Catalogue
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
Herennia Etruscilla Wife of Trajan Decius, (A.D. 249-251), gold aureus, Rome mint, (4.60 g), obv. diademed and draped bust to right, around HER ETRUSCILLA AVG, rev. Pudicitia seated to left, drawing veil from face and holding transverse sceptre, around PVDICITIA AVG, (S.9489, RIC 59A, C.18, Calico 3308). Extremely fine and very rare.
Estimate $10,000
Passed in
Diocletian, (A.D. 284-305), gold aureus, issued 284, Antioch Mint, (4.63 g), obv. laureate draped bust of Diocletian to right, around IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG, rev. around VICTORIA AVG, Victory advancing right holding wreath and palm, mintmark SMA in exergue, O in field, (S.12584, Cal. 4570, RIC 320, C.272). Light marks in obverse field to right of bust, otherwise good extremely fine with mint bloom and rare.
Estimate $12,000
Passed in
Maurice Tiberius, (A.D.582-602), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, (4.31 g), 7th Officina, issued 583-602, obv. crowned, draped and cuirassed bust of Maurice Tiberius facing, wearing plumed helmet, holding globe surmounted by cross, D N MAVRC TIb PP AVC around, rev. VICTORI A AVCCZ, CONOB in exergue, Angel standing facing holding long staff surmounted by P with cross, and cross on globe, (S.478, DOC. 5f, BMC 14, MIB 6). Some mint bloom, extremely fine, scarce.
Estimate $800
SOLD $800
Maurice Tiberius, (A.D.582-602), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, (4.52 g), 6th Officina, issued 583-602, obv. crowned, draped and cuirassed bust of Maurice Tiberius facing, wearing plumed helmet, holding globe surmounted by cross, D N MAVRC TIb PP AVC around, rev. VICTORI A AVCCS, CONOB in exergue, Angel standing facing holding long staff surmounted by P with cross, and cross on globe, (S.478, DOC. 5f, BMC 14, MIB 6). Slightly off centred, some mint bloom, extremely fine, scarce.
Estimate $800
SOLD $700
Phocas, (602-610), gold solidus (4.42 g), Constantinople mint, 2nd officina, struck 603-607, obv. D N FOCAS PRP AVI, crowned and cuirassed bust facing, holding globus cruciger and shield decorated with soldier on horseback riding right, rev. VICTORIA AVGG B, Angel standing facing, holding globus cruciger and long staff terminating in staurogram, in exergue CONOB. (S.618, DOC 5b, MIB 7). Large flan, full weight, nearly extremely fine, scarce.
Estimate $900
SOLD $850
Phocas, (602-610), gold solidus (4.49 g), Constantinople mint, 6th officina, struck 607-610, obv. D N FOCAS PERP AVI, crowned and cuirassed bust facing, holding globus cruciger and shield decorated with soldier on horseback riding right, rev. VICTORI A AVG' S, Angel standing facing, holding globus cruciger and long staff terminating in staurogram, in exergue CONOB. (S.620, DOC 10f, MIB 9). Large flan, surface marks, good very fine, scarce.
Estimate $500
SOLD $600
Heraclius, with Heraclius Constantine, (610-641), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, issued 629-631, (4.48 g), Officina A, obv. facing busts of Heraclius and Heraclius Constantine, wearing chlamys and crown, cross above, around dd NN [ERACLI]VS ET hERA CONSt PP AV, rev. cross potent on base and three steps, below CONOB, around VICTORIA AVGUA, (S.749, DOC 26a, MIB 29). Extremely fine with mint bloom, weakness in places on the legend.
Estimate $1,000
SOLD $950
Heraclius, with Heraclius Constantine and Heraclonas, (610-641), gold solidus, (4.32 g), Constantinople mint, 5th officina, Dated IY 11 (637-8), obv. Heraclonas, Heraclius, and Heraclius Constantine standing facing, each wearing crown and chlamys and holding globus cruciger, rev. VICTORIA AVGUE around, Cross potent set on three steps, monograms flanking, in exergue CONOB. (S.764, DOC 39d, MIB 45). Nearly extremely fine, scratch in exergue, rare.
Estimate $800
SOLD $800
Heraclius, with Heraclius Constantine and Heraclonas, (610-641), gold solidus (4.45 g), Constantinople mint, 5th officina, struck circa 639-641, obv. Crowned figures of Heraclonas, Heraclius, and Heraclius Constantine standing facing, each holding globus cruciger, rev. VICTORIA AVGUE around, cross potent on three steps, monogram to left, CoNOB in exergue. (S.769, DOC 43d, MIB 50). Extremely fine with light scratches on the reverse, rare.
Estimate $800
SOLD $800
Heraclius, (610-641), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, issued 616-625, (4.45 g), Officina B, obv. facing busts of Heraclius and Heraclius Constantine, wearing chlamys and crown, around dd NN hERACLIVS ET hERA CONSt PP A, rev. cross potent on base and three steps, below CONOB, around VICTORIA AVGUB, (S.738, DOC 13b, MIB 11). Good very fine, die crack on reverse, scarce.
Estimate $750
SOLD $750
Constans II, with Constantine IV, (641-668), gold solidus (4.39 g), Constantinople mint, 10th officina, struck 654-659, obv. D N CONSTANTINVS C CONSAN, crowned busts of Constans and Constantine facing, each wearing chlamys; cross above, rev. VICTORIA AVAUI around, cross potent set on three steps, in exergue CONOB, (S.959, DOC Type 25j, MIB 26). Extremely fine, rare.
Estimate $800
SOLD $850
Leo IV, the Khazar, (775-780) with Constantine VI (from 775), Leo III and Constantine V, gold solidus, (4.48 g), Constantinople mint, issued 780-787, obv. facing seated on ornamental throne, busts of Constantine VI on right and Leo IV on left, each wearing crown and chlamys, large cross between, around LEON VS S ESSON CONSTANTINOS O NEOS, rev. large facing bust of Leo III and Constantine V, wearing crown and loros, cross between, around LEON PAP'CONST ANTINOS PATHR], (S.1584, DOC 2.1-2.9, Fueg 1.B.2 [same dies as illustrated], T.5-7, R.1767). With full mint bloom, extremely fine and rare.
Estimate $2,500
SOLD $3,700
Nicephorus III, (A.D.1078-1081), electrum gold histamenon nomisma (scyphate), Constantinople mint, (4.19 g), obv. bearded Christ enthroned no back, facing, wearing nimbus, raising right hand, in left hand the Gospels, IC XC across, double dotted border, rev. +NIKH**F D*EC T W ROTANIAT, around a standing Nicophorus facing, bearded wearing crown and loros, holding labarum with X on shaft and globe with cross, (S.1881, DOC 3, BMC 7-11, R.2051-2). Good very fine/nearly extremely fine and very scarce.
Estimate $400
SOLD $280
Manuel I, (1143-1180), gold hyperpyron (scyphate), Constantinople mint, (4.33 g), obv. Christ bust facing, beardless wearing nimbus, IC XC over to left +KERO, to right H**Q*EI, rev. facing figure of Manuel standing wearing crown, holding patriarchal cross to right 'manus Dei' legend to left **ML/NW/UHLD/E*C/**PO /TH to right **P/OR/F/UR/OGE/NH/T/W*, (S.1956, Hendy Pl.12, 1-11, BMC 1-13, R.2111-4). Brilliant, extremely fine and rare.
Estimate $1,200
SOLD $900
Michael VIII, (1258-1282), gold hyperpyron (scyphate), Constantinople mint, (4.09 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, graffiti on reverse, minor flan crack, otherwise very fine/good very fine and rare.
Estimate $750
SOLD $460
Michael VIII, (1261-1282), gold hyperpyron (scyphate), Constantinople mint, (4.11 g), Class IIa, obv. bust of Virgin within city walls and six towers, control letters (sigla) A K, rev. St.Michael presenting kneeling emperor Michael to Christ with scroll, (S.2243, PCPC 5). Struck on a full flan, nearly extremely fine and scarce.
Estimate $700
SOLD $780
Spain under Carthage, time of Hannibal, (235-220 B.C.), AE 12, uncertain mint but around Gades, (2.14 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], SNG BM Spain 67). With some soil attached, otherwise very fine and rare.
Estimate $80
SOLD $180
Gaul, Massalia (as a Colony founded by the Phokaians), (c.400-350 B.C.), silver obols, obv. youthful male head of Apollo left, rev. wheel with four spokes, M A in two quarters, (S.72, De La Tour 681). Some off centred, fine - good very fine. (10)
Estimate $300
SOLD $360
Gaul, Massalia (as a Colony founded by Phokaia), silver obol, (c121 - 82 BC) (0.64, 0.63g, 0/59 g, 0.62 g), obv. youthful male head of Apollo left, rev., wheel with four spokes, M A in two quarters, (S.72, De La Tour 681, SNG Cop.723ff, Depeyrot, Marseille 18). Fine - very fine. (4)
Estimate $150
SOLD $120
Celtic, Danube Region Eastern Celts, Imitation of Philip III, (c.2nd - 1st century B.C.), silver tetradrachm, (15.54 g), obv. convex field with remains of a crude head of Heracles to right, rev. traces of Zeus seated to left holding eagle and sceptre, to right **[FILIPPOU], (cf.S.210, Sammlung Lanz 922 [same dies]). Poorly struck as usual, otherwise fair and rare.
Estimate $100
SOLD $100
Italy, Campania, Neapolis (Naples), (c.340-300 B.C.), silver nomos, stater or didrachm, (7.32 g), obv. head of nymph to right, monogram XA monogram before, grapes bunch behind, **S*TA below, rev. man-headed bull walking to right, crowned by Nike flying right, below K, below exergue [NEOP]OLIT[WN], (cf.S.307, HN 789, Sambon 472, SNG ANS 362 [same obverse die], SNG Cop. 428-9, HGC 571). Toned, missing ethnic in exergue, otherwise very fine.
Estimate $250
SOLD $320
Italy, Campania, Phistelia, (c.405-400 B.C.), silver nomos or didrachm (6.88 g), obv. female head facing slightly right, rev. man-headed bull standing left; in exergue, dolphin left, above **8IST*LV**S*, (S.315, Rutter 6 [obv. PO4, rev.PR6], SNG ANS 563-5 [same obv. die], HN Italy 611). Toned, fine and rare.
Estimate $120
SOLD $100
Italy, Lucania, Metapontum, (c.540-520 B.C.), silver nomos or stater, (6.47 g) on broad thin flan, obv. ear of corn in high relief, to left distinctive MET downwards, circled border with dots, rev. ear of corn incuse, lined incused border, (cf.S.235, Noe [NN&M 32] Class I, No.13, Spink & Son and the Taranto Hoard] [same dies]; Bement Sale 151 [same dies]; SNG ANS 166, SNG Ash. 648). Clipped flan, otherwise nearly very fine/very fine and very rare.
Estimate $750
SOLD $650
Italy, Lucania, Metapontum, (c340-330BC), silver nomos, stater or didrachm (7.64g), obv. female head left, rev. corn ear (M)ETA to left, mouse on leaf to right (cf S.410, Noe 472, same reverse die, SNG ANS 358). Toned, good fine and very scarce type.
Estimate $240
SOLD $160
Italy, Lucania, Thurium (Thourioi), (400-350 B.C.), silver sixth stater or triobol, (1.12 g), obv. head of Athena to right wearing crested Athenian helmet decorated with Skylla, rev. bull butting to right, above, **QOURIWN* in exergue a tunny fish to right, plain exergual line, (S.438, BMC 21, SNG Munich 1178, HN Italy 1809, SNG ANS 1139-40). Toned, edge split at 3 o'clock, very fine and scarce.
Estimate $200
Passed in
Italy, Calabria, Tarentum (Taras), (380-355 B.C.), silver stater or nomos, (7.68 g), obv. naked horseman at full gallop on horse to left, rev. Taras riding dolphin left, arm extended, below X and **TARAS*, (cf.S.337, Fischer-Bossert 551, Vl.492). Attractively toned, good very fine, rare.
Estimate $700
SOLD $750
Italy, Calabria, Tarentum (Taras), (3rd century B.C., 302-281 Ravel), silver drachm, (3.15 g), obv. head of Athena wearing crested helmet ornamented with Skylla to right, rev. owl with closed wings standing to right, on olive branch, to left [NEUMHNIOS] and right, **POLU*. (cf.S.367, Vl.1058, HN Italy 1015, SNG ANS 1312-3, SNG France 1942-6). Attractive grey patina, very fine and scarce, with old ticket.
Estimate $200
SOLD $220
Italy, Bruttium, Kroton, (c.480-430 B.C.), silver nomos 18mm, (7.92 g), obv. tripod with legs terminating in lion's feet, Q(koppa)PO downwards to right, rev. incuse eagle flying right, (S.257, Gorini 27, Attianese 56 var. [eagle left], HN Italy 2108, SNG ANS 294-7, SNG Lloyd 599 var. (position of ethnic), Basel -, Gulbenkian -). Deeply toned, area of roughness on obverse, good very fine and scarce.
Estimate $1,500
Passed in