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.
Estimate $2,700
SOLD $2,600
Macedon, Kingdom of Philip II, (359-336 B.C.), gold eighth stater, (1.06 grams), Pella mint, period II, issued c.340/336-328 B.C., obv. head of Herakles to right, clad in lion's skin, dotted border, rev. trident, with legend either side **FILI PPOU*. (S.6674, Le Rider 108, Pl.84, [same dies, D71/R45, only two other examples from dies known, one in Moscow other and other illustrated Glendining/Seaby Auction Sale July 15-17, 1929 [lot 276]). Good fine, round and rare.
Estimate $250
SOLD $400
Ionia, Phokaia, (c.477-388 B.C.), electrum hekte or sixth stater, (2.526 grams), issued in 396 B.C. [Bodenstedt dating], obv. Female head to left, with hair in bun behind, wearing a diadem, rev. quadripartite incuse punch, (S.4530 [£550], Bodenstedt 90, SNG Fitz. 4563, SNG von Aulock 2127). Very fine and very rare.
Estimate $500
SOLD $700
Ionia, Phokaia, (c.477-388 B.C.), electrum hekte or sixth stater, (2.552 grams), issued in 366 B.C. [Bodenstedt dating], obv. Artemis head to left, with hair in bun behind, wearing a diadem, rev. quadripartite incuse punch, (cf.S.4530 [£550], Bodenstedt 99, SNG Berry 1084, SNG Lockett 2846, BMC 51 [Pl.5, 7], SNG von Post 244). Very fine and very rare.
Estimate $500
SOLD $700
Vespasian, (A.D. 69-79), gold aureus, Rome mint, issued A.D. 70-73, (7.33 grams), obv. laureate head of Vespasian to right, around IMP CAES VESP AVG P M COS IIII, rev. Neptune standing to left, holding acrostolium and sceptre, foot on globe, NEP RED around, (S.-, Calico 654a, BMC 26, RIC 46, C.273). Trace of file marks on edge, otherwise good very fine/good fine and very rare.
Estimate $2,700
SOLD $3,200
Titus, as Caesar, (A.D. 79-81), gold aureus, Rome mint, (7.318 grams), issued 74, obv. T CAESAR IMP VESPASIAN, laureate head right, rev. PONTIF TR POT, Fortuna standing to left on garlanded base, holding rudder and cornucopiae, (cf.S.2422, RIC 177b, C.166, Calico 752). Good very fine/nearly extremely fine with traces of old red tone and scarce.
Estimate $3,000
SOLD $4,100
Trajan, (A.D. 98-117), gold aureus, issued 116, Rome mint, (6.916 grams), obv. laureate head of Trajan to right, draped, around IMP CAES NER TRAIANO OPTIMO AVG GER DAC, rev. Naked Genius or Bonus Eventus standing to left, holding patera and corn ears, around P M TR P COS VI P P S P Q R, (S.3098, RIC 347, RSC 275, BMC 545). Cleaned, nearly very fine and rare.
Estimate $2,500
SOLD $0
Caracalla, (A.D. 198-217), gold aureus, issued 216, Rome mint, (6.84 grams), obv. laureate draped bust to right of Caracalla, draped and cuirassed, around ANTONINVS PIVS AVG GERM, rev. Sarapis standing to left, raising right hand and holding sceptre in left hand, around PM TR P XVIIII COS IIII P P, (S.6720, RIC 280a, C.347). Has been mounted and worn as jewellery, otherwise fine/good fine and rare.
Estimate $700
SOLD $750
Arcadius, (A.D. 383-408), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, issued 397-403, (4.364 grams), obv. helmeted bust facing diademed, cuirassed of Arcadius, spear in right hand and decorated shield, around D N ARCADI VS P F AVG, rev. Constantinopolis helmeted seated facing, head to right on throne, holding sceptre and Victory on globe, her right foot on prow, around CONCORDI A AVGGE, in exergue CONOB, (S.4219, RIC 70c.5). Evidence of overstriking, otherwise extremely fine and very scarce.
Estimate $1,000
SOLD $950
Justin II, (A.D.565-578), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, (4.44 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 **Q*, CONOB in exergue, (S.345, DOC 4h, BMC 12). Weak on much of the legend, otherwise fine - very fine.
Estimate $220
SOLD $200
Phocas, (A.D. 602-610), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, (4.46 grams), issued A.D. 607-610, Officina **Q*, 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 **Q*, (S.620, DOC 10i, BMC 19, T.16, R.1186); Leo I, (A.D. 457-474), Constantinople mint, (1.08 grams), obv. diademed draped and cuirassed bust to right, around D N LEO PE RPET AVG, rev. SAL/ REI/ PVI in wreath, CONS in exergue, (S.4338, T.24). Both holed, very fine, last rare. (2)
Estimate $300
SOLD $200
Heraclius, (610-641), gold solidus, issued 639-641, Constantinople mint, Officina E, (4.394 grams), Class IVB(1), obv. standing figures of Heraclius in centre, Heraclius Constantine on left, and Heraclonas on right, cross above, rev. Cross potent on three steps, monogram to to left, around VICTORIA AVGUE, CONOB in exergue, (S.769, DOC 43d, BMC 61-62, T.390, R.1489). Very fine or better and scarce.
Estimate $500
SOLD $0
Constans II, (641-668), gold solidus, issued, (4.410 grams), Constantinople mint, Class VI, issued c.661-663, Officina E, obv. large crowned long-bearded bust facing of Constans, wearing chlamys and plumed helmet, ornamented with cross, Constantine IV on right wearing crown with cross on top, around dN CONST [...], rev. Cross potent above three steps, figures of Heraclius on left and Tiberius on right, each holding cross on globe, around VICTORIA AVGUE, in exergue CONOB, (S.964, BNP 56-57, DOC [30x], R.-, T.-). Good very fine and a rare officina.
Estimate $500
SOLD $380
Justinian II, (first reign 685-695), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, issued 687-692, (4.388 grams), officina H, obv. bust facing of Justinian with slight beard, wearing chlamys and crown, holding cross on globe, around DIUSTINIA NUS PE AV, rev. cross potent on base and three steps, below CONOB**G*, around VICTORIA AVGU H, (S.1247, DOC (6e), BMC -, T.11). Edge has been lightly filed in places, otherwise extremely fine and a very rare variety.
Estimate $700
SOLD $0
Basil I the Macedonian and Constantine, (A.D.867-886), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, issued from A.D. 867-879, (4.288 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). Nearly extremely fine and scarce.
Estimate $800
SOLD $540
Michael VII, (A.D.1071-1078), electrum gold histamenon nomisma (scyphate), Constantinople mint, (4.336 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 of four pellets, (S.1869 [£300], DOC 1, BMC 1, R.-). Internal striking crack, off centred, otherwise extremely fine and very scarce.
Estimate $350
SOLD $280
Nicephorus III, (A.D.1078-1081), electrum gold histamenon nomisma (scyphate), Constantinople mint, (4.398 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). Flan cracks, good bust of bearded Christ, good very fine and scarce.
Estimate $300
SOLD $250
Nicephorus III, (1078-1081), pale gold histamenon nomisma (scyphate), (4.29 grams), Constantinople mint, obv. Christ bust facing wearing nimbus, in hand the Gospels, rev. Michael VII, wearing loros and crown and holding labarum and cross on globe, (S.1883, DOC 1). Large flan crack, otherwise nearly very fine/good very fine.
Estimate $240
SOLD $210
Manuel I, (1143-1180), gold hyperpyron (scyphate), Constantinople mint, (4.35 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 **MA/NW/HL/ DE*C/**PO /[T] to right **T/W/ P/OR/ FU/RO/GE/NH/T*/W, (S.1956 [£300 EF], Hendy Pl.12, 1-11, BMC 1-13, R.2111-4). Holed, Very fine/good very fine.
Estimate $200
SOLD $150
Manuel I, (1143-1180), electrum aspron trachy (scyphate), Constantinople mint, (4.12 grams), obv. Christ enthroned facing, wearing nimbus, IC XC, rev. facing figures of the Virgin nimbate on right, Manuel I on left, both standing facing, who holds a patriarchal cross, (S.1958, Hendy Pl.13, 3-4, BMC 3-5). Flan crack across the whole coin, now reinforced in antiquity, several holes within, otherwise very fine.
Estimate $60
SOLD $30
John III Ducas called Vatatzes, Empire of Nicaea, (A.D. 1222/3-1254), gold hyperpyron nomisma, Magnesia mint, (4.356 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 6a, Vol.4, pl.XXX; H.Pl.32, 3). Weak in places, otherwise nearly extremely fine and very scarce.
Estimate $350
SOLD $0
John III Ducas called Vatatzes, Empire of Nicaea, (A.D. 1222/3-1254), gold hyperpyron nomisma, Magnesia mint, (4.228 grams), second coinage transitional to late style, issued 1232-1254, obv. Christ enthroned facing nimbate, raising hand, IC XC either side of head, three dots to right above throne, rev. John standing left being crowned by the Virgin Mary, to left and right traces of legend, (S.2073, DOC (9c), Vol.4, [not illustrated], cf.l.32, 3-5, apparently an example was in a Glendining Auction 24.1.1945 [lot 74] and two others in the Istanbul Archaeological Museum). Holed, extremely fine and very rare, double struck on obverse, coin being struck from three dies.
Estimate $450
SOLD $0
Michael VIII, (1258-1282), gold hyperpyron (scyphate), Constantinople mint, (4.164 grams), obv. bust of Virgin within city walls and six towers, no control letters (sigla) over lis on right, rev. St.Michael presenting kneeling emperor Michael to Christ with scroll, (S.2242, Bendall PCPC 4, var. type sigla 6, cf.DOC 6). Large flan, weak in places as usual, otherwise very fine and rare.
Estimate $300
SOLD $0
Michael VIII, (1258-1282), gold hyperpyron (scyphate), Constantinople mint, (4.05 grams), issued 1261-1282, obv. bust of Virgin within city walls and six towers, control letters (sigla) AK to left, rev. St.Michael presenting kneeling emperor Michael to Christ with scroll, (S.2242, cf.Bendall PCPC 9 (sigla 38 but on silver trachea, not noted on gold), DOC 14). Double struck and clipped flan, some weakness in places as usual, flan scratches, otherwise very fine and scarce.
Estimate $250
SOLD $510
Andronicus II and Michael IX, (1295-1320), gold hyperpyron (scyphate), Constantinople mint, (4.102 grams), obv. bust of Virgin within city walls and four towers, control letters (sigla) K and N to left and right, rev. Andronicus II and Michael IX to left and right with Christ standing between both emperors, traces of partial legend downwards of each emperor, (S.2396, Bendall PCPC 128, var. type sigla 175, DOC 366). Large flan, holed, weak in places as usual, otherwise very fine and rare.
Estimate $250
SOLD $0