VILMAR NUMISMATICSllc SHOWCASE VII
ORDERING INFORMATION AND TERMS OF SALE
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(See our website for complete terms of sale and bibliographical information regarding abbreviations used.)
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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.
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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.
WE WILL BE ATTENDING THE FOLLOWING COIN SHOWS AND LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU
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NYINC, Barclay InterContinental NYC, January 16–19, 2025
19781. GAUL. AMBIANI. Ca. MID 1st CENTURY BC.
Gold Stater, 5.88 g, 17 mm. Issue of the Gallic War, ca. 56–55 BC.
Obv. Blank convex surface. Rev. Abstracted horse right, crescent and pellets all around in fields. Rudd, ABC 16; De La Tour 8710; Van Arsdell 54; Spink, SCBC 11.
NGC graded CHOICE VF, Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5.
$ 1500
The Ambiani (literally meaning “Those on the Border”) were a coastal tribe of the Celtic Belgae who lived in the region of Picardy in modern France. Their capital was located at a fortified town called Samarobriva, today’s Amiens (a name derived from that of the tribe). In 57 BC, the Ambiani participated in a general Belgic Confederacy formed to oppose the Roman presence in Gaul led by Julius Caesar. After suffering defeat in a fierce battle on the Banks of the Axona (Aisne) River, the members of the Belgic Confederacy withdrew to their respective territories—a fatal mistake as it allowed Caesar to employ his famous tactic of “divide and conquer.” Faced with the prospect of ultimate Roman victory, the Ambiani surrendered. The Ambiani were prolific producers of gold coinage, and this particular issue was probably struck in the context of the tribe’s early struggle against Julius Caesar. Later, in 52 BC, the Ambiani tried to join the wider Gallic uprising against the Romans led by Vercingetorix and contributed 5,000 men to relieve the siege of Alesia, but these were repulsed before they could aid the Gallic king.
19782. CAMPANIA. NEAPOLIS. Ca. 330–270 BC.
Silver Didrachm, 7.36 g, 20 mm. Issue of ca. 300–275 BC.
Obv. Head of nymph right, hair gathered with a taenia, XAPIΛE below neck truncation, astragalus in left field. Rev. [NEAΠΟΛΙΤΩN], man–headed bull right, head facing, crowned by Nike flying right above, K below HN Italy 579; SNG ANS 359 (same dies); SNG Ashmolean 112 (same dies); SNG Copenhagen 423; SNG Paris 796 (same dies). Ex The WCN Collection.
NGC graded VF, Strike 4/5, Surface 5/5, rare magistrate variety, with three such listings on CoinArchives.
19732. SICILY. SYRACUSE. AGATHOCLES. Ca. 317–289 BC.
Gold 25 Litrae, 1.37 g, 12 mm. Issue of ca. 317–310 BC.
Obv. Head of Persephone left, wearing wreath of grain. Rev. ΣYPAK–OΣIΩN, bull to left. HGC 2, 1288; SNG ANS 707.
$ 950
NGC graded XF, Strike 4/5, Surface 3/5. $ 3750
This gold denomination was probably struck to finance the many military ventures of Agathocles’ early career as tyrant of Syracuse. In ca. 317 BC, after sweeping to power with the assistance of a mercenary army, Agathocles massacred or otherwise expelled the city’s rich oligarchs and seized their wealth while proclaiming a new democracy. He no doubt melted down and struck coins from their wealth to maintain his army, which faced constant threat of a revolution to restore the Syracusan oligarchy from the sympathetic elite of Agrigentum, Messana, and Gela. By 312 BC, however, Agathocles had extended his influence over these cities then entered into a disastrous war against the Carthaginians in western Sicily. In 311 BC, following a crushing defeat at the Himera River, Agathocles withdrew to Syracuse, where he was closely besieged. The siege was only lifted in 310 BC, after the tyrant and a small army escaped by sea to bring the war to the gates of Carthage.
ALEXANDER THE GREAT TETRADRACHM OF MESAMBRIA FROM THE BLACK SEA HOARD, PUBLISHED AND PLATED IN THE STUDY OF THIS FIND
19425. THRACE. MESAMBRIA. CIVIC ISSUE IN THE NAME AND TYPES OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT, ca. 280–225 BC. Silver Tetradrachm of Alexander type, 16.86 g, 30 mm. Issue of Mesambria, ca. 240–225 BC.
Obv. Head of young Heracles right in lion skin headdress. Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ
Zeus enthroned left, holding eagle and scepter, helmet above ΠO monogram in left field.
Price 988; Karayotov 127, citing the London specimen mentioned in Price that also appears in Pella. Published: Marinescu & Lorber, “The ‘Black Sea’ Tetradrachm Hoard,” in Studies Prokopov, no. 190 (THIS COIN LISTED AND ILLUSTRATED – 1 of 6 specimens of this issue in the hoard).
NGC graded CHOICE AU, Strike 4/5, Surface 3/5, “brushed,” publication data noted on label, perhaps the highest graded Alexander from the Black Sea hoard, with subtle golden tone. $ 3500
Alexanders became a favored coinage for trade in the western Black Sea area during the 3rd–early 1st centuries BC. The “Black Sea Hoard” was published in 2012 and has been instrumental in clarifying the circulation of Hellenistic silver tetradrachms coins in the area, as well as invaluable in establishing their chronology. For researchers it has been a very important source of information and remains a frequently cited source.
MITHRIDATES VI AS ALEXANDER
18364. THRACE. ODESSOS. CIVIC ISSUE IN THE NAME AND TYPES OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT, ca. 125–70 BC. Silver Tetradrachm of Alexander type, 16.29 g, 28 mm. Issue of ca. 100–70 BC naming magistrate Lakon. Obv. Head of Heracles right, wearing lion skin, the face with the features of Mithridates VI of Pontus. Rev.
Zeus enthroned left, holding scepter and eagle, ΛΑΚO in left field, ΟΔΗ in exergue. Price 1193; British Museum 1910,1104.49 (same dies).
Ex CNG Mail Bid Sale 58, 9/19/2001, lot 263.
NGC graded AU, Strike 4/5, Surface 4/5, an exceptional coin for the series as Heracles’ face bears the portrait of Mithridates VI himself, the features echoing the famous marble bust of the king in the Louvre Museum. Mithridates styled himself as a new Alexander and protector of the Greek world from the expanding Roman empire. $ 950
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
18805. KINGDOM OF THRACE. LYSIMACHUS, 305–281 BC.
Silver Tetradrachm, 17.16 g, 31 mm. Late lifetime–early posthumous issue of Aenus, ca. 280s–260s 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, lion head above enthroned idol in left field, ΠAΩ control monogram on throne. Thompson 257; Müller 119.
NGC graded VF, “marks,” struck on a broad planchet. $ 975
19821. KINGDOM OF THRACE. LYSIMACHUS, 305–281 BC.
Silver Tetradrachm, 16.75 g, 30 mm. Early posthumous issue of Byzantium, ca. 270–260 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, KAΛΔ control monogram in left field. 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 14, no. 34 (O19/R31).
NGC graded CHOICE VF, Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5, FINE STYLE. $ 2750
19788. MACEDONIAN KINGDOM. ALEXANDER III, THE GREAT, 336–323 BC.
Gold Stater, 8.55 g, 19 mm. Lifetime issue of Magnesia on the Maeander, ca. 325–323 BC.
Obv. Head of Athena right, wearing large Corinthian helmet with coiled snake ornament below the plume. Rev. AΛEΞANΔPOY, Nike standing, her hair gathered in a topknot, looking left, holding wreath in right hand and stylis over left shoulder, ram’s head right in left field.
Price 1917 (citing the British Museum specimen, also the single specimen referenced in the Pella database).
NGC graded XF, Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5, the first issue of Magnesia on the Maeandrum as defined by Price, very rare with only 7 others listed on CoinArchives. $ 6750
19637. MACEDONIAN KINGDOM. ALEXANDER III, THE GREAT, 336–323 BC.
Silver Tetradrachm, 17.19 g, 26 mm. Early posthumous issue of Amphipolis, ca. 315–294 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, ΜF monogram below throne.
Price 456A.
NGC graded CHOICE VF, Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5. A surprisingly rare variety of Amphipolis’ Alexanders with only 2 specimens in the Pella database (Bibliothèque nationale de France and National Numismatic Collection, De Nederlandsche Bank, Amsterdam) as well as 4 others on CoinArchives. $ 850
19817. ATTICA. ATHENS. Ca. 440–404 BC.
Silver Tetradrachm, 17.21 g, 26 mm.
Obv. Helmeted head of Athena right. Rev. Owl standing to right, olive sprig and crescent behind, all within incuse square. Kroll 8; SNG Copenhagen 31–40; Dewing 1591–1598; HGC 4, 1597.
NGC graded MINT STATE, Strike 5/5, Surface 5/5.
19100. ATTICA. ATHENS. 2nd–1st CENTURY BC.
$ 3250
Silver “NEW STYLE” Tetradrachm, 16.52 g, 35 mm. Issue ca. 154/3 BC, with caps of the Dioscurii as control symbol.
Obv. Helmeted head of Athena right. Rev. AӨE, owl standing right, head facing, two control monograms in fields, caps of the Dioscurii in right field.
Thompson 64a–b (same obverse die).
NGC graded CHOICE XF, Strike 5/5, Surface 3/5, struck on a very large planchet.
19206. ATTICA. ATHENS. 2nd–1st CENTURY BC.
$ 3250
Silver “NEW STYLE” Tetradrachm, 16.38 g, 31 mm. Issue of ca. 96/5 BC, naming magistrates Aropos, Mnasago and Apol–, with winged Agon as control symbol.
Obv. Helmeted head of Athena right. Rev. AӨE, owl standing right, head facing, magistrates’ names (ΑPOΠOΣ; MNAΣAΓΟ; AΠOΛ) in fields, winged Agon in right field, A (month) on amphora, AΠ in exergue, all within wreath.
Thompson 990b (same obverse die, citing 1 specimen in a private collection).
NGC graded CHOICE XF, Strike 4/5, Surface 4/5, “flan flaw,” a rare variety.
$ 1950
19756. ISLAND OF AEGINA. Ca. 480–457 BC.
Silver Stater, 11.97 g, 18 mm.
Obv. Sea turtle with shell showing a trefoil collar, its beaked head turned left, with large flippers and tail. Rev. Skew pattern incuse. HGC 6, 435; Meadows, Aegina, Group IIIa; Milbank Period III, pl. I, 15.
NGC graded VF STAR, Strike 5/5, Surface 3/5, “light marks,” “punch mark.”
A VERY INTERESTING GORGON HEAD COUNTERMARK
19738. ISLAND OF AEGINA. Ca. 457–350 BC.
Silver stater, 12.33 g, 30 mm. Issue of 445/4–430 BC.
Obv. Tortoise with segmented shell, countermark with Gorgon head applied on top of shell. Rev. Incuse square with skew pattern. HGC 6, 437, Meadows, Aegina, Group IIIb; Milbank, Period IV, pl. II, 12.
NGC graded FINE, Strike 5/5, Surface 3/5, “countermark” noted on label. Although countermarks are common on Aegina staters, those with clear figural designs are quite rare.
19103. CORINTHIA. CORINTH. EARLY–MID 4th CENTURY BC.
Silver Stater, 8.09 g, 22 mm.
Obv. Pegasus flying left, koppa below. Rev. Head of Athena left, wearing Corinthian helmet, Phrygian helmet in right field. Pegasi 120; HGC 4, 1832.
NGC graded CHOICE AU, Strike 5/5, Surface 3/5, “brushed,” dark toning, struck from fresh, high relief dies with exceptional detail. A rare variety, with only 7 other specimens with the Phrygian helmet appearing on CoinArchives. $ 3250
18720. BITHYNIA. CIUS. CIVIC ISSUE IN THE NAME AND TYPES OF LYSIMACHUS, ca. 280–250 BC.
Silver Tetradrachm of Lysimachus type, 16.98 g, 31 mm. 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.
ΛΥΣΙΜΑXΟΥ, Athena enthroned left, holding Nike crowning Lysimachus’ name, club in outer left field, ΣO control monogram in left field, bow case and A– control monogram in exergue.
Marinescu, Cius, Issue 12, no. 44 (Obv. 15/Rev. 40), listing 7 specimens for issue 12, 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.
IMPRESSIVE ROTATED DOUBLE–STRIKE ERROR ON AN ELECTRUM HECTE
18937. MYSIA. CYZICUS. Ca. 500–450 BC.
Electrum Hecte, 2.66 g, 10 mm.
$ 3450
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 rotated double strike 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” secondary image best seen in the duplicated tunny on the obverse. $ 1275
19731. MYSIA. PERGAMUM (PERGAMON). Ca. 180/167–133 BC.
Silver Cistophorus, 12.80 g, ca. 29 mm. Issue of ca. 139–136 BC
Obv. Cista mystica within ivy wreath. Rev. Snakes around quiver, ΠEPG monogram in left field (for Pergamon), crested helmet left in right field.
Kleiner & Noe Series 25b (listing 14 specimens).
NGC graded CHOICE XF STAR, Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5, a very rare variety, exceptionally centered on a medallic planchet. $ 1250
19479. ISLAND OF LESBOS. MYTILENE. CIVIC ISSUE IN THE NAME AND TYPES OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT, ca. 188–170 BC
Silver Tetradrachm of Alexander type, 17.11 g, 36 mm. Issue ca. 188–170 BC, naming magistrate Peisistratos.
Obv. Head of young Hercules right in lion skin headdress. Rev. ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ, Zeus enthroned left, holding eagle and scepter, lyre in left field, caduceus under throne.
Price 1738 corr. (Price does the mention the caduceus under the throne which is very clear on this specimen); Pella database lists 4 specimens, including: ANS 1944.100.31457; London,1958,1207.3; Bibliothèque nationale de France R 4098 and R 4099.
NGC graded CHOICE VF, Strike 4/5, Surface 3/5, “brushed,” “scratches,” “die shift.” Extremely rare variety, with only 2 other specimens on CoinArchives and the 4 pieces in institutions mentioned above. $ 850
AMONG THE EARLIEST COINS EVER MINTED
19273. IONIA. EPHESUS. PHANES, ca. 625-600 BC.
Electrum Hemihecte (1/12 stater), 1.16 g, 7 mm.
Obv. Forepart of stag right, head turned to left. Rev. Incuse with linear designs. Linzalone LN1104 var. (stag facing left); Weidauer 36-37; Boston MFA 1816 = Warren 1731.
NGC graded XF, Strike 5/5, Surface 3/5.
$ 3450
A historical coin, this is a smaller denomination of a series issued by Phanes, an individual otherwise unknown to history. The stater and trite are signed with Phanes’ name and are the first coins to bear a legend and a personal name. The lower denominations, such as this piece, feature variations on Phanes’ unique stag design that is identified as his “badge” on the stater. A similar hemihecte was found at the Artemission of Ephesus in a late 7th century archaeological context – see White Gold, no. 28, pp. 98, 128-130.
AN EXTREMELY RARE EPHESUS BEE OF MAGISTRATE PEITHENOR
19549. IONIA. EPHESUS. Ca. 394–325 BC. Silver Tetradrachm, 15.04 g, 26 mm. Issue ca. 370–360 BC, naming magistrate Peithenor. Obv. E–Φ, bee seen from above. Rev. Forepart of stag right, head reverted, palm tree at left, ΠEIΘHNΩ[P] (magistrate) in right field. Kinns, “Pixodarus Hoard,” Coin Hoards IX (2002), Class G, p. 206 (O116).
NGC graded CHOICE VF, Strike 3/5, Surface 4/5, extremely rare magistrate with only one specimen cited by Kinns and no others on CoinArchives. $ 2250
19818. LYDIA. CROESUS, 561–546 BC.
Gold Hemihecte (1/12 Stater) of the “Light Series,” 0.68 g, 7 mm. Issue of Sardes, ca. 550–546 BC.
Obv. Confronted foreparts of roaring lion and bull. Rev. Incuse square with rough designs. Berk 10–3; Kurth G56; SNG München 9 (same dies); Gulbenkian 759; Sunrise 9. Ex CNG 100, 10/7/2015, lot 1494.
NGC graded MINT STATE, Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5, a spectacular coin struck from a fresh die on an elegantly elongated planchet.
9750
19819. LYDIA. CROESUS, 561–546 BC.
Gold Hemihecte (1/12 Stater) of the “Light Series,” 0.67 g, 6 mm. Issue of Sardes, ca. 550–546 BC.
Obv. Confronted foreparts of roaring lion and bull. Rev. Incuse square with rough designs. Berk 10–3; Kurth G56; SNG München 9; Gulbenkian 759; Sunrise 9.
NGC graded CHOICE AU, Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5.
7750
19687. KINGS OF LYDIA. CROESUS, 561–546 BC.
Silver Trite (1/3 Stater), 3.48 g, 13 mm.
Obv. Confronted foreparts of roaring lion and bull. Rev. Pair of square incuse punches. Berk 24; Kurth S5.
NGC graded XF, Strike 5/5, Surface 3/5.
$ 975
19829. LYDIA. CROESUS, 561–546 BC.
Siver Hecte (1/6 Stater), 1.78 g, 11 mm.
Obv. Confronted foreparts of roaring lion and bull. Rev. Pair of square incuse punches. Berk 25; SNG Kayhan 1019.
NGC graded VF, Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5.
$ 650
19685. CARIA. ISLAND OF RHODES. CIVIC ISSUE IN THE NAME AND TYPES OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT, ca. 205–190 BC.
Silver Tetradrachm of Alexander type, 30 mm. Issue ca. 201–190 BC, naming magistrate Ainetor.
Obv. Head of young Heracles right in lion skin headdress. Rev. ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ, Zeus enthroned left, holding eagle and scepter, ΑΙΝΗΤOΡ above rose in left field, PO ethnic under throne.
Price 2518.
VF, “die shift,” a seldom seen error coin, doubling the contours of Alexander’s face.
AN IMITATIVE ALEXANDER TYPE TETRADRACHM FROM PAMPHYLIA
$ 500
19489. PAMPHYLIA. CONTEMPORARY IMITATION. CIVIC ISSUE WITH THE NAME AND TYPES OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT, ca. 205–190 BC.
Silver Tetradrachm of Alexander type, 30 mm. Imitative issue, ca. 200–190 BC.
Obv. Head of young Heracles right in lion skin headdress. Rev. [Α]ΛΕΞΑΝΔ[ΡΟΥ], Zeus enthroned left, holding eagle and scepter, wreath rotated counterclockwise in left field.
Price –.
CHOICE VF, “perhaps imitative” noted on label.
$ 975
This very interesting posthumous Alexander is almost certainly an imitation based on an Alexander type issue of Pamphylia. The N in the royal name is retrograde, a feature often seen in imitations. The rather substandard style, especially evident on the reverse of the coin, substantiates this conclusion. One possible source on which the imitation may be based is Price 2984 (“uncertain Pamphylian mint”) that uses a similar large wreath oriented downward as if suspended with control ON above in left field. The imitation, on the other hand, presents the wreath rotated and lacks the ON control.
18066. SELEUCID KINGDOM. ANTIOCHUS VI, 144–142 BC.
Silver Tetradrachm, 16.10 g, 31 mm. Issue of Antioch on the Orontes, dated Seleucid era year 170 (143/2 BC).
Obv. Radiate and diademed head of Antiochus VI right. Rev. BAΣIΛEΩΣ ANTIOXOY EΠIΦANOYΣ ΔIONYΣOY, the Dioscuri on horseback left, ΘP (date) below horses, TPY above ΔΠ monogram above ΣTA in right field, all within laurel wreath.
SC 2000.3b.
NGC CHOICE XF, Strike 4/5, Surface 3/5. $ 1750
19148. SELEUCID KINGDOM. ANTIOCHUS VIII, 125–96 BC.
Silver Tetradrachm, 16.67 g, 28 mm. Issue of Antioch on the Orontes, ca. 109–96 BC.
Obv. Diademed head of Antiochus VIII right. Rev. BAΣIΛEΩΣ ANTIOXOY EΠIΦANOYΣ, Zeus Uranius standing left, ΦΛ above A to outer left, all within laurel wreath.
SC 2302.1m.
NGC graded AU, Surface 5/5, Strike 4/5, well struck with a lustrous surface. $ 850
AN EXTREMELY RARE CHRIST LIFETIME YEAR FOR THE TYRE HALF–SHEKEL SERIES
19240. PHOENICIA. TYRE.
Silver Half Shekel, 6.61 g, 19 mm. Lifetime of Christ issue dated Tyre year 137 (AD 11/2).
Obv. Laureate head of Melkart right. Rev. ΤΥΡΟΥ
eagle standing left on prow, PΛZ (date) above club in left field, KP above MPAΩ monogram in right field, Phoenician letter A between legs.
DCA Tyre Supplement Release 2, 840.
NGC graded VF, Strike 4/5, Surface 2/5, struck on a broad planchet.
$ 2250
AD 11/2 is an extremely rare year for half shekels. There are two varieties catalogued by Cohen for this year: Cohen 840 with letter A (as on this coin) and 841 with letter B. CoinArchives lists only 3 other specimens.
19791. PERSIA. ACHAEMENID EMPIRE. ARTAXERXES I–XERXES II, ca. 485–420 BC.
Gold Daric, 8.24 g, 15 mm. Issue of Sardes.
Obv. King running right, wearing tall turreted crown, carrying bow and spear, small quiver on shoulder. Rev. Incuse punch. Carradice Type IIIb, group A/B (pl. XIII, 27); Meadows, Administration, 321; BMC Arabia, pl. XXIV, 26; Sunrise 24.
NGC graded CHOICE XF, Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5, lustrous and nicely centered. $ 3750
19792. PERSIA. ACHAEMENID EMPIRE. ARTAXERXES II–DARIUS III, ca. 400–336 BC.
Gold Daric, 8.36 g, 16 mm. Issue of Sardes, ca. 400–350 BC.
Obv. King running right, carrying bow and spear, quiver with arrows on shoulder. Rev. Incuse punch with wavy motifs. Carradice Type IIIb Late (pl. XV, 50); BMC Arabia pl. XXV, 21–25; Sunrise 39.
NGC graded CHOICE XF STAR, Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5, beautifully struck with full detail, fully deserving of NGC’s star designation.
$ 4500
19764. PTOLEMAIC KINGDOM. PTOLEMY III, 246–222 BC.
Bronze AE35 (bronze Triobol), 26.62 g, 34 mm. Issue of Alexandria. Obv. Diademed head of Zeus Ammon right. Rev. ΠTOΛEMAIOY BAΣIΛEΩΣ, eagle with folded wings standing left on thunderbolt, looking right, filleted cornucopia in left field, XP control between eagle’s legs.
CPE B396; Svoronos 965; SNG Copenhagen 173–175.
Ex CNG 73, 9/13/2006, lot 491.
NGC graded AU, Strike 5/5, Surface 3/5.
$ 1350
The control on this bronze issue of Ptolemy, part of a series in different modules, is interesting from many points of view. Lorber, in her CPE, notes the fine style of these coins, part of her Series 5B. The control resembles the Christian chi–rho, the monogram of Christ, but this is pure coincidence. In fact, the noted Greek scholar Svoronos, who compiled the first catalogue of Ptolemaic coinage, associated the monogram with the Greek exile Chremonides. Svoronos believed that the Athenian was the admiral in charge of the Ptolemaic fleet during the Third Syrian War and these bronzes were struck by him to support the war effort. Although not universally accepted, the association with Chremonides remains a possibility.
19063. KINGDOM OF MAURETANIA. JUBA II with CLEOPATRA SELENE, 25 BC–AD 23/24.
Silver Denarius, 3.05 g, 16 mm. Issue of Caesarea.
Obv. REX IVBA, diademed head of Juba II right. Rev. BA–CIΛI–CC [K]ΛЄΟΠΑΤ[ΡA], Isis headdress and sistrum. Mazard 309; SNG Copenhagen 570.
NGC graded CHOICE VF, Strike 4/5, Surface 4/5. A nice historic coin as it is struck in the name of Cleopatra Selene, the daughter of Cleopatra VII and Marc Antony. The headdress and sistrum reference Cleopatra Selene’s Egyptian ancestry and her close association to the goddess Isis. $ 1250
CURRENTLY
ONE
OF TWO BEST GRADED BY NGC
19767. PARTHIAN KINGDOM. MITHRADATES I, ca. 164–132 BC.
Silver Tetradrachm, 15.64 g, 26 mm. Issue of Seleucia on the Tigris year 174 (139/8 BC).
Obv. Diademed and bearded bust of Mithradates I. Rev. BAΣIΛEΩΣ / MEΓAΛOY / APΣAKOY / ΦIΛEΛΛHNOΣ, Heracles standing left, holding cup, lion skin and club; ΔΟΡ (date) in exergue.
Selwood 13.10; Shore 39.
Ex Heritage 3044, 1/3/2016, lot 30047.
NGC graded CHOICE AU, Strike 4/5, Surface 4/5, FINE STYLE, with a magnificent portrait of the founder of the Parthian kingdom. The current NGC census shows this to be one of two best graded pieces (in CH AU), with none higher. $ 4975
Mithradates I was the true architect of the Parthian Empire. After assuming the diadem in ca. 165 BC, he immediately set about taking advantage of the weaknesses of neighboring kingdoms to expand the territory under his control. By 155 BC, Mithradates I had detached Aria, Margiana, and parts of western Bactria from the Graeco–Bactrian kingdom of Eucratides I, and in 148/7 BC he conquered the increasingly unstable Seleucid satrapy of Media. From the Median city of Ecbatana, he marched into Babylonia in 141 BC, conquering the great eastern Seleucid capital at Seleucia on the Tigris. This event sent shockwaves through the Seleucid Empire, but ongoing civil war prevented an immediate response. Only in 139/8 BC, the year that this tetradrachm was struck for Mithradates I at Seleucia, did the Seleucid king, Demetrius II Nicator, march east to challenge the Parthian king. Although Demetrius enjoyed some initial successes, Mithradates I ultimately defeated and captured him in July/August 138 BC. The Parthian victor then held him as an honored hostage in Hyrcania. The Heracles type on this coin may advertise to the great strength shown by the Parthian king in his defeat of Demetrius II while at the same time the use of a date calculated according to the Seleucid Era suggests Mithradates’ desire to be seen as a successor of the Seleucids—a desire also implied by his own daughter Rhodogune to Demetrius II.
19820. PHOENICIA. TYRE.
Silver Shekel, 13.81 g, 25 mm. BIRTH OF CHRIST issue dated Tyre year 126 (1 BC/AD 1).
Obv. Laureate head of Melkart right. Rev. ΤΥΡΟΥ
eagle standing left on prow, PKS? (date) above club in left field, KP above MA monogram in right field, Phoenician letter B between legs.
DCA Tyre Supplement Release 2, 454 (same obverse die).
NGC graded CHOICE VF, Strike 4/5, Surface 2/5, a rare year, with only 9 specimens on CoinArchives. $ 9850
\The shekels of Tyre featuring the head of Heracles–Melkart on the obverse and an eagle on a galley prow on the reverse are famous as the only coins accepted for payments to the Jerusalem Temple and as the probable coins paid to Judas Iscariot by the Temple authorities for his betrayal of Jesus. This particular shekel is especially notable for its so–called “millennium” date. It was struck in year 126 of the Tyrian civic era which is equivalent to 1 BC/AD 1. According to the computations of the sixth century AD monk, Dionysius Exiguus, this was the year of Jesus’ birth, which inaugurated the custom of counting the years of the Gregorian and Christianized Julian calendars using anno Domini (“in the year of the Lord”). Unfortunately, as it turned out, Dionysius was slightly off in his calculations and modern scholarship now generally places the birth of Jesus sometime in the period between 6 and 2 BC based on historical and astronomical considerations. The Augustan tetradrachms below were struck at Antioch during precisely this time frame.
THE LIKELY HISTORICAL DATE FOR CHRIST’S BIRTH
18207. ROMAN EMPIRE. AUGUSTUS, 27 BC–AD 14. PROVINCIAL ISSUE OF ANTIOCH. Silver Tetradrachm, 27 mm. Issue of year 26 (Actian era) with consular date XII (5 BC).
Obv. KAIΣAPOΣ ΣEBAΣTOY, laureate head of Augustus right. Rev. ETOYΣ ΝΙΚΗΣ, Tyche seated right on rocky outcropping, holding palm, river god Orontes swimming to right, SK (Actian Era date = 26) above; in right field, IB (consular date = XII) above civic monogram (ANTIOXIEΩN?).
Prieur 50; RPC 4151; McAlee 180. NGC graded CHOICE VF. $ 1500
The Actian Era year 26 (6/5 BC) date of this coin has also been proposed as a contender for the year of Jesus’ birth based on the dating of the death of Herod the Great in March 4 BC (i.e., in Actian Era year 27 [5/4 BC]). It is assumed that the Slaughter of the Innocents is not likely to have taken place while Herod was increasingly incapacitated and dying from a terrible putrefying disease thought by many of his contemporaries to have been a divine punishment for the violent and pro–Roman character of his reign.
THE YEAR FOLLOWING HEROD’S DEATH AND THE SEEDS FOR THE JEWISH REVOLTS
19305. ROMAN EMPIRE. AUGUSTUS, 27 BC–AD 14. PROVINCIAL ISSUE OF ANTIOCH.
Silver Tetradrachm, 14.90 g, 27 mm. Issue of year 28 (Actian era) with consular date XII (4/3 BC).
Obv. KAIΣAPOΣ ΣEBAΣTOY, laureate head of Augustus right. Rev. ETOYΣ ΝΙΚΗΣ, Tyche seated right on rocky outcropping, holding palm, river god Orontes swimming to right, HK (Actian Era date = 26) above; in right field, IB (consular date = XII) above civic monogram (ANTIOXIEΩN?).
Prieur 52; RPC 4153; McAlee 182.
NGC graded VF, Strike 5/5, Surface 2/5. $ 1350
Actian Era year 28, which probably ran from October 4 BC to September 3 BC, was a pivotal one for Roman Syria. Shortly before, in March 4 BC, Herod the Great of Judaea died in agony, leaving his kingdom to his sons. While Herod had been an important figure in maintaining the eastern Roman frontier, his murderous treatment of family members and the character of his sons caused Augustus to abolish the Herodian kingship and grant only the lesser titles of ethnarch and tetrarch to Herod’s heirs. The violent mismanagement by Herod Archelaus led to his removal as ethnarch and the creation of the Roman province of Judaea in AD 6. Direct Roman administration of Judaea was unwelcome and often abusive, ultimately leading to the outbreak of the Great Jewish Revolt in AD 66.
A PRECISELY DATED AUGUSTAN TETRADRACHM OF ANTIOCH
18429. ROMAN EMPIRE. AUGUSTUS, 27 BC–AD 14. PROVINCIAL ISSUE OF ANTIOCH. Silver Tetradrachm, 27 mm. Issue of year 29 (Actian era) with consular date XIII (3/2 BC). Obv. KAIΣAPOΣ ΣEBAΣTOY, laureate head of Augustus right. Rev. ETOYΣ ΝΙΚΗΣ, Tyche seated right on rocky outcropping, holding palm, river god Orontes swimming to right, ΘK (Actian Era date = 29) above; in right field, IΓ (consular date = XIII) above civic monogram (ANTIOXIEΩN?).
Prieur 54; RPC 4155; McAlee 184. NGC graded CHOICE VF, with nicely struck types, some minor surface roughness. $ 1100
Thanks to the double–dating of Augustus’ Antiochene tetradrachms by both the Actian Era and the number of the emperor’s consulships it is possible to date this coin more closely than is usual for many ancient coins. Since year 29 of the Actian Era probably ran from October 3 BC to September 2 BC and Augustus is known to have taken up his thirteenth consulship in January 2 BC, the tetradrachm must have been struck between January and September 2 BC. Although it is not noted on this coin, this was an important period for the development of the Roman principate. On 5 February 2 BC, Augustus was hailed Pater Patriae (“Father of the Country”) by the Senate, which concluded the transformation of the republican constitution into an imperial autocracy.
18198. ROMAN EMPIRE. AUGUSTUS, 27 BC–AD 14. PROVINCIAL ISSUE OF ANTIOCH.
Silver Tetradrachm, 28 mm. Issue of year 30 (Actian era) with consular date XIII (2/1 BC).
Obv. KAIΣAPOΣ ΣEBAΣTOY, laureate head of Augustus right. Rev. ETOYΣ ΝΙΚΗΣ, Tyche seated right on rocky outcropping, holding palm, river god Orontes swimming to right, Λ (Actian Era date = 30) above; in right field, IΓ (consular date =XIII) above civic monogram (ANTIOXIEΩN?).
Prieur 55; RPC 4156; McAlee 185. NGC graded VF.
$ 1200
This tetradrachm may have been struck in Roman Syria in the year of Jesus’ birth if the custom of early Christian apologists counting back 30 years from the date of his baptism given at Luke 3:23 (he was “about 30” in the fifteenth year of Tiberius) is correct. Actian Era year 30 (2/1 BC), the date of this coin, falls precisely 30 years before Tiberius’ regnal year 15 (AD 28/9). Thus, coins like this were changing hands in Roman Syria at the very time that one of the most important events in Christian history was taking place in neighboring Judaea.
ANTIOCH REASSERTING ITS CIVIC IDENTITY
19325. ROMAN EMPIRE. AUGUSTUS, 27 BC–AD 14. PROVINCIAL ISSUE OF ANTIOCH. Silver Tetradrachm, 25 mm. Issue of year 36 (Actian era) with Caesarian era date 54 (AD 6). Obv. [KAIΣAPOΣ ΣEBAΣTOY], laureate head of Augustus right. Rev. ANTIOXEΩN MHTPOΠΟΛΕ[ΩΣ], Tyche seated right on rocky outcropping, holding palm, river god Orontes swimming to right, ϚΛ (Actian Era date = 30) above; in right field, ΔN (Caesarean Era date = 54) above civic monogram (ANTIOXIEΩN?).
Prieur 57; RPC 4158; McAlee 157. NGC graded CHOICE FINE.
$ 875
This issue, struck in Actian Era year 36 (AD 5/6), reflects the reassertion of Antiochene civic identity on the tetradrachms struck for Augustus. Whereas the surrounding reverse legend previously provided only the date of issue according to the Actian Era, it now names the Antiochenes as the issuing authority and advertises the status of Antioch as the Syrian mother city. It also drops the former use of numerals in the right field to indicate the emperor’s consulships and replaces them with dates calculated according to the city’s era of autonomy inaugurated when Julius Caesar visited Antioch on 16 April 47 BC.
19773. ROMAN REPUBLIC. ANONYMOUS ISSUE, ca. 211–208 BC.
Silver Victoriatus, 3.13 g, 18 mm. Issue of Luceria.
Obv. Laureate head of Jupiter right. Rev. ROMA, Victory standing right, crowning trophy, L (for mint of Luceria) in center field. Crawford 97/1a; Sydenham 121.
NGC graded MINT STATE, Strike 5/4, Surface 4/5, FINE STYLE, with a simply marvelous rendering of Jupiter. $ 1250
The Romans introduced the victoriatus alongside the denarius around 211 BC. It was intended to be compatible with the Greek drachm and gained its name from the depiction of Victory crowning a trophy of arms on the reverse (perhaps an allusion to the fall of Syracuse to the Romans in the preceding year). Interestingly, in Greek, the denomination was known as the tropaikon, after the trophy, rather than the figure of Victory. The victoriatus continued to circulate until it ceased production in the mid–second century.
19776. ROMAN REPUBLIC. A. POSTUMIUS ALBINUS. Ca. 81 BC.
Silver Serrate Denarius, 3.96 g, 19 mm. Issue of Rome.
Obv. HISPAN, veiled bust of Hispania right. Rev. S N / A / ALBIN (AL ligate), Togate figure standing left raising hand in adlocutio (gesture of speaking), aquila at left and fasces at right, POST A F in exergue. Crawford 372/2; Sydenham 746.
NGC graded CHOICE XF, Strike 5/5, Surface 5/5, spectacular strike with golden highlights.
$ 1500
This denarius advertises the glorious ancestors of the moneyer A. Postumius Albinus at a time when the importance of his family in Roman politics was on the decline. The obverse features the personification of the province of Hispania, where his ancestor, the proconsul L. Postumius Albinus, campaigned against the Celtiberian Vaccaei and Lusitani in 180 BC. He was awarded a triumph in Rome for his Spanish victories. The togate figure giving a speech on the reverse is probably intended to represent the moneyer’s grandfather, Spurius Postumius Albinus Magnus, who held the consulship in 148 BC (indicated by the fasces) and was respected by Cicero as a skilled orator.
Silver Denarius, 4.01, 18 mm. Issue of Rome.
Obv. XIIII, laureate head of Neptune right, trident left on his shoulder. Rev. L LVCRETI TRIO, winged Genius riding dolphin right. Crawford 390/2; Sydenham 784.
Ex Ponterio 110, 11/7/2000, lot 514, with auction tag.
NGC graded CHOICE XF, Strike 4/5, Surface 5/5, dark gray patina, with magnificent red and blue colored iridescence. $ 1500
Although little is known about the moneyer L. Lucretius Trio and his immediate ancestors, the types of this coin strongly suggest a connection with the sea considering the depiction of Neptune, the Roman god of the sea, on the obverse and a dolphin ridden by a winged figure on the reverse. Although he is usually described as a “winged genius” it seems most likely that he should be identified as Eros, the god of love, who commonly appears riding a dolphin in other artworks.
18951. ROMAN IMPERATORIAL. M. JUNIUS BRUTUS, d. 42 BC.
Silver Denarius, 3.95 g, 19 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.
NGC graded XF, Strike 4/5, Surface 3/5, “scuff,” attractive portraits. $ 2150
A historical coin on so many levels, 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 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.
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
The reverse types of this denarius, struck just after the outbreak of civil war between Julius Caesar and Pompey the Great, clearly advertise Caesar’s role as pontifex maximus. However, the intended meaning of the obverse type has remained a mystery to numismatists down to the present day. It has been variously interpreted as an allegory of the triumph of good over evil, a reference to Caesar’s victories in Gaul (assuming that the serpent is really a Gallic carnyx), or a poke at Pompey (who attempted to celebrate a triumph in a chariot drawn by elephants but found that the animals were too large to get through the city gate). While it is clear that the elephant denarii of Julius Caesar played an important role in financing his war against Pompey and his faction, we may never know what was really meant by the elephant and the serpent.
19778. ROMAN IMPERATORIAL. JULIUS CAESAR, d. 44 BC.
Silver Denarius, 3.82 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 VF, Strike 4/5, Surface 4/5. $ 2375
19777. ROMAN IMPERATORIAL. SEXTUS POMPEY, d. 35 BC.
Bronze As, 22.94 g, 31 mm. Issue of a Sicilian mint, ca. 43–36 BC. Obv. MGN, laureate janiform head with double portraits of Pompey. Rev. Prow of galley right, with upper structure and star decoration. Crawford 479/1; Sydenham 1044; RPC 671.
NGC graded XF, Strike 4/5, Surface 4/5, “adjusted flan,” attractive olive–green patina. $ 1500
Although sometimes attributed to a Spanish mint in the past, find evidence has shown that the remarkable as series of Sextus Pompey depicting Janus with the features of his father, Pompey the Great, were most likely produced in Sicily after he gained control of the island in 43 BC. The types of Janus and the prow of a galley were traditional for the Roman as denomination going back to the cast coinages of the third century BC, but here Sextus Pompey has personalized the denomination by giving the god of beginnings and endings the appearance of Pompey the Great. Sextus frequently depicted or alluded to his famous father on his coins as a means of casting himself as a legitimate opponent to the members of the Second Triumvirate who, after all, were essentially the heirs of Julius Caesar, the great nemesis of Pompey the Great.
19779. ROMAN IMPERATORIAL. MARC ANTONY.
Silver Denarius, 3.72 g, 19 mm. Issue of a military mint traveling with Antony (Patrae ?), struck 32–31 BC.
Obv. ANT AVG, praetorian galley right. Rev. LEG XIX, Legionary eagle between a pair of military standards. Crawford 544/35; Sydenham 1242.
NGC graded AU, Strike 5/5, Surface 5/5, with dark gray cabinet patina.
$ 2500
The true origin of legio XIX is shrouded in mystery. Legions with this numerical designation were employed by both Julius Caesar and Pompey the Great during the civil war of 49–45 BC, but it is unknown what ultimately became of them. A legio XIX was named a little over a decade later on Mark Antony’s famous legionary denarii, but this is usually thought to have been a new legion raised by Octavian after the Battle of Philippi (42 BC). Its designation Classica (“Seaborne”) is believed to be an indication that the original purpose of the legion was to fight against Sextus Pompey and his naval forces based in Sicily. However, after the falling out between Antony and Octavian, the legion sided with the former. Although Antony was defeated, legio XIX survived to become one of the legions assigned to defend the northern frontier against the Germanic tribes during the reign of Augustus. In AD 9, the legion was completely destroyed along with legiones XVII and XVIII at the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest—one of the worst defeats in Roman history.
19784. ROMAN EMPIRE. TIBERIUS, AD 14–37.
Silver Denarius, 18 mm. Issue of Lugdunum.
Obv. [TI] CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVG[VSTVS], 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 VF, “brushed,” lustrous.
$ 695
19745. ROMAN EMPIRE. TIBERIUS, AD 14–37.
Silver Denarius, 3.74 g, 18 mm. Issue of Lugdunum.
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, Strike 4/5, Surface 3/5, “brushed.” $ 975
The coin is arguably one of the most famous types in the denarius coinage of the early Julio–Claudian emperors. It is widely believed that a specimen from this denarius series of Tiberius was the very coin handed to Jesus when he was questioned by the Pharisees and Herodians about the legitimacy of paying taxes to Rome. Although their intention was to get him to speak against the Romans and thereby obtain an excuse for his arrest, Matthew 22:19–21 reports that Christ responded to his questioners by saying, “‘Show Me the coin used for the poll–tax.’ And they brought Him a denarius. And He said to them, ‘Whose likeness and inscription is this?’ They said to Him, ‘Caesar’s.’ Then He said to them, ‘Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.’ And hearing this, they were amazed, and leaving Him, they went away.”
19762. ROMAN EMPIRE. TRAJAN, AD 98–117
Silver Denarius, 3.34 g, 19 mm. Issue of Rome, AD 106–107.
Obv. IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS V P P, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Trajan right. Rev. SPQR OPTIMO PRINCIPI, Mars standing right, leaning on shield supported by Dacian captive. Woytek 219f; RIC 158.
Ex Private Collection, acquired from Vilmar Numismatics in 2018 (Inv. 13429) = Gemini XIV, 4/18/2018, lot 50.
NGC graded CHOICE VF, Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5, a rare type celebrating Rome’s victory in the Dacian Wars. $ 675
19785. EASTERN ROMAN EMPIRE. THEODOSIUS II, AD 402–450.
Gold Solidus, 4.46 g, 22 mm. Issue of Constantinople, officina Γ. 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 Γ, Theodosius standing facing, dressed in military cuirass, holding labarum and cross on globe (globus cruciger), star in left field, CONOB in exergue.
RIC X, 232; Depeyrot 77/1.
NGC graded MINT STATE, Strike 5/5, Surface 3/5, “brushed,” a scarce type for Constantinople, the officina Γ issue is rare with only 4 specimens recorded on CoinArchives. $ 1950
This is the first appearance of the “globus cruciger,” a globe with a cross on top, held by the emperor, imagery that becomes standard in the numismatic repertoire. The legend “GLORY OVER THE ENTIRE WORLD” may refer to the globus cruciger, namely that Christianity, represented by the cross, has spread over the whole known world
19735. BYZANTINE EMPIRE. JUSTIN I, AD 518–527.
Gold Solidus, 4.46 g, 21 mm. Issue of Constantinople officina S, 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 S, Victory standing left, holding staff with staurogram, star in left field, CONOB in exergue. Sear 55.
Ex Leu Numismatik, Web Auction 8, 6/29/2019, lot 1598.
NGC graded MINT STATE, Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5, “clipped.”
