Catalogue
Palestine, Roman Procurator of Judaea, Pontius Pilate, under Tiberius, (A.D. 26-36), copper prutah, (1,89 gm), obv. lituus surrounded by Greek inscription, representing TIBEPIOY KAICAPOC, rev. date within wreath, LIH = year 18 = A.D.31, (S.5623, H.650 [115], cf.Meshorer 231). Brown patina, fine - very fine and a very clear date reading.
Estimate $100
SOLD $70
Palestine, Judaea, Second Revolt or Bar Kochba War, (A.D. 132-135), silver denarius or zuz, (2.87 grams), undated, but attributed to year 3, A.D. 134-5, obv. "Shim`on" as an inscription of five letters in two rows within a wreath, border of dots, rev. legend `For the Freedom of Israel' an elongated lyre (kithara), all within a border of dots, (S.5668, Mildenberg No.112, obv. die 17, rev. die 67 with 6 examples cited for this die combination, H.723). Off centred on obverse and reverse, weak in places with trace of evidence of overstriking on a Roman denarius, otherwise extremely fine.
Estimate $300
SOLD $400
Egypt, Kingdom of, Ptolemy II Philadelphus, (285-246 B.C.), silver decadrachm, (34.65 gm), Alexandria mint, obv. veiled head of Arsinoe to right, wearing stephane, behind **L*, rev. double cornucopiae, bound with fillet, around **ARSINOHS FILADELFOU*, (cf.S.7770, Svoronos 477, BMC 6.43). A spectacular portrait of the highest artistic merit, lightly polished, well centred, nearly extremely fine and rare.
Estimate $6,000
SOLD $5,800
Egypt, Kingdom of, Ptolemy VI, (180-145 B.C.), silver tetradrachm, issued 161-160 B.C., (13.52 grams), Paphos mint, obv. diademed head of Ptolemy I to right, with aegis, rev. eagle to left with closed wings, standing on thunderbolt, around **BASIL[EWS] [P]TOLEMAIOU*, obscured letters to left, **PA* to right, (S.7892, Sv.1432, SNG Cop. -, Pitchfork 72). Lightly toned with golden highlights, flan crack, otherwise good fine - nearly very fine.
Estimate $150
SOLD $160
Egypt, Alexandria, Severus Alexander, (A.D. 222-235), billon tetradrachm, year 6 = A.D.226-227, (11.90 gm), obv. laureate bust right, legend around, rev. Athena seated to left, holding Nike and sceptre, L S, (S.8138, Koln 2444, Milne 3016), (illustrated); another, Gallienus (A.D. 253-268), billon tetradrachm, year 4 = A.D. 256-257, (12.05 gm), obv. laureate and cuirassed bust of Gallienus to right, rev. eagle standing to right, head to left, holding wreath in beak, to left and right L **D*, (cf.S.10542, BMC 2219, Milne 3960, Koln 2891); Claudius II, (A.D. 268-270), billon tetradrachm, year 2 = A.D. 269-270, (8.93 gm), obv. laureate and cuirassed bust of Claudius II to right, rev. L B across, Dikaiosyne seated to left, holding scales and cornucopiae, (S.11415, BMC 2316, Milne 4231, Koln 3033); others of Aurelian, year 5 = 273-4, (4.99 gm), rev. eagle facing (S.11686, BMC 2360, Milne 4426, Koln 3083); Severina, year 7 = 275, (7.35 gm), rev. eagle left, head right, (S.11717, BMC 2383, Milne 4480, Koln 3105); Diocletian, year 2 = 285-6, (6.53 gm), rev. Dikaiosyne standing to left, scales and cornucopiae, (S.12858, BMC 2488, Milne 4768, Koln 3212). Fine - nearly extremely fine. (6)
Estimate $120
SOLD $140
Axumite, Wazena (c.670-690 A.D.), copper unit, (1.53 gm), no religious symbols, obv. bust to right, holding wheat stalk, legend around [He who is suitable for the people], rev. cross to edge with smaller crosses on end, X in centre, around Of the King Za-Wazen, (Munro-Hay 118-120, M.420). Dark brown patina, very fine and rare.
Estimate $100
SOLD $150
Ancient Greek and Roman, AE issues, including Ptolemy IV, (180-170 B.C.), AE 20, obv. Zeus, rev. two eagles, (2); BI tetradrachms including Commodus, (4); a selection of third and fourth century bronzes including Licinius, Constantinus, (12); also two early Indian AE. Poor - good fine, some scarce. (20)
Estimate $150
SOLD $180