(See our website for complete terms of sale and bibliographical information regarding abbreviations used.)
Please place your orders by email and refer 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, whether they are encapsulated or not. 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 slabbed coins are removed from encapsulation.
NGC ENCAPSULATION AND RAW COINS
We offer a mix of NGC graded ancients as well as raw (unencapsulated) coins. NGC encapsulation provides a third–party opinion that the coins are genuine but does not financially guarantee them. In the event you wish to have any of our raw coins encapsulated, they may be submitted to NGC at your cost and with the understanding that we cannot guarantee specific grades or notations. In very few cases raw coins are marked as “not eligible for encapsulation,” and here we note the reason why NGC would not encapsulate them.
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 are generally accepted but an additional 4% service charge will be added. Foreign payments 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, including any tariffs that may be applicable.
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 AT THE FOLLOWING COIN SHOWS AND LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU THERE
86th Central States Numismatic Society Convention, Schaumburg, IL, April 23-26, 2025 Summer FUN Convention, Orlando, FL, July 10–12, 2025 Great American Coins and Collectibles Show, September 23–27, 2025, Rosemont, IL
17464. LUCANIA. HERACLEA. Ca. 281–250 BC.
Silver Stater (Nomos), 6.65 g, 21 mm.
Obv: I–HPAKΛHIΩN, head of Athena right, wearing large Corinthian helmet decorated with rampant griffin ornament, I–H in left field. Rev. Heracles standing left, holding club and sacrificing above flaming altar, thunderbolt in right field. HGC 1, 1007, Van Keuren 136; HN Italy 1433.
Ex Salton Family Collection, Vilmar Numismatics FPL III (2022), no. 6 = Mark M. Salton–Schlessinger FPL 19, 2/17/1953, lot 24.
NGC graded CHOICE XF, Strike 5/5, Surface 5/5, steel gray old cabinet toning with golden iridescent highlights. $ 2500
EX GRAND DUKE ALEXANDER MICHAILOVITCH COLLECTION
20138. LUCANIA. METAPONTUM. Ca. 330–280 BC.
Silver Stater, 7.92 g, 20 mm.
Obv. Head of Demeter left, wearing wreath of grain. Rev. META, ear of grain with twisted leaf at left [amphora above, ΦI below]. Johnston, Metapontum, Class C, 11.5 (same dies); HGC 1, 106; HN Italy 1588.
Ex Burgan Numismatique, 1/26/2024, lot 40 = Munzen & Medaillen 13, 6/17/1954, lot 1002 = ex Grand Duke Alexander Michailovitch et al, Naville Ars Classica IV, 6/17/1922, lot 82.
NGC graded CHOICE XF, Strike 3/5, Surface 2/5, “graffiti,” “flan flaw” (likely from overstriking), Naville IV provenance noted on label. $ 2500
20058. CALABRIA. TARENTUM. Ca. 280–240 BC.
Silver Didrachm (Nomos), 6.53 g, 20 mm. Issue of magistrate Sodamos. Obv. Youthful rider right, crowning his horse, ΣΩΔAMOΣ [traces of letters] below. Rev. TAPAΣ, dolphin rider left, preparing to throw trident.
Ex Münzen & Medaillen Deutschland GmbH 51,12/4/2024, lot 21, giving provenance as being from Klenau von Klenova Auktion 34, 7/19/1968, lot 103 (there listed but without illustration) = ex Theodor Prowe Collection, Moscow, Brüder Egger XLVI, 5/11/1914, lot 28.
NGC graded XF, Strike 5/5, Surface 3/5, “scratches,” Prowe provenance cited on label, colorful iridescent highlights. $ 2500
20097. BRUTTIUM. HIPPONIUM (VIBO VALENTIA). Ca. 300–250 BC.
Silver Stater, 8.19 g, 19 mm.
Obv. Pegasus flying left, his hind feet on a short ground line. Rev. Head of Athena right, wearing large Corinthian helmet. Pegasi II, p. 598, no 2 (likely same reverse die); HN Italy 2242, HGC 1, 1387 var. (Pegasus flying right with caduceus below).
NGC graded CHOICE XF, Strike 5/5, Surface 3/5, “brushed,” extremely rare emission, with only three other specimens on CoinArchives. $ 1850
20197. SICILY. ACRAGAS. Ca. 425–406 BC.
Silver Hemidrachm, 11 mm. Issue of 420–410 BC.
Obv. Eagle right, holding hare, barley grain in left field. Rev. AKPA, crab with articulated shell, ketos left biting on fish in exergue. Westermark, Coinage of Akragas, Period III, Series 2, 580 (O21/R25, same dies); HGC 2, 105. NGC graded VF, with dark gray cabinet patina, an attractive specimen of an artistically impressive emission. $ 1350
A
19913. SICILY, CATANE. Circa 450–445 BC.
Silver Tetradrachm, 16.98 g, 25 mm.
Obv. Charioteer driving slow quadriga right. Rev. Head of Apollo right, wearing laurel wreath. Mirone 30–3; HGC 2, 566; SNG ANS 1245 (same dies); Rizzo pl. X, 1/2 (same dies).
Ex Gerald F. Borrmann Collection, CNG 127, 9/1/2024, lot 25 = ex CNG inventory 944835 (March 2013) = ex Robert and Julius Diez Collection, CNG Electronic Auction 294, 1/16/2013, lot 41 = Gustav Philipsen Collection (Part I, J. Hirsch XV, 28 May 1906), lot 960 (unillustrated, but thus noted on the Diez tickets handled by CNG – the weight and diameter match the Hirsch specimen). About VF, with old cabinet patina, some minor marks and scratches, of attractive style and great centering.
$ 5350
From the introduction provided by CNG in 2013 (slightly edited):
“Prof. Dr. Robert Diez (1844–1922) was the son of Emil Diez, the mayor of Pößneck. Shortly after his birth, the family moved to Dresden, a city renowned for its culture and artistic associations. There, Robert studied art, becoming a well–known sculptor in the process. Much of his work was created for public moments in Germany, including the Reichstag in Berlin. A member of both the Dresden and Berlin Academy of Arts, Diez was influenced by the sculpture of ancient Greece…Munich–born Julius Diez (1870 – 1957), like his relative, was an artist, professor, and intellectual. A painter and a graphic artist, Diez was influenced by the prevailing artistic trends of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries…. Diez, in 1908, created a bookplate for the author and fellow member of the Münchener Secession, George Habich. This last work is notable not just for the social association, but also because two Greek coins were included in the design.
While it is uncertain which of the two men, Prof. Dr. Robert Diez or Julius Diez, started and built it, the Diez Collection offers a unique window into the collecting of Greek coins at the beginning of the last century. Of the 176 coins in this sale, only 26 are not pedigreed to earlier sales, including A. Hess Nachf., Brüder Egger, and Dr. Jacob Hirsch —and came from important collections including Consul Weber, Virzi, Philipsen, and von Schennis, as well as the Berlin Königliches Münzkabinett duplicates which were originally part of Imhoof–Blumer’s collection…Since many of the coins in this collection were not illustrated in the original sales catalogs, their illustration in this sale will provide a useful supplement to those important sales of the first two decades of the twentieth century.”
20022. SICILY. GELA. Ca. 490–475 BC. Silver Didrachm, 8.58 g, 20 mm.
Obv. Nude horseman right, preparing to throw spear. Rev. CEΛA, protome of man–headed bull right. Jenkins, The Coinage of Gela, 18 (O7/R10); HGC 2, 363. Ex Arizona private collection, acquired from Vilmar FPL IV, no. 13, formerly ex David J. Fleischmann Collection, NY. NGC graded CHOICE VF, Strike 4/5, Surface 4/5, “flan flaw,” dark cabinet patina, an interesting variety where the city’s name appears above the bull. It should be noted that NGC is likely incorrect in calling the pattern on the reverse a “flan flaw,” as it is more likely to be traces of an overstrike. $ 2950
20068. SICILY. LEONTINI. Ca. 475–460 BC.
Silver Tetradrachm, 16.88 g, 25 mm.
Obv. Charioteer driving quadriga right, Nike flying right, crowning horses. Rev. [ΛE]ONTINON, lion head right surrounded by four barley grains.
S.P. Maltese, I tetradrammi di Leontinoi. Dinamiche produttive e storico–artistiche (2023), Period I, 17k (D4/R15 – this coin cited); Boehringer, Leontini 2 (same obverse die); HGC 2, 661 (same obverse die as illustration).
Ex Gerald F. Borrmann Collection, ex Peus 294, 3/15/1978, lot 146; ex Hermitage Museum, Schlessinger 11, 2/26/1934, lot 56.
NGC graded XF STAR, Strike 5/5, Surface 5/5, FINE STYLE, Schlessinger provenance noted on label. Aside from the famous provenance, the sale of Hermitage coins during the Nazi period in Germany, this coin has received all the accolades awarded by NGC to encapsulated ancients: the star and fine style notations and the double five ratings for both strike and surface. $ 11750
19214. SICILY. MESSANA. Ca. 430–425 BC.
Silver Tetradrachm, 17.28 g, 25 mm.
Obv. ΜΕΣΣΑΝΑ, charioteer in biga of mules left, pair of facing dolphins in exergue. Rev. ΜΕΣΣΑΝΙΟΝ, hare springing right, cicada below.
Ex Vilmar Numismatics FPL VI, no. 8 = Peus 292, 10/25/1977, lot 5026 = Hirsch XXXIII (Collections of Baron Friedrich von Schennis from Berlin, Dr. B.K. [B. Körner] and a famous English Archaeologist [Sir Arthur J. Evans]), 11/17/1913, lot 378.
NGC graded VF, Strike 4/5, Surface 5/5, the early 1913 Hirsch provenance listed on the label; a scarce variety depicting the popular cicada control symbol. $ 8500
SYRACUSE TETRADRACHM IN THE STYLE OF PHRYGILLOS EX SCHWEIZERISCHE KREDITANSTALT BERN 1985 AUCTION AND PUBLISHED BY FISCHER–BOSSERT
18874. SICILY. SYRACUSE. Ca. 405–367 BC.
Silver Tetradrachm, 17.29 g, 24 mm. Issue of ca. 405–400 BC.
Obv. Charioteer driving quadriga left, Nike flying above right, crowning him, ivy leaf below horses, grain stalk left in exergue. Rev. [ΣΥΡ]ΑΚΟΣ[ΙΟΝ], diademed head of Arethusa left with pseudo signature on sphendone, wearing saccos decorated with stellate pattern, a pair of dolphins swimming downward in left field, another pair, playfully jumping one above the other, in right field.
Fischer–Bossert, Coins, Artists, and Tyrants, 83e (O30/R56, this coin listed) = Tudeer 83; HGC 2, 1342; SNG ANS 291 (inv. 1944.100.55795, same dies).
Ex Vilmar Numismatics FPL V (Summer/Fall 2023), no. 8 = CNG 123, 5/23/2023, lot 31 = CNG 7, 5/4/1989, lot 16 = Schweizerische Kreditanstalt Bern Auction 3, 4/19/1985, lot 126.
NGC graded CHOICE VF, Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5, FINE STYLE, “light marks,” Fischer–Bossert publication noted on label; this coin features a charming reverse where one dolphin appears to jump above another that emerges from behind Arethusa’s neck. $ 12500
Although this piece was struck from unsigned dies made by an unknown engraver, the reverse depiction of Arethusa wearing a sphendone clearly emulates the type signed by Phrygillos. The details of the stitching on the ampyx at Arethusa’s forehead may perhaps serve to mimic the engraver’s signature that appears in the same location on Phrygillos’ dies. At the same time, the positioning of the horses’ heads and Nike on the reverse type suggest that the artist also took the dies signed by Euarchidas—which are normally paired with Phrygillos’ reverse dies—as his model.
15952. THRACE. ODESSUS. CIVIC ISSUE IN THE NAME AND TYPES OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT, ca. 280–200 BC.
Silver Tetradrachm of Alexander type, 16.79 g, 29 mm. Issue of Odessus prior to 225 BC.
Obv. Head of young Heracles right in lion skin headdress. Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ
Zeus enthroned left, holding eagle and scepter, OΠ monogram below throne.
Price unlisted, but cf. 1163 with a different control on throne; Marinescu & Lorber, “The ‘Black Sea’ Tetradrachm Hoard,” in Studies Prokopov, 264 (this coin listed and illustrated).
NGC graded AU, Strike 4/5, Surface 5/5, publication data noted on label; a variety unknown to Martin Price and a plate coin in the Black Sea Hoard publication. $ 2000
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 coins in the area, as well as invaluable in establishing their chronology. For researchers it has been a critical source of information and remains a frequently consulted source.
PERHAPS THE HIGHEST GRADED ALEXANDER FROM THE “BLACK SEA” HOARD
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, 190 (this coin listed and illustrated – one of six 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
18132. THRACE. MESAMBRIA. CIVIC ISSUE IN THE NAME AND TYPES OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT, ca. 280–225 BC. Silver Tetradrachm of Alexander type, 16.37 g, 28 mm. Issue of Mesambria, ca. 250–225 BC.
Obv. Head of young Heracles right in lion skin headdress. Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ, Zeus enthroned left, holding eagle and scepter, helmet in left field, ΠXI monogram below throne.
Price 1011; American Numismatic Society 1944.100.35754 (same reverse die, in a more advanced state of wear).
NGC graded VF, Strike 4/5, Surface 4/5, “overstruck on Lysimachos” noted on label. An extremely rare emission, with only one specimen on CoinArchives and the ANS specimen cited above that is listed in Price as well as the Pella database. Even more interesting is that this piece is overstruck on a tetradrachm of Lysimachus. While the exact variety is not clearly discernible, Athena’s arm resting on her shield from the undertype’s reverse is visible on the reverse of the present specimen. $ 1500
This extremely rare issue is of special interest for the history of coin production at Mesambria. In his treatment of overstriking at this city, David MacDonald noted 11 examples in the period c. 225–175 BC and three in the period c. 175–150 BC (D. MacDonald, Overstruck Greek Coins, Whitman 2009, p. 119). Of these, all were overstruck on earlier Alexander tetradrachms produced elsewhere, except for one of the “second overstriking period” (no. 96) that was struck over a posthumous Lysimachus tetradrachm of Byzantium; similar data was presented by de Callataÿ, “Overstrikes of Late Mesambrian Alexanders: The Great Unbalance of their Distribution,” in Ex Nummis Lux, Studies in Ancient Numismatics in Honour of Dimitar Draganov (2017), pp. 145 ff (out of 47 specimens examined, only the same piece cited by MacDonald was found overstruck on a Lysimachus). The present coin, however, was minted in an earlier period of overstriking, thereby making it the earliest known example of an overstruck Lysimachus type at Mesambria. While there are not enough remaining details of the host coin to identify the mint, the regional importance of Byzantium as a producer of posthumous Lysimachus tetradrachms leaves open the possibility that one of its Lysimachi was reused in this case at Mesambria.
A RARE EMISSION OF LYSIMACHIA SELDOM AVAILABLE ON THE MARKET
20141. KINGDOM OF THRACE. LYSIMACHUS, 305–281 BC.
Silver Tetradrachm, 17.02 g, 30 mm. Lifetime issue of Lysimachia, ca. 297/6–281 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, MYΩ control monogram in left field, lion head left in exergue. Thompson 11 = ANS 1944.100.45272 (same obverse die).
NGC graded CHOICE VF, Strike 5/5, Surface 3/5, FINE STYLE, “brushed.” A rare variety of Lysimachia’s coinage, with only two specimens on CoinArchives. $ 3500
PHILIP V DIDRACHM LIKELY FROM BRITISH MUSEUM DUPLICATES SOLD IN 1909 AND PURCHASED BY LOCKETT IN 1923
20167. KINGDOM OF MACEDON. PHILIP V, 221–179 BC. Silver Didrachm, 8.40 g, 24 mm. Issue of Pella, ca. 184–179 BC. Obv. Diademed head of Philip V right. Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΦIΛIΠΠOY, club horizontally to right, ZΩ control monogram above, ME and EO monograms below, all within oak wreath, star in outer left field. Mamroth, Philipp, 24 (this coin listed); HGC 3, 1059; SNG Lockett 1530 (this coin listed and illustrated).
Ex Münzen & Medaillen Deutschland 46, 2/15/2018, lot 100 = Münzen und Medaillen AG, Basel 88 (5/17/1999), lot 154 = Lockett II (1958), 1398 = Lockett Purchase records in British Museum, page 28 illustrating coin and citing Naville sale where he purchased it for 135 Swiss Francs = ex British Museum Collection, et al, Naville Ars Classica V, 6/18/1923, lot 1469 = ex Ratto (4/26/1909), 1976. NGC graded VF STAR, Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5, Ratto and Lockett provenance noted on label. $ 7500
19661. MACEDONIAN KINGDOM. ALEXANDER III, THE GREAT, 336–323 BC.
Gold Stater, 8.60 g, 18 mm. Lifetime issue of Amphipolis, 328/5–323 BC.
Obv. Head of Athena right, wearing large Corinthian helmet with snake ornament below the plume. Rev. ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ, Nike standing, looking left, holding wreath in right hand and stylis over left shoulder, cantharos in left field. Price 168.
Ex Wild Rose Collection, previously ex Dr. Plumacher Collection, Peus 431, 4/27/2022, lot 3157, purchased from Münzhandlung Ritter on 8/21/1998.
NGC graded CHOICE XF, Strike 5/5, Surface 3/5, “edge marks,” a lifetime issue struck from an attractive obverse die with a full head Nike reverse. The Pella database currently lists 11 specimens in the American Numismatic Society, Münzkabinett Berlin and the British Museum. $ 6975
The gold coinage of Alexander the Great was introduced to finance his conquest of the Persian Empire. The types of these coins lived on to be reproduced and imitated by cities and kings well into the early first century BC. They are thought to have been originally intended to channel the old Greek desire for revenge against Persia for the invasion of Greece in 480–479 BC by referring to Athens (destroyed by Xerxes I in 480 BC) in the representation of Athena and to the Greek victory over the Persian fleet at the Battle of Salamis (480 BC) in the depiction of Nike holding a naval stylis (mast and cross arm). In fact, the issues after 331 BC and the battle of Gaugamela, may have been minted using Persian gold from the royal treasuries that the Macedonian plundered.
FROM THE “SELEUCUS III” HOARD, PUBLISHED AND ILLUSTRATED IN PANAGOPOULOU
19958. KINGDOM OF MACEDON. ANTIGONUS II GONATAS, 277–239 BC.
Silver Tetradrachm, 17.03 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 Alkidemos brandishing shield and thunderbolt left, crested Macedonian helmet in lower left field, HΛ control monogram in lower right field. Panagopoulou, Early Antigonids, Period III, no. 40 (O9/R39 – this coin listed and illustrated); HGC 3, 1042. Ex “Seleucus III” Hoard (CH X, 272), acquired from Freeman & Sear (inv. G4176).
NGC graded VF, Strike 5/4, Surface 4/5, Panagopoulou publication data noted on label. $ 1450
20052. BOEOTIA, THEBES. Ca. 395–338 BC.
Silver Stater, 12.23 g, 20 mm. Issue of magistrate AΣΩ –.
Obv. Boeotian shield. Rev. Amphora, A above Ω in left field; Σ above grape bunch in right field.
NGC graded CHOICE VF, Strike 4/5, Surface 4/5, “flan flaw,” rare magistrate with only seven specimens on CoinArchives. $ 1375
Beginning in 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.
ATHENIAN OWL TETRADRACHM STRUCK 50% OFF CENTER
20003. ATTICA. ATHENS. Ca. 440–404 BC.
Silver Tetradrachm, 17.15 g, 26 mm
Obv. Helmeted head of Athena right. Rev. AΘE, 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 AU, Strike 4/5, Surface 4/5, an interesting and rare ancient error coin, the obverse struck about 50% off center, leaving over half of the planchet blank. $ 1450
20221. ATTICA. ATHENS. 2nd–1st CENTURY BC.
Silver “NEW STYLE” Tetradrachm, 16.67 g, 30 mm. Issue of ca. 111/0 BC, under magistrates Phanocles, Apollonius, and Stratius, with control symbol Artemis with torch.
Obv. Helmeted head of Athena right. Rev. AΘE, owl standing right, head facing, magistrates’ names (ΦANOKΛHΣ / AΠOΛΛΩNIOΣ / ΣTPATIOΣ,) in fields, Artemis with torch in right field, Λ (month) on amphora, ME in exergue, all within wreath. Thompson 706c.
NGC graded XF, Strike 4/5, Surface 4/5, areas of colorful toning. $ 1975
20200. ATTICA. ATHENS. 2nd–1st CENTURY BC.
Silver “NEW STYLE” Tetradrachm, 16.67 g, 29 mm. Issue of ca. 111/0 BC, under magistrates Euboulides, Agathokles, and Theod(o), with control symbol Artemis with fawn.
Obv. Helmeted head of Athena right. Rev. AΘE, owl standing right, head facing, magistrates’ names (EYBOYΛIΔHΣ / AΓAΘOKΛH / ΦIΛOΘ) in fields, Artemis with fawn in right field, B/A (month) on amphora, ΣO in exergue, all within wreath. Thompson 714a, listed variant with multiple recuts (ΛYΣI/ΘEOΔ/ΦIΛOΘ) as on illustrated Paris specimen (same die states as the present coin).
NGC graded CHOICE VF, Strike 4/5, Surface 4/5, “edge scuff.” The reused reverse die is apparently known from only one other specimen in Paris that was illustrated in Thompson and where the dies are in the same state as seen on the present piece. $ 1600
IMPRESSIVE ROTATED DOUBLE STRIKE OF AN ATHENIAN TETRADRACHM
20130. ATTICA. ATHENS. 2nd–1st CENTURY BC.
Silver “NEW STYLE” Fourrée (?) Tetradrachm, 15.40 g, 29 mm. Issue of ca. 98/7 BC, under magistrates Demetrios, Agathippos, and ?, with control symbol caps of the Dioscuri. Obv. Helmeted head of Athena right. Rev. AΘE, owl standing right, head facing, magistrates’ names (ΔHMHTPIOΣ / AΓAΘIΠΠOΣ / ?) in fields, caps of the Dioscuri in right field, ? (month) on amphora, ΠE? in exergue, all within wreath. Cf. Thompson 879 ff.
Good VF, an impressive double (perhaps triple) strike with slight rotation, creating a secondary Athena face superimposed on the centered one. The low weight suggests a fourrée, which is likely given the small cracks visible in several places on the surface of the coin. $ 1500
AEGINA’S TURTLES
This piece and the following stater together represent a dramatic shift in the fortunes of Aegina and the island city’s maritime trade empire. Before the Persian invasion of Greece (480–479 BC), Aegina had been an important trading center that often found itself in conflict with nearby Athens. Unfortunately, the expansion of the Athenian navy and the panhellenic leadership position assumed by Athens after the war meant that the days of Aegina’s defiance and influence were numbered. The days of its traditional coinage— popularly known simply as “turtles”—were also numbered. The “turtles,” which had been produced since the mid–sixth century BC, were customarily depicted as sea turtles, as on 20057, but after 457 BC, the year in which Aegina was compelled to become a tribute–paying member of the Delian League, the old turtles were replaced by a land tortoise, as on 20187, perhaps as an indicator of the lost maritime trade the city had once enjoyed.
SEA TURTLE STATER WITH LION PAW’S (?) COUNTERMARK EX DESNEUX COLLECTION
20057. ISLAND OF AEGINA. Ca. 480–457 BC.
Silver Stater, 11.47 g, 22 mm.
Obv. Sea turtle with shell showing a thick collar, its beaked head turned left, circular dots on shell. Rev. Skew pattern in incuse square. HGC 6, 435; Meadows, Aegina, Group IIIa; Milbank Period III, pl. I, 15; countermark unlisted on Milbank’s page 19.
Ex J. Desneux Collection, Hess–Leu 49, 4/27/1971, lot 170.
NGC graded CHOICE VF STAR, Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5, “countermark.” The countermark was applied to the upper two dots on the turtle’s shell, seemingly oval in form and possibly intended to depict a lion’s paw. $ 6500
Dr. Jules Desneux (1885-1962), a dermatologist from Belgium, had wide ranging interests, including entomology and the arts. He became very devoted to numismatics and published a number of important works, including the standard study on the tetradrachms of Acanthus (“Les tétradrachmes d’Akanthos,” in Revue Belge de Numismatique 95, 1949, pp. 5-122). An overview of Desneux’s achievements appears in “Biographical Notes for Dr. Jules Desneux (1885—1962): A Multitalented Man of Science,” Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society, vol. 85, no. 3 (July 2012), pp. 265-267.
THE FIRST TORTOISE ISSUE OF AEGINA
20187. ISLAND OF AEGINA. Ca. 457–350 BC.
Silver Stater, 12.33 g, 21 mm. Issue of 456/45–431 BC.
Obv. Tortoise with segmented shell. Rev. Heavy skew pattern in incuse square.
HGC 6, 437, Meadows, Aegina, Group IIIb; Milbank, Period IV, pl. II, 12.
Ex Edward J. Waddell (inv. 55725).
NGC graded CHOICE VF, Strike 5/5, Surface 5/5, struck on a broad planchet, with wonderful detail and great eye appeal. This is an example of the first emission of tortoise coins struck by the island, characterized by the heavy skew pattern on the reverse. $ 8000
ONE
19831. ARCADIA. MEGALOPOLIS. CIVIC ISSUE IN THE NAME AND TYPES OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT, ca. 225–223/2 BC.
Silver Tetradrachm of Alexander type, 17.03 g, 29 mm.
Obv. Head of young Heracles right in lion skin headdress. Rev. ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ, Zeus enthroned left, holding eagle and scepter, TI above ME control monograms in left field, API below throne, syrinx in outer right field.
Price 753 (citing the specimen in the British Museum).
This extremely rare issue (Price 753) is part of a series of ten varieties struck before the destruction of the city by Sparta during the Cleomenean War. It is currently documented from only three specimens, the British Museum coin (1888,0614.96), this piece and another from the Gemini I sale, lot 79; all are struck from the same pair of dies.
19716. BITHYNIA. CIUS. CIVIC ISSUE IN THE NAME AND TYPES OF KING LYSIMACHUS OF THRACE, ca. 280–250 BC. Silver Tetradrachm of Lysimachus type, 16.96 g, 31 mm. Issue of ca. 260s–late 250s BC.
Obv. Head of deified Alexander the Great right, with the horn of Ammon. Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΛΥΣΙΜΑXΟΥ, Athena enthroned left, holding Nike crowning Lysimachus’ name, club in outer left field, MYT monogram in left field, bow case and A– monogram in exergue. Marinescu, “Lysimachi Coinage of Cius, Bithynia,” in Ex Nummis Lux, Studies in Ancient Numismatics in Honour of Dimitar Draganov (2017), issue 20, cf. no. 59 (obverse 22/unlisted reverse die).
NGC graded VF, Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5, attractive coin with golden toning around the devices on the obverse. $ 1950
A MITHRAIC DIVINITY AT CYZICUS
20108. MYSIA. CYZICUS. Ca. 550–500 BC.
Electrum Hecte, 2.73 g, 11 mm
Obv. Daimon, composite creature with human body, lion head, griffin’s ears and wings, running left, head turned right, holding tunny. Rev. Quadripartite incuse square.
Von Fritze 123; Greenwell 57; SNG France 272; Boston MFA 1459.
NGC graded CHOICE VF, Strike 5/5, Surface 2/5, “marks,” a remarkable mythological type usually known from the stater denomination with the same design. At times identified as Phobos, the personification of terror, the figure may also be the Mithraic divinity Areimanios (Ahriman) as argued by Bivar, “Mithra and Mesopotamia,” Mithraic Studies [Manchester, 1975], pp. 275–89. $ 3650
A GROUP OF THE WORLD’S EARLIEST COINS
20238. IONIA. UNCERTAIN MINT. Ca. 650–600 BC.
Electrum 1/24 Stater, 0.58 g, 5 mm.
Obv. Striated surface. Rev. Square punch with irregular design. Kirschner and Konuk, “Artemission,” in White Gold, 4 (1/24 Stater); Linzalone, LN1039–LN1040; Weidauer, Group II, 6–8.
NGC graded XF, Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5, extremely well-struck with clear striations.
20159. IONIA, UNCERTAIN MINT, Ca. 650–600 BC
Electrum Hemihecte (1/12 Stater), 1.08 g, 6 mm.
Obv. Blank. Rev. Rough incuse punch with linear design. Rosen Collection 4; SNG Kayhan 676; SNG von Aulock 7763.
NGC graded XF, Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5.
$ 3500
$ 575
19683. IONIA, UNCERTAIN MINT. Ca. 650–600 BC.
Electrum Hecte, 2.25 g, 10 mm.
Obv. Uncertain type, possibly a scarab beetle. Rev. Bipartite incuse punch. Konuk and C. Lorber, White Gold: Revealing the World’s Earliest Coins, 36; Linzalone 1110 (trite, described as a ram); SNG Kayhan 673.
NGC graded AU, Strike 4/5, Surface 4/5, here the eyes are quite distinct and on the sides of the design there are elongated features that recall the insect’s legs. $ 850
THE FIRST COINS NAMING AN INDIVIDUAL
These two coins are smaller denominations in a series issued in Ephesus by a certain 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 as well as a personal name. The lower denominations, such as these two pieces, feature variations on Phanes’ unique stag design that is identified as his “badge” on the stater. A similar hemihecte was found at the Artemision of Ephesus in a late 7th century archaeological context.
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. Fischer-Bossert, “Phanes,” in White Gold, 28 (same dies); Linzalone LN1104 var. (stag facing left); Weidauer 36–37; Boston MFA 1816 = Warren 1731.
NGC graded XF, Strike 5/5, Surface 3/5. $ 4500
19904. IONIA. EPHESUS. PHANES, ca. 625–600 BC.
Electrum 1/24 Stater, 0.58 g, 7 mm.
Obv. Forepart of stag right, head turned to left. Rev. Incuse with linear designs. Fischer-Bossert, “Phanes,” in White Gold, 42b (same dies); Weidauer 36–37 (1/12 stater); SNG von Aulock 7773; Linzalone LN1105. NGC graded CHOICE VF, Strike 4/5, Surface 4/5. $ 3600
A VERY RARE ALEXANDER TETRADRACHM FROM ERYTHRAE
19837. IONIA. ERYTHRAE. CIVIC ISSUE IN THE NAME AND TYPES OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT, late 3rd–early 2nd CENTURIES BC.
Silver Tetradrachm of Alexander type, 30 mm.
Obv. Head of young Heracles right in lion skin headdress. Rev. ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ, Zeus enthroned left, holding eagle and scepter, bow in bowcase and APY control monogram in left field, ΠA monogram below throne.
Price 1900; Kinns, Erythrae 267.
NGC graded VF. Very rare, one of three specimens on record, all from the same dies – the other two include a piece from CNG Electronic Auction 529, lot 178, and another in the ANS (1944.100.32128) which is the only specimen listed in the Pella database. $ 1200
19566. LYCIAN DYNASTS. UNCERTAIN KING, ca. 520–460 BC.
Silver Stater, 9.09 g, 19 mm.
Obv. Protome of charging boar right, solar (?) symbol on shoulder. Rev. Elaborate quadripartite incuse.
Published: Wilhelm Müseler, Lykische Münzen in europäischen Privatsammlungen, no. II, 7 (this coin listed and illustrated).
Ex Dr. Kaya Sayar collection = Künker 35, 3/11/1997, lot 208.
NGC graded XF, Strike 4/5, Surface 4/5, Müseler reference noted on label.
AN EXTREMELY RARE ISSUE OF ASPENDUS’ WRESTLERS COINAGE
20020. PAMPHYLIA. ASPENDUS. Ca. 380–325 BC.
Silver Stater, 10.98, g, 23 mm.
$ 1500
Obv. Two wrestlers in combat, FN between them, EΛΥΦA MENETΥΣ in exergue. Rev. EΣΤFEΔΙΙΥΣ, slinger to right, ready to shoot, triskeles in right field.
SNG Paris 96 (same obverse die); SNG von Aulock 4568–4569 var. (order of names).
NGC graded CHOICE XF, Strike 3/5, Surface 4/5, extremely rare with this arrangement of names.
$ 2000
G. F. Hill originally suggested that the wrestlers depicted on staters of Aspendus and Selge represented a statue group erected in Aspendus honoring two wrestlers named Menetos and Elupsa, based on an issue (SNG von Aulock 4568) bearing the Pamphylian inscription MENETΥΣ EΛΥΨA. The idea of a statue group seems improbable since issues struck before the emission with this legend show the wrestlers in a wide variety of different poses. The type may celebrate a wrestler from Aspendus who was victorious in the Olympic games or some other less famous contest, but the legend cannot be labeling the two combatants. The present stater is a very rare variant of the type known to Hill in which the legend is given in the order EΛΥΨA MENETΥΣ. This arrangement of the legend seems to indicate that the two elements do indeed represent names, but they are not directly linked to the individual wrestlers depicted. Instead, they are more likely to be the names of the Aspendian magistrates responsible for production.
19532. PAMPHYLIA. SIDE. 3rd–2nd centuries BC.
Silver Tetradrachm, 16.83 g, 30 mm.
Obv. Head of Athena right, wearing Corinthian helmet. Rev. Nike moving left, offering wreath, pomegranate and ΣIH control monogram in left field.
Seyrig, Side, 23; SNG Paris 708–712; SNG von Aulock 4793 var. (H in right field).
NGC graded CHOICE XF, Strike 5/5, Surface 3/5, “brushed.” $
19534. PAMPHYLIA. SIDE. 3rd–2nd centuries BC.
Silver Tetradrachm, 31 mm.
Obv. Head of Athena right, wearing Corinthian helmet. Rev. Nike moving left, offering wreath, pomegranate above wreath and AP control monogram in left field.
Seyrig, Side, 3; SNG Paris 662–666.
NGC graded CHOICE VF, “dis shift,” scarce emission with ca. nine specimens on
ARAMAIC GRAFFITI ON SELEUCUS I TROPHY TETRADRACHMS
The Seleucus I “Nike with Trophy” tetradrachms were struck to maintain the Seleucid military presence in Persis. The satrapy is known to have suffered from conflict between Macedonian military colonists and indigenous Persians, and the coinage may have been intended to pay the garrisons and settlers to maintain control of the region against Persian desire for autonomy. Perhaps around 295 BC, when the trophy coinage ended, a local Persian ruler named Oborzus (Vahbarz) organized the massacre of 3,000 settlers. Persis was subsequently ruled by a local dynasty of Frataraka, who produced their own coins by overstriking both trophy issues and earlier Alexander types. The Aramaic graffiti on this and the following coin complement the hoard evidence for the trophy tetradrachms of Seleucus, which points to its production at Susa for use by Persians in Persis.
20146. SELEUCID KINGDOM. SELEUCUS I, 312–281 BC.
Silver Tetradrachm, 17.06 g, 26 mm. Issue of Susa, ca. 305–295 BC.
Obv. Head of Seleucus (or Alexander) right, wearing helmet with panther skin covering and bull’s ears and horns. Aramaic graffito (aleph ?) Rev. BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΣEΛEYKOY, Nike standing right, crowning trophy, BE below left wing, Boeotian shield between Nike and trophy; monogram to right of trophy. Aramaic graffito (R) at top.
SC 173.1; HGC 9, 20; Marest–Caffey 11 (A3/P6).
NGC graded CHOICE VF, Strike 5/5, Surface 2/5, FINE STYLE, “graffiti.”
20147. SELEUCID KINGDOM. SELEUCUS I, 312–281 BC.
Silver Tetradrachm, 17.10 g, 26 mm. Issue of Susa, ca. 305–295 BC.
$ 3300
Obv. Head of Seleucus (or Alexander) right, wearing helmet with panther skin covering and bull’s ears and horns. Aramaic graffiti (WHWNBRZ?) Rev. BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΣEΛEYKOY, Nike standing right, crowning trophy, monogram below left wing, monogram between Nike and trophy.
SC 173.4; HGC 9, 20; Marest–Caffey 44 (A7/P20).
NGC graded XF, Strike 4/5, Surface 2/5, graffito.
$ 3800
The impressive Aramaic graffiti on the obverse seems to represent the personal name of the original Persian owner of this coin. Although the whole meaning of the name is uncertain, the –BRZ element means “exalted” or “noble” and occurs in other names of ancient Iranian rulers like Barzanes and Ariobarzanes.
20170. CLEOPATRA THEA WITH ANTIOCHUS VIII, 126/5–121/0 BC.
Silver Tetradrachm, 16.68 g, 29 mm. Issue of Sidon dated SE 192 (121/0 BC).
Obv. Jugate busts right of Cleopatra Thea, veiled and wearing diadem and stephane, and Antiochus VIII, diademed. Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΙΣΣΗΣ
ΘEAΣ / ΚΑΙ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ; Zeus seated left on low throne, holding Nike in outstretched right hand and scepter in left; in outer left field, monogram; under throne, ΣΙ / ΙΕΡ / ΑΣΥ; in exergue, BϘP (date) and aphlaston.
SC 2268; HGC 9, 1182f.
XF, die cracks on obverse, attractive toning overall, a rare emission with only eight specimens currently listed on CoinArchives.
$ 2750
This beautifully toned tetradrachm is a rare Attic–weight issue struck at the Phoenician mint of Sidon during the joint reign of Cleopatra Thea and Antiochus VIII. Traditionally, Sidon struck Seleucid tetradrachms to the lighter Phoenician weight standard, but on very rare occasions, also produced Attic–weight issues, presumably to pay garrison forces that expected to be rotated out of the closed currency zone of Phoenicia.
After murdering her eldest son, Seleucus, and failing to gain acceptance as sole ruler in 126 BC, Cleopatra Thea raised her younger son, Antiochus VIII Grypus, to be a puppet co–ruler. Unfortunately, he turned out not to be nearly as pliable as Cleopatra had hoped, and in 121/0 BC, she attempted to kill him with a poisoned wine cup. Learning of the plot beforehand, Antiochus VIII, who was also no stranger to the use of toxins, forced her to drink her own poison and subsequently became the sole ruler of the Seleucid kingdom until his half–brother, Antiochus IX Cyzicenus arrived to challenge him for it in 116/15 BC. The present coin was struck in the last year of the joint reign of Cleopatra Thea and Antiochus VIII.
THE FIRST TYRE SHEKEL LIKELY MINTED IN JERUSALEM
20160. PHOENICIA. TYRE.
Silver Shekel, 14.22 g, 27 mm. Issue of Tyre year 113 (14/3 BC).
Obv. Laureate head of Melkart right. Rev. ΤΥΡΟΥ
eagle standing left on prow, PIΓ (date) above club in left field, KP above HZ control monogram in right field, Phoenician letter B between eagle’s legs.
DCA Tyre Supplement Release 2, 416 (same obverse die)
NGC graded VF, Strike 4/5, Surface 4/5, a rare and seldom seen emission from the first year where the KP control was introduced on Tyrian coinage. $ 2800
Ya’akov Meshorer argued that a shift to dumpier flans and the introduction of the KP control were indicative of the transfer of minting operations of the Tyrian shekel to Jerusalem in the late first century BC. He claimed that the KP control should be resolved as kratos romaiwn (“power of the Romans”) as a sign that Herod the Great was striking the coins under the authority of the Romans for use in payment of taxes to the Jerusalem Temple. Following Exodus 30:11–16, every adult Jewish male was required to make an annual payment of a half shekel towards the upkeep of the Temple. Meshorer’s theory has been heavily disputed and his resolution of the KP control is not generally accepted. However, most critics do accept the possibility that the late Tyrian shekels may have been struck at Jerusalem to facilitate the needs of the Temple.
A PAIR OF TYRIAN SHEKELS STRUCK DURING THE LIFETIME OF JESUS CHRIST
17699. PHOENICIA. TYRE.
Silver Shekel, 13.76 g, 24 mm. Issue of Tyre year 143 (AD 17/8), struck during the LIFETIME OF CHRIST.
Obv. Laureate head of Melkart right. Rev.
eagle standing left on prow, PMG (date) above club in left field, KP above ΔIOC monogram in right field, Phoenician letter B between eagle’s legs.
Tyre Supplement Release 2, 505.
NGC graded VF, Strike 3/5, Surface 3/5, an extremely rare year variety with the ΔIOC control monogram and struck during the lifetime of Christ. $ 1850
19998. PHOENICIA. TYRE.
Silver Shekel, 14.34 g, 25 mm. Issue of Tyre year 152? (AD 26/7), struck during the LIFETIME OF CHRIST.
Obv. Laureate head of Melkart right. Rev.
eagle standing left on prow, PNB? (date) above club in left field, KP above monogram in right field, unclear Phoenician letter between legs.
DCA Tyre Supplement Release 2, 545—546 (same obverse as 545).
NGC graded CHOICE VF, Strike 4/5, Surface 3/5, “scuff,” extremely rare date variety, with only four other specimens on record (three in DCA Tyre Supplement and one other on CoinArchives). The obverse die on this specimen is very close in its degree of wear to DCA Tyre 545 cited above, assuring that the attribution to this year is correct. $ 2575
TYRE YEAR 162 MONOGRAM VARIETY SEEMINGLY UNIQUE AND UNLISTED BY COHEN
18406. PHOENICIA. TYRE.
Silver Shekel, 14.08 g, 23 mm. Issue of Tyre Year 162 (AD 36/7), struck ca. 3–5 years after the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Obv. Laureate head of Melkart right. Rev. Rev. ΤΥΡΟΥ
eagle standing left on prow, [Ρ]ΞB (date) above club in left field, KP above NPAI control monogram in right field, Phoenician B between eagle’s legs.
DCA Tyre Supplement Release 2, 596 var.
NGC graded CHOICE XF, Strike 3/5, Surface 3/5, “unlisted in Cohen (Tyre.R2)” noted. $ 3000
This monogram variety from Tyre year 162 was unknown to Cohen and is thus unpublished and possibly unique. Cohen recorded a variant with control NPA which is first seen in year 159 (AD 33/4 – crucifixion year) and reappears sporadically until year 164. On this emission of year 162 the same monogram is altered by the addition of an iota after the alpha, creating a different monogram. This amplified variety does not reappear again in Cohen’s recorded issues for the other years where NPA is found.
20096. EGYPT. PTOLEMAIC KINGS. PTOLEMY II, 285/4–246 BC.
Gold Pentadrachm (Trichryson), 17.81 g, 23 mm. Issue of Tyre, ca. 275/4 BC.
Obv. Diademed bust of Ptolemy I right, with aegis around neck. Rev. BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΠTOΛEMAIOY, eagle standing left on thunderbolt, H above club in left field.
CPE 555; Svoronos 636; BMC 74; Weber 8256.
Ex Numismatica Ars Classica 100, 5/29/2017, lot 178.
Like most Ptolemaic precious metal issues struck at mints in Phoenicia, this gold pentadrachm of Ptolemy II Philadelphus was struck at Tyre to support military aims in the region—in this case, the defense of Ptolemaic Phoenicia and Coele–Syria against the Seleucid king, Antiochus I Soter, during the First Syrian War (274–272 BC). In this conflict, Seleucid forces initially occupied Damascus and began to advance southward, but Ptolemy II brought the war to an end by using his navy to capture Seleucid coastal territory in Asia Minor. Not only was Tyre an important city for retaining control of Phoenicia, it was also a major port for the Ptolemaic fleet.
LIKELY DONATIVE TO EGYPTIAN TROOPS AFTER THE BATTLE OF RAPHIA
17313. EGYPT, PTOLEMAIC KINGDOM. PTOLEMY III, 246–222 BC.
Gold Mnaieion (Octodrachm), 27.70 g, 27 mm. Posthumous commemorative issue struck by Ptolemy IV, ca. 219–217 BC. Obv. Radiate bust of Ptolemy III, wearing aegis and holding trident over his left shoulder. Rev. BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΠTOΛEMAIOY, cornucopia wrapped with radiate royal diadem, ΔI below. CPE, 888; Svoronos, 1117; Olivier & Lorber, “Three gold coinages of third–century Ptolemaic Egypt” in RBN 159 (2013), 167 (Obv 4/ Rev 15) (this coin cited).
Ex Kölner Münzkabinett 115, 10/29/2021, lot 140 = Kricheldorf XXIII, 6/21/1971, lot 55 = Hirsch 43, 6/21/1965, lot 1261. Kölner Münzkabinett suggested that this is the same coin as that from the Consul Weber collection, J. Hirsch XXI, 11/16/1908, lot 4497, however, this is unlikely despite the very poor reproduction of the cast in the Hirsch sale. NGC graded VF, Strike 5/5, Surface 3/5, “graffito.” $ 18500
This impressive coin honors the deified Ptolemy III Euergetes, who famously invaded many parts of the Seleucid Empire during the Third Syrian War (246–241 BC), absorbing large sections of western and southern Asia Minor, as well as parts of Syria into the Ptolemaic Kingdom. It was struck under Ptolemy IV as a means of comparing him to his triumphant father after the former achieved his own impressive victory over the Seleucid king Antiochus III at the Battle of Raphia on June 22, 217 BC. Early in the battle, the larger Indian Seleucid war elephants defeated Ptolemy’s smaller African elephants and Antiochus III broke the Ptolemaic left wing, but Ptolemy IV and his queen Arsinoe III managed to rally the remaining phalanx and press on to victory. Gold coins such as this are very likely to have been the prize given to soldiers after the battle and a tool used to spur them to victory. According to 3 Maccabees 1.4, after all seemed lost, “Arsinoe continually went up and down the ranks, and with disheveled hair, with tears and entreaties, begged the soldiers to fight manfully for themselves, their children, and wives; and promised that if they proved conquerors, she would give them two minas of gold apiece. It thus fell out that their enemies were defeated in hand–to–hand encounter, and that many of them were taken prisoners.”
As triumvir with immediate authority over the eastern Roman provinces, Antony was a man who inhabited two distinct worlds at the same time. His authority as a ruler stemmed directly from Rome and the Lex Titia, which had created the Second Triumvirate of Antony, Octavian, and Lepidus under Roman Republican constitutional law in 43 BC, as well as from his marriage to Octavian’s sister, Octavia, in 40 BC, which established a tenuous peace between Antony and Octavian. At the same time, Antony cultivated the image of a Hellenistic ruler familiar to the peoples of the eastern provinces and cast himself as a new Dionysus. His amorous relationship with the famous Ptolemaic queen Cleopatra VII solidified this image. Unfortunately, the two worlds (and wives) of Antony were incompatible with each other, and when he decided to divorce Octavia in favor of Cleopatra in 33 BC, it provoked the civil war with Octavian that ended in the deaths of Antony and Cleopatra and heralded the final destruction of the Roman Republic.
20001. ROMAN IMPERATORIAL. MARK ANTONY AND OCTAVIA. 39 BC
Silver Cistophorus, 11.73 g, 26 mm. Issue of Ephesus, ca. 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 3/5.
$ 1950
and MARC
Silver Denarius, 3.61 g, 19 mm. Issue of Alexandria, ca. 34–32 BC. Obv. [ANTONI] ARMENIA DEVICTA, head of Marc Antony right; Armenian tiara in left field. Rev. CLEOPAT[RAE REGINAE REG] VM FILIORVM REGVM, diademed and draped bust of Cleopatra right, prow below bust at right. Crawford 543/1; Sydenham 1210.
NGC graded CHOICE FINE, Strike 3/5, Surface 4/5, “brushed,” pleasing light gray toning, with an attractive and well–realized portrait of Cleopatra. $ 7700
This remarkable coin was almost certainly struck in Alexandria as such a type would have been totally unacceptable to the populace in Rome. For the first time the portrait of a foreign monarch appears on Roman coinage, with Cleopatra given equal billing to Antony, her Roman husband. The coin’s legend proclaims the Egyptian queen to be “Queen of Kings,” and asserts the status of their children as “kings.”
20110. ROMAN IMPERATORIAL. CLEOPATRA VII
ANTONY.
The two coins below are part of a historic series struck by M. Barbatius Pollio who served as quaestor pro praetore for Mark Antony in the East in 41 BC. However, according to Appian (B.Civ. 31), some disagreement arose between Antony and Barbatius, which caused the disgruntled quaestor to return to Rome.
The abbreviation of the moneyer’s name, BARBAT, seems to have been the cause of a great deal of confusion to the celators used to cutting Greek letters, especially the similar forms of B and R. While the majority of the dies produced are correct, a number of them show some spectacular misspelling, such as RARBAT or BARRAT. These errors may have been recognized, and attempts were made to fix them; however, the second specimen below shows the error RARBAT engraved over an earlier version, with the original letters still mostly there. The many variations of Barbatius’ name provide a fascinating instance of the production challenges at the early Roman provincial mints due to the use of the Latin language.
ROMAN IMPERATORIAL. MARC ANTONY AND OCTAVIAN.
Silver Denarius, 3.69 g, 19 mm. Issue of M. Barbatius Pollio from Ephesus, 41 BC. Obv. M A[NT] IMP AVG III VIR R P C M BARRAT Q P, bare head of Marc Antony right. Rev: CAESAR IMP PONT III VIR R P C, bare head of Octavian right.
Crawford 517/2 note; Sydenham 1181 var. (rendition of legend).
NGC graded VF, Strike 5/5, Surface 2/5, “banker’s mark,” “marks.”
$ 3500
Among the dies showing misspellings, two variants are periodically seen, RARBAT and BARRAT. In this case the legend clearly reads BARRAT. Crawford was aware of these aberrations and referred to them in a footnote.
AN ERROR VARIANT UNKNOWN TO CRAWFORD
20148. ROMAN IMPERATORIAL. MARC ANTONY AND OCTAVIAN. Silver Denarius, 3.85 g, 20 mm. Issue of M. Barbatius Pollio from Ephesus, 41 BC.
Obv. M ANT IMP AVG III VIR R P C M RARBAT [over older inscription] Q P, bare head of Marc Antony right. Rev. CAESAR IMP PONT III VIR R P C, bare head of Octavian right.
Crawford 517/2 note; Sydenham 1181 var. (rendition of legend).
NGC graded VF, Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5, “light marks.”
$ 4000
On this specimen, the RARBAT spelling is encountered, however, the text appears recut over an older inscription that remains partially visible as follows: R[E]–A–R[A?]–B[P]–A[overlapping another letter]–T. This complex recutting variant is not noted in Crawford’s catalogue.
19825.
20088. ROMAN EMPIRE. AUGUSTUS 27 BC–AD 14.
Silver Brockage Denarius, 3.82 g, 19 mm. Issue of a Spanish mint, ca. 19–18 BC.
Obv. CA(ESAR) AVGVSTVS, youthful head of Octavian right. Rev. Incuse image of obverse.
RIC I 42a and RIC I 77a are among the possible varieties from which the brockage was struck.
NGC graded CHOICE AU, Strike 3/5, Surface 4/5, “brockage,” amazing full obverse brockage with an exceptional portrait of Augustus. $ 2550
THE “TRIBUTE PENNY” OF THE BIBLE
20161. ROMAN EMPIRE. TIBERIUS, AD 14–37.
Silver Denarius, 3.73 g, 20 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.
This coin type is widely believed to be the “tribute penny” of the Bible, 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.”
20194. ROMAN EMPIRE. GAIUS (CALIGULA), AD 37-41. Silver Denarius, 3.72 g, 19 mm. Issue of Lugdunum (Lyon), AD 37.
Obv. C CAESAR AVG GERM P M TR POT COS, laureate head of Caligula right. Rev. Radiate head of Augustus right, stars on either side.
RIC I rev, 2.
NGC graded CHOICE FINE, Strike 4/5, Surface 3/5.
$ 6500
When he came to the throne Caligula showed great promise. It is at this time that this coin was struck (at modern day Lyon, in France), the reverse showing a portrait of the deified Augustus, the founder of the Julio-Claudian dynasty. Soon after Caligula seems to have gone insane. Suetonius recounts many stories of his depravity, including sleeping with his sisters and making his horse a senator. This coin has a strong portrait of the young emperor, who became known to history as one of its most deranged tyrants.
20035. ROMAN EMPIRE. NERO, AD 54–68.
Gold Aureus, 7.23 g, 20 mm. Issue of Rome, ca. AD 64–65. Obv. NERO CAESAR AVGVSTVS, laureate head right. Rev. IVPPITER CVSTOS, Jupiter enthroned left, holding thunderbolt and scepter.
RIC I rev, 52; Calicó 412.
NGC graded CHOICE VF, Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5.
$ 9350
A popular and historical type, Jupiter Custos (the Guardian) prominently appears on Nero’s coinage at this time and refers to the failure of the Pisonian conspiracy that included a group of high–ranking individuals. Among these were the philosopher Seneca the Younger and the literary figures Lucan and Petronius.
20089. ROMAN EMPIRE. VESPASIAN, AD 69–79.
Gold Aureus, 7.12 g, 20 mm. Issue of Rome, AD 73.
Obv. IMP CAESAR VESP AVG CENS, laureate head of Vespasian right. Rev. VESTA, round temple of Vesta with cult statue within, other statues flanking the structure.
RIC II.1, 549 (R); Calicó 691.
NGC graded CHOICE VF, Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5, FINE STYLE, a beautifully centered coin struck from artistic dies, gently circulated, a rare type with an exceptional architectural rendering of a structure that is still partially preserved today in the Roman Forum. $ 9500
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.
20209. ROMAN EMPIRE. CARACALLA WITH GETA, AD 198–217. PROVINCIAL ISSUE OF STRATONICAEA, CARIA. Bronze AE 37 mm, 22.91 m. Issue of Archon Flavius Leon Lena, ca. AD 205–209, subjected to damnatio memoriae, with Geta’s portrait removed.
Obv. Facing laureate, draped and curiassed busts of Caracalla and Gera (chiseled out of die), circular countermark with bust of Caracalla. Rev. Zeus Panamaros riding horse right.
RPC V.2 Online 73879; SNG von Aulock 8163 var. (rev. legend arrangement). For c/m see Howgego 84. About VF, rare variety, with faint traces of Geta’s portrait that has been chiseled out of the die.
$ 1250
$ 675
19761. ROMAN EMPIRE. VALENTINIAN III, AD 425–455.
Gold Solidus, 4.41 g, 22 mm. Issue of Rome, October AD 435.
Obv. D N PLA VALENTINIANVS P F AVG, diademed half–length bust of Valentinian left, wearing consular mantle, holding mappa and a cruciform scepter over shoulder. Rev. VOT X MVLT XX, Valentinian in consular robes, seated on throne facing, holding mappa and cruciform scepter; R–M across fields, CONOB in exergue.
RIC X 2034; Depeyrot 42/1.
Ex NAC USA stock, inv. 1139; ex Morris (Phil Peck) Collection, Heritage 3071, 1/6/2019, lot 32304 = NAC 21, 5/17/ 2001, lot 599. NGC graded CHOICE XF, Strike 4/5, Surface 3/5. $ 4700
Valentinian III, the son of Constantius III and Galla Placidia, ascended the throne when six years old with the help of his uncle Theodosius II. His mother served as regent. This coin was part of an issue celebrating the emperor’s “decennalia,” the anniversary of 10 years of rule, when he was 16.
EXCEPTIONAL IMITATIVE SOLIDUS OF ZENO, POSSIBLY STRUCK UNDER THEODORIC
20165. ROMAN EMPIRE. ZENO, AD 474–491.
Gold Solidus, 4.46 g, 20 mm. Imitative issue in the name of Zeno, perhaps struck under Theodoric.
Obv. D N ZENO PERP AVC, helmeted and cuirassed bust of Zeno three quarters right, holding spear and shield with horseman device. Rev. VICTORIA AVGGG I, Victory standing left, holding jeweled cross, star in right field, CONOR (?) in exergue.
Cf. RIC X 905; Lacam, La fin de L’Empire Romain et le monnayage or en Italie (Lucern, 1983), pp. 902–903, Classe III.A, citing a specimen from the Védrin hoard which appears to be similar stylistically and in handling of the legend.
NGC graded CHOICE MINT STATE, Strike 5/5, Surface 5/5, exceptional luster and quality, the rendition of the final letter in CONOB exceedingly unusual and as such possibly unique. $ 4950
Although this coin has been encapsulated by NGC as a regular issue of Zeno, there are peculiarities in the style and especially the final letter in the mint’s name CONOB. Here it seems rendered as an P or an unfinished R where the front slash appears missing. The CONOR rendition is the hallmark of imitative issues in the name of Zeno struck by Theodoric. Guy Lacam wrote the study on these later emissions and certainly this piece appears to fit among those he assigns to Theodoric, for which see citation above.
20135. BYZANTINE EMPIRE. HERACLIUS WITH HERACLIUS CONSTANTINE, AD 613–641.
Gold Solidus, 4.47 g, 10 mm. Issue Carthage, 14th Indictional Year, 2nd cycle (AD 640/1).
Obv. D N ЄRACLO ЄT ЄRA CONST P P, facing draped busts of Heraclius (left) and Heraclius Constantine (right), cross above. Rev. VICTORIA AVCC [IΔ], cross potent on stepped base, CONOB in exergue. Sear 867.
NGC graded CHOICE XF, Strike 4/5, Surface 4/5. $ 1500
18633. BYZANTINE EMPIRE. ANONYMOUS ISSUE.
Bronze Follis (Class A3), 10.57 g, 28 mm. Issue of Constantinople, ca. AD 1020-1028.
Obv. + ЄMMANOVHΛ / IC-XC, bust of Christ Pantocrator, facing, holding Gospels and raising right hand in benediction. Rev. + IҺSЧS / XRISTЧS / ЬASILЄЧ / ЬASILЄ (Jesus Christ, King of Kings), vine scroll in exergue. Sear 1818.
NGC graded MINT STATE, Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5.
$ 1250
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.
19937. AUSTRIA, HOLY ROMAN EMPIRE. LEOPOLD I, 1658–1705.
Silver Schautaler, 25.91 g, 43 mm. Issue commemorating the Relief of Vienna by Jan III Sobieski, struck at Vienna and dated 14 July 1683.
Obv. Crowned double–headed eagle standing left on globe, holding sword and scepter; to upper left, radiant eye of God; to lower right, downward facing crescent moon descending into clouds. Rev. Legend in twenty–two lines. Voglhuber 239; Hutten–Czapski 2468.
Mint state specimen with a proof–like quality in NGC details holder with notation “cleaned.”
NGC’S TOP POP FOR 1728 QUARTER DUCAT
20132. AUSTRIA. SALZBURG. LEOPOLD ANTON ELEUTHERIUS, 1727–1744.
Gold 1/4 Ducat, 0.875 g, 14 mm. Issue of 1728. KM–330; Fr–851.
$ 3950
NGC graded MS66, superb and with a proof–like luster, currently NGC’s TOP POP for the 1728 emissions (of 17 graded specimens).
$ 2250
20012. FRANCE. LOUIS XVI, 1754–1793.
Silver Ecu, 1787. Issue of Pau mint, for the Province of Bearn. Obv. Draped bust of Louis XVI. Rev. Royal coat of arms, cow mintmark below. KM–572, Dav–1334.
NGC graded AU55, with superb golden–blue iridescence.
$ 525
20254. GREAT BRITAIN. CHARLES II.
Silver “British Colonization” Medal, 1670, 41 mm. By J. Roettier
Obv. CAROLVS ET CATHARINA REX ET REGINA, conjoined busts right. Rev. DIFFVSVS IN ORBE BRITANNVS 1670, Globe centered on Prime Meridian.
Eimer–245, Betts–44.
PCGS graded SP61, with light ice blue toning with reddish highlights. $ 3800
20253. GREAT BRITAIN. GEORGE I.
Silver Coronation Medal, 1714, 35 mm. By J. Croker.
Obv. GEORGIVS D G MAG BR FR ET HIB REX, laureate, draped, and armored bust right. Rev. George enthroned right, being crowned by Britannia standing left, holding spear and shield, INAVGVRAT · XX · OCT ·/MDCCXIIII in exergue. Eimer–470.
PCGS graded SP55.
$ 975
20252. GREAT BRITAIN. GEORGE III.
Silver “Charlotte Coronation” Medal, 1761, 34 mm. By L. Natter.
Obv. CHARLOTTA D G M BR FR ET HIB REGINA, draped bust right . Rev. QVAESITVM MERITIS, Queen standing, facing, crowned by Fame hovering above; CORON XXII SEPT // MDCCLXI in exergue. Eimer–696.
PCGS graded MS61.
$ 2750
20244. KINGDOM OF SPAIN. PHILIP II. Gold Cob 2 Escudo 1597 B, 6.74 g, 25 mm. Seville mint. KM–13.
NGC graded AU53. $ 4500
20248. KINGDOM OF SPAIN. VICEROYALTY OF NEW SPAIN (1521–1821), COLOMBIA. CARLOS II. Gold Cob 2 Escudo (1667–99), 6.74 g, 22 mm. Ex 1715 Fleet.
NGC graded MS62, Shipwreck Certification, “1715 Fleet,” salvaged from the wreck of the Spanish fleet that sunk during a hurricane off the eastern coast of Florida in 1715. $ 9000
20247. KINGDOM OF SPAIN. VICEROYALTY OF NEW SPAIN (1521–1821), COLOMBIA. CARLOS II POSTHUMOUS ISSUE UNDER PHILIP V.
Gold Cob Escudo (1708–1714), 3.34 g, 15 mm. Bogota mint.
NGC graded MS65, Shipwreck Certification, beautifully centered with immaculate designs, NGC online record specifies that it is from the “1715 Fleet,” although this is not stated explicitly on the label. $ 10500
TOP POP AT NGC
SOLE AND HIGHEST GRADED IN THE PCGS CENSUS
20245. KINGDOM OF SPAIN, VICEROYALTY OF NEW SPAIN (1521–1821), COLOMBIA. PHILIP V.
Gold Cob Escudo (1708–13), 3.34 g, 14 mm. Issue of Bogota mint. Fr–9; KM–13; Calicó Type 210.
Ex Stack’s Bowers, Summer 2022 Global Showcase Auction, lot 34385.
PCGS graded MS62. Sole and highest graded specimen at PCGS, illustrated on the PCGS census site.
SOLE AND HIGHEST GRADED IN THE PCGS CENSUS
20246. KINGDOM OF SPAIN, VICEROYALTY OF NEW SPAIN (1521–1821). COLOMBIA. PHILIP V.
Gold Cob 2 Escudo, 1743–F S, 20 mm. Issue of Bogota mint, Assayer Sebastian de Rivera (S). Fr–8; KM–17.2; Calicó Type 243 (Unlisted date).
Ex Stack’s Bowers, Summer 2022 Global Showcase Auction, lot 34075.
PCGS AU50, ex Pat Johnson Collection, with the last three digits of the date (743) clearly struck on the reverse. Sole and highest graded specimen at PCGS, illustrated on the PCGS census site.
HIGHEST GRADED IN BOTH NGC AND PCGS CENSUS
20250. KINGDOM OF SPAIN, VICEROYALTY OF NEW SPAIN (1521–1821). PERU. FERDINAND VI. Gold 8 Escudos, 1757 LM–JM. Issue of Lima mint. Variety with pellet above assayer’s initials.
Weight: 27.067 g, 36 mm.
KM–59.2, Calicó Type 772, Onza–586 (Rare).
Ex Heritage 61364, 3/17/2024, lot 21446. NGC MS62.
$ 5200
$ 12750
20243. US PRIVATE ISSUE TERRITORIAL GOLD. AUGUSTUS HUMBERT. 1852 $10 Gold, 27 mm.
Kagin–10a, ex S.S. Central America, SSCA 7030.
NGC graded VF30, SS Central America provenance noted, one of the 67 specimens of Humbert’s $10 gold that were recovered from the wreck. $ 11500
20242. US 1856–S DOUBLE EAGLE FROM THE S.S. CENTRAL AMERICA
1856–S $20, Variety 17A, Full Serif on U, Broken A in STATES, 34 mm. Ex S.S. Central America, SSCA 5099.
NGC graded AU55, SS Central America provenance noted. $ 7500
BURIED IN A CAN, FROM THE SADDLE RIDGE HOARD OF 2013
20241. US 1889–S DOUBLE EAGLE FROM THE SADDLE RIDGE HOARD. 1889–S $20, 34 mm. Ex Saddle Ridge Hoard.
The Saddle Ridge Hoard is likely the largest known hoard of gold coins ever discovered in the U.S. Found by accident in Northern California in 2013, it contained 1427 gold coins stored in several metal cans. The 1889 San Francisco Double Eagle offered above was among these pieces.
