Catalogue
Syria, Kingdom of, Demetrius II, first reign, (145-140 B.C.), silver tetradrachm, (16.12 grams), Seleucia on the Tigris mint. Issued 145-141 B.C., obv. diademed head of Demetrius II to right, fillet border, rev. Tyche enthroned left, holding short sceptre and cornucopiae, on right, **BASILEWS* and **DHMHTRIOU* and on left **FILADELFO[U] NIKATOR[OS], monogram below TAY in exergue. (cf.S.7050, HGC 967, SC 1984, SNG Israel I [Spaer] 1752). Lightly toned, very fine with some hoard patination, rare.
Estimate $300
SOLD $230
Syria, Kingdom of, Antiochus VI, (144-142 B.C.), silver drachm, (3.86 grams), issued year 170 = October 143-October 142 B.C., Antioch mint, obv. diademed radiate head of Antiochus VI to right, dotted border, rev. Apollo seated to left on omphalos, holding bow and arrow, to right **[B]ASILEW[S] ANTIOCOU*, and to left **EPIFANOUS [D]IONUSOU*, in exergue **OR STA*, monogram of **IAP* between legs, (cf.S.7073, SC 2002.2c, Houghton ACNAC 237, SMA Newell 250, Jameson Collection 1726). Some porosity, slight flan crack at six o'clock on obv, otherwise very fine and scarce.
Estimate $150
SOLD $110
Syria, Kingdom of, Antiochos VII, (138-129 B.C.), silver tetradrachm, (16.52 grams), Antioch on the Orontes mint, issued 138-129 B.C., obv. diademed head of Antiochos VII to right, fillet border, rev. Athena standing to left, holding Nike bearing a wreath in right hand, left hand on grounded shield with Medusa head and holding spear, **BASILEWS ANTIOCOU*, and to left **EUER GETOU, to left monograms of Antioch on the Orontes **ATI* over **L*, (S.7091, SNG Spaer 1852, SC 2061.1s, HGC 1068). Bright, extremely fine.
Estimate $300
SOLD $340
Syria, Kingdom of, Antiochos VII, (138-129 B.C.), silver tetradrachm, (16.84 grams), Antioch mint, obv. diademed head of Antiochos VII to right, fillet border, rev. Athena standing to left, holding Nike bearing a Nike to left in left hand, right hand on shield with Medusa head and holding spear, **BASILEWS ANTIOCOU*, and to left **EUER GETOU*, to left monogram of DI over K, (S.7092, SC 2061.1t SNG Israel I (Spaer) 1851, SMA Newell 279-280). Good very fine, scarce, lot includes collector tickets.
Estimate $400
SOLD $300
Syria, under Roman authority possibly of Q Caecilius Bassus (46-45 B.C.), in the name of Philip I Philadelphus, (89-83 B.C.), silver tetradrachm, (15.37 grams), Antioch on the Orontes mint, obv. diademed head of Philip I to right, fillet border, rev. Zeus seated left on throne, holds Nike with wreath in outstretched hand, all within laurel wreath, on right, **BASILEW[S] FILIPPO[U]*, and to left **EPIFANOUS FILADELF[OU]*, to left NAT monogram, (S.7214, cf HGC 1360 year date uncertain, cf SC 2491.2). Lightly toned, surface roughness, otherwise very fine.
Estimate $200
Passed in
Syria, Seleucis & Pieria, Antiochia ad Orontem (Antioch), Caracalla (A.D. 198-217), silver tetradrachm, (12.74 grams), issued 214-215, obv. laureate head of Caracalla to right, around legend AVT K M A ANT**W*NEINOC CEB, rev. eagle standing facing, head to right, wreath in beak, standing on leg and thigh of animal, around **D*HMAPX E**X UPA TO**D*, (cf.S.2650, McAlee 677, Prieur 217, Bellinger 18). Extremely fine with full mint bloom, rare as such.
Estimate $300
SOLD $300
Syria, Seleucis & Pieria, Antiochia ad Orontem (Antioch), Caracalla (A.D. 198-217), silver tetradrachm, (12.12 grams), issued 214-215, obv. laureate bust draped and cuirassed of Caracalla to left, around legend AVT K M A ANT**W*NEINOC CEB, rev. eagle standing facing, head to right, wreath in beak, standing on leg and thigh of animal, around **D*HMAPX E**X UPA TO**D*, (cf.S.2650, McAlee 679, Prieur 221, Bellinger 20). Toned, very fine, very scarce.
Estimate $300
SOLD $300
Syria, Seleucis & Pieria, Antiochia ad Orontem (Antioch), Caracalla (A.D. 198-217), silver tetradrachm, (12.31 grams), issued 214-215, obv. laureate head of Caracalla to right, around legend AVT K M A ANT**W*NEINOC CEB, rev. eagle standing facing, head to right, wreath in beak, standing on leg and thigh of animal, **D* E either side of eagle's neck, around **D*HMAPX E**X UPA TO**D*, (cf.S.2650, McAlee 681, Prieur 224, Bellinger 19). Extremely fine with full mint bloom, rare as such.
Estimate $300
SOLD $300
Syria, Seleucis and Pieria, Laodicea ad Mare, Caracalla (A.D. 198-217), silver tetradrachm, (14.07 grams), issued 213-217, obv. laureate head of Caracalla to right, around AYT K M A ANT**W*NEINOC CEB, rev. eagle standing facing, head to left, wreath in beak, between legs star, around **D*HMARX E**X UP*ATOC TO **D*, (S.2657, Prieur 1179 [notes 265 examples known], Bellinger 72). Large round flan as usual, extremely fine with mint bloom, scarce.
Estimate $300
SOLD $320
Syria, Commagene, Zeugma, Philip I, (244-249), AE 29, (16.796 grams), obv. laureate draped and cuirassed bust to right, around **AUTOK K M IOUAI FILIPPO*C CEB, rev. tetrastyle temple with peribolos containing grove, beneath a capricorn, ZE**GMATEWN* around, (S.3954, BMC 29 and cf.BMC 36). Countermarked on obverse with eagle with closed wings, some hoard patination otherwise very fine and rare.
Estimate $100
SOLD $100
Phoenicia, Arados, (2nd-1st century B.C., but dated year 197 = 63/62 B.C.), silver tetradrachm, (15.35 grams), obv. turreted and veiled bust of Tyche to right dotted border, rev. Nike standing to left, holding aphlaston and palm-branch, **ARADIWN* to right, to left ZqP (year 197 = 63-62 B.C.), over "daleth" over **ES*, all within laurel wreath, (S.5992, Kromann "Studies in Ancient History and Numismatics to Rudi Thomsen p.112 notes 3 specimens of this date and daleth, but noted only for the next year for this magistrate, cf.BMC 280-284). Lightly toned, good very fine and very scarce.
Estimate $400
SOLD $500
Phoenicia, Byblos, Uzzibaal, c.365-350BC, silver shekel (25mm, 13.36gms), obv. three warriors holding shields, standing on galley left on waves, prow ending in lion's head, below, hippocamp left above murex, Phoenician 'ZO' above dorsal fin, reverse, lion attacking bull to left, Betlyon 14 var. (no 'ZO'), SNG Copenhagen 132. Toned, some striking weakness as usual, very fine.
Estimate $300
SOLD $500
Phoenicia, Tyre Mint, Caracalla (A.D. 198-217), silver tetradrachm, (13.67 grams), issued 209-212, obv. laureate bust draped and cuirassed of Caracalla to right, around AYT KAI ANTWNINOC CE, rev. eagle standing facing, head to left, wreath in beak, between legs murex shell on a club, around **DHMARC EX UPATO*C **TOG , (S.2679, Bellinger 295 [ANS Mum. Studies No.3, p.86, Pl.XXI, 1], Prieur 1535 [p.171]). Nearly extremely fine and very scarce.
Estimate $300
SOLD $320
Bactria, Kingdom of, Eukratides I, (170-145 B.C.), silver tetradrachm, (16.908 grams), obv. pith helmeted head of Eukratides to right with dotted border, helmet ornamented with bull's horn and ear, rev. Dioskouroi on horseback prancing to right, each holding spear and palm, to right a monogram of HNP, in exergue **EUKRATIDOU*, around above **BASILEWS MEGALOU, (cf.S.7570. Mitchiner 1.177l, Bopearachchi Series 6z, SNG ANS 473). Bright, nearly as struck, extremely fine or better in very high relief, rare in this condition.
Estimate $2,500
SOLD $1,500
Bactria, Kingdom of, Eukratides I, (170-145 B.C.), silver tetradrachm, (16.97 grams), obv. pith-helmeted head of Eukratides to right ornamented with bull's horn and ear, dotted border, rev. the Dioskouroi on horseback prancing to right, each holding spear and palm, to right a monogram of **DFI*, in exergue **EUKRATIDOU*, around above **BASILEWS MEGALOU*, (cf.S.7570. Mitchiner 1.177ee, Bopearachchi Series 6ee, SNG ANS 465). Bright, extremely fine and in very high relief, rare in this condition.
Estimate $1,200
SOLD $1,200
Bactria, Kingdom of, Eukratides I, (170-145 B.C.), silver tetradrachm, (14.68 grams), obv. pith-helmeted head of Eukratides to right ornamented with bull's horn and ear, dotted border, rev. the Dioskouroi on horseback prancing to right, each holding spear and palm, to right a monogram of **DFI*, in exergue **EUKRATIDOU*, around above **BASILEWS MEGALOU*, (cf.S.7570. Mitchiner 1.177ee, Bopearachchi Series 6ee, SNG ANS 465). Full flan, heavily pitted, otherwise very fine.
Estimate $350
SOLD $280
Bactria, Kingdom of, Heliokles, (c.135-110 B.C.), silver tetradrachm, (16.676 grams), Balkh workshop, obv. diademed and draped bust of Heliokles to right all within filleted border, rev. Zeus standing facing, holding thunderbolt and sceptre, monogram of *PA* to left, on left **HLIOKLEOUS*, on right **BASILEWS*, in exergue **DIKAIOU*, (S.7634, SNG ANS 638-9 [Pl.29], Bopearachchi Series 1M, Mitchiner 2.284a). Very fine or better, a rare type.
Estimate $900
SOLD $700
Persian Imperial Coinage, Kingdom of, Darius I, (521-486 B.C.) or later, silver siglos, (5.57 grams), issued 500-485 B.C., obv. king as bearded archer kneeling to right with spear and bow, rev. oblong incuse punch, (S.4678, Carradice Type IIIa, 14-15). Nearly fine.
Estimate $100
SOLD $120
Persian Imperial Coinage, Kingdom of, Artaxerxes II and III, (375-340 B.C.), struck in Lydia at Sardeis, silver siglos, (5.50 grams), 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). Good fine, slightly off centred and very scarce,
Estimate $100
SOLD $130
Characene, Kingdom of, Attambelos III, (c.A.D. 53-72), copper tetradrachm, (14.198 grams), issued year 375 = A.D. 63-4, obv. young diademed head to r., beardless, countermarked monogram on obverse of HXA, rev. naked Herakles seated left, resting club on knee, BAC/ [A]TTAMB[H] on right, date in exergue TOE = 375 = 63-64 A.D., (cf.S.5924, BMC 7 [p.297]). Very fine/fine and rare.
Estimate $120
SOLD $60
Parthia, Kingdom of, Orodes II, (c.57-38 B.C.) silver drachm, (4.012 grams), Rhagae mint, obv. small size bust wearing a diadem to left with short beard with wart, star before, crescent over star behind, rev. archer seated right on throne, seven line inscription, monogram **PR*, anchor with line above behind, (cf.S.7445, Sellwood 48.10, Shore 262). Bright, attractive nearly extremely fine/very fine and rare.
Estimate $160
SOLD $80
Parthia, Kingdom of, Vardanes I, (c.A.D. November 43-44), billon tetradrachm, (14.05 grams), Seleucia mint, issued September year 355 (Seleucid era) = A.D. 43-4, obv. large size bare-headed bust to left with short beard, wearing diadem, and with wart, rev. king enthroned to right receiving palm branch from Tyche holding cornucopiae, seven line inscription, year **E*NT between figures, (cf.S.5787, Sellwood 64.21, Shore 350). Lightly toned, off centred on obverse, otherwise very fine.
Estimate $180
SOLD $150
Persis, Nambed (Namopat), (late 1st-early 2nd century A.D.), silver drachm, (4.528 grams), obv. king with bearded bust to right, wearing Persepolitan crown, rev. king standing left, star in crescent before, (cf.S.5935, cf.BMC 1 [p.225], cf.Alram 599, cf.Num.Circ. Feb. 1979 No.1084 [4.30 grams, ?285]). Very fine, and very rare first type.
Estimate $300
SOLD $150
Sasanian King, Shapur II, (A.D. 309-379), silver drachm, Type I Gobl, (4.28 grams), obv. bust to right with crown, name in outer margin, rev. fire altar with attendants, bow on altar, (Sellwood 28, Gobl 97, Paruck 196, M.874-875). Extremely fine, very scarce.
Estimate $200
SOLD $420
Sassanian King, Yazdgard II, (A.D. 438-457), silver drachm, (4.306 grams), obv. bust to right with crown, name in outer margin, rev. fire altar, Yazdkarti navaki, uncertain mint, (Sellwood 47, Gobl 160, Paruck Pl.XIII, 14, M.971). Extremely fine, rare.
Estimate $150
SOLD $100
Sassanian King, Kavad I, (A.D. 488-496, 498-531), silver drachm, second reign issue 499-531, (4.05 grams), RD = Ray mint, year 33, obv. bust to right with crown, name in outer margin, rev. fire altar, (Sellwood 52, Gobl 189). Attractive brightness, lightly toned reverse, nearly extremely fine and very scarce.
Estimate $120
SOLD $70
Ancient and Medieval, Sassanian empire, Khusro II, (A.D. 591-628), silver drachm, mint unknown, obv. bust of Khusro II right, rev. altar of Zarathustra, (Gobl pl. XIII, 212); Switzerland, lordship of Krenkingen, (13th century A.D.), silver bracteate, mint of Tiengen, Obv. head to left, T at left, E over V at right, (Blashegg 45); France, Bishopric of Valence, (12th century A.D.), silver denier, (Roberts 4781). Almost very fine-very fine. (3)
Estimate $100
SOLD $140
Sogdiana, Bukhara, Turco-Hephthalite lords of Bukhara in the name of the Abbasid caliph al-Mahdhi (A.D. 775-785), billon drachm, (2.406 grams), obv. "al-Mahdhi" behind the bust in Arabic, Bukhar Hudat ("lord of Bukhara") in Bukharan script in front of the bust, with crowned Sassanian-style bust right, rev. fire altar with ribbons and attendants, crowned bust left in flames and imitating Sassanian king Bahram V, (Album 94; Mitchiner ACW 1395, Zeimal fig. 1, 10-12; Walker, Arab-Sassanian, pp. 166, 319, [Pl.XXIX, 5]). Worn and fine as usual, rare.
Estimate $100
SOLD $130
Hephthalite, silver drachm, as an imitation of Peroz, (ca.550-650 A.D.), 24 mm, (4.046 grams), obv. Sassanian-style bust right, derived from winged-type of Peroz, wearing winged skull-cap, no letter above, rev. altar with two attendants, crude barbarized inscriptions, both sides, Pre-Gujarat series, (cf.Mitchener ACW 1480). Very fine or better and rare.
Estimate $100
SOLD $130
South Arabia, Sabaeans, (3rd-2nd century B.C.), silver quarter unit, (0.920 grams), obv. head of Athena to right wearing crested helmet, eye in profile, rev. owl standing to right, head facing, trace of olive twig and crescent behind, to right **LQE*, (S.6118, cf.BMC 16-21 [p.47, Pl.VII, 6-7], SNG ANS 1460). Short of flan as usual, dark tone, fine - very fine and rare.
Estimate $120
SOLD $60