Catalogue
Sicily, Syracuse, Time of Agathokles, (317-289 B.C.), electrum twenty five (25) litrai, (3.786 grams), obv. laureate head of Apollo head with long flowing hair, star behind, dotted border, rev. **SURAK SION* around, tripod lebes with legs ending in lion's feet, dotted border, (S.957, Jenkins 'Electrum Coinage of Syracuse' Essays Robinson, p.157 (Pl.14, obv. die 7, probably rev. die 10, same dies), BMC 258 (same obverse die), Pozzi 632 (same obverse die), Naville Sale X, 316 (same obverse die). Full flan, extremely fine and rare. $$ An important issue struck during the Carthaginian War c. 310-306 B.C. Jenkins notes that only one obverse die was used for this symbol and at least five reverse dies these with some muling with other obverse dies utilising other symbols. Reverse 10 cannot be checked, it is only known from the Naples piece and is probably the same reverse die on this coin above. The financing of Agathokles' war with the Carthaginians was provided by a series of three electrum denominations, 50, 25 and 10 litrai. Only the 25 litrai was produced in enough quantity to actually play a significant role in the war's financial operations. The gold content of the 25 litrai varies from 70% for the first issue to 30% for the later issues. This probably reflects a lack of booty from the campaign needed to provide the necessary bullion to finance the expedition. The choice of Apollo/tripod type proclaims Agathokles' devotion to his patron god.
Estimate $3,500
SOLD $0
Macedon, Kingdom of Philip II, (359-336 B.C.), gold stater, (8.580 grams), Amphipolis mint, issued c.340-328 B.C., obv. head of Apollo to right with laureate wreath, rev. galloping biga driven by charioteer holding kentron in right hand, reins in left hand, trident below horses, in exergue **FILIPPOU*, (cf.S.6663, Le Rider Group II, SNG Cop.524). Traces of mint bloom, of fine style, good very fine/nearly extremely fine.
Estimate $3,000
SOLD $2,000
Macedon, Kingdom of, Alexander III, (336-323 B.C.), gold stater, (8.496 grams), Lampsaxus mint, issued 328-323 B.C., obv. head of Athena to right in crested Corinthian helmet, ornamented with serpent, rev. Nike standing to left, holding wreath in outstretched hand, two conjoined foreparts of horses, below **D/O* monogram, to right **[A]LEXANDP[OU]*, (cf.S.6702; Price 1358, SNG Cop.630, M.394, BMC 1358a-e). Good very fine.
Estimate $2,700
SOLD $0
Macedon, Kingdom of, Alexander III, (336-323 B.C.), gold stater, (8.576 grams), Sardes mint, issued 319-315 B.C., obv. head of Athena to right in crested Corinthian helmet, ornamented with serpent, rev. Nike standing to left, holding wreath in outstretched hand, star in lower left field, to right **ALEXAN[DPOU]*, (cf.S.6702; Price 2669, M.151, BMC 2669a). Severe edge scrape, otherwise extremely fine and rare.
Estimate $1,800
SOLD $0
Macedon, Kingdom of, Philip III, (323-316 B.C.), gold stater, (8.530 grams), Aradus mint, issued 323-316 B.C., obv. head of Athena to right in crested Corinthian helmet, ornamented with a griffin, rev. Nike standing to left, holding wreath in outstretched hand and trident, traces of monogram in left field, Z in lower right field, to right **FILIPPOU*, (cf.S.6746; Price P146, M.P109, BMC P146). Nearly extremely fine with traces of mint bloom and rare.
Estimate $2,200
SOLD $2,000
Thrace - Tauric Chersonesus, Panticapaeum, (c.320 B.C.), gold stater, (9.148 grams), obv. head of bearded Silenus to left, with animal ear, wearing ivy wreath, rev. horned griffin with curved wings standing to left on an ear of corn, right foreleg raised, head facing, holding spear in jaws **P A N* around, (S.1693, SNG BM 867, Traite pl.353, 20; Kraay - Hirmer Pl.142, 440, Anokhin 109 Pl.3). A spectacular coin with some weakness on the reverse, obverse with a scratch, otherwise extremely fine and very rare.
Estimate $37,500
SOLD $0
Thrace, Kingdom of, Lysimachus, (323-281 B.C.), gold stater, (8.562 grams), Pella mint (?), issued before 281 B.C., obv. head of Alexander to right, with diadem and horn of Ammon, rev. Athena enthroned to left, supporting Nike, spear behind, **SI* to left, to right **BASILEWS*, to left **LUSIMACOU*, (cf.S.6813, Thompson -, cf.Price 236 [simalar Alexander the Great but earlier?), M.453, CNG Sale 64 lot 155 [similar example suggest Byzantium?]). Of great rarity, unpublished, nearly extremely fine, of superior style and probably the second known example.
Estimate $5,000
SOLD $0
Thrace, Kingdom of, Lysimachos, (323-281 B.C.), gold stater, (8.296 grams), Callatis mint, posthumous issue c.88-86 B.C., obv. diademed head of Alexander the Great to right, wearing horn of Ammon, rev. Athena enthroned to left, holding Nike and resting left arm on shield, transverse spear resting against right side to right, to right **BASILEWS, to left **LUSIMACOU, HP monogram below arm, KA**L* on throne, trident below in exergue, (cf.S.6813, M.266, SNG Cop.1089). Nearly extremely fine and virtually as struck.
Estimate $3,000
SOLD $0
Thrace, Kingdom of, Lysimachos, (323-281 B.C.), gold stater, (8.222 grams), Istrus mint, posthumous issue c.88-86 B.C., obv. diademed head of Alexander the Great to right, wearing horn of Ammon, rev. Athena enthroned to left, holding Nike and resting left arm on shield, transverse spear resting against right side, to right **BASILEWS, to left **LUSIMACOU, **DI below arm, **IS on throne, trident below in exergue, (cf.S.6813, M.285, SNG Cop.1094). Extremely fine and virtually as struck with better than usual style, free of die rust.
Estimate $2,000
SOLD $1,400
Ionia, Phocaia, (c.387-322 B.C.), electrum hekte or sixth stater, (2.388 grams), issued in 327 B.C. [Bodenstedt dating], obv. female head to left, with wreath, rev. quadripartite incuse punch, (cf.S.4530 [£550], Bodenstedt 94 [obv. c, rev **a* same dies], Boston 1931-2, McClean 8258, BMC 68-70, SNG Berry 1083). Very fine, and scarce.
Estimate $400
SOLD $550
Lydia, uncertain king, issued before 561 B.C. and probably c.575 B.C., electrum trite or third stater, (4.746 grams) of Lydian-Milesian (Phoenician standard), probably issued at Sardis, obv. head of roaring lion to right, knob with three rays on forehead, rev. double incuse punch, (S.3398, BMC 7 [p.2], Weidauer [Essays to Robinson] Class XVI, SNG Cop. 449-451, ACNAC Rosen 231, ACNAC Dewing 2421-3). Good very fine and rare.
Estimate $1,800
SOLD $1,500
Egypt, Kingdom of, Ptolemy VIII, (145-116 B.C.), gold oktadrachm, commemorative issue for Arsinoe II, (27.87 grams), Alexandria mint, obv. diademed and veiled head of Arsinoe II to right, lotus tipped sceptre over shoulder, K behind, within dotted border, rev. double cornucopiae bound with fillet, around **ARSINOHS FILADELFOU*, (S.7888A, Sv. 1499, SNG Cop. 321, Hazzard figure 112). About as struck, good extremely fine and rare.
Estimate $15,000
SOLD $15,000
Tiberius, (A.D. 14-37), gold aureus, Lugdunum mint, issued A.D. after A.D. 16, (7.662 grams), obv. laureate head of Tiberius to right, around TI CAESAR [DIVI] AVG F AVGVSTVS, rev. PONTIF MAXIM Livia seated to right, with inverted vertical spear and branch, (S.1760, RIC 27, Cal.305, BMC 39, C.15). Slightly short on flan, otherwise nearly very fine and scarce.
Estimate $2,200
SOLD $0
Claudius, (A.D. 41-54), gold aureus, (7.866 grams), issued 50-1., Rome mint, obv. TI CLAVD CAESAR AVG P M TR P X IMP PP, laureate head to right, rev. PACI AVGVSTAE, winged Pax-Nemesis advancing to right, drawing out fold of drapery from neck and holding caduceus, snake at feet, (cf.S.1833, RIC 51, Cal.371, BMC 61, C.64). Good very fine and very rare.
Estimate $6,500
SOLD $0
Nero, (A.D. 54-68), gold aureus, Luddunum mint, (7.550 grams), issued A.D. 51, obv. bare head of Nero to left, around NERO CLAVD CAES DRVSVS GERM PRINC IVVENT, rev. simpulum and lituus above tripod and patera, SACERD COOPT IN OMN CONL SVPRA NVM EX S C, (S.1915, RIC 76, Cal.441, BMC 84, C.311). Trace of edge file mark, otherwise nearly very fine and rare.
Estimate $3,000
SOLD $0
Galba (A.D.68-9) aureus (7.06 grams), Rome Mint, obv. laureate head to right of Galba, around IMP SER GALBA CAESAR AVG, rev. around DIVA AVGVSTA, Livaa standing left, holding patera and sceptre, (cf.S.2091, RIC 223, C.57). Struck slightly off-centre, a little tooled from being in jewellery otherwise good very fine and rare.
Estimate $8,000
SOLD $0
Galba, (A.D. 68-69), gold aureus, issued July - August 68, Rome mint, (7.226 grams), obv. laureate head to right of Galba, around [IMP SER] GALBA CAESAR AVG P M, rev. SALVS GEN HVMANI around, Salus or Fortuna standing to left holding a patera and rudder, right foot on globe, in front an altar, (cf.S.2092, RIC 231, Cal.505, C. 239). Attractive red tone, off centred obverse, good very fine and very rare.
Estimate $9,000
SOLD $0
Vitellius, (A.D. 69), gold aureus, Tarraco mint, issued May - July 69, (7.428 grams), obv. A VITELLIVS IMP GERMAN, laureate head to left, rev. Victory flying left, holding shield inscribed S P Q R, around VICTORIA AVGVSTI, (S.2179, RIC 13, Cal.576a, C.95v). Slightly off centred, otherwise nearly very fine and very rare.
Estimate $6,000
SOLD $0
Vespasian, (A.D. 69-79), gold aureus, Rome mint, issued A.D. 78-79, (7.264 grams), obv. laureate head of Vespasian to left, around CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG, rev. Annona enthroned to left, holding a sack of corn ears on lap, ANNONA AVG around, (S.2247 [£1000 VF], RIC 131(a), Cal.591, C.29). Nearly extremely fine and rare.
Estimate $5,000
SOLD $0
Vespasian, (A.D. 69-79), gold aureus, Rome mint, issued A.D. 78-79, (7.196 grams), obv. laureate head of Vespasian to right, around CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG, rev. Annona enthroned to left, holding a sack of corn ears on lap, ANNONA AVG around, (S.2247 [£1000 VF], RIC 131(a), Cal.590, BMC 290, CBN 256, cf.C.27). Very fine and rare.
Estimate $3,000
SOLD $1,700
Domitian, as Caesar under Vespasian, (A.D. 81-96), gold aureus, Rome mint, issued A.D. 77-78, (7.170 grams), obv. laureate head of Domitian to right, around CAESAR AVG F DOMITIANVS, rev. captive in oriental costume kneeling right, holding standard with vexillum attached, COS V in exergue, (S.2620, RIC V240, Cal.819, C.48). Highlights toned, nearly extremely fine and very scarce.
Estimate $7,500
SOLD $0
Domitian, (A.D. 81-96), gold aureus, Rome mint, issued A.D. 83, (7.424 grams), obv. laureate head of Domitian to right, around IMP CAES DOMITIANVS AVG P M, rev. around TR POT II COS VIIII DES X P P, Minerva standing to left holding thunderbolt and spear, shield at her side, (S.2712, RIC 37, Cal. 934, C.603). Attractive, extremely fine and rare.
Estimate $8,500
SOLD $0
Hadrian, (A.D. 117-138), gold aureus, issued 118, Rome mint, (7.306 grams), obv. laureate bust to right of Hadrian, draped and cuirassed, around IMP CAESAR TRAIAN HADRIANVS AVG, rev. P M TR P COS DES III around, in exergue SALVS AVG, Salus seated to left holding flower and lifting skirt, (S.3418, RIC 46, Cal.1368, C.1349). Full flan, as struck, good extremely fine, and very rare in this condition.
Estimate $10,000
SOLD $0
Antoninius Pius, (A.D. 138-161), gold aureus, Rome mint, issued 148-149, (7.274 grams), obv. ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P XII, bare headed bust to right draped and cuirased, rev. TR POT COS IIII, Roma seated to left, holding Victory and spear, (cf.S.4025, Cal. 1659 [This Coin illustrated], RIC -, C.-). Extremely fine and very rare, apparently the only reported example of this varirty.
Estimate $5,000
SOLD $4,000
Julia Domna, wife of Septimius Severus, (A.D. 193-217), gold aureus, issued 196-211, Rome mint, (7.136 grams), obv. draped bust to right of Julia Domna, around IVLIA AVGVSTA, rev. Juno standing to left, holding patera and sceptre, peacock at her feet, around IVNO RE GINA, (S.-, RIC 560 [Severus], C.96). Full flan with attractive light golden tone, smoothed edge, good very fine/very fine and very rare.
Estimate $2,000
SOLD $1,500
Gordian III, (A.D. 238-244), gold aureus, (4.976 grams), Rome mint, issued 241-3, obv. laureate bust to right of Gordian III, draped and cuirassed, around IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, rev. Sol standing to front, head to left, raising hand and holding globe, around AETERN ITATI AVG, (cf.S.2426, RIC 97, Cal.3186, C.37). Brilliant, full original mint bloom, as struck, uncirculated and very rare.
Estimate $6,000
SOLD $0
Anastasius I, (A.D.491-518), gold tremissis, Constantinople mint, (1.436 grams), obv. bust of Anastasius I to right, with diadem, wearing cuirass and paludamentum, d N ANASTA SIVS PP AVI around, rev. Victory to right, head to left, star in right field, around VICTORIA AVGVSTORVM, CONOB in exergue, (S.8, DOC.10). Struck from rusted dies, otherwise very fine.
Estimate $350
SOLD $0
Justin II, (A.D.565-578), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, (4.444 grams), issued 565-578, obv. bust of Justin II facing, with plume and diadem, two pearls at each side, wearing cuirass, and holding globe surmounted by Victory, d N I VSTI NVS PP AVI around, rev. Constantinople seated looking right, with helmet tunic and mantle, on right shoulder aegis, left hand holds a spear, cross on globe, around VICTORI A AVGGG I, CONOB in exergue, (S.345, DOC 4i, BMC 13). Weak in places large flan, otherwise good very fine.
Estimate $350
SOLD $250
Phocas, (A.D. 602-610), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, (4.404 grams), issued A.D. 607-610, Officina A, obv. Phocas facing bust, bearded, wearing cuirass, paludamentum and crown, holding cross, around dN FOCAS PERP AV, 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 E, (S.620, DOC 10a, BMC 1, R.1179). Extremely fine, nearly as struck with some mint bloom.
Estimate $750
SOLD $480
Heraclius, (610-641), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, Officina **G*, issued 638-639, (4.424 grams), obv. standing crowned figures of Heraclius in centre, Heraclius Constantine on left, and Heraclonas on right, cross on each crown, rev. Cross potent on three steps, monogram to left, A to right, around VICTORIA AVGU **G*, CONOB in exergue, (S.766, DOC 40b, BMC -, T.-, R.-). Nearly extremely fine and a very rare variety.
Estimate $600
SOLD $0