Auction XXVII

Auction XXVII

22 M arch 13:00 Celtic, Greek and Judaean coins

Roman Provincial coins

23 M arch 13:00 R oman coins: Republican, Imperatorial, Imperial

The Mare Nostrum Hoard, Migrationary and Byzantine coins

Islamic, Medieval and World coins

The GK Collection of Russian coins

24 M arch 13:00 The GK Collection of Russian coins (Part II)

E-Live auction 6

25 M arch 13:00

The Collection of a Romanophile

The LNB Collection of J. Bursio Denarii

Location

Please note this is a purely internet and telephone based event and the auction will not be held at a public venue. To find out more about participating please see page iv & v.

No live bidding fees will apply.

Viewing

At the office of Roma Numismatics: 40 Villiers Street

London, WC2N 6NJ United Kingdom

From 27 February - 21 March 2023 Monday - friday, 09.30 - 17.30 by appointment

To assist you with making informed bidding decisions, high resolution images of our auction lots are available upon request.

LOT PICKUP WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM 13.00 ON WEDNESDAY 29 MARCH

The Team

How to Bid Commission Bidding

BID ONLINE PRIOR TO THE AUCTION, SEE BIDS UPDATED IN REAL-TIME ON THE ROMA SITE. Commission bids may be submitted prior to the auction at www.RomaNumismatics.com - these bids will be automatically executed on the website, and will then be carried over into the live auction and executed by the auctioneer on the day. Commission bids can be placed up until 12pm on the day of the sale.

Telephone bids

Bids may be placed by telephone as the auction is in progress, but are accepted only at the discretion of Roma Numismatics and at the risk of the customer. Roma Numismatics will not be held responsible for any failure to execute bids by telephone during the auction resulting from technical issues, miscommunication or any other reason. Any client wishing to bid by telephone should inform Roma Numismatics no later than 72 hours before the auction, and should have a prepared list of all the lots they wish to bid on.

Absentee bids

You may submit an absentee bid that will be executed on your behalf by Roma Numismatics. Roma Numismatics will attempt to obtain the lot for you at the lowest possible price, and will not purchase the lot for you at a price higher than the maximum you specify. This service is free and confidential. Absentee bids must be sent and received in good time.

To place absentee bids please submit your list of lots, together with your maximum bids by email, or online at www.RomaNumismatics.com.

You may also participate live online during the sale at www.RomaNumismatics.com/live-bidding. NO LIVE BIDDING FEES WILL APPLY FOR THIS SALE

Richard E Beale Managing Director & Senior Numismatist

Simon Parkin Associate Director & Numismatist

Chris Rumney UK/EU Representative, World Coinage

Italo Vecchi Consultant Specialist

Deniz Grotjohann European Representative

Periklis Mastrangelis Numismatist

Sally Oliver Associate Manager & Numismatist

Clementine Bowring Associate Manager & Numismatist

Alice Prince Client Manager

Omar Ali Finance Manager

Guillem Southwood Senior Auction Photographer

Svetlana Egorova Associate Client Manager

Joe Hazell Associate Numismatist

Lara Drew Auction Cataloguer

Emma Hewson Dispatch Administrator

Francesca Bailey Auction Cataloguer

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BID ONLINE DURING THE AUCTION, WATCH THE AUCTION LIVE ON YOUR COMPUTER. Real-time bids may be placed on the Roma Numismatics’ website at www.RomaNumismatics.com/live-bidding and at www.biddr.ch on the day of the sale. These bids will be executed live on the floor. Roma Numismatics is not responsible for any missed lots or bids due to network speed or down-time. It is advisable to register as early as possible for these services. NO LIVE BIDDING FEES WILL APPLY FOR THIS SALE.

Successful Bids

Successful bidders will be notified and invoiced normally within 24 hours of the auction. Prices realised will be published around the same time.

new service: eu deliveries via the netherlands

Conditions of Sale

1. The following Terms and Conditions apply to Bidders of all Auctions held by Roma Numismatics Ltd. By making a Bid, the Bidder agrees to these Terms and Conditions and accepts to be bound by them.

ESTIMATES

2. All estimates for Lots are in pounds sterling (£). Any other currency displayed against a Lot is indicative only for the convenience of the Bidder and does not constitute an offer by Roma Numismatics Ltd to pay in any other currency

DESCRIPTIONS

3. The details of any Lot(s), including a description of each item is contained in the Catalogue and/or on Roma Numismatics Ltd’s website.

4. All grades, descriptions and rarity information are the opinion of the cataloguer. Conditions of all Lot(s) are as they appear in the photographs displayed in the Catalogue and/or on the Roma Numismatics Ltd website. Condition reports are available upon request.

5. Bidders are encouraged to carefully examine in person any Lot(s) for which they intend or do Bid for as it is not possible to note all marks or defects or colours. Roma Numismatics Ltd makes no guarantee as to the physical quality or condition of any Lot(s).

6. Any prospective Bidders who exercise the opportunity to physically inspect and examine any Lot(s) in hand shall assume all responsibility and liability for any damage they cause in the course of such examination. Roma Numismatics Ltd shall have sole discretion in determining the value of any damage caused, which shall be promptly paid to Roma Numismatics Ltd by the prospective Bidder.

AUTHENTICITY

7. Roma Numismatics Ltd guarantees the absolute authenticity of all Lots Sold. There is no expiration to this guarantee.

BIDDING

8. Unless otherwise determined at the discretion of the auctioneer, opening Bids will be 60% of the estimate unless there are existing higher Bids.

9. A Bid, once placed, is final. A Bid cannot be revoked.

10. A Bid is placed:

10.1. In the case of a Live (Printed) Auction when the auctioneer acknowledges a Bid and communicates to the other Bidders participating in the Auction that the Bid price has been altered accordingly; or

10.2. In the case of an Absentee (mail or other written) Bid, when a Bid is received by Roma Numismatics Ltd no later than one hour before the commencement of an Auction at which the Lot is due to be auctioned. It is the Bidder’s responsibility to ensure that Absentee Bid(s), whether submitted via the Roma Numismatics Ltd website or by other acceptable means, are accurate and placed in accordance with this sub-clause. Bids received after this point are not guaranteed to be accepted, but when accepted and executed the Bidder is subject to the same terms above.

11. If your Bid is successful You will become the Buyer of that particular Lot and be liable to pay the Hammer Price, plus those applicable charges and fees set out in the “Charges & Payment” section in these Terms and Conditions.

12. Roma Numismatics Ltd shall have absolute discretion to accept or decline any Bid, withdraw Lots from sale or re-open Bidding for any Lot at any time, whether before or after a Lot is Sold, until such time as the Buyer takes physical possession of the Lot, in circumstances which may include, but are not limited to (1) a bidding error has occurred (2) Roma Numismatics Ltd becomes aware of a dispute in relation to the Lot, Sale or Auction (3) Roma Numismatics Ltd has not received payment for the Lot.

13. For the protection of Absentee Bids, no ‘unlimited’ or ‘buy’ Bids will be accepted by Roma Numismatics Ltd.

14. When identical Bids are received for the same Lot, preference will be given to the Bid received first. Absentee Bids will take preference over a floor Bid.

15. Some Lots may carry a Reserve. Roma Numismatics Ltd reserves the right not to sell a Lot below the Reserve, or will repurchase the item on behalf of the consignor or for the account of Roma Numismatics Ltd. If a Reserve exists Roma Numismatics Ltd reserves the right to Bid on any Lot on behalf of the consignor up to the amount of the Reserve against any other Bidders.

CHARGES & PAYMENT

16. A Buyer’s Fee equivalent to 22.5% of the Hammer Price will be added to the Hammer Price and payable by the Buyer to Roma Numismatics Ltd in accordance with these Terms and Conditions:

17. VAT at the applicable rate (applicable to customers within the UK) is due on the Buyer’s Fee only, not the Hammer Price. Roma Numismatics Ltd registered VAT number is 901478828.

18. A 2% surcharge of the Hammer Price will be applied to Bids submitted via post or email, rather than being placed on the Roma Numismatics Ltd website.

19. Invoices are due immediately upon receipt by the Buyer. Roma Numismatics Ltd reserves the right to charge interest on invoices that remain unpaid for 1 calendar month after the date they become due at the rate of 2% per calendar month, except where prior agreement has been made with regards to payment.

20. The Buyer is responsible for paying all bank charges and any shipping and insurance costs.

21. Invoices are sent to Buyers by email. They can also be found listed under ‘Pending Invoices’ in the ‘My Account’ section of the Roma Numismatics Ltd’ website, and can be paid via the website by selecting the preferred payment option of BACS, PayPal or Credit/Debit card. Cash payments are no longer accepted. PayPal and Credit/Debit card payments are accepted only for invoices of £2,500 total value or less.

DELIVERY, COLLECTION & STORAGE

22. The Buyer will be required to satisfy the requirements of Roma Numismatics Ltd AML Policy before the Lot will be released. Buyers may, subject to payment of any fees or charges for delivery, either:

22.1. Collect Lots Sold to them from Roma Numismatics Ltd in person from the main office at 40 Villiers Street, London, WC2N 6NJ by prior appointment, or

22.2. Arrange with Roma Numismatics Ltd to send or deliver the Lot to the Buyer’s nominated address by post, courier or such other method as agreed with Roma Numismatics Ltd.

23. Buyers shall at all times be liable for any costs or expenses incurred by Roma Numismatics Ltd associated with the Buyer’s nominated delivery method. Roma Numismatics Ltd standard delivery costs are set out in the Catalogue and on the Roma Numismatics Ltd website. Any additional costs will be as displayed in the Catalogue and /or the Roma Numismatics Ltd website.

24. Roma Numismatics Ltd shall store any Lot following Sale until shipment to the Buyer without charge.

RISK & TITLE

25. Risk in the Lot passes to the Buyer when the Buyer takes physical possession of the Lot.

26. Title remains with the owner until such time as all sums owed to Roma Numismatics Ltd, by the Buyer, have been received by Roma Numismatics Ltd as cleared funds into Roma Numismatics Ltd’s bank account.

IMPORT/EXPORT RESTRICTIONS

27. Any Lot that is Sold that is subject to United States of America (US) or German import restrictions must be legally imported into the US or Germany (unless otherwise explicitly stated in the Lot description). Any such Lot will be accompanied by documentation proving that the Lot was outside of the source country prior to the Effective Date, or a valid export certificate issued by the country of origin. Any Lot subject to US or German import restrictions that may not lawfully

Conditions of Sale (Continued)

be imported into these countries will be clearly indicated as such in the Catalogue with a notice stating ‘not suitable for US/German market’.

28. Our commitment to ethical and responsible provenance ensures that the Seller affirms each Lot is Their lawful property to sell, and where cultural property restrictions may exist, that it meets the requirements to be legally imported into the US and/or Germany

29. Roma Numismatics Ltd will endeavour to carry out importations on behalf of the Buyer to enable shipment of that Lot to the Buyer ’s nominated location but the Buyer is ultimately responsible for ensuring compliance with import regulations and procedures. However, any Buyer, whether based in the US, Germany or elsewhere, who purchases a Lot that cannot be lawfully imported into either the US or Germany, with the intention that the Lot is sent to either of those jurisdictions, shall be deemed to purchase the Lot and will be liable to pay all fees, charges and cost that become due when Knocked Down.

30. Roma Numismatics Ltd will not, and will not be compelled to, under any circumstances accept instructions from any person, make arrangements or be required to forward or send any Lot that cannot be lawfully imported to any jurisdiction to that jurisdiction.

31. Roma Numismatics Ltd undertakes to obtain export licences for those Lots that require them.

RETURNS

32. If a Buyer suspects a Lot is not authentic they must notify Roma Numismatics Ltd as soon as possible. Rejection by any third party grading service for any reason will not by itself constitute grounds for return of the Lot(s). The Buyer must support any claim of non-authenticity by valid technical evidence provided by at least 2 (two) separate qualified firms or individuals. A Lot may only be returned to Roma Numismatics Ltd if it is agreed to be not authentic by Roma Numismatics Ltd.

33. A Lot may be returned to Roma Numismatics Ltd within 21 (twenty one) days of the Sale Date if it is materially different from its description.

34. In circumstances where a Lot is returned by a Buyer pursuant to clause 32 or 33 and Roma Numismatics Ltd agrees to a refund, the amount to be refunded to the Buyer shall be (1) the Hammer Price (2) the Buyer’s Fee (3) the surcharge paid under clause 18 (if any). In all other cases, Roma Numismatics Ltd is not liable to refund or pay a Buyer for any fees or costs associated with returning a Lot to Roma Numismatics Ltd or the refund of any shipping charges or external or 3rd party costs.

35. All refunds will be made in Pounds Sterling unless otherwise agreed. Roma Numismatics Ltd is not liable for any exchange rate differences.

FALIURE TO PAY

36. Roma Numismatics Ltd is under no obligation to release a Lot to a Buyer until such time as the Buyer has paid Roma Numismatics Ltd. All sums that are due or which may become due as set out in these Terms and Conditions.

37. Lots will be held by Roma Numismatics Ltd for a period of 3 calendar months from the date the Lot is Knocked Down unless otherwise agreed. After 3 (three) calendar months Roma Numismatics Ltd shall be entitled to cancel the Sale and re-auction the Lot in accordance with clause 12.

LIMITATION ON LIABILITY

38. Roma Numismatics Ltd shall not be liable to You for any loss of profits, loss of sales or business, loss of agreement or contracts, loss of anticipated savings, loss of or damage to goodwill or indirect or consequential loss.

39. Our liability to You is capped at the amount You have paid to Us in respect of a Lot.

40. Roma Numismatics Ltd does not exclude or limit in any way its liability to You where it would be unlawful.

GENERAL

41. Roma Numismatics Ltd shall not be in breach of these Terms and Conditions nor liable for delay in performing, or failure to perform, any of its obligations under these Terms and Conditions if such delay or failure result from events, circumstances or causes beyond its reasonable control.

42. Any notice or other communication given to a party under or in connection with these Terms and Conditions shall be in writing, addressed to that party at its registered office (if it is a company) or such other address as that party may have specified to the other party in writing, and shall be delivered personally, sent by pre-paid first class post or other next working day delivery service, commercial courier or email.

43. A notice or other communication shall be deemed to have been received if delivered personally, when left at the address referred to in clause 43: if sent by prepaid first class post or other next working day delivery service, at 9.00 am on the second business day after posting; if delivered by commercial courier, on the date and at the time that the courier’s delivery receipt is signed; or, if sent by email, one business day after transmission.

44. These Terms and Conditions and any document produced by Roma Numismatics Ltd or otherwise mentioned herein constitutes the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes and extinguishes all previous agreements, promises, assurances, warranties, representations and understandings between them, whether written or oral, relating to its subject matter.

45. Roma Numismatics Ltd will only use Your personal information as set out in Our privacy policy, a copy of which can be viewed at: https://www.romanumismatics.com/privacy-policy. We may amend this policy from time to time.

46. Roma Numismatics Ltd’s Anti-Money Laundering Policy (AML Policy) sets out Roma Numismatics Ltd’s policy for ensuring compliance with anti-money laundering legislation that applies to some of its activities.

47. We may amend these Terms and Conditions from time to time.

48. No failure or delay by Roma Numismatics Ltd to exercise any right or remedy provided under these Terms and Conditions or by law shall constitute a waiver of that or any other right or remedy, nor shall it prevent or restrict the further exercise of that or any other right or remedy.

49. Nobody else has any rights under these Terms and Conditions.

50. If any provision or part-provision of these Terms and Conditions is or becomes invalid, illegal or unenforceable, it shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid, legal and enforceable. If such modification is not possible, the relevant provision or part-provision shall be deemed deleted. Any modification to or deletion of a provision or part-provision under this clause shall not affect the validity and enforceability of the rest of these Terms and Conditions.

51. These Terms and Conditions and any dispute or claim (including non-contractual disputes or claims) arising out of or in connection with it or its subject matter or formation, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of England and Wales.

52. Each party irrevocably agrees that the courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute or claim (including non-contractual disputes or claims) arising out of or in connection with these Terms and Conditions or its subject matter or formation.

PAYMENT METHODS:

Invoices can found listed under ‘Pending Invoices’ in the ‘My Account’ section of the Roma Numismatics’ website, and can be paid directly through the site by selecting the preferred payment option of BACS or Credit/Debit card.

Credit/Debit Card: For invoices with a total value of £2,500 or less.

Bank Transfer: Barclays Bank, 22 The Borough, Farnham, GU9 7NH, UK | Account Name: Roma Numismatics

IBAN: GB90 BUKB 2031 0663 0101 39 |

AUCTION REWARDS TERMS AND CONDITIONS

MEMBERSHIP

1. We reserve the right not to enrol individuals with resident addresses in certain countries and/or regions or restrict transfers and changes of registered address. Such countries and/or regions are subject to change however reasonable advance notice will be given in circumstances where the removal of a country and/or region will affect the Membership of existing Members.

2. Membership is offered at our discretion and we may refuse Membership to any applicant or revoke said Membership at any time.

3. Membership applicants must state their full name, date of birth, preferred mailing address, email address and telephone number for correspondence.

4. Risk (for example, theft or unauthorised or fraudulent redemption) associated with Points passes to the Member as soon as Points are recorded on the Member ’s account, or otherwise awarded to the Member. We are not liable for unauthorised or fraudulent redemptions. You are the holder of Points and are responsible for their security. We are the owner of all Points and they remain our property at all times.

5. Membership will terminate automatically in the event of the expiry of all Points when a Member has not earned or redeemed or bought for 24 consecutive months; or upon the death of a Member, Points accumulated but unused at the time of death shall be cancelled together with Membership of the Scheme; or if we reasonably believe that you have committed an act of Fraud or Misconduct against us. The Member shall be liable to us for the full price of any goods or services obtained wholly or partly as a result of such Fraud and/or Misconduct and any legal fees incurred by us.

6. Members may terminate their Membership by contacting us stating that they no longer wish to be a Member. Any such termination will result in a loss of all Points and does not relieve the Member of any continuing obligations under these Terms and Conditions.

7. In the case of Fraud and/or Misconduct, we may cancel all accrued and accruing Points of the Member and any Rewards.

EARNING POINTS

8. We will record Points in the Member’s personal account. Points cannot be redeemed until we have recorded it in the Member’s personal account. It will take up to 48 hours for points to be credited to the Member’s account.

9. Further details of how Points are earned and the applicable earn rates are contained on the Website.

10. Points may not be earned under the Scheme if any form of discount or preferential treatment is also received for the same activity. In the event we grant any Points in such circumstances we reserve the right to cancel the Points without notice to you.

11. Points can only be earned on the cash value of the hammer price of lots purchased at auction. Buyers’ Premiums, Vendors’ Commissions, shipping charges, external fees and any other cost or charge is not eligible. The award of Points will be calculated in accordance with the information published on our Website.

REDEEMING POINTS

12. Points are redeemable for products and service as described on the Website, and at the redemption values stated. In the case of auction lots, Points are redeemable only against the Hammer Value in blocks of 2000 points. Members are responsible for paying Buyers’ Premiums, taxes, fees, charges and surcharges.

13. Points may be redeemed online at the Website or via the Office in accordance with such procedures that may be in force from time to time for the issue of Rewards, as set out on the Website. Redemptions can only be requested by the Member.

REFUNDS

14. When Points have been used as part payment, the Points will be refundable only where the base product is refundable. Partial refunds will be credited to the Member’s Points account up to the value of the original part payment, with any remainder credited to the original method of payment together.

TRANSFERRING POINTS

15. Except as otherwise provided by us and communicated to the Member and subject to any stated limitations, Points are not transferable in any way (whether from person to person, account to account, statement to statement, Scheme to any other loyalty type scheme or otherwise.

16. Any purported purchase, sale, transfer, unauthorised use (including bartering), procurement or redemption of Points issued or awarded to another person or any other use of Points contrary to these Terms and Conditions will, unless explicitly authorised, constitute a fundamental breach by the Member of these Terms and Conditions and therefore the contract between us.

17. Other than as provided for herein Points are not redeemable for cash, refundable or exchangeable for anything else. At no time may Points be purchased by, sold to, bartered or otherwise transferred to other persons.

BUYING POINTS FOR YOURSELF

18. The Buyer can buy a maximum of 1,000,000 Points in any one calendar year.

19. In normal circumstances Points will be available to use immediately but it could take up to 3 working days for Points to appear on your account.

20. Points can only be bought online at the Website. The Buyer must be a member of the Scheme, members whose accounts have expired will not be able to buy Points.

21. Buying Points will be considered as collecting Points and will reset the 24 month expiry rule.

22. You have the right to cancel contracts for the buying of Points within 14 days without giving any reason provided the Points have not been used. The cancellation period will expire after 14 days from the day on which you purchase the Points. To exercise the right to cancel, you must inform us of your decision to cancel this contract by a clear statement (e.g letter sent by post or email). If you cancel, we will reimburse to you all payment received from you. We will make the reimbursement without undue delay, and not later than 14 days after the day on which we were informed about your decision to cancel this contract.

23. Points which are subsequently refunded will not constitute activity for the purposes of the 24 month expiry rule.

BUYING POINTS AS A GIFT

24. The Buyer of a Gift can buy a maximum of 1,000,000 Points as a gift for any number of Members, in any one calendar year. Members may not buy Points as a Gift to their own account. The Buyer can only buy Points for one Recipient per transaction.

25. A Gift Recipient of bought Points can only receive a maximum of 1,000,000 Points in any one calendar year in aggregate, irrespective of the number of Buyers.

26. In order to buy Points as a gift, the Buyer will need to know the Recipient’s full name, email address and client number. The Buyer should ensure that the Recipient has not received more than 1,000,000 Points, including the proposed Points transaction, in that calendar year. Points may not be bought for a Member whose account has expired. Buying Points will reset the 24 month Points expiry rule for the recipient. The Buyer must not demand and the Recipient must not offer any value or value in kind for Points. Such activity or any other use of Points contrary to these Terms and Conditions will constitute a fundamental breach by the member of these Terms and Conditions and therefore the contract between us and the Member. In the event of such a breach, we reserve the right at any time in our absolute discretion to terminate the Membership of any member.

AUCTION REWARDS TERMS AND CONDITIONS (Continued)

POINTS EXPIRY

27. If a Member has not earned or redeemed Points or bought or transferred Points for 24 consecutive months, all Points that have accrued to that date will expire.

TIER STATUS

28. Roma Numismatics Ltd reserves the right to alter the rules for earning Tier status at any time.

29. Seasonal gifts will be sent to qualifying buyer Members with a paid invoice during their tier year

30. Seasonal gifts will be sent to qualifying seller Members who have consigned to auction during their tier year

31. Reimbursement requests for travel and accommodation to auctions held by Roma Numismatics Ltd. will be granted to Members who have consigned a minimum of value of £100,000 to the auction they wish to attend. Reimbursements will be limited to £1,500 per Member

VARIATION OF CURRENCY

32. We may, from time to time, change the base currency or the name of the currency used by us either in whole or in relation to any country or region. We will provide reasonable notice to Members of any such change.

CHANGES OR CANCELLATIONS BY YOU

33. Rewards, once selected and confirmed, are considered final. No changes or amendments are permitted.

CHANGES OR CANCELLATIONS BY US

34. We reserve the right to amend or cancel any redemption of points subject to the terms and conditions set out in our Terms and Conditions.

LIABILITY

35. We will not be liable for any Loss resulting from alteration to, or termination of, the Scheme or the right to earn or redeem Points, except for Loss caused by our own negligence or wilful misconduct. We do not accept liability where any failure to provide any services in accordance with the contract or any other form of loss or damage is due to your own fault, or is the result of our compliance with any instruction, request or direction given by you. In no event will we be liable for any direct, indirect, special, punitive, exemplary or consequential losses or damages of whatsoever kind arising out of access to, or the use of this website or any information contained in it, including loss of profit and the like whether or not in the contemplation of the parties, whether based on breach of contract, tort (including negligence), product liability or otherwise, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.

36. We will not be liable for any loss if, by reason of local legal or regulatory prohibitions or restrictions, the Scheme or the whole or any part of the Services cannot be made available in certain countries or to certain Members.

37. We make no representations as to any income, use, excise or other tax liability of Members as a result of their Membership. Such a tax liability may arise, for example, if a Member obtains Points and/or Rewards as a result of business expenditure. Members are advised to check with their accountant or tax adviser for further information. The Member is solely responsible for any tax liability incurred as a result of Membership.

GOVERNING LAW

38. To the extent permissible by local law or regulation these Terms and Conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with English law. Any provision of these Terms and Conditions declared void or unenforceable by any competent authority or court shall, to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability, be deemed severable and shall not affect the other provisions remaining which shall continue unaffected. If there is any conflict in meaning between the English language version of these Terms and Conditions and any version or translation of these Terms and Conditions in any other language, the English language version shall prevail.

DATA PROTECTION

39. We will process your Data in accordance with the Privacy Policy which can be found at the Website under the heading “Privacy Policy”,

USE OF WEBSITE

40. Your use of this website indicates your agreement to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.

PROPRIETARY RIGHTS

41. All Materials on this website, the appearance, organisation and layout of this website, the underlying software code and the underlying data are subject to trade marks, copyright, database rights and other registered and unregistered intellectual property rights which are owned either directly by Roma Numismatics Ltd. Unless otherwise authorised within these Terms and Conditions, You must not copy, modify, alter, publish, broadcast, distribute, sell or transfer (whether in whole or in part) any Material on this website or the underlying software code or underlying data.

CHANGES TO OR TERMINATION OF THE SCHEME

42. We may terminate a Member’s right to earn or redeem Points or terminate the Scheme.

43. We will give reasonable notice of such termination of the Scheme or a Member’s right to earn or redeem Points issued by us.

44. We can change the Scheme, the Points, and the Rewards we provide. We will give you reasonable notice but this could depend on the nature of the change and the notice that we may receive from our Partners. Examples of the action, which we might take, include modifying or withdrawing the right to earn Points or amending the number of Points required to purchase a particular Reward. Members shall be deemed to have agreed to any modifications, withdrawal, amendment or addition to Rewards or the Scheme if, after we have notified you of the changes, you continue to participate in the Scheme. Members who do not wish to accept changes to the Scheme may terminate their Membership.

45. We may, at any time, amend the time limit on how long you have to spend any Points. We will give you reasonable notice.

46. We have the right to change these Terms and Conditions.

BRITANNIA

COINS OF THE CELTS

Britannia, Cantiaci AV 1/4 Stater. Circa 40-35 BC. Blank / Celticised horse to left; pellet-in-annulets around, corded triangle above, box with cross below. ABC 198; Van Arsdell 151; Hobbs 2469. 1.34g, 12mm.

1. 900

Good Extremely Fine.

Acquired from Morton & Eden; Reportedly ex Brasted/Westerham Hoard (2001-2009).

Britannia, the Trinovantes & Catuvellauni AV Stater. Cunobelin, circa AD 20-43. Grain ear with central stalk and tendrils at base; [C]A-M[V] flanking / Horse rearing to right; branch above, pellet and CVNO below on exergual line. ABC 2798; Van Arsdell 2027-1; SCBC 288. 5.49g, 16mm, 9h.

Extremely Fine. Rare.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 73, 23 July 2020, lot 186; Ex Trausnitz Collection, Nomos AG, Auction 19, 17 November 2019, lot 4; Purchased from Münzhandlung Athena, 23 March 1993.

NORTHWEST GAUL

Very Rare

Northwest Gaul, the Carnutes AV Hemistater. Circa 50-30 BC. Head to left / Eagle flying to right, wings spread, holding beaded wheel; crescent and besant behind. D&T 2564; LT 6074, Scheers, Lyon 763. 3.62g, 15mm, 2h.

Extremely Fine. Very Rare; in excellent condition for the type.

Ex Phidias (Paris), vente numismatique, 9 June 2021, lot 462.

NORTHEAST GAUL

Northeast Gaul, the Remi AV Stater. Circa late 2nd -mid 1st century BC. Devolved and disjointed laureate male head to right; three stars before / Stylised horse to left; V within pelleted border above, pellet-in-annulet within pelleted border below. D&T 174; LT 8799 (Treveri). 6.16g, 18mm, 12h.

Good Very Fine.

Ex Leu Numismatik AG, Web Auction 13, 15 August 2020, lot 4; Ex Auctiones GmbH, E-Auction 38, 21 June 2015, lot 1.

2. 600

3.

4.

CENTRAL EUROPE

The Finest Example for 20+ Years

Central Europe, the Boii AR Obol. Ameise Type. Circa 2nd - 1st century BC. Wing with curling ornaments / Ant seen from above; pellet in diamond to right. Dembski, MÖNG 1991, 6; Lanz 106 var. (no pellet in diamond). 1.07g, 10mm, 8h.

Near Extremely Fine; stunning rainbow iridescent tone, the finest example of the type to come to auction in the last 20 years. Extremely Rare.

Central Europe, the Vindelici AV Stater. Regenbogenschüsselchen Type II C. Circa 2nd - 1st century BC. Bird’s head to left; beak between two pellets within wreath open to right / Six pellets within torque. LT 9427; Kellner 2327 Type II D; Castelin 1068-70; Dembski 446-8; Flesche Coll. 303-4. 7.57g, 18mm.

Near Extremely Fine; areas of flat strike. Acquired from Gorny & Mosch Giessener Münzhandlung.

CELTS IN EASTERN EUROPE

Celts in Eastern Europe AR Tetradrachm. Baumreiter Type. Circa 3rd century BC. Celticised, bearded head wearing reversed laurel wreath to right / Rider on horseback to left, wearing helmet with large crest terminating in annulet, holding leafless branch or small tree; animalistic symbol before, floral ornament below. Göbl, OTA pl. 12, 129/2-5; Kent/Mays, BMC I pl. 5, 65 & 67; Lanz 416-420; Pink 129-30. 13.82g, 26mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine; attractive cabinet tone.

From a private European collection.

1,200

Celts in Eastern Europe AR Tetradrachm. Baumreiter Type. Circa 3rd century BC. Celticised, bearded head wearing reversed laurel wreath to right / Rider on horseback to left, wearing helmet with large crest terminating in annulet, holding leafless branch or small tree; animalistic symbol before, floral ornament below. Göbl, OTA pl. 12, 129/2-5; Kent/Mays, BMC I pl. 5, 65 & 67; Lanz 416-420; Pink 129-30. 13.90g, 26mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine; attractive cabinet tone over lustrous metal.

From a private European collection.

1,200

5.

6.

7.

8.

12.

Celts in Eastern Europe AR Tetradrachm. Verkehrter Lorbeerkranz Type. Circa 3rd century BC. Celticised, laureate and bearded head of Zeus to right / Rider on horseback to right, holding reins and palm branch behind, on which a bird perches. Cf. Göbl, OTA pl. 29, 340/2; Lanz 675; Pink 340-1; Castelin 1335. 13.48g, 25mm, 6h.

Good Very Fine; area of corrosion on edge (12-3h obv., 3-6h rev.), otherwise bright, lustrous metal.

From a private European collection.

Celts in Eastern Europe AR Tetradrachm. Kegelreiter Type. Transylvania, circa 2nd century BC. Celticised, laureate and bearded head of Zeus to right / Rider on horseback to left; pellet in annulet in left field. Göbl, OTA pl. 27, 312/2; Dembski 1235; Flesche 679; Lanz 660 var. (no pellet in annulet); Pink 312. 13.11g, 25mm, 2h.

Good Very Fine; minor area of corrosion at 12h on obv., otherwise bright, lustrous metal. Very Rare.

From a private European collection.

Celts in Eastern Europe AR Tetradrachm. Kegelreiter Type. Transylvania, circa 2nd century BC. Celticised, laureate and bearded head of Zeus to right / Rider on horseback to left. Göbl, OTA pl. 27, 312/2 var. (no pellet in annulet); Dembski 1235 var. (same); Flesche 679 var. (same); Lanz 660; Pink 311. 13.53g, 25mm, 2h.

Good Very Fine; bright, lustrous metal. Very Rare.

From a private European collection.

Celts in Eastern Europe AR Tetradrachm. Imitating Philip II of Macedon. Circa 2nd century BC. Laureate head of Zeus to right / ΦIΛIΠ, rider on horseback to right, holding palm; serpent below. Göbl, OTA 14; LT -; Pink -; Sergeev -. 13.44g, 27mm, 9h.

Good Very Fine. Very Rare.

9.

11.

10.

Celts in Eastern Europe AR Tetradrachm. Imitating Philip II of Macedon. Circa 2nd century BC. Laureate head of Zeus to left / Rider on horseback to right; dotted line below, annulet(?) before. Pink 285 var. (rev. symbols); LT -; Sergeev -; Lanz -, but for similar style, cf. 733 (Monsichelreiter Type, head and rider right); Roma E-72, 8 (same dies). 12.56g, 22mm, 10h.

Good Very Fine; attractive old cabinet tone. Very rare and apparently unpublished.

Extremely Rare

600

Celts in Eastern Europe AR Tetradrachm. Imitating Philip II of Macedon. Circa 2nd century BC. Laureate head of Zeus to right / Rider on horseback to right, holding palm; wreath before. LT - ; Lanz -; Pink -; Sergeev -. 13.50g, 26mm, 5h.

Near Extremely Fine. Extremely rare with this reverse symbol.

Extremely Rare

Celts in Eastern Europe AR Tetradrachm. Artemiskopf Type. Circa 2nd - 1st century BC. Head of Artemis to right, quiver behind / Stylised rider on horseback to left; labrys below. Göbl, OTA 281; Lanz 579 var. (no shield surround on obv., rev. of different style); Prokopov, Silver 805 var. corr. (O3/R- [unlisted rev. die]; symbol on rev. not noted). 7.61g, 30mm, 12h.

Good Very Fine. Extremely Rare.

13.

14.

15.

17.

COINS OF THE GREEKS

One of Only 2 Known

Etruria, Populonia AR Unit. 4th century BC. Amphora / Large I (mark of value). Unpublished, for obv. type, cf. EC I, 129; Roma XVI, 9 (hammer: £2,400). 0.98g, 11mm.

Extremely Fine. Exceedingly Rare; unpublished in the standard references and only one other specimen on CoinArchives.

Acquired from Artemide Aste s.r.l. (San Marino).

This newly discovered series with a clear mark of value seems to be on a similar silver unit weight standard to series EC I, 12-16 and 17-19. The use of an amphora as the principal design should of course not surprise us considering its appearance on EC I, 129 and (albeit in more elaborate form) on EC I, series 1-3 formerly attributed to Pisae.

One of Five Known

Etruria, Populonia AR Unit. 4th century BC. Eagle with closed wings standing to right / I (mark of value). Unpublished in the standard references. For similar examples from different dies cf. Roma XXI, 9; E-77, 108; X, 16 and 17. 1.19g, 13mm.

Very Fine. Extremely Rare; one of five recorded examples.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XXII, 7 October 2021, lot 125.

Etruria, Populonia AR 20 Asses. 3rd century BC. Facing head of Metus, hair bound with diadem; OX.:.XO (mark of value) below / Blank. EC I, 54.1943 (O24); SNG ANS 83-4; HN Italy 152. 8.44g, 24mm.

Extremely Fine.

Acquired from Artemide Aste s.r.l. (San Marino).

Extremely Rare

Samnium, Meles Cast Æ Sextans. Time of Hannibal, 216-210 BC. Bearded head of Hercules-Baal to right, club over shoulder; •• (mark of value) behind / African elephant with mahout advancing to left. ICC 325; Campana, PN 83, 1995, pp. 283-8, 2 A/a; Haeberlin p. 175, 9 pl. 69, 40; HN Italy 442; HGC 1, 343. 20.65g, 28mm, 12h.

Good Very Fine. Extremely rare with elephant to left.

From the inventory of a UK dealer.

Meles was a Samnite oppidum which Hannibal occupied as a base for his supply train; the precise location of which is unknown. The town was retaken by Rome in 210 BC. The coin types are derived from Barcid issues from Spain (cf. ACIP 553 and for discussion see: E.S.G Robinson, Essays Mattingly, p. 40).

Campania, Cales AR Didrachm. Circa 265-240 BC. Head of Athena to right, wearing crested Corinthian helmet; branch behind neck / Nike in biga galloping to left, holding reins and kentron; CALENO below. HN Italy 434; Sambon 901 var. (different style of branch); SNG ANS -; Künker 273, 72 (same dies); HGC 1, 374. 7.10g, 22mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine. Rare with this control symbol.

From the inventory of a UK dealer.

Lucania, Herakleia AR Diobol. Circa 433-420 BC. Head of Athena to right, wearing Attic helmet decorated with hippocamp / Herakles kneeling to right, strangling lion; HE above. HN Italy 1360; Van Keuren 38-40; SNG ANS 17 (same dies); McClean 826-7; HGC 1, 984. 1.19g, 12mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine.

From a private European collection; Acquired from Dix Noonan Webb Ltd.

20.

Delivered from Plague by the Intervention of Apollo

Lucania, Metapontion AR Stater. Circa 540-510 BC. Ear of barley with seven grains on each side; META downwards to left, grasshopper to right; raised and braided dotted border around / Incuse barley ear; dolphin upwards to left in linear relief. Noe 102 (2 examples); HN Italy 1472; HGC 1, 1027. 7.95g, 28mm, 12h.

Good Extremely Fine; very attractive old cabinet tone. Extremely Rare. An issue of great fascination.

Ex Long Valley River Collection, Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XX, 30 October 2020, lot 17; Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XII, 29 September 2016, lot 24; Ex B.R.H. Collection, privately purchased c.1980s in Munich.

The most desirable of all the incuse types of Metapontion, this remarkable and brief series comprising only four known obverse dies for the staters and one for a third stater marks the first usage of adjunct symbols on the coinage of Metapontion. A series of great fascination, the meaning of the grasshopper and the dolphin has been a subject of debate for many years. Noe (The Coinage of Metapontum, p. 7-9) advocated the symbols as representing the badges of the moneyers’ houses, an argument not dissimilar to that which led the early archaic Athenian coins to be called ‘wappenmünzen’. Lenormant’s view that the insect has a propitiatory significance is rejected with the derisory rhetorical question “there may have been a plague of locusts but could there have been a plague of dolphins?”, while avoiding trying to explain its significance.

Babelon (Traité I, pp. 1395-1396) proposed a punning reference to the hero Alybas, father of Metabos, and legendary founder of the city, however the Greek word he proposes to mean locust is incorrect, and the argument founders, still failing to explain the dolphin. It is most logical to follow Lenormant and view the appearance of the grasshopper-locust on the coins as being a propitiatory emblem or commemorating the deliverance of the city from a plague of locusts through the intervention of Apollo. Indeed, the god is closely associated with afflictions (and the relief thereof), and had as one of his epithets ‘Parnopios’, from πάρνοψ, “locust” - the expeller of locusts. Given that the dolphin was both a form he had taken and one of his sacred animals, as well as being a punning allusion to him as Apollo Delphinios, it seems eminently reasonable to determine the link between the two symbols as being in reference to a plague of locusts whose abatement was attributed to the intervention of Apollo. That the grasshopper-locust symbol recurs several times more throughout the extensive coinage of Metapontion and at appreciable intervals is hardly suggestive of descendants of a particular family holding office, as Noe suggested, but rather more likely indicative of recurrent swarms threatening the principle source of the city’s wealth and food.

Ex Stack’s Bowers Galleries (& Ponterio), Sale 177 - ANA Auction Sess. B, 13 August 2013, lot 11010.

7,500

Lucania, Metapontion AR Stater. Circa 540-510 BC. Ear of barley with seven grains on each side; META upwards to left / Incuse ear of barley with seven grains. Noe 133 (same dies); SNG ANS 217 (same dies); HN Italy 1479; HGC 1, 1027. 7.87g, 27mm, 12h. Good Very Fine; ancient graffito to rev. underneath light cabinet tone.

Lucania, Metapontion AR Stater. Circa 510-470 BC. Ear of barley with seven grains on each side; META upwards to right / Incuse ear of barley with seven grains. Noe Class IX, 185; HN Italy 1482; HGC 1, 1028.

NGC graded Ch XF 5/5 - 3/5 (#4936366-002).

Acquired from Classical Numismatic Group; Accompanied by old envelope from Coin Galleries (New York).

Lucania, Metapontion AR Stater. Circa 430-400 BC. Head of Demeter to right, hair bound in crossed fillet; HYΓIEIA along neck truncation / Barley ear of six grains with leaf to left; [ME] upwards to right, T below leaf. Noe 413 (same obv. die); HN Italy 1516; SNG ANS 322 (same obv. die); HGC 1, 1042. 7.68g, 21mm, 1h.

Extremely Fine; somewhat weakly struck. Rare.

Acquired from Artemide Aste s.r.l. (San Marino).

The delightful obverse die used to strike this piece included the inscription HYΓIEIA along the neck truncation, which Noe (following Head) took as identifying the type, or possibly as an epithet.

Lucania, Metapontion AR Stater. Circa 340-330 BC. Phi-, magistrate. Wreathed head of Demeter to right, wearing triple pendant earring and necklace and veil / Ear of barley with leaf to left; mouse to left on leaf, Φ below, META downwards in right field. Johnston Class A, 8.8 (same dies); HN Italy 1570; SNG Lockett 412 (same dies); BMC 122 = Weber 775 (same dies); SNG ANS 419 (same obv. die) and 421 (same rev. die); HGC 1, 1061. 7.64g, 23mm, 3h.

Near Extremely Fine; pleasant dark cabinet tone.

From a private European collection.

24.

27.

Lucania, Metapontion AR Stater. Circa 340-330 BC. S- and Ami-, magistrates. Head of Leukippos to right, wearing Corinthian helmet; [ΛEYKIΠΠO]Σ above, hound seated to left in left field, Σ below neck truncation / Ear of barley with seven grains and leaf to right, from which dove is alighting; META upwards in left field, A[M] below leaf. Johnston Class B, 3.8-10 (same obv. die); HN Italy 1576; SNG ANS 447 (same obv. die); BMC 79 (same obv. die); McClean 949 (same obv. die); HGC 1, -. 7.95g, 20mm, 12h.

Near Mint State; attractive old cabinet tone.

Acquired from Classical Numismatic Group; uncertain old dealer’s ticket included noting inv. # 5016.

1,200

Lucania, Metapontion AR Stater. Circa 340-330 BC. S- and Ami-, magistrates. Head of Leukippos to right, wearing Corinthian helmet; ΛΕΥΚΙΠΠΟΣ above, hound seated to left in left field, Σ below neck truncation / Ear of barley with seven grains and leaf to right, from which dove is alighting; META upwards in left field, A[MI] below leaf. Johnston Class B, 3.14-16 (same obv. die); HN Italy 1576; SNG ANS 443-50; HGC 1, -. 7.88g, 21mm, 10h.

About Extremely Fine; beautiful old cabinet tone.

Ex Baldwin’s Auctions Ltd, Auction 100, 27 September 2016, lot 170.

1,200

Lucania, Metapontion AR Stater. Circa 330-290 BC. Dai-, and Mach-, magistrates. Wreathed head of Demeter to right, wearing triple pendant earring and necklace; Δ[AI] under chin / Ear of barley with leaf to right; META upwards in left field, plough above leaf, M[AX] below. Johnston Class C, 1.66 (same dies); HN Italy 1581; HGC 1, 1063. 7.80g, 20mm, 9h.

Extremely Fine; attractively toned with subtle hints of rainbow iridescence to both sides.

From a private European collection.

Lucania, Metapontion AR Stater. Circa 330-290 BC. Da-, magistrate. Wreathed head of Demeter to left, wearing triple-pendant earring and necklace / Ear of barley with leaf to right, fork with long handle on leaf; ATƎM upwards in left field, ΔA below leaf. Johnston Class C, 5.9 (same dies); HN Italy 1582; SNG ANS 407 (same dies); SNG Fitzwilliam 506 (same dies); HGC 1, 1063. 7.81g, 21mm, 10h.

Near Extremely Fine; stunning, untouched and lustrous fields.

From the inventory of a North American dealer.

31.

Lucania, Metapontion AR Stater. Circa 330-290 BC. Da-, magistrate. Wreathed head of Demeter to left, wearing triple-pendant earring and necklace / Ear of barley with leaf to left, fork with long handle on leaf; META upwards in right field, ΔA below leaf. Johnston Class C, 5.8 (same obv. die, unlisted rev. die); HN Italy 1582; SNG Tübingen 458 (same obv. die); HGC 1, 1063; CNG 96, 4 (same dies). 7.83g, 21mm, 4h.

Near Extremely Fine; highly lustrous.

32.

Lucania, Metapontion AR Stater. Circa 330-290 BC. Ly-, magistrate. Wreathed head of Demeter to right, wearing triple pendant earring and necklace; [EY] below chin / Ear of barley with leaf to right, star on leaf; META upwards in left field, ΛY in lower left field. Johnston Class C, 8.4 (same dies); HN Italy 1592; HGC 1, 1063. 7.78g, 20mm, 9h.

Near Extremely Fine; light cabinet tone with lustre around the devices.

600

33. 450

Extremely Fine; flan flaw and slight split to rev., light cabinet tone with lustre around the devices.

From the inventory of a North American dealer.

34. 900

Near Extremely Fine; attractive light iridescent tone around the devices.

Ex Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Auction 80, 3 June 2014, lot 3236; Ex Richard P. Miller Collection, Gemini LLC, Auction XI, 12 January 2014, lot 4; Ex Edward J. Waddell Ltd, Web Auction, 24 November 2004.

Lucania, Metapontion AR Diobol. Circa 325-275 BC. Head of Athena to right, wearing Corinthian helmet / Ear of barley with leaf to right; META upwards in left field, cornucopiae above leaf. Johnston F21; SNG ANS 533-9; SNG Lockett 430; HN Italy -; HGC 1, -. 0.88g, 13mm, 8h.

Near Extremely Fine; light cleaning marks to fields. Rare.

Ex Sir Gerard Clauson Collection.

Very Rare Left-Facing Demeter

Lucania, Metapontion AR Stater. Circa 290-280 BC. Head of Demeter to left, wearing triple pendant earring / Ear of barley with leaf to left; [ME]TA upwards to right, satyr standing to right on leaf playing pipes. Johnston D2.5; HN Italy 1614; HGC 1, 1066. 7.53g, 21mm, 9h.

Near Extremely Fine; light corrosion on rev., portrait in high relief. Very rare with Demeter head to left.

From the inventory of a UK dealer.

Lucania, Metapontion AV Tetrobol - 1/3 Stater. Attic standard. Time of Pyrrhos of Epeiros, circa 280-279 BC. Bearded head of the hero Leukippos to right, wearing crested Corinthian helmet decorated with Skylla hurling a stone; ΛEYKIΠΠO[Σ] above / Two six-grained barley ears, each with a curling leaf; [M]-E across outer fields, ΣI between. Johnston G5.1 (same dies); HN Italy 1630; SNG ANS 397-8; SNG Lockett 404 (same rev. die); Basel 153 = Gillet 202 (same obv. die); Dewing 378; Gulbenkian 72; Jameson 1867; HGC 1, 1025. 2.87g, 15mm, 4h.

Near Extremely Fine.

Ex Classical Numismatic Group, Auction 108, 16 May 2018, lot 7.

Extremely Rare

3,600

Lucania, Poseidonia AR Drachm. Circa 530-500 BC. Poseidon advancing to right, chlamys draped over shoulders, preparing to throw trident held aloft in left hand, right hand extended; ΠOΣ (retrograde, the Σ sideways) to left / Incuse of obverse, except legend in relief and not retrograde. HN Italy 1108; SNG ANS 620-623 var. (obv. legend); SNG Copenhagen 1274 var. (same); CNG e-483, 25; HGC 1, 1156. 3.62g, 20mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine; attractively toned. Extremely rare with obverse legend retrograde.

From the inventory of a UK dealer.

3,600

35.

36.

Ex Sternberg 1982

Lucania, Poseidonia AR Stater. Circa 470-445 BC. Poseidon advancing to right, wielding trident; ΠΟMΕ retrograde and downwards before / Bull standing to right, ΠΟMΕS (retrograde) above. HN Italy 1114; SNG ANS 646; HGC 1, 1151. 8.05g, 21mm, 6h.

39. 2,700

Extremely Fine; attractively old cabinet tone.

Ex F. Sternberg AG, Auction XII, 18 November 1982, lot 47.

40. 1,050

41.

Lucania, Thourioi AR Stater. Circa 443-400 BC. Head of Athena to right, wearing crested Attic helmet decorated with laurel wreath / Bull butting to right; ΘΟΥΡΙΩΝ above, Δ below; fish to left in exergue. HN Italy 1760; SNG ANS 885-9; SNG Ashmolean 874-7; HGC 1, 1258. 7.97g, 20mm, 11h.

Near Extremely Fine; attractive old cabinet tone. Rare.

Ex Jesus Vico S.A., Auction 110, 9 March 2006, lot 85.

Lucania, Thourioi AR Distater. Circa 400-350 BC. Head of Athena to left, wearing crested Attic helmet decorated on the bowl with Skylla scanning; Δ behind neck guard / Bull butting to right; ΘOYPIΩN above, fish to right in exergue. Noe, Thurian D.4 (same dies); HN Italy 1804; SNG ANS 960 (same dies); SNG Lockett 489 (same dies); Nanteuil 182 (same dies); HGC 1, 1256. 15.89g, 28mm, 7h.

Near Extremely Fine; minor flan flaw before portrait, bright, lustrous metal.

From the inventory of a North American dealer.

1,800

42. 900

Lucania, Thourioi AR Distater. Circa 400-350 BC. Head of Athena to right, wearing crested Attic helmet decorated on the bowl with Skylla scanning, griffin on neck guard / Bull butting to right; ΘOYPIΩN above, small monogram on rump, IΣTOPOΣ in small letters on exergual line, fish to right in exergue. Noe, Thurian B6 (same dies); HN Italy 1781 var. (Φ above visor); SNG ANS 957; HGC 1, 1254. 15.78g, 28mm, 10h.

Extremely Fine; remarkable detail remaining. Rare.

From a private Australasian Collection.

Lucania, Velia AR Drachm. Circa 535-465 BC. Forepart of lion to right, devouring prey / Quadripartite incuse square. HN Italy 1259; SNG Copenhagen 1521; SNG ANS 1202-10; HGC 1, 1327. 3.57g, 14mm.

Near Extremely Fine.

From the inventory of a UK dealer.

Ex Spencer-Churchill Collection, Ars Classica 1933

Lucania, Velia AR Didrachm. Circa 300-280 BC. Philistion Group. Head of Athena to left, wearing crested Attic helmet decorated with hippocamp on bowl; monogram before / Lion walking to right; Φ-I flanking ornate trident head to right above, YEΛHTΩN in exergue. Williams Period VII, 511.a (this coin, O257/R359); HN Italy 1312; SNG ANS 1390; McClean 1466 (same dies); de Luynes 640; HGC 1, 1319. 7.44g, 22mm, 1h.

Good Extremely Fine; a magnificent portrait of Athena with splendid iridescence and a beautiful old cabinet tone.

This coin published in R. T. Williams, Silver Coinage of Velia (London, 1992); Ex Beaussant Lefèvre, Auction 2, 11-12 October 2011, lot 8; Ex collection of Captain E. G. Spencer-Churchill (cousin to Sir Winston Churchill), Ars Classica S.A., Auction XVI, 3 July 1933, lot 285.

APULIA

3,600

Apulia, Arpi AR Diobol. Circa 325-275 BC. Head of Athena to right, wearing Attic helmet decorated with hippocamp / Herakles kneeling to right, strangling lion; ΑΡΠ CΕΡ above, Δ below, [club] to left. HN Italy 637 var. (arrangement of legends); SNG ANS 632 var. (rev. legend); Siciliano D.1 var. (arrangement of legends); BMC 24 (Herakleia) var. (same); R. Garrucci, Le monete dell ‘Italia antica, 9-12 var. (same); HGC 1, 527 var. (same).

1.09g, 12mm, 7h.

Extremely Fine.

From a private European collection.

The name on this series of diobols is uncertain and is possibly related to the Roman name Septimius as suggested by HN Italy.

CALABRIA

Calabria, Tarentum AR Nomos. Circa 490-480 BC. Taras astride dolphin to right, holding octopus; TAPAΣ below / Hippocamp swimming to right; scallop shell below. Fischer-Bossert 32 (V13/R25) = Vlasto 129 (same dies); HN Italy 827; HGC 1, 753. 8.00g, 20mm, 3h.

Extremely Fine; dark old cabinet tone. Very Rare.

Acquired from Münzhandlung Ritter, Düsseldorf, List 79, June 2007, lot 356.

4,800

43.

48.

Calabria, Tarentum AR Nomos. 415-390 BC. TA[PANT]INΩN, Taras seated on dolphin swimming to right, holding akrostolion; K behind, shell below / Nude on horseback to right; Θ below. Fischer-Bossert 316 (V97/R245); Vlasto -; SNG ANS 866; SNG Copenhagen 797 (same dies); cf. HN Italy 847 (no K, no legend on reverse). 8.19g, 23mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine.

Ex Numismatica Ars Classica AG, Spring Sale 2020, 25 May 2020, lot 27; Ex Stack’s Bowers Galleries (& Ponterio), Sale 164 - NYINC Auction, 6 January 2012, lot 23; Ex Stack’s Bowers Galleries (& Ponterio), Coin Galleries July 2011, 7 July 2011, lot 927; Ex Leu Numismatik AG, Auction 74, 19-21 October 1998, lot 22.

1,800

Calabria, Tarentum AR Nomos. Circa 340-325 BC. Kal-, magistrate. Nude rider on horseback to right, holding lance in right hand and shield with two javelins in left; KAΛ below, A-N-X around / Taras seated on dolphin to right, holding Phrygian helmet; KAΛ below, TAPAΣ upwards to left. FischerBossert 740a (same dies); Vlasto 558 (same dies); HN Italy 896; HGC 1, 794. 7.80g, 23mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine. Very Rare.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XXII, 7 October 2021, lot 141; Ex private German collection, formed c.1980-2020.

1,500

49. 300

50.

Calabria, Tarentum AR Diobol. Circa 325-280 BC. Head of Herakles facing slightly to left, wearing lion skin headdress; club to left / Herakles standing to right, wrestling the Nemean Lion; club to left, Φ between legs of Herakles. Vlasto 1348 (same dies); HN Italy 977; SNG ANS -; SNG BnF 2112 (same dies); SNG Ashmolean 476; HGC 1, 835. 0.97g, 13mm, 2h.

Near Mint State; attractive old cabinet tone.

Ex Numismatica Ars Classica AG, Auction 72, 16 May 2013, lot 827.

Calabria, Tarentum AR Nomos. Circa 272-240 BC. Phi- and Aristeid-, magistrates. Reduced standard. Nude youth on horseback to right, being crowned with wreath by Nike flying to right above; ΦI in right field, [Α]ΡΙΣΤΕΙΔΑΣ below horse / Taras astride dolphin to left, holding branch and trident; monogram to right, TAP[AΣ] below. Vlasto 911; HN Italy 1042; HGC 1, 895. 6.52g, 20mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine; attractive cabinet tone with lustre around the devices.

47.

Calabria, Tarentum AR Nomos. Circa 240-228 BC. Zopyrion, magistrate. Reduced standard. Nude youth on horseback to right; ΖΩΠΥΡΙΩΝ and ΣΩ above bukranion below / Taras astride dolphin to left, holding hippocamp and trident; monogram and head of bearded Pan to right, TAPAΣ below. Vlasto 941 (same obv. die); HN Italy 1054; SNG ANS 1248 (same dies); SNG BnF 2053; SNG Lloyd 225; HGC 1, 900. 6.53g, 21mm, 9h.

Good Extremely Fine; a highly attractive example of a rare type.

From a private European collection.

Calabria, Tarentum AR Nomos. Circa 240-228 BC. Olympis, magistrate. Reduced standard. Warrior on horseback to right, brandishing spear and holding reins; wreath behind, OΛYMΠIΣ below / Taras astride dolphin to left, holding kantharos and cornucopiae; tripod to right, TAPAΣ below. Vlasto 942; HN Italy 1055; SNG ANS 1249; SNG Copenhagen 942; HGC 1, 901. 6.42g, 21mm, 5h.

Extremely Fine.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XXII, 7 October 2021, lot 151; Ex private German collection, formed c.1980-2020.

Calabria, Tarentum AR Nomos. Circa 240-228 BC. Philokles, magistrate. Reduced standard. Nude youth on horseback to right, crowning horse with wreath; monograms to left and [right], ΦΙΛΟΚΛΗΣ in two lines over dolphin to right below / Taras astride dolphin to left, holding horse rhyton and trident; two amphoroi (or loutrophoroi?) in right field, TAPAΣ below. Vlasto 950; HN Italy 1057; SNG ANS 1254; HGC 1, 903. 6.36g, 19mm, 6h. Good Extremely Fine; struck on a tight flan of lustrous metal displaying a pleasant cabinet tone.

Acquired from Dr. Busso Peus Nachfolger; Ex Ron Cathey Collection, privately purchased from Harlan J. Berk, Ltd. (dealer’s ticket included).

Calabria, Tarentum AR Nomos. Circa 240-228 BC. Xenokrates, magistrate. Reduced standard. Bearded strategos on horse walking to left, wearing short tunic and chlamys, raising hand in salutation, with parazonium under left arm; monogram and pileus to upper right, ΞΕΝΟΚΡΑΤΗΣ in two lines below / Taras astride dolphin to left, with torso turned to right, naked but for chlamys raised in left hand, with trident over right shoulder; TAPAΣ to left, monogram to right, cuttlefish and waves below. Vlasto 955-958; HN Italy 1058; SNG ANS 1259; HGC 1, 904. 6.52g, 21mm, 7h.

Near Mint State.

From a private European collection.

51.

52.

53.

54.

Calabria, Tarentum AR Nomos. Circa 240-228 BC. Kallikrates, magistrate. Reduced standard. Strategos, holding Nike who crowns him in extended right hand, on horse rearing to right; monogram behind, KAΛΛIKPATHΣ in two lines below / Taras astride dolphin to left, holding Nike who crowns him in extended right hand, cradling trident in left arm; ligate NE behind, TAPAΣ below. Vlasto 963; HN Italy 1059; SNG ANS 1260; HGC 1, 905. 6.44g, 21mm, 2h.

Near Mint State; a bright, lustrous example. From a private European collection.

1,200

Calabria, Tarentum AR Nomos. Circa 240-228 BC. Kallikrates, magistrate. Reduced standard. Strategos, holding Nike who crowns him in extended right hand, on horse rearing to right; monogram behind, KAΛΛ[IKPATHΣ] in two lines below / Taras astride dolphin to left, holding Nike who crowns him in extended right hand, cradling trident in left arm; ligate NE behind, TAPAΣ below. Vlasto 968; HN Italy 1059; SNG ANS 1262; SNG Lloyd 230; SNG BnF 2059-60; Dewing 316; HGC 1, 905. 6.56g, 20mm, 12h.

Near Mint State.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XXII, 7 October 2021, lot 148; Ex European collection, formed before 2005, Leu Numismatik AG, Auction 7, 24 October 2020, lot 1086.

Calabria, Tarentum AR Nomos. Circa 240-228 BC. Kallikrates, magistrate. Reduced standard. Strategos, holding Nike who crowns him in extended right hand, on horse rearing to right; monogram behind, KAΛΛIKPATHΣ in two lines below / Taras astride dolphin to left, holding Nike who crowns him in extended right hand, cradling trident in left arm; ligate NE behind, TAPAΣ below. Vlasto 968 (same dies); HN Italy 1059; SNG ANS 1262; SNG Lloyd 230; SNG BnF 2059-60; Dewing 316; HGC 1, 905. 6.46g, 21mm, 9h.

Mint State; attractive cabinet tone.

From a private European collection.

Calabria, Tarentum AR Nomos. Circa 240-228 BC. Kallikrates, magistrate. Reduced standard. Strategos, holding Nike who crowns him in extended right hand, on horse rearing to right; monogram behind, KAΛΛI[KPA]T[HΣ] in two lines below / Taras astride dolphin to left, holding Nike who crowns him in extended right hand, cradling trident in left arm; ligate NE behind, TAP[AΣ] below. Vlasto 968; HN Italy 1059; SNG ANS 1262; SNG Lloyd 230; SNG BnF 2059-60; Dewing 316; HGC 1, 905. 6.62g, 20mm, 9h.

Good Extremely Fine.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XXII, 7 October 2021, lot 149; Ex private German collection, formed c.1980-2020.

55.

57.

58.

Ex SKA-Monetarium FPL 47, 1987

Bruttium, Kaulonia AR Stater. Circa 525-500 BC. Nude Apollo walking to right, holding laurel branch, small daimon running to right on extended arm, holding branches; to right, stag standing to right with head reverted, KAVΛ to left; all within dot and cable border / Incuse of obverse, but no ethnic. Noe, Caulonia, Group A, 5 (same dies); SNG ANS 142 (same dies); Gulbenkian 119 (same dies); McClean 1589-90 (same dies); HN Italy 2035; HGC 1, 1416. 8.33g, 31mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine; beautiful old cabinet tone.

Ex Nomos AG, Auction 13, 7 October 2016, lot 116; Ex SKA-Monetarium, FPL 47, Spring 1987, no. 5.

8,100

The design of the incuse staters of Kaulonia has elicited various interpretations over the years; those that were current at the time of writing Historia Numorum in 1911 were reviewed by Barclay Head. Head interpreted the figure as being a representation of the oikist Typhon, who holds in his hand a plant (καυλος) stalk, alike to that of the parsnip plant, which he takes to be a punning allusion to the city. Modern scholarship however tends to identify the figure as Apollo, as the symbolism is more easily associated with this deity - a laurel branch, for instance, being more easily recognisable and sacred to Apollo. The small running figure most likely represents a daimon, a divinity of a lower order, who serves as a messenger of the gods. It may be, given his occasionally winged feet, that this daimon should be seen to be a wind god such as Zephyros. The stag is the only element which has consistently defied explanation (even by Head); its meaning was clearly sufficiently explicit and important for it to have eventually served as a the principle reverse type of Kaulonia. It may be a reference to Artemis, who at Aegium was worshipped jointly with Apollo in a temple the two gods shared.

59.

Bruttium, Kaulonia AR Stater. Circa 475-425 BC. Nude Apollo walking to right, holding laurel branch, small daimon running to right on extended arm; to right, stag standing to right with head reverted, KAVΛ upwards to left / Stag standing to right; single branch in right field, KAVΛ (retrograde) above. Noe, Caulonia, 93 (same dies); SNG ANS 180 (same dies); HN Italy 2046; HGC 1, 1419. 7.79g, 20mm, 2h.

Near Extremely Fine; attractively toned with golden, iridescent highlights.

Ex Jesus Vico S.A., Auction 126, 9 June 2001, lot 194.

Bruttium, Kroton AR Stater. Circa 350-300 BC. Eagle with wings displayed and head raised, standing to left on olive branch; small AI below / Tripodlebes, with legs terminating in lion’s paws; KPO downwards to left, heron standing to left on [Δ] in right field. SNG ANS 367 (same obv. die); HN Italy 2174; HGC 1, 1464. 7.89g, 22mm, 8h.

Extremely Fine; fine detail, deep cabinet tone over lustrous metal.

Privately purchased from Nilus Coins (USD 2150); Ex Stack’s, The Saint Ludovico and Firth of Clyde Collections, 23 April 2009, lot 1019.

Bruttium, Kroton AR Stater. Circa 350-300 BC. Eagle with wings displayed and head raised, standing to left holding hare; AI below / Tripod-lebes, with legs terminating in lion’s paws; KPO downwards to left, heron standing to left on Δ in right field. SNG ANS 369-70; HN Italy 2175; HGC 1, 1464. 7.87g, 21mm, 2h.

Good Very Fine; striking rainbow iridescence to obv. devices.

From the Arethusa Collection; Ex Nomos AG, obolos 6, 20 November 2016, lot 68; Ex Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co. KG, Auction 143, 6 October 2008, lot 56.

2x 2x

Bruttium, Rhegion AR Litra. Circa 415-387 BC. Facing lion’s head / PH within olive sprig. Herzfelder pl. 11, J; SNG ANS 670-4; HN Italy 2499; HGC 1, 1655. 0.75g, 10mm, 3h.

Extremely Fine.

Ex Gitbud & Naumann, Auction 6, 4 August 2013, lot 55.

60.

61.

62.

63.

64.

A Magnificent Magna Graecian Bronze

Bruttium, Rhegion Æ 22mm. Circa 260-218 BC. Laureate head of Apollo to left; torque behind / Tripod; PHΓI-NΩN around. HN Italy 2543; SNG ANS 716-8; HGC 1, 1677. 6.80g, 22mm, 11h.

Near Mint State; in outstanding condition for the type - a truly magnificent Magna Graecian bronze.

Acquired from Dr. Busso Peus Nachfolger; Privately purchased from CGB Numismatique (ticket included).

65.

Bruttium, The Brettii Æ Double or Didrachm. Circa 214-211 BC. Head of Ares to left, wearing crested Corinthian helmet decorated with griffin; grain ear below, two pellets behind / Nike standing to left, placing wreath on trophy to left and cradling palm in her left arm; cornucopiae between, BPETTIΩN downwards to right. Scheu, Bronze 1; HN Italy 1975; SNG ANS 30-3; HGC 1, 1361. 17.44g, 26mm, 12h.

Good Very Fine; areas of flatness, pleasant patina.

Acquired from Dr. Busso Peus Nachfolger.

KINGDOM OF MAURETANIA

66.

600

300

Kingdom of Mauretania, Juba II AR Denarius. Caesarea, circa 25 BC - AD 24. Diademed head to right; REX IVBA before / Elephant walking to right on ground line. Mazard 135; MAA 75; SNG Copenhagen 577. 3.05g, 19mm, 5h.

Near Mint State; deep old cabinet tone. Very Rare.

Ex Graeculus Collection, Dr. Busso Peus Nachfolger, Auction 428, 28 April 2021, lot 537; Ex Dr. Busso Peus Nachfolger, Auction 376, 29 October 2003, lot 820; Ex Schweizerischer Bankverein, Auction 28, 17-19 September 1991, lot 294.

Kingdom of Mauretania, Juba II, with Kleopatra Selene, AR Denarius. Caesarea, circa AD 11-23. Diademed head to right; REX IVBA before / Crocodile standing to left on ground line; BACIΛICCA above, [KΛ]ЄOΠATP[A] below. MAA 104 var. (placement of legend); Mazard 344; SNG Copenhagen 568-9; Roma XVIII, 515. 2.45g, 17mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine; areas of flat strike, attractive old collection tone. Very Rare.

Acquired from Silbury Coins.

1,050

600

67.

NORTH AFRICA

Apollo to Apollo Collection

North Africa, Carthage AV 1/10 Stater. Circa 350-320 BC. Palm tree with two date-clusters / Head of horse to right. Jenkins & Lewis Group III, 136155; CNP 239; MAA 8; SNG Copenhagen 133. 0.80g, 9mm, 9h.

Good Extremely Fine; well-centered, a wonderful example.

From the Apollo to Apollo Collection.

North Africa, Carthage AR 2/3 Shekel. Circa 300 BC. Head of Tanit-Persephone to left, wearing wreath of barley ears, single pendant earring and necklace / Horse standing to right on ground line, head reverted to left; Punic ‘ayin below. CNP 102a; MAA 37 (3/4 shekel ?); SNG Copenhagen 143; Müller 114; cf. ACIP 576-7 (Spanish mint). 5.24g, 19mm, 12h.

Near Extremely Fine; attractive light cabinet tone. Extremely Rare.

From a private European collection.

North Africa, Carthage AR Shekel. Circa 300-260 BC. Head of Tanit-Persephone to left, wearing wreath of barley ears, single pendant earring and necklace / Horse standing to right, head to left; palm tree to left in background, star to right. CNP 166a; MAA 36; Jenkins-Lewis pl. 26, 16; SNG Copenhagen 141. 7.56g, 20mm, 2h.

Extremely Fine; lustrous metal, lightly toned.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Live Auction 5, 27 September 2022, lot 138.

North Africa, Carthage AR Shekel. Circa 264-241 BC. Head of Tanit-Persephone to left, wearing wreath of barley ears, triple pendant earring and necklace / Horse standing to right, head to left. CNP 87; MAA 42; SNG Copenhagen 187. 7.44g, 22mm, 12h.

Near Extremely Fine. Very Rare.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 93, 6 January 2022, lot 61 (misdescribed, professionally conserved since).

69.

70.

71.

74.

North Africa, Carthage AR 1½ Shekel. Uncertain Iberian mint (Carthago Nova?), circa 237-227 BC. Laureate head to left (Melqart or Hasdrubal), with club over right shoulder / Elephant to right. CNP 445; MHC, Class III, 43 (O28/R42); ACIP 554; AB 486. 11.12g, 24mm, 12h. Good Very Fine. Very Rare.

From a private European collection.

In 237 BC Hamilcar Barca, after having lost the First Punic War against Rome, but having won the Mercenary War against the Libyans, disembarked at Gadir with a Carthaginian expedition with the purpose of ‘re-establishing Carthaginian authority in Iberia’ (Polybios, Histories, 2.1.6), and within 9 years he had expanded the territory of Carthage well into the Iberian Peninsula, securing control of the southern mining district of Baetica and Sierra Morena, before dying in battle in 228. Hamilcar was succeeded by his son-in-law Hasdrubal the Fair who expanded the new province by skilful diplomacy and consolidated it with the foundation of Akra Leuka, Mahon and finally in 227, Qart Hadasht (Latin: Carthago Nova) as his capital, literally meaning ‘new city’ and identical in name to Carthage itself. It was founded on the site of a town named Mastia which was chosen as it possessed one of the best harbours in the western Mediterranean, thus enabling it to serve as the primary port and capital city of the Barcid dominion in Spain.

This bold type has been dated to the early period of Hasdrubal’s command in Spain; in contrast to the coinage attributed to Hamilcar, this type makes no reference to the traditional naval power of Carthage, instead adopting the African elephant as the reverse type. Evidently not a war-elephant (note the absence of either a mahout or a fighting tower) it is perhaps best interpreted as a symbol of Carthage or Barcid power in general. Indeed it is known that Hasdrubal favoured diplomacy and the demanding of hostages to further expand his influence in Spain; the club-wielding Herakles-Melqart implies the threat of force rather than its open display.

Though Robinson (Essays Mattingly) interpreted the beardless head of Melqart on this coin as bearing the features of Hannibal Barca, the dating of the issue (as per Villaronga, MHC) suggests it is more likely to be Hasdrubal, if indeed an individual commander’s likeness is shown.

North Africa, Carthage AR Shekel. Time of Hannibal. Carthago Nova, circa 218-206 BC. Bare male head (Hannibal?) to left / Horse to right, palm tree behind. CNH 74; ACIP 614. 5.96g, 21mm, 12h.

Good Very Fine. Very Rare.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Live Auction 4, 29 November 2018, lot 74.

This coin is conventionally believed to carry the portrait of Hannibal on the obverse.

Hasdrubal ably succeeded his father-in-law in expanding the family’s territory in Spain and power over the local tribes, but was assassinated in 221 BC. He was succeeded by Hamilcar’s oldest son, Hannibal Barca, who was now of sufficient age to command the Carthaginian military forces, and who wasted little time in aggressively expanding Carthaginian influence over the surrounding regions. Barely two years later, Hannibal’s army would besiege Saguntum and massacre the population.

The wholesale slaughter of this Roman ally’s population, and the arrogance with which the Roman ambassadors sent to Carthage to seek redress were met, led directly to the Second Punic War: the great statesman Quintus Fabius, speaking to the Carthaginian senate, gathered a fold of his toga to his chest and held it out, saying ‘Here, we bring you peace and war. Take which you will.’ The Carthaginians replied ‘Whichever you please - we do not care.’ Fabius let the fold drop and proclaimed ‘We give you war.’

Mint State

1 (forthcoming). 3.37g, 20mm, 12h.

Mint State; a wonderful example of this highly desirable issue.

Acquired from Stack’s Bowers Galleries (& Ponterio); Ex New York collection.

3,300

North Africa, Carthage AR Half Shekel. Second Punic War issue. Carthage or Sicilian mint, circa 213-210 BC. Laureate head of Melkart, with features of Hannibal, to left / African elephant walking to right; Punic letter ‘Aleph’ in exergue. Burnett, Enna Hoard 123; SNG Copenhagen 383; Campana et alia

An Extremely Rare Second Punic War Gold Issue

North Africa, Carthage AV Hemistater. Occupation of Hannibal. 216-211 BC. Head of Tanit or Ceres to left, wearing corn wreath / Nike driving biga to right, holding goad; retrograde K in exergue. HN Italy 479 (Capua, attribution not certain); SNG ANS 145; BM 1919,1120.19 = Weber 288 (same rev. die); ACR 87, 58 (hammer: 24,000 GBP); HGC 1, 377. 4.26g, 15mm, 9h.

Near Mint State; well-struck in high relief. Extremely Rare; one of four known examples.

From the inventory of a UK dealer.

Regarded as one of the greatest military leaders in history, Hannibal led the Carthaginian army in the Second Punic War against Roman forces, following in his father’s footsteps who had been the leading general in the First Punic War. The beginning of the war in 218 BC was marked by the remarkable feat of Hannibal invading Italy via the Alps with his soldiers, horsemen and, most extraordinarily, North African war elephants. For nearly fifteen years the conflict was fought on Italian soil, wreaking devastation on the peninsula on a scale it had never before endured, but it was the first venture of Hannibal crossing the Alps into the Po plain that was most shocking to the Roman generals. Having achieved one of the greatest accomplishments in the history of military logistics, Hannibal was then able to inflict humiliating defeats on the Roman legions in a succession of major battles, at the Trebia (December 218 BC), Lake Trasimene (June 217 BC), and Cannae (August 216 BC), bringing Rome to very near breaking point. As a measure of the extent of the devastation, Hannibal had defeated the equivalent of eight consular armies (16 legions plus an equal number of allies) and within the space of just three campaign seasons Rome had lost one-fifth of the entire population of male citizens over 17 years of age. Furthermore, the ruinous effect these defeats had on morale was such that most of southern Italy defected to Hannibal’s cause, thus prolonging the war for a decade. The need to pay mercenaries prompted Carthage to begin minting coins using gold, silver, electrum, bronze and billon. The great success of the Carthaginian army is highlighted in Carthage’s ability to use gold for coin issues, as exemplified by the present example. This was in sharp contrast to the Romans who had to debase their currency in order to pay for the war. Among the special coinage minted under Hannibal’s influence are the ever-popular issues featuring a war elephant on the reverse. On this coin, however, we are presented with a much rarer iconography; a head wreathed in corn and Nike driving a biga. Uncertainly attributed to Capua in the past due to the retrograde K (E.S.G. Robinson, ‘Carthaginian and other South Italian Coinages of the Second Punic War’ in The Numismatic Chronicle and Journal of the Royal Numismatic Society vol. 4 (1964), 40), the style of the obverse is truthfully more Punic (or Siculo-Punic) in character, particularly in the pronounced heavy chin, and the iconography is considerably more proximate to late gold issues of Syracuse around the time of Hiketas (287-278 BC). It moreover lacks the characteristic inscriptions that would be expected of a civil issue, the absence of which clearly indicate that this is a Carthaginian military issue rather than that of a self-governing city-state.

SICILY

76.

Sicily, Siculo-Punic AR Tetradrachm. ‘Quaestors’ issue. Entella(?), circa 300-289 BC. Head of Herakles to right, wearing lion skin headdress / Head of horse to left; club to left, date palm tree to right, ‘MḤSBM (Paymaster, or Quaestor) in Punic script below. Jenkins, Punic, Series 5b, 339 (O109/R278), see pp. 7-8 for interpretation of legend; CNP 272a; HGC 2, 295. 16.46g, 25mm, 9h.

Extremely Fine; pleasant iridescent highlights.

Ex North River Collection;

Ex Classical Numismatic Group, Triton X, 9 January 2007, lot 69.

1,800

Sicily, Siculo-Punic AR Tetradrachm. ‘Quaestors’ issue. Entella(?), circa 300-289 BC. Head of Herakles to right, wearing lion skin headdress / Head of horse to left; date palm tree to right, ‘MḤSBM (Paymaster, or Quaestor) in Punic script below. Jenkins, Punic, Series 5b, 375 (O116/R305), see pp. 7-8 for interpretation of legend; de Luynes 1457; CNP 272; HGC 2, 295. 17.03g, 23mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine; obv. scratch to headdress, beautiful old cabinet tone.

From the Arethusa Collection;

Ex Amilcare Collection, Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 67, 6 February 2020, lot 88.

79.

A Masterpiece of Siculo-Punic Die Engraving

80.

Ashmolean 2137 = SNG Lockett 845 (same dies); HGC 2, 1010. 17.42g, 26mm, 1h.

Extremely Fine. Very Rare

Ex Dr. Busso Peus Nachfolger, Auktion 396, 5 November 2008, lot 195;

Ex Dr. Busso Peus Nachfolger, Auktion 348, 2-4 May 1996, lot 67;

19,500

Ex Leu Numismatik AG, Auktion 61, 17-18 May 1995, Lot 64. The city that would eventually come to be known as Panormos (Greek: ‘sheltered harbour’) was founded in circa 734 BC by Phoenicians from Tyre, who established a flourishing merchant colony which they named Ziz (Punic: ‘flower ’). It was the most important of the three colonies forming the ‘Phoenician Triangle’ cited by Thucydides, the others being Motya and Solus. The remains of the earliest Phoenician presence are few however, and mostly preserved in or below the very populated centre of the downtown area. Little excavation has been conducted on account of such efforts being costly and logistically difficult. Like Neapolis in Campania, (Naples), the city had two hearts - the first settlement was known as Paleapolis (literally, ‘Old City’), to distinguish it from a second settlement built during the 5th century BC, called Neapolis (‘New City’). Neapolis was erected towards the east of Paleapolis, and along with it monumental walls were thrown up around the whole settlement to guard against attack from the landward sides. The influence of Greek designs on the Punic coinage of Sicily is particularly evident on this type. Jenkins (Coins of Punic Sicily, SNR 50, 1971) identifies the reverse portrait as being a “free adaptation” of the portrait of Arethusa on Kimon’s dekadrachm. While it lacks the hairnet of Kimon’s Arethusa, the triple-drop earring and characteristic curls on the top of the head are emphasised in the design. While Jenkins admits that the result is “remote” from Kimon’s original, the second generation of Kimonian copies (reverse dies 28-29) are much closer reproductions, such that the inspiration for the type is indisputable. It has been noted that the obverse is a copy of the work of ‘Euth-’, who produced a radical, energetic die (Tudeer obv. die 15) at Syracuse, a work whose key elements are reproduced here. As the reverse is a relatively free interpretation of Kimon, so too is the obverse an adaptation of ‘Euth-’; gone are the wings of the charioteer and the Skylla; instead of this symbol of Syracuse we see a hippocamp, perhaps taken from the coinage of either Himera or Messana, and in the place of the artist’s signature on the original is the Punic ethnic ‘Ziz’. Inspired by these types, the artist or artists responsible for this coin have produced immensely beautiful dies that are amongst the very finest in the whole Siculo-Punic series.

Sicily, Aitna AR Litra. Circa 460-450 BC. Head of Silenos to right, wreathed with ivy / Winged thunderbolt; AIT-NAI around. SNG ANS 1239 (Katane); SNG Fitzwilliam 948; Jameson 537; HGC 2, 65. 0.62g, 10mm, 9h.

Extremely Fine; attractive old cabinet tone. Scarce; particularly when retaining such great detail.

From a private European collection.

Possibly the Fifth Known

1,200

Sicily, Aitna AR Litra. Circa 460 BC. Nike advancing to right, holding lowered kerykeion and wreath / Winged thunderbolt flanked by two shields; A-I-T around. Münzzentrum 74, 1992, 135 = Sternberg 31, 1996, 542 = NAC 25, 2003, 57 = Peus 392, 2007, 4003 = HGC 2, 66 (same dies); Hirsch 272, 2011, 70 (same dies); Nomos obolos 6, 2016, 78; Bertolami E-38, 2016, 163. 0.68g, 13mm, 12h.

Very Fine. Extremely Rare, possibly only the fifth known example of the type.

From a private European collection.

600

Sicily, Panormos (as Ziz) AR Tetradrachm. Circa 405-380 BC. Charioteer, holding kentron in left hand, reins in both, driving fast quadriga to right; above, Nike flying to left, crowning charioteer with wreath she holds with both hands; hippocamp swimming to right in exergue, Punic ṢYṢ before / Head of nymph to left, hair in ampyx, wearing triple-pendant earring and pearl necklace; three dolphins around. Jenkins, Punic 29 (O7/R25); SNG

78.

A Beautiful Example

Sicily, Akragas AR Tetradrachm. Circa 460-450/445 BC. Sea eagle standing to left, with wings closed; AKPACANTOΣ (partially retrograde) around / Crab within shallow incuse circle. Westermark, Coinage 371 (O9/R32); SNG ANS 964-80; HGC 2, 78. 17.33g, 26mm, 1h.

Good Extremely Fine; well detailed and attractive example.

According to Thucydides, Akragas was founded by colonists from Gela and Rhodes in around 582-580 BC (History of the Peloponnesian War, 6.4). The last of the great Greek cities in Sicily to be established, Akragas was situated in a highly favourable location on a plateau overlooking the sea, with a constant supply of water from two nearby rivers, the Akragas (for which the city was named) and the Hypsas. The city’s position benefited it greatly, and it quickly became one of the wealthiest Greek colonies on the island, eclipsing neighbours Gela and rivalling even Syracuse.

Under the reign of the tyrant Phalaris (circa 570-554), who Aristotle tells us had seized power in the city after having been entrusted with the building of the temple of Zeus on the citadel (Politics, v.10), the city attained considerable prosperity. Along with expanding his territory through military victories against the indigenous Sikanians, Phalaris also managed to secure favourable trade agreements with Sicilian neighbours and also the great Mediterranean power of the time, Carthage. Such deals allowed the Akragantines to embark on an extensive building program, which saw the construction of intimidating defensive fortifications and grand public buildings. Yet for all this, Phalaris was renowned for his cruelty and sadistic tendencies, which supposedly included cannibalism. His notorious reputation is etched in legend, as it was he who commissioned the so-called ‘Brazen Bull’, a hollow bronze statue invented by the sculptor Perillos of Athens as a novel way to execute criminals, in which the victim would be placed, before a fire was set below the statue. A complex system of tubes converted the victim’s screams into the sounds of a bellowing bull. Perillos, expecting a reward for his service, was instead thrown into the bull to test it. More tyrants followed before a democracy was established in 473, most notable of whom was Theron (who ruled 489-472), who played a critical role in the joint Syracusan and Akragantine victory over the Carthaginians at the Battle of Himera in 480, an event which led to the crippling of Punic power in Sicily for many decades.

Silver civic coinage was struck at Akragas relatively early, from at least the end of the sixth century BC, with the iconic eagle and crab types emerging almost immediately: the eagle being sacred to Zeus, to whom a vast temple was dedicated on the city’s ‘hill of Athena’, and the crab being a popular local delicacy harvested from the rivers located nearby. The duo continued to feature on Akragantine coinage throughout the fifth century, with the depictions of the eagle(s) in becoming ever more elaborate and impressive (see HGC 2, 81-2), before the crab gave way to Nike/quadriga types just before the turn of the century, a clear indication of the influence of contemporary Syracusan coinage.

Sicily, Himera AR Litra. Circa 430 BC. Bearded head to right, wearing diadem / Corinthian helmet decorated with spiral ornament; IMEPAN around; all within circular incuse. SNG ANS -; SNG Lloyd 1028; Rizzo pl. XXI, 13; Basel -; Gulbenkian -; HGC 2, 447. 0.58g, 10mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine; rare in this condition.

Acquired from Dr. Busso Peus Nachfolger; Ex Graeculus Collection.

83.

Sicily, Katane AR Tetras. Circa 415-412 BC. Laureate head of Apollo to right; laurel leaf to right before / Kithara; K-[A] across fields, three pellets (mark of value) around. Boehringer, Kataneische, Ts 15-19; HGC 2, 595. 0.18g, 8mm, 1h.

Near Extremely Fine. Very Rare.

From a private European collection.

84.

Sicily, Leontinoi AR Obol. Circa 476-466 BC. Facing lion’s scalp / Barley grain; ΛEON around. Boehringer, Münzgeschichte 19; SNG ANS 213-216 var. (rev. legend arrangement, litra); HGC 2, 687. 0.70g, 11mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine; superb for the issue.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 98, 16 June 2022, lot 79.

Sicily, Leontinoi AR Tetradrachm. Circa 430-420 BC. Laureate head of Apollo to left / Lion’s head to left, with open jaws and tongue protruding; three barley grains, a leaf, and LEONTINON around. Rizzo pl. XXIIII, 4 (same dies); Boehringer, Münzgeschichte, pl.12, 55 (same dies); SNG ANS 257 (same dies); SNG München 559 (same dies); HGC 2, 671 (same dies). 17.32g, 26mm, 10h.

Sicily, Messana AR Tetradrachm. 465-461 BC. Mule biga driven to right by seated male charioteer; Nike flying to right above, crowning mules with wreath, bay leaf in exergue / Hare springing to right; MESSENION around. Caltabiano Series V, 352 (R145 - same rev. die); Randazzo 181 (same dies); SNG ANS 315-320; HGC 2, 779. 17.39g, 26mm, 9h.

Extremely Fine; attractive hints of iridescence around devices.

From the Arethusa Collection; Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XI, 7 April 2016, lot 98.

Exceedingly Rare

Sicily, Messana AR Litra. Circa 412-408 BC. Hare springing to right; Λ and scallop shell below / MEΣ within wreath. Caltabiano 638; HGC 2, 818 (R2); CNG E-218, 70 (same dies). 0.59g, 14mm, 10h.

Extremely Fine. Exceedingly Rare; seemingly just three other specimens sold at auction in the past twenty years.

From a private European collection.

900

300

Sicily, Segesta AR Didrachm. Circa 412-400 BC. Hound to right, three stalks of barley behind; ΣΕΓΕΣΤΑZΙΒ in exergue / ΕΓΕΣΤΑIOИ, head of nymph to right. Hurter, Didrachmenprägung 193 (V60/R108); SNG ANS 643 (same dies); HGC 2, 1151. 8.43g, 22mm, 6h.

Good Very Fine. Extremely Rare.

From a private European collection.

89. 1,500

Sicily, Selinos AR Didrachm. Circa 540-515 BC. Selinon (wild parsley) leaf; pellets flanking above, two further pellets flanking stem, taking form of eyes of facing panther head design / Dekapartite incuse punch with raised and sunken compartments. Arnold-Biucchi Group I, 5; Selinus Hoard 30 (suggested animal a fox or bat); SNG ANS 665-6; HGC 2, 1210. 9.06g, 23mm.

Good Extremely Fine; beautiful light cabinet tone with attractive iridescence. Very Rare.

Privately purchased from Bank Leu AG prior to June 1989, old collector’s ticket included.

Unsigned Dies by the Master ‘A’

Sicily, Syracuse AR Tetradrachm. Time of the Second Democracy, circa 440-430 BC. Unsigned dies by the master ‘A’. Charioteer, holding kentron and reins, driving slow quadriga to right; Nike above, flying to right, crowning horses with wreath / Head of Arethusa to right, wearing double-hook earrings and necklace; ΣYPAKOΣION and four dolphins around. Boehringer 642 (V326/R442); BMC 112 (same dies); SNG ANS 207 (same dies); HGC 2, 1319. 17.68g, 25mm, 1h.

Extremely Fine.

Acquired from Bertolami Fine Arts - ACR Auctions.

4,500

The talented engraver who signed some of his dies simply with an ‘A’ was the very first master engraver to sign his dies at Syracuse, around 15 years before other masters such as Eumenos, Kimon and Euainetos began signing theirs.

Sicily, Syracuse AR Tetradrachm. Time of the Second Democracy, circa 420 BC. Unsigned dies by the unknown master ‘A’. Charioteer, holding kentron and reins, driving slow quadriga to right; Nike above, flying to right, crowning charioteer with wreath / Head of Arethusa to right, wearing hook earring, hair enveloped in sakkos drawn together at top and decorated with a maeander pattern above chevrons; ΣΥΡΑΚΟΣΙ[ΟΝ] and four dolphins around. Boehringer 692 (V342/R471); HGC 2, 1322. 17.08g, 25mm, 3h.

Near Extremely Fine. Rare.

From a private European collection.

1,500

Signed by Eumenes and Eukleidas

Sicily, Syracuse AR Tetradrachm. Time of the Second Democracy, circa 415-405 BC. Obverse die signed by Eumenes and reverse die signed by Eukleidas. Charioteer, holding kentron in right hand and reins in both, driving fast quadriga to left; Nike above, flying to right, crowning charioteer with wreath; EYMENOY in exergue / Head of Arethusa to left, wearing double-pendant earring, hair bound by ampyx and net-like sphendone; below chin, diptych inscribed EYKΛEIΔA in two lines, ΣYPAKOΣIΩN and four dolphins around. Tudeer 24 (O9/R16); Boston MFA 402 = Warren 372 (same dies); SNG ANS 259 (same dies); BMC 193 (same dies); HGC 2, 1328. 17.18g, 27mm, 6h.

Near Extremely Fine; a bright, attractive example. Scarce; especially so in such condition.

Acquired from Nomos AG.

Described by Cicero as ‘the greatest Greek city and the most beautiful of them all’ (Against Verres, 2.4.52), Syracuse became the major power in Sicily during the late fifth century BC. Its political and cultural power is borne out in its enormous issues of undoubtedly some of the finest coinage in all of antiquity, with its influence attracting eminent artists, including some celebrated die-engravers from across the Mediterranean. These masters brought about a stylistic revolution, breathing life into the static, rigid forms of Archaic art and developing new ways of depicting motion and life on a miniature scale. These artists were responsible for tetradrachms of beautifully realistic style which were minted in vast quantities and widely disseminated and are now highly sought after by collectors.

Among these master engravers were Eumenes and Eukleidas, who worked contemporaneously and whose status as artists rather than mere craftsmen is symbolised by the act of signing their dies, just as painters would later sign their masterpieces. Intriguingly, Eukleidas’ signature can be glimpsed on this example on a miniature folding diptych, an interesting element of materiality that appears to float in the sea with dolphins swimming about the graceful head of the sea-nymph Arethusa, her delicate classical features and serene expression beautifully complemented by her curls flowing wave-like away from her face. The impression of motion carries over to the obverse in a dramatic depiction of a chariot race. An iconic motif which had evolved from sober, canonical renderings inspired by Attic vase paintings, this dramatic engraving emphasises the thundering motion of the team of horses. We are afforded a wonderful view of the charioteer straining forwards, but while Eumenes’ style powerfully engages the viewer in the race, the outcome is never in doubt: the presence of Nike, soaring in from above to crown the charioteer, shows victory is assured.

This victorious representation is particularly pertinent within the context of the events of the decade in which this specific type was produced, during which Syracuse saw off the great Sicilian Expedition of Athens and battled with Carthage in the Second Sicilian War. When the Athenians besieged Syracuse in 415-413 BC the Syracusans were able to successfully overcome the onslaught, however a more formidable in the form of Hannibal Mago would soon test Syracusan resolve when in 410 BC the Carthaginians renewed hostilities in Sicily. Having captured Selinos and Himera, Hannibal Mago turned his sights to the greatest prize, Syracuse. Dionysios I was forced to accept an uneasy peace treaty in 405 BC with Himilco, Hannibal Mago’s successor, which marked an end to Syracusan influence in much of the rest of the island.

Good Extremely Fine; splendid green

From a private European collection.

12,000

Sicily, Syracuse Æ 16mm. Time of the Second Democracy, circa 410-405 BC. Head of Arethusa to left, wearing sphendone / Four-spoked wheel; ΣYPA within two upper segments, two dolphins diving inwards within two lower segments. CNS 19-23; HGC 2, 1479. 3.56g, 16mm, 7h.

patina.

A Spectacular Example

Sicily, Syracuse AV 100 Litrai - Double Dekadrachm. Dionysios I, circa 405-400 BC. Unsigned dies in the style of Kimon. Head of Arethusa to left, wearing triple-pendant earring and necklace, hair in sphendone ornamented with two stars; ΣYPAKO[ΣIΩN] before, A behind / Herakles kneeling to right, strangling the Nemean Lion. Bérend 30; Gulbenkian 324 (same dies); Rizzo pl. L, 12 (same rev. die); SNG ANS 332-333 (same dies); Pozzi 606 (A rather than AK behind); Jameson 1917 var. (A behind); HGC 2, 1275 var. (same). 5.78g, 15mm, 3h.

Good Extremely Fine; small edge mark, otherwise a spectacular example with a crisp portrait in high relief. Extremely Rare; a very rare denomination in itself, and furthermore a variety unpublished in a number of the major collections.

Acquired from Jean Vinchon Numismatique (Paris).

This particular issue dates to circa 405 BC, following the election of Dionysios as supreme military commander of Syracuse in recognition of his achievements in the war against Carthage and his subsequent seizure of total power.

Syracuse had only recently repelled an Athenian invasion of Sicily that resulted in the complete destruction of Athens’ expeditionary force and ultimately contributed significantly to Athens’ defeat at the hands of Sparta in the Peloponnesian War. Then under Dionysios in 405 BC, despite the ruin of great cities such as Akragas and Gela, Syracuse overcame a Carthaginian invasion that might have resulted in a comprehensive conquest of the island. Such glory was short-lived, however, as the rule of Dionysios’ son and successor was to bring civil strife that would weaken the power of Syracuse. Never again would the city issue coinage on such a grand scale, and this coin represents part of the last great flourishing of classical numismatic art at Syracuse before two centuries of steady decline and eventual conquest at the hands of the Romans.

The wonderful Syracusan 100 litrai or double dekadrachms are considered amongst some of the finest gold coinage of the Greek world, and are associated with the magnificent dekadrachms of Euainetos, whose signature also appears on the earlier dies of the gold denomination issue. The serenely graceful head of the sea-nymph Arethusa, rendered in very similar style to the great die-engraver Euainetos, is presented in delightful contrast to the dynamic rendering of the first labour of Hercules, the slaying of the Nemean lion, on the reverse. The die-engraver’s masterful composition within the bounds of a circular constraint produces a scene of great power and climax, both Herakles’ and the lion’s backs arched as the hero bends to tighten his grip around the lion’s neck and it strains desperately against him to escape. As a great Doric hero and ancestor of the Doric city of Syracuse, Herakles’ defeat of the lion, the symbol of Africa, has powerful connotations for Syracuse’s own conflict with the African city of Carthage.

97.

Sicily, Syracuse AR Tetradrachm. Time of Dionysios I, circa 405-400 BC. Charioteer, holding reins and kentron, driving fast quadriga to left; Nike above, flying to right, holding wreath; grain ear below double exergual line / Head of Arethusa to left, wearing triple pendant earring and necklace, hair bound in sakkos ornamented with stars; [ΣΥΡΑΚΟΣΙΩΝ] and four dolphins around. Tudeer 83 (V30/R56); Dewing 850; SNG ANS 291 (same rev. die); HGC 2, 1342. 17.37g, 24mm, 2h.

About Extremely Fine.

From the Arethusa Collection; Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XI, 7 April 2016, lot 117; Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction II, 2 October 2011, lot 112; Ex Dr. Busso Peus Nachf. 380, 3 November 2004, lot 253; Ex KPM 44, 1993, lot 24.

Exceptional Condition

Sicily, Syracuse AR Drachm. Time of Dionysios I, circa 405-400 BC. Unsigned dies in the style of Eukleidas. Head of Athena facing three-quarters to left, wearing triple-crested Attic helmet; on either side, two dolphins snout to snout; [ΣΥΡΑΚ]ΟΣΙΩ[Ν] around / Naked Leukaspis advancing to right, wearing crested helmet, holding spear in right hand and oval shield in left; sword suspended by strap over right shoulder; square altar ornamented with garland in background left, and to right, forepart of slain ram on its back;

around,

in exergue. Boehringer, Essays Thompson pl. 38, 6; SNG ANS 309-10; Boston MFA 420; HGC 2, 1364. 3.83g, 18mm, 3h.

Good Extremely Fine; wonderful old cabinet tone with underlying iridescence and lustre, rev. in particularly exceptional condition for the type.

From the Arethusa Collection; Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 23, 9 January 2016, lot 53.

An Extraordinary Reverse

1,800

Sicily, Syracuse AR Drachm. Time of Dionysios I, circa 405-400 BC. Unsigned dies in the style of Eukleidas. Head of Athena facing three-quarters to left, wearing triple-crested Attic helmet; on either side, two dolphins snout to snout; [ΣΥΡΑΚ]ΟΣΙΩ[Ν] around / Naked Leukaspis advancing to right, wearing crested helmet, holding spear in right hand and oval shield in left; sword suspended by strap over right shoulder; square altar ornamented with garland in background left, and to right, forepart of slain ram on its back; ΣΥΡΑΚ[ΟΣΙΩΝ] around, [ΛΕ]ΥΚΑΣΠΙΣ in exergue. Boehringer, Essays Thompson pl. 38, 6; SNG ANS 309-10; Boston MFA 420; HGC 2, 1364. 4.29g, 18mm, 6h.

Good Extremely Fine; obv. somewhat rough, but with an extraordinarily well preserved reverse - rare thus. From a private European collection.

900

Sicily, Syracuse AR Drachm. Time of Dionysios I, circa 405-400 BC. Unsigned dies in the style of Eukleidas. Head of Athena facing three-quarters to left, wearing triple-crested Attic helmet; on either side, two dolphins snout to snout; [ΣΥΡΑΚ]ΟΣΙΩ[Ν] around / Naked Leukaspis advancing to right, wearing crested helmet, holding spear in right hand and oval shield in left; sword suspended by strap over right shoulder; square altar ornamented with garland in background left, and to right, forepart of slain ram on its back; [ΣΥΡΑΚΟΣ]ΙΩΝ around, [ΛΕ]ΥΚΑΣΠ[ΙΣ] in exergue. Boehringer, Essays Thompson pl. 38, 6 (same rev. die); SNG ANS 309-10; Boston MFA 420; HGC 2, 1364. 3.50g, 18mm, 12h.

Very Fine; old cleaning marks, subtle hints of blue iridescence around devices.

From the JTB Numismatic Collection - collector’s ticket included; Ex Pythagoras Collection, Classical Numismatic Group, Triton XXV, 11 January 2022, lot 5023.

99.

Sicily, Syracuse AR Stater. Time of Timoleon and the Third Democracy, circa 343-317 BC. Pegasos flying to left / Head of Athena to right, wearing Corinthian helmet; ΣYΡΑΚΟΣΙΩΝ before. Pegasi 1; SNG Copenhagen 711-2; SNG ANS 494-5; HGC 2, 1400. 8.56g, 21mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine; attractive old cabinet tone.

Acquired from Classical Numismatic Group; Ex Bertolami Fine Arts - ACR Auctions, Auction 12, 29 October 2014, lot 210.

100.

Sicily, Syracuse AR Stater. Time of Timoleon and the Third Democracy, circa 343-317 BC. Pegasos flying to left / Head of Athena to right, wearing Corinthian helmet; ΣYPAKOΣIΩN before. Pegasi 1; SNG Copenhagen 711-2; SNG ANS 507; HGC 2, 1400. 8.61g, 20mm, 8h.

Good Extremely Fine; rev. die rust, stunning underlying lustre and iridescence around devices and a marvellous portrait.

From the Arethusa Collection; Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction VIII, 28 September 2014, lot 117.

Ex ‘Outstanding Collection’ of Viscount Wimborne

1,650

900

101.

Sicily, Syracuse AR Diobol. Time of Timoleon and the Third Democracy, 343-317 BC. Attic standard. Head of Athena facing slightly to left, wearing triple crested helmet and pearl necklace / Nude youth on horseback to right; star in upper left field. Triton XVIII, 395; Nanteuil 372 = Sambon, March 1923 (Picard), 330 = Sambon & Canessa, December 1907 (de Ciccio), 391; M. Ratto, May 1935, 205; HGC 2, -; otherwise unpublished. 1.37g, 13mm, 12h.

Good Extremely Fine; attractive cabinet tone. Extremely Rare; one of apparently just five known examples. Ex Kleinkunst Collection;

Ex collection of Viscount Wimborne (‘Outstanding Collection’), Leu Numismatik AG, Auction 81, 16 May 2001, lot 114 (ticket included); Ex Bank Leu AG, Auction 2, 25 April 1972, lot 118.

A Miniature Gem

1,500

102.

Sicily, Syracuse AR Dilitron. Time of Timoleon and the Third Democracy, circa 343-317 BC. ΣYPΑΚΟΣΙΩΝ, laureate janiform female head; dolphin in right field / Horse galloping to right, sun above. SNG ANS 1183 corr. (direction of horse); HGC 2, 1374 var. (direction of horse). 1.11g, 12mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine; wonderful old cabinet tone and in magnificent condition for the type. Extremely Rare; seemingly no other examples of this variety present on CoinArchives.

Acquired from Dr. Busso Peus Nachfolger.

This issue is lighter than the typical circa 1.5 gram standard, and is similar in weight to the example in SNG ANS (1.02g). It has previously been described as a trihemilitron, but to have issued a distinct denomination of such similar weight and types seems counterintuitive.

1,050

103.

Sicily, Syracuse AR Tetradrachm. Time of Agathokles, circa 310-305 BC. Wreathed head of Arethusa to left, wearing triple-pendent earring and necklace; three dolphins around, NK below neck / Charioteer driving quadriga to left; triskeles above, ΣYPAKOΣIΩN above monogram in exergue. Ierardi 1 (O1/R1); SNG ANS 633-4; SNG Lloyd 1476; HGC 2, 1348. 17.16g, 26mm, 12h.

About Extremely Fine.

From a private European collection.

A Very Rare Variety

1,500

104.

Sicily, Syracuse AR Sixteen Litrae. Philistis, wife of Hieron II, circa 216-215 BC. Diademed and veiled head of Philistis to left; arrow head in right field / Nike driving slow quadriga to right, holding reins; ΒΑΣΙΛΙΣΣΑΣ and MI above, [ΦΙ]ΛΙΣΤΙΔΟΣ in exergue. Burnett, Enna -; SNG ANS -; SNG Copenhagen -; BMC 566; HGC 2, 1556. 13.60g, 27mm, 1h.

Good Extremely Fine; almost invisible contact mark on rev., attractive old cabinet tone. A very rare variety.

Ex Numismatica Ars Classica AG, Auction 64, 17 May 2012, lot 748; Ex Jean Elsen & ses Fils S.A., Auction 59, 18 September 1999, lot 52.

1,500

105.

Sicily, Syracuse AR 12 Litrai. Time of the Fifth Democracy, circa 214-212 BC. Head of Athena to left, wearing crested Corinthian helmet decorated with coiled serpent on bowl / Artemis standing to left, discharging arrow from bow, hound running to left at her feet; ΣYPAKOΣIΩN to right, ΞA to left. Burnett, Enna Hoard D21 (dies 8/n); McClean 2957 (same dies); SNG ANS 1040; HGC 2, 1412. 10.23g, 26mm, 9h.

Good Extremely Fine; stunning old cabinet tone with iridescent highlights.

Acquired from Baldwin’s Auctions Ltd.

KINGS OF ILLYRIA

106.

2,400

Kings of Illyria, Monounios AR Stater. Dyrrhachion, circa 305-275 BC. Cow standing to right, looking back at suckling calf standing to left below; jawbone of boar above / Double stellate pattern divided by line within double square linear border, ΒΑCIΛEΩC MONOYNIOY on two sides, Δ-YP above and below. Gjongecaj emission 3, 170-5; Paškvan 2c; Maier 88; Meadows, CH (forthcoming) 202 (this coin); HGC 3.1, 68 var. (position of ethnic). 10.35g, 20mm, 4h.

Good Very Fine.

EPEIROS

Ex Gorny & Mosch 2005

Epeiros, Epeirote Republic AR Drachm. Circa 198-168 BC. Head of Zeus Dodonaeus to right, wearing oak wreath; monogram behind / Eagle with closed wings standing to right on thunderbolt; ΑΠΕΙ-ΡΩΤΑΝ around; all within oak wreath. Franke, Epeiros 69 (V28/R47); BMC 24; SNG Copenhagen 114; HGC 3.1, 171. 4.92g, 21mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine; minor flan crack at 4h, superb old cabinet tone with attractive iridescence. Very rare.

Ex collection of Sheik Saud al Thani, Numismatica Ars Classica AG, Auction 126, 17 November 2021, lot 155; Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction II, 2 October 2011, lot 156 (hammer: GBP 4,800); Ex Gorny & Mosch Giessener Münzhandlung 138, 7 March 2005, lot 64.

108.

Akarnania, Leukas AR Stater. Circa 320-280 BC. Pegasos flying to left; Λ below / Head of Athena to left, wearing Corinthian helmet; Λ and stylis behind. Pegasi 132; BCD Akarnania 269; HGC 4, 825. 8.49g, 23mm, 6h.

Near Extremely Fine; well-centred and struck, with excellent detail to rev.

From a private European collection.

THESSALY

Thessaly, Larissa AR Drachm. Circa 479-460 BC. Horse grazing to left, with head lowered; above, cicada to left / Sandal of Jason to left, double axe above, [Λ]ARISAI[ON] around from lower left; all within incuse square. BCD Thessaly I 1095 = Jameson 2467 (same dies); BCD Thessaly II 129; BMC 1 = Traité I, 1411, pl. XLIII, 2; HGC 4, 393. 5.80g, 17mm, 3h.

Good Very Fine. Very Rare.

From the JTB Numismatic Collection; Acquired from Nomos AG.

Published in Hoover, 2014

Thessaly, Perrhaiboi AR Hemidrachm. Circa mid 5th century BC. Male figure holding bull leaping to right / Forepart of bridled horse to left; ΠΕRA retrograde around; all within incuse square. BCD Thessaly II, 540 = HGC 4, 138 (this coin). 2.74g, 14mm, 1h.

Near Very Fine; porous surfaces.

This coin published in O. D. Hoover, The Handbook of Greek Coinage Series, Volume 4: The Handbook of Coins of Northern and Central Greece (Lancaster PA, 2014);

From the EJP Collection; Ex BCD Collection, Classical Numismatic Group, Triton XV, 3 January 2012, lot 540.

112.

A Stunning Drachm of Pharsalos

Thessaly, Pharsalos AR Drachm. Late 5th-mid 4th century BC. Dies signed by the engravers Telephantos and Mi -. Head of Athena to right, wearing crested Attic helmet with raised cheek guards, helmet ornamented with two palmettes; TH and MI behind / Thessalian cavalryman riding horse prancing to right, wearing petasos, chlamys and chiton, and holding lagobolon over shoulder; ΦΑΡ(retrograde)[Σ] around, [ΤΗ] below exergual line. Lavva 154 (V72/R90); BCD Thessaly II, 642 (same dies). 6.36g, 19mm, 1h.

Extremely Fine; beautiful golden highlights.

Acquired from Münzhandlung Ritter (Düsseldorf), 13 September 1996, old collector’s tickets included.

Thessaly, Thessalian League AR Stater. Late 2nd-mid 1st century BC. Amynandros and Xenophantos, magistrates. Head of Zeus to right, wearing oakwreath; ΞENOΦAN-TOΣ downwards in two lines behind / Athena Itonia advancing to right, holding shield and preparing to hurl spear on which owl sits; ΘΕΣΣΑ upwards to left, A-MY-N-AN-ΔPOY across central fields, monogram to inner field. BCD Thessaly II 867.1; HGC 4, 209 corr. (symbol). 6.32g, 23mm, 12h.

Good Extremely Fine; well-struck and lustrous. Very rare with these magistrates.

Gillet Collection & ex Katoché Hoard 1948 ELIS

113. 4,800 Ex

Elis, Olympia AR Stater. ‘Hera’ mint, circa 98th Olympiad = 388 BC. Head of Hera to right, wearing ornamented stephanos; c/ms: uncertain identical symbols / Upright thunderbolt; F-A across fields; all within wreath. Seltman, Katoché 284h = BCD Olympia 94 = Gillet 985 (this coin); Seltman, Temple 283-4; BMC 57 (same dies); HGC 5, 357 (this coin cited and illustrated - R1). 12.13g, 23mm, 4h.

Extremely Fine; boasting a spectacular old cabinet tone. Extremely Rare.

This coin published in O.D. Hoover, The Handbook of Greek Coins, Vol. 5 - Coins of the Peloponnesos (Lancaster PA, 2011); This coin published in C. Seltman, ‘The Katoché Hoard of Elean Coins’ in NC 11 (London, 1951);

Ex Gorny & Mosch Giessener Münzhandlung, Auction 195, 7 March 2011, lot 189;

Ex BCD Collection, Leu Numismatik AG, Auction 90, 10 May 2004, lot 94 (hammer: CHF 10,500);

Ex Charles Gillet collection;

Arkadia, Megalopolis AR Triobol or Hemidrachm. Circa 100-80 BC. Laureate head of Zeus to left / Pan seated to left on rock, raising hand and holding logobolon; ΜΕΓ behind, eagle flying to left above knee, monogram to lower left. Dengate group III, pp. 84-5, issue 7; BMC 8-9; BCD Peloponnesos I 1554; BCD Peloponnesos II 2675; SNG Copenhagen 259; Weber 4310; Traeger 449; HGC 5, 947. 2.40g, 16mm, 11h. Extremely Fine; wonderful old cabinet tone with attractive hints of iridescence.

From a private European collection.

CORINTHIA

116.

Corinthia, Corinth AR Stater. Circa 405-345 BC. Pegasos flying to left; Ϙ below / Head of Athena to left, wearing Corinthian helmet; palmette behind. Pegasi 111; BCD Corinth -; Ravel 347; HGC 4, 1832. 8.54g, 24mm, 4h.

Good Very Fine.

Acquired from Art Valorem (France).

117.

Corinthia, Corinth AR Stater. Circa 400-345 BC. Pegasos flying to left; Ϙ and H below / Head of Athena to left, wearing Corinthian helmet; forepart of horse to right behind. Pegasi 141/1; BCD Corinth 54 var. (H to left of Ϙ on obv.); HGC 4, 1832. 8.59g, 22mm, 2h.

Good Extremely Fine.

From the JTB Numismatic Collection.

Corinthia, Corinth AR Stater. Circa 375-345 BC. Pegasos flying to right; Ϙ below / Head of Athena to right, wearing Corinthian helmet; Nike standing to left holding thymiaterion, EΛ (reverted) above. Pegasi - cf. 350 (direction of Nike, different control letters); Ravel -; Camman -; apparently unpublished in the standard references.

NGC graded AU 5/5-3/5 (6158966-001). Extremely rare unpublished variant.

Acquired from Vilmar Numismatics; Ex Nelson Bunker Hunt Collection, Sotheby’s Sale 6044, 21 June 1990, lot 434.

1,500

115.

Ex Nelson Bunker Hunt Collection, Sotheby’s 1990

118.

Corinthia, Corinth AR Stater. Circa 375-345 BC. Pegasos flying to left; Ϙ below / Head of Athena to left, wearing Corinthian helmet; E and race torch behind. Pegasi 372; Ravel 995; BCD Corinth 95; SNG Copenhagen -; HGC 4, 1848. 8.45g, 22mm, 9h.

Good Very Fine.

From a private European collection.

119.

Corinthia, Corinth AR Stater. Circa 345-307 BC. Pegasos flying to left; Ϙ below / Head of Athena to left, wearing Corinthian helmet; Ι below chin, cockerel standing to left on club behind. Pegasi 423; Ravel 1032; BCD Corinth 113; SNG Copenhagen 112; SNG Lockett 2092; SNG Fitzwilliam 3410; HGC 4, 1848. 8.42g, 22mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine; attractive cabinet tone over lustrous metal.

121.

Corinthia, Corinth AR Stater. Circa 345-307 BC. Pegasos flying to left; Ϙ below / Head of Athena to left, wearing Corinthian helmet; N within wreath behind. Pegasi 386; Ravel 1069; BCD Corinth 128; SNG Copenhagen 119; HGC 4, 1848. 8.57g, 21mm, 12h.

From a private European collection. 600

Corinthia,

Corinth AR Stater. Circa 345-307 BC. Pegasos flying to left / Head of Athena to left, wearing Corinthian helmet; axe behind. Pegasi 494; Ravel 1119; BCD Corinth 139; HGC 4, 1848. 8.56g, 21mm, 3h.

Extremely Fine; attractive cabinet tone over lustrous metal. Rare.

Although likely, the attribution of this type to Corinth is not certain as the city’s ethnic is not displayed below the Pegasos, as is usually the case. 600

A Beautiful Portrait of Aphrodite

122. 600

Corinthia, Corinth AR Drachm. Circa 330-300 BC. Pegasos flying to left; Ϙ below / Head of Aphrodite to left, wearing sakkos; Δ before, I behind. BCD Corinth 154 var. (hairstyle); BMC 322; HGC 4, 1869. 2.61g, 14mm, 6h.

Good Very Fine; deep old cabinet tone. Very Rare.

Ex Münzzentrum Rheinland, Auction 105, 10-12 January 2001, lot 147 (old collector’s ticket included).

Extremely Fine; some die rust to reverse.

From a private European collection.

Corinthia, Corinth AR Drachm. Circa 330-300 BC. Pegasos flying to left; Ϙ below / Head of Aphrodite to left, wearing sakkos; Δ below chin. BCD Corinth 156-8 var. (letters on rev.); SNG Copenhagen 130 var. (same); HGC 4, 1869. 2.50g, 17mm, 12h.

Near Extremely Fine; attractive old cabinet tone. Rare variant.

From a private UK collection.

SIKYONIA

A Very Rare Variety

124.

Sikyonia, Sikyon AR Stater. Circa 431-400 BC. Chimaera advancing to right, right paw raised; ΣE below / Dove flying to right within olive wreath. BCD Peloponnesos 200.1; BMC 46; SNG Copenhagen 32 var. (obv. legend retrograde) or 47 var. (ivy leaf on rev.); SNG Lockett 2324 var. (bow on rev.); HGC 5, - cf. pp. 56-57 for multiple variants. 12.25g, 25mm, 12h.

Good Extremely Fine; beautiful iridescent tone around the devices. Very Rare.

Acquired from Münzhandlung Ritter (Düsseldorf), 13 September 1996.

ATTICA

3,300

Attica, Athens AR Tetradrachm. Circa 500-480 BC. Archaic head of Athena to right, wearing crested helmet decorated with chevron and dot pattern and round earring / Owl standing to right with head facing; olive sprig behind, ΑΘΕ before; all within incuse square. Seltman Group M, cf. 385 (A253/ P326); cf. Svoronos pl. 5, 38; HGC 4, 1590. 17.08g, 24mm, 9h.

Extremely Fine; metal flaw on rev., but in exceptional condition and displaying a near complete helmet crest. Very Rare.

From a private European collection; Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XXII, 7 October 2021, lot 205.

2,100

Attica, Athens AR Tetradrachm. Circa 485-480 BC. Archaic head of Athena to right, wearing crested helmet decorated with chevron and dot pattern, and round earring with central boss / Owl standing to right with head facing; olive sprig behind, [Α]ΘΕ before; all within incuse square. Cf. Seltman ‘Paeonian mint’ group E, 92-110; cf. Svoronos pl. 2; HGC 4, 1591. 17.03g, 21mm, 3h.

Good Very Fine; some light scratches.

From the JTB Numismatic Collection; Acquired from Numismatik Naumann.

From the Dekadrachm Series

Attica, Athens AR Tetradrachm. Circa late 470s BC. Head of Athena to right, wearing earring and crested Attic helmet decorated with spiral palmette and three olive leaves / Owl standing to right with head facing; olive sprig and crescent behind, AΘE before; all within incuse square. Starr Group II.A, cf. pl. II, 18 for very similar reverse die and pl. III, 20 for very similar obv. die; Seltman 420 (same rev. die, P536); Svoronos pl. 8, 20 (same rev. die); HGC 4, 1593. 17.20g, 24mm, 1h.

Good Very Fine; displaying a full helmet crest. Very Rare; from the Dekadrachm series.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XXII, 7 October 2021, lot 206.

Late ‘Transitional’ Issue

128. 450

Attica, Athens AR Tetradrachm. Circa 460-454 BC. Late “transitional” issue. Head of Athena to right, wearing crested Attic helmet ornamented with three olive leaves above visor and spiral palmette on bowl, round earring with central boss and pearl necklace / Owl standing to right with head facing; olive sprig and crescent behind, ΑΘΕ before; all within incuse square. Starr pl. XXII, 1; Kroll 8; HGC 4, 1596. 17.20g, 24mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 89, 28 October 2021, lot 88.

Attica, Athens AR Tetradrachm. Circa 460-454 BC. Late “transitional” issue. Head of Athena to right, wearing crested Attic helmet ornamented with three olive leaves above visor and spiral palmette on bowl, round earring with central boss and pearl necklace / Owl standing to right with head facing; olive sprig and crescent behind, ΑΘΕ before; all within incuse square. Starr pl. XXII; Kroll 8; HGC 4, 1596. 17.19g, 25mm, 8h.

Extremely Fine.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 89, 28 October 2021, lot 85.

Full Helmet Crest

Attica, Athens AR Tetradrachm. Circa 454-404 BC. Head of Athena to right, wearing crested Attic helmet ornamented with three olive leaves above visor and spiral palmette on bowl, round earring with central boss, and pearl necklace / Owl standing to right with head facing; olive sprig and crescent behind, ΑΘΕ before; all within incuse square. Kroll 8; Dewing 1591-8; SNG Copenhagen 31; HGC 4, 1597. 17.22g, 25mm, 5h.

Good Extremely Fine; lightly toned, and displaying a full helmet crest.

From the inventory of a North American dealer; Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 62, 17 October 2019, lot 169.

1,200

131.

Attica, Athens AR Tetradrachm. Circa 454-404 BC. Head of Athena to right, wearing crested Attic helmet ornamented with three olive leaves above visor and spiral palmette on bowl, round earring with central boss, and pearl necklace / Owl standing to right with head facing; olive sprig and crescent behind, ΑΘΕ before; all within incuse square. Kroll 8; Dewing 1591-8; SNG Copenhagen 31; HGC 4, 1597. 17.21g, 24mm, 8h.

Good Extremely Fine.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 91, 2 December 2021, lot 144.

132.

Attica, Athens AR Tetradrachm. Circa 454-404 BC. Head of Athena to right, wearing crested Attic helmet ornamented with three olive leaves above visor and spiral palmette on bowl, round earring with central boss, and pearl necklace / Owl standing to right with head facing; olive sprig and crescent behind, ΑΘΕ before; all within incuse square. Kroll 8; Dewing 1591-8; SNG Copenhagen 31; HGC 4, 1597. 17.22g, 25mm, 6h.

Mint State.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 91, 2 December 2021, lot 164.

133.

Attica, Athens AR Tetradrachm. Circa 454-404 BC. Head of Athena to right, wearing crested Attic helmet ornamented with three olive leaves above visor and spiral palmette on bowl, round earring with central boss, and pearl necklace / Owl standing to right with head facing; olive sprig and crescent behind, ΑΘΕ before; all within incuse square. Kroll 8; Dewing 1591-8; SNG Copenhagen 31; HGC 4, 1597. 17.20g, 24mm, 7h.

Near Mint State; light cabinet tone.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 91, 2 December 2021, lot 177.

134.

Attica, Athens AR Tetradrachm. Circa 454-404 BC. Head of Athena to right, wearing crested Attic helmet ornamented with three olive leaves above visor and spiral palmette on bowl, round earring with central boss, and pearl necklace / Owl standing to right with head facing; olive sprig and crescent behind, ΑΘΕ before; all within incuse square. Kroll 8; Dewing 1591-8; SNG Copenhagen 31; HGC 4, 1597. 17.22g, 24mm, 2h.

Good Extremely Fine.

Attica, Athens AR Tetradrachm. Circa 454-404 BC. Head of Athena to right, wearing crested Attic helmet ornamented with three olive leaves above visor and spiral palmette on bowl, round earring with central boss, and pearl necklace / Owl standing to right with head facing; olive sprig and crescent behind, ΑΘΕ before; all within incuse square. Kroll 8; Dewing 1591-8; SNG Copenhagen 31; HGC 4, 1597. 17.20g, 24mm, 3h.

Good Extremely Fine.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 90, 18 November 2021, lot 160.

137.

Attica, Athens AR Tetradrachm. Circa 454-404 BC. Head of Athena to right, wearing crested Attic helmet ornamented with three olive leaves above visor and spiral palmette on bowl, round earring with central boss, and pearl necklace / Owl standing to right with head facing; olive sprig and crescent behind, ΑΘΕ before; all within incuse square. Kroll 8; Dewing 1591-8; SNG Copenhagen 31; HGC 4, 1597. 17.19g, 25mm, 4h.

Good Extremely Fine.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 89, 28 October 2021, lot 126.

138.

Attica, Athens AR Tetradrachm. Circa 454-404 BC. Head of Athena to right, wearing crested Attic helmet ornamented with three olive leaves above visor and spiral palmette on bowl, round earring with central boss, and pearl necklace / Owl standing to right with head facing; olive sprig and crescent behind, ΑΘΕ before; all within incuse square. Kroll 8; Dewing 1591-8; SNG Copenhagen 31; HGC 4, 1597. 17.21g, 26mm, 6h.

Near Mint State.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 89, 28 October 2021, lot 148.

Attica, Athens AR Tetradrachm. Circa 454-404 BC. Head of Athena to right, wearing crested Attic helmet ornamented with three olive leaves above visor and spiral palmette on bowl, round earring with central boss, and pearl necklace / Owl standing to right with head facing; olive sprig and crescent behind, ΑΘΕ before; all within incuse square. Kroll 8; Dewing 1591-8; SNG Copenhagen 31; HGC 4, 1597. 17.20g, 24mm, 1h.

Mint State.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 93, 6 January 2022, lot 206.

139.

Attica, Athens AR Tetradrachm. Circa 454-404 BC. Head of Athena to right, wearing crested Attic helmet ornamented with three olive leaves above visor and spiral palmette on bowl, round earring with central boss, and pearl necklace / Owl standing to right with head facing; olive sprig and crescent behind, ΑΘΕ before; all within incuse square. Kroll 8; Dewing 1591-8; SNG Copenhagen 31; HGC 4, 1597. 17.23g, 24mm, 5h. Near Mint State.

140.

Attica, Athens AR Tetradrachm. Circa 454-404 BC. Head of Athena to right, wearing crested Attic helmet ornamented with three olive leaves above visor and spiral palmette on bowl, round earring with central boss, and pearl necklace / Owl standing to right with head facing; olive sprig and crescent behind, ΑΘΕ before; all within incuse square. Kroll 8; Dewing 1591-8; SNG Copenhagen 31; HGC 4, 1597.

NGC Graded MS 5/5 - 4/5 (#4883344-034).

450

141. 450

NGC Graded Ch AU 5/5 - 5/5 (#4883344-002).

From a private European collection.

142. 450

NGC Graded Ch AU 4/5-5/5 (#4883344-025).

From a private European collection.

143. 450

144.

Attica, Athens AR Tetradrachm. Circa 454-404 BC. Head of Athena to right, wearing crested Attic helmet ornamented with three olive leaves above visor and spiral palmette on bowl, round earring with central boss, and pearl necklace / Owl standing to right with head facing; olive sprig and crescent behind, ΑΘΕ before; all within incuse square. Kroll 8; Dewing 1591-8; SNG Copenhagen 31; HGC 4, 1597.

NGC Graded Ch AU 5/5 - 4/5 (#4883344-026).

From a private European collection.

145.

Attica, Athens AR Tetradrachm. Circa 454-404 BC. Head of Athena to right, wearing crested Attic helmet ornamented with three olive leaves above visor and spiral palmette on bowl, round earring with central boss, and pearl necklace / Owl standing to right with head facing; olive sprig and crescent behind, ΑΘΕ before; all within incuse square. Kroll 8; Dewing 1591-8; SNG Copenhagen 31; HGC 4, 1597.

NGC Graded Ch AU 5/5 - 4/5 (#4883344-027).

From a private European collection.

146.

450

Attica, Athens AR Tetradrachm. Circa 454-404 BC. Head of Athena to right, wearing crested Attic helmet ornamented with three olive leaves above visor and spiral palmette on bowl, round earring with central boss, and pearl necklace / Owl standing to right with head facing; olive sprig and crescent behind, ΑΘΕ before; all within incuse square. Kroll 8; Dewing 1591-8; SNG Copenhagen 31; HGC 4, 1597.

NGC Graded MS 5/5 - 4/5 (#4883344-029).

From a private European collection.

450

Attica, Athens AR Tetradrachm. Circa 454-404 BC. Head of Athena to right, wearing crested Attic helmet ornamented with three olive leaves above visor and spiral palmette on bowl, round earring with central boss, and pearl necklace / Owl standing to right with head facing; olive sprig and crescent behind, ΑΘΕ before; all within incuse square. Kroll 8; Dewing 1591-8; SNG Copenhagen 31; HGC 4, 1597.

NGC Graded MS 4/5 - 5/5 (#4883344-011).

From a private European collection.

450

147.

Attica, Athens AR Tetradrachm. Circa 454-404 BC. Head of Athena to right, wearing crested Attic helmet ornamented with three olive leaves above visor and spiral palmette on bowl, round earring with central boss, and pearl necklace / Owl standing to right with head facing; olive sprig and crescent behind, ΑΘΕ before; all within incuse square. Kroll 8; Dewing 1591-8; SNG Copenhagen 31; HGC 4, 1597.

NGC Graded MS 5/5 - 5/5 (#4883344-012).

From a private European collection.

148.

Attica, Athens AR Tetradrachm. Circa 454-404 BC. Head of Athena to right, wearing crested Attic helmet ornamented with three olive leaves above visor and spiral palmette on bowl, round earring with central boss, and pearl necklace / Owl standing to right with head facing; olive sprig and crescent behind, ΑΘΕ before; all within incuse square. Kroll 8; Dewing 1591-8; SNG Copenhagen 31; HGC 4, 1597.

NGC Graded MS 5/5 - 4/5 (#4883344-014).

From a private European collection.

Full Helmet Crest

149.

Attica, Athens AR Tetradrachm. Circa 454-404 BC. Head of Athena to right, wearing crested Attic helmet ornamented with three olive leaves above visor and spiral palmette on bowl, round earring with central boss, and pearl necklace / Owl standing to right with head facing; olive sprig and crescent behind, ΑΘΕ before; all within incuse square. Kroll 8; Dewing 1591-8; SNG Copenhagen 31; HGC 4, 1597.

NGC Graded Au 5/5 - 4/5 (#4883344-013). Full helmet crest visible.

From a private European collection.

450

150.

Attica, Athens AR Tetradrachm. Circa 454-404 BC. Head of Athena to right, wearing crested Attic helmet ornamented with three olive leaves above visor and spiral palmette on bowl, round earring with central boss, and pearl necklace / Owl standing to right with head facing; olive sprig and crescent behind, ΑΘΕ before; all within incuse square. Kroll 8; Dewing 1591-8; SNG Copenhagen 31; HGC 4, 1597.

NGC Graded MS 5/5 - 4/5 (#4883344-028).

From a private European collection.

450

151. 450

152.

Attica, Athens AR Tetradrachm. Circa 454-404 BC. Head of Athena to right, wearing crested Attic helmet ornamented with three olive leaves above visor and spiral palmette on bowl, round earring with central boss, and pearl necklace / Owl standing to right with head facing; olive sprig and crescent behind, ΑΘΕ before; all within incuse square. Kroll 8; Dewing 1591-8; SNG Copenhagen 31; HGC 4, 1597.

NGC Graded Ch AU 5/5 - 4/5 (#4883344-035).

From a private European collection.

153.

Attica, Athens AR Tetradrachm. Circa 454-404 BC. Head of Athena to right, wearing crested Attic helmet ornamented with three olive leaves above visor and spiral palmette on bowl, round earring with central boss, and pearl necklace / Owl standing to right with head facing; olive sprig and crescent behind, ΑΘΕ before; all within incuse square. Kroll 8; Dewing 1591-8; SNG Copenhagen 31; HGC 4, 1597.

NGC Graded MS 5/5 - 4/5 (#4883344-033).

From a private European collection.

154.

450

Attica, Athens AR Tetradrachm. Circa 454-404 BC. Head of Athena to right, wearing crested Attic helmet ornamented with three olive leaves above visor and spiral palmette on bowl, round earring with central boss, and pearl necklace / Owl standing to right with head facing; olive sprig and crescent behind, ΑΘΕ before; all within incuse square. Kroll 8; Dewing 1591-8; SNG Copenhagen 31; HGC 4, 1597.

NGC Graded MS 5/5 - 4/5 (#4883344-016).

From a private European collection.

450

Attica, Athens AR Tetradrachm. Circa 454-404 BC. Head of Athena to right, wearing crested Attic helmet ornamented with three olive leaves above visor and spiral palmette on bowl, round earring with central boss, and pearl necklace / Owl standing to right with head facing; olive sprig and crescent behind, ΑΘΕ before; all within incuse square. Kroll 8; Dewing 1591-8; SNG Copenhagen 31; HGC 4, 1597.

NGC Graded MS 5/5 - 4/5 (#4883344-017).

From a private European collection.

450

Attica, Athens AR Tetradrachm. Circa 454-404 BC. Head of Athena to right, wearing crested Attic helmet ornamented with three olive leaves above visor and spiral palmette on bowl, round earring with central boss, and pearl necklace / Owl standing to right with head facing; olive sprig and crescent behind, ΑΘΕ before; all within incuse square. Kroll 8; Dewing 1591-8; SNG Copenhagen 31; HGC 4, 1597.

NGC Graded MS 5/5 - 5/5 (#6555701-011).

From a private European collection.

156. 450

157.

Attica, Athens AR Tetradrachm. Circa 454-404 BC. Head of Athena to right, wearing crested Attic helmet ornamented with three olive leaves above visor and spiral palmette on bowl, round earring with central boss, and pearl necklace / Owl standing to right with head facing; olive sprig and crescent behind, ΑΘΕ before; all within incuse square. Kroll 8; Dewing 1591-8; SNG Copenhagen 31; HGC 4, 1597.

NGC Graded MS 5/5 - 5/5 (#6555701-012).

From a private European collection.

158.

Attica, Athens AR Tetradrachm. Circa 454-404 BC. Head of Athena to right, wearing crested Attic helmet ornamented with three olive leaves above visor and spiral palmette on bowl, round earring with central boss, and pearl necklace / Owl standing to right with head facing; olive sprig and crescent behind, ΑΘΕ before; all within incuse square. Kroll 8; Dewing 1591-8; SNG Copenhagen 31; HGC 4, 1597.

NGC Graded MS 5/5 - 5/5 (#6555701-013).

From a private European collection.

450

Attica, Athens AR Tetradrachm. Circa 454-404 BC. Head of Athena to right, wearing crested Attic helmet ornamented with three olive leaves above visor and spiral palmette on bowl, round earring with central boss, and pearl necklace / Owl standing to right with head facing; olive sprig and crescent behind, ΑΘΕ before; all within incuse square. Kroll 8; Dewing 1591-8; SNG Copenhagen 31; HGC 4, 1597.

NGC Graded MS 5/5 - 5/5 (#6555701-014).

From a private European collection.

450

159.

Attica, Athens AR Tetradrachm. Circa 454-404 BC. Head of Athena to right, wearing crested Attic helmet ornamented with three olive leaves above visor and spiral palmette on bowl, round earring with central boss, and pearl necklace / Owl standing to right with head facing; olive sprig and crescent behind, ΑΘΕ before; all within incuse square. Kroll 8; Dewing 1591-8; SNG Copenhagen 31; HGC 4, 1597. 17.23g, 24mm, 6h.

Mint State.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 91, 2 December 2021, lot 163.

160.

Attica, Athens AR Tetradrachm. Circa 454-404 BC. Head of Athena to right, wearing crested Attic helmet ornamented with three olive leaves above visor and spiral palmette on bowl, round earring with central boss, and pearl necklace / Owl standing to right with head facing; olive sprig and crescent behind, ΑΘΕ before; all within incuse square. Kroll 8; Dewing 1591-8; SNG Copenhagen 31; HGC 4, 1597. 17.22g, 22mm, 3h.

Mint State.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 91, 2 December 2021, lot 175.

161.

Attica, Athens AR Tetradrachm. Circa 454-404 BC. Head of Athena to right, wearing crested Attic helmet ornamented with three olive leaves above visor and spiral palmette on bowl, round earring with central boss, and pearl necklace / Owl standing to right with head facing; olive sprig and crescent behind, ΑΘΕ before; all within incuse square. Kroll 8; Dewing 1591-8; SNG Copenhagen 31; HGC 4, 1597. 17.20g, 25mm, 6h.

Near Mint State.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 89, 28 October 2021, lot 123.

162.

Attica, Athens AR Tetradrachm. Circa 454-404 BC. Head of Athena to right, wearing crested Attic helmet ornamented with three olive leaves above visor and spiral palmette on bowl, round earring with central boss, and pearl necklace / Owl standing to right with head facing; olive sprig and crescent behind, ΑΘΕ before; all within incuse square. Kroll 8; Dewing 1591-8; SNG Copenhagen 31; HGC 4, 1597. 17.21g, 25mm, 1h.

Mint State; brilliant lustre.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 89, 28 October 2021, lot 138.

163.

Near Perfect Specimen

165.

Attica, Athens AR Drachm. Circa 454-404 BC. Head of Athena to right, wearing earring, necklace, and crested Attic helmet decorated with three olive leaves over visor and a spiral palmette on the bowl / Owl standing to right, with head facing; olive sprig and berry in upper left field, AΘE to right; all within incuse square. Kroll 10; SNG Copenhagen 41-3; HGC 4, 1631. 4.28g, 17mm, 8h.

Near Mint State; a near-perfect specimen, boasting wonderful detail and a stunning old cabinet tone.

Ex Mark and Lottie Salton Collection, old collector’s tickets included.

The Siege of Athens

1,500

Attica, Athens Fourrée Tetradrachm. Circa 406-404 BC. Head of Athena to right, wearing crested Attic helmet ornamented with three olive leaves above visor and spiral palmette on bowl, round earring with central boss, and pearl necklace / Owl standing to right with head facing; olive sprig and crescent behind, ΑΘΕ before; all within incuse square. Cf. Kroll 8; cf. Dewing 1591-8; cf. SNG Copenhagen 31; cf. HGC 4, 1597. 14.61g, 25mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine; bronze core showing through plating in a few spots, somewhat irregular rev. style.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 90, 18 November 2021, lot 200.

The extraordinary emergency issue of plated tetradrachms and drachms by Athens in about 405 BC was forced on them after the loss of control of the silver mines at Laurion, and due to the ongoing expense of the Peloponnesian war with Sparta which was then in its terminal stage. After Athens’ capitulation and the re-establishment of the government these coins were withdrawn from circulation around 403-402 BC, leaving surviving examples such as the present piece to be rare reminders of this tragic episode in the history of Athens.

Attica, Athens AR New Style Tetradrachm. Circa 166/5 BC. Timarchos, Nikag(oras), and Lysia- magistrates. Head of Athena Parthenos to right, wearing necklace, pendant earring, and triple-crested Attic helmet decorated with the protomes of four horses above the visor, Pegasos in flight rightward above the raised earpiece, and curvilinear ornament on the bowl / Owl standing to right, head facing, on amphora with I (month); A-ӨE above TIM-APXOY NIKAΓ ΛYΣIA (magistrates’ names) in four lines across field, anchor and star to left, ΣΦ below; all within wreath. Thompson 364c; HGC 4, 1602. 16.84g, 32mm, 11h.

Extremely Fine; well-centred.

Acquired from Baldwin’s Auctions Ltd.

1,350

Attica, Athens AR New Style Tetradrachm. Circa 138/7 BC. Glau- and Eche-, magistrates. Head of Athena Parthenos to right, wearing necklace, pendant earring, and triple-crested Attic helmet decorated with the protomes of four horses above the visor, Pegasos in flight rightward above the raised earpiece, and curvilinear ornament on the bowl / Owl standing to right, head facing, on amphora with N (retrograde, month); A-ӨE above ΓΛ-AY EXE (magistrates’ names) in two lines across field, head of Helios in right field, HP in left field; all within wreath. Thompson 305 = SNG Berry 714 (same dies); HGC 4, 1602. 16.70g, 33mm, 12h.

166. 600

Extremely Fine. Rare.

From a private European collection.

Islands off Attica, Aegina AR Stater. Circa 470-440 BC. Sea turtle, head in profile, with ‘T’ design in pellets on shell / Large square incuse with skew pattern. Meadows, Aegina, Group IIIa; Milbank Period III, pl. I, 13 (same obv. die); Gulbenkian 523; Kraay-Hirmer 336; Jameson 1199; SNG Copenhagen 507; HGC 6, 435. 12.42g, 20mm.

Near Extremely Fine; attractive example.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XXIII, 24 March 2022, lot 134.

BOIOTIA

168.

Boiotia, Thebes AR Stater. Circa 390-382 BC. Damo-, magistrate. Boiotian shield / Amphora, with ivy-spray hanging from left handle; club above, ΔAMΩ across fields; all within incuse circle. BCD Boiotia 490; Hepworth 21; BMC 129; HGC 4, 1330. 12.30g, 25mm.

Extremely Fine; stunning old cabinet tone.

Ex Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Auction 93, 6 September 2016, lot 1519.

169.

Boiotia, Thebes AR Stater. Circa 390-382 BC. Damo-, magistrate. Boiotian shield / Amphora, with ivy-spray hanging from left handle; club above, ΔAMO across fields; all within incuse circle. BCD Boiotia 490; Hepworth 21; BMC 129; HGC 4, 1330. 12.26g, 24mm.

Near Extremely Fine; wonderful old cabinet tone with iridescent blue highlights.

From the Arethusa Collection; Ex collection of the Landolt Family (Zurich), mainly formed in the early to mid 20th century, Nomos AG, obolos 4, 21 February 2016, lot 238.

170.

Ex Mark and Lottie Salton Collection

Boiotia, Thebes AR Stater. Circa 379-368 BC. Klee(s?)-, magistrate. Boiotian shield / Amphora; incense burner to right, KV-E[…] across fields. Hepworth 65-66; BCD Boiotia 504-505; Myron Hoard pl. E, 4-5; HGC 4, 1331.

NGC graded AU 4/5-3/5 (#6290606-014). Attractive old cabinet tone with iridescent highlights.

1,350

Acquired from Vilmar Numismatics; Ex Mark and Lottie Salton Collection, likely acquired during the 1950s-1960s when Mr. Salton owned a numismatic dealership in New York, Stack’s Bowers Galleries (& Ponterio), January 2022 NYINC Auction, 14 January 2022, lot 4241.

171.

Boiotia, Thebes AR Stater. Circa 379-368 BC. Klee-, magistrate. Boiotian shield / Amphora; incense burner to right, [K]V-EE across fields. Hepworth 65; BCD Boiotia 504; Myron Hoard pl. E, 4; HGC 4, 1331.

NGC graded Ch AU 4/5-4/5 (#6290606-017). Attractive old cabinet tone.

1,350

Acquired from Vilmar Numismatics; Ex Mark and Lottie Salton Collection, likely acquired during the 1950s-1960s when Mr. Salton owned a numismatic dealership in New York, Stack’s Bowers Galleries (& Ponterio), January 2022 NYINC Auction, 14 January 2022, lot 4240.

172.

Boiotia, Thebes AR Stater. Circa 379-368 BC. Boeotian shield / Amphora; ΔΑ-ΙΜ across fields. BMC 126; BCD Boiotia 523. 12.21g, 23mm.

Extremely Fine.

Acquired from Morton and Eden Ltd; Ex European Ambassador Collection, formed in the 1950s and 1960s.

CYCLADES

173.

Cyclades, Kythnos AR Tetrobol. Circa 475-460 BC. Boar’s head to right / Quadripartite incuse square. A. K. Kyrou, D. N. Artemis, The Silver Coinage of Kythnos in the Early Fifth Century BC, Studies Price, pl. 51, 15; Sheedy 30a; Traité I 783 (Lycia); Jameson 2315 (Lycia). 3.88g, 15mm.

Extremely Fine. Extremely rare, and exceptional for the type.

From a private European collection.

Aggression and Valour

Macedon, Akanthos AR Tetradrachm. Circa 470-430 BC. Bull collapsing to left, head half-facing, attacked and mauled by lion upon his back to right; tunny fish to left in exergue / ΑΚΑΝΘΙΟΝ around raised quadripartite square; all within incuse square. Cf. Desneux 102 (unlisted dies); HGC 3.1, 385. 17.08g, 27mm, 8h.

Good Extremely Fine.

From a private European collection.

The ubiquitous and persistent theme of the lion-bull combat can be traced back to the figurate art of the third millennium, where the geometrical motifs are replaced by narrative symbolic representations, and the scene is characteristic of Near Eastern art in its infancy. The earliest known depiction occurs on a ewer found at Uruk dated to the latter part of the Protoliterate period, circa 3300 BC. That ewer has a relief depiction of a lion attacking a bull from behind (see Henri Frankfort, Art and Architecture of the Ancient Orient, 1963). The scene became widely distributed by 500 BC, featuring prominently in the Achaemenid Empire, and in particular at the palace of Darios in Persepolis, where it occurs no fewer than twenty seven times, including on the main staircase leading to the imperial complex. Its frequent appearance in key locations strongly suggests an important symbolic significance, which unfortunately has not survived antiquity in any explicitly clear form.

Explanations for the symbolism and its power over the ancient peoples who reproduced it with prodigious enthusiasm have ranged from it being an expression of royal power, to an astronomical allusion, as well as it being an embodiment of the constant struggle between civilisation (represented by the domesticated bull) and nature (represented by the untameable lion). This latter argument may well hold true for the Mesopotamians of Uruk, who it is known took a rather grim view of the world, seeing it as a battleground of opposing powers.

One interpretation that has gained traction in recent years is that the motif is apotropaic in nature, serving to ward off evil in a similar function to the gorgoneion, which like the lion attack motif is very prevalent in ancient Greek coinage, though there is little evidence to support such a notion.

G. E. Markoe (‘The Lion Attack in Archaic Greek Art’, Classical Antiquity Vol. 8, 1, 1989) convincingly suggests that a more likely explanation may be found in the examination of archaic Greek epic poetry, particularly in Homeric literature, wherein a lion attacking cattle or sheep is repeatedly employed as a simile for the aggression and valour of combatant heroes. In notable passages, Agamemnon’s victorious advance against the Trojans in the Iliad (11.113ff and 129) and Hektor’s successful pursuit of the Achaeans (15.630ff) are both likened to a lion triumphing over its hapless prey. In both of these cases the allusion is completed by the defeated being compared to fleeing prey animals. In all, there are twenty five examples present in the Iliad of heroic warriors being compared to leonine aggressors, with the victims variously compared to boars, sheep, goats, bulls or deer. The repetition of this literary device is clearly demonstrative of how deeply rooted the imagery was in the Greek (and perhaps more generally human) consciousness. Of further and great significance is the involvement of the gods as the primary instigators of heroic leonine aggression in almost every case, and as it is made clear that the lion itself is an animal that is divinely directed to its prey (11.480, by a daimon), so then is the lion attack a metaphor for divinely inspired heroic triumph.

The lion and bull motif was apparently adopted early on by Akanthos (c. 530-500 BC), though the lion and the bull were in any case among the earliest figures to appear on coinage - the mid-6th century BC coinage of the Lydian kings Alyattes and Kroisos is the best example of this usage. Already by this time too, the lion attack motif was in popular usage in mainland Greece - see for example the near contemporary Attic black-figure tripod in the manner of the KY Painter (Athens 12688). Persian influence on the design of tetradrachms of Akanthos can perhaps be inferred from an orientalising of style resulting in an appearance more similar to the reliefs at Persepolis (cf. Roma XVI, lot 201, dated circa 480-470 BC); Herodotos (7.116) records the Akanthians officially welcomed the Persians and willingly helped Xerxes: ‘Xerxes... declared the Akanthians his guests and friends, and gave them Median clothing, praising them for the zeal with which he saw them furthering his campaign.’ Having thus taken part in the Persian campaign against Greece of its own accord, when Xerxes was defeated, Akanthos subsequently become a member of the Delian League. It is tempting to see in the rewesternisation of the style of their coinage a reflection of this political volte-face.

175. 4,500

176.

Macedon, Akanthos AR Tetradrachm. Circa 470-430 BC. Bull collapsing to left, head raised, attacked and mauled by lion upon his back to right; tunny fish to left in exergue / ΑΚΑΝΘΙΟΝ around raised quadripartite square; all within incuse square. Astarte XIX, 776 = Hess Divo 309, 37 (same dies); cf. Desneux 98 (same rev. die); HGC 3.1, 385. 16.91g, 29mm, 1h.

Extremely Fine; obv. light golden tone with underlying lustre.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XX, 29 October 2020, lot 123.

177.

Macedon, Akanthos AR Tetradrachm. Circa 470-430 BC. Bull collapsing to left, head raised, attacked and mauled by lion upon his back to right; tunny fish to left in exergue / ΑΚΑΝΘΙΟΝ around raised quadripartite square; all within incuse square. Desneux 96ff; Weber 1863; HGC 3.1, 385; Roma XXV, 252 (same dies). 17.31g, 30mm, 9h.

Extremely Fine.

From the Arethusa Collection;

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 72, 25 June 2020, lot 233.

Ex Roma Auction I, 2010

3,000

Macedon, Neapolis AR Hemidrachm. Circa 410-380 BC. Gorgoneion facing, with open mouth and tongue protruding / Head of nymph to right; N-EO-Π around; all within shallow circular incuse. Dewing 1607; SNG Copenhagen 227-8; SNG Lockett 1358; SNG ANS 448; HGC 3.1, 588. 1.85g, 15mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine; attractive iridescent cabinet tone.

Ex Numismatica Ars Classica AG, Auction 114, 6 May 2019, lot 1083; Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction I, 15 October 2010, lot 44; Ex Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Auction 59, 30 May 2010, lot 2064.

178.

Kingdom of Macedon, Archelaos I AR Stater. Circa 413-399 BC. Youthful head of Apollo to right, wearing taenia / Horse walking to right, with right foreleg raised and rein trailing; [A]PX[E]ΛAO around. Westermark Group II, Series 1, O28/R41; SNG ANS 68-70; HGC 3.1, 795. 10.69g, 23mm, 2h.

Good Extremely Fine; attractive old cabinet tone. Rare.

Ex Classical Numismatic Group, Triton V, 15 January 2002, lot 706.

179.

2,100

Macedon, Chalkidian League AR Tetradrachm. Olynthos, circa 420-379 BC. Laureate head of Apollo to left / Kithara with seven strings; ΧΑ[ΛΚΙΔ]

ΕΩΝ around. Robinson & Clement Group L, 59 (A40/P53); SNG ANS 479 (same dies); HGC 3.1, 497. 14.22g, 25mm, 5h.

Good Extremely Fine; struck in high relief and of fine style.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 94, 24 February 2022, lot 164 (since professionally conserved); Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 37, 24 June 2017, lot 133.

2,400

Kingdom of Macedon, Philip II AR Tetradrachm. Amphipolis, circa 355-348 BC. Laureate head of Zeus to right / ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΥ, Philip on horseback to left, raising hand; M below raised foreleg, trident head to left below belly. Le Rider Group IB, 37 (D22/R31); SNG ANS 462-6; HGC 3.1, 861. 14.25g, 25mm, 7h.

Mint State; virtually as struck, highly lustrous metal. Very Rare; particularly so in such remarkable condition.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XX, 29 October 2020, lot 130.

Philip, despite Athenian opposition to his participation in the Olympics on the grounds that he was a non-Greek, went on to become an Olympic victor three times in 356, 352 and 348 BC. On the first occasion, Plutarch reports that upon having conquered Potidaia Philip was informed that his horse had won its race, and that this day he also learned of the victory of his general Parmenion against the Illyrians, and that his wife Myrtale had given birth to a son, Alexander. In commemoration of his Olympic victory, Philip decreed that his wife should henceforth be known as Olympias, and he caused coins such as this to be struck, proudly displaying both he and his horse in victorious stance upon the reverse.

The presence of Zeus’s head on the obverse of Philip’s coinage was a novelty in Macedonian coinage, and its sudden appearance is closely connected with both types of Philip’s tetradrachms - both the more mature, cloaked rider (as depicted here), and the younger, nude rider holding a victor’s palm - as well as his other denominations. While in his extensive work Le Rider identifies the mature horseman seen on the reverse of this type as the king himself, he makes no attempt to explain the young rider holding the palm branch as seen on lot 185. Caltabiano (the identity of the two horsemen on Philip II’s coinage, Ancient Macedonia, Sixth International Symposium, vol. 1, p. 201) however proposes that the use of the heads of Zeus and Apollo on Philip’s coinage, as well as the older and younger horsemen, suggest an important father-son relationship: that of Philip and his heir Alexander. Isokrates proposed that Zeus here represents “the conceit of a royal power” whose right to rule, as theorised by Isokrates, comes directly from Zeus, and whose continuity is assured by the hereditary principle. This interpretation is reinforced by the heroon that Philip built in the Sanctuary of Zeus at Olympia after his victory at Chaeroneia, in which were contained the statues of Philip and Olympias, his parents Amyntas and Eurydice, and his son Alexander. The latter, whose chryselephantine image stood in an eminent position, had played a glorious and distinguished role in the battle, breaking and routing the Greek right flank with his cavalry. Thus, if we are to see in the cloaked older rider the figure of Philip himself, we must see in the younger rider a representation of his son Alexander. If we may accept Caltabiano’s hypothesis as quite likely, then the present coin potentially affords us one of the best-preserved depictions of Philip II of Macedon, who is undeniably one of the most influential figures in all of recorded history around whose life and death and legacy pivoted the fate of the known world.

181.

Kingdom of Macedon, Philip II AV 1/12 Stater. Pella, circa 345-336 BC. Laureate head of Apollo to right / ΦIΛIΠΠOY, thunderbolt above, facing lion head below. Le Rider pl. 83, 29 (D19/R18); Traité IV pl. CCCVI, 28; SNG ANS 209-15; SNG Alpha Bank 252-4; HGC 3.1, 857. 0.74g, 8mm, 6h. Near Extremely Fine.

From the collection of GK.

182.

Kingdom of Macedon, Philip II AV Stater. Magnesia, circa 323-315 BC. Laureate head of Apollo to right / Charioteer, holding kentron and reins, driving galloping biga to right; spearhead and [bee] below horses, ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΥ in exergue. Thompson, Studia Naster pl. VII, 2; SNG ANS 310 var. (arrangement of symbols); Le Rider -. 8.54g, 29mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine. Very rare with these symbols.

From the Arethusa Collection; Ex Morton & Eden Ltd, Auction 104, 14 November 2019, lot 41.

183.

1,200

Kingdom of Macedon, Philip II AR Tetradrachm. Amphipolis, circa 323-317 BC. Laureate head of Zeus to right / Youth on horseback to right, holding reins and long palm branch; aphlaston below, Π below raised foreleg, ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΥ around. Le Rider pl. 46, 18; Troxell, Studies, group 8, 317; SNG ANS 738. 14.15g, 25mm, 12h.

Good Extremely Fine; attractive hints of iridescence around devices.

Ex Hess-Divo AG, Auction 321, 25 October 2012, lot 9; Ex Numismatica Ars Classica AG, Auction 2, 21 February 1990, lot 139.

184.

A Unique Stater of Exceptional Style

185.

Kingdom of Macedon, Alexander III ‘the Great’ AV Stater. Kallatis, circa 250-225 BC. Head of Athena to right, wearing necklace and crested Corinthian helmet decorated with coiled serpent / Nike standing facing, head to left, holding wreath and stylis; ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ to right, K in left field, monogram within wreath below left wing, monogram below right wing. Price -; cf. 906 (different monograms). 8.30g, 19mm, 12h.

Fleur De Coin; a portrait of exceptional style. Seemingly unique and unpublished.

Ex Spink & Son Ltd, Auction 1009, 25 March 2010, lot 405.

186.

7,500

Kingdom of Macedon, Alexander III ‘the Great’ AR Tetradrachm. Damaskos, circa 330-323 BC. Head of Herakles to right, wearing lion skin headdress / Zeus Aëtophoros seated to left, holding sceptre; ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ to right, forepart of ram to right in left field, one pellet below throne; below strut, ΔA over Φ. Price 3203 var. (no Φ). 17.28g, 25mm, 11h.

Good Extremely Fine. An extremely rare variant.

Ex Dr. Busso Peus Nachfolger, Auction 425, 7 November 2019, lot 262.

1,650

Kingdom of Macedon, Philip III Arrhidaios AR Drachm. Struck under Menander or Kleitos, in the types of Alexander III. ‘Kolophon’, circa 323-319 BC. Head of Herakles to right, wearing lion skin headdress / Zeus Aëtophoros seated to left, holding sceptre; ΦIΛIΠΠOY to right, kithara in left field, A below throne. Price P44; Müller P51; HGC 3.1, 974d. 4.47g, 17mm, 12h.

Good Extremely Fine; bright, lustrous metal.

From the inventory of a North American dealer.

180

187.

Kingdom of Macedon, Philip III Arrhidaios AV Stater. In the name and types of Alexander III. ‘Teos’, struck under Menander or Kleitos, circa 323319 BC. Head of Athena to right, wearing crested Corinthian helmet decorated with coiled serpent / Nike standing to left, holding wreath and stylis; ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡ[OΥ] to right; to left, griffin seated to left, with raised forepaw. Price 2271. 8.55g, 18mm, 12h.

Near Extremely Fine. Very Rare.

From the Arethusa Collection; Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 68, 27 February 2020, lot 338.

188.

189.

1,200

190.

Kingdom of Macedon, Philip III Arrhidaios AR Tetradrachm. Struck under Archon, Dokimos, or Seleukos I, in the name and types of Alexander III. ‘Babylon’, circa 323-317 BC. Head of Herakles to right, wearing lion skin headdress / Zeus Aëtophoros seated to left, holding sceptre; BAΣIΛEΩΣ below, AΛEΞANΔPOY to right, M in left field, ΛY below throne. Price 3692; Müller 1272; Hersh 244. 17.17g, 26mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine; wonderfully detailed.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 91, 2 December 2021, lot 330.

450

Kingdom of Macedon, temp. Kassander - Antigonos II Gonatas AR Drachm. In the name and types of Alexander III. Uncertain mint in Greece or Macedon, circa 310-275 BC. Head of Herakles to right, wearing lion skin headdress / Zeus Aëtophoros seated to left, holding sceptre; AΛEΞANΔPOY to right, aphlaston in left field. Price 862; Müller 283. 4.42g, 18mm, 1h.

Good Extremely Fine; a stellar example.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 91, 2 December 2021, lot 335.

Kingdom of Macedon, Antigonos I Monophthalmos AR Drachm. Struck as Strategos or king of Asia, in the name and types of Alexander III. ‘Kolophon’, circa 319-310 BC. Head of Herakles to right, wearing lion skin headdress / Zeus Aëtophoros seated to left, holding sceptre; AΛEΞANΔPO[Y] to right, monograms in left field and below throne. Price 1786; Müller 900; SNG Copenhagen 925. 4.27g, 17mm, 12h.

Near Mint State; attractive old cabinet tone. Scarce.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 93, 6 January 2022, lot 338.

150

150

191.

Kingdom of Macedon, Antigonos I Monophthalmos AR Drachm. Struck as Strategos or king of Asia, in the name and types of Alexander III. ‘Kolophon’, circa 319-310 BC. Head of Herakles to right, wearing lion skin headdress / Zeus Aëtophoros seated to left, holding sceptre; [A]

ΛEΞANΔPOY to right, monogram in left field, EK monogram beneath throne. Price 1794; Müller 1605; SNG Copenhagen 917. 4.13g, 19mm, 11h.

Good Extremely Fine; lustrous metal, lightly toned.

From the inventory of a North American dealer.

192.

Kingdom of Macedon, Antigonos I Monophthalmos AR Drachm. Struck as Strategos of Asia or king, in the name and types of Alexander III. Abydos(?), circa 310-301 BC. Head of Herakles to right, wearing lion skin headdress / Zeus Aëtophoros seated to left, holding sceptre; AΛEΞANΔP[OY] to right, monogram in left field, monogram below throne. Price 1531; Müller 1621; SNG Copenhagen 996. 4.21g, 18mm, 2h. Mint State. Rare.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 91, 2 December 2021, lot 344.

193.

180

194.

Kingdom of Macedon, Demetrios I Poliorketes AR Tetradrachm. Amphipolis, circa 291-290 BC. Diademed and horned head to right / Poseidon Pelagaios seated to left on rock, holding aphlaston in extended right hand and trident in left; BAΣIΛEΩΣ to right, ΔHMHTPIOY to left, monograms in inner left and right fields. Newell 112 (dies XCIX/[unlisted rev. die]); McClean 3578. 17.25g, 30mm, 8h. Extremely Fine; light cabinet tone with golden iridescent highlights. Privately purchased from Numismatica Ars Classica AG.

Marvellous Naturalistic Style

1,500

Kingdom of Macedon, Antigonos II Gonatas AR Tetradrachm. In the name and types of Alexander III of Macedon. Pella, circa 280-275 BC. Head of Herakles to right, wearing lion skin headdress / Zeus Aëtophoros seated to left, holding sceptre; AΛEΞANΔPOY to right, bunch of grapes in left field. Price 589; Müller 1540; SNG Copenhagen 662. 17.15g, 29mm, 12h.

Good Extremely Fine; a wonderful high-relief strike by dies of marvellous naturalistic style. Ex Nomos AG, Auction 21, 21 November 2020, lot 130.

1,800

Macedon under Roman Rule AR Tetradrachm. Circa 95-70 BC. Aesillas, quaestor. Head of the deified Alexander III ‘the Great’ to right; Θ behind neck, MAK[EΔONΩN] around / AESILLAS Q, money chest, club, and chair; all within wreath. AMNG 223; SNG Copenhagen 1330; HGC 3.1, 1110. 16.88g, 32mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine; rev. struck slightly off-centre, wonderful old cabinet tone. Ex Jesus Vico S.A., Auction 37, 26 March 1998, lot 87.

900

The tetradrachms struck bearing the name of the quaestor Aesillas are suggested to have been issued as a monetary bribe paid to the Thracian tribes to buy their neutrality in the First Mithradatic War, thus securing by some measure the Roman supply line along the Via Egnatia (see Ursula Kampmann, Money Museum Zurich, “Becoming Masters of Asia Minor: When the Roman Quaestor Aesillas minted un-Roman Tetradrachms to buy Thracian Loyalty”).

THRACE

Wonderful Archaic Style

Thraco-Macedonian Region, Berge AR Stater. Circa 525-480 BC. Ithyphallic satyr standing to right, grasping right wrist of nymph fleeing to right with right hand and touching her chin with left; pellets [above], to left, and [to right] / Quadripartite incuse square divided diagonally. Smith Group 5; Peykov A0020; AMNG III, 14 (‘Lete’); SNG ANS 956 (‘Lete’); Svoronos 16; Traité I, 1569 (‘Lete’); Psoma p. 61 (Berge); HGC 3, 531 (“Lete”). 9.67g, 21mm.

Near Extremely Fine; die flaw to top edge, wonderful late Archaic style.

It has been persuasively argued by S. Psoma that the coinage previously attributed to Lete and/or Siris is probably from Berge (cf. S. Psoma, ‘The “Lete” Coinage Reconsidered’ in Agoranomia. Studies in Money and Exchange Presented to John H. Kroll, (2006) pp. 61-85).

1,200

Good Extremely Fine; struck on a broad flan, attractive dark cabinet tone.

Acquired from Dix Noonan Webb Ltd.

195.

196.

Thraco-Macedonian Tribes, Mygdones or Krestones AR Diobol. Circa 490-470 BC. Goat kneeling to right, head reverted; pellets around / Quadripartite incuse square. Lorber, Goats Issue 15; SNG ANS 60 (Akanthos); HGC 3.1, 368 (‘Aigai’). 1.00g, 14mm.

197. 180

A Magnificent Ainos Tetradrachm

Thrace, Ainos AR Tetradrachm. Circa 455-452 BC. Head of Hermes to right, wearing petasos / Goat standing to right; AINI above, kerykeion in right field; all within incuse square. May, Ainos 259 (A159/P170); SNG Copenhagen 395 (same dies); Boston MFA 779 (same dies); HGC 3.2, 1266. 16.50g, 26mm, 1h.

Extremely Fine; boasting a bold portrait of Hermes and a wonderful iridescent tone.

Ex Numismatica Ars Classica AG, Auction 126, 17 November 2021, lot 89; Ex Nomos AG, Auction 3, 10 May 2011, lot 38; Ex Nomos AG, Auction 1, 6 May 2009, lot 33 (hammer: CHF 22,000).

The city of Ainos began striking its first tetradrachms only after the expulsion of the Persians from northern Greece following Xerxes’ defeat at Salamis. Its early issue of coinage came to an end with the Athenian coinage decree of 449 BC, but the mint began to strike again around 435 BC, finally ending when Philip II of Macedon conquered the city in 342 BC. The coinage of Ainos consistently displayed Hermes on one side and a goat on the other - the former being the patron god and the latter representing the source of the city’s prosperity.

Ex Ponterio 104, 1999

Thrace, Mesembria AR Tetradrachm. In the name and types of Alexander III of Macedon. Circa 150-125 BC. Head of Herakles to right, wearing lion skin headdress / Zeus Aëtophoros seated to left, holding sceptre; ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩ[Σ] to right, ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔ[ΡΟΥ] to outer left, helmet above MA in inner left field, monogram below throne. Karayotov I 143 (O49/R138); Callataÿ Group 2, (D2/R5); Price 1082; HGC 3, 1568.

NGC graded MS 5/5 - 3/5 (#6323056-015).

Ex Ulysses Collection, purchased from Harlan J. Berk, Ltd. (inv. no. cc92630); Ex Ponterio, Auction 104, 4 November 1999, lot 399.

Islands off Thrace, Thasos AR Stater. Circa 412-404 BC. Nude satyr in kneeling-running stance to right, carrying off protesting nymph; Γ in upper right field / Quadripartite incuse square. Le Rider, Thasiennes 6 var. (letter on obverse); HPM pl. X, 27-8 var. (same); HGC 6, 334 var. (same). 9.08g, 21mm. Near Mint State; excellent high classical style. Apparently unique and unpublished with gamma control mark.

Thasos, a large island off the western coastal region of Thrace, gained its enormous wealth by virtue of its local silver mines as well as mines it controlled on the Thracian mainland opposite the island city-state. According to Herodotos (VI, 46), the city derived 200-300 talents annually from her exploitation of this mineral wealth. Additionally, Thasos gained much material wealth as a producer and exporter of high quality wines, which was tightly regulated by the government, and it was perhaps due to this trade in wine that her coinage spread throughout the Aegean making it a widely recognized and accepted currency in distant lands.

The artistry of this coin is exceptional, and belongs to the very end of the 5th century BC before the end of the Peloponnesian War. Earlier didrachm staters struck to a local Thracian standard (originally of 9.8g and subsequently 8.7g) are quite crude in style, portraying a vigorous and beastly satyr forcibly abducting an unwilling nymph. By contrast the satyr on this coin is imbued with almost wholly human qualities. The engraving is by a superior artist and is in a very lovely style, the head of the satyr reminding us of the miniature masterpieces from Katane in Sicily depicting a satyr ’s head facing, while the head of the nymph here is strongly reminiscent of the head of the nymph found on the coins of nearby Neapolis in Macedon.

There is no explanation in the relevant literature of the letters which sometimes appear in the obverse field of these later staters (they never appear on the earlier staters). Those recorded so far are A, I, Σ, Φ and now Γ with this current specimen. They cannot be the signatures of the artists as the staters with the same letter often show a markedly different hand at work, so they most probably simply identify the magistrate responsible for the issue, a commonplace feature on other coinages from a number of mints during this and subsequent times.

One of the Finest Known

Islands off Thrace, Thasos AR Stater. Circa 412-404 BC. Nude satyr in kneeling-running stance to right, carrying off protesting nymph; I in upper right field / Quadripartite incuse square. Le Rider, Thasiennes 6 var. (letter on obverse); HPM pl. X, 27-8 var. (same); HGC 6, 334 var. (same); NAC 134, 220 (same obv. die); CNG Triton XXII, 166 (same obv. die). 9.00g, 22mm.

Good Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare; one of the finest known examples.

202. 150

Islands off Thrace, Thasos AR Tetradrachm. After 146 BC. Head of Dionysos to right, wearing ivy wreath / Herakles standing facing, head to left, holding club and lion’s skin; HPAKΛEOYΣ to right, ΣΩTHPOΣ to left, monogram to inner left, ΘAΣIΩN below. SNG Copenhagen 1040-1045; HGC 6, 359. 16.77g, 34mm, 12h.

About Extremely Fine; deep cabinet tone with iridescent flashes.

Ex Numismatica Ars Classica AG, Auction 92, 24 May 2016, lot 1450.

Kings of Odrysian Thrace, Metokos AR Obol. Circa 407-386 BC. Bare head to right; MHTOKO behind / MHTOKO, labrys; all within shallow circular incuse. Cf. Peykov B0180 (diobol); Topalov I 5-6; HGC 3.2, 1687. 0.52g, 9mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine. Rare in this condition.

Unpublished in the Standard References

Kings of Thrace, Lysimachos AV Stater. Uncertain mint, 306-280 BC. Diademed head of the deified Alexander to right, wearing horn of Ammon / Athena Nikephoros enthroned to left, resting elbow on grounded shield, transverse spear behind; ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ to right, ΛΥΣΙΜΑ[ΧΟΥ] crowned by Nike to left, monogram to inner left. Marinescu -; Müller -; Seyrig Monnaies -.8.53g, 19mm, 12h.

Near Mint State; slight die shift to rev., struck in high relief. Unpublished in the standard references.

Privately purchased from Gorny & Mosch Giessener Münzhandlung, inventory #111533.

Types like this beautifully detailed stater stand out among the coinages of the Diadochi due to the obverse portrait: the Thracian king continued to feature Alexander on his gold staters and silver tetradrachms even after the other Diadochi had ceased to depict Alexander. Lysimachos’ coinage represents Alexander as a distinguished and deified figure, his diadem and ram’s horns signifying his royal and divine status as king and son of Zeus Ammon. K. Dahmen identifies this notable numismatic design as an assertion of Lysimachos’ particular legitimacy as a successor to Alexander, elevating the living Lysimachos by association with the qualities of the late Macedonian conqueror (Dahmen, The Legend of Alexander the Great on Greek and Roman Coins, 2007, p.17). The reverse imagery attests to the Thracian king’s personal successes: the depiction of the war goddess Athena, with her Nike attribute crowning Lysimachos’ inscribed name, can be understood to refer to the king’s military achievements, specifically perhaps the Battle at Ipsos in 301 BC (O. Morkholm, Early Hellenistic Coinage from the Accession of Alexander to the Peace of Apamea, 1991, p.81).

Prior to the victory at Ipsos, as part of an allied coalition of successors, Lysimachos had only produced limited issues of tetrobols at Lysimacheia circa 306-301 BC. He had founded the city in the Chersonese in 309 BC, and with this military success Lysimachos gained considerably greater lands in western Asia Minor which included wealthy mint cities like Lampsakos and Abydos (O. Morkholm, Early Hellenistic Coinage from the Accession of Alexander to the Peace of Apamea, 1991, p.81). Lysimacheia became his principal European mint (Sear, Greek Coins and Their Values, Volume 1, 1978, p.162), but nonetheless gold staters in the name of Lysimachos, displaying an obverse Alexander portrait which stands out among the coinages of the successors, are very rare in high grade and consequently greatly sought-after.

Kings of Thrace, Lysimachos AR Drachm. In the name and types of Alexander III of Macedon. Lampsakos, circa 301-296 BC. Head of Herakles to right, wearing lion skin headdress / Zeus Aëtophoros seated to left, holding sceptre; AΛEΞANΔPO[Y] to right, in left field, forepart of dolphin to left above forepart of lion to left, monogram below throne. Price 1440 var. (monogram); Bertolami 101, lot 722. 4.30g, 18mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare; an apparently unpublished variant, only one other example on CoinArchives.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 91, 2 December 2021, lot 389.

206.

Kings of Thrace, Lysimachos AR Tetradrachm. Alexandreia Troas, circa 297-281 BC. Diademed head of the deified Alexander to right, with horn of Ammon / Athena Nikephoros enthroned to left, resting elbow on grounded shield, transverse spear behind; ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ to right, ΛΥΣΙΜΑXΟΥ crowned by Nike to left, ram’s head in inner left field, star on throne. Thompson 151; Müller -; Meadows, Earliest 5; HGC 3.2, 1750h. 17.26g, 30mm, 9h.

Good Extremely Fine; lightly brushed, lustrous. Rare.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XXII, 7 October 2021, lot 264.

207.

2,400

208.

Kings of Thrace, Lysimachos AR Tetradrachm. Lampsakos, circa 297-281 BC. Diademed head of the deified Alexander to right, with horn of Ammon / Athena Nikephoros enthroned to left, resting elbow on grounded shield, transverse spear behind; ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ to right, ΛΥΣΙΜΑXΟΥ crowned by Nike to left, torch in inner left field, star on throne. Thompson 43; Müller 381; SNG BnF 2538-9; HGC 3.2, 1750b. 16.97g, 29mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XXII, 7 October 2021, lot 267.

1,800

Kings of Thrace, Mostis AR Tetradrachm. Byzantion, dated RY 38 = 102/1 BC. Sadalos, magistrate. Diademed and draped bust to right / Athena Nikephoros enthroned to left, resting elbow on grounded shield; ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ to right, MOΣTIΔOΣ to left, monogram in inner left field, EΠI ΣAΔAΛOY ETOYΣ ΛH (date) in exergue. Paunov, Coinage 18-20 (O4/R- [rev. die unlisted]); SNG BnF 277 (same obv. die); SNG BM Black Sea 309 (same obv. die); DCA 585 (this date unlisted); HGC 3.2, 1727. 15.78g, 34mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare.

From a private European collection.

1,200

The First Coin of Moskon for 20+ Years

209.

Thracian Dynasts, Moskon AR Triobol. Getic mint in Northern Dobroudja, circa 4th - 2nd century BC. Diademed head to right / Rider on horseback to right, holding bridle; [ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ] above, ΜΟΣΚΩΝΟΣ below. S. Dimitrova, ‘Historiographic Observations on the Northern Thracian Βασιλεὺς Μοσκων’ in Orpheus 26-27 (2021), pp. 145-125, fig. 3; R. Ocheşeanu, ‘Monedele basileului Moskon aflate în colecţiile Muzeului de arheologie Constanţa’ In Pontica 3 (1970), pp. 125-128, figs. 3-4. 1.78g, 17mm, 12h.

Very Fine. Extremely Rare; seemingly the first coin of this dynast to be offered at auction in over twenty years.

From a private European collection.

SKYTHIA

Only 1 Other Example in CoinArchives

300

Kings of Skythia, Ataias AR Siglos or Drachm. Persic Standard. Kallatis(?), circa 345-339 BC. Head of Artemis to right, bow and quiver over shoulder / King charging to left on horseback, shooting bow; ATAIA behind, Θ and [KAΛ] below. Draganov 2010, 6 (D7/R7); HGC 3.2, 1990 var. (control letter); Rauch 109, 70 (hammer: 4,200 EUR).

Extremely Fine; beautiful old cabinet tone. Extremely Rare; only one other example on CoinArchives. From a private Australasian Collection.

2,100

Ataias was a Skythian king in the time of Philip II of Macedonia, who towards the end of his life increasingly penetrated the Greek-Macedonian sphere of influence in the Balkans and in the early summer of 339 BC died in battle against the Macedonian king.

KIMMERIAN BOSPOROS

A Superb Diobol of the Sindoi

211.

Kimmerian Bosporos, Gorgippia as Sindikos Limen (or the Sindoi) AR Diobol. Circa 400 BC. Head of Herakles to right, wearing lion skin headdress / Head of horse to right, ΣΙΝΔΩ[Ν] above; all within shallow incuse square. Frolova, Kimmerischen Bosporos, Type II, 5; SNG Stancomb 632; SNG BM Black Sea 1008; MacDonald 80; HGC 7, 2. 1.42g, 15mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine; well-centered. Very Rare, and a superb example of the type.

Acquired from Leu Numismatik AG; Ex Pontos Euxeinos Collection, formed in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

1,200

Extremely Rare

212.

Kimmerian Bosporos, Phanagoria AR Drachm. Time of Mithradates VI Eupator of Pontos, circa 90-79 or 85-70 BC. Laureate head of Apollo to right / Filleted thyrsos; ΦΑΝΑΓΟ-ΡΙΤΩΝ around. SNG Stancomb 626; SNG BM Black Sea 998; MacDonald 173; HGC 7, 163. 3.47g, 16mm, 12h. Near Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare; just the fourth specimen of this variety to come to auction in the past decade.

Ex Pontos Euxeinos Collection, formed in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Leu Numismatik AG, Auction 10, 24 February 2021, lot 2123.

ARMENIA

Ex Gorny & Mosch 2011

214.

Kings of Armenia, Tigranes II ‘the Great’ AR Tetradrachm. Tigranokerta, circa 80-68 BC. Diademed and draped bust to right, wearing Armenian tiara with five peaks and emblazoned with star between two eagles; bead and reel border around / Tyche of Artaxata seated to right on rock pile, holding palm branch, river god Araxes swimming to right below; BAΣIΛEΩΣ to right, TIΓPANOY to left, monograms to inner right and on rock; all within wreath. Kovacs 71.2 (same obv. die); SCADA Group 3; CAA 20; ACV 34. 15.89g, 26mm, 2h.

Good Extremely Fine; beautiful old cabinet tone, with excellent surface conditions.

Ex J.T.B. Collection, Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XI, 7 April 2016, lot 472; Ex Gorny & Mosch Giessener Münzhandlung, Auction 200, 10 March 2011, lot 2017.

In an Exceptional State of Preservation

3,300

Kings of Armenia, Tigranes II ‘the Great’ AR Tetradrachm. Tigranokerta, circa 80-68 BC. Diademed and draped bust to right, wearing Armenian tiara with five peaks and emblazoned with star between two eagles; bead and reel border around / Tyche of Artaxata seated to right on rock pile, holding palm branch, river god Araxes swimming to right below; BAΣIΛEΩΣ to right, TIΓPANOY to left, AP monogram to inner right, ΔΗ monogram on rock; all within wreath. Kovacs 74.1; SCADA, Group 1; CAA 17. 15.85g, 26mm, 1h.

Good Extremely Fine; in an exceptional state of preservation with attractive light cabinet tone.

From a private European collection.

1,500

215.

Kings of Armenia, Tigranes II ‘the Great’ AR Tetradrachm. Tigranokerta, circa 80-68 BC. Diademed and draped bust to right, wearing Armenian tiara with five peaks and emblazoned with star between two eagles; bead and reel border around / Tyche of Artaxata seated to right on rock pile, holding palm branch, river god Araxes swimming to right below; BAΣIΛEΩΣ to right, TIΓPANO[Y] to left, Θ to inner right, ΔH monogram to lower left, all within wreath. Kovacs 74.2; SCADA Group 1; CAA 19; ACV 31. 15.83g, 27mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine; beautiful cabinet tone with hints of iridescence and a sharply struck reverse.

From a private European collection.

900

Kings of Armenia, Tigranes II ‘the Great’ AR Tetradrachm. Tigranokerta, circa 80-68 BC. Diademed and draped bust to right, wearing Armenian tiara with five peaks and emblazoned with star between two eagles; bead and reel border around / Tyche of Artaxata seated to right on rock pile, holding palm branch, river god Araxes swimming to right below; BAΣIΛEΩΣ to right, TIΓPANOY to left, Θ to inner right, ΔH monogram on rock; all within wreath. Kovacs 74.2; SCADA Group 1; CAA 19; ACV 31. 15.87g, 26mm, 1h.

Near Extremely Fine; attractive cabinet tone with blue iridescence around devices.

From a private European collection.

750

Kings of Armenia, Tigranes II ‘the Great’ AR Tetradrachm. Tigranokerta, circa 80-68 BC. Diademed and draped bust to right, wearing Armenian tiara with five peaks and emblazoned with star between two eagles; bead and reel border around / Tyche of Artaxata seated to right on rock pile, holding palm branch, river god Araxes swimming to right below; [B]AΣIΛE[ΩΣ] to right, TIΓPANOY to left, two monograms on rock; all within wreath. Kovacs 75.1; SCADA Group 8; CAA 21; ACV 33. 15.93g, 28mm, 1h.

Extremely Fine; unusually high metal quality with wonderful cabinet tone with iridescence around devices and underlying lustre.

From a private European collection.

1,500

Kings of Armenia, Tigranes the Younger AR Tetradrachm. Tigranokerta, circa 71 BC. Diademed and draped bust to right, wearing Armenian tiara with five peaks and emblazoned with comet; bead and reel border around / Tyche of Artaxata seated to right on rock pile, holding palm branch, river god Araxes swimming to right below; BAΣIΛEΩΣ to right, TIΓPANOY to left, ΣΩ in exergue. Kovacs 132; AC 28 (Tigranes II); CAA 10 (Tigranes II); M&D 51 (Tigranes II); CNG 112, 311. 16.81g, 31mm, 11h.

Near Extremely Fine. Exceedingly Rare; only one other example found on CoinArchives.

From a private European collection.

Tigranes the Younger, son of Tigranes II, became co-ruler with his father in 77/6 BC when he was just 20 years old. Kovacs notes that this issue, naming a ‘King Tigranes’ and displaying a bust wearing an Armenian tiara decorated with a comet should in fact be viewed as coins of this Tigranes the Younger, struck alongside corresponding issues of Tigranes II during their joint rule. It marks a period of relative harmony in their otherwise unstable relationship, and indeed the numismatic evidence shows that the following year Tigranes the Younger was in Damascus and Shayegan (2011) suggests that it was here that he plotted with his father-in-law Phraates III to overthrow his father. This plot was abandoned when Armenia faced a threat from Roman forces and father and son united against their common enemy. Tigranes the Younger did however go on to betray his father to Pompey the Great in the hope that this would secure him sole rule of Armenia. This proved ultimately unsuccessful since he was only granted the rule of Sophene and even this was only for a brief time, as Pompey removed him after a few months due to suspicions over his Parthian connections.

As the references for the present coin attest, Kovacs is the only scholar who attributes this coin to Tigranes the Younger rather than his father; other academics claim that no coins of this ruler were struck at all. In defending his attribution, Kovacs highlights the distinctive features of the son’s coinage as being characterised in particular by ‘younger portraits’, and a comet upon his tiara rather than the standard eagle-flanked star

Extremely Rare

Kings of Armenia Minor, Aristoboulos, with Salome, Æ 4 Chalkoi. Nicopolis-ad-Lycum, or Chalkis, dated RY 13 = AD 66/7. BACIΛEΩC APICTOBOVΛ[OV ET IΓ], diademed and draped bust of Aristoboulos to left / BACIΛICCHC CAΛOMHC, diademed and draped bust of Salome to left. Kovacs 300; RPC I 3840; TJC 365 corr. (date). 8.28g, 21mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine; date obscured on obverse. Extremely Rare.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XXIII, 24 March 2022, lot 252.

Son of Herod of Chalkis and great-grandson of Herod I ‘the Great’, Aristoboulos hailed from the Herodian Dynasty of Roman vassal kings and in turn was granted the kingdom of Armenia Minor in AD 54 by the emperor Nero (Josephus ‘Antiquities’, XX.158). Though uncertain, his wife Salome is often identified as the young woman whom the New Testament relates danced for Herod the Great and, at the encouragement of her mother, received the severed head of John the Baptist in return (Matthew 14:1-12; Mark 6:14-29). The martyrdom by beheading of John the Baptist is a holy day observed by various Christian churches, and a theme often seen in art, sculpture, music and poetry.

A loyal client king of Rome, Aristoboulos supported the general Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo in the Roman-Parthian War of AD 58-63, receiving a portion of Greater Armenia as reward, and in AD 73 supplied troops to the governor of Syria, Lucius Caesennius Paetus, who had persuaded the new emperor Vespasian that Antiochos IV of Commagene was planning to revolt and side with Vologases I of Parthia. Aristoboulos’ decision to strike coins in only two years of his reign, years 13 (AD 66/7) and 17 (AD 70/1), as asserted by Kovacs, noted by Hendin (pg. 275), and proven by this dated issue is significant. The years AD 66 and AD 70 mark the beginning and end of the First Jewish-Roman War, as commemorated in the reverse of the present type which refers to Titus, whom Vespasian had left to suppress the revolt while he himself made his bid for imperial power. The two issues, struck at the beginning and end of the war, honouring first Nero and then Titus, probably therefore represent a public reaffirmation of Aristoboulos’ loyalty to his Roman patrons.

Also king of Chalkis from AD 57 until his death in 92, whereupon the region was absorbed into the Roman provincial territories, a mint location in Chalkis has been cited as a possibility for the production of Aristoboulos’ coinage, though traditionally it has been noted as ‘presumably’ being from Nicopolis-ad-Lycum, where a specimen was acquired by F. Cumont c. 1900. Given the close proximity of Chalkis to the war in Judaea and the notable similarity in appearance and fabric of these coins to those of Chalkis, a mint location in Chalkis cannot be discounted.

Kings of Armenia Minor, Aristoboulos, with Nero, Æ 8 Chalkoi. Nicopolis-ad-Lycum, or Chalkis, dated RY 13 = AD 66/7. BACIΛEΩC APICTOBOYΛOY ET IΓ, diademed and draped bust of Aristoboulos to left / NEPΩNI KΛAYΔIΩ KAIΣAPI ΣEBAΣTΩ ΓEPMANIKΩ in six lines within laurel wreath. Kovacs 299; RPC I 3839 corr. (year 8). 11.84g, 25mm, 12h.

Good Very Fine; unusually well-detailed for the type. Very Rare.

From a private UK collection.

PONTOS

Exceedingly Rare

Pontos, uncertain mint (Amisos?) Æ 21mm. Late 1st century BC. Bare male head (Octavian or quaestor?) to left; Q below / Bare male head (Caesar?) to right; ΑΜΙ-ΣΟΥ across fields. RPC I 2156A; Naumann 88, 395 (same dies); Nomos 18, 288 (same dies, hammer: CHF 4,200). 7.59g, 20mm, 12h.

Good Very Fine; featuring two wonderful, enigmatic portraits. Exceedingly Rare; seemingly just the third known example of the type and arguably finer than the Nomos example that sold for CHF 4,200.

From a private European collection.

See P. Sánchez’s “Une émission monétaire inédite d’Amisos, ciuitas libera et foederata sous le Principat” (Revue Numismatique 178, 2021, 115-360, for the identification of the portraits as Octavian and Julius Caesar

Of Great Numismatic Interest

Pontos, ‘Areos’ Æ 15mm. Circa 88-65 BC. Male head (Perseus?) to right, wearing Phrygian-style helmet ending in griffin’s head / Humped Zebu bull butting to right on ground line; ΑΡΕΩΣ above, sunburst in right field. Unpublished in the standard references. 1.45g, 15mm, 12h. Extremely Fine; flan crack. Unique and unpublished, and of great numismatic interest.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XXI, 24 March 2021, lot 161 (sold for £1,700 but buyer defaulted).

Areos can be translated from Greek as ‘of Ares’, and may have been applied to an unknown location or temporary camp in the Pontic area during the Mithridatic Wars of 88-63 BC. This would be similar to the appellation given in Athens to Πεδίον Άρεως (‘Field of Ares’), a term also present in Latin as the ‘Field of Mars’ , the military exercise area in the flood plain of the Tiber north of Rome. Alternatively, Areos may be an indication that this coin could have been issued by a mercenary band; the Mamertinoi in Sicily two centuries earlier had employed a similar legend “ΑΡΕΟΣ” on their coinage, also in conjunction with a bull reverse type. In either case, the issue was evidently extremely limited in size and must have served to fulfil only a localised or immediate expenditure.

The obverse type is usually referred to as the helmeted head of the hero Perseus, inspired by the coinage Philip V and Perseus of Macedon and employed by the most of the Pontic mints allied to Mithradates during the wars against Rome. The reverse type depicts a sacrificial humped bull or Zebu which can also be seen on the reverse on the bronze coinage of the same period at Pharnakeia, while the sunburst is one of the most common astrological symbols used by Mithradates VI on much of his coinage.

Kings of Pontos, Mithradates III AR Tetradrachm. Circa 200-185 BC. Diademed and draped bust to right / Zeus Aëtophoros seated to left, holding sceptre; ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ to right, MIΘPAΔATOY to left, eight-rayed star within crescent to inner left field, monogram above Λ to inner right field, monogram in exergue. Callataÿ, First, p. 68, fig. 12 (O3/R1) = Leu 81, 236 (same dies); Mattingly, Studies Price, pl. 56, 4 var. (monogram); SNG Black Sea 1024 var. (same); Kraay & Hirmer 769 var. (same); Jameson 2151 var. (monogram and no letter); HGC 7, 320. 16.12g, 30mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine; evenly toned, boasting an exceptional example of Pontic portraiture. Exceedingly Rare; one of only 3 examples offered at auction since 2001.

This excessively rare tetradrachm is attributed to Mithradates III, a mysterious Pontic king of whom we know startlingly little. His very existence is contested by some historians, though Appian refers to the later Mithradates VI as the eighth king of the dynasty and the sixth of the name, thus making Mithradates III’s reign necessary to complete the line of kings. Mithradates III is believed to have ruled during 220-185 BC and was therefore the father of Pharnakes I and Mithradates IV. The attribution of certain tetradrachms to this ruler remains disputed with evidence from the Latakia and Babylon hoards leading Harold Mattingly to conclude that they should actually be attributed to Mithradates IV (H. Mattingly, ‘The Coinage of Mithradates III, Pharnakes, and Mithradates IV of Pontos’ in Essays Price (London, 1998) p. 255). He argues that if the tetradrachms were struck by Mithradates III, their appearance in hoards dated to circa 160-150 BC would be highly unusual and a more plausible explanation is a reattribution to his son Mithradates IV, who ruled in circa 169-150 BC. However, the case for reattribution is undermined by the idiosyncratic portrait which differs greatly from those seen on other issues confidently attributed to Mithradates IV.

The wonderfully lifelike portraits of the Pontic kings are exceptional in their use of verisimilitude. When compared with other Hellenistic royal portraits on Ptolemaic or Seleukid coinage, which are often idealised, the Pontic portraits are remarkably realistic. The combination of this individualised portrait as a distinctly Pontic feature alongside the familiar Alexander III ‘The Great’ Zeus Aëtophoros reverse suggests that Mithradates III wanted to both distinguish himself as an individual ruler whilst also drawing on thoroughly Hellenistic imagery to legitimise his position and boost the acceptance of his coinage.

Kings of Pontos, Mithradates VI Eupator AR Tetradrachm. Dated Bithyno Pontic Era 222, month 9 = June 76/5 BC. Diademed head to right / Stag grazing on ground line to left; BAΣΙΛEΩΣ above, MIΘPAΔATOY EYΠATOPOΣ below, to left, star within crescent above monogram, BKΣ (year) and monogram to right, Θ (month) below; all within ivy wreath. De Callataÿ pl. X, D34/R8; BMC pl. IX, 1 (same dies); Gulbenkian 946 (same obv. die); DCA 692; HGC 7, 340. 16.40g, 34mm, 12h.

Good Extremely Fine; minor die shift to rev., wonderful old cabinet tone with an impressive portrait. Scarce.

From a private European collection.

3,000

224.

The Hero Astakos

Bithynia, Astakos AR Hemidrachm. Circa 470 BC. Lobster to left, holding [tunny fish] in its claws; AΣ above / Archaic head of the nymph Olbia to left, diademed and with hair in sakkos, within shallow incuse square. RG p. 266, 6 and pl. xli, 6 (same dies) = Traité II, vol 2, 2871, pl. clxxxi, 6. 2.14g, 14mm, 6h.

Very Fine. Exceedingly Rare.

From the inventory of a UK dealer.

The hero Astakos was according to myth the son of Poseidon and the nymph Olbia, and the founder and eponym of the city of Astakos in Bithynia. During the reign of Nikomedes I, Nikomedia was founded nearby to replace Astakos, and the cult to the hero was moved to the new city.

Bithynia, Kios AR Tetradrachm. In the name and types of Lysimachos of Thrace. Circa 280-250 BC. Diademed head of the deified Alexander to right, with horn of Ammon / Athena Nikephoros seated to left, resting left arm on shield, transverse spear in background; BAΣIΛEΩΣ to right, ΛYΣIMAXOY crowned by Nike to left, club in outer left field, ΠΑ monogram in inner left field, bow in bowcase and ΔΙΟ monogram in exergue. Marinescu Issue 38, 135; Müller 410 (Erythrai); HGC 7, 555. 16.93g, 31mm, 11h.

Near Mint State; highly attractive old cabinet tone.

From a private UK collection.

An

Unpublished Tetradrachm of Nikomedes I

1,200

Kings of Bithynia, Nikomedes I AR Tetradrachm. Nikomedia, circa 265-255 BC. Diademed head to right / Artemis-Bendis seated to left on rock, holding two spears and heavy sword in scabbard, round shield with rings or rivets resting by side; in background, stump of tree with spoils of war; [Β] ΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ to right, [Ν]ΙΚΟΜΗΔΟΥ to left, monograms in inner left field and exergue. De Luynes 2421 var. (monograms - same obv. die) = RG, pl. XXIX, 1 = EHC 414; SNG Copenhagen -; cf. HGC 7, 606; Roma XXV, 335 and following lot (same dies). 16.75g, 29mm, 2h.

Extremely Fine; cleaning marks, lightly smoothed in areas, but boasting a deep cabinet tone and a bold portrait of Nikomedes, struck in marvellous Hellenistic style by a master engraver. Exceedingly Rare; unpublished with these monograms, only two examples have come to auction in the last two decades.

From a private UK collection.

Nikomedes I was the second king of the independent kingdom of Bithynia, succeeding his father, Zipoetes I, in 278 BC. He began his reign in ruthless fashion by executing two of his three brothers. The third was able to escape, however, and rapidly went about raising a insurrection. This brother, known to us as Zipoetes II, succeeded in making himself sovereign master of a considerable portion of the kingdom. In response to this, in 277, Nikomedes forged an alliance with the marauding Celts, led by Leonnorius, who were at that time based in Thrace and had recently besieged Byzantion. After assisting them in crossing the Bosporos, which led to them eventually populating the region that came to be known as Galatia, Nikomedes then engaged many of these Celts as auxiliaries. His army greatly bolstered with capable and battle-hardened warriors, Nikomedes was able to swiftly defeat his brother Zipoetes II and reunite the kingdom (Justinus, ‘Epitome of Pompeius Trogus’, XXV.2).

A philhellene ruler of immense energy, ambition, skill, and cunning, Nikomedes greatly expanded his previously landlocked kingdom during his reign (278-255), and is principally remembered today for his founding of Nikomedia, which prospered as one of the most affluent cities in Asia Minor for over six centuries.

Kings of Bithynia, Nikomedes I AR Tetradrachm. Nikomedia, circa 265-255 BC. Diademed head to right / Artemis-Bendis seated to left on rock, holding two spears and heavy sword in scabbard, round shield with rings or rivets resting by side; in background, stump of tree with spoils of war; ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ to right, [ΝΙ]ΚΟΜΗΔΟΥ to left, monograms in inner left field and exergue. De Luynes 2421 var. (monograms - same obv. die) = RG, pl. XXIX, 1 = EHC 414; SNG Copenhagen -; cf. HGC 7, 606; Roma XXV, 335 and preceding lot (same dies). 16.84g, 29mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine; featuring a stunning old cabinet tone and bold portrait struck in fine Hellenistic style. Exceedingly Rare; unpublished with these monograms, only two examples have come to auction in the last two decades.

From a private European collection.

ASIA MINOR

4,500

Asia Minor, uncertain mint EL Hekte. Circa 625/0-600 BC. Phokaic standard. Head of ram to left / Quadripartite incuse square. SNG von Aulock 7775; cf. SNG Kayhan 1565 (1/24 stater); otherwise unpublished. 2.74g, 10mm.

Extremely Fine.

From a private European collection.

The motif of the ram’s head is known from several electrum issues, but in rather different styles than seen on the present coin (cf. Weidauer 50 & Boston MFA 1756), and thus this issue might often be catalogued as being from Ionia. In contrast, Classical Numismatic Group have postulated that this issue might be from Kebren in Troas, due to the striking similarity of style to the early silver issues of that mint.

Ionia, uncertain mint EL 1/12 Stater. Circa 650-600 BC. Lydo-Milesian standard. Striations / Straited square divided incuse punch. M. Kerschner and K. Konuk, ‘The Artemision of Ephesus’ in White Gold: Studies in Early Electrum Coinage (2020), 4; Weidauer 9 var. (1/12 Stater); Traité I 14; SNG Kayhan 681; SNG von Aulock 7766; Linzalone Ln1038; Roma E-89, 415 (same punch). 1.21g, 7mm.

Extremely Fine.

From the inventory of a UK dealer.

Traces of an Ant Design?

Ionia, uncertain mint EL Trite. Circa 650-600 BC. Lydo-Milesian standard. Plain type (?). Plain globular surface, or possibly traces of an ant or insect design (?) / Two incuse square punches. Weidauer 5; Traité I 11 var. (equal size punches); SNG Kayhan 673; Boston MFA 1749. 4.65g, 11mm.

Good Very Fine.

From the JTB Numismatic Collection - collector’s ticket included; Ex Classical Numismatic Group, Mail Bid Sale 66, 19 May 2004, lot 459 (hammer: 1,600 USD).

Ionia, uncertain mint EL Hekte. Circa 625-600 BC. Phokaic standard. Raised clockwise swastika pattern / Quadripartite incuse square. Rosen 314; Traité I 117-8; SNG von Aulock 1777; Boston MFA 1781. 2.37g, 10mm.

Extremely Fine.

From the JTB Numismatic Collection - collector’s ticket included; Ex Stack’s Bowers Galleries (& Ponterio), January 2022 NYINC Auction, 14 January 2022, lot 3068; Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction V, 23 March 2013, lot 309.

Ionia or Northern Greece, uncertain mint (Mylasioi in Pangaion?) EL Hekte. Circa 600-550 BC. Phokaic standard. Scorpion / Irregular incuse square. CNG Triton XXVI, 257 (same dies); Roma VII, 472 = Nomos 5, 183 = Gorny & Mosch 190, 245 = A. Tsintsifos, Perix Pangaion Epeiros, p. 161, 1; cf. Traité I 113 = BMC p. 12, 57 (1/48 stater); cf. Leu 30, 1982, 173 (hemihekte of the same types). 2.85g, 10mm.

Good Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare; one of four known specimens, and of great numismatic interest.

From a private European collection.

It has been occasionally suggested that this remarkable type struck on the Phokaic standard may have been produced in the Thraco-Macedonian region, with the rough nature of the reverse incuse cited as evidence in favour of this proposition. Similarities to coins now understood to have been produced in this area lend credence to this idea; a similar scorpion appears on later silver coins which is now attributed to northern Greece (previously attributed to Asia Minor). A. Tsintsifos, in his recent work ‘Perix Pangaion Epeiros’, proposes that the coins of northern Greek origin bearing the scorpion device should be attributed to settlers from Mylasa who arrived in the Pangaion region around the beginning of the 6th century, probably with the Samians. If this should be the case, it is indeed likely that they would have struck coins bearing their native city’s devices, but on a weight standard that was more convenient to them for trade.

Extremely Rare

Ionia, uncertain mint EL Hekte. Circa 600-550 BC. Forepart of horse to right; palm branch behind / Quadripartite incuse square. Rosen Sale 32 = Pozzi 2295; Roma E-32, 344. 2.10g, 10mm.

Near Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare; an unusually complete example evidencing a palm branch behind the horse.

From a private European collection.

Ionia, uncertain mint EL 1/12 Stater. Imitating Kingdom of Lydia. Circa 600-561 BC. Head of roaring lion to right, sunburst (without rays) on forehead / Incuse square punch. For Lydian prototype cf. GRPC Lydia G30; cf. Weidauer group XVI, 90; cf. Traité I 47; cf. SNG Kayhan 1015; cf. Rosen 654; cf. Elektron I 72. 1.12g, 8mm.

Near Extremely Fine; light scratches to obv. Very Rare.

From the JTB Numismatic Collection; Ex Numismatik Naumann, Auction 62, 4 February 2018, lot 301.

The unusual style of this coin indicates that it is a contemporary imitation of the well-circulated lion’s head series struck by the Kingdom of Lydia.

Extremely Rare

Ionia, uncertain mint EL 1/24 Stater. Circa 600-550 BC. Lydo-Milesian standard. Facing head of lion / Incuse square. SNG Kayhan 1548; Klein -, cf. 416; Rosen, cf. 370 (twelfth?); Weidauer -, cf. 162-265 (twelfth); Nomos obolos 22, 366 (same die and punch, hammer: 800 CHF). 0.67g, 6mm.

Extremely Fine; a charming stylistic obv. design. Extremely rare in this denomination.

From a private European collection.

Ionia, uncertain mint EL 1/24 Stater. Circa 600-550 BC. Lydo-Milesian standard. Facing head of lion / Incuse square. SNG Kayhan 1548; Klein -, cf. 416; Rosen, cf. 370 (1/12 stater?); Weidauer -, cf. 162-265 (1/12 stater); Nomos obolos 22, 366 (same die and punch, hammer: 800 CHF). 0.68g, 6mm. Extremely Fine; a charming stylistic obverse. Extremely rare in this denomination.

From a private European collection.

Ionia, uncertain mint EL 1/24 Stater. Circa 600-550 BC. Phokaic standard. Lion seated to right, with open jaws / Incuse square. CNG 97, 215; Nomos 19, 135; cf. SNG von Aulock 177 var. (hekte). 0.65g, 8mm. Near

Ionia, uncertain mint EL Stater. Circa 550-525 BC. Lydo-Milesian standard. Forepart of bridled horse to left; rosette of pellets before chest, floral symbol (lotus?) above / Two incuse squares flanking central rectangular incuse. Fischer-Bossert, Horses, Series I, 2o (H2/H1-H3, this coin); Weidauer 138-9; ACGC 56; Konuk & Lorber fig. 7; SNG Kayhan 714 (same punches); Traité I 70, pl. II, 24. 14.28g, 23mm. Good Extremely Fine. Previously encapsulated and graded by NGC, AU 3/5 - 4/5 (#4884540-003). Rare.

This coin cited in W. Fischer-Bossert, ‘Horses with and without wings’, in M. Asolati, et al, eds., Suadente nummo vetere. Studi in onore di Giovanni Gorini (Padova, 2016), p. 7; From the JTB Numismatic Collection - collector’s ticket included; Ex Hess-Divo AG, Auction 329, 17 November 2015, lot 92.

This Coin Published in Studi Gorini, 2016 Apparently Unique and Unpublished

Ionia, uncertain mint AR Tetrobol. 5th century BC. Corinthian helmet to left / Quadripartite incuse square. Apparently unique and unpublished, cf. Rosen 109 (obol, ‘Skione’); cf. SNG Kayhan 743 (obol, Ionia or Caria). 2.23g, 12mm.

Fine. Apparently unique and unpublished. Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XXII, 7 October 2021, lot 299.

243.

Ionia, Ephesos AV Stater. Circa 155-140 BC. Draped bust of Artemis to right, wearing stephane, bow and quiver over shoulder / Cult statue of Artemis of Ephesos, a fillet hanging from each hand; thymiaterion in inner right field, Ε-Φ across fields. G. K. Jenkins, Hellenistic Gold Coins of Ephesos, in Festschrift Akurgal, Ankara, 1987, p. 134, pl. B, 6 (BM) = R Fleuscher I, Artemis von Ephesos und der erwandte Kultstatue von Anatolien und Syrien, EPRO 35, 1973, pl. 53b (same dies); LIMC II, pl. 565, 23. 8.47g, 19mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine; minor marks, struck from slightly worn dies. Very Rare.

Acquired from Leu Numismatik AG.

The Hellenistic era gold coinage struck at Ephesos is extremely rare and rarely well preserved. It was previously thought to have all been struck during the Mithradatic wars, but this is now known not to be the case. Some seem to be dated by the era of the Province of Asia and the dates they bear are too early for them to be Mithradatic War issues. Certain other issues such as the present example appear to be part of extraordinary issue of gold struck in conjunction with an extremely rare gold stater type of Magnesia in the mid-second century. The style and fabric of both issues seem consistent with an emergency issue struck to meet an immediate expense.

The reverse of this coin depicts the famous cult statue of Ephesian Artemis, housed in the great temple of Artemis that is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The original image of the goddess was a wooden xoanon that had represented a pre-Hellenic goddess who the Greeks later equated with Artemis. This first image, which was kept decorated with jewellery, was possibly lost in a flood in the 8th or 7th century which destroyed the temple; excavations have discovered the tear-shaped amber drops of elliptical cross-section which must have dressed it. In circa 550 BC, when reconstruction of the temple was begun (partly financed by Kroisos), it was undertaken in grand style and was supposedly the first Greek temple to be built of marble. The wooden xoanon was replaced by a new ebony or grapewood statue sculpted by Enoidos, which presumably survived until the temple was again destroyed, this time by an act of arson on the part of one Herostratos. The second destruction of the temple coincided with the birth of Alexander the Great; Plutarch later noted that Artemis was too preoccupied with Alexander’s delivery to save her burning temple. The form of the goddess is distinctly near-eastern in appearance; characteristics such as her legs being enclosed in a tapering pillar-like term are closely related to Egyptian and Hittite images, and the curious feature of the many protuberances on her chest (usually described as breasts or eggs) are decidedly non-Greek in origin, and indeed have defied explanation or identification for centuries, though an association with fertility seems implicit.

Circa 165-140 BC. Head of Athena to right, wearing crested Attic helmet decorated with Pegasos flying to right above the foreparts of five galloping horses / Club to right, HPAKΛEΩTΩN above; below, monograms to left and right of Nike advancing to left, holding wreath, all within oak wreath. BMC 1; SNG von Aulock 1978; SNG Copenhagen 781. 16.40g, 34mm, 12h.

Near Extremely Fine; test cut.

From a private UK collection.

Ionia, Magnesia ad Maeandrum AR Tetradrachm. Circa 155-145 BC. Attic standard, Stephanophoric type. Pausanias, son of Pausanias, magistrate. Diademed and draped bust of Artemis to right, bow and quiver over shoulder / Apollo Delphios standing to left, resting on tall tripod behind and holding branch tied with fillet; ΠAVΣANIAIΣ ΠAVΣANIOY to left, MAΓNHTΩN to right, meander pattern below, all within laurel wreath. Jones 18 (same obv. die); SNG Copenhagen 844.

NGC graded Ch AU 4/5-5/5 (#6156331-015).

Acquired from Vilmar Numismatics; Ex Classical Numismatic Group, Auction 117, 19 May 2021, lot 205.

1,800

Ionia, Herakleia ad Latmon AR Tetradrachm.

Extremely Rare

Ionia, Magnesia ad Maeandrum AR Tetradrachm. Circa 155-145 BC. Attic standard, Stephanophoric type. Antigenes, son of Anaxikrates, magistrate. Diademed and draped bust of Artemis to right, bow and quiver over shoulder / Apollo Delphios standing to left, resting on tall tripod behind and holding in branch tied with fillet; ANTIΓENHΣ ANAΞIKPATOY to left, MAΓNHTΩN to right, meander pattern below, all within laurel wreath. Jones obv. die 34 (for Erasippos, son of Aristeos, [this magistrate unlisted]); SNG von Aulock -; SNG Copenhagen -; BMC -; cf. R. Ashton and P. Kinns, Opuscula Anatolica II in NC Vol. 164 (2004), p. 73, footnote 11; NFA XIX, 326. 16.43g, 33mm, 12h.

Good Extremely Fine. Extremely rare with this magistrate; seemingly no other examples offered at auction in over twenty years, likely the first to be offered since the specimen sold by NFA in 1987.

From a private UK collection.

Ionia, Phokaia(?) EL 1/24 Stater. Circa 650-550 BC. Head of goat to left / Irregular square incuse punch. Apparently Unpublished, cf. Rosen Sale 113 = Rosen 343 (1/48 stater). 0.68g, 7mm.

Good Very Fine. Extremely Rare.

Privately purchased from Gorny & Mosch Giessener Münzhandlung, inventory #115293.

Ionia, Phokaia EL 1/24 Stater. Circa 625/0-522 BC. Head of seal(?) to left, pellets at neck truncation / Quadripartite incuse square. Bodenstedt Em. 2.2; Traité 1, 131; Rosen 334. 0.69g, 7mm.

Extremely Fine.

From a private European collection.

Ionia, Phokaia EL Hekte. Circa 387-326 BC. Head of Artemis to left; quiver over shoulder, small seal below / Quadripartite incuse square. Bodenstedt 99; SNG von Aulock -; SNG Copenhagen -; Roma XXV, 358 (hammer: 1,500 GBP). 2.54g, 11mm.

Extremely Fine.

From a private European collection.

248. 450

249.

Ionia, Phokaia EL Hekte. Circa 387-326 BC. Head of Artemis to left; quiver over shoulder, small seal below / Quadripartite incuse square. Bodenstedt 99; SNG von Aulock -; SNG Copenhagen -; Roma XXV, 358 (hammer: 1,500 GBP). 2.54g, 11mm.

Extremely Fine.

From a private European collection.

Ionia under Achaemenid Persian Rule, uncertain satrap AR Tetradrachm. Circa 350-333 BC. Persian king, wearing kidaris and kandys, in kneelingrunning stance to right, holding spear in right hand and bow in left / Incuse rectangle, containing pattern possibly depicting relief map of the hinterland of Ephesos. Johnston, Earliest 26; Mildenberg, Münzwesen pp. 25–6 and pl. XII, 110; BMC Ionia p. 324, 3 and 6; Jameson 1787; Pozzi 3138. 14.34g, 21mm.

Very Fine; deep cabinet tone. Very Rare.

From a private European collection.

TROAS

600

250.

Troas, Abydos AR Tetradrachm. Circa 80-70 BC. Iphiados, magistrate. Draped bust of Artemis to right, wearing stephanos; bow and quiver over shoulder / Eagle with wings spread standing to right, ΑΒΥΔΗΝΩΝ above, ΙΦΙΑΔΟΥ below, star above radiate head of Helios to right in right field; all within wreath. Callataÿ, Abydos, D34/R?; BMC -; SNG von Aulock 1453 (same obv. die); SNG München 32. 15.91g, 31mm, 12h.

Good Very Fine; pleasant light cabinet tone.

Acquired from Morton and Eden Ltd; Ex European Ambassador Collection, formed in the 1950s and 1960s.

1,200

251.

Troas, Abydos AR Tetradrachm. Circa 80-70 BC. Iphiados, magistrate. Draped bust of Artemis to right, wearing stephanos; bow and quiver over shoulder / Eagle, with wings spread, standing to right; ABYΔHNΩN above, IΦIAΔOY below, radiate head of Helios to right with star above in right field; all within laurel wreath. Callataÿ, Abydos, D32/R11; SNG München 32; SNG von Aulock 1453; Roma XXI, 192 (hammer: 6,000 GBP). 16.07g, 31mm, 12h.

Good Very Fine; attractive old cabinet tone. Extremely Rare.

From a private European collection.

900

Troas, Abydos AR Tetradrachm. Circa 80-70 BC. Iphiados, magistrate. Draped bust of Artemis to right, wearing stephanos, bow and quiver over shoulder / Eagle, with wings spread, standing to right; ABYΔHNΩN above, IΦIAΔOY below, radiate head of Helios to right with star above in right field; all within laurel wreath. Callataÿ, Abydos, D34/R- (unlisted rev. die); SNG Fitzwilliam 4250 (same obv. die). 15.61g, 31mm, 12h.

Near Extremely Fine; highly attractive old cabinet tone. Extremely Rare.

From a private European collection.

900

Troas, Abydos AR Tetradrachm. Circa 80-70 BC. Eukratos, magistrate. Draped bust of Artemis to right, wearing stephanos; bow and quiver over shoulder / Eagle, with wings spread, standing to right; ABYΔHNΩN to left, EYKPATOY below, torch in right field; all within laurel wreath with Σ above. Callataÿ, Abydos, D21/R1; SNG von Aulock -; BMC -; Roma XIX, 452. 16.83g, 31mm, 12h.

Good Very Fine. Extremely rare with this magistrate and symbol; seemingly just the second specimen to come to auction in the past two decades.

From a private European collection.

600

252.

253.

255.

Troas, Alexandreia AR Tetradrachm. Dated CY 233 = 68/7 BC. Peisistratos, magistrate. Laureate head of Apollo to left / Apollo Smintheus standing to right, quiver over shoulder, holding bow and arrow; ΑΠΟΛΛΩΝΟΣ to right, ΞΜΙΘΕΩΣ to left, ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔPEΩ[N] below; monogram in inner left field, ΣΛΓ (date) in inner right field, [ΠE]IΣIΣTP[ATOY] in exergue. Bellinger A167 (same dies); DCA 365. 16.24g, 31mm, 12h.

Very Fine; attractive cabinet tone. Extremely Rare.

From a private European collection.

A Previously Unpublished Dated Tetradrachm

256.

Troas, Alexandreia AR Tetradrachm. Dated CY 234 = 67/6 BC. Archagoras, magistrate. Laureate head of Apollo to left / Apollo Smintheus standing to right, quiver over shoulder, holding bow and arrow; ΑΠΟΛΛΩΝΟΣ to right, ΞΜΙΘΕΩΣ to left, ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔPEΩN below; monogram in inner left field, ΣΛΔ (date) in inner right field, APXAΓOPOY in exergue. Bellinger -, cf. A167 (same obv. die) & A168, dates which flank the present example; DCA 365 (unlisted date); Roma E-106, 266 (same obv. die & year, diff. magistrate). 16.50g, 30mm, 12h.

Near Extremely Fine; attractive cabinet tone. Unpublished with this magistrate, the third known example with this date.

From a private European collection.

The present tetradrachm of Alexandreia is the second known example dated year 234 from Alexandreia, and completes the sequence of dated tetradrachms from this city. This coin was struck with the obverse die of the previous years’ issue, a feature of this mint that has been noted before (cf. Bellinger’s note regarding the obv. die of A156 & A157 on p.99), as was the other known coin from year 234 (Roma E-106, 266). The magistrate Archagoras is new to the series, however it is not unusual to have two magistrates striking in the same year (cf. Bellinger A169 & A170, both of year 236).

Troas, Alexandreia AR Tetradrachm. Dated CY 236 = 65/4 BC. Antiphanos, magistrate. Laureate head of Apollo to left / Apollo Smintheus standing to right, quiver over shoulder, holding bow and arrow; ΑΠΟΛΛΩΝΟΣ to right, ΞΜΙΘΕΩΣ to left, ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔPEΩN below; monogram in inner left field, ΣΛ[ (date) in inner right field, ANTIΦANOY in exergue. Bellinger A170 (same dies); DCA 365. 16.37g, 27mm, 1h.

Near Extremely Fine; worn obv. die, attractive cabinet tone. Extremely Rare.

From a private European collection.

Apparently Unique and Unpublished

Islands off Troas, Tenedos AR Tetradrachm. Circa 160-70 BC. Janiform head of laureate bearded male to left and female to right, wearing stephanos / Labrys; TENEΔIΩN above, handle flanked by monogram and grape bunch to left, small figure of Hermes with kerykeion to right; all within laurel wreath. Callataÿ, Tenedos -, cf. 49-55 (drachms) corr. (monogram); BMC -, cf. 33 (drachm); HGC 6, 390 var. (this control not listed). 16.13g, 31mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine; fine style, well centred with a beautiful even cabinet tone. Apparently unpublished with this control in this denomination.

From a private European collection.

15,000

Tenedos was an island of strategic importance throughout antiquity due to its location at the entrance to the Hellespont, which ensured every ship sailing to or from the Propontis and the Black Sea would pass by. It is referenced in both Homer’s Iliad and Virgil’s Aeneid, in the latter as the place where the Greek fleet was concealed towards the end of their siege of Troy in order to trick the Trojans into taking the fateful Trojan horse within the walls of the city. During the fifth century, Athens used the island as a stronghold to protect their vital shipping routes, but it came under the influence of successive Hellenistic dynasties from the third century onwards: controlled first by the Seleukids, then the Attalids and eventually by Mithridates VI Eupator, who used the island as a naval base in the Third Mithridatic War against the Roman general Lucullus in 73-63 BC. It was during the latter’s long reign that this type and other stephanophoric (wreath-bearing) Tenedian tetradrachms were first minted.

The labrys on the reverse of this coin is a reference to the Tenedian foundational myth, in which the hero Tenes used an axe to sever the mooring lines of his father’s ship when he attempted to land on the island to reconcile with his son. In Pausanias’ version of the myth, he concludes “for this reason a by-word has arisen, which is used of those who make a stern refusal: so and so has cut whatever it may be with an axe of Tenedos” (Paus. 10.14.4). Indeed, Cicero, writing less than half a century from the time of this coin’s issue jokes to his brother Quintus about Tenedos’ unsuccessful request to the Roman senate to be made a free city: “well then, the liberty of the Tenedians has been chopped by the Tenedian axe” (Letters to his brother Quintus, 2.9).

258.

Extremely Rare Variety

259.

Islands off Troas, Tenedos AR Tetradrachm. Circa 160-70 BC. Janiform head of a laureate bearded male to left and female to right, wearing stephanos / Labrys; TENEΔIΩN above, handle flanked by monogram and grape bunch to left, small figure of Marsyas to right; all within laurel wreath. Callataÿ, Tenedos 69 (D13/R3); BMC -, cf. 28-29 for similar types with different controls; HGC 6, 390. 15.81g, 31mm, 12h.

Near Extremely Fine; beautiful even tone. Extremely rare variety with Marsyas control; only 4 others offered at auction in the past 20 years.

From a private European collection.

6,000

Islands off Troas, Tenedos AR Tetradrachm. Circa 100-80 BC. Janiform head of a laureate bearded male to left and female to right, wearing stephanos / Labrys; TENEΔIΩN above, handle flanked by monogram and grape bunch to left and palm branch and Athena Promachos to right; all within laurel wreath. Callataÿ, Tenedos 63-4 (D13/R-, [unrecorded rev. die]); HGC 6, 390. 16.83g, 37mm, 12h.

Good Very Fine. Extremely Rare; no other examples on CoinArchives and only two known to Callataÿ.

From a private European collection.

3,000

260. 600

261.

Aiolis, Kyme AR Tetradrachm. Circa 165-140 BC. Metrophanes, magistrate. Head of the Amazon Kyme to right, wearing tainia / Horse prancing to right; one-handled cup below raised foreleg, KYMAIΩN to right, MHTPOΦANHΣ below; all within wreath, figure of 8 symbol above. Oakley pl.2, 9.a; SNG Copenhagen 104; Jameson 1460. 16.77g, 31mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine; rev. in exceptional condition.

From the Arethusa Collection; Ex iNumis, Mail Bid Sale 28, 10 March 2015, lot 17.

Only Two Recorded by Sacks

262.

Aiolis, Myrina AR Tetradrachm. Circa 155-145 BC. Stephanophoric type. Laureate head of Apollo to right / Apollo Grynios standing to right, holding phiale in right hand, filleted laurel branch in left; monogram and MYPINAIΩN to left, omphalos and amphora at feet; all within laurel wreath. Sacks Issue 34, obv. die 59 (die unlisted for issue); Hunterian 5; SNG Copenhagen -; SNG von Aulock -. 16.82g, 31mm, 11h.

Extremely Fine. Very Rare; only two specimens recorded by Sacks.

From a private UK collection.

900

Aiolis, Myrina AR Tetradrachm. Circa 155-145 BC. Stephanophoric type. Laureate head of Apollo to right / Apollo Grynios standing to right, holding phiale in right hand, filleted laurel branch in left; monogram and MYPINAIΩN to left, omphalos and amphora at feet; all within laurel wreath. Sacks Issue 31; SNG Copenhagen -; SNG von Aulock -. 16.64g, 32mm, 11h.

Good Extremely Fine; a high relief portrait of fine style.

From a private UK collection.

900

LESBOS

3x 3x

263.

Lesbos, Mytilene EL 1/48 Stater. Circa 560-545 BC. Ram’s head to left; seal below / Quadripartite incuse square. Cf. Bodenstedt 20a/α (1/24 stater); cf. Boston MFA 1897 = Warren 1679 (same); cf. BMC 29 (same). SNG von Aulock -; SNG Kayhan -; Rosen -; Klein -; von Fritze -. 0.31g, 5mm.

Near Extremely Fine; a charming specimen. Seemingly unique and unpublished in this denomination.

Extremely Rare

Lesbos, Mytilene EL Hekte. Circa 377-326 BC. Nymph head to right, hair in sphendone / Amphora flanked by two ivy leaves, all within linear square frame; all within incuse square. SNG von Aulock 7733; Bodenstedt Em. 84 = HGC 6, 1010; Roma XXV, 373 (hammer: 3,800 GBP); CNG 114, 263 (hammer: 4,500 USD). 2.54g, 11mm, 5h.

Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare; only three examples cited in Bodenstedt and a further four found on CoinArchives.

From a private European collection.

600

Lesbos, Mytilene EL Hekte. Circa 377-326 BC. Diademed head of youthful river-god to right, small horn over forehead / Head of nymph to right, hair bound in sakkos, within linear square frame; all within incuse square. Bodenstedt 85b/b; SNG von Aulock 7732; Boston MFA 1712. 2.55g, 10mm, 6h.

About Extremely Fine; well-centered.

From the Arethusa Collection; Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 14, 27 December 2014, lot 123. 300

Lesbos, Mytilene EL Hekte. Circa 375-326 BC. Laureate head of Apollo to right / Female head to right within linear square. Bodenstedt 95; Boston MFA 1726; SNG von Aulock 1716-7; HGC 6, 1021. 2.56g, 11mm, 12h.

Near Extremely Fine; well-centered.

From the Arethusa collection.

300

MYSIA

267. 600

268.

Mysia, Kyzikos EL Hekte. Circa 600-550 BC. Sphinx, with ornamental tendril on her head and with her right fore-paw raised, standing to left, tunny fish to left below / Quadripartite incuse square. Von Fritze I 26; SNG BnF 201-202. 2.71g, 11mm.

Good Very Fine.

From a private European collection.

269.

Mysia, Kyzikos EL Stater. Circa 550-500 BC. Head of roaring lioness to left; tunny fish upward behind / Quadripartite incuse square. Von Fritze I 39; Greenwell 115; Boston MFA 1414 = Warren 1537; SNG BnF 178. 16.19g, 22mm.

Very Fine; edge splits.

Ex Savoca Numismatik GmbH & Co. KG, Online Auction 36, 31 August 2019, lot 56.

270.

1,500

Mysia, Kyzikos EL Stater. Circa 550-500 BC. Sow standing to left; tunny fish to left below / Quadripartite incuse square. Von Fritze I 45; Greenwell 136; cf. SNG BnF 164 (hekte); cf. Boston MFA 1465 (same). 16.22g, 22mm.

Good Very Fine.

Acquired from Harmers of London.

Very Rare

2,400

Mysia, Kyzikos EL Stater. Circa 550-550 BC. Griffin seated to left; tunny fish to left below / Quadripartite incuse square. Von Fritze I 58; Boston MFA 1453. 16.07g, 20mm.

Good Very Fine. Very Rare.

From a private North European collection.

6,000

Mysia, Kyzikos EL Stater. Circa 550-500 BC. Helmeted head of Athena to left; tunny fish downward to right / Quadripartite incuse square. Von Fritze I 63; Greenwell 26; Boston MFA 1432 = Warren 1445; SNG BnF -; BMC 18; Gillet 1058; Gulbenkian 608; Jameson 2168 = Weber 4970; Myrmekion 9; Rosen 445 = SNG von Aulock 7282. 16.11g, 20mm.

271. 2,700

Near Extremely Fine; wonderfully detailed for the issue. Rare.

Acquired from Harmers of London; Ex collection of an antiquarian, Bavaria c. 1960s-90s, Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XVI, 26 September 2018, lot 269.

272. 1,500

274.

Mysia, Kyzikos EL Hekte. Circa 500-450 BC. Lion at bay to left, head facing and seen from above; tunny fish to left below / Quadripartite incuse square. Von Fritze I 83; SNG BnF 212; SNG von Aulock 1187-8; Boston MFA 1443.

NGC graded XF 4/5-5/5 (#2080858-001).

Acquired from Vilmar Numismatics; Ex Editions V. Gadoury, Auction 2018, 16 November 2018, lot 11.

276.

Mysia, Kyzikos EL Hekte. Circa 500-450 BC. Panther or lioness advancing to left with tail curled over back; tunny fish to left below / Quadripartite incuse. Von Fritze I 86; SNG BnF 219-20; Boston MFA 1472; Rosen 464. 2.72g, 12mm.

Extremely Fine.

From a private European collection.

Among The Finest on CoinArchives

Mysia, Kyzikos EL Hekte. Circa 500-450 BC. Head of ephebos to left on disk; tunny fish to left below / Quadripartite incuse square. Von Fritze I 105; Greenwell 77; cf. Boston MFA 1476 = Warren 1496; SNG BN 248; BMC 21; Gulbenkian -; Jameson 2566. 2.67g, 14mm.

Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare; among the finest of only a handful of examples on CoinArchives.

From a private UK collection.

1,800

Mysia, Kyzikos EL Hekte. Circa 500-450 BC. Nude youth kneeling to left, holding [tunny by its tail] / Quadripartite incuse square. Von Fritze I 112; SNG BnF 253 var. (stater); Boston MFA 1488; Rosen 488. 2.71g, 11mm.

Good Extremely Fine.

From a private European collection.

Mysia, Kyzikos EL Hekte. Circa 500-450 BC. Nude youth kneeling to left, holding tunny by its tail / Quadripartite incuse square. Von Fritze I 112; SNG BnF 253 var. (stater); Boston MFA 1488; Rosen 488. 2.68g, 11mm.

Near Extremely Fine.

From a private European collection.

278.

Mysia, Kyzikos EL Stater. Circa 500-450 BC. Warrior, nude but for crested helmet, kneeling to right, bow hanging from arm, testing arrow; tunny fish downwards behind / Quadripartite incuse square. Von Fritze I 117; Greenwell 93; Boston MFA 1490 = Warren 1511; SNG BnF 263-4; BMC 79-80. 15.95g, 20mm.

Extremely Fine. Very Rare.

From a private North European collection.

15,000

This coin, from a short series of warrior/hero types, was thought by W. Greenwell (The Electrum Coinage of Cyzicus, NC 1887) to represent either Jason or one of his Argonaut companions; given their appearance in the mythical history of Kyzikos it is not an unfair proposition.

There was a strong tradition in the ancient Greek world of relating larger, pre-existent myths to particular localities - as evidently happened with this story of Kyzikos. Many of the major early Greek myths and associated texts were particularly conducive to such secondary myth-making - the Iliad, for instance, is encyclopaedic in its incorporation of different localities in the Greek world (many seemingly added by later editors), while the stories of Odysseus’ voyage home and the Argonauts’ quest for the Golden Fleece were particularly convenient in that they could be made to stop off in any number of places on their journeys. Often, these connections would have been suggested by particular features of the landscape (e.g. a large hill being named as a burial ground for a hero) and verbal ‘clues’ in the oral and written sources of the larger myth, and we might suppose that the underlying motivation was to connect one’s homeland to a famous legend in order to glorify it, or even just to bring the story ‘home’ and make it relevant to one’s own locale - or perhaps a combination of both, for bards who were travelling and wanted to integrate the world of their audience into the legends they were reciting. Later historians and other writers repeated and refuted such stories, often having to weigh up between conflicting accounts. Apollonius Rhodius, scholar and poet in the library of Alexandria, for instance, incorporated the story of the Argonauts in Kyzikos into book one of his retelling of Jason’s adventure, the Argonautica, several centuries after the minting of the present coin and when such a mythical ‘history’ had long since solidified.

Only Two Other Examples on CoinArchives

Mysia, Kyzikos EL Hekte. Circa 500-460 BC. Nike in kneeling-running stance to left, head to right, holding tunny fish by tail / Incuse mill-sail pattern. Cf. Von Fritze I 121 (pl. IV, 7, stater); cf. BMC 21, 81; Boston MFA -; SNG Copenhagen -; SNG von Aulock -; Rauch 105, 84; Tkalec Auction Oct 2003, 101 (hammer: 9,200 CHF). 2.62g, 12mm.

Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare; seemingly only two other examples on CoinArchives.

From a private European collection.

1,800

Mysia, Kyzikos EL Hekte. Circa 450-330 BC. Zeus kneeling to right, holding sceptre and extending arm, upon which eagle stands to right, open wings; tunny fish to right below / Quadripartite incuse square. Cf. Von Fritze I 145 (unlisted denomination); cf. Boston MFA 1530 = Warren 1422 (stater); cf. SNG BnF 296 (stater); CNG e503, 9; NFA 1, 148. 2.67g, 11mm.

Good Extremely Fine. Very Rare in this denomination.

From a private European collection.

Thetis, Mother of Achilles

Mysia, Kyzikos EL Stater. Circa 450-330 BC. Thetis, holding wreath and wearing shield, riding dolphin to left; below, tunny to left below / Quadripartite incuse square. Von Fritze I 159; Greenwell 48; Boston MFA 1501 = Warren 1467; SNG BnF 307; BMC 69; Gulbenkian 634; Jameson -; Weber 4994. 16.10g, 16mm.

Near Extremely Fine. Very Rare.

Acquired from Harmers of London.

The goddess Thetis was the mother of Achilles and wife to Peleus, king of Phthia. She had been forced into marriage with Peleus by the gods after a prophecy foretold that she would bear a son who would be mightier than his father, something greatly feared by Zeus, who had overthrown his own father to rule the pantheon. Afraid of the strength of a potential divine child, the gods chose the mortal Peleus to be Thetis’ husband. All the gods attended their wedding, except for Eris (goddess of discord), who, furious at not being invited, threw an apple into the gathering upon which it was written ‘To the Fairest’, thus setting into motion the events that led to the Trojan War. The aforementioned apple played a central part in the judgement of Paris, the outcome of which in turn resulted in his abduction of Helen and the sailing of the Greeks to Troy in retribution.

Thetis was cursed to know that her son would die young due to another prophecy that foretold his death at Troy. In a desperate attempt to spare him from his fate, she hid Achilles on the island of Skyros, disguised as a girl amongst the daughters of king Lycomedes, but he was later discovered there by Odysseus and forced to join the Greek campaign at Troy. During the war Thetis instructed Hephaestos, the blacksmith to the gods, to forge new armour for her son, after his had been lost to the Trojans when Patroclus was killed wearing it. The shield Hephaestos created was a masterpiece of weaponry and is carried by Thetis on this coin. It was a bittersweet gift since, despite this divine armour, Achilles was killed near the end of the Trojan War as had been prophesied.

Very Rare

Mysia, Kyzikos AR Tetradrachm. Circa 390-340 BC. Head of Kore Soteira to left, two grain ears in hair, wearing sphendone covered with veil; ΣOTEIPA above / Head of roaring lion to left, tongue protruding; KYΞI around, grape bunch in right field, tunny fish to left below. Pixodarus Type 2, Group B; Von Fritze I pl. V, 26; SNG BnF 398; SNG von Aulock -. 15.07g, 25mm, 6h. Near Extremely Fine; beautiful old cabinet tone. Very rare with this symbol on rev. From the Arethusa Collection; Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XI, 7 April 2016, lot 423.

150

Mysia, Kyzikos AR Hemiobol. Circa 450-400 BC. Forepart of boar to left; tunny fish upwards behind / Head of roaring lion to left; star to upper left; all within incuse square. Von Fritze II 14; SNG BnF 375; Klein 265. 0.34g, 9mm, 3h. Good Extremely Fine; a highly attractive example with wonderfully fine details. Acquired from Bucephalus Numismatic.

3,000

280. 3,000

281.

282.

Extremely Rare

Mysia, Lampsakos AV Stater. Circa 370-350 BC. Head of Apollo to left, wearing laurel wreath and knotted fillet which hangs down his neck / Forepart of Pegasos to right with curved wing; within incuse square. Gulbenkian 685 = Baldwin, Lampsakos 14b (II/β), pl. I, 28 = Traité II, 2543, pl. CLXXI, 10 = Jameson 1440 = Warren 1010 (same dies); SNG BnF -; BMC -; Boston MFA -. 8.43g, 18mm, 12h.

Good Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare; only one other example of this type present on CoinArchives (struck when the obv. die was quite worn). There are just two examples published in the standard references and none in the major museum collections.

30,000

From a private European collection.

Baldwin: Type 14, the Apollo head with fillets, is an unusual type. When only the Munich specimen (PI. I, 27) was known, the head was variously described as Aphrodite (the laurel wreath being supposed to be myrtle, and the fillets a string of pearls woven in the hair), as Demeter, and sometimes as Apollo. The Jameson specimen, pl. I, 28, makes it clear that the head is not feminine and that it is a bandelette of wool terminating in a triple fringe which is woven in the hair.

Lampsakos was the first Greek city to make regular issues of gold coinage which enjoyed an international circulation. Struck on the standard of the Persian daric, Lampsakos’ use of the Pegasos protome as its invariable reverse type led to widespread recognition of its gold abroad, such that like the cities of Kyzikos and Phokaia who respectively employed tunny fish and seal badges, it was unnecessary to identify the mint by an inscription upon the coin. Indeed, the esteem in which Lampsakene staters were held was due in significant part to the regularity of their issue. Whereas most civic gold coinages of the Greeks were struck only in times of emergency, Lampsakos appears to have issued 41 series of gold staters over a period of 50 or 60 years, evidently for the purpose of facilitating commerce. Deriving its wealth from the traffic passing between the Aegean and the Black Sea, on account of possessing an excellent harbour in a strategic position guarding the eastern entrance to the Hellespont, Lampsakos appears to have enjoyed significant commercial ties with the northern Black Sea lands, which were likely the primary source of its gold.

284.

Kingdom of Pergamon, Eumenes I AR Tetradrachm. Struck in the name of Philetairos. Pergamon, circa 255-241 BC. Laureate head of Philetairos to right / Athena seated to left, resting elbow on shield, holding transverse spear, and crowning ΦIΛETAIPOY to left with wreath; ivy leaf in outer left field, monogram to inner left, bow to outer right. Westermark Group IVA; SNG BnF 1610 (same dies); SNG von Aulock 1356 (same obv. die - Attalos I); Boston MFA 1611-2. 17.03g, 31mm, 1h.

Mint State; attractively toned with an impressive portrait.

From a private European collection.

285.

1,800

Kingdom of Pergamon, Eumenes I AR Tetradrachm. Struck in the name of Philetairos. Pergamon, circa 255-241 BC. Laureate head of Philetairos to right / Athena seated to left, resting elbow on shield, holding transverse spear and crowning ΦIΛETAIPOY to left with wreath; ivy leaf in outer left field, monogram in inner left, bow to outer right. Westermark Group IVA, (V.XLVIII:B/-); SNG BnF 1610-5; SNG von Aulock 1356-7 (Attalos I); Boston MFA 1611-2. 17.19g, 30mm, 12h.

Mint State; attractive, light cabinet tone over lustrous metal.

From a private European collection.

1,800

286. 900

Kingdom of Pergamon, Attalos I AR Tetradrachm. Struck in the name of Philetairos. Pergamon, circa 241-197 BC. Laureate head of Philetairos to right / Athena seated to left, resting elbow on shield, holding transverse spear and crowning ΦIΛETAIPOY to left with wreath; palm branch to outer left, monogram to inner left, bow to outer right. Westermark Group VIA; BMC 40 (Eumenes II); SNG BnF 1621. 16.91g, 29mm, 12h.

Good Extremely Fine; subtly toned and boasting a striking portrait.

From a private European collection.

The Fourth Known

Kingdom of Pergamon, Eumenes II AR Tetradrachm. Circa 197-158 BC. Diademed and draped bust to right / The Dioskouroi standing facing, each holding spear, the one on the left resting hand on torso, the one on the right holding sword in sheath; ΒAΣIΛEΩΣ to right, EYMENOY to left, ΠΦ in exergue; all within wreath. SNG BnF 1627 var. (thyrsos and AP on rev.); Lanz Munich 156, 177 var. (same, hammer: 170,000 EUR); BMC 47 var. (ΔΙΑ on rev.). 16.24g, 32mm, 12h.

Near Extremely Fine; edge broken and professionally restored. Of the greatest rarity; the fourth known example of the type, and only the second in private hands.

The first-born son of King Attalus I Soter of Pergamon, Eumenes was born in the late 3rd century BC and succeeded his father in 197 BC. Appian writes that he refused to marry the daughter of Seleukid king Antiochos III, “seeing that Antiochos was about to engage in war with the Romans” and arguing “if the Romans conquer… I shall be firmly seated in my kingdom” (The Syrian Wars 1, 5). He was proved to have made a wise decision when Rome successfully defeated Antiochos III in the Battle of Magnesia in 190 or 189 BC, with Eumenes II leading the right flank of the army alongside the Roman general Scipio Asiaticus. After the Peace of Apamea, he received the regions of Phrygia, Lydia, Pisidia and Pamphylia from the Romans as a reward for his support. He also supported Rome in other conflicts in the region, including the war against the Spartan tyrant Nabis in 195 BC, and participated in the Battle of Pydna of 168 BC in which the Romans defeated Perseus of Macedon.

This extremely rare coin is highly unusual for the Pergamon Attalid dynasty; never before had a living ruler appeared on its coinage. Scholars have therefore dated this coin to 172 BC, when Eumenes, returning to Pergamon from Rome, was attacked near Cirrha and believed to be dead. His brother and co-ruler Attalos II promptly married his brother’s widow Stratonike and took control of the kingdom. The wonderful portrait of his predecessor should be seen as a symbol of Attalos II’s love for his brother from which he drew his moniker ‘philadelphos’ – ‘brother-loving’ which would underpin his legitimacy to rule.

This interpretation is further supported by the reverse type of the Dioskouroi, the twin tutelary deities and sons of Zeus. When Castor was murdered, Zeus gave Pollux the choice between becoming wholly immortal or resurrecting his brother and sharing his immortality with him and Pollux chose the latter option: it is hard not to read into the reverse type of the two brothers together a grief and desire on the part of Attalos II to be reunited with his own brother. However, just as Castor came back to life, so too did Eumenes II return, having only been seriously injured. Attalos II immediately ceded power, divorced his brother’s wife, and likely discontinued this coin type, thus explaining its status as one of the greatest rarities in the field of ancient numismatics.

288.

Very Rare ‘Kukalim’ Type

Kingdom of Lydia, temp. Alyattes EL 1/3 Stater. Sardes, circa 610-600 BC. Head of roaring lion to left, facing [head of roaring lion to right], Lydian legend ‘KYKALIM’(?) between them / Two incuse square punches. GRPC Lydia G15; Weidauer Group XVIII, 114-115 var. (denomination).

NGC graded Ch XF, 4/5-4/5 (#5872642-011). Very Rare.

Acquired from Vilmar Numismatics.

289.

2,100

Kingdom of Lydia, Kroisos AR Stater - Double Siglos. Sardes, circa 561-546 BC. Confronted foreparts of lion to right and bull to left / Two incuse squares of unequal size. GRPC Lydia S1; Berk 20; Traité I 407; SNG Kayhan 1018; SNG von Aulock 2873-4; SNG Copenhagen 455; SNG Ashmolean 760; BMC 37-40; SNG Lockett 2980-1. 10.42g, 21mm.

Good Very Fine; attractive dark tone.

From the JTB Numismatic Collection - collector’s ticket included; Privately purchased from Wolfshead Gallery (USD 4,750); Ex Classical Numismatic Group, Electronic Auction 484, 27 January 2021, lot 350.

900

Kingdom of Lydia, temp. Kroisos AV 1/6 Stater. Light standard. Sardes, circa 550-520 BC. Confronted foreparts of lion and bull / Two incuse square punches of unequal size. GRPC Lydia G54; Walburg group IV, 3 (same punches); Berk 8; Traité I 406 = de Luynes 2801; SNG Kayhan -; SNG von Aulock -; Weber 6772. 1.34g, 8mm.

290. 3,900

Extremely Fine.

Acquired from Tauler & Fau.

291. 3,000

292.

Kingdom of Lydia, temp. Kroisos AV 1/12 Stater. Light standard. Sardes, 550-520 BC. Confronted foreparts of lion and bull / Incuse square. GRPC Lydia G56; Berk 10-13; Gulbenkian 759. 0.68g, 6mm.

Good Extremely Fine.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XXIII, 24 March 2022, lot 308.

Satraps of Karia, Hidrieus AR Trihemiobol. Halikarnassos, circa 345-344 BC. Head of Apollo facing slightly to right, wearing laurel wreath, drapery at neck / Stellate pattern; Ι-Δ-Ρ-Ι around. Konuk, Identities 26; HNO 238 (temp.); SNG von Aulock, 2370-1; SNG Keckman 279; SNG Kayhan 885-7; SNG Berry 1112 (this coin). 0.87g, 10mm.

Near Extremely Fine.

This coin published in Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum United States, Burton Y. Berry Collection. (New York, 1961-1962); From a private European collection.

Karia, Antioch ad Maeandrum AR Tetradrachm. Circa 90-60 BC. Diotrephes, magistrate ‘for the third time’. Laureate head of Apollo to right, with bow and quiver over shoulder / Zebu bull standing to left, head facing; ANTIOXEΩN ΔIOTPΕΦΗC TO TPITON in three lines above and below; all within circular maeander pattern. Thonemann, Group A, 2a (O3/R6); HNO 2068 (temp.). 15.53g, 29mm, 11h. Very Fine. Rare.

From the JTB Numismatic Collection; Acquired from Leu Numismatik AG.

Karia, Kaunos AR Tetradrachm. In the name and types of Alexander III of Macedon. Circa 300-280 BC. Head of Herakles to right, wearing lion skin headdress / Zeus Aëtophoros seated to left, holding sceptre; double headed axe before, ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ behind. Price 2074 (Miletos or Mylasa); Müller 1128; HNO 7 (temp.). For the reattribution to Kaunos, see R.H.J. Ashton, “Kaunos, not Miletos or Mylasa,” NC 2004, pp. 33-46. 17.10g, 29mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine; subtle cabinet tone with underlying lustre, beautifully centred on a broad planchet. Acquired from Gorny & Mosch Giessener Münzhandlung.

Islands off Karia, Kos AR Hemiobol. Circa 500-480 BC. Crab with eight legs / Rough incuse square. HNO 2124 (temp.); BMC 5; CNG E-287, 206; cf. SNG Kayhan 903 (crab with six legs); cf. Tzamalis 5 (same); HPM pl. XV, 16; HGC 6, 1297. 0.41g, 7mm. Good Very Fine. Very Rare.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 37, 24 June 2017, lot 161.

Islands of Karia, Kos AR Tetradrachm. Circa 280-250 BC. Xanthippos, magistrate. Head of Herakles to right, wearing lion skin headdress / Crab; KΩION above, ΞANΘIΠΠOΣ above bow-in-bowcase below; all within dotted square border. Requier Group III, 62; Boston MFA Supp. 195; Gulbenkian 1005 = Weber 6630; HNO 622 (temp.); HGC 6, 1308 var. (unlisted magistrate). 14.93g, 27mm, 12h. Extremely Fine. Very Rare with this magistrate.

From the Arethusa Collection; Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XI, 7 April 2016, lot 442.

1,800

Karia, Mylasa AR Stater. Circa 520-490 BC. Forepart of a roaring lion to right / Divided incuse punch. HNO 1380 (temp.); SNG Kayhan 930 (Uncertain); K. Konuk. “Influences et Eléments Achéménides dans le monnayage de la Carie” in MIMAA, pl. XXIX, 10; BMC -; Traité -; SNG Keckman -; ACGC 993. 10.93g, 20mm.

Extremely Fine; beautiful cabinet tone, unobtrusive test cut on rev

From the JTB Numismatic Collection - collector’s ticket included; Ex collection of an antiquarian, Bavaria c. 1960s-1990s, Roma Numismatics Ltd, Auction XX, 29 October 2020, lot 247.

RHODES

298. 150

Rhodos, Kamiros AR Obol. Circa 500-460 BC. Aiginetic standard. Fig leaf / Rough incuse square. HNO 370 (temp., tritemorion); SNG Keckman 3234; cf. BMC p. 224, 10; HCG 6, 1390 (tritemorion). 0.61g, 8mm. Very Fine. Extremely Rare. Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XXII, 7 October 2021, lot 357.

299. 600

Rhodos, Rhodes AR Didrachm. Circa 275-250 BC. Antipatros, magistrate. Head of Helios facing slightly to right / Rose with bud to right; ANTIΠATPOΣ above, grain ear to left, P-O across fields. Ashton 186; HNO 835 (temp.); SNG Keckman 503-4; HGC 6, 1437. 6.69g, 20mm, 12h. Extremely Fine; bright, lustrous metal with golden iridescence. From the inventory of a North American dealer.

Rhodos, Rhodes AR Tetradrachm. Circa 230-205 BC. Ameinias, magistrate. Radiate head of Helios facing slightly to right / Rose with bud to right; POΔION above; in left field, prow to left, AMEINI-AΣ flanking stem below. Ashton 212; HNO 387 (temp.); SNG Keckman 542; HGC 6, 1432. 13.46g, 25mm, 12h.

Near Mint State.

From the Arethusa Collection.

Rhodos, Rhodes AR Tetradrachm. Civic issue in the name and types of Alexander III of Macedon. Circa 201-190 BC. Ainetor, magistrate. Head of Herakles to right, wearing lion skin headdress / Zeus Aëtophoros seated to left, holding sceptre; ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟY to right, AINHTΩP above rose in left field, PO below throne. Ashton 251; Kleiner, Rhodes Series XIII; Price 2518; HNO 868 (temp.); SNG Keckman 598; HGC 6, 1455. 16.35g, 32mm, 12h.

Near Extremely Fine; bright, lustrous metal.

From the inventory of a North American dealer.

300.

Rhodos, Rhodes AR Drachm. Circa 88 BC - AD 14. Aineas, magistrate. Radiate head of Helios facing slightly to right / Rose of six petals seen from above; AINEAΣ above, P-O across fields, grain ear to left below. Ashton & Weiss 175 (A41/-[unlisted rev. die]). Pozzi 2720; HGC 6, 1456. 4.16g, 19mm, 12h.

Good Extremely Fine; light cabinet tone with golden iridescence over lustrous metal.

This coin published at Historia Numorum Online (http://hno.huma-num.fr);

Ex Kölner Münzkabinett, Auction 115, 29 October 2021, lot 82.

Ex Nomos AG, obolos 16, 11 October 2020, lot 853.

LYKIA

304.

Dynasts of Lykia, uncertain dynast (Kybernis?) AR Stater. Circa 500-480 BC. ‘Pre-dynastic’ period. Forepart of boar to left; KYB on shoulder / Incuse square with large V, indentations on three sides. Müseler III, 1; BMC 9; cf. SNG von Aulock 4045; cf. Künker 100, 27. 9.40g, 19mm.

Near Extremely Fine; pleasant light cabinet tone. Extremely Rare.

From a private Australasian Collection.

Ex CNG 54, 2000

Dynasts of Lykia, Perikles AR Stater. Circa 380-375 BC. Head of Perikles turned slightly to left, wearing laurel wreath and drapery around neck / Warrior, nude but for crested Corinthian helmet, in fighting attitude to right, holding sword aloft in right hand, shield on left arm; Π↑PEKΛ↑ (‘Perikle’ in Lycian) around, triskeles to lower right; all within shallow incuse square. Müseler VIII, 36 (same obv. die); Podalia, 419-25 (A2-P6); SNG von Aulock 4252. 9.79g, 26mm, 12h.

Good Extremely Fine; a wonderful, expressive portrait and cleanly struck rev

Ex Dr. G.W. Collection, Gorny & Mosch Giessener Münzhandlung, Auction 269, 9 March 2020, lot 476 (hammer: 4,600 EUR); Ex Classical Numismatic Group, Auction 54, 14 June 2000, lot 740 (hammer: 4,000 USD).

2,100

Lykia, Phaselis AR Tetradrachm. Civic issue in the name and types of Alexander III of Macedon. Dated CY 7 = 212/1 BC. Head of Herakles to right, wearing lion skin headdress / Zeus Aëtophoros seated to left, holding sceptre; AΛEΞANΔP[OY] to right, Ξ above Φ in left field, annulet below throne. Price 2842 var. (position of symbols, annulet); Müller 1184 var. (same); DCA 315. 16.69g, 29mm, 12h.

Good Very Fine; lustrous metal, with a light cabinet tone.

From the inventory of a North American dealer.

307.

Pamphylia, Aspendos AR Stater. Circa 380-325 BC. Two wrestlers grappling; FN (partially retrograde) between, MENETYΣ EΛYΦA in exergue / Slinger in throwing stance to right; EΣTFEΔIIYΣ to left, triskeles to right; all within pelleted square. Tekin Series D; SNG von Aulock 4568 (same obv. die); SNG BnF 97-8 (same obv. die). 10.86g, 27mm, 12h.

Near Mint State.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XXII, 7 October 2021, lot 367.

309.

Pamphylia, Aspendos AR Stater. Circa 380-325 BC. Two wrestlers grappling; FN (partially retrograde) between, MENETYΣ EΛYΦA in exergue / Slinger in throwing stance to right; EΣTFEΔIIYΣ to left, triskeles to right; all within pelleted square. Tekin Series D; SNG von Aulock 4568 (same obv. die); SNG BnF 97-8 (same obv. die). 10.93g, 25mm, 11h.

Near Mint State.

Pamphylia, Aspendos AR Stater. Circa 380-325 BC. Two wrestlers grappling; MΛ between / Slinger in throwing stance to right; [EΣ]TFEΔIIYΣ to left, triskeles to right; all within pelleted square. Tekin Series 4; Arslan & Lightfoot 153 (same obv. die); Izmir 49-50 (same obv. die); SNG BnF -; SNG von Aulock 4559; SNG Copenhagen 233. 10.86g, 23mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine.

From a private European collection; Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XXII, 7 October 2021, lot 366 900

Pamphylia, Side AR Stater. Circa 479-430 BC. Pomegranate on stem with leaf on each side / Helmeted head of Athena to left; dolphin upwards before; all within incuse square. Atlan -; SNG BnF -; SNG von Aulock -; BMC -; Nomos 22, 201 var. (Athena to right); Nomos 19, 170 var. (same). 10.84g, 19mm, 2h.

Good Very Fine. Unpublished and possibly unique.

From the inventory of a UK dealer; Acquired from Den of Antiquity Ltd.

600

Cilicia, Nagidos AR Stater. Circa 400-384 BC. Aphrodite enthroned to left, sacrificing out of phiale over lit altar; behind, Eros standing to left, crowning her with wreath held aloft in right hand / Dionysos standing to left, holding grape bunch on vine in right hand and thyrsos in left; A in wreath in upper left field, NAΓIΔΕΩN around. Lederer 26 (same dies); Casabonne Type 4; SNG BnF -; SNG Levante -. 10.62g, 24mm, 5h.

Good Extremely Fine; struck from slightly worn obv. die.

From the JTB Numismatic Collection; Acquired from Leu Numismatik AG.

Cilicia, Soloi AR Stater. Circa 410-375 BC. Head of Athena to right, wearing helmet decorated with griffin / Grape bunch on vine with leaf and tendrils; ΣOΛEΩN to left, HP monogram below to right. Casabonne Type 5; Leu Web Auction 17, 1207-8 (same dies); SNG BnF -; SNG Levante -; SNG von Aulock -; SNG Copenhagen -; BMC -; Traité -. 10.72g, 23mm, 11h.

Extremely Fine. Very Rare.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XXII, 7 October 2021, lot 381.

Ex Peus 334, 1992

Cilicia, Tarsos AR Stater. Datames, satrap of Cilicia and Cappadocia, circa 384-361 BC. Female head (of Arethusa?) facing slightly to left / Bearded male head (Ares?) to right, wearing crested helmet with three olive leaves above visor; ‘Datames’ in Aramaic before. Moysey Issue 4; SNG Levante 78-9; SNG BnF 266-7; SNG von Aulock 5939-40. 10.84g, 23mm, 5h.

Good Extremely Fine; well-centred, attractive light cabinet tone with iridescent highlights. Scarce type with olive leaves on helmet.

Ex Dr. Busso Peus Nachfolger, Auction 388, 1 November 2006, lot 200; Ex Bellaria Collection, Classical Numismatic Group, Triton VII, 12 January 2004, lot 318; Ex Dr. Busso Peus Nachfolger, Auction 334, 4 November 1992, lot 472.

310.

One of the Greatest Rarities of Hellenistic Portraiture

Kings of Cappadocia, Orophernes AR Tetradrachm. Priene, circa 159-157 BC. Diademed head to right / Nike standing to left, holding wreath and palm; ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ to right, ΟΡΟΦΕΡΝΟ[Υ] to left, [ΝΙΚΗΦΟΡΟΥ] in exergue; to inner left, owl standing to left, head facing, on round altar, above monogram. Simonetta 1; BMC 1; Gulbenkian 1018; Kraay-Hirmer 768; HGC 7, 815; NAC 106, 331 (hammer: 220,000 CHF); Lanz 158, lot 290; Gemini II, lot 129. 15.64g, 33mm, 12h.

Near Extremely Fine; somewhat crystallised metal. One of the greatest rarities of Hellenistic portraiture and only the fourth to appear at auction in the past two decades.

15,000

“He who on the tetradrachms / appears to be smiling / with a delicate beautiful face / is Orophernes.” These words begin a poem by the modern Alexandrian poet C. P. Cavafy (1866-1933) which is testament to the superlative artistry of this rare gem of numismatic Hellenistic portraiture.

The enigmatic Orophernes was one of two illegitimate sons of Antiochis and Ariarathes IV Eusebes, whom ancient accounts report were unable to conceive a child naturally. In an effort to secure their dynasty, Antiochis presented him with baby boys and claimed they were his legitimate children. However, when she later gave birth to the future Ariarathes V Eusebes, she revealed the truth and sent the suppositious sons out of Cappadocia to prevent them from challenging the succession of the legitimate heir to the throne. Orophernes was sent off to the Ionian city of Priene, while his brother was sent to Rome.

After the death of Ariarathes IV in 163 BC, Ariarathes V became king and soon after refused a marriage alliance with the Seleukid king Demetrios I Soter, who ruled in Syria without the sanction of the Roman senate, in an effort to maintain his good relations with Rome. Scorned, Demetrios I happily provided Orophernes with an army to invade and claim the throne of Cappadocia for himself in 158 BC. He succeeded in this ambition, but his time on the throne was brief and characterised by greed and oppression. He reportedly deposited 400 talents at Priene as security against any attempt to overthrow him, but he did not have to wait long for his rule to be contested. The deposed Ariarathes appealed to the Roman senate for support in restoring his throne, and Orophernes was ultimately forced to flee and sought safety with Demetrios I in Syria, where, in an extraordinary display of hubris, he also conspired to overthrow his protector. Demetrios I punished him with perpetual imprisonment in order to hold the threat of his potential release against Ariarathes V.

Upon his return to power, Ariarathes V demanded the return of the 400 talents Orophernes had drained from the kingdom and placed at Priene. The Prieneans refused, unwilling to betray Orophernes, and endured a brutal attack in retaliation. Six tetradrachms were found at Priene beneath the pedestal of the cult statue of Athena in 1870, and were thought to form part of Orophernes’ deposit. It has been suggested that the reverse type, with an owl, the symbol of Athena, standing on an altar may indicate that this findspot was the intended location for the coins, thus suggesting that the coins were minted at Priene also. The reverse design is a particular variation on a traditional and oft-repeated reverse type depicting Nike crowning the king’s name, which was ultimate derived from Lysimachos’ coins (323-281 BC) but here serves to reflect Orophernes’ title Nikephoros.

315.

Cyprus, Kition AR Stater. Baalmelek II, circa 425-400 BC. Herakles in fighting stance to right, wearing lion skin upon his back and tied around neck, holding club overhead in right hand and bow extended before him in left hand; monogram or ankh to right / Lion attacking stag crouching to right; L [B’LMLK] (in Aramaic) above; all inside dotted border within incuse square. Tziambazis 19; SNG Copenhagen 9-10. 11.04g, 25mm, 12h.

About Extremely Fine; struck from a worn rev. die as usual, but an exceptionally fresh obv. for the type.

Ex collection of an antiquarian, Bavaria c. 1960s-1990s, Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 94, 24 February 2022, lot 434 (since professionally conserved); Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 32, 7 January 2017, lot 493.

Ex Dali Hoard, 1869

Cyprus, Paphos AR Stater. Pny-, circa 460-425 BC. Bull walking to left; ‘Pu’ in Cypriot script above / Eagle’s head to left, palmette above, pattern below, all in dotted border within incuse square. BMC 6; Dikaios, Larnaca 187, pl. 14, 5 (same dies); SNG Copenhagen 25; Tziambazis 75; Asyut 784; Traité II, 1281. 10.93g, 23mm, 12h.

Near Extremely Fine; obv. struck from usual worn dies; attractive tone. Very Rare.

Ex Naville & Cie (Ars Classica), Auction 10, 15 June 1925, lot 737; Ex Dali Hoard, 1869 (IGCH 1276).

3,000

Cyprus, Paphos AR Stater. Stasandros, circa 425 BC or later. Bull standing to left; winged solar disk above, ankh to left, palmette ornament in exergue / Eagle standing to left; one-handled vase to left, ‘pa-si sa-ta-sa’ in Cypriot script around; all within dotted square in incuse square. DestrooperGeorgiades 15; Tziambazis 7; Traité II 1291 = BMC 17; SNG Copenhagen 26; ACGC 1089. 11.02g, 23mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine; lustrous metal under light cabinet tone.

From a private European collection.

3,000

317. 900

Cyprus, Salamis. Evagoras I AV 1/10 Stater. Circa 411-373 BC. Head of bearded Herakles to right, wearing lion skin headdress / Man-headed goat with long horns and beard lying to right. Zapiti & Michaelidou 15; BMC 52; SNG Copenhagen 46; Bement 1651 (same dies); Dewing 2531 (same dies); Tziambazis 111 var. (no club); CNG 103, 348 (same dies). 0.71g, 8mm, 12h.

Near Extremely Fine. Very Rare.

From a private European collection.

314.

316.

318.

Cyprus, Salamis AV 1/12 Stater. Pnytagoras, circa 351-332 BC. Turreted head of Aphrodite to left; [Π] behind / Male head to left, wearing crown decorated with semi-circular plates and torque; Cypriot letter ‘ba’ behind. McGregor Group N.AV.II; Markou, L’or 432-8; Traité II 1185; Zapiti & Michaelidou -; SNG Copenhagen -; Roma E-105, 322; CNG E-500, 327; Morton & Eden 64, 64. 0.68g, 7mm, 3h.

Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare; only seven examples cited by Markou.

From a private UK Collection.

1,200

Cyprus, Salamis AV 1/12 Stater. Pnytagoras, circa 351-332 BC. Turreted head of Aphrodite to left; Π behind / Male head to left, wearing crown decorated with semi-circular plates and torque; Cypriot letter ‘ba’ behind. McGregor Group N.AV.II; Markou, L’or 432-8; Traité II 1185; Zapiti & Michaelidou -; SNG Copenhagen -; Roma E-105, 322; CNG E-500, 327; Morton & Eden 64, 64. 0.71g, 9mm, 9h.

Good Extremely Fine; slight die shift to rev. Extremely Rare; one of the finest examples of just a handful known, in comparable condition to the Morton & Eden example which hammered for £10,000.

319. 900

From a private European collection.

PHOENICIA

Phoenicia, Sidon Fourrée Half Shekel. Circa 5th century BC. City walls with four towers, before which a Phoenician galley to left; below, two lions leaping in opposite directions / Persian Great King or hero standing to right, holding dagger and grasping mane of lion held before him; Phoenician letters ‘B between; all within incuse square. For prototype, cf. HGC 10, 227-9. 6.76g, 18mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine; a very well-preserved and interesting contemporary forgery.

From a private UK collection.

KYRENAIKA

300

Kyrenaika, Kyrene AR Drachm. 331-322 BC. Theupheides, magistrate. Head of Karneios to left; ΘEY behind / Silphium plant; K-Y P-A across fields. BMC 167 = Müller, Afrique 143; BMC p. LXI, 167a (Berlin); Traité III 1889 = Müller, Afrique 143 var. (BnF specimen with longer ethnic, BM specimen cited); SNG Copenhagen -. 2.84g, 15mm, 5h.

Very Fine. Extremely Rare; seemingly only three recorded examples of the type, all of which are in museums, and the only example to come to auction in the past twenty years.

300

320.

321.

322.

Kyrenaika, Kyrene AV Drachm. Circa 322-313 BC. Youth on horseback prancing to right; monogram behind hind leg, KYPAAION across fields / Silphium plant; to lower left, mouse. Naville 108; BMC 124; Traité III 1850; SNG Copenhagen -; Gorny & Mosch 160, 1760; Stack’s Bowers August 2016, lot 20127. 4.28g, 14mm, 8h.

Good Very Fine. Extremely Rare; only five examples cited by Naville, seemingly only two others on CoinArchives.

1,500

323.

Kyrenaika, Kyrene AR Didrachm. Temp. Magas, circa 294-275 BC. Horned head of Zeus Karneios to left / Silphion plant; [monogram] to upper left, star to upper right, KY-PA across fields. BMC 238, pl. XXII 1 (same dies); SNG Lockett 3475; SNG Copenhagen 1238 corr. (monogram). 7.69g, 21mm, 11h.

Near Extremely Fine; light cabinet tone with hints of lustre.

Ex cgb.fr, Mail Bid Sale 32, 6 December 2007, lot 76.

EGYPT

1,200

324. 300

Pharaonic Kingdom of Egypt, uncertain pharaoh(s) AR Tetradrachm. Late 5th-mid 4th centuries BC. Imitating Athens. Helmeted head of Athena to right, with frontal eye / Owl standing to right, head facing; olive sprig and crescent behind, ΑΘΕ before; all within incuse square. Van Alfen pl. 6, 104 and pl. 8; Van Alfen, Mechanisms, Group III.A.1, Fig. 1 = Buttrey Type M. 17.16g, 24mm, 8h.

Good Extremely Fine.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 90, 18 November 2021, lot 566.

Pharaonic Kingdom of Egypt, uncertain pharaoh(s) AR Tetradrachm. Late 5th-mid 4th centuries BC. Imitating Athens. Helmeted head of Athena to right, with frontal eye / Owl standing to right, head facing; olive sprig and crescent behind, ΑΘΕ before; all within incuse square. Van Alfen pl. 6, 104 and pl. 8; Van Alfen, Mechanisms, Group III.A.1, Fig. 1 = Buttrey Type M. 17.15g, 24mm, 9h.

Good Extremely Fine.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 90, 18 November 2021, lot 567.

An Early Ptolemaic Masterpiece

Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, Ptolemy I Soter, as satrap, AR Tetradrachm. In the name and types of Alexander III of Macedon. Memphis, circa 322/1 BC. Head of Herakles to right, wearing lion skin headdress / Zeus Aëtophoros seated to left, holding sceptre; AΛEΞANΔPOY to right, rose to left, ΔI-O (moneyer’s signature) below throne. CPE 19; Price 3971; Müller 124; SNG Copenhagen 7-8; Zervos Issue 2C; Kraay & Hirmer 569; Gulbenkian 855. 17.19g, 29mm, 11h.

Near Mint State; light cabinet tone, engraved in majestic style and struck on a broad planchet with full borders on both sides. The finest example offered at auction in the past two decades.

Ex Long Valley River Collection; Ex Nomos AG, Auction 18, 5 May 2019, lot 268.

15,000

Alexander tetradrachms marked with the rose symbol and the letters ΔIO have long been admired as one of the most beautiful issues of his coinage. They were struck in Egypt, probably not long after Alexander’s death on 10 June 323 BC. Without Alexander’s leadership, and with no clear or legitimate heir to the vast empire he had created, Alexander’s generals fought amongst themselves and fractured the empire, dividing it into satrapies which they nominally managed on behalf of Alexander’s successors, his feeble-minded half-brother Philip Arrhidaios and his unborn son. Ptolemy took Egypt, recognising its great potential. He initially retained Kleomenes, the caretaker Alexander had left in place in Egypt, as his deputy, though subsequently removed him on account of his many excesses and mismanagements, and appropriated the 8,000 talents Kleomenes had accumulated in his treasury. A part of this treasure was turned into new coin, like the present piece, and used to fund Ptolemy’s military ambitions.

Extremely

Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, Ptolemy I Soter, as satrap, AR Tetradrachm. In the name and types of Alexander III of Macedon. Memphis, circa 322/1 BC. Head of Herakles to right, wearing lion skin headdress / Zeus Aëtophoros seated to left, holding sceptre; AΛEΞANΔPOY to right, rose to left, ΔI-O (moneyer’s signature) below throne. CPE 19; Price 3971; Müller 124; SNG Copenhagen 7-8; Zervos Issue 2C; Kraay & Hirmer 569; Gulbenkian 855. 17.09g, 27mm, 11h.

Fine; featuring a wonderfully lustrous tone, which accentuates a marvellous portrait - superior to a specimen which hammered for £10,000 in 2021 (Roma XXI, lot 268).

327. 2,400

Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, Ptolemy I Soter, as satrap, AR Tetradrachm. In the name and types of Alexander III of Macedon. Arados, circa 320-315 BC. Head of Herakles to right, wearing lion skin headdress / Zeus Aëtophoros seated to left, holding sceptre; AΛEΞANΔPOY to right, AP monogram in left field. Price 3426 (Byblos); Müller 1375 (same). 17.20g, 28mm, 12h.

328. 1,050

Good Extremely Fine; high relief, beautiful old cabinet tone with attractive iridescence.

Ex Jolimont Collection;

Ex Nomos AG, Auction 12, 22 May 2016, lot 39; Ex Münzen & Medaillen GmbH, Auction 35, 17 November 2011, lot 36.

Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, Ptolemy VI Philometor AR Tetradrachm. Second sole reign. Alexandria, circa 163-145 BC. Diademed head to right, aegis around neck / BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΠTOΛEMAIOY, eagle standing to left on thunderbolt; no control marks. Olivier 4252–62 (obv. die D171); Svoronos 1489; SNG Copenhagen 262–8. 14.20g, 27mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine.

Ex Dr. Walter Stoecklin Collection, Nomos AG, Auction 15, 22 October 2017, lot 202; Acquired from Bank Leu & Co. AG prior to 1975.

Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, Kleopatra VII Thea Neotera Æ Diobol - 80 Drachmai. Alexandria, 51-30 BC. Diademed and draped bust to right / KΛEOΠATPAΣ BAΣIΛEΩ[Σ] (sic), eagle standing to left on thunderbolt; cornucopiae to left, Π to right. Svoronos 1871; Weiser 183; SNG Copenhagen 419-21; Noeske 380-2. 18.00g, 28mm, 12h.

Very Fine; lightly tooled, die engraver’s error on rev. legend.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XXII, 7 October 2021, lot 411.

Extremely Rare

Nabataea, Aretas IV Æ 14mm. 9 BC - AD 40. Diademed and veiled head to left; ‘Malita’ in Nabataean before / ‘Qarta’ in Nabataean within double circular border. Cf. Al-Qatanani, p. 24, 1; otherwise unpublished. 1.97g, 14mm.

Very Fine. Extremely Rare; no other examples on CoinArchives.

A Spectacular Example

600

Arabia, Mleiha. Abi’el AR Tetradrachm. In the types of Alexander III of Macedon. 3rd - 2nd centuries BC. Head of Herakles to right, wearing lion skin headdress / Male figure seated to left, holding sceptre and horse protome in outstretched hand; palm tree and ‘alif ’ (in Aramaic) to left, ‘b’l brt lbš (‘Abi’el daughter of Labaš) in Aramaic and vertical row of dots to right. MacDonald, ‘Abiel’, Group A.3.1, pl. 5; van Alfen, Die, 8-11 (O3/R- [unlisted rev. die]); Huth 11; Potts 1991, Class II, 4; Arnold-Biucchi pl. 19, 11 var. (no alif below palm tree); HGC 10, 686; Roma XIX, 596 (same dies - greatly inferior specimen - hammer: 12,000 GBP). 16.69g, 27mm, 5h.

Good Extremely Fine; a spectacular example of the type - beautifully centred on the flan, exhibiting great detail and a marvellous old cabinet tone. Extremely Rare; rev. die unknown to both van Alfen and MacDonald.

There is no historical evidence about the society or form of government who issued this remarkable tetradrachm in the region we now call the Oman Peninsula. The coinage types are obviously derived from the Herakles - Zeus Aëtophoros types of Alexander the Great and the Seleukid successor issues which circulated throughout the Gulf region after the Greek invasion of the Persian Empire in the late 4th century BC. In about 205/4 BC, Antiochos III even threatened to conquer nearby Gerrha, but resisted when offered a ransom of 500 talents of silver, 1000 talents of frankincense and 200 talents of myrrh.

The inscriptions on the coinage are in Aramaic, the international language of the Achaemenid and Parthian administration, as well as some dynasts nominally under Seleucid rule in the East. The intriguing Aramaic legend ‘by’l brt lbš is also a mystery; it literally means ‘Abi’el son/daughter of Lab’, but we do not know if Abi’el was a man or a woman, king or queen. Setting aside the story of the Queen of Sheba in what is now Yemen, Eastern Arabia is remarkable for its succession of priestess-queens, known as the ‘queens of the Arabs’ in Assyrian records of the 8th to 7th centuries BC. After this, there are no more references to queens in Arabia until the ‘sister-queens’ that appear on the neighbouring Nabataean coinage of Obodas III from about 30 BC. The Assyrian records and Nabataean numismatic evidence indicates that, in contrast to the rest of the ancient Near East, the concept of ruling queens existed in northern Arabia from a very early date and lasted until recorded historical times.

AXUM

Ex Hess-Divo 314, 2009

Kingdom of Axum, Endybis AV Unit. Circa AD 300-310. ENΔYBIC BACIΛEYC (“King Endybis”), draped bust to right, wearing headcloth, flanked by wheat stalks; crescent and pellet above / AξѠMITѠ BICIΔAXY (“of the Aksumites, man of Daku”), draped bust to right, wearing headcloth, flanked by wheat stalks; crescent and pellet above. Hahn & Keck 1.111; SACAM 1-11; H 1; AC 1; Vaccaro 1. 2.70g, 16mm, 12h.

Good Extremely Fine. Rare.

Ex Hess-Divo AG, Auction 314, 4 May 2009, lot 1678.

331.

4,500

Kingdom of Axum, Ousanas I AR Unit. Circa AD 325-345. OYCANA (“Ousanas”), draped bust to right, wearing headcloth; all within double circular border / BACIAЄI (“King”), draped bust to right, wearing headcloth; all within double circular border. Hahn & Keck 21a; SACAM 80-6; H 25; AC 32-3; Vaccaro 42. 1.11g, 15mm, 1h.

334. 300

Near Extremely Fine.

335. 180

336.

Kingdom of Axum, Ousanas I AR Unit. Circa AD 325-345. OYCANA (“Ousanas”), draped bust to right, wearing headcloth; all within double circular border / BACIAЄI (“King”), draped bust to right, wearing headcloth; all within double circular border. Hahn & Keck 21a; SACAM 80-6; H 25; AC 32-3; Vaccaro 42. 1.48g, 15mm, 1h.

Near Extremely Fine.

From the private collection of a European Engineer.

Very Rare

Kingdom of Axum, Eon (Noe) AV Unit. Circa AD 410-450. ⧾ BΛX ⧾ ΛCΛ ⧾ BΛC ⧾ CIN (interpretation uncertain - “King of the land of the Abyssinians” [much abbreviated]?), crowned and draped bust to right, holding stick, flanked by wheat stalks; all within circular border / ⧾ ЄѠN ⧾ BIC

⧾ IΛN ⧾ ΛΛΦ (“Eon man of Anaaf”), draped bust to right, wearing headcloth, flanked by wheat stalks; all within circular border. Hahn & Keck 38; SACAM 222 (same dies); H 28a; AC 59-60; Vaccaro 39. 1.58g, 17mm, 12h.

Good Extremely Fine. Very Rare.

Acquired from Leu Numismatik AG; Ex important collection of Aksumite coins.

1,500

337.

Kingdom of Axum, Eon (Noe) AV Unit. Circa AD 410-450. ⧾ ΛCX ⧾ ΛCΛ ⧾ CΛC ⧾ CIN (interpretation uncertain - “King of the land of the Abyssinians” [much abbreviated]?), crowned and draped bust to right, holding stick, flanked by wheat stalks; all within circular border / ⧾ IAN ⧾ IѠC + XAA ⧾ CIC (partially retrograde - interpretation uncertain - “Eon man of Anaaf”), draped bust to right, wearing headcloth, flanked by wheat stalks; all within circular border. Hahn & Keck 38; SACAM 231-3; H 28B; AC 61-2 1.45g, 19mm, 12h.

Near Extremely Fine.

450

Kingdom of Axum, Eon (Noe) AV Unit. Circa AD 410-450. ⧾ CΛX ⧾ ΛCΛ ⧾ CΛC ⧾ CΛC (interpretation uncertain - “King of the land of the Abyssinians” [much abbreviated]?), crowned and draped bust to right, holding stick, flanked by wheat stalks; all within circular border / ⧾ IAN ⧾ AAX + IѠC ⧾ CIC ( retrograde - interpretation uncertain - “Eon man of Anaaf”), draped bust to right, wearing headcloth, flanked by wheat stalks; all within circular border. Hahn & Keck 38; SACAM 222-30; H 28a; AC 59-60. 1.63g, 18mm, 12h.

338. 300

Good Extremely Fine.

339.

Kingdom of Axum, Eon (Noe) AV Unit. Circa AD 410-450. ⧾ ΛCX ⧾ ΛCΛ ⧾ CΛC ⧾ CIN (interpretation uncertain - “King of the land of the Abyssinians” [much abbreviated]?), crowned and draped bust to right, holding stick, flanked by wheat stalks; all within circular border / ⧾ IѠC ⧾ CIC ⧾ IAN ⧾ ΛΛΦ (“Eon man of Anaaf”), draped bust to right, wearing headcloth, flanked by wheat stalks; all within circular border. Hahn & Keck 38; SACAM 222-30; H 28a; AC 59-60. 1.58g, 17mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine; struck from slightly worn dies. Rare.

Acquired from Leu Numismatik AG; Ex important collection of Aksumite coins.

750

Kingdom of Axum, Ebana AV Unit. Circa AD 460-480. ⧾ CΛC ⧾ ΛCΛ ⧾⧾ CΛ ⧾ CIN (interpretation uncertain - “King of the land of the Abyssinians” [much abbreviated]?), crowned bust to right, holding stick, grain ears flanking; within circular border / ⧾ CΛC ⧾ ΛCΛ ⧾ CCC ⧾ ΛNΛ (“King Ebana”), draped bust to right, wearing headcloth, holding fly-whisk, grain ears flanking; • above bust; within circular border. Hahn & Keck 43; SACAM 268; H 34; AC 71-3. 1.51g, 16mm, 12h.

340. 750

Near Extremely Fine.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 97, 26 May 2022, lot 445.

341. 600

342.

Kingdom of Axum, Ebana AV Unit. Circa AD 460-480. ⧾ CΛX ⧾ ΛCΛ ⧾ CΛC ⧾ CIN interpretation uncertain - “King of the land of the Abyssinians” [much abbreviated]?), crowned bust to right, holding stick, grain ears flanking; within circular border / ⧾ ΛNΛ ⧾ CAC ⧾ ΛCΛ + CCC (“King Ebana”), draped bust to right, wearing headcloth, holding fly-whisk, grain ears flanking; within circular border. Hahn & Keck 43; SACAM 259; H 34; AC 71-3. 1.62g, 16mm, 12h.

Good Extremely Fine.

343.

Kingdom of Axum, Ebana AV Unit. Circa AD 460-480. ⧾ CΛX ⧾ ΛCΛ ⧾ CΛC ⧾ CIN (partially retrograde - interpretation uncertain - “King of the land of the Abyssinians” [much abbreviated]?), crowned bust to right, holding stick, grain ears flanking; within circular border / ⧾ ΛNΛ ⧾ CAC ⧾ ΛCΛ + CCC (partially retrograde - “King Ebana”), draped bust to right, wearing headcloth, holding fly-whisk, grain ears flanking; within circular border. Hahn & Keck 43; SACAM 255 (same dies); H 34; AC 71-3. 1.63g, 16mm, 12h.

Good Extremely Fine.

600

Kingdom of Axum, Ebana AV Unit. Circa AD 460-480. ⧾ CΛX ⧾ ΛCΛ ⧾ CΛC ⧾ CIN (interpretation uncertain - “King of the land of the Abyssinians” [much abbreviated]?), crowned bust to right, holding stick, grain ears flanking; Λ above bust; within circular border / ⧾ ΛNΛ ⧾ CAC ⧾ ΛCΛ + CEB (“King Ebana”), draped bust to right, wearing headcloth, holding fly-whisk, grain ears flanking; within circular border. Hahn & Keck 43; SACAM 269 (same dies); H 34; AC 71-3. 1.61g, 16mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine. Rare variant with Λ above obv. bust.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 96, 5 May 2022, lot 458.

600

344.

Kingdom of Axum, Ebana AV Unit. Circa AD 460-480. ⧾ CΛX ⧾ ΛCΛ ⧾ CΛC ⧾ CIN (interpretation uncertain - “King of the land of the Abyssinians” [much abbreviated]?), crowned bust to right, holding stick, grain ears flanking; within circular border / ⧾ ΛNΛ ⧾ CAC ⧾ ΛCΛ + CCC (“King Ebana”), draped bust to right, wearing headcloth, holding fly-whisk, grain ears flanking; within circular border. Hahn & Keck 43; SACAM 25576; H 34; AC 71-3. 1.60g, 16mm, 12h.

Near Extremely Fine.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 96, 5 May 2022, lot 459.

600

345. 600

347.

Kingdom of Axum, Ebana AV Unit. Circa AD 460-480. ⧾ CΛC ⧾ ΛCΛ ⧾⧾ CΛ ⧾ CIN (interpretation uncertain - “King of the land of the Abyssinians” [much abbreviated]?), crowned bust to right, holding stick, grain ears flanking; within circular border / ⧾ ΛNΛ ⧾ BAC ⧾ ΛCΛ + BCC (“King Ebana”), draped bust to right, wearing headcloth, holding fly-whisk, grain ears flanking; • above bust; within circular border. Hahn & Keck 43; SACAM 255-76; H 34; AC 71-3. 1.59g, 16mm, 12h.

Near Extremely Fine.

Kingdom of Axum, Ebana AV Unit. Circa AD 460-480. ⧾ CΛX ⧾ ΛCΛ ⧾ CΛC ⧾ CVN (sic-interpretation uncertain - “King of the land of the Abyssinians” [much abbreviated]?), crowned bust to right, holding stick, grain ears flanking; within circular border / ⧾ ΛNΛ ⧾ CAC ⧾ ΛCΛ + CEB (“King Ebana”), draped bust to right, wearing headcloth, holding fly-whisk, grain ears flanking; within circular border. Hahn & Keck 43; SACAM 274; H 34; AC 71-3. 1.57g, 17mm, 12h.

Near Extremely Fine. Rare.

Acquired from Leu Numismatik AG; Ex important collection of Aksumite coins.

Kingdom of Axum, Ebana AV Unit. Circa AD 460-480. ⧾ CΛX ⧾ ΛCΛ ⧾ CΛC ⧾ CIN (interpretation uncertain - “King of the land of the Abyssinians” [much abbreviated]?), crowned bust to right, holding stick; Λ above head, grain ears flanking, all within circular border / ⧾ ΛNΛ ⧾ BAC ⧾ ΛCΛ + CEB (“King Ebana”), draped bust to right, wearing headcloth, holding fly-whisk, grain ears flanking; within circular border. Hahn & Keck 43; SACAM 262 (same obv. die); H 34; AC 71-3. 1.53g, 16mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine. Rare.

Acquired from Leu Numismatik AG; Ex important collection of Aksumite coins.

Published in Hahn & Keck

Kingdom of Axum, Kaleb AV Unit. Circa AD 510-540. (monogram) XAΛ ⧾ HBA ⧾ CIΛ ⧾ ЄVC (sic - “King Kaleb”, retrograde), crowned and draped bust to right, holding spear, flanked by wheat stalks; within circular border; O to left of stalk / (monogram) VIOC ΘЄZЄNA (“son of Thezena”, retrograde), draped bust to right, wearing headcloth, holding fly whisk, flanked by wheat stalks; pellet above; within circular border. Hahn & Keck 64.25 (this coin); The Abyan Governorate Hoard, 21; SACAM 357 (same rev. die); H 41b; AC 91-6. 1.58g, 16mm, 1h.

About Good Very Fine. Extremely Rare.

This coin published in the online Phaidra database of the University of Vienna at: https://phaidra.univie.ac.at/o:1190386;

This coin published in W.R.O Hahn and R. Keck, Münzgeschichte der AksumitenKönige in der Spätantike, Veröffentlichungen des Instituts für Numismatik und Geldgeschichte der Universität Wien Vol. 21 (2020);

This coin published in D. M. Chico and A. G. Garcia, Coin Hoards, The Abyan Governorate Hoard of Late Roman Solidi and Aksumite Gold Coins (Royal Numismatic Society, 2019); Ex Abyan Governorate Hoard (Yemen, 2018).

Extremely Rare

Kingdom of Axum, Israel Æ Unit. Circa AD 570-580. Crowned and draped bust to right, holding cross; Ge’ez legend “king Israel” around / Cross within circular border; Ge’ez legend “mercy to the people” around. Hahn & Keck 79; SACAM -; H 47; AC 144; BMC Axum 554; Vaccaro 51; Roma XXII, 80 (hammer: 13,000 GBP). 0.62g, 15mm, 12h.

Very Fine; edge chipped. Extremely Rare; only seven examples cited by Hahn & Keck, three of which are in museums, one on CoinArchives.

PERSIA

350.

3,000

Persia, Achaemenid Empire AV Daric. Time of Darios I to Xerxes II. Sardes, circa 485-420 BC. Persian Great King or hero, wearing kidaris and kandys, in kneeling-running attitude on exergual line to right, holding apple-tipped spear and strung bow; quiver over shoulder / Rectangular incuse punch. GRPC Lydia G61; Carradice Type IIIb, Group A/B (pl. XIII, 27); BMC Arabia pl. XXIV, 26; Sunrise 24. 8.33g, 15mm.

Extremely Fine.

351. 1,800

352.

Persia, Achaemenid Empire AV Daric. Time of Xerxes II to Artaxerxes II. Sardes, circa 420-375 BC. Persian Great King or hero, wearing kidaris and kandys, in kneeling-running stance to right on exergual line, holding apple-tipped spear and strung bow / Rectangular incuse punch. GRPC Lydia G67; Carradice Type IIIb, Group A/B (pl. XIII, 27); BMC Arabia pl. XXIV, 26; Sunrise 28. 8.39g, 16mm.

Extremely Fine; excellent detail.

From the inventory of a UK dealer.

353.

Good Extremely Fine.

From a private European collection.

Persia, Achaemenid Empire AV Daric. Time of Xerxes II to Artaxerxes II. Sardes, circa 420-375 BC. Persian Great King or hero, wearing kidaris and kandys, in kneeling-running stance to right on exergual line, holding apple-tipped spear and strung bow; quiver over shoulder / Rectangular incuse punch. Carradice Type IIIb, Group C (pl. XIV, 42); Meadows, Administration 323; BMC Arabia pl. XXIV, 12; Sunrise 28; GRPC Lydia G67-8. 8.34g, 18mm.

Extremely Fine; lustrous.

From a private European collection.

349.

1,800

1,200

354.

Persia, Achaemenid Empire AV Daric. Time of Xerxes II to Artaxerxes II. Sardes, circa 420-375 BC. Persian Great King or hero, wearing kidaris and kandys, in kneeling-running stance to right on exergual line, holding apple-tipped spear and strung bow; quiver over shoulder / Rectangular incuse punch. Carradice Type IIIb, Group C (pl. XIV, 42); Meadows, Administration 323; BMC Arabia pl. XXIV, 12; Sunrise 28; GRPC Lydia G67-8. 8.38g, 17mm.

Extremely Fine.

From a private European collection.

1,200

355.

Persia, Achaemenid Empire AV Daric. Time of Xerxes II to Artaxerxes II. Sardes, circa 420-375 BC. Persian Great King or hero, wearing kidaris and kandys, in kneeling-running stance to right on exergual line, holding apple-tipped spear and strung bow; quiver over shoulder / Rectangular incuse punch. Carradice Type IIIb, Group C (pl. XIV, 42); Meadows, Administration 323; BMC Arabia pl. XXIV, 12; Sunrise 28; GRPC Lydia G67-8. 8.38g, 16mm.

Extremely Fine.

From a private European collection.

1,200

Persia, Alexandrine Empire AV Double Daric. Mazaios, as satrap of Babylon. 331-328 BC. Baaltars seated to left, head facing, holding eagle, wheat stalk and grape bunch and sceptre / Lion attacking bull to left, within linear square frame. Treasures of Ancient Bactria (Miho Museum, 2002), 44 (ex Mir Zakah II deposit) var. (rev. type direction); cf. SNG Levante 102-6 and SNG BnF 330-1 for similar issues of Cilicia in silver; Heritage NYINC 3081, 32029. 17.13g, 19mm, 8h.

Very Fine.

The Finest in at Least 20 Years

4,500

Persia, Alexandrine Empire AR Tetradrachm. Uncertain satraps of Babylon, time of Stamenes - Seleukos, circa 328-311 BC. Baaltars seated to left, torso facing, holding short sceptre in right hand and with left placed on throne; kantharos in left field / Lion advancing to left; Γ above. Nicolet-Pierre 8.5 = Davis 288; BMC 33-8 var. (symbol on obv.); SNG Copenhagen -; HGC 9, 67 (Seleukos). 17.03g, 24mm, 4h.

Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare; only two other specimens present on CoinArchives, this being the finest to come to auction in at least twenty years.

900

356.

357.

Cyrrhestica, Bambyke-Manbog AR Fraction. Circa 4th century BC. Female (Atargatis?) head to right, wearing turreted headdress / Eagle standing to right; “U sign” before; all within shallow incuse. For similar obv. with this rev. symbol, cf. Andrade Fraction Series 2, 61 = HGC 9, 1354 (Atargatis enthroned on rev.). 0.60g, 9mm, 3h.

Good Very Fine. Unpublished and possibly unique.

From a private UK collection.

Whilst it is difficult to attribute fractions to Bambyke-Manbog with certainty, this specimen features attributes which are consistent with the silver coinage of this city. The distinctive symbol on the reverse of this fraction features frequently and the female deity on the obverse is comparable to the depictions of Atargatis found on other issues (cf. HGC 9, 1341ff). Andrade has argued that a similar fraction in the Bibliothèque nationale de France which shares these two characteristics, albeit with a different reverse type, was of certain attribution (‘The Silver Coinage of Syrian Manbog (Hierapolis-Bambyke)’ in AJN 29, 2017, pp. 23-5).

SELEUKID EMPIRE

A Vision of Understated Beauty

359.

Seleukid Empire, Seleukos I Nikator AV Stater. In the name and types of Alexander III of Macedon. Babylon, circa 311-300 BC. Head of Athena to right, wearing triple-crested Corinthian helmet / Nike standing to left, holding wreath and stylis; BAΣIΛE[ΩΣ] to left, AΛEΞANΔPOY to right, [MI] to outer left field, MHP monogram in wreath at feet to left. SC 81.3 var. (sphinx on helmet); Price 3749 var. (same); SNG Copenhagen 638 var. (same); Waggoner, Babylon 258k var. (same); Nomos 13, 171 (same dies). 8.56g, 18mm, 11h.

Good Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare.

Ex Solidus Numismatik, Auction 49, 17 November 2019, lot 10.

4,500

This issue is remarkable not only for its rarity, but also for the innovative and fresh nature of the obverse die, which presents us with an abstemious but elegant Athena. The goddess’ helmet, which usually displays a coiled serpent, flying griffin or seated sphinx is here completely unadorned. What was previously identified as a ‘pellet ornament’ on the bowl is in fact two loops - part of the metalwork that attaches the right hand crest to the outside of the helmet. Athena herself, who on these staters is almost exclusively depicted with an intricate drop-pendant earring and pearl necklace, now wears a simple loop earring and a plain double-banded necklace or torque.

The engraver has combined these features with a skilled portrait of Athena in a high classical feminine style. The result is an intriguingly demure Olympian; a vision of understated beauty.

Seleukid Empire, Seleukos I Nikator AR Tetradrachm. In the name and types of Alexander III of Macedon. Babylon I, circa 311-300 BC. Head of Herakles to right, wearing lion skin headdress / Zeus Aëtophoros seated to left, holding sceptre; ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ below, AΛEΞANΔPOY to right, monogram within wreath in left field, MI below throne. SC 82.5a; Price 3746; HGC 9, 10f. 17.16g, 28mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine; excellent detail, highly attractive cabinet tone over lustrous metal.

From the inventory of a North American dealer.

Seleukid Empire, Seleukos I Nikator AR Tetradrachm. In the name and types of Alexander III of Macedon. Babylon I, circa 311-305 BC. Head of Herakles to right, wearing lion skin headdress / Zeus Aëtophoros seated to left, holding sceptre; BAΣIΛEΩΣ below, AΛEΞANΔPOY to right, MI above lion’s head to left in left field, monogram in wreath below throne. SC 82.3c; Price 3759; Müller 743. 17.14g, 28mm, 12h.

361. 600

About Extremely Fine.

Ex Dr. Busso Peus Nachfolger, Auction 384, 2 November 2005, lot 263.

Seleukid Empire, Seleukos I Nikator AR Tetradrachm. Seleukeia on the Tigris I, circa 300-281 BC. Head of Herakles to right, wearing lion skin headdress / Zeus Aëtophoros seated to left, holding sceptre; ΒΑΣΙΛΕ[ΩΣ] below, ΣΕΛΕΥΚΟΥ to right, monogram in left field, K below throne. SC 117.1d; ESM 5; HGC 9, 12i. 17.01g, 27mm, 8h.

Good Extremely Fine.

363. 900

Seleukid Empire, Seleukos I Nikator AR Tetradrachm. Seleukeia on the Tigris II, after circa 296/5 BC. Laureate head of Zeus to right / Athena Promachos, brandishing spear and shield, standing in quadriga of elephants to right; ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ to left, ΣΕΛΕΥΚΟΥ above monograms in exergue, Seleukid anchor in upper right field. SC 130.24a; ESM 51; HGC 9, 18a. 17.12g, 27mm, 8h.

Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare; fewer than five other examples found on CoinArchives.

Seleukid Empire, Seleukos I Nikator AR Hemidrachm. Seleukeia on the Tigris II, circa 295 BC. Laureate head of Zeus to right / Athena Promachos, brandishing spear and holding large shield, in elephant biga to right; anchor in upper right field, no further controls on flan;

in two lines in exergue. SC 133; HGC 9, 47a. 1.66g, 13mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine; attractive cabinet tone.

From the inventory of a North American dealer.

Seleukid Empire, Seleukos I Nikator AR Tetradrachm. Ekbatana, after 311 BC. In the name and types of Alexander III of Macedon. Head of Herakles to right, wearing lion skin headdress / Zeus Aëtophoros seated to left, holding sceptre; AΛEΞANΔPOY to right, monogram above forepart of horse grazing to left, monogram below throne. SC 202.2a; Price 3889; Müller 1354. 17.24g, 25mm, 6h.

365. 600

Good Extremely Fine.

Acquired from Pars Coins, San Jose CA.

Seleukid Empire, Seleukos I Nikator AR Tetradrachm. Ekbatana, after 311 BC. In the name and types of Alexander III of Macedon. Head of Herakles to right, wearing lion skin headdress / Zeus Aëtophoros seated to left, holding sceptre; AΛEΞANΔPOY to right, monogram above forepart of horse grazing to left, monogram below throne. SC 202.2a; Price 3889; Müller 1354. 17.27g, 26mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine.

Acquired from Pars Coins, San Jose CA.

367. 150

Seleukid Empire, Seleukos I Nikator AR Drachm. Ekbatana, after 295 BC. In the name and types of Alexander III of Macedon. Head of Herakles to right, wearing lion skin headdress / Zeus Aëtophoros seated to left, holding sceptre; [AΛ]EΞAN[ΔPOY] to right, monogram to left, monogram below throne. Cf. SC 212.3 var. (hemidrachm); Price 3891 (hemidrachm). 4.34g, 16mm, 5h.

Good Extremely Fine; seemingly unique and unpublished.

368. 450

Seleukid Empire, Seleukos I Nikator Æ 21mm. Uncertain mint 19 (Mint A) in Baktria, circa 290-281 BC. Head of Dioscurus to right, wearing wreathed pileus; monogram behind / ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩ[Σ ΣΕΛΕΥΚΟΥ], horned horse forepart galloping to left; anchor above, monogram to right. SC 269.2e (diff. rev. monogram?); HGC 9, 87. 8.52g, 21mm, 7h.

Near Extremely Fine; exceptional for the type. Rare.

Acquired from Pars Coins, San Jose CA.

369.

Seleukid Empire, Antiochos I Soter AR Tetradrachm. Seleukeia, circa 281-261 BC. Diademed head to right / BAΣIΛEΩΣ ANTIOXOY, Apollo seated to left on omphalos, holding two arrows and resting left hand on grounded bow; monogram in each outer field. SC 378.3; Newell, ESM 140; McClean 9255; Weber 7848; Ward 777; HGC 9, 128g. 17.20g, 30mm, 8h.

Extremely Fine; superb ‘severe’ style portrait. Rare.

Ex Long Valley River Collection, Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XX, 30 October 2020, lot 300; Ex Gorny & Mosch Giessener Münzhandlung, Auction 151, 9 October 2006, lot 212.

2,700

Seleukid Empire, Antiochos I Soter AR Drachm. Seleucia on the Tigris, circa 281-261 BC. Diademed head to right / Apollo Delphios seated to left on omphalos, holding arrow and resting left hand on grounded bow; ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ to right, ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ to left, monogram to outer left and right. SC 380.3; ESM 171; HGC 9, 134a. 4.27g, 19mm, 3h.

About Extremely Fine; a charming example.

Privately purchased from Münzhandlung Ritter (Düsseldorf), 31 October 1997.

Ex Sternberg 10, 1980

1,200

Seleukid Empire, Antiochos II Theos AR Tetradrachm. Kyme, circa 261-246 BC. Diademed head to right / Herakles seated to left on rock, lion skin draped over rock, holding club set on ground; ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ to right, ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ to left, AP monogram below royal title, secondary monogram and cup in exergue. SC 505.5a; WSM 1524a-b; HGC 9, 241c. 16.99g, 27mm, 12h.

Near Extremely Fine; attractive old cabinet tone with blue iridescence around devices.

Acquired from Dr. Martina Dieterle, 20 December 2016, collector’s ticket included; Ex F. Sternberg AG, Auction 10, 25-26 November 1980.

2,400

Seleukid Empire, Seleukos II Kallinikos AR Tetradrachm. Antioch on the Orontes, circa 246-225 BC. Diademed head to right / Apollo standing to left, testing arrow and leaning on tall tripod; BAΣIΛEΩΣ to right, ΣEΛEYKOY to left, monograms to inner left and outer right. SC 689.1a; HGC 9, 303p. 16.87g, 29mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine; a fine portrait struck in high relief.

From a private UK collection.

370.

371.

Seleukid Empire, Antiochos Hierax AR Tetradrachm. Lampsakos, circa 246-227 BC. Diademed head to right / Apollo Delphios seated to left on omphalos, holding arrow and bow set on ground; long torch to inner left, forepart of Pegasos and monogram in exergue. SC 851.2, pl. 39 (this coin); Houghton, “The Seleucid Mint at Lampsacus,” ANSMN 23 (1978), Series 2, Group A, A8-P13 (this coin); Houghton 653 (this coin). 16.28g, 30mm, 12h.

Good Extremely Fine; deep old cabinet tone. Very Rare, and likely the finest known specimen.

This coin published in A. Houghton, C. Lorber and O. Hoover, Seleucid Coins: A Comprehensive Catalogue Part I (New York & Lancaster, 2002);

This coin published in A. Houghton, Coins from the Seleucid Empire from the Collection of Arthur Houghton (New York, 1983);

This coin published in A. Houghton, ‘The Seleucid mint at Lampsacus’, ANSMN 23, (1978);

Ex Arthur Houghton Collection;

Ex Leu Numismatik AG, Auction 76, 27 October 1999, lot 215;

Ex Numismatic Fine Arts, Auction XVIII, 31 March 1987, lot 312;

Ex Bank Leu AG, Auction 13, 29 April 1975, lot 298;

Ex Numismatic Fine Arts, Fixed Price List 4, 1975, no. 2.

Seleukid Empire, Antiochos III ‘the Great’ AR Drachm. Apameia on the Orontes(?), circa 222-187 BC. Diademed head to right / Elephant standing to right; monogram to right; ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ above, ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ in exergue. SC 1065.6; Houghton, Elephants, Type C; HGC 9, 453a. 4.09g, 17mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine; lustrous.

Acquired from Bucephalus Numismatic.

Seleukid Empire, Antiochos III ‘the Great’ AR Drachm. Apameia on the Orontes(?), circa 222-187 BC. Diademed head to right / Elephant standing to right; monogram to right; ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ above, ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ in exergue. SC 1065.6; Houghton, Elephants, Type B; HGC 9, 453a. 4.04g, 18mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine; lustrous.

Acquired from Bucephalus Numismatic.

373.

374.

Seleukid Empire, Seleukos IV Philopator AR Drachm. ΞAP-monogram mint, in Northern Media or Hyrkania, 187-175 BC. Diademed head to right / Apollo Delphios seated to left on omphalos, holding arrow and resting hand on bow; ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ to right, ΣEΛEYKOY to left, ΞAP monogram to inner left, monogram to outer left; crescent in exergue. SC -, but obv. die links with 1362.1-3; HGC 9, 582e. 4.08g, 17mm, 4h.

376. 210

Good Very Fine. Of the greatest rarity; seemingly unique and unpublished.

Acquired from Pars Coins, San Jose CA.

Extremely Rare

Seleukid Empire, Seleukos IV Philopator AR Drachm. ΞAP-monogram mint, in Northern Media or Hyrkania, 187-175 BC. Diademed head to right / Apollo Delphios seated to left on omphalos, holding arrow and resting hand on bow; ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ to right, ΣEΛEYKOY to left, ΞAP monogram to inner left, pilei of Dioskouroi in exergue. SC 1362.2; HGC 9, 582e; Roma E-36, 181. 3.93g, 17mm, 1h.

Near Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare; one example in the SCO database, seemingly only one other on CoinArchives.

Acquired from Pars Coins, San Jose CA.

Antiochos, son of Seleukos IV

Seleukid Empire, Antiochos (son of Seleukos IV) AR Tetradrachm. Antioch, circa 175 BC. Diademed head to right / Apollo Delphios seated to left on omphalos, holding arrow and resting hand on bow; ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ to right, ANTIOXOY and tripod to left, uncertain control in exergue. SC 1369; HGC 9, 611. 16.52g, 28mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine; beautiful old cabinet tone. Very Rare.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd, E-Sale 91, 2 December 2021, lot 597 (since professionally conserved).

An episode seemingly unknown to or forgotten by the ancient writers, the very brief reign of Antiochos, the younger son of Seleukos IV, is attested to by a surprisingly sizeable output of coinage in the material record, consisting of oktadrachms that feature the conjoined busts of Antiochos and his mother, Queen Laodike IV, and drachms and tetradrachms such as the present piece bearing the portrait and name of the young boy king. Heliodoros, the minister responsible for the murder of Seleukos IV, is supposed to have elevated the young Antiochos in the belief that the power of the throne would reside in his hands, installing the regency of Laodike as a necessity. However, Seleukos IV’s younger brother Antiochos, who had been held hostage in Rome under the Treaty of Apameia until his replacement with Demetrios, elder son of Seleukos IV, swiftly moved to march on Syria with an army and claim his rightful place on the throne as Antiochos IV, abruptly changing the arrangements Heliodoros had instigated. He adopted his nephew, associated him with his rule, and married the boy’s mother, his brother’s widow. Thus, Antiochos the younger son of Seleukos IV survived a few years more until 170 when a son was born to his uncle, and he had the young Antiochos killed.

Of the Greatest Rarity

Seleukid Empire, Timarchos AR Tetradrachm. Seleukia on the Tigris, circa 164-161 BC. Diademed and draped bust to right, wearing crested Boeotian helmet with scroll element / The Dioskouroi on horses prancing to right, each holding spear and palm; BAΣΙΛΕΩΣ MEΓAΛOY above, TIMAPXΟΥ below. SC 1588; Houghton, RN 1979, p. 214, fig. B = CSE 990; HGC 9, 761. 16.86g, 29mm, 12h.

Near Extremely Fine. Of the greatest rarity; the second known and the only one in private hands.

Ex Numismatica Ars Classica AG, Auction 134, 21 November 2022, lot 245.

Timarchos chose a familiar military iconography for one of his issues, presenting himself in a Boiotian helmet with the Dioskouri on the reverse, clearly in iconographic dialogue with the coinage of Eukratides I of Baktria. He further titles himself BAΣΙΛΕΩΣ MEΓAΛOY ‘The Great King’, a title also used by Eukratides and through which he distances himself from previous Seleukid rulers who never used this title on their coinage. In doing so, Timarchos portrays himself as the rightful king of his eastern kingdom by aligning himself with the Achaemenid Kings who had originally ruled in the Iranian satrapy of Media and by equating his rule with his contemporary Eukratides I of Baktria, who had also seized control of his domain by force. It has been suggested that the coinage reveals an alliance between the two rulers against a shared enemy, Mithradates I of Parthia, however, further evidence is required to support this theory, as it is also likely that the similarity was intended to support the legitimacy of Timarchos’ issues through the imitation of a coinage which was already circulating and accepted in the east.

The geographical reach of Timarchos’ authority is evidenced solely through the survival of coins which indicate that, alongside his main mint of Ekbatana, he struck occasional issues at different locations to fund his campaign. The extreme scarcity of these coins has not allowed for firm attributions for the majority, with the exception of a single tetradrachm (Houghton 990 = SC 1588) which has been attributed to Seleukia on the Tigris, demonstrating the extent of Timarchos’ influence during his brief revolt.

The case for this tetradrachm’s attribution was initially put forward by A. Houghton in 1979 and is based on the features of the coin which are characteristic of this mint. It is struck on a broad flan (the Ekbatana issues are on tight flans), it has a vertical die axis (Ekbatana is notable for loose die axes) and, most significantly, it has a remarkably different portrait to the Ekbatana issues. The bust is extended to reveal more shoulder, there is a scroll on the helmet and the treatment of the diadem end with one curved behind and the other hanging over the shoulder, as is also seen at the Seleukia mint under Demetrios I (see SC 1686 = Houghton 991, overstruck on a tetradrachm of Timarchos).

This current specimen therefore poses a question: is it the second known tetradrachm of Timarchos struck at Seleukia? Following Houghton’s checklist, it is clear that the coin fits certain criteria, namely that it is struck on a broad flan, the die axis is 12h and the portrait has the longer bust and the horn on the helmet. It differs, however, in the arrangement of the diadem ends which fall behind the bust and also in the precision of the portrait which bears greater resemblance to SC 1589, the Ekbatana issue. The problem posed by the diadem ends can be explained through examination of Demetrios’ tetradrachms struck at Seleukia which have both variations of diadem arrangement, straight behind and curved and over the shoulder, however the style of the portrait remains a source of contention.

Seleukid Empire, Demetrios I Soter, with Laodike IV, AR Tetradrachm. Seleukia on the Tigris, circa 161-150 BC. Jugate busts of Demetrios, diademed, and Laodike, draped and wearing stephane, to right within fillet border / Tyche seated to left on backless throne supported by tritoness, holding short sceptre and cornucopiae, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ to right, ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟY to left, ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ in exergue; PH monogram and palm branch to outer left. SC 1689.1; HGC 9, 799; NAC 78, 328 (inferior specimen - hammer: CHF 18,000). 17.07g, 30mm, 2h.

Near Extremely Fine. Very Rare; among the most sought-after issues from the reign Demetrios, and the finest example to be offered at auction in more than 2 decades.

7,500

The jugate busts of Demetrios I and Laodike displayed on the obverse of this coin explain why tetradrachms of this type were sometimes referred to as ‘marriage’ tetradrachms. The time and location in which these coins were minted is significant: the mint in Seleukeia-on-the-Tigris only started to mint coins for Demetrios and his wife after the defeat of Timarchos in 161 BC. Timarchos, a Greek nobleman who was appointed as satrap to Media under the reign of Antiochos IV, took advantage of the confusion which marked the death of Antiochos in 164 BC and the subsequent instating of a new ruler, to take full control of his region. He declared himself king of Media and nearby Babylonia in 162 BC, the same year that Demetrios took his rightful place on the Seleukid throne. Demetrios made deposing the unlawful despot a priority upon coming to power and defeated Timarchos’ troops in 161 BC. Given the prominence of Laodike on the coinage of this period, Seleukid Coins (Houghton, Lorber & Hoover, 2008) suggests that her marriage to Demetrios took place in Seleukeia swiftly after the defeat of Timarchos and these commemorative coins marked a celebration of the lawful king over an area so recently ruled by a usurper.

Seleukid Empire, Demetrios I Soter AR Tetradrachm. Susa, 162-150 BC. Diademed head to right / Apollo Delphios seated to left on omphalos, testing arrow in his right hand, left hand holding tip of bow set on ground to right; BAΣIΛEΩΣ to right, ΔHMHTPIOY to left, monogram in outer left field and monogram in exergue. SC 1711.3; HGC 9, 790c. 17.00g, 27mm, 9h.

Good Extremely Fine; attractive light cabinet tone with underlying lustre. Very Rare.

381. 600

383.

Seleukid Empire, Alexander I Balas AR Tetradrachm. Mallos, circa 152-145 BC. Diademed head to right; M behind / Cult figure of Athena Magarsis standing facing, holding spear; flanked by two rosettes, BAΣIΛEΩΣ AΛEΞANΔPOY to right, ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ to left, monograms in outer fields. Cf. SC 1779 = CSE 2, 445 (controls off flan); Houghton, Mallos -; HGC 9, 878. 15.13g, 29mm, 12h.

Very Fine; some minor delaminations on edge, surface marks. Of the greatest rarity; only one other example of the type known, no others on CoinArchives.

Ex Classical Numismatic Group, Triton XXV, 11 January 2022, lot 327 (hammer: 5,000 USD).

384.

Seleukid Empire, Alexander I Balas AR Tetradrachm. Antioch on the Orontes, dated SE 164 = 149/8 BC. Diademed head to right / Zeus Nikephoros seated to left, holding sceptre; BAΣIΛEΩΣ AΛEΞANΔPOY to right, ΘEOΠATOPOΣ EYEPΓETOY to left, monogram to inner left field, ΔΞΡ (date) and monogram in exergue. SC 1782.3d; SMA 145; DCA 118; HGC 9, 875a. 15.33g, 31mm, 2h. Good Extremely Fine; a wonderfully bright and lustrous specimen. Rare.

Acquired from Leu Numismatik AG.

600

Seleukid Empire, Alexander I Balas AR Tetradrachm. Sidon, dated SE 166 = 147/6 BC. Diademed head to right / Eagle with closed wings standing to left, palm frond behind; BAΣIΛEΩΣ AΛEΞANΔPOY around, ςΞP (date) in left field, ΣIΔΩ above aphlaston in right field. SC 1830.5; DCA 122; HGC 9, 882.

NGC graded AU★ 5/5-4/5 (#6329094-011); beautiful deep old cabinet tone.

Ex distinguished Swiss collection, acquired from Numismatica Ars Classica AG.

900

385.

Seleukid Empire, Alexander I Balas AR Tetradrachm. Tyre, dated SE 166 = 147/6 BC. Diademed and draped bust to right / BAΣIΛEΩΣ AΛEΞANΔPOY, eagle standing to left on prow, palm branch over shoulder; club surmounted by monogram of Tyre to left, ςΞP (date) above monogram to right. SC 1835.5a; Rouvier 1870; DCA 123; HGC 9, 883. 14.21g, 28mm, 12h.

Near Mint State.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd, Auction XIX, 26 March 2020, lot 606; Ex Gorny & Mosch Giessener Münzhandlung, Auction 265, 14 October 2019, lot 493.

Very Rare

1,200

Seleukid Empire, Demetrios II Nikator AR Didrachm. Phoenician standard. Sidon, dated SE 169 = 144/3 BC. Diademed and draped bust to right / ΒAΣIΛEΩΣ ΔHMHTPIOY, eagle with closed wings standing to left, palm frond behind; ΘΞP (date) above ΠA monogram in left field, ΣΙΔΩ above aphlaston in right field, monogram of ΓP between eagle’s legs. SC 1955.1; Babelon 967; Rouvier JIAN V, 1241; DCA 154; HGC 9, 972. 6.95g, 20mm, 1h.

Near Extremely Fine; minor flan crack, attractive light cabinet tone, excellent for the issue. Very Rare. Ex Walter Weise Collection, Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co. KG, Auction 347, 22 March 2021, lot 830 (collector’s ticket included); Ex Spink Numismatic Circular, Volume XCI.3, June 2003, item GK0939 (dealer’s ticket included).

Seleukid Empire, Antiochos VI Dionysos AR Tetradrachm. Antioch on the Orontes, dated SE 170 = 143/2 BC. Radiate and diademed head to right / The Dioskouroi, holding reins and couched lances, on horses rearing to left; BAΣIΛEΩΣ ANTIOXOY above, EΠIΦANOYΣ ΔIONYΣOY below, TPY above monogram above ΣTA to right, OP (date) beneath horses; all within wreath of laurel, ivy, and grain ears. SC 2000.3a; SMA 244; CSE 235; SNG Spaer 1763 var. (secondary control mark); HGC 9, 1032. 16.18g, 33mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine.

Acquired from Numismatica Ars Classica AG.

1,200

Seleukid Empire, Antiochos VI Dionysos AR Tetradrachm. Antioch on the Orontes, dated SE 169 = 144/3 BC. Radiate and diademed head to right / The Dioskouroi, holding reins and couched lances, on horses rearing to left; BAΣIΛEΩΣ ANTIOXOY above, EΠIΦANOYΣ ΔIONYΣOY below; TPY above monogram and ΣTA to right; ΘΞP (date) below horses; all within wreath of lily, ivy, and grain ears. SC 2000.2c; SMA 233; DCA 177; HGC 9, 1032. 16.69g, 32mm, 1h.

Good Extremely Fine; attractive old cabinet tone. Rare.

From a private European collection.

387.

389.

Seleukid Empire, Antiochos VI Dionysos AR Drachm. Antioch on the Orontes, dated SE 170 = 143/2 BC. Radiate and diademed head to right / Apollo Delphios seated to left on omphalos, holding arrow and resting hand on bow;

390.

391.

to left, OP(date) and ΣTA in exergue, monogram between feet. SC 2002.2e; SMA 248; CSE 238; HGC 9 -. 4.11g, 18mm, 12h.

Near Mint State; a well-detailed specimen with a beautiful cabinet tone, some earthen adhesions.

Ex Hirsch 157, 1988

to right,

Seleukid Empire, Demetrios II Nikator AR Tetradrachm. Second reign. Antioch on the Orontes, 129-128 BC. Diademed head to right / Zeus Nikephoros seated to left, holding sceptre; BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΔHMHTPIOY to right, ΘEOY NIKATOPOΣ to left, Ξ to outer left, O below throne. SC 2166.2c; SMA 320; HGC 9, 1117b. 16.31g, 30mm, 1h.

Good Extremely Fine.

Ex Peter Corcoran Collection; Ex Numismatik Lanz München, Auction 117, 24 November 2003, lot 416; Ex Gerhard Hirsch Nachfolger, Auction 157, 26 February 1988, lot 185.

1,650

Seleukid Empire, Demetrios II Nikator AR Tetradrachm. Second reign. Antioch on the Orontes, 129 BC. Diademed head to right / Zeus Nikephoros seated to left, holding sceptre; BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΔHMHTPIOY to right, ΘEOY NIKATOPOΣ to left, Ξ in left field, Δ below throne. SC 2166.2a; SMA 321; HGC 9, 1117b; Stack’s 2023 NYINC Auction, 26260 (same dies). 16.49g, 29mm, 2h. Good Extremely Fine; a marvellously detailed portrait engraved in fine style.

1,500

Seleukid Empire, Kleopatra Thea and Antiochos VIII AR Tetradrachm. Ake-Ptolemais, 125-120 BC. Jugate busts of Kleopatra, wearing diadem, veil, and stephane, and Antiochos VIII, wearing diadem, to right / ΒΑΣΙΛΙΣΣΗΣ

392. 1,500

Zeus Nikephoros seated to left, holding sceptre; [monogram in outer left field]. SC 2271.1; Boston MFA 2182; HGC 9, 1182g. 16.56g, 30mm, 12h. Extremely Fine.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XXIII, 24 March 2022, lot 393.

393.

Seleukid Empire, Kleopatra Thea and Antiochos VIII AR Tetradrachm. Ake-Ptolemais, 125-120 BC. Jugate busts of Kleopatra, wearing diadem, veil, and stephane, and Antiochos VIII, wearing diadem, to right / Zeus Nikephoros seated to left, holding sceptre; ΒΑΣΙΛΙΣΣΗΣ ΚΛΕΟΠΑΤΡΑΣ ΘΕΑΣ to right, KAI ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟXΟY to left, monogram in outer left field. SC 2271.1; Boston MFA 2182; HGC 9, 1182g. 16.67g, 31mm, 12h.

Good Very Fine; scrape to obv., attractive old cabinet tone.

From the JTB Numismatic Collection; Acquired from Leu Numismatik AG; Ex Classical Numismatic Group, Auction 87, 18 May 2011, lot 645.

450

394.

Seleukid Empire, Antiochos VIII Epiphanes AR Tetradrachm. Antioch on the Orontes, circa 109-96 BC. Diademed head to right / Zeus Nikephoros seated to left, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ to right, ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ to left; two monograms to outer left, monogram below throne; all within laurel wreath. SC 2309.2i; SMA 406; HGC 9, 1200. 16.19g, 28mm, 2h.

Good Extremely Fine.

Acquired from Jesus Vico S.A.

Very Rare

450

Seleukid Empire, Seleukos VI Epiphanes Nikator AR Drachm. Antioch on the Orontes, Circa 96-94 BC. Diademed head to right / Nike advancing to left, holding wreath, [B]AΣIΛEΩΣ ΣEΛEYKOY to right, NIKATOPOΣ to left; monogram above A in left field, C in inner left field. SC 2416; SMA 427; HGC 9, 1273. 3.78g, 18mm, 12h.

395. 300

Extremely Fine; light cabinet tone, some mineral adhesions. Very Rare.

A Very Rare Tetradrachm of Demetrios

III

396. 750

Seleukid Empire, Demetrios III Eukairos AR Tetradrachm. Antioch on the Orontes, circa 96-87 BC. Diademed head to right / Zeus enthroned to left, holding Nike and sceptre; ΒΑΣΛΙΕ[ΩΣ] ΔΗΜΗΤΡIΟ[Υ] ΘΕΟΥ to right, ΦΙΛΟΠΑΤΟΡΟ[Σ] ΣΟΤΗΡΟ[Σ] to left, N above A in outer left field, monogram below throne. SC 2445; HGC 9, 1302; SNG Spaer 2823; SMA 435. 15.61g, 27mm, 12h.

Good Very Fine. Very Rare.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 93, 6 January 2022, lot 641.

397.

Kings of Elymais, Kamnaskires II Nikephoros AR Tetradrachm. Circa 145-139 BC. Diademed head to right; monogram behind / Apollo Delphios seated to left on omphalos, holding arrow and resting hand on bow; BAΣIΛEΩ[Σ] KAMNAΣKI[PEΣ]. van’t Haaff 2.1.1-4 var. (rev. legend). 16.65g, 28mm, 2h.

Good Very Fine. Very Rare.

900

398.

Kings of Elymais, Kamnaskires II Nikephoros AR Drachm. Circa 145-139 BC. Diademed head to right; monogram(?) behind / Apollo Delphios seated to left on omphalos, holding arrow and resting hand on bow; BAΣIΛE[ΩΣ] KAMNA NIKE. van’t Haaff 2.1.2-3 var. (rev. legend). 3.87g, 17mm, 12h.

Very Fine. Extremely Rare.

600

399.

Kings of Elymais, Kamnaskires III, with Anzaze, AR Drachm. Travelling (Court) mint, dated SE 239 = 74/3 BC. Conjoined busts of Kamnaskires and Queen Anzaze to left / Zeus seated to left, holding sceptre and Nike, who crowns him; ΘΛΣ (date) below. van’t Haaff Type 7.1.2-4; DCA 519. 4.09g, 18mm, 12h.

Good Very Fine; unusually sound metal quality for the issue and near complete. Very Rare; seemingly only one other on CoinArchives with this date. Acquired from Pars Coins, San Jose CA.

PERSIS

300

Extremely Rare

400.

Kings of Persis, Baydād (Bagadat) AR Drachm. Istakhr (Persepolis), circa early 3rd century BC. Head to right, wearing kyrbasia with flaps tied behind / Baydād enthroned to left, holding sceptre and cup; standard to inner left, legend around and in exergue. Sunrise 558; Alram 512. 4.06g, 19mm, 9h.

Extremely Fine; some cleaning marks, in exceptional condition for this ruler. Extremely Rare; seemingly only one other on CoinArchives.

600

Kings of Persis, Ardaxšīr (Artaxerxes) I AR Tetradrachm. Istakhr (Persepolis), 3rd century BC. Diademed head to right, wearing kyrbasia and earring / Fire temple of Ahura-Mazda; to left, king standing to right, hands raised in adoration; standard to right, Aramaic legend around. Alram 520 var. (legend to inner right); Sunrise 562 var. (legend to left reversed). 16.86g, 27mm, 12h.

Near Extremely Fine. Rare.

3,000

Kings of Persis, Vādfradād (Autophradates) II AR Tetradrachm. Istakhr (Persepolis) mint, circa early-mid 2nd century BC. Diademed and bearded head to right, wearing kyrbasia adorned with eagle / Fire temple of Ahura-Mazda; above, half-length figure of Ahura-Mazda; to left, Vādfradād standing to right; to right, eagle standing to left on standard. Alram 546; Klose & Müseler 3/1, p.41, 28; Sunrise 574. 16.83g, 24mm, 2h.

Extremely Fine; test cut to edge. Rare.

600

Kings of Persis, uncertain king AR Drachm. Circa 1st-3rd centuries BC. Diademed bust to left, wearing tiara decorated with cross / Figure (archer?) seated to right on throne, holding bow, illegible legend around. Unpublished in the standard references: for obv. cf. Sunrise 589-90; cf. CNG 90, 840 (Hemidrachm); for rev. cf. Sunrise 690 = New York Sale XXXVII, 341 (obol). 4.05g, 19mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine. Apparently a unique and unpublished coin from an unknown king of Persis.

401.

402.

403.

404.

Parthia(?), ‘Athenian Series’ AR Didrachm. Hekatompylos(?), circa 246-238 BC. Attic standard. Head of Athena to right, wearing earring, necklace, and crested Attic helmet decorated with three olive leaves over visor and a spiral palmette on the bowl; monogram of Andragoras(?) behind / Owl standing to right, head facing; behind, prow and grape bunch on vine with leaf, AΘE before. Roma XIV, 331; Bopearachchi, Sophytes Series 1A; SNG ANS 6; N&A 43-5; HGC 12, 3. 7.32g, 19mm, 6h.

Good Extremely Fine; beautiful old cabinet tone.

From the 1960s Andragoras-Sophytes Group, present in Germany in 1975, subsequently exported to the USA.

600

Parthia(?), ‘Athenian Series’ AR Didrachm. Hekatompylos(?), circa 246-238 BC. Attic standard. Head of Athena to right, wearing earring, necklace, and crested Attic helmet decorated with three olive leaves over visor and a spiral palmette on the bowl; monogram of Andragoras(?) behind / Owl standing to right, head facing; behind, prow and grape bunch on vine with leaf, AΘE before. Roma XXV, 533 (same dies); Bopearachchi, Sophytes Series 1A; SNG ANS 6; N&A 43-5; HGC 12, 3. 8.04g, 19mm, 6h.

Near Mint State; beautiful old cabinet tone.

From the 1960s Andragoras-Sophytes Group, present in Germany in 1975, subsequently exported to the USA.

600

407.

Parthia(?), ‘Athenian Series’ AR Didrachm. Hekatompylos(?), circa 246-238 BC. Attic standard. Head of Athena to right, wearing earring, necklace, and crested Attic helmet decorated with three olive leaves over visor and a spiral palmette on the bowl; monogram of Andragoras(?) behind / Owl standing to right, head facing; behind, prow and grape bunch on vine with leaf, AΘE before. Roma XIV, 331; Bopearachchi, Sophytes Series 1A; SNG ANS 6; N&A 43-5; HGC 12, 3. 7.97g, 19mm, 6h.

Good Extremely Fine.

From the 1960s Andragoras-Sophytes Group, present in Germany in 1975, subsequently exported to the USA.

Parthia(?), ‘Athenian Series’ AR Didrachm. Hekatompylos(?), circa 246-238 BC. Attic standard. Head of Athena to right, wearing earring, necklace, and crested Attic helmet decorated with three olive leaves over visor and a spiral palmette on the bowl; monogram of Andragoras(?) behind / Owl standing to right, head facing; behind, prow and grape bunch on vine with leaf, AΘE before. Roma XIV, 331; Bopearachchi, Sophytes Series 1A; SNG ANS 6; N&A 43-5; HGC 12, 3. 7.32g, 19mm, 6h.

450 PARTHIA

Mint State; beautiful old cabinet tone.

409.

Parthia(?), ‘Athenian Series’ AR Didrachm. Hekatompylos(?), circa 246-238 BC. Attic standard. Head of Athena to right, wearing earring, necklace, and crested Attic helmet decorated with three olive leaves over visor and a spiral palmette on the bowl; monogram of Andragoras(?) behind / Owl standing to right, head facing; behind, prow and grape bunch on vine with leaf, AΘE before. Roma XIV, 331; Bopearachchi, Sophytes Series 1A; SNG ANS 6; N&A 43-45; HGC 12, 3. 8.14g, 18mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine.

From the 1960s Andragoras-Sophytes Group, present in Germany in 1975, subsequently exported to the USA.

410.

Parthia(?), ‘Eagle Series’ AR Drachm. Hekatompylos(?), circa 246-238 BC. Local standard. Head of Athena to right, wearing earring, necklace, and crested Attic helmet decorated with three olive leaves over visor and a spiral palmette on the bowl / Eagle standing to left, head to right; behind, grape cluster on vine with leaf, kerykeion above. Roma XIV, 335; Bopearachchi, Sophytes Series 2A; SNG ANS -; Mitchiner 26d; N&A 63-4; HGC 12, 8. 3.58g, 15mm, 6h.

Mint State; pleasant old cabinet tone with underlying lustre and iridescence.

From the 1960s Andragoras-Sophytes Group, present in Germany in 1975, subsequently exported to the USA

Parthia(?), ‘Eagle Series’ AR Drachm. Hekatompylos(?), circa 246-238 BC. Local standard. Head of Athena to right, wearing earring, necklace, and crested Attic helmet decorated with three olive leaves over visor and a spiral palmette on the bowl / Eagle standing to left, head to right; behind, grape cluster on vine with leaf, kerykeion above. Roma XIV, 335; Bopearachchi, Sophytes Series 2A; SNG ANS -; Mitchiner 26d; N&A 63-4; HGC 12, 8. 3.56g, 14mm, 6h.

Mint State; minor obv. die break, attractive hints of iridescence around devices.

From the 1960s Andragoras-Sophytes Group, present in Germany in 1975, subsequently exported to the USA.

Unique and Unpublished

300

Parthia(?), ‘Eagle Series’ AR Drachm. Hekatompylos(?), circa 246-238 BC. Local standard. Head of Athena to right, wearing earring, necklace, and crested Attic helmet decorated with three olive leaves over visor and a spiral palmette on the bowl / Eagle standing to left, head to right; grape cluster on vine with leaf above, monogram in lower left field. Unpublished in the standard references, for type, cf. SNG ANS 12-6; cf. Mitchiner 26; cf. N&A 52-7; cf. HGC 12, 7-8. 3.36g, 15mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine. Unique and unpublished with this monogram on the reverse.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XXII, 7 October 2021, lot 444; Ex the 1960s Andragoras-Sophytes Group, present in Germany in 1975, subsequently exported to the USA.

300

411.

Baktria, ‘Athenian Series’ AR Tetradrachm. Uncertain mint in the Oxus region, circa 261-239/8 BC. Attic standard. Head of Athena right, wearing earring, necklace, and crested Attic helmet decorated with three olive leaves over visor and a spiral palmette on the bowl; MNA behind / Owl standing to right, head facing; olive sprig and crescent behind, AΘE before. Roma XXI, 326; Bopearachchi, Sophytes Series -; Mitchiner -; SNG ANS -; N&A -, cf. 18-9 (tetradrachms); CNG E-115, 180 (misdescribed). 16.97g, 24mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare.

From the Arethusa Collection; Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 73, 23 July 2020, lot 557; Ex 1960s Andragoras-Sophytes Group, present in Germany in 1975, subsequently exported to the USA.

The appearance of the letters MNA on their own, not preceded by ΣTA, which also appear in abbreviated form as MN and M, both on this ‘Athenian Series’ coinage and on the helmeted portrait issues of Sophytes, is suggestive of MNA being either a magistral mark, or an engraver’s signature. While the prominent placement of MNA on both the double daric and the tetradrachm would seem to be counter-indicative of its being a signature because of its brazen size and obtrusiveness, on the helmeted portrait coins of Sophytes it is very discreetly placed on the bust truncation. The fact that it is so well hidden (and on the tetradrachms, abbreviated simply to ‘M’) very strongly argues against it being a magistrate or subordinate official’s name. The Baktrian ‘Athenian series’ coinage, judging from its lack of wear, must have been issued immediately prior to or concurrent to Sophytes’ named coinage.

Baktria, ‘Athenian Series’ AR Tetradrachm. Uncertain mint in the Oxus region, circa 261-238 BC. Attic standard. Head of Athena to right, wearing earring, necklace, and crested Attic helmet decorated with three olive leaves over visor and a spiral palmette on the bowl; monogram behind / Owl standing to right, head facing; olive sprig and crescent behind, grape bunch over tail, AΘE before. Roma XIV, lot 354; Bopearachchi, Sophytes Series 1A; Mitchiner 13e; N&A 13-5; SNG ANS -; Svoronos pl. 109, 8; Leu 83, 263. 16.65g, 22mm, 6h.

Good Very Fine; pleasant old cabinet tone.

From the 1960s Andragoras-Sophytes Group, present in Germany in 1975, subsequently exported to the USA.

300

Baktria, ‘Athenian Series’ AR Tetradrachm. Uncertain mint in the Oxus region, circa 261-238 BC. Attic standard. Head of Athena to right, wearing earring, necklace, and crested Attic helmet decorated with three olive leaves over visor and a spiral palmette and grape bunch(?) on the bowl / Owl standing to right, head facing; olive sprig and crescent behind, AΘE before; all within incuse square. Roma E-98, 585 var. (obv. legend); Bopearachchi, Sophytes -; Mitchiner -; SNG ANS -. 16.73g, 24mm, 12h.

Very Fine; pleasant cabinet tone.

From the 1960s Andragoras-Sophytes Group, present in Germany in 1975, subsequently exported to the USA.

412.

413.

Stunning Old Cabinet Tone

Baktria, Sophytes AR Tetradrachm. Uncertain mint in the Oxus region, circa 246-235 BC. Attic standard. Head of Seleukos(?) to right, wearing laurel wreathed Attic helmet decorated with spiral pattern on crest and eagle wings on cheek-guard, tied under chin; no letters on bust truncation / Cockerel standing to right; kerykeion behind, ΣΩΦYΤΟΥ downwards to right. Jansari 67-70 (O1/R1); cf. Bopearachchi, Sophytes Series 3A, pl. I, 1; for type, cf. SNG ANS 21-3 (drachm); Mitchiner 29 (drachm); Whitehead NC 1943, pp. 64, 1 and pl. III, 7-8 (drachm); Roma XIV, 365 (same dies). 16.89g, 29mm, 6h.

Good Extremely Fine; featuring a stunning old cabinet tone and a bold, expressive Hellenistic portrait. Extremely Rare.

From the 1960s Andragoras-Sophytes Group, present in Germany in 1975, subsequently exported to the USA.

This portrait, which has all too often been simply assumed to be that of Sophytes himself, is eminently worthy of further scrutiny. It is the work of a highly talented individual, and depicts what should by any account be a great general, helmeted in Attic style and wearing the laurel wreath of a conqueror. Unfortunately the actions of Sophytes, whatever they might have been, were either not recorded or have long since been lost. We cannot therefore determine whether this individual may indeed have performed such deeds as to be worthy of commemoration in such a fashion. In examining the features of the individual depicted on this coin however, it becomes immediately apparent that there are distinct similarities with certain idealised portraits of Seleukos I. It is conceivable that we should see in this portrait not an image of the unknown ruler Sophytes, but an idealised image of the deified Seleukos, as can be found on the somewhat earlier coinage of Philetairos. Those images (cf. in particular Gulbenkian 966) have nearly identical features - in particular the heavy brow, aquiline nose, down-turned mouth and prominent chin.

The historical sources offer us few clues as to the dating of Sophytes’ rule. They tell us that Stasanor was satrap of Baktria until at least 316 BC, and that Seleukos reintegrated Baktria into his empire on his eastern anabasis in c. 305. An early date therefore seems highly unlikely. Turning to the evidence of the coin itself, numismatists have correctly observed that the obverse portrait is derived from the similar type of Seleukos on his trophy tetradrachms (SC 174), which should be dated to after c. 301 BC; the presence of the somewhat worn elephant-quadriga tetradrachm in the present group pushes the date even further to the right, and into the third century. Now, the presence of this type in this group along with coins of Andragoras indicates a considerably later date than previously supposed. We have already proposed with good reason that the coinage of Andragoras should be dated to c.246/5-239/8 BC and that given the patterns of wear that may be observed upon them, there is sufficient justification to argue for the dating of Sophytes’ named coinage to c. 246/5-235, after Andragoras had begun coining but before Diodotos II would have been free to dispose of any lesser regional powers. This turbulent time period has already afforded us a plausible reason for the striking of Andragoras’ coinage. It is possible that Sophytes too was prompted to look to the security of his own territory following the effective withdrawal of the central government’s influence in that area. Diodotos I too struck his own coinage in Baktria, which while bearing his own portrait on the obverse nevertheless maintained the name ‘Antiochos’ on the reverse as a token symbol of loyalty. Does Sophytes coinage, with a distinctly ‘local’ reverse type, seek to achieve the same veneer of loyalty as that of Philetairos and Diodotos by placing the image of Seleukos I, the founder of the Seleukid empire, on his obverse?

Mint State

418.

Baktria, Sophytes AR Didrachm. Uncertain mint in the Oxus region, circa 246-235 BC. Attic standard. Head of Seleukos(?) to right, wearing laurel wreathed Attic helmet decorated with spiral pattern on crest and eagle wings on cheek-guard; MNA on bust truncation / Cockerel standing to right; kerykeion behind, ΣΩΦYΤΟΥ to right. Bopearachchi, Sophytes Series 3A, pl. I, 2 = Alpha Bank 7461; for type cf. SNG ANS 21-3 (drachm); Mitchiner 29 (drachm); Whitehead NC 1943, pp. 64, 1 and pl. III, 7-8 (drachm); Roma XIV, 366. 8.06g, 21mm, 6h.

Mint State; attractive light cabinet tone. Extremely Rare.

Ex 1960s Andragoras-Sophytes Group, present in Germany in 1975, subsequently exported to the USA. 3,000

Baktria, Sophytes AR Didrachm. Uncertain mint in the Oxus region, circa 246-235 BC. Attic standard. Head of Seleukos(?) to right, wearing laurelwreathed Attic helmet decorated with spiral pattern on crest and eagle wings on cheek-guard; MNA on bust truncation / Cockerel standing to right; kerykeion behind,

to right. Bopearachchi, Sophytes Series 3A, pl. I, 2 = Alpha Bank 7461; for type cf. SNG ANS 21-3 (drachm); Mitchiner 29 (drachm); Whitehead NC 1943, p. 64, 1 and pl. III, 7-8 (drachm); Roma XXV, 540 (hammer: 8,000 GBP). 7.94g, 20mm, 6h.

Good Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare.

From the 1960s Andragoras-Sophytes Group, present in Germany in 1975, subsequently exported to the USA.

A Wonderfully Expressive Portrait

2,400

Greco-Baktrian Kingdom, Euthydemos I Theos Megas AR Tetradrachm. Mint A (near Aï Khanoum), circa 206-200 BC. Diademed head to right, with elderly features / Herakles seated to left on rocky outcropping, holding club set on rocks; BAΣIΛEΩΣ and monogram to right, EYΘYΔHMOY to left. Glenn, Group III, 253 (unlisted dies); Kritt A17; cf. Bopearachchi 11A (for monogram but on an oktadrachm) and 12 (for type, but monogram unlisted); SNG ANS -; cf. HGC 12, 40. 16.51g, 29mm, 12h.

About Extremely Fine; a wonderfully expressive portrait struck in high relief.

Ex Dr. Busso Peus Nachfolger, Auction 372, 30 October 2002, lot 750, old collector’s ticket included.

2,700

416.

417.

419.

Greco-Baktrian Kingdom, Agathokles Dikaios AR Tetradrachm. Circa 185-175 BC. Diademed and draped bust to right / Zeus standing facing, holding figure of Hekate with torches in outstretched right hand, and sceptre in left; BAΣIΛEΩΣ to right, ΑΓΑΘΟΚΛΕOYΣ to left, monogram in inner left field. Glenn 33 (O3/R16); Bopearachchi 1D; Mitchiner 137a; SNG ANS 230; HGC 12, 81. 16.83g, 30mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine; attractive cabinet tone.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 95, 13 April 2022, lot 478.

420.

1,650

421.

Greco-Baktrian Kingdom, Demetrios II AR Tetradrachm. Circa 150-145 BC. Diademed and draped bust to right / Athena standing facing, holding spear and shield set on ground; BAΣIEΛEΩΣ to right, ΔHMHTPIOY and monogram to left. Bopearachchi 1D; Mitchiner 101i; SNG ANS 392; HGC 12, 126; Roma XXII, 484 (hammer: 7,000 GBP); Roma E-99, 584 (same rev. die). 17.01g, 34mm, 11h.

Good Extremely Fine; highly lustrous and in outstanding condition for the type.

1,500

Greco-Baktrian Kingdom, Demetrios II AR Tetradrachm. Circa 150-145 BC. Diademed and draped bust to right / Athena standing facing, holding spear and shield set on ground; BAΣIEΛΩΣ to right, ΔHMHTPIOY and monogram to left. Bopearachchi 1D; Mitchiner 101i; SNG ANS 392; HGC 12, 126; Roma XXII, 484 (hammer: 7,000 GBP). 17.02g, 34mm, 11h.

Near Mint State.

Ex Professor Shir Mohammad Collection, Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 95, 13 April 2022, lot 487 (since professionally conserved).

1,500

Greco-Baktrian Kingdom, Eukratides I Megas AR Drachm. Circa 170-145 BC. Diademed and draped bust to right / The Dioskouroi on horses prancing to right, each holding spear and palm; ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ above, ΕYΚΡΑΤΙΔΟΥ below, monogram to lower right, A (mark of value) to upper left.

Bopearachchi 2C; Mitchiner 169a; SNG ANS 439-41; HGC 12, 135. 4.20g, 19mm, 12h.

Near Mint State. Scarce.

Greco-Baktrian Kingdom, Eukratides I Megas AR Drachm. Circa 170-145 BC. Diademed and draped bust to right / The Dioskouroi on horses prancing to right, each holding spear and palm; ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ above, ΕYΚΡΑΤΙΔΟΥ below, monogram to lower right, A (mark of value) to upper left. Bopearachchi 2C; Mitchiner 169a; SNG ANS 439-41; HGC 12, 135. 4.17g, 19mm, 12h.

Good Extremely Fine. Scarce.

Fleur De Coin

Greco-Baktrian Kingdom, Eukratides I Megas AR Drachm. Circa 170-145 BC. Diademed and draped bust to right, wearing helmet adorned with bull’s horn and ear / The Dioskouroi on horses prancing to right, each holding spear and palm; ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ above, ΕΥΚΡΑΤΙΔΟΥ below, monogram in right field. Bopearachchi 7I; Mitchiner 178c; HGC 12, 131. 4.25g, 20mm, 12h.

Fleur De Coin; an excellent specimen. Rare.

From a private European collection.

1,200

Greco-Baktrian Kingdom, Eukratides I Megas AR Drachm. Circa 170-145 BC. Diademed and draped bust to right, wearing helmet adorned with bull’s horn and ear / The Dioskouroi on horses prancing to right, each holding spear and palm; ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ above, ΕΥΚΡΑΤΙΔΟΥ below, monogram in right field. Bopearachchi 7I; Mitchiner 178c; HGC 12, 131. 4.24g, 19mm, 12h. Mint State.

426. 450

Greco-Baktrian Kingdom, Eukratides I Megas AR Drachm. Circa 170-145 BC. Diademed and draped bust to right, wearing helmet adorned with bull’s horn and ear / The Dioskouroi on horses prancing to right, each holding spear and palm; ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ above, ΕΥΚΡΑΤΙΔΟΥ below, monogram in right field. Bopearachchi 7I; Mitchiner 178c; HGC 12, 131. 4.23g, 20mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine.

424.

Oustanding Condtion For the Type

Greco-Baktrian Kingdom, Eukratides I Megas, with Heliokles and Laodike, AR Tetradrachm. Circa 170-145 BC. Dynastic pedigree issue. Jugate draped busts of Heliokles and Laodice to right, HΛIOKΛEOYΣ above, KAI ΛAOΔIKHΣ below; monogram behind / Diademed and draped bust to right, wearing crested helmet adorned with bull’s horn and ear, BAΣIΛEYΣ MEΓAΣ above, EYKPATIΔHΣ below. Bopearachchi 15A; Bopearachchi & Rahman 263; SNG ANS 526-527; Mitchiner 182a; HGC 12, 133. 17.03g, 32mm, 12h.

Near Mint State. Rare, and in outstanding condition for the type.

Acquired from Gulf Antiques, UAE.

Eukratides ‘the Great’ was one of the last but most important Greco-Baktrian kings, responsible for the overthrow of the Euthydemid dynasty. While the position held by Eukratides prior to his revolt is unclear, it has been suggested he held the position of satrap in Baktria during the campaigning of Demetrios, successor of Euthydemos II, in India around 192 BC (Cunningham, A. “Coins of Alexander’s Successors in the East (Continued).” in The Numismatic Chronicle and Journal of the Numismatic Society 9 (1869): pp. 121-53). There is limited record of the revolt, although Justin (XLI, 6) describes an event when the usurper survived a siege lasting five months by a force of sixty thousand loyal to Demetrios, successor of Euthydemos II, with only three hundred men.

Whilst Justin reports that the conflict originated between Eukratides and Demetrios, numismatic evidence suggests Demetrios ceased to rule and succession passed down the legitimate line to Antimachos, Agathokles and Pantaleon before the revolt was over. This is supported by Mitchiner, who argues the coinage of Demetrios ceased and was replaced by that of his heirs, who controlled the main mints in Baktria and from which they issued ‘pedigree coins’ affirming their legitimacy (The early Indo-Greeks and their antecedants, vol. 1, (1975), p. 66).

Eukratides gained control over all of Baktria around 168 BC, reducing Antimachos, Agathokles and Pantaleon to Indo-Greek territories south of the Hindu Kush, and struck ‘pedigree coins’ of his own bearing the adopted and immodest title MEΓAΣ (‘the Great) - the tetradrachm presented here is an outstanding example of such an issue. The obverse depicts two busts, named by the legend as Heliokles and Laodike, whose identities are uncertain. It has been suggested that the coin cites Eukratides’ parents, and Laodike, who wears a diadem, may have been a member of the Seleukid imperial house (see Astin, A.E. The Cambridge Ancient History (1990), p. 401, see also Mitchiner). If the identification is correct, we might see this issue within the context of and in direct response to the Euthydemid commemoration issues struck during the period of Eukratides’ revolt.

Greco-Baktrian Kingdom, Eukratides I Megas, with Heliokles and Laodike, AR Tetradrachm. Circa 170-145 BC. Dynastic pedigree issue. Jugate draped busts of Heliokles and Laodice to right, HΛIOKΛEOYΣ above, KAI ΛAOΔIKHΣ below; monogram behind / Diademed and draped bust to right, wearing crested helmet adorned with bull’s horn and ear, BAΣIΛEYΣ MEΓAΣ above, EYKPATIΔHΣ below. Bopearachchi 15A; Bopearachchi & Rahman 263; SNG ANS 526-7; Mitchiner 182a; HGC 12, 133. 16.94g, 32mm, 12h.

Good Very Fine; attractive old cabinet tone. Rare.

Ex Peter Corcoran Collection;

Ex Classical Numismatic Group, Auction 75, 23 May 2007, lot 644; Ex Gorny & Mosch Giessener Münzhandlung, Auction 121, 10 March 2003, lot 248 (lot no. misrecorded as 1025 in subsequent CNG auction).

2,400

Greco-Baktrian Kingdom, Heliokles I Dikaios AR Tetradrachm. Circa 145-130 BC. Diademed and draped bust to right, wearing crested helmet covered with pelt of scales and adorned with head of Gorgon and wing / Zeus enthroned to left, holding Nike who crowns him, and sceptre; BAΣIΛEΩΣ to right, HΛIOKΛEOYΣ to left, ΔIKAIOY below, M in inner left field. Bopearachchi 3A; Bopearachchi & Rahman –; SNG ANS –; Mitchiner 286a; HGC 12, 170. 13.30g, 31mm, 12h.

Good Very Fine; lightly smoothed. Extremely Rare. From the inventory of a North American dealer.

INDO-GREEK KINGDOM

Two Counterfeiter’s Dies for a Indo-Greek Kingdom, Lysias Aniketos AR Drachm. Circa second century BC. Negative impression: Diademed and draped bust to right, wearing elephant skin headdress; ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΙΚΗΤΟΥ ΛΥΣΙΟΥ around / Negative impression: Herakles standing facing, crowning himself and holding club, palm, and lion’s skin; monogram to left, Kharosthi script around. For prototype, cf. Bopearachchi 4C, SNG ANS 1032-4, Mitchiner 262c and HGC 12, 240. 34.55g, 19mm x 17mm (obv.); 18.47g, 11mm x 16mm (rev.).

Condition as seen; well-preserved. Of the greatest rarity and numismatic interest, a remarkable opportunity to acquire a set of dies.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 90, 18 November 2021, lot 657.

3,000

428.

429. 750

430.

KINGS OF PARTHIA

Kings of Parthia, Mithradates I AR Drachm. Hekatompylos, circa 141-132 BC. Diademed and draped bust to left / ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ

ΑΡΣΑΚ[ΟΥ], archer (Arsakes I) seated to right on omphalos, holding bow. Sellwood 11.1; Sunrise 265 var. (no border); Shore 24. 3.86g, 20mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine; superb condition for the type.

Acquired from Pars Coins, San Jose CA.

Kings of Parthia, Mithradates II AR Tetradrachm. Seleukia on the Tigris, circa 119-109 BC. Diademed and draped bust to left, with long beard, earring, and torque; all within pelleted border / ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ

ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ, archer (Arsakes I) seated to right on omphalos, holding bow. Sellwood 24.2; Sunrise 281; Shore -. 15.36g, 32mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine; area of flatness to rev.

From the Arethusa Collection; Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 73, 23 July 2020, lot 564.

Kings of Parthia, Phraates III AR Drachm. Rhagai, circa 67-62 BC. Diademed and draped bust to left / ΒΑCΙΛΕΩC ΜΕΓΑΛΟV ΑΡCAΚΟV

ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟ[C] ΦΙΛΟΠΑΤΟΡΟC [ΕV]ΕΡΓΕΤ[ΟV], archer (Arsakes I) seated to right on throne, holding bow; monogram below bow. Sellwood 36.9 (Darius?); Sunrise 321; Shore 155. 4.20g, 20mm, 12h.

Near Mint State; lightly toned with iridescence around the devices and lustrous, untouched, mirror-like surfaces.

From the inventory of a North American dealer; Acquired from Warden Numismatics LLC (dealer’s ticket included); Privately purchased from Fred Shore in the early 2000’s.

Kings of Parthia, Vologases V AR Drachm. Ekbatana, circa AD 191-208. Diademed facing bust, with long beard and hair in bunches above head and over ears / Archer (Arsakes I) seated to right on throne, holding bow; degraded legend around, monogram below bow. Sellwood 86.3; Sunrise 455; Shore 448. 3.74g, 19mm, 12h.

Mint State. Rare.

Ex Oxus Collection, Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XXV, 22 September 2022, lot 622.

435.

Kings of Parthia, Artabanos VI AR Drachm. Ekbatana, circa AD 216-224. Diademed and draped bust to left, wearing tiara; ‘ar’ (in Aramaic) to right / Archer (Arsakes I) seated to right on throne, holding bow; monogram below bow. Sellwood 89.1 (Artabanos IV); Shore 464 (Artabanos IV); Sunrise 461. 3.09g, 19mm, 12h.

KUSHAN EMPIRE

Only One Other on CoinArchives

436.

Kushan Empire, Huvishka AV Dinar. Subsidiary mint in Gandhara (Peshawar?), circa AD 151-190. Crowned and diademed bust to left, flames emanating at shoulders / Miiro standing facing, head to left, surrounded by radiate halo and diademed, raising right arm, cradling filleted sceptre and holding hilt of sword with left; tamgha to left. MK 290 (O1a/R5); ANS Kushan 767; Donum Burns 265; CNG 117, 380 (hammer: USD 13,000). 7.63g, 19mm, 12h.

Very Fine. Extremely Rare; only one other on CoinArchives.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XXIII, 24 March 2022, lot 477.

2,400

437. 900

Kushan Empire, Huvishka AV Dinar. Main mint in Baktria (Balkh?), circa AD 151-190. Nimbate, crowned and diademed half-length bust on clouds to left, holding mace-sceptre and filleted spear over shoulder / Ardoxsho standing to right, extending cornucopiae with both hands; tamgha to right. MK 286 (O7/R- [unlisted rev. die]); ANS Kushan 751; Donum Burns 263. 8.00g, 21mm, 11h.

Extremely Fine.

438. 900

Kushan Empire, Huvishka AV Dinar. Main mint in Baktria (Balkh?), circa AD 151-190. Nimbate, diademed and crowned half-length bust on clouds to left, holding mace-sceptre and filleted spear over shoulder / Ardoxsho standing to left, extending cornucopiae with both hands; tamgha to left. MK 285 (O1/R- [unlisted rev. die]); ANS Kushan -; Donum Burns 262. 7.95g, 21mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine.

439.

Kushan Empire, Vasudeva I AV Dinar. Main mint in Baktria (Balkh?), circa AD 190-230. Vasudeva standing facing, diademed and crowned, head to left, sacrificing over altar and holding trident; flames at right shoulder / Ithyphallic Siva standing facing, holding diadem and trident; behind, the bull Nandi standing to left; tamgha to left. MK 509 (O3/R- [unlisted rev. die]); ANS Kushan 1085-90; Donum Burns 413-9. 7.95g, 20mm, 12h.

Good Extremely Fine.

1,200

440.

Kushan Empire, Vasudeva I AV Dinar. Main mint in Baktria (Balkh?), circa AD 190-230. Vasudeva standing facing, diademed and crowned, head to left, sacrificing over altar and holding trident; flames at right shoulder / Ithyphallic Siva standing facing, holding diadem and trident; behind, the bull Nandi standing to left; tamgha to left. MK 509 (O8/R- [unlisted rev. die]); ANS Kushan 1085-90; Donum Burns 413-9. 8.00g, 19mm, 12h.

Near Extremely Fine.

442.

Kushan Empire, Vasudeva I AV Dinar. Main mint in Baktria (Balkh?), circa AD 190-230. Vasudeva standing facing, diademed and crowned, head to left, sacrificing over altar and holding trident; flames at right shoulder, filleted trident to left / Ithyphallic three-headed Siva standing facing, holding diadem and trident; behind, the bull Nandi standing to left; tamgha to right. MK 527 (O1/R1, Vasudeva II); ANS Kushan -; Donum Burns 436. 8.08g, 20mm, 11h.

Good Extremely Fine; edge knock. Rare.

443.

Kushan Empire, Vasudeva I AV Dinar. Main mint in Baktria (Balkh?), circa AD 190-230. Vasudeva standing facing, diademed and crowned, head to left, sacrificing over altar and holding trident; flames at right shoulder, filleted trident to left / Ithyphallic Siva standing facing, holding diadem and trident; behind, the bull Nandi standing to left; tamgha to left. MK 528 (O1/R- [rev. die unlisted], Vasudeva II); ANS Kushan -; Donum Burns 439. 8.05g, 21mm, 11h.

Extremely Fine.

Ex Professor Shir Mohammad Collection.

750

750

Kushan Empire, Vasudeva I AV Dinar. Main mint in Baktria (Balkh?), circa AD 190-230. Vasudeva standing facing, diademed and crowned, head to left, sacrificing over altar and holding trident; flames at right shoulder, filleted trident to left / Ithyphallic Siva standing facing, holding diadem and trident; behind, the bull Nandi standing to left; tamgha to left. MK 528 (O1a/R- [rev. die unlisted], Vasudeva II); ANS Kushan -; Donum Burns 438-9. 8.00g, 20mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine.

Ex Professor Shir Mohammad Collection.

750

444.

Kushan Empire, Vasudeva I AV Dinar. Main mint in Baktria (Balkh?), circa AD 190-230. Vasudeva standing facing, diademed and crowned, head to left, sacrificing over altar and holding trident; flames at right shoulder, filleted trident to left / Ithyphallic Siva standing facing, holding diadem and trident; behind, the bull Nandi standing to left; tamgha to left. MK 532 (O4/R- [rev. die unlisted], Vasudeva II); ANS Kushan -; Donum Burns 442. 8.14g, 22mm, 11h.

Good Extremely Fine.

Ex Professor Shir Mohammad Collection.

SASANIAN KINGDOM

750

446.

Sasanian Kingdom, Shahpur I AV Dinar. Mint I (“Ctesiphon”), Phase 1b, circa AD 244-253. Draped bust to right, wearing diadem and mural crown surmounted by korymbos / Fire-altar flanked by two regal attendants each wearing mural crown with ribbons and korymbos and holding staff; frawahr on altar shaft. SNS type IIc/1a, style A, group indéterminé; Göbl type I/1; Saeedi -; Sunrise -. 7.12g, 21mm, 31h. Mint State.

2,400

Acquired from Pars Coins, San Jose CA.

Shapur was the second shahanshah (king of kings) of the Sasanian empire, apparently joining his father Ardashir I as king in joint rule in AD 240, and then succeeding in around 242 as sole ruler. Shapur had accompanied his father on campaign against the Parthians who then still controlled much of the Iranian plateau, and already before his accession was praised for his intelligence and learning, as well as for boldness and kind-heartedness.

Continuing his father’s war with the Roman empire, Shapur conquered the Mesopotamian fortresses of Nisibis and Carrhae, advancing into Syria, which required the young emperor Gordian III to set out with a vast army to counter the Sasanian threat. Gordian’s army won battle after battle, at last routing the Sasanian army at Rhesaena, forcing Shapur to hand back all of his gains. Gordian’s death and the succession of Philip ‘the Arab’ ended the Roman campaign against Shapur, who was able to extract considerable advantages from Philip including an enormous indemnity in gold.

Shapur soon resumed his attacks on Rome, and in 253 met and annihilated a Roman army of 60,000 at the Battle of Barbalissos, and proceeded then to burn and ravage the Roman province of Syria. Armenia was conquered, and Georgia submitted to Sasanian control. With his northern borders secure, Shapur then led an army which penetrated deep into Syria, plundering all the way to Antioch which quickly fell to his forces. The Roman counteroffensive under emperor Valerian was slow, but by 257 Antioch had been recovered and the province of Syria returned to Roman control. Shapur’s speedy retreat caused the Romans to launch a hasty pursuit of the Sasanians all the way to Edessa, where they were severely defeated by the Persians, and Valerian along with the survivors of his army were led away into captivity.

The defeat and capture of Valerian surely marks the greatest achievement in the reign of Shapur, who is also called ‘the Great’, and the submission of Valerian is commemorated in a mural at Nash-e Rustam, which shows the Emperor bending the knee before Shapur on horseback. Valerian’s army was sent to Bishapur, and the soldiers were used in engineering and development works, such as the Band-e Kaiser (Caesar’s dam) near the ancient city of Susa.

Sasanian Kingdom, Shapur I AV Dinar. Mint I (“Ctesiphon”), Phase 2, circa AD 260-272. Draped bust to right, wearing diadem and mural crown surmounted by korymbos / Fire-altar flanked by two regal attendants each wearing mural crown with ribbons and korymbos and holding staff; ‘frawahr ’ symbol to left of flames. SNS type IIc/1c, style T; Göbl type I/1; Saeedi AV5 (no obv. pellets); Sunrise 740 var. (same). 7.36g, 23mm, 3h.

Near Mint State; a beautifully centred example.

Acquired from Pars Coins, San Jose CA.

2,400

447.

Sasanian Kingdom, Shapur I AV Dinar. Mint I (“Ctesiphon”), Phase 2, circa AD 260-272. Draped bust to right, wearing diadem and mural crown surmounted by a korymbos / Fire-altar flanked by two regal attendants each wearing mural crown with ribbons and korymbos and holding staff surmounted by pellet-in-crescent; two pellets above. SNS type IIc/1b, style P; Göbl type I/1; Saeedi AV4 var. (no pellets on rev.); Sunrise 739 var. (same). 7.42g, 23mm, 3h.

Good Extremely Fine.

Acquired from Pars Coins, San Jose CA.

2,100

Sasanian Kingdom, Shapur I AV Dinar. Mint I (“Ctesiphon”), Phase 2, circa AD 260-272. Draped bust to right, wearing diadem and mural crown surmounted by korymbos / Fire-altar flanked by two regal attendants each wearing mural crown with ribbons and korymbos and holding staff; frawahr on altar shaft. SNS type IIc/1b, style P, group b (pl. 30, 126 (same dies); Göbl type I/1; Saeedi AV5; Sunrise 739-740 var.; CNG 111, 472 (same dies); Gorny & Mosch 7.12g, 21mm, 3h.

Near Mint State.

Acquired from Pars Coins, San Jose CA.

449. 1,500

450.

Sasanian Kingdom, Shapur I AV Dinar. Mint I (“Ctesiphon”), Phase 2, circa AD 260-272. Draped bust to right, wearing diadem and mural crown surmounted by a korymbos / Fire-altar flanked by two regal attendants each wearing mural crown with ribbons and korymbos and holding staff; frawahr to left above. SNS type IIc/1b, style P; Göbl type I/1; Saeedi AV5; Sunrise 740. 7.43g, 21mm, 3h.

Near Mint State.

Acquired from St. James’s Auctions Ltd.

Sasanian Kingdom, Shapur I AV Dinar. Mint I (“Ctesiphon”), Phase 2, circa AD 260-272. Draped bust to right, wearing diadem and mural crown surmounted by korymbos / Fire-altar flanked by two attendants, each wearing mural crown with ribbons and korymbos and holding staff surmounted by pellet-in-crescent; three pellets to right of altar shaft. SNS type IIc/1b, style P; Göbl type I/1; Saeedi AV4 var. (no pellets on rev.); Sunrise 739 var. (same). 7.27g, 21mm, 4h.

Near Mint State.

1,800

453.

Sasanian Kingdom, Shapur I AV Dinar. Mint I (“Ctesiphon”), Phase 2, circa AD 260-272. Draped bust to right, wearing diadem and mural crown surmounted by korymbos / Fire-altar flanked by two attendants, each wearing mural crown with ribbons and korymbos and holding staff surmounted by pellet-in-crescent; frawahr to left of flames, two pellets to right of altar. SNS type IIc/1b, style P, group d/2, pl. 32, A45-6 var. (pellets on rev.); Göbl type I/1; Saeedi AV6 var. (same); Sunrise 740 var. (decoration of ribbons and symbols on rev.). 7.34g, 22mm, 3h.

Near Mint State. Very Rare.

1,800

Sasanian Kingdom, Vahrām (Bahram) I AR Drachm. ‘Ctesiphon’ mint, AD 273-276. Bust to right, wearing diadem and radiate crown with korymbos / Fire altar flanked by two attendants, one wearing crown with korymbos, the other with mural crown, frawahr to right of flames. Göbl type I/1; SNS type I(1)/1ab(1a) Style A, group c; Sunrise 758. 4.00g, 27mm, 2h.

Good Very Fine.

From the JTB Numismatic Collection; Acquired from Kölner Münzkabinett; Ex Karl H. Kluger collection; Ex Münzzentrum Rheinland, Auction 167, 4 September 2013, lot 143.

Very Rare

454.

Sasanian Kingdom, Vahran II AV Dinar. AD 276-293. Draped bust to right, wearing winged crown with korymbos / Fire altar flanked by two attendants, one wearing winged crown with korymbos, one wearing mural crown with korymbos. SNS type 1/1; Göbl type I/1; Sunrise 764 var. (obv. pellets); Sellwood type 1. 7.47g, 23mm, 4h.

Mint State; beautifully centred strike on a large planchet. Very Rare.

Acquired from Pars Coins, San Jose CA.

The legend reads “The Mazdah worshipper, the divine Vahran, King of Kings of Iran, who descended from the Gods.”

4,500

Sasanian Kings, Shapur II AV Dinar. Uncertain mint, circa AD 320. Bust to right, wearing mural crown surmounted by a korymbos / Fire-altar flanked by two ribbons. SNS type 1c2/2a; Göbl 1a/7; Sunrise 863; Saeedi AV51-4. 7.31g, 19mm, 3h.

Near Mint State; dies of excellent style. Very Rare.

Acquired from Pars Coins, San Jose CA.

3,000

Sasanian Kingdom, Yazgard I AV Light Dinar. Uncertain mint, AD 399-420. Diademed and cuirassed bust to right, crescent on forehead; legend around / Fire altar with ribbons flanked by two attendants. SNS type IIa/1a; Sunrise 918 var. (no crescents flanking flames); Saeedi AV 65 var. (same); Göbl type II/1 var. (same). 4.35g, 19mm, 3h.

455. 3,000

Near Extremely Fine. Seemingly unique and unpublished with no crescents on rev

456. 300

Sasanian Kingdom, Kavād (Kavādh) I Æ ‘Drachm’. Second Reign. Uncertain mint, AD 499-531. Bust to right, wearing mural crown with frontal crescent, two ribbons and korymbos set on crescent, crescents on shoulders, star behind / Diademed bust to right, raising hand. Göbl type II/4; SNS type Ib/3a, pl. 137, 301-2; Sunrise 969; Saeedi -. 4.10g, 27mm, 3h.

Good Very Fine. Very Rare.

Only 3 Other Examples on CoinArchives

Sasanian Kingdom, Queen Bōrān (Buran) Æ Unit. WYHC (Weh-az-Amid-Kavad) mint, dated RY 1 = AD 630. Bust to right, wearing crown with two wings and korymbos set on crescent; star and star-in-crescent flanking crown / Fire altar with ribbons, flanked by attendants; star and crescent flanking flames, mint to right, date to left. Göbl type I/1; Sunrise -; Saeedi -; SWW -; cf. Malek & Curtis 165 (different denomination); VAuctions, Pars Coins 29, 222, otherwise unpublished. 1.81g, 30mm, 12h.

Good Very Fine. Extremely Rare; only 3 other examples on CoinArchives and this the finest in grade by some margin; apparently unpublished in the standard references.

The bronze ‘drachms’ of the late Sasanian period are still open to further research and discussion. Whether these extremely rare issues were circulated due to a lack of silver at the time or whether, given their scarcity, they are simply the core of fourrée coins is still up for debate. The lack of silver plating on any available examples makes the latter argument hard to prove.

457.

Sasanian Kingdom, Ohrmazd (Hormizd) V (or VI?) AR Drachm. WYHC (the Treasury mint), dated RY 1 = circa AD 631. Crowned bust to right wearing mural crown with frontal crescent, two wings and star in crescent; stars flanking headdress, crescent to right of bust / Fire altar with ribbons and attendants; star and crescent flanking flames. Stephen Album 36, 133 (2,800 USD); Göbl type I/1. 4.10g, 31mm, 3h.

Good Very Fine. Extremely Rare.

A tumultuous civil war followed the death of Khosrau II in AD 628, and it is thought that Hormizd V or VI was one of the unsuccessful claimants to the throne, probably Khosrau II’s grandson, who was murdered after a short time on the throne. Hs coinage mimics the later issues of Khosrau II and he is recorded as having struck only silver drachms for years 1-3. For more information about this ruler and his coinage see H. Mehdi Malek, ‘Late Sasanian Coinage and the Collection in the Muzeh Melli Iran’ Review of V. S. Curtis, M. E. Askari, E. J. Pendleton, R. Hodges and A. A. Safi ed., Sasanian Coins. A Sylloge of the Sasanian Coins in the National Museum of Iran (Muzeh Melli Iran), Tehran, Volume 2: Khusrau II - Yazdgard III, in Numismatic Chronicle 173 (2013), p. 493-5.

PHILISTIA

Of Significant Numismatic Interest

Philistia (Palestine), uncertain mint AR Tetradrachm. Imitating Athens, circa 450-400 BC(?). Head of Athena to right, wearing crested Attic helmet ornamented with three olive leaves above visor and spiral palmette on bowl, round earring with central boss, and pearl necklace; uncertain Aramaic or Phoenician letter on cheek, perhaps a taw(?) / Owl standing to right with head facing, olive sprig and crescent behind, ΑΘΕ before; all within incuse square. Unpublished in the standard references; for similar examples, cf. SNG ANS 3 (shin on cheek), Heritage 3042, 29128 (uncertain letter on cheek), CNG 97, 399 (aleph on cheek guard), CNG 84, 738 (shin on cheek), Leu Numismatik 83, 246 (aleph on neck); for general classification, cf. Van Alfen, Mechanisms III.C.2. 17.17g, 24mm, 7h.

Near Mint State. Apparently unique and unpublished, and of significant numismatic interest.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd, E-Sale 90, 18 November 2021, lot 677.

The fascinating specimen, which is struck in fine style and is a near-faithful rendering of the contemporary Athenian iteration, bears not a countermark but instead a raised letter on Athena’s cheek, probably either an Aramaic or Phoenician character and most closely resembling an Aramaic taw, that was cut into the original die. One comparable example, found in SNG ANS (3), has been linked to the Samaritan city of Shomron, owing to the presence of a shin-like character on the right cheek, but whether or not the letter observed here, and others akin to it, can genuinely be associated with particular governors, satraps, magistrates or indeed locales is, at present, uncertain.

The altering of imitative Athens tetradrachms from Levantine, Egypt and Arabia with (most commonly) Aramaic style countermarks and/or graffiti was widespread during the fifth-fourth century BC. Van Alfen, in his exhaustive and illuminating review of the subject (The 1989 Syria Hoard, 2002, p. 5), maintains that such punches were most likely the personal emblems of specific magistrates or bankers, and advises against attempting to associate marks with particular Eastern mints. With this in mind, the questions arises whether the letter observed in relief here should also be considered the mark of an individual as opposed to a city ethnic. Clearly, further investigation is required.

458.

Only Two Cited by Gitler & Tal

Philistia (Palestine), uncertain mint AR Obol. Circa 450-333 BC. Hybrid janiform head: female head to right, male head facing, lion atop to right (as headdress), head reverted / Helmeted head of Athena to right; all within incuse square. Gitler & Tal XIV35O. 0.90g, 10mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare; only two examples cited by Gitler & Tal, no others on CoinArchives.

From a private UK collection.

While the obverse of this coin is extremely rare, the reverse iconography appears to be part of a Philistian tradition of depicting janiform heads of varying styles which were often not in the form that would be familiar to those accustomed to Classical janiform heads, where the two heads are mirrored in size and style with only subtle differences. The composition portrayed here, with one head in profile to right and the other facing, with a lion taking the form of the headdress, is by no means the most unusual example cited by Gitler & Tal. A Philistian drachm, dating from the same period, shows a bearded archaic male head to the right as would be expected, but the second head is that of a highly stylised gorgoneion that is perpendicularly orientated (Gitler & Tal XIII.5D). Perhaps more unusual still, is a drachm where the right head of Athena in profile is in relief and the left head of a crowned, bearded man is incuse (Gitler & Tal XIV.36D).

Philistia (Palestine), uncertain mint AR Drachm. Circa 450-333 BC. Head to right / Owl standing facing, wings spread; all within incuse square. For similar, cf. Gitler & Tal XIV.33d (female head with ponytail, olive spray on rev.). 2.60g, 14mm, 9h. Very Fine; test cut. Extremely Rare.

From a private UK collection.

Philistia (Palestine), uncertain mint AR Diobol(?). Circa 450-333 BC. Laureate male head to right / Owl facing, wings closed, between two palm branches; all within incuse square. Sofaer -; cf. Gitler & Tal XIV.32 (obol) for comparable rev. type. 1.59g, 14mm, 3h.

Near Very Fine. Seemingly unique and unpublished.

From a private UK collection.

Philistia (Palestine), uncertain mint AR Obol. Circa 450-333 BC. Bearded and helmeted male head to right, helmet decorated with lily / Bes standing facing; linear device in upper left field, shin in upper right field; all within incuse square. Gitler & Tal XVIII.2Da = Mildenberg, Bes 22 var. (denomination); HGC 10, -. 0.71g, 10mm, 7h.

Near Extremely Fine. Apparently unique and unpublished; this type only known to Gitler & Tal by a single drachm, no others on CoinArchives From a private UK collection..

Philistia (Palestine), uncertain mint AR Hemiobol. Circa 450-333 BC. Helmeted head of Athena to right / Human-headed bird (inspired by Ba?) standing to right; olive sprig behind, [Α]ΘΕ before; all within incuse square. Gitler & Tal XIII.1HO (same dies?); HGC 10, 614. 0.29g, 8mm, 5h. Good Very Fine. Of the greatest rarity; only one example cited by Gitler & Tal, no others on CoinArchives, seemingly the second recorded example.

From a private UK collection.

466.

Philistia (Palestine), Gaza AR Drachm. Circa 450-400 BC. Helmeted head of Athena to right; H on cheek / Owl standing to right, head facing; olive spray in upper left field; AΘE to right. Huth 6; Svoronos pl. 109, 34; Gitler & Tal -; CNG E-425, lot 238; Roma XVIII, lot 744; CNG 105, lot 432. 3.23g, 15mm, 9h.

Very Fine. Extremely Rare.

From a private UK collection.

Philistia (Palestine), Gaza AR Drachm. Circa 450-333 BC. Male head to right, with oriental hairstyle / Head of Bes facing; ‘Z (in Aramaic) across lower fields. Gitler & Tal VI.14D; HGC 10, 552. 4.05g, 14mm, 3h.

Near Extremely Fine; test cut. Very Rare.

From a private UK collection.

JUDAEA

Of Great Historical Importance

Judaea. Herodians. Agrippa I, with Herod of Chalcis and Claudius Æ 27mm. Caesarea Maritima, dated RY 8 of Agrippa I = 43 CE. BAC AΓPIΠΠAC [CEB KAICAP BAC HPΩΔHC] (King Agrippa, Augustus Caesar, King Herod), Claudius, togate, standing to left, sacrificing from patera, between Agrippa I and Herod of Chalcis, each crowning the emperor with a wreath; [LH] (date) in exergue / [OPKI]A BAC AΓPIΠΠA [Π CEΒ KAICAP AK CYNKΛHTON K] ΔHM PΩM ΦIΛI K CY MAXI [AYTOY] (A vow and treaty of friendship and alliance between the Great King Agrippa and Augustus Caesar, the Senate and the People of Rome) in two concentric circles divided by wreath; clasped right hands in centre; c/m: laureate(?) male head to left within oval incuse. RPC I 4982; TJC 124a (same dies as plated example); Burnett, Coinage 8; Hendin 1248; for c/m, GIC 156. 15.24g, 27mm, 12h.

Very Fine. Extremely Rare; of great historical importance.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XXII, 7 October 2021, lot 524.

This extremely rare coin commemorates the treaty wherein Claudius awarded the kingdoms of Judaea and Samaria to Agrippa, and Chalcis to Agrippa’s brother Herod. The reverse legend is an excerpt of the treaty and appropriately encircles two clasped hands signifying the agreement, a long-established Roman numismatic motif dating back to the first century BC (see Crawford 450/2). That the agreement was rather favourable to Agrippa perhaps reflects his importance as a political force in the promotion of Claudius’ succession (for an account of Agrippa’s role, see Flavius Josephus, Antiquities, 19.236-45).

The obverse depicts three full-length portraits of the two client kings crowning the emperor Claudius with laurel wreaths, all of whom are identified by the obverse legend. Whilst it is tempting to imagine, there is no historical record of such a ceremony taking place during the treaty making in Rome in AD 41. Despite this, the crowning scene is highly intriguing in its novelty - there is no parallel in Roman coinage of an emperor being crowned by two client kings. The iconography has been discussed at length by Andreas Kropp, who rightly highlights that Roman artists would never have depicted such a scene implying the source of the emperor’s power came from the hands of mere mortals, let alone a client king. As such, this coin appears to have been designed by artists at the Caesarea mint not for the glorification of the emperor but for emphasising Agrippa’s own power as a kingmaker, rather than a mere vassal, and without fear of Roman authority (see Crowning the Emperor an unorthodox image of Claudius, Agrippa I and Herod of Chalkis, 2013).

ROMAN PROVINCIAL COINS

An Infamous Alliance

McAlee 174; Prieur 27. 15.49g, 25mm, 1h.

Extremely Fine; displaying two bold portraits.

Ex Dmitry Markov Coins & Medals - M&M Numismatics Ltd - Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles - Sovereign Rarities Ltd, The New York Sale 54, 11 January 2022, lot 181.

This tetradrachm, struck after the return of Antony to the East, proclaims the new political alliance between the triumvir and the Egyptian queen Cleopatra. Antony’s choice to leave the sister of his rival Octavian was a bold move which completely separated him from his homeland, though the many titles and honours he received when he made this transition are symptomatic of the irresistible allure of the luxurious Eastern world.

Despite Antony having been away for four years, during which time he had married another woman and fathered two daughters, Cleopatra eagerly accepted Antony’s invitation to join him in Antioch, where the two were married and made ostentatious display of their partnership. She had already borne twins for Antony, and the difficulty of maintaining the Ptolemaic Kingdom intact while Rome eyed up her rich and bountiful, but weak, country was no doubt the prime motivating factor. Though this coin confirms their political union, the individual sovereignty of both Cleopatra and Antony is distinctly maintained by their placement on obverse and reverse respectively rather than displaying them in a conjoined bust format.

This issue has been traditionally assigned to Antioch, however R. McAlee points out that the letter forms (C for Σ and ω for Ω) are inconsistent with those on contemporary Antiochene issues. Moreover, Antioch remained in Roman rule despite Antony granting vast tracts of territory to Cleopatra. The placement of Cleopatra, not Antony, on the obverse also points to a mint within Egyptian territory, perhaps in Phoenicia. For this same reason, a military mint moving with Antony appears unlikely. Nonetheless, the dating of the coin suggests that it may well have been issued in support of Antony, and in particular of his Parthian campaign, a great undertaking involving more than 100,000 Roman and allied troops which ultimately proved to be a complete failure that cost the lives of about 25,000 men.

This joint issue coinage (along with the similar denarius type) no doubt contributed to the increasingly prevalent view in Rome that Antony had deserted his Roman values and indeed the Roman people; a view that was shortly thereafter firmly cemented by the Donations of Alexandria, in which ceremony Antony paraded himself dressed as Dionysus and proceeded to distribute Rome’s eastern territories to the children of Cleopatra and grant them many titles. When Octavian obtained Marc Antony’s will from the temple of Vesta, distaste turned to outrage as it was read out in the Senate that Antony wished to be buried with Cleopatra in Alexandria. When the second term of the Second Triumvirate expired on the last day of 33 BC, the Roman world again found itself at war.

Marc Antony and Cleopatra VII AR Tetradrachm of Antioch, Seleucis and Pieria. Circa 36 BC. BACIΛICCA KΛЄOΠATPA ΘЄA NЄѠTЄPA, diademed and draped bust of Cleopatra to right / ANTѠNIOC AVTOKPATѠP TPITON TPIѠN ANΔPѠN, bare head of Marc Antony to right. RPC I 4094;

Marc Antony and Cleopatra VII AR Tetradrachm of Antioch, Seleucis and Pieria. Circa 36 BC. BACIΛICCA KΛЄOΠATPA ΘЄA NЄѠTЄPA, diademed and draped bust of Cleopatra to right / ANTѠNIOC AVTOKPATѠP TPITON TPIѠN ANΔPѠN, bare head of Marc Antony to right. RPC I 4094; McAlee 174; Prieur 27. 15.07g, 27mm, 12h.

Very Fine. Attractive tone, a well-centred example.

A Magnificent Cistophorus

Augustus AR Cistophorus of Ephesus, Ionia. Circa 25 BC. IMP•CAESAR, bare head to

cornucopiae on its back; all within wreath. RPC I 2213, RIC I 477; BN 916. 12.09g, 26mm, 1h.

Good Extremely Fine; wonderful old cabinet tone. Rare.

Ex Auktionhaus H. D. Rauch GmbH, Auction 94, 9 April 2014, lot 703; Ex Münzen und Medaillen AG Basel, Auction 81, 18 September 1995, lot 170.

AVGVSTVS,

3,000

The significance of the constellation Capricorn to Augustus is subject to debate, with some ancient sources reporting that it was his birth sign and others relating that he was conceived under the sign - the latter tying in with his official birthday on 23rd-24th September. Although we now view conception and birth as two separate events, the Romans viewed conception through to birth as a continuous process.

Under the tropical zodiac, the sun transits Capricorn from late December to late January, marking midwinter and the shortest day of the year. For this reason, often it was considered a hostile sign but Augustus chose to interpret it positively since it had governed two major events in his life - the granting of imperium to him by the Senate in January 43 BC, and the acceptance of the title Augustus on 16 January 27 BC.

The capricorn is represented as a goat with a fish tail, and is often thought to be a representation of Pan escaping an attack by the monster Typhon. Having jumped into the Nile, the half of Pan’s body which was submerged was transformed into a fish. An alternative interpretation is that the goat is Amalthea, who suckled the infant Zeus after Rhea rescued him from being devoured by his father Cronus. The broken horn of Amalthea transformed into the cornucopiae, which on the present example is carried on the back of the capricorn. It is a symbol of fertility and abundance, and here accompanies the corona civica, awarded to Romans who saved the lives of fellow citizens by slaying an enemy, but in the case of Augustus for having saved the entire Roman citizenry from the horrors of further civil war

In 27 BC, Augustus had declared Ephesus the capital of Asia Minor, promoting the city above the former capital Pergamum. The decision to use such striking imagery alongside his birth sign for issues minted in the new capital reinforced Augustus as the head of the new imperial regime.

Augustus AR Cistophorus of Pergamum, Mysia. 19-18 BC. IMP•IX TR PO V, bare head to right / Hexastyle temple with ROM ET AVGVST inscribed on entablature; COM ASIAE across fields. RPC I 2219; RIC I 506; BMCRE 705 (Ephesus); Sutherland group VII; RSC 86. 11.85g, 27mm, 12h.

Good Extremely Fine; a spectacular portrait and striking old cabinet tone.

Ex Peter Corcoran Collection; Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XVII, 28 March 2019, lot 634.

1,200

right /

capricorn to right, head to left,

Caligula, with Divus Augustus, AR Drachm of uncertain Cretan mint (Gortyna?). AD 37-41. Γ • KAIΣAP ΣEB • ΓERM • APX • MEΓ • ΔHM EKOY • YΠA, bare-headed bust of Caligula to right, slight drapery over shoulder; sceptre behind / Radiate head of Augustus to left; seven stars around. RPC I 965.38 (this coin); Svoronos, Numismatique 4. 2.69g, 18mm, 12h.

Good Extremely Fine; featuring an attractive old cabinet tone and two wonderful portraits. Rare; especially so in this condition. This coin published at Roman Provincial Coinage Online (rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk); Ex Peter Corcoran Collection; Ex Classical Numismatic Group, Auction 111, 29 May 2019, lot 496.

1,200

Claudius AR Cistophorus of uncertain mint, Asia Minor. AD 41-54. TI CLAVD CAES AVG, bare head to left / Distyle temple inscribed ROM ET AVG on entablature and containing figure of Augustus, standing facing on left, holding spear, being crowned by female figure on right, holding cornucopiae; COM-ASI across fields. RPC I 2221 (Ephesus); RIC I 120 (Pergamum); BMCRE 228 (Ephesus). 11.29g, 26mm, 7h.

Good Extremely Fine; well-centred and lustrous.

Not since the magnificent and varied types of Augustus over sixty years earlier had any cistophori been produced by the Romans. Two brief issues were struck under Claudius, which appear to have been commemorative in nature, and not intended for general circulation. The present type, from the first issue, probably depicts the temple of Roma and Augustus at Pergamum, to which mint this type is sometimes attributed. The authors of RPC note however that the numerous die links between this issue and that depicting the temple of Diana at Ephesus indicate that despite the reverse types, the coins were all produced at a single mint - probably Ephesus, since that is where the second Claudian issue appears to have been made.

Extremely Fine.

From the inventory of a UK dealer.

472.

Nero AR Hemidrachm of Caesarea, Cappadocia. AD 59-60. [NERO] CLAVD DIVI CLAVD F CAESAR AVG GER[MANI], laureate head to right / Nike seated to right on globe, holding wreath. RPC I 3645; RIC I 617; SNG Copenhagen 182; Sydenham, Caesarea 82. 1.76g, 14mm, 1h.

475.

Vespasian AR Didrachm of Caesarea, Cappadocia. AD 76/7. ΛVTOKPΛ KΛIЄΛP OYCCΠΑCIΑNOC CЄBΑCTOC, laureate head to right / NIKH CЄBACTH, Nike advancing to right, holding wreath and palm. RPC II 1647; Metcalf 1; Sydenham, Caesarea 89. 6.91g, 21mm, 1h.

476.

Vespasian AR Tetradrachm of Antioch, Seleucis and Pieria. Dated ‘New Holy Year’ 2 = AD 69/70. AYTOKPATΩ[P KAICAP CEBACTO]C OYECΠACIANOC, laureate head to right / ETOY[C] NEOY IEPOY B, eagle standing to left on club with wings spread, holding wreath in beak; palm to left. RPC II 1971; McAlee 357; Prieur 135. 14.81g, 25mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine; an exceptional example featuring a superb portrait of Vespasian with a beautiful old cabinet tone, among the very finest specimens of the type to come to auction in the past twenty years.

300 2x 2x

ΔΗΜΑΡΧ • ΕΞ •

ΥΠΑΤ • Γ, head of Zeus-Ammon to right. RPC III 1; Sydenham, Caesarea 177. 1.72g, 16mm, 7h.

477. 300

Extremely Fine.

Trajan AR Tetradrachm of Antioch, Seleucis and Pieria. AD 103-111. AYTOKP KAIC NЄP TPAIANOC CЄB ΓЄPM ΔAK, laureate head to right, set on eagle standing to right; club in right field / ΔHMAPX ЄΞ YΠATЄ, laureate bust of Melkart-Hercules to right, with lion skin tied around neck. RPC III 3528; McAlee 455; Prieur 1495 (Tyre). 15.11g, 27mm, 6h.

Good Extremely Fine; well-detailed. Rare.

Purchased from Dr. Martina Dieterle, 18 February 2005, collector’s ticket included.

Hadrian and Sabina (wife of Hadrian) BI Tetradrachm of Alexandria, Egypt. Dated RY 17 = AD 132/3. ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙϹ ΤΡΑΙ ΑΔΡΙΑ ϹЄΒ, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust of Hadrian to right / CABINA CЄBACTH, draped bust Sabina to right, wearing stephane; L IZ (date) before. RPC III 5821; Dattari (Savio) 7361; BMC 569; SNG Fitzwilliam 2057; Emmett 886. 12.90g, 25mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine; struck in high relief, a wonderful portrait of Sabina.

From a private European collection.

Antinous (favourite of Hadrian) Æ Drachm of Alexandria, Egypt. Dated RY 19 of Hadrian = AD 134/5. ANTINOOV HPѠ[OC], draped bust to right, wearing hem-hem crown / Antinous, cloaked and holding caduceus, on horseback to right; L IΘ (date) in right field. RPC III 6062; Dattari (Savio) 2082 (same dies?); Emmett 1346. 20.94g, 32mm, 12h.

Near Very Fine.

From a private European collection.

Antinous’ death by accidental drowning in the Nile in October AD 130 was a severe blow to Hadrian, for the youth had been his close companion and confidant for nearly five years, and had accompanied the emperor throughout his great tour of the empire beginning in March 127. Hadrian’s marriage to Sabina was an unhappy one, and Antinous has been described as the one person who seems to have connected most profoundly with Hadrian throughout the latter’s life (see R. Lambert, Beloved and God: The Story of Hadrian and Antinous, 1984, p.30). It is unsurprising therefore that Hadrian decreed that Antinous should be elevated to the Roman pantheon as a god, and that a city should be built at the site of his death. What was most unexpected however was that he deified the young man without consulting the Senate, and that he ordered Antinous’ image to be placed on coinage across the empire.

The coinage in the name of the deified Antinous was substantial. In all, over thirty cities issued bronzes bearing his image, though none as prolifically as Alexandria in Egypt, where his cult, associated with Osiris, was particularly strong. Hadrian himself, we are told, preferred to associate Antinous with Mercury/Hermes, but across the empire he was far more widely syncretised with the god Dionysus. A great many busts and statues of his were set up in cities across the Roman world, of which numerous examples survive including the iconic ‘Braschi Antinous’, now in the sala rotonda of the Vatican Museums. That statue, on whose head modern restorers placed a sort of pine cone, would have originally been topped with a lotus flower or hem-hem crown, as on the present coin type. To create the myriad busts, statues and engraved images Hadrian turned to Greek sculptors to perpetuate the melancholic beauty and diffident manner of Antinous, in the process creating what Caroline Vout (Power and Eroticism in Imperial Rome, 2007) described as ‘the last independent creation of Greco-Roman art’. All of his images share certain distinct features, including tousled curls, a perfect Hellenic nasion, and a downcast gaze - that allow him to be instantly recognized.

481.

Descended from Spartans

Septimius Severus Æ 31mm of Amblada, Pisidia. AD 193-211. ΑV ΚΑΙ ΛΟV ϹЄΠ ϹЄVΗΡΟϹ ΠЄΡ, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust to right / ΑΜΒΛΑΔЄѠΝ ΛΑΚЄΔΑΙΜΟΝΙѠΝ, Tychai of Amblada and Sparta standing, facing each other, clasping hands, each wearing kalathos and holding long sceptre ΦΙΛΟϹΟ to left, ΑΡΤЄΜΙΔ in exergue. Unpublished in the standard references. 20.19g, 31mm, 12h.

Good Extremely Fine. Very Rare.

1,200

This coin published in H. Arroyo-Quirce. “ΦΙΛ(Ο) ΑΡΤЄΜΙΔ. An enigmatic coin legend from Amblada in Pisidia and the philosophos Artemidoros” in Zeitschrift für Papyrologie und Epigraphik 216 (2020) 129–132;

Acquired from Dr. Busso Peus Nachfolger;

Acquired from Münzhandlung Ritter, 7 January 2009, collector’s ticket included.

The reverse legend of this type proudly proclaims Spartan heritage with the word ‘ΛΑΚЄΔΑΙΜΟΝΙѠΝ’, the ancient name of the Spartan people derived from the mythical king Lacedaemon who founded their city. The reverse type of the Tyches of both Amblada and Sparta clasping hands in a gesture of alliance or friendship points to a connection between the two cities, perhaps of historic descent or in recognition for assistance when threatened by Athens.

Hercules and Lernaean Hydra

Caracalla Æ 35mm of Tarsus, Cilicia. AD 198-217. ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙ Μ ΑΥΡ CЄΥΗΡΟC ΑΝΤΩΝЄΙΝΟC CЄΒ, laureate head to left; Π-Π across fields, star below / ΑΝΤΩΝΙΑΝΗC CЄΥH ΑΔΡ ΜΗΤ, Hercules, holding lion skin, attacking the Hydra with club to left; ΤΑΡCΟΥ in exergue, Δ Ε Κ in two lines in lower central field. SNG Levante 1051 = Voegtli 2q (same dies); SNG BnF -; SNG von Aulock -. 15.94g, 35mm, 1h.

Good Extremely Fine; an exquisitely detailed rev., highlighting a wonderfully dynamic clash. Very Rare; and seemingly the finest known specimen.

482. 4,500

Ex Classical Numismatic Group, Triton XXIII, 14 January 2020, lot 802;

Ex Nomos AG, Auction 6, 8 May 2012, lot 177 (hammer: CHF 8,500);

Ex LHS Numismatik AG, Auction 95, 25 October 2005, lot 832.

The reverse of this coin depicts the second of Hercules’ Twelve Labours, the slaying of the so-called Lernaean Hydra, the lake-monster with many snake-like heads of which two would regrow for every one that was cut off. Hercules successfully defeated this creature with the help of his nephew, Iolaus, who burnt the stumps of the monster’s heads after they had been cut off to stop them regrowing. The last, immortal, head of the Hydra was dealt with by burial deep within the ground.

483.

Macrinus, with Diadumenian, as Caesar, Æ Pentassarion of Marcianopolis, Moesia Inferior. AD 217-218. Pontianus, legatus consularis. AVT K OΠEΛ CEVH MAKPEINOC K M OΠEΛ ANTΩNEINOC •, laureate head of Macrinus to right, facing bare head of Diadumenian to left / VΠ ΠONTIANOV MAPKIANOΠOΛEITΩN, city gate with three portals, surmounted by four statues; E (mark of value) to left. H&J 6.24.46.2; Varbanov 1220 var. (obv. legend); for rev. type, Price & Trell 44 (Gordian III). 10.91g, 26mm, 6h.

484. 150

485.

Severus Alexander Æ 31mm of Perinthus, Thrace. AD 222-235. ΑV Κ Μ ΑVΡ CΕV ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟC ΑV, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust to right / ΠΕΡΙΝΘΙΩΝ Δ[ΙC Ν]ΕΩΚΟΡΩΝ, Asklepios standing facing, head to left, leaning on serpent-entwined staff. BMC -; Varbanov 418 var. (obv. legend and bust type); Moushmov 4626var. (obv. legend). 16.45g, 31mm, 2h.

Near Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare; no other examples on CoinArchives.

Philip I BI Tetradrachm of Antioch, Seleucis and Pieria. AD 247. AYTOK K M IOYΛI ΦIΛIΠΠOC CЄB, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust to right / ΔHMAPX ЄΞOYCIAC YΠA TO Γ, eagle standing facing, head to right, wings spread and tail to right, holding wreath in beak; ANTIOXIA SC in two lines in exergue. RPC VIII Online Unassigned ID 29035; McAlee 904; Prieur 377. 11.40g, 26mm, 6h.

Good Extremely Fine.

150

DAY TWO - THURSDAY 23 MARCH 2023, 1:00 PM COINS OF THE ROMAN REPUBLIC

Anonymous AR Didrachm. Rome, 269-266 BC. Head of Hercules to right, wearing taenia, with club and lion-skin over shoulder / She-wolf standing to right, head to left, suckling the twins Romulus and Remus; ROMANO in exergue. Crawford 20/1; BMCRR Romano-Campanian 28; RSC 8. 7.10g, 22mm, 9h.

Extremely Fine; well-centred, beautiful light cabinet tone with hints of golden iridescence. Acquired from Bertolami Fine Arts - ACR Auctions.

While Pliny writes “the Roman people did not even use silver coin before the defeat of Pyrrhus” which took place in 275 BC, modern scholars can scarcely hope to be as categorical as the ancient author (NH xxxiii, 42). It is clear, however, that the silver didrachm emerged at some point during the early 3rd century BC, weighing around 6.8g or six scruples, consistent with the weight of a south Italian Greek didrachm. Thomsen suggested that this Hercules / Wolf type can be conclusively dated to 269 BC, since the type alludes to the consuls of that year, C. Fabius Pictor, of whom Hercules was the patron, and Q. Ogulnius L. f. Q. n. Gallus, whose ancestors Gnaeus and Quintus Ogulnius had as curule aediles used fines collected from violators of usury laws to erect a statue of the she-wolf in 296 BC (ERC III, p. 120). Mitchell, however, assigns the date of this issue much earlier, to the date of the statue’s erection, and argues that the legend ROMANO, which appears on four early didrachms, indicates that this coinage was struck outside Rome, as opposed to the later didrachms which bear the legend ROMA (‘A New Chronology for the Romano-Campanian Coins’, NC 1966, pp.66-7). Mattingly had suggested earlier that the latter legend “might seem to indicate the sovereignty of Rome more explicitly” (‘The Various Styles of the Roman Republican Coinage’, NC 1949, p.63.).

Crawford meanwhile believes that although basing the date upon the family histories of the consuls is misconceived, since he argues that it was in fact the censors who were responsible for issues of the didrachm (RRC p.714), he nonetheless also dates it to 269 BC noting that of the four issues of silver didrachms it is the first to bear distinctly Roman imagery. He suggests the portrait of Hercules may be that of Hercules Victor, which would be “highly suitable for a coinage struck from the spoils of war and perhaps reflecting the Roman ideology of military prowess” after the victory against Pyrrhus (RRC p.714). Following the sporadic didrachm issues, the so-called Quadrigati emerged in the latter half of the 3rd century and were eventually issued in large quantities throughout the Punic Wars. At some point circa 214-212 the denomination was replaced by the denarius, a shift that would prove decisive and would dominate Roman coinage for centuries to come. Nevertheless, the wolf type, which is rendered for the first time so masterfully on this early didrachm, would endure as an iconic and patriotic symbol of Rome on coinage well into the imperial period and beyond, eventually achieving a satisfying historical circularity when it was employed on the municipal coinage of Rome under the Ostrogoths for what was to be the last issue of coinage struck by the ancient Romans in their own name.

487. 600

488.

Anonymous AR Didrachm. Rome, 269-266 BC. Head of Hercules to right, wearing taenia, with club and lion-skin over shoulder / She-wolf standing to right, head to left, suckling the twins Romulus and Remus; ROMAN[O] in exergue. Crawford 20/1; BMCRR Romano-Campanian 28; RSC 8. 6.61g, 22mm, 9h.

Good Very Fine.

From a private European collection.

Ex NFA XIV, 1984

Anonymous AR Didrachm. Rome (or Neapolis?), circa 250-240 BC. Head of Roma (or Diana?) to right, wearing Phrygian cap; cornucopiae behind / Victory standing to right, attaching wreath to long palm, ROMANO upwards in left field, Σ in right field. Crawford 22/1; BMCRR Romano-Campanian 35; RSC 7a. 6.51g, 19mm, 5h.

Extremely Fine; attractive lightly iridescent cabinet tone.

Ex Numismatic Fine Arts, Auction XIV, 29 November 1984, lot 298 (original ticket included).

4,500

489.

Anonymous AR Didrachm (Quadrigatus). Rome, circa 225-214 BC. Laureate head of Janus / Jupiter standing in galloping quadriga driven to right by Victory, holding sceptre and reins, brandishing thunderbolt overhead; ROMA incuse on tablet below. Crawford 28/3; BMCRR Romano-Campanian 78-99; RSC 23. 6.82g, 22mm, 9h.

Good Extremely Fine; lustrous metal, lightly toned.

Privately purchased from Gorny & Mosch Giessener Münzhandlung, inv. #111044.

900

Anonymous AR Didrachm (Quadrigatus). Rome, circa 225-214 BC. Laureate head of Janus / Jupiter standing in galloping quadriga driven to right by Victory, holding sceptre and reins, brandishing thunderbolt overhead; ROMA incuse on tablet below. Crawford 28/3; BMCRR Romano-Campanian 78-99; RSC 23. 6.66g, 22mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine; well-centred.

Privately purchased from Gorny & Mosch Giessener Münzhandlung, inventory #050719.

900

Anonymous AR Didrachm (Quadrigatus). Rome, circa 225-214 BC. Laureate head of Janus / Jupiter standing in galloping quadriga driven to right by Victory, holding sceptre and reins, brandishing thunderbolt overhead; ROMA incuse on tablet below. Crawford 28/3; BMCRR Romano-Campanian 78-99; RSC 23. 6.66g, 22mm, 6h.

Near Mint State.

Privately purchased from Gorny & Mosch Giessener Münzhandlung, inventory #050719.

900

Anonymous AR Didrachm (Quadrigatus). Rome, circa 225-214 BC. Laureate head of Janus / Jupiter standing in galloping quadriga driven to right by Victory, holding sceptre and reins, brandishing thunderbolt overhead; ROMA incuse on tablet below. Crawford 28/3; BMCRR Romano-Campanian 78-99; RSC 23. 6.86g, 24mm, 5h.

Extremely Fine; light cabinet tone.

From the inventory of a North American dealer.

Anonymous AR Didrachm (Quadrigatus). Rome, circa 225-214 BC. Laureate head of Janus / Jupiter standing in galloping quadriga driven to right by Victory, holding sceptre and reins, brandishing thunderbolt overhead; below, ROMA in relief within linear frame. Crawford 28/3; BMCRR RomanoCampanian 101-106; RSC 24. 6.69g, 22mm, 2h.

Extremely Fine.

From the inventory of a North American dealer.

Anonymous Æ Sextans. Semilibral standard. Rome, 217-215 BC. Head of Mercury to right, wearing winged petasos; •• (mark of value) above / Prow of galley to right; ROMA above, •• (mark of value) below. Crawford 38/5; Sydenham 85; BMCRR Rome 59; McCabe Group AA; RBW 96-7. 27.16g, 30mm, 6h.

Good Very Fine; pleasant old ‘Tiber’ tone.

Ex Dr. Busso Peus Nachfolger, Auction 374, 23 April 2003, lot 246.

Dolphin Series AR Denarius. Sicily, 209-208 BC. Helmeted head of Roma to right; X (mark of value) behind / The Dioscuri, each holding spear, riding to right; dolphin to right below, ROMA in linear frame below. Crawford 80/1a; BMCRR Rome 423; RSC 20k; RBW 328. 4.37g, 21mm, 4h.

Near Mint State. Rare, and among the finest known.

Acquired from Numismatica Ars Classica AG.

Extremely Rare

Q Series Æ Uncia. Mint in South East Italy, 211-210 BC. Helmeted head of Roma to right; • (mark of value) behind / Prow to right; ROMA above, Q to right, • (mark of value) below. Crawford 86A/5; Sydenham 182d; RBW 362 = NAC 61, lot 369 (hammer: CHF 2,250); Roma E-70, 1000 (hammer: 1,100 GBP). 3.28g, 16mm, 1h.

Very Fine; mineral adhesions. Extremely Rare; seemingly only the fourth recorded specimen of the type. From the inventory of a UK dealer.

497.

VB series AR Victoriatus. Uncertain mint, 211-208 BC. Laureate head of Jupiter to right / Victory standing to right, crowning trophy of arms with wreath; VB monogram between, ROMA in exergue. Crawford 95/1a; BMCRR Italy 233; Sydenham 113; RSC 36m; RBW 389 (same rev. die). 3.36g, 18mm, 10h.

Mint State. Previously NGC graded MS (#4374450-032).

498.

VB series AR Victoriatus. Uncertain mint, 211-208 BC. Laureate head of Jupiter to right / Victory standing to right, crowning trophy of arms with wreath; VB monogram between, ROMA in exergue. Crawford 95/1b; BMCRR Italy 235; Sydenham 113; RSC 36m; RBW 390. 3.34g, 18mm, 3h.

Mint State. Previously NGC graded MS (#4374450-024).

499.

VB series AR Victoriatus. Uncertain mint, 211-208 BC. Laureate head of Jupiter to right / Victory standing to right, crowning trophy of arms with wreath; VB monogram between, ROMA in exergue. Crawford 95/1a; BMCRR Italy 233; Sydenham 113; RSC 36m; RBW 389. 3.29g, 19mm, 9h.

Mint State. Previously NGC graded MS (4374443-095).

500.

L series AR Victoriatus. Luceria, 211-208 BC. Laureate head of Jupiter to right / Victory standing to right, crowning trophy with wreath; ⇂ between, ROMA in exergue. Crawford 97/1b; BMCRR Italy 161; Sydenham 121; RSC 36e*; RBW 395. 3.50g, 18mm, 2h.

Mint State. Previously NGC graded MS (#4374448-112).

600

600

600

600

Staff and Club series Æ Sextans. Etruria(?), 208 BC. Head of Mercury to right; •• (mark of value) above / Prow of galley to right; ROMA and staff above, •• (mark of value) below. Crawford 106/8a; RBW 487. 7.66g, 21mm, 12h.

Near Extremely Fine. Very Rare.

Ex collection of Z.P., Austria, Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 96, 5 May 2022, lot 842, collector’s ticket included.

Ex Hersh, 1985

Star Series AR Denarius. Rome, 206-195 BC. Helmeted head of Roma to right; X (mark of value) behind / The Dioscuri, each holding spear, on horseback to right; star below, ROMA in linear frame below. Crawford 113/1; BMCRR Rome 457; RBW 516; RSC 20gg; R. Witschonke, ‘The H Denarius Rehabilitated’ in NC 168 (London, 2008), pl. 24, 28 (this coin). 3.96g, 19mm, 6h.

Good Extremely Fine; subtle old cabinet tone with blue iridescent highlights around devices.

This coin published in R. Witschonke, ‘The H Denarius Rehabilitated’ in NC 168 (London, 2008);

Ex Andrew McCabe Collection, Roma Numismatic Ltd., E-Sale 93, 6 January 2022, lot 873, collector’s tickets included; Ex RBW Collection;

Acquired from Charles Hersh, June 1985.

Imitative Star series Ӕ Quadrans. Uncertain mint, 2nd century BC. Head of Hercules to right; three pellets (mark of value) behind / Prow to right; ROMA above, star before, three pellets (mark of value) below. Cf. Crawford 196/4; RBW 845; Cf. Schaefer-McCabe, A Fresh Look at Roman Republican Star Bronzes, RRC 113 and 196” in Numismatic Chronicle 2011 for explanation of this imitative issue. 4.26g, 18mm, 12h. Near Mint State; in extraordinary condition.

Ex Don Ferrante Collection, Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 89, 28 October 2021, lot 879 (since professionally conserved); Ex Jesus Vico S.A., Auction 158, 14 April 2021, lot 401.

Not in Crawford, Paris or BMC

AT Series Æ Sextans. Rome, 169-158 BC. Head of Mercury to right, wearing winged petasos; •• (mark of value) above / Prow of galley to right; AT (ligate) above, •• (mark of value) before, ROMA below. Crawford 192/-; Sydenham -; R. Russo, Essays Hersh, pl. 21; RBW 825. 6.38g, 20mm, 9h. Very Fine. Extremely Rare; not in Crawford, nor in the Paris, British Museum or Hannover collections.

This coin published in Richard Schaefer’s Roman Republican Die Project (RRDP), binder 8, p. 176, available online at: http://numismatics.org/ archives/ark:/53695/schaefer.rrdp.b08#schaefer.rrdp.b08_0129; Ex Andrew McCabe Collection, Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 93, 6 January 2022, lot 883 (collector’s ticket included); Acquired from Numismatica Ars Classica AG, 2010.

180

L. Saufeius AR Denarius. Rome, 152 BC. Helmeted head of Roma to right; X (mark of value) behind / Victory driving galloping biga to right, holding reins and whip; L•SAVF (VF ligate) below horses, ROMA within linear frame in exergue. Crawford 204/1; BMCRR Rome 834; RSC Saufeia 1. 3.84g, 18mm, 9h.

Good Extremely Fine.

From a private European collection.

L. Saufeius AR Denarius. Rome, 152 BC. Helmeted head of Roma to right; X (mark of value) behind / Victory driving galloping biga to right, holding reins and whip; L•SAVF (VF ligate) below horses, ROMA within linear frame in exergue. Crawford 204/1; BMCRR Rome 834; RSC Saufeia 1. 4.26g, 18mm, 8h.

Near Extremely Fine; marvellous iridescent tone.

From a private European collection.

L. Sempronius Pitio AR Denarius. Rome, 148 BC. Helmeted head of Roma to right; PITIO downwards behind, X (mark of value) below chin / The Dioscuri, each holding spear, riding to right; L•SEMP below, ROMA within linear frame in exergue. Crawford 216/1; BMCRR Rome 716; RSC Sempronia 2. 4.55g, 20mm, 12h.

Good Extremely Fine; well-centred, attractive dark old cabinet tone. Ex

M. Junius AR Denarius. Rome, 145 BC. Head of Roma to right, wearing winged helmet; ass’s head behind, X (mark of value) below chin / The Dioscuri galloping to right, each holding spear; M•IVNI below; ROMA in exergue. Crawford 220/1; BMCRR Rome 867-74; RSC Junia 8. 3.66g, 18mm, 9h.

Extremely Fine.

Ex collection of Z.P., Austria, Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XXII, 8 October 2021, lot 563.

C. Valerius C.f. Flaccus AR Denarius. Rome, 140 BC. Helmeted head of Roma to right; X (mark of value) behind / Victory driving galloping biga to right, holding reins and whip; FLAC above, C•VAL•C•F (partially ligate) below, ROMA in exergue. Crawford 228/2; BMCRR Rome 879; RSC Valeria 7. 3.99g, 19mm, 4h.

Extremely Fine; attractive cabinet tone and iridescence.

From a private European collection.

Ti. Veturius AR Denarius. Rome, 137 BC. Helmeted and draped bust of Mars to right; TI•VET (partially ligate) downwards and X (mark of value) behind / Two soldiers face each other, each holding spear and touching pig held by figure kneeling between them with sword; ROMA above. Crawford 234/1; BMCRR Italy 550; RSC Veturia 1. 3.98g, 19mm, 6h.

Good Extremely Fine; attractive cabinet tone and iridescence.

From a private European collection.

Sex. Pompeius Fostlus AR Denarius. Rome, 137 BC. Helmeted head of Roma to right; capis to left, mark of value below chin / She-wolf standing to right, head to left, suckling the twins Remus and Romulus; to left, shepherd Faustulus standing to right, birds on fig tree behind; FOSTLVS downwards on left, SEX•P[O] upwards on right, ROMA in exergue. Crawford 235/1c; BMCRR Rome 927; RSC Pompeia 1; RBW -. 3.95g, 20mm, 6h.

Good Extremely Fine; uncommonly complete for the issue.

From a private European collection.

Cn. Lucretius Trio AR Denarius. Rome, 136 BC. Helmeted head of Roma to right; TRIO downwards behind, X (mark of value) below chin / The Dioscuri, each holding spear, riding to right; CN•LVCR below, ROMA in exergue. Crawford 237/1a; BMCRR Rome 929; RSC Lucretia 1. 3.92g, 19mm, 10h.

Good Extremely Fine; wonderful deep cabinet tone with flashes of iridescence. Ex Scipio Collection, Soler & Llach, Auction 1122, 26 October 2021, lot 268; Purchased from Carlos Fuster, December 1992.

Cn. Lucretius Trio AR Denarius. Rome, 136 BC. Helmeted head of Roma to right; TRIO downwards behind, X (mark of value) below chin / The Dioscuri, each holding spear, riding to right; CN•LVCR below, ROMA in exergue. Crawford 237/1a; BMCRR Rome 929; RSC Lucretia 1. 3.97g, 18mm, 1h.

Mint State; attractive lustre and iridescence.

From a private European collection.

C. Servilius M. f. AR Denarius. Rome, 136 BC. Helmeted head of Roma to right; wreath and mark of value behind, ROMA below / The Dioscuri galloping in opposite directions, heads reverted, holding spears; two stars above, C•SERVEILI• M•F in exergue. Crawford 239/1; BMCRR Italy 540; RSC Servilia 1. 3.94g, 20mm, 6h.

Good Extremely Fine; attractive iridescence around devices.

From a private European collection.

515.

L. Trebanius AR Denarius. Rome, 135 BC. Helmeted head of Roma to right; X (mark of value) behind / Jupiter driving galloping quadriga to right, holding sceptre and reins, and preparing to hurl thunderbolt; L•TREB[ANI] below, ROMA in exergue. Crawford 241/1a; BMCRR Rome 957; RSC Trebania 1. 3.86g, 18mm, 10h.

Mint State; lustrous metal.

P. Maenius Antiaticus M. f. AR Denarius. Rome, 132 BC. Helmeted head of Roma to right; mark of value behind / Victory driving quadriga to right, holding reins, palm branch and wreath; P•MAE ANT (partially ligate) below, ROMA in exergue. Crawford 249/1; BMCRR Rome 988; RSC Maenia 7. 3.93g, 19mm, 9h.

From a private European collection. 240

Mint State; attractive golden iridescence around devices.

517. 240

518.

P. Maenius Antiaticus M. f. AR Denarius. Rome, 132 BC. Helmeted head of Roma to right; mark of value behind / Victory driving quadriga to right, holding reins, palm branch and wreath; P•MAE ANT (partially ligate) below, ROMA in exergue. Crawford 249/1; BMCRR Rome 988; RSC Maenia 7. 3.98g, 20mm, 2h.

Mint State; attractive underlying lustre and hints of iridescence.

Ex Dr. Busso Peus Nachfolger, Auction 430, 27 April 2022, lot 114; Acquired from P. & P. Santamaria (Rome), 25 March 1975.

519.

Good Extremely Fine.

From a private European collection.

Q. Philippus AR Denarius. Rome, 129 BC. Helmeted head of Roma to right; mark of value behind / Macedonian horseman riding to right; Macedonian helmet to left, Q•PILIPVS below, ROMA in exergue. Crawford 259/1; BMCRR Rome 1143; RSC Marcia 11. 3.97g, 19mm, 3h.

Near Mint State; beautiful old cabinet tone, one of the very best examples offered at auction in the past 20 years.

From a private European collection.

520.

Cn. Domitius (Ahenobarbus or Calvinus) Æ Quadrans. Rome, 128 BC. Head of Hercules to right, wearing lion skin; ••• (mark of value) behind / DEOMI above prow of galley to right; ••• (mark of value) to right, ROMA below. Cf. Crawford 261/4 note (citing Paris, BnF A 9180); Sydenham -; RBW - . 4.17, 19mm, 9h.

Good Very Fine; mineral adhesions. Extremely Rare, only one other known example is cited with this reverse legend variant, with none present on CoinArchives.

From the inventory of a UK dealer.

521.

M. Furius L. f. Philus AR Denarius. Rome, 119 BC. M•FOVRI•L•F, laureate head of Janus / Roma standing to left, holding wreath and sceptre; to left, trophy of Gallic arms flanked by carnyx and shield on each side; star above, ROMA to right, PHI•L•I (ligate) in exergue. Crawford 281/1; BMCRR Italy 555-9; RSC Furia 18; RBW 1105. 3.90g, 20mm, 9h.

Good Extremely Fine; some areas of weak strike, wonderful old cabinet tone.

From a private European collection.

M. Sergius Silus AR Denarius. Rome, 116-115 BC. Helmeted head of Roma to right; EX•S•C upwards before, ROMA and mark of value behind / Horseman riding to left, holding sword and severed head, with shield slung across back; Q below forelegs, M•SERGI below, SILVS in exergue. Crawford 286/1; BMCRR Italy 512; RSC Sergia 1a. 3.91g, 20mm, 3h.

Good Extremely Fine; pleasant old cabinet tone, an extraordinarily difficult issue to find in high grade.

From a private European collection.

Among the Finest Known

M. Cipius AR Denarius. Rome, 115-114 BC. Helmeted head of Roma to right; M•CIPI•M•F before, X (mark of value) behind / Victory driving galloping biga to right, holding reins and palm branch; rudder below, ROMA in exergue. Crawford 289/1; BMCRR Italy 522-3; RSC Cipia 1. 3.59g, 17mm, 6h.

523. 900

Near Mint State. One of the finest examples of the type.

From a private European collection.

C. Fonteius AR Denarius. Rome, 114-113 BC. Laureate, janiform heads of the Dioscuri, S to left and mark of value to right / Galley to left with three rowers, gubernator at stern; C•FONT above, ROMA below. Crawford 290/1; BMCRR Italy 597; RSC Fonteia 1. 3.91g, 21mm, 7h.

Extremely Fine; beautiful old cabinet tone.

Ex collection of Z.P., Austria, Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XXII, 7 October 2021, lot 583.

T. Didius AR Denarius. Rome, 113-112 BC. Helmeted head of Roma to right; monogram of ROMA behind, mark of value below / Two gladiators fighting, each holding shield, one attacking to right with flail, the other defending to left with sword; T•DEIDI in exergue. Crawford 294/1; BMCRR Italy 530; RSC Didia 2. 3.94g, 20mm, 9h.

Extremely Fine.

Acquired from Artemide Aste s.r.l. (San Marino).

Babelon suggests that the reverse type refers to the moneyer’s ancestor T. Didius, who was sent to Sicily in 138 BC to quash a slave result that was ultimately the precursor to the first of the three Servile Wars. Crawford disagrees, suggesting that the reverse depicts a scene one would expect to witness at the games T. Didius promised to put on during his time as aedile, making this issue an example of electoral propaganda.

T. Didius AR Denarius. Rome, 113-112 BC. Helmeted head of Roma to right; monogram of ROMA behind, [mark of value] below / Two gladiators fighting, each holding shield, one attacking to right with flail, the other defending to left with sword; T•DEIDI in exergue. Crawford 294/1; BMCRR Italy 530; RSC Didia 2. 3.92g, 18mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine; beautiful old cabinet tone.

This coin published in Richard Schaefer’s Roman Republican Die Project (RRDP), processed clippings, 294_sd available online at: http://numismatics. org/archives/ark:/53695/schaefer.rrdp.processed_200-299; Ex Münzzentrum Rheinland, Auction 105, 10-12 January 2001, lot 489.

T. Manlius Mancinus, Appius Claudius Pulcher, and Q. Urbinius AR Denarius. Rome, 111-110 BC. Helmeted head of Roma to right; quadrangular device behind / Victory driving triga to right; T•MANL(ligate)•AP•CL•Q•VR in exergue. Crawford 299/1b; BMCRR Rome 1293; RSC Mallia 2 & Claudia 3. 3.92g, 18mm, 3h.

Good Extremely Fine; beautiful old cabinet tone with attractive iridescence.

From a private European collection.

526.

527.

Ex Peus 292, 1977

L. Memmius AR Denarius. Rome, 109-108 BC. Male head to right (Apollo?), wearing oak wreath; mark of value before / The Dioscuri standing facing before their horses, each holding spear; [L•MEMMI] in exergue. Crawford 304/1; BMCRR Italy 643; RSC Memmia 1. 3.91g, 19mm, 8h.

Near Extremely Fine.

Ex Dr. Busso Peus Nachfolger, Auction 292, 25 October 1977, lot 5120.

Q. Lutatius Cerco AR Denarius. Rome, 109-108 BC. Head of Roma (or Mars) to right, wearing helmet decorated with plume and stars; ROMA above, star (mark of value) behind, CERCO before / Galley to right; Q•LVTATI (partially ligate) Q in two lines above, all within oak wreath. Crawford 305/1; BMCRR Italy 636; RSC Lutatia 2. 3.87g, 19mm, 3h.

M. n. Fonteius AR Denarius. Rome, 108-107 BC. Jugate and laureate heads of the Dioscuri to right; two stars above, mark of value below chins / Ship to right; MN•FONTEI (partially ligate) above, A (control letter) below. Crawford 307/1b; BMCRR Rome 1204; Sydenham 566; RSC Fonteia 7. 3.98g, 22mm, 9h.

Extremely Fine; lustrous surfaces.

from Áureo & Calicó.

M. n. Fonteius AR Denarius. Rome, 108-107 BC. Jugate and laureate heads of the Dioscuri to right; P P upwards before, two stars above, mark of value below / Ship to right; MN•FONTEI (partially ligate) above; C (control letter) below. Crawford 307/1a; BMCRR Rome 1230; RSC Fonteia 8. 3.94g, 19mm, 1h. Extremely Fine.

from Tauler & Fau.

M. Herennius AR Denarius. Rome, 108-107 BC. Head of Pietas to right, wearing stephane; PIETAS downwards behind / Amphinomus running to right, carrying his father; M•HERENNI downwards behind, control mark before. Crawford 308/1b; BMCRR Rome 1258; RSC Herennia 1a. 4.03g, 19mm, 11h.

Mint State.

Ex Bertolami Fine Arts - ACR Auctions, Auction 87, 14 December 2020, lot 314.

M. Herennius AR Denarius. Rome, 108-107 BC. Head of Pietas to right, wearing stephane; PIETAS (partially ligate) downwards behind, P (control letter) before / Amphinomus, running to right, carrying his father Nisos; M•HERENNI downwards behind. Crawford 308/1a; BMCRR Rome 1251; RSC Herennia 1. 3.85g, 19mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine; wonderful old cabinet tone.

From a private European collection.

L. Memmius Galeria AR Serrate Denarius. Rome, 106 BC. Laureate bust of Saturn to left; ROMA and harpa behind / Venus driving biga to right; Cupid flying to left with laurel wreath above, V (control mark) below, L•MEMMI GAL in two lines in exergue. Crawford 313/1c; BMCRR Rome 1356; RSC Memmia 2a. 3.97g, 18mm, 6h.

Good Extremely Fine.

From a private European collection.

M. Lucilius Rufus AR Denarius. Rome, 101 BC. Helmeted head of Roma to right; PV behind; all within laurel wreath / Victory in biga to right; RVF above, M•LVCILI in exergue. Crawford 324/1; BMCRR Rome 1613; RSC Lucilia 1. 3.76g, 21mm, 11h.

Good Extremely Fine.

Ex collection of Z.P., Austria, Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XXII, 7 October 2021, lot 590.

D. Junius L. f. Silanus AR Denarius. Rome, 91 BC. Helmeted head of Roma to right; R (control mark) behind / Victory in biga to right; II (control mark) above, D•SILANVS L F ROMA in two lines in exergue. Crawford 337/3; BMCRR Rome 1827 var. (control numeral); RSC Junia 15. 3.90g, 18mm, 4h.

Near Mint State; lustrous.

Acquired from Dr. Busso Peus Nachfolger.

D. Silanus L .f. AR Denarius. Rome, 91 BC. Helmeted head of Roma to right; control mark behind / Victory in biga to right; control mark above, [D]•SILANVS [L F ROMA] in two lines in exergue. Crawford 337/3; BMCRR Rome 1772; RSC Junia 15. 4.03g, 17mm, 1h. Mint State; pleasant light cabinet tone.

Ex collection of Z.P., Austria, Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XXII, 7 October 2021, lot 592.

Q. Titius AR Denarius. Rome, 90 BC. Bearded head of Mutinus Titinus to right, wearing winged diadem, lock of hair falling down neck / Pegasus springing to right on tablet inscribed Q•TITI. Crawford 341/1; BMCRR Rome 2220-4; Sydenham 691; RSC Titia 1; RBW 1274. 3.96g, 19mm, 2h. Extremely Fine.

This coin published in Richard Schaefer’s Roman Republican Die Project (RRDP), binder 03, p. 268, available online at: http://numismatics.org/ archives/ark:/53695/schaefer.rrdp.b03#schaefer.rrdp.b03_0316

Privately purchased from Dr. Martina Dieterle, 2 February 2006; Ex Classical Numismatic Group, Triton VI, 14 January 2003 lot 653.

Q. Titius AR Denarius. Rome, 90 BC. Bearded head of Mutinus Titinus to right, wearing winged diadem, lock of hair falling down neck / Pegasus springing to right on tablet inscribed Q•TITI. Crawford 341/1; BMCRR Rome 2220-4; RSC Titia 1. 3.79g, 18mm, 2h.

Extremely Fine; wonderful deep old cabinet tone.

From a private European collection.

Two Marvellous Social War Denarii

The Social War, Marsic Confederation AR Denarius. Corfinium, circa 90 BC. Laureate head of Italia to left / Oath-taking scene: eight soldiers, four on each side of a pole with banner, with their swords pointing at a pig held in the arms of kneeling sacerdos faecialis; IɅ in exergue. Campana, Monetazione, Series 3a, 16; Sydenham 629; HN Italy 415b. 3.96g, 18mm, 6h. Mint State. Extremely Rare.

From the inventory of a UK dealer.

The Social War, Marsic Confederation AR Denarius. Bovianum(?), 89 BC. Laureate head of Italia to left, Oscan script behind / Soldier standing facing, head to right, foot on uncertain object, holding spear and sword, bull lying on right; Oscan I in exergue. Campana 136 (D93/R116); Sydenham 627; HN Italy 407; SNG Copenhagen 283 (same dies) RBW 1218. 3.75g, 18mm, 12h.

Near Mint State; beautiful old cabinet tone with iridescent highlights. Very Rare.

From a private European collection.

Mn. Fonteius C. f. AR Denarius. Rome, 85 BC. Laureate head of Apollo Veiovis to right; thunderbolt below, MN•FONTEI (partially ligate) behind, C•F below chin / Infant winged Genius (or Cupid) seated on goat standing to right; pilei of the Dioscuri across fields, thyrsus with fillet in exergue; all within laurel wreath. Crawford 353/1d; BMCRR Rome 2481; RSC Fonteia 11. 3.93g, 19mm, 9h.

Extremely Fine.

From a private European collection.

C. Mamilius Limetanus AR Serrate Denarius. Rome, 82 BC. Draped bust of Mercury to right, wearing winged petasos; caduceus and M (control letter) behind / Ulysses standing to right, holding staff and extending hand to Argus standing to left; C•MAMIL downwards behind, LIMETAN (partially ligate) upwards before. Crawford 362/1; BMCRR Rome 2725; RSC Mamilia 6. 3.98g, 19mm, 6h.

Good Extremely Fine.

From a private European collection.

The Mamilia gens derived its origin from Mamilia, the daughter of Telegonus, the reputed son of Ulysses and Circe, and thus C. Mamilius, as monetal triumvir, caused this subject to be adopted on his coins. The reverse shows Ulysses, after an absence of many years, returning in a mean and humble dress to the island of Ithaca, where he was at once recognised by his old dog Argus, who died of joy at seeing his former master.

Q. Antonius Balbus AR Serrate Denarius. Rome, 83-82 BC. Laureate head of Jupiter to right; S•C behind / Victory driving quadriga to right, holding reins, wreath, and palm frond; C (control letter) under horses, Q•ANTO•BALB PR (partially ligate) in two lines in exergue. Crawford 364/1d; BMCRR Rome 2753; RSC Antonia 1. 3.95g, 19mm, 6h.

Near Mint State.

From a private European collection.

Q. Antonius Balbus AR Serrate Denarius. Rome, 83-82 BC. Laureate head of Jupiter to right; S•C behind, •A (control letter) before / Victory driving quadriga to right, holding reins, wreath, and palm; Q•ANTO•BALB PR (partially ligate) in two lines in exergue. Crawford 364/1c; BMCRR Rome 2737 var. (unlisted control letter); Sydenham 742a; RSC Antonia 1b; RBW 1373 var. (same). 3.77g, 20mm, 12h.

Good Extremely Fine; pleasant cabinet tone.

Acquired from Nomisma S.p.a.

L. Manlius and L. Cornelius Sulla AR Denarius. Military mint travelling with Sulla, 82 BC. Helmeted head of Roma to right; L•MANLI upwards before, PRO•Q downwards behind / Sulla driving slow quadriga to right, holding reigns, crowned by Victory flying to left; L•SVLLA•IM in exergue. Crawford 367/5; BMCRR East 11; RSC Manlia 4. 3.82g, 17mm, 3h.

Extremely Fine; wonderful old cabinet tone.

Acquired from Dr. Busso Peus Nachfolger; Reportedly purchased from Dr. Roland Maly, Lucerne, 31 March 1973.

Ex Bankhaus Aufhäuser 9, 1992

M. Caecilius Q. f. Q. n. Metellus AR Denarius. Rome, 82-80 BC. Head of Apollo to right, hair tied with band; ROMA behind, mark of value below chin / Macedonian shield decorated with elephant’s head to right; M•METELLVS•Q•F• around; all within laurel wreath. Crawford 369/1; BMCRR Rome 1148; Sydenham 719; RSC Caecilia 30; RBW 1389. 3.88g, 18mm, 9h.

Extremely Fine.

This coin published in Richard Schaefer’s Roman Republican Die Project (RRDP), binder 05, p. 160, available online at: http://numismatics.org/ archives/ark:/53695/schaefer.rrdp.b05#schaefer.rrdp.b05_0221

Ex Bankhaus Aufhäuser, Auction 9, 7 October 1992, lot 251.

A. Postumius A. f. Sp. n. Albinus AR Serrate Denarius. Rome, 81 BC. Head of Hispania to right, wearing veil; HISPAN behind / Togate figure standing to left, raising hand; legionary eagle to left, fasces with axe to right; A ALBIN N•S across fields, POST•A•F in exergue. Crawford 372/2; BMCRR Rome 2839-42; RSC Postumia 8. 3.98g, 20mm, 6h.

Good Extremely Fine; beautiful old cabinet tone.

Acquired from Dr. Busso Peus Nachfolger.

C. Poblicius Q. f. AR Serrate Denarius. Rome, 80 BC. Helmeted and draped bust of Roma to right; A (control letter) above, ROMA downwards behind / Hercules standing to left, strangling the Nemean lion; club at feet, bow and arrows in bowcase to lower left, A (control letter) to upper left, C•POBLICI•Q•F upwards on right. Crawford 380/1; BMCRR Rome 2896; Sydenham 768; RBW 1408; RSC Poblicia 9 corr. (rev. legend). 4.19g, 19mm, 8h.

Near Mint State; beautiful old cabinet tone.

Acquired from Artemide Aste s.r.l. (San Marino).

550. 360

C. Poblicius Q. f. AR Serrate Denarius. Rome, 80 BC. Helmeted and draped bust of Roma to right; Q (control letter) above, ROMA downwards behind / Hercules standing to left, strangling the Nemean lion; club at feet, bow and arrows in bowcase to lower left, Q (control letter) on upper left, C•POBLICI•Q•F upwards on right. Crawford 380/1; BMCRR Rome 2910; Sydenham 768; RSC Poblicia 9 corr. (rev. legend); RBW 1408. 4.00g, 19mm, 6h.

Good Extremely Fine; light hairline to obv., lustrous metal.

Acquired from Nomisma S.p.a.

C. Poblicius Q. f. AR Serrate Denarius. Rome, 80 BC. Helmeted and draped bust of Roma to right; N (control letter) above, ROMA downwards behind / Hercules standing to left, strangling the Nemean lion; club at feet, bow and arrows in bowcase to lower left, N (control letter) on upper left, C•POBLICI•Q•F upwards on right. Crawford 380/1; BMCRR Rome 2907; FFC 1017; RSC Poblicia 9 corr. (rev. legend). 3.88g, 20mm, 3h.

Near Mint State; pleasant old cabinet tone.

From a private European collection.

552.

Fleur De Coin

553.

554.

L. Papius AR Serrate Denarius. Rome, 79 BC. Head of Juno Sospita to right, wearing goat skin headdress; butterfly (control symbol) behind / Griffin springing to right; fly (control symbol) below, L•PAPI in exergue. Crawford 384/1 (symbols 15); BMCRR Rome 2991; RSC Papia 1. 4.06g, 20mm, 1h. Fleur De Coin; highly lustrous and in an excellent state of preservation.

Acquired from Numismatics Ars Classica AG.

1,200

L. Papius AR Serrate Denarius. Rome, 79 BC. Head of Juno Sospita to right, wearing goat skin headdress; comb (control symbol) behind / Griffin springing to right; tongs (control symbol) below, L•PAPI in exergue. Crawford 384/1; BMCRR Rome -, cf. 2977; Sydenham 773; RSC Papia 1; RBW 1412-1413. 3.86g, 19mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine.

Acquired from Áureo & Calicó.

450

L. Papius AR Serrate Denarius. Rome, 79 BC. Head of Juno Sospita to right, wearing goat skin headdress; sword behind / Griffin springing to right; shield below, L•PAPI in exergue. Crawford 384/1; RSC Papia 1; RBW 1412 var. (control symbols). 3.93g, 19mm, 10h.

Near Extremely Fine; beautiful old cabinet tone with hints of iridescence. Ex Noble Numismatics, Auction 128, 23 November 2021, lot 2755.

L. Papius AR Serrate Denarius. Rome, 79 BC. Head of Juno Sospita to right, wearing goat skin headdress; bow (control symbol) behind / Griffin springing to right; control symbol (quiver?) below, L•PAPI in exergue. Crawford 384/1; BMCRR Rome 2977 var. (symbols); RSC Papia 1. 3.80g, 19mm, 6h.

Near Extremely Fine. A rare unpublished rev. symbol.

Acquired from Dr. Busso Peus Nachfolger.

450

M. Volteius M. f. AR Denarius. Rome, 78 BC. Laureate head of Jupiter to right / Tetrastyle temple of Jupiter Capitolinus, with closed doors, winged thunderbolt in pediment; M•VOLTEI•M•F in exergue. Crawford 385/1; BMCRR Rome 3154; Sydenham 77; RBW 1414; RSC Volteia 1. 3.88g, 18mm, 12h.

Near Extremely Fine; area of flatness, attractive cabinet tone.

Ex Dr. Busso Peus Nachfolger, Auction 297, 3 April 1979, lot 281.

180

M. Volteius M.f AR Denarius. Rome, 78 BC. Laureate, helmeted and draped bust of Attis to right; pileus surmounted by star behind / Cybele, wearing turreted crown and veil, holding reins and patera, driving biga of lions to right; ΛZ above, M•VOLTEI•M•F in exergue. Crawford 385/4; BMCRR Rome 3194; RSC Volteia 4; Sydenham 777. 4.32g, 20mm, 9h.

Extremely Fine; attractive old cabinet tone. From a private European collection.

180

L. Cassius Q. f. Longinus AR Denarius. Rome, 78 BC. Head of Liber (or Bacchus) to right, wearing ivy wreath; thyrsus over shoulder / Head of Liber to left, wearing vine wreath; L•CASSI•Q•F upwards behind. Crawford 386/1; BMCRR Rome 3152-3; Sydenham 779; RSC Cassia 6; RBW 1419. 4.00g, 19mm, 9h.

Near Extremely Fine; attractive old cabinet tone.

Ex Numismatica Ars Classica AG, Auction R, 17 May 2007, lot 1310.

P. Satrienus AR Denarius. Rome, 77 BC. Helmeted head of Roma to right; V (control numeral) behind / She-wolf standing to left; ROMA above, P•SATRIENVS in two lines in exergue. Crawford 388/1b; BMCRR Rome 3209ff. var. (control numeral); RSC Satriena 1. 3.94g, 17mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine; hints of golden iridescence.

Ex Scipio Collection, Marti Hervera and Soler & Llach, Auction 1124, 23 February 2022, lot 749; Ex Áureo, 19 December 1992, lot 91.

L. Rustius AR Denarius. Rome, 76 BC. Helmeted head of Mars to right; S•C behind, mark of value before / Ram standing to right; L•RVSTI below. Crawford 389/1; BMCRR Rome 3271; RSC Rustia 1. 3.82g, 19mm, 6h.

Good Extremely Fine; beautiful old cabinet tone.

This coin published in Richard Schaefer’s Roman Republican Die Project (RRDP), binder 6, p. 61, available online at: http://numismatics.org/archives/ ark:/53695/schaefer.rrdp.b06#schaefer.rrdp.b06_0079; Ex Andrew McCabe Collection, Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 93, 6 January 2022, lot 919 (collector’s tickets included); Ex Alfred Franklin Collection, Baldwin’s, Auction 99, 4 May 2016, lot 205 (hammer: £240); Ex Spink Numismatic Circular CXII.2, April 2004, no. RM1756 (£280).

563.

Cn. Egnatius Cn. f. Cn. n. Maxsumus AR Denarius. Rome, 75 BC. Diademed and draped bust of Libertas to right; pileus and MAXSVMVS downwards behind / Roma and Venus standing facing, each holding staff; Roma on left, holding sword and placing foot on wolf’s head; Cupid alighting on Venus’ shoulder on right, together flanked by rudders standing on prow; C•EGNATIVS•CN•F (partially ligate) below, CN•N upwards to right, B (control letter) in left field. Crawford 391/3; BMCRR Rome 3285; RSC Egnatia 2. 4.13g, 18mm, 11h.

About Extremely Fine; attractive iridescent old cabinet tone

Acquired from Dr. Busso Peus Nachfolger.

The gens Egnatia was a plebeian family of equestrian rank in the tribe of Stellatina. Originally of Samnite origin, the Egnatii appear to have been established at Teanum. Following the conclusion of the Social War, a branch of the family moved to Rome, where two of them were admitted into the Senate. The moneyer responsible for this coin, one Gnaeus Engatius, is virtually unknown but believed to be the same as that mentioned in Quintillian (Institutio Oratoria, 5.13.33) who was expelled from the Senate by the censors, and who at the same time disinherited his son, the son being retained in the Senate. No satisfactory explanation of the types of Egnatius’ coinage has been proposed, but Venus and Libertas are the common theme.

564.

Pub. Lentulus P. f. L. n. Spinther AR Denarius. Rome, 74 BC. Bust of Hercules to right; Q•S•C behind / Genius of the Roman People seated facing, holding cornucopiae and sceptre, being crowned by Victory flying to left above; P•LENT•P•F downwards to left, L•N upwards to right. Crawford 397/1; BMCRR Rome 3329; RSC Cornelia 58; FFC 634. 4.11g, 17mm, 8h.

Near Extremely Fine.

From a private European collection.

565.

Q. Fufius Kalenus and Mucius Cordus AR Serrate Denarius. Rome, 70 BC. Jugate heads of Honos, laureate, and Virtus, wearing crested helmet, to right; KALENI below, HO behind, VIRT (ligate) before / Italia standing to right, holding cornucopiae and clasping hands with Roma, standing to left, foot on globe and holding sceptre; winged caduceus and ITAL monogram in left field, RO in right field, CORDI in exergue. Crawford 403/1; BMCRR Rome 3358; RSC Fufia 1. 3.87g, 20mm, 6h.

Good Extremely Fine; subtle golden iridescence to obv.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 94, 24 February 2022, lot 771.

300

Q. Fufius Kalenus and Mucius Cordus AR Serrate Denarius. Rome, 70 BC. Jugate heads of Honos, laureate, and Virtus, wearing crested helmet, to right; KALENI below, HO behind, VIRT (ligate) before / Italia standing to right, holding cornucopiae and clasping hands with Roma, standing to left, foot on globe and holding sceptre; winged caduceus and ITAL monogram in left field, RO in right field, CORDI in exergue. Crawford 403/1; BMCRR Rome 3358; RSC Fufia 1. 3.94g, 20mm, 4h.

Extremely Fine.

From a private European collection.

P. Sulpicius Galba AR Denarius. Rome, 69 BC. Veiled and diademed head of Vesta to right; S•C behind / Knife, culullus and axe; AE - CV[R] across fields, P•GALB in exergue. Crawford 406/1; BMCRR Rome 3516-7; RSC Sulpicia 7. 4.08g, 19mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine; beautiful old cabinet tone.

180

566.

C. Hosidius C. f. Geta AR Denarius. Rome, 68 BC. Draped bust of Diana to right, wearing stephane, bow and quiver over shoulder; III•VIR downwards to left, GETA downwards to right / The Calydonian boar standing to right, its front legs thrust forward, pierced through by a spear and harried by a hound below; C•HOSIDI•C•F in exergue. Crawford 407/2; BMCRR Rome 3388; RSC Hosidia 1. 3.84g, 18mm, 6h.

Near Mint State; beautiful old cabinet tone over lustrous metal.

Ex Seaby, List 832, July/August 1988, C377.

567.

Q. Pomponius Musa AR Denarius. Rome, 66 BC. Diademed head of Apollo to right; Q•POMPONI downwards behind, MVSA upwards before / Hercules standing to right, wearing lion skin headdress and playing lyre, with club at his side; HERCVLES downwards to right, MVSARVM downwards to left. Crawford 410/1; BMCRR Rome 3617; RSC Pomponia 8. 3.75g, 19mm, 3h.

Extremely Fine; deep old cabinet tone with golden lustre around devices.

Privately purchased from Shanna Schmidt Numismatics Inc.; Privately purchased from Numismatica Ars Classica (London); Ex Hess Divo AG, Auction 332, 31 May 2017, lot 82; Ex Numismatik Lanz München, Auction 154, 11 June 2012, lot 277.

Apollo to Apollo Collection

Q. Pomponius Musa AR Denarius. Rome, 66 BC. Diademed head of Apollo to right; Q•POMPONI downwards behind, MVSA upwards before / Hercules standing to right, wearing lion skin headdress and playing lyre, with club at his side; HERCVLES downwards to right, MVSARVM downwards to left. Crawford 410/1; BMCRR Rome 3617; RSC Pomponia 8; RBW -. 3.86g, 19mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine.

This coin published in H.B. Andersen, Apollo to Apollo: The Hunt for the Divine and Eternal Beauty (Indbundet, 2019); Ex Robert Couet Collection, CGB, e-Monnaies 2, 31 March 2015, lot 45.

600

3,000

1,800

569.

Q. Pomponius Musa AR Denarius. Rome, 66 BC. Laureate head of Apollo to right; sandal behind / Thalia, the Muse of Comedy and Idyllic Poetry, standing to left, holding comic mask and resting elbow on column; Q•POMPONI behind, MVSA before. Crawford 410/9b; BMCRR Rome 3624; RSC Pomponia 19. 3.89g, 18mm, 2h.

Extremely Fine.

From a private European collection.

900

568.

L. Roscius Fabatus AR Serrate Denarius. Rome, 64 BC. Head of Juno Sospita to right, wearing goat-skin headdress; column surmounted by crescent (control symbol) behind, [L•ROSCI] below / Female standing to right facing serpent to right; column (control symbol) in left field, [FABATI] in exergue. Crawford 412/1; BMCRR Rome 3421; RSC Roscia 3. 3.96g, 19mm, 7h.

570. 600

Near Mint State.

This coin published in Richard Schaefer’s Roman Republican Die Project (RRDP), processed clippings, 412_03_od, available online at: http:// numismatics.org/archives/ark:/53695/schaefer.rrdp.processed_400-499#schaefer_clippings_output_412_03_od; Ex A. Tkalec AG, 7 May 2009, lot 114.

L. Furius Brocchus AR Denarius. Rome, 63 BC. Wreathed and draped bust of Ceres to right; wheat-ear behind, barley grain before, III - VIR across upper fields, BROCCHI below / Curule chair between fasces; L • FVRI CN • F in two lines above. Crawford 414/1; BMCRR Rome 3896; RSC Furia 23. 3.93g, 21mm, 6h.

Good Extremely Fine; pleasant old cabinet tone.

From a private European collection.

M. Aemilius Lepidus AR Denarius. Rome, 61 BC. Turreted head of Alexandria to right, ALEXANDREA below / Lepidus standing to left, crowning Ptolemy V, standing facing, holding sceptre; S•C high in central field, PONF•MAX•TVTOR•REG around, M•LEPIDVS in exergue. Crawford 419/2; BMCRR Rome 3648; RSC Aemilia 23; Roma XXV, 753 (hammer: 5,500 GBP, same dies). 3.95g, 19mm, 6h. Extremely Fine; attractive hints of iridescence around the devices. Rare.

1,200

From a private European collection; Ex Nomisma S.p.a., Auction 64, 17 December 2021, lot 19.

M. Aemilius Scaurus and P. Plautius Hypsaeus AR Denarius. Rome, 58 BC. Kneeling figure to right (King Aretas of Nabataea), holding olive branch and reins of camel beside him; M•SCAVR AED•CVR in two lines above, [E]X-SC across fields, [R]EX ARETAS in exergue / Jupiter in quadriga to left, holding reins and hurling thunderbolt; scorpion below horses, P HVPSAE AED CVR in two lines above, [C]APTV on right, C HVPSAE COS PREIVE in two lines in exergue. Crawford 422/1b; RSC Aemilia 8 and Plautia 8. 3.69g, 19mm, 3h.

Extremely Fine; beautiful old cabinet tone.

From a private European collection.

C. Servilius C. f. AR Denarius. Rome, 57 BC. Head of Flora to right, wearing flower-wreath; FLORAL•PRIMVS (partially ligate) before, lituus behind / Two soldiers standing confronted, each holding a shield and upright short sword; C•F in lower right field, C•SERVEIL (partially ligate) in exergue. Crawford 423/1; BMCRR Rome 3818-3819; RBW 1521; RSC Servilia 15. 4.16g, 17mm, 5h.

Near Extremely Fine; some light scratches.

Acquired from Auktionshaus H. D. Rauch GmbH.

576.

L. Marcius Philippus AR Denarius. Rome, 56 BC. Head of Ancus Marcius to right, wearing diadem; lituus behind, ANCVS below / Aqueduct on which stands equestrian statue, flower at horse’s feet; PHILIPPVS to left, AQVA [MAR] (partially ligate) within arches of aqueduct. Crawford 425/1; BMCRR Rome 3890; Sydenham 919; RBW 1524; RSC Marcia 28. 3.84g, 19mm, 8h.

Good Extremely Fine; beautiful old cabinet tone over lustrous metal.

Acquired from F. Chiesa (Numismatica Aretusa SA), Lugano, 14 August 1973.

577.

Faustus Cornelius Sulla AR Denarius. Rome, 56 BC. Laureate, diademed and draped bust of Venus to right; S•C and sceptre behind / Three military trophies standing facing, capis to left and lituus to right; FAVSTVS monogram in exergue. Crawford 426/3; BMCRR Rome 3909; RSC Cornelia 63. 3.91g, 19mm, 5h.

Extremely Fine; wonderful old cabinet tone.

Acquired from Stack’s, New York, 14 June 1973.

C. Memmius C. f. AR Denarius. Rome, 56 BC. Head of Ceres to right, wearing wreath of grain ears; C•MEMMI•C•F downwards before / Captive, hands tied behind back, kneeling to right at foot of trophy of arms with Greek shield; C•MEMMIVS downwards to right, IMPERATOR downwards to left. Crawford 427/1; BMCRR Rome 3937; RSC Memmia 10. 3.92g, 21mm, 5h.

Near Mint State; struck on a very broad planchet.

Ex Jesus Vico S.A., Auction 150, 1 March 2018, lot 541.

1,200

Q. Cassius Longinus AR Denarius. Rome, 55 BC. Head of Genius Populi Romani to right; sceptre behind / Eagle standing to right on winged thunderbolt; lituus to left, capis to right, Q•CASSIVS in exergue. Crawford 428/3; BMCRR Rome 3868-70; RSC Cassia 7; RBW 1535. 3.71g, 19mm, 6h.

Good Extremely Fine; well-centred.

Acquired from Classical Numismatic Group; Ex Bertolami Fine Arts, ACR Auctions, Auction 87, 14 December 2020, lot 406.

Q. Cassius Longinus AR Denarius. Rome, 55 BC. Head of Genius Populi Romani to right; sceptre behind / Eagle standing to right on winged thunderbolt; lituus to left, capis to right, Q•CASSIVS in exergue. Crawford 428/3; BMCRR Rome 3868-70; RSC Cassia 7; RBW 1535. 3.80g, 18mm, 3h.

Extremely Fine.

Acquired from Nomisma S.p.a.

P. Fonteius P. f. Capito AR Denarius. Rome, 55 BC. Helmeted and draped bust of Mars to right; trophy behind, P•FONTEIVS•P•F•CAPITO•III•VIR around / Warrior on horseback galloping to right, thrusting spear downwards at kneeling enemy in Gallic helmet, who holds sword and shield; to lower left, another enemy warrior, kneeling to right; Gallic helmet and shield to lower right, MN•FONT•TR•MIL above. Crawford 429/1; BMCRR Rome 3851-5; RSC Fonteia 17. 3.93g, 20mm, 3h.

Extremely Fine; attractive old cabinet tone with striking blue and gold iridescence.

Ex Andrew McCabe Collection, Roma Numismatics Ltd, E-Sale 86, 8 July 2021, lot 798, collector’s ticket included; Ex Dr. Nicholas Lowe Collection, Roma Numismatics Ltd, Auction XVIII, 29 September 2019, lot 921; Ex Numismatica Ars Classica AG, Auction 40, 16 May 2007, lot 505.

P. Fonteius P. f. Capito AR Denarius. Rome, 55 BC. [P•FO]NTEIVS•CAPITO•III•VIR•CONCORDIA, diademed, veiled and draped head of Concordia to right / Villa Publica on the Campus Martius, T•DIDI on left, VIL•PVB on right, IMP• below. Crawford 429/2a; BMCRR Rome 3856; RSC Fonteia 18 and Didia 1. 4.05g, 19mm, 2h.

Good Extremely Fine.

Ex Dr. Busso Peus Nachfolger, Auction 322, 1 November 1988, lot 502.

The Villa Publica was a most ancient building, first constructed on the Field of Mars in 435 BC, and according to Livy it was there that the first census of the Roman people was held in the year of its completion. The Villa Publica served as the censors’ office, and held their records, as well as serving as the place where foreign ambassadors were greeted, where victorious Roman generals waited to hear if they would be granted a triumph, and as a base for the levying of legions. At least two renovations of the structure were undertaken, in 194 and 34 BC.

Q. Servilius Caepio (M. Junius) Brutus AR Denarius. Rome, 54 BC. Bust of Libertas to right; LIBERTAS downward behind / Consul L. Junius Brutus, between two lictors, preceded by accensus, all walking to left; BRVTVS in exergue. Crawford 433/1; BMCRR Rome 3862; RBW 1542; RSC Junia 31. 3.64g, 20mm, 8h.

Extremely Fine.

From a private European collection.

Q. Servilius Caepio (M. Junius) Brutus AR Denarius. Rome, 54 BC. Bare head of L. Junius Brutus to right; BRVTVS downwards behind / Bare head of C. Servilius Ahala to right; AHALA downwards behind. Crawford 433/2; BMCRR Rome 3864; RSC Junia 30. 4.15g, 18mm, 7h.

Extremely Fine.

From a private European collection.

Q. Pompeius Rufus AR Denarius. Rome, 54 BC. Head of Sulla to right; SVLLA•COS downwards before / Head of Q. Pompeius Rufus to right; Q•POM•RVFI downwards before, RVFVS•COS downwards behind. Crawford 434/1; BMCRR Rome 3883; RSC Pompeia 4 & Cornelia 48. 4.01g, 18mm, 2h.

Extremely Fine; light cabinet tone and impressive portraits.

From a private European collection.

The moneyer for whom this issue struck, Q. Pompeius Rufus, was the grandson of the dictator Sulla. Bearing the only portrait of Sulla in the corpus of Roman numismatics, it is likely this is a good representation as, although struck posthumously, portraits of the famous ancestor would have survived.

C. Coelius Caldus AR Denarius. Rome, 51 BC. Bare head of the consul Caius Coelius Caldus to right, tablet inscribed L•D (Libero | Damno) behind; C•COEL•CALDVS downwards before, COS below / Radiate head of Sol to right; oblong shield ornamented with thunderbolt behind, circular Macedonian shield before and CALDVS•III•VIR to right. Crawford 437/1a; BMCRR Rome 3833-4; CNR Coilia 5/14 (this coin); RSC Coelia 4. 3.88g, 21mm, 6h.

Good Extremely Fine.

This coin published in A. Banti. Corpus Nummorum Romanorum, Monetazione Repubblicana (Firenze, 1980-1982); Ex Andrew McCabe Collection, Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 93, 6 January 2022, lot 926, collector’s ticket included; Ex Eucharius Collection, Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XI, 7 April 2016, lot 678; Ex Mario Ratto, FPL March 1964, no. 269.

Pedigreed to 1970

C. Coelius Caldus AR Denarius. Rome, 51 BC. Head of Coelius Caldus to right, C•COEL•CALDVS before, [COS] below, standard inscribed HIS behind, standard in the form of a boar before / Table, inscribed L•CALDVS•VII•VR (ligate) EP•VL (ligate), with figure behind preparing epulum, IMP•A•X and trophy with Macedonian shield to right, C•CALDVS and trophy with carnyx and oval shield decorated with thunderbolt to left; CALDVS•III [VIR] in exergue. Crawford 437/2a; BMCRR Rome 3837; RSC Coelia 7; RBW 1551 (this coin). 4.07g, 18mm, 1h.

Extremely Fine; beautiful old cabinet toning.

This coin Published in Roberto Russo ‘The RBW Collection of Roman Republican Coins’ (NAC 2013); Ex Andrew McCabe Collection, collector’s ticket included, Roma Numismatics Ltd, E-Sale 86, 8 July 2021, lot 801;

Ex Numismatica Ars Classica AG, Auction 63, 17 May 2012, lot 327; Ex RBW collection (pre 1999);

Ex Numismatica Ars Classica AG, Auction 6, 25 February 1993, lot 302; Ex Nascia Kunst und Münzen, Auction 4, 23 April 1970, lot 70 (est. CHF 450).

587.

COINS OF THE IMPERATORS

Q. Sicinius AR Denarius. Rome, 49 BC. Diademed head of Fortuna to right; P•R upwards behind, FORT before / Palm-branch and caduceus in saltire, laurel wreath above; III-VIR across fields, Q•SICINIVS below. Crawford 440/1; CRI 1; BMCRR Rome 3947; RSC Sicinia 5. 3.98g, 16mm, 6h.

Good Extremely Fine; attractive old cabinet tone.

From a private European collection.

Cnaeus Pompey Magnus AR Denarius. Corcyra, 48 BC. Cn. Calpurnius Piso, proquaestor. Head of Numa Pompilius to right, wearing diadem inscribed NVMA; CN•PISO PRO•Q• around / Prow of galley to right; MAGN above, PRO•CO[S] below. Crawford 446/1 (mint in Greece); CRI 7 (mint in Greece); RSC 4; for attribution to Corcyra, cf. Woytek, B., Arma et Nummi, Vienna 2003, pp. 115 ff. 3.96g, 19mm, 12h.

Near Mint State; attractive cabinet tone.

Ex ‘Quintessenz’ Collection, Auktionshaus H. D. Rauch GmbH, Auction 99, 8 December 2015, lot 96; Acquired from Dr. Martina Dieterle, March 2005.

1,650

Julius Caesar AR Denarius. Military mint travelling with Caesar, 49-48 BC. Elephant advancing to right, trampling on serpent; CAESAR in exergue / Emblems of the pontificate: simpulum, aspergillum, securis (surmounted by wolf’s head), and apex. Crawford 443/1; CRI 9; BMCRR Gaul 27-30; RSC 49. 3.76g, 18mm, 10h.

Extremely Fine; lustrous.

Julius Caesar AR Denarius. Military mint travelling with Caesar, 49-48 BC. Elephant advancing to right, trampling on serpent; CAESAR in exergue / Emblems of the pontificate: simpulum, aspergillum, securis (surmounted by wolf’s head), and apex. Crawford 443/1; CRI 9; BMCRR Gaul 27; RSC 49. 3.75g, 18mm, 12h.

Good Very Fine; pleasant cabinet tone and attractive iridescence.

591.

Extremely Fine; sharply struck with underlying lustre.

150

592. 450

593.

L. Hostilius Saserna AR Denarius. Rome, 48 BC. Diademed female head to right, wearing oak wreath / Victory walking to right, holding trophy, palm and caduceus; L•HOSTILIVS downwards before, SASERNA upwards behind. Crawford 448/1a (same rev. die as illustration); CRI 17; BMCRR Rome 3989; Sydenham 951; RSC Hostilia 5 corr. (bust type); RBW 1567. 4.06g, 19mm, 12h.

Near Mint State; attractive lustre with golden highlights throughout.

Rare Variant with Hair Covered

L. Hostilius Saserna AR Denarius. Rome, 48 BC. Diademed female head to right, wearing oak wreath / Victory walking to right, holding trophy, palm and caduceus; L•HOSTILIVS downwards before, SASERNA upwards behind. Crawford 448/1a; CRI 17; BMCRR Rome 3990; Sydenham 951; RSC Hostilia 5 corr. (bust type); RBW 1568. 3.89g, 18mm, 3h.

Extremely Fine. Rare obverse die with the oak branches completely covering the hair

360

594.

C. Vibius C. f. C. n. Pansa Caetronianus AR Denarius. Rome, 48 BC. Mask of bearded Pan to right; [PANSA below] / Jupiter Axurus (or Anxurus) seated to left, holding patera in right hand, sceptre in left; C•VIBIVS•C•F•[C•N] downwards to right, IOVIS•AXVR upwards to left. Crawford 449/1a; CRI 20; BMCRR Rome 3978; RSC Vibia 18. 3.30g, 18mm, 2h.

Good Extremely Fine; golden iridescence, some light surface adhesions.

595.

Mint State; a stunningly artistic type, well-preserved and with lustrous metal.

Ex Sotheby’s 1993

1,350

596. 900

597.

L. Plautius Plancus AR Denarius. Rome, 47 BC. Mask of Medusa facing; L•PLAVTI below / Aurora flying to right, head slightly to left, holding palm branch and leading four rearing horses of the sun; PLANCVS below. Crawford 453/1c var. (obv. legend); CRI 29a var. (same); BMCRR Rome 4009 var. (same); RSC Plautia 14 var. (same); CNG 102, lot 807 (same obv. die). 4.01g, 19mm, 9h.

Good Extremely Fine; lustrous and lightly toned.

Ex Áureo & Calicó, Auction 319, 7 November 2018, lot 576; Ex Sotheby’s - Numismatic Fine Arts, 27-28 October 1993, lot 1364.

598.

Good Extremely Fine; wonderful old cabinet tone.

300

Cnaeus Pompey Junior AR Denarius. Corduba (Cordoba) mint, summer 46 - spring 45 BC. M. Poblicius, legate pro praetore. Helmeted head of Roma to right; M•POBLICI•LEG PRO•PR around / Female figure standing to right, with shield slung on back, holding two spears in left hand and with right hand giving palm-branch to soldier, standing to left on prow of ship; CN•MAGNVS•IMP upwards to right. Crawford 469/1a; CRI 48; BMCRR Spain 72; RSC 1 (Pompey the Great). 4.15g, 22mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine.

Extremely Rare

Cnaeus Pompeius Magnus AR Denarius. M. Minatius Sabinus, proquaestor. Corduba, 46-45 BC. CN•MAGN IMP, bare head of imperator to right / Corduba city-goddess standing to right, raising hand to greet Pompeian soldier, another city-goddess kneeling to left, presenting soldier with shield, PR•Q upwards to left; M•MINAT SABI in two lines in exergue. Crawford 470/1b; CRI 52; BMCRR Spain 80; ACIP 4013; RSC Minatia 3 and Pompeia 12.

NGC graded Ch XF 4/5 - 3/5 (#5872212-001). Extremely Rare.

Ex WTR Collection, Heritage World Coin Auctions, NYINC Signature Sale 3097, 10 January 2022, lot 30058.

The eldest son of Pompey Magnus, Cnaeus Pompeius (also commonly referred to as Pompey Junior) and his brother Sextus grew up in the long shadow of their father’s fame as the greatest general of his age. The elder Pompey had seemed to hold the whole Roman world in the palm of his hand, yet in the struggle for mastery of the Republic against his former friend and ally Caesar, Pompey was forced to abandon Italy with his family, and was utterly undone at the Battle of Pharsalus in 48 BC.

Defeated, Pompey and his family took flight to Egypt where the general believed they would be safe, since the boy king Ptolemy XIII was indebted to the friendship and the help Pompey had given to his father. Upon their arrival in Egypt however, Pompey was treacherously murdered by a former comrade on the orders of the Egyptian king, who had been advised that this would forestall further civil war, and ingratiate him with Caesar. Stabbed to death by sword and daggers, his head severed and his unclothed body thrown into the sea, Pompey died the day after his sixtieth birthday. Horrified, his family put back out to sea.

Cnaeus and Sextus joined the remainder of the resistance to Caesar in Africa, and after the defeat at Thapsus the brothers escaped to the Balearic islands, whence they crossed over to the Spanish mainland with Titus Labienus, a former lieutenant of Caesar. Struck at Corduba, which became the Pompeian military headquarters, this coin is laden with symbolism. The reverse is as imaginative and unusual as any reverse in the Republican series, and propagandises the welcome received by the brothers in Spain, which readily provided them with the means with which to continue the fight against Caesar. The obverse bears the first securely datable portrait of their dead father Pompey Magnus, whose success in bringing the Sertorian War to a close in 71 BC would still have been remembered in Spain. The legend names ‘Cnaeus Magnus Imperator’, a pious statement that the authority behind the striking of this coinage is that of the wronged and murdered Pompey Magnus, on whose behalf the resistance to Caesar was taken up by his son. This coin must have been struck only shortly before the Pompeian and Caesarean armies met on 17 March 45 BC; the extreme rarity of the issue argues for a limited production run. At the Battle of Munda, some 70,000 troops commanded by Cnaeus, Sextus, and Titus Labienus met Caesar’s battlehardened veteran force of 40,000. The result of the contest was a decisive victory for Caesar; Labienus was killed along with around 30,000 Pompeian troops, and the brothers Cnaeus and Sextus were once again forced to flee. Cnaeus was quickly captured and executed, but Sextus would survive his brother in Sicily for over a decade.

3.85g, 20mm, 1h.

Extremely Fine; beautiful golden tone.

Caesar’s conquest of Gaul, to which the reverse of this coin alludes, with its captured Gallic spoils (the typical shield, the Gallic ‘carnyx’ or war horn, and axe) and obviously Gallic captives, was the springboard from which he was to take control of the Republic and become its Dictator. It allowed him to grow his power base through both fame as the conqueror of so vast a region and of so many peoples, and through strength as the commander of an army that grew ever more experienced and fiercely loyal. His allocation of the provinces of Gaul also granted him a magistrate’s immunity from the prosecution his enemies intended to conduct upon his return to Rome, which would undoubtedly have stunted his career. It was from his province of Cisalpine Gaul that he invaded Italy across the Rubicon, and he did so with the Legio XIII Gemina, who had fought for him in the major battles of his conquest of Gaul.

The importance of this conquest of Gaul to Caesar’s career, and his awareness of this importance, is demonstrated by this coin. It was minted some time after he had left Gaul behind, by the mint which moved with his army as it fought the Optimates around the Mediterranean and beyond – this coin in particular being minted for the Spanish campaign against Pompey’s sons in late 46-early 45 BC - yet it harks back to these Gallic victories, reminding those he paid with these coins of his past as a Roman hero - a conqueror not of his own people, but of his people’s enemies. Furthermore, as Sear points out, the theme of Caesar’s victories in Gaul was undoubtedly “intended to revive memories of ‘the good old days’ in the hearts of his seasoned veterans who were now being called upon to face the Pompeian threat for the third time in only two and a half years” and whose morale may thus have been dangerously flagging.

Julius Caesar AR Denarius. Military mint travelling with Caesar in Spain, 46-45 BC. Draped bust of Venus to left, wearing stephane; small Cupid at point of bust; lituus to left, sceptre to right / Trophy of Gallic arms, holding shield and carnyx in each hand; on left, bearded male captive kneeling to left, looking to right; on right, female captive seated to right, resting head in hand; CAESAR in exergue. Crawford 468/2; CRI 59; BMCRR Spain 86; Sydenham 1015; RBW 1640; RSC 14.

600.

1,200

603.

Lollius Palikanus AR Denarius. Rome, 45 BC. Head of Libertas to right, wearing pearl diadem, cruciform earring, pearl necklace, hair collected into a knot behind, one lock falling down her neck, jewels in hair above forehead; LIBERT[ATIS] downwards to left / View of the Rostra in the Roman Forum surmounted by a subsellium (tribune’s bench); the Rostra consist of a platform supported by an arcade; each column being ornamented with a rostrum; PALIKANVS above. Crawford 473/1; CRI 86; BMCRR Rome 4011-2; RSC Lollia 2. 3.96g, 20mm, 8h.

Good Extremely Fine; attractive light cabinet tone.

Ex Collection of a Hanseatic Romanophile, Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co. KG, Auction 341, 1 October 2020, lot 5636; Privately purchased in 2002 from Dieter Grunow, Berlin.

Julius Caesar AR Denarius. Rome, late February 44 BC. M. Mettius, moneyer. CAESAR IMP, laureate head to right; lituus and simpulum behind / M ME[TTIVS], Venus standing to left, holding Victory and sceptre and resting elbow on shield set on globe; I in left field. Crawford 480/3; CRI 100; BMCRR Rome 4145; Sydenham 1056; RSC 32. 3.92g, 19mm, 1h.

Very Fine.

Julius Caesar AR Denarius. Rome, January - February 44 BC. P. Sepullius Macer, moneyer. CAESAR DICT PERPETVO, veiled and wreathed head of Caesar to right / Venus standing to left, holding Victory and sceptre resting on shield; [P•SE]PVLLI[VS] downwards on right, MACER downwards on left. Crawford 480/13; CRI 107d; BMCRR Rome 4173; RSC 39. 3.77g, 17mm, 9h.

Extremely Fine.

From the inventory of a UK dealer.

1,800

Julius Caesar AR Denarius. Rome, January-February 44 BC. P. Sepullius Macer, moneyer. CAESAR [DICT P]ERPETVO, wreathed head of Caesar to right / P•SEPVLLIVS MACER, Venus standing to left, holding Victory, and sceptre resting on star. Crawford 480/11; CRI 107b; BMCRR Rome 4168; RSC Sepullia 4. 3.29g, 19mm, 6h.

Near Very Fine.

605. 1,200

Julius Caesar AR Denarius. Rome, 43 BC. L. Flaminius Chilo, moneyer. Wreathed head of Caesar to right / Goddess (Pax or Venus?) standing to left, holding caduceus and sceptre; L • FLAMINIVS downward to right, IIII • VIR upward to left. Crawford 485/1; CRI 113; BMCRR Rome 4201-2; RSC 26. 3.76g, 20mm, 8h.

Very Fine; attractive even cabinet tone.

601.

602.

604.

606.

Marc Antony AR Denarius. Rome, 42 BC. C. Vibius Varus, moneyer. Bare head to right / C•VIBIVS VARVS, Fortuna standing to left, holding Victory and cornucopia. Crawford 494/32; CRI 149; Sydenham 1144; BMCRR Rome 4293-4 RSC 4; Kestner 3739-40; RBW –. 4.05g, 20mm, 12h.

About Good Very Fine; a wonderful portrait.

600

L. Flaminius Chilo AR Denarius. Rome, 43 BC. Diademed head of Venus to right; IIII•VIR behind, PRI•[FL] before / Victory in biga to right, holding wreath and reins; L•FLAM[INI?] below, [CHILO] in exergue. Crawford 485/2; CRI 171; BMCRR Rome 4198 (same obv. die); Sydenham 1088; RSC Flaminia 2-2a; RBW 1700. 3.88g, 19mm, 2h.

607. 510

Good Extremely Fine; small test cut at edge.

Ex Collection of a Hanseatic Romanophile, Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co. KG, Auction 347, 22 March 2021, lot 931; Ex Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co. KG, Auction 143, 6 October 2008, lot 421.

608.

Petillius Capitolinus AR Denarius. Rome, 43 BC. Eagle, with wings spread, standing facing, head to right, on thunderbolt; PETIL[LIVS]

CAPITOLINVS around / Temple of Jupiter Capitolinus: richly decorated hexastyle temple with three garlands hanging between columns; the pediment ornamented with armed figures; in the tympanum is a seated figure of Jupiter between two other figures; S-F across fields. Crawford 487/2b; CRI 174a; BMCRR Rome 4222; Sydenham 1151; RSC Petillia 3; RBW 1706. 4.10g, 17mm, 2h.

Good Extremely Fine; beautiful old cabinet tone.

Petillius Capitolinus AR Denarius. Rome, 43 BC. Eagle, with wings spread, standing facing on thunderbolt, head to right; PETILLIVS CAPITOLINVS around / Temple of Jupiter Capitolinus: richly decorated hexastyle temple with three garlands hanging between columns; the pediment ornamented with armed figures, in the tympanum is a seated figure of Jupiter between two other figures, S-F across fields. Crawford 487/2b; CRI 174a; BMCRR Rome 4222-3; Sydenham 1151; RSC Petillia 3; RBW 1706. 3.64g, 18mm, 6h.

Good Extremely Fine.

Ex Auktionshaus H. D. Rauch GmbH, Auction 86, 12 May 2010, lot 525.

610. 750

P. Clodius M. f. Turrinus AR Denarius. Rome, 42 BC. Radiate head of Sol to right; quiver with top and strap behind / Crescent moon surrounded by semicircle of five stars; P•CLODIVS•M•F in two lines below. Crawford 494/21; CRI 182; BMCRR Rome 4289; RSC Claudia 17. 4.10g, 19mm, 7h. Near Mint State; lustrous metal.

This coin published in Richard Schaefer’s Roman Republican Die Project (RRDP), binder 12, p. 109, available online at: http://numismatics.org/ archives/ark:/53695/schaefer.rrdp.b12#schaefer.rrdp.b12_0164; Ex Classical Numismatic Group, Auction 29, 30 March 1994, lot 498.

L. Mussidius Longus AR Denarius. Rome, 42 BC. Diademed and veiled head of Concordia right; star below chin, CONCORDIA behind / L•MVSSIDIVS•LONGVS, shrine of Venus Cloacina: two statues on platform with balustrade inscribed CLOACINA. Crawford 494/42b; CRI 188a; Sydenham 1093a; RSC Mussidia 6. 3.56g, 20mm, 11h.

Extremely Fine; hints of underlying lustre.

Acquired from Apollo Art Auctions; Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd, E-Sale 67, 6 February 2020, lot 761; Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XIII, 23 March 2017, lot 588. 612.

C. Vibius Varus AR Denarius. Rome, 42 BC. Bust of Minerva to right, wearing crested Corinthian helmet and aegis / Hercules standing to left, resting hand on club set on ground and holding lion skin; C•VIBIVS downwards on right, VARVS downwards on left. Crawford 494/38; CRI 194; BMCRR Rome 4303; RSC Vibia 26. 3.93g, 20mm, 8h.

Near Extremely Fine; attractive golden tone.

Q. Servilius Caepio (M. Junius) Brutus with P. Servilius Casca Longus AR Denarius. Military mint travelling with the army (western Asia Minor or northern Greece), summer - autumn 42 BC. CASCA LONGVS, laureate bust of Neptune to right, trident below / BRVTVS IMP, Victory in long tunic walking to right, palm branch over left shoulder and breaking diadem with both hands, broken sceptre on ground. Crawford 507/2; CRI 212; BMCRR East 63-65; RSC 3. 3.85g, 18mm, 12h.

Near Extremely Fine; small banker’s mark, attractive deep cabinet tone.

Ex Collection of a Hanseatic Romanophile, Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co. KG, Auction 341, 1 October 2020, lot 5676; Acquired in 2000 from Auktionshaus H. D. Rauch GmbH.

C. Cassius Longinus and P. Cornelius Lentulus Spinther AR Denarius. Military mint travelling with Brutus and Cassius, probably at Smyrna, early 42 BC. Diademed head of Libertas to right; LEIBERTAS upwards before, C•CASSI•IMP upwards behind / Capis and lituus; LENTVLVS SPINT in two lines below. Crawford 500/3; CRI 221; BMCRR East 77; RSC 4. 4.03g, 20mm, 6h.

Near Extremely Fine; wonderful old cabinet tone.

Ex collection of Dipl.-Ing. Adrian Lang; Ex Auktionshaus H. D. Rauch GmbH, Auction 89, 5 December 2011, lot 1345.

C. Cassius Longinus and P. Cornelius Lentulus Spinther AR Denarius. Military mint travelling with Brutus and Cassius, probably at Smyrna, early 42 BC. Diademed head of Libertas to right; LEIBERTAS upwards before, C•CASSI•IMP upwards behind / Capis and lituus; LENTVLVS SPINT in two lines below. Crawford 500/3; CRI 221; BMCRR East 77; RSC 4. 3.85g, 19mm, 6h.

Near Extremely Fine; attractive iridescence.

Amongst the Finest Known

Sextus Pompey AR Denarius. Q. Nasidius, commander of the fleet. Massilia, 44-43 BC. Bare head of Pompey Magnus to right; NEPTVNI behind, trident before, dolphin swimming to right below / Galley under oar and sailing to right; star in upper left field, [Q]•NASIDIVS below. Crawford 483/2; CRI 235; Sydenham 1350; BMCRR Sicily 21-24; RSC 20 (Pompey the Great); RBW 1698. 4.14g, 19mm, 5h. About Good Extremely Fine; amongst the finest known examples of this issue.

9,000

Ex Numismatica Ars Classica SG, Auction 92, 23 May 2016, lot 401.

According to Dio Cassius, following success in naval battles against Octavian, Sextus Pompey (one of the sons of Pompey the Great) came to be known as ‘Son of Neptune’ as reflected in the obverse legend NEPTVNI and trident symbol. The reverse legend names Quintus Nasidius, an admiral under Pompey Magnus and then Sextus. Realising the futility of the Pompeian cause, Nasidius eventually defected to the camp of Marc Antony, and fought under him at the Battle of Actium, after which point he disappears from the historical record.

618.

Marc Antony AR Denarius. Military mint moving with Antony, 41 BC. Bare head to right, lituus behind, M•ANTONIVS•IMP•III•VIR•R•P•C• around / Pietas standing to left, holding turibulum and cornucopiae upon which two storks perch, PIETAS - COS across fields. Crawford 516/5; CRI 238; Sydenham 1172; RSC 79. 4.04g, 19mm, 3h.

Near Extremely Fine; in unusually good condition for the type. Very Rare.

Ex Spink & Son Ltd, Auction 19004, 27 March 2019, lot 258.

Following the defeat of Brutus and Cassius at Philippi in 42 BC, Marc Antony travelled to Asia to settle affairs in the East. During the course of this journey he produced a series of gold and silver coins in honour of his younger brother Lucius Antoninus, surnamed ‘Pietas’, who was consul in 41 BC. Lucius had been a firm supporter of his brother and of Caesar, and while Antony was absent from Rome Lucius and Antony’s wife Fulvia acted in his interests. Lucius assumed the cognomen ‘Pietas’ which we see celebrated on this coin through fraternal devotion to his brother when he and Fulvia fell out with Octavian, resulting in an armed uprising towards the end of 41 BC (see Cassius Dio 48.5.4).

Interestingly, matters could have gone very badly for Octavian at this time: he was attempting to fulfil his obligations to the army in Italy following Philippi and settle vast numbers of veterans on land which had been confiscated throughout the country, but delays and complications resulted in animosity which grew to such a height that Octavian feared for his life. Cassius Dio tells us that the final push to armed conflict was instigated by the veterans who, when Lucius and Fulvia refused to appear for a trial against themselves and Octavian regarding the progress of the veterans’ settlement, sided with Octavian and began making preparations for war. Lucius withdrew from Rome and, confident that his brother’s legions would soon arrive to assist him, remained in the city of Perusia which was duly besieged by Octavian. No rescue came for Lucius, and starvation forced him to surrender in February 40 BC. His life was spared and Octavian made him governor of Spain as a sign of his continuing goodwill towards Marc Antony.

The imagery on this coin is symbolic of the fraternal bond between Marc Antony and his brother. The storks were chosen as symbols of familial piety as it was believed these birds would support their elderly parents on their own wings, and were the personal sigil of Antony. Combined with the figure of Pietas, this reverse therefore signifies the deep bond of brotherly love between Marc Antony and Lucius.

619.

Marc Antony and Octavian AR Denarius. Military mint moving with Antony, Ephesus, spring-early summer 41 BC. M. Barbatius Pollio, Quaestor Pro Praetore. M•ANT•IMP•AVG•III•VIR•R•P•C•M BARBAT•Q•P (partially ligate), bare head of Antony to right / CAESAR•IMP•PONT•III•VIR•R•P•C•, bare head of Octavian to right. Crawford 517/2; CRI 243; BMCRR East 100; RSC 8a. 3.71g, 20mm, 12h. Good Extremely Fine; two bold portraits.

From a private European collection.

Ex J. Q. Adams (6th US President) & Family Collection

600

Marc Antony AR Denarius. Athens, 38-37 BC. III•VIR•R•P•C•COS•DESIG•ITER•ET•TERT, radiate bust of Sol to right / M•ANTONIVS•M•F•M•N• AVG[VR•IMP•TER], Antony standing to right, veiled and dressed as a priest wearing toga, and holding lituus. Crawford 533/2; CRI 267; BMCRR East 141-143; RSC 13a. 4.10g, 18mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine; wonderful deep old cabinet tone. Rare.

1,950

Ex collection of a Lawyer, Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co. KG, Auction 341, 1 October 2020, lot 5686; Ex Collection of John Quincy Adams & Family / Massachusetts Historical Society Holdings, Stack’s Auction, 5-6 March 1971, lot 657; Ex Henry Adams (1838-1918) - Charles Francis Adams (1807-1886) Collection - President John Quincy Adams (1767-1848) Collection. The almost 10,000 coins of the Adams family collection were amassed over three generations, beginning with 6th President of the United States, John Quincy Adams. The present coin is listed in the handwritten catalogue of Roman coins in the possession of the MHS by Henry Adams with the exact weight of 63 grains. The catalogue is undated, but was written before 1913.

116 (same dies). 8.03g, 20mm, 11h.

Very Fine. Extremely Rare; only one other example on CoinArchives.

The exceptional rarity of this coin can be attributed to its legends on both the obverse and reverse; in which the more common letter ‘E’ of ‘TERT’ is replaced with ‘II’. This legend is found on only one pair of dies, which were likely engraved by a local Athenian engraver (CRI p.171). Joseph Eckhel notes that the variation in spelling likely dates this coin towards the very end of the Roman Republic and, if it is accepted that Marc Antony was acclaimed Imperator Tertio (for the third time) in 38 BC, then there is a two-year period in which coins of both legend variations must have been struck (BMCRR p.508, note). The two portraits belong to Marc Antony on the obverse and, Octavia, sister of Octavian, on the reverse. By 38 BC tensions between Antony and Octavian had been simmering for some time, punctuated by key inflection points, such as their battle for political power in the Second Triumvirate and the Perusine War in 41 BC, during which Antony’s first wife Fulvia fought against Octavian before being exiled. This coin could be seen to symbolise a time of truce between the two men after a troublesome past.

This was the final representation of Octavia on the coinage of Antony, as the alliance between her husband and brother disintegrated shortly after it was stuck. When her first husband C. Claudius Marcellus died in 40 BC, Octavia’s subsequent union with Antony sealed the treaty of Brundisium signed in the same year, in which Antony and Octavian divided control of the Roman world between them, with the latter assuming control of the west and the former the east. To cement their alliance further, Antony’s eldest son was betrothed to Octavian’s daughter Julia, then only an infant. The following year the efforts to ensure peace in the Empire were consolidated when an agreement was reached with Sextus Pompey at Misenum, after which Antony returned to Athens to spend the winter with Octavia. The dating of this coin is therefore reinforced, as it seems likely that these dual-portrait coins were issued after Antony’s return to Athens to commemorate his brief reconciliation with Octavia.

This portrait of Octavia differs from earlier representations in expression, features and the elaborate treatment of her hair. This style is more consistent with representations of Victory (H. Appold Grueber, Coins of the Roman Republic in the British Museum, vol. 2, p. 508). This is particularly noteworthy when it is considered that Octavia, alongside Livia, Octavian’s wife, was granted sacrosanctitas, making it illegal to verbally insult her, as well as being pardoned from male guardianship, both of which were extraordinary achievements in Roman society. Furthermore, although they divorced in 33 BC, Octavia raised all of Antony’s surviving children, including children by Fulvia and Cleopatra, three of whom Antony sired while married to Octavia. She has been characterised by her qualities of loyalty, nobility and humility, qualities which are perhaps referenced in this representation which alludes to the goddess Victory.

There are only two further known examples of this extremely rare type with this variation of legend: one was held in the Metropolitan Museum of Art for almost one hundred years prior to being sold in Sotheby’s Metropolitan Museum of Art sale (Part I, 10 November 1972, lot 11), where it was described as being “of the highest rarity and probably unique.”; the other came to sale earlier this year (CNG, Triton XXIV, lot 979) and realised a hammer price of USD 55,000.

Marc Antony and Octavia AV Aureus. Military mint moving with Antony, Athens, 38 BC. M•ANTONIVS•M•Γ•M•N•AVGVR•IMP•TIIRT, bare head of Antony to right / COS•DIISIG•ITIIR•IIT•TIIRT•III•VIR•R•P•C, bare head of Octavia to right. Crawford 533/3b; CRI 268a; BMCRR East p. 508; Calicó

Marc Antony AR Denarius. Military mint moving with Antony, 37 BC. ANT•AVGVR•[III•VIR]•R•P•C, bare head to right / Trophy with figure-of-eight shield attached to each arm; at its base, two spears and two round shields, IMP-TER across fields. Crawford 536/4; CRI 270; Sydenham 1202; RSC 17a. 3.69g, 19mm, 12h.

Good Very Fine; banker’s marks. Very Rare.

From a private European collection.

621.

Extremely Rare

Marc Antony and Octavian AV Aureus. Military mint moving with Octavian, Gaul, 39 BC. Head of Octavian to right; behind CAESA[R] upwards, before IMP downwards / Head of Antony to right; behind ANTONIVS upwards, before IMP downwards. Crawford 529/1; CRI 301; BMCRR Gaul 9091; Biaggi 64; Calicó 105a. 8.03g, 20mm, 6h.

Near Very Fine. Extremely Rare.

This coin, struck during a brief moment of reconciliation between Marc Antony and Octavian, is particularly notable because of its absence of triumviral titles and the name of the moneyer. Following a tumultuous period in the relationship between Antony and Octavian brought almost to disaster by the Perusine War of 41-40 BC, the two senior triumviri temporarily reconciled with the signing of the Treaty of Brundisium in 40 BC, dividing the Roman world between them.

Antony took the east and Octavian took the west; they further strengthened this pact through the marriage of Antony to Octavia, Octavian’s sister. Viewed in this context, the present example should be regarded as a commemoration of the short-lived peace between the two men (CRI, p. 185).

7,500

Sextus Pompey AR Denarius. Uncertain mint in Sicily (Catania?), 42-40 BC. MAG [PIV]S IMP ITER (partially ligate), diademed and bearded head of Neptune to right; trident over left shoulder / Naval trophy set on anchor, top of trident visible above helmet; the arms composed of the stem of a prow in right and aplustre in left, two heads of Scylla at base, PRÆF C[LAS ET ORÆ M]ARIT EX S C (partially ligate) around. Crawford 511/2b; BMCRR Sicily 16-17; CRI 333; Sydenham 1347; RSC Sextus Pompey 1a; RBW 1784. 3.52g, 19mm, 6h. Good Extremely Fine.

Ex Jonathan P. Rosen Collection, Classical Numismatic Group, Auction 108, 16 May 2018, lot 528; Ex Italo Vecchi Ltd., Nvmmorvm Avctiones 6, 9 June 1997, lot 1015.

622.

A Superb Portrait of Pompey the Great

Sextus Pompey AR Denarius. Uncertain mint in Sicily (Catania?), 42-40 BC. MAG•PIVS•IM[P•ITER], bare head of Pompey Magnus to right; capis behind, lituus before / Neptune standing to left, holding aplustre and with foot on prow, between the Catanaean brothers Anapias and Amphinomus advancing in opposite directions and carrying their parents on their shoulders; PRÆF (partially ligate) above, [C]LAS•ET•OR[Æ•MARI]T•EX•S•[C] (partially ligate) in two lines in exergue. Crawford 511/3a; CRI 334; BMCRR Sicily 7-10; RSC 17 (Pompey the Great); RBW 1785. 3.87g, 19mm, 2h.

Good Extremely Fine; beautiful iridescent tone, a superb portrait of Pompey the Great and with an unusually complete reverse for the issue.

Ex Thomas A. Palmer Collection, Classical Numismatic Group, Triton XXV, 11 January 2022, lot 747; Privately purchased from Jonathan Kern, May 1997.

This coin of Sextus Pompey is rich with symbolism. The reverse alludes not only to Sextus’ command of the seas and the probable location of the mint through the legend of Amphinomus and Anapias, but is also a reference to the piety of Sextus Pompey in upholding the Republican ideals of his late father, who is depicted on the obverse.

In the ancient version of the legend there was but one pious hero, though by later times this had evolved into the tale that would have been familiar to the Pompeians, and which provided the inspiration for the final verses of the pseudo-Virgilian poem ‘Aetna’. Though the reverse of this coin clearly references the later retelling of the story, Sextus may well have identified more closely with the original form as related by Lycurgus: “A stream of fire burst forth from Etna. This stream, so the story goes, flowing over the countryside, drew near a certain city of the Sicilians. Most men, thinking of their own safety, took to flight; but one of the youths, seeing that his father, now advanced in years, could not escape and was being overtaken by the fire, lifted him up and carried him. Hindered no doubt by the additional weight of his burden, he too was overtaken. And now let us observe the mercy shown by the Gods towards good men. For we are told that the fire spread round that spot in a ring and only those two men were saved, so that the place is still called the Place of the Pious, while those who had fled in haste, leaving their parents to their fate, were all consumed.”

From a private European collection.

Cleopatra and Marc Antony AR Denarius. Uncertain Eastern mint, autumn 34 BC. CLEOPATR[AE•REGINAE]•REGVM•FILIORVM•REGVM•, diademed and draped bust of Cleopatra to right; prow to right at point of bust / ANTONI•ARMENIA•DE[VICTA], bare head of Marc Antony to right; Armenian tiara to left. Crawford 543/1; CRI 345; BMCRR East 179-82; RSC 1. 3.80g, 18mm, 1h. About Good Very Fine. Rare.

627.

Cleopatra and Marc Antony AR Denarius. Uncertain Eastern mint, autumn 34 BC. CLEOPATRAE•REGINAE•REGVM•FILIORVM•REGVM•, diademed and draped bust of Cleopatra to right; prow to right at point of bust / ANTONI•ARMENIA•DEVICTA, bare head of Marc Antony to right; Armenian tiara to left. Crawford 543/1; CRI 345; BMCRR East 179-82; RSC 1. 3.70g, 20mm, 12h. Good Very Fine; attractive iridescent highlights to rev. Rare.

From a private European collection.

This type proudly commemorates the victory against Armenia in 34 BC with the legend ‘Armenia Devicta’ (Armenia vanquished). During the war on Parthia in early 36 BC, Antony followed the advice of the Armenian king Artavasdes to invade Parthia not from the West (the shortest route) but from the North, subduing the Parthian allied kingdom of Media Atropatene along the way, whose king was (conveniently) an enemy of Artavasdes. At the fortified town of Phraaspa however, the attack foundered and Artavasdes abandoned Antony, allowing his logistics train and two legions to be massacred. Following a failed siege of Phraaspa, Antony was forced to call off the campaign and effect a fighting retreat in the course of which no fewer than eighteen battles were fought. Antony arrived back in Syria by late 36 BC, having lost about 40% (some 80,000 men) of his original force.

In early 34 BC, after attempting to lure Artavasdes to discuss marriage proposals and renewed war on Parthia, pleasant inducements and entreaties through the king’s companions, a forced march to the capital Artaxata and what Cassius Dio describes as ‘aggressive use of his soldiers’, eventually Antony convinced Artavasdes to come to his camp, where the king was promptly arrested. Antony proceeded to plunder the country, returning to Alexandria with his captives: King Artavasdes, his wife, and his family. There he celebrated a mock Roman triumph - an eastern pastiche of Rome’s most important military ceremony - parading through the streets in a chariot with his captives walking behind. Cleopatra watched with Caesarion at her side. Finally, the whole city was summoned to the gymnasium to watch ‘The Donations of Alexandria’. Antony and Cleopatra, dressed as DionysusOsiris and Isis-Aphrodite, sat on golden thrones while Antony distributed kingdoms among his children by Cleopatra: Alexander Helios was named king of Armenia, Media and Parthia, his twin Selene was awarded Cyrenaica and Libya, and the young Ptolemy Philadelphus was given Syria and Cilicia. Cleopatra was proclaimed Queen of Kings, a title shown on this coin’s obverse which also names ‘her Children, who are kings’. Most damaging to relations with Octavian was his naming Caesarion as a legitimate son and heir of Julius Caesar, which caused a fatal rupture of Antony’s relations with Rome. When the triumvirate officially expired on the last day of 33 BC it was not renewed, and the Roman world again found itself at war.

Cleopatra and Marc Antony AR Denarius. Uncertain Eastern mint, autumn 34 BC. CLE[OPATRAE•REGINAE•RE]GVM•FILIORVM•REGVM•, diademed and draped bust of Cleopatra to right; [prow to right at point of bust] / ANTONI•ARMENIA•DEVI[CTA], bare head of Marc Antony to right; Armenian tiara to left. Crawford 543/1; CRI 345; BMCRR East 179-82; RSC 1. 3.80g, 18mm, 1h. Very Fine; banker’s marks, attractive golden iridescence around devices. Rare.

From a private European collection.

2,400

Marc Antony AR Denarius. Uncertain mint (Actium?), 31 BC. D. Turillius, moneyer. M•ANTONIVS•AVG•IMP•IIII•COS•TERT•III•VIR•R•P•C, bare head to right / Victory standing to left, holding wreath and palm; D TVR (partially retrograde) in lower right field; all within wreath. Crawford 545/1; CRI 387; RBW 1850; BMCRR East 227; RSC 11. 3.48g, 18mm, 1h.

Good Very Fine. Rare.

Acquired from Leu Numismatik AG.

Octavian AR Denarius. Italian mint (possibly Rome) autumn 32- summer 31 BC. Diademed bust of Venus to right / Imperator advancing to left, extending hand and holding spear; CAESAR- DIVI F across fields. RIC I 251; CRI 397; BMCRR Rome 4328 = BMCRE 609; RSC 70. 3.75g, 20mm, 6h.

Very Fine; attractive iridescence.

From a private European collection.

COINS OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE

Augustus AR Denarius. Uncertain Spanish mint (Colonia Caesaraugusta?), 19-18 BC. CAESAR AVGVSTVS, bare head to right / S•P•Q•R CL•V in two lines on round shield (clipeus virtutis). RIC I 42a; BMCRE 333-4 = BMCRR Gaul 128-9; RSC 294; BN 1311. 3.80g, 19mm, 6h.

Near Extremely Fine; beautiful deep old cabinet tone.

Ex Scipio Collection, Soler & Llach, Auction 1122, 26 October 2021, lot 605; Acquired from José A. Herrero, August 2003.

Augustus AR Denarius. Colonia Patricia, 19 BC. CAESAR AVGVSTVS, bare head to right / Mars within domed temple of four columns, holding aquila and trophy; MART V[LT] in exergue. RIC I 70a; BMCRE 370; ACIP 4367; RSC 199. 3.71g, 18mm, 7h.

Extremely Fine; attractive golden tone with underlying lustre. Extremely Rare.

From a private European collection.

Augustus AR Denarius. Uncertain Spanish mint (Colonia Patricia?), 19 BC. CAESAR AVGVSTVS, bare head to right / OB CIVIS SERVATOS in three lines within oak wreath. RIC I 77a; BMCRE 378; RSC 208. 3.93g, 20mm, 7h.

Near Mint State; attractive cabinet tone with lustre around the devices.

From the inventory of a North American dealer; Ex Gorny & Mosch Giessener Münzhandlung, Auction 273, 19 November 2020, lot 450.

Augustus AR Denarius. Colonia Patricia(?), 19 BC. CAESAR AVGVSTVS, bare head to right / Round shield inscribed [CL•V], aquila and signum flanking; SIGNIS above, RECEPTIS below, S P Q R around. RIC I 86a; BMCRE 417; ACIP 4382; RSC 265. 3.73g, 20mm, 7h.

About Extremely Fine.

From a private European collection.

The Death of Virgil

Augustus AR Denarius. Rome, 19-18 BC. P. Petronius Turpilianus, moneyer. CAESAR AVGVSTVS, bare head to right / P•PETRON•TVRPILIAN•III•VIR, Pegasus standing to right with left foreleg and hoof raised. RIC I 297; BMCRE 23-6 = BMCRR Rome 4536-9; BN 150 (same dies); RSC 491. 3.87g, 18mm, 9h.

Good Extremely Fine. Very Rare.

Acquired from Numismatica Ars Classica AG; Privately purchased from Harlan J. Berk, 1980’s.

It is potentially no coincidence that the issue of IIIvir monetalis P. Petronius Turpilianus showing the image of what must have been a magnificent Greek statue of Pegasus as the horse of the Muses in act of striking the ground with his hoof coincided with the year of the epic poet Virgil’s death. Virgil is known to have travelled to Greece in about 19 BC to revise the Aeneid, and after meeting Augustus in Athens returned thereafter to Italy, but caught a fever and died near Brundisium later that year on 21 September

This reverse type may be considered to allude to the spring of the Muses, the Hippokrene (‘Horse’s Fountain’), on Mount Helikon, where the winged stallion had struck his hoof and the spring came forth. According to Pausanias (Description of Greece, 9.31.3) the water of this spring was supposed to give poetic inspiration when imbibed. The reverse type of this issue may thus plausibly be interpreted as a subtle yet elegant commemoration of the memory of Virgil as a champion of Roman culture in the Golden Age of Augustus wherein thrived a rich appreciation of all forms of Greek culture and myth.

Augustus AR Denarius. Rome, 19/18 BC. P. Petronius Turpilianus, moneyer. CAESAR AVGVSTVS, bare head to right / TVRPILIANVS•III•VIR•, six-rayed star above crescent. RIC I 300; BMCRE 32; RSC 495. 3.87g, 20mm, 3h.

Good Very Fine; banker’s mark to obv.

Auctioned in association with and on behalf of Numismática Lucernae, Jaén; Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XXII, 8 October 2021, lot 664; Ex Áureo & Calicó, Auction 353, 21 October 2020, lot 212; Ex Lifchuz Collection.

An Extremely Rare Spanish Issue

Augustus AR Aureus. Colonia Patricia(?), 18-17 BC. Bare head to left / Capricorn to right, holding globe with attached rudder, cornucopiae above; AVGVSTVS below. RIC I 129; BMCRE p. 62 note* var. (Capricorn left); Biaggi 83 var. (head right); ACIP 4342; Calicó 166. 7.70g, 20mm, 6h.

Good Very Fine; small scratch to obverse. Extremely Rare; no other examples offered at auction in over 20 years.

Acquired from HD Rauch GmbH.

3,000

634.

636.

635.

The Finest of Only Four in 20 Years

Augustus AR Denarius. Spanish (Tarraco?) mint, 17-16 BC. S • P • Q • R • CAESARI AVGVSTO, bare head to left / QVOD • VIAE • MVN • SVNT

•, double triumphal arch set atop viaduct, ornamented with rostra and surmounted by Augustus, holding branch in right hand, crowned by Victory, who stands behind him, driving quadriga of horses to right. RIC I 145; BMCRE 434 = BMCRR Rome 4464; BN 1253-4; RSC 231. 3.84g, 20mm, 5h.

Near Extremely Fine; beautiful old cabinet tone. Extremely Rare; one of only four examples offered at auction in the past two decades, of which this is arguably the finest.

Ex Lifchuz Collection, Áureo & Calicó, Auction 353, 21 October 2020, lot 197.

After his defeat of Marc Antony at the Battle of Actium in 31 BC, Octavian, who later became Augustus, secured his political position at Rome and this decisive victory enabled him to pursue his ambitions of sole rule and reform of the Republican system of government. Following the years of unrest caused by civil war, Augustus was determined to repair the damage done to the Empire, both political and physical, and amongst other major ventures he embarked on a project to improve the quality and reach of its roads in an effort to strengthen trade networks and increase mobility

This endeavour is referenced in the reverse legend of this coin which reads QVOD • VIAE • MVN • SVNT, communicating that the roads had been paved. This coin can therefore be seen to celebrate the finished and repaired roads that ameliorated the efficiency of the military and the ease of transportation of goods and people, something which became of increasing importance as the Empire’s population continued to expand. Indeed, the benefits provided by the better road infrastructure were felt by tradespeople, the military and the wider populace alike, allowing all to travel longer distances quicker even when encumbered by equipment or goods.

The restoration of the roads was assigned to wealthy senators to manage and finance for the most part, however the strategically significant Via Flaminia was managed by Augustus personally. This was arguably one of the most vital roads on the Italian peninsula, linking Rome to Ariminum (modern-day Rimini), an important trade centre with strong existing trade links by sea and river and now land, thanks to the vast expense of Augustus’ restorations. To mark the completion of his work on the road, Augustus constructed a triumphal arch at each end, monuments that are perhaps alluded to in the iconography on the reverse of this coin. Although it is not possible to attribute the arch depicted on this coin to a specific known structure, particularly since the arch at Ariminum, (which survives to this day) had only one aperture, it seems likely that this is an allegorical reference to the ‘triumph’ of finishing the road-building project.

639.

Augustus AV Aureus. Lugdunum, 15-12 BC. AVGVSTVS DIVI F, bare head to right / Bull butting to right, pawing ground and flicking tail; IMP•X in exergue. RIC I 166a; C. 136; BMCRE 450; BN 1372; Giard, Lyon, 18, pl. IX; Biaggi 109; Calicó 212. 7.78g, 20mm, 6h.

638. 4,200

Acquired from Nomisma S.p.a.; Ex Swiss collection, formed in mid 20th century, Leu Numismatik AG, Web Auction 12, 30 May 2020, lot 1054.

640.

Augustus AR Denarius. Lugdunum, 15-13 BC. AVGVSTVS DIVI•F, bare head to right / Bull butting to right; IMP•X in exergue. RIC I 167a; BMCRE 451; Lyon 19; RSC 137. 3.80g, 18mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine.

Augustus AR Denarius. Lugdunum, 15-13 BC. AVGVSTVS DIVI•F, bare head to right / Bull butting to right; IMP•X in exergue. RIC I 167a; BMCRE 451; Lyon 19; RSC 137. 3.80g, 18mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine.

From a private European collection.

600

Augustus AR Denarius. Lugdunum, 15-13 BC. AVGVSTVS DIVI F, bare head to right / Bull butting to left; IMP X in exergue. RIC I 169; BMCRE 458; RSC 141. 3.78g, 19mm, 9h.

Extremely Fine. Rare with bull to left.

From a private European collection. 300

642.

Augustus AR Denarius. Lugdunum, 10 BC. AVGVSTVS DIVI F, laureate head to right / Diana Venatrix, wearing long hunting tunic and low polos on head, advancing to right, drawing an arrow from quiver slung behind her and holding bow; IMP-XI[I] across fields, SICIL in exergue. RIC I 197a; BMCRE 490 = BMCRR Gaul 192-3; BN 1438-42; Lyon 57; RSC 172. 3.82g, 18mm, 9h.

Good Very Fine. Very Rare.

From a private European collection.

Ex Bank Leu 28, 1981

643.

Divus Augustus Ӕ Sestertius. Rome, AD 35-36. DIVO AVGVSTO S P Q R, OB CIVES SER written in three lines on shield, surrounded by oak-wreath and supported by two capricorns set on globe / TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVGVST P M TR POT XXXVII around large SC. RIC I 63 (Tiberius); C. 303; BMCRE 109 (Tiberius). 27.77g, 34mm, 2h.

Good Extremely Fine; splendid Tiber patina. Scarce, and possibly the finest known example.

Ex Bank Leu AG, Auction 28, 5 May 1981, lot 364.

Tiberius AV Aureus. Lugdunum, AD 14-37. TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVGVSTVS, laureate head to right / PONTIF MAXIM, Livia, as Pax, seated to right on throne with ornamented legs, holding sceptre and olive branch; single exergual line below. RIC I 29 corr. (ornamented legs); BMCRE 46-47; Lyon 147; Calicó 305c. 7.85g, 20mm, 11h.

Extremely Fine; small edge nick.

From a private European collection.

Nero Claudius Drusus (father of Claudius) Æ Sestertius. Rome, AD 41-50. NERO CLAVDIVS DRVSVS GERMANICVS IMP, bare head to left / TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG P M TR P IMP, emperor seated to left on curule chair, holding branch, arms at base; SC below. RIC I 93 (Claudius); C. 8; BMCRE 157 (Claudius) corr. (rev. type). 27.78g, 35mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine; beautifully centered on the planchet and featuring an attractive emerald green patina.

From a private European collection.

647.

Caligula Honours his Great-Grandfather

Good Extremely Fine; two highly attractive portraits, pleasant light cabinet tone.

Ex Thomas A. Palmer Collection; Ex Classical Numismatic Group, inventory no. 737486, April 2004; Ex Classical Numismatic Group, Triton VII, 13 January 2004, lot 849.

Much attention has been given over the years to the seemingly base character of Gaius, known to history as Caligula (meaning ‘little soldier ’s boot) after the nickname he acquired as a child from his father Germanicus’ soldiers during their campaign in Germania. Though there are few surviving sources concerning his reign, he is generally described as noble and moderate in the first six months of his rule, after which time the sources focus upon his cruelty, sadism, extravagance and sexual perversion. All surviving sources, except Pliny the Elder, characterise Caligula as insane, but given his extreme unpopularity it is difficult to separate fact from fiction in the historical record.

Recent studies have attempted to ascribe a medical reason for his unusual behaviour, citing encephalitis, epilepsy or meningitis as possibilities, however the question remains unanswered. Philo of Alexandria, Josephus and Seneca state that Caligula was insane, but describe this madness as a personality trait that came through experience. Certainly the experiences in the early years of his life would have been sufficient to leave an individual severely traumatised at the very least; born in AD 12 into the perilously dysfunctional Julio-Claudian family, his father Germanicus was allegedly poisoned by an agent of Tiberius (Germanicus’ uncle) when Caligula was only seven, and his mother Agrippina and eldest brother Nero were banished by the emperor on charges of treason in 29. His other older brother Drusus was imprisoned on similar charges in AD 30, and in the same year Nero was killed or committed suicide. His mother was mistreated in exile, losing an eye during a beating from a centurion, and died in AD 33. Tacitus (Annals, 6.25) speculates that she was starved to death as was Drusus, who died after having been reduced to chewing the stuffing of his bed. Meanwhile, Caligula and his sisters were “nothing more than prisoners of Tiberius, under the close watch of soldiers” according to Suetonius (Lives of the Caesars, III.64). All the while, Caligula was forced to act as though he bore Tiberius no ill-will, whom Caligula claimed to have planned to kill with a dagger in order to avenge his mother and brother (Lives of the Caesars, IV.12).

The grief felt by Caligula at the loss of his murdered parents, Germanicus and Agrippina, and his murdered brothers, Nero Caesar and Drusus Caesar, is evident in his efforts to commemorate their memories, of which his coinage provides numerous examples. Here, he celebrates his familial right to rule through his association with the first emperor, his great-grandfather, Augustus.

Nero, as Caesar, AR Denarius. Rome, AD 51-54. NERONI CLAVDIO [DRVSO] GERM COS DESIGN, bare-headed and draped bust to right / EQVESTER OR-DO PRINCIPI IVVENT in four lines on shield, behind which stands a spear. RIC I 79 (Claudius); BMCRE 93 (Claudius); RSC 97. 3.45g, 17mm, 2h.

Near Extremely Fine; a high-relief and attractive portrait of young Nero.

Caligula, with Divus Augustus, AR Denarius. Lugdunum, AD 37. C • CAESAR • AVG • GERM • P • M • TR • POT • COS, bare head of Gaius ‘Caligula’ to right / Radiate head of Divus Augustus to right, flanked by two stars. RIC I 2; BMCRE 4; BN 3-8; RSC 11. 3.77g, 20mm, 2h.

648.

Extremely Fine; high relief. Very Rare.

Ex Bolaffi Spa, Auction 34, 30 May 2019, lot 435.

The Only Example on CoinArchives

6,000

Nero Æ Sestertius. Lugdunum, AD 66. IMP NERO CAESAR AVG PONT MAX TR P P P, laureate head to right, globe at point of bust / Garlanded triumphal arch surmounted by statue of emperor in facing quadriga escorted on right by Victory holding wreath and palm and on left by Pax holding caduceus and cornucopiae; two small figures of soldiers below the quadriga on extreme left and right; on left side of arch in niche, figure of Mars standing facing, holding spear and round shield; ornamental reliefs on the faces and plinths of the arch; S-C across fields. RIC I 498; C. -; BMCRE 332 var. (obv. legend). 24.62g, 35mm, 7h.

Near Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare; the only example present on CoinArchives.

Acquired from Leu Numismatik AG; Ex collection of Dipl.-Ing. Adrian Lang; Ex Rainer Wilshke collection, Numismatica Ars Classica, Auction 84, 20 May 2015, lot 1796; Ex Dr. Busso Peus Nachfolger, Auction 349, 30 October 1996, lot 321.

2,400

Nero AV Aureus. Lugdunum, AD 62-63. NERO CAESAR AVG IMP, bare head to right / PONTIF MAX TR P VIII COS III P P, Roma standing to right, foot on helmet, holding shield, bow and dagger at feet; EX- SC across fields. RIC I 38; C. 230; BMCRE 43; Calicó 436. 7.71g, 19mm, 6h.

649.

651.

Civil War AR Denarius. Uncertain mint in Spain, AD 68-69. BON EVENT, diademed head of female to right / PACI P R, clasped hands holding winged caduceus. AM 42; RIC I 4 (R4); BMCRE 4; RSC 390. 3.01g, 19mm, 4h.

Near Extremely Fine; wonderful old cabinet tone. Extremely Rare; rated R4 by RIC and only four other examples found on CoinArchives.

From the private collection of an European Engineer.

The anonymous coins of the Civil War of AD 68-69 produced at mints in Spain, Gaul, Northern Italy and possibly North Africa and Germany are notoriously rare and difficult to obtain. They do not name their issuing authorities, but we may safely infer that they were struck in support of Vindex, Galba or Vitellius, depending on the location of their production. Until relatively recently they had largely been ignored by scholars, though in the 1970s Peter-Hugo Martin, Colin Kraay and Etienne-Paul Nicolas all published studies on this obscure series. Many of the coin types are known from only very few examples, or unique specimens, and despite the revolt being brief, a matter of just a few months, the coinage is exceptionally diverse.

900

Civil War, Vindex AR Denarius. Uncertain mint in Gaul, AD 68. AVGVSTVS CAESAR, bare head of Augustus to left / S•P•Q•R - CL•V inscribed in two lines on clipeus virtutis. Nicolas -; AM -; BMC -; RIC -; C. -. 3.39g, 18mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine. Apparently unique and unpublished; of great numismatic interest.

Ex Long Valley River Collection; Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction VII, 22 March 2014, lot 1012.

652.

1,800

This coin is a restitution of the type issued under Augustus (RIC 42b), and follows that coin very closely, except for the style of the portrait which is distinctly ‘provincial’. This style is however entirely in keeping with the manner of engraving common among Vindex’s engravers, which tends towards tightly pursed lips, pointed noses and furrowed brows. Quite apart from its being a previously unrecorded type for Vindex, this coin is also among a certain rare league of that series, being a direct copy of a pre-existing type. Other restitutions included the Divus Iulius comet type (RIC 37 and 102), the capricorn reverse type, and the bull reverse type popular under Augustus. The appearance of this type is therefore a pleasant surprise, but not completely unexpected.

Galba AR Denarius. Rome, AD 68-69. IMP SER GALBA AVG, bare head to right / S P Q R OB C S in three lines within oak wreath. RIC I 167; BMCRE 34 corr. (bust type); RSC 287. 3.49g, 18mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine; attractively toned with a striking portrait.

Acquired from Artemide Aste s.r.l. (San Marino).

900

654.

Otho AV Aureus. Rome, AD 69. IMP M OTHO CAESAR AVG TR P, bare head to right / PAX ORBIS TERRARVM, Pax standing facing, head to left, holding olive branch and caduceus. RIC I 3; C. 2; BMCRE 1; BN 2; Biaggi 270; Calicó 524. 7.05g, 20mm, 5h. Near Very Fine. Rare.

From a private European collection.

According to the accounts of Plutarch and Suetonius, Otho was sent to Lusitania in AD 68 because Nero had become enamoured of his wife Poppaea Sabina. The two were divorced, and Otho’s bitterness at his estrangement from his wife, paired with his relocation to Hispania, made him a natural ally for Galba, the governor of neighbouring Tarraconensis, in his revolt against Nero. Support for Nero waned, and he fled to the villa of his freedman Phaon where he took his own life, while Galba, accompanied by Otho, marched on Rome and was declared emperor

Otho expected to be named Galba’s heir as a result of his loyalty, but when Galba nominated L. Calpurnius Piso Frugi Licinianus, Otho’s disappointment manifested itself as anger and he fomented a revolt amongst the Praetorians, who murdered Galba. Otho was hailed emperor on 15 January 69, however, his reign was not destined to be lengthy. Whilst he had the support of Egypt, Africa and the legions of the Danube, support for Vitellius was strong among the powerful legions stationed on the Rhine and conflict became inevitable.

Otho committed to a battle before his reinforcements from Dalmatia were able to reach him, and he suffered a defeat at the Battle of Bedriacum. Ignoring the entreaties of his generals to await his reinforcements and offer battle once again, Otho took his own life, after just three months as emperor, giving his reason as to avoid further bloodshed.

His suicide was widely recognised by his contemporaries as an honourable act. The poet Martial later wrote in his Epigrams VI. XXXII “Sit Cato, dum vivit, sane vel Caesare maior, dum moritur, numquid maior Othone fuit?” (“Cato while he lived, he was greater than Caesar himself, when he died, was he at all greater than Otho?”). Given the nature of the circumstances of his death, it seems fitting that the legend on the reverse of this rare type should be PAX ORBIS TERRARVM, since despite the violence of his short reign, through his suicide Otho had steered Rome away from further conflict.

Very Rare

Near Very Fine. Very Rare.

From a private European collection.

6,000

Otho AV Aureus. Rome, AD 69. IMP M OTHO CAESAR AVG TR P, bare head to right / SECVRITAS P R, Securitas standing facing, head to left, holding wreath and sceptre. RIC I 7; C. 16; BMCRE 13; Biaggi 273; Calicó 531a. 7.00g, 19mm, 6h.

656.

Ex Walters Collection (1932) and Cited in RIC and BMCRE

657.

Vitellius Æ Sestertius. Rome, AD 69. A VITELLIVS GERMANICVS IMP AVG P M TR P, laureate and draped bust to right / PAX AVGVSTI, Pax standing facing, head to left, holding branch and cornucopiae; S-C across fields. RIC I 118 (this coin cited); C. 67; BN 92; BMCRE p. 377, ⴕ (this coin cited). 25.29g, 37mm, 6h.

Near Extremely Fine; slightly smoothed.

This coin cited in Roman Imperial Coinage Vol. I (Revised Edition) From 31 BC to AD 69 (London, 1984);

This coin cited in Coins of the Roman Empire in the British Museum Vol I: Augustus to Vitellius. (London, 1965);

Ex Bolaffi Spa, Auction 41, 26 May 2022, lot 213;

Ex Numismatik Lanz München, Auction 32, 29 April 1985, lot 451;

Ex Frederick A. Walters Collection, Adolph Hess Nachfolger (Lucerne), Auction 211, 9 May 1932, lot 503.

A Very Rare Issue

4,500

Vespasian AV Aureus. Tarraco(?), AD 69-70. IMP CAESAR AVG VESPASIANVS, laureate head to right / Mars advancing to right, holding spear and trophy; VLTOR to left, MARS to right. RIC II.1 1297; C. 270; BMCRE 350; Calicó 651. 7.25g, 18mm, 6h.

Very Fine. Very Rare.

Ex collection of Z.P., Austria, Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 91, 2 December 2021, lot 838.

1,500

Vespasian Æ Sestertius. Rome, AD 71. IMP CAES VESPAS AVG P M TR P P P COS III, laureate head to right / ROMA, Roma standing to left, holding Victory and spear; S-C across fields. RIC II.1 244; C. 418; BMCRE 564. 26.06g, 34mm, 7h.

Extremely Fine; some superficial metal flaws.

From a private UK collection.

900

655.

Among the Finest Examples

Titus Æ Sestertius. Rome, AD 80-81. IMP T CAES VESP AVG P M TR P P P COS VIII, laureate head to right / Spes walking to left, holding flower and raising hem of robe; large S-C across fields. RIC II.1 168; C. 221; BMCRE 186. 24.42g, 33mm, 6h.

658. 900

Extremely Fine; well-centered and boasting an attractive, glossy patina - among the very finest example to come to auction in the past decade.

From a private European collection.

659. 600

Titus Æ As. Rome, AD 80-81. IMP T CAES VESP AVG P M TR P COS VIII, laureate head to left / PAX AVGVST, Pax standing to left, holding branch and winged caduceus; S-C across fields. RIC II.1 230; BMCRE 212. 10.62g, 27mm, 8h.

Good Extremely Fine. Scarce.

From a private European collection.

Excessively Rare

660. 600

661.

Titus Æ As. Rome, AD 80-81. IMP T CAES VESP AVG P M TR P COS VIII, laureate head to left / SECVRITAS AVGVST, Securitas seated to right before garlanded and lit altar, supporting head and holding sceptre; SC in exergue. RIC II.1 244; HCC 63 (same dies); BMCRE -. 13.03g, 28mm, 6h. About Extremely Fine; some wear on the high points, otherwise in wonderful condition. Excessively Rare; no others on CoinArchives, not in the British Museum Collection, and only two examples cited in museum collections in RIC.

From the private collection of an European Engineer.

Domitian, as Caesar, AR Denarius. Rome, AD 80-81. CAESAR DIVI F DOMITIANVS COS VII, laureate head to right / PRINCEPS IVVENTVTIS, garlanded and lit altar with horns. RIC II.1 266 (Titus); BMCRE 92-6 (Titus); BN 76-7 (Titus); RSC 397a. 3.51g, 18mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine; attractive cabinet tone with golden iridescence.

Privately purchased from Numismatica Ars Classica AG.

The Aquila - First and Last Symbol of Rome

Domitian AV Aureus. Rome, AD 82-83. IMP CAES DOMITIANVS AVG P M, laureate head to right / IVPPITER CONSERVATOR, eagle, with spread wings and head to left, standing facing perched on thunderbolt. RIC II.1 143b; C. 319; BMCRE 51; BN 49 var. (wings raised); Calicó 895. 7.74g, 21mm, 6h.

Good Extremely Fine. Very Rare.

Ex G.T. Collection of the Twelve Caesars, Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XX, 30 October 2020, lot 501; Ex Numismatica Ars Classica AG, Auction 100, 29 May 2017, lot 462.

The aquila (eagle) has long been regarded as one of the most ancient and enduring emblems of the Roman people. Its importance to the Romans derives from its association with Jupiter, supreme deity of the Roman pantheon, revered as the patron of the Roman state since the earliest days of the kings. Stemming ultimately from the Greek tradition of the ‘aetos dios’ being the personal messenger and companion of Zeus, its mythological history is uncertain, and the surviving sources are very late; according to Antoninus Liberalis (Metamorphoses VI), c. AD 100-300, it was once a mortal king name Periphas, renowned for his just and noble rule, transformed by Zeus and made king of the birds.

Fulgentius (Mythologiarum Libri III), c. AD 475-525 relates the eagle as being a creation of the primordial goddess Gaia, appearing before Zeus at the start of the Titanomachy, the great war between the Olympian gods and their predecessors the Titans, which Zeus took to be a favourable omen of victory leading him to adopt the eagle as his own attribute: “for so happy an omen, especially since victory did ensue, he made a golden eagle for his war standards and consecrated it to the might of his protection, whereby also among the Romans, standards of this kind are carried.”

Frequently employed as a representative motif with protective connotations invoking the divine assistance of Jupiter (hence the thunderbolt it often clutches), the eagle itself was associated with strength, courage and far-sightedness, on account of which qualities it was readily adopted by the Roman military as a legionary ensign along with the wolf, bull, horse and boar (Pliny the Elder, Naturalis Historia X.16). From the second consulship of Gaius Marius in 104 BC, the Aquila became the sole symbol of the Roman legions.

On the Roman coinage, the eagle was utilized on some of the earliest issues, appearing on aes signatum (BMC 2, Crawford 4.1a) in the early-mid third century BC, and on the gold coinage issued during the Second Punic War c. 211-207, and subsequently employed sporadically throughout the time of the Republic. Its usage on Imperial coinage after the reign of Augustus is surprisingly limited, but the type was revived by the Flavians for issues of gold and silver, after which time the eagle appears almost invariably either on ‘consecration’ issues denoting the elevation of an emperor or empress to a status of divinity (as when Zeus sent his eagle to fetch the handsome youth Ganymede to heaven to become the cup-bearer of the gods), or as an adjunct symbol. It would not be until after the fall of the Western Empire that the eagle would once again be featured as the principal type of the coinage of Rome, c. AD 493-534; this municipal coinage would also be the last issued by the ancient Romans in their own name.

As such it may be argued that there is a melancholic circularity to the Roman coinage as there is also found in the names of her rulers: as Romulus and Augustus were the first king and first emperor, and Romulus Augustus the last emperor, so too was the eagle boldly imprinted on both the earliest and last coins of Rome.

Domitian Æ Dupondius. Rome, AD 85. IMP CAES DOMITIAN AVG GERM COS XI, radiate head to right, aegis on far shoulder / VIRTVTI AVGVSTI, Virtus standing to right, holding parazonium and spear, foot on helmet; S-C across fields. RIC II.1 300; C. -; BN 335 var. (Virtus to left); BMCRE 313 var. (same). 16.67g, 29mm, 6h.

Good Extremely Fine; minor scuff to obverse, a highly attractive example.

From the inventory of Roberto Delzanno Mynthandel; Ex Classical Numismatic Group, Auction 106, 13 September 2017, lot 730.

Ex Sotheby’s 1934

Domitian Æ As. Rome, AD 87. IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM COS XIII CENS PER P P, laureate head to right / FORTVNAE AVGVSTI, Fortuna standing to left, holding rudder and cornucopiae; S-C across fields. RIC II.1 544; BMCRE 401. 12.09g, 32mm, 6h.

Near Extremely Fine; some scratches, struck on a large planchet.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 91, 2 December 2021, lot 862. Ex Sotheby’s, 3 December 1934, lot 156.

Domitian AR Denarius. Rome, AD 91. [IM]P CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P III, laureate head to right / IMP XXII COS XVI CENS P P P, Minerva advancing to right, brandishing spear and shield. RIC II.1 156; BMCRE p. 336, note; RSC 269. 3.45g, 20mm, 7h.

Good Extremely Fine; bright and lustrous metal.

From the inventory of a North American dealer.

Anonymous Æ Tessera. Mid-late 1st century AD. Ceremonial sceptre surmounted by beardless male head to left / A P P F within jewelled wreath. C. 53; Göbl, Antike 104. 2.31g, 18mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine. Rare; one of the finest examples offered at auction in the past two decades.

Ex collection of Z.P., Austria, Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 91, 2 December 2021, lot 869.

The reverse legends stands for Augusto Patri Patriae Feliciter (To Augustus, the happy father of the country).

667. 150

669.

Trajan Æ Dupondius. Rome, AD 98-99. IMP CAES NERVA TRAIAN AVG GERM P M, radiate head to right / TR POT COS II, Abundantia seated to left on chair formed of two cornucopiae, holding sceptre; SC in exergue. RIC II 398; Woytek 19a; BMCRE 720. 11.79g, 26mm, 6h.

Good Extremely Fine; expressive portrait.

From a private European collection.

Trajan AR Denarius. Rome, AD 101-102. IMP CAES NERVA TRAIAN AVG GERM, laureate head to right / P M TR P COS IIII P P, Victory standing to right, foot on helmet, inscribing shield set on altar. RIC II 65; BMCRE 112; Woytek 126a; RSC 247. 3.38g, 18mm, 6h. Mint State.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 91, 2 December 2021, lot 875.

Second Known of Restored Caesar Type

Trajan AR Denarius. Restoration issue of Julius Caesar. Rome, AD 105. IMP CAES TRAIAN AV[G GER DAC] P P REST bull-calf standing to left; Q VOCONIVS above, VITVLVS below / DIVI IVLI, wreathed head of Julius Caesar to right, lituus behind. UBS 78, 1218 (same dies); otherwise unpublished. 2.93g, 19mm, 5h.

Good Very Fine; deep cabinet tone. Exceedingly Rare; perhaps only the second known example of the type.

From a private UK collection.

1,500

Bearing the obverse legend common to all of Trajan’s Restoration issues, this type is based on the coins of Q. Voconius Vitulus (quaestor circa 40 BC; Crawford 526/2) and fits easily alongside the other known issues of this series.

Trajan Æ Sestertius. Rome, AD 106-107. IMP CAES NERVAE TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS V P P, laureate head to right, drapery on far shoulder / S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI, Roma standing facing, head to left, holding Victory and spear; Dacian at her feet; S-C across fields. RIC II 486; C. 386; Woytek 250b; BN 605 var. (bust type); Lacourt Im4.13 pl. 7, 1 (this coin); BMCRE 772-773. 21.11g, 33mm, 7h. Good Extremely Fine; an attractive, sharply struck reverse.

This coin published in J. Lacourt, Sesterces des Antonins (96-192): Vol I Nerva-Trajan (France, 2022);

Ex Numismatica Ars Classica AG, Auction 114, 6 May 2019, lot 668;

Ex Numismatik Lanz München, Auction 150, 13 December 2010, lot 284;

Ex Numismatica Ars Classica AG, Auction 52, 7 October 2009, lot 413.

Trajan AR Denarius. Rome, AD 107. IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS V P P, laureate bust to right, slight drapery on far shoulder / S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI, Aequitas standing to left, holding scales and cornucopiae. RIC II 169; BMCRE 167; Woytek 222b; RSC 462. 3.47g, 19mm, 7h.

Fleur De Coin; beautiful iridescent light cabinet tone.

Ex Numismatica Ars Classica AG, Auction 120, 6 October 2020, lot 748.

Trajan AR Denarius. Restoration issue of P. Sulpicius Galba. Rome, AD 107. Veiled and draped bust of Vesta to right; S•C to left / IMP CAES TRAIAN AVG GER DAC P P REST, emblems of the pontificate: secespitae, simpulum, and axe; AE-CVR across fields, P•GALB in exergue. RIC II 789; Woytek 822; Komnick Type 23 (V1/R1); H. Mattingly, “The Restored Coins of Trajan,” NumChron 1926, 19; RSC 19; for prototype, cf. Crawford 406/1; BMCRR Rome 3516-7; RSC Sulpicia 7. 2.82g, 19mm, 7h.

Good Very Fine; contact marks, slight crystallised. Extremely Rare; only one other example present on CoinArchives.

From a private UK collection.

Though ‘restored’ coinage was nothing new to the Romans in Trajan’s time - they had made their first appearance under the Flavians, and been continued under Nerva - previous restorations had confined themselves only to the bronzes of certain well-remembered emperors. Trajan’s great restoration, however, consisted entirely of aurei and denarii, and went much further, by restoring Republican types, and effectively inventing wholly new ones.

The occasion for this ‘restitution’ series issued under Trajan may have been the melting down of old coinage as mentioned in Cassius Dio (67.15), for Mattingly and Sydenham (RIC II, p. 303) proposed that “since the Romans regarded their coins with a certain amount of reverence as products of the Sacra Moneta it is not unnatural to conclude that they valued them also as historical monuments. The dominating trait in the character of Trajan was a desire to emphasise and expand the glory of Rome. It seems reasonable, therefore, to suggest that this was his motive for issuing the Restored Coins; and, by thus placing together a series of types illustrative of the development of Rome, Trajan may not ineptly be regarded as one of the first to recognize Numismatics as an aid to History.”

Trajan AV Aureus. Rome, AD 108-110. IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P •, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust to right / COS V P P S P Q R OPTIMO PRINC, emperor in military dress, walking to right, raising right hand and holding transverse spear over left shoulder. RIC II 136; BMCRE 347-8; Woytek 294f; Strack 123β; BN -; Biaggi 477; Calicó 1007a. 7.25g, 20mm, 8h.

Good Very Fine.

From a private European collection.

Ex Laugier Collection, 1913

Trajan AV Aureus. Rome, AD 113-114. • IMP • TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS VI P P, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust to right / S • P • Q • R • OPTIMO PRINCIPI, aquila between vexillum surmounted by wreath on left and signum surmounted by hand on right. RIC II 294 var. (bust type); BMCRE 456-7 var. (positions of vexillum and signum); Woytek 418f-1 (this coin cited); Beckmann, Early, Group VIII, 14b (a48/S8 - this coin); Biaggi 544 (same dies); BN 735; Calicó 1120 (same dies). 7.07g, 20mm, 6h.

Near Extremely Fine.

This coin cited in B. Woytek, Die Reichsprägung des kaisers Traianus (98-117). MIR 14. (Vienna, 2010); This coin published in Martin Beckmann, ‘The Early Gold Coinage of Trajan’s Sixth Consulship’ in AJN 12 (2000);

Ex Peter J. Merani Collection, Triton XXIV, 19 January 2021, lot 170;

Ex Classical Numismatic Group, Auction 42, 29 May 1997, lot 889;

Ex Classical Numismatic Group, Auction 40, 4 December 1996, lot 1471;

Ex J. Schulman, Auction 183, 9 October 1933, lot 72;

Ex Joseph-François Laugier Collection, J. Schulman, Auction 114, 5 May 1913, lot 162.

Barely five years into his reign around AD 103, Trajan was accorded the title of ‘Optimus’ by the Senate. This singular honour, which had never before been bestowed and never would be again, was a result of Trajan’s enormous popularity among his peers, and in recognition of his role as a benefactor to the people of Rome. Pliny the Younger, in his Panegyricus, considered Trajan an “optimum principem” because he himself approved or disapproved of that which the Senate would, and because though in reality Trajan was an autocrat, his deferential and humble behaviour towards his peers qualified him to be seen as virtuous, wielding power through moderation rather than insolence, leading by example rather than ruling through fear

Joseph-François Laugier (1828-1901) was curator of the Marseille Medal Cabinet and a member of the Académie de Marseille (elected on 25th April 1872). His interest in numismatics began as a boy, when supposedly he enjoyed observing the coins found by local farmers in their fields. Before his post at the Marseille Medal Cabinet he had been a mechanic in the Navy, and over a long career in numismatics he published several works on the subject and worked as a draughtsman in the publication of others.

A Spectacular Sestertius

676.

Extremely Fine.

Privately purchased from Numismatica Ars Classica AG; Ex Gorny & Mosch Giessener Münzhandlung, Auction 224, 13 October 2014, lot 516.

Good Extremely Fine; a superb ‘heroic’ type bust.

From a private English collection.

Ex

32, 1985

Extremely Fine. Rare.

Ex Peter Corcoran Collection;

Ex Numismatica Ars Classica AG, Auction 98, 12 December 2016, lot 1161 (hammer: CHF 2,000);

Ex Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co. KG, Auction 257, 10 October 2014, lot 8511;

Ex Numismatik Lanz München, Auction 32, 29 April 1985, lot 503.

4,500

180

1,050

A public expression of his devotion to his family, Trajan’s relatives were portrayed on his coinage to an extent not seen since the Julio-Claudian emperors. Both his natural father Marcus Ulpius Traianus and adoptive father Nerva are commemorated on his coinage, and Trajan also extended the honour to his living relatives, namely his sister Marciana, his wife Plotina and his niece Matidia.

Trajan and his elder sister Marciana maintained a particularly close relationship. The deep affection that existed between them is evident in Trajan’s decision to award her the title of Augusta, the first sister of an emperor ever to receive the title. Marciana thus became part of the imperial iconography, and her statue was placed, together with those of Trajan and his wife Plotina, over the Arches of Trajan in Ancona.

Marciana would often travel with her brother and assist him in decision making. Throughout the Roman Empire, she was honoured with monuments and inscriptions, and Trajan founded two towns named after her: Colonia Marciana Ulpia Traiana Thamugadi founded in 100 and Marcianopolis founded in 106. If there had been any doubt of the esteem in which Trajan held his beloved sister, it must surely have been dispelled when upon her death, sometime between 113 and 114, she was deified by the Senate at Trajan’s behest.

It is on this posthumous coinage of Marciana that the reverse legend CONSECRATIO is first utilised, and it was thereafter frequently employed for posthumous coinages of deified Augusti and Augustae. Following Marciana’s death, her daughter Matidia was raised to the rank of Augusta in her stead, and coinage was struck in her name also. Through Matidia, Marciana would be the great-great-great grandmother of the future emperor Marcus Aurelius.

Trajan AR Denarius. Rome, AD 116-117. IMP CAES NER TRAIAN OPTIM AVG GERM DAC, laureate bust to right, wearing aegis / PARTHICO P M TR P COS VI P P S P Q R, Felicitas standing to left, holding caduceus and cornucopiae. RIC II 333; BMCRE 629; Woytek 570t; RSC 192. 3.28g, 19mm, 5h.

Diva Marciana (sister of Trajan) AR Denarius. Rome, AD 112-117. DIVA AVGVSTA MARCIANA, diademed and draped bust to right / CONSECRATIO, eagle standing to left, head to right, with wings spread. RIC II 743 (Trajan); BMCRE 650 (Trajan); Woytek 719; RSC 4. 3.15g, 19mm, 8h.

677.

Lanz

Trajan Æ Sestertius. Rome, AD 114-116. IMP CAES NER TRAIANO OPTIMO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS VI P P, laureate and draped bust to right / Emperor seated to right on platform, two officers standing behind to right, addressing group of soldiers standing to left below with horse, three standards in background; IMPERATOR VIII SC in two lines in exergue. RIC II 656; C. 176; Woytek 548v4 (same rev. die); BN 843; Lacourt Ae2; BMCRE 1017 note. 26.08g, 34mm, 7h.

675.

Among the Finest Known

(same dies). 7.37g, 20mm, 7h.

Good Extremely Fine; wonderful portraits, sharply struck from dies engraved in the finest style, among the finest known specimens of the type.

Ex Auktionshaus H. D. Rauch GmbH, Auction 79, 17 November 2006, lot 2362.

21,000

Struck in AD 117 at the beginning of Hadrian’s reign and shortly after the death of Trajan on his return journey from the campaign against Parthia, this stunning aureus contains layers of symbolism hidden within its splendour.

The murky circumstances surrounding Hadrian’s accession needed to be legitimised. He had, officially, been adopted by Trajan on his deathbed. Yet whether this was actually the case, and whether it was Trajan’s uninfluenced will, were subjects of whispered debate. It was rumoured that Plotina might have compelled the dying emperor to adopt her favourite, Hadrian, or even perhaps that Trajan had died leaving no successor and that Plotina had afterwards forged Trajan’s will herself. Hadrian was therefore required to cement his own position as well as to consolidate the vast territorial gains of his predecessor, tasks that he undertook quickly and decisively.

Realising the untenable position that the annexation of Mesopotamia had created, Hadrian withdrew the legions stationed there and effectively abandoned this province, also later giving up Armenia to a local king, who was soon defeated by Parthia. Unpopular as Hadrian’s abandonment of his predecessor’s conquests in Mesopotamia would have been, it did help to stabilise the empire. These tactical withdrawals also left him able to concentrate on quelling the last pockets of resistance left over from the Kitos War, the second great Jewish-Roman war which had begun under Trajan and which was estimated by contemporaries to have cost the lives of many hundreds of thousands of Greeks and Roman citizens. As a result of the insurrection, the Legio VI Ferrata was also moved to a new permanent station at Caesarea Maritima in Judaea.

The rumour of a falsified adoption carried little weight, but in any case Hadrian was keen to emphasise the legitimacy of his position, and therefore we see on his coinage legends proudly proclaiming the deified Trajan and Nerva as his father and grandfather.

Hadrian AV Aureus. Rome, AD 117. IMP CAES TRAIAN HADRIANO AVG DIVI TRA PARTH F, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust to right / DIVI NER NEP • P M TR • P • COS •, radiate head of Sol to right, ORIENS below. RIC II.3 50; C. 1003; BMCRE 35, pl. 46, 16 (same rev. die); Calicó 1293

Hadrian AR Denarius. Rome, AD 119-120. IMP CAESAR TRAIAN HADRIANVS AVG, laureate heroic bust to right, drapery on far shoulder / P M TR P COS III, Aeternitas standing facing, head to left, holding busts of Sol and Luna; AET-AVG across fields. RIC II.3 190; BMCRE 248; RSC 130. 3.09g, 19mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine; cleaning marks, lightly toned and lustrous.

From the inventory of a North American dealer; Ex Leu Numismatik AG, Web Auction 18, 18-20 December 2021, lot 2741 (since cleaned).

Hadrian AV Aureus. Rome, AD 124-125. HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS, laureate bust to right, slight drapery on far shoulder / COS, she-wolf standing to right, suckling the twins Romulus and Remus; III in exergue. RIC II.3 711; C. 420; BMCRE 444-447; Biaggi 597; Calicó 1231. 7.26g, 19mm, 6h.

Near Extremely Fine.

Acquired from Classical Numismatic Group.

Hadrian AR Denarius. Rome, AD 124-125. HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS, laureate bust to right, slight drapery on far shoulder / COS III, Roma standing facing, head to left, holding Victory and spear. RIC II.3 722; BMCRE 361-5; RSC 349. 3.44g, 19mm, 6h. Good Extremely Fine; splendid iridescent tone. Ex Frank Reinhardt Collection; Ex Gitbud & Naumann, Auction 6, 4 August 2013, lot 390.

682.

Hadrian AR Denarius. Rome, AD 125-128. HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS, laureate bust to right, slight drapery on far shoulder / COS III, Concordia seated to left, holding patera and resting elbow on figure of Spes. RIC II.3 716; BMCRE 392; RSC 328. 3.35g, 20mm, 6h. Mint State.

Fleur De Coin

683.

Hadrian AR Denarius. Rome, AD 126-127. HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS, laureate bust to right, slight drapery on far shoulder / COS III, Pudicitia, veiled and draped, seated to left, holding veil with one hand and resting other on lap. RIC II.3 856; BMCRE 409; RSC 393a. 3.56g, 20mm, 7h.

Fleur De Coin.

Ex M&M, 1982

684.

Near Extremely Fine.

This coin published in J. Lacourt, Sesterces des Antonins (96-192): Vol II Hadrien (117-138) (France, 2022); From the inventory of Roberto Delzanno Mynthandel; Ex Classical Numismatic Group, Auction 106, 13 September 2017, lot 743; Ex Numismatica Ars Classica AG, Auction 98, 12 December 2016, lot 1172; Ex Robert O. Ebert Collection (Part I), Stack’s Bowers & Ponterio, Sale 174, 11 January 2013, lot 5212; Ex Classical Numismatic Auctions, Auction XI, 3 May 1990, lot 321; Ex Münzen und Medaillen AG Basel, Auction 61, 7 October 1982, lot 431.

210

685.

Ex NAC, 1997

Hadrian Æ Sestertius. Rome, AD 137-138. HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P, bare head to right / Diana standing facing, head to left, holding bow and arrow; S-C across fields. RIC II.3 2400; C. 1362; Lacourt II Ag40.1; BMCRE 1542. 23.41g, 30mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine; lightly smoothed.

From the inventory of Roberto Delzanno Mynthandel; Ex Dr. Busso Peus Nachfolger, Auction 420, 1 November 2017, lot 296; Ex Numismatica Ars Classica AG, Auction G, 10 April 1997, lot 1657.

Ex Leu Numismatik, 1996

1,200

Aelius (adopted son of Hadrian), as Caesar, Æ Sestertius. Rome, AD 136-138. L AELIVS CAESAR, bare-headed and draped bust to right / TR [POT] COS II, Fortuna standing facing on left, head to right, holding rudder and cornucopiae beside Spes standing to left on right, holding flower and raising skirt; SC in exergue. RIC II.3 2685; C. 62 var. (draped and cuirassed); BMCRE 1912 (Hadrian). 27.67g, 32mm, 6h.

Near Extremely Fine; highly attractive patina.

Ex George C. Hopkins Collection, Numismatica Ars Classica AG, Auction 114, 6 May 2019, lot 1557; Ex Leu Numismatik AG, Auction 65, 21-22 May 1996, lot 371.

1,500

687. 180

Antoninus Pius AR Denarius. Rome, AD 140-143. ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P COS III, laureate head to right / PROVIDENTIAE DEORVM, winged thunderbolt. RIC III 80a; BMCRE 225; RSC 681. 3.35g, 18mm, 12h.

Good Extremely Fine; light cabinet tone with golden iridescence over lustrous metal.

Ex Numismatica Ars Classica AG, Spring Sale, 25 May 2020, lot 1038.

Antoninus Pius Æ As. Rome, AD 140. ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P, laureate and draped bust to right / TR POT COS III, Mars to right, holding spear and shield, descending through the air towards Rhea Silvia, reclining to left; S-C across lower fields. RIC III 694c; BMCRE 1372. 9.58g, 25mm, 12h.

Near Extremely Fine. Rare.

Ex collection of Z.P., Austria, Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 91, 2 December 2021, lot 907.

689.

Antoninus Pius Æ Dupondius. Rome, AD 148-149. ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P XII, radiate head to right / COS IIII, Aequitas standing facing, head to left, holding scales and cornucopiae; S-C across fields. RIC III 858; C. 233; BMCRE 1831. 13.77g, 26mm, 11h.

Extremely Fine.

690.

Divus Antoninus Pius AV Aureus. Rome, after AD 161. DIVVS ΛNTONINVS, bare head to right / CONSECRΛTIO, pyre of four tiers, decorated with hangings and garlands, surmounted by facing quadriga. RIC III 435 (Aurelius); C. 163; BMCRE 55 (Aurelius); Biaggi 792; Calicó 1491. 6.77g, 19mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine.

Acquired from Classical Numismatic Group.

Imperial consecration ceremonies - funerals for emperors who were being deified - were spectacular affairs. A huge and elaborate pyre (or ‘ustrinum’) was constructed like that on the reverse of the present coin. Above the festooned podium forming the first tier, the second tier contained a chamber, accessed by doors which you can see on the present coin, in which body of the emperor would be placed; tiers two and three were decorated with niches containing statues, and the fourth tier held up a vast wax effigy of the deceased emperor driving a triumphal quadriga, flanked by large torches. When the preliminaries were completed, the pyre would be lit and an eagle released from within it to symbolise the soul of the emperor taking its place amongst the gods in the heavens.

691.

Diva Faustina I (wife of A. Pius) AV Aureus. Rome, after AD 141. DIVA FAVSTINA, draped bust to right / AETERNITAS, Fortuna standing facing, head to left, carrying patera and rudder on ground. RIC III 349a (Pius); C. 2; BMCRE 369 (Pius); Biaggi 800; Calicó 1743a. 6.01g, 17mm, 6h.

692.

Diva Faustina I (wife of A. Pius) AV Aureus. Rome, after AD 141. DIVA FAVSTINA, draped bust to right / CONSECRATIO, peacock walking to right, head to left. RIC III 384 (Pius); C. 174; BMCRE 471-472 (Pius); Biaggi 819; Calicó 1783. 7.12g, 20mm, 6h.

Acquired from Warszawskie Centrum Numizmatyczne.

4,500

Extremely Fine.

3,600

Good Extremely Fine.

1,500

693.

Marcus Aurelius AR Denarius. Rome, AD 165. M ANTONINVS AVG ARMENIACVS, laureate head to right / P M TR P XIX IMP III COS III, Roma seated to left, holding palladium and parazonium, shield at side. RIC III 138; BMCRE 368; RSC 481. 3.42g, 19mm, 6h.

Good Extremely Fine; well-centered and cleanly struck with a handsome old cabinet tone.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 94, 24 February 2022, lot 894; Ex Leu Numismatik AG, Web Auction 17, 14 August 2021, lot 2548.

694.

Faustina II (daughter of A. Pius) AV Aureus. Rome, AD 147-152. FAVSTINA AVG ANTONINI AVG PII FIL, draped bust to right / CONCORDIA, Concordia standing facing, head to left, holding hem of skirt and cornucopiae. RIC III 500a (Pius) var. (obv. legend); BMCRE 1078 note (Pius); Biaggi 918 var. (obv. legend); Calicó 2043 var. (Concordia looking to right); CNG 108, 642 = NAC 92, 598; G&N 10, 515. 7.36g, 21mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare; possibly one of only three such variants known.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XXII, 8 October 2021, lot 809; Ex Altstetten Collection, kept in the vault of Crédit Suisse Geneva (documentation available upon request) since 26 November 1969.

3,000

695.

Lucius Verus AV Aureus. Rome, AD 161-162. IMP CAES L VERVS AVG, bare-headed and draped bust to right / PROFECTIO AVG TR P II, emperor on horseback advancing to right, holding spear; COS II in exergue. RIC III 480 (Aurelius); C. 137; BMCRE 200 (same rev. die); Biaggi -; Calicó 2144. 6.79g, 19mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare; no other examples on CoinArchives.

Acquired from Naville Numismatics Ltd.

4,500

A High Relief Portrait

Ex Numismatica Ars Classica - Jesús Vico S.A, Auction 119, 6 October 2020, lot 126; Previously privately purchased from Lopez in 1977.

Lucius Verus, co-emperor with his better-known adoptive brother Marcus Aurelius from 161 until his death from disease in AD 169, was the eldest son of Lucius Aelius Caesar, Hadrian’s first intended heir who died in AD 138. Verus was adopted by Antoninus Pius alongside Marcus Aurelius and thus eventually became one of the first co-rulers of the Roman Empire, a system for the division of responsibilities which became more commonplace towards the end of the second century. Their partnership was cemented by Lucius Verus’ marriage to Marcus Aurelius’ daughter in AD 164.

Verus’ portrait follows the Antonine mode with a long face, tightly curled hair and pointed beard, emphasising continuity between emperors and a united front with Marcus Aurelius through visual likeness even though there was no biological dynastic link. He is portrayed cuirassed, which by the time of Hadrian had become the dominant costume of imperial portraiture, emphasising the emperor’s role in ensuring military security throughout the empire.

Verus indeed spent much of his reign shoring up the eastern boundaries of the Roman Empire. The obverse and reverse legends denote the titles with which he was honoured: Armeniacus (ARM) in AD 163 after the capture of the Armenian capital Artaxata, and Parthicus Maximus (PARTH MAX) after the invasion of Mesopotamia in AD 165, which led to his acclamation as imperator by the army for the third time.

The rare reverse type of this attractive aureus is particularly arresting: an image of the emperor on horseback, the horse rearing as he spears a fallen enemy below. The group is dynamic, the horse’s tail and Lucius Verus’ cloak emphasising decisive movement. Such images of the emperor mounted in combat had come into favour during the reign of Trajan; this type bears a striking similarity to the heroic image of the unhelmeted emperor on horseback trampling a fallen barbarian below, his cloak billowing out behind him, used extensively on Trajan’s coinage as well on the Great Trajanic Frieze (c.117-120), which was later reused to decorate the Arch of Constantine.

This image of the emperor as a military figure looked back beyond the Julio-Claudian preference for static imperial images which emphasised religious piety and civic authority to the Hellenistic taste for heroic representation and strong gestural poses. This reverse type of Lucius Verus emphasises personal charisma and military success, but belies the truth: the successes attributed to the emperor, for which he received so many titles, were all due to his experienced generals - Verus himself is not believed to have ever seen active combat.

Near Extremely Fine.

From a private European collection.

Lucius Verus AV Aureus. Rome, AD 165. L VERVS ARM PARTH MAX, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust to right / TR P V IMP III COS II, emperor on horseback to right, spearing fallen enemy below. RIC III 544; C. 275; BMCRE 391; Biaggi 964; Calicó 2184. 7.29g, 19mm, 6h. Good Extremely Fine; an attractive portrait in high relief, with beautiful reddish tone around the devices.

Pertinax AR Denarius. Rome, AD 193. IMP CAES P HELV PERTIN AVG, laureate head to right / OPI DIVIN TR P COS II, Ops seated to left, holding two grain ears and resting hand on seat of chair. RIC IV 8a; BMCRE 19-20; RSC 33. 3.21g, 19mm, 6h.

A Powerful Portrait

Fleur De Coin; lustrous metal, a powerful and sharply engraved portrait. This combination of dies unlisted in Lempereur.

30,000

Pertinax was the first emperor in the tumultuous ‘Year of Five Emperors’. His early life and career is well documented in the Historia Augusta: born into a humble family and the son of a freedman, Pertinax had originally tried to make his way in life as a teacher of grammar, but at some point decided to try to attain a greater station, and with the help of a patron he was commissioned an officer in the Roman army

Pertinax distinguished himself in a campaign against Parthia, and after postings in Britain and on the Danube he served as procurator in Dacia. His career suffered a serious setback during the reign of Marcus Aurelius on account of court intrigues, however he was recalled to assist Claudius Pompeianus during the Marcomannic Wars. In 175 he was made suffect consul, and he then served as governor of a string of provinces including Syria and Britain.

In the 180s he was sent to Britain where the army was in a state of mutiny. His attempt to calm the restive soldiers resulted in his bodyguard being attacked, and Pertinax was left for dead. After his recovery he severely punished the mutinous legion, adding to his reputation as a disciplinarian. In 187 he was forced to resign due to the legions having grown hostile to his strict command style. His career reached an apex when he was given the proconsulship of Africa, the urban prefecture of Rome, and a second consulship with the emperor as his colleague.

When Commodus was murdered on the last day of AD 192, Pertinax was still serving as urban prefect, and hurried to the Praetorian camp where he was proclaimed emperor the following morning. His attempts at reform and restraint, along with attempts to impose discipline on the unruly Praetorians, did not endear him to the Guard who had expected a large donative. After a reign of only three months, during which time he refused imperial titles for his wife and son, a contingent of several hundred Praetorian Guardsmen rushed the palace and Pertinax, although he almost succeeded in reasoning with them, was struck down. Yet by his understanding of the danger of his station and his wise decision not to associate his family with the purple, they were spared from violence.

The powerful portrait of this magnificent aureus shows the furrowed brow and weathered face of a man who had attained high position through hard work and discipline, now burdened by the cares of state. It is an appropriate depiction for an emperor who tried hard to bring the unravelling Roman system back onto the correct path but was ultimately slain for his efforts.

Pertinax AV Aureus. Rome, AD 193. IMP CAES P HELV PERTIN AVG, laureate head to right / PROVID DEOR COS II, Providentia standing to left, holding out both hands to star in left field. RIC IV 10a; Lempereur Type 10, - (D36/R98); C. 39; BMCRE 10; Calicó 2387a (same rev. die?). 7.27g, 20mm, 6h.

699. 600

700.

Pescennius Niger AR Denarius. Antioch, AD 193-194. IMP CAES C PESC NIGER IVST AV, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust to right / [FO] RTVNAE REDVCI, Fortuna standing to left, holding rudder and cornucopiae. RIC IV 26 var. (bust type); BMCRE -; RSC 28b var. (bust type); Naville 20, 569 (hammer: 850 GBP, same obv. die). 3.01g, 19mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine. Unpublished, with only one other example on CoinArchives, this being in considerably better condition.

From a private UK collection.

701.

Pescennius Niger AR Denarius. Antioch, AD 193-194. [IMP] CAES C PESCEN NIGER IVST AVG, laureate head to right / [FO]RTVN[A]E REDVCI, Fortuna seated to left, wearing peplos, holding branch and cornucopiae. RIC IV 22 var. (obv. legend); BMCRE -; RSC -. 3.68g, 19mm, 6h.

Near Mint State; highly lustrous. Rare with this obv. legend.

From a private UK collection.

702.

Pescennius Niger AR Denarius. Antioch, AD 193-194. IMP CAES C PESC NIGER IVST AVG, laureate head to right / IVSTITIA AVG, Justitia standing facing, head to left, holding scales and sceptre. RIC IV 45c var. (rev. type), cf. 49 for rev. type; BMCRE 305 note (Wars) var. (same); RSC 43a var. (same). 2.66g, 19mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine; well-centred and complete.

Privately purchased from Numismatica Ars Classica AG; Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd, Auction XV, 5 April 2018, lot 582.

1,800

Pescennius Niger AR Denarius. Antioch, AD 193-194. IMP CAES C PESC NIGER IVST AVG, laureate head to right / IVSTITIA AVGVSTI, Justitia standing facing, head to left, holding scales and cornucopiae. RIC IV 47d var. (bust type); BMCRE 305 note; RSC 47b. 2.91g, 19mm, 6h.

About Extremely Fine.

A Rare Septimius Aureus

Septimius Severus AV Aureus. Rome, AD 194. L • SEPT • SEV • PERT • AVG IMP III, laureate head to right / DIS • AVSPICIB TR P • II •, Hercules standing to left, holding club and with lion skin draped over arm, Bacchus at his right, also standing to left, holding oinochoe over panther; COS II P P in exergue. RIC IV 31; C. 114; BMCRE 63; Calicó 2446.

NGC graded AU★ 5/5 - 4/5 (#3987009-101). Rare.

Ex Heritage World Coin Auctions, NYINC Signature Sale 3097, 10 January 2022, lot 30099; Ex Classical Numismatic Group, Triton XII, 6 January 2009, lot 663.

The tutelary deities of Septimius Severus’ home city of Lepcis Magna (also spelt Leptis) were the Phoenician gods Shadaphra and Melqart, who were equated with Liber Pater or Bacchus, and Hercules respectively. Their importance to the city is attested by several inscriptions there, their prominence in Lepcitanian sculpture, the fact that their temples occupied central locations within the old forum, and the joint appearance of both Liber Pater and Hercules (or their attributes) on the coinage of Lepcis Magna from the first century BC to the first century AD.

That these gods were important to Severus on a personal level is also evident, as they clearly served as the tutelary deities of his regime, appearing on several other coin issues during his reign, and on the provincial coinage in his sons’ names. On an extremely rare series issued in 204, the two gods are specifically referred to as the ‘Di Patrii’; A. Peck (University of Warwick, 1 March 2015) cohesively argues that since “in literature also, the phrase di patrii appears to have been used almost exclusively in relation to the gods of Rome, particularly with regards to the Penates that were according to legend brought to Italy from Troy by Aeneas”, the issue is intended to demonstrate the “equal importance that was placed upon local and imperial identities, proudly displaying the emperor’s attachment to his local patria, whilst also honouring the religious elements that were at the heart of Rome’s conceptualisation of patria”.

However, J. Rantala (The Ludi Saeculares of Septimius Severus: The Ideologies of a New Roman Empire, 2017) suggests that the appearance of these gods is closely connected to Septimius’ sons Caracalla and Geta, to whom the deities were closely linked in imperial propoganda in the guise of the patron deities for the young princes. Indeed, on the provincial coinage in the name of Caracalla reverse types of Hercules dominate, while on those of Geta, Liber or Bacchus appear with great frequency. Similarly, on a parallel issue of aurei of extreme rarity the reverse type for Caracalla portrays Hercules feasting (Leu 93, 68), whereas Bacchus and Ariadne, thronged by the god’s company of maenads and satyrs, were chosen for Geta (Leu 87, 66). Thus to Rantala the reverse of the present aureus is associated with the young princes: “the deities represented the future of the dynasty and the continuation of the empire”. More likely than not, the reverse meaning is multi-faceted like the gods themselves and serves the combined role of honouring the gods of Septimius’ home and hearth, promoting their standing throughout the empire, and helping to build the foundations of the formal association between these gods and his sons by calling upon Hercules and Liber Pater in their role as divine heralds of peace and prosperity to mark the beginning of a new golden age.

The Restoration of Peace and Prosperity

Septimius Severus AV Aureus. Rome, AD 207. SEVERVS PIVS AVG, laureate head to right / RESTITVTOR VRBIS, Roma seated to left on shield, holding palladium and sceptre. RIC IV 288; BMCRE 358; Hill 840; Calicó 2529. 6.76g, 21mm, 6h. Good Extremely Fine; lustrous metal. Rare.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd, Auction XIX, 26-27 October 2021, lot 830; Ex Baldwin’s Auctions Ltd - Dmitry Markov Coins & Medals - M&M Numismatics Ltd, The New York Sale XXXIV, 6 January 2015, lot 619 (hammer: USD 22,500).

Septimius Severus was credited with restoring stability to the Roman Empire after the turbulent reign of Commodus and the civil wars that erupted in the wake of the emperor’s murder. By the time this coin was struck he had enlarged the empire in the East and strengthened the southern borders through the expansion of the Limes Tripolitanus, a frontier zone of defensive forts in north Africa that secured the agricultural base of the empire against raids from the desert nomads of the Sahara.

The improved security of the empire enabled Severus to undertake restorative works in Rome itself, the theme of this reverse type. Roma, personification of Rome, is portrayed here as a direct reference to Severus’ having restored peace and prosperity to the city, which was marked in the landscape by the building of monuments such as the Triumphal Arch celebrating the successful conclusion of the war against Parthia, and the Septizodium, a building of no known practical purpose but which Ammianus Marcellinus (XV, 7, 3) is understood to have noted as ‘a popular place’, though the sentence is ambiguous.

Near Mint State; lightly toned.

Ex Numismatica Ars Classica SG, Auction 106, 9 May 2018, lot 1588; Ex Auktionshaus H. D. Rauch GmbH, Auction 84, 13 May 2009, lot 240.

Julia Domna (mother of Caracalla) AR Denarius. Rome, AD 211-217. IVLIA PIA FELIX AVG, draped bust to right / LVNA LVCIFERA, Luna, with veil billowing above her head, holding reins and driving galloping biga to left. RIC IV 379c (Caracalla); BMCRE 105; RSC 105. 3.17g, 18mm, 12h.

706.

Struck from Dies of Wonderful Style

Caracalla AV Aureus. Rome, AD 210-213. ANTONINVS PIVS AVG BRIT, laureate head to right / PROVIDENTIAE DEORVM, Providentia standing to left, holding wand over globe and sceptre. RIC IV 227; C. 528; BMCRE 100 note; Biaggi 1213; Calicó 2801. 7.50g, 20mm, 6h. Near Mint State; small mark to rev. exergue, struck from dies of wonderful style, lustrous rev. Acquired from Classical Numismatic Group.

10,500

Attractive ‘Tiber’ Patina

Caracalla Æ Sestertius. Rome, AD 211. M AVREL ANTONINVS PIVS AVG BRIT, laureate head to right, slight drapery on far shoulder / FORT RED P M TR P XIIII COS III P P, Fortuna seated to left, holding rudder on ground and cornucopiae; wheel under seat, SC in exergue. RIC IV 479b; C. 85 var. (bust type); BMCRE 31 (Caracalla & Geta). 21.99g, 32mm, 1h.

Extremely Fine; double struck, attractive ‘Tiber’ patina.

Ex Dr. Busso Peus Nachfolger, Auction 430, 27 April 2022, lot 252; Privately acquired from cgb.fr, 2021.

Caracalla AV Aureus. Rome, AD 213. ANTONINVS PIVS FEL AVG, laureate and cuirassed bust to right / VICTORIA GERMANICA, Victory, winged and draped, advancing to right, holding wreath in extended hand and trophy over shoulder. RIC IV 237 (R2) corr. (bust type); C. 645 corr. (same); BMCRE 64; Biaggi 1223; Calicó 2833 (R2). 6.77g, 20mm, 1h.

Good Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare; rated R2 by both RIC and Calicó and only six other specimens on CoinArchives.

Ex Numismatica Ars Classica AG, Auction 97, 12 December 2016, lot 188; Ex Hess-Divo AG, Auction 327, 2014, lot 131 (hammer: CHF: 36,000).

Caracalla is infamous amongst Roman emperors for his brutality. In killing his brother Geta in AD 211 in order to attain sole rule of Rome Caracalla set the tone for a reign which was to be characterised by ruthless violence. In AD 213 the emperor launched a campaign against the Alamanni, a confederation of Germanic tribes who posed little threat, but whose defeat allowed him to claim greater military credibility. Not only was this a significant boost for Caracalla’s ‘foreign policy’ record, having gained control of the territory the tribes occupied, but it also enabled him to strengthen the frontier fortifications to withstand future invasions for decades to come. The victorious outcome, reflected in the reverse legend of this coin, resulted in Caracalla being awarded a new title ‘Germanicus Maximus’ by the Senate.

The obverse is typical of his portraiture on coinage during his sole reign, depicting himself in the likeness of a soldier with a cropped haircut and a threatening scowl. This manner of representation was by no means an innovation, having become increasingly prevalent since Trajan’s reign and employed thenceforth by subsequent emperors, all of whom were utterly dependent on the support of the army for the stability of their rule and indeed their very lives. This dependency is illustrated by the employment of the image of Victory holding a trophy, an unambiguous announcement of martial prowess, without which attribute an emperor might not remain in power for long.

In many respects Caracalla’s reign might have seemed to be progressing satisfactorily in AD 213; he had cemented the support of the legions by quadrupling their rate of pay to four denarii per day and had finally eliminated his brother and rival, Geta, along with 20,000 of his alleged sympathisers, according to modern estimates (see Varner, Mutilation and Transformation: Damnatio Memoriae and Roman Imperial Portraiture, p. 168). However his introduction of unprecedented high tax rates, consistent confiscation of Roman estates and deplorable character meant that he was in fact a figure of contempt, unpopular with the aristocracy and masses alike. Perhaps unsurprisingly, multiple attempts were made against his life before he was ultimately murdered by a disgruntled soldier as part of a plot instigated in AD 217 by the praetorian prefect Macrinus, his successor and the first emperor to hail from the equestrian class.

Fleur De Coin

Maximinus I AR Denarius. Rome, AD 236. IMP MAXIMINVS PIVS AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust to right / VOTIS DECENNALIBVS in three lines within laurel wreath. RIC IV 17; BMCRE 38; RSC 117. 3.05g, 20mm, 11h.

Fleur De Coin; an example in exceptional condition for this rare issue.

Ex Numismatica Ars Classica AG, Auction 106, 9 May 2018, lot 747. Ex Auktionshaus H. D. Rauch GmbH, Auction 84, 13 May 2009, lot 723.

1,650

Maximus, as Caesar, AR Denarius. Rome, AD 236-238. MAXIMVS CAES GERM, bare-headed and draped bust to right / PRINC IVVENTVTIS, prince standing to left, holding baton and transverse spear; two standards behind. RIC IV 3; BMCRE 211; RSC 10.

NGC graded MS 5/5 - 5/5 (#6329094-014).

Ex Numismatica Ars Classica AG, Auction 98, 12 December 2016, lot 1335; Ex Helios Numismatik, Auction 5, 25 June 2010, lot 365.

Diva Paulina (wife of Maximinus I) AR Denarius. Rome, AD 236. DIVA PAVLINA, veiled and draped bust to right / CONSECRATIO, empress raising right hand and holding sceptre in left, seated to left on peacock flying to right. RIC IV 2 (Maximinus); BMCRE 127-128 (Maximinus); RSC 2. 3.30g, 23mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine; lustrous metal.

Privately purchased from Numismatica Ars Classica AG.

Gordian II Africanus

Gordian II Africanus AR Denarius. Rome, March- April, AD 238. IMP M ANT GORDIANVS AFR AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust to right / VIRTVS AVGG, Virtus standing to left, holding inverted spear and shield. RIC IV 3; BMCRE 30; RSC 14. 2.07g, 21mm, 12h.

Good Extremely Fine; attractive light cabinet tone. Very Rare.

Ex Conti Collection;

Ex Nomos AG, Fixed Price List, Winter-Spring 2014, no. 56.

Gordian II Africanus Æ Sestertius. Rome, AD 238. IMP CAES M ANT GORDIANVS AFR AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust to right / ROMAE AETERNAE, Roma seated to left on shield, holding Victory and sceptre; SC in exergue. RIC IV 5; C. 9; BMCRE 23. 21.47g, 32mm, 12h.

About Good Very Fine. Rare.

From the private collection of an European Engineer.

714.

Balbinus AR Antoninianus. Rome, AD 238. IMP CAES D CAEL BALBINVS AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust to right / CONCORDIA AVGG, clasped hands. RIC IV 10; BMCRE 67; RSC 3. 5.17g, 23mm, 6h.

Good Extremely Fine.

Ex Numismatica Ars Classica AG, Spring Sale 2021, 10 May 2021, lot 1424.

715.

Pupienus AR Denarius. Rome, AD 238. IMP C M CLOD PVPIENVS AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust to right / P M TR P COS II P P, Felicitas standing facing, head to left, holding caduceus and sceptre. RIC IV 6; BMCRE 52; RSC 26. 3.02g.

NGC graded MS 4/5 - 3/5 (#5841490-001).

From a private UK collection.

716. 150

717.

Philip I AR Antoninianus. Rome, AD 244-247. IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust to right / AEQVITAS AVGG, Aequitas standing facing, head to left, holding scales and cornucopiae. RIC IV 27b; RSC 9. 4.35g, 23mm, 2h.

Fleur De Coin; a perfect strike, beautifully centred and with highly lustrous fields.

Ex Numismatica Ars Classica AG, Auction 84, 20 May 2015, lot 2010.

Philip II Æ Sestertius. Rome, AD 248. IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust to right / SAECVLARES AVGG, goat standing to left; SC in exergue. RIC IV 264a; C. 73. 15.60g, 27mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 88, 9 September 2021, lot 1157.

718.

Among the Finest Known

719.

Jotapian BI Antoninianus. Nicopolis Seleuciae, AD 248-249. IM C M F R IOTAPIANVS [AV](?) (sic), radiate and cuirassed bust to right / VICTORIA AVG, Victory advancing to left, holding wreath and palm. RIC IV 2a-c var. (obv. legend); Bland 7; RSC 1b var. (same). 4.33g, 21mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine; typical rough surfaces, a remarkably well-preserved portrait for the issue. Extremely Rare; and undoubtedly among the very finest known coins of the usurper.

Ex Numismatica Ars Classica AG, Auction 125, 23 June 2021, lot 755 (hammer: CHF 13,000).

6,000

Jotapian, a member of the near-eastern indigenous aristocracy who claimed descent from an Alexander (possibly either Severus Alexander, or Antiochos I of Commagene, who himself claimed Alexander the Great as an ancestor), led a rebellion against Philip I centred around Syria in response to an increase in taxation ordered by the rector orientis Priscus, Philip’s brother. Jotapian made Antioch his capital, but the rebellion quickly came to an end when Jotapian was killed by his own soldiers.

The Usurper Jotapian

Jotapian AR Antoninianus. Nicopolis Seleuciae, AD 248-249. IMP M F RV IO[T]APIANVS, radiate and cuirassed bust to right / VICTORIA AVGV, Victory advancing to left, holding wreath and palm. RIC IV 2b var. (obv. legend); Bland - (dies I/– [unlisted rev. die]); RSC 2; Hirsch 300, 165 (same dies); Triton XVI, 1123 (same dies). 5.05g, 21mm, 12h.

Good Very Fine; rough surfaces. Extremely Rare.

3,000

720.

Jotapian BI Antoninianus. Nicopolis Seleuciae, AD 248-249. [IMP C M F] R IOTAPIANV[S AVG], radiate and cuirassed bust to right / [VICTOR] IA AVG, Victory advancing to left, holding wreath and palm. RIC IV 2 var. (obv. legend); RSC 2 var. (same); CNG E-516, 525 (same obv. die). 3.35g, 23mm, 6h.

Near Very Fine. Extremely Rare.

From a private UK collection.

900

Trajan Decius AV Aureus. Rome, AD 249-251. IMP C M Q TRAIANVS DECIVS AVG, laureate and cuirassed bust to right / PANNONIAE, the two Pannoniae standing facing, veiled and draped, their heads turned to left and right looking away from each other, each holding standard pointed outwards. RIC IV 21a var. (bust type); C. 85; Calicó 3295. 3.94g, 20mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine; minor surface flaw on cheek.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XXII, 7 October 2021, lot 840;

Ex Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co. KG, Auction 341, 1 October 2020, lot 6026.

Trajan Decius was acclaimed emperor by his troops while campaigning in Moesia and Pannonia on behalf of Philip I ‘the Arab’. He had been sent to quell the revolt of the usurper Pacatian, who had been proclaimed emperor himself by his troops but was, ultimately, also killed by them before the intervention of Decius. According to Zosimus, Decius was apparently reluctant and unwilling to take power. However, having taken the purple, Philip advanced against Decius and the two met in battle near Verona, in which Philip was routed and killed. Subsequently, Decius’ accession was recognised by the Senate, who conferred on him the name Traianus in reference to his predecessor Trajan, the optimus princeps (‘best ruler’) of the Roman Empire. Taking the name of Trajan was more than simple vainglory - in the first Dacian War of AD 101-102 Trajan had reduced the Danube region to the status of a client kingdom, later absorbing it into the empire after the second Dacian War in 105-106. The new emperor, who hailed from the very same region, was seen to have already quelled a revolt in the troubled frontier area, and it was hoped he would restore the strength of the State.

An Extremely Rare Binio

Trebonianus Gallus AV Binio (Double Aureus). Rome, AD 251-253. IMP CAE C VIB TREB GALLVS AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust to right / FELICITAS PVBLICA, Felicitas standing facing, head to left, holding caduceus and sceptre, resting elbow on column. RIC IV 8 var. (rev. type); C. -; Biaggi -; Calicó 3333b (same dies). 7.54g, 22mm, 6h.

Good Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare; only one other on CoinArchives and the first to come to auction since 2005.

From a private UK collection.

Ex Hess-Leu 45, 1970

6,000

Valerian I AV Aureus. Samosata, AD 255-256. IMP C P LIC VALERIANVS AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust to right / VICTORIAE, Victory driving galloping biga to right, holding whip and reins; AVGG in exergue. RIC V.1 276 (Antioch) var. (bust type); C. 239 var. (bust type); MIR 1680c; Calicó 3449a. 3.24g, 20mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine.

Ex Dr. Hans Krähenbühl Collection; Ex H.H. Kricheldorf, Auction XXIV, 1 October 1971, lot 124; Ex Adolph Hess AG - Bank Leu AG, Auction 45, 12 May 1970, lot 621.

6,000

722.

723.

Valerian I AV Binio (Double Aureus). Samosata (?), AD 255-256. IMP C P LIC VALERIANVS AVG, radiate and cuirassed bust to right / MINERVA VICTRIX, Minerva standing to left, holding Victory in right hand and inverted spear with left, shield at her feet, trophy of arms behind. RIC -; Calicó -; C. -; MIR -; CNG 106, 799 (same obv. die). 5.39g, 21mm, 6h.

Near Mint State. Unpublished in the standard references; the finest of only two known examples, the CNG specimen being holed.

Ex Long Valley River Collection, Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XX, 30 October 2020, lot 657; Ex Leu Numismatik AG, Auction 1, 25 October 2017, lot 329.

Reigning during of the most turbulent periods of Roman history, Valerian achieved everlasting notoriety as the first Roman emperor to be captured in battle, a shocking event that had a dramatic impact on the perception of Roman arms in cultures across the Mediterranean. He rose to power as a capable military commander, who was entrusted to hold Rome when then-emperor Trajan Decius left to fight the Gothic invasion in the Balkans. After Decius was defeated, the first emperor to die in battle against a foreign enemy, Trebonianus Gallus assumed the purple. He too would rely on Valerian for assistance, this time against the rebellion of Aemilianus, commander of the Moesian legions. Before Valerian could come to Gallus’ aid, however, the emperor was murdered by his own troops who had defected to Aemilianus, who later suffered a similar betrayal and death before ever reaching Rome. These legions then declared Valerian as emperor, whose elevation was ratified by the Senate shortly thereafter.

Valerian’s first official act was to appoint his son Gallienus co-emperor, in order that together father and son might tackle the myriad threats both internal and external that were then assailing the empire; the turmoil of the period and the excessive strain placed on the Roman economy is evidenced by the beginning of a massive decline in the Roman monetary system. Valerian would confront the Sassanid Persian threat in the East, and Gallienus would take charge of the West. Valerian at first met with success: Antioch was once again re-taken, and the province of Syria was returned to Roman control. In 259 Valerian reached the ancient city of Edessa, near the modern Turkish-Syrian border. Here an outbreak of plague among the legionaries weakened the Roman forces, and in early 260 Valerian was decisively defeated in the Battle of Edessa.

Shortly after, Valerian would come face to face with the leader who had been troubling emperors for decades – the Sassanid Persian king Shapur I, known as Shapur the Great. The battle was a decisive defeat for the Romans, and Valerian himself was taken captive and deported to Persia alongside what remained of his army. His fate thereafter has been the subject of much speculation. Christian writers (such as Lactantius, De Mortibus Persecutorum), sought to assign a fitting death to one of their most infamous persecutors. Likewise, Romans assuming the worst of their traditional Persian enemies described several versions of Valerian’s torture, humiliation and eventual grisly death. These included being used as a human mounting block and been skinned and then stuffed with straw (Trebellius Pollio, Life of Valerian; Aurelius Victor, Caesares, 32; Eutropius IX, 6). However, modern scholars have disputed many of these accounts as inconsistent with Persian traditions of treating captured kings, and it is more likely he simply died in captivity as a “living trophy” (Touraj Daryaee, Sasanian Iran).

Extremely Fine.

Ex Paul-Francis Jacquier, Auction 44, 13 September 2018, lot 271; Ex Dr. Busso Peus Nachfolger, E-Auction 420, 18 November 2017, lot 5721.

Gallienus BI Antoninianus. Antioch, AD 263. GALLIENVS P F AVG, radiate and cuirassed bust to right / S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI in four lines in laurel wreath. RIC V.1 659 (Asia); MIR 1609b; RSC 998. 3.40g, 22mm, 6h.

An Unorthodox Portrait

Gallienus AV Heavy Aureus. Rome, AD 265-266. GALLIENVS P F AVG, head to left, with slightly uplifted gaze, wearing wreath of grain leaves / VICTORIA AVG, emperor standing facing, head to left, holding globe and transverse sceptre, being crowned with wreath by Victory standing behind, holding palm. RIC V.1 81 (Sole Reign); C. 1112; Göbl, MIR 692b; Biaggi 1478; Calicó 3614. 6.09g, 21mm, 5h.

Near Mint State. Very Rare; a wonderfully solid and very heavy example (the type was issued on planchets as light as 2.75g) and one of the finest known surviving specimens.

Ex Long Valley River Collection; Ex Leu Numismatik AG, Auction 2, 11 May 2018, lot 306.

15,000

Gallienus was named Caesar at the same time his father Valerian became emperor in AD 253, but within a month he was promoted to the rank of Augustus and co-ruler. The responsibility for the western provinces fell to him the following year as Valerian marched east to campaign against the Sassanid Persians. Gallienus proceeded to take military action to secure the Rhine and Danube frontiers from German attacks; his efforts were successful and earned him the title ‘Germanicus Maximus’ five times between 255 and 258, though at the cost of his eldest son during a campaign in the Danube region early in 258. This was the beginning of a series of unfortunate events to befall the western emperor.

Valerian was captured by the Sassanid Persian king Shapur I in 260, significantly weakening Gallienus’ position and leaving a power vacuum in the east. The first to take advantage was Ingenuus, governor of Pannonia and Moesia, who was proclaimed emperor at Sirmium by the troops under his command but defeated soon after by Gallienus’ general Aureolus. Rebellion also broke out on the Danube frontier when Regalianus proclaimed himself emperor, requiring a prompt and successful action on Gallienus’ part. A further uprising occurred in 260, when Macrianus and Quietus were proclaimed joint emperors, making Antioch their capital with widespread support in the Eastern provinces. Macrianus marched against Gallienus but was killed by Aureolus in 261, while Quietus was murdered in Emesa where he was taking refuge. The following year saw Gallienus’ general Aureolus himself revolt, although he was swiftly convinced to make peace. Whilst the uprisings in the east had been successfully quelled, it had cost Gallienus dearly in the West. By the end of 261, Postumus had taken control of Gaul, Britain and Spain and assumed the title of Augustus, establishing an independent empire that would survive for almost 15 years.

Unable to successfully challenge the Gallic Empire carved out by Postumus, Gallienus spent the following years dealing with minor invasions and rebellions until the Goths and the Heruli launched a large scale incursion into the Balkans in 268. Leaving Aureolus in charge at Milan, Gallienus advanced to counter the invasion, but was unable to prevent the sacking of Athens before finally catching up with and defeating the invaders at Naissus. Taking advantage of the Gothic War, Aureolus defected to Postumus, compelling Gallienus to return to Italy in September 268, where he defeated Aureolus’ forces at Pontirolo and laid siege to him in Milan. Before Gallienus could bring matters to a decisive conclusion however, he was murdered in his camp by the commander of his Dalmatian cavalry.

727.

Quietus BI Antoninianus. Samosata, AD 260-261. IMP C FVL QVIETVS P F AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust to right / SOL INV[IC]TO, Sol standing facing, head to left, raising hand and holding globe; star in left field. RIC V.2 10 (Antioch); MIR 1741n; RSC 12c. 5.05g, 24mm, 6h. Mint State; struck on a broad flan, with exceptionally complete silvering.

Acquired from Leu Numismatik AG; Ex collection of Dipl.-Ing. Adrian Lang, privately acquired in the early 2000s.

729.

Postumus Æ Double Sestertius. Treveri, AD 261. IMP C M CASS LAT POSTVMVS P F AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust to right / LAETITIA, galley rowing to left; AVG in exergue. Mairat, 2014 (unpublished PhD Thesis), 124; RIC V.2 143 (Lugdunum); Elmer 243. 17.83g, 33mm, 5h.

728. 1,500

Good Very Fine.

Ex North German collection of Roman Imperial Bronzes, Leu Numismatik AG, Auction 7, 24 October 2020, lot 1680; Ex F. Sternberg AG, Auction XXVI, 16 November 1992, lot 416.

Carausius BI Radiate. Uncertain mint (London?), AD 286-293. IMP C CARAVSIVS P F AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust to right / PAX AVG, Pax standing to left, holding olive branch and cornucopiae; S-P across fields. RIC V.2 475; Webb 532. 4.50g, 24mm, 6h.

Good Extremely Fine; minor area of weakness. Scarce; especially so in such condition.

Acquired from A. H. Baldwin & Sons Ltd.

731.

One of 3 Known Examples

Carausius AR ‘Denarius’. Uncertain British mint, AD 286-293. IMP CARAVSIVS P F AVG, laureate and draped bust to right / CONCORDIA MTLITVM (sic), clasped hands; RSR in exergue. RIC V.2 547 var. (obv. legend); Webb 600 var. (same); RSC 31 var. (bust type); UBS 78, 1928 (same dies). 4.05g, 21mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine. Exceedingly Rare; only two other specimens known, one sold in UBS 78 (2008) and the other held in Paris, with the present example undoubtedly the finest of the three.

Found in Old St. Mellons, Wales on Thursday 13th October 2022. Submitted for consideration as Treasure and returned to the finder. PAS ID: FASAMC240C9.

When Carausius settled in Britain in 286 the Roman currency was in a degenerate state, made up almost exclusively of base-metal issues; he saw an opportunity to use the platform of coinage as a means to present himself, his regime and his new ideology for the breakaway ‘British Empire’, and gold and silver issues superior to those made by the legitimate empire were the principal manifestation of his traditional standards and virtues.

It is in the exergual mark of RSR that Carausius’ use of classical allusion as propaganda can be seen: G. de la Bédoyère, in his paper for the Numismatic Chronicle (158, 1998, 79-88), made a strong case for a Virgilian reading of the RSR mark, based on its use on a bronze medallion of Carausius (BM 1972-7-17-1) and the reverse legend employed by Carausius of EXPECTATE VENI, ‘Come, long awaited one’ (cf. RIC V.2 554-8, 439-40 and Aeneid ii, 283), which usually appears on the silver coinage. He suggests that the RSR mark is an abbreviation of “redeunt Saturnia regna” (the Saturnian kingdoms return), from Virgil’s Eclogues IV, from which the following line is “iam nova progenies caelo demittitur alto” (INPCDA, now a generation is let down from heaven above). Virgil’s Eclogues text is entirely appropriate for the image that Carausius was trying to promote of the ‘British Empire’ as a haven of traditional Roman values, and the Saturnian age was a commonly used theme of Roman literature to symbolise a lost paradise, both of which are employed here to legitimise Carausius’ rule and appeal to the Romano-British inhabitants of his new empire to support him in his desire to uphold the Roman ideal.

732.

Carausius BI Radiate. Uncertain mint (London?), AD 286-293. IMP C CARAVSIVS P F AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust to right / PAX AVG, Pax standing facing, head to left, holding olive branch and sceptre; S-P across fields. RIC V.2 475; Webb 532. 4.02g, 25mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine; well struck, with a fine patina.

733.

Carausius BI Radiate. Uncertain mint (London?), AD 290-293. IMP C CARAVSIVS P AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust to right / PAX AVG, Pax standing facing, head to left, holding olive branch and sceptre; S-C across fields. RIC V.2 476; Webb 529. 4.82g, 24mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine; beautifully centred, with a warm brown patina.

Purchased from Spink & Son Ltd in 2005.

Acquired from Numismatica Ars Classica AG.

300

600

One of Two Known

Aurelian AV Binio (Double Aureus). Siscia, AD 274-275. IMP C AVRELIANVS AVG, radiate and cuirassed bust to right / RESTITVTOR ORIENTIS, Sol standing to left with one hand raised and the other holding whip, chlamys over shoulder; at feet, two captives looking to left; IL in exergue. RIC -; MER-RIC 2347; C. -; BN -; MIR -; Calicó -; NAC 27, 479. 6.99g, 23mm, 12h.

Near Mint State. Extremely Rare, apparently only the second known specimen.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction IX, 22 March 2015, lot 805.

21,000

In 272, Aurelian turned his attention to the lost eastern provinces of the empire, the so-called Palmyrene Empire ruled by Queen Zenobia, which encompassed Syria, Palestine, Egypt and large parts of Asia Minor. Despite a pragmatic acknowledgement of Zenobia and Vabalathus at the beginning of his reign, and having granted them both the titles they craved, Aurelian’s driving ambition was to reunify and secure the sundered parts of the Roman empire.

Marching east, Asia Minor was recovered with minimal resistance. Every city but Byzantium and Tyana surrendered quickly, and having spared Tyana from sack and despoliation, supposedly because Apollonius of Tyana (a first century philosopher whom he greatly admired) appeared to him in a dream and implored him to mercy, many more cities submitted peacefully knowing that they would be treated leniently. Within six months, Aurelian stood at the gates of Palmyra. Zenobia was captured while attempting to flee, and paraded in golden chains in Aurelian’s triumph in Rome. The recovery of Egypt by the future emperor Probus and a return to Palmyra to deal with a Palmyrene rebel named Antiochus finally secured the eastern provinces. Aurelian was given the title of Restitutor Orientis (Restorer of the East) by the Senate, who would soon after confer upon him the title of Restitutor Orbis (Restorer of the World) when he brought the breakaway Gallic provinces back into the fold, thus reunifying the empire.

Ex Imagines Imperatorvm Collection

Carus AV Aureus. Siscia, AD 282-283. IMP C M AVR CARVS P F AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust to right / VICTORIAE AVGG FEL, Victory advancing to left, holding open wreath in both hands; shield on base in left field. RIC V.2 98; C. 95 var.; Vagi 2471; Calicó 4291. 5.23g, 19mm, 12h.

Fleur De Coin. Extremely Rare.

Ex Long Valley River Collection, Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XX, 30 October 2020, lot 669;

Ex Imagines Imperatorvm Collection, Aureo & Calicó S.L., Auction 241, 8 February 2012, lot 291 (hammer: EUR 38,000);

Ex Numismatica Ars Classica AG, Auction 24, 5 December 2002, lot 221;

Ex Classical Numismatic Group- Numismatica Ars Classica - Freeman & Sear, Triton IV, 5 December 2000, lot 673.

18,000

Frustratingly for modern scholars, almost nothing is known of the life of Marcus Aurelius Carus before his ascension to the purple in the summer/ autumn of AD 282. The only historical source which speaks of his life (and indeed reign) in any meaningful detail is the notoriously imprecise Historia Augusta, which, as is generally recognized, tends to favour scandalous hearsay over hard fact. Before being proclaimed Augustus, the Historia maintains that Carus served as a senator (Vita Cari, V.4), before being elevated to the role of Praetorian Prefect under the auspices of his predecessor, Probus. The future emperor Julian, in his catalogue of tyrants (The Caesars), declares that Carus was complicit in Probus’ death in 282, as Gibbon observes (History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, ch. XII, p. 293); though other accounts, including that of the Historia, rebuff this claim, pointing to Carus’ swift execution of the genuine perpetrators (ibid. p. 292).

Nevertheless, one must assume that Carus was stationed in Sirmium when mutinous troops assassinated Probus there in the summer of 282, and was in the vicinity some months later, as he was compelled to command a manoeuvre against the raiding Sarmatian and Quadi forces who had become heartened by the news of Probus’ demise. Before embarking on this counter-offensive, however, Carus first elevated his two sons, Numerian and Carinus, to the rank of Caesar; undoubtedly with a Carian dynasty in mind. Carinus, the elder brother, was tasked with administering the Western Empire while Numerian joined his father on the Danube.

Together, Carus and Numerian enjoyed great success, with their army inflicting multiple and ever-more decisive defeats on the invaders. By the end of 292, an estimated 36,000 Sarmatian and Quadi tribesmen had been slaughtered (Gibbon p. 294), and all survivors had been repelled from the frontier This outstanding aureus was struck in Siscia around that time to commemorate the various victories on the Danube border. Its striking reverse displays Victory holding a wreath with a shield in the left field, traditional attributes of the goddess and reflecting the successful campaign.

Emboldened by his success on the Danube, and safe in the knowledge that his two sons might be able to establish a veritable dynasty in the event of his death, Carus and Numerian next advanced further East, where they were able to quell revolts in Thrace and Asia Minor and annex vast parts of Mesopotamia (Zonaras, XII.30). Yet more victories then followed, this time against the Sassanid army commanded by Bahram II. Eutropius relates that the army captured and sacked the Sassanid capital of Ctesiphon (IX.14.1) before Carus (perhaps aged 61 at this stage) mysteriously died while still in Sassanid territory in either July or August of 293. Immediately, rumours began to circulate among his superstitious troops that his tent had been struck by a particularly violent bolt of lightning; a divine indication, according to them, that the campaign had ventured too far East.

738.

Diocletian AV Aureus. Antioch, AD 290-292. DIOCLETIANVS AVGVSTVS, laureate head to right / CONSVL IIII P P PROCOS, emperor, draped and cuirassed, standing to left, holding globe; Σ (retrograde) in right field, SMA in exergue. RIC V.2 307; C. 46; Depeyrot 7/1; Calicó 4436. 5.40g, 20mm, 5h.

Near Extremely Fine. Rare.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XXII, 8 October 2021, lot 858.

1,800

Diocletian AR Argenteus. Rome, AD 295-297. DIOCLETIANVS AVG, laureate head to right / VICTORIA SARMAT, four tetrarchs sacrificing over tripod before city enclosure with six turrets; pellet in doorway, B in exergue. RIC VI 37a; Pink, Silberprägung, p. 17; Jelocnik 55; Hunter -; RSC 488gc. 3.72g, 19mm, 12h.

Mint State, contact mark on rev; deep mauve cabinet tone.

Privately purchased from Numismatica Ars Classica AG.

Maximian AV Aureus. Cyzicus, AD 288-289. MAXIMIANVS AVGVSTVS, laureate head to right / COS II, emperor on horseback to right, raising right hand in salute. RIC V.2 598; C. 86; Depeyrot 8/1; Calicó 4633. 5.38g, 19mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine. Rare.

From a private European collection; Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd, Auction XXII, 7 October 2021, lot 859.

3,300

No Others Auctioned in 20+ Years

Maximian AV Aureus. Treveri, AD 293-294. MAXIMIANVS P F AVG, laureate head to right / HERCVLI DEBELLAT, Hercules standing facing, head to left, holding club in raised right arm, preparing to strike Hydra coiled around his right leg, which he grips with left hand; PT in exergue. RIC VI 9; C. -; Calicó 4658. 5.42g, 18mm, 12h.

Good Extremely Fine, minor scuff to neck restored. Extremely Rare; no other examples offered at auction in over two decades.

Ex Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co. KG, Auction 216, 8 October 2012, lot 1259 (hammer: EUR 22,000).

10,500

This coin was struck as a donative on the occasion of the first consulates of the new Caesars Constantius and Galerius; Diocletian well understood the necessity of sharing power and dividing responsibility for the empire among capable leaders who could defend it from the multitude of enemies, both internal and external, that it faced. Maximian’s Caesar, Constantius, was immediately tasked with the recovery of the lands ruled over by the rebel Carausius who had revolted in late 286 or early 287. By the end of 293 all of the usurper’s continental possessions had been captured, and Britannia was finally retaken in 296.

The reverse type of this coin may be seen as an allegorical reference to the emperors’ constant struggle against the many enemies of Rome, symbolised by the Hydra - and most especially Carausius, who had proven to be such an embarrassment for Maximian after the failed campaign of 289. The particular manner in which Hercules and the hydra are here depicted is extremely similar to the imagery found on the late 4th century BC coinage of Phaistos in Crete. It has been repeatedly suggested that those later designs of Phaistos copy a now lost masterpiece of sculpture or painting, perhaps even a statue group by the great sculptor Lysippos (see Lehmann, ‘Statues on Coins’, New York 1946; see also Lacroix, ‘Les Reproductions de Statues sur les Monnaies Grecques’, Liege 1949; see also S. Lattimore, ‘Lysippian Sculpture on Greek Coins’, California Studies in Classical Antiquity Vol. 5 1972).

One of Only 2 Auctioned in 20 Years

740. 4,500

741.

Maximian AV Aureus. Rome, AD 295. MAXIMIANVS P F AVG, laureate and cuirassed bust to right / VIRTVS AVGG, Hercules, naked but for lion skin around shoulder, standing to right attacking centaur with club, who is fleeing to right, chest and head reverted to left; PR in exergue. RIC VI -; C. -; Depeyrot 5B/8 var. (bust); Calicó 4739. 5.76g, 19mm, 12h.

Good Very Fine. Extremely Rare; not published in RIC and only one other example on CoinArchives. Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XXII, 7 October 2021, lot 862.

Fleur De Coin

Maximian AR Argenteus. Ticinum, AD 300. MAXIMIANVS AVG, laureate head to right / XCVI T in two lines within wreath. RIC VI 20b; RSC 698. 3.39g, 19mm, 1h.

Fleur De Coin; highly lustrous metal.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction X, 27 September 2015, lot 864; Ex Classical Numismatic Group, Triton XVIII, 6 January 2015, lot 1236 (hammer: 1,400 USD).

Only 1 Other on CoinArchives

742. 450

Maximian AR Argenteus. Siscia, AD 300. MAXIMIANVS AVG, laureate head to right / VIRTVS

Mint State; some attractive iridescence. Extremely Rare; seemingly only one other example on CoinArchives.

From a private European collection.

Unpublished Officina

743. 300

Near Mint State; minor die breaks on neck. Very Rare; unpublished with this officina.

From a private European collection.

MILITVM, camp gate with four turrets, gate open, doors thrown back; *SIS in exergue. RIC VI 70; RSC 631†a. 2.96g, 19mm, 7h.

Constantius I AR Argenteus. Serdica, AD 305-307. CONSTANTIVS AVG, laureate head to right / VIRTVS MILITVM, camp gate with three turrets, no doors; •SM•SDΔ• in exergue. RIC VI 11a; Gautier 25; RSC 304a. 3.41g, 20mm, 12h.

745.

Constantius I AR Argenteus. Serdica, AD 305-307. CONSTANTIVS AVG, laureate head to right / VIRTVS MILITVM, camp gate with three turrets, no doors; •SM•SDΔ• in exergue. RIC VI 11a; Gautier 25; RSC 304a. 3.43g, 20mm, 1h.

Fleur De Coin; wonderful iridescent tone. Very Rare; rated R4 in RIC.

Acquired from Numismatica Ars Classica AG; Privately purchased from Freeman & Sear, 2009.

Extremely Rare

746.

Constantius I AV Aureus. Ticinum, AD 305-306. CONSTANTIVS P F AVG, laureate head to right / FELICITAS AVGG NOSTR, Felicitas seated to left on throne, holding caduceus and cornucopiae; SMT in exergue. RIC VI 51a; Depeyrot 8/4; Calicó 4823. 5.02g, 21mm, 6h.

Near Mint State; a wonderful portrait, beautifully centred. Extremely Rare; Depeyrot noted only 3 examples.

From a private European collection.

Only 3 Others on CoinArchives

6,000

Galerius, as Caesar, AV Aureus. Nicomedia, AD 294. MAXIMIANVS NOB CAES, laureate head to right / IOVI CONSERVATORI, Jupiter standing facing, head to left, wearing chlamys that falls behind, holding thunderbolt and spear, SMN in exergue. RIC VI 6; C. 122; Depeyrot 2/5; Calicó -; Roma XX, 684 (same dies). 5.37g, 20mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare; only 3 other examples on CoinArchives.

From a private European collection.

4,500

747. 600

748.

Galerius, as Caesar, AR Argenteus. Thessalonica, AD 302. MAXIMIANVS NOB C, laureate head to right / VIRTVS MILITVM, camp gate with three turrets, no doors; •T•S•B• in exergue. RIC VI 16b; RSC 223d. 3.13g, 19mm, 1h.

Fleur De Coin; beautifully lustrous with attractive iridescence.

From a private European collection.

Galerius, as Caesar, AR Argenteus. Thessalonica, AD 302. MAXIMIANVS NOB C, laureate head to right / CONCORDIA MILITVM, camp gate with four turrets, doors open, star above arch; TS•Γ• in exergue. RIC VI 8; RSC 22a. 3.45g, 21mm, 6h.

Near Mint State; lustrous rev. Very Rare.

From a private European collection.

749. 600

Galerius, as Caesar, AR Argenteus. Thessalonica, AD 302. MAXIMIANVS NOB C, laureate head to right / CONCORDIA MILITVM, camp gate with four turrets, doors open, star above arch; TS•Γ• in exergue. RIC VI 8; RSC 22a. 3.45g, 21mm, 6h.

Mint State. Very Rare.

From a private European collection.

A Rare Galerius Aureus

750. 4,500

Galerius AV Aureus. Nicomedia, AD 307-308. MAXIMIANVS AVGVSTVS, laureate head to right / IOVI CONSERVATORI NK (partially ligate), Jupiter standing to left, holding thunderbolt and sceptre; SMN in exergue. RIC VI 33; Depeyrot 9/2; Calicó 4926. 5.35g, 20mm, 6h.

Good Extremely Fine. Rare.

From a private European collection.

Fleur De Coin

Maximinus II AV Aureus. Antioch, AD 311. MAXIMINVS P F AVG, laureate head to right / CONSVL P P PROCONSVL, laureate and togate emperor standing facing, head to left, holding globe and sceptre; (crescent)SMAΣ* in exergue. RIC VI 127a; C. 10;

Fleur De Coin; well-centered and in a magnificent state of preservation.

Ex Numismatica Ars Classica AG, Auction 106, 9 May 2018, lot 1044.

Born of Dacian peasant stock to the sister of Galerius, Maximinus rose to high distinction in the army thanks to his uncle’s influence as Caesar under Diocletian. In 305, according to Lactantius, Galerius forced Diocletian to abdicate, and through coercion and threats convinced Diocletian to fill the two vacated positions of Caesar with men compliant to his will. Thus, with the abdication of Diocletian and Maximianus, Galerius was raised to Augustus and immediately appointed his nephew Maximinus to the rank of Caesar along with an old friend, Severus. Portrayed by contemporary writers as vulgar, cruel and ignorant, Maximinus II gained eternal notoriety for his persecution of Christians in open defiance of the Edict of Toleration issued by Galerius.

In 313, having imprudently allied himself to Maxentius, the enemy of Constantine and Licinius, Maximinus found himself at war with Licinius, who marched against him and defeated him in a decisive battle at Tirizallum, despite Maximinus’ army being a veteran force that outnumbered Licinius by more than two to one. Pursued and besieged by Licinius, he poisoned himself at Tarsus in Cilicia in AD 313, eight years after being named Caesar, and five and a half after assuming the purple. His children were put to death and his wife was thrown into the Orontes at Antioch where by her orders a great number of Christian women had been drowned.

Depeyrot 26/1; Calicó 5003. 5.28g, 19mm, 12h.

Jupiter the Preserver

Licinius I AV Aureus. Siscia, AD 316. LICINIVS P F AVG, laureate head to right / IOVI CONSERVATORI AVG, Jupiter standing facing, head to left, holding thunderbolt and sceptre; at his feet on left, eagle standing to left, head reverted; X in right field, SIS in exergue. RIC VII 19 & 21; Depeyrot 12/1; Alföldi 226; Calicó 5120. 5.19g, 20mm, 6h.

Good Extremely Fine; rev. lightly brushed. Extremely Rare.

Ex Classical Numismatic Group, Auction 111, 29 May 2019, lot 801. Ex ArtCoins Roma 8, 4 February 2014, lot 715 (hammer: EUR 20,000).

9,000

The portrait and reverse type employed on this aureus are deliberately conventional: Licinius’ close cropped hair, sharp beard, stylised face and neck with straight features and stern eyes reflects the unifying portrait style of the tetrarchic system of four emperors instituted by Diocletian in AD 293, whose images are often so similar that they are only attributable by legend.

While clearly displaying Licinius’ conformity to tetrarchic ideals, his portraiture was according to R.R.R. Smith also “clearly an oppositional and reactive style” in comparison with his co-emperor Constantine’s, who favoured a slender, youthful, clean-shaven portrait which harked back “beyond the aggressive paternal militarism of third-century and tetrarchic portraits” to the classical features and archetypal fringe of the Julio-Claudian mode of imperial representation. (Roman Portrait Statuary from Aphrodisias, 2006, p.186-91). These conflicting methods of representation emphasised the political and religious differences of the two emperors; differences starkly characterised also by their choice of symbolism. Whereas Constantine chose to highlight his monotheistic credentials by using the Chi-Rho symbol on his military standards (a style of standard which became its own distinct category, known as a labarum), Licinius instead reinforced his connection to ancient Roman tradition and continued to use ‘pagan’ motifs on both his coinage, as in this example, and on his military standards. The depiction of Jupiter standing on this coin is typical of Licinius’ earlier issues; this imagery evolved into an enthroned format in later issues; the overall impact, however, remains the same. His consistent use of traditional Roman iconography, particularly that of Jupiter where is coinage is concerned, can be seen to be as much motivated by his desire to create clear distinctions between himself and his opponent, Constantine, as a reflection of his true religious beliefs.

Constantine I ‘the Great’ AV Solidus. Treveri, AD 312-313. CONSTANTINVS P F AVG, laureate head to right / GAVDIVM ROMANORVM, Francia seated to left on ground, resting head on hand and leaning right hand on grounded bow behind her, trophy in background; FRANCIA in exergue. RIC VI 824 var. (no bow), cf. RIC VII p. 255 for rev. type; C. 168 (bow described as column); Depeyrot 18/3; Jameson 351 corr. (bow not mentioned). 4.16g.

NGC graded AU 5/5 - 3/5, brushed (#5791248-002). Extremely Rare.

12,000

In his youth Constantine accompanied his father Constantius I Chlorus on a campaign to Britain in AD 305, where Constantius died at Eobarcum (York) after having fought against the Picts beyond Hadrian’s Wall. Upon his father’s death Constantine was appointed Caesar by Galerius, Augustus in the East, and he remained in the West commanding a vast army along the Rhine. The Franks invaded Gaul across the Rhine in AD 306 and were brutally repelled by Constantine’s army. The captured kings Ascaric and Merogais were paraded in the amphitheatre of Treveri, the tetrarchic capital of the West, and fed to the beasts. Eumenius recalls this event in his Panegyrici Latini (xi), taunting “where now is that ferocity of yours? Where is that ever untrustworthy fickleness?”, referencing a possible etymology for the name ‘Franci’ from the Latin ‘ferocia’ and Germanic ‘frech’, meaning ‘fierce’ or ‘bold’. This coin is testament to the significance of this victory to Constantine’s reign, minted several years after the event itself and after Constantine I ‘the Great’ had put down rebellions of Maxentius, Maximian and Maximinus to emerge victorious in Rome in AD 312 as one of two co-emperors with Licinius I.

The present coin portrays the victory of Constantine I ‘the Great’ over the Franks with a pitiful image of Francia, the personification of the tribe, using the typical iconography of the mourning captive. It forms part of a long numismatic tradition of representing Roman victory over foreign peoples with captive female personifications. Precedents can be found amongst the aurei of Vespasian celebrating the Flavian victory over Judaea, Domitian’s aureus of Germania (RIC II.1 560), Marcus Aurelius’ denarii of Armenia (RIC III 81) and Trajan’s sestertii displaying a the Roman male personification Tiber trampling the female figure of Dacia (RIC II 556), a scene with remarkable stylistic parallels to the monumental relief of Claudius overpowering the figure of Britannia from the Sebasteion at Aphrodisias.

Francia’s defeated posture and mournful gesture, placing her head in her hands, seated as she is beneath a trophy of Francish weapons, appears in jarring contrast to the legend ‘GAVDIVM ROMANORVM’ which proclaims the joy and delight of the Romans at the defeat of the Franks and highlights the disdain with which Romans perceived the ‘barbarians’, who threatened their frontiers and the security of the Empire.

Seemingly the Second Known

3.38g, 20mm, 12h.

Good Extremely Fine; scattered contact marks. Seemingly unpublished, and likely only the second known example. From a private UK collection.

600

Constantine I ‘the Great’ AR Siliqua. Nicomedia, AD 326-327. Diademed head to right, with eyes raised to heaven / CONSTANTINVS AVG, Victory advancing to left, holding trophy and palm; SMN in exergue. RIC VII -, cf. 139 for this rev. type on solidi, and 140-141 for a similar type; Roma E-27, 916.

754.

The Tragic Fate of Crispus

Crispus, as Caesar, AV Solidus. Nicomedia, AD 324-325. FL IVL CRISPVS NOB CAES, laureate ‘heroic’ bust to left, seen from behind, holding spear and shield to front, balteus over right shoulder / VIRTVS CAESARI N, emperor on horseback charging to right, shield in left hand, about to spear enemy in posture of supplication before horse, his shield proffered before him; below, a second enemy lies to left on ground line beneath the horse, extending his left arm; SMNP in exergue. RIC VII 84-5 var. (unlisted officina); C. 164 var. (same); Depeyrot 35/6; Biaggi 2068 (same). 4.45g, 20mm, 6h.

Mint State; in spectacular state of preservation. Previously NGC graded MS★ 5/5 - 4/5 (#4632784-004). Extremely Rare; one of apparently just three known examples.

Ex Long Valley River Collection, Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XX, 30 October 2020, lot 696; Ex Heritage World Coin Auctions, NYINC Signature Sale 3071, 6 January 2019, lot 34123.

Characterised in contemporary literature as having achieved ‘great deeds’ and being a ‘most courageous Caesar’ (Nazarius, Panegyrici Latini 10.3.4) and a ruler most dear to god (Eusebius, Historia Ecclesiastica, 10.9.6), Crispus, first son of Constantine the Great, was seemingly deserving of the heroic manner in which he is portrayed on this solidus. Minted in 324-5, it is a manifestation of his father’s gratitude to Crispus for his assistance in finally defeating Constantine’s rival Augustus in the East, Licinius.

Proclaimed Caesar in 317 and having already established himself as a competent military commander, winning victories over the Franks and the Alamanni in 320 and 323, it was in 324 that Crispus achieved his most impressive military victory to date. Appointed commander of Constantine’s fleet, Crispus was despatched to confront Licinius and his subsequent victory at the Battle of the Hellespont proved a resounding endorsement of Crispus’ leadership. His involvement in Constantine’s later decisive victory over Licinius’ forces at the battle of Chrysopolis cemented his favour with his father, who made his gratitude to his eldest son manifest by commissioning various visual representations of his son, including mosaics and statuary. The dating of this coin can, thus, directly relate it to his involvement in the victories in 324.

The rarity of the gold coinage of Crispus is testament, however, to a less glorious latter chain of events, as his time in favour was short-lived. In 326 Crispus was executed on his father’s orders at the town of Pola, just two years after he had been so publicly lauded by him and his depictions were then subject to damnatio memoriae. The reasons for his execution remain somewhat unclear, and as is so often the case for figures in the ancient world who were subject to damnatio memoriae and misleading propaganda after their death, getting to the truth of events can be challenging.

The most widely accepted ancient version of events, proposed by, amongst others, Zosimus (New History 2.29.2) is that Constantine’s wife (Crispus’ step-mother) Fausta was infatuated by him and, on his rejection of her advances, she accused him of attempting to seduce her, resulting in her husband’s decision to execute him. The parallels with the myth of Phaedra and Hippolytus, son of Theseus, seem inescapable and, undoubtedly, influenced contemporary writers in their portrayal of events. This representation of Constantine’s reasoning has also been seen to reflect increasingly Christianising tone of the contemporary and later literature and historiography, as indeed most writers obliquely imply that Crispus was only accused of adultery by Fausta, which is not necessarily commensurate with the harsh punishment meted out and, moreover, the representation of women as wicked and scheming was, of course, not uncommon in Christian writing.

It, nevertheless, does seem likely that Fausta was directly involved in Crispus’ end, and her motivation was clearly that her own sons were lower in the line of succession while Crispus was the official heir. With Crispus out of the way, Fausta’s eldest son Constantine II would be promoted to next in line. It would, indeed, not be the first instance that can be found of maternal machinations on behalf of sons in the imperial family; both Agrippina the Younger and Livia have been accused of the same. Like Agrippina the Younger, however, Fausta herself came to an unpleasant end, being killed on Constantine’s orders (Zosimus, New History, 2.29.2).

It is the damnatio memoriae which has resulted in coins being the only certain representations of Crispus which survive (other portraits in marble and cameo form have been tentatively attributed to him, although none definitively), (Pohlsander, H.A., ‘Crispus: Brilliant Career and Tragic End, Historia: Zeitschrift fur Alter Geschichte 33, 1984, pp. 89 - 92) and it would seem that coins minted before the news of his execution had spread were also subject to destruction (Sutherland, C.H.V., Litt, D. & Carson, R.A.G. eds., RIC VII, 1966, p. 593). This coin is, therefore, a rare surviving tribute to a Caesar who achieved so much, only to meet a tragic end at the hands of his father.

756.

Constantine II, as Caesar, AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 336-337. CONSTANTINVS IVN NOB CAES, laureate and cuirassed bust to right / PRINCIPI IVVENTVTIS, prince standing to left, in military dress, holding vexillum with right hand and long sceptre with left hand; two standards behind, CONS in exergue. RIC VII 109; Depeyrot 7/5. 4.61g, 22mm, 6h.

Good Extremely Fine; minor surface marks on rev. Very Rare.

Ex Ambrose Collection;

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction IV, 30 September 2012, lot 677.

An Extremely Rare Issue

757.

2,100

758.

Constans AR Siliqua. Rome, AD 347. FL IVL CONSTANS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust to right / FL IVL CONSTANS P F AVGG, Victory advancing to left, head turned to right, holding wreath and palm, a bowing captive behind her; R in exergue. RIC VIII 70; RSC 30. 2.95g, 20mm, 6h.

Good Very Fine. Extremely Rare; rated R4 in RIC, no other examples offered at auction in the last 20 years.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XXII, 8 October 2021, lot 870.

600

Constantius II AV Solidus. Nicomedia, AD 340-351. FL IVL CONSTANTIVS PERP AVG, laurel-and-rosette-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust to right / GLORIA REIPVBLICAE, Roma and Constantinopolis enthroned facing each other, one with head to right and one with foot on prow and holding sceptre, supporting between them a wreath inscribed VOT XX MVLT XXX in four lines; SMNS in exergue. RIC VIII 29; C. 108; Depeyrot 3/1. 4.61g, 21mm, 12h.

Fleur De Coin.

Ex Numismatica Ars Classica AG, Auction 84, 20 May 2015, lot 1226. 3,900

Constantius II AV Solidus. Nicomedia, AD 351-355. FL IVL CONSTANTIVS PERP AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear and shield decorated with horseman motif / GLORIA REIPVBLICAE, Roma enthroned facing, holding spear and Constantinopolis enthroned to left, holding sceptre, foot on prow, holding between them shield inscribed VOT XXX MVLT XXXX in four lines; SMNЄ in exergue. RIC VIII 74; Depeyrot 5/2. 4.47g, 21mm, 12h.

Near Mint State; well-centered on a large and lustrous flan. Rare.

Fleur De Coin

Ex NAC 25, 2003

760.

Constantius II AV Solidus. Nicomedia, AD 351-355. FL IVL CONSTANTIVS PERP AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear and shield decorated with horseman motif / GLORIA REIPVBLICAE, Roma enthroned facing, holding spear and Constantinopolis enthroned to left, holding sceptre, foot on prow, holding between them shield inscribed VOT XXX MVLT XXXX in four lines; SMNS in exergue. RIC VIII 74; Depeyrot 5/2. 4.55g, 22mm, 6h.

Good Extremely Fine. A rare tricennalia issue.

Ex Numismatica Ars Classica AG, Auction 54, 24 March 2010, lot 626; Ex Numismatica Ars Classica AG, Auction 25, 25 June 2003, lot 601.

761.

900

762.

Constantius II AV Solidus. Sirmium, AD 351-354. FL IVL CONSTANTIVS PERP AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear over shoulder and shield decorated with horseman motif / GLORIA REIPVBLICAE, Roma, wearing long dress and helmet, seated facing, holding spear with left hand, and Constantinopolis, wearing long dress and mural crown, seated to left holding sceptre in left hand, right foot on prow, supporting between them shield inscribed VOT XXX MVLT XXXX in four lines; •SIRM(branch) in exergue. RIC VIII 5; C. 112; Depeyrot 3/1. 4.42g, 22mm, 12h.

Near Mint State; minute obv. scrape, well-centered on a lustrous planchet.

Acquired from Heritage Auctions Europe.

Ex Leu 45, 1988

1,200

Constantius II AV Solidus. Sirmium, AD 355-361. FL IVL CONSTANTIVS PERP AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear over shoulder and shield decorated with horseman motif / GLORIA REIPVBLICAE, Roma enthroned facing, and Constantinopolis enthroned to left with foot on prow and holding sceptre, supporting between them shield inscribed VOT XXXV MVLT XXXX in four lines; SIRM(star in crescent) in exergue. RIC VIII 59; C. 124; Depeyrot 12/1. 4.42g, 21mm, 6h.

Near Mint State. Extremely Rare.

Ex Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co. KG, Auction 153, 14 March 2009, lot 8976; Ex Bank Leu AG, Auction 45, 26 May 1988, lot 382.

2,700

763.

Constantius II AV Solidus. Antioch, AD 355-361. FL IVL CONSTANTIVS PERP AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear and shield decorated with horseman motif / GLORIA REIPVBLICAE, Roma enthroned facing, holding spear and Constantinopolis enthroned to left, holding sceptre, foot on prow, supporting between them shield inscribed VOT XXX MVLT XXXX in four lines; SMANB• in exergue. RIC VIII 162; Depeyrot 9/1. 4.44g, 21mm, 6h.

Mint State; a wonderful and perfectly centered example.

600

“Censeris” Æ 18mm. Uncertain (British?) mint, circa AD 354-358. [..]NSERI[..], diademed, draped and cuirassed bust to right / COHTATI[...]S, emperor standing to left on galley, holding phoenix and standard with Chi-Rho on banner, Victory seated behind, steering ship. Cf. C.H.V. Sutherland, ”Carausius II”, “Censeris”, and the Barbarous FEL. TEMP REPARATIO Overstrikes in NC Vol. 5 (1945), No. 3/4 , pp. 125-133, 6; cf. BM 1971,0318.1 = R.A.G. Carson and J.P.C. Kent, ‘A Hoard of Roman Fourth-Century Bronze Coins from Heslington, Yorkshire’ in NC Vol. 11 (1971), p. 225. 1.91g, 18mm, 12h.

Good Very Fine. Very Rare.

From a private UK collection.

In 1887 Sir Arthur Evans published a remarkable copy of a Roman FEL TEMP REPARATIO Æ found at Richborough bearing the obverse legend DOMINO CARAVSIO CES (NC Vol. 7, pp. 191-219). Evans argued that the coin was not merely a barbarous imitation but that of an otherwise unrecorded fifth-century ruler of Southern Britain named Carausius. The coin published by Evans shares the same reverse type as the present specimen and likewise bears a garbled version of the name Constantius (which was misread as Constantine by Evans) on the reverse. This led Evans to conclude that this new Carausius was associated with Constantine III, either as an independent usurper bidding for recognition or as an actual nominee of the legitimate emperor.

The matter was reopened by C.H.V. Sutherland in 1945 who was able to publish further specimens found at Richborough as well as others of uncertain provenance. The new specimens were all “falling horseman” types however they all shared a similarity of style with the Evans specimen, as well key characteristics such as the garbled name of Constantius on the reverse. Though their legends were incomplete, there was enough evidence for Sutherland to conclude that Carausius was the probable name indicated on three of the new specimens he published. Sutherland rejected Evan’s attribution of this coinage to the 5th century and established they were struck during the 350s, a view later supported by Kent who argued they can almost certainly be assigned to the years 354-8 (NC Vol. 17, pp. 78-83).

Much of the subsequent scholarship, including Kent and more recently Casey, has focused on the potential existence of a ‘Carausius II’ and has neglected one of Sutherland’s discoveries almost entirely. Amongst the coins included in his 1945 article was one found at Richborough bearing the name of a different potential ruler entirely, whose name can be read as Censeris or perhaps Genseris (DOMINO CΛ[…] CENSERIS). Although frustratingly incomplete, it is likely that the present specimen also bears the name Censeris (..NSERI..) given also the similarity in style and typology to the specimens published by Sutherland.

Sutherland was convinced that both represented issues by minor rulers claiming to be colleagues of Constantius II and might be attributed to the period of (or the aftermath) of the usurpation of Magnentius when Constantius did not hold total control over Britain. There is no historical evidence however for the existence of either person or a semi-independent dominium. Even the historian Ammianus Marcellinus is silent on the matter despite providing what appears to be a comprehensive account of events in Britain during this period. Furthermore, Kent’s highly technical and convincing arguments for isolating the dating of these issues to the years 354-8 place them during a period when Constantius held undisputed control over the empire and his agents were particularly active in punishing dissidents in Britain.

Whilst sceptics might disregard these issues as being merely copies, Casey notes that they exhibit a degree of originality which goes well beyond their prototypes (Carausius and Allectus: The British Usurpers, London, 1994, p. 167). If these coins are simply copies then why attempt to engrave the names ‘Carausius’ and ‘Censeris’? Why engrave DOMINO rather than the abbreviation we find on the originals and replace the reverse legend with something different entirely? These questions remain unsettled and the case for Carausius and Censeris remains unproven.

Magnentius AR Siliqua. Treveri, AD 350. IM CAE MAGNENTIVS AVG, bare-headed and draped bust to right / VIRTVS EXERCITI, Virtus standing facing, head to right, holding grounded spear and resting left hand on shield; TR in exergue. RIC VIII 256; RSC 82†. 2.85g, 21mm, 6h. Near Mint State; beautiful old cabinet tone; in superb condition for the type.

Ex Jean Vinchon Numismatique, 13 April 1991, lot 35.

2,400

765.

A Superb Siliqua of Magnentius

766.

Ex Hispanic Society of America Collection

Constantius Gallus, as Caesar, AV Solidus. Antioch, AD 351– 354. D N CONSTANTIVS NOB CAES, bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust to right / GLORIA REIPVBLICAE, Roma, seated facing on left, and Constantinopolis, seated to left on right, supporting round shield inscribed VOTIS V; SMANΘ• in exergue. RIC VIII 90; Depeyrot 7/4; NAC 46, 722 (same dies). 4.39g, 21mm, 6h.

About Extremely Fine; a well-centred example. Extremely Rare.

Ex Archer M. Huntington Collection, Numismatica Ars Classica AG, Auction 67, 17 October 2012, lot 379; Ex Hispanic Society of America Collection, no. 30124.

2,100

767.

Julian II AR Siliqua. Lugdunum, AD 360-363. FL CL IVLIANVS P P AVG, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust to right / VICTORIA DD NN AVG, Victory advancing to left, holding wreath and palm; LVG in exergue. RIC VIII 215A; C. 58. 2.08g, 17mm, 12h.

Near Mint State; lightly toned, with golden iridescence around the devices.

Ex Numismatica Ars Classica AG, Auction 92, 24 May 2016, lot 2483.

Cited in Depeyrot, Ex Leu 1973

300

768.

Julian II AV Solidus. Antioch, AD 361-363. FL CL IVLIANVS P P AVG, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust to right / VIRTVS EXERCITVS ROMANORVM, soldier standing to right, head to left, holding trophy and dragging captive; ANTΔ in exergue. RIC VIII 195; Depeyrot 15/1 (this coin cited for this officina); Biaggi 2221. 4.40g, 21mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine. Rare.

This coin cited in G. Depeyrot, Les monnaies d’or de Constantin II à Zenon (Wetteren, 1995-1996); Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XXII, 8 October 2021, lot 884; Ex El Medina Collection;

Ex Classical Numismatic Group, Auction XXXII, 7 December 1994, lot 462; Ex Leu Numismatik AG, Auction 57, 25 May 1993, lot 319; Ex Bank Leu AG, Auction 7, 9 May 1973, lot 443.

3,600

769.

Valens AV Solidus. Treveri, AD 372. D N VALENS P F AVG, rosette-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust to right / VICTORIA AVGG, Valentinian and Valens enthroned facing, holding globe between them; above, Victory facing with wings spread, palm between; TR•OB• in exergue. RIC IX 17d corr. (mintmark); Depeyrot 42/2. 4.51g, 22mm, 12h.

Mint State.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XXIII, 24 March 2022, lot 1116; Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XX, 30 October 2020, lot 705;

Ex Pierre Bastien Collection, Numismatica Ars Classica AG, Auction 114, 6 May 2019, lot 922; Privately purchased from Jean Vinchon Numismatique in 1966.

1,500

Ex Bastien Collection

770.

Gratian AV Solidus. Treveri, AD 375-378. D N GRATIANVS P F AVG, rosette-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust to right / VICTORIA AVGG, two emperors enthroned facing, holding globe between them; above, Victory facing with wings spread, palm branch between; TROBS in exergue. RIC IX 39c; Depeyrot 43/4.

NGC graded MS 5/5 - 3/5 (#6329094-015).

Ex Numismatica Ars Classica AG, Auction 75, 18 November 2013, lot 354.

A Very Rare Tremissis of Eugenius

771.

Eugenius AV Tremissis. Mediolanum, AD 393-394. D N EVGENIVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust to right / VICTORIA AVGVSTORVM, Victory advancing to left, holding wreath and palm-branch; M-D across fields, COM in exergue. RIC IX 29; C. 10; Depeyrot 11/2; Biaggi 2315. 1.46g, 14mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine. Very Rare.

Ex MDC Monnaies de Collection sarl, Auction 3, 1 December 2017, lot 219 (hammer: EUR 8,000).

Published in 1967

600

3,600

Honorius AV Solidus. Mediolanum, AD 394-395. D N HONORIVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust to right / VICTORIA AVGGG, emperor standing to right, holding labarum and Victory on globe, treading on captive to right; M-D across fields, COMOB in exergue. RIC IX 35c = RIC X 1206; Toffanin 486/2; Kunst der Antike aus Privatbesitz Bern, Biel, Solothurn (1967), 522 (this coin); Depeyrot 16/2. 4.45g, 21mm, 6h.

Good Extremely Fine.

This coin published in Kunst der Antike aus Privatbesitz Bern, Biel, Solothurn (1967); Ex collection of Regierungsrat Dr. iur. Hans Krähenbühl, Leu Numismatik AG, Auction 8, 23 October 2021, lot 396.

1,050

Honorius AV Solidus. Ravenna, AD 421. D N HONORIVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted, draped, and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear and round shield decorated with Chi-Rho symbol / Roma and Constantinopolis, each seated facing one another on cuirass, holding wreath between inscribed VOT XXX MVLT XXXX in four lines; below, palm branch set on ground, R - V across fields, COMOB in exergue. RIC X 1332; Ranieri 19; Depeyrot 4/2. 4.46g, 22mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine. Very Rare.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XV, 5 April 2018, lot 688.

1,200

A Puppet Usurper

Priscus Attalus AV Solidus. Rome, AD 409. PRISCVS ATTALVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust to right / INVICTA ROMA

AETERNA, helmeted and draped Roma, seated facing on high-backed throne supporting Victory, who stands to right on globe crowning her with wreath and palm, and holding spear; palm branch behind throne, R-M across fields, COMOB in exergue. RIC X 1404; C. 3; Depeyrot 39/1. 4.33g, 20mm, 12h.

About Extremely Fine; a few light scrapes, well struck on a full flan. Exceptionally Rare. From a private European collection.

30,000

Priscus Attalus was a Romano-Greek from Asia of noble descent whose father had moved to Italy under Valentinian I. He became an important senator in Rome, serving as praefectus urbi at the time of the Visigothic king Alaric’s second siege in 409. Angered by the western emperor Honorius lack of concessions, Alaric pressured the senate of Rome by threatening to destroy the granaries at Ostia. Faced with starvation, the Senate was forced to cooperate with the Visigoths by electing one of their own members to be raised to Augustus as a rival for Honorius, whose court was based in Ravenna. In so doing, Alaric hoped to bring Honorius to negotiations. Attalus was to be the last non-Christian pretender to the purple, and was twice proclaimed emperor by the Visigoths in an effort to impose their terms on the weak and ineffectual Honorius. Attalus first reign only lasted a few months when in 410 Alaric deposed Attalus, believing he was hampering his negotiations with Honorius.

After Rome had been intermittently under attack from the Visigoths for three years, Alaric led part of his army north to challenge Honorius in Ravenna. When the venture failed, he returned to Rome to depose Attalus and sacked the city for three days in August 410, taking Attalus and Honorius halfsister, Galla Placidia, as hostages.

Although Rome had long been overlooked as a western imperial capital, having been replaced by Mediolanum in 286 and again by Ravenna in 402, the Visigoth siege of Rome culminating eventually in the sack of 410 dealt a keen blow to the Roman psyche. This was the first time that the spiritual and cultural heart of the empire had been conquered in fully eight hundred years. The legend ‘INVICTA ROMA AETERNA’ the unconquerable, eternal Rome and image of an enthroned Roma holding Victory vainly invokes the invincibility of the city of Rome and are laughably ironic, but reflect the desperate faith the besieged Romans felt in the invincibility of their historic capital. Despite being crowned in direct opposition to Honorius, Attalus Rome issues show a marked stylistic continuity with those of Honorius, likely owing to the highly competent mint workers who remained in Rome during the Visigoth siege.

778.

Jovinus, Puppet of Gundahar and Goar

779.

Jovinus AR Siliqua. Arelate, AD 411-413. D N IOVINVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust to right / RESTI[TV]TOR REIP, Roma seated to left on curule chair, holding Victory on globe and inverted spear; KONT in exergue. RIC X 1721; RSC 2†b. 1.42g, 15mm, 7h.

Good Extremely Fine; beautiful old cabinet tone. Very Rare.

From a private English collection.

Following the defeat of the usurper known as Constantine III, Jovinus was proclaimed emperor at Mainz in 411, a puppet supported by Gundahar, king of the Burgundians, and Goar, king of the Alans. Jovinus kept his position in Gaul for two years, long enough to issue coinage that showed him wearing the imperial diadem.

Theodosius II AV Tremissis. Constantinople, AD 402-450. D N THEODOSIVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust to right / Trophy with shield and two javelins; two stars flanking; CONOB in exergue. RIC X 333; Depeyrot 71/1; DOCLR 361-362. 1.52g, 15mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine.

From the inventory of a central European dealer; Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 9, 28 June 2014, lot 669.

Theodosius II AV Tremissis. Constantinople, AD 408-420. D N THEODOSIVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust to right / VICTORIA AVGVSTORVM, Victory advancing to right, head to left, holding wreath and cross on globe; star in right field, CONOB in exergue. RIC X 213; Depeyrot 70/1. 1.50g, 16mm, 6h.

Mint State; a lovely example.

Theodosius II AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 425. D N THEODOSIVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear and shield decorated with horseman motif / SALVS REIPVBLICAE, Theodosius II enthroned and Valentinian III standing, both in consular robes, each holding mappa and cruciform sceptre; star above, CONOB in exergue. RIC X 234; MIRB 22; Depeyrot 78/1. 4.41g, 22mm, 6h.

Near Mint State.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd, E-Sale 90., 18 November 2021, lot 1399.

600

Theodosius II AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 430-440. D N THEODOSIVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear and shield decorated with horseman motif / VOT XXX MVLT XXXX Δ, Constantinopolis seated to left, holding globus cruciger and sceptre, foot on prow, shield by throne; star in right field, CONOB in exergue. RIC X 257; Depeyrot 81/1. 4.52g, 21mm, 7h.

Mint State.

From a private European collection.

600

780.

Theodosius II AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 430-440. D N THEODOSIVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear and shield decorated with horseman motif / VOT XXX MVLT XXXX Δ, Constantinopolis seated to left, holding globus cruciger and sceptre, foot on prow, shield by throne; star in right field, CONOB in exergue. RIC X 257; Depeyrot 81/1. 4.46g, 21mm, 6h.

Mint State.

From a private European collection.

600

781.

Theodosius II AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 430-440. D N THEODOSIVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear and shield decorated with horseman motif / VOT XXX MVLT XXXX Γ, Constantinopolis seated to left, holding globus cruciger and sceptre, foot on prow, shield by throne; star in right field, CONOB in exergue. RIC X 257; Depeyrot 81/1. 4.49g, 21mm, 6h.

Mint State; highly lustrous, mirror-like surfaces.

From a private European collection.

782.

600

783.

Theodosius II AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 430-440. D N THEODOSIVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear and shield decorated with horseman motif / VOT XXX MVLT XXXX Θ, Constantinopolis seated to left, holding globus cruciger and sceptre, foot on prow, shield by throne; star in right field, CONOB in exergue. RIC X 257; Depeyrot 81/1. 4.50g, 21mm, 6h.

Near Mint State; ‘Λ’ graffito on obv.

From a private European collection.

784.

Theodosius II AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 441-450. D N THEODOSIVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear over shoulder and shield with horseman motif / IMP XXXXII COS XVII P P, Constantinopolis seated to left, holding globus cruciger and sceptre, foot on prow, shield by throne; star in left field, COMOB in exergue. RIC X 285; Depeyrot 84/1. 4.45g, 21mm, 6h.

Mint State; highly lustrous.

Acquired from Naville Numismatics Ltd.

600

900

Theodosius II AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 441-450. D N THEODOSIVS • P • F • AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear and shield decorated with horseman motif / IMP • XXXXII • COS • XVII • P • P •, Constantinopolis seated to left, holding globus cruciger and sceptre, foot on prow, shield by throne; star in left field, COMOB in exergue. RIC X 293; Depeyrot 84/1. 4.50g, 21mm, 6h. Mint State. 600

785.

Theodosius II AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 441-450. D N THEODOSIVS • P • F • AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear and shield decorated with horseman motif / IMP • XXXXII • COS • XVII • P • P •, Constantinopolis seated to left, holding globus cruciger and sceptre, foot on prow, shield by throne; star in left field, COMOB in exergue. RIC X 293; Depeyrot 84/1. 4.46g, 20mm, 6h.

Mint State.

From a private European collection.

786.

787.

600

788.

Theodosius II AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 441-450. D N THEODOSIVS • P • F • AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear and shield decorated with horseman motif / IMP • XXXXII COS • XVII • P • P •, Constantinopolis seated to left, holding globus cruciger and sceptre, foot on prow, shield by throne; star in left field, COMOB in exergue. RIC X 307; Depeyrot 84/1. 4.49g, 22mm, 6h.

Fleur De Coin.

From a private European collection.

789.

Theodosius II AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 441-450. D N THEODOSIVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear and shield decorated with horseman motif / IMP • XXXXII COS XVII • P • P •, Constantinopolis seated to left, holding globus cruciger and sceptre, foot on prow, shield by throne; star in left field, COMOB in exergue. RIC X 309; Depeyrot 84/1. 4.45g, 22mm, 5h.

Fleur De Coin; highly lustrous, an exceptional example.

From a private European collection.

600

600

Theodosius II AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 441-450. D N THEODOSIVS • P • F • AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear and shield decorated with horseman motif / IMP XXXXII COS • XVII • P • P •, Constantinopolis seated to left, holding globus cruciger and sceptre, foot on prow, shield by throne; star in left field, COMOB in exergue. RIC X 310 var. (punctuation omitted after COS); Depeyrot 84/1. 4.47g, 21mm, 6h. Mint State.

From a private European collection.

600

Theodosius II AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 441-450. D N THEODOSIVS • P • F • AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear and shield decorated with horseman motif / IMP • XXXXII COS XVII • P • P •, Constantinopolis seated to left, holding globus cruciger and sceptre, foot on prow, shield by throne; star in left field, COMOB in exergue. RIC X 310; Depeyrot 84/1. 4.48g, 22mm, 6h.

Near Mint State.

From a private European collection.

600

790.

Aelia Eudocia (wife of Theodosius II) AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 441-450. AEL EVDOCIA AVG, pearl-diademed and draped bust to right, crowned by manus Dei / IMP XXXXII COS XVII P P, Constantinopolis enthroned to left, holding globe cruciger and sceptre, foot on prow, shield by throne; star in left field, COMOB in exergue. RIC X 296; Depeyrot 84/4 var. (CONOB). 4.46g, 21mm, 6h.

Good Extremely Fine. Rare.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd, Auction XV, 5 April 2018, lot 689.

791.

Valentinian III AV Solidus. Ravenna, AD 426-430. D N PLA VALENTINIANVS P F AVG, rosette-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust to right / VICTORIA AVGGG, emperor standing facing, holding long cross and victory on globe, foot on head of human-headed coiled serpent; R-V across fields, COMOB in exergue. RIC X 2010; Depeyrot 17/1.

NGC graded MS 5/5 - 4/5 (#6329094-017).

Acquired from Numismatics Ars Classica.

A Very Rare Consular Issue

793.

Valentinian III AV Solidus. Rome, AD 435. D N PLA VALENTINIANVS P F AVG, consular bust to left, wearing rosette-diadem, holding mappa and cruciform sceptre / VOT X MVLT XX, emperor enthroned facing, wearing crown and richly jewelled imperial consular robe, holding mappa and cruciform sceptre, R-M across fields, COMOB in exergue. RIC X 2034; Ranieri 99; Depeyrot 42/1. 4.41g, 21mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine. Very Rare.

Ex Hess-Divo AG, Auction 332, 31 May 2017, lot 127;

Ex Gorny & Mosch Giessener Münzhandlung, Auction 240, 10 October 2016, lot 608;

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XI, 7 April 2016, lot 909;

Ex Auktionshaus H. D. Rauch GmbH, Auction 98, 21 September 2015, lot 726.

This coin was struck to celebrate the joint consulate of Valentinian III with eastern emperor Theodosius II, at the same time as the decennial vows in AD 435. At no time during Valentinian’s long and turbulent reign were the affairs of state personally managed by him, who in his minority ruled first under the control of his mother Galla Placidia, and from 437, the magister militum Flavius Aetius.

900

600

Leo I AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 462 or 466. D N LEO PERPET AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear over shoulder and shield with horseman motif / VICTORIA AVCCC Z, Victory standing facing, head to left, holding long jewelled cross; star in right field, CONOB in exergue. RIC X 605; Depeyrot 93/1. 4.49g, 21mm, 6h.

Good Extremely Fine.

Privately purchased from Numismatica Ars Classica AG.

450

794.

THE MARE NOSTRUM HOARD

Theodosius II AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 441-450. D N THEODOSIVS • P • F • AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear and shield decorated with horseman motif / IMP • XXXXII • COS • XVII • P • P •, Constantinopolis seated to left, holding globus cruciger and sceptre, foot on prow, shield by throne; star in left field, COMOB in exergue. RIC X 293; Depeyrot 84/1. 4.46g, 21mm, 7h.

Extremely Fine.

This coin published in I. Vecchi, R. Beale and S. Parkin, The Mare Nostrum Hoard (forthcoming); From the Mare Nostrum Hoard (1954).

795.

300

796.

Theodosius II AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 441-450. D N THEODOSIVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear and shield decorated with horseman motif / IMP XXXXII COS XVII P P, Constantinopolis seated to left, holding globus cruciger and sceptre, foot on prow, shield by throne; star in left field, CONOB in exergue. RIC X 323; Depeyrot 84/1. 4.43g, 23mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine; struck on a broad planchet.

This coin published in I. Vecchi, R. Beale and S. Parkin, The Mare Nostrum Hoard (forthcoming); From the Mare Nostrum Hoard (1954).

797.

Leo I AV Solidus. Thessalonica, AD 462 or 466. D N LEO PERPET AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear and shield decorated with horseman motif / VICTORIA AVGGG, Victory standing to left, holding long jewelled cross; star in left and right fields, THSOB in exergue. RIC X 618; Depeyrot 59/1. 4.36g, 21mm, 6h.

Near Extremely Fine. Rare.

This coin published in I. Vecchi, R. Beale and S. Parkin, The Mare Nostrum Hoard (forthcoming); From the Mare Nostrum Hoard (1954).

Leo I AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 462 or 466. D N LEO PERPET AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear and shield decorated with horseman motif / VICTORIA AVGGG Θ, Victory standing to left, holding long jewelled cross; star in right field, CONOB in exergue. RIC X 605; Depeyrot 93/1. 4.48g, 21mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine; highly lustrous.

This coin published in I. Vecchi, R. Beale and S. Parkin, The Mare Nostrum Hoard (forthcoming); From the Mare Nostrum Hoard (1954).

798.

Leo I AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 462 or 466. D N LEO PERPET AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear and shield decorated with horseman motif / VICTORIA AVGGG Γ, Victory standing to left, holding long jewelled cross; star in right field, CONOB in exergue. RIC X 605; Depeyrot 93/1. 4.36g, 19mm, 6h.

Good Extremely Fine.

This coin published in I. Vecchi, R. Beale and S. Parkin, The Mare Nostrum Hoard (forthcoming); From the Mare Nostrum Hoard (1954).

300

799.

Leo I AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 462 or 466. D N LEO PERPET AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear and shield decorated with horseman motif / VICTORIA AVGGG I, Victory standing to left, holding long jewelled cross; star in right field, CONOB in exergue. RIC X 605; Depeyrot 93/1. 4.37g, 20mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine.

This coin published in I. Vecchi, R. Beale and S. Parkin, The Mare Nostrum Hoard (forthcoming); From the Mare Nostrum Hoard (1954).

300

Pseudo-Imperial, uncertain AV Solidus. In the name of Leo I. Uncertain mint, circa 462-474. D N LEO PERPET AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear and shield decorated with horseman motif / VICTORIA AVGGG I, Victory standing to left, holding long jewelled cross; star in right field, CONOB in exergue. For prototype, cf. RIC X 605 and Depeyrot 93/1; for similar, cf. Leu 4, 831. 4.35g, 20mm, 6h.

Good Very Fine; flan slightly wavy.

This coin published in I. Vecchi, R. Beale and S. Parkin, The Mare Nostrum Hoard (forthcoming); From the Mare Nostrum Hoard (1954).

802.

Patricius, son of General Aspar, as Caesar?

Leo I, with Patricius (or Leo II?), as Caesar, AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 470-471 or 474. D N LEO PERPET AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust of Leo (I or II?) facing slightly to right, holding spear and shield decorated with horseman motif / SALVS REIPVBLICAE C, Patricius (or Leo II?), nimbate and wearing imperial mantle, standing facing, holding globus cruciger; star in right field, CONOB in exergue. RIC X 802 (Leo IIR4); DOCLR 532 (Patricius) var. (step on rev.); MIRB 11b (Leo II); Depeyrot 91/1 (Leo I); NAC 29, 670 var. (same). 4.47g, 22mm, 6h. Extremely Fine; minor scratches to rev., boasting lustrous metal. An exceptionally rare and enigmatic issue, one of only 8 known; potentially of great numismatic significance.

This coin published in I. Vecchi, R. Beale and S. Parkin, The Mare Nostrum Hoard (forthcoming); From the Mare Nostrum Hoard (1954).

7,500

Grierson and May date this issue to AD 470/1, asserting that the terminating ‘C’ on the reverse inscription is an abbreviation for ‘Caesar’ and that the standing figure depicted is Patricius, who briefly assumed the role in the 470/1 under Leo I. A son of Asper - himself a prominent patrician and magister militum who had exerted considerable influence over the Eastern Empire since the days of Theodosius II - Patricius was promoted to the rank of Caesar amid a protracted power struggle between his father and the similarly ambitious Isuarian general (and future emperor) Zeno. This conflict appears to have escalated yet further after the ascension of Patricius and evidently caused Zeno great insult, as Asper was assassinated on his orders and the new Caesar swiftly deposed before the conclusion of 471.

Conversely, Kent (RIC X) attributes this solidus to circa January-February of 474, during the brief reign of the 6-year-old Leo II, son of Zeno and grandson of his predecessor, Leo I, who had died at some point in late 473/early 474. A third possibility also exists, ostensibly first posited by the cataloguer of the 2005 NAC specimen, which amalgamates both theories. It proposes that this issue may have been struck during 473, when Leo I, at this stage frail and without a Caesar after the removal of Patricius, appointed Leo II to the rank of Caesar, a position the boy would have occupied for but a few months before his premature promotion. Adopting this interpretation allows the ‘C’ on the reverse to still be viewed to signify ‘Caesar’, as Grierson and May contend, but refers to Leo II as opposed to Patricius.

An agreement on the authority is unlikely until a comprehensive die study is completed and the complicated years of 473-4 - which saw numerous ascensions, deposals, deaths and four emperors – are better understood. As it stands, the prospect of this being the sole issue featuring the figure of Patricius remains a tantalising one.

Anthemius AV Solidus. Mediolanum, AD 467-472. D N ANTHEMIVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted, and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear and shield decorated with horseman motif / SALVS REIPVBLICAE, Anthemius and Leo I standing facing, each holding a spear and globus cruciger together; MD between, COMOB in exergue. RIC X 2887; DOCLR 914 (same dies); Depeyrot 29/3; Toffanin 526/2. 4.42g, 22mm, 12h.

Near Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare.

This coin published in I. Vecchi, R. Beale and S. Parkin, The Mare Nostrum Hoard (forthcoming); From the Mare Nostrum Hoard (1954).

1,200

803.

An Exceedingly Rare Solidus of Nepos

Julius Nepos AV Solidus. Arelate, AD 474-475. D N IVL NEPOS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear and shield decorated with horseman motif / VICTORIA AVGGG, Victory standing facing, head to left, holding long cross; A-R across fields, COMOB in exergue. RIC X 3223; Depeyrot 29/1; Lacam 8 = Heritage NYINC 3071, 32317 = NAC 33, 632; DOCLR 948; E. A. Arslan and M. A. Turchetti, Il Ripostiglio Di San Mamiliano a Sovana (Sorano-GR): 498 Solidi Da Onorio a Romolo Augusto (Fondazione Centro italiano di studi sull’alto Medioevo, 2015), 479-83. 4.34g, 22mm, 5h.

About Extremely Fine; slightly creased. Exceedingly Rare; only one example on CoinArchives.

This coin published in I. Vecchi, R. Beale and S. Parkin, The Mare Nostrum Hoard (forthcoming); From the Mare Nostrum Hoard (1954).

804.

3,000

805.

Leo II and Zeno AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 474. D N LEO EƮ ZENO P P AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear and shield decorated with horseman motif / SALVS REIPVBLICAE, Leo and Zeno seated facing on double throne, each holding mappa in right hand; star and cross above, CONOB in exergue. RIC X 803; Depeyrot 98/1; DOC 600. 4.46g, 21mm, 7h.

Extremely Fine; planchet flaw. Rare.

This coin published in I. Vecchi, R. Beale and S. Parkin, The Mare Nostrum Hoard (forthcoming); From the Mare Nostrum Hoard (1954).

1,200

Zeno AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 476-491. D N ZENO PERP AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear and shield decorated with horseman motif / VICTORIA AVGGG Z, Victory standing facing, head to left, holding long jewelled cross; star in right field, CONOB in exergue. RIC X 910 and 929; Depeyrot 108/1; Rauch 79, 2578 (same dies); Künker 193, 1071 (same obv. die, AVGGT Θ); Peus 414, 332 (same obv. die, AVGGT Є); Leu Web 20, 2842 (same obv. die, AVGGG I). 4.49g, 20mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine.

This coin published in I. Vecchi, R. Beale and S. Parkin, The Mare Nostrum Hoard (forthcoming); From the Mare Nostrum Hoard (1954).

This issue is obverse die linked to the AVGGT series.

806.

Zeno AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 476-491. D N ZENO PERP AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear and shield decorated with horseman motif / VICTORIA AVGGG Z, Victory standing facing, head to left, holding long jewelled cross; star in right field, CONOB in exergue. RIC X 910 and 929; Depeyrot 108/1; for similar, cf. Lacam pl. 55, 27-31 (attributed to Bononia under Theoderic); CNG 106, 862 (uncertain mint) = CNG Triton XX, 934 = NAC 92, 898 (attributed to Theoderic) = NGSA 5, 338 = CNG Triton VI, 1186 = Tkalec February 2001, 434 = Spink 142, 372 = NFA XVIII, 635 (same obv. die, officina Є, CONOR mintmark); Künker 262, 8414 (same obv. die, officina B); Sincona 1, 122 (same obv. die, officina B); KHM ID82320 (same obv. die, officina Γ). 4.46g, 20mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine; of beautiful style.

This coin published in I. Vecchi, R. Beale and S. Parkin, The Mare Nostrum Hoard (forthcoming); From the Mare Nostrum Hoard (1954).

807.

300

Zeno AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 476-491. D N ZENO PERP AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing, holding spear and shield decorated with horseman and fallen enemy motif / VICTORIA AVGGG Δ, Victory standing facing, head to left, holding long jewelled cross; star in right field, CONOB in exergue. RIC X 911 and 930; Depeyrot 108/1; Roma XXV, 1124 (same obv. die, officina Z). 4.44g, 19mm, 6h.

Good Extremely Fine; a superb portrait.

This coin published in I. Vecchi, R. Beale and S. Parkin, The Mare Nostrum Hoard (forthcoming); From the Mare Nostrum Hoard (1954).

300

Zeno AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 476-491. D N ZENO PERP AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear and shield decorated with horseman motif / VICTORIA AVGGT B, Victory standing facing, head to left, holding long jewelled cross; star in right field, CONOB in exergue. RIC X 927 (Constantinople); Depeyrot 112/1 (Constantinople); MIRB 8 (Constantinople); DOC 664-5 var. (officina, attributed to Thessalonica); Lacam pl. 54-5, 16-25 var. (officina, attributed to Ticinum under Theoderic); Auktionen Frühwald 141, 55 (same obv. die, officina Z). 4.38g, 20mm, 6h.

Near Extremely Fine. Rare.

This coin published in I. Vecchi, R. Beale and S. Parkin, The Mare Nostrum Hoard (forthcoming); From the Mare Nostrum Hoard (1954).

The replacement of the last letter of AVGGG with a T preceding the officina letter on solidi issued in the name of Zeno has been the subject of much numismatic debate. For the most part, this has been focused on the theory that this letter represents a mint location or minting authority separate from Constantinople.

Attributions to Western mints have been convincingly discredited. The coins are unlike anything minted in the name of Zeno in the West. Numismatists who have recognised the evidently Eastern origin of these coins have argued for attributions to Thessalonica or an unidentified imperial mint. That the use of the letter T has been associated with Thessalonica is unsurprising. Die links prove however that the coins were struck contemporaneously with regular AVGGG issues (see lot 805). If the letter T was intended to represent a location, it was not used consistently. Grierson and Mays argued that the coins were struck in Thessalonica using dies imported from Constantinople however this seems unlikely unless regular AVGGG reverses came too (DOC, p. 184). If that were the case, the theory that the reverse dies were engraved with a T to indicate their intended location of use is less convincing. Furthermore, it has been argued by Hahn that one would expect the officina letter to be replaced if the dies were commissioned (MIRB, p.51).

Attributions to an unidentified imperial mint have placed an emphasis on the use of CONOR rather than CONOB in the exergue. There is no question however that both are found on the AVGGT coins and therefore this is not necessarily peculiar to a separate mint. Given that OB (an abbreviation of obryza) was a guarantee of the metal purity of the coin itself and therefore crucially important, it is more likely that R was substituted for B occasionally without any self-conscious intention on the part of the engraver. The confusion between B and R can be observed in other legends from the coins of Leo I onwards (Kent, RIC X, p. 61 and 117).

That all ten officinae were employed to strike the coins favours attribution to Constantinople. Hahn argued that for this reason alone there can be no doubt regarding the mint attribution of the coins (MIRB, p. 51). For Depeyrot, the attribution to Constantinople is certain on the basis that many coins from this series were hoard found at Abritus (Depeyrot, p. 263). The explanation for the T is therefore not likely related to a mint location but to something else.

It is possible that these coins are the result of a misinterpretation of the abbreviation for trium augustorum. This explanation however would require the same error to have been made by die engravers working for all ten officinae. As particular obverse dies were being utilised by multiple officinae (for example, Kunker 193, 1071 and Peus 414, 332), this would also require some contemporaneity. If the T was included intentionally then it is curious that the die engravers chose to replace a letter in the legend rather than make use of the fields. Hahn suggested that this might be an especially marked emission for the financing of a celebration, possibly a triumph after the defeat of the usurper Leontius, though this is simply conjecture (MIRB, p. 51).

Thessalonica Mint

Zeno AV Solidus. Thessalonica, AD 476-491. D N ZENO PERP AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing, holding spear and shield decorated with horseman motif / VICTORIA AVGGG, Victory standing facing, head to left, holding long jewelled cross; star in left and right fields, CONOB in exergue. RIC X 939; Depeyrot 62/1; DOC 666-8; MIRB 19. 4.45g, 20mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine; well-centred and highly lustrous. Very Rare.

This coin published in I. Vecchi, R. Beale and S. Parkin, The Mare Nostrum Hoard (forthcoming); From the Mare Nostrum Hoard (1954).

600

810.

Pseudo-Imperial, Odovacar (Odoacer) AV Solidus. In the name of Zeno. Ravenna, AD 476-489. D N ZENO PERP F AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear and shield decorated with horseman motif / VICTORIA AVGGG, Victory standing facing, head to left, holding long jewelled cross; star in right field, CONOBRV in exergue. RIC X 3634; Depeyrot 42/1; DOC -; BMC Vandals 2; Lacam pl. 51, 32; Roma XXV, 1127 (hammer: £4,400); Roma XXIII, 1150; NAC 93, 1100 (hammer: CHF 7,000); Künker 104, 679 = Künker 97, 2014 = Künker 89, 2810; Bolaffi 31, 296. 4.45g, 19mm, 6h.

Mint State. Very Rare; only five other examples on CoinArchives.

This coin published in I. Vecchi, R. Beale and S. Parkin, The Mare Nostrum Hoard (forthcoming); From the Mare Nostrum Hoard (1954).

1,800

811.

Pseudo-Imperial, Odovacar (Odoacer) AV Solidus. In the name of Zeno. Rome, AD 476-489. D N ZENO PER P F AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear and shield decorated with horseman and fallen enemy motif / VICTORIA AVGGG :, Victory standing facing, head to left, holding long jewelled cross; star in right field, COMOB in exergue. RIC X 3651; cf. Depeyrot 78/2 (Nepos); Ladich p. 11; MEC 1 -; BMC Vandals -; DOC -; Lacam pl. 50, 2 (same obv. die). 4.42g, 22mm, 7h.

Extremely Fine. Very Rare.

This coin published in I. Vecchi, R. Beale and S. Parkin, The Mare Nostrum Hoard (forthcoming); From the Mare Nostrum Hoard (1954).

1,200

812.

Pseudo-Imperial, Odovacar (Odoacer) AV Solidus. In the name of Zeno. Rome, AD 476-489. D N ZENO PERP AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear and shield decorated with horseman motif / VICTORIA AVGGG A, Victory standing facing, head to left, holding long jewelled cross; star in right field, CONOB in exergue. Unpublished in the standard references; cf. RIC X 3651-7; cf. DOC 686-7; cf. Lacam pl. 57-8, 70-81; Lanz 162, 453 = CNG e332, 391 (same dies). 4.48g, 19mm, 6h.

Good Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare; unpublished in the standard references and only one other on CoinArchives.

This coin published in I. Vecchi, R. Beale and S. Parkin, The Mare Nostrum Hoard (forthcoming); From the Mare Nostrum Hoard (1954).

This example is undoubtably linked in style and fabric to the issues attributed to Rome despite bearing the mint mark CONOB instead of COMOB (see lot 813).

Ravenna Mint

813.

Pseudo-Imperial, Odovacar (Odoacer) AV Solidus. In the name of Zeno. Rome, AD 476-489. D N ZENO AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear and shield decorated with horseman and fallen enemy motif / VICTORIA AVGGG Γ, Victory standing facing, head to left, holding long jewelled cross; star in right field, COMOB in exergue. RIC X 3654; Depeyrot 91/1; Ladich p. 11; MEC 1 -; BMC Vandals -; DOC -; Lacam pl. 57, 70 (same obv. die); NAC 93, 1096 (hammer: CHF 8,500); CNG MB 72, 2213; Roma XXIII, 1152 (same obv. die). 4.29g, 21mm, 7h.

Good Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare.

This coin published in I. Vecchi, R. Beale and S. Parkin, The Mare Nostrum Hoard (forthcoming); From the Mare Nostrum Hoard (1954).

In RIC X, Kent argues that the Rome solidi struck at the behest of Odovacar can be divided into two series. The first series bearing the mint mark COMOB and :, R or Γ at the end of the reverse legend, and the second with •COMOB• and Γ• or Ä (see p. 216).

1,200

815.

Pseudo-Imperial, Odovacar (Odoacer) AV Solidus. In the name of Zeno. Rome, AD 476-489. D N ZENO PERP F AVG, helmeted, pearl-diademed and cuirassed bust facing, holding spear and shield decorated with horseman and fallen enemy motif / VICTORIA AVGGG Ä, Victory standing facing, head to left, holding long jewelled cross; star in right field, •COMOB• in exergue. RIC X 3657; Depeyrot 92/1; Ladich p. 11; MEC 1, -; BMC Vandals -; DOC -; Lacam pl. 50, 8. 4.26g, 21mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine. Very Rare; rated R4 by RIC.

This coin published in I. Vecchi, R. Beale and S. Parkin, The Mare Nostrum Hoard (forthcoming); From the Mare Nostrum Hoard (1954).

816.

1,200

Pseudo-Imperial, uncertain AV Solidus. In the name of Zeno. Uncertain mint, AD 476-489. D N ZENO PERP AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear and shield decorated with horseman motif / IVCTORIA AVGGG Δ, Victory standing facing, head to left, holding long jewelled cross; star in right field, CONOB in exergue. For prototype, cf. RIC X 911 and 930, Depeyrot 108/1. 4.36g, 20mm, 6h.

Good Extremely Fine; highly lustrous. Extremely Rare.

This coin published in I. Vecchi, R. Beale and S. Parkin, The Mare Nostrum Hoard (forthcoming); From the Mare Nostrum Hoard (1954).

1,200

Pseudo-Imperial, uncertain AV Solidus. In the name of Zeno. Uncertain mint, AD 476-489. D N ZENO PERP F AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear and shield decorated with horseman motif / VICTORIA AVGGG S, Victory standing facing, head to left, holding long jewelled cross; star in right field, COMOB in exergue. For prototype, cf. RIC X 910 and 929, Depeyrot 108/1; CNG 57, 1455 (same dies); for similar, cf. Roma XXV, 1130 (hammer: £3,000). 4.36g, 20mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare.

This coin published in I. Vecchi, R. Beale and S. Parkin, The Mare Nostrum Hoard (forthcoming); From the Mare Nostrum Hoard (1954).

1,200

817.

Pseudo-Imperial, uncertain AV Solidus. In the name of Zeno. Uncertain mint, AD 476-489. D N ZENO PERP AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear and shield decorated with horseman motif / VICTORIA AVGGG Δ, Victory standing facing, head to left, holding long jewelled cross; star in right field, CONOB in exergue. For prototype, cf. RIC X 911 and 930, Depeyrot 108/1. 3.52g, 19mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine; considerably below the official weight standard. Extremely Rare.

This coin published in I. Vecchi, R. Beale and S. Parkin, The Mare Nostrum Hoard (forthcoming); From the Mare Nostrum Hoard (1954).

900

818.

Visigoths, Uncertain King AV Solidus. In the name of Zeno. Arelate(?), AD 480-491. D N I ZENO PERP AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing, holding spear and shield decorated with horseman and fallen enemy motif / VICTORIA AVGGG Z, Victory standing facing, head to left, holding long jewelled cross; star in right field, CONOB in exergue. DOC 690 (Arles?) = Lacam pl. 44, 136 (Visigoths, same dies); Roma XXIII, 1157 (same dies). 4.41g, 21mm, 7h.

Good Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare; the second recorded example.

This coin published in I. Vecchi, R. Beale and S. Parkin, The Mare Nostrum Hoard (forthcoming); From the Mare Nostrum Hoard (1954).

600

This example is struck from the same dies as the DOC specimen which is tentatively attributed to Arelate (Arles) by Grierson and Mays on the basis of style. As Arles was annexed by the Visigothic kingdom after Zeno’s accession it has been argued that coins were likely to have been struck there in his name (DOC, p. 189) although this was disputed by Kent in RIC X.

819.

Basiliscus AV Solidus. Constantinople, 9 January - August AD 475. D N bASILISCµS P P AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear and shield decorated with horseman motif / VICTORIA AVGGG S, Victory standing facing, head to left, holding long jewelled cross; star in right field, CONOB in exergue. RIC X 1003; Depeyrot 101/1; DOC 607; Roma XXV, 1118 (same dies). 4.41g, 20mm, 6h.

Near Extremely Fine; planchet flaw. Rare.

This coin published in I. Vecchi, R. Beale and S. Parkin, The Mare Nostrum Hoard (forthcoming); From the Mare Nostrum Hoard (1954).

820.

Basiliscus AV Solidus. Constantinople, 9 January - August AD 475. D N bASILISCµS P P AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear and shield decorated with horseman motif / VICTORIA AVGGG S, Victory standing facing, head to left, holding long jewelled cross; star in right field, CONOB in exergue. RIC X 1003; Depeyrot 101/1; DOC 607. 4.32g, 20mm, 6h.

Near Extremely Fine. Rare.

This coin published in I. Vecchi, R. Beale and S. Parkin, The Mare Nostrum Hoard (forthcoming); From the Mare Nostrum Hoard (1954).

823.

Basiliscus and Marcus AV Solidus. Constantinople, autumn AD 475 - August AD 476. D N bASILISCI EƮ MARC P AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear over shoulder and shield decorated with horseman motif / VICTORIA AVGGG Є, Victory standing facing, head to left, holding long jewelled cross; star in right field, [CONOB] in exergue. RIC X 1024; Depeyrot 105/2; DOC 623 (image in catalogue incorrect). 4.37g, 21mm, 6h.

Near Extremely Fine. Rare.

This coin published in I. Vecchi, R. Beale and S. Parkin, The Mare Nostrum Hoard (forthcoming); From the Mare Nostrum Hoard (1954).

An Extremely Rare Milan Mint Issue

Basiliscus AV Solidus. Mediolanum(?), AD 475-476. D N bASILISCVS PRET AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear and shield decorated with horseman motif / VICTORIA AVGGG:, Victory standing facing, head to left, holding long jewelled cross; star in right field, •COMOB• in exergue. RIC X 3313 (Mediolanum); Depeyrot 81/3 (Rome); DOC 616 var. (obv. legend, Mediolanum under Nepos); Lacam pl. 49, 2 (Mediolanum under Nepos) = BM 1852,0903.20 (same dies); Toffanin -. 4.44g, 20mm, 12h.

Good Very Fine; flan slightly wavy. Extremely Rare; rated R4 by RIC, seemingly no others on CoinArchives.

This coin published in I. Vecchi, R. Beale and S. Parkin, The Mare Nostrum Hoard (forthcoming); From the Mare Nostrum Hoard (1954).

824.

Anastasius I AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 491-498. D N ANASTASIVS P P AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear and shield decorated with horseman motif / VICTORIA AVGGG I, Victory standing facing, head to left, holding long jewelled cross; star in right field, CONOB in exergue. MIBE 4a; DOC 3i; Sear 3. 4.39g, 21mm, 5h.

Good Extremely Fine.

This coin published in I. Vecchi, R. Beale and S. Parkin, The Mare Nostrum Hoard (forthcoming); From the Mare Nostrum Hoard (1954).

Anastasius I AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 491-498. D N ANASTASIVS P P AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, cross on helmet, holding spear and shield with horseman motif / VICTORIA AVGGG Δ, Victory standing facing, head to left, holding long jewelled cross; star in right field, CONOB in exergue. MIBE 4a; DOC 4-; Sear 3. 4.41g, 20mm, 6h.

Good Extremely Fine. Scarce type with the emperor’s helmet decorated with a cross rather than a trefoil ornament.

This coin published in I. Vecchi, R. Beale and S. Parkin, The Mare Nostrum Hoard (forthcoming); From the Mare Nostrum Hoard (1954).

825.

Anastasius I AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 491-498. D N ANASTASIVS P P AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, cross on helmet, holding spear and shield with horseman motif / VICTORIA AVGGG S, Victory standing facing, head to left, holding long jewelled cross; star in right field, CONOB in exergue. MIBE 4a; DOC -; Sear 3. 4.47g, 20mm, 6h.

Good Extremely Fine. Scarce type with the emperor’s helmet decorated with a cross rather than a trefoil ornament.

This coin published in I. Vecchi, R. Beale and S. Parkin, The Mare Nostrum Hoard (forthcoming); From the Mare Nostrum Hoard (1954).

827.

Pseudo-Imperial, uncertain AV Solidus. In the name of Anastasius I. Uncertain mint, AD 491-518. D N ANASTASIVS PERP AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear and shield decorated with horseman and fallen enemy motif / VICTORIA AVGGG Ɐ, Victory standing facing, head to left, holding long jewelled cross; star in right field, •COIIOB• in exergue. Unpublished in the standard references; Roma XXIII, 1156 (same obv. die, hammer: GBP 4,600); for similar style, cf. Roma XXV, 1133 (Θ officina, hammer: GBP 5,000), MEC 1, 343-4 and Belfort 5025-42 (Merovingians). 4.50g, 20mm, 7h.

Near Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare; apparently the second known example.

This coin published in I. Vecchi, R. Beale and S. Parkin, The Mare Nostrum Hoard (forthcoming); From the Mare Nostrum Hoard (1954).

828.

Pseudo-Imperial, uncertain AV Solidus. In the name of Anastasius I. Uncertain mint, AD 491-518. D N ANAƧTAƧIVƧ PERP AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing, holding spear and shield decorated with horseman and fallen enemy motif / VICTORIA AVGGG ᗺ (sic, retrograde), Victory standing facing, head to left, holding long jewelled cross; star in right field, CONOB in exergue. Unpublished in the standard references; for similar, cf. Roma XXIII, 1156 (Ɐ officina, hammer: GBP 4,600), Roma XXV, 1133 (Θ officina, hammer: GBP 5,000), MEC 1, 343-4 and Belfort 5025-42 (Merovingians). 4.51g, 19mm, 6h.

Near Mint State. Extremely Rare.

This coin published in I. Vecchi, R. Beale and S. Parkin, The Mare Nostrum Hoard (forthcoming); From the Mare Nostrum Hoard (1954).

1,200

Ostrogoths, Theoderic AV Solidus. In the name of Anastasius I. Rome, AD 493-518. D N ANASTASIVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear and shield decorated with horseman and fallen enemy motif / VICTORIA AVGGG ☧, Victory standing facing, head to left, holding long jewelled cross; star in right field, COMOB in exergue. Metlich 4; Ladich 31; MEC 1, 13; BMC Vandals 62; NAC 25, 643; Roma XXV, 1134 (same dies); Roma XXIII, 1155 (hammer: £7,000). 4.46g, 22mm, 6h.

Good Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare; Arslan & Metlich cited the existence of only five specimens of this type.

This coin published in I. Vecchi, R. Beale and S. Parkin, The Mare Nostrum Hoard (forthcoming); From the Mare Nostrum Hoard (1954).

1,200

829.

COINS OF THE BYZANTINE EMPIRE

830.

Anastasius I AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 491-518. D N ANASTASIVS P P AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear over right shoulder and shield with horseman motif / VICTORIA AVGGG H, Victory standing facing, head to left, holding voided cross; star in right field, CONOB in exergue. MIBE 4a; DOC 3g; Sear 3. 4.51g, 20mm, 6h.

Mint State.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 92, 16 December 2021, lot 1110.

831.

Justinian I AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 545-565. D N IVSTINIANVS P P AVC, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing, holding globus cruciger and shield decorated with horseman motif / VICTORIA AVCCC A, angel standing facing, holding long staff surmounted by staurogram and globus cruciger; star in right field, CONOB in exergue. MIBE 7; DOC 9a; Sear 140. 4.50g, 21mm, 6h.

Mint State.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 92, 16 December 2021, lot 1131.

832.

Justinian I AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 545-565. D N IVSTINIANVS P P AVC, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing, holding globus cruciger and shield decorated with horseman motif / VICTORIA AVCCC H, angel standing facing, holding long staff surmounted by staurogram and globus cruciger; star in right field, CONOB in exergue. MIBE 7; DOC 9h; Sear 140. 4.38g, 20mm, 6h.

Mint State; lustrous metal, an attractive example.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 93, 6 January 2022, lot 1374.

600

600

450

Phocas AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 603-607. O N FOCAS PЄRP AVC, draped and cuirassed bust facing, wearing crown without pendilia, holding globus cruciger / VICTORIA AVCC I, angel standing facing, holding staff surmounted by staurogram and globus cruciger; CONOB in exergue. MIBE 7; DOC 5j; Sear 618. 4.48g, 22mm, 6h.

Mint State; mirror-like surfaces. Previously NGC graded MS 5/5 - 4/5 (#5782097-002).

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 93, 6 January 2022, lot 1400; Acquired from Oslo Myntgalleri AS.

450

833.

Phocas AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 607-610. ∂ N N FOCAS PЄRP AVG, draped and cuirassed bust facing, wearing crown without pendilia and holding globus cruciger / VICTORIA AVςЧ Є, angel standing facing, holding staff surmounted by staurogram and globus cruciger; CONOB in exergue. MIBE 11 corr. (rev. legend); DOC 10e. 6-7; Sear 620. 4.51g, 20mm, 7h.

Good Extremely Fine.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 91, 2 December 2021, lot 1243.

834.

Heraclius AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 610-613. ∂ N ҺЄRACLIЧS P P AVG, cuirassed bust facing, wearing plumed helmet and chlamys, holding cross in right hand / VICTORIA AVςЧ Є, cross potent set on three steps; CONOB in exergue. MIB 5; DOC 3b; Sear 731. 4.36g, 21mm, 7h.

Near Mint State.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 91, 2 December 2021, lot 1250.

300

300

835.

Heraclius, with Heraclius Constantine and Heraclonas, AV Solidus. Constantinople, dated IY 11 = AD 637/8. Heraclius, Heraclonas and Heraclius Constantine, each crowned, wearing chlamys and holding globus cruciger, standing facing / VICTORIA AVςЧ Γ, cross potent on three steps, monogram in left field, IA monogram in right field; CONOB in exergue. MIB 45; DOC 39b; Sear 764. 4.43g, 19mm, 6h.

Near Mint State.

Privately purchased from Numismatica Ars Classica AG.

Exceedingly Rare Ceremonial ½ Hexagram Unknown before 2005

300

836.

Constans II AR Ceremonial ½ Hexagram. Constantinople, AD 652-654. ∂ N CONSƮANƮINЧS P P AV, Constans standing facing, wearing crown and chlamys and holding globus cruciger / Cross potent on three steps; palm fronds flanking. DOC -; MIB -; Sear -; S. Bendall, “A New Silver Ceremonial Coin of Constans II,” NumCirc CXIII.5 (October 2005), p. 306, no. 103. 2.35g, 18mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine; areas of flat strike, lustrous and untouched fields. Exceedingly Rare; possibly only the tenth known example of the type.

From a private UK collection. 1,500

838.

Constans II, with Constantine IV, Heraclius and Tiberius, AV Solidus. Ravenna, dated IY 10 = AD 666/7. ∂ N CONSƮANƮINI CONSƮANI, facing busts of Constans, on left with long beard and chlamys, and Constantine IV, beardless, wearing crown and chlamys; cross between their heads / VICTORIA AVςЧ I, cross potent on three steps between facing standing figures of Heraclius, on left, and Tiberius, on right, both beardless, wearing crown and chlamys, and holding globus cruciger; • below, CONOB in exergue. Unpublished variant with pellet below steps; for similar, cf. BCI 477 (Ravenna); cf. MIB 132 (Ravenna); cf. Ricotti Prina 1972, p. 28, 4a (Venice); cf. BNP pl. 57, Atelier Italiaens 01-02; cf. Sear 1142 (uncertain mint). 4.40g, 19.5mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare, the type rated R4 by BCI, and seemingly unpublished with a pellet on the rev. Ex Fernand David Collection, Editions V. Gadoury, Spring Auction, 12 March 2022, lot 99.

3,000

839.

Justinian II AV Solidus. Second reign. Constantinople, circa AD 705. ∂ N IҺS CҺS RЄX RЄGNANTIЧM, bust of Christ Pantokrator facing / ∂ N IVSTINIANVS MЧLTЧS AN, facing bust of Justinian, wearing crown and loros, holding cross potent on three steps and globus cruciger inscribed PAX. MIB 1; DOC 1; Sear 1413. 4.44g, 20mm, 6h.

Near Mint State; areas of flatness.

Acquired from Morton & Eden Ltd; Ex European Ambassador Collection, formed in the 1950s and 1960s.

840.

2,100

Justinian II AV Solidus. Second reign. Constantinople, AD 705-711. ∂ N IҺS CҺS RЄX RЄGNANTIЧM, bust of Christ Pantokrator facing / δ N IЧSTINIANЧS ЄT TIbЄRIЧS P P A’, crowned half-length figures of Justinian, on left, and smaller figure of Tiberius, on right, both wearing divitision and chlamys, jointly holding with their right hands a cross potent on two steps. MIB 2a; DOC 2a; Sear 1414. 4.50g, 21mm, 6h.

Near Mint State; weak obv. strike.

Acquired from Morton & Eden Ltd; Ex European Ambassador Collection, formed in the 1950s and 1960s.

Anastasius II Artemius AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 713-715. ∂ N ARTЄMIЧS ANASTASIЧS MЧL, crowned and draped bust facing, holding globus cruciger and akakia / VICTORIA AVςЧ A, cross potent on three steps; CONOB in exergue. MIB 2; DOC 2a; Sear 1463. 4.44g, 19mm, 6h. Mint State.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 91, 2 December 2021, lot 1262.

3,000

1,200

841.

Anastasius II Artemius AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 713-715. ∂ N ARTЄMIЧS ANASTASIЧS MЧL, crowned and draped bust facing, holding globus cruciger and akakia / VICTORIA AVςЧ A, cross potent on three steps; CONOB in exergue. MIB 2; DOC 2a; Sear 1463. 4.49g, 19mm, 6h. Mint State; some areas of weak strike.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 91, 2 December 2021, lot 1263.

Extremely Rare

842.

1,200

843.

Theodosius III of Adramytium AR Hexagram(?). Constantinople, AD 715-717. d N ThEOdO-SIЧS M[ЧL A’], crowned facing bust with short beard, wearing loros, holding patriarchal cross on globe and akakia, crown topped with cross / VIC[TORIA A]Ч A, cross potent on three steps; CONOB in exergue. MIB 12; DOC 2 note; Sear 1491. 3.16g, 22mm, 6h.

Good Extremely Fine; beautiful light cabinet tone over lustrous metal. Extremely Rare, and among the finest surviving examples.

1,800

From a private European collection. Sear posits that this uncertain silver denomination could be a hexagram using the solidus dies for Sear 1487. Very few examples of this issue survive.

844.

Constantine V Copronymus, with Leo III, AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 740-742. C LЄON P A MЧL Θ, crowned and draped bust of Leo facing, holding cross potent and akakia / C N CONSƮANƮINЧ NC(ligate), crowned and draped bust of Constantine facing, holding cross potent and akakia. Füeg 1.B.7; DOC 1b var. (rev. legend); Sear 1550. 4.46g, 20mm, 6h.

Good Extremely Fine.

From a private European collection.

Constantine V Copronymus, with Leo III, AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 745-750. C LЄON P A MЧL’, crowned and draped bust of Leo facing, holding cross potent and akakia / [C] N CONSƮANƮNIЧS, crowned and draped bust of Constantine facing, holding cross potent and akakia. Füeg 2.B.4¹; DOC 1d.1-2 var. (rev. legend); Sear 1550; Gorny 212, 3232. 4.48g, 21mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare with this combination of legends; just one other example on CoinArchives.

From a private European collection.

300

300

845.

Constantine V Copronymus, with Leo IV and Leo III, AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 756-764. COҺSƮAҺƮIҺOS S LЄOҺ O ҺЄOS, crowned facing busts of Constantine V and Leo IV, each wearing chlamys; cross above, pellet between / C LЄON P A MЧL, crowned facing bust of Leo III wearing loros, holding cross potent. Füeg 5.A.2; DOC 2d.1; Sear 1551. 4.44g, 20mm, 7h.

Extremely Fine.

From a private European collection.

846.

300

847.

Constantine V Copronymus, with Leo IV and Leo III, AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 764-773. COҺSƮAҺƮIҺOS S LЄOҺ O ҺЄOS, crowned facing busts of Constantine V and Leo IV, each wearing chlamys; cross above, pellet between / C LЄON P A MЧL Φ, crowned facing bust of Leo III wearing loros, holding cross potent. Füeg 6.B.5; DOC 2g; Sear 1551. 4.43g, 20mm, 7h.

Good Extremely Fine.

From a private European collection.

848.

300

849.

Leo IV ‘the Khazar’, with Constantine VI, Leo III, and Constantine V, AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 778-780. LЄOҺ VS S ЄςςOҺ COҺSƮAҺƮIҺOS O ҺЄO[...], crowned busts of Leo IV and Constantine VI facing, each wearing chlamys; cross above, pellet between / LЄOҺ PAP’ COҺSƮAҺƮIҺOS PAƮHR, crowned facing busts of Leo III and Constantine V, each wearing loros; cross above, pellet between. Füeg 2.A/B; cf. DOC 1b; Sear 1583. 4.42g, 20mm, 6h.

Near Mint State.

From a private European collection.

300

Constantine VI, with Leo III, Constantine V, and Leo IV, AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 780-787. [LЄOҺ VS S ЄςςOҺ COҺSƮAҺƮI]ҺOS O Һ[ЄOS], Leo IV and Constantine VI enthroned facing, each wearing crown and chlamys and holding akakia; cross above / [LЄOҺ PAP COҺSƮAҺƮI] ҺOS PAƮHR, crowned facing busts of Leo III and Constantine V, each wearing loros; cross above, pellet between. Füeg 1.B.1; DOC 2.1 (Leo IV); Sear 1584 (Leo IV). 4.43g, 21mm, 6h.

Good Extremely Fine.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd, Auction XXII, 8 October 2021, lot 1551.

600

Constantine VI, with Leo III, Constantine V, and Leo IV, AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 780-787. [LЄOҺ VS S ЄςςOҺ COҺSƮAҺƮIҺOS O ҺЄOS], Leo IV and Constantine VI enthroned facing, each wearing crown and chlamys and holding akakia; cross above, pellet between / LЄOҺ PAP COҺSƮAҺ[ƮIҺOS PAƮHR], crowned facing busts of Leo III and Constantine V, each wearing loros; cross above, pellet between. Füeg 1.B/C; DOC 2 (Leo IV); Sear 1584 (Leo IV). 4.41g, 20mm, 6h.

Good Extremely Fine.

From a private European collection.

300

850.

Constantine VI and Irene, with Leo III, Constantine V, and Leo IV AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 787-790. COҺSƮIҺOS […], Constantine V, Leo III, and Leo IV seated facing, each crowned and draped / S IRIҺI AVΓ’ MI[…], crowned facing busts of Constantine IV, draped and holding globus cruciger, and Irene, wearing loros and holding globus cruciger and cruciform sceptre; cross above, pellet between. Cf. Füeg C.2.13/Ir.2; DOC 1; Sear 1593. 4.39g, 20mm, 6h.

Near Mint State.

From a private European collection.

851.

600

852.

Constantine VI and Irene AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 793-797. IRIҺH AΓOVSƮI, crowned facing bust of Irene, wearing loros, holding globus cruciger and cruciform sceptre / COҺSƮAҺƮINOS bAS’ Θ, crowned and draped facing bust of Constantine, wearing chlamys, holding globus cruciger and akakia. Füeg 5.A; DOC 3a; Sear 1594. 4.44g, 21mm, 7h.

Near Mint State; area of flat strike.

From a private European collection.

853.

1,800

Constantine VI and Irene AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 793-797. IRIҺH AΓOVSƮI, crowned facing bust of Irene, wearing loros, holding globus cruciger and cruciform sceptre / COҺSƮAҺƮINOS bAS’ Θ, crowned and draped facing bust of Constantine, wearing chlamys, holding globus cruciger and akakia. Füeg 5.A; DOC 3a; Sear 1594. 4.40g, 21mm, 6h.

Good Extremely Fine.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd, Auction XXII, 8 October 2021, lot 958.

1,050

Irene AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 797-802. ЄIRIҺH ЬASILISSH, crowned bust of Irene facing, wearing loros, holding globus cruciger and cruciform sceptre / • ЄIPIҺH ЬASILISS[H ⴲ], crowned bust of Irene facing, wearing loros, holding globus cruciger and cruciform sceptre. Füeg 1.C.1; DOC 1a.2, 4-5; Sear 1599. 4.39g, 19mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine. Rare.

From a private European collection.

1,800

854.

Extremely Rare

Nicephorus I AV Solidus. Syracuse, AD 802-803. ҺICIFOROS ЬAS, crowned facing bust of Nicephorus, wearing chlamys, holding cross potent and akakia / IhSЧS XRIS ƮЧS ҺICA X, cross potent on base, set on two steps; C-I across fields. BCI 820b (this coin) corr. (rev. legend); unpublished elsewhere. 3.88g, 19mm, 6h.

Mint State. Extremely Rare.

This coin published in D’Andrea, Costantini & Ranalli, Byzantine coinage in Italy (Acquaviva Picena, 2017); Ex Numismatica Ars Classica AG, Auction 75, 18 November 2013, lot 696 (hammer: 10,000 CHF).

900

855.

Nicephorus I, with Stauracius, AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 803-811. • ҺICIFOROS ЬASILЄ’, crowned facing bust of Nicephorus, wearing chlamys, holding cross potent and akakia / SƮAVRACIS ∂ЄSPO’ X, crowned facing bust of Stauracius, wearing chlamys, holding globus cruciger and akakia. Füeg 2.B.3; DOC 2c; Sear 1604. 4.38g, 20mm, 6h.

Mint State.

From a private European collection.

Very Rare

600

856.

Michael I Rhangabe, with Theophylactus, AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 811-813. • MIXAHL bASILЄ’, crowned and draped bust of Michael facing, holding cross potent and akakia / ΘЄOFVLACƮOS dЄSP’ Є, crowned bust of Theophylactus facing, wearing loros, holding globus cruciger and transverse cruciform sceptre. Füeg 1.A; DOC 1b; Sear 1615. 4.49g, 20mm, 6h.

Good Extremely Fine; minor scrape to obv., highly lustrous. Very Rare.

From a private European collection.

6,000

858.

Theophilus,

Good Extremely Fine; small contact mark to rev.

Ex Dr. Peus Nachfolger, Auction 351, 23 April 1997, lot 1013.

859.

1688. 4.40g, 20mm, 6h.

Good Extremely Fine; small area of flatness. Very Rare, particularly in this condition.

From a private European collection.

Michael III became sole emperor at the age of just two, and in his infancy the empire was governed by his mother Theodora, and the minister Theoktistos. During the regency period, the use of religious icons, which previous rulers had sought to ban, was reinstated. This definitive end to Iconoclasm led to a renaissance in visual arts.

3,000

His later reign is difficult to evaluate due to the overtly hostile accounts written under Basil I, which characterise him as a drunkard. The impression gained from Arab sources, however, is one of Michael as an active and often successful military commander. Most importantly, during his reign Bulgaria had been transformed from a dangerous enemy into a religious and cultural satellite of Byzantium. This conversion of the Bulgarians has been evaluated as one of the greatest cultural and political achievements of the Byzantine Empire.

860.

Basil I ‘the Macedonian’, with Constantine, AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 870-871. ⧾ IhS XPS RЄX RЄGNANTIЧM*, Christ Pantokrator enthroned facing / ЬASILIOS ЄT COҺSƮAhƮ’ AЧGG Ь’, crowned facing busts of Basil, with short beard and loros, and Constantine, beardless and wearing chlamys, holding patriarchal cross between them. Füeg 3.C.2; DOC 2; Sear 1704. 4.45g, 20mm, 6h.

Good Extremely Fine.

Ex Gorny & Mosch Giessener Münzhandlung, Auction 60, 5 October 1992, lot 683.

600

Basil I ‘the Macedonian’, with Constantine, AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 870-871. ⧾ IhS XPS RЄX RЄGNANTIЧM*, Christ Pantokrator enthroned facing / ЬASILIOS ЄT COҺSƮAhƮ’ AЧGG Ь’, crowned facing busts of Basil, with short beard and loros, and Constantine, beardless and wearing chlamys, holding patriarchal cross between them. Füeg 3.C.2; DOC 2; Sear 1704. 4.47g, 20mm, 6h.

Good Extremely Fine.

Acquired from Morton & Eden Ltd; Ex European Ambassador Collection, formed in the 1950s and 1960s.

with Michael II and Constantine, AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 831-842. ⧾ MIXAHL S COҺSTAҺTIҺ’, crowned facing busts of Michael II and Constantine, each wearing chlamys; cross above, pellet between / * ΘЄOFILOS bASILЄ Θ, crowned facing bust of Theophilus, holding patriarchal cross and akakia. Füeg 3.H.2.y; DOC 3d; Sear 1653. 4.39g, 20mm, 6h.

857.

Michael III ‘the Drunkard’ AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 856-866. IhSЧS XRISTOS *, facing bust of Christ Pantokrator, wearing pallium and colobium, cross behind head / + MIXAHL bASILЄ’, facing bust of Michael, wearing crown and loros, holding vexillum emblazoned with cross and akakia. Füeg 3.B; DOC 3; Sear

861.

Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus, with Romanus I and Christopher, AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 924-931. ⧾ IhS XPS RЄX RЄϚNANTIЧM ⸭, Christ Pantokrator enthroned facing / ROMAҺ’ ЄT XRISƮOFO’ AЧϚϚ Һ’, crowned busts of Romanus and Christopher facing, holding patriarchal cross between them, and wearing loros and chlamys respectively. Füeg 7.A.2; DOC 7; Sear 1745. 4.43g, 20mm, 6h.

Near Mint State.

Acquired from Morton & Eden; Ex European Ambassador Collection, formed in the 1950s and 1960s.

862.

1,200

863.

Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus, with Romanus II, AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 955-959. ⧾ IҺS XPS RЄX RЄϚNANTIЧm, bust of Christ Pantokrator facing / COҺSƮAҺƮ CE ROMAҺ’ AЧϚϚ Ь R, crowned facing busts of Constantine VII, wearing loros, and Romanus II, wearing chlamys, holding patriarchal cross between them. Füeg 15.A.2; DOC 15; Sear 1751. 4.40g, 21mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine; well-centred.

Ex Dr. Busso Peus Nachfolger, Auction 360, 27 April 1999, lot 792.

750

Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus, with Romanus I, Stephen and Constantine AR Miliaresion. Constantinople, AD 931-944. IҺSЧS XRISTЧS ҺICA, cross potent set upon three steps, crowned facing bust of Romanus in central medallion, pelleted cross below; RƜ-MA across fields / ROMAҺO COҺSTAҺT STЄFAҺOS CЄ COҺSTA ЄҺ XƜ Ь R in five lines; pelleted cross between dashes above and below. DOC 20; Sear 1755. 2.93g, 25mm, 12h.

Good Extremely Fine; pleasant old cabinet tone, superb for the issue.

Acquired from Dr. Busso Peus Nachfolger.

600

Nicephorus II Phocas AV Histamenon Nomisma. Constantinople, AD 967-969. ⧾ IҺS XPS RЄX RЄϚNANTȠ’ᙏ, facing bust of Christ Pantokrator / ⧾ ΘЄOTOC’ b’ HΘ’ ҺICHF, ∂ЄSP, half-length facing busts of the Virgin, nimbate, wearing stola and maphorium, and Nicephorus, wearing crown and loros, holding patriarchal cross between them; M-Θ either side of Virgin. Füeg 3.C.1; DOC 4; Sear 1778. 4.44g, 22mm, 6h. Mint State; rev. edge marks.

Acquired from Dr. Busso Peus Nachfolger.

865.

An Incredibly Bold Obverse

866.

Romanus III AV Histamenon Nomisma. Constantinopolis, AD 1028-1034. + IhS XIS RЄX RЄςNANTIҺm, Christ Pantokrator enthroned facing / ΘCЄ ЬOHΘ RѠmAҺѠ, the Virgin standing facing, wearing pallium and maphorium, crowning Romanus, standing facing, wearing saccos and loros and holding globus cruciger; MΘ between their heads. DOC 1b; Sear 1819. 4.45g, 24mm, 6h.

Mint State; an incredibly bold obverse, and among the finest examples offered at auction in the past 2 decades.

Ex Auktion Kunst und Münzen (Lugano), Auction XXVII, 18 April 1989, lot 1603.

867.

1,200

868.

Constantine IX Monomachus AV Histamenon Nomisma. Constantinople, AD 1049-1053. ⧾ IҺS XIS RЄX RЄGNANTIҺM, bust of Christ facing, wearing crown, pallium and colobium, crescent in upper quarters of nimbus, raising hand in benediction and holding book of Gospels / ⧾ CƜҺ[SƮAҺƮIҺOS] bASILЄЧS Rm, bearded bust facing, wearing crown and loros and holding long cross and globe surmounted by pelleted cross. DOC 3; Sear 1830. 4.39g, 28mm, 6h.

Fleur De Coin.

Ex Gerhard Hirsch Nachfolger, Auction 239, 17 February 2005, lot 1990.

900

Constantine IX Monomachus AV Tetarteron Nomisma. Constantinople, AD 1042-1055. ⧾ IҺ(retrograde)Γ XIC RCX RЄGNANTIm’, bust of Christ Pantokrator facing, holding book of gospels / ⧾ CѠҺ AҺTҺ ҺOSILЄm, crowned facing bust of Constantine, wearing jeweled chlamys, holding labarum and globus cruciger. DOC 6.5; Sear 1833. 3.91g, 18mm, 6h.

Good Extremely Fine. Rare with emperor holding labarum rather than sceptre.

600

Constantine IX Monomachus AV Tetarteron Nomisma. Constantinople, AD 1042-1055. ⧾ IS X XIΓ N CCNANm, bust of Christ Pantokrator facing / ⧾ CѠҺSTAҺT ҺOS bAIL m, crowned facing bust of Constantine, wearing jeweled chlamys, holding labarum and globus cruciger. DOC 5; Sear 1832. 3.97g, 18mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine. Rare.

From a private European collection.

600

Fleur De Coin

869.

Constantine IX Monomachus Pale AV Tetarteron Nomisma. Constantinople, AD 1042-1055. ⧾ IҺS XIS RЄX RЄςNANTIҺM, bust of Christ Pantokrator facing / ⧾ CѠҺSƮAҺƮҺOC’ LЄ RM, crowned facing bust of Constantine, wearing jewelled chlamys, holding labarum and globus cruciger. DOC 6; Sear 1833. 4.07g, 19mm, 5h.

Good Extremely Fine.

From a private European collection.

870.

Isaac I Comnenus AV Tetarteron Nomisma. Constantinople, AD 1057-1059. ⧾ IҺS XIS RЄX RЄϚNANTIҺm, bust of Christ Pantokrator facing / ⧾ ICAAKIOC BACIΛЄVC PM, Isaac standing facing, wearing crown with pendilia, medium beard, armour, and cloak, holding scabbard and globus cruciger. DOC 3; Sear 1845. 3.87g, 20mm, 6h.

600

Fleur De Coin.

From a private European collection. 1,200

Constantine X Ducas AV Histamenon Nomisma. Constantinople, AD 1059-1067. ⧾ IҺS IXS RЄX RЄςNANTҺIM, Christ seated facing on throne with upright arms, wearing nimbus cruciger, pallium and colobium, raising right hand in benediction, and holding book of Gospels in left; double border / ⧾ KѠN RAC Λ O ΔOVKAC, Constantine, bearded, standing facing on footstool, wearing crown with pendilia, saccos and loros, and holding labarum with pellet on shaft and globus cruciger; double border. Füeg II 1.C; DOC 1b.4 var. (number of pellets in loros end); Sear 1847. 4.43g, 29mm, 6h.

Near Mint State.

Ex Classical Numismatic Group, E-Auction 443, 1 May 2019, lot 647.

Constantine X Ducas AV Histamenon Nomisma. Constantinople, AD 1059-1067. + IҺS XS IRC X RЄGNANTIUM, Christ Pantokrator enthroned facing on throne with curved arms / + KѠN RAS Λ O ΔOVK, the Virgin standing facing, nimbate, wearing tunic and maphorium, crowning emperor, standing facing, wearing loros and crown with pendilia, holding hand to breast and globus cruciger; M between their heads. DOC 2; Sear 1848. 4.40g, 27mm, 6h.

Near Mint State.

Acquired from Dr. Busso Peus Nachfolger; Reportedly purchased from SKA Monetarium, 13 December 1988.

Fleur De Coin

873.

Constantine X Ducas AV Tetarteron Nomisma. Constantinople, AD 1059-1067. Facing bust of the Virgin orans, nimbate, wearing pallium and maphorium; MP-ΘV across fields / KѠN RACIΛ O ΔVK, crowned facing bust of Constantine, wearing loros, holding globus cruciger and akakia. DOC 3; Sear 1849. 4.08g, 19mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine.

Acquired from Morton & Eden Ltd; Ex European Ambassador Collection, formed in the 1950s and 1960s.

874.

1,050

875.

Constantine X Ducas AV Tetarteron Nomisma. Constantinople, AD 1059-1067. Facing bust of the Virgin orans, nimbate, wearing pallium and maphorium; MP (ligate) - ΘV across fields, pellet on each side / KѠN RACΛ O ΔV, crowned facing bust, wearing loros, holding globus cruciger and akakia. DOC 3b; BMC 8; Sear 1849. 4.08g, 18mm, 6h.

Good Extremely Fine.

From a private European collection.

Among the Finest Examples Known

600

Romanus IV AR 1/3 Miliaresion. Constantinople, AD 1068-1071. Facing bust of Virgin orans, nimbate; M over ΘK to left, Θ over RΘ to right / Bust of Romanus facing, wearing modified loros and crown with cross and pendilia, holding patriarchal cross and globus cruciger, PѠᙏ to upper right field. DOC 7; Sear 1865A. 0.92g, 16mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine; attractive old cabinet tone; among the finest known examples of the type.

876.

Michael VII Ducas AV Histamenon Nomisma. Constantinople, AD 1071-1078. Half-length bust of Christ Pantokrator facing; IC-XC across fields / ⧾

MIXAHΛ RACIΛ Є, half-length bust of Michael facing, wearing crown with pendilia and loros, holding labarum and globus cruciger. DOC 2a; Sear 1868. 4.41g, 28mm, 6h.

Good Extremely Fine.

Acquired from Dr. Busso Peus Nachfolger.

600

600

877.

Alexius I Comnenus AV Hyperpyron. Constantinople, AD 1092-1118. ⧾ KЄ ROHΘЄI, Christ Pantokrator enthroned facing; IC-XC across fields / Alexius standing facing wearing jewelled chlamys, holding labarum and globus cruciger; in upper field to right, manus Dei; ΛΛCZIѠ ΔCCΠOTH to left, TѠ KOMNHNѠ to right. DOC 20g; Sear 1913. 4.44g, 34mm, 6h.

Mint State; struck on an exceedingly broad planchet, in exceptional condition for the issue, and seemingly the finest example offered at auction in the past 20 years.

Ex Numismatica Ars Classica AG, Autumn Sale, 26 October 1995, lot 930.

879.

900

Manuel I Comnenus AV Hyperpyron. Constantinople, AD 1167-1183. [+KЄ RO]HΘЄI, bust of Christ Pantokrator facing; IC-XC across fields / Manuel standing facing, wearing crown, divitsion and chlamys, holding labarum and globus surmounted by patriarchal cross; • below tablion, in upper field to right, manus Dei; MAN૪HΛ ΔЄCΠOTH to left, TѠ ΠOPΦVPOΓЄNHT to right. DOC 1b.2; Sear 1956. 4.12g, 30mm, 6h.

Good Extremely Fine; in superb condition for the type.

Ex Dr. Busso Peus Nachfolger, Auctions 410-411, 31 October 2013, lot 787.

880.

Isaac II Angelus EL Aspron Trachy. First reign. Constantinople, 12 September AD 1185-8 April 1195. The Virgin enthroned facing, nimbate and wearing pallium and maphorium, holding nimbate head of the infant Christ facing; MHP-ΘV across upper fields / ICAAKIOC ΔЄCΠ, Archangel Michael, beardless and nimbate, standing to left, crowning Isaac on left, wearing divitsion and chlamys and holding cruciform sceptre and akakia; letters in right field. DOC 2b; Sear 2002. 4.78g, 31mm, 6h.

Near Mint State; very well struck and exceptional for the issue.

Ex Dr. Busso Peus Nachfolger, Auction 348, 2 May 1996, lot 873.

600

Empire of Trebizond, Andronicus I Gidon AR Aspron Trachy. Trebizond, AD 1222-1235. The Virgin standing facing, orans, wearing tunic and maphorion; MHP - ΘV across fields, star to left / Christ Chalkites standing facing, nimbate, wearing tunic and kolobion, right hand on chest, holding book of the Gospels in left; IC - XC O XAΛ-KHTHC across fields. Bendall, Trebizond 2; Retowski -; DOC IV p. 537, 1 (Uncertain Nicaean; electrum); Sear 2148 (Uncertain Nicaea). 2.83g, 26mm, 6h.

Mint State.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XXII, 8 October 2021, lot 968.

750

ARAB-SASANIANS

Arab-Sasanians, Mu’awiya bin Khalid AR Drachm. K[A]RDAPT mint (new location at or near al-Mada’in, the old Persian capital close to Al-Kufa), dated AH 74 = AD 694. Sasanian style bust to right with governor’s name in Pahlawi to right; “bismillah” in outer margin / Fire altar with ribbons flanked by attendants; star and crescent flanking flames, date in Pahlawi numerals to left, mint name in Pahlawi to right. M. Qaseer, Immortal Treasures, p. 207, D311 (this coin); Malek, Arab-Sasanian 816A (this coin, attributed to Marwan b. al-Muhallab, mint: KWAT); Album -; Walker, Arab-Sasanian -; cf. CNG, Islamic Auction 2, 8, (this is the only other example sold at auction but attributed to Marwan b. al-Muhallab). 3.00g, 26mm, 3h.

Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare.

This coin published in Dr. M. Qaseer, Immortal Treasures, (Kuwait, 2019); This coin published in H. M. Malek, Arab-Sasanian Numismatics and History during the Early Islamic Period in Iran and Iraq, (London, 2019).

Mu’awiya bin Khalid is a governor who is totally unknown to the historiography of this period, numismatic evidence is the only record of his existence. The name of the mint on this coin has also been unknown until now; it is most likely located in the area of al-Mada’in, the old Persian capital near Alkufa. The governor was possibly only in charge in the year AH 74 = AD 694, a year which represents a convulsive period in Arab history.

As far as the metrological standard is concerned and, contrary to the example cited by Malek (although erroneously attributed to Marwan b. alMuhallab), this type is not clipped. It was in fact produced to match the legal weight of the Islamic dirham that was adopted later for the post-reform Umayyad dirhams. The design engraved on this issue is significantly smaller than those in other contemporary issues and, moreover, there is a large space between the crests and stars in the margin of these coins which strengthens the idea that they were designed to be smaller than the standard Arab Sasanian issues.

We thank Dr. Mamoun Qaseer for his attribution of this coin.

Extremely Rare ABBASIDS

Abbasids, al-Mahdi AR Dirham. Madinat al-Salam mint, AH 162 = AD 778. First part of Kalima in three lines; mint and date formula around / Continuation of Kalima and tasliya in three lines, citing “the Caliph al-Mahdi” below. Album 215.1; SICA III, 1625. 2.95g, 25mm, 9h.

Near Mint State.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 64, 28 November 2019, lot 1025; Ex inventory of Fortuna Fine Arts, Ltd. (New York).

AFSHARIDS

Afsharids, Shah Rukh AR Double Rupee. 1st reign. Type C. Mashhad mint, AH 1161 = AD 1748. Benediction formula, mint and date in five lines / “alsultan Shahrukh” in a medallion. Album 2773; KM 438. 23.03g, 32mm, 9h.

Good Very Fine.

Ex Professor Shir Mohammad Collection, Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XX, 29 October 2020, lot 764.

882.

883.

Aghlabids, Ziyadat Allah III AV Dinar. Uncertain Mint, AH 291 = AD 904. First part of Kalima in three lines, “Khattab” below (his favourite pageboy); Qur’an IX, 33 around / Continuation of Kalima in three lines, “ghalab” above, “Ziyadat Allah” below; date formula around. Album 452; Bernardi 146; al-’Ush 150 (only 1 reported). 4.05g, 18mm, 3h.

Very Fine. Very Rare.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 60, 1 August 2019, lot 1163.

Ziyadat Allah was the last Aghlabid amir, when challenged by the Fatimid partisan ‘Abd Allah al-Shi’i in the year AH 296, he fled the country and sought refuge in the east. This is the first year in which the name Khattab, his favourite page-boy, appears.

ALMOHADS

885.

Almohads, Abu Ya’qub Yusuf I AV 1/2 Dinar. Madinat Marrakesh mint, AH 558-580 = AD 1163-1184. Name and titles, citing the founder of the dynasty ‘Abd al-Mu’min ibn ‘Ali in four lines; name and title around / Kalima and “al-Mahdi imam al-’umma” in four lines, mint name split; titles around. Album 483; Hazard 488; Vives -. 2.31g, 22mm, 12h.

Good Very Fine. Rare.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 76, 5 November 2020, lot 1403.

886.

Almohads, Abu Hafs Omar al-Murtada AV 1/2 Dinar. Uncertain mint, AH 646-665 = AD 1248-1266. Name and titles, citing the founder of the dynasty ‘Abd al-Mu’min ibn ‘Ali in four lines within double linear border; name and title around / Kalima and “al-Mahdi imam al-’umma” in four lines within double linear border; titles around. Album 492; Vives 2083; Hazard 534. 2.36g, 22mm, 12h.

Good Very Fine. Rare.

Ex private French collection, Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 64, 28 November 2019, lot 1031 (mis-attributed).

ALMORAVIDS

180

887.

Almoravids, ‘Alì bin Yusuf AV Dinar. Ishbiliya (Seville) mint, AH 518 = AD 1124. Kalima in two lines, “Commander of the Muslims ‘Alì bin Yusuf” below; Qur’an IX, 33 around / “The Imam Abd Allah Commander of the faithful” in four lines; mint and date formula around. CMA 376; Hazard 216; Vives 1660. 4.01g, 26mm, 4h

Near Extremely Fine; light scratches to obverse.

Acquired from Morton & Eden.

600

ARTUQIDS OF MARDIN

A Magnificent Artuqid Bronze

888.

Artuqids of Mardin, Najm al-Din Alpi Æ Dirham. Uncertain mint, AH 547-572 = AD 1152-1177. Two diademed long-haired busts facing each other, legend above and below, pellet between / Nimbate Virgin Mary, crowning the Byzantine emperor, Naskhi legend between and to left and right. S/S type 28; Album 1827; Artuk 1219; Edhem 32; Whelan type II, 40. 16.60g, 32mm, 6h.

Good Extremely Fine, one of the finest of all known Artuqid bronzes.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd, Auction XXIV, 28 March 2022, lot 1207; Ex Naville Numismatics Ltd, Auction 67, 1 August 2021, lot 590.

AYYUBIDS

1,200

889.

Ayyubids, Al-Aziz Uthman AV Dinar. Al-Iskandariya mint, AH 590 = AD 1194. “Uthman bin Yusuf” in two lines in the centre; titles in middle margin; Kalima and Qur’an IX, 33 in outer margin / “al-Imam/Ahmad” in two lines across field; citing the Abbasid caliph al-Nasir in middle margin; mint and date formula in outer margin. Album 794; Balog 185. 4.82g, 20mm.

Very Fine; lightly clipped.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 64, 28 November 2019, lot 1032.

120

890.

Burji Mamluks, Al-Ashraf Barsbay AV Ashrafi. Al-Qahira mint, AH 828 = AD 1425. Kalima in two lines divided by segmented cables; mint below / Name and title in two lines divided by segmented cables; date below. Album 998; Balog, Mamluks 702. 3.43g, 18mm, 12h.

Good Very Fine; light weakness area. 120

891.

Burji Mamluks, Al-Ashraf Barsbay AV Ashrafi. Al-Qahira mint, AH 830 = AD 1427. Kalima and titles in four lines divided by segmented cables / Name and titles; mint above, date below in four lines divided by segmented cables. Album 998; Balog, Mamluks 704. 3.41g, 18mm, 8h.

Good Very Fine.

892.

Burji Mamluks, Abu Sa’id Khushqadam AV Ashrafi. Al-Qahira mint, AH 865-872 = AD 1461-1467. Kalima and titles in four lines divided by segmented cables / Name and titles; mint above, date below in four lines divided by segmented cables. Album 1019; Balog, Mamluks 788. 3.42g, 15mm, 9h.

Good Very Fine. Scarce.

893.

Burji Mamluks, Abu-Sa’id Timurbugha AV Ashrafi. Al-Qahira mint, AH 872-873 = AD 1467-1468. Kalima in three lines divided by segmented cables; mint below / Name and titles in three lines divided by segmented cables. Album 1024; Balog, Mamluks 802. 3.43g, 14mm, 6h.

Good Very Fine; areas of light weakness.

894.

Burji Mamluks, Sayf al-Din Qa’itbay AV Ashrafi. Al-Qahira mint, AH 873-901 = AD 1468-1496. Kalima in three lines separated by two segmented cables / Name and titles in three lines separated by two segmented cables. Album 1027; Balog, Mamluks 808. 3.42g, 16mm, 4h.

Very Fine.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 61, 22 August 2019, lot 1068 (attributed to Al-Ashraf Barsbay).

895.

Burji Mamluks, Sayf al-Din Qa’itbay AV Ashrafi. Al-Qahira mint, AH 873-901 = AD 1468-1496. Kalima in three lines separated by two segmented cables / Name and titles in three lines separated by two segmented cables. Album 1027; Balog, Mamluks 810. 3.44g, 14mm, 12h.

Very Fine.

From the collection of GK.

120

Buwayhids

Buwayhids, Abu Shuja’ Fanakhusraw AV Dinar. Al-Basra mint, AH 372 = AD 982. Kalima, name and titles in seven lines; mint and date formula around / Continuation of kalima, “salla Allah wa alaihi wa sallama” in five lines; Qur’an IX, 33 around. Album 1551; ICV 1586; Treadwell Ba372G. 4.01g, 18mm, 1h.

Good Extremely Fine; sharply struck. Scarce.

From the Arethusa collection; Ex Professor Shir Mohammad Collection, Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XVIII, 29 September 2019, lot 1323.

Fatimids

Fatimids, al-Mustansir billah AV Dinar. Misr mint, AH 440 = AD 1048. Kalima, Shi’ite profession and Qur’an IX, 33 in three concentric lines around central pellet / Caliphal name and titles and mint-date formula in three concentric lines around pellet. Nicol 2122; Album 719A. 4.24g, 21mm.

Extremely Fine.

Acquired from Morton & Eden.

Ghaznavids

Ghaznavids, Mahmud bin Sebuktekin, as king, AV Dinar. Nishapur mint, AH 413 = AD 1023. Kalima in three lines, citing the caliph al-Qadir billah below; mint and date formula in inner margin; Qur’an XXX, 4-5 in outer margin / Continuation of kalima, al-Qadir billah, amir al-dawla, amir al-milla in four lines; Qur’an IX, 33 around. Album 1606. 4.53g, 25mm, 3h.

Good Very Fine.

From the Arethusa collection; Ex Professor Shir Mohammad Collection, Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XVIII, 29 September 2019, lot 1328.

h a F sids

Hafsids, Abu Yahya Abu Bakr II AV Dinar. Uncertain mint, struck after AH 717 = AD 1317. Name and titles in three lines; with title ‘amir al-mu’minin’ around / Hafsid motto in three lines; legend around. Album 507.2; Hazard 589. 4.55g, 28mm, 12h.

Very Fine. Rare.

From the Arethusa collection.

Hotaki Afghans, Ashraf Shah AV Ashrafi. Type A. Isfahan mint, AH 1139 = AD 1726. Kalima in four lines, date in field all within multifoil / Name, titles and mint name in four lines. Album 2718; KM 335.1. 3.48g, 23mm, 3h.

Near Extremely Fine. Rare.

From the Arethusa collection;.

Ex Professor Shir Mohammad Collection, Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XVIII, 29 September 2019, lot 1331.

A Counterfeiter’s (?) Obverse Die for Ilkhans, Ghazan Mahmud AR Dirham. Bilingual type, pre-reform. Style of Astarabad mint, AH 696-698 = AD 1297-1299 (only known dates for this type/mint). Uighur inscription citing both Arghun and Ghazan around hawk with rising sun. Cf. Album 2168C. 66.30g, 22mm x 21mm. Condition as Seen.

India, Mughal Empire. Jalal al-Din Muhammad Akbar AV Mohur. Agra mint, AH 972 = AD 1564. Kalima with interlace within wavy pentagon; four khalifas; names around / Name and titles of Akbar in four lines; date in field. KM 105.1. 10.91g, 24mm, 3h.

Extremely Fine; evidence of attempted piercing to obverse.

From the Arethusa collection; Ex Professor Shir Mohammad Collection, Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XVIII, 29 September 2019, lot 1333.

India, Mughal Empire. Jalal al-Din Muhammad Akbar AV Mohur. Agra mint, AH 972 = AD 1564. Kalima with interlace within wavy pentagon; four khalifas’ names around / Name and titles of Akbar in four lines; date in field. KM 105.1; Wright 66. 10.81g, 27mm, 8h.

Extremely Fine. Rare.

From the Arethusa collection; Ex Professor Shir Mohammad Collection, Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XVIII, 29 September 2019, lot 1332.

India, Mughal Empire. Jalal al-Din Muhammad Akbar AV Mohur. Dar al-Khilafat Lahore mint, AH 984 = AD 1577. Kalima with interlace within wavy pentagon; four khalifas names around / Name and titles of Akbar in four lines; date in field. KM 106.4. 10.92g, 22mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine; some scrapes to obv.; magnificent bold strike.

From the Arethusa collection;

Ex Professor Shir Mohammad Collection, Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XVIII, 29 September 2019, lot 1335.

India, Mughal Empire. Aurangzeb Alamgir AV Mohur. Akbarabad mint, dually dated AH 1117/RY 49 = AD 1706. “Mihr munir” couplet with name and titles; AH date below / Julus formula with mint epithet as “Mustaqir al-Khalifat Akbarabad”; regnal year below. KM 315.52. 10.91g, 25mm, 1h.

Near Extremely Fine. Scarce.

From the Arethusa collection; Ex Professor Shir Mohammad Collection, Roma Numismatics Ltd, Auction XX, 29 October 2020, lot 771.

India, Mughal Empire. Muhammad Shah AV Mohur. Akbarabad mint, dually dated AH 113[8]/RY 8 = AD 1726. Name and titles in four lines; AH date above / Julus formula with mint epithet as “Mustaqir al-Khalifat Akbarabad” with regnal year. KM 438.2. 10.81g, 22mm, 3h.

Very Fine.

From the Arethusa collection. Ex Professor Shir Mohamma; Collection, Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XVIII, 29 September 2019, lot 1338.

India, Mughal Empire. Muhammad Shah AR Nazarana Rupee. Dar al-Khilafa Shahjahanabad mint, dually dated AH 11[49]/RY 18 = AD 1737. Persian couplet; AH date above / Name and title, julus formula with mint epithet and regnal year below. KM 437.4. 11.33g, 22mm, 10h.

Good Very Fine; small scratch to obv.

From the Arethusa collection; Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 68, 27 February 2020, lot 1369.

India, Sultanate of Delhi. ‘Ala al-Din Muhammad Shah II AV Tanka. Hadrat Delhi mint, AH 69[?] = AD 129[?]. Titles in three lines within circle; mint and date formula around / Name and continuation of titles in four lines across field. G&G, D221. 10.83g, 27mm, 10h. Good Very Fine.

From the Arethusa collection;

Ex Professor Shir Mohammad Collection, Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XVIII, 29 September 2019, lot 1341 (hammer: GBP 850).

India, Sultanate of Delhi. Ghiyath al-Din Tughluq AV Tanka. Qila’ Deogir mint, AH 724 = AD 1324. “Tughluq Shah al-sultan, amir al-mu’minin” in three lines within circle; mint and date formula around / Name and titles in three lines within a double linear square. G&G, D302. 11.02g, 27mm, 3h. Extremely Fine. Rare.

From the Arethusa collection;

Ex Professor Shir Mohammad Collection, Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XVIII, 29 September 2019, lot 1342.

India, Sultanate of Delhi. Mahmud bin Muhammad III Tughluq AV Tanka. Mintless type. AH 752 = AD 1351. Name and titles in four lines; date below / Continuation of titles in four lines. G&G, D455. 11.04g, 21mm, 11h.

Near Extremely Fine. Very Rare; the only gold issue for this ruler.

From the Arethusa collection;

Ex Professor Shir Mohammad Collection, Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XVIII, 29 September 2019, lot 1344.

According to Goron & Goenka “On the death of Muhammad bin Tughluq, Firuz Tughluq was accepted as the next ruler by the army in Sind. In Delhi, Khwaja-i-Jahan, unaware of this, raised to the throne a would-be son of the later sultan, with the name Mahmud. When Firuz returned to Delhi, Mahmud was set aside”.

Kakwayhids, Muhammad bin Dushmanzar AV Dinar. Isfahan mint, AH 423 = AD 1031. Kalima, citing the Ghaznavid ruler Abu Sa’id Mas’ud I as overlord in three lines; “Nasir” above, “din Allah” below, mint and date formula in inner margin / Continuation of kalima, citing the Abbasid caliph alQadir billah and Muhammad bin Dushmanzar in three lines; Qur’an IX, 33 around. Album 1590. 3.25g, 22mm, 9h.

Near Extremely Fine; excellent and well executed calligraphy, possibly a presentation issue. Rare.

From the Arethusa collection.

Ex Professor Shir Mohammad Collection, Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XVIII, 29 September 2019, lot 1345.

912.

Kakwayhids, Faramurz AV Dinar. Isfahan mint, AH 435 = AD 1043. Kalima, citing the Great Seljuq Tughril Beg in four lines; bow and arrow above, mint and date formula in inner margin; Qur’an XXX, 3-4 in outer margin / Continuation of kalima in four lines; bow and arrow above, Qur’an IX, 33 around. Album 1592.2; ICV 1656. 3.69g, 24mm, 11h.

Good Very Fine.

From the collection of GK.

k hanate o F k hokand

Khanate of Khokand, Muhammad Khudayar AV Tilla. Dar al-Sultanat Khoqand mint, AH 1265 = AD 1848. Name and titles in three lines across field on floral background; date in field / Mint in three lines across field on floral background; date in field. Album 3060; KM C100. 4.54g, 23mm, 5h.

Good Very Fine.

From the Arethusa collection; Ex private French collection, Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 64, 28 November 2019, lot 1039.

m erinids

Merinids, Anonymous. Temp. Abu Yahya Abu Bakr AV Dinar. Uncertain mint, AH 642-656 = AD 1244-1258. Kalima and “Qur’an kalimat Allah”, in three lines; Quranic text in the four margins / Merinid motto in three lines; Quranic text introduced by “basmala” in the four margins. Album 520; Hazard 690. 4.64g, 31mm, 12h.

Near Very Fine.

From the Arethusa collection; Ex private French collection, Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 64, 28 November 2019, lot 1041.

o ttoman e mpire

Ottoman Empire, Sulayman I AV Sultani Altin. Qustantiniya mint, AH 926 = AD 1520. Name, titles, mint and date in five lines across field / Titles in six lines across field. Album 1317; Pere 178. 3.49g, 19mm, 9h.

Very Fine.

From the Arethusa collection; Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 64, 28 November 2019, lot 1047.

Ottoman Empire, Mahmud II AR Ryal. Tunis mint, AH 1241 = AD 1825. Name and titles in four lines / Mint and date within cartouche. KM 90; Fenina 235. 11.31g, 33mm, 12h.

Very Fine.

From the Arethusa collection; Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 76, 5 November 2020, lot 1466.

Qajars

Qajars, Fath ‘Ali Shah AV Toman. Type W. Dar al-Ibadat Yazd mint, AH 1232 = AD 1817. Name and titles in four lines within decorative border / Mint in four lines across field within decorative border; date below. Album 2865; KM 753.13. 4.59g, 25mm, 9h.

Good Extremely Fine.

From the Arethusa collection.

Safavids, Sulayman II AR 30 Shahi. Type A. Mashhad mint (but mint off flan), AH 1163 = AD 1750. Kalima and ‘Ali walī Allah in five lines; in outer margin the names of the twelve Shi’ite imams all in Arabic / “The shah who dispenses justice, Sulayman the second, by the grace of God struck the coins of prosperity, struck in Mashhad” in six lines in Persian, date in lower left field. Album A-T2700 (4th edition, forthcoming); cf. Album 2699, for the prototype in gold (AV double mohur with the same distribution); Zeno 256638 (this coin); Farahbakhsh -; Rabino -. 34.66g, 35mm, 11h.

Good Very Fine. Previously unpublished and of the greatest rarity, probably struck as a presentation issue by the same dies used for striking the double Mohurs.

This coin published online at Zeno.Ru-Oriental Coins Database (www.zeno.ru);

From the Arethusa collection;

Ex Professor Shir Mohammad Collection, Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XX, 29 October 2020, lot 774; Privately purchased in Lahore, 4 February 1992.

This previously unknown coin is added to the exiguous production of Sulayman II. As reported by Steven Album on Zeno.ru (#256638): “The gold double mohur is well-known, as there was a small hoard of about 20-25 examples that came in the market in about the 1970s or early 1980s. There are five examples of the double mohur illustrated on CoinArchives. But silver is completely new. The denomination is 30 shahi, which is five times the weight of the 6-shahi denomination originally introduced by Nadir Shah, retained at 6.91g. That would make the 30 shahi weight at 34.56g, which is almost exactly the weight of this large piece. It will be added as type A-T2700 in the 4th edition of the Checklist”.

s amanids

Samanids, Nasr II bin Ahmad AV Dinar. Nishapur mint, AH 311 = AD 924. First part of kalima in three lines; mint and date formula in inner margin; Qur’an XXX, 4-5 in outer margin / Continuation of Kalima, citing the Abbasid caliph al-Muqtdir in three lines; “Nasr bin Ahmad” below; Qur’an IX, 33 around. Album 1449; Bernardi 269Pj. 4.23g, 25mm, 5h.

Near Extremely Fine; slight double striking to reverse.

From the Arethusa collection; Ex Professor Shir Mohammad Collection, Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XVIII, 29 September 2019, lot 1352.

Samanids, Nasr II bin Ahmad AV Dinar. Nishapur mint, AH 331 = AD 943. First part of kalima in three lines; mint and date formula in inner margin; Qur’an XXX, 4-5 in outer margin / Continuation of Kalima, citing the Abbasid caliph al-Muqtdir in three lines; “Nasr bin Ahmad” below; Qur’an IX, 33 around. Album 1449; Bernardi 269Pj. 4.14g, 23mm, 6h.

Good Very Fine.

From the Arethusa collection.

Samanids, Nuh I Ibn Nasr AV Dinar. Nishapur mint, AH 334 = AD 946. First part of kalima in three lines; mint and date formula in inner margin; Qur’an XXX, 4-5 in outer margin / Continuation of Kalima, citing the Abbasid caliph al-Mustakfi in four lines; “Nuh Ibn Nasr” below; Qur’an IX, 33 around. Album 1454; Bernardi 351Pj. 4.66g, 24mm, 9h.

Good Very Fine. Scarce.

From the Arethusa collection; Ex Professor Shir Mohammad Collection, Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XVIII, 29 September 2019, lot 1355.

s eljuks o F r um

Seljuks of Rum, The Three Brothers. Kay Kawus II, Qilich Arslan IV & Kay Qubadh II AR Dirham. Siwas mint, AH 647 = AD 1249. Name and titles in five lines / Kalima, citing the Abbasid caliph Al-Musta ‘sim billah as “amir al-mu’minin”, mint and date in five lines. Broome 346; Album 1227; ICV 1349. 2.43g, 21mm, 1h.

Near Extremely Fine.

From the Arethusa collection; Ex collection of P.R.B. (France), formed c. 1960-2000, Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 68, 27 February 2020, lot 1378.

923.

Seljuks of Rum, The Three Brothers: Kay Kawus II, Qilich Arslan IV and Kay Qubadh II AV Dinar. Qunya mint, AH 648 = AD 1250. Kalima, name and titles of Abbasid caliph al-Must’asim, mint formula, and AH date in five lines; ornament above / Name and titles of Kay Ka’us II, Qilich Arslan IV, & Kay Qubadh II in five lines; ornament above. Album 1227; ICV 1348. 4.52g, 25mm, 11h.

Good Extremely Fine.

From the Arethusa collection.

t unisia

924.

Tunisia, Beylik of Tunis. Abdul Aziz (Sultan of the Ottoman Empire) with Muhammad al-Sadiq AV 25 Piastres. Tunis mint, AH 1279 = AD 1862. Sultan name in three lines within wreath / Bey name, mint, Arabic date and denomination within wreath. KM 148; Friedberg -. 4.79g, 20mm, 12h. Extremely Fine. Rare.

From the collection of GK; Ex Sincona AG, Auction 31, 24 October 2016, lot 128; Ex Schweizerischer Bankverein (Basel), Auction 34, 25 January 1994, lot 2943.

Probably struck on a badly resurfaced blank of 20 Francs of the French Empire.

u mayyads

superb early style

925.

Umayyads, time of ‘Abd al-Malik AV Dinar. Damascus mint, AH 78 = AD 697. Kalima in three lines across field; Qur’an IX, 33 around / Qur’an CXII in three lines; date formula around. Album 125; Bernardi 43. 4.29g, 20mm, 6h. Good Very Fine; light graffiti on obverse, very pleasant early style.

From the Arethusa collection; Ex private French collection, Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 64, 28 November 2019, lot 1048.

926.

Umayyads, time of al-Walid I AR Dirham. Wasit mint, AH 86 = AD 705. Kalima in three lines; mint and date formula around / Qur’an CXII in four lines across field; Qur’an IX, 33 around. Album 128; Klat 681. 2.89g, 27mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine.

927.

Umayyads, time of al-Walid I AV Dinar. Damascus mint, AH 92 = AD 711. Kalima in three lines; Qur’an IX, 33 around / Qur’an CXII in three lines; date formula around. Album 127; Bernardi 43. 4.27g, 20mm, 6h.

Good Extremely Fine; minor graffito to obverse.

210

928. 450

Good Extremely Fine.

929.

an extremely rare Bilingual ah 98 solidus

Umayyads, time of Suleiman ibn ‘Abd al-Malik AV Solidus. Bilingual type. North African mint, AH 98 = AD 716. Kalima in two lines in Arabic; ƧΛ∂ FRT IN AFRK A XCVIII (mint and date) around / Continuation of kalima in two lines in Arabic; N N I∂ N I N ∂ Ƨ N Ƨ Ƨ I Ƨ N ∂ Ƨ N I Ƨ I (Islamic religious text in Latin) around. Album 121M; Bernardi 34Ca; Walker, Arab-Byzantine, 185 and p. 50. 4.28g, 13mm, 12h.

Good Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare.

From a private European collection.

The bilingual type is the first appearance of Arabic script on a coin struck in Muslim Spain and North Africa.

931.

Umayyads, time of Hisham AV Dinar. Damascus mint, AH 108 = AD 726. Kalima in three lines; Qur’an IX, 33 around / Qur’an CXII in three lines; date formula around. Album 136; Bernardi 43. 4.29g, 19mm, 6h.

Good Extremely Fine.

From the Arethusa collection; Ex private French collection, Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 64, 28 November 2019, lot 1050.

932.

Umayyads, time of Hisham AV Dinar. Damascus mint, AH 119 = AD 737. Kalima in three lines; Qur’an IX, 33 around / Qur’an CXII in three lines; date formula around. Album 136; Bernardi 43. 4.21g, 20mm, 3h.

Very Fine; ex mount.

Zands, Muhammad Karim Khan AV 1/4 Mohur. Type D. Zarrabkhane-ye Mobarak-e Rikab mint, AH 1176 = AD 1762. Shi’ite kalima in four lines within dotted border / Mint epithet in four lines within dotted border; AH date below. Album 2792 var. (reverse type); KM 530.5 var. (same). 2.76g, 18mm, 3h.

Very Fine. Possibly unique and unpublished with this reverse type.

From the Arethusa collection.

120

933. 90

Extremely Fine.

From the Arethusa collection.

Zands, Muhammad Karim Khan AV 1/4 Mohur. Type C. Dar al-Muminin Kashan mint, AH 1189 = AD 1775. Zand couplet in five lines / Mint epithet within a cartouche; date below. Album 2791; KM 525.2. 2.73g, 21mm, 11h.

934. 90 933 934

Good Very Fine.

From the Arethusa collection.

aydi i mams ( r assids)

Zaydi Imams (Rassids), al-Mansur ‘Abd Allah AR Mansuri Dirham. Zafar mint, AH 601 = AD 1204. Basmala tasliah and mint-date formula arranged in elaborate hexagrammoid design / Name and titles arranged as the obverse. Album 1083. 1.59g, 22mm. Extremely Fine.

From the Arethusa collection; Ex private British collection, Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 71, 28 May 2020, lot 1441.

Ziyanids, time of Abu Tashufin ‘Abd al-Rahman I AV Double Dinar (Dobla). Madinat Tilimsan mint, AH 718-737 = AD 1318-1337. Kalima, “ghaliba”, “amr”, “quwwat” in five lines within square; name and titles around / Basmala, Tasliya and Ziyanid motto in five lines within a square; mint name around. Album 515.2; Hazard 648. 4.77g, 30mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine. Rare.

From the Arethusa collection; Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 64, 28 November 2019, lot 1051 (previously catalogued as an imitation, recent hoard evidence has since confirmed this as a regular issue).

aF ri C a

medieval and world Coins

the ‘tabora sovereign’

Africa, German Colonial. Deutsch-Ostafrika (German East Africa), Wilhelm II AV 15 Rupien. Tabora mint, 1916. T. ✤ DEUTSCH OSTAFRIKA ✤, crowned eagle facing, head to left, with wings spread and coat-of-arms on breast; denomination below / Elephant, with trunk raised trumpeting, advancing slightly to right across savanna, Mt. Kilimanjaro behind; date above mintmark in exergue. KM 16.2; Jaeger 728a; Friedberg 1. 7.02g, 22mm, 12h.

Near Mint State. Very Rare.

From the collection of GK; Ex WAG Online oHG, Auction 73, 12 March 2017, lot 1504.

1,800

edward the Black prince

Anglo-Gallic, Edward the Black Prince AV Chaise d’Or. Bordeaux mint, 1362-1372. ✠ ЄD ✿ PO ✿ GꞂS ✿ RЄGIS ✿ AꞂGLIЄ ✿ PnS ✿ AQITAꞂIЄ, prince standing facing within gothic arch, holding sceptre / ✠ DЄVS ✿ IVDЄX ✿ IVSTVS ✿ FORTIS ✿ Z ✿ PACIЄꞂS ✿ B, cross collarino; lis and lions in angles, all within tressure. AGC 173B; Elias 143. 3.33g, 28mm, 8h. About Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare.

Acquired from Editions V. Gadoury.

By the time this coin was struck, Edward the Black Prince, son of King Edward III, had already enjoyed an illustrious career as a military commander, contributing to English victories at a great number of significant battles against the French in the Hundred Years’ War. Arguably the most famous of these was the Battle of Crécy in 1346 which marked a decisive turning point in the fortunes of the English after the three unsuccessful campaigns in northern France that had come before it. Aged just 16, Edward was made a knight by his father before the battle and was entrusted with the command of the vanguard. At the head of nearly 4,000 men-at-arms, foot soldiers and longbowmen he is said to have conducted himself with distinction in the battle, despite having been thrown from his horse in the mêlée. The French army suffered heavy losses during the battle and was in a severely weakened state when the English began their siege of Calais in the month following Crécy. The town held for eleven months, more as a result of its existing strong fortifications than any defensive efforts from disordered French soldiers, but eventually it capitulated and became a key strategic asset for the English for the next 200 years. In recognition of his contribution to both the Battle of Crécy and the siege of Calais, the Black Prince was invested in the new Order of the Garter by Edward III upon their return in 1348.

Edward returned to France for several more campaigns from 1355 onwards, and in 1362 Edward III granted his son rule over the principalities of Aquitaine and Gascony (Aquitaine having been in English possession since 1154 as a result of the marriage of Eleanor of Aquitaine and Henry II of England), he also bestowed on him the title Prince of Aquitaine and Gascony. The Black Prince was occupied for the next decade with campaigns and battles in Spain and France, only returning to England in 1371 due to ill health. Despite spending most of his life as a warrior prince, he spent the years leading up to his death in 1376 involved in domestic affairs, notably attempting to restrain the political ambitions of his brother, John of Gaunt the Duke of Lancaster, efforts which were to prove futile since after Edward’s death his brother became the most significant and perhaps overbearing influence over Edward’s son, the future king, Richard II.

939.

940.

941.

Anglo-Gallic, Henry VI of England and France AV Salut d’or. Saint-Lô mint, second issue, struck from 6 September 1423. ⚜ ҺЄИRICVS : DЄI : GRA : FRACORV : Ƶ : AGLIЄ : RЄX, the Virgin standing behind the arms of France facing the Archangel Gabriel standing behind the quartered arms of France and England, handing her a scroll bearing AVЄ beneath the light of God / ⚜ XPC’ ∗ VINCIT ∗ XPC’ ∗ RЄGNAT ∗ XPC’ ∗ IᙏPЄRAT, Latin cross above Һ within tressure of arches, lis at point of each arc; a lis and leopard to either side. SCBC 8164; Withers-Ford 387A.2a-b; Schneider 120; Elias 271; Duplessy 443A; Friedberg 301 (France); Numista 95179. 3.49g, 27mm, 3h. Mint State.

Ex Trésor de la Guerre de Cent Ans, Beaussant Lefèvre - Thierry Parsy, 13 December 2005, lot 217.

4,500

Anglo-Gallic, Henry VI of England and France AV Salut d’or. Rouen mint, second issue, 1433-1444. Étienne Marcel, mintmaster. (leopard)

ҺЄИRICVS : DЄI : GRA : FRACORV : Ƶ : AGLIЄ : RЄX (pellet-in-annulet under final letter), the Virgin standing behind the arms of France facing the Archangel Gabriel standing behind the quartered arms of France and England, handing her a scroll bearing AVЄ beneath the light of God / (leopard)

XPC’ ∗ VIИCIT ∗ XPC’ ∗ RЄGИAT ∗ XPC’ ∗ IᙏPЄRAT (pellet-in-annulet under final letter), Latin cross above Һ within tressure of arches, lis at point of each arc; a lis and leopard to either side. SCBC 8164; Withers-Ford 386F.1b; AGC 386F, 1/b; Duplessy 443A; Friedberg 301 (France); Numista 95179.

NGC graded MS 65 (#4216400-001)

Acquired from Stack’s Bowers Galleries (& Ponterio).

3,150

Anglo-Gallic, Henry VI of England and France AV Salut d’or. Rouen mint, second issue, 1433-1444. Étienne Marcel, mintmaster. (leopard)

ҺЄИRICVS : DЄI : GRA : FRACORV : Ƶ : AGLIЄ : RЄX (pellet-in-annulet under final letter), the Virgin standing behind the arms of France facing the Archangel Gabriel standing behind the quartered arms of France and England, handing her a scroll bearing AVЄ beneath the light of God / (leopard)

XPC’ ∗ VINCIT ∗ XPC’ ∗ RЄGИAT ∗ XPC’ ∗ IᙏPЄRAT (pellet-in-annulet under final letter), Latin cross above Һ within tressure of arches, lis at point of each arc; a lis and leopard to either side. SCBC 8164; Withers-Ford 386F.1b; AGC 386F; Duplessy 443A; Friedberg 301 (France); Numista 95179. 3.52g, 27mm, 9h.

Mint State. Rare from this mint.

Acquired from Editions V. Gadoury.

3,000

942.

Anglo-Gallic, Henry VI of England and France AV Salut d’or. Rouen mint, second issue, 1433-1444. Étienne Marcel, mintmaster. (leopard)

ҺЄИRICVS : DЄI : GRA : FRACORV : Ƶ : AGLIЄ : RЄX (pellet-in-annulet under final letter), the Virgin standing behind the arms of France facing the Archangel Gabriel standing behind the quartered arms of France and England, handing her a scroll bearing AVЄ beneath the light of God / (leopard) XPC’ ∗ VIИCIT ∗ XPC’ ∗ RЄGИAT ∗ XPC’ ∗ IᙏPЄRAT (pellet-in-annulet under final letter), Latin cross above Һ within tressure of arches, lis at point of each arc; a lis and leopard to either side. SCBC 8164; Withers-Ford 386F.1b; Elias 270c; Duplessy 443A; Friedberg 301 (France); Numista 95179. 3.49g, 27mm, 3h.

Mint State.

Ex Trésor de la Guerre de Cent Ans, Beaussant Lefèvre with Thierry Parsy, 30 June 2009, lot 329.

a n G lo- s axon

4,500

Anglo-Saxon, Kings of All England. Cnut AR Penny. Ebraice Civitas type. York mint, 900-905. Patriarchal cross, one letter of CNVT at the end of each arms, REX in the gaps around / x ER :· IΛI ·:· ICE :· I ·, small cross with two pellets in angles. SCBC 991; North 497.

PCGS graded AU55 (#896079.55/44760658).

Ex Mark and Lottie Salton Collection, acquired from Stack’s Bowers Galleries.

Anglo-Saxon, Kings of All England. Aethelred II AR Penny. Long cross type. Winchester mint, 978-1016. Godwine, moneyer. ✠ ÆDELRED REX ANGLOX, draped bust to left / ✠ GODPINE MO PINT, voided long cross. SCBC 1151; North 774.

PCGS graded MS 63 (#44760659).

Acquired from Stack’s Bowers Galleries (& Ponterio); Ex Mark and Lottie Salton Collection, sold with original collection ticket.

a ustria

extremely rare

laureate and draped bust to right; mintmark below / ARCH • AVST • D

Austria, Holy Roman Empire. Joseph II AV 4 Ducats. Vienna mint, 1786. IOSEPH • II

BVRG

LOTH

HET

(date) •, double-headed imperial eagle; denomination below. Herinek 2; Friedberg 433; KM 1881; Macho & Chlapovič 21, 381 (hammer: EUR 65,000); Rauch 105, 1784 (hammer: EUR 56,000). 13.92g, 40mm, 12h.

Near Extremely Fine; areas of matte surface, possibly indicating smoothing. Extremely Rare; one of fewer than ten examples to come auction in the past decade, among the most desirable issues for connoisseurs of Austrian coinage.

Chile

Chile, Spanish Colonial. Charles IV AV 8 Escudos. Santiago mint, 1797. NI DA. CAROL

IIII

ET IND

armoured and draped bust of Charles III to right; date between pellets below / IN

UTROQ

FELIX

AUSPICE

DEO, crowned coat-of-arms of Spain within Collar of the Order of the Golden Fleece; denomination across inner fields; mintmarks below. AC 1762; KM 54; Friedberg 23; Numista 35203. 26.95g, 36mm, 12h.

Near Extremely Fine; light marks, lustrous metal.

Acquired from Aix Enchères Art, 28 October 2007.

Crusader s tates

947.

Crusader States, Cyprus (Lusignan Kingdom). Henry II and Amaury II (prince of Tyre, usurper) AR Gros. 1306-1310. ✠ hЄNRIC’IRLᙏ E CIPRI RЄX, cross of Jerusalem / ✠ AᙏALRIC GVBNATOR CIPRI, lion rampant to left. M&P 6-12; CCS 42; Metcalf, Crusaders p. 202; Numista 139740; Elsen

150, 337 (hammer: 2,200 EUR). 4.47g, 25mm, 3h.

Good Very Fine; ex-mount, pierced, wonderful deep old cabinet tone. Very Rare.

From a private European collection.

very rare

600

948.

Crusader States, Cyprus (Lusignan Kingdom). Amaury II (prince of Tyre, usurper) AR Gros. Famagusta mint, 1310. : CIPRI GuB’ꞂATO’ Є’ RЄTOR

✠ AᙏALRIC’ TIRЄꞂSIS DOᙏIꞂUS in two rings around crowned lion rampant to left / ✠ IRL’ᙏ: ET: CIPTI: REGIS FILIUS, coat-of-arms of Cyprus and of Jerusalem in a shield, tendrils around. M&P 7 (dies A-c); CCS 46; Metcalf, Crusaders 673; Numista 124644. 3.40g, 25mm, 3h.

Very Fine; pleasant old cabinet tone. Very Rare; particularly with this mint and reversed rev. legend, which is noted only in M&P.

From a private European collection.

an extremely rare Gros of james ii

Crusader States, Cyprus (Lusignan Kingdom). James II AR Gros. 1460-1473. IA COBO DEI G, king riding to right, holding sword / R IЄRVSALЄM CIPRI ЄT A, cross of Jerusalem. M&P type E; CCS 159; Metcalf, Crusaders 806; Numista 125171; Elsen 150, 525 (hammer: 14,000 EUR). 3.06g, 25mm, 6h.

Near Extremely Fine; beautiful old cabinet tone. Extremely Rare.

From a private European collection.

the only example Graded by nGC

Denmark, Kingdom. Frederik III AR 1 Speciedaler. Copenhagen (Den Kongelige Mønt) mint, 1668. FRIDER • III • D • G • DAN • NOR • VAN • GOT • REX •, laureate and armoured bust to right, wearing chain with Order of the Elephant / DVX • SLES • HOL • STOR DITM • COM OLD & DELM, crown of Denmark above arms of Sweden, Denmark and Norway within chain of the Order of the Elephant; 15 shields of the provinces of the Kingdom of Denmark around; all superimposed on cross with long arms. KM 301; Davenport 3560.

NGC graded MS 64 (#2117149-005). The only (and therefore top) example graded by NGC, but in any case superior to all others present on CoinArchives. Wonderful old cabinet tone with iridescent highlights.

Acquired from Heritage World Coin Auctions.

Frederick III succeeded in converting Denmark from an elective monarchy into an absolute hereditary monarchy in 1660 following his defence of the city of Copenhagen against the invasion of Charles X of Sweden in 1658.

Fran C e

France, Anjou et Maine (Counties). Charles III de Valois AR Denier. Le Mans mint, 1290-1317. ✠ ᙏOꞂЄTΛ : CЄꞂOᙏ, crown, lis below / ✠ SIGꞂVᙏ : DЄI : VIVI, cross pattée; lis and trefoil in alternating quarters. Boudeau 179; for similar issues cf. Duplessy, Féodales 405-6; Poey d’Avant pl. 30, 15 and 17. 1.17g, 21mm, 7h.

Near Extremely Fine; attractive cabinet tone. Rare.

Acquired from Beaussant Lefèvre, Paris.

extraordinarily rare

France, Besançon (Free imperial city) AV 3 Pistoles. In the name of Charles V. 1666. CAROLVS QVINT • ★ ROM • IMPERATOR, crowned and armoured full-length figure of Charles, holding orb and sceptre, date across fields / MONETA • CIVIT. IMPER • BISVNTINÆ, crowned double headed imperial eagle with shield of city arms on chest. KM 56 (German States, 2 Pistole); Friedberg 75a (2 Pistoles); Numista 124368 (4 Pistoles). 18.62g, 31mm, 6h.

Near Extremely Fine. Extraordinarily Rare.

From the collection of GK; Ex Áureo & Calicó, Auction 302, 14 December 2017, lot 723; Ex Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co. KG, Auction 285, 2 February 2017, lot 44.

6,000

This extraordinarily rare coin is described in the Standard Catalogue of World Coins (2018) and by Friedberg as unique. Although this is known to no longer be the case, it is a testament to the extreme paucity of surviving specimens.

The standard references for this type erroneously describe the denomination as either 2 or 4 pistoles. Based on the basic weight standard of a single pistole of around 6.50g, at 18.62g this coin can only represent 3 pistoles.

France, Maine (County). Herbert I ‘le Éveillé-Chien’ (Wakedog) AR Denier. Le Mans mint, 1015-1035. ✠ COMES CENOMANIS, Erbertus monogram / ✠ SIGNVM DEI VIVI, cross pattée with pellets in first and second quarters, Λ and Ѡ in third and fourth. Duplessy, Féodales 398; Legros 572 var. (unbarred A); Poey d’Avant 1588; Boudeau 170. 1.28g, 20mm, 10h.

Good Very Fine.

Acquired from Beaussant Lefèvre, Paris.

the Finest example in the past 20 years

France, Kingdom. Philippe IV AV Masse d’Or. First Emission, 1296. ✠ PHILIPPVS: DEI: GRA: FRANCHORVM: REX, king enthroned facing on lion head throne, holding lis-tipped sceptre in right hand and lis in left / ✠ XP’C: VINCIT: XP’C: REGNAT: XP’C: IMPERAT, cross fleurée within quadrilobe; fleur-de-lis in each quarter. Duplessy 208; Friedberg 254; Numista 129313. 6.94g, 31mm, 11h.

Good Extremely Fine. Rare, and arguably superior in terms of both style and quality of strike to all other examples present on CoinArchives. Ex Fernand David (1861-1927) Collection.

15,000

The reign of Philip IV of France was marred by several expensive wars, which caused significant financial difficulty for the monarch, characterised by rising deficits, debasement of the currency and emergency taxation. The circumstances of Philip’s ascension to the throne had initially seemed to be auspicious; through his marriage to Joan I of Navarre in 1284 he had also become king of Navarre and had annexed her inherited lands of Champagne and Brie. Primarily as a result of the trade fairs known as the ‘Champagne Fairs’, which were centres of European mercantile exchange at the time, Champagne was a particularly wealthy province and was therefore a significant financial asset for Philip, boosting the income of the royal demesne when he became king. Although not financially profitable, the Kingdom of Navarre was also a worthwhile territory to have gained through his marriage, as it was strategically important both geographically and politically. This advantageous political landscape may go some way to explain how Philip was able to produce gold denominations en masse for the first time in the history of the coinage of the Kingdom of France (gold coins only having been previously minted in very small numbers by Louis IX), of which this coin is an exceptional example.

Due to the increased revenues, Philip was able to pay off debt that he had inherited from his father ’s wars with Aragon and by 1287 the crown was completely solvent. His good fortune was however not to last and in 1294, after a series of failed negotiations and broken treaties surrounding the English King Edward I’s French lands, war became inevitable and this was ultimately to be the longest ongoing conflict of Philip’s rule. The costly campaigns against England were compounded by ongoing hostilities with Aragon and Flanders, which declared its independence in 1297. The financial buffer that Philip had built-up was rapidly depleted and the remainder of his rule was dominated by a constant need to raise funds.

955.

France, Kingdom. Philippe VI AV Royal d’Or. 1328. PH’S REX FRA COR, king standing facing within gothic arch, holding sceptre / ✠ XP’C VINCIT XP’C REGNAT XP’C IHPERAT, ornate cross fleurée with quatrefoil at center and leaves in quarters; all within quadrilobe with arches ending in trefoils, crown between each lobe. Duplessy 247; Friedberg 271; Numista 329473. 4.16g, 26mm, 7h. Extremely Fine.

Acquired from Editions V. Gadoury.

1,800

France, Kingdom. Charles VI AV Ecu d’Or. 1385-1420. ✠ KAROLVS : DЄI : GRACIA : FRAnCORVM : RЄX, crowned arms of France / ✠ XPC * VIИCIT * XPC * RЄGИAT * XPC * IИPЄRAT, floriated cross within quadrilobe, crown between each lobe. Duplessy 369A; Friedberg 291; Numista 12654. 3.98g, 30mm, 1h.

Good Extremely Fine; well-centered on a splendidly large planchet.

Acquired from Editions V. Gadoury.

France, Kingdom. Charles VI ‘le Bien-Aimé/le Fol’ (the Well-Beloved/the Mad) AV Écu d’or. Mirabel mint, 3rd emission, struck from 11 September 1389. ✠ KAROLVS ⁑ DЄI ⁑ GRACIA ⁑ FRAꞂCORVᙏ ⁑ RЄX, crowned coat-of-arms / ✠ XPC’ ★ VIИCIT ★ XPC’ ★ RЄGИAT ★ XPC’ ★ IИPЄRAT ★, cross fleurdelisée and feuillue, star in centre; all within quadrilobe with lis at end of each arc, crown in spandrels. Cf. Grierson, Coins of Medieval Europe 332 (for type); Duplessy 369B; Friedberg 291. 3.91g, 28mm, 7h.

Extremely Fine.

Ex Trésor de la Guerre de Cent Ans, Beaussant Lefèvre - Thierry Parsy, 30 June 2009, lot 122.

France, Kingdom. Charles VII ‘le Victorieux’ (the Victorious) AV Écu d’or à la couronne. Anger mint, 2nd emission, struck from August 1445. ♕

KAROLVS 8 DЄI 8 GRA 8 FRANCORVᙏ 8 RЄX, crowned coat-of-arms of France flanked by crowned fleur-de-lis / ♕ XPC 8 VINCIT 8 XPC 8

RЄGNAT 8 XPC 8 INPЄRAT, cross feuillue with voided quatrefoil at centre; all within quadrilobe with crowns at points. Duplessy 511A; Friedberg 307. 3.30g, 28mm, 3h.

Near Mint State.

Ex Monnaies d’Antan, Auction 12, 22 November 2012, lot 345.

France, Kingdom. Louis XI le Prudent (the Prudent) AV Écu d’or au soleil. Châlons-en-Champagne mint, struck from 2 November 1475. ♛ LVDOVICVS ⦂ DЄI ⦂ GRΛ ⦂ FRΛNCORV ⦂ RЄX, crowned coat-of-arms, sunburst above; pellet below 21st letter / ♛ XPS ⦂ VIꞂCIT ⦂ XPS ⦂

RЄGꞂΛT ⦂ XPS ⦂ IᙏPЄRΛT, cross fleurdelisée with pellet in quadrilobe at centre; pellet below 21st letter. Duplessy 544; Ciani 745; Lafaurie 529; Friedberg 312. 3.47g, 27mm, 4h.

Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare.

Ex GK Collection, Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XXIV, 28 March 2022, lot 1277; Ex MDC Monnaies de Collection sarl, Auction 3, 1 December 2017, lot 393 (hammer: EUR 2,500).

961.

France, Kingdom. Louis XII AV Écu d’or au soleil de Provence. Tarascon mint, struck from 25 April 1498. (crowned lis) LVDOVICVS ⦂ D ⦂ G ⦂ FRΛꞂCO ⦂ RЄX ⦂ PROVIꞂ’ CO ⦂ T ◦ L ◦, crowned coat-of-arms, annulet under 24th letter / (crowned lis) ⚬ XPS ⦂ VIꞂCIT ⦂ XPS ⦂ RЄGꞂΛT ⦂ XPS

⦂ IᙏPЄRΛT ⦂ T ◦ L ◦, cross fleurdelisée with voided quadrilobe, pellet at centre; annulet under 26th letter. Duplessy 653; cf. Ciani 903; Lafaurie 596b. 3.29g, 27mm, 3h.

Extremely Fine. Rare.

Ex GK Collection, Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XXIV, 28 March 2022, lot 1279; Ex MDC Monnaies de Collection sarl, Auction 3, 1 December 2017, lot 395.

962.

France, Kingdom. Francois I AV Ecu d’Or. Bordeaux mint, 19 March 1541. FRANCISCVS: DEI: G: FRANCORVM ♥ REX, crowned arms of France; B below / ✠ XPS: VINCIT: XPS: REGNAT: XPS ♥ IMPERAT:, plain cross with pellet within thirteen-lobed border with floral decorations. Duplessy 889; Friedberg 351; Numista 126405. 3.40g, 25mm, 10h.

Good Extremely Fine.

Ex Fernand David (1861-1927) Collection.

France, Kingdom. Louis XV AV Louis d’or á la croix du Saint-Esprit. Paris mint, 1718. LVD • XV • D • G • FR • ET

NAV • REX • 1718, laureate head to right; mintmarks ⧾ A below / ❀ CHRISTVS REGNAT VINCIT IMPERAT, Maltese cross with roundel at centre containing three fleurs-de-lis. Duplessy 1633; Friedberg 453, Gadoury 336. 9.80g, 25mm, 6h.

Near Mint State; hairline scratches.

Ex GK Collection, Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XXIV, 28 March 2022, lot 1301; Ex WAG Online oHG, Auction 74, 9 April 2017, lot 144 (hammer: 3,200 EUR).

German states

German States, Augsburg (Free City) AV Goldgulden. In the name of Karl V (Holy Roman Emperor). 1521.❀ AVGVSTA ♦ VINDELICORVM, coatof-arms of Augsburg within ornate heart-shaped cartouche / IMP • CAES • CAROLI • AVG • V • MVNVS, crowned double-headed eagle facing, with wings spread and Austro-Hungarian coat-of-arms on breast. Schulten 57; Forster/Schmid 6; Friedberg 43. 3.23g, 24mm, 1h.

Extremely Fine. Rare.

From the collection of GK; Ex WAG Online oHG, Auction 96, 10 March 2019, lot 634.

964.

German States, Augsburg (Free City) AV Ducat. In the name of Ferdinand III (Holy Roman Emperor). 1639. FERDINAND: III

P • F, laureate bust of emperor, turned 3/4 to right / AVGVSTA • VINDELICORVM, pine cone in ornate oval frame, date above. KM 73; Friedberg 61; Numista 95150. 3.47g, 21mm, 12h.

Good Extremely Fine; slight wave, scratches to obv., small edge nicks.

965.

German States, Augsburg (Free City) AV Ducat. In the name of Josef II (Holy Roman Emperor). 1767. Dies by Jonas Peter Thiebaud. IOSEPHUS II • D • G • RO • IMP • S • A •, laureate, draped and armoured bust to right; small T below / AUGUSTA VINDELIC •, coat-of-arms of Augsburg within ornate crowned architectural frame, date below. KM 187; Forster 673; Friedberg 109. 3.48g, 21mm, 12h.

Near Mint State, scuffing behind hair.

From the collection of GK; Ex Sincona AG, Auction 33, 25 October 2016, lot 2117.

very rare

1,200

966.

German States, Baden (Margraviate). Amalie Frederika of Hesse (daughter-in-law of Karl Friedrich) AV Ducat. Commemorating the birth of the twin princesses Katharina Amalia and Karoline Friederike Wilhelmine. Johann Georg Wörscheler, mint master; Jakob Hauter, engraver. 1776. AMAL • FRID • PRINC • HER • BAD • N • L • HASS, draped bust to right, small I.H. below / E • PRIM • PVERPERIO LAET • EGRED •, crowned shields with arms, small W below; D • D. CARESR • and date in two lines in exergue. KM 127; Friedberg 145. PCGS graded MS61 (#198927.61/84371771). Very Rare.

1,800

From the collection of GK; Ex MDC Monnaies de Collection sarl, Auction 3, 1 December 2017, lot 247.

German States, Baden (Grand Duchy). Leopold I AV Ducat. 1841. LEOPOLD GROSHERZOG VON BADEN, bare head to right /

RHEINGOLD ZU 22 K. 6 G., crowned arms within laurel wreath; date between stars below. KM 208; Friedberg

Mint State. Only 2,145 minted.

German States, Bayern (Bavaria, Electorate). Ferdinand Maria AV 1 Goldgulden. 1675.

L, bust to right / INTESPERANTIBVS CLVPEVS OMNIBVS, Madonna and child above crowned coat-of-arms, date across fields, C-Z across lower fields. KM 325; Friedberg 210; Numista 266182. 3.25g, 20mm, 12h.

Very Fine; small planchet flaw to reverse.

German States, Bayern (Bavaria, Electorate). Maximilian II Emanuel AV Goldgulden. 1702. M

L •, draped bust to right / IN TE SPERANTIB 9 CLYPEVS OMNIB 9, Madonna and child with globus cruciger and sceptre above crowned coat-ofarms, date across fields, flowers to either side. KM 350; Friedberg 219; Hahn 200; Numista 266183. 3.21g, 22mm, 6h.

Good Extremely Fine. Rare.

From the collection of GK; Ex WAG Online oHG, Auction 82, 14 January 2018, lot 655.

German States, Bayern (Bavaria, Electorate). Maximilian II Emanuel AV Goldgulden. 1704. M

L •, draped bust to right / IN TE SPERANTIB 9 CLYPEVS OMNIB 9, Madonna and child with globus cruciger and sceptre above crowned coat-ofarms date across fields, flowers to either side. KM 350; Friedberg 219; Hahn 200; Numista 266183. 3.26g, 20mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine.

From the collection of GK; Ex Sincona AG, Auction 43, 23 October 2017, lot 3181.

German States, Bayern (Bavaria, Electorate). Karl Albrecht AV 1/2 Carolin. 1730.

head to right, star below / CLYPEVS OMNIB IN TE SPERANTIB, Madonna and child with globus cruciger at chest, crowned Bavarian coat-of-arms to lower right. KM 406; Friedberg 230; Numista 39638. 4.86g, 22mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine.

From the collection of GK; Ex WAG Online oHG, Auction 81, 3 December 2017, lot 606.

German States, Bayern (Bavaria, Electorate). Karl Albrecht AV Karolin. Munich mint, 1735. C

A

& E

L

L •, draped bust to right / CLYPEVS OMNIBVS IN TE SPERANTIBVS •, crowned and nimbate Madonna seated facing slightly to left, holding nimbate Christ child and sceptre, on crowned Bavarian coat-of-arms within Order collar; date in exergue. KM 424; Hahn 260; Friedberg 232. 9.79g, 26mm, 12h.

About Extremely Fine.

From the collection of GK; Ex Westfälische Auktionsgesellschaft - WAG Online oHG, Auction 97, 7 April 2019, lot 316.

German States, Bayern (Bavaria, Electorate). Maximilian IV Joseph AV Ducat. 1803. D • G

• & • EL•, head to right / PRO DEO ET POPULO, crowned three part arms within branches. KM 646.2; Friedberg 262; Numista 30114. 3.48g, 21mm, 12h.

Good Extremely Fine; slightly wavy.

From the collection of GK; Ex WAG Online oHG, Auction 79, 8 October 2017, lot 657.

German States, Bayern (Bavaria, Kingdom). Maximilian I Joseph AV Ducat. Munich mint, 1810. MAXIMILIAN IOSEPH KOENIG VON BAIERN, head to right / FÜR GOTT UND VATERLAND, crowned shield-of-arms supported by two crowned lions; date below. KM 703; AKS 38; Jaeger 112; Friedberg 265. 3.48g, 20mm, 12h.

Good Extremely Fine; highly lustrous fields.

From the collection of GK; Ex Sincona AG, Auction 33, 25 October 2016, lot 2136.

German States, Bayern (Bavaria, Kingdom). Lutheran Reformation Tercentenary AV Medal of Ducat Weight. Minted for the city of Schweinfurt, 1817. ❀ DOCTOR MARTIN LVTHER VNVERGRESSLICH, bare-headed bust to right / AM 3. SECULARFESTE DER REFORMATION ZU SCHWEINFURT D. 31. OCT. 1817. in eight lines across fields. Grüber Coll. 4992 (this medal); Whiting Coll. 596; Belli Coll. 2125; Schlumberger 874; Friedberg -. 3.45g, 20mm, 12h. Mint State.

From the collection of GK; Ex Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co. KG, Auction 292, 16 March 2017, lot 5536; Ex Roland Grüber Collection, Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co. KG, Auction 267, 29 September 2015, lot 4992. This interesting medal contains a chronogram of the year within the obverse legend.

German States, Bayern (Bavaria, Kingdom). Ludwig I AV Ducat. 1845. Dies by C. Voigt. LUDWIG I KŒNIG VON BAYERN, bare head to right; VOIGHT in small letters below truncation / GERECHT UND BEHARLICH, crowned coat-of-arms supported by two crowned lions; date below. KM 808; AKS 71; Jaeger 125; Friedberg 271. 3.51g, 21mm, 12h. Mint State; highly lustrous fields. Very Rare.

From the collection of GK; Ex Numismatica Ranieri, Auction 9, 22 May 2016, lot 1224.

German States, Brandenburg-Ansbach (Margraviate). Joachim Ernst AV Ducat. Fürth mint, 1624. IOACH

•, standing armoured figure of margrave facing slightly to right / (globus cruciger) ST

POM

RV, oval shield of manifold arms; date across fields. KM 6; Friedberg 319; Numista 230069.

Near Extremely Fine. Very Rare.

From the collection of GK.

extremely rare

CAS

VAN

22mm, 7h.

FRID : ALB : CHRIST

German States, Brandenburg-Ansbach (Margraviate). Sophie of Solms-Laubach, as regent, AV Ducat. Nuremberg mint, 1629. D G

MARCH : BRAN : DVCES, three armoured, half-length, facing figures of Friedrich, Albert and Christian (children of Sophie and future Margraves), date below, divided by small shield / (star) PRVSS

FR

oval shield of manifold arms. KM 49 (pictured coin shows legend variant); Friedberg 328 (same); Numista 230264 (same); cf. Auktionen Münzhandlung Sonntag 38, 1563 for coin with same legends but different year. 3.42g, 24mm, 12h.

Good Extremely Fine; slight wave. Extremely Rare.

From the collection of GK.

POM

982.

German States, Brandenburg-Ansbach (Margraviate). Christian Friedrich Karl Alexander AV Ducat. Commemorating the reunification of Ansbach and Bayreuth. Schwabach mint, 1769. Dies by Johann Samuel Götzinger; Peter Anton Kolb, mintmaster. GEORG : FRID : & ALEXANDER • MARCH : BRAND :, confronted armoured busts of Georg Friedrich on left looking to right, and Alexander on right looking to left, dates below in Roman numerals; BVRGGRA VII NORIMBERG SVPERIORIS & INFERIORIS PRICIPATVS. in three lines above S. in exergue / PROVIDENTIA ET PACTIS., crowned shields-of-arms flanking garlanded altar, upon which is an open book; IN MEMORIAM CONIVNCTIONIS VTRIVSQVE BURGGRAVIATVS NORICI. in three lines above dates and G in exergue. KM 286; Grüber Coll. 4586; Friedberg 363. 3.49g, 24mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine; slight crease, highly lustrous fields.

From the collection of GK; Ex Hess-Divo AG, Auction 331, 1 December 2016, lot 793.

German States, Brandenburg-Bayreuth (Margraviate). Christian AV Ducat. Nuremberg mint, 1631. Hans Christoph Lauer, mintmaster. CHRISTIAN • D G • MARCH : BRAND : DV :, armoured margrave standing facing slightly to right, with hand on sword in sheath at hip, holding baton; plumed helmet on table to left, coat-of-arms between feet / ★ PRVS : STE : POM : CAS : VAN : CR : IA : D : BVRG : IN • NVRN :, coat-of-arms in ornamented cartouche, date above. KM 6; Wilmersdörffer Coll. 557; Erlanger Coll. 2042; Grüber Coll. 3449; Friedberg 368. 3.46g, 23mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine; somewhat creased. Rare.

From the collection of GK; Ex WAG Online oHG, Auction 114, 6 December 2020, lot 681.

600

German States, Brandenburg-Bayreuth (Margraviate). George Friedrich Karl AV Medal of Ducat Weight. Nürnberg mint, 1727. Paul Gottlieb Nürnberger, mintmaster. Commissioned by the Höfer knighthood, part of the Vogtland knighthood. IN • SERENIS’SVM • PRINCP • AC • DNVM • DNVM • GEORG • FRIDER • CAROL • MARCH • BRANDBG • BARUTH F • F • F • F • EQVESTR • VARISCOR • ORD PIETAS • in nine lines across field above date; P-G-N within floral ornament below / CANDOR ILLAESVS, swan advancing to left before tree; lightning bolts above, rain shower to right. KM 164; Wilmersdörffer Coll. 710; Friedberg 385. 3.45g, 23mm, 12h.

Good Extremely Fine; lightly creased.

From the collection of GK; Ex Hess-Divo AG, Auction 331, 1 December 2016, lot 792.

German States, Brandenburg-Frankonia (Margraviate). Friedrich and Sigismund AV Goldgulden. Schwabach mint, 1486-1495. FRID ⦂+⦂ SIGISᙏ

ᙏΛRCh BRΛꞂD, full-length figure of St. John the Baptist, holding book and lamb / ᙏONЄTA⦂ ꞂOVΛ⦂ ΛVR⦂ SWOBΛCHh, four shields with arms upon them, divided by cross with floriate ends. Friedberg 305; Numista 132983. 3.33g, 23mm, 10h.

Extremely Fine.

900

983.

German States, Brandenburg-Preußen (Brandenburg-Prussia, Kingdom). Friedrich Wilhelm I AV ½ Wilhelms d’Or. Berlin mint, 1740. Ernst Georg Neubauer, mintmaster. FRID. WILH. D. G. REX BOR. EL. BR., armoured bust to right / PRO DEO ET MILITE, Order of the Black Eagle within circular cartouche at centre of cruciform crowned monogram; EGN to lower left, date to lower right. KM 221; von Schrotter 193; Friedberg 2364. 6.68g, 24mm, 12h.

Near Extremely Fine.

From the collection of GK;

Ex Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co. KG, Auction 338, 25 June 2020, lot 3411.

a superior example

984.

1,200

985.

German States, Brandenburg-Preußen (Brandenburg-Prussia, Kingdom). Friedrich Wilhelm III AV Doppelter Friedrichs d’or. Berlin mint, 1811A. FRIEDR • WILHELM III KOENIG VON PREUSSEN, bust to left, wearing uniform / Crowned eagle standing facing on pile or arms and war trophies, with head to left and wings spread, holding sceptre and globus cruciger; date and mintmark below. KM 381; Divo/Schramm 153; Olding 206; Schlumberger 517; Friedberg 2421. 13.37g, 27mm, 12h.

Near Mint State; hairline planchet flaw, minor edge knock, otherwise untouched fields with lustre around the devices - a superior example.

From the collection of GK; Ex BAC Numismatics, Auction 29, 4 May 2021, lot 365;

Ex Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co. KG, Auction 250, 2 July 2014, lot 2806.

1,500

German States, Brandenburg-Preußen (Brandenburg-Prussia, Kingdom). Friedrich Wilhelm III AV Friedrichs d’or. Berlin mint, 1812A. FRIEDR • WILHELM III KOENIG VON PREUSSEN, bust to left, wearing uniform / Crowned eagle standing facing on pile of arms and war trophies, with head to left and wings spread, holding sceptre and globus cruciger; date and mintmark below. KM 371; Divo/Schramm 154; Olding 209; Schlumberger 540; Friedberg 2422. 6.66g, 23mm, 12h.

Good Extremely Fine; minor planchet manufacturing defect in obv. left field, otherwise lustrous untouched fields.

From the collection of GK;

Ex Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co. KG, Auction 315, 11 October 2018, lot 7951; Ex Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co. KG, Auction 49, 15 June 1999, lot 1339.

1,350

989.

German States, Bremen (Free Imperial City) AV Ducat. In the name of Franz I (Holy Roman Emperor). 1746. Dies by Paul Gödeke of Hamburg. MONETA AUR • LIB • REIPUBL • BREMENSIS’, crowned coat-of-arms in ornate oval cartouche, supported by two lions rampant; date below / FRANCISCUS • D • G • ROM • IMPERAT • S • A •, crowned and nimbate double-headed Imperial eagle facing with wings spread, holding sword and sceptre and with orb on breast. KM 189; Jungk 431; Friedberg 424. 3.40g, 22mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine; slightly wavy, edges lightly filed.

From the collection of GK; Ex WAG Online oHG, Auction 82, 14 January 2018, lot 839; Ex Auktionshaus Christoph Gärtner GmbH & Co. KG, Danube Gold Auction, 21 November 2014, lot 31081.

German States, Brunswick-Lüneburg-Calenberg-Hannover. George II AV Goldgulden. 1749. GEORG · II· D. G · M · B · F · ET · H · REX · F · D·, laureate head to left / BR · ET · LUN · DUX · S · R · I · A · T · ET · EL · (date), denomination, 2 · THAL: N · D · R · FUS · S in 3 lines. KM 301; Friedberg 611.

NGC graded MS 62 (#4628805-020). Very Rare.

From the collection of GK; Ex collection of a Berkshire gentleman, Heritage World Coin Auctions, Long Beach Signature Sale 3067, 6 September 2018, lot 31452.

German States, Frankfurt (Free Imperial City) AV Goldgulden. In the name of Maximilian I (Holy Roman Emperor). Philip the Elder von Weinsberg, pledgee. 1495. ᙏO ◦ ꞂO ◦ FRAꞂCF ◦, St. John the Baptist standing facing, holding bible and agnus Dei; date to upper left, mintmark to upper right, Weinberger coat-of-arms between his feet / ✠ ᙏAXIᙏILIAꞂVS ◦ ROᙏA ◦ RЄX, imperial orb within double trilobe. Joseph/Fellner 129c; Levinson 325; Friedberg 941. 3.23g, 23mm, 8h.

Near Extremely Fine. Rare.

From the collection of GK; Ex WAG Online oHG, Auction 81, 3 December 2017, lot 792; Ex Gerhard Hirsch Nachfolger, Auction 334, 21 September 2017, lot 3668; Ex Dr. Busso Peus Nachfolger, Auction 324, 6 April 1989, lot 1160.

German States, Frankfurt (Free Imperial City) AV Ducat. In the name of Matthias (Holy Roman Emperor). 1619. N CO FVRTENSIS MON AVR REIP FRA, St. John standing to right with oval shield / MATTHIAS ROM IMP SEMP AVG (date) Æ(key), crowned and nimbate double-headed Imperial eagle facing with wings spread, holding sword and sceptre and with orb on breast. KM 54; Friedberg 960; Numista 200579. 3.21g, 24mm, 12h.

Good Extremely Fine. Rare.

German States, Frankfurt (Free Imperial City) AV Ducat. 1633. NOMEN:DOMINI:TVRRIS:FORTISSIMA:, city arms, date across upper fields, Æ and key symbol below / DVCATVS NOVVS: REIPVBL. FRANCO FVRT: in five lines within square triple border with ornaments. KM 85; Friedburg 972; Numista 66324. 3.42g, 22mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine; clashed dies visible on obverse.

From the collection of GK; Ex Sincona AG, Auction 43, 23 October 2017, lot 3192.

992.

German States, Frankfurt (Free Imperial City) AV Ducat. 1637. NOMEN: DOMINI: TVRRIS: FORTISSIMA, city arms, date across upper fields, AM and key symbol below / DVCATVS NOVVS: REIPVBL. FRANCO FVRT: in five lines within square triple border with ornaments. KM 85; Friedburg 972; Numista 66324. 3.44g, 22mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine.

From the collection of GK; Ex Sincona AG, Auction 33, 25 October 2016, lot 2201.

German States, Frankfurt (Free Imperial City) AV Ducat. 1645. ИOMEИ: DOMIИI· TVRRIS· FORTSSIMA, angel holding shield displaying eagle / DVCATVS NO: R • P: FR ANCOFVRT AD MOEИ in four lines, date below, all within ornate wreath, angel above. KM 96.1; Friedberg 975; Numista 86664. 3.45g, 22mm, 12h.

Near Mint State; an attractive example.

German States, Frankfurt (Free Imperial City) AV Ducat. 1646. § NOMEN • DOMINI • TVRRIS • FORTISSIMA, crowned eagle facing, with head to left and wings spread; mintmark above, date below / DVCATVS NOVVS REIPVBL FRANCOFVRT in five lines within ornate cartouche. KM 97.1; Joseph/Fellner 449d; Friedberg 976. 3.45g, 24mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine.

From the collection of GK; Ex Heidelberger Münzhandlung Herbert Grün e.K., Auction 77, 12 November 2019, lot 1304. 450

German States, Frankfurt (Free Imperial City) AV ‘Contribution Ducat’. 1796. Georg Hille and Johann Georg Bunsen, mint masters. Scene of the city of Frankfurt, clouds above / AUS DEN GEFÆSEN DER KIRCHEN UND BURGER DER STADT FRANCKFURT. in six lines, date below; all within laurel wreath. KM 290; Friedberg 1025; Numista 207031 (this coin). 3.51g, 20mm, 12h. Good Extremely Fine; faint trace of number 244 on obverse, small scrape to reverse. This coin published at Numista.com; From the collection of GK; Ex Sincona AG, Auction 43, 23 October 2017, lot 3198.

These coins are known as contribution ducats due to the fact that they were used to pay the French army during their occupation in the city in 1796.

under French occupation very rare

German States, Hamburg (Free Hanseatic city) AV 2 Ducats. 1669. Matthias Freude der Ältere, mintmaster. MON ⬩ AUREA ⬩ CIVITAT ⬩ HAMBURG (clover), city arms upon shield, held by two lions, palm branches above, M F below in ornament / ⬩ AVE ⬩ PLENA GRATIA ⬩ (date) ⬩, Madonna and child facing, holding sceptre and globus cruciger, set on crescent. KM 247; Friedberg 1101; Numista 31130. NGC graded MS 61 (#3590141-006). Very Rare.

995. 1,200

From the collection of GK; Ex Heritage World Coin Auctions, NYINC Signature Sale 3037, 4 January 2015, lot 29504.

996.

German States, Hamburg (Free Hanseatic City) AV Ducat. In the name of Charles VI (Holy Roman Emperor). 1731. MONETA • AUREA • CIVITATIS

• HAMBURGENS •, castle with three towers and half-raised portcullis in gateway, within ornate cartouche; I·H·L· below / CAROLVS • VI

D

G

ROM • IMP • SEMP • AVGVST, crowned and nimbate double-headed imperial eagle facing with wings spread, holding sword and sceptre and with orb on breast; date across lower fields. KM 342; Friedberg 1120; Numista 31136. 3.41g, 24mm, 12h. Good Extremely Fine; slight wave to planchet. Very Rare.

German States, Hamburg (Free Hanseatic City) AV Ducat. In the name of Karl VI (Holy Roman Emperor). 1732. Johann Hinrich Löwe, mintmaster. MONETA • AUREA • CIVITATIS • HAMBURGENS •, castle with three towers and half-raised portcullis in gateway, within ornate cartouche; I·H·L· below / CAROLVS • VI • D • G • ROM • IMP • SEMP • AVGVST, crowned and nimbate double-headed imperial eagle facing with wings spread, holding sword and sceptre and with orb on breast; date across lower fields. KM 342; Gaedechens 134a; Friedberg 1120; Numista 31136. 3.47g, 24mm, 12h.

Near Mint State. Very Rare.

From the collection of GK; Ex Sincona AG, Auction 43, 23 October 2017, lot 3202.

German States, Hamburg (Free Hanseatic city) AV Ducat. In the name of Karl VI (Holy Roman Emperor). 1734. Johann Hinrich Löwe, engraver; Andreas Christoph Cramer, mintmaster. MONETA • AUREA • CIVITATIS • HAMBURGENS •, castle with three towers and half-raised portcullis in gateway, within ornate cartouche; I·H·L· below / CAROLVS • VI • D • G • ROM • IMP • SEMP • AVGVST, crowned and nimbate double-headed imperial eagle facing with wings spread, holding sword and sceptre and with orb on breast; date across lower fields. KM 342; Friedberg 1120; Numista 31136.

PCGS graded MS62 (#188204.62/84653247). Rare.

From the collection of GK; Ex WAG Online oHG, Auction 81, 3 December 2017, lot 841.

ex hermann vogel Collection

German States, Hamburg (Free Hanseatic City) AV 2 Ducats. In the name of Josef II (Holy Roman Emperor). 1789. Otto Heinrich Knorre, mintmaster. MON • AVR • HAMBVRGENSIS • AD LEGEM IMPERII • in five lines within ornate rectangular cartouche; castle with three towers and half-raised portcullis in gateway above / IOSEPHVS • II • D • G • ROM • IMP • SEMP • AVGVST •, crowned and nimbate double-headed imperial eagle facing with wings spread, holding sword and sceptre and with orb on breast; date above. KM 466; Gaedechens 61; Vogel Coll. 8620 (this coin); Friedberg 1128. 6.96g, 25mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine; scuff and planchet defect on obv., otherwise lustrous fields. Extremely Rare, seemingly only one other example on CoinArchives.

From the collection of GK; Ex WAG Online oHG, Auction 81, 3 December 2017, lot 843; Ex Hermann Vogel Collection Part III, Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co. KG | Mages GmbH, Auction 221, 30 October 2012, lot 8620.

600

German States, Hamburg (Free Hanseatic City). Franz II AV 2 Ducat. 1803. MON • AVR • HAMBVRGENSIS • AD LEGEM IMPERII • in five lines within ornate rectangular cartouche; castle with three towers in gateway above / FRANSISCVS. II. D. G. R. IMP. SEMP. AVGVST., crowned and nimbate double-headed imperial eagle facing with wings spread, holding sword and sceptre and with orb on breast; date above. KM 506.2; Friedberg 1135; Numista 3113. 6.98g, 25mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine.

From the collection of GK; Ex Hess-Divo AG, Auction 331, 1 December 2016, lot 808.

German States, Hamburg (Free Hanseatic City) AV Pattern Sechsling (⅓ Ducat). 1807. Castle with three towers and half-raised portcullis in gateway above H. S. K. / Denomination in two lines above date. Schlumberger 346.13; AKS 23 note; Jaeger 30b note. 1.11g, 13mm, 12h. Extremely Fine; slight edge knock, highly lustrous.

From the collection of GK; Ex Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co. KG, Auction 338, 25 June 2020, lot 3469; Ex Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co. KG, Auction 324, 27 June 2019, lot 3934; Ex Dr. Busso Peus Nachfolger, Auction 361, 3 November 1999, lot 1798.

German States, Hamburg (Free Hanseatic City) AV Ducat. Minted under French Occupation, 1810. Hans Schierven Knoph, mintmaster. NVMVS • AVREVS • HAMBURGENSIS, castle with three towers and half-raised portcullis in gateway; date below / .67. ÆQV : POND. MARC : COLON PRETII 23 ½ KARAT in five lines within ornate cartouche. KM 532; Jaeger 87; AKS 6; Gaedechens 210; Divo/Schramm 76; Friedberg 1140. 3.46g, 22mm, 12h.

Good Extremely Fine; highly lustrous surfaces.

From the collection of GK; Ex Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co. KG, Auction 315, 11 October 2018, lot 8038.

600

German States, Hamburg (Free Hanseatic city) AV Ducat. 1860. NVMVS AVREVS HAMBVRGENSIS., knight in full armour standing slightly to left, holding long sword and shield with city arms; date across fields / * 67 * ÆQV. POND. MARC. COL. PRETII 979 MILLEs. in five lines within frame, ornaments on each side. KM 579; Friedberg 1142; Numista 31149.

NGC graded MS 61 (#3277250-003).

From the collection of GK; Ex WAG Online oHG, Auction 38, 6 April 2014, lot 817.

German States, Hannover (Kingdom). George IV AV 10 Taler. 1825. Benedetto Pistrucci, engraver. GEORGIUS IV D • G • BRIT •& • HANOV • REX F •D •, laureate head to left / BRUNSVICENSIS. &·LUNEBURGENSIS DUX •, denomination and date in three lines across field; B below. KM 133; Friedberg 1158; Numista 31264.

NGC graded MS 62 (#3928125-004).

From the collection of GK; Ex Maison Palombo, Auction 15, 22 October 2016, lot 176.

1005.

German States, Hannover (Kingdom). Ernst August AV 2 ½ Taler. 1848. ERNST AUGUST V. G. G. KOENIG V. HANNOVER, bare head to right, B below bust truncation / HERZOG ZU BRAUNSCHWEIG UND LUNEBURG &., denomination in two lines above date. KM 185.2; Jaeger 123; AKS 97; Divo/Schramm 111; Schlumberger 406; Friedberg 1178. 3.22g, 19mm, 12h.

Near Mint State.

From the collection of GK; Ex WAG Online oHG, Auction 81, 3 December 2017, lot 745.

450

German States, Hannover (Kingdom). Ernst August AV 2 ½ Taler. 1850. ERNST AUGUST KOENIG VON HANNOVER, bare head to right, B below bust truncation / Crowned coat-of-arms, date above, denomination below. KM 215; Friedberg 1178; Numista 31267. 3.34g, 17mm, 12h.

1006. 450

Good Extremely Fine.

From the collection of GK; Ex Teutoburger Münzauktion GmbH, Auction 130, 1 September 2020, lot 304.

German States, Hannover (Kingdom). George V AV Vereinskrone. 1866. Dies by Heinrich Brehmer; Theodor Wilhelm Brüel, mintmaster. GEORG V v. G. G. KOENIG v. HANNOVER, bare head to left; BREHMER in small letters on bust truncation, B below / ❀ VEREINSMÜNZE ❀, denomination in two lines above date within oak wreath; 50 EIN PFUND FEIN below, NEC ~*~ ASPERA ~*~ TERRENT ~*~ around rim. KM 232; Schlumberger 434; Welter 3182; Stutzmann 1804; Divo/Schramm 117; Friedberg 1183. 11.11g, 24mm, 12h. Extremely Fine.

From the collection of GK; Ex Gorny & Mosch Giessener Münzhandlung, Auction 188, 11 March 2010, lot 4817.

mint state

German States, Hessen-Kassel (Landgraviate). Wilhelm V ‘the Stable’ AV Goldgulgen. 1637. George Kruckenberg, mintmaster. WILHEL • D

LAND

HASS

G

N, crowned Hessian lion, rampant to left, star before, date behind, G K to either side of cross in lower fields / VNO

VOLENTE

HUMILIS

LEVABOR •, three small houses and tall tree in storm scene, ‘Jehovah’ in Hebrew within the sun. KM 186.2; Friedberg 1254; Numista 186.2. 3.23g, 24mm, 9h.

Mint Sate, in superb state of preservation. Rare, and by far the best example offered at auction in over 20 years.

From the collection of GK; Ex WAG Online oHG, Auction 106, 15 February 2020, lot 164; Ex David Cassel Collection, Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Auction 47, 25 May 2008, lot 2167.

A Magnificent Example

German States, Hessen-Kassel (Landgraviate). Friedrich I AV ½ Ducat (Edergold Halbdukat). Kassel mint, 1731. FRIDERICVS • D G • REX SVECIAE •, bare head to right / Hessian lion rampant to left, Swedish crown above; EDDER GOLD above date in exergue. KM 407; Schütz 1558; Hoffmeister 1931; Müller 2506; Kirchheimer 66; Friedberg 1303. 1.72g, 18mm, 12h. Near Mint State; very slightly wavy, highly lustrous fields. A magnificent example.

From the collection of GK; Ex WAG Online oHG, Auction 106, 15 February 2020, lot 224. Made using gold recovered from the Eder River.

2,400

German States, Hessen-Kassel (Electorate). Wilhelm II, with Friedrich Wilhelm, AV 5 Taler. Kassel mint, 1840. KURFÜRSTENTHUM HESSEN, denomination in two lines, date below / WILH. II. KURF. U. FRIEDR. WILH. KURPR. U. MITREG., crowned coat-of-arms within collar of the Order of the Golden Lion. KM 591; AKS 41; Divo/Schramm 130; Schlumberger 469; Schütz 2430; Friedberg 1295. 6.67g, 23mm, 12h.

Good Very Fine. Rare.

From the collection of GK; Ex Hess-Divo AG, Auction 331, 1 December 2016, lot 809.

very rare ½ reichstaler of jever

German States, Jever (Barony). Friederike Auguste Sophie of Anhalt-Bernburg, Princess Consort of Anhalt-Zerbst (as Regent Governor), AR ½ Reichstaler. Silberhutte mint, 1798. SUB

UMBRA

ALARUM

TUARUM •, crowned double-headed eagle facing, wearing shield on breast depicting a lion rampant, and holding sceptre and orb / FRIED

AUG

SOPH

PRINC

ANH

DYN

IEVER

ADMIN •, denomination above date; wreath below. Bitkin 2. 11.10g, 29mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine. Very Rare.

From the collection of GK.

When the male line of Anhalt-Zerbst died out with the passing of Prince Frederick August and its territories were handed out among the late Prince’s relatives, Jever, in Lower Saxony, was given to his sister, Empress Catherine II of Russia, and was then inherited by Emperor Paul I. Catherine II had allowed her late brother’s widow, Friederike Auguste Sophie of Anhalt-Bernburg, Princess Consort of Anhalt-Zerbst, to rule Jever on her behalf, as did Paul I, who granted permission for the issue of talers in 1798 of which this very rare coin was a part.

1012. 1,050

1013.

German States, Köln (Cologne, Archdiocese). Kuno of Falkenstein (minting as Vicar) AV Goldgulden. Deutz mint, 1368-1371. VICΛBRII’ ECCE COLO’, St. Peter within gothic arch / ✠ COꞂO ⋮ AREPVS ⋮TREVEREꞂSIS, coat-of-arms within sexfoil. Felke 418; Noss 141b; Friedberg 788. 3.50g, 21mm, 6h.

Near Extremely Fine.

From the collection of GK; Ex Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co. KG, Auction 313, 9 October 2018, lot 3542; Privately purchased from Bankhaus Partin GmbH & Co. KGaA, (Bad Mergentheim) before 1985.

1014.

German States, Köln (Cologne, Archdiocese). Friedrich III von Saarwerden AV Goldgulden. Riel mint, 1381-1383. FRIDICS ARЄPSC, half-length bust of St. Peter seated facing on gothic throne with canopy, holding cross sceptre; Saarwarden shield-of-arms below / ✠ SACRI • IHPЄI • MONЄTA RIL, coat-of-arms of Cologne and Trier within septalobe. Felke 460; Noss 202b; Friedberg 789. 3.49g, 22mm, 9h.

Extremely Fine.

1015.

German States, Köln (Cologne, Archdiocese). Friedrich III von Saarwerden AV Goldgulden. Deutz mint, 1387. FRIDICS ARЄPS COL, St. John the Baptist standing facing, raising hand in benediction and holding cross-tipped sceptre / MOИЄTA TVICIЄNS’, shield-of-arms of Köln-Saarwerden within angled trefoil; arms of Münzenberg, Mainz, and Pfalz-Bayern in lobes. Noss 211b; Felke 481; Friedberg 792. 3.50g, 22mm, 11h.

Extremely Fine; areas of flat strike, lustrous metal. Very Rare.

From the collection of GK;

600

Near Extremely Fine; lustrous metal.

From the collection of GK;

450

German States, Köln (Cologne, Archdiocese). Dietrich II von Mörs AV Goldgulden. Bonn mint, 1415. ᙏOꞂЄTA BVIꞂSIS, St. John the Baptist standing facing, holding lis-tipped sceptre; double-headed eagle to upper left / TҺЄODIC • AR • ЄPICOLOꞂI, central shield-of-arms, surrounded by shield, rosette and crossed keys, all within trefoil. Noss 273a; Felke 929; Friedberg 793. 3.40g, 23mm, 9h.

Near Extremely Fine; slightly wavy.

From the collection of GK; Ex Sincona AG, Auction 43, 23 October 2017, lot 3209.

ex schink Collection

German States, Köln (Cologne, Archdiocese). Dietrich II von Mörs AV Goldgulden. Riehl mint, 1420. ∗ TҺЄODIC’ ∗ ARЄPI ∗ COLOꞂ’, three-quarter length facing bust of St. Peter, holding Book of Gospels and key; shield-of-arms below / ∗ ᙏOꞂ’ ∗ ꞂOV’ ∗ RIL ∗ ∗ ЄꞂS’, shield-of-arms of Köln; quatrefoil behind with arms of Mainz, Trier, Bavaria and Jülich in lobes. Noss 304; Felke 1003; Friedberg 794. 3.51g, 23mm, 11h.

Extremely Fine. Rare.

From the collection of GK; Ex Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co. KG, Auction 313, 9 October 2018, lot 3560; Ex Schink Collection, Frankfurter Münzhandlung Nachf. GmbH, Auction 142, 9 May 1994, lot 407 (there erroneously assigned to the mint of Bonn).

German States, Köln (Cologne, Archdiocese). Philip II of Daun AV Goldgulden. 1513. PhS ΛRCh IЄPS COL, Christ facing on throne, shield with arms on below / MO’ΛV RЄNЄS’, central shield-of-arms, surrounded by three others, all within trefoil, date to lower left. Noss 550; Friedberg 804. 3.11g, 23mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine; die shift visible to obv. and rev.

From the collection of GK; Ex WAG Online oHG, Auction 102, 6 October 2019, lot 915.

German States, Köln (Cologne, Free Imperial City) AV Ducat. In the name of Karl VI (Holy Roman Emperor). 1724. Heinrich Koppers, mintmaster. CAROL • VI

D

G

ROM

IMP

S

A

G

H

H

B

REX •, laureate and armoured bust to right / DVCATVS • CIVIT • COLONIENS •, crowned and nimbate double-headed imperial eagle facing with wings spread, holding sword and sceptre and with orb on breast; date to lower right, H-K across lower fields. KM 425; Noss 606c; Friedberg 773. 3.42g, 22mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine; slightly wavy. Rare.

From the collection of GK; Ex Sincona AG, Auction 43, 23 October 2017, lot 3211; Ex Sincona AG, Auction 29, 18 May 2016, lot 944.

1022.

German States, Leiningen-Westerburg (County). Ludwig von Westerburg AV Goldgulden. Grünstadt mint, 1618. Johann Hermann, mintmaster. • LV • C

1023.

D

W

S

E

F

S

R

I • S • LIB •, armoured bust to right, date below / • DER • RECHT • GLAVBT • IA • EWIG • LEBT •, crowned shield-of-arms. KM 15; Joseph 61; Friedberg 1435. 3.24g, 23mm, 9h.

Extremely Fine; areas of flatness. Very Rare.

From the collection of GK; Ex WAG Online oHG, Auction 72, 12 February 2017, lot 921.

German States, Mayence (Mainz, Archdiocese). Adolph I von Nassau AV Goldgulgen. Bingen mint, 1372-1390. S: MARTInVS: ABEDS, Archbishop seated facing upon throne, arms of Nassau below / ✠ ADOLF: ЄP SPI: AMInISTT: ЄC II, shield-of-arms of Mayence within trilobe. Friedberg 1605. 3.50g, 22mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine; some areas of weak strike. From the collection of GK;

German States, Mayence (Mainz, Archdiocese). Johann II von Nassau AV Goldgulden. Höchst mint, 1404-1409. IOꞂIS ◦ ARЄP MAGV, Archbishop seated facing on throne, wearing mitre, holding crozier and with wheel on chest / ✠ MOꞂЄTA I ҺOЄST SVP MOGЄꞂ, shield-of-arms of Mayence within trilobe. Felke 701; Schlegel 25; Walther Coll. 110; Friedberg 1620. 3.52g, 22mm, 11h.

Extremely Fine.

From the collection of GK; Ex WAG Online oHG, Auction 115, 10 January 2021, lot 851.

German States, Mayence (Mainz, Archdiocese). Johann II von Nassau AV Goldgulden. Bingen mint, 1414-1417. IOꞂIS’ • ARЄP’ • ᙏAGVꞂT’, St. John the Baptist standing facing, holding cross-sceptre; cross between legs / ✠ ᙏOꞂЄTA • I • ҺOЄST • SVP • ᙏO, shield of arms of Mayence and Nassau flanked by smaller shields-of-arms of Trier and Münzenberg. Felke 917; Walther Coll. 112; Pick Coll. 147; Schlegel 29; Friedberg 1616. 3.48g, 23mm, 7h.

Extremely Fine; areas of flatness.

German States, Mayence (Mainz, Archdiocese). Georg Friedrich von Greiffenklau zu Vollraths AV Ducat. 1629. GEORGI • FRIDERIC • ARCHIPMO • PE • E • P • WORM, coat of arms, date across fields (Z for 2) / DVCATVS NOVVS AVR ELECTOR MOGVNT in four lines with rectangular border decorated with ornaments, wheel below. KM 37; Friedberg 1641; Numista 167760. 3.41g, 23mm, 3h.

Near Extremely Fine; slightly wavy. Rare.

From the collection of GK; Ex Westfälische Auktionsgesellschaft, Auction 72, 23 February 2015, lot 880; Ex Auktionshaus Christoph Gärtner GmbH & Co. KG, Danube Gold Auction, 21 November 2014, lot 31129.

1026.

German States, Mayence (Mainz, Archdiocese). Johann Philipp von Schönborn AV Ducat. 1653. Matthias Fischer, mintmaster. ❊ IOHANN • PHILIP

EL •, armoured bust to left /

electoral hat above shield-of-arms; MF to upper left, date to upper right. KM 106; Walther Coll. 297; Friedberg 1656. 3.46g, 22mm, 3h.

Extremely Fine; minor flan flaws to rev.

From the collection of GK; Ex Heidelberger Münzhandlung Herbert Grün eK, Auction 77, 12 November 2019, lot 1459.

1027.

German States, Mayence (Mainz, Archdiocese). Friedrich Karl Joseph von Erthal AV Ducat. 1795. Dies by Friedrich Stieler; Joseph Aatz, mintmaster. FRID • CAR • IOS • A EP • ET EL • MOG • EP • W •, bust to right, wearing ermine robe; F•S• below truncation / View of the city of Mayence with the River Rhine in the foreground; AVREA MOGVNTIA above, date above I•A• in exergue. KM 411; Walther Coll. 655; Pick Coll. 791; Friedberg 1685. 3.49g, 22mm, 12h.

Good Extremely Fine; very faint hairlines, otherwise highly lustrous.

From the collection of GK; Ex Heidelberger Münzhandlung Herbert Grün e.K., Auction 77, 12 November 2019, lot 1468.

900

German States, Mansfeld-Bornstedt (County). Franz Maximilian and Heinrich Franz AV Ducat. 1687. FRANZ MAX HEINR FRANZ COMIT IN MANSFELT, St. George on horseback to right, slaying dragon below, globus cruciger above / NOB DOM INHELD UNGEN SEB E SER, crowned coat-of-arms and chain, small date across upper fields. KM 135; Friedberg 1573; Numista 32006. 3.47g, 22mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine.

From the collection of GK; Ex Heidelberger Münzhandlung Herbert Grün e.K., Auction 77, 12 November 2019, lot 1472.

900

one of only 124 minted

German States, Mecklenburg-Schwerin (Grand Duchy). Friedrich Franz I AV 2 ½Taler. Schwerin mint, 1833. FRIEDR. FRANZ. V. G. G. GROSSHERZOG. V. MECKLENBURG. SCHW., bare head to left / ZWEI EIN HALB THALER, crowned coat-of arms, date below. KM 284; Friedberg 1728; Numista 266336. 3.30g, 20mm, 12h.

Near Extremely Fine. Very Rare; only 124 minted.

From the collection of GK; Ex Hess-Divo AG, Auction 33, 1 December 2016, lot 810.

German States, Münsterberg-Oels (Duchy). Johann AV Ducat. Reichenstein (Złoty Stok) mint, 1563. ❀ IOHAN

MVN

SL

CO • GL, bare-headed and armoured bust to left / ✤ MONE • AVRE • NOVA • REICHSTENIE, five shields-of-arms, date across fields. Kopicki 6061; Friedberg 3234. 3.51g, 21mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine. Very Rare.

From the collection of GK; Ex MDC Monnaies de Collection sarl, Auction 3, 1 December 2017, lot 248.

overstruck

German States, Nassau (Duchy). Friedrich August zu Usingen, with Friedrich Wilhelm zu Weilburg, AV Ducat. Joint issue of the Usingen and Weilburg lines. Darmstadt (or Ehrenbreitstein?) mint, 1809. HERZOGTHUM NASSAU., crowned and garlanded coat-of-arms / Denomination in two lines above date within square frame with ornate decoration. AKS 1; Jaeger 64; Schlumberger 513; Divo/Schramm 148; Friedberg 1789. 3.41g, 23mm, 12h.

Good Extremely Fine; overstruck, with a very slight crease.

From the collection of GK; Ex WAG Online oHG, Auction 104, 8 December 2019, lot 1088.

On the obverse of the present coin can clearly be seen the outline of the letter N in the bottom right field, with the two Ss of NASSAU appearing just under the point of the coat-of-arms, while on the reverse the outer decorative edges of the design appear out of line. These indicators suggest that the coin has been overstruck.

600

1032.

German States, Nürnberg (Nuremberg, Free Imperial City) AV Goldgulden. 1509. ✠ MONETA ⦂ COMVNIS ⦂ D ⦂ NVMBERG ⦂, eagle facing, head to left, with wings spread and N in relief within shallow incuse square on breast; date to upper left / SANCTVS ⦂ LAVRENCIVS, St. Laurence standing facing, wearing dalmatic, holding Book of Gospels in left hand and gridiron over right shoulder. Kellner 6; Friedberg 1801. 3.21g, 24mm, 10h. Good Very Fine; lustrous. Rare.

From the collection of GK; Ex Numismatica Ranieri, Auction 14, 9 November 2019, lot 1140.

St. Laurence was one of the seven deacons of the city of Rome under Pope Sixtus II who were martyred in the persecution of the Christians that the Roman Emperor Valerian ordered in AD 258. Prudentius (“A Hymn in Honour of the Passion of the Most Blessed Martyr Laurence”, in Peristephanon, II, 108-141) tells us that Laurence was imprisoned, flogged and then burnt on the gridiron in retribution for distributing the riches of the Church among the poor of the city, hence the presence of this instrument of medieval torture as one of his attributes.

German States, Nürnberg (Nuremberg, Free Imperial City) AV Goldgulden. 1521. ✠ MONETA ❀ REI ❀ PV ❀ NVRENBERGENSIS, eagle facing, head to left, with wings spread and N in relief within shallow incuse square on breast / SANCTVS ❀ LAVRENTIVS, St. Laurence standing facing, wearing dalmatic, holding Book of Gospels in left hand and gridiron over right shoulder; date across lower fields. Kellner 11; Friedberg 1801. 3.24g, 24mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine. Rare.

From the collection of GK; Ex Sincona AG, Auction 43, 23 October 2017, lot 3213.

German States, Nürnberg (Nuremberg, Free Imperial City) AV Goldgulden. 1522. ✠ MONETA ∗ REI ∗ PV ∗ NVRENBERGENSIS, eagle facing, head to left, with wings spread and N in relief within shallow incuse square on breast / SANCTVS ∗ LAVRENTIVS, St. Laurence standing slightly to right, date across fields. Friedberg 1801 (plated coin of differing design with date in obv. legend); Numista 132322 var. (obv. legend); Künker e-74, 2316 (same obv. legend, different date). 3.23g, 23mm, 12h.

Near Extremely Fine. Very rare variant.

From the collection of GK; Ex WAG Online oHG, Auction 78, 3 September 2017, lot 1080.

German States, Nürnberg (Nuremberg, Free Imperial City) AV Goldgulden. 1612. + NVRENBERG + MONE + REIPBVB, eagle facing, head to left, with wings spread and N in relief within shallow incuse square on breast / LAVRENTIVS SANCTVS, St. Laurence standing slightly to right, date across fields. KM 10; Friedberg 1807; Numista 132431. 3.20g, 23mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine.

From the collection of GK; Ex WAG Online oHG, Auction 88, 8 July 2018, lot 918.

German States, Nürnberg (Nuremberg, Free Imperial City) AV Ducat. 1640. ✠ DVCATVS REIPVB NORIMBERG:, eagle with spread wings facing, head to left / SIT DEVS AVXILIVM TVTA SIT IPSE SALVS, Genius standing facing, head slightly to right, holding two shields with arms upon them. Kellner 62; Friedberg 1829. 3.48g, 23mm, 12h.

1035. 900

Near Mint State; slight wave to flan.

From the collection of GK; Ex Sincona AG, Auction 33, 25 October 2016, lot 2284.

1036. 450

German States, Nürnberg (Nuremberg, Free Imperial city) AV Ducat. 1700. ✠ SECVLVM NOVVM CELEBRAT RESP. NORIBERGENSIS, three shields-of-arms, topped by eagle / TEMPORA NOSTRA PATER DONATA PACE CORONA, lamb holding flag upon globe. KM 257; Friedberg 1885; Numista 109482.

PCGS graded MS62 (#630217.62/80483874).

From the collection of GK; Ex Maison Palombo, Auction 15, 22 October 2016, lot 181. The reverse legend of this coin contains a chronogram of the year

very rare

German States, Nürnberg (Nuremberg, Free Imperial City) AV Medal of 1 Ducat Weight. 1716-1746. Dies by Paul Gottlieb Nürnberger. DVLCIS AMOR. CONSTANQVE FIDES CONCORDIA FELIX, the three graces standing facing, holding attributes; N in exergue / VITA VNA DVOBVS, tree with vine entwined it. Erlanger 2261. 3.49g, 24mm, 12h.

Near Mint State. Very Rare; superior to the example sold at Künker (Auction 375, lot 2091) in September 2022 for 2,200 EUR.

From the collection of GK; Ex Sincona AG, Auction 33, 25 October 2016, lot 2297.

German States, Pfalz (Palatinate, Electorate). Ruprecht I AV Goldgulden. Bacharach mint, 1353-1390. ✠ RVPERT DVX, fleur-de-lis / S IOHANNNES B, St. John standing facing, holding cross tipped sceptre and double headed eagle. Friedberg 1966. 3.52g, 21mm, 12h.

Near Extremely Fine.

From the collection of GK; Ex WAG Online oHG, Auction 72, 12 February 2017, lot 976.

1042

German States, Pfalz (Palatinate, Electorate). Karl III Philipp AV Karolin. Heidelberg (or Mannheim?) mint, 1733. CAR • PHILIP • D : G • EL • PALATINUS •, bare head to right; date below / MONE • NOVA • AUREA • PALATI •, coat-of-arms within ornate cartouche at centre of cruciform crowned monogram. KM 254; Haas 17 A; Friedberg 2029. 9.50g, 27mm, 12h.

Very Fine.

From the collection of GK; Ex Numismatik Naumann, Auction 58, 1 October 2017, lot 752; Ex Auktionen Frühwald, Auction 126, 8 July 2017, lot 22.

Minted in Heidelberg until an Imperial decree of 1736 caused production to cease, further examples dated 1733 were produced in secret in Mannheim on the orders of the Elector. Thus, the mint location of this particular coin cannot be given with certainty.

German States, Pfalz-Simmern-Sponheim (Palatinate-Simmern-Sponheim, Duchy). Richard AV Ducat. 1577. Jakob Merz, mintmaster. • RICHA • D

G

C

PA

RHE • DVX • BA •, Count Palatine standing facing slightly to right, wearing armour and holding sword, with sheath slung across back /

MO

NO • AVRE SIMERENSIS •, shield-of-arms; conical hat (mintmark) above, two-digit date across fields, denomination below. Noss 299; Memmesheimer Coll. 2643; Fallot-Burghardt Coll. 370; Friedberg 2051. 3.45g, 21mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine; slightly wavy.

From the collection of GK; Ex WAG Online oHG, Auction 102, 6 October 2019, lot 1247.

ex G & m 135, 2004

450

German States, Pfalz-Simmern-Sponheim (Palatinate-Simmern-Sponheim, Duchy). Richard AV Ducat. 1578.• RICHA • D • G • C • PA • RHE • DVX • BA •,Count Palatine standing facing slightly to right, wearing armour and holding sword, with sheath slung across back / (flower) MO • NO • AVREA • SIMERENSIS, coat-of-arms, date across field, value in circle below. Friedberg 2051; Numista 278080.

PCGS graded MS62 (#698607.62/38460746). Rare.

From the collection of GK; Ex Gorny & Mosch Giessener Münzhandlung, Auction 135, 13 October 2004, lot 4440.

450

German States, Pomerania (Duchy). Bogislaw XIV AV Ducat. Stettin (Szczecin) mint, 1625-1637. BOGISL : XIV : D : G : D : ST : PO :, armoured duke standing facing slightly to right, with hands on hips and sheathed sword at hip / MO : NO : AVREA •, ornamented coat-of-arms topped with three plumed helmets. Hildisch 289; Olding 188; Friedberg 2101. 3.40g, 23mm, 9h.

Good Very Fine; lightly creased. Extremely Rare.

From the collection of GK.

1,350

1043. very rare

German States, Preußen (Prussia, Kingdom). Friedrich Wilhelm I AV 1/2 Ducat. Magdeburg mint, 1714. Heinrich Friedrich Halter, mintmaster. FRID: WILH: D • G • REX • BORUSSIÆ, laureate head to right / Crowned star of the Order of the Black Eagle, mintmaster ’s initials and date below. KM 133; Friedberg 2346. 1.73g, 17mm, 12h.

Good Very Fine. Very Rare.

1045.

German States, Preußen (Prussia, Kingdom). Friedrich II AV 1 Friedrich d’Or. Berlin mint, 1751A. FRIDERICVS BORVSSORVM REX, bare-headed and armoured bust to right; cross below / Eagle sitting upon trophy of weapons and banners with ornate cartouche containing A below; small crown above, date below. KM 260; Friedberg 2381. 3.26g, 21mm, 12h.

Very Fine.

Reportedly acquired from Muizon & Rieunier, 3 July 2019.

1046.

600

German States, Preußen (Prussia, Kingdom). Friedrich Wilhelm III AV 1 Friedrich d’Or. Berlin mint, 1800A. FRIEDR • WILHELM III KŒNIG VON PREUSSEN, bust to left / Crowned eagle on top of arms, date in exergue, A below. KM 371; Friedberg 2422; Numista 32120. 6.65g, 23mm, 12h.

From the collection of GK; Ex BAC Numismatics, Auction 29, 4 May 2021, lot 364.

German States, Preußen (Prussia, Kingdom). Wilhelm I AV Krone. 1862A. WILHELM KOENIG VON PREUSSEN, head to right, A beneath neck / VEREINSMÜNZE 50 EIN PFUND FEIN, denomination and date within oak wreath. Edge inscription: GOTT MIT UNS. KM 492; Friedberg 2441; Numista 47397. 11.12g, 24mm, 12h.

From the collection of GK; Ex WAG Online oHG, Auction 106,15 February 2020, lot 1182.

German States, Rhine (Confederation). Karl Theodor von Dalberg AV Ducat. 1809. CAROLUS D. G. S. S. R. ARCHIEP., uniformed bust to right, B.H below / PRINC. PRIMAS CONFOED. RHENEN., crowned coat-of-arms, date below divided by annulet. KM 8; Friedberg 2582; Numista 169519. 3.50g, 20mm, 12h.

Good Extremely Fine. Rare.

From the collection of GK; Ex WAG Online oHG, Auction 82, 14 January 2018, lot 867.

an original strike “sophienducat”

600

German States, Sachsen (Saxony, Electorate). Johann Georg I AV “Sophienducat”. Dresden mint, 1616. WOL DEM DER FREUD AN SEIN KINDERN ERLEBT, monogram of CS (for Christian and Sophie) under electoral hat, swords in saltire behind / HILF DV HEILIGE DREYFALTIGKEIT, symbolic representation of the Holy Trinity: IHS, radiant eye of God above, dove of peace below. KM 126; Schlumberger 995; Claus/Kahnt 229; Friedberg 2642. 3.46g, 23mm, 10h.

Near Mint State; slightly wavy, highly lustrous surfaces.

From the collection of GK; Ex WAG Online oHG, Auction 81, 3 December 2017, lot 1020.

1049. 300

1050.

German States, Sachsen (Saxony, Electorate). Johann Georg I AV Ducat. Commemorating the Centennial of the Augsburg Confession. Dresden mint, dually dated 25 June 1530 and 1630. CONFESS : LUTHER : AVG : EXHIBITÆ SECULUM :, mantled bust of Johann Georg to right, wearing elector’s cap and holding sword over shoulder; IOH-GƐOR across fields, date above, coat-of-arms below / NOMEN DOMINI TURRIS FORTISSIMA, mantled bust of Johannes der Beständigen facing slightly to right, wearing elector ’s cap and holding sword over shoulder; IOAN-NES across fields, date above, four coats-of-arms around. KM 420; Clauss & Kahnt 315; Friedberg 2702. 3.46g, 25mm, 11h.

Near Extremely Fine; edge scuff.

From the collection of GK.

German States, Saschen (Saxony, Electorate). Johann Georg I AV Ducat. 1640. IOH: GEORG • D:G DUX SAX • IUL • CL • ET • M:, standing armoured figure, holding sword, facing slightly to right / SA • ROM • IMPERI ARCHIM • ET ELE: (date), 5 fold coat-of-arms, mintmaster’s initials C R across lower field. KM 390; Friedberg 2684; Numista 187470. 3.44g, 23mm, 1h.

Near Extremely Fine.

From the collection of GK; Ex Leipziger Münzhandlung und Auktion Heidrun Höhn, Online Auction 7, 8 February 2017, lot 987.

German States, Sachsen (Saxony, Electorate). Friedrich August II AV 1 Ducat. Vicariate issue, 1745. D: G: FRID: AUG: R: P: D: S: AM:& EL: IN PROV: IUR: SAX: PROVISOR & VICARIUS, crowned and cloaked prince elect, in full armour, upon rearing horse to right, holding sword / DECUS ET PRÆSIDIUM, crowned eagle, wearing breastplate, flying to left, head reverted, holding sword; PROVISOR IMPERII ITERUM MDCCXLV. in three lines in exergue. KM 915; Friedberg 2867; Numista 189568. 3.48g, 22mm, 12h.

Good Extremely Fine.

From the collection of GK; Ex MDC Monnaies de Collection sarl, Auction 1, 2 December 2016, lot 156.

only 1 other on Coinarchives

German States, Sachsen (Saxony, Kingdom). Friedrich August II AV 5 Taler. Dresden mint, 1837G. FRIEDRICH AUGUST V. G. G. KOENIG. V. SASCHEN, bare head to right / Crowned coat-of-arms within wreath; date above, mintmark over denomination below. KM 1146; Schlumberger 832; Divo/Schramm 199; Friedberg 2898. 6.65g, 22mm, 12h.

Near Mint State; edge manufacturing flaw, lustrous fields. Extremely Rare; mintage of just 490 and only one other example on CoinArchives.

From the collection of GK.

very

rare 5 talers of saxony

1,500

German States, Saschen (Saxony, Kingdom). Friedrich August II AV 5 Taler. Dresden mint, 1845F. FRIEDR. AUG. V. G. G. KOENIG. V. SASCHEN, bare head to right; F below bust truncation / Crowned and draped coat-of-arms; denomination above, divided date below. KM 1165; AKS 91; Jaeger 174; Schlumberger 842; Friedberg 2901. 6.65g, 22mm, 12h.

Good Extremely Fine; lustrous fields. Very Rare; only 1,483 examples minted.

From the collection of GK;

Ex Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co. KG, Auction 292, 16 March 2017, lot 5531 (hammer: EUR 4,000);

Ex Hess-Divo AG, Auction 325, 23 October 2013, lot 878 (hammer: CHF 4,800).

2,100

German States, Schwäbisch Hall (Free Imperial City) AV Ducat. In the name of Franz I (Holy Roman Emperor). Nuremberg mint, 1746. Dies by P.P. Werner; Carl Gottlieb Laufer, mintmaster. FRANCISCVS

D

G

ROM

IMP

SEMP

AVG •, laureate, draped and armoured bust to right; small P.P.W. below / MONETA NOVA REIPUBLICÆ HALÆ SUEVICÆ, three ornate shields-of-arms; CGL in lower central field, date below. KM 35; Raff 46; Binder 62; Wurster Coll. 1790; Friedberg 1082. 3.50g, 21mm, 12h.

Mint State; lustrous surfaces.

From the collection of GK; Ex Heidelberger Münzhandlung Herbert Grün e.K., Auction 77, 12 November 2019, lot 1810.

1,500

1055.

German States, Stolberg-Stolberg (County). Christoph Ludwig II AV ¼ Ducat. 1738-1761. Crowned monogram / Stag advancing to left before crowned column inscribed with S on the base. Friederich 1942; Friedberg 3340. 0.83g, 13mm, 11h. About Extremely Fine. Rare.

1056.

German States, Stolberg-Wernigerode (County). Christian Friedrich AV Goldgulden. Commemorative issue celebrating the Golden Wedding Anniversary of Christian Friedrich and Auguste Eleonore. Clausthal mint, 1818. CHRISTIAN FRIDR : GRAF ZU STOLBERG WERNIGERODE ◦, stag advancing to left / Denomination in two lines above date in two lines; all within ivy wreath. KM 90; Schlumberger 877; Stutzmann 1895; AKS 2; Divo/Schramm 210; Friedberg 1427. 3.49g, 23mm, 12h.

Near Mint State; highly lustrous fields. Exceedingly Rare; one of only 308 pieces minted, and among the finest surviving specimens.

2,400

1057.

Good Extremely Fine. Rare.

600

1058.

Good Extremely Fine; lustrous surfaces. Rare.

360

German States, Trier (Treves, Archdiocese). Kuno II von Falkenstein AV Goldgulden. Koblenz mint, 1362-1388. CVnO ARЄPS TRЄV, St. Peter seated on gothic style throne, shield of Minzenberg / ✠ SACRI IIHPEII : PER GALLIA, shield-of-arms within sexfoil. Friedberg 3400. 3.54g, 22mm, 2h.

Extremely Fine. Rare.

From the collection of GK; Ex Auktionen Münzhandlung Sonntag, Auction 27, 27 November 2017, lot 1488; Ex Auktionshaus Meister & Sonntag, Auction 3, 6 October 2005, lot 2257.

German States, Trier (Treves, Archdiocese). Werner von Falkenstein AV Goldgulden. Koblenz mint, 1388-1418. WЄRnЄR ΛRЄPS TRЄV, St. John the Baptist standing facing, holding cross sceptre / MOnЄTΛ nOVΛ COVЄTIЄnSIS, five shields-of-arms within quatrefoil. Felke 654; Noss 259; Friedberg 3417 (obv. legend variant from one plated). 3.48g, 22mm, 3h.

Extremely Fine; some areas of weak strike.

From the collection of GK; Ex WAG Online oHG, Auction 96, 10 March 2019, lot 1127.

German States, Trier (Treves, Archdiocese). Werner von Falkenstein AV Goldgulden. Oberwesel mint, 1414-1417. WЄRꞂЄR’ ARЄP’ ∗ TRЄ’, St. John the Baptist standing facing, holding cross sceptre / ᙏONЄTA ꞂOVA WЄSAL’, shield-of-arms of Trier and Minzenberg in centre of trefoil, flanked by smaller shields-of-arms of Minzenberg and Mainz; two confronted dragon’s heads below. Noss 357; Felke 872; Friedberg 3424. 3.46g, 23mm, 7h.

About Extremely Fine.

From the collection of GK; Ex Auktionen Münzhandlung Sonntag, Auction 27, 27 November 2017, lot 1489.

1062. 1,500

German States, Westphalia (Kingdom). Hieronymus Napoleon I (Jérôme-Napoléon Bonaparte) AV 10 Taler. Brunswick mint, 1812B. HIERONYMUS NAPOLEON •, laureate head to left / KOENIG VON WESTPHALEN FR • PR •, denomination in two lines across field; date and mintmark below. KM 124; AKS 2; Jaeger 26; Divo/Schramm 215; Schütz 2644; Friedberg 3513. 13.28g, 28mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine.

1065.

German States, Westphalia (Kingdom). Hieronymus Napoleon I (Jérôme-Napoléon Bonaparte) AV 10 Franken. Cassel mint, 1813C. Dies by PierreJoseph Tiolier. HIERON • NAPOL •, laureate head to left; “Tiolier” below / KOEN • V • WESTPH • FR • PR •, denomination in two lines across field; eagle’s head and C (mintmarks) below; date in exergue. KM 32.1; AKS 31; Jaeger 32; Divo/Schramm 218; Schütz 2660; Friedberg 3518. 3.22g, 17mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine; some cleaning traces, light scratches to rev.

From the collection of GK; Ex MDC Monnaies de Collection sarl, Auction 1, 2 December 2016, lot 158.

ex hermann Collection

German States, Württemberg (Duchy). Ulrich AV Goldgulden. Stuttgart mint, first reign, 1501-1520. VLRICVS ⦂ DVX ⦂ WIRTЄᙏBЄRG, armoured duke standing facing, holding raised sword and with scabbard at side / ✠ ᙏOꞂЄ ◦ ꞂO ◦ AVRЄA ◦ STVGARDIЄ’, shield-of-arms. Klein/Raff 32.6; Friedberg 3540. 3.19g, 23mm, 6h.

Near Extremely Fine; filing mark to edge.

From the collection of GK; Ex Auktionen Münzhandlung Sonntag, Auction 27, 27 November 2017, lot 1530; Ex Hermann Collection, Münzen- und Medaillenhandlung Stuttgart, “Auktion der Raritäten-Gold aus Baden-Württemberg”, 23 February 1999, lot 290.

German States, Württemburg (Duchy). Eberhard Ludwig AV ¼ Karolin. 1732. EBER : LUD : D • G • DUX WUR: x T., armoured bust to right / ✶ CUM DEO ET DIE ✶, crowned coat-of-arms, Order chain around; divided date below. KM 320; Klein/Raff 28b; Friedberg 3586. 2.39g, 20mm, 6h.

Near Extremely Fine; test mark on edge. Rare.

German States, Württemberg (Duchy). Karl Alexander AV Karolin. Stuttgart mint, 1734. CAROL • ALEX: D: G • DVX WUR & T, bust to right, small S below / PERARDUA VIRTVS, coat-of-arms set upon open curtain, topped with crown; date divided below. KM 337 var. (mint); Friedberg 3589. 9.59g, 26mm, 6h.

Good Very Fine.

From the collection of GK; Ex Chaponnière & Firmenich SA, Auction 7, 23 October 2016, lot 432. 450

German States, Württemberg (Duchy). Karl Alexander AV Karolin. Stuttgart mint, 1735. Johann Friedrich Breuer, mint official. CAROL • ALEX: D: G • DVX WUR & T, bust to right, small S within epaulette / PERARDUA VIRTVS, coat-of-arms set upon open curtain, topped with crown; date divided below, small F-B within date. KM 338; Friedberg 3589; Numista 134713. 9.68g, 22mm, 6h.

Near Extremely Fine.

From the collection of GK; Ex WAG Online oHG, Auction 88, 8 July 2018, lot 1149.

1068. 1,050

German States, Württemberg (Duchy). Stuttgart Stadt AV “Dukatenklippe”. Circa 1740. Dies by Jeremias Daniel; Johann Peter Rasp, mintmaster. City view of Stuttgart; STVTTGARDIA in two lines above ★ in exergue / MEIN PATH ALL STUNT BEDENCK DEIN BUND, radiant Eye of Providence above Crucifix and jug atop ornate baroque baptismal font. Binder/Ebner 21; cf. Wurster Coll. 1868 (in silver); cf. Schlossberg Coll. 1706 (in silver). 3.40g, 25mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine. Rare.

From the collection of GK; Ex Heidelberger Münzhandlung Herbert Grün e.K., Auction 77, 12 November 2019, lot 1832; Ex Heidelberger Münzhandlung Herbert Grün e. K., Auction 75, 13 November 2018, lot 2255.

ex hermann Collection

German States, Württemberg (Kingdom). Wilhelm I AV 5 Gulden. Stuttgart mint, 1824. Dies by Johann Ludwig Wagner. WILHELM KOENIG V. WÜRTTEMB., bare head to right, W. below bust truncation / Crowned shield-of-arms within oak wreath; denomination above, date below. Edge Inscription: FURCHTLOS UND TREU. KM 562; Klein/Raff 62; AKS 61; Jaeger 57; Schlumberger 915; Divo/Schramm 229; Friedberg 3613. 3.34g, 18mm, 12h.

Good Extremely Fine; brilliant lustre with light reddish tone. Very Rare; only 2,282 examples were minted.

From the collection of GK; Ex Auktionen Münzhandlung Sonntag, Auction 27, 27 November 2017, lot 1636; Ex Hermann Collection, Münzen- und Medaillenhandlung Stuttgart, “Auktion der Raritäten-Gold aus Baden-Württemberg”, 23 February 1999, lot 464.

German States, Württemberg (Kingdom). Wilhelm I AV 5 Gulden. Stuttgart mint, 1825. WILHELM KOENIG V. WÜRTTEMB., bare head to right, W. under neck / Crowned coat of arms within laurel and oak wreath, denomination above, date in exergue. Edge Inscription: FURCHTLOS UND TREU. KM 563; Friedberg 3613; Numista 33318. 3.33g, 18mm, 12h.

Good Extremely Fine.

From the collection of GK; Ex Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co. KG, Auction 292, 16 March 2017, lot 5540.

German States, Württemberg (Kingdom). Wilhelm I AV 4 Ducats. 25th Anniversary Commemorative Issue. Stuttgart mint, 1841. Carl Friedrich Voigt, engraver. WILHEM KÖNIG V.WÜRTTEMBERG, head to left, wearing laurel and oak wreath, small VOIGT below / ZUR FEYER 25 JÆHRIGER REGIERUNG, crowned woman seated to left, head facing back to right, holding long staff and leaning on shield with city arms, nude child to left, holding cornucopiae and nude child to right holding fasces; DEN 30 OCTOBER and year in two lines in exergue. Edge inscription: VIER DUCATEN. Friedberg 3615; Numista 90003.

NGC graded MS 62 (#2000356-013). Rare.

From the collection of GK; Ex Maison Palombo, Auction 17, 20 October 2018, lot 142.

1,500

1072. 600

1073.

German States, Württemberg (Kingdom). Wilhelm I AV Ducat. Stuttgart mint, 1841. Dies by Gottlob August Dietelbach. WILHELM KÖNIG V. WÜRTTEMBERG, bare head to left / Crowned coat-of-arms supported by crowned lion on left and stag on right, whom stand upon banner inscribed FURCHTLOS UND TREW in Gothic script; denomination above, date below. KM 587; Jaeger 73; AKS 60; Klein/Raff 88; Divo/Schramm 231; Friedberg 3611. 3.48g, 20mm, 12h.

Mint State.

From the collection of GK; Ex WAG Online oHG, Auction 79, 8 October 2017, lot 1212.

German States, Würzburg (Bishopric). Adam Friedrich von Seinsheim AV Ducat. 1776. ADAM. FRI= DER. D. G. EP B. ET W. S. R. I. FR. F. O. DUX., bust to right, R below, all within rhombus / DUCAT. PATRONA FRANCO= NIÆ. (date), Madonna and child upon cloud scene, all within rhombus. KM 409; Friedberg 3725; Numista 71356. 3.46g, 22mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine.

From the collection of GK; Ex WAG Online oHG, Auction 81, 3 December 2017, lot 1236.

German States, Würzburg (Bishopric). Franz Ludwig von Erthal AV Goldgulden. 1786. FRANC

LUD

EP. BAM

ET WIR

DUX •, ornately dressed bust to right, shield of arms resting on bottom border / S. KILIANUS FRANCORUM APOSTOLUS., St. Kilian standing facing before sunburst, holding sword, date across fields, denomination in exergue. KM 428; Friedberg 3736; Numista 33315. 3.27g, 21mm, 12h.

• O

Near Mint State. Rare.

From the collection of GK; Ex Heidelberger Münzhandlung Herbert Grün e.K., Auction 77, 12 November 2019, lot 1902.

Extremely Rare

1075.

Great Britain, Plantagenet. Edward III AV Noble. Fourth coinage. Pre-Treaty period, series B/C mule. Tower (London) mint, 1351-1352. ⚬ ЄDWARD

⚬ DЄI ⚬ GRA ⚬ RЄX ⚬ AИGL’ ⚬ Ƶ ⚬ FRAИC’ ⚬ D ⚬ ҺУB, king standing facing in ship, holding sword and shield bearing coat-of-arms; within beaded border / ✠ IҺЄSV’ ⚬ AVTЄᙏ ⚬ TRAИCIЄИS ⚬ PЄR ⚬ ᙏЄDIV ⚬ ILLORV ⚬ IBAT, short cross potent over cross fleurée; voided angled polylobe containing Є at centre, lion passant guardant with crown above and trefoil below in each angle, small cross pattée above first lion; all within polylobe, lis in each spandrel. SCBC 1484/1486; North 1138/1144; Frieberg 86. 7.66g.

NGC graded AU 58 (#6295175-006). Extremely Rare mule of B and C series and with the extended IҺЄSV’ rather than the usual IҺC. Ex Spink, Auction 374, 16 January 2022, lot 12.

Ex Numismatic Circular, 2001

Great Britain, Plantagenet. Edward III AV Noble. Fourth coinage. Pre-Treaty period, series F. Tower (London) mint, 1356. (crown) ЄDWΛRD x DЄI x GRA x RЄX x AИGL x Ƶ x FRAИC x D ҺУB, king standing facing in ship, holding sword and shield bearing coat-of-arms; within beaded border / IhC ⚬ AVTЄᙏ ⚬ TRAIICIЄIIS ⚬ P ⚬ ᙏЄDIVᙏ ⚬ ILORVᙏ IBAT, short cross potent over cross fleurée; voided angled polylobe containing Є at centre, lion passant guardant with crown above and trefoil below in each angle, tiny lis in second quarter, all within polylobe, lis in each spandrel. SCBC 1489; North 1173; Frieberg 89.

NGC graded AU 58+ (#2124432-002).

Acquired from Sincona AG; Ex Spink Numismatic Circular, February 2001, lot MG0191.

Great Britain, Plantagenet. Edward III AV Noble. Fourth coinage. Treaty period, series A. Tower (London) mint, 1361-1369. ◦ ЄDWΛRD ⁑ DЄI ⁑ GRA ⁑ RЄX ⁑ ΛꞂGL’ ⁑ DꞂS ⁑ ҺУB ˣZˣ AQT, king standing facing in ship, holding sword and shield bearing coat-of-arms; within beaded border / ✠ IҺC ⁑ ΛVTЄᙏ ⁑ TRΛꞂSIЄꞂS ⁑ PЄR ⁑ ᙏЄDIV ⁑ ILLORVᙏ ⁑ IBAT, short cross potent over cross fleurée; voided angled polylobe containing Є at centre, lion passant guardant with crown above and trefoil below in each angle; all within polylobe, lis in each spandrel. SCBC 1503; North 1232; Friedberg 95. 7.67g, 33mm, 2h.

Good Extremely Fine.

Ex Seaby’s Coin and Medal Bulletin, February 1973, G2116, pg. 61, pl. 8.

1078.

Great Britain, Plantagenet. Edward III AV Noble. Fourth coinage. Treaty period, series A. Tower (London) mint, 1361-1369. ˣ ЄDWΛRD ⁑ DЄI ⁑ GRΛ ⁑ RЄX ⁑ ΛꞂGL’ ⁑ DꞂS ⁑ ҺУB ˣZ(retrograde)ˣ AQT, king standing facing in ship, holding sword and shield bearing coat-of-arms; within beaded border / ✠ IҺC ⁑ ΛVTЄᙏ ⁑ TRΛꞂSIЄꞂS ⁑ PЄR ⁑ ᙏЄDIV ⁑ ILLORVᙏ ⁑ IBAT, short cross potent over cross fleurée; voided angled polylobe containing Є at centre, lion passant guardant with crown above and trefoil below in each angle; all within polylobe, lis in each spandrel. SCBC 1502; North 1231; Friedberg 95. 7.69g, 33mm, 5h.

Extremely Fine; slight die shift, ex mount.

Acquired from Spink & Son Ltd.

1079.

1,800

Great Britain, Plantagenet. Edward III AV Noble. Fourth coinage. Post-Treaty period. Tower (London) mint, 1369-1377. • ЄDWΛRD’ ˣ DI’ ˣ GRΛ’ ˣ RЄX ˣ ΛꞂGL’ ˣ Z ˣ FRΛꞂC’ ˣ DꞂS ˣ ҺУB’ ˣ Z ˣ ΛQ, king standing facing in ship, holding sword and shield bearing coat-of-arms, within beaded border / ✠ IҺC ⁑ ΛVTЄᙏ ⁑ TRΛꞂSIЄꞂS ⁑ PЄR ⁑ ᙏЄDIV’ ⁑ ILLORVᙏ ⁑ IBAT, voided short cross potent over cross fleurée, Є and pellet within centre, lion passant guardant with crown above and trefoil below in each angle; all within polylobe, lis in each spandrel, within beaded and linear tressure. SCBC 1518; North 1278; Friedberg 98. 7.71g, 33mm, 4h.

Near Extremely Fine; traces of mounting. Acquired from Haynault Ventes Publiques.

Great Britain, Plantagenet. Henry VI AV Noble. First reign. Annulet issue. Tower (London) mint, 1422-1430. ҺЄꞂRIC’ ⚜ DI’ ஃ GRΛ’ ஃ RЄX ஃ ΛꞂGL’ ஃ Z ஃ FRΛꞂC’ஃ DꞂ’S ஃ ҺУB’, king standing facing in ship, holding sword and shield bearing coat-of-arms; annulet to left of sword arm; within beaded border / (lis) IҺ’C * ΛVT’ ◦ TRΛꞂSIЄꞂS ◦ PЄR ◦ ᙏЄDIVᙏ ◦ ILLORV’ ◦ IBΛT, voided short cross potent over cross fleurée, voided angled polylobe containing Һ at centre, lion passant guardant with crown above and trefoil below in each angle; all within polylobe, annulet and trefoils in spandrels. SCBC 1799; North 1414; Friedberg 112. 7.03g.

NGC graded MS 62 (#5919332-002).

Ex Classical Numismatic Group, Triton XXIV, 19 January 2021, lot 1384; Ex Classical Numismatic Auctions, Auction VIII, 27 September 1989, lot 790.

4,800

1081.

Great Britain, Plantagenet. Henry VI AV Noble. First reign. Annulet Issue. Tower (London) mint, 1422-1427. ҺЄꞂRIC’ ⚜ DI’ ஃ GRΛ’ஃ RЄX ஃ ΛꞂGL’ ஃ Z ஃ FRΛꞂC’ஃ DꞂ’S ஃ ҺУB’, king standing facing in ship, holding sword and shield bearing coat-of-arms, annulet by sword arm, waves below / ⚜ Ih’C*ΛVT’ ⚬ TRΛꞂSIЄꞂS ⚬ PЄR ⚬ ᙏЄDIVᙏ ⚬ ILLORV’ ⚬ IBΛT, short cross potent over cross fleurée; voided angled polylobe containing h at centre, lion passant guardant with crown above and trefoil below in each angle; all within beaded and linear tressure of eight arcs, annulet in upper right spandrel, large fleurs in other spandrels. SCBC 1799; North 1414; Friedberg 112; Numista 53825. 6.97g, 33mm, 10h.

Good Extremely Fine; wonderful sharp details.

3,000

1082. 1083.

Great Britain, Plantagenet. Henry VI AV Noble. First reign. Annulet Issue. Calais mint, 1422-1430. һЄNRIC ⚜ DI GRΛ RЄX ΛꞂGL’ Z FRΛꞂC DꞂS HYB’, king standing facing in ship, holding sword and shield bearing coat-of-arms, annulet by wrist, flag at stern / Ih’C*ΛVTЄᙏ ⚬ TRΛꞂSIЄꞂS ⚬ PЄR ⚬ ᙏЄDIVᙏ ⚬ ILLORR’ ⚬ IBΛT, short cross potent over cross fleurée; voided angled polylobe containing h at centre, lion passant guardant with crown above and trefoil below in each angle; all within beaded and linear tressure of eight arcs. SCBC 1803; Friedberg 112; Numista 53821. 6.95g, 35mm, 9h.

Good Extremely Fine; full flan. Rare in this condition.

Acquired from Morton & Eden Ltd.

3,000

Great Britain, Plantagenet. Henry VI AV 1/4 Noble. First reign. York mint, 1422-1461. ⚜ һЄꞂRIC’ ⚜ DI’ ⚜ GRA’ ⚜ RЄX ⚜ AꞂGL’, quartered coatof-arms within double tressure of eight arcs; two fleur-de-lis over shield (mintmark) / ⚜ ЄXΛLTΛBITVR IꞂ ⚬ GLORIΛ , ornate cross, voided angled polylobe containing lis at centre, lion passant guardant with crown above in each quarter. within double tressure of eight arcs. SCBC 1816; Friedberg 114; Numista 53973. 1.75g, 20mm, 11h.

Extremely Fine.

Acquired from Baldwin’s Auctions Ltd.

1,650

1084.

Great Britain, Plantagenet. Edward IV AV Ryal - 10 Shillings. Tower (London) mint, 1466-1469. ЄDWΛRD’ ஃ DI ஃ GRΛ’ ஃ RЄX ஃ ΛꞂGL ஃ’ Z FRΛꞂC ஃ DꞂS’ ஃ IB’, king standing facing in ship, holding sword and shield bearing coat-of-arms, Є on flag on stern, rose on hull, waves below / ♛ IҺC’ ஃ ΛVT’ ஃ TRΛꞂSIЄꞂS ஃ PER ஃ ᙏЄDIVᙏ ஃ ILLORVᙏ ஃ IBΛT, central rose over sunburst with ornate spokes, crowns over lions between spokes and fleur-de-lis in spandrels. SCBC 1950; North 1549; Friedberg 132; Numista 52753. 7.68g, 35mm, 9h.

Extremely Fine; a well-centred and attractive example.

3,000

1085.

Great Britain, Plantagenet. Edward IV AV Ryal - 10 Shillings. Tower (London) mint, 1466-1469. ЄDWΛRD’ ஃ DI ஃ GRΛ’ ஃ RЄX ஃ ΛꞂGL ஃ’ Z FRΛꞂC ஃ DꞂS’ ஃ IB’, king standing facing in ship, holding sword and shield bearing coat-of-arms, Є on flag on stern, rose on hull, waves below / [♛] IҺC’ ஃ ΛVT’ ஃ TRΛꞂSIЄꞂS ஃ PER ஃ ᙏЄDIVᙏ ஃ ILLORVᙏ ஃ IBΛT, central rose over sunburst with ornate spokes, crowns over lions between spokes and fleur-de-lis in spandrels. SCBC 1951; North 1549; Friedberg 132; Numista 205565. 7.61g, 34mm, 12h.

Good Very Fine.

1,500

Great Britain, Plantagenet. Richard III AV Angel. Type 3. Tower (London) mint, 1483-1485. (half sun half rose) RICΛD ˣ DI ˣ GRΛ’ ˣ RЄX ˣ ΛꞂGL’ ˣ Z FRΛꞂC ⁑, St. Michael spearing dragon, cross crosslet at end of spear / (half sun half rose) PЄR CRVCЄ’ ˣ TVΛ’ ˣ SΛLVΛ ꞂOS XPC ˣ RЄDЄMPT, ship bearing shield and cross; R and rose flanking cross. SCBC 2152; North 1677; Friedberg 145. 5.14g.

NGC graded MS 64 (#6295175-007). Top Pop. Amongst the finest known with this obv. legend error of RICΛD. Ex Spink & Son Ltd, Auction 374, 16 January 2022, lot 23.

18,000

This coin is amongst the finest known and most desirable of Richard III, the last king of the House of York and the Plantagenet dynasty, whose defeat and death in 1485 at the Battle of Bosworth Field marked the end of the Wars of the Roses.

After the death of King Edward IV, Richard was named Lord Protector to his brother’s successor, Edward’s twelve-year-old son Edward V, and he brought the young king and his nine-year-old brother to the Tower of London, seemingly in preparation for the coronation. Richard then immediately accused his sister-in-law, Queen Elizabeth, of plotting his murder and had many of her supporters executed, also declaring her marriage to his brother as invalid, due to Edward’s earlier precontract with Eleanor Butler, thus making her sons by Edward illegitimate. These events precipitated a petition from the City of London for Richard to assume the crown, which he accepted and was crowned in Westminster Abbey on 6 July 1483. Edward IV’s marriage was formally declared illegal and Edward V therefore formally debarred from the throne by Parliament on 23 January 1484.

It is unclear what happened to the ‘princes in the tower’, but rumours that they were murdered on Richard III’s orders in late 1483 emerged very quickly after their disappearance. This hearsay gained traction at the hands of Tudor loyalists, eager to discredit the Yorkist king, and in 1592 William Shakespeare ascribed the crime directly to Richard, having him instruct James Tyrell ‘I would have thee deal upon... those bastards in the Tower’ (Act IV, scene II). The uncertainty surrounding the fate of the young princes encouraged several pretenders, such as Perkin Warbeck and Lambert Simnel, to claim to be one of the princes and challenge the throne after Henry VII became king. In 1674, workmen found a wooden box containing two small human skeletons buried under the Tower of London, matching the descriptions and account given by Thomas More in 1513. They were thus attributed to the princes and interred in Westminster Abbey on the orders of King Charles II.

Richard III’s reign was short, having been immediately under threat from Henry Tudor, who returned from exile, pledging to marry Elizabeth of York, the princes’ elder sister. His Lancastrian forces decisively defeated Richard III at Bosworth Field in 1485 and his marriage sealed the union of the two warring houses, thus ending years of tumult and establishing a new Tudor dynasty. The remains of Richard III, identified through his unusual scoliosis and DNA analysis, were famously found underneath a car park in Leicester in 2012.

1087.

NGC graded UNC Details

1088.

Great Britain, Tudor. Henry VII AV Angel. London (Tower) mint, 1504-1505. Class IV. (cross crosslet) hЄꞂRIC ⁑ DI’ x GRΛ’ x RЄX ⁑ ΛꞂGLIЄ’ ⁑ Z ⁑ FRΛ’ +, crowned, nimbate figure of St. Michael the Archangel facing, standing on dragon below, spearing it with cross-tipped staff / PЄR ❀ CRVCЄ’

❀ TVΛ’ ❀ SΛLVΛ ❀ nOS ❀ XPЄ’ ❀ RЄD’ ❀, galley surmounted by shield bearing king’s coat-of-arms; h and rose across fields. SCBC 2186; North 1697; Friedberg 151.

NGC graded UNC Details, holed (#2124432-047).

Acquired from Sincona AG; Ex Spink, Auction 3014, 8 October 2003, lot 266; Ex L. A. Lawrence collection, Glendining & Co., 17 May 1950, lot 103.

3,900

Great Britain, Tudor. Henry VIII AR Angel. London (Tower) mint, 1509-1526. (mintmark) HЄꞂRIC * VIII * DI * GRΛ * RЄX * ΛGL * Z * FR, crowned, nimbate figure of St. Michael the Archangel facing, standing on dragon below, spearing it with cross-tipped staff / PЄR CRVCЄ ⁑ TVA ⁑

SΛLVΛ ⁑ ꞂOS ⁑ XPC * RЄDЄT, galley surmounted by shield bearing king’s coat-of-arms; h and rose across fields. SCBC 2265; Numista 52681. 5.14g, 28mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine.

Acquired from Morton & Eden Ltd.

2,100

Extremely Rare

Great Britain, Tudor. Elizabeth I AV Pound. Seventh issue, ‘1’ mm. London (Tower) mint, 1601-1602. 1 : ELIZABETH • D’. G’. ANG’. FRA’. ET • HIB’. REGINA •, crowned and mantled bust to left / 1: SCVTVM • FIDEI • PROTEGET • EAM •, crowned coat-of-arms; E-R across fields. SCBC 2539; North 2008; Schneider 805; Brown & Comber F23. 11.24g, 39mm, 7h. Extremely Fine; faint graffito ‘G44’ to right rev. field. Extremely Rare with this mintmark and in this denomination; only four other specimens found on CoinArchives.

Ex Christopher Comber Collection; Acquired from Knightsbridge Coins Ltd, 1995.

The daughter of Henry VIII and his infamous second wife Anne Boleyn, Elizabeth I (1558-1603) came to the throne at the young age of 26, at a time when religious division, economic stagnation and foreign invasion seriously threatened the security of the kingdom. In contrast to her half-sister Mary I, the imagery of Elizabeth’s coinage centred not on her lineage, but her personal virtues and charisma. Although she would have been in her 60s when this coin was struck, she is depicted with a youthful appearance on the obverse of this coin – her face unlined, her hair loose and flowing in conscious imitation of the Virgin Mary and young unmarried women of the time.

This was the result of a fiercely controlled public image, in which artists worked not from a real or even recent likeness of the queen, but a statesanctioned ‘face pattern’ which ensured a consistently flattering portrait. The result of this was a projection of the ageless power and purity of the monarch’s body, and by extension the ‘body politic’ of her government, which provided security and prosperity for her subjects.

This coin is also a fine example of the successful restoration of the currency which occurred under Elizabeth, and which she regarded as one of her greatest achievements. English currency had gradually become more and more debased over the sixteenth century, and the situation had become so dire that it was hindering international trade and the solvency of the monarchy. Previous efforts by Edward VI and Mary I, her predecessors, had made little to no effect in improving the quality of coins in circulation. Elizabeth therefore made it a priority, and by 1561 the Royal Mint had collected, melted down and re-minted the debased currency, even making a profit in the process.

Coins of this type, which featured Elizabeth I in her most iconic style, also played a part in early colonisation efforts. Walter Raleigh, on his 1565 voyage to South America, traded gold coins (likely of this type, given his descriptions) with the Arawak people of coastal Guyana. Their value as trade items lay not in their metallic value (gold was plentiful in the region, which Raleigh claimed to be “more lucrative than Peru”) but purely in the fine portrait of Elizabeth on the obverse, because the Arawaks desired to have an image of the queen whom Raleigh had told them so much about. He therefore gifted them the coins on the condition they swear allegiance to the image of the queen, and returned from the fabled land of El Dorado with less gold than he had started with (A Discoverie of the large, rich, and beautiful Empire of Guiana, 1596).

1090.

Near Extremely Fine;

scratches

Reportedly acquired from Muizon & Rieunier, 3 July 2019.

1091.

Near Mint State; lustrous, mirror-like surfaces under an attractive cabinet tone with iridescent highlights. Rare.

Ex J. P. Melick Collection,

Privately purchased from Spink Australia, 31st July 1980 ($2,600).

1,800

3,000

Great Britain, Stuart. James I AV Laurel. Third coinage. Tower (London) mint, 1623-1624. (lis) IACOBVS D: G: MAG: BRI: FRA: ET HIB: REX, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust to left (fourth head variety); XX (mark of value) behind / (lis) FACIAM EOS IN GENTEM VNAM, crowned coatof-arms over long cross fourchée. KM 75; SCBC 2638C; North 2114. 8.79g, 34mm, 1h.

some light

Great Britain, Commonwealth. Oliver Cromwell, as Lord Protector, AR Shilling. London mint, 1658. Dies by Thomas Simon. OLIVAR • D • G

RP

ANG • SCO • HIB &c PRO, laureate and draped bust to left / PAX • QVÆRITVR • BELLO, crowned coat-of-arms, date above; straight-milled edge. SCBC 3228; KM A207. 5.96g, 28mm, 6h.

Noble Numismatics Pty Ltd, Auction 118, 31 July 2018, lot 1355;

Ex J.P. Melick Collection

One of the Finest in the Past 20 Years

Great Britain, Stuart. Charles II AV 5 Guineas. London mint, 1670. CAROLVS • II • DEI • GRATIA, laureate head to right / MAG • BR • FRA • ET • HIB • REX • (date) •, crowned cruciform coats-of-arms around central design of four interlocked monograms; sceptres in angles. Edge inscription: DECVS ET TVTAMEN ANNO REGNI VICESIMO SECVNDO. SCBC 3328; KM 430.1; Friedberg 281.

PCGS graded cleaned UNC Details (#44032666). Very Rare; qualitatively one of the finest examples offered at auction in the past 2 decades, evidencing considerably less wear and far fewer circulation marks than most, with considerable mint lustre and red toning visible.

Acquired from Stack’s Bowers Galleries (& Ponterio); Ex Mark and Lottie Salton Collection, sold with original collection ticket.

After Charles I was executed in 1649, his son Charles II was proclaimed King of Scotland until 1651, and then King of England, Scotland and Ireland from 1660 until his death in 1685. He also had a claim to the crown of France and, although this was only nominal the four crowned cruciform shields on the reverse of this coin bear the arms of England, Scotland, Ireland and indeed France. The obverse and reverse of this coin were designed by John Roettier, a celebrated English engraver and medalist. In 1661 Charles II invited him and his brother to join the British Royal Mint and they very quickly became the mint’s chief engravers. The Roettier brothers produced a new Great Seal in 1666-1667 and later, the official coronation medals of King James II of England, King William III and Queen Mary II.

This coin is not only notable for having been designed by one of Britain’s most celebrated engravers, but also for the context in which it was produced, namely against the backdrop of new trade with Africa which had augmented the supply of gold at a time when it was incredibly limited in Britain. Many coins in the year leading up to 1670 had an elephant and castle beneath the head to indicate that the gold was bought as a result of the new trade charter with the Company of Royal Adventurers of England Trading with Africa. By 1668 there was enough of the metal imported to allow for expanded production of gold coins, many of which were much larger. The finest were the five guineas, first brought into production in 1668 only two years before this coin was produced, making it a fairly new denomination.

Most interesting is the manner in which this coin was produced. The five guinea was one of the first examples of the use of mill striking as a new way to produce coinage, departing from the traditional hammer-striking method which was rendered obsolete around this time by the new industrial method. Charles II established a permanent machine-made coinage by employing Peter Blondeau in 1662, who pioneered the process of stamping letters on coins. By placing lettering on the edges of the coin prior to striking it the practice of clipping was largely prevented. Milled coins were far superior to hammered coins; although manufactured by a screw press powered by horses which meant that production was somewhat slower, they were perfectly round making it obvious if clipping had occurred. The present coin is therefore emblematic of the introduction of the revolutionary milled method

of producing coinage.

1092. 30,000

Great Britain, Hanover. George III AV Crown. Royal (Tower Hill) mint, 1818. Benedetto Pistrucci, engraver. GEORGIUS III D: G: BRITANNIARUM REX F: D:, laureate head to right, PISTRUCCI under truncation, date below / HONI · SOIT · QUI · MAL · Y · PENSE, St. George on horseback slaying dragon; PISTRUCCI below, legend on garter around. Edge inscription: DECUS ET TUTAMEN ANNO REGNI LIX. SCBC 3787; KM 675; Numista 13172. 28.29g, 38mm, 6h.

Near Mint State; stunning old cabinet tone with underlying lustre and hints of iridescence.

1093.

A Crown Jewel for Even the Most Advanced Collections

Great Britain, Hanover. George IV AV Proof 5 Pounds. 1826. Willian Wyon and Jean Baptiste Merlen, engravers. GEORGIUS IV DEI GRATIA, bare head to left, date below / BRITANNIARUM REX FID: DEF:, shield of arms set upon crowned ornate mantle. Edge inscription: DECUS ET TUTAMEN ANNO REGNI SEPTIMO. KM 702; SCBC 3797; Friedberg 373; Numista 13191.

NGC graded PF 63 Ultra Cameo (#3589810-006). Very Rare; only 150 minted.

Ex Heritage World Coin Auctions, NYINC Signature Sale 3097, 10 January 2022, lot 30254.

This coin is an exceedingly beautiful specimen of this much sought after type. One of only 150 minted, this coin is in near top state of preservation with the superior “Ultra Cameo” designation. This coin was previously described at its last auction appearance as “undoubtedly a crown jewel for even the most advanced British coin cabinets”.

It compares very favourably against other recently auctioned examples:

Heritage 3089, lot 31215 (Jan 2021), PF64 Ultra Cameo: USD 190,000 / GBP 138,491

Heritage 3085, lot 30189 (Aug 2020), PF62: USD 165,000 / GBP 125,549

Heritage 3096, lot 30321 (Mar 2021), PF63 Ultra Cameo: USD 160,000 / GBP 116,608

Heritage 3105, lot 32219 (Jan 2023), PF63 Deep Cameo: USD 140,000 / GBP 114,814

George IV lived an excessive lifestyle from a young age, with extravagant spending that resulted in his accumulating large debts. These were later pardoned by Parliament on the condition that George marry his cousin, Caroline Brunswick in 1795, following his illegitimate and unpopular marriage to Maria Fitzherbert 10 years prior. In 1820, George ascended the throne when his father, King George III, died, having been de facto ruler as Prince Regent from 1811 when his father was declared mentally unstable.

He did not abandon his lavish lifestyle when he became monarch, indeed his later life continued to be characterised by vast banquets and profligate expenditure. He had expensive taste in all aspects of life, extending beyond food and fine wine, investing considerably in art and interior decoration much of which the Royal Collection now houses. This bust type of George IV graciously shows none of the effects of his lifestyle and presents him with a strong portrait, perhaps to emphasise his renowned style and intellect, rather than his proclivity for excess.

1095.

India, British Colonial. Victoria AV Mohur. East India Company issue. Calcutta mint, 1841. Dies by William Wyon. VICTORIA QUEEN, young head to left; small W. W. on neck, date below / EAST INDIA COMPANY, lion walking to left, palm tree in background; denomination in English and Arabic below. KM 462.1; S&W 3.7; Friedberg 1595a.

NGC Graded UNC Details: obv. rim filed, cleaned (#6672716-001).

Acquired from Savoca Numismatik GmbH & Co. KG.

2,700

Italian States, Sicilia (Sicily, Kingdom). Frederick I (later Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor) and Constance as Empress of the Holy Roman Empire, AV Tari. Amalfi mint, November 1198. Outer circle Kufic legend: ‘struck in his reign in the year five hundred ninety-five’; inner circle Latin legend: ⧾ FRE REX SICILIE around palm tree in fruit in central circle / Outer rim Kufic legend: ‘struck in the year one-hundred one-thousand ninety and eight; inner rim Kufic legend: ‘Constance imperatrix of the Romans’, around Latin cross in central circle. L. Travaini, ‘Le monete Sveve con legend arabe nel Regno di Sicilia (1194-1220)’ in RIN 1986, p.136, 2; MIR 36; MEC 14, p.166 fig. 3b; CNI XVII, p.10, 1, pl. 1, 14; G. Sambon, Repertario generale, 1113; M. Guglielmi, La monetazione degli Svevi nell’Italia meritionale, Serravalle RSM, 2000, p.67, 1; D. Spinelli, Monete cufiche, Napoli 1844, pl. 20, 1; R. Levinson, The Early Dated Coins of Europe 1234-1500, Clifton 2007, p.258; Friedberg 51. 0.87g, 24mm.

Mint State; edge clipped. Of the greatest rarity and numismatic importance.

This remarkable scyphate-shaped tari bears two dates: Hegira 595 and Christian era 1198, the earliest Anno Domini date ever recorded on a coin, which according to Philip Grierson and L. Travaini commemorates the investiture formally granted to Frederick II and Constance by Pope Innocent III on 19 November of that year. In return the pope received an annual cens of 1,000 ‘schifati’, cf. MEC pp.165-6.

Amalfi was an independent republic from the 7th century that managed to extract itself from Byzantine vassalage in 839 and first elected an independent duke in 958. By 944 Amalfitan merchants were already present at Constantinople, trading with Egypt by the late 10th century and rivalling Pisa and Genova in its domestic prosperity and maritime trade with Asia before the rise of the Venice. In 1073 the republic fell to the Norman countship of Apulia and was granted many rights and attained great wealth. In about 1080, Amalfitans founded a hospice for pilgrims in Islamic occupied Jerusalem, from which the Order of the Hospital (St. John of Jerusalem) later developed. Under Roger II in 1131, Amalfi passed into the kingdom of Sicily and by 1220 the Empire of Frederick II. In matters of medieval culture, Amalfi was famous for its multiculturalism, flourishing schools of law and mathematics, maritime code and the reputed Amalfitan Flavio Gioia, who in about 1300 was considered first marine pilot to have introduced the sailor’s compass to Western navigation. The date on the Amalfi tari must be connected to the fact that Islamic coinage had been dated from the time of the 5th Caliph, ‘Abd al-Malik in the 77th year of the Hagira, the migration of Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Yathrib in AD 696/7. Amalfi had been within the Islamic monetary sphere strongly influenced by the Emirate of Sicily since the 10th century, in which the standard gold unit was the gold Tarì (meaning “fresh” or “newly minted money”), the Christian designation of Ruba’i or quarter Dinar with the ideal weight of 1.05g of gold.

Extremely Rare

Italian States, Venezia (Venice, Republic). Nicolò Marcello AV Ducat. Doge LXIX, 1473-1474. NICOL’ • MARCЄLL’ S • M • VЄNЄTI, St. Marco standing to right, holding Gospels and presenting banner to Doge kneeling to left; DVX downwards in field / •SIT• T• XPЄ• DAT• Q• TV• RЄGIS• ISTЄ DVCAT•, Christ standing facing, raising hand in benediction and holding Gospels, surrounded by mandorla containing nine stars. CNI VII 21; Papadopoli 3; Paolucci 1; Friedberg 1236; Numista 116380. 3.52g, 21mm, 12h.

Good Very Fine; planchet indentation rev. Extremely Rare; only two examples on CoinArchives.

1098.

Italy, Kingdom. Vittorio Emanuele II AR 5 Lire. Commemorating the Unification of Italy. Firenze (Florence) mint, 1861F. Dies by Luigi Gori. VITTORIO EMANUELE II• RE D’ITALIA, head to right, small hill and L. GORI F. below / • CINQUE LIRE ITALIANE •, crowned coat-of-arms within chain of the Order of the Santissima Annunziata, all within laurel wreath; FIRENZE and date below. Edge inscription: ❀ FERT ❀ ❀ FERT ❀ ❀ FERT ❀. MIR 1081a; Pagani 481; Gigante 31; KM 7; Davenport 139. 24.75g, 37mm, 6h

Very Fine. Very Rare.

Ex Vitangelo Collection, Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XXII, 8 October 2021, lot 1055.

1100 1099

Italy, Kingdom. Umberto I AR 50 Centesimi. Rome mint, 1889R. Engraved by Filippo Speranza. UMBERTO I RE D’ITALIA, head to right; date below / Crowned arms within chain of the Order of the Santissima Annunziata; denomination across fields, all within laurel and oak wreath; Star of Italy above, R (mintmark) below. MIR 1104a; Pagani 608; KM 26; Gigante 42. 2.48g. 18mm, 6h.

1,200

Mint State. Rare.

Ex Vitangelo Collection, Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XXII, 8 October 2021, lot 1057. 240

Italy, Kingdom. Umberto I AR 50 Centesimi. Rome mint, 1892R. Engraved by Filippo Speranza. UMBERTO I RE D’ITALIA, head to right; date below / Crowned arms within chain of the Order of the Santissima Annunziata; denomination across fields, all within laurel and oak wreath; Star of Italy above, R (mintmark) below. MIR 1104b; Pagani 609; KM 26; Gigante 43. 2.48g. 18mm, 6h.

Good Extremely Fine. Very Rare.

LOMBARD KINGDOM

1101.

Lombard

Kingdom, Beneventum. Gregory

Solidus. In the name of Justinian II. 732-739.

1102.

Extremely Fine; stunning iridescence.

Ex Numismatica Varesi, Auction 78, 30 September 2021, lot 5; Previously acquired from Massimo Rossi, Mantova SPL.

300

900

Lombard Kingdom, Beneventum. Gregory AV Solidus. In the name of Justinian II. 732-739. D Λ LVNVƧ P P, crowned and draped bust facing, holding globus cruciger / VIVITO AVGVƧ •, cross potent on globe set on four steps; G to left, CONOB in exergue. LCSI 27; MIR 154; MEC 1, 1089; CNI pp. 129-134, 1-44. 3.33g, 20mm, 8h.

Extremely Fine.

Ex Bolaffi Spa, Auction 34, 30 May 2019, lot 1028.

900

AV

DNI - ••• - PPЄTV, crowned and draped bust facing, holding globus cruciger / VICTOR AGVST, cross potent on globe set on four steps; G to left, CONOB in exergue. LCSI 27; MIR 154; MEC 1, 1089; CNI pp. 129-134, 1-44. 3.70g, 20mm, 6h.

Lombard Kingdom, Beneventum. Gregory AV Solidus. In the name of Justinian II. 732-739. D N ƧTtONЧS P P , crowned and draped bust facing, holding globus cruciger / VIVRO AVGVƧ •, cross potent on globe set on four steps; G to left, CONOB in exergue. LCSI 27; MIR 154; MEC 1, 1089; CNI pp. 129-134, 1-44. 3.96g, 20mm, 7h.

Extremely Fine.

Ex Naville Numismatics Ltd., Auction 60, 27 September 2020, lot 638.

1106.

Lombard Kingdom, Beneventum. Arichis II AV Solidus. 765-774. D NS VICTORIA, crowned and draped bust facing, holding globus cruciger / VICTIRA ❖ ASVSTV, cross potent on globe set on four steps between; A to left, C•ONO•B in exergue. LCSI 55; MIR 180; CNI pp. 151-2, 7-13. 3.85g, 20mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine. Very Rare.

From the inventory of a UK dealer.

1107.

Lombard Kingdom, Beneventum. Arichis II AV Tremissis. 765-774. D NS VICTORIΛ , crowned and draped bust facing, holding globus cruciger / VITIRA ❖ AGVTV, cross potent on base; A to left, C•ONO•B in exergue. LCSI 56; MIR 181; MEC 1, 1094; CNI p. 152-3, 14-22. 1.21g, 16mm, 6h.

Lombard Kingdom, Beneventum. Arichis II AV Tremissis. 765-774. D NS VICTORIΛ , crowned and draped bust facing, holding globus cruciger / VITIRA ❖ PRINPI, cross potent on base; A to left, C•ONO•B in exergue. LCSI 58; MIR 183; MEC 1, 1097; CNI pp. 153, 2-3. 1.22g, 16mm, 6h.

Near Extremely Fine. Very Rare.

From the inventory of a UK dealer. 1,200

Lombard Kingdom, Beneventum. Grimoald III and Charlemagne AV Tremissis. 788-792. GRIMVALD, crowned and draped bust facing, holding globus cruciger / DOMS ❖ CAR • RX, cross potent set on base; pellets flanking base, G-R across fields, VICA in exergue. LBSI 63; MIR 187; MEC 1098; CNI p. 155, 8-9. 1.25g, 17mm, 7h.

Extremely Fine. Very Rare.

From the inventory of a UK dealer.

1,200

1108.

Lombard Kingdom, Beneventum. Grimoald III AV Solidus. 792-806. GRIMVALD, crowned and draped bust facing, holding globus cruciger / VICTORA ❖ PRINCIP, cross potent on globe set on three steps; two triangles flanking base; G-R across fields, C•ONO•B (retrograde) in exergue. LBSI 68; MIR 199; MEC 1101; CNI pp. 156-7, 22-8; Oddy 457 = BMC Vandals p. 172, 11, pl. 23, 8. 3.85g, 21mm, 7h.

Good Very Fine. Very Rare.

From the inventory of a UK dealer. 1,500

Lombard Kingdom, Salerno. Siconulf AR Denaro. 839-849. ⧾ PRINCЄ BЄNЄBЄNTI around SCONF monogram / Λ • RHΛNGЄLV MIHΛЄ •, cross potent set on three steps; wedge and pellet flanking. MEC I, 1121; BMC Vandals -; Sambon 497. 0.85g, 18mm, 12h.

Near Mint State; attractive deep old cabinet tone. Very Rare.

Ex Bertolami Fine Arts - ACR Auctions, E-Auction 100, 12 June 2021, lot 413.

LOW COUNTRIES

1110.

Low Countries, Vlaanderen (Flanders). Lodewijk II van Male AV Gehelmde Gouden Leeuw (lion d’or). Gand (Ghent) mint, 1346-1384. LVDOVICVS

⦂ DЄI ⦂ GRΛ ⦂ COᙏ’Z DꞂS ⦂ FLΛꞂDR IЄ, helmeted lion standing to left before spired Gothic throne; FLΛꞂDRЄS below / ✠ BЄИЄDICTVS ⁑ QVI ⁑ VЄИIT ⁑ IИ ⁑ ИOᙏIИЄ ⁑ DOᙏIИI, cross fleurée and feuillue, D’ in centre, F L Λ Ꞃ in quarters; all within tressure of 20 arches. Grierson, Coins of Medieval Europe C19; Vanhoudt G2604; Delmonte, Or 460; Friedberg 157; Numista 126585. 5.33g, 34mm, 2h.

Extremely Fine. Rare.

Acquired from Morton & Eden Ltd.

SCOTLAND

3,000

1111.

Scotland, Kingdom. James VI (James I of Great Britain) AV Unit. Edinburgh mint, 1609-1625. (thistle) IACOBVS • D • G

• MAG’ • BRIT’

• FRAN’ • & • HIB’ • REX ·, crowned bust to right, holding orb and sceptre / (thistle) FACIAM

• EOS

• IN

• GENTEM

• VNAM •, crowned coat of arms, Scottish arms in first and fourth quarters; I-R across fields. SCBC II 5464; KM 29; Friedberg 234 var. (arms of united kingdom rather than Scotland in first and fourth quarters); Numista 55277. 9.96g, 37mm, 10h.

Good Very Fine. Rare.

1,200

1112.

Spanish States, Castile and Leon (Kingdom). Juan II AV Dobla. Burgos mint, 1430-1454. IOһAꞂIS ✿ DЄI ✿ GRACIA ✿ RЄX ✿ CASTЄLLЄ ✿, coat-of-arms; B above / IOһAꞂЄS ✿ DЄI ✿ GRACIA ✿ RЄX ✿ CASTЄLLЄ, lion rampant to left in two quarters, castle in two quarters of cross. Friedberg 112; Numista 107237. 4.65g, 32mm, 9h.

1113.

1114.

Extremely Fine.

Acquired from Áureo & Calicó. 1,050

Extremely Rare

Spanish States, Majorca (Kingdom). Peter I AV Real. 1336-1387. + PЄTRUS ⦂ DЄI ⦂ GRACIA ⦂ RЄX, king enthroned facing, holding sceptre and orb; shell in left field, within ornate border / + ARAGOꞂUM ЄT MAIORICARUM, patriarchal cross, roses around, within ornate border. Crusafont 435; Numista 194847. 3.47g, 24mm, 8h.

Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare. Acquired from Nomisma S.p.a. 1,500

Extremely Rare Swedish War Imitation

Sweden, Kingdom. Gustav III CU 5 Kopeck. Avesta mint, 1788. Crowned double-headed eagle facing, wearing shield on breast depicting St. George slaying the dragon, and holding sceptre and orb; crown above, E-M across lower fields, denomination in scroll below / Crowned monogram within wreath; false date across fields. Bitkin Φ1288. 53.25g, 43mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare.

From the collection of GK; Ex Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co. KG, Auction 113, 21 June 2006, lot 2503.

1,800

This extremely rare coin was part of a secretive issue minted in the Swedish town of Avesta in 1788, which the Swedes attempted to pass off as authentic Russian coins. The issue was intended for use by Swedish troops, who were at that time engaged in a war with the Russian Empire and who had need for coinage to pay Russian workers they had contracted on the border. The issue was minted with three different dates - 1764, 1778 and 1787to avoid any suspicion that might arise from large numbers of coins from the same year turning up in one place.

END OF SALE