sunday, January 8, 2012
AUCTION IX In Conjunction with the 40th Annual New York International Numismatic Convention At the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel 301 Park Avenue, New York, New York Norse Suite, 18th Floor
Sunday, January 8, 2012 at 3:20 PM Presented by Harlan J. Berk, Ltd. B & H Kreindler
www.geminiauction.com Harlan J. Berk, Ltd. 31 N. Clark Street Chicago, IL 60602 Phone: (312) 609-0018 Fax: (312) 609-1309 Email: info@hjbltd.com Website: www.hjbltd.com
B & H Kreindler 236 Altessa Blvd. Melville, NY 11747 Phone: (631) 427-0732 Fax: (631) 547-0758 Email: megatoy2@optonline.net
NOTICE OF EXHIBITION Lot Viewing: San Francisco, CA December, 2011 San Francisco Historical Bourse Holiday Inn Golden Gateway Hotel Friday, December 9, 2011, 10 AM-6 PM Saturday, December 10, 2011, 10 AM-6 PM Chicago, IL December 1, 2011 - January 3, 2012 (Except during San Francisco bourse and holiday closures) Harlan J. Berk Ltd. 31 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60602 Phone: (312) 609-0018 for appointment
Production Staff Senior Directors: Harlan J. Berk Herbert Kreindler
New York, NY Waldorf Astoria Hotel, 301 Park Avenue Lexington Suite, 18th Floor Thursday, January 5, 2012, 12 PM-8 PM Friday, January 6, 2012, 8 AM-8 PM Saturday, January 7, 2012, 8 AM-6 PM Sunday, January 8, 2012, 9 AM-1 PM Lot Pick-up: Monday, January 9, 2012, 10 AM-12 AM
BANK WIRE INFORMATION:
Cataloguers: Greek coins — Dr. Wolfgang Fischer-Bossert Jewish coins — David Hendin Armenian coins — Frank L. Kovacs Roman Republic & Imperatorial coins — Phillip Davis Roman coins — Curtis Clay Byzantine coins — Harlan J. Berk English Hammered coins — Shanna Schmidt
Contact Harlan J. Berk, Ltd.
Catalogue Production Coordinator — Shanna Schmidt
Front Cover Coin: Lot 5
Photography: Holly Matthews & Jay Crawford Layout: Aaron Berk Web Site: Pablo Saban
For all payment inquiries please contact: Harlan J. Berk, Ltd at 312-609-0018 or email at info@hjbltd.com Please include either your invoice number or name on your wire.
Back Cover Coins: Lots 1, 63, 87, 95, 140, 366, 373, 584 Introduction Pages: Lots 128, 266, 274, 490, 547
Cover: Rainer Schmidt Printed by Flower City Printing, Rochester, NY
Herbert L. Kreindler, Auctioneer # 820339
Place your bids online at www.geminiauction.com
ORDER OF SALE Part I (begins Sunday, January 8 at 3:20 PM)
Dinner break for bidcard holders in auction room
Greek Coins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-170
Part II (begins after dinner break)
Jewish Coins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171-215
Roman Coins Continued . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 401-527
Greek Coins Continued . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216-236
Byzantine Coins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 528-551
Roman Republican & Imperatorial Coins . . 237-250
English Hammered Coins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 552-582
Roman Coins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251-400
Davis Collection of Republican Imitations . 583-767
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JANUARY 5-8, 2012
NUMISMATIC CONVENTION Professional Preview: Thursday, Jan. 5th, 2 pm-7 pm ($100 fee) JANUARY 7-9, 2011 Public Show Hours:
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Friday, January 7th: 10AM–7PM Friday, January 7th: 10AM–7PM thHotel • New York City The Waldorf : 10AM–7PM Saturday, January 10AM–7PM Saturday,Astoria January 8th: 8 th th Sunday, January 9 : 10AM–3PM Sunday, January 9 :& 10AM–3PM 301 Park Avenue between 49th 50th Streets • (212) 355-3000 Call the Waldorf Astoria Hotel reservations at (212) The Waldorf Astoria Hotel department • New York City 355-3000 and ask for the specialWaldorf NYINC rate of $290 or $312 depending on accommodations The Astoria • New York Cityselected. th Hotel th 301 Park Avenue between East 49 & 50 Streets • (212) 355-3000 Specify rate code “NYQ” for our special rates. Call the Waldorf Astoria Hotel reservations department and ask for the th at 212-355-3000 th
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ratereservations code “NYZ” for our special rates. Call the Waldorf AstoriaSpecify Hotel department 212-355-3000 andSaturday, ask for the AuctionatLot Viewing begins BY: special NYINC rate of $279AUCTIONS or $299 depending on accomodations selected. December 31, 2011 Club Meetings Heritage World for Coinour Auctions: Sunday & Monday, Jan. 2-3 Specify rate ••code “NYZ” special rates. Educational Forums Giulio Bernardi S.R.L./Numismatik Lanz: Monday, Jan. 3 Seminars
Exhibits Club Meetings Book Signings Educational Forums Seminars Exhibits Book Signings
AUCTION SESSIONS: • Freeman & Sear: Tuesday, Jan. 4 Multiple World, andJan. Numismatic • Classical Numismatic Group: TuesdayAncient & Wednesday, 4-5 •• Baldwin's/M&M Numismatics/Dmitry Markov: The New Literature SalesSunday held daily Heritage World Coin Auctions: &York Monday, Jan. 2-3 on Wednesday & Thursday, Jan. 5-6 Monday, January 2 through Sunday, January Jan. 8 • Sale Giulio Bernardi S.R.L./Numismatik Lanz: Monday, 3 • Ponterio & Associates–A Division of Bowers & Merena: Friday • &Freeman & 7-8 Sear: Tuesday, Jan. 4 Saturday, Jan. •• Gemini Numismatic Auctions VI:Group: Sunday, Jan. 9 Classical Numismatic Tuesday & Wednesday, Jan. 4-5
AUCTIONS BY:
Bourse Information: Kevin Foley - Convention Chairman
• Baldwin's/M&M Numismatics/Dmitry Markov: The New York P.O. BoxJan. 370650 Bourse& Information: Sale on Kevin Wednesday Thursday, 5-6 Foley – Convention Chairman Milwaukee, 53237& Merena: Friday • Ponterio & Associates–A DivisionWI of Bowers P.O. Box 370650 Milwaukee, WI 53237 (414) 807-0116 • Fax (414) 423-0343 & Saturday, Jan. 7-8 (414) 421-3484 • Fax (414) 423-0343 • Gemini Numismatic Auctions VI: Sunday, Jan. 9 E-mail: kfoley2@wi.rr.com E-mail: kfoley2@wi.rr.com Visit our website, www.nyinc.info, for a complete
Schedule of Events, including auctionfor lot viewing, auctionSchedule of Events, including Visit our website, www.nyinc.info, a complete sessions, educational programs, and more! Bourse Information: auction lot viewing, auction sessions, educational programs, and more! Kevin Foley – Convention Chairman P.O. Box 370650 Milwaukee, WI 53237 (414) 421-3484 • Fax (414) 423-0343 E-mail: kfoley2@wi.rr.com
Visit our website, www.nyinc.info, for a complete Schedule of Events, including auction lot viewing, auction sessions, educational programs, and more!
Harry N. Sneh
Harry Naftali Sneh was born in Israel in 1953. He came to the United States with his parents as a youth, and has lived in California for most of his life. Harry studied engineering, and earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Cal Poly University, and a master’s degree in environmental engineering from the University of Southern California. He is a registered engineer in California. For most of his professional life, Harry worked for the California Environmental Protection Agency. Harry started to collect world coins and paper money as a child, often getting exciting new additions when his father came home from a trip. The desire to collect never wavered, and as an adult Harry formed a major currency collection which he developed for over twenty years. But Harry was always fascinated by ancient history and archaeology, and when he sold his currency collection his attention was drawn to ancient coins. Harry initially found himself most interested in Judean coins. He was then attracted to the Judaea Capta commemoratives of the Flavian emperors. From there, he started to specialize in the Flavian imperial series, adding to his collection many rarities including unique coins not listed in the major references. Harry’s collection of the silver issues of Titus, which he collected systematically, is a special source of pride. It is Harry’s wish that the coins from his collection will bring much satisfaction to their new owners, and that they will take good care of them for future collectors. For collectors are merely curators of these fascinating small pieces of history, preserving them for future generations.
TERMS OF SALE This is a public auction and mail bid sale conducted by Gemini Numismatic Auctions, LLC (GNA). Bidding in the auction constitutes full acceptance of the following terms. 1) The property contained in this auction catalog is offered for sale by GNA for itself and on behalf of Harlan J. Berk Ltd., B&H Kreindler, and other consignors. GNA may, at its sole discretion, set opening bidding levels, determine bidding increments, reject any bid, reopen a lot in the event of a dispute and withdraw any lot. GNA further reserves the right to bid on its own behalf, bid on behalf of the consignor or allow the consignor to bid on his own property. 2) An 18% buyer’s premium will be added to the hammer price of each lot sold. The buyer’s premium will be reduced to 15% if settlement is made by wire transfer, bank draft or personal check within thirty days of the auction date. The same buyer’s fee format is applicable to all purchases of unsold lots after the sale. 3) All property offered herein is guaranteed genuine. Grades, descriptions of condition, assessment of rarity and attribution are the opinion of the cataloguer and in no way imply or express warranty. This auction is not an approval sale. Lots may not be returned for any reason except lack of authenticity or misdescription. Group lots, containing more than one coin, are sold “as is” and may not be returned for any reason. Bidders attending the sale, including those acting as agents for others, are excluded from returning any lot for any reason except for lack of authenticity. Any claim of misdescription, excluding a claim of lack of authenticity, must be made within five days of delivery of the property. Any claim of lack of authenticity must be made in writing by the original purchaser immediately on determining the item is not authentic. The original purchaser then must return the item to GNA in the same condition as when purchased. 4) Settlement is due immediately upon receipt of the invoice. Interest charges and late fees of 2% per month, or the highest rate allowable by law, whichever is less, will be applied to invoices not settled within thirty days of the auction date and will accrue from the auction date. Bidders personally guarantee payment for lots purchased in the auction, including those executing commission bids for other parties. Payment by check, cash, money order, bank wire transfer, Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover are accepted. Checks must be made in US dollars and drawn on a US bank. All successful bidders who choose to pay by bank wire transfer will be charged an additional $20 for bank charges. 5) Title does not pass until payment is made in full. GNA reserves the right to maintain possession of all lots and to require full payment before delivery is made. 6) Bidders unknown to GNA must establish satisfactory credit prior to bidding or must pay a deposit determined by Gemini. Bids from those under 18 years of age must be accompanied by the written consent of a parent or legal guardian guaranteeing payment. 7) Estimates printed in this catalog are in US dollars. They are intended only as a guide to bidders and not as statements of value. Selling reserves will apply to all property sold in this auction and are normally placed at, but never less than, 80% of the printed estimates. Therefore, a bid of less than 80% of estimate will not be accepted. In no instance will a selling reserve exceed the printed estimate. 8) Bids must be in even dollar amounts. GNA will represent mail bidders and will execute mail bids at approximately 10% above the next highest bid. In the event identical mail bids are received, GNA will execute the earliest bid. A mail bid has priority over an identical floor bid. GNA accepts no responsibility for errors made in bidding and urges that bid sheets be checked carefully before submission. 9) In the event a successful bidder fails to make payment when due, GNA reserves the right to resell the property, or to have an affiliated company do so, and the bidder agrees to pay for the reasonable cost of such a sale and also to pay the difference between the resale price and the previously successful bid. GNA also reserves any and all rights that it is entitled to under the Illinois Uniform Commercial Code, including the right to offset any sums due from a successful bidder against any future consignment or purchase or monies or goods in possession of GNA or its assigns. 10) Sales tax, postage, handling and insurance are the responsibility of the buyer and these charges will be added to all invoices where applicable. Foreign purchasers are advised to comply with all customs regulations. GNA declines any responsibility for consequences arising from contravention of such regulations. 11) Bidders hereby waive any claim for incidental, consequential or exemplary damages arising from this auction. The sole remedy that any bidder shall have for any claim or controversy arising out of the auction shall be a refund of all or part of the purchase price. 12) The rights conferred under these Terms of Sale are personal and may not be transferred to any other person or entity. No third party may rely on any benefit or right granted under these Terms. 13) Any dispute regarding this auction shall be governed by the laws of Illinois and shall be adjudicated by the appropriate courts of law in Cook County, Illinois. All bidders submit themselves to the jurisdiction of these courts for this purpose.
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Part I Greek Coins Wonderful Croton
1. Bruttium. Croton. c. 390/80 BC. Stater, 7.88g (8h). Obv: Head of Hera Lakinia three-quarters facing, turned slightly to the right, wearing low polos ornamented with palmettes. Rx: ΚΡΟΤΩΝΙΑΤΑΝ Youthful Herakles seated left on a rock draped with his lion’s skin, holding a one-handled cup in his right hand and resting his left on his club; below, bow. HN Italy 2167. SNG ANS 371 (same obverse die). SNG Ashmolean 1522 (same dies). SNG Fitzwilliam 793 (same obverse die). Dewing Coll. 511 (same obverse die). SNG Lloyd 616 (same obverse die). AMB 198. Of the numerous examples of this issue that exist, this is one of the finest we have ever seen. They are usually plagued by either poor die work, die wear, or bad striking and corrosion. This beautifully toned coin suffers from none of those maladies, being exceptionally well-struck on both sides. EF $20,000
2. Sicily. Gela. c. 490-475 BC. Didrachm, 8.64g (9h). Obv: Horseman, naked but for the helmet, hurling spear on galloping horse right. Rx: ΓΕΛΑ (retrograde). Protome of bearded manheaded bull right. Jenkins p. 181, pl. 2, 19 (O7/R8). SNG ANS 5 (same dies). This exquisite coin probably comes from the 1950 Gela hoard (mentioned in Jenkin’s book on Gela). Most of the coins in that hoard were of excellent quality, as is this one. Needle-sharp striking on reverse. Toned EF $7,500 Ex Helios 1, 17-18 April 2008, lot 23.
Lyre Symbol Leontini
Ex Nomos 1, 6 May 2009, lot 8. Ex NAC 39, 16 May 2007, lot 7 (Barry Feirstein Collection). Ex Triton II, 1-2 December 1998, lot 125. One of the relatively rare representations of Zeus’ wife Hera on Greek coins. Her headdress, a low crown known as a polos, was customarily worn by brides, so Hera is shown here as the gorgeous bride of Zeus. The temple of Hera Lakinia, situated on Cape Colonna 12 km from Croton, possessed a painting of the goddess made by the renowned painter Zeuxis. According to anecdote, Zeuxis had the five most beautiful girls of Croton at the time sit as models for his painting. Whatever his sources, our engraver too has produced a beautiful Hera Lakinia!
Enlargement
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3. Leontini. c. 430-425 BC. Tetradrachm, 17.11g (2h). Obv: Laureate head of Apollo left. Border of small dots in low relief. Rx: ΛΕΟΝΤΙΝΟΝ (retrograde) Lion’s head right. Around three barley-corns and a cithara. Cf. SNG ANS 243. Cf. Boehringer, Münzgeschichte 56. Jameson Coll. 631. SNG Delepierre 571 (all from the same obverse die). According to C. Boehringer, this die pair is known from five other specimens, none of them published: two in Berlin, one in Vienna, one in the former Pennisi Collection (might be in Syracuse now), and one recorded by an unlabeled cast in Winterthur. About VF $8,000 The coin is overstruck on a tetradrachm of Selinus (Schwabacher 7, as SNG Lloyd 1225). At the bottom of the obverse, the spokes of the chariot wheel and the back of Artemis driving the chariot from the undertype can be seen. On the reverse, the fluted pattern on the lower right edge is a remnant of the podium on which the little bull stood on the Selinuntian coin; the bull’s hindquarters and the selinon leaf above him are also visible. This overstrike provides new and very welcome evidence for Sicilian coin chronology. The Selinuntian tetradrachm might have been issued c. 440/30 BC (see C. Boehringer, SNR 76, 1997, pp. 5-27, pl. 1, 14-15), while the overstriking tetradrachm must have been issued some time before Leontini’s inhabitants were removed in 422 BC.
Double Signed, Euainetos and Eukleidas
4. Syracuse. 415-413 BC. Tetradrachm, 17.47g (11h). Obv: Quadriga to right, driven by goddess holding reins and goad, who is crowned by flying Nike. The fourth horse raises its head. In exergue, wheel lying on ground; on ground line, in tiny letters, [EYAINETO], unclear on our specimen. Border of dots. Rx: ΣΥΡΑΚ[ΟΣΙΟΝ] Head of the nymph Arethusa left, wearing hooked earring and necklace. Around, four dolphins. Beneath the truncation, the artist’s signature ΕV. Tudeer 35 (o12 / r18; only one specimen, in Cambridge). Exceptionally nice surfaces. EF $4,500
Ex Rarcoa auction, CICF 1985, cover coin, lot 10. The catalogue states that this coin came from the estate of a Chicago collector who had owned it for forty years. An absolutely choice Syracusan decadrachm of the Euainetos series, with the dramatic obverse type and beautiful reverse type of that engraver. On the obverse, the charioteer seems to be rounding the turning post, the most dangerous moment of the race, so urges on the right-hand pair of horses with his goad while pulling back the left-hand pair with the reins. The drama on the obverse has its counterpart in the eternal beauty of the reverse, depicting the head of Arethusa, the nymph of the local well on Ortygia, a small island belonging to Syracuse, whose features were copied on many other Greek coinages and have also inspired modern connoisseurs such as Winckelmann, Payne Knight, and Goethe.
Incredible Decadrachm
5. c. 400-370 BC. Decadrachm, 43.30g (5h). Obv: Quadriga galloping left, driven by a charioteer holding reins and directing the horses with a goad. Above, Nike flying right to crown the charioteer. In exergue, panoply of arms on two steps: cuirass, two greaves, and a Phrygian helmet. Border of dots. Rx: ΣΥΡΑΚΟΣΙΩΝ Head of nymph Arethusa left, wearing a reed wreath, triple ear pendant, and necklace. Beneath her chin, pellet; around, four dolphins. Gallatin J V-R XXII. Dewing Coll. 923 (same obverse die). Gallatin only records five examples from this pair of dies. This is one of the most complete and sharply struck Syracusan decadrachms we have ever handled, from one of the freshest pairs of dies. The obverse has virtually unparalleled detail. The decorations on the helmet in the exergue, as well as the details on the crest are highly unusual, as are the details on the chest armor. The quadriga driver has complete detail on her chiton, showing folds and pleats, as well as the delicate piping around the neck. She also has hair and facial detail which we have never seen. The head of Arethusa has incredible detail, especially detailing inside of the ear and a pearl visible where the earring attaches to the ear lobe. The four dolphins are complete, except for the tip of the nose of the dolphin underneath Arethusa’s head. There is a tiny contact mark in the eyelid and eyebrow of Arethusa and a tiny planchet defect in the dolphin’s body behind Arethusa’s head. The coin is in fact stunning, the more you look at it, the more details you see. Choice EF $50,000
Enlargement
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Extraordinary Strike
Enlargement
6. Agathocles. 317-289 BC. AE 23, 9.24g (2h). Sicily, Syracuse. Obv: ΣΥΡΑΚΟΣΙΩΝ Unbearded head of Herakles left, wearing diadem with a meniskos at the forehead. Behind, cornucopia (?). Dotted border. Rx: The Nemean lion striding right. Above, club. Calciati I, p. 288, 150, Ds41. SNG ANS 735. SNG Morcom 768. Winterthur I 971. Mahogany-brown patina of extraordinary quality. EF $750
9. c. 480-450 BC. Obol, 0.51g Obv: Head of lioness, seen from above. Border of dots. Rx: Four-part incuse square. Traité II 1, no. 1714, pl. LIV, 20. Beautifully centered. Struck in relatively high relief. VF $350 Unpublished Acanthus
Ex Gemini VII, 9 January 2011, lot 183.
7. Hieron II. 274-216 BC. AV 60 Litrai (Decadrachm), 4.27g (9h). Sicily, Syracuse, c. 269-263 BC. Obv: Head of Kore left wearing wheat-ear wreath and pearl necklace. In left field, bucranium. Border of dots. Rx: ΙΕΡΩΝΟΣ Biga of galloping horses right. Linear border. SNG ANS 862 var. (different symbol behind head, same reverse die). Carroccio 13. This issue is normally plagued with heavy die rust that destroys the wonderful artistry of the coin that the die engraver intended you to see. Mint State $5,000
10. c. 400 BC. Tetradrachm, 14.18g (4h). Obv: Bull kneeling left with raised head, attacked by lion right on his back; EYK above. In exergue, sea monster right. Border of dots. Rx: AKANΘ-I-ON around four-part linear square, all within incuse square. Desneux-, but cf. 120. Rare variety with bull’s head up. Magistrate not in Desneux. Extremely beautiful example of this very rare issue. Mint State $12,500 Purchased from Harlan J. Berk, NYINC 2003.
Ex Astarte XX, 30 October 1999, lot 26.
Enlargement
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8. Chalcidian District. Acanthus. c. 480 BC. Hemiobol, 0.36g Obv: Calf head right. Border of dots. Rx: Four-part incuse square with windmill pattern. Traité II 1, no. 1710, pl. LIV, 18. Weber Coll. 1886. McClean pl. 114, 11. SNG Lockett 1291. Exceptionally well-struck. Perfectly centered. About EF $500
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11. Macedonia. Aegeae. c. 490-470 BC. Light diobol, 0.95g (9h). Obv: Goat running right. Rx: Head of bridled horse right, in incuse square. Traité II 1, no. 1536, pl. XLVIII, 15. Cf. A.P. Tzamalis, Nomismatika Khronika 17 (1998), p. 16, 46. Wellstruck. Some granularity which is normal for small Greek coins. About VF $500
Enlargement
12. c. 480 BC. Fraction, 1.10g. Obv: Goat kneeling right. Rx: Fourpart incuse square. SNG Cop. 25. SNG ANS 66. Cf. Traité II 1, no. 1550. Beautiful, high-spirited goat. Choice EF $750
Enlargement
13. c. 450 BC. Obol, 0.91 g. Obv: Goat kneeling right on ground line. Rx: Four-part incuse square with windmill pattern. Traité II 1, no. 1550. SNG Oxford 2230. Well centered. Good VF $500
Enlargement
17. 478-476 BC. Hemiobol, 0.31g. Obv: Forepart of Pegasus left. Circle of dots. Rx: Four-part incuse square. SNG Cop. 345. Liampi, Argilos, p. 173, no. 95, pl. 13. Perfectly centered. In relatively high relief. Slightly granular reverse. EF $450
Enlargement
18. Dicaea. 490-475 BC. Trihemiobol, 0.71g (12h). Obv: ΔΙ-ΚΑ. Rooster standing right. Rx: ΔΙ-ΚΑ (bustrophedon) in four-part incuse square. Not to be found in the major references, but cf. Hirsch 267 (2010), 119, and Peus 393 (2007), 155 (both with different reverse). Good VF/EF $600
Enlargement
14. 5th century BC. Hemiobol, 0.34g. Obv: Goat’s head right, the truncation dotted. Rx: Four-part incuse square. Not to be found in major references. Tiny bend in flan at 2h. The goat seems to have real personality. Struck in high relief. EF $500
Enlargement
19. Eion. 5th century BC. Hemiobol, 0.42g. Obv: Two geese standing side by side right. In left field, ivy leaf. Circle of dots. Rx: Square incuse with swastika pattern. Svoronos, Hellénisme, pl. IX, 23. Cf. Traité II 1, no. 1738, pl. LV, 12. BMC p. 74, 15. SNG Cop. 181. Charming. Near Mint State $500
Enlargement
15. Amphipolis. c. 400 BC. Obol, 0.42g (5h). Obv: Head of youth right, wearing taenia. Circle of dots. Rx: ΑΜ-ΦΙ. Fish within linear frame. All within incuse square. SNG ANS 83-84. SNG Oxford 2241. Dewing Coll. 1011. Beautifully drawn rockfish on reverse. VF/EF $400
20. Mende. c. 480 BC. Trihemitetartemorion, 0.31g. Obv: Head of donkey right. Rx: Incuse square with windmill pattern. Traité II 1, no. 1611, pl. LI, 12. SNG ANS 307. Beautifully detailed. EF $500
16. Argilos. 495-478 BC. Drachm, 2.50g. Obv: Pegasus forepart right. Rx: Four-part incuse square. Liampi, Argilos, p. 148, no. 46, pl. 9 (same dies). Slightly granular surface. VF $1,000
21. 460-421 BC. Tetartemorion, 0.16g (11h). Obv: Head of donkey left. Circle of dots. Rx: Cantharus within incuse square. SNG ANS 371. Cf. Weber Coll. 1943 (donkey head right). About EF $500
Enlargement
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22. Neapolis. 5th century BC. Obol, 0.74g Obv: Gorgoneion with closed lips. Rx: Four-part incuse square. Traité II 1, no. 1742, pl. LV, 17. BMC p. 84, 13. Cf. A.P. Tzamalis, Nomismatika Khronika 17 (1998), p. 18, 58. VF $300
23. Potidaea. c. 480 BC. Tetrobol, 2.84g (3h). Obv: Poseidon Hippios carrying trident, on horseback right. On the neck of the horse, dot. Below horse, pellet. Rx: Female head right, wearing dotted, pointed headdress (alopekis) and necklace, in incuse square. Traité II 1, no. 1641, pl. LII, 9. SNG ANS 693 (same reverse die). McClean pl. 116, 13 (same reverse die). Dewing Coll. 1075 (same reverse die). SNG Lockett 1368 (same obverse die). VF $2,500
Enlargement
27. Terone. 5th century BC. Hemiobol, 0.36g (8h). Obv: Oinochoe. Circle of dots. Rx: Forepart of goat right, in shallow incuse. Traité II 4, no. 1047, pl. CCCXVIII, 14 (but oinochoe the other way round). Cf. BMC p. 108, 10. Granular. VF/Fine+ $300
Enlargement
28. Hemiobol, 0.24g Obv: Τ-Ε. Oinochoe. Circle of dots. Rx: Fourpart incuse square. SNG ANS 755. About EF $350
Enlargement Enlargement
24. Scione. c. 440 BC. Hemiobol, 0.28g (4h). Obv: Head of youth right, wearing fillet. Rx: Corinthian helmet right, within incuse square. SNG ANS 714-715. SNG Oxford 2376. SNG Delepierre 931. Cf. Pozzi 766. Beautifully sculpted head in high relief, very surprising on a coin of this size. About EF $750
29. Tragilus. 450-400 BC. Hemiobol, 0.29g (12h). Obv: Wheat ear. Circle of dots. Rx: Four-part incuse square with ethnic ΤRΑΙ inscribed. SNG ANS 903. Weber Coll. 1983. Choice EF $350
Enlargement
25. Hemiobol, 0.31g (11h). Obv: Head of youth right, wearing taenia. Rx: Human eye within incuse square. SNG ANS 710. About EF $500
30. 5th century BC. Hemiobol, 0.20g (2h). Obv: Bunch of grapes. Circle of dots. Rx: TPAI, beginning at lower left, in four-part incuse square. BMC p. 130, 5. Struck in somewhat high relief. About EF $300
26. c. 424 BC. Tetrobol, 1.83g (1h). Obv: Head of youth right, wearing taenia. Rx: ΣΚΙΩΝΑΙΩΝ. Corinthian helmet right. At left, laurel twig. SNG Lockett 1370 (same obverse die). SNG ANS 712-713. Granular surface, otherwise About EF $600
31. Hemiobol, 0.23g (1h). Obv: Bunch of grapes. Circle of dots. Rx: ΤΡ-ΙΑ in four-part incuse square. BMC p. 130, 4. Struck in high relief. Choice EF $350
Enlargement
12
Enlargement
Head of Centaur
Enlargement
32. Uncertain Mint. 520-470 BC. Trihemiobol, 0.38g. Obv: Head of Centaur right. In the field, two or three pellets. Rx: Incuse square with X design. Not to be found in major references. This is an extremely rare image on a Greek coin. Pleasant VF $500
Enlargement
33. c. 500 BC. Hemiobol or trihemiobol, 0.24g. Obv: Bull’s head to front. Circle of dots. Rx: Four-part incuse square. Rosen Coll. 182. SNG Oxford 2398. Cf. SNG ANS 1006. About VF $400
Enlargement
34. c. 500-470 BC. Obol, 0.77g. Obv: Bearded centaur, holding cantharus, running right. Rx: Four-part incuse square. Not to be found in major references. Fine $300
Enlargement
35. 500-450 BC. Hemiobol, 0.35g. Obv: Forepart of horse right, head turned three-quarters to front. Rx: Four-part incuse square. Not to be found in major references. A remarkable obverse type, difficult to render on such a small coin. About EF $500
Enlargement
36 Hemiobol, 0.24g (9h). Obv: Hippocamp swimming right. Rx: Head of nymph right. Linear border. Not to be found in the major references. VF/Fine $250
Enlargement
37. Hemiobol, 0.36g. Obv: Spearhead. Circle of dots. Rx: Four-part incuse square. A.P. Tzamalis, Nomismatika Khronika 17 (1998), p. 15, 37. SNG ANS 1003. SNG Cop. 464. Klein Coll. 119. About EF $250
Enlargement
38. 480-440 BC. Diobol, 1.85g (12h). Obv. Forepart of horse right. Rx: Ram reclining right, head reverted, all within incuse square. Svoronos, Hellénisme, pl. III, 25. SNG ANS 995. Weber Coll. 2328. A.P. Tzamalis, Nomismatika Khronika 17 (1998), p. 16, 47. Granular surface. Good Fine $400
Enlargement
39. c. 460 BC. Hemiobol, 0.38g Obv: Head of horse right. Circle of dots. Rx: Four-part incuse square. Traité II 1, no. 1782, pl. LVII, 6 (Maroneia). Not in Schönert-Geiß, Maroneia. Choice EF $350
Enlargement
40. c. 460-420 BC. Obol, 0.67g (9h). Obv: Bridled horse's head right, rearing up. Rx: Dolphin diagonally left within incuse square. Cf. A.P. Tzamalis, Nomismatika Khronika 18 (1999), p. 13, 87 (dolphin diagonally right). Cf. Triton 14 (2011), lot 57. The horse on obverse seems to be in a state of high alert. EF/VF $500
Enlargement
41. c. 450 BC. Hemiobol, 0.46g (1h). Obv: Head of youth right. Rx: Bunch of grapes and two vine leaves, all in incuse square. Not to be found in the major references. Good VF $750
13
Kangaroo Mouse
Enlargement
42. 5th century BC. Tetartemorion, 0.13g. Obv: Four-spoked wheel. Rx: Incuse square with irregular surface. Cf. Svoronos, Hellénisme, pl. IV, 7. A. Tzamalis, Nomismatika Khronika 17 (1998), p. 20, 77-78. EF $250
Enlargement
43. Hemiobol, 0.25g. Obv: Panther head facing. Rx: Four-part incuse square. A.P. Tzamalis, Nomismatika Khronika 17 (1998), p. 17, 55. Very sensitively engraved panther head in high relief. Nearly EF $500
Enlargement
44. Hemiobol, 0.50g. Obv: Claw of crab. Rx: Four-part incuse square. Not to be found in major references. VF $250
Enlargement
47. Obol, 0.56g. Obv: Kangaroo mouse. Rx: Four-part incuse square. Not to be found in major references. This coin has normally been misinterpreted as one of the monkey obols, but this sharply struck example proves otherwise. EF $2,000
Enlargement
48. Hemiobol, 0.36g. Obv: Crescent moon. Rx: Four-part incuse square. Cf. A.P. Tzamalis, Nomismatika Khronika 17 (1998), p. 17, 51. Not to be found in major references. Some surface hairlines. EF $150
Enlargement
49. Hemiobol, 0.45g (10h). Obv: Eagle standing right. Rx: Lyre within incuse square. A.P. Tzamalis, Nomismatika Khronika 17 (1998), p. 19, 68. SNG Cop. 145 (Delphi). Otherwise not to be found in major references. Bold VF $500
Enlargement
45. Hemiobol, 0.24g. Obv: Bunch of grapes. Circle of dots. Rx: Four-part incuse square, each compartment with a pellet. Cf. BMC p. 130, 4-5 (Tragilos). EF $500 Monkey Obol
Enlargement
50. c. 400 BC. Obol, 0.46g. Obv: Head of young Hermes, wearing petasos, right. Rx: Four-part incuse, X design in the four quarters. A.P. Tzamalis, Nomismatika Khronika 16 (1997), p. 14, 10. Cf. SNG ANS 905-906. Traité II 1, no. 1512, pl. XLVII, 14. For the reverse, cf. SNG ANS 1007. VF $300
Enlargement
46. Trihemiobol, 0.23g. Obv: Monkey squatting right. Rx: Round shield within incuse square. Cf. A. Tzamalis, Nomismatika Khronika 17 (1998), p. 19, no. 67 (monkey left). Furthermore, see Leu 45 (1988), 100 (same dies); Gemini 2 (2006), 46 and CNG 81 (2009), 265 (monkey left); Svoronos, Hellénisme, pl. VII, 13 (obverse type). Beautifully engraved monkey. EF $1,500
14
Enlargement
51. Obol, 0.46g (3h). Obv: Head of young Hermes right, wearing petasos. Circle of dots. Rx: Wreath within shallow incuse. Cf. SNG ANS 906; see also Raymond, pl. IX, d (different reverse). VF $200
Enlargement
52. Late 5th/early 4th century BC. Hemiobol, 0.30g. Obv: Lion’s head right. Circle of dots. Rx: Eight-rayed star in shallow incuse. A.P. Tzamalis, Nomismatika Khronika 17 (998), p. 17, 53. Otherwise not to be found in major references. Exquisite head of lion. Choice EF $400
Enlargement
56. Hemiobol, 0.36g (12h). c. 480-476 BC. Obv: Horse's head right. Rx: Four-part incuse square. SNG Alpha Bank 36. A.P. Tzamalis, Nomismatika Khronika 18 (1999), p. 13, 93. Struck in somewhat high relief. EF $300
The eight-rayed star is well known from a gold chest found in the tomb of Philip II.
Enlargement
53. Hemiobol, 0.24g. Obv: Lion’s head right. Circle of dots. Rx: Eight-rayed star in shallow incuse. A.P. Tzamalis, Nomismatika Khronika 17 (1998), p. 17, 53. Otherwise not to be found in major references. Beautifully centered and drawn. Flan slightly rippled. EF $400
57. Philip II. 359-336 BC. Stater, 8.58g (10h). Amphipolis III A, c. 323-315 BC. Obv: Laureate head of Apollo right. Rx: ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΥ Galloping biga driven right by charioteer holding goad; below front legs of horses, tripod and K. Le Rider p. 226, 241, pl. 81 (D101/R190). SNG Lewis 498 (same dies). Mint State $4,000
Enlargement
54. c. 350-250 BC. Diobol, 0.96g (11h). Obv: Head of Athena right, wearing Corinthian helmet. Rx: ΛΑ[ΘΠ?...]. Owl standing on amphora. At left, coiled snake. Not to be found in major references. Fair/Fine $150 Although the temptation to read ΑΛ[..] is great, we must say that the rest of the fairly weak legend does not read ΑΛΕΞ. The legend starts beneath the amphora and goes up to the right field. The coin is reminiscent of an issue of Hephaistia on Lemnos, SNG Fitzwilliam 1798, but many details are different.
58. Stater, 8.59g (9h). Pella III A, c. 323-315 BC. Obv: Laureate head of Apollo right. Rx: ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΥ Galloping biga driven right by charioteer holding g whip; thunderbolt symbol below horses. Le Rider p. 174, 427, pl. 66 (D193/R316). SNG Oxford 2444 (same obverse die). Beautifully detailed reverse. Mint State $4,000
Enlargement Enlargement
55. Macedonian Kingdom. Alexander I. 498-454 BC. Trihemiobol, 0.65 g. 476/5-460 BC. Obv: Horse standing right. Rx: Four-part incuse square. Raymond, pl. IX, c. SNG Alpha Bank 70. VF $400
59. Eighth Stater, 1.06g. (10h). Pella, 336-323 BC. Obv: Head of Herakles wearing lion-skin headdress right. Border of dots. Rx: ΦΙΛΙΠ-ΠΟΥ Cantharus. Le Rider, pl. 84, 93-101. SNG ANS 230. VF $2,000
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A Numismatic Masterpiece
60. Alexander III The Great. 336-323 BC. Tetradrachm, 17.18g (7h). Amphipolis, c. 336-323 BC. Obv: Alexander the Great in the guise of Herakles wearing lion-skin headdress right. Rx: ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ Zeus seated left holding eagle and scepter; bucranium symbol in left field below eagle. Price 93. SNG Cop. 675. SNG Oxford 2570. Near Mint State $750
Unequaled Quarter-Stater
63. Tetradrachm, 17.21g (6h). Pella, c. 325-315 BC. Obv: Bust of Alexander III left, wearing a lion-skin headdress. Dotted border. Rx: AΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ Zeus seated left holding eagle and scepter; Θ in left field. Dotted border. Price 213A. Cf. SNG Lockett 1439. An Alexander tetradrachm of this quality with the very rare left-facing bust has never been in the market. This is the most artistic of Alexander’s issues and the most original. Sought by all, when these come up they normally have some vitiating flaw. Not so with this incredible piece of numismatic artwork. Obverse struck in ultra high relief. Virtually Mint State $24,000
61. Quarter-stater, 2.15g (3h). Amphipolis, c. 330-320 BC. Obv: Helmeted head of Athena right. Rx: ΑΛΕΞΑΝ / ΔΡΟΥ with thunderbolt above and strung bow and club between. Price 165b (same dies). McClean 3410, pl. 125, 7 (same dies). SNG Alpha Bank 465. In 47 years we have never handled a quarter-stater of this quality. Beautifully centered and struck. Mint State $3,000 Purchased from Victor England, 1980s.
Enlargement
62. Stater, 8.58g (2h). Macedonia, c. 330-320 BC. Obv: Helmeted head of Athena right with four long curls of hair going down her neck, and a fifth on her cheek. Rx: ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ Nike with open wings standing left, holding wreath and aphlaston; trident head and monogram in left field. Price 179. An extraordinary and rare variety. Mint State $3,000
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Enlargement
64. Stater, 8.56g (2h). Miletus, c. 323-319 BC. Obv: Helmeted head of Athena right with four long curls of hair going down her neck, and a short fifth one before her ear. On bowl of the helmet, snake. Rx: ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ Nike with open wings standing left, holding wreath and aphlaston; KH monogram in left field, double ax in right field below wing. Price 2114b (same obverse die). Müller 577. SNG Berry 162. De Luynes Coll. 1611. EF $3,000
65. Stater, 8.55g (12h). Sardes, c. 323-319 BC. Obv: Helmeted head of Athena right with long flowing hair going down her neck. On bowl of helmet, griffin running right. Rx: ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ Nike with open wings standing left, holding wreath and aphlaston; TI encircled and torch in left field. Price 2620 (same dies). Müller 88. SNG Oxford 2824 var. Extremely beautiful. Wonderfully detailed head of Athena. Mint State $3,000
66. Stater, 8.56g (4h). Babylon, c. 317-311 BC. Obv: Helmeted head of Athena right with long flowing hair going down her neck. On bowl of helmet, snake. Rx: ΒΑΣ-ΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟ-Υ Nike with open wings standing left holding wreath and aphlaston. H below right wing and monogram within wreath below left wing. Price 3707. SNG Saroglos 159. Struck in high relief. Absolutely wonderful detail in the wings of Nike and the hair of Athena. Mint State $3,000
67. Stater, 8.52g (12h). Memphis, c. 332-323 BC. Obv: Helmeted head of Athena right with long flowing hair going down her neck. Rx: ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ Nike with open wings standing left
holding [wreath] and aphlaston; EY below right wing and rose below left wing. Price 3966. Tiny planchet defect in helmet of Athena. Rare mint. Once attributed to Alexandria, the staters and tetradrachms with the rose symbol are now known to have been struck at Memphis. The gold staters were virtually unknown until a single small group came on the market, few of which are still available. Mint State $3,000 Philip III?
68. Drachm, 4.18g (6h). 336-323 BC. Obv: Head of Herakles right, wearing lion-skin headdress. Border of dots. Rx: ΦΙΛΙΠ-ΠΟΥ Naked boy on horseback right, holding palm branch in right hand. Beneath horse, plant. Below horse’s foreleg, Π. Border of dots. Price -, cf. 1414 (obverse). Le Rider -, cf. pl. 46, 11. Old scratch on reverse from horse’s ears to rim at 3h. A mysterious coin, possibly of considerable numismatic and historical importance. VF $5,000 This is an extraordinary coin. At first sight, it might appear to be just a mule of an Alexander obverse die and a Philip reverse die. However, both types of this drachm look like miniature tetradrachm types rather than normal drachm ones; the proportions and execution of the types usually differ slightly in the two denominations. Even more unusual, the reverse reproduces a type from Philip II’s tetradrachms that was never used for his drachms! These anomalies suggest that the coin might have been a trial piece, perhaps produced in connection with the struggles for power among the diadochs after Alexander’s death, most probably at a time when Philip III Arrhidaeus was still alive. If so, the use of a Philip II type would make political sense. For instance, it was the honest but unfortunate diadoch Eumenes of Cardia who caused the other diadochs to acknowledge Alexander IV and Philip III as heirs of Alexander the Great. It should also be noted that our drachm anticipates the main type of Cassander’s bronze coins bearing his name.
69. Philip V. 221-179 BC. Didrachm, 8.30g (11h). Obv: Diademed head of king right. Rx: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ / ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΥ Club right. Above and beneath, monograms. All within oak wreath. In outer left field, thunderbolt. In outer right field, M. SNG Oxford 3269. SNG Alpha Bank 1053. SNG Lockett 1530 (all with different set of monograms). Cf. A. Mamroth, ZfN 38 (1928), p. 22, nos. 13y and 14y. Good VF $1,000
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Enlargement
70. Thrace. Abdera. 321 BC. Tetradrachm, 10.67g (7h). Obv: ΑΒΔΗ-ΡΙΤΕΩΝ Griffin seated left. Rx: ΕΠΙ ΙΠΠΩ-ΝΑΚΤΟΣ Laureate head of Apollo right. Below, scallop shell. May 543. SNG Oxford 3506-7. Beautifully centered. Near Mint State with lustrous obverse $4,000
73. Samothrace. c. 520-475 BC. Trihemiobol, 1.08g. Obv: Sphinx seated left, raising paw. Rx: Four-part incuse square with windmill pattern. SNG Cop. Suppl. 101 (slightly different reverse pattern). About VF $300
For the date of issue, see Chryssanthaki-Nagle, Abdera, pp. 134-139, especially p. 137, and pp. 403-405, nos. 124-140.
Miltiades, Athenian Noble
71. Chersonesos. c. 515-500 BC. Stater, 10.79g. Obv: Horseman or Amazon (the rider appears to have breasts) with spear right. Rx: Quadripartite incuse square, one section divided by a diagonal line. Seltman, Athens, no. 486 (A330/P416). Jameson Coll. 1649. Boston 847. C.M. Kraay and P.R.S. Moorey, NC 141 (1981), p. 3, 4, pl. 1. Extremely rare, only a few known. Somewhat better than the Boston example. Bold VF $3,500 Coins of this type were attributed to Chersonesos by Charles Seltman in 1924, and since no more evidence has been found in other words, no more specimens have come to light - this is still the state of affairs today. It is fairly clear that the weight standard of this series is derived in some way from the Persian siglos standard, and so some connection to the East is probable. The style is rude but charming, appropriate for the North Greek/Thracian province where Seltman ingeniously placed it, that being the area where Athenian nobles like Miltiades had their ’country seats’.
Enlargement
74. Thasos. c. 460 BC. Trihemiobol, 0.42g. Obv: Dolphin left. Below, three pellets. Rx: Incuse square with rough surface. Cf. CNG 73, 2006, 107. For a slightly later type, see Traité II 1, no. 1751, pl. LV, 23. Dolphin struck in high relief. Near Mint State $400 This coin has three pellets instead of just two as on the cited CNG specimen. The pellets might be denomination marks each indicating half of an obol, although the CNG specimen at 0.47g was a bit heavier than ours. With small fractions struck al marco, lightweights of this sort would be quite normal.
Enlargement
75. 435-411 BC. Obol, 0.58g. Obv: Dolphin right over dolphin left. In the field, two pellets. Rx: Four-part incuse square with irregular surfaces. Svoronos, Hellénisme, pl. X, 25. Guide de Thasos, pl. I, 9 (dolphins the other way round). Traité II 1, no. 1750, pl. LV, 22. Rosen Coll. 146. SNG Lockett 1224. SNG Fitzwilliam 1811. SNG Cop. 1020. Dolphins struck in high relief. Mint State $400 Nymph Obol
Enlargement
72. Trierus. c. 400 BC. Hemiobol, 0.39g (7h). Obv: Laureate head of Apollo left. Border of dots. Rx: ΤΡ-Ι[Η] Laurel branch in linear square, all within incuse square. Weber Coll. 2399. Pozzi 758. Klein Coll. 99. Cf. BMC p. 181, 4 ff., and SNG Fitzwilliam 1792. Excellent surfaces. Good VF $300
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Enlargement
76. c. 400 BC. Hemiobol, 0.28g (12h). Obv: Head of nymph left. Rx: ΘΑ-Σ Dolphin left, all in incuse square. BMC p. 222, 63. SNG Lockett 1239. Exquisite head of nymph. Somewhat reminiscent of fine Sicilian style. About EF $500
Enlargement
77. Hemiobol, 0.28g (4h). Obv: Head of nymph left. Rx: ΘΑ-Σ Dolphin left, all in incuse square. BMC p. 222, 63. SNG Lockett 1239. Guide de Thasos, pl. I, 13. Lovely head of nymph. EF $350
Enlargement
78. Hemiobol, 0.27g (7h). Obv: Head of nymph left. Rx: ΘΑ-Σ Dolphin left, all in incuse square. BMC p. 222, 63. SNG Lockett 1239. Guide de Thasos, pl. I, 13. Wonderfully detailed head of nymph. EF $500 Exquisite Silenus Hemiobol
81. Thrace. Koson. c. 50 BC. Drachm, 4.14g (9h). Obv: Draped bust of Artemis right, quiver over shoulder, on Macedonian shield. Rx: KOΣΩN / ΔPOYEIΣ above and below club, all within oak wreath, thunderbolt to left. Triton XI, 2008, lot 84 (same dies). About EF $1,000 A recently discovered second type of silver drachm of Koson, copying Macedonian tetradrachms of the First District struck in the second century BC (Sear 1386). Since the king of the Getae Coson (or Cotison) is known from ancient sources, the hitherto unknown term “DROUEIS” is of special interest. Since the word cannot be traced back linguistically to a Greek root, it must be of alien origin. The word that comes to mind here is the Celtic title *dru-vis (druid). Thrace had experienced several Celtic raids, one of them leading to the powerful but ephemeral empire of Tylis. It is quite possible that Celtic words and titles were adopted by the non-Celtic peoples of Thrace. If so, one has to wonder if Coson’s “DROUEIS” had any religious function like the Gaulish druids; it could be a mere title of power. On the other hand, the imitation of the Macedonian model gives food for thought: The oak-wreath, originally referring to Zeus of Dodona, could have been understood as pointing to the druid, since the Celtic term *dru-vis means “the one who knows about oaks”.
Enlargement
79. Hemiobol, 0.37g (4h). Obv: Head of Silenus right. Rx: Θ-ΑΣ-Ι Dolphin left over dolphin right, within incuse square. SNG Lockett 1238. Guide de Thasos, pl. I, 12. Absolutely wonderful head of Selinus with detail that is unexpectedly fine for such a small coin. EF $750 Celtic Imitation
Enlargement
80. Celtic Imitation. Thasos. c. 400-350 BC. Trihemiobol, 0.82g (11h). Obv: Satyr running right, holding cantharus. Rx: ΔΟ-ΩΩ Crater. Not to be found in the major references. Slightly granular surface in isolated areas. Near EF $300 The crude style and blundered ethnic point to an irregular, barbaric mint. While the Celtic imitations of late Hellenistic tetradrachms of Thasos are well known, imitations of classical Thasian issues are very rare.
82. Koson. c. 50 BC. Drachm, 4.33g (11h). Obv: KOΣΩN in exergue, Consul stepping left preceded and followed by lictors holding fasces, monogram to left. Rx: Eagle with wings spread standing left on scepter with left leg, holding wreath with right leg. Triton XI, 2008, lot 83 (same dies). EF $1,000 The recently discovered silver counterpart to the famous gold stater of Koson (RPC I 1701; Sear 1733). Both types are copied from Roman denarii (of Pomponius Rufus, RRC 398/1, and M. Iunius Brutus, RRC 433/1). The Brutus type with the consul and his lictors has attracted special interest, for when Brutus was preparing for battle against the army of Octavian and Marc Antony, he sought contact with Thracian nobles. Coson (or Cotison) is known from ancient sources as a belligerent king of the Getae who was defeated by a general of Augustus in 29 BC. Until now, none of his coins has been found in a mixed hoard together with Roman coins, and so it is not yet entirely clear whether his coins were struck in the time of Brutus or during the reign of Augustus. The types copied from Republican denarii seem to validate the earlier date, however.
19
83. Bisaltian District. Bisaltae. c. 500-480 BC. Obol, 0.39g. Obv: Forepart of horse galloping right. Rx: Four-part incuse square. Svoronos, Hellénisme, pl. XII, 21. Cf. SNG ANS 922. EF $300
86. Locris Opuntii. c. 360-350 BC. Stater, 12.10g (12h). Obv: Head of Demeter left. Rx: ΟΠΟΝ-ΤΙΩΝ Ajax advancing right with spear and shield; broken spear on ground and ivy leaf between legs. BCD 44 = SNG Lockett 1695. Incredibly sharp hair detail on head of Demeter. Choice EF/About EF $7,500 Ex Stack’s, The Kroisos Collection, 14 January 2008, lot 2303.
84. c. 480 BC. Diobol, 1.13g. Obv: Forepart of horse right, the truncation dotted. Rx: Incuse square with windmill pattern. Cf. SNG ANS 922 (different incuse pattern). About EF $700
The hero depicted on Locrian coins is not the famous ’big’ Ajax who contended with Odysseus for the weapons of Achilles, but the so-called little Ajax, a sinister character among the Greeks in Homer’s Iliad. The image of the advancing hero is often said to be borrowed from the Syracusan Leucaspis drachms, but the type is actually ubiquitous, and well known from contemporary Boeotian grave reliefs. Early Athenian Rarity
85. Aetolia. Aetolian League. c. 239-229. Half Stater, 4.30g (6h). Obv: Head of young Herakles right, wearing knotted lion-skin headdress. Border of dots. Rx: AITΩΛΩΝ Aetolia, personified, seated right on a pile of Celtic shields, wearing causia, short chiton, chlamys and endromides, with sword slung around waist; holding spear and wreath-bearing Nike. To right, figure of Artemis running to right, quiver at shoulder. Tsangari, p. 75, 459, pl. 24. BMC 3, pl. XXX, 4 (same dies). Mørkholm, EHC, p. 35, 515. Choice EF with luster $24,000 Ex Gemini VI, 10 January 2010, lot 89. The figure of Aetolia sitting on Celtic shields might allude to a votive statue at Delphi, donated by the Aetolians in memory of their victories against the Celtic tribes invading Central Greece from 281 BC on, particularly the rescue of Delphi in 279 BC. Once situated by the rear facade of the temple of Apollo, the statue is now lost, cf. M.F. Courby, La terrasse du temple, Fouilles de Delphes II 1 (Paris 1927), pp. 288-291. The date of the donation is less clear. It is possible that the statue was not erected before 243 BC when the Aetolians started to celebrate the Soteria festivals at Delphi which referred to their victory some 30 years earlier.
87. Attica. Athens. c. 520 BC. Tetradrachm, 17.32g (2h). Obv: Helmeted head of Athena right. Rx: Owl standing right, head front; to left olive spray with four large leaves, one small one, and berries; AΘ[E] to right. Similar to Asyut 265. Seltman -, cf. 344 ( P289). One of the earliest owl tetradrachms of Athens, and very rare. VF/EF $25,000 This is an extremely early, highly unusual Athenian tetradrachm with reverse showing an exquisite owl standing totally upright with a four-leaf olive branch in upper left field. According to an article written by Colin Kraay in 1956, the first Athenian owls appeared in 525 BC. Since our coin is in the latter part of the first group of owl tetradrachms, we now date it to 520 BC. This is ten years earlier than the date Martin Price chose, but we respectfully disagree. Interestingly, it is paired with a somewhat worn obverse die that is more reminiscent of the following pre-Marathon Athenian issues. This would indicate that the so-called “Civic Mint” period in Seltman’s terminology was very short.
Enlargement Enlargement
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Enlargement
88. c. 490 BC. Obol, 0.55g (12h). Obv: Head of Athena right, wearing Attic helmet. Rx: ΑΘΕ Owl standing right, head facing. In the upper left corner, olive twig. All within incuse square. Svoronos pl. 7, 46. Obverse partly off flan. Extremely rare. Good VF $400
Enlargement
93. Obol, 0.68g (1h). Obv: Head of Athena right, wearing Attic helmet, adorned with three olive leaves. Rx: ΑΘΕ Owl standing right, head facing. In the upper left corner, olive twig. All within incuse square. Svoronos pl. 10, 40. VF $750
Enlargement
89. c. 480 BC. Obol, 0.50g (6h). Obv: Head of Athena right, wearing Attic helmet, adorned with three olive leaves. Rx: ΑΘΕ Owl standing right, head facing. All within incuse square. Seltman pl. XXII, ι. Fine+ $500
Enlargement 90. c. 450 BC. Obol, 0.65g (3h). Obv: Head of Athena right, wearing Attic helmet, adorned with three olive leaves. Rx: ΑΘΕ Owl standing right, head facing. In the upper left corner, olive twig. All within incuse square. Svoronos pl. 10, 46. Excellent head of Athena with much of the crest of the helmet. VF $600
Plate Coin, 100 Greatest Ancient Coins
94. c. 430 BC. Tetradrachm, 17.17g (9h). Obv: Head of Athena right with four small upright olive leaves on front edge of Attic helmet; beaded necklace. Rx: AΘΕ Owl leaning right; to left, olive twig with two leaves and crescent moon. Berk, 100 Greatest Ancient Coins, p. 7 (plate coin). Struck in high relief. Absolutely Mint State $1,500
Corinthian Rarity
Enlargement
91. Obol, 0.64g (12h). Obv: Head of Athena right, wearing Attic helmet, adorned with three olive leaves. Rx: ΑΘΕ Owl standing right, head facing. All within incuse square. SNG München 40-41. Svoronos pl. 11, 43-44. Beautifully centered with the full crest of the helmet which is unheard of for an obol. Excellent surfaces. Nearly EF $2,500
92. c. 440 BC. Tetradrachm, 17.07g (2h). Obv: Head of Athena right with four small upright olive leaves on front edge of Attic helmet; beaded necklace. Rx: AΘΕ Owl leaning right; to left, olive twig with two leaves and crescent moon. Nearly EF$1,500
95. Corinthia. Corinth. c. 550-540 BC. Stater, 8.24g. Obv: Q Winged Pegasos departing left. Rx: Incuse punch consisting of six triangles. Apparently unrecorded reverse incuse punch. Only the third recorded coin of the type of Ravel 11-12, the two previously known specimens being in Berlin and in private hands, later passing through the Kunstfreund sale. The first new appearance since Ravel’s Les Poulains de Corinthe, of 1936. Flan crack at 9h. This coin shows the same die state as the two examples in Ravel and is in similar condition. It is of monumental importance as an extremely rare and distinctive early issue of Corinth, the third known and the second in private hands, contrasting with the slightly later issue of a far more sophisticated design that has 70 appearances in our photofile,
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with many in EF. The offering of this coin is an exceptional opportunity for the advanced collector. EF $40,000 The emergence of Greek silver coinage took place in the main trade centers: Aegina, Corinth, and, a bit later, Athens. The earliest issues might have been struck only after King Croesus of Lydia (ruled 555/54-541/0 BC) started to issue his bimetallic coinage, thereby establishing silver coins as convenient currency (even small gold and electrum coins were too valuable for everyday transactions). The exact starting date at Corinth is, however, still a matter of debate. The earliest group, to which our specimen belongs, adopts the Union Jack pattern of the Aeginetic reverse punches. The archaic letter koppa (from which our letter Q derives) is the first, though abbreviated, ethnic in Greek coinage. The vigorous Pegasos rivals the finest products of contemporary vase painting.
Enlargement
97. Peloponnesus. Arcadian League. c. 477-468 BC. Triobol, 2.81g (2h). Obv: Zeus seated left on throne with low back, holding eagle and scepter. Rx: Female head left, wearing sakkos. Williams 111 (O76/R67). Extremely rare. VF $4,000 It was proverbial among the Greeks that the Arcadians were oafish and unsophisticated. While it is true that rural Arcadia never played a major role intellectually or politically, the Arcadian League managed to issue a highly attractive series of coins, displaying charming maiden heads in up-to-date style and the awesome image of Zeus Lycaeus, one of the most prominent deities of the Arcadian pantheon. The maiden head may represent the mysterious goddess Despoina (“the mistress”), whose sanctuary at Lykosoura in southwest Arcadia is still well known today. Amazing Mantineia Triobol
Enlargement
Exceptional Corinthian Stater
96. c. 490/75 BC. Stater, 8.60g (3h). Obv: Q Winged Pegasos flying right. Rx: Head of Athena right wearing Corinthian helmet, in linear square within incuse square. Ravel 124. Cf. Asyut Hoard 571. This is the last reverse die where there is a raised square border within the incuse framing the head of Athena. The head of Athena itself is of charming late archaic style and the Pegasos on the obverse is wonderfully centered in a series where there are often centering problems. VF/EF $15,000
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98. c. 440-430 BC. Triobol, 2.80g (3h). Obv: Zeus seated left holding eagle and scepter. Rx: [A]PK[A] Female head left, the hair combed forward and tied in a bow at the forehead. Williams 282. SNG Tübingen 1975 (same dies). The head of the nymph on this coin has exquisite detail and is beautifully drawn and extremely rare in this condition. EF $15,000 The hairstyle of the female head on the reverse is extraordinary: such a hairdo - a roll or knot of hair (κρωβύλος) - is well known for Apollo and was also an elegant fashion among Athenian noblemen, as Thucydides (I 6, 3) tells us. Apollo wears the knot when he represents a youth about to sacrifice his long hair at the end of boyhood - a ubiquitous custom among the Greeks. This custom is also known for girls, the receiver of the sacrifice then being the goddess Artemis. The virgin huntress plays an important role as a helper for women giving birth, and as a
protectress of little girls. Thus, one can wonder whether the female head on Arcadian coins might not sometimes represent Artemis rather than Despoina. In any case, this unusual reverse provides valuable insight into Greek religious rites.
Enlargement
Enlargement
Enlargement
99. Troas. Gargara. c. 400 BC. Trihemiobol (?), 1.99g (6h). Obv: Head of youth right. Rx: ΓΑΡ Horse galloping right, all in incuse square. BMC p. 52, 2, pl. X, 4. SNG Oxford 1130. Head, HN, p. 545. Cf. Traité II 2, 2287, pl. 163, 13. Some porosity, otherwise EF $1,500 The small town of Gargara was situated on the northern coast of the gulf of Adramyttion. Gargara was famous for its fertile soil and was a member of the first Delian league. Its coinage consists mainly of bronze coins, and its silver coins are great rarities.
100. Mysia. Cyzicus. c. 550-475 BC. Hecte, 2.69g. Obv: Forepart of winged lioness left; at right, tunny fish. Rx: Four-part incuse square. von Fritze 96. SNG von Aulock 1179. Extremely sharp and unusual type. EF $9,500 Although few wild lions still lived in classical Greece, the Greeks were deeply fascinated by the lion as a symbol of royal power and fighting spirit. The Myceneans consumed lion flesh (as proven by lion bones in Mycenean fireplaces) and appear to have exterminated the lions in mainland Greece; only a few lions are said to have survived until the 4th century BC in the Mt. Olympus area. The lion-hunt images on Macedonian coins and grave paintings perhaps attest the continued survival of wild lions in the Balkans. In any case, the Greeks were very familiar with the characteristics of lions and deeply respected their courage. The ferocity of wounded lions was proverbial, and the aggressiveness of a lioness, particularly when defending her cubs, was also well known. Our winged lioness gives an idea of that ferocity.
101. c. 520 BC. Obol, 0.67g. Obv: Tunny fish left. Rx: Incuse square with windmill pattern. v. Fritze, Nomisma IX, pl. V, 5. Rosen Coll. 520. Very rare. About EF $1,000 Unlike the fourth century silver, the early silver coinage of Cyzicus is extremely rare. These coins were probably intended for internal circulation only, while the Cyzicene electrum was the main currency for the Black Sea trade of all Greeks.
102. c. 500 BC. EL Hecte, 2.67g Obv: Naked youth kneeling left, holding tunny fish by tail in right hand. Rx: Quadripartite incuse square. v. Fritze 112, pl. III, 3. Cf. SNG Paris 253 (stater). The head of the man is flatly struck, otherwise this coin is Mint State $4,000 A representation full of archaic directness and esprit.
Enlargement
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Unpublished Boar’s Head Hemihecte
Enlargement
103. c. 500-400 BC. EL Hemihecte, 1.32g. Obv: Prow in the form of a fox’s or wolf’s head left. Beneath, tunny fish left. Rx: Quadripartite incuse square. Cf. v. Fritze 80 (staters). S. Hurter and H.-J. Liewald, SNR 83 (2004), p. 33, 80, pl. 6 (hecte). This denomination unlisted. With a series as well studied as Cyzicus, finding a new type, especially such an unusual one, is a notable occurrence. VF $6,500 Cyzicene electrum is notorious for its copies of foreign coin types and even famous statues. This prow type is reminiscent of the archaic silver staters of the Lycian city of Phaselis. Those, however, transformed the prow into a boar’s protome (including the foreleg), while the Cyzicene version displays a carnivore, most probably a dog-like one. Ex Jameson Collection. Ex J. Hirsch XIX, 1907
Exceptional Hecte
105. Hecte or 1/6 stater, 2.72g. Obv: Perseus kneeling right, his head reverted, wearing a winged magic hood. A cloak over his shoulders is fastened with a circular brooch on his breast and its end covers his left arm, in which he holds head of Medusa. Below, tunny fish right. Rx: Four-part incuse square. Traité II 2, pl. 174, 19. von Fritze 162. SNG Paris 312. This coin is highly sought after and does appear on a somewhat regular basis, but a coin of this sharpness and centering is unparalleled. Even the head of Medusa is detailed. Mint State $10,000 The Argive hero Perseus undertook to obtain the head of Medusa, the only mortal Gorgon, whose look could turn any living creature into stone. The gods equipped Perseus with an adamantine sword, a helmet of invisibility, winged shoes, and a magic knapsack. Even after decapitating Medusa, he had to avoid looking at her head, which had retained its deadly power. Perseus rescued the Phoenician princess Andromeda by using Medusa’s head as a weapon against the sea-monster that was threatening her. Perseus married the princess and in Greek myth became the ancestor of the Persians.
104. c. 400 BC. El Hecte, 15.93g. Obv: Dionysus reclining left on low seat covered in panther skin, holding kantharos in right hand and resting his left elbow on a second kantharos; a shell in front of his knee; tunny below. Rx: Quadripartite incuse square. von Fritze 155. Greenwell 38, pl. II, 16. The head of Dionysus struck off flan, as also on all other recorded examples. The rest of the details of the type are excellent and the pedigree is impeccable. Nearly EF/EF $18,000 Ex NFA V, 1978, lot 141. Ex Jameson Collection 1425. Ex J. Hirsch XIX, 11 November 1907, lot 507.
Enlargement
The Athenian General Alcibiades?
Enlargement
Enlargement
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106. c. 380-350 BC. EL Hemihecte, 1.22g. Obv: Head of young man with short hair facing left. Beneath, tunny fish left. Rx: Quadripartite incuse square. Cf. v. Fritze 143 (staters and hectae). S. Hurter and H.-J. Liewald, SNR 83 (2004), p. 34, 143, pl. 6. Very slightly doublestruck. Perfectly centered. Yet
another unpublished Cyzicene coin with a remarkable type, cf. lot 103 above. About EF $6,000 This type is one of the least specific and most mysterious to appear on Cyzicene electrum coins. A youth without any fillet or wreath or other attribute is unlikely to be either an athlete, a god, or a hero. Could he then perhaps be a political figure, the portrait being adopted from an honorary statue? A person of just local importance cannot be ruled out, but the juvenile appearance reminds us of the Athenian general Alcibiades, who in 404 BC fled to the court of the satrap Pharnabazos at neighboring Daskyleion, though soon thereafter he was murdered through the machinations of Lysandros and the Thirty at Athens. But unfortunately we cannot compare the portrait on our coin with a certain portrait of Alcibiades, since no such portrait has yet been identified: see for example G. Neumann, ArchAnz (1986), pp. 103-112; M. Nowicka, Archeologia Warszawa 48 (1997), pp. 7-12; and H. Schultze in H. von Steuben et al. (eds.), ΜΟΥΣΕΙΟΝ. Festschrift P.C. Bol (Möhnesee 2007), pp.283-298.
110. c. 460-450 BC. EL Hecte, 2.51g (5h). Obv: Forepart of boar running right, truncation dotted. Rx: Head of roaring lion right within linear square frame. Bodenstedt 41. Traité II 2, 2154, pl. 159, 30. Absolutely exquisite detail on obverse. Virtually Mint State $4,500
Enlargement
Unique Hecte Obverse, Struck with Trite Die
107. Aeolis. Myrina. c. 155-145 BC. Tetradrachm, 16.46g (12h). Obv: Laureate head of Apollo right. Rx: ΜΥΡΙΝΑΙΩΝ Apollo of Gryneion standing right, holding phiale in right hand and laurel branch with two fillets in left. At feet, omphalos stone and amphora. In left field, three monograms. All in laurel wreath. Cf. K.S. Sacks, ANSMN 30 (1985), p. 41, no. 42 (the three monograms there arranged differently). Beautifully detailed obverse. Virtually Mint State $1,000
Enlargement
108. Lesbos. Mytilene. c. 470 BC. EL Hecte, 2.51g (7h). Obv: Forepart of horse right. Rx: Incuse head of Herakles right. Bodenstedt 23, pl. 52 (Va/Rα). De Luynes Coll. 2549. A very rare issue combining dies used in earlier issues. VF/EF $2,000
111. c. 450 BC. EL Hecte, 2.52g (2h). Obv: Helmeted head right with a goat’s hoof on forehead. Rx: Two rams’ heads opposed forehead to forehead, between them a palmette, all within incuse square. Unique. Reverse die of Bodenstedt 57a, pl. 22, 5; obverse die of trite size, apparently otherwise unattested. About EF $10,000 This coin represents a new type but probably not a new annual issue of Mytilene. As realized by Bodenstedt, one obverse die of his Issue 57 was re-used in Issue 59. Since die links between types are great exceptions in this series, such links are likely to have occurred within just one annual issue, particularly since this one connects three different obverse types. The goat’s hoof on the divinity’s forehead is also exceptional and might relate to a local cult.
Enlargement
109. c. 460 BC. EL Hecte, 2.48g (3h). Obv: Head of Athena right wearing Attic helmet and disc-shaped earring. Rx: Incuse head of lion facing, herringbone pattern on lion’s forehead. Bodenstedt 30. SNG Fitzwilliam 4338. Only six recorded. VF $1,500
Enlargement
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Enlargement
112. c. 440 BC. EL Hecte, 2.52g (11h). Obv: Head of Apollo wearing laurel wreath right. Rx: Head of a bearded satyr with horse’s ears right, within linear square frame. Bodenstedt 51. Traité II 2, 2173, pl. 160, 7. SNG von Post 196. Extremely beautiful dies. Obverse struck in high relief. Head of satyr weakly struck as usual. EF $4,000
Enlargement
114. c. 380 BC. EL Hecte, 2.53g (7h). Obv: Head of Io right. Rx: Head of Dionysos wearing laurel wreath right within square linear frame. Bodenstedt 77. Traité II 2, 2208, pl. 161, 10. SNG von Aulock 1720. Beautifully engraved obverse die. EF/VF $1,600
Pharnabazos Portrait Enlargement
113. c. 400 BC. EL Hecte, 2.54g (8h). Obv: Head of Athena wearing Attic helmet right. Rx: Bearded head of Pharnabazos right, wearing Persian tiara, within linear frame; all within incuse square. Bodenstedt 71, pl. 25 and 55 (rev. β). Boston 1707 (same reverse die). Beautiful portrait of the satrap. VF $7,500 Pharnabazos, a Persian satrap residing at the Mysian city of Daskyleion, was one of the major players during the final stages of the Peloponnesian War. Opposing his powerful neighbor, the satrap Tissaphernes, Pharnabazos took the Spartan side in two sea battles off the Mysian coast in 413 BC. A few years later he changed his mind, negotiated with Athens and eventually brokered a deal with the Athenian general Alcibiades. When Athens finally surrendered to the Spartans in 404 BC, Pharnabazos received Alcibiades who was seeking refuge but soon had to kill him because of Spartan protests. When the Spartan king Agesilaos started devastating Pharnabazos’ satrapy, however, Pharnabazos hired the Athenian admiral Konon who destroyed the Spartan navy in a battle near Knidos in 394 BC. Being a loyal satrap and successful political leader, Pharnabazos was then allowed to marry a royal Persian princess. Their granddaughter Apama was destined to marry Seleukos I, thus becoming the founding queen of the Seleucid dynasty.
115. c. 370 BC. EL Hecte, 2.57g (6h). Obv: Head of Ariadne wearing sakkos left. Rx: Lion standing right, holding saber in paws and biting the blade, all within linear and dotted square frames. Bodenstedt 78. Boston 1713. Rather rare type. EF $4,500 Bodenstedt thought that the lion in this reverse type was gnawing on an antler. This better preserved and well centered example shows that the object is in fact a curved sword (κοπίς), the image perhaps being copied from a Cyzicene issue (v. Fritze 177). The meaning of the type is mysterious, however.
Enlargement
116. EL Hecte, 2.54g (3h). Obv: Head of Hermes wearing petasos right. Rx: Panther standing right within square linear frame. Bodenstedt 83. Gulbenkian Coll. 883. SNG Cop. 313. EF/VF $4,500
Enlargement
Enlargement
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117. c. 360 BC. EL Hecte, 2.54g (12h). Obv: Head of Athena facing three-quarters to the right; wearing an Attic helment, earring, and pearl necklace. Rx: Bust of Hermes right wearing chlamys round shoulders and petasos behind neck, all within square linear frame. Bodenstedt 86. Traité II 2, 2190, pl. 160, 29-30. SNG von Aulock 1709. Beautiful head of Athena. EF $3,000
Enlargement
118. c. 340 BC. EL Hecte, 2.56g (6h). Obv: Head of Persephone right, wearing grain wreath and disc earring. Rx:. Bull butting left, within linear square. Bodenstedt 88. SNG Lockett 2765. Boston 1722. Head of Persphone reminiscent of Syracusan decadrachms. Virtually Mint State $4,000
Enlargement
122. c. 390-360 BC. EL Hecte, 2.57g (1h). Obv: Laureate head of Apollo right. Rx: Cithara within square linear frame. Bodenstedt 94. SNG Lockett 2768. De Luynes Coll. 2563. About EF $2,000
Facing Silenos Head
Enlargement
119. c. 370 BC. EL Hecte, 2.55g (12h). Obv: Head of young Dionysus wearing ivy wreath right. Rx: Frontal head of bearded Satyr with pointed ears within square linear frame. Bodenstedt 90. Traité II 2, 2200, pl. 161, 1. Boston 1724. VF/Good VF $1,600
Enlargement 123. c. 370 BC. EL Hecte, 2.54g (6h). Obv: Head of youth right, wearing taenia with meniskos at forehead. Rx: Head of girl wearing sakkos right, within square linear frame. Bodenstedt 85. SNG von Aulock 7732. Boston 1712. About EF $1,700
Diogened/Chares, Paris (?) Portraits
Enlargement
Enlargement
120. c. 340 BC. EL Hecte, 2.54g (11h). Obv: Bust of dancing maenad right, head thrown back, hair bound with sphendone, drapery covering left shoulder and breast. Rx: Race torch within square linear frame. Bodenstedt 92. Traité II 2, 2219, pl. 161, 34. Jameson Coll. 1478. The obverse better centered than usual. EF $2,500 The obverse might refer to statues such as the famous dancing maenad by the Parian sculptor Scopas.
Enlargement
121. c. 390-360 BC. EL Hecte, 2.56g (12h). Obv: Laureate head of Apollo right. Rx: Cithara within square linear frame. Bodenstedt 94. SNG Lockett 2768. De Luynes Coll. 2563. EF $2,000
124. c. 330 BC. EL Hecte, 2.55g (11h). Obv: Head of bearded man right, perhaps the dynast Diogenes of Mytilene or the Athenian adventurer Chares. Rx: Head of young man (prince Paris?) right, wearing Phrygian cap. Bodenstedt 102, pl. 33 and 59. Jameson Coll. 2251. Four others in CoinArchives Pro. Rare and with fascinating types on both sides. Near Mint State $6,000 Very rare obverse type, apparently occurring on just this one die, and one of the very few portraits of a living person on a Greek coin struck before the death of Alexander. Two identifications of the man portrayed seem possible. On the one hand, he might be the leader of the Mytilenean oligarchs Diogenes, who was expelled in 334 BC but was reinstalled by the Persians as tyrant of Mytilene one year later. It is not known whether he was still alive and ruling in 332 BC when Mytilene was occupied by the Macedonian army. On the other hand, the man portrayed might be the Athenian Chares, who supported Demosthenes’ anti-Macedonian party and then fled from Athens to the Persians soon after the battle of Chaeronea. He was unprincipled enough to welcome Alexander at the city of Ilium but then rejoin the Persians soon thereafter. Occupying Mytilene with 2,000 Persian soldiers, Chares surrendered to a Macedonian general, after which he vanishes from the historical record. Not surprisingly, several anecdotes depict Chares as the typical boasting soldier (miles gloriosus).
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Philip and Alexander Portraits
Enlargement
125. EL Hecte, 2.54g (12h). Obv: Head of Zeus wearing laurel wreath right. Rx: Head of young Herakles wearing lion-skin headdress right, within square linear frame. Bodenstedt 103. SNG von Aulock 1711. SNG von Post 210. Apparently these are portraits of Philip II as Zeus and Alexander the Great as Herakles. VF/About VF $4,000 Owl Hecte
raised. Traité II 2, 1998, pl. 155, 26. SNG Lockett 2792 (same dies). Gulbenkian 740, pl. LXXI (same obv. die). On this issue, see P. Kinns, Revue des études anciennes 91 (1989), p. 185, n. 13. For Theodotus, cf. BMC p. 19, 19, pl. VI, 9, and Kraay and Hirmer, pl. 181, 608. In our opinion, the dies for this coin, which are reminiscent of the tetradrachm of Clazomenae in the British Museum, are the unsigned work of the famous artist Theodotus of Clazomenae. Iridescent toning. Good VF/EF $15,000 Ex Peus 401, 3 November 2010, lot 367. The famous Apollo/Swan series of Clazomenae, issued c. 380360 BC, may have had a political purpose, since at just this time Clazomenae was struggling with Cyme for control of the cult center of Apollo at Leuke. The swan was Apollo’s sacred bird, but the reverse may also contain a pun on the city name Clazomenae, since klazein meant “to scream”, and was often used for the screeching of birds.
Enlargement
126. c. 340 BC. EL Hecte, 2.54g (11h). Obv: Head of Athena right, wearing Attic helmet with crest. Rev. Owl standing right, head front, within linear square. Bodenstedt 105. SNG von Aulock 1706. Boston 1745. Rare; the final emission of Mytilene according to Bodenstedt. Charming reverse depicting owl. EF $2,000 Phanes
Enlargement
127. Ionia. Ephesus. Phanes. c. 600-550 BC. EL 1/12 Stater or Hemihecte, 1.09g Obv: Forepart of stag running right, head reverted. Rx: Incuse square with irregular surface. Weidauer 36/37. Traité II 1, 66, Taf. 2, 20. Boston 1816. VF $1,000
Enlargement
This coin belongs to the same series as the famous staters of Phanes showing a grazing stag with the inscription ΦΑΝΕΟΣ ΕΜΙ ΣΗΜΑ , “I am the badge of Phanes”. Unsigned Die By Theodotos
128. Clazomenae. c. 370 BC. Drachm, 4.02g (6h). Obv: Laureate head of Apollo facing, turned slightly to the left. Rx: KΛ-Α below, ΜΑΝΔΡΩΝΑ[Ξ] around, Swan standing left, wings
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129. Magnesia ad Maeandrum. c. 155-145 BC. Tetradrachm, 16.78g (12h). Obv: Draped bust of Artemis right, wearing diadem, bow and quiver at shoulder. Rx: ΜΑΓΝΗΤΩΝ downwards on right, ΕΡΑΣΙΠΠΟΣ / ΑΡΙΣΤΕΟΥ downwards on left, Apollo standing left on Maeander pattern, holding branch and resting left ellbow on tripod surmounted by quiver; all in laurel wreath. N.F. Jones, ANSMN 24 (1979), p. 106, 26 ff. SNG Berry 1067. SNG von Aulock 2042. Mint State $1,000
Enlargement
130. Phocaea. c. 530-450 BC. EL Hecte, 2.55g. Obv: Head of goat left, the truncation dotted. Beneath, seal. Rx: Quadripartite incuse square. Bodenstedt 51. Traité II 1, 157, pl. 4, 29. This exquisite goat seems to have a great deal of personality. Choice EF $5,000
Enlargement
134. c. 360 BC. EL Hecte, 2.52g. Obv: Head of Queen Omphale left, wearing Herakles’ lion-skin headdress and ear pendant, club over shoulder. Beneath, seal. Rx: Quadripartite incuse square. Bodenstedt 107. Traité II 2, 2123, pl. 158, 39-40. EF $4,000
Enlargement Enlargement
131. c. 420-400 BC. EL Hecte, 2.54g. Obv: Female head left, seal below. Rx: Four-part incuse square. Bodenstedt 90. Boston 1922. SNG von Aulock 2127. EF $1,600
135. c. 340 BC. EL Hecte, 2.56 (12h). Obv: Head of Herakles left. Beneath, [seal]. Rx: Four-part incuse square. Bodenstedt 112, pl. 49 (Va/Rα). Very rare final electrum emission from Phocaea, struck from a single die cited in two examples by Bodenstedt. Strong portrait of Herakles. About EF $2,000
Enlargement Enlargement
132. c. 400 BC. EL Hecte, 2.53g. Obv: Helmeted head of Athena left. Beneath, seal left. Rx: Four-part incuse square. Bodenstedt 91, pl. 48. Boston 1914. De Luynes Coll. 2647. VF $1,600
136. Uncertain Mint in Ionia or Lydia. c. 570-520 BC. EL Hecte, 2.33g Obv: Forepart of bridled horse left. Rx: Incuse square with irregular filling. Weidauer 141. Gemini IV, 8 January 2008, lot 167. Cf. SNG von Aulock 1780 (twelfth), and Rosen Coll. 287 (twenty-fourth). Extremely rare as hecte. Good VF $9,000
Enlargement
133. c. 400-380 BC. EL Hecte, 2.54g. Obv: Female head left with hair pulled back in low bun at base of neck, wearing ear pendant. Behind, seal. Rx: Four-part incuse square. Bodenstedt 106, pl. 49 (Vsa/Rsα). Traité II 2, 2121, pl. 158, 37. EF $2,000
Enlargement
137. c. 570-520 BC. EL Hemihecte, 1.00g. Obv: Bridled horse’s head left. Rx: Incuse square; within, raised surface in form of a cross. Weidauer 142. SNG von Aulock 1780. SNG Kayhan 715. EF $4,000
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Unique Stag Hemihecte
Enlargement
138. EL 1/24 Stater (Milesian standard), 0.58g. Obv: Bridled horse’s head left. Rx: Incuse square; within, raised surface in form of a cross. Weidauer 144. Rosen Coll. 287. SNG Kayhan 717. Choice EF $4,000
Enlargement
139. EL Trite or 1/3 stater, 4.72g. Obv: Pegasos with curled wing striding left. Rx: Two irregular incuse squares beside each other. Weidauer 147. Traité II 1, p. 67, 71, pl. 2, 25. NC 1890, pl. 3, 17. Extremely rare. Less than five specimens recorded. About VF $12,000
Enlargement
141. Uncertain mint in Ionia or Lydia. c. 600-550 BC. EL Hemihecte, 1.18g Obv: Forepart of running stag right (the beard is a die-break). Rx. Incuse square with rough surface. Not to be found in the major references. Nothing even close to this remarkable little coin has ever come to light. Good VF $7,500 Among early electrum coins, the stag is well known as the badge of a certain Phanes who issued staters and smaller denominations. Our unique new coin uses the same Milesian weight standard and its reverse punch is similar to those of the Phanes coins, but the style of its obverse is different so it is unlikely to belong to the Phanes group. Could it be that this rival stag coinage was what motivated Phanes to write “I am the emblem of Phanes” on his staters and tritae?
Ex Harlan J. Berk Ltd. Unique Horsefly Hecte Enlargement
140. c. 550-530 BC. EL Hecte, 2.29g Obv: Horsefly. Rx: Incuse square with rough surface. Traité II 2, 1870 pl. 152, 16 (same obverse die, but struck in silver, attributed to Ephesus, cf. Hauck & Aufhäuser 19 (2006), lot 108). The hemihecte Triton VIII (2005), lot 407 could be part of the same issue. This is a unique and wonderful hecte. Nothing like it has ever been seen and it is artistically spectacular. EF $50,000 A very surprising coin, first because its obverse die seems to show not a bee, as one might initially think, but a horsefly, and second because the same obverse die was also used to strike a silver coin, the reverse there showing a rosette within an incuse square. Where these coins were struck, however, cannot yet be established.
142. EL 1/48 Stater (Milesian standard), 0.28g (12h). Obv: Lion’s paw. Rx: Scorpion in incuse square. Weidauer 168. Rosen Coll. 302. EF $2,000 The lion’s paw fractions are traditionally attributed to Lydia, since the lion was the Lydian royal badge. J. Spier, Studies Price, pp. 327-334, has discovered several reverse-punch links between lion’s paw fractions and some Ionian issues, but this might only mean that the linked coinages were produced by the same team of workers, who carried the same reverse punches from one job to the next.
Satrap Spithridates
Enlargement
Enlargement
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143. Satrap Spithridates. c. 335/4 BC. Tetrobol, 2.45g (9h). Obv: Head of satrap left, wearing Persian headdress. Rx: Forepart of Pegasus right, ΣΠΙΘPI behind and below. BMC 18. Traité II 2, pl. LXXXIX, 1-3. L. Mildenberg, Vestigia Leonis, p. 9, pl. III, 26. W. Wroth, NC (1900), p. 289, no. 23, pl. XIV, 6. H.A. Cahn, Revue des études anciennes 91 (1989), pp. 97-105. C. Harrison
in: Oikistes. Studies in Honor of A.J. Graham (Leiden, 2002), pp. 301-319. J. Bodzek, Israel Numismatic Review 3 (2008), pp. 4-6. Choice EF $8,000 Spithridates was one of the Persian commanders at the battle of the River Granicus, the first engagement after Alexander the Great’s invasion of Asia. Spithridates was killed in this battle, just as he was about to strike down Alexander himself. The Spithridates coins have always been dated to 334 BC, i.e. interpreted as money minted as payment for Spithridates’ army when he defended Western Asia Minor against Alexander. The Lampsacene reverse (Pegasus rather than a horse) might point to a date in early spring 334, when or shortly before Alexander crossed the Hellespont. Extremely Rare Caria
144. Caria. Chersonesos. c. 480-450 BC. Drachm (Aeginetic standard), 5.75g (2h). Obv: Lion’s head right, roaring, one paw stretched forward. Rx: ΧΕ-P Facing bull’s head, all within incuse square. Cf. Cahn, Knidos, p. 205, no. X20 (similar dies). SNG Keckman 29-30. Extremely rare. About EF/Good VF $4,500 Coins of Carian Chersonesos are extremely rare, only about twenty specimens being recorded from all dies. The city is known from the Athenian tribute lists, but the name Χερσόνησος - peninsula - could mean the Cnidian peninsula as a whole, thus confusing the evidence from other sources. Even worse, the ancient sources are contradictory as to whether or not there was a city by the name Chersonesos on the Cnidian peninsula. In any case the Chersonesos responsible for our coin was undoubtely part of the Cnidian trade area, having adopted both the Cnidian obverse type and the Cnidian coin standard.
Mylasa Struck in July
Exchange Presented to John H. Kroll (New York 2006), p. 137, pl. 6, 200. Extremely rare. EF $6,000 Very few of these tetradrachms have come to light. They are especially interesting because they name the month of issue, in this case ΛΩ signifying the Macedonian month corresponding to c. July. Unfortunately the year is not specified!
146. Uncertain Mint. c. 520 BC. Stater, 11.42g. Obv: Forepart of lion left, head reverted. In right field, [ΟΥΛ]. Rx: Quadripartite Incuse square, the four sections heavily blurred by die-breaks. Traité II 1, 735 pl. 19, 11. Rosen Coll. 578. Dewing Coll. 23502. SNG von Aulock 2077. Pozzi Coll. 2475. McClean 8206, pl. 284, 13. BMC Ionia, pl. XXI, 1. VF $3,000 Ex NFA IX, 10 December 1980, lot 261. This type is now generally attributed to Caria, not Miletus as in earlier catalogues. The obverse legend is likely to stand for the Carian tribe of the Ouliatai which is known from the later Athenian tribute lists.
147. Satraps of Caria. Hidrieus. 351-344/3 BC. Stater, 14.97g (12h). Obv: Head of Apollo facing slightly to the right. Rx: ΙΔΡΙΕΩΣ Zeus Laubrandos standing right, holding double ax and spear. In left field, I. S. Hurter, Essays Price, pl. 33, 45 (same obverse die). Boston 2000. SNG Fitzwilliam 4746. The obverse of this coin is struck in extremely high relief with some golden toning. Mint State/EF $10,000 Ex Stack’s, 10 January 2011, lot 92. Ex Ponterio, November 2000, lot 428. Son of the Carian satrap Hecatomnos, Hidrieus was married to his own sister and co-ruler Ada.
145. Mylasa. c. 175-150 BC. Tetradrachm, 9.32g (1h). Obv: Rose with two buds, M-Y flanking stem. In left field, small bunch of grapes. Rx: IΑ-Α Eagle standing right on palm branch, spreading wings. In right field, ΛΩ / B. R. Ashton, “The Pseudo-Rhodian Drachms of Mylasa”, NC (1992), pp. 1-39. Tetradrachm specifically discussed on p. 22, G var. (monogram in reverse right field is reverted), pl. 10. SNG München 696. Cf. R. Ashton and G. Reger in Agoranomia. Studies in Money and
148. Lycia. Mithrapata. c. 380-375 BC. Stater, 9.57g (3h). Obv: Lion scalp. Rx: ΜΕΧΡΑΠ Triskeles with a barley corn. All within incuse square. SNG von Aulock 4245. SNG Berry 1187. Traité II 2, 451, pl. 102, 23. N. Olçay and O. Mørkholm, NC (1971), p. 6, 112, pl. 3. EF $750
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Aegaea Bronze
149. Cilicia. Aegeae. Year 90 = 43/4 AD. AE 31, 22.70g (12h). Obv: Bust of Isis right, wearing calathus. At right, cornucopia containing an aphlaston. Border of dots. Rx: ΑΙΓΕΑΙΩΝ. Athena Promachos advancing left, holding spear and shield. In left field, ΑΘΑ above date [Q]. RPC I 4039, pl. 152 = SNG Levante 1696 (same obverse die as ours). Apparently the second recorded specimen. EF with thick green patination $4,000 Since Aegeae was a base of the Roman Imperial navy, the Isis on this coin might be Isis Euploia, the goddess popular among sailors.
150. Kingdom of Cilicia, Tarcondimotus I. c. 39-31 BC. AE 21, 11.34g (12h). Anazarbus. Obv: Diademed head of Tarcondimotus right. Border of dots. Rx: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΤΑΡΚΟΝΔΙΜΟΤΟΥ ΦΙΛΑΝΤΩΝΙ-ΟΥ. Zeus seated left holding Nike and scepter. RPC 3871 (10 specimens). SNG von Aulock 5413. SNG Levante 1257. N.L. Wright, Anazarbos and the Tarkontimotid Kings of Kilikia, Anatolian Studies 58 (2008), pp. 115-126. Excellent portrait. Wonderful green patination. Choice EF $1,500 Created dynast by Pompey in 64 BC, Tarcondimotus I was a friend and informant of Cicero during Cicero’s governorship of Cilicia in 51-50 BC. During the Roman Civil Wars, Tarcondimotus switched his loyalty from Caesar to Caesar’s murderer Casius, and from Cassius to Cassius’ nemesis, Mark Antony. He died shortly before the battle of Actium in 31 BC, but in 20 BC Augustus reinstalled one of his sons, Tarcondimotus II Philopator, as king of Cilicia. Tarcondimotus II’s epithet “father-loving” is an homage to the tough and successful founder of the dynasty, whose impressive portrait appears on our coin.
151. Cappadocian Kingdom, Ariarathes IV. 220-163 BC. Drachm, 4.16g (11h). Year 33. Obv: Diademed head right. Rx: Athena Nikephoros standing left; monograms to inner left and outer right; ΓΛ (date) in exergue. Simonetta 26. EF $150
152. Cappadocian Kingdom, Ariarathes IV. 220-163 BC. Drachm, 4.10g (11h). Obv: Diademed head right. Rx: Athena Nikephoros standing left; monograms to inner left and outer right; uncertain date in exergue. Simonetta 10. EF $150
153. Seleucid Kingdom. Antiochus IV. 175-164 BC. Tetradrachm, 16.77g (12h). Antioch, c. 173/2-169/8 BC. Obv: Diademed head of king right, diadem ends adorned with stars, no legend. Fillet border. Rx: BAΣIΛEΩΣ / ANTIOXOY / ΘEOY / EΠIΦANOYΣ Zeus seated left holding Nike and scepter; in exergue, monogram. SC II 1396a. Le Rider, Antioche, p. 194, 72A, pl. 22, 5 (same obverse die). Virtually Mint State $1,000 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Gorny & Mosch 141, 10 October 2005, lot 164. Though negatively portrayed by the historian Polybius and in the Books of the Maccabees, Antiochos IV was one of the most talented rulers of the Seleucid dynasty. Seizing power in 175 BC after twelve years as a hostage in Rome, he is known chiefly for despoiling the Temple in Jerusalem and later tearing down the city walls, and for attempting to spread Seleucid influence by invading Egypt, though he was obliged to withdraw because of Roman opposition. Hendin Fourth Edition Plate Coin
154. Tetradrachm, 16.46g (12h). Ptolemais, c. 167-164 BC. Obv: Diademed head of king right, AB monogram behind. Fillet border. Rx: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ ΘΕΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΝΙΚΗΦΟΡΟΥ Zeus enthroned left holding Nike who crowns him and scepter. In outer left field, palm branch. In exergue, AB monogram, I, and HP monogram. SC II 1476.2b. Hendin, fourth edition, 413a, pl. 4 (this coin). This extremely popular coin was struck by Antiochus in Ptolemais when he was conquering Judaea. Toned About EF $750 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection, acquired from David Hendin.
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December 1993, lot 350. Ex M&M, May 1970, lot 352.
155. Antiochus VI. 144-142 BC. Tetradrachm, 16.53g (12h). Apamea on the Orontes, S.E. 168 = 145/4 BC. Obv: Radiate and diademed head of king right. Fillet border. Rx: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟY ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΔΙΟΝΥΣΟΥ Dioscuri on horseback charging left with couched spears. Date ΗΞΡ below horses. On right, TPY above monogram. All within Dionysiac wreath of laurel, ivy leaves, and grain ears. SC II 2008 var. (missing secondary control) and SC 2009.2 var. A. Houghton, SNR 71 (1992), p. 128, nos. 43-44 (Group VIII, dies A5-A6). SNG Spaer 1757 var. SMA 221 var. Sharply struck. Mint State $2,500
156. Tetradrachm, 16.59g (12h). Antioch on the Orontes, S.E. 170 = 143/2 BC. Obv: Radiate and diademed head of king right, one diadem end waving across border behind, the other falling forward over shoulder. Fillet border. Rx: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟY ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΔΙΟΝΥΣΟΥ Dioscuri on horseback charging left with couched spears. Date OP under horses. On right, monogram between TPY above and ΣT[A] below. All within Dionysiac wreath of laurel, ivy leaves, and grain ears. SC II 2000.3c. SMA 241. Dewing Coll. 2609. Hoover, HSC Vol. 9, 1032. Beautiful golden toning. Mint State $2,500
With Achaios and Molon one of the three main usurpers of Seleucid history, Diodotos assumed the promising royal name Tryphon, from the term tryphe = daintiness, luxuriance. After cheating, outmaneuvering, and installing various rulers (Demetrius I, Alexander I Balas, Ptolemy VI, and Antiochus VI), Tryphon was eventually defeated by Antiochus VII and committed suicide.
158. Antiochus VII. 138-129 BC. Tetradrachm, 16.61g (1h). Antioch on the Orontes, c. 129 BC. Obv: Diademed head of Antiochus VII right, diadem ends falling straight behind. Fillet border. Rx: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟV ΕVΕΡΓΕΤΟV Athena standing left holding Nike and resting left hand on shield behind her, while spear leans against her left arm. In outer left field, two monograms. All within laurel wreath. SC II 2061.1n. SMA 273. Reverse partly doublestruck. Mint State/EF $1,000
Tryphon Tetradrachm, Ex Abramowitz, Ex M&M 1970
157. Tryphon. 142-138 BC. Tetradrachm, 16.48g (12h). Uncertain Mint 99, probably in North Syria. Obv: Diademed head of Tryphon right. Fillet border. Rx: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΤΡΥΦΩΝΟΣ ΑΥΤΟΚΡΑΤΟΡΟΣ Spiked Macedonian helmet with cheek guards and wild goat’s horn jutting out on side. All within oak wreath. SC II 2037. SNG Spaer 1822. Houghton Coll. I 255 (same reverse die). Excellent portrait of the usurper Tryphon. Near Mint State $10,000 Ex Superior Galleries, The Abramowitz Family Collection, 8
159. Tetradrachm, 16.67g (1h). Antioch on the Orontes, c. 129 BC. Obv: Diademed head of king right, diadem ends falling straight behind. Fillet border. Rx: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟV ΕVΕΡΓΕΤΟV Athena standing left holding Nike and resting left hand on shield behind her, while spear leans against her left arm. In outer left field, two monograms. All within laurel wreath. SC II 2061.1h. cf. SMA 282. Obverse slightly doublestruck. EF $750
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Sandan Reverse
160. Demetrius II. 129-126/5 BC (second reign). Drachm, 4.03g (11h). Tarsus. Obv: Diademed, bearded head of king right. Fillet border. Rx: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΥ ΘΕΟΥ ΝΙΚΑΤΟΡΟΣ God Sandan standing right on back of horned, winged liongriffin right. In outer left field, two monograms. SC II 2161. Houghton Coll. II 658. Very rare, the first specimen we have ever handled. The reverse is beautifully struck in high relief. Toned EF $5,000 Son of Demetrius I, Demetrius II was taken captive by the Parthians in 138 BC and was retained for ten years in Hyrcania, married to a Parthian princess. When in 129 BC Antiochus VII invaded Mesopotamia, the Parthian king Phraates II freed Demetrius in order to cause another internal struggle within the Seleucid dynasty. Demetrios had been an unpopular king during his first reign and was not able to win the affection of his subjects. It did not help that he maintained his long Parthian beard, as our drachm shows. Eventually even his wife, Cleopatra Thea, refused to help him, and he was killed when seeking refuge at Tyre. The reverse of this fine drachm displays a local Tarsian type, the god Sandan, who appears to have been a syncretistic version of the Hittite storm-god Teshup.
162. Antiochus IX Philopator (Cyzicenus). 114/3-95 BC. Tetradrachm, 16.55g (11h). Damascus, c. 113/2-111/0 BC. Obv: Diademed head of king right with a sparse, curly beard. Fillet border. Rx: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ ΦΙΛΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ Athena standing left holding Nike and resting left hand on shield, spear behind. In inner left field, two monograms. In exergue, Σ. All within laurel wreath. SC II 2381.2. SNG Spaer 2755. Mint State/EF $1,000
163. Tetradrachm, 16.00g (12h). Cilicia, Mopsus. Obv: Diademed head of Antiochus IX right, with short curly beard, diadem ends falling straight behind. Fillet border. Rx: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ ΦΙΛΟΠAΤΟΡΟΣ Athena standing left, holding Nike and resting left hand on shield, spear behind. Primary control M above A to outer left. Secondary control Γ in inner left field. All in laurel wreath. SC II 2358b. A. Houghton, SNR 72 (1993), p. 101, Series I, Group 2, pl. 2, 18. SMA 386 (assigned to Antioch mint). Houghton Coll. I 335. Hoover, HSC 1228d. The attribution of this tetradrachm to Mopsus is not definite. EF $750
161. Antiochus VIII. 121/0-96 BC. Tetradrachm, 13.92g (12h). Ascalon, S.E. 197 = 116/5 BC. Obv: Diademed head of king right. Border of dots. Rx: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ Eagle standing left on thunderbolt, palm branch under far wing. In left field dove below ΑΣ and above monogram. In right field, date. SC II 2339.5. SNG Spaer 2606. Houghton Coll. I 824. Toned and slightly granular with an old hairline on the jaw and neck of the king. VF $600 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection, purchased from David Hendin. Though issued by a Seleucid king, the weight standard and the reverse type of this tetradrachm are Ptolemaic, thus both adapting to the commercial situation in the southern part of the Seleucid empire and maintaining Seleucid claims to the Ptolemaic kingdom.
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Jugate Brothers Tetradrachm
164. Antiochus XI and Philip I. 94/93 BC. Tetradrachm, 15.38g (2h). Obv: Diademed, lightly bearded heads of Antiochus XI and Philip I jugate right. Rx: [B]AΣIΛEΩΣ ANTIOXOY in two lines on right, KAI BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΦIΛIΠΠOY in two lines on left, Zeus seated left on high-backed throne, holding Nike who crowns him and scepter; monograms to outer left and under throne; laurel wreath border. SC II 2439, pl. 54 (same dies) =
Brussels, de Hirsch 1728 = A4 in A. Houghton, SNR 66 (1987), pp. 79-85. For the chronology, see now O. Hoover, Historia 56 (2007), pp. 280-301. This particular tetradrachm was previously unique in Brussels, and of the entire jugate brothers series only eight specimens were recorded. This coin is one of the most unusual in the entire Seleucid series. It also virtually marks the end of the Seleucid empire. Extremely rare and desirable. EF $20,000 When Seleucus VI was killed by the Mopsians in 94 BC, his younger brothers Antiochus XI and Philip I immediately assumed power in order to take vengence against the murderers, among them their cousin Antiochus X. A rare example of unanimous action by two Seleucids; in fact, both brothers assumed the epithet φιλάδελφος, “brother-loving”.
Enlargement
165. Phoenicia. Tyre. Year 36 = 91/90 BC. Half shekel, 6.87g (11h). Obv: Laureate bust of Melqarth right. Border of dots. Rx: ΤΥΡΟΥ ΙΕΡΑΣ [ΚΑΙ] ΑΣΥΛΟΥ Eagle standing left with right foot on prow of ship and palm branch over right shoulder. In left field, date SΛ and club. In right field, Δ. Phoenician letter between legs of eagle. Border of dots. BMC 223. VF $400
166. Year 145 = 19/20 AD. Shekel, 14.25g (12h). Obv: Laureate bust of Melqarth right. Border of dots. Rx: ΤΥΡΟΥ ΙΕΡΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΑΣΥΛΟΥ Eagle standing left with right foot on prow of ship and palm branch over right shoulder. In left field, date PME and club. In right field, KP. Phoenician letter between legs of eagle. RPC I 4658. Prieur 1418. Struck during the lifetime of Jesus. EF $800
167. Year 146 = 20/21 AD. Shekel, 14.38g (12h). Obv: Laureate bust of Melqarth right. Border of dots. Rx: ΤΥΡΟΥ ΙΕΡΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΑΣΥΛΟΥ Eagle standing left with right foot on prow of ship and palm branch over right shoulder. In left field, date PMS and club. In right field, KP and monogram. Phoenician letter between legs of eagle. RPC I 4659. Prieur 1419. Struck during the lifetime of Jesus. EF $1,000
168. Year 147 = 21/22 AD. Shekel, 14.28g (12h). Obv: Laureate bust of Melqarth right. Rx: ΤΥΡΟΥ ΙΕΡΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΑΣΥΛΟΥ Eagle standing left with right foot on prow of ship and palm branch over right shoulder. In left field, date PMZ and club. In right field, KP above monogram. Phoenician letter between legs of eagle. Border of dots. Date not listed in RPC, the RPC supplements, or Prieur; extremely rare. A new date in the series, and struck during the lifetime of Jesus. EF $500
169. Year 172 = 46/47 AD. Shekel, 14.42g (1h). Obv: Laureate bust of Melqarth right. Rx: [ΤΥΡΟΥ ΙΕΡΑΣ] ΚΑΙ ΑΣΥΛΟΥ Eagle standing left with right foot on prow of ship and palm branch over right shoulder. In left field, date POB and club. In right field, KP over monogram (Θ M). Phoenician letter beth between legs of eagle. Border of dots. RPC 4672. Prieur 1433. BMC 207. EF $850
170. Shekel, 14.50g (12h). Obv: Laureate bust of Melqarth right. Rx: ΤΥΡΟΥ ΙΕ[ΡΑΣ ΚΑΙ Α]ΣΥΛΟΥ Eagle standing left with right foot on prow of ship and palm branch over right shoulder. In left field, date POB and club. In right field, KP over monogram (EPH). Phoenician letter beth between legs of eagle. RPC 4672. Prieur 1433. BMC 208. EF $850
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Enlargement
171. Jewish. Yehud under Ptolemy II. 1/4 Ma’ah obol, 0.15g. c. 302-294 BC. Obv: Blank. Rx: Paleo-Hebrew “Yhd” to left of Ptolemaic eagle with wings spread standing to left on thunderbolt. Hendin 1077 or 1078. Treasury 29 or 30. Mildenberg, Vestigia Leonis, pl. 22, 24-25. EF $500
174. Mattathias Antigonus. 40-37 BC. 8 Prutah, 17.65g (3h). Obv: Paleo-Hebrew “Mattatayah the High Priest and Council of the Jews” around and between double cornucopia. Rx: ΒΑCΙΛΕΟC ΑΝΤΙΓΟΝΟΥ Ivy wreath tied with ribbons. Hendin 1162. Treasury 36. A lovely example of the largest coin struck by the Hasmonean/Maccabean kings. VF+ $300
Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Goldberg 25, 2 June 2004, lot 3035.
Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Leu 86, 5-6 May 2003, lot 478.
Many of the Yehud coins have blank obverses. The tiny flans and the large areas surrounding the engraved area on the anvil die created a situation where many obverses missed the die altogether and had obverse strikes only from the flat area of the anvil.
175. 4 Prutah, 7.20g (3h). Obv: Paleo-Hebrew “Mattatayah the High Priest” around cornucopia tied with ribbons, decorated with vine leaf and grapes. Rx: ΒΑCΙΛΕΟC / ΑΝΤΙΓΟ / ΝΟΥ in a wreath. Hendin 1163. Treasury 37. Legends full and sharp for this usually crude type. VF+ $300 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Goldberg, 7 June 2000, lot 3250.
172. John Hyrcanus I. 135-104 BC. Prutah, 2.29g (12h). 132-131 BC. Obv: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΘΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ ΕΥΕPΓΕΤΟΥ Ιnverted anchor, ΑΠΡ below. Rx: Lily. Hendin 1131. Treasury p. 30. EF $250 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. A near-perfect example of this issue naming Antiochus VII, and apparently the first coin struck at the Jerusalem mint of High Priest John Hyrcanus I.
176. Herod I. 40-4 BC. 2 Prutah (?), 3.17g (12h). Samaria, year 3 = 37 BC. Obv: Poppy on stalk. Rx: HPΩΔOY BAΣIΛEΩΣ Winged caduceus flanked by LΓ and monogram TP. Only 3 obverse and 3 reverse dies have been listed at Menorah Coin Project for this rare coin. Hendin 1171. Treasury 46. aEF $350 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Leu 86, 5-6 May 2003, lot 484.
173. Alexander Jannaeus. 104-76 BC. Prutah, 2.47g (12h). Obv: Paleo-Hebrew “Yehonatan the King” flanks lily. Rx: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ inverted anchor within circle. Hendin 1148. Treasury Group N. EF $250 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Early bilingual coin naming Jannaeus as “king” in both paleoHebrew and Greek. A superb example.
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177. Prutah (?), 2.40g (12h). Samaria, year 3 = 37 BC. Obv: Palm branch with objects (leaves?) on either side. Rx: HPΩΔOY BAΣIΛEΩΣ Aphlaston with o in left field, no date or monogram. Hendin 1172a. Treasury 47b. Very rare: struck from a single obverse and reverse die set according to Menorah Coin
Project. VF $500 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Goldberg 25, 2 June 2004, lot 3041. Ex Daniel M. Friedenberg Collection.
178. Herod Archelaus. 4 BC-6 AD. 2 Prutah, 2.92g (12h). . Obv: HPWΔHC Double cornucopia adorned with grapes, horns parallel, turned to the right. Rx: ΕΘΝA / ΡΧΗ / C War galley left with aphlaston, oars, cabin, ram. Hendin 1194a. Treasury 70d. Exceptionally clear strike for this usually poor issue. aEF $400
181. Valerius Gratus. 15-26 AD. Prutah, 1.88g (6h). Year 4 of Tiberius = 17/18 AD. Obv: [TIBEPIOC] above vine leaf and small bunch of grapes on tendril. Rx: KAICAP above, L - Δ flanking kantharos with scroll handles. Hendin 1337. Treasury 325. VF $200 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection, acquired from Sahar, VCoins, 24 April 2007. Treasury Plate Specimen and Teddy Kollek Collection
Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection.
179. Prutah, 2.03g (11h). Obv: ΕΘΝAPX[OY] Crested helmet with cheek straps, viewed from front, caduceus below left. Rx: ΗPWΔOY Bunch of grapes on vine with small leaf on left. Hendin 1196. Treasury 73a. Nice legends on a bold coin of Herod’s son who governed in Judaea. VF+ $200 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection.
182. Jewish War. 66-70 AD. Shekel, 14.27g (12h). Jerusalem, Year 1 = 66/67 AD. Obv: Paleo-Hebrew “shekel of Israel, one”, Wide-rim ritual chalice with wide, smooth rim, pellet on either side, flat base with pearled ends. Rx: Paleo-Hebrew “Jerusalem [the] holy” around staff with three pomegranate buds, round base. Hendin 1353. AJC 2 (this coin). Treasury 184 (this coin). EF $5,000 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Leu 86, 5-6 May 2003, lot 515 (Kollek Collection). A near-perfect example of this early-style year 1 shekel which was used by Prof. Meshorer as the illustrated specimen in both his Treasury of Jewish Coins and Ancient Jewish Coinage. Treasury Plate Specimen and Teddy Kollek Collection
180. Agrippa II, pre-Royal, Claudius. 49/50-94/95 AD. AE 24, 12.04g (12h). Tiberias, Year 13 = 53/54 AD. Obv: TIBE / PIAC Wreath. Rx: ΚΛΑΥΔΙΟΥ -ΚΑICΑPΟC around, L - ΙΓ across field, Palm branch. Hendin 1266. Treasury 347. RPC 4851. Granular surfaces in some areas. VF $300 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Goldberg 25, 2 June 2004, lot 3055. Ex Daniel M. Friedenberg Collection. Ex NYINC Auction, 9 December 1995, lot 1170.
183. Half-shekel, 6.86g (10h). Jerusalem, Year 1 = 66/67 AD. Obv: Paleo-Hebrew “half a shekel, one” around ritual chalice with smooth rim, pellet on either side, flat base with pearled ends. Rx: Paleo-Hebrew “Jerusalem [the] Holy” around staff with three pomegranate buds, round base. Hendin 1355a. AJC 5 (this coin). Treasury 185 (this coin). Isolated areas of corrosion. VF $5,000 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Leu 86, 5-6 May 2003, lot 516 (Kollek Collection).
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Splendid Year 1 Shekel
Beautiful Year 3 Half Shekel
184. Shekel, 14.00g (11h). Jerusalem, Year 1 = 66/67 AD. Obv: Paleo-Hebrew “shekel of Israe, one”, Ritual chalice with wide, smooth rim, pellet on either side, flat base with pearled ends. Rx: Paleo-Hebrew “Jerusalem [the] holy” around staff with three pomegranate buds, round base. Hendin 1354. Treasury 187. EF $5,000
188. Half-shekel, 6.81g (12h). Jerusalem, Year 3 = 68/69 AD. Obv: Paleo-Hebrew “half of a shekel”, Ritual chalice with pearled rim, the base is raised by projections on ends, “Year 3” above chalice. Rx: Paleo-Hebrew “Jerusalem the holy”, Staff with three pomegranate buds, round base. Hendin 1362. EF $4,000
Superb Year 1 Half-Shekel
185. Half-shekel, 6.66g (11h). Jerusalem, Year 1 = 66/67 AD. Obv: Paleo-Hebrew “half a shekel, one”, Ritual chalice with smooth rim, pellet on either side, flat base with pearled ends. Rx: Paleo-Hebrew “Jerusalem [the] Holy” around staff with three pomegranate buds, round base. Hendin 1355. Treasury 186. EF $5,000
189. AE 17, 2.38g (6h). Jerusalem, Year 3 = 68/69 AD. Obv: PaleoHebrew “year three”, Amphora with broad rim, two handles, and conical lid decorated with tiny globes hanging around edge. Rx: Paleo-Hebrew “the freedom of Zion”, Vine leaf on small branch. Hendin 1363. Treasury 204. Full legends on both sides. EF/VF $250 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection.
Rare Small Flan Abu Jara 186. Half-shekel, 6.81g (11h). Jerusalem, Year 1 = 66/67 AD. Obv: Paleo-Hebrew “half a shekel, one”, Ritual chalice with smooth rim, pellet on either side, flat base with pearled ends. Rx: Paleo-Hebrew “Jerusalem [the] Holy” around staff with three pomegranate buds, round base. Hendin 1355. Treasury 186. Listed at menorahcoinproject.org, O2/R1. EF $4,500 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Ponterio 141, 13 January 2007, lot 1523.
190. Bar Kokhba Revolt. 132-135 AD. AE 25 (Large bronze on small flan), 12.84g (12h). Year 1 = 132/3 AD. Obv: “Simon, Prince of Israel” within wreath. Rx: “Year one of the redemption of Israel” around two-handled amphora. Hendin 1376. Treasury 220a. Mildenberg 294. VG $650 Purchased from David Hendin.
187. AE 18, 2.69g (6h). Jerusalem, Year 2 = 67/68 AD. Obv: PaleoHebrew “year two”, Amphora with broad rim and two handles. Rx: Paleo-Hebrew “the freedom of Zion”, Vine leaf on small branch with tendril. Hendin 1360. Treasury 196. Full legends on both sides. EF $250 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection.
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Although the Bar Kokhba mint created ALL of its coins by overstriking previous issues, quality control was high and there are few errors such as doublestrikes or improper flans. Hence this large bronze struck upon the flan for a smaller type is quite unusual.
Large Flan Year One Lyre
191. Middle bronze, 11.16g (12h). Year 1 = 132/133 AD. Obv: Paleo-Hebrew “Simon Prince of Israel”, Palm branch within wreath. Rx: Paleo-Hebrew “year one of the redemption of Israel”, Wide lyre of six strings. Hendin 1377. Treasury 223a. Mildenberg 23. Full legends on this bold and splendid example. EF $1,000 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex CNG 64, 24 September 2003, lot 440.
192. Middle bronze, 11.72g (6h). Year 1 = 132/3 AD. Obv: PaleoHebrew “year one of the redemption of Israel” around vine leaf on tendril. Rx: Paleo-Hebrew “Simon Prince of Israel”, Sevenbranched palm tree with two bunches of dates. Hendin 1378. Treasury 222. Mildenberg 43. VF $500
Eleazar the Priest
Hybrid Year 1/2 Zuz
194. Zuz or Drachm, 3.40g (6h). Year 1/2 = 133/4 AD. Obv: PaleoHebrew “year one of the redemption of Israel”, Bunch of grapes with branch and small leaf. Rx: Paleo-Hebrew “year two of the freedom of Israel”, Wide lyre with three strings, four dots on sound box. Hendin 1383. Treasury 236. Mildenberg 9. Mildenberg lists only six specimens of this hybrid from the first and second years of the Revolt. Traces of previous coin. EF $5,000 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex CNG 63, 21 May 2003, lot 808. Magnificent Temple Depiction
195. Sela or Tetradrachm, 13.88g (12h). Year 2 = 133/4 AD. Obv: Paleo-Hebrew “Jerusalem” Facade of Jerusalem Temple, cross above. Rx: Paleo-Hebrew “year 2 of the freedom of Israel” Lulav, etrog to left. Hendin 1387. Treasury 230a. Mildenberg 15. Nice flan, traces of previous coin. Near EF $5,000 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex CNG 60, 22 May 2002, lot 948. It seems clear that the cross or rosette/star shown on many of these coins above the Temple represents a twinkling golden candelabrum donated by Helena, queen of Adiabene, and hung above the entrance to the Temple, as recorded in the Mishnah (Yoma 3.10).
First Die of Year 2 193. AE 19, 5.15g (7h). Year 1 = 132/3 AD. Obv: Paleo-Hebrew “year one of the redemption of Israel”, Bunch of grapes on tendril. Rx: Paleo-Hebrew “Eleazar the priest”, Seven-branched palm tree with two bunches of dates. Hendin 1380. Treasury 224. Mildenberg 150. EF $450 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Purchased from David Vagi, 2001. The identity of Eleazar the Priest is one of the mysteries of ancient Jewish numismatics.
196. Sela or Tetradrachm, 14.45g (12h). Year 2 = 133/134 AD. Obv: Paleo-Hebrew “Simon”, Facade of Jerusalem Temple, star above. Rx: Paleo-Hebrew "year 2 of the freedom of Israel”, Lulav, etrog to left. Hendin 1388. Mildenberg 27 (only three specimens from these dies). Traces of previous coin. EF $7,500
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of Judaism, pronounced “Shema”, was almost certainly deliberate. It was used only on dies from the first two years of the Revolt. In Judaism the Shema is recited several times a day, including before going into battle.
199. Zuz or Drachm, 3.12g (7h). Year 2 = 133/4 AD. Obv: PaleoHebrew “Simon”, Bunch of grapes in three lobes hanging from branch, which has a leaf to the left and a tendril to the right. Rx: Paleo-Hebrew “year two of the freedom of Israel”, Fluted pitcher, willow branch on right. Hendin 1395. Treasury 253a. Mildenberg 39. Traces of previous coin. EF $600 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Ponterio 141, 13 January 2007, lot 1531. Clear profile of Vespasian from the previous coin can be seen facing 2h on the obverse. Also note that in this reverse die the word “Israel” is misspelled as “Isarel”. Enlargement
197. Sela or Tetradrachm, 14.65g (12h). Year 2 = 133/4 AD. Obv: Paleo-Hebrew “Simon”, Facade of Jerusalem Temple, star above. Rx: Paleo-Hebrew “year 2 of the freedom of Israel”, Lulav, etrog to left. Hendin 1388. Treasury 233. Mildenberg 45. Traces of previous coin. EF $5,000 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Triton V, 15-16 January 2002, lot 1520.
198. Zuz or Drachm, 3.28g (12h). Year 2 = 133/4 AD. Obv: PaleoHebrew “Sma”, Wreath of thin branches wrapped around eight almonds, medallion at top, tendrils at bottom. Rx: PaleoHebrew “year two of the freedom of Israel”, Wide lyre with three strings, four dots on sound box. Hendin 1389. Treasury 238a. Mildenberg 15. Traces of previous coin. EF $4,000
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200. Zuz or Drachm, 2.98g (6h). Year 2 = 133/134 AD. Obv: PaleoHebrew “Simon”, Bunch of grapes in three lobes hanging from branch, which has a leaf to the left and a tendril to the right. Rx: Paleo-Hebrew “year two of the freedom of Israel”, Palm branch. Hendin 1394. Treasury 245. Mildenberg 49. Clear head of Titus as Augustus from previous coin visible facing 1h on reverse, plus IAN from VESPASIAN by the wreath ties of the overstruck portrait, and [T]R P at 10h on obverse edge. EF $500 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection.
Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Leu 86, 5-6 May 2003, lot 567 (Kollek Collection).
201. Sela or Tetradrachm, 15.14g (1h). Undated = 134/5 AD. Obv: Paleo-Hebrew “Simon”, Facade of Jerusalem Temple, star above. Rx: Paleo-Hebrew “for the freedom of Jerusalem”, Lulav, etrog to left. Hendin 1411. Treasury 267. Mildenberg 83. Mildenberg lists only two specimens from these dies. Traces of previous coin. EF $4,000
The abbreviation “Sma” (the first three letters of “Simon”) which is the same spelling in Hebrew as the mainstay prayer
Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Triton V, 15-16 January 2002, lot 1521.
202. Sela or Tetradrachm, 13.88g (12h). Undated = 134/135 AD. Obv: Paleo-Hebrew “Simon”, Facade of Jerusalem Temple, wavy line above. Rx: Paleo-Hebrew “year 2 of the freedom of Israel”, Lulav, etrog to left. Hendin 1413a. Treasury 269b. Mildenberg 89. Traces of previous coin. EF $5,000
205. Zuz or Drachm, 3.47g (12h). Undated = 134/5 AD. Obv: PaleoHebrew “Simon” (“Smanw” as the letters are arranged) within a wreath of thin branches wrapped around eight almonds, medallion at top, tendrils at bottom. Rx: Paleo-Hebrew “for the freedom of Jerusalem”, Pitcher, handle on left, willow branch on right. Hendin 1427. Treasury 283. Mildenberg 126. Traces of previous coin. EF $400
Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex CNG 64, 24 September 2003, lot 453.
Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection.
The wavy line above the Temple facade replaces the cross or star on some specimens. This likely represents what the Mishnah describes as “a golden vine... positioned over the entrance to the sanctuary and hung over the beams” (Midot 3:8). Grapes and leaves were hung on this vine as donatives by visitors.
Overstruck on a denarius of Hadrian of 118 or 119 AD with reverse AET - AVG across field, Aeternitas holding heads of Sun and Moon. On the obverse one can still see the back of Hadrian’s portrait and SAR TRA of the adjoining legend, and on the reverse P M T - R[P] and AET from the original reverse legend.
203. Zuz or Drachm, 3.42g (12h). Undated = 134/5 AD. Obv: PaleoHebrew “simon” within a wreath of thin branches wrapped around eight almonds, medallion at top, tendrils at bottom. Rx: Paleo-Hebrew “for the freedom of Jerusalem”, Palm branch. Hendin 1416. Treasury 279c. Mildenberg 64. Traces of previous coin. EF $500
206. Zuz or Drachm, 3.54g (6h). Undated = 134/5 AD. Obv: PaleoHebrew “Simon”, Bunch of grapes in three lobes hanging from branch, which has a tendril to the left and a leaf to the right. Rx: Paleo-Hebrew “for the freedom of Jerusalem”, Palm branch. Hendin 1430. Treasury 281. Mildenberg 148. Traces of previous coin. EF $500 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Triton V, 15-16 January 2002, lot 1524.
Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Triton V, 15-16 January 2002, lot 1523.
204. Zuz or Drachm, 3.26g (12h). Undated = 134/5 AD. bv: PaleoHebrew “Simon” (“Smnaw” as the letters are arranged) within a wreath of thin branches wrapped around eight almonds, medallion at top, tendrils at bottom. Rx: Paleo-Hebrew “for the freedom Jerusalem”, Pitcher, handle on left, willow branch on right. Hendin 1418. Treasury 283b. Mildenberg 73. Traces of previous coin, probably a denarius of Vespasian or Titus. EF $500 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Purchased from Brian Kritt, January 2002.
207. Zuz or Drachm, 3.38g (6h). Undated = 134/135 AD. Obv: Paleo-Hebrew “Simon”, Bunch of grapes in three lobes hanging from branch, which has a tendril to the left and a leaf to the right. Rx: Paleo-Hebrew “for the freedom of Jerusalem”, Two trumpets with dot between. Hendin 1431. Treasury 277. Mildenberg 153.13 (this coin). Clear traces of previous coin. EF $500 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Purchased from Antiqua, Inc. Ex Spaer Collection. Overstruck on a denariius of Hadrian of c. 124-8 AD, whose profile can be seen facing 2h on the reverse, along with AVGVSTVS from his obverse legend, and on the other side III from the original reverse legend COS III.
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Zuz Overstruck on Trajan Drachm
Paleo-Hebrew “for the freedom of Jerusalem”, Elongated lyre with three strings. Hendin 1435. Treasury 274b. Mildenberg 182. Clear traces of previous coin. EF $500 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection.
208. Zuz or Drachm, 2.92g (12h). Undated = 134/135 AD. Obv: Paleo-Hebrew “Simon”, Bunch of grapes in three lobes hanging from branch, which has a tendril to the left and a leaf to the right. Rx: Paleo-Hebrew “for the freedom of Jerusalem”, Two trumpets with dot between. Hendin 1431a. Treasury 277a. Mildenberg 166. Clear traces of previous coin. EF $600 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Overstruck on a drachm of Trajan of Bostra: the back of Trajan’s portrait is visible upside down to the right of the two trumpets, and considerable Greek legend survives around the edge on both sides. The trumpets shown on this type are quite similar to the trumpets shown on the Arch of Titus, and also bring to mind the Hebrew inscription found in the ruins of the Jerusalem Temple with the inscription “the place of the trumpeting…” (now on display at the Israel Museum, Jerusalem).
Overstruck on Vespasian COS V Denarius
209. Zuz or Drachm, 3.18g (7h). , Undated = 134/5 AD. Obv: PaleoHebrew “Simon”, Bunch of grapes. Rx: Paleo-Hebrew “for the freedom of Jerusalem”, Elongated lyre with three strings. Hendin 1435. Treasury 274a. Mildenberg 179. EF $500
Overstruck on a denarius of Vespasian, whose profile is boldly visible on the obverse facing 3h.
211. Zuz or Drachm, 3.23g (6h). Undated = 134/5 AD. Obv: PaleoHebrew “Simon”, Bunch of grapes in three lobes hanging from branch, which has a tendril to the left and a leaf to the right. Rx: Paleo-Hebrew “for the freedom of Jerusalem”, Elongated lyre with three strings. Hendin 1435. Treasury 274b. Mildenberg 186. Traces of previous coin. EF $500 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Purchased from Brian Kritt, January 2002. Overstruck on a denarius of Vespasian or Titus, as indicated by the surviving legend fragments, VESPASIANVS counterclockwise to the left of and below the lyre, COS V counterclockwise to the upper left of the bunch of grapes.
Magnificent Zuz
Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Purchased from Frank Kovacs. Overstruck on a denarius of Vespasian, whose portrait and Latin legend can be seen on the obverse facing 6h; also the inscription COS V can be seen on the reverse at around 12h.
Zuz with Bold Vespasian Portrait
212. Zuz or Drachm, 3.28g (6h). , Undated = 134/5 AD. Obv: PaleoHebrew “Simon”, Bunch of grapes in three lobes hanging from branch, which has a tendril to the left and a leaf to the right. Rx: Paleo-Hebrew “for the freedom of Jerusalem”, Elongated lyre with three strings. Hendin 1435. Treasury 274a. Mildenberg 209. EF $550 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Purchased from Brian Kritt.
210. Zuz or Drachm, 3.22g (7h). Undated = 134/5 AD. Obv: PaleoHebrew “Simon”, Bunch of grapes in three lobes hanging from branch, which has a tendril to the left and a leaf to the right. Rx:
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Overstruck on a Roman denarius: faint traces of original Latin legend outside the dotted border below and to the left of the lyre.
Achaimenid king Artaxerxes III
213. Middle bronze, 10.98g (6h). Undated = 134/5 AD. Obv: PaleoHebrew “for the freedom of Jerusalem” around vine leaf on tendril. Rx: “Simon”, Seven-branched palm tree with two bunches of dates. Hendin 1437. Treasury 292c. Mildenberg 108. EF $350
216. Achaimenid Kingdom. Artaxerxes III. 359-338 BC. Tetradrachm (Chiotic standard), 15.33g (5h). Uncertain mint in Caria, c. 350/40 BC. Obv: Persian king kneeling right, wearing jagged crown and chlamys, quiver on shoulder, drawing bow to shoot an arrow. Border of dots. Rx: Satrap on horseback right, wearing tiara, hurling spear. Border of dots. K. Konuk in O. Casabonne (ed.), Mécanismes et innovations monétaires dans l’Anatolie Achémenide (Paris 2000), p. 178, pl. 30, 10. A. Meadows, Coin Hords IX, pp. 210-212. Bold VF $4,000
Tyre Mint
214. Middle bronze, 10.44g (6h). Undated = 134/5 AD. Obv: PaleoHebrew “for the freedom of Jerusalem” around vine leaf on tendril. Rx: “Simon”, Seven-branched palm tree with two bunches of dates. Hendin 1437. Treasury 292c. Mildenberg 108. EF $600 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex CNG 54, 14 June 2000, lot 817.
217. Ptolemaic Kingdom. Ptolemy II Philadelphus. 285-246 BC. Tetradrachm, 14.24g (12h). Tyre, 266/5 BC. Obv: Diademed head of Ptolemy I right wearing aegis. Border of dots. Rx: ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ Eagle standing left on thunderbolt. In front, monogram and club. Border of dots. Svoronos 644, pl. XIX, 14. SNG Cop. 482. Hazzard c1027. Meydancıkkale Hoard 4205 ff. Choice Mint State $1,000 Exceptional Quality
215. AE 18, 6.15g (6h). Undated = 134/5 AD. Obv: Paleo-Hebrew “for the freedom of Jerusalem”, Bunch of grapes on tendril. Rx: Paleo-Hebrew “Jerusalem”, Seven-branched palm tree with two bunches of dates. Hendin 1439. Treasury 301. Mildenberg 156. EF $300 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Goldberg 25, 2 June 2004, lot 3313.
218. Bactria. Euthydemus I. 225-200 BC. Tetradrachm, 16.37g (11h). Obv: Diademed head of king right. Fillet border. Rx: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΕΥΘΥΔΗΜΟΥ Herakles seated left on rock, holding club set on pile of stones. In lower right field, monogram. Border of dots. Bopearachchi, cat. rais. p. 156, 11. SNG ANS 125. Exceptionally well preserved, rare in this condition. Mint State $1,500 Ex Stack’s, The Kroisos Collection, 14 January 2008, lot 2318.
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219. Eucratides. 170-145 BC. Tetradrachm, 17.03g (12h). Obv: Bust of Eucratides left, naked but for the helmet, hurling spear, with the ties of the diadem falling onto his bare back. Rx: BAΣIΛEΩΣ MEΓAΛOY EYKPATIΔOY Dioscouri on horseback right, each holding spear and palm; monogram in lower right field. Bopearachchi, cat. rais. p. 207, 56. Mitchiner 179. SNG ANS 484. An exceptional example of this spectacular coin, surpassing the one in my 100 Greatest Ancient Coins, of great artistic quality and with a magnificent strike and full luster. Mint State $11,000
221. AE 16, 3.37g (12h). Obv: Draped portrait bust right, wearing tiara. Rx: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΡΣΑΜΟΥ Caps of the Dioscuri. P. Bedoukian, ANSMN 28 (1983), p. 84, 8. ACV 9. EF $600
This is one of the most spectacular of all Hellenistic portraits on coins. Eucratides is shown as the foremost fighter in combat, however in heroic nudity. The back view is reminiscent of Zeus and Poseidon hurling their weapons. This bold obverse type was adopted for a number of Roman emperors from Septimius Severus on, and was then frequently used in Renaissance portraiture.
222. AE 17, 5.54g (11h). Obv: Bust of Arsames right wearing domed crown. Rx: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΡΣΑΜΟ[Υ] Eagle standing right on thunderbolt. ACV 8. EF $600
223. AE 17, 3.30g (11h). Obv: Bust of Arsames left wearing domed crown. Rx: Eagle standing right on thunderbolt. F. Kovacs, “Sophene: New Coins and Comments,” Armenian Numismatic Journal, Series II, vol. 6/4 (2010), p. 97, 3. ACV 8 var. Very rare. Usual low relief. EF $1,000 This type with bust left was unknown until recently. Arsames II is perhaps the same king as Arsames I (c. 240 BC, for which see ACV, pp. 48-49) but numismatists have preferred to separate the two, assigning those where the king wears a bashlyk to Arsames I. Enlargement
220. Armenia. Sophene. Arsames II. c. 230 BC. AE 17, 5.85g (1h). Obv: Draped portrait bust right, wearing domed crown. Rx: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΡΣΑΜΟΥ Herakles standing to front, holding club. P. Bedoukian, ANSMN 28 (1983), p. 83, 6. ACV 7. Usual low relief. EF $800
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224. Arkathias I. after c. 190-c. 175 BC. AE 14, 2.31g (12h). Obv: Head of king left, wearing tiara. Rx: Nike standing right, holding palm branch and raising wreath. Armenian Numismatic Journal, Series I, 25/3 (2004), p. 85, 195B (dating incorrect). Good VF, rare $850 According to Kovacs (forthcoming), Arkathias I was the successor to Zariadres (c. 190 BC) and founder of Arkathiakert. He apparently died during a conflict with the Seleucid king Antiochus IV (187-175 BC).
Tigranes V was raised a “royal hostage” at the court of Rome. He was the grandson of Herod the Great, and son of Alexander and Glaphyra who was probably an Armenian princess (Kokkinos, p. 259). For this reason he was supposed acceptable to the Armenian people by Augustus who made him king. (F.K.) 225. Arkathias II. 93/90-86 BC. AE 16, 2.64g. Obv: Draped bust of king left, wearing tiara. Rx: Club in wreath. Countermark with letters ΜΙΘ. Unpublished, but see Kovacs (forthcoming). VF. Rare $650 Arkathias II was the favorite son of Mithradates, Eupator (12063 BC), and brother-in-law of Tigranes the Great (95-56 BC). He died fighting in the First Mithradatic War. (F.K.)
226. Mithradates Philopator. 86/85 BC. AE 16, 4.41g (2h). Obv: Head of king left, wearing tiara. Rx: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΙΘΡΑΔΑΤΟΥ ΦΙΛΟΠ Club. AVC 193 (as Mithradates I of Commagene), but see Kovacs (forthcoming). Spots of corrosion, otherwise VF and Rare $350 Mithradates, Philopator, was also a son of Mithradates, Eupator, therefore, brother of Arkathias II and brother-in-law of Tigranes the Great. He too fought in the First Mithradatic War, and succeeded his fallen brother in Sophene. His unhappy relationship with his father resulted in the latter ordering his murder after a reign of perhaps a year. (F.K.)
227. Artavasdes II. Son of Tigranes the Great. 56-34 BC. AE 17, 3.21g (12h). Obv: Bust of Artavasdes right wearing tiara. Rx: Cypress tree. ACV 132. CAA 135. Very rare. VF $800
229. AE 23, 6.05g (12h). Obv: Draped bust of the king right, wearing tiara. Rx: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΤΙΓΡΑΝΟΥ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ Herakles standing front, resting right hand on club and holding lion skin in left hand. Kovacs, AJN 20 (2008), p. 341, 6. EF $2,000
230. AE 17, 3.82g (2h). Obv: Bust of Tigranes right, wearing tiara. Rx: Elephant standing right. Kovacs, AJN 20 (2008), p. 342,7. ACV 171. CAA 151. Exceptional portrait. EF $2,000
231. AE 14, 2.42g (12h). Obv: Draped bust of the king right, bearded, wearing five-pointed tiara. The tiara has a beaded border, and the lappet is swept back over the shoulder. Rx: Eagle standing right. Kovacs, AJN 20 (2008), p. 342,9. ACV 165. CAA 155. Earthen patina. VF $400
Artavasdes II succeeded his father Tigranes the Great. Generally an ally of Rome, Artavasdes became the scapegoat for two failed invasions of Parthia, one by Crassus in 53 BC, another by Antony in 36-35 BC. Antony subsequently betrayed Artavasdes, taking him in chains to Egypt, where he was executed. (F.K.)
232. AE 14, 3.03g (12h). Obv: Draped bust of king right, wearing tiara. Rx: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΤΙΓΡΑΝΟΥ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ Eagle standing left. Kovacs, AJN 20 (2008), p. 342, 10. Nice VF $800
228. Tigranes V. 6-12 AD. AE 18, 4.85g (1h). Obv: Draped bust of king right, wearing tiara. Rx: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΤΙΓΡΑΝΟΥ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ Elephant walking left. Kovacs, AJN 20 (2008), p. 342, 8. EF in point of wear $1,200
233. AE 11, 1.56g (12h). Obv: Draped bust of king right, wearing tiara. Rx: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΤΙΓΡΑΝΟΥ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ Elephant head left. Kovacs, AJN 20 (2008), p. 342, 11. Good VF. Very Rare $850
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234. Tigranes VI. Great-grandson of Herod the Great. First Reign. 60-62 AD. AE 15, 2.41g (12h). Obv: Bust of Tigranes right wearing tiara. Rx: [ΒΑ]CΙΛΕΩ[C] ΤΙΓΡΑΝ[ΟΥ] Bipennis and club. Kovacs, AJN 20 (2008), p. 343, 12. ACV 167-8. CAA 157-8. Rare. VF $600 Tigranes VI was also raised at the court in Rome and, like his uncle Tigranes V, was descended from acceptable Armenian stock. In the first significant act of his reign, he attacked the Kingdon of Adiabene and its king Izates, who was a convert to Judaism. Sometimes described as a somewhat arbitrary and spontaneous adventure, the attack was probably sanctioned by Nero as part of a strategy to weaken an important ally of the Jews, who were on the verge of revolt against Rome. Tigranes VI may have died around 66 AD at the outbreak of the First Revolt. (F.K.)
235. AE 19, 4.54g (12h). Obv: Bust of Tigranes right wearing tiara. Rx: [ΒΑ]CΙΛΕΩΣ ΤΙΓΡΑΝΟΥ [ΜΕ]ΓΑΛ[ΟΥ] Nike standing right holding up a wreath. Kovacs, AJN 20 (2008), p. 343,, 14. ACV 162-3. CAA 148. Very rare. VF $1,000
236. Cilician Armenia. Baronial Period. Roupen I. 1080-1095 AD. AE Pogh, 1.83g. Obv: Cross. Armenian legend “Roupen” around. Rx: Cross. Armenian legend “Servant of God” around. Bed 1. C 245. Rare and important, much sought after. VF $600 After the reduction of the Bagratid dynasty in Armenia by Byzantium and the occupation of the Bagratid capital of Ani, a number of Armenian nobles opted to leave Armenia proper rather than submit to rule from Constantinople. Many moved south into Cilicia, where other Armenian families had long been settled. One of these lords, Roupen I, was able to found an Armenian kingdom that would last for almost three hundred years. The present coin is an example of the initial rare coinage of the new dynasty, struck during the reign of Roupen or his immediate successors. These were the first purely Armenian coins issued anywhere for over 1000 years.
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237. Roman Republic. P. Aelius Paetus. Denarius, 3.96g (7h). Rome, 138 BC. Obv: Helmeted head of Roma right, X behind. Rx: Dioscuri riding right, P PAETVS below, ROMA in exergue. Crawford 233/1. Sydenham 455. RSC Aelia 3. Toned. EF $400
238. M. Baebius Q.f. Tampilus. Denarius, 3.89g (1h). Rome, 137 BC. Obv: Helmeted head of Roma left, X below chin, TAMPIL behind. Rx: Apollo in quadriga right, ROMA below horses, M.BAEBI.Q.F. in exergue. Crawford 236/1a. Sydenham 489. RSC Baebia 12. Brilliant Mint State $400
239. Cn. Lucretius Trio. Denarius, 3.96g (6h). Rome, 136 BC. Obv: Helmeted head of Roma right, X below chin, TRIO behind. Rx: The Dioscuri right, CN LVCR below horses, ROMA in exergue. Crawford 237/1a. Sydenham 450. RSC Lucretia 1. Mint State $400
240. C. Servilius M.f. Denarius, 3.86g (7h). Rome, 136 BC. Obv: Helmeted head of Roma right, wreath behind, mark of value and ROMA below. Rx: The Dioscuri galloping in opposite directions, looking back at each other; [C S]ERVEILI M F in exergue. Crawford 239/1. Sydenham 525. RSC Servilia 1. Unusually sharp and full reverse. Mint State $400
Enlargement
241. M. Marcius Mn.f. Denarius, 3.96g (1h). Rome, 134 BC. Obv: Helmeted head of Roma right, mark of value below chin, modius behind. Rx: Victory in biga right, below M - MAR - C / RO - MA divided by two ears of wheat. Crawford 245/1. Sydenham 500. RSC Marcia 8. Mint State $400
242. P. Maenius Antiaticus M.f. Denarius, 3.94g (1h). Rome, 132 BC. Obv: Helmeted head of Roma right, X behind. Rx: Victory in quadriga right, holding wreath; P MAE ANT below, ROMA in exergue. Crawford 249/1. Sydenham 492. RSC Maenia 7. Toned. Mint State $400
243. M. Aburius M.f. Geminus. Denarius, 3.96g (1h). Rome, 132 BC. Obv: Helmeted head of Roma right, GEM behind, mark of value under chin. Rx: Sol in quadriga right, M ABVRI below, ROMA in exergue. Crawford 250/1. Sydenham 487. RSC Aburia 6. FDC $400
245. The Social War. Coinage of the Marsic Confederation. Denarius, 4.19g (9h). 90-88 BC. Obv: Laureate head of Italia left, Oscan inscription behind. Rx: Soldier standing facing, head right, foot on uncertain object, holding inverted spear and sword, recumbent bull to right facing; Oscan letter in exergue (off flan on this specimen.). Campana 147 (D99/R122). Sydenham 627. Dark tone, EF $3,000 Purchased from the renowned St. Louis dealer Burdette G. Johnson, St. Louis Stamp and Coin Company, in the 1950s for $6.50 (reduced from $7.50). Lot includes Johnson’s original typed envelope.
246. Ti. Claudius Ti.f.Ap.n.Nero. Serrate Denarius, 3.87g (2h). Rome, 79 BC. Obv: Bust of Diana right, bow and quiver over shoulder, S C before. Rx: Victory in biga right, CXVIII below; TI CLAVD TI F / AP N in exergue. Crawford 383/1. Sydenham 770. RSC Claudia 5. Toned. Mint State $400
247. Cn. Lentulus. Denarius, 3.78g (3h). Spain, 76-75 BC. Obv: Bust of the Genius of the Roman people right, G.P.R above. Rx: EX SC divided by globe, rudder and scepter, CN LEN Q below. Crawford 393/1a. Sydenham 752. RSC Cornelia 54. EF $400
Enlargement
244. Q. Fabius Maximus. Denarius, 3.94g (4h). Rome, 127 BC. Obv: Helmeted head of Roma right, mark of value below chin; ROMA behind, Q MAX before. Rx: Cornucopia on thunderbolt, all within wreath. Crawford 265/1. Sydenham 478. RSC Fabia 5. Toned. Choice EF $700
248. L. Aemilius Lepidus Paullus with L. Scribonius Libo. Denarius, 3.84g (1h). Rome, 62 BC. Obv: Veiled head of Concordia right, PAVLLVS LEPIDVS CONCORD around. Rx: Scribonian well, hammer on step; PVTEAL SCRIBON around, LIBO in exergue. Crawford 417/1a. Sydenham 927. RSC Aemilia 11. Toned. EF $400
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249. C. Memmius C.f.. Denarius, 3.91g (11h). Rome, 56 BC. Obv: Head of Ceres right, wreathed with wheat ears; C MEMMI C F behind. Rx: C MEMMIVS IMPERATOR Trophy; before, kneeling captive. Crawford 427/1. Sydenham 920. RSC Memmia 10. Flatly struck at 6h on reverse, otherwise Toned. EF $600
250. Cassius. Denarius, 3.96g (6h). Smyrna, 42 BC. Obv: Tripod surmounted by cauldron, fillet hanging on either side, C CASSI on left, IMP on right. Rx: Pitcher and lituus, LENTVLVS / SPINT below. Crawford 500/1. Sydenham 1308 (R9). Sear, Imperators 219. Cohen 7 (200 Fr.). Toned. Choice Mint State $6,000 Enlargement
Fantastic Gold Quinarius Aegypto Capta
251. Roman Empire. Augustus. 27 BC-14 AD. Gold quinarius, 3.91g (11h). Lugdunum, 6-7 AD. Obv: AVGVSTVS - DIVI F Head laureate right. Rx: TR POT - XXVIIII Victory seated right on globe, holding open wreath in both hands. BM 504. Cohen 316 (BM, 70 Fr.). RIC 216 (R5). King 18 (3 specimens). Two tiny scrapes at the base of Augustus’ neck. This is no doubt the finest example of a gold quinarius of Augustus in existence. Mint State $30,000 Very rare, apparently only the fourth recorded specimen. The three known to King, Roman Quinarii, were BM 504 and two in sale catalogues, coming from two obverse and two reverse dies. Our coin is from the same dies as her third specimen, R. Ratto, 9 October 1934, lot 366.
252. Denarius, 3.46g (1h). Unattributed mint, 28 BC. Obv: CAESAR - COS VI Head bare right, lituus behind, line border. Rx: Crocodile standing right, jaws open; AEGYPTO above, CAPTA below, line border. BM 650. Paris 905. Cohen 2 (25 Fr.). RIC 275a. Rare. Banker’s mark in front of neck. About VF $1,500 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Gorny & Mosch 142, 10-11 October 2005, lot 2175.
Enlargement
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253. Denarius, 3.75g (7h). Colonia Patricia, 19-15 BC. Obv: Head wearing oak wreath right, no legend. Rx: CAESAR above, AVGVSTVS below, Two laurel branches. BM 352, pl. 7.6 (same obverse die). Paris 1330. Cohen 47 (4 Fr.). RIC 51 (R). Obverse struck in high relief. Toned EF $5,000 Ex Astarte XX, 30 October 2009, lot 120. Augustus’ portrait is laureate according to the catalogues, but on our coin the leaves of the wreath seem to have the serrate edges of oak leaves.
255. Tetradrachm, 15.31g (12h). Antioch ad Orontem, Seleucis and Pieria, Year 29 and COS XII = October-December, 3 BC. Obv: KAIΣ[APO]Σ ΣE - BAΣTOV Head laureate right, bead and reel border. Rx: ETOVΣ - ΘK - NIKHΣ (“Year 29 after the Victory”) Turreted Tyche of Antioch seated right on rocks, holding curving palm branch before her, at her feet river god Orontes swimming right with head facing, monograms expandable to “COS 12” and “Antioch” in field, border of dots. RPC 4154 (2 specimens), pl. 158 (same obverse die). Prieur 53 (3 specimens, same obverse die). McAlee 183 (“V. Rare”, same obverse die). Exquisite example of this highly desirable coin bearing a magnificent portrait of Augustus. EF $2,500 A rare issue struck between the beginning of Year 29 of the Actian era, probably in fall 3 BC, and Augustus’ entrance into his thirteenth consulship on 1 January 2 BC. All coins come from a single obverse die, which had already been used in Year 28 and continued to be used in the next issue recording the emperor’s new consulship.
Enlargement
First Year Type
254. Tetradrachm, 14.96g (12h). Antioch ad Orontem, Seleucis and Pieria, Year 26 and COS XII = 5 BC. Obv: KAIΣAPOΣ ΣE - BAΣTOV Head laureate right, the leaves in the wreath have long stems, bead and reel border. Rx: ETOVΣ - SK NIKHΣ (“Year 26 after the Victory”) Turreted Tyche of Antioch seated right on rocks, holding curving palm branch before her, at her feet river god Orontes swimming right with head facing, monograms expandable to “COS 12” and “Antioch” in field, border of dots. RPC 4151 (8 specimens). Prieur 50 (27 specimens). McAlee 180. This is the first year of this landmark type. EF $2,000
256. Tetradrachm, 15.39g (1h). Seleucia, Seleucis and Pieria, Year 115 = 6/7 AD. Obv: KAIΣAPOΣ ΣE - BAΣTOV Head laureate right, bead and reel border. Rx: Thunderbolt on base placed on throne, ΣEΛEVKEΩN / THΣ IEPAΣ above thunderbolt, date EIP and KAI / [AV]TONOM[OV] below throne, A - H across field, all within wreath. RPC Suppl. 2, Part 1, 4328a, citing CNG 60, 22 May 2002, lot 1378. Very rare issue. VF/EF $2,000 A new date, year 115 = 6/7 AD, on the rare tetradrachms of Augustus at Seleucia, unknown before its appearance in CNG 60 of 2002 and the RPC online supplement, and falling between the two previously published issues, which were of years 114 and 116 respectively (RPC 4328-9). The collection from which this coin comes also contained five other specimens with this date 115, one of them being from the same die pair as the coin offered here, while the other four were from a second obverse die, shared with the CNG coin, and four other reverse dies.
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257. Divus Augustus and Caligula. Dupondius, 16.32g (7h). Rome, 37-41 AD. Obv: DIVVS AVGVSTVS S - C Radiate head of Divus Augustus left. Rx: CONSENSV SENAT ET EQ ORDIN P Q R Statue of togate, bare-headed Caligula seated left on curule chair, holding branch in extended right hand and globe in left at side. BM 88. Paris 134. Cohen 87 (Augustus). RIC 56. Struck in high relief with warm brown surfaces. Choice EF $3,000 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. The statue on the reverse, whose facial features are clearly those of Caligula, was dedicated “By consensus of the Senate, the equestrian order, and the Roman people”, as the legend declares. The letters S C, referring to the authorization of the coinage, were usually placed on the reverse, but were probably moved to the obverse on this dupondius in order not to interfere with the reverse legend, which itself referred to an action of the Senate’s.
Enlargement
258. Augustus, Divus. AE 24, 7.89g (6h). Philippi, Macedonia, Reign of Gallienus. Obv: DIVO - AVGVSTO Radiate head of Divus Augustus right. Rx: DIVO in exergue, AV - G PARENTI around, Emperor on horse pacing right, raising right hand in greeting, cloak flying from his shoulder. M. Amandry, Le monnayage de la Res Publica Coloniae Philippensium, festschrift Schönert-Geiss, Berlin 1998, p. 26, no. 2 (2 specimens, same dies as ours). Apparently the third known and best specimen of this curious coin, the other two being in Budapest and in G. Hirsch 75, 1971, lot 842. VF $1,000 For an unknown reason, Philippi during the reign of Gallienus appears to have struck a small coinage for three Divi, namely
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Augustus, Trajan, and Marcus Aurelius, in one obverse die each, and with six reverse types, also in only one die each, sometimes marked with the letters RPCP = Res Publica Coloniae Philippensium. Though individual coins in the series have been known since 1765, the correct attribution to Philippi was only discovered by O. Picard in 1988; for a corpus of the coins and their probable assignment to the reign of Gallienus, see the article by M. Amandry cited above. Excessively Rare Antioch of Tiberius
259. Tiberius. 27 BC-14 AD. Tetradrachm, 14.67g (12h). Antioch ad Orontem, Seleucis and Pieria, Year 84 = 35/6 BC. Obv: TIB KAIΣAP ΣE - BAΣTOC Head laureate right, bead and reel border. Rx: ANTIOXEΩΝ Μ - Η - Τ - PΟΠΟΛΕΩ (sic, C omitted) around, date ΔΠ in lower right field, Turreted Tyche of Antioch seated right on rocks, holding curving palm branch before her, at her feet river god Orontes swimming right with head facing, border of dots. Reverse legend variant of RPC 4162 (3 specimens), Prieur 61 (4 specimens), and McAlee 210 (“V. Rare”, same obverse die). The engraver omitted the last letter of ΜΗΤPΟΠΟΛΕΩC for lack of space. A splendid example, with excellent portrait, of the only certain Antioch tetradrachm of Tiberius, of which only a handful of specimens are known. Very rare, Choice EF $15,000 Probably the only tetradrachm of Tiberius struck at Antioch, very rare, and a new legend variant with a missing letter on the reverse. The tetradrachm of Tiberius with reverse showing Divus Augustus, RPC 4161, may have been struck at Tarsus rather than Antioch (McAlee, p. 122).
Enlargement
Caligula Gold Quinarius
260. Caligula. 37-41 AD. Gold quinarius, 3.83g (8h). Lugdunum, 37-8 AD. Obv: C CAESAR AVG GERMANICVS Head bare right. Rx: P M TR - POT Victory seated right on globe, holding wreath with both hands. Unpublished gold quinarius of Caligula’s second issue of 37-8 AD, with portrait still bare but dated TR POT only, not TR POT COS like the first issue. From the same obverse die as a quinarius from that earlier issue, Giard, Lyon, 158/2a, pl. XXXVIII. This is a presentable example of Caligula’s very rare gold quinarii, with an expressive portrait, and is moreover a unique new variant. Minor traces of mounting at 12h on the obverse. About VF $27,500 Lugdunum issued rare gold quinarii with type Victory seated right on globe, holding wreath, for Augustus and Tiberius almost annually from 11 BC until the end of Tiberius’ reign, and continued the same series for Caligula. The issues and specimens now known for Caligula are as follows: Issue 1, 37 AD, TR POT COS, King 1, three specimens (BM 6, Forlì ex Piancastelli, one in trade, King c=d). Issue 2, 37-38 AD, TR POT, head still bare. Our unique coin, previously unpublished, from the same obverse die as the third specimen of Issue 1. Issue 3, 38-39 AD, TR POT ITER, King 2, four specimens (BM 21, Munich, Florence, one in trade). Issue 4, 40-41 AD, TR POT IIII, King 3, three specimens (BM 31, Paris 40, one in trade). Totals: four issues, eleven specimens, seven in museums. Our specimen and three others, exactly one of each issue, are still in private hands. It would not be surprising, however, if a gold quinarius of Caligula dated TR POT III turned up someday, perhaps also one dated TR POT with laureate portrait.
261. Caligula and Agrippina I. 37-41 AD. Denarius, 3.49g (5h). Lugdunum, 37 AD. Obv: C CAESAR AVG GERM P M TR POT Head of Caligula laureate right. Rx: AGRIPPINA MAT C CAES AVG GERM Bust of Agrippina draped right, her hair falling in queue and one loose strand down her neck. BM 15. Paris 24. Cohen 2 (30 Fr.). RIC 14 (R). These dies apparently not illustrated in Giard, Monnayage de Lyon, pl. XXXIX-XL. The obverse is slightly granular but otherwise the coin is EF with flawless portraits of Caligular and Agrippina $12,500
Enlargement
262. Tetradrachm, 15.17g (12h). Antioch ad Orontem, Seleucis and Piera, Year 3 = 38/9 AD. Obv: ΓAIOY KAIΣAPOΣ - ΣEBA ΓEPMA Laureate head of Caligula right. Rx: AΓPIΠΠ[EINHΣ ANT]IO.MHTPO. around, date ET below Γ in right field, Draped bust of Agrippina right, hair in long braid behind, three long curls hanging down neck, pellet behind bust. RPC 4168 (5 specimens). Prieur 67 (13 specimens). McAlee 226 (“Rare”). Tetradrachms of Caligula are quite scarce. EF $7,000
Enlargement
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263. Claudius I and Agrippina II. Died 54 AD. Denarius, 3.66g (6h). Lugdunum, 51-4 AD. Obv: TI CLAVD CAESAR AVG GERM P M TRIB POT P P Laureate head of Claudius right. Rx: AGRIPPINAE - AVGVSTAE Draped bust of Agrippina right wearing wreath of wheat ears. BM 75. Paris 82. Cohen 4 (20 Fr.). RIC 81. Neither of our dies appears to be illustrated in von Kaenel’s die catalogue of Claudius’ coinage, pl. 13-14. Denarii of Claudius in high grade are quite scarce and not always artistically competent. The artistic style of this coin is exceptionally nice with a very noble portrait of Claudius. Lightly toned. About EF $5,000 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection.
265. Sestertius, 29.42g (7h). Rome, 64 AD. Obv: NERO CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG GERM P M TR P IMP P P Head laureate left. Rx: ANNONA - AVGVSTI - CERES, without S C, Annona, diademed, standing right, placing right hand on hip and holding cornucopia with point turned away from her in left hand, facing Ceres, veiled, seated left holding wheat ears and torch; between the goddesses, modius on altar and, in background, stern of ship. Cohen 25 (Musée Correr, 15 Frs.) BMC p. 220 note. RIC 99. MacDowall 77, p. 50 (5 specimens, from 4 obverse and 5 reverse dies). From Nero’s rare first issue of sestertii without S C. A coin of almost medallic fabric, well centered on a very broad and round flan that extends 1-3 mm beyond the dotted borders on both sides, and with an excellent green patina on the obverse and mottled green and olive patina on the reverse. EF $20,000
Enlargement
Enlargement
Ex H.P. Hall and Montagu Collections, BMC Plate Coin 264. Nero. 54-68 AD. Aureus, 7.34g (7h). Rome, c. 64 AD. Obv: NERO - CAESAR Head laureate right, lightly bearded. Rx: AVGVSTVS - GERMANICVS Nero, togate and radiate, standing front holding branch and Victory on globe. BM 56. Paris 202. Cohen 44 (50 Fr.). RIC 46 (R). Calicó 402a. A rare and interesting reverse type. EF $5,000 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Purchased from James Beach. The branch and Victory on globe refer to Nero’s Parthian victory, which had allowed him to bring peace to the Roman world and close the Temple of Janus; the radiate crown makes him semi-divine.
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266. Sestertius, 27.13g (7h). Rome, 64 AD. Obv: NERO CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG GERM P M TR P IMP P P Head laureate left. Rx: DECVRSIO in exergue, without S C, Nero holding spear
on horse prancing right, preceded by soldier stepping right, looking back, holding vexillum, and followed by a second soldier running right. BM 155, also pl. 48.3 (this coin, then in the Hall Collection). Paris 258. Cohen 95 (12 Frs.). RIC 108. MacDowall 78, pp. 50-1 (13 specimens including this one from the Hall Collection, from 3 obverse and 5 reverse dies). From Nero’s rare first issue of sestertii without S C. Very nearly EF $4,000 Ex Glendining, 16-21 November 1950, H.P. Hall, Part II, lot 1075, “From the Montagu sale, 1897, lot 598”.
Excellent Portrait
268. Otho. 69 AD. Denarius, 3.20g (7h). Rome. Obv: IMP M OTHO CAESAR AVG TR P Head bare right. Rx: VICTORIA - OTHONIS Victory advancing right holding wreath and palm over shoulder. BM 22, pl. 60.12 (same reverse die). Paris 19. Cohen 27 (30 Fr.). RIC 14 (R3). A rare reverse type: only one specimen in Reka Devnia hoard, among 47 denarii of Otho. Planchet exhibits some isolated areas of corrosion, otherwise EF detail $3,000 Ex Monetarium 60, 1993, lot 99.
267. Sestertius, 24.22g (7h). Lugdunum, 64-66 AD. Obv: NERO CLAVD CAESAR AVG GER P M TR P IMP P (sic) Head laureate right, small globe at tip of neck. Rx: S - C View of triumphal arch, showing front adorned with bas-reliefs of small figures and side decorated with large figure of Mars standing on pedestal, garland hanging near top of passageway, the attic surmounted by statue of Nero in facing quadriga, the outer horses led by Pax on left and Victory on right, below each goddess a soldier stepping away from the quadriga and extending one arm. CNG 64, 24 November 2003, lot 988 (same dies). Obverse legend variant, ending just IMP P rather than IMP P P, of BM 329, Paris 77, Cohen 307, RIC 392, and MacDowall 410. About EF/EF $2,500 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Ponterio 124, 17 January 2003, lot 432. The reverse type apparently depicts the arch erected by the Senate on the road ascending the Capitoline Hill in honor of Nero’s victories in Armenia, no trace of which survives today. The same obverse die with variant legend was also used with the reverse ANNONA AVG CERES S C: NFA XII, 23-24 March 1983, lot 193.
269. Denarius, 3.45g (7h). Rome. Obv: IMP OTHO CAESAR AVG TR P Head bare right. Rx: PONT - MAX Vesta, veiled, seated left holding patera and scepter. BM 11. Paris 29. Cohen 7 (12 Fr.). RIC 24 (R3). From the rare second issue of reign, with reverse legend PONT MAX. Only one specimen of this Vesta type in Reka Devnia hoard, among 47 denarii of Otho. Elegant portrait of emperor. EF/Good VF $5,000 Ex CNG 70, 21 September 2005, lot 889.
Enlargement
Enlargement
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Ex Bally Herzog Coll., Merzbacher, Munich, 1902
270. Vitellius. 69 AD. Denarius, 3.47g (6h). Rome. Obv: [A] VITELLIVS GERMAN IMP TR P Head laureate right. Rx: XV VIR - SACR FAC Tripod, its legs ending in lions’ feet, dolphin on top, raven on strut between legs. BM 17. RIC 86. Paris 47. Cohen 114 (3 Fr.). With golden iridescent toning, and an excellent portrait of the corpulent Vitellius. Mint State $4,250
273. Aureus, 7.24g (6h). Rome, 74 AD. Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANBS AVG Head laureate right. Rx: FORTVNA - AVGVST Fortuna holding rudder and cornucopia standing left on garlanded base ornamented with rams’ heads. RIC 699 (C). BM 275, pl. 8.10 (same reverse die). Paris 248, pl. XXXV (same reverse die). Calicó 631. Cohen 172 (40 Fr.). Extremely sharp portrait of Vespasian. Of somewhat unusual but splendid style. Virtually Mint State $15,000 Ex Tkalec, 6 May 2006, lot 139. Ex M&M 93, 16 December 2003, lot 124 (Bally-Herzog Collection, acquired from Merzbacher, Munich, 6 March 1902).
Enlargement
271. Denarius, 3.38g (5h). Rome. Obv: A VITELLIVS GERM IMP AVG TR P Head laureate right. Rx: LIBERTAS - RESTITVTA Libertas standing right holding cap and scepter. BM 31. Paris 68. Cohen 47 (6 Fr.). RIC 105 (R ). Fine portrait of Vitellius reminiscent of the portraits on his sestertii. Choice EF/VF $1,000
Enlargement
Hendin Plate Coin
Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Hendin Plate Coin 3rd and 4th Edition
272. Vespasian. 69-79 AD. Aureus, 7.14g (6h). Rome, 70 AD. Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG Head laureate right. Rx: IVDAEA in exergue, Judaea, veiled, with hands tied behind back, seated right on ground beside palm tree. RIC 3 (R2). BM 43 note (Durkee Collection, New York). Calicó 644. Hendin 1465. The rarer of Vespasian’s two IVDAEA types (see lots 274-277 below), and particularly rare in gold. Scrape on obverse in front of emperor’s face, several cuts and scrapes on reverse, otherwise About VF $7,500 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Acquired from David Vagi. Ex collection David Hendin, illustrated in the third and fourth editions of his Guide to Biblical Coins, pl. 28, 760.
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274. Denarius, 3.51g (7h). Rome, 70 AD. Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG Head laureate right. Rx: IVDAEA in exergue, Mourning Judaea, veiled and supporting head with left hand, seated right on ground beside trophy. RIC 2 (C2). BM 35. Paris 23. Cohen 226 (5 Fr.). Hendin 1479, pl. 44, this coin illustrated. Extremely beautiful with very sensitively, and almost sensuously engraved Judaea. Mint State $2,500 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection.
Enlargement
275. Denarius, 3.44g (6h). Rome, 70 AD. Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG Head laureate right. Rx: IVDAEA in exergue, Mourning Judaea, veiled and supporting head with left hand, seated right on ground beside trophy. RIC 2 (C2). BM 35. Paris 23. Cohen 226 (5 Fr.). Hendin 1479. Faint engraver’s guide circle on reverse visible in exergue and left of trophy. EF $500 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection.
277. Denarius, 2.96g (5h). Rome, 70 AD. Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG Head laureate right. Rx: IVDAEA in exergue, Judaea, veiled, with hands tied behind back, seated right on ground beside palm tree. RIC 4 (R). BM 43. Cohen 229 (12 Fr.). Hendin 1480. A second example of this rare denarius. Minor planchet lamination in reverse field. Extremely sharp and detailed reverse, apparently even showing the rope binding Judaea to the tree. Choice toned EF $1,200 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Purchased from David Hendin.
Hendin Plate Coin
276. Denarius, 2.91g (6h). Rome, 70 AD. Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG Head laureate right. Rx: IVDAEA in exergue, Judaea, veiled, with hands tied behind back, seated right on ground beside palm tree. RIC 4 (R). BM 43. Cohen 229 (12 Fr.). Hendin 1480, pl. 44 (this coin illustrated). Some reverse porosity. Extremely bold portrait of emperor in high relief. EF $1,250 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex CNG 49, 17 March 1999, lot 1507. The rarer variant of this popular type, showing Judaea with hands bound behind back rather than supporting her head with hand, and with palm tree rather than trophy behind her. The Reka Devnia hoard contained 48 specimens of the common type, but no specimens of this rare type, which is also missing from the rich Paris collection. The Berk photofile contains just six such denarii.
Enlargement
278. Vespasian with Titus and Domitian. 69-79 AD. Denarius, 3.42g (6h). Rome, 70 AD. Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AV - G Head laureate right. Rx: CAESAR AVG F COS CAESAR AVG F PR Heads of Titus and Domitian facing each other. RIC 16 (R). BM 2. Paris 1. Cohen 5 (30 Fr.). Very scarce: six specimens in Reka Devnia hoard. Curious gap AV - G at end of obverse legend, apparently an attempt by the engraver to fill the unexpectedly large gap between the V and the emperor’s neck. Virtually Mint State $1,000 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Freeman & Sear 9, 16 July 2003, lot 567.
Enlargement
279. Denarius, 3.52g (8h). Rome, 73 AD. Obv: IMP CAES VESP AVG P M COS IIII CEN Head laureate right. Rx: FIDES PVBL Clasped hands holding winged caduceus between poppy and wheat ear on either side. RIC 520 (C). BM 86. Paris 75. Cohen 164 (5 Fr.). Scarce: twelve specimens in Reka Devnia hoard. EF $350 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Lanz 109, 27 May 2002, lot 345.
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Rare Bust Left
280. Denarius, 3.42g (6h). Rome, 73 AD. Obv: IMP CAES VESP AVG P M COS IIII CEN Head laureate right. Rx: SPQR within oak wreath with serrate leaves, acorns, and six long spikes. RIC 523 (C). BM 86A. Cohen 517 (Gosselin Sale, 6 Fr.). Rare: not in Paris, only one specimen in Reka Devnia hoard. The meaning of the spikes in the wreath is unclear; the descriptions in the standard catalogues do not even mention them. About EF $400 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Purchased from Freeman & Sear, 2010, ex A. Lynn Collection. Ex Lanz 114, 26 May 2003, lot 316.
283. Denarius, 3.55g (6h). Rome, 77-8 AD. Obv: CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG Head laureate left. Rx: IMP XIX in exergue, Sow standing left with three piglets; one piglet stands before her, one beneath her, the third behind her. RIC 983 (C). BM 214. Paris 188. Cohen 214 (2 Fr.). Rare with portrait left: only two specimens in Reka Devnia hoard. Powerful portrait. Mint State/Near Mint State $750 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Triton V, 15-16 January 2002, lot 1911.
Vespasian with Titus Reverse, Mint Mule
281. Vespasian, mule with reverse of Titus. 69-79 AD. Denarius, 3.56g (5h). Rome, 76 AD. Obv: IMP CAESAR - VESPASIANVS AVG Head laureate right. Rx: COS - V across field, Eagle standing front, head left, on garlanded altar. Manhattan Sale 1, 5 January 2010, lot 217 (this coin). Otherwise apparently unrecorded. The reverse die is of Titus, RIC 861; the same type for Vespasian should have borne his title COS VII instead of Titus’ COS V, RIC 845. Mint mule, apparently the only recorded specimen. EF $750
Enlargement
Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Manhattan Sale 1, 5 January 2010, lot 217 (A. Lynn Collection). Perfect Centering
282. Denarius, 3.49g (6h). Rome, 77-8 AD. Obv: CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG Head laureate left. Rx: IMP - XIX across field, Modius containing five upright wheat ears flanked by two hanging over at the sides, six more ears, usually overlooked in descriptions, hang down from the front edge of the modius, below the five upright ears. RIC 981 (C2). BM 218. Paris 192. Cohen 215 (2 Fr.). Scarce: eight specimens in Reka Devnia hoard. Strong hints of golden toning. EF $500 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Peus 374, 23 April 2003, lot 646.
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284. Denarius, 3.56g (6h). Rome, 79 AD. Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG Head laureate left. Rx: TR POT X - COS VIIII Victory standing left setting shield on trophy, below which sits mourning Judaea. RIC 1069 (R). BM 248, pl. 7.15 (same obverse die). Paris 216. Hendin 1485a. Cohen 553 (5 Fr.). Scarce late Judaea Capta type, rare with portrait left: only two specimens in Reka Devnia hoard. About EF $750 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex CNG 76, 12 September 2007, lot 1429.
Ex Frederick S. Knobloch
285. Sestertius, 25.34g (6h). Rome, 71 AD. Obv: IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M TR P P P COS III Head laureate right. Rx: IVDAEA - CAPTA around, S C in exergue, bearded Jew standing right facing palm tree, his hands tied behind his back, on other side of tree veiled Judaea seated right on a cuirass in attitude of mourning, resting her left elbow on her knee and supporting her head with her left hand; behind the Jew, round shield, oblong shield, spear, and vexillum; before Judaea, round shield and helmet. RIC 159 (C3). BM 533. Paris 490. Hendin 1500. Cohen 234 corr. (8 Fr.). These dies appear to be new to the die catalogue in Colin Kraay’s unpublished Oxford dissertation. Beautiful green patina. A few isolated pits on the reverse, otherwise EF $2,500
behind his back, and veiled Judaea seated right on a cuirass in attitude of mourning, resting her left elbow on her knee and supporting her head with her left hand; behind the Jew, round shield and two spears; before Judaea, round shield. RIC 159 (C3). BM 533. Paris 490. Hendin 1500. Cohen 234 (8 Fr.). Both dies apparently new to the die catalogue in Colin Kraay’s unpublished Oxford dissertation. Powerful portrait. Strong green and olive patina on reverse. EF/About EF $2,500
Enlargement
Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex New York Sale IX, 13 January 2005, lot 171. Ex Stack’s, 1 May 1980, Frederick S. Knobloch Collection, lot 320.
Enlargement
286. Sestertius, 25.92g (6h). Rome, 71 AD. Obv: IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M TR P P P COS III Head laureate right. Rx: IVDAEA - CAPTA around, S C in exergue, on either side of palm tree bearded Jew standing right, his hands tied
287. Sestertius, 22.94g (6h). Rome, Spring-Summer 71 AD. Obv: IMP CAES VESPAS AVG P M TR P P P COS III Head laureate right. Rx: IVDAEA - CAPTA around, S C in exergue, palm tree, to left bearded Jew with cloak over shoulders standing right, hands tied behind back, behind him two shields and spear with helmet, or helmet-like die break, attached below the spear’s tip; to right Judaea, veiled, seated right on cuirass, supporting head with hand in attitude of mourning, a shield protrudes from behind her knees. RIC 233 (C). BM 532. Paris 491. Hendin 1509a. Cohen 233 (8 Fr.). Kraay 505 (A120/P107). A scarce type in this final issue of the year with VESPAS only in obverse legend: most of Vespasian’s Judaea Capta sestertii were struck in the second issue of the year with obverse VESPASIAN. Also remarkable for the oversized Judaea, who would be as tall as the palm tree if she stood up, and for the apparent helmet attached to a spear behind the standing Jew. Toned Tiber patina. VF/About EF $2,500 Presented by David Hendin as a previously unrecognized Judaea Capta variant in Celator, November 2008, pp. 42-3 and
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46; in Gemini V, 6 January 2009, lot 804 (same dies as our coin); and in the fifth edition of his Guide to Biblical Coins, no. 1509a. Colin Kraay, in his unpublished die catalogue of Vespasian’s sestertii of 71, knew this reverse die in combination with four obverse dies, one with VESPASIAN in the obverse legend, plus our obverse die and two others with just VESPAS in the legend.
Enlargement lot 287
289. Sestertius, 25.55g (6h). Rome, 71 AD. Obv: IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M TR P P P COS III Head laureate right. Rx: IVDAEA - CAPTA around, S C in exergue, Judaea seated right on cuirass in attitude of mourning under palm tree, emperor standing right on other side of tree, placing foot on helmet and holding spear and parazonium. RIC 167 (C3). BM 543. Paris 498. Hendin 1504. Cohen 239 (12 Fr.). Kraay, unpublished die catalogue, 201 (A40/P64, citing specimen in Oxford). This is an exquisite example of a Judaea Capta sestertius. Unlike lot 287 above, this reverse depicts a giant victorious Roman emperor and a miniature seated Judaea. EF $15,000 Ex NAC 51, Part I, 5 March 2009, lot 219.
Rare Judaea Capta Legend Variant
288. Sestertius, 26.90g (7h). Rome, 71 AD. Obv: IMP CAE (sic) VESPASIAN AVG P M TR P P P COS III Head laureate right. Rx: IVDAEA - CAPTA around, S C in exergue, bearded Jew standing right facing palm tree, his hands tied behind his back, on other side of tree veiled Judaea seated right on cuirass in attitude of mourning, resting her left elbow on her knee and supporting her head with her left hand; behind the Jew, round shield, oblong shield, and spears; before Judaea, two round shields. RIC 159 note (CAE for CAES in Vienna). BM 533 note (Riechmann, 18 September 1922, Max v. Bahrfeldt, lot 538). Hendin 1500. Kraay, unpublished Oxford dissertation, 347 (A127/P171, Vienna and L.A. Lawrence Collection). Kraay found only this obverse die with the variant CAE for CAES in the legend, the expected S apparently having been omitted by oversight of the engraver. Very rare obverse legend variant. Struck on a broad planchet with a warm brown patination. Bold VF $2,500 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Ponterio 117, January 2002, lot 412.
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Enlargement
290. Sestertius, 25.77g (6h). Rome, 71 AD. Obv: IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M TR P P P COS III Head laureate right. Rx: IVDAEA - CAPTA around, S C in exergue, Judaea seated right on cuirass in attitude of mourning under palm
tree, emperor standing right on other side of tree, placing foot on helmet and holding spear and parazonium. RIC 167 (C3). BM 543. Paris 498. Hendin 1504. Cohen 239 (12 Fr.). Kraay, unpublished die catalogue, 295 (A83/P120, citing specimens in Cahn 80, lot 627 and Paris trade, Florange, 1949). Attractive, untouched apple-green patination. VF/Good VF $2,500 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Antiqua XI, lot 87.
Enlargement
Collection). Paris 533. Cohen 433 (4 Fr.). From Kraay’s reverse die P357, but the obverse die apparently unknown to Kraay. Pleasant mottled green patina. EF/About EF $1,500 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Early Laureate Judaea Capta Dupondius, Second Known
293. Laureate dupondius (yellow metal), 13.46g (6h). Rome, 71 AD. Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG P M TR P Bust laureate right, Medusa head and aegis on front shoulder. Rx: VICTORIA - AVG around, [S] C in exergue, Victory stepping left, with both hands placing shield atop trophy, at base of which is Judaea seated left on shields, in attitude of mourning. RIC 65 (R3), citing Lanz Graz IV, 23 November 1974, lot 154 (same dies). Hendin 1550. Cf. Cohen 590 (As dated COS III, Gréau Sale, 20 Fr.). Not in BMC or the Paris catalogue, only the second recorded specimen, unknown before 1974. Areas of corrosion. VF $800 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection.
291. Sestertius, 23.70g (6h). Rome, 71 AD. Obv: IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M TR P P P COS III Head laureate right. Rx: VIC - TO - RIA - AVGVSTI around, S C in exergue, Victory, naked to waist, standing right, placing left foot on helmet, inscribing and holding shield set on palm tree, to right of which veiled Judaea sits right in attitude of mourning. RIC 221 (C3). BM 582. Paris 599. Hendin 1508. Cohen 624 (12 Fr.). From reverse die P99 in Colin Kraay’s unpublished Oxford dissertation, the obverse die apparently unknown to Kraay. VF $1,500
This extraordinary coin is of high interest (1) for its rare Judaea Capta reverse type that appears only on middle bronzes; (2) for its high relief, fine-style obverse die omitting COS III from the legend and with aegis on front shoulder, as also on a few contemporaneous sestertius obverse dies, RIC 50-58, pl. 15; and finally (3) for being a laureate dupondius struck shortly before Vespasian reverted to Nero’s practice, discontinued by Galba and Vitellius, of marking his dupondii with the radiate crown, an attribute borrowed from the gods.
Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex CNG 63, 21 May 2003, lot 1270.
292. Sestertius, 25.53g (6h). Rome, 71 AD. Obv: IMP CAES VESPAS AVG P M TR P P P COS III Head laureate right. Rx: SALVS - AVGVSTA around, S C in exergue, Salus, veiled, seated left on high-backed throne, holding patera and scepter. RIC 245 (C2). BM 574 note (veiled specimen in Hall
294. Dupondius, 13.80g (7h). Rome, 71 AD. Obv: IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG COS III Head radiate right. Rx: CONCORDIA - AVGVSTI around, S C in exergue, Concordia seated left, holding in right hand patera over lighted and garlanded altar at her feet, and in left hand cornucopia. RIC 265 (C). BM 588. Paris 566. Cohen 71 (2 Fr.). Glossy apple-green patina. VF $350 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection.
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Rare Judaea Capta Dupondius, Hendin Plate Coin
295. Dupondius, 13.40g (6h). Rome, 71 AD. Obv: IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG COS III Head radiate right. Rx: IVDAEA - CAPTA around, S C in exergue, Judaea seated left on cuirass at base of palm tree, in attitude of mourning; to left, rectangular shield, round shield, and vexillum. RIC 271 (R2), pl. 26 (Kraay plaster cast in Oxford, reverse only, same die as ours). Leu 10, 29 May 1974, lot 98 = Superior, 10 December 1992, Bromberg II, lot 61 (same reverse die). Leu 75, 25-27 October 1999, lot 1485 (same dies as ours). Hendin 1552, pl. 49 (this coin). Not in Cohen, BMC, or the Paris catalogue, apparently unpublished before 1974 and the fourth known specimen after the three cited above, these four coins all coming from the same reverse die and from two or possibly three obverse dies. Very rare Judaea Capta dupondius. Green patination. VF $1,300
297. As, 11.90g (6h). Rome, 71 AD. Obv: [IMP C]AES VESPASIAN AVG COS III Head laureate right. Rx: IVDEA [CAPTA] around, S C in exergue, Judaea seated right at base of trophy, hands tied behind back. RIC 308 (R). BM 608 and 791 (latter misattributed to Tarraco). Hendin 1555. Not in Cohen or the Paris catalogue. A rare mixture of Vespasian’s two IVDAEA types on aurei and denarii, where Judaea mourns when seated by a trophy, but has her hands bound when seated by a palm tree. Fine/VF $750 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex NAC 40, 16 May 2007, lot 320 (G.M. Collection of Judaica).
Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex CNG 75, 23 May 2007, lot 1017.
296. Dupondius, 13.70g (7h). Rome, 71 AD. Obv: IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG COS III Head radiate right. Rx: ROMA written upwards on left, S - C in field, Roma seated left on cuirass holding wreath and parazonium, two shields behind the cuirass. RIC 278 (R2, citing Glasgow 112). Also Glasgow, Coats 3850, unfortunately neither Glasgow specimen is illustrated. Not in BMC or Paris with ROMA at left and S C in field. Cohen 411 (not specifying the legend positioning). A rare legend variety: only our coin and no others in CoinArchives Pro and Berk photofile. Fine portrait, coupled with really wonderful image of Roma. EF $1,000
298. Quadrans, 1.97g (7h). Rome, 72-3 AD. Obv: IMP VESPASIAN AVG Palm tree. Rx: P M TR P P - P COS IIII S - C Standard topped by square banner, as on a vexillum. RIC 408 (R), pl. 32 (Oxford, same dies). BM 626. Legend variant of Paris 614 = Cohen 340. Hendin 1571. The reverse die seems to show an overdate, COS III advanced to COS IIII by the addition of a smaller, crowded fourth stroke. A rare Judaea Capta quadrans. EF $400 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Acquired from Antiqua, NYINC, 2002.
Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex CNG E215, 15 July 2009, lot 389. Ex Helios 2, 25 November 2008, lot 259. 299. Divus Vespasian. Died 79 AD. Denarius, 3.53g (7h). Rome, 79 AD. Obv: DIVVS AVGVSTVS VESPASIANVS. Head laureate right. Rx: EX S C Tensa drawn left by four horses, small quadriga crowned by two Victories surmounts front of car, two figures on side panel, garland on front panel. RIC 361 (C). BM 119. Paris 94. Cohen 146 (10 Fr.). Hendin 1585. Scarce: five specimens in Reka Devnia hoard. Mint State $500
Enlargement
60
A tensa in the circus parade was one of the honors voted to Vespasian by the Senate when consecrating him after his death, hence the legend EX S C = “By Decree of the Senate”.
VESP in the obverse legend and Vespasian seated on a chair with straight legs seems to come from only one obverse die. The variant of the same type with VESPASIAN and a curule chair, RIC 261, is somewhat commoner. Toned Tiber patina. Flawless surfaces. Good VF $3,500 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Künker 124, 16 March 2007, lot 8962. 300. Sestertius, 27.37g (5h). Rome, struck by Titus, 80-81 AD. Obv: DIVO / AVG / VESPAS in field, S P Q R in exergue, seated statue of Divus Vespasian, holding scepter and Victory on globe, on wagon drawn right by four elephants with drivers; the side of the wagon is decorated with two relief bands depicting captured arms. Rx: IMP T CAES DIVI VESP F AVG P M TR P P P COS VIII around large S C. RIC 258 (R2). BM 223. Paris 231. Cohen 206 (25 Fr.). The rarer variant of this type with VESPAS rather than just VESP in the obverse legend. Wonderful obverse struck on a broad flan. The four drivers on the elephants have individualized facial features, as though the engraver were trying to represent particular people. Magnificent sestertius. EF $7,500 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Gemini I, 11-12 January 2005, lot 337.
302. Titus as Caesar. 70-79 AD. Aureus, 7.20g (7h). Rome, 72-3 AD. Obv: T CAES IMP VESP - PON TR POT Head laureate right. Rx: VIC - AVG across field, Victory standing right on globe, holding wreath and palm; the globe is marked by crossing latitudinal and longitudinal lines. RIC 367 (R). BM 81. Paris 72, pl. XXIX (same reverse die). Cohen 352 (40 Fr.). Calicó 798. Nearly EF $5,500 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex CNG 63, 21 May 2003, lot 1279. This reverse type was struck alongside Judaea Capta types on aurei of both Vespasian and Titus in 72-3 AD, suggesting that the range of imperial victories was worldwide (Mattingly, BMC, p. xxxv). Judaea Capta Aureus of Titus, ex Teddy Kollek Collection
Enlargement
Divus Vespasian Cult Statue
303. Aureus, 7.34g (5h). Rome, 72-3 AD. Obv: T CAES IMP VESP PON TR POT Head laureate right. Rx: No legend, Judaea, draped and veiled, seated right under palm tree, in attitude of dejection, supporting head with left hand and propping left elbow on knee; behind palm, emperor in military dress standing right, placing left foot on globe, holding spear in right hand and parazonium in left. RIC 368 (R). BM 83. Paris 74. Hendin 1468, this coin erroneously illustrated as 1466 of Vespasian on pl. 44. Cohen 391 (45 Fr.). Calicó 721. Rare Judaea Capta aureus. VF $12,000 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Leu 86, 5-6 May 2003, lot 807 (“From the collection of Teddy Kollek”).
301. Sestertius, 26.47g (6h). Rome, struck by Titus, 80-81 AD. Obv: DIVVS AVGVSTVS - VESP Statue of Divus Vespasian, togate and radiate, seated left on chair without back, holding branch and scepter, feet on footstool. Rx: IMP T CAES DIVI VESP F AVG P M TR P P P COS VIII around large S C. RIC 260 (R2). BM 224, pl. 51.6 (same obverse die). Paris 233, pl. LXXXIV (same obverse die). Cohen 207 (25 Fr.). This type with just
Enlargement
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304. Aureus, 7.07g (6h). Rome, 72-3 AD. Obv: T CAES IMP VESP PON TR POT Head laureate right. Rx: No legend. Titus in triumphal quadriga right, holding branch below rim of car in right hand (see note to lot 313 below, which is from the same reverse die) and scepter surmounted by bust (?) in left; on front of car, large wreath. RIC 370 (R). BM 85A note and 520, pl. 19.3 (different dies, misattributed to Antioch). Paris 73, pl. XXIX (different dies). Hendin 1469. Cohen 393 (80 Fr.). From the same dies as Goldberg 48, 14 September 2008, lot 1825; from the same reverse die as the corresponding denarius of Titus below, lot 313. A rare Jewish Triumph aureus. VF $3,000 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex CNG eAuction, 14 January 2001, no. 61357. The reverse type refers to Vespasian and Titus’ triumph over the Jews in 71 AD, the year before the coin was struck.
Enlargement
307. Aureus, 7.23g (7h). Rome, 75 AD. Obv: T CAESAR - IMP VESPASIAN Head laureate right. Rx: PONTIF - TR P COS IIII Victory standing left on cista mystica flanked by snakes, holding wreath and palm. RIC 785 (C). BM 173. Paris 151. Cohen 163 (45 Fr.). Calicó 751a. Excellent portrait in high relief. Edge filed at 3h on obverse. EF $5,000 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection.
305. Aureus, 7.33g (6h). Rome, 74 AD. Obv: T CAESAR - IMP VESP Head laureate right. Rx: PONTIF - TR POT Fortuna standing left on low wreathed base decorated with rams’ heads, holding rudder and cornucopia. RIC 696 (C). BM 153. Paris 127, pl. XXXI (same reverse die). Cohen 165 corr. (40 Fr.). Calicó 751. EF $5,000 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Formerly in ICG holder #1052670102, with grade ‘AU 53’.
308. Aureus, 7.20g (7h). Rome, 77-8 AD. Obv: T CAESAR IMP VESPASIANVS Head laureate right. Rx: COS VI in exergue, Roma, helmeted, seated right on two shields, left foot on helmet, holding slanting scepter before her; at her feet wolf standing right, head turned back, suckling the Twins; in left and right field two eagles flying towards her. RIC 954 (C). BM 223, pl. 6.18 (same reverse die). Paris 197. Cohen 64 (50 Fr.). Calicó 738a. The reverse type copies a Republican denarius, Crawford 287/1. Good VF/EF $5,000 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Gorny & Mosch 114, 4 March 2002, lot 257.
306. Aureus, 7.23g (7h). Rome, 75 AD. Obv: T CAESAR - IMP VESPASIAN Head laureate right. Rx: COS IIII in exergue, Bull butting right, flicking tail. RIC 780 (C). BM 171. Paris 146, pl. XXXI (same reverse die). Cohen 48 (40 Fr.). Calicó 731a (same dies). A beautiful coin, the reverse copying Lugdunese aurei of Augustus. Near Mint State $8,000 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection.
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Enlargement
Elephant Aureus with Portrait Left
309. Titus. 79-81 AD. Aureus, 7.08g (6h). Rome, 80 AD. Obv: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M Head laureate left. Rx: TR P IX IMP XV COS VIII P P Elephant walking left. Stack’s, 13 January 2004, lot 33 (this coin). Calicó 776 (private collection, different dies). Not in RIC, BMC, the Paris catalogue, or Cohen with portrait left. Interesting reverse type, very rare with this obverse. Perfectly centered. Strong VF $6,000 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Stack’s, 13 January 2004, lot 33. The reverse type apparently refers to the elaborate games given by Titus to celebrate his inauguration of the Colosseum.
Enlargement
Hendin Plate Coin, Ex Teddy Kolleck Collection
311. Denarius, 3.50g (6h). Rome, 72-3 AD. Obv: T CAES IMP [VESP] PON TR POT Head laureate right. Rx: No legend. Standing emperor, left foot on globe, holding spear and parazonium, and seated mourning Judaea on left and right of palm tree respectively. RIC 369 (R2). BM 85. Hendin 1482, pl. 44 (this coin). Cohen 392 (10 Fr.) var. Cf. Paris 74 (aureus). From the same reverse die as the COS IIII aureus of Vespasian, Leu 87, 6 May 2003, lot 9. Choice portrait. Toned EF $1,800 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Leu 86, 5 May 2003, lot 808 (Collection Teddy Kollek). Ex M & M 35, 16 June 1967, lot 38. Ex M & M XVII, 2 December 1957, lot 423.
Enlargement
310. Titus as Caesar. 70-79 AD. Denarius, 3.41g (6h). Rome, 72-3 AD. Obv: T CAES IMP VES - P PON TR POT Head laureate right. Rx: NEP - RED Neptune standing left, right foot set on globe marked by crossing latitudinal and longitudinal lines, nude except for cloak hanging down behind from shoulders, holding acrostolium and scepter. RIC 366 (C ). BM 80. Paris 68. Cohen 121 (3 Fr.). Powerful portrait of emperor. Mint State $500 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex New York Sale XIV, 10 January 2007, lot 266. This reverse type of “Neptune the Returner” refers to the sea voyages of Vespasian and Titus from the East, where they had been suppressing the Jewish revolt, back to Rome in 70 and 71 AD respectively.
This denarius is comparatively common at Antioch (portrait draped and cuirassed), but rare at Rome (portrait head only). The Paris collection lacks a Roman specimen; CoinArchives Pro contains 32 denarii of the type, 27 of them struck at Antioch and only five struck at Rome.
312. Denarius, 3.43g (6h). Rome, 72-3 AD. Obv: T CAES IMP VESP PON TR POT Head laureate right. Rx: No legend. Judaea, veiled, seated right under palm tree, in attitude of dejection, supporting chin with left hand; to left of tree, emperor in military dress standing right, left foot on globe, holding spear and parazonium. RIC 369 (R2). BM 85. Cf. Paris 74 (aureus). Not in Cohen as denarius with Rome-mint bust type. A second specimen of this rare Rome-mint Judaea Capta type. Well centered on a slightly small flan. EF $1,000 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection.
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Hendin Plate Coin
313. Denarius, 3.36g (6h). Rome, 72-3 AD. Obv: T CAES IMP VES - P PON TR POT Head laureate right. Rx: No legend. Titus in triumphal quadriga right, holding branch in right hand and scepter surmounted by bust (?) in left; on front of car, large wreath. RIC 371 (R2). BM 85A. Hendin 1483, pl. 44 (this coin). Cohen 394 (10 Fr.). Cf. Paris 454 (as irregular). Very rare Rome-mint Judaea Capta denarius. VF $750 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. This Judaea Capta type too is comparatively common at Antioch (portrait draped and cuirassed), but rare at Rome (portrait head only). CoinArchives Pro contains 27 denarii of the type, 26 of them struck at Antioch and only one struck at Rome, and that one coin is from the same reverse die as ours (Meister & Sonntag 2, 20 September 2002, lot 1165). The same reverse die was also used to strike aurei: see lot 304 above. The reverse type refers to Vespasian and Titus’ triumph over the Jews in 71 AD, the year before the coin was struck. Usually the branch held by the emperor is depicted in the field, below the scepter that he holds in his other hand, but on this die Titus rests his right forearm on the rim of the car and holds the branch slightly downwards, so that it is seen overlapping the top of the car, just above the tail of the horse in the foreground.
314. Denarius, 3.46g (11h). Rome, 73 AD. Obv: T CAES IMP VESP CENS (counterclockwise) Head laureate right. Rx: PONTIF - MAXIM Vespasian seated right on curule chair, feet on footstool, holding branch and scepter. RIC 554 (R ), pl. 5 = BM 113, pl. 3.11 (same reverse die as ours). Paris 97. Cohen 158 (2 Fr.). Rare: three specimens in Reka Devnia hoard. Showing Titus on obverse, but Vespasian on reverse, perhaps by mistake. EF $400 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. The reverse type clearly copies the PONTIF MAXIM Livia seated type of Tiberius. Vespasian may have copied this and other earlier aureus and denarius reverse types as restorations, since he was melting down and recoining the originals to take advantage of Nero’s debasement of 64 AD. This type for Titus should probably be regarded as a mule, since Titus was only Pontifex not Pontifex Maximus, though the coin is not as rare as unintentional mules usually are. The same reverse type was also struck for Titus with his correct titles, PONTIF TRI POT.
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315. Denarius, 3.27g (7h). Rome, 74 AD. Obv: T CAESAR - IMP VESP Head laureate right. Rx: COS III in field between two upright laurel branches. RIC 690 (R2). Paris 122, pl. XXXI (same obverse die). Cohen 47 (2 Fr.). BMC p. 28 (citing Cohen and the Paris specimen). Apparently a very rare coin, priced much too low by Cohen: not in the BM, Glasgow, or Mazzini collections, not in Reka Devnia hoard, not in Berk photofile or Wildwinds, while CoinArchives Pro has only a single specimen, from the same dies as the example in Paris and the same obverse die as our coin (CNG E257, 8 June 2011, Sierra Collection, lot 368). About EF $350 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Acquired from Den of Antiquity, 26 March 2010. This reverse type was copied from the similar type on aurei and denarii of Augustus, with legend CAESAR / AVGVSTVS either above and below the branches or in the field between them, that commemrated the Senate’s award to Augustus in 27 BC of two laurel trees flanking the door to his home.
316. Denarius, 3.18g (6h). Rome, 74 AD. Obv: T CAESAR - IMP VESP Head laureate right. Rx: PONTIF - TR POT Winged caduceus upright. RIC 694 (R2), pl. 6 = Paris 130, pl. XXXI (same dies as ours). BMC p. 29. Cohen 167 (2 Fr.). Rare: not in BM by 1976; only one specimen in Reka Devnia hoard; three in CoinArchives Pro, one of them from the same reverse die as ours (Rauch 80, 1 June 2007, lot 112). A rare reverse type for Titus. Fine portrait. Good VF $450 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. This reverse type, which was also struck for Vespasian, apparently copies Republican denarii, the latest of which was Crawford 529 of Octavian and Mark Antony. Unique Titus Denarius Restoring Types of Octavian
317. Denarius, 3.38g (5h). Rome. Obv: T CAESAR in exergue, Titus in triumphal quadriga right, holding branch (weakly struck) and scepter surmounted by bust (?); on side of car, Victory advancing right extending right arm. Rx: IMP - VESP across field,
Victory standing right on prow, holding wreath and palm. NAC 40, 16 May 2007, lot 678 (this coin). RIC 697 (R3), citing and illustrating this coin. Hendin 1484a, pl. 45 (this coin). Apparently unique, and unpublished before its appearance in the NAC sale of 2007. VF $4,000 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex NAC 40, 16 May 2007, lot 678, sold for 7000 sfr. ($5761) plus fees. The corresponding denarius of Vespasian, with the same types but legends IMP CAESAR on obverse and VESP - AVG on reverse, has long been known, though it too is rare, RIC 688. These two Flavian denarii clearly copy the denarius of Octavian with the same types, but legend IMP CAESAR below the quadriga, exactly as on Vespasian’s coin, and no legend accompanying the Victory on prow on the other side. Though dated to 70-71 AD in BMC and to 74 AD in both editions of RIC, when Vespasian in fact produced these “restored” coins seems uncertain, since the titles of both emperors were valid any time after Titus became Imperator in July 71, and the exact abbreviations chosen may have been dictated by IMP CAESAR on the Augustan prototype and the space available rather than by the form of obverse legend on the contemporaneous regular portrait denarii of the two emperors. David Hendin suggests that this type may have been chosen for Vespasian and Titus with a view to commemorating their own Jewish victory and triumph.
318. Denarius, 3.40g (6h). Rome, 75 AD. Obv: T CAESAR - IMP VESPASIAN Head laureate right. Rx: PONTIF - TR P COS IIII Pax seated left holding branch and scepter. RIC 783 (C2). BM 172. Paris 148. Cohen 162 (2 Fr.). EF $400 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex CNG 57, 4 April 2001, lot 1147.
319. Denarius, 3.49g (6h). Rome, 76 AD. Obv: T CAESAR - IMP VESPASIAN Head laureate right. Rx: COS V in upper field, bull standing right. RIC 858 (R). BM 186. Paris 163. Cohen 52 (2 Fr.). Rare: not in Reka Devnia hoard, only one specimen in Berk photofile and another in CoinArchives Pro. Strong image of bull on reverse. Toned EF $750 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Acquired from Freeman & Sear, 2010. This reverse type was copied from a similar type on aurei and denarii of Augustus, with circular legend AVGVSTVS above the bull, RIC 475, pl. 8.
Enlargement
320. Denarius, 3.15g (6h). Rome, 76 AD. Obv: T CAESAR IMP VESPASIANVS Head laureate right. Rx: COS - V across field, Eagle standing front, head left, wings raised, on garlanded altar. The new RIC mistakenly sees a thunderbolt in the eagle’s talons. RIC 872 (C). BM 192. Paris 168. Cohen 60 (2 Fr.). EF $400 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection.
321. Denarius, 3.50g (6h). Rome, 76 AD. Obv: T CAESAR IMP. VESPASIANVS Head laureate right. Rx: IOVIS - CVSTOS Jupiter standing facing holding patera over lighted altar and long scepter. RIC 874 (C). BM 305. Paris 268. Cohen 106 (6 Fr.). Choice large portrait. Strong strike with great detail of Jupiter’s face on reverse. EF $500 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection.
322. Denarius, 3.43g (6h). Rome, 77-8 AD. Obv: T CAESAR - IMP VESPASIANVS Head laureate right. Rx: COS - VI Ornamented prow right, above star with sixteen rays, eight prominent and eight in the background between the prominent ones. RIC 950 (R). BM 226. Paris 202. Cohen 68 (8 Fr.). Rare: not in Reka Devnia hoard, only two specimens in Berk photofile and two others in CoinArchives Pro, including one from the same reverse die as our coin (Gorny & Mosch 152, 10 October 2006, lot 2095). EF/Choice EF $600 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Acquired from Tom Cederlind. This reverse type copied from aurei and denarii of Ahenobarbus struck for Mark Antony in 40 BC, Crawford 521.
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VII Quadriga of horses pacing left, drawing high garlanded car from which a flower emerges. RIC 1073 (C). BM 256. Paris 226. Cohen 336 (8 Fr.). Scarce: four specimens in Reka Devnia hoard (as Cohen 333). Excellent portrait. Mint State $700 323. Denarius, 3.44g (6h). Rome, 77-8 AD. Obv: T CAESAR - IMP VESPASIANVS Head laureate right. Rx: COS VI in exergue, Pair of oxen under yoke, left. RIC 951 (R). BM 225. Paris 201. Cohen 67 (2 Fr.). Scarce: only two specimens in Reka Devnia hoard. Strong portrait and well-struck reverse. Toned EF $500
Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. The reverse type, showing, according to Laffranchi, a procession of a calathus in honor of Ceres, is copied from denarii of the Augustan moneyers L. Aquillius Florus and M. Durmius, BM 38 and 55.
Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Tkalec, 29 February 2008, lot 457. This reverse type is copied from Republican denarii of L. Cassius Caecianus with legend L CASSI in exergue, attributed to 102 BC, Crawford 321/1.
324. Denarius, 3.38g (6h). Rome, 77-8 AD. Obv: T CAESAR VESPASIANVS Head laureate right. Rx: IMP XIII in exergue, Bearded goatherd, wearing tunic and rough cloak, seated l. on rock, milking a she-goat over a bowl; the she-goat stands l. and lifts l. hind leg. RIC 985 (R). BM 230. Paris 204, pl. XXXIII (same dies). Cohen 103 (45 Fr.). A rare and unusual rustic reverse type, not in the Reka Devnia hoard. Bold VF $650
327. Denarius, 3.40g (5h). Rome, 79 AD. Obv: T CAESAR IMP VESPASIANVS Head laureate right. Rx: TR P VIII - COS VII Bare-chested male captive wearing trousers, cloak around shoulders and falling behind him, hands tied behind back, kneeling right in front of trophy of arms. RIC 1076 (C). BM 258. Paris 229. Hendin 1486. Cohen 334 (6 Fr.). Choice EF/ Mint State $650 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. This reverse type, often thought to commemorate the Roman victory in Judaea, was copied from a Republican denarius of C. Memmius, Crawford 427/1, so may in fact just be a “restored” type, like lot 314 above.
Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex CNG 53, 15 March 2000, lot 1500. A similar type of goatherd milking she-goat appeared on provincial coins of Cyzicus, e.g. SNG Aulock 7377 (Julia Domna). The reason for its appearance on denarii of Vespasian and Titus Caesar in 77-8 AD is unknown.
325. Denarius, 3.42g (5h). Rome, 77-8 AD. Obv: T CAESAR VESPASIANVS Head laureate right. Rx: IMP XIII in exergue, Sow standing, three piglets standing below her. RIC 986 (C). BM 227. Paris 203, pl. XXXIII (same dies). Cohen 104 (2 Fr.). Scarce: four specimens in Reka Devnia hoard. About EF $400
Enlargement
Hendin Plate Coin
Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection.
326. Denarius, 3.18g (5h). Rome, 79 AD. Obv: T CAESAR IMP VESPASIANVS Head laureate right. Rx: TR POT VIII COS
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328. Titus. 79-81 AD. Denarius, 3.44g (6h). Rome, 79 AD. Obv: IMP T CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG Head laureate r. Rx: TR POT VIII - COS VII Bare-chested, bearded male captive wearing trousers, cloak around shoulders and falling behind him, hands tied behind back, kneeling right in front of trophy of arms. RIC 1 (R). BM 1. RSC 334a. Hendin 1582 corr., pl. 51
(this coin, misnumbered 1577). Rare: two specimens in Reka Devnia hoard, not in the Paris collection. Excellent portrait. EF $1,200 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Acquired from CNG. Dated to the first week of Titus’ reign, between Vespasian’s death on 23 June 79 AD and the beginning of Titus’ ninth tribunician year on 1 July. The reverse type was carried on from Titus’ last issue as Caesar, see the preceding lot in this sale.
331. Denarius, 3.36g (6h). Rome, 79 AD. Obv: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M Head laureate left. Rx: TR P VIIII IMP XIIII COS VII Venus, seen half from behind, naked except for drapery around legs, standing right, left elbow on column, holding helmet and spear. RIC 16 (R2), pl. 84 (Oxford, same obverse die). NAC L, 18 May 2001, lot 1757 (same obverse die). Not in BMC, the Paris catalogue, the first edition of RIC, or Cohen. Very rare early issue of Titus as Augustus not yet naming him P P (Father of his Country), and with portrait left. EF $1,200 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Purchased from Pars Coins, 2008.
Enlargement
329. Denarius, 3.32g (7h). Rome, 79 AD. Obv: IMP T CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG Head laureate r. Rx: TR POT VIII - COS VII Bare-chested, bearded male captive wearing trousers, cloak around shoulders and falling behind him, hands tied behind back, kneeling right in front of trophy of arms. RIC 1 (R). BM 1. RSC 334a. Hendin 1582 corr. Rare: two specimens in Reka Devnia hoard, not in the Paris collection. A second specimen from Titus’ first issue as Augustus that lasted only one week. Interesting portrait. Fabulous reverse detail. EF $1,000
332. Denarius, 3.47g (6h). Rome, 79 AD. Obv: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M Head laureate left. Rx: TR P VIIII IMP XIIII - COS VII P P Capricorn left, below globe divided into zones by crossing longitudinal and latitudinal lines. RIC 20 (R2). BM 22 note. Paris 17, pl. LXXIII (different dies). Cohen 282 (2 Fr.). Very rare with portrait left. Mint State $750 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Acquired from Brian Kritt.
Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Gorny & Mosch 121, 10 March 2003, lot 415. Enlargement
Unique Bust Left Denarius
330. Denarius, 3.49g (5h). Rome, 79 AD. Obv: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M Head laureate right. Rx: TR P VIIII IMP XIIII COS VII Venus, seen half from behind, naked except for drapery around legs, standing right, left elbow on column, holding helmet and spear. RIC 15 (R2). Not in BMC, the Paris catalogue, the first edition of RIC, or Cohen. Very rare early issue of Titus as Augustus not yet naming him P P (Father of his Country). EF $700
333. Denarius, 3.53g (5h). Rome, 79 AD. Obv: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M Head laureate left. Rx: TR P VIIII IMP XIIII COS VII P P Ceres seated left holding wheat ear and poppy in right hand, lighted torch in left. RIC 23 (R3), citing Sternberg, 23 November 1974, lot 57 (this coin). Bust variety of BM 7, Paris 7, and Cohen 270 (2 Fr.) = RSC 270. Apparently the only specimen known with portrait left and this reverse type. Contact mark on forehead, otherwise EF $1,500
Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Purchased from Wolf’s Head Galleries, 2008.
Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex CNG 85, 15 September 2010, lot 873. Ex Sternberg , 23 November 1974, lot 57.
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Cohen 268 (6 Fr.). With a smaller portrait than the last lot, and no ties hanging from Venus’ wreath on the reverse. Toned EF $350 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. 334. Denarius, 3.51g (5h). Rome, 79 AD. Obv: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M Head laureate right. Rx: TR P VIIII IMP XIIII COS VII P P Quadriga of horses pacing left, drawing high garlanded car from which a flower emerges.. RIC 25 (C). BM 17. Paris 15. Cohen 278 (8 Fr.). The reverse type carried on from Titus’ last issue as Caesar, lot 326 above. Mint State $1,000 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Gemini V, 6 January 2009, lot 266. Hendin Plate Coin
338. Denarius, 3.57g (7h). Rome, 79 AD. Obv: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P [M] Head laureate right. Rx: TR P VIIII IMP XV COS VII P P Statue of emperor, radiate, nude, standing front holding spear and parazonium, atop rostral column adorned with prows and an anchor. RIC 46 (C). BM 29. Paris 23. Cohen 289 corr. (5 Fr.). EF $500 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Purchased from Herb Kreindler. This reverse type was copied from an IMP CAESAR denarius of Octavian, BM 633, pl. 15.15.
335. Denarius, 3.34g (6h). Rome, 79 AD. Obv: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M Head laureate right. Rx: TR P VIIII IMP XIIII COS VII P P Bare-chested male captive wearing trousers, cloak around shoulders and falling behind him, hands tied behind back, kneeling right in front of trophy of arms. RIC 30 (C). BM 15. Hendin 1583, pl. 51 (this coin). Paris 12. Cohen 274 (2 Fr.) corr. The reverse type continued from earlier issues of Titus, lots 327-329 above. Near Mint State $1,000 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection.
336. Denarius, 3.16g (6h). Rome, 79 AD. Obv: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M Head laureate right. Rx: TR P VIIII IMP XIIII COS VII P P Venus, seen half from behind, naked except for drapery around legs, standing right, left elbow on column, holding helmet and spear. RIC 34 (C2). BM 9. Paris 9. Cohen 268 (6 Fr.). Toned Mint State $700 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Ponterio 117, 18 January 2002, lot 416.
337. Denarius, 3.43g (6h). Rome, 79 AD. Obv: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M Head laureate right. Rx: TR P VIIII IMP XIIII COS VII P P Venus, seen half from behind, naked except for drapery around legs, standing right, left elbow on column, holding helmet and spear. RIC 34 (C2). BM 9. Paris 9.
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Very Rare Bust Left, Hendin Plate Coin
339. Denarius, 3.45g (6h). Rome, 79 AD. Obv: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M Head laureate left. Rx: TR P VIIII IMP XV COS VII P P Bare-chested male captive wearing trousers, cloak around shoulders and falling behind him, hands tied behind back, kneeling right in front of trophy of arms. RIC 50 (R2), pl. 86 = BM 32 (same dies). Hendin 1583c, pl. 51 (this coin). RSC 297. For the reverse see lots 327-329 and 335 above. Very rare with portrait left. EF $800 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Acquired from Richard Pearlman.
340. Denarius, 3.49g (6h). Rome, 79 AD. Obv: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M. Head laureate right. Rx: BONVS EVEN - TVS AVGVSTI Bonus Eventus standing left holding patera in right hand and wheat ears and poppy in left. RIC 89 (C). BM 106. Paris 83. Cohen 25 corr. (15 Fr.). Scarce, and the only denarius of Titus’ sole reign without his imperial titles on the reverse. Small metal delamination in reverse field, otherwise EF $600 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Purchased from Glenn Woods, 2005.
trousers, with hands tied behind back; the one on right is a veiled woman supporting head with left hand and resting left elbow on left knee. RIC 104 (R). BM 40. Hendin 1584b. Paris 34 and Cohen 306 (3 francs) only have the common variant in which the male and female captives have swapped places. Rare positioning of the captives. VF $450 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection.
Enlargement
Hendin Plate Coin
341. Denarius, 3.47g (6h). Rome, 80 AD. Obv: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M Head laureate right. Rx: TR P IX IMP XV COS VIII P P Trophy of arms between two seated captives; the captive on left is a veiled woman supporting head with right hand and resting right elbow on right knee; the one on right is a bearded male, torso bare, wearing trousers, with hands tied behind back. RIC 102 (C). BM 37. Hendin 1584, pl. 51 (this coin). Paris 34. Cohen 306 (3 Fr.). Excellent portrait. EF with luster $1,000 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Triton VII, 13-14 January 2004, lot 898.
342. Denarius, 3.34g (7h). Rome, 80 AD. Obv: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M Head laureate left. Rx: TR P IX IMP XV COS VIII P P Trophy of arms between two seated captives; the captive on left is a veiled woman supporting head with right hand and resting right elbow on right knee; the one on right is a bearded male, torso bare, wearing trousers, with hands tied behind back. RIC 103 (R2, citing Belgrade and Vienna). Hendin 1584a, pl. 51. BM 37 note. Cohen 307 (M. Hamburger, 3 Fr.). Very rare with portrait left: this variant missing in BM and Paris. A few small pits and dark patche. EF $600
344. Denarius, 3.41g (6h). Rome, 80 AD. Obv: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M. Head laureate left. Rx: TR P IX IMP XV COS VIII P P Curule chair, with legs terminating in lions’ feet, upon which wreath resting on cushion. RIC 109 (R). BM 70. Paris 55. Cohen 319 (5 Fr.). Rare with portrait left: only one specimen in Reka Devnia hoard, compared to 26 specimens with portrait right. Excellent portrait. EF $600 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Ponterio 129, NYINC, January 2004, lot 466. The wreath on curule chair should be an honor of Divus Vespasian to be placed in theaters during performances, voted by the Senate. The same honor had earlier been voted to Julius Caesar, and Octavian had depicted it on his coins, a curule chair labeled CAESAR DIC PER with a wreath on it, Crawford 497/2, pl. LX. For further instances with references, see S. Weinstock, Divus Julius, Oxford 1971, pp. 281-4.
345. Denarius, 3.38g (7h). Rome, 80 AD. Obv: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M Head laureate right. Rx: TR P IX IMP XV - COS VIII P P Dolphin coiled around anchor. RIC 112 (C2). BM 72. Paris 60. Cohen 309 (2 Fr.). Toned. EF $600 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection.
Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection.
343. Denarius, 3.48g (6h). Rome, 80 AD. Obv: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M Head laureate right. Rx: TR P IX IMP XV - COS VIII P P Trophy of arms between two seated captives; the captive on left is a bearded male, chest bare, wearing
Enlargement
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346. Denarius, 3.44g (12h). Rome, 80 AD. Obv: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M Head laureate left. Rx: TR P IX IMP XV - COS VIII P P Dolphin coiled around anchor. RIC 113 (R). Paris 64, pl. LXXV (different dies). Cohen 310 (Paris, 2 Fr.). BM 72 note. Rare with portrait left: only four specimens in Reka Devnia hoard, versus 43 specimens with portrait right. Excellent portrait. EF $600 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection.
348. Denarius, 3.39g (6h). Rome, 80 AD. Obv: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M Head laureate right. Rx: TR P IX IMP XV COS VIII P P Elephant walking left, with hatching on body to indicate its wrinkled skin. RIC 115 (C2). BM 43. Paris 37. Cohen 301 corr. (2 Fr.). VF $300 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection, acquired from Berk. Ex CNG XXXII, 7 December 1994, lot 371.
Enlargement Enlargement
Bust Left Elephant Denarius
Splendid Elephant Denarius
347. Denarius, 3.45g (6h). Rome, 80 AD. Obv: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M. Head laureate right. Rx: TR P IX IMP XV COS VIII P P Elephant walking left, with hatching on body to indicate its wrinkled skin. Cohen, BMC, the Paris catalogue, and RIC all wrongly call the elephant “curiassed”. RIC 115 (C2). BM 43. Paris 37. Cohen 301 corr. (2 Fr.). Exquisite portrait. Mint State $1,000
349. Denarius, 3.26g (6h). Rome, 80 AD. Obv: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M. Head laureate left. Rx: TR P IX IMP XV COS VIII P P Elephant walking left, with hatching on body to indicate its wrinkled skin. RIC 116 (C). BM 47. Paris 41. Cohen 304 (2 Fr.). Scarce with portrait left: only four specimens in Reka Devnia hoard, versus 38 specimens with portrait right. Good VF $400 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection.
Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection.
350. Denarius, 3.28g (6h). Rome, 80 AD. Obv: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M. Head laureate right. Rx: TR P IX IMP XV COS VIII P P Winged thunderbolt resting atop square seat from which tasseled cloth hangs down in folds. RIC 119 (C2). BM 51. Paris 43. Cohen 316 (2 Fr.). Scratch on neck. Mint State $450 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Enlargement
Enlargement
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351. Denarius, 3.28g (6h). Rome, 80 AD. Obv: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M Head laureate right. Rx: TR P IX IMP XV COS VIII P P Winged thunderbolt resting atop square seat from which tasseled cloth hangs down in folds. RIC 119 (C2). BM 51. Paris 43. Cohen 316 (2 Fr.). Toned EF $450 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex CNG 54, 14 June 2000, lot 1523.
Enlargement
352. Denarius, 3.43g (5h). Rome, 80 AD. Obv: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M. Head laureate left. Rx: TR P IX IMP XV COS VIII P P Square seat from which tasseled cloth hangs down in folds, with semicircular back surmounted by three crescent-like objects in center and two “vertical bars” at sides. RIC 123 (C), pl. 87. BM 60. Paris 51. Cohen 311 (2 Fr.). Scarce with portrait left. Scratch in reverse field. EF $500 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex CNG E162, 11 April 2007, lot 306.
Enlargement
Incredible Portrait
354. Denarius, 3.29g (5h). Rome, 80 AD. Obv: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M Laureate head right. Rx: TR P IX IMP XV COS VIII P P Tripod, with fillets streaming out left and right, surmounted by dolphin right. RIC 128 (C2). BM 78. Paris 67. Cohen 321 (2 Frs.). Hairline crack at 9h on reverse. Toned EF $600 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection, purchased from David Vagi / Smythe, NYC, 2001.
Enlargement
Variant Obverse Legend on Titus Denarius
Enlargement
353. Denarius, 3.43g (6h). Rome, 80 AD. Obv: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M. Head laureate right. Rx: TR P IX IMP XV COS VIII P P Square seat from which tasseled cloth hangs down in folds, with triangular back surmounted by palmette in center and ten “vertical bars” (slightly curved, each topped by globule), five on each side. RIC 124c (C), pl. 87. BM 62. Paris 50. Cohen 313 (2 Fr.). Cleaned. Mint State $500 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection.
355. Denarius, 3.07g (6h). Rome, 80 AD. Obv: IMP T CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M Laureate head left. Rx: TR P IX IMP XV COS VIII P P Tripod, with fillets streaming out left and right, surmounted by dolphin right. RIC 130 (R3), citing Kölner Münzkabinett 82, 16 November 2004, lot 121 (same dies). Obverse legend variant of BM 80, Paris 69, and Cohen 323 (2 Frs.). Apparently only the second recorded denarius of Titus as Augustus with this abbreviated obverse legend, beginning just IMP T instead of IMP TITVS as usual. Extremely rare variant obverse legend, coupled with beautiful left-facing portrait. Choice EF $1,100 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Helios 4, October 2009, lot 316.
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356. Denarius, obverse brockage, 3.49g (12h). Rome, 79-80 AD. Obv: IMP.TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M. Head laureate right. Rx: Incuse mirror-image of obverse portrait and legend. A rare mint error. With two periods in the obverse legend, one at the end after P M, which is not unusual, plus one between IMP and TITVS, which occurs less frequently. Another example: BM 62, pl. 45.14. Outstanding portrait. Mint State $500 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection.
Enlargement
Unique Titus Quinarius, King Plate Coin
359. Quinarius, 1.69g (1h). Rome, 73 AD. Obv: T CAES IMP VESP P TR P CENS (counterclockwise) Head laureate right. Rx: VICTORI - A - AVGVSTI (counterclockwise) Victory advancing right holding wreath and palm over shoulder. RIC 535 (R). BM 92. Paris 79. King 27d and g. Cohen 374 (12 Fr.). Rare. Some roughness, especially on reverse. VF $400 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex CNG E148, 20 September 2006, lot 334.
360. Quinarius, 1,62g (5h). Rome, 73 AD. Obv: T CAES IMP VESP P TR P CENS (clockwise) Head laureate right. Rx: VICTO - RIA - AVGVSTI (clockwise) Victory seated left holding wreath and palm. RIC 536 (R), pl. 4 = BM 93, pl. 2.20 (same dies as our specimen). King 29. Not in Paris or Cohen. Very rare. King lists five specimens, but maybe only three just like ours, since her 29b and 29e might be the same specimen, and her 29d, pl. 7, is a variant with counterclockwise obverse legend. EF, dark toning $1,500 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex NAC 40, 16 May 2007, lot 685. Ex Aufhäuser 17, 2003, lot 248. Ex G. Hirsch XIV, 1957, lot 686.
357. Titus as Caesar. 70-79 AD. Quinarius, 1.53g (5h). Rome, 73 AD. Obv: T CAES IMP VES - P PON TR POT Head laureate right. Rx: VICTORIA - AVGVSTI Victory seated left holding wreath and palm.. RIC 511 (R3, “private collection”). King 29A, pl. 7 (this coin, “private collection”, the only known specimen). Not in BMC, RIC, or Cohen. The only recorded quinarius of Titus with this obverse legend. Apparently unique, and the earliest known quinarius of Titus. About EF $1,250 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Cederlind 121, 15 February 2001, lot 205.
358. Quinarius, 1.52g (11h). Rome, 73 AD. Obv: T CAES IMP VESP P TR P CENS (clockwise) Head laureate right. Rx: VICTORIA - AVGVSTI (counterclockwise) Victory advancing right holding wreath and palm over shoulder. RIC 534 (R). King 27j, pl. 7 (different dies). Cf. BM 92 and Paris 79 (obverse legend counterclockwise). Cohen 374 (12 Fr.). Rare. VF $400 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection, purchased from David Vagi.
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Enlargement
361. Quinarius, 1.51g (5h). Rome, 75 AD. Obv: [T] CAESAR - IMP VESP[ASIAN] (counterclockwise) Head laureate right. Rx: [VI]CTORIA - AVGVST (counterclockwise, from high left) Victory seated left holding wreath and palm. RIC 809 (R3). Reverse legend variant of King 23, BM 314, and Paris 277 (AVGVSTI). The reading of our obverse legend, VESPASIAN not VESPASIANVS, is proved by its obverse die link to the
fully legible RIC 805, pl. 8 = Paris 274, pl. XXXV. Only the second recorded specimen of this reverse legend variant. About EF $650 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection, acquired from Tom Cederlind.
Enlargement
362. Quinarius, 1.66g (4h). Rome. Obv: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M Head laureate right. Rx: VICTO[RIA] - AVGVST beginning at lower right, Victory advancing right holding wreath and palm.. RIC 92 (R), pl. 86 (same dies). BM 109. Cohen 356 (12 Fr.). King 3 (5 specimens). Rare. Toned VF $700 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Helios 1, April 2008, lot 444.
363. Quinarius, 1.55g (7h). Rome. Obv: IMP TITVS C[AES VES] PASIAN AVG P M Head laureate right. Rx: VICTORIA AVGVST Victory seated left holding wreath and palm.. RIC 94 (C). BM 110. Paris 88. Cohen 370 (12 Fr.) corr. King 6 (10 specimens). Rare: only this one Peus specimen in CoinArchives Pro, none in Berk photofile. Our coin is an engraver’s variant of those in London and Paris, without the seat cover that they show hanging down from Victory’s seat. The same obverse die was also used with the reverse Victory advancing right: King, Roman Quinarii, pl. 7, 3 (c). Some planchet swelling on reverse and a triangular planchet defect at 7h on reverse edge, otherwise About VF $300 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection, purchased from Berk. Ex Peus 366, 25 October 2000, lot 1334.
364. Titus as Caesar. 70-79 AD. Sestertius, 26.50g (6h). Rome, 72 AD. Obv: T CAES VESPASIAN IMP PON TR POT COS II Head laureate right. Rx: S C in exergue, Titus riding in quadriga right, holding scepter and branch, large wreath on front of car and Victory advancing right on side. RIC 431 (R). BM 636, pl. 25.3 (reverse only, same die as ours). Paris 625, pl. LIV (same reverse die). Hendin 1525. Cohen 228 (12 Fr.). Cf. NAC 59, 4-5 April 2011, lot 950 (same dies as ours). Rare depiction of Titus’ Jewish triumph on a sestertius. VF $3,500
365. Sestertius, 27.55g (6h). Rome, 72 AD. Obv: T CAES VESPASIAN IMP PON TR POT COS [II] Head laureate right. Rx: S C in exergue, Titus riding in quadriga right, holding scepter and branch, large wreath on front of car and Victory advancing right on side. RIC 431 (R). BM 636, pl. 25.3 (reverse only, same die as ours). Paris 625, pl. LIV (same reverse die). Hendin 1525. Cohen 228 (12 Fr.). Cf. NAC 59, 4-5 April 2011, lot 950 (same dies as ours). Rare depiction of Titus’ Jewish triumph on a sestertius. Some isolated obverse and reverse pitting, otherwise VF $1,000 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex CNG E108, 16 February 2005, lot 109 (Rudolph Berk Collection).
Exquisite High Relief Judaea Capta Sestertius, New Variety
366. Sestertius, 26.18g (6h). Rome, 72 AD. Obv: T CAESAR VESPASIAN IMP III PON TR POT II COS II Head laureate right. Rx: VICTORI - A - AVGVSTI around, S C in exergue, Victory standing right placing left foot on helmet and inscrib-
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ing shield set on palm tree. Berk 129, 24 October 2002, lot 283 (this coin). Hendin 1532, pl. 48 (this coin). Otherwise unpublished with obverse IMP III, cf. RIC 501, Paris 646, and BMC p. 147 (IMP IIII). A new Judaea Capta variety for Titus. The same obverse die was also used with the type Titus riding down enemy, M&M Basel, List 408, February 1979, 26 = List 274, March 1967, 42. Absolutely exquisite portrait with an exceptional Judaea Capta reverse. This is an important sestertius. EF $10,000 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Berk 129, 24 October 2002, lot 283.
368. Sestertius, 26.66g (6h). Rome, 72-3 AD. Obv: T CAESAR VESPASIAN IMP IIII PON TR POT II COS II Head laureate right. Rx: S - C across field, Mars striding right, nude except for helmet and cloak flying from waist, holding spear and trophy over shoulder. RIC 500 (R2). BM 651A. Paris 645. Cohen 201 (4 Fr.). Rare obverse legend with IMP IIII and TR POT II. Strong portrait. Olive green patination. Reverse field smoothed. About EF/EF $2,000 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex CNG E126, 9 November 2005, lot 294.
Enlargement
Hendin Plate Coin
Enlargement
Jewish Triumph on Sestertius, Hendin Plate Coin
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367. Sestertius, 25.65g (6h). Rome, 72-3 AD. Obv: T CAESAR VESPASIAN IMP IIII PON TR POT II COS II Head laureate right. Rx: S C in exergue, Titus on horse charging right, his cloak flying behind him, about to hurl spear at bearded enemy reclining on ground below horse, who supports himself with his right hand in which he also holds a sword, and raises an oblong shield on his left arm to defend himself. RIC 497 (R2), pl. 41 (Oxford specimen, same reverse die). Paris 647, pl. LVI (same reverse die). BMC p. 147. Hendin 1535, pl. 48 (this coin). Cohen 238 corr. (10 Fr.). The same obverse die was also used with reverse CAESAR DOMITIAN COS DES II S C, Domitian on horseback left: Lanz 94, 22 November 1999, lot 350. Rare Judaea Capta reverse type. Expressive portrait. Green patination. Good VF $5,000
369. Sestertius, 26.66g (6h). Rome, 73 AD. Obv: T CAES VESP IMP PON TR POT COS II CENS Head laureate right. Rx: S C in exergue, Titus riding in quadriga right, holding scepter and branch, large wreath on front of car and Victory advancing right on side. RIC 611 (R2), pl. 41 = Paris 671, pl. LVII (same dies). BM 668, pl. 27.1 (same dies). Hendin 1542, pl. 48 (this coin). Cohen 226 (12 Fr.). This issue, with COS II CENS for Titus and COS IIII CENS for Vespasian, is very rare on sestertii. Rare depiction of Titus’ Jewish triumph on a sestertius, continued from several earlier isses, see lots 364-365 above. VF $2,250
Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Gorny & Mosch 159, 8 October 2007, lot 400 (Macleay Collection). Ex CNG XXVII, 11 June 1993, lot 458.
Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex CNG 78, 14 May 2008, lot 1756 (Macleay Collection). Ex CNG XXVII, 11 June 1993, lot 458.
Hendin Plate Coin. Ex Teddy Kollek, Ex Ryan
Hendin Plate Coin
370. Titus. 79-81 AD. Sestertius, 21.87g (6h). Rome, 80-1 AD. Obv: IMP T CAES VESP AVG P M TR P P P COS VIII Head laureate left. Rx: IVD - CAP across field, S C in exergue, Palm tree, at base of which Judaea seated right on cuirass, supporting head with hand in mourning, and Jew standing left, hands tied behind back, two shields and two spears at his feet. RIC 146 (C). BM 162, pl. 48.8 (same reverse die, the weapons to left re-engraved on the BM coin). Hendin 1591a, pl. 52 (this coin). Bust variety of Cohen 111 (12 Frs.). Exceptional bust left portrait. Good VF $7,500
371. Sestertius, 30.10g (6h). Rome, 80-1 AD. Obv: IMP T CAES VESP AVG P M TR P P P COS VIII Head laureate left. Rx: IVD - CAP across field, S C in exergue, Palm tree, at base of which (a) on left, Judaea seated left on pile of shields, supporting head with hand in mourning, a helmet on ground before the shields, and (b), on right, Jew standing right, head left, hands tied behind back, yoke and helmet at his feet. RIC 149 (C). BM 164. Paris 157. Hendin 1592, pl. 52 (this coin). Cohen 110 (20 Frs.). Toned river patina. Substantial pitting on obverse. Fine/ About EF $2,500
Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Leu 86, 5-6 May 2003, lot 813 (Teddy Kollek Collection). Ex Hess-Leu 21, 3 April 1963, lot J43. Ex Glendining, 2 April 1952, V.J.E. Ryan Collection, Fifth Part, lot 2380, recording purchase from Glendining Sale, 30 November 1937.
Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Triton V, 15-16 January 2002, lot 1935 (Robert Schonwalter Collection). Ex Sotheby, 9 June 1976, lot 125.
Enlargement
Rare Obverse Legend, RIC Plate Coin
Enlargement
372. Sestertius, 22.35g (6h). Rome, 80-1 AD. Obv: IMP TITVS CAES VESP AVG P M TR P P P COS VIII Head laureate right. Rx: S - C across field, Spes advancing left holding flower and raising skirt. RIC 169 (R), pl. 96 (this coin). BM 186 note, citing Egger XLV, 12 November 1913, lot 989 (different dies). Not in the Paris catalogue or Cohen. RIC cites further specimens in Berlin and Vienna. Rare variant obverse legend beginning IMP TITVS instead of merely IMP T. Broad round flan. Bold portrait. VF $1,000 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex CNG 67, 22 September 2004, lot 1374.
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Colosseum Sestertius, Ex Kovacs Collection
373. Sestertius, 20.26g (6h). Rome, 80-1 AD. Obv: Colosseum seen from front and above between obelisk on base (Meta Sudans) and porticoed building of two stories (Baths of Titus), without legend. Rx: IMP T CAES VESP AVG P M TR P P P COS VIII S - C Titus seated left holding branch and roll on curule chair set on globe among arms. RIC 184 (R2). BM 190, pl. 50.2 (same reverse die). Paris 189, pl. LXXXI (same dies). Cohen 400 (80 Fr.). Hendin 1594. N.T. Elkins, The Flavian Colosseum Sestertii, Numismatic Chronicle 166, 2006, p. 216, 7 (our dies). This is the obverse die that continued to be used after Titus’ death to strike Colosseum sestertii for Divus Titus, Elkins, 8-9. Substantial pitting on obverse and reverse edges, but the images of Titus and above all the Colosseum are very sharp and mostly intact. A facing triumphal quadriga can be seen in the center of the second story of the amphitheater. Aside from the pitting, the coin is a Good VF $30,000
Enlargement
Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Helios 1, 17 April 2008, lot 242, Frank L. Kovacs Collection. To prove the popular nature of Vepasian’s rule, the Colosseum was built on the site that had recently been occupied by Nero’s Golden Palace. The reverse type of Titus seated as master of the world (his curule chair set on globe), bringing peace (olive branch) by means of victory over enemies (captured arms), fits well with the recently discovered dedicatory inscription of the Colosseum, stating that the emperors constructed it “from the proceeds of booty” (ex manubis), doubtless chiefly the booty of the Jewish War.
374. Titus as Caesar. 70-79 AD. As, 11.45g (7h). Rome, 72 AD. Obv: T CAES VESPAS IMP P TR P COS II Head laureate right. Rx: VICT - ORIA - AVGVSTI S - C Victory advancing right, raising wreath to crown standard before her and holding palm over shoulder. RIC 416 (R2), pl. 32 (Oxford specimen, same dies). Obverse legend variant of BM 645, Paris 636, and Cohen 381 (6 Fr.). Titus’ rarest issue of bronzes in 72 with CAES VESPAS in obverse legend: RIC 411-417 lists just two such sestertii, one dupondius, and four asses, one R3 and the rest R2. Very rare. Green patination. Good VF $400 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Gorny & Mosch 142, 11 October 2005, lot 2402.
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RIC Plate Coin
Left Facing Portrait, Rare Legend
375. Dupondius, 12.19g (6h). Rome, 72 AD. Obv: T CAESAR VESPASIAN IMP PON TR POT COS II Head radiate right. Rx: ROMA - VICTRIX S - C Roma seated left on cuirass, holding Victory and spear; behind the cuirass, two shields and quiver (?). RIC 467 (R2), pl. 36 (this coin). Obverse legend variant of BM 641, pl. 25.6 (same reverse die); Paris 630, pl. LV (same reverse die); and Cohen 193 (6 Fr.). A rare obverse legend on bronzes of Titus Caesar: RIC 455-471 lists seventeen types, two “R” and the rest “R2” or “R3”. Very rare. Excellent portrait. About EF/VF $750
377. As, 11.84g (7h). Rome, 74 AD. Obv: T CAES IMP PON TR P COS III CENS Head laureate left. Rx: VICTORIA - AVGVST S - C Victory advancing right on prow, holding wreath and palm over shoulder. RIC 755 (R2). Cf. BM 711A note (portrait right). Same obverse die as RIC 750, pl. 47, there with reverse PAX AVGVST S C. A rare obverse legend variant of Titus’ COS III CENS asses, adding PON TR P to the normal legend. Very rare. Strong portrait. Nearly EF $750
Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Gorny & Mosch 152, 10 October 2006, lot 2098.
376. Dupondius, 12.79g (6h). Rome, 74 AD. Obv: T CAESAR IMP COS III CENS Head radiate right. Rx: FELICITA - S PVBLICA S - C Felicitas standing left holding short caduceus and cornucopia. RIC 742 (C). BM 707. Paris 729. Cohen 81 (2 Fr.). Excellent surfaces. Green patination. Strong portrait. Minor flat strike on reverse. EF $650
Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection, purchased from CNG Shop, 733620.
Enlargement
Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Triton X, 9-10 January 2007, lot 601.
Enlargement
378. As, 11.62g (5h). Rome, 77-8 AD. Obv: T CAES VESPASIAN IMP P TR P COS VI Head laureate right. Rx: VICTORIA AVGVST S - C Victory advancing right on prow, holding wreath and palm over shoulder. RIC 1036 (R3, citing Vienna). Obverse legend variant of BM 742, Paris 787, and Cohen 364 (2 Fr.). A rare obverse legend variant of Titus’ COS VI asses, adding IMP P to the normal legend. Only the second recorded specimen, and the other is in a museum. Choice portrait. Toned river patina. VF $400 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection, purchased from Ponterio.
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379. Titus. 79-81 AD. Dupondius, 10.78g (6h). Rome, 80-1 AD. Obv: IMP T CAES VESP AVG P M TR P COS VIII Head radiate right. Rx: CERES - [AVG]VST S - C Ceres, veiled, standing left holding two wheat ears and long torch. RIC 189 (C). BM 191A. Paris 191. Cohen 34 corr. (2 Fr.). Fields smoothed. About EF/EF $350
Enlargement
Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex CNG E147, 6 September 2006, lot 221. Ex NAC L, 18 May 2001, lot 1761.
380. Julia Titi. Denarius, 3.24g (6h). Rome, 79-81 AD. Obv: IVLIA AVGVSTA T AVG F Bust diademed, draped right, hair in plait down back. Rx: VENVS - AVG Venus viewed half from back, nude except for drapery around thighs, standing right leaning on column, holding helmet and scepter. RIC 387 (R). BM 140. Paris 103. Cohen 12 (30 Fr.). Rare variant with shortened legends on both sides, probably three specimens in Reka Devnia hoard (as Cohen 13). Toned Good VF $1,500
382. Domitian. 81-96 AD. Aureus, 7.63g (7h). Rome, 88 AD. Obv: DOMITIANVS - AVGVSTVS Head laureate right. Rx: GERMANICVS COS XIIII German woman, naked to waist, seated right on oblong shield, placing right hand on shield behind her and supporting head with left hand; below shield, broken spear. RIC 560 (C). BM 143. Paris 133-4, pl. XCV (same obverse die). Calic贸 838. Cohen 148 (45 Fr.). Small mount mark at 12h. VF/EF $5,000 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Malter XLVII, 4 February 1992, lot 349.
Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection, acquired from CNG, 2008.
Exquisite Julia Titi Dupondius
381. Dupondius, 11.03g (7h). Rome, 79-81 AD. Obv: IVLIA IMP T AVG F AVGVSTA Bust draped right, hair gathered in large chignon at top of back of head. Rx: VESTA in exergue, S - C in field, Vesta seated left holding Palladium and scepter. RIC 398 (C), pl. 109 (Oxford specimen, same obverse die). BM 258. Paris 271. Cohen 18 (8 Fr.). The same obverse die was also used with the reverse CONCORDIA AVG S C, Concordia seated left, Paris 268, pl. LXXXVI = BMC, pl. 53.7 = RIC 395, pl. 109. Excellent portrait struck on a glossy green planchet. Back of hair flatly struck, otherwise EF $1,750 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Gemini IV, 8 January 2008, lot 412.
Enlargement
383. Domitian as Caesar. 70-81 AD. Denarius, 3.68g (5h). Rome, 79 AD. Obv: CAESAR AVG F DOMITIANVS COS VI Head laureate right. Rx: PRINCEPS - IVVENTVTIS Clasped hands before legionary eagle set on prow. RIC 1081 (C2). BM 269. Paris 240. Cohen 393 (2 Frs.). Excellent portrait, struck in high relief. Toned EF $500 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection.
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PONT in obverse legend: Domitian upon succeeding Titus apparently awaited the meeting and vote of the relevant popular assembly before accepting the title P M. Extremely refined portrait of emperor. Elegant Athena on the reverse. EF $500 384. Denarius, 3.38g (6h). Rome, 79 AD. Obv: CAESAR AVG F DOMITIANVS COS VI Head laureate right. Rx: PRINCEPS IVVENTVTIS Vesta, veiled, seated left holding Palladium and transverse scepter. RIC 1087 (C2). BM 262. Paris 233. Cohen 378 (2 Frs.). EF $400 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection, purchased from Sayles & Lavender, 2009.
385. Denarius, 3.24g (6h). Rome, 80-1 AD. Obv: CAESAR DIVI F DOMITIANVS COS VII Head laureate right. Rx: PRINCEPS - IVVENTVTIS Corinthian helmet right on draped throne. RIC 271 (C2). BM 98. Paris 79. Cohen 399 corr. An interesting portrait in fine style. EF with luster $500 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Triton XI, 8-9 January 2008, lot 909.
386. Domitian. 81-96 AD. Denarius, 3.36g (6h). Rome, 81 AD. Obv: IMP CAES DIVI VESP F DOMITIAN AVG P M Head laureate right. Rx: TR P COS VII - DES VIII P P Wreath on cushion set on curule chair with legs ending in lions’ feet. RIC 50 (R2), pl. 50 (private collection, same obverse die). Reka Devnia p. 17 (one specimen). Overlooked by BMC p. 302; not in Cohen. Very rare with DIVI VESP F in obverse legend. Reverse type carried on from Titus, lot 344 above, apparently depicting an honor voted to Divus Vespasian. Excellent portrait. EF $500
Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Freeman & Sear MBS 17, 15 December 2009, lot 234 (A. Lynn Collection).
388. Denarius, 3.40g (5h). Rome, 81 AD. Obv: IMP CAES DOMITIANVS AVG P M Head laureate right. Rx: TR P COS VII - DES VIII P P Minerva standing left holding Victory and transverse scepter, behind her shield leaning against her legs. RIC 62 (C). BM 13. Paris 29. Cohen 564 (2 Fr.). Like the preceding lot, but Domitian now P M. EF $400 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Freeman & Sear MBS 17, 15 December 2009, lot 235.
389. Denarius, 3.12g (6h). Rome, 81 AD. Obv: IMP CAES DIVI VESP F DOMITIAN AVG P M Head laureate left. Rx: TR P COS VII - DES VIII P P Tripod with legs ending in lions’ feet and with fillets streaming out on both sides, on which is dolphin right. Paris 20, pl. XCI (same obverse die). RIC 75 (R2), pl. 50 (Paris specimen). BM 22 note (BNS 1884). Very rare with portrait left and DIVI VESP F in obverse legend. VF $400 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection.
Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Acquired from Freeman & Sear, 2009, ex A. Lynn Collection. Ex Freeman & Sear MBS 8, 5 February 2003, lot 454.
387. Denarius, 3.49g (6h). Rome, 81 AD. Obv: IMP CAES DOMITIANVS AVG PONT Head laureate right. Rx: TR P COS VII - DES VIII P P Minerva standing left holding Victory and transverse scepter, behind her shield leaning against her legs. RIC 60 (R2, citing ANS). Cohen 565 (Rollin, 2 Frs.), whence BMC p. 299. Very rare and historically interesting with just
390. Denarius, 3.56g (6h). Rome, 82 AD. Obv: IMP CAES DOMITIANVS AVG P M Head laureate right. Rx: TR POT IMP II COS VIII DES VIIII P P Fortuna standing left holding rudder and cornucopia. RIC 141 (C). BM 34. Paris 35. Cohen 610 (6 Fr.). Scarce: only a single specimen present in 51 hoards summarized by Carradice, Coinage…of Domitian, pp. 76-7. The only appearance of the Fortuna reverse type on Domitian’s precious metal coinage. EF $400 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex CNG E-Auction 164, 9 May 2007, lot 152. Ex CNG 50, 23 June 1999, lot 1479.
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391. Denarius, 3.52g (5h). Rome, 82-3 AD. Obv: IMP CAES DOMITIANVS AVG P M Head laureate right. Rx: IVPPITER CONSERVATOR Eagle standing right on thunderbolt, head left, wings raised, theirs tips pointing downwards. RIC 144 (R). BM 52, pl. 60.18. Paris 53, pl. XCII. Cohen (3 Fr.). EF $300 Seaby Plate Coin, ex Arnold Collection
394. Denarius, 3.44g (5h). Rome, 84 AD. Obv: IMP CAES DOMITIANVS - AVG GERMANIC Bust laureate right, aegis with Medusa head on front shoulder and behind neck. Rx: P M TR POT III - IMP V COS X P P Minerva standing left holding upright spear and placing left hand on hip. RIC 191 (R2). BMC p. 308 note (Oxford). Very rare. Finely detailed portrait with aegis, in high relief, even showing wrinkles in emperor’s neck. The figure of Minerva too in high relief. EF $650 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Cederlind 156, 20 September 2010, lot 240.
392. Denarius, 3.52g (6h). Rome, 82 AD. Obv: IMP CAES DOMITIANVS AVG P M Head laureate right. Rx: IVPPITER CONSERVATOR Eagle standing right on thunderbolt, head left, wings outstretched, their tips pointing left and right. RSC 320 (this coin illustrated, from the Bob Arnold Collection). Reverse type variant of RIC 144 (R), BM 52 (pl. 60.18), and Paris 53 (pl. XCII). VF $900 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex CNG E-Auction 234, 9 June 2010, lot 227. Ex Bob Arnold Collection, illustrated in Seaby’s Roman Silver Coins II, third edition, 1979, p. 70. Apparently very rare with the eagle’s wings outstretched, pointing left and right, rather than merely raised, their tips pointing downwards. RIC 143 in the new edition points out and illustrates this variety on the corresponding aurei, noting its rarity, but cites no denarius with outstretched wings. In a quick search, we found only two other denarii showing this variety, both from the same reverse die as our coin: one in CoinArchives Pro from Gorny & Mosch 121, and one in Wildwinds with a CNG photo.
Unique Denarius with Draped Bust Left
393. Denarius, 3.43g (6h). Rome, 84 AD. Obv: IMP CAES DOMITI - ANVS AVG GERMANIC Bust laureate, draped left. Rx: P M TR POT III - IMP V COS X P P Minerva fighting right with spear and shield atop capital of rostral column, owl at her feet. RIC 183 (R3, citing this specimen from CNG 51). Bust variety of BM 47 and Paris 46. An unusual left-facing bust in a rare issue, this variety apparently unique. Good VF/VF $750 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection, acquired from Freeman & Sear, 2009. Ex CNG 51, 15 September 1999, lot 1272.
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Enlargement
Rare Legend Variant CENSORIA POTESTAT
395. Denarius, 3.35g (5h). Rome, 85 AD. Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG - GERM P M TR P IIII Bust laureate right, aegis with Medusa head on front shoulder and behind neck. Rx: IMP VIIII COS XI CENSO - RIA POTESTAT P P Minerva standing left holding upright spear and placing left hand on hip. RIC 322 (R2), pl. 123 (Oxford, same dies). Reverse legend variant of BM 79. Interesting and very rare with CENSORIA POTESTAT written out in reverse legend. Mint State $600 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection, acquired from Freeman & Sear, 2010, A. Lynn Collection. Ex Ponterio 117, NYINC, 18-19 January 2002, lot 428. Germania Seated Denarius of Domitian
396. Denarius, 3.47g (5h). Rome, 85 AD. Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG - GERM P M TR P IIII Bust laureate right, aegis with
Medusa head on front shoulder and behind neck. Rx: IMP VIIII COS XI CENS POT P P German woman, naked to waist, seated right in mourning on shield, broken spear below. RIC 341 (R2, citing Vienna and Gorny & Mosch 125, 13 October 2003, lot 458, the second of which is from the same dies as our coin). Reverse legend variant of BM 82, Paris 84, and Cohen 181 (10 Frs.). An interesting reverse type commemorating Domitian’s German victory, a standard type on aurei, but very rare on denarii. A coin of great rarity and exceptional quality. Mint State $1,750 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Helios 4, 14 October 2009, lot 328 (A. Lynn Collection). Ex Leu 83, 6-7 May 2002, lot 751.
Enlargement
397. Denarius, 3.53g (5h). Rome, 88 AD. Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG - GERM P M TR P VII Head laureate right. Rx: COS XIIII across field, Minerva fighting right with spear and shield. RIC 552 (R2), pl. 126 (Berlin, same dies). Not in BMC, Paris, or Cohen. Very rare issue without long circular legend on reverse. EF/VF $650
written out in place of P M TR P VII on obverse, and without long circular legend on reverse. VF $550 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection, acquired from Barry Murphy, 2009, ex Jyrki Muona Collection. Saecular Games
399. Denarius, 2.78g (6h). Rome, 88-9 AD. Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG - GERM P M TR P VIII Head laureate right. Rx: On right, herald standing left, wearing cap with two feathers, holding wand and round shield ornamented with bust of Minerva; in center, incense burner standing on three feet; on left, column inscribed COS / XIIII / LVD / SAEC / FEC in five lines. On the column, see note to next lot. RIC 601 (C). BM 135. Paris 124. Cohen 73 (25 Frs.). Rare type commemorating the Saecular Games celebrated by Domitian in 88 AD: not present in Reka Devnia hoard. VF/EF $750 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection, acquired from Sayles & Lavender, VCoins, 2009.
Enlargement
Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Freeman & Sear MBS 17, 15 December 2009, lot 240, A. Lynn Collection. Ex Freeman & Sear MBS 6, 6 October 2000, lot 478.
Rare Variant Legends, RIC Plate Coin
398. Denarius, 3.47g (6h). Rome, 88 AD. Obv: IMP CAES DOMITIAN AVG GERMANICVS Head laureate right. Rx: COS - XIIII across field, Minerva fighting right with spear and shield atop capital of rostral column, owl at feet. RIC 564 (R2), pl. 127 (Jyrki Muona Collection, this coin). BMC p. 328, citing Cohen 68 (Vienna, 6 Fr.). Very rare issue with GERMANICVS
400. Denarius, 3.45g (5h). Rome, 88-9 AD. Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG - GERM P M TR P VIII Head laureate right. Rx: COS - XIIII across field, column inscribed LVD / SAEC / FEC, all within wreath that has ties at bottom and circlet of pearls at top. RIC 604 (C), pl. 129 (Oxford specimen, same reverse die). BM 137. Paris 126. Cohen 70 corr. (20 Fr.). Rare type commemorating the Saecular Games celebrated by Domitian in 88 AD: only one specimen in Reka Devnia hoard. VF $450 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection, acquired from Jencek, February 2011. The column with inscription represents the one bearing an account of the games that was erected by senatorial decree as a permanent record of the celebration.
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Part II After Dinner Break
401. Denarius, 3.47g (6h). Rome, 88-9 AD. Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG - GERM P M TR P VIII Head laureate right. Rx: IMP XVII COS XIIII CENS P P P Minerva fighting right with spear and shield atop capital of rostral column, owl at her feet. RIC 657 (R). BM 148. Paris 139. Cohen 247. Rare: only one specimen in Reka Devnia hoard. Excellent portrait. Near Mint State $550
404. Denarius, 3.57 (6h). Rome, 95 AD. Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG - GERM P M TR P XIIII Head laureate right. Rx: IMP XXII COS XVII CENS P P P Minerva fighting right with spear and shield atop capital of rostral column, owl at her feet. RIC 771 (C2). BM 223. Paris 201. Cohen 289 (2 Fr.). About EF $300 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Freeman & Sear MBS 17, 15 December 2009, lot 249 (A. Lynn Collection). Ex CNG 53, 15 March 2000, lot 1525.
Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Manhattan Sale I, 5 January 2010, lot 233 (A. Lynn Collection). 405. Denarius, 3.56g (7h). Rome, 95-6 AD. Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG - GERM P M TR P XV Head laureate right. Rx: IMP XXII COS XVII CENS P P P Minerva, winged, flying left holding spear and shield. RIC 791 (C). BM 237. Paris 210. Cohen 294 (3 Fr.). A rare variant reverse type of late in Domitian’s reign, only one specimen in Reka Devnia hoard. Mint State $650 Enlargement
402. Denarius, 3.36g (6h). Rome, 88-9 AD. Obv: IMP CAES DOMITIANVS AVG GERM P M TR P VIII Head laureate right. Rx: IMP XVII COS XIIII CENS P P P Minerva standing left holding spear, left hand on hip. RIC 662 (R2), pl. 129 (Berk 154, 302, same obverse die). BM 150 note (Musée Crozatier, Le Puy). RSC 244a. Very rare variant obverse legend showing DOMITIANVS instead of the standard DOMIT. EF $350 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection, purchased on VCoins, 2010.
Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Manhattan Sale I, 5 January 2010, lot 235 (A. Lynn Collection).
406. Quinarius, 1.62g (5h). Rome, 81-2 AD. Obv: IMP CAES DOMITIANVS AVG P M Head laureate right. Rx: VICTORIA - AVGVST Victory seated left, feet on footstool, holding wreath and palm. RIC 121 (R), pl. 120 = Paris 56, pl. XCII (same dies). King 25 (7 specimens), pl. 9 (Paris 56, same dies). Cf. BM 57 (different reverse legend arrangement). Cohen 625 (12 Fr.). Rare. VF $500 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection, acquired from Freeman & Sear, 2009.
403. Denarius, 3.57g (7h). Rome, 88-9 AD. Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG - GERM P M TR P VIIII Head laureate right. Rx: IMP XXI COS XIIII CENS P P P Minerva fighting right with spear and shield. RIC 685 (C2). BM 158. Paris 152. Cohen 257 (2 Fr.). Excellent portrait. EF $400 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Acquired from Freeman & Sear, 2010, ex A. Lynn Collection.
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407. Domitilla the younger, Daughter of Vespasian. Denarius, 3.03g (6h). Rome, 82-3 AD. Obv: DIVA DOMITILLA. AVGVSTA Bust draped right. Rx: FORTVNA - AVGVST Fortuna standing left holding rudder and cornucopia.
RIC (Domitian) 157 (R2). BM (Titus) 137. Paris (Titus) 102. Cohen 3 (erroneously as Domitilla the Elder, 400 Frs.). This very rare empress is otherwise obtainable only on aurei with Divus Vespasian, since Titus’ sestertii of Domitilla commemorated his mother of the same name, not his sister (see commentary). Hairline on empress’ neck. Struck in high relief. Toned EF $10,000
The Tarraco-mint aureus of this type is far rarer than the Rome-mint version and may have been struck from just a single reverse die. The two BM specimens share their reverse die with our specimen, and two other examples, the one illustrated by Hendin and NFA XIV, 29 November 1984, lot 349, are from the same dies as BM 357.
Ex New York Sale 1, 1998, lot 253. Both the elder Domitilla, mother of Titus and Domitian, and the younger Domitilla, daughter of the elder and so sister of Titus and Domitian, died before Vespasian became emperor in 69 AD. The title AVGVSTA on this rare denarius proves that it must be assigned to the younger Domitilla, because Martial attests that Domitian’s sister was Augusta, whereas that title is never given to his mother. The Domitilla for whom Titus struck sestertii in 80-1 AD, in contrast, was his mother the elder Domitilla, as proven by the variant legend DOMITILLAE IMP CAES VESP AVG on some of these coins, that is “To Domitilla, (wife) of the emperor Vespasian”. As to issue date, the fineness of the denarii of Diva Domitilla proves that they must have been struck not under Titus, as traditionally thought, but between 82 and 85 when Domitian temporarily raised the fineness of his denarii from about c. 90% to c. 98%: see I. Carradice, Coinage…of Domitian, p. 20.
Enlargement
409. Denarius, 3.10g (7h). Spain, Tarraco, c. 69-70 AD. Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG Head laureate left. Rx: [L]IBERTAS - PVBLICA Libertas standing left holding cap and scepter. RIC 1339 (R2). BM 360. Cohen 260 (Mus. Correr, 6 Fr.). Not in Paris. A very rare Spanish issue from early in Vespasian’s reign. Excellent portrait. About EF $750 Enlargement
Spanish Judaea Capta Aureus
408. Vespasian. 69-79 AD. Aureus, 7.27g (6h). Spain, Tarraco, 70 AD. Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG Head laureate right. Rx: IVDAEA in exergue, mourning Judaea seated right on ground beside trophy. RIC 1315 (R2). BM 357-8, pl. 11, 9-10 (same reverse die). Hendin 1477, pl. 44 (same reverse die). Calicó 643-643c illustrates only Rome-mint specimens. A major rarity in the Judaea Capta series. Exceptionally nice portrait, especially for a Spanish mint. Several scratches on reverse, light contact marks both sides. Virtually EF/Good VF $10,000 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Gemini I, 11-12 January 2005, lot 331.
Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex CNG 63, 21 May 2003, lot 1273. Rare Western Mint, RIC Plate Coin
410. Denarius, 3.43g (11h). Uncertain Western mint, c. 69-70 AD. Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVGVS Head laureate left. Rx: LIBERTAS - PVBLICA Libertas standing left holding cap and scepter. RIC 1347 (R2), pl. 74 (this coin). Not in BMC, Paris, or Cohen. Very rare. EF $1,500 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Helios 4, 14 October 2009, lot 286. Ex Lanz 114, 26 May 2003, lot 305. From a rare Western provincial mint first isolated in the new RIC II, characterized by longer forms of the word AVGVSTVS in the obverse legend, rather than just AVG. The reverse die of our coin was also used with a right-facing portrait on the obverse, RIC 1346, pl. 73 (Trieste).
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Rare DE IVDAEIS Aureus from Lugdunum
411. Aureus, 7.02g (6h). Lugdunum, 72-3 AD. Obv: IMP CAES VESPAS AVG P M TR P IIII P P COS IIII Head laureate r. Rx: DE - IVDAEIS Trophy with arms piled at base. RIC 1179 (R). BM 402. Paris 305, pl. XXXVI (same dies). Calico 627a. Cohen 139 (50 Fr.). Lugdunum was the only mint to strike this rare Judaea Capta type. Scratch on Vespasian’s forehead. Fine+ $6,000 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Acquired from David Hendin.
Very Rare IVDAEA Denarius from Lugdunum, Hendin Plate Coin
412. Denarius, 3.32g (7h). Lugdunum, 71 AD. Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG TR P Head laureate right. Rx: IVDAEA in exergue, Judaea, veiled, with hands tied behind back, seated right on ground beside palm tree. RIC 1118 (R2), pl. 59 (BM specimen, same dies as ours). BMC p. 79. Paris 298. Cohen 231 (12 Fr.). Hendin 1487, pl. 45 (this coin). Giard, Lyon 13 (Paris, Glasgow 160). Considerably rarer than the Rome-mint version of this coin, which is itself rare. Good Fine $750
414. Sestertius, 26.92g (6h). Lugdunum, 71 AD. Obv: IM[P CAES V]ESPASIAN AVG P M TR P P P COS III Head laureate right, small globe at tip of neck (not struck up). Rx: CAESA[R AV]G F DES IMP AVG F COS DES II around, S C in exergue, Titus and Domitian in military dress standing side by side, looking at each other, each holding spear and parazonium; Titus, on left, places his left hand on the handle of his parazonium at his side, while Domitian, on right, holds the bottom of the scabbard of his parazonium in his left hand. RIC 1132 (R). BM 799. Giard, Lyon 22 (3 specimens). Bust variety of Cohen 51 (20 Fr.). Bold Fine $1,000 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex New York Sale XVII, 9 January 2008, lot 181. Ex Stack’s, 1 May 1980, Knobloch Collection, lot 3330. This interesting reverse type is much rarer at Lugdunum than at Rome; Giard listed only three specimens. Our coin is from the same obverse die as Giard 24/3 = Mazzini I, pl. LXXIII, 407, there with reverse Roma seated, where the globe below neck of portrait, confirming Lugdunese mintage, is clear. By mistake RIC 145 attributes our identical coin, cited from the Knobloch Sale, to the mint of Rome rather than Lugdunum.
Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Purchased from David Hendin.
413. Denarius, 3.23g (6h). Lugdunum, 71 AD. Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG TR P Head laureate right. Rx: IVDAEA DEVICTA Judaea, veiled, with hands tied in front, head bowed, standing left, palm tree behind her. RIC 1120 (C). BM 388. Paris 297. Cohen 243 (15 Fr.). Hendin 1488. This rare Judaea Capta type was struck only at Lugdunum. About VF $750 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection.
415. Titus as Caesar. 70-79 AD. Dupondius, 14.90g (6h). Lugdunum, 77-8 AD. Obv: T CAES IMP AVG F TR P COS VI CENSOR Head laureate right, globe below point of bust. Rx: PAX - AVG S - C Pax standing left holding short winged caduceus and branch. RIC 1258 (R). BM 859. Paris 863. Reverse type variant of Cohen 128 (Pax leans on column). Apparently a rare type with or without the column. Portrait in high relief. Nearly EF/Choice EF $900 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection, purchased from Pegasi.
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416. Dupondius, 10.43g (7h). Lugdunum, 77-8 AD. Obv: T CAES IMP AVG F TR P COS VI CENSOR Head laureate right, globe below point of bust. Rx: PAX - AVG S - C Pax standing left, holding in right hand patera over lighted and garlanded altar at her feet, and in left hand long caduceus and branch. RIC 1261 (C), pl. 68 = Paris 864, pl. LXX (same obverse die, the E of Caesar apparently slightly recut in the die). Cohen 130 (2 Fr.). Bust variety of BM 860 (head radiate). Nicely detailed reverse. Expressive portrait of emperor. Nearly EF $900 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex CNG E135, 15 March 2006, lot 111 (Marc Poncin Collection). Ex Cay贸n, 29 November 2004, lot 550.
417. As, 10.47g (7h). Lugdunum, 77-8 AD. Obv: T CAES IMP AVG F TR P COS VI CENSOR Head laureate right, globe below point of bust. Rx: IVDAEA - CAPTA around, S C in exergue, Mourning Judaea seated right on shield at base of palm tree, to left of tree arms, namely cuirass, two shields, two helmets, and spear. RIC 1268 (C2). BM 862. Paris 872. Hendin 1562. Cohen 118 (3 Fr.). About EF $1,250
418. As, 12.34g (6h). Lugdunum, 77-8 AD. Obv: T CAES IMP AVG F TR P COS VI CENSOR Head laureate right, globe below point of bust. Rx: IVDAEA - CAPTA around, S C in exergue, Mourning Judaea seated right on shield at base of palm tree, to left of tree arms, namely cuirass, three shields, helmet, and spear. RIC 1268 (C2). BM 862. Paris 872. Hendin 1562. Cohen 118 (3 Fr.). Corroded surfaces, otherwise VF/EF, with great reverse detail $500 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Goldberg 41, lot 2825 (Alan Levin Collection).
419. As, 9.74g (7h). Lugdunum, 77-8 AD. Obv: T CAES IMP AVG F TR P COS VI CENSOR Head laureate right, globe below point of bust. Rx: IVDAEA - CAPTA around, S C in exergue, Mourning Judaea seated right on two shields at base of palm tree, another shield before her, to left of tree further arms, namely cuirass, two round shields, and vexillum. RIC 1269 (C). BM 862 var. Paris 875. Hendin 1562a. Cohen 118 (3 Fr.). Unusual die break on top half of palm tree. Bold VF $750 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection, purchased from David Hendin.
Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex CNG 67, 22 September 2004, lot 1370 (Tony Hardy Collection).
420. As, 9.30g (6h). Lugdunum, 77-8 AD. Obv: T CAES IMP PON TR P COS VI CENSOR Head laureate right. Rx: VICTORIA - AVGVSTI S - C Victory advancing left holding wreath and palm over shoulder. RIC 1284 (R3), pl. 70 = Paris 883, pl. LXXI (same dies). BM p. 214. Cohen 379 (2 Fr.). A rare obverse legend of this issue of middle bronzes of Titus at Lugdunum, with PON replacing the usual AVG F; this is only the second recorded specimen of this legend coupled with the Victory reverse. Very rare variant. Excellent portrait, nice brown patina. VF $750 Enlargement
Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex CNG E172, 5 March 2007, lot 189 (John A. Seeger Collection).
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421. Vespasian. Legend error. 69-79 AD. Denarius, 3.54g (12h). Ephesus, 69-70 AD. Obv: IMP CAES - VESPS (sic) AVG Head laureate right. Rx: CONCORDIA - AVG Ceres, veiled, seated left holding wheat ears and poppy in right hand and cornucopia in left, horizontal Φ in exergue. Ponterio 126, 1 July 2003, lot 934 (this coin). Cf. RIC 1400, BM 434A, and RPC 809 (without the error). The only recorded example of this denarius with engraver’s error in obverse legend, VESPS for VESPAS (A omitted). Interesting and apparently unique. Obverse struck in high relief. Virtually Mint State $800 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Helios 4, 14 October 2009, lot 288 (A. Lynn Collection). Ex Ponterio 126, 1 July 2003, lot 934.
Enlargement
424. Titus as Caesar. 70-79 AD. Denarius, 3,22g (6h). Ephesus, 71 AD. Obv: IMPERATOR T CAESAR AVGVSTI F Head laureate right. Rx: AVG and ligate EPHE within oak wreath. RIC 1436 (R2). RPC 841 (4 specimens). BM 464. Paris 357. Cohen 23 (20 Fr.). Very rare. Toned Good VF $500 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Gorny & Mosch 142, 11 October 2005, lot 2391.
422. Denarius, 3.43g (7h). Ephesus, 69-70 AD. Obv: IMP CAES VESPAS AVG Head laureate right. Rx: PACI - AVGVSTAE Victory advancing left holding wreath and palm, tilted Φ before her right foot, engraver’s guide circle in field. RIC 1406 (R). BM 435. RPC 812 (8 specimens). Rare. Bold portrait struck in high relief. EF $700 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Acquired from Freeman & Sear, January 2010 (A. Lynn Collection). Ex Leu 83, 6-7 May 2002, lot 735.
423. Denarius, 3.28g (6h). Ephesus, 70 AD. Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPAS AVG COS II TR P P P Head laureate right. Rx: LIBERI IMP - AVG VESPAS Titus and Domitian, togate and veiled, standing front, side by side, each holding patera, monogram BY in exergue. RIC 1420 (R3). Not in BMC or RPC with this date and mintmark, apparently extremely rare. Exceptionally good reverse. Virtually Mint State $850 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Roma Numismatics I, 15 October 2010, lot 323.
Bare-Headed Titus at Ephesus
425. Denarius, 3.40g (12h). Ephesus, 71 AD. Obv: IMPERATOR T CAESAR AVGVSTI F Head bare right. Rx: PACI AVGVSTAE Victory advancing right holding wreath and palm, ligate EPHE in lower right field. RIC 1441 (R2). RPC 838 (Paris only). BM 468 note. Paris 360. Cohen 124 (15 Fr.). Rare reverse type, very rare with portrait bare rather than laureate. Excellent portrait in high relief. Mint State $750 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Berk 142, 15 March 2005, lot 236.
426. Denarius, 3.13g (6h). Ephesus, 71 AD. Obv: IMPERATOR T CAESAR AVGVSTI F Head laureate right. Rx: PACI AVGVSTAE Victory advancing right holding wreath and palm, ligate EPHE in lower right field. RIC 1442 (R). RPC 844 (7 specimens). BM 468. Paris 361. Cohen 125 (15 Fr.). Rare. Good VF $400 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Berk 142, 15 March 2005, lot 235.
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PACI ORB TERR AVG Type for Titus, RIC Plate Coin
427. Denarius, 3.15g (6h). Ephesus, 71 AD. Obv: IMPERATOR T CAESA[R] AVGVSTI F Head laureate right. Rx: PACI ORB - [T]ERR AVG Draped, turreted female bust right, ligate EPHE below. RIC 1444 (R2), pl. 78 (this coin). RPC 845 (3 specimens), pl. 34 (Trau 696, same obverse die). Cf. BM 468A = RPC 839 = RIC 1443 and Cohen 127 (Wiczay, 60 Fr.), where Titus’ portrait is bare not laureate. Very rare reverse type for Titus. VF $600 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Gorny & Mosch 108, 3 April 2001, lot 1747.
obverse die showing the annulet more clearly, coupled in this case with the AVG in Wreath reverse type.
430. Denarius, 3.30g (1h). Ephesus, 74 AD. Obv: IMP T CAESAR - COS III Head laureate right. Rx: PACI - AVGVSTAE Victory advancing right holding wreath and palm, star in lower right field, annulet below the billowing lower back folds of Victoria’s dress. RIC 1470 (C). RPC 857 (3 specimens). BM 479. Paris 370. Cohen 123 (6 Fr.). Delightful and somewhat unusual portrait. Small flat spot at high point of head never struck up, otherwise Mint State $800 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Cuirassed Bust of Domitian at Ephesus
428. Denarius, 2.93g (7h). Ephesus, 74 AD. Obv: IMP T CAESAR - COS III Head laureate right. Rx: AVG and star within oak wreath. RIC 1459 (R2), pl. 78 = Paris 369, pl. XXXVIII = BMC pl. 17.5 (same dies as ours). RPC 855 (4 specimens), pl. 34 (Egger 43, 14 April 1913, lot 617: same dies). Cohen 21 (10 Fr.). Apparently only the fifth specimen recorded, with those five coins coming from only two obverse and two reverse dies: RPC notes that the Berlin specimen is from the same dies as Paris 369 and Egger 43 and hence as ours, while the Budapest specimen is by implication from different dies. Obverse somewhat corroded. VF/About EF $400 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection, acquired from Freeman & Sear, 2010 (A. Lynn Collection). Ex Gorny & Mosch 126, 14 October 2003, lot 2353.
431. Domitian as Caesar. 70-81 AD. Denarius, 3.30g (7h). Ephesus, 71 AD. Obv: DOMITIANVS CAESAR AVG F Bare-headed, cuirassed bust right, seen from front. Rx: PACI ORB - TERR AVG around, EPHE (PHE ligate) in exergue, Female bust right, draped and wearing crown of towers. RIC 1448 (R), pl. 78 (same obverse die). RPC 849 (4 specimens), pl. 34 (Vienna specimen, same dies as ours). BM 474. Cohen 337 (Wiczay, 25 Frs.). Denarii of Domitian from this mint are rare: they occur only in this one EPHE issue, and all show this unusual cuirassed bust of the Caesar, seen from front. VF $400 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. “Cow of Myron” at Asia Minor Mint
429. Denarius, 2.74g (6h). Ephesus, 74 AD. Obv: IMP T CAESAR COS III Head laureate right, annulet (weakly struck) before tip of neck. Rx: CONCORDIA - AVG Ceres, veiled, seated left on throne, holding two wheat ears and poppy in right hand and cornucopia in left; star in exergue, annulet below throne. RIC 1469 (R2). Cf. BM 477-8 = RPC 856 (the 2 BM coins), there without annulet on obverse. Neither variant is in Paris or Cohen. A very rare reverse type for Titus in this issue, especially with the annulet before bust. About EF $350 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. The annulet before neck on this coin, which could mark a second stage of the issue, was pointed out to Harry Sneh by Wayne Kimber, who possesses a sharper specimen from the same
432. Titus as Caesar. 70-79 AD. Denarius, 3.44g (1h). Uncertain Eastern mint, 76 AD. Obv: T CAES IMP - VESP CENS Head laureate right, annulet below truncation. Rx: COS V along upper edge, Cow walking right. RIC 1483 (R2). RPC 1458 (3 specimens). BM 486, pl. 15.17 (same dies). Paris 374. Cohen 56 (2 Fr.). Rare Asia Minor issue with annulet below bust, copying Rome-mint reverse types; the “Cow of Myron” type of this denarius particularly rare at this mint. VF $1,000 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Gorny & Mosch 142, 10-11 October 2005, lot 2347.
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Pegasus for Titus
433. Denarius, 3.17g (6h). Uncertain Eastern mint, 76 AD. Obv: T CAES IMP - VESP CENS Head laureate right, annulet below point of bust. Rx: COS V Pegasus standing right, raising left foreleg. RIC 1484 (R2), pl. 79 = Paris 372, pl. XXXVIII (same dies as ours). BMC p. 101. Cohen 62 (Paris, 6 Fr.). Omitted by RPC. Domitian’s type at Rome, adopted by the provincial mint for all three emperors. Interesting and very rare, greatly undervalued by Cohen. Scratch in obverse field and several on reverse. Nearly EF $2,500
right, head front, placing helmet atop trophy with right hand and holding scepter in left; at base of trophy, captive seated left, hands tied behind back, looking up at trophy. RIC 1514 (R2, citing Sternberg XII, 18 November 1982, lot 569, which is from different dies than our specimen). Hendin 1573, pl. 50 (this coin, presumably the second one known to RIC to justify rarity R2 instead of R3). Omitted by RPC II. Apparently only the second recorded specimen of this interesting new type, considered a Judaea Capta type by Hendin, which was unknown before the appearance of the Sternberg specimen in 1982. Fine $1,000 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Acquired from David Hendin. Rare Judaea Capta Bronze, Hendin Plate Coin
Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex CNG 58, 19 September 2001, lot 1149.
Enlargement
436. AE 17, 2.84g (8h). Uncertain Eastern mint, 77-8 AD. Obv: T CAESAR IMPEP (sic) PONT Head laureate right. Rx: S - C across field, Judaea seated right on cuirass in attitude of mourning at base of palm tree, left of palm tree and before her shields and other captured arms. RIC 1515 (R2), pl. 81 (Oxford, same obverse die). RPC 1483, pl. 70 (only the same Oxford specimen). Hendin 1574, pl. 50 (this coin). Another with IMP not IMPEP in obverse legend, NAC 29, 11 May 2005, lot 512; similarly Cohen 225 (Rollin, 30 Fr.) = BMC p. 222. A very rare provincial Judaea Capta type on a small bronze. Little worn but somewhat rough. VF $2,000 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex CNG 64, 24 September 2003, lot 1022, sold for $3,300 plus fees.
434. AE 24, 8.90g (7h). Uncertain Eastern mint, 77-8 AD. Obv: T CAESAR - IMPER PONT Head laureate right. Rx: TR POT COS VI CENSOR around, [S] C in exergue, Eagle with wings raised standing right on thunderbolt, head left. RIC 1512 (R2). RPC 1481, pl. 70 = BM 893A (different dies). Cf. Paris 893 = Cohen 328 (Eagle standing left, head right, 3 Fr.). Undervalued by Cohen; the bronzes of this uncertain Asia Minor mint active in 77-8 AD are all very rare. Fine $300
Enlargement
Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Hendin Plate Coin, Second Known Example
435. AE 24, 7.82g (5h). Uncertain Eastern mint, 77-8 AD. Obv: [T CAE]SAR IMPE[R] PONT Head laureate right. Rx: TR PO[T COS V]I CENSOR around, S C in exergue, Half-naked male figure (Titus or the Genius of the Roman People?) standing
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437. Vespasian and Titus. 69-79 AD. Tetradrachm, 14.87g (1h). Antioch, Year 2 = 69-70 AD. Obv: AYTO[KPAT] KAIΣΑ ΟVΕΣΠΑΣΙΑΝΟV Laureate head of Vespasian right. Rx: T ΦΛAY IOYEΣΠ KAIΣ ΕΤΟVΣ NEOY ΙΕΡΟV around, B in lower right field, Laureate head of Titus right. RPC 1941 (7 specimens). Prieur 107 (1 specimen). McAlee 329 (Rare). A superb specimen. EF/Good VF $500 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection.
438. Vespasian. 69-79 AD. Denarius, 3.81g (5h). Antioch, 72-3 AD. Obv: IMP CAES VESP AVG P M COS IIII Head laureate right. Rx: No legend. Standing emperor, placing left foot on globe and holding spear and parazonium, and seated mourning Judaea on either side of palm tree. RIC 1558 (C). BM 510. Paris 318. Cohen 645 (6 Fr.). Hendin 1490. RPC 1930 (19 specimens). Remarkably full and heavy flan showing the complete types and legends on both sides. Excellent portrait in high relief. About EF $1,200 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Acquired from David Vagi, New York International Show, 2003.
439. Denarius, 3.17g (7h). Antioch, 72-3 AD. Obv: IMP CAES VESP AV - G P M COS IIII Head laureate right. Rx: No legend. Standing emperor, placing left foot on globe and holding spear and parazonium, and seated mourning Judaea on either side of palm tree. RIC 1558 (C). BM 510. Paris 318. Cohen 645 (6 Fr.). Hendin 1490. RPC 1930 (19 specimens). EF/About EF $850 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection.
440. Denarius, 3.27g (6h). Antioch, 72-3 AD. Obv: IMP CAES VESP A - VG P M COS IIII Head laureate right. Rx: No legend. Standing emperor, placing left foot on globe and holding spear and parazonium, and seated mourning Judaea on either side of palm tree; in field, engraver’s guide circle. RIC 1558 (C). BM 510. Paris 318. Cohen 645 (6 Fr.). Hendin 1490. RPC 1930 (19 specimens). Well centered with complete obverse legend. Virtually Mint State $1,200
442. Denarius, 3.48g (5h). Antioch, 72-3 AD. Obv: IMP CAES VESP AVG P M COS IIII Head laureate right. Rx: No legend. Emperor holding branch and scepter in triumphal quadriga right; in field and exergue, engraver’s guide circle. RIC 1559 (C). BM 512. Paris 63 (erroneously under Rome). Cohen 643 (6 Fr.). Hendin 1491. RPC 1931 (13 specimens). Commemorates the emperors’ Jewish triumph of 71 AD. Good VF/About EF $500 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection, acquired from Tom Cederlind.
443. Titus as Caesar. 70-79 AD. Denarius, 3.06g (6h). Antioch, 72-3 AD. Obv: T CAES IMP VESP PO[N T]R POT Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: No legend. Judaea, veiled, seated right under palm tree, in attitude of dejection, supporting chin with left hand; to left of tree, emperor in military dress standing right, left foot on globe, holding spear and parazonium. RIC 1562 (C). RPC 1934 (17 specimens). BM 518. Paris 322. Hendin 1492. Cohen 392 (10 Fr.). Slightly granular planchet, but nice portrait and well-centered reverse. EF $750 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Gorny & Mosch 114, 4 March 2002, lot 258.
Sear Plate Coin
Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection.
441. Denarius, 3.16g (5h). Antioch, 72-3 AD. Obv: IMP CAES VESP AVG - P M COS [I]III Head laureate right. Rx: No legend. Emperor holding branch and scepter in triumphal quadriga right; in field and exergue, engraver’s guide circle. RIC 1559 (C). BM 512. Paris 63 (erroneously under Rome). Cohen 643 (6 Fr.). Hendin 1491. RPC 1931 (13 specimens). Commemorates the Jewish triumph celebrated in by Vespasian and Titus in 71 AD at Rome. Mint State $900 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection.
444. Denarius, 3.50g (6h). Antioch, 72-3 AD. Obv: T C[AES] IMP VESP PO - N TR POT Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: No legend. Judaea, veiled, seated right under palm tree, in attitude of dejection, supporting chin with left hand; to left of tree, emperor in military dress standing right, left foot on globe, holding spear and parazonium. RIC 1562 (C). RPC 1934 (17 specimens). BM 518. Paris 322. Hendin 1492. Cohen 392 (10 Fr.). This specimen illustrated in Sear’s Millennium Edition, 2000, no. 2434. Nearly EF $800 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Gemini VI, 10 January 2010, lot 440 (Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection).
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Hendin Plate Coin
445. Denarius, 3.31g (6h). Antioch, 72-3 AD. Obv: T CAES IMP VESP P - ON TR POT Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: No legend. Judaea, veiled, seated right under palm tree, in attitude of dejection, supporting chin with left hand; to left of tree, emperor in military dress standing right, left foot on globe, holding spear and parazonium. RIC 1562 (C). RPC 1934 (17 specimens). BM 518. Paris 322. Hendin 1492, pl. 45 (this coin). Cohen 392 (10 Fr.). With great portrait and complete obverse legend. EF/VF $750 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection.
Hendin Plate Coin
448. Titus. 79-81 AD. Sestertius, 24.86g (7h). Uncertain Thracian Mint, 80 AD. Obv: IMP T CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M TR P P P COS VIII (counterclockwise) Head laureate right. Rx: IVDAEA - CAPTA around, S C in exergue, Palm tree, at base of which, on right, veiled Judaea seated right on cuirass, supporting head with hand in mourning, a shield before her legs, and on left, bearded Jew standing right, hands tied behind back, two shields and a spear on ground behind him. RIC 133 (R2), pl. 92 (Oxford specimen, same dies). Hendin 1589. Not in BMC, Paris, or Cohen. From the same obverse die as the next lot and as RIC 134-135, pl. 92, this being the only known COS VIII obverse die of Titus in this rare issue, which may have been the earliest issue struck by Titus and Domitian’s uncertain Thracian mint. Green patina, About VF $3,500 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection, purchased from David Hendin, December 2010. Ex Gorny & Mosch 180, 12 October 2009, lot 380.
446. Denarius, 3.11g (6h). Antioch, 72-3 AD. Obv: T CAES IMP VESP PON TR POT Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: No legend. Emperor in quadriga right, holding branch and scepter. RIC 1563 (C). RPC 1935 (14 specimens). BM 521. Paris 324. Hendin 1493, pl. 45 (this coin). Cohen 395 (10 Fr.). Choice portrait, Jewish triumph on reverse. EF $750 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection.
447. Mule, Reverse of Vespasian. Orichalcum Quadrans, (5h). Rome mint for Antioch, 74 AD. Obv: T CAESA - R IMP Head laureate right. Rx: P M TR - POT P P (titles of Vespasian) Winged caduceus upright. RIC 1577 (R2), pl. 83 (Glasgow specimen, same dies). RPC 2000 (two specimens), pl. 90 (McAlee specimen, same dies). McAlee 395 (V. Rare), two specimens from his collection illustrated, both same dies as ours). A very rare and choice coin. EF $500 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection, acquired from David Hendin.
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Colin Kraay in his unpublished Oxford dissertation of 1953 was the first to notice a small group of sestertii of Titus Augustus and Domitian Caesar in 79 and 80, characterized above all by obverses of Titus that resemble those of his aurei and denarii as Augustus, with small portraits in the precious-metal style and an obverse legend including VESPASIAN and arranged counterclockwise, as on the Roman gold and silver, whereas the standard bronzes of Titus as Augustus used clockwise obverse legends with the shorter abbreviation VESP. Ian Carradice and Ted Buttrey in their new edition of RIC II, nos. 55-60 and 133-135, have added a few new types to this issue (the next lot adds another, Titus in quadriga), and have also published a sestertius of Divus Vespasian, RIC 369, pl. 108, which contrary to the authors’ attribution clearly also belongs to this issue, first because of its counterclockwise obverse legend, which idiosyncratically reads DIVVS AVGVSTVS VESPASIAN PATER PAT, and secondly because of its IVDAEA CAPTA reverse type copied from sestertii of Vespasian in 71, a type which is otherwise attested for Titus as Augustus only on sestertii of the issue in question, namely RIC 133 of 80 AD like the present lot and RIC 57 of 79 AD. Now Kraay, as RIC states without either approval or disagreement (p. 184), “proposed that these few bronzes were produced by the precious metal mint (at Rome) as a stop-gap issue,” the bronze mint perhaps being preoccupied with preparing new dies for the reign of Titus. In writing up the present lot and the next one for this sale, however, the cataloguer (Curtis Clay) has reached a different opinion, namely that these rare sestertii may be the earliest two issues (late 79 and early 80 respectively) of Titus’ Thracian mint, since they already used the two favorite reverse types of that mint, PAX AVGVST standing left and Mars advancing right with trophy over shoulder. There are indeed strong stylistic similarities, pointed out by Kraay, between PAX AVGVST
reverse dies of the two series, for example RIC pl. 90, 58b (“Rome”) and pl. 115, 507 (Thrace). Two further points favoring this reattribution are (a) the flat fabric of the reverses of these sestertii, noticed by Harry Sneh, which is characteristic of the Thracian mint, whereas Roman bronzes usually had concave reverses (RPC II, p. 87) and (b) the appearance on the market since 1990, possibly from the Balkans, of five new specimens of these rare coins, namely the two in this sale, the duplicate of the next lot mentioned in its description, and RIC 55 and 135. If these are really the earliest Thracian sestertii of Titus’ reign, then we should probably suppose that the Thracian mint was originally staffed in late 79 AD with engravers transferred from the precious-metal mint at Rome, who on their earliest Thracian bronzes naturally reproduced the style of that mint and also copied the direction of the obverse legends and the form VESPASIAN for Titus from the gold and silver of Rome. New Jewish Triumph Sestertius of Titus, Hendin Plate Coin
449. Sestertius, 24.17g (6h). Uncertain Thracian Mint, 80 AD. Obv: IMP T CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M TR P P P COS VIII (counterclockwise) Head laureate right. Rx: S C in exergue, Titus standing right in quadriga of horses, holding branch and scepter (the scepter weakly struck), on side of car figure of Victory standing right holding out wreath. Hendin 1590, pl. 51 (this coin), otherwise unpublished. A second specimen, in poor condition, was offered on eBay in 2010. From the same obverse die as the preceding lot and as RIC 133-135, pl. 92, the only known COS VIII obverse die of Titus in the issue. A spectacular new Jewish-triumph reverse type in this small issue of sestertii which may have been the earliest coins struck by Titus and Domitian’s uncertain Thracian mint, see commentary to last lot. Well centered on broad round flan. A few isolated pits and some flan damage at lower right of reverse. VF $3,500 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection, purchased from Frank Kovacs.
450. Sestertius, 26.05g (8h). Uncertain Thracian Mint, 80-1 AD. Obv: IMP T CAES DIVI VESP F AVG P M TR P P P COS
VIII Head laureate right. Rx: S - C across field, Mars advancing right, nude apart from helmet and billowing cloak falling before and behind him, holding spear and trophy over shoulder. RIC 499 (C). RPC 502 (24 specimens). BM 310. Paris 324. Cohen 203 corr. (4 Fr.). Excellent portrait. Bold VF $1,000 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Ponterio 117, 18 January 2002, lot 420. Thracian Mint Judaea Capta, Hendin Plate Coin
451. Sestertius, 24.09g (6h). Uncertain Thracian Mint, 80-1 AD. Obv: IMP T CAES DIVI VESP F AVG P M TR P P P COS VIII Head laureate right. Rx: IVD - CAP and S - C across field, Palm tree, at base of which Judaea seated left on cuirass, supporting head with hand in mourning, and Jew standing right, hands tied behind back, yoke to right. RIC 500 (R2). RPC 503 (7 specimens). BMC p. 433, addenda to p. 294 (acquired 1971). Hendin 1596a, pl. 52 (this coin). A rare type at this provincial mint, not in Cohen. Numerous isolated pits, otherwise close to EF $4,000 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection, purchased from Harlan J. Berk.
452. Semis, 4.40g (7h). Uncertain Thracian Mint, 80-1 AD. Obv: IMP T CAESAR DIVI VESPAS F AVG Head laureate right. Rx: IVD - CAP and S - C across field, Judaea seated left on shield in attitude of mourning to left of palm tree, to right of tree two spears, helmet, and yoke. RIC 504 (R). BM 259. Paris 325. Hendin 1598. Cohen 112 (10 Frs). RPC p. 137 (misattributed to Rome, without full specimen list or illustrations). Unusual small denomination for a Judaea Capta type. Granular surfaces, otherwise VF and with detailed reverse $1,500 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Triton XIII, 5-6 January 2010, lot 1443.
Enlargement
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Titus with Julia Titi, RIC Plate Coin
453. Quadrans, 3.03g (1h). Uncertain Thracian Mint, 80-1 AD. Obv: IMP T CAES DIVI VES F AVG Head laureate right. Rx: IVLIA - AVGVSTA Julia, veiled, seated left holding patera and transverse scepter. RIC 506 (R2), pl. 115 (this coin). Glasgow 67, pl. 46 (different dies). Cohen 410 (Paris). RPC p. 137 (misattributed to Rome, without full specimen list or illustration). Very rare. Excellent surfaces. About EF $650 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Gorny & Mosch 142, 10-11 October 2005, lot 2408.
456. Drusus, Son of Tiberius, restored by Titus. As, 10.57g (8h). Uncertain Thracian Mint, 80-1 AD. Obv: DRVSVS CAESAR TI AVG F DIVI AVG N Head bare left. Rx: IMP T CAES DIVI VESP F AVG REST around large S C. RPC 517. Paris 299, pl. LXXXVIII (same obverse die). BM 286, pl. 55.3. RIC 437 (C3). Komnick 24 (54 specimens, from 21 obverse and 25 reverse dies, from both Rome and the provincial mint). Cohen 6 corr. (10 Fr.). Sensitive portrait of Drusus. Green patination. EF $2,000 Ex Conti Collection.
Thracian Mint Julia Titi, RIC Plate Coin
454. Julia Titi. Dupondius, 13.23g (6h). Uncertain Thracian Mint, 79-81 AD. Obv: IVLIA IMP T AVG - F AVGVSTA Bust draped right, hair gathered in small chignon at top of back of head. Rx: CERES - AVGVST S - C Ceres standing left holding two wheat ears and torch. RIC 514 (R), pl. 116 (this coin). RPC 509 (7 specimens). BM 255, pl. 53.6. Paris 265, pl. LXXXVI. Cohen 2 (12 Fr.). Rare. Green patination. Strong portrait of empress. Good VF $1,750
Enlargement
Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Triton X, 9-10 January 2007, lot 603.
455. Domitian. 81-96 AD. Semis, 4.38g (7h). Uncertain Thracian Mint, 81 AD. Obv: IMP D CAES - DIVI VES F AVG Head laureate right. Rx: PRINCEPS - [I]VV[ENTVTI]S Poppy between crossed cornucopias. Obverse legend variant of RIC 835 (R3) and RPC 543 (1 specimen, Berlin). Apparently only the second recorded specimen of the type, and with a shorter form of obverse legend than the Berlin example. Very rare. Dark green patina, VF $350 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection.
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457. Galba, restored by Titus. 68-69 AD. As, 10.34g (7h). 80-81 AD. Obv: SER GALBA IMP - CAES AVG TR P Head laureate right. Rx: Restoration legend of Titus in two circles around S C: IMP T CAES DIVI VESP F AVG P M / TR P P P COS VIII RESTITV. RIC 422 (R2), pl. 111 (Oxford specimen, same obverse die). Komnick 14.1, pl. 2 (the same Oxford coin). Very rare, apparently only the fourth recorded restored As of Galba with double circle of legend on reverse, from the same obverse die as the other three but from a new, third, reverse die: see Komnick 14.0 and 14.1, coins in Rome (Gnecchi), Berlin, and Oxford ex M端nz-Zentrum 53, 1984, lot 2301. Bold portrait. Mottled glossy green and brown patination. About VF $650 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Gorny & Mosch 142, 11 October 2005, lot 2317.
Capitoline Temple Cistophorus of Titus
458. Titus. 79-81 AD. Cistophorus, 11.16g (7h). Struck at Rome for circulation in Asia, 80-1 AD. Obv: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M Head laureate right. Rx: CA - PIT across field, RESTIT in exergue, Temple of four columns enclosing statues of Jupiter seated in middle, holding patera and scepter; Juno standing on right, also holding patera and scepter; and Minerva standing on left, holding Palladium and scepter. In pediment, two snake-legged monsters holding large facing bust apparently placed on a base. Atop pediment, facing quadriga in center between facing bigas at corners. RIC 515 (R). RPC 860 (4 specimens). Paris 111. A fairly recent addition to the Roman imperial corpus: though this reverse type has long been known on cistophori of Domitian as Augustus in 82 AD (Cohen 23, 100 Frs.), this counterpart of Titus struck a year or two earlier was apparently unknown until the BM acquired a specimen in 1948. Since then at least five other specimens have emerged: (1) Hess-Leu, 24 March 1959, lot 342, acquired by the Berne museum; (2) Leu 50, 25 April 1990, lot 295, acquired by Paris; (3) ANS, Ben Damsky Gift; (4) Berk 124, 3 January 2002, lot 448 (same obverse die as ours); finally (5) the present coin, ex CNG 57, 4 April 2001, lot 1151. Good VF $2,000 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Helios 4, October 2009, lot 317 (A. Lynn Collection). Ex CNG 57, 4 April 2001, lot 1151. The reverse type commemorates Titus’ restoration of the Capitoline Temple in Rome after it was damaged in the great fire of 80 AD. Apart from being simplified to show only four columns instead of six, the temple on the cistophori differs in some details from its depiction on two sestertius reverse dies of Vespasian’s reign, as described by Colin Kraay in Appendix E of his unpublished Oxford dissertation. For example Jupiter holds a patera in his right hand on the cistophori, but a thunderbolt on the sestertii. Minerva holds the Palladium in her right hand on the cistophori, but rests her right hand on a shield on the sestertii. The sculptures in the pediment are quite different: two anguiped monsters holding a facing bust on a base on the cistophori, but on the sestertii a central group of one seated and two standing figures, with groups of two Titans forging arms at an anvil to both left and right. Finally the cistophori shows bigas at the bottom corners of the pediment roof, where the sestertii have large eagles instead. It is difficult to decide whether these differences represent actual sculptural changes made in Titus’ reconstruction of the temple, or are merely inventions of Titus’ type designer without basis in reality.
459. Domitian as Caesar. 70-81 AD. Cistophorus, 10.81g (7h). Struck at Rome for circulation in Asia, 80-1 AD. Obv: CAES DIVI F - DOMITIANVS COS VII Head laureate right. Rx: PRINC - IVVE - NTVT Domitian on horse prancing left, raising right hand and holding scepter in left. RIC 518 (R). RPC 863 (8 specimens). BMC p. 252 note. Cohen 373 corr. (price omitted). Rare. Planchet lamination in front of neck of emperor, otherwise VF $500 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex CNG 60, 22 May 2002, lot 1605.
Temple of Roma and Augustus, RIC Plate Coin
460. Domitian. 81-96 AD. Cistophorus, 10.63g (7h). Struck at Rome for circulation in Asia, 95 AD. Obv: IMP CAES DOMITIANVS Head laureate right. Rx: Two-columned temple inscribed ROM ET AVG, containing statues of emperor in military dress charging left holding spear, crowned by female figure standing behind him holding cornucopia. RIC 854 (R2), pl. 160 (this coin). RPC 875 (2 specimens without G in exergue). Cf. Paris 223, BMC p. 352, and Cohen 407 (60 Fr.). A rare variant of an interesting type. Splendid portrait of emperor. About EF $1,500 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection, acquired from Freeman & Sear, 2009 (A. Lynn Collection). Ex CNG 57, 4 April 2001, lot 1176.
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Bithynian Judaea Capta, Hendin Plate Coin
461. Titus as Caesar. 69-79 AD. AE 26, 10.19g (7h). Koinon of Bithynia, under proconsul M. Salvidenus Asprenas. Obv: AYTOKPA TITOΣ KAIΣAP ΣEBAΣ YIOΣ Head laureate right, before oblong countermsrk with letters MHTB ligate (Howgego 622). Rx: EΠI M [Σ]AΛ[OY]IΔIANOY AΣΠP[H]NA ANΘY Palm tree with seven branches; to left cuirass, helmet, and two spears; to right large round shield and two spears. RPC 612 (5 specimens). Stumpf 381. Hendin 1576a, pl. 50 (this coin illustrated, misnumbered 1575). VF $1,000 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Acquired from D. Markov, possibly ex Emporium 10, 1987, lot 56, which bears the same countermark according to RPC. A rare Judaea Capta type on a provincial coin struck by a remote mint that was not directly affected by the war. The countermark, according to RPC, “may stand for μητροπολιc Βιθυνιαc, implying an attribution to Nicomedia”.
462. AE 25, 12.58g (1h). Koinon of Galatia, under governor M. Hirrius Fronto Neratius Priscus, 77-79 AD. Obv: ΑΥΤΟΚΡΑ ΤΙΤΟΣ ΚΑΙΣΑΡ ΣΕΒΑΣ ΥΙΟΣ Head of Titus laureate right. Rx: ΕΠΙ Μ.ΝΕΡΑ.ΠΑΝΣΑ ΠΡΕ[ΣΒΕΥ]ΤΟ Bull standing right, in exergue KO ΓΑ. Obverse and reverse legend variant of RPC 1617 (two specimens). Bold, high-relief example of a very rare issue. VF $750 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex CNG 84, 5 May 2010, lot 859.
463. Epiphanes and Callinicus, sons of Antiochus IV of Commagene. 72 AD. AE 19, 7.09g (1h). Obv: [ΒΑ]CΙΛΕΩC / [ΥΙΟΙ] in two lines in exergue, Epiphanes and Callinicus on horses stepping left, the brother in foreground with flying cloak. Rx: ΚΟΜΜΑΓΗΝΩΝ Capricorn right, star above, anchor beneath, all in wreath. RPC I 3861 (20 specimens). Sear 5515. One horse’s head off flan, otherwise Choice EF $1,000 Though traditionally dated to the short reign of Epiphanes and Callinicus after their father’s death in 72 AD, this coin was
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probably in fact struck during Antiochus’ reign (38-72 AD), “since the parallel pieces of Lycaonia (RPC 3535) must have been struck during Antiochus’s lifetime” (RPC, p. 573). The lunate sigmas in [ΒΑ]CΙΛΕΩC on our obverse are a novelty, since RPC commented that only squared sigmas appeared to be known.
464. Titus as Caesar. 79-81 AD. AE 19, 5.50g (12h). Gadara, Decapolis, Year 137 = 73/4 AD. Obv: ΤΙΤΟΣ ΚΑΙΣΑΡ around laureate head of Titus. Rx: ΓΑΔΑ ΡΕ ΩΝ around two cornucopias with cruciform ornament with pellet in each corner, between horns, date LΖΛΡ. Rosenberger IV 35. RPC II 2096. Spijkerman 30. A fascinating coin that seems to copy the Hasmonean double cornucopia motif. VF $300 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Goldberg 25, 2 June 2004, lot 3105.
465. Agrippa II for Titus as Caesar. 49/50-94/95 AD. AE 27, 13.04g (12h). Caesarea Paneas, Year 26 = 74/5 AD. Obv: AVTOKP TITOC KAICAP CEBAC Bust of Titus laureate, cuirassed right, seen from front, Medusa head on breast of cuirass. Rx: ΕΤΟ ΚS ΒΑ ΑΓΡΙΠΠΑ Nike-Victory advancing right, holding wreath in right hand and palm branch over shoulder in left. RPC 2276 (6 specimens). Hendin 1284. Treasury 160. Remarkable bust type, cuirassed seen from front, like Domitian at Ephesus (lot 431 above). VF $650 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Leu 91, 10-11 May 2004, lot 263.
466. AE 25, 12.22g (12h). Caesarea Panias, Year 26 = 74/5 AD. Obv: AVTOKP TITOC KAICAP CEBAC Head of Titus laureate right. Rx: ΕΤΟ ΚS ΒΑ ΑΓΡΙΠΠΑ Nike-Victory advancing right, holding wreath in right hand and palm branch over shoulder in left, crescent upper right. Hendin 1284b. Treasury 160c. RPC 2277 var. (there star not crescent on reverse). Full legends and a lovely example. About EF $700 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex CNG 57, 4 April 2001, lot 903.
Enlargement
467. AE 23, 12.75g (12h). Caesarea Maritima, Year 14 = 73/4 AD. Obv: AVTOKP TITOC KAICAP CEBAC Laureate head of Titus right. Rx: LΙΔ ΒΑC ΑΓΡΙΠΟΥ Nike-Victory advancing right holding wreath in right hand and palm branch over shoulder in left. Hendin 1303. RPC 2248 (10 specimens). Treasury 138, pl. 55 (same obverse die). Perfectly centered on a tight flan. VF $400 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Goldberg 41, 27 May 2007, lot 2453. Ex Alan Levin Collection.
468. Agrippa II for Domitian. 49/50-94/95 AD. AE 22, 11.34g (12h). Caesarea Maritima, Year 24 = 83/4 AD. Obv: ΔΟΜΕΤ ΚΑΙCΑP ΓΕΡΜΑΝΙ Bust of Domitian laureate, ciurassed right, seen from front, Medusa head on breast of cuirass. Rx: ΕΤΟ ΚΔ ΒΑ ΑΓΡΙ ΠΠΑ Nike-Victory advancing right holding wreath in right hand and palm branch in left. Hendin 1315. Treasury 150. RPC II 2262 (8 specimens). Olive green patina with golden highlights. VF+ $400
470. AE 11, 1.61g (2h). Caesarea Maritima, Year 25 = 84/5 AD. Obv: ΔΟΜEΤ [ΚΑΙC ΓΕΡΜA] Laureate head of Domitian right. Rx: ΕΤ - ΚΕ / ΒΑ - ΑΓ to left and right of upright cornucopia. RPC 2268 (2 specimens). Hendin 1322. Treasury 157. The smallest coin struck under Agrippa II. Rare. VF $300 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Leu 86, 5-6 May 2003, lot 503 (Kollek Collection).
471. AE 18, 5.58g (6h). Caesarea Paneas, Year 26 = 85/6 AD. Obv: IM CA D VES F DOM AV GER COS XII Laureate bust of Domitian right, aegis on front shoulder. Rx: ΕΠΙ ΒΑ ΑΓΡΙ ΕΤ ΚS around large S C. Hendin 1326. Treasury 164. RPC II 2272 (8 specimens). Dark green patination, sandy highlights. VF $300 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex CNG E-Auction 243, 27 October 2010, lot 281.
Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection.
Plate Coin in Three Major References, ex Kollek
469. AE 14-16, 3.72g (12h). Caesarea Maritima, Year 25 = 84/5 AD. Obv: ΔΟΜΕΤ Κ[ΑIC ΓΕΡΜΑ] Head of Domitian laureate right. Rx: ΕΤ - ΚΕ / ΒΑC - ΑΓΡ / Ι - Π in three lines to left and right of palm tree with two bunches of dates. RPC 2267 (6 specimens). Hendin 1320. Treasury 156. EF $400 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Leu 86, 5-6 May 2003, lot 503 (Kollek Collection).
472. AE 16, 4.93g (6h). Caesarea Paneas, Year 35 = 82/3 AD. Obv: ΑΥΤΟ ΔΟΜΙΤ Laureate head of Domitian right. Rx: ΒΑ ΑΓΡ / ΕΤ ΕΛ within a wreath. Hendin 1300. RPC 2299.7, pl. 100 (this coin). AJC 56, pl. 16 (this coin). Treasury 182, pl. 60 (this coin). The plate specimen in three major reference works. VF $700 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Leu 86, 5-6 May 2003, lot 510 (Kollek Collection).
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Hendin 1447. Treasury 382. A superb specimen. EF
$450
Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection, purchased from David Hendin.
473. Domitian. Judaean Issue. AE 24, 13.51g (12h). 81/2 AD. Obv: IMP DOMITIANVS CAESAR DIVI F AVG Head laureate right. Rx: DIVOS - T AVG Titus in military dress standing front, head right, holding spear and parazonium. Hendin 1451. Treasury 387. RPC 2301 (9 specimens). Excellent example of an extremely rare coin. VF+ $450 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex CNG E-Auction 160, 14 March 2007, lot 245.
474. AE 27, 13.79g (12h). 92/93 AD. Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG - GERM P M TR P XI Radiate head right. Rx: IMP XXI CO[S] - XVI CENS P P P Palm tree with two bunches of dates. Hendin 1458. Treasury 396. RPC 2307 (27 specimens). VF $450 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Goldberg 25, 2 June 2004, lot 3096. Ex Daniel M. Friedenberg Collection.
Enlargement
477. AE 24, 7.36g (1h). Obv: ΑΥΤΟΚΡ ΤΙΤΟ - Σ ΚΑΙΣΑΡ Laureate head right. Rx: ΙΟΥΔΑΙΑΣ EAΛ - ΩΚΥIΑΣ Νike standing right, left foot on helmet, writing on shield supported by her knee, palm tree at right. RPC 2312 (25 specimens). Hendin 1447. Treasury 382. Perfectly centered and struck on both sides. Great portrait. Beautiful green patina with orange earthen highlights. EF $450 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Heritage, HWCA Signature Sale, September 2004, lot 357.
475. Titus. Judaea Capta. 79-81 AD. AE 22, 10.33g (12h). Obv: ΑΥΤΟΚΡ ΤΙ - ΤΟΣ ΚΑΙΣΑΡ Head laureate right. Rx: ΙΟΥΔΑΙΑΣ - EAΛΩΚΥIΑΣ Nike standing right with left foot on helmet, writing with right hand on shield hanging from palm tree. RPC 2311 (39 specimens). Hendin 1446. Treasury 383. VF+ $350 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Leu 86, 5-6 May 2003, lot 538 (Kollek Collection).
476. AE 22, 6.62g (12h). Obv: ΑΥΤΟΚΡ ΤΙΤΟ - Σ ΚΑΙΣΑΡ Laureate head right. Rx: ΙΟΥΔΑΙΑΣ EAΛ - ΩΚΥIΑΣ Nike standing right, left foot on helmet, writing on shield supported by her knee, palm tree at right. RPC 2312 (25 specimens).
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478. AE 24, 13.84g (1h). Obv: ΑΥΤΟΚΡ ΤΙΤΟ -Σ Κ[ΑΙΣΑΡ] beginning upper right, Head laureate right. Rx: ΙΟΥΔΑΙΑΣ EAΛΩΚΥIΑΣ Trophy, left of its base Judaea kneeling left with hands tied behind back, shield to right of trophy. RPC 2313 (41 specimens). Hendin 1449. Treasury 384. Reverse is perfectly centered and well struck. VF+ $450 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Leu 86, 5-6 May 2003, lot 538 (Kollek Collection).
479. Trajan. 98-117 AD. Sestertius, 27.97g (7h). Rome, c. 107-110 AD. Obv: IMP CAES NERVAE TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS V P P Bust laureate right showing bare chest, with folds of cloak on front shoulder and behind neck. Rx: S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI around, S C in exergue, Trajan on horse charging right, about to hurl spear at Dacian falling to one knee below the horse, who looks back at the emperor and extends his right arm to implore mercy. MIR 317d (2 specimens), pl. 65 (same obverse die). Bust variety of BM 839 and Paris 305. Cohen 508 corr. (12 Frs.). RIC 543. Rare heroic bust type, only two such coins listed by Woytek in his comprehensive new Trajan monograph. Green patination. Struck in high relief. Medallic-style bust of emperor. EF $3,500
Trajan’s Forum Sestertius
Enlargement
481. Sepphoris. Galilee. 98-117 AD. AE 20, 6.64g (12h). Sepphoris, Galilee. Obv: TPAIANOΣ AVTOKPA - TΩP EΔΩKEN Head laureate right. Rx: ΣEΠΦΩ - PHNΩN Winged caduceus. Rosenberger 5. SNG ANS 1092. BM 14. VF+ $250 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection, purchased from Edward Waddell, Ltd. The unusual obverse legend of Trajan’s coinage at Sepphoris declares that “Emperor Trajan made a gift (to the city)”, perhaps of the coinage itself or the permission to produce it (BMC, pp. xi-xii). The Talmud mentions the favorable relations between Sepphoris and Rome. It is also interesting that the Sepphorean coins of Trajan have only reverse designs that do not clash with the Jewish laws regarding graven images: wreath, palm tree, caduceus, and ears of grain.
480. Sestertius, 27.50g (6h). Rome, 112-4 AD. Obv: IMP CAES NERVAE TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS VI P P Bust laureate right, with fold of cloak on front shoulder and behind neck Rx: FORVM TRAIAN / S C in exergue, SPQR OP - TIMO [PRI] - NCIPI around. The main entrance to Trajan’s Forum. The central passageway is flanked on each side by two niches containing statues; above the niches and the passageway, five decorative medallions; above the passageway and the central medallion, a panel for an inscription; all divided by six free-standing columns. On the roof, the emperor crowned by Victory in a frontal chariot drawn by six horses; two figures carrying spears lead the outside horses; in addition, on both left and right, a trophy and a Victory carrying a trophy over her shoulder. MIR 465b (5 specimens). BM 984. Bust variety of Paris 715, RIC 630 (R3), and Cohen 169 (150 Frs.). Exquisite architectural reverse. Green patination. EF $8,000
482. Trajan. 98-117 AD. AE 22, 14.64g (12h). Caesarea, Samaria. Obv: IMP CAES NER TRAIANO OP AV GER DAC COS VI P P Bust laureate right, fold of cloak on front shoulder and behind neck. Rx: COL PRI FL AVG CAESARENSI Trajan, togate and veiled, standing left, sacrificing over candalabrum altar with right hand and holding cornucopia with left. Kadman 23. Rosenberger 20. SNG ANS 762. Good VF $300 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection.
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483. AE 23, 10.29g (12h). Caesarea, Samaria. Obv: IMP CAES NER TRAIANO OP AV GER DAC COS VI P P Bust laureate right, fold of cloak on front shoulder and behind neck. Rx: COL PRI FL AVG CAESARENS Winged Nike advancing left holding wreath and palm. Kadman 24. Rosenberger 21. SNG ANS 764. VF+ $200
ing his first great tour of the provinces. Our coin, like BMC 243, pl. 51.9, shows three unusual details of the galley, (a) the handle of the rudder in foreground emerges from the door of the cabin, indicating that the helmsman steers the boat from there; (b) the cabin is flanked by two standards, perhaps an indication that the emperor was on board, though the one in background awkwardly ends in midair rather than disappearing behind the cabin; (c ) the prow of the ship is ornamented with a dolphin. BMC calls the two standards a “stern-post”, but they are rendered more accurately, the back one clearly disappearing behind the cabin, on two specimens in CoinArchives Pro, namely Rauch, 13 September 2010, lot 652, and Aufhäuser 19, 2006, lot 289.
Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection, purchased from Ed Waddell. Matidia Aureus Ex Egger 1913 and Vienna Duplicates
484. Matidia, Niece of Trajan and Mother-in-law of Hadrian. Aureus, 7.03g (6h). Rome, after Sept. 112 AD. Obv: MATIDIA AVG DIVAE - MARCIANAE F Bust of Matidia right, draped, hair elaborately arranged in coils, front hair drawn over high comb. Rx: PIETAS - AVGVST Matidia standing left placing her hands on heads of two girls standing beside her, representing her daughters Sabina and Matidia the Younger, who both reach up with one hand to grasp their mother’s clothing. MIR 728-1 (38 specimens). BM 659. Paris 910. Cohen 9 (250 Fr.). RIC 759 (R3). Calicó 1157. From the same dies as another specimen in private hands illustrated by Woytek, MIR 14.2, pl. 127, 728-1³. Bold portrait. VF/Fine+ $12,000
486. Denarius, 3.41g (6h). Rome, c. 132 AD. Obv: HADRIANVS - AVG COS III P P Head bare right. Rx: HISPANIA Hispania reclining left on rocks, holding branch, rabbit crouching right before her feet. BM 846. Cohen 822 (5 Fr.). RIC 305. Extremely high grade example of this scarce coin. Toned EF $1,200 Ex Sternberg XVIII, 20-21 November 1986, lot 476.
Ex NAC 59, 4-5 April 2011, lot 1963. Ex NAC 34, 21 November 2006, lot 158. Ex Aufhäuser 17, 18-19 March 2003, lot 293. Ex M&M XIX, 1959, lot 211. Ex Egger XXXIX, 15 January 1913, Vienna Duplicates, lot 911.
Enlargement
The Die 485. Hadrian. 117-138 AD. Denarius, 3.03g (6h). Rome, c. 121-4 AD. Obv: IMP CAESAR TRAIAN HADRIANVS AVG Bust laureate, draped right, seen from front. Rx: P M TR P COS III Galley rowed left by seven oars, cabin, two standards, and two rudders at stern, slanted mast with sail at bow, dolphin as decoration on prow. BM 247. Cohen 1174 (6 Fr.). RIC 113 var. VF/VF+ $350 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection, acquired from a CNG Web Auction. The reverse type refers to Hadrian’s traveling by ship dur-
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487. Sestertius, 25.82g (5h). Rome, c. 132 AD. Obv: HADRIANVS - AVG COS III P P Bare-headed, draped bust right, seen from front, in very high relief. Rx: P - AX - AVG S - C Pax stand-
ing left holding branch and cornucopia. BM 1528. Strack 678. Cohen 1016 (4 Fr.). RIC 769. From a medallic obverse die in high relief, sometimes attributed to Seltman’s “Alphaeus Master”. This coin is struck from the same dies as the famous sestertius of Hadrian from the Hunt Collection that brought two million Swiss francs several years ago. Flan crack at 5h. VF $35,000 Ex NAC 54, 24 March 2010, lot 432. Toynbee, Roman Medallions, p. 32, cited two sestertii from the same dies as ours as typical examples of a “medallic coin”, which she defined as a coin struck from an obverse die meant for medallions or in medallic style but an ordinary reverse die. Our obverse die is indeed very similar to (Toynbee mistakenly thought the same as) the die used to strike two large bronze medallions of Hadrian, one with reverse eagle, peacock, and owl, the other with reverse “Pons Aelius”: see Gnecchi II, pl. 42.2-3 = Mittag, Römische Medaillons, Caesar bis Hadrian, nos. Hadr. 83 and 94, pl. 52 and 56. Our coin may be one of only five specimens of this famous medallic coin, all from the same pair of dies, that have appeared on the market over the past century or so, the other four being: (1) Numismatica Genevensis 5, 2-3 December 2008, lot 233 = Sotheby’s, New York, Nelson Bunker Hunt, lot 134 = M & M Basel 52, 19-20 June 1975, lot 617. (2) Glendining, 2 April 1952, Ryan, Fifth Part, lot 2548 = Naville II, 12-14 June 1922, Vautier-Collignon, lot 732 = J. Hirsch XXXI, 6 May 1912, lot 1325. (3) M & M XVII, 2-4 December 1957, lot 451 = Hess, Vienna, 22 May 1935, Trau, lot 1267 = Toynbee, Roman Medallions, pl. I.4, now in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, Roman Medallions, 2nd ed., 1975, no. 24. (4) Lanz 94, 22 November 1999, lot 498 = M & M Basel, 12-13 November 1970, lot 343..
488. Hadrian and Sabina. 117-138 AD. AE 21, 8.42g (6h). Aelia Capitolina, Judaea, 130-138 AD. Obv: IMP CAE TR - HAD AVG Laureate, draped, cuirassed bust of Hadrian right. Rx: SABIN - AVGVS Draped bust of Sabina right with hair piled atop head. Meshorer (Aelia) 7. Rosenberger 7. One of the earliest coins of the Jerusalem mint. Good Fine $200 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection.
Exquisite High Relief Aureus
489. Antoninus Pius. 138-161 AD. Aureus, 7.35g (7h). Rome, 153 AD. Obv: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P XVI Bust draped and cuirassed left, with head bare. Rx: COS IIII Togate, bareheaded emperor standing l. holding globe and roll.. BM 798, pl. 16.19 (same obverse. die). Calicó 1523 (same dies). RIC 226e. Cohen 308 (40 Fr.). An exceptionally beautiful aureus of Pius. Mint State $12,000
Enlargement Enlargement
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Magnificent Brittania Reverse
490. Sestertius, 22.84g (6h). Rome, 143-4 AD. Obv: ANTONINVS AVG - PIVS P P TR P COS III Head laureate right. Rx: BRITA - N - NIA around, S C in exergue, Britannia seated left on pile of rocks resting elbow on shield set on rocks and holding standard. BM 1637. RIC 742 (R2). Strack 825. Cohen 116 var. (20 Fr.). Apparently a river-bed find, without patination but somewhat porous and granular. Still probably the best BRITANNIA sesterius of Pius in existence, with a sharp and detailed figure of the seated province. Porosity aside, EF $10,000
Enlargement
493. Marcus Aurelius. 161-180 AD. Aureus, 7.30g (12h). Rome, 168 AD. Obv: M ANTONINVS AVG - ARM PARTH MAX Head laureate right. Rx: TR P XXII IMP V COS III Aequitas seated left holding scales and cornucopia. BM 465 (same reverse die, pl. 61.19). Calic贸 2005 (same dies). Cohen 898 (40 Fr.). RIC 189. Excellent portrait of the bearded Marcus. Mint State $9,000 Ex Berk 175, 7 July 2011, lot 63. Ex Gorny & Mosch 169, 13 October 2008, lot 305.
494 Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus. 161-169 AD. AE 23, 11.72g (6h). Aelia Capitolina, Judaea (Jerusalem). Obv: IMP CAES ANTO - NINO ET - VERO AVG Confronted busts of Marcus Aurelius (left) and Lucius Verus, both laureate, draped, and cuirassed. Rx: COL AEL - CAP Bust of Serapis left, draped and wearing modius. Meshorer (Aelia) 56. Kadman 58. Rosenberger 35. VF $300 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex CNG E-Auction 160, 14 March 2007, lot 249.
491. Divus Antoninus Pius. Sestertius, 25.76g (12h). Rome. Obv: DIVVS - ANTONINVS Head bare right. Rx: DIVO - PIO S - C Altar enclosure with door in front and horns on top. BM 886. Cohen 358 (8 Frs.). RIC 1272. Olive patination. EF $3,000 Ex Astarte XXII, 12 June 2010, lot 174.
492. Diva Faustina I. Died 141 AD. As (red metal), 10.06g (12h). Rome. Obv: DIVA FAV - STINA Bust draped right. Rx: AVGV - STA S - C Ceres, veiled, standing left holding up two short torches. BM 1576. Cohen 92 (2 Fr.). RIC 1174. EF $1,600
100
495. Faustina II, Wife of Marcus Aurelius. Sestertius, 26.47g (1h). Rome. Obv: FAVSTINA - AVGVSTA Bust draped right. Rx: HILARITAS S - C Hilaritas standing left holding long palm and cornucopia. BM 911. Cohen 112. RIC 1642. Beautiful sestertius of Faustina. Glossy olive patination with untouched surfaces. Choice EF $2,000 Ex Astarte XXII, 12 June 2010, lot 180.
Enlargement
the one on the left holding a ladle over the altar, while the one on the right drops incense on the altar with her right hand and holds an open box in her left hand. Four Corinthian columns of the temple in background are shown. Between the middle two columns, two opened doors reveal a seated deity within; above the doors, and between the two outer columns on both sides, crosshatching may be seen. Gnecchi 13 (15 specimens), pl. 76.9 (Milan, same dies). Dressel, Berlin Medallions, no. 57, pl. IX (some tooling, same dies). Cohen 105 (300 Fr.). This is an absolutely wonderful medallion. Completely natural and untouched with a black olive patination. EF $50,000 A similar reverse type was used on both medallions and coins of Julia Domna with legend VESTA MATER. The same obverse die of Lucilla was also used to strike three other medallic reverse types, namely Venus standing by altar with Cupid, Ceres seated handing wheat ears to Securitas standing and leaning on column, and seated Juno handing Three Graces to standing empress: see Gnecchi, pl. 76, 3, 4, and 7.
496. Lucius Verus. 161-169 AD. Sestertius, 19.65g (11h). Rome, 163 AD. Obv: IMP CAES L AVREL - VERVS AVG Head laureate right. Rx: FELIC AVG TR POT III above, COS II in exergue, S - C in field, Galley rowed left over waves by six oarsmen, Verus seated in cabin at stern between two standards, small sail on slanting mast at bow. Commemorates Verus’ voyage from Rome to Antioch to direct the Roman campaign against Parthia. BM 1051 var. Cohen 69 (12 Fr.). RIC 1325. About EF/EF $3,000 Ex Astarte XXII, 12 June 2010, lot 182. Ex Rauch 63, 14 November 2009, lot 271. Lucilla Medallion
497. Lucilla, Wife of Lucius Verus. Copper medallion, 39 mm, 52.91g (12h). Rome. Obv: LVCILLAE AVG - ANTONINI AVG F Bust draped right, seen from front. Rx: No legend, Two groups of three Vestals each, sacrificing at lighted and garlanded altar before round Temple of Vesta with pointed, apparently tiled roof. All six Vestals are veiled, and five of them (the sixth turns her back to us) can be seen to be wearing round clasps on their chests fastening the ends of their veils, a detail also found in other depictions of Vestals (Dressel, p. 172, note 1). The two innermost Vestals perform the actual sacrifice,
Enlargement
101
Clodius Albinus Aureus
498. Sestertius, 29.20g (11h). Rome. Obv: LVCILLAE AVG ANTONINI AVG F Bust draped right. Rx: V - E - NVS S - C Venus standing left holding apple and scepter. BM 1167. Cohen 72 (10 Fr.). RIC 1767. Not a rare coin, so apparently overpriced by Cohen. Brown patination. Choice EF $1,000 Ex Astarte XXII, 12 June 2010, lot 183.
500. Clodius Albinus as Caesar. 193-195 AD. Aureus, 7.05g (12h). Rome, 194 AD. Obv: D CLOD SEPT - ALBIN CAES Bareheaded bust right, fold of cloak on front shoulder and behind neck. Rx: FORT RE - DVCI COS II Fortuna seated left holding rudder on globe and cornucopia, wheel under seat. BM 93, pl. 8.4 (different dies). Cohen 29 (Paris, 1500 Fr.). RIC 5b (R4). Calicó 2415. Clay, 1972 Oxford thesis, 58 (Paris, o19 / r38). Very rare: only twelve aurei of Albinus as Caesar known to Clay in 1972, including three of this type, from two obverse and two reverse dies (BM 93, Mazzini 29, and Paris). Though this coin has numerous contact marks, it has an excellent welldefined expressive portrait of Clodius Albinus, whose aurei are known only in a handful of specimens. Aside from the contact marks, this coin is VF $25,000
Stadium Aureus
499. Crispina. AE 43 Medallion, 51.85g (6h). Saitta, Lydia, under Okt. Artemidoros, First Archon. Obv: KPICPINA - CEBACTH beginning at upper right, Draped bust right wearing stephane. Rx: EPI OKT AP - TEM - IDWPOV A[PX A] around, CAITTHNWN in exergue, Men wearing Phrygian cap, crescent behind shoulders, standing right holding pine cone and scepter, before Cybele wearing crown of towers, seated left holding patera and resting left elbow on drum. Numismatica Genevensis V, 2-3 December 2008, lot 256 (same dies). Berk 169, 1 June 2010, lot 428 (this coin). Otherwise apparently unpublished. Compare however BM 39 (Crispina at Saitta, same magistrate, different reverse type, smaller denomination) and ImhoofBlumer, Zur griechischen und römischen Münzkunde, p. 129, pl. VI.4 (Elagabalus at Saitta, same reverse type). Wonderful large medallion. Olive patination with brown-orange highlights. Good VF $10,000 Ex Berk 169, 1 June 2010, lot 428.
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501. Septimius Severus. 193-211 AD. Aureus, 6.96g (6h). Rome, 206 AD. Obv: SEVERVS - PIVS AVG Head laureate right. Rx: COS III in exergue, P P above, Stadium of Domitian, bird’seye view from side, open end on left, large entrance arches in middle of near side and at apex of curved end on right, within nine figures participating in athletic games: from left to right, competitor running left; two boxers fighting; three togate figures, the one on the right crowning the one in the middle, while the one on the left is a muscian with horn; then two wrestlers grappling; finally the emperor seated left under canopy. BM 319, pl. 35.4 (same dies). Cohen 571 (400 Fr., citing BM). RIC 260 (R3). Calicó 2518. Very rare, only eight specimens from four obverse and four reverse dies previously recorded: see S. Sondermann, Das Stadion des Domitian auf Aurei des Septimius Severus, Num. Nachrichtenblatt, March 2010, pp.109-110. See also Ben L. Damsky, “The Stadium aureus of Septimius Severus”, AJN 2, 1990, 77-105, pl. 10-13. The only numismatic depiction of this stadium, and very rare. Two ancient holes above portrait. Fine $5,000 Ex Berk 173, 15 March 2011, lot 51. This is the only depiction on coins of Domitian’s Stadium for athletic contests in the Campus Martius, whose shape is preserved today by the Piazza Navona in Rome.
Ex V.J.E. Ryan Collection, 1952
502. Denarius, 2.78g (6h). Rome, 206 AD. Obv: SEVERVS - PIVS AVG Head laureate right. Rx: LAETITIA above, TEMPORVM in exergue, the spina of the Circus Maximus decorated as a ship facing left, with the turning posts at its prow and stern, a sail mounted on the central obelisk, and the spina’s other monuments visible in between; above the ship, four quadrigas racing left; below, seven animals: an ostrich at left and bear (indistinct on this specimen) at right; between them a lion and a lioness chasing a wild ass and a panther attacking a bison. BM 343. RIC 274 (R2). Cohen 253 (60 Fr.). Rare: only three specimens in Reka Devnia hoard. About EF $4,000 This famous type commemorates the chariot races and animal hunt that took place on the seventh and final day of Severus’ Saecular Games in 204 AD, as described in the inscriptional acts of those games which were found in Rome in the 1870s and 1930s, and also in the text of Dio Cassius, tacked on to his description of Severus’ Decennalian Games of 202 AD by his Byzantine epitomator as we can now see. The games consisted of chariot races, indicated by the racing quadrigas in the the coin type, and then a hunt of 700 beasts, 100 each of “lions, lionesses, panthers, bears, bisons, wild asses, ostriches”, which were released in large groups from a receptacle shaped like a boat. As C. Clay was the first to observe, the seven kinds of animals named by both Dio and the inscriptional acts are also depicted in the coin type: on good specimens, especially the aureus BMC pl. 34.4, the ostrich and the bear are clear, the lion has a mane, the ass has long ears, the bison has horns and a hump. Two large felines remain, of which we may suppose that the one accompanying the lion is the lioness and the one attacking the bison is the panther. On our denarius as on that in the BM (pl. 35.19), however, the panther attacking the bison has been omitted and, instead, the ass running from the lion and lioness and looking back at them has been given a second head with antelope-like horns, as though to represent two animals overlapping each other.
503. Septimius Severus and Julia Domna. 193-211 AD. Denarius, 3.17g (5h). Rome, 201 AD. Obv: SEVERVS AVG - PART MAX Head of Septimius laureate right. Rx: IVLIA - AVGVSTA Draped bust of Julia Domna right. BM 193. Cohen 2 (60 Fr.). RIC 161a (R3). Immaculate surfaces. EF $8,000 Ex M & M 79, 28 February-1 March 1994, lot 569. Ex Glendining, 2 April 1952, V.J.E. Ryan, Fifth Part, lot 2225.
Enlargement
504. Caracalla. 198-217 AD. Denarius, 3.55g (6h). Rome, 206 AD. Obv: ANTONINVS - PIVS AVG Head laureate right. Rx: LAETITIA above, TEMPORVM in exergue, the spina of the Circus Maximus decorated as a ship facing left, with the turning posts at its prow and stern, a sail mounted on the central obelisk, and the spina’s other monuments visible in between; above the ship, four quadrigas racing left.; below, seven animals: an ostrich at left and bear at right; between them a lion and a lioness chasing a wild ass and a panther (indistinct on this specimen) attacking a bison. BM 508, pl. 40.17 (same rev. die). Cohen 118 (50 Fr.). RIC 157 (R3). Rare: only two specimens in Reka Devnia hoard. For the reverse type see commentary to lot 502 above. EF $4,000
Enlargement Enlargement
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Circus Maximus
505. Silver quinarius, 1.36g (7h). Rome, 201-6 AD. Obv: ANTONINVS - [P]IVS AVG Bust laureate, draped left. Rx: VICT - AVGG Victory advancing left holding wreath and palm. King 10, pl. 21 (1 specimen, Subak Collection, same dies as ours). Bust variety of RSC 616b. Very rare left facing portrait on a rare denomination; apparently only the second recorded specimen. VF $3,750
Enlargement
507. Sestertius, 21.93g (7h). Rome, 213 AD. Obv: M AVREL ANTONINVS AVG PIVS BRIT Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: P M TR P XVI IMP II around, COS IIII P P / S C in exergue, Circus Maximus, showing front wall with large entrance arch and fifteen smaller arches; back wall with spectators, temple, and top of arch surmounted by statues on right; right end wall topped by starter’s lodge and statues; triumphal arch surmounted by statue of emperor in quadriga at left end; spina with turning posts at ends, obelisk in middle, plus apparatus with dolphins for numbering laps and statue atop column; finally in the arena at right, as though just emerging from the starting gates, three racing chariots. BM 251, pl. 75.2 (same obverse die). Cohen 236 (60 Fr.). RIC 500a (R3). Slightly granular surfaces, but this coin has a very complete reverse, though somewhat softly struck. Good VF $8,000 Ex CNG 63, 21 May 2003, lot 1439.
506. Sestertius, 29.08g (5h). Rome, 211 AD. Obv: M AVREL ANTONI - NVS PIVS AVG Head laureate r., fold of cloak on front shoulder and behind neck. Rx: VICTORIAE BRITTANNICAE around, S C in exergue, Victory, naked to waist, standing right, placing left foot on helmet, reaching out right arm to shield on trophy, to right of which are two captives with hands tied behind back, namely a tall standing female figure wearing a crown and a smaller seated male. BM 819, pl. 49.9 (same obverse die). RIC 464 (R2). Cohen 639 (30 Fr.). A mule from an old obverse die: the British Victory reverse type means that Caracalla should also have been called BRIT on the obverse. BM 821, pl. 49.8, is from the same obverse die. Minor obverse strengthening of the portrait. Untouched reverse. EF/Nearly EF $6,000
508. Tetradrachm, 12.61g (12h). Akko Ptolemais, 215-7 AD. Obv: AYT Κ Μ A - ΑΝΤΩΝEΙΝΟC - CEB Head laureate right. Rx: ΔΗΜΑΡΧ ΕΞ ΥΠΑΤΟC Τ Δ Eagle standing right, head left, wings spread, wreath in beak; between legs, caps of the Dioscuri surmounted by stars. Prieur 1222 (61 specimens). EF $300
509. Billon tetradrachm, 14.05g (12h). Akko Ptolemais, AD 215-217. Obv: [ΑΥ]Τ Κ ΜΑ - ΑΝΤΩΝΕΙΝΟ - C CEB Head laureate right. Rx: [Δ]ΗΜΑΡΧ ΕΞ Υ[ΠΑ]ΤΟC Τ - Δ Eagle standing front, wings spread, head right, wreath in beak. Between legs are the caps of the Dioscuri surmounted by stars. Border of dots. The final Δ of the reverse legend engraved over the tip of the eagle’s left wing. Prieur 1225 (14 specimens). EF $300 Enlargement
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Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex CNG 57, 4 April 2001, lot 859.
510. Macrinus. 217-218 AD. AE 29-31, 16.49g (11h). Phoenicia, Byblos. Obv: AVT KAI MA - KPINOC CEB Laureate, cuirassed bust r., seen from front. Rx: IEPAC above, BVB / LOV* below, Temple with court attached to its rear; five steps lead to the front of the temple, within which an altar is seen; five steps lead to a side-entrance to the court, within which is a large cone surrounded by a fence. BM 38. Sear 2963. Price/Trell fig. 271. Pleasant red and green patination. Exceptional portrait. EF $3,000 The reverse type may show the great sanctuary of Aphrodite in Byblos that Lucian mentions. Unfortunately no actual remains of this sanctuary have been excavated, and it is uncertain how the three elements of the coin type, namely the temple, a colonnaded courtyard behind the temple with an entrance approached by a long staircase, and finally, within the courtyard, a large conical holy image surrounded by a fence, fit together in reality. See the discussion in Price/Trell, pp. 151-2.
Enlargement
Stunning Portrait
Enlargement
512. AE 42 Medallion, 43.95g (6h). Pergamum, Mysia, under strategos Aur. Neilos. Obv: AYTOKP.K.Γ.IOYΛ.BHPOC. MAΞIMEINOC. Bust laureate, cuirassed right, seen from front, fold of cloak on front shoulder, Medusa head on breast of cuirass. Rx: EΠI CTP.AYP. on left, NEI / ΛOY in two lines at top, ΠEPΦAMH. / NΩN. in two lines at right, ΠPΩTΩN.ΓNE / .ΩK.PΩN Asklepios standing front holding serpent-wreathed rod, beside Zeus seated left holding patera and scepter; in upper middle field, urn containing palm branch. Cf. SNG Paris 2263 (same obverse die, on reverse NEIΛOY arranged differently and no urn containing palm). Possibly unpublished with the urn containing palm in reverse field. VF $5,000 This medallion fortunately escaped the fate of many of Maximinus’ surviving coins and medallions from Pergamum, which had their obverses scraped flat, presumably as damnatio memoriae after the emperor’s death. So for example SNG Paris 2264 and 2272-3, the first of which has the variant of our reverse type lacking the urn with palm, from the same reverse die as the intact Paris 2263.
511. Maximinus I Thrax. 235-238 AD. Sestertius, 19.32g (12h). Rome, 236 AD. Obv: IMP MAXIMINVS PIVS AVG Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right; third portrait with hooked nose and protruding chin. Rx: PAX - AVGVSTI S - C Pax standing left holding branch and transverse scepter. MIR (Alram) 10-5/C, p. 80, pl. 7. Cf. BM 72, pl. 35 (second portrait). RIC 58. Cohen 34. Stunning portrait. Virtually Mint State $1,500
513. Diva Paulina, Wife of Maximinus I. Denarius, 2.62g (7h). Rome. Obv: DIVA PAVLINA Bust draped and veiled right. Rx: CONSECRATIO Peacock with tail spread standing front, head left. BM 135. Cohen 1 (50 Fr.). RIC 1 (R2). The scarcer of Diva Paulina’s two denarius types: only one specimen in Eauze hoard, compared to eight specimens with type flying peacock bearing empress. About EF $1,600
Ex Triton X, 9 January 2007, lot 703.
Ex Tkalec, 23 October 1998, lot 250.
105
Hostilian Aureus
514. Gordian III. 238-244 AD. Tetradrachm, 12.43g (12h). Antiochia ad Orontem, 241-4 AD. Obv: AYTOK K M ANT ΓOPΔI[ANOC C]EB Bust radiate, cuirassed left, seen from front, holding spear over right shoulder and shield decorated with winged Medusa head by left shoulder, strap over right shoulder and across chest. Rx: ΔHM[APX] E - Ξ VΠATO B Eagle with spread wings standing right, head left, wreath in beak; between legs ram, head turned back, running left under crescent. Prieur 299 (11 specimens). McAlee 884 (Rare; his specimen from same dies as ours). EF $2,500
515. Philip II as Augustus. 247-249 AD. Sestertius, 17.98g (12h). Rome, 248 AD. Obv: IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: SAECVLARES AVGG around, S C in exergue, Elk standing left. RIC 264a (S). Cohen 73 (6 Fr.). Olive green patina. EF+ $3,000
516. Restored Coinage of Trajan Decius for Divus Titus. 249-251 AD. Antoninianus, 3.16g (6h). Rome, 251 AD. Obv: DIVO TITO Radiate head of Divus Titus right. Rx: CONSECRATIO Eagle standing right, head left, wings raised. RIC IV.3, p. 130, 81a (R). Cohen (Titus) 404 (3 Fr.). Rare: only two specimens in Dorchester hoard. Mint State $300 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection, purchased from Harlan Berk.
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517. Hostilian as Caesar. 250-251 AD. Aureus, 3.89g (7h). Rome. Obv: C VALENS HOSTIL MES QVINTVS N C Bare-headed, draped bust right. Rx: PRINCIPI IVVENTVTIS Prince standing left holding baton and transverse spear. RIC 183b (R3). Cohen 37 (Wiczay, 750 Fr.). Calicó 3318a (same dies). Ear flatly struck, otherwise Mint State $25,000 Ex UBS 50, 30 January 2001, lot 3.
Enlargement
Uranius Antoninus Aureus, Millennial Games
518. Uranius Antoninus. 253-254 AD. Aureus, 5.88g (12h). Emesa. Obv: L IVL AVR SVLP VRA ANTONINVS Laureate, draped, cuirassed bust left, seen from front. Rx: SAECVLARES AVGG Cippus inscribed COS / I in two lines. RIC 7. Baldus 88-9, pl. VIII (BM and Berlin, both same dies as ours). Calicó 3395 (a third specimen, same dies). Delbrueck, NC 1948, p. 15, 3 and fig. 4. Not in Cohen. All aurei of Uranius Antoninus are extremely rare. This is apparently only the fourth recorded specimen of one of the more interesting types, commemorating the games held by Philip I in honor of the millennium of Rome. Recently a far less interesting type of no better grade brought 140,000 Swiss francs. Small scrape at 10h on reverse edge. Near Mint State $75,000 Ex NAC 59, 4-5 April 2011, lot 1122.
Millennium Antoninianus Celebrating Decennalia
520. Maximianus. 286-305 AD. Antoninianus, 2.72g (8h). Lugdunum, 294 AD. Obv: MAXIMIANVS P F AVG Bust radiate, cuirassed right, seen from front, fold of cloak on front shoulder. Rx: SAECVLARES AVGG around, MXX in exergue, cippus inscribed COS / X in two lines. Bastien, Lyon 673, pl. XLVII (Paris only, probably same reverse die). RIC 415 (R). Cohen 507 (Paris, 20 Fr.). Two further specimens of this coin, apparently also with COS X on the column, are published in Lyon, Supplement II, 676b-c; ours may be only the fourth recorded. Silvered Choice EF $1,500 Ex Triton XIII, 5-6 January 2010, lot 363.
Enlargement
This curious reverse type, which has puzzled numismatists for centuries, seems to be an adaptation of the similar Saecular Games type of Philip I, to commemorate Diocletian and Maximian’s decennalian vows. The legend SAECVLARES AVGG and the type of cippus inscribed COS in the top line have been taken over from Philip’s type, which showed the monumental marble inscription set up to record and commemorate his millennial games of 248. The X beneath the COS on the cippus, however, together with MXX added in the exergue, must refer to Diocletian and Maximian’s decennalia, VOTIS X MVLTIS XX, as on the contemporaneous Lugdunese antoniniani with reverse VOT / X M / XX in three lines in wreath. Diocletian and Maximian, after all, were only COS V and IIII respectively in 294, not COS X ! It may be doubted whether there was actually anything “saecular” or any connection to the birthday of Rome in the celebration of Diocletian and Maximian’s decennalia in 293-4; this may be just a conceit of the mint of Lugdunum to commemorate what were in fact ordinary decennalian celebrations. See Bastien’s discussion, with a somewhat different interpretation, in Lyon, pp. 73-75.
Second Recorded 519. Diocletian. 284-305 AD. Argenteus, 3.73g (1h). Rome, c. 294 AD. Obv: DIOCLETI - ANVS AVG Head laureate right. Rx: VIRTVS - MILITVM around, R in exergue, Four emperors sacrificing over tripod altar before gate (hardly indicated) of six-turreted enclosure. RIC 32a (R3). RSC 516†f. Iridescent toning. EF $500 Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex CNG 50, 23 June 1999, lot 1680.
521. Allectus. 293-296 AD. Antoninianus, 3.00g (11h). London. Obv: IMP C ALLECTVS P F AVG Bust radiate, cuirassed right. Rx: [IOVI] CON - SER - VATORI, [ML] in exergue, S - P in field, Jupiter standing left holding thunderbolt and scepter. Glasgow 5 (not illustrated). Burnett, Coinage of Allectus, 4 (citing Glasgow). Only one cited. Very rare. EF/VF $900
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Unimprovable Licinius II Aureus
522. Constantius I. 305-306 AD. Aureus, 5.32g (12h). Nicomedia. Obv: CONSTANTI - VS AVGVSTVS Head laureate right. Rx: HERCVLI - VICTORI NK Hercules standing right, leaning on club and holding Apples of the Hesperides and lionskin, SMN in exergue. RIC 32 (R4). Depeyrot 305 (2 specimens). Calicó 4845. FDC $15,000 Ex Gemini I, 11-12 January 2005, lot 462.
524. Licinius II as Caesar. 317-324 AD. Aureus, 5.31g (12h). Nicomedia, 321-2 AD. Obv: D N VAL LICIN LICINIVS NOB C Draped and cuirassed bust front, head bare, with curly sideburns. Rx: IOVI CONSER - VATORI CAES Jupiter seated facing on platform, holding Victory on globe and scepter, eagle holding wreath in beak at his feet, SIC.V. / SIC.X. inscribed on platform, SMNΓ in exergue. RIC 42, officina Γ=3. Depeyrot 31/2, p. 126 (16 specimens from officina Γ). Calicó 5151. Cohen 28 (300 Fr.). The facing-head aurei of Licinius I and II are one of the important artistic markers in the Roman series, and until about fifteen years ago were virtually unobtainable. In recent years they have come up on occasion, but rarely in such flawless condition. FDC $35,000 Ex Berk 142, 15 March 2005, lot 14.
Enlargement
Galeria Valeria Aureus
Enlargement
523. Galeria Valeria, Wife of Galerius. Aureus, 5.35g (7h). Nicomedia, 307-8 AD. Obv: GAL VAL - ERIA AVG Bust draped, cuirassed right, seen from front, wearing stephane. Rx: VENERI VICTR - ICI NK (monogram) VL (monogram) XC around, SMN in exergue, Venus standing left, holding out apple before face and fold of drapery behind neck. RIC 47 (R3). Cohen 11 (BM, 1000 Frs.). Depeyrot p. 122, 11/4 (12 specimens). Calicó 4973. EF $25,000 The letters at the end of the reverse legend are “the Nicomedian monogram and a numerical symbol [‘VL 90’] for which no obvious or convincing explanation has been offered” (Sutherland, RIC VI, p. 547, note 1).
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525. Constantine II as Caesar. 317-337 AD. Solidus, 4.42g (12h). Nicomedia, c. 324-5 AD. Obv: CONSTANTINVS IVN NOB C Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right, seen from front. Rx: PRINCIPI - I - V - VETVTIS Caesar, laureate, in military dress, cloak over shoulders and hanging down from left arm, standing left, head right, holding standard topped by eagle with wreath in beak and scepter; to right, a second standard with hand at top; in exergue, SMNK. RIC 73 (2 specimens). Depeyrot 35/1 (p. 127, 5 specimens). Cohen 155 (180 Fr.). EF $5,000
526. Gratian. 367-383 AD. Solidus, 4.47g (12h). Trier, 377-80 AD. Obv: D N GRATIA - NVS P F AVG Bust draped, cuirassed right, seen from front, wearing pearl diadem. Rx: VICTOR - IA AVGG Two emperors enthroned facing, the one on the right smaller, together holding globe, crowned by Victory hovering between them, palm branch in field between their legs, in exergue TROBT. RIC 39d, officina T=3. Depeyrot 47/2, p. 122 (98 specimens with this mintmark). Cohen 38 (20 Fr.). Purchased in St. Louis in the 1950s for $25. Mint State $1,500
The Vandals, after capturing France and Spain, invaded and conquered North Africa in 429 AD. Justinian completed his re-conquest of the province from the Vandals in 535 AD, though minor mopping up operations against the Moors lasted until 548 AD. It is recorded that the re-conquest cost 100,000 pounds of gold. This extraordinary solidus naming Alexandria in the exergue tells the world that the Romans had retaken Alexandria thus Egypt and North Africa.
With typed dealer’s envelope from the 1950s, graded Uncirculated and priced $25.
Enlargement
527. Julius Nepos. 474-475 AD. Half siliqua, 0.95g (6h). Ravenna. Obv: [D] N IVL NE - POS P F A[VG] Bust diademed, draped, cuirassed right, seen from front. Rx: R - [V[ across field, Turreted Ravenna standing left, right foot on prow, holding scepter and cornucopia. RIC 3216 (R4). RSC 15a. Cohen 15 (150 Fr.). VF+ $7,500
Enlargement
Finest Alexandria Solidus of Justinian I
528. Byzantine Empire. Justinian I. 527-565 AD. Solidus, 4.35g (6h). Alexandria, c. 527-537 AD. Obv: D N IVSTINI - ANVS PP AVG Helmeted bust of Justinian three-quarter facing front in military dress holding spear over shoulder and shield. Rx: VICTORI - A AVGGG A Angel standing facing, holding long cross and globus cruciger; to right, star; in exergue, ALEXAOB. Lanz/Bernardi 148, 4 January 2010, lot 167 (same dies). Lanz 151, 30 June 2011, lot 943 (same dies). This type was unknown until recently so is not in any of the major references. MIB -. Berk -. DO -. BN -. Today five specimens are recorded of which this is by far the finest. Mint State $35,000
529. Justin II. 565-578 AD. Solidus, 4.44g (6h). Carthage, c. 576577 AD. Obv: D N IVSTINVS PP AVI Helmeted and cuirassed bust facing, holding globe surmounted by Victory, and shield. Rx: VICTORIA AVGGG B Constantinopolis seated facing, head right, holding spear and globus cruciger; in exergue CONOB. Berk 64. DO 190 (officina B not in DO). MIB 18b. Small contact mark on reverse rim at 1h, otherwise beautifully struck Mint State $650
530. Constans II. 641-668 AD. Hexagram, 6.55g (6h). Constantinople. Obv: D N CONSTANTINuS PP AV Bust facing, beardless, wearing crown, chlamys and holding globus cruciger. Rx: DEuS ADIuTA ROMAINS Cross potent on globe above three steps. DOC 48.1. MIB 42. Sear 988. These coins, though rather common, are almost never seen in this condition. Toned Choice EF $3,500 Ex Gorny & Mosch 151, 9 October 2006, lot 534.
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531. Justinian II. 685-695 AD (First Reign). Solidus, 4.40g (6h). Constantinople, c. 692-695 AD. Obv: IhS CRISJOS REX REJNANJIuM Bust of Christ facing with cross behind head; he has long hair and full beard, wears pallium and colobium, and raises right hand in benediction; he holds the book of Gospels in his left hand. Rx: D IuSJINIANuS SERu ChRISJi E (retrograde). Justinian, wearing crown and loros, standing facing, holding cross potent set on two steps and akakia; beneath [CONOP]. Berk 186. DO 7c. MIB 8. Sear 1248. Ratto 1682-4. Tolstoi 27-34. Unusually nice complete strike on portrait of Christ with complete legend. Near Mint State $6,000
532. Tiberius III. 698-705 AD. Solidus, 4.47g (7h). Constantinople. Obv: D TIbERIuS PE AV Bust facing, with short beard, wearing crown and cuirass, and holding spear diagonally across body and shield. Rx:VICTORIA AVGu Cross potent on three steps, CONOB beneath. Berk 193. MIB 1. Sear 1360. Well struck, near mirror surfaces, rare so nice. Mint State $1,200
Enlargement
Rome PAX Solidus
534. Justinian II. 705-711 AD (Second Reign). Solidus, 4.34g (5h). Rome (?). Obv: Bust of Christ facing. He has short curly hair, short beard and wears a pallium and colobium. He raises his right hand in benediction. Rx: Bust of Justinian I facing with short beard, wearing crown and loros, and holding cross potent on three steps in right hand. In left hand, patriarchal cross on globe inscribed PAX. MIB 26. Mint State $10,000
Enlargement
Enlargement
533. Tremissis, 1.37g (7h). Beneventum. Obv: Cuirassed facing bust of Tiberius III holding spear across chest and shield. Rx: Cross potent with star in left field. MIB X, 4-6. Mint State $5,000 Ex Artemide Aste XXXII, lot 256.
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535. Constantine V, Copronymus. 741-775 AD. Solidus, 4.46g (6h). Constantinople. Obv: G N CONSTANTINuS Bust facing with short beard, wearing crown and chlamys, and holding cross potent and akakia. Rx: G LEON P A MuL Facing bust of Leo III (the emperor’s deceased father), with short beard, wearing crown and chlamys, and holding cross potent and akakia. Berk 225. DO 1. Sear 1550. Ratto 1742-4. BMC 1-6. Tolstoi pl. 66, 1-8. Mint State $1,500
Artavasdus Solidus
536. Artavasdus. July 742-2 Nov. 743 AD. Solidus, 4.42g (5h). Constantinople. Obv: G APTAuA - SDOS MuLT Facing bust of Artavasdus with slight beard, wearing crown and chalmys, and holding globus cruciger and akakia. Rx: G NIChEOR - uS MuLTu A Facing bust of his son Nicephorus, beardless, wearing crown and loros and holding globus cruciger and akakia. DO 2b. Berk NC2. Sear 1542. Tolstoi 3. BMC p. 391. One of the classic rarities of the Byzantine series. EF $60,000
538. Leo IV, the Khazar. 775- 780 AD. Solidus, 4.43g (6h). Constantinople. Obv: LEOn VS S EUUOn COnSTAnTInOS O nEOS Facing busts of Leo IV, with short beard and Constantine VI, beardless. Each wears a crown, chlamys; between their heads is a pellet; in field above, cross. Rx: LEOn PAP’ COnSTAnTInOS PATHR Facing busts of Leo III and Constantine V, both with short beards, each wearing crown and loros; between their heads, pellet. In field above, cross. Berk 232. DO 1. Sear 1583. Ratto 1765-6. BMC 1-2. Tolstoi pl. 67, 1-4. Though the obverse legend is slightly doubled, this is a remarkably well-struck coin with immaculate surfaces. Mint State $2,500
Enlargement
539. Leo IV, the Khazar. 775-780 AD. Solidus, 4.46g (6h). Constantinople. Obv: LEOn VS S EUUOn COnSTAnTInOS O n EOS Facing seated figures of Leo IV and Constantine VI on double throne. Each wears crown and chlamys; between their heads, cross. Rx: LEOn PAP’ COnSTAnTInOS PATHR Facing busts of Leo III and Constantine V, both with short beards, each wearing crown and loros; between their heads, pellet; in field above, cross. Berk 233. DO 2. Sear 1584. Ratto 1767. BMC 3-6. Tolstoi pl. 67, 5-8. Mint State $1,500 Enlargement
537. Constantine V, Copronymus. 741-775 AD. Solidus, 4.13g (6h). Constantinople. Obv: COnSTAnTInOS S LEOn O nEOS Facing busts of Constantine V, with short beard (on left) and his son Leo IV, beardless (on right). Each wears crown and chlamys; between their heads, a pellet. Rx: G LEON P A MuL Facing bust of Leo III, with short beard, wearing crown, loros and holding cross potent. Berk 228. DO 2. Sear 1551. Ratto 1750-52. BMC 7-10. Tolstoi pl. 67, 33-40. Unsually nice. Beautifully struck on both sides. Normally the obverse is poorly struck. Mint State $1,500
540. Constantine VI and Irene. 780-797 AD. Solidus, 4.43g (6h). Constantinople. Obv: S IRInI AVΓ’ MITHR Facing busts of Constantine VI, beardless, on left and Irene. Both crowned and with cross between their heads; Constantine wears chlamys and holds globus cruciger in right hand; his mother wears loros and holds cruciform scepter in left and a globus cruciger in right. Cross between both above and pellet at face level. Rx: COnSTAnTInOS C’b’b’ Leo III, Constantine V and Leo IV seated facing, each wearing crown and chlamys. Berk 234. DO 1. Sear 1593. Ratto 1774. BMC 2-3. Tolstoi pl. 68, 5. Mint State $6,000
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Newly Discovered Irene Solidus
Spectacular Sole Reign Irene
541. Constantine VI, Irene and Leo III. 780-797 AD. Solidus, 4.46g (6h). Constantinople, 787-790 AD. Obv: COnSTAnS IRINA (N retrograde) A - VS Facing busts of Constantine VI, beardless (on left) and Irene (on right), both crowned and with cross and central pellet between their heads; each holds globus cruciger, Irene also holds cruciform scepter. Rx: COnS - TAnOS - C’ Γ’ AVS Leo III, Constantine V, and Leo IV seated facing, each wearing crown. Not in the standard references, Fueg, DO, Paris, Berk, or Sear. Extremely rare, possibly only the second specimen recorded. Some areas of weak striking. EF $10,000
543. Irene. 797-802 AD. Solidus, 4.41g (6h). Constantinople. Obv: EIRInH bASILISSH Facing bust of Irene wearing crown, loros and holding globus cruciger and cruciform scepter. Rx: EIRInH baSILISSH Same, however with pellet to left of globus cruciger. Berk 236. DO 1. Sear 1599. Ratto 1780. BMC 1. Tolstoi pl. 68, 20-22. An exceptional specimen of this rarity, perfectly struck and perfectly centered on an immense flan with complete legends. Mint State $17,000
Solidi of this joint reign normally name Constantine VI on one side of the coin and Irene, sometimes called Mother of the Augustus, on the other side. Our coin, in contrast, names both Constantine and Irene on the obverse, and then Constantine again on the reverse.
Enlargement
Enlargement
542. Constantine VI and Irene. 780-797 AD. Solidus, 4.45g (6h). Constantinople. Obv: IRInH AΓOVSTI Bust of Irene facing wearing crown and loros, and holding globus cruciger and cruciform scepter. Rx: CONSTANTInOS bAS’Θ Bust of Constantine VI facing, beardless, wearing crown and chlamys and holding globus cruciger and akakia. Berk 235. DO 3. Sear 1594. Ratto 1775. BMC 4-5. Tolstoi pl. 68, 10-12. Absolutely wonderful surfaces. Beautifully struck on both sides. Mint State $11,000
Enlargement
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544. Nicephorus. 802-811 AD. Solidus, 4.50g (6h). Constantinople. Obv: nICIFOROS bASILE’ Bust facing, with short beard, wearing crown and chlamys, and holding cross potent and akakia. Rx: IhSuS XRISTuS nICAX Cross potent on three steps. Berk 237. DO 1a. Sear 1603. BMC 1. Tolstoi pl. 68, 1-2. Sole-reign coins of Nicephorus are rare. We have never encountered a specimen of this quality. Perfectly struck with the nose of the emperor in high relief. FDC $6,000
Enlargement
Spectacular Solidus
545. Nicephorus I and Stauracius. 802-811 AD. Solidus, 4.38g (6h). Constantinople, c. 803-811 AD. Obv: nICI FOROS bASILE’ Bust facing, with short beard, wearing crown and chlamys, and holding cross potent and akakia; in left field, pellet. Rx: STAVRA CIS DESPO’ E Facing bust of Stauracius, beardless, wearing crown and chlamys, and holding globus cruciger and akakia. Berk 238. DO 2. Sear 1604. Ratto 1783-6. Tolstoi pl. 68, 7-9. BMC 4-10. Surely one of the finest known specimens of this scarce solidus. Struck on an immense planchet, it is, as they say, off the charts. FDC $5,000
Enlargement
546. Solidus, 4.41g (6h). Constantinople, c. 803-811 AD. Obv: nICI FOROS bASILE’ Bust facing, with short beard, wearing crown and chlamys, and holding cross potent and akakia; in left field, pellet. Rx: STAVRA CIS DESPO’ X Facing bust of Stauracius, beardless, wearing crown and chlamys, and holding globus cruciger and akakia. Berk 238. DO 2. Sear 1604. Ratto 1783-6. Tolstoi pl. 68, 7-9. BMC 4-10. Beautifully struck on a broad flan. Not quite as spectacular as the previous lot but still a special coin for its quality. Choice Mint State $2,500
ger and cruciform scepter. Berk 239. DO 1a.1. Sear 1615. BMC 1. Ratto 1790. Tolstoi p. 69, 1-2. An extraordinary specimen of this rarity. The portraits of Michael and his son are struck in high relief with their noses and eyebrows actually raised. This coin is spectacular in every way. FDC $20,000
Enlargement
Leo V Alone - Third Recorded Specimen
548. Leo V, the Armenian. 813-820 AD. Solidus, 4.47g (6h). Constantinople, 813 AD. Obv: LEOn bASILEu’ Facing bust with short beard crowned and wearing chlamys holding cross potent and akakia pellet left. Rx: LEON DESPOIS *X Facing bust of Leo wearing loros holding globus cruciger In left hand, pellet to left. DO 1. Sear 1626. Ratto 1794. Finest known example. Mint State $70,000 This is only the third recorded specimen of this very rare inaugural issue of Leo V. Missing in the Dumbarton Oaks collection, the two previously known examples of this great rarity are from the beginning of the last century. In the famous Ratto Byzantine sale of 1930, which was a virtually complete collection of Byzantine gold, this issue in only VF condition brought the highest price in the sale.
High Relief
Enlargement
547. Michael I Rhangabe and Theophylactus. 811-813 AD. Solidus, 4.42g (6h). Constantinople. Obv: MIXAHL bASILE’ Bust facing, with short beard, wearing crown and chlamys, and holding cross potent and akakia; in left field, pellet. Rx: ΘEOFVLACTOS DESP’X Facing bust of Theophylactus, beardless, wearing crown and loros, and holding globus cruci-
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Siege Issue of 1453, Constantine XI
549. Solidus, 4.45g (6h). Constantinople. Obv: LEOn bASILEu’ Bust facing, with short beard, wearing crown and chlamys, and holding cross potent and akakia; in field to left, pellet. Rx: COnSTANT’οESP’X Facing bust of Constantine, beardless, wearing crown and chlamys, and holding globus cruciger and akakia. Berk 240. DO 2a. Sear 1627. Ratto 1796. BMC 1-2. Tolstoi pl. 69, 2-3. Struck on an immense flan. Excellent surfaces. Mint State $2,500
551. Constantine XI. 1448-1453 AD. 1/8 stavraton, 0.63g (6h). Constantinople. Obv: Facing bust of Christ, wearing nimbus cruciger and holding gospels. Rx: Facing bust of Constantine XI. S. Bendall, “The Coinage of Constantine XI,” Revue Numismatique 1991, #114. Both Simon Bendall and Harlan Berk agree that the 1/8th stavrata were issued during the siege of Constantinople. It is recorded that the siege issues were struck from the silver holy vessels in the church that were melted and were made into these coins to pay the workers who rebuilt the walls of the city after each daily bombardment. When the hoard was dispersed twenty-one years ago, Harlan Berk kept this coin back because of its quality: despite the crude strike, the image of the emperor is very clear and sharp. VF for issue $25,000
Enlargement
Enlargement
550. Basil I, the Macedonian. 867-886 AD. Solidus, 4.40g (6h). Constantinople, c. 869-872 AD. Obv: +IhS XPS REX REGNANTIuM* Christ enthroned facing, wearing nimbus cruciger, pallium and colobium, and raising right hand in benediction; in left hand, book of Gospels. Rx: bASILIOS ET COnSTANT’ AuGG’ b’ Facing busts of Basil, with short beard (on left) and Constantine, beardless (on right), both crowned, holding between them patriarchal cross; Basil wears loros, while his son is clad in chlamys. Berk 266. DO 2b. Sear 1704. Purchased in St. Louis in the 1950s for $15. Because of its superior artistic quality we consider this solidus to belong to the inaugural issue of the series, Berk 266, whereas the later issues, Berk 267, are much less fine. Virtually Mint State $500
Enlargement
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Enlargement
552. Anglo-Saxon. Primary Sceattas. , c. 675-750 AD. Sceat, 1.19g (4h). Obv: Male head right. Rx: Bird right on cross surrounded by four annulets around. BMC Type 27b. MEC 682. Spink 777. North 126. EF $850 Ex CNG/Seaby, July 1994.
553. Frisian. Continental Runic Types. c. 680-710 AD. Sceat, 1.17g Obv: Crude radiate bust right composed of geometric patterns. Rx: Cross with pellets surrounding and legend of geometric patterns around. MEC 639. North 168. BMC 28. Mint State $650
554. ‘Porcupine’ Type. c. 690/700-710 AD. Sceat, 1.18g. Obv: Degraded bust resembling a porcupine. Rx: Square made up of pellets with an annulet encircled in the center and four horizontal lines on top and bottom. BMC 74. North 45. MEC I, 647. Mint State $400
558. Anglo-Saxon. King of England. Eadgar. 959-975 AD. Penny, 1.39g (2h). Moneyer-Benedictus, Uncertain Mint. Obv: Small cross pattée. Around, inscription, EADGAR REX between two circles. Rx: Moneyer’s name, BENEDIHT, in two lines across field, divided by three crosses pattées; above and below, triangle of dots. BMC 75, type i, series B. Spink 1129. Toned EF+ $750
Ex Aston Rowant Hoard.
Ex Tetney Hoard and Elmore Jones Collection. Ex Seaby Auction, 23 April 1986, lot number not given.
555. Kings of Mercia. Burgred. 852-874 AD. Penny, 1.32g (3h). Under moneyer Ciallaf. Obv: BURGRED REX Diademed bust right. Rx: MON / CIALLA / ETA. Moneyer’s name (Ciallaf) in middle of three lines. Mon / eta top and bottom. SCBI Mack 631 (same obv. die). North 426. MEC 1316 var. (different moneyer). Spink 941, Type D. Toned EF $850
559. Aethelred II. 978-1016 AD. Penny, 1.57g (9h). Moneyer Wulfstan. Winchester Mint. Obv: Diademed bust right Around, +AEDELRED REX ANGLOX. Rx: Hand of Providence issuing from clouds; on either side, Λ - W (alpha-omega) with line above each letter. Around, +PVLFSTAN (name of moneyer) + MO PIN (abbreviation of minting city, Winchester). BMC 360, type iia. Spink 1144. EF $750
Purchased from Davisson’s, January 1995.
556. Imitation of St. Eadmund. Viking Invaders. , 895-910 AD. Penny, 1.11g (3h). Obv: SC EADMUND REX (blundered). In center, A. Rx: Moneyer’s name (blundered). In center, cross pattée. North 483. Toned Near Mint State $750 Purchased from Ed Waddell, May 1986.
557. Vikings of Northumbria. Anglo-Vikings. c. 900-5 AD. Penny, 1.33g (12h). Obv: Small cross with pellets in angles. Around, CVNNITTI. Rx: CNVT at the ends of the limbs of a cross pattée. REX around. MEC 1430. SCBI 495. North 499 var. (obverse legend). Spink 993 var. (obverse legend). EF $700
Purchased from Wynyard Coin Center, Sydney, Australia, December 1985.
560. Penny, 1.67g (6h). Moneyer Leofric. Canterbury Mint. Obv: Bare-headed bust left. Around, +AEDELRED REX ANGLOX. Rx: Long cross, voided with pellet in center; each limb terminating in three crescents. Around, +LEO FRIC (name of moneyer) MTO CENT (abbreviation of minting city, Canterbury). BMC 23, type IVa. Spink 1151. EF $500
561. Cnut. 1016-1035 AD. Penny, 1.05g (9h). Moneyer Edric. Ipswich Mint. Obv: Crowned bust left. Around, +CNVT REX ANGLORVM. Rx: Quatrefoil type. Around, +EDRIC (name of moneyer) MO OGIP GIPSPIC (abbreviation of minting city, Ipswich). Spink 1157. BMC-. Brilliant Mint State $750
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562. Penny, 1.06g (4h). Moneyer Ealdred. Thetford Mint. Obv: Crowned bust left. Around, +CNVT REX ΛNGLOR. Rx: Quatrefoil. Around, +EALDRED (name of moneyer) ON DEOD (abbreviation of minting city, Thetford). Spink 1157. BMC -. Brilliant Mint State $700
565. Penny, 1.13g (7h). Moneyer Aegelbricht. Ipswich Mint. Obv: Helmeted bust left. Around, +CNVT RECX. Rx: Short cross type. Around, +EGLBIRIHT (name of moneyer) ON GI (abbreviation of minting city, Ipswich). Spink 1159. BMC-. Planchet slightly rippled. Mint State $550 Purchased from Pegasi, 1990s.
Enlargement
563. Penny, 1.26g (7h). Moneyer Leofric. Norwich Mint. Obv: Crowned bust left. Around, +CNVT R EX ΛNGLO. Rx: Quatrefoil. Around, +LEOFRIC (name of moneyer) NOR (abbreviation of minting city, Norwich). Spink 1157. BMC -. Mint State $750 Purchased from Michael Trenerry Ltd., October 1999.
566. Penny, 1.12g (5h). Moneyer Godwine. Stamford Mint. Obv: Helmeted bust left. Around, +CNVT RECX. Rx: Short cross type. Around, +GODRIC (name of moneyer) ON STAN (abbreviation of minting city, Stamford). Spink 1159. BMC 529 var. (spelling of Godwine’s name). Mint State $700
567. Penny, 0.90g (7h). Moneyer Godman. York Mint. Obv: Helmeted bust left. Around, +CNVT REX. Rx: Short cross type. Around, +GODMAN (name of moneyer) ON EOF (abbreviation of minting city, Eoferpic = York). BMC 116 var. (legend). Spink 1159. Planchet slightly rippled. Mint State $550
Enlargement
564. Penny, 1.20g (3h). Moneyer Leofwine. Canterbury Mint. Obv: Helmeted bust left. Around, +CNVT RECX. Rx: Short cross type. Around, +LEOFPINE (name of moneyer) ON CENT (abbreviation of minting city, Canterbury). BMC type xvi, moneyer not listed. Spink 1159. EF+ $750
Enlargement
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568. Harold I. 1035-1040 AD. Penny, 1.13g (6h). Uncertain moneyer. Winchester Mint. Obv: HAROLD REXC Bust left diademed and in armor; in front, a shield and scepter. Rx: Long cross voided, limbs united at their bases by a circle enclosing a pellet; in each angle fleur-de-lis between two pellets. Around moneyer and mint. North 803. Spink 1165. Planchet rippled. EF $1,400 Ex Baldwin’s Sale, May 1997, lot 1693.
Enlargement
569. Edward the Confessor. 1042-1066 AD. Penny, 0.92g (12h). Moneyer Egelric. London Mint. Obv: Diademed bust left Around, +EDPNRDΓ. Rx: Short cross type with pellet in center. Around, +EGELRIC (name of moneyer) ON LVND (abbreviation of minting city, London). BMC 810, type ii. Spink 1175. North 818. Mack, Syllogue of British Coins 20-1154. Extremely sharp. Mint State $1,000
572. Penny, 1.00g (9h). Moneyer Eadwine. London Mint. Obv: Bearded bust facing; wearing arched crown. Around, +EADPARD REX A. Rx: Small cross pattée. Around, +EDPINE (name of moneyer) ON LVNDEN (abbreviation of minting city, London). Spink 1183. BMC 1056 var. (legend), Type xiii. North 830(N). Toned. Mint State $1,400
Purchased from Dolphin Coins, London, List 4, August 1993, no. 5074.
Enlargement
Enlargement
570. Penny, 1.27g (9h). Moneyer Wulfric. Steyning Mint. Obv: Bearded bust right, wearing pointed helmet and holding in right hand scepter, which terminates in fleur-de-lis. Around, +EDREI D REX. Rx: Short cross voided, each limb terminating in three crescents; in center annulet. Around, PVLFRIC (name of moneyer) ON STE (abbreviation of minting city, Steyning). Spink 1179. BMC 1208, Type vii. North 825c. Toned Mint State $800
573. Norman Kings. William I. 1066-1087 AD. Penny, 1.36g (11h). Moneyer Othgrim. York Mint. Obv: PILLEMUS REX Bust facing crowned and diademed with two fillets at each side of the head. Rx: Cross voided with annulet in center; pellet between two crescents at end of each limb; pile in each angle. Around, OTHGRIM ON EOFR (Moneyer/Mint). North 842. Spink 1251. EF+ $2,000 Purchased from Stack’s, May 1995.
Purchased from Trenerry, May 1987. Enlargement
Canopy Penny 571. Penny, 1.24g (5h). Obv: King seated right on throne, bearded, wearing crown surmounted by three balls; he holds in right hand long scepter and in left, orb surmounted by cross. Around, +EΛDVVEΛRDVS ANGLO. Rx: Short cross voided, annulet in center; in each angle a martlet. Around, SPRACELINC (name of moneyer) ON PINC (abbreviation of minting city, Winchester). Spink 1181. BMC 1459, type ix. Coin is cracked from 7h up through center. Slightly doublestruck. EF $1,000
574. Penny, 1.22g (2h). Uncertain moneyer and mint. Obv: WILLEMUS REX Bust facing crowned and diademed within canopy of two columns. Rx: Double quadrilateral with incurved sides, fleury at the angles; annulet in center. Around, moneyer and mint. North 843. Spink 1252. EF $1,200
Purchased from Dolphin, London, March 1995.
Purchased from Stack’s, May 1995.
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575. Penny, 1.36g (12h). Moneyer either Brihtwine or Brihtraed. London Mint. Obv: WILLELM REX Bust facing crowned and diademed; to right, a scepter. Rx: Cross pattée, in each angle, an annulet containing one letter of the word PAXS. Around, +BRIHT LONDIN (Moneyer/Mint). North 850. Spink 1257. Toned. Mint State $1,500
576. Penny, 1.37g (5h). Moneyer Man. Norwich Mint. Obv: WILLELM REX Bust facing crowned and diademed; to right, a scepter. Rx: Cross pattée, in each angle, an annulet containing one letter of the word PAXS. Around, moneyer and mint. North 850. Spink 1257. Toned. Mint State $1,500 Purchased from C.J. Martin, 1990s.
Stephen and Matilda. Some have believed her to be his mother, others have contended that she was his wife or his lover. Matilda was none of those, she was in fact his cousin. In 1120 her younger brother, and heir to the throne, was killed in a shipwreck, leaving her the sole heir to the throne. In 1135 when Henry I died, Stephen of Blois, also a grandchild of Wiliam the Conquerer on the maternal side, used the opportunity to seize the throne as Matilda was living with her husband Geoffrey in Anjou (present day Angers in the Loire Valley). Despite the fact that Matilda was the proper successor, she and Stephen fought for years over the throne. Eventually in 1141 Matilda captured Stephen in the battle of Lincoln and by 1143 Matilda and Geoffrey had secured the kingdom again and shortly afterward her son commanded the throne.
579. Henry II. 1154-1189 AD. Penny, 1.39g (6h). Moneyer Picot. Norwich Mint. Obv: +HENRI [REX] ANGL Crowned bust facing wearing armor and mantle with scepter in right hand. Rx: [...]NORE [...] PICOT Large cross potent with small potent in each angle. North 952. Spink 1337. About EF $450 Purchased from Davisson’s, 1986.
Enlargement
577. Norman Kings. Henry I. 1100-1135 AD. Penny, 1.38g. Obv: [HENRICUS REX] Bust facing and diademed, holding a scepter. In right field, star. Rx: Quatrefoil with star in center and pellets on limbs; four lis around. EF $900 Purchased from M. Trenerry, September 1988. Ex Beauvais Hoard.
578. Queen Matilda, Cousin and Adversary of Stephen. Penny (cut in half), 0.47g Obv: Bust right of Matilda. Rx: Line of roundels. North 891. Spink 1288. Fine $1,100 Matilda was the elder of two children born to Henry I, King of England. Her paternal grandfather was William the Conquerer. There has been much confusion on the relationship between
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580. ‘Tealby’ coinage. 1154-1189 AD. Penny, 1.41g. Moneyer Nicole. Ipswich Mint. Obv: Crowned bust facing wearing armor and mantle with scepter in right hand. Rx: Large cross potent with small potent in each angle; in center, a small cross in saltire. North 960, bust type E. Spink 1341. Toned EF $500
581. Anglo-Gallic Kings. Richard I “The Lionhearted”. 11991216 AD. Denier, 0.65g (4h). Melle (Poitou) Mint. Obv: +RICARDVS REX Cross pattée with annulet in one angle. Rx: PIC/TAVIE/NSIS in three lines across field. Elias 8g, Poey d’Avant 2528 var. About VF $600
582. House of York. Edward IV. First Reign, 1461-70 AD. Groat, 2.91g (10h). London Mint. Obv: Crowned facing bust within scalloped circle. Rx: Long cross voided with quatrefoils in each angle. In inner circle, CIVITAS LONDON. Spink 2000. North 1564. VF $400
Some Light in a Dark Corner It’s been said that all collectors of Roman Republican coins sooner or later discover an interest in the imitation of these coins by non-Romans in antiquity. I followed a typical trajectory. I’ve been a “serious” collector of Republican silver coins for longer than I care to remember; not quite ten years ago, it dawned on me that it was past time to learn something about the good-silver denarii imitations that cropped up from time to time, variously described in the numismatic trade as “barbarous,” “Celtic,” “Balkan” or “Danubian”… in other words, coins struck somewhere, by someone.
she lived, she would have refined her work herself. I took it on myself to try to continue her research. My first tentative effort appeared in the May, 2004 issue of The Celator, Vol. 18, No.4, available at: http://rrimitations.ancients. info/article.html. In it, I attempted to develop a system of classification of all ancient imitations of Republican denarii, those struck in good silver and plated ancient counterfeits alike. Although it has its own basic flaws, I think it retains some value as an organizational tool, and I’ve used it in the catalogue that follows. In its current form, somewhat expanded from the Celator article, the system is:
These contentless evasions struck me as sloppy cataloging, but I took it for granted that solid information was available. It was simply a matter of figuring out where to look. I was astonished to discover how far that was from the case; how little really was known, at least in the numismatic “mainstream,” about these odd and compelling pieces, and, much worse, how much of what purported to be known was flat-out wrong. Full of hubris, I set out to set the record straight. That was the beginning of a decade of investigation.
CLASS A Geto-Dacian Group Ia Monetary Copies. Transfer dies from Republican denarii Group Iaa Monetary Copies. Hybrid transfer dies from Republican denarii Group Ib Monetary Copies. New dies, faithful copies Group II Monetary Imitations. New dies, derivative, crude and/or fanciful copies Group III Hybrids.
While knowledge of these coins in the trade was abysmal, and the situation in academic circles in America and western Europe was little better, in central and eastern Europe they have been the subject of serious study for a long time. In Romania and Bulgaria in particular, academic researchers have produced an invaluable series of papers: publishing locally found hoards of Republican denarii containing varying percentages of imitations, discussing the widespread, centuries-long phenomenon of imitative coinage in the Balkans, and firmly attributing most denarius-sized imitations of Roman types to the Dacians. These papers however were difficult to locate and fully utilize. Maria Chitescu’s groundbreaking full-length treatment of the subject, Numismatic Aspects of the History of the Dacian State, published by Oxford in English translation in 1981 as part of the BAR International Series, was little known, seldom cited, and almost impossible to find.
CLASS B Pannonian Group I Uninscribed Series Group II Eraviscan Group III Other Pannonian
I did finally locate--and diligently photocopy--a copy at a university library. Worlds opened up. Chitescu thoroughly examined all aspects of these coins: who made them, when and where they did it, and why. She introduced a valuable distinction between two broad classes of Dacian imitative coinage. The first class, “monetary copies,” includes coins which more or less faithfully, though sometimes imperfectly, reproduce the types and legends of their Republican prototype. The second class, “monetary imitations,” refers to coins which markedly diverge from their official prototypes. The designs are more or less fanciful, stylized or “barbarous,” often with mismatched obverse and reverse types; the legends are also more or less garbled, or sometimes completely absent. For the most part, this copies/imitations distinction is maintained in my occasional comments in the text. Chitescu’s work is a landmark, but, regrettably, a seriously flawed one. For example, the plates are virtually unorganized, and include every denarius-sized imitation she knew of, including a few coins struck somewhat later by the Celtic Eraviscans, and others that are, in my view, official Roman issues. (See lot 763 in this catalogue for a selection of Eraviscan coins.) She died prematurely; I’ve no doubt that, had
CLASS C Other Balkan Group I Serbian Group II Bulgarian Group III Other CLASS D Anomalous Group Ia Light; debased silver, thin flan, and/or unusual fabric Group Ib Heavy; unusually large flan CLASS E Group Ia Group Iaa Group Ib Group II
Ancient Forgeries Plated imitations in Roman style Plated Imitations in Roman Style -- Hybrids Plated imitations in near-Roman style Plated imitations in non-Roman style
Discussion of these categories is found in the article. Celator citations in this sale catalogue are to coins illustrated in this article. The catalogue is arranged chronologically according to Crawford’s dating of the suggested prototype. In my opinion, in all cases there was an actual prototype at hand; i.e., the Dacians didn’t resort to the sort of copies of copies we sometimes encounter in Celtic imitations of the coins of Philip and Alexander. With this in mind, wherever possible I’ve assigned a given coin to a particular Republican moneyer, even if in fact some uncertainty remains. In the course of these investigations, I attempted to collect as many actual specimens as I could find. Sometimes these appeared in “mainstream” auctions and price lists; many others were found on eBay. I was fortunate to be able to obtain two groups of imitations, described in the catalogue as BH-I and BH-II. More information on the two groups—and much else besides-- is available on my website: http://rrimitations. ancients.info/index.html. “Website” followed by a number in
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this catalogue refers to their listing there. The site is vastly enriched by also including hundreds of imitations from the renowned RBW Collection, delineated there by + following the number. (Those pieces are not being offered in this auction.) The combined collections comprise by far the largest and most comprehensive group of this coinage ever assembled. Without false modesty, the best English-language treatment of Dacian imitations of Republican denarii other than Chitescu is my extended paper in Apulum XLIII, 2006, available as a pdf at: http://www.mnuai.ro/docs/apulum/articole/28_phil.davis_1_. pdf Coins illustrated in that paper and offered here are cited in the text. An important group of coins offered here as a single lot, lot 741, as well as the coins in BH-II, are published in Nemus 1-2, 2006, and again in Nemus 7-8, 2009. The former is available online at: http://www.enciclopedia-dacica.ro/nemvs/Dacian%20 Imitations%20of%20Roman%20Republican%20Denarii.pdf Perhaps the most important coin in the collection, lot 665, is published with extensive discussion in Apulum XLVII. Utmost thanks to the many dealers and collectors who diligently pointed out “new” imitations as they appeared for sale, often in very obscure venues I never would have noticed on my own. Without the help of all of you, this collection would be far less comprehensive than I think it is. Friends have asked why I’ve decided to sell the collection. My interest in these fascinating coins hasn’t waned at all; hopefully, my “last” word on them lies well in the future. Lately however, I find myself wholly content to save digital images of new finds, rather than trying to win the coins themselves. It’s time to give other collectors the chance to enjoy these pieces, some of which are entirely without parallel in my experience. Finally, a word on grading. Grading is “technical,” based on wear alone. In particular, flaws resulting from faulty manufacturing such as decentering and areas of weak strike are so ubiquitous in these coins that no effort has been made to note them. Phillip Davis
583. Types of C. Junius. Serrate Denarius, 3.14g (2h). After 149 BC. Obv: Head of Roma right, X before and behind. Rx: Dioscuri right, C IVNICI below, ROMA in exergue. Cf. Crawford 210/1. Davis A, II; website M77. VF $300 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Ex Lanz 121, 22 November 2004, lot 79. The suggested prototype is not serrate.
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Only Bronze Coin in Collection
584. Various prototypes. Denarius, 3.55g (10h). After 142 BC. Obv: Head of Roma right. Rx: Figure in “quadriga” right, raising arms. Davis C, II; website B3; cf. B4 for another example of the same series (not in present sale). VF $100 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Said to have been found in Bulgaria.
585. Obverse type of Cn. Gellius, reverse type of L. Sempronius Pito. Denarius, 3.60g (4h). After 138 BC. Obv: Head of Roma right, X behind, wreath around. Rx: Dioscuri right, W above, L SEM below, ROM in exergue. Cf. Crawford 232/1 (obverse) and 216/1 (reverse). Davis A, II; website M149. VF $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
586. Types of P. Aelius Paetus. Denarius, 3.74g (4h). After 138 BC. Obv: Head of Roma right. Rx: Dioscuri riding right. No remaining legends. Cf. Crawford 233/1. Davis A, II; website M99. VF $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Ex La Galerie Numismatique IV, 28 November 2004, lot 24. Ex BH-I.
587. Types of C. Curiatius Trigeminus. Denarius, 5.11g (1h). After 135 BC. Obv: Head of Roma right. Rx: Victory in biga right, VIΛΙ below. Cf. Crawford 246/1. Davis A, II; website AH1. VF $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Ex UBS 59, 27 January 2004, lot 5078 (part). The remarkably heavy weight of this coin convinced me it belonged in the “Anomalous” category. I now consider it probably Dacian.
588. Types of M. Aburius Geminus. Denarius, 3.47g (3h). After 132 BC. Obv: Head of Roma right, GEM behind, mark of value below chin. Rx: Sol in quadriga right, M ABVRI below, ROMA in exergue. Cf. Crawford 250/1. Davis A, Ib; website C25; C25+, same dies. Nice VF+ $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
591. Obverse type of Crawford 282 (various moneyers), reverse type of Q. Fabius Labeo. Serrate Denarius, 4.80g (10h). After 118 BC. Obv: Head of Roma right, X behind. Rx: Figure in quadriga right, two plows below, blundered legend in exergue. Cf. Crawford 282 (obverse) and 273/1 (reverse). Davis A, II; website M6. VF $200
A very close copy; stylized, but accurate in all aspects.
Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
589. Obverse type of Q. Fabius Labeo, various reverse prototypes. Denarius, 3.15g (3h). After 124 BC. Obv: Head of Roma right, ROMA behind, X and LABEO before. Rx: Figure in quadriga right, ESVLIAV in exergue. Cf. Crawford 273/1 (obverse). Davis A, II; website M83. EF $300 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Ex Lanz 123, 30 May 2005, lot 22. Barbarous Dies and Unusual Fabric
590. Types of M. Furius Philus. Denarius, 3.43g (12h). After 119 BC. Obv: Janiforn head. Rx: Two standing figures. No legends. Cf. Crawford 281/1. Davis D, Ia; website AL7. VF $400
592. Uncertain obverse prototype, reverse type of M. Cipius. Denarius, 3.42g (11h). After 115 BC. Obv: Head of Roma left. Rx: Figure in biga right, blundered legend and “fish” below. Cf. Crawford 289/1 (reverse). Davis A, II; website AL2. Apulum XLIII, 64 (this coin). Fine+ $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. The rudder on the suggested reverse prototype is here misunderstood as a fish. This remarkably “barbarous” piece was originally classified as “Anomalous,” but the appearance of a very similar piece - surely the product of the same unskilled engraver - in the Transylvanian Hoard has led to its present reclassification as Dacian.
Ex Phillip Davis Collection. An amazing coin that resembles nothing else in the collector’s experience. In addition to the “barbarous” designs, note the raised rim around the reverse. It is entirely uncertain what group produced this piece.
593. Uncertain Prototypes. Denarius, 4.04g (12h). After 115 BC. Obv: Barbarous head of Roma. Rx: Dioscuri left. No legends. Davis A, II; website M129. Apulum XLIII, 65 (this coin). VF $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Ex BH-II.
Enlargement
The suggested date is based on the strong resemblance between the obverse of this coin and that of the preceding lot, there paired with a reverse of M. Cippius.The two coins are surely the products of the same unskilled hand.
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594. Types of P. Laeca. Denarius, 4.21g (8h). After 110 BC. Obv: Helmeted head of Roma right, blundered legend behind. Rx: Warrior standing left, placing hand on head of second figure; lictor behind; traces of blundered legend to left. Cf. Crawford 301/1. Davis A, II; website M102. Apulum XLIII, 67 (this coin). Fine $200
597. Obverse type of L. Scipio Asiagenus, reverse type of Cn. Blasio. Denarius, 4.12g (1h). After 106 BC. Obv: Head of Jupiter left. Rx: Jupiter standing between Minerva and Juno; blundered legend in exergue. Cf. Crawford 311/1 (obverse) and 296/1k (reverse). Davis A, II; website M361. Fine $200
Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Ex BH-I.
Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
One of the Collector’s Favorites
595. Denarius, 3.54g (11h). After 110 BC. Obv: Head of Roma right, X behind. Rx: Two standing figures, + and large retrograde C to left. Cf. Crawford 301/1. Davis A, II; website M13. Apulum XLIII, 68 (this coin.) Celator, 7 (this coin). Fine $200
The reverse type is mirror-image of the prototype, but the attributes and exurgal symbols are surprisingly accurately reproduced.
Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
598. Types of C. Sulpicius Galba. Serrate Denarius, 4.02g (8h). After 106 BC. Obv: Jugate heads of the Dei Penates left. Rx: Two soldiers swearing oath over sow, blundered legend in exergue. Cf. Crawford 312/1. Davis A, Ib; website C2. VF $200
The suggested prototype is only an informed guess.
Ex Phillip Davis Collection. “Hidden” Jugate
Enlargement
599. Obverse type of C. Sulpicius Galba, reverse type of T. Minucius Augerinus. Serrate Denarius, 3.28g (4h). After 106 BC. Obv: Jugate heads left. Rx: Two standing figures, each leaning on staff; palm branch between them; blundered legend in exergue. Cf. Crawford 312/1 (obverse) and 243/1 (reverse). Davis A, II; website M130. Apulum XLIII, 70 (this coin). VF $400 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Ex BH-II.
596. Types of L. Flaminius Chilo. Denarius, 3.46g (5h). After 109 BC. Obv: Head of Roma right, blundered legend behind. Rx: Victory in biga right, blundered legend below. Cf. Crawford 302/1. Davis A, II; website M84. Apulum XLIII, 69 (this coin). About VF $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Said to have been found in Romania, near the site of Sarmizegetusa, the capital of preRoman Dacia.
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If the suggested reverse prototype is correct, the Ionic column on the original has been misunderstood as a palm branch.
600. Types of L. Memmius Galeria. Serrate Denarius, 2.96g (7h). After 106 BC. Obv: Head of Saturn right, harpa and ROMA (retrograde) behind, O pellet before. Rx: Victory in biga right,
blundered, recognizable retrograde legend in exergue. Cf. Crawford 313/1. Davis A, II; website M14. Fine+ $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Saturn faces right, rather than left as on the prototype, and all legends are retrograde; this implies a naive engraver who failed to grasp the need to create dies that mirrored the desired coin. Remarkably though, the biga is engraved correctly.
601. Types of C, Coelius Caldus. Denarius, 3.83g (6h). After 104 BC. Obv: Head of Roma right, LM behind. Rx: Victory in biga right, blundered legend in exergue. Cf. Crawford 318/1. Davis A, II; website M67. Apulum XLIII, 71 (this coin). About VF $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Rare Pannonian “Uninscribed Group” Imitation
602. Types of C. Coelius Caldus. Denarius, 4.07g (4h). After 104 BC. Obv: Head of Roma left, TT behind. Rx: Victory in biga left, blundered, “abstract” legend in exergue. Cf. Crawford 318/1a. BMCCI 258, same dies. Davis B, I; website U2. Celator, 18 (this coin). Nicely toned VF $350 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Examples of the pre-Eraviscan imitations that Allen in the BM Celtic I catalogue describes as the “Uninscribed Group” are very seldom encountered in trade.
Enlargement
603. Types of Q. Thermus. Denarius, 3.95g (8h). After 103 BC.
Obv: Head of Mars right. Rx: Two soldiers fighting, abstract legend in exergue. Cf. Crawford 319/1. Davis A, II; website M85. Apulum XLIII, 73 (this coin). VF $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Ex Lanz 123, 30 May 2005, lot 25.
604. Obverse type of Q. Thermus, reverse type of P. Laeca. Denarius, 3.55g (7h). After 103 BC. Obv: Helmeted head of Mars right. Rx: Warrior standing left, placing hand on head of second figure; lictor behind; traces of blundered legend to left. Cf. Crawford 319/1 (obverse) and 301/1 (reverse). Davis A, II; website M247. Fine+ $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Cf. lot 594 for another example of this reverse die, paired there with a correct obverse of P. Laeca.
605. Types of L. Sentius. Denarius, 4.05g (8h). After 101 BC. Obv: Head of Roma right, blundered legend behind. Rx: Figure in quadriga left, blundered legend, recognizable legend in exergue. Cf. Crawford 325/1. Davis A, II; website M150. Fine+ $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Both sides face left, rather than right as on the prototype, but the recognizable reverse legend makes the suggested prototype virtually certain.
606. Types of P. Servilius Rullus. Denarius, 3.73g (11h). After 100 BC. Obv: Bust of Minerva left, somewhat crude RVLLI behind. Rx: Victory in biga right, P below; legend in exergue mostly off flan. Cf. Crawford 328/1. Davis A, Ib; website C40. Artemide XXIX, lot 184, same dies. VF $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Ex Rauch Mail Bid 10, 2 March 2006, lot 260.
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607. Obverse type of Marcus Calidius, Q. Metellus and Cn. Fulvius, reverse type of P. Servillius Rullus. Denarius, 3.38g (8h). After 100 BC. Obv: Head of Roma right, III behind, star before. Rx: Figure in biga right, Γ below, blundered legend in exergue. Cf. Crawford 284/1 (obverse) and 328/1 (reverse). Davis C, II; website B2. VF $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Said to have been found in Bulgaria.
611. Denarius, 4.42g (6h). After 90 BC. Obv: Head of Apollo right, M X before, symbol behind. Rx: Horseman left, XX in exergue. Cf. Crawford 340/1. Davis A, II; website M19. Apulum XLIII, 76 (this coin). VF $400 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Ex Lanz 117, 24 November 2003, lot 62.
Choice Example of Plated, Near-Roman Style
608. Various obverse prototypes, reverse type of C. Aellius Bala. Denarius, 3.44g (11h). After 92 BC. Obv: Head of Roma right, X behind. Rx: Figure in biga right; remnants of blundered legend in exergue. Cf. Crawford 336/1 (reverse). Davis A, II; website M249. About VF $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
609. Obverse type of D. Silanus, reverse type of L. Calpurnius Piso Caesoninus & Q Servilius Caepio. Denarius, 3.23g (7h). After 91 BC. Obv: Head of Roma right, B behind. Rx: Two seated figures, amphoras to either side; no legends. Cf. Crawford 337/3 (obverse) and 330/1 (reverse). Davis A, II; website M247. Apulum XLIII, 74 (this coin). Fine+ $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
High-Grade Imitation
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612. Plated Denarius, 2.61g (7h). After 90 BC. Obv: Head of Apollo right, M X before, symbol behind. Rx: Horseman right, C PISO CFRI below. Cf. Crawford 340/1. Davis E, Ib; website NE2. VF $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
613. Obverse type of L. Calpurnius Piso Frugi, various reverse prototypes. Serrate Denarius, 3.50g (1h). After 90 BC. Obv: Head of Apollo right, H behind. Rx: Victory in biga right, CΛCSVC in exergue. Cf. Crawford 340/1 (obverse). Davis A, II; website M250. Another example of these dies appeared on eBay in late 2006. VF+ $300 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Ex Gorny 156, 6 March 2007, lot 41.
610. Types of L. Calpurnius Piso Frugi. Denarius, 3.33g (4h). After 90 BC. Obv: Head of Apollo right, bow behind. Rx: Horseman right, C above, -L PISO FRVC below horse, dagger below legend. Cf. Crawford 340/1. Davis A, II; website M131. Apulum XLIII, 75 (this coin). About EF $400
614. Types of Q. Titius. Denarius, 2.63g (8h). After 90 BC. Obv: Head of Mutinus Titinus right. Rx: Pegasus springing right from tablet, on which blundered legend. Cf. Crawford 341/1. Davis A, Ib; website C4. VF+ $200
Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Ex BH-II.
Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
615. Denarius, 3.52g (9h). After 90 BC. Obv: Head of Bacchus right. Rx: Pegasus springing right from tablet, on which Q TITI. Cf. Crawford 341/2. Davis A, Ib; website C28; C28+, same dies. Apulum XLIII, 44 (this coin). VF $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Ex Rauch Mail Bid 11, 12 September 2006, lot 473.
619. Obverse type of Sex. Julius Caesar, reverse type of L. Titurius Sabinus. Denarius, 4.29g (11h). After 89 BC. Obv: Head right, star before, anchor behind. Rx: Two soldiers fighting, third figure between; no legend. Cf. Crawford 258/1 (obverse) and 344/2 (reverse). Davis C, II; website B1. Paunov & Prokopov, pl. I, 1, same dies. VF $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Said to have been found in Bulgaria.
616. Types of C. Vibius Pansa. Serrate Denarius, 4.28g (4h). After 90 BC. Obv: Head of Apollo right. Rx: Figure in quadriga right, blundered legend in exergue. Cf. Crawford 342/5. Davis A, II; website M25. Doublestruck. VF $200
If the suggested obverse prototype, which is made plausible by the anchor, is correct, Roma’s helmet has been misunderstood as hair. The attitude of the reverse figures makes L. Titurius Sabinus the likely proptotype, rather than the “obvious” alternative, Q. Thermus.
Ex Phillip Davis Collection. The suggested prototype is an informed guess, which fails to explain the serration.
617. Denarius, 4.80g (2h). After 90 BC. Obv: Head of Apollo right, blundered legend behind. Rx: Figure in quadriga left, blundered legend in exergue. Cf. Crawford 342/4. Davis A, II; website M22. Apulum XLIII, 78 (this coin). VF $300 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Ex Lanz 120, 18 May 2004, lot 23.
618. Obverse type of L. Postumius Albinus, reverse type of C. Vibius Pansa. Denarius, 3.61g (4h). After 90 BC. Obv: Head of Roma right, X before, apex behind. Rx: Figure in quadriga left, no legend. Cf. Crawford 252/1 (obverse) and 342/4 (reverse). Davis A, II; website M87. VF $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Ex Lanz 123, 30 May 2005, lot 24.
620. Various obverse prototypes, reverse type of L. Titurius Sabinus. Denarius, 4.45g (10h). After 89 BC. Obv: Head of Roma right. Rx: Two soldiers fighting, third between; blundered legend in exergue. Cf. Crawford 344/2 (reverse). Davis A, II; website M26. Fine $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Remarkable reverse scene, with Tarpeia misunderstood as a third soldier.
621. Various obverse prototypes, reverse type of L. & C. Memmius Galerius. Denarius, 4.78g (2h). After 87 BC. Obv: Head of Roma right. Rx: Figure in biga right; blundered legend in exergue. Cf. Crawford 349/1 (reverse). Davis A, II; website M27. About VF $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
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622. Types of Gar, Ogvl, Ver. Denarius, 4.82g (12h). After 86 BC. Obv: Head of Apollo right. Rx: Figure in quadriga right; VIΛIVIM in exergue. Cf. Crawford 350A/2. Davis A, II; website M267, cf. M352+ (same obverse die, paired with a reverse of C. Postumius). Celator, 21 (this coin). minor crack at 4h. VF $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
623. Denarius, 3.91g (6h). After 86 BC. Obv: Head of Apollo right. Rx: Figure in quadriga right, blundered legend in exergue. Cf. Crawford 350A/2. Davis A, Ib; website C17. VF $200
626. Types of L. Julius Bursio. Denarius, 3.89 (7h). After 85 BC. Obv: Head of male composite diety right, trident and uncertain symbol behind. Rx: Victory in quadriga right, blundered legend in exergue. Cf. Crawford 352/1a. Davis A, Ib; website C47. Nice VF $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. This combination of meticulous engraving and nonsense legend is odd and unexplained.
Enlargement
Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Faithful copy; sufficiently stylized to reveal it as an imitation. 627. Denarius, 3.74g (2h). After 85 BC. Obv: Male head right, trident and uncertain symbol behind. Rx: Victory in quadriga right, blundered legend in exergue. Cf. Crawford 352/1a. Davis A, Ib; website C41. About VF $200 624. Denarius, 2.66g (7h). After 86 BC. Obv: Head of Apollo right. Rx: Figure in quadriga right, blundered legend in exergue. Cf. Crawford 350A/2. Davis A, II; website M28. VF $200
Ex Phillip Davis Collection. This combination of meticulous engraving and nonsense legend is odd and unexplained.
Ex Phillip Davis Collection. The suggested prototype has no legend.
625. Denarius, 5.33g (10h). After 86 BC. Obv: Head of Apollo right. Rx: Figure in quadriga right; no legends. Cf. Crawford 350A/2. Davis D, Ib; website AH4. Fine+ $150
628. Obverse type of L. Julius Bursio, reverse type of C. Coelius Caldus. Denarius, 3.26g (7h). After 85 BC. Obv: Head of Apollo right, XX before, trident behind. Rx: Figure in biga left. No legends. Cf. Crawford 352/1 (obverse) and 318/1 (reverse). Davis A, II; website M106. Apulum XLIII, 80 (this coin). About VF $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Ex La Galerie Numismatique IV, 28 November 2004, lot 29. Ex BH-I.
Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Overstruck on uncertain type; judging from the weight and 22mm diameter, possibly a double victoriatus of the Thessalian League. The group responsible for striking this intriguing piece is entirely uncertain.
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Enlargement
Denarius, 3.64g (1h). After 85 BC. Obv: Head of Apollo right, FONTEI behind, CF before. Rx: Hercules standing facing, blundered legend to left. Cf. Crawford 353/1 (obverse). Davis A, II; website M132. Apulum XLIII, 82 (this coin). VF $300 629. Types of Mn. Fonteius. Denarius, 3.49g (1h). After 85 BC. Obv: Head of Apollo right, blundered monogram before, trident behind. Rx: Infant Genius on goat right; caps of the Dioscuri above, thyrsus below; all within laurel wreath. No legends. Cf. Crawford 353/1a. Davis A, II; website M108. Apulum XLIII, 81 (this coin). VF $300
Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Ex BH-II. The reverse evidently depicts Hercules, but no possible prototype is without problems. Crawford 494/38 is perhaps most likely, but that coin, dating from 42 BC, seems too late for a coin with obvious wear, since the hoard terminates in 37 BC. Might this reverse actually derive from a Thasos tetradrachm, which circulated throughout Dacia in the previous century?
Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Ex La Galerie Numismatique IV, 28 November 2004, lot 30. Ex BH-I. The trident behind Apollo’s head is inappropriate here; seemingly, the Dacian engraver had noticed the trident behind the similar head on the coins of L. Julius Bursio.
Enlargement
632. Obverse type of L. Julius Bursio, reverse type of C. Norbanus. Denarius, 3.76g (8h). After 83 BC. Obv: Male head right, trident before. Rx: Fasces between grain ear and caduceus; no legend. Cf. Crawford 352/1 (obverse) and 357/1b (reverse). Davis A, II; website M88. Apulum XLIII, 86 (this coin). Fine+ $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Ex Lanz 123, 30 May 2005, lot 26.
Exceptional Quality
630. Obverse type of Mn. Fonteius, reverse type of M. Cipius. Denarius, 3.62g (9h). After 85 BC. Obv: Head of Apollo right, thunderbolt below, SC behind. Rx: Victory in biga right, blundered legend below. Cf. Crawford 353/1 (obverse) and 289/1 (reverse). Davis A, II; website M43. EF $400 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Ex F&S Mailbid 9, July 2003, lot 7
Enlargement
631. Obverse type of Mn. Fonteius, uncertain reverse prototype.
633. Obverse type of C. Vibius Pansa, reverse type of C. Norbanus. Denarius, 3.45g (3h). After 83 BC. Obv: Male head right, blundered legend around. Rx: Fasces between grain ear and caduceus; no legend. Cf. Crawford 342 (obverse) and 357/1b (reverse). Davis A, II; website M35. Chitescu 112, same dies. Chitescu 204, same obverse die. Apulum XLIII, 85 (this coin). Celator, 11 (this coin). Fine $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
634. Types of Pub. Crepusius. Denarius, 3.64g (9h). After 82 BC. Obv: Head of Apollo right, no scepter behind. Rx: Horseman right, brandishing spear; blundered, recognizable legend in exergue. Cf. Crawford 361/1. Davis A, II; website C21. Apulum XLIII, 46 (this coin). Choice VF+ $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
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635. Types of Pub. Crepusius. Denarius, 4.37g (7h). After 82 BC. Obv: Head of Apollo right. Rx: Hoseman right; blundered legend in exergue. Cf. Crawford 361/1. Davis A, II; website M137. Fine+ $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Ex BH-II.
639 Types of C. Mamilius Limetanus. Denarius, 3.31g (11h). After 82 BC. Obv: Bust of Mercury right, V below chin. Rx: Ulysses walking right, his dog Argus before; blundered legend to either side. Cf. Crawford 362/1. Davis A, Ib; website C9. Celator, 2 (this coin). Apulum XLIII, 47 (this coin). VF+ $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. The V is misplaced below Mercury’s chin, rather than behind him as on the prototype. The prototype is serrate.
636. Denarius, 4.52g (1h). After 82 BC. Obv: Head of Apollo right, scepter behind. Rx: Horseman right, brandishing spear; blundered, recognizable legend in exergue. Cf. Crawford 361/1. Davis A, II; website M39. Apulum XLIII, 87 (this coin). VF $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
640. Serrate Denarius, 3.15g (3h). After 82 BC. Obv: Bust of Mercury right. Rx: Ulysses walking right, his dog Argus before; blundered legend to either side. Cf. Crawford 362/1. Davis A, Ib; website C52. VF $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
637. Obverse type of Pub. Crepusius, reverse type of Crawford 282 (various moneyers). Serrate Denarius, 4.62g (11h). After 82 BC. Obv: Bust of Apollo right, O beneath chin. Rx: Figure in biga right, traces of legend in exergue. Cf. Crawford 361/1 (obverse) and 282 (reverse). Davis A, II; website M40. Apulum XLIII, 88 (this coin). Celator, 12 (this coin). About VF $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Cf. Davis website M322+ for a very similar obverse die; surely the product of the same engraver, working from the same model; note especially the obverse O on both.
638. Obverse type of Q. Titius, reverse type of Pub. Crepusius. Denarius, 2.92g (2h). After 82 BC. Obv: Bust of Mutinus Titinus right. Rx: Horseman right, brandishing spear; blundered, recognizable legend in exergue. Cf. Crawford 341/1 (obverse) and 361/1 (reverse). Davis A, II; website M37. VF $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
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641. Serrate Denarius, 3.90g (4h). After 82 BC. Obv: Bust of Mercury left. Rx: Ulysses walking right, his dog Argus before; blundered legend to either side. Cf. Crawford 362/1. Davis A, II; website M115. About VF $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Ex La Galerie Numismatique IV, 28 November 2004, lot 31. Ex BH-I. Mercury on the prototype faces right, rather than left as here.
642. Serrate Denarius, 3.78g (7h). After 82 BC. Obv: Bust of Mercury right. Rx: Ulysses walking right, his dog Argus before; blundered legend to either side. Cf. Crawford 362/1. Davis A, II; website M166. VF $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Cf. Lanz 112, 25 November 2002, lot 11 for another example of this obverse die, paired with a “triga” reverse.
Rare Brockage of Imitation Part of a Rare Die-Linked Sequence
643. Type of C. Mamilius Limetanus, obverse brockage. Serrate Denarius, 3.71g (12h). After 82 BC. Obv: Bust of Mercury right. Rx: Same, incuse. Cf. Crawford 362/1. Davis A, Ib; website C22. Apulum XLIII, 48 (this coin). EF $350 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Ex Rauch Mail Bid 9, 23 September 2005, lot 510. Although the Dacians were prone to minting errors such as decentering and flat strike, brockages of their imitations are extremely rare.
646. Types of Q. Antonius Balbus. Serrate Denarius, 3.85g (5h). After 83 BC. Obv: Head of Jupiter right, SC behind. Rx: Victory in quadriga right, Q ANTO BALB / PR in exergue. Cf. Crawford 364/1. Davis A, Ib; website C20. Apulum XLIII/1, 23 (this coin). Lanz 106, 27 November 2001, lot 10, same obverse die. VF $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. See Davis 2006, Apulum XLIII/1, 2006, p. 330 for an extended discussion of this important coin which is part of a remarkable die-linked series with the following lot and the Lanz 106 coin cited above. The Apulum article is available at: http://www. mnuai.ro/docs/apulum/articole/28_phil.davis_1_.pdf.
Enlargement
644. Various obverse prototypes, reverse type of C. Mamilius Limetanus. Denarius, 3.17g (1h). After 82 BC. Obv: Bust of Roma right, X behind. Rx: Ulysses walking left, his dog Argus before; blundered legend to either side. Cf. Crawford 362/1 (reverse). Davis A, II; website M89. Apulum XLIII, 90 (this coin). VF $200
647. Denarius, 4.33g (3h). After 83 BC. Obv: Head of Jupiter right, SC behind. Rx: Victory in quadriga right, Q ANTO BALB / PR in exergue. Cf. Crawford 364/1. Davis A, Ib; website C5. Apulum XLIII/1, 25 (this coin). Celator, 1 (this coin). Lanz 106, 27 November 2001, lot 10, same dies, but serrate. About VF $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Ex Lanz 123, 30 May 2005, lot 27.
See note on preceding lot.
645. Obverse type of Q. Titius, reverse type of C. Mamilius Limetanus. Serrate Denarius, 3.89g (1h). After 82 BC. Obv: Bust of Bacchus right. Rx: Ulysses walking right, his dog Argus before; blundered, recognizable legend to either side. Cf. Crawford 341/2 (obverse) and 362/1 (reverse). Davis A, II; website M36. Apulum XLIII, 89 (this coin). VF+ $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
648. Serrate Denarius, 4.02g (11h). After 83 BC. Obv: Head of Jupiter right, SC behind, T below chin. Rx: Victory in quadriga right, blundered, recognizable legend in exergue. Cf. Crawford 364/1b. Davis A, Ib; website C7. Apulum XLIII, 29 (this coin). Choice VF $200
Said to have been found in the Romanian Black Sea region of Dubroja.
Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Ex Lanz 117, 24 November 2003, lot 64.
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649. Denarius, 4.62g (12h). After 83 BC. Obv: Head of Jupiter right, CC behind. Rx: Victory in quadriga right; T below, blundered legend in exergue. Cf. Crawford 364/1. Davis A, II; website M134. Apulum XLIII, 33 (this coin). VF $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Ex BH-II. See lot 653 for another example of this obverse die, paired with a different reverse die.
650. Denarius, 3.63g (11h). After 83 BC. Obv: Head of Jupiter right, S behind, SC (S retrograde) before. Rx: Victory in quadriga left, XX below, remnants of blundered legend in exergue. Cf. Crawford 364/1d. Davis A, II; website M110. Apulum XLIII, 31 (this coin). VF $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Ex BH-I. The quadriga on the prototype is being driven right, rather than left as here.
653. Denarius, 3.78g (2h). After 83 BC. Obv: Head of Jupiter right, CC behind. Rx: Victory in quadriga right, blundered legend in exergue. Cf. Crawford 364/1. Davis A, II; website M34. Apulum XLIII, 34 (this coin). About VF $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Same obverse die as lot 649. Jupiter as Beardless Youth
654. Obverse type of Q. Antonius Balbus, reverse type of Gar, Ogl, Ver. Denarius, 3.14g (2h). After 83 BC. Obv: Head of Jupiter right, SC behind, T before. Rx: Figure in quadriga right, no legends. Cf. Crawford 364/1 (obverse) and 350A/2 (reverse). Davis A, II; website M34. Apulum XLIII, 39 (this coin). Nice VF $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. The obverse prototype may seem surprising, but the lack of a beard can be explained as the result of a worn or misstruck model. Everything else fits perfectly, including the “knobs� at the ends of the laurel wreath, quite diagnostic of 364/1.
651. Serrate Denarius, 2.96g (9h). After 83 BC. As previous lot, but serrate. Cf. Crawford 364/1d. Davis A, II; website M111. Apulum XLIII, 30 (this coin). VF $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Ex BH-I.
Enlargement
Same dies as previous lot. Note the marked difference in weight, and the fact that this piece is serrate, whereas the preceding is not.
652. Serrate Denarius, 3.40g (9h). After 83 BC. Obv: Head of Jupiter right, SC (S retrograde) behind. Rx: Victory in quadriga right, blundered legend in exergue. Cf. Crawford 364/1. Davis A, II; website M112. Apulum XLIII, 32 (this coin). VF $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Ex BH-I.
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655. Obverse type of L. Sempronius Pitio, reverse type of Q. Antonius Balbus. Serrate Denarius, 3.92 (9h). After 83 BC. Obv: Head of Roma right, PITI behind, X before. Rx: Figure in quadriga right, K below, blundered, recognizable legend in exergue. Cf. Crawford 216/1 (obverse) and 364/1d (reverse). Davis A, II; website M254. About VF $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Cf. CNG 50, 23 June 1999, lot 396, for another example of this obverse die, paired with a different reverse die, also of Q.
Antonius Balbus. Note that, unlike the present coin, that example is not serrate. The implication is that the CNG coin was produced later, when the prototype was no longer at hand.
Enlargement
656. Obverse type of C. Annius & L. Fabius Hispaniensis, reverse type of Q. Titius. Denarius, 3.70g (4h). After 81 BC. Obv: Head right, meaningless legend around. Rx: Pegasus springing left on tablet, on which blundered legend. Cf. Crawford 361/1 (obverse) and 341/ (reverse). Davis A, II; website M41. Celator, 13 (this coin). VF $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Overstruck on uncertain type, perhaps an earlier imitation. Pegasus springs left, not right as on the prototype.
659. Various obverse prototypes, reverse type of L. Manlius Torquatus. Denarius, 3.58g (10h). After 82 BC. Obv: Bust of Roma right. Rx: Figure in “quadriga” right, traces of legend in exergue. Cf. Crawford 367 (reverse). Davis A, II; website AL3. Fine $125 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. The “quadriga” also has only three horses.
Enlargement
657. Obverse type of M. Caecillius Metellus, reverse type of C. Annius and L. Fabius Hispaniensis. Denarius, 4.56g (10h). After 81 BC. Obv: Head of Roma right, blundered legend behind. Rx: Victory in “quadriga” right, blundered legend below. Cf. Crawford 263/1a (obverse) and 366/1 (reverse). Davis A, II; website M139. VF+ $200
660. Uncertain obverse prototype, reverse type of A. Postumius. Denarius, 4.28g (6h). After 82 BC. Obv: Head of Roma (?) right. Rx: Standing figure to left of Roman eagle and fasces, blundered legend to right. Cf. Crawford 263/1a (obverse) and 366/1 (reverse). Davis A, II; website M140. Apulum XLIII, 92 (this coin). Fine $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Ex BH-II. Transfer Die with Added Border
Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Ex BH-II. The “quadriga” on the reverse is missing the fourth horse. Rare Copy of Sullan Type
658. Types of L. Manlius Torquatus. Denarius, 3.35g (1h). After 82 BC. Obv: Head of Roma right, blundered legend to either side. Rx: Figure in quadriga right, Victory above; blundered legend in exergue. Cf. Crawford 367. Davis A, II; website C21. Nice VF $300 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Ex Lanz 132, 27 November 2006, lot 29. Imitations of this Sullan type are very seldom encountered.
661. Obverse type of M. Lucilius Rufus, reverse type of Q. Caecilius Metellus Pius. Denarius, 3.99g (11h). After 81 BC. Obv: Head of Roma right, PV behind; all within wreath. Rx: Lituus and jug, IMPER in exergue; all within wreath. Wreath surrounded by border of dots. Cf. Crawford 324/1 (obverse) and 374/1 (reverse). Davis A, Iaa; website HT1. Apulum XLIII, 49 (this coin). VF $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Ex Goodman Collection with ticket; not in CNG sales. Both sides are transferred from official coins, but the reverse has been “improved” by the addition of an inappropriate border of dots beyond the wreath; the dot in the lower right field of the obverse was seemingly deliberately added as well.
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Apulum XLVII, this coin with extensive discussion. Choice VF $500 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. 662. Obverse type of M. Herennius, reverse type of C. Marius Capito. Denarius, 3.84g (7h). After 81 BC. Obv: Head of Pietas right, PIETAS behind, C dot before. Rx: Plowman and yoke of oxen left, LXIIII above, C MARI CF / SC in exergue. Cf. Crawford 308/1a (obverse) and 378/1c (reverse). Davis A, Iaa; website HT5. About VF $200
This is perhaps the most important coin in the entire collection; the first, and thus far only, example of the Poroschia Hoard diematched coins to have surfaced, other than in the hoard itself. The Poroschia Hoard is absolutely central to an understanding of the Dacian imitative coinage. See Davis, Apulum XLVII, 2010 for an extensive discussion of it.
Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Both sides are mechanically transferred from official Republican denarii.
663. Obverse type of M. Herennius, reverse type of L. Procilius. Denarius, 3.16g (8h). After 80 BC. Obv: Head of Pietas right, PIETAS behind, C dot before. Rx: Juno walking right, hurling spear and holding shield; serpent before, L PROCILI / F behind. Cf. Crawford 308/1a (obverse) and 379/1 (reverse). Davis A, Iaa; website HT6. About VF $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Said to have been found in Romania. Same obverse die as previous lot. Reverse also mechanically transferred from an official Republican denarius.
Enlargement
666. Types of C. Poblicius. Serrate Denarius, 2.62g (8h). After 80 BC. Obv: Head of Roma left, blundered legend to either side. Rx: Hercules strangling the Nemean line, misengraved “quiver” to left, blundered legend to right. Cf. Crawford 380/1. Davis A, II; website AL4. Celator, 20 (this coin). Minor chip at 5h. About VF $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
664. Obverse type of L. & C. Memmius Galeria, reverse type of L. Procilius. Denarius, 4.30g (1h). After 80 BC. Obv: Head of Saturn left, dot H behind. Rx: Juno walking right, holding shield and spear; serpent before, blundered legend behind. Cf. Crawford 349/1 (obverse) and 379/1 (reverse). Davis A, II; website M366. Nice Fine $200
The remarkably “barbarous” reverse scene convinced me to classify this as “Anomalous,” but I now believe it is probably Dacian. High-Grade Copy
Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Rare and Important Poroschia Hoard Die-Match
665. Types of L. Procilius. Serrate Denarius, 3.48g (4h). After 80 BC. Obv: Head of Juno right, SC behind. Rx: Juno in biga right, holding shield and spear; serpent below; PROCIIIF in exergue. Cf. Crawford 379/2. Davis A, Ib; not on website. Davis,
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667. Types of C. Naevius Balbus. Serrate Denarius, 3.68g (10h). After 79 BC. Obv: Head of Venus right, SC behind. Rx: Victory in triga right, CXXXIII above, exurgal legend off flan. Cf. Crawford 382/1b. Davis A, Ib; website C12. Apulum XLIII, 3 (this coin). Celator, 4 (this coin). About EF $250 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Ex CNG 63, 21 May 2003, lot 29.
668. Serrate Denarius, 3.80g (1h). After 79 BC. Obv: Head of Venus left, SC behind. Rx: Victory in triga right, CCVIII above, somewhat blundered but recognizable legend in exergue. Cf. Crawford 382/1b. Davis A, Ib; website C11. Apulum XLIII, 5 (this coin). Celator, 3 (this coin). VF $200
671. Obverse type of C. Naevius Balbus, reverse type of Pub. Crepusius. Denarius, 3.77g (2h). After 79 BC. Obv: Head of Venus left, SC behind, V below chin. Rx: Horseman right, blundered legend below and in exergue. Cf. Crawford 382/1 (obverse) and 361/1 (reverse). Davis A, II; website M45. Fine+ $150
Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
The head of Venus faces left, not right as on the prototype; otherwise a very faithful copy.
669. Serrate Denarius, 4.53g (11h). After 79 BC. Obv: Head of Venus left, IIK behind. Rx: Victory in triga right, X above, blundered legend in exergue. Cf. Crawford 382/1. Davis A, II; website M367. Nice VF $200
672. Obverse type of C. Naevius Balbus, reverse type of Q. Antonius Balbus. Serrate Denarius, 3.69g (4h). After 79 BC. Obv: Head of Venus right, remnant of SC behind. Rx: Victory in quadriga right, blundered legend in exergue. Cf. Crawford 382/1 (obverse) and 364/1 (reverse). Davis A, II; website M47. Apulum XLIII, 13 (this coin). About VF $200
Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
Celator Cover Coin
670. Obverse type of C. Naevius Balbus, reverse type of P. Furius Crasipes. Denarius, 3.62g (7h). After 79 BC. Obv: Head of Venus right, remnant of SC behind. Rx: Curule chair, blundered, recognizable legend in exergue. Cf. Crawford 382/1 (obverse) and 356/1 (reverse). Davis A, II; website M50. Apulum XLIII, 14 (this coin). Celator, 15 (this coin). VF $350
673. Obverse type of C. Naevius Balbus, reverse type of Ti. Claudius Nero. Denarius, 3.43g (9h). After 79 BC. Obv: Head of Venus right, SC behind. Rx: Victory in biga right, XXXX below, blundered legend in exergue. Cf. Crawford 382/1 (obverse) and 383/1 (reverse). Davis A, II; website M46. Nice VF $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Ex Leu 86, 5 May 2003, lot 736. This coin was featured on the cover of The Celator, Vol. 18, no. 4, May 2004. 674. Obverse type of C. Caecillius Metellus, reverse type of C. Naevius Balbus. Serrate Denarius, 4.52g (11h). After 79 BC. Obv: Head of Roma right, X before. Rx: “Triga” right; blundered, meaningless legend below and in exergue. Cf. Crawford 263/1 (obverse) and 382/1 (reverse). Davis A, II; website M117. About VF $200 Enlargement
Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Ex BH-I. Note fourth horse in “triga”.
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of Roma right, flamen’s cap behind. Rx: Victory in biga right, ACIII below; blundered legend in exergue. Cf. Crawford 267/1 (obverse) and 383/1 (reverse). Davis A, III; website H1. EF $200 675. Various obverse prototypes, reverse type of C. Naevius Balbus. Serrate Denarius, 3.70g (7h). After 79 BC. Obv: Bust of Roma right, X behind. Rx: Victory in triga right, XXX above, III below. Cf. Crawford 382/1 (reverse). Davis A, II; website M368. Nice VF $200
Ex Phillip Davis Collection. The obverse is mechanically transferred from an official Republican denarius. The reverse is a faithful copy, revealed as imitative by its blundered legend.
Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Ex Rauch 81, 11 November 2007, lot 21.
676. Types of Ti. Claudius Nero. Denarius, 4.25g (11h). After 79 BC. Obv: Bust of Diana right. Rx: Victory in biga right; control number below, remnants of blundered legend in exergue. Cf. Crawford 383/1. Davis A, II; website M120. Apulum XLIII, 96 (this coin). About VF $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Ex BH-I.
Enlargement
677. Serrate Denarius, 3.79g (3h). After 79 BC. Obv: Bust of Diana right, SC before. Rx: Victory in biga right, AXXXIII below, blundered legend in exergue. Cf. Crawford 383/1. Davis A, II; website M51. Apulum XLIII, 94 (this coin). VF $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Ex Lanz 117, 24 November 2003, lot 66. See website M204+ for another example of this obverse die, paired with a similar but not identical reverse.
678. Obverse type of T. Quinctius Flamininus, reverse type of Ti. Claudius Nero. Denarius, 3.41g (10h). After 79 BC. Obv: Head
134
679. Obverse type of C. Norbanus, reverse type of Ti. Claudius Nero. Denarius, 3.76g (1h). After 79 BC. Obv: Bust of Venus left, blundered legend before. Rx: Victory in biga right; control number below, remnants of legend in exergue. Cf. Crawford 357/1 (obverse) and 383/1 (reverse). Davis A, II; website M121. Apulum XLIII, 99 (this coin). VF $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Ex BH-I. Venus on the prototype faces right, rather than left as here.
Enlargement
680. Obverse type of Q. Antonius Balbus, reverse type of Ti. Claudius Nero. Denarius, 4.05g (7h). After 79 BC. Obv: Head of Jupiter right, SC behind. Rx: Victory in biga right, control number below, remnants of legend in exergue. Cf. Crawford 364/1 (obverse) and 383/1 (reverse). Davis A, II; website M122. Apulum XLIII, 36 (this coin). VF $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Ex BH-I.
681. Types of L. Papius. Serrate Denarius, 3.70g (1h). After 79 BC. Obv: Head of Juno right, caduceus before, apluster behind. Rx: Griffin springing right, uncertain symbol below, traces of legend
in exergue. Cf. Crawford 384/1. Davis A, II; website M162. Apulum XLIII, 100 (this coin). VF $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
682. Obverse type of L. Calpurnius Piso Frugi, reverse type of L. Papius. Serrate Denarius, 3.53g (1h). After 79 BC. Obv: Head of Apollo right, remnants of XXXVI behind. Rx: “Pegasus” standing right, blundered legend in exergue. Cf. Crawford 267/1 (obverse) and 383/1 (reverse). Davis A, III; website H2. Apulum XLIII, 102 (this coin). Celator, 17 (this coin). VG/F $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. The obverse is mechanically transferred from an official Republican denarius. The reverse griffin of the prototype is here misunderstood as Pegasus. The original legend PAPI can just barely be discerned in the blundered rendition.
Enlargement
685. Obverse type of L. Rutilius Flaccus, reverse type of C. Mamilius Limetanus. Denarius, 4.18g (1h). After 77 BC. Obv: Head of Roma left, blundered, recognizable legend behind. Rx: Ulysses walking right, his dog Argus before; blundered, recognizable legend to either side. Cf. Crawford 387/1 (obverse) and 362/1 (reverse). Davis A, II; website M54. Apulum XLIII, 104 (this coin). VF $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
683. Obverse type of M. Volteius, reverse type of Q. Titius. Denarius, 3.65g (4h). After 78 BC. Obv: Head of Hercules (?) right. Rx: Pegasus springing right, Λ below, blundered, abstract legend in exergue. Cf. Crawford 385/2 (obverse) and 282 (reverse). Davis A, II; website M53. Apulum XLIII, 108 (this coin). Fine $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
Remarkable Three-Headed Imitation
The obverse legend is clear enough that the identification is probable, despite the fact that Roma faces left rather than right as on the prototype.
686. Types of P. Satrienus. Denarius, 3.45g (6h). After 77 BC. Obv: Head of Mars right, XVI behind. Rx: She-wolf walking left, ROMA above, P PATRI in exergue. Cf. Crawford 388/1b. Davis A, Ib; website C15. Celator, 5 (this coin). Fine+ $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
684. Obverse type of Mn. Fonteius, reverse type of L. Cassius Longinus. Denarius, 4.26g (8h). After 78 BC. Obv: Janiform head. Rx: Head of Libera left, blundered, recognizable legend behind. Cf. Crawford 290/1 (Oobverse and 386/1 (reverse). Davis A, II; website M123. Apulum XLIII, 111 (this coin). VF $750 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Ex BH-I.
687. Denarius, 3.52g (7h). After 77 BC. Obv: Head of Mars right, XAX behind. Rx: She-wolf walking left, blundered legend above and in exergue. Cf. Crawford 388/1b. Davis A, II; website M52. Apulum XLIII, 52 (this coin). Nice VF $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
135
Apparently Unique; Perhaps Celtic
688. Denarius, 3.26g (7h). After 77 BC. Obv: Head right, O before. Rx: Wolf walking right; crescent moon, two stars and wavy line above; blundered legend below. Cf. Crawford 388/1. Davis B, III; website OP1. VF $250 Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
692. Denarius, 2.93g (8h). After 75 BC. Obv: Bust of Cupid right. Rx: Roma and Venus standing facing, oar on prow to either side; blundered legend to right and in exergue. Cf. Crawford 391/3. Davis A, II; website M372. VF $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Ex BH-II.
Said to have been part of a small hoard found in Carinthia, in Austria near the Hungarian border. The other coins in the hoard are all official Republican issues. Quite different in style and fabric from “normal” Dacian imitations, this piece may actually be Celtic.
This coin points out the arbitrary nature of Chitescu’s Copy/ Imitation distinction, which I’ve adopted, as it could easily be classified as a Copy rather than an Imitation. The dichotomy remains useful, and very clear at either extreme, but it’s important to remember that there is a grey area, and sometimes we need to ask the coins different questions.
689. Obverse type of L. Rustius, reverse type of P. Satrienus. Denarius, 4.06g (2h). After 76 BC. Obv: Head of Mars right, SC behind, X below chin. Rx: She-wolf walking right, blundered legend above and in exergue. Cf. Crawford 389/1 (obverse) and 388/1 (reverse). Davis A, II; website M58; M58+, same dies. Apulum XLIII, 112 (this coin). Fine+ $200
693. Types of L. Farsuleius Mensor. Denarius, 3.86g (7h). After 75 BC. Obv: Bust of Liberty right, blundered legend to either side. Rx: Figure in biga, scorpion below blundered, recognizable legend in exergue. Cf. Crawford 392/1a. Davis A, II; website M90. VF $200
Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
The wolf is walking right, not left as on the prototype.
690. L. Lucretius Trio. Denarius, 3.17g (8h). After 76 BC. Obv: Head of Sol right, O beneath chin. Rx: TAI / pellet Θ with crescent moon and seven stars, blundered legend below. Cf. Crawford 390/1. Davis A, II; website M370. Gorny 138, 7 March 2005, lot 1032, same dies. Somewhat corroded. VF+ $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Cf. Gorny 152, 9 October 2006, lot 105, for an example struck from very similar dies.
691. Types of C. Egnatuleius. Denarius, 2.80g (11h). After 75 BC. Obv: Bust of Cupid right. Rx: Two standing figures within distyle temple, blundered legend in exergue. Cf. Crawford 391/2. Davis A, II; website M371. Fine+ $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Ex BH-II.
136
694. Denarius, 4.46g (7h). After 75 BC. Obv: Bust of Liberty right, SC behind, blundered, recognizable legend before. Rx: Figure in biga right, XIIIII below, ARSVLF in exergue. Cf. Crawford 392/1b. Davis A, II; website C44. About VF $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
695. Obverse type of L. Farsuleius Mensor, reverse type of L. Calpurnius Piso Frugi. Denarius, 4.02g (2h). After 75 BC. Obv: Bust of Liberty right, X behind, blundered legend before. Rx: Horseman right, palm over shoulder, blundered legend below. Cf. Crawford 392/1 (obverse) and 340/1 (reverse). Davis A, II; website M154. Apulum XLIII, 107 (this coin). Slightly bent. VF $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Ex CNG 70, 21 September 2005, lot 2.
696. Obverse type of L. Farsuleius Mensor, reverse type of C. Naevius Balbus. Serrate Denarius, 3.99g (12h). After 75 BC. Obv: Bust of Liberty right, O above, blundered legend to either side. Rx: Figure in triga right, blundered legend in exergue. Cf. Crawford 392/1 (obverse) and 382/1 (reverse). Davis A, II; website M91. About VF $200
700. Obverse type of Q. Fufius Calenus and Mucius Cordus, reverse type of C. Naevius Balbus. Denarius, 3.58g (4h). After 70 BC. Obv: Jugate heads right. Rx: Figure in triga right, blundered legend in exergue. Cf. Crawford 403/1 (obverse) and 382/1 (reverse). Davis A, II; website M106. Chitescu 191, same dies. Apulum XLIII, 20 (this coin). Fine+ $400
Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Ex Lanz 123, 30 May 2005, lot 28.
Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Ex La Galerie Numismatique IV, 28 November 2004, lot 26. Ex BH-I.
697. Obverse type of C. Coelius Caldus, reverse type of C. Postumius. Denarius, 4.38g (10h). After 74 BC. Obv: Head of Roma left. Rx: Hound left, blundered legend in exergue. Cf. Crawford 318/1 (obverse) and 394/1 (reverse). Davis A, II; website M125. Fine $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Ex BH-I. The hound on the prototype faces right, rather than left as here. Rare “Pseudo-Eraviscan” Imitation
Enlargement
701. Obverse type of M. Baebius Tampilus, reverse type of Q. Fufius Calenus & Mucius Cordus. Denarius, 3.84g (7h). After 70 BC. Obv: Head of Roma left. Rx: Two standing figures. Cf. Crawford 238/1 (obverse) and 403/1 (reverse). Davis A, II; website M59. Apulum XLIII, 113 (this coin). VF $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. The suggested identification of the prototype is quite uncertain.
698. Uncertain obverse prototype, reverse type of C. Postumius. Denarius, 2.81g (11h). After 74 BC. Obv: Head right, IIII behind. Rx: Hound right, remnant of legend above, POSTΛΙ in exergue. Cf. Crawford 394/1 (reverse). Davis D, Ia; website AL5. Fine+ $200
Enlargement
Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Classified as “Anomalous” because of its strong resemblance to Eraviscan coins in style, fabric, weight and type selection, although it is not represented in the Eraviscan hoards or die sequences. I think it’s quite possible that it is Eraviscan, simply very rare.
699. Obverse type of Mn. Aquilllius, reverse type of L. Papius. Serrate Denarius, 3.61g (7h). After 71 BC. Obv: Head of Virtus right, TV before, III VI behind. Rx: Griffin springing right, fish below, IIΛIII in exergue. Cf. Crawford 401/1 (obverse) and 384/1 (reverse). Davis A, II; website M92. VF $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Ex Lanz 123, 30 May 2005, lot 29.
702. Types of M. Plaetorius Cestianus. Denarius, 3.82g (2h). After 69 BC. Obv: Male head right. Rx: Caduceus; blundered, recognizable legend to either side. Cf. Crawford 405/5. Davis A, Ib; website C23; C23+, same dies. Apulum XLIII, 55 (this coin). Choice VF+ $250 Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
Enlargement
137
Contrasting Obverse and Reverse
Remarkable High Relief Copy
703. Obverse type of C. Hosidius Geta, reverse type of M. Cipius. Denarius, 3.34g (1h). After 68 BC. Obv: Bust of Diana right, III VI[R] befind, GETA before. Rx: Figure in biga right, fish below. Cf. Crawford 407/2 (obverse) and 289/1 (reverse). Davis A, III; website M72. VF $200
705. Types of C. Piso Frugi. Denarius, 3.67g (6h). After 67 BC. Obv: Head of Apollo left, L behind. Rx: Horseman right, palm over shoulder, blundered, recognizable legend below. Cf. Crawford 408/1. Davis A, Ib; website C16. Apulum XLIII, 53 (this coin). Nicely toned About EF $500
Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
Ex Phillip Davis Collection. From an old collection in Constancia, Romania.
The obverse is mechanically transferred from an official Republican denarius. The contrast between this “normal” obverse and the wildly “barbarous” reverse is quite remarkable.
While clearly unofficial, this piece displays impressive fidelity to the fine style and high relief of the prototype. Said to have been found in Dubroja, Romania.
Linked to British Museum Coin
704. Obverse type of M. Atilius Saranus, reverse type of C. Hosidius Geta. Denarius, 4.46g (2h). After 68 BC. Obv: Head of Roma right, SAR behind. Rx: Horned animal and young; blundered legend above and in exergue. Cf. Crawford 214/1a (obverse) and 407 (reverse). Davis D, Ib; website AH3. Cf. BM 184 (same reverse die, paired with a jugate head obverse). Toned. Fine+ $500
Enlargement
Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Ex UBS 59, 27 January 2004, lot 5078 (part). The reverse derives from the boar and hound of C. Hosidius Geta, but reinterpreted into a gentler scene of a mother animal with her calf. The BM cataloguers share this interpretation, arrived at independently. They also place their coin in an “anomalous” category, “East European Coins of Various Derivations”, and speculate that it was produced in Illyria.
Enlargement
706. Denarius, 3.43g (2h). After 67 BC. Obv: Head of Apollo right, uncertain symbol behind. Rx: Horseman right, palm over shoulder, C PISO LI below. Cf. Crawford 408/1. Davis A, II; website M80. Apulum XLIV, 1 (this coin). VF $250 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Ex Lanz 121, 22 November 2004, lot 81.
707. Denarius, 4.73g (8h). After 67 BC. Obv: Head of Apollo left, blundered legend behind. Rx: Horseman right, palm over shoulder, blundered legend below. Cf. Crawford 408/1. Davis A, II; website M225. Apulum XLIV, 2 (this coin). Fine+ $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
138
Barbarous!
708. Types of L. Roscius Fabatus. Denarius, 3.97g (1h). After 64 BC. Obv: Head of Juno right, Y behind. Rx: Standing figure left. No legends. Cf. Crawford 412/1. Davis A, II; website (AL8). VF $300 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Ex BH-II. See following lot for another example of these dies. The discovery of the present coin with other more obviously Dacian imitations required a reevaluation of my earlier classification of this type as “anomalous”.
Beautiful Toned Copy
712. Types of C. Servilius. Denarius, 3.58g (1h). After 57 BC. Obv: Head of Flora right, lituus behind, FLORΛ PAIMIZ behind. Rx: Two soldiers standing face to face, swords upright; CF to right, blundered, meaningless legend in exergue. Cf. Crawford 423/1. Davis A, Ib; website C24. Apulum XLIII, 57 (this coin). Choice VF $300 Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
Enlargement Enlargement
709. Denarius, 3.38g (1h). After 64 BC. Obv: Head of Juno right, Y behind. Rx: Standing figure left. No legends. Cf. Crawford 412/1. Davis A, II; website AL8. VF $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Ex Lanz 123, 30 May 2005, lot 31.
710. Denarius, 4.34g (7h). After 64 BC. Obv: Head of Juno right, bee behind; blundered, recognizable legend below. Rx: Female standing right, serpent before, blundered legend in exergue. Cf. Crawford 412/1. Davis A, II; not on website. VF $200
713. Obverse type of C. Servilius, various reverse prototypes. Denarius, 4.02g (10h). After 57 BC. Obv: Head of Flora right, lituus behind. Rx: Figure in biga right, blundered legend in exergue. Cf. Crawford 423/1 (obverse). Davis A, II; website M61. Fine $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
711. Types of L. Furius Brocchus. Denarius, 4.17g (7h). After 63 BC. Obv: Head of Ceres right between wheat ear and barleycorn, traces of legend below. Rx: Curule chair between fasces, L FVRI / CN F below. Cf. Crawford 414/1. Davis A, Ib; website C42. VF $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Ex CNG E133, 15 February 2006, lot 1.
714. Obverse types of C. Naevius Balbus, reverse type of Faustus Cornelia Sulla. Denarius, 3.61g (5h). After 56 BC. Obv: Head of Venus left, SC behind. Rx: Three trophies, pitcher on left, monogram in exergue. No legends. Cf. Crawford 382/1 (obverse) and 426/3 (reverse). Davis A, II; website M157. Fine+ $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
139
Rare and High-Grade Brutus Imitation
715. Types of M. Junius Brutus. Denarius, 3.13g (6h). After 54 BC. Obv: Head of Liberty right, C LIBERTAS behind, uncertain and inappropriately placed legend before. Rx: Consul walking between two lictors, preceeded by an accensus; BRVTVS (R backwards) in exergue. Cf. Crawford 433/1. Davis A, Ib; M73. About EF $500
718. Obverse type of Man. Acilius Glabrio, reverse type of Julius Caesar. Denarius, 3.26g (10h). After 47 BC. Obv: Head of Salus right, SALVITI (T upside down) behind. Rx: Aeneas walking left, carrying Anchises and Palladium, A R behind. Cf. Crawford 442/1a (obverse) and 458/1 (reverse). Davis A, II; website M158. VF $200
Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
The entirely “invented” legend on the right edge is remarkable. It’s unfortunate that that legend cannot be read!
The obverse very closely copies the Republican prototype. At first glance, it appears to have been transferred from an official coin, but the blundered end of the legend with inverted T reveals it as unofficial. Beautifully Toned High-Grade Imitation
Enlargement
719. Obverse type of Q. Cassius Longinus, reverse type of T. Carisius. Denarius, 4.72 (11h). After 46 BC. Obv: Head of Vesta right, blundered legend before. Rx: Emblems of power; rudder, globe, cornucopia and scepter; blundered legend below. Cf. Crawford 428/1 (obverse) and 464/3 (reverse). Davis A, II; website M265. Beautifully toned VF+ $350 Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
716. Obverse type of Q. Sicinius & C. Coponius, reverse type of M. Tullius. Denarius, 3.21g (11h). After 49 BC. Obv: Male head right, blundered legend around. Rx: Figure in “quadriga” right; W below, traces of blundered legend in exergue. Cf. Crawford 444/1 (obverse) and 280/1 (reverse). Davis A, II; website M63. About VF $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Ex UBS 59, 27 January 2004, lot 5078 (part).
Enlargement
Rare Julius Caesar Portrait Imitation
717. Obverse type of L. Procilius, reverse type of L. Cornelius Lentulus & C. Claudius Marcellus. Serrate Denarius, 3.23g (4h). After 49 BC. Obv: Head right, blundered legend behind. Rx: Jupiter standing right, star behind, altar before. Cf. Crawford 379/2 (obverse) and 445/2 (reverse). Davis A, II; website M62. Fine $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
140
720. Types of Julius Caesar. Denarius, 3.63g (6h). After 44 BC. Obv: Head of Caesar right, blundered legend before. Rx: Venus standing right, blundered legend behind. Cf. Crawford 480/7. Davis A, Ib; website M74. Fine $500 Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
Cover Coin on the Collector’s Website
Enlargement
723. Types of P. Clodius Turrinus. Denarius, 3.28g (7h). After 42 BC. Obv: Head of Apollo right, lyre behind; blundered, wholly “invented” legend around. Rx: Diana standing facing, holding two torches, crude but accurate P CLODIVS to right, MF to left, blundered additional legend in exergue. Cf. Crawford 494/23.. Davis A, II; website M66. Apulum XLIII, 118 (this coin). EF $600 Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
721. Obverse type of Man. Acilius Glabrio, reverse type of P. Accoleius Lariscolus. Denarius, 3.28g (9h). After 43 BC. Obv: Head of Salus right, SΛLVT behind. Rx: Three statues of nymphs standing facing. Cf. Crawford 442/1b (obverse) and 486/1 (reverse). Davis A, II; website M226. About VF $200
The long legend on the obverse and the added legend in the reverse exergue are unreadable and unexplained. The exceptional quality and the triumphant obverse style place this among the finest imitations in existence. Said to have been found in Dubroja, Romania.
Ex Phillip Davis Collection. The odd marks before Salus’ face are unexplained. Enlargement
Innovative Moon and Stars Reverse
722. Obverse type of A. Licinius Nerva, reverse type of L. Lucretius Trio or P. Clodius Turrinus. Denarius, 3.62g (1h). After 42 BC. Obv: Head of Fides right. Rx: Crescent moon amid five stars; blundered legend around and in exergue. Cf. Crawford 454/1 (obverse) and 390/1 or 494/21 (reverse). Davis A, III; website H3. Fine+ $400
724. Denarius, 3.35g (11h). After 42 BC. Obv: Head of Apollo left. Rx: Diana standing facing, holding two torches, blundered legend to either side. Cf. Crawford 494/23. Davis A, II; website M238. VF $200
Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
The obverse is really beyond identification, described as Apollo only by association with the reverse of Diana Lucifera.
The obverse is mechanically transferred from an official Republican denarius. The reverse is a remarkable new creation, featuring a downward facing crescent and an exurgual line not present on either of the possible prototypes. The Gemini photographer understandably asked for advice as to, quite literally, which way is up. I opted to position the exergual line at the bottom where it belongs, but this results in the horns of the moon facing downwards, perhaps uniquely in all of ancient coinage. In reality, both orientations are “correct.” The shifting perspectives of this coin embody an innovative, “relativistic” worldview every bit as “modern” as the Picasso-like Celtic imitations of the tetradrachms of Philip II.
Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
Enlargement
141
725. Obverse type of P. Clodius Turrinus, reverse type of A. Postumius Albinus. Denarius, 3.65g (1h). After 42 BC. Obv: Head of Apollo right, lyre behind. Rx: Figure standing left between Roman eagle and fasces, blundered legend in field. Cf. Crawford 494/23 (obverse) and 372/2 (reverse). Davis A, II; website M227. VF $200
728. Types of Mark Antony. Denarius, 2.95g (8h). After 31 BC. Obv: Galley right, blundered legend around. Rx: Legionary eagle, standard to left; blundered legend below and right. Cf. Crawford 544. Davis A, Ib; website C18. VF $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
726. Obverse type of Ti. Claudius Nero, reverse type of P. Clodius Turrinus. Serrate Denarius, 3.13g (11h). After 42 BC. Obv: Head of Diana right, blundered, SC before. Rx: Diana standing facing, holding two torches, crude but accurate P CLODIVS to right, CΛΙCIOΓ to left, MILI in exergue. Cf. Crawford 383/1 (obverse) and 494/23 (reverse). Davis A, II; website M159. VF $150
729. Various obverse prototypes, reverse type of Augustus. Denarius, 3.11g (10h). After 19 BC. Obv: Head of Roma right, X and monogram behind. Rx: Laurel trees; blundered, recognizable legend around. Cf. RIC 33a (reverse). Davis A, II; website M160. VF $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Ex CNG E117, 29 June 2005, lot 209.
Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Rare Cassius Imitation
727. Types of Cassius. Denarius, 3.61g (7h). After 42 BC. Obv: Head of Liberty right, C CΛSSI IMΛ LIBERT around. Rx: Pitcher and Lituus; ENTVLVS / SPINT below. Cf. Crawford 500/3. Davis A, Ib; website C19. VF+ $400 Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
730. Obverse type of Augustus, reverse type of L. Flaminius Chilo. Denarius, 3.31g (5h). After 19 BC. Obv: Head of Augustus right, blundered legend to either side. Rx: Victory in biga left, blundered legend in exergue. Cf. RIC 37a ff. (obverse) and Crawford 302/1 (reverse). Davis A, II; website M240. Nicely toned VF $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Ex Rauch Mail Bid 11, 12 September 2006, lot 147. Ex Lanz 112, 25 November 2002, lot 10.
A very close copy; the possibility that this coin is in fact “quasiofficial”, struck locally to pay an isolated part of Cassius’ army, cannot be excluded. 731. Obverse type of Augustus, reverse type of P. Clodius Turrinus. Denarius, 3.55g (11h). After 19 BC. Obv: Head of Augustus left, blundered legend to either side. Rx: Diana standing, holding two torches; CLODIVI to right, MF to left. Cf. RIC 42b ff. (obverse) and Crawford 494/23 (reverse). Davis A, II; website M163. Nice VF $300 Enlargement
142
Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
Two Rare Imitations of Germanicus
Enlargement
Imitation of “Gaius� candelabrum reverse
732. Obverse type of Man. Aemilius Lepidus, reverse type of Augustus. Denarius, 2.90g (11h). After 17 BC. Obv: Head of Roma right, blundered legend before, X behind. Rx: Candelabrum; star and blundered legend to left. Cf. Crawford 291/1 (obverse) and RIC 540 (reverse). Davis A, II; website M76. VF $200
735. Obverse type of Germanicus, reverse type of M. Plaetorius Cestianus. Denarius, 3.86g (5h). After 37 AD. Obv: Head of Germanicus right, GERMANICVS CAES P C C[AES AVG GER]M around. Rx: Caduceus; [M P]LAETORI to right, SEST EX SC. Cf. Giard, Lyon, R63, pl. XXXVIII, 164/4a (obverse) and Crawford 405/5 (reverse). Davis website I3. Nice VF $1,500 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Said to have been found in Romania. Same obverse die as the following lot. This obverse die is certainly mechanically transferred from the reverse of an official coin of Caligula. The reverse die may be transferred as well, but certain slightly crude aspects make it possibly the product of a new die which closely follows the prototype.
Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
Enlargement
733. Types of Augustus. Denarius, 2.80g (5h). After 2 BC. Obv: Head of Augustus right, blundered legend around. Rx: Gaius and Lucius standing, blundered legend around and in exergue. Cf. RIC 208 Davis A, II; website M241. VF+ $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
734. Obverse type of Tiberius, reverse type of C. Vibius Varus. Denarius, 3.80g (2h). After 14 AD. Obv: Head of Tiberius right, legend around. Rx: Panther springing left towards altar; C Vibius in exergue, VARVS to right. Cf. RIC 30 (obverse) and Crawford 494/36 (reverse). Davis website I1. Fine+ $500
736. Obverse type of Germanicus, reverse type of Augustus. Denarius, 3.71g (4h). After 37 AD. Obv: Head of Germanicus right, GERMANICVS CAES P C CAES AVG GER[M] around. Rx: Capricorn right, cornucopia over shoulder, AVGVST below. Cf. Giard, Lyon, R63, pl. XXXVIII, 164/4a (obverse) and RIC 126 (reverse) Davis website I2. About VF $1,500 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Said to have been found in Romania. Same obverse die as previous lot. This reverse also closely follows its model, but here the divergences are pronounced enough to make a new die probable.
Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Said to have been found in Romania. Both sides seemingly transferred from official coins. Hybrids such as this, which combine a Julio-Claudian portrait with a Republican reverse, are rare but not unknown, and are evidence of a continuing tradition of imitative coinage in Dacia. See the following two lots for additional examples, from the same small hoard as the present coin.
Enlargement
143
Choice Indian Imitation
737. Obverse type of Tiberius, reverse type of Augustus. Denarius, 3.38g (7h). After 14 AD. Obv: Head of Tiberius right, blundered legend around. Rx: Gaius and Lucius standing, blundered legend around and in exergue. Davis website In1. Test cut. VF $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
The Final Dacian Imitation?
740. Types of Trajan. Denarius, 2.65g (5h). After 98 AD. Obv: Laureate head of Trajan right, blundered legend around. Rx: Standing figure right, blundered legend around (perhaps ending COS III, appropriate to Hadrian). Davis website I4. About VF $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. If, as seems likely, this intriguing piece was struck in Dacia, it represents the very end of a centuries-long tradition of imitative coinage. The irony of the Dacians’ producing this coin with a portrait of Trajan, on the eve of his first Dacian war, is striking and dramatic.
738. Types of Vespasian. Denarius, 3.40g (12h). After 71 AD. Obv: Head of Vespasian right, blundered legend around. Rx: Sacrificial implements, AVGVR above. Cf. RIC 42. Davis website I5 (as Domitian). About EF with some luster $250 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Said to have been found in Romania. The prominent DO in the obverse legend led to the initial identification of this coin as a Domitian obverse combined with a Vespasian reverse. On balance though, it is more likely that the DO is a coincidence and the prototype for both sides is a coin of Vespasian.
739. Types of Vespasian or Titus. Denarius, 3.32g (1h). After 74 AD. Obv: Laureate head of Vespasian or Titus right, blundered legend around. Rx: Emperor seated left holding branch and scepter, blundered legend around. Cf. RIC Vespasian 702 and 705. Davis website I4. Fine+ $250 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Said to have been found in Romania. On the prototypes the emperor sits right on the reverse, not left as on the imitation. 741. Lot of Thirteen Dacian Imitations of “Poroschia-type”.
144
Denarius, 1. Anonymous type, after 115 BC; 3.40g, 4h; cf. Crawford 287/1, Nemvs 1, website C1. 2. Types of C. Coelius Caldus, after 104 BC; 3.73g, 9h; cf. Crawford 318/1a, Nemvs 2, website C3. 3. As previous; 3.52g, 9h; Nemvs 3. 4. Types of Q. Antonius Balbus, after 83 BC; 3.60g, 7h, serrate; cf. Crawford 364/1c, Nemvs 4, website C6. 5. As previous, 3.65g, 7h, serrate; Nemvs 5. 6. As previous; 3.45g, 7h, serrate; Nemvs 6. 7. As previous; 3.55g, 7h, serrate; Nemvs 7. 8. Types of C. Naevius Balbus, after 79 BC; 3.70g, 1h, serrate; cf. Crawford 382/1b, Nemvs 8, website C10. 9. As previous; 3.35g, 7h, serrate; Nemvs 9. 10. As previous; 3.18g, 7h, serrate; Nemvs 10. 11. As previous; 3.62g, 5h, serrate; Nemvs 11. 12. Types of Ti. Claudius Nero, after 70 BC; 3.85g, 1h, serrate; cf. Crawford 383/1, Nemvs 12, website C14. 13. As previous; 3.52g, 11h, serrate; Nemvs 13. All classified as “copies,” Davis A, Ib. Beautifully toned VF+ or better $3,000
Nero, after 79 BC; 3.75g, 5h; cf. Crawford 383/1, Davis A, II, website M119; Apulum XLIII, 97 (this coin). Ex La Galerie Numismatique IV, 28 November 2004, lot 32. 7. Obverse type of L. Sulla, reverse type of L. Papius, after 79 BC; 2.88g, 1h; cf. Crawford 375/2 (obverse) and 384/1 (reverse), Davis A, III, website H4; Apulum XLIII, 101 (this coin). Obverse transferred from official coin. 8. Obverse type of Mn. Aquillius, reverse type of C. Coelius Caldus, after 71 BC; 3.45g, 2h; cf. Crawford 401/1 (obverse) and 318/1a (reverse), Davis A, II, website M126. Average grade Fine-VF $1,600 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. All ex BH-I.
Ex Phillip Davis Collection. “Nemvs” references are to my article in Nemvs 1, available at http://www.enciclopedia-dacica.ro/nemvs/Dacian%20 Imitations%20of%20Roman%20Republican%20Denarii.pdf. The circumstances surrounding the purchase of this remarkable group are related in The Celator, Vol. 18, no. 8, August 2004, available at http://rrimitations.ancients.info/tos.html.
742. Lot of Eight Dacian Imitations from BH-I. Denarius, 1. Types of Spurius Afranius, after 150 BC; 3.04g, 1h; cf. Crawford 206/1, Davis A, II, website M97. 2. Types of L. Cupiennus, after 147 BC; 4.35g, 5h; cf. Crawford 218/1, Davis A, II, website M98. 3.Types of Lucius Appuleius Saturninus, after 104 BC; 3.18g, 9h; cf. Crawford 317/3b, Davis A, II, website M103. Ex La Galerie Numismatique IV, 28 November 2004, lot 33. 4. Obverse type of L. Julius Bursio, reverse type of L. Scipio Asiagenus, after 85 BC; 3.57g, 8h; cf. Crawford 352/1 (obverse) and 311/1 (reverse), Davis A, II, website M107. 5. Obverse type of Pub. Crepusius, reverse type of Cn. Fulvius et al., after 82 BC; 3.92g, 10h; cf. Crawford 361/1 (obverse) and 284/1b (reverse), Davis A, II, website M114. 6. Types of Ti. Claudius
743. Lot of Nine Dacian Imitations from BH-I. Denarius, 1. Types of C. Aburius Geminus, after 134 BC; 4.51g, 11h; cf. Crawford 244/1, Davis A, II, website M100. 2. Types of Appius Claudius Pulcher et al., after 110 BC; 4.34g, 6h; cf. Crawford 299/1a, Davis A, II, website M101. 3.Obverse type of Lucius Appuleius Saturninus or C. Coelius Caldus, anonymous reverse type, after 104 BC; 3.56g, 9h; cf. Crawford 317/3b or 318/1 (obverse) and 287/1 (reverse) , Davis A, II, website M104; Apulum XLIII, 72 (this coin). Ex La Galerie Numismatique IV, 28 November 2004, lot 27. 4. Obverse type of M. Vargunteius, reverse type of Gar, Ogl, Ver, after 86 BC; 4.41g, 1h; cf. Crawford 257/1 (obverse) and 350A (reverse), Davis A, II, website M105. 5. Obverse type of Mn. Fonteius, various reverse prototypes, after 85 BC; 3.54g, 6h; cf. Crawford 353 (obverse), Davis A, II, website M109. 6. Obverse type of L. Torquatus, reverse type of Q. Antonius Balbus, after 83 BC; 3.32g, 3h; cf. Crawford 295/1 (obverse) and 364/1 (reverse), Davis A, II, website M113. 7. Obverse type of C. or M. Aburius Geminus, reverse type of L. Procilius, after 80 BC; 3.44g, 6h; cf. Crawford 244/1 or 250/1 (obverse) and 379/1 (reverse), Davis A, II, website M116. 8. Obverse type of L. Julius Caesar, reverse type of C. Naevius
145
Balbus, after 79 BC; 3.26g, 1h; Davis A, II, website M118; Apulum XLIII, 19 (this coin). 9. Obverse type of L. Flamininus Chilo, reverse type of L. Rutillius Flaccus, after 77 BC; 4.16g, 7h; cf. Crawford 302/1 (obverse) and 387/1 (reverse), Davis A, II, website M124. Ex La Galerie Numismatique IV, 28 November 2004, lot 28. VF $1,700 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. All ex BH-I.
Obverse type of Mn. Fonteius, reverse type of M. Furius Philus, after 85 BC; 3.96g, 9h; cf. Crawford 353/1 (obverse) and 281/1 (reverse), Davis A, II, website M133. 2. Various obverse prototypes, reverse type of Q. Antonius Balbus, after 83 BC; 4.50g, 4h, serrate; cf. Crawford 364/1 (reverse), Davis A, II, website M136. 3. Types of C. Naevius Balbus, after 79 BC; 3.83g, 2h; cf. Crawford 382/1, Davis A, II, website (M48;) M48, same dies; Apulum XLIII, 12 (this coin). 4. Obverse type of C. Naevius Balbus, various reverse prototypes, after 79 BC; 3.17g, 8h, serrate; cf. Crawford 382/1 (obverse), Davis A, II, website M142. 5. Obverse type of L. Farsuleius Mensor, reverse type of L. Calpurnius Piso Frugi, after 75 BC; 4.51g, 12h; cf. Crawford 392/1a (obverse) and 340/1 (reverse), Davis A, III, website H5. 6. Uncertain obverse prototype, reverse type of Lucius Axius Naso, after 71 BC; 3.89g, 7h; cf. Crawford 400/1 (reverse), Davis A, II, website M144. Average grade Fine-VF $600 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. All ex BH-II.
744. Lot of Five Dacian Imitations from BH-II. Denarius, 1. Various prototypes, after 136 BC; 3.04g, 9h; Davis A, II, website M128; Apulum XLIII, 59 (this coin). 2. Obverse type of C. Aburius Geminus, reverse type of Q. Antonius Balbus, after 83 BC; 3.74g, 9h; cf. Crawford 244/1 (obverse) and 364/1 (reverse), Davis A, II, website M135. 3. Types of Pub. Crepusius, after 82 BC; 3.22g, 9h; cf. Crawford 361/1, Davis A, II, website M138. 4. Obverse type of C. Naevius Balbus, reverse type of Lucius Appuleius Saturninus, after 79 BC; 2.54g, 7h; cf. Crawford 382/1 (obverse) and 317/3 (reverse), Davis A, II, website M141. 5. Obverse type of M. Baebius Tampilus, reverse type of C. Postumius, after 74 BC; 4.00g, 12h, serrate; cf. Crawford 236/1 (obverse) and 394/1 (reverse), Davis A, III, website M143. Average grade Fine-VF $500
746. Lot of Two Die-Matched Imitations, One a Brockage! Denarius, 1. Types of L. Antestius Gragulus, after 136 BC, 3.63g, 9h; cf. Crawford 238/1, Davis A, II, website M2; Apulum XLIII, 58 (this coin). Apulum XLIV, 6 (this coin). Celator, 6 (this coin). 2. Obverse brockage, same die as preceding; 3.11g, 12h; Davis A, II, website M244. VF $400 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Finding a die match for a brockage in any series is noteworthy; this is the only known “matched pair” of imitations.
Ex Phillip Davis Collection. All ex BH-II.
747. Lot of Two Copies of C. Naevius Balbus. Denarius, 1. Types of C. Naevius Balbus, after 79 BC, 4.52g, 12h, serrate; cf. Crawford 382/1, Davis A, II, website C49. 2. As previous, 3.84g, 7h, serrate; Davis A, II, website C.13; Apulum XLIII, 4 (this coin). VF $150 745. Lot of Six Dacian Imitations from BH-II. Denarius, 1.
146
Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
M364. 5. Types of C. Naevius Balbus (?), after 79 BC; 3.10g, 6h; cf. Crawford 382/1, Davis A, II, website M48, same dies. 6. Uncertain obverse prototype (Mars?), reverse type of C. Postumius, after 74 BC; 3.20g, 5h, cf. Crawford 394/1 (reverse), Davis A, II, website M373. Average grade Fine-VF $500 Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
748. Lot of Six Dacian Imitations. Denarius, 1. Various prototypes, after 194 BC; 3.78g, 1h, Davis A, II, website M161. 2. Various prototypes, after 194 BC; 5.08g, 8h; Davis A, II, website M357. 3. Types of C. Fundanius, after 101 BC; 3.95g, 10h; cf. Crawford 326, Davis A, II, website M248. 4. Various obverse prototypes, reverse type of L. Postumius Albinus, after 96 BC; 2.96g, 3h; cf. Crawford 335/10 (reverse), Davis A, II, website M16. 5. Types of C. Naevius Balbus, after 79 BC; 3.51g, 9h, serrate; cf. Crawford 382/1, Davis A, II, website M44; Apulum XLIII, 6 (this coin). Celator, 14 (this coin). 6. Obverse type of C. Piso Frugi, reverse type of C. Postumius, after 74 BC; 4.10g, 8h, cf. Crawford 408/1 (obverse) and 394/1 (reverse), Davis A, II, website M263. Average grade Fine $450 Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
750. Lot of Six Dacian Imitations. Denarius, 1. Various prototypes, after 155 BC; 2.86g, 6h; Davis A, II, not on website. Overstruck on uncertain type. 2. Types of L. Flamininus Chilo, after 109 BC; 3.43g, 1h, serrate; cf. Crawford 302/1, Davis A, II, website M12. 3. Types of C. Vibius Pansa, after 90 BC; 3.10g, 9h; cf. Crawford 342/5b, Davis A, II, website M138. 4. Obverse type of Mn. Fonteius, reverse type of L. Memmius Galerius, after 85 BC; 4.00g, 10h; cf. Crawford 353/1a (obverse) and 313/1 (reverse), Davis A, II, website M30. 5. Obverse type of L. Censorinus, reverse type of Gar, Ogl, Ver, after 82 BC; 3.84g, 11h; cf. Crawford 363/1 (obverse) and 350A (reverse), Davis A, II, website M167. 6. Obverse type of L. Flamininus Chilo, reverse type of L. Papius, after 79 BC; 3.25g, 6h; cf. Crawford 302/1 (obverse) and 384/1 (reverse), Davis A, II, website M262. VF $500 Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
749. Lot of Six Dacian Imitations. Denarius, . 1. Various prototypes, after 155 BC; 4.33g, 1h, Davis A, II, website M1. 2. Various prototypes, after 144 BC; 4.69g, 9h; Davis A, II, website M147; Apulum XLIV, 3 (this coin). 3. Types of D. Silanus, after 91 BC; 3.52g, 11h; cf. Crawford 337/3, Davis A, II, website M86. 4. Obverse type of L. Appuleius Saturninus, reverse type of D. Silanus, after 91 BC; 3.13g, 6h; cf. Crawford 318/1 (obverse) and 337/3 (reverse), Davis A, II, website
751. Lot of Six Dacian Imitations. Denarius, 1. Types of M. Atilius
147
Saranus, after 148 BC; 3.98g, 10h; cf. Crawford 214/1b, Davis A, Ib, website C38. 2. Obverse type of P. Nerva, reverse type of C. Cipius, after 113 BC; 3.75g, 3h; cf. Crawford 292/1 (obverse) and 289/1 (reverse), Davis A, II, website M11; Apulum XLIII, 66 (this coin). Ex Rauch 19, January 2004, lot 694. 3. Types of L. Calpurnius Piso Frugi, after 90 BC; 3.64g, 6h; cf. Crawford 340/1, Davis A, II, website M20. Celator, 10 (this coin). 4. Various obverse prototypes, reverse type of Q. Antonius Balbus, after 83 BC; 3.86g, 10h; cf. Crawford 364/1 (reverse), Davis A, II, website M255; Apulum XLIV, 7 (this coin). 5. Obverse type of Gar, Ogl, Ver, reverse type of Q. Antonius Balbus, after 83 BC; 3.65g, 5h; serrate; cf. Crawford 350A (obverse) and 364/1 (reverse), Davis A, II, website M365. 6. Uncertain obverse prototype, reverse type of Ti. Claudius Nero, after 79 BC; 3.30g, 8h, cf. Crawford 383/1 (reverse), Davis A, II, website M261. VF $600
753. Lot of Five Dacian Imitations. Denarius, 1. Various prototypes, after 144 BC; 3.66g, 12h, Davis A, II, website M146. 2. Various prototypes, after 144 BC; 4.22g, 9h; Davis A, II, website M243. 3. Types of Cn. Gellius, after 136 BC; 4.72g, 4h; cf. Crawford 232/1, Davis A, II, website M148. 4. Obverse type of L. Sempronius Pitio, reverse type of L. Licinius Macer, after 84 BC; 4.29g, 9h; cf. Crawford 216/1 (obverse) and 354/1 (reverse), Davis A, II, website M31. 5. Types of C. Piso Frugi, after 67 BC; 3.75g, 9h, serrate; cf. Crawford 408/1, Davis A, II, website M155. VF $600
Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
752. Lot of Five Dacian Imitations. Denarius, 1. Types of L. Sempronius Pitio, after 148 BC; 3.71g, 10h; cf. Crawford 216/1, Davis A, II, website M358. 2. Types of L. Appuleius Saturninus, after 104 BC; 2.98g, 12h; cf. Crawford 318/1, Davis A, II, website M362. 3. Obverse type of M. Marcius, reverse type of Q. Titius, after 90 BC; 4.50g, 10h; cf. Crawford 245/1 (obverse) and 341/ (reverse), Davis A, II, website M164. 4. Obverse type of L. Julius Bursio, reverse type of Q. Antonius Balbus, after 83 BC; 3.11g, 7h; cf. Crawford 352/1 (obverse) and 364/1 (reverse), Davis A, II, website M33; Apulum XLIII, 40 (this coin). Ex UBS 59, 27 January 2004, lot 5078 (part). 5. Types of C. Piso Frugi, after 67 BC; 3.24g, 6h; cf. Crawford 408/1, Davis A, II, website M60 and M329 (same obverse die). Average grade VF-EF $650 Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
754. Lot of Six Dacian Imitations. Denarius, 1. Types of C. Curiatius Trigeminus, after 135 BC; 3.04g, 5h; cf. Crawford 240/1, Davis A, II, website M3; Apulum XLIII, 60 (this coin). 2. Types of C. Minucius, after 133 BC; 3.72g, 1h; cf. Crawford 248/1, Davis A, II, website M359. 3. Various obverse prototypes, reverse type of D. Silanus, after 91 BC; 4.44g, 2h; cf. Crawford 337/3 (reverse), Davis A, II, website M17. 4. Types of Q. Antonius Balbus, after 83 BC; 2.80g, 7h; cf. Crawford 364/1, Davis A, II, website M229. 5. Types of C. Naevius Balbus (?), after 79 BC; 4.83g, 10h; cf. Crawford 382/1, Davis A, II, website M70. Apulum XLIII, 10 (this coin). 6. Obverse type of C. Piso Frugi, reverse type of Q. Thermus, after 67 BC; 3.41g, 1h, cf. Crawford 408/1 (obverse) and 319/1 (reverse), Davis A, II, website M81. Apulum XLIII, 114 (this coin). VF $700 Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
148
Balbus, after 83 BC; 3.60g, 7h; cf. Crawford 353/2 (obverse) and 364/1 (reverse), Davis A, II, website M32; Apulum XLIII, 41 (this coin). 5. Types of C. Naevius Balbus, after 79 BC; 3.39g, 11h; cf. Crawford 382/1, Davis A, II, website M168. 6. Types of L. Furius Brocchus, after 63 BC; 3.73g, 11h, cf. Crawford 414/1, Davis A, II, website M156. Ex Rauch 21, September 2005, lot 568. VF $500 Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
755. Lot of Six Dacian Imitations. Denarius, 1. Types of L. Trebanius, after 135 BC; 4.63g, 6h; cf. Crawford 241/1, Davis A, Ib, website C39. 2. Types of Appius Claudius Pulcher et. al., after 111 BC; 4.30g, 3h, serrate; cf. Crawford 299/1a, Davis A, II, website M360. 3. Obverse type of Gar, Ogl, Ver, reverse type of Cn. Domitius Ahenobarbus, after 86 BC; 3.97g, 6h; cf. Crawford 350A/2 (obverse) and 285/1 (reverse), Davis A, II, website M68. 4. Types of C. Poblicius, after 80 BC; cf. Crawford 380/1; 2.63g, 1h, serrate, plated; cf. Crawford 380/i, Davis E, II, website M42. 5. Obverse type of L. Rutilius Flaccus, reverse type of L. Flamininus Chilo after 77 BC; 3.59g, 9h, cf. Crawford 387/1 (obverse) and 302/1 (reverse), Davis A, II, website M55; M55+, same dies. Said to have been found in Romania. 6. Types of L. Rutilius Flaccus, after 77 BC; 4.18g, 4h; cf. Crawford 387/1, Davis A, II, website M57. Celator, 16 (this coin). VF $400 Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
757. Lot of Five Dacian Imitations. Denarius, 1. Types of Q. Minucius Rufus, after 122 BC; 4.41g, 9h; cf. Crawford 277/1, Davis A, II, website M5; (M5+), same dies. Apulum XLIII, 61 (this coin). 2. Anonymous obverse type, reverse type of Gar, Ogl, Ver, after 86 BC; 3.88g, 9h; cf. Crawford 287/1 (obverse) and 350A (reverse), Davis A, II, website M29. 3. Various obverse prototypes, reverse type of C. Annius & L. Fabius Hispaniensis, after 82 BC; 3.63g, 10h; cf. Crawford 366/1 (reverse), Davis A, II, website M232. Ex Rauch Mail Bid 11, 12 September 2006, lot 146. 4. Obverse type of Cn. Gellius, reverse type of C. Naevius Balbus, after 79 BC; 3.32g, 1h; cf. Crawford 232/1 (obverse) and 382/1 (reverse), Davis A, II, website M153. Apulum XLIII, 18 (this coin). 5. Various obverse prototypes, reverse type of C. Considius Paetus, after 46 BC; 4.66g, 4h; cf. Crawford 465/4 (reverse), Davis A, II, website M65. VF $700 Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
756. Lot of Six Dacian Imitations. Denarius, 1. Obverse type of M. Vargunteius, various reverse prototypes, after 130 BC; 3.64g, 2h; cf Crawford 257/1 (obverse), Davis A, II, website M82. 2. Types of C. Cato, after 123 BC; 3.52g, 7h; cf. Crawford 274/1, Davis A, II, website M245. 3. Obverse type of C. Vibius Pansa, reverse type of L. Appuleius Saturninus, after 90 BC; 4.81g, 4h; cf. Crawford 342/5 (obverse) and 317/3 (reverse), Davis A, II, website M24. Ex UBS 59, 27 January 2004, lot 5078 (part). 4. Obverse type of Mn. Fonteus, reverse type of Q. Antonius
758. Lot of Six Dacian Imitations. Denarius, 1. Types of C. Fabius,
149
after 117 BC; 3.91g, 2h; cf. Crawford 283/1b, Davis A, II, website M7. Ex CNG E78, 11 November 2003, lot 2. 2. Types of Q. Curtius, after 116 BC; 3.59g, 1h; cf. Crawford 285/2, Davis A, II, website M8; Apulum XLIII, 62 (this coin). 3. Obverse type of Publius Calpurnius or L. Minucius, reverse type of C. Vibius Pansa, after 90 BC; 3.75g, 9h; cf. Crawford 247/1 or 278/1 (obverse) and 342/5 (reverse), Davis A, II, website M23. Celator, 8 (this coin). 4. Obverse type of Lucius Appuleius Saturninus or C. Coelius Caldus, reverse type of Q. Antonius Balbus, after 83 BC; 3.45g, 11h; cf. Crawford 317/3 or 318/1 (obverse) and 364/1 (reverse), Davis A, II, website M165. 5. Various obverse prototypes, reverse type of Q. Antonius Balbus, after 83 BC; 3.08g, 9h, serrate; cf. Crawford 364/1 (reverse), Davis A, II, website M230. 6. Types of C. Naevius Balbus, after 79 BC; 2.46g, 12h, serrate; cf. Crawford 382/1, Davis A, II, website M79; Apulum XLIII, 9 (this coin). Average grade About VF $600 Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
760. Lot of Six Dacian Imitations. Denarius, 1. Various obverse prototypes, reverse type of L. Memmius Galeria, after 106 BC; 4.15g, 8h, serrate; cf. Crawford 313/1 (reverse), Davis A, II, website M15. 2. Obverse type of L. Sempronius Pitio, reverse type of L. Sentius, after 101 BC; 3.52g, 1h; cf. Crawford 216/1 (obverse) and 325/1 (reverse), Davis A, Iaa, website M363 (misclassified). 3. Obverse type of Mn. Fonteius, reverse type of M. Sergius Silus, after 85 BC; 3.34g, 2h; cf. Crawford 353/1 (obverse) and 286/1 (reverse), Davis A, II, website M253. 4. Types of C. Annius, after 82 BC; 4.55g, 8h; cf. Crawford 366/1 (obverse) and 366/4 (reverse), Davis A, II, website M38. 5. Obverse type of C. Postumius, reverse type of L. Poblicius, after 74 BC; 3.64g, 8h, serrate; cf. Crawford 394/1 (obverse) and 380/1 (reverse), Davis A, Iaa, website HT2. 6. Types of C. Considius Paetus, after 46 BC; 3.73g, 9h, cf. Crawford 465/1b, Davis A, II, website M64; Apulum XLIII, 117 (this coin). Said to have been found in Dubroja, Romania. VF $750 Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
759. Lot of Six Dacian Imitations. Denarius, 1. Types of M. Cipius, after 115 BC; 4.15g, 12h; cf. Crawford 289/1, Davis A, II, website M9; Apulum XLIII, 63 (this coin). Said to have been found in Romania.. 2. Various obverse types, reverse type of L. Philippus, after 113 BC; 3.54g, 5h; cf. Crawford 293/1 (reverse), Davis A, II, website M10. 3. Various obverse prototypes, reverse type of L. Calpurnius Piso Frugi, after 90 BC; 3.10g, 8h; cf. Crawford 340/1 (reverse), Davis A, II, website M152. 4. Obverse type of Pub. Crepusius, reverse type of Q. Antonius Balbus, after 83 BC; 3.28g, 5h; cf. Crawford 361/i (obverse) and 364/1 (reverse), Davis A, II, website M231. Ex Rauch Mail Bid 11, 12 September 2006, lot 145. Ex Lanz 112, 25 November 2002, lot 12. 5. Obverse type of C. Naevius Balbus, reverse type of Q. Antonius Balbus, after 79 BC; 3.47g, 10h, cf. Crawford 382/1 (obverse) and 364/1 (reverse), Davis A, II, website M260. 6. Types of Ti. Claudius Nero, after 79 BC; 3.85g, 7h, serrate; cf. Crawford 383/1, Davis A, II, website M71; Apulum XLIII, 95 (this coin). VF $550 Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
150
Both obverse and reverse of nos. 1 and 5 in this lot have been mechanically transferred from official coins.
761. Lot of Six Dacian Imitations. Denarius, 1. Obverse type of Q. Curtius, reverse type of L. Scipio Asiagenus, after 106 BC; 3.19g, 7h; cf. Crawford 285/2 (obverse) and 311/1 (reverse), Davis A, II, website M246. 2. Types of C. Vibius Pansa, after 90
BC; 3.51g, 2h; cf. Crawford 342/4, Davis A, II, website M21; Apulum XLIII, 77 (this coin); Celator, 9 (this coin). 3. Obverse type of L. Procilius, reverse type of C. Antestius, after 80 BC; 3.48g, 12h, serrate; cf. Crawford 379/2 (obverse) and 219/1 (reverse), Davis A, II, website M258, cf. Chitescu, Poroschia 539 (same obverse die). 4. Obverse type of C. Naevius Balbus, reverse type of L. Cupiennus, after 79 BC; 3.21g, 12h; cf. Crawford 382/1 (obverse) and 218/1 (reverse), Davis A, II, website M233. 5. Obverse type of Sex.Pompeius Fostlus, reverse type of C. Naevius Balbus, after 79 BC; 4.01g, 11h; cf. Crawford 235/1 (obverse) and 382/1 (reverse), Davis A, II, not on website. 6. Uncertain obverse prototype, reverse type of L. Rutilius Flaccus, after 77 BC; 3.30g, 8h, cf. Crawford 387/1 (reverse), Davis A, II, website M56, Chitescu 61 (same reverse die). Said to have been found in Romania. Average grade Fine+VF $400 Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
762. Lot of Four “Anomalous” Imitations. Denarius, 1. Types of Pinarius Natta, after 155 BC; 2.53g, 2h; cf. Crawford 200/1, Davis D, Ia, website AL9. Said to have been found in the UK, in a small group of worn Republican denarii. 2. Types of Sextus Pompeius Fostlus (?), after 137 BC; 2.80g, 6h; cf. Crawford 235/1, Davis D, Ia, website AL1. 3. Types of M. Vargunteius, after 130 BC; 2.45g, 2h; cf. Crawford 257/1, Davis D, Ia, website AL6. 4. Obverse type of C. Piso Frugi, various reverse prototypes, after 67 BC; 4.42g, 3h; cf. Crawford 408/i (obverse), Davis D, Ib, website AH5. Average grade Fine-VF $200 Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
of D. Silanus, reverse type of Cn. Lentulus, after 76 BC; 3.28g, 1h; cf. Crawford 337/3 (obverse) and 393/1 (reverse), Freeman 8, Davis B, II, website E5. 2. Obverse type of L. Papius, reverse type of Cn. Lentulus, after 76 BC; 3.29g, 5h; cf. Crawford 384/1 (obverse) and 393/1 (reverse), Davis B, II, Freeman 11, website E7; Apulum XLIV, 5 (this coin). 3. Obverse type of C. Naevius Balbus, reverse type of L. Papius, after 79 BC; 3.13g, 1h; cf. Crawford 382/1 (obverse) and 384/1 (reverse), Davis B, II, Freeman 22, website E13. 4. Obverse type of C. Naevius Balbus, reverse type of Cn. Lentulus, after 76 BC; 3.25g, 8h; cf. Crawford 382/1 (obverse) and 393/1 (reverse); Freeman 15/D (new combination), Davis B, II, website E14. 5. Types of C. Postumius, after 74 BC; 2.87g, 7h; cf. Crawford 394/1, Freeman 24, Chitescu 173,.Davis B, II, website E15. Celator, 19 (this coin). VF $500 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. Catalogued according to Robert Freeman, “A Group of Eraviscan Denarii,” in “Essays Hersh.”
764. Lot of Three Plated, “Roman Style” Imitations. Denarius, 1. Types of L. Sempronius Pito, after 148 BC; 2.99g, 1h; cf. Crawford 216/1 Davis E, Ia, website R1. 2. Obverse type of C. Coelius Caldus, reverse type of L. Torquatus, after 104 BC; 2.85g, 8h; cf. Crawford 318/1 (obverse) and 295/1 (reverse), Davis E, Iaa, website RH1. 3. Obverse type of Julius Caesar, reverse type of Augustus, after 2 BC; 3.00g, 7h; cf. Crawford 458/1 (obverse) and RIC 207 (reverse), Davis E, Iaa, website RH2. Average grade Fine-VF $150 Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
763. Lot of Five Eraviscan Imitations. Denarius, 1. Obverse type
151
Denarius, 1. Types of L. Antestius Gragulus, after 136 BC; 3.18g, 8h; cf. Crawford 238/1 Davis E, II, website No1. 2. Types of M. Tullius, after 120 BC; 3.54g, 12h; cf. Crawford 280/1, Davis E, II, website No2. Celator, 23 (this coin). 3. Types of Q. Antonius Balbus, after 83 BC; 3.78g, 3h; cf. Crawford 464/1, Davis E, II, website No3. 4. Same dies as previous, 2.25g, 7h; not on website. 5. Obverse type of L. Cassius Caecianus, reverse type of Q. Antonius Balbus, after 83 BC; 1.53g, 3h; cf. Crawford 321/1 (obverse) and 364/1 (reverse), Davis E, II, website No4. Celator, 24 (this coin). 6. Types of P. Clodius Turrinus, after 42 BC; 3.51g, 5h, cf. Crawford 394, 23, Davis E, II, website No5. 7. Types of Augustus, after 2 BC; 3.47g, 9h; cf. RIC 207, Davis E, II, website No6. VF $400 Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
765. Lot of Six Plated, “Near-Roman Style” Imitations. Denarius, 1. Types of C. Cassius, after 126 BC; 3.38g, 7h; cf. Crawford 266/1, Davis E, Ib, website Ne1. 2. Types of C. Naevius Balbus, after 79 BC; 3.39g, 7h, serrate; cf. Crawford 382/1, Davis E, Ib, website Ne10. 3. Types of C. Piso L. Frugi, after 67 BC; 2.83g, 5h; cf. Crawford 408/1b, Davis E, Ib, website Ne4. Celator, 22 (this coin). 4. Types of P. Clodius Turrinus, after 42 BC; 2.09g, 5h; cf. Crawford 494/23, Davis E, Ib, website NE6. 5. Types of P. Clodius Turrinus, after 42 BC; 2.63g, 5h; cf. Crawford 494/23, Davis E, Ib, website NE9 6. Types of Augustus, after 32 BC; 3.47g, 9h; cf. RIC 257, Davis E, Ib, website Ne7. VF $300 Ex Phillip Davis Collection. For an extensive discussion of no. 5 in this lot, see my column in Vol. 19, no. 6 of The Celator, available here: http://rrimitations.ancients.info/bankersmarkedfourree.html.
767. Lot of Four Plated Hybrid Imitations. Denarius, 1. Obverse type of restored issue of M. Caecillius Metellus, reverse type of Lucius Appuleius Saturninus, after 82 BC; 2.70g, 12h; cf. Crawford 369/1 (obverse) and 217/3b (reverse), Davis E, Ib, website Ne8. 2. Various obverse prototypes, reverse type of C. Naevius Balbus, after 79 BC; 2.53g, 10h, cf. Crawford 382/1 (reverse), Davis E, II, website No8. 3. Obverse type of L. Thorius Balbus, reverse type of L. Papius, after 79 BC; 2.44g, 11h; cf. Crawford 316/1 (obverse) and 384/1 (reverse), Davis E, Ib, Banti 4 (same dies.) website Ne3. Ex UBS 59, 27 January 2004, lot 5078 (part). 4. Obverse type of L. Acilius Glabrio, reverse type of Q. Cassius Longinus, after 49 BC; 3.17g, 4h; cf. Crawford 442/1a (obverse) and 428/1 (reverse), Davis E, Ib, website NE5. Average grade Fine-VF $150 Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
End of Sale - Thank you
766. Lot of Seven Plated, “Non-Roman Style” Imitations.
152
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