Catalogue
Sabina, wife of Hadrian, (died A.D.136-7), gold aureus, issued 133, (7.02 g), Rome mint, obv. draped bust to right of Sabina, with hair in plait down neck at back of head, around SABINA AVGVSTA, rev. Vesta enthroned to left holding Palladium and sceptre, around VES TA, (S.3911, RIC H397c, C.78 var.). Very fine and very rare.
Estimate $6,000
Passed in
Faustina Senior, wife of Antoninus Pius, (d.A.D. 141) gold aureus, (7.34 g), issued A.D. 141, Rome mint, obv. DIVA AVG FAVSTINA, draped bust to right, rev. AETERNITAS, Fortuna standing to left holding patera and globe beneath rudder, (S.4549, RIC 349a, C.2). Slightly off centred reverse, nearly extremely fine, very scarce.
Estimate $4,500
SOLD $4,200
Faustina Junior, wife of Marcus Aurelius, (d.A.D. 175), gold aureus, (7.29 g), obv. FAVSTINA AVGVSTA, draped bust of Faustina to right, rev. SALVTI AVGVSTAE around, Salus enthroned to left feeding snake from altar, (S.5244, C.198, RIC 716, BMC 151). Nearly extremely fine and rare.
Estimate $8,000
Passed in
Pertinax, (A.D. 193), gold aureus, Rome mint, issued A.D. 193, (7.30 g), obv. laureate head of bearded Pertinax to right, around IMP CAES P HELV PERTIN AVG, rev. around AEQVIT AVG TR P COS II, Aequitas standing to left, holding scales and cornucopiae, (S.6032, RIC 1a, BMC 14, C.1, Calico 2380). Nearly extremely fine and very rare.
Estimate $32,000
Passed in
Gordian III, (A.D. 238-244), gold aureus, Rome mint, issued 241 - 243, (4.89 g), obv. laureate bust right draped and cuirassed, around IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, rev. PM TR P IIII COS II P P, around, Gordian standing to right with parazonium and globe, (cf.S.8585, RIC -, C.-, Calico = Hunt Collection June 22, 1990 [lot 797] only reported example). Large but damaged flan at edge of coin and edge rather wavy, otherwise extremely fine and extremely rare.
Estimate $5,000
Passed in
Volusian, (A.D. 251-253), gold aureus, Rome mint (3.65 g), obv. laureate draped and cuirassed bust to right of Volusian, around IMP CAE C VIB VOLVSIANO AVG, rev. Aeternitas standing to left, holding phoenix on globe to left, raising skirt at right side, around AETERNITAS AVGG, (cf.S.3818, RIC 154, C.10, Calico 3349). Large full flan for the light weight issue, choice extremely fine or better and very rare.
Estimate $7,000
SOLD $7,000
Probus, (A.D. 276-282), gold aureus, Cyzicus mint (6.36 g), obv. laureate draped and cuirassed bust to right of Probus, around IMP C M AVR PROBVS AVG, rev. Sol standing to left, holding globe and raising right hand, around CONSERVAT AVG, (cf.S.11898, RIC 891, C.175). Large full flan, choice extremely fine or better and very rare.
Estimate $15,000
Passed in
Diocletian, (A.D. 284-305), gold aureus, issued 290-2, Antioch or Cyzicus mint, (5.31 g), obv. laureate head of Diocletian to right, around DIOCLETIANVS AVGVSTVS, rev. around CONSVL IIII P P PRO COS, Diocletian standing to left holding a globe, (S.12508, Calico 4434, RIC 285, 307, C.-). Red peripheral tone, nearly as struck, extremely fine and very rare.
Estimate $9,000
SOLD $11,000
Maximianus I, (A.D. 286-305, 306-8, 310), gold aureus, struck 286-7, Antioch mint, (5.13 g), obv. laureate bust draped and cuirassed to right of Maximianus I, around IMP C M AVR VAL MAXIMIANVS P F AVG, rev. Jupiter standing to left, holding thunderbolt and sceptre, around IOVI CONSERVA TORI AVGG, SMA in exergue, Z/Z left field, (cf.S.13042, RIC 620 [p.293], Calico 4705, C.369). Has been plugged at mint letters in exergue, otherwise nearly extremely fine and very rare.
Estimate $9,000
Passed in
Julian II, (A.D. 360-363), gold solidus, Antioch mint, issued as Caesar 347-355, (4.47 g), obv. draped and cuirassed bust of Julian to right, around D N IVLIANV S NOB CAES, rev. Roma and Constantinopolis seated enthroned facing, each support between them a shield inscibed with six pointed star, around legend GLORIA REI PVBLICAE, in exergue star SMANZ, (cf.S.4057, RIC 167 [R3], C.22). Nearly extremely fine and a very rare variety.
Estimate $7,000
Passed in
Honorius, (A.D. 393-423), gold solidus, Constantinople mint in A.D. 408-423, 3rd officina, (4.36 g), obv. helmeted bust to half right with elaborate dress, holding shield and spear over shoulder, around DN HONORI VS P F AVG, rev. Constantinopolis enthroned facing head right, holding sceptre and Victory, star in left field, around CONCORDI A AVGGG**G*, in exergue CONOB, (S.4242, RIC 201, Depeyrot 73/1). Scratches in fields both sides, otherwise good very fine and rare.
Estimate $600
SOLD $550
Theodosius I, (A.D. 379-395), gold solidus, uncertain military mint, issued A.D. c.393-395 (3.10 g), obv. rosette and pearl diademed bust draped and cuirassed of Theodosius to right, around D N THEODO SIVS P F AVG, rev. VICTORI A AVGGGZ, Theodosius standing right, left foot on bound captive, holding labarum in right hand and Victory on globe in left, S-M/Z//COMOB, (cf.S.4291 [Theodosius II], RIC IX 14a var. [officina, Sirmium], Depeyrot 35/5 [Theodosius II; Sirmium], cf.DOC LR pp. 118-121). Small flan, clipped and of very light weight, otherwise very fine and rare.
Estimate $300
SOLD $360
Aelia Eudocia, wife of Theodosius II, (421-441), gold solidus, Constantinopolis mint, issue c.423-429, (4.36 g), obv. AEL EVDO - CIA AVG, pearl-diademed and draped bust right of Eudocia, wearing earring and necklace, crowned by the Hand of God, rev. around VOT XX MVLT XXXI Victory standing l., supporting long fluted cross, in upper left field a star, in exergue, CONOB, (S.4299, RIC 228. MIRB 20b. LRC 455. Depeyrot 75/2). With surface scratches and marks, probably once mounted, otherwise very fine and rare.
Estimate $1,500
SOLD $1,750
Aelia Verina, as Augusta, (A.D. 457-484), gold tremissis, (1.49 g), Constantinople mint, struck 462-466, obv. Pearl-diademed and draped bust right of Aelia Verina, around AEL yERI NA AVG, rev. cross within wreath, CONOB* in exergue, (S.4344, RIC X 615 [p.286], MIRB 68, DOC 595, Depeyrot 96/1). Good very fine and very rare.
Estimate $4,000
SOLD $4,000
Justin I, (A.D. 518-527), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, (4.46 g), Officina H, obv. helmeted and cuirassed bust of Justin I, three quarters to right, holding spear and shield, around D N IVSTI NVS P P AVG, rev. Victory standing to left, holding long staff surmounted by a reversed P, star in left field, around VICTORI A AVGGGH, CONOB in exergue, (S.55, DOC.1f, MIBE 2). Scratch in obverse field, off centred reverse, otherwise good very fine and rare.
Estimate $600
SOLD $550
Justin II, (A.D.565-578), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, (4.39 g), issued 565-578, 3rd officina, obv. bust of Justin II facing, with plume and diadem, two pearls at each side, wearing cuirass, and holding globe surmounted by Victory, star in right field, D N I VSTI NVS PP AVI around, rev. Constantinople seated looking right, with helmet tunic and mantle, on right shoulder aegis, left hand holds a spear, cross on globe, around VICTORI A AVGGG **G*, CONOB in exergue, (S.346, DOC 5c, MIBE 1). Very broad flan, nearly full mint bloom, nearly extremely fine.
Estimate $600
SOLD $780
Phocas, (A.D. 602-610), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, (4.47 g), issued A.D. 607-610, Officina **Q*, obv. Phocas facing bust, bearded, wearing cuirass, paludamentum and crown, holding cross, around ON FOCAS PERP AVI, rev. Angel facing, holding in right hand long staff, with partial chi-rho symbol at top, in left hand globe with cross above, around VICTORI A AVGC**Q*, (S.620, DOC 10i, MIB 9). Very fine, weak in places.
Estimate $550
Passed in
Heraclius, with Heraclius Constantine, (610-641), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, issued 629-631, (4.44 g), Officina I, obv. facing busts of Heraclius and Heraclius Constantine, wearing chlamys and crown, cross above, around dd NN hERACLIVS ET hERA CONSt PP, rev. cross potent on base and three steps, below CONOB, around VICTORIA AVGUI, (S.749, DOC 26j, MIB 29). Extremely fine with mint bloom, weakness in places on the legend.
Estimate $650
SOLD $550
Heraclius, with Heraclius Constantine and Heraclonas, (610-641), gold solidus, issued 632-635, Constantinople mint, Officina B the second officina, (4.33 g), Class IVA(a), obv. standing figures of Heraclius in centre, Heraclius Constantine on left, and Heraclonas on right, cross above, rev. Cross potent on three steps, monogram PTh to right, around VICTORIA [AV]GUB, CONOB in exergue, (S.758, DOC 33b, MIB 39). Nearly extremely fine/very fine, slightly off centred reverse and scarce.
Estimate $600
Passed in
Heraclius, (610-641), gold tremissis, Constantinople mint, issued 616-625, (1.47 g), obv. bust of Heraclius to right, around N ERACLI [VS PP] AV, rev. cross potent on base, below CONOB, around VICTORIA AVGUS, (S.786, DOC 53). With some weakness in legend, slightly crinkled, otherwise nearly very fine.
Estimate $150
SOLD $240
Constans II, with Constantine IV, (641-668 A.D.), gold solidus (4.25 g), Constantinople mint, 4th officina, struck c.654-658, obv. crowned busts of Constans, wearing long beard, and Constantine facing, both wearing chlamys, cross above, around DN [CON]STANTINUS C CONT, rev. cross potent set on three steps, around [VIC]TORIA AVGU**D* in exergue CONOB, (S.959, DOC 25d var. [obv. legend], MIB 26). Light marks on reverse, weak in places, extremely fine portraits, otherwise good very fine and scarce.
Estimate $600
SOLD $500
Constantine IX (1042-1055), gold histamenon nomisma, (4.39 g), struck at Constantinople mint, scyphate flan, Class III, obv. Bust of Christ facing, with nimbus, rev. Constantine bust facing bearded wearing loros and crown, in right hand long cross, and in left hand globe with pelleted cross, triple border, (S.1830, DOC 3). Large flan, extremely fine and very scarce.
Estimate $800
SOLD $950
Nicephorus III, (A.D.1078-1081), electrum gold histamenon nomisma (scyphate), Constantinople mint, (4.39 g), obv. bearded Christ enthroned no back, facing, wearing nimbus, raising right hand, in left hand the Gospels, IC XC across, double dotted border, rev. +NIKH**F D*EC T W ROTANIAT, around bust of Nicephorus facing, bearded wearing crown and loros, holding labarum with X on shaft and globe with cross, (S.1881, DOC 3, BMC 7-11, R.2051-2). Good bust of bearded Christ, nearly extremely fine and scarce.
Estimate $600
SOLD $450
Alexius I, (1081-1118), gold hyperpyron (scyphate), Thessalonica mint, post reform issue, 1092-1118 (4.31 g), obv. Christ enthroned facing, wearing nimbus, IC XC over to left KE RO, to right H**Q*EI, rev. facing figure of Alexius standing wearing crown, holding patriarchal cross to right 'Manus Dei' legend to left **A/LE/SI/W/ DE*C/**PO /T to right **T/W/ KO/ MN/ N/W*, (S.1924, Hendy Pl.4, 6-10 and pl.5. 1-4, BMC 1-2, R.2054-5). Broad flan, very fine/extremely fine and rare.
Estimate $1,000
Passed in
Michael VIII, (1258-1282), gold hyperpyron (scyphate), Constantinople mint, (4.09 g), obv. bust of Virgin within city walls and six towers, three dots at base either side, no control letters rev. St.Michael presenting kneeling emperor Michael to Christ with scroll, (S.2242, Bendall PCPC 4, var. type sigla 33, cf.DOC 6). Large flan, weak in places as usual, graffiti on reverse, minor flan crack, otherwise very fine/good very fine and rare.
Estimate $600
Passed in
Andronicus II and Andronicus III, (1325-1328 or later), joint reign, gold hyperpyron (scyphate), Constantinople mint, (3.27 gm), obv. bust of Virgin within city walls and four towers, control letters :./[K], :./X to left and right, rev. Andronicus II and Andronicus III to left and right with Christ standing between both emperors, traces of partial legend downwards of each emperor, (S.2461, Bendall PCPC 185.3 var.14, DOC 502). Large flan, very weak in places as usual, otherwise fine - very fine.
Estimate $250
Passed in
Spain, Castulo, (late 2nd century B.C.), AE 25, (10.17 g), obv. male head with diadem, hand before, dotted circle, rev. Sphinx to right, star to right, traces of "Kastulo" in exergue, (S.-, SNG BMC 2, 1323-1337, CNH 335/38). Good fine with heavy dirt patination, very scarce.
Estimate $80
SOLD $80
Spain, Hispania, Jalon - Jiloca area, Konterbia Belaiska (Kontebakom), AE unit, AE 24, late 2nd century B.C. (BM), (9.25 g), obv. Male head right with sign 'bel' behind, dolphin in front, dotted border, rev. Horseman galloping right, holding palm branch, beneath Iberian legend 'kontebakom', (SNG BMC 876-878 [Pl.38], SNG Sweden 6, 938-940 [Pl.48], CNH 1 [p.242], SNG Cop. 359); Iterior Province, Castulo, 150-100 B.C., AE As, AE 27, (15.51 g), obv. beardless male head right, wearing diadem, hand in front. dotted border, rev. Sphinx right with raised paw, in exergue legend 'Ka s ti lo', (SNG BMC 1323-1338 [Pl.57-58] SNG Sweden 6, 382-388 [Pl.20], CNH 30 [p.334]); Hispania, Jaen Province, Obulco, AE as (unit), AE 26, last third of 2nd century B.C., (10.65 g), obv. female head to right, to right OBVLCO downwards, dotted border, rev. plough above to left, corn ear below, between in two lines L.AIMIL A/ M.IVNI, dotted border, (SNG BMC 1451-1461 [Pl.64], SNG Sweden 6, 498-504 [Pl.26], CNH 44 (p.347), SNG Cop. 238-240 [Pl.XI]). Fine or better, all scarce. (3)
Estimate $250
SOLD $190
Spain, Ulterior Province, Gades, AE 26, (2nd century B.C.), (12.25 g), obv. Head of Herakles (Melkart) l., wearing lion's skin, club behind, rev. two tunny fish left, crescent and dot symbol to left, Phoenician legends above and beneath between tails, (S.46, SNG BMC 228 ff., SNG Sweden 41ff, Vives Pl.74, 1, SNG Cop. 20 ff.); Spain, Gades, AE 20, 3rd century B.C., (3.45 g), obv. head of Herakles left, branch before, rev. two tunny fish left, (Burgos 1367, 1070A); Spain, Carteia, AE 23, (1st century B.C.), (6.84 g), obv. head of Jupiter right, rev. prow of galley right, [ROMA] in exergue, (Burgos 2042, SNG Cop 425-7); Sekaisa, AE 23, (1st century B.C.), (6.95 g), obv. bare male head right, rev. warrior on horseback right, (SNG BM Spain 843-8). Toned, poor - nearly very fine, scarce. 4)
Estimate $120
SOLD $60
Celtic, Treviri (around Treves), (c.100-50 B.C.), copy of gold stater in base electrum, (4.60 g), obv. crude head to right, with a large globular eye between two oblique lines, stars radiating to the eye, rev. horse to left, two concentric annulets between the legs and an annulet to left before the horse, MW below, (De La Tour 8815, Scheers Rouen 735, Scheers Traite II). A cast copy of the electrum-gold stater, very fine and a rare type.
Estimate $100
SOLD $100