Catalogue
Sasanian King, Shapur II, (309-379), gold dinar, (7.29 g), Kabul mint type, obv. bust to right with crown, flowing hair type, cross before, rev. fire altar, text around, (Sellwood 31, cf.Gobl 1a/7 Pl.7, 107, Gobl 1309.4 ["Kushan Gold"] very similar dies). Minor surface marks, possibly once mounted, good very fine and rare.
Estimate $2,500
SOLD $2,000
Augustus, (A.D. 14-37), gold aureus, Lugdunum mint, issued after A.D. 13-14, (7.76 g), obv. laureate head of Tiberius to right, around CAESAR DIVI F PATER PATRIAE, rev. PONTIF MAXIM around, Pax or Livia seated to right, feet on footstool, plain leg chairs, with sceptre and olive branch, (cf.S.1630 (denarius), RIC 219, BMC 544, Calico 261, Lyon 93 [obv.D443, rev.R478]). Minor scuff on cheek, very fine and very rare.
Estimate $6,000
SOLD $7,500
Domitian, as Caesar under Vespasian, (A.D. 81-96), gold aureus, Rome mint, issued A.D. 77-78, (7.17 g), obv. laureate head of Domitian to right, around CAESAR AVG F DOMITIANVS, rev. captive in oriental costume kneeling right, holding standard with vexillum attached, COS V in exergue, (S.2620, RIC V240, Cal.819, BN III 205, C.48). Highlights are toned, cut on reverse edge, otherwise nearly extremely fine and very rare.
Estimate $6,000
SOLD $6,000
Antoninus Pius, (A.D. 138-161), gold aureus, (7.30 g), Rome mint, issued A.D. 160-161, obv. laureate head of Antoninus Pius to right, around ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P XXIIII, rev. Pietas standing to left between two children, holding globe and child, around PIETATI AVG COS IIII, (S.4016, RIC 302, BMC 984). Nearly extremely fine.
Estimate $7,000
SOLD $8,200
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 $4,000
SOLD $3,200
Marcus Aurelius, (A.D. 161-180), gold aureus, Rome mint, issued A.D. 155-156, (7.26 g), obv. bare headed draped and cuirassed bust of Marcus Aurelius to right, around AVRELIVS CAESAR AVG PII FIL, rev. around TR POT VIIII COS II, Roma standing left holding Victory in right hand and cradling a parazonium in the left arm, (cf.S.4769, RIC 464a, Calico 1950a). Good very fine, nearly extremely fine and rare.
Estimate $7,000
SOLD $6,000
Faustina Junior, as Augusta, (A.D. 147-175), gold aureus (7.30 g), Rome mint, struck under Marcus Aurelius, (c.A.D. 154-57), obv. FAVSTINA AVGVSTA, draped bust to right of Faustina, hair waved and fastened in bun on back of head, rev. AVGVSTI PII FIL, Diana standing left holding arrow and bow (CF.S.4687, BMC 1096 (Pius), Biaggi 915). Extremely fine with lustre, well struck, rare.
Estimate $9,000
SOLD $8,000
Valentinian I, (A.D. 364-375), gold solidus, Antioch mint, issued 366-367, 2nd Officina, (4.31 g), obv. rosette diademed, draped and cuirassed bust to right of Valentinian I around DN VALENTINI ANVS PF AVG, rev. Valentinian standing facing head to right, holding labarum and Victory on globe, RESTITVTOR REIPVBLICAE around, ANTB* in exergue, (S.4088, RIC IX 2b xiii, C.28, Depeyrot 27/2). Light surface marks, otherwise nearly extremely fine.
Estimate $500
SOLD $600
Valens, (A.D. 364-378), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, issued 367, (4.40 g), obv. pearl diademed, draped and cuirassed bust to right of Valens around DN VALENS P F AVG, rev. Valens standing facing head to right, holding labarum and Victory, RESTITVTOR REIPVBLICAE around, *CONS wreath in exergue, (S.4104, RIC IX 25b, Depeyrot 21/2). Light graffiti in reverse field, otherwise very fine or better and scarce.
Estimate $550
SOLD $760
Arcadius, (A.D. 383-408), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, issued 383, (4.50 g), obv. rosette diademed draped and cuirassed bust of Arcadius to right, around D N ARCADI VS P F AVG, rev. Constantinopolis helmeted seated facing foot on prow, head to right on throne, the arms of which are decorated with lion heads, holding sceptre and globe, around CONCOR DI A AVGGGA around, in exergue CONOB, (S.20697, RIC 45e, Depeyrot 34/2). Extremely fine and rare. $$ Ex Noble Numismatics Sale 109 (lot 3519). Previously D.J.Foster Collection and previously from Noble Numismatics Sale 45 (lot 2042) from the Richard A. Williams Collection. RIC does not list officina A for this type.
Estimate $1,300
SOLD $1,300
Theodosius II, (A.D. 402-450), gold solidus, issued Constantinople mint in A.D. 422-423, (4.38 g), obv. helmeted bust to half right with elaborate dress, holding shield and spear, around DN THEODO SIVS P F AVG, rev. Victory standing to left, holding long cross, around VOT XX MVLT XXX I, exergue CONOB, (S.4290, RIC 219 (Vol.X), G.12, T.46). Well struck, good extremely fine with mint bloom.
Estimate $800
SOLD $850
Justinian I, (527-565), gold solidus, issue of 538-545, Constantinople mint, (4.46 g), obv. helmeted and cuirassed bust facing, holding cross on globe, rev. Angel standing facing holding long cross and cross on globe, (S.139, DOC 8h). Gash on centre of reverse, otherwise extremely fine/good very fine.
Estimate $350
SOLD $450
Phocas, (A.D. 602-610), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, (4.34 g), issued A.D. 602-603, 2nd Officina, obv. Phocas facing bust, bearded, wearing cuirass, paludamentum and crown, with pendilia and cross, holding cross on globe, around ON FOCAS PERP AVI, rev. Angel facing, holding in right hand long staff, with partial P on cross symbol at top, in left hand globe with cross above, around VICTOR[I]A AVGG B, (S.616, DOC 1a.2 [same dies], BMC -, T.-, R.-). Broad flan as struck, good extremely fine and rare.
Estimate $800
SOLD $650
Phocas, (A.D. 602-610), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, (4.45 g), issued A.D. 607-610, 5th Officina, obv. Phocas facing bust, bearded, wearing cuirass, paludamentum and crown, holding cross, around DN 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 AVGUE, (S.620, DOC 10e, BMC 10-11, T.8, R.1181). Brilliant field, as struck, good extremely fine.
Estimate $650
SOLD $650
Heraclius, (610-641), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, issued 616-625, (4.35 g), Officina H, obv. facing busts of Heraclius and Heraclius Constantine, wearing chlamys and crown, around dd NN hERACLIVS ET hE[RA CON]St PP AVG, rev. cross potent on base and three steps, below CONO[B], around VICTORIA AVGUH, (S.738, DOC [13g], BMC -, T.150, R.-). Broad flan, weak in places, otherwise, extremely fine and as struck, a rare officina.
Estimate $550
SOLD $460
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 slight weakness in legends.
Estimate $600
SOLD $550
Basil I the Macedonian and Constantine, (A.D.867-886), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, issued from A.D. 867-879, (4.27 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 Romanus II wearing chlamys on right, both crowned, between them long patriarchal cross, (S.1704, DOC 2b, R.1858). Nearly extremely fine and scarce.
Estimate $500
SOLD $600
Celtic England, Belgic migration, Amorican billon stater, North-West Gaul, (70-50 B.C.), Class III, (6.33 g), obv. Celticized head to right, rev. Celticized horse to right, (S.16). Weak in places, otherwise very fine.
Estimate $150
SOLD $240
South Western Britain, uninscribed issue, Durotriges tribal issues, Abstract type, (c.45-40 B.C.), silver stater, (5.32 g), obv. abstracted head of Apollo to right, rev. Celticized disjointed horse to left, circles (pellet and ring type) around, (S.366, SCB. 1, Mack 317, Van A. 1235-1). Bright, nearly extremely fine.
Estimate $300
SOLD $340
Celtic, Iceni, early uninscribed silver unit, c.60 A.D., (1.19 g), obv. face to right, rev. horse regular type, to right, (S.434, M.413/d, V.790-94, BMC.3556-3759[74]). Good very fine.
Estimate $200
SOLD $360
Spain, Iltirta (Ilerda), after 143 B.C., AE unit or As 28mm, (13.81 g), obv. draped male bust right, three dolphins around, rev. horseman riding right, holding palm frond, (S.20, Villaronga, Ilerda 21, CNH 20 (same dies as illustration), SNG BM Spain 623). Good very fine, dark patina contrasts with earthen deposits in recesses and fields.
Estimate $300
SOLD $200
Spain, Bolskan (Osca), (c.150-100 B.C.), silver denarius, 18mm, (3.50 g), obv. male head right, Iberian 'bon' behind, rev. horseman holding spear right, Iberian 'bolskan' below, (S.28, SNG BM Spain 710, CNH pg. 211, 2, ACIP 1417). Toned, very fine, scarce.
Estimate $150
SOLD $160
Gaul, Massalia (as a Colony founded by the Phokaians), (c.400-350 B.C.), silver obol, (0.61 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 reverse, nearly extremely fine.
Estimate $100
SOLD $70
Italy, Calabria, Taras (Tarentum), (302-281 B.C.), silver nomos, (7.85 g), obv. naked horseman on horseback prancing to left, holding small shield behind him, to right **SI*, below horse **FILOKLHS*, rev. Taras astride a dolphin to left, holding a wreath and arm extended below dolphin **LU*, to right TAPA**S*, (cf.S.347, HN 965, Vl.689/688 [p.80 Pl.XXII], SNG Cop. 870 [same dies]). Toned, well centred, very fine and rare type.
Estimate $300
SOLD $360
Italy, Calabria, Taras, (272-235 B.C.), silver stater, (6.47 g), obv. naked boy rider crowning stationary horse to right, below **IW PVR OS*, above to left, FI, rev. Taras astride a dolphin to left, holding a cornucopiae and trident, to right a bee, **TAPAS below, (cf.S.374, Vl.855, SNG ANS 1181-4 similar dies). Good very fine.
Estimate $400
SOLD $320
Italy, Campania, Hyria, (c.400-395 B.C.), silver stater or nomos, (6.63 g), obv. head of helmeted Athena to right, crested helmet, with owl and wreath on helmet, rev. man-headed bull to left, above [Y]DINAI, single exergue line, (cf.S.294, Rutter 67 [obv. die 32, rev. die 61], SNG ANS 255 [same dies], McClean 218 [same dies]). Struck from a worn obverse die, otherwise fine and very rare.
Estimate $120
Passed in
Italy, Campania, Neapolis (Naples), (c.340-300 B.C.), silver nomos, stater or didrachm, (7.30 g), obv. head of nymph to right, Artemis running with torch behind, rev. man-headed bull walking to right, crowned by Nike flying right, in exergue traces of **[NEOPOLITWN]*, (cf.S.308, cf.Sambon 466, SNG ANS 353 [same dies]). Bright, large flan and slightly off centred on reverse, otherwise good very fine and very scarce in this condition.
Estimate $300
SOLD $200
Italy, Lucania, Herakleia, (330-280 B.C.), silver nomos, stater or didrachm, (7.85 g), obv. head of Athena to right wearing laureate crested Attic helmet, ornamented with Skylla, behind E to right, above [I-]HPAK**LHIW N*, rev. Herakles standing facing, club in hand, holding lion's skin and club, owl to left, (cf.S.391, SNG ANS 78, Van Keuren 87, Work 88-90). Good very fine, scarce.
Estimate $500
SOLD $420
Italy, Lucania, Metapontum, (c.480 B.C.), silver stater, (7.83 g), obv. six grain ear of corn, META upwards and some letters upside down on right, rev. six grain ear of corn, incuse, with diagnostic edge die break at 10 o'clock. (cf. S.238, Noe 235, BMC 22. cf. SNG Cop. 1165, cf.SNG Lockett 369). Nearly extremely fine and rare.
Estimate $600
SOLD $620
Italy, Lucania, Metapontum, (c.400-350 B.C.), silver nomos, stater or didrachm, (7.53 g), obv. female head of Kore (Persephone) to right with wearing ear-rings and sphendone, rev. corn ear, ME to right TA to left downwards, (cf.S.409, Noe 447 [same dies], SNG ANS 340 [same dies], Weber 760 [same dies]). Evidence of overstriking on obverse, otherwise nearly very fine/very fine and very rare type.
Estimate $250
SOLD $150