SUNDAY, JANUARY 10, 2010
AUCTION VI In Conjunction with the 38th Annual New York International Numismatic Convention At the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel 301 Park Avenue, New York, New York Norse Suite, 18th Floor
Sunday, January 10, 2010 at 3:20 PM Presented by Harlan J. Berk, Ltd. B & H Kreindler Amphora 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 Amphora P.O. Box 805 Nyack, NY 10960 Phone: (845) 358-7364 Email: amphoracoins@aol.com Website: www.amphoracoins.com
NOTICE OF EXHIBITION Lot Viewing: San Francisco, CA December 11-12, 2009 San Francisco Historical Bourse Holiday Inn Golden Gateway Hotel Friday, December 11, 2009, 10 AM-6 PM Saturday, December 12, 2009, 10 AM-6 PM Chicago, IL December 15 -December 31, 2009 (Christmas closures excepted) Lots may be viewed at the Gallery of 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 Cataloguers: Greek coins — Dr. Wolfgang Fischer-Bossert Jewish coins — David Hendin Roman Republic & Imperatorial coins — Phillip Davis Roman coins — Curtis Clay Byzantine coins — Harlan J. Berk Additional cataloguers: Shanna Schmidt Roxana Pireh Photography: Holly Matthews Layout: Aaron Berk Web Site: Pablo Saban Cover: Rainer Schmidt Printed by Flower City Printing, Rochester, NY
Herbert L. Kreindler, Auctioneer # 820339
New York, NY Waldorf Astoria Hotel, 301 Park Avenue Lexington Suite, 18th Floor Thursday, January 7, 2010, 12 PM-7 PM Friday, January 8, 2010, 8 AM-7 PM Saturday, January 9, 2010, 8 AM-7 PM Sunday, January 10, 2010, 8 AM-1 PM Lot Pick-up: Monday, January 11, 2010, 9 AM-11 AM
BANK WIRE INFORMATION: Contact Harlan J. Berk, Ltd. For all other payment inquiries please contact: Harlan J. Berk, Ltd at 312-609-0018 or email at info@harlanjberk.com Please include either your invoice number or name on your wire. Cover coins: 1. Tiberius II Wedding Medallion, lot 593 (Front Cover) 2. Titus Colosseum Sestertius, lot 441 (Left Back Cover) 3. Cos Triple Siglos, lot 212 (Center Back Cover) 4. Bar Kokhba Abu Jara Large Bronze, lot 348 (Right Back Cover) Coins on Introduction Pages: 1. Phocaea Hecte, lot 174 (Page 1) 2. Ptolemy I Stater, lot 370 (Top Page 3) 3. Mytilene Hecte, lot 138 (Center Page 3) 4. Maximianus Aureus, lot 573 (Bottom Left Page 3) 5. Constantine I Solidus, lot 575 (Bottom Right Page 3)
Place your bids online at www.geminiauction.com
ORDER OF SALE
Part I (begins Sunday, January 10 at 3:20 PM)
Byzantine Coins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 590-610
Greek Coins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-393
Roman Provincial Coins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 611-792
Dinner break for bidcard holders in auction room
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Lots . . . . . . 793-868
Part II (begins after dinner break)
American Numismatic Society Lots . . . . . 869-896
Roman Republican & Imperatorial Coins . 394-424
Group Lots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 897-908
Roman Coins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 425-589
World Coins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 909-959
“The Stephen N. Gerson Collection of Biblical and Mythological Coins”
Biography, Stephen N. Gerson MD, MBA
I am often asked: “How did ever get interested in collecting old coins?” It was one rainy afternoon, when I was about seven years old. I was bored and rummaging through my mother’s desk. I found an old tin box that jangled and inside were 50 Indian Head cents. I had never seen one before and was fascinated by their age and appearance. Mom said she had inherited these from my maternal grandfather, Samuel Kernis, who immigrated to America in 1900 from Tripolis, a small shtetl near Kiev (now Russia). He was a peddler, eventually owning a junkyard in small town Weissport, Pa. near the Poconos in Eastern Pa. He put these pennies aside in the course of his business. I never knew him since he died 2 years before I was born, but his interest gave birth to my passion for coin collecting and I am indebted to him. By age 13, I was so involved with coins that I started a business in my home town of Sharon, Pa. with my childhood friend Lou Rotunno. During college at Northwestern University and medical school at the University of Pittsburgh, I had little time for coin collecting. However after going into the practice of psychiatry in Lorain, Ohio, I had more time to devote to the hobby. Now I had become interested in ancient coins. I also developed an interest in the history of ancient Israel and Greek mythology, along with the theories of Carl Jung. Eventually, I developed an understanding of paleo-Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek and Latin scripts. It has been a source of fascination to me that one can acquire and handle ancient objects that were used by our forbears. I became acquainted with David Hendin and coin academics such as Leo Mildenberg, Shraga Qedar, Dan Barag, Yaakov Meshorer, Haim Gitler and knowledgeable dealers such as Ronen Bachar. All have been helpful and have enriched my understanding of ancient coins. Eventually, I moved back to Boston where I had trained in psychiatry at McLean Hospital of Harvard Medical School, and earned an MBA at the Sloan School of MIT. I became a member of Society Historia Nummorum, a fellowship devoted to scholarly interest in ancient coins. I have given talks at our meetings and published a number of articles in scholarly journals. I also became interested in mythology and how it was represented on coins. Myth iconography projects legends, primal human values; unconscious “emotional-behavioral patterns” that define what makes us human. The Greek and ancient Near Eastern pantheon became for me a path into a deeper understanding of the unconscious. This collection is an indicator of my passions: Superb Judean coins and especially the Bar Kokhba overstrikes, and coins with mythological themes. Each coin in my collection was the result of an exciting hunt. I trust that those who acquire some of these coins will experience the joy of your own hunt and fascination with objects ancient and mythological.
Dr. John Gulick John Gulick was born in Newton, Massachusetts in 1924, the third son of Millard Burr and Alida Carey Gulick. He received his bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from Harvard University following his honorable discharge from the United States Army after the end of the Second World War. During the war, Dr. Gulick served first in North Africa and the Near East with the American Field Service and then in Europe in the United States Army. While in the Near East, Dr. Gulick acquired a heightened interest in ancient coins and began his collection of them. After receiving his PhD in Anthropology from Harvard, Dr. Gulick taught first at Alumni College in New York and then at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he was a professor from 1955 until his retirement in 1986. Dr. Gulick became the first chairman of the separate Anthropology Department at UNC in the 1960’s. Dr. Gulick resumed his collection of coins in the 1980s after the death of his first wife, greatly enhancing his collection especially in ancient and Renaissance coins. Dr. Gulick has three grown children and four grandchildren.
The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston When the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston opened the doors of its first building on July 4, 1876, ancient coins were already among the 5,600 items in the collection. The MFA has remained committed to numismatic art ever since, with about 19,000 coins and medals counted among the nearly 450,000 works in all media, spanning world history from antiquity to the present, that make up the collection today. The MFA’s collection of Greek and Roman coins, accounting for slightly less than half of the Museum’s numismatic holdings, is one of the finest in the United States and is distinctive for its emphasis on coins as works of art. The collection is particularly strong in the Greek coinages of The State Street Corporation Fenway Entrance of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. southern Italy and Sicily, Roman Provincial issues In the foreground, The Night by Antonio López García, 2008 (Museum purchase with from the eastern Mediterranean, and Roman funds donated by Gail and Ernst von Metzsch © Antonio López García) Imperial medallions and multiples, and it includes many great rarities and unique pieces. In line with the Museum’s primary mission of heightening visitors’ historical appreciation and visual awareness, the MFA continues to acquire and display superlative ancient coins as a facet of the artistic heritage of the Classical civilizations.
The American Numismatic Society By Dr. Ute Wartenberg Kagan-Executive Director
The ANS recently received the bequest of esteemed deceased member John Francis Lhotka, who had left to the Society his collection of Ancient Greek, Roman Republican, Roman Imperial, Medieval and Modern coins in bronze, silver and gold (over 1,947 examples). Born in Butte, Montana, in 1921, after working briefly as a chemist, Lhotka joined the U.S. Army Chemical Warfare Service and served as an officer from 1942 through World War II. In 1951, Dr. Lhotka became a devoted member of the ANS, and in 1970 he was elected a Life Fellow. He established a fund in 1960 to purchase coins for ANS collections, primarily in the fields of Bohemia, the Slavic Balkans and Eastern Europe, as well as the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires in Europe. In 1961, he also provided funds for the Society’s library purchases of numismatic publications on similar topics. Due to his significant contributions to the ANS, the Society named Dr. Lhotka a Patron in 1962. He was known as a collector and author of several popular works, including Medieval European coinage, Introduction to East Roman (Byzantine) coinage, Introduction to medieval bracteates, etc. His posthumous contribution to the ANS represents a significant addition to the numismatic holdings, and will be well appreciated by scholars, students and collectors.
One Hudson Square, location of the ANS’s new facility. Photo by Alan Roche
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, Amphora 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, 60% of the printed estimates. Therefore, a bid of less than 60% 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.
America’s Most Prestigious Foreign & Ancient Coin Show The 38th Annual
new york international numismatic convention January 8-10, 2010 (Early Birds – Thursday, January 7: 2PM - 7PM – $100)
Public Show Hours: Friday, January 8: 10AM - 7PM Saturday, January 9: 10AM - 7PM Sunday, January 10: 10AM - 3PM $10 for a three-day pass valid Friday through Sunday - 16 and under free with an adult (Check our Web site to print a discount admission coupon)
Waldorf Astoria Hotel • 301 Park Avenue (Between 49th and 50th Streets)
Call (212) 355-3000 and mention rate code “NYI” for our special NYINC room rates of $269 or $289 (Call early. Limited rooms available at these special discounts.)
• Auctions:
* Numismatik Lanz and Numismatica Bernardi S.R.L.: Monday, January 4 * Heritage: Sunday and Monday, January 3-4 * Freeman and Sear: Tuesday, January 5 * Classical Numismatic Group: Tuesday and Wednesday, January 5-6 * Baldwin’s/ M&M Numismatics/ Dmitry Markov/ Fritz Kuenker: Wednesday and Thursday, January 6-7 * Ponterio and Associates - a division of Bowers and Merena: Friday and Saturday, January 8-9 * George Frederick Kolbe: Saturday, January 9 * Gemini Numismatic Auctions: Sunday, January 10
• Bourse Information: 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 Web site, www.nyinc.info, for a complete Schedule of Events, including auction lot viewing, auction sessions, educational programs and bourse hours.
Part I Greek Coins
1. Corieltauvi. Uninscribed Coinage. South Ferriby Type. Pink Gold Stater, 5.18g. c. 45-10 BC. Obv: Abstract head of Apollo. Rx: Disjointed horse. Van Arsdale 835-1 (ER). This coin is listed as extremely rare by Van Arsdale. VF $1,000
5. Calabria. Tarentum. c. 276-272 BC. Stater, 8.59g. Obv: Laureate head of Zeus facing right. Behind, monogram (ΝΚ). Rx: ΤΑΡΑΝΤΙΝΩΝ Eagle standing on thunderbolt left, spreading wings. In upper right field, ΣΩΣΙ. In left field, monogram (ΑΡ). Fischer-Bossert 38. Vlasto Coll. 36 = Gulbenkian Coll. 44 (same dies). Doublestruck on reverse. EF/Good VF with some mint luster $20,000 The stater belongs to a large issue of gold coins minted by the Tarentines during the first phase of the Pyrrhic War. As on earlier occasions when the Tarentine people hired foreign generals to lead an army against the native people of Italy, this gold issue does not utilize the South Italian (Achaean) standard, but the Attic. It was meant to appeal to the mercenaries who were accustomed to being paid by Philip II’s and Alexander’s gold coins.
2. Campania. Suessa Aurunca. c. 280-268 BC. Didrachm, 6.65g. Obv: Laureate head of Apollo facing right, bow symbol behind head. Rx: [S]VESAN[O] Horseman (desultor), naked, wearing pilos, leading second horse and holding palm branch with fillet in his hand. cf. Weber 404. cf. BMC 123,1. cf. SNG Copenhagen 579. M&M Auktion 61, 7-8 October 1982, lot 10. Only three specimens recorded with this symbol. Good VF $4,000
6. Pyrrhos of Epeiros. 281-272 BC. Obol, 0.84g. Calabria, Tarentum, c. 276-272 BC. Obv: Head of young Herakles facing right. Rx: TAPAΣ Taras on dolphin facing left. Vlasto 43. Fischer-Bossert G34. Good VF $1,000
3. Frentani. Larinum. c. 210-175 BC. Teruncius, 6.47g. Obv: Head of bearded Hercules facing right, wearing knotted lion-skin. Dotted border. Rx: LADINOD Centaur galloping right, with palm branch on shoulder. In exergue, three pellets. Line border. HN Italy 627. Green patination. VF $500
7. Tarentum. c. 250 BC. Diobol, 1.02g. Obv: Head of Athena facing left, wearing Attic helmet, the bowl of which is decorated by a Scylla. Rx: ΤΑ Infant Herakles, naked, strangling two serpents, leaning on left arm. In left field, Μ. In exergue, thunderbolt. Vlasto Coll. 1455. SNG ANS 1473. SNG France 2142. Very good mythological type. Toned EF $650
Enlargement
Ex David Freedman Collection, Triton V, 15 January 2002, lot 14. Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
4. Apulia. Teate. c. 325-275 BC. Diobol, 1.15g. Obv: Head of Athena right, wearing Attic helmet studded with stars. Rx: Herakles with club right, fighting lion; above, TIATI. HN Italy 696. Garrucci p. 108,4. Sambon, Recherches, p. 218.5, pl. XV. 14. Extremely rare. Good VF $1,000
8
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
8. c. 240-228 BC. Nomos, 6.57g. Obv: Hippokontist in close fitting lorica hurling javelin on horseback. ΟΛΥΜΠΙΣ beneath horse; wreath in left field. Rx: ΤΑΡΑΣ Taras on dolphin holding cornucopia and kantharos; tripod to his left. Vlasto Coll. 943 (same dies). HN Italy 1055. EF $900
Artist Signed Die
9. Lucania. Thurium. c. 380-360 BC. Nomos, 7.96g. Obv: Head of Athena, wearing Attic helmet decorated with Scylla, to right. Rx: ΘΟΥΡΙΩΝ Bull charging right. On the broad ground line, the signature of the engraver, ΜΟΛΟΣΣΟΣ. In exergue, fish swimming right. Dotted border. HN Italy 1784. Weber Coll. 880 (same dies). Jameson Coll. 364. SNG Lockett 500. SNG ANS 1028. AMB 177. VF $3,000 Ex NAC M, 20 March 2002, lot 2083. Coins of the engraver Molossos appeared in the Corti Vecchie Hoard (IGCH 1924), buried c. 355 BC. On Molossos, see most recently Lavva, Pharsalos p. 65 f.
12. Sicily. Aetna. c. 357 BC. AE 24, 10.42g. Obv: ΖΕΥΣ ΕΛΕΥΘΕΡΙΟΣ Laureate head of Zeus Eleutherios right. Rx: [ΑΙΤΝΑ]ΙΩΝ Thunderbolt. Calciati III p. 147, 7. de Luynes 842. EF $3,000 Ex NAC 21, 17 May 2001, lot 52. Zeus Eleutherios was a deity worshipped since the Syracusan tyranny was overthrown in 466 BC. The cult was revived when the Corinthian Timoleon brought freedom from both tyrants and Carthaginians to the Western cities of Sicily after 344.
13. Akragas. c. 410 BC. Hexas, 0.08g. Obv: Eagle’s head left, below A. Rx: Two pellets. Salinas, La monete delle antiche città di Sicilia. Palermo (1867), pl. VII, 33. Good VF $850
10. Bruttium. Caulonia. c. 520-500. Stater, 8.01g. Obv: ΚΑΥΛ Apollo striding right, holding branch in uplifted right hand and running daemon on outstretched left arm. In right field, stag standing right on dotted line, head turned back. Guilloche border. Rx: Apollo and stag as on the obverse, but reversed and incuse. Fish-bone border. HN Italy 2035. SNG ANS 144-5 (same obverse die). SNG Lockett 579. Good VF $5,250
Akragas Tetradrachm
14. c. 410-406 BC. Tetradrachm, 17.43g. Obv: Quadriga galloping to right, the female charioteer crowned by Nike flying left. In the exergue, crab downwards. Border of dots. Rx: ΑΚΡΑΓΑΝΤΙΝΩΝ (retrograde) Two eagles facing right, devouring hare on rocks. Kraay-Hirmer pl. 61, 178 (same dies). Seltman, NC (1948), p. 3, 6, pl. I, E-ζ. SNG Lloyd 818 (same dies). Boston 232 (same dies). Brussels, de Hirsch 288 (same dies). Head of upper eagle slightly weakly struck. EF. $110,000 11. Croton. c. 500-480 BC. Stater, 7.91g. Obv: Tripod; in right field, crab, ΚΡΟ. Rx: Tripod incuse. In left field, crab, ΚΡΟ. HN Italy 2085. Boutin, Pozzi Coll. 730. SNG ANS 247. Winterthur 492. VF $1,500 Ex Dr. John Gulick Collection.
Although the obverse type looks quite familiar, the arrangement of the horses (and of their heads in particular) is unique in Sicilian numismatics. In fact, the topos of the first horse turning its head backwards is well known from South Italian vase-painting and from the Lycian sarcophagus in Istanbul, but not from coins. It can be found, however, on gems (see J. Spier, Ancient Gems and Finger Rings [Malibu 1992], p. 41, 71).
9
Interestingly, the symbol on the reverse is a Corinthian helmet. The usual symbol of the Campanian mercenaries is a helmet of the so-called Campanian type (see Calciati, p. 318). The Corinthian type went out of use soon after the Persian wars, as the offerings at Olympia show. Thereafter, the Corinthian helmet was kept only as one of the paraphernalia of the goddess Athena and - more interestingly - of the heroes. Hero-worship is a striking feature among the mercenaries. So this variant of the issue might refer to religious rites rather than to the usual equipment and selfrepresentation of the Campanians in Dionysios I’s and his Carthaginian opponents’ armies.
Enlargement lot 14
15. Agyrium. c. 344-336 BC. AE 20, 5.78g. Obv: [ΑΓΥΡΙΝΑΙΩΝ] Beardless male head facing right. Line border. Rx: ΠΑΛΑΓΚΑΙΟΣ Forepart of man-headed bull galloping to right. Line border. SNG ANS 1303. Rizzo pl. 59, 10. Calciati III p. 122, 6. SNG Münich 14. Gabrici p. 120, 5. Olive patination. Good VF $600 The name on the reverse, Palankaios, does not mean the river-god, but might be a personal name, presumably a Sicilian variant of the name Φαλαγκαiος.
18. Gela. Hieron I. c. 485-475 BC. Didrachm, 8.83g. Obv: Naked rider on prancing horse to right, wielding spear in raised right hand. Rx: ΓΕΛΑΣ. Forepart of man-headed bull to right. All in circular incuse. Jenkins, Gela pl. 1, 18. Head of rider off flan on obverse. EF with luster $2,500
19. Hadranum. c. 375-350 BC. Hemidrachm, 13.40g. Obv: Laureate head of Apollo left. Dotted border. Rx: Α-ΔΡΑΝΙΤΑΝ Cithara. Dotted border. Calciati III 157,1. SNG ANS 1156. Campana 6. Olive patination. VF $750 Ex NAC 21, 17 May 2001, lot 45.
16. Entella. c. 370-350 BC. Drachm, 3.98g. Obv: Free running horse right, above a corn grain. Rx: KAMΠΑΝΩΝ Campanian helmet left. A. Garraffo, Annali 25 (1978), p. 29,1. VF $3,000 Clearly overstruck on a drachm of Rhegium (of Herzfelder type 105-116). This coin is possibly the only one being overstruck on this type.
17. Entella under the Campanian mercenaries. c. 404-350 BC. AE 20, 8.88g. Obv: ΕΝΤ-ΕΛΛΑ Head of Persephone facing right, wearing grain-wreath, ear-pendant, and necklace. Rx: Κ-ΑΜΠ-ΑΝΩΝ Pegasos flying to left. Beneath forelegs, Corinthian helmet right. SNG ANS 1326. AMB 277. Laffaille 139. SNG Morcom 581. Calciati I 318, 4 var. Olive patination. Flatly struck at the highest point of the hair, otherwise EF $500
10
Extraordinary Himera
20. Himera. c. 420 BC. Tetradrachm, 17.32g. Obv: Quadriga slowly pacing right. Above, Nike flying left to crown charioteer with wreath. In the exergue, ΙΜΕΡΑΙΟΝ (retrograde) Border of dots. Rx: Nymph Himera, wearing himation over chiton, standing facing, head turned left, pouring phiale over round altar. To right, Silenos showers from a lion'shead spout of fountain. In upper right field, corn grain. In exergue, fish swimming right. Gutmann-Schwabacher 18. Boston 255 (same dies). Dewing Coll. 616 (same dies). EF with luster. Extremely good style. The reverse of this coin rarely comes as complete as this example. Normally the fish in the exergue is not visible. $7,500 Ex Mavia May, 1985.
Ex CNG 58, 19 September 2001, lot 104. Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
Enlargement
23. Hexas, 1.33g. Obv: Youth riding goat right, blowing shell, and holding lagobolon. Dotted border. Rx: ΙΜΕΡ[ΑΙΩΝ] Nike moving left, holding fillet. In left field, two pellets. Dotted border. cf. Calciati I p. 43, 34. Olive patination. VF. $200 Ex CNG 58, 19 September 2001, lot 104. Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
21. Signed by the engraver MAI... c. 409/8 BC. Tetradrachm, 17.28g. Obv: Quadriga with horses galloping to right; above, Nike flying to crown female driver, and carrying tablet inscribed ΜΑΙ. In exergue, sea monster to left. Rx: Nymph Himera, wearing peplos and chiton, raising left hand and sacrificing from phiale over rectangular altar with two projections on top; to right, a fountain with lion-headed water-spout, under which a satyr is bathing; in exergue and around, [Ι-ΜΕΡΑΙΩΝ]. Gutmann-Schwabacher p. 115, 20 (same dies). BM 48 (same dies). Jameson Coll. 617 (same dies). SNG Lloyd 1022 (same dies). Boutin, Pozzi Coll. 1044 (same dies). SNG Münich 350 (same dies). AMB 306 (same dies). C.C. Coll. 53 (same dies). Kraay-Hirmer pl. 22, 71 (same dies). Rizzo pl. 21, 23 (same dies). C. ArnoldBiucchi, NACQT 17 (1988) pl. III, 22. Mint State $3,500
24. Katane. c. 425 BC. Tetradrachm, 17.19g. Obv: Quadriga slowly pacing to right, horses crowned by Nike flying right. In exergue, uncertain markings. Dotted border. Rx: ΚΑΤΑΝΑΙΟΝ Laureate head of Apollo facing right. Rizzo pl. XI, 4. SNG ANS 1249 (same dies). Good VF $5,250 Exceptional Katane Drachm
This is the last tetradrachm issued by Himera (before it was re-named Thermai Himeraiai during the 4th century). While the consequences of Himera’s destruction by the Carthaginians for her coinage are still under discussion (see Ch. Boehringer in Kraay-Morkholm Essays pp. 29-40; idem., SNR 78 (1999), p. 183), it is agreed that this coin must have been issued in that very year 409, or shortly before.
25. c. 420-413 BC. Drachm, 2.36g. Obv: Quadriga galloping right, charioteer being crowned by Nike. Rein of lead horse is broken and that horse throws his head upward depicting the fierceness of the race, KATANAION in exergue. Rx: Head of youth Amenanus the river god. He has a horn and is three-quarter facing. Two tunny swimming upward, their heads framing his face. Rizzo pl. XIV 12. BM 2,36. This coin is a highly unusual type and of great artistic merit. Struck on an unusually good flan for the issue. Missing in many of the important sales in the last several decades. Very few examples of this coin exist in this quality and one has not come to the market for several decades. Nearly EF $25,000
22. c. 430-409 BC. Hemilitron, 7.83g. Obv: Youth riding goat right, blowing shell and holding lagobolon. Below, Corinthian helmet. Dotted border. Rx: ΙΜΕΡΑΙΩΝ Nike moving left, holding fillet. In left field, six pellets. Dotted border. Calciati I p. 41, 27. SNG ANS 184. SNG Morcom 598. Dark olive patination. About EF, but weakly struck $750
Enlargement
Ex Harlan J. Berk Ltd. Private Treaty, April 1986. Ex Dr. John Gulick Collection.
11
Exquisite Messana Bronze
26. c. 263-200 BC. AE 20, 8.26g. Obv: ΚΑΤΑ-ΝΑΙΩΝ Head of Dionysos right, wearing ivy-wreath, the hair at the nape in krobylos. Dotted border. Rx: Dionysos in car drawn by two panthers right, holding grapes and thyrsus. Above, two monograms (partly off flan). Dotted border. Calciati III p. 107, 19/11 (this coin). cf. SNG Münich 484. SNG Morcom 555. VF $250 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
27. Leontini. c. 476-466 BC. Tetradrachm, 16.95g. Obv: Quadriga walking right driven by a charioteer wearing a long chiton. Above, Nike flying right to crown the horses. Rx: ΛΕΟΝΤΙΝΟΝ (retrograde). Lion's head facing right. Around, four grains of barley. SNG ANS 198-206. SNG Oxford 1771-1776. Arnold-Biucchi, Randazzo Hoard, p. 53, 85-87 pl. 4. Struck with a slightly rusty obverse die. EF $1,500
30. c. 317-311 BC. AE 22, 10.35g. Obv: ΜΕΣΣΑΝΑ Female head facing left, the hair tied twice by a long taenia, wearing triple ear pendant and necklace. Beneath the ends of the taenia, shell. Dotted border. Rx: Μ-ΕΣΣΑΝΙΩΝ Mule biga standing right, the charioteer holding three reins and stretching out the goad. Line border. Caltabiano 783-786 (same obverse die). On the date, see SNG Morcom 619. Brown patination. EF $5,000 On all the previously known reverses of this series, the charioteer has a palm branch in his right hand. On this coin, however, he has a goad (κέντρον) like the charioteers of the 5th century coinages of Sicily. A remarkable exception indeed, particularly since this coin could be the first one in Caltabiano's series XVIII.
Enlargement
28. Zancle. c. 520-510 BC. Drachm, 5.72g. Obv: DANKVE Dolphin leaping left, within sickle-shaped band representing the harbor of Zankle. Thin line border and border of dots. Rx: Scallop shell at center of incuse key-pattern. Gielow 33 (same dies). DuChastel Coll. 39 (same dies). SNG ANS 302. AMB 359. Good VF $5,000
31. Mamertines. c. 288-270 BC. AE 26, 18.88g. Obv: ΑΡΕΟΣ Laureate head of Ares facing right. At left, spear head. Rx: ΜΑΜΕΡ-ΤΙΝΩΝ Eagle standing on thunderbolt to left, wings raised. Särström 37. Calciati I p. 91, 2. SNG ANS 401. SNG Morcom 626. About EF $1,650 Exceptional Litra
29. Messana. c. 338-318 BC. Litra, 12.67g. Obv: ΠΟΣΕΙ-ΔΑΝ Laureate head of Poseidon left. Dotted border. Rx: Μ[Ε]ΣΣ-ΑΝ-ΙΩ-Ν Ornamented trident. At the sides, two antithetic dolphins. Dotted border. Caltabiano 720. Calciati I p. 51, 12. SNG Copenhagen 420. SNG Morcom 617. Green patination. Some areas of isolated pitting. Good VF $1,750 Ex NAC 21, 17 May 2001, lot 93 (weight incorrect)
12
32. Naxos. c. 540-520 BC. Litra, 0.63g. Obv: Head of Dionysos facing left. Dotted border between two thin lines. Rx: ΝΑΧΙΟΝ (retrograde) Bunch of grapes. Dotted border between two thin lines. Cahn 29 (same dies). BM 4 (same dies). Traité II 1, col. 1498, 2220, pl. 72, 19. Weakly struck in isolated areas. About EF $5,750
Late Classical Masterpiece
33. c. 410 BC. Tetradrachm, 17.31g. Obv: Head of Dionysos facing right, wearing taenia decorated with ivy-tendrils. Dotted border. Rx: ΝΑΞΙΟΝ Squatting Silenos holding cantharos and thyrsos. To left, stem of ivy. Cahn 102. BM 19 (same dies). SNG Lloyd 1156 (same dies). Ch. Boehringer, SNR 57 (1978) p. 123, 164, pl. 34 (same dies). Toned EF $125,000 According to the evidence of the Ognina Hoard (IGCH 2120, see Boehringer, p. 136), the tetradrachm issue of Naxos must be somewhat later than thought by Cahn and Robinson. The style of the obverse head is indeed reminiscent of the head of Apollo that appears on Euainetos’ Catanaean tetradrachm (Kraay-Hirmer fig. 8 O. and 42 R.), cf. Baldwin Brett, Boston cat. p. 44, 308.
34. Solus. c. 1st half of 3rd century BC. AE 22, 9.71g. Obv: Head of Persephone left, wearing barley-wreath. Dotted border. Rx: Bull walking left, proudly raising its head. In exergue, kfr’ in Punic characters. Dotted border. Calciati I p. 311, 8 (this coin). Jenkins, Punic Sicily I, p. 74, 24, pl. 23 (this coin). SNG ANS -. SNG Morcom -. Extremely rare. EF $2,000 Ex Moretti Collection, NAC 13, 8 October 1998, lot 419. Ex Virzi Collection, Leu 6, 8 May 1973, lot 210. Ex Philipsen Collection, Nordischer Sammler, J. Hirsch 15, 28 May 1906, lot 112. Ex Rollin & Feuardent, Catalogue de la collection des medailles grecques de M. le chevalier Leopold Walcher de Molthein, Paris 1895, p. 45, 560 pl. 4.
35. Stiela. c. 415-405 BC. Litra, 0.62g. Obv: Young male head, laureate, facing left. In front, branch. Dotted border. Rx: ΣΤΙ Forepart of man-headed bull pacing left. S. Mirone, ZfN 38 (1928), p. 30, pl. 3, 8. SNG ANS 1367. De Luynes Coll. 1141. EF $3,750
Scarce Denomination
36. Syracuse. Gelon I. 485-478 BC. Didrachm, 8.38g. Sicily, Syracuse, c. 485-483 BC. Obv: Rider leading a second horse to right. Rx: ΣΥΡΑΚΟ-ΣΙ-ΟΝ (partly retrograde) Head of nymph Arethusa facing left, wearing hair jewelry, earring and necklace. Three dolphins surrounding. Boehringer 52 (V28/R35). Traité II 1, col. 1530, 2279, pl. 76, 6 (same dies). Boutin, Pozzi Coll. 1219 (same dies). On the dating, see most recently C. Arnold-Biucchi, NACQT 36 (2007), pp. 65 ff. Good VF $11,000 Enlargement
13
Exceptional Tetradrachm
37. Hieron I. 478-467 BC. Tetradrachm, 17.23g. Sicily, Syracuse, c. 475-470 BC. Obv: Quadriga trotting right, driven by charioteer leaning over them. Above, Nike flying right, crowning the horses. Rx: ΣV-R-A-KOΣI-ON Head of nymph Arethusa facing right, with hair held back by hairband, wearing earring and thin necklace. Four dolphins surrounding. Boehringer 307 (V147/R213). C. Arnold-Biucchi, Randazzo Hoard 471 (same dies). SNG Münich 968 (same dies). EF with full luster $6,500
Enlargement
38. Syracuse. c. 460 BC. Tetradrachm, 17.05g. Obv: Quadriga slowly pacing to right. Above, Nike flying left to crown charioteer with wreath. In exergue, sea-monster (ketos) swimming right. Dotted border. Rx: ΣΥRΑ-ΚΟΣ-ΙΟΝ Head of the nymph Arethusa facing right, wearing a pearled hair-band, earring and necklace. Four dolphins surrounding. Boehringer 446 (V234/R320). Gulbenkian 258 (same dies). Arnold-Biucchi, Randazzo 529 var. Toned VF $3,750
39. c. 420/15 BC. Tetradrachm, 17.39g. Obv: Quadriga driving right. Above, Nike flying right to crown horses. Dotted border. Rx: [ΣΥΡ]ΑΚ[ΟΣΙ]Ο-Ν Head of Arethusa right, wearing spiral-shaped earring and plain necklace, the hair partly covered by a saccos. Four dolphins surrounding. Boehringer 721E (V355/R492E). Scarce. VF $1,500 Ex Vecchi, London, Nummorum Auctiones 17, 15 December 1999, lot 129.
14
Double-Signed Tetradrachm
40. Second Democracy, 466-405 BC. Signed by Euainetos and Eumenos. Tetradrachm, 17.38g. Sicily, Syracuse, c. 415-410 BC. Obv: Bearded charioteer driving racing quadriga right, holding kentron in right hand, reins in left. He has lost control over the rear (outer left) horse the rein of which is sliding on the ground. Nike flying above to left, holding wreath on which is hung a tablet inscribed ΕΥΑΙΝ-ΕΤΟ in two lines. In exergue, two antithetic dolphins. Dotted border. Rx: ΣΥΡΑ-ΚΟΣΙΩΝ Head of nymph Arethusa left, wearing double earring and necklace. Four dolphins surrounding. Beneath the truncation, signature [ΕΥΜΕ]ΝΟΥ. Tudeer 43. SNG Lloyd 1380 (same dies). SNG Lockett 967 (same dies). Boston 408 (same dies). SNG ANS 270 (same dies). Dewing Coll. 845 (same dies). Pleasant VF $3,500
Signed Die, Possibly Kimon
41. c. 405-400 BC. Tetradrachm, 16.85g. Obv: Quadriga driven rapidly left by bearded charioteer, holding reins in both hands and goad in right. The horses are jumping across a lost wheel, one of them is about to break away, its rein sliding on the ground. Above, Nike flying right to crown the charioteer. Double exergual line. In exergue, ear of barley left. Rx: ΣΥΡΑ[ΚΟΣΙΩΝ]. Large head of nymph Arethusa facing right, wearing double hook earring and necklace with nine pearl-shaped pendants. The hair bound by ampyx in front and sphendone ornamented with stars, the lower rim bears a zigzag pattern. Behind the nape, Κ (retrograde). Two pairs of dolphins swimming around. Tudeer 68 A (same dies). Rizzo, pl. 47, 12 (same dies). Gulbenkian Coll. 287 (same dies). AMB 470 = NAC 13, 1998, lot 470 (same dies). NAC 33, 2006, lot 94 (same dies). The reverse is exceptionally beautiful. Struck on a very broad $50,000 flan which includes all four dolphins. EF This is one of the more beautiful dies of the period covered by Tudeer. There is much discussion about the K signature(?) on the reverse. It could easily be by Kimon or if not certainly by one of his contemporaries. The broken wheel on the obverse below the horses shows the fierceness of
the race. The signature behind Arethusa’s nape is a real mystery. Forrer, Signatures, pp. 222 f. was inclined to give the die to the famous engraver Kimon, whereas Tudeer, p. 164, was fairly reluctant to follow him. Stanley Robinson (in the Gulbenkian cat.) agreed with Tudeer. Jongkees’s view was muddled by his idea that Kimon’s signatures had been plagiarized by a certain pseudo-Kimon. Only Herbert Cahn made a step forward by stating that the same engraver made the unsigned die Tudeer R43 (see AMB 470). That die had convincingly been attributed to an otherwise unknown artist by Tudeer, p. 165.
43. Time of Dionysios I. 405-367 BC. Double AU Decadrachm/100 litrae, 5.79g. c. 405-400 BC. Obv: Arethusa with ampyx and sphendone adorned with stars. Rx: Nude Herakles strangling the Nemean lion; his club serves as ground line. De Ciccio 1922 lot 40. This coin has virtually no die rust and only minimal die breaks obscuring the types. Good EF with luster $17,500
Enlargement
Enlargement
Ex Jacob Hirsch 1907
42. 466-405 BC. Tetradrachm, 17.32g. c. 410-400 BC. Obv: Charioteer driving quadriga left, holding reins in both hands, while the horses are passing by a lying wheel. Nike flying above, crowning charioteer with wreath. In the exergue, wheat-ear. Rx: ΣΥΡΑ-[ΚΟΣΙΩΝ] Head of nymph Arethusa left, wearing triple ear-pendant and necklace. Four dolphins surrounding. Tudeer 73. H. Kreutzer, JNG 60/61 (2005/06), p. 41, II b 4 (this coin). Areas of die wear and flat striking, otherwise About EF $3,000 Ex Giessener Münzhandlung 102, 24 May 2000, lot 82. Ex Jacob Hirsch, 11 November 1907, lot 351.
44. Timoleon. 344-337 BC. Stater, 8.54g. c. 330-310 BC. Obv: ΣΥΡΑΚΟΣΙΩΝ Head of Athena facing right, wearing Corinthian helmet. Obv: Pegasos flying left. Calciati 2. SNG ANS 507. Toned EF $850 The staters of the Corinthian type were issued by Syracuse and other Sicilian and South Italian mints in order to promote the grain export to the mainland. It has been shown that they might have been issued only after Timoleon’s battles, corresponding to the influx of Corinthian money into Sicily between c. 340 and c. 310 BC.
45. Agathokles. 317-289 BC. 80 litrae, 5.70g. c. 295 BC. Obv: Head of Athena facing right, wearing crested Corinthian helmet, the bowl of which is decorated with a griffin attacking right. Rx: ΑΓΑΘΟΚΛΕΟΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ Thunderbolt. Below, Τ. Bérend, l' or pl. 9, 6 (same dies). G.K. Jenkins, Essays Robinson (Oxford 1968), 151 f. pl. 15, cf. Gulbenkian 339 (same reverse die). AMB 513. K. Rutter, Greek Coinages of Southern Italy and Sicily (London 1997), p. 175 fig. 200. Small mark on cheek of Athena. Pleasant orange toning. EF $8,250 Ex Münzen und Medaillen 28, 19 June 1964, lot 82. Ex Naville 17, 3 October 1934, lot 276.
15
46. AE 22, 14.99g. Obv. [ΣΥΡΑΚΟ]ΣΙΩΝ. Head of Demeter, wearing wheat-wreath, facing left. In right field, wheatear. Rx. Α-Ν Burning torch. The whole in oak-wreath. Calciati II p. 271, 134/1 (this specimen). VF $1,200 Ex Tom Virzi Collection, Bank Leu AG Zurich 6, 8 May 1973, lot 250. Ex NAC L, 18 May 2001, lot 1246.
50. Lipara. c. 410-380 BC. Hemilitron, 6.97g. Obv: Hephaistos, nude, seated right on folding chair, holding hammer in left hand and cantharus in right. Dotted border. Rx: ΛΙΠΑΡΑΙΟΝ Six pellets. Dotted border. Calciati I p. 14, 15. Zagami 20. SNG Münich 1683. SNG Morcom 864. Good VF $1,000 Ex ADM Collection, NAC 27, 12 May 2004, lot 136. Ex NAC 21, 17 May 2001, lot 138.
47. Tauromenium. c. 350-300 BC. AE 19, 5.43g. Obv. Laureate head of Apollo facing left. In front, ΑΡΧΑΓΕΤΑΣ. Dotted border. Rx: ΤΑΥΡΟΜ-ΕΝΙΤΑΝ Tripod. Line border. SNG ANS 1126. SNG Morcom 850. Calciati III p. 216, 16. Gabrici p. 190, 19. SNG Copenhagen 923. De Hirsch Coll. 779. Good VF $500 Traditionally, Apollo was the deity who brought the Greeks to Sicily. At Naxos, the first Greek colony on the island, Apollo ‘Αρχηγέτης ("the leader", "the ancestor") had a cultplace.
48. Thermai Himeraiai. c. 350-330 BC. AE 19, 8.72g. Obv. Head of beardless Herakles, wearing lion-skin, facing left. Rx. ΘΕΡΜΙΤΑΝ Head of Hera, wearing stephanos decorated with palmettes, facing left. In right field, star. Calciati I p. 117, 1. SNG Copenhagen 321. EF $1,500
51. Hemilitron, 3.01g. Obv: Hephaistos, nude, seated right on folding chair, holding hammer in right and cantharus (?) in left hand. Dotted border. Rx: ΛΙΠΑΡΑΙΟΝ around six pellets. Dotted border. Calciati I p. 15, 20. SNG Münich (6) 1684. SNG Morcom 864. About EF $750 Ex CNG 60, 22 May 2002, lot 234. Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
52. c. 420-400 BC. Hexas, 13.55g. Obv: Head of Aiolos facing right, wearing pilos. Thin line border. Rx: ΛΙΠ between two pellets. Dotted border. BMC 13. AMB 550. SNG Morcom 862. Calciati I p. 10, 6. VF $1,650
Ex NAC 21, 17 May 2001, lot 134.
49. Tyndaris. 2nd century BC. AE 13, 1.99g. Obv: The pilei of the Dioscuri, each surmounted by a star. Dotted border. Rx: Star of eight rays. Between the rays, ΤΥΝΔΑΡΙΤΑΝ. Dotted border. McClean pl. 109,13. Calciati I p. 82, 23/1. $2,500 Excessively rare. EF
16
53. Siculo-Punic. c. 320 BC. Tetradrachm, 17.04g. Obv: Head of Tanit-Persephone left wearing barley, earring and necklace; around, four dolphins. Rx: Horse’s head left, behind, palm tree with date clusters, below neck “MMHNT” in Punic characters. Jenkins, SNR, 56, 1977, pl. 14,186. Boston 496. de Luynes 1460. Some encrustation. EF $5,000
Decadrachm Parallel
54. RSMLQRT. c. 360-330 BC. Tetradrachm, 16.94g. Obv: Quadriga driving to right, the charioteer conducting the horses with a long kentron. Above, Nike flying left to crown the charioteer. In the exergue, the ethnic RSMLQRT in Punic characters. Rx: Head of Tanit-Persephone facing right, wearing wreath of wheat ears. Triple earring and necklace. Four dolphins surrounding. Dotted border. Jenkins, SNR 50, 1971, p. 65, 41, pl. 18. Brussels, de Hirsch 822 (same dies). Gulbenkian Coll. 203 (same dies). Black patination. VF $2,250
57. Zeugitana. Carthage. c. 290-270 BC. EL Stater, 7.51g. Obv: Head of Tanit, wearing grain-wreath, ear-jewelry, and necklace, facing left. Dotted border. Rx: Horse standing right. Exergual line. Jenkins-Lewis group VII, esp. 360-1. With a much larger stylized head typical of JenkinsLewis 7 staters, one can draw a direct parallel to the larger denominations found in the tridrachms and silver decadrachms of the Carthage issues. See for instance, Jenkins-Lewis, plate 36,378.1. EF $4,500
Ex Vecchi, London, Nummorum Auctiones 17, 15 December 1999, lot 150.
55. Motya. c. 410-397 BC. AE 20, 6.98g. Obv. Gorgoneion facing. Beneath, three pellets. Rx. MTW’ (retrograde) Palm tree. Jenkins, SNR 50, 1971, p. 74 pl. 23, 8. BMC 16. Calciati I, p. 277, 1. SNG Morcom 643. AMB 379. Obverse slightly off-center $750
58. c. 260 BC. Trihemistater (Attic standard), 12.45g. Obv: Head of Tanit facing left, wearing a wreath of wheat-sprays and leaf, a triple earring and a necklace with eight pendants visible. Thin border of dots. Rx: Horse standing right with head turned back. Exergual line and thin border of dots. Jenkins-Lewis 391 (group IX, same dies). cf. de Luynes 3749. Additionally, see L. Mildenberg, Vestigia Leonis (Fribourg 1998), pp. 141-143. Some minor contact marks on cheek and at 3:00 at obverse edge, otherwise Mint State $22,000
Ex Spink-Christie Sale 9, July 1996, lot 25.
Ex NAC 33, 6 April 2006, lot 112. Group IX is the only issue of Carthaginian gold coins that uses a standard based on the Attic stater rather than the Phoenician shekel. In fact, there is a sixth fraction belonging to this group, whereas the other groups have fifths. Issued in the early years of the First Punic War, this group might have been meant to appeal foreign mercenaries. It is striking that almost all the specimens known to Jenkins and Lewis are derived from a single hoard (IGCH 2271).
56. Panormus. c. 360-340 BC. AE 20, 7.78g. Obv. Head of Hera, wearing earring, necklace, and stephanos decorated with palmettes, facing left. Rx. Man-headed bull walking left, head facing. Above, head of Helios facing. In exergue, SYS. Jenkins, SNR 50, 1971, p. 75, pl. 24, 21. Calciati I 270, 5. SNG ANS 554. de Luynes 1102. VF/EF $1,200 Ex NAC, 17 May 2001, lot 106. Enlargement
17
59. The Barcids in Spain. c. 237-209 BC. Shekel, 6.99g. Obv: Beardless bare male head facing left. Rx: Horse standing right. In the background, palm tree with two fruits. Exergue and dotted border. SNG BM, Spain 124. Numerous $750 contact marks and scratches on obverse. VF
63. Macedonian Kingdom. Perdiccas III. 365-359 BC. Diobol, 0.85g. Pella. Obv: Head of bearded Herakles facing right, wearing knotted lion-skin. Rx: Π-Ε-Ρ Club and bow crossed. The whole within incuse square. BM (Perdiccas II) 3 = Traité II 4 col. 470, 805, pl. 303, 18 = U. Westermark, Kraay-Morkholm Essays (1989), p. 315, pl. 70, 45. Of exceptional quality. Coins of Perdiccas III rarely come to the market. About EF $3,500
Ex Dr. John Gulick Collection.
Enlargement
60. Pangaean District. Neapolis. c. 400-370 BC. AE 12, 1.59g. Obv: Gorgoneion facing, tongue protruding. Rx: Ν-Ε. Female head facing right. In left field, ivy-leaf. SNG ANS 461. SNG Copenhagen 231. EF and unusually nice for this issue $500
61. Macedon. Chalkidian League. c. 432-348 BC. Tetrobol, 2.32g. Chalkidian League, c. 365 BC. Obv: Laureate head of Apollo facing left. Rx: Χ-Α-[Λ]-ΚΙΔ-ΕΩN Kithara. Robinson & Clement group L, 99 (A66/P66). SNG ANS 535. About EF $1,500
64. Philip II. 359-336 BC. Tetradrachm, 14.19g. Pella, c. 323/2316/5. Obv: Laureate head of Zeus facing left. Rx: ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΥ Young male rider right, nude, holding upright palm branch. Below foreleg, Θ. Dotted border. Le Rider pl. 18, 437 (same dies). cf. SNG ANS 430. SNG Alpha Bank 275. Good EF $4,000 Ex Gemini V, 6 January 2009, lot 521.
Ex W.B. and R.E. Montgomery Collection, Triton XI, 8-9 January 2008, lot 104.
62. Quasi-Autonomous. Imperial Times. AE 25, 9.44g. Amphipolis. Obv: City goddess seated left, holding phiale. Rx: River god Strymon reclining left, head turned right, holding whip(?) and reed. Imhoof-Blumer, Revue Suisse 1923, p. 249,196. AMNG 63. SNG ANS-. SNG Copenhagen-.. Dark green patina. Good VF $500
18
65. c. 323-315 BC. Stater, 8.62g. Obv: Laureate head of Apollo right. Rx: Galloping quadriga driven right by charioteer holding goad. Boeotian shield below, curled serpent above. Le Rider 602 (O236/R438). SNG ANS-. SNG Lockett 1404. Exceptional detail with underlying mint bloom and struck from fresh dies. Very rare. Only four examples cited in Le Rider. FDC $7,500
66. Tetradrachm, 14.31g. Pella, c. 323/2-c. 315 BC. Obv: Laureate head of Zeus facing right. Border of dots. Rx: ΦΙΛΙΠ-ΠΟΥ Young male rider right, nude, holding palm branch. Beneath the horse, snake coiling up. Beneath raised foreleg, Boeotian shield. Border of dots. Le Rider, p. 68, 531, pl. 22 (same dies). SNG ANS 450 (same dies). SNG Alpha Bank 276 (same obverse die). Rare Boeotian shield symbol. EF $1,750
67. Tetradrachm, 14.46g. Amphipolis, c. 323/2-316/5. Obv: Laureate head of Zeus facing right. Rx: ΦΙΛΙΠ-ΠΟΥ Young male rider right, nude, holding upright palm branch. Below horse, grain ear. Below foreleg, Π. Le Rider pl. 46, 3 var. SNG Oxford 2475. SNG ANS 667-673. SNG Alpha Bank 286 (all from different dies). Toned EF $1,250
70. Stater, 8.53g. Ake Mint, c. 317-316 BC. Obv: Head of Athena facing right, wearing Corinthian helmet the bowl of which is adorned by a griffin attacking right. Rx: ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ Nike, wearing peplos, standing left, holding wreath and akrostolion. In lower left field, Phoenician date (=Year 30). Price 3277. Newell 32. Softly struck obverse, otherwise About EF $3,750
71. Quarter-stater, 2.14g. Miletus, c. 323-319 BC. Obv: Head of Athena facing right, wearing crested Corinthian helmet. Rx: Nike standing left, holding acrostolion and wreath. In left field, double-axe. At right, wheat-ear. Price 2097. SNG Copenhagen 656. Of exceptional quality for this issue. Very rare. Good VF $1,500
Ex Coin Galleries, 10 April 1985, lot 62. Ex Dr. John Gulick Collection.
68. Tetradrachm, 14.14g. Amphipolis, c. 315/4-295/4 BC. Obv: Laureate head of Zeus facing right. Border of dots. Rx: ΦΙΛΙΠ-ΠΟΥ Young male rider right, nude, holding upright palm branch. Beneath horse, Λ and torch. Beneath raised foreleg, tripod. Border of dots. Le Rider p. 125, pl. 47, 24. SNG ANS 798. Of exceptional style and quality. EF $2,000
69. Alexander III The Great. 336-323 BC. Stater, 8.47g. Babylon, c. 317-311 BC. Obv: Head of Athena facing right, wearing Corinthian helmet the bowl of which is adorned by a sphinx squatting right, and necklace. Rx: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ Nike, wearing peplos, standing left, holding wreath and akrostolion. In lower left field, ΗΡ. In lower $2,500 right field, ΜΡ in wreath. Price 3715. VF
72. Tetradrachm, 16.76g. Ake Mint, c. 330-c. 327 BC. Obv: Head of young Heracles right in lion-skin headdress. Rx: ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟ Zeus enthroned left, holding eagle on extended right hand and scepter in left. Aramaic date in left field. Price 3248. Fine $150 Ex Asher Keshet Collection.
73. Hemidrachm, 2.08g. Amphipolis, c. 336-323 BC. Obv: Head of young Herakles facing right, wearing knotted lion-skin headdress. Rx: ΑΛΕΞΑΝ-ΔΡΟΥ. Eagle standing right on thunderbolt (?), with closed wings. In right field, uncertain symbol or monogram. Price 90 var. Troxell, p. 32, 188 pl. 8 (same obverse die). On the "eagle coinage" see K. Liampi in Studies Price, p. 252. Additionally, U. Wartenberg, NC (1997), pp. 179-198. Very rare, especially in this condition. VF. $750
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74. Philip III Arrhidaeus. 323-317 BC. Tetradrachm, 17.15g. Babylon, shortly after August 323 BC. Obv: Head of Herakles, wearing lion-scalp knotted below chin, right. Dotted border. Rx: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΥ Zeus enthroned facing left, holding vertical sceptre in the left and eagle in the right hand, feet on stool. In left field, Μ; below throne, ΛΥ. Dotted border. Price p. 470, P181. SNG Alpha Bank 870. SNG Saroglos 873. On the date of this issue, see H. NicoletPierre in Travaux Le Rider, p. 303. Slightly doublestruck on obverse. Deep square chisel stroke in the center of the reverse. VF $150 Ex Asher Keshet Collection.
75. Demetrius Poliorcetes. 306-283 BC. Drachm, 4.23g. Tarsus, c. 298-295 BC. Obv: Nike to left standing on prow, blowing trumpet. The prow is decorated with an eye. Dotted border. Rx: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΥ Poseidon advancing left, with chlamys on left arm, brandishing trident. In left field, Α; in right field, monogram. Newell 44. SNG Lockett 1520. Dewing Coll. 1197. SNG Münich (10/11) 1039. Pleasant VF $400
77. Macedonia as a Roman Protectorate. c. 166-165 BC. AE 23, 11.82g. Obv: Facing mask of Silenos, wearing ivy wreath. Rx: MAKE/ΔONΩN in two lines, Δ above; all within oak wreath. AMNG III 2, p. 8, 6, pl. 3, 12. SNG Copenhagen 1324. SNG Tübingen 1224. On the date, see P. MacKay, ANSMN 14 (1968), pp. 8-9, pl. 3. Dark olive patination. VF $350 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. This appealing issue was interpreted by Gaebler as a punning type of D. Junius Silanus, struck in 142/1 BC. More recently though it has been reassigned by MacKay and others to the years immediately following the creation of the Roman Protectorate.
78. Pseudo-Rhodian Mint. c. 175-170 BC. Drachm, 2.59g. Obv: Head of Helios three-quarter facing. Rx: ΕΡΜΙΑΣ Rose, Ι-Ω around stalk, bud right. SNG Keckman 794 (same dies). On this issue, see M.J. Price, Kraay-Morkholm Essays (Louvain 1989), pp. 241 ff. Mint State $300
79. Thrace. Ainos. c. 390-370 BC. Tetradrachm, 14.90g. Obv: Head of Hermes facing, wearing petasos. Rx: ΑΙΝΙΟΝ Goat walking right. In front, symbol (possibly bunch of grapes, cithara or helmet) blurred by a die-break. Goat stands on exergual line. All within incuse square. Boston 785. SNG Delepierre 782. SNG Oxford 3552. Obverse in high relief. VF/Fine $4,000 76. Antigonus Gonatas. 276-239 BC. Tetradrachm, 16.99g. Amphipolis, c. 274/1-260/55 BC. Obv: Macedonian shield embossed with head of Pan facing left, wearing knotted chlamys. Behind, lagobolon. Rx: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΓΟΝΟΥ Athena Alkidemos advancing left, hurling thunderbolt. In lower left field, helmet with double crest. In right field, monogram. SNG Oxford 3259. SNG Berry 351. SNG Münich (10/11) 1077. SNG Saroglos 921. Beautifully centered. Good VF $1,000 Ex Harlan J. Berk Ltd. 40th Buy or Bid Sale, November 1985, lot 54. Ex Dr. John Gulick Collection.
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80. Thasos. c. 470 BC. Stater, 9.02g. Obv: Satyr ravishing nymph right. Rx: Incuse square with disguised quadripartite. Guide de Thasos pl. 1, 5. SNG Lockett 1217. SNG Tübingen 940. Dewing Coll. 1323. Good VF $750 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
81. c. late 5th century BC. Trihemiobol, 0.93g. Obv: Satyr running left, holding cantharus. Rx: ΘΑΣ-ΙΩΝ Volute crater. SNG Lockett 1237. SNG Klagenfurt 148. Guide de Thasos-, cf. pl. 2,27. Good VF/EF $250 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Enlargement
82. c. 380-340 BC. Diobol, 1.41g. Obv: Janus-head consisting of Silenos heads. Rx: Θ A [..] Two slim volute kraters, the left one upside down. Guide de Thasos 25. SNG Lockett 1233. Winterthur 1298. SNG Copenhagen 1027. Dewing 1328. VF $300 Ex CNG 55, 13 September 2000, lot 302. Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
83. Bosporus. Panticapaeunm. c. 340-325 BC. AE 24, 12.17g. Obv: Head of bearded Pan left, wearing ivy-wreath. Rx: ΠΑΝΤΙ Bow and arrow. MacDonald 59. Anohin 110. SNG BM Black Sea 868. SNG Stancomb 539. VF $150
85. Tetradrachm, 16.97g. Amphipolis, c. 288/7-282/1 BC. Obv: Head of deified Alexander right, wearing diadem, with Ammon‘s horn. Dotted border. Rx: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΛΥΣΙΜΑΧΟΥ Athena on throne facing left, holding Nike who is crowning the king's name with wreath, resting elbow on round shield. In inner left field, caduceus; in exergue, monogram (MEΤΟ). cf. Thompson-194. Müller-. A similar monogram is to be found with Thompson 55-6 and Müller 89. Boston -. SNG Berry -. SNG Lockett -. SNG Tübingen -. SNG Klagenfurt -. SNG Lewis -. Pozzi Coll. -. de Hirsch Coll. -. Dewing Coll. -. Extremely rare variety. Good VF $1,000 Ex Asher Keshet Collection.
Ex CNG 55, 13 September 2000, lot 908. Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Enlargement
86. Thessaly. Lamia. c. 400-344 BC. AE 14, 2.55g. Obv: Helmeted head of Athena right. Rx: ΜΑΛΙΕΩΝ Philoktetes standing right, drawing bow with arrow; to right, a bird of Lemnos falling above quiver. SNG Copenhagen 87. BMC -. SNG Münich -. SNG Tübingen -. Winterthur -. Laffaille Coll. -. Good VF $250 84. Kingdom of Thrace. Lysimachus. 306/5-281 BC. Tetradrachm, 16.98g. Alexandria Troas, c. 297/6-282/1 BC. Obv: Head of deified Alexander right, wearing diadem, with Ammon’s horn. Dotted border. Rx: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΛΥΣΙΜΑΧΟΥ Athena seated on throne facing left, holding Nike who is crowning the king's name with wreath, resting elbow on round shield. In inner left field, monogram; in exergue, monogram (ME). Thompson 157. cf. H.A. Cahn in: Die Münze. Festschrift Maria R.-Alfoldi, Frankfurt 1991, pp. 91 f. (type A). Boston -. SNG Lockett -. SNG Tübingen -. SNG Klagenfurt -. SNG Lewis -. SNG Klagenfurt -. Dewing Coll. -. Pleasant toning. Obverse struck in extremely high relief with some iridescent toning. Good VF of good style $2,000 Ex Robert Hecht.
Ex CNG 61, 25 September 2002, lot 215. Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
87. Illyria. Dyrrhachium. c. 450-350 BC. Stater, 10.60g. Obv: Cow and calf, star above. Rx: Two juxtapositioned rectangles, stylized flowers within, lance point below. BM 11. Toned. Good VF $1,000 Ex Coin Galleries, 12 November 1986, lot 64.
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88. Epirus. Ambracia. c. 360-345 BC. Stater, 8.47g. Obv: Pegasos standing right with left foreleg bent; beneath, a naked male groom squatting right, examining Pegasus’ hoof. Rx: Head of Athena facing right; in left field, A. Ravel, ‘Colts’ 147 (A61/P94). BMC 57 (same dies). de Luynes Coll. 1889 (same dies). SNG Blackburn 628 (same dies). SNG Münich (14) 505 (same dies). Struck from worn obverse die; presumably overstruck. The obverse die was used as a model for a Tarentine issue a few years later; see A. v. Sallet, ZfN 2 (1875), p. 123; Kraay, ACGC p. 190; Fischer-Bossert, pp. 261, 415. Pleasant VF $1,500 Ex Harlan J. Berk, Ltd. 44th Buy or Bid Sale, September 1986, lot 63. Ex Dr. John Gulick Collection.
90. Boeotia. Coroneia. c. 400-350 BC. Obol, 0.76g. Obv: Boeotian shield. Rx: Κ-Ο Gorgoneion facing with protruding tongue. All within deep incuse circle. BCD 170. Head, Boeotia p.45. BMC 7 pl. 7, 7. Weber Coll. 3210. Fine+ $500
91. Mycalessus. c. 400-375 BC. Obol, 0.72g. Obv: Boeotian shield. Rx: Μ-Υ Flanking thunderbolt. All in broad flat circle. BCD 179. SNG Lockett 1722. Weber Coll. 3207. Fine+ $200 Ex Spink 15, 17 March 1970, lot 107.
Aetolian Rarity
89. Aetolia. Aetolian League. c. 239-229 BC. Half Stater, 4.30g. Obv: Head of young Heracles facing right, wearing knotted lion-skin headdress. Rx: ΑΙΤΩΛΩΝ Aetolia, personified, seated to 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. BM 3, pl. XXX, 4 (same dies). Morkholm, EHC p. 15, pl. 35, 515. Reverse struck from worn die. Choice EF with luster $15,000
92. Orchomenus. c. 395-364 BC. Hemidrachm, 2.56g. Obv: Boeotian shield. Rx: ΕΡΧ within wheat wreath tied below. BCD Boeotia 220. Traité II 3, col. 283, 314, pl. 203, 11. SNG Copenhagen 200. McClean 5537, pl. 200, 13. VF $400
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 on, particularly the rescue of Delphi in 279 BC. Once situated at the rear front 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 offering 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.
93. Pharae. c. 400-338 BC. Obol, 0.73g. Obv: Boeotian shield. Rx: Φ-Α Amphora. BCD 234. Head, Boeotia p. 50. SNG Fitzwilliam 2882. Good Fine $200
94. Tanagra. c. 500-480 BC. Drachm, 5.85g. Obv: Boeotian shield. In one opening, horizontal Τ facing, inward, Α in the other. Rx: Incuse square with counter-clockwise ‘mill-sail’ pattern. BCD Boeotia 246. Head, “History of the Coinage of Boeotia” (1881) p.12, pl. 1, 3 = BM pl. 9, 6. Traité II 1 col. 966, 1356. VF $1,250 Enlargement
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Ex BCD Collection, CNG 75, 23 May 2007, lot 210. Ex NFA Summer MBS, 27 June 1986, lot 249.
95. c. 479-475 BC. Drachm, 6.09g. Obv: Boeotian shield. Rx: ‘Mill sail’ incuse, Τ in two opposing sections. BCD Boeotia 250. Traité II 1 col. 967, 1358 = BM 6 pl. 9, 9 = Head, "History of the Coinage of Boeotia" (1881) p.16, IV, pl. I, 6. SNG Copenhagen 217. SNG Fitzwilliam 2885. SNG Lockett 1731. Fine+ $300
96. c. 390-350 BC. Stater, 12.08g. Obv: Boeotian shield. Rx: Τ-Α Forepart of horse, galloping right. Head, "History of the Coinage of Boeotia" (1881) p.52, pl. IV, 16 = BM 29, pl. 10, 4. Traite II 3 p. 299, 344. BCD Boeotia 265 (same reverse die). VF $4,000
99. c. 480-460 BC. Stater, 12.18g. Obv: Boeotian shield, the rim divided in twelve segments. Rx: Incuse square with anticlockwise mill-sail pattern. In the center, Θ. BCD Boeotia 350. SNG Delepierre 1344. SNG Berry 592. SNG Lockett 1737. Boutin, Pozzi Coll. 3238. VF $750 Ex CNG 75, 23 May 2007, lot 220. Ex BCD Collection, Waddell FPL 48, November 1990, lot 25.
100. c. 425-400 BC. Stater, 12.16g. Obv: Boeotian shield. Rx: Θ-Ε Amphora. All within Incuse square. cf. BCD Boeotia 388. Head, "History of the Coinage of Boeotia" (1881) p. 36. BM p. 75, 69. SNG Copenhagen 285. SNG Berry 595. SNG Lockett 1744. VF $500
Ex Harlan J. Berk, Ltd. 151st Buy or Bid Sale, November 2006, lot 139. 101. Stater, 12.22g. Obv: Boeotian shield. Rx: Θ-Ε Amphora. In the left field, two olive leaves hanging down. All within Incuse square. BCD Boeotia 393 (same dies). Reverse doublestruck. VF $500 One of two known. 97. Lot of two obols. c. 390-350 BC. Obols, 0.73g and 0.93g. Obv: Boeotian shield. Rx: Τ-Α Forepart of horse galloping right. Beneath, large ivy leaf. All within incuse circle. BCD Boeotia 299b. Head, Boeotia, p. 53. BM 44. Traité II 3 col. 302, 348 pl. 104, 11. SNG Copenhagen 228. Hirsch Coll. 1245. de Luynes Coll. 1990. Fine+ $300
98. c. 510 BC. Drachm, 5.43g. Obv: Boeotian shield. Rx: Incuse square with ‘Union Jack’ pattern. BCD Boeotia 324. BM p. 32, 5. SNG Copenhagen 243. Boston MFA 980. Kraay, ACGC pl. 19, 338. VF $450 Ex CNG E 159, lot 45.
102. Epaminondas Magistrate. c. 364-362 BC. Stater, 11.78g. Obv: Boeotian shield. Rx: ΕΠ-ΑΜ-Ι Amphora. Above, rosette. BCD Boeotia 543. Hepworth p. 73, D2ii, b (same reverse die). Traité II 3 col. 250, 267, pl. 201, 16. Kraay, ACGC pl. 20, 369. Head, "History of the Coinage of Boeotia" (1881) p.64 = BMC 136. Good VF $2,000 Ex The New York Sale, XVII, 9 January 2008, lot 53. The question whether it was the statesman and general Epaminondas who was responsible for this issue has not yet been answered, but it has always been regarded as most likely. See C.M. Kraay, Greek Coins and History (London 1969), p. 3 pl. 1, 1.
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103. Thebes. c. 425-395 BC. Stater, 11.97g. Obv: Boeotian shield. Rx: Θ-Ε Head of Dionysos facing right, wearing ivy-wreath (at the forehead, corymba). All within incuse square. BCD Boeotia 437-8. SNG Delepierre 1353. VF $1,000
106. c. 390-382. Stater, 12.22g. Obv: Boeotian shield. Rx: Amphora with ivy leaves hanging down from each handle. Above, club to left. In the field, Ε-Χ[Ε]. Hepworth p. 83, 49 (same reverse die). BCD Boeotia 483. Head, "History of the Coinage of Boeotia" (1881) p. 65. Myron Hoard, pl. Δ, 23 (same dies). BM p. 82, 143. Good VF $600
Ex BCD Collection, CNG E159, lot 65. Ex Moreira Collection, Superior Galleries Auction, 10 December 1988, lot 1896.
104. c. 405-395 BC. Hemiobol, 0.44g. Obv: Half Boeotian shield, decorated with club left. Rx: Θ-Ε-Β Amphora, all within concave circle. BCD Boeotia 448. Bérend, Reflexions p. 28, 30, pl. 1. SNG Copenhagen 310. Weber 326. Boutin, Pozzi Coll. 3278. VF $450 Ex CNG 73, 13 September 2006, lot 249. Virgil Brand Rarity
107. Androkleidas Magistrate. c. 390-382 BC. Stater, 11.96g. Obv: Boeotian shield. Rx: Amphora. Above, wreath. In the field, ΑΝ-ΔΡ. BCD Boeotia 501 (this coin). Hepworth p. 70, A3 (same reverse die). Head, "History of the Coinage of Boeotia" (1881) p.63. Myron Hoard pl. Γ,32. SNG Copenhagen 315 (same dies). Mionnet II p. 100,16. VF $1,100 Ex Triton IX, January 2006, lot 501. Ex Waddell FLP 55, 1992, lot 61.
105. c. 395 BC. EL Hemidrachm, 3.02g. Obv: Bearded head of Dionysos facing right, wearing ivy-wreath. Rx: Θ-Ε The infant Herakles seated facing, strangling two snakes. All within incuse square. Traité col. 246, 260, pl. 201,3. Jameson Coll. 2063 (same dies). H. Weber 3265 (same dies). SNG Copenhagen 302. Extremely rare. Good VF $30,000 Ex Virgil Brand Collection, Sotheby, 9 June 1983, lot 75.
Enlargement
24
108. Damo Magistrate. c. 390-392 BC. Stater, 12.23g. Obv: Boeotian shield. Rx: Amphora, two ivy leaves hanging down from left handle. In the field, ΔΑ-ΜΟ. Above, club left. Head, "History of the Coinage of Boeotia" (1881) p.64, pl. V,3 = BM p. 81, 127, pl. 15, 3. SNG Copenhagen 324. Boutin, Pozzi Coll. 3284. Hepworth p. 79, 21. Good VF $2,000 Ex Gorny & Mosch 164, 2008, lot 134.
109. Olym- Magistrate. c. 363-338 BC. Stater, 12.17g. Obv: Boeotian shield. Rx: Amphora. In the field, ΟΛ-ΥΜ. Above, [spearhead]. BCD Boeotia 558 (same reverse die). Hepworth p. 74, D3i, c (same reverse die). Head, "History of the Coinage of Boeotia" (1881) p.66. BM p. 83, 158. Rare. VF $500 Ex CNG 75, 23 May 2007, lot 266.
The Finest Known Example of This Issue
110. Federal Coinage. c. 395-387 BC. Stater, 11.80g. Obv: Boeotian shield. Rx: ΒΟ-ΙΩ. Amphora, two ivy leaves and berry hanging from the right handle. Above, club left. All within shallow incuse circle. BCD Boeotia 15. Head, "History of the Coinage of Boeotia" (1881) p.77. SNG Copenhagen 169. Hess-Leu 28, 5-6 May 1965, lot 177. Good VF $1,600
114. Euboea. Carystus. c. 313 BC. Drachm, 3.15g. Obv: Bearded head of Herakles facing right. Rx: ΚΑΡΥ Cow reclining left. Above, head of trident left. Below, club left. One of 12 known (9 to Melville Jones) with 5 in museums. BMC 17 pl. 19, 1 (same dies). Jameson Coll. III 2066. J.R. Melville Jones "The Data of the Gold Drachms of Carystus", NC (1980), pp.28-32. BCD 573. EF $27,500 Ex Gorny & Mosch Auktion 159, 8 October 2007, lot 138.
Ex Künker 143, 6-7 October 2008, lot 175. Struck during a revolt against Kassander, the ruler of Macedon.
111. Thespiae. c. 400-350 BC. Obol, 0.87g. Obv: Boeotian shield. Rx: Horizontal crescent moon, a pellet at each point of the horns. Above, ΘΕΣ. All within shallow concave circle. BCD Boeotia 59. Head, "History of the Coinage of Boeotia" (1881) p. 55, pl. IV, 19 = BM 5, pl.16, 7. SNG Copenhagen 401. SNG Berry 606. McClean 5640, pl. 203, 8. SNG Lockett 1763. Good VF $250
112. Federal Coinage. c. 304-294 BC. Drachm, 5.62g. Obv: Boeotian shield. Rx: Amphora in incuse square. cf. BCD Boeotia 62. Head, “History of the Coinage of Boeotia” (1881) p. 58. BM p. 34, 17, pl. 5, 7. SNG Lockett 1776. Winterthur 1920. VF $300
Enlargement
Ex Monetarium Zurich list 55, Spring 1991, lot 72.
113. Drachm, 5.46g. Obv: Boeotian shield. Rx: Amphora. In the field, Δ-Ι. All within incuse square. cf. Traité II 3 col. 267, 287, pl. 102, 26. BCD Boeotia 69. SNG Lockett 1775. SNG Delepierre 1298. VF $300
115. Attica. Athens. c. 440-420 BC. Tetradrachm, 17.14g. Obv: Head of Athena right, eye in profile view, wearing round earring and crested Attic helmet ornamented with three olive leaves above vizor and spiral palmette on bowl. Rx: ΑΘΕ Owl standing right, head facing. In upper left field, olive sprig and crescent moon. All in incuse square. SNG Münich 52. Well centered and of exceptionally fine style. EF $1,750
Ex KDM Auction 27, 12 December 1984, lot 64.
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116. Tetradrachm, 17.15g. Obv: Head of Athena right, eye in profile view, wearing round earring and crested Attic helmet ornamented with three olive leaves above vizor and spiral palmette on bowl. Rx: ΑΘΕ. Owl standing right, head facing. In upper left field, olive sprig and crescent moon. All in incuse square. SNG Münich 52. Toned About EF $1,000
119. Quasi-autonomous. AE 21, 5.12g. Attica, Athens, c. 264-267 AD. Obv: Helmeted bust of Athena right, no legend. Rx: AΘH - NAIΩ - N retrograde, beginning at 4:00, Theseus, nude except for cloak over shoulders and enveloping left arm, advancing left, raising club to slay Minotaur. Minotaur kneels left, supporting himself on his right arm and trying to push Theseus away with his left hand. The same obverse die was also used with the type of Athena standing right holding owl: Kroll-Walker, Agora, pl. 19, 299a. Svoronos pl. 96, 18 (this coin, Baltatzi Coll.). About Fine $500 Purchased from Edward J. Waddell, Ltd. Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Among the rare depictions of the Minotaur on an ancient coin.
117. Attica. Eleusis. Lot of 17 coins. c. 350’s- early 330’s BC. AE 17. Various types and symbols; mostly: Obv: Triptolemus seated left in winged chariot drawn by snakes. Rx: Pig standing right on mystic staff, ΕΛΕΥΣΙ above, symbol below. Mostly varieties of Kroll 38. Good Fine or better $1,500
120. Attica. Aegina. c. 510-480 BC. Stater, 12.22g. Obv: Sea turtle. Rx: Incuse square with ‘Union Jack’ pattern. Milbank 3. Asyut 433 (group II b). SNG Berry 750. Winterthur 2028. SNG Forbat 373. Obverse struck in high relief. EF $1,750 Ex Coin Galleries, 13 November 1985, lot 341.
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
118. Attica. Athens. c. 190-183 BC. AE 13, 1.50g. Obv: Cicada. Rx: Amphora with transverse palm branch, ΑΘΕ around. Kroll 85. SNG Copenhagen 449. Svoronos pl. 107, 55-58; SNG Tübingen 1784; SNG Sweden II 1516. Exceptionally beautiful and well struck. Dark patination. EF $1,000 Ex David Freedman Collection, Triton V, 15 January 2002, lot 361. Ex CNG 50, 23 June 1999, lot 706. Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
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121. Corinthia. Corinth. c. 370-360 BC. Stater, 8.25g. Obv: Pegasos galloping right. Beneath, Koppa. Rx: Head of Athena facing right, wearing Corinthian helmet. Behind, Nike standing right holding thymiaterion. Ravel 943. Calciati 347. Boutin, Pozzi Coll. 3726. Cammann 84e. About EF $1,300 Coins of this series (Ravel period IV/15) are attested in a Sicilian Hoard (IGCH 2127). One such coin (Ravel 931) was overstruck at Thurioi (see Garraffo, Riconiazioni, p. 87, 5). Therefore, the evidence points to a date well before the middle of the 4th century BC.
Ex Kato Klitoria Hoard of 1980. Ex BCD Collection, Leu Numismatik AG, Zurich, 8-9 May 2006, lot 1517. Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. 122. Pseudo-autonomous issue. Q. Caecilius Niger and C. Heius Pam, Duoviri. 34-31 BC. AE 20, 7.80g. Obv: CORINT Head of Aphrodite right, hair pulled back in ponytail, wearing pearl necklace. Rx: Bellerophon on Pegasus flying right, holding spear in right hand and preparing to strike the Chimaera standing left below; L CAECIL NIGR/ C HEIO P AM (AM ligate) above, II VIR in exergue. RPC I 1128. Amandry, Duovirs 137-8. Winterthur 2107. Pleasant glossy patina. Good mythological type. Fine+ $350
Enlargement
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
123. Elis. Olympia. c. 330 BC. Stater, 11.87g. Obv: Laureate head of Zeus facing right. Rx: F-Α Eagle with closed wings standing right on the tail of a snake coiling upwards and striking towards the eagle’s head. In left field, thunderbolt. In lower right field, Η. Seltman 204. BM 132. SNG Lockett 2410. Toned. Good VF $7,500
124. Arcadia. Mantineia. c. 477-468 BC. Hemidrachm, 2.91g. Obv: Zeus enthroned facing left, holding sceptre and thunderbolt. In left field, eagle flying towards Zeus. Rx: ΑΡΚΑΔΙΚΟΝ Female head facing right, hair in bun, wearing earring and necklace. All within incuse square. Williams p. 85, 115, pl. 5 (O78/R66). BM 34 (same dies). Very rare. VF $1,250
126. c. 325-275 BC. Triobol, 2.79g. Obv: Laureate head of Zeus facing left. Rx: ΑΡΚ-monogram to left. Pan seated left on rock, right hand with object (not a syrinx) raised, left holding lagobolon. In right field, Μ. Dengate period I, 6, 18. BM-. About EF $350 Ex LHS Numismatik AG, Zurich, 8-9 May 2006, lot 1528. Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
127. c. 100-80 BC. Triobol, 2.39g. Obv: Laureate head of Zeus facing left. Rx: ΜΕΓ. Pan seated left on rock, his right hand raised and his left holding lagobolon. Above his knee, eagle standing left. To left, monogram ΒΚΑ. BM 8. Dengate 7. VF $150 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
Ex BCD Collection, CNG 78, 14 May 2008, lot 725. Ex Rauch 76, 17 October 2005, lot 328. A Work Of Art
125. Megalopolis. c. 340 BC. Obol, 0.95g. Obv: Horned head of young Pan facing left. Rx: Parasemom of the Arcadian league ΑΡΚ above syrinx with six reeds. BM 55. J. Warren, Kraay/Mørkholm Essays (1989) p. 294, 54 (this coin). Struck in high relief. Magnificant EF $1,500
128. Stymphalus. c. 350-340 BC. Obol, 0.77g. Obv. Head of Herakles facing right, wearing knotted lion-skin. Rx. ΣΤΥΜΦΑΛΙΟΝ (retrograde) Head of Stymphalian bird right. J. Warren, Kraay-Mørkholm Essays (1989) pl. 68, 82. SNG Delepierre 2321. Somewhat crystallized surface. Good VF $1,650
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129. Cyclades. Syros. c. 150 BC. Tetradrachm, 16.53g. Obv: Head of Demeter right, wearing triple pendant earring and wreathed with grain. Rx: ΘΕΩΝ ΚΑΒΕΙΡΩΝ ΣΥΡΙΩΝ The two Cabiri, naked except for cloaks over shoulders, standing front, each with head surmounted by star, each holding spear; in lower right field, monogram (AY); the whole within laurel wreath. H. Nicolet-Pierre, M. Amandry, Florilegium Numismaticum, Studia in Honorem U. Westermark edita (Stockholm 1992), pp. 295-306. Winterthur 2319 (all from different dies). EF $16,500
Labyrinth Drachm
130. Crete. Cnossus. c. 320-270 or later. Drachm, 5.18g. Obv: Bearded head of Ammon facing left. Rx: ΚΝΩ/Σ-Σ/ΙΩΝ (Ω upside down) Rectangular labyrinth. BM p. 23, 45, pl. 6, 9. Svoronos, p. 78, 102, pl. 6, 24 (same obverse die). Dewing -. Le Rider -. Pozzi -. de Hirsch -. Winterthur -. Berry -. Lockett -. Manchester -. SNG Copenhagen Supp. -. Newcastle -. Leipzig -. von Post -. Delepierre -. Lewis -. Tübingen -. Traeger Coll. (Künker 136) -. Extremely rare. About EF $2,000
131. Uncertain Cyprus (Kourion?). c. 470-460 BC. Double siglos, 10.92g. Obv: Crouching lion right, Λ below. Rx: Angry bull with head down, flicking his tail, Λ below. BM Cyprus p. 69, 2, pl. 13, 6. Traité II 2, col. 819, 1354, pl. 136, 7. SNG Copenhagen 65. Rosen Coll. 749. On the attribution, see J.H. Kagan, Cahiers du cercle des etudes chypriotes 29 (1999), pp. 33-44. Struck with somewhat worn dies. EF $1,000
132. Pontic Kingdom. Mithradates VI Eupator. 120/19-63 BC. Tetradrachm, 16.79g., Oct. 73 BC. Obv: Diademed portrait head of king Mithradates right. Rx: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΙΘΡΑΔΑΤΟΥ ΕΥΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ Stag grazing left. In left field, star above crescent moon. Beneath, monogram. In right field, ΕΚΣ (year 225 of the Pontic era). In lower field, Α. The whole in ivy wreath. de Callatay, Guerres mithridatiques p. 22, pl. 12 (D69/R1). Winterthur 2391 (same dies). Two scratches on the obverse cheek and several other hairline scratches on obverse and reverse. These coins were struck at the height of Mithradates power and glory and are dated not only to the year but also to the month of their striking. Mithradates was one of the strongest challengers to the supremacy of Rome. Toned EF $2,000 Ex Harlan J. Berk, Ltd. 38th Buy or Bid Sale, August 1985, lot 130. Ex Dr. John Gulick Collection.
Ex Harlan J. Berk, Ltd. 43rd Buy or Bid Sale, April 1986, lot 104. Ex Dr. John Gulick Collection.
Enlargement
133. Polemo II. 38-64 AD. AE 21, 6.56g. Uncertain mint in Armenia, c. 60-64 AD. Obv: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓ Μ ΑΝΤΩΝΙΟΥ ΠΟΛΕΜΩΝΟΣ (the last two letters written in ligature) Diademed, naked portrait bust of Polemo right. Dotted border. Rx: ΙΟΥΛΙΑΣ ΜΑΜΜΑΙΑΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΙΣΣΗΣ Diademed, draped portrait bust of Mammaea right. Dotted border. RPC I 3844. RPC Supp. II 3844/2. About VF $1,500 Extremely rare, perhaps the third specimen known. The first specimen is in the Beirut Museum, see H. Seyrig, Scripta Nummaria (Paris 1986), pp. 156-158 fig. 8 (most probably from the same pair of dies). The second specimen:
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MMAG Deutschland 19, 16 May 2006, Righetti Collection, lot 334. Originally having been appointed king of Pontus by Caligula in 38 AD, Polemo made a career dependent on Roman politics. When he was deprived of his (nominal) rule of Bosporus in favor of a certain Mithradates in 41, Claudius gave him the district of the Cilician city Olba instead. In 64, Polemo got at least a part of Armenia as a reward for assisting Corbulo’s campaigns. However, just four years later Nero annexed the kingdom of Pontus, and so Polemo’s rule was confined to the city of Olba. The king’s consort appearing on this coin was Polemo’s second wife. His first marriage was to Berenike, sister of Agrippa II and later consort of Titus. His second wife Mammaea, given the identity of the names, seems likely to have originated from the same region in Syria as the later Roman empress Julia Mamaea and her family.
Ex Fortuna Fine Arts, Ltd. FPL 2008, New York, lot 16 (cover coin). Extremely Early Rarity
138. Lesbos, Mytilene (?). c. 570-540 BC. EL hecte, 2.56g. Obv: Janiform head, at right a satyr with turned-up nose and long beard, at left a maenad, the hair covered by a saccos. Rx: Female head facing right within trapezoid incuse. Bodenstedt p. 183, E34, pl. 34, 5 and 50 = Traité II 2, col. 1211, 2153. SNG Münich (19) 659. Some light contact marks on the reverse. EF $20,000 This is one of the first issues of the city of Mytilene, and is exceptional not only for its early date, but also for its extraordinary obverse type. Perhaps the third specimen known.
134. Ailis. Scythian ruler. 300-200 BC. AE 22, 6.25g. Obv: Jugate heads of the Dioscuri right, wearing piloi. Dotted border. Rx: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΟΩΣ ΑΙΛΙΟΣ Jugate protomes of two bridled horses right. Beneath, monogram ΤΙΚ. SNG Stancomb 320. A.Tzamalis, Nomismatika Khronika 19 (2000), p. 32 no. 18. Cleaned and artificially toned. VF $150 Ex CNG E143, lot 29. Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
Enlargement
135. Mysia. Cyzicus. c. 420-350 BC. EL hecte, 2.70g. Obv: Cerberus standing left. Beneath, tunny fish. Rx: ‘Windmillsail’ incuse. von Fritze 103. Rosen Coll. 484. VF $1,750
139. c. 530-500 BC. EL hecte, 2.57g. Obv: Head of a roaring lion to right, the truncation with a rim of dots. Rx: Head of a cock to left, behind an irregular oblong object. All within incuse. Bodenstedt 7. Rosen Coll. 552. Good EF $1,500
136. c. 410-380 BC. EL hecte, 2.65g. Obv: Dionysos, wearing himation, reclining left on rock decorated with pantherskin, holding cantharus. Beneath, tunny fish. Rx: ‘Windmill-sail’ incuse. von Fritze 155 (stater). Boston 1542. EF $4,800
140. c. 490-460 BC. EL hecte, 2.50g. Obv: Forepart of winged lion facing left, roaring and threatening. Rx: Head of cock facing left. Behind, stylized oblong punch. All within incuse. Bodenstedt 9.1. de Luynes Coll. 2546. Hunterian Coll. pl. 50, 2. EF $2,000
137. c. 400-460 BC. EL stater, 15.82g. Obv: Cabeiros, wearing pilos and chlamys, sacrificing ram, to left. Beneath, tunny fish. Rx: “Windmill-sail” incuse. Von Fritze 156, pl. v,4. Attractive mythological type. VF $15,000
141. c. 520-500 BC. EL hecte, 2.53g. Obv: Gorgoneion facing, the tongue protruding. Rx: Bearded head of Herakles facing right, wearing lion-skin. The truncation with two rows of dots. Behind, a square field. The whole in incuse. $2,000 Bodenstedt 19.1 (c/γ). BM 14 (same dies). EF
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142. c. 440-400 BC. EL hecte, 2.54g. Obv: Head of an aged satyr facing right, wearing a taenia. Rx: Two confronted heads of rams. In upper field, palmette. The whole in a framed incuse square. Bodenstedt 37 (a/α?). Boston 1685. SNG von Aulock 1700 and 7726. Obverse struck in high relief. EF/ Good VF $1,500 Enlargement Lot 146
143. c. 460-440 BC. EL hecte, 2.48g. Obv: Head of Silenos in three-quarter view, looking to left. Rx: Head of roaring lion facing right in square frame, the whole in incuse square. Bodenstedt 38 (a/new). Boston 1686 (same obverse die). Good VF $2,500
144. c. 400-380 BC. EL hecte, 2.57g. Obv: Head of male youth facing right, wearing knotted taenia with lotus-like ornament above the forehead. Rx: Male head with long beard facing right. Broad square frame, the whole in incuse square. Bodenstedt 52 (a/β). BM 58 (same dies). SNG Fitzwilliam 4344 (same dies). Pleasant VF $1,250
145. c. 430-410 BC. EL hecte, 2.56g. Obv: Laureate head of Apollo facing right. Rx: Head of an ‘eagle griffin’ facing right, with stylized eagle head, reptile crest, and goat beard, within a square frame of thin lines adorned with dots. The whole within incuse square. Bodenstedt 60.1 (a/α). Boston 1704 (same dies). Scratch on obverse but exceptional head of griffin on reverse. VF $750
146. c. 430-400 BC. EL hecte, 2.58g. Obv: Forepart of a winged lion to left, roaring and threatening. Rx: Winged sphinx with the head of a male youth squatting right within a thin square frame, the whole in incuse square. Bodenstedt 63 (e?/new). Boston 1694. This coin is extremely interesting in that it has a man-headed sphinx on the reverse. Good VF $1,500 The obverse image is borrowed from the coins of Clazomenae.
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147. EL hecte, 2.56g. Obv: Female head facing right, wearing hair-net. Rx: Beardless head with grotesque features facing left, wearing a modius-like object at the forehead, the hair covered by a net. Thin square frame, all in incuse square. Bodenstedt 68 (a/α). Boston 1697 (same dies). About EF/VF $1,250 Bodenstedt interpreted the male head on the reverse as a Daktylos or Telchine, both from mythical bands of miners and blacksmiths, sometimes described as having a sinister character. (A common feature of mythical blacksmiths - Hephaestus is the exception, but he was physically handicapped instead). The object at the forehead could be something like a miner’s lamp, but this is by no means confirmed.
148. c. 380-340 BC. EL hecte, 2.52g. Obv: Female head facing right, the hair forming a knot above the head, wearing earring and necklace. Rx: Head of Pan facing right within a thin square frame, the whole in incuse square. Bodenstedt 69 (b?/-). Exceptionally beautiful female head struck in high relief. EF/VF $1,500
149. c. 360-340 BC. EL hecte, 2.50g. Obv: Head of Athena facing right, wearing Attic helmet, the side-flap turned up. Rx: Lion-scalp facing in thin square frame, the whole in incuse square. Bodenstedt 72 (these dies not recorded). SNG von Aulock 1705. Good VF/VF $1,250
150. c. 380-350 BC. EL hecte, 2.56g. Obv: Head of ArtemisCybele facing right, wearing mural crown adorned by plain palmettes, and earring. Rx: Head of beardless youth facing right, wearing petasos (Hermes?). Thin square frame, all in incuse square. Bodenstedt 75 (?/β). SNG Fitzwilliam 4358 (same reverse die). Exceptionally beautiful reverse. EF $2,000
153. c. 350 BC. EL hecte, 2.53g. Obv: Head of Dionysos facing right, wearing ivy-wreath. Rx: Mask of Silenos facing in thin square frame, all in incuse square. Bodenstedt 90. Traité II 2, col. 2200 pl. 161, 1. Extremely nice high relief head of Silenos on reverse. EF $2,000
Enlargement Enlargement
151. c. 340-330 BC. EL hecte, 2.56g. Obv: Head of beardless man facing right, wearing petasos. Rx: Panther standing right in square frame, the whole in incuse square. Bodenstedt 83. Gulbenkian 883. Dewing Coll. 2240. About EF $1,750
154. c. 350-335 BC. EL hecte, 2.55g. Obv: Veiled head of Demeter facing right, wearing grain-wreath and earring. Rx: Tripod with taenia in square frame. The whole in incuse square. Bodenstedt 91. Gulbenkian 885. SNG von $1,500 Aulock 1726. EF
155. Ionia. Uncertain Mint. c. 600 BC. EL hemihecton (Milesian standard), 1.19g. Obv: One line crossing three others. Rx: Incuse square with irregular surface. Weidauer $1,500 9. SNG von Aulock 7766. SNG Kayhan 681. EF
Enlargement
152. c. 360 BC. EL hecte, 2.55g. Obv: Head of Athena facing in three-quarter view, wearing a crested Attic helmet, the side-flap turned up, earring and necklace. Rx: Bust of Hermes facing right, wearing petasos pushed back behind neck and knotted chlamys. Thin square frame, all in incuse square. Bodenstedt 86 (h/ι). Dewing Coll. 2241. Two light grazes, one above Athena’s right eye and the second on the bridge of her nose. EF $1,250 The obverse die follows the model of some Lampsacene gold staters, cf. A. Baldwin, AJN (1924), p. 25 no. 20 pl. II, 14.
Enlargement
156. EL hemihecton (Milesian standard), 1.13g. Obv: Uncertain structure: Two broad parallel lines crossing four tresses. Rx: Incuse square with irregular surface. Missing in major references; possibly unpublished. EF $2,000
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Enlargement 157. c. 600-550 BC. EL hecte (Phocaean standard), 2.67g. Obv: Lion standing right, turning head backwards, roaring. In left field, unknown object. Rx: Punch mark with irregular shape and surface. cf. SNG von Aulock 1797 (hemihecton). Rather unusual type. Extremely rare. Struck with worn dies. Good VF $2,000
161. c. 580-550 BC. EL 1/24 stater (quarter hecte, Phocaean standard), 0.70g. Obv: Lion seated right with tail slanting upwards parallel to his back. Rx: Incuse square with irregular edges. Not found in the major references. This coin is completely unknown and unpublished. About EF $2,500
Enlargement Enlargement
158. EL hecte (Phocaean standard), 2.75g. Obv: Ibex squatting left, head turned backwards. Rx: Four-part incuse square. Missing in major references; possibly unpublished. Extremely rare. EF $4,000 Phocaic hectae minted outside Phocaea in the early 6th century BC are quite rare (cf. Weidauer 186). The type of the squatting ibex is well-known from 8th century pottery, and it was adopted by an issue of Phocaea herself (see Bodenstedt 19, pl. 2 and 44). However, this occurred in the late 6th century, whereas this coin might rather be contemporaneous to the Milesian-weight series of Phanes (Weidauer 35-40).
Enlargement 162. EL 1/24 stater (quarter hecte, Milesian standard), 0.58g. Obv: Duck standing right. Rx: Incuse square with irregular surface. Missing in major references; possibly unpublished. Good VF $1,000
163. c. 575-525 BC. Twelfth stater (hemihecton) "Phocaean" standard, 1.30g. Obv: Head of lion facing right. Rx: Incuse square divided in four quarters. Traité II 1, col. 126, 183, pl. 5, 9. Exceptional head of lion struck in high relief. Mint State $6,000 Enlargement
159. EL hemihecton (Phocaean standard), 1.33g. Obv: Siren standing left, with the body of a bird and human head wearing cap with a long curl. Rx: Incuse square with irregular raised projections. See Gemini III, 9 January 2007, lot 172 (hecte) and Naville VII, 1924 (Bement Collection), lot 1435 which shares the same obverse die as the present specimen, but the obverse device incorrectly identified as a cock. Of the Siren coins that have come to light in recent years this is the best struck example we have seen. EF $3,000
Enlargement
160. c. 600-560 BC. EL 1/24 stater (quarter hecte, Milesian standard), 0.48g. Obv: Lion’s paw seen from above. Rx: Stellate pattern within incuse square. Rosen Coll. 285. cf. SNG Tübingen 2743 (1/48 stater). VF $500
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Enlargement
164. c. 570-540 BC. EL hemihecton (Phocaean standard), 1.34g. Obv: Head of griffin with eagle head, lion’s ear and a long mane hanging down at the nap, to right. Rx: Incuse square. SNG von Aulock 7789. cf. Boston Supp. 182 (quarter hecte). Bold VF $1,000
165. c. 570-530 BC. EL hecte (Phocaean standard), 2.57g. Obv: Crab. Rx: Incuse square with irregular protuberances. Not found in the major references. cf. MMAG 72, 1987, lot 81 (different kind of incuse square). Additionally, Rosen Coll. 346-347 and Winseman Falghera Coll. 84. Very well struck for this issue. EF $1,500
166. c. 560-530 BC. EL 1/24 stater (quarter hecte, Milesian standard), 0.60g. Obv: Head of cock facing right. Rx: Fourpart incuse square. Traité II 1, col. 89-90, 111, pl. 3, 12. Exceptionally beautiful detail. Very rare. Choice EF $1,500
Enlargement
Enlargement
170. c. 600-580 BC. EL 1/24 stater (quarter hecte, Milesian standard), 0.57g. Obv: Protome of a deer walking left, head turned backwards. In left field, two pellets. Rx: Incuse square with irregular ridges. cf. SNG von Aulock 7773 (protome to right). Zhuyuetang Coll. 9 (protome to right). VF $1,000
Enlargement
Enlargement 167. EL 1/24 stater (quarter hecte, Phocaean standard), 0.71g. Obv: Head of beardless man facing left. Rx: Four-part incuse square. Not found in the major references, however cf. Weidauer 191-192. This is one of the earliest images of a human on a coin. Good VF $1,500
168. c. 550-500 BC. EL hemihecton (Milesian standard), 1.19g. Obv: Head of bridled horse left. Rx: Incuse square. BMC 53. Weidauer 142. SNG von Aulock 1780. SNG Kayhan 715. About EF $1,000
169. EL hemihecton (Milesian standard), 1.14g. Obv: Head of bridled horse left. Rx: Incuse square. BMC 53. Weidauer 142. SNG von Aulock 1780. SNG Kayhan 715. Exceptionally well centered. EF $1,500
171. Ionia. Lebedus. c. 160-140 BC. Tetradrachm, 16.31g. Obv: Head of Athena facing right, wearing crested Attic helmet. Rx: ΛΕΒΕΔΙΩΝ Owl standing en face on club between two cornucopias attached to each other. Beneath, magistrate’s name ΑΠΟΛΛ-ΟΔΟΤΟΣ. The whole in olive-wreath. M. Amandry, Kraay-Mørkholm Essays (1989), p. 3 (group IV). EF with luster $2,500 Ex Coin Galleries, 19 August 1987, lot 71. Ex Dr. John Gulick Collection.
172. Phocaea. c. 600-550 BC. EL 1/24 hecte, 0.65g. Obv: Head of ram left. Beneath, seal swimming left. Rx: Incuse square. Boston 1897. cf. Bodenstedt 8. Exceptionally well-centered for such a small coin. EF $1,500 Strangely enough, the minor fractions of this issue are not recorded by Bodenstedt, including Boston 1897 and SNG von Aulock 1798.
Enlargement
33
173. c. 500-480 BC. EL hecte, 2.58g. Obv: Griffin head facing left. Behind, seal. Rx: Incuse square with rough surface. Bodenstedt 22.1. Jameson Coll. 1510. EF $1,500
Enlargement
177. c. 6th century BC. Hecte, 2.56g. Obv: Seal between two fish swimming in different directions. Behind seal, pellet (?). Rx: Rough incuse square. cf. Bodenstedt 107 Em. 1.1 (three seals, Euboean standard). S. Hurter, SNR 85 (2006), p. 14, 4, pl. 3 (“Macedonia”). Exceptionally rare. VF $2,000 This puzzling issue was earlier attributed to both Cyzicus and Macedonia. However, due to weakly struck examples the seal between the fish has never been recognized before (“an oval object between two pellets” and the like). The weight standard is clearly Phocaean and not Milesian, so unlikely to have been used in Northern Greece.
Wonderful Archic Kore
174. c. 520-500 BC. EL hecte, 2.55g. Obv: Female head facing left, wearing diadem, earring and necklace with lion-head pendant. Behind, seal swimming downwards. Rx: Four-part incuse square. Bodenstedt 23 (c/δ). Utterly magnificent archaic female head. An exceptional work of Greek archaic art. Mint State $15,000
178. c. 480-450 BC. EL hecte, 2.56g. Obv: Forepart of cock facing left. In upper right field, seal swimming left. Rx: Incuse square with rough surface. Bodenstedt 40 (a/?). Truly exceptional image. EF $2,500
Enlargement Enlargement
175. EL hecte, 2.59g. Obv: Head of Athena facing left, wearing Corinthian helmet and necklace. Behind, seal swimming downwards. Rx: Four-part incuse square. Bodenstedt 32 $2,500 (c?/?). De Nanteuil Coll. 601. EF
179. c. 520-500 BC. EL hecte, 2.59g. Obv: Bearded warrior head (Ares?) facing left, wearing Ionian helmet. Beneath truncation, seal swimming right. Rx: Quadripartite Incuse square. Bodenstedt 44 (a?/γ - this die pair not recorded). Good VF $1,000
Enlargement 176. c. 510-490 BC. EL hecte, 2.57g. Obv: Head of a man-headed bull (river god) facing left, the truncation adorned with a row of dots. At right, seal swimming upwards. Rx: Four-part incuse. Bodenstedt 35 (b/γ). Niggeler 386 (same dies). EF $1,500
180. c. 520 BC. EL hecte, 2.57g. Obv: Bull’s head left, the truncation with a dotted rim. Behind, seal swimming upwards. Rx: Incuse square with irregular surfaces. Bodenstedt 48 (a/?). Boston 1899-1900 (same obverse die). EF $1,250
Enlargement
34
Enlargement
181. c. 480-440 BC. EL hecte, 2.58g. Obv: Head of a he-goat facing left, the truncation adorned by a row of dots. Beneath, seal swimming left. Rx: Four-part incuse square. Bodenstedt 51. Traite II 2, 157 pl. 4, 29. EF $1,500
Enlargement
182. c. 450 BC. EL hecte, 2.56g. Obv: Head of a swimming lion (or lioness) facing. To left, seal swimming downwards. Rx: ‘Window’ incuse. Bodenstedt 53 (b/β). Choice EF $3,000 The obverse image is borrowed from the coinage of the Bruttian city Rhegion.
184. c. 480-440 BC. EL hecte, 2.57g. Obv: Forepart of a cow running left. Above, [seal]. Rx: Four-part incuse square. Bodenstedt 58. SNG von Aulock 7949. Rosen Coll. 595. $1,500 Good VF
Enlargement 185. c. 480-450 BC. EL hecte, 2.57g. Obv: Ram standing right, turning head backwards and scraping his nose. Beneath, seal swimming left. Rx: Four-part incuse square. Bodenstedt 59 (a/α). Boston 1901 (same dies). Quite rare. Exceptionally interesting presentation of the subject. VF $2,500
186. c. 430-350 BC. EL hecte, 2.53g. Obv: Chalcidian helmet to left, with seal symbol swimming left on helmet. Rx: Fourpart incuse square. Bodenstedt 60 (a/?). Extremely rare type. The example in Bodenstedt is not better than this. VF $2,000
187. c. 470-450 BC. EL hecte, 2.52g. Obv: Head of Silenos facing, wearing ivy-wreath. At left, seal swimming upwards. Rx: Four-part incuse square. Bodenstedt 67. EF $2,000 Enlargement
183. c. 450 BC. EL hecte, 2.51g. Obv: Head of a swimming lion (or lioness) facing. To left, seal swimming downwards. Rx: Quadripartite incuse square. Bodenstedt 53 (new/γ). Traité II 2, col. 2096, pl. 158, 8 (same reverse die). EF $3,000
188. c. 380-360 BC. EL hecte, 2.52g. Obv: Head of Pan facing left, with goat’s horns and hind ears. Behind, seal. Rx: Four-part incuse square. Bodenstedt 73 (b/γ). SNG von Aulock 7950 (same dies). Unusual head of youthful Pan. Good VF $2,000
Enlargement
Enlargement
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189. c. 450-430 BC. EL hecte, 2.53g. Obv: Head of Herakles facing left, wearing lion-skin headdress. Beneath truncation, [seal swimming left]. Rx: Four-part incuse square. Bodenstedt 80 (a/α). Boston 1911 (same dies). Obverse struck in high relief. Good VF $1,500
rather than individualized representations” (The Emergence of Ruler Portrait, in: P. Schultz and R. von den Hoff (eds), Early Hellenistic Portraiture (Cambridge 2007), p. 114), and C. Harrison has convincingly shown that many of the so-called ‘satrapal portraits’ are meant to represent the heroized Persians who raised Darius the Persian throne (Numismatic Problems in the Achaemenid West, in: V.B. Gorman and E.W. Robinson (eds), Oikistes. Studies Offered in Honor of A.J. Graham (Leiden 2002), pp. 301-319). Harrison’s theory does not apply in this case, since the head gear does not have that famous knot at the forehead. So it may well be that one of the satraps of the 370s and 360s is intended, perhaps Autophradates, then satrap of Lydia and the fiercest opponent of the satrap of Paphlagonia Datames during the satraps’ revolt 368-358 BC.
190. c. 400-360 BC. EL hecte, 2.53g. Obv: Head of Hermes facing left, wearing petasos. ��������������������������� Behind, seal swimming downwards. Rx: Four-part incuse square. Bodenstedt 82 (d?). Good VF $1,500
191. c. 360 BC. El hecte, 2.55g. Obv: Head of beardless youth facing left, wearing Persian headdress (Attis?). Behind, seal (the head of which is visible). Rx: Four-part incuse square. Bodenstedt 84 (a/β). BMC 34 (same dies). A few $2,000 obverse hairlines, otherwise choice EF
Enlargement
Rare Hera Image
Enlargement
193. c. 360-340 BC. EL hecte, 2.54g. Obv: Head of Hera facing left, wearing a polos adorned with palmettes. Behind, seal swimming upwards. Rx: Four-part incuse square. Bodenstedt 88 (a/α). SNG von Aulock 7952 (same dies). It is very unusual to find a head of Hera on an electrum coin. Good VF $3,000
Satrapal Portrait The obverse image is borrowed from Argive models (cf. BMC Peloponnesus pl. 27, 9). 192. c. 380-360 BC. EL hecte, 2.54g. Obv: Bearded head facing left, wearing Persian headdress. Behind, seal swimming. Rx: Four-part incuse square. Bodenstedt 86 (these dies not recorded). Of exceptional quality and struck in high relief. Choice EF $10,000 Like many authors, Bodenstedt interpreted the head on the obverse as a portrait of the Persian satrap Tissaphernes. While Tissaphernes was a bad candidate - he was executed in 395 BC and the coin was issued some decades later- it is not yet clear whether the head is meant to be a portrait at all. J.H. Kroll called the ‘satrapal portraits’ “generic
36
Enlargement
194. c. 400-380 BC. EL hecte, 2.55g. Obv: Female head facing left, wearing hair-net and earring. Behind, seal swimming downwards. Rx: Four-part incuse square. Bodenstedt 94. Boston Supp. 176. SNG von Aulock 2130. Extremely beautiful female head. EF $2,000
Enlargement Lot 197
The female head appears to imitate the Syracusan decadrachms of the engraver Kimon, but without slavishly copying his work. 198. c. 350-330 BC. EL hecte, 2.54g. Obv: Head of Athena facing left, wearing crested Corinthian helmet decorated with a serpent on the bowl, and necklace. Beneath truncation, seal. Rx: Four-part incuse square. Bodenstedt 111 (B//?). $1,000 SNG Berry 1086. Good VF
Enlargement
199. c. 600-560 BC. EL hecte, 2.60g. Obv: Female head facing left, the hair interwoven by a (invisible) taenia, wearing earring. Behind, seal swimming downwards. Rx: Irregular incuse. Apparently unpublished. Bodenstedt-. Several contact marks on cheek, otherwise good EF $1,500 195. EL hecte, 2.51g. Obv: Female head facing left, wearing hairnet and earring. Behind, seal swimming downwards. Rx: Four-part incuse square. Bodenstedt 94. Boston Supp. 176. SNG von Aulock 2130. EF $1,500
196. c. 360 BC. EL hecte, 2.53g. Obv: Female head facing left, wearing laurel wreath, the hair covered by a saccos. Beneath truncation, [seal]. Rx: Incuse square. Bodenstedt 102. BM 65 (same obverse die). Tip of chin off flan, otherwise EF $1,000
197. c. 390-370 BC. EL hecte, 2.53g. Obv: Head of the Lydian queen Omphale facing left, wearing Herakles’ lion-skin, shouldering his club. Beneath truncation, seal swimming left. Rx: Four-part incuse square. Bodenstedt 107 (d/ι). EF $1,250
This coin surely belongs to the earliest issues of Phocaea. The early stage is proven by both the irregular form of the incuse (without a clear quadripartite structure) and the style of the obverse image. The nearest stylistic parallel might be a stater of Aeginetic weight, once attributed to Knidos (cf. Cahn, Knidos p. 75 pl. 19, 1 with earlier literature).
200. c. 520-480 BC. EL hecte, 2.59g. Obv: Head of an eagle facing left, the truncation adorned by a thin line and a border of dots. Beneath, seal swimming left. Rx: Four-part incuse square. Bodenstedt-. cf. Nomos 1, 6 May 2009, lot 105. EF $2,500
Enlargement
37
Unusual Incuse
201. c. 480 BC. EL hecte, 2.56g. Obv: Head of Herakles facing left, wearing lion-skin headdress. The truncation adorned by a row of dots. Behind or beneath, [seal]. Rx: Four-part incuse, one quarter filled. Possibly unpublished. Bodenstedt- Good VF $1,000 Although the indicative seal is off flan here, there is no doubt that the coin belongs to the Phocaean series. The irregular reverse punch can be compared with similar ones in the series: 31β, 32δ, and 62δ.
204. King of Lydia. Alyattes. 605-564 BC. EL trite, 4.72g., c. 600-560 BC. Obv: Head of roaring lion facing right, with spiky protuberance on the nose. Rx: Two square incuse punch marks. Weidauer 89. Rosen Coll. 655. SNG von Aulock 2868. EF $1,000
205. EL trite, 4.72g. c. 600-560 BC. Obv: Head of roaring lion facing right, with spiky protuberance on nose. Rx: Two square incuse punch marks. Weidauer 89. Rosen Coll. 655. SNG von Aulock 2868. About EF $1,000
202. Ionia. Teos. c. 520 BC. Stater, 12.08g. Obv: Griffin squatting right, raising one paw. Rx: Four-part incuse. cf. Balcer, SNR 47, 1968, pp. 5-51, group I. SNG von Aulock 2251. Winterthur 3188. On the chronology, see now J.H. Kagan in Agoranomia. Essays on Money and Exchange Presented to John H. Kroll (New York 2006), pp. 55-57 (contra M. Matzke, JNG 50 (2000), pp. 21-53). Exceptionally beautiful, sharply struck image of griffin. One of the earliest coins struck at the city. Mint State $7,500
206. Kingdom of Lydia. Croesus. 555/4-541/0 BC. Twelfth-stater (hemihecton) of the heavy series, 0.89g. Lydia, Sardes, c. 550-530 BC. Obv: Confronted foreparts of lion facing right and bull facing left, each with stretched foreleg. Rx: Incuse punch with irregular surface. Berk, 100 Greatest Ancient Coins, pp.12-13, 9. Mint State $3,000
Enlargement
Enlargement
203. Lydia. Uncertain. EL 1/24 Stater (quarter hecte, Milesian standard), 0.55g. Obv: Boar’s head right. Rx: Incuse square with roughly stellar pattern. Rosen Coll. 282. J. Spier, Essays in Greek numismatics in memory of Martin Jessop Price (London 1998), p. 332,6, pl. 70. Good VF $750
According to new research, the traditional dates of Croesus’ reign (560-546/5 BC) have to be changed slightly. This change comes to us from cuneiform correspondence from the Lydian Count at the time.
207. Kingdom of Lydia. Croesus. 555/4-541/0 BC. Double Siglos, 10.70g., c. 550/40 BC. Obv: Confronted lion and bull foreparts with outstretched paw and hoof. Rx: Two square incuses. Berk, 100 Greatest Ancient Coins, pp.12-13, 19. Good VF $4,000 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
Enlargement
38
For additional information on the dates of Croesus, see G. Kalaitzoglou, Assessos, Mainz 2008, pp. 46-53. The coin
finds from Sardes have now confirmed that Croesus was the first who issued the bimetallic currency known as ‘Croeseids’; see N. Cahill – J.H. Kroll, AJA 109 (2005), pp. 589-618.
208. Caria. Caunos. c. 410-390 BC. Stater, 11.74g. Obv: Iris, wearing belted chiton, running left, head turned back, holding caduceus in right hand and wreath in left. Rx: Conical baetyl, upside down triangle symbol on left and Γ on right. All within incuse square. K. Konuk, Studies Price, p. 210, 101, pl. 49 (same dies). Kraay, ACGC pl. 57, 995 (same dies). SNG von Aulock 2349 (same dies). Head of Iris flatly struck, otherwise EF $2,000
211. c. 460 BC. Stater, 11.81g. Obv: Nude male figure advancing right in running-kneeling position; wings at shoulders and heels. Above, Φ. Rx: Carian legend. Lion walking left, head reverted, one paw raised. The whole in square dotted border. Rosen Coll. 624. SNG Kayhan 977. H. Troxell, Essays Thompson p. 263, 42, pl. 31 var. (deity running left). Very rare. Obverse flatly struck, otherwise good VF $2,000 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Cos Rarity
Mylasa Rarity
209. Mylasa. c. 175-150 BC. Tetradrachm, 9.17g. Obv: Rose with two buds. In inner left field, Μ. Rx: [I]Α-Α Eagle standing right on palm branch, spreading wings. In right field, ΑΠ. 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. Akarca pl. 2, 11 var. SNG von Aulock 2863 var. SNG Kayhan 842 var., cf. R. Ashton and G. Reger in Agoranomia. Studies in Money and Exchange Presented to John H. Kroll (New York 2006), p. 137, pl. 6, 200. This is only the second time one of these has been offered at public auction and two others are recorded in museum collections. Virtually Mint State $7,500
210. Uncertain Mint. c. 500-480 BC. Stater, 10.82g. Obv: Lion’s head left with foreleg below. Rx: Dipartite incuse square, parted diagonally. BM Cilicia pl. 15, 1= Traité II 1, col. 565, 915, pl. 25, 19. H. Greenwell, NC (1897), pp. 280 f. pl. 14, 7. Struck from rusty dies. VF $1,000 Attributed to Issos in Cilicia in earlier times, the obverse type is clearly reminiscent of Carian coins (cf. SNG Kayhan 929-30). In fact, B. Head had pondered Cnidus as the place of minting (Historia Numorum, 1st ed. 1886), p. 523 note). This is certainly wrong - both the standard and the fabric are different - but Caria is still likely to be the area of this issue.
212. Cos. c. 480/70 BC. Triple Siglos, 16.60g. Obv: [ΚΟΣ] Nude male youth in the process of hurling a disc. He is standing facing weight on his right leg, while the left leg, is crossing behind, the upper part of the body bent to its right side for getting into stride. On the left, the prize of the contest: a huge tripod. In the center, a flaw-spot. Dotted border. Rx: Irregular square incuse with diagonal lines. Barron, Essays Robinson, p. 79, 10, pl. 9 (late group A, same dies). Of exceptional beauty and rarity. This is the last die of the first class of this issue. EF $60,000 The Coan Triple Sigloi are among the most outstanding Greek coinages of the first half of the 5th century. The image refers to the athletic contests organized by the cities of the Dorian pentapolis (Cos, Cnidos, and the three cities of Rhodes: Camiros, Ialysos, and Lindos) in the sanctuary of Apollo Triopios, the Triopion on the Cnidian peninsula. The tripod at the side of the athlete is the prize of the contest mentioned by Herodotus (I 144); the victorious athlete had to donate it to the sanctuary (a custom that can be found elsewhere as well). While the reference of the image is quite clear, it cannot be said that the Coan ‘Diskoboloi’ were meant to fuel the celebrations at Triopion such as the Elean coinage that is often thought to have been minted just on the occasion of the Olympian games. It is true that the ‘Diskoboloi’ consist of one denomination only - a triple siglos that is almost as heavy as an Athenian tetradrachm thus not functioning as an ordinary market currency. On the other hand, the smaller denominations were easily at hand: Persian sigloi circulating in Asia Minor, and their fractions. It must also be mentioned that the other cities of the pentapolis did not contribute to the games in the same way, and the existence of only one festival coinage casts doubt on continued over
39
continue lot 212
whether this was the purpose at all. Along with the economic questions, the dating of the series has been a matter of debate for a long time. Today it is agreed that all three groups were minted before c. 450 BC, although the Athenian coinage decree that has been regarded as an obstacle for a later dating has now been down-dated itself. The specimen allegedly found in the famous Asyut Hoard does not give a clue, for several scholars who had seen the hoard before it was published, among them the late Silvia Hurter, agree about the fact that the relevant specimen (Price and Waggoner, #693) was not among the coins. Anyway the style and habitus of the ‘Diskoboloi’ corroborates the dating to the 1st half of the 5th century BC. This is the period when a statue of a diskobol was created that showed almost the same posture: not the famous diskobol of the sculptor Myron which is known from several Roman copies, but the somewhat earlier statue of a diskobol made by the sculptor Pythagoras of Samos who moved to Rhegion and so became known as Pythagoras of Rhegion in the literature. The statue in question is known in just one Roman copy: a severely damaged herm from the Ludovisi Collection, today in the Museo Nazionale Romano in Rome. Despite the facts that the arms of the statue are lost and the legs are concealed by the herm shaft, it is obvious the statue showed a diskobol at the same point as on this coin: building up momentum just before starting the turnaround. This was the moment that fascinated the Greeks the most, the instant in which the decision is made.
213. c. 350-340 BC. Didrachm, 6.98g. Obv: Bearded head of Herakles facing right, wearing lion-skin headdress. Rx: Veiled female head facing left. Behind, ΒΙΤΩΝ. A. Meadows in Coin Hoards IX (London 2002), p. 236, 32, pl. 41 (same dies). BM 22 (same dies). SNG Keckman 289 (same obverse die). SNG von Aulock 2752. SNG Copenhagen 621. Jameson 1545. Exceptionally beautiful reverse. Mint State $2,500
Enlargement
214. Satraps of Caria. Mausolus. 377-353 BC. Rhodian Tetradrachm, 15.06g. Obv: Apollo head facing; heavy manelike locks ending in curls. Chlamys around neck fastened in center with knot. Rx: ΜΑΥΣΣΟΛΛΟ Zeus Labraundeus, wearing chiton and himation, standing right, shouldering double axe (labrys) and holding spear. Under elbow, Π. Boston 1999. SNG von Aulock 2360. Mint State $3,000 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
Enlargement
40
215. Hidrieus. 351-344 BC. Tetradrachm, 14.96g. Halicarnassus. Obv: Three-quarter facing laureate head of Apollo to right, the hair flowing outwards from central parting, chlamys clasped at neck truncation. Rx: ΙΔΡΙΕΩΣ Zeus Labraundos standing right, laureate with hair in long plait behind, wearing chiton and himation wrapped around the left arm, and holding a long spear pointing downward in his left hand, shouldering a labrys in his right hand. Ε inscribed above left foot. A. Meadows, Coin Hoards IX (2002), p. 223, 2a, pl. 34. Pleasant iridescent blue toning. About EF $2,500
216. Cilicia. Celenderis. c. 400-380 BC. Stater, 10.72g. Obv: Nude rider, holding whip, riding sideways on horse to right. Rx: ΚΕΛΕΝ Goat kneeling right, looking back. Beneath, olive plant and exergual line. BM 24. SNG von Aulock -. SNG Paris, Cilicie -. SNG Levante -. This coin is also interesting as it has an olive plant beneath the goat. Head of rider flatly struck, otherwise pleasant EF $2,500 This obverse type depicts a two-part race. The first part is a man on horseback and for the second half of the race the rider leaps off the horse as shown on the coin and finishes the race on foot.
220. c. 375-365 BC. Stater, 10.71g. Obv: Aphrodite seated left, pouring phiale over wreathed rectangular altar. Eros standing behind her and crowning her. Dotted border. Rx: ΝΑΓΙΔΕΩ-Ν Dionysos standing left, holding bunch of grapes and thyrsos. BM 12 pl. XIX, 11 (this obverse die). Traite -. SNG France -. SNG Levante -. Dewing Coll. -. Rare. Reverse doublestruck. About Mint State $1,500 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
Enlargement
217. c. 400-350 BC. Stater, 10.37g. Obv: Nude horseman, holding in right hand whip, in left bridle, leaping off horse to complete second half of the race on foot. Rx: Goat kneeling left, looking back. Weber 7514, pl. 270. SNG Copenhagen 84 var. (no olive sprig). BMC 24, pl. X,2 var. EF $1,500 Ex Harlan J. Berk Ltd., Buy or Bid Sale 35, 1985, lot 140.
218. c. 380-370 BC. Stater, 10.56g. Obv: Nude rider, holding whip, riding sideways on horse to right. Border of dots. Rx: ΚΕΛΕΝ Goat kneeling right on dotted line, looking back. Border of dots. SNG Levante 25. SNG France, Cilicie 70. SNG von Aulock 5638. EF $2,000
219. Nagidus. c. 400-370 BC. Stater, 10.58g. Obv: Head of Dionysos facing right, wearing ivy-wreath. Rx: ΝΑΓΙΔΕΩ[Ν] Head of Aphrodite facing right, the hair covered by a sphendone, wearing earring and necklace. Boston 2121. SNG Levante 2. EF $2,000
221. Tarsus. c. 400-360 BC. Obol or fraction, 0.68g. Obv: Young girl crouching left, playing with four astragals. Dotted border. Rx: Bare head of a male youth right. Traité II col. 862, 1377, pl. 137, 5 = SNG Paris 239. SNG Levante 65. Klein Coll. 677. About EF $500 Ex CNG 54, 14 June 2000, lot 750. Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
222. c. 360-333 BC. Obol, 0.79g. Obv: Female head (Aphrodite?) facing, wearing earring and necklace. Dotted border. Rx: Female head (Hera?) left, wearing polos, earring, and necklace. Traité II col. 863, 1379, pl. 137, 7 = SNG Paris 236. EF $300 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
223. Kingdom of Cilicia. Mazaius. 361-334 BC. Stater, 10.88g. Tarsus, c. 350-340 BC. Obv. BLTRZ Baal of Tarsus enthroned facing left, head facing, holding sceptre in left hand, eagle, ear of wheat and bunch of grapes in right hand. In left field, TR. Beneath throne, M. Dotted border. Rx. MZDY Lion attacking bull, to left. Dotted border. SNG Levante 106 var. SNG von Aulock 5959 var. Mildenberg, Vestigia Leonis pl. 17, 5 var. Mint State $1,000
41
224. Lycia. Uvug. c. 480-450 BC. Sixth, 1.17g. c. 480-460 BC. Obv: Boar’s head left. Rx: Protome of a man-headed bull facing left within incuse square. SNG von Aulock 4102. EF $1,000 The reverse image is clearly reminiscent of the coins of the Lycian dynast Uvug. The weight standard is hard to define, for the weights are somewhat erratic (along with the von Aulock coin, cf. Peus 372, 2002, lot 361). It might be the light stater (c. 8.0-8.6 g), but actually this standard is known from 460 BC onwards only; cf. O. Mørkholm and G. Neumann, Die lykischen Münzlegenden (Göttingen 1978), p. 5 f.
227. Seleucid Kingdom. Antiochus IV Epiphanes. 175-164 BC. Tetradrachm, 16.66g. Antioch-on-the-Orontes, 168-164 BC. Obv: Diademed head of Antiochus IV facing right, fillet border. Rx: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ ΘΕΟΥ ΕΠΙ.Ι.ΑΝΥΟΥΣ ΝΙΚΗ.Ι.ΟΠΟΥ Zeus enthroned left, resting on sceptre and holding Nike who crowns inscription. SC II 1400(d). Mørkholm 17. VF $700
Enlargement
225. Pamphylia. Aspendus. Stater, 5.43g. c. 375-365 BC. Obv: Mopsus on horse prancing right, hurling javelin; Rx: ΕΣΤFΕΔ-Ι-V-Σ around, Boar facing left, hit by javelin; below, drops of blood dripping on ground. Podalia Hoard 491 (these dies misdescribed); NAC 46, lot 285; SNG von Aulock 4489 var. (obverse different). Very rare. EF $2,000
226. c. 370-330. Stater, 10.94g. Obv: Two wrestlers grappling. In the center between them, ΔΡ. Dotted border. Rx: [Ε]ΣΤFΕΔ[ΙΙVΣ] Slinger, wearing short, belted chiton, attacking right. In right field, triskelis. Dotted border. Rectangular countermark: bull right with Aramaic letters ‘luy’ engraved. SNG Berry 1227 (same obverse die). SNG von Aulock 4550-1 (same obverse die). SNG Paris 89-90 (same obverse die). Areas of flat striking, otherwise EF $400
42
228. Tetradrachm, 16.23g. Ake-Ptolemais, c. 167-164 BC. Obv: Diademed portrait head to right. Behind, AB Monogram (off flan). Fillet border (off flan). Rx: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ ΘΕΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥ[Σ] ΝΙΚΕΦΟ[ΡΟΥ] Zeus enthroned left, extended right hand supporting Nike who offers him a wreath, left hand holding lotus sceptre. In outer left field, palm branch (off flan). In exergue, control letter (off flan). SC II 1476. Mørkholm, Studies p. 48 f. (Obv. A4 =). VF $400 Ex Asher Keshet Collection.
“Luy” is Aramaic for Ba’al. The same countermark is sometimes encountered on staters of Tarsus
229. Tetradrachm, 16.94g. Ake-Ptolemais, c. 167-164 BC. Obv: Diademed portrait head to right. Behind, monogram. Fillet border. Rx: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ ΘΕΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΝΙΚΕΦΟΡΟΥ Zeus enthroned left, extended right hand supporting Nike who offers him a wreath, left hand holding sceptre. In outer left field, palm branch. In exergue, Μ. SC II 1476.1e. Mørkholm, Studies p. 49, 9 (obverse die A7). EF with luster $650
Ex Asher Keshet Collection.
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
on prow. Below wing, palm branch. In left field, monogram above club surmounted by monogram. In right field, monogram above ΕΠΡ (year 185). Between eagle's legs, monogram. SC II 2196.3b. Newell, Tyre 168. SNG Spaer 2245. Both Fine+ $250 Ex Asher Keshet Collection.
230. AE 31, 36.98g. Antioch-on-the-Orontes, c. 169/8 BC. Obv: Laureate head of Serapis facing right, with taenia, Osiris cap atop taenia. Dotted border. Rx: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ ΘΕΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ Eagle standing right on thunderbolt. SC II 1413. Newell, SMA 59. SNG Spaer 980. Houghton Coll. II 332. EF $400 Ex Asher Keshet Collection.
231. c. 169/8 BC. AE 36, 35.55g. Obv: Laureate head of Serapis facing right, with taenia, Osiris cap atop. Dotted border. Rx: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ ΘΕΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ. Eagle standing right on thunderbolt. SC II 1413. SNG Spaer 980. Houghton Coll. II 332 (same obverse die). EF $1,000 Ex Antiqua XIV, lot 60.
232. Lot of 2 Demetrius II Nicator. 129-125 BC. 146-138 BC (1st Reign). Tetradrachm of Phoenician weight, 14.05g. Tyre, 146/5 BC. SC II 1959.1a. Newell, Tyre 81. Houghton Coll. I 751 (same obverse die). Obv: Diademed, draped portrait bust of Demetrius right. Dotted border. Rx: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΥ. Eagle standing left on prow. Below wing, palm branch. In left field, monogram on club. In right field, IXP (year 167) above monogram. (2nd Reign). Didrachm of Phoenician weight, 6.57g. Tyre, c. 128/7 BC. Obv: Diademed, draped, beardless portrait bust of Demetrius right. Dotted border. Rx: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΥ. Eagle standing left
233. Antiochus V Eupator. 164-162 BC. Tetradrachm, 16.77g. Antioch-on-the-Orontes. Obv: Diademed head of Antiochus V facing right, diadem falling straight behind, fillet border. Rx: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ ΕΥΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ Zeus enthroned left, resting on sceptre and holding Nike who crowns royal name. Control mark on outer left. SC II 1575.1. Le Rider, Antioche de Syrie 1-73, dies A1-A2. Newell, SMA 74. Houghton, CSE 136. VF $700
234. Demetrius II. 129-126/5 BC (second reign). Tetradrachm, 16.61g. Damascus, S.E. 184 = 129/8 BC. Obv: Diademed head of bearded Demetrius II facing right. Diadem ends falling straight behind, dotted border. Rx: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΥ ΘΕΟΥ ΝΙΚΛΤΟΡΟΣ Zeus enthroned left, resting on sceptre and extending right hand through legend, holding Nike who faces left, extending wreath. Control mark outer left, under throne with the date (ΕΠΡ) in exergue. SC II 2181.7b. SNG Spaer 2268. Newell, LSM 72 (variant noted in catalog description but specimen[s] not indicated). EF with luster $1,500
235. Antiochus VII Tryphon. 138-129 BC. Tetradrachm of Phoenician weight, 14.06g. Tyre, S.E. 183 = 130/29 BC. Obv: Diademed, draped portrait bust of Antiochus VII right, both diadem ends falling straight behind. Dotted border. Rx: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ Eagle standing left on ship's ram, palm branch under rear wing. In left field, Α-Ρ-Ε above club surmounted by ΥΤΡ-monogram; in right field, mintmark Α-Σ-Κ above ΓΠΡ (= year 183 of the Seleucid era). Between eagle's legs, Γ-Η-Ρ monogram. SC II 2109.11. SNG Spaer 2089. EF $400 Ex Asher Keshet Collection.
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Athena Magarsia
236. Antiochus VII Tryphon. 138-129 BC. Drachm, 3.76g. Mallus, c. 135-130 BC. Obv: Diademed portrait head facing right. Behind head, Μ. Fillet border. Rx: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ Cult figure of Athena Magarsia standing facing on base, wearing triple-crested helmet, belted peplos and aegis, holding spear in the right hand, the left hand opened. At either side of the head, rosette. In outer left field, two monograms. SC 2060.3. A. Houghton, Festschrift Leo Mildenberg (Wetteren 1984), p. 95, 16a. Some reverse porosity but nonetheless, this is the finest known example of this type. Only the fourth coin recorded of all monograms. VF $1,000
239. Antiochus IX Philopator. 114/3-95 BC. Tetradrachm, 16.57g. Damascus, S.E. 200 = 113/2 BC. Obv: Diademed head of Antiochus IX facing right with thin, curly beard, diadem ends falling straight behind. Fillet border. Rx: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ ΦΙΛΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ Athena standing left, holding Nike and resting left hand on shield, spear behind. Laurel wreath border. Date (E) in exergue and control marks M over ΕΣ in outer left field. Exceptional portrait. Mint State $1,000
237. Antiochus VIII Epiphanes. 121/0-97/6 BC. Tetradrachm, 15.89g. Antioch, c. 121/0-113 BC. Obv: Diademed portrait bust of Antiochus VIII right. Fillet border. Rx: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ Zeus Uranios (with crescent moon above head), wearing himation, standing left, holding star and resting on sceptre. In inner left field, ΙΕ above Α and dot. In exergue, Φ. The whole in laurel wreath. SC II $200 2298 var. (dot below Α). VF
240. Antiochus X. c. 94-c. 88 BC. Tetradrachm, 16.22g. Antioch-on-the-Orontes, c. 94 BC. Obv: Diademed portrait head facing right, with long sideburns. Fillet border. Rx: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΟΧΟΥ ΕΥΣΕΒΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ Zeus enthorned left, holding vertical sceptre in left hand and Nike on right. In outer left field, monogram (ΣΩ) above Α. Below throne, Α. Laurel wreath border. SC II 2428 var. (2428e). cf. Newell, SMA 430. Toned EF $2,000
Ex Asher Keshet Collection.
The control letter Α below Zeus' throne was not previously recorded for this issue, although it is known from the parallel issue SC 2429.
238. Antiochus VIII Epiphanes. 121/0-96 BC. Tetradrachm, 16.56g. Ake, c. 121/0-113 BC. Obv: Diademed head of Antiochus VIII facing right, diadem ends falling straight behind. Fillet border. Rx: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ Zeus Uranius, draped, standing left, holding star and resting on sceptre, laurel wreath border. SC II 2336.1. Newell, LSM 32. EF with luster $800
241. Phoenicia. Aradus. Early 4th century BC. Tetrobol of the Persian Standard, 3.23g. Obv: Bearded male sea deity (Dagon?) with fish-tail right, in each hand. Above, aleph, mem. Chain border. Rx: Galley right with eye on prow and a row of holding a dolphin shields along the bulwark. Below, winged hippocamp right. The whole in dotted incuse square. BM p. 2, 5, pl. 1, 4. Traité II 2, col. 511, 808, pl. 116, 4. SNG Copenhagen 1. Exceptional for this issue and very rare. Good VF $1,500 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
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242. Early 4th century BC. Obol, 0.90g. Obv: Laureate, bearded male head right. Dotted border. Rx: Galley left over triple line of waves. Above, aleph mem. Dotted border. BM p. 7, 45 (but double line of waves). SNG Copenhagen 20. Exceptional condition for this issue. EF $250 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
246. Byblos. c. 365-350 BC. 1/16 Stater, 0.81g. Obv: Galley left (prow with lion’s head) containing two helmeted soldiers with round shields. Below, hippocamp left, above its tail, ΝΟ. Border of dots. Rx: Aramaic Legend. Lion attacking bull, to left. Border of dots. BM p. 95, 6 pl. 11, 14. SNG Copenhagen 134. VF $100 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
243. c. 350-332 BC. Stater, 10.59g. Obv: Bearded, laureate head of male deity right. aleph mem-[?]. Rx: Galley right over triple line of waves. BM p. 10, 60 pl. 2, 13. Traité II 2, col. 523, 836, pl. 116, 24. SNG Copenhagen 13. Exceptionally well-centered for issue. VF $500 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
247. Uncertain Cilicia or Phoenicia (Marathos?). c. 1st century AD. Bronze, 2.99g. Obv: Female portrait bust, draped and veiled, facing right. Border of dots. Rx: Female figure, holding sceptre, seated facing on eagle that is preparing to fly away. In lower right field, Χ. Border of dots. Possibly unpublished. VF $250 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
244. Byblos. c. 450-410 BC. 1/32 Stater, 0.38g. Obv: Sphinx seated l. wearing double crown of Egypt (signifying upper and lower Egypt). Rx: Thunderbolt of Ba’al Hadad (or double lotus) in dotted circle within shallow incuse square. E.T. Newell, ANS MN 30 (1926), pl. 2, 8. cf. SNG Copenhagen Supp. 1208 (1/16 shekel). AUB Catalogue 149, 2 (1/16 Stater). Good Fine $300 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
For the time being, this mysterious coin cannot be attributed to a mint. At least it is clear that the apotheosis of a queen or empress was the reason for minting this special issue. Since the profile of the portrait is reminiscent of the emperor Tiberius, his mother Livia could be a candidate. However, both the coiffure (note the chignon) and the large eye remind us to the portraits of some Ptolemaic queens (cf. the portrait bronzes of Berenice II minted at Marathos). Whatever the case, the apotheosis image must be one of the earliest ones known so far.
In Newell’s 1926 article he describes the reverse as a thunderbolt, while later cataloguers define the type as a double lotus.
245. King ‘Azba’al. c. 365-350 BC. Stater, 13.18g. Obv: Galley left (the prow with lion’s head) containing three helmeted soldiers with round shields. Below, zigzag line indicating waves and hippocamp left. Below hippocamp, murex. Dotted border. Rx: Aramaic legend. Lion attacking bull, left. Soft circular incuse. BM p. 95, 4 pl. 11, 12. SNG Copenhagen 132. SNG Copenhagen Supp. 1206. SNG Berry 1431. Betlyon p. 118, 14. Exceptionally well-centered for issue. EF $1,250 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
248. Sidon. c. 425-402 BC. Half-Siglos, fourreé, 5.83g. Obv: Galley left before fortress with four projecting towers. In exergue, two lions back to back. Dotted border. Rx: Persian king slaying lion that stands in front of him on hind legs. The whole in incuse square. BM p. 141, 9, pl. 18, 5. SNG Copenhagen 192. Elayi pp. 68 ff. pl. 10-13. Test cut at 12:00 on obverse. Good VF $500 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. The classic style of this extremely rare coin suggests that although a fourreé, it was probably a product of the official mint.
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head facing. Crook and flail under rear wing. Incuse impression fitting the type. The whole type in shallow incuse square. cf. BM p. 227, 1-2 (staters). cf. SNG Copenhagen 302-304 (quarters of the next period). Very rare denomination. VF $750 249. Half-Siglos, 7.02g. Obv: Galley left before fortress with four projecting towers. In exergue, two lions back to back. Dotted border. Rx: Persian king slaying lion that stands in front of him on hind legs. The whole in incuse square. BM p. 141, 9, pl. 18, 5. Traite II 2, p. 551, 891, pl. 118, 7. SNG Copenhagen 192. Elayi pp. 68 ff. pl. 10-13. Good VF $1,500 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
253. 1/24th Stater, 0.67g. Obv: Dolphin leaping right over double line of waves. Below, murex shell. Dotted border. Rx: Owl standing right, head facing. Crook and flail under rear wing. Incuse impression fitting the type. The whole type in shallow incuse square. BM p. 227, 3, pl. 28, 11. SNG Copenhagen 294. Fine+ $150 Ex CNG 60, 22 May 2002, lot 936. Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
250. King Ba’alsillem II. 401-366 BC. Double-Siglos, 28.16g. Obv: Galley rowing left. Above, beth. Beneath, double line of waves. Line border. Rx: Persian king standing with charioteer in car drawn left by two horses. Behind, a person wearing the long crown of Upper Egypt walking left. Double ground line. Double line border. BM pl. 19, 2. Traité II 2, col. 562, 906, pl. 119, 1. SNG Copenhagen 194. Elayi p. 111, 625, pl. 23 (D35, R new or R48). About VF $1,000 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
254. Tissaphernes. Satrap of Persia. 413-395 BC. AE 13, 2.46g. Dor (Dora). Obv: Portrait of Tissaphernes. Rx: Owl stands to right, head facing, BA upwards to left, all within incuse square. Qedar, S. “Tissaphernes at Dor?”, Israel Numismatic Journal 14 pl. 1. Obverse off center and somewhat corroded, otherwise Fine $500 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
251. King ‘Abd’astart II. c. 342-333 BC. Quarter-Siglos, 3.16g. Obv: War-galley rowing left above waves. Above, several vertical lines. Dotted border. Rx: The Persian king with charioteer standing in a car drawn left by two horses. In left field, ayin, beth. Double ground line. Dotted border. Elayi p. 288, 1915, pl. 60. cf. BM p. 153, 77, pl. 20, 10. cf. SNG Copenhagen 202 (half-sigloi). Extremely rare. Obverse weakly struck, otherwise Good VF $750
Qedar (cited above) states that 11 examples of this coin are known, and cites Meshorer’s excavation report describing this type and stating that the coin type, “published here for the first time, may well be of the mint of Dora”.
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
252. Tyre. c. 450-400 BC. Quarter-Stater (thick fabric), 3.01g. Obv: Dolphin leaping right over double line of waves. Below, murex shell. Cable border. Rx: Owl standing right,
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255. Tyre. c. 450-400 BC. 1/24th Stater (thick fabric), 0.49g. Obv: Dolphin leaping left. Dotted border. Rx: Owl standing right, head facing. Crook and flail under rear wing. Chain border. cf. BM p. 227, 4. cf. SNG Copenhagen 297. Rare variety. VF $300 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
eagle’s legs, beth. Dotted border. cf. BM p. 248, 199 (tetradrachm 18/19 AD). cf. SNG Copenhagen 323 (didrachm of another date). Good VF $600 Ex Asher Keshet Collection. 256. c. 400-380 BC. Stater (thick fabric), 12.94g. Obv: Bearded Melqarth, draped, riding right on hippocamp with curled wing. He is holding the reins in his right hand while raising his bow in his left. Below, double line of waves and dolphin right. Rx: Owl standing right, head facing. Crook and flail under rear wing. In right field, 5 numeral strokes. All in shallow incuse circle. BM p. 229, 16, pl. 29, 3. cf. SNG Copenhagen 299-300. VF $500 Ex Asher Keshet Collection.
257. c. 380-332 BC. Stater (flat fabric), 13.83g. Obv: Bearded Melqarth, draped, riding right on hippocamp with curled wing. He is holding the reins in his right hand while raising his bow in his left. Below, triple line of waves and dolphin right. Guilloche border. Rx: Owl standing right, head facing. Crook and flail under rear wing. Guilloche border. All in shallow incuse circle. Overstruck (traces on the reverse, in the upper field). Test cut on reverse. BM p. 230, 19, pl. 29, 6. Traité II 2, col. 619, 1004, pl. 122, 16. SNG Copenhagen 301. AUB Coll. pl. 27, 6. VF $500 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
258. c. 17/16 BC. Shekel, 13.55g. Obv: Laureate head of Melqarth right. Dotted border. Rx: ΤΥΡΟΥ ΙΕΡΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΑΣΥΛ[ΟΥ] Eagle standing left on prow, palm branch under rear wing. In left field, ΡΙ, club and palm branch. In right field, monogram. Between eagle’s legs, beth. BM p. 247, 187. SNG Copenhagen- Fine/VF $400 Ex Asher Keshet Collection.
259. c. 17/18 AD. Shekel, 14.19g. Obv: Laureate head of Melqarth right. Rx: ΤΥΡΟΥ ΙΕΡΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΑΣΥΛΟΥ Eagle standing left on prow, palm branch under rear wing. In left field, ΡΜΓ and club. In right field, ΚΡ and monogram below. Between
260. c. 17/18 AD. Half-Shekel, 7.03g. Obv: Laureate head of Melqarth (a Tyrian version of Herakles) right, wearing lion skin knotted around neck. Rx: Eagle standing left with right foot on ship prow, palm branch over right shoulder, PMΓ and club are in field to left, the Phoenician letter beth between eagle’s legs, in right field are the letters KP; around TYPOY IEPAΣ KAI AΣYΛOY (of Tyre the holy and inviolable). Hendin 919 var. Date not listed in BMC, Prieur, RPC. About EF $500 Ex Asher Keshet Collection. Meshorer believed that the Tyre shekels struck with the letters KP in the right field were struck at Jerusalem. To support his argument, Meshorer quoted the Talmud: “Silver, whenever mentioned in the Pentateuch, is Tyrian silver. What is a Tyrian silver [coin]? It is a Jerusalemite” (Tosephta Kethuboth 13:20). Princeton’s Brooks Levy, however, has concluded that they were more probably issues of Tyre that may, indeed, have been manufactured at the request of Herod or Temple authorities in Jerusalem since these were the only coins acceptable to the Temple authorities while they were in circulation.
261. 60/61 AD. Shekel, 13.73g. Obv: Laureate head of Melqarth right. Dotted border. Rx: ΤΥΡΟΥ ΙΕΡΑΣ [ΚΑΙ ΑΣΥΛΟΥ] Eagle standing left on prow, palm branch under rear wing. In left field, ΡΟΑ, club and palm branch. In right field, ΚΡ and monogram below. Between eagle’s legs, Beth. Dotted border. cf. BM p. 249, 208 (AD 46/47). SNG Copenhagen-VF $400 Tyre shekels and half shekels were not struck after 66 AD, and those struck after 60 AD are extremely rare. Ex Asher Keshet Collection.
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Meshorer/Qedar Plate Specimen
262. c. 55/56 AD. Half-Shekel, 6.99g. Obv: Laureate head of Melqarth right. Rx: ΤΥΡΟΥ ΙΕΡΑΣ [ΚΑΙ ΑΣΥΛΟΥ] Eagle standing left on prow, palm branch under rear wing. In left field, ΡΠΣ, club and palm branch. In right field, ΚΡ and monogram below. Between eagle’s legs, beth. Dotted border. cf. BM p. 249, 211 (55/56 AD). SNG Copenhagen-. Face of Melquart off flan, otherwise VF $250 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
264. 4th Century BC. AR ma’ah (obol), 0.73g. Obv: Male figure seated on throne right, playing harp; in field above, below and to right, are six cuneiform signs. Rx: Male figure on right stabbing horse on left with spear held in both hands. Meshorer/Qedar 129 (this coin). Choice EF $2,000 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Finest known example of this coin. The cuneiform symbols on this coin reflect Babylonian influence, but their meaning is not known.
Samarian Ring with Old Testament Quotations
Enlargement
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263. Samarian Bronze Octagonal Ring. 4th-5th Century AD. 19mm wide, 2.51g. Written in Samarian, similar to protoHebrew in appearance, this bronze ring bears two lines of biblical text on each of the eight facets, as follows (words in CAPITAL letters appear on the ring). 1. (on two facets) “THERE IS NONE LIKE THE G-D OF YESHRUN, who rides the heavens to your help, and through the skies in His majesty,” (Deuteronomy 33: 26). 2. “To you it was shown that you might know that YAWEH, HE IS GOD; there is no other besides Him,” (Deuteronomy 4: 35). 3. “And when it came to rest, he said, RETURN TO YAHWEH to the myriad thousands of Israel,” (Numbers 10:36). 4. On this facet the reading of the second line is questionable, but it appears to be, “YAHWEH IS ETERNAL!” 5. “Yahweh is a warrior; YAHWEH IS HIS NAME,” (Exodus 15: 3). 6. (on two facets) “See now that I, I am He, and there is no G-d besides Me. It is I who put to death and give life. I have wounded, and IT IS I WHO HEAL; And there is no one who can deliver from my hand,” (Deuteronomy 32: 39). R. Reich, “The Amulets of the Samarians” in H. Eschel and E. Stern, “The Samarians” Yad Itzhak Ben Zvi, p. 300. $600
265. 4th century BC. Fraction, 0.23g. Obv: Dolphin leaping right. Dotted border. Rx: Head of a lioness facing. Dotted border. Unpublished variety, cf. Meshorer-Qedar 172 (lion head) and IC3 (dolphin). Copied from a Tyrian model, the dolphin is well-attested in another variety, combined with a ram’s head. Good VF $1,000
Ex Asher Keshet Collection.
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
A prefectly preserved example of these rare Samarian amulets. According to Reich, cited above, the inscription is taken from various verses in the Old Testament.
It has been suggested that this is possibly an unpublished coin of Phonecia.
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
266. Obol, 0.53g. Obv: Galley rowing left. Dotted border. Rx: Architectural structure formed by three rectangular slabs, big, medium, and small, one upon another (altar? ziqqurrat?). Dotted border. Unpublished. VF $750
267. Uncertain mint. Philistia. c. 350 BC. Obol, 0.68g. Obv: Antithetic standing horses framing two facing Bes heads. In upper field, Beth. Pearled guilloche-pattern border. Rx: Hybrid male head right and bearded male head facing. Pearled guilloche-pattern border, all in irregular incuse. Gitler-Tal XVIII8O. Mildenberg, “On the Imagery of the Philisto-Arabian Coinage”, Transeuphratene 13 (1997), 50. EF $2,000
Enlargement
Treasury Plate Specimen Ex Sternberg XXXV, 28-29 October 2000, lot 311. Ex Leu 75, 25-27 October 1999, lot 1320. Ex Auctiones 25, 1995, lot 534. Ex MMAG FPL 560, 1992, lot 87. Perhaps the fourth specimen known.
270. Late Persian Period. 4th Century BC. AR Half-Ma’ah (obol), 0.24g. Obv: Young bare male head to left. Rx: Forepart of winged lynx left, below on diagonal, paleoHebrew, “Yehexqio--Hezekiah”. Hendin 433. Treasury 24 (this coin). Toned EF $1,500 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
Enlargement
268. Gaza. 4th century BC. Drachm, 3.85g. Obv: Bearded male head facing right. Rx: Forepart of a horse facing right with bent forelegs. The forelocks of the horse are tied up. In upper field Zayin, Ayin (retrograde ethnic). The whole in square dotted border. Gitler and Tal VI1D. Traité col. 10656, pl. 124, 14-5. SNG Copenhagen 43. SNG ANS 35. Jameson Coll. 1779. VF/Good VF $1,250 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
269. Yehud Coin under Persian Rule. 4th century BC. Half Gerah, 0.35g. Obv: Lily. Rx: Falcon with wings spread, head right.; paleo-Hebrew (Yehud) on right. Hendin 427. Treasury 15. Reverse off center but three letters of legend clear. Toned EF/VF $700 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Previously described as obols, Y. Ronen established that the early Yehud coins were struck on a standard based on the 11.4g shekels of the Israelite period, there were probably 24 gerah to the shekel. (Ronen, Y. The Weight Standards of the Judean Coinage in the Late Persian and Early Ptolemaic Period, Near Eastern Archaeology 61 (1998), pp. 122-126).
Among the nicest examples known, this is possibly the same Hezekiah mentioned by Josephus in Against Apion (22), quoting Hecateus: “Ptolemy [I] got possession of the places in Syria after that battle at Gaza; and many, when they heard of Ptolemy’s moderation and humanity, went along with him to Egypt, and were willing to assist him in his affairs; one of which was Hezekiah, the high priest of the Jews, a man of about sixty-six years of age, and in great dignity among his own people.”
Enlargement
271. Judaea. Jerusalem. Late Yehud. 270-261/0 BC. Quarter Ma’ah-obol or Tetartemorion, 0.21g. Obv: Diademed portrait head of Ptolemy facing right. Rx: Eagle with spread wings standing left. YHDH. H. Gitler and C. Lorber, AJN 18 (2006), p. 35, pl. 2, 16. Somewhat irregular flan. Minor chip at 4:00 on obverse, otherwise VF $250 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
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272. John Hyrcanus I / Antiochus VII. 104-76 BC. Prutah, 2.68g. S.E. 181= 132/131 BC. Obv: Upside down anchor flanked by BAΣIΛEΩΣ ANTIOXOY EYEPΓETOY (of King Antiochus, benefactor), date along left side of anchor AΠP (181). Rx: Lily. Hendin 451. SNG Israel 2134. VF $100
276. Prutah, 1.70g. Obv: Paleo-Hebrew (Yehohanan the High Priest and the Council of the Jews); Greek letter “A” above inscription, all within wreath. Rx: Double cornucopias adorned with ribbons, pomegranate between horns, border of dots. Hendin 454 var. Treasury AB 4. Good VF $100 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. This type probably inaugurated the Hasmonean mint in Jerusalem as the first Judean prutah, with the approval of Antiochus VII. The lily was a symbol of Jerusalem and its use in lieu of a portrait was apparently part of the Seleucid effort to appease the Jews, whose law stated: Thou shalt not make unto thee a graven image…(Exodus 20:4).
273. John Hyrcanus I. 135-104 BC. Prutah, 1.74g. Obv: PaleoHebrew (Yehohanan the High Priest and the Council of the Jews) surrounded by wreath; Greek letter A above inscription. Rx: Double cornucopias adorned with ribbons, pomegranate between horns, border of dots. Hendin 454. Treasury A. Good VF $100
Enlargement
277. Half Prutah, 0.71g. Obv: Palm branch upright flanked by two lines of paleo-Hebrew on each side (Yehohanan the High Priest and Council of the Jews). Rx: Lily; monogram “A” below flower on left. Hendin 458. Treasury J. Good VF $400 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
274. Prutah, 2.19g. Obv: Paleo-Hebrew (Yehohanan the High Priest and the Council of the Jews) surrounded by wreath; Greek letter A above inscription. Rx: Double cornucopias adorned with ribbons, pomegranate between horns, border of dots. Hendin 454. Treasury A1. Good VF $100
Enlargement
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. 278. Judah Aristobulus. 104-103 BC. Prutah, 1.76g. Obv: PaleoHebrew inscription (Yehudah the High Priest and the Council of the Jews) in 5 lines, surrounded by wreath. Rx: Double cornucopias adorned with ribbons, pomegranate between horns. Hendin 465. Treasury UA 1. VF $100 275. Prutah, 1.89g. Obv: Paleo-Hebrew (Yehohanan the High Priest and the Council of the Jews); Greek letter “A” above inscription, all within wreath. Rx: Double cornucopias adorned with ribbons, pomegranate between horns, border of dots. Hendin 454 var. Treasury AB. Good VF $100 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
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Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Josephus reported that Aristobulus, the oldest son of Hyrcanus I, used the title King during his brief tenure. However, this was never reflected upon his coins which copied his father’s in style and formulaic inscription, only replacing his father’s name with his own.
279. Alexander Jannaeus. 104-76 BC. Prutah, 1.92g. Obv: Lily surrounded by paleo-Hebrew (Yehonatan the King). Rx: Upside down anchor within circle BAΣIΛEΩΣ AΛEΞANΔPOY (of King Alexander). Hendin 467. Treasury N. VF $200
283. Prutah, 2.14g. Obv: Paleo-Hebrew inscription (Yehonatan the High Priest and the Council of the Jews) surrounded by a wreath. Rx: Double cornucopias adorned with ribbons, pomegranate between horns. Hendin 473, Treasury P. Good VF $100
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
This type was likely the first Jewish “royal” issue naming Jannaeus as King in both paleo-Hebrew and Greek.
Enlargement
280. Half Prutah, 1.14g. Obv: Upright palm branch surrounded by paleo-Hebrew (Yehonatan the King). Rx: Lily. Hendin 468. Treasury O. Exceptional example of a rare coin. EF $1,000 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Fully centered and complete legend on this example of the rarest coin struck by Alexander Jannaeus. Triple-Weight Specimen
284. Prutah, 1.67g. Obv: Paleo-Hebrew (Yehonatan the High Priest and the Council of the Jews) surrounded by wreath. Rx: Double cornucopias adorned with ribbons, pomegranate between horns. Hendin 473 var. Treasury P. Clearly and boldly doublestruck on both sides. Good VF $150 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
285. Prutah, 2.35g. Obv: Paleo-Hebrew (Yehonatan the High Priest and the Council of the Jews) surrounded by wreath. Rx: Double cornucopias adorned with ribbons, pomegranate between horns. Hendin 478. Treasury T. VF $150 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. In this case the obverse was clearly overstruck upon the lily and the reverse upon the anchor side of the previous coin (H 467, Treasury N).
281. Prutah, 6.03g. Obv: Upside down anchor, BAΣIΛEΩΣ AΛEΞANΔPOY (of King Alexander) around. Rx: Star of eight rays surrounded by diadem; paleo-Hebrew between the rays (Yehonatan the King). Hendin 469, Treasury K. About EF $300 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. This extremely heavy example is 2-3 times the normal weight for this type.
282. Prutah, 3.23g. Obv: Anchor, BAΣIΛEΩΣ AΛEΞANΔPOY (of King Alexander) around. Rx: Star with eight rays surrounded by diadem, between the rays paleo-Hebrew (Yehonatan the King). Hendin 469. Treasury K. Good VF $100 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
286. Prutah, 1.63g. Obv: Paleo-Hebrew (Yehonatan the High Priest and the Council of the Jews) surrounded by wreath. Rx: Double cornucopias adorned with ribbons, pomegranate between horns. Hendin 478. Treasury T. VF $100 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. This is one of a massive issue of overstrikes upon Jannaeus’ anchor/lily coins that is so consistent it must have occurred before the earlier coins left the mint. In this example the previous coin is almost completely obscured. It has now been proven that the overstrike occurred during the reign of Jannaeus. Since it obscured the title “King” on the previous coin it seems likely that it was a gesture of appeasement to the rival Pharisees. (Hendin & Shachar “The Identity of YNTN on Hasmonean Overstruck Coins and the Chronology of the Alexander Jannaeus Types” Israel Numismatic Research 3 (2008): 87-94.)
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287. Mattathias Antigonus. 40-37 BC. 8 Prutot, 14.27g. Obv: Double cornucopias with paleo-Hebrew (Mattatayah the High Priest and Council of the Jews) around and between horns. Rx: Ivy wreath tied at top with ribbons, around BACIΛEΩC ANTIΓONOY (of King Antigonus). Hendin 481. Treasury 36a. Extremely well-centered. About VF $400
291. Herod The Great. 40-4 BC. 8 prutot (?), 6.46g. Samaria, Year 3, 37 BC. Obv: HPΩΔOY BAΣIΛEΩΣ (of King Herod) Tripod, ceremonial bowl (lebes) above, date LΓ (year 3) and monogram TP in field left and right. Rx: Military helmet, facing, wreath featuring acanthus leaves around, cheek pieces and straps, star above flanked by two palm branches. Hendin 486. Treasury 22. VF $350
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. When Herod was named “King of the Jews” by Mark Antony, he had no kingdom. He returned to Judaea and, with his Roman supporters, took three years to get rid of Mattathias Antigonus who was supported by the Parthians, archenemies of Rome.
288. 4 Prutah, 7.76g. Obv: Single cornucopia tied with ribbons, vine leaf and grapes hang, paleo-Hebrew around (Mattatayah the High Priest). Rx: BACI ANTI (King Antigonus) within wreath and border of dots. Hendin 482. Treasury 37c. Extremely well centered. VF $250 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
292. 8 Prutot (?), 5.82g. Samaria, Year 3, 37 BC. Obv: HPΩΔOY BAΣIΛEΩΣ (of King Herod) Tripod, ceremonial bowl (lebes) above, date LΓ (year 3) and monogram TP in field left and right. Rx: Military helmet, facing, wreath featuring acanthus leaves around, cheek pieces and straps, star above flanked by two palm branches. Hendin 486. Treasury 44. VF $400 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
289. 4 Prutot, 6.61g. Obv: Single cornucopia tied with ribbons, vine leaf and grapes hang, paleo-Hebrew around (Mattatayah the High Priest). Rx: BACI ANTI (King Antigonus) within wreath and border of dots. Hendin 482. Treasury 37c. VF $250
The wreath of leaves around the helmet is unusually clear on this example.
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
290. Prutah, 1.64g. Obv: Paleo-Hebrew (Mattatayah) surrounded by wreath. Rx: Double cornucopias adorned with ribbons, pomegranate between horns. Hendin 484 var. Treasury 38c. VF/About VF $300 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Ex Shraga Qeder Collection, Jerusalem. An exceptional rarity, this series, along with the menorah/ showbread table coins, were the only coins of Mattathias Antigonus struck on single-thickness planchets.
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293. 8 Prutot (?), 7.43g. Samaria, Year 3, 37 BC. Obv: HPΩΔOY BAΣIΛEΩΣ (of King Herod) Tripod, ceremonial bowl (lebes) above date LΓ (year 3) and monogram TP in field left and right Rx: Same as obverse, but from a different die. Hendin 486 var. Treasury 44 var. VF $650 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Remarkably, this largest denomination of Herod has been doublestruck in such a way that the obverse is clearly visible on both sides. It is even more noteworthy that the obverses represent two different dies, which suggests that this might have been deliberately made as a “die-maker’s souvenir” a very early two-headed coin! A prize for any interesting collection of Judaean coins.
294. 2 prutot (?), 3.21g. Samaria, Year 3, 37 BC. Obv: HPΩΔOY BAΣIΛEΩΣ (of King Herod) Winged caduceus flanked by date LΓ (year 3) and monogram TP in fields; around. Rx: Poppy on stem. Hendin 488. Treasury 46. Good VF $500 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
Enlargement
298. Herod Archelaus. 4 BC-6 AD. Prutah, 2.37g. Obv: Bunch of grapes on vine with small leaf on left; above HPΩΔOY (of Herod). Rx: Tall helmet with crest and cheek straps, viewed from front, caduceus below left; below EΘNAPXOY (Ethnarch). Hendin 505. Treasury 73. Good VF $100 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
299. Prutah, 1.47g. Obv: HPW (Herod) Prow of galley facing right. Rx: EΘN within a wreath. Hendin 506. Treasury 72. VF $75 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
295. Prutah (?), 2.62g. Samaria, Year 3, 37 BC. Obv: HPΩΔOY BAΣIΛEΩΣ (of King Herod) Aphlaston flanked by date LΓ (year 3) and monogram TP in fields; around. Rx: Palm branch with objects (leaves?) on either side. Hendin 489, Treasury 47. VF $500
300. Prutah, 1.29g. Obv: HPW (Herod) Prow of galley facing right. Rx: EΘN within a wreath. Hendin 506. Treasury 72. VF $100
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
296. Prutah, 1.59g. Obv: Anchor flanked by HPW BAΣI (King Herod). Rx: Double cornucopias with caduceus between, dots above. Hendin 500. Treasury 59c. VF $100
301. Prutah, 1.23g. Obv: HPΩΔOY Anchor with long, slender arms. Rx: EΘN surrounded by wreath. Hendin 507. Treasury 69b. VF $100
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
297. Half Prutah, 0.91g. Obv: Cornucopia with inscription above and below BAΣIΛ HPWΔ (King Herod). Rx: Eagle, wings closed, stands right. Hendin 501. Treasury 66. Good Fine $100 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. The first Judaean coin that depicts the graven image of a living creature. The eagle is said to represent the golden bird that Herod placed above the entrance to the Jerusalem Temple in deference to his Roman benefactors.
302. Herod Antipas. 4 BC-40 AD. Full Denomination, 10.53g. Tiberias, Year 33, 29 AD. Obv: Palm branch upright with date L ΛΓ (year 33) in right field; around HPΩΔOY TETPAPXOY (of Herod the Tetrarch). Rx: TIBE PIAC (Tiberias) Inscription surrounded by a wreath. Hendin 512. Treasury 79. VF $650 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
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303. Herod Philip. 4 BC-34 AD. AE 19, 6.31g. Panias, 26/27 AD. Obv: [TIB KA] IΣAPI ΣEB[AΣ] Laureate head of Tiberius right. Rx: Façade of the tetrastyle temple, the Augusteum of Panias, standing on a platform; inscription from below left and turns outward EΠI ΦIΛIΠΠOY TETPAPXOY, between columns is date L Λ. Hendin 535, Treasury 102a. Exceptionally nice for issue. Good VF $1,250
306. Pontius Pilate. 26-36 AD. Prutah, 2.51g. 29 AD. Obv: Three bound ears of barley, the outer two ears droop, surrounded by IOYΛIA KAICAPOC (Julia, [wife] of Caesar, referring to Julia Livia, mother of Tiberius). Rx: Libation ladle (simpulum) surrounded by TIBEPIOY KAICAPOC (of Tiberius Caesar) and date LIS (year 16). Hendin 648. Treasury 331. Exceptional. Well-centered. VF $250
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
Enlargement
304. Agrippa II. 55-95 AD. quarter denomination, 3.56g. Neronias (Caesarea Paneas). Obv: Laureate and draped bust of Nero right. Rx: EΠI BAΣIΛE AΓPIΠΠ NEPΩ NIE[ΩN] (in the time of King Agrippa [struck at] Neronias) in five lines within a wreath. Hendin 583. Treasury 131b (this coin). VF $200
307. Jewish War. 66-70 AD. Shekel, 14.22g. Year 1, 66/67 AD. Obv: Ritual chalice with smooth rim, pearl on either side, the base has pearled ends. Paleo-Hebrew around (shekel of Israel), above cup, date ([year] 1). Rx: Stem with pearled base and three pomegranates. Paleo-Hebrew around (Jerusalem [the] holy). Hendin 655a. Treasury 189. About EF $3,500 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
Ex Asher Keshet Collection. Countermarked XF in a rectangle for the Tenth Legion Fretensis on the obverse on Nero’s neck and behind his ear.
305. Agrippa II under Domitian. 81-96 AD. AE 26, 11.59g. Year 26, 85/86 AD. Obv: [IMP CA]ES DIVI VESP F DOMI - TIAN AVG GER COS XI[I] Laureate bust of Domitian right. Rx: Draped Moneta stands left holding scales in right hand and cornucopia in left, inscription MONETA EΠ[I B]A AΓPI AVG[VST], date ET - KS and letters S C in field. RPC 2269 (3 specimens). Hendin 613. Treasury 161. Splendid example of this rare, interesting coin of Agrippa II, copying a Roman As of Domitian but adding the king’s name and the date in Greek on the reverse. Nice VF $650 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
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308. Shekel, 14.24g. Year 2, 67/68 AD. Obv: Ritual cup with pearled rim, the base is raised by projections on ends; paleo-Hebrew around (shekel of Israel) and date (year 2) above the cup. Rx: Stem with pearled bottom and three pomegranates; paleo-Hebrew around (Jerusalem the holy). Hendin 659. Treasury 193. EF $2,000 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
The small bronze coins of the Jewish war are rarely struck upon other coins. Meshorer in Treasury shows two examples struck upon coins of Agrippa I, this unusual coin is struck upon a serrated Seleucid coin that was in circulation for some 200 years before it was re-used. 309. Shekel, 14.08g. Year 2, 67/68 AD. Obv: Ritual cup with pearled rim, the base is raised by projections on ends; paleo-Hebrew around (shekel of Israel) and date (year 2) above the cup. Rx: Stem with pearled bottom and three pomegranates; paleo-Hebrew around (Jerusalem the holy). Hendin 659. Treasury 193. EF $2,000 Ex Asher Keshet Collection. Most of the Jewish War shekels are found with heavy encrustations that must be carefully removed. This lovely coin has never been cleaned and is one of the precious few examples that is highly collectable in its “as found” condition.
313. Prutah, 2.89g. Year 2, 67/68 AD. Obv: Amphora with broad rim and two handles; paleo-Hebrew around (year two). Rx: Vine leaf on small branch; paleo-Hebrew around (freedom of Zion). Hendin 661a. Treasury 198. VF $150 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. This is one of the “irregular issues” often seen in many of the Jewish bronze coins. They are characterized by crude engraving of both design and legend. These irregular coins are possibly the product of a different mint, but more likely were simply created by less experienced die engravers during times of high demand for new coins. Year 4 Shekel
310. Half-shekel, 6.63g. Year 2, 67/68 AD. Obv: Ritual chalice with pearled rim, the base is raised by projections on ends; paleo-Hebrew around (half a shekel), and date (year 2) above cup. Rx: Stem with pearled bottom and three pomegranates; paleo-Hebrew around (Jerusalem the holy). Hendin 660. Treasury 195. A splendid example. EF $2,500 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
311. Prutah, 2.86g. Year 2, 67/68 AD. Obv: Amphora with broad rim and two handles; paleo-Hebrew around (year two). Rx: Vine leaf on small branch; paleo-Hebrew around (freedom of Zion). Hendin 661. Treasury 196a. Of unusually fine quality. EF $250
314. Shekel, 13.47g. Year 4, 69-70 CE. Obv: Ritual cup with pearled rim, the base is raised by projections on ends; paleo-Hebrew around (shekel of Israel) and date (year 4) above the cup. Rx: Stem with pearled bottom and three pomegranates; paleo-Hebrew around (Jerusalem the holy). Hendin 665. Treasury 207. Full inscriptions and boldly struck. EF with slight exfoliation at edge at 6:00 $30,000 Ex David Hendin Collection duplicate. Purchased c. 1980 from G. Momjian (Abu Salah), Old City, Jerusalem.
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Jewish War Overstruck on Seleucid Bronze
Enlargement
312. Prutah, 2.25g. Year 2, 67/68 AD. Obv: Amphora with broad rim and two handles; paleo-Hebrew around (year two). Rx: Vine leaf on small branch; paleo-Hebrew around (freedom of Zion). Hendin 661 var. Treasury 200 var. About VF $100 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
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Exceptional Year 4 Half-Shekel
surrounded by paleo-Hebrew (year four). Hendin 670. Treasury 214. EF $500 Ex Asher Keshet Collection.
315. Half-Shekel, 14.52g. Year 4, 69/70 AD. Obv: Seven-branched palm tree with two bunches of dates, flanked by baskets of fruit; paleo-Hebrew around (to the redemption of Zion). Rx: Etrog (citron) flanked by a lulav on either side, surrounded by paleo-Hebrew (year four, half). Hendin 668. Treasury 211. Dark green patina and unusually nice for this coin. About EF $9,000
319. 1/8 Shekel, 4.27g. Year 4, 69/70 AD. Obv: Chalice with pearled rim; paleo-Hebrew around (to the redemption of Zion). Rx: Lulav flanked by an etrog on either side surrounded by paleo-Hebrew (year four). Hendin 670. Treasury 214a. Good VF $400 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. The lulav, consisting of myrtle, palm branch, and willow tied together, as well as the etrog, are used in the celebration of the Jewish holiday Succoth, also known as the Feast of Tabernacles, or Booths.
Year 5 Shekel
Exceptional Year 4 Quarter-Shekel
316. Quarter-Shekel, 9.09g. Year 4, 69/70 AD. Obv: Etrog; paleoHebrew around (to the redemption of Zion). Rx: Two lulavs; surrounded by paleo-Hebrew (year four, half). Hendin 669. Treasury 213. Extremely well-centered. About EF $3,000 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
317. 1/8 Shekel, 6.68g. Year 4, 69/70 AD. Obv: Chalice with pearled rim. Paleo-Hebrew around (to the redemption of Zion). Rx: Lulav flanked by an etrog on either side surrounded by paleo-Hebrew (year four). Hendin 670. Treasury 214. About EF $400 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
318. 1/8 Shekel, 6.85g. Year 4, 69/70 AD. Obv: Chalice with pearled rim; paleo-Hebrew around (to the redemption of Zion). Rx: Lulav flanked by an etrog on either side
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320. Shekel, 14.08g. Year 5, 21 March-4 August, 70 AD. Obv: Ritual cup with pearled rim, the base is raised by projections on ends; paleo-Hebrew around (shekel of Israel) and date (year 5) above the cup. Rx: Stem with pearled bottom and three pomegranates; paleo-Hebrew around (Jerusalem the holy). Hendin 671a. TJC 215a. As Struck $65,000 This is the rarest of the shekels of the Jewish War. It is dated to the fifth and final year, which began on the first day of the Jewish month of Nisan (March 21, AD 70) until the Jewish Temple was destroyed on the seventh of the Jewish month of Ab (August 4, AD 70). According to The Menorah Coin Project, only 24 examples of shekels from the fifth year are known to exist. They were struck from four obverse and five reverse dies. The style of this coin is somewhat irregular, however, irregular shekels from the first and fourth years are well known and one obverse die of the fourth year shares many design traits with this coin, and appears to have been engraved by the same hand. (Goldstein, I and Fontanille, J.P., “A New Study of the Coins of the First Jewish Revolt against Rome 66-70 C.E.” ANA Journal (1, 2) 2006: 25, Fig. 11 for photographs of the year 1 and year 4 coins mentioned above.) This coin was one of a group of 13 year five shekels discovered in the 1980s in the vault of the famous numismatic London firm of Baldwin’s with a note from an unknown person who, at the beginning of the century, thought the coins were forgeries. The entire group had been cleaned. The shekels were all struck from a single pair of dies—the very same set of dies that struck an example, previously thought to be unique, of the year 5 shekel in the British Museum (BM 20), which had been acquired in 1887. I have personally examined the coin in the British museum on multiple occasions, and its reverse is covered with silver chloride typical of many uncleaned
shekels of the Jewish War. This, along with other diagnostic factors, proves the authenticity of the specimen in the British Museum, and it is not possible that the additional 13 examples were replicated from it. In fact, all of the 13 known coins differ and display different aspects of centering, corrosion artifacts, and die cracks. One of these 13 coins was acquired for the collection of The Israel Museum, Jerusalem, by Prof. Ya’akov Meshorer. Our coin was perhaps the best example in the group of 13, and for that reason it was sold almost immediately, was not one of the 12 other examples that were subjected to scientific investigation by both the British Museum and the Hebrew University. The study is reported in the Israel Numismatic Journal 9 (19861987), “The Application of SEM for Authentication of An Important Find of Year Five Shekels of The Jewish War,” Kreindler, H. pp 38-45. Another interesting aspect of this group is that earlier shekels, as well as other year 5 shekels, are struck in vertical die positions, which suggests they were struck from fixed dies. The die axes of this group, however, are more varied, suggesting they were struck from loose dies. Interestingly, the phenomenon also occurs near the end of the Bar Kokhba Revolt, and according to the INJ article cited above this was probably because these were struck while “Jerusalem was under siege by Titus and the Roman army, this could have been the last issue, made under trying circumstances, perhaps at a make-shift minting location. This could account for both the slightly different style and epigraphy of this issue, leading to the conclusion that properly aligned dies were not available.”-David Hendin
321. Bar Kokhba Revolt. 132-135 AD. AR sela (tetradrachm), 14.40g. Year 2, 133/134 AD. Obv: Facade of the Jerualem Temple with showbread table viewed from end in center, a cross above; paleo-Hebrew on sides (Jerusalem). Rx: Lulav with etrog at left; paleo-Hebrew around (year two of the freedom of Israel). Hendin 688. Mildenberg 15. Treasury 230a. VF $2,500 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Overstruck upon a tetradrachm of Antioch, on the obverse traces of the eagle can be seen and on the reverse remains of the emperor’s portrait can be seen upside down facing 7:00.
322. Sela (Tetradrachm), 13.23g. Year 3, 134/135 AD. Obv: Facade of the Jerualem Temple with showbread table viewed from end in center, a star above; paleo-Hebrew on sides (Simon). Rx: Lulav with etrog at left; paleo-Hebrew around (for the freedom of Jerusalem). Hendin 711. Mildenberg 59. Treasury 267 var. VF $1,500 Signs of the previous coin are especially clear on the reverse, note the etrog. This interesting obverse die, at this stage, shows several die breaks, most notable through the center of the Temple, as well as a cud which has broken away near the letter shin (right side). There is little doubt that not long after this coin was struck the die broke to pieces and was no longer usable.
323. Sela (Tetradrachm), 15.52g. Year 3, 134/135 AD. Obv: Facade of the Jerualem Temple with showbread table viewed from end in center, a star above; paleo-Hebrew on sides (Simon). Rx: Lulav with etrog at left; paleo-Hebrew around (for the freedom of Jerusalem). Hendin 711. Mildenberg 62. Treasury 267. EF $2,750 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Enlargement
Overstruck on a tetradrachm of Nerva from Antioch (cf. Prieur 150), his profile is clear, facing 4:00 on the reverse
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with a portion of his name AVT NEP..., on the obverse the eagle faces 2:00 and the letters NEOY IEPO…are clear between 6:00 and 9:00.
324. Sela (Tetradrachm), 14.69g. Year 3, 134/135 AD. Obv: Facade of the Jerusalem Temple with showbread table viewed from end in center, a star above; paleo-Hebrew on sides (Simon). Rx: Lulav with etrog at left; paleo-Hebrew around (for the freedom of Jerusalem). Hendin 711. Mildenberg 70. Treasury 267. EF $3,000 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Struck upon a Trajan tetradrachm from the mint of Tyre, similar to Mildenberg coin D following large silver 104 in plates. On the obverse we see a clear profile of Trajan facing 10:00 with the letters ..TPAIANOCCEB…, and on the reverse a bold bust of Herakles facing 2:00, behind the head are the letters …MAPX…and in front of it are several letters.
325. Sela (Tetradrachm), 13.68g. Year 3, 134/135 AD. Obv: Facade of the Jerusalem Temple with showbread table viewed from end in center, a star above; paleo-Hebrew on sides (Simon). Rx: Lulav with etrog at left; paleo-Hebrew around (for the freedom of Jerusalem). Hendin 711. Mildenberg 79. Treasury 267. A near-perfect strike with bare traces of the $3,000 previous coin. EF Ex Sotheby’s 1982, Brand Collection. Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
327. Zuz (Drachm), 2.41g. Year 2, 133/134 AD. Obv: Paleo-Hebrew inscription of three letters (Sim[on]) formed in a triangle, in a wreath of thin branches wrapped around eight almonds, medallions at top, tendrils at bottom. Rx: Fluted jug, handle at left, palm branch on right; paleo-Hebrew around (year two of the freedom of Israel). Hendin 692. Mildenberg 22. Treasury 250b. EF $600 Ex Asher Keshet Collection. Struck upon an unidentified Roman denarius, the letters … PPM…are clear on the reverse at 9:00 to 11:00. Overstruck on Otho Denarius
328. Zuz (Drachm), 3.41g. Year 2, 133/134 AD. Obv: Paleo-Hebrew inscription of three letters (Sma) formed in a triangle, in a wreath of thin branches wrapped around eight almonds, medallion at top, tendrils at bottom. Rx: Two trumpets upright; paleo-Hebrew around and between (year 2 of the freedom of Israel). Hendin 693. Mildenberg 23. EF $625 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. This is unusual in two respects. First, it is overstruck upon a denarius of Otho, one of the rarest of the 12 Caesars, whose name is clear at 12:00 on the obverse. Second, the obverse is clearly doublestruck. While the Bar Kokhba mint was limited in some of its operations, the quality control was excellent and very few striking errors went into circulation. Overstruck on Judaea Capta. Third Known Example
Exceptional Wavy Line Sela
326. Sela (Tetradrachm), 14.58g. Year 3, 134/135 AD. Obv: Facade of the Jerusalem Temple with showbread table viewed from end in center, a wavy line above; paleo-Hebrew on sides (Simon). Rx: Lulav with etrog at left; paleo-Hebrew around (for the freedom of Jerusalem). Hendin 713. Mildenberg 92. Treasury 269a. EF $3,750 Ex Asher Keshet Collection.
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329. Zuz (Drachm), 3.23g. Year 2, 133/134 AD. Obv: Paleo-Hebrew inscription of three letters (Sma) formed in a triangle, in a wreath of thin branches wrapped around eight almonds, medallions at top, tendrils at bottom. Rx: Two trumpets upright; paleo-Hebrew around (year two of the freedom of $15,000 Israel). Hendin 693. Mildenberg 25. EF Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Struck upon a Judaea Capta denarius of Vespasian with the letters IVDA[EA] sharp and clear across the reverse from 11:00 to 8:00. On the obverse the letters RVESPA…
can be seen between 12:00 and 2:00. To our knowledge this is only the THIRD known specimen of a Bar Kokhba zuz being overstruck on a Vespasian denarius with a clear IVDAEA inscription. One coin, illustrated on the cover of The Celator, cited below, was an undated year 3 issue. In an article in 1992 describing the only previous example of this phenomenon I have seen, I wrote these words, which specifically apply to this coin which, “for certain, had come full circle in its existence. Novels could be (and have been) written covering less time, and have told stories less convincingly than does this particular coin. It commemorated the defeat of the Jews, and was part of a series of coins that actually humiliated them. It was later resurrected during Bar Kokhba’s nationalistic fling, and when it was overstruck, helped humiliate Hadrian’s armies, which did overcome Bar Kokhba’s rebels, but not without difficulties.” We may guess, perhaps, that “a Jewish person had obtained this Judaea Capta coin from circulation and had held it, possibly as a souvenir. When the time came, under Bar Kokhba, he or she gladly turned it in to be restruck by a ‘sovereign’ Jewish nation--or at least rebels who sought to form one” (Harlan J. Berk, Celator Vol. 6, no. 2/1992, p. 7).
331. Zuz (Drachm), 3.06g. Year 2, 133/134 AD. Obv: Bunch of grapes in three lobes hanging from branch, which has a leaf to the left and a tendril to the right; paleo-Hebrew around (Simon). Rx: Palm branch; paleo-Hebrew around (year two of the freedom of Israel). Hendin 695. Mildenberg 42. Treasury 248. EF $550 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. One of the rare Bar Kokhba zuz coins that does not show any real trace of the previous coin, however, the letter “shin” abbreviating “year” on the reverse is completely obliterated, perhaps due to a filled die or other technical reason.
332. Zuz (Drachm), 3.01g. Year 3, 134/135 AD. Obv: Paleo-Hebrew (Simon) in a wreath of thin branches wrapped around eight almonds, medallion at top, tendrils at bottom, pair of dots between each section. Rx: Fluted jug, handle at left, palm branch on right; paleo-Hebrew around (for the freedom of Jerusalem). Hendin 717. Mildenberg 80. Treasury 283b (wrong photo in Treasury). EF $400 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Enlargement
Struck upon a drachm with the legend visible but not clearly decipherable between 9:00 and 11:00 on reverse.
330. Zuz (Drachm), 2.90g. Year 3, 134/135 AD. Obv: PaleoHebrew inscription of three letters (Sim[on]) formed in a triangle, in a wreath of thin branches wrapped around eight almonds, medallions at top, tendrils at bottom. Rx: Fluted jug, handle at left, palm branch on right; paleoHebrew around (year two of the freedom of Israel). Hendin 692. Mildenberg 35 (8 examples listed). Treasury 250a. EF $600
333. Zuz (Drachm), 3.12g. Year 3, 134/135 AD. Obv: Paleo-Hebrew (Simon) in a wreath of thin branches wrapped around eight almonds, medallion at top, tendrils at bottom, pair of dots between each section. Rx: Fluted jug, handle at left, no palm branch; paleo-Hebrew around (for the freedom of Jerusalem). Hendin 722. Mildenberg 88. Treasury 284a. Good VF $350
On this interesting reverse die, the word “Israel” is incomplete (no “l”) and also mis-spelled as “Ysar” instead of the normal “Ysral.” Such errors and mis-spellings, while common in other series of Judaean coins, are quite rare in the Bar Kokhba series where quality control was, interestingly, strict although it was a time of chaos.
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Struck upon a denarius of Domitian, on the obverse his clear profile with the letters …RM PM TRP … faces 12:00, on the reverse the letters …NS PPP… are clear between 11:00 and 2:00.
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334. Zuz (Drachm), 3.22g. , Year 3, 134/135 AD. Obv: PaleoHebrew inscription (Simon) in a wreath of thin branches wrapped around eight almonds, medallion at top, tendrils at bottom, there are a pair of dots between each section. Rx: Palm branch, paleo-Hebrew around (for the freedom of Jerusalem). Hendin 719. Mildenberg 91. Treasury 282. A nearly perfect strike with the merest traces of the previous $400 coin. EF Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Clear Portrait of Trajan
335. Zuz (Drachm), 3.07g. Year 3, 134/135 AD. Obv: Paleo-Hebrew (Simon) in a wreath of thin branches wrapped around eight almonds, medallion at top, tendrils at bottom, pair of dots between each section. Rx: Fluted jug, handle at left, no palm branch; paleo-Hebrew around (for the freedom of Jerusalem). Hendin 727. Mildenberg 128. Treasury 284. EF $400 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Struck upon a drachm of Trajan, his profile clear upside down on reverse, facing 9:00, with letters AYTO… at 12:00, on obverse letters EΞ IZYΙΠA are clear from 2:00 to 4:00. Clear Portrait of Hadrian
336. Zuz (Drachm), 3.19g. Year 3, 134/135 AD. Obv: Paleo-Hebrew (Simon) in a wreath of thin branches wrapped around eight almonds, medallion at top, tendrils at bottom, pair of dots between each section. Rx: Elongated lyre with three strings; paleo-Hebrew around (for the freedom of Jerusalem). Hendin 728. Mildenberg 130. Treasury 272c. $400 Good VF Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Struck upon a denarius of Hadrian, whose profile is bold and superb facing 3:00 on the obverse with the legend ...AVGVSTV… fully legible, on the reverse III (from COS III) is fully visible between 7:00 and 9:00.
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337. Zuz (Drachm), 3.35g. Obv: Paleo-Hebrew (Simon) in a wreath of thin branches wrapped around eight almonds, medallion at top, tendrils at bottom, pair of dots between each section. Rx: Fluted jug, handle at left; paleo-Hebrew around (for the freedom of Jerusalem). Hendin 727, Mildenberg 132, Treasury 284. Good VF $350 Ex Asher Keshet Collection. Struck upon a denarius of Hadrian, whose portrait can be seen on reverse, upside down and facing 8:00. The letters HADRIANV are clear from 12:00 to 4:00 and the letters COS can be seen on the obverse between 9:00 and 11:00.
338. Zuz (Drachm), 3.21g. Year 3, 134/135 AD. Obv: Paleo-Hebrew (Simon) in a wreath of thin branches wrapped around eight almonds, medallion at top, tendrils at bottom, pair of dots between each section. Rx: Fluted jug, handle at left, palm branch on right; paleo-Hebrew around (for the freedom of Jerusalem). Hendin 726. Mildenberg 134. Treasury 283. EF $500 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Struck upon a denarius of Trajan, a portion of the inscription …ESNERV…can be seen between 6:00 and 9:00 on the obverse and the letters PM TR on the reverse between 3:00 and 6:00.
339. Zuz (Drachm), 3.26g. Year 3, 134/135 AD. Obv: PaleoHebrew (Simon) in a wreath of thin branches wrapped around eight almonds, medallion at top, tendrils at bottom, pair of dots between each section. Rx: Fluted jug, handle at left, palm branch on right; paleo-Hebrew around (for the freedom of Jerusalem). Hendin 726. Mildenberg 135. Treasury 283. EF $400 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Struck upon a denarius of Vespasian, the outline of his head can be seen facing 4:00 on the obverse, with the inscription …S VESP AVG PM… between 11:00 and 4:00. Traces of the undertype are also visible on the reverse.
340. Zuz (Drachm), 2.60g. Year 3, 134/135 AD. Obv: Bunch of grapes in three lobes hanging from branch, which has a tendril to the left and a leaf to the right; paleo-Hebrew around (Simon). Rx: Palm branch, paleo-Hebrew around (for the freedom of Jerusalem). Hendin 729. Mildenberg 149. Treasury 281. EF $500
343. Zuz (Drachm), 3.24g. Year 3, 134/135 AD. Obv: Bunch of grapes in three lobes hanging from branch, which has a tendril to the left and a leaf to the right; paleoHebrew around (Simon). Rx: Two trumpets upright, dot between them; paleo-Hebrew around (for the freedom of Jerusalem). Hendin 730. Mildenberg 166. Treasury 277. EF $550 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Struck upon a denarius of Trajan, his profile with detail upside down on the obverse facing 3:00, inscription … GERM… is clear.
341. Zuz (Drachm), 2.95g. Year 3, 134/135 AD. Obv: Bunch of grapes in three lobes hanging from branch, which has a tendril to the left and a leaf to the right; paleo-Hebrew around (Simon). Rx: Fluted jug, handle at left, palm branch on right; paleo-Hebrew around (for the freedom of Jerusalem). Hendin 732. Mildenberg 156. Treasury 285. About EF $400
Probably overstruck on a Bonus Eventus denarius of Titus as Augustus, inscriptions of which can be read on the obverse …VSTI between 9:00 and 10:00 and on the reverse …TITVSCAE… between 12:00 and 2:00.
344. Zuz (Drachm), 3.11g. Year 3, 133/134 AD. Obv: Bunch of grapes in three lobes hanging from branch, which has a tendril to left and leaf to right; paleo-Hebrew around (Simon). Rx: Elongated lyre (kithara) with 3 strings; paleoHebrew around (for the freedom of Jerusalem). Hendin 734 var. Mildenberg 186. Treasury 274b. EF $500 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
The coin is slightly flatly struck, no doubt due to the relief of the coin which it was struck upon, of which only traces now remain. Unlisted Mildenberg Die Set
342. Bar Kokhba Revolt. 132-135 AD. Zuz (Drachm), 2.84g. Year 3, 134/135 AD. Obv: Bunch of grapes in three lobes hanging from branch, which has a tendril to the left and a leaf to the right paleo-Hebrew around (Simon). Rx: Elongated lyre (kithara) with 3 strings; paleo-Hebrew around (for the freedom of Jerusalem). Hendin 723 var. Mildenberg unrecorded die combination. EF $475 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. An unrecorded Mildenberg die combination, Obverse 14, Reverse 120, not listed in either of Kaufman’s additions. Struck upon a drachm of Trajan with clear inscription ... NWAPICTWCEBΓEPM… on reverse between 1:00 and 5:00.
345. Zuz (Drachm), 3.14g. Year 3, 134/135 AD. Obv: Bunch of grapes in three lobes hanging from branch, which has a tendril to the left and a leaf to the right; paleo-Hebrew around (Simon). Rx: Two trumpets upright, dot between; paleo-Hebrew around (for the freedom of Jerusalem). Hendin 730. Mildenberg 187. EF $500 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
346. Zuz (Drachm), 3.08g. , Year 3, 134/135 AD. Obv: Bunch of grapes in three lobes hanging from branch which has a tendril to the left and a leaf to the right; paleo-Hebrew around (Simon). Rx: Palm branch; paleo-Hebrew around (for the freedom of Jerusalem). Hendin 729. Mildenberg 190. Treasury 277. EF $500 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Overstruck on a denarius of Vespasian with his profile and the letters CAESAR clear on the obverse facing 2:00.
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347. Zuz (Drachm), 3.50g. Year 3, 134/135 AD. Obv: Bunch of grapes in three lobes hanging from branch, which has a tendril to the left and a leaf to the right paleo-Hebrew around (Simon). Rx: Elongated lyre (kithara) with 3 strings; paleo-Hebrew around (for the freedom of Jerusalem). Hendin 734. Mildenberg 204. Treasury 274a. Good VF $350 Overstruck upon a drachm, probably of Bostra, some Greek legend can be read on the obverse between 6:00 and 7:00.
350. Middle Bronze, 9.79g. Year 1, 132/133 AD. Obv: Sevenbranched palm tree with two bunches of dates; paleoHebrew across field below (Simon Prince of Israel). Rx: Vine leaf on tendril; paleo-Hebrew around (year one of the freedom of Israel). Hendin 678. Mildenberg 45. Good VF $1,250
Splendid Abu Jara, Jerusalem
348. Large Bronze, 17.55g. Year 1, 132/133 AD. Obv: Paleo-Hebrew inscription in two lines (Jerusalem). Rx: Amphora with two handles, paleo-Hebrew around (year one of the redemption of Israel). Hendin 676. Mildenberg 15 (only one other $20,000 example listed). About EF Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Quite unusual to find these “Abu Jara” coins so beautifully struck and well-centered. An excellent specimen.
349. Middle Bronze, 10.90g. Year 1, 132/133 AD. Obv: Palm branch within a wreath, paleo-Hebrew around (Simon Prince of Israel). Rx: Wide lyre of four strings; paleoHebrew around (Year one of the redemption of Israel). Hendin 680 var. Mildenberg 25. Treasury 223f. EF $1,500 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
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351. Middle Bronze, 8.86g. Year 2, 133/134 AD. Obv: Sevenbranched palm tree with two bunches of dates; paleoHebrew across field below (Simon). Rx: Vine leaf on tendril; paleo-Hebrew around (Year two of the freedom of Israel). Hendin 708 var. Mildenberg 67. Treasury 260a. Good VF $300 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Struck upon a provincial bronze coin minted at Philadelphia (modern Amman) in Arabia, the inscription fragment ...EΛΦEWN is clear on the obverse between 7:00 and 10:00, only traces of inscription are visible on the reverse. This was most likely a coin of Hadrian (cf. Spijkerman 11-12).
352. Middle Bronze, 11.94g. Year 2, 133/134 AD. Obv: Sevenbranched palm tree with two bunches of dates; paleoHebrew across field below (Sma). Rx: Vine leaf on tendril; paleo-Hebrew around (year 2 of the freedom of Israel). Hendin 708 var. Mildenberg 71. Treasury 260a. VF $300 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. This is one of the Bar Kokhba coins that carries an inscription that appears to be an abbreviation of his name “Simon” but in three instead of five letters. Some students of Bar Kokhba have also pointed out that this is a spelling of “Shema”, an important Jewish prayer that the rebel may have used as a battle cry.
Overstruck on Gaza
355. Middle Bronze, 9.18g. Year 2, 133/134 AD. Obv: Sevenbranched palm tree with two bunches of dates; paleoHebrew across field below (Simon). Rx: Vine leaf on tendril; paleo-Hebrew around (Year two of the freedom of Israel). Hendin 708 var. Mildenberg 92. Treasury 259. Good VF $200 353. Bar Kokhba Revolt and Hadrian of Gaza. 132-135 AD. Middle bronze, 9.07g. Year 2, 133/134 AD. Obv: Sevenbranched palm tree with two bunches of dates; paleoHebrew across field below (Simon). Rx: Vine leaf on tendril; paleo-Hebrew around (year two of the freedom of Israel). Hendin 736 var. Mildenberg 74. Good VF. Second coin fine $400
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. It is extremely rare to be able to identify the exact coin type that Bar Kokhba’s mint struck upon. In this case, however, we can clearly identify a coin of Hadrian, struck in Gaza and dated to 130/131 AD. On the reverse, the date is clear between 12:00 and 1:00, and the head of the Tyche of Gaza holding a cornucopia is clear between 10:00 and 11:00. File marks are also visible on the obverse, where the hated Hadrian’s image was filed away prior to re-striking by the rebels. The Bar Kokhba coin is accompanied by one of the coin types it was struck upon (Rosenberger 59, struck 130/131 AD). Full Bust Trajan from Previous Coin
354. Middle Bronze, 10.65g. Year 2, 133/134 AD. Obv: Sevenbranched palm tree with two bunches of dates; paleoHebrew across field below (Simon). Rx: Vine leaf on tendril; paleo-Hebrew around (year two of the freedom of Israel). Hendin 708 var. Mildenberg 79. Treasury 259c. Good Fine $250
356. Middle Bronze, 9.71g. Year 2, 133/134 AD. Obv: Sevenbranched palm tree with two bunches of dates; paleoHebrew across field below (Simon). Rx: Vine leaf on tendril; paleo-Hebrew around (year two of the freedom of Israel). Hendin 708 var. Mildenberg 93. Treasury 259b. About EF $500 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Struck upon a huge planchet for these. Remnants of the previous coin as well as evidence of its obliteration at the Bar Kokhba mint.
357. Middle Bronze, 11.29g. Year 2, 133/134 AD. Obv: Sevenbranched palm tree with two bunches of dates; paleoHebrew across field below (Simon). Rx: Vine leaf on tendril; paleo-Hebrew around (year two of the freedom of Israel). Hendin 736 var. Mildenberg 99. Treasury 259 var. Good VF $250
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. This remarkable example shows the full bust of Trajan(?) from the undertype, it faces at 6:00 on the obverse.
Traces of obliteration of the previous coin on both sides.
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Overstruck on 10th Legion Countermark
358. Middle Bronze, 11.78g. Year 3, 134/135 AD. Obv: Sevenbranched palm tree with two bunches of dates; paleoHebrew across field below (Simon). Rx: Vine leaf on tendril; paleo-Hebrew around (for the freedom of Jerusalem). Hendin 736 var. Mildenberg 102. Treasury 291 var. VF $200
361. Middle Bronze, 5.96g. Year 3, 134/135 AD. Obv: Sevenbranched palm tree with two bunches of dates; paleoHebrew across field below (Simon). Rx: Vine leaf on tendril; paleo-Hebrew around (for the freedom of Jerusalem). Hendin 736 var. Mildenberg 140. Treasury 292a. Fine+ $150
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Since Bar Kokhba’s mint did not have its own smelting operation, all of his coins were struck upon previous issues. The high spots on bronze coins were filed down to facilitate re-striking and this phenomenon is apparent on the reverse of this coin.
359. Middle Bronze, 10.58g. Year 3, 134/135 AD. Obv: Sevenbranched palm tree with two bunches of dates; paleoHebrew across field below (Simon). Rx: Vine leaf on tendril; paleo-Hebrew around (for the freedom of Jerusalem). Hendin 736 var. Mildenberg 118. Treasury 292 var. EF $350 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
Struck upon a coin that had several countermarks of the Tenth Roman Legion, which was garrisoned in Jerusalem after the defeat of the Jews by Titus in 70 AD. The reverse countermark is clearly a galley within a rectangle, while the obverse countermark is not clear one would expect it to be LXF with a boar and dolphin. For countermarks see Hendin 802.
362. Small Bronze, 4.47g. Year 2, 133/134 AD. Obv: Sevenbranched palm tree with two bunches of dates; paleoHebrew across field below (Jerusalem). Rx: Tri-lobed bunch of grapes on tendril; paleo-Hebrew around (year two of the freedom of Israel). Hendin 710. Mildenberg 154. Treasury 266b. Good VF $400 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
360. Middle Bronze, 8.32g. Obv: Seven-branched palm tree with two bunches of dates; paleo-Hebrew across field below (Simon). Rx: Vine leaf on tendril; paleo-Hebrew around (for the freedom of Jerusalem). Hendin 736. Mildenberg 118. Treasury 292 var. VF $300 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Greek letters from the previous coin are clear on the reverse between 6:00 and 7:00; traces of the obliteration of the earlier coin are also clear on both sides.
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363. Middle Bronze, 9.05g. Year 3, 134/135 AD. Obv: Upright palm branch within a wreath; paleo-Hebrew around (for the freedom of Jerusalem). Rx: Elongated lyre with 3 strings; paleo-Hebrew around (Simon). Hendin 735. Mildenberg 33. Treasury 207. Good VF $150 Ex Asher Keshet Collection.
Rare Nabataean Drachm
364. Small Bronze, 5.05g. Year 1, 132/133 AD. Obv: Sevenbranched palm tree with two bunches of dates; paleoHebrew across field (Eleazar the priest). Rx: Bunch of grapes with branch and small leaf; paleo-Hebrew around (Year one of the redemption of Israel). Hendin 681a. Mildenberg 148. Treasury 225. Good VF $350 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
365. Small Bronze, 5.67g. Year 1/3 Hybrid, 134/135 AD. Obv: Seven-branched palm tree with two bunches of dates; paleo-Hebrew across field (Eleazar the priest). Rx: Bunch of grapes with branch and small leaf; paleo-Hebrew around (freedom of Jerusalem). Hendin 737. Mildenberg 155. Good VF $450
368. Obodas III. King of Nabataea. 30-9 BC. Drachm, 4.06g. Petra, Nabataea, Year 10, 21/20 BC. Obv: Jugate busts of Obodas and his queen facing right, draped and diademed, Nabataean aramaic legend around (Obodas the king, year ten). Dotted border. Rx: Diademed and draped portrait bust of Obodas facing right. In legend, date. Dotted border. Meshorer 30. Beautiful example of a rare coin, even more rare with a fully legible inscription. EF $2,000
Lily Countermark of Judaea
Ex Leu Numismatik 75, 25-27 October 1999, lot 1403. Scarce hybrid issue combining first year obverse and third year reverse.
366. Middle Bronze, 5.04g. Year 1, 132/133 AD. Obv: Sevenbranched palm tree with two bunches of dates; paleoHebrew (retrograde) across field (Eleazar the priest). Rx: Bunch of grapes with branch and small leaf; paleo-Hebrew around (Year one of the redemption of Israel). Hendin 681c. Mildenberg 149. Treasury 224a. About VF $250 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Centered on an unusually large planchet for this type, traces of previous coin on both sides.
369. Eastern (Egyptian?) imitation of an Athenian Tetradrachm. c. late 5th or early 4th century BC. Tetradrachm, 17.11g. Obv: Head of Athena right, with almond-shaped profile eye, wearing round earring and crested Attic helmet ornamented with three olive leaves above vizor and spiral palmette on bowl. Rx: ΑΘΕ Owl standing right, head facing. In upper left field, olive sprig and crescent moon. The outline of the incuse square is visible below. Several gashes on both sides, among them a deep square impression made by a chisel at Athena’s forehead. On Athena’s cheek there is a round counterstamp with a lily (cf. P. van Alfen, AJN 14 (2002), pp. 4 f., 61 who gives a sample of Levantine countermarks on Athenian and pseudo-Athenian coins). SNG Münich 57. On the attribution, see T.V. Buttrey in Proceedings of the 9th International Congress of Numismatics, Berne (1979), vol. I, Louvainl-Neuve (1982) pp. 137-140, pl. 21, 3 (style M), and Ch. Flament, RBN 147 (2001), pp. 39-50, pl. 1, 1-9. Several test cuts, otherwise VF $750 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
367. Small Bronze, 5.31g. Year 1, 132/133 AD. Obv: Sevenbranched palm tree with two bunches of dates; paleoHebrew across field (Eleazar the priest). Rx: Bunch of grapes with branch and small leaf; paleo-Hebrew around (Year one of the redemption of Israel). Hendin 681. Mildenberg 150. Treasury 224. Good VF $350
This lily countermark is remarkably similar to the lily that appears on Persian Period coins of the province Yehuda (Judah); hence, with its Levantine origins this countermark quite possibly references the Yehuda mint.
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
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Euesperides Stater
370. Ptolemaic Kingdom. Ptolemy I. 306-283 BC. Stater, 7.10g. Euesperides, c. 305-298 BC. Obv: Diademed portrait head of Ptolemy I right, wearing aegis. Rx: ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ Alexander the Great, holding thunderbolt in his right hand, standing in quadriga of elephants walking left. In exergue, three monograms. Generally, see Svoronos 101, 147. BM Cyr. pl. 28, 6-11. Hazzard C1016, but cf. Künker 94, 27 September 2004, Tronnier Coll. 1551, and Vinchon, 29 October 1973, 29 (same reverse monograms). On the Alexander image of the reverse, see K. Dahmen, The Legend of Alexander the Great on Greek and Roman Coins, Cambridge 2007, pp. 112-114. Mint State $35,000
372. Tetradrachm, 14.28g. Sidon. Obv: Diademed portrait head of Ptolemy I facing right, wearing knotted aegis. Dotted border. Rx: ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ Eagle standing left on thunderbolt. In front, ΣI. Dotted border. SNG Copenhagen 507. cf. Svoronos 713. Incredibly sharp portrait of Ptolemy I. Mint State $1,000
373. Tetradrachm, 14.17g. Sidon. 255/4 BC. Obv: Diademed portrait head of Ptolemy I, wearing aegis, right. Dotted border. Rx: ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ Eagle with closed wings standing left on thunderbolt. In left field, ΣΙ, below monogram. In right field, ΛΑ (year 31). Dotted border. Svoronos 734. cf. SNG Copenhagen 513 (ΑΛ). VF $150 Ex Asher Keshet Collection.
Enlargement
374. Tetrachalkon, 8.24g. Joppe. Obv: ΒΑΣΙΛΙΣΣΗΣ [ΒΕΡΕΝΙΚΗΣ] Portrait head of queen Berenice with melon coiffure right. Dotted border. Rx: ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ Eagle with closed wings seated left on thunderbolt. Dotted border. Svoronos 1056 var. Cox, Curium 83 var. Paphos II 57 var. SNG Copenhagen -. Additionally, see Ch. Auge, RN 55 (2000), pp. 59-69. VF $150 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
371. Ptolemy II Philadelphus. 285-246 BC. Mnaieion or OneMina Piece (formerly Octodrachm), 27.80g. Alexandria, After 273 BC. Obv: ΑΔΕΛΦΩΝ Jugate portrait busts facing right of Ptolemy II, diademed and wearing chlamys, and Arsinoe II, diademed and veiled; behind their heads a shield; dotted border. Rx: ΘΕΩΝ Jugate portrait busts facing right of Ptolemy I, wearing diadem and aegis and Berenice I, diademed and veiled. Dotted border. SNG Copenhagen 132. Svoronos 603. Dewing Coll. 2752. de Hirsch Coll. 1806. About EF $10,000
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375. Tetradrachm, 12.60g. Uncertain, 171/0 BC. Obv: Diademed portrait head of Ptolemy I, wearing aegis, right. Dotted border. Rx: ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ Eagle with closed wings standing left on thunderbolt. In left field, monogram (ΠΘ). Dotted border. Svoronos 1111 pl. 33, 24. O. Mørkholm, NNÅ (1975/76), pp. 23-58, 148-9 (same obverse die A33). Fine/VF $200 Ex Asher Keshet Collection. As to the ‘uncertain era’ dates, see R. Hazzard, Imagination
of a Monarchy, Toronto 2000, pp. 18 ff. Mørkholm attributed the coins of this series to Aradus, while Hazzard suggested Pelusium. The date suggested here is based on Hazzard’s “Soter era” starting in 174/3 instead of Mørkholm ‘s Aradian era. However, the problem is not yet entirely solved.
376. Ptolemy IV Philopater. 222–205 BC. Mnaieion or One-Mina Piece (formely Octadrachm), 27.79g. Alexandria, c. 217 BC. Obv: Bust of the deified Ptolemy III right, wearing radiate diadem and aegis, trident with lotus bud on middle prong over shoulder. Rx: ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ Radiate cornucopia bound with royal diadem. Svoronos 1117, pl. xxxvi, 6–7. SNG Copenhagen 196. Hazzard C1066. Noeske 137. Near Mint State $11,000 Around the time of the Fourth Syrian War, Ptolemy IV had these gold coins struck in memory of his father, to commemorate the great victories over the Seleucids in the Third Syrian War. Previous to the battle in order to promote victory, the Queen, Arsinoe III, promised two gold minae for each soldier if the Ptolemaic army was successful. Following the victory, as recorded in the Raphia Decree, one-mina coins of this type were undoubtedly given.
377. Hemidrachm (?), 36.29g. Alexandria. Obv: Head of Zeus Ammon right, wearing diadem and floral ornament. Dotted border. Rx: ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ Eagle with closed wings standing on thunderbolt to left. In left field, cornucopia. Between eagle’s legs, ΔΙ. Dotted border. SNG Copenhagen 202. Noeske 145. cf. Svoronos 1127. EF $400
378. Ptolemy VI Philometer. 180-145 BC. Mnaieion or One-Mina Piece (formely Octadrachm), 27.62g. Alexandria, 163/2 BC. Obv: Portrait head of deified Arsinoe II facing right, with the ram’s horn of Zeus Ammon (the tip of which is visible beneath the earlobe), wearing diadem, stephane, and veil; behind, lotus-tipped sceptre; in left field, Κ; dotted border. Rx: ΑΡΣΙΝΟΗΣ ΦΙΛΑΔΕΛΦΟΥ Double cornucopia bound with fillet; dotted border. H. Troxell, Arsinoe’s Non-Era, ANSMN 28 (1983), p. 67. Svoronos 1498. Hazzard C1093. SNG Copenhagen 321. Boston 2293. Dewing Coll. 2762. Gulbenkian Coll. 1080. Edge knock at 1:00. Struck in ultra high relief. Mint State $11,000 Ex Harlan J. Berk, Ltd. 56th Buy or Bid Sale, January 1988, lot 14. Ex Dr. John Gulick Collection.
379. Kingdom of Persis. Artaxerxes III. 359-338 BC. Tetradrachm (Chiotic standard), 15.04g. Uncertain mint in Caria, c. 350/40 BC. Obv: Persian king kneeling right, wearing jagged crown and chlamys, about to shoot an arrow. Dotted border. Rx: Satrap on horse galloping right, wearing tiara, hurling spear. In left field, MO. Dotted border.. K. Konuk in O. Casabonne (ed.), Mécanismes et innovations monétaires dans l’Anatolie Achémenide (Paris 2000), p. 178, pl. 30, 18. Additionally, see A. Meadows, Coin Hoards IX, pp. 210-212. Extremely rare. VF $3,000 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
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Dotted border. Rx. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ Zeus, naked, striding left, hurling thunderbolt, holding aegis over left arm. At feet, eagle with raised wings standing to left. In left field, Ν. Dotted border. SC 629.1. S. Kovalenko, Silk Road Art and Archaeology 4 (1995-96), pp. 17-74, esp. pp. 25 ff. (series VIII, 55). Test-cut on obverse. EF $2,750 380. Parthic Kingdom. Mithradates II. 123-88 BC. Tetradrachm, 16.01g. , Seleucia, c. 123-88 BC. Obv: Draped and diademed portrait bust facing left. Rx: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ Archer seated right, holding bow. In exergue, ΤΥ. Sellwood, p. 24, 4. Shore 67. Boston 2217. EF $1,500 Queen Musa
384. South Arabia. Third century BC (?). Bronze imitation Athenian Tetradrachm, 13.38g. Obv: Head of Athena right; very crude style. Rx: Owl standing r., face frontal, on left olive sprig and imitative inscription. cf. SNG ANS 1453.VF $500 Ex David Hendin Collection.
381. Phraataces. 2 BC-4 AD. Drachm, 3.78g. Ecbatana. Obv: Draped and diademed portrait bust left, wearing spiral torques. On either side, Nike wreathing. Dotted border. Rx: ΘΕΑΣ ΟΥΡΑΝΙΑΣ ΜΟΥΣΗΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΙΣΣΗΣ Draped and crowned portrait bust of Queen Musa left. In inner field left, monogram. Sellwood 58.9. Exceptionally rare. Toned EF $1,500
Fully natural patina on this curious specimen purchased in Jerusalem in the 1980s. It is far nicer than published examples.
Ex Harlan J. Berk, Ltd. 39th Buy or Bid Sale, October 1985, lot 129. Ex Dr. John Gulick Collection.
382. Sasanian Kingdom. Queen Buran. 630/1 AD. Drachm, 4.01g. Obv: Draped bust right, with long, braided hair, wearing crown surmounted by wings and “globe” within crescent ornament. Double border. Rx: Fire altar between two attendants. Star and crescent on either side of flames. Göbl 229. Mitchiner 1241. Rare. VF $650 Ex Dr. John Gulick Collection.
385. 2 Coin Lot. Locris Opuntii. Opus and Euboea. Histiaia. Stater: c. 370/60 BC. 11.21g. Obv: Head of Demeter facing left, wearing grain wreath, triple-pendant earring, and necklace. Rx: Ajax, helmeted, with round shield, decorated with a serpent, and short sword attacking to right. Between his legs, spearhead to left ΟΠΟΝ-ΤΙΩΝ. Dewing Coll. 1475 (same reverse die), cf. Traité II 366, 426, pl. 206, 16 (spearhead to right). cf. BMC 15, pl. I,5 (long, broken spear). For the type, cf. SNG Lockett 1691-6. Coll. Pozzi 3114-20. Boston 954-8. SNG Berry 570-4. SNG Delepierre 1256-60. Winterthur 1872-4 (different symbols on reverse). Extremely rare variety for stater. Tetrobol: c. 3rd/2nd century BC. 2.06g. Obv: Head of nymph or maenad right, wearing ivy-wreath and necklace. Rx: ΙΣΤ[Ι]-ΑΙΕΩΝ Nymph Histiaea seated right on galley-stern decorated with a wing. SNG Lewis 655. SNG Delepierre 1401. Both VF $400 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
383. Bactrian and Indo-Greek Kingdoms. Diodotus I. c. 250230 BC. Stater (in the name of Antiochus II), 8.24g. Mint A. Obv. Diademed portrait head of Diodotus I facing right.
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Stater: Both images on the Locris Opuntii coin are copied from Syracusan models: the female head is borrowed from the Arethusa head of the decadrachm series created by the engraver Euainetos, and the hero Ajax is an imitation of the Leucaspis drachms (for another view, see Gulbenkian II, p. 38). The “Leucaspis” type was very popular in mainland Greece, it is also known from contemporary Boeotian grave
reliefs (the Saugenes stele and others, see E. Rodenwaldt, ArchAnz (1913), pp. 63 ff.). Unlike his namesake, the “Great Ajax” who came from the island Salamis, the Locrian Ajax was rendered by Homer as a somewhat sinister character (see P. von der Mühll, Der große Aias, Basel 1930, pp. 15 f.).
390. Distater, 15.93g. Obv: BACIΛΕΥC ooHMoKAΔΦICHC Draped bust of the king facing right on cloud, holding club in right hand, far shoulder flaming. In upper left field, tamgha. Rx: Shiva standing facing, head turned left, holding trident in right hand. Behind him, bull Nandi standing right. In upper left field, nandipada.. cf. Göbl 20. Near Mint State $9,000 387. Kushan Empire. Vima Kadphises. c. 100-127/8 AD. Distater, 15.91g. Mint A. Obv: BACIΛEYC ooH-Mo KAΔΦICHC The king, diademed and crowned, seated facing on cushioned stool with ornate legs, head turned left, feet on footstool, holding laurel branch, one shoulder flaming. In left field, club. In right field, tamgha. Rx: Shiva standing facing, head turned left, holding trident and resting arm on bull Nandi who is standing right behind. In left field, Buddhist triratana. Göbl 11. Extremely rare. Numerous contact marks and some flatness otherwise, Good VF $5,000
388. Stater, 7.93g. Obv: BACIΛEYC ooHMo KAΔΦICHC Draped bust of the king facing right, holding club in the right hand, far shoulder flaming. In upper left field, tamgha. Rx: Shiva standing facing, head turned left, holding trident in right hand, left arm draped in lion-skin. In left field, tamgha. In right field, nandipada. Göbl 18. VF $1,000
389. Distater, 15.95g. Obv: BACIΛΕΥC ooHMoKAΔΦICHC Draped bust of the king facing right on cloud, holding club in right hand, far shoulder flaming. In upper left field, tamgha. Rx: Shiva standing facing, head turned left, holding trident in right hand. Behind him, bull Nandi standing right. In upper left field, nandipada. cf. Göbl 20. EF $9,000
391. Distater, 15.94g. Obv: BACIΛΕΥC ooHMoKAΔΦICHC Draped bust of the king facing right on cloud, holding club in right hand, far shoulder flaming. In upper left field, tamgha. Rx: Shiva standing facing, head turned left, holding trident in right hand. Behind him, bull Nandi standing right. In upper left field, nandipada.. cf. Göbl 20. Near Mint State $9,000
392. Vasudeva I. c. 192-225 AD. Stater, 8.08g. Obv: pAONANOpAO BAZOΔHO KOpANO King Vasudeva standing facing, head turned left, holding trident in left hand, shoulder flaming, sacrificing over altar. Rx: OhPO Shiva standing facing, holding trident in left hand and diadem in right. Behind him, bull Nandi standing left. In upper left field, tamgha. Border of dots. Göbl 513. Mint State $500
393. Mauretania. Bogud II. 49-38 BC. Denarius, 3.33g. Obv: Head of Africa in elephant-skin facing left Rx: Griffin standing right, above, winged solar disk, thunderbolt below. REX BOGVT to sides. RPC 853 (one spec.). Müller, iii, p. 95, 5; Mazard 103. Sear, Imperators 547. Good EF $4,000 Very rare; one specimen in RPC. See Nomos AG FPL 1, lot 68 for the only recent sale of this type.
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Part II (After Dinner Break)
399. Q. Titius. Quinarius, 2.26g. Rome, 90 BC. Obv: Bust of winged Victory right. Rx: Q. TITI Pegasus springing right.. Crawford 341/3. Sydenham 693. RSC Titia 3. EF $350 394. Roman Republic. Aes Grave, Uncertain Mint in Umbria. Sextans, 28.94g. c. 240-225 BC. Obv: Club. Rx: Two dots. Thurlow-Vecchi 172. Haeberlin pl. 81, 39. HN Italy 54. VF $500
395. Anonymous: D. Denarius, 3.75g. Uncertain Mint, 199-170 BC. Obv: Helmeted head of Roma right, X behind. Rx: Dioscuri riding right, D below horses, ROMA in exergue. Crawford 171/1. Sydenham 285 (R6). RSC I 32b. EF $1,250
396. C. Thalna. Denarius, 4.04g. Rome, 154 BC. Obv: Helmeted head of Roma right, X behind. Rx: Victory in biga right, C TAL below horses, ROMA in exergue. Crawford 202/1a. Sydenham 379. RSC I Juventia 7. Good VF $150
397. L. Calpurnius Piso Frugi. Quinarius, 2.30g. Rome, 90 BC. Obv: Laureate head of Apollo right, crescent behind. Rx: Victory standing right, palm branch over left shoulder; L PI-SO across field, FRVGI in exergue. Crawford 340/2e. Sydenham 672. RSC I Calpurnia 13b. EF $250
398. Q. Titius. Denarius, 3.85g. Rome, 90 BC. Obv: Head of Mutinus Titinus right, bound with winged diadem. Rx: Q TITI on tablet from which springs Pegasus right. Crawford 341/1. Sydenham 691. RSC Titia 1. VF $50 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
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400. M. Cato. Quinarius, 2.25g. Rome, 89 BC. Obv: Young head right, M CATO behind, C below. Rx: Victory seated right, VICTRIX in exergue. Crawford 343/2b. Sydenham 597. RSC Porcia 7. Mint State $550
401. C. Mamilius Limetanus. Denarius, 3.97g. Rome, 82 BC. Obv: Bust of Mercury right, caduceus behind, A above. Rx: Ulysses walking right, being greeted by his dog; C.MAMIL behind, LIMETAN before. Crawford362/1. Sydenham 741. RSC Mamilia 6. Some obverse porosity. EF with luster $150 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
402. Anonymous. Quinarius, 1.93g. Rome, 81 BC. Obv: Laureate head of Apollo right. Rx: Victory standing right, crowning trophy; S between them, ROMA in exergue. Crawford 373/1b. Sydenham 609a. Near Mint State $250
403. L. Sulla. Denarius, 3.84g. Uncertain Mint, 81 BC. Obv: Head of Venus right, wearing diadem; E behind. Rx: Cornucopia between EX and SC, all within wreath. Crawford 376/1. Sydenham 763 (R6). RSC I Cornelia 44. Exceptional; a rare type very seldom encountered in this quality. EF $4,250 This rare issue may be associated with Sulla’s return to Rome after the defeat of the Marian party.
404. C. Poblicius Q.f.. Denarius, 3.81g. Rome, 80 BC. Obv: Bust of Roma right, ROMA behind, D above, Rx: Hercules left, strangling the Nemean lion, club at feet, bow and arrow in case on left, [C] POBLICI Q.F on right, D (retrograde) above. Crawford 380/1. Sydenham 768. RSC Poblicia 9. EF $250 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
407. M. Aemilius Scaurus and Pub. Plautius Hypsaeus. Denarius, 4.00g. Rome, 58 BC. Obv: Kneeling figure (King Aretas of Nabataea) holding reins of camel; [M SCAVR] / AED CVR above, [EX] on left, SC on right; REX ARETAS in exergue. Rx: Jupiter in quadriga left; P HYPSAE / AED CVR above; CAPT V on right, [C] HYPSAE COS PREIV in exergue. Hendin 740. Crawford 422/1b, Sydenham913. RSC Aemilia 8. Scrape on camel’s neck. Toned VF $100 Ex Asher Keshet Collection.
405. M. Volteius M.f.. Denarius, 3.82g. Rome, 75 BC. Obv: Head of Liber right, wearing ivy-wreath. Rx: Ceres in biga of snakes right, holding torch in each hand, head of goose behind, ·VOLTEI·M·F in exergue.. Crawford 385/3. Sydenham 776. RSC Volteia 3. Good VF $200 Ex CNG 45, 18 March 1998, lot 1714. Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
408. M. Aemilius Scaurus and Pub. Plautius Hypsaeus. Denarius, 3.94g. Rome, 58 BC. Obv: M SCAVR Kneeling figure right, holding olive branch and reins of camel standing beside him; on either side, EX – S·[C]; in exergue, AED CVR. Rx: P HVPSAEVS / AED CVR Jupiter in quadriga left holding reins in left hand and hurling thunderbolt with right; behind, CAPTVM; below, C HVPSAE COS / PREIVER. Crawford 422/1a. Sydenham 912. RSC I Aemilia 9. EF $350 Ex NAC 40, 16 May 2007, lot 497.
406. A. Plautius. Denarius, 3.95g. Rome, 55 BC. Obv: Turreted head of Cybele right, A PLAVTIVS before, AED CVR SC behind. Rx: Bacchius (Aristobulus?) kneels right, extending olive branch, camel at side, BACCHIVS in exergue, IVDAEVS on right. Crawford 431/1. Sydenham 932. RSCI Plautia 13. Toned VF $150
409. L. Marcius Philippus. Denarius, 3.80g. Rome, 57 BC. Obv: Diademed head of Ancus Marcius right, lituus behind, ANCVS below. Rx: Equestrian statue right on arcade of five arches, PHILIPPVS behind rider, A Q V A MAR on arches. Crawford 425/1. Sydenham 919. RSC Marcia 28. Good VF $150 Ex Asher Keshet Collection.
Ex Asher Keshet Collection. “Bacchius” is unknown to history, and the identity of the kneeling figure on the reverse has been subject to considerable controversy. The scene evidently refers to the submission of Aristobulus the High Priest to Pompey; the alternative explanation, that Bacchius refers to Dionysus of Tripoli (mentioned in Josephus), derives solely from the similarity between the Greek Dionysus and the Latin Bacchus, and seems implausible at best.
410. L. Hostilius Saserna. Denarius, 3.94g. Rome, 48 BC. Obv: Head of female Gaul right, hair long and disheveled; carnyx behind. Rx: L. HOSTILIVS SASERNA Diana of Ephesus standing facing, holding long spear; stag to left. Crawford 448/3. Sydenham 953. RSC I Hostilia 4. Mint State $450
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411. Roman Imperatorial. Julius Caesar. Denarius, 3.80g. Mint moving with Caesar in North Africa, 47-46 BC. Obv: Diademed head of Venus right. Rx: Aeneas walking left, carrying Anchises and palladium, CAESAR behind. Crawford 458/1. Sydenham 1013. Sear, Imperators 55. Toned. Good VF $300 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
412. Julius Caesar, struck by A. Hirtius as praetor. Aureus, 8.01g. Rome, 46 BC. Obv: C CAESAR COS TER Veiled female head (Vesta?) right. Rx: Priestly implements, A HIRTIVS PR left and below. Crawford 466/1. Sydenham 1017. Cohen 2 (50 Francs.). Sear, Imperators 56. VF; struck on an extremely broad flan $3,000 Probably struck for Caesar’s quadruple triumph in August 46 BC, when he distributed the sum of 5000 denarii to each of his soldiers plus 100 denarii a man to the populace of Rome.
413. Julius Caesar, moneyer M. Mettius. Denarius, 3.93g. Rome, 44 BC. Obv: Wreathed head r., CAESAR IM before, lituus and simpulum behind. Rx: Venus standing left, resting left elbow on shield set on globe and holding Victory and transverse scepter, control letter G before, M METTIVS behind. Same dies as Alfoldi, Caesar in 44 v. Chr., pl. XXII, 150. Crawford 480/3, Sydenham 1056, Sear Imperators 100. Good VF $4,000
415. Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. Denarius, 4.10g. Mint moving with Antony in Cisalpine Gaul, 43 BC. Obv: Bare head of Antony right, bearded; lituus behind, M ANTON IMP before. Rx: Wreathed head of Caesar right, capis behind, CAESAR DIC before. Crawford 488/1. Sydenham 1165. Sear, Imperators 118. Good VF $2,500
416. Lepidus, 2nd Triumvirate, Spain, Celsa. AE 30, 17.28g. Spain, Celsa, time of Second Triumvirate, c.44-36 BC. Obv: Head of Mars right. Rx: Bull right. RPC 264. Light smoothing in field. Struck on a broad flan. Good VF $1,200 Ex Bezayiff Collection. Lepida-Celsa probably attained colonial status during the governorship of Lepidus in Citerior.
417. Brutus, struck by Lentulus Spinter. Denarius, 3.50g. Probably Smyrna, Early 42 BC. Obv: Simpulum between sacrificial axe and knife, BRVTVS below. Rx: Jug and lituus, LENTVLVS / SPINT below. Crawford 500/7. Sydenham 1310. Sear, Imperators 198. Mint State $3,000
Bought from F.J. Reynolds, August 1968.
414. Julius Caesar, moneyer Q. Voconius Vitulus. Denarius, 3.91g. Rome, 40 BC. Obv: Laureate head of Caesar right, DIVI IVLI before, lituus behind. Rx: Calf standing left, Q VOCONIVS above, VITVLVS in exergue. Crawford 526/2. Sydenham 1132 (R5). Sear, Imperators 329. Toned VF $3,500 Vitulus=bull calf, a pun on the moneyer’s name.
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418. Brutus, struck by Pedanius Costa. Denarius, 3.89g. Mint moving with Brutus and Cassius in the east, 42 BC. Obv: Laureate head of Apollo right, COSTA before, LEG behind. Rx: Trophy composed of helmet, cuirass, figure-eight shield and two spears, IMP to left, BRVTVS to right. Crawford 506/2. Sydenham 1296. Sear, Imperators 209. Toned EF $2,000
73. Cohen 61. RIC 257. Sear, Imperators 401. Toned EF with some iridescence $1,500
419. Brutus, struck by L. Plaetorius Cestianus. Denarius, 3.59g. Mint moving with Brutus and Cassius in the east, 42 BC. Obv.: L PLAET CEST Laureate, draped bust of Ceres right. Rx.: BRVT IMP Axe and simpulum.. Crawford 508/2. Sydenham 1300. Sear, Imperators 214. Isolated porosity. EF $4,000
420. Mark Antony. Denarius, 3.33g. Military Mint, perhaps Patrae, 32-31 BC. Obv: ANT AVG III VIR R P C above and below galley right. Rx: LEG X Legionary eagle between two standards. Crawford 544/24. Sydenham 1228. Sear, Imperators-361. Toned. Good VF $400
We attribute Octavian’s CAESAR DIVI F and IMP CAESAR series to Rome, 36-30 BC, following D. Mannsperger, “Die Munzpragung des Augustus,” in Saeculum Augustum III, pp. 348-399.
424. Denarius, 3.55g. Rome, 36-30 BC. Obv: IMP below helmeted, lightly bearded head of youthful Mars right. Rx: CAESAR on upper rim of round shield, boss of shield ornamented with star, crossed sword and spear behind. BM 644. Paris 87. RIC 274. Cohen 44. Sear, Imperators 428. Toned EF $1,250
Ex Asher Keshet Collection.
421. Octavian. Denarius, 3.66g. Mint moving with Octavian in Italy, 42 BC. Obv: CAESAR III VIR RPC Bare head of Octavian right, bearded. Rx: Curule chair inscribed CAESAR DIC PER, wreath on seat. Crawford 497/2d. Sydenham 1320. Sear, Imperators 137a. Extremely nice portrait. EF $1,000
422. Denarius, 3.92g. Mint moving with Octavian in Italy, 41 BC. Obv: C CAESAR III VIR RPC Bare head of Octavian right. Rx: Equestrian statue of Octavian galloping left, right hand extended; in exergue and to right, POPVL IVSSV. Crawford 518/2. Sydenham 1317 . Sear, Imperators 299. Obverse softly struck. Good VF/EF $1,000
423. Denarius, 4.04g. Rome, 36-30 BC. Obv: Bare head of Octavian right, no legend, line border. Rx: CAESAR—DIVI F across field, Mercury, naked, seated right on rock upon which is spread his cloak, petasos slung on his back, holding lyre with both hands; line border. BM 596. Paris
425. Roman Empire. Augustus, moneyer P. Petronius Turpilianus. 27 BC-14 AD. Denarius, 3.85g. Rome, 18 BC. Obv: CAESAR AVGVSTVS Head bare right. Rx: TVRPILIANVS IIIVIR Tarpeia, long-haired, facing, half buried by shields, hands raised. BM 29. Paris 157. Cohen 494 (20 Fr.). RIC 299. Portrait struck in high relief with iridescent toning. Choice EF $2,500
426. Tiberius as Caesar. 3-14 AD. Sestertius, 25.75g. Lugdunum, 9-11 AD. Obv: TI CAESAR AVGVSTI F IMPERAT[OR V] Head bare left. Rx: ROM ET AVG in exergue, the altar of Roma and Augustus at Lugdunum, represented as a rectangular slab, upon which, from left and right respectively, two men holding laurel branches before them approach a large wreath in the center; atop the altar, two arches with pellets at their apex are flanked on each side by three short shafts with circular tops (like lollipops); to left and right of altar, two columns surmounted by Victories facing inwards, each holding wreath and palm. BM 572. Paris 1737. RIC 240. Cohen 28 (150 francs). Giard, Lyon 99/6, pl.XXVI (same obverse die). Extremely nice surfaces for this issue. VF $3,500
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Possibly Ex Pembroke Collection
427. Unique framed Drusus As with sestertius reverse of Tiberius. As/Sestertius mule in grooved frame with raised edge, 16.42g. Rome, 22-3 AD. Obv: DRVSVS CAESAR TI AVG F DIVI AVG N Head bare left. Rx: TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVGVST P M TR POT XXIIII around large S.C. This remarkable coin seems to be composed of three separate pieces of metal: two copper disks, each c. 30.5 mm across, bearing the obverse and reverse types respectively, and a grooved copper rim with raised edge, 4-5 mm wide, which encircles and joins the two disks bearing the types. The narrow join line between the disks and the rim is clearly visible on both sides of the coin. Tiny spots where reddish metal shows through, namely on the circle of dots above the portrait on the obverse disk, three spots on the C of S.C on the reverse disk, and a small scrape in the innermost groove of the rim at 12:00 on the obverse, suggest that the metal of all three parts is copper. That the coin types are imprinted on separate metal disks with a cavity between them rather than on a single solid metal disk is suggested by the hollow sound produced when one taps on the reverse, and by the low specific gravity of only 6.59, measured by Tom Delorey of Harlan J. Berk Ltd., far below copper’s specific gravity of 8.96. The axis of the two types to one another is between 2:00 and 3:00, not the normal upright or inverted axis. The rim encircling the types is decorated with two grooves and has a slightly raised edge, as on a contorniate, and the edge itself, where the reeding would go on a modern coin, has a broad groove down the middle. Apparently unique, and the same specimen that was originally in the eighteenthcentury Pembroke Collection. That coin too had a small obverse die and a larger reverse die, as is proved (a) by its illustration in the Pembroke Catalogue of 1746, a scan of which was kindly sent to us by Jonathan Kagan, and (b) by the statement “the two dies being of such unequal sizes” in the description of the coin in the Sotheby sale catalogue of the Pembroke Collection in 1848. That the Pembroke coin had a contorniate edge, however, is neither shown in the illustration of 1746 nor mentioned in the Sotheby catalogue of 1848. Our consigner acquired the piece from an Italian coin dealer, but otherwise its history since 1848 appears to be unknown. Pembroke Catalogue, 1746, Part III, pl. 47 (apparently this coin) = Sotheby, 31 July 1848, Pembroke, part lot 565 = Cohen 4 (Pembroke) = BMC 101 note (Cohen 4). VF $2,250
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The obverse of our coin may come from the same die as an ordinary As of Drusus in Milan, SNG Milan 103, pl. LVII, and the reverse too is clearly in official style and must either have been struck from a mint die or mechanically derived from an official coin. It seems unlikely that our piece could be a modern concoction using obverse and reverse disks that were cut from genuine coins or that were mechanically derived from such coins. The obverse disk is too broad to have been cut from an ordinary surviving As of Drusus, and the reverse disk, since it is of copper not orichalcum, cannot have been cut from a surviving sestertius of Tiberius. The patina and deposits on our coin are uniform over obverse, reverse, rim, and edge, and have every appearance of being ancient.. Moreover we must remember that our piece was apparently in the collection of Thomas, Earl of Pembroke and Montgomery, before his death in 1733, since the title page of the publication of his collection in 1746 declares that he had collected the coins and had the illustrations of them made during his lifetime. It seems unlikely that a forgery so convincing could have been contrived at such an early date. The coin, then, must be accepted as ancient. One could conjecture that it may have been produced, either at the mint of Rome or outside the mint but based on official coins, for use as a New Year’s gift on 1 January 23 AD. We know from ancient authors and from depictions on surviving ancient lamps that coins, especially asses, were a favorite Roman New Year’s gift. From the reign of Trajan on, the mint of Rome produced special bronze medallions every year in November and December for use as New Year’s gifts on the following 1 January, as shown by C. Clay in his paper on Roman medallions in the acts of the 1973 International Numismatic Congress in New York and Washington DC. Now some of these second- and third-century New Year’s medallions had added rims with grooves like that on our coin of Drusus. Even earlier, the mint had occasionally produced ordinary sestertii or middle bronzes on oversize flans with grooved rims: compare for example the “framed” moneyers’ sestertius and middle bronzes of Augustus, Paris 414 (pl. XIX), Paris 684 (pl. XXIX), and BM 180 (pl. 19.9), and the “framed” Flavian sestertii and middle bronzes, Paris 16, 17, and 35-37, pl. CXXX-CXXXII, wrongly condemned as modern forgeries in the Paris catalogue. We may view these early “framed” bronzes as preliminary efforts by the mint to produce bronze coins of exceptional size and structure meant to serve as extraordinary New Year’s gifts that would surprise the recipient and not soon be forgotten! Our framed Drusus/Tiberius mule might then also have been produced as a New Year’s present, either by the mint itself or privately. Its indented edge might suggest that it was originally inserted in a panel, though the unaligned types at a 2:003:00 axis speak against that possibility.
428. Caligula. 37-41 AD. Sestertius, 28.33g. Rome, 37-8 AD. Obv: C CAESAR AVG GERMANICVS P M TR POT PIETAS Pietas, veiled, seated left, resting elbow on statuette of Spes and holding patera. Rx: DIVO AVG S C Caligula, togate and veiled, sacrificing from patera at altar before temple of Divus Augustus; he is accompanied by one attendant leading up sacrificial bull and another standing behind him holding patera; temple rests on high base, has six columns, numerous figures in pediment and on roof, and is garlanded. Soon after his accession, Caligula dedicated the temple of Divus Augustus in the Roman Forum that Tiberius had almost completed. BM 41. Paris 51, pl. XIV (same reverse die). RIC 36. Cohen 9 (15 Fr.). Untouched natural surfaces. EF $25,000
430. Galba. 68-69 AD. Denarius, 3.55g. Gaul. Obv: SER GALBA IMPERATOR Bust laureate, cuirassed right, seen from front. Rx: VICTORIA - P R beginning high left, Victory standing left on globe, holding wreath and palm. From the same dies as Triton X, 9 January 2007, 589; the same obverse die was also used for the type CONCORDIA PROVINCIARVM, Paris 54, pl. V. The emperor’s cuirass apparently shows scale armor or a Medusa head on his chest. Rare bust type, probably the same as that on a denarius in the Gnecchi Collection which is called “draped, cuirassed” by BM 227 note and RIC 112. BM 227 note. RIC 112 (R2). Bust variety of Cohen 322 (12 Fr.). Mint State $4,500
431. Galba. 68-69 AD. Denarius, 3.18g. Rome. Obv: IMP SER GALBA AVG Bare head right. Rx: S P Q R OB C S in three lines within oak wreath, The bare-headed portrait is wrongly described as laureate in BMC and RIC. BM 34 corr. RIC 170 corr. Paris 76. Cohen 287. Some iridescent blue and red toning. Exquisite portrait. EF $4,000
Enlargement
Enlargement
429. Claudius I. 41-54 AD. As, 10.02g. Branch Mint, 41-2 AD. Obv: TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG P M TR P IMP Head bare left. Rx: S - C across field, Minerva advancing right raising spear in right hand and holding shield in left. Struck at an official branch mint, perhaps located in Gaul; cf. von Kaenel, Munzpragung des Claudius, pl. 31, 1611 and, for the portrait, pl. 32, 1646. In the standard catalogues Claudius’ branch mints are not distinguished from Rome. cf. BM 149, Paris 180, RIC 100, and Cohen 84. EF $1,000
432. Vitellius. 69 AD. Aureus, 6.94g. Tarraco. Obv: A VITELLIVS IMP GERMAN Head laureate left, globe below neck. Rx: VICTORIA - AVGVSTI Victory flying left, holding shield inscribed [SP / QR]. BM 91, pl. 61,25 (same dies). RIC 34 (R3). Calico 576a. Cohen 98 var. (120 Fr.). Fine $4,500
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433. Vespasian. 69-79 AD. Denarius, 3.48g. Rome, 70 AD. Obv: [IMP] CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG Head laureate right. Rx: IVDAEA Mourning Jewess, veiled and supporting chin with left hand, seated right on ground beside trophy. RIC 2 (C2). BM 35. Paris 23. Cohen 226 (5 Fr.). Flatly struck at the highest point of the hair, otherwise EF with luster $500 Ex Asher Keshet Collection. Enlargement Lot 435
434. Sestertius, 27.02g. Rome, c. Summer 71 CE. Obv: IMP CAES VESPAS AVG P M TR P P P COS III Head laureate r. Rx: IVDAEA - CAPTA around, S C in exergue, Judaea seated right on cuirass in attitude of mourning under palm tree, Jew with hands tied behind back standing right on other side of tree, captured arms on ground left and right. Scarce late issue with VESPAS in obverse legend: most of Vespasian’s Judaea Capta types on sestertii of 71 occurred in his preceding issue with VESPASIAN in the obverse legend. RIC 233 (C ). BM 532. Paris 491. Cohen 233 (8 Fr.). VF $3,000 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
436. Denarius, 3.41g. Antioch, 72 AD. Obv: IMP CAES VESP A VG P M COS IIII Head laureate r. Rx: No legend. Standing emperor, placing left foot on helmet and holding spear and parazonium, and seated mourning Jewess on either side of palm tree. RIC 1558 (C ). BM 510. Paris 318. Cohen 645 (6 Fr.). Hendin 763. RPC 1930. EF $1,000
437. Aureus, 6.96g. Lugdunum, 1 July 72 - 30 June 73 AD. Obv: IMP CAES VESPAS AVG P M TR P IIII P P COS IIII Head laureate right. Rx: DE IVDAEIS Trophy of arms, additional shields, spears, and helmet (?) at base. RIC 1179 (R ). BM 402. Paris 305, pl. XXXVI (same dies). Calico 627. Cohen 139 (50 Fr.). Bold Fine $12,500
438. Divus Vespasian. Died 79 AD. Denarius, 3.10g. Rome, 80-1 AD. Obv: DIVVS AVGVSTVS VESPASIANVS Head laureate right. Rx: Two capricorns on gridded celestial globe supporting shield inscribed S C on their backs. BM 129. Paris 101. Cohen 497 (6 Fr.). Near Mint State $400 435. Sestertius, 25.64g. Rome, Summer-end 71 AD. IMP CAES VESPAS AVG P M TR P P P COS III Head laureate right. Rx: S - C in field, Mars, helmeted, nude except for cloak flying from waist, holding spear in right hand and trophy over shoulder in left. RIC 247 (C2). BM 568, pl. 22,3 (same reverse die). Paris 538. Cohen 440. Absolutely wonderful portrait. Glossy green patination. EF $4,000
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439. Vespasian, Titus, and Domitian. 69-79 AD. Denarius, 3.26g. Rome, 70 AD. Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG Head of Vespasian laureate right. Rx: CAESAR AVG F COS
CAESAR AVG F PR Bare heads of Titus and Domitian facing one another. RIC 16 (R). BM 2. Paris 1. Cohen 5 (30 Fr.). Obverse struck in high relief. Excellent portraits on reverse. Well-centered with mostly bold, complete legends. Toned EF $2,000
440. Titus as Caesar. 70-79 AD. Denarius, 3.51g. Antioch, 72 AD. Obv: [T C]AES IMP VESP PO - N TR POT Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: No legend. Standing emperor, left foot on helmet, holding spear and parazonium, and seated, mourning Jewess on either side of palm tree. RIC 1562 (C ). BM 518. Paris 322. Cohen 392 (10 Fr.). RPC 1934. VF $750
of the Colosseum, stating that the emperors constructed it “from booty” (ex manubis), doubtless chiefly the booty of the Jewish War.
Enlargement
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Colosseum Sestertius
441. Titus. 79-81 AD. Sestertius, 22.79g. Rome, 80-81 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 l. holding branch and roll on curule chair set on globe among arms. BM-190 pl. 50.2 (same rev. die), Paris 189 pl. LXXXI (same dies), RIC 184 (R2), Cohen 400 (80 Fr.). The facade of the Colosseum is virtually complete, even showing a tiny quadriga in the central arch as well as a great many people within the Colosseum. This coin is a wonderful example of the most iconic symbol of the Roman empire. David Hendin has recently noted that the Colosseum had a strong relationship to the Jewish war: not only was its construction financed by booty from that war, but its sculptural decoration commemorated the Jewish victory: a palm tree with a Jewess can be seen in the central arches above the triumphal quadriga on well preserved specimens of the Colosseum sestertius. Bold VF $70,000 See 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. To prove the popular nature of Vepasian’s rule, the Colosseum was built on the site that had been recently 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
442. Aureus restored by Trajan. 79-81 AD. Aureus, 7.21g. Rome. Obv: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M Head laureate left. Rx: IMP CAES TRAIAN AVG GER DAC P P REST Trophy of arms. Apparently only the third recorded specimen with head left on obverse, the other two being in ANS and Milan. The BM and Paris specimens are from the same reverse die, but show portrait right on obverse. Komnick, Restitutionsmunzen 69.0, pl. 27 (same dies). RIC 832 (R3). Calico 801. Bust variety of BM 704, Paris 483, and Cohen 402 (400 Fr.). Handsome portrait. VF $25,000
443. Domitian. 81-96 AD. Denarius, 3.53g. Rome, 81 AD. Obv: IMP CAES DOMITIANVS AVG P M Head laureate right. Rx: TR P COS VII - DES VIII P P Minerva, helmeted, aegis on breast, standing left, holding Victory on extended right hand, left hand resting on shield to right of her legs, transverse scepter under left arm. Scarce: six specimens in Reka Devnia hoard. RIC 62 (C ). BM 13. Paris 29. Cohen 564. Wonderful portrait of the emperor. The figure of Minerva on the reverse is extremely graceful. EF $800
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third standard, topped by a banner which is also inscribed V. Calico 1240 (this coin). BM 530 note. Glasgow 180, pl. 23 (same dies). Cohen 485 (60 Fr.). RIC 204. Virtually Mint State $20,000 Ex Leu 48, 10 May 1989, lot 35. Ex Santamaria, 1950, Magnaguti III, lot 378.
444. Nerva. 96-98 AD. Sestertius, 27.03g. Rome, 97 AD. Obv: IMP NERVA CAES AVG - P M TR P COS III P P Head laureate right. Rx: FISCI IVDAICI - CALVMNIA SVBLATA S - C Palm tree with nine branches and two bunches of dates. BM 105. Paris 97. RIC 82. Cohen 57 (25 Fr.). The important legends on the obverse and reverse are absolutely complete on this expressive specimen. Green patination. Small contact mark at 12:00 on the reverse. Natural uncleaned patina. Good VF $7,500 Ex CNG 66, 19 May 2004, lot 1418. Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
445. Trajan. 98-117 AD. Dupondius, 11.63g. Rome, c. 111 AD. Obv: IMP CAES NERVAE TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS V P P Bust radiate right, fold of cloak on front shoulder and behind neck. Rx: ARAB ADQVIS in exergue, SPQR OPTIMO PRINCIPI around, S - C in field, Arabia standing right, head left, holding branch and bundle of rods, camel standing left at feet. BM 919. Paris 578. Bust variety of Cohen 36 and RIC 467. Excellent portrait. Good VF $750
On another similar aureus reverse die, coupled with a younger, curly-haired portrait on the obverse, BM 530, pl. 57.13, there is also a V on the banner at the top of the standard to the right of the emperor, as can be seen on a plaster cast of that coin in C. Clay’s possession. The meaning of the V on the standards in this type, which was first noticed by C. Clay while cataloguing this coin, is revealed by H. Dressel’s observation, in his work on the Roman medallions in Berlin, p. 12, that one of the standards carried by the imperial galley on a sestertius of Hadrian from the same issue, BM 1391, pl. 84.13, bears the fuller inscription COH / V PR, so designates the standards as being those of the fifth Praetorian cohort. Evidently that cohort served as Hadrian’s personal bodyguard both on land and at sea during his second great tour of the empire, which lasted from 128 until about 132 AD, and so received the honor of being preferentially named on the coins! The date of our aureus, c. 129-131 AD, derives from C. Clay’s unpublished research into the chronology of Hadrian’s Roman coinage; Mattingly, BM, p. cxlii, dated this issue too late (c. 132-4 AD). Hill, Undated Coins, no. 409, dated our aureus about right, to 129 AD, but his theory of a posthumous issue of aurei of Hadrian struck by Antoninus Pius during the struggle over Hadrian’s deification in 138, showing a young, curly-haired portrait of the emperor and also including the type of the emperor standing with a standard marked V (BM 530, see above), must be rejected. That aureus too must be dated on the basis of its legend form to c. 129-131 AD.
Commemorates Cornelius Palma’s conquest of Arabia Petrea c. 105-6 AD and his establishment of a new province there perhaps a couple of years later (Strack, Traian, pp. 194-5). Discovery Piece of Fifth Praetorian Cohort
446. Hadrian. 117-138 AD. Aureus, 7.41g. Rome, c. 129-31 AD. Obv: HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS Bare-headed bust right, with fold of cloak on front shoulder and wrapped around neck at back. Rx: COS - III P P Bare-headed emperor in military dress standing left, raising right hand and holding spear in left; to left, two standards topped respectively by eagle and by wreath above an emblem inscribed V; to right, a
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Enlargement
shoulder and behind neck. Rx: LIBERALITAS - VII COS IIII Lictor standing right, head left, holding coin counter and fasces with axe. Strack 263, pl. III (same dies). BM p. 116 note = Calico 1583. Bust variety of Cohen 520 (Paris, 45 Fr.) = RIC 229. Mint State $8,500 447. Sabina, Wife of Hadrian. Denarius, 2.90g. Uncertain Eastern mint, c. 128-131 AD. Obv: SABINA - AVGVSTA Bust draped left in high relief, hair falling in plait down neck. Rx: COS III Star above and within crescent. A very rare Eastern denarius of Sabina; only a couple of types, represented by one or two specimens each, are known. BM, p. 361, b (Vienna). Strack, p. 216, 13 (Vienna, Holschek). RSC $1,800 35a. Fine portrait in very high relief. EF Ex New York Sale XIV, 10 January 2007, lot 292. 60. Ex Triton VII, 13 January 2004, lot 975. Ex CNG 60, 2002, lot 1694. The Eastern mint here gave Sabina the consular title and reverse type of Hadrian, just as it often strangely jumbled Hadrian’s own types and titles on its coins. It is thus incorrect to relegate this denarius of Sabina to the category of “hybrids”, as in BMC, Strack, and RSC; for the Eastern mint this is a perfectly regular coin!
448. Antoninus Pius. 138-161 AD. As, 10.99g. Rome, 143-4 AD. Obv: ANTONINVS AVG PI V S P P TR P COS III Head laureate right. Rx: IMPERATOR II around edge above, ANCILIA below, S - C in field, two ancilia, shields formed like an oval shield placed on top of two round ones, which protrude above and below. A thunderbolt and a large circular boss ornament each of the oval shields, while the top and bottom of a thunderbolt respectively decorate each of the pairs of round shields. BM 1629. Cohen 30 (4 Fr.). RIC 736a. Slight hairlines on obverse. Pleasant VF $600
This is the only time that a lictor, incongruously holding a coin counter, was used as a type to commemorate an imperial largesse: lictors indeed appear in largesse-scene types as guards of the emperor, but it was not their job to dole out denarii with the coin counter! This aureus is rare: only three museum specimens cited by Strack, and three more shown in Berk photofile and by Calico-1581/2 (misdescribed). Of the four illustrated specimens, three are from the same dies as our coin, the fourth from the same obverse die but a different reverse die. The occasion for Antoninus’ seventh largesse of 154 AD is unknown.
450. Diva Faustina I. Died 141 AD. Denarius, 3.70g. Rome. Obv: DIVA - FAVSTINA Bust draped right. Rx: AETER - NITAS Providentia (?), wiith veil rising in circle above head, standing left, holding globe in right hand, left hand on veil. BM 373. Cohen 32. RIC 351. FDC $250
451. Marcus Aurelius. 161-180 AD. Aureus, 7.28g. 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. Calicó 2005 (same dies). BM 465 (same reverse die, pl. 61.19). Cohen 898 (40 Fr.). RIC 189. Mint State $15,000
The ancilia were twelve archaic shields alleged to have fallen from the sky, cared for by the Salian priests, which were kept in the Regia during campaigning season, and became sacred symbols of Rome’s rule (Der kleine Pauly 1, pp. 342-3). Ancilia appeared only one other time on coins, as a reverse type on denarii struck by P. Stolo for Augustus in 17 BC, associated here with an apex, the pointed cap of the Salian priests (BM I, pl. 3.2-3). 452. Lucilla, wife of L. Verus. Aureus, 7.22g. Rome. Obv: LVCILLAE AVG ANTONINI AVG F Bust draped right. Rx: VENVS Venus standing left, holding apple and scepter. Calicó 2218 (same dies). BM 320. Cohen 69 (130 Fr.). RIC 783. Good EF $15,000 449. Aureus, 7.40g. Rome, c. 154 AD. Obv: ANTONINVS AVG P IVS P P TR P XVI Bust laureate right with fold of cloak on front
Ex NAC 34, 24 November 2006, lot 34. Ex NAC 23, 19 March 2002, lot 1587.
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453. Denarius, 3.14g. Rome. Obv: LVCILLAE AVG - ANTONINI AVG F Bust draped right. Rx: CONCORDIA Concordia seated left, holding patera and resting left elbow on large cornucopia beside chair. Usually Concordia rests her elbow on a statuette of Spes, here omitted, and there is a smaller cornucopia under the throne. Reverse type variant of BM 305, Cohen 6, and RIC 757. Beautiful multicolored toning. Very interesting style. EF $425 Ex NAC 40, 18 May 2007, lot 744.
Important Roman Medallion
be illegitimate, could be depicted or even just alluded to on the coinage. Dressel, Die römischen Medaillone…zu Berlin, pp. 154-161, pointed out that the shield before the two portraits could be an attribute of Commodus himself not his companion, referring to his favorite name Amazonius, just as an Amazonian shield held by two kneeling Amazons appears below the famous portrait of Commodus as Hercules in the Vatican. The female in the background on the medallion, then, wearing an Attic helmet and a necklace, will simply be Roma, not Marcia. And a parallel jugate portrait type, which occurs on the medallions of the same year, will show Commodus and Minerva, not Commodus and Marcia: here Commodus’ bust is laureate, draped, and cuirassed, without rays in his hair, the Amazonian shield is omitted, and the female (Minerva) wears a breastplate and a Corinthian helmet. As Dressel points out, there is other evidence too, particularly on the coinage, that Roma and Minerva were favorite goddesses of Commodus’. These are the first jugate portraits of an emperor and his patron divinity to appear on Roman coins.
454. Commodus. 177-192 AD. Bimetallic medallion with copper center and orichalcum rim, 74.44g. Rome, 192 AD. Obv: L AELIVS AVRELIVS COMMO - DVS AVG PIVS FELIX Jugate heads right of laureate Commodus, with rays emerging from his hair, and of Roma wearing necklace and Attic helmet with plume resting on dog; at lower right Amazonian shield (pelta). Rx: P - M T - R P XVII - IMP VIII around, COS VII P P in exergue, Commodus, togate and veiled, stands left holding roll and sacrificing to Felicitas from patera over tripod altar; Felicitas stands left, head right, in the center of the type, holding long caduceus and cornucopia; on left, youthful victimarius with bare chest stands right, holding ax and leading up sacrificial bull by rope. Only the second recorded specimen of this reverse type combined with jugate portraits of Commodus and Roma, unpublished before 2005: earlier the type had been known combined with jugate portraits of Commodus and Minerva, or with the portrait of Commodus alone. NAC 29, 11 May 2005, lot 560 (same dies). An otherwise unpublished type combination: reverse as Gnecchi pl. 85.7 (same die), obverse as Gnecchi pl. 85.8-10 (same die). Cf. Cohen p. 378, 1 (700 Fr.). Good VF $37,500 The Amazonian shield in our jugate portrait type has been thought to identify Commodus’ female companion there as his mistress Marcia, since according to his Latin biography, Commodus loved to see Marcia depicted as an Amazon. However, it seems impossible that a concubine, who bore no official title and whose children from the emperor would
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455. Pertinax. 193 AD. Denarius, 3.31g. Rome. Obv: IMP CAES P HELV - PERTIN AVG Head laureate right. Rx: IANO CO - NSERVAT Janus, with two heads, facing left and right, standing front, weight on right leg, holding scepter in right hand. Rare early type, not represented among the 54 denarii of Pertinax in the Reka Devnia hoard. BM 2, pl. 1.2 (same dies). RIC 3 (R3). Cohen 17 (100 Fr.). Some reverse porosity. Excellent portrait. VF $1,250
459. Denarius, 3.29g. Rome. Obv: IMP CAES P HELV - PERTIN AVG Head laureate right. Rx: LAETITIA TE - MPOR COS II Laetitia standing left holding wreath and scepter. BM 8. RIC 4a (R2). Cohen 20 (50 Fr.). VF $1,000
“The dedication to ‘Janus the Preserver’ alludes to the peculiar circumstance of Pertinax’s accession on the first day of the New Year” (BMC, pp. lxi-lxii). 460. Denarius, 3.23g. Rome. Obv: IMP CAES P HELV - PERTIN AVG Head laureate right. Rx: AEQVIT AVG - TR P COS II Aequitas standing left holding scales and cornucopia. BM 15. RIC 1a (R2). Cohen 2 (50 Fr.). VF $1,000 456. Denarius, 2.96g. Rome. Obv: IMP CAES P HELV - PERTIN AVG Head laureate right. Rx: IANO CO - NSERVAT Janus, with two heads, facing left and right, standing front, weight on right leg, holding scepter in right hand. From a different die pair than the last lot. BM 2. RIC 3 (R3). Cohen 17 (100 Fr.). Several edge splits and a longer flan crack at 1:00. Rare early issue. About VF $1,000
461. Denarius, 3.54g. Rome. Obv: IMP CAES P HELV - PERTIN AVG Head laureate right. Rx: AEQVIT AVG - TR P COS II Aequitas standing left holding scales and cornucopia. A second specimen from different dies. BM 15. RIC 1a (R2). Cohen 2 (50 Fr.). Good VF $1,500
457. Denarius, 3.18g. Rome. Obv: IMP CAES P HELV - PERTIN AVG Head laureate right. Rx: LAETITIA TE - MPOR COS II Laetitia standing left holding wreath and scepter. BM 8. RIC 4a (R2). Cohen 20 (50 Fr.). Sensitive portrait. VF $1,500
458. Denarius, 3.38g. Rome. Obv: IMP CAES P HELV - PERTIN AVG Head laureate right. Rx: LAETITIA TE - MPOR COS II Laetitia standing left holding wreath and scepter. BM 8. RIC 4a (R2). Cohen 20 (50 Fr.). Good VF $1,250
462. Denarius, 3.51g. Rome. Obv: IMP CAES P HELV - PERTIN AVG Head laureate right. Rx: PROVID - DEOR COS II The Human Race standing left, raising both arms towards star in field left. Rare: only two specimens in Reka Devnia hoard, not in BM by 1975. The variant with the lady raising her forearms only, and with her left arm overlapping her body, is a little commoner: seven specimens in the hoard. BM 10 note. RIC 10a (R2). Cohen 40 (50 Fr.). VF $1,000 The reverse type suggests that the gods sent a star to presage Pertinax’ accession, possibly a reference to a comet which according to Herodian appeared late in Commodus’ reign as an omen of his impending assassination.
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463. Denarius, 3.38g. Rome. Obv: IMP CAES P HELV - PERTIN AVG Head laureate right. Rx: OPI DIVIN TR P COS II Ops seated left holding two wheat ears. BM 19. RIC 8a (R2). Cohen 33 (60 Fr.). About EF $1,500
464. Denarius, 3.36g. Rome. Obv: IMP CAES P HELV - PERTIN AVG Head laureate right. Rx: VOT DECE - N TR P COS II Pertinax, togate and veiled, sacrificing left from patera over tripod altar and holding roll. The earliest Roman coin type to commemorate the undertaking of decennalian vows at the beginning of an emperor’s reign. BM 24. RIC 13a (R2). Cohen 56 (50 Fr.). Choice EF $2,400
465. Denarius, 3.49g. Rome. Obv: IMP CAES P HELV - PERTIN AVG Head laureate right. Rx: VOT DECE - N TR P COS II Pertinax, togate and veiled, sacrificing left from patera over tripod altar and holding roll. From different dies than the last lot. BM 24. RIC 13a (R2). Cohen 56 (50 Fr.). Good VF $1,500
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468. Didius Julianus. 193 AD. Denarius, 3.09g. Rome. Obv: IMP CAES M DID - IVLIAN AVG Head laureate right. Rx: CONCO - R - D - MILIT Concordia standing left holding two standards, the first topped by an eagle, the second by a fringed banner like a vexillum. BM 2. RIC 1 (R3). Cohen 2 corr. (100 Fr.). EF $2,000
469. Denarius, 2.98g. Rome. Obv: IMP CAES M DID - IVLIAN AVG Head laureate right. Rx: P M TR - P COS Fortuna standing left holding rudder on globe and cornucopia. BM 6. RIC 2 (R3). Cohen 10 (100 Fr.). VF $1,000
470. Denarius, 2.82g. Rome. Obv: IMP CAES M DID - IVLIAN AVG Head laureate right. Rx: P M TR - P COS Fortuna standing left holding rudder on globe and cornucopia. From different dies than the last lot. BM 6. RIC 2 (R3). Cohen 10 (100 Fr.). Minor flan flaw at 3:00 on obverse edge. VF $1,000
466. Denarius, 3.11g. Rome. Obv: DIVVS PERT - PIVS PATER Head bare right. Rx: CONSECRATIO Eagle standing right, head left, on globe. Rare. Only two specimens in Reka Devnia hoard, compared to 52 specimens of Pertinax alive. BM 37, pl. 6, 7 (same dies). RIC 24A (R3). Cohen 6 (120 Fr.). Good VF $3,000
471. Denarius, 3.50g. Rome. Obv: IMP CAES M DID - IVLIAN AVG Head laureate right. Rx: RECTOR ORBIS Togate emperor standing l. holding globe and roll. BM 7. RIC 3 (R3). Cohen 15 (100 Fr.). Unusually nice portrait. About EF $1,500
467. Divus Pertinax. 193 AD. Denarius, 2.36g. Rome. Obv: DIVVS PERT - PIVS PATER Head bare right. Rx: CONSECRATIO Eagle standing right, head left, on globe. Rare. From a different pair of dies than the last lot. BM 36, pl. 6, 6 (same obverse die). RIC 24A (R3). Cohen 6 (120 Fr.). About VF $1,500
472. Manlia Scantilla, Wife of Didius Julianus. Denarius, 3.09g. Rome. Obv: MANL SCA - NTILLA AVG Bust draped right. Rx: IVNO RE - GINA Juno standing left holding patera and scepter, peacock at her feet. BM 11. RIC 7a (R3). Cohen 2 (300 Fr.). Struck on a broad, full flan. Pleasant VF $2,000
477. Denarius, 3.00g. Rome. Obv: DIDIA CLA-RA AVG Bust draped right. Rx: HILAR TEMPOR Hilaritas standing left holding long palm and cornucopia. BM 14. RIC 10 (R3). Cohen 2 (300 Fr.). Sensitive portrait. Good VF $2,500 473. Sestertius, 19.60g. Rome. Obv: MANLIA SCA - NTILLA AVG Bust draped right. Rx: IVNO REGINA S - C Juno, veiled, standing left holding patera and scepter, peacock at her feet. BM 36, pl. 4, 5 (same obverse die). RIC 18a (R2). Cohen 6 (50 Fr.). Woodward, Coinage of Didius Julianus, Numismatic Chronicle (1961), p. 80, obverse die 14, pl. XI.6, reverse die G, pl. XI.5, a new die combination. Olive patination. Struck on a broad flan. About EF $7,250
474. Didia Clara, Daughter of Didius Julianus. Denarius, 3.06g. Rome. Obv: DIDIA CLA-RA AVG Bust draped right. Rx: HILA - R - TEMPOR Hilaritas standing left holding long palm and cornucopia. BM 14. RIC 10 (R3). Cohen 2 (300 Fr.). VF $2,000
478. Pescennius Niger. 193-194 AD. Denarius, 3.21g. Cappadocia, Caesarea. Obv: IMP CAES C PESC - NIGER IVST AVG Head laureate right. Rx: VICTO - RI - AE A[VG] Victory, naked to waist, standing left, inscribing AV / G in two lines on shield set on column, upright palm branch between Victory and the column. Apparently only the second recorded specimen of this exact variety. The Rollin coin described by Cohen had laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust, and Cohen does not mention whether the palm branch on reverse was in Victory’s hand or in the field. Leu 30, 28 April 1982, 400 = J. Schulman 258, June 1974, 1812 (same reverse die). Bust variety of Cohen 73 (Rollin, 300 Fr.), whence BM 316 note and RIC 84 corr. Unusually nice for the normally debased issue of Pescennius Niger. EF $4,000 The reverse type has two peculiarities: the repetition of AVG in the reverse legend and on the shield, and the palm branch in center field, instead of being carried by Victory under her left arm, as normally. Other dies with a similar type, for example J. Hirsch XXIV, 1909, Consul Weber, 1785, have reverse legend VICTORIAE only, to avoid the repetition, and Victory holds the palm branch as usual in her left hand.
475. Denarius, 3.19g. Rome. Obv: DIDIA CLA-RA AVG Bust draped right. Rx: HILA - R - TEMPOR Hilaritas standing left holding long palm and cornucopia. BM 14. RIC 10 (R3). Cohen 2 (300 Fr.). Excellent portrait. Good VF $2,500
Enlargement
476. Denarius, 3.21g. Rome. Obv: DIDIA CLA-RA AVG Bust draped right. Rx: HILA - R - TEMPOR Hilaritas standing left holding long palm and cornucopia. BM 14. RIC 10 (R3). Cohen 2 (300 Fr.). Pleasant VF $2,000
479. Clodius Albinus as Caesar. 193-195 AD. Denarius, 3.22g. Rome, 194-5 AD. Obv: D CLOD SEPT - ALBIN CAES Head bare right. Rx: MINER - PA - CIF COS II Minerva standing left holding branch and shield on ground, spear rests against her left arm. BM 95. RIC 7. Cohen 48 (12 Fr.). Usual weakly struck reverse. EF $750
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480. Denarius, 3.10g. Rome, 194 AD. Obv: D CLOD SEPT - A[L] BIN CAES Head bare right. Rx: FELICI - TAS COS II Felicitas standing left holding short caduceus and scepter. BM 91. Cohen 15 (12 Fr.). RIC 4. Good EF $750
481. Septimius Severus. 193-211 AD. Denarius, 3.57g. Rome, 206 AD. Obv: SEVERVS PIVS AVG Head laureate right. LAETITIA TEMPORVM 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 attacking a bison. BM 343. RIC 274 (R2). Cohen 253 (60 Fr.). Struck on a broad flan. Good VF $1,000 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. Cassius Dio describes the same animal hunt, but his epitomator has clumsily omitted a large section of the preceding original text, wrongly creating the impression that the hunt was held in 202 not 204 AD. Both the inscriptional acts and Dio say that 700 beasts were killed, one hundred each of the same seven animals that are depicted in the coin type, namely lions, lionesses, panthers, bears, bison, wild asses, and ostriches. Dio also says that the receptacle from which the beasts were released was shaped like a ship, and the coin type suggests that the hunt must have taken place in the Circus Maximus where the spina had also been fitted out as a ship. The coins commemorating these games were not struck until 206 AD, two years after the event, as is proved by the change from “draped bust” to “head only” obverse type on the relevant coins of Caracalla, and by other indications. For a fuller version of these arguments see C. Clay’s note to lot 400 in Harlan J. Berk, 115th Buy or Bid Sale, 2 August 2000.
482. Denarius, 3.32g. Rome, 206 AD. Obv: SEVERVS PIVS AVG Head laureate right. LAETITIA TEMPORVM 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 attacking a bison. The reverse type commemorates the chariot races and animal hunt that were held on the seventh and final day of Severus’ Saecular Games in 204 AD. From different dies than the last lot. BM 343. RIC 274 (R2). Cohen 253 (60 Fr.). Weakly struck at the highest point of Septimius’ portrait. About VF $750
483. Denarius, 3.13g. New-style Eastern Mint, 202 AD. Obv: L SEPT SEV AVG I - MP XI PART MA - X Head laureate right. Rx: VOTIS / DECEN / NALI / BVS in four lines within laurel wreath. This type commemorating Septimius’ decennalian vows was appropriate from the beginning of his tenth regnal year in April 202 on. Rare: only one specimen in Reka Devnia hoard, three in Berk photofile. BM 681. RIC 520a. Cohen 798 (6 Fr.). Mint State $750
484. Divus Septimius Severus. Died 211 AD. Denarius, 3.20g. Rome. Obv: DIVO SEVERO PIO Head bare right. Rx: CONSECRATIO Eagle standing right, head left, on globe. Scarce: only ten specimens in Reka Devnia Hoard. BM 21. RIC 191C. Cohen 84 (5 Fr.). EF $750
485. Denarius, 3.04g. Rome. Obv: DIVO SEVERO PIO Head bare right. Rx: CONSECRATIO Frontal throne with wreath on seat, fringed cloth cover hanging down from front of seat, footstool below. Rare: only two specimens in Reka Devnia Hoard. BM 25. RIC 191E. Cohen 87 (5 Fr.). Some porosity at right of obverse and at left of reverse, otherwise EF $350 One of the honors regularly voted to a deified emperor by the Senate was that a throne bearing a golden wreath should be set up in his memory at the Circus and other theaters during performances there.
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486. Denarius, 3.18g. Rome. Obv: DIVO SEVERO PIO Head bare right. Rx: CONSE - CRATIO Funeral pyre of five stories, atop which emperor in facing quadriga. Scarce: only eight specimens in Reka Devnia Hoard. BM 27. RIC 191F. Cohen 89 (5 Fr., misprinted 2 Fr. in 2nd ed.). Thin short flan crack at top on both sides. EF $500
487. Julia Domna. Wife of Septimius Severus and Mother of Caracalla. Aureus, 7.18g. Rome, 196 AD. Obv: IVLIA AVGVSTA Draped bust right. Rx: DIANA - LVCIFERA Diana standing left holding lighted torch with both hands, no crescent behind her shoulders. Calico 2610 (same dies). BM 14, pl. 27, 7 (same dies). Cohen 31 (formerly Paris, 200 Fr.). RIC 548 note. Mint State $15,000
490. Denarius, 2.50g. Rome, 217 AD. Obv: IVLIA PIA - FELIX AVG Bust draped right, hair braid gathered in small nest. Rx: LVNA LVCIFERA Luna, with small crescent on head and cloak billowing above head, in biga of horses left; the horses’ back legs are extended and rest on a ground line. BM 10 var. RIC 379c. Cohen 105. EF $150 Small changes were made to Caracalla’s reverse types early in 217, and at the same time Julia’s two types were apparently also modified: her VENVS GENETRIX was given an apple to hold and Cupid was placed at her feet, while in her LVNA LVCIFERA type the previously bent back legs of the horses were now extended and a short ground line was added to the type. The second variant is rarer than the first, since it was only struck for a couple of months, from early 217 until Caracalla’s assassination in the spring. The difference between these two LVNA LVCIFERA types, observed by C. Clay, is not noted in the standard catalogues.
Ex NAC 38, 21 March 2007, lot 101.
488. Denarius, 3.07g. Rome, c. 206 AD. Obv: IVLIA - AVGVSTA Bust draped right. Rx: MATER AVGG Cybele seated on car drawn left by four lions, holding branch and resting elbow on drum. Scarce: only six specimens in Reka Devnia hoard. BM 48. RIC 562. Cohen 117 (4 Fr.). About EF $300
489. Antoninianus, 4.70g. Rome, 215-217 AD. Obv: IVLIA PIA - FELIX AVG Bust draped right on crescent, wearing stephane, hair braid gathered in small nest. Rx: LVNA LVCIFERA Luna, with small crescent on head and cloak billowing above head, in biga of horses left; the horses’ back legs are bent and there is no ground line. The earlier variant of this reverse type; for the later variant see the next lot. BM 9. RSC 106a. RIC 379a. EF $350
491. Caracalla. 198-217 AD. Sestertius, 21.77g. Rome, 215 AD. Obv: M AVREL ANTONINVS PIVS AVG GERM Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: P M TR P XVIII IMP III COS IIII P P S - C Aesculapius standing right, head left, holding staff around which serpent is entwined, flanked by standing Telesphorus on left and globe on right. Commemorates Caracalla’s visit to the temple of Aesculapius in Pergamum towards the end of the preceding year, 214 AD. BM 280. Cohen 329 (8 Fr.). RIC 538a. Green patination. Uncleaned as found. EF $6,000
492. Antoninianus, 5.76g. Rome, 215 AD. Obv: ANTONINVS PIVS AVG GERM Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed right, seen from front. Rx: P M TRP XVIII COS IIII P P Luna, with crescent on head and fold of drapery in circle around head, in biga of bulls left, holding the reins. BM 120. RSC 294a. RIC256c. EF $300
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493. Denarius, 3.16g. Rome, 216 AD. Obv: ANTONINVS PIVS AVG GERM Head laureate right. Rx: P M TR P XVIIII COS IIII P P Sol, holding whip under left arm, mounting quadriga of horse leaping left. Rare: only one specimen in Reka Devnia hoard. BM 176, pl. 72, 6 (same reverse die). RIC 282f. Cohen 355 (3 Fr.). Reverse somewhat weakly struck. Near Mint State $200
494. Caracalla and Septimius Severus. 198-217 AD. Denarius, 3.06g. Rome, 202 AD. Obv: ANTONINVS - PIVS AVG Bust of Caracalla laureate, draped right. Rx: SEVERVS PIVS AVG P M TR P X Head of Septimius laureate right. Die links prove that Caracalla is on the obverse of this coin and Septimius Severus on the reverse, not vice versa as wrongly assumed in the standard catalogues. One of the rarest dynastic Severan denarii because it places Septimius on the reverse; it is dated to a specific year by his title TR P X. BM p. 230 (Vienna). RIC 180 (R3). Cohen 7 corr.(Vienna, 60 Fr.). EF $1,000
495. Geta as Caesar. 198-209 AD. Denarius, 3.20g. Rome, 208 AD. Obv: P SEPTIMIVS GETA CAES Bust draped right, head bare. Rx: PONTIFEX COS II Geta in consular quadriga right, extending right hand and holding eagle-tipped scepter in left hand. Very rare: about a dozen other specimens known to C. Clay, all from the same reverse die as our coin. A second die of the same type has the shortened legend PONTIF COS II. BM 591 note. RIC 66. RSC 103b. Cohen 122 (50 Fr.) var. EF $200
496. Macrinus. 217-218 AD. Antoninianus, 4.84g. Rome, c. 217 AD. Obv: IMP C M OPEL SEV MACRINVS AVG Bust radiate, cuirassed right, seen from front, with short beard. Rx: IOVI CONSER - VATORI Jupiter standing left holding thunderbolt in right hand over small figure of emperor and scepter in left hand. Rare, like all antoniniani of Macrinus: only three specimens in Reka Devnia hoard. BM 18. Cohen 38 var. (12 Fr.). RIC 77. Toned EF $1,000 Ex Freeman & Sear, MBS 9, 2003, lot 639.
86
497. Denarius, 3.51g. Rome, 218 AD. Obv: IMP C M OPEL SEV MACRINVS AVG Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: P M TR P II COS P P Annona standing left holding wheat ears and cornucopia, modius at feet. BM 44. RSC 47a. RIC 26. EF $400
498. Denarius, 3.77g. Rome, 217-8 AD. Obv: IMP C M OPEL SEV MACRINVS AVG Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right, seen from front. Rx: FIDES MILITVM Fides standing left, head right, placing right foot on helmet, holding standard in each hand. BM 65. RSC 23b. RIC 67. Wonderful style. Mint State $750
499. Denarius, 2.88g. Rome, 217-8 AD. Obv: IMP C M OPEL SEV MACRINVS AVG Bust laureate, cuirassed right, seen from front. Rx: FIDES MI - LITVM Fides standing left, head right, placing right foot on helmet, holding standard in each hand. A bust-type variety of the preceding lot. BM 65 note. RSC 23c. RIC 67. EF $300
500. Diadumenian as Caesar. 217-218 AD. Denarius, 2.93g. Rome, c. May-June 217 AD. Obv: M OPEL DIADVMENIANVS CAES Bust draped right, head bare. Rx: PRINC IVVENTVTIS Diadumenian holding baton and scepter, standing left before two standards, which are topped by a hand(?) and a wreath respectively. The rare earliest issue for Diadumenian as Caesar, represented by only three specimens in the Reka Devnia hoard, before he adopted Caracalla’s name Antoninus. BM 82 note. RIC 107. Cohen 12 (15 Fr.). EF $500
501. Denarius, 3.42g. Rome. Obv: M OPEL ANT DIADVMENIAN CAES Bare-headed bust right, draped and cuirassed, seen from front. Rx: PRINC IVVENTVTIS Diadumenian standing left, head right, holding standard and scepter, two further standards behind him. RSC 3b. RIC 102. Bust variety of BM 87. Flan defect in obverse field at 4:00, otherwise very sweet style and Good EF with luster $600
502. Denarius, 3.61g. Rome, c. March-May 218 AD. Obv: M OPEL ANT DIADVMENIAN AVG Bare-headed, draped, cuirassed bust right, seen from behind. Rx: SPES PVBLICA Spes advancing left, holding flower and raising skirt. RSC 21b. BM 94 note. RIC 117 var. Beautiful portrait struck in high relief. Feet of Spes on reverse weakly struck. Choice EF $750
503. Denarius, 3.42g. Rome, c. March-May 218 AD. Obv: M OPEL ANT DIADVMENIAN AVG Bare-headed, draped, cuirassed bust right, seen from behind. Rx: SPES PVBLICA Spes advancing left, holding flower and raising skirt. From different dies than the preceding lot. RSC 21b. BM 94 note. RIC 117 var. Choice EF $650
504. Denarius, 3.26g. Rome, c. March-May 218 AD. Obv: M OPEL ANT DIADVMENIAN AVG Bare-headed, draped, cuirassed bust right, seen from front. Rx: SPES PVBLICA Spes advancing left, holding flower and raising skirt. A bust-type variety of the preceding two lots. RSC 21a. BM 92. RIC 117. About EF $500
505. Julia Maesa, Grandmother of Elagabalus and Severus Alexander. Denarius, 2.96g. Rome, 221-222 AD. Obv: IVLIA MAESA AVG Bust draped right. Rx: PVDICITIA Pudicitia seated left, raising veil and holding scepter. BM 76. Cohen 36. RIC 268. Mint State $150
506. Severus Alexander as Caesar. 221-222 AD. Denarius, 2.60g. Rome. Obv: M AVR ALEXANDER CAES Bust bare-headed, draped right. Rx: PIETAS AVG Priestly implements: lituus, knife, pitcher, ladle, sprinkler. BM 266. RIC 3. Cohen 198 (30 Fr.). EF $500
507. Severus Alexander. 222-235 AD. Denarius, 3.21g. Rome, 232 AD. Obv: IMP ALEXAN D ER-PIVS AVG Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right, seen from front. Rx: VOTIS / VICEN / NALI / BVS in four lines within wreath. Very rare: only one specimen in Reka Devnia hoard, none in Eauze hoard; only one in Berk photofile, namely NFA, 20 March 1988, 317, which is from the same dies as our coin. BM 819. RIC 261 (R). Cohen 596 (30 Fr.). About EF $300 Because die-linked to LIBERALITAS AVG V, this reverse type was apparently struck in 232, not 231 as stated in BM: see note to Gemini II, 2006, 501.
508. Severus Alexander and Julia Mamaea. Small medallion, 9.78g. Rome. Obv: IMP SEV ALEXAND AVG IVLIA MAMAEA AVG around, MATER AVG in exergue, bust of Alexander, laureate, draped, cuirassed right, seen from front, facing draped bust of Mamaea left, seen from front, wearing stephane. Rx: [FELICI - TAS] TEMPORVM Togate emperor seated left on curule chair, holding globe and roll; behind him Victory standing right, head left, about to place wreath on emperor’s head and holding palm; before emperor, Felicitas standing left, head right, holding long caduceus; in background, above emperor’s right arm, head and shoulders of another female standing left. A third specimen from the same dies, apart from BM 540 and ours, in Münzhandlung Basel 3, March 1935, Prince W(aldeck), lot 780. A variant with MAT AVG not MATER AVG on the obverse also occurs: Gnecchi 16 (7 specimens). BM 540, pl. 19 (same dies). Gnecchi 17 (BM only). Cohen 8 (50 Fr.). Obverse struck in high relief. Black patina. VF $6,500
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509. Orbiana, Wife of Severus Alexander. Denarius, 2.61g. Rome, c. 226 AD. Obv: SALL BARBIA - ORBIANA AVG Bust draped right, wearing stephane. Rx: CONCORDI - A - AVGG Concordia seated left holding patera and double cornucopia. BM 287. Cohen 1 (20 Fr.). RIC 319. Sweet portrait. EF $750
510. Diva Paulina, Wife of Maximinus I. Denarius, 2.99g. Rome. Obv: DIVA PAVLINA Bust draped, veiled right. Rx: CONSECRATIO Empress seated left, veiled, raising right hand and holding scepter in left, on back of peacock flying right, bearing her to the heavens. BM 127. RIC 2 (R2). Cohen 2 (50 Fr.). Near Mint State $1,000
511. Denarius, 2.66g. Rome. Obv: DIVA PAVLINA Bust draped, veiled right. Rx: CONSECRATIO Empress seated left, veiled, raising right hand and holding scepter in left, on back of peacock flying right, bearing her to the heavens. From different dies than the preceding lot. BM 127. RIC 2 (R2). Cohen 2 (50 Fr.). Near Mint State $1,000
514. Denarius, 3.12g. Rome, 236-238 AD. Obv: MAXIMVS CAES GERM Bust draped right with head bare. Rx: PRINC IVVENTVTIS Prince standing left holding baton and spear, two standards behind him. BM 211. RIC 3. Cohen 10 (20 Fr.). Mint State $1,000
515. Gordian I Africanus. 238 AD. Denarius, 3.02g. Rome. Obv: IMP M ANT GORDIANVS AFR AVG Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: ROMAE AETERNAE Roma seated left above shield, holding Victory and spear. BM 8. RIC 4 (R2). Cohen 8 (120 Fr.). About EF $2,000
516. Denarius, 2.95g. Rome. Obv: IMP M ANT GORDIANVS AFR AVG Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: SECVRITAS AVGG Securitas seated left holding scepter. BM 11. RIC 5 (R2). Cohen 10 (120 Fr.). FDC $3,000
512. Maximus as Caesar, son of Maximinus I. 235-238 AD. Denarius, 3.40g. Rome, 235-6 AD. Obv: IVL VERVS MAXIMVS CAES Bare-headed, draped bust right. Rx: PIETAS AVG Priestly implements: lituus, knife, pitcher, ladle, whisk. BM 118. RIC 1. Cohen 1 (20 Fr.). Mint State $750
513. Denarius, 3.16g. Rome, 235-236 AD. Obv: IVL VERVS MAXIMVS CAES Bare-headed, draped bust right. Rx: PIETAS AVG Priestly implements: lituus, knife, pitcher, ladle, whisk. A second specimen from different dies. BM 118. RIC 1. Cohen 1 (20 Fr.). Mint State $1,000
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Enlargement
517. Gordian II Africanus. 238 AD. Denarius, 3.03g. Rome. Obv: IMP M ANT GORDIANVS AFR AVG Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: PROVIDE - NTIA AVGG Providentia standing left, legs crossed, leaning on column, holding wand and cornucopia, globe at feet. BM 19. RIC 1 (R2). Cohen 5 (120 Fr.). Wonderful Mint State $3,000
520. Denarius, 3.09g. Rome. Obv: IMP M ANT GORDIANVS AFR AVG Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: VIRTVS AVGG Virtus standing left, leaning on shield and holding spear. BM 30. RIC 3 (R2). Cohen 14 (120 Fr.). Exquisite portrait. Choice Mint State $3,000
Enlargement
Enlargement
518. Denarius, 2.97g. Rome. Obv: IMP M ANT GORDIANVS AFR AVG Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: PROVIDENTIA AVGG Providentia standing left, legs crossed, leaning on column, holding wand and cornucopia, globe at feet. From a different die pair than the preceding lot. FDC $3,000
519. Denarius, 2.99g. Rome. Obv: IMP M ANT GORDIANVS AFR AVG Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: VICTO - RIA AVGG Victory advancing l. holding wreath and palm. BM 28. RIC 2 (R2). Cohen 12 (120 Fr.). FDC $3,000
Enlargement
521. Balbinus. 238 AD. Denarius, 2.69g. Rome. Obv: IMP C D CAEL BALBINVS AVG Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right, seen from front. Rx: LIBERALITAS AVGVSTORVM Liberalitas standing left holding coin counter and cornucopia. The eight dots on the coin counter represent the depressions for holding coins. Rare early type, no specimens in Reka Devnia hoard, one specimen in Eauze hoard. BM 1, pl. 41 (same reverse die). RIC 3. Cohen 10 (10 Fr.). EF $650
522. Denarius, 3.28g. Rome. Obv: IMP C D CAEL BALBINVS AVG Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right, seen from front. Rx: IOVI CONSERVATORI Jupiter, naked apart from cloak hanging behind from his arms, standing left holding thunderbolt and scepter. Rare early reverse type, only one specimen in Reka Devnia hoard. BM 22. RIC 2. Cohen 8 (10 Fr.). Exquisite portrait. Reverse weakly struck. Mint State $850
Enlargement
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523. Denarius, 2.77g. Rome. Obv: IMP C D CAEL BALBINVS AVG Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right, seen from front. Rx: P M TR - P COS II P P Genius of the Senate standing left, holding branch and short scepter. Many catalogues wrongly call the figure on the reverse the emperor. Slightly odd layout of obverse die: usually the legend runs up much closer to the emperor’s shoulder. BM 26. RIC 5. Cohen 20 (10 Fr.). FDC $850
524. Denarius, 2.51g. Rome. Obv: MP C D CAEL BALBINVS AVG Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right, seen from front. Rx: P M TR - P COS II P P Genius of the Senate standing left, holding branch and short scepter. From different dies than the preceding lot. BM 26. RIC 5. Cohen 20 (10 Fr.). Mint State $850
525. Denarius, 2.83g. Rome. Obv: MP C D CAEL BALBINVS AVG Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right, seen from front. Rx: P M TR- P COS II P P Genius of the Senate standing left, holding branch and short scepter. A third specimen, again from different dies. BM 26. RIC 5. Cohen 20 (10 Fr.). Wonderful portrait. Mint State $850
526. Denarius, 3.37g. Rome. Obv: IMP C D CAEL BALBINVS AVG Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right, seen from front. Rx: PROVIDENTIA DEORVM Providentia standing left, holding wand over globe at feet and cornucopia. BM 33. RIC 7. Cohen 23 (10 Fr.). FDC $850
527. Denarius, 2.66g. Rome. Obv: IMP C D CAEL BALBINVS AVG Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right, seen from front. Rx: PROVIDENTIA DEORVM Providentia standing left, holding wand over globe at feet and cornucopia. From different dies than the preceding lot. BM 33. RIC 7. Cohen 23 (10 Fr.). Struck on an extremely broad flan. EF $650
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528. Denarius, 2.32g. Rome. Obv: IMP C D CAEL BALBINVS AVG Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right, seen from front. Rx: VICTO - RIA AVGG Victory standing right, head left, holding wreath and palm. BM 37. RIC 8. Cohen 27 (10 Fr.). Breathtaking FDC $1,200
Enlargement
529. Antoninianus, 5.08g. Rome. Obv: MP C D CAEL BALBINVS AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed right, seen from front. Rx: FIDES MVTVA AVGG Clasped hands. BM 71. RIC 11. Cohen 6 (10 Fr.). Choice EF $850
530. Pupienus. 238 AD. Denarius, 2.40g. Rome. Obv: IMP C M CLOD PVPIENVS AVG Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: CONCORDIA AVGG Concordia seated left holding patera and double cornucopia. Scarce reverse type: only two specimens in Eauze hoard. BM 42. RIC 1. Cohen 6 (10 Fr.). Mint State $1,000
531. Denarius, 2.77g. Rome. Obv: IMP C M CLOD PVPIENVS AVG Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: CONCORDIA AVGG Concordia seated left holding patera and double cornucopia. A second specimen, from different dies. BM 42. RIC 1. Cohen 6 (10 Fr.). Choice EF $800
532. Denarius, 3.26g. Rome. Obv: IMP C M CLOD PVPIENVS AVG Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: PAX - PVBLICA Pax seated left holding branch and scepter. BM 46. RIC 4. Cohen 22 (10 Fr.). Struck on a broad flan. Mint State $1,000
533. Denarius, 2.64g. Rome. Obv: IMP C M CLOD PVPIENVS AVG Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: PAX PVBLICA Pax seated left holding branch and scepter. From a different die pair than the preceding lot. BM 46. RIC 4. Cohen 22 (10 Fr.). Struck on a broad flan. Exquisite portrait. Mint State $1,000
536. Denarius, 3.65g. Rome. Obv: IMP C M CLOD PVPIENVS AVG Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: P M TR P - COS II P P Felicitas standing left holding short caduceus and scepter. A third example, again from different dies. BM 52. RIC 6. Cohen 26 (10 Fr.). Choice EF $900
537. Denarius, 3.14g. Rome. Obv: IMP C M CLOD PVPIENVS AVG Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: P M TR P - COS II P P Genius of the Senate standing left holding branch and short scepter. A rare type for Pupienus: not in BM by 1962, not in Eauze hoard. Six specimens in Berk photofile, CoinArchives, and Wildwinds combined, two of which are from the same reverse die as our coin. BM 50*. RIC 5. Cohen 29 (10 Fr.). Some reverse encrustation. Exquisite portrait. FDC $1,200
Enlargement
Enlargement
534. Denarius, 3.20g. Rome. Obv: IMP C M CLOD PVPIENVS AVG Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: P M TR - P COS II P P Felicitas standing left holding short caduceus and scepter. BM 52. RIC 6. Cohen 26 (10 Fr.). Choice EF $800
535. Denarius, 3.21g. Rome. Obv: IMP C M CLOD PVPIENVS AVG Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: P M TR P COS II P P Felicitas standing left holding short caduceus and scepter. A second specimen, from different dies. BM 52. RIC 6. Cohen 26 (10 Fr.). Mint State $1,000
538. Antoninianus, 5.45g. Rome. Obv: IMP CAES PVPIEN MAXIMVS AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: AMOR MVTVVS AVGG Clasped right hands. BM 82. RIC 9b. Cohen 2 (10 Fr.). Unusually broad flan. Choice EF $1,000
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539. Gordian III as Caesar. Denarius, 2.98g. Rome, 238 AD. Obv: M ANT GORDIANVS CAES Bust bare-headed, draped right. Rx: PIETAS AVGG Priestly implements: lituus, knife, pitcher, ladle, and sprinkler. A variant of our type shows six rather than just five priestly implements, adding a patera: Cohen 182 (Paris) with drawing, Eauze hoard 655 (one specimen), overlooked by BM 62-63 and RIC 1. BM 62. RIC 1. Eauze hoard 654 (two specimens, the one illustrated, pl. 37, being from the same obverse die as our coin). Cohen 182 var. (20 Fr.). Mint State $1,000
This reverse legend and type imply that the emperor has established peace through courageous military action. The type probably formed part of the New Year’s issue of medallions for either 1 January 240 or 1 January 242: the date is ambiguous, for whereas the obverse die of our piece is otherwise known combined with a reverse type dated TR P IIII, 241AD (Cohen p. 53, 292), the other obverse die that was coupled with the same VIRTVS AVGVSTI reverse die, Gnecchi pl. 106.10, is otherwise known combined with a type dated a year earlier, TR P III, 240 AD (Gnecchi pl. 105.2). The circular line separating the two metals of the planchet on our piece, though largely obscured by the heavy patina, is still visible running through the middle of the letters of the legends at 10:00-12:00 on the obverse and at 11:00-2:00 on the reverse. Most bimetallic medallions show a yellow brass rim surrounding a red copper center, but the unbroken patina on our piece does not allow us to ascertain whether or not it followed the normal pattern.
540. Denarius, 3.29g. Rome, 238 AD. Obv: M ANT GORDIANVS CAES Bust bare-headed, draped right. Rx: PIETAS AVGG Priestly implements: lituus, knife, pitcher, ladle, and sprinkler. A second specimen, from different dies. BM 62. RIC 1. Eauze hoard 654 (two specimens). Cohen 182 (20 Fr.). Choice EF $750
Enlargement
FDC Aureus
541. Gordian III as Augustus. Bimetallic bronze medallion, copper and orichalcum, 56.20g. Rome, c. 240-241 AD. Obv: IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FELIX AVG Half-length, laureate, cuirassed bust left, seen from front, with two-part aegis over shoulders joined at Medusa head on breast, holding Victory on globe in right hand and parazonium with grip ending in eagle head in left hand. Rx: VIR - TVS AVGV STI Gordian, laureate and in military dress, seated left on cuirass and shields, holding transverse spear in lowered left hand, and extending right hand to receive branch from Mars; Mars stands right, helmeted, with shield on left arm, extending branch to emperor with right hand; Victory standing left behind the emperor crowns him with her right hand and holds palm in her left; between Mars and the emperor, in the background, two soldiers standing facing, each holding standard. A new combination of known dies: Gnecchi pl. 106.2 (obverse) and pl. 106.10 (reverse). Fields slightly smoothed. Massive medallion of superb quality. VF/EF $15,000
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542. Philip I. 244-249 AD. Aureus, 4.30g. Rome, 244 AD. Obv: IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG Laureate, draped, cuirassed bust right. Rx: LAETIT FVNDAT Laetitia standing left, holding wreath and rudder. Very rare: only this specimen in Berk photofile, CoinArchives, and Wildwinds combined. Not in the d’Amecourt, Montagu, or Metropolitan Museum sales; not in Mazzini or Glasgow. The Schellerheim specimen quoted by Cohen should now be in the Paris collection. Calicó 3250 (this coin). RIC 36a (R3). Cohen 79 (Schellersheim, 500 Fr.). FDC $20,000 Ex NAC 46, 2 April 2008, lot 648.
546. Antoninianus, 4.07g. Antioch, 249 AD. Obv: IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: P M TR P VI COS P - P Radiate lion walking left. Rare: six specimens known to Roger Bland c. 1995. Reverse type variant of RIC 80 and Cohen 157 (6 Fr.). Mint State $250
Enlargement Lot 542
543. Antoninianus, 3.67g. Antioch, 248-9 AD. Obv: IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG Bust radiate, cuirassed left, seen from front. Rx: ADVENTVS AVGG Philip on horse pacing left, raising right hand and holding spear. Rare: only four specimens known to Roger Bland c. 1995. RIC 81 (R2). Cohen 4 (20 Fr.). Choice EF $250
544. Antoninianus, 3.91g. Antioch, 248-9 AD. Obv: IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed left, seen from front. Rx: SAECVLVM NOVVM Roma seated facing on base in six-columned temple. Scarce: ten specimens known to Roger Bland c. 1995. RIC 86a (R2). Cohen 200 (20 Fr.). Thin flan crack at 6:00 on obverse and 12:00 on reverse. Mint State $250
545. Antoninianus, 4.60g. Antioch, 248-9 AD. Obv: IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: AETERNITAS AVGG Elephant walking left guided by rider with goad and wand. Scarce: 15 specimens known to Roger Bland c. 1995. Eauze Hoard 831 (1 specimen). Not in RIC or Cohen. Mint State $250
547. Philip II as Augustus. 247-249 AD. Antoninianus, 4.18g. Antioch, 249 AD. Obv: IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: FELI / CITAS / IMPP in three lines in laurel wreath. Rare: seven specimens known to Roger Bland c. 1995. Bust type variant of RIC 242 and Cohen 11. Mint State $400
548. Pacatian. 248 AD. Antoninianus, 4.07g. Viminacium. Obv: [IMP TI CL] MAR PACATIANVS AVG Bust radiate right. Rx: PAX - AETERNA Pax standing left holding branch and transverse scepter. RIC 5 (R4). Cohen 6 (500 Fr.) var. About VF $4,500
549. Herennia Etruscilla, Wife of Trajan Decius. Aureus, 4.77g. Rome. Obv: HER ETRVSCILLA AVG Bust draped right wearing stephane, with earlier “smooth” coiffure. Rx: PVDICITIA AVG Pudicitia seated left, raising veil and holding scepter. Calicó 3308. RIC 59a (R2). Cohen 18 (300 Fr.). Some flatness on cheek, otherwise EF with luster $8,500 Ex UBS 75, 22 January 2008, lot 1087.
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550. Trebonianus Gallus. 251-253 AD. Aureus, 3.11g. Rome. Obv: IMP CAE C VIB TREB GALLVS AVG Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: CONCORDIA AVGG Concordia standing left holding patera and double cornucopia. Small and light, apparently a reduced aureus from later in the reign. Rare, not in Cohen, reported by RIC from an Italian periodical of 1887. From the same obverse die as Calicó 3328, which has reverse APOLL SALVTARI. RIC 19A (R3). Calicó 3330 (this coin). Two minor marks, otherwise EF $15,000
553. Antoninianus, 4.01g. Rome. Obv: IMP AEMILIANVS PIVS FEL AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: ERCVL VICTORI Hercules standing right resting right hand on club and holding bow and lion skin with left arm. RIC 3b (R). Cohen 13 (10 Fr.). EF $300
Ex NAC 49, 21 October 2008, Roman Gold Coins from the B.d.B Collection, lot 356. Ex Biaggi Collection, unpublished photographic plates, 1409. “Privately purchased in 1952 for 200 Swiss Francs”. 554. Antoninianus, 4.01g. Rome. Obv: IMP AEMILIANVS PIVS FEL AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: IOVI CONSERVAT Jupiter standing left, holding in right hand thunderbolt over small figure of emperor at his feet, in left hand scepter. RIC 4. Cohen 16 (10 Fr.). Reverse weakly struck. Excellent portrait. Mint State $400
Enlargement
551. Aemilian. 253 AD. Antoninianus, 3.33g. Rome. Obv: IMP AEMILIANVS PIVS FEL AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: AP - OL CONSERVAT Apollo standing left holding branch and leaning on lyre set on rock. RIC 1. Cohen 2 (12 Fr.). Unusually nice portrait. Mint State $500
552. Antoninianus, 3.04g. Rome. Obv: IMP AEMILIANVS PIVS FEL AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: DIANAE VICTRI Diana standing left holding arrow and bow. RIC 2b. Cohen 10 (10 Fr.). Reverse weakly struck, otherwise Near Mint State $350
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555. Antoninianus, 3.09g. Rome. Obv: IMP AEMILIANVS PIVS FEL AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: Mars standing left holding shield and spear, legend MARTI PR - OPVGT (sic, abbreviated from PROPVGNATori). RIC 6 (R). Cohen 25 (6 Fr.). Eauze hoard 1111 (9 specimens). Mint State $350
556. Antoninianus, 3.72g. Rome. Obv: IMP CAES AEMILIANVS P F AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: VIRT - VS AVG Virtus standing left holding branch and spear. RIC 22. Cohen 59 (6 Fr.). EF $400
557. Valerian I. 253-260 AD. Sestertius, 14.37g. Rome. Obv: IMP C P LIC VALERIANVS AVG Bust laureate, cuirassed right, seen from front, fold of cloak on far shoulder and behind neck. Rx: VIRT[VS - A]VGG S - C Virtus standing left, helmeted and with right breast bare, holding shield resting on ground and spear with point downwards. Rare with this bust type, only three specimens in Göbl’s photofile, as compared to 16 specimens with bust laureate, draped, and cuirassed. Göbl 38k (3 specimens). RIC 182. Cohen 1269 (6 Frs.). Glossy olive patination. Choice EF $4,500
560. Antoninianus, 4.20g. Rome, 254-8 AD. Obv: DIVAE MARINIANAE Bust draped, veiled right on crescent. Rx: CONSE - C - RATIO Peacock flying right, bearing empress to heaven; empress is veiled, looks back and waves, and holds scepter. From different dies than the preceding lot. RIC 6 (R ). Cohen 16 (8 Fr.). Eauze Hoard 1321 (200 specimens). Cunetio Hoard 643 (63 specimens). EF $500
Ex Leu 75, 25-27 October 1999, lot 1593. Ex NFA XII, 23 March 1983, lot 412. Ex Kampmann, 9 March 1982, E. P. Nicholas, lot 694. Ex Mazzini IV, pl. XV, 269.
558. Diva Mariniana, Wife of Valerian. . Antoninianus, 3.51g. Viminacium, 254-8 AD. Obv: DIVAE MARINIANAE Bust draped, veiled right on crescent, wearing stephane. Rx: CONSECRATIO Peacock with tail spread standing front, head left. The diademed antoniniani of Diva Mariniana are convincingly assigned to the “Viminacium” mint by D. Schaad in the Eauze hoard report, p. 295. Eauze Hoard 1427 (19 specimens). RIC 3. Cohen 2 (8 Fr.). EF, softly struck $400
559. Antoninianus, 3.93g. Rome, 254-8 AD. Obv: DIVAE MARINIANAE Bust draped, veiled right on crescent. Rx: CONSECR - ATIO Peacock flying right, bearing empress to heaven; empress is veiled, looks back and waves, and holds scepter. RIC 6 (R ). Cohen 16 (8 Fr.). Eauze Hoard 1321 (200 specimens). Cunetio Hoard 643 (63 specimens). FDC with extraordinary surfaces $1,000
561. Gallienus. 253-268 AD. Aureus, 3.22g. Rome. Obv: IMP C P LIC GALLIENVS AVG Bust laureate, cuirassed right, seen from front, with fold of cloak on front shoulder and behind neck. Rx: VIRTVS - AVGG Virtus, helmeted, standing left, placing right hand on shield resting on ground before her and holding spear in left hand. The line of dots indicating the edge of the shield weak from die wear. Rare, only two specimens in Göbl’s photofile, and the Mazzini specimen illustrated by him is from the same dies as ours. Göbl 38p, pl. 7 (same dies), RIC 99. Cohen 1286 (Hoffmann, 100 Fr.). From overused dies, with numerous small die breaks on the types and especially around the letters of the legends. On obverse three light scratches and small scrape on the emperor’s beard. EF $7,500
562. Sestertius, 17.24g. Rome. Obv: IMP C P LIC GALLIENVS AVG Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: PAX AVGG S - C Pax standing left holding branch and transverse scepter. The same obverse die was also used for the rare type MARTI PACIF S - C, Göbl pl. 8, 47bb. Göbl 27bb (6 specimens). RIC 231. Cohen 759 (6 Fr.). Extremely beautiful portrait. EF $1,000 Ex NFA, Summer MBS, 27 June 1986, lot 1028. Ex Dr. John Gulick Collection.
95
563. Aurelian. 270-275 AD. Aureus, 4.85g. Milan. Obv: IMP C L DOM AVRE - LIANVS P F AVG Bust laureate, cuirassed right, seen from front, aegis with small Medusa head across breast, additional fold of aegis on left shoulder, palm on right shoulder-piece. Rx: VIRTVS - AVG Mars advancing right holding spear and trophy over shoulder, captive seated at his feet. Rare. From the same dies as the specimen illustrated by Göbl, pl. 74, 127q0(1). Assigned to the mint of Rome by RIC and Göbl, and to Siscia by Calicó, but actually of Milan according to Estiot in the Paris catalogue and M. Weder’s review of Göbl in Numismatic Chronicle 154, 1994. Göbl 127q0. Paris 424 pl. 13 (same dies). RIC 15. Cohen 269 (120 Fr.). Calicó 4050b (same dies). EF with immaculate surfaces $10,000
Enlargement
565. Carus. 282-283 AD. Aureus, 4.94g. Siscia. Obv: DEO ET DOMINO CARO AVG Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right, seen from front. Rx: VICTO - RIA AVG Victory standing left on globe, holding wreath and palm. RIC 96 (R3). Cohen 86 (300 Fr.). Calicó 4287 (this coin). Struck on a broad flan. Sensitive expressive portrait. FDC $15,000 Ex NAC 24, 5 December 2002, European Nobleman, lot 220. Ex Triton II, 1 December 1998, lot 1020. Enlargement
The first Roman aureus to call the emperor “God and Master”. Earlier the same title had appeared on rare Serdican antoniniani of Aurelian (RIC 305) and Probus (RIC 885).
564. Probus. 276-282 AD. Aureus, 6.04g. Lugdunum, 281 AD. Obv: IMP C M AVR PROBVS AVG Bust cuirassed right seen from front, wearing laureate helmet with long crest. Rx: VICTORIA PROBI AVG Victory holding wreath and palm, stepping right to crown trophy, at base of which sit two captives with their hands tied behind their backs. A rare reverse type, recorded by Bastein 302-3 in only four specimens from a single reverse die. Ours is apparently only the second example known with this helmeted bust type on the obverse, the other being Hess-Leu 45, 12-13 May 1970, lot 628. Moreover our coin brings new dies on both sides, providing the third obverse die and the second reverse die known to have been used for this type. Bastien, Lyon 303 (1 specimen). Bust type variety of Calicó 4230, RIC 11, and Cohen 779 corr. (200 Fr.). FDC $20,000
Enlargement
96
566. Numerian. 283-284 AD. Quinarius, 1.89g. Rome. Obv: IMP NVMERIANVS AVG Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: PIETA - S - AVGG Mercury standing left, naked apart from cloak over left shoulder, holding purse and winged caduceus, star in exergue. Cohen and RIC fail to mention the star in reverse exergue. Ten specimens listed by King, the one she illustrates (pl. 32, 10e) is from the same dies as ours. King 10, h (this coin). Cohen 58 (20 Fr.) corr. RIC 437 corr. EF $1,250
568. Aureus, 4.60g. Siscia. Obv: M AVR CARINVS NOB CAES Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right, seen from front. Rx: VICTO - RIA AVG Victory standing left on globe, holding wreath and palm. Calicó 4373 (same dies). RIC 190 (R2). Cohen 139 var. (200 Fr., citing BM). FDC $13,500 Ex Hess-Divo 309, 28 April 2008, lot 213.
Ex Empire 10, 6 May 1989, lot 310. Ex Sotheby, 1 February 1985, Brand Part 5, lot 683. Ex Niklovits Collection, L. Hamburger, 19 October 1925, lot 1559.
567. Carinus as Caesar. 282-283 AD. Aureus, 4.88g. Siscia. Obv: M AVR CARINVS NOB CAES Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed left, holding spear and shield, shield decorated with figure of emperor on horseback left about to spear captive kneeling before horse. Rx: MARS VLTOR Mars advancing right holding spear and shield. Calicó 4349 (same dies) RIC 188 (R2). Cohen 50 (150 Fr., citing the coin dealer Hamburger). FDC $15,000
Enlargement
Ex NAC 24, 12 May 2002, lot 225. Ex NAC 10, 1997, lot 685. Very rare. The same obverse die was also used with the reverse ROMAE AETERNAE, Roma seated left, Calicó 4356.
Enlargement
569. Julian of Pannonia. 284-285 AD. Antoninianus, 3.91g. Siscia. Obv: IMP C M AVR IVLIANVS P F AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed right, seen from front. Rx: PAN - NONIAE - AVG The two Pannonias standing left side by side, the first looking left, the second right; both raise their right hand, the second also holds a standard; XXIΓ (officina 3) in exergue, S in left field. RIC 4 (R3), pl. XX, 19. Cohen 5 (200 Fr.). Venera Hoard 4399 var. VF $1,250
570. Antoninianus, 3.71g. Obv: IMP C M AVR IVLIANVS P F AVG Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right, seen from front. Rx: VICT - ORI - A AVG around, XXI in exergue, S - A (officina 1) in field, Victory advancing left holding wreath and palm. RIC 5 (R3). Cohen 8 (150 Fr.). Venera Hoard 4396. EF $5,600 Ex NAC 40, 16 May 2007, lot 829.
97
571. Diocletian. 284-305 AD. Aureus, marked “70” to the pound (=c. 4.63g), 4.67g. Antioch, 284 AD. Obv: IMP C G (sic) VAL DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right, seen from front. Rx: IOVI CONSERVATORI AVG Jupiter, naked but for cloak hanging behind from shoulders, standing left holding thunderbolt and scepter, SMA in exergue, Greek numeral O (=70) in lower left field. Depeyrot 1 (p. 137, 26 specimens). Calicó 4515b (same obverse die). RIC 316 (R2). Cohen 272 (citing Milan, 80 Fr.). Contact mark at 12:00 on obverse. EF $8,500
on the club handle, right hand in lap touching lion skin draped over left knee, quiver and bow upright on ground at right; PR in exergue. Depeyrot 5B/5 (p. 81, 27 specimens), pl. 12 (same dies). Calicó 4682 (same obverse die). Obverse legend variety of Cohen 306 (200 Fr.). Left out of RIC V/2. Extremely desirable reverse. Obverse struck in high relief. FDC $16,000 From the same reverse die, in a slightly more worn state, as a specimen with obverse MAXIMIANVS P F AVG, bust laureate, cuirassed right, seen from behind, in Gemini II, 11 January 2006, lot 512.
The name “Caius” or “Gaius” was usually abbreviated “C” on Roman coins, and this was the case for Diocletian too at most mints, but at Antioch “G” was definitely written for “Gaius”, that is IMP C G not IMP C C, not only on our coin but on many others, for example Calicó 4447a, 4515-4515b, 4570-4571a; Pink, Goldprägung des Diocletianus, Num. Zeitschrift 64, 1931, pl. III, 54-55; Depeyrot pl. 20, 3/1; and Gemini I, 11 January 2005, 443. This letter variant seems to have been generally overlooked: not noted by Pink, Webb in RIC, Depeyrot, Calicó, or by myself in Gemini I (Curtis Clay).
572. Aureus, 4.48g. Cyzicus, 284-6 AD. Obv: IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG Laureate, draped, cuirassed bust right. Rx: IOVI CONSERVATORI ORBIS Jupiter standing left, naked except for cloak hanging behind from left shoulder to right wrist, holding Victory on globe and scepter. Unusual legend naming Jupiter the Preserver of the World. RIC V.2, 299 (R2). Depeyrot 2/3 (p. 132, 28 specimens). Calicó 4524 (same reverse die). Cohen 283 (Rollin, 180 Fr.). EF with luster $7,500
Enlargement
Ex Triton XI, 8 January 2008, lot 989 and Triton IV, 5 December 2000, lot 679.
573. Maximianus. 286-305 AD. Aureus, 5.21g. Rome, 287 AD. Obv: MAXIMIANVS AVGVSTVS Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right, seen from front. Rx: HERCVLI VICTORI Hercules seated facing on pile of rocks, head right, with left arm reaching across body to grasp handle of club resting on ground by his right side, his right elbow resting
98
574. Constantine I. 307-337 AD. Reduced Follis, 2.93g. Heraclea. Obv: CONSTAN - TINVS AVG Head right looking upwards, wearing diadem of single pellets on rectangular plaques, held in place by two strings of pearls. Rx: VOT / XXX in wreath, D N CONSTANTINI MAX AVG around, .SMHA in exergue. Last letter of mintmark and several other letters towards end of reverse legend weakly struck. RIC 92, officina A=1. EF $200
Struck for the Foundation of Constantinople
575. Solidus, 4.33g. Nicomedia, c. 330 AD. Obv: CONSTANTINVS MAX AVG Bust draped, cuirassed right, seen from front, wearing laurel and rosette diadem. Rx: PIETAS AVGVSTI NOSTRI Constantine in military dress standing left, holding scepter in left hand and extending right hand to raise turreted female figure (Constantinopolis) kneeling right before him; the kneeling figure clasps the emperor’s hand with her right hand and holds cornucopia in her left hand; she is presented to the emperor by Roma or Virtus, helmeted, right breast bare, standing right, placing her right hand on the shoulder of the kneeling figure and holding a shield on her left arm; the emperor, finally, is crowned by Victory standing left behind him and also holding palm; SMNP in exergue. Apparently only the third recorded specimen of this rare reverse type with this exact mintmark, the other two being in Vienna and in NFA XXII, 1 June 1989, 130. RIC 168 (Vienna). Cohen 393 var. (300 Fr.). Depeyrot 42/1 (p. 130, 2 specimens with our mintmark SMNP). Good EF $20,000 According to Toynbee, Roman Medallions, p. 196, this type commemorates Constantine’s capture of Byzantium from Licinius, and his rebuilding of the city to turn it into his new capital Constantinipolis: “the city is rescued from the enemy and ‘restored’ through the emperor’s compassion, so that she may begin her new life as Constantinople.” The cornucopia held by Constantinople seems to have been overlooked by previous cataloguers, though it is perfectly clear on our piece and on the similar gold medallion and two solidi illustrated by Toynbee, Numismatic Chronicle 1940, pl. IV, 5-7.
576. Light miliarensis, 4.27g. Nicomedia, c. 324-5 AD. Obv: Head of Constantine right, looking upwards and wearing plain diadem; no legend. Rx: CONSTANTINVS AVG Four standards, SMN in exergue. RIC 86. Cohen 106 (100 Fr.). EF $12,000
577. Licinius II as Caesar. 317-324 AD. Aureus, 5.26g. Nicomedia, 320 AD. Obv: D N VAL LICIN LICINIVS NOB C Bust facing, draped and cuirassed, bare-headed, with sideburns past the ears on both sides. Rx: IOVI CONSERVATORI CAES Jupiter seated facing on platform, holding Victory on globe and scepter, eagle with wreath in beak at his feet, SIC.V. / SIC.X. in two lines on platform, SMNΔ in exergue. RIC 42 (10 specimens with officina Δ=4). Depeyrot 31/2 (p. 126, 15 specimens from this officina). Calicó 5150. Cohen 28 (300 Fr.) Mint State $20,000 Ex NAC 46, 2 April 2008, lot 704.
Enlargement
Enlargement
578. Constantius II. 337-361 AD. Gold 1 ½ scripulum (9 siliquae), 1.71g. Arles, 355-360 AD. Obv: D N CONSTAN – TIVS P F AVG Draped, cuirassed bust right, seen from front, wearing pearl diadem. Rx: VICTORIA AVGVSTORVM Victory seated right inscribing VOT / XXXX on shield presented by winged Genius standing left, KONSTAN (TAN ligate) in exergue. Depeyrot 5/4 (p. 133, 2 specimens). RIC 241 (R5, the author knows only the BM specimen). Cohen 247 (formerly in Paris, 30 Fr.). EF $3,500
99
579. Nepotian. 350 AD. Centenionalis, 6.37g. Rome. Obv: FL POP NEPOT - IANVS P F AVG Bare-headed, draped, cuirassed bust right, seen from front. Rx: VRBS - [ROMA] around, [R] Q in exergue, Roma seated left on throne, holding Victory on globe and spear with point downwards, shield beside throne. RIC 202 (R3), officina Q=4. Cohen 3 (120 Frs.). Fine $1,500
582. Procopius. 365-366 AD. Siliqua, 2.27g. Constantinople. Obv: D N PROCO - PIVS P F AVG Pearl-diademed, draped, cuirassed bust right, seen from front. Rx: VOT / V in two lines in wreath, C.B in exergue (officina 2). RIC 13e, $2,500 mintmark 2. Cohen 14 (150 Fr.). RSC 14†c. EF Ex NAC 40, 16 May 2007, lot 872. Ex NAC 15, 18 May 1999, lot 512.
FDC Aureus
580. Julian II. 360-363 AD. Solidus, 4.42g. Sirmium. Obv: FL CL IVLIA—NVS P P AVG Bust draped, cuirassed right, seen from front, with pearl diadem and long beard. Rx: VIRTVS EXERCI - TVS ROMANORVM Helmeted soldier standing right, head left, placing right hand on head of kneeling captive and holding trophy over shoulder with left hand; in exergue SIRM between palm branch and wreath. RIC 99A (R4). Depeyrot 22/1 (p. 209, 4 specimens). Both the obverse and reverse of this coin are struck in stunning high relief. FDC $8,500
Enlargement
583. Valentinian II. 375-392 AD. Solidus, 4.48g. Constantinople, 382-3 AD. Obv: D N VALENTINI - ANVS P F AVG Bust rosette-diademed, draped, cuirassed right, seen from front. Rx: CONCOR - DIA AVGGGΘ (officina 9), CONOB in exergue, Constantinopolis seated facing, head right, on throne ornamented with lions’ heads, holding scepter and globe, right foot on prow. RIC 67b (R ), mintmark 4. Depeyrot 33/2 (p. 238; 2 specimens with officina Θ=9). Mint State $2,000
584. Honorius. 393-423 AD. Solidus, 4.46g. Constantinople, 408-20 AD. Obv: D N HONORI - VS P F AVG Helmeted bust front bearing spear over shoulder and shield, on the shield emperor riding down prostrate enemy. Rx: CONCORDI - A AVGGΓ Constantinople enthroned facing, head right, right foot on prow, holding scepter and Victory on globe; CONOB in exergue, star in left field. RIC 201, officina Γ=3. Depeyrot 73/1 (p. 251, 11 specimens with officina Γ). EF $1,400 Ex NAC 40, 16 May 2007, lot 884.
581. Valentinian I. 364-375 AD. Siliqua, 2.09g. Lugdunum, 364-7 AD. Obv: D N VALENTINI-ANVS P F AVG Pearl-diademed, draped, cuirassed bust right, seen from front. Rx: RESTITV - TOR REIP Emperor standing left, head right, holding labarum with chi-rho monogram on banner, and Victory on globe; SLVG in exergue (officina 2). RIC 6a. Cohen 18 (6 Fr). RSC 18-19†c. Bastien 12 (50 specimens). EF $600 Ex NAC 40, 16 May 2007, lot 870.
100
585. Siliqua, 1.35g. Rome, 404-8 AD. Obv: D N HONORI - VS P F AVG Pearl-diademed, draped, cuirassed bust right, seen from front. Rx: VIRTVS RO - MANORVM Roma seated left on cuirass, holding Victory on globe and spear, RMPS in exergue. RIC 1267. RSC 59†c. EF $675
field. RIC 3205 and 3651. Lacam pl. 42, 97 and pl. 50, 1. Depeyrot 78/2 (p. 162, 13 specimens). Very rare. EF $2,000
586. Theodosius II. 402-450 AD. Half siliqua, 0.95g. Ravenna, 425 AD. Obv: D N THEODO - SIVS P F AVG Pearl-diademed, draped, cuirassed bust right, seen from front. Rx: VICTOR I - A AVGG Victory standing left holding wreath and palm, RV in exergue. RIC 1810 describes a similar half siliqua from Aquileia, with AQ rather than RV in reverse exergue, unique in Schweizerische Kreditanstalt 8, 27 October 1987, 100. Ours is apparently the second known of this issue, and unique for the mint of Ravenna. NFA 40, 16 May 2007, lot 893 (this coin), otherwise apparently unpublished. EF $2,000 Ex NFA 40, 16 May 2007, lot 893.
587. Solidus, 4.42g. Thessalonica, c. 425-430 AD. Obv: D N THEODO - SIVS P F AVG Cuirassed, helmeted bust threequarters facing, holding spear over right shoulder and shield decorated with emperor riding down enemy. Rx: GLOR ORVI - S TERRAR Emperor standing facing, holding labarum and globus cruciger, TESOB in exergue, star in left field. RIC 362 (R ). Depeyrot 51 (p. 227, 119 specimens). Choice Mint State $1,000
588. Majorian. 457-461 AD. Tremissis, 1.44g. Non-imperial, style of Ravenna/Arles, attributed to the Visigoths. Obv: D N IVLIVS MAIORI - ANVS P F AVG Bust right, helmeted and holding spear and shield, cross on shield. Rx: Cross within wreath, COMOB in exergue. RIC 3747 (R4). Slight indications of mounting, otherwise Choice EF $3,500
589. Odovacar, King of Italy, in the Name of Zeno. Solidus, 4.43g. Rome, c. 474-476 AD. Obv: D N ZENO P - ERP F AVG Pearl-diademed and helmeted bust facing, holding spear and shield. Rx: VICTORI - A AVGGG: Victory standing left, holding jeweled long cross, COMOB in exergue, star in right
This series with the reverse legend ending in a colon, studied in detail by Lacam, pp. 587-610, was issued by Odovacar for both the western emperor Julius Nepos and his eastern colleagues Leo II and Zeno, and was one of the last coinages produced by the western empire at the mint of Rome.
590. Byzantine Empire. Justin I and Justinian I. 4 April-1 August 527 AD. Solidus, 4.44g. Constantinople. Obv: D N IVSTIN ET IVSTINI PP AVG Justin to left and Justinian to right, both nimbate and with cross between their heads, seated facing, their throne not represented, each with right hand clasped to chest and holding a globus in left hand above their advanced left knee; in exergue, CONOB. Rx: VICTORI - A AVGGG, officina I=10, facing angel holding long cross and globus cruciger, star in right field, CONOB in exergue. Berk 41. Sear 124. MIB 1d. DO 8. Mint State $5,000
591. Solidus, 4.47g. Constantinople. Obv: D N IVSTIN ET IVSTINI PP AVG Justin to left and Justinian to right, both nimbate and with cross between their heads, seated facing, their throne represented by two straight uprights and a crossbar, each with right hand clasped to chest and holding a globus in left hand above their advanced left knee; in exergue, CONOB. Rx: VICTORI - A AVGGG, officina Γ=3, facing angel holding long cross and globus cruciger, star in right field, CONOB in exergue. Berk 41. Sear 118. MIB 2c. DO 3. Mint State $5,000
592. Solidus, 4.44g. Constantinople. Obv: D N IVSTIN ET IVSTINI PP AVG Justin to left and Justinian to right, both nimbate and with cross between their heads, seated facing, their throne represented by two curved uprights and a crossbar, each with right hand clasped to chest and holding a globus in left hand above their advanced left knee; in exergue, CONOB. Rx: VICTORI - A AVGGG, officina I=10, facing angel holding long cross and globus cruciger, star in right field, CONOB in exergue. Berk 41. Sear 122. MIB 3b. DO 7a. About EF $2,000
101
Unique Byzantine Presentation Medallion
102
593. Tiberius II Constantine. 578-582 AD. Gold Wedding Medallion, 90.52g, with loop 103.10g. Constantinople, c. 582 AD. The obverse iconography of our medallion displays in synoptic fashion the Biblical narrative of the events immediately leading up to the birth of Christ as recorded in the first and second chapters of the Gospel of Luke. This depiction consists of two parts. The upper scene, comprising over half of the entire surface, depicts the Annunciation, the angel Gabriel’s visitation and announcement that the Virgin Mary will give birth to Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. (Luke 1:2638). The circular inscription beginning at 9:00 records the angel’s greeting to Mary, as recorded in Luke 1:28 : XAIPE KEXAPITOMENH O K[YRIO]C META COV. (“Hail, most favored one! The Lord is with You.”).The winged angel, Gabriel, nimbate, raises his right hand. While this gesture has been described as one of salutation, the raised hand in ancient art more properly denotes the act of speech. This is in fact, the moment of his message, the first words of which are stated in the inscription. His declaration is enhanced by the Chi-Rho placed prominently in the space between their visual line of mutual communication. The angel wears a chiton, mantle and sandals. In his left hand he holds a staff, both ends decorated with an orb emerging from a pair of leaves. Mary, seated frontally on a lyre-backed throne and turning to face him, is also nimbate and wears a chiton and a mantle which covers her head and shoulders. The consternation and confusion of a woman who has just been told that she is about to become the mother of God is expressed by the gesture with her right hand, by the backwards tilt of her head and her staring eyes. Her left hand holds the thread that she has been spinning, the end of which falls into the basket at her feet. This may be an allusion to her selection in the Marian cycle as the one to weave the purple wool for the Temple veil. Mary sits on a pearl-studded cushion, with her feet resting on a jeweled footstool. The smaller lower scene illustrates the events following the Annunciation: on the left, the visitation of Mary and Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist (Luke 1:39-56), in the center, Mary reclining on a palliasse and the incident of the midwife Salome’s withered hand (Protoevangelium of James 19:320:4,), and on the right, the Nativity (Luke 2:1-21). The first scene on the left is a small tiled building, the entrance of which is partially covered by a pulled back drapery. This could be the Temple in Jerusalem, where Mary and her cousin Elizabeth served together as attendants. Other interpretations refer to it as the place where Mary stayed before the Nativity of Christ, or an allusion to the royal lineage of her Son. Next to it, the two heavily pregnant women embrace, Mary conspicuous by her halo. In the center, resting on a palliasse, lies the nimbate Virgin. To her right stands the disbelieving midwife Salome, whose fingers withered when she tried to test Mary’s virginity after Christ’s birth: now she is stretching her hands towards Mary and begging to be healed. While Salome is not mentioned in any Gospel account of the Nativity, the story of this woman appears in the Protoevangelium of James, a Christian apocryphal text produced probably at the end of the second century in Egypt. Below Mary is the wash basin of Christ’s purification. To the right of Salome
is the depiction of the Nativity: an ox and an ass face the infant Jesus in the manger, a star above it. Joseph sits beside the manger, propping his chin on his right hand and thoughtfully looking at the Infant Christ. Below, a shepherd holding a staff in his right hand, and raising his left hand in a gesture of amazement at the star, stands with his sheep. The reverse of our medallion portrays the Ascension of Christ into Heaven (Mark 16:19). Christ is shown nimbate and bearded, raising His right hand and holding in left a scroll, enthroned in a mandorla supported by 4 angels. The mandorla is a conventional term for the aureole shown surrounding an entire figure to indicate the Divine presence. It commonly envelops Christ in scenes of His Transfiguration and Ascension in sixth century art. The Ascension, initially displayed in a manner reminiscent of imperial apotheosis scenes, with Christ striding upward grasping the Hand of God, assumed in the sixth century the form that this medallion displays. Below Christ stand the eleven disciples of Scripture plus Paul, holding a long cross, with Mary at their center. The presence of Mary and the addition of Paul to the eleven disciples are references to the Church, showing the Ascension as a major event in its history. Beneath the exergual line is the three- line inscription: H XAPIC TOY K[YRIO]V HMWN / I[HCO]V X[PICTO]Y META PANT / WN VMWN (“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.”). A few minor bits of restoration have been done since we received the medallion. Two parts of the original frame had become separated and the medallion itself had a slightly wavy surface. These have been resolved as were two very minor scrapes. EF $2,500,000 This medallion was struck to commemorate the wedding of Tiberius II Constantine’s daughter Charito in 582 to Germanus, the Magister Utriusque Militae (general in charge of infantry and cavalry). A very graceful allusion to the emperor’s daughter Charito’s name is contained in the use of the Greek word KE[XAPITO]MENH (“most favored one) in the obverse inscription of our medallion. This individual was proclaimed Caesar along with the future emperor Maurice in August 582. However, he is not further noted after becoming Caesar. One of the ancient sources, John of Nikiu, states that “owing to his humility of heart he refused to be emperor”, so Maurice ascended to the throne alone. The obverse die of our medallion was used to produce the reverse of a similar wedding medallion in the Christian Schmidt Collection in Munich, Inv. No. 378, which weights 40.90g. The obverse of the Munich medallion portrays a Byzantine royal couple blessed by Christ, and is dated to the 582 A.D. marriage. The Schmidt medallion was made by hammering sheets of gold foil into the dies that were used to strike our medallion, then placing the two pieces of gold foil into a bezel for presentation. The hand that produced the dies for this medallion also produced those for the similar wedding medallion in the Dumbarton Oaks collection. That medallion was found in Cyprus in 1906 with a large gold treasure that also included smaller medallions bearing the portrait of Tiberius II, which were part of a belt. Both this medallion and the Dumbarton Oaks specimen were struck and like the Schmidt piece were a wedding gift from the emperor. The
greater the weight of the medallion, the more important was the recipient. This protocol is an established fact when it comes to gold bullas on Byzantine documents. If we take the reign of Anastasius I, 491-518 AD, to be the beginning of the Byzantine era, then when counting struck gold medallions there is the Dumbarton Oaks specimen which has been famous for over a century, and the Justinian I medallion which was in Paris (BN 1) but was melted after the 1831 robbery, and finally ours. This medallion, commemorating the marriage of Tiberius II ‘s daughter, is the only large struck Byzantine gold medallion available to the public.
Schmidt Medallion (Reduced Size)
594. Heraclius. 610-641 AD. Solidus, 4.43g. Cyprus or military mint, c. 622-627 AD. Obv: Facing busts of Heraclius (on left) and Heraclius Constantine (on right), each wearing chlamys and elaborate crown with cross; above them a cross and below an exergual line. Rx: Cross potent on three steps, CONOB below. MIB 77.3. Sear 851. Berk 130 var. (no exergual line). Mint State $500
103
595. Constans II with Constantine IV. Solidus, 4.30g. Syracuse, 661-668 AD. Obv: Facing busts of Constans (with long beard) and Constantine IV (beardless). Constans wears a plumed helmet, while Constantine IV wears a crown. Each wears chlamys and there is a cross in between their heads. Rx: Cross potent above four steps between Heraclius (on left) and Tiberius (on right), both beardless, each wearing crown and chlamys and holding globus cruciger; beneath CONOB. Sear 1087A. MIB 96-2. DO 162d. Spahr 157. Berk 165 var. (different legend). Minor scrape on Constans’ beard, otherwise Near Mint State $2,500
596. Justinian II. First reign, 685-695 AD. Solidus, 4.47g. Constantinople, c. 692-695 AD. Obv: IhS CRISTOS REX RESNANTIUM Facing bust of Christ, with long hair and full beard, wearing pallium and colobium, raising right hand in benediction, holding book of Gospels in left hand, cross behind head. Rx: D IUSTINI - AN - US SERU ChRISTI, followed by Δ (officina 4), Justinian standing facing, wearing crown and loros, holding akakia and cross potent on base, CONOP in exergue. DO 7d. MIB 8Δ. Berk 186 var. Sear 1248. Softly struck in some areas, but with complete legends on both obverse and reverse, which is highly unusual. Mint State $6,000 This is the first portrait of Christ on a coin. It was issued because of Canon 83 of the Quinisexx Council of 692 AD. This prohibited the representation of Christ and the Paschal lamb and ordered that Christ should be shown in his human form. Though a direct link has not been confirmed, the fact that this first portrait of Christ was struck in 692 AD, the same year as Canon 83, does not seem coincidental.
Enlargement
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597. Leo III and Constantine V. 717-741 AD. Solidus, 4.05g. Rome, c. 721 AD. Obv: DNO LEO - P A MUL Crowned bust of Leo III with short beard facing, holding globus cruciger and akakia. Rx: DNO CONSTANTIN Similar beardless bust of Constantine V, in field E - star. A rare mint for Leo III, this exact solidus missing in the Dumbarton Oaks Collection. BM 33. DO *(67). Sear 1533. Somewhat flatly struck, but EF $3,000
598. Constantine V with Leo IV and Leo III. 741-775 AD. Solidus, 3.93g. Syracuse, c. 751-775 AD. Obv: CO[NTAN.ΛEON] Facing busts of Constantine V, with short beard (on left) and Leo IV, beardless (on right), each wearing crown and chlamys; cross in field above. Rx: [GN]O LE[ON P.A.M] Facing bust of Leo III, with short beard, wearing crown and loros and holding cross potent. Berk 229. Sear 1565. DO 15a. Spahr 323. Minor areas of flat striking, otherwise Mint State $2,500
599. Constantine V with Leo III. Tremissis, 1.22g. Syracuse, 751770 AD. Obv: [CONSTAN] Bust facing wearing crown and chlamys, and holding cross potent and akakia. Rx: [D.N. LEON P.A.M] Facing bust of Leo III, with short beard, wearing crown and chlamys and holding globus cruciger and akakia. Sear 1567. DO 17. Spahr 330. Mint State $650
600. Theophilus. 829-830 AD. Solidus, 3.87g. Syracuse. Obv: *ΘΕΟFILOS bASIL Bust facing, with short beard, wearing crown and chlamys, and holding cross potent. Rx: ΘΕΟFILOS bASIL Bust facing, with short beard, wearing crown and loros and holding globus cruciger. Sear 1671. DO 18.1. Spahr 415. Mint State $700
601. Tremissis, 1.18g. Syracuse, c. 829-830 AD. Obv: *ΘΕΟILOS bA Bust facing, with short beard, wearing crown and chlamys and holding globus cruciger. Rx: ΘΕΟILOS bA Bust facing, with short beard, wearing crown and loros and holding globus cruciger. Sear 1676. DO 19. ΒΝ 6-7. ΒΜ 34. Mint State $500
602. Basil I. 868-879 AD. Semissis, 1.19g. Syracuse. Obv: bASIΛEIOC Bust facing, wearing crown and loros and holding globus cruciger. Rx: CONSTANT Facing bust of Constantine, wearing crown and chlamys and holding globus cruciger. Sear 1715. DO 14b. Spahr 443. Struck in debased pink gold. Mint State $700
603. Alexander. 912-913 AD. Solidus, 4.35g. Constantinople, c. 912-913 AD. Obv: +IhS XRS REX - REGnAnTIUM Christ seated facing, bearded, on wide lyre-backed throne, wearing tunic and himation, right hand raised outwards in blessing, book resting on left knee. Rx: +ALEXAnd - ROS AUGUSTOS ROM Alexander at left standing facing, bearded, wearing crown with cross and loros with fringed end passing over right arm and ornamented by +, in right hand globus cruciger; left hand extended; to right, St. Alexander standing three-quarters facing, bearded, bareheaded, and barefooted, wearing tunic and himation, placing crown on head of Alexander with right hand and holding cross in left. DO 2. Berk 272. Sear 1737. Well struck and EF $35,000 Probably less than 20 solidi of this reign are recorded, making it one of the great rarities of the Byzantine series.
Enlargement
604. Constantine VII & Romanus I. 913-959 AD. Solidus, 4.42g. Constantinople, c. 921 AD. Obv: +KE bOhΘEI ROMAnW dECPOH Romanus standing facing, wearing crown and loros and holding globus cruciger, his left hand is extended towards Christ who is next to him crowning the emperor. Rx: COnSTAnT’ ET XPISTOF b R Facing half-length figures of Constantine VII on left in loros and Christopher on right in chlamys, both crowned, holding between them a long patriarchal cross. DO 6. Berk 275. Sear 1743. Mint State $12,500
Enlargement
605. John III, Ducas-Vatatzes. 1222-1254 AD. Silver Trachea, 0.87g. Nicaea. Obv: Christ enthroned. Rx: John standing holding labarum and globus surmounted by patriarchal cross. S. Bendall, Spink’s Numismatic Circular, July 2009, 1 (this coin). Sear 2085. DOC 31. Areas of flatness on emperor’s beard. Clipped and edges hammered. EF $1,500
606. Silver Trachea, 1.10g. Nicaea (Thessalonica). Obv: Virgin enthroned. Rx: John left and military saint right standing facing, holding labarum and akakia. S. Bendall, Spink’s Numismatic Circular, July 2009, 2 (this coin). Sear 2122. DOC 2. Clipped and edges hammered. Good VF $1,500
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607. Silver Trachea, 1.03g. Nicaea. Obv: Virigin, nimbate, wearing tunic and maphorion, seated upon throne with back decorated with pellets in the angles of diagonal crosses. Rx: Full length figure of emperor wearing stemma, divitision and loros, holding scepter and akakia, crowned by Christ wearing tunic and colobion and holding Gospels. S. Bendall, Spink’s Numismatic Circular, July 2009, 3 (this coin). Clipped and edges hammered. About EF $2,000
609. Visigoth Kingdom in Spain. Sisebut. 612-621 AD. Tremissis, 1.45g. Seville (Ispali). Obv: +SISEBVTVS RE Facing bust. Rx: +ISPALI PIVS Facing bust. MEC 232. Miles 187. Choice Mint State $1,000 Charlemagne
610. Lombard. Beneventum. Grimoald III as Duke, with Charlemagne, King of the Franks. 788-792 AD. Tremissis, 1.21g. Beneventum. Obv: GRIM VALD Facing crowned bust holding globus cruciger in right hand. Rx: DOMS CAR.RX Cross potent standing on a flat base with a dot at either extremity; monogram G (resembles S) to left of cross and R to right. NC 1974, p. 78, Oddy 446. MEC Vol. 1 1098. BMC Vandals 171.7. Sambon 422 444 . MEC Vol 1 1098. Good VF $2,500
611. Roman Provincial. Claudius I and Britannicus. ΑΕ 24, 8.90g. Macedonia, Thessalonica. Obv: TI KΛAVΔ[IOC KAICAP C]EBACTOC Bare head of Claudius left. Rx: BPΕTANN[IKOC] ΘECCAΛONIKEΩN Bare-headed, draped bust of Britannicus left. RPC 1588. Sear 497 var. Our dies apparently new to Touratsoglou, Thessaloniki, pp. 171-3, pl. 10-11. About VF $900 608. Christophor, Proedros of Galata. Lead seal, 45mm, 56.91g. 12th century (?). Obv: M/HP - Θ/V to left and right of half-length figure of the Mother of God within firmament of heaven, holding before her the Infant Christ; below, two nimbate saints, one in military dress and the other in clerical dress, looking up with raised hands; to left, Ο/ ΑΠΟΡ/ΑΓΑ/ΘΑΓ/ΓΕ/ΛΟ/C; to right, Ο/ΑΠΟ/Κ [….]. Rx: CΦΡΑΓIC /ΠΡΟΕΔΡΟV ΓΑ/ΛΑΤWΝ ΧΡΙ/CΤΟΦΟΡΟV. Unpublished in the standard references. Zacos -. DOC -. Laurent, Orghidan collection -. Vatican -. Seyrig -. Extremely rare. EF $4,000
612. Vespasian, struck by L Plancius Varus procos. 69-79 AD. AE 20, 4.87g. Bithynia, Nicaea, 76 AD. Obv: AYTOKPATOPI KAIΣ[API OYEΣΠAΣIANΩ] NEIKI (NE ligate) Laureate head right. Rx: EΠI MAPKOY ΠΛAN[KIOY OYAPOY ANΘYΠ]ATOY Panther seated left, one front paw resting on cantharus. RPC 629 (12 specimens). VF $100 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Ex CNG 60, 22 May 2002, lot 1230.
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neues Tridrachmon, Gephyra 4, 2008, pp. 1-8 (this coin). VF $2,000 Ex Lanz 141, 26 May 2008, lot 426.
613. Nerva. 96-98 AD. Tetradrachm, 15.48g. Antioch, 96/97 AD. Obv: AVT NEPOVAC - KAIC CEB beginning upper right, Bust laureate right with fold of aegis on front shoulder and behind neck. Rx: ETOVC. upside down in exergue, NEOV IEPOV clockwise at left, A in upper right field, Eagle standing right on thunderbolt, wings spread, palm branch to right. Prieur 149 (87 specimens). McAlee 419. Exceptional portrait of Nerva. Good EF $400 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
614. Trajan. 98-117 AD. Drachm, 22.20g. Alexandria, Year 17 = 113/4 AD. Obv: [AVT TP]AIAN CEB -ΓEPM ΔAKIK Bust right wearing wreath of laurel leaves and wheat ear, with bare chest seen from front, fold of cloak on far shoulder. Rx: Dionysos reclining left in biga of leaping panthers, holding thyrsus; LIZ in upper left field. Unusual wreath on obverse incorporating a wheat ear at top. Cologne 636. DattariSavio pl. 37, 7000. Emmett 442/17. About VF $200
This is the earliest recorded Aegeaean provincial silver coin, struck between Hadrian’s accession on 11 August 117 and the end of Aegeae’s Year 163 in the fall of the same year, perhaps on 5 November. Until the emergence of this coin, Aegeae had appeared to have two issues of silver coins under Hadrian, the first in the following year 164 of Aegeae’s era (117/8 AD, 31 tetradrachms and 61 tridrachms recorded), and the second in years 176-180, that is 129/30-133/4 AD, consisting predominantly of tetradrachms with a smaller admixture of tridrachms: see C.C. Lorber and D.S. Michaels, Silver Coinage of Aegeae in the Reign of Hadrian, Quaderni Ticinese XXXVI, 2007, pp. 205-43 (including twelve plates). Several features reflect the early date of our piece and set it off from the large issue of the following year: the omission of Sebastos (Augustus) from Hadrian’s titles on the obverse; the independent portrait type of the emperor, whereas the coins of the following year copy the bust type of Hadrian’s early coins of the mint of Rome; the bow and ties of Alexander’s diadem on the reverse, which were omitted from the same type in the next year; and finally the inverted (6:00) die axis of our coin, whereas the axis of the issue of the next year was always upright (12:00). It seems possible that our tridrachm was issued in connection with Hadrian’s passage through Aegeae on his journey from Antioch to Rome, probably on about 7 October 117, since we know that he was in Mopsukrene, a day’s journey past Tarsus, on 13 October 117: see the article by F. Haymann cited above. Aegeae was a Macedonian foundation and claimed Alexander the Great as founder or at least ancestor, explaining Alexander’s appearance on the reverse of our coin.
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Acquired from Frank Kovacs. Ex Burstein Collection.
615. Hadrian. 117-138 AD. Tridrachm, 9.66g. Cilicia, Aegeae, 11 August-5 November 117 AD. Obv: AVTOKPA KAICAP TPAIA AΔPIANOC Laureate head of Hadrian right. Rx: ETOYC ΓΞP AIΓEAIΩN Diademed head of Alexander the Great right, goat below. Unique, the only recorded silver coin of Aegeae's Year 163. F. Haymann, Hadrian und Aigeai: ein
616. Drachm, 24.75g. Alexandria, Year 15 = 130/1 AD. Obv: AVT KAI - TRAI AΔ[P]IA CEB Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: Alexandria kisses the hand of the arriving emperor; he is laureate and togate, stands left, extends right hand to Alexandria and holds scepter in left; she stands right wearing elephant skin headdress, guides the emperor's hand to her mouth with her right hand, and holds two wheat ears downwards with her left hand; in lower field L - IE. The type commemorates Hadrian's visit to Egypt in 130-1 AD. Cologne 1034 (same obverse die). Dattari-Savio pl. 75, 1610. Emmett 964/15. About EF $350 Ex Asher Keshet Collection.
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617. Drachm, 26.96g. Alexandria, Year 18 = 133/4 AD (?).Obv: AVT KAIC TRAIAN - AΔPIAN[OC CE]B Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: Busts jugate right of Zeus Serapis, laureate, wearing modius, and of Isis, crowned with disk, horns, and plumes, knot on breast; to left, L, to right, [IH]? The portrait accords with restoring the date as IH = 18. A rare type, missing from the Cologne and Oxford collections, not in CoinArchives, present in Dattari-Savio pl. 90, 7781-2 only with two other dates. BM 746. Emmett 1038/18 (R3). Good VF $450
620. Antinous, Favorite of Hadrian. Drachm, 20.20g. Alexandria, Year 19 = 134/5 AD. Obv: ANTINOOV - HPWOC Bust draped right wearing hem-hem crown. Rx: Antinous as Hermes holding caduceus on horse pacing right, L behind Antinous, I - Θ below horse. Cologne 1276 var. (date placement on reverse). Dattari-Savio pl. 104, 2080 var. (ditto). Sear 3899. VF $1,000
Ex Asher Keshet Collection.
618. Drachm, 24.21g. Alexandria, Year 20 = 135/6 AD. Obv: AVT KAIC TPAIAN - AΔ[PIANOC CEB] Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: L - K Serapis wearing kalathos standing in frontal quadriga, looking left and raising right hand, holding scepter in left hand. A rare type, not in the Cologne collection, in Dattari-Savio 7779, pl. 90 and Oxford 1371 only with Year 17, not Year 20 as on our coin. BM 740. Emmett 1033/20 (R4). About VF $300
621. Obol, 7.19g. Alexandria, Year 19 = 134/5 AD. Obv: ANTINOOV - [HPWOC] Bust draped right wearing hem-hem crown. Rx: Antinous as Hermes holding caduceus on horse pacing right, L probably off flan before horse, I - Θ below horse. Dattari-Savio pl. 104, 2034. Cologne 1277 var. (placement of date on reverse). About VF $1,000
Ex Asher Keshet Collection.
619. Dichalkon, 2.29g. Alexandria, for the nome of Pelusium, Year 11 = 126/7 AD. Obv: Laureate bust of Hadrian right, fold of cloak on front shoulder; no legend. Rx: [Π]ΗΛ[Ο]V - L IA Pomegranate. Cologne 3419. Dattari-Savio pl. 309, 6348. Emmett 1321/11. VF $350 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
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622. Phrygia. Hierapolis. Mid-2nd Century AD. AE 30, 13.18g. Obv: ΙΕΡΑΠΟΛΕΙ -ΤΩΝ Head of Dionysus with ivy-wreath right. Rx: ΕΥBΟ - CΙΑ Euposia standing left holding rudder and cornucopia; in the bend of the cornucopia infant Ploutos sitting left, raising right hand towards grapes hanging from the mouth of the cornucopia. Interesting spelling variant of "Eubosia's" name with B not P. SNG Munich 221 (same dies). BM 35 var. (reverse ΕΥΠΟΣΙΑ). Nice type with Ploutos on cornucopia, elegant style. Good VF $400 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
623. Laodiceia ad Lycum. Under Antoninus Pius, magistrate P. Ailios Dionysios Sabinianos. AE 20, 5.48g. Obv: ΛΑΟΔΙΚΕΩΝ Draped bust of Dionysus right, with ivywreath. Rx: ΑΙΛ -ΔΙΟΝV - CΙΟC Mask of Silenus with ivy-wreath lying on cista mystica, around which a serpent twines, with both tail and crested and bearded head right; at left, pedum over which a pair of cymbals hangs. BM 96, pl. 35,6 (same obverse die). SNG Copenhagen 532. Delightful reverse type, fine style. EF $200 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
624. Marcus Aurelius as Caesar. 139-161 AD. AE 36, 26.20g. Phrygia, Laodiceia ad Lycum. Obv: M AYPHΛIOC - BHPOC KAICAP starting at top right, Bare-headed, draped, cuirassed bust right. Rx: Π KΛ ATTAΛOC ANEΘH KEN -ΛAOΔIKEΩN Zeus Aseis standing right, lowering right hand to head of goat standing behind him and holding naked male infant in left hand. Possibly only the third known specimen after those in Copenhagen and von Aulock; not in Berk photofile, CoinArchives, or Wildwinds. SNG Copenhagen 580 (same dies, "Apparently unpublished"). SNG von Aulock 3849 (same obverse die). River patina. Pit above head on obverse and smaller pits elsewhere on both sides are planchet defects. Good Fine $300 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Ex CNG 51, 15 September 1999, lot 913 (weight misprinted as “26.70 gm”). Marcus Caesar is called “Verus”, as often on provincial coins. The same reverse type occurs on a quasi-autonomous coin of Laodiceia with obverse Demos, BMC, pl. XXXVI,5. An interesting issue, “donated” to the Laodiceans by the High Priest P. Claudius Attalus, apparently on the occasion of an imperial victory, since other coins of the issue add the words APXIEPATEYΩN, "serving as High Priest", and EΠINIKION, "(coin struck) on the occasion of a victory". Attalus was also a citizen of Smyrna and struck coins there with the inscription "Attalus the Sophist (dedicates this coin) to his home cities Smyrna and Laodicea" (see BMC Phrygia, p. lxxix).
625. Marcus Aurelius. 161-180 AD. AE 32, 17.97g. Cilicia, Hieropolis-Castabala. Obv: I Ε POΠOΛI - TΩN TΩN -ΠPOC [T]ΩΠY[PA] Draped bust of Dionysus right wearing wreath of ivy leaves, long locks of hair curling under bust, thyrsus over left shoulder, bunch of grapes before. Rx: AYT K M AYP ANTΩ - NEIN around; OC CEB in exergue, Emperor, togate, seated left on curule chair, holding globe in right hand, behind him a small Victory flying left, crowning him with wreath. Rare: not in BM, SNG Paris, or SNG von Aulock. Ziegler, Munzen Kilikiens, 1292, pl. 65 (same obverse die). VF $800
626. Lucius Verus. 161-169 AD. Billon Tetradrachm, 9.76g. Alexandria, Year 5 = 164/5 AD. Obv: Λ - AVPHΛI - OVHPOC CEB Bust laureate right, fold of cloak on front shoulder. Rx: Trophy of arms, at base of which Armenian captive seated right, head left, wearing pointed cap, hands tied behind back; to left, ARME upwards; to right, NIA downwards; L E left and right of captive's head. The Cologne and Oxford specimens of this coin and the three in Dattari-Savio all have APMENIA in the circular legend on the reverse, not in the field left and right of the trophy as on our example. Dattari-Savio pl. 197, 3692 var. Cologne 2163 var. Oxford 2519 var. Good VF $500
627. Commodus. 177-192 AD. AE 24-25, 8.10g. Thrace, Anchialus. c. 177-180 AD. Obv: AY KAI Λ AY - KOMOΔOC Bare-headed, draped, cuirassed bust right, seen from front. Rx: AΓXIA - ΛEΩN Dionysus standing front, wearing cloak over left shoulder and around legs, emptying kantharos with right hand; behind him, naked satyr standing left, holding thyrsus in left hand. The same type was struck for Marcus Aurelius Caesar and Faustina II at Anchialus: Varbanov 70 and 89. Apparently unpublished for Commodus: not in AMNG, RPC online, Varbanov, Berk photofile, CoinArchives, or Wildwinds. VF $100 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Purchased from Freeman & Sear.
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628. AE 23, 9.00g. Cilicia, Celenderis. Obv: AYT [K]AI ΔYPH (sic) - KOMMOΔOC Head laureate right. Rx: KEΛE - I - Δ - EPITWN (sic) Demeter holding up two torches standing right in car drawn right by two winged serpents. Engraving errors in the legends on both sides, ΔYPH for AVPH on the obverse and KEΛEIΔEPITWN for KEΛENΔEPITWN on the reverse. Rare: only this very specimen in CoinArchives and Wildwinds, not in BM, SNG Paris, SNG Levante, SNG von Aulock, SNG Copenhagen, Lindgren, or Berk photofile. Triton V, 2002, lot 1747. Otherwise appears to be unpublished. EF $500
631. AE 31, 15.37g. Paphos, Cyprus, Died 217 AD. Obv: ΙΟΛΑ ΔΟ -ΜΝΑ [CEB] Draped bust right. Rx: KOINON - KYΠΡΙΩΝ Temple of Aphrodite at Paphos with paved semicircular court before; cone in central portion of temple and candelabra in side sections, each with dove on roof; star in crescent above central roof. BM 57. SNG Copenhagen 90 var. (younger portrait). VF $200 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Ex CNG 46, June 24, 1998, lot 848.
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Ex Rosenblum 33C, 22 May 2003, lot 232. Ex Triton V, 15 January 2002, lot 1747.
629. Septimius Severus. 193-211 AD. AE 18, 3.04g. Moesia Inferior, Nicopolis ad Istrum. Obv: AV KAI CE - CEVHPOC Head laureate right. Rx: NIKOΠOΛI - TΩN ΠPOC IC Priapus standing left, lifting cloak with left hand to reveal large erect phallus, to which he points with his right hand. AMNG 1380, pl. XV,37 (reverse only, same die as our coin). Varbanov 2530 (same dies). Good VF $100
632. Caracalla. 198-217 AD. AE 26, 12.38g. Thrace, Hadrianopolis. Obv: AVT K M AVP CEV - ANTΩNEINOC Head laaureate right. Rx: AΔPIANOΠ - O - ΛEI - TΩN Triptolemus standing right, raising right hand to dispense grain, in car drawn right through the air by two winged serpents; below, the Earth, naked to the waist, reclining left, with her right hand holding out her garment to receive the grain and holding two wheat ears in her left hand. Jurukova 308 (V163/R299, unique in Sofia). Varbanov 3591. Some areas of smoothing. VF $250
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Ex Triton V, 15-16 January 2002, lot 1693.
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Acquired from Frank Kovacs.
630. Julia Domna. AE 25, 9.35g. Moesia Inferior, Marcianopolis. Obv: IOVΛIA Δ - OMNA CEB Bust draped right. Rx: MAPKI - ANO -ΠOΛI - TΩN The three Graces, all nude, standing front, side by side, two looking right and one left, placing their arms around each other's shoulders, the ones on left and right also each emptying a cup with her other hand. The photograph of this identical piece in Hristova-Jekov probably taken from a printed catalogue that we have been unable to identify. Hristova-Jekov, Marcianopolis, p. 49, coin 7 (this piece). Varbanov 888 (same dies). AMNG 604 var. VF with a beautiful emerald green patina $250 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
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633. AE 19, 3.46g. Serdica. Obv: AVT K M AV CEV - ANTΩNINOC Head laureate right. Rx: CEPΔΩN Infant Herakles kneeling right on left knee, strangling a serpent with each hand. Rare reverse type, perhaps struck from just this single reverse die. Varbanov 2097, illustrating this coin. Hristova/ Jelov, Serdica, p. 87 (illustrating three specimens, including this coin, all from the same die pair). Apple-green patina. VF $150 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. After the birth of Zeus’ illegitimate son Herakles, the jealous Hera sent serpents to kill the infant, but Herakles was already able to defend himself and strangled the serpents. According to H. Voegtli, Heldenepen, p. 71, this episode was also depicted on provincial bronze coins of Heracleia, Keretape, Prusa, and Tripolis, apart from Serdica.
Purchased by Weber at Smyrna 1891
634. AE 31, 16.05g. Lydia, Sardes. Obv: AVT K M AVP ANTΩNEINOC CEB Laureate, cuirassed bust right, seen from front, fold of cloak on far shoulder, Medusa head on breast of cuirass. Rx: EΠΙ Γ CAΛ ΚΛΑVΔ -IANOV [A] PX [A TO] B CAP around in outer legend, ΔΙΑΝΩΝ Β. -ΝΕΩΚΟΡΩΝ around in inner legend, Cult statue of Kore between grain ear and poppy. Rare: not in BMC, ImhoofBlumer's Lydische Stadtmunzen, SNG von Aulock, SNG Copenhagen, or Lindgren. Weber 6912, pl. 244 (this coin). VF $250
636. AE 30, 14.64g. Cilicia, Seleuceia. Obv: A K M A ANTΩNINOC Head laureate right. Rx: CEΛEVKE / ΩN in two lines in exergue, TΩ - N -ΠPOC TΩ around, K - A in field, Dionysus standing right in car drawn right by two panthers, naked except for panther skin hanging down from his left arm and fluttering out behind him, holding thyrsus in right hand and emptying kantharos with left above the head of the first panther, which looks back at Dionysus; before the panthers, Silenos kneeling right, head left, extending right hand to catch wine drops from Dionysus' kantheros. SNG Levante 746 = SNG von Aulock 5830 (same dies). SNG Paris 986 var. Fine+ $200 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Ex CNG E126, 9 November 2005, lot 203 (Garth R. Drewry Collection). Ex Paramount, Miami Beach, 7-8 January 1977, lot 696. Ex Sir Hermann Weber Collection, 6912; acquired by Weber at Smyrna in 1891.
637. AE 30, 12.54g. Cilicia, Seleuceia. Obv: [AV K] M AVP ANTΩNINOC Head laureate right. Rx: CEΛEVKE / ΩN in two lines in exergue, TΩ[N] - ΠPO - C - K[A]ΛV around, Naked infant Dionysus seated front on throne, head left, raising right hand, surrounded by three Korybantes beating on shields with swords, one on each side and one behind throne. SNG Levante Supp. 192 shows the same obverse die coupled with the reverse Athena in frontal quadriga, battling giants. SNG Levante 748. Fine to VF $150 635. AE 28, 12.12g. Galatia, Ancyra. Obv: ANTΩNINOC -ΠIOC AVΓ Bust laureate, cuirassed left. Rx: MHTPOΠO[ΛEΩC] (MHT ligate) - [ANKV]PAC Triform Hekate standing, wearing kalathos on each of her three heads, holding a patera, two torches, and three other uncertain objects in her six hands. Misattributed in CNG 64 to Metropolis in Phrygia. Possibly only the second specimen known after that published by Imhoof-Blumer from his own second collection: not in BM, SNG Paris, SNG Aulock, Lindgren, Berk photofile, CoinArchives, or Wildwinds. ImhoofBlumer, Zur griech. u. röm. Münzkunde, p. 228, 6, pl. VIII.15 (reverse only, same die as our coin). Cf. SNG von Aulock 6175-6 (same obverse die) and 6194 (same reverse type for Gallienus). VF $300 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Ex CNG 64, 24 September 2003, lot 607.
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
638. AE 29, 21.36g. Seleucis and Pieria, Emisa, Year 527 = 215/6 AD. Obv: AYT K M AYP - ANTΩNEIN[OC C]EB Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: [EMICΩ]Ν - KOΛΩN Sixcolumned temple of Elagabalus at Emesa, containing holy stone, ornamented with eagle, set on rectangular base, flanked by two parasols or religious standards; a flight of steps leads to the temple; rectangular frame in pediment; $500 date [ZKΦ] in exergue. BM 15. VF Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
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left hand; the beast has wrapped its tail around Herakles' right leg. On the obverse the engraver left out the first I in CEΠTIMIOC. Jurukova 426 (V219/R414, 7 specimens). Varbanov 3684 (this coin illustrated). Nice dark green patina. VF $400
639. Caracalla and Julia Domna. AE 26, 13.84g. Moesia Inferior, Marcianopolis. Obv: ANTΩNINOC AVΓOVCTOC around, IOVΛIA / ΔOMNA in two lines in exergue, laureate, draped, cuirassed bust of Caracalla right facing draped bust of Julia left. Rx: VΠA KVNTIΠIANOV MAPKIANOΠOΛITΩN around and running into exergue, naked Apollo standing right, head left, raising right hand to head and holding bow in left, to right snake entwined around tree stump, to left quiver and clothing. Hristova/Jekov, Marcianopolis, p. 68, second coin (same dies). AMNG 660 var. Good VF $250 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
640. AE 27, 5 Assaria Piece, 11.13g. Moesia Inferior, Marcianopolis, under governor Quintilianus. Obv: ANTΩNINOC AVΓOVCTOC IOVΛIA ΔOMNA (MN ligate) Laureate head right of Caracalla facing draped bust left of Domna. Rx: VΠ KVNTIΛIANOV MAPKIANOΠOΛITΩN (continuing upside down into exergue) Dionysus , half nude, seated right on panther stepping right, supporting himself with his right hand on the animal's rump and holding thyrsus with left hand; value mark E in left field. AMNG 670 (1 specimen, Löbbecke). Hristova-Jekov, Marcianopolis, p. 69 (illustrating 1 specimen, same dies as ours). Varbanov 1021 (illustrating the same specimen, Lanz 102, 2001, lot 769). Dark green patina. VF $150 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Ex Berk, Buy or Bid Sale 110, 8 September 1999, lot 748.
641. Geta as Augustus. 209-211 AD. AE 27, 11.48g. Thrace, Hadrianopolis. Obv: AVT K Π CEΠT - MIOC (sic) ΓETAC Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: AΔPIANO -ΠOΛITΩN Herakles, naked except for lion skin hanging behind back, raising club in his right hand to slay the Hydra, which he holds just below its three heads with his
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Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Ex Gorny & Mosch 113, 18 October 2001, lot 5413.
642. Elagabalus. 218-222 AD. AE 25, 11.55g. Moesia Inferior, Nicopolis ad Istrum, Under governor Novius Rufus. Obv: [AVT] M AVP - ANTΩ[NINOC] (NO ligate) Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right, seen from front. Rx: VΠ NOBIOV POVΦOV NIKOΠOΛITΩN ΠPO around, C ICTPΩ in exergue, Pan, with goat's horns and legs, standing left, head right, playing pipes held in left hand, holding pedum in right hand, and placing left hoof on chest of panther which is lying on its back on the ground and raising its head. Varbanov 3949 (same dies). AMNG 1933 corr. (2 specimens). Rough surfaces. About VF $150 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. A rare and interesting reverse type, probably coming from only this one pair of dies. Our specimen is from the same dies as four others of which illustrations are available, namely (a) CNG 58, 2001, 909, which is also illustrated by Varbanov 3949; (b) a specimen from a Lanz sale illustrated in the thread “Pan of the Day” on the Discussion Board of Forvm Ancient Coins; (c ) and (d) two specimens in private collections illustrated in that same thread and in the gallery of Jochen at the same Forvm discussion site. Pick 1933 lists two further specimens, in Belgrade and Sofia, which are probably also from the same dies, since on the reverse they have the same legend arrangement, with C ICTPΩ in exergue, and on the obverse they have the same unusual ligature of N and O near the end of ANTONINOC. Pick says the obverse legend on those two coins began AVT K M AVP, but that will be a misreading, since the obverse die of the other five coins, as shown most clearly by Varbanov 3997 where it is combined with a different reverse type, undoubtedly reads AVT M AVP, without the K that Pick records.
643. AE 18, 5.97g. Laodicea ad Mare. Obv: IMP C M [AVR ANTO] NINOV Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: LADI CEON around, in exergue ΔE, Herakles and Dionysus, both nude, grappling with one another like wrestlers; Herakles, on left, has a muscular body and is bearded, and his club is shown behind him in left field; Dionysus, on right, has long hair gathered in a knot and falling down behind his neck, and his thyrsus with knobbed ends is shown diagonally behind his left calf. SNG Copenhagen 373 (same dies). BM 108. VF $125 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Is this reverse type a variation on the theme of the drunken Herakles? BMC and SNG Copenhagen call the figures just “wrestlers”, but they are correctly identified as Herakles and Dionysus in a CNG description, E-Auction 7, on Wildwinds, and in a discussion thread on Forvm Ancient Coins, August 2007.
645. Severus Alexander. 222-235 AD. AE 27, 10.14g. Bithynia, Heracleia Pontica. Obv: [AYT M] AYP CEY AΛEΞANΔPON AY Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: H[P] AKΛEΩT[AN] Π - ON - TΩ Herakles slaying the Hydra; the hero, naked except for lion skin hanging from his shoulders, steps left, raises club in right hand, and holds one of the Hydra's six heads with left hand; the beast has wrapped it lower body around Herakles' right leg. Possibly unique: Voegtli, Heldenepen, p. 20, knows this reverse type at Heracleia only for Septimius Severus, Geta, Gordian III, and Gallienus. CNG E-Auction 126, 9 November 2005, lot 167 (this coin). From the same obverse die as SNG von Aulock 402. Smoothed. Scratches in field. VF $200 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Ex CNG E-Auction 126, 9 November 2005, lot 167.
644. Severus Alexander as Caesar. 221-222 AD. AE 33, 21.13g. Pamphylia, Aspendos. Obv: Bare-headed, cuirassed bust right, seen from front, fold of cloak on far shoulder, Medusa head on breast of cuirass; traces of legend survive, but no clear letters. Rx: ACΠEN -ΔIΩN Triform Hekate standing, wearing kalathos on each of her three heads, holding a patera, two torches, and three other uncertain objects in her six hands; below, two hounds spring left and right respectively from the base of her statue. Apparently unpublished for Severus Alexander as Caesar: not in BM, SNG von Aulock, SNG Copenhagen, Mionnet, four reprinted works on Greek coins by Imhoof-Blumer, Lindgren, Kraft's System, Berk photofile, CoinArchives, or Wildwinds. Cf. SNG von Aulock 4591, Julia Soaemias, same reverse die. Possibly Good Fine $200 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. The portrait is bare-headed, and, as pointed out by Gert Boersema in a discussion on Forvm Ancient Coins, shares a reverse die with Julia Soaemias, so is presumably of Severus Alexander as Caesar under Elagabalus. As on our coin, dogs also accompany on a coin of Maximinus I at Themisonion, Phrygia (SNG Aulock 4021). The goddess Hekate was said to be accompanied by barking or howling hounds of the underworld (Roscher, Lexikon der gr. und rom. Mythologie I.2, column 1895).
646. AE 30, 15.04g. Cilicia, Ninica Claudiopolis. Obv: IMP CAES M [AVR SEVER ALEXA]N - ΔER Bust laureate, cuirassed right. Four countermarks: two Victories and six-pointed star before face, Δ with dot in center behind head (Howgego 262, 451, 669). Rx: COL IVL AVG / FEL NI in two lines above, NIC CLA / VΔI in two lines in exergue, Dionysus seated left, emptying kantharos and holding thyrsus, in car drawn left by two panthers; in front Silenus stepping left, leading the panthers by the reins. Finer than the Levante specimen which is now in the Paris collection. SNG Paris 787 = SNG Levante 614 (same dies). VF $300 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Acquired from Frank Kovacs. Ex Burstein Collection.
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647. Maximinus I Thrax. 235-238 AD. AE 38 medallion, 20.07g. Ephesus. Obv: AYT K Γ ΙΟΥΛ OYHPOC ΜΑΞIMEINOC Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: EΦECIΩN TPIC NEOKOPΩN Victory, naked to waist, standing right, placing left foot on helmet, writing VIC / TORI / A A / VG in four lines onto round shield set on palm tree. Remarkable for the combination of Greek and Latin on the same reverse die, and perhaps unique: not in BM, SNG von Aulock, Head's Historia Numorum, CoinArchives, or Wildwinds; only this specimen in Berk photofile. Sternberg VIII, 16 November 1978, 609 (this coin). cf. SNG Copenhagen 472 (no inscription on shield). Dark brown-green patina. EF $2,000 Ex Sternberg VIII, 16 November 1978, lot 609.
Enlargement
648. AE 33-36, 17.34g. Cilicia, Anemurium, Year 1=235 AD. Obv: [A]YT K Γ IO O - VHPON MAΞIMEIN - ON Bust radiate, cuirassed right, seen from front, Medusa head on breast, fold of cloak on front shoulder. Rx: ET A ANEMOY - PI EW - N Perseus stepping left holding harpe and severed head of Medusa, nude except for cloak around shoulders and hanging down from left arm, another fold of cloak (?) curves to right from left shoulder. SNG Levante 499 (same dies). SNG Paris 708 (same dies). About EF $1,250 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Ex M&M Numismatics I, 7 December 1997, lot 226.
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649. Quasi-autonomous. Alexander the Great. AE 24, 10.09g. Macedonia, Koinon of Macedonia, under Gordian III, 238244 AD. Obv: AΛEΞANΔPOV Diademed head of Alexander the Great right with flowing hair. Rx: [KOINON MA] KEΔONΩN B NEΩ - KO Alexander raising spear in right hand on horse springing right, star in field below horse. AMNG 647 var. Good VF $150 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
650. Macedonian Commune for Alexander the Great. AE 26, 13.35g. Macedonia, Beroea, 242 AD, under Gordian III. Obv: AΛEΞANΔPOV Diademed head of Alexander III right, upward-looking, with flowing hair. Rx: KOINON MAKEΔONΩN B NEΩKOP Two prize crowns, each containing palm branch, OΛVM in field above, ΠIA below. Perhaps an unpublished variant of AMNG 799, which has a wreath below the obverse bust, not present on our coin, and OΛVMΠIA in three lines instead of two in reverse field. AMNG 799 var. Light apple-green patina. Extremely rare. EF and of unusually fine quality $2,500 According to Gaebler, AMNG III.1, pp. 13-14, this issue commemorates games that were held by the Macedonian Commune at Beroea in fall 242, probably in the presence of Gordian III, who was underway from Rome to the East for his Persian campaign. Only a few of the coins of the issue add the word OΛVMΠIA to the reverse legend, showing that the games were modeled after the famous Olympian Games held every four years at Elis on the Peloponnese.
651. Gordian III. 238-244 AD. AE 26, 9.17g. Thrace, Hadrianopolis. Obv: AVT K M ANT - ΓOPΔIANOC AVΓ (VΓ ligate) Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: AΔP - IA NO around, ΠOΛEITΩN in exergue, Dionysus reclining left, holding thyrsus, on back of spotted panther stepping right. Jurukova 482 (V231/R468, 14 specimens). Varbanov 4002 (same dies). About EF $150 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
from only this die pair. Jurukova, Hadrianopolis, 668 (V277, R634, only 1 specimen, Berlin). Varbanov 3945 (not illustrated, citing two auction specimens). Reverse field smoothed. Good VF $100 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. 652. AE 26, 10.94g. Thrace, Hadrianopolis. Obv: AVT K M ANT ΓOPΔIANOC AVΓ Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: AΔPI - AN around, OΠOΛEI / TΩN (the ΩN ligate) in two lines in exergue, Cybele seated left on lion springing right, balancing drum on the animal's rump with her right hand and holding scepter in her left; behind, his body emerging above the lion's head, one of the Corybantes, helmeted, advancing right, looking left at Cybele, raising a shield and sword (?) in both hands in order to make noise by clashing them together. The sword (?) extends both upwards and downwards from his left hand so might be some other object. Rare mythological depiction, known only from this die pair. Jurukova, Hadrianopolis, 570 (V248, R554, 7 specimens). Varbanov 3997 (same dies). Brownish-green patina. VF $150 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
653. AE 21, 4.67g. Thrace, Hadrianopolis. Obv: AVT K M ANT ΓOPΔIANOC Head radiate right. Rx: AΔPIA - NO - Π OΛEITΩN Bearded Pan with goat's legs and horns running left, holding out pipes in right hand and with shepherd's crook under left arm; a panther skin hangs from his left shoulder and left arm. Pan with his goat's legs is infrequently depicted on ancient coins, at Hadrianopolis only once under Caracalla (Jurukova 320) and on the two small-sized reverse dies of Gordian III represented by this and the following lot. Jurukova, Hadrianopolis, 661 (V274, R629, only 1 specimen, Berlin ex Löbbecke). Varbanov 3944 (the illustrated specimen, mislabeled 3945, is from the same dies as ours). About EF $100
655. AE 31-33, 22.97g. Bithynia, Heracleia Pontica. Obv: M ANT ΓOPΔIANOC AYΓ Bust laureate, cuirassed right, seen from front, fold of cloak on far shoulder and behind neck, on breast Medusa head on aegis which spreads like a wing on each side. Rx: HPAKΛHAC (HP probably ligate) MH - TP[OC AΠOIKΩN ΠOΛIΩN] (around and in exergue) Herakles, nude, advancing right, looking back left, with his right hand dragging three-headed Cerberus out of a cave with a rope, holding club in left hand, lion skin hanging down from his left arm, a tree grows above Cerberus' cave. The similar type published in Recueil Général adds a statue on a cippus before Herakles and has a different legend. Rec. Gen. 218 var., pl. LXII,1 (same obverse die). About VF $350 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Apparently struck in connection with games held in Heracleia honoring Herakles, the city’s mythical founder: the same obverse die occurs not only with other Labors of Herakles types, but with a type showing an athlete crowning himself before a statue of Herakles seated in a stadium. See Recueil General pl. LXI.21, pl. LXII.6, and several other specimens in CoinArchives. The unusual reverse legend, incomplete on this specimen, calls Heracleia “Mother of Colonial Cities”, that is “Establisher of Colonies”.
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
654. AE 23, 5.92g. Thrace, Hadrianopolis. Obv: AVT K M ANT ΓOPΔIANOC Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed right, seen from front. Rx: AΔPIA - NOΠ - OΛEITΩN (the ΩN ligate) Bearded Pan with goat's legs and horns running left, holding inditinct pipes in right hand and raising shepherd's crook in left hand, as though about to throw it. Slightly varied from the type of the preceding lot, and also coming
656. AE 27, 7.74g. Bithynia, Tium. Obv: M ANT ΓOΔ - IANOC (sic, P omitted) AYΓ Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed right, seen from front, round countermark 5 (Howgego 809) on neck and bust. Rx: TIA - NΩN Dionysus standing left, head right, holding kantharos in right hand which he raises above his head, and resting left arm on shoulders of smaller figure of Pan standing beside him; Pan leans left but looks right and holds pedum in left hand; he is bearded and has the horns, tail, legs, and hoofs of a goat. The same obverse die with letter omitted from the emperor's name was also coupled with other reverses: RG pl. CXI.6-7; SNG von Aulock 1009-
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10, 1012-3. Apparently unpublished reverse-type variety, cf. RG 160, pl. CXI.4 (similar type with addition of satyr to left of Dionysus). Flan crack on reverse. River patina. VF $100 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Acquired from Frank Kovacs, from the Burstein Collection, obtained by Burstein from Aufhäuser.
bust of Tranquillina left, draped and wearing diadem. Rx: [M]HTPO ΠO - N - TOV TO around, MEΩC in exergue, Hades-Serapis seated left, kalathos on head, extending right hand over three-headed Cerberus at his feet, scepter in left hand, value mark Δ and sideways V in two lines in right field. Interesting type, and from the same reverse die as the three specimens of which Regling in AMNG had reproductions; possibly struck from this die only. AMNG 3513 (6 specimens), pl. XIII.21 (reverse only, same die). Varbanov 5689. VF $150 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
657. AE 30, 11.33g. Pamphylia, Aspendos. Obv: AV KAI MAP AN ΓOPΔ[IANON CE] Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right, seen from front; on neck oval countermark of eagle standing front, wings spread, head right (Howgego 333). Rx: ACΠE - N - [ΔIΩN] Hekate Triformis standing, each head wearing calathus, the central figure holding two serpents, the figures left and right each raising one hand and holding a short torch in the other. SNG Paris 181 (same dies). VF $250 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
660. Philip I. 244-249 AD. AE 26, 12.54g. Macedonia, Pella. Obv: VMP (sic) C M IVL PHILIPPVS Bust radiate, draped right. Rx: COL IVL A - VS (sic) - PELLA Naked Pan seated left on rocks, placing right hand atop head, holding shepherd’s crook in left hand; pipes in left field. Engravers’ errors in the legends on both sides: VMP for IMP on the obverse and AVS for AVG on the reverse. Varbanov 3761 (same dies). Cohen 298. About EF $750 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
658. AE 34, 20.98g. Cilicia, Tarsus. Obv: AVT K M ANTΩNIOC ΓOPΔIANOC CEB Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: TAPC - O - V MHTPOΠOΛEΩ around, A / M in left field, K / Γ / B in right field, Herakles standing left holding club in right hand, apples of the Hesperides in left hand, lion skin hanging from left forearm, to left dead serpent in tree. See Voegtli, Heldenepen, pp. 42-4: this scene appears on the provincial coins of Tarsus and ten other cities. SNG Paris 1669 (same dies). BM 262 var. Unusually nice for this reverse. VF $350 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
659. Gordian III and Tranquillina. AE 27, 4 1/2 Assaria, 12.06g. Moesia Inferior, Tomis. Obv: AV[T K M] ANT ΓOPΔIANOC AVΓ CE around, TPANKVΛ / ΛEINA in two lines in exergue, Bust of Gordian right, laureate, draped, cuirassed, facing
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Enlargement
661. AE 32, 23.67g. Thrace, Bizya. Obv: AVT M IOVΛ ΦIΛIΠΠOC AVΓ (VΓ ligate) Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: B - IZVHN (HN ligate) - Ω - N Triptolemos in biga of winged serpents flying right, holding seeds in fold of garment before him in left hand and raising right hand to sow the seeds; Earth reclines left on ground below the biga, with her right hand holding out her garment at her waist to receive the seeds, and holding a branch under her left arm. Mabbott 423 (same reverse die). Not in Jurukova, Bizye; from same obverse die as her pl. 19, 124. Fine/VF $200 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
662. AE 35, 20.77g. Cilicia, Tarsus. Obv: AVT KAI IOV ΦIΛIΠΠON EVT EVC CE around, Π - Π in field, radiate, draped, cuirassed bust right. Rx: TAPCOV THC MHTPOΠOΛEΩC around, B in left field, A / M / K / Γ stacked in right field, Herakles, nude, standing right, grasping nude giant Antaios around the waist and raising him from the ground. See Voegtli, Heldenepen, pp. 66-8: this scene appears on the provincial coins of Tarsus and eight other cities. SNG Levante 1152 (same dies). Good Fine $175
665. Trajan Decius. 249-251 AD. AE 30, 20.41g. Lydia, Maeonia. Obv: ΑVT K ΓΜΚY.ΤΡΑΙΑΝΟC ΔΕΚΙΟC Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: ΕΠ ΑΥΡ ΑΦΦΙAΝΟΥ Β ΑPX Α ΤΟ Β Κ CΤΕΦΑΝΗ around, MAIONΩN in exergue, Dionysos seated left in car drawn by two panthers, holding kantharos, thrysos over shoulder; above panthers, Bacchante left, looking back at Dionysus and holding vine with bunches of grapes growing from it. BM 53, pl. XIV,10 (reverse only, same die). Good Fine $400
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
663. Philip II as Caesar. 245-247 AD. AE 18, 3.10g. Thrace, Bizya. Obv: M IOVΛ ΦIΛIΠΠOC KAICAP (AP ligate) Head bare right. Rx: BIZVHN - ΩN (HN ligate) Naked Silenos with tail stepping right, holding wineskin on his shoulders from which he pours wine into large krater on ground before him. Jurukova 157, pl. 26 (same dies). Good VF $100
666. AE 35, 26.58g. Pisidia, Codrula. Obv: AYT K Γ ΜΕCI KYIN TPAIA ΔEKION Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: KOΔPOYΛΕΩΝ Rhea seated right, facing Kronos seated left holding harpa and scepter; small statue behind each of them. Rare: von Aulock knew only this coin and two others, in Paris and BM, all three from the same pair of dies. The reverse die, remarkably enough, was some forty years old, having earlier been used for both Septimius Severus and Philip I, von Aulock's nos. 996 and 1020, pl. 22 and pl. 24. Von Aulock, Pisidien I, 1025, pl. 24 (this coin). SNG Paris 1432 (same dies). VF $300
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Ex CNG 63, 21 May 2003, lot 1022. Earlier in the Hecht Collection, published by him in Numismatic Chronicle 1968, p. 31, 13, pl. X.
664. AE 20, 3.85g. Thrace, Bizya. Obv: [M ]IOVΛ ΦIΛIΠΠOC KAI[CAP] (AP ligate) Head bare right. Rx: BIZVHN - ΩN (HN ligate) Naked Silenos with tail stepping right, holding wineskin on his shoulders from which he pours wine into large krater on ground before him. Another specimen from the same die pair. Jurukova 157, pl. 26 (same dies). About EF $200 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
667. Herennius Etruscus as Caesar. 250-251 AD. AE 28, 20.84g. Moesia Superior, Viminacium, Year 12 = 250/1 AD. Obv: Q H ETR MES DEC CAES Bare-headed, draped bust right. Rx: P M S - COL VIM around, AN XII in exergue, Moesia standing left between bull and lion, holding branch and globe. AMNG 144 (10 specimens). Varbanov 187. Good VF $500
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668. Trebonianus Gallus. 251-253 AD. ΑΕ 32, 27.84g. Cilicia, Epiphaneia, Year 319 = 251/2 AD. Obv: [AV]T TPEBWNIOC (sic, AN omitted) ΓAΛΛOC EV EVCEB Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: EΠIΦANE - WN above and on right, date ΘIT in field, Dionysus standing in chariot drawn left by two panthers, holding reins and thyrsus, a satyr with the horns and legs of a goat leads the panthers, looking back at Dionysus and also holding pedum; cista and kantharos in exergue. Rare type, error in obverse legend, probably struck from this die pair only; not in BM, SNG Levante, or SNG von Aulock. SNG Paris 2404 (same dies). SNG Glasgow 2384 (same dies). VF $750
670. AE 23, 6.30g. Bithynia, Nicaea. Obv: ΠOY ΛI EΓ ΓAΛΛIHN[OC] Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed right, seen from front. Rx: NIKAIE above, [ΩN] in exergue, Dionysus seated left on car drawn left by four elephants, emptying kantharos and holding thyrsus. RG 836. SNG von Aulock 725 (same obverse die). BM 154. VF $125 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Ex CNG E140, 24 May 2006, lot 108.
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Ex Triton VIII, 11-12 January 2005, lot 780.
669. Gallienus. 253-268 AD. AE 26, 13.41g. Pontus, Sebastopolis, Year 266=263/4 AD. Obv: AYT KAI ΠO ΛIK ΓAΛΛIHNOC Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right, with oversize, elaborately rendered shoulder flap of cuirass, flanked by two folds of cloak falling from a round clasp. Rx: CEBAC[T] O [HPAK] around clockwise on right, ET S - ΞC around counterclockwise on left, Herakles standing left, nude except for lion skin flying out from his back and hanging down beside his left leg, capturing the Ceryneian hind, which rears up left beside him, by grasping its horns and placing his right knee on its back. This rare type, first published by Imhoof-Blumer in 1902, may come from just a single pair of dies. SNG von Aulock 134-5 (same dies). Imhoof-Blumer, Kleinasiatische Munzen, p. 500, pl. XX,1 (his collection, reverse only shown, same die as our coin). RG 25 (Imhoof-Blumer's specimen and two others). Lindgren I, A52A = CNG 76, 2007, lot 992 (same dies). Voegtli, Heldenepen, p. 26. EF $750 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
Enlargement
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671. AE 23, 7.19g. Lycaonia, Iconium. Obv: IMP Γ P LIC GALLIENVΓ P F A (sic) Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: IC - ONIE - N COLO around, S R across lower field, Perseus standing left, feet winged, holding head of Medusa in right hand and cradling harpa in left arm. Rare: von Aulock records 21 specimens, all from this same die pair. Von Aulock, Lykaonien 428, pl.10 (same dies). SNG von Aulock 8649 (same dies). SNG Paris 2304 (same dies). EF $500 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. City Coins of Judaea, Phoenicia and the Province of Arabia
672. Lucius Verus. 161-169 AD. AE 25, 11.00g. Decapolis, Abila, Year 230 = 166/7 CE. Obv: AYT KAICAP Λ - AYP OYHPOC Bust laureate, cuirassed right, seen from front, aegis with Medusa head on far shoulder. Rx: CE ABIΛHNW - N IAA ΓKO ICY around, in exergue date ΛC, Herakles, nude, seated left on rock, holding end of club resting on ground in right hand, left hand resting on rock behind him. Spijkerman 11, pl. 7 (same obverse die). SNG ANS 1122 (same obverse die). Good VF $350 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
673. Caracalla. 198-217 AD. AE 24, 9.73g. Decapolis, Abila, Year 265 = 201/2 CE. Obv: AYT KAIC - M AYP ANTWNEINOC, the last N retrograde, Bust laureate, draped right. Rx: CE ABIΛ- HNWN KOI C around, date EΞC in exergue, Herakles standing right wrestling with the Nemean lion, his club diagonally on ground at right. Spijkerman 20. VF $200
Enlargement
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
676. Antoninus Pius. 138-161 AD. AE 14, 4.78g. Judaea, Aelia Capitolina. Obv: IMP ANT[O NINV]S AVG Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: War-galley sails left with oars and ram; above COL AEL and below CAP. Meshorer 31. Good VF $300 674. Marcus Aurelius. 161-180 AD. AE 27, 14.46g. Arabia Petraea, Adraa, Year 70 = 175/6 CE. Obv: [AYT] M AY - [ANTONINOC] Head laureate right. Rx: ΔOYCAPHC ΘEOC AΔPAHNWN E O Dome-shaped baetyl on altar with steps, head of ibex on either side of baetyl. The “god Dusares” whose baetyl is shown was the Arabian Dionysus. Spijkerman 3, pl. 10 (same obverse die). SNG ANS 1130 (same obverse die). Hendin 809 var. Good Fine/VF $200
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. The galley was one of the symbols of the Tenth Roman Legion, garrisoned in the former Jerusalem during the late first and second centuries AD.
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
Finest Known of Issue
675. Hadrian and Antoninus Pius as Caesar. AE 23, 11.66g. Judaea, Aelia Capitolina, 138 CE. Obv: IMP CAE TRAIA - HADRIANO AVG Bust of Hadrian laureate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: IMP T AEL CAES - ANTONINVS C A K Head of Antoninus Caesar bare right. Sear 1275 var. Meshorer 9. About EF $1,000
677. Julia Domna, Wife of Septimius Severus and Mother of Caracalla. AE 20, 7.56g. Judaea, Aelia Capitolina. Obv: IVLIA - DOMNA Bust draped right. Rx: [COL AE]L - CAP COM P F (beginning at upper right) Turreted female figure seated left holding patera and cornucopia. As already noted in BMC, at least one, possibly two or three letters (MA?) seem to have been eradicated in the obverse die above the portrait. BM 63, pl. X.2 (same obverse die). Meshorer 82. VF $200 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. This is almost certainly the best preserved specimen of this rare coin.
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678. Elagabalus. 218-222 AD. AE 23, 11.30g. Judaea, Aelia Capitolina. Obv: [IM] C M A A - NTONIN Bust laureate, cuirassed right, seen from front, Medusa head on breastplate, fold of cloak over far shoulder. Rx: COL AE [C C] - P F AVA City goddess standing right, right leg bent, holding in left hand scepter, and in right hand standard topped by eagle walking right, bearing garland in beak; to right, a second standard topped by boar standing left; on ground behind the city goddess, an amphora; in exergue, thyrsus. Rare: not in Mionnet, BM, SNG ANS, Berk photofile, CoinArchives, or Wildwinds. Meshorer 131. VF $200
681. Herennius Etruscus as Augustus. 251 AD. AE 27, 11.94g. Judaea, Aelia Capitolina. Obv: C H Q DECIVS E[TRVSCVS AVG] Bust radiate, draped right, seen from front. Rx: COL AEL - K[AP…] around, L X F on the banner of a vexillum; below the banner two bars ornamenting the vexillum; below the bars an eagle with closed wings standing right on a staff, holding two arrows (?) in its beak; below the eagle, a boar standing right. cf. SNG ANS 631 (same obverse die, reverse Serapis standing). Fine $150 Ex Asher Keshet Collection.
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. The boar was one of the symbols of the Legio X Fretensis, which was stationed at Jerusalem.
679. AE 22, 8.05g. Judaea, Aelia Capitolina. Obv: [IMP C M] A [A]NTONIN Bust laureate, cuirassed right, seen from front, probably with Medusa head on breast. Rx: COL - AEL C C - P - [F] Facing quadriga of horses carrying the Stone of Emesa, which is decorated with an eagle and flanked by two religious standards; in exergue, branch (off flan). The two standards or parasols, missing on most specimens, are also shown on SNG ANS 626. SNG ANS 625 var. BM 86 var. Sear 3124 var. Meshorer 133. VF $250 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
680. AE 23, 8.89g. Judaea, Aelia Capitolina. Obv: IM C [M A] - ANT[ONIN] Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: COI (sic) A - C C P F Facing quadriga of horses carrying the Stone of Emesa, which is decorated with an eagle; in exergue, branch (barely visible). Similar to the preceding lot, without standards flanking the holy stone. Meshorer 133a. SNG ANS 626 var. BM 85. VF $300 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
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682. Geta as Caesar. 198-209 AD. AE 18, 6.58g. Phoenicia, AkkoPtolemais. Obv: L S GET C - AVG PII F Bare-headed, draped, cuirassed bust right. Rx: The emperor Claudius as founder plowing right with ox and cow; behind, four standards; C OL between shafts of standards, PTOL in exergue. No coins of Geta at this mint are listed in BM, Lindgren, Cohen, Berk photofile, CoinArchives, or Wildwinds. Rosenberger lists one Geta coin from this mint, with a Dionysus reverse. Possibly unique and unpublished. Good VF $400 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. The same reverse type on a coin of Hadrian at PtolemaisAce, BM 23, adds the legend DIVOS CLAVD, identifying the founder of the colony as the emperor Claudius. According to Head, Historia Numorum, p. 793, the four standards represent the four legions whose veterans established the colony, III Gallica, VI Ferrata, X Fretensis, and XII Fulminata. Geta’s obverse legend with filiation (AVG PII F) is unusual, being recorded at only one other mint, Sebaste in Samaria, by Münsterberg, Die Kaisernamen der römischen Kaisermünzen, Numismatische Zeitschrift 59, 1926, p. 63.
Enlargement
harpe above head in right hand and holding small round shield in left; on right AC, on left HYP. RPC 2216 (22 specimens). BM 132. Rosenberger 119. VF $100 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. 683. Philip II as Caesar. 245-247 AD. AE 24, 10.41g. Phoenicia, Akko-Ptolemais. Obv: [M?] IVL PHILIP[PVS NOB CAES] Bare-headed, draped, cuirassed bust right. Rx: COL PT - OL Human foot left, thunderbolt above it, winged caduceus to left. Rare: this type missing in BM, Lindgren, Cohen, Berk photofile, CoinArchives, and Wildwinds. Fine/VF $300 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
684. Valerian I. 253-260 AD. AE 26, 14.36g. Phoenicia, AkkoPtolemais. Obv: IMP C P L - [VALERIANVS] AVG Laureate, draped, cuirassed bust right, seen from front. Rx: COL - P - T - OL Sacred tree between serpents rising from two altars or baskets; to right, winged caduceus. Rare: this type missing in BM, Lindgren, Berk photofile, and Wildwinds. CoinArchives includes a specimen from the same reverse die, but with radiate portrait on obverse: Heritage 357, Long Beach, 9 September 2004, lot 12092. Cohen 374 (de Saulcy Collection). Adjustment marks on obverse. VF $250 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Ex Coin Galleries, 15 April 1998, lot 137.
685. Ascalon, Judaea. 1st century BC. AE 11, 2.46g. Obv: Bearded male head right (Herakles?). Rx: Crossed cornucopias, ear of grain between them, below A - Σ. Not listed in BM, Rosenberger, Meshorer, or Yashin. VF $250
687. Faustina II, Wife of Marcus Aurelius. AE 24, 12.49g. Judaea, Ascalon, Year 263 = 159/60 AD. Obv: ΦAYCT[EINA] - AVΓOYCTA Bust draped right. Rx: ACKAΛW[N] -ΓΞC The Dioscuri standing to front, looking at each other, each with star above head, resting on spear with outer arm and holding parazonium in the other; between them, above, crescent with horns upward. BM 227. Not in Rosenberger. Good VF $250 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
688. Julia Domna, Wife of Septimius Severus and Mother of Caracalla. AE 23, 8.17g. Judaea, Ascalon, Year 302 = 198/9 CE. Obv: IOV - ΔOMNA - CEB, beginning and ending at 9:00, draped bust of Domna right, with inappropriate Antonine-like coiffure. Rx: ACKAΛW - BT The Dioscuri standing to front, looking at each other, each with star over head and holding spear and parazonium; between them, above, crescent with horns upward. cf. SNG ANS 732 (Year 304). Not in Rosenberger. Good VF $200 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. RPC 4876 and other references list a similar coin type, but with a beardless male bust, generally thought to be Augustus. Our type, unlisted in major references, appears to show a different personage, perhaps Herakles.
686. Domitian. 81-96 AD. AE 15, 6.64g. Judaea, Ascalon, Year 198 = 94/5 AD. Obv: CEBAC Laureate head of Domitian right. Rx: Phanebal, god of war, standing left, wielding
689. Severus Alexander. 222-235 AD. AE 24-27, 17.15g. Judaea, Ascalon, Year 334 = 230/1 CE. Obv: A K M AV CEOV[H - A] ΛEΞANΔPOC Bust laureate, cuirassed right, seen from front, aegis on far shoulder. Rx: [ACKAΛW] - ΔΛT Bust of Isis left wearing atef crown, holding flail in front, scepter behind; below, three lions pacing left. This interesting reverse type seems to be very rare for Severus Alexander at Ascalon: not in BM, SNG ANS, Lindgren, Berk photofile, CoinArchives, or Wildwinds. BM 248 var., reverse like 251 (Maximinus I). Rosenberger 232. Good VF $750 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
continued
121
689 continued
One of the rarest coins of ancient Ascalon, this is especially interesting because its use of the goddess Isis reflects the city’s close links to ancient Egypt.
Enlargement
692. Herennius Etruscus and Hostilian as Caesars. 250-251 AD. AE 24, 9.20g. Arabia Petraea, Bostra. Obv: [IMP M DECIVS ET C] VALEN[S CVINTVS CA[ISARES], mostly illegible, busts of the two Caesars facing one another, Herennius laureate, Hostilian radiate. Rx: [ACTIA DVSARIA COL METR BOSTRENORVM], traces of only a few letters surviving, raised platform approached by steps, on which a baetyl surmounted by seven flat cakelike objects, between two other baetyls, each surmounted by one similar object; all in wreath. Spijkerman 72. BM 48. Sear 4289. Fine $250 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
690. Gordian III. 238-244 AD. AE 20, 7.45g. Phoenicia, Berytus. Obv: IMP GOR[DIANVS AVG C]OS I Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed right, seen from front. Rx: COL IVL A - [V]G FEL BER Dionysus, nude, standing left, head right, right arm raised and resting on head, with his left he embraces a small satyr who stands left beside him; at his feet on left, panther left looking up; on either side, vine with grapes. BM 241. SNG Copenhagen 124 (same obverse die). VF $150
693. Augustus. 27 BC-14 AD. AE 20, 10.67g. Phoenicia, Byblos. Obv: ΚΑΙΣΑΡ [ΣΕΒΑΣΤΟΣ] Laureate head right. Rx: ΒΥΒΛΙWΝ Kronos with six wings standing left, LΛ in field left. RPC 4526 (11 specimens). VF/Fine $200 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Ex CNG 57, 28 March 2001, lot 887.
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. 694. Minima of Caesarea. 1st century AD. AE 12, 1.19g. Obv: Three upright ears of grain in a wreath. Rx: Amphora in a wreath. Treasury 372a. Green patina. Good Fine $350 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
691. Severus Alexander. 222-235 AD. AE 29, 15.36g. Arabia Petraea, Bostra. Obv: IMP CAES M AVB (sic) SEV ALEXANDER AVG Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: Founder, togate, plowing right with yoke of humped bulls, his right hand raised; in field above, three baetyls upon altar of Dusares approached by steps; in exergue COL. BOSTR, around N.TR.A - LEXANDRIANAE. Spijkerman 51. Meshorer 241. Fine/VF $650 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. This coin depicts the founding ceremony of Bostra as a colony, Colonia Bostra Nova Traiana Alexandriana as the legend declares, with the emperor as founder plowing and the altar of the chief local god Dusares above.
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Meshorer suggests that these coins were copied directly from Jewish coins and struck at the mint of Caesarea during the first century AD. Early Era Pre-Royal Issue of Agrippa II
695. Nero and Agrippina II. 54-68 AD. AE 19, 8.27g. Judaea, Caesarea Maritima, c. 55 CE. Obv: [NEP]ΩNOC CE BACTO[Y KAICAPOC] Bare-headed, draped bust of youthful Nero left. Rx: AΓPIΠΠEINHC - CEBACT - HC Draped bust of Agrippina II left. Rare: only three specimens in RPC I,
one more in Supplement I. RPC attributes this and a similar larger coin, no. 4860, to Caesarea on the basis of style, find spots, and a countermark characteristic of the mint. RPC 4861 (3 specimens). Hendin 580. Treasury 360. VF $1,250 Judaea Capta
696. Titus. 79-81 AD. AE 20, 7.50g. Judaea, Caesarea Maritima. Obv: AY[TOKP TIT] - OC KAICAP Head laureate right. Rx: IOYΔAIAΣ EA - ΛΩKYIAΣ Nike standing right, placing left foot on helmet and with right hand writing AYT / T / KAIC in three lines on shield hanging on palm tree. RPC 2311 (39 specimens). Hendin 743. Treasury 381. EF $500 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
699. Elagabalus. 218-222 AD. AE 19, 6.66g. Arabia Petraea, Charachmoba. Obv: A K M AVP ANTWNINO Head laureate right. Rx: XAP - [AXMWBA] Figure on right seated left before high platform with steps leading up to it, on the platform a base bearing two small baetyls on either side of a tall column surmounted by a globe, behind these monuments a wall or panel about half as high as the column. Spijkerman 5. Rosenberger 2. Hendin 302. Very rare and an extremely interesting reverse. VF $650 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Ex Coin Galleries, 18 February 1998, 573. One of Very Few Known
It is extremely rare to find a specimen of this coin with full inscription on the shield. In RPC the shield inscription is not even mentioned. 700. Demetrias by the Sea. Year 1 = 63/62 BC. AE 17, 4.11g. Obv: Turreted, veiled bust of Tyche right. Rx: Single cornucopia with grains, grapes, and a ribbon, flanked by LΑ - ΔΗ. Hoover, “A Seleucid Coinage of Demetrias by the Sea”, Israel Numismatic Research 2 (2007), pp. 77-87, pl. 14.3. Good VF $1,000 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. 697. Hadrian. 117-138 AD. AE 28-30, 24.11g. Samaria, Caesarea. Obv: IMP TRA HADRI - ANVS CAES AVG Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: COL I FL AVG above, CAESAREN in exergue, togate, veiled founder, plowing to right with bull and cow yoked; above, flying left to crown him, a small Victory. BM 54. Rosenberger 24. VF $500
Hoover supports Kushnir-Stein’s earlier identification of a mint at Demetrias by the Sea, suggested as a Seleucid refoundation of the ancient city Strato’s Tower, eventually the site of Caesarea Maritima. The coins of Demetrias by the Sea are rare in any condition, this one is splendid, much finer than the example illustrated in Hoover’s article.
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
698. Marcus Aurelius. 161-180 AD. AE 23, 9.01g. Decapolis, Capitolias, Year 70 = 166/7 CE. Obv: AYT KAIC M AYP ANTWNEINOC Bare-headed, cuirassed bust right, fold of cloak behind neck. Rx: KAΠITW - ΛEWN I A A Turreted Tyche standing left holding scepter and cornucopia, date O in exergue. Spijkerman 5. VF $750 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
701. Caracalla. 198-217 AD. AE 17, 4.62g. Samaria, DiospolisLydda. Obv: AY K... Radiate head Caracalla right Rx: Tetrastyle temple with turreted Tyche standing left, one leg raised, between inner columns; figures or unknown objects flank her between outer columns; inscription begins in exergue, ΔIOC -ΠOΛ... Not listed in BM, Rosenberger, or Meshorer. Good VF $1,000 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Beautiful and apparently unpublished coin from the ancient city of Lod, near Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport.
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702. Geta as Caesar. 198-209 AD. AE 25, 13.40g. Arabia Petraea, Dium, Year 270 = 207/8 CE. Obv: Π CEΠ - ΓETAC Bareheaded, draped, cuirassed bust right. Rx: ΔEIH downward on left, NWN in exergue, date OC downward on right, War god standing facing, wearing kalathos and horns, holding eagle-tipped scepter and Victory; at his feet, recumbent bull on either side. Spijkerman pl. 24, 7a (same obverse die). Good VF $600 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
706. Macrinus. 217-218 AD. AE 28, 15.72g. Judaea, Eleutheropolis, Year 19 = 217/8 CE. Obv: [AYT K]AI MA KPINOC CEB Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: [Λ CEΠ CEOHP] EΛEYΘEPO around, date E ΘI in exergue, Athena seated left above shield, holding Victory and spear with point upwards. A rare type at a rare city, perhaps only the third recorded specimen. Not in Mionnet, BM, Lindgren, Berk photofile, CoinArchives, or Wildwinds. SNG ANS 895 (same dies). Rosenberger 22. Good VF $800 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
703. Quasi-autonomous, under Nero. AE 21-23, 12.85g. Phoenicia, Dora, Year 130 = 67/8 CE. Obv: Laureate, bearded head of Doros right, no legend. Rx: ΔWPITWN on right, ΛP in left field, Turreted Tyche standing left, head right, holding standard and cornucopia. RPC 4758 (citing Meshorer only). Good VF $300 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
704. Quasi-autonomous, under Vespasian. AE 22, 12.29g. Phoenicia, Dora, Year 139 = 76/7 CE. Obv: Laureate, bearded head of Doros right, aphlastron before, no legend. Rx: ΔWPITWN (the N retrograde) on right, ΘΛ - P in left field, Turreted Tyche standing left, head right, holding standard and cornucopia. RPC 4758 (3 specimens). Good VF $150
In 199/200 CE Eleutheropolis started a new era and adopted the epithets Lucia Septimia Severa, apparently on the occasion of an imperial visit by Septimius Severus and his family, who in 199 were on their way from Syria to Egypt.
707. Domitian. 81-96 AD. AE 25, 13.52g. Trachonitis, Gaba, Year 152 = 83/4 CE. Obv: AVTO KAI ΔOMITIA - NOC ΓEP - MA CEBAC Head laureate right. Rx: KΛAVΔIEWN ΦIΛIΠ ΓABHNWN Turreted Tyche standing front, holding scepter and cornucopia, date PMB in right field. RPC 2238 (4 specimens), pl. 96 (poor specimen in BM, probably same dies). About EF $500 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
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705. Plautilla, Wife of Caracalla. AE 18-20, 5.42g. Phoenicia, Dora, Year 266 = 202/3 CE. Obv: Φ ΠΛA - VT E (sic) AVΓ Bust draped right. Rx: Galley left with ram, oars, and rudder, above ΔWPA / NAVAPX, below date SΞC. Meshorer, Coins of Dora, INJ 9, 1986-7. VF $400
708. Lucius Verus. 161-169 AD. AE 24, 12.59g. Decapolis, Gadara, Year 224 = 161 CE. Obv: AYT KAICAP - Λ AYP OYHPOC Bust laureate, cuirassed right. Countermark of five-pointed star on cuirass. Rx: ΠOMΠ (MΠ ligate) Γ[A] - ΔAP ΔKC Laureate bust of Herakles right, lion skin knotted around neck, small thunderbolt in field right. The same obverse die remained in use during Gadara’s next year, 225: Spijkerman 55, pl. 29. Spijkerman 53 var. SNG ANS 1317 var. Good VF $350
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
709. Gordian III. 238-244 AD. AE 25, 13.41g. Decapolis, Gadara, Year 303 = 239/40 CE. Obv: AVTOK K M AV - AN[TW ΓOPΔIA]NOC Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: ΠOMΠ / ΓAΔAPE / WN in three lines above galley traveling right, with seated steersman in stern raising left hand, eight oars and the heads of six rowers, and officer standing left, raising right hand, by small sail on mast near $250 prow; in exergue date ΓT. Spijkerman 93. VF Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
710. AE 18, 5.89g. Decapolis, Gadara, Year 303 = 239/40 CE. Obv: AV K [M AN] - ΓOPΔIANOC Bust radiate r, fold of cloak on front shoulder. Rx: [Γ]AΔ[A - PEWN] in exergue and upwards on right, ΠOMΠ above, date ΓT upwards on left, the Three Graces, nude, standing with arms entwined, flanked by two small altars in lower field. Spijkerman 91, pl. 32 (same dies). About VF $150 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
712. Antoninus Pius. 138-161 AD. AE 29, 21.97g. Palestine, Gaza, Year 213 = 152/3 CE. Obv: [AYT]OK NO (sic) - ANTWNINOC Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: ΓAZA + - ΓIC Bust of city-goddess right, turreted, draped, and veiled. Curious error in obverse legend, NO for AΔPI. BM 68. Not in Rosenberger for this date. Green-brown patina. Good VF $400 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Excessively rare
713. Gerasa, Decapolis. 68/69 AD (?). AE 10, 1.56g. Obv: [..] CH. Stag standing right. Rx: ΓΕΡCΗ. Hare crouching right, nibbling at a bunch of grapes. M. Rosenberger, The Coinage of Eastern Palestine (Jerusalem 1978), p. 50, 3. A. Lichtenberger, Kult und Kultur der Dekapolis (Münster 2003), p. 195, pl. 20, MZ 102. Excessively rare. About VF $200 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Lichtenberger interpreted both the stag and the hare as sacred animals of Artemis. Another possible interpretation of the hare is suggested by Roman grave reliefs and sarcophagi, where the nibbling hare is a well-known subsidiary motif and has often been interpreted as a symbol of immortality.
711. Hadrian. 117-138 AD. AE 26-29, 15.36g. Palestine, Gaza, Year 4 = 193 = 132/3 CE. Obv: [AY]T KAI TP[AI - AΔP]IANOC Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: ΓAZA - [MAPNAC] around, Δ EΠΙ Γ[QP+] in exergue, Two-columned temple, Artemis and Marnas within; Artemis stands right, drawing arrow from quiver at her shoulder and holding bow, while Marnas stands left, nude, holding uncertain object and bow. Dated to Year 4 since the emperor’s visit in 130 CE, and year 193 of the local era beginning in 61 BCE. BM 17 var. Not in Rosenberger for this date. Good VF $300
714. Septimius Severus. 193-211 AD. AE 26-30, 14.47g. Arabia Petraea, Medaba, Υear 105 = 210/11 CE. Obv: AVT KA CEΠ - CEOVHPOC Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: Radiate Sol standing front, head left, raising right hand and holding whip in left, in spread frontal quadriga with two horses prancing left and two right; inscription HΛ - I - W around at top, AΓIW at 5:00, ΘEW counterclockwise at 7:00, abbreviated city name MHΔA in exergue, and date P - E in lower field. The descriptive legend means “To the Holy Sun God.” The word ΘEW, God, seems to have been overlooked in previous descriptions of this rare type; see Spijkerman, p. 180. Spijkerman 1a, pl. 39 (same obverse die). Green-brown patination. Good VF $450
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
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715. Domitian. 81-96 AD. AE 24-26, 15.57g. Samaria, Neapolis, Year 11 = 82/3 AD. Obv: AYTO[KPATΩP ΔOMITIANO]Σ KAIΣAP ΣEBAΣTOΣ Head laureate right. Rx: ΦΛAOYI / NEAΠOΛI / ΣAMAPE / L AI in four lines within laurel wreath. RPC 2218 (16 specimens). Rosenberger 1. BM 1-3. SNG ANS 961. Hendin 877. Much finer than the BM specimen illustrated in RPC. Attractive dark green patina with light green highlighting. Good VF $300 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Ex Triton VI, 14-15 January 2003, lot 578 (part).
718. Domitian. 81-96 AD. AE 23-26, 15.70g. Samaria, Neapolis, Year 15 = 86/7 CE. Obv: AYTOK ΔOMETIANOΣ KAIΣAP ΣEBAΣTOΣ [ΓEP?] Head laureate right. Rx: Crossed cornucopias, inscription ΦΛAOYI / NEAΠ / ΣAM in three lines above, date L IE below, all in laurel wreath tied below. Unusual spelling of Domitian’s name in the obverse legend, ΔOMETIANOΣ instead of ΔOMITIANOΣ. This type usually bears the date L IA = year 11 = 82/3 CE; our coin seems to be only the second example recorded that is dated instead to Year 15, and it is much finer than the previously unique Berlin specimen illustrated by RPC. RPC 2224 (Berlin only, ex Löbbecke). VF $200
Noteworthy as one of the early city coins of predominantly Jewish and Samaritan cities with the imperial portrait on the obverse, but a reverse type that would not offend local religious sensitivities. See A. Kushnir-Stein, “Reflection of Religious Sensitivities on Palestinian City Coinage”, Israel Numismatic Research 3, 2008, pp. 125-136.
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
716. AE 20, 8.36g. Samaria, Neapolis, Year 11 = 82/3 AD. Obv: AVTOK ΔΟΜΙ[ΤΙΑΝΟΣ Κ]ΑΙΣΑΡ ΣΒΑΣΤΟΣ (sic, E omitted) Laureate head right. Rx: Palm tree, ΦΛΑ -ΟVI / ΝΕΑ -ΠΟΛΙ / ΣΑ -ΜΑ / L- AI in four lines across field. Engraver’s error in obverse legend. RPC 2220 (22 specimens). Rosenberger 5. About VF $100
719. Antoninus Pius. 138-161 AD. AE 32, medallion, 21.16g. Samaria, Neapolis, Year 88 = 159/60 AD. Obv: [AYTOK KAIC] AP - ANTWNINOC CEBAC - EVCE Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: ΦΛ NEAC ΠOΛEW[C] - CVPIAC ΠAΛECTINHC around, ET ΠH in exergue, Asklepios and Hygieia standing side by side and looking at one another, Asklepios on left holding serpent-staff, Hygieia on right, holding serpent and feeding it from patera. BM 20. SNG ANS -. Rosenberger -. Meshorer 128. VF $1,500
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
Another in the series of aniconic reverses suggested by Kushnir-Stein to relate to local Jewish administration.
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. This rare medallion with full reverse legend is far nicer than the example shown in Meshorer’s book.
717. AE 18, 3.37g. Samaria, Neapolis, Year 11 = 82/3 AD. Obv: [AVTOK ΔΟΜΙΤΙΑΝΟ]Σ ΚΑΙΣΑΡ ΣΕ Laureate head right. Rx: Two wheat ears, ΦΛA ΝΕΑΠ -ΣΑΜΑ L AI around. RPC 2221 (6 specimens). About EF $250 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Ex Triton VI, 14-15 January 2003, lot 578 (part).
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720. Faustina II, Wife of Marcus Aurelius. AE 23, 5.69g. Samaria, Neapolis, Year 88 = 159/60 AD. Obv: ΦAVCTEINA CEB EV - CE CEBA ΘVΓA Bust draped right. Rx: ΦΛ NEAC
ΠOΛE - WC CVPIA ΠAΛ[…] around, ET - ΠH across field, Artemis Ephesia standing front, extending hands over bird atop scepter and stag looking upwards on each side of her, wearing headdress of mushroom-like object in center between two plumes on each side, small temple facade above the headdress. BM 62. SNG ANS 978. Rosenberger 15. VF $100 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Probably ex Triton VI, 1415 January 2003, lot 578.
721. Commodus as Caesar. 167-177 AD. AE 15, 3.37g. Samaria, Neapolis. Obv: K AY KO M OΔOC Bare-headed, draped bust right. Rx: Φ NEAC -ΠO - [C]VP ΠA Horse stepping right, right foreleg raised, perhaps further letters (date?) in field below horse. RPC online 11089 = Sternberg XXXIV, 22 October 1998, lot 243 (same dies). Not in BM, SNG ANS, Meshorer, or Rosenberger. VF $350
724. AE 25, 15.27g. Samaria, Neapolis. Obv: [A]YT K M OΠ CE MAKPINOC CE Bust laureate, cuirassed right, seen from front, with long beard. Rx: ΦΛ NEAC ΠO[Λ]EWC CV Π[A] Mount Gerizim with two peaks surmounted by temple and altar, stairway leads to temple, colonnade below mountain. From different dies than the preceding lot. BM 89 var. SNG ANS 993 var. Rosenberger 32. VF $400 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Ex Triton VI, 14-15 January 2003, lot 578 (part).
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
722. Commodus. 177-192 AD. AE 19, 4.34g. Samaria, Neapolis. Obv: MAP A[YP] - KOMMOΔW Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: ΦΛ NEAC - CYPI ΠA Facing cult statue of goddess, resembling Artemis Ephesia, hands extended at right angles may hold birds and rest on fillet-like supports, stags standing left and right at her feet. Rosenberger 26. SNG ANS 981. BM 77. VF $150
725. Diadumenian as Caesar. 217-218 AD. AE 23, 8.68g. Samaria, Neapolis. Obv: OΠ ANΠ (sic) - ΔIAΔOVMENIAN Bare-headed, draped, cuirassed right, seen from front. Rx: ΦΛ - NEAC Π - OΛEWC CVP [...] Tyche standing left, polos on head, holding rudder and cornucopia. Engraver’s error in obverse legend, ANΠ for ANT. Not in BM, SNG ANS, or Rosenberger. Exceedingly rare. Good VF $850 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
723. Macrinus. 217-218 AD. AE 27, 13.69g. Samaria, Neapolis. Obv: AYT K M OΠ CE - MAKPINOC CE Bust laureate, cuirassed right, seen from front, with long beard. Rx: ΦΛ NEAC ΠOΛEWC CV ΠA Mount Gerizim with two peaks surmounted by temple and altar, stairway leads to temple, colonnade below mountain. BM 89 var. SNG ANS 993 var. Rosenberger 32. Rough surfaces. About VF $350
726. Elagabalus. 218-222 AD. AE 23, 15.84g. Samaria, Neapolis. Obv: [AVT K M AVP] - ANTWNINOC Laureate, draped, cuirassed bust right. Rx: ΦΛ NEAC - ΠOΛ CVP ΠAΛ Mount Gerizim with twin peaks surmounted by temple and altar, steps leading to temple, colonnade below; .N. in exergue. BM 96 var. SNG ANS 999. Rosenberger 39. VF $350 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Ex Triton VI, 14-15 January 2003, lot 578 (part).
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
127
727. AE 23, 10.06g. Samaria, Neapolis. Obv: AVT K M [AVP ANTWNI]NOC Laureate, cuirassed bust right, seen from front. Rx: [ΦΛ NEAC ΠO] - C - V - ΠAΛ Frontal quadriga of four horses bearing, on left, Stone of Emesa decorated with eagle and, on right, Mount Gerizim with temple, altar, steps, and colonnade. BM 102. SNG ANS 1006 var. Rosenberger 40. VF $500 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Ex Triton VI, 14-15 January 2003, lot 578 (part).
730. AE 28, 13.72g. Samaria, Neapolis, 247-9 AD. Obv: IMP C M IVL PHILIPPO P F AVG Radiate, draped, cuirassed bust right. Rx: COL IV - NEAPO Zeus seated left holding globe and scepter, before him eagle standing left, head right. This reverse type only previously known in this issue for Philip II, not Philip I. It seems doubtful that in the type of Philip II a small Mount Gerizim appears in left field, as reported by SNG ANS and Harl. Harl, Museum Notes 29, 1984, obverse die A1, reverse like no. 89 (Philip II). Cf. SNG ANS 1026 (Philip II). Not in BM or Rosenberger. VF $500 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
728. Julia Soaemias, Mother of Elagabalus. AE 19, 6.65g. Samaria, Neapolis. Obv: IOVΛ COAI - MIA[C CEBAC] Bust draped right, wearing stephane. Rx: ΦΛ NEAC - ΠOΛEWC C[VP ΠAΛ] Tyche with turreted crown standing left, resting right hand on rudder and holding cornucopia in left, Z in right field. Far superior to Rosenberger’s specimen, and, despite the off-center obverse, giving a fuller reading of the legends. Rosenberger 68 (as unpublished). VF $150 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
731. AE 27, 14.03g. Samaria, Neapolis, 247-9 AD. Obv: IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG Radiate, draped, cuirassed bust right. Rx: COL S - ER around on left, NEAPOL in exergue, Marsyas crouching right on left, raising right hand and holding wineskin over shoulder; on right eagle with spread wings standing front, head left, supporting Mount Gerizim with twin peaks surmounted by temple and altar and colonnade below. The statue of Marsyas indicates Neapolis’ new status as a Roman colony. Harl, Museum Notes 29, 1984, 17, his dies A4-P10. BM 119 (same reverse die). SNG ANS 1011 (same dies). Rosenberger 77. About VF $450 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
729. Philip I. 244-249 AD. AE 27, 14.63g. Samaria, Neapolis, 247-9 AD. Obv: IMP C M IVL PHILIPPO P F AVG Radiate, draped, cuirassed bust right. Rx: COL - IVL around, NEAP in exergue, Wolf and twins right below Mount Gerizim with twin peaks surmounted by temple and altar. A new type and die combination. Harl, Museum Notes 29, 1984, obverse die A1, reverse like pl. 7, 32. cf. BM 129 (Philip I and II jugate). cf. ANS 1018 (wolf left) and 1028 (Philip II). Rosenberger 80 (laureate). Good Fine $150 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Ex Triton VI, 14-15 January 2003, lot 578 (part).
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732. AE 27, 15.47g. Samaria, Neapolis, 247-9 AD. Obv: IMP C M IVL PHI - LLIPPO (sic) P F AVG Laureate, draped, cuirassed bust right. Rx: NEAPOLI - NEOKOR around, CO - L* in field to left and right of eagle’s head, Eagle with spread wings, head left, supporting Mount Gerizim with twin peaks surmounted by temple and altar, steps leading to temple, colonnade below. A new type and die combination. Two Ls in PHILLIPPO in obverse legend by engraver’s error. Harl,
Museum Notes 29, 1984, obverse die A6, reverse like pl. 10, 81 (Philip II). BM 116 var. SNG ANS 1019 (obverse) and 1020 (reverse). Rosenberger 74. About VF $350 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
733. Philip I and Philip II. 244-249 AD. AE 27, 13.64g. Samaria, Neapolis, 247-9 AD. Obv: IIMM CC PFILIPPIS AVGG Jugate busts of the two emperors right, laureate, draped, cuirassed. Rx: NEAPOLI - NEOCORO around, C - O in field left and right of eagle’s head, Eagle with spread wings, head left, supporting Mount Gerizim with twin peaks surmounted by temple and altar, steps leading to temple, colonnade below. All jugate-portrait coins of Philip I and II at this mint come from this single obverse die, which by engraver’s error has PFILIPPIS for PHILIPPIS in the legend. Harl, Museum Notes 29, 1984, pl. 6, 38 (same dies). BM 38 (same dies). SNG ANS 1020 (same dies). Rosenberger 89. Fine $250
735. Otacilia Severa, Wife of Philip I. AE 29, 12.86g. Samaria, Neapolis, 247-9 AD. Obv: M OT SEVERAE AVG M C Draped bust right on crescent, wearing stephane. Rx: [COL IVL] FL SERG NEA[…] City goddess standing left, head front, wearing turreted crown, setting right foot on recumbant lion, holding in right hand Mount Gerizim surmounted by temple and altar, in left hand scepter topped by globe. M C in the obverse legend stands for Matri Castrorum, “Mother of the Camps”, a title borne by several empresses from Faustina II on. Harl, Museum Notes 29, 1984, 54 (same dies). BM 136 (same dies). Not in SNG ANS. Fine $250 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Ex Triton VI, 14-15 January 2003, lot 578 (part). Ex Superior, 8 December 1999, lot 1593. The Decanos/Meshorer Plate Coin
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
734. AE 27, 13.35g. Samaria, Neapolis, 247-9 AD. Obv: IIMM CC PFILIPPIS AVGG Jugate busts of the two emperors right, laureate, draped, cuirassed. Rx: COL - SERG around, NEAPOL in exergue, the two emperors standing facing one another, holding spears and sacrificing from pateras over altar between them; Philip I, on the left, is togate, Philip II, on the right, wears military dress; above in field, Mount Gerizim with twin peaks surmounted by temple and altar. An interesting reverse type suggesting that the emperors actually visited Neapolis late in their reign; not previously known with the jugate portrait on obverse, which was struck from only this single obverse die. PFILIPPIS for PHILIPPIS in obverse legend by engraver’s error. Harl, Museum Notes 29, 1984, obverse die A9, reverse like pl. 6, 5 (Philip I alone). Not in BM, SNG ANS, or Rosenberger. Good Fine $300 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Ex Triton VI, 14-15 January 2003, lot 578 (part).
736. AE 27-29, 15.45g. Samaria, Neapolis, 247-9 AD. Obv: M OT SEVE -RAE AVG M C Draped bust right on crescent, wearing stephane. Rx: NEAPOLI - NEOKOP around, COL in exergue, ΔEKANOC written upwards in left field, male figure (Decanus) stepping right, polos on head, holding in right hand small altar from which lily and two palm branches project and in left hand scepter topped by lily, in lower right field star, above Mount Gerizim with colonnade at base and twin peaks surmounted by temple and altar. This coin illustrated by Meshorer in the KraayMorkholm Essays, pl. LXXII, 2, so apparently the best of the four known specimens, the other three being in Paris, in the Israel Museum ex Rosenberger Collection, and in a private collection. M C in the obverse legend stands for Matri Castrorum, “Mother of the Camps”, a title borne by several empresses from Faustina II on. Harl, Museum Notes 29, 1984, pl. 9, 60 (same dies). Not in BM or SNG ANS. Meshorer (TestiMoney) p. 63 (this coin). VF $1,250 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Ex Triton VI, 14-15 January 2003, lot 578 (part). After being omitted by Rosenberger from his description of his coin, and misread AΛKANOC by Harl, the word ΔEKANOC on our coin was read correctly for the first time continued
129
736 continued
by Y. Meshorer, On Three Interesting Cults at Neapolis in Samaria, Kraay-Morkholm Essays, 1989, pp.175-6. “The Decanus was one of 36 Decans, responsible for the 360 degrees of the Zodiac, i.e. responsible for the fate of the world.” Meshorer conjectures that there might have been a special cult of the 36 Decans at Neapolis. This is the only depiction of a Decanus on coins. This exact specimen, probably the best known of very few extant examples, is used to illustrate the coin in Meshorer’s book TestiMoney, p. 63.
Enlargement lot 736
VII.15 (reverse only). Rosenberger 114. Good Fine
$350
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Probably ex Triton VI, 1415 January 2003, lot 578.
739. AE 25, 12.31g. Samaria, Neapolis. Obv: AVT KAI Γ OVI TPEB ΓAΛΛOC CEB Radiate, cuirassed bust left, seen from front, holding trophy over right shoulder and shield by left shoulder. Rx: ΦΛ NE[AC] -ΠOΛEWC Helmeted Athena standing left before altar, holding spear in right hand and setting left hand on hip; to left Nike standing front, head right, raising both hands to support model of Mount Gerizim surmounted by temple and altar and with colonnade at base. Only the second recorded specimen showing this rare reverse type for Trebonianus Gallus. CNG 76, 12 September 2007, lot 1138 (same dies). Harl, Museum Notes 29, 1984, obverse die A130 (pl. 14, 126), reverse type like no. 14 (Philip I). Rosenberger -. Good Fine $250 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
737. Philip II as Augustus. 247-249 AD. AE 27, 15.78g. Samaria, Neapolis, 247-9 AD. Obv: IMP C M IVL PHELIPPO (sic) P F AVG Laureate, draped, cuirassed bust right, seen from front. Rx: COL IVL - NEAPOLO Eagle with wings spread standing left, head right, supporting bearded bust of Zeus-Serapis right, with bare shoulders apart from fold of cloak to right of beard. Spelling error in obverse legend, PHELIPPO for PHILIPPO. This reverse type previously known at Neapolis only for Philip I, in a single specimen; apparently unique and unpublished for Philip II. Harl, Museum Notes 29, 1984, obverse die A18, reverse type as no. 4 (Philip I). Cf. SNG ANS 1015 (Philip I). Fine to VF $300 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
740. AE 26, 13.26g. Samaria, Neapolis. Obv: IMP C G VIB TRIB GALLO AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: COL NE - A - P - OLI Nude Poseidon on left standing right, placing right foot on prow and holding dolphin and trident; on right boar standing left, behind him a legionary eagle; in center field, star and, above, Mount Gerizim with twin peaks surmounted by temple and altar and colonnade below. Very rare, apparently only the fourth known specimen, the other three being in Berlin, BM, and the Rosenberger Collection, all from the same dies as ours. Harl, Museum Notes 29, 1984, pl. 15, 152 (same dies). BM p. xxxiii and pl. XL.2 (Berlin, reverse only illustrated, same die). Not in SNG ANS. Fine $150 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Probably ex Triton VI, 1415 January 2003, lot 578.
738. Trebonianus Gallus. 251-253 AD. AE 23, 12.94g. Samaria, Neapolis. Obv: [AVT KAI Γ OVIB TPI]B ΓAΛΛOC CEB Bust radiate, cuirassed right, seen from front, fold of cloak on far shoulder. Rx: ΦΛ NE[AC] -ΠOΛ - EWC Neapolitan Artemis standing left, setting right foot on globe, raising both hands towards griffin (?) seated left atop column; to left Nike standing right, raising both hands to support model of Mount Gerizim surmounted by temple. Harl, Museum Notes 29, 1984, pl. 13, 122 (same dies) = BM 156, pl.
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As Harl saw, the rare Latin-legend coins of Neapolis as colony under Trebonianus Gallus and Volusian apparently attest the restoration of the city’s status as a colony, after this status had earlier been accorded by Philip I and II, but then revoked by Trajan Decius. The boar with legionary eagle behind is the symbol of the Legio X Fretensis at Jerusalem and would seem to indicate that veterans from that legion were settled at Neapolis when Trebonianus Gallus and Volusian restored the city’s colonial rank.
museums. Harl, Museum Notes 29, 1984, pl. 15, 154 (same dies). BM 1166-167 (both from same dies as ours). SNG ANS 1042 (same dies). Fine/VF $400 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. 741. Volusian, Son of Trebonianus Gallus. 251-253 AD. AE 25, 9.07g. Samaria, Neapolis. Obv: AVT KAI Γ OVI TPEB OVOΛ[OVCAN] (sic) Laureate, draped, cuirassed bust right, seen from front. Rx: ΦΛ NEAC -ΠOΛEWC Eagle with wings spread standing left, supporting Mount Gerizim with twin peaks surmounted by temple and altar, stairway to temple, and colonnade below. Omitted I in obverse legend, OVOΛOVCAN for OVOΛOVCIAN, though the end of that name is not legible on this specimen. Harl, Museum Notes 29, 1984, pl. 14, 133 (same obverse die A31, different reverse die of same type). BM 161 (same obverse die). Good Fine $150
The rare Latin-legend coins of Neapolis as colony under Trebonianus Gallus and Volusian apparently attest the restoration of the city’s status as a colony, after Trajan Decius had revoked that honor: see commentary to lot 740 above. The statue of Marsyas on the reverse indicates Neapolis’ restored status as a Roman colony, as on lot 731 above.
Extremely Rare Nicopolis-Emmaus
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
742. AE 25, 13.15g. Samaria, Neapolis. Obv: AVT KAI Γ OVI TPEB OVOΛOVCIAN Radiate, cuirassed bust right, seen from front, fold of cloak on far shoulder. Rx: ΦΛ NEAC -ΠOΛEWC Eagle with wings spread standing left, supporting Mount Gerizim with twin peaks surmounted by temple and altar, stairway to temple, and colonnade below; star and crescent to left and right above. Harl, Museum Notes 29, 1984, pl. 14, 146 (same obverse die A33, new reverse die of same type). SNG ANS 1031 (same obverse die, misattributed to Trebonianus Gallus). Fine/VF $200
744. Elagabalus. 218-222 AD. AE 28, 16.07g. Judaea, NicopolisEmmaus, Year 2 = 219/20 AD. Obv: M AV ANTW - NINO CEB Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: ANTWNI NEI KOΠOΛEWC around, Eagle with spread wings standing left below legend NEI / KOΠO / ΛIC within wreath; date E - B to left and right of eagle. BM 6. SNG ANS 1043 var. (same obverse die). Meshorer 159. VF $1,500 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. According to the Talmud, “The emperor Vespasian placed watchmen eighteen miles from Emmaus who used to question the pilgrims” (Midrash Ekha, 1:17). Meshorer also notes that “Nicopolis minted coins during two years only 161 AD and 219 AD - a fact which explains the rarity of the coins”.
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
743. AE 25, 9.36g. Samaria, Neapolis, 247-9 AD. Obv: IMP C VO[L]VSIANVS P F AVG Laureate, draped, cuirassed bust right, seen from front. Rx: CO - L NE - APOL in exergue, Marsyas crouching left on right, raising right hand and holding wineskin over shoulder; on left eagle with spread wings standing front, head left, supporting Mount Gerizim with twin peaks surmounted by temple and altar, stairway to temple, and colonnade below. Very rare: Harl lists only four specimens, all from the same dies as ours, and all in
Enlargement
131
Lovely Nysa-Scythopolis under Gabinius
745. Nysa-Scythopolis, governor Gabinius. AE 20, 6.02g. c. 59-56 BCE. Obv: Head of Dionysos right wearing ivy wreath, ΓA behind neck. Rx: ΓABINIC [OI E]N NYCH (“To the Gabinii who live in Nysa”) Nike advancing left holding wreath and palm. RPC 4826 (nine specimens), pl. 175 (same obverse die). Barkay, The Coinage of Nysa-Scythopolis, 1. VF/Fine $850 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
747. Commodus. 177-192 AD. AE 25, 8.95g. Samaria, NysaScythopolis, Year 246 = 181/2 CE. Obv: AV K KOMOΔOC - ANTWNINOC Head laureate right. Rx: NVCKIE - ACY SMC Dionysos standing left, right leg bent so that only toes touch ground, pouring wine from oinochoe to panther seated at his feet, and holding thyrsus. Spijkerman 17 var. Barkay 38. VF $200 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Ex Rosenblum MBS 35D, 10 November 2005, lot 223.
Exceptional example of this rare coin of Aulus Gabinius. According to Josephus, Nysa was captured by Pompey the Great, and later rebuilt by Gabinius, governor of Syria. This coin attests that the town and its inhabitants apparently adopted Gabinius’ name in gratitude.
Enlargement
748. Gordian III. 238-244 AD. AE 25, 11.42g. Samaria, NysaScythopolis, Year 304 = 240/1 AD. Obv: AVT K M [ANT ΓOP] ΔIAN[OC CE] Bust laureate, cuirassed right, seen from front, Medusa head on breastplate, fold of cloak on front shoulder. Rx: NVC C - K - V[ΘO IEPAC] around, date ΔT in exergue, Tyche-Nysa, wearing turreted crown, seated right on high-backed chair, nursing the infant Dionysos. Rare bust variety. Barkay 79b. Bust variety of Spijkerman 58 and BM 6-10. VF $150 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. This city was named after the nurse of Dionysos, Nysa, who was said to have been buried there. The local Tyche thus here becomes Nysa, shown suckling her infant charge.
746. Nero. 54-68 AD. AE 22, 7.96g. Nysa-Scythopolis, Year 130 = 66/7 AD. Obv: Laureate head of Nero right, legend mostly illegible; across neck countermark NYΣA in rectangle (Howgego 555). Rx: Tyche, wearing turreted crown, standing left, holding uncertain obje hand; NYΣA on left and date L - P[Λ] across fields. Barkay 12a. Spijkerman 4. Rosenberger 8. Coin is worn. Countermark is VF $150 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. According to Howego, p. 312, this countermark of Nysa was “one of a group of countermarks by which cities validated coins of Nero in AD 68/9”.
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749. AE 22, 12.93g. Samaria, Nysa-Scythopolis, Year 304 = 240/1 AD. Obv: [AVT K M ANT ΓOPΔIA]NOC CE Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: NVC CK[VΘO IEPAC] around, date Δ - T across field, Tyche-Nysa, wearing turreted crown, seated right on high-backed chair, nursing the infant Dionysos. Like the last lot, but with the normal bust type and the date on reverse differently placed. Barkay 83. Spijkerman 58. BM 6. Good Fine $150 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
750. Agrippina II and Octavia. AE 19, 6.70g. Trachonitis, Caesarea Panias, 54-59 CE. Obv: AGRIPPINA - AVG Agrippina II seated left holding branch and cornucopia, crescent in left field. Rx: OCTAVIA - AVGVSTI Octavia standing left holding patera over lighted altar. The crescent in obverse field not mentioned in RPC, though it is visible on the second of the two specimens illustrated there, pl. 175. Hendin 577. RPC 4845 (5 specimens). About VF $650 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Apparently struck after Nero’s accession, since the reverse legend calls Octavian “(wife) of the Augustus”, but before Nero murdered his mother in 59, since she still appears on the obverse of the coin. According to the RPC index, this is the only coin known of Agrippina II and Octavia together.
751. Diva Poppaea and Diva Claudia. AE 21, 6.57g. Trachonitis, Caesarea Panias, 66-7 CE. Obv: DIVA POP - PAIA (sic) AVG Seated statue of Diva Poppaea in two-columned temple. Rx: DIVA [CLAVD] NER F Standing statue of Diva Claudia in round, six-columned, temple. Apparent engraver’s error in obverse legend, Greek form POPPAIA rather than Latin POPPAEA, though it is not impossible that the apparent I is just a mis-struck E. RPC 4846. Cohen p. 315, 1 (200 Fr.). Sear Millennium 2058. Hendin 578. Treasury 354. VF $500
753. Marcus Aurelius. 161-180 AD. AE 24, 12.60g. Trachonitis, Caesarea Panias, Year 172 = 168/9 AD. Obv: [A]YT KAIC M AYP - ANTW[NEINOC CEB] Bust laureate right, fold of cloak on front shoulder. Rx: KAIC CEBA IEP KAI - ACY T Π ΠANEIW around, date PO - B across field, Pan, nude, standing right, leaning against tree trunk, legs crossed, playing flute. Rosenberger 11. SNG ANS 862 (same obverse die). VF $350 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
754. AE 26, 14.23g. Trachonitis, Caesarea Panias, Year 172 = 168/9 CE. Obv: [AYT KAIC M AYP] - ANTWNNOC (sic) C Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: KAIC CEB IEP K ACYΛ YΠΠANEIW Pan, naked, leaning, with legs crossed, against trunk of tree and playing flute, small shepherd’s crook leaning against the trunk before Pan, date BO - P in field left and right of Pan. Engraver’s error in obverse legend, I or EI omitted from ANTWN(E)INOC. Rare: not in BM, SNG ANS, Berk photofile, CoinArchives, or Wildwinds. Rosenberger 12. Good Fine $200 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Claudia was the daughter of Nero and Poppaea who was born in 63 CE but survived for only four months. When she died, Nero consecrated her and built a temple to her, as Tacitus records.
755. Caracalla. 198-217 AD. AE 21, 6.20g. Trachonitis, Caesarea Panias, Year 214 = 211 AD. Obv: M AVP ANTΩNI - NOE (sic) CEB Head llaureate right. Rx: KAICAPIA Π[A]NIAC around, date CI -Δ below, shepherd’s crook (pedum) and pipes of Pan (syrinx). Rosenberger 29. SNG ANS 872 (same dies). VF $600 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
752. Trachonitis, Caesarea Panias. 169 AD (?). AE 10, 0.99g. Obv: Bust left of Pan. Rx: Syrinx (Pan’s pipes). Meshorer 185. Rosenberger 8. Good Fine $200 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Dated by Rosenberger to the time of Domitian and by Meshorer to 169 AD, the time of Marcus Aurelius. It is generally accepted that Meshorer’s interpretation is correct.
Enlargement
133
756. Elagabalus. 218-222 AD. AE 28-31, 16.00g. Trachonitis, Caesarea Panias, Year 222=219 CE. Obv: AVT K M [ANTWNINOC C] Bust radiate, cuirassed right, seen from front, Medusa head on breastplate. Rx: KA[I ΠA] - CEB ACV around, date CKB in exergue, Pan standing left with legs crossed, leaning against tree trunk and playing flute, small pipes of Pan just right of bottom of tree trunk, two vexilla left and right, each with large banner divided into sections and decorated. The obverse legend seems to begin with a miniature A placed between the emperor’s wreath ties. SNG ANS 883 (same dies). Good Fine $500
Enlargement
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
757. AE 26-28, 23.73g. Trachonitis, Caesarea Panias, Year 222 = 218/9 CE. Obv: [AVT K M] - ANTWNINOC C Bust radiate, cuirassed right, seen from front, Medusa head on breastplate. Rx: Enclosure, dedicated to Pan, formed by a semicircular arcade and a railing; in center, Pan, naked, leaning, with legs crossed, against trunk of tree and playing flute; legend KAI ΠA CE I / ACYΛ in two lines in exergue, date CK - B in field left and right of Pan. From the same obverse die as the preceding lot. SNG ANS 881 (same dies). Rosenberger 45. Cf. BM 5 (Diadumenian) and Price and Trell, p. 20, Fig. 10 (Julia Maesa). Good Fine $650
758. AE 27, 13.89g. Trachonitis, Caesarea Panias, Year 222 = 218/9 CE. Obv: AVT K M - ANTWNINOC C Bust laureate, cuirassed right, fold of cloak on far shoulder. Rx: KAI ΠAN CE - B I ACY around, date [CK B] illegible in exergue, Grotto of Pan, between pedum on left and syrinx on right, within which Pan, naked, leaning, with legs crossed, against trunk of tree and playing flute. SNG ANS 884 (same reverse die). Rosenberger 47. About Fine $800 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Dr. Gerson had a special interest in the mythology and architecture of ancient Panias, now called Banias, and he made a trip there to examine the ruins personally. Meshorer observes that this city’s coins are among the most fascinating “because they give us a picture of the scenery as it was in antiquity. Today a cliff-face can be seen at the site with a cave hewn in a wide arch at the bottom; above the cave is a decorated niche with an inscription below it. Other niches are hewn in various parts of the cliffface. Undoubtedly, the cave and the niches represented an important cult center. Statues were placed in the niches and various buildings and temples were erected in the open space…near the Jordan which gushes forth from the bottom of the cave. On the coins of Panias all these elements are faithfully represented as they were in antiquity, showing the caves and the niches containing statues of deities”.
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759. Julia Soaemias, Mother of Elagabalus. AE 26, 14.92g. Trachonitis, Caesarea Panias, Year 223 = 219/20 CE. Obv: IOVΛIA CO - AIMIAC AVΓ Bust draped right, wearing stephane. Rx: …I - ACY around, date C - KΓ to left and right on base with arched entry, on base four-columned temple containing statue of Astarte standing, holding scepter. Rosenberger 52. Good Fine $350 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
760. Commodus. 177-192 AD. AE 25, 13.70g. Decapolis, Pella, Year 246 = 183/4 CE. Obv: AY KOMMO - ANTWNEINOC Bust laureate, draped right. Rx: ΠEΛ -Λ - A - IWN around, date SMC in exergue, tetrastyle temple, within which Apollo standing right, nude except for cloak hanging from left shoulder and arm, holding bow in left hand and arrow downward in right hand. On two poorer specimens in the collection of the Studium Biblicum Franciscanum in Jerusalem, Spijkerman overlooked the date in the reverse exergue and erroneously read KOMMOΔOC for KOMMO in the obverse legend. Spijkerman 8 corr., pl. 46 (same dies). VF $200 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
761. Hadrian. 117-138 AD. AE 27, 13.92g. Decapolis, Petra. Obv: AYTOKPATWP KAICAP TPAIANOC AΔPIANOC CEBACTOC Bust laureate, cuirassed right, seen from front, Medusa head on breastplate. Rx: ΠETPA MHT - POΠOΛIC City goddess, turreted and veiled, seated left on rock, extending right hand and holding trophy in left. Spijkerman 2. SNG ANS 1360. Good Fine $150 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
763. Commodus. 177-192 AD. AE 30, 17.49g. Samaria, Sebaste, Year 215 = 190/1 AD. Obv: IMP CAI - AYP COMDO (sic) Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: CEBACTH in exergue, NWM to right, C - VP above, date LSIE on left, tetrastyle temple with pediment and central arch; Tyche within standing left, wearing short chiton, parazonium at side, placing right foot on half figure and holding bust and spear. Rosenberger 14, cf. SNG ANS 1078. Good VF $1,100 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Rosenberger states that the coin was unpublished prior to his listing, and cites only one example in the Grosswirth Collection (“important numismatics”).
764. AE 26, 12.16g. Samaria, Sebaste, Year 215 = 190/1 AD. Obv: IMP C M - AV COM AV Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: CEBACTH - NWN - CVP around, date LC - IE across field, Kore standing right, veiled and with polos on head, holding long torch and wheat ears. SNG ANS 1075. BM 8. Rosenberger 13. About VF $200 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. SNG ANS 1075 notes that “the actual statue of Kore depicted on this coin was found in the excavations of Sebaste and exhibited in the Rockefeller Museum, Jerusalem”.
762. Septimius Severus. 193-211 AD. AE 17, 5.42g. Judaea, Raphia, Year 258 = 198/9 AD. Obv: A[VT] KAI Λ CEΠ CEOVHP ΠEP CE[B] Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: PAΦIA - HNC Dionysos nude apart from chalmys falling from left shoulder, standing left emptying cup and holding thrysus; at his feet panther seated left, raising right forepaw and looking up. BM 3. Unlisted in Meshorer and Rosenberger. Good Fine $100 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. According to Meshorer, “The importance of the cult of Dionysos at Raphia may be due to the similarity of the city name to the Greek word PAΦH (seam), an allusion to the legend concerning the sewing-up of the infant Dionysos in the thigh of Zeus”.
765. Julia Domna, Wife of Septimius Severus and Mother of Caracalla. AE 25, 11.85g. Samaria, Sebaste, Year 226 = 201/2 AD. Obv: IVLIA D - OMNA AVG Bust draped right. Rx: CEBA - CTH - CVP around, date L - CKS across field, Kore standing right, veiled and with polos on head, holding long torch and wheat ears, cista mystica behind her. SNG ANS 1080 (same dies). Good VF $350 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
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The Rape of Persephone
766. Caracalla. 198-217 AD. AE 24-26, 15.19g. Samaria, Sebaste, Year 226 = 201/2 AD. Obv: IMP C M [AVP A] - NTON AVG Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: [C] EBACTH[NWN] in exergue, CVP above, date LCKS on right, Female deity holding torch (?) and reins in biga of snakes proceeding to left and upwards from right, on left male figure standing right holding pedum. Apparently unpublished. VF/Fine $400 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. This appears to be a previously unpublished reverse type for this city.
768. AE 26-28, 18.21g. Samaria, Sebaste. Obv: IMPE CA M AV - R ANTONINVS Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: COL L SEP above, SEBASTE in exergue, The Rape of Persephone, shown as Hades in quadriga galloping right, looking back and carrying Persephone in right arm, grasping reins with left hand; above, Eros flying right holding torch; below, overturned basket. Rosenberger 21. Good Fine $400 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. This excellent specimen allows us to correct some inscription errors in Rosenberger.
Foundation of Sebaste
767. AE 27, 16.00g. Samaria, Sebaste. Obv: IMP C M AVR A NTON AVG Bust laureate, draped ight. Rx: COL L - SEP above and on right, SEBASTE in exergue, Emperor as founder, togate, plowing right with ox and cow, above small Victory flying left to crown him. BM 14, pl. VIII.14 (same dies). Rosenberger 20. VF $1,000
769. Geta as Caesar. 198-209 AD. AE 21, 6.98g. Samaria, Sebaste, Year 226 = 201/2 AD. Obv: L S GET C - AVG PII F Bare-headed, draped bust right. Rx: CEBACTH - CVP LCKS Helmeted Ares standing right, nude except for cloak around shoulders and hanging from left arm, holding spear with point upwards and parazonium. Rosenberger 24. Remarkable quality for such a rarity. About EF $350
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. This splendid example of a rare coin is dramatically more complete than Rosenberger’s specimen.
770. Elagabalus. 218-222 AD. AE 21, 7.30g. Samaria, Sebaste. Obv: [I]MP C M AVR - ANTO[N AVG] Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: CO[L L SEP] around, CEBACTE in exergue, Female sphinx seated left, placing right forepaw on wheel. cf. Rosenberger 18. Good Fine $200 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
Enlargement
136
Rosenberger notes a variety of this coin as “important numismatics” and previously unpublished. Our specimen is either a slight variety or simply struck upon a smaller planchet than the Rosenberger coin.
771. Julia Soemias, Mother of Elagabalus. AE 21, 11.03g. Samaria, Sebaste. Obv: SVAEMIAS - AVGVSTA SE Bust draped right. Rx: COL L S[EP] above, SEBA[STE] in exergue, The Rape of Persephone, shown as Hades in quadriga galloping right, looking back and carrying Persephone in right arm, grasping reins with left hand; above, Eros flying right holding torch; below, overturned basket. BM 18. SNG ANS 1084. Rosenberger 30. VF $200
774. Hadrian. 117-138 AD. AE 17, 5.27g. Galilaea, Tiberias, Year 101 = 119/20 AD. Obv: AY TP AΔPIANW - KAIC CEB Bust laureate right showing bare chest, fold of cloak on front shoulder. Rx: TIB - EP - K - ΛAYΔ around, L - AP across lower field, Nike standing right, head left, holding wreath and palm. BM 32. SNG ANS 1112 (same dies). Rosenberger 14. VF $100 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
772. Trajan. 98-117 AD. AE 23, 11.49g. Galilaea, Sepphoris. Obv: TPAIANOΣ AVTO - KPATΩP EΔΩKEN Head laureate right. Rx: Palm tree with eight branches and two bunches of dates; across field below, ΣEΠ -ΦΩ / PH - NΩN. This unusual obverse legend meaning “The emperor Trajan made a benefaction” occurs on all coins of Trajan at Sepphoris. BM 5. SNG ANS 1088. Rosenberger 4. VF $150
775. Elagabalus. 218-222 AD. AE 26, 12.33g. Phoenicia, Tripolis, Year 532 = 220/1 AD. Obv: ΑVT K M AV - ANTWNINOC Head radiate right. Rx: TPI - ΠΟ -ΛΙ - TWN around, date BΛΦ in exergue, Temple of Astarte, consisting of central portion, steps descending from it and surmounted by ornate arch, and two tetrastyle wings; within center section, turreted statue of Astarte. Rare, the radiate head perhaps otherwise unknown as bust type for Elagabalus at Tripolis. Bust variety of BM 120 and SNG Copenhagen 291. Good VF $500 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
773. AE 18, 5.62g. Galilaea, Sepphoris. Obv: TPAIANOΣ AYTOKPA - TΩP EΔΩKEN Head laureate right. Rx: ΣEΠΦΩ - PHNΩN Filleted caduceus. BM 12. SNG ANS 1093 (same obverse die). Hendin 908. Rosenberger 5. VF $200
Enlargement
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
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776. Trajan. 98-117 AD. Tetradrachm, 14.75g. Tyre, 103-109 AD. Obv: AYTOKP KAIC NEP TPAIANOC CEB ΓERM ΔAK Head of Trajan laureate right, tip of neck resting on eagle standing right, club in right field. Rx: ΔHMAPX EΞ YΠAT E Laureate bust of Melqart right, lion skin tied around neck. Prieur 1495 (66 specimens). EF $350 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
779. AE 27, 10.89g. Phoenicia, Tyre. Obv: [IMP CAES] M AV AN TONIN[VS AV] Bust laureate, cuirassed right, fold of cloak on front shoulder. Rx: TV - R - IORV - M Bacchus standing left on prow, holding thyrsus behind him with lowered left hand and placing right hand on trophy with two captives at base; behind him, palm tree; in central field, murex shell. Perhaps unpublished: not in BMC, SNG Copenhagen, Lindgren, Berk photofile, CNG Research, CoinArchives, or Wildwinds. Cf. Cohen 432: Bacchus standing left before trophy with two captives, emptying cup to panther at his feet and holding thyrsus. In our type Bacchus erects the trophy and his cup and panther are omitted, plus he stands on a ship and has a palm tree behind him. Fine+ $100 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
The Ambrosial Rocks 777. Julia Domna, Wife of Septimius Severus and Mother of Caracalla. AE 27, 12.82g. Phoenicia, Tyre. Obv: IVLIA - AVGVSTA Bust draped right. Rx: [SEP TVRVS] METR COLONI Astarte, wearing turreted crown, standing front, left foot on prow, placing right hand on a trophy and holding scepter in left, being crowned by Nike standing on column at right; small figure of Marsyas of the Forum stands on left, carrying wine skin; murex shell on right. BM 369. VF/Fine $100 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
780. Gordian III. 238-244 AD. AE 30, 19.91g. Phoenicia, Tyre. Obv: IMP GORDIANVS - [PIVS F]EL AVG Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right, seen from front. Rx: COL TY[R] - METR around, ΑΜΒΡΟCΙΕ / ΠΕΤΡΕ in two lines in exergue, Two baetyls (the Ambrosial Rocks) on separate bases, olive tree between them; murex shell to right in exergue. BM 430. Fine $250 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
778. Elagabalus. 218-222 AD. AE 26, 10.73g. Phoenicia, Tyre. Obv: [IMP C]AES M AV ANTONINVS [AV] Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right, seen from front. Rx: TVRE[O] R VM (sic, for TVRIORVM) Elagabalus raising right hand and holding scepter in left, standing left in car drawn by four horses, the second and fourth of which turn their heads back right; in field above, star; in exergue, murex shell between two palm branches. BM 412 var. Fine $100
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“Among the most interesting types are the ambrosial rocks, AMBPOSIE ΠETRE, which appear to be two baetylic stones. These, according to legend, floated in the sea, like the sacred olive-tree which is represented with them. After a sacrifice had been offered, they came to rest, and the city was founded on them” (BM, p. cxli).
with a pick. Rare type for Gallienus, not in the standard references, perhaps only the third specimen recorded. The same type is explicitly labeled “Dido” under Elagabalus (BM 409) and Gordian III (Price and Trell, fig. 34). Gorny 36, 8 April 1987, 575 = CNG 47, 16 September 1998, 982. Wildwinds (J. Noory Collection). Rare. Fine/Good Fine $200 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. 781. Gallienus. 253-268 AD. AE 26, 14.17g. Tyre. Obv: [IMP C P LIC GALLIE]NVS AVG Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: COL [TVRO] MET Kadmos, nude, cloak wrapped around lowered left arm and flying out behind, advancing right, about to hurl a stone at a serpent rearing up before him; murex shell in left field. BM 486 var. (position of Kadmos’ left arm). cf. AUB 300. Fine/VF $200 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. In Greek mythology, Kadmos was a Tyrian prince, the brother of Europa, who founded what was to become the city of Thebes in Greece and was also credited with introducing writing into Greece. Our coin type shows an episode in his foundation of the future Thebes: to get water he killed a dragon, the offspring of Ares, and had to undergo a term of servitude (Oxford Classical Dictionary, p. 186).
782. AE 27, 13.05g. Phoenicia, Tyre. Obv: IMP C P LIC GALLIENVS AVG Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: COL TVR - O - METR Roma seated left above shield, holding two small figures on prow and spear pointed upwards; murex shell in right field. The two small figures on prow presumably refer to Tyrian mythology. BM 480. Fine/VF $100 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
783. AE 26, 12.42g. Phoenicia, Tyre. Obv: IMP C P LIC [GALLIENVS AVG] Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: COL TVR - O M - E - TR Dido building Carthage: the queen stands left holding rule and scepter, before the arched gate of a city; atop the gate, a mason at work; below the gate, only faintly visible on our specimen because of flat striking, a murex shell and a man to right digging
784. AE 25-28, 14.46g. Phoenicia, Tyre. Obv: IMP C P LIC [GAL] LIENVS AVG Bust laureate, cuirassed right, seen from front, fold of cloak on front shoulder. Rx: COL TERO (sic, for TVRIORVM) ME - T Dido (?) standing left in galley sailing left, holding cornucopia (?) in left hand, reaching right hand towards smaller figure bending left in prow of galley, in stern a second small figure, advancing right and reaching right arm back towards Dido’s left hand; below galley, on either side of the block of oars descending into the water, two murex shells. This type is known for Elagabalus and Salonina at Tyre, but may be unpublished for Gallienus: not in BMC, Cohen, SNG Copenhagen, Lindgren, Berk photofile, CNG Research, CoinArchives, or Wildwinds. The same obverse die was also used with the reverses naked hero before four running stags (lot 785 below) and portable shrine of Astarte (Lindgren III, 1480). Cf. BM 410 (Elagabalus) and CNG E-Auction 77, 12 November 2003, lot 93 (Salonina). Fine/VF $200 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Dido is shown supervising the construction of Carthage on other Tyrian coins (see preceding lot), but we do not know for sure whether she is also meant in our galley type, since no text has survived to explain the incident depicted involving the two smaller figures on either side of her. That incident, in any case, seems to be independent of the ship that is carrying the three figures, since the ship is shown sailing right under Elagabalus (BMC, pl. XLIV. 8), but sailing left for Gallienus and Salonina. Therefore under Elagabalus the small figure at left bends towards the stern of the ship while the figure at right runs towards the bow, whereas under Gallienus and Salonina the figure on left bends towards the bow and the figure on right runs towards the stern. Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
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Legionary Countermarks of Judaea Legio V Scythica
785. AE 26, 13.82g. Phoenicia, Tyre. Obv: IMP C P LIC GALLIE[NV]S AVG Bust laureate, cuirassed right, seen from front, fold of cloak on front shoulder. Rx: CO - L T - VRO METR Nude male figure stepping right but looking back left, chlamys over right arm, transverse scepter in left; before him, four stags galloping right; murex shell in upper field. Rare: possibly only the second specimen recorded of this type for Gallienus. From the same obverse die as the preceding lot. Wildwinds ex CNG (same dies). Adjustment marks before portrait on obverse and at left on reverse. Good Fine $100 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. The same reverse type also appears on Tyrian coins of Elagabalus (BM 408, pl. XXXIII.5) and of Tranquillina (SNG Copenhagen 373); the type of Elagabalus adds the detail of waves in the exergue and under the forelegs of the stags (Paris specimen, BM pl. XLIV.4; Cohen 448 correctly describes the waves). This type, however, “still awaits explanation” (BM, p. cxl).
787. Otho. 69 AD. AE 28, 13.95g. Antioch, Year 117 = 69 AD. Obv: Laureate head of Otho right, oblong countermark LVS before neck, legend IMP M OT - HO downwards behind portrait and under neck (very faint), [CAE AVG] upwards before portrait (illegible). Rx: EΠI / MOYKIA / NOY AN / TIOXEΩ / N ET ZIP in five lines within laurel wreath. The coin without countermark: McAlee 319, "Ex. Rare", same dies as the specimen illustrated from the author's collection. RPC 4316 (5 specimens). Countermark: Hendin, pp. 336-8. VF $950 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. This exceptional rarity, “found in a box of junk coins in a shop near Jerusalem,” was published by Dr. Gerson, New Countermark of Fifth Legion, Israel Numismatic Research 1, 2006, pp. 97-9, Fig. 1 (this coin) as the only example of this coin carrying the rare and enigmatic LVS countermark of the Legio V Scythica. LVS should mean Legio V Scythica, but it was Legio IV that had the epithet Scythica, while Legio V was Macedonica! Mucianus, mentioned in the reverse legend, was the governor of Syria who was soon to throw his support behind Vespasian in Vespasian’s revolt against Vitellius. Fifth Legion and Tenth Legion Together
786. Salonina, Wife of Gallienus. AE 25, 10.45g. Tyre. Obv: CORNE SALONINA AVG Bust draped right, wearing stephane. Rx: [COL] TER - O (sic) - METRO Female figure (city goddess?), wearing tall kalathos, standing right before lighted altar, raising both arms in adoration towards twocolumned temple, seen in perspective, containing the club of Melqart-Herakles. For TERO rather than TVRIORVM in reverse legend, cf. lot 784 above. Rare, perhaps only the second specimen of this interesting type recorded for Salonina. Munzen und Medaillen List 453, March 1983, 55 (different dies). cf. BM 490, pl. XLIV,12 (Gallienus). Fine/VF $200 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
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788. Fifth and Tenth Roman Legions. AE 22, 12.22 g. Nero, 54-68 AD. Obv: Head of Nero right, with LVS and XF countermarks. Rx: Shape of seated Agrippina II, worn. Coin: Hendin 579, RPC 4860. Countermarks: Hendin, pp. 336-41. Coin worn, countermarks VF $1,250 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. This unique coin countermarked by both the Fifth (LVS) and Tenth (XF) Roman legions was published by Dr. Gerson, A Coin Countermarked by Two Roman Legions, Israel Numismatic Journal 16, 2007-08, pp. 100-102. He concluded that “Given their extended contiguous relationship, it is plausible that dual countermarking was done to support and recognize some merger of their administration, as well as a joint military mission and identity”.
Tenth Legion, Boar and Galley
789. Tenth Roman Legion. AE 22, 14.73g. 1st century AD. Obv: Portrait of Domitian right, countermarks including [X]F. Rx: Worn with countermarks of (a) galley and (b) LXF above boar and dolphin within incuse rectangles. Hendin 802. Countermarks Good Fine $500
792. Twelfth Roman Legion. Augustus, 27 BC-14 AD. AE 23, 11.91g. Antioch. Obv: Laureate head of emperor right, no legend readable, two countermarks of XII for the Twelfth Roman legion, one countermark of ear of grain, and one countermark of an anchor. Rx: S C within wreath, virtually flat from the countermarking on obverse and from wear. cf. Hendin 807a. Countermarks Fine to VF $250
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. Boar, dolphin, and galley were all insignia of the Tenth Roman Legion. Countermarks LXF and Bust (Trajan?)
Deaccessioned by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
790. Domitian. 81-96 AD. AE 27-29, 12.93g. 92 AD. Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG - GERM [P M TR P XI] Bust radiate right, aegis on front shoulder; countermark of laureate head in oval (Howgego 119) on his neck, and LXF in rectangle (Howgego 733) at 3:00 near edge. Rx: IMP [X]XI COS - XVI CENS P P P Palm tree of seven branches with two bunches of dates. Coin: RPC 2307. Countermarks: Treasury 394a, 394c. Dark green patina. VF $750
793. Lucania. Thurium. c. 400-380 BC. Stater, 6.89g. Obv: Head of Athena right, wearing Attic helmet, the bowl decorated by Scylla holding staff. Rx: ΘΟΥΡΙ[ΩΝ] Bull charging right, fish (?) right in exergue. Greek Coins: 1950 to 1963 (MFA, Boston, 1964) pp. 10-11, no. 10, pl. 1 (this coin). Historia Numorum Italy 1790. SNG Delepierre 392. Dewing Coll. 442. Obverse somewhat porous. Reverse off-center. Fine/EF $200
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
MFA inventory no. RES.55.4. Gift of Mrs. Francis B. Lothrop, Mrs. George Batchelder, Jr., and Mr. Gordon Abbott to MFA, 13 January 1955.
Meshorer cites examples of both countermarks on separate coins, but not together as on this example.
791. AE 24, 12.30g. Judaea, c. 81-82. Obv: [IMP DOMITIAN]VS CAE[SAR DIVI F AVG] Head of Domitian laureate right, with features of Vespasian as frequently in this issue; on back of neck oblong countermark of Victory standing left holding wreath and palm. Rx: VICTORIA - [AVG], beginning at upper right, Victory advancing left holding wreath and palm. The Victory countermark on obverse not in Howgego. A rare Judaea Capta bronze of Domitian, known to RPC in only three specimens, with an apparently unpublished countermark. Hendin 752. RPC 2302 (two specimens, a third recorded in the online Supplement 2, none of these with countermark). Countermark is VF $200 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
794. Bruttium. Brutti. c. 215-203 BC. Drachm, 4.90g. Obv: Bust of Hera Lakinia right, veiled and draped, shouldering scepter; bucranium in left field, Γ beneath truncation. Rx: ΒΡΕΤΤΙΩΝ Zeus, naked, standing left, holding scepter in left hand, resting right foot on Ionic capital; crab in left field, Γ by left foot. Greek Coins: 1950 to 1963 (MFA, Boston, 1964) pp. 12-13, no. 17, pl. 2 (this coin). Arslan, Monetazione aurea ed argentea dei Bretti, p. 129, 7-9 (same dies). SNG Fitzwilliam 701 (same dies). Historia Numorum Italy 1969. Toned. Obverse somewhat off-center, otherwise EF $300 MFA inventory no. 54.670. Gift of Mrs. Edward Jackson Holmes to MFA, 10 June 1954.
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Euainetos Decadrachm Octadrachm
795. Sicily. Syracuse. Dionysios I. 405-367 BC. Unsigned Decadrachm of Euainetos, 42.85g. Sicily, Syracuse, c. 390370 BC. Obv: Quadriga left, driven by a charioteer wearing a chiton, holding long kentron; above, Nike flying right to crown the charioteer; in exergue, on stepped base, panoply. Rx: [ΣΥΡΑΚΟΣΙΩ]Ν Head of nymph Arethusa left, wearing a wreath of reeds, a triple ear-pendant, and pearl necklace; behind neck, scallion shell; four dolphins surrounding (two are visible). Gallatin O.VIII-R.F.I (same dies). Dewing Coll. 907-8 (same dies). Obverse struck with a rusty die. Head of Arethusa rather pleasant and well struck. VF/Good VF $9,000 MFA inventory no. 1984.807. Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius C. Vermeule III, 19 December 1984. The obverse die was already worn and quite rusty when it was used again for Gallatin’s series F. Specimens of that series were found in the hoard of S. Maria di Licodia (IGCH 2123 = CH VII 31), buried c. 370 BC.
797. Thrace, Abdera. c. 500 BC. Octadrachm, 28.74g. Obv: Griffin, with eagle head and rounded wing, seated left, raising right paw; in lower left field, traces of the letter Μ. Rx: Quadripartite incuse square. Greek Coins: 1950 to 1963 (MFA, Boston, 1964), pp. 19-20, no. 57, pl. 5 (this coin). May 36 (Group VII). S. Hurter in: Festschrift Leo Mildenberg, p. 112 no. 1. Surface porosity, especially on the obverse. Good VF to point of wear $1,500 MFA inventory no. 61.1197. Purchased by MFA from Charles L. Morley, New York, 13 December 1961. The absolute chronology of the coins of Abdera is still a matter of debate. Quite recently, Jonathan Kagan has lowered the date of the earliest coins to c. 530 BC (in: Agoranomia. Studies in Money and Exchange Presented to John H. Kroll , New York 2006, pp. 49-59). Both the Asyut and the Antilibanon Hoards (on the latter, see S. Hurter, op. cit.) proved that group XVII must have been minted about two decades before the hoards were buried. It is clear today that group XVII (signed by Μ) consisted of more than just the single pair of dies known to May. Splendid Olynthus
796. Macedonian Kingdom, Alexander III The Great. 336323 BC. Tetradrachm, 16.38g. Alabanda, c. 188-173 BC. Obv: Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin headdress; circular countermark: head of Tyche wearing mural crown. Rx: ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ Zeus seated left, holding vertical scepter in left hand and eagle on right; before Zeus' legs, Pegasos (the city-badge of Alabanda) flying left; beneath throne, monogram. Greek Coins: 1950 to 1963 (MFA, Boston, 1964) pp. 46-47, no. 187, pl. 18 (this coin). Price 2456. N. Waggoner in Kraay-Mørkholm Essays, pp. 283-290, series 3, pl. 45, 9 (with the same countermark). Obverse softly struck. About VF $150 MFA inventory no. 62.158. Purchased by MFA from The Court Coin Company, Boston, 14 February 1962.
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798. Chalcidian District. Olynthus. c. 420-400 BC. Stater, 14.43g. Obv: Laureate head of Apollo left. Rx: Χ-Α-Λ/ΚΙΔ/ ΕΩΝ Cithara with seven strings, and a rag wrapped around the lower end of the strings; at the top of the struts, the signature Α-Μ; a strap attached to the bottom of the right strut. Greek Coins: 1950 to 1963 (MFA, Boston, 1964), pp. 17-18, no. 43a, pl. 4 (this coin). Robinson, Olynthus IX, p. 21, no. 16. Very sweet head of Apollo struck in high relief. Light graze on right arm of lyre. About EF $5,000 MFA inventory no. 58.959. Hess-Leu auction, 2 April 1958, lot 135. The instrument on the reverse is often described as a lyre, but is actually a cithara, a larger, heavier instrument that had to be carried on a strap and was harder to play, so matched the skills of Apollo Citharoedus.
within wreath. Ravel 1029 (period V, series 4). Boston 1134 (another coin). BMC 282. Winterthur 2076. SNG Lockett 2094. SNG Delepierre 1887. Boutin, Pozzi Coll. 3756. Darkly toned. Pleasant VF $300 MFA inventory no. 47.1472. Gift of Mrs. J. Templeman Coolidge to MFA, 13 November 1947. Herakles Fighting Hydra
Enlargement Lot 798
799. Attica. Athens. c. 430-406 BC. Tetradrachm, 16.81g. Obv: Head of Athena right, wearing Attic helmet. Rx: ΑΘΕ Owl standing right, head facing; in upper left field, olive sprig and crescent; all within incuse square. Svoronos, pl. 16, 24. SNG Münich 50. Dark toning. Numerous scratches on reverse, otherwise EF $300
802. Crete. Phaestus. c. 300-270 BC. Didrachm, 11.28g. Obv: Herakles, wearing lion skin headdress, fighting Hydra to right; to left, bow and quiver on rock (?). Rx: Cretan bull standing left. Svoronos 66. Greek Coins: 1950 to 1963 (MFA, Boston, 1964) pp. 33-34, no. 125, pl. 11 (this coin). Le Rider p. 94, no. 52, pl. 23, 11 (this coin). Traces of undertype on reverse. A very rare coin with a well defined and complete obverse. VF $4,500 MFA inventory no. 62.2. Purchased by MFA from Munzen und Medaillen A.G., 10 January 1962.
MFA inventory no. 47.1471. Gift of Mrs. J. Templeman Coolidge to MFA, 13 November 1947. 803. c. 300-200 BC. AE 18, 5.11g. Obv: Winged Talos hunting right. Rx: ΦΑΙΣ-ΤΙΩΝ Dog feeding right. SNG Cöpenhagen 520. SNG Lewis 789 (not pictured). VF $250 800. Corinthia, Corinth. c. 350-340 BC. Stater, 8.24g. Obv: Pegasus flying left; beneath, koppa. Rx: Head of Athena right, wearing Corinthian helmet with long leather inset protruding at the rear; in left field, hydria and Ν. Ravel 1058-9 (period V, series 8). BM 377. Boutin, Pozzi Coll. 3767. Obv. Graffito X. Dark toning. VF $150 MFA inventory no. 47.1473. Gift of Mrs. J. Templeman Coolidge to MFA, 13 November 1947. Ravel’s eighth series is Jenkins’ second one, minted before the Leonforte Hoard (IGCH 2133) was buried in or soon after 338 BC.
801. c. 330-315 BC. Stater, 8.03g. Obv: Pegasus flying left; beneath, koppa. Rx: Head of Athena left, wearing Corinthian helmet with leather inset hanging down at the rear; in lower left field, Γ; In right field, dove flying left
MFA inventory no. 65.768. Purchased by MFA from Robert E. Hecht, Jr., 9 June 1965.
804. Lycia. Mithrapata. c. 385-375 BC. Stater, 9.77g. , c. 380 BC. Obv: Lion’s scalp facing; beneath, traces of triskeles. Rx: ΜΕΧΡΑΠ-Α-Τ-Α Portrait head of a bearded man left, within incuse square. Greek Coins: 1950 to 1963 (MFA, Boston, 1964) pp. 51-52, no. 227, pl. 20 (this coin). L. Mildenberg, in Congresso Internazionale di Numismatica, Rome, 1961, no. 11, D 6-R 8, fig (this coin) = L. Mildenberg, Vestigia Leonis, Fribourg 1998, pl. 34, 11 (this coin). W. Schwabacher in: K. Fittschen, Griechische Porträts (Darmstadt 1988), p. 343, pl. 33, 8 (this coin, reverse). Head of Mithrapata somewhat flatly struck, otherwise Good VF $2,500 MFA inventory no. 58.693. Purchased by MFA from H. von Aulock, 18 September 1958; from the Podalia Hoard (IGCH 1262).
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805. Cappadocian Kingdom, Ariarathes IX. c. 100-85 BC. Drachm, 4.13g. “Mint B”, c. 87 BC. Obv: Diademed head of king right. Rx: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΡΙΑΡΑΘΟΥΣ ΕΥΣΕΒΟΥΣ Athena standing left holding Nike; in inner left field, Α/Ν; In exergue, ΙΓ. Simonetta 9a. SNG Copenhagen Supp. 900. Good VF $100 MFA inventory no. 1984.812. Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius C. Vermeule III, 19 December 1984.
806. Cyenaica. Cyrene. Koinon Issue. c. 250-246 BC. AE 22, 12.59g. Obv: Diademed head of Zeus Ammon right. Rx: Κ-Ο/Ι-Ν/Ο-Ν Silphium plant. BM 10, pl. 27, 18. Laffaille Coll. 628. About VF $100 MFA inventory no. 12.1158. Ex Charles T. Seltman, famous numismatic author, purchased for $19.66.
807. Augustus and Agrippa. Dupondius, 11.58g. Nemausus, c. 9/8-3 BC. Obv: IMP above, DIVI F below, head of Agrippa, left, wearing rostral crown, and laureate head of Augustus, right, back to back. Rx: COL—NEM across field, crocodile right chained to palm, wreath with long ties at top of palm. RPC 524. RIC 158. Cohen 10. Fine $200 MFA inventory no. 92.200. Bequest of Rebecca Salisbury in 1892.
808. Tiberius. 14-37 AD. Aureus, 7.72g. Lugdunum. Obv: TI CAESAR DIVI - AVG F AVGVSTVS Laureate head right. Rx: PONTIF - MAXIM Livia as Pax seated right holding scepter and branch, chair legs plain, double line below chair. The earliest variety, here in gold, of Tiberius’ famous “Tribute Penny” type. BM 30. Paris 13. Cohen 15 (40 Fr.). RIC 25 (R2). Calicó 305d. Giard, Lyon 143. Two tiny marks on neck, otherwise Nice VF $2,500 MFA inventory no. 1975.765. Ex Cornelius C. Vermeule III Collection; purchased by Theodora Wilbour Fund in Memory of Zöe Wilbour in 1975.
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809. Aureus, 7.73g. Lugdunum. Obv: TI CAESAR DIVI - AVG F AVGVSTVS Laureate head right. Rx: PONTIF - MAXIM Livia as Pax seated right holding reversed spear and branch, chair legs decorated, double line below chair. BM 40. Paris 17. Cohen 15 (40 Fr.). RIC 27 (R2). Calicó 305a. Giard, Lyon 145. Ex-jewelry. Numerous small contact marks. VF $1,500 MFA inventory no. 1975.766. Ex Cornelius C. Vermeule III Collection; purchased by Theodora Wilbour Fund in Memory of Zöe Wilbour in 1975.
810. Claudius I. 41-54 AD. Aureus, 7.55g. Lugdunum, 44-5 AD. Obv: TI CLAVD CAESAR AVG P M TR P IIII Head laureate right. Rx: IMPER RECEPT across the front wall of the Praetorian camp, which has ramparts and two gates; behind, two sections of the back wall of the camp, with two further gates; within the camp, Fides Praetorianorum, the Loyalty of the Praetorians, seated left in temple, holding scepter, legionary eagle before her. Neither die of our coin seems to be illustrated in von Kaenel’s monograph on the coinage of Claudius. BM 23. Paris 43. Cohen 43 (60 Fr.). RIC 25 (R2). Calicó 361. Fine/VF $3,000 MFA inventory no. 1975.770. Ex Cornelius C. Vermeule III Collection; purchased by Theodora Wilbour Fund in Memory of Zöe Wilbour in 1975. For the identification of the figure in the temple as Fides Praetorianorum, not a Praetorian soldier as usually described, see C. Clay’s article on the coinage of Nero, Num. Zeitschrift 96, 1982, pp. 42-3.
811. Aureus, 7.70g. Lugdunum, 46-7 AD. Obv: TI [CL]AVD CAESAR AVG P M TR P VI IMP X[I] Head laureate right. Rx: SPQR / P P / OB C S in three lines within oak wreath. Neither die of our coin seems to be illustrated in von Kaenel‘s monograph on the coinage of Claudius. BM 42. Paris 58. Cohen 86 (60 Fr.). RIC 40 (R2). Calicó 379. Good Fine $2,000 MFA inventory no. 1975.771, gift of Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius C. Vermeule III, 1975.
812. Divus Claudius I. Aureus, 7.60g. Lugdunum, 54-5 AD. Obv: DIVVS CLAVDIVS AVGVSTVS Head laureate left. Rx: EX S C Tensa drawn right by four horses; the tensa has a pediment like a temple, surmounted by four small horses and flanked by two Victories, with two pateras and a lituus in the pediment itself; on the side panel of the car a standing frontal figure holding scepter or spear and a Victory advancing right holding out wreath; on the front panel, a standing figure and a wreath. The same reverse die was also coupled with the rare obverse variant showing a laurel leaf in field behind Claudius’ head, von Kaenel pl. 15, 1188. BM 4. Paris 1. Cohen 31 (100 Fr.). RIC 4 (R2). Calicó 354. Nicely detailed reverse. VF $4,000 MFA inventory no. 1975.772. Ex Cornelius C. Vermeule III Collection; purchased by Theodora Wilbour Fund in Memory of Zöe Wilbour in 1975. A tensa was used to transport the attributes of a god to the circus in the procession before circus games. The consecration coins of Divus Claudius and a similar type on the coins of Divus Vespasian prove that the same honor was sometimes accorded to deified emperors.
right with aegis on shoulders , [L]IΓ retrograde in lower right field. Rx: ΣE - BA - ETOΦOPO (sic, E for second Σ, final Σ omitted) Ship right with sail, two dolphins below. Mirror-image obverse (the portrait should face left), spelling errors on reverse. Nero's great re-coinage of Alexandrian tetradrachms seems to have prompted much counterfeiting: E. Christiansen, Roman Coins of Alexandria, p. 89. Dattari-Savio, pl. 317, 92-8 (all same dies as ours). Good VF $300 MFA inventory no. 1985.1047. Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius C. Vermeule III, 1985.
815. Domitian as Caesar. 70-81 AD. Aureus, 7.27g. Rome, 74 AD. Obv: CAES AVG F - DOMIT COS III Head laureate right. Rx: PRINCEPS - IVVENTVT Spes advancing left, holding flower and raising skirt. RIC 787 (C ). BM 154. Paris 131. Cohen 374 (40 Fr.). Calicó 912. Excellent portrait of emperor. Near Mint State $7,500 MFA inventory no. 59.652. Purchased from Spink & Son Ltd. in 1959 by the Theodora Wilbour Fund in memory of Zoë Wilbour.
813. Nero. 54-68 AD. Billon tetradrachm, 12.43g. Alexandria, Year 3 = 56/7 AD. Obv: NEP KΛAY KAIΣ - [ΣEB ΓEP] AYTO Head laureate right. Rx: NEO AΓAΘΔAIM L [Γ] Agathodaimon serpent right, skhent on head, tongue flickering, with wheat ears and poppies left and right in its coils. The date must be Year 3: this obverse legend with NEP was used only in Years 3 and 4, and the upright stroke of the date, barely on flan before the snake's head on reverse, fits only Γ, not Δ. RPC 5210. Cologne 113. Emmett 106/3. Good VF $150 MFA inventory no. 1985.1270. Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius C. Vermeule III, 1985.
Enlargement
814. Ancient counterfeit with mirror-image obverse. Billon Tetradrachm, 11.65g. Alexandria, Year 13 = 66/7 AD. Obv: NEPΩ KΛAV…retrograde, starting lower right, bust radiate
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816. Trajan. 98-117 AD. Tridrachm, 10.00g. Arabia (?), 112-4 AD. Obv: AYTOKP KAIC NEP TPAIANOC CEB ΓERM ΔAK Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right, seen from front. Rx: ΔHMAPX EΞ YΠATO S Three standards, surmounted respectively by hand, legionary eagle on thunderbolt, and wreath. Reattributed from Caesarea to Arabia by W.E. Metcalf in the article cited below, p. 99. Judging from the fine style, the dies were probably cut by the mint of Rome. Sydenham 226 (obverse) and 227 (reverse). Metcalf, Tell Kalak Hoard, Museum Notes 20, 1975, p. 106, 10 (obverse) and 11-13 (reverse). About VF $200
819. AE 32, 22.30g. Koinon of Bithynia. Obv: Laureate head of Hadrian right. Rx: Distyle temple; in center, Hadrian holding scepter; at right, Roma holding palm in left hand, crowning Hadrian with right; at left, female figure (Bithynia?) holding scepter. BM 10 var. SNG von Aulock-. Olive patination. Fine $100 MFA inventory no. 62.310. Purchased from Edward Gans in 1962 by the Theodora Wilbour Fund in memory of Zoë Wilbour.
MFA inventory no. 64.1439. Purchased from Hans von Aulock, 1964 by the Theodora Wilbour Fund in memory of Zoë Wilbour. Published in the MFA exhibition catalogue, Romans and Barbarians, 1976, p. 96, no. C 93. Ex V.J.E. Ryan and Sambon
817. Plotina. Wife of Trajan. Sestertius, 23.07g. Rome, 112-7 AD. Obv: PLOTINA AVG - IMP TRAIANI Bust draped right. Rx: FIDES AVGVST S - C Fides standing right, holding wheat ears downwards and plate of fruit upwards before face. BM 1080. Paris 730. Cohen 12 (300 Fr.). RIC 740 (R3). Numerous ancient scratches in the right obverse field, otherwise an extremely beautiful portrait with olive patination. VF $7,500
820. Drachm, 26.26g. Alexandria, Year 16 = 131/2 AD. Obv: AVT KAI - TPAI AΔPIA CEB Bust laureate, draped right. Rx: Nilus seated left on rocks, holding reed and cornucopia, crocodile below, LIS in left field. Cologne 1056. DattariSavio pl. 87, 1794. Emmett 1016/16. Fine/Good VF $150 MFA 1985.1142. Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius C. Vermeule III, 1985, in the name of Cornelius Adrian Comstock Vermeule.
MFA inventory no. 1998.477. Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius C. Vermeule III, 1998; purchased by Vermeule from A.H. Baldwin & Sons, 1964. Ex Glendining, 2 April 1952, V.J.E. Ryan part V, lot 2454 (“ex Sambon Collection”).
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818. Hadrian. 117-138 AD. Aureus, 7.17g. Rome, c. 125-8 AD. Obv: HADRIANVS - AVGVSTVS Bust laureate right, fold of cloak on front shoulder. Rx: COS - III Hadrian on horse pacing right, raising right hand. BM 430. Cohen 406 (40 Fr.). RIC 186. Calicó 1215a. Good VF $3,500
821. Antinous. Favorite of Hadrian. AE 37, yellow metal, 41.85g. Ionia, Smyrna, c. 134-5 AD. Obv: [ANTINO]OC - [H]PΩC Head bare left. Rx: [Π]OΛEMΩN - ANEΘHKE - CMVPNA - IOIS Bull standing right. From Klose's obverse die V 1 and reverse die R 6, illustrated on his plates 35 and 36 respectively. Klose, Smyrna, p. 251, no. 7/2 (this coin). Sear 1331. Somewhat porous surface. Fine $500
MFA inventory no. 1975.788. Ex Cornelius C. Vermeule III Collection; purchased by Theodora Wilbour Fund in Memory of Zöe Wilbour in 1975.
MFA inventory no. 62.229. Purchased from Hesperia Art Bulletin 18, 1962, lot 186; by the Theodora Wilbour Fund in memory of Zoë Wilbour.
Ex Woodward
Copenhagen, Mionnet, Mon. Gr., or Lyd. Stdtm. cf. RPC Online 1596 for another Tralles type with Demeter and Kore, that struck by struck by Poplios, grammateus. Dark patination. Fine $150 MFA inventory no. 63.1198. Purchased from Hesperia Art Bulletin XXI, 247, in 1963 by the Theodora Wilbour Fund in memory of Zoë Wilbour. Leo
822. Antoninus Pius. 138-161 AD. AE 35, 24.81g. Ionia, Ephesus. Obv: Laureate bust of Antoninus Pius right, wearing aegis. Rx: Octastyle temple, within which cult statue of Ephesian Artemis. Door flanked by figure each side in the pediment. BM 233 var. SNG von Aulock 1888 var. Bare metal showing from 12:00-3:00 on obverse, otherwise Fine $100 MFA inventory no. 63.2591. Ex Arthur M. Woodward Collection, Glendining, 27 September 1962. Purchased from Robert E. Hecht in 1963 by the Theodora Wilbour Fund in memory of Zoë Wilbour.
825. Drachm, 21.27g. Alexandria, Year 8 = 144/5 AD. Obv: [AVT K T AI]Λ AΔP - ANTWNINOC [CEB EYC] Head laureate right. Rx: Zodiac sign, Sun in Leo: radiate bust of Sol right; below, lion leaping right; star above lion's head; [L] H under lion. Cologne 1495. Dattari-Savio pl. 155, 2968 var. Emmett 1530/8. Fine $250 MFA 1985.1173. Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius C. Vermeule III, 1985, in the name of Cornelius Adrian Comstock Vermeule.
823. AE 35, 29.47g. Ionia, Ephesus. Obv: Laureate and cuirassed bust of Antoninus Pius right. Rx: Cult-image of the Ephesian Artemis, flanked by stags. Nike crowns her from the left, and Apollo with phiale and sceptre-staff stands at right. cf. Mionnet III, p. 98, 283. Handsome portrait of Antoninus Pius. VF with heavily encrusted reverse $400 MFA inventory no. 63.228. Purchased from Hesperia Art Bulletin XXI, 247, in 1963 by the Theodora Wilbour Fund in memory of Zoë Wilbour.
824. AE 35, 21.16g. Lydia, Tralles. Obv: Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Antoninus Pius left, seen from behind. Rx: In center, Hermes holding caduceus in right hand leading Kore from underworld back to Demeter, who holds veil above her head. cf. Not in BM, Kl.M., SNG von Aulock, SNG
Sagittarius
826. Drachm, 21.86g. Alexandria, Year 8 = 144/5 AD. Obv: [AVT K] T AIΛ AΔP - ANTW[N]EINOC CEB EYC Head laureate right. Rx: Zodiac sign, Jupiter in Sagittarius: laureate bust of Zeus right; below, centaur leaping right, drawing bow; star above centaur's head; L H under centaur. Cologne 1502 (same obverse die). Dattari-Savio pl. 156, 2974 (same obverse die). Emmett 1692/8. Fine+ $300 MFA 1985.1308. Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius C. Vermeule III, 1985, in the name of Cornelius Adrian Comstock Vermeule.
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Pisces
827. Drachm, 22.14g. Alexandria, Year 8 = 144/5 AD. Obv: AVT K T AIΛ AΔP - ANTWNEINOC CEB EYC Head laureate right. Rx: Zodiac sign, Jupiter in Pisces: laureate bust of Zeus right holding scepter; below, two fish, one right and one left; star in right field; L - H across middle field. Oxford 1825. Dattari-Savio pl. 156, 2981. Emmett 1693/8. Green patination. Fine+ $300 MFA 1985.1174. Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius C. Vermeule III, 1985, in the name of Cornelius Adrian Comstock Vermeule.
828. Drachm, 22.69g. Alexandria, Year 22 = 158/9 AD. Obv: AVT KAI AΔP - ANTWNINOC - CEB - EV Head laureate right. Rx: Hermanubis standing right, kalathos on head, holding caduceus and long palm, behind him jackal standing left, looking back and up at the god; in left field L, in right field B / K. Cologne 1830 var. Dattari-Savio pl. 132, 2630. Emmett 1568/22. Good Fine $250 MFA 1985.1214. Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius C. Vermeule III, 1985, in the name of Cornelius Adrian Comstock Vermeule.
829. Commodus, Struck under P. Aelius Pius. 177-192 AD. AE 40, 39.32g. Pergamum in Alliance with Ephesus, c. 180-182 AD. Obv: Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Commodus right. Rx: Victory flying upper center, crowning Asklepios standing right and Ephesian Artemis standing left. BM 355. Franke-Nollé, Homonoia-Münzen, 1555. Fine $150 MFA inventory no. 59.236. Purchased from Hesperia Art Bulletin VIII, no. 45n, in 1959 by the Theodora Wilbour Fund in memory of Zoë Wilbour.
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830. Commodus. 177-192 AD. AE 43, 45.62g. Lydia, Thyatira. Obv: AV K M AV - PH KO[M]OΔOC Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right; oval countermark of bare male head right with curly hair (Howgego 93) applied twice, at 3:00 and 9:00 near rim. Rx: EΠI CTP TIT - OV AVP[H] - BAPBAPOV around, ΘVATEIPN / ΩN in two lines in exergue; to left, Hephaistos seated right on garlanded cippus, working with hammer on helmet which he holds with tongs over column; to right, Athena standing, supporting helmet with right hand as though to receive it, and resting left hand on shield behind her. Waddington 7066. RPC online temp. 2946 (two specimens in Paris, a modern cast in Cambridge). About Fine/Fine+ $300 MFA inventory no. 1998.565. Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius C. Vermeule III, 1998; purchased by Vermeule from Galerie für griechische, römische und byzantinische Kunst, Katalog I, 1971, no. 67. The reverse type shows Athena receiving the arms of Achilles from Hephaistos. According to Howgego, the countermark which has been applied twice on the obverse may show Caracalla and be connected with Caracalla’s probable visit to Thyatira in 215 AD. “To Victorious Money”
831. Pescennius Niger. 193-194 AD. Denarius, 2.88g. Antioch, 194 AD. Obv: IIMP CAES C PESC N[IGER IVS AVG] COS II Head laureate right. Rx: MONET - AE VICT Moneta standing left, polos on head, holding scales and cornucopia. Possibly unique; this reverse legend not mentioned in T.V. Buttrey’s President’s Address on the denarii of Niger, NC 152, 1992, pp. iv-xxii, nor shown in CoinArchives, Wildwinds, or Berk photofile. Unpublished erroneous reverse legend. cf. BM p. 73 note and RIC 64c (MONETAE AVG). Pleasant VF $1,000 MFA inventory no. 66.311. Purchased from Bank Leu, 1966;Theodora Wilbour Fund in memory of Zoë Wilbour. Apparently a confusion of two reverse legends: the engraver began correctly for the legend MONETAE AVG, but then finished as though the desired legend had been MINER VICT. The resulting erroneous legend has a certain unintended appropriateness: “To Victorious Money”!
832. Commodus as Caesar. 167-177 AD. AE 36, 30.06g. Pamphylia, Sillyum. Obv: Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Commodus right, seen from behind. Rx: Men on horseback. SNG von Aulock 4873 (same obverse die). Fine+ $200 MFA inventory no. 63.859. Purchased from Hesperia Art Bulletin XXV, 80, in 1963 by the Theodora Wilbour Fund in memory of Zoë Wilbour.
835. Caracalla. 198-217 AD. AE 42, 33.62g. Mysia, Pergamum. Obv: Laureate bust of Caracalla right, wearing cuirass ornamented with gorgonian; at right, countermark. Rx: Caracalla, in military dress, on horse right, looking back, with right hand raised; at right, statue of Asklepios on pedestal; at left, soldier walking behind horse. SNG von Aulock 1414. Mionnet II, p. 612, 632 var. Fine/VG $150 MFA inventory no. 59.235. Purchased from Hesperia Art in 1959 by the Theodora Wilbour Fund in memory of Zoë Wilbour.
833. Septimius Severus. 193-211 AD. AE 37, 38.79g. Pisidia, Cremna. Obv IMP CL SEP SEVER PERTIN AVG Laureate, draped, cuirassed bust of Septimius right. Rx: APOLLINI PROPVL AEO COL CREM Apollo advancing right, shooting bow and arrow, chlamys over right shoulder, quiver on back, hair tied. Von Aulock, Pisidien II, 1146 (this coin). About VF $400
836. Geta as Caesar, Struck under Antigonus. 198-209 AD. AE 28, 11.99g. Lydia, Bagis. Obv: Λ CΕΠΤΙΓΕ ΤΑC KAICAP Draped and cuirassed bust of Geta right. Rx: ΕΠΙΑΝΤΙΓ Β ΑΡ ΧΑΤΟΒ ΒΑΓΗΝΩ Tyche standing left, holding rudder and cornucopia. BM. 49. About VF $100
MFA inventory no. 61.1132. Purchased from Dr. Hugo Weissmann in 1961 by the Theodora Wilbour Fund in memory of Zoë Wilbour.
MFA inventory no. 67.888. Ex Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius C. Vermeule III Collection; gift of Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius C. Vermeule III in 1967.
834. Caracalla, Struck under M. Caerelius Attalus. 198-217 AD. AE 42, 34.62g. Mysia, Pergamum. Obv: Laureate, draped, cuirassed bust of Caracalla right ; behind, uncertain countermark. Rx: At right, Caracalla in military dress stands, spear in left hand, with raised right hand saluting serpent coiled around tree at left. In the center, Telesphoros stands on base, facing. BM 326 var. Fine $200 MFA inventory no. 66.48. Purchased from Hans von Aulock in 1966 by the Theodora Wilbour Fund in memory of Zoë Wilbour.
837. Maximinus I Thrax. 235-238 AD. AE 40, 39.50g. Pisidia, Cremna. Obv IMP CAE C IVL VER MAXIMINO AVG Laureate, draped, cuirassed bust of Maximinus right. Rx: MINERVA COL IVL AVG CREM Athena standing right, right hand holding snake-entwined spear. SNG von Aulock 5101 (this coin.) Von Aulock, Pisidien II, 1338 (this coin). $200 About VF MFA inventory no. 66.54. Purchased from Hans von Aulock in 1966 by the Theodora Wilbour Fund in memory of Zoë Wilbour.
149
838. Gordian III. 238-244 AD. AE 32, 20.78g. Lycia, Myra. Obv: ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙΜ ΑΝΤ ΓΟΡΔΙΑΝΟC CEB Laureate, draped, cuirassed bust of Gordian III right. Rx: MYPEWN Simulacrum of Artemis Eleuthera in tetrastyle temple, patera at her feet. Von Aulock, Lykian, 147 (this coin). BM 12. VF $150
CEΛEVKEΩN / EΛEVΘEP / AC in three lines in exergue KAΛVKAΔNΩ above, Vis-à-vis busts of Artemis-Tyche, wearing polos and with cornucopia behind, and Apollo with laurel branch before. The obverse legend strung out in two circles around the edge, one inside the other, and the start of a third circle. The reverse legend seems to omit the necessary TΩN ΠPOC TΩ before KAΛVKAΔNΩ. SNG Paris 1038 (same dies). Reverse legend variant of SNG Levante 776 (same obverse die) and Sear 3802. Pleasant VF $300 MFA inventory no. 59.250. Purchased via Spink from J. Schulman 232, 9 March 1959, lot 1417; Theodora Wilbour Fund in memory of Zoë Wilbour.
MFA inventory no. 63.247. Purchased from Hesperia Art Bulletin VIII, no. 45n, in 1963 by the Theodora Wilbour Fund in memory of Zoë Wilbour.
839. AE 37, 24.88g. Cilicia, Tarsus. Obv ΑVΤ Κ Μ ΑΝΤ ΓΟΡΔΙAΝΟ CΕΒ Π Π Radiate, cuirassed bust of Gordian III right. Rx: ΤΑΡCΟV ΜΗΤΡΟΠΟΛΕΩΝ ΑΜΚ ΓΒ Gordian, veiled and draped, standing left at flaming altar, holding patera in right hand. SNG Paris 1689 (same dies.) Missing in BM, SNG von Aulock, SNG Copenhagen, SNG Levante. Encrusted. About VF $250
841. Tranquillina, Wife of Gordian III. AE 26, 11.96g. Pamphylia, Perga in alliance with Side. Obv: CΑΒΕΙ ΤΡΑΝΚVΛΛΕΙΝΑΝ CEB Draped bust right wearing stephane, crescent behind. Rx: ΠΕΡΓΑΙΩΝ CIΔΗΤΩΝ ΟΜΟΝΟΙΑ At left, Artemis of Perga, radiate, quiver on shoulder, holding arrow in right hand and bow in left; at right, Athena of Side, helmeted, holding spear in right hand, shield in left; stag between them. SNG Paris 499 (same obverse die). Franke & Nolle 1677-83 (same dies). VF $100 MFA inventory no. 63.1165. Purchased from Robert E. Hecht, Jr.in 1963, by the Theodora Wilbour Fund in memory of Zoë Wilbour.
MFA inventory no. 64.173. One of a group of coins purchased in Greece or Asia Minor in 1963 by Cornelius C. Vermeule III on behalf of MFA by the Theodora Wilbour Fund in memory of Zoë Wilbour.
840. Gordian III and Tranquillina. AE 36-38, 26.24g. Cilicia, Seleuceia. Obv: M ANTΩNIOC ΓOPΔIANOC CE - KAI CABINI - A - N around in exterior legend, TPANKVΛΛI NAN around in interior legend, CEB in central upper field, Bust of Gordian right, laureate, draped, cuirassed, facing bust of Tranquillina left, draped and wearing diadem. Rx:
150
842. AE 26, 10.97g. Pamphylia, Perga in alliance with Side. Obv: CΑΒΕΙ ΤΡΑΝΚVΛΛΕΙΝΑΝ CEB Draped bust of Tranquillina right, crescent behind. Rx: ΠΕΡΓΑΙΩΝ CIΔΗΤΩΝ ΟΜΟΝΟΙΑ Artemis of Perga standing right, quiver over shoulders, holding long torch in left hand and clasping right hands with Apollo of Side standing left, holding long spear in left hand. SNG Paris 500 (same dies). Franke & Nolle 1669-70 (same dies). VF $100 MFA inventory no. 63.1163. Purchased from Robert E. Hecht, Jr. in 1963, by the Theodora Wilbour Fund in memory of Zoë Wilbour.
Ex Lord Grantley, Lockett, Vermeule
Ex Von Aulock
843. Trajan Decius. 249-251 AD. AE 34, 16.80g. Ionia, Samos. Obv: ΑΥΤ Κ Γ ΜΕ ΚΥ ΤΡΑΙΑΝΟC ΔΕΚΙΟC Radiate, draped, cuirassed bust of Trajan Decius right. Rx: Poseidon standing right, Zeus standing left; ΣΑΜΙΩΝ around. BM 340, pl. XXXVII,12 (reverse only, same die). About VF $200
846. Aurelian. 270-275 AD. AE 30, 11.81g. Pisidia, Cremna. Obv: IMP C S L.DO M AVRELIANO Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Aurelian right. Rx: COLILF CREMNE Cult statue of the Ephesian Artemis, deer to either side at feet. Von Aulock, Pisidien II 1558 (this coin.) SNG von Aulock 5121. Waddington 3721. Green patination. EF/VF $200
MFA inventory no. 64.544. Ex Lord Grantley Collection. Ex R. Cyril Lockett Collection. Ex Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius C. Vermeule III Collection. Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius C. Vermeule III in 1964.
844. Trajan Decius, Struck under M. Aurelius Paulus. 249-251 AD. AE 41, 37.99g. Aeolis, Aegae. Obv: ΑΥΤ Κ Γ MEC KVIN TPAIANO [C] ΔΕΚΙΟC Laureate, draped, cuirassed bust of Trajan Decius right. Rx: Zeus, nude, standing left, sceptre in left hand, eagle in right. BM 30 var (obv. inscription). Two holes, possibly for inclusion in jewelry in ancient times. About VF $200
MFA inventory no. 61.1119. Purchased from Hans von Aulock in 1961 by the Theodora Wilbour Fund in memory of Zoë Wilbour.
847. Lydia, Maeonia. 2nd-3rd Centuries AD. AE 19, 3.87g. Lydia, Maeonia. Obv: Bearded head of Herakles right. Rx: ΕΠΙ ΦΙΛΟΠΑ - ΤΡΟV ΜΑΙΟΝΩΝ Omphale walking right, wearing lion's skin and holding club over right shoulder. SNG Copenhagen 214 (time of Trajan). Beautiful high relief head of Herakles. VF $250 MFA inventory no. 1984.423. Purchased from Waddell Auction 1, 9 December 1982, lot 275, by the Theodora Wilbour Fund in memory of Zoë Wilbour. Ex Romans and Barbarians #103
MFA inventory no. 64.293. Purchased from Robert E. Hecht, Jr in 1964 by the Theodora Wilbour Fund in memory of Zoë Wilbour. Ex Richard Cyril Lockett
845. Gallienus. 253-268 AD. AE 32, 24.73g. Thrace, Perinthus. Obv: ΑΥΤ ΓΑΛΛΗΝΟC CEB Laureate, draped, cuirassed bust left, holding spear and shield. Rx: [ΠΕΡΙΝΘΙ]ΩΝ ΔΙC ΝΕΩΚΟΡΩΝ Herakles wrestling with Nemean lion right; to left, club. BM 75. Heavy green encrustation. VF $200 MFA inventory no. 66.912. Ex R. Cyril Lockett Collection. Ex: Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius C. Vermeule III Collection; gift of Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius C. Vermeule III in 1966.
848. Probus. 276-282 AD. Aureus, 6.78g. Siscia. Obv: IMP C M AVR PROBVS P AVG Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: SECVRITAS SAECVLI Securitas seated left holding scepter and supporting head with hand, SIS in exergue. Scarce: only one specimen in Berk photofile, none in CoinArchives or Wildwinds. RIC 595 (R ). Cohen 630 (citing BM, 120 Fr.). Calicó 4194. Scratch at 10:00 and two light marks on neck on obverse. Several scratches in left reverse field, otherwise EF $4,000 MFA inventory no. 53.333. Purchased from Munzen und Medaillen AG, April 1953, Ex Munzen und Medaillen 11, 23 January 1953, lot 146; Theodora Wilbour Fund in memory of Zoë Wilbour. Published with illustration in the MFA exhibition catalogue, Romans and Barbarians, 1976, p. 155, no. C 103.
151
849. Greek. Lot of seven AE. MFA no. 65.819. Syracuse, Sicily, Agathocles, AE 21, SNG Copenhagen 779. MFA no. 65.675. Syracuse, Sicily, AE 25, BM 311. MFA no. 65.639. Cales, Campania, AE 17, BM 26. MFA no. 65.746. Eleusis, Attica, AE 14, BM 21, published in J. J. Herrmann, Jr., “ In the Shadow of the Acropolis”, p. 64, no. 97. MFA no. 65.773. Kingdom of Bythinia, Prusias II, AE 20, BM 10-11. All from the collection of an English clergyman, purchased in 1965. MFA no 66.46. Gazioura, Pontus, AE 27, BM 1; purchased from Hans von Aulock in 1966. MFA no. 63.2621. Olba, Ajax, AE 20, RPC I 3732. Ex Arthur M. Woodward Collection, Glendining, 1962. Average grade F-VF $250
850. Greek. Lot of twenty AE. MFA no. 63.1206. Nikaia, Bithynia, AE 21, BM 2 var; purchased from Robert E. Hecht, Jr. in 1963. MFA no. 65.827. Macedonia, “Philip IV,” AE 17, SNG Copenhagen 1170; from the collection of an English clergyman, purchased in 1965. MFA no. 88.22. Smyrna, Ionia, AE 14, BM 60. MFA no. 88.35. Erythrai, Ionia, AE 14, BM 112. Both purchased from van Lennep, Smyrna, in 1888. MFA no. 65.659. Rhegion, Bruttium, AE 17, SNG Copenhagen 1982. MFA no. 65.772. Kingdom of Bithynia, Prusias II, AE 17, BM 3. Both from the collection of an English clergyman, purchased in 1965. MFA no. 88.97. Termessos, Pisidia, AE 16, BM 7 var. MFA no. 88.36. Erythrai, Ionia, AE 15, BM 201 var. MFA no. 88.42. Erythrai, Ionia, BM 104. All purchased from van Lennep, Smyrna, in 1888. MFA no. 65.847. Neapolis, Campania, AE 17, SNG Copenhagen 504; from the collection of an English clergyman, purchased in 1965. MFA no. 64.1248. Isinda, Pisidia, AE 18, BM 5A var; purchased from Hans von Aulock in 1964. MFA no. 88.23. Smyrna, Ionia, AE 20, BM 98. MFA no. 88.62. Klazomenai, Ionia, AE 15, BM 81. Both purchased from van Lennep, Smyrna, in 1888. MFA no. 65.688. Syracuse, Sicily, AE 21, BM 699. MFA no. 65.841. Pellene, Achaia, AE14, SNG Copenhagen 214. MFA no. 65.824. Macedonia, Alexander III, AE 17, SNG Copenhagen 1042. MFA no. 65. 744. Athens, Attica, AE 17, BM 552f. MFA no. 65.846. Neapolis, Campania, AE 17, cf. SNG Copenhagen 504f. MFA no. 65.743. Athens, Attica, AE 20, BM 693. All from the collection of an English clergyman, purchased in 1965. MFA no. 88.69. Macedonia, Cassander, AE 18, SNG Copenhagen 1163; purchased from van Lennep, Smyrna, in 1888. Average grade F-VF $150
851. Roman. Mixed lot of ten coins; four denarii including Otho and Vitellius, one drachm, two sestertii, two antoniniani, one follis. MFA no. 12.441. L. Cassius Longinus, denarius, Crawford 413/1; MFA no. 12.544. Otho, denarius, RIC 12; MFA no. 12.540. Vitellius, denarius, RIC G8; MFA no. 12.502. Domitian, denarius, RIC 110, all gifts of Joseph H. Clark in 1912. MFA no. 62.630. Sabina, Amisos, drachm, SNG Copenhagen 187; purchased from Robert E. Hecht, Jr. in 1962. MFA no. 12.556. Otacilia Severa, sestertius, RIC 203; MFA no. 12.462, Herennius Etruscus, sestertius, RIC 171; MFA no. 12.505. Postumus, antoninianus, RIC 315; all gifts of Joseph H. Clark in 1912. MFA no. 88.482.
152
Herennia Etruscilla, antoninianus, RIC 59b; purchased from Lanciani. MFA no. 12.487. Licinius I, Alexandria, follis, RIC 28; gift of Joseph H. Clark in 1912. Average grade VG-VF $300 852. Roman Provincial. Lot of five AE. MFA no. 67.875. Marcus Aurelius & Lucius Verus, Miletos, Ionia, AE 40, not in references consulted; gift of Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius C. Vermeule III in 1967. MFA no. 63.1144. Caracalla, Hadrianopolis-Sebaste, Phrygia, AE 32, not in references consulted; purchased from Robert E. Hecht, Jr. in 1963. MFA no. 62.230. Lucius Verus, Magydus, Pamphylia, AE 32, not in references consulted; ex Hesperia Art Bulletin 18, 187, 1962. MFA no. 62.1261. Elagabalus, Caesarea, Cappadocia, AE 25, Sydenham 514; gift of Robert E. Hecht, Jr. in 1962. MFA no. 62.244. Septimius Severus, Cremna, Pisidia, AE 38, von Aulock Pisidia II, 1146; purchased from Dr. Hugo Weissmann in 1961. Average grade F-VF $350 853. Roman Provincial. Lot of six AE. MFA no. 63.2598. Livia & Senate, Smyrna, Ionia, AE 19, RPC 2469; MFA no. 63.3001. Severus Alexander, Antioch, Pisidia, AE 32, SNG von Aulock 4947. Both Ex Arthur M. Woodward Collection, Glendining, 1962. MFA no. 64.167. Severus Alexander, Antioch, Pisidia, AE 32, SNG von Aulock 4948; purchased in Greece or Asia Minor in 1963. MFA no. 64.1440. Caracalla, Caesarea, Cappadocia, AE 31, not in references consulted; purchased from Hans von Aulock in 1964. MFA no. 63.3017. Macrinus & Diadumenian, Marcianopolis, Moesia Inferior, AE 26, AMNG I, 730; ex Arthur M. Woodward Collection, Glendining, 1962. MFA no. 63.874. Gordian III, Antioch, Pisidia, AE 34, SNG Copenhagen 63; ex Hesperia Art Bulletin 25, 97, 1963. Average grade Fine+ $300
854. Roman Provincial. Lot of four AE. MFA no. 64.1165. Quasiautonomous, Aezani, Phrygia, AE 22, SNG von Aulock 3340; purchased from Hans von Aulock in 1964. MFA no. 66.47. Commodus, Germe, Mysia, AE 25, cf. SNG von Aulock 1110 for magistrate; purchased from Hans von Aulock in 1966. MFA no. 1975.306. Philip I, Bostra, Arabia, AE 29, BM 39 var; purchased from Robert E. Hecht, Jr. in 1975. MFA no. 63.1157. Salonina, Perga, Pamphylia, AE31, not in references consulted; purchased from Robert E. Hecht, Jr. in 1963. Average grade Fine $200
855. Roman Provincial. Lot of three AE. MFA no. 63.2587. Antoninus Pius, Cibyra, Phrygia, AE 39, SNG von Aulock 3734; Ex Arthur M. Woodward Collection, Glendining, 1962. MFA no. 64.1263. Septimius Severus, Acrasus, Lydia, AE 34, SNG von Aulock 2884; purchased from Hans von Aulock in 1964. MFA no. 63.1406. Geta, Tarsus, Cilicia, AE 35, NC 1925, 50; gift of Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius C. Vermeule III in 1963. Average grade Fine $150
856. Roman Provincial. Lot of seven AE. MFA no. 65.538. Quasi-autonomous, Germe, Mysia, AE 20, SNG von Aulock 1098 (this coin); purchased from from Hans von Aulock in 1965. MFA no. 63.1212. Quasi-autonomous, Sala, Lydia, AE 18, BM 11-12; purchased from Robert E. Hecht, Jr. in 1963. MFA no. 63.3037. Valerian I, Hierapolis in alliance with Ephesus, AE 30, BM 189; Ex Arthur M. Woodward Collection, Glendining, 1962. MFA no. 62.1256. Claudius II Gothicus, Sagalassus, Pisidia, AE 34, BM 44; gift of Robert E. Hecht, Jr. in 1962. MFA no. 66.823. Philip I, Laranda, Lycaonia, AE 33, von Aulock, Lycaonia, 122, (this coin); purchased from Hans von Aulock in 1966. MFA no. 62.245. Aurelian, Cremna, Pisidia, AE 31, von Aulock, Pisidia II, 1678; Ex Hesperia Art Bulletin 18, 211, 1962. MFA no. 63.893. Aurelian, Cremna, Pisidia, AE 32, von Aulock, Pisidia II, 1637; Ex Hesperia Art Bulletin 25, 119, 1963. Average grade F-VF $300 857. Roman Provincial. Lot of seven AE. MFA no. 63.817. Caracalla, Synnada, Phrygia, AE 33, not in references consulted; Ex Hesperia Art Bulletin 25, 31, 1963. MFA no. 67.339. Gordian III, Nicomedia, Bithynia, AE 31, SNG von Aulock 817. MFA no. 67.871. Maximinus I, Ephesus, Ionia, AE 37, SNG Copenhagen 472 var. Both gifts of Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius C. Vermeule III in 1967. MFA no. 63.1229. Trebonianus Gallus, Selge, Pisidia, AE 32, not in references consulted, (but cf. SNG von Aulock 5330 for same rev. die used for Herennius Etruscus); purchased from Robert E. Hecht, Jr. in 1963. MFA no. 63.861. Valerian II, Sillyum, Pamphylia, AE 32, SNG von Aulock 4891; Ex Hesperia Art Bulletin 25, 85, 1963. MFA no. 63.855. Valerian I, Perga in alliance with Ephesus, AE 32, SNG von Aulock 4716; Ex Hesperia Art Bulletin 25, 74, 1963. MFA no. 63.847. Salonina, Perga, Pamphylia, AE 29, SNG von Aulock 4741 var; Ex Hesperia Art Bulletin 25, 65, 1963. Average grade Fine $300 858. Roman Provincial. Lot of one tetradrachm and four AE. MFA no. 63.98. Augustus, Antioch, Syria, Tetradrachm, RPC 4151; purchased from B. H. Kazandjian in 1963. MFA no. 63.2906. Faustina II, Nicaea, Bithynia, AE 27, not in references consulted; Ex Arthur M. Woodward Collection, Glendining, 1962. MFA no. 64.1400. Antoninus Pius, Savatra, Lycaonia, AE 25, von Aulock, Lycaonia, 169; purchased from Hans von Aulock in 1964. MFA no. 64.1366. Quasiautonomous, Smyrna, Ionia, AE 22, SNG von Aulock 2190 (this coin); purchased from Hans von Aulock in 1964. MFA no. 63.3012. Julia Domna, Tyana, Cappadocia, AE 29, not in references consulted; Ex Arthur M. Woodward Collection, Glendining, 1962. Average grade Fine $200 859. Mixed lot. One Greek AE, thirteen Roman Provincial AE, one plated didrachm. MFA no. 64.1188. Nero, Laodicea in alliance with Smyrna, AE 24, SNG von Aulock 3877 (this coin), RPC 2928; purchased from Hans von Aulock in 1964. MFA no. 63.1224. Philip II, Adada, Pisidia, AE 27, von Aulock, Pisidia I, 102 (as Philip I); purchased from Robert
E. Hecht, Jr. in 1963. MFA no. 64.168. Gordian III, Antioch, Pisidia, AE 34, cf. BM 103-5; purchased in Greece or Asia Minor in 1963. MFA no. 63.3041. Gordian III, Antioch, Pisidia, AE 31, BM 107; Ex Arthur M. Woodward Collection, Glendining, 1962. MFA no. 63.1220. Quasi-autonomous, Tripolis, Lydia, AE 24, BM 41; purchased from Robert E. Hecht, Jr. in 1963. MFA no. 63.2613. Philip I, Corycus, Cilicia, AE 29, BM 17; Ex Arthur M. Woodward Collection, Glendining, 1962. MFA no. 64.1218. Valerian I, Perga in alliance with Ephesus. AE 35, SNG von Aulock 4716 (this coin); purchased from Hans von Aulock in 1964. MFA no. 63.838. Gallienus, Magydus, Pamphylia, AE 29, SNG von Aulock 4645; ex Hesperia Art Bulletin 25, 54, 1963. MFA no. 62.1247. Maximus, Coropissus, Cilicia, AE 26, BM 2; gift of Robert E. Hecht, Jr. in 1962. MFA no. 63.862. Saloninus, Sillyum, Pamphylia, AE 31, not in references consulted. MFA no. 63.1225. Maximinus I, Cremna, Pisidia, AE 30, von Aulock, Pisidia II, 1347 (this coin). Both purchased from Robert E. Hecht, Jr. in 1963. MFA no. 64.174. Trajan, Caesarea, Cappadocia, plated didrachm, Sydenham 203; purchased in Greece or Asia Minor in 1963. MFA no. 66.909. Severus Alexander, Odessus, Thrace, AE 23, BM 17; gift of Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius C. Vermeule III in 1966; Ex Lord Grantley and Lockett. MFA no. 63.841. Valerian II, Perga, Pamphylia, AE 30, not in references consulted, but cf. SNG France 610 (same obv. die); Ex Hesperia Art Bulletin 25, 57, 1963. MFA no. 88.49. Kyme, Aeolis, AE 14, BM 87; purchased from van Lennep, Smyrna, in 1888. Average grade Fine or better $150
860. Roman Provincial. Lot of fifteen AE. MFA no. 62.445. Gordian III, Patara, Lycia, AE 28, von Aulock, “Die Munzpragung des Gordian III und der Tranquillina in Lykien,� 221 (this coin); purchased from Munzen & Medaillen in 1962. MFA no. 62.1262. Valerian I, Anazarbus, Cilicia, AE 25, Ziegler 827; MFA no. 62.1255. Hierapolis, Phrygia, quasi-autonomous, AE 18, BM 16; both gifts of Robert E. Hecht, Jr. in 1962. MFA no. 63.833. Valerian II, Attalea in alliance with Athens, AE 31, Waddington 3293; purchased from Robert E. Hecht, Jr. in 1963. MFA no. 88.71 & 88.72. Temnus, Aeolis (2), quasi-autonomous, AE 18, BM 18f; MFA no. 88.89. Severus Alexander, Thyatira, Lydia, AE 24, BM 125; MFA no. 88.84. Gordian III, Tralles, Lydia, AE 22, BM 172; all purchased from van Lennep, Smyrna, in 1888. MFA 63.812. Julia Mamaea, Pelta, Phrygia, AE 31, Imhoof-Blumer 12; Ex Hesperia Art Bulletin 25, 25a, 1963. MFA no. 63.825. Valerian II, Aspendus, Pamphylia, AE 32, BM 104; Ex Hesperia Art Bulletin 25, 39, 1963. MFA no. 62.1264. Gallienus, Tabae, Caria, AE 30, SNG Copenhagen 572; gift of Robert E. Hecht, Jr. in 1962. MFA no. 63.225. Commodus, Prusias-ad-Hypium, Bithynia, AE 25, not in references consulted; Ex Hesperia Art Bulletin 25, 244, 1963. MFA no. 63.97. Philip I, Philippopolis, Arabia, AE 28, BM 4f; purchased from B. H. Kazandjian in 1963. MFA no. 63.826. Gallienus, Aspendus, Pamphylia, AE 31, BM 102; Ex Hesperia Art Bulletin 25, 41, 1963. MFA no. 63.816. Synnada, Phrygia, quasi-autonomous, AE 21, BM 13; Ex Hesperia Art Bulletin 25, 30, 1963. Average grade Fine or better $150
153
861. Roman Provincial. Lot of nineteen AE. MFA no. 62.302. Marcus Aurelius, Nicaea, Bithynia, AE 26, SNG von Aulock 564 (this coin); purchased from Edward Gans in 1962. MFA no. 63.3042. Gordian III, Antioch, Pisidia, AE 37, BM 104; Ex Arthur M. Woodward Collection, Glendining, 1962. MFA no. 62.242. Salonina, Side, Pamphylia, AE 30, BM 124; Ex Hesperia Art Bulletin 18, 207, 1962. MFA no. 62.521. Gordian III, Heraclea Pontica, Bithynia, AE 24, SNG von Aulock 431 (this coin); purchased from Edward Gans in 1962. MFA no. 59.242. Maximinus I, Tarsus, Cilicia, AE 34, BM 217; Ex Hesperia Art Bulletin 8, 89, 1959. MFA no. 62.535. Salonina, Nicomedia, Bithynia, AE 22, SNG von Aulock 862 (this coin); purchased from Edward Gans in 1962. MFA no. 61.1135. Claudius II, Sagalassus, Pisidia, AE 32, SNG von Aulock 5220; purchased from Dr. Hugo Weissmann in 1961. MFA no. 67.316. Caracalla, Zela, Pontus, AE 29, SNG von Aulock 142; gift of Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius C. Vermeule III in 1967. MFA no. 67.885. Valerian II, Smyrna, Ionia, AE 21, Klose, 1, 6; gift of Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius C. Vermeule III in 1967, said to be from the Grantley and Lockett Collections. MFA no. 67.868. Caracalla, Mytilene, Lesbos, AE 37, cf. SNG Copenhagen 423; gift of Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius C. Vermeule III in 1967. MFA no. 67.895. Julia Domna, Conana, Pisidia, AE 29, von Aulock, Pisidia II, 814 (this coin); Ex Lockett Collection, Glendining, 1961, lot 3068. MFA no. 62.236. Gallienus, Perga, Pamphylia, AE 28, Ex Hesperia Art Bulletin 18, 200, 1962. MFA no. 62.424. Caracalla, Stobi, Macedonia, AE 21, AMNG 13; purchased from Munzen & Medaillen in 1962. MFA no. 62.301, Septimius Severus, Attaea, Mysia, AE 17, BM 11; purchased from Edward Gans in 1962. MFA no. 63.1179. Septimius Severus, Tyana, Cappadocia, AE 28, BM 8; purchased from Robert E. Hecht, Jr. in 1963. Average grade Fine or better $150
862. Roman Provincial. Lot of eleven AE. MFA no. 63.1170. Herennius Etruscus & Hostilian, Flaviopolis, Cilicia, AE 24, Kl.M., p. 446, 1. MFA no. 63.1188. Severus Alexander, Nicaea, Bithynia, AE 25, RG. p. 473, 586. MFA no. 63.1211. Quasi-autonomous, Sala, Lydia, AE 15, BM 7. All purchased from Robert E. Hecht, Jr. in 1963. MFA no. 63.865. Salonina, Sillyum, Pamphylia, AE 30, not in references consulted; Ex Hesperia Art Bulletin 25, 88, 1963. MFA no. 63.885. Severus Alexander, Cremna, Pisidia, AE 32, SNG von Aulock 8605 var; Ex Hesperia Art Bulletin 25, 109, 1963. MFA no. 63.891. Aurelian, Cremna, Pisidia, AE 25, not in references consulted; Ex Hesperia Art Bulletin 25, 117, 1963. MFA no. 63.920. Herennia Etruscilla, Anazarbus, Cilicia, AE 29, Zeigler 763; Ex Hesperia Art Bulletin 25, 151, 1963. MFA no. 63.943. Lucius Verus, Tarsus, Cilicia, AE 30, SNG France 1458; Ex Hesperia Art Bulletin 25, 176, 1963. MFA no. 63.1087. Septimius Severus, Zela, Pontus, AE 28, BM 2 var; purchased from Robert E. Hecht, Jr in 1963. MFA no. 69.1092. Philip II, Zeugma, Commagene, AE 28, BM 40; purchased from Robert E. Hecht, Jr in 1969; gift of Miss. Mary B. Comstock in 1969. MFA no. 63.2985. Nero, Smyrna, Ionia, AE 17, RPC 2476; Ex Arthur M. Woodward Collection, Glendining, 1962. Average grade Fine $100
154
863. Roman Provincial. Lot of eighteen AE. MFA no. 63.2973. Caracalla, Amasea, Pontus, AE 28, RG 68; MFA no. 63.2914. Gallienus, Tabae, Caria, AE 32, BM 94; MFA no. 63.3043. Caracalla, Selge, Pisidia, AE 23, not in references consulted; all Ex Arthur M. Woodward Collection, Glendining, 1962. MFA no. 64.1213. Gallienus, Perga, Pamphylia, AE 29, BM 77-8; MFA no. 64.1217. Perga, Pamphylia, AE 28, SNG von Aulock 4741 var; both purchased from Hans von Aulock in 1964. MFA no. 59.240. Claudius II, Sagalassus, Pisidia, AE 31, SNG von Aulock 5211; Ex Hesperia Art Bulletin VIII, 85, 1959. MFA no. 63.2584. Commodus, Magnesia-ad-Sipylum, Lydia, AE 29, BM 60; Ex Arthur M. Woodward Collection, Glendining, 1962. MFA no. 65.521. Trajan, Amasea, Pontus, AE 19, SNG von Aulock 19; purchased from Hans von Aulock in 1954. MFA no. 63.2913. Julia Mamaea, Smyrna, Ionia, AE 22, Klose, p. 303, 16, 7 (this coin); Ex Arthur M. Woodward Collection, Glendining, 1962. MFA no. 65.523. Claudius, Aezani, Phrygia, AE 19, RPC 3191ff; purchased from Hans von Aulock in 1965. MFA no. 63.2607. Salonina, Aphrodisias, Caria, AE 23, SNG Copenhagen 134 var; MFA no. 63.2604. Julia Mamaea, Samos, Ionia AE 25, BM 285; both Ex Arthur M. Woodward Collection, Glendining, 1962. MFA nos. 88.13 & 88.14.. Smyrna, Ionia, quasi-autonomous, AE 19, BM 190 var; both purchased from van Lennep, Smyrna, in 1888. MFA no. 64.170. Gordian III, Cremna, Pisidia, AE 26, von Aulock, Pisidia, 1371; MFA no. 64.159. Sardis, Lydia, quasi-autonomous, AE 20, BM 91; MFA no. 64.169. Philip I, Antioch, Pisidia, AE 25, SNG Copenhagen 75; all purchased in Greece or Asia Minor in 1963. MFA no. 63.3021. Trajan, Heraclea Pontica, Bithynia, AE 18, RG 95; Ex Arthur M. Woodward Collection, Glendining, 1962. Average grade Fine or better $150 864. Roman Provincial. Lot of nineteen AE. MFA no. 63.2995. Trajan Decius, Philomelium, Phrygia, AE 24, BM 39f; Ex Arthur M. Woodward Collection, Glendining, 1962. MFA no. 64.1437. Caesarea, Cappadocia, quasi-autonomous, AE 15, Sydenham 242; purchased from Hans von Aulock in 1964. MFA no. 64.163. Julia Domna, Philomelium, Phrygia, AE 23, Kl.M., p. 285, 1 var.; purchased in Greece or Asia Minor in 1963. MFA no. 63.3035. Magnesia-adSipylum, Lydia, quasi-autonomous, AE 18, BM 41; MFA no. 63.3027. Caracalla, Alabanda, Caria, AE 26, BM 40; MFA no. 63.2986. Julia Mamaea, Smyrna, Ionia, AE 22, BM 439; all Ex Arthur M. Woodward Collection, Glendining, 1962. MFA no. 88.26. Smyrna, Ionia, quasi-autonomous, AE 18, BM 176f; purchased from van Lennep, Smyrna, in 1888. MFA no. 64.152. Domitian, Patras, Achaea, AE 24, RPC 256; purchased in Greece or Asia Minor in 1963. MFA no. 63.3039. Hierapolis, Phrygia, quasi-autonomous, AE 18, BM 13f; Ex Arthur M. Woodward Collection, Glendining, 1962. MFA no. 64.1401. Gordian III, Adana, Cilicia, AE 28, BM 19; MFA 64.1249. Valerian I, Isinda, Pisidia, AE 24, von Aulock, Pisidia, 947; both purchased from Hans von Aulock in 1964. MFA no. 64.1312. Maximus, Bithynium, Bithynia, AE 26, SNG von Aulock 336 (this coin); purchased from Hans von Aulock in 1964. MFA no. 63.3040. Maximus, Perga, Pamphylia, AE 19, SNG von Aulock 4695 var; Ex Arthur M. Woodward Collection, Glendining, 1962; purchased at Makri (Telmessos) by Woodward in 1909. MFA no. 63.2991.
Nacrasa, Lydia, quasi-autonomous, AE 14, Imhoof-Blumer, p. 105, 3; ex Arthur M. Woodward Collection, Glendining, 1962. MFA no. 64.1417. Commodus, Philadelphia, Cilicia, AE 24, SNG Levante 579 (same dies); purchased from Hans von Aulock in 1964. MFA no. 63.2990. Nacrasa, Lydia, quasi-autonomous, AE 23, BM 1; Ex Arthur M. Woodward Collection, Glendining, 1962. MFA no. 63.1159. Salonina, Side, Pamphylia, AE 28, SNG Copenhagen 430; purchased from Robert E. Hecht, Jr. in 1963. MFA no. 63.1148. Trebonianus Gallus, Apamea in alliance with Ephesus, AE 36, not in references consulted; MFA no. 63.1127. Antiochad-Meandrum, Caria, quasi-autonomous, BM 22; both purchased from Robert E. Hecht, Jr. in 1963. Average grade Fine or better $150 865. Roman Provincial. Lot of six Alexandria tetradrachms of Nero. MFA no. 1985.1033. Milne 222, MFA no. 1985. 1037. Milne 226-7. MFA no. 1985.1040. Milne 236-7. MFA no. 1985.1273. Milne 238-44. MFA no. 1985.1274. Milne 238-44. MFA no. 1985.1279. Milne 304-5. All Ex Godfrey Peckitt Collection, acquired in Egypt prior to World War II. Average grade F-VF $200 866. Roman Provincial. Lot of four Alexandria tetradrachms including two Galba; one diobol. MFA no. 1985.1062. Galba, Milne 328. MFA no. 1985, 1283. Galba, Milne 3312. MFA no. 1985.1095. Trajan, Milne 649-50. MFA no. 1985.1208. Antoninus Pius, Milne Supp. 2349a. MFA no. 1985.1073. Vespasian, diobol, Milne 418-9. All Ex Godfrey Peckitt Collection, acquired in Egypt prior to World War II. Average grade Fine or better $200 867. Roman Provincial. Lot of fifteen Alexandria drachms including lighthouse. MFA no. 1985.1065. Galba, Milne 352. MFA no. 1985.1086. Trajan. MFA no. 1985.1100. Trajan, cf. Milne 684. MFA no. 1985.1134. Hadrian, Milne 1286. MFA no. 1985.1191. Antoninus Pius, Emmett 1489. MFA no. 1985.1212. Antoninus Pius, Emmett 1493. MFA no. 1985.1220. Lucius Verus, Milne 2575. MFA no. 1985.1294. Hadrian, Milne 1357-61. MFA no. 1985.1302. Antoninus Pius, Emmett 1647. MFA no. 1985.1312. Antoninus Pius, Emmett 1697. MFA no. 1985.1313.Marcus Aurelius / Isis before Pharos of Alexandria, Emmett 1889. MFA no. 1985.1071. Vespasian, Milne 414-5. MFA nos. 1985.1138 & 1985.1293, Hadrian, Milne 1315-7. MFA no. 1985.1222. Severus Alexander, Emmett 3150. All Ex Godfrey Peckitt Collection, acquired in Egypt prior to World War II. Average grade Fine $600
I. Emmett 3497. All Ex Godfrey Peckitt Collection, acquired in Egypt prior to World War II. MFA no. 88.187. Gallienus, Hunterian 925. MFA no. 88.194. BM 2164. MFA no. 88.228. Gallienus, BM 2227. MFA no. 88.177. Gallienus, BM 2235. MFA no. 88.199. Gallienus, BM 2236. All purchased from van Lennep, Smyrna, in 1888. MFA no. 47.1477. Probus, BM 2431; gift of Mrs. J. Templeman Coolidge in 1947. Average grade VF or better $200
American Numismatic Society New Reverse Die. Unpublished in Mildenberg
869. Bar Kokhba Revolt. 132-135 AD. Middle Bronze, 12.43g. Year 3, 134/135 AD. Obv: Seven-branched palm tree with two bunches of dates; paleo-Hebrew across field below (Simon). Rx: Vine leaf on tendril; paleo-Hebrew around (for the freedom of Jerusalem). Hendin 736 var. Mildenberg obverse die 11; the reverse die is unlisted paired with this obverse, and is apparently unlisted altogether. Treasury 292 var. EF $300 Traces of undertype visible on reverse.
870. Hadrian, Memphis nome. 117-138 AD. Bronze dichalkon, 2.02g. Alexandria, Year 11 = 126/7 AD. Obv: Without legend, Bust laureate right, fold of cloak on front shoulder and behind neck. Rx: MEMÎŚI above, L- IA in left and right fields, Apis bull standing right, bell hung around neck, globe between horns, small altar before. BM 23. DattariSavio pl. 304, 6300. Emmett 1281/11. VF $150 Ex M & M List 183, September 1958, lot 48.
868. Roman Provincial. Lot of fourteen Alexandria tetradrachms. MFA no. 1985.1314. Antoninus Pius, Emmett 1409. MFA no.1985.1319. Gordian III, Emmett 3429. MFA no. 1985.1324. Philip I, Emmett 3480. MFA no. 1985.1329. Philip I, Emmett 3481. MFA no. 1985.1255. Philip I, Emmett 3482. MFA no. 1985.1262. Philip I, Emmett 3493. MFA no. 1985.1257. Philip I, Emmett 3493. MFA no. 1985.1326. Philip
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The Pharos of Alexandria
871. Prosopis nome. Bronze obol, 5.43g. Alexandria, Year 11 = 126/7 AD. Obv: AVT KAI - TPAI AΔPIA CEB Bust laureate right, fold of cloak on front shoulder and behind neck. Rx: ΠPOCW - L IA Harpocrates, veiled and wearing hem-hem crown, standing left, pointing at mouth with right hand and holding club surmounted by falcon in left hand. Cologne 3424. Dattari-Savio pl. 309, 6356. Emmett 1233/11. BM 23. VF $100 Ex M & M List 183, September 1958, lot 52 (not illustrated).
872. Bronze drachm, 27.12g. Alexandria, Year 14 = 129/30 AD. Obv: AVT KAI - TPAI AΔPIA CEB Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: Athena standing left, wearing aegis on chest and helmet with long wavy crest at back, holding Nike with right hand and resting left hand on shield behind her, L I - Δ across field. Cologne 1009. Dattari-Savio pl. 76, 1632. Emmett 925/14. Good VF with extraordinary surfaces $300
874. Bronze hemidrachm, 14.36g. Alexandria, Year 16 = 131/2 AD. Obv: [AVT KAI - TP]AI AΔPIA CEB Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: Lighthouse of Pharos, with circular lantern atop square tower; entrance to tower and steps leading to it at bottom right; two Tritons blowing trumpets to left and right of the lantern, and a standing figure on top of it, extending right hand and holding scepter in left; L - I S across field. Rare type showing Pharos by itself, with this date not in Dattari-Savio, Cologne, BM, or Oxford. CNG 41, 1275 and Mionnet VI, 1138 may be the only published specimens. CNG 41, 19 March 1997, 1275; Emmett 1103/16 (R5). Beautiful image of Pharos of Alexandria. Fine/VF $200
875. Bronze drachm, 23.13g. Alexandria, Year 18 = 133/4 AD. Obv: AVT KAIC TPAIAN - AΔPIANOC CEB Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: Winged Sphinx with human head and body of lioness sitting left, kalathos on head, placing right front paw on wheel, L - I - H across field. Cologne 1137. Dattari-Savio pl. 98, 7907. Emmett 1053/18. Nearly EF $350
Ex Zeno Collection
873. Bronze drachm, 24.22g. Alexandria, Year 15 = 130/1 AD. Obv: AVT KAI - TPAI AΔPIA CEB Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: Alexandria kissing the emperor's hand to welcome him in her city; he stands, left, laureate and togate, holding scepter in left hand; Alexandria, wearing elephant-skin headdress, steps right towards the emperor, grasps and kisses his right hand, and holds wheat ears and poppy in her left hand; L - I E in left and middle field. Commemorates Hadrian's arrival in Egypt in 130 AD. Cologne 1035. Dattari-Savio pl. 75, 1610. Emmett 964/15. Green patination. Good VF $200
156
876. Anonymous. Aes Grave. Cast bronze sextans, 43.19g. Rome, 225-217 BC. Obv: Head of Mercury left, wearing winged petasus; two pellets below. Rx: Prow right, two pellets below. Thurlow/Vecchi 55. Crawford 35/5. Haeberlin pl. 18, 10-21. Fine $250 Ex Apostolo Zeno Collection Part II, Dorotheum, 26-7 March 1957, lot 2668.
881. Greek. Mixed lot of seven coins, five silver and two AE, and one cast forgery. One Parthian tetradrachm, two Parthian drachms, one drachm of Menander, one denarius of Juba I, AE of Ptolemy V and Antiochus VI, cast forgery of Heliocles tetradrachm. Average grade F-VF $150 877. L. Sulla. Denarius, 3.91g. Mint moving with Sulla, 84-83 BC. Obv: Diademed head of Venus right; before, Cupid standing left holding long palm; L. SVLLA below. Rx: Capis and lituus between two trophies, IMPER above, ITERVM below. Crawford 359/2. Sydenham 761. RSC Cornelia 29. Softly struck, but VF $250
882. Roman Republic. Lot of two didrachms. Crawford nos. 13/1, 31/1. Average grade good Fine or Better $450
883. Roman Republic. Lot of six denarii, two silver fractions and two AE. Crawford nos. 25/2, 44/7, 69/6a, 85/1, 137/1, 187/1, 197/1a, 199/1a, 205/1, 206/1. Average grade F-VF $250
878. L. Cassius Longinus. Denarius, 3.91g. Rome, 60 BC. Obv: Veiled and draped bust of Vesta left, C before, kylix behind. Rx: Voter left, dropping tablet inscribed V into cista, LONGIN. III V behind. Crawford 413/1. Sydenham 935. RSC Cassia 10. VF $150
884. Roman Republic. Lot of ten denarii. Crawford nos. 205/1, 207/1, 214/1b, 218/1, 219/1a, 219/1e, 223/1, 229/1a, 232/1, 233/1. Average grade F-VF $250 885. Roman Republic. Lot of eleven denarii. Crawford nos. 236/1, 238/1, 244/1, 247/1, 255/1, 260/1, 261/1, 262/1, 263/1, 265/1, 266/1. Average grade VF $300 886. Roman Republic. Lot of ten denarii. Crawford nos. 271/1, 273/1, 275/1, 281/1, 282/1, 282/2, 284/1a, 284/1b, 285/1, 285/2. Average grade F-VF $250
879. Man. Acilius Glabrio. Denarius, 3.88g. Rome, 49 BC. Obv: Laureate head of Salus right, SALVTIS upward behind. Rx: Valetudo standing left, leaning on column and holding snake, MN ACILIVS III VIR VALETV behind and before. Crawford 442/1a. Sydenham 922. RSC Acilia 8. Toned EF $150
887. Roman Republic. Lot of ten denarii. Crawford nos. 281/1, 284/1b, 289/1, 290/1, 291/1, 298/1, 300/1, 302/1, 321/1, 326/1. Average grade F-VF $250
Valetudo, obviously closely related to Salus, appears only here on Roman coins.
888. Roman Republic. Lot of eight denarii and two quinarii. Crawford nos. 330/1, 333/1, 340/1, 345/1, 345/2, 351/1, 353/1c, 354/1a, 366/1, 366/4. Average grade VF $250
889. Roman Republic. Lot of nine denarii and one quinarius. Crawford nos. 333/1, 383/1, 391/3, 393/1b, 401/1, 414/1, 415/1, 422/1b, 428/2, 428/3. Average grade F-VF $250 880. Mn. Cordius Rufus. Denarius, 3.64g. Rome, 63 BC. Obv: Jugate heads of Dioscuri right, wearing pileiil, stars above, RVFVS路III.VIR behind. Rx: Venus standing left, holding scales and scepter, Cupid perched on shoulder, [MN] CORDIVS behind. Crawford 463/1b. Sydenham 976c. RSC I Cordia 1. Exceptionally nice for the issue. Toned EF $150
890. Roman Republic. Lot of nine denarii and one quinarius. Crawford nos. 333/1, 383/1, 414/1, 415/1, 422/1a, 426/3, 429/1, 442/1a, 445/1b, 455/1. Average grade F-VF $250
157
891. Roman Republic. Lot of nine denarii. Crawford nos. 463/1a, 463/2, 463/3, 464/1, 464/2, 486/1, 494/21, 494/23, 512/2. Average grade F-VF $250
899. Lot of seven AE with Dionysos. Seven Roman provincial coins, each featuring the Greek god Dionysos in various stages of his life and in various poses. Average grade VF $200
892. Roman Imperatorial. Lot of six denarii and one quinarius of Mark Antony. Crawford nos. 489/4, 533/2, 544/10 (LEG XVII CLASSICAE), 544/15, 544/18, 544/19, 544/35 (LEG XIX). Average grade Fine $250
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
893. Roman Provincial. Four rare obols of the Egyptian Nomes. Lot consists of the following Nomes, all minted under Hadrian, year 11: Arabia, Diospolis, Leontopolis, Pelousion. Average grade Fine $100
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
894. Roman Provincial. Lot of five Alexandria tetradrachms of Hadrian. Milne nos. 1157, year 4, 1274, year 13, 1488, unattributed year 4, year 20. Average grade VF $100
901. Lot of six city coins of Judaea and Transjordan. Lot of six better city coins from Caesarea Maritima, Caesarea Panias, Bostra, Hippos, Gerasa, and Sebaste. Nice selection of types and cities. Average grade F-VF $150
895. Roman Provincial. Lot of four Alexandria AE of Hadrian. Lot consists of two drachms, year 16 and uncertain; and two hemidrachms, year 15 and uncertain. Average grade Fine or better $100
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
896. Roman Provincial. Lot of four Alexandria drachms of Hadrian. Lot consists of drachms of year 6, year 10, year 18, and uncertain. Average grade Fine or better $100
End ANS Group Lots
897. Roman Provincial. Lot of three AE. Three Roman provincial bronze coins of Mesopotamia, featuring a lovely example of a coin depicting an eagle upon the sacred stone of Emisa. Average grade F-VF $100 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. 898. Lot of eight AE with mythological themes. Two Greek and six Roman Provincial coins featuring various mythological themes such as Herakles battling the Hydra, Herakles battling the Nemaean lion, Hephaistos, Andromeda, Ambrosial Stones, Pan, Herakles with Pan and Satyr, and a coin of Smyrna, Ionia with Homer in contemplation. Average grade F-EF $350 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
158
900. Lot of six ancient AE and two modern coins. Lot of eight Greek, Roman, and modern coins including a sharp bronze of Syracuse and a modern Israel “Archaeology� commemorative silver coin. Average grade VF or better $200
902. Lot of six city coins of ancient Israel. Lot of six better city coins from Sebaste, Tiberias, Caesarea Maritima, Ascalon, Nysa-Scythopolis, and Gaba. Nice selection of types and cities. Average grade VF $300 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection. 903. Lot of twenty-two AE prutot. Lot of twenty two various AE prutot of ancient Israel, including Maccabees, Herod Archelaus, Agrippa I, and Procurators of Judaea with a nice Pontius Pilate. All above average, some unusually nice. Average grade VF $400 Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
904. Lot of seven Imperial denarii. Domitian, RIC 176; Trajan (3), RIC 60, 102, 345; Hadrian (2), RIC 101, 115; Severus Alexander, RIC 246. Average grade VF or better $200 Ex Asher Keshet Collection. 905. Lot of eight Imperial denarii. Domitian, RIC 177; Trajan (3), RIC 21, 130, 315; Hadrian (3), 46, 182, 266; Caracalla, RIC 223. Average grade VF or better $200 Ex Asher Keshet Collection.
906. Lot of two Imperial denarii, one AR drachm and one AE drachm. Augustus / Gaius & Lucius, denarius; Nerva, denarius, RIC 1; Trajan, drachm, Arabia & camel; Hadrian / Nilus, Alexandria, drachm, Emmett 1014. Average grade F-VF $150
First Dated Crown
Ex Asher Keshet Collection. 907. Lot of ten AE, mostly of Neapolis, Samaria; includes elephant quadriga. Marcus Aurelius, AE 19, Rosenberger 13; Marcus Aurelius, AE 19, not in Rosenberger or other references consulted, possibly unique; Commodus, AE 20, Rosenberger 24; Elagabalus, AE 20, Rosenberger 39; Elagabalus, AE 25, cf. Rosenberger 39; Philip I, AE 27, Rosenberger 81 (same dies); Hostilian as Augustus, AE 28, Rosenberger 109; all of Neapolis, Samaria. Julia Maesa, Sebaste, Samaria, AE 20, Rosenberger 33; Caracalla, Nicopolis, AE 27; Gallienus / Dionysos in elephant quadriga, Bithynia, Nicaea, AE 22, SNG von Aulock 724. Average grade F-VF $450
910. Austria. Tyrol. Archduke Sigismund. 1477-1490. Guildiner, 31.47g. 1486. Obv: SIGISMVNDVS ARCHIDVX AVSTRIE Facing Sigismund standing in armor, wearing crown, and holding orb with shield to the left and crested helmet to the right. Rx: Right riding armored knight on horseback carrying banne. Arms of Austrian provinces surround. Davenport 8087. A splendid piece with excellent detail, light toning, and all natural surfaces. Choice VF $4,000
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
Ex Dr. John Gulick Collection
908. Lot of two Coins from the Bosporus. 1). Kingdom of Bosporus; Sauromates II; 174/5-210/11 AD. AE double denarius, 13.94g. c. 186-196 AD; Obv: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΑΥΡΟΜΑΤΟΥ Diademed and draped portrait bust of Sauromates right. Rx: Hercules catching the Cretan bull right. In left field, * and B. 2). Bosporus, Panticapaeun, late 4th-3rd centuries BC, AE 16, 3.99g. Obv: Head of bearded Pan left. Rx: ΠΑΝ. Head of bull three-quarters left. MacDonald 59. Anohin 133. SNG BM Black Sea 890. SNG Stancomb 557. VF $150
The 1486 Guildiner, a very popular dollar-sized coin issued by Archduke Sigismund, is the first dated crown of Europe.
Ex Dr. Stephen Gerson Collection.
World Coins
909. Albania. Ahmed Bey Zogu-King Zog I. 1928-1939. 5 Franga Ari, 25.05g. 1926R. Obv: AMET ZOGU Right facing head. Rx: SHQIPINI ALBANIA Man with plow, value below. KM 8.1. A wonderfully lustrous example with some light toning. UNC $1,750 Ex Coin Galleries, 27 February 1985, lot 781. Ex Dr. John Gulick Collection
911. Archduke Leopold. 1619-1632. Double thaler, 56.30g. No Date (1626). Hall Mint. Obv: Right facing conjoined busts of Leopold and Claudia. Rx: Crowned eagle within inner circle, legend around. KM 639. A large, nicely toned coin with clear detail and great eye appeal. EF $500 Ex Coin Galleries, 19 August 1987, lot 649. Ex Dr. John Gulick Collection
159
914. Johann Ernst von Thun-Hohenstein. 1687-1709. Half Thaler, 14.52g. 1694. Obv: + IOAN:ERNESTUS D:G:ARCHIEP S:SALISB:S:SED:AP:LEG Hat above Legate’s coat-of-arms, date divided near bottom in inner circle. Rx: + SS: RVDBE RTVS·ET·VIRGILIVS·PATRONI·SALISBVRGENSES· Seated St. Rupert holding salt barrel and crozier facing seated St. Virgil holding crozier, church below. KM 253. A lustrous and bright example with excellent detail, slightly bent planchet as made. Choice UNC $250 Ex Coin Galleries 13 November 1985, lot 714. Ex Dr. John Gulick Collection.
Royal Round 912 Austrian States. Olmutz. Karl III Josef Herzog von Lothringen. 1695-1711. Thaler, 28.64g. 1705. Obv: DEI GRATIA CAROLUS EPISCOPUS OLOMUCENSIS Right facing armored bust. Rx: DUX·LOTHAR:ETBAR:S:R:I:PCPS:RE: CA:BO:CO Crown above arms on 8-pointed cross, crowned eagles at left and right. Davenport 1209. An attractive darkly toned crown with lightly cleaned obverse fields. EF $100 Ex Dr. John Gulick Collection. 915. Bolivia. Potosi. Charles II. 1665-1700. 8 Reales, 27.42g. 1682PV. Obv: CAROLVS II. D.G.HISPANIA Cross with lions and castles. Rx: POTOSI ANO 1682 EL PE –V Crowned pillars of Hercules and waves, value at top center. Round Royal Presentation type. KM 26. A lovely example on a large flan with very minor doubling. Small hole, but quite attractive. VF $1,500 Ex Dr. John Gulick Collection. 913. Salzburg. Guidobald von Thun-Hohenstein. 16541668. Thaler, 28.57g. 1656. Obv: GVIDOBALD’ D:G:AR:EP:SAL:SE:AP:L Madonna and child above hatted arms. Rx: SANCT:RVDBER TVS:EPS:SALISB:1656 Saint standing above arms. Davenport 3505. Superb detail and finish. Slightly bent, since all coins produced on roller dies. EF $225 Ex Dr. John Gulick Collection.
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The “Pillars of Hercules” which represent the treasures beyond the Straits of Gibraltar first appeared on coins struck in Mexico in the 1530s and was later implemented by the Potosi mint in 1652. While several theories exist, it is thought that Royals were presented to the King of Spain to exhibit the mint-master’s capability of quality work.
916. Brazil. Joao V. 1706-1750. 20,000 Reis, 53.50g. 1726. Obv: IOANNES·VD·G·PORT·ET·ALG·REX Crowned shield with denomination on left and rosettes on right. Rx: IN·HOC·SIGNO·VINCES· Center cross with M’s at angles, date at top. KM 117. A gorgeous piece with deep-yellow coloring. Nicely struck with original luster. About UNC $5,000 Ex Coin Galleries 13 November, 1985, lot 637. Ex Dr. John Gulick Collection. Khanate of Crimea Set
917. Set of Crimean Khanate. Shahin Giray bin Ahmad Giray. AH1191-1197/1777-1783. Ikilik, 1.37g, Yirmilik, 7.88g, Kurus, 15.95g, Altmishlik, 20.67g. 1191//5 (1777). Obv: Tughra of Shahin Giray with rose flanking on either side. Rx: Legend in seven lines with tamgha of the Crimean Khanate above and date below. KM 16,40,44,46. The Ikilik, in choice very fine condition, has light toning on the high points and is 17mm. In about uncirculated condition, The Yirmilik has light toning throughout and crisp details. The Kurus, in extremely fine condition, has some weak areas, but overall is quite impressive. Finally, this rare set boasts a lustrous and virtually uncirculated Altmishlik. In total, a superb collection. VF – UNC $30,000 Ex Spink 18 February 1986, lot 150. Ex Dr. John Gulick Collection. The longest-lived of the Turkic Khanates, the Khanate of Crimea was known as a superior force in Eastern Europe until the 18th century before being annexed to Russia in 1783. This collection of exquisite coins is as rare as the opportunity to own them.
918. Czechoslovakia. Bohemia. Ulrich. 1012-1033. Denar, 0.79g. No Date. Prague Mint. Obv: ODALRICVS:DV. Rx: ODALRICVS:DV Cross with pellets and shapes in angles, legend surrounds. Cach 283. A nice piece with clear legends and well-preserved detail. About UNC $500
919. France. Carolingians. Louis the Pious. 814-819. Denier, 1.75g. No Date. Obv: HLVDOVVICS IMP AVG Right facing profile bust. Rx: METALLVM around dies and two hammers (minting tools). MEC 758. Prov 712. MG 396. A very rare type with nice detail and coloring. EF $10,000
Enlargement
161
Rx: REPUBLIQUE FRANCOISE Denomination centered within wreath. Davenport 1336. Bright and bold with very few contact marks. Nice original surfaces. About UNC $600 Ex Coin Galleries 12 July 1995, lot 2912. Ex Dr. John Gulick Collection. 920. Jean II le Bon. 1350-1364. Mouton d’or, 4.61g. No Date. Obv: Lamb and cruciform staff with flying banner. Rx: Floriated cross in quadrilobe, fleur de lis in angles. Friedberg 280. A bright yellow example with noticeable luster and detail. Choice VF $1,000 Ex Dr. John Gulick Collection. 924. German States. Augsburg. Ferdinand III. 1637-1657. Thaler, 29.07g. 1641. Obv: IMP:CAES:FERD:III·P·F·GER:HV N:BOH:REX· Right facing laureate and armored bust. Rx: AVGVSTA·VIN DELICORVM City view and date divided by pine cone on pedestal with three horseshoes below. Davenport 5039. Nice surfaces with some toning. EF $500 921. Charles V. 1364-1380. Franc à pied. 3.74g. No Date. Obv: Facing armored king with sword and sceptre, standing under Gothic dais. Rx: Floriated cross in quadrilobe, fleur de lis in 2 angles, crown in 2 angles. Friedberg 284. A wonderfully bright coin with sharp details. Almost round. Choice VF $600
922. Louis XV. 1715-1774. Louis d’or, 8.10g. 1749W. Lile Mint. Obv: LUD·XV·D·G·FR·ETNAV·REX Left facing large head with ribbon. Rx: CHRS·REGN·VINC·IMPER· Crown above arms of France and Navarre. Friedberg 464. A gorgeous mint state piece with eye appeal. ANACS MS60 $750
Ex Coin Galleries 13 November 1985, lot 742. Ex Dr. John Gulick Collection.
925. Colgne. Walram von Jülich. 1332-1349. Turnose, 3.92g. No Date. Obv: WALRAM:ARCHIEPCS:COLONIE Facing bust in mitre with pendant cross around neck. Rx: MONETA:TVYCIEN Cross. Saurma 2669/1399. Lightly toned with even wear. VF $200 Ex CNG XXV 24 March 1993, lot 1045. Ex Dr. John Gulick Collection. Rare Siege Klippe
923. Convention. 1792-1795. 6 Livres, 29.44g. 1793A L’AnII. Paris Mint. Obv: REGNE DE LA LOI Angel writing on tablet to right with fasces at left and rooster at right.
162
926. Jülich-Cleve-Berg. Siege Coinage. 1621-1622. Fortress Klippe. 3.55g. 1621. Obv: 16-Z1/IN GVL BELE G Large shield with extended corners in upper left and right, F above P monogram divides legend. Rx: Blank. An attractive piece of siege coinage issued under Friedrich Pithan, governor of the city. EF $1,200 Ex Dr. John Gulick Collection.
Obsidional coinage was, for all intents and purposes, created to be form of payment during a siege when standard sources of money dwindled. Typically, siege pieces only have the issuers identifying initials or coat-of-arms and a denomination.
Enlargement
929. Wilhelm V. 1539-1592. Thaler, 29.16g. 1567. Obv: GVILI*D*G *IVLIA’*CLIVOR*Z*MONT*DVX*& Left facing armored figure with sceptre. Rx: CHRISTVS*SPES*VNA*SALVTIS*1567 Helmeted arms. Davenport 8933. An attractive piece with a few hairlines in the obverse field. Good coloring and fairly even wear. Choice VF $550 Ex Dr. John Gulick Collection.
927. Reinald IV. 1402-1423. Gulden, 3.43g. 1409. Obv: *REIN’ DUX IVLIGELOR’ Facing St. John the Baptist holding key and book. Rx: *MON’ -*NOV’ - *BER* - *CHE’ Shield with the lion of Jülich in quatrefoil surrounded by four shields and rosettes. Friedberg 1364 (var). Typical wear with a weak center, no major distractions. Choice Fine $500 Ex Dr. John Gulick Collection.
930. Münster. Friedrich Christian von Plettenberg. 1688-1706. Thaler, 28.26g. 1706. Obv: DEUS·AUDIUTOR·ET·PROTECTOR ·NOSTER View of Cathedral. Rx: CAPITULUM·CATH·MONA ST·SEDE·VACANT St. Paul on shield below ornamental helmet. Davenport 2465. A lustrous piece with excellent detail. Choice about uncirculated $650 Ex Coin Galleries 19 August 1987, lot 740. Ex Dr. John Gulick Collection.
928. Gulden, 3.45g. No Date. Obv: *REIN’ DUX IVLIGELOR’ Facing St. John the Baptist. Rx: MONE - TA DE – IVLIA Center shield surrounded by three crests in angles. Friedberg 1364. Lightly double-struck obverse. Normal wear for this piece. VF $500 Ex Dr. John Gulick Collection.
931. Prussia. Friedrich II. 1740-1786. Thaler, 22.06g. 1786A. Berlin Mint. Obv: FRIDERICUS BORUSSORUM REX Right facing Laureate head. Rx: EIN REICHS THALER Crowned eagle above flags and cannons, ‘A’ divides date below. KM332.1. A lustrous and appealing crown with excellent detail. Some adjustments marks on obverse. UNC $650
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Alfred the Great
932. Saxony. Johann Georg I. 1611-1656. Ducat, 3.45g. 1617. Obv: VERBVM DNIMANET INAETERNM Right facing halflength mantled bust of Johann Georg behind electoral coat of arms, holding sword over shoulder; IOH GEOR across fields; 16-17 flanking coat of arms. Rx: SECVLVM LVTHERANUM Right facing, half-length mantled bust of Friedrich III holding sword over shoulder behind electoral coat of arms. FRID III across fields; 15-17 flanking coat of arms. Centennial of the 95 Theses. Friedberg 2663. A welldetailed piece with some toning near the edges and excellent coloring. Extremely fine $1,000 Ex Dr. John Gulick Collection.
935. Alfred the Great, King of Wessex. 871-899. Penny, 1.50g. No Date. Obv: ALFRED REX Right facing bust of Alfred the Great. Rx: Londonia monogram. Spink 1061. An exceptionally attractive and rare piece for this issue. Choice EF $15,000 Ex Dr. John Gulick Collection. Known for vehemently defending his kingdom against the Vikings and the Danes, Alfred also united various English Kingdoms under one rule. As a skillful military leader and a promoter of education, Alfred is the only English King to be given the epithet “Great.” This extremely rare piece is arguably one of the finest examples of this type.
933. Germany. Weimar Republic. 1919-1933. 5 Reichsmark, 24.81g. 1927A. Obv: DEUTSCHES·REICH*FUNF· REICHSMARK Imperial eagle on shield, scalloped design in background. Rx: HUNDERT·JAHRE·BREMERHAVEN Crowned shield divides date below ship. 100th Anniversary of Bremerhaven. KM51. A gorgeous piece with untouched original detail. Some light toning near obverse edge. Proof $1,000 Ex Stack’s 20, 21, 22 October 1987, lot 2301. Ex Dr. John Gulick Collection.
934. Great Britian. Anglo-Saxon Middle Period, Mercia. Burgred. 852-874. Penny, 1.29g. No Date. Obv: BVRGRED REX Right facing bust. Rx: MON ETA / EADLYLF Moneyer’s name in and between lunettes. Spink 938. A rather nice example with a few copper spots on reverse. VF $400 Ex Harlan J. Berk, Ltd. 41st Buy or Bid Sale 1986, lot 75. Ex Dr. John Gulick Collection.
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Enlargement
936. Harold I. 1035-1040. Penny, 0.93g. No Date. London Mint. Obv: +HAR OLD REC Left facing diademed first bust, holding sceptre and shield. Rx: +WYNSIGE ON LVN Fleur de Lis long cross type. Trefoil of pellets in each angle. Spink 1164. A well-struck piece, slightly wrinkled as is typical. EF $1,000 Ex Dr. John Gulick Collection.
937. Edward the Confessor. 1042-1066. Penny, 1.27g. No Date. York Mint. Obv: Right facing helmeted bust with orb. Rx: Voided cross with legend. Pyramids type. B.M.C. XV. Spink 1184. A great example in a relatively high grade for this issue. EF $700
941. James I. 1603-1625. Laurel, 9.05g. No Date. Third coinage. Trefoil. Obv: IACOBVS·D·G·MA·BRI·FRAN·ET·HI·RE X Left facing crude armored laureate bust. Value to right. Rx: FACIAM EOSIN GENTEM VNAM Long cross fleury over crowned quartered shield of arms. Spink 2639. Nice deeporange gold coloring. Lightly toned and slightly double struck. VF $1,200 Ex Coin Galleries 11 February 1987, lot 456. Ex Dr. John Gulick Collection.
938. Edward III. 1327-1377. Noble, 7.63g. No Date. Obv: King standing in ship with sword and shield. Rx: Royal floriated cross in octylobe, E in center. Friedberg 89. A nice fullyround example with some coarseness in the obverse fields. Usual wear for this type of piece. Choice VF $1,500 Ex Dr. John Gulick Collection.
939. Henry VIII. 1509-1547. Angel, 5.00g. No Date. First coinage. Portcullis crowned. Obv: St. Michael slaying dragon. Rx: Cross and arms on ship. Spink 2265. A nice piece with deep yellow coloring and typical wear. VF $500
942. George II. 1727-1760. Crown, 30.02g. 1734 SEPTIMO. Obv: GEORGIVS II DEI GRATIA Left facing young laureate draped bust. Rx: M·B·ET·H·REX·F·D·B·ET·L·D·S·R·I·A·T·ET ·E Crowned cruciform shields, roses and plumes in angles, regnal year on edge in words. Spink 3686. Very nearly mint state and quite rare in this condition. Excellent detail with original luster. About UNC $1,500 Ex Coin Galleries 19 August 1987, lot 1031. Ex Dr. John Gulick Collection.
Ex Superior Galleries 30 May 1990, lot 6527. Ex Dr. John Gulick Collection.
940. Angel, 5.12g. No Date. First coinage. Castle. Obv: St. Michael slaying dragon. Rx: Cross and arms on ship. Spink 2265. A bright piece with no major distractions. VF $400
943. George IV. 1820-1830. Crown, 28.21g. 1821 SECUNDO. Obv: GEORGIUS IIII D:G: BRITANNIAR:REX F:D: Left facing laureate head. Rx: St. George on horse slaying dragon, date in exergue, B.P. to upper right, WWP under lance. Spink 3805. A bright proof-like example with delicate toning and great eye appeal. EF/AU $1,750
Ex Stack’s 29/30 April, 1 May 1987, lot 1519. Ex Dr. John Gulick Collection.
Ex Coin Galleries 13 November 1985, lot 920. Ex Dr. John Gulick Collection.
165
Gothic Crown
944. Victoria. 1837-1901. Gothic Crown, 28.29g. 1847. Obv: Left facing crowned bust of Victoria. Rx: Coat of arms surrounded by legend, date in numerals. KM 744. A choice example of dark toning and untouched detail. Extremely fine/about uncirculated $500
946. 10 Toman, 28.70g. AH1297/1879. Tehran Mint. Obv: Facing first bust of Nasir. Rx: Legend and date in inner ring. KM945. A stunning piece with bright luster and very few weak spots. NGC XF45 $6,000
Ex Coin Galleries 13 November 1985, lot 929. Ex Dr. John Gulick Collection. With a mintage of only 8,000, this crown was produced to celebrate the Gothic Revival. According to the British Mint, of all the British coins they consider this design to be the most beautiful.
947. Reza Shah Pahlavi. 1925-1941. 5000 Dinars, 23.03g. SH1306/1927. Heaton Mint. Obv: Uniformed bust 3/4 right within divides date of Ascession in SH1304. Rx: Crown above lion and sun within wreath. KM1106. Sharp detail and light toning. A choice example from the Heaton Mint Archives Collection. Proof $400 Ex Heaton Mint Archives Collection. Ex Dr. John Gulick Collection.
948. Pahlavi, 8.12g. SH1310/1931. Obv: Left facing uniformed bust of Reza Shah, legend above. Rev: Rampant lion holding sword within crowned wreath. KM1133. Mintage only 304 pieces. An extremely rare type with sharp detail. Some marks in reverse field. EF/AU $3,750
945. Iran. Nasir al-Din Shah. AH1264-1313/1848-1896. Toman, 45.89g. AH1301/1883. Tehran Mint. Obv: Facing uniformed bust of Nasir al-Din Shah. Rx: Four lines of script, plus date, within inner circle; flanking laurel and oak sprays. Crown at top, rampant lion with sword below. KM 917. Nice strike with no weak spots, a few small rim bumps. Extremely rare type. Choice extremely fine $4,500
166
949. Italian States. Florence. Republic. 1252-1422. Fiorino d’oro, 3.56g. No Date. Obv: + FLOR-ENTIA Lily of Florence. Rx: S·IOHA-NNES·B Facing St. John the Baptist, holding sceptre and vase. Friedberg 275. Partial weak-strike with some small reverse scratches, but overall a nice piece. Choice VF $650 Ex Dr. John Gulick Collection.
Extremely Rare 5 Doppie
951. Naples. Ferdinand of Aragon. 1458-1494. Coronato, 3.92g. No Date. Obv: CORONATVS:QA:LEGOTOME:CERT Right facing crowned bust. Rx: FERDINANDVS:D:G:R:SI路IER路VN Large Cross. Biaggi 1673. An attractive portrait piece with dark toning and a small edge clip. Choice VF $450
950. Genoa. Biennial Doges. 1528-1797. 5 Doppie, 33.41g. 1642. Obv: ET*REGE*EOS*1642*C*Ses* Seated Madonna with child holding sceptre. Rx: DVX*ET*GVB*REIP*GENV* Cross in center with stars in angles, legend surrounds. Friedberg 427. A gorgeous piece rarely seen in better condition. Excellent, crisp detail with beautiful, natural luster. A quality piece for any serious collector. AU $32,500 Founded before the Romans and famous for being the birthplace of Christopher Columbus, Genoa was also known for being a commanding seaport during the Middle Ages. While Genoa was technically a dominant communal republic, the colonial power fashioned itself as an oligarchy ruled by a group of merchant families. It was from these families that the Doges of Genoa were ultimately chosen.
952. Bozzolo. Giulio Cesare Gonzaga. 1552-1565. Bronze Medal, 19.69g. No Date. Obv: IV CAE CON S R I PR ET MAR Right facing, bared-headed bust of Jules Cesar de Gonzaga with elaborate scarf, armor. Rx: FRVSTRATA NON DESINAM An eagle flying above a broken tree struck by lightning. Armand II 262.7. Dark brown patina. An attractive highrelief with wear only on the high points. EF $1,300
953. Pius IV [Gian Angelo de Medici]. 1559-1565. Silver Medal, 12.13g. 1561. Obv: PIVS IIII PONT OPT MAX Left facing bust of Pius IV with Papal Stole decorated with the standing frame of Saint John the Baptist. Rx: PROVIDENTIA AVG Facing figure holding in her left hand a cornucopia and in her right hand two ears of grain over a modus with fruits of the earth. By Giovanni Antonio de Rossi. Modesti III 530. Extremely rare in silver. EF $1,900 1715 Fleet
Enlargement
954. Mexico. Philip V. 1700-1746. 8 Escudos, 26.80g. No Date. Obv: Coat of arms. Rx: Cross. Friedberg 6. Gold cob recovered from the Spanish ship sunk off the Florida Coast July
167
31, 1715. A fantastic shipwreck example, mostly round and with relatively smooth edges. Center detail on both obverse and reverse are preserved. EF $5,000 Ex Dr. John Gulick Collection. On July 31, 1715, the fleet departing from Cuba en route to Spain from the New World, sunk off the coast of present day Florida after a devastating hurricane. This particular gold cob has an interesting historical story to accompany its value. 957. Scotland. James VI. 1566-1625. Ryal, 30.08g. 1567. IACOBV S·6·DEI·GRATIA·REX·SCOTORVM Crowned arms between crowned I-R. Rx: PRO·ME·SI·MEREOR·IN·ME: Crowned sword separating hand—XXX and date. Davenport 8463. A nice piece with a lightly double-struck reverse. Nice detail overall. Choice VF $1,000 Ex. Karl Stephens, Inc. March 1988. Ex Dr. John Gulick Collection.
955. Poland. 5 Zlotych. 18.00g. 1928K. Obv: Crowned eagle with wings open, denomination and date. Rx: Right facing Winged Victory. Y18. Gently toned with exquisite luster, this piece is has fantastic eye appeal. NGC MS62 $1,200
958. Spain. Seville. Ferdinand & Isabella. 1476-1516. Double Excellente, 6.98g. No Date. Obv: Facing crowned and draped busts of Ferdinand and Isabella. Rx: Eagle displayed with crowned royal coat of arms. Friedberg 129. A well-preserved piece with lightly toned edges and nice coloring. Small cut on rim. VF $1,300 Ex Coin Galleries 27 February 1985, lot 654. Ex Dr. John Gulick Collection.
956. Russia. Nicholas I. 1825-1855. Silver Medallic Marriage Rouble, Approx 20.00g. 1841. Obv: Left facing busts, legend around, Latin script below. Rx: Monogram separating two standing figures with crown above, below 16 APRIL 1841. Davenport 288A (var). Medal commemorating the marriage of the Czarovitch Alexander, to Maria Alexandrovna. An exquisite high-relief piece with proof-like surfaces in high grade. Bold and bright luster with some light toning. NGC AU55 $15,000
959. Swiss Cantons. Bern. Thaler, 29.39g. 1795. Obv: BERNENSIS RESPUBLICA Crowned, spade arms of Bern. Rx: DOMINUS PROVIDEBIT Standing Swiss with long sword and two feathers in hat. Davenport 1759. A welldetailed specimen with light toning and great eye appeal. Choice extremely fine $350 Ex Coin Galleries 20 August 1986, lot 832. Ex Dr. John Gulick Collection.
End of Sale-Thank you Bibliography at geminiauction.com 168
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