Catalogue
Cappadocia, Kings of, Ariarathes V Eusebes Philopator, (c.163-130 B.C.), silver drachm (4.10 g), dated RY 32 (139 BC), obv. diademed head right, rev. Athena Nikephoros standing left, around on three sides **BASILEWS ARIARAQOU EUSEBOUS*, A to outer left, monograms to inner left and outer right,**AL* (date) in exergue, (S.7386, Simonetta, Coins (Ariarathes IV) p.23, 12, SNG Cop. Suppl. 644). Heavily patinated in places on the reverse field, otherwise nearly extremely fine and rare.
Estimate $150
Passed in
Syria, Kingdom of, Demetrios II Nikator, first reign, (146-138 B.C.), silver tetradrachm, (14.22 g, Phoenician standard), Tyre mint, issued year SE 167 = 146-145 B.C., obv. diademed head of Demetrios II to right within dotted border, rev. eagle standing to left with leg on galley, palm branch in background in field, to left a club with Tyre monogram, to right date **ICR*, below monogram **HG*, around **BASILEWS DHMHTRIOU*, between legs a prow to left, (cf.S.7094, HSC 9 970, SC 1959.1b, Newell Tyre 82). Some hoard patination, otherwise nearly extremely fine.
Estimate $400
SOLD $240
Syria, Kingdom of, Tryphon, (142-138 B.C.), AE 18 (4.61 g), Antioch mint, obv. diademed bust of Tryphon to right, dotted border, rev. spiked Macedonian helmet ornamented with ibex-horn, **BASILEW[S]/TRUFWN[OS]* on left and **AUTOKRA[TOROS]* on right, (S.7089, SC 2034.2e, HGC 9, 1061, SMA p.73 for type and discussion); together with Antiochos III, (223-187 B.C.), AE 18 (7.36 g), uncertain mint in Southern Coele Syria, obv. laureate head of Apollo right, doted border, rev. BA**SILEWS* ANTIOXOY, Nike advancing left, holding palm branch; to left I, (S.-, SC 1100d; WSM 871, HGC 9, 493). Very fine even brown patina, first rare. (2)
Estimate $120
SOLD $80
Syria, Seleucis and Pieria, Laodiceia, (c.after 148 B.C.), silver tetradrachm, (14.64 g), issued year 20 = 62-61 B.C., obv. turreted and veiled bust of Tyche to right, reel border, rev. Zeus enthroned to left, holding Nike and sceptre, behind **[L]AODIKE[WN] THS IERAS [KAI], to left AVTONOMOV, K before, trace of KA in exergue, monogram under throne, (cf.S.5874, cf.BMC 4, ANSMN 28 Morkholm No. 12 [Pl.15,17] same dies). Good very fine/very fine, very scarce.
Estimate $600
SOLD $700
Phoenicia, Arados, Gerashtart 348-339 B.C., undated issue of this period, silver stater, (9.34 g), obv. head of marine deity (Ba'al-Arwad) to right with wreath, profile eye, rev. galley on waves below to right, above in Phoenician 'MAS', (cf.S.5971, Betlyon 26 [Gir'astart 339/8-332 B.C.] [Pl.7, 6], HGC 10, 34 [p.13, R1], BMC 59). Lightly toned, has been cleaned, very fine and rare.
Estimate $300
SOLD $260
Phoenicia, Sidon, Abdashtart II, (342-333 B.C.), silver double shekel, (25.53 g), uncertain year probably 8 = 335/4 B.C., obv. Phoenician war galley travelling to left, propelled by row of oars, standard at stern, two lines of zig-zag waves, rev. above Phoenician letter AB, Persian king (The Great King) and driver standing both in a chariot to left, Abdashtart II as the king of Sidon walking behind, (S.5937, HGC 10, 260, BMC 29 [p.145], Betlyon 35, Traite II 921, cf. SNG Fitz. 6049). Very fine, weak strike, round and rare.
Estimate $2,000
SOLD $1,300
Phoenicia, Tyre, uncertain ruler or king, (c.425-394 B.C.), silver shekel (13.55 g), obv. deity holding reins and bow, riding hippocamp to right, two lines of waves below, dolphin to right in exergue, rev. owl standing right, head facing, crook and flail in background, (S.5912, Elayi & Elayi "The Coinage of the Phoenician City of Tyre in the Persian Period" Group II, 1.1.1, Betylon 17, [Pl.5, 3], HGC 10, 315). Lightly toned, flan crack, nearly very fine and rare.
Estimate $300
Passed in
Parthia, Kingdom of, Mithradates I, (c.171-138 B.C.), silver drachm, (3.83 g), mint, obv. small bust to left in bashlyk, rev. archer seated right on omphalos, three line inscription, scarce (cf.S.7328, Sellwood 10.1). Fine/very fine and rare.
Estimate $100
SOLD $90
Parthia, Kingdom of, Mithradates II, (123-88 B.C.), silver drachm, (3.80 g), Ecbatana mint, obv. large size bare-headed bust to left with long beard, wearing diadem, rev. archer seated right on throne, four line inscription, (S.7371, Sellwood 24.9, Shore 69. Toned, extremely fine and rare.
Estimate $300
SOLD $300
Parthia, Kingdom of, Mithradates II, (123-88 B.C.), silver drachm, (3.80 g), Rhagae mint, obv. large size bare-headed bust to left with long beard, wearing diadem, rev. archer seated right on throne, five line inscription, (S.7371, Sellwood 27.1, Shore 85, Sunrise 293). Toned, rough surface, nearly very fine.
Estimate $100
SOLD $80
Parthia, Kingdom of, various silver drachms from the rulers Orodes I, (c.90-77 B.C.), (S.7394), with ring mount; Phraates III (c.70-57 B.C.), (S.7403); Phraates IV (37-2 B.C.), (S.7472) (illustrated); Gortarzes II (40-51 A.D.), (S.5793); Vonones II (51 A.D.), Ecbatana mint, obv. facing bust (S.5797). Toned, very good - very fine, some scarce. (5)
Estimate $200
SOLD $370
Parthia, Kingdom of, Orodes II, (c.57-38 B.C.) silver drachm, (3.915 g), Ecbatana mint, obv. small size bust wearing a diadem to left with short beard, star before, crescent over star behind, rev. archer seated right on throne, seven line inscription, monogram AT, anchor with curved trident above behind, (cf.S.7445, Sellwood 48.8, Shore 260). Toned, attractive very fine, rare.
Estimate $100
SOLD $120
Parthia, Kingdom of, Vologases I (A.D. 51-78), silver tetradrachm, (12.34 g), Seleucia mint, issued A.D. 52 obv. bust to left with short beard, wearing diadem and medallion, rev. king enthroned to left, receiving diadem from Tyche with sceptre, seven line inscription, **D*XT above wreath (year 364), uncertain month in exergue, (cf.S.5799; cf.Sellwood 68.4-.8, cf.Shore 370). With some hoard patination, fine, very scarce.
Estimate $100
SOLD $110
Parthia, Kingdom of, Vologases III, (c.A.D. 105-147), silver drachm, (3.83 g), Ecbatana mint, obv. medium size bust wearing a diadem to left with pointed long beard, hair in three waves, rev. archer seated right on throne, seven line inscription, monogram AT and dot, (cf.S.5831, Sellwood 78.3, Shore 413). Toned, nearly extremely fine.
Estimate $100
SOLD $100
Parthia, Kingdom of, AE various rulers as described in packets, Mithradates I (Shore 22 [illustrated] and 23) both ex M.R.Roberts (W.Holt) 13 April 2014; Orodes II (ex G.K. Gray 15, 26/2/1971 [lot 662]; others of Mithradates II (2), Phraates IV, Mithradates IV, Vologases III, etc. Toned, mostly fine, first two are rare, all in packets described. (9)
Estimate $150
SOLD $270
Persian Imperial Coinage, Kingdom of, Artaxerxes II and III, (375-340 B.C.), struck in Lydia at Sardeis, silver siglos, (5.52 g), obv. king as bearded archer kneeling to right with dagger and bow, rev. oblong incuse punch, (S.4683, Bab. Pl.86, 18-19, BMC 175-177, Carradice type IV, Group C). Toned, very fine, with obverse cut, scarce.
Estimate $100
SOLD $170
Persia, Alexandrine Empire in Persia, (circa 322-312 B.C.), silver tetradrachm or double shekel, 23mm, (16.25 g), Babylon mint, obv. Baal seated left, holding sceptre, rev. spear-head to left above, with lion walking left on ground line, **S* in exergue. (cf.S.6140, Nicolet-Pierre pages; cf.MIG type 7b; Babelon, Perses -; cf.BMC Arabia 4-5 [Pl.XX 17, XXI 1); Trait? -; SNG Copenhagen -). Nice very fine with partial flat strike and off centred reverse, type unpublished with this combination.
Estimate $600
SOLD $550
Sasanian King, Ardashir, I (A.D. 224-240), billon tetradrachm, (13.16 g), obv. bearded bust to right of king, wearing close-fitting headress with ear flaps, legend around, rev. fire altar, without attendants (Sellwood type II, Plate I, 5, Gobl 7, M.784-6). Uneven tone, traces of green, otherwise very fine and rare.
Estimate $200
Passed in
Sasanian King, Ardashir, I (A.D. 224-240), silver drachm, (3.33 g), obv. bearded bust to right of king, wearing close-fitting headress with globe above, legend around, rev. fire altar, without attendants (Sellwood type III, Plate I, 10, Gobl 9, M.789-795). Has been worn with rough pitted surface, fine and rare.
Estimate $100
SOLD $250
Sasanian King, Ardashir, I (A.D. 224-240), AE 21 (5.03 g), mint C, obv. cuirassed bust right wearing diadem and Parthian style tiara, rev. rev. fire altar, without attendants (Sellwood type -, Alram Beginning -, cf.Gobl II/6/2, cf.De Morgan Pl.XLIV, 16 [smaller module]). Fine, brown patina, unpublished in major references, possibly unique.
Estimate $100
SOLD $250
Sasanian King, Shapur I, (A.D. 241-272), silver drachm, (3.92 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 12, SNS Type IIc/1a. Karlsson D8, Gobl I/1. Sunrise 741). Toned, very fine, scarce.
Estimate $200
SOLD $400
Sasanian King, Shapur I, (A.D. 241-272), silver hemidrachm, (1.72 g), obv. 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, (cf.Sellwood 12, SNS 63, Type IIc/1a, Gobl I/1, Alram 690). Toned, very fine, light porosity, rare.
Estimate $200
SOLD $350
Sasanian King, Shapur I, (A.D. 241-272), silver drachm, a modern copy (4.59 g), obv. 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, (cf.Sellwood 12, SNS Type IIc/1b, Karlsson D8, Gobl I/1. Sunrise 741). Toned, good very fine, scarce.
Estimate $100
SOLD $260
Sasanian King, Shapur I, (A.D. 241-272), AE chalkous, (3.32 g), obv. crowned bust right (no cheek-pieces), surmounted by korymbos, rev. fire altar with attendants facing outwards, (cf.Sellwood p.83, SNS 58, Type IIa1/1a, Gobl 27 [Pl.2]). Toned, good very fine, scarce.
Estimate $60
Passed in
Sasanian King, Varhran I, (A.D.271-274), silver drachm, (2.73 g), obv. bust to right with radiate crown, globe above, with ear flap, rev. fire altar flanked with attendants, plain shaft, (cf.Sellwood Plate II, No.18, Gobl 41 (Pl.3), SNS 99 [Pl.9], M.838). Good fine, light weight and rare.
Estimate $150
SOLD $190
Sasanian King, Hormizd (Ohrmazd) I, (A.D. 271/2-273) or (270-1 Sellwood), AE chalkous, (3.02 g), obv. crowned bust right (no cheek-pieces), surmounted by korymbos, rev. fire altar with attendants facing outwards, (cf.Sellwood p.85, SNS 97-8, Type Ia/2a, cf.Gobl 37 [Pl.3]) (illustrated); others similar, (3.20, 3.70 g) (2). Toned, fine - very fine, rare. (3)
Estimate $60
Passed in
Sasanian King, Varhran II, (A.D. 274-293), silver drachm, (3.57 g), obv. crowned busts of Varhran and consort right, her crown topped with boar's head, the smaller bust of a prince with eagle crown, holding wreath before them, rev. fire altar with attendants facing altar shaft, (cf.Sellwood 21, cf.SNS 143-4 Type VIa-VIIa/3, Gobl 71, X/13, Sunrise -, M.848). Dark hoard patination, very fine, very scarce.
Estimate $250
SOLD $360
Sasanian King, Varhran II, (A.D. 274-293), silver drachm, (4.64 g), obv. crowned busts of Varhran and consort right, her crown topped with boar's head, the smaller bust of a prince with eagle crown, holding wreath before them, rev. fire altar with attendants facing altar shaft, (cf.Sellwood 21, cf.SNS 143, Type VIa/3, Gobl 71, X/13, Sunrise -). Toned, fine, scarce.
Estimate $100
SOLD $250
Sasanian King, Narseh, (A.D.293-302/3), silver drachm, (3.67 g), obv. bust to right with radiate crown, globe above, with no ear flap, rev. fire altar flanked with attendants, fravahr symbol on altar shaft, (cf.Sellwood Plate III, No.25 (Vahran III), Gobl type II/2, 74 (Pl.5), SNS 173 [Pl.16] type II/5c). Very fine and rare.
Estimate $250
SOLD $200
Sasanian King, Hormazd II, (A.D.302/3-309), silver drachm, (3.42 g), obv. bust to right with winged crown with korymbos and falcon's head (Varagna), globe above, with no ear flap, rev. fire altar flanked with attendants, plain altar shaft, (cf.Sellwood Plate III, No.27, Gobl type I/1a2, 83 (Pl.5), SNS 184 [Pl.17] type Ia/3a). Toned, very fine and scarce.
Estimate $150
SOLD $140