Catalogue
Baktria, Kingdom of, Philoxenos, (c.125-100 B.C.), silver tetradrachm, bilingual series, uncertain mint in dai Paropamisadai or Ganghara area, (9.65 g), obv. diademed and draped bust to right of Philoxenos, around **BASILEWS ANIKHTOU / FILOXENOU*, rev. helmeted and armoured king on horseback charging to right, **S* below horseman, Karoshthi legend around, (S.7663, cf.M.338, Bopearachchi Series 3D, pl.43, SNG ANS -, HGC 12, 267 [R2]). Attractive brightness, good very fine, very rare.
Estimate $1,000
SOLD $600
Baktria, Kingdom of, Straton I, (c.110-85 B.C.), silver drachm, uncertain mint in eastern Gandhara, (2.30 g), obv. diademed and draped bust to right of Straton I, around **BASILEWS SWTHROS DIKAIOU /STRATWNOS*, rev. Athena Promachos standing facing brandishing thunderbolt and aegis, with Karoshthi legend around, monogram in left field, (S.7656, M.323b, Bop. Series 14B, pl.36, HGC 12, 342 [R2]). Light patination, very fine and very rare.
Estimate $250
SOLD $600
Baktria, Kingdom of, Hermaios, (c.105-90 B.C.), silver tetradrachm, (9.52 g), uncertain mint in Paropamisadai, obv. Hermaeus diademed bust to right, around **BASILEWS SOTHROS ERMAIOU*, rev. Zeus Mithra seated to left holding sceptre, making a benediction gesture with his right hand, monogram in left field, (S.7736, Bop. Group III Series 14I, M.418d, M.2034, HGC 12, 290 [R]). Attractive dark patination, good very fine, scarce.
Estimate $300
SOLD $190
Baktria, Kingdom of, Hermaios, (c.105-90 B.C.), silver drachms, as Indo-Scythian imitations (1.66, 2.23 g), uncertain mint in the Paropamisadai region, obv. Hermaeus diademed bust to right, around **BASILEWS SOTHROS ERMAIOU*, rev. Zeus seated to left holding sceptre, monograms in left or right field, (cf.S.7741, M.415o, 419h, Bop. series 11, [nos 64-74 [Pl.56], and series 17 [nos.106-108], HGC 12, 302 and 305). Attractive tone, very fine - good very fine, scarce. (2)
Estimate $150
Passed in
Baktria, Kingdom of, Apollodotos II, (c.85-65 B.C.), silver tetradrachm, bilingual series, uncertain mint in Punjab, (9.70 g), obv. diademed and draped bust to right of Apollodotos II, around **BASILEWS MEGALOU SWTHROS KAI FILIPATOROS / APOLLODTOU*, rev. Athena Promachos advancing left, brandishing thunderbolt and shield, Karoshthi legend around, monogram D in right field, (S.7671, M.2049, M.423a, Bopearachchi Series 3B, pl.61, SNG ANS 1570, HGC 12, 389 [R2]). Attractive brightness, good very fine, very rare.
Estimate $1,000
SOLD $600
Baktria, Kingdom of, Apollodotos II, (c.85-65 B.C.), silver drachm, uncertain mint in Punjab, (2.22 g), obv. diademed and draped bust to right of Apollodotos II, around **BASILEWS MEGALOU SWTHROS FILOPATOROS / APOLLODTOU*, rev. Athena Promachos advancing left, brandishing thunderbolt and shield, Karoshthi legend around, monogram I in right field, (S.7672, M.424a, Bopearachchi Series 2, 13 pl.61; HGC 12, 392 [R]). Attractive grey tone, good very fine, rare.
Estimate $120
SOLD $90
Baktria, Kingdom of, Archebios, (c.75-65 B.C.), silver drachm, uncertain mint in eastern Gandhara, (2.27 g), obv. diademed and draped bust to right of Archebios, around **BASILEWS DIKAIOU NIKHFOPOU ARCEBIOU*, rev. radiate Zeus standing facing brandishing thunderbolt and holding sceptre, with Karoshthi legend around, monogram C in right field, (S.7681, M.357b, Bopearachchi Series 3, 12 pl.50 [nos 9-15]; HGC 12, 439 [R2]). Dark patination, very fine and very rare.
Estimate $150
SOLD $130
Indo-Scythian, imitation of a silver drachm Eukratides I (c.130-80 B.C.), (2.87 g), issued by Scythian and Yuezhi rulers, struck in first century B.C. - first century A.D., obv. helmeted and draped bust right with distinctive face and nose, rev. above and below **BASILEWS/ EUKRAT[IDOU]*, (S.-, Senior Indo-Scythian coins 19.1D, A19.2, HGC 12, 152[R2]); Indo-Parthians, Margiana or Sogdiana, uncertain issue, early-mid 1st century A.D., silver drachm (3.43 g), as an imitation of a drachm of Orodes II, obv. diademed bust left, star before, crescent behind, rev. Archer (Arsakes I) seated right on throne, holding bow, anchor to left, (Senior 202.1aD, cf.CNG eSale 332 [lot 145] realised $190US). First coin with porous surface, lightly toned, otherwise fine - nearly very fine and very rare. (2)
Estimate $200
Passed in
Indo-Scythian, Azes I, (c.58 - 12 B.C.), silver tetradrachm, (8.23 g), uncertain mint in Western Gandhara, earlier noted as Taxila Sirsukh mint, obv. king holding whip seated on horse walking right, Greek legend around, ** BASILEWS BASILEWN MEGALOU*/ AZOY, Kharoshthi latter right, rev. Pallas standing to right, with shield, and spear, two monograms each side (S.-, MAC 2370, M 848k, BMC 91, cf.PMC 151-3, HGC 12, 637) (illustrated); another similar as a drachm, (2.07 g), obv and rev. as above but with Athena Promachos to left brandishing shield and thunderbolt, (HGC 12, 646) (illustrated); another drachm (2.26 g), as a posthumous issue from Taxila and North Western Gandhara, obv. as above, noted obv. legend with misplaced letters Y/A as A/Y, rev. Zeus standing left with Nike, (M.856f, HGC 12, 702). Toned, very fine - nearly extremely fine and scarce. (3)
Estimate $200
Passed in
Baktria, Indo-Scythian Coinage, Azilises (c.40-15 B.C.), (8.80 g), base silver tetradrachm, Taxila Sirsukh mint, obv. mounted and armed king on horseback to right, holding whip and lance, rev. City goddess standing left, with palm and lamp, monogram each side, (M.801c [p.516], M.2272, PMC 342, HGC 12, 568). Toned, very fine.
Estimate $100
SOLD $110
Indo-Scythian kingdom, silver tetradrachm, c.30-75 A.D., (8.19 g), a barbarous copy of tetradrachm of Azes I (58-12 B.C.), struck in Taxila Sirsukh area, obv. crude figure on horseback H before, of armoured Scythian king, rev. crude standing figure of Zeus Nikephorus carrying sceptre over shoulder and crude figure of Nike in hand, crude monogram in left field. (cf.M.2404-5 for original Azes II, cf.M.ICGS 854, cf.HGC 12, 695-699). Toned, nearly very fine and very rare, probably unpublished.
Estimate $200
SOLD $160
Mesopotamia, Edessa, Gordian III and King Abgar X, (A.D. 238-244), AE 32, (19.75 grams), issued 242-4, obv. radiate and partially draped bust of Gordian III to right, around AVTOK K M ANT **GORDIANO*C CEB, rev. Gordian holding sceptre seated on left to right, receiving Abgar X Phraates who stands left before him, he is bearded, wearing tiara, kandys and trousers, holding Nike in left hand before him, left hand on hilt of short sword, around AVTOK **GORDIANO*C AB**GA*ROC BACI**L*EVC, (S.5743, BMC 139 [p.113], SNG Cop. 223, cf.CNG eSale 213 [lot 354] realised $900US; Savoca auction, 23 Sept. 2017 [Lot 927] not as fine realised 400 Euros). Good very fine and rare.
Estimate $500
SOLD $650
Mesopotamia, Rhasaena, Trajan Decius, (A.D. 249-251), AE 25, (12.85 g), obv. radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, rev. founder, holding scepter, plowing right with pair of yoked oxen, above, eagle standing facing on palm, head left, holding wreath in beak, in exergue, river-god swimming right, (S.-, BMC 16, Castelin 95, SNG Copenhagen 250). Toned, good fine and rare.
Estimate $80
SOLD $50
Arabia, Bostra, Trajan (A.D. 98-117), silver tridrachm (10.16 g), struck in 111 A.D., obv. laureate head of Trajan to right, AVTOKP KAIC NEP TRAIANOC CEB **GERM DAK* around, rev. Arabia standing facing, head to left holding branch and bundle of cinnamon sticks, camel at left side, around **DHMARX EX UPAT*E, (S.-, Metcalf Tell Kalak 2 = SNG ANS 1153, Sydenham Caesarea 182, BMC 59-61, RPC III, 4051, Kindler Biostra 4). Toned, very fine and rare.
Estimate $400
Passed in
Arabia, Provincial issue probably struck at Bostra, Trajan (A.D. 98-117), silver tridrachm, issued 103-111, (11.01 g), obv. laureate head of Trajan to right, slight drapery on left shoulder, around AYTOKP KAIC NEP TPAIANOC CEB **GERM DAK*, rev. Arabia standing to left, camel at feet on left, around **DHMARC EX UPAT* E, (S.-, BMC 59-61, Syd. 182 (Caesarea), SNG ANS 1153, SNG Von Post 531, Metcalf 2 [ANS MN 20 p.104]). Nearly very fine and rare.
Estimate $250
SOLD $150
Characene, kings of, Attambelos I, (c.47-24 B.C.), billon tetradrachm (11.96 g), dated SE 273 = 40-39 B.C., obv. diademed head of king to right, rev. *[B]ASILE[WS] ATTAMBHL[OU] SWTHROS [K]AI EUERGE[TOU]* to right and left, Herakles seated left on rock, holding club, PAM monogram above arm, P above thigh, **GOS* [date in exergue], (S.6182, Hill, Attambelos 21 [NNM 14], DCA 485, cf.Nicolet-Pierre, Thionesis 50, cf.pl. III, 5, Alram -, BMC Arabia p.292, 4, De Morgan -). Toned, very fine/good very fine, rare.
Estimate $500
Passed in
Persis, Kingdom of, Autophradates (Vadfradad) I, (early second century B,C.), silver tetradrachm, (16.34 g), obv. head to right, with moustache, wearing diadem and satrapal cap (kyrbasia), overstruck probably on a Seleukid tetradrachm, rev. Fire temple of Ahura-Mazda, on left Autophradates standing right, resting hand on bow, set on ground, above, half-figure of Ahura-Mazda, to right, standard, (S.6191, BMC 1, Alram 533, Sunrise -). Nearly extremely fine/extremely fine, coin is dished, as usual, rare.
Estimate $1,600
Passed in
Persis, Kingdom of, Autophradates (Vadfradad) I, (early second century B,C.), silver tetradrachm, (16.71 g), obv. head to right, with moustache, wearing diadem and satrapal cap (kyrbasia), rev. Fire temple of Ahura-Mazda, on left Autophradates standing right, resting hand on bow, set on ground, above, half-figure of Ahura-Mazda, to right, standard, (S.6191, BMC 1, Alram 540). Good very fine/nearly extremely fine, coin is dished, as usual, rare.
Estimate $1,600
Passed in
Persis, kings of, Ardaxsir (Artaxerxes) II issued 1st century B.C., Istakhr (Persepolis) mint, silver drachm (3.65 g), obv. diademed and draped bust left, wearing mural crown, rev. Ardaxsir standing left before altar, holding sceptre, (cf.S.6212, BMC 1 [Pl.XXXIII, 9], cf.Alram 570, cf.Sunrise 598). Dark patination, nearly extremely fine, in high relief, very scarce.
Estimate $250
Passed in
South Arabia, Sabaeans and Himyarites, under 'Amdan Bayyin [without Yanaf], (mid 1st - 2nd century A.D), scyphate silver quinarius (or light half denarius), (1.25 g), Raidan mint, on scyphate flan, obv. Male head to right in circular torque, monogram behind, rev. small male head right with Himyarite legend around, sceptre or monogram in field to right, (S.5718, BMC 1-3 [p.71, Pl.XI, 11], SNG ANS 1602-1609, Munro Hay 3.4i app.1 pl4 6.1); another similar, issued by Tha'ran Ya'ub, Raidan mint, (1.34 g), flat flan, (S.5721, BMC 1-3 [p.73], cf.SNG ANS 1595, Munro Hay Arabia Felix cf.324i). Lightly toned, nearly extremely fine, both scarce. (2)
Estimate $150
SOLD $90
Sasanian King, Shapur I, (A.D. 241-272), silver drachm, (3.77 g), mint I (Ctesiphon), obv. "The Mazda worshipper, the divine Shahpur, the king of kings of Iran who is descended from the Gods" in Pahlavi, crowned and cuirassed bust right, wearing diadem and mural crown with ear flap and korymbos, rev. "Fire of Shahpur" in Pahlavi (crude), fire altar with attendants wearing mural crowns, crescent symbol on altar shaft, (Sellwood 14, SNS Type IIc/1a. Karlsson D5, Gobl I/1. Sunrise 733). Bright, extremely fine, scarce.
Estimate $300
SOLD $440
Sasanian King, Shapur I, (A.D. 241-272), silver drachm, (4.00 g), mint I (Ctesiphon), obv. "The Mazda worshipper, the divine Shahpur, the king of kings of Iran who is descended from the Gods" in Pahlavi, crowned and cuirassed bust right, wearing diadem and mural crown with ear flap and korymbos, rev. "Fire of Shahpur" in Pahlavi (crude), fire altar with attendants wearing mural crowns, (Sellwood 12, SNS Type IIc/1a. Karlsson D4, Gobl I/1. cf.Sunrise 741). Toned, good very fine, rough surface.
Estimate $200
SOLD $200
Sasanian King, Yazdgird I, (A.D. 399-420), silver drachm, (4.24 g), mint AW (Ahwaz), obv. text in Pahlavi, crowned and cuirassed bust right, on floral ornament, wearing mural crown with frontal crescent and korymbos, rev. "Fire of Shahpur" in Pahlavi (crude), fire altar with attendants wearing mural crowns, (Sellwood 44, SNS Type IbI/1a. Karlsson -, Gobl I/I cf.illustration 147, Sunrise 898). Bright, good very fine, scarce.
Estimate $100
SOLD $140
Sasanian King, Vahram V, (A.D. 421-438), silver drachm, (4.12 g), mint of GU (Gurgan), obv. text in Pahlavi, crowned and cuirassed bust right, wearing mural crown over crescent and korymbos, rev. "Fire of Shahpur" in Pahlavi (crude), fire altar with head of Vahram right on shaft, flanked by attendants, (Sellwood 45, SNS Type Ia/2 [Pl.63, A17)], Karlsson D21, Gobl type I/2, cf.illustration 157, Sunrise 920). Lightly toned, as struck good extremely fine, scarce.
Estimate $200
SOLD $150
Sasanian King, Vahram V, (A.D. 421-438), silver drachm, (3.61 g), mint of BLH (Balkh), obv. text in Pahlavi, crowned and cuirassed bust right, on floral ornament, wearing mural crown over crescent and korymbos, rev. "Fire of Shahpur" in Pahlavi (crude), fire altar with crude head of Vahram right on shaft, flanked by attendants, (Sellwood 43, SNS Type IbI/2, Karlsson D21, Gobl type I/1, cf.illustration 155, cf.Sunrise 922). Bright, extremely fine, scarce.
Estimate $100
SOLD $120
Sasanian King, Peroz I, (A.D. 457-484), silver drachm, (4.13 g), mint of BLH (Balkh), obv. text in Pahlavi, crowned and cuirassed bust right, on floral ornament, wearing mural crown over crescent and korymbos, rev. "Fire of Shahpur" in Pahlavi, fire altar flanked by two attendants, star and crescent to left and right, (Sellwood 49, SNS Type IIIb/1c, Karlsson D29, Gobl type III/1, cf.illustration 174, cf.Sunrise 941). Bright, nearly extremely fine, scarce.
Estimate $100
SOLD $120
Sasanian King, Kavad (Kawad, Kavadh) I, (A.D. 499-531, second reign), silver drachm, (4.07 g), mint of AI (Shush), obv. text in Pahlavi, crowned and cuirassed bust right, wearing mural crown and frontal crescent, two ribbons and korymbos, stars flankning head, three stars in crescent around, rev. "Fire of Shahpur" in Pahlavi (crude), fire altar with ribbons, flanked by crude representations of attendants, two outer rings around, (Sellwood 52, SNS Type Ic/1a, Karlsson D54, Gobl type III/1, illustration 189, Sunrise -). Lightly toned, very fine/nearly extremely fine, scarce.
Estimate $100
SOLD $120
Sasanian King, Khursu (Yazdgard) I, (A.D. 531-579), silver drachm, (4.13 g), mint AU Auhrmazd Artashir (Ahwaz), regal year 30?, obv. text in Pahlavi, bust right wearing mural crown with frontal crescent, ribbons on shoulder, crescent on right shoulder, two stars flank crown, three crescets around single dotted border, rev. "Fire of Shahpur" in Pahlavi (crude), fire altar with ribbons flanked by two attendants, star and crescent flankng flames, dotted border, (Sellwood 544, Karlsson D72, Gobl I/I cf.illustration 194, Sunrise 970). Lightly toned, weak in places as usual, very fine/nearly extremely fine, scarce.
Estimate $100
SOLD $120
Sasanian King, Hormizd (Ohrmazd) IV, (A.D. 579-590), silver drachm, (4.04 g), mint of BISH (Bishapur), Regal year 12, obv. text in Pahlavi, bust right, mural crown with frontal crescent and korymbos set on a crescent, stars flank crown, tar and crescents on three sides of outer ring, rev. fire altar flanked by two attendants, star and crescent to left and right flanking flames, plain outer ring, (Sellwood 56, Karlsson D85, Gobl type I/1, cf.illustration 201, cf.Sunrise 972, 974). Lightly toned, good very fine.
Estimate $100
SOLD $120
Sasanian King, Khusru II (A.D. 590-628), silver drachm, (3.57 g), obv. bust to right with crown, name in outer margin, rev. fire altar with attendants, (cf.Sellwood 65, Gobl 212, cf.M.1141); another of Peroz (457/9-484), silver drachm (3.46 g), (Sellwood 49, Gobl I/1, Alram 876); India, Punjab, Sikh Empire, Ranjit Singh, (VS 1856-1896, 1799-1835 A.D.), silver rupee fixed date 1884, VS (18)92 = 1835, (11.15 g), Amritsar mint, (KM.21) (illustrated). Mostly very fine or better. (3)
Estimate $100
SOLD $140