Catalogue
Lydia, uncertain king, issued before 561 B.C. and probably c.575 B.C., electrum trite or third stater, (4.66 g) of Lydian-Milesian (Phoenician standard), probably issued at Sardis, obv. head of roaring lion to right, knob with three rays on forehead, rev. double incuse punch, (S.3398, BMC 7 [p.2], Weidauer [Essays to Robinson] Class XVI, Weber 5710 [This Coin], SNG Cop. 449-451, ACNAC Rosen 231, ACNAC Dewing 2421-3, Boston 1768). Good fine with several interesting countermarks and rare a most extraordinary item with so many countermarks coming with a marvellous pedigree.
Estimate $2,500
Passed in
Republic, Anonymous Issue, (c.from 211 B.C.), gold sixty Asses, Rome mint, (3.35 g), obv. helmeted head of Mars to right, mark of value, arrow X behind, dotted border, rev. eagle with spread wings standing three quarters right on thunderbolt, ROMA below, (S.96, Cr.44/2, Syd.226, BMC 185, M.Bahrfeldt, Die romische Goldmunzenpragung wahrend der Republik und unter Augustus [Halle 1923], No.4). Bright, good extremely fine and very rare.
Estimate $7,500
SOLD $8,000
Antoninus Pius, (A.D. 138-161), gold aureus (7.15 g), Rome mint, issued A.D. 138, obv. around IMP T AEL CAES HADRI ANTONINVS, bare head of Antoninus Pius to left, rev. AVG PIVS P M TR P COS DES II, Pietas standing left, holding box of incense and sacrificing over altar, (cf.S.3999, RIC 13d. Calico 1472). Nearly extremely fine, rare.
Estimate $8,000
Passed in
Faustina Senior, wife of Antoninus Pius, (died A.D. 140/1), gold aureus (7.21 g), Rome mint, struck under Antoninus Pius after A.D. 147, obv. DIVA FAV STINA, draped bust of Faustina to right, hair coiled atop head, rev. AVG-V-STA, Ceres, veiled, standing left, holding torch in each hand, (S.4554, RIC (Antoninus) 357a. BMC (Antoninus) 405 (Pius). Nicely struck, with light reddish toning, extremely fine and rare.
Estimate $8,500
Passed in
Faustina Senior, wife of Antoninus Pius, (d.A.D. 141), issued after 147, gold aureus, Rome mint, (7.11 g), obv. DIVA FAVSTINA around, draped bust of Faustina to right, rev. AVG VSTA, Ceres standing left holding lit torches in each hand, (S.4554, RIC (Antoninus) 357a, BMC 403, C.75). Extremely fine or better and very rare.
Estimate $7,500
SOLD $8,800
Marcus Aurelius, (A.D. 161-180), gold aureus, Rome mint, issued A.D. 162-163, (7.30 g), obv. bare headed draped and cuirassed bust of Marcus Aurelius to right, around M ANTONINVS AVG, rev. around SALVTI AVGVSTOR TR P XVII COS III, Salus standing to left, holding sceptre and feeding snake coiled around the altar to left, (S.-, RIC 77, C.560, BMC 226, Calico 1915). Extremely fine and rare.
Estimate $7,500
SOLD $7,700
Faustina Junior, as Augusta, (A.D. 147-175), gold aureus (6.67 g), Rome mint, struck under Marcus Aurelius, c.A.D. 161), obv. FAVSTINA AVGVSTA, draped bust to left of Faustina, hair waved and fastened in bun on back of head, rev. DIANA LVCIF, Diana Lucifera, wearing crescent on head, draped, standing left, holding transverse, lighted torch in both hands, (S.5237, RIC III 673 (same rev. die), MIR 18, 7-2/20a, pl. 4 (same obv. die), Calico 2051 (same rev. die), BMC 86 (Aurelius and Verus), Biaggi 926 (same rev. die). Nearly Extremely fine with underlying lustre, some marks on edge, rare.
Estimate $10,000
Passed in
Lucius Verus, (A.D. 161-169), gold aureus, issued 161-2, Rome mint, (7.19 g), obv. IMP CAES L AVREL VERVS AVG, bare headed and draped bust of Lucius Verus to right, rev. Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus standing facing each other clasping each other's hand, around CONCORDIAE AVGVSTOR TR P II COS II, (S.1535, RIC 470, C.50, BMC p.411, note +, Calico 2122). Good very fine or better and rare.
Estimate $7,500
SOLD $9,000
Septimius Severus, (A.D. 193-211), gold aureus, Rome mint, issued A.D. 207, (7.30 g), obv. laureate head of Septimius Severus to right, around SEVERVS PIVS AVG, rev. around P M TR P XV COS III P P, draped bust of Minerva to right, wearing crested helmet, (S.6226, RIC 206, C.486). Has been lightly polished, otherwise good very fine.
Estimate $4,500
SOLD $6,000
Constantius II, (A.D. 337-361), gold solidus, Nicomedia mint, issued 348-353, (4.40 g), obv. rosette and pearl diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Constantius to right, around FL IVL CONSTAN TIVS PERP AVG, rev. Roma and Constantinopolis seated enthroned facing, each support between them a shield inscribed VOT/XX/ MVLT/XXX around legend GLORIA REI PVBLICAE, in exergue SMNT, (S.17738, RIC 32 [R3], C.108). Bent flan, with flan crack, otherwise nearly extremely fine and very rare.
Estimate $400
SOLD $560
Constantius II, (A.D. 337-361), gold solidus, Antioch mint, issued 347-355, (4.23 g), obv. pearl diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Constantius to right, around FL IVL CONSTAN TIVS PERP AVG, rev. Roma and Constantinopolis seated enthroned facing, each support between them a shield inscibed VOT/XX/ MVLT/XXX around legend GLORIA REI PVBLICAE, in exergue SMAN**D*, (S.17740, RIC 81 [R2]), Good fine and a very rare variety.
Estimate $500
SOLD $450
Valentinian I (A.D. 364-375), gold solidus, Nicomedia mint, issued October 367, (3.94 g), obv. pearl-diademed draped and cuirassed bust to right of Valentinian I around DN VALENTINI ANVS PF AVG, rev. Valentinian standing facing head to right, holding standard with + symbol and Victory, RESTITVTOR REIPVBLICAE around, SMN**Q* in exergue, (S.19261, RIC 2e, C.25, Depeyrot 18/1). Has been mounted, surface scratches, otherwise fine.
Estimate $300
SOLD $320
Theodosius II, (A.D. 402-450), gold solidus (4.49 g), Constantinople mint, 10th officina, struck 408-420, obv. D N THEO DOSIVS P F AVC, pearl-diadmed, helmeted, and cuirassed bust facing slightly right, holding in right hand spear over shoulder and shield decorated with horseman motif, rev. CONCORDI A AVCCI, Constantinopolis enthroned facing, head right, foot on prow, holding sceptre in right hand and Victory set on globe in left, star to left, in exergue, CONOB, (S.21127, RIC X 202, Depeyrot 73/2; MIRB 12b). Good extremely fine with areas of underlying lustre.
Estimate $750
SOLD $1,100
Valentinian III, (A.D. 425-455), gold solidus, Ravenna mint, issued 440-455, (4.36 g), obv. diademed, draped and cuirassed bust to right of Valentinian III, around D N PLA VALENTI NIANVS P F AVG, rev. emperor Valentinian III standing facing, holding long cross and Victory, with foot on serpent, VICTORI A AVGGG around, R V across, CONOB below, (S.21265, RIC 2010-1, DOC 841-3, C.19). Irregular edge, good very fine and rare.
Estimate $600
SOLD $480
Justinian I, (A.D. 527-565), gold solidus, issue of 545-565, Constantinople mint, (4.36 g), Officina I, obv. helmeted and cuirassed bust facing without pellets on breastplate, holding cross on globe, around DN IVSTINI ANVS PP AVI, rev. Angel standing facing holding long cross with chi-rho at top end, and cross on globe, around VICTORI A AVCCCI, in exergue CONOB, star in right field, (S.140, DOC. 9j, To.39, BMC 18). Full flan, well centred, good very fine.
Estimate $500
SOLD $480
Justin II, (A.D.565-578), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, issued 565-578, (4.48 g), 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 **Q*, CONOB in exergue, (S.345, DOC 4h, BMC 12). Some mint bloom, extremely fine.
Estimate $500
SOLD $600
Maurice Tiberius, (A.D.582-602), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, 1st Officina, (4.42 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 AVGGA, around, CONOB in exergue, Angel standing facing holding long staff surmounted by P with cross, and cross on globe, (S.478, DOC.5a). Good very fine, weak in places.
Estimate $500
SOLD $400
Maurice Tiberius, (A.D.582-602), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, (4.42 g), 9th officina, obv. crowned, draped and cuirassed bust of Maurice Tiberius facing, wearing plumed helmet, holding globe surmounted by cross, D N MAVRC TIb PP AVI around, rev. VICTORI A AVCC**Q*, around, CONOB in exergue, Angel standing facing holding long staff surmounted by P with cross, and cross on globe, (S.478, DOC [5i], R.1011). Weak in places, struck with broad flan, otherwise good very fine.
Estimate $400
SOLD $440
Phocas, (A.D. 602-610), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, (4.50 g), issued A.D. 607-610, 10th Officina, obv. Phocas facing bust, bearded, wearing cuirass, paludamentum and crown, holding cross, around DNN 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 VICTORIA AVGUI, (S.620, DOC 10j, MIBE 9, BMC 22, Berk, Harlan J., "Roman Gold Coins of the Medieval World, 383-1453", No.102b). Brilliant field, as struck, good extremely fine.
Estimate $500
SOLD $550
Heraclius, (610-641), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, issued 610-613, (4.38 g), 10th Officina, obv. facing bust of Heraclius wearing cuirass, chlamys, paludamentum and crown, plume with cross inside, around dNN hERAC LI PER AV, rev. cross potent on base and two steps, below CONOB, around VICTORIA AVGUI, (S.731, DOC 1, BMC 4, T.5, R.1282). Extremely fine and scarce.
Estimate $550
SOLD $440
Heraclius, (610-641), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, issued 616-625, (4.48 g), Officina E, obv. facing busts of Heraclius and Heraclius Constantine, wearing chlamys and crown, around dd NN hERACLIVS ET hERA CONSt PP AVG, rev. cross potent on base and three steps, below CONOB, around VICTORIA AVGU E, (S.738, DOC 13d, BMC -, T.138). Nearly extremely fine, scarce.
Estimate $500
SOLD $440
Heraclius, (610-641), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, issued 632-635, Officina H, (4.46 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 to to right, around VICTORIA AVGUH, CONOB in exergue, (S.758, DOC [33e], BMC 47-8, T.407). Very fine or better and scarce.
Estimate $450
SOLD $480
Constans II, with Constantine IV, (641-668 A.D.), gold solidus (4.41 g), Constantinople mint, 1st officina, struck circa 654-659, obv. crowned busts of Constans, wearing long beard, and Constantine facing, both wearing chlamys, cross above, rev. cross potent set on three steps, VICTORIA AVGU, CONOB+ in exergue, (S.961, DOC 27 var. (unlisted officina), MIB 27). Extremely fine, scarce.
Estimate $500
SOLD $420
Constans II, with Constantine IV, (641-668), gold solidus, issued, (4.50 g), Constantinople mint, Class VI, issued 661-663, 9th 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 C..T.., rev. cross potent above three steps, figures of Heraclius on left and Tiberius on right, each holding cross on globe, around VICTORIA A VGU**Q*, in exergue CONOB, (S.964, DOC 30h, MIB 31). Trace of mint bloom, nearly extremely fine, very scarce.
Estimate $500
SOLD $550
Constantine IV, Pogonatus, (668-685), gold solidus, (4.48 g), Constantinople mint, Class III, issued c.674-681, obv. three-quarter facing bearded bust of Constantine IV, wearing helmet with plume and cuirass, holds spear and shield, around dN COITNUS P, rev. cross potent above three steps, between facing figures of Heraclius on left and Tiberius on right, each holding cross on globe, around VICTOIA 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 $550
SOLD $600
Constantine IV, Pogonatus, (668-685), gold solidus, (4.35 g), Constantinople mint, Class III, issued c.674-681, obv. three-quarter facing bearded bust of Constantine IV, wearing helmet with plume and cuirass, holds spear and shield, around dN O..ANU PP, rev. cross potent above three steps, between facing figures of Heraclius on left and Tiberius on right, each holding cross on globe, around VICTOR VGUH [H like an N], in exergue CONOB, (S.1154, cf.DOC 10g, BMC -, R.-, T.-). Nearly extremely fine, with weakness in legends.
Estimate $450
SOLD $420
Constantine IV, Pogonatus, with Heraclius and Tiberius, (668-685), gold solidus (4.36 g), Constantinople mint, struck 674-681, obv. d N CO' T NUS P, bearded facing bust, wearing cuirass and crested helmet with plume and diadem, holding spear over shoulder and shield decorated with horseman, rev. VICTOA A VGU, cross potent on three steps flanked by Heraclius and Tiberius, each beardless, standing facing, wearing crown and chlamys, holding globus cruciger, B+/CONOB in exergue, (S.1156A, DOC II -, MIB III 8a). Good extremely fine, reflective surfaces, rare as such.
Estimate $600
SOLD $650
Constantine V, (741-775) with Leo IV (from 751), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, issued 751-757, (4.42 g), obv. facing busts of Constantine V and son Leo IV, each crowned bust facing wearing chlamys, cross above, around CONSTANTINOIS S LEON O NEOS, rev. Facing bust of Leo III with short beard holding cross potent, around G LE ON P.A. MUL, (S.1551, DOC 2, BN 6-10, BMC 7-10). Very fine and scarce.
Estimate $500
SOLD $420
Basil I and Constantine, (867-886), gold solidus (4.41 g), Constantinople mint, struck 868-879, 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). Good very fine, scarce.
Estimate $500
SOLD $560
Constantine VIII, (1025-1028), gold histamenon nomisma, (4.35 g), Constantinople mint, obv. Christ bust facing wearing nimbus, in hand the Gospels, around [+ Ih]S XIS REX REgNANTinm rev. Constantine VIII, wearing loros and crown and holding labarum and akakia, around +CWnSTANTIn bASILEVS ROm, (S.1815, DOC 1, R.1969, BMC 3-5). Good very fine/extremely fine, scarce.
Estimate $600
SOLD $650