Catalogue
Nicephorus I, (802-811) with Stauracius (from 803), gold solidus, (4.44 g), Constantinople mint, issued 803-811, obv. facing bust of Nicephorus I, wearing crown and chlamys, holding cross potent, around NICI FOROS bASILE', pellet in field to left, rev. facing bust of Stauracius beardless wearing crown and loros, holding cross on globe, around STAVRA CIS DESPOIC, (S.1604, DOC 2, BMC 4-10). Obverse scratch and weakness, otherwise good very fine and rare.
Estimate $800
SOLD $660
Michael II and Theophilus, (821-829), gold solidus, (3.86 g), struck at Syracuse mint, obv. Michael facing bust holding cross on circlet, has a short beard and wears a crown, around MI XAHL, rev. Theophilus facing beardless wearing loros and crown, in right hand cross crosslet, around **Q*E O FIL, (S.1646, DOC 15, BMC 11-12, T.13-14). Dumpy flan as usual, nearly extremely fine and scarce.
Estimate $600
SOLD $520
Theophilus, (A.D. 829-842), gold solidus, issued at Syracuse mint in A.D. 831-842, (3.53 g), obv. facing bust of Theophilus, crowned with cross, holding cross potent and wearing chlamys, around **Q*EO FILOS, rev. facing bust of Theophilus, wearing loros, cross on head, holding cross on globe, around **Q*E O [FILOS], (S.1670, DOC 24, BMC 31-33, R.-). Nearly extremely fine and very scarce.
Estimate $500
SOLD $520
Basil I the Macedonian and Constantine, (A.D.867-886), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, issued from A.D. 867-879, (4.40 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' AUGG' b' around, facing busts of Basil I wearing loros on left and Constantine wearing chlamys on right, both crowned, between them long patriarchal cross, (S.1704, DOC 2b, R.1858). Nearly very fine and very scarce.
Estimate $600
SOLD $400
Constantine VII and Romanus II, (A.D.913-959), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, issued from A.D. 945, (4.39 g), obv. Christ facing bust wearing nimbus, raising right hand in benediction, also holding Gospels, around + IhS XPS REX REgNANTIUm around, rev. around CONSTANT CE ROMAN AVGG bR around, facing busts of Constantine VII wearing loros on left and Romanus II wearing chlamys on right, both crowned, between them long patriarchal cross, (S.1751, R.1905, DOC 15, BMC 60-63, R.1905). Graffiti on obverse, good very fine and scarce.
Estimate $600
SOLD $640
Nicephoros II Phocas with Basil II, (A.D.963-969), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, (4.10 g), obv. Christ enthroned facing wearing nimbus, raising right hand in benediction, also holding Gospels, around + IhS XIS REX REGNANTINM*, rev. +**Q*EOTOC' bH**Q* NICF DESP around, facing busts of the Virgin nimbate on left, M **Q* each side of her neck and Nicephoros with short beard on right, wearing crown and loros, between them long patriarchal cross, (S.1778, DOC 4, R.1912). Good very fine and rare.
Estimate $750
SOLD $920
Basil II Bulgaroktonos and Constantine VIII, (A.D.976-1025), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, (4.42 g), obv. Christ enthroned facing wearing nimbus, raising right hand in benediction, also holding Gospels, around + IhS XIS REX REGNANTINM*, rev. + bASIL' C CONSTANT bR around, facing busts of Basil II wearing loros on left and Constantine wearing chlamys on right, both crowned, between them long patriarchal cross, (S.1796, DOC 2, cf.R.1937). Very fine or better and rare.
Estimate $750
SOLD $680
Romanus III, (A.D. 1028-1034), gold histamenon nomisma, Constantinople mint, (4.41 g), obv. Christ enthroned facing with nimbus, around +IhS XIS REX REgNANTInm, rev. Virgin with nimbus placing hand on Romanus head crowning emperor, who holds cross on globe, around **Q*CE bOH**Q* RWMANW, M**Q* above between figures, (S.1819, DOW No.1c, BMC 1-3, R.1972-3). Nearly extremely fine and very scarce.
Estimate $500
SOLD $520
Constantine IX, (A.D.1042-1055), electrum gold histamenon nomisma, Constantinople mint, (4.42 g), obv. bust of long bearded Christ facing, wearing nimbus, raising right hand, in left hand the Gospels, +IhS XIS RE REGNANTINM around, triple dotted border, rev. +CWNSTAN bASILEUS RM around bust of Constantine facing, bearded wearing crown and loros, holding labarum and globe with cross, triple dotted border, (S.1830, BMC 6-9, D.O.3, R.1970-1). Large flan, extremely fine, very scarce.
Estimate $500
SOLD $460
Constantine X, (A.D.1059-1067), gold histamenon nomisma (Scyphate), Constantinople mint, (4.24 g), obv. Christ seated facing on throne with straight arms, wearing nimbus, raising right hand, in left hand the Gospels, +IhS XIS REX REgNANTInm around, rev. +KWN RAC **L D*OVKAC, around standing figure of Constantine facing, bearded, wearing crown, saccos and loros, holding labarum no pellet on shaft and globe with cross, (S.1847, DOC 1a, BMC 3, R.2010). Nearly very fine, scarce.
Estimate $250
SOLD $340
Romanus IV, (1068-1071), gold histamenon nomisma (scyphate), Constantinople mint, Class II, (2.86 g), obv. Christ standing on footstool, with nimbus crowning Romanus and Eudocia, IC XC, around traces of +PWMA EVDKKA (sic), rev. Michael in centre, Constantius on left, and Andronicus on right, without footstools, around KWN MX AN**D*, (S.1861, DOC 2, R.2026). Clipped, hence its light weight, nearly very fine/fine.
Estimate $200
SOLD $260
Michael VII, (A.D.1071-1078), electrum gold histamenon nomisma (scyphate), Constantinople mint, (4.42 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* BACIE, around bust of Michael facing, bearded wearing crown and loros, holding labarum without pellet on shaft and globe with cross, (S.1868, DOC 2, BMC 3, R.2032). Good bust of bearded Christ, extremely fine/good very fine, scarce as such.
Estimate $450
SOLD $420
Michael VII, (A.D.1071-1078), electrum gold histamenon nomisma (scyphate), Constantinople mint, (3.37 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). Clipped, light weight, otherwise very fine.
Estimate $300
SOLD $280
Manuel I, (1143-1180), gold hyperpyron (scyphate), Constantinople mint, (4.29 g), obv. Christ bust facing, beardless wearing nimbus, across IC XC, to left KE RO, to right H**Q*EI, rev. facing figure of Manuel standing wearing crown, holding patriarchal cross to right 'Manus Dei' legend to left **MA/NWHL/ **[D]E*C/**[P]O /[TH] to right TW/ **P/OR/ FU/RO/GE/ NH/T*, (S.1956, Hendy Pl.12, 1-11, BMC 1-13, R.2111-4). Brilliant, very fine/extremely fine and scarce.
Estimate $500
SOLD $400
Manuel I (1143-1180), electrun aspron trachy, (4.35 g), struck at Constantinople mint, scyphate flan, obv. Christ enthroned facing, with nimbus, rev. The Virgin on right and Manuel I on left, together hold a patriarchal cross, Virgin with nimbate and Manuel crowned, in right hand holds akakia, around MAN[UHA] **D*EC**P*OT, (S.1958, H. Pl.13, 3 variety, BMC 25-26, R.2119). Very large flan, extremely fine.
Estimate $400
SOLD $480
Isaac II, (1185-1195), very base electrum aspron trachy (scyphate), Constantinople mint, (4.23 g), obv. The Virgin Mary enthroned facing, wearing nimbus, holds infant Christ facing, MP monogram to left and **QU* to right, rev. facing half length figures of the Archangel Michael nimbate on right who crowns the emperor Isaac standing on left facing, traces of legend both sides, (S.2002, Hendy Pl.20, 5-8, BMC 12-15, R.2178-9). Damage on face of Virgin on obverse, otherwise nearly extremely fine/extremely fine and scarce.
Estimate $400
SOLD $340
John III Ducas called Vatatzes, Empire of Nicaea, (A.D. 1222/3-1254), gold hyperpyron nomisma, Magnesia mint, (4.40 g), second coinage transitional to late style, issued 1232-1254, obv. Christ enthroned facing nimbate, raising hand, IC XC either side of head, rev. John standing left being crowned by the Virgin Mary, to left and right traces of legend, (S.2073, DOC 6a, Vol.4, pl.XXX; H.Pl.32, 3). Weak in places, otherwise nearly extremely fine.
Estimate $300
SOLD $240
John III Ducas called Vatatzes, Empire of Nicaea, (A.D. 1222/3-1254), gold hyperpyron nomisma, Magnesia mint, (4.35 g), second coinage transitional to late style, issued 1232-1254, obv. Christ enthroned facing nimbate, raising hand, IC XC either side of head, rev. John standing left being crowned by the Virgin Mary, to left and right traces of legend, (S.2073, DOC 6a, Vol.4, pl.XXX; H.Pl.32, 3). Weak in places, otherwise nearly extremely fine.
Estimate $300
SOLD $320
Theodore II, Ducas Lascaris, Empire of Nicaea, (A.D. 1254-1258), gold hyperpyron nomisma, Magnesia mint, (4.22 g), issued 1254-1258, obv. Christ enthroned facing nimbate, raising hand, IC XC either side of head, rev. emperor standing left being crowned by the Virgin Mary, to left and right traces of legend, (S.2136, DOC Vol.4, pl.XXXV, 1-4; H.Pl.34, 11). Weak in places, otherwise nearly extremely fine.
Estimate $300
SOLD $340
Michael VIII, (1258-1282), gold hyperpyron (scyphate), Constantinople mint, (4.39 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, otherwise very fine/good very fine and rare.
Estimate $400
SOLD $340
Andronicus II and Michael IX, (1295-1320), gold hyperpyron (scyphate), Constantinople mint, (4.08 g), obv. bust of Virgin within city walls and four towers, control letters B to left B reversed to right, rev. Andronicus II and Michael IX to left and right with Christ standing between both emperors, traces of partial legend downwards of each emperor, (S.2396, Bendall cf.PCPC 142). Weak in places as usual, two flan cracks otherwise good fine and rare.
Estimate $250
SOLD $300
Andronicus II and Andronicus III, (1325-1328 or later), joint reign, gold hyperpyron (scyphate), Constantinople mint, (3.30 g), obv. bust of Virgin within city walls and four towers, control letters N X to left and right, rev. Andronicus II and Andronicus III to left and right with Christ standing between the emperors, traces of partial legend downwards of each emperor, (S.2461, Bendall PCPC cf.185 var.15, DOC 503). Small flan, very weak in places as usual, otherwise fine - very fine.
Estimate $300
Passed in
Italy, Campania, Neapolis (Naples), (c.340-240 B.C.), silver stater or didrachm, (7.44 g), obv. head of nymph to right, astragalus behind, below **CARILE*, rev. man-headed bull walking to right, crowned by Nike flying right above, below K, below exergue of [**NEO]POLI[TWN*], (cf.S.307, Sambon 469b, SNG ANS 359 [same dies]). Toned, very fine and a scarce symbol.
Estimate $200
SOLD $320
Italy, Campania, Nola, (c.390-385 B.C.), silver stater, (6.86 g), obv. head of nymph to right, rev. man-headed bull walking to right, crowned by Nike flying right above, below in exergue **[NWLAIWN], (cf.S.311 [£250], Rutter 51 [obv. die 21 same die, reverse die 31]). Good fine/fine and very rare.
Estimate $120
SOLD $100
Italy, Lucania, Thurium (Thourioi), (350 -300 B.C.), silver nomos, stater or didrachm, (6.88 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]). Roughness on obverse, otherwise very good/very fine and scarce.
Estimate $100
Passed in
Italy, Lucania, Velia, (c.300-280 B.C.), silvered fourree nomos (6.59 g), Philistion group, obv. Head of Athena to right, wearing helmet decorated with laurel wreath and wing, monogram behind neck guard, **F* below chin, rev. lion standing right, above a grain ear between **F* and I, in exergue **QOURIWN*, (S.460, Williams +489, 7 (This Coin), HN Italy 1309). Good very fine, light grey patination, some very minor light scratches under tone on obverse, small break in the plating above lion, rare.
Estimate $1,250
Passed in
Italy, Lucania, Velia, (c.293/290-280 B.C.), silver nomos, stater or didrachm, (7.35 g), Period VIII, workshop of caduceus group, obv. head of Athena to left, wearing crested Athenian helmet with griffin, **F* on flap, AP monogram behind, rev. lion walking to right, caduceus above, **UELHTWN* in exergue, (cf.S.454, Williams 539 [similar dies]). Toned, nearly very fine, scarce.
Estimate $200
SOLD $360
Italy, Calabria, Tarentum (Taras), (281-272 B.C.), silver stater or nomos, (6.44 g), obv. naked horseman at full gallop on horse to right, holding javelins and shield, **GU* behind, rev. Taras astride a dolphin to left, holding a cornucopiae and a small Nike, to right a thunderbolt, to left **POLU, below **T APA[S]. (cf.S.378, Vl.718, cf.SNG ANS 1086). Golden blue patination, extremely fine or better, very rare in this condition.
Estimate $400
SOLD $680
Italy, Bruttium, Petelia, (280-216 B.C.), AE 20, (5.89 g), obv. veiled head of Demeter to right, wreathed with barley, dotted border, rev. naked Zeus facing striding to left, hurling thunderbolt and holding sceptre, in two lines **[P]ETH LINWN*, (S.678, cf.SNG Cop. 1907, SNG Munich 1548). Attractive dark green patina, very fine/fine and very scarce.
Estimate $70
SOLD $50
Sicily, Akragas (Agrigentum), AE 21, trias, (425-406 B.C.), (10.10 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 $90