolis, ca. 171-168 BC. Obv. Diademed head of Perseus right. Rev. ΒΑΣΙ-ΛΕΩΣ ΠEP-ΣEΩΣ, eagle standing on thunderbolt right, monograms in field, all within oak wreath, star in exergue. F. De Luca, The Tetradrachms of Perseus of Macedonia, 294 (O61/R263); Mamroth, 20b; SNG Alpha Bank 1133 var. (monograms and symbol); HGC, 3.1, 1094. NGC graded XF, Strike 5/5, Surface 3/5. $ 2500 As the eldest son of Philip V by a concubine, Perseus feared that when his father died, the throne of Macedon would pass to his legitimate and pro-Roman half-brother, Demetrius. In order to improve his odds, in 180 BC, Perseus forged a letter implicating Demetrius in a plot and guaranteeing his execution. His heartbroken father died in the following year and Perseus became the new king. The removal of his half-brother did not sit well with the Senate and complaints from Eumenes II of Pergamon that Perseus had an expansionist agenda provided an excuse for the Romans to embark on the Second Macedonian War (171-168 BC). Coins such as the present tetradrachm were struck to finance the armies raised by Perseus to defend his kingdom against the Romans. He was defeated at the Battle of Pydna in 168 BC and the Romans subsequently divided the Macedonian kingdom into four closely monitored protectorates. It is with some irony that Perseus’ coins feature the image of Zeus’ eagle on a thunderbolt on the reverse - the same emblem that also topped the standards of the Roman legions that brought his ruin.

19033. ACARNANIA. ANACTORIUM. Ca. 350-300 BC. Silver stater, 8.49 g, 21 mm. Obv. Pegasus flying left, AV monogram below. Rev. Head of Athena to left, wearing large Corinthian helmet, ΛYΣI above, AV control monogram and thymiaterion in right field. Pegasi 70; SNG Copenhagen 295. NGC graded VF, Strike 4/5, Surface 4/5, struck with a somewhat worn obverse die, a particularly rare symbol with only 3 specimens of this variety recorded on CoinArchives. $ 750

18559. BOEOTIA, THEBES. Ca. 395-338 BC. Silver stater, 19 mm. Issue of magistrate PTOI-. Obv. Boeotian shield. Rev. Amphora, ΠT-OI across field. Hepworth 84; BCD Boiotia 522; HGC 4, 1331. NGC graded VF, great centering of the shield. Since the sixth century BC, the Boeotian shield had been the standard obverse type for the coinage of Thebes. Unlike the standard circular shield (hoplon) used by most Greek hoplites of the Classical period, the Boeotian shield was more oblong and easily distinguished by a cutout on the left and right sides - essentially representing a modernized version of the old figure-eight shields used by Mycenaean warriors of the Bronze Age and the Homeric epics. $ 775

17532. ATTICA. ATHENS. Ca. 440-404 BC. Silver tetradrachm, 17.18 g, 25 mm. Obv. Helmeted head of Athena right. Rev. ΑΘΕ, 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 STAR, Strike 5/5, Surface 5/5, FULL CREST, a super lustrous specimen with NGC’s coveted full crest designation. $ 4750

18366. ISLAND OF AEGINA. Ca. 457-350 BC. Silver stater, 12.17 g, 27 mm. Issue of 445/4-430 BC. Obv. Tortoise with segmented shell. Rev. Incuse square with skew pattern. Meadows, Group IIIb; Milbank, pl. II, 14; SNG Copenhagen 516; HGC 6, 437. NGC graded CHOICE VF, Strike 5/5, Surface 3/5, “countermark,” dark toning with slight iridescent highlights.

$ 3800

17524. PAPHLAGONIA. AMASTRIS. Ca. 285-250 BC. Silver didrachm (stater), 9.39 g, 22 mm. Obv. Head of Mithras or Amastris right, with Phrygian cap crowned with laurel wreath and decorated with a comet. Rev. AMAΣTPIEΩN, Aphrodite enthroned left, holding Nike who offers her a wreath, rose in lower left field. Callataÿ, Amastris, 28 (O14/R8); HGC 7, 356. NGC graded CHOICE XF, Strike 5/5, Surface 3/5. $ 2750

A MAJOR RARITY OF CIUS’ COINAGE

18795. BITHYNIA. CIUS. Ca. 350-300 BC. Gold stater, 8.49 g, 15 mm. Issue of magistrate Agathocles. Obv. Laureate head of Apollo right. Rev. [AΓAΘO]/KΛHΣ, prow of galley with star ornament left, club above, eagle standing left in left field (partially off planchet). Waddington, Recueil Général des Monnaies Grecques d’Asie Mineure, p. 311, 1, pl. XLIX, 1 (same dies) = Traité II, 2850, pl. CLXXX, 1 (same dies); HGC 7, 550 (unlisted magistrate); Prospero Collection, New York Sale XXVII, 2012, lot 434 (same reverse die). NGC graded VF, Strike 4/5, Surface 5/5, struck on a tight planchet, an extremely rare issue with this magistrate of which there are seemingly only 3 specimens recorded, including this one. Most Greek civic gold coinages were struck in order to meet emergency conditions, usually stemming from war or the looming threat of conflict. The extremely rare staters of Cius are no exception, although differing theories have been advanced as to what the military emergency behind them is likely to have been. Some have suggested that the staters might have been struck to hire mercenaries to support the Macedonian invasion of the Persian Empire planned by Philip II and executed by Alexander the Great in 334 BC. On the other hand, it has also been proposed that the gold coins may have been produced to finance the defense of the Persian Empire against the Macedonian assault. The second possibility may be supported by the existence of a parallel silver coinage struck to the Persic weight standard. The prow reverse type may indicate that both the gold and silver coinages served to finance the Persian navy. $ 9250

18720. BITHYNIA. CIUS. Ca. 280-250 BC. Silver tetradrachm of Lysimachus type, 16.98 g, 31 mm. Posthumous issue of Cius, ca. 270-260 BC. Obv. Head of deified Alexander the Great right, with the horn of Ammon, EY control monogram below bust. Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΛΥΣΙΜΑΧΟΥ, Athena enthroned left, holding Nike crowning Lysimachus’ name, club in outer left field, ΕΩ control monogram in left field, bow case and A- control monogram in exergue. Marinescu, Cius, Issue 12, no. 44 (Obv. 15/Rev. 40). Total of coins listed for issue 12 is 7 pieces, this specimen not included. NGC graded CHOICE VF, Strike 5/4, Surface 3/5, “edge marks”. Extremely rare issue and exceptional in that it uses a control monogram on the OBVERSE of the coin, the only instance of such practice in all of Cius’ Lysimachi coinage. $ 3450

19026. MYSIA. CYZICUS. Ca. 600-550 BC. Electrum hecte, 2.71 g, 11 mm. Obv. Tunny head right, small tunny above and below it. Rev. Quadripartite incuse square. Hurter & Liewald III, 13.1; Von Fritze, Kyzikus, 28 var. (hemihecte of this type); SNG BN 173 (hemihecte of this type). NGC graded CHOICE XF STAR, Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5, a particularly attractive specimen, that has earned NGC’s coveted STAR designation and extremely rare with only two other specimens on CoinArchives (in lower grade); in the NGC census of all graded Cyzicus hectes, this is the highest of only two with the star designation. $ 2250

18937. MYSIA. CYZICUS. Ca. 550-450 BC. Electrum hecte, 2.66 g, 10 mm. Obv. Forepart of winged griffin left, tunny downward at left. Rev. Quadripartite incuse square. Ex Roma Numismatics 4, 9/30/2012, lot 352. Cf. Von Fritze, Kyzikus, 98 (stater denomination); SNG Von Aulock, 1181; Rosen, 474. NGC graded VF, Strike 2/5, Surface 3/5, “brushed,” “double-struck with rotation.” Errors such as this double strike with rotation are rare for electrum coinage. The coin was struck once and likely remained jammed in the punch, then struck again by error, resulting in a different orientation against the anvil die, thus producing the “rotated” double strike. $ 1275

19040. IONIA. EPHESUS. Ca. 550-500 BC. Electrum 1/24 stater, 0.67 g, 7 mm. Obv. Bee seen from above, body with clearly delineated segments, legs pointing down. Rev. Quadripartite incuse square. Linzalone LN1102 var. (different reverse punch); SNG Kayhan 1221; Naumann 115, lot 396; Roma XX, lot 172. Ex CNG 121, 10/6/2021, lot 333. NGC graded AU, Strike 3/5, Surface 4/5, a rare coin in a high state of preservation.

$ 2650

FROM THE HANS VON AULOCK COLLECTION AND PUBLISHED IN SNG VON AULOCK

19058. PAMPHYLIA. SIDE. 3rd-2nd centuries BC. Silver tetradrachm, 16.59 g, 21 mm. Obv. Head of Athena right, wearing Corinthian helmet. Rev. Nike striding left, offering wreath, large pomegranate below arm, AΘ in left field. SNG von Aulock 4777 (this coin listed and illustrated); SNG BN 669. Ex Hans Von Aulock collection, ex Nomos 13, 10/7/2016, lot 225 = Sincona 17, 5/21/2014, lot 62 = Peus 282, 10/30/1973, lot 161. NGC graded CHOICE AU, Strike 5/5, Surface 3/5, “scratch,” a Von Aulock published piece, boldly struck and nicely centered, with the obverse engraved in a particularly nice classicizing style; this is also a particularly rare variety with only 6 other specimens listed on CoinArchives. $ 3750

18463. CILICIA. TARSUS. PHARNABAZUS, ca. 380-374/3 BC. Silver stater, 10.86 g, 23 mm. Obv. B’LTRZ (in Aramaic), Baal of Tarsus enthroned left, astragalus below throne. Rev. PRNBZW (in Aramaic) to left, KLK (in Aramaic) to right, bearded and helmeted head of Ares (?) left. Casabonne Series 4; SNG BN 256 = de Luynes 2833 (same obv. die); SNG Levante Supp. 18; SNG Berry 1287. Ex Triton XVIII, 1/6/2015, lot 695 = Gorny & Mosch 190, 10/11/2010, lot 319. NGC graded AU, Strike 5/5, Surface 5/5, with spectacular multicolored toning on the reverse and NGC’s coveted double 5/5 ratings. $ 3250

18938. PHOENICIA. TYRE. Silver half shekel, 6.67 g, 21 mm. Issue dated Tyre year 41 (86/5 BC). Obv. Laureate head of Melkart right. Rev. ΤΥΡΟΥ ΙΕΡΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΑΣΥΛΟΥ, eagle standing left on prow, AM (date) above club in left field, Δ in right field, Phoenician letter A between legs. DCA Tyre Supplement Release 2, 770. Ex Archaeological Center (Robert Deutsch) 55, 9/24/2013, lot 51. NGC graded CHOICE XF, Strike 4/5, Surface 2/5, with some toning. $ 1450

18405. PHOENICIA. TYRE. Silver shekel, 13.97 g, 26 mm. Issue of Tyre year 143 (AD 17/8), struck during the LIFETIME OF CHRIST. Obv. Laureate head of Melkart right. Rev. ΤΥΡΟΥ ΙΕΡΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΑΣΥΛΟΥ, eagle standing left on prow, PMΓ (date) above club in left field, KP above DIO control monogram in right field, Phoenician letter B between legs. DCA Tyre Supplement Release 2, 505. NGC graded VF, Strike 4/5, Surface 4/5, an extremely rare year variety struck during the lifetime of Christ, with only 7 other specimens on CoinArchives. $ 2250

17897. PHOENICIA. TYRE. Silver shekel, 13.37 g, 23 mm. Issue dated Tyre year 160 (AD 34/5). Obv. Laureate head of Melkart right. Rev. ΤΥΡΟΥ ΙΕΡΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΑΣΥΛΟΥ, eagle standing left on prow, PΞ (date) above club in left field, KP above ΑΣK control monogram in right field, Phoenician letter B between legs. DCA Tyre Supplement Release 2, 587 (same obverse die). NGC graded XF, Strike 4/5, Surface 3/5, an issue minted immediately after the Crucifixion of Christ. $ 1750

18940. JUDAEA. BAR KOKHBA REVOLT, 132-135 CE. Silver zuz, 3.04 g, 19 mm. Undated issue of year 3 (134/5 CE), overstruck on a denarius of Nerva. Obv. “Simon” (paleo-Hebrew), grape bunch hanging from a vine. Rev. “For the freedom of Jerusalem” (in Paleo-Hebrew), lyre. Hendin 6462; Mildenberg 213 (O24/R137). NGC graded CHOICE AU, Strike 3/5, Surface 4/5, “overstruck,” “undertype: Nerva denarius.” The legends of the undertype remain recognizable. On the reverse there is “...MP NERVA CAES A....,” while the obverse has preserved “...LIBERTAS....” The fortuitous survival of the legend fragments demonstrate that the overstruck coin was a Nerva denarius with Libertas Publica reverse type (RIC II, 19). $ 2750

18816. EGYPT. PTOLEMAIC KINGDOM. PTOLEMY VIII, 170-116 BC. Silver tetradrachm, 13.68 g, 19 mm. Issue of Citium, Cyprus, dated RY 33 (138/7 BC). Obv. Diademed head of Ptolemy I right, wearing aegis. Rev. ΠTOΛEMAIOY BAΣIΛEΩΣ, eagle standing left on thunderbolt, LΛΓ (date) in left field, KI in right field. Svoronos 1585; Olivier, Archè et chrêmata en Égypte, 1394-1406 (obv. die D270). NGC graded XF, Strike 4/5, Surface 3/5. $ 500

17575. ROMAN REPUBLIC. ANONYMOUS. Ca. 225-217 BC. Bronze aes grave quadrans, 63.49 g, 39 mm. Issue of Rome. Obv. Head of Hercules left, wearing lion skin, three pellets (mark of value) at right, all on raised disk. Rev. Prow right, three pellets (mark of value) below, all on raised disk. Crawford, 35/4; Sydenham, 75; HN Italy, 340. Ex Judy Day Frink Collection. VF, olive green patina, some marks. $ 1250

FATHER AND SON COINAGES

18165. ROMAN REPUBLIC. L. C. PISO FRUGI, c. 90 BC. Silver denarius, 3.88 g, 17 mm. Obv. Laureate head of Apollo right, coiled snake in left field. Rev. L PISO FRVGI, horseman galloping right, holding reins and palm branch, VIII in exergue. Crawford 340/1; Sydenham 660g. NGC graded CHOICE AU, Strike 4/5, Surface 5/5, golden iridescence throughout; the coiled snake is a very rare symbols as CoinArchives lists only a single such specimen (bearing die number XX), ex Gorny & Mosch 228, lot 336. $ 1500 L. Calpurnius Piso Frugi is thought to have been the father of C. Calpurnius Piso, the moneyer of c. 61 or 67 BC. After serving as moneyer himself, L. Piso Frugi continued up the Roman cursus honorum to become a praetor in 74 BC.

18961. ROMAN REPUBLIC. C. CALPURNIUS PISO FRUGI, c. 67 or 61 BC. Silver denarius, 3.94 g, 19 mm. Obv. Head of Apollo left, bucranium in right field. Rev. C PISO L F FRV, horseman galloping right, holding reins and palm branch, Ξ in exergue. Crawford 408/1b; Sydenham 842c; Charles Hersh, “A study of the coinage of the moneyer C. Calpurnius Piso L. F. Frugi”, NC 1976, 463. NGC graded AU, Strike 5/5, Surface 5/5, struck from high relief dies, a rare variety with CoinArchives listing only 7 specimens. $ 1250 C. Calpurnius Piso, L.f. Frugi is believed to have been the son of L. Calpurnius Piso Frugi, the moneyer of c. 90 BC and the son-in-law of the famous Roma orator, M. Tullius Cicero.

18941. ROMAN REPUBLIC. L. TITURIUS L.F. SABINUS, c. 89 BC. Silver denarius, 3.97 g, 18 mm. Issue of Rome. Obv. SABIN, head of king Tatius right, palm branch in front. Rev. L TITVRI, Tarpeia with arms raised, buried in shields, with Sabine soldiers flanking her, crescent and star above. Crawford 344/2b; Sydenham 699. NGC graded CHOICE XF, Strike 4/5, Surface 5/5, featuring a nice rendition of the mytho-historical story recounted in Livy’s From the Founding of the City 1.11.5-9. Tarpeia, a Vestal Virgin, betrayed Rome to the Sabines requesting “what they wore on their left arms,” hoping for the soldier’s ornate gold bracelets. Instead, the Sabines were so disgusted by her treachery that they did not throw their bracelets at her, but their shields, killing her. The coin illustrates Tarpeia being crushed by the Sabine shields. $ 675

18842. ROMAN IMPERATORIAL. M. JUNIUS BRUTUS, d. 42 BC. Silver denarius, 3.46 g, 18 mm. Issue of Rome, struck by Brutus while he served as moneyer, 54 BC. Obv. BRVTVS, head of L. Junius Brutus right. Rev. AHALA, head of C. Servilius Ahala right. Crawford 433/2; Sydenham 907. Ex Southern Collector; formerly ex Jonathan P. Rosen Collection, ex Roma IX, 3/22/2015, lot 546 = Tradart 11/18/1993, lot 179 = The Numismatic Auction 2, 2/12/1983, lot 251 = Frederick Knobloch Collection, Stack’s 5/3/1978, lot 251. NGC graded XF, Strike 5/5, Surface 2/5, “edge cut”, “marks,” old cabinet toning. A remarkably historic coin, this is part of an emission struck by the famous 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, illustrating his ancestors, 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. $ 2350

18889. ROMAN IMPERATORIAL. JULIUS CAESAR, d. 44 BC. Silver denarius, 3.66 g, 18 mm. Issue of a military mint traveling with Caesar, 49-48 BC. Obv. CAESAR, elephant to right, trampling serpent. Rev. Emblems of the Pontifex Maximus – simpulum, aspergillum, securis and apex. Crawford 443/1; Sydenham 1006. NGC graded CHOICE XF, Strike 4/5, Surface 4/5, a pleasant specimen with Caesar’s full name and nicely centered elephant. $ 2750

18444. ROMAN IMPERATORIAL. JULIUS CAESAR, d. 44 BC. Silver denarius, 3.62 g, 19 mm. Issue struck by a military mint traveling with Caesar in Spain, ca. 46-45 BC. Obv. Head of Venus right, with Eros on shoulder. Rev. CAESAR, vanquished Gauls beneath trophy. Crawford 468/1; Sydenham 1014. NGC graded AU, Strike 4/5, Surface 3/5, exceptional detail throughout, particularly in the rendition of the Gallic prisoners on each side of the trophy. $ 2250

19015. ROMAN IMPERATORIAL. MARC ANTONY AND JULIUS CAESAR. Silver denarius, 4.16 g, 19 mm. Issue of a military mint traveling with Antony in Gallia Cisalpina, ca. 43 BC. Obv. M ANTON IMP RPC, head of Marc Antony right, lituus behind. Rev. CAESAR DIC, laureate head of Caesar right, jug (capis) behind. Crawford 488/2; Sydenham 1166. NGC graded CHOICE VF, Strike 4/5, Surface 4/5, dark gray cabinet toning. A very desirable type showing Antony portraying himself as the legitimate heir of Julius Caesar. $ 3950

18891. ROMAN IMPERATORIAL. CNAEUS DOMITIUS AHENOBARBUS, d. 31/30 BC. Silver denarius, 3.62 g, 21 mm. Issue of an uncertain mint in the Adriatic area or the Ionian Sea. Obv. AHENOBAR, head of Ahenobarbus with short beard, right. Rev. CN DOMITIVS IMP, trophy on ship’s prow right. Crawford 519/2; Sydenham 1177. NGC graded CHOICE VF, Strike 4/5, Surface 3/5, “edge cut.” Cnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus was from a distinguished Roman political family. He may have been part of the conspirators who murdered Julius Caesar, but that is not clear. After the murder he fought alongside Brutus, commanding a sizable naval contingent with which he won a great naval victory against the Second Triumvirate in 42 BC. After numerous political realignments in response to the volatile situation of the Civil War, he was given the consulship in 32 BC, but later died in 31 BC. The coin likely refers to his naval victories. $ 1675

18761. ROMAN IMPERATORIAL. OCTAVIAN / AUGUSTUS, 27 BC-14 AD. Silver denarius, 3.73 g, 21 mm. Issue of an Italian mint, ca. 30-29 BC. Obv. Laureate bust of Octavian right, as Jupiter Terminus, winged thunderbolt in left field. Rev. IMP CAESAR, Octavian, draped, seated left on curule chair, holding Victory. RIC I rev, 270. Ex Vilmar Numismatics 15415 (2020). NGC graded CHOICE VF, Strike 4/5, Surface 3/5, “banker’s mark.” This is an exceptional type from the early series of Octavian’s coinage about which the eminent art historian Paul Zanker wrote: “Never before had coins of such beauty been minted in Rome. But it was a case of aesthetics in the service of political end. In comparison with the crowded and barely legible coins of the Late Republican period these were models of clarity and simplicity. The legend could be dispensed with, save for the name of the individual being commemorated. The images needed no explanatory words and were in fact more effective against a plain background. The minting of related series of coins may have inspired people to form collections and that would also have drawn attention to their message … One pair of coins in this series is particularly interesting for the question of the equating of man and god. One of these had a herm and thunderbolt...[with the] features of Octavian. This must surely represent some public monument in Rome and suggests that Octavian had now reached the stage of blending his own image with that of a god....” Paul Zanker, The Power of Images in the Age of Augustus (1988), pp. 54-55. $ 1750

18421. ROMAN EMPIRE. AUGUSTUS, 27 BC-AD 14. Silver denarius, 3.84 g, 19 mm. Issue of Lugdunum (Lyon), ca. 12 BC. Obv. AVGVSTVS DIVI F, head of Augustus right. Rev. IMP XI, Capricorn holding globe right. RIC I rev, 174. Ex Salton Collection, likely acquired in the 1950s-1960s when Mr. Salton owned a numismatic firm in New York. NGC graded CHOICE FINE, Strike 4/5, Surface 3/5, “graffiti,” with colorful toning.

$ 1150

17225. ROMAN EMPIRE. TIBERIUS, AD 14-37. Gold aureus, 7.64 g, 20 mm. Issue of Lugdunum (Lyon). 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, 29; Calicó, 305c. Ex Vilmar Numismatics FLP II, Winter 2021, no. 102 = Alde (Paris), 10/19/2016, lot 222, illustrated on the catalogue’s cover as part of a group of Roman gold coins sold in that sale. NGC graded CHOICE XF, Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5, with a boldly struck and impressive portrait of the emperor. Often referred to as the “gold tribute penny” this is the aureus denomination corresponding to the Tiberius denarius that is regarded as the best candidate to be called the Biblical “tribute penny.” $ 11500

18546. ROMAN EMPIRE. VESPASIAN, AD 69-79. Silver denarius, 3.56 g, 17 mm. Issue of Antioch, AD 72-73. Obv. IMP CAES VESP AVG [COS] IIII, laureate head of Vespasian right. Rev. Vespasian standing right, holding spear, his foot on helmet, Judaea seated in mourning below palm tree at right. Hendin, 6th edition, 6520; RIC II.1 rev, 1558. Ex Michael Beall Collection; ex David Hendin Collection. NGC graded AU, Strike 4/5, Surface 2/5, a Judaea Capta issue struck in the east using the well-known coin type employed on sestertii emissions of Rome. $ 1950

18297. ROMAN EMPIRE. TRAJAN, AD 98-117. Silver denarius, 3.10 g, 19 mm. Issue of Rome, ca. AD 112-113. Obv. IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS VI P P, laureate bust of Trajan right. Rev. S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI, Via Traiana reclining left, holding wheel. RIC II 266. Ex Salton Collection, acquired from Auktion Rosenberg (Sally Rosenberg) 72, 7/11/1932, lot 1062. NGC graded XF, Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5, a coin with a great architectural subject and early pedigree. The Via Traiana was built by Trajan as an extension of the Via Appia from the city of Beneventum to Brundisium; on the coin the road is personified in the typical Roman manner as an allegorical female holding a wheel, symbolizing the traffic on the route. $ 850

18840. ROMAN EMPIRE. TRAJAN, AD 98-117. Bronze dupondius, 14.48 g, 27 mm. Issue of Rome ca. AD 106-107. Obv. IMP CAES NERVA TRAIAN AVG GERM, radiate head right. Rev. TR POT COS II [P P] / S C, Abundantia enthroned left, holding two cornucopiae and scepter. RIC II 398; Woytek 19a. Ex Southern Collector, acquired from Royal Athena Galleries, with original ticket. VF, dark olive-green patina (may be encapsulated upon request). $ 475

19030. ROMAN EMPIRE. ELAGABALUS, AD 218-222. Silver denarius, 3.23 g, 18 mm. Issue of Antioch, AD 218. Obv. ANTONINVS PIVS FEL AVG, laureate, draped, cuirassed and draped bust of Elagabalus right. Rev. SANCT DEO SOLI, quadriga moving right carrying conical stone of Emesa surrounded by parasols, ELAGABAL in exergue. RIC IV 195. NGC graded as CHOICE XF, Strike 5/5 Surface 3/5, traces of encrustation. Among the most fascinating of all Roman types, this coin depicts the ritual transport of the “stone of Emesa,” likely a black meteorite, associated with the cult of the god El-Gabal (Elagabalus). Varius Avitus Bassianus, the emperor commonly known today by his religious name, was a priest of the Emesan sun god and had the holy relic brought to Rome once he became emperor. Special temples were built to accommodate the stone in its location and the ancient author Herodian (V.6.7) describes the yearly transfer of the stone from its new Palatine temple to one nearby the city where it resided in the summer: “A six-horse chariot bore the sun god, the horses huge and flawlessly white, with expensive gold fittings and rich ornaments. No one held the reins, and no one rode in the chariot; the vehicle was escorted as if the sun god himself were the charioteer. Heliogabalus ran backward in front of the chariot, facing the god and holding the horses’ reins. He made the whole journey in this reverse fashion, looking up into the face of his god.” After Elagabalus’ assassination, the stone was returned to its home city of Emesa, where it continued to be shown on coins. $ 2500

17944. EASTERN ROMAN EMPIRE. THEODOSIUS II, AD 402-450. Gold solidus, 4.49 g, 22 mm. Issue of Constantinople officina A. Obv. D N THEODOSIVS P F AVG, helmeted and cuirassed bust of Theodosius three quarters right, holding spear and shield with horseman device. Rev. CONCORDIA AVGG A, Constantinopolis enthroned facing with head right, holding Victory on globe and scepter, her foot on prow of galley, star in left field, CONOB in exergue. RIC X 202; Depeyrot 73/2. NGC graded MINT STATE, Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5, “lt. graffito,” exceptional quality and luster, with an elegant portrait of the emperor. $ 2750

17494. EASTERN ROMAN EMPIRE. THEODOSIUS II, AD 402-450. Gold solidus, 4.48 g, 20 mm. Issue of Constantinople, no officina noted. 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. SALVS REI PVBLICAE, Theodosius II and Valentinian III, both nimbate, enthroned facing, wearing consular robes, each holding a mappa and globus cruciger, star above, CONOB in exergue. RIC X 237; Depeyrot 79/1. NGC graded MINT STATE, Strike 5/5, Surface 3/5, beautifully struck and lustrous, a rare variety lacking officina designation, with no specimens of this type on CoinArchives. $ 3500

18470. EASTERN ROMAN EMPIRE. AELIA EUDOCIA, WIFE OF THEODOSIUS II, AD 423-460. Gold tremissis, 1.44 g, 14 mm. Issue of Constantinople, ca. AD 443. Obv. AEL EVDO-CIA AVG, diademed and draped bust of Eudocia right. Rev. Cross within wreath, CONOB in exergue. RIC X 252; Depeyrot 84/4. NGC graded CHOICE XF, Strike 5/5, Surface 2/5, “lt. graffito,” “edge marks” noted; the graffito is a cross in reverse right field, echoing the cross of the coin’s design. $ 1500

18973. BYZANTINE EMPIRE. JUSTINIAN I, AD 527-565. Gold solidus, 4.44 g, 20 mm. Issue of Constantinople, officina B, ca. AD 545-565. Obv. D N IVSTINI-ANVS PP AVC, helmeted and cuirassed bust of Justinian I, facing, holding globus cruciger and shield. Rev. VICTORI-A AVCCC B, angel standing, facing, holding globe and long cross with staurogram, star at right, CONOB in exergue. Sear 140. NGC graded MINT STATE, Strike 5/5, Surface 3/5, “edge bend.” $ 875

18678. BYZANTINE EMPIRE. JUSTINIAN I, AD 527-565 AD Gold tremissis, 1.48 g, 17 mm. Issue of Constantinople. Obv. D N IVSTINI-ANVS P P AVI, diademed and draped bust right. Rev. VICTORIA AVGVSTORVM, Victory moving right, head turned left, holding wreath and globus cruciger, star in right field, CONOB in exergue. Sear 145. NGC graded MINT STATE, Strike 5/5, Surface 3/5, “brushed.” $ 775

IMPRESSIVE FLIPPED-OVER DOUBLE STRIKE ERROR

18905. BYZANTINE EMPIRE. MAURICE TIBERIUS, AD 582-602. Gold solidus, 4.46 g, 22 mm. Issue of Constantinople, officina H. Obv. O N MAVRC T..., helmeted, draped and cuirassed bust facing, holding globus cruciger. Rev. VICTOR....H, angel standing, facing, holding staff with staurogram and globus cruciger, CONOB in exergue. Sear 478. NGC graded MINT STATE, Strike 2/5, Surface 4/5, “flip-over double strike.” A scarce ancient minting error in which the coin was struck once, carelessly placed back on the anvil upside down, randomly shifted and struck again. The original strike was mostly obliterated, but traces remain - on the obverse the angel’s head and top of staff are clearly visible, while on the reverse the top of the emperor’s plume and lower part of the bust are preserved. $ 1250

18915. BYZANTINE EMPIRE. JUSTINIAN II, FIRST REIGN, AD 685-695. Gold solidus, 4.35 g, 19 mm. Issue of Constantinople, officina Θ. Obv. [IhS CR]ISTOS RЄX REgNANTIЧM, bust of bearded Christ Pantocrator, facing, holding the Gospels and raising his right hand in benediction. Rev. D IЧSTINIANЧS SЄRЧ ChRISTI Θ, Justinian standing, facing, wearing loros and holding cross potent on a twostepped base, CONOP in exergue. Sear 1248. NGC graded MINT STATE, Strike 2/5, Surface 3/5, “double struck.” The double strike error is seen on the reverse where the emperor seems to carry two crosses; surprisingly the error did not affect the obverse as much, preserving intact the exceptionally rendered portrait of Christ. During Justinian’s “First Reign” Christ appears for the first time on coinage, shown as a bearded man with the traits of a classical philosopher, accompanied by the legend Rex Regnantium (“King of Kings”). The great French numismatist Guy Lacam has referred to this bearded portrait as the “Christ of the Ascension and Redemption.” $ 4250

19052. BYZANTINE EMPIRE. JUSTINIAN II, SECOND REIGN, AD 705-711. Gold solidus, 4.44 g, 20 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. Ex Collection of a European Ambassador, formed in the 1950s and 1960s, Morton & Eden 115, 5/5/2022, lot 350. NGC graded MINT STATE, Strike 4/5, Surface 3/5, “brushed.” 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. $ 3600

18714. BYZANTINE EMPIRE. ANONYMOUS ISSUE. Bronze follis, 17.72 g, 34 mm. Issue of Constantinople, ca. AD 976-1035 (Class A2). Obv. + ЄMMANOVHΛ / IC - XC, bust of Christ Pantocrator, facing, holding Gospels and raising his right hand in benediction. Rev. + IҺSЧS / XRISTЧS / bASILЄЧ / bASILЄ (Jesus Christ, King of Kings). Sear 1813. NGC graded AU, Strike 4/5, Surface 4/5, struck on a medallic planchet of 35 mm, a very attractive specimen of these bronzes. $ 850

19053. BYZANTINE EMPIRE. ROMANUS III, AD 1028-1034. Gold histamenon nomisma, 4.40 g, 26 mm. Issue of Constantinople. Obv. +IhS XIS RЄX RЄGNANTIЧM, Christ enthroned, facing, holding Gospels and raising his right hand in benediction. Rev. ΘCE ΒΟΗΘ ΡωΜΑΝω, Virgin standing on right, facing, crowning Romanus on left, Μ-Θ above. Sear 1819. NGC graded AU, Strike 4/5, Surface 4/5, “die shift.” $ 1550

18955. BYZANTINE EMPIRE. CONSTANTINE IX, AD 1042-1055. Gold histamenon nomisma (scyphate), 4.41 g, 27 mm. Issue of Constantinople. Obv. +IhS XIS RЄX RЄGNANTIhM, Christ enthroned, facing, holding Gospels and raising his right hand in benediction. Rev. +CωNSτANτIN bASILЄЧS, bearded bust of the emperor, holding labarum and globus cruciger. Sear 1829. Ex Heritage 351, 6/3/2004, lot 12368. NGC graded CHOICE AU, Strike 5/5, Surface 5/5, exceptional strike and detail. $ 1650

18932. BYZANTINE EMPIRE. CONSTANTINE IX, AD 1042-1055. Gold tetarteron nomisma, 4.07 g, 17 mm. Issue of Constantinople. Obv. IhS XIS RЄX RЄGNANTIhM, bust of Christ Pantocrator, facing, holding Gospels and raising his right hand in benediction. Rev. +CωNSτANτNOS LE RM, crowned bearded bust of the emperor, holding labarum and globus cruciger. Sear 1833. NGC graded CHOICE AU, Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5, “brushed”, bold Christ portrait. $ 2250

18910. BYZANTINE EMPIRE. CONSTANTINE X, AD 1059-1067. Gold tetarteron nomisma, 4.05 g, 20 mm. Issue of Constantinople. Obv. Half bust of the Virgin orans, facing, MHP-ΘV (mother of God) and pellets above, all in fields. Rev. +KωN RACΔ O ΔVK, half bust of Constantine X, facing, holding globus cruciger and akakia. Sear 1849. NGC graded AU, Strike 4/5, Surface 2/5, “lt graffito,” “edge bend.” A scarce issue with a particularly refined rendering of the Virgin. $ 2250

18481. BYZANTINE EMPIRE. EUDOCIA, AD 1067. Gold histamenon nomisma, 4.44 g, 27 mm. Issue of Constantinople. Obv. + IhIS XIS RЄX RЄGNANTIhM, Christ enthroned, holding gospels. Rev. + MIX ЄV ΔK ΚωRP, Eudocia facing, wearing crown and holding scepter, flanked by her two sons Michael VII and Constantius. Sear 1857. NGC graded AU, Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5, a scarce type from the short reign of Eudocia. $ 3750

18664. BYZANTINE EMPIRE. ROMANUS IV, ca. AD 1068-1071. Bronze follis, 10.10 g, 25 mm. Issue of Constantinople, attributed to the reign of Romanus IV, AD 1068-1071 (Class G). Obv. IC-XC, facing bust of Christ Pantocrator. Rev. Bust of the Virgin orans, facing, MP-ΘV in fields. Sear 1867. NGC graded AU, Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5, a coin with pleasing portraits of both Jesus Christ and the Virgin. The Virgin orans (the Virgin in Prayer) is one of the great images of Orthodox Christianity and there is a well-known mosaic depiction of this subject in the Cathedral of St. Sophia in Kyiv. $ 550

18250. BYZANTINE EMPIRE. MICHAEL VII, AD 1071-1078. Gold/electrum histamenon nomisma, 4.37 g, 29 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 RACIΛ O Δ, bust of Michael VII, facing, wearing loros, holding labarum and globus cruciger. Sear 1868. NGC graded CHOICE XF, Strike 5/5, Surface 2/5, “graffito”. $ 750

18901. BYZANTINE EMPIRE. ISAAC II, AD 1185-1195. Electrum aspron trachy, 3.99 g, 30 mm. Issue of Constantinople. Obv. Virgin enthroned, holding bust of infant Christ, MP-ΘV (mother of God) in fields. Rev. ICAAKIOC Δ, archangel Michael, standing, crowning emperor, Θ between their heads, X/M in lower right field. Sear 2002. NGC graded CHOICE AU, Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5, with a sensitive depiction of the Virgin. $ 875

19131. BYZANTINE EMPIRE. ANDRONICUS II & MICHAEL IX, ca. AD 1294-1320. Gold/electrum hyperpyron, 4.02, 23 mm. Issue of Constantinople. Obv. Virgin orans standing within the city walls of Constantinople. Rev. Christ standing, facing, blessing the two emperors kneeling on either side. Sear 2396. NGC graded CHOICE AU, Strike 4/5, Surface 3/5, “brushed,” an iconic late Byzantine type depicting the Virgin standing inside Constantinople’s walls, her hands raised in prayer, symbolically blessing and protecting the city; exceptional for issue, especially the Virgin’s face which is beautifully struck with full detail. $ 950