Catalogue
Tacitus, (A.D. 275-276), gold aureus, Tripolis mint (6.58 grams), obv. laureate draped and cuirassed bust to right of Tacitus, around IMP C M C L TACITVS AVG, rev. Mars walking right, holding spear and trophy, pellet in exergue, around P M TB P VI COS II P P, (cf.S.3298, RIC -, C.-, cf.Estiot 'Aurelian et Tacite: Monnaies d'or et faux modernes BSFN 9 [1990] fig. 4 same obverse die). Has been gilded and ex jewellery, otherwise choice good very fine and excessively rare.
Estimate $12,000
SOLD $10,000
Valens (A.D. 364-378), gold solidus, Antioch mint, issued 364-367, Officina **Q*, (4.24 grams), obv. pearl diademed, draped and cuirassed bust to right of Valens around DN VALENS PER F AVG, rev. Valens standing facing head to right, holding labarum with chi-rho symbol and Victory, RESTITVTOR REIPVBLICAE around, ANT**Q*. in exergue (S.4104, RIC type xiii [unlisted officina], 2d, C.32). Minor surface scratches in fields, otherwise very fine and very scarce.
Estimate $600
SOLD $750
Phocas, (A.D. 602-610), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, (4.338 grams), issued A.D. 602-603, Officina B, obv. Phocas facing bust, bearded, wearing cuirass, paludamentum and crown, with pendilia and cross, holding cross on globe, around ON FOCAS PERP AVI, rev. Angel facing, holding in right hand long staff, with partial P on cross symbol at top, in left hand globe with cross above, around VICTOR[I]A AVGG B, (S.616, DOC 1a.2 [same dies], BMC -, T.-, R.-). Broad flan as struck, good extremely fine and rare.
Estimate $1,400
Passed in
Phocas, (A.D. 602-610), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, (4.464 grams), issued A.D. 607-610, Officina E, obv. Phocas facing bust, bearded, wearing cuirass, paludamentum and crown, holding cross, around ON 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 AVGUE, (S.620, DOC 10e, BMC 10-11, T.8, R.1181). Brilliant field, as struck, good extremely fine.
Estimate $800
SOLD $790
Heraclius, (610-641), gold solidus, issued 635-636, Constantinople mint, Officina E, (4.42 grams), Class IVA(a), obv. standing figures of Heraclius in centre, Heraclius Constantine on left, and Heraclonas on right, cross above, rev. Cross potent on three steps, monogram of Heraclius to left, around VICTORIA AVGUH, CONOB in exergue, **Q* in right field, (S.759, DOC [34 new officina], BMC -, T.-, MIB 40). Extremely fine and extremely rare variety.
Estimate $1,000
Passed in
Constans II, (641-668), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, issued 651-4, (4.48 grams), officina Z (reversed), obv. facing bust 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 AVGZ, (S.956, DOW [19g], BMC 33 = T.52, R.1515). Slightly off-centred reverse, otherwise extremely fine and rare.
Estimate $800
Passed in
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 $480
Constans II, (641-668), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, issued c.654-659, Class IV, Officina B, (4.37 grams), obv. facing long bearded bust of Constans wearing chlamys and crown with cross on top, Constantine IV on right wearing crown, cross in field, around dN CONSTANTINUS C CONSTANTIN, rev. cross potent on base and three steps, below CONOB, around VICTORIA AVGUB, (S.959, DOC.[25b], BMC 40-41 = T.236, R.-, MIB 28). As struck with mint bloom, extremely fine and very scarce for variety.
Estimate $900
Passed in
Constans II, (641-668), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, issued c.654-659, Class IV, Officina E, (4.45 grams), obv. facing long bearded bust of Constans wearing chlamys and crown with cross on top, Constantine IV on right wearing crown, cross in field, around [dN CONS]TATINUS C CONSTAN (sic), rev. cross potent on base and three steps, below CONOB, around VICTORIA AVGUE, (S.959, DOC.[25e], BMC 45, T.244, R.-, MIB 28). Weakness in obverse legend, otherwise nearly extremely fine/good very fine and scarce.
Estimate $600
SOLD $580
Constans II, (641-668), gold solidus, issued, (4.438 grams), Constantinople mint, Class VI, issued c.661-663, Officina B, 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] AN[U], rev. Cross potent above three steps, figures of Heraclius on left and Tiberius on right, each holding cross on globe, around VICTORIA A VGUB, in exergue CONOB, (S.964, DOC 30b, R.1605, T.287). Some mint bloom, extremely fine and scarce.
Estimate $700
SOLD $650
Leo III the 'Isaurian' and Constantine V, (717-741), gold solidus, (4.41 grams), Constantinople mint, issued 724-731, obv. facing bust of Leo III with short beard, wearing crown and chlamys, holding cross potent on globe, around dND LEO ND AMUL, rev. Constantine V beardless wearing crown and chlamys, holding cross potent, around DN CONST ANTINUS M, (S.1504, cf.DOC 4-5, BMC 8, T.54, R.1734). Trace of mint bloom otherwise good very fine and rare.
Estimate $1,600
Passed in
Leo V and Constantine, (A.D. 813-820), gold solidus, (3.942 grams), Syracuse mint, obv. facing bust with short beard wearing crown and loros and holding cross potent, around [LE]ON bASILEU, rev. facing bust of Constantine wearing crown and chlamys and holding globe with cross, around CONSTATINOS b, (S.1631B, DOC 14, BMC -). Some shortness of flan on obverse, otherwise extremely fine and rare.
Estimate $1,000
SOLD $4,000
Nicephorus III, (A.D.1078-1081), electrum gold histamenon nomisma (scyphate), Constantinople mint, (4.35 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 Nicephorus 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). Very fine/good very fine and scarce.
Estimate $500
Passed in
John III Ducas called Vatatzes, Empire of Nicaea, (A.D. 1222/3-1254), gold hyperpyron nomisma, Magnesia mint, (4.49 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, cross to left and right above throne, (S.2073, DOC 4d, Vol.4, pl.XXIX, 4d; H.Pl.31, 14). Nearly extremely fine and very scarce, weak on head of obverse as not matching to two obverse dies.
Estimate $600
Passed in
John III Ducas called Vatatzes, Empire of Nicaea, (A.D. 1222/3-1254), gold hyperpyron nomisma, Magnesia mint, (4.452 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, cross to left and right above throne, (cf.S.2073, DOC (4h), Num. Chron. 1980 Metcalf 'Agrinion Hoard' No.72 illustrates variety, cf.Hendy Pl.32, 2). Nearly extremely fine and very rare variant.
Estimate $450
SOLD $450
Andronicus II and Michael IX, (1295-1320 or later), joint reign, gold hyperpyron (scyphate), Constantinople mint, (3.98 grams), obv. bust of Virgin within city walls and six towers, control letters C **D* to left and right, rev. Andronicus II and Andronicus III to left and right with Christ standing between emperors, traces of partial legend downwards of each emperor, (S.2396, Bendall PCPC cf.128 var.17, cf.DOC 250ff). Very fine.
Estimate $450
Passed in
Italy, Calabria, Tarentum (Taras), (4th century B.C.), silver diobol, (1.25 grams), obverse, Athena head to right, wearing crested helmet, reverse, Herakles kneeling to right wrestling and strangling a lion, [TAPA]**[S]* above, D between legs, (S.352, cf.Vl.1374). Deep toning, nearly extremely fine.
Estimate $130
SOLD $100
Italy, Lucania, Sybaris, (c.530-510 B.C.), silver stater, (7.874 grams), obv. bull standing to left, looking back, VM above, rev. bull in incuse, standing to right, looking back, no legend, (S.245, SNG Cop. 1390, SNG ANS 817-827, HN 1729). Very fine/good very fine and rare.
Estimate $1,500
Passed in
Italy, Lucania, Sybaris (new Sybaris later called Thurium), (443-425 B.C.), silver triobol, (1.055 grams), obv. head of Athena to right, wearing crested Athenian helmet, rev. bull standing to right, looking back, **S*YBA in exergue, (S.433 [£150], SNG ANS 862-8, SNG Cop.1403-4, BMC 33). Fine and rare.
Estimate $150
Passed in
Italy, Bruttium, Rhegion, (c.450 B.C. [Arnold-Biucchi chronology]), silver tetradrachm, (17.26 grams), obv. lion's head facing, within dotted border, rev. Iokastos the traditional founder of the city naked to waist and seated to left, holding staff and resting left hand on hip, all within laurel wreath, legend around anti-clockwise, RECI NOS, (S.498 [£1250], Herzfelder, H., 'Catalogue des Tetradrachmes et Drachmes de Rhegion' 1, [obv.D1, rev.R1 same dies], [Revue Numismatique (RN) 1956], Randazzo, (Arnold Biucchi) 9 [This Coin, p.48 and illustrated Plate 1,9], SNG ANS 635). Some flatness on the high surface of the facing lion, also with an interesting die crack on the reverse, original obverse die somewhat rusted, otherwise good very fine, and very rare.
Estimate $3,000
SOLD $2,300
Italy, Bruttium, Rhegion, (c.450 B.C. [Arnold-Biucchi chronology]), silver drachm, (3.646 grams), obv. lion's head facing, within dotted border, rev. Iokastos the traditional founder of the city naked to waist and seated to left, holding staff and resting left hand on hip, all within laurel wreath, legend around anti-clockwise, RECI NON, (S.499 [£275], Herzfelder, H., 'Catalogue des Tetradrachmes et Drachmes de Rhegion' 12, [obv.6, rev.11 same dies] [notes 8 examples), [Revue Numismatique (RN) 1956], McClean 1868 [same dies], SNG ANS 643). Die break on obverse, high surface of the facing lion, rough surface, otherwise good fine, and very rare.
Estimate $500
SOLD $400
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 $750
Passed in
Sicily, Syracuse, (485-480 B.C.), silver tetradrachm, (17.256 grams), obv. slow quadriga driven to right by male charioteer, Nike flying right crowning horses, rev. **S*VRAKO**SION* around to right, head of Artemis-Arethusa to right, hair waved and turned up behind under diadem of beads, four dolphins around, (cf.S.913, Boehringer 171 [obv.74/rev.120 same die], cf.Randazzo Hoard No.339-341 [same reverse die]). Attractive even grey tone, well centred obverse slight surface adhesions on reverse, otherwise good very fine or better and very rare.
Estimate $1,000
SOLD $1,100
Sicily, Syracuse, (c.439-435 B.C.), silver tetradrachm, (17.194 grams), obv. slow quadriga driven to right by male charioteer, Nike flying left crowning charioteer, rev. traces of **SUPAKOSION* around, head of Artemis-Arethusa to right, hair tied up behind, traces of four dolphins around, (cf.S.933 [£1000], Boehringer 722 (same dies), Jameson 779 [same dies], BMC 109 [same dies]). Small flan, otherwise nearly very fine, scarce.
Estimate $800
SOLD $600
Macedon, Neapolis, silver stater, (525-500 B.C.), (10.024 grams), obv. Gorgon's head facing, with tongue protruding, rev. four part incuse square, (cf.S.1303 [£1250], SNG ANS 401-2, SNG Cop. 222). Toned, attractive on large flan, very fine and very rare.
Estimate $2,500
SOLD $2,100
Macedon, Olynthos, (500-432 B.C.), Olynthos mint, an issue made prior to the League that commenced in 432 B.C., silver tetrobol, 2.33 grams, obv. free horse with loose rein prancing to right, rev. eagle flying upwards, head right, holding serpent in beak and talons, all in incuse square, around in corners traces of **O L U N*, the reverse with die flaw on left, (S.1420 (£175), BMC 2, Weber 1902, SNG Cop. 234 (Pl.6), SNG ANS 466 (Pl.17), Robinson-Clement Olynthus No.10 (p.296, Pl.XXXIV, 10, Obv. A.8, rev P.5 same dies). Nearly very fine, flaw in reverse field, some hoard patination in places, otherwise very rare.
Estimate $180
SOLD $100
Macedon, Scione (Skione), 480-450 B.C., Silver tetrobol, 2.450 grams, obv. Male head to right, rev. human eye in incuse square, (S.-, SNG Cop. 318, cf.Boutin Pozzi Colln. 1529 [p.85 Pl.LXIV], SNG ANS 710 [Pl.27]). Fine or better, very rare.
Estimate $150
SOLD $90
Macedon, Kingdom of, Alexander III (336-323 B.C.), silver tetradrachm, (16.94 grams), Mesembria mint, issued c.175-125 B.C., obv. head of Herakles to right, wearing lion skin, rev. Zeus seated on throne to left, eagle in outstretched hand, **BASILEWS* to right, **ALEXANDROU* to left, Corinthian helmet to right above, monogram **PUR* under throne, (cf.S.6713, Price 1033, BMC 1051, M.473). Slightly off centre on obverse, otherwise very fine/good very fine with a large flan, includes collector's ticket.
Estimate $400
SOLD $580
Macedon, Kingdom of, Alexander III, (336-323 B.C.), silver tetradrachm, (17.10 grams), Side mint?, issued c.325-320 B.C., obv. head of Herakles to right wearing lion skin with dotted border, rev. Zeus seated on throne to left, eagle in outstretched hand, wreath to left, **DI* under throne, to right **ALEXANDROU*, **BASILEWS* in exergue, (cf.S.6713, Price 2949, BMC 2949a-l, M.550). Ancient graffiti on reverse, well centred, good very fine - nearly extremely fine with a spectacular portrait, includes collector's ticket.
Estimate $600
SOLD $700
Macedon, Kingdom of, Alexander III, (336-323 B.C.), silver tetradrachm, (16.29 grams), 'Barbarous' issue, obv. head of Herakles to right wearing lion skin with dotted border, rev. Zeus seated on throne to left, holding Eagle and sceptre, to right **[A]LEXANDRO[U]*, to left **BASILEWS*, (cf.S.6713, Price Pl CLI, B6, Muller, 108-21). Lightly toned, good/fine and scarce.
Estimate $180
SOLD $200