Catalogue
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
Constans II, (641-668), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, issued 651-4, (4.384 grams), officina **D*, obv. bust facing of Constans with long beard, wearing chlamys and crown, around dN CONStAN TINUS PP AV, rev. cross potent on base and three steps, below CONOB, around VICTORIA AVGU**D*, (S.956 (£250 EF), DOC (19d], BMC 31). With some mint bloom, slightly off centred reverse, extremely fine and scarce.
Estimate $500
SOLD $440
Basil I the Macedonian and Constantine, (A.D.867-886), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, issued from A.D. 867-879, (4.398 grams), obv. Christ enthroned facing wearing nimbus, raising right hand in benediction, also holding Gospels, the throne has curved ornamented arms, around + IhS XPS REX REGNANTIUM*, rev. bASILIOS ET CONSTANT' AUGG' b' around, facing busts of Basil I wearing loros on left and Romanus II wearing chlamys on right, both crowned, between them long patriarchal cross, (S.1704, DOC 2b, R.1858). Extremely fine or better and rare.
Estimate $900
SOLD $880
Basil I the Macedonian and Constantine, (A.D.867-886), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, issued from A.D. 867-879, (4.364 grams), obv. Christ enthroned facing wearing nimbus, raising right hand in benediction, also holding Gospels, the throne has curved ornamented arms, around + IhS XPS REX REGNANTIUM*, rev. bASILIOS ET CONSTANT' AUGG' b' around, facing busts of Basil I wearing loros on left and Romanus II wearing chlamys on right, both crowned, between them long patriarchal cross, (S.1704, DOC 2b, R.1858). Good very fine and scarce.
Estimate $750
SOLD $600
Romanus I and Christopher, (A.D.920-944), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, issued from A.D. 921-930, (4.312 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 with short beard and Christopher, both crowned, between them long patriarchal cross, (S.1745, DOC 7, R.1892). Good very fine and very scarce.
Estimate $700
SOLD $840
Constantine X, (A.D.1059-1067), scyphate gold histamenon nomisma, Constantinople mint, (4.288 grams), obv. Christ seated facing on throne with curved arms, wearing nimbus, raising right hand, in left hand the Gospels, IhS IXC REX REgNANTInm around, rev. +KWN RAC L DOVKAC, around standing figure of Constantine facing, bearded, wearing crown, saccos and loros, holding globe with cross has hand placed on his head by Virgin standing to right, M between, (S.1848, DOC 2, R.2011, BMC 4-7). Surface scratches, otherwise extremely fine and scarce.
Estimate $500
SOLD $360
Romanus IV, (1068-1071), gold histamenon nomisma (scyphate), Constantinople mint, Class II, (4.380 grams), obv. Christ standing on footstool, with nimbus crowning Romanus and Eudocia, IC XC, around +PWMA EVDKKA (sic), rev. Michael in centre, Constantius on left, and Andronicus on right, without footstools, around KWN MX AND, (S.1861, DOC.2, R.2026). Nearly extremely fine and scarce.
Estimate $700
SOLD $520
Michael VII, (A.D.1071-1078), electrum gold histamenon nomisma (scyphate), Constantinople mint, (4.258 grams), obv. bearded Christ enthroned facing, wearing nimbus, raising right hand, in left hand the Gospels, IC XC across, double dotted border, rev. +MIXAHL BACIL A, around bust of Michael facing, bearded wearing crown and loros, holding labarum without pellet on shaft and globe with cross, (S.1869, DOC 1, BMC 1, R.-). Good bust of bearded Christ, minor surface marks, extremely fine.
Estimate $700
SOLD $500
Michael VII, (A.D.1071-1078), electrum gold histamenon nomisma (scyphate), Constantinople mint, (4.352 grams), obv. bearded Christ enthroned facing, wearing nimbus, raising right hand, in left hand the Gospels, IC XC across, double dotted border, rev. +MIXAHL BACIL A, around bust of Michael facing, bearded wearing crown and loros, holding labarum without pellet on shaft and globe with cross, (S.1869, DOC 1, BMC 1, R.-). Good bust of bearded Christ, heavy obverse scratches, otherwise good very fine/nearly extremely fine and rare.
Estimate $500
SOLD $340
Nicephorus III, (A.D.1078-1081), electrum gold histamenon nomisma (scyphate), Constantinople mint, (4.176 grams), 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 bust of 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 bust of bearded Christ, nearly extremely fine and scarce.
Estimate $450
SOLD $320
Nicephorus III, (A.D.1078-1081), electrum gold histamenon nomisma (scyphate), Constantinople mint, (4.124 grams), 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 bust of 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 bust of bearded Christ, good very fine and scarce.
Estimate $400
SOLD $300
Manuel I, (1143-1180), gold hyperpyron (scyphate), Constantinople mint, (4.220 grams), obv. Christ bust facing, beardless wearing nimbus, IC XC over to left KE RO, to right H**Q*EI, rev. facing figure of Manuel standing wearing crown, holding patriarchal cross to right 'manus Dei' legend to left **ML/NWHL/ DE*C/**PO /TH to right **TW/ PO/ FU/R[O]/GE/ NH/TW*, (S.1956 [£300 EF], Hendy Pl.12, 1-11, BMC 1-13, R.2111-4). Brilliant, good extremely fine/nearly extremely fine and rare.
Estimate $800
SOLD $500
John III Ducas called Vatatzes, Empire of Nicaea, (A.D. 1222/3-1254), gold hyperpyron nomisma, Magnesia mint, (4.592 grams), second coinage transitional to late style, issued 1232-1254, obv. Christ enthroned facing nimbate, raising hand, IC XC either side of head, rev. John standing left being crowned by the Virgin Mary, to left and right traces of legend, (S.2073, DOC 5, Vol.4, pl.XXIX and XXX, H.Pl.32, 3-5). Extremely fine and very scarce, double struck on obverse, coin struck from three dies.
Estimate $650
SOLD $440
Andronicus II and Andronicus III, (1325-1328 or later), joint reign, gold hyperpyron (scyphate), Constantinople mint, (3.300 grams), obv. bust of Virgin within city walls and four towers, control letters :./[K], :./X to left and right, rev. Andronicus II and Andronicus III to left and right with Christ standing between both emperors, traces of partial legend downwards of each emperor, (S.2461, Bendall PCPC 185.3 var.14, DOC 502). Large flan, weak in places as usual, otherwise very fine.
Estimate $400
SOLD $0
Andronicus II and Andronicus III, (1325-1328 or later), joint reign, gold hyperpyron (scyphate), Constantinople mint, (3.456 grams), obv. bust of Virgin within city walls and four towers, control letters N X to left and right, rev. Andronicus II and Andronicus III to left and right with Christ standing between both emperors, traces of partial legend downwards of each emperor, (S.2461, Bendall PCPC cf.185 var.15, DOC 503). Small flan, very weak in places as usual, otherwise very fine.
Estimate $300
SOLD $130
Gaul, Massalia (as a Colony founded by the Phokaians), (2nd-1st century B.C.), AE 14, (2.202 grams), obv. head of Apollo to left, rev. bull standing to right, above **MASS[A], D* to right, trace of letter in exergue, (S.-, De La Tour 1673, SNG Cop. 822-824, cf.Vecchi Sale 13 lot 67 VF, sold £77). Attractive distinctive style, very fine, rare.
Estimate $80
SOLD $60
Italy, Lucania, Metapontum, (c.335-330 B.C.), silver stater, (7.64 grams), obv. bearded Corinthian helmeted head of Leukippos to right, lion head behind, rev. ear of corn, to right META, to left club erect over leaf, [A]MI below, (S.415, Johnston [NN&M 164] Class B.2, cf.SNG Ash.728). Small dumpy flan, obverse porosity, otherwise fine/very fine and scarce.
Estimate $120
SOLD $140
Italy, Lucania, Sybaris, (c.530-510 B.C.), silver stater, (6.942 grams), obv. bull standing to left, looking back, VM in exergue, rev. bull standing to right, looking back, but incuse, and no legend, (S.245, BMC 1, SNG ANS 828-842). Extensive corrosion and pitting on the obverse for a third of the coin, otherwise fine/very fine and rare.
Estimate $500
SOLD $0
Italy, Lucania, Thurium (Thourioi), (c.350 B.C.), silver nomos, stater or didrachm, (7.516 grams), obv. head of Athena to right wearing crested Athenian helmet, ornamented with figure of Scylla, rev. bull butting to right, traces of **QOURIWN* above, tunny fish below in exergue, with plain exergual line, (cf.S.442; cf.SNG ANS 1009 [same reverse die]). Very fine and rare.
Estimate $350
SOLD $0
Italy, Lucania, Velia, (c.334-300 B.C.), silver nomos, stater or didrachm, (7.490 grams), Period VI, workshop of Kleudoros, obv. head of Athena to left, wearing crested Phrygian helmet with centaur, >E behind, rev. lion walking to left, **UELHTWN* in exergue, >E below lion, A above, (S.456, Williams 348 [these dies, Obv.180, rev.252], SNG ANS 1325 [same reverse die]). Good very fine, good metal and a scarce mint.
Estimate $430
SOLD $400
Italy, Bruttium, Croton, (420-400 B.C.), silver stater, (7.486 grams), obv. eagle standing to left, on olive branch with open wings, KPOTONIATAN above, rev. tripod-lebes with neck and three handles, in field to right coiled serpent, to left a barley stalk, (cf.S.472, SNG ANS 355 [same dies]). Some surface flaking on the reverse, with attractive grey tone, very fine and rare.
Estimate $400
SOLD $580
Sicily, Akragas (Agrigentum), (c.464-450 B.C.), silver tetradrachm, Jenkins Group III, (17.200 grams), obv. eagle with closed wings standing to left, AKRAC behind eagle, retrograde [AN]**TOS* before eagle, rev. crab within circular incuse field, (S.741, BMC 38, SNG Cop.41 [Pl.1 similar dies]. SNG ANS 964 [similar dies]). Toned, with grey patina, very fine and a rare type.
Estimate $1,200
SOLD $780
Sicily, Catana, (450-420 B.C.), silver tetradrachm, (17.436 grams), obv. slow quadriga driven to right by male charioteer holding goad, rev. laureate head of Apollo to right, hair turned up behind, before off flan [KATANAION], (S.767 [£1500], SNG ANS 1240 [same dies], Luynes 2869, Rizzo Pl.X, No.17, [with same reverse striking flaw from clashed dies as this example], Naville Sale XVI, No.470 [same dies, same clashed dies]). Off centred on the obverse, clashed die on edge on reverse as desribed by Rizzo, stiking edge split, very fine, dark tone, very rare.
Estimate $1,400
SOLD $0
Sicily, Gela, (c.465-450 B.C.), silver tetradrachm, (18.144 grams), obv. slow quadriga driven left by male charioteer holding reins, tall column behind horses, ketos in exergue to left, dotted border, rev. forepart of man headed bull to right with long beard, above reversed and backwards legend before **[GELAS], (cf.S.789 [£1000], Jenkins 220, obv. 58, rev. 118 [notes only six examples known of these dies], SNG ANS 49 [same dies]). Slightly off centred, otherwise very fine and a very rare die combination.
Estimate $1,400
SOLD $1,200
Sicily, Himera, (c.530-482 B.C. [Sear], 480/78-470 B.C. [Westermark]), silver didrachm, (8.08 grams), obv. cock with closed wings struting to left, rev. crab within circular incuse circular field, (S.715 [£650], Westermark 99 [same dies], SNG Sweden (Forbat) 125 [same dies], Niggeler I, 1965 lot 99 [same dies]). Very fine and very rare.
Estimate $1,200
SOLD $0
Sicily, Leontini, (c.466-425 B.C.), silver tetradrachm, (17.268 grams), obv. laureate head of Apollo to left, dotted border, rev. head of lion to left, around four barley grains and legend, **L EON TIN O N, (S.833 [same obverse and similar reverse die], SNG ANS 236 [same obverse die], Rizzo Pl.23, 7). Edge breaks from striking, otherwise very fine and rare.
Estimate $1,100
SOLD $1,700
Sicily, Leontini, (c.425 B.C.), silver tetradrachm, (17.376 grams), obv. laureate head of Apollo to left, dotted border, rev. head of lion to right, around three barley grains and a large lyre (kithara) below, around **LEONTINON, (cf.S.833, SNG ANS 243 [Pl.9, Same Dies], Boehringer [Essays Price] No.56 [Pl.12 Same Dies]). Nearly very fine and a very rare type coming from only these dies.
Estimate $1,200
SOLD $900
Sicily, Messana, (478-476 B.C.), silver tetradrachm, (17.200 grams), obv. biga of mules driven to right by seated male charioteer, Nike flying above, in exergue bay leaf with fruit, rev. MESSAN I ON (some letters reversed), hare running to right, crescent below, (cf.S.843 [£650], cf.Caltabiano 51-2 [cf.obv.die 32, rev. die 22 [this die], 0 specimens known for die combination], cf.SNG ANS 314 [same reverse die], cf.Randazzo Hoard 100). Good fine and rare.
Estimate $1,000
SOLD $0