nomos
z端rich, switzerland in association with
Classical Numismatic Group, Inc.
Lancaster, Pennsylvania London, England
130 Distinctive Numismatic Items
Winter-Spring 2014
Once again it is time for me to welcome you to Nomos AG’s seventh price list. We have actually finished it with time to spare this year, how did we do that? Probably because everyone who was involved in cataloguing, writing, photographing, lay-outing and kibitzing were incredibly efficient! As usual, we have tried to include a wide variety of interesting coins, from many areas and for all budgets; all of our 130 pieces have been very carefully selected so that there will be something for everyone, whether he or she is a beginner or an advanced specialist. Among the Greek coins there quite a few very special pieces: a very rare and attractive Chalkidian League tetradrachm (11); a gold stater of Alexander III of remarkable style (14); the wonderful stater from Stymphalos, probably the finest known (20); and a fascinating hekte from Phokaia with a young satyr wearing the mask of an old one (28)! Rome begins with a really fine style and early quadrigatus (34) and continues on through a wide variety of splendid coins to one of the truly great rarities of the entire Roman series: the silver medallion of 48 siliquae of Valentinian I, struck in Antioch in 369 (68). This is the largest precious metal multiple to have survived from ancient times and provides us with a good idea of with what magnificence imperial anniversaries were celebrated. After this come 10 coins of the early Middle Ages, including 2 of Charlemagne (75-76), followed by 38 European coins and medals from mints all over the continent. There is an unusual group of modern gold French prize medals (8691), and of especial interest is a fine selection of coins and medals of Renaissance Italy (94-112), of which many are very rare. The list ends with a splendid series from Britain and Scotland, ranging from issues of the ancient British (116-119) through a very rare satirical medal in honor of Thomas Paine (129). Nomos AG will once again be at the New York International Numismatic Convention, held at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel from the 9th to the 12th of January, 2014. As always, it will be surrounded by auctions and will be a meeting place for collectors from all over the world. From the 14th to the 23rd of March we will be exhibiting at Stand 260 in The European Fine Arts Fair (TEFAF), Maastricht and we would be happy to see you there. Our next auction is planned for May in Zurich – if you have anything you would like to consign, please contact us, we will be happy to help you. Dr Alan Walker Nomos AG Victor England
Yves Gunzenreiner
NOMOS AG WWW.NOMOSAG.COM nomos@nomosag.com
Eric J. McFadden
CNG, Inc. WWW.CNGCOINS.COM cng@cngcoins.com
Copyright CNG and Nomos
ORDERING INFORMATION 1. The point of sale for all items is Lancaster, Pennsylvania. All orders are sent from Pennsylvania. 2. All items are guaranteed genuine. Attribution, date, condition and other descriptions are the opinion of the cataloguer, and no warranty is expressed or implied. Any coin order may be returned within fourteen days of receipt for any reason. The customer shall bear the cost of returning all items and shall insure them for their full value. 3. Sales tax, postage, handling and insurance are the responsibility of the buyer and are added to all invoices where appropriate. For buyers in the European Union, CNG may import lots into the United Kingdom prior to shipment and charge buyers the import Value Added Tax. On any tax not paid by the purchaser which should have been paid, even if not invoiced by CNG, the purchaser agrees to pay the same on demand together with any interest or penalty that may be assessed. It is the responsibility of the buyer to comply with foreign customs and other regulations. 4. Orders may be paid by US$ check, credit card or wire transfer. US$ checks must be written on a US bank. We accept VISA and MasterCard. Credit card payment may be arranged by phone, fax or mail. Invoices can be provided in Euro, Swiss Francs or Pounds Sterling. Contact the office to arrange details. 5. Please provide a specific shipping address and advise us of any special shipping instructions. Unless other specific shipping instructions are indicated, coins are sent by U.S. Insured or Registered mail. Every effort is made to ship within 24 hours of receipt of payment. Please allow a reasonable time for delivery. For this list all orders are to be placed through CNG. OVER THE WEB Coins may be ordered directly off the website at www.cngcoins.com. To find the coins on this list go to the category Nomos List in the Coin Shop. BY PHONE, FAX, EMAIL, MAIL CNG, Inc. Post Office Box 479 Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17608-0479 +1 717 390 9194 Fax +1 717 390 9978
CNG / Seaby 14 Old Bond Street London, England W1S 4PP +44 (20) 7495 1888 Fax +44 (20) 7499 5916
cng@cngcoins.com
Greek Coinage
1. BRUTTIUM, Rhegion. Circa 450-445 BC. Drachm (Silver, 16mm, 4.26 g 7). Lion’s mask facing. Rev. RECI NON (retrograde) Iokastos seated left on backless stool, holding long scepter in his right hand and resting his left on his waist; all within olive wreath. Herzfelder 17. HN III 2478. Very rare. Toned and well centered. Good very fine.
2. BRUTTIUM, Rhegion. Circa 415/0-387 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 22mm, 16.82 g 6). Lion’s mask facing. Rev. ΡΗΓΙΝΟΝ Laureate head of Apollo to right, with olive sprig behind. Herzfelder 86. HN III 2496. A splendid piece, struck in high relief and lightly toned. Good extremely fine. From a Swiss private collection. The heads of Apollo at Rhegium, with their hair carefully bound up and wreathed, are rather reminiscent of those from Olynthos. This is a very pleasing example with a head of severe yet attractive style.
4
3. SICILY, Gela. Circa 480/75-475/70 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 23mm, 17.24 g 6). Charoteer, holding goad in his right hand and the reins in his left, driving quadriga slowly to the right; above, Nike flying right to crown the horses. Rev. [C]ΕΛΑΣ Forepart of man-headed bull to right. Jenkins, Gela 169.6 = SNG ANS 37, Rizzo, pl. 17, 1 (all struck from the same dies). Attractively toned, well centered and well struck. Nearly extremely fine. From an old English collection.
4. SICILY, Messana. 420-413 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 28mm, 17.21 g 11). ΜΕΣΣΑΝΑ Biga of mules walking to left, driven by the Nymph Messana, standing left and holding goad in her right hand and reins in both; in exergue, two confronted dolphins. Rev. ΜΕΣΣΑΝΙΟΝ Hare springing to left; below, ear of grain on stalk to left. Caltabiano 511 var. (D -/R211). Cf. Rizzo pl. 28, 6 and SNG ANS 272 (same reverse die). Very rare, lacking in Caltabiano’s study of the coinage of Messana. Nicely toned. Nearly extremely fine. Ex Bank Leu 7, 9 May 1973, 69 and from the stock of Jacob Hirsch, Hess-Leu 7, 16 April 1957, 87. This is one of the few pieces that Caltabiano managed to miss in her massive corpus of Messana’s coinage. How this could have occurred is unknown since the coin was illustrated in two major auctions, which took place long before her book was published. In any case, the obverse used for this coin is certainly a variant of her die D205, which is also paired with this reverse die.
5
5. SICILY, Syracuse. Deinomenid Tyranny. 485-466 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 24mm, 17.31 g 12), c. 485-480. Bearded charioteer driving quadriga walking to right; above, Nike flying right to crown the horses. Rev. ΣVRΑΚΟΣΙΟ-Ν Diademed head of Arethusa to right, her hair tied in a krobylos; around, four dolphins swimming to right. Boehringer 109 (V50/R75). An attractive and very detailed example, very well struck. Some minor traces of corrosion, otherwise, extremely fine. From an English collection, acquired approximately 30 years ago.
6. SICILY, Syracuse. Second Democracy. 466-405 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 23mm, 16.95 g 10), c. 460 BC. Charioteer driving quadriga walking to right, holding goad in his right hand and the reins in both; above, Nike flying right to crown the horses; in exergue, ketos to right. Rev. ΣΥRΑΚΟΣΙ - ΟΝ Head of Arethusa to right, wearing a pearl diadem, a simple drop earring and a pearl necklace with a large pendant; around, four dolphins swimming to right. Boehringer 561. Gulbenkian 264. SNG Munich 1022 (all same dies. An attractive, toned example. Obverse very slightly off center, otherwise, good very fine. From the collection of an artist, acquired from Leu Numismatics in 1999, ex Ceresio 3, 3 October 1992, 49. This coin bears a very attractive albeit slightly severe portrait of Arethusa, in a very fine early classical style; in fact, her head is rather similar to those of Apollo that appear on contemporary issues from Leontinoi.
6
7. SICILY, Syracuse. Dionysios I. 405-367 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 25mm, 17.18 g 6), signed by Eukleidas (here off the flan), c. 400 BC. Quadriga galloping to left; above, Nike flying right to crown the driver; in exergue, wheat ear. Rev. ΣΥΡΑΚΟΣΙ - ΩΝ Head of Arethusa to left, wearing ampyx, a sphendone adorned with stars and a spiral earring; around, four dolphins; below neck, here off the flan, ΕΥΚΛΕΙ. Rizzo pl. 48, 13. SNG ANS 295. Tudeer 86. Very rare. Nicely toned. Good very fine. From the collection of an artist, ex Leu 71, 24 October 1997, 77 and Leu 2, 25 April 1972, 113.
8. SICILY, Syracuse. Dionysios I. 405-367 BC. Dekadrachm (Silver, 34mm, 43.25 g 10), unsigned but in the style of Euainetos, c. 400-390 BC. Charioteer, wearing long chiton, holding goad in his right hand and the reins in his left, driving a racing quadriga to left; above, Nike flying right to crown the charioteer; in the exergue on two steps, a panoply of arms. Rev. ΣΥΡΑΚΟΣΙΩΝ Head of Kore-Persephone to left, her hair bound in a wreath of reeds, wearing a pearl necklace and a triple-pendant earring; behind her neck, scallop shell; around, four dolphins. Gallatin R XVIII/FVIIA. Gulbenkian 315 (same reverse die). A lovely example. Lightly toned and beautifully struck. Extremely fine. From an American collection. The freshness and beauty of this coin is quite remarkable. The large size of dekadrachm dies allowed their engravers to not merely enlarge the designs found on tetradrachms, but to expand them and make the iconography more complete and attractive. As this coin shows, the heads of Arethusa that appear on them are often breathtaking in their high relief and elegance.
8
9. SICILY, Syracuse. Agathokles. 317-289 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 24mm, 17.06 g 5), c. 317-310. Head of Arethusa left, wearing wreath of grain ears, triple-pendant earring, and pearl necklace; around, three dolphins; below neck, NK. Rev. ΣVRΑΚΟΣΙΟΝ Charioteer, holding kentron in his right hand and reins in his left, driving galloping quadriga to left; above, counterclockwise triskeles; in exergue, monogram of AI. Ierardi 48 (O9/R26). SNG Forbat 550 (same dies). SNG Lloyd 1478 (same dies). Even gray toning with a slight iridescence. Minor flan flaw on the obverse (traces of overstriking?) and a slightly weak area on the reverse, otherwise, extremely fine.
10. MACEDON, Eion. Circa 470-460 BC. Diobol (Silver, 10mm, 0.92 g). Goose standing to right, his head turned back to left and his left foot raised; above to left, lizard. Rev. Quadripartite incuse square. 273. Nicely toned and with an excellent miniature depiction of two animals. Good very fine. From an American collection.
9
11. MACEDON, Chalkidian League. Circa 350 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 25mm, 14.40 g 1), Olynthos, magistrate Ariston. Laureate head of Apollo to right, with his hair falling in long locks down the back of his neck. Rev. ΧΑΛΚΙΔΕΩΝ Kithara with six strings; below, ΕΠΙ APIΣΤΩNΟΣ. Robinson & Clement 133 (A81/P113). Boston MFA 582 (same dies). SNG Lockett 1314 (same dies). A very rare die combination. Attractively toned, struck on a broad flan and of superb late Classical style. With a touch of porosity on the obverse and a few minor marks, otherwise, extremely fine. This is surely one of the most elegant of all the heads of Apollo to appear on the coinage of the Chalkidian League. He is shown here as being serenely handsome without a trace of the kind of malign power he sometimes shows. This piece is beautifully centered and particularly well-struck from dies that were cut by an artist of great talent.
10
12. KINGS of MACEDON. Alexander III ‘the Great’. 336-323 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 25mm, 17.22 g 9), Pella, c. 325-315. Head of Herakles in lion skin headdress to right. Rev. ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ Zeus seated to left on backless throne, holding eagle in his right hand and long scepter in his left; in field to left, axe, with cutting edge on one side and pick head on the other, lying on its side to right; below throne, coiled serpent to left. Price 246 (axe to left). SNG Ashmolean 2655 var. Rare issue. Toned light gray and particularly elegant, but with some porosity on the obverse. Good extremely fine.
13. KINGS of MACEDON. Alexander III ‘the Great’. 336-323 BC. Stater (Gold, 17mm, 8.55 g 6), struck during the rule of Philip III Arrhidaios, Babylon, c. 323-317. Head of Athena to right, wearing Corinthian helmet adorned with serpent; to left, Μ. Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ Nike standing left with her wings spread, holding laurel wreath in her right hand and stylis in her left; below wing to left, ΛΥ. Price 3691. Extremely fine. From a collection in the United States. An attractive piece. An interesting detail on this coin is the fact that hair on the top of Athena’s head can be seen through the eye hole in the visor of her helmet!
11
14. KINGS of MACEDON. Alexander III ‘the Great’. 336-323 BC. Stater (Gold, 17mm, 8.57 g 6), uncertain Eastern mint, c. 305-300. Head of Athena to right, wearing triple-crested Corinthian helmet adorned with griffin rushing right on the bowl, pendant earring and pearl necklace. Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ Nike walking left with her wings spread, holding laurel wreath in her right hand and stylis in her left; to left, below wing, Σ. Price 3998 = SNG Berry 168. A very rare and elegant coin of very fine style. Good extremely fine. Both the obverse, with its beautiful and serene head of Athena, and the reverse, with Nike walking with her drapery swirling around her legs, were struck from dies that were cut by an engraver of great talent. Even the griffin on Athena’s helmet is made with a very careful attention to detail.
15. KINGS of MACEDON. Philip III Arrhidaios. 323-317 BC. Drachm (Silver, 18mm, 4.32 g 12), Kolophon. Head of Herakles to right in lionskin headdress. Rev. ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΥ Zeus seated left on backless throne, his feet resting on a low foot rest, holding eagle in his right hand and long scepter in his left; to left, lyre; below throne, Α. Price P 44. Lightly toned. Extremely fine.
12
16. KINGS of MACEDON. Philip V. 221-179 BC. Didrachm (Silver, 25mm, 8.29 g 11), Pella, circa 184179. Diademed head of Philip V to right. Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΥ Club with monogram of ΖΩ above and those of ΔΙ and ΒΕ below; all within oak wreath with ties at the left; to left, star of eight rays. Mamroth, Philip 25. SNG München 1128. Nicely toned and with an excellent portrait. Some minor marks, otherwise, good very fine. From the collection of C.S. Bement, Naville VI, 28 January 1924, 787 .
17. THESSALY, Ainianes. Circa 80s (- 40s?) BC. Trihemidrachm (Silver, 26mm, 7.66 g 12), Hypata, magistate Nikarchos. ΝΙΚΑΡΧΟΣ Head of Athena Parthenos to right, wearing an Attic helmet adorned with Pegasos, tendril, and four horse protomes. Rev. ΑΙΝΙΑ-ΝΩΝ Phemios, as a slinger, nude but for chlamys over his shoulder and sword on baldric, standing facing, head turned to right, shooting his sling to right; behind him, two spears leaning against his right leg. De Callataÿ, 2004, 67 (this coin). Extremely rare. Toned and on a broad flan, partly flat struck in places, otherwise, an impressive and attractive coin. About extremely fine. From the BCD Collection, Nomos 4, 10 May 2011, 1019, ex Auctiones 6, 30 September 1976, 131 and Hess-Leu 31, 6 December 1966, 276. The exceptionally broad flan of this coin is highly reminiscent of the staters of the Thessalian League, which were struck in the 40s BC
13
18. BOEOTIA, Thebes. Circa 425-395 BC. Stater (Silver, 20mm, 12.31 g). Boeotian shield. Rev. Θ-Ε Head of Dionysos to right, bearded and wearing an ivy wreath. BCD Boiotia 440 var. BMC 54. A lovely piece, well preserved and with an excellent head of Dionysos. Reverse struck slightly off center. Extremely fine. From a collection in the United States. The heads of Dionysos that appear on the coinage of Thebes always show the god as a noble and severe deity, never as the leader of orgiastic revels the way he can be portrayed elsewhere.
19. ATTICA, Athens. Circa 449-404 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 23mm, 17.20 g 6), c. 430s-420s. Helmeted head of Athena to right. Rev. ΑΘΕ Owl standing right, head facing; behind, olive spray and crescent moon. Dewing 1591-1598. Kroll 8. SNG Copenhagen 31. An elegant and well-centered example of the classic main stream Athenian tetradrachm of the third quarter of the 5th century BC. Nicely toned. Extremely fine.
14
20. ARKADIA, Stymphalos. Circa 350 BC. Stater (Silver, 24mm, 12.04 g 8). Laureate head of Artemis to right, wearing a rosette and crescent earring from which hang five pendants, a necklace of pearls, and with her hair tied in a bun at the back. Rev. ΣΤΥΜΦΑΛΙΩΝ Herakles, nude but for his lionskin wrapped around his left arm, striding to left and preparing to strike with his club held over his head with his right hand; between his legs, ΣΟ. BCD Peloponnesos 1705. BMFA 1269. Gulbenkian 560. Kraay/Hirmer 514. Extremely rare. A superb piece, beautifully toned and very probably the finest known example. Some very minor traces of corrosion, otherwise, good extremely fine. From the ‘Outstanding Collection’, Leu 81, 16 May 2001, 226 and from the Argos Hoard of 1966 (IGCH 130). This exceptional coin was originally owned by one of the great collectors of the mid 20th century, who bought it privately in the late 1960s, and by whose heirs it was sold in Leu 81. The head of Artemis on the obverse is both elegant and youthful - not at all as hard and dangerous looking as she appears on other Stymphalian staters (see BCD 1700 and 1704; it is close to 1705 but is slightly more youthful). On the reverse Herakles strides left to attack something or someone, but who? People have always assumed he was attacking the Stymphalian birds but, as has been pointed out before, he drove them off using his bow, not by attempting to brain them with his club! It seems more likely that this Herakles, whose pose is so reminiscent of that of the Athenian tyrant slayer Harmodios, actually symbolizes the liberation of Stymphalos from Spartan domination after the battle of Leuctra.
15
21. KINGS of PERGAMON. Eumenes I. 263-241 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 29mm, 17.08 g 1), c. 263255/250. Diademed head of Philetairos to right. Rev. ΦΙΛΕΤΑΙΡΟΥ Athena, seated left on backless throne, holding a shield adorned with a gorgoneion by the edge with her right hand, and with her left, a spear held downwards over her left shoulder, her left elbow resting on a sphinx; to left, below her right arm, ivy leaf; on the throne, Α; to right, bow. SNG France 1606-1609. SNG von Aulock 1355. Westermark Group III (obverse XXVII). An attractive, sharp, toned coin struck in high relief. Some minor deposits on the reverse, otherwise, extremely fine. While this portrait is commonly described as being diademed, the beautiful condition of this piece makes it very clear that he wears something slightly more elaborate. It is clearly a laurel wreath bound with a broad ribbon with wide, hemmed borders.
22. LESBOS, Unattributed early mint. Circa 500-450 BC. Stater (Billon, 18mm, 11.29 g). Two calf’s heads confronted, forming a single facing head; between them, laurel tree Rev. Incuse square. SNG Copenhagen 285. SNG von Aulock 1682. Traité I, pl. XV, 14. Toned and very clearly struck. With a fascinating optical illusion on the obverse. Unusually well-preserved. Extremely fine. Ex Bank Leu 2, 25 April 1972, 237. Lesbos seems to have specialized in unusual types that could be viewed in two ways: the two calves’ heads on the obverse either can be seen as separate animals facing each other, or as a single head facing the viewer (albeit with two necks!).
16
2:1 3:1 2:1 23. MYSIA, Kyzikos. Circa 550-500 BC. Hekte (Electrum, 10mm, 2.64 g), c. 530. Head of Panther facing; to right, tunny fish swimming downwards. Rev. Quadripartite incuse square. SNG France 183 var, Von Fritze 43 and pl. I, 44. Rare. Pleasing and well-centered with an almost heraldic type. Extremely fine.
2:1 3:1 2:1 24. MYSIA, Kyzikos. Circa 550-500 BC. Hekte (Electrum, 12mm, 2.69 g), c. 520. Harpy standing left on base, holding, with both hands, a tunny fish head downwards. Rev. Quadripartite incuse square. SNG France 203. Von Fritze 74 and pl. II, 29 (stater). A well struck and attractive piece showing a fine late archaic harpy. With some minor flan breaks that do not affect the design. Good extremely fine. Harpies and sphinxes were two of the female monsters that were part of the world of Greek mythology. Both had women’s heads but harpies had the bodies of birds, while sphinxes had those of lions.
3:1 2:1 2:1 3:1 25. IONIA, Achaemenid Period. Autophradates. Satrap of Sparda (Lydia and Ionia), circa 365 BC. Diobol (Silver, 10mm, 1.01 g 10), uncertain mint. Beardless male head to left, wearing satrapal cap. Rev. OATA Head of bridled horse to left; to left, monogram of ΠΟ. BMC 20. Meadows, Administration 344. Traité II 67. Winzer 11.1. Very rare. Dark patina as found. Very fine. Autophradates distinguished himself in the Great Satraps Revolt (365-360 BC) by supporting Artaxerxes II and imprisoning the satrap of Lydia and Ionia, Artabazos (Dem. Aristoc. 671). In 333 BC, Autophradates, along with his fellow-commander, Pharnabazos, took over the Persian fleet and completed the siege of Mytilene, which had been begun by Memnon. In the Greek revolts which arose in the Aegean and western Asia Minor as a result of Alexander III’s victories, Autophradates tried to return these areas to Persian control (Arr. Anab. 2.1; Arist. Pol. 2.4.10). Little else is known of his subsequent career, although it is possible that he was among those satraps who presented themselves before Alexander at Zadracarta (Arr. Anab. 3.23).
17
26. IONIA, Klazomenai. Circa 499-494 BC. Didrachm (Silver, 17mm, 6.66 g). Forepart of a winged wild boar flying to right Rev. Quadripartite incuse square. Kraay-Hirmer 607 (this coin). SNG von Aulock 1981. Traité I, 485 and pl. XII, 14. Rare. Beautifully toned and very sharply struck. Good extremely fine. Ex Tkalec 27 October 2011, 94, Leu 61, 17 May 1995, 137 and Monnaies et Médailles XIX, 5 June 1959, 486. The winged boar coinage of Klazomenai must be connected with the Ionian Revolt against the Persians since at least one of the obverse dies used for the silver, as this piece, was also used for the electrum League issues that financed the war.
27. IONIA, Magnesia ad Maeandrum. Circa 155-145 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 32mm, 16.74 g 12), under the magistrate Erognetos son of Zopyrion. Diademed bust of Artemis to right, with bow and quiver at her shoulder. Rev. ΜΑΓΝΗΤΩΝ / ΗΡΟΓΝΗΤΟΣ / ΖΟΠΥΡΙΩΝΟΣ Apollo standing left on maeander pattern, holding filleted laurel branch with his right hand and leaning his left elbow on a tripod behind him; all within laurel wreath. Jones 28. SNG von Aulock 7921. Nicely toned, of excellent style and struck in high relief. Lightly double struck on the reverse, otherwise, extremely fine. From a Swiss collection.
18
3:1 2:1 4:1 2:1 3:1 28. IONIA, Phokaia. Circa 478-387 BC. Hekte (Electrum, 9mm, 2.58 g). Head of a young satyr to left, wearing a mask of Silenos on top of his head; to right, small seal swimming downwards. Rev. Quadripartite incuse square. BMC 43. Bodenstedt Em. 70. Very rare. Lightly toned, some light cleaning marks and porosity. Nearly extremely fine. This extraordinary obverse shows a young satyr who has just performed a satyr dance disguised as Silenos, an old satyr! He is clearly not a human dancer since he has an animal ear of his own. Of course, we know that the dance has finished since he has raised his Silenos mask, which is of a bearded and bald satyr, and placed it on top of his head! For further discussion of this enigmatic type (better known from vase painting) see SNR 52, pp. 44-45.
2:1 3:1 2:1 29. PERSIA, Achaemenid Empire. Time of Artaxerxes II to Artaxerxes III. Circa 375-340 BC. Quarter Siglos (Silver, 9mm, 1.27 g), uncertain mint in Ionia or Lydia. Persian king or hero in kneeling-running stance right, holding dagger and bow and wearing a chiton that is draped in an arc from his left knee in front to his right ankle behind. Rev. Incuse punch. Cf. Carradice Type IV, Group C; Sunrise 37. Very rare and exceptionally well preserved for the type. Toned and of outstandingly fine style. Surfaces slightly granular, otherwise, good very fine. As is well known, the immense Persian “Archer” coinage was not struck in Iran but in Asia Minor. This is because it was primarily designed as a coinage for trade with the Greek states of the Aegaean as well as for military pay and donatives. Tiny coins like this served to pay for the daily needs of minor officals and soldiers.
30. ISLANDS off CARIA, Rhodos. Rhodes. Circa 340-316 BC. Didrachm (Silver, 20mm, 6.92 g 12). Head of Helios facing, turned slightly to the right. Rev. ΡΟΔΙΟΝ Rose with bud to right; to left, Ε and bunch of grapes. Ashton 98. SNG Keckman 439. SNG von Aulock 2790. A coin of lovely style, with a splendid and noble head of Helios. Lightly toned. Some minor porosiy, otherwise, extremely fine. Rhodes is well known for its coinage which bears the head of Apollo/Helios, the city’s patron. These heads are often very individual in their features, ranging from the rather aggressive and cruel to the insipid, but also including some that are extremely handsome and moving. This is one of those fine style pieces.
20
31. CILICIA, Kelenderis. Circa 420-410 BC. Stater (Silver, 19mm, 10.78 g 11). Youthful horseman, nude, holding the reins of a prancing horse with his right hand and a goad with his left, preparing to leap off the horse to right. Rev. ΚΕΛ He-goat kneeling to right, his head turned back to left. SNG France 67 (same reverse die). A sharp and attractive coin, nicely toned. About extremely fine. From the collection of R. Käppeli 28. The obverse shows a scene of equestrian prowess: the horseman would run alongside his horse, leap on to its back and then leap off again, all the while holding on to its reins. This kind of event was particularly popular in areas where horses were raised and where horse owning was an aristocratic pursuit: such scenes are often shown on the coinage of Tarentum as well.
32. JUDAEA, Bar Kochba Revolt. 132-135 CE. Zuz or Denarius (Silver, 18mm, 3.37 g 1), year 2 = 133/134. shim Inscription in wreath. Rev. Year 2 of the Freedom of Israel Wide lyre with three strings. Hendin 1389. Mildenberg 13. Very rare. Traces of a denarius of Hadrian as an undertype, with the emporer’s profile emerging clearly from behind the lyre . Nearly extremely fine.
21
3:1 2:1 2:1 3:1 33. KYRENAICA, Kyrene. Circa 308-277 BC. 1/10 Stater (Gold, 6mm, 0.70Â g 12). Head of Zeus Ammon to right. Rev. Head of Artemis to right. Naville 253a (this coin). Rare. With some uncleaned encrustations as found. Nearly extremely fine. Ex Egger XXIII, 26 November 1909, 430.
Roman & Byzantine Coinage
34. Anonymous. Quadrigatus (Silver, 22mm, 6.65Â g 5), Rome, c. 225-214/212 BC. Laureate janiform head, on the top of the head, two annulet-like curls. Rev. Jupiter, holding scepter in his left hand and preparing to hurl his thunderbolt from his right, standing right in a quadriga, which is driven to the right by Victory who stands beside him; below, tablet inscribed with ROMA in incuse letters. Cf. BMCRR (Romano-Campanian) 82-83, 86 and pl. lxxiv, 23 (= 82). Crawford 28/3. Sydenham 64. Beautifully toned, of lovely style. Extremely fine. Ex Roma 2, 2 October 2011, 380 and Hess-Divo 317, 27 October 2010, 417. Usually thought of as showing Janus, the head on the obverse has also been identified as being the heads of the Dioscouri. However, given the universal appearance of a bearded double-head on all of Roman Republican AE, which is surely that of Janus, is it likely that a similar head, but in younger form, would be of someone else? This is, in fact, one of the earlier pieces to be produced, with carefully engraved dies of fine style, quite unlike those used to strike the more massive later issues that are more common.
22
35. Octavian. Denarius (Silver, 20mm, 3.83 g 3), Italian mint (Rome?), c. BC 32-31. Head of Venus to right, wearing earring, necklace of pendants and a stephane, and with her hair bound in a bun at the back, but with two ringlets escaping and falling down behind and over her neck. Rev. CAESAR DIVI • F Octavian, in military dress and with his cloak billowing out behind, hurrying to left, extending his right hand and holding a spear in his left. BMCRE 609-10 = BMCRR Rome 4327-8. Cohen 70. CRI 397. RIC I 251. Deep gray toning. Extremely fine.
36. Augustus. 27 BC-AD 14. Denarius (Silver, 20.5mm, 3.88 g 6), Colonia Caesaraugusta, BC 19-18. CAESAR AVGVSTVS Bare head of Augustus to right. Rev. S P Q R / CL V in two lines on shield. Cohen 294. BMC 333. RIC 42 a. Attractively toned. Sharply struck on a broad flan. Some minor marks, otherwise, about extremely fine. The CL V on the reverse of this issue represents the clipeus virtutis, which was - according to the Res Gestae Divi Augusti, the funerary inscription giving the achievements of Augustus - a golden shield displayed in the Curia Iulia that was given to Augustus by the Senate and the Roman people (Senatus PopulusQue Romanus) in commemoration of his virtue, piety, justice and clemency. Even though it seems to be obvious that Augustus must have been awarded the shield right after he achieved absolute power and declared the restoration of the Republic, Sydenham suggests “that there is no decisive evidence as to the exact date at which the golden shield was conferred, but the coins on which it is represented are of later date than the year BC 27”. When, in 19 BC, the Parthians returned the standards they had captured from Crassus in 53, there would have been an excellent opportunity to once again recall Augustus’ pietas, one of the virtues recorded on the clipeus.
23
37. Divus Augustus. Died AD 14. As (Bronze, 27mm, 11.85 g 6), struck under Titus, 80-81. DIVVS AVGVSTVS PATER Radiate head of Augustus to left. Rev. IMP.T.VEST.AVG.REST. S C Eagle standing facing on globe, its head to right. Komnick 41.0. RIC 460. A superb, sharp example beautifully struck and with a fine, dark, green-brown patina. Good extremely fine. The appearance of a restitution issue of Divus Augustus under Titus would have reminded the Roman people of the recent deification of Vespasian, the ‘divine’ father of the present emperor. In addition, the portrait has a distinctly ‘Flavian’ look, thus, suggesting a connection between the Flavians and the foundation of the Empire.
38. Gaius (Caligula), with Agrippina Senior. 37-41. Denarius (Silver, 18mm, 3.75 g 8), Lugdunum, 37-38. C CAESAR AVG GERM P M TR POT Laureate head Caligula to right. Rev. AGRIPPINA MAT C CAES AVG GERM Draped bust of Agrippina the Elder to right, her hair in a queue falling down the back of her neck. BMC 15 (Rome). BN 24. Cohen 2. RIC 14 (Rome). A superb example, beautifully toned and with wonderful portraits. Minor old scrape in reverse field, otherwise, good extremely fine. From an English collection.
39. Vitellius. 69. Denarius (Silver, 19mm, 3.40 g 6), Rome. A VITELLIVS GERMAN IMP TR P Laureate head of Vitellius to right. Rev. Victoria seated left on throne, holding patera and palm branch. BN 49. Cohen 119. RIC 88. Rare. Toned and attractive with a fine portrait. Extremely fine.
24
40. Vespasian. 69-79. Aureus (Gold, 20mm, 7.09 g 12), Rome, 73. IMP CAES VESP AVG CEN Laureate head of Vespasian to right. Rev. VESTA The Temple of Vesta: a domed, tetrastyle temple with four steps leading up to it; within, statue of Vesta; outside to left and right, statue of a goddess. BMCRE 108. Calicó 690b. RIC II 548. Rare. A fascinating coin showing one of the most important cult temples in Rome. Nearly very fine.
41. Kaisareia. Vespasian. 69-79. Didrachm (Silver, 23mm, 6.86 g 6), 76/77. ΑΥΤΟΚΡΑ ΚΑΙCΑΡ ΟΥΕCΠΑCΙΑΝΟC CΕΒΑCΤΟC Laureate head of Vespasian to right. Rev. ΝΙΚΗ CΕΒΑCΤΗ Nike striding right with wreath and palm branch. Metcalf 2. RPC 1648. Sydenham 43. Rare. Nicely toned, with a portrait in high relief, and well struck on a broad flan. About extremely fine. Ex Numismatica Ars Classica 1, 1989, 817, and from the collections of W. Niggeler, Münzen und Medaillen/Bank Leu, 21 October 1966, 661, and H. P. Hall, Glendining & Co. 16 November 1950, 1170.
42. Titus. As Caesar, 69-79. Denarius (Silver, 18mm, 2.96 g 6), Ephesus, 74. IMP T CAESAR COS III Laureate head of Titus to right. Rev. PACI AVGVSTAE Victory standing right on tiptoes, holding wreath in her extended right hand and palm frond in her left; flanking her feet, annulet and star. RIC II 1470; RPC 857; RSC 123. Rare. Lightly toned, and with a bold portrait of Titus. Nearly extremely fine. Ex Rauch 88, 17 May 2011, 349.
25
43. Julia Titi. Augusta, 79-90/1. Denarius (Silver, 18mm, 3.71 g 6), Rome, 80-81. IVLIA AVGVSTA TITI AVGVSTI F Draped and diademed bust of Julia Titi to right. Rev. VENVS AVG Venus standing right, with her drapery below her buttocks, holding a helmet in her right hand and a long scepter in her left, leaning her left elbow on the capital of a low column standing behind her. Cohen 13. RIC 55b. RIC 386. Rare. A fine, lightly toned example with a noble portrait of the young empress. Extremely fine.
44. Hadrian. 117-138. Denarius (Silver, 18mm, 3.32 g 6), Rome, 124. IMP CAESAR TRAIAN HADRIANVS AVG Laureate and draped bust of Hadrian to right. Rev. P M TR P COS III Hadrian, bare-headed and in military dress, standing left, holding rudder on globe with his right hand and long reversed spear with his left. BMC 240. Cohen 1162. Hill 263. RIC 110. A superb, sharply struck and beautifully toned piece. Some minor scratches, otherwise, good extremely fine.
45. Hadrian. 117-138. As (Copper, 24mm, 9.67 g 6), Rome, c. 130s. HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS Laureate head of Hadrian to right, with slight drapery on far shoulder. Rev. COS I I I S C Janus, with faces to front and both sides, standing facing, nude to the waist, holding long scepter in his right hand and resting his left on his hip. BMC 1335. Cohen 281. RIC 662. An attractive coin with a fine green patina. Uncleaned with minor encrustations, otherwise, nearly extremely fine. From an English collection. Clearly the deity on the reverse is not the usual two faced Janus, but one with four, Janus quadrifrons. With two faces he is the god of beginnings, of going in and out, and of time since he looked to the past and the future; but with four he is the more specialized god of crossroads. The official centers of many ancient cities, including Rome, were adorned with a quadrifrons, an arch facing in the four cardinal directions and where the four main streets of the city met. This is one of the few Roman coins to show Janus Quadrifrons.
26
46. Antoninus Pius. 138-161. Aureus (Gold, 19mm, 6.80 g 6), Rome, struck in honor of Pius’s third largess, c. 142-143 . ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P COS III Laureate head of Antoninus Pius to right. Rev. LIBERALITAS / AVG III Antoninus Pius, extending his right hand and resting his left on his arm rest, seated to left on a curule chair on a dais; before him, Liberalitas standing left, holding abacus and cornucopia; below to left, recipient standing to right, holding out the folds of his toga with both hands in the expectation of having it filled with coins. Biaggi 735 (same dies). cf. BMCRE 219 and pl. 5, 13 (denarius, same dies). Calicó 1562 (same obverse die). RIC III 75. Strack 93δ. Lightly toned. Very fine. Pius was well known for his kindliness but he did have a humorous strain. During Liberalitas or Largess ceremonies supplients normally expected to open out their togas in order to receive a shower of coins, but he sometimes, as the sources tell us, poured in clay tokens, beans or hard boiled eggs! For more information on this see the forthcoming study on comic largesses by D. Vagi.
47. Antoninus Pius. 138-161. Denarius (Silver, 17mm, 3.33 g 5), Rome, 145-161. ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P Laureate head of Antoninus Pius to right. Rev. COS I I I I Two clasped hands holding a caduceus between two grain ears. BMC 530. Cohen 344. A splendid, sharply struck and lustrous example. Virtually as struck. From an English collection.
48. Antoninus Pius. 138-161. Denarius (Silver, 17mm, 3.55 g 1), Rome, 145-161. ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P Laureate head of Antoninus Pius to right. Rev. COS I I I I Thunderbolt on draped throne. BMC 536. Cohen 345. A very attractive piece on a broad flan. Very minor scratch, otherwise, virtually as struck. From an English collection.
28
49. Philippopolis, Thrace. Antoninus Pius. 138-161. Tetrassarion (Bronze, 27mm, 19.20 g 6), Gargilius Antiquus, governor, circa 161. ΑΥΤ ΑΙΛ ΑΔΡΙΑ ΑΝΤΩΝΕΙΝΟC Laureate head of Antoninus Pius to right. Rev. ΗΓΕ ΓΑΡΓΙΛΙ ΑΝΤΙΚΟΥ ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΠΟΛΕΙ Demeter, draped and veiled, standing left, holding a patera in her right hand and a cornucopiae with her left. BMC 7 var. Very rare. Very dark green glossy patina. Minor scratch on the reverse, otherwise, extremely fine. Ex Nomos 6, 8 May 2012, 145, from the M Collection, ex Lanz 144, 24 November 2008, 513. This is a remarkable coin, with a portrait of such pure Roman style that it almost certainly had to have been made by an engraver from Rome. In fact, this coin is for all intents and purposes almost a standard sestertius! The magistrate whose name appears on the reverse was actually the governor of Thrace.
50. Marcus Aurelius. As Caesar, 139-161. Aureus (Gold, 19mm, 7.34 g 6), Rome, 157. AVRELIVS CΛE S ΛNTON ΛVG PII F Bareheaded and draped bust of Marcus to right. Rev. TR POT XI COS II Apollo standing left, holding a patera in his outstretched right hand and cradling a lyre with his left. Biaggi 889 (same dies). BMCRE 890 and pl. 19, 3 (same dies). Calicó 1958 (same dies). RIC III 469b (Pius). Strack 317δο. With a fine and elegant portrait of the by now 37 year old prince. Very attractively toned. Nearly extremely fine.
29
51. Faustina Junior. Augusta, 147-175. Aureus (Gold, 19mm, 6.70 g 6), Rome, struck under Marcus Aurelius, 161-176. FΛVSTINΛ ΛVGVSTΛ Draped bust of Faustina II to right with her hair bound into a bun at the back. Rev. IVNONI LVCINAE Faustina (as Juno) standing left, cradling infant in her left arm and extending her right hand over small child standing left at her feet and raising right hand; at her feet to right, older child standing left and raising right hand. Biaggi 932. BMCRE 116. Calicó 2064 (obverse) and /2064a ( same reverse die). MIR 18, 18-2/5a. RIC III 692 (Marcus) and pl. XI, 220 only reverse illustrated, but same die). An attractive piece with areas of light toning and traces of underlying luster. Good very fine.
52. Caracalla. 198-217. Denarius (Silver, 19mm, 3.47 g 12), struck jointly with his brother Geta Caesar, Rome, 199-200. ANTONINVS AVGVSTVS Laureate and draped bust of Caracalla to right. Rev. P SEPT GETA CAES PONT Bareheaded, draped and cuirassed bust of Geta to right. BMCRE 162 var. Cohen 2 var. RIC IV 38 (Caracalla). Very rare. Darkly toned and perfectly centered with splendid portraits of the young princes. Extremely fine. From the Ex Imagines Imperatorvm collection, Aureo and Calicó 241, 8 February 2012, 175, from the collection of J. K. Schmidt, Triton V, 15 January 2002, 2021, ex Münzen und Medaillen 79, 28 February 1994, 578, and from the collection of V.J.E. Ryan, Part V, Glendining & Co., 2 April 1952, 2237.
53. Byzantium, Thrace. Caracalla. 198-217. Tetrassarion (Bronze, 30mm, 20.69 g 1), magistrate Aelius Ponticus, c. 212-217. ΑΝΤΩΝΙΝΟC ΑΥΓΟΥCΤΟC Laureate and cuirassed bust of Caracalla to right, holding spear over his left shoulder with his left hand. Rev. ΕΠ ΑΙ ΠΟΝΤΙΚΟΥ ΒΥΖΑΝΤΙΩΝ Two basket shaped torches, with attachments for suspension; between them, modius with four grain ears and a poppy. BMC 81. A very attractive and rare piece, with a fine green patina. Nearly extremely fine. Ex Nomos 6, 8 May 2012, 171, from the M Collection and that of G. Drewry, ex Triton VIII, 11 January 2005, 741.
30
54. Macrinus. 217-218. Antoninianus (Silver, 22mm, 4.13Â g 12), Rome, 217-218. IMP C M OPEL SEV MACRINVS AVG Radiate and draped bust of Macrinus to right. Rev. IOVI CONSERVATORI Jupiter standing left, drapery over left arm, holding thunderbolt and sceptre; before him stands small figure of Macrinus. Cohen 38. RIC 77. With a perfectly struck and elegant portrait of the emperor with a short beard. Some almost invisible metal flaws in the obverse field and some minor flatness of strike on the reverse, otherwise, good extremely fine. Ex Aureo & Calico 241, 8 February 2012, 203 and Tkalec 29 February 2000, 326. .
55. Severus Alexander. 222-235. Denarius (Silver, 20mm, 3.09Â g 6), Rome, 10th emission, 229. IMP SEV ALEXAND AVG Laureate bust of Severus Alexander to right with slight drapery on his left shoulder Rev. ABVNDAN TIA AVG Abundantia standing right, emptying fruits out of a cornucopia that she holds in both hands. BMCRE 591-594. Cohen 1. RIC IV 184. Spectacular iridescent toning, FDC. The exceptional sharpness of this coin makes the reverse representation very clear: Abundantia is pouring apples out of her horn of plenty. They could be pomegranates, but not oranges since they were not introduced to the West until much later than the Roman Empire.
31
56. Gordian II. 238. Denarius (Silver, 20mm, 2.05 g 12), Rome, March-April 238. IMP M ANT GORDIANVS AFR AVG Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust of Gordian II to right. Rev. VIRTVS AVGG Virtus, in military dress with his cloak draped over his shoulder, standing left, holding shield set on the ground with his right hand and spear in his left. BMCRE 30. Cohen 14. RIC 3. Rare. Beautifully toned and with a superb, sharp portrait of Gordian II. Virtually as struck. This coin seems to have been struck with freshly cut dies; both the obverse and reverse show no sign of die wear whatsoever. This is really a magnificent example of a rare coin, one of the finest we have ever seen.
57. Pupienus. 238. Denarius (Silver, 19mm, 2.83 g 12), Rome, 22 April-29 July, 238. IMP C M CLOD PVPIENVS AVG Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Pupienus to right. Rev. P M TR P COS II P P Pupienus, in consular robes, standing left, holding branch. BMC 50. Cohen 29. RIC 5. Very attractively toned and with a fine portrait. Extremely fine. Ex CNG 84, 5 May 2010, 1193.
58. Trajan Decius. 249-251. Antoninianus (Silver, 22mm, 4.28 g 7), Rome. IMP C M Q TRAIANVS DECIVS AVG Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Trajan Decius to right. Rev. ADVENTVS AVG Trajan Decius on horse pacing to left, raising his right hand and holding short sceptre in his left. Cohen 4. RIC 11b. Sharply struck and with a good portrait. Good extremely fine. 32
59. Trebonianus Gallus. 251-253. Sestertius (Orichalcum, 29mm, 19.00 g 12), Rome. IMP CAES C VIBIVS TREBONIANVS GALLVS AVG Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Gallus to right. Rev. LIBERTAS AVGG S C Libertas standing facing, head to left, holding pileus in her right hand and staff in her left. C. 64. RIC 114a. A very attractive example, toned and with its original orichalcum color. About extremely fine. From the Friend of the Romans Collection, Münzen und Medaillen 92, 22 November 2002, 218.
60. Gallienus. 253-268. Medallion (Bronze, 30mm, 19.18 g 12), Rome, 261-262. IMP GALLIENVS P F AVG Laureate bust of Gallienus to right, seen from behind. Rev. MONETA AVG The Tres Monetae standing left, each holding a set of scales in her right hand and and a cornucopiae in her left; to the left of each on the ground, pile of coins (for a detailed description of this reverse type, see the medallion of Probus, below, 63). Cohen 648. Gnecchi 11. MIR 36, 775. Very rare. With a dark brown patina and remains of ancient gilding. Some scratches, perhaps done in order to give a better surface for gilding, otherwise, good very fine. From the collection of Consul E. F. Weber, J. Hirsch XXIV, 10 May 1909, 2291 (there cataloged as silver). It seems reasonable to assume that when this coin was catalogued in 1909 it was thought to have been struck in billon, but it does seem most likely that it is just normal bronze.
33
61. Gallienus. 253-268. Antoninianus (Billon, 27mm, 3.91 g 7), Siscia, 266-267. GALLIENVS AVG Radiate and lightly bearded head of Gallienus to left. Rev. ANNONA AVG Annona standing left, holding cornucopiae with her left hand and corn ears with her right; to left at her feet, modius. Göbl/MIR 1426k. Rare. With an attractive portrait of very fine style and on a broad, full round flan. Lightly struck, but beautifully centered and otherwise, about extremely fine. From a Swiss private collection.
62. Postumus. Emperor in Gaul and the West, 260-269. Double Sestertius (Bronze, 32mm, 17.97 g 6), Cologne, 261. IMP C M CASS LAT POSTVMVS P F AVG Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Postumus to right. Rev. VICTORIA AVG Victory advancing left, holding wreath and palm branch; at her feet, captive seated left. Bastien 101. Cohen 380. Elmer 205. RIC 169 (Lugdunum). Attractively toned. With an unusually strong portrait struck on a broad flan, and in unusually fine condition for this difficult issue. Some metal flaws on the edge, otherwise, good very fine. From the “Sammlung eines bekannten ausländischen Amateurs” (Niklovits), Leo Hamburger, 19 Oktober 1925, 1504 (45 RM). There it was described as: “Feine braungrüne Patina. Etwas barbarisierender Sil. Von besonderer Schönheit.” (with a fine brownish green patina, of somewhat barbarized style but unusually attractive).
34
63. Probus. 276-282. Medallion (Gilt Bronze, 36mm, 23.28 g 12), Rome, 281-282. IMP C PROBVS PF AVG Laureate, draped and cuirassed three-quarter bust of Probus to left; in his right hand he holds a globe bearing Victory standing right and holding a wreath, and in his left he holds an eagle-tipped scepter. Rev. MONETA AVG The Three Monetae standing left; all are draped but the central Moneta has drapery and a hair style that differs from the other two; the outer two hold scales with short handles in their right hands and a cornucopiae in their left; the central Moneta holds a long-handled scale and a larger cornucopiae; at the feet of each Moneta to left, pile of coins. Cohen 379. Gnecchi 26 and pl. 120, 6 (same dies). Pink, Medaillonprägung, 14a. Very rare. With a remarkably strong portrait in high relief, and a splendid brown patina with considerable traces of the original gilding. Extremely fine. From a European collection, ex Monnaies et MÊdailles 13, 17 June 1954, 751. The Romans produced what we can term medallions beginning in the 1st century: these were coin-like objects that differed from normal coins due to their weight or size. Thus, under Augustus one sometimes finds aes that is unusually large and heavy (such as a quadrans struck on the flan of a dupondius). There were also large sized gold pieces (such as the gold multiple once in Naples) and possibly silver; over time precious metal issues were much more commonly issued, especially in the later Empire, but the vast majority of those were melted down. While gold and silver were given to more high ranking personalities, lesser individuals were given bronze medallions, often gilt or silvered, as with the present piece. While they too must have had a monetary value we cannot be sure what that was. In any case, the fact that the standard reverse for these pieces in the 3rd century was a depiction of the goddesses of the mint, the Three Monetae, this must indicate that they had a clear monetary value. In any case, the finest engravers were called upon to produce the dies for these pieces: the splendid portrait of Probus here shows us a powerful and intelligent military leader; and on the reverse the higher status of the central Moneta is clearly indicated by her height and finer dress (surely gold, flanked by the personifications of the mints for aes and silver).
35
64. Diocletian. 284-305. Argenteus (Silver, 18mm, 3.17 g 6), Siscia, 294-295. DIOCLETIANVS AVG Laureate head of Diocletian to right. Rev. VIRTVS MILITVM Four Tetrarchs sacrificing before camp with eight turrets. Jelocnik 1. RIC VI, 32a. Sharply struck and nicely toned. Good extremely fine.
65. Diocletian. 284-305. Argenteus (Silver, 20mm, 3.33 g 12), Thessalonica, c. 302. DIOCLETIANVS AVG Laureate head of Diocletian to right. Rev. VIRTVS MILITVM / .T.S.Γ. Camp gate with three turrets and open door. RIC 15a. Very rare and unusually nice. Good extremely fine. Ex Nomos 3, 10 May 2011, 208 and from the Tetrarchy Collection, New York.
66. Constantius I. As Caesar, 293-305. Argenteus (Silver, 18mm, 3.36 g 12), Nicomedia, c. 295. CONSTANTIVS CAESAR Laureate head of Constantius to right. Rev. PROVIDENTIAE AVGG / SMNΓ Camp gate with with doors thrown back and four turrets. RIC 21. Very rare. Nicely centered and well struck. Good extremely fine. Ex Nomos 3, 10 May 2011, 234 and from the Tetrarchy Collection, New York.
36
67. Valerius Valens. 316-317. Follis (Bronze, 23mm, 4.15 g 11), Cyzicus, 6th officina. IMP C AVR VAL VALENS P F AVG Laureate head of Valens to right. Rev. IOVI CONSERVATORI // VI/SKM Jupiter, nude but for cloak over his shoulders, standing left, holding Victory on globe in his right hand and long scepter in his left; at his feet to left, eagle standing left with wreath in his beak, turning his head back to right. RIC VII, 7. Extremely rare. Brown and red patina with the remains of some silvering. Some areas of green deposits and minor double-striking on the reverse, otherwise, good very fine. After Licinius was defeated by Constantine in 316 at the battle of Cibalae (in present-day Croatia) Licinius elevated Valens, one of his generals who had been responsible for the Dacian frontier, to the position of Augustus. This enraged Constantine with the result that after he established a peace treaty with Licinius, in which three of their sons became Caesar, Valens was not only deposed but executed on the orders of Licinius. Valens’ coinage, which was not very abundant to begin with (it is only known from the mints of Cyzicus and Alexandria), was recalled and melted down after his deposition, thus explaining its great rarity today.
37
68. Valentinian I. 364-375. 24 Miliaresia or 48 siliquae (Silver, 66mm, 104.30 g 5), Antioch, 369. D N VALENTINIANVS P F AVG Draped and cuirassed bust of Valentinian I to right, wearing pearl diadem with large jewel at the front. Rev. VOTIS/X/MVLTIS/XX within a laurel wreath ornamented with large disc bearing a star at the top; below, AN. Unpublished, but cf. RIC 28ff. for miliarenses and siliquae struck on the same occasion. Unique and of the greatest importance. Minor marks and some porosity, otherwise, extremely fine. From a private collection in the United States, ex Goldberg 26 May 2009, 1931. This extraordinary item was the equivalent of two solidi and is the largest officially issued Roman coin preserved (larger sizes are known from literary sources, including gold pieces valued at 100 solidi - 450 grammes in weight). We can be sure that this piece was struck as a gift for a high ranking official as part of the celebration of the completion of Valentinian I’s and Valens’ quinquennalia (their first five years of reign), and the renewal of vows for a further five years. The large size and solidity of this coin reveal considerable signs of age, but the quality of the engraving is truly outstanding, with an obverse portrait of great power and nobility. While of the greatest rarity today, we know that special coins like this would have been issued in considerable numbers as gifts for the many high dignitaries of the Empire; as mentioned above, we have evidence that very much larger gold and silver pieces existed. Yet this piece is, in fact, the largest surviving Roman coin struck in precious metal - other than medals in bronze, no other Roman coin known today comes close to it in weight - and it helps give us an idea of the kind of munificent gifts the Roman emperors were capable of dispensing. When we read of officials being given several pounds of gold or silver, often in the form of large value coins or medals, we can gain an idea of what magnificent occasions those presentation ceremonies must have been. This piece almost certainly had to have been given to its recipient by either a very high official or the Emperor himself.
38
69. Artavasdus. 742-743. Solidus (Gold, 21mm, 4.41 g 6). dARTAUASDOS MULT Bust of Artavasdus facing, with slight beard, wearing chlamys and a crown with cross on circlet, and holding patriarchal cross in his right hand. Rev. dNIChFORUS MULTU A Bust of Nicephorus facing, beardless, wearing chlamys and a crown with cross on circlet, and holding patriarchal cross in his right hand. DOC 2a. SB 1542. Extremely rare. A beautifully struck and splendid example. Some areas struck slightly flat, otherwise, good extremely fine. From an American collection, ex Nomos 3, 10 May 2011, 252. Artavasdus was the son-in-law and colleague of Leo III and had provided considerable help when Leo revolted and became emperor in 717. After Leo’s death in 741, and the accession to the throne of his young son Constantine V, Artavasdus decided to take the throne for himself and revolted in 742; he was, however, defeated in a number of battles, captured and, with his two sons, imprisoned and blinded. After his defeat all his coinage would have recalled and melted down; thus its great rarity today.
Dark Age & Early Medieval Coinage
70. Odovacer. King, 476-493. Solidus (Gold, 21mm, 4.41 g 6), Rome . D N ZENO PERP F AVC Diademed, helmeted, and cuirassed bust facing, turned slightly to the right, holding spear over his shoulder with his right hand and shield decorated with horseman motif over his left shoulder. Rev. VICTORI A AVCCC Ä / • COMOB • Victory standing to left, holding long jeweled cross; to right, star. COI pg. 11. Lacam Classe II, 2. Cf. DOCLR, pp. 189 and 686-687 (for type). MEC 1, -. Cf. RIC X 3657 (Zeno). Extremely rare. Virtually as struck. From the collection of E. Curti; ex Artemide Aste XXIV, 28 March 2009, 369. Odovacer (or Odoacer) was probably a Germanic officer in the Roman army who became the first king of Italy after the deposition of Romulus Augustulus in 476. His name is curious since it ethnically confusing: while supposedly Scirian in origin, his name seems to be Turkic in form. He successfully maintained himself in Italy until after a fierce struggle he defeated and killed by Theodoric the Ostrogoth.
40
71. BURGUNDIANS. Godegisel. 473-500. Tremissis (Gold, 14mm, 1.44 g 7), struck in the name of Anastasius I (491-518), Geneva. D N ANASTASIVS PRF AVP Diademed, draped, and cuirassed imperial bust to right. Rev. VICTORIΛ ΛCVSTORVM Victory advancing right, holding palm and wreath; in exergue, CONOB. Cf. Laufaurie, Alise-Sainte-Reine 12 (for the type) and MEC 1, 337-338 (for the type, but there attributed to Gundobald). Oddy 7 var. (reverse legend COMOB). Tomasini Group A6, 118 (but the obverse legend ends AVC). Virtually as struck. From the collections of E. Curti, and of ‘un Amateur Bourginon’, Alde (Crinon), 14 June 2010, 11. Godegisal was king of the area of Vienne and Geneva and one of the three brothers of Gundobad (473-516), who became king of all of Burgundy after killing off all of his brothers. Godegisal was murdered in an Arian church in Vienne after he took refuge there when Gundobad’s troops took the city.
72. BURGUNDIANS. Sigismund. 516-524. Solidus (Gold, 20mm, 4.43 g 6), Lugdunum (Lyon), struck in the name of Justin I (518-527). D N IVSTINVS P P AVG Facing bust of emperor wearing helmet and cuirass, holding spear in his right hand and with shield ornamented with horseman over his left shoulder Rev. VICTORIA AVGGG IS / CONOB Victory standing left, holding P topped cross; to left, six-pointed star. Belfort 5154.MEC 340. Lacam, Byzance, pl. CVII, 2b (this coin). Very rare. Good extremely fine. From the collection of E. Curti; ex Nomos 1, 6 May 2009, 369, and from the collection of G. Lacam, Dürr/Michel, 8 November 1999, 342. Almost all the known solidi of Sigismund (the SI on the reverse makes the identification sure) come from the Gourdon hoard of 1846 (Chalon-sur-Saône); most of those pieces are now in museums. Sigismund was ultimately captured and killed by the Franks in 524; his brother Gondomar was able to maintain the kingdom until his own defeat in 534.
73. VISIGOTHS, Gaul. Time of Amalaric to Atanagild. 526-567. Solidus (Gold, 21mm, 4.40 g 6), uncertain mint (Narbonne?), struck in the name of Justinian I (527-565). IVSTI N NΛNI (s retrograde) Facing bust of emperor wearing helmet and cuirass, holding spear in his right hand. Rev. VICTOR I Λ ΛVCCC H / COИOB Angel or Victory standing to left, holding long cross surmounted by a retrograde Ρ and with a bifurcated base; to left, star. Boutin 1061 (same dies). MEC 1, 190 (same dies). Reinhart. Münzen II, pl. 8, 2 (same dies). Very rare. Of crude style and with some minor striking faults. Deeply toned. Virtually as struck. From the collections of E. Curti, B. Chwartz, part II, Alde (Crinon), 14 June 2010, 175, M. Canovas, Vinchon, 18 May 1994, 116 and that of N. Kapamadji, Collection N.K., Bourgey, 27 October 1992, 732.
41
74. CAROLINGIANS. Pépin ‘le Bref’ (the Short). King of the Franks, 754/5-768. Denier (Silver, 18mm, 1.09 g 3), Saint-Denis, in the name of Auttramnus. R-P separated by two pellets; one pellet below R and three below P; above, abbreviation sign in the form of horizontal line ending in two pellets. Rev. AVT/TRAM/NO separated by two vertical bars ending in pellets. Depeyrot 892. Gariel I 2-4. Grierson/Blackburn 720. M./G. 47. Prou 2-4. Very rare. A beautiful piece, unusually well struck on a broad flan, with an old collection tone. Nearly extremely fine. Pepin was the first Carolingian king and was an extremely successful ruler, suppressing revolts and firmly establishing his family in a position of unquestioned power until, with the approval of Pope Zachary, he deposed the last of the Merovingians, Childeric III, and took over the throne.
75. CAROLINGIANS. Charlemagne (Charles the Great). King and Emperor, 768-814. Denier (Silver, 18mm, 1.34 g 2), Class 2, Metallum (Melle), 771-793/4. CARO/LVS in two lines Rev. MEDOLVS in circle around central ornament. Depeyrot 605. Gariel VIII 86–7. Grierson/Blackburn 727. M./G. 268 var. Prou 681–2. Rare. Toned, very slightly softly struck on the reverse, but well centered on a broad flan and of excellent metal. Extremely fine. The lovely condition of this coin shows how powerful and hieratic was the use of the legend to form the coin’s entire design: this is a triumph of the epigraphy of the period.
76. CAROLINGIANS. Charlemagne (Charles the Great). As Charles I, King of the Franks, 768-800, then Emperor to 814. Denier (Silver, 18mm, 1.04 g 10), Class 2, 771-793/4, Namucum (Namur). CARO/LVS in two lines Rev. ΛNΛ/IMV in two lines separated by bar. Unpublished. Of the greatest rarity, one of only two known examples (the other in a private collection). Attractively toned. Good very fine. Ex Alde (Crinon), 12 June 2012, 452, found at Monchel-sur-Canche. This coin was minted not far from where it was found: Namur is in Belgium to the northeast. The modern village of Monchel is quite tiny: its present day population of around 70 people is dwarfed by the many thousands of trout who also live there in a locally-renowned fish farm.
42
77. ITALY, Papal States. John VIII. 872-882. Denaro (Silver, 23mm, 1.18 g 10), struck in the name of either the Emperors Charles II (875-877) or Charles III (877-888), Rome. + KAROLWS IMP (with the S on its side and the last two letters in monogram form) Monogram of IOHANS. Rev. S/C/S // P/E/TR/VS Half-length bust of St. Peter facing, wearing piviale and holding long, cross-tipped scepter. Berman 36. CNI XV 5. MEC 1, 1053. Muntoni 2 . Very rare, lightly toned and struck in good silver. Good very fine. From the collection of E. Curti, Münzen und Medaillen GmbH. 15, 21 October 2004, 1264.
78. ITALY, Pavia. Berengar I of Friuli. King of Italy, 888-915. Denier (Silver, 21mm, 1.46 g 7), third coinage, 901-915. + BERENGARIVS R Christogram with pellets in angles. Rev. + XPISTIANA RELIG around PA/ PIA/CI. CNI IV 5. Depeyrot 780S. Gariel –; Grierson/Blackburn 1019 var. (as emperor). Very rare. Deeply toned. Good very fine. Berengar (c. 845-924) was Margrave of Friuli 874-887, King of Italy 887.915 and then Emperor from 915 to his death. During his lifetime Italy was the scene of almost constant battling and shifting alliances, along with devastating invasions by both the Saracens and the Magyars. In many ways the situation was very similar to the events of the 15th and 16th centuries!
43
World Coins & Medals
79. Austria, Augsburg. Leopold I. 1657-1705. Medal (Silver, 73.80mm, 104.86 g 12), on the coronation of Joseph I as king of Rome in Augsburg (1690), by M.Brunner. DOMINUM FORMIDABUNT ADVERSARY EIUS, ET DABIT IMPERIUM REGI SUO. I REG.CAP.2.&10 (=the adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces, and he shall give the Empire to his king. 1st Kings 2:10) Facing bust of Joseph I, wearing coronation robes and crown, within a laurel wreath bound by a ribbon inscribed with his titles, IOSE:PHVS.I.ARCH:AV:ST:GERM A:NIAE.HVNGARIAE.REX; below bust, tiny monogram of MB; below wreath ties, C.PRIVIL.CAES.M. / F Rev. POTENS IN TERRA ERIT SEMEN EIUS, GENERATIO RECTORUM BENEDICTUR (=the works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein) Psalm 111, 2. Medallion with a portrait of Leopold I at the center of a laurel tree hung with a ring of portraits of the earlier Habsburg rulers - all named; the trunk inscribed with a reference to Psalm 111 and with the engraver’s tiny monogram below. On the edge,FORTUNATA NOVO GAUDE GERMANIA REGE ISTE TUUS CUSTOS, ULTOR IS HOSTIS ERIT ( Under your guard you, O King, make Germany rejoice anew, and you will avenge the enemies of the state). Forster -. Horsky Collection 2400. Julius Collection 524. Very rare. Superb and beautifully toned. Good extremely fine. 44
80. Bohemia. 1546. Medal (Silver, 55mm, 39.04 g 12), with scenes of the Last Supper and the Last Judgment, by Nickel Milicz and his workshop in Joachimsthal. DESIDERIO.DESIDERAVI.HOC.PASCHA.MANDVCARE. VOBISCUM.9V.LV.XII (actually, Luke XXII, 15 = with desire I have desired this pasch with you, before <I suffer> View of Christ and the Disciples at the Last Supper; below, 1546. Rev. VOR ZEYTEN HABEN WIR DER GESPO DI YETZ SEYN DI NEC BEY G Christ seated facing on a rainbow in the clouds with the globe of the Earth, covered in stars; in the clouds to His left and right, and below on the ground below the globe of the earth, crowds of naked men and women awaiting the Last Judgment, with some walking to left, to paradise, and others walking right and entering the mouth of hell, shown as the open jaws of a monster. Donebauer 4341 var. Katz 346 var. Very rare. An original struck example with a fine patina. Extremely fine. Ex Leipziger Münzhandlung 70, 14 December 2010, 427.
81. DENMARK. Svend II Estridsen. 1047-1075. Denier (Silver, 18mm, 1.10 g 9), Roskilde. + III IIIP IFII IIII: openwork cross fleurée with central annulet, pellets in the voids and trefoil terminals on three ends, large pellet or globe on the fourth; all within large open linear convex cross joined at ends by double line Rev. Ornate “tapestry” pattern: central design consisting of pellet-in-annulets joined by double lines between ornamental “legend” of repeating I’s; above and below, small cross pattée between two pellet-in-broken-annulets; all divided by pelleted borders. Becker Collection 104. Hauberg pl. IX, 36. TDM pl. 32. Attractive old collection toning. Extremely fine. 45
82. FRANCE. François I. 1515-1547. Teston (Silver, 30mm, 9.52 g 5), 17th type, Lyon. (lis) FRANCISCVS (trilobe above annulet) P DEI GRA FRANCOR REX Crowned and armored bust of François I to right; pellet below twelfth letter; triskeles stops Rev. + NO (trilobe above annulet) NOBIS DNESED NOI TVO DA GLORIA Crowned shield bearing the arms of France; to left and right, crowned Gothic F; below twelfth letter, pellet; triskeles stops. Ciani 1111. Duplessy 817. Lafaurie –. Roberts 3464. Very rare and of exceptional quality, beautifully toned. Extremely fine. This magnificent coin harks back with its portrait to the artistic tradition of the late Middle Ages and is immediately reminiscent of the heads that appeared on the coins of Charles VIII, Louis XII and Henry VII of England; yet this bust portrait was clearly made by an die cutter who was aware of developments south of the Alps.
83. FRANCE. Henri II. 1547-1559. Teston (Silver, 29mm, 9.49 g 7), 2nd type, Toulouse, 1554. HENRICVS • II • D • G • FRANC • REX Bareheaded and armored bust of Henri II to right; below bust, pellet. Rev. R • XPS • VINCIT • YPS • REG • XPS • IMPER • 1554 • Crowned shield bearing the arms of France; to left and right, crowned H; below, M. Ciani 1271. Duplessy 983. Lafaurie 821. Well struck and very attractively toned. Virtually as struck.
46
84. FRANCE. Louis XIV. 1643–1715. Medal (Copper, 70mm, 150 g 12), on the coronation in Rheims in 1654, by Roettier and Molart. LUDOVICUS.XIIII.REX.CHRISTIANISSIMVUS. Bust of the young Louis XIV to right, wearing crown and robes; on shoulder truncation, R. Rev. SACRAT.AC.SALVT.RHEMIS.IVNII.VII.1654 View of the walled city of Rheims bordered by the river Vesle; in exergue, RHEMIS. /.MOLART.F. Trésor III, 4, 7. Nicely toned. Some minor marks and bangs, otherwise, nearly extremely fine. From the Hall Collection. Here we have a fine view of the city dominated by its great cathedral and still enclosed within its medieval walls. The regularity of the housing blocks was an invention of Molart’s since the actual streets were arranged in a much less orderly manner.
48
85. FRANCE. Louis XIV . 1643–1715. Medal (Copper, 71mm, 131 g 12), on the opening of the Canal du Midi (Canal des Deux Mers), by Roettiers and Molart, 1681. LVDOVICVS.MAGNVS.REX.CHRISTIANISS. Draped and cuirassed bust of Louis XIV to right; below truncation, R. Rev. IVNCTA.MARIA / A.GARVMNA. AD.MONTEM.SETIVM / FOSSA.PERDVCTA. / M.DC.LXXXI Neptune in his car to right, between the personifications of the Garonne and the port of Sète; on rock below left, MOLART / .F. Jacquiot 418/II. An impressive, finely toned medal. A few minor marks, otherwise, extremely fine. From the Hall Collection. The Canal du Midi was one of the great engineering works of the 17th century. The idea of having a shortcut between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic (thus bypassing an often hostile Spain as well as the pirates of North Africa) had long been desired by the French kings: François I had even invited Leonardo da Vinci to survey a route in 1516. However, it was only in 1662 when P.-P. Riquet began lobbying Colbert that the project became serious. Work began in 1666 and continued until 1681, utilizing as many as 12,000 laborers: the canal stretched from Sète to Bordeaux and still exists.
49
86. FRANCE. Napoleon I. 1804-1814/1815. Medal (Gold, 41mm, 56.81 g 12), struck to commemorate the preparations for the proposed invasion of England in 1804, engraved by J.P. Droz under the direction of D.V. Denon, Paris, edge mark cornucopiae and OR, (while dated 1804 this is an offical restrike made after 1880). NAPOLEON EMPEREUR. Laureate head of Napoleon to right; below, DENON DIR./J.P. DROZ F. Rev. EN L’AN XII 2000 BAR QUES SONT CONSTRUITES. Hercules, nude, standing left on plinth, gripping the British lion between his legs so that he can bind him with a rope he holds in both hands; in exergue, DENON DIREXIT •/1804•; on the edge, mint mark cornucopia and OR. Cf. Bramsen 320 (in bronze). Greenwich II, 12, pp. 94-95. Julius 1253. Rare in gold. Lightly toned. Many minor bag marks, otherwise, very fine. This medal commemorates what was intended to be a great invasion of England, but one which, like those of Philip II and Hitler, never came to pass. Somewhat curiously, a number of commentators have suggested that the animal on the reverse is a leopard (as Baldwin’s 41, 2005, 1658), despite the fact the creature’s mane can be seen on his back where he is held between the legs of Hercules. Of course, the hair might come from somewhere else but that seems really far-fetched.
87. FRANCE. Medal (Gold, 42mm, 53.83 g 12), struck for the city of Amiens as a prize to Octave Henriot at the exposition of 1845, by N.G. A. Brenet (1773-1846), Paris, edge mark pointing hand and OR, 1845 (the edge mark was used from June 1845 through October 1860). Minerva seated left on a base set on ground line, holding two filleted wreaths, one in her outstretched right hand and the other in her left resting on her lap; to right, decorated altar; below ground line to left, BRENET. Rev. VILLE D’AMIENS/Oct. HENRIOT/ À/AMIENS/EXPOSITION 1845., engraved and filled with black for emphasis, within laurel wreath; on the edge, mint mark pointing hand and OR. A. Calonne d’Avesne, Histoire de la ville d’Amiens. Amiens au XIXe Siecle (Amiens/Paris; 1906), p. 209. Rare. Toned but with a few hairlines. Virtually as struck. Brenet was a painter and engraver who worked for the Paris mint (his father was a painter as well). The Minerva and wreathed reverse types were used for a number of prize medals engraved by Brenet that were produced in Paris during the 19th century. O. Henriot founded a cloth factory at Amiens, later in partnership with his sons.
50
88. FRANCE. Prize Medal (Gold, 35mm, 25.63 g 12), struck for the Horticultural Association of Lyon, by Adolphe Rivet (1855-c.1908), Paris, edge mark cornucopiae and OR, undated and unnamed, but struck between 1889 and 1898. VILLE DE LYON • ASSOCIATION HORTICOLE LYONNAISE • Crowned arms of Lyon supported by oak and laurel branches; ribbon above and cartouche below, both blank. Rev. Horticulturist in garden hat, apron, and wooden shoes, standing left and grafting a tree; to left, plants in clay pots; to right, watering can; behind, woman advancing down garden path, holding a bunch of cut flowers in her left hand; in background, house and brick wall framing remainder of garden; to left, in the earth, artist’s signature; on the edge, mint mark cornucopia and OR. Forrer, BDM V, pp. 135-136. Some small edge imperfections, but a perfect example of the high esteem in which gardening was held in Lyon in the last century. Virtually as struck. This was made to presented as a prize medal but since it was not inscribed with a recipient’s name it was presumably never issued.
89. FRANCE. Medal (Gold, 41mm, 39.10 g 12), struck on behalf of the Grands Magasins du Louvre and used to commemorate long serving employees. This was presented to Gustave Cuvereau in1906 in honor of his twentyfive years of service, Paris, edge mark cornucopiae and OR, minted between 1880 and 1901. GRANDS MAGASINS DU LOUVRE PARIS Lion seated facing on the bottom of a large L. Rev. 1881/CUVEREAU/GUSTAVE/1906, engraved and filled with black for emphasis, within a wreath of laurel and oak branches; on the edge, mint mark cornucopia and OR. An interesting example of a commercial ‘prize’ medal of the late 19th century. A few light hairlines. Virtually as struck. The Grands Magasins du Louvre was one of the great Paris department stores and was founded in 1855 (it closed down in 1974 and the building is now well known as the site of the Louvre des Antiquaires).
51
90. FRANCE. Medal (Gold, 42mm, 54.82 g 12), used as the First Prize in Commercial Law by the Marseille Chamber of Commerce. Presented to Alfred Blachère of the Faculty of Law. Engraved by Alphée Dubois, Paris, edge mark cornucopiae and OR, minted between 1880 and 1901, but used in 1908. Semi-nude female figure, the Allegory of Commerce, seated right on rock and, with her left hand, holding globe inscribed EUROPE, AFRIQUE, ASIE, and OCEA, and, with her right, measuring it with a compass; to right, rising sun over desert with camel rider; to left, star above arctic scene with polar bear; in exergue, ALPHÉE DUBOIS. Rev. Laurel wreath; around, in engraved letters, CHAMBRE DE COMMERCE DE MARSEILLE; engraved within the wreath, À/MR BLACHÈRE/ALFRED/1ER PRIX/DROIT COMMERCIAL/FACULTÉ LIBRE DE DROIT/DE MARSEILLE/1908; below, stellate design; on the edge, mint mark cornucopia and OR. Forrer I, pp. 445-446. Toned with matte surfaces. Nearly as struck. Ex UBS 82, 20 January 2009, 1351. Alfred Blachère was a distinguished jurist from Marseille (he is commemorated by the Avenue Alfred Blachère on which can be found the prestigious seat of the Revolver Club de Marseille). The medal, made by the mint in Paris and supplied uninscribed, was designed by Alphée Dubois, father of the more famous medalist Henri Dubois (who often worked with his father). In fact, as a surprise for his father’s birthday, Henri arranged for Marthe Chenal, a well-known singer of the day, to sing a specially composed song, “De quoi s’agit-il, Alphée?” in his honor. This song was later adapted by Burt Bacharach.
91. FRANCE. after 1958. Medal (Gold, 41mm, 46.02 g 12), in honor of the Chambre de Commerce et Industrie of Paris, by J. H. Coeffin (1907-1974), Paris, edge mark cornucopiae and 3 OR, undated. CHAMBRE DE COMMERCE ET D’INDUSTRIE PARIS Jugate heads to left of Lutetia, bare, and Mercury, wearing winged diadem; behind, background of rays Rev. Stylized arms of Paris; on the edge, mint mark. A pleasing medal of a late, art deco-like style. Toned. Virtually as struck. Josette Hebert Coeffin (1907-1974) was an artist who did paintings, sculpures, medals and plaques, primarily in a style strongly influenced by art deco. This piece is quite successful in its simplicity.
52
92. Germany, Donauwörth. Medal (Bronze, 66.5mm, 78 g 12), in honor of Stephan Keltenhofer, by Christoph Weidlitz, Augsburg, 1532. STEFFAN KELTENHOFFER ÆTAT XX A’ MDXXXII Bust of Keltenhoffer three quarter facing, turned slightly to right, wearing robes and a flat hat. Rev. WER WENDTS WILS GOT Keltenhoffer arms crowned by a helmet with a lion crest. Habich I, 1, 409. Rosenheim 396. An attractive, piece with a fine, dark brown patina. A contemporary cast with very minor casting faults and with nicely smoothed fields, extremely fine. Stephan Keltenhofer (1512-1563) was the representative of an Augsburg trading company in Antwerp from the 1540s on, and was raised to the nobility for his help to Charles V. He was ruined when the Spanish state declared bankruptcy in 1557.
93. GERMANY. Cast Medal (Bronze, 48mm, 61.50 g 12), made to satirize Britain in the first year of World War I, by Gustav Adolf Daumiller, 1915. Head of Medusa to left, with serpents entwined in her hair; around, three dolphins; below truncation, A.D. Rev. RVLE BRITANIA ALL/OVER THE WORLD/1914-15 Britannia, nude to the waist, driving cart to right, holding the reins in her right hand and extending her left to stroke the heads of the fiveheaded monster pulling the cart; in exergue, inscription. Dark green patina. Virtually as made. An interesting satirical type, which is vaguely inspired by the designs of the classical coinage of Syracuse. Instead of Arethusa on the obverse we see a version of Britannia as Medusa, and instead of a noble quadriga we see a cart pulled by a monster with the heads of England’s allies Belgium, France, Russia, Japan and Serbia.
53
94. ITALY, Carmagnola. Ludovico II di Saluzzo. 1475-1504. Cavalloto (Silver, 23mm, 3.87Â g 6). LVDOVICVS M SALVTIARVM Cuirassed bust of Ludovico to left, wearing close fitting berretto. Rev. SANCTI CONSTANTIVS Saint Constantius on horseback to right, holding pennant on long cross. CNI 46-95. RM 10. Rare. A beautifully toned example, with a very well struck and exceptionally fine portrait. Reverse slightly double struck in the legend, otherwise, extremely fine. From a Swiss private collection.
95. ITALY, Casale. Guglielmo II Paleologo. 1494-1518. Testone (Silver, 30mm, 9.24Â g 1). GVLIELMVS MAR MONT FER Z C Draped bust of Guglielmo II to left, wearing berretto with pointed corners Rev. SACRI RO IMP PRINC VICA PP Quartered arms of Casale. RM 8. A lovely, clear and sharp example with a fine portrait. Extremely fine. From a Swiss private collection. Guglielmo II was the 9th Marquis of Montferrat and was descended from the Byzantine emperor Andronikos II, whence the family name Palaiologos. His mother was a daughter of Stefan the Blind, despot of Serbia.
54
96. ITALY, Ferrara. Ercole I d’Este. 1471-1505. Testone (Silver, 26mm, 7.69 g 3), struck from dies probably engraved by Giannantonio da Foligno, 1492-1493. HERCVLES FERRAR DVX II Bare head of Ercole I to right. Rev. Seven-headed Hydra. CNI 19-21. MR 4. Rare. Beautifully toned and well struck. Extremely fine. From a Swiss private collection. The reverse of this coin commemorates the draining of marshes in order to build the new, northern quarter of Ferrara, the Addizione Erculea.
97. ITALY, Ferrara. Ercole I d’Este. 1471-1505. Testone (Silver, 33mm, 9.57 g 4), struck from dies engraved by Giannantonio da Foligno, 1502-1504. HERCVLES DVX FERRARIAE II Bare head of Ercole I to left. Rev. Horseman, nude but for cloak billowing over his shoulders, riding to right, his right arm outstretched and pointing to his right. CNI 24-29. RM 6. Rare. Toned, well struck and most attractive. Extremely fine. From a Swiss private collection. The depiction of the horse on the reverse is probably taken from the full-sized clay model of an equestrian statue of Francesco Sforza of Milan, which was made by Leonardo da Vinci. After Milan was captured by the French the model was given to Ercole I and taken to Ferrara where it ultimately fell to pieces and was discarded.
98. ITALY, Duchy of Florence and Siena. Cosimo I de’ Medici. 1555-1569. Testone (Silver, 31mm, 9.28 g 1), Florence, 1565. COSMVS MED FLOREN ET SENAR DVX II / 1565 Bearded and cuirassed bust of Cosimo I to right. Rev. S IOHANNES BAPTISTA St. John the Baptist seated facing, holding long cross. CNI 166-168. RM 14. A bright, lustrous example. Slightly double struck in places, otherwise, extremely fine. From a Swiss private collection.
55
99. ITALY, Milan, lordship. Luchino and Giovanni Visconti or Giovanni Visconti alone. 1339-1354. Mezzo Ambrosino d’oro (Gold, 17mm, 1.74 g 1). + MEDIOLΛNVM Large m within tressure of six arches, with a trefoil at each point Rev. + S AMBRVSIVS Nimbate, half-length bust of St. Ambrose facing, wearing mitre and robes. Biaggi 1423. Cf. CNI V 13 (Prima Repubblica). Crippa 1/A. Friedberg 673. Exceptionally well struck for the issue, rare thus. Virtually as struck.
100. ITALY, Milan, Duchy. Gian Galeazzo Sforza, under the regency of Ludovico ‘il Moro’. 1476-1494. Grosso da 5 Soldi (Silver, 26mm, 2.86 g 3), Struck 1480-1494. (head) IOGZ • M • SF • VICECO • DVX • MLI • SEXT´• Ducal crown containing olive branch and palm frond. Rev. (head) LVDOVICO PATRVO GVBNATORE Broom with ornate handle entwined with a banner inscribed M • ERI TO • ET • • TEM [PO] RE • •. Biaggi 1572. Cf. CNI V 59-60. Crippa 6. Of fine style. Extremely rare. Toned, Nearly extremely fine.
101. ITALY, Milan. Louis XII, king of France and duke of Milan. 1500-1512. Testone (Silver, 28mm, 9.60 g 1). LVDOVICVS D G FRANCORVM REX Draped bust of Louis to right, wearing crown over chaperon. Rev. MEDIOLANI DVX St. Ambrose, nimbate and on horseback, charging to right, holding flail in his right hand; below, crowned shield bearing the arms of France. Ciani 997. CNI 58. Crippa 3. Duplessy 723. Roberts 3414. A splendid, beautifully toned example, very well struck. Extremely fine. From a Swiss private collection.
56
102. ITALY, Milan, duchy. Filippo II, king of Spain and duke of Milan. 1554-1598. Doppia (Gold, 27mm, 6.55 g 12), 1582. PHI • REX • HISPANI • ETC Radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust of Filippo II to right, set on diagonal exergual line; below, 1582 Rev. MEDIO LANI • D Crowned arms of Milan with two palm fronds in the crown. CNI V 54/50 (obverse/reverse). Crippa 4/B. Friedberg 716. Attractively toned and well struck. Extremely fine. From the collectiions of Archer M. Huntington and the Hispanic Society of America (HSA 1001.1.10787).
103. ITALY, Kingdom of Naples. Ferdinando I. 1458-1494. Ducato (Gold, 23mm, 3.48 g 2), third coinage, Naples, 1488-1494. + FERDINANDVS D G R SI I V Crowned shield bearing the royal coat-of-arms. Rev. RECORDATVS MISERICORD Crowned and draped bust of Ferdinando to right; in field to left, C. CNI XIX –. cf. MEC 14, 972. MIR 64/6. cf. Pannuti-Riccio 9a. With an attractive portrait. Traces of underlying luster. Nearly extremely fine.
104. ITALY, Messerano. Ludovico II Fieschi. 1528-1532. Testone (Silver, 31mm, 9.54 g 3). (cross fleurée) LVDOVICVS FLISC M 7 C DO Bare-headed and draped bust of Ludovico to right. Rev. S THEONES • T MARTIRI (cross fleurée) St. Theonestus enthroned facing, nimbate, raising his right hand in benediction and holding a palm branch in his left; below, eagle facing with spread wings and head to right. CNI II 26/29 (obverse/reverse). MIR 691 var. RM 4. Very attractively toned. Some areas flatly struck, otherwise, extremely fine. 57
105. ITALY, Papal States. Clement VII (Giulio de’Medici). 1523-1534. Doppio Giulio (Silver, 30mm, 7.59 g 3), Rome. CLEMENS VII PONTIF MAX Tiara and crossed keys above shield with the Medici arms. Rev. .S.PA☩ S.PE. .ALMA.ROMA. Nimbate busts of Sts. Paul and Peter facing each other; below, mintmark (Muntoni 46). Berman 840. CNI 65-66. Muntoni 39. Lightly toned, attractive and well struck. Extremely fine. From a Swiss private collection.
106. ITALY, Papal Coinage. Paul IV (Gian Pietro Carafa). 1555-1559. Giulio (Silver, 28mm, 3.17 g 12), Ancona. • PAVLVS • IIII • • PONT • MAX • Tiara and crossed keys above shield with the Carafa arms. Rev. S PAVLVS ANCONA St. Paul standing facing, his head turned slightly to the right, holding upraised sword in his right hand and book of Gospels in his left; to left at his feet, three spears bound together (mint master’s mark). CNI XIII 102. Muntoni 4. Berman 1046. An attractive, nicely toned example. Nearly extremely fine.
107. ITALY, Papal Coinage. Gregory XIII (Ugo Boncompagni). 1572-1585. Giulio (Silver, 26mm, 3.14 g 1), Rome. GREGORIVS • XIII • P • M • Tiara and crossed keys above shield with the Boncompagni arms. Rev. S PETRVS ALMA ROMA St. Peter standing facing, his head turned to the right, holding keys in his raised right hand and book of Gospels in his left; at his feet to right, mintmaster’s coat-of-arms. Berman 1183. CNI XVI 495. Muntoni 91. Toned and attractive. Nearly extremely fine. 58
108. ITALY, Papal Coinage. Gregory XIII (Ugo Boncompagni). 1572-1585. Testone (Silver, 30mm, 9.50 g 2), Ancona. GREGORIVS • • XIII • PONT • M • Tiara and crossed keys above shield with the Boncompagni arms. Rev. • S • PETRVS ANCONA St. Peter standing facing, his head turned to the right, holding keys in his raised right hand; to right, latticework ornament. Berman 1215. CNI XIII 262/269 (obverse/reverse). Muntoni 211 var. (two ornaments). Beautifully toned and very well preserved, rare thus. Nearly extremely fine.
109. ITALY, Papal States. Sixtus V (Felice Peretti). 1585-1590. Testone (Silver, 31mm, 10.16 g 1), Bologna. SIXTVS V PONT MAX Draped bust of Sixtus V to right, wearing elaborate robes. Rev. HINC FIDES ET FORTITVDO Armored figure of Felsina seated to left; in exergue, BONONINA. Berman 1360. CNI 12. Muntoni 96. Lustrous and finely toned. A superb and unusually fine piece. Some areas lightly struck, otherwise, extremely fine. From a Swiss private collection.
59
110. Italy. Cardinal Cristoforo Madruzzo, 1512-1578 . Medal (Bronze, 42mm, 28.34 g 12), by Lorenzo Fragni, signed LAV.PAR (=Lorenzo of Parma) on the obverse and with the monogram LP (twice) on the reverse, Rome, undated. CHRISTOPHORVS.MAD.ET.C.CARD.TRIDEN. Bust of Cardinal Madruzzo of Trent to left, wearing biretta and robes; all within an oval frame of pearls, flowers and ornaments. Rev. REVIXIT (=he has come back to life) Phoenix rising from the flames to left; above, two monograms of LP: on the left, within a wreath of olive and laurel and, on the right, within a noose of cord. Attwood 998. A lovely piece with a fine brown tone. Good very fine. Cristoforo Madruzzo was Prince-Bishop of Trent from 1539, bishop of Brixen and cardinal from 1542 and governor of Milan in 1556 and 1557. This medal was either made in 1567 or 1570, though the occasion for its issue is uncertain - perhaps the recovery from a serious illness. Lorenzo Fragni, or Lorenzo of Parma (1538-1619), began working for the Papal mint in 1568 and stayed there for his entire career. He produced a considerable number of dies for the popes, of which many later served for restrikes. His dies for other personalities, often cardinals, are much rarer. Among other things, Fragni collected ancient coins and other works of art; he is said to have made either replicas or forgeries of ancient coins as well! This medal is also known in silver.
111. ITALY, Kingdom of Sicily. Ferdinando II il Cattolico. 1479-1516. Trionfo (Gold, 22mm, 3.54 g 2), first coinage, class D, Messina, mintmaster Giovanni lo Nobile, 1490 - c. 1503. + FERDINΛNDVS DEI G R CΛSTEL Ferdinando, crowned and seated facing on a throne supported by two eagles, holding globus cruciger in his right hand and resting his left in his lap. Rev. + FERDINΛNDVS D G R SICILIE A Crowned eagle standing facing with spread wings, his head turned to left; to lfte and right below wings, I N . Crusafont 595 I. Friedberg 659. MEC 14, pp. 328-329. Cf. Spahr 82. Lightly toned. Good very fine. From the collections of Archer M. Huntington and the Hispanic Society of America, Numismatica Ars Classica 69, 4 December 2012, 566 (HSA 1001.1.1616).
60
112. ITALY, Duchy, then Granduchy of Florence and Siena. Cosimo I de’Medici. 1557-1574. Testone (Silver, 31mm, 9.15 g 8), Siena. COSMVS MED FLOREN ET SENARVM DVX II Draped bust of Cosimo I to right. Rev. SENA VETVS CIVITAS VIRGINIS Half-figure of the Virgin in clouds above the city of Siena. CNI 6-18. RM 21. Very rare. Toned. Some scratches on the obverse, otherwise, very fine. From a Swiss private collection.
113. SPAIN, Castile & León. Fernando V and Isabel I - Los Reyes Católicos / the Catholic Monarchs. 1474-1504. Real (Silver, 27mm, 3.35 g 11h), Toledo, 1497-1504. FERNANDVS & HELISABET D G Crowned and quartered royal coat-of-arms with that of Grenada at the bottom. Rev. + REX & REGINA CAST LEGIO ARAGO SI G Ox yoke and bundle of seven arrows; below, + above T. Calicó, NE 402. ME 2732. Toned and very attractive. Extremely fine. From the collection of Archer M. Huntington and that of the Hispanic Society of America, Vico 130, 26 June 2012, 523 (HSA 1001.1.28427).
114. Spain. Philip II. 1527-1598. Medal (Silver, 38.5mm, 36.56 g 12), on the marriage of Philip II to Elizabeth de Valois, 22 June 1559, by Gianpaolo Poggini (1518-c. 1582), undated but 1559. PHILIPPVS II HISPAN ET NOVI ORBIS OCCIDVI REX Cuirassed bust of Philip II to left, wearing ruff and mantle; below truncation in tiny letters, I PAVL POG F. Rev. ISABELLA REGINA PHILIPPI II HISPAN REGIS Bust of Elizabeth de Valois to right, wearing embroidered dress with high collar and elaborate necklace, and with her hair ornamented with a tiara and a net set with pearls; below truncation, I PAVL POG F. Attwood 1085. Bargello 405. Toderi/Vannel 1428. A contemporary struck example, and very rare thus. Some marks and scratches, but very attractively toned, good very fine. From the collection of John J. Ford Jr., 13, Stack’s 16 January 2006, 663, and ex Peus 341, 3 November 1994, 1509.
Poggini was a medalist from Florence who joined the court of Philip II in Brussels in 1557. He produced new designs for coins struck in the Spanish Netherlands and began producing medals as well. When Philip II left for Madrid in 1559 Poggini followed and remained in Spain until his death. His medallic output was considerable (he also produced sculpture): an obverse die, virtually identical to the one used here, was used by Poggini for his famous “wealth of the Indies” medal that was produced in Madrid, c. 1559-1562 (see Currency of Fame 58). Elizabeth of Valois was Philip II’s third wife, whom he married when she was 14; he was 32 at the time and they were apparently very happy together. After a miscarriage and the birth of two girls, she died from another miscarriage on 3 October 1568.
62
115. Sweden. Gustavus II Adolphus. 1611-1632. Medal in the weight of 5 Talers (Silver, 79mm, 136.33 g 12), minted by order of the Swedish government to commemorate the return of the King’s body to Stockholm, by Sebastian Dadler in Danzig (Gdansk), 1634. GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS MAGNUS DEI GRATIA SUECOR:GOTHOR:ET VANDALOR:REX AUGUSTUS At the center, the armored and crowned body of Gustavus Adophus lying in state at the battlefied of Lützen; behind, scene of the battle with the victorious Swedes driving the enemy before them to left, and with an angel accompanying them, bearing a sword with VEL MORTUUM FUGIUNT (even they flee death); above, Hebrew name of Jehovah in a halo of rays and many angels in clouds; at the center, two angels carry the soul of the king to heaven, EUGE SERVE FIDELIS (=well done faithful servant). In the exergue, NATUS 9 DEC:ANNO 1594 / GLORIOSE MORTUUS 6 / NOU:ANO 1632. Rev. DUX GLORIOS PRINC PIUS HEROS INVICT VICTOR INCOMPARAB TRUMPH FELIX & GERM LIBERATOR A 1634 (=Glorious leader, pious prince, invincible hero, incomparable victor, happily triumphant and liberator of Germany. In the year 1634 Gustavus, wearing armor and holding a Bible and a sword, riding in a chariot drawn by three winged horses over the Hydra of Discord; to left, Faith, holding a Bible topped by a flaming heart and, to right, Courage, holding a column, both crowning the king with a laurel wreath; on the chariot wheel, signature SD; above, ET VITA ET MORTE / TRIUMPHO (=I triumph in both life and death). Davenport 275 A (Erfurt). Hildebrand I, p. 192, 188. Maué 35. Wiecek 89. Very rare. A beautifully toned and beautifully preserved example of heavy weight. Virtually as struck. After his death at the Battle of Lützen on 6 November 1632, the king’s body was first bought to Weissenfels and then, in Spring 1633, to Wolgast on the island of Usedom. Then, in July 1633 the Swedish fleet brought the body back to Sweden, landing on 8 August at Nyköping where the body was kept until the grave monument in the Riddarholskyrka in Stockholm was completed. At the funeral celebrations, which took place on 22 June 1634, these medals were distributed among the participants. Gustaf Adolf den store, the name formally given to him by the Swedish parliament in 1634, was the most important of all Swedish kings and, had he not been killed, the borders between Protestant and Catholic Europe would have surely been quite different, and the Counter-Reformation would have been seriously retarded. Born in 1594, he had led his armies since he became king at 17 and was a charismatic leader with an iron will. He insisted on leading from the front; as a result he was shot in 1627, a wound that precluded him from wearing heavy armor from then on: this surely proved fatal. At Lützen, on the 16th of November, in deep fog, the king became separated from his troops and was killed by enemy cavalry: his body was only discovered some time later.
63
Coins & Medals of the British Isles
116. CELTIC BRITAIN, Trinovantes & Catuvellauni. Addedomaros. Circa 40-30 BC. Stater (Gold, 19mm, 5.52 g), spiral type. [A]ΘΘD[IID]O[M] Six-armed spiral of wreaths. Rev. Celticized horse to right, with pellets-inannulets around and a ‘cornucopia’ below. ABC 2517. SCBC 201.Van Arsdell 1620-1. Struck on a broad flan. Nearly extremely fine.
The Vine Leaf Hoard The so-called “Vine Leaf Hoard” was found by English metal detectorists in Spring 2012, on farmland in Hampshire. It was immediately declared to the authorities, recorded by experts of the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) and then sent to the British Museum for further study. At the official inquest the hoard was declared Treasure and an opportunity was given to museums to acquire it. However, since two similar hoards are already in the British Museum (the Alresford Hoard of c. 1880 and the Alton Hoard of 1996), and local museums were unable to secure sufficient funding, the find was officially disclaimed and returned to the finders. This not only allows collectors to have a chance to own coins from such a well documented find, but also shows the great advantages of the PAS system as used in England and Wales. A vast amount of material found accidentally or by people searching with permission has been recorded and, if of sufficient importance, brought into public ownership. The use of rewards and the correct treatment of honest finders have resulted in an enormous increase in our knowledge of ancient and medieval Britain; unfortunately this system is not used in countries such as Italy or Greece where the adamant refusal to fairly compensate honest finders results in widespread illegal activity and loss of information about the past. The hoard contained 105 gold staters, 98 of Verica, king of the Atrebates and Regni c. 10 - 42 AD, and 7 of the Catuvellaunian kings, Epatticus (6) and his brother, Cunobelin (1). It is likely that the hoard was buried c. 42AD during the unrest that surrounded the takeover of the kingdom of the Atrebates by the Catuvellauni. When Epaticcus captured Calleva (Silchester, capital of the Atrebates) Verica fled for his life to Rome; once there he worked tirelessly to convince Claudius to reinstate him, with the result that the Romans invaded Britain in 43. They were commanded by Aulus Plautius (one of his legionary commanders was the future emperor Vespasian) and they may have had more than one landing point: on the east coast at Richborough (Rutupiae) and on the south coast, perhaps in the area of Chichester (Noviomagus Reginorum) where Verica may have retained supporters who could have aided the invasion force. The owner of this hoard was almost certainly a supporter of Verica’s – the Atrebates were centered in Hampshire and the area of Chichester was just across the border in West Sussex – and he could have buried the coins for safe-keeping when the king fled. In fact, it would not be far fetched to think that this individual escaped with his ruler and was killed during the invasion, thus insuring that his treasure remained lost until today. The following three coins are choice specimens from this fascinating hoard.
117. CELTIC BRITAIN, Atrebates & Regni. Verica. Circa AD 10-40. Stater (Gold, 18mm, 5.32 g 10), warrior type, Cavella (Silchester). COM · F in incuse tablet. Rev. VIR / REX Warrior on horseback right, preparing to hurl spear; below, crescent and lituus. ABC 1190. Allen & Haselgrove series C, 25-7 (dies G/f). Bean VERC2-1. CCI 11.1348.27. SCBC 120. Van Arsdell 461. Good extremely fine. From the Vine Leaf Hoard of 2012.
64
118. CELTIC BRITAIN, Atrebates & Regni. Verica. Circa AD 10-40. Stater (Gold, 17mm, 5.29 g 3), vine leaf type, southern mint, either in or near Chichester or Silchester. VE - RI Vine leaf. Rev. C - O - F Warrior, with spear and shield strapped over his back, riding horse galloping to right (apparently leaping from one ‘platform’ to another). ABC 1193. Allen & Haselgrove series D, 62-75 (dies F/g). Bean VERS3-1b. CCI 11.1370.49 (this coin); SCBC 121. Van Arsdell 520-1. Good extremely fine. From the Vine Leaf Hoard of 2012.
119. CELTIC BRITAIN, Atrebates & Regni. Verica. Circa AD 10-40. Stater (Gold, 18mm, 5.32 g 2), vine leaf type, southern mint, either in or near Chichester or Silchester. VI - RI Vine leaf. Rev. C - O - F Warrior, with spear and shield strapped over his back, riding horse galloping to right (apparently leaping from one ‘platform’ to another). ABC 1193. Allen & Haselgrove series D, 83 (dies G/l). Bean VERS3-c. CCI 11.1415.94 (this coin). SCBC 122. Van Arsdell 520-5 (same obv. die as illustration). Very rare – one of only three found in the hoard. Lustrous and particularly well struck. Minor scratch on obverse and hairline flan crack, otherwise, good extremely fine. From the Vine Leaf Hoard of 2012.
120. ANGLO-SAXON, Continental Sceattas. Circa 710-740. Sceat (Silver, 12mm, 1.13 g 2), Series X, type 31, Ribe. ‘Wodan’ head facing; pellet above, short cross pommée to left and right; single pellet above Rev. Fantastic creature flying left, head right, with tail coiled leftward; pellet to left. Abramson 103.10. Metcalf 279. North 116. OdV&K 791-3. SCBC 797 (843). Toned, Extremely fine.
65
121. ANGLO-SAXON, Secondary Sceattas. Circa 710-725. Sceat (Silver, 13mm, 0.74 g), series H, type 37, Northumbria. probably Eoforwic (York). Two diademed heads facing each other; between them, long cross ending with a trident; all within beaded border. Rev. Clockwise whorl of four birds around small cross pommée; all within beaded border. Abramson 18.30. Metcalf 296-9. North 135. SCBC 802A (792). Lightly toned with some underlying luster. Nearly extremely fine.
122. ANGLO-SAXON, Kings of All England. Aethelred II. 978-1016. Penny (Silver, 21mm, 1.38 g 10), first hand type (BMC iia, Hild. B1), Eoferwic (York); moneyer Ælfstan, c. 991. + ÆÐELRED REX ΛNGL• Diademed and draped bust to right. Rev. + ΛLFZTAN Π–O EOF Manus Dei descending from clouds; flanked by Α and ω . BMC –. Hild. 608. SCBI –. North 766. SCBC 1144. A lovely portrait piece, lightly toned, just a touch off center on the reverse. Extremely fine.
123. ANGLO-SAXON, Kings of All England. Harold I Harefoot. 1035-1040. Penny (Silver, 17mm, 1.05 g 6), jewel cross type (BMC i, Hild. A), Serebyrig (Salisbury); moneyer Godwine, 1036-1038. + HΛRO••L•D REX Diademed bust to left. Rev. + GODPINE ON SER•E: Cross composed of four ovals united at thinner ends by two concentric circles enclosing a pellet. BMC –. Hild. 846 = SCBI 40 (Stockholm), 515 (same obverse die). North 802. SCBC 1163. Very rare mint for type. Toned. Good extremely fine.
66
124. William I ‘the Conqueror’. 1066-1087. Penny (Silver, 19mm, 1.25 g 8), profile left type (BMC I), Romney; moneyer Wulfmaer, c. 1066-1068. + ILLEMV REX I Crowned bust of William to left with scepter before. Rev. + PIILFMÆR ON RII Cross fleury with central pellet. BMC 39-41 (same dies). North 839. SCBC 1250. SCBI 20 (Mack), 1349 (same dies). SCBI 53 (Scottish), 13-5 (same dies). Boldly struck and with attractive gray toning and golden hues around the devices. Good very fine. From the collection of Keith Smalley and from the Sir Charles Oman Collection, Christie’s, 31 October 1972, 92.
125. Henry I. 1100-1135. Penny (Silver, 19mm, 1.35 g 8), pellets in quatrefoil type (BMC xiv), Bada (Bath); moneyer Veterlithi (Winterlede), c. 1123-1125. + hENRICVS R: Crowned facing bust, holding scepter; to right, sixpointed star. Rev. + PINTERLEDE : O[N • BA•] Pelleted cross, with star at center; all within quatrefoil, with trefoil at each end and inward-facing fleur in each quarter. Allen, Henry 11–14 (dies A/a). BMC –. Grinsell p. 84, 1. North 870. SCBC 1275. SCBI 24 (West Country), 851 (same dies). SCBI 27 (Lincolnshire), 2196 (same dies). Extremely rare, only four examples recorded by Allen, all in public collections. Toned, with a few flat spots as usual. Nearly extremely fine. This coin is from the final issue of the Bath mint under Henry, which was closed after the famous Assize of the Moneyers which took place as the king held court at Winchester in Christmastide 1124-5. All the moneyers in England were summoned in order to give account of their activities. Those found at fault for issuing inferior coins faced heavy fines or mutilation. Bath remained closed for 10 years, only resuming coinage under Stephen, who struck his coins of Wadford type there.
126. Edward I. 1272-1307. Groat (Silver, 29mm, 5.45 g 5), new coinage, London, c. 1279-1281. + ЄDWΛRDVS D’I GRA’ RЄX ΛnGL’ (triple-pellet stops) Crowned facing bust of the king, flanked by two small rosettes, within a quadrilobe made from an inner line of pearls and and a plain outer line, and with rosettes in the spandrels. Rev. DN’S hBIn’ ЄDVX ΛQVT’/LOn DOn IAC IVI Long cross fleurée dividing two circles of inscription and with three pellets in each of the inner angles. Allen, Groats, but these dies unlisted. Fox 1. North var. f, 1006. SCBC 1379F. SCBI 39 (North), 15. Very rare. Toned, well struck and of very good metal. Good very fine. From the Dr. F. Brady Collection, Spink 209, 6 October 2011, 5 (but with incorrect Allen, Fox, and SCBC references). Edward I’s groat was an attempt at a large sized silver denomination as an aid for trade and to emulate similar coins made on the Continent. It proved unpopular and was withdrawn, thus explaining its great rarity today.
67
127. Elizabeth I. 1558-1603. Penny (Silver, 18mm, 1.70 g 6), pledge pattern issue, original cast by C. Anthony (?), 1601. • THE • • • PLEDGE OF • Crowned bust of Elizabeth facing, turned slightly to the left, wearing ornate dress with elaborate ruff. Rev. • A • PEN NY • Crowned royal monogram, with the crown dividing 16 01. B&C P8. Peck 3. North 2051. SCBC –. Rare. An original cast as made, with the usual slight porosity and edge flaws, but beautifully toned and most attractive. Good very fine. From the Alderly Collection, Colin Cooke, 18 January 2007, 2, and from that of Dr. E.A. Johnstone (1973).
128. Elizabeth I. 1558-1603. Pound (Gold, 38mm, 11.03 g 3), third issue, Tower mint, initial mark 2, 1602/3. 2 : ELIZABETH · D’ · G’ · ANG’ · : FRA’ · ET · HIB’ · REGINA · Crowned bust of Elizabeth to left, wearing ruff, elaborate robes and jewels (bust type 8A). Rev. 2 : SCVTVM · FIDEI · PROTEGET · EAM · Crowned shield bearing the quartered arms of England and France, all within ornate frame and between E R. Brown & Comber F24. North 2008. SCBC 2539. Schneider 806 (same dies). Rare, from the Queen’s final issue. some light scratches in fields, otherwise, nearly extremely fine. From the Clearwater Collection, privately purchased from Classical Numismatic Group, Inc., via Davissons Ltd.
68
129. George III. 1760-1820. Medal (White Metal, 32mm, 10.86 g 12), struck to commemorate the impact of the publication of Thomas Paine’s Rights of Man in 1791-1792, 1793. A TREE IS KNOWN BY ITS FRUIT Man, hanging from a tree inscribed TOMMY’S RIGHTS OF MAN, his legs tied to the trunk and holding an open book and saying I DIE FOR THIS DAMN’D BOOK; to left, church with banner. Rev. MAY THE TREE/OF LIBERTY EXIST TO/BEAR TOMMY’S/LAST FRIEND. in four lines with floral ornaments above and below. BHM 366; D&H 209 (Middlesex). Extremely rare in this state. Typical rim flaws and a few light marks. Extremely fine. Ex Dix, Noonan, Webb T3, 28 September 2005, 1589 (... certainly the finest example available to commerce).
130. SCOTLAND. William I ‘the Lion’. 1165-1214. Penny (Silver, 19mm, 1.34 g 1), third (Short Cross & Stars) coinage, phase B, Edinburgh or Perth; moneyers Hue and Walter, c. 1205-1230. + LЄ RЄI WILAMЄ Head of king to left with sceptre before. Rev. + hVЄ WALTЄR (four pellets) Voided short cross; stars in quarters (4 stars of 6 points). Burns Class II, 13 (fig. 49) (same obverse die). SCBC 5029. Toned, with a fine style head and unusually well struck on a broad flan with no flat spots. Minor porosity and a few marks under the toning. Very fine.
69
Price List
(all amounts in USD) 1 2750 2 39500 3 7750 4 15000 5 4250 6 4950 7 7950 8 75000 9 7950 10 295 11 42500 12 1250 13 3250 14 5750 15 550 16 2950 17 12500 18 1950 19 3650 20 POR 21 3450 22 3950 23 5750 24 4750 25 1200 26 16500 27 2750 28 3250 29 1250 30 4250 31 4250 32 3950 33 4500
34 9750 35 2750 36 2950 37 4950 38 8750 39 2250 40 5750 41 2750 42 1250 43 4750 44 1950 45 975 46 7750 47 975 48 875 49 2500 50 12500 51 8750 52 3750 53 1350 54 2750 55 950 56 9750 57 1975 58 195 59 1350 60 25000 61 650 62 975 63 175000 64 1950 65 1750 66 1250
67 25000 68 POR 69 47500 70 7500 71 5750 72 27500 73 12500 74 14500 75 12500 76 14500 77 5950 78 2950 79 9750 80 12000 81 1250 82 14500 83 3750 84 675 85 1200 86 6500 87 2950 88 2250 89 2500 90 3250 91 2250 92 6750 93 575 94 4250 95 7250 96 12000 97 26500 98 7500 99 4950
Production Credits Cataloging / Editing Victor England Eric J. McFadden Dr. Alan Walker Dr. A. Peter Weiss Yves Gunzenreiner Bradley R. Nelson D. Scott VanHorn Bill Dalzell
Photography Travis A. Markel 70
100 5500 101 13500 102 4950 103 5950 104 5950 105 5750 106 675 107 495 108 975 109 6500 110 2250 111 5250 112 5500 113 575 114 4750 115 13750 116 3650 117 3250 118 5750 119 6750 120 1500 121 895 122 2450 123 4950 124 5750 125 5750 126 39500 127 2750 128 22500 129 4500 130 1250
An Elegant Coin Case for the Connoisseur
• • • • •
Archival, premium quality materials Extra deep wells for archaic or high relief coins Will fit larger safe deposit box Holds 40 coins in two trays Separate padded protector $150 per case + shipping charges
S103
Nomos AG Will be exhibiting at
Stand 260
14-24 March 2014 Maastricht, The Netherlands
The Worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Foremost Fine Art Fair
Nomos AG Auction 9
May 2014 ZĂźrich A selection of exceptional coins & medals from several collections
somon