Catalogue
Trajan, (A.D.117-138), gold aureus, Rome mint, issued 107, (7.10 g), obv. laureate head of Trajan to right, aegis and cloak on far shoulder, IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS V P P, rev. oak wreath with S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI, in three lines within, (cf.S.3105, cf.RIC 150, C.581). Very fine and very rare and unpublished bust type for issue.
Estimate $3,200
Passed in
Honorius, (A.D. 393-423), gold solidus, Milan (Mediolanum) mint, issued A.D. 408-422 (4.47 g), obv. pearl diademed bust draped and cuirassed of Honorius to right, around D N HONORI VS P F AVG, rev. VICTORI A AVGGG, emperor standing right holding standard, Victory on globe, left foot on captive, M D either side, CONOB in exergue, (S.4244, RIC 35c, C.44). Large flan, nearly extremely fine/good very fine and very scarce.
Estimate $600
SOLD $700
Justinian I, (527-565), gold solidus, issue of 527-538, Constantinople mint, 4th Officina, (4.15 g), obv. helmeted and cuirassed bust three-quarters facing, holding spear and shield, around DN IVSTINI ANVS PP AVC, rev. Angel standing facing holding long cross and cross on globe, around VICTORI A AVCCC**D*, in exergue CONOB, star in right field, (S.137, DOC 3d, MIB 5, R.442). Large flan, very fine.
Estimate $500
SOLD $550
Justin II, (A.D.565-578), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, (4.52 g), issued 565-567, 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, 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, star in left field, (S.346, DOC 5c, MIBE 1). Very broad flan, nearly full mint bloom, extremely fine, minor flan flaw on reverse.
Estimate $750
Passed in
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 very fine and very rare.
Estimate $450
SOLD $480
Maurice Tiberius, (A.D.582-602), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, 6th Officina, (3.60 g), obv. helmeted with plume, draped and cuirassed bust of Maurice Tiberius facing, holding globe surmounted by cross, D N MAVRC TIb PP AVG around, rev. VICTORI A AVGGS, around, CONOB in exergue, Angel standing facing holding long staff surmounted by P with cross, and cross on globe, (S.478, DOC.7e, MIB 11, SB 481). Nearly very fine.
Estimate $500
SOLD $500
Heraclius, (610-641), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, issued 610-613, (4.25 g), 5th Officina, obv. facing bust of Heraclius wearing cuirass, chlamys, paludamentum and crown, plume with cross inside, around dN hERACLI VS PP AVC, rev. cross potent on base and three steps, below CONOB, around VICTORIA AVGUE, (S.731, DOC 3b, BMC 5-7, T.3, R.1279). Broad flan, extremely fine and scarce.
Estimate $500
SOLD $480
Heraclius, (610-641), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, Officina **G*, issued 638-639, (4.42 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, A to right, around VICTORIA AVGU **G*, CONOB in exergue, (S.766, DOC 40b, BMC -, T.-, R.-). Nearly extremely fine and a very rare variety.
Estimate $600
SOLD $550
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
SOLD $450
Constans II, with Constantine IV, (641-668 A.D.), gold solidus (4.31 g), Constantinople mint, 7th officina, struck c.654-658, obv. crowned busts of Constans, wearing long beard, and Constantine facing, both wearing chlamys, cross above, around DN CONSTATINUS C CONSTI, rev. cross potent set on three steps, around VICTORIA AVGUZ in exergue CONOB, (S.959, DOC 25g, MIB 26). Light weakness on reverse, extremely fine/nearly extremely fine and scarce.
Estimate $600
SOLD $450
Constantine IV, (668-685), gold solidus, (4.23 g), Constantinople mint, Class III, issued c.674-681, Officina **D*, obv. three-quarter facing bearded bust of Constantine IV, wearing helmet with plume and cuirass, holds spear and shield, around dN C A NUSP, rev. cross potent above three steps, between facing figures of Heraclius on left and Tiberius on right, each holding cross on globe, around VICTOA VGUH [H like an N], in exergue CONOB, (S.1154, cf.DOC 10g, BMC -, R.-, T.-). Extremely fine, with mint bloom, and rare variant.
Estimate $650
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
SOLD $750
Constantine VI, with Leo III, Constantine V, and Leo IV. 780-797, gold solidus (4.37 g), Constantinople mint, struck 780-c.787, obv. LEONVS SESSON CONSTANTINOSO [NEOS], with crowned and draped figures of Leo IV and Constantine VI seated facing on ornamented throne, cross between, rev. LEON PAP' CONSTANTINOS PATHR, crowned facing busts of Leo III and Constantine V, each wearing a loros, (S.1584 [Leo IV], cf.DOC 2 (Leo IV), Feg 1.B.2). Extremely fine and very rare, struck from worn dies.
Estimate $1,500
SOLD $1,300
Nicephorus I, (802-811) with Stauracius (from 803), gold solidus, (4.49 g), Constantinople mint, issued 803-811, obv. facing bust of Nicephorus I, wearing crown and chlamys, holding cross potent, around NICI FOROS bASILE', rev. facing bust of Stauracius beardless wearing crown and loros, holding cross on globe, around STAVRA CIS DESPO'X, (S.1604, DOC 2c, BMC 8-10). Minor flan knock, otherwise extremely fine and rare.
Estimate $1,250
SOLD $1,000
Basil I, the Macedonian, with 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
Basil I the Macedonian, Constantine and Eudocia Ingerina (his second wife), (A.D.867-886), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, issued from A.D. 882, (4.44 g), obv. Basil facing bust, bearded, wearing loros and crown with cross, in his right hand globus surmounted by patriarchal cross around +bASILIOS AYGYST'b, rev. CONSTANT' SEVdOCIA* around, facing busts of Constantine on left, holding globus surmounted by cross, Eudocia on right wearing loros and crown with cross and two pinnacles, holding cross sceptre, above between both a cross, (S.1703, DOC 3, BN 2-3, T.5). Good very fine and very rare.
Estimate $1,000
SOLD $3,100
Nicephorus III, (A.D.1078-1081), electrum gold histamenon nomisma (scyphate), Constantinople mint, (4.21 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 Nicophorus 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). Flan crack, graffiti X on reverse, otherwise very fine/good very fine and very scarce.
Estimate $400
SOLD $320
Alexius I, (1081-1118), gold hyperpyron (scyphate), Thessalonica mint, post reform issue, 1092-1118 (4.32 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 $750
SOLD $700
Celtic, AE 'Proto-money', as bronze rings of various diameters varying from approximately 18mm to 32mm. issued in the second Celtic Iron Age known as "La Tene", made during the 4th and 5th centuries B.C. Uncleaned, as they came out of the ground. Fine. (11)
Estimate $100
Passed in
Spain, Punic Spain, (c.237-209 B.C.), silver quarter shekel (1.52 g), obv. male head left, dotted border, rev. horse standing right, (S.-, MHC 182 (O123/R160), CNH 66, SNG BM Spain 117). Toned, nearly very fine and rare.
Estimate $600
SOLD $500
Spain, Celti-Iberian coinage, a small group from various cities 2nd-1st century B.C., including Gades (S.46, SNG Cop.18), (cf.S.47, SNG Cop. 16-17); Carteia (S.67, SNG Cop.443), reverse, thunderbolt, (S.-, SNG BM 1708), (S.69, SNG Cop.444-5); Castulo (S.-, SNG Cop.216), (S.-, SNG Cop.222), (S.-, SNG Cop.207); Obulco (S.-, SNG Cop.234-7); Corduba, (S.-, SNG Cop. 462); Roman Colonial issues, Patricia, Augustus, (27 B.C.-14 A.D.), AE asses, (9.35, 10.02 g), rev. COLONIA PATRICIA in wreath (S.16, SNG Cop.466) (2); another semis, reverse, Apex, simpulum, (S.- SNG Cop.467); similar AE As, Julia Traducta, (9.24 g) reverse, IVLIA TRAD in oak wreath, (S.18, SNG Cop.459-460). Fair - fine, several rare. (14)
Estimate $200
SOLD $90
Italy, Lucania, Herakleia, (281-278 B.C.), silver nomos, stater or didrachm, (7.32 g), obv. head of Athena facing three-quarters to right wearing Attic helmet decorated with Scylla, lower right a plant, rev. [HPAK**LHIWN*] to right mostly off the flan, **EFAN* in right field, Heracles standing facing, with lion's skin over his left arm, he holds his bow and two arrows in his left hand and rests his right hand on club, on the left, an ear of barley with stem and leaf, (cf.S.390; Van Keuren 90 [same dies] = Rasmussen March 10-12, 1970 (lot 216) = A. Hess April 28 1936 [lot 303] from the same dies). Golden highlights, about as struck, nearly extremely fine/ good very fine with the weakness on Herakles head similar to the other known example, this coin of the greatest rarity and the finest of the two known examples.
Estimate $5,000
SOLD $5,000
Italy, Lucania, Herakleia, (330-280 B.C.), silver stater or nomos, (7.84 g), obv. head of Athena to right wearing laureate crested Attic helmet, ornamented with Scylla, K to right, rev. Heracles standing facing, club in hand, holding lion's skin, Nike crowning Herakles, to right [I-HPAK**LHIWN], to left **AL, S* to right , (cf.S.391; Work 54a [same dies], SNG ANS 69 [same dies]). Weakly struck on obverse, otherwise very fine and a very rare type.
Estimate $250
SOLD $210
Italy, Lucania, Metapontum, (c.340-330 B.C.), silver nomos, stater or didrachm, (7.38 g), obv. female head to left with hair bound up behind, rev. corn ear, [M]ETA**PO* to left, ivy leaf to right, (cf.S.410, Noe 522 [same dies], SNG ANS 389, SNG Cop. 1205, SNG Munich 980). Very fine and very scarce type.
Estimate $400
Passed in
Italy, Bruttium, Kaulonia, silver stater, 460-450 B.C. (Kraay chronology), (7.95 g), obv. Apollo naked walking to right with branch, before him a small stag standing to right, looking back, KAV behind upwards, rev. stag standing to right, (S.462, SNG Cop. 1705 [same dies], Naville XVI [lot 309 from the same dies], Noe 64 [same dies]). Very fine, weakly struck as are all 4 known examples, very rare.
Estimate $700
Passed in
Sicily, Himera, (c.530-482 B.C. [Sear], 480/78-470 B.C. [Westermark]), silver didrachm, (8.46 g), obv. cock with closed wings strutting to left, HIMERA before, rev. crab within circular incuse circular field, (S.718, cf.Westermark 13-18 [same obverse die. obv.4, rev.-], ACNAC Rosen 55, SNG Fitz 1024). Nearly extremely fine and very rare.
Estimate $2,200
Passed in
Sicily, Himera, (420-408 B.C.), AE 17, (hemilitron), (5.29 g), obv. head of nymph Himera to left, wearing sphendone, with necklace and pearls, before six pellets, rev. six pellets in two rows of three all within laurel wreath, (S.1110, Calciati I 35 [p.43-44], SNG Morcom 599, Gabrici 29-35 [p.140], SNG ANS 186-187, BMC 54). Dark brown patina, irregular edge, good very fine/extremely fine and very scarce.
Estimate $120
SOLD $100
Sicily, Messana, (450-446 B.C.), silver tetradrachm, (16.55 g), obv. biga of mules driven to right by seated male charioteer, Nike flying above crowning horses, in exergue bay leaf with fruit, rev. MESS E N ION (N letters reversed), hare running to right, olive spray below, (cf.S.847, Caltabiano 357 [obv.die 158, rev. die 148, cf.SNG Fitz. 1069 [same reverse die], 7 coins known from these dies]). Struck from rusty and worn dies as are all known examples, otherwise fine and rare.
Estimate $300
Passed in
Sicily, Syracuse, (c.485-479 B.C.), silver tetradrachm, (17.16 g), obv. slow quadriga driven to right by male charioteer, Nike flying right crowning horses, rev. **SUP A K OSI O N 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 184 (obv.82/rev.126 same dies). Attractive evenly toned, with light tooling on the reverse very fine/ nearly very fine and a rare combination of dies.
Estimate $800
SOLD $1,400
Sicily, Syracuse, Dionysios I, (405-367 B.C.), AE drachm. AE 29, (32.16 g), obv. head of Athena wearing Corinthian helmet to left bound with olive wreath, to left traces of **[S]*YRA, rev. starfish between two dolphins with central pellet, (S.1189, Boehringer Finanzpolitik Pl.39, 44, Calciati CNS 62, BMC 287, SNG ANS 454-469, Weber 1630). Deep green patina, good fine and very scarce.
Estimate $120
SOLD $120