Catalogue
Agrippa, (died 12 B.C.), posthumous issue struck by Caligula (A.D. 37-41), AE as, (10.62 g), obv. M AGRIPPA L F COS III, head to left wearing rostral crown, rev. S C, across, Neptune standing to left, holding dolphin and trident, (S.1812, RIC 58 (Caligula), C.3). Green find patination, with minor surface oxidation, otherwise good very fine and scarce in this condition.
Estimate $250
SOLD $190
Civil Wars, (A.D. 68-69), silver denarius (3.05 g), minted in Spain, obv. draped bust of Libertas to right around LIBERTAS RESTITVTA, rev. a round shield inscribed S P Q R, all within wreath, (S.2069, RIC II 27, RSC 431, Martin 91). Nearly very fine, porous surface, very rare.
Estimate $800
Passed in
Civil Wars, (A.D. 68-69), silver denarius (2.76 g), Tarraco mint, struck under Galba in Spain, April-June A.D. 68, obv. trace of LIBERTAS, draped bust of Libertas to right, rev. traces of RESTITVTA below P R across, pileus (cap of liberty) between two daggers, (S.2071, RIC II 24, RSC 394, BMC 7, Martin 49/50 Plate 4). Very good, corroded and weak in places, extremely rare.
Estimate $500
SOLD $350
Thrace, Kingdom of, Lysimachos, (323-281 B.C.), gold stater, (8.51 g), Byzantium mint, posthumous issue c.205-195 B.C., obv. diademed head of Alexander the Great to right, wearing horn of Ammon, rev. Athena enthroned to left, holding Nike and resting left arm on shield, transverse spear resting against right side to right, to right **BASILEWS*, to left **LUSIMACOU*, lion's head to left in outer left field, trident below in exergue, (cf.S.6813, cf.Seyrig, `Monnaies de Byzance et de Calcedoine' [Essays to S.Robinson], No.7-10 [Plate 23]). Extremely fine but virtually as struck, once in jewellery but extremely rare and apparently unpublished for these marks.
Estimate $3,000
SOLD $2,700
Lesbos, Mytilene, c.412-378 B.C., electrum hekte (2.41 g), Bodenstedt dates 410 B.C., obv. forepart of winged lion to left, rev. Sphinx seated to right all within linear square, (cf.S.4243, Bodenstedt 63 [same die as obv.], Boston 1694-6, BMC 35, Weber 5608). Attractive, fine and rare.
Estimate $450
SOLD $400
Caracalla, (A.D. 198-217), gold aureus, issued 213, Rome mint, (7.11 g), obv. laureate head to right of Caracalla, around ANTONINVS PIVS AVG BRIT, rev. Securitas enthroned right, resting head on right hand, holding scepter in left, altar at feet, around SECVRITATI PERPETVAE, (S.6748, RIC 229a, BMCRE 101, Calico 2813, C. 575). Finely centered on generous flan, a splendid mature portrait in the finest style of the period, with mint bloom, good extremely fine and very rare.
Estimate $12,000
SOLD $11,000
Aelia Eudocia, wife of Theodosius II, (423-460), gold tremissis, Constantinople mint, issue c.430's, (1.34 g), obv. AELEVDO CIA AVG, pearl-diademed and draped bust right of Eudocia, wearing earring and necklace, rev. Latin cross pattee within wreath (wreath ties type 8), circular jewel above, CONOB* beneath, (RIC 281, MIRB 50, Depeyrot 72/2). Some surface scratches, otherwise very fine and rare.
Estimate $3,200
Passed in
Heraclius, with Heraclius Constantine and Heraclonas, (610-641), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, 9th officina **Q* dated RY 12 = 638-639, (4.25 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 AVGU**Q*, CONOB in exergue, (S.767, cf.DOC 41, cf.MIB 48). Good very fine/very fine and a rare variety, not listed for officina in usual references.
Estimate $500
SOLD $460
Tiberius III, (A.D. 698-705), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, (4.48 g), officina B, obv. cuirassed bust facing with short beard, wearing crown and holding spear, around d TIbERI US PE AU, rev. VICTORIA AUG**Q* around, cross potent on three steps, beneath CONOB, (S.1360, BMC 2 = T.2, DOC 1b, MIB 1). Brilliant, extremely fine and very scarce.
Estimate $1,200
SOLD $1,300
Nicephorus II Phocas (AD 963-969), with Basil II, gold histamenon nomisma (4.09 g), Constantinople mint, issued 965-969, obv. around + IhS XIS REX REGNANTIhM, bust of Christ Pantocrator facing, wearing cruciform nimbus, raising right hand in benediction, and holding book of Gospels cradled in left arm, rev. around + **Q*EOTOC' B' H**Q* hICHF DESP', facing busts of the Virgin, nimbate on left and Nicephorus (on right), wearing short beard and holding between them the patriarchal cross, the Virgin dividing M and **Q*, the emperor wearing crown and loros. (S.1778, DOC 4, B.N. 5-10, BMC 3-5, R. 1912). Good very fine and rare.
Estimate $1,000
SOLD $950
Alexius I, (1081-1118), gold hyperpyron (scyphate), Constantinople mint, post reform issue, 1092-1118 (4.25 g), obv. Christ enthroned facing, wearing nimbus, raising hand in benediction and holding Gospels, 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/SIW/ DE*C/**PO /TH to right **TW/ KO/ MNH/ NW*, (S.1913, DOC IV, 20, Hendy Pl.3, 4-10, BMC 4-6, R.2057-8). Nearly extremely fine with slight die shift, very scarce.
Estimate $400
SOLD $320
Manuel I, (1143-1180), electrum aspron trachy (scyphate), Constantinople mint, (4.13 g), third coinage, obv. Christ facing on dais, bearded and wearing nimbus, in hand the Gospels, IC XC to left and right, star on each side, rev. facing figures of St. Theodore on right and Manuel I on left wearing divitision and chlamys, holding a patriarchal cross between them, globe at base, around MANUH**L* to left, **Q/Q E/O/D/P/[O/S], (S.1959, Hendy Pl.13, 5-6, cf.BMC 27-30). Large flan, pale gold, very fine/good very fine.
Estimate $300
SOLD $260
Leo I, (A.D. 457-474), modern copy of a gold solidus, Constantinople mint, issued 468-473, (3.87 g), obv. Leo three-quarter facing bust, wearing cuirass, paludamentum and crown, holding spear and shield, around DN LEO PE RP ET AVC, rev. Victory standing to left, in right hand holding long cross, in right field a star, around VICTORI A AVGGG O, in exergue CONOB, (cfS.21404, cf.RIC 630, cf.Depeyrot 93/1). Red toning, good very fine.
Estimate $300
SOLD $240
India, Taxila, late imitative of Kushan, as a Kidara issue of anonymous issue (400-450 A.D.), base gold stater, (8.01 g), obv. debased standing king facing with head to left, rev. crude representation of Goddess Ardoksho enthroned facing, (M.3696). Very fine and rare.
Estimate $200
SOLD $200
Spain, Punic Spain, Carthago Nova, time of Hannibal, (237-209 B.C.), silver quarter shekel, (1.74 g), obv. laureate male head to left, club over far shoulder, rev. African elephant walking to right, dotted border, (S.6566, M.18 [p.17], Robinson [Essays Mattingly], 6 (d) [p.50, Plate II], Villaronga class III, No.53, [obv.32, rev.51], CNH 15 [p.65]). Holed, otherwise nicely toned, very fine or better and rare.
Estimate $1,500
Passed in
Spain under Carthage, time of Hannibal, (235-220 B.C.), AE 12, uncertain mint but around Gades, (1.99 g), obv. Tanit-Persephone to left, linear circle, rev. crested Corinthian helmet, (Robinson, [Essays Mattingly], No.2 (q) [p.48, Plate 1, similar dies to BM example], Villaronga 117 [Pl.XI], CNH 46 [p.69]); another similar (1.62 g), obv. Tanit-Persephone to left, linear circle, rev. crested Corinthian helmet, (Robinson, [Essays Mattingly], No.2 (q) [p.48, Plate 1, same dies as BM example]). Both with some soil attached, otherwise very fine and rare. (2)
Estimate $80
SOLD $70
Calabria, Tarentum, (c.240-228 B.C.), silver nomos [stater], (6.20 g), Olympis, magistrate, obv. Hippokontist on horseback right, hurling javelin, wreath to left, **OLUMPIS* below, rev. Phalanthos riding dolphin left, holding kantharos and cornucopia, tripod to right, T A**RAS* below, (S.378, Vlasto 942, HN Italy 1055, BMC 274-5). Good very fine with attractive light grey toning with irridescent hues.
Estimate $800
Passed in
Italy, Calabria, Tarentum (Taras), (272-235 B.C.), silver stater or nomos, (6.91 g), obv. diademed head of nymph left rev. youth on horseback right, crowning horse with wreath, dolphin and TA below (Vl.1000, SNG ANS 1280, HN Italy 1098). Some surface pitting on obverse, attractive golden patina on reverse, nearly very fine and scarce.
Estimate $320
Passed in
Italy, Calabria, Tarentum (Taras), (281-272 B.C.), silver stater, (6.27 g), obv. naked boy rider on horse to right crowning horse with wreath, **[FI]LOKRA* behind, below horse NK monogram, rev. Phalanthos astride a dolphin to left, holding Nike and trident, beneath dolphin uncertain letters, (cf.S.370, cf.Vl.868, cf.HN Italy 1027); Syria, Kingdom of, Alexander I Balas, (152-145 B.C.), silver drachm, (3.96 g), Antioch mint, obv. diademed head of Alexander I to right, dotted border, rev. Apollo seated left on omphalos holding bow and arrow, monogram **R*A to left, (cf.S.7035,SNG Israel I (Spaer) 1400, Newell SMA 173). Toned, slightly porous surface, otherwise nearly very fine/very fine.
Estimate $280
SOLD $160
Lucania, Metapontion, (c.300-250 BC), (3.09 g), obv. wreathed head of Dionysos left, rev. barley ear with leaf to right, cross-torch to right, (Johnston, Bronze 47, HN Italy 1683). Very fine or better and scarce.
Estimate $200
Passed in
Italy, Lucania, Thurium (Thourioi), (c.350 B.C.), silver nomos, stater or didrachm, (7.41 g), obv. head of Athena to right wearing crested Athenian helmet, ornamented with figure of Scylla, rev. bull butting to right, **QOURIWN, tunny fish below in exergue, with exergual line, (cf.S.442, SNG ANS 1008 [same obv. die]). Nearly very fine and a scarce type.
Estimate $200
SOLD $140
Italy, Bruttium, Rhegion, (c.450 B.C. [Arnold-Biucchi chronology]), silver tetradrachm, (16.94 g), obv. lion's head facing, within dotted border, rev. Iokastos the traditional founder of the city naked to waist and seated to left, holding staff and resting left hand on hip, all within laurel wreath, legend around anti-clockwise, [R]ECI NOS, (S.498, Herzfelder, H., "Catalogue des Tetradrachmes et Drachmes de Rhegion" No.1i [This Coin], [obv.D1, rev.R1 same dies], Pl.XX 1q for reverse die break illustration, [Revue Numismatique (RN) 1956], Munzhundlung Basel Sale 4 (390) [This Coin], cf.Arnold Biucchi 7-10 [Same Dies], SNG ANS 635). Some light scratches in the region of the interesting die crack on the reverse, original obverse die somewhat rusted, otherwise good very fine/very fine and very rare.
Estimate $2,500
Passed in
Sicily, Leontini, (c.455-430 B.C.), silver tetradrachm, (15.84 g), obv. laureate head of Apollo to right, rev. head of lion to right, around four barley grains, around **LEON[TIN]O[N], (S.832, SNG ANS 249 [same dies]). Heavy surface porosity on the obverse, some surface oxidation, otherwise fine/good fine and rare.
Estimate $400
SOLD $240
Sicily, Syracuse, Hieron I, (c.478-466 B.C.), silver tetradrachm, issued 478-745, (17.08 g), obv. slow quadriga driven to right by male charioteer, Nike flying left crowning horses, plain exergue, rev. **SUPAKOSION* around, diademed head of Arethusa to right, four dolphins around, (cf.S.931, Boehringer Series VIIIa 151 {obv.66, rev.104}, HGC 2 1306, Pozzi 557 [same dies], Randazzo 321). Lightly toned, slightly off centre, small die flaw under chin, otherwise nearly very fine and rare.
Estimate $1,200
Passed in
Sicily, Syracuse, (400-370 B.C.), silver decadrachm by Euainetos, (41.58 g), obv. charioteer driving fast quadriga left, Nike flying above holding fillet, armour and helmet on steps in exergue, rev. head of Artemis-Arethusa to left, surrounded by four dolphins, cockle shell behind neck, traces of legend above and below of EY AINE, (cf.S.953, Gallatin dies C.VI/III, BMC 178 [same dies], Cahn Sale 75, May 30, 1932 [lot 198, This Coin, illustrated]). Has been mounted on edge by having the soldered mount removed, otherwise attractive and evenly worn by the wearer, fine/nearly very fine and very rare.
Estimate $8,000
SOLD $7,000
Sicily, Thermai Himeraiai, (c.200-150 BC), hemilitron, (7.33 g), obv. head of Herakles right, rev. three nymphs standing facing, (Campana 15, BAR issue 1, SNG Munich 370, CNS 22, HGC 2, 1621). Very fine and rare.
Estimate $180
Passed in
Paeonia, Kingdom of, Patraos, (c.340-315 B.C.), silver tetradrachm, (12.81 g), obv. laureate head of Apollo to right, rev. horseman right spearing fallen enemy, who holds spear and shield, around below **PATRAO[U]*, monogram above left, (S.1520, Paeonian Hoard 242 [same dies], SNG ANS 1030 var. no monogram). Uneven flan, attractive golden toning on reverse, slight surface pitting otherwise very fine or better and a scarce type.
Estimate $400
Passed in
Macedon, Akanthos, silver tetrobol, (470-390 B.C.), (2.18 g), obv. forepart of bull kneeling left, looking back, above **PE* dotted border, rev. shallow quadripartite incuse square, (cf.S.1369, SNG ANS 46, SNG Ash 2214, AMNG 34). Surface pitting, otherwise toned very fine and scarce.
Estimate $100
Passed in
Macedon, Olynthos mint, Chalkidian League, silver tetradrachm, (420-392 B.C.), but issued c.410-401 B.C., (14.75 g), obv. laureate head of Apollo to left of finest style, rev. Cithara with seven strings with flat bottom sound chest, with on right an arm strap decorated with two rows of dots, above and on sides **CAL KID [EW]N*, (cf.S.1424, Robinson & Clement Group H, 22 [A18/P17-19 similar]), SNG ANS -, Naville I, lot 751 [similar dies], Naville X [lot 400 similar dies], BMC 3 p.67). Good very fine and very rare.
Estimate $3,500
SOLD $2,000
Macedon, Terone, (500-480 B.C.), silver tetrobol or sixth stater, (2.18 g), obv. bunch of grapes on oinochoe to left in dotted circle, rev. quadripartite incuse square, (cf.S.1291, SNG ANS 747, SNG Ashmolean 2385, Gaebler AMNG 115,5, same obv die as Elsen 97/66). Elongated flan, toned, nearly very fine and rare.
Estimate $100
Passed in