Lot 1239

Description

Alexander the Great, Roman contornite, c.4th century A.D., AE 41, (31.62 grams), obv. ALEXA NDER, bust of Alexander the Great to right, wearing lion's skin, PE monogram in right field, rev. view of the hippodrome (circus maximus), metae at either end of spina, obelisk in the centre, altar and the equestrian statue of Trajan left of the obelisk, animal and male statue right of obelisk, above are two four-horse chariots racing left with each charioteer carrying a whip, below are two more four-horse chariots on the right carrying a branch, charioteer on the left is stationary with the horses' heads lowered, figure standing behind horses holding a wreath; (Afoldi 26.2 [this coin illustrated, Pl.9, No.2], C.45 [p.279]). Extremely fine with attractive brown patina, one of only two known.

Ex. Jacob Hirsch auction XXIV (Sammlung Consul E.F. Weber) May 10, 1909 (lot 2913, illustrated, Pl.LIV, sold at 195 marks) and A. Hess auction November 28, 1912 (lot 561, illustrated) and Classical Numismatic Group sale 36, December 5-6, 1995 (lot 2508) and realised US $5500. The finest of all the known portrait Alexander contorniates with one of the great turn of the century petigrees. The other known specimen is located in the Hunter collection at Glasgow University.