Catalogue
Italy, Calabria, Tarentum, Alexander the Molossian, king of Epeiros, (350-330 B.C.), gold twelfth stater, issued 334-330, (0.65 g), obv. radiate head of Helios facing slightly left, rev. thunderbolt, **AL / EX* in two lines above and below, (S.1984, BMC 2, SNG ANS 976, Vlasto 1865). Extremely fine and rare.
Estimate $7,500
Passed in
Sicily, Syracuse, Hieron II (275-215 B.C.), gold sixty litrai - dekadrachm (4.29 g), struck circa 269-263 or 217-215 B.C., obv. head of Persephone left with long flowing hair, head wreathed in grain ears, palm behind, rev. charioteer driving biga right, holding reins in left hand and kentron in right hand, **IEPWNOS* below, (S.983, Carroccio 54 (D25/R32), CCO period Ib or III, BAR issue 55, cf.SNG ANS 863 (obv. control mark). Extremely fine with the obverse die a little rusty.
Estimate $7,000
Passed in
Thrace, Kingdom of, Lysimachos (323-281 B.C.) gold stater (8.51 g), uncertain mint, probably Byzantium, posthumous issue c.200 B.C., obv. head of Alexander the Great to right wearing horn of Ammon, rev. Athena enthroned, lions head to left, trident in exergue, to right **BASILEOS* to left **YSIMAXOY* (cf S.6813). Very fine.
Estimate $3,500
SOLD $4,600
Macedon, Kingdom of Philip II, (359-336 B.C.), gold stater, (8.58 g), Pella mint, issued c.323-315 B.C., obv. head of Apollo to right with laureate wreath, rev. galloping biga driven by charioteer holding goad to right, trident below, in exergue **FILIPPOV*, (cf.S.6663, cf.Le Rider 491 [Pl.68], M.105). Abrasion marks on obverse and reverse on horse, horse's leg and in legend, otherwise, good very fine and rare.
Estimate $7,500
SOLD $6,200
Macedon, Kingdom of, Alexander III, (336-323 B.C.), gold stater, (8.60 g), Amphipolis mint, struck under Antipater, issued c.330-320 B.C., obv. head of Athena to right in crested Corinthian helmet, hair plaited and snake on helmet, rev. Nike standing to left, holding wreath in outstretched hand, trident in left field, to right **ALEXANDRO[U]*, (cf.S.6702; Price 172, M.105). Extremely fine with mint bloom.
Estimate $3,500
SOLD $6,900
Macedon, Kingdom of, Philip III, (323-316 B.C.), gold stater, Babylon mint, issued 323-316 B.C., obv. head of Athena to right in crested Corinthian helmet, ornamented with a serpent, rev. Nike standing to left, holding wreath in outstretched hand and stylis, M in left field, **LU* below left wing to right **FILIPPOU*, to left **BA SILE[WS] (cf.S.6746; Price P146, SNG Munich-, SNG Alpha Bank -, SNG Saraglos -). Nearly extremely fine with traces of mint bloom and rare, in a ANACS slab graded EF 45.
Estimate $4,000
SOLD $3,800
Mysia, Cyzicus, (c.550-500 B.C.), electrum hekte, sixth stater, (2.59 g), obv. head of Perseus left wearing winged helmet, tunny fish behind, rev. quadripartite incuse punch mark, (S.-, SNG Von Aulock 1186, Von Fritze 65, cf.SNG France 193 (stater). Good very fine and rare.
Estimate $1,000
SOLD $700
Lesbos, Mytilene, c.430 B.C., electrum hekte (2.52 g), Bodenstedt dates 440-430 B.C., obv. head of Aktaion with stag's ear and small horn to right, his hair falling on his shoulders in coarse locks, rev. Gorgon head facing within linear square, (cf.S.4246 [£850]; Bodenstedt 54 [same dies as obv. b/ rev. **b*], BMC 52 [Pl.XXXII, 22 same dies]; SNG Von Aulock 7735, SNG Lockett 2760, SNG Fitz. 4348, Boston MFA 1701). Very fine, good style, very rare.
Estimate $800
SOLD $700
Ionia, uncertain, (c.600-550 B.C.), electrum twenty-fourth stater (0.59 g) of the Lydo-Milesian standard, obv. head of lion right, in linear form, rev. incuse square punch, (cf.S.3465, Weidauer 122-3, Traite -, SNG Kayhan 708-10, Elektron I 30-2). Very fine and rare.
Estimate $280
SOLD $200
Ionia, Miletus, (c600-550 B.C.), electrum twelfth stater or hemi hekte, (1.15 g), obv. forepart of lion to right with star ornament on nose as a Lydian trite, rev. star ornament or stellate pattern in incuse square, with lines to each corner dot, (cf.S.3443, BMC -; cf.Lanz Sale 60 [1992] [lot 208] = M&M Deutschland Sale 10 [2002] [lot 123], SNG Kayhan 447). Toned, very fine and extremely rare, probably only a few known.
Estimate $1,000
Passed in
Ionia, Phokaia, (c330 B.C.), electrum hekte or sixth stater, (2.54 g), obv. female head to left, hair in sphendone, rev. quadripartite incuse punch, (cf.S.4531, Bodenstedt 109.2 [p.178, Pl.49, 2 examples recorded from the same pair of dies a/**a*]; SNG Aberdeen Newnham Davis 1, part 2 No.277; Montagu [1896], lot 582 [same dies]. Good very fine and very rare.
Estimate $800
SOLD $500
Persia - Lydia, Persian Imperial Coinage (c.420-375 B.C.), gold daric (8.28 g) struck in period of Artaxeres II, probably at Sardis mint, obv. bearded archer (king ?) running to the right with transverse spear over shoulder, and bow in right hand, rev. oblong punch (S.4679, Carradice type 111b late), Group C, nos. 42, Pl. XIV, SNG Cop.274-277, BMC 58-60 Group E [p.156, Pl.XXV,12-13). Good very fine and rare.
Estimate $3,000
SOLD $3,600
Zeugitania, Carthage, (possibly Siculo-Punic), (c.264-241 B.C.), the time of the First Punic War, electrum trihemistater or Attic tridrachm, (11.090 grams), obv. head of Tanit to left wearing necklace with twelve pendants tied at back with ends hanging loosely, a triple pendant earring and a wreath of grain ears, dotted border, rev. horse standing to right on exergual line with sun-symbol and two Uraeus-serpents above, line border, (S.6474 [p.599], Jenkins Group Xb, cf.428-446, Weber 8491, SNG Cop.996). Brilliant, flan crack, minor surface marks, otherwise nearly extremely fine/extremely fine and rare.
Estimate $15,000
SOLD $12,000
Zeugitania, Carthage, (c.300 B.C.), electrum stater, (7.29 g), obv. head of Tanit to left, crowned with wreath of corn, wearing earring with triple pendants and necklace, dotted border, rev. free horse standing to right, double exergue line below, one dot before horse's front leg, dotted border, (cf.S.6462, Jenkins Group V cf.No.245 [very similar dies, dies not noted in Jenkins cf.p.96, Pl.10], SNG Cop. 976). Slightly off centred on the obverse and less so on the reverse, otherwise nearly extremely fine, unpublished dies.
Estimate $4,500
SOLD $4,400
Sasanian King, Shapur II, (309-379), gold dinar, (7.30 g), Kabul mint type, obv. bust to right with crown, flowing hair type, rev. fire altar, text around, (Sellwood 31, cf.Gobl 1a/7 Pl.7, 107, Gobl 1309.4 ["Kushan Gold"] very similar dies). Light golden toning, extremely fine and rare.
Estimate $5,600
SOLD $4,800
Nero Claudius Drusus, father of Claudius, (died 9 BC), gold aureus (7.67 g), Lugdunum mint, issued under Claudius, A.D. 41-45, obv. NERO CLAVDIVS DRVSVS GERMANICVS IMP, laureate head of Drusus to left, rev. Triumphal arch surmounted by equestrian statue between two trophies, the architrave inscribed DE GERMANIS, (cf.S.1892, RIC (Claudius) 71. C 3. Calico 316). Struck on an exceptionally broad flan, very fine and very rare.
Estimate $6,500
SOLD $7,500
Vespasian, (AD 69-79), gold aureus, Rome mint, issued A.D. 70, (7.24 g), obv. laureate head right, around IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG, rev. COS ITER TR POT around, Pax seated left holding branch and caduceus, (S.-, RIC 28, BMC 23, Calico 607). Good very fine/extremely fine and scarce.
Estimate $7,000
SOLD $6,500
Vespasian, (A.D. 69-79), gold aureus, Rome mint, issued A.D. 71, (6.70 g), obv. laureate head of Vespasian to right, around IMP CAES VESP AVG P M, rev. Neptune standing to left, holding acrostolium and sceptre, foot on globe, NEP RED around, (S.-, Calico 653a, BMC 54, RIC 44, C.272). Light scratch on reverse at two o'clock, otherwise extremely fine and rare.
Estimate $8,000
SOLD $7,000
Trajan, (A.D. 98-117), gold aureus, issued 100, Rome mint, (7.33 g), obv. laureate head of Trajan to right, aegis and slight drapery on left shoulder, around IMP CAES NERVA TRAIAN AVG GERM, rev. Hercules standing facing on altar, holding club and lion's skin, around P M TR P COS III P P, (S.3095, cf.RIC 37 [no aegis or drapery], C 215). Strong portrait, some lustre, extremely fine and a rare variety.
Estimate $5,000
SOLD $4,800
Hadrian, (A.D. 117-138), gold aureus, issued 119-122, Rome mint, (7.27 g), obv. laureate draped and cuirassed bust to right of Hadrian, around IMP CAESAR TRAIAN-H ADRIANVS AVG, rev. P M TR P COS III around, Roma seated to left on cuirass, holding Victory and spear, shield at base, bow and quiver behind, (S.3411, RIC 77, C.1097). Full flan, very fine or better and very rare.
Estimate $6,500
SOLD $7,000
Aelius, as Caesar (A.D. 136-138), gold aureus, issued A.D. 137, Rome mint, (7.22 g), obv. bare head of Aelius to right, around L AELIVS CAESAR, rev. Pietas standing right, holding box of incense and sacrificing over altar, around TRIB POT COS II, PIE TAS to left and right, (S.3963, RIC 439b, C.35 BMC 989). Nearly extremely fine and very rare.
Estimate $9,000
Passed in
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 right, holding box of incense and sacrificing over altar, (cf.S.3999, RIC 13d. Calico 1472). Nearly extremely fine, rare.
Estimate $8,000
Passed in
Antoninus Pius, (A.D. 138-161), gold aureus, Rome mint, issued 143, (7.28 g), obv. ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P COS III, laureate head to right, rev. IMPERA TOR II, Victory alighting to right, wings spread, holding trophy with both hands, (S.4005, RIC 108a, C.420, Calico 1548). Extremely fine/nearly extremely fine and rare.
Estimate $7,000
SOLD $6,200
Antoninus Pius, (A.D. 138-161), gold aureus, Rome mint, issued 147, (7.22 g), obv. ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P COS IIII, bare head to right, rev. Roma, helmeted and draped, seated left, holding palladium on extended hand and vertical spear, oval shield set on ground to right, (cf.S.4035, RIC 159, C.1150, BMC 588 var). Well struck, a few light scratches on obverse, otherwise extremely fine and scarce.
Estimate $10,000
Passed in
Faustina Senior, wife of Antoninus Pius, (died A.D. 140/1), gold aureus (7.02 g), Rome mint, struck under Antoninus Pius after A.D. 147, obv. DIVA FAVSTINA, 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], Calico 1758a [This Coin]). Nicely struck, nearly extremely fine and rare.
Estimate $5,000
Passed in
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 each hand, (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 $8,000
Passed in
Faustina Junior, wife of Marcus Aurelius, (d.A.D. 175), gold aureus, (7.08 g), issued at Rome under Antoninus Pius, obv. FAVSTINAE AVG PII AVG FIL, draped bust to right, with hair in a bun or chignon high on the back of the head, rev. VE NVS, Venus standing to left, holding apple and rudder with a dolphin entwined around the anchor, (S.-, RIC 517a, cf.C.266 [denarius], BMC RE 1065). Lightly toned, superb high relief, full flan, good extremely fine and rare in this condition.
Estimate $10,000
SOLD $9,500
Lucius Verus, (A.D. 161-169), gold aureus, issued 165, Rome mint, (6.95g), obv.L. VERVS AVG ARM PAR MAX, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right, rev. Victory standing right, placing a shield inscribed VIC AVG in two lines, on a palm tree, around TR P V IMP III COS II, (cf.RIC.534, S.5338). Ex mount, otherwise good very fine.
Estimate $6,000
SOLD $5,000
Septimius Severus, (A.D. 193-211), gold aureus, Rome mint, issued A.D. 206, (7.14 g), obv. laureate head of Septimius Severus to right, around SEVERVS PIVS AVG, rev. around P M TR P XIIII COS III P P, Severus in military attire on horseback prancing right, holding couched spear, (S.6225, RIC 202, C.479). Lightly toned, some edge filing, struck on a full flan, extremely fine and rare.
Estimate $14,000
Passed in
Trajan Decius, (A.D. 249-251), gold aureus, issued 249, Rome mint, (4.82 g), obv. laureate and cuirassed bust to right of Trajan Decius, around IMP C M Q TRAIANVS DECIVS AVG, rev. the two Pannoniae, veiled, standing front, turning right and left away from one another, each holds standard, the one on right raises right hand, around PANNONIAE, (S.9359, RIC 122, C.85, Calico 3295). Small scratch on reverse, otherwise lustrous, nearly mint state with full mint bloom, rare.
Estimate $16,000
Passed in