Catalogue
Theodosius II, (A.D. 402-450), Indian copy of gold solidus, issued 5th century A.D., of type struck at Constantinople A.D. 408-430, (4.30 g), obv. helmeted and cuirassed bust facing of Theodosius II, holding spear and shield, around D N THEODO SIVS P F AVG, rev. Constantinoplis seated facing holding spear and Victory, star in left field, around CONCORDI A AVGGI, in exergue CONOB, (cf.S.4296 (AE), RIC 63c.2, cf.Depeyrot 73/2). Good very fine.
Estimate $500
SOLD $420
Valentinian III (A.D. 425-455), gold solidus, Ravenna mint, (4.27 g), obv. diademed, draped and cuirassed bust to right, around D N PLA VALENTI NIANVS P F AVG, rev. Emperor Valentinian III standing facing, holding long cross and Victory, with foot on serpent, R V across, VICTORIA AVGGG around, CONOB in exergue, (S.4310, C.19). Possibly has been mounted, otherwise about extremely fine and rare.
Estimate $1,500
Passed in
Zeno I, (A.D. 474-491), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, Officina H, (4.46 g), obv. Zeno three-quarter facing bust, wearing cuirass, paludamentum and crown, holding spear and shield, around DN ZENO PERP AVC, rev. Victory standing to left, in right hand holding long cross, in right field a star, around VICTORI A AVGGG**Q*, in exergue CONOB, (S.4385, RIC 910). Possibly once mounted, otherwise good very fine.
Estimate $500
SOLD $380
Basiliscus, (475-476), gold tremissis, Rome mint, (1.39 g), obv. diademed, draped and cuirassed bust to right of Basiliscus, around D N bASILI SCVS P AVG, rev. cross in wreath, in exergue CONOB, (S.4399, RIC 3303, T.86). Good very fine and rare.
Estimate $1,000
SOLD $840
Justin II, (A.D.565-578), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, (4.46 g), issued 565-578, obv. bust of Justin II facing, with plume and diadem, two pearls at each side, wearing cuirass, and holding globe surmounted by Victory, 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 I, CONOB in exergue, (S.345, DOC 4i, BMC 13). Weak in places large flan, otherwise good very fine.
Estimate $500
SOLD $450
Justin II, (A.D.565-578), gold solidus, Constantinople (Alexandria mint, attribution by Hahn) mint, (4.19 g), issued 565-578, obv. bust of Justin II facing, with plume and diadem, two pearls at each side, wearing cuirass, and holding globe surmounted by Victory, d N I [VSTI] NVS PP AVC around, rev. Constantinople seated looking right, with helmet tunic and mantle, on right shoulder aegis, left hand holds a spear, chi-rho symbol in left field, around VICTORI A AVGGGI, .CONOB. in exergue, (S.347A, DOC.-, R.-, Hahn 14, Berk 63). Off-centred on the obverse, otherwise good very fine and extremely rare.
Estimate $1,000
Passed in
Heraclius, with Heraclius Constantine and Heraclonas, (610-641), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, 5th officina E, dated RY 12 = 638-639, (4.36 g), obv. standing crowned figures of Heraclius in centre, Heraclius Constantine on left, and Heraclonas on right, cross on each crown, rev. cross potent on three steps, monogram to left, IB monogram to right, around VICTORIA AVGUE, CONOB in exergue, (S.767, DOC 41e, MIB 48). Nearly extremely fine and a rare variety.
Estimate $600
Passed in
Constans II, with Constantine IV, (641-668 A.D.), gold solidus (4.33 g), Constantinople mint, 6th officina, struck 654-658, obv. crowned busts of Constans, wearing long beard, and Constantine facing, both wearing chlamys, cross above, around [DN CONSTANTIN]US C CON]STNI, rev. cross potent set on three steps, around VICTORIA AVGUS in exergue CONOB, (S.959, DOC 25f, MIB 26). Light weakness, scratch on obverse, very fine/good very fine and scarce.
Estimate $500
Passed in
Constans II, with Constantine IV, (641-668), gold solidus, issued, (4.39 g), Constantinople mint, Class VI, issued 661-663, 1st Officina, obv. large crowned long-bearded bust facing of Constans, wearing chlamys and plumed helmet, ornamented with cross, Constantine IV on right wearing crown with cross on top, around dN [CONST] AN, rev. cross potent above three steps, figures of Heraclius on left and Tiberius on right, each holding globus cruciger (cross on globe), around VICTOR[IA] A VGUA, in exergue CONOB, (S.964, DOC 30a var. obverse legend, MIB 31). Much mint bloom, extremely fine, weak in top left of the reverse and very scarce.
Estimate $700
Passed in
Leo III the 'Isaurian' and Constantine V, (717-741), gold solidus, (4.27 g), Constantinople mint, issued 731-733, obv. facing bust of Leo III with short beard, wearing crown and chlamys, holding globus cruciger (cross potent on globe), and akakia, around dND LEO [ND A]MUL, rev. Constantine V beardless wearing crown and chlamys, holding globus cruciger (cross potent on globe) and akakia, around DN CONST ANTINUS M, (S.1504, DOC 4f, BMC 8, T.54, R.1734). Trace of mint bloom but weak in places, otherwise good very fine and rare.
Estimate $1,000
Passed in
Basil I the Macedonian and Constantine, (A.D.867-886), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, issued from A.D. 867-879, (4.35 g), obv. Christ enthroned facing wearing nimbus, raising right hand in benediction, also holding Gospels, the throne has curved ornamented arms, around + IhS XPS REX REGNANTIUM*, rev. bASILIOS ET CONSTANT' AU[GG' b'] around, facing busts of Basil I wearing loros on left and Romanus II wearing chlamys on right, both crowned, between them long patriarchal cross, (S.1704, DOC 2b, R.1858). Possibly mounted, otherwise nearly very fine and scarce.
Estimate $450
SOLD $320
Basil I, the Macedonian and Constantine, (A.D.867-886), pale gold semissis, Syracuse mint, issued from A.D. 868-879, (1.26 g), obv. bust of Basil facing wearing crown and loros, around bAS ILEIOC, rev. CON STANT around, facing bust of Constantine wearing crown and loros holding globe with cross, (S.1714, R.1859, DOC 14a, BMC 31). Good very fine and rare.
Estimate $500
Passed in
Michael VII, (A.D.1071-1078), electrum gold histamenon nomisma (scyphate), Constantinople mint, (4.32 g), obv. bust of long bearded Christ Pantokrator facing, wearing nimbus, raising right hand, in left hand the Gospels, IC XC across, double dotted border, rev. +MIXAH**L* BACI**L O D*, around bust of Michael facing, bearded wearing crown and loros, holding labarum without pellet on shaft and globe with cross, (S.1868, DOC 2d, BMC 3, R.2032). Good bust of bearded Christ, good very fine.
Estimate $500
Passed in
John III, Ducas called Vatatzes, (1222/3-1254), gold hyperpyron of Magnesia mint type, (4.70 g), a tooled imitative issue of the standard type with additional borders and erased legends, probably made intentionally round (cf.S.2073). Holed, very fine.
Estimate $250
Passed in
Andronicus II and Michael IX, (1295-1320 or later), joint reign, gold hyperpyron (scyphate), Constantinople mint, (3.98 g), obv. bust of Virgin within city walls and six towers, control letters C **D* to left and right, rev. Andronicus II and Andronicus III to left and right with Christ standing between emperors, traces of partial legend downwards of each emperor, (S.2396, Bendall PCPC cf.128 var.17, cf.DOC 250ff). Very fine.
Estimate $450
Passed in
Gaul, Massalia (as a colony founded by the Phokaians), (c.400-350 B.C.), silver obol, (0.60 g), obv. youthful male head of Apollo left, rev. wheel with four spokes, M A in two quarters, (S.72, De La Tour 681). Well centred, good fine.
Estimate $80
Passed in
Italy, Lucania, Metapontum, (c.340-330 B.C.), silver nomos (7.58 g), obv. bearded head of Zeus Eleutherios to right, to right **ELEUQERIOS, D* behind, rev. META downwards on right, barley ear of seven grains, Selinos crouching above leaf, **D* below), (S.-, Johnston Class A 2.2 [same dies], SNG Munich 988, SNG ANS 451 [same obverse die], HN Italy 1557). Very fine, toned, the type of Zeus head is of great rarity, four known being only one other example beside those cited above.
Estimate $1,000
Passed in
Italy, Lucania, Metapontum, (c.320-290 B.C.), silver stater or nomos, (7.88 g), obv. head of Demeter to right wreathed in ears of corn, **[DAI] below chin, rev. corn ear, META to left, leaf of stalk to right, and star above, **LU* below leaf, (cf.S.416, Johnston [NN&M 164] Class C, 8.16 [same dies], SNG Ash 773 [same dies]). Well centred slightly short on flan, attractive grey patina, good very fine, and rare in this condition.
Estimate $600
SOLD $500
Italy, Lucania, Thurium (Thourioi), (350 -300 B.C.), silver nomos, stater or didrachm, (7.43 g), obv. head of Athena to right wearing crested Athenian helmet, ornamented with figure of Scylla, rev. bull butting to right, **[UOURIWN] and I below bull, tunny fish below in exergue, dotted exergual line, (cf.S.447; SNG ANS 1058/9 [similar dies]). Minor edge roughness on reverse, otherwise very fine and scarce.
Estimate $150
Passed in
Italy, Calabria, Tarentum, (Taras), (c.480-470 B.C.), silver obol, (0.65 g), obv. scallop shell, rev. four spoke wheel, (Vlasto 1106, SNG ANS 1239); Gaul, Massalia (as a Colony founded by the Phokaians), (c.400-350 B.C.), silver obol, (0.62 g), obv. youthful male head of Apollo left, rev. wheel with four spokes, M A in two quarters, (S.72, De La Tour 681). Toned, nearly very fine/very fine. (2)
Estimate $120
Passed in
Italy, Calabria, Tarentum (Taras), (272-235 B.C.), silver nomos, stater or didrachm, (6.36 g), obv. naked rider crowning stationary horse to right, below PhILICKOC, rev. Taras astride a dolphin to left, holding kantharos and trident, below dolphin, tripod, TARAS to right, (cf.S.374, cf.Vl.888, cf.SNG ANS 1206-7). Dark tone, slightly off centred on obverse, otherwise very fine.
Estimate $250
Passed in
Sicily, Akragas (Agrigentum), AE 27, hemilitron, (425-406 B.C.), (11.58 g), obv. eagle to right holding hare in talons, rev. crab, six pellets around, ketos below, (cf.S.1022, Calciati I No.20, SNG ANS 1022, SNG Morcom -); Macedon, Cassander (319-297 B.C.), AE 19, (4.51 g), obv. Herakles head right in lion skin, rev. youth on horse to right, (S.6754). Dark brown patina, cut across reverse, otherwise fine for the first coin, very good for the second coin. (2)
Estimate $50
SOLD $30
Sicily, Akragas (Agrigentum), AE 20, trias, (425-406 B.C.), (6.36 g), obv. eagle to right holding hare in talons, AKPA behind eagle, rev. crab, three dots below, with a crayfish below dots, (S.1023, Calciati I p.181 No.54/3, SNG ANS 1041, cf.SNG Morcom 523). Dark green patina, attractive very fine.
Estimate $50
SOLD $40
Sicily, Leontini, (c.425 B.C.), silver tetradrachm, (17.38 g), obv. laureate head of Apollo to left, dotted border, rev. head of lion to right, around three barley grains and a large lyre (kithara) below, around **LEONTINON, (cf.S.833, SNG ANS 243 [Pl.9, Same Dies], Boehringer [Essays Price] No.56 [Pl.12 Same Dies]). Nearly very fine and a very rare type coming from only these dies.
Estimate $300
SOLD $320
Sicily, Messana, (425-421 B.C.), silver tetradrachm, (17.09 g), obv. biga of mules driven to right by standing female charioteer, above Nike standing to right on reins, in exergue olive leaf with fruit, rev. **MESS A N I ON around, below hare bounding to right a dolphin to right, (S.851, Caltabiano 485 [obv.die 199, rev. die 196, 10 specimens known]). Dark attractive tone, well centred, nearly extremely fine and very rare.
Estimate $6,000
Passed in
Sicily, Syracuse, (485-480 B.C.), silver tetradrachm, (16.79 g), obv. slow quadriga driven to right by male charioteer, Nike flying right crowning horses, rev. **S*VRA KO**SI ON* around to right, head of Artemis-Arethusa to right, hair waved and turned up behind under diadem of beads, four dolphins around, (cf.S.913, Boehringer 334 [obv.165/rev.234 same dies]). Some surface porosity on the obverse, otherwise very fine/nearly very fine and rare.
Estimate $500
SOLD $670
Sicily, Syracuse, (c.460-450 B.C.), silver tetradrachm, (17.20 g), obv. slow quadriga driven to right by male charioteer holding kentron, Nike flying right crowning horses, dotted border, rev. **SURAKOSI O N around to right, head of Artemis-Arethusa to right, hair rolled and tucked under diadem, four dolphins clockwise around, (cf.S.914, Boehringer 510 same dies [obverse 268/reverse 363 dies], SNG ANS 162 [same obverse die]). Minor test cut on reverse, obverse die worn, otherwise very fine and rare.
Estimate $1,000
Passed in
Sicily, Syracuse, (c.445 B.C.), silver tetradrachm, (17.16 g), obv. quadriga to right, Nike flying above crowning horses, in exergue pistrix (sea serpent), rev. head of Artemis-Arethusa with hair bound with cord which passes thrice round the head and twice round back of hair, around four dolphins, **SURAKOSI ON* around, (cf.S.925, Boeh. 554 [V.282/R385] 6 noted, Boston 373). Toned, very fine and rare.
Estimate $650
Passed in
Sicily, Syracuse, period of Timoleon, (344-336 B.C.), AE hemilitron, AE 23, (13.05 g), obv. head of Zeus Eleutherios laureate to right, around **IEUS [ELEUQERI]OS*, rev. thunderbolt, eagle standing to right in right field, around **[S]URAKO SIWN*, (S.1192, BMC 313, SNG ANS 477-488, Calciati 71, Weber 1653). Dark brown tone, off centred obverse, small flan, otherwise good very fine and very scarce.
Estimate $180
Passed in
Sicily, Syracuse, Kingdom of, Agathokles, (317-289 B.C.), silver tetradrachm, (16.45 g), obv. head of Artemis-Arethusa to left, surrounded by three dolphins, with dotted border, trace of NK below, rev. galloping quadriga driven left by charioteer holding goad, above triskeles, in exergue **SURAKOSIWN over AN monogram, dotted border, (cf.S.971, BMC 350, SNG Lloyd 1478 (same dies), cf.SNG ANS 637, cf.SNG Lockett 1022). Uneven rough flan and slightly double struck on reverse, light grey tone, otherwise good very fine and very scarce.
Estimate $2,750
Passed in