Catalogue
Claudius and Agrippina, (A.D. 41-54), gold aureus, (7.62 grams), issued 50-4., Rome mint, obv. TI CLAVD CAESAR AVG GERM P M TRIB POT P P, laureate head to right, rev. AGRIPPINAE AVGVSTAE around, bust of Agrippina laureate to right, (S.659, RIC 80, BMC 79, C.3). Very fine and very rare.
Estimate $7,000
SOLD $0
Lucius Verus, (A.D. 161-169), gold aureus, issued A.D. 164-165, Rome mint, (7.30 grams), obv. laureate bust, draped and cuirassed of Lucius Verus to right, around L VERVS AVG ARMENIACVS, rev. around TR P V IMP II COS II, Roma helmeted, standing left, holding Victory and trophy, (S.-, RIC 535, C.268). Good very fine and rare.
Estimate $3,000
SOLD $0
Septimius Severus, (A.D. 193-211), gold aureus, Rome mint, issued A.D. 194, (7.24 grams), obv. laureate head of Septimius Severus to right, around L SEP SEV PE RT AVG IMP III, rev. around DIS AVSPICIB TR P II COS II P P, Hercules on left standing left holding club and lion-skin, Bacchus to right standing to left, holding oenochoe over panther and thyrsus, (S.-, RIC 31 [R2], C.114, BMC 58). About as struck, extremely fine and very rare.
Estimate $8,000
SOLD $0
Leo I, (A.D. 457-474), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, Officina I, (4.4 grams), 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 I, in exergue CONOB, (S.4333, RIC 605). Slightly crinkled, heavy scratch on the obverse, obliterated face, otherwise nearly very fine.
Estimate $220
SOLD $210
Zeno I, (A.D. 474-491), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, Officina B, (4.4 grams), obv. Zeno three-quarter facing bust, wearing cuirass, paludamentum and crown, holding spear and shield, around DN ZENO PERP AVC, rev. Victory standing to left, in right hand holding long cross, in right field a star, around VICTORI A AVGGG I, in exergue CONOB, (S.4385, RIC 910). Has been mounted, otherwise good fine.
Estimate $250
SOLD $240
Justinian I, (527-565), gold solidus, issue of 545-565, Constantinople mint, (4.5 grams), Officina A, obv. helmeted and cuirassed bust facing without pellets on breastplate, holding cross on globe, around DN IVSTINI ANVS PP AVI, rev. Angel standing facing holding long cross with chi-rho at top end, and cross on globe, around VICTORI A AVCCCA, in exergue CONOB, star in right field, (S.140, DOC. 9a.1-2, To.27, BMC 8). Full flan, well centred about as struck, nearly uncirculated with mint bloom.
Estimate $500
SOLD $460
Justin II, (A.D. 565-578), gold solidus, issued at Constantinople mint in A.D. 565-578, (4.3 grams), obv. helmeted and cuirassed bust facing, holding globe surmounted by Victory, around D N I VSTI NVS PP AVI, rev. Constantinopolis enthroned facing head right, holding sceptre and globe with cross, around VICTORI [A] AVGGGZ, in exergue CONOB, (S.345, DOC 4f). With some flat and weak areas, Constantinopolis head with field damage, otherwise very fine.
Estimate $250
SOLD $220
Phocas, (A.D. 602-610), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, (4.35 grams), issued A.D. 607-610, Offinina **D, obv. Phocas facing bust, bearded, wearing cuirass, paludamentum and crown, holding cross, around dN FOCAS [PERP AVI], rev. Angel facing, holding in right hand long staff, with partial chi-rho symbol at top, in left hand globe with cross above, around VICTORIA AVGU **D, CONOB in exergue. (S.620, DOC.10d). Overstruck on another coin with some of the original letters and design visible, with some mint bloom, good extremely fine/extremely fine.
Estimate $400
SOLD $400
Heraclius, (610-641), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, issued 629-631, (4.5 grams), Officina **D, obv. facing busts of Heraclius with long beard and larger than usual bust of Heraclius Constantine, wearing chlamys and crown, around dN NN hERACLIVS ET hERA C[ONSt PP A], cross above, rev. cross potent on base and three steps, below CONOB, around VICTORIA AVGU**D, (S.749, DOC.[26b], To.171). Off centred on reverse, good very fine, scarce.
Estimate $300
SOLD $250
Constans II, (641-668), gold light weight solidus, Constantinople mint, issued 651-654, (4.21 grams), officina A, obv. bust facing of Constans II with long beard, chlamys and crown, and holding cross on a globe, around dN CONStAN TINUS PP AV, rev. cross potent on base and three steps, below CONOB+, around VICTORIA AVGUA, star to right in field, (S.978, DOW (23), specimens in Bridge and Lindpainter collections, [see Hahn 47 p.241]). Good very fine and very rare type, officina only known from these cited examples.
Estimate $400
SOLD $310
Romanus I and Christopher, (A.D.920-944), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, issued from A.D. 921-931, (4.4 grams), obv. Christ enthroned facing wearing nimbus, raising right hand in benediction, also holding Gospels, around + IhS XPS REX REGNANTIUM, rev. ROMAN ET XPISTOFO' AUGG' b' around, facing busts of Romanus I on left and Christopher wearing chlamys on right, both crowned, between them long patriarchal cross, (S.1745, D.O.7). Has been mounted, heavy scratches on obverse and reverse, scarce.
Estimate $250
SOLD $0
Basil II, (A.D.976-1025), with Constantine VIII Co-emperor throughout reign and also (A.D.1025-1028), gold histamenon nomisma, Constantinople mint, (4.4 grams), obv. Christ bust facing wearing nimbus with crescents in upper quarters, raising right hand, in left hand the Gospels, I[h]S XIS REX REgNANTInm around, rev. +bASIL C CONSTANT I bR around, facing busts of Basil on left wearing loros of square pattern, and Constantine on right wearing jewelled chlamys, each wearing crown, each holding between them a plain cross, (S.1800, D.O.6a). Possibly mounted, scratches and minor knocks, otherwise very fine and scarce.
Estimate $400
SOLD $0
Constantine X, (A.D.1059-1067), scyphate gold histamenon nomisma, Constantinople mint, (4.4 grams), obv. Christ seated facing on curved arms backed throne, wearing nimbus, raising right hand, in left hand the Gospels, EIC XI[CRX] OC SNnmTHM around, rev. +KWN RAC L O DO[VKAC], around standing figure of Constantine facing on left and the Virgin nimbate on right, her hand crowns the emperor, (S.1848, D.O.2.3). Weak in places, otherwise good very fine/nearly extremely fine.
Estimate $300
SOLD $300
Michael VII, (A.D.1071-1078), electrum gold histamenon nomisma, Constantinople mint, (4.3 grams), obv. bust of long bearded Christ facing, wearing nimbus, raising right hand, in left hand the Gospels, [IC] XC across, double dotted border, rev. +[MIXA]HL BACI, around bust of Michael facing, bearded wearing crown and loros, holding labarum with pellet on shaft and globe with cross, (S.1868, D.O.2d). Scratches on the obverse and reverse, weak in places, otherwise nearly very fine/very fine.
Estimate $200
SOLD $100
Andronicus II and Michael IX, (1294-1320), joint reign, gold hyperpyron (scyphate), issued c.1310, (4.9 grams), obv. Andronicus II and III to left and right with Christ standing between crowning both emperors, partial legend around as 'Emperor of the Romans', rev. bust of Virgin within city walls, */K to left, */N to right, (S.2396, Bendall p.62 type I variety iv, see also p.134-6 Num. Circ. June 1961, Type No.3). Small flan, weak in places as usual, otherwise good very fine and a scarce variant.
Estimate $250
SOLD $180
Spain, South Spain, Carteia, Germanicus and Drusus (c.A.D. 14-37), AE semis, (4.0 grams), obv. City goddess turreted head to right, [GERMA]NICO ET DRVSO around, rev. rudder, [CART CAESA]RIB[VS] IIII VIR, (S.363, SNG Tubingen 80, Heiss 29). Off centred, very fine.
Estimate $40
SOLD $20
Central Gaul, Celtic issue, Sequani, early potin issue, 19mms, c.2nd-1st century B.C., obv. laureate head to left, rev. crude bull walking to left, (cf.S.97, SNG Dreer 104, de La Tour 5401). Piece out of edge, otherwise very fine and rare.
Estimate $50
SOLD $0
Italy, Campania, Neapolis (Naples), (c.350 B.C.), silver stater or didrachm, (6.61 grams), obv. head of nymph to right, rev. bull walking to right, crowned by Nike flying right above, below exergue off flan **[NEOPOLITWN], (cf.S.299, SNG Cop.421). Off centred on the reverse, otherwise fine.
Estimate $70
SOLD $80
Italy, Campania, Neapolis (Naples), (c.340-240 B.C.), silver stater or didrachm, (7.25 grams), obv. head of nymph to right, X behind, rev. bull walking to right, crowned by Nike flying right above, below **Q*, below exergue [NEOPOLITWN], (cf.S.307, Sambon 476, SNG ANS 368 [same dies], SNG Cop. 436 [same dies]). Weak in places on obverse, otherwise good fine and a scarce symbol.
Estimate $250
SOLD $250
Italy, Campania, Neapolis (Naples), (c.340-240 B.C.), silver stater or didrachm, (6.63 grams), obv. head of nymph to right, X behind, rev. bull walking to right, crowned by Nike flying right above, below **EU[X], below exergue [NEOPOLITWN], (cf.S.307, Sambon 477, SNG ANS 370-1). Attractive dark tone, off centred on the reverse, dumpy flan, otherwise very fine.
Estimate $250
SOLD $0
Italy, Campania, Neapolis (Naples), (c.340-240 B.C.), silver stater or didrachm, (7.255 grams), obv. head of nymph to right, X behind, rev. bull walking to right, crowned by Nike flying right above, below off flan **[EUX], below exergue [NEOPOLITWN], (cf.S.307, Sambon 477, SNG ANS 370-1 [same dies]). Off centred but with attractive blue tone and human head bull, a dumpy flan as usual, otherwise very fine.
Estimate $220
SOLD $140
Italy, Calabria, Tarentum (Taras), (380-345 B.C.), silver stater, (6.89 grams), obv. warrior on horse to left galloping holding shield, A below, rev. Taras astride a dolphin to left, **S* below, [TA]PA**[S]* below, (cf.S.337, Vl.435, SNG ANS 927 same dies). Porosity on reverse, good fine/very good.
Estimate $60
SOLD $60
Italy, Calabria, Tarentum (Taras), (380-345 B.C.), silver stater, (6.82 grams), obv. naked ephebes on horse to right **Q* below, rev. Taras astride a dolphin to left, [TA]PA**S* below, another (302-281 B.C.), (7.39 grams), obv. warrior on horse to right with spear, [**DEINOKRATHS]* below, rev. Taras astride dolphin to left, TAPA**S* to right, (cf.S.337, 363, Vl.452, cf.Vl.693, SNG ANS 938 [same dies], SNG Cop. 1068). Both with porosity on one side and in packets described, otherwise fine - very fine. (2)
Estimate $240
SOLD $240
Italy, Calabria, Tarentum (Taras), (344-334 B.C.), silver stater, (7.80 grams), obv. warrior on horse to right galloping holding shield and spears, **SIM* below, rev. Taras astride a dolphin to left, **FI* below, TAPA**S* to right, eagle standing to left, (cf.S.337, Vl.573, SNG ANS 980 [same dies], Evans Period V). Irregular shape, very fine and a rare symbol.
Estimate $400
SOLD $380
Italy, Lucania, Heraclea, (370-350 B.C.), silver stater, (7.8 grams), obv. head of Athena to right wearing crested Corinthian helmet, ornamented with figure of Scylla, E behind helmet, above helmet **HRAKLHIW[N], rev. Heracles standing facing holding club with lion's skin, bow and arrow, owl above club, to left **ARIS, (cf.S.391; cf.SNG ANS 79 [same dies], Work 87 [these dies]). Attractive with original mint bloom, extremely fine and very rare.
Estimate $750
SOLD $740
Italy, Lucania, Metapontum, (c.400-350 B.C.), silver stater or didrachm, (7.5 grams), obv. laureate head of Apollo to right, rev. corn ear, META to left, (cf.S.410 [£550], Noe 461, SNG Lockett 393, SNG ANS 349 (same dies). Good fine and rare.
Estimate $300
SOLD $0
Italy, Lucania, Metapontum, (c.400-350 B.C.), silver stater or didrachm, (7.58 grams), obv. head of female to right, the hair is held bound by a sphendone or sakkos, rev. corn ear, **METAPON* to left, stalk to right, leaf above stalk, (cf.S.409, Noe [NN&M 47, 1984] 494, BMC 133 [same dies], Hunterian 48 [same dies], McLean 966 [same dies]). Good fine and very scarce.
Estimate $300
SOLD $130
Italy, Lucania, Metapontum, (c.335-300 B.C.), silver stater or didrachm, (7.39 grams), obv. head of Demeter to right, veil hanging behind head, rev. corn ear, [META] to left, oinochoe above stalk to right, and **FI** partially off flan to right, (cf.S.416, Johnston [NN&M 164] Class A, 8.3 [same dies], SNG ANS 417 [same dies], SNG Ash. 747 [same dies]). Small flan as normal for this issue, reverse with porosity, otherwise good fine/fine and very rare.
Estimate $150
SOLD $140
Italy, Lucania, Metapontum, (c.335-330 B.C.), silver stater or didrachm, (7.5 grams), obv. bearded Corinthian helmeted head of Leukippos to right, behind lion's head to right, rev. ear of corn, to right META, to left club erect over leaf, [AMI] below, (S.415, Johnston [NN&M 164] Class B, 2.19, cf.SNG ANS 433, cf.SNG Cop.1208). Good fine/very fine and a scarce type, very rare dies.
Estimate $250
SOLD $0
Italy, Lucania, Metapontum, (c.320-290 B.C.), silver stater or didrachm, (7.69 grams), obv. head of Demeter to right wreathed in ears of corn, **[DAI] below chin, rev. corn ear, META to left, leaf of stalk to right, and plough above, [MAX] below leaf, (cf.S.416, cf.Johnston [NN&M 164] Class C, 1.39 [same dies], Naville Sale 5, 18th June 1923 [lot 473, same dies]). Weak in places, otherwise very fine, and probably the second known specimen from these dies.
Estimate $240
SOLD $240