nomos auction 3

nomos ag, numismatistszähringerstrasse 27, postfach 2664, ch-8022 zürich, switzerlandtelephone +41 44 250 51 80, fax +41 44 250 51 [email protected], www.nomosag.com

nomos ag, numismatistszürich, switzerland

auction 3zürich, 10 may 2011

nom

os 3

1nomos . . . . . . auction 3, zürich 18 may 2011

Notice for Nomos Auctions 3 & 4

All coins struck in mints that lie within the modern boundaries of Italy were in the physical possession of Nomos AG, either in the USA or in Switzerland, prior to 19 January 2011.

All other coins presented in both Auctions 3 & 4 were in the physical possession of Nomos AG in Switzerland prior to 8 February 2011.

Nomos AG will provide appropriate documentation to assist with importation of purchased lots into the USA.



greek, roman, early medieval, early modern coins and books

Limmatquai 54, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland

Tel. + 41 44 251 37 41

zürich, switzerland

on mos

nomos ag, numismatists zähringerstrasse 27, postfach 2664, ch-8022 zürich, switzerland

telephone +41 44 250 51 80, fax +41 44 250 51 89, mobile +41 79 701 90 96 [email protected], www.nomosag.com

4 nomos . . . . . . auction 3, zürich 10 may 2011


time table – zeittafel – ordre de vente

viewing – besichtigung – exposition

tuesday 10 may 2011, 9:15 – 12:30 lots 1 – 264

the coins can be viewed

mondays through fridays from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.,

and at other times by appointment.

the coins can also be viewed online at

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during the auction live online bidding

is available through

Die Auktion erfolgt unter Mitwirkung eines

Beamten des Stadtammannamtes Zürich I.

Jede haftung des anwesenden Beamten,

der Gemeinde und des Staates für Handlungen

des Auktionators entfällt.

® 2011 Nomos AG, Zürich


Versteigerungsbedingungen

Die Auktion erfolgt gegen Barzahlung in Schweizer Franken mit einem Aufgeld von 18% auf dem Zu- schlagspreis. Ein zusätzliches Aufgeld von 3% wird bei allen erfolgreichen Life Internet Geboten hinzu- gerechnet. Für Auslieferungen in der Schweiz erhöht sich der Endpreis (Zuschlagspreis und Aufgeld und Versandspesen) für Silber- und Bronzemünzen, und Medaillen um die MWSt von 8%. Im Ausland erho- bene Gebühren irgendwelcher Art sind vom Käufer zu bezahlen. Die Gesamtpreis ist nach erfolgtem Zuschlag fällig. Das Eigentumsrecht wird erst mit der vollständigen Bezahlung vom Käufer erworben. Für verspätete Zahlung wird ein Verzugszins vom 1% pro Monat in Rechnung gestellt. Gebote, die 80% des Schätzpreises unterschreiten, können nicht berück- sichtigt werden. Schriftliche Gebote haben den Vor- rang.

Jeder Ersteigerer verpflichtet sich, für die durch ihn getätigte Erwerbung persönlich haftbar zu sein. Er kann nicht geltend machen, für Rechnung Dritter gehandelt zu haben. Der Zuschlag verpflichtet zur Abnahme.

Die Beschreibung der Stücke und deren Erhaltungs- grade erfolgt nach bestem Wissen und Gewissen. Die Echtheit der Stücke wird garantiert. Berechtigte Reklamationen werden bis 8 Tage nach Erhalt der Stücke berücksichtigt. Der Versand der ersteigerten Stücke erfolgt nach vollständiger Bezahlung der Rech- nung auf Kosten und Risiko des Käufers. Im übrigen kommen die ortsüblichen Gantbedingungen zur An- wendung.

Gerichtsstand für alle Verfahren ist Zürich 1. Nur der deutsche Text der Auktionsbedingungen ist rechts- gültig. Durch Abgabe eines mündlichen oder schrift- lichen Gebotes werden die vorliegenden Auktions- begingungen anerkannt.

Conditions de la vente aux enchères

La vente a lieu au comptant en francs suisses et le prix d’adjudication est augmenté d’une taxe de vente de 18%. Une taxe additionelle de 3% est ajouté pour des offers avec success du offers Internet en direct (Life auction bidding). En cas de livraison en Suisse, la prix total (prix d’adjudication + taxe de vente et frais d’expédition) est augmenté de laTVA Suisse de 8% pour les monnaies en argent et en bronze et les médailles. Les droits et taxes dus à l’étranger sont à la charge de l’acheteur. Le paiement est dû au moment de l’adjudication. Un intérêt de 1% par mois sera facturé pour tout retard. Le transfer de propriété n’est effectif qu’au moment où le prix d’achat est payé intégralement. Les orders écrits de moins de 80% de nos estimations ne seront pas prix en consideration. A prixégal, les offers écrites ont la priorité.

Chaque participant à la vente s’oblige pour les achats effectués par lui-même; il ne peut pretender avoir agi pour le compte d’un tiers. L’adjudication oblige irrévocablement l’acheteur.

La description et l’état de conservation des pieces sont donnés en bonne foi. L’authenticité des monnaies est garantie. Des reclamations justifiées ne peuvent être prises en consideration que dans les huit jours suivant le remise des monnaies. L’envoi des lots adjugés sera effectué, après paiement, aux frais et risques de l’acheteur. Les conditions locales de mise aux enchères seront appliqués.

Le for juridque pour toutes procedures est fixé à Zürich 1. Seul le texte allemand des présentes conditions de vente fait foi. Celui qui donne une enchère orale ou écrite reconnait avoir pris connaissance des conditions de vente ci-dessus.


Conditions of Sale

All sales will be made through payment in Swiss Francs, with the addition of a buyer’s premium of 18% on the hammer price. An additional charge of 3% will be added to the invoice of all successful live internet bids. For all lots delivered in Switzerland there is an additional Swiss VAT of 8% due on the hammer price and on the buyer’s premium for silver and bronze coins, and for medals. The purchaser is responsible for all taxes and fees due for delivery of lots outside of Switzerland. Payment is due immediately following conclusion of the sale. Full title to purchases is only obtained upon full payment. A charge of 1% per month will be assessed for delayed payments. Bids below 80% of the estimated prices will not be accepted. Written bids take preference over room bids.

Buyers are personally responsible for their own purchases and cannot claim to act on the account or instructions of a third party. Adjudication occurs on the fall of the hammer and commits the bidder to acceptance of the lot.

The lot descriptions, including the degree of pre- servation, are opinions and made in good faith. The authenticity of all coins is guaranteed. Justified complaints can only be considered if made within eight days of the auction. Upon receipt of full payment, shipment of lots will be arranged for the purchaser at his expense and risk. In general, the usual conditions applied to auctions held in Zürich apply here.

Exclusive jurisdiction for any legal proceedings shall be Zürich 1. Although the Conditions of Sale are provided in English, French and German, only the German text is legally valid. The bidder accepts these conditions of sale by the submission of a bid, whether verbal or written.


Foreword

Nomos AG would like to welcome you to its third auction. It is, once again, a small sale, only taking a morning, though it is followed by a much larger sale, that of the BCD Collection of Thessaly, in the afternoon. The past year has been an exciting one, with ever increasing interest in ancient coins on the part of an ever-growing audience of collectors. Really wonderful coins have been selling at levels that surprise both their buyers and, even their sellers; it seems clear that people are now realizing just how desirable coins that are really lovely - in condition, rarity and beauty – actually are. Nowadays provenance is becoming ever more important: all the coins in this sale either come from a number of private collections, both European or American, or from public sales (often from both) and are so indicated. Some have very extensive pedigrees as well.

Our sale is quite a mixed group, ideally containing coins that will appeal to many collectors. The sale contains 2 Celtic, 159 Greek, and 102 Roman, Byzantine and later pieces, and 1 very special set of books: they range from one of the finest of all early drachms of Naxos in Sicily, and some fabulous Greek electrum and gold coins, to lovely Roman silver coins, including a terrific collection of argentei of the Tetrarchy, which is surely one of the finest ever to appear on the market.

Pointing out individual highlights would require us to devote too much space – every reader will find her or his own favorites just by perusing the pages of this catalogue. There certainly will be a few pleasant surprises!

We hope that our friends in the numismatic community will enjoy this catalogue, and will all find a treasure that they will wish to have. We can only wish them the very best of luck!

Dr. Alan S. Walker Dr. A. Peter Weiss

Nomos AG, www.nomosag.com

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All 3:1

22

27

79

20

96


Coins of the Celts

Britain

1

1.

Trinovantes & Catuvellauni. Cunobelin. Circa AD 10-43. Stater (Gold, 5.21 g 9), Camulondunum, c. 10-20. CA MV Grain ear. Rev. CVNO Horse jumping to right; above, grain ear; below, pellet within annulet. Van Arsdell 1933-3. SCBC 284. Well struck and centered. Lightly toned. Extremely fine. 2000

Central Europe

2

2.

Vindelici. Early 1st century BC. Stater (Gold, 7.59 g 4). Triskeles within a wreath-like torc with an annulet at each open end. Rev. Pyramid of eight annulets: five, on the bottom, each enclosing a pellet, and three, forming the top two rows, each enclosing a smaller annulet; all within a wavy torc. Allen & Nash 160. De la Tour 9441. Kellner type IX B. Very well centered and struck. Extremely fine.

2500

From the Anthemion collection, USA.

Coins of the Greeks

Calabria

3

3.

Tarentum. Circa 470-465 BC. Nomos (Silver, 8.15 g 3). ΤΑΡΑ« Phalanthos riding dolphin to left, extending both his arms to left as if balancing himself; below, scallop shell Rev. Hippocamp to left, within light circular incuse. Fischer-Bossert 103. HN III 827. Vlasto 134. Rare. Lightly toned and with a powerful hippocamp. Good very fine. 5000


2:1

2:1

2:1



4

4.

Tarentum. Circa 333-331/0 BC. Stater (Silver, 8.03 g 12), Signed by the Kal....engraver. Nude rider on horse prancing to right, hurling spear with hi s right hand and holding two spears and a shield in with his left; to left and right, � Λ; below, signature ΚΑΛ above Δ. Rev. ΤΑΡΑΣ Phalanthos, nude, riding dolphin to right, holding helmet with both hands; to left and right, star of eight rays; below, signature ΑΡΙ above waves. Fischer-Bossert 764. HN III 896. Kraay-Hirmer 311. SNG ANS 970. Vlasto 545 var. Very rare. A virtually perfect example of one of the most artistically masterful and beautiful of all Tarentine staters, of splendid late classical style. Beautifully toned and well struck on a broad flan. Tiny flan crack, otherwise, good extremely fine. 50,000

From a Swiss private collection, ex LHS 100, 23 April 2007, 65 and ex Leu 86, 5 May 2003, 206.

This must be about the finest Tarentine stater in existence. It was also engraved by the so-called Kal engraver, who made some of the finest dies ever produced in Magna Graecia.

Lucania

5

5.

Herakleia. C. 350-340. Nomos (Silver, 7.54 g). Head of Athena to left, wearing Attic helmet adorned with a figure of Skylla raising her right hand in the gesture of aposkopein; below neck, Α. Rev. - ΗΡΑΚΛΗΙΩΝ Herakles, nude, standing right and strangling the struggling Nemean lion with both hands; to left, club and bow; above left, Α. AMB 108. Kraay-Hirmer 257 (this coin). HN III 1376. Van Keuren 42. Work 24 . A superb coin with a magnificent portrayal of Herakles and the lion in the finest late classical style. Some very minor traces of corrosion on the obverse, otherwise, good extremely fine. 22,500

From the collections of APCW and of A. Moretti, Numismatica Ars Classica 13, 8 October 1998, 108.

This is unquestionably one of the most beautiful coins struck in a century that produced a remarkable number of coins of great beauty. The mannered and serene elegance of the head of Athena and the figure of Herakles is simply stunning.

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6

6.

Metapontion. Distater (Silver, 15.76 g 1), c. 340-330 BC. Bearded head of Leukippos to right, wearing a Corinthian helmet ornamented with Nike driving a quadriga to right on the bowl and a hippocamp swimming right at the join between the front visor and the back flap. Behind, ΑΠΗ and forepart of a lion to right. Rev. ΜΕΤΑΠΟΝ ΤΙΝΩΝ Grain ear with leaf to left; above leaf, club; below leaf, ΑΜΙ. HN III 1574. Johnston B1.1. Kraay & Hirmer 242. SNG ANS 431. Very attractively toned and unusually well struck on a broad flan. Very rare. Nearly extremely fine. 25,000

Ex Monnaies et Médailles 75, 4 December 1989, 83.

The mythological hero Leukippos (his name means owner of a white horse, i.e., a wealthy man) was particularly popular in Metapontum, appearing on the obverse of many of the city’s nomoi, or staters, starting c. 350 BC. This helmeted and bearded head also served as a prototype for Rome’s early didrachms with a similar head of Mars. Unlike Thurium, which struck a rather extensive series of distaters or dinomoi, Metapontum only produced a single issue, which is now very rare and of which this is an exceptionally fine example. It is, in fact, struck from the stylistically best die pair of all those used.

7

7.

-. Circa 290-280 BC. Nomos (Silver, 7.85 g). Head of Demeter to left, wearing grain wreath and pendant earring; to right, Κ. Rev. ΜΕΤΑ Ear of barley with leaf to right; on leaf, spindle. HN III 1612. Johnson D 1.4 SNG Fitzwilliam 507 (same dies). An attractive, bright example, very nicely centered and struck. Minor die break on the reverse, otherwise, good extremely fine. 3650

From the SF collection, USA.

8

8.

Serdaioi. c. 500-475. Diobol (Silver, 1.24 g). ΣΕΡ Head of Dionysos to right, with long pointed beard, torc-like necklace and, possibly, a wreath over his brow. Rev. Bunch of grapes. De Luynes 1139 (same dies). HN III 1718 (”triobol”). Extremely rare, one of three known examples). Lightly toned. Rough surfaces, otherwise, extremely fine. 8500

From the SF collection, USA, ex Gorny & Mosch 185, 8 March 2010, 7.

The coinage of the Serdaioi has been a controversial one, if only for the fact that the site from which the coins come has yet to be found. It has been attributed to Sardina and to Sicily (as in de Luynes) but it was certainly in Lucania. Given the style of the coin, so reminiscent of the earliest issues of Naxos, it may be that it is marginally earlier than the date given here.

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Bruttium

9

9.

Kroton. Circa 280-277 BC. Nomos (Silver, 6.63 g 2). Φ Ι Eagle,with its head turned back to left, standing right on thunderbolt; to right, herm of Hermes holding phiale in his right hand and kerykeion in his left. Rev. ΚΡΟ Tripod lebes on base; to left, Nike flying to right with branch. HN III 2181. Jameson 431. SNG ANS 409. Rare. Toned. Extremely fine. 5000

From the Anthemion collection, USA, and from the collections of F. S. Benson, SWH 3 February 1909, 121 (bought by Jacob Hirsch for £30), and Arthur Evans, SWH 20 January 1898 ("Archaeologist and Traveller"), 28.

This coin was struck during the period of Pyrrhus’ military movements in Italy.

10

10.

Rhegion. Circa 415/0-387 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 16.82 g 6). Lion’s mask facing. Rev. ΡΗΓΙΝΟΝ Laureate head of Apollo to right, with olive sprig behind. Herzfelder 86. HN III 2496. A splendid piece, struck in high relief and lightly toned. Good extremely fine. 35,000

From the Collection Z, Switzerland.

The heads of Apollo at Rhegium, with their hair carefully bound up and wreathed, are rather reminiscent of those from Olynthos. This is a very pleasing example with a head of severe yet attractive style.

11

11.

-. Circa 415/0-387 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 17.38 g 1). Lion’s mask facing. Rev. ΡΗΓΙΝΟΝ Laureate head of Apollo to right, with olive sprig behind. Gulbenkian 141 (same dies). Herzfelder 89. HN III 2496. SNG ANS 661. A beautiful, toned piece in high relief and of lovely style. Extremely fine. 32,500

From the SF collection, USA, ex New York Sale XIV, 10 January 2007, 19, from the collection of P. Suter, Münzen und Medaillen 89, 14 June 2000, 22 and ex Bank Leu 50, 25 April 1990, 39.

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Sicily

12

12.

Akragas. Circa 465/4-446 BC. Teradrachm (Silver, 17.47 g 7). ΑΚΡΑC - ΑΝΤΟC (partially retrograde) Eagle standing left with closed wings. Rev. Crab, with a shell that has the appearance of a human face, within a shallow circular incuse. Gulbenkian 161 (same dies). Jameson 2414 (this coin). SNG ANS 973 (same dies). SNG Lloyd 804 (same dies). A splendid piece, lightly toned. Extremely fine. 30,000

From the SF collection, USA, and that of R. Jameson.

The crab's shell on this coin has the appearance of a human face and is a typical example of how the Greeks could transform normal animals into quasi-mythological creatures. Other crabs from Akragas have been posited to have bucrania on them (as Gulbenkian 157-159).

13

13.

-. Circa 465/4-446 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 17.25 g 2). ΑΚΡΑC - ΑΝΤΟC (partially retrograde) Eagle standing left with closed wings. Rev. Crab within a shallow circular incuse. SNG ANS 974 ff. SNG Copenhagen 41. SNG Ashmolean 1669. Attractively toned and well struck. Extremely fine. 10,000

From the Anthemion collection, USA, and from the collection of R. Maly, LHS 100, 23 April 2007, 151 and ex Bank Leu 25, 23 April 1980, 46.

From an obverse die that is either the same or very close to the last.

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14

14.

Akragas. Circa 460-450/46 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 17.32 g 9). ΑΚΡΑC - ΑΝΤΟC (partially retrograde) Eagle standing left with closed wings. Rev. Crab; below, lotos flower on double spiral vine; all within a shallow circular incuse. Randazzo 15. Rizzo pl. I,11-12. SNG ANS 981. SNG Ashmolean 1671. A rare variety. A superb and sharp example of remarkable beauty. Some very minor corrosion on the obverse at the bottom, otherwise, sharp, very well struck and good extremely fine. 45,000

From a Swiss private collection.

Most of the early tetradrachms of Akragas, as those in preceding lots, bear no symbol and the space beneath the crab is empty. This piece has a lotos and tendrils and is, thus, very rare.

15

15.

Herbessos. 334-330 BC. Drachm (Bronze, 17.24 g 9). Laureate head of Sikelia to right. Rev. Eagle standing right, head turned back to left with coiled snake in its beak. CNS 6. SNG ANS -. An exceptionally fine example with a lovely dark patina. Extremely fine.

4500

From the Z collection, Switzerland.

The large bronze drachms that were produced in 4th century Sicily by a variety of small cities almost invariably reused the common drachms of Syracuse for their flans, and often their original designs can be seen below those of the newer types (as the tail of Pegasos, which waves before the head of Sikelia on this piece!)

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16

16.

Katane. Circa 410-405 BC. Ddrachm (Silver, 3.68 g 7). Head of Silenos facing, with full beard, pointed ears and bald head. Rev. ΚΑΤΑΝΑΙΩΝ Head of the river god Amenanos to left, his hair bound with a taenia and with a tiny horn on his forehead. Franke/Marathaki 133, Kraay-Hirmer 46 var. Rizzo pl. XIV, 5 (same dies). SNG ANS 1262. SNG Lloyd 909 (same dies). Extremely rare. Surfaces covered with a pleasing, greyish-purple toning as found, but most attractive and of splendid style. Extremely fine. 30,000

From the Spina collection, ex Numismatica Ars Classica 25, 25 June 2003, 67, from the collection of A. D. Moretti, Numismatica Ars Classica 9, 16 April 1996, 144 and ex Sternberg XX, 20 April 1988, 267.

This is one of the incredible masterpieces that late 5th century engravers were capable of producing. The coin is unsigned but the quality of the facing head of Silenos makes it one of the very finest facing heads ever to appear on a Greek coin. Katana had a close connection to Silenos because of the vines around the city; as for Amenanos, he was the god of the local river, which flowed in and around the ancient city until the great eruption of Etna of 1669. It was then covered over and, in part, flows under the modern city, being tapped for the famous fountain of Amenano in the Piazza Duomo (built from Carrara marble in 1837 - the actual river flows about 2 meters below the fountain).

17

17.

Messana. 412-408 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 17.43 g 12). Chario- teer, holding reins and goad, driving a biga of mules trotting to left; above, Nike flying right to crown the charioteer. Rev. ΜΕΣΣΑΝΙΟΝ Hare springing to right; below, ketos to left. BMFA 296, Caltabiano 599, Rizzo pl. XXVII, 1 and SNG Lockett 833 (all from the same dies). A very well preserved example of this coin, perfectly struck. Good extremely fine. 22,500


This is a remarkably perfect coin, surely one of the finest coins of Messana known.The ketos , a potent sea monster, was supposedly the daughter of Gaia and Pontos and the mother of a vast brood of equally monstrous children, the Phrokydes (including the Gorgons and Skylla). However, the Greeks also used the term ketos to refer to sea monsters in general, and the creature here may just represent one of the beasts thought to swim in the seas off Sicily. The ketos also appears on the coins of Syracuse, as below, lot 27.

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18

18.

Naxos. Circa 530 -510 BC. Drachm (Silver, 5.57 g 4), Chalcidian standard, circa 530 BC. Head of Dionysos to left, with long, pointed beard, ivy wreath in his hair and a plain torc-like necklace bordered by dots at the truncation; around, border of dots within two linear circles. Rev. ΝΑΧ ΙΟΝ (retrograde) Bunch of grapes on stalk with two leaves. AMB 382 (this coin). Cahn 4 (this reverse die). Kraay Hirmer 3 ((this coin). Extremely rare. Toned and superb, one of the finest known specimens of the earliest coinage of Naxos. Perfectly struck and centered. Extremely fine. 275,000

From the Spina collection, ex Numismatica Ars Classica 25, 25 June 2003, 85 and from the collection of A. D. Moretti, Numismatica Ars Classica 13, 8 October 1998, 382.

This is one of the great masterpieces of archaic coinage from Sicily, and one of the rarest. The head of Dionysos, with his triangular frontal eye, hatched beard and dotted hair, has tremendous power: one can easily imagine how imposing a full-sized statue would have been. This coin was also influenced by the contemporary issues of Magna Graecia; the borders of dots between two linear circles are very similar as is the combination and relief designs on the reverse. When this coin was made the engravers were still a bit unsure of how the authorities wanted the legend to appear: as can be seen here, the engraver seems to have begun his retrograde legend on the lower right, moving counterclockwise, but then had to change his initial N to an A and add both the C and the I in spaces that were clearly too small. Do note the great difference in style between this piece and the drachm in the following lot.The coins of Naxos from the Spina collection, which appear in this sale as lots 18-24, are one of the finest groups of coins from that mint assembnled by a single collector.

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19

19.

-. Circa 530-510 BC. Drachm (Silver, 5.73 g 12), Chalcidian standard, circa 520. Head of Dionysos to left, with long, pointed beard, ivy wreath in his hair and a necklace of pearls bordered by two plain torcs at the truncation; around, border of dots within two linear circles. Rev. ΝΑΧΙΟΝ Bunch of grapes on stalk with two leaves. Cahn 47 var. (obverse V 33, reverse R 39). Kraay Hirmer 4- 5. Rizzo fig. 36,VII 8 (this coin). Very rare. Of splendid late archaic style and nicely toned. Extremely fine. 65,000

From the Spina collection, ex Leu 83, 6 May 2002, 74, Sotheby’s London, 5 July 1995, 18, Bank Leu 36, 7 May 1985, 53 and Bank Leu 30, 28 April 1982, 36; and from the Calatabiano Hoard (IGCH 2061), found near Taormina before 1946.

The somewhat mysterious Calatabiano Hoard contained a goodly number of drachms from Naxos (Rizzo illustrated 15), including examples ranging over the entire archaic series. The difference in style and feeling between this piece and the preceding example is enormous: here we have a still archaic but very refined head of Dionysos, while the previous example, struck at the very beginning of the coinage, is still filled with a kind of numinous vigor.

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20

20.

Naxos. Circa 461-430 BC. Drachm (Silver, 4.30 g 5), circa 460. Bearded head of Dionysos to right, wearing ivy wreath and with his hair tied in a krobylos at the back; border of dots cut through by the beard, the krobylos and the wreath tips. Rev. Ν Α ΧΙ ΟΝ Nude and bearded Silenos squatting, facing but turning his head and upper body to the left towards the two-handled, stemless drinking cup he holds in his right hand, and resting his left hand on his left knee, turned forward, his animal tail curled out on the ground behind him. Cahn 55.3 (this coin). Kraay Hirmer 7. Rizzo pl. XXVIII, 13. Very rare. A splendid piece, of the finest early classical style, and very nicely toned. Extremely fine. 80,000

From the Spina collection, ex Bank Leu 2, 25 April 1972, 94, from the collection of Sir E. Bunbury, SWH 15 June 1896, 365 (sold for £23/15 to Whelan), and from the collection of Lord Northwick.

The difference between this head of Dionysos and that found on the archaic issues of Naxos is enormous. Here we have the head of a humanized god, very similar to what we can expect a wealthy noble of the period would have looked like, rather than an elegant but hieratic figure. The squatting figure of Silenos on the reverse is also masterfully done: stylistically, with its use of foreshortening and anatomical detail, it is paralleled by the finest contemporary Attic Red Figure vase painting. The quality of this coin, and of the tetradrachm that goes with it, is so astonishingly high that we have to assume it was made for a special issue, and was designed to impress all those who used it with the city’s good taste and wealth.

21

21.

-. Circa 461-430 BC. Drachm (Silver, 4.26 g 5), circa 450. Head of Dionysos to right, wearing ivy wreath and with his hair in a bun at the back. Rev. Ν Α ΧΙ ΟΝ Nude and bearded Silenos squatting, facing, turned very slightly to the left, turning his head to the left towards the two-handled, stemless drinking cup he holds in his right hand, and supporting himself with his left hand propped on the ground; his animal tail curls out behind him and around to the left. Cahn 56.12 (this coin). Rizzo pl. XXVIII, 14. Rare. Nicely toned and with a particularly noble head of a fully early classical Dionysos. With the beginning of the usual die break on the obverse, otherwise, extremely fine. 35,000

From the Spina collection, ex Leu 81, 16 May 2001, 90 and from the collections of N. B. Hunt, II, Sotheby’s 21 June 1990, 240, S. Weintraub, R. Peyrefitte, Vinchon 29 April 1974, 23, and O. Bloch, Ars Classica XIII, 27 June 1928, 239.

Again a fascinating contrast presents itself when this coin is compared with the drachm in the previous lot. Same city and same types, but the development of art has proceeded at quite a pace! Between the two we can actually see the way the artists have increasingly ‘civilized’ and humanized the powerful god of wine: in only a decade or so his hair and beard have become more trim and his face even more noble - perhaps he is competing with Zeus? As for the Silenos, he was quite fine on the previous coin, but now, he is clearly quite drunk - he seems to be looking at his cup in curiosity, no doubt wondering why it is empty and where he can fill it!

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22

22.

-. Circa 430-420 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 17.19 g 2), circa 425. Bearded head of Dionysos to right, wearing a hair band ornamented with an ivy wreath, and with his relatively short hair hanging loose in curly locks. Rev. ΝΑΞΙΟΝ Nude and bearded Silenos squatting, facing, his right knee raised, his left on the ground, and his tail coming out to left, turning his head to the left towards the two- handled, stemless drinking cup he holds in his right hand, and holding an upright thyrsos with his left; to left, ivy branch. Cahn 100. Jameson 677 (same dies). Kraay Hirmer 8-9 (same obverse die). Ward 225 (same dies). Very rare. A superb piece, well struck on a full flan. Extremely fine. 225,000

From the Spina collection and ex Sotheby’s, 14 October 1999, 15 (illustrated on the front cover).

Now we are in the presence of a fully classical head of Dionysos: his hair is short, albeit fashionably unruly, his beard is composed of numerous pointed ends (but it is neither luxuriously full or overly mannered), and he is wearing a beautifully made hair band (probably in gold) carefully ornamented with his favorite ivy leaves. This is a remarkably mannered head - the engraver has even given the god three ‘corkscrew’ curls hanging from his hair, which clearly suggest grape clusters, a remarkably apt coiffeur for the god of wine!

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23

23.

Naxos. Circa 420-403 BC. Didrachm (Silver, 8.45 g 9), circa 410- 402. ΝΑΞΙΩΝ Laureate head of Apollo to right, his hair rolled at the back; behind neck, laurel twig with leaf and berry. Rev. Nude and bearded Silenos squatting, facing, his right knee raised, his left on the ground, and his tail coming out to left, turning his head to the left towards the two-handled, stemless drinking cup he holds in his right hand, and holding an upright thyrsos with his left; to right, herm topped with an archaic head; to left, ivy branch. Cahn 110.6 (this coin). SNG ANS 526. Very rare. With a fine, youthful, almost child-like head of Apollo and a very drunk looking Silenos. Minor die break on the obverse and traces of corrosion on the reverse, otherwise, about extremely fine. 60,000

From the Spina collection and from "A Distinguished American Collection", Bank Leu 53, 21 October 1991, 35, ex Numismatic Fine Arts XVIII, 31 March 1987, 41, from the Nanteuil Collection and that of E. Nordheim, Glendining & co. 9 March 1931, 942, ex Ars Clasica XIV, 2 July 1929, 102.

The head of Apollo here has a freshness that is quite unexpected: he has none of the frightening power that appears in his heads from Amphipolis or nearby Leontini, rather, he seems to radiate a youthful kindness. Undoubtedly the increasingly tipsy Silenos on the reverse has no fear of ending up like Marysas!

24

24.

-. Circa 420-403 BC. Hemidrachm (Silver, 2.09 g 6). Head of the youthful river-god Assinos to left, wearing wreath of parsley and with a tiny horn above his forehead. Rev. ΝΑΞΙΩΝ Silenos kneeling partially to left, nude and with a long beard, holding kantharos in his right hand and an ivy branch in his left. Cahn 124. Hunterian 12. Extremely rare. A coin of wonderful style, exceptionally well struck and preserved. Some minor porosity, otherwise, extremely fine.

35,000

From the Spina collection, ex Nomos 1, 6 May 2009, 26 and from the collection of A. Moretti, Numismatica Ars Classica 33, 6 April 2006, 81.

This is one of those extraordinary coins that occasionally appear in the monetary history of the 5th and 4th centuries BC, and are wholly exceptional. With dies cut by an engraver of great talent, a coin like this just could not have been intended to merely enter circulation like any other. Rather, coins of this quality had to have been ordered from the mint by a rich individual who wished to present them as a gift to a specific group of people, or even to all his fellow citizens. They would admire the beauty of the coin they had received, and then use it as money. A donor might well provide tetradrachms to his more important friends, and fractions to the less, but the quality for both would be outstanding.

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25

25.

Panormos (as Ziz). Circa 360-340 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 17.23 g 1). Quadriga walking left, driven by a charioteer holding the reins in his left hand and a goad in his right; above, Nike flying left to crown the horses; in exergue, here off the flan, Punic legend sys. Rev. Head of Tanit to right, her hair in a roll and wearing a plain necklace and a triple pendant earring; around, five dolphins. Jenkins, Punic 48 (O12/R39). With a remarkably well-preserved and attractive head of Tanit. Obverse with an advanced stage of the die flaw beneath Nike, otherwise, extremely fine. 4500


26

26.

Syracuse. Tetradrachm (Silver, 17.42 g 6), From the Demareteion series, c. 465 BC. Charioteer, wearing a chiton and holding the reins in his left hand and a goad in his right, driving a quadriga walking to right; above, Nike flying right to crown the horses; in exergue, lion running to right. Rev. ΣΥΡΑΚΟΣΙΟΝ Head of Arethusa to right, wearing olive wreath, pendant earring and necklace; around, four dolphins swimming to left. Boehringer 385, Rizzo pl. XXXV, 6 (B. 385, 1) and SNG ANS 122 (all same dies). Very rare and of splendid style. Lightly toned and struck on a broad flan. About extremely fine. 125,000

From the SF collection, USA, ex Numismatica Ars Classica 40, 16 May 2007, 240.

This coin from the Demareteion series is struck on an unusually broad flan, and is also free from the usual condition problems these coins tend to have. They seem to have circulated for a long time, perhaps because they were issued at a time when there were no major political problems, and so are usually found quite worn since they were not hoarded soon after they were minted.

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27

27.

Syracuse. Second Democracy. 466-405 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 17.32 g 3), c. 460-450. Quadriga walking to right, driver holds the reins in his left hand and his goad in his right; above, Nike flying right to crown the driver; in exergue, ketos swimming to right. Rev. ΣVRΑΟΣΙΟΝ (sic!) Head of Arethusa to right, wearing necklace and diadem of pearls, and with her hair drawn up at the back; around, four dolphins swimming clockwise to right. BMFA 362. Boehringer 440. A superb, fresh and splendidly toned example, well struck and centered. Good extremely fine. 50,000

From a Swiss private collection, ex Numismatica Ars Classica 27, 12 May 2004, 113.

Coins from Syracuse of this period are rarely found so beautifully struck.

28

28.

-. -. Didrachm (Gold, 0.67 g 6), c. 405 . ΣVΡΑ (partially retrograde and upside down) Head of Athena to right, wearing Attic helmet with crests but without side flaps Rev. Aegis. Rizzo pl. XLVIII, 6, SNG ANS 317, SNG Copenhagen 687, and SNG Lockett 983 (all from the same dies). Rare. A lovely, well struck piece. Good extremely fine. 12,500

From a Swiss private collection and from the collections of L. Stack, Stack’s 13 January 2008, 2110 and J. A. Ferrendelli, Triton VII, 13 January 2004, 84.

29

29.

-. Dionysios I. 405-367 BC. 100 Litrai (Gold, 5.79 g 5), c. 405-400. ΣΥΡΑΚΟΣΙΩΝ Head of Arethusa to left, her hair bound up in a sphendone ornamented with two stars, wearing a single-pendant earring and a pearl necklace; globule in field before and behind her neck. Rev. Youthful Herakles kneeling to right on rocky ground line, grappling with the Nemean lion. Bérend 14/6 (this coin). Jameson 814 (this coin). SNG ANS 327-328 (same dies). A lovely coin of beautiful style, unsigned but by Euainetos, nicely centered and toned. Some minor marks, otherwise, extremely fine. 50,000

From a Swiss private collection, ex Hess-Leu 28, 5 May 1965, 93, Hess- Leu (3), 27 March 1956, 205 (incorrect weight), Hess-Leu (1), 14 April 1954, 68 (incorrect weight), and from the collections of R. Jameson, and of the Earl of Ashburnham, SWH, 6 May 1895, 49.

This coin type was issued in vast numbers as a way to pay the armies of mercenaries Dionysios I needed to prop up his imperial policy. As with so many soldiers, most of the warriors who received these coins used them for pleasure and to make themselves happy. And as such, almost all the coins issued were soon melted down (this was especially true for his Celtic troops). Thus, very few are left today.

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30

30.

-. -. Dekadrachm (Silver, 43.12 g 1), An unsigned work by the engraver Kimon, c. 405-400. Quadriga galloping to left, driven by a female charioteer who leans forward, with a kentron in her right hand and the reins in her left; above left, Nike flying right to crown the driver; in exergue below, panoply of arms on pedestal inscribed with [ΑΘΛΑ]. Rev. ΣΥΡΑΚΟΣΙΩΝ Head of Arethusa to left, her hair bound in an ampyx with a net behind, and wearing a pendant earring and a pearl necklace; around her head, four dolphins: two swimming towards each other before, one swimming downwards behind, and one nestling under the neck truncation. Jongkees 8. SNG ANS -. A very rare die combination. Beautifully toned, very well preserved, and struck on a curiously attractive oval flan. Extremely fine. 85,000

From the Mieza collection, USA. ex Gans 16, 19 April 1960, 196, and from the collection of J. P. Morgan.

This coin is quite stunning: the toning, condition and the metal quality join to produce a coin that is unquestionably a work of art on the highest level. This must have come from one of the great hoards found in the late 19th or early 20th centuries, and probably went through the hands of Jakob Hirsch, as did so many other pieces of equal importance. Even this coin’s unusual shape makes it special and adds to its appeal.

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31

31.

Syracuse. Dionysios I. 405-367 BC. Dekadrachm (Silver, 43.28 g 4), Unsigned but by Euainetos, c. 400-390 BC. Charioteer, wearing long chiton, holding goad in his right hand and the reins in his left, driving a racing quadriga to left; above, Nike flying right to crown the charioteer; in the exergue on two steps, a panoply of arms. Rev. ΣΥΡΑΚΟΣΙΩΝ Head of Arethusa to left, wearing wreath of reeds, pendant earring and necklace; around her head, four dolphins; below her chin, pellet; behind her neck, eight-pointed star. Gallatin R.XXIII/K. Ia. Jameson 830 (this coin). A particularly lovely example, beautifully toned and of splendid metal quality. Extremely fine. 65,000

From the CM collection, Switzerland, acquired in the 1970s from Leo Mildenberg, and from the estate of Jacob Hirsch, ex Jameson 830, and ex Egger 18, 10 December 1906, 178.

32

32.

-. Dion. 357-354 BC. Hemilitron (Bronze, 3.37 g 12). ΖΕΥΣ ΕΛΕΥΘΕΡΙΟΣ Laureate head of Zeus to left. Rev. ΣΥΡΑΚΟΣΙΩΝ Octopus with head at top. CNS 75/4 = Weber 1657 (same dies). LHS 100, 23 April 2007, 189 (same dies). SNG Cop 731. SNG Morcom 737. Extremely rare and with a splendid dark green patina. One of the finest examples known. Extremely fine. 4500


The Zeus/Thunderbolt bronzes (hemidrachms or litrai) were issued by Dion in very large numbers, but their accompanying Zeus/Octopus fractions, as this, were very rare and were struck using only a small number of die pairs. The head of Zeus Eleutherios, ‘Zeus the Liberator’, is particularly well designed and elegant; the octopus on the reverse harks back to Syracuse’s bronze and silver fractions of the 5th century.

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33

33.

-. Timoleon and the Third Democracy. 344-317 BC. Dilitron (Bronze, 20.33 g). ΖΕΥΣ ΕΛΕΥΘΕΡΙΟΣ Laureate head of Zeus to left, with flowing locks. Rev. ΣΥΡΑΚΟΣΙΩΝ Horse prancing left. AMB 499 (this coin). CNS 80. SNG Morcom 717. SNG ANS 533. A superb piece with a magnificent green patina, probably the finest known example . Good extremely fine. 20,000

From the collections of APCW and of A. Moretti, Numismatica Ars Classica 13, 8 October 1998, 499 and previously displayed at the Antiken Museum in Basel.

This is not merely one of the finest known Syracusan bronzes, it is one of the best known Greek bronze coins. This is a bronze that even a great connoisseur like Du Chastel would have kept: out of his famous collection of 306 Greek coins, now in Bruxelles, there were only four in bronze, each probably the finest known of its type.

34

34.

-. -. Dilitron (Bronze, 19.31 g 9), circa 339/8-334. ΖΕΥΣ ΕΛΕΥΘΕΡΙΟΣ Laureate head of Zeus to left. Rev. ΣΥΡΑΚΟΣΙΩΝ Free horse prancing to left. CNS 80 st 7. SNG ANS 533-541. SNG Lloyd 1456-1457. A coin of particularly elegant style with a rather tall and elongated head of Zeus with fine features. Attractive dark green patina. Nearly extremely fine. 7000


Note the stylistic differences between this head and the previous piece: they were clearly produced by two different artists, each with his own personal conception of the features of the king of the gods.

35

35.

Unlocated Punic mints. Tetradrachm (Silver, 16.84 g 12), c. 300 . Head of Melqart-Herakles to right, wearing lion skin headdress. Rev. mhmhnt Horse’s head to left; behind, date palm. Jenkins 290. A lovely, nicely toned and very sharply struck example. Good extremely fine. 5000

From the Anthemion collection, USA, and from the Hunt collection IV, Sotheby’s, 19 June 1991, 153.

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Islands off Sicily

36

36.

Lipara. Circa 425 BC. Tetras (Bronze, 24.91 g 3). Bearded head of Aiolos to right, wearing conical pilos. Rev. ΛΙΠΑΡΑΙΟΝ (retrograde) Three pellets. CNS 5 mv 1 = Weber 1777. Very rare. Rough dark, blackish-green patina. Good very fine. 4500


The earliest bronze coinage of Lipara began in the last quarter of the 5th century BC and was probably struck from metal seized as booty from a victory over the Etruscans. The early pieces were quite heavy and were struck on thick, cast flans with beveled edges. The tetrantes of this early group come in two different varieties: the more common has a small head of Aiolos, a son of Poseidon and god of the winds who was closely connected to Lipara, and the rarer bears a much larger head. The present piece is a particularly nice example of the rarer variety.

Thrace

37

37.

Abdera. Circa 411/0-386/5 BC . Tetradrachm (Silver, 12.83 g 12), Apollas, circa 390. Griffin rearing up to left. Rev. ΕΠΙ ΑΠΟΛΛΑ ΔΟΣ Apollo, nude but for his laurel wreath and a chlamys over his shoulders, walking slowly to left, holding, in his left hand, a laurel branch over his left shoulder, and, in his right, a patera; above left, a small figure of Nike is alighting on his right arm and pouring a libation from an oinochoe into the phiale Apollo holds in his right hand. May 349. Extremely rare, the finest example of this rare type known. A splendid coin of superb classical style. Attractively toned, extremely fine. 20,000


This superb coin bears a type that is very reminiscent of the Apollo found on the archaic staters of Kaulonia; but here, rather than a daimon running on Apollo’s outstretched arm we have Nike alighting on it. Nike is, in fact, bearing a small pitcher filled with wine, which she helpfully pours out into the phiale held in Apollo’s hand. Once filled, Apollo will pour it out as a libation; perhaps to himself! As with many ancient cities, Abdera used a constant type as its city badge (in this case the griffin) while allowing the magistrate in charge of the issue to choose whatever he wished as the sign of his issue: here we see a late Archaic, early Classical statue of Apollo, surely chosen because of the magistrate’s own name: Apollas.

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38

38.

Ainos. Circa 412/1-410/09 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 16.50 g 1). Head of Hermes to right, wearing close-fitting petasos with knob at the top and beads along the edge. Rev. ΑΙΝΙ Goat standing to right; to right, kerykeion; all within incuse square. AMNG II, 288. BMC 5. May Group XXXI, 259. SNG Copenhagen 395. Nicely toned and centered; with a fine classical head of Hermes. A few minor marks, otherwise, extremely fine. 22,500

From the Spina collection, ex Nomos I, 6 May 2009, 33.

When we compare this head of Hermes with the roughly contemporary heads of Apollo and the river god Assinos at Naxos, far to the west in Sicily, we see a whole different concept of male beauty and power. This head here shows us an elegant and aristocratic youth, but one with an underlying toughness that could, in fact, be harsh and even cruel if the situation demanded it. If he were a soldier defending his city he would not be an easy opponent. In Sicily, however, the elegance of the heads at Naxos show strength, but also a sense of kindness that seems to be lacking here.

39

39.

Byzantion. c. mid 2nd century BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 16.73 g 12), Lysimachos type. Diademed head of Alexander III to right, wearing horn of Ammon behind his ear. Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΛΥΣΙΜΑΧΟΥ Athena seated left on throne, holding Nike in her outstretched right hand and spear in her left; below throne, ΒΥ and ornamental trident; to left, monogram of ΠΒ. Callataÿ -. Müller -. A rare variety. Lightly toned and struck on a broad flan. Good extremely fine. 1200

From the East Side collection, Switzerland.

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40

40.

Dikaia. Circa 515-480 BC. Stater (Silver, 9.73 g). Head of bearded Herakles to right, wearing lion skin headdress. Rev. Incuse square divided into four triangles, of which two are further divided in half by thin lines. ACGC 562. BMC 1. J. M. F. May, The Coinage of Dikaia-by-Abdera c. 540/35-476/5 B.C., NC 1965, pp. 1-25, and pl. I, 4 (this coin). Weber 2354 (this coin). Schönert-Geiss, Bisanthe 11 (V5/R5). Very rare. Lightly toned. Nearly extremely fine. 27,500

From the collection of APCW, ex Nomos FPL 3, 2010, 31, and from the collections of C. S. Bement I, Naville VI, 28 January 1924, 828 and Sir Hermann Weber.

This coin shows a head of Herakles who appears almost feral with his beady eye and his lion skin. One can imagine religious pageants when humans, perhaps priests, would dress up as the gods and act out the tales and legends devoted to their worship.

Islands off Thrace

41

41.

Thasos. Circa 500-463 BC. Stater (Silver, 9.89 g). Nude ithyphallic Satyr moving right in the archaic ‘running-kneeling’ position, holding a nymph in his arms, who wears thin robes and raises her right hand in protest. Rev. Quadripartite incuse square of windmill form. Asyut 104. Le Rider, Thasiennes 2. SNG Copenhagen 1008- 1009. Very well centered and perfectly struck. Of unusually fine archaic style. Good extremely fine. 7500

From the Anthemion Collection, USA, ex Numismatic Fine Arts XXVII, 5 December 1991, 40.

This is an especially fine and well struck example of the enormous late 6th or early 5th century coinage of Thasos. These coins were used in trade over much of the eastern Mediterranean world - and far to the east in Asia as well - and were a profitable way for the Thasians to export the products of the major silver mines they controlled. Satyrs and nymphs were part of the mythological world of Macedonia and Thrace, were often shown on coins minted in the area, and probably reflected the festivals and activities of the time.

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42

42.

-. Circa 435-411 BC. Stater (Silver, 8.67 g). Satyr, moving to right, holding a nymph who vaguely protests in his arms. Rev. Quadripartite incuse square. Cf. BMC 29. Very rare. An attractive piece but with a rather unusual satyr, different from most others. Slightly rough surfaces, otherwise, nearly extremely fine. 4000


The satyr and nymph coinage of Thasos is one of the most common issues of the 5th century, thanks to the productive silver mines Thasos possessed. This piece, one of the uncommon later 5th century issues, bears a satyr who is a cross between the truly primitive creatures the Thasiote engravers portrayed early in the century, and the fully classical creatures that appear, normally, on dies of the period to which this coin is ascribed. This bald- headed satyr has power, but also sensitivity and, even, kindness. He certainly would not be carrying the nymph unless she wanted to be.

43

43.

-. Circa 168/7-148 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 16.98 g 12). Head of a youthful Dionysos to right, wearing elaborate ivy wreath with leaves and berries. Rev. ΘΑΣΙΩΝ ΗΡΑΚΛΕΟΥΣ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ Youthful Herakles, nude but for drapery over his shoulder and left arm, standing facing, his head to left, holding a club in his right hand and resting his left at his waist; in field to left, Μ. Dewing 1338. SNG Lockett 1240 (this coin). Of unusually fine style and with attractive toning, rare thus. Extremely fine. 2500

From the Spina collection, ex Leu 83, 6 May 2002, 145 and SBV Zurich, 20 September 1993, 201, and from the collections of R. C. Lockett, VI, Glendining & Co., 12 February 1958, 1157 and S. Pozzi, Naville I, 21 April 1921, 1126.

The late Hellenistic tetradrachms of Thasos are very common, and their imitations are legion, but original issues from Thasos that are both of fine style and well struck are quite another matter. Coins like the present piece are actually quite scarce; in fact, they are very hard to find as pretty as this. Perhaps that is why both Pozzi and Lockett chose it!

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Thraco-Macedonian Region

44

44.

Siris. Circa 525-480 BC. Stater (Silver, 10.00 g). Ithyphallic satyr, nude and with feet in the form of horse’s hooves, standing right, raising his left hand and, with his right, grasping the left hand of a nymph moving to right, her head turned back to left and her right hand raised; around, three pellets. Rev. Incuse square diagonally divided. AMNG III/2, 18 (’Lete’). HPM pl. VII, 27 (same obverse die). SNG ANS 956-961 (’Lete’). Rare. A powerful and well-made example, with clear figures of the two protagonists. Struck in good silver and very well preserved. Extremely fine. 50,000

From the OBS collection, London.

The Northern Greek cities were very close to the natural world and delighted in wine and the deities and creatures that were associated with it. Here we have a satyr inviting a nymph to take pleasure with him - but she is remonstrating with him over his presumption. Not really fighting though. The fine style of this coin indicates that it was struck earlier, at a time when there was less urgency in minting. The following piece comes from the slightly later, mass issues, produced to maximize the profits from the silver mines.

45

45.

-. Circa 525-480 BC. Stater (Silver, 9.84 g). Satyr standing right, grasping the right arm of a nymph fleeing to right with his right hand and raising his left in an attempt to placate her. Rev. Quadripartite incuse square. HPM pl. VIII, 1-7. SNG ANS 955-958. Attractive and well-centered. About extremely fine. 4500


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Macedon

46

46.

Akanthos. c. 500-480 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 17.26 g). Lioness to right, attacking bull collapsing to left; in exergue floral ornament. Rev. Quadripartite incuse square. Desneux -. A very rare and early type. Toned. Reverse very slightly double struck. Good very fine.

10,000


The lion and bull tetradrachms of Akanthos were issued in very large numbers for export to take advantage of the abundant silver in the area. As a result they are found over a wide area in the East, ranging from Egypt to the borders of India (their type was an ancient eastern symbol as well). As a sub-variety, a few of the dies for this series have a lioness attacking the bull; these are very much rarer than those with the lion and must only have been made when an engraver decided to be creative!

47

47.

Neapolis. Circa 500-480 BC. Stater (Silver, 8.70 g). Facing gorgoneion. Rev. Incuse square. SNG ANS 411 ff. Beautifully struck and particularly nice. Lightly toned, extremely fine. 7500


Kings of Macedon

48

48.

Alexander I. 498-454 BC. Octodrachm (Silver, 28.31 g), c. 492- 480/479. Horse standing to the right, its bridle held by a warrior, wearing a petasos and holding two transverse spears, standing to the right behind him. Rev. Quadripartite incuse square. Kraay/Hirmer 384. Raymond pl. II, 5. SNG ANS 1. SNG Lockett 1266. HPM p. 108, 16 and pl. XII, 6. Traité I, 1496 and pl. XLVII, 1. Rare. Boldly struck and toned. Extremely fine. 25,000


This coin type has long been ascribed to the Bisaltai, one of the powerful Thraco-Macedonian tribes so active in the late 6th and early 5th centuries. The weight of the evidence now points to it being the earliest issue of Alexander I when he was allied with the tribes against the Persians; he presumably struck coins with types that were acceptable to his allies and would, in fact, symbolize their closeness.

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49

49.

Alexander I. 498-454 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 13.29 g 11), c. 460- 451/0. Horseman, wearing chlamys and petasos and holding two spears, riding horse walking to right. Rev. Forepart of a goat to right, head turned back to left, all within a square linear frame within a shallow incuse square. Raymond 114. SNG Alpha Bank 73 (same dies). SNG ANS 33. U. Wartenberg, A Small Group of Tetradrachms of Alexander I of Macedon, CH IX, 7 (this coin). Rare. Well centered and toned. Very fine. 3500

From the Spina collection, and that of R. Weimer, Triton IX, 10 January 2006, 730, and from the "Unknown Findspot Hoard" of 1999 (CH IX, 9).

50

50.

Philip II. 359-336 BC. Hemidrachm (Silver, 1.14 g 12), Pella, c. 359-355/4. Head of Apollo to right, wearing taenia. Rev. ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΥ Horseman, his right hand raised in salute, riding prancing horse to left; below, monogram. Le Rider 47. SNG Alpha Bank 266-269. Rare. An interesting and early fraction, well centered and lightly toned. Good very fine. 500


51

51.

-. Stater (Gold, 8.59 g 3), Amphipolis, 340-328. Laureate head of Apollo to right. Rev. ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΥ Biga galloping to right, the driver holds the reins in his left hand and a goad in his right; below right, crescent to right. Le Rider 87-106. A splendid piece, nicely struck and centered. Good extremely fine. 5500


Great numbers of gold coins in the name of Philip II were struck to pay his soldiers, and those of Alexander III; after their terms of service were over those troops returned to their homes, bringing their golden pay along with them. Thanks to their purity and beauty, the staters of Philip II, which were issued in only a few mints during his lifetime (primarily the royal Macedonian mints of Amphipolis and Pella), continued to be struck after his death and also gave rise to a vast and long lasting series of imitations, produced by the Celtic peoples of Western Europe.

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52

52.

-. Stater (Gold, 8.6 g), Pella, 340-328. Laureate head of Apollo to right. Rev. ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΥ Biga galloping to right, driver holding reins in his left hand and goad in his right; below, kantharos. Le Rider pls. 57-60. SNG Cop. 529. Well centered and of excellent style. Reverse very slightly double struck and with a few minor marks, otherwise, good extremely fine. 4500


53

53.

-. Stater (Gold, 8.62 g 1), Amphipolis, c. 323/2-316/5. Laureate head of Apollo to right, with a deeply concave neck truncation. Rev. ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΥ Charioteer driving galloping biga to right; below, bucranium with one horn up and one down. Le Rider - (the symbol is used at Pella, but the obverse is very much Amphipolis in style, as Le Rider 163ff.). Rare, well centered and most interesting. About extremely fine. 3000


54

54.

-. Tetradrachm (Silver, 14.33 g 1), Pella, c. 323-315. Laureate head of Zeus to right. Rev. ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΥ Jockey, holding palm branch, riding a horse walking to right; below right, Ι; below horse, horizontal thunderbolt. Le Rider 472 (D 246/R 389, same dies). Nicely struck and well centered. Extremely fine. 3000


55

55.

-. Tetradrachm (Silver, 14.34 g 5), Pella, c. 323-315. Laureate head of Zeus to right. Rev. ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΥ Jockey, holding palm branch, riding a horse walking to right; below horse, vertical thunderbolt. Le Rider 515 (D273/R424, same dies). A splendid piece, beautifully struck. Good extremely fine. 5000


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56

56.

Philip II. 359-336 BC. 1/5 Stater (Silver, 2.60 g 11), Amphi- polis, c. 323/2-316/5. Head of Apollo to right, wearing taenia. Rev. ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΥ Jockey on horse prancing to right; below, Macedonian shield. Le Rider pl. 46, 30. SNG ANS 726 ff. Clear and well struck. Nearly extremely fine. 500


57

57.

Alexander III ‘the Great’. 336-323 BC. Distater (Gold, 17.22 g 3), Aegeae (?), c. 336-323. Head of Athena to right, wearing earring, necklace and Corinthian helmet adorned with a serpent. Rev. ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ Nike standing left, her wings spread, holding stylis over her left shoulder with her left and hand and wreath in her outstretched right; below wing, Λ above Ο; to left, upright thunderbolt. Price 191. Rare. Nicely centered, but with a few minor marks. Extremely fine. 45,000

From a Swiss private collection, and ex Numismtica Genevensis V, 2

December 2008, 67.

58

58.

-. Drachm (Silver, 4.26 g 12), Sardes, c. 334-323. Head of Herakles to right, wearing lion’s skin headdress. Rev. ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ Zeus seated on backless throne to left, holding eagle in his right hand and scepter in his left; to left, monogram of ΕΥ; below throne, rose. Price 2553. Good extremely fine. 600


59

59.

-. Tetradrachm (Silver, 17.27 g 12), Memphis, 332-323. Head of Herakles to right, wearing lion skin headdress. Rev. ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ Zeus seated to left on throne, holding eagle in his right hand and scepter in his left; below throne, ΔΙΟ; to left, rose. Price 3971. Nicely toned and of lovely style. A particularly fine example. Extremely fine. 4500


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60

60.

-. Distater (Gold, 17.19 g 11), Amphipolis, circa 330-320. Head of Athena to right, wearing earring, necklace and Corinthian helmet adorned with a serpent. Rev. ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ Nike standing left, her wings spread, holding stylis over her left shoulder with her left and hand and wreath in her outstretched right; to left, kantharos. Price 167. Clear and well centered, an attractive coin. About extremely fine. 22,500

From the CM collection.

61

61.

-. Quarter stater (Gold, 2.15 g 5), Amphipolis, c. 330-320. Head of Athena to right, wearing Corinthian helmet adorned with a serpent on the bowl. Rev. ΑΛΕΞΑΝ / ΔΡΟΥ Thunderbolt, bow and club. Price 165. A wonderfully preserved, very sharp example. Virtually as struck. 7500

From the APCW collection, USA.

Small Greek gold coins often tend to be rather worn or ‘beat up’; this is quite understandable since they were used more than were staters, which tended to be kept as a store of wealth. This piece, however, seems to have scarcely circulated at all and is, thus, very rare, indeed.

62

62.

-. Tetradrachm (Silver, 17.18 g 12), Damascus, c. 330-320. Head of youthful Herakles to right, wearing lion skin headdress. Rev. ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ Zeus seated left on ornamental throne, holding long, vertical scepter in his left hand and eagle standing right in his right; to left, forepart of a ram to right; above struts of throne, two dots; below bottom strut, ΔΑ. Price 3205. Attractive and well- centered. Extremely fine. 600

From the Toronto collection.

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63

63.

Alexander III ‘the Great’. 336-323 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 16.89 g 2), Ake, c. 330-327. Head of youthful Herakles to right, wearing lion skin headdress. Rev. ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ Zeus seated left on ornamental throne, holding long, vertical scepter in his left hand and eagle standing right in his right; to left, Phoenician letters ayin kaph. Price 3248. A clear and well centered example. Extremely fine. 600

From the Toronto collection.

64

64.

-. Drachm (Silver, 4.26 g 12), Miletos, c. 325-323. Head of Herakles to right, wearing lion’s skin headdress. Rev. ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ Zeus seated on backless throne to left, holding eagle in his right hand and scepter in his left; to left, monogram of ΔΗ. Price 2090. Bright and attractive. Good extremely fine. 600


65

65.

-. Tetradrachm (Silver, 17.18 g 5), Pella, c. 325-315. Head of Herakles to right, wearing lion skin headdress. Rev. ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ Zeus seated left on high-backed throne, holding long scepter in his left hand and, in his right, eagle standing right with closed wings; to left, vertical thunderbolt. Price 232. A splendid piece, struck on a broad flan and very well preserved. Good extremely fine. 3000

From the OBS collection, London. 2:1

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66

66.

-. Tetradrachm (Silver, 17.14 g 3), Pella, c. 315-310. Head of Herakles to right, wearing lion skin headdress. Rev. ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ Zeus seated left on high-backed throne, holding long scepter in his left hand and, in his right, eagle standing right with closed wings; to left, Boeotian shield; below throne, snake coiled to left. Price 249. A superb, fresh and well centered example. Good extremely fine. 3000


67

67.

-. Stater (Gold, 8.54 g 11), Babylon, c. 311-305 BC. Head of Athena to right, wearing triple-crested Corinthian helmet adorned with serpent on the bowl, pendant earring and pearl necklace. Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ Nike standing left with her wings spread, holding laurel wreath in her right hand and stylis in her left; to left, monogram within wreath; to right, ΜΙ. Price 3745. A superb coin, perfectly centered on a broad flan. Good extremely fine. 4250


This coin, and the following two lots, were struck under the aegis of Seleukos I, the companion of Alexander who took control of all the eastern provinces and founded a dynasty that was to rule Syria until the 1st century BC.

68

68.

-. Stater (Gold, 8.54 g 2), Babylon, c. 311-305. Head of Athena to right, wearing triple-crested Corinthian helmet adorned with serpent on the bowl, pendant earring and pearl necklace. Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ Nike standing left with her wings spread, holding laurel wreath in her right hand and stylis in her left; to left, monogram within wreath; to right, ΜΙ. Price 3745. A lovely coin, nicely centered on a broad flan, lightly toned and of fine style. Extremely fine. 4000

From a European collection.

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69

69.

Alexander III ‘the Great’. 336-323 BC. Stater (Gold, ), Babylon, c. 311-305. Head of Athena to right, wearing triple-crested Corinthian helmet adorned with a sphinx on the bowl, pendant earring and pearl necklace. Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ Nike standing left with her wings spread, holding laurel wreath in her right hand and stylis in her left; below wing to left, monogram within wreath; to left, ΜΙ. Price 3749. Very attractive and beautifully centered. Good extremely fine. 4500


The appearance of a sphinx on the helmet, instead of the usual serpent, is notable and quite rare. The gold issues struck at Babylon are among the finest style staters struck in the name of Alexander III.

70

70.

-. Stater (Gold, 8.35 g 12), Kallatis, Circa 250-225. Helmeted head of Athena to right. Rev. ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ Nike standing to left, holding olive wreath in her right hand and stylis with triangular sail in her left; to left, Κ; below left, monogram of ΑΤΥ. Price 902 var. A brilliant piece, perfectly preserved. Some very minor doubling on the reverse, otherwise, virtually as struck. 3500


It is believed that the stater coinage of Kallatis was primarily produced for payments to the Gauls - thus the vast majority of the city’s gold coins were probably melted down to make Celtic staters and fractions from the later 3rd century on.

71

71.

-. Tetradrachm (Silver, 16.94 g 12), Probably Antioch in Caria, but possibly from Tabai, c. 190-170. Head of Herakles in lion skin headdress to right. Rev. ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ Zeus seated left on backless throne, holding eagle in his right hand and scepter in his left; to left, thyrsos above humped-back bull to left, with head facing. Price 2470. Very rare. About extremely fine. 750


This coin has been attributed to Antioch in Caria because the humped bull also appears on the city’s autonomous issues. However, it lacks the maeander pattern that usually appears on Antioch’s coins, and Price has suggested that it might, alternatively, have been struck in Tabae.

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72

72.

Philip III Arrhidaios. 323-317 BC. Stater (Gold, ), Babylon, c. 323-317. Head of Athena to right, wearing pendant earring, necklace and crested Corinthian helmet adorned with serpent coiled to right. Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΥ Nike standing left, holding wreath in her right hand and stylis with her left; below her left wing, ΥΛ (sic!); to left, Μ. Price P180 var. A superb piece, perfectly centered and with an interesting engraver's mistake. Good extremely fine. 3500


On the die for this coin the engraver made ΥΛ instead of ΛΥ: given how important issues from Babylon were, it is clear that they must have been made very rapidly and in great numbers (of course the vast, vast majority have been since melted down). Nevertheless, aside from tiny slips such as the one here, the quality of the Babylonian staters is outstanding.

73

73.

Philip V. 221-179 BC. Didrachm (Silver, 8.50 g 10), Pella, Ca. 184- 179. Diademed head of Philip V to right. Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΥ Club with one monogram above and two below; all within oak wreath; to left, trident upwards. Mamroth, Philip 22. Rare, especially so nice. With a splendid portrait of the elderly king. Attractively toned, extremely fine. 5250

From the Z collection, Switzerland, ex Numismatica Ars Classica 1, 29 March 1989, 151.

The didrachms of Philip V are well known for their generally worn state; this piece is an amazing exception. The portrait is splendid and the overall condition is truly exceptional.

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Thessaly

74

74.

Perrhaiboi. Circa 440 BC. Drachm (Silver, 6.44 g 6), Oloossson. The hero Thessalos, wearing long cloak and petasos, hanging behind him from a cord around his neck, struggling to left with a bull, which is attempting to escape; the hero is grasping the bull around its neck and holds a short club in his right hand. Rev. ΠΕ Bridled horse galloping to right, with its reins trailing behind; all within incuse square. McClean 4660 (same dies). Traité II, IV, 571 var. (obverse to right and reverse to left). Extremely rare, perhaps the best known example. Lightly toned and most attractive, good extremely fine.

22,500


The coinage of the Perrhaiboi, whose capital and mint was Oloosson, is primarily one of small silver and bronze - hemidrachms are rare and drachms are extremely rare. At least two types of drachms were produced, an earlier one, as the one illustrated in Traité and in CNG 57 (2001) as lot 294, which has the hero striding to the right while restraining the bull, and this one, which is clearly stylistically later. Here we see Thessalos shown realistically digging in his heels in his attempt to stop the raging bull, we know, of course, that he was successful!

Kings of Epeiros

75

75.

Alexander. 350-330 BC. Stater (Silver, 10.92 g 2), Corcyran standard, Tarentum, possibly by the famous Tarentine Kal.. engraver, struck circa 334-330 BC. Bearded head of Zeus Dodonaios to right, wearing oak wreath. Rev. ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟ[Υ] / ΤΟΥ ΝΕΟΠΤΟΛΕ[ΜΟΥ] Thunderbolt shown vertically; to left, eagle with closed wings standing left. Kunstfreund 196 (this coin). Traité IV, 331 and pl. CCLXXXIII, 4 (same obverse die). Vlasto 1868. Extremely rare. Of superb late classical style, beautifully struck and nicely toned. Extremely fine. 45,000

From the Mieza collection, USA, ex Nomos 2, 18 May 2010, 68, Numismatica Ars Classica 9, 16 April 1996, 32, Monnaies et Médailles 75, 4 December 1989, 235 and from the collection of C. Gillet, 'Kunstfreund', Bank Leu/Münzen und Medaillen, 28 May 1974, 196.

Alexander the Molossian was not only the King of Epeiros but also, through his sister Olympias, the brother-in-law of Philip II of Macedon and the uncle of Alexander III. This made him want to make his mark as well, which he did in 334 BC by leading an army to save Tarentum from the local tribal groups that were pressing the city; he was killed in a minor engagement in 330. This coin was struck in Tarentum to pay his troops: the artistry is superb.

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Akarnania

76

76.

Federal Coinage (Akarnanian Confederacy). Circa 420 BC. Hemidrachm (Silver, 2.45 g 3), Stratos. Horned and bearded head of the river god Achelöos to right; below, crescent downwards. Rev. F (retrograde) in a shallow incuse square. BCD Akarnania 2 (this coin). Imhoof-Blumer, p. 145, 1. Traité II, IV p. 15, 7 and pl. CCLXXI, 7. Very rare. Struck from a worn die with some die rust, otherwise, clear and attractive, very fine. 6250

Ex Münzen und Medaillen GmbH, Sammlung BCD, 18 October 2007, 2.

Not only were the early coins of the Akarnanian Confederacy issued in very small numbers, they were also used, apparently constantly, over a long period of time, with most surviving specimens being extremely worn (as BCD Akarnania lot 7). This piece is actually one of the finest known examples!

77

77.

Leukas. Circa 380-350 BC. Drachm (Silver, 2.76 g 12). Pegasos flying to left; below, Λ. Rev. Head of Aphrodite facing, turned slightly to her left, and wearing a pearl necklace; to right, retrograde Σ. BCD Akarnania 211 (this coin, but with a misprinted Traité reference). BMC Corinth p. 135, 115. Traité II, IV p. 78, 157 and pl. CCLXXVI, 15-16. Very rare. A spectacular coin, of remarkably fine style. Attractively toned. Minor flan crack, otherwise one of the finest known examples of this type, nearly extremely fine. 17,500

Ex Münzen und Medaillen GmbH, Sammlung BCD, 18 October 2007, 211.

This is one of the finest of all the facing heads on Greek coinage. Here we see Aphrodite as an ever-youthful goddess, her hair carefully arranged but artfully flowing behind her, perhaps ever so slightly wind-blown. Her expression is a serious one, without even a hint of a smile, not even that of Mona Lisa’s. The artist who cut the dies for this small coin, the value of an Attic tetrobol, produced a true masterpiece, one of the most attractive small denominations to be minted in the 4th century BC.

78

78.

Federal Coinage (Akarnanian Confederacy). Circa 250 BC. Quarter Stater (Gold, 2.13 g 2). Head of Acheolöos to right, shown as a youthful man-headed bull. Rev. ΑΚΑΡΝΑΝΩΝ Apollo seated left on throne, holding bow in his right hand. BCD Akarnania 14 var. Extremely rare. A superb example, perhaps the finest known. Extremely fine. 32,500


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Aitolia

79

79.

Aitolian League. Tetradrachm (Silver, 17.02 g 11), Circa 239. Head of youthful Herakles to right, wearing lionskin headdress. Rev. ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ Zeus, holding eagle in his right hand and scepter with his left, seated left on throne; to left, below his right hand, boar’s jaw bone to right; to left and below throne, monogram. Price - . Cf. D. Tsangari, Corpus des Monnaies d’or, d’argent et de bronze de la Confédération Ætolienne (Athens, 2007), Third Series, Issue 16, 460-461 and Issue 17, 462-463, all struck from the same obverse die, D 1, but with an Aetolian League reverse. A. Walker, “Silvia Hurter: Some Memories and a New Coin from Aetolia,” SNR 88 (2009), pp. 15-22, fig. 1 (this coin). Unique. A spectacular piece of great numismatic interest, beautifully centered and of very fine Hellenistic style. Extremely fine. 12,500

From the Collection Z, Switzerland, ex Lanz 146, 25 May 2009, 114 (misidentified).

This coin is a numismatic discovery of great importance. The unusual symbol, the jawbone of a boar, strongly suggested that it had been minted in Aetolia, but it was its superb and highly individual obverse style that allowed it to be more securely identified. Upon comparing it to the well- known tetradrachms struck by the Aetolian League (obverse: head of Herakles in a lionskin headdress; reverse: seated figure of Aetolia) a rather astonishing discovery was made: this obverse die was not only used for the first League tetradrachms (obverse D 1), but it was then recut (D 2) and continued in use for the immediately following issues! This means that the Aetolians must have decided to produce tetradrachms, probably for military payments in the run up to the war against Macedon, initially of the familiar Alexander type. They then almost immediately decided to change the design for a more patriotic version of their own, especially since using a Macedonian coin type to finance a war against Macedon probably felt most peculiar.

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80

80.

-. Circa 250-225 BC. Stater (Silver, 10.47 g 11). Head of Apollo to right, wearing oak wreath; below neck, ΛΥ. Rev. ΑΙΤΩΛΩΝ Aitolos, nude but for his hat hanging down his back, his sword held under his left arm and his chlamys over his right leg, standing left, holding his spear in his right hand and with his right foot propped on a boulder; to left, monogram of ΝΚ; below the point of his chlamys, Α. BCD Akarnania 442 (this coin). De Laix p. 71, 7. SNG Lockett 1686). Tsangari 585b (this coin). With a head of unusually individualistic style, nicely toned, but with a minor obverse die break. Extremely fine. 5750

From the collections of BCD, Münzen und Medaillen Deutschland 23, 18 October 2007, 442, and A. Moretti, Münzen und Medaillen 61, 7 October 1982, 115, and ex Hess-Leu, 7 April 1960, 167.

The fact that the person portrayed on the obverse wears an oak wreath has led to a great deal of controversy over his identification. The rather individualistic looking head on these coins have led to him being identified as a Seleukid prince, perhaps Antiochos III (though the present dating of this series makes that rather unlikely). However, he is almost certainly the Apollo of Aitolia, a god greatly venerated there (the oak wreath testifies to his local importance, in place of the usual laurel).

Lokris

81

81.

Lokris Opuntii. Circa 356-338 BC. Stater (Silver, 12.25 g 11). Head of Demeter to right, her hair wreathed with wheat leaves, and wearing a rosette-and-crescent earring with five pendants and a simple pearl necklace. Rev. ΟΠΟΝΤΙΩΝ Ajax advancing to right, nude but for his helmet, holding a short sword in his right hand and a shield ornamented with a griffin on the inside with his left; between his legs, diagonal spear with its point downwards to left. BCD 70-71 var. BMC 28. A superb piece, finer than any in the BCD catalogue, of beautiful style. Tiny metal flaw on the reverse, otherwise, extremely fine. 30,000

From the collections of ACPW and BCD (but not in the NAC sale).

This head of Demeter, with the extremely elaborate rosette and crescent earring, is probably the most impressive of the series and is remarkably attractive. No finer example of this stater coinage can be imagined.

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Boeotia

82

82.

Thebes. Circa 425-395 BC. Stater (Silver, 12.15 g). Boeotian shield. Rev. Θ-Ε Head of Dionysos to right, bearded and wearing an ivy wreath. BCD Boiotia 441/2 var. (differing head of Dionysos). A lustrous, sharp and attractive piece, remarkably fine. Extremely fine.

3000


83

83.

-. Circa 405-395 BC. Stater (Silver, 11.97 g). Boeotian shield. Rev. Θ-Ε Head of bearded Dionysos three-quarter facing, turned slightly to the right, wearing ivy wreath; all within a very shallow circular incuse. BCD Boiotia 457 (same dies). Head, Boeotia p. 41 = BMC 104, pl. XIV, 9. Jameson 1164 (same reverse die). Very rare. An attractive and splendid coin of great beauty. Nearly extremely fine.

75,000

From the collection of APCW, ex Nomos List 3, 2010, 60.

This is surely the most majestic and noble facing head of Dionysos to be found anywhere on ancient Greek coinage. He has a serene beauty that is in contrast to the wild and orgiastic nature the god can have on other occasions; his eyes are clear here, and his gaze penetrating. It is interesting to note that the artist who made the dies for this coin seems to have been following a Theban tradition in not including any trace of the god’s neck, as with the facing heads of Herakles that appear on Theban staters about a generation earlier (BCD 422-423): this gives the portrait an ethereal, almost other-worldly feel, as if the god is actually looking out from a swirl of clouds at the viewer.

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84

84.

-. Circa 395 BC. Hemidrachm (Electrum, 3.04 g 4). Bearded head of Dionysos to right, wearing ivy wreath. Rev. ΘΕ The infant Herakles seated facing, strangling two serpents. Extremely rare. A fine and important coin with a noble head of Dionysos, rather ‘Zeus- like’ in its majesty. Uncleaned and with deposits as found, otherwise, good very fine. 85,000

From the Spina collection, ex Nomos 1, 6 May 2009, 63 and from the collection of C. Gillet, ‘Kunstfreund’, Bank Leu/Münzen und Medaillen, 28 May 1974, 198.

Dionysos and Herakles were the patron gods of Thebes and this extremely rare coin bears them both. Thebes was the only city in Boeotia to issue coins in electrum: hemidrachms and trihemiobols, both of the same type (the smaller piece is so rare that only a single example has ever appeared at public sale). They must have been produced as emergency money for military needs: in the 390s Boeotia was involved with a number of serious problems, with the Spartans and Thessalians among others.

Euboia

85

85.

Euboian League. Circa 375-357 BC. Stater (Silver, 12.28 g 6). Cow lying to left, turning her head back to right to lick her left shoulder. Rev. ΕΥΒ Head of the nymph Euboia to right, wearing a ring-shaped earring and with her hair rolled. BCD 2 (this coin). McClean 5703 (same dies). Wallace 4 (dies III/2). Very rare. A superb piece, very sharply struck and with a wonderful freshness. Good extremely fine. 40,000

From the collections of ACPW and BCD, ex Lanz 111, 25 November 2002, 2.

The earliest coins of the Euboian League formed a small number of rare groups. The first series bore a cow, the canting badge of Euboia, on their obverse and the head of the eponymous nymph on the reverse. The second, and all later issues, removed the cow to the reverse and left the obverse to the nymph. This was surely due to the influence of other familiar coinages, especially that of Athens with its famous owl on the reverse.

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86

86.

Euboian League. Circa 375-357 BC. Stater (Silver, 12.16 g 2). Head of the nymph Euboia to right, wearing a half-moon shaped earring, a simple necklace, and with her hair rolled. Rev. ΕΥΒ Cow lying to right; above, bunch of grapes hanging from stalk; all within shallow round incuse. BCD 4 (this coin). Traité II, 3, 170 and pl. CXCVII, 19 (same dies). Wallace 9. Very rare, a splendid and sharply struck piece. Extremely fine. 30,000

From the Spina collection, and from the BCD Collection, Lanz 111, 25 November 2002, 4, ex Bank Leu 28, 5 May 1981, 104, and from the collection of C. Gillet, 917.

This is one of the finest staters of the Euboian League in existence. It is very sharply struck, and very well centered. The reverse reminds us that the word Euboia means ‘rich in cows’.

87

87.

Eretria. After 180 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 16.95 g 9). Bust of Artemis to right, her hair tied with a ribbon, wearing a necklace, a pendant earring and a chiton, and with her bow and quiver over her left shoulder. Rev. ΕΡΕΤΡΙΕΩΝ / ΦΑΝΙΑΣ Steer standing right, its head, adorned with a taenia, turned towards the viewer; all within laurel wreath. BCD Euboia 340 (this coin) = KF 241 = M. Thompson, The Beginning of the Athenian New Style Coinage, MN 5 (1952), p. 27, 2 and pl. VIII, 4 (this coin). Very rare. With a wonderful bust of Artemis of full Hellenistic style, and on a broad flan. Lightly toned. Extremely fine. 25,000

From the Spina collection and that of BCD, ex Lanz 111, 25 November 2002, 340, from the collection of C. Gillet, 'Kunstfreund', Bank Leu/Münzen und Medaillen, 28 May 1974, 241, and from the Anthedon Hoard of 1935 (IGCH 223).

A remarkably impressive example of quite how beautiful Hellenistic stephanophoric tetradrachms can be! The bust of Artemis, with her disproportionally large head, is a masterpiece - the coin’s engraver must have believed the coin’s user would have preferred a good look at the goddess’s face! Interestingly enough, the name of the magistrate who signs this coin, Phanias also turns up at Athens at roughly the same time (probably 162/1 = Thompson 9a): it would be intriguing if they were actually the same individual (albeit unlikely).

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Attica

88

88.

Athens. Circa 485/480 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 16.53 g 5). Head of Athena to right, wearing crested Attic helmet. Rev. ΑΘΕ Large owl standing to right, head facing; behind, olive sprig. Kraay ACGC 185. Seltman Group E/F. Fresh and remarkably well struck and centered. Roughly struck and with some flatness on the owl's body, otherwise, extremely fine. 4500


In the 480s Athens was feverishly preparing to meet an expected Persian invasion, especially by building a fleet, which would, of course, be instrumental in destroying the future invaders. To build it Athens used the city’s silver reserves and the new finds from Laurion to mint an enormous number of tetradrachms, so many in fact that there were not enough competent die cutters available to produce them: thus the often extremely crude tetradrachms struck during this period. The present coin is, in fact, remarkably well struck and well made for this issue. However, some scholars believe that the very crude Athenian tetradrachms were not produced by Athenian ‘blacksmiths’ called in to create emergency dies, but by the Persians themselves, who had occupied the city while the Athenians and their fleet had fled. They would have used captured silver to pay their troops in coins that were copied from those of their greatest enemy.

89

89.

-. Circa 467-465 BC. Drachm (Silver, 4.30 g 10). Head of Athena to right, wearing crested Attic helmet adorned with three olive leaves over the visor and a spiral palmette on the bowl. Rev. ΑΘΕ Owl standing to right, head facing; behind, olive spray. SNG Munich 42- 43. Starr Group II C, 89. Svoronos Pls. 8, 38 and 9, 30. Rare, especially in this condition. Nicely toned and struck in high relief. Extremely fine. 20,000


The early drachms from the Starr groups, c. 479-454, are surely the most beautiful drachms ever produced by the Athenian mint. The heads of Athena can be little masterpieces - like this one, which is close to the heads on the famous dekadrachms - and the owls are particularly lively looking. One problem is that they circulated for quite a long time and now tend to be usually found no better than very fine in condition. As such, this lovely piece, in extremely fine and in high relief, is nothing short of exceptional.

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90

90.

Athens. Circa 455-449 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 16.85 g 11). Head of Athena to right, wearing crested Attic helmet adorned with three olive leaves and palmette, round earring and pearl necklace. Rev. ΑΘΕ Owl standing right with head facing; to left, crescent and olive sprig; all within incuse square. Starr Group V.B. A well centered coin of very fine style. Rough surfaces, otherwise, extremely fine.

4000


91

91.

-. Circa 449-404 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 17.18 g 9), c. 420s/415- 404. Helmeted head of Athena to right. Rev. ΑΘΕ Owl standing right, head facing; behind, olive spray and crescent moon. Agora XXVI 8h. Dewing 1625. Nicely toned. Extremely fine. 2000

From the Anthemion collection, USA, ex Triton VII, 13 January 2004, 208.

This tetradrachm of Athens is a typical example of the type of coin being struck in the last decades of the 5th century, as can be seen by the frontal eye of Athena and the long legs of the owl. It is a clear precursor of those that began to be minted in the late 390s where Athena has been modernized to have a profile eye; though the owl is very similar to the late 5th century ones.

Islands off Attica

92

92.

Aegina. Circa 456/45-431 BC. Stater (Silver, 12.28 g). Land tortoise with segmented shell. Rev. Incuse square with a skew pattern. ACGC 127. Milbank pl. 2, 12. SNG Copenhagen 516. SNG Delepierre 1836. Very well struck and attractive, rare thus. Extremely fine. 8500


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Corinthia

93

93.

Corinth. Circa 550-500 BC. Stater (Silver, 8.61 g). Pegasos, with curved wing, flying to left; below, koppa. Rev. Incuse in the form of a swastika to left. BCD Corinth 3 (this coin). Ravel - (P-/T 54). Very rare and remarkably attractive, perfectly centered and one of the best examples of this type known. Good extremely fine. 40,000

From the collections of APCW and BCD, Lanz 105, 26 November 2001, 3.

This is one of the finest of all archaic Corinthian staters known. Instead of walking, as on the earliest examples of this type, Pegasos is clearly flying here since all his hooves are diagonal and not flat on the ground. The swastika patterned incuse on the reverse is actually a very ancient solar symbol, found in many parts of the world, and has no political meaning.

Sikyonia

94

94.

Sikyon. Circa 431-400 BC. Stater (Silver, 12.24 g 12). ΣΕ Chimaera moving to left on ground line, right paw raised. Rev. Dove flying left with wings open above and below; below tail, dolphin swimming to right; all within olive wreath tied on the right and with the branch ends entwined on the left. BCD Peloponnesos 190 = Pozzi 1801 (this coin). An extremely rare and beautifully toned example. Extremely fine. 12,500

From the Spina collection and from the BCD Collection, LHS 96, 8 May 2006, 190, ex Münzen und Medaillen 77, 18 September 1992 and from the collection of S. Pozzi, Naville I, 4 April 1921, 1801.

The dolphin symbol is one of the great rarities in the Sikyonian series and according to BCD this is the finest known example. In fact, Sikyon was one of the most important of all Peloponnesian mints, and issued an enormous number of coins. It was the main mint for the anti-Athenian states in the Peloponnesian War: no other Greek state issued more coins other than Athens. After the 5th century these coins must have continued to circulate, though hundreds of thousands of them surely served as flans for so many of the rare stater coinages of the 4th century. No doubt the vast majority of surviving pieces were melted down in the time of Alexander to help finance his conquests, which were won using silver on the Attic standard.

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95

95.

Sikyon. Circa 360s-340s/330s. Obol (Silver, 0.58 g 6). Dove alighting right, holding fillet in its beak; on wing, Ι. Rev. ΣΙ Dove flying to right. BCD 245. A superb example with little actual wear, rare in this condition. Good extremely fine. 950


The obols of Sikyon were struck in very large numbers, understandably so because they were very popular and circulated throughout the Peloponnesos and in many places in Central Greece where the Aeginetic standard was also used. Thus, the vast majority of known Sikyonian obols are in worn condition. Pieces like this one are exceptional.

Elis

96

96.

Olympia. 94th Olympiad. 404 BC. Stater (Silver, 12.36 g 6), Unsigned but by Da... Eagle’s head to left with large white poplar leaf below. Rev. FΑ Vertical thunderbolt with wings above and volutes below; all within olive wreath. BCD Olympia 78 (this coin). De Hirsch 1345. Seltman, Temple 157 (dies ΒΤ³/γω) . Very rare. Attractively toned and very well struck. About extremely fine.

10,000

From a S. American collection, ex CNG MBS 70, 21 September 2005, 195 and from the BCD Collection, Leu 90, 10 May 2004, 78.

The eagle head on the issues of Olympia is one of the most powerful avian representations to appear on Greek coinage and is in every way exceptional. The eagle was the familiar of Zeus and served as his messenger. If Seltman is right, beginning at the end of the 5th century Zeus disappears from the coinage of Olympia: his obverse representation was first replaced by his eagle and then, after a decade or so, either by his eagle or by a head of Hera. The reverses initially remained the standard thunderbolt for both types, but then, in c. 380, the eagle reappears on the reverse of the coins bearing the Hera obverse. The eagle continues as virtually the sole reverse type from then on; especially after Zeus reappears on the obverse c. 360. Interestingly enough, beginning in the 240s the eagle/thunderbolt types of the 5th century were revived for Olympia’s last great drachm issues.

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Messenia

97

97.

Messene. Circa 183-182 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 16.79 g 9). Diademed head of Demeter to right, wearing diadem formed of pearls and wheat ears, and a pearl earring. Rev. ΜΕΣΣΑΝΙΩΝ Zeus Ithomatas standing right, hurling thunderbolt with his right hand and with an eagle with spread wings perching on the wrist of his outstetched left arm; below his left arm, ΣΩΣΙΚΡΑ above a tripod. BCD Peloponnesos 710 = de Nanteuil 978 = Grandjean 86b (this coin). Very rare. Toned. Good very fine. 15,000

From the Spina collection and the BCD Collection, LHS 96, 8 May 2006, 710, ex Bank Leu 36, 7 May 1985, from the collections of H. Nanteuil and S. Pozzi, Naville I, 4 April 1921, 1885.

This coin was struck during a short-lived revolt of Messene against its forced membership in the Achaian League. Unlike other revolt coinages, which were withdrawn and melted down, the rare Messenian tetradrachms must have continued to circulate since the vast majority known today are quite worn; this is, in fact, one of the finest in existance.

Arkadia

98

98.

Kleitor. Circa 300-270/60 BC. Triobol (Silver, 2.62 g 12). Rayed head of Helios facing, with cloak tied around his neck. Rev. ΚΛΗ Bull butting to right; above to right, centaur galloping to right, hurling log. BCD 1431. BMC 4-5. Toned. Good very fine. 1000

From the Anthemion collection, USA, and from the BCD Collection, ex NFA MBS 33, 3 May 1994, 1339.

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99

99.

Mantineia. Circa 490-470 BC. Triobol (Silver, 2.46 g 5). Bear, the transformed nymph Kallisto, walking to left with open jaws. Rev. ΜΑ Three acorns arranged in a triangle; letter of the legend below and to right; oak leaf on the left; all within a triangular incuse. BCD Peloponnesos 1449. BMC 2 and 4 (bear left), 3 (same reverse die). Extremely rare and unusually well preserved, but with slightly porous surfaces. Nearly extremely fine. 45,000


The first coins of Mantinea celebrate the myth of Kallisto, the nymph who was seduced by Zeus and became the the mother of Arkas, the eponymos hero of the Arkadians. She and her son were changed into bears by Zeus in order to protect them from Hera’s anger; later they became the constellations Ursa Major and Minor. Kallisto only appears as a bear on the early coinage of Mantinea; she is portrayed as a beautiful young woman on the later coinage of the Arkadians, as on the following coin. This piece is one of the finest known examples of the type.

100

100.

Arkadian League. Circa 460-450 BC. Hemidrachm (Silver, 2.93 g 10), Mantinea. Zeus Lykaios, seated left on low throne, holding long scepter in his let hand and with eagle flying left from his right. Rev. ARKA Head of the nymph Kallisto to left, wearing a simple necklace and with her hair bound with a taenia; all with incuse square. BCD Peloponnesos (Mantinea) 1458 (this coin). Williams III, 2, 240. Nicely toned and with a superb early Classical head of Kallisto. About extremely fine. 4500

From the BCD Collection, LHS 96, 8 May 2006, 1458 and from that of the Johns Hopkins University and J. W. Garrett, Bank Leu/Numismatic Fine Arts, 16 October 1984, 227.

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101

101.

Megalopolis. c. 320s-c. 275. Quarter Stater (Gold, 2.04 g 6). Horned head of Pan to left. Rev. Monogram of AR in outline form; to left, thunderbolt; below, syrinx. Unique and unpublished, but cf. BCD Peloponnesos 1531.2, a silver obol struck from the same obverse die but with the back of the head recut in the die at the mint. Good very fine. 130,000

From the Mieza collection, USA, and reportedly once in the collection of Paul Lambros (1819-1887).

This piece was apparently found in the Peloponnesos sometime during the second half of the 19th century and then went into the collection of the famous Greek antiquary and numismatist, Jean Paul Lambros. His collection was sold by Jacob Hirsch in Munich (Hirsch XIX, 9 November 1910), but a number of coins were held back by the family and subsequently disposed of privately during the 1930s. This is one of those pieces. Precisely why it was issued, and how it fits in with the normal coinage of Megalopolis struck in the name of the Arkadian League, is quite uncertain. Special and very limited issues of gold coins were produced by a number of ancient cities, especially during times of crisis (as with the late 5th century issues of Akragas); unfortunately we do not know enough about the history of Megalopolis to be able to identify an occasion in the late 4th or early 3rd century BC that could have led to the production of this coin. In addition, other ancient gold coins seem to have been made as prestige gifts to be given away in order emphasize the magnificence and wealth of the donor responsible for their production (for example, a wealthy citizen newly elected to a senior magistracy).

102

102.

Pheneos. Circa 370-340 BC. Obol (Silver, 0.94 g 6). Bust of youthful Hermes to right, his cloak tied around his neck and with his petasos hanging behind, suspended by a cord. Rev. ΦΕ Ram standing to right; above, kerykeion to right. BCD 1608. BMC 5. Traité II, 3, 891. Weber 4317. Rare. Beautifully struck and quite perfect. Minor flan crack. Virtually as struck. 5000


This superb coin must have been paid out and almost immediately buried for safe keeping - it certainly shows no signs of having circulated. As such it is one of the finest obols to have survived from the 4th century BC.

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Crete

103

103.

Sybrita. 4th century BC. Stater (Silver, 10.79 g 7), c. 320. Bearded head of Dionysos to right, wearing wreath of vine leaves; to right, bunch of grapes. Rev. ΣΥΒΡΙΤΙΩΝ Head of Hermes to right, wearing petasos and chlamys; to right, kerykeion. Kraay Hirmer 555 (same dies). Svoronos, Numismatique 4. pl. 30, 16 (same dies). Traité III, 1712 and pl. CCLIX, 6 (this coin). Extremely rare and of splendid late classical - early hellenistic style. Struck in high relief and toned. Good very fine. 40,000

From the Spina collection, ex Leu 77, 11 May 2000, 233 and Bank Leu 30, 28 April 1982, 153, and from the collection of S. Pozzi, Naville I, 4 April 1921, 2008.

The coinage of Sybrita is remarkably attractive, albeit very rare. The town was an insignificant one, located at the foot of Mount Ida, and it must have produced its coins out of local pride, utilizing the finest engravers available. The high relief of the heads on this coin is notable, as is the artistry with which they were made. The hat Hermes wears, a petasos, was simple, wide- brimmed, and floppy, and could be made from felt, leather or straw. It was worn by farmers and travelers, and shows the close connection between the gods and man in Greek times (it is commonly found being worn by gods and heros on coins from Macedonia and Thessaly, among other places).

Cyclades

104

104.

Paros. Circa 520/15-500 BC. Drachm (Silver, 6.08 g). Goat kneeling to right. Rev. Incuse square. Dewing 1962. Sheedy 33a (this coin). SNG Lockett 2619. A perfectly centered and beautifully toned example. Extremely fine. 15,000

From the collections of Oskar Kokoschka, LHS 95, 25 October 2005, 631 and W. Niggeler, I, Bank Leu/Münzen und Medaillen, 3 December 1965, 341.

The Parian ‘goats’ are among the most endearing of all of the Cycladic coinages. This one is particularly nice.

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105

105. Tenos. Circa 200-188 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 13.11 g 12), Rhodian standard weight. Laureate head of Apollo Karneios to right with ram’s horn over his ear. Rev. ΤΗΝΙΩΝ Poseidon seated left on high-backed throne, holding dolphin in his right hand and trident in his left; to left in field, bunch of grapes. É&A-G 102. Extremely rare and important, one of only five tetradrachms of Tenos known. Nicely toned. Extremely fine. 37,500

Ex Münzen und Medaillen 95, 4 October 2004, 41, from the collection of S. Boutin Monnaies et Médailles 76, 19 September 1991, 801, ex Ars Classica XVI, 3 July 1933, 1315 and from the Carystus Hoard of 1930 (IGCH 210).

This is one of the rarest of all Cycladic coins, known only from a very few specimens. The head on the obverse closely resembles that of Alexander on the coins of Lysimachos but the laurel wreath proves that it is of Apollo.

106

106. Tenos (?). Circa 520-500 BC. Hemidrachm (Silver, 2.43 g). Bunch of grapes. Rev. Quadripartite incuse square. Artemis-Gyselen class 2. BMFA 1295. Ward 581 (this coin). A beautifully toned, very attractive example of this enigmatic coin. Extremely fine. 12,500

From the Spina collection, ex Leu 81, 16 May 2001, 230, ex Bank Leu 48, 10 May 1989, 204 and from the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and John Ward, Sotheby Zurich, 4 April 1973, 488.

These lovely coins are quite annoying, and show that advancing scholarship sometimes makes things more difficult than one would expect! Long attributed to Tenos, though none seem ever to have been found on that island, Sheedy, in his magisterial study of 2006 on the archaic coinage of the Cyclades, pointed out that the weight standard is completely wrong for the Cyclades (it can be neither Aeginetan or Attic), but it does fit in with the Thraco-Macedonian standard used in places like Akanthos. But, of course, these coins are not from Akanthos..though our erudite Antipodean friend is, alas, unable to ascribe an actual mint to them, other than ‘uncertain’. So, for the moment we have to leave them marooned on Tenos.

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Paphlagonia

107

107.

Sinope. Circa 330-300 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 17.10 g 12). Head of the city goddess of Sinope to right, wearing mural crown. Rev. ΣΙΝΩΠΕΩΝ - Α/Μ/ΑΡ Apollo seated right on omphalos, holding his lyre with his left hand and holding a plektron with his right. SNG von Aulock 6860 (this coin). Very rare. Beautifully toned and attractive. Some minor striking faults on the reverse, otherwise, extremely fine. 50,000

From a Swiss private collection and from the collection of H.S. von Aulock.

Sinope was a Black Sea port that goes back to at least Hittite times. In the 7th century BC it was refounded as a Greek colony by Miletos, and became increasingly prosperous. In the early 4th century BC it was part of the Persian Empire; independent after Alexander, it was captured by Pharnakes I of Pontus in 183 and was made the kingdom’s capital (Mithradates VI was born there). Taken by Lucullus in 77 BC, it was made a colony by Julius Caesar in 47: it remained a Roman and then Byzantine city until its capture by the Seljuks in 1214. The city issued enormous numbers of small value silver coins for trade purposes, but large denominations, as this, were very rarely struck.

Bithynia

108

108.

Kios. Circa 350-300 BC. Hemidrachm (Silver, 2.52 g 9), Athenodoros. ΚΙΑ Laureate head of Apollo to right. Rev. ΑΘΗΝΟΔΩΡΟΣ Prow of galley to left; to left ear of grain. BMC 4. RG 3. SNG Copenhagen 369. Lustrous and well-centered. Good extremely fine. 750


While this is a common coin, an example as perfect as this is very rare: after all, they were produced rapidly for trade reasons and their minters were not interested in making perfect pieces, just numerous ones.

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Mysia

109

109.

Lampsakos. Circa 500-450 BC. Stater (Electrum, 15.22 g), c. 480s- 470s. Forepart of Pegasos to left, all within a wreath of vines with bunches of grapes. Rev. Quadripartite incuse square. Baldwin, Electrum 8, 12 and pl. I, 10. Gulbenkian II, 678. SNG France 1110- 1111. Rare. Well struck, well centered on a broad flan and unusually nice. Extremely fine. 35,000

From a Swiss private collection, and ex Numismatica Genevensis V, 2 December 2008, 107.

110

110.

-. Circa 394-350 BC. Stater (Gold, 8.45 g 4). Head of the hunter Actaeon to left, with stag’s horn above his forehead. Rev. Forepart of Pegasos to left. Baldwin, Lampsakos 33b-c, pl. III, 15-16 (same obverse die). Gulbenkian 694. SNG France 1145. Extremely rare. A spectacular coin of great beauty. Minor marks on the reverse, otherwise, good extremely fine. 200,000

From the Mieza collection, USA, ex Gemini IV, 8 January 2008, 149.

Actaeon was a famous hunter who learnt his skills from the centaur Chiron. It seems that one day he accidentally came upon Artemis bathing: she was so angered by him seeing her naked that she transformed him into a stag and he was set upon and torn to pieces by his own hunting dogs. Her we see the start of the transformation process, with the horn just coming out of his head.

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111

111.

Lampsakos. Circa 200-150 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 16.73 g 12), Demetriou, tou Demetriou tou Meikalou, c. 160. Bearded head of Priapos to right, wearing ivy wreath and with his hair falling in locks to his shoulders. Rev. ΛΑΜΨΑ - ΚΗΝΩΝ // ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΥ ΤΟΥ ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΥ ΤΟΥ ΜΕΙΚΑΛΟΥ Apollo Kitharoidos standing right, wearing long robes, holding a lyre in his left hand and with his right at his side; below left, monogram; below right, bow and arrow. Baldwin, Lampsakos Pl. VIII, 1. Gaebler, 70 and pl. II, 42. SNG France 1229 (but misread). Very rare. Lightly toned. Extremely fine.

20,000

From the Spina collection, ex Lanz 102, 28 May 2001, 257, Bank Leu 33, 3 May 1983, 363 and Monnaies et Médailles 47, 30 November 1972, 493.

The general dates given for this series are c. 190-85 BC: this seems far too long a time span. A date of around 160 seems more likely, though it is certainly possible that it could be later, given the prominent broken-bar alphas in the reverse legend. The elaborate patronymic, Demetrios, son of Demetrios, son of Meikalos, also argues for a late date. The head of Priapos, a god much loved at Lampsakos, has the features of Dionysos.

112

112.

Pergamon. 334-332 BC. Stater (Gold, 8.61 g 12). Head of youthful Herakles to right, wearing lion skin headdress. Rev. Palladium (an archaic statue of Athena), wearing kalathos, standing facing in an archaistic manner, holding a shield ornamented with a star over her left arm and thrusting with a spear held in her upraised right hand; in field to left, Corinthian helmet with crest; hanging from the shield, fillet ending in tassels. Gulbenkian 699 = Jameson 2580. SNG France 1557. Extremely rare, one of a very few examples known. An exceptional piece of great beauty. Virtually as struck. 120,000


Dated to 334-332 in the most recent sources, this may, in fact, be too early and we may have to visualize this as having been struck slightly later, after the ever increasing numbers of Alexander’s standard silver issues, with their comparable heads of Herakles, had begun to flood the markets of the ancient world. In every way this coin, accompanied by a small number of other pieces with differing symbols, must have been special: it bears no name of the authority that issued it, and only the characteristic Pergamene figure of Athena points to that city as its origin. The presence of examples of this type in the famous Saïda hoard, dating to the late 320s, makes it clear that it had to have been struck at some point during the reign of Alexander himself. If so, we might view it as a special issue designed to pay the troops who guarded Pergamon, location of one of the greatest stores of wealth in all of Alexander’s empire. In any event, the distinguished Belgian scholar F. de Callataÿ is undertaking a corpus of this coinage (together with a colleague) and we can expect a complete analysis fairly soon. We already know that the total number of dies for this issue was extremely limited and that including the pieces now in museums, there are no more than 20+ examples of all types known.

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113

113.

Islands off Troas, Tenedos. Circa 100-70 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 16.27 g 12). Janiform head composed of a laureate and bearded head of Zeus to left and a diademed head of Hera to right. Rev. ΤΕΝΕΔΙΩΝ Double axe; below left, monogram of ΠΑ and bunch of grapes; below right, caps of the Dioscouri; all within laurel wreath. Callataÿ, Tenedos 80 (same dies = Pozzi 2289). Very rare. A splendid coin of excellent style, struck in high relief. Minor traces of overstriking, otherwise, extremely fine. 25,000


The early coinage of Tenedos bore janiform heads similar to the one here, but on those the male head was bare and without a laurel wreath. Those heads portrayed two characters from a local foundation legend: Tenes and, probably, his young step-mother and lover, Philonome. However, even in ancient times the combination of the janiform, male/female head and the double axe on the reverse gave rise to tales of the punishment for adultery (!), and by the end of the 5th century the head on the coins of Tenedos was transformed into one of Zeus and Hera. After a long break when the only silver coins struck were posthumous Lysimachus tetradrachms, Tenedos resumed minting silver during the 1st century BC with a series of tetradrachms and drachms, like the present example. These coins are uniformly very rare

Lesbos

114

114.

Unattributed early mint. Circa 500-450 BC. Stater (Billon, 11.08 g). Two calf’s heads confronted, forming a single facing head; between them, laurel tree. Rev. Incuse square. SNG Copenhagen 285. SNG von Aulock 1682. Traité I, pl. XV, 14. Toned and very clearly struck. With a fascinating optical illusion on the obverse, unusually well-preserved. Extremely fine. 5000


Lesbos seems to have specialized in unusual types that could be viewed in two ways: the two calves’ heads on the obverse either can be seen as separate animals facing each other, or as a single head facing the viewer (albeit with two necks!).

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115

115.

Mytilene. Circa 478-455 BC. Hekte (Electrum, 2.53 g 3), c. 470 BC. ΛΕ Forepart of a bridled horse to right, wearing necklace of large beads and with an ornamented truncation. Rev. Head of Herakles to right, wearing lion skin headdress and with his neck ornamented with small squares; all in incuse. Bodenstedt Em. 23. An extremely rare and attractive hekte, combining dies used in other issues, all from roughly the same time period. Extremely fine. 5000

From the Anthemion collection, USA, acquired privately from Antiqua Inc., c. 2001.

This very rare issue combines a wonderful obverse die used for Bodenstedt 20, with the reverse type of the incuse head of Herakles that appeared in issues 17-19 and 21. The present obverse is one of the very few produced at Mytilene that bear the initial letters of the name of the island; Lesbos.

116

116.

-. c. 380-350. Hekte (Electrum, 2.56 g 6). Head of Kybele to right, wearing mural crown ornamented with lotos flowers and a pendant earring. Rev. Head of youthful Hermes to right, wearing a petasos tied beneath his chin; all within linear frame in a shallow incuse square. Bodenstedt 75 (-/β). SNG Fitzwilliam 4358. A lovely example, nicely toned. Extremely fine. 4750


117

117.

-. c. 340-330. Hekte (Electrum, 2.56 g 3). Head of a youthful Hermes to right, wearing petasos. Rev. Panther standing right, all within a linear frame in a shallow incuse square. Bodenstedt 83. Dewing 2240. Gulbenkian 883. A lovely toned example. Nearly extremely fine. 3750


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Ionia

118

118.

Uncertain. c. 550. Stater (Electrum, 14.04 g), on the Milesian weight standard. Two rampant lions, heraldically arranged on left and right, standing on their back legs and with their two outer forepaws raised and touching, their two inner forepaws lowered and touching, and their heads reverted; between them, lotos flower. Rev. Incuse square. Coin Hoards II, A Field in Western Thrace p. 7 and fig. 1, 5, = Rosen 149 (this coin). Cf. Babelon I, pp. 71-72, no. 76 = BM Guide pl. I, 13 = K. Regling, Die antike Münze als Kunstwerk (Berlin 1924), pl. I, 7 (very similar but with a different symbol between the lions). Of the greatest rarity, one of only two examples known. About extremely fine. 200,000

From the Mieza collection, USA, from the collection of J. Rosen, Monnaies et Médailles 72, 6 October 1987, 71 and ex Bank Leu 13, 29 April 1975, 221.

A wonderful and fascinating coin! The iconography of the opposed lions is very ancient and almost immediately brings the Lion Gate at Mycenae to mind, but there are many other parallels. Where it was minted is uncertain: several commentators have suggested Ionia, especially because it is on the Milesian weight standard, but the lotos blossom has a strong relationship with northern Greece as well (and, of course, this coin was found in Thrace).

119

119.

-. Circa 600-550 BC. Stater (Electrum, 14.17 g). Two facing lion heads, one atop the other and joined at the forehead. Rev. Thin rectangular incuse between two square incuses, one smaller than the other; all with irregular interiors. Kraay - Hirmer 588 (as Miletus). Weidauer 157. Extremely rare. Bold and attractive. The upper lion head partially off the flan, as often, otherwise, extremely fine.

50,000


The lion’s head staters, and their fractions that follow, have often been ascribed to Miletus, but this is not certain. They are, nevertheless, one of the more interesting of all the 6th century coinages of Asia Minor and the series, as can be seen from the following two lots, contains a whole range of denominations.

120

120.

-. Circa 600-550 BC. Hemihekte (Electrum, 1.13 g). Facing head of a lion or panther on raised surface. Rev. Rough incuse square. SNG Kayhan 712. Weidauer 162 . Rare. Attractive and clear. Nearly extremely fine. 1000


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121

121.

Uncertain. Circa 600-550 BC. 1/24 Stater (Electrum, 0.56 g). Facing head of a lion or panther on raised surface. Rev. Rough incuse square. SNG von Aulock 1802-1803 (Samos). Rare. Very well struck. Extremely fine. 500


This coin was struck from an obverse die that was probably made for a hemihekte since it is much too large for the flan.

122

122.

-. Circa 600-550 BC. 1/24 Stater (Electrum, 0.57 g), Ephesos (?). Lion’s paw. Rev. Rough incuse square. Rosen 283. SNG Kayhan 724. Weidauer -. Very rare. Unusually sharp and attractive. Extremely fine. 500


This coin has been attributed to Ephesos, Miletos and to Lydia, but there is no real certainty other than its origin in the area of Ionia.

123

123.

-. Circa 600-550 BC. Hekte (Electrum, 2.62 g), Phokaic standard. Lion seated to right, with open jaws and with his tail curled up over his back. Rev. Quadripartite incuse square. Gulbenkian 724. SNG von Aulock 1776. Extremely rare, probably the third example known. Struck from crudely made but powerful dies. Extremely fine.

30,000 From a Swiss private collection.

This extraordinary animal is surely a lion, as can be seen from its square, block-like head and open jaws. Its pose is similar to the lions that support Cybele’s throne on eastern sculptures, and this lion may well be sacred to her.

124

124.

-. Circa 600-550 BC. Hekte (Electrum, 2.32 g), Milesian standard. Forepart of Pegasos to left, possibly wearing a bridle; below jaws, two pellets. Rev. Irregular incuse square. Gorny & Mosch 164, 188 (same dies). C.f. Weidauer 143 (hemihekte). Extremely rare. Extremely fine. 7500

From a Swiss private collection, ex Nomos, FPL 3 (2010), 81.

While we do not know which mint in Asia Minor produced this attractive piece, it was surely struck in Ionia. In any case, this lively Pegasos, with its small wing just peeping out over its shoulder, was a particularly Greek creature and its appearance on this coin argues that the issuing authority was either Greek or strongly influenced by them.

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125

125.

Ephesos. c. 133-88 BC. Stater (Gold, 8.60 g 12), 133/132. Draped bust of Artemis to right, wearing stephane, necklace of pearls and with her bow and quiver over her shoulder. Rev. ΕΦ Statue of the Artemis of Ephesos facing; to left, crested helmet; to right, Β (= year 2 = 133/2 ?). Unpublished save for its previous auction appearance. Extremely rare. Extremely fine. 65,000

From the Mieza collection, USA, ex Nomos I, 6 May 2009, 101.

The Hellenistic gold coinage of Ephesos is uniformly very rare; the sole publication on them is by G. K. Jenkins and appears in Anadolu 21 (1978- 1980 - the Festschrift for E. Akurgal - published in 1987 and notoriously obscure). It had been previously thought that all the staters were struck during the Mithridatic wars but this seems not to be the case. Some appear to be dated by the era of the Province of Asia and the dates they bear are too early (as this one, assuming that the B is a date, year 2, as seems likely; for another example of year 2, but with a tripod symbol, see Callataÿ pl. LI, k).

126

126.

Erythrai. Circa 550-500 BC. Hekte (Electrum, 2.15 g). Head of Herakles to left, wearing lionskin headdress. Rev. Quadripartite incuse square. SNG von Aulock 1942 var. A nice, well centered and well struck example. Extremely fine. 2500


127

127.

Miletos. Circa 600-550 BC. Hekte (Electrum, 2.27 g). Lion lying to left, his head turned back to right; all within a rectangular linear frame. Rev. Two incuse squares, one with a floral or acanthus ornament, the other with a four-pointed star. SNG Kayhan 443. Rare, a very early example of this issue with a lion that is more ferocious and less ‘civilized’ than that found on the more common later issues. Good very fine. 2000


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128

128.

Phokaia . C. 625/20-520. One twenty-fourth stater (Electrum, 0.63 g). Head of a griffin to right with open jaws. Rev. Quadripartite incuse square. Bodenstedt 1. Very rare, well centered, bold and attractive. Good extremely fine. 2750


When coinage first began to be struck in electrum its issuers almost immediately produced coins of all sizes in order to facilitate its use in as many situations as possible. While a stater weighing over 16 g could only be useful for major purchases, very small denominations, like this one weighing only 0.63 g, would be fine for relatively small acquisitions (though it was still rather valuable - only when silver of the same or lower sizes began to be issued could really small purchases be made with coins).

129

129.

-. One twenty-fourth stater (Electrum, 0.63 g). Head of a griffin with open jaws to left; behind head, seal swimming upwards. Rev. Rough incuse square. Bodenstedt 12. A lovely piece, toned and attractive. Good extremely fine. 2000


130

130.

-. c. 525 BC. Hekte (Electrum, 2.59 g). Head of eagle to left with frontal eye and hooked beak; dotted neck truncation; below, seal swimming to left. Rev. Irregular incuse square. Bodenstedt -. Unpublished, except for Nomos I (2009), 105. Extremely rare, one of perhaps two or three known examples. Extremely fine. 16,000

From the SF collection, USA, ex Gemini VI, 10 January 2010, 200.

This exceptional piece, which was unknown to Bodenstedt, should date to the late 6th century (Bodenstedt’s dates are generally thought to be high). For a similar but slightly later eagle head, see the issues of Cypriot Paphos (as ACGC 1088 and Traité II, 1278 ff.) but these are somewhat more fussily done and lack the piercing look this eagle has.

131

131.

-. Circa 478-387 BC. Hekte (Electrum, 2.51 g). Head of a lion facing with his mane outstretched behind; to left, swimming downwards, seal. Rev. Quadripartite incuse square. Bodenstedt 53 (- /γ). Traité II, 2 pl. CLVIII, 8. A sharp and attractive piece. Extremely fine. 6750


It has been suggested that this lion is actually swimming, probably because of the way the mane appears. Yet how else could a die cutter show a lion’s mane on a facing head?

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132

132.

-. Circa 478-387 BC. Hekte (Electrum, 2.46 g), Circa 430s-420s. Head of Herakles to left, wearing short beard and lion skin headdress; below, seal to left (here almost entirely off the flan). Rev. Quadripartite incuse square. Bodenstedt 80 (dies a/α). Very rare. With a splendid and serene head of Herakles. Extremely fine. 3500


133

133.

-. Circa 387-326 BC. Hekte (Electrum, 2.53 g). Female head to left, wearing a laurel wreath and with her hair in a sakkos; below neck, here off the flan, seal. Rev. Quadripartite incuse square. BMC 65. Bodenstedt 102. Very attractive, lightly toned and of fine style. Tip of the goddess’s chin off the flan, otherwise, extremely fine. 2400


Islands off Caria

134

134.

Samos. Circa 600-570 BC. Hemistater (Electrum, 6.62 g). Irregular and uncertain design, probably random. Rev. One rectangular and one square incuse, both with irregaular surfaces, next to each other. Weidauer 204-206 (same dies). Very rare. Extremely fine. 22,000


This coin stands almost at the beginning of coinage as we know it. The obverse has an irregular pattern that was probably chosen to be easy to check in case of forgery. It is surprising that the reverses seem more developed than the obverse; in any case these formless types soon were replaced by representational ones.

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135

135.

-. Circa 522-520 BC. Didrachm (Silver, 6.87 g 1). Forepart of a steer to right, the truncation ornamented with a wreath. Rev. Head of a lion with open jaws to right; all within a border of dots in an incuse square. Barron pl. 5, 2. BMC 23. Traité I, 459 and pl. XI, 27. Extremely rare. A lovely toned example on a broad flan. Extremely fine. 6500

From the Spina collection, ex Triton VI, 14 January 2003, 395.

This early coinage of Samos is very rare, indeed. The animal on the obverse is often called a bull, but...without horns this seems a bit unlikely. He is a very strong and potent creature nevertheless, and the lion’s head on the reverse is very reminiscent of the contemporary issues of Lydia.

Caria or Lycia

136

136.

Uncertain mint. c. 530 BC . Half-stater (Silver, 5.79 g), Aeginetic. Beardless, almost certainly male head to left, with long hair falling down behind and an ear with a large lobe (not an earring). Rev. Two irregularly divided incuse squares, one considerably larger than the other. Cf. BMC Caria, Cnidus 1 = Traité II, 1, 698 and pl. XVIII, 9 = Cahn, Knidos 75 and pl. 19, 1 = K. A. Sheedy, The Dolphins, the Crab, the Sphinx and ‘Aphrodite’, Studies Price, p. 323, 8 and pl. 69, 4 = E. Isik, Frühe Silberprägung in Städten Westkleinasiens (Saarbrücken, 2003), 75 and pl. 9, 4 (the unique stater of the same type, 9.92 g). A coin of great interest and numismatic importance, apparently unique. Lightly toned, good very fine. 11,000

Ex Gorny & Mosch 159, 8 October 2007, 187.

This is one of the most extraordinary coins to appear in many years. It was first published in the Gorny & Mosch catalogue of 2007 along with a most erudite note (albeit unsigned) attributing it to the late 7th or early 6th century BC; thus firmly placing it within the realms of the so-called Daedalic art of the 7th century. However, K.Konuk, in his as yet unpublished chapter in the forthcoming Oxford Handbook of Greek and Roman Coins, denies the existence of any silver coinage prior to the reign of Kroisos: he has, in fact, returned to the traditional view of Herodotus that Kroisos was the first to strike coins in pure gold and pure silver. Following the conquest of Lydia by the Persians in 546, the use of silver coins spread dramatically fast: within a decade or two silver was being struck by Greek cities all over the Aegean, in Magna Graeca and in Sicily. In addition, the widespread issuance of small silver fractions, paralleling the previous issues of electrum and gold small denominations, meant that coinage was being used by all elements of society for relatively small transactions as well as major payments.Returning to the present type, Sheedy already pointed out that the weight standard of the closely related and equally unique BM stater was related to Lycian issues, which suggested to him a date in the later 6th century for the coin: he simply must be right - the apparently early style undoubtedly reflects local taste rather than a chronological period.

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Islands off Caria

137

137.

Kos. Circa 285-258 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 14.83 g 12), Leodamas. Head of Herakles to right, wearing lion skin headdress. Rev. ΚΩΙΟΝ / ΛΕΩΔΑΜΑΣ Crab with bow-case (gorytus) below; all within linear square made from pearls. Requier 44a (this coin). SNG Berry 1116. SNG Copenhagen 627. SNG Delepierre 2729. A lovely, attractively toned coin struck on a broad flan. Good extremely fine. 15,000


The Hellenistic tetradrachms of Kos can be, when they are not badly struck or corroded the way so many are, remarkably attractive. The heads of Herakles they bear are of great elegance, reminiscent of those struck for Alexander in Memphis as well as those on the much earlier tetradrachms struck by Kamarina (as SNG Lloyd 871 or Kunstfreund 84); this piece is a perfect example, with a head of Herakles that has both a noble beauty and is remarkably well centered. On the reverse is a crab accompanying Herakles’ bow-case: we know the crab was an ally of Herakles in Koan myth, but exactly why is unknown.

138

138.

Rhodos. Kamiros. Circa 500-480 BC. Stater (Silver, 12.15 g). Fig leaf with fruits. Rev. Incuse rectangle divided into two oblongs with variegated surfaces. Asyut 694 ff. BMC 3. SNG von Aulock 2779. Nicely toned. Minor die break, otherwise, nearly extremely fine.

3750


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139

139.

Rhodos. Rhodes. Circa 404-385 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 15.24 g 12). Head of Helios facing, turned slightly to the right. Rev. ΡΟΔΙΟΝ Rose with bud to left; to right Φ and wreath. Ashton 35. Bérend 40 = Hecatomnus 69a (this coin). Very rare. Beautifully toned, very well struck and of lovely classical style. Extremely fine. 37,500

From the SF collection, USA, and from the Millennia Collection, Goldberg 46, 26 May 2008, 45, the Guermantes Collection, Leu Numismatics 86, 5 May 2003, 411, and from the Marmaris Hoard of 1970 (IGCH 1209).

LYDIA

140

140.

Alyattes II. Circa 610-560 BC. Trite (Electrum, 4.71 g), Sardes. Valvel Head of lion to left, with open jaws and staring eye. Rev. Double incuse square punch. Weidauer 93. Very rare, in remarkably fine condition, and very well struck. About extremely fine. 15,000


This piece, so well centered so that the legend is very clear, is unusually fine. This is one of the first inscribed coins ever issued.

141

141.

-. Hekte (Electrum, 2.34 g), Sardes. Valvel Head of lion with open jaws to left. Rev. Double incuse square. Weidauer 93 var. (Trite). Very rare. Clear and unusually fine. About extremely fine. 10,000


It is clear that this coin was struck from a die made by the same engraver responsible for the previous lot. In fact, it is likely that the die used for this coin would have also been used for Trites, since it is clearly too large for the flan.

142

142.

-. Hemihekte (Electrum, 1.21 g), Sardes. Valvel (but only traces) Head of a lion with open jaws to left. Rev. Rough incuse square. Cf. Weidauer 110 (but head to right). Very rare. Almost all the hemihektes attributed to Alyattes bear lions’ heads facing to right. Good very fine. 1000


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143

143.

-. Hemihekte (Electrum, 1.16 g), Sardes. Head of lion with open jaws to right. Rev. Rough incuse square. Weidauer 79-83. Rare. A clear and well-preserved example. Nearly extremely fine. 1000


144

144.

-. Hekte (Electrum, 2.35 g), uncertain mint. Valvel Head of lion with open jaws to right. Rev. Double incuse square. Weidauer 101. Rare. Clear and with a legible inscription. Unusually well-preserved. Good very fine. 4000


145

145.

-. Hemihekte (Electrum, 1.16 g), uncertain mint. Head and neck of lion with open jaws to right; field covered in small pellets Rev. Rough incuse square. Weidauer -. Possibly unpublished. Very rare. About extremely fine. 3000


This coin is both unusual and unexpected. The irregular dots that appear on the field behind the animal and on its fur are made in a manner that is rather different from those on Alyattes’ normal coinage, as Weidauer 79-85. As such it is rather unlikely to have been minted in the kingdom’s main mint at Sardes.

146

146.

Time of Cyrus to Darios I. Circa 545-520 BC. 1/48 Stater (Silver, 0.23 g), Sardes. Lion’s head to right. Rev. Incuse square. SNG Kayhan -. Traité I -. Rare. With a very bold and well-made lion’s head. Lightly toned, about extremely fine. 500


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147

147.

Sardes. 2nd-3rd Century . Diassarion (Bronze, 22mm, 5.22 g 6). Bearded head of Herakles to left. Rev. CΑΡΔΙ - ΑΝΩΝ Omphale standing right with lion's skin over her shoulders, holding club in her left hand and her drapery with her right. BMC 79. SNG Copenhagen 509. SNG von Aulock 3140. A splendid piece, with a fine, glossy, dark green patina. Struck in high relief and especially attractive. Good extremely fine. 2750


Omphale, a mythical queen of Lydia, received Herakles to do her bidding for a year in punishment for his murder of Iphytus. He even had to help her with her spinning, and she, as we see here, wore his lion’s skin and wielded his club. Struck by his charm she later freed and married him, and their children were the ancestors of the later Heraclid dynasty of Sardis.

PHRYGIA

148

148.

Apameia. Circa 100-50 BC. AE (Bronze, 9.75 g 12), Attalos son of Bianoros, 57-54 BC. Laureate head of Zeus to right. Rev. ΑΠΑΜΕ // ΑΤΤΑΛ/ΒΙΑΝ Cult statue of Artemis Anaitis facing. BMC 61. A superb piece, beautifully struck and with a wonderful green patina. Good extremely fine. 2500

From the APCW collection, ex Nomos FPL 3, 2009, 78.

CILICIA

149

149.

Myriandros. Mazaios. Satrap of Cilicia, 361/0-334 BC. Obol (Silver, 0.51 g 4). The Great King of Persia, wearing crown and elaborate robes covered with rings, seated right on throne; holding long scepter in his left hand and lotos in his right. Rev. Lion pouncing to right, attacking a bull kneeling to right. SNG Levante 183. SNG France 426-428. Scarce. Unusually well struck and centered. Some slight traces of corrosion, otherwise, nearly extremely fine. 450

From the Paul collection, and from the Wilkinson Collection, Malter 49, 15 November 1992, 841.

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PHOENICIA

150

150.

Byblos. Uzzibaal. Circa 365-350 BC. Dishekel (Silver, 13.36 g 5). Galley, with an eyed prow ending in a ram and a lion’s head figure head, and with three armored Greek hoplites standing left on deck, moving to left above waves; below, Phoenician letters ’z above a hippocamp swiming to left with a murex shell below. Rev. zb’l mlk gbl (in Phoenician) Lion attacking a bull to left. BMC 4-5. SNG Copenhagen 133. A bright and attractive example, well-struck and centered. Extremely fine. 3500

From a S. American collection, ex UBS 63, 6 September 2005, 218.

The coins of the Phoenician cities often commemorate their naval prowess. The lion and bull on the reverse are clearly ‘oriental’ in style, far less ‘Greek’ than the similar type found on the coinage of Akanthos; yet both go back to the same age old Eastern prototype, as found on the much earlier issues of Kroisos of Lydia.

JUDAEA

151

151.

The Jewish War. 66-70 CE. Half Shekel (Silver, 7.02 g 12), dated year 2 = 67-68. HSY HSQL = half a shekel Chalice (’omer cup’)with smooth rim; above, date. Rev. YRUSLM QDSH = Jerusalem is Holy Branch with three pomegranates. AJC 10. Hendin 660. Meshorer 165. Rare. Toned, but uncleaned and with some deposits on the reverse. Good very fine. 4000


152

152.

Bar Kochba Revolt. 132-135 CE. Tetradrachm (Silver, 14.15 g 1), undated, but year 3 = 134/135. Shim’on (palaeo-Hebrew) View of the front of the tetrastyle Temple of Jerusalem, with the Ark within the central intercolumniation, a balustrade before and a rosette above the flat roof. Rev. For the Freedom of Jerusalem (palaeo-Hebrew) Lulav and etrog. Mildenberg 82, 14 (O12/R64, this coin, illustrated to show the dies). A wonderful, perfectly centered coin, remarkably well struck. On the reverse there are some traces of overstriking on a tetradrachm of Trajan from Antioch, otherwise, an exceptional example, extremely fine. 12,500

Ex Bank Leu 28, 5 May 1981, 294.

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PERSIA

153

153.

Achaemenid Empire. Time of Darios I to Xerxes II. Circa 485- 420 BC. Daric (Gold, 8.30 g). Great King of Persia running to right, wearing kidaris, holding bow in his right hand and spear in his left. Rev. Rectangular incuse. Carradice Type IIIb A/B (pl. XIII, 27); BMC Arabia pl. XXIV, 26. An extremely sharp and attractive example. Good extremely fine. 3500


154

154.

-. Daric (Gold, 8.14 g). Great King of Persia running to right, wearing kidaris, holding bow in his left hand and spear with his right. Rev. Rectangular incuse. BMC Arabia pl. XXIV, 26. Carradice Type IIIb A/B (pl. XIII, 27). Nearly extremely fine. 3500


EGYPT

155

155.

Arsinoe II, wife of Ptolemy II. Died 270 BC. Octodrachm (Gold, 27.96 g 12), 253-246 BC. Diademed and veiled bust of Arsinoe II to right, with the tip of a lotos scepter at the top of her head; behind, Θ. Rev. ΑΡΣΙΝΟΗΣ ΦΙΛΑΔΕΛΦΟΥ Double cornucopiae filled with fruits and bound with fillet. SNG Copenhagen 134. Svoronos 460. An excellent well-struck example. Good extremely fine. 14,000


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156

156.

Berenike II, wife of Ptolemy III. Circa 244/3-221 BC. Octodrachm (Gold, 27.80 g 12), Alexandria. Veiled and draped bust of Berenike II to right. Rev. ΒΕΡΕΝΙΚΗΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΙΣΣΗΣ Cornucopiae bound with fillet. SNG Copenhagen 169. Svoronos 1113. Very rare. A superb example of very fine style. Virtually as struck. 100,000

From the APCW collection, ex Nomos 2, 18 May 2010, 151.

Berenike II was the daughter of Magas of Cyrene and Apama and was born c. 267. Soon after her father’s death she married the Macedonian prince Demetrios the Fair but, after finding him in bed with her mother (!) she had him killed and then married Ptolemy III of Egypt. When Ptolemy III was on campaign in Syria she cut off her hair and dedicated it to Aphrodite to ensure his safe return. The hair mysteriously disappeared and was then thought to have been carried up to the heavens where it became known as the constellation Coma Berenices. She was murdered by her mercuric son Ptolemy IV in 221, shortly after the death of Ptolemy III. In some ways the gold coinage of the Ptolemies of Egypt is astounding in i ts magnificence,and also in how many pieces have managed to survive, especially the octodrachms of Arsinoe II. Nevertheless, we have to assume that originally the number struck must have been truly enormous and that the vast, vast majority of those issued were long ago melted down and used for other things. The number of Roman, Byzantine and Islamic coins that were struck using the metal from Ptolemaic issues must have been myriad too, though they, in turn, have mostly been turned into other coins as well.

157

157.

-. Octodrachm (Gold, 27.79 g 12), Alexandria. Veiled and draped bust of Berenike II to right, struck from the same dies as the last. Rev. ΒΕΡΕΝΙΚΗΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΙΣΣΗΣ Cornucopiae bound with fillet, (struck by a die different from the one used for the previous coin). SNG Copenhagen 169. Svoronos 1113. Very rare. A beautiful coin. Virtually as struck 100,000

From a Swiss private collection and from the collection of Nelson Bunker Hunt, III, Sotheby´s 4 December 1990, 59 and ex Hess-Leu 28, 5 May 1965, 314.

The gold octodrachms of Berenike II are among the most beautiful of all the Ptolemaic gold coins bearing female portraits. On this coin she appears to havve a serene and kind loveliness that belies what we know about her power and ruthlessness.

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158

158.

Berenike II, wife of Ptolemy III. Circa 244/3-221 BC. Pentadrachm (Gold, 21.34 g), after c.241 BC. Veiled bust of Berenike II to right, wearing necklace. Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΙΣΣΗΣ ΒΕΡΕΝΙΚΗΣ Cornucopiae tied with royal diadem between two six- pointed stars; to left, Ε. BMFA 2278. Svoronos 973. Very rare. A splendid coin, well struck and fresh. Virtually as struck. 75,000

From the collection of APCW, USA.

159

159.

Ptolemy VI and Ptolemy VIII. 180-116. Octodrachm (Gold, ), circa 134 BC (?). Head of Arsinoë II (?) to right, wearing diadem and stephane, and with a lotos-tipped scepter behind her head; in field to left, Κ. Rev. ΑΡΣΙΝΟΗΣ ΦΙΛΑΔΕΛΦΟΥ Double cornucopiae bound with fillet; border of dots. Du Chastel 298 (there dated to 134 BC). SNG Copenhagen 322. Svoronos 1498. Superb, lustrous and most attractive. Virtually as struck. 32,500

From the collection of APCW, ex Nomos 2, 18 May 2010, 152.

The large K on the obverse of this coin, ostensibly a regnal date (=20) copied from an actual piece of Arsinoe from the 3rd century, is surely something else. It is generally thought to indicate that the portrait is actually that of either Cleopatra II or her daughter Cleopatra III; the first was the wife of both Ptolemy VI and Ptolemy VIII, the second was only the wife of Ptolemy VIII. Any form of certainty seems doubtful.

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160

160.

-. Octodrachm mounted for use as a pendant (Gold, 45.34 g 12). Head of “Arsinoe II”, similar to the last, with Κ behind. Rev. ΑΡΣΙΝΟΗΣ ΦΙΛΑΔΕΛΦΟΥ Double cornucopiae bound with fillet; border of dots, as last. SNG Copenhagen 322. Svoronos 1499. A solid and curiously attractive example of modern jewelry made in a 'pseudo-antique' style utilizing a genuine ancient coin as a center piece. It is set within a rough, torc like exterior circle and backed with a similarly made circlet to which is joined a suspension loop and four attachment lugs in the shape of polyhedral beads. The exterior ring is stamped with three marks: the name HOROVITZ, the fineness, 750, and a control stamp. Coin extremely fine, mount with a few minor marks, otherwise nearly as made. 10,000


The maker of this attractive pendant was Theodore Horovitz. Born in 1917, he began his career at 17 working in his father’s shop in Alexandria in Egypt. He was ultimately given his own atelier in the shop and created jewels for the city’s high ranking and wealthy population, even making a crown for the Queen. After the overthrow of King Farouk in 1952, things became increasingly unpleasant in Alexandria and Horowitz moved to Geneva in 1956, setting up his own business in 1960 and becoming one of the finest jewelers in the city: he actually offered $12 Million for the so- called “Incomparable” diamond, found in the Congo in the 1980s: this bid was rejected since the owners had put a reserve of $20 Million on it! Where it is now no one is too sure. In any event, this lovely piece of jewelry will be a fine memento of Horovitz, and surely cheaper than a 407 carat diamond.

KYRENAICA

161

161.

Kyrene. Circa 331-322 BC. Stater (Gold, 8.58 g 9), under the magistrate Jason. ΚΥΡΑΝΑΙ - ΩΝ Quadriga standing facing, driven by Nike with spread wings. Rev. ΙΑΣΟΝΟΣ Zeus Ammon seated left on throne, holding long scepter in his right hand, resting his left arm on the throne's back and with his feet on foot stool before; to right, eagle with closed wings to right, holding serpent in its talons. BMC 108a. Naville 24. Very rare. Very fresh and attractive, well struck and with only a very few minor marks. An unusually fine piece. Extremely fine. 60,000

From the Mieza collection, USA, and from the Guermantes Collection, Leu 86, 5 May 2003, 464.

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173

176

179

202

221

243245

253

259 3:1

254 254

199

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Coins of the Romans

162

162.

Lucius Caesius. 112-111 BC. Denarius (Silver, 3.93 g 1), Rome. Bust of Apollo seen from behind to left, wearing a taenia and with a cloak over his left shoulder, hurling a thunderbolt with his right hand; to right, monogram of AP. Rev. L.CÆSI The Lares Praestites seated facing, turned slightly to right, each on a stool and each holding a long staff; between them, dog standing right; to left and right, monograms of LA and PRE; above, between them, bust of Vulcan to left, wearing his cap and with tongs behind him to right. Babelon (Caesia) 1. Crawford 298/1. Sydenham 564. A superb piece, beautifully struck in high relief, the finest example of this type known. Virtually as struck. 12,500

From a Swiss private collection, ex Numismatica Genevensis 5, 2 December 2008, 170.

There has been a great deal of debate about who appears on the obverse of this coin: it has been thought of as Veiovis, but if Crawford is right as reading the monogram as AP, it can only be Apollo assimilated with Jupiter. As for the Lares Praestites, they were spirits who initially protected the city of Rome, and then assumed a protective function over the state as well. Vulcan probably appears here in his function as the patron of the metal workers who produced this coin.

163

163.

L. Marcius Philippus. 57 BC. Denarius (Silver, 4.15 g 2). ANCVS Diademed head of Ancus Marcius to right; behind, lituus. Rev. PHILIPPVS Aqueduct, on which is a statue of Q. Marcius Rex on a horse rearing to right with a plant below; in the five arches of the aqueduct, A Q V A MAR. Babelon (Marcia) 28. Crawford 425/1. Sydenham 919. A bright well-centered and well-preserved example of this well-known denarius. Good extremely fine. 600


The Gens Marcia claimed descent from the fourth king of Rome, Ancus Marcius, who is portrayed on the obverse of this coin. There was a legend that he built the Aqua Marcia, the longest of the aqueducts of Rome (it tapped sources 91 kilometers away from the city), but, in fact, it was built by Q. Marcius Rex, whose statue appears on the reverse of this coin, in c. 144-140 BC, and it was paid for by the spoils of Carthage and Corinth, which were both destroyed in 146. Having such a major source of water allowed the city of Rome to begin the expansion that led to it become the largest city in the western world.

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164

164.

C. Memmius C.f. 56 BC. Denarius (Silver, 3.97 g 12). C.MEMMI.C.F Head of Ceres to right, wearing wreath of grain ears and earring. Rev. C.MEMMIVS / IMPERATOR Trophy of arms with, at its base, captive kneeling to right, his hands tied behind his back. Babelon (Memmia) 10. Crawford 427/1. Sydenham 920. An attractive, nicely toned and well-centered coin struck on a broad flan. Good extremely fine. 2000


The reverse relates to the moneyer’s uncle, C. Memmius L.f., the commander of the victorious Roman forces in Bithynia in the early 50s BC, who received the title imperator for them in BC 57. This coin was struck shortly thereafter to commemorate that event.

165

165.

Q. Pomponius Musa. 56 BC. Denarius (Silver, 3.80 g 4). Laureate head of Apollo to right; behind, sandal. Rev. Q.POMPONI MVSA Thalia standing left, holding comic mask in her right hand and resting her left elbow on a column behind her. Babelon (Pomponia) 19. Crawford 410/9b. Sydenham 821. A nice, clear example, lightly toned. Nearly extremely fine. 1000


166

166.

C. Coelius Caldus. 53 BC. Denarius (Silver, 3.95 g 5). C COEL CALDVS / COS Head of C. Coelius Caldus (Cos 94 BC); behind, tablet inscribed L.D. Rev. CALDVS.III VIR Radiate head of Sol to right; behind, S and oval shield with thunderbolt; before, round Macedonian shield. Crawford 437/1a. Sydenham 892. Nicely toned and with a fine portrait. Extremely fine. 750

From the Paul collection, ex Monnaies et Médailles XXVIII, 19 June 1964, 222.

The portrait on the obverse of this coin is of the consul of 94 BC; the tablet concerns the law of 107, which he passed while a tribune, requiring written votes in trials concerning high treason, rather solely by acclamation. The shields on the reverse refer to victories, which might have been very minor, in Gaul and Macedon. The coin was struck by a moneyer of the same name who was quaestor in 50 BC

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167

167.

L. Hostilius Saserna. 48 BC. Denarius (Silver, 3.68 g 10). Bearded male head to right, his hair straggling out behind him; cloak around neck and Gallic shield behind. Rev. L.HOSTILIVS / SASERN Nude Gallic warrior, holding shield with his left hand and hurling spear with his right, standing left in a galloping biga being driven to right by a seated charioteer holding a whip. Babelon (Hostilia) 2. Crawford 448/2a; CRI 18; Sydenham 952. An interesting and historical coin, very well centered. Some slight porosity, otherwise, about extremely fine. 2000


The head on this famous coin has long been identified as that of Vercingetorix, the defeated Gallic leader who graced Caesar’s triumph in Rome. This can not be proven but the head does have remarkably individualistic and natural features, and it must surely represent an actual Gaulish captive seen by the die engraver.

168

168.

L. Valerius Acisculus. 45 BC. Denarius (Silver, 3.83 g 2), Rome. ACISCVLVS Diademed head of Apollo Soranus to right; above forehead, star; to left, acisculus (double-headed pick). Rev. L.VALERIVS Europa, holding veil swirling above her with both hands, seated on bull walking to right. Babelon (Valeria) 17. Crawford 474/1a. CRI 90. Sydenham 998. A bright and unusually well-struck example. Extremely fine. 1200


169

169.

Mark Antony and Octavian. Denarius (Silver, 3.75 g 112), Mint moving with Antony, spring-early summer 41 BC. M.ANT.IMP. AVG.III.VIR.R.P.C.M.BARBAT.Q.P Bare head of Antony to right. Rev. CAESAR.IMP.PONT.III.VIR.R.P.C. Bare head of Octavian to right. Crawford 517/2. CRI 243. Sydenham 1181. Bright and clear with good portraits. Extremely fine. 2500


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170

170.

Cn. Domitius L.f. Ahenobarbus. 41 BC. Denarius (Silver, 3.84 g 12), uncertain mint moving with Ahenobarbus. AHENOBAR Slighlty bearded male head to right. Rev. CN [DOMITI]VS IMP Trophy on prow to right. Babelon (Domitia) 12. Crawford 519/2. CRI 339. Sydenham 1177. Slightly flat struck, but with an excellent portrait and lightly toned. Nearly extremely fine. 2500


Exactly who the portrait is supposed to represent is uncertain: obviously an ancestor of Cn. Domitius Ahenobarbus, a rather piratical character. He had been a supporter of Pompey and was pardoned by Caesar, but became a partisan of Brutus’, fleeing with him to Macedonia. While the conspirator’s army was defeated at Philippi, the fleet under Cn. Domitius won a signal victory over the ships of the Second Triumverate. Reconciled with Antony, he became one of his generals and ultimately received the consulship of 32 BC, but was forced to flee Rome when Octavian and Antony went to war. He did not approve of Cleopatra and after remonstrating with Antony, defected to Octavian. He seems to have died naturally shortly thereafter, even before Actium.

171

171.

Mark Antony. Denarius (Silver, 3.86 g 1), with M. Junius Silanus, mint moving with Antony, probably Athens, 32 BC. ANTON AVG IMP III COS DES III III [V R P C] Bare head of Antony to right. Rev. M.SILANVS.AVG / Q.PRO.COS in two lines across the field Babelon (Antonia) 97, (Junia) 172. Crawford 542/1. CRI 346. Sydenham 1208. An atrractive, bright coin with a fine portrait. Nearly extremely fine. 2000


172

172.

Augustus. 27 BC-AD 14. Denarius (Silver, 3.97 g 10), L. Caninius Gallus, 12 BC. AVGVSTVS Bare head of Augustus to right. Rev. [L.CANINV]S GALLVS III.VIR Bearded barbarian kneeling right, wearing a cloak and offering up a vexillum. BMC 127. BN 560. Cohen 383. RIC 416. Beautifully toned and very sharply struck; a superb, lustrous piece. Reverse slightly off center, otherwise, good extremely fine. 5000


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173

173.

Claudius. AD 41-54. Denarius (Silver, 3.66 g 4), 50-54. TI CLAVD CAESAR AVG GERM P M TRIB POT P P Laureate head of Claudius to right. Rev. AGRIPPINAE AVGVSTAE Draped bust of Agrippina Minor to right, wearing grain wreath. BMC 75. BN 82. Cohen 4. RIC 81. A magnificent, toned example with splendid portraits in high relief. Some slight porosity, otherwise, good extremely fine. 12,500


This is a particularly fine example of the type, and the wonderful surfaces and toning suggests that it comes from an old collection, very possibly English. It certainly does not show any trace of the over-cleaning so prevalent today.

174

174.

Civil Wars. AD 68-69. Denarius (Silver, 3.61 g 5), uncertain Spanish mint. LIBERTAS RESTITVTA Draped bust of Libertas to right,wearing necklace of pearls. Rev. S P Q R across round shield within an oak wreath tied at the bottom and closed at the top by a globe between two stars. BMC 12. BN 10. Martin 91. RIC 27. Rare. A splendid, beautifully centered piece struck in high relief. Some scuffs on the reverse, otherwise, probably the best known example and, extremely fine. 5000


Struck by Galba’s allies in Spain, this coin harks back to the hoped-for restitution of the supposed values of the Republic, if not the Republic itself.

175

175.

Vitellius. AD 69. Denarius (Silver, 3.19 g 6), c. May-July 69. A VITELLIVS GERMAN IMP TR P Laureate head of Vitellius to right. Rev. CONCORDIA P R Concordia seated to left on throne, holding patera and cornucopiae. BMC 6. RIC 73. A sharp and attractive piece, well struck and in high relief. Extremely fine. 3000


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176

176.

Titus. AD 79-81. Denarius (Silver, 3.35 g 6), 79, after 1 July. IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M Laureate head of Titus to right, with slight beard. Rev. TR P VIIII IMP XV COS VII P P Statue of a nude, radiate male figure, holding a spear and a parazonium, standing facing on a rostral column. BMC 29. BN 23. Cohen 289. RIC 46. A sharp and well struck example, unusually well preserved. Good extremely fine. 1500


177

177.

Domitian. AD 81-96. Denarius (Silver, 3.49 g 6), 1 January -13 September 88. IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P VII Laureate head of Domitian to right, with slight beard. Rev. IMP XIIII COS IIII CENS P P P Minerva standing left, holding thunder bolt in her right hand, spear in her left and with a shield at her feet to right. BMC 120. BN 116. Cohen 234. RIC 580. Lustrous and beautifully toned with a magnificent portrait. Good extremely fine.

800


178

178.

Nerva. AD 96-98. Denarius (Silver, 3.26 g 6), 19 September-31 December 96. IMP NERVA CAES AVG P M TR P COS II P P Laureate head of Nerva to right. Rev. LIBERTAS PVBLICA Libertas standing left, holding pileus in her right hand and long scepter in her left. BMC 17. BN 10. Cohen 106. RIC 7. Attractive, toned and in high relief. Extremely fine. 1000


179

179.

-. Denarius (Silver, 3.34 g 6), Rome, 97. IMP NERVA CAES AVG P M TR POT Laureate head of Nerva to right. Rev. COS III PATER PATRIAE Simpulum, sprinkler, ewer and lituus. BMC 33. Cohen 48. RIC 24. Beautifully toned and with a superb portrait. Good extremely fine. 2500


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180

180.

-. Aureus (Gold, 7.48 g 6), Late September - December 97. IMP NERVA CAES AVG P M TR P II COS III P P Laureate head of Nerva to right. Rev. FORTVNA AVGVST Fortuna standing left, holding rudder with her right hand and cornucopia with her left. BMC 57. Calicó 965. Cohen 70. RIC 28. Rare. A splendid example with an exceptionally fine and noble portrait. Good extremely fine.

20,000


This coin was minted around the time Nerva adopted Trajan as his heir, an unusually astute move that helped to defuse the unhappiness of the army at having a civilian emperor. The portrait here portrays Nerva as a strong and powerful man, but at the time this coin was struck he was 67 and suffering from illnesses that finally killed him on January 27, 68.

181

181.

Trajan. AD 98-117. Denarius (Silver, 3.56 g 6), Rome, 104-107. IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS V P P Laureate bust of Trajan to right, slight drapery on far shoulder. Rev. S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI Aequitas standing left, holding cornucopiae and scales. BMC 167. Cohen 462 var. RIC 169. A superb piece, perfectly centered and beautifully toned. Virtually as struck. 750


182

182.

-. Denarius (Silver, 3.41 g 6), Rome, 114. IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS VI P P Laureate and draped bust of Trajan to right. Rev. S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI View of the Column of Trajan: showing his statue on top, the two eagles at its base, and the entrance below. Bauten 50. BMC 452. BN 746. Cohen 558. Hill 618. RIC 292. Sharp, toned and most attractive. Good extremely fine. 2000


Trajan’s column, which still stands and is the greatest existing ancient sculptural friezes, was built to commemorate Trajan’s Dacian Wars; it was finished in 113 and commemorated by coins struck in 113/114. The sculptural program, which illustrates the campaigns of 101-102 and 105- 106, contains nearly 2500 figures (the emperor himself appears 59 times among his troops). In Roman times the sculptures could have been viewed from the balconies on the buildings at the northern end of Trajan’s Forum. The statue of Trajan that was originally on top of the column was probably melted down and turned into church ornaments at some point during medieval times, but in 1587 Pope Sixtus V topped the column with the bronze statue of St. Peter that still stands there.

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183

183.

Trajan. AD 98-117. Sestertius (Orichalcum, 23.22 g 6), Rome. IMP CAES NERVAE TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS V P P Laureate bust of Trajan to right, drapery on far shoulder. Rev. S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI S C Trajan, in armor, on horseback to right, hurling spear at fallen Dacian below him. BMC 839. BN 405. C. 508. Hill 216. RIC 543. A superb coin with a fine portrait and an exceptionally attractive, deep green patina. Extremely fine. 20,000

From the Z collection, Switzerland, ex Münzen und Medaillen 81, 18

September 1995, 273.

184

184.

Hadrian. AD 117-138. Denarius (Silver, 3.93 g 7), Rome, 119-122. IMP CAESAR TRAIAN HADRIANVS AVG Laureate bust of Hadrian to right, drapery on far shoulder. Rev. P M TR P COS III / SALVS AVG Salus seated to left on throne, holding out a patera in her right hand to feed a snake coiled around an altar to left. BMC 320. Cohen 1353. RIC 139. A remarkably fine piece, toned and sharp. Good extremely fine. 1000


185

185.

-. Sestertius (Orichalcum, 21.79 g 6), Rome, 119. IMP CAESAR TRAIANVS HADRIANVS AVG Laureate bust of Hadrian to right, drapery on far shoulder. Rev. PONT MAX TR POT COS III/SECVR AVG/ S C Securitas seated left. BMC 1163. Cohen 1397. RIC 569. Attractive green patina. A particularly nice example with a fine early portrait and excellent, original surfaces. Some minor scratches, otherwise, extremely fine. 3500


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186

186.

-. Aureus (Gold, 7.38 g 6), Rome, 152-153. ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P XVI Laureate head of Antoninus Pius to right. Rev. COS IIII Togate emperor standing to left, holding globe. BMC 796. Calicó 1521. C. 309. RIC 226. A coin with a fine portrait, nicely struck and centered. Good extremely fine. 15,000


Antoninus Pius presided over an Empire that was at the height of its powers. There were no wars of importance and no real problems, quite a difference from the more turbulent reigns that came before and after. In fact, he gave the Empire a needed period of calm and rest before the troubles that were to develop under Marcus Aurelius. If any period of Roman history can be considered a ‘golden age’, it must be the Antonine.

187

187.

Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Denarius (Silver, 3.04 g 7), Rome, 159/160. ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P XXIII Laureate head of Antoninus Pius to right. Rev. FORTVNA COS IIII Fortuna standing right, holding rudder and cornucopiae. BMC 979. Cohen 383. RIC 300a. With a fine portrait of the now very elderly Pius. Extremely fine. 400


188

188.

Diva Faustina Senior. Died AD 140/1. Aureus (Gold, 7.10 g), c. 150. DIVA FAVSTINA Draped bust of Diva Faustina to right, her hair adorned with pearls and piled up on top of her head. Rev. AVGVSTA Diademed and draped figure of Venus to left, raising her right hand and slightly lifting her skirt with her left. BMC - (but see p. 60, ‡). Calicó 1767. Cohen 127. RIC 367. A lovely coin with a portrait in high relief. Virtually as struck. 20,000


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189

189.

Marcus Aurelius. AD 161-180. Aureus (Gold, 7.19 g 12), 178-179. M AVREL ANTONINVS AVG Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Marcus Aurelius to right. Rev. TR P XXXII IMP VIIII COS III P P Annona standing left, holding ears of corn in her right hand over a modius at her feet to left, and cornucopiae with her left hand; behind her to right, ship’s prow. BMC 771. C 957 var. Calicó 2019. RIC 389. A superb piece, particularly attractive. Good extremely fine.

20,000

From the Anthemion collection, USA, and from the collection of I.

Snyderman, acquired from Jacob Hirsch in the early 1950s.

190

190.

Septimius Severus. AD 193-211. Denarius (Silver, 3.39 g 11), Laodicea ad Mare, 197. L SEPT SEV PERT AVG IMP VIIII Laureate head of Septimius Severus to right. Rev. P M TR P V COS II P P Fortuna standing left, holding rudder on glove and cornucopiae. BMC 464. Cohen 442. RIC 493. A bright attractive coin with a fine Eastern portrait. Extremely fine. 300


191

191.

Julia Domna. Augusta, AD 193-217. Denarius (Silver, 3.13 g 6), Laodicea ad Mare, c. 196-202. IVLIA AVGVSTA Draped bust of Julia Domna to right, her hair waved with seven ridges. Rev. LAETITIA Laetitia standing left, holding wreath and rudder. BMC 604. Cohen 101. RIC 641. Bright and attractive. Extremely fine. 300


192

192.

Caracalla Caesar. 196-198. Denarius (Silver, 2.92 g 12), Laodicea ad Mare, 196-197. M AVR ANTON CAES PONTIF Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust of Caracalla to right. Rev. SECVRITAS PERPETVA Minerva standing left, holding spear and shield. BMC 459. Cohen 566. RIC 330. Bold and attractive with a fine portrait. Good extremely fine. 400


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193

193.

Geta. AD 209-211. Denarius (Silver, 3.11 g 6), Rome, 211. P SEPT GETA PIVS AVG BRIT Laureate and bearded head of Geta to right. Rev. FORT RED TR P III COS II P P Fortuna reclining on the ground to right, resting right arm on wheel and holding a cornucopiae. BMC 10. Cohen 62. RIC 77. An elegant and attractive coin. Extremely fine. 500


194

194.

Elagabalus. AD 218-222. Denarius (Silver, 3.50 g 12), Rome, 219. IMP CAES M AVR ANTONINVS AVG Laureate and draped bust of Elagabalus to right. Rev. P M TR P II COS II P P Roma seated left on throne, holding Victory and spear. BMC 88. Cohen 136. RIC 13. With a surprisingly elegant portrait. Good extremely fine. 300


195

195.

Maximinus I. AD 235-238. Denarius (Silver, 3.18 g 6), Rome, 236. IMP MAXIMINVS PIVS AVG Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Maximinus to right. Rev. P M TR P II COS P P Maximinus, in military dress, standing left between two standards, raising his right hand in salute and holding spear in his left. BMC 77. Cohen 55. RIC 3. Extremely fine. 300


196

196.

Gordian III. AD 238-244. Antoninianus (Silver, 4.87 g 1), Rome, 241-243. IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Gordian III to right. Rev. VIRTVTI AVGVSTI Hercules standing right, leaning on his club. Cohen 404. RIC 95. Beautifully centered and very well struck. Good extremely fine. 200


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197

197.

Philip I. AD 244-249. Antoninianus (Silver, 4.09 g 6), Rome, 247- 249. IMP PHILIPPVS AVG Radiate and draped bust of Philip I to right. Rev. FELI / CITAS / IMPP in three lines within laurel wreath. Cohen 39. RIC 60. Well struck and centered. Extremely fine. 300


198

198.

Philip II. AD 247-249. Antoninianus (Silver, 3.95 g 6), Antioch. IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Philip II to right. Rev. FIDES EXERCITAS Four military standards. Cohen 10. RIC 247. Bold and attractive. Extremely fine.

300


The reverse die for this coin was originally made for issues of Philip II’s father Philip I, but a great deal of sharing went on in the mint of Antioch. Thus, a number of dies were mixed in the striking process.

199

199.

Pacatian. Usurper, circa AD 248-249. Antoninianus (Silver, 4.39 g 1), Viminacium. IMP TI CL MAR PACATIANVS P F AV Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Pacatian to right, with short beard. Rev. PAX AETERNA Pax standing left, holding branch and transverse scepter. Cohen 6. RIC 5. Extremely rare. A remarkably well preserved and well struck example, one of the finest in existence. Extremely fine. 15,000


Pacatian was a usurper in the area of Moesia on the Danube and was based in Viminacium, where his coins were struck. The coinage of Pacatian was apparently quite extensive: for propaganda reasons he must have insisted that a great number of coins be minted very rapidly (most of his coins are notorious for their poor striking). In any event, when Pacatian’s soldiers realized that Philip I had sent one of his finest generals, Trajan Decius, with an army to put down the rebellion, they assassinated Pacatian and submitted to the Imperial forces. However, they then joined with Decius’ troops and insisted on proclaiming him emperor! A few months later he defeated and killed Philip near Verona and, thus, became the undisputed ruler of the Roman Empire, until being killed by the Goths two years later. After the destruction of Pacatian, the authorities must have made a great effort to recall and melt down every coin he produced: thus their great rarity today.

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200

200.

Hostilian. As Caesar, AD 250-251. Antoninianus (Silver, 3.68 g 6), Rome, 251. C VALENS HOSTIL MES QVINTVS N C Radiate and draped bust of Hostilian to right. Rev. MARS PROPVG Mars walking to right, helmeted and with spear and shield. Cohen 13. RIC 176 c. Well struck and with a very good portrait of the young prince. Extremely fine. 400


201

201.

Trebonianus Gallus. AD 251-253. Antoninianus (Silver, 3.98 g 7), Rome. IMP CAE C VIB TREB GALLVS AVG Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Gallus to right. Rev. FELICITAS PVBLICA Felicitas standing left, holding long caduceus and cornucopiae. Cohen 37. RIC 33. With a remarkably elegant portrait. Extremely fine. 400


202

202.

Aemilian. AD 253. Antoninianus (Silver, 3.99 g 12), Rome, c. April-August 253. IMP AEMILIANVS PIVS FEL AVG Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Aemilian to right. Rev. MARTI PROPVGT Mars standing to left, holding spear and shield. Cohen 25. RIC 6. Rare, a superb, glossy coin, very well struck, surely one of the finest Aemilians in existence. Virtually as struck. 750


Aemilian was apparently from Roman Africa and made his career in the army. He was a commander on the Danube frontier in 253 when the Goths made yet another of their raids: he managed to severely defeat them and, as a result, was proclaimed emperor by his troops. Marching on Rome, Aemilian defeated and killed the co-emperors Trebonianus Gallus and Volusian and, as a result, entered Rome unopposed. He then produced a good deal of coinage to celebrate his accession, but soon had to face the onset of yet another general, Valerian, who was advancing on Rome from the North. As a result, Aemilian’s trooped mutinied near or at Spoleto (Spoletium), killed him and went over to Valerian.

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203

203.

Carinus. AD 283-285. Aureus (Gold, 4.83 g 12), Siscia. IMP C M AVR CARINVS P F AVG Laureate and cuirassed bust of Carinus to r ight , wi th s l igh t drapery on his far shoulder. Rev. ABVNDANTIA AVGG Abundantia standing left, pouring out fruits to left from cornucopiae held in both her hands. Cohen 1 var. Calicó 4341 var. RIC 308 var. (all with a differing obverse legend). Very rare. Lustrous and beautifully toned. Extremely fine. 25,000

Ex LHS 102, 29 April 2008, 458.

204

204.

Diocletian. AD 284-305. Aureus (Gold, 5.37 g 12), Nikomedia, 294. DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG Laureate head of Diocletian to right Rev. IOVI CONSERVATORI / SMN Jupiter standing to left, holding thunderbolt in his right hand and long scepter with his left. Biaggi 1716. Cohen 251. Calicó 4494. Depeyrot 2/4. Lukanc 2. RIC 5a. Rare. A clear and pleasant example. About extremely fine. 6000


During the last decade of the 3rd century and on into the 4th, some mints seem to have embraced a special, compact style for the aurei they struck. They are small and relatively thick, like this one, and are actually rather more elegant than the broad flan issues that both preceded and succeeded them.

205

205.

-. Argenteus (Silver, 3.35 g 12), Nicomedia, c. 295-296. DIOCLETIANVS AVG Laureate head of Diocletian to right. Rev. VICTORIAE SARMATICAE / SMNΓ Camp gate with four turrets, open doors with two leaves and star above arch of the door. RIC 25a. Very rare. A superb piece. Virtually as struck. 1750

From the Tetrarchy Collection, New York, ex Bank Leu 71, 24 October 1997, 524 and Antiqua III, 1996, 259.

The Tetrarchy Collection was formed beginning in the 1990s by an individual who was fascinated by the burst of pure silver coinage that came out in the twenty year period from c. 294-313. He was lucky enough to be able to choose the best pieces from the many beautiful coins that were on the market at the time, and was able to amass a particularly fine group.

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206

206.

-. Argenteus (Silver, 2.26 g 12), Ticinum, c. 295. DIOCLETIANVS AVG Laureate head of Diocletian to right. Rev. VIRTVS MILITVM / T Camp gate with three turrets and open door. Jelocnik -. RIC -. Extremely rare, if not unknown. A few minor areas of weakness, otherwise, extremely fine. 1250

From the Tetrarchy Collection, New York.

This type is completely unknown for Diocletian at Ticinum and may well be a pattern of some sort; the fact that it is very light weight for an argenteus emphasizes its special and unusual character.

207

207.

-. Argenteus (Silver, 3.25 g 12), Aquileia, c. 300. DIOCLETIANVS AVG Laureate head of Diocletian to right. Rev. XCVI / A Q all within wreath. RIC 16a. RSC 548b. Extremely rare and exceptionally nice. Good extremely fine. 2500


208

208.

- . Argenteus (Si lver , 3.33 g 12), Thessalonica, c. 302. DIOCLETIANVS AVG Laureate head of Diocletian to right. Rev. VIRTVS MILITVM / .T.S.Γ. Camp gate with three turrets and open door. RIC 15a. Very rare and unusually nice. Good extremely fine.

1650


209

209.

-. Argenteus (Silver, 3.73 g 12), Serdica, 303/4-305. DIOCLE TIANVS AVG Laureate head of Diocletian to right. Rev. VIRTVS MILITVM /SM.SDB. Camp gate with three turrets and open door. Gautier 4. RIC 1a. Very rare. Lustrous and attractive. Good extremely fine. 1500


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210

210.

Maximianus. First reign, AD 286-305. Argenteus (Silver, 2.77 g 6), Siscia, c. 294. MAXIMIANVS AVG Laureate head of Maximianus to right. Rev. VIRTVS MILITVM Four Tetrarchs sacrificing over a tripod altar before the gate of a camp with eight towers. RIC 32 b. Beautifully toned and in superb condition. Tiny scratch on the reverse, otherwise, good extremely fine. 1200

From the Tetrarchy Collection, New York, ex Leu 86, 5 May 2003, 970 and

from the Guermantes Collection.

211

211.

-. Argenteus (Silver, 2.72 g 12), Siscia, c. 294-295. MAXIMIANVS AVG Laureate head of Maximianus to right. Rev. VIRTVS MILITVM Four Tetrarchs sacrificing over a tripod altar before the gate of a camp with eight towers. RIC 43b. Lustrous and bright. Virtually as struck. 1500

From the Tetrarchy Collection, New York, and ex Tkalec, 23 October

1998, 312.

212

212.

-. Argenteus (Silver, 3.29 g 6), Siscia, c. 295. MAXIMIANVS AVG Laureate head of Maximianus to right. Rev. PROVIDENTIA AVGG / *SIS Four Tetrarchs sacrificing over a tripod altar before the gate of a camp with seven towers. Apparently unpublished for Maximianus, but cf. RIC 54 (Constantius and Galerius Caesares). Extremely rare. Lustrous, bright and well-struck. Virtually as struck.

1500 From the Tetrarchy Collection, New York.

213

213.

-. Argenteus (Silver, 3.32 g 12), Nicomedia, c. 295-296. MAXIMIANVS AVG Laureate head of Maximianus to right. Rev. VICTORIAE SARMATICAE / SMNΓ Camp gate with with doors thrown back and four turrets. RIC 25b. Rare. Well struck and centered. Some remaining deposits of horn silver on the reverse, otherwise, virtually as struck. 1400

From the Tetrarchy Collection, New York, and ex Gemini I, 11 January

2005, 457.

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214

214.

-. Argenteus (Silver, 3.26 g 6), Carthage, c. 296-298. MAXI MIANVS AVG Laureate head of Maximianus to right. Rev. F ADVENT AVGG NN / S Africa standing facing with head to left. RIC 13b. Rare. Some dark spots but otherwise lustrous and good extremely fine. 1600


215

215.

-. Argenteus (Silver, 3.32 g 6), Aquileia, c. 300. MAXIMIANVS AVG Laureate head of Maximianus to right. Rev. XCVI / AQ within wreath. RIC 16b. A superb piece, lustrous and in high relief. Good extremely fine. 2000


216

216.

-. Argenteus (Silver, 5.32 g 6), Siscia, c. 300. MAXIMIANVS AVG Laureate head of Maximianus to right. Rev. VICTORIA AVGG / *SIS Camp gate with with open door and three turrets. Cf. RIC 63b but of unusually heavy weight. Extremely rare. With a few minor deposits, otherwise very sharp, attractive and good extremely fine.

2250


Unusually heavy argentei are known, but they are very rare and a number of explanations have been proposed for them. They could be special presentation issues, made for discrete payments, but since you could only tell them apart from the normal issues by weighing them they would not be very convenient. In some ways it would seem more likely that they were just errors that escaped into circulation; but very impressive they are just the same.

217

217.

-. Argenteus (Silver, 3.54 g 6), Siscia, c. 300. MAXIMIANVS AVG Laureate head of Maximianus to right. Rev. VICTORIA AVGG / *SIS Camp gate with with open door and three turrets. RIC 63b. Very rare. Good extremely fine. 1400


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218

218.

Maximianus. First reign, AD 286-305. Argenteus (3.25 g 6), Thessalonica, c. 302. MAXIMIANVS AVG Laureate head of Maximianus to right. Rev. VIRTVS MILITVM / TS.A. Camp gate with with doors thrown back, star above arch and four turrets. RIC 11b var. (not recorded with this officina). Extremely rare. Bright and well struck. Tiny flan crack, otherwise, virtually as struck. 1400


219

219.

-. Argenteus (Silver, 3.47 g 12), Serdica, c. 303/4-305. MAXIMIANVS AVG Laureate head of Maximianus to right. Rev. VIRTVS MILITVM /.SM.SDE. Camp gate with open door and three turrets. Gautier 12. RIC 1b. Very rare. Beautifully struck. Virtually as struck. 1800


220

220.

-. Argenteus (Silver, 3.33 g 12), Serdica, c. 303/4-305. MAXIMIANVS AVG Laureate head of Maximianus to right. Rev. VIRTVS MILITVM /.SM.SDA. Camp gate with open door and three turrets. Gautier -. RIC 1b var. (not known with this officina). Very rare. Lustrous and very attractive. Virtually as struck. 1500


The neat head on this coin makes it clear that we are dealing with Maximianus Herculeus, not Galerius, even though the legends are the same. The coins of Galerius bear a portrait that is quite different (see, below, lots 225-226).

221

221.

Maximianus. As Senior Augustus (2nd reign), AD 308-310. Argenteus (S i lver , 3 .73 g 5) , Rome, c . 307-310. IMP MAXIMIANVS P F AVG Laureate head of Maximianus to right. Rev. VIRTVS MILITVM / R S Camp gate with three turrets and open door. RIC 192. Beautifully toned and with a superb portrait. Virtually as struck. 2200

From the Tetrarchy Collection, New York, and from the Guermantes collection, Leu 86, 5 May 2003, 976.

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222

222.

Galerius. As Caesar, AD 293-305. Argenteus (Silver, 3.05 g 12), Siscia, c. 295. MAXIMIANVS NOB C Laureate head of Galerius to right. Rev. VIRTVS MILITVM / *SIS Four Tetrarchs sacrificing over a tripod altar before the gate of a camp with six towers. RIC 61. Very rare. Lustrous and attractive. Good extremely fine. 1250


223

223.

-. Argenteus (Silver, 3.31 g 5), Rome, c. 298-299. MAXIMIANVS CAES Laureate head of Galerius to right. Rev. VIRTVS MILITVM / R - F / Δ Camp gate with open door and three turrets. RIC 44b. Very rare. Good extremely fine. 1500


224

224.

-. Argenteus (Silver, 3.05 g 12), Aquileia, c. 300. MAXIMIANVS CAESAR Laureate head of Galerius to right. Rev. XCVI /AQ within wreath. RIC 17b. Rare and attractive. Minor scrape on the obverse, otherwise, extremely fine. 1250

From the Tetrarchy Collection, New York, and ex Freeman & Sear MBS

12, 28 October 2005, 619.

225

225.

- . Argenteus (Si lver , 3.36 g 11), Thessalonica, c. 302. MAXIMIANVS NOB C Laureate head of Galerius to right. Rev. CONCORDIA MILITVM / TS.Γ. Camp gate with doors thrown open, star above arch and four turrets. RIC 8. Extremely rare. Lustrous and well struck. Virtually as struck. 2000


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226

226.

Galerius. AD 305-311. Argenteus (Silver, 3.22 g 12), Serdica, c. 305-306. MAXIMIANVS AVG Laureate head of Galerius to right. Rev. VIRTVS MILITVM /.SM.SDA. Camp gate with open door and three turrets. Gautier -. RIC 11b var. (this officina unknown). Very rare. Lustrous and well struck. Good extremely fine. 1600


227

227.

-. Argenteus (Silver, 3.20 g 1), Serdica, c. 305-306. MAXIMIANVS AVG Laureate head of Galerius to right. Rev. VIRTVS MILITVM /.SM.SDE. Camp gate with open door and three turrets. Gautier -. RIC 11b. Very rare. Lustrous and with a large portrait head. Virtually as struck. 1600


228

228.

-. Argenteus (Silver, 3.46 g 12), Trier, c. 306-307. MAXIMIANVS P F AVG Laureate head of Galerius to right. Rev. VIRTVS MILITVM / PTR Camp gate with doors thrown open, two stars and four turrets. RIC 635. Very rare. A beautifully toned, superb piece. Virtually as struck. 2000

From the Tetrarchy Collection, New York, and from the Guermantes

collection, Leu 86, 5 May 2003, 978.

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229

229.

-. Argenteus (Silver, 3.41 g 11), Alexandria, c. 305-307. MAXIMIANVS AVG Laureate head of Galerius to right. Rev. CONCORDIA AVGG / ALE Alexandria, or Tyche, wearing mural crown and long robes, standing left, holding the head of Serapis in her outstretched right hand and long scepter in her left; to right, Δ. Unrecorded, but for NAC 51, 2009, 416 (same dies). Extremely rare. A remarkable coin of great interest, beautifully struck and very sharp. Good extremely fine. 7000


While it seems clear that the Romans produced a great number of silver coins following the reforms in the 290s, the vast majority of those minted were undoubtedly recalled and melted down to make equally vast numbers of silver pieces for Constantine I and his family. Most of the argentei that were made bore the standard reverse types, such as gates or legionary camps; however, a few mints produced coins bearing reverses that were specific to only the city that issued them. This piece, for example, almost certainly shows the city of Alexandria, wearing a mural crown and, a key factor in her identification, holding a head of Serapis in her right hand. Exactly when this coin was struck remains unclear: gold issues of Maximinus Daza struck a little later (as RIC 94A and 96) both show Sol holding a head of Serapis, which might mean that this coin of Galerius should be placed there too. However, the extremely rare companion piece to this coin, lot 243 below, is of Maximinus Caesar, and this argues for a slightly earlier date, as given here. In any case, after the mid 290s, Alexandrian silver becomes extremely rare.

230

230.

Constantius I. As Caesar, AD 293-305. Argenteus (Silver, 2.76 g 12), Siscia, c. 294/295. CONSTANTIVS CAESAR Laureate head of Constantius to right. Rev. VICTORIA SARMAT Four Tetrarchs sacrificing over a tripod altar before the gate of a camp with eight towers. RIC 35a. Very rare. Lustrous and perfectly struck. Virtually as struck. 1500


231

231.

-. Argenteus (Silver, 2.72 g 1), Siscia, c. 294-295. CONSTANTIVS CAESAR Laureate head of Constantius to right. Rev. VIRTVS MILITVM Four Tetrarchs sacrificing over a tripod altar before the gate of a camp with eight towers. RIC 47a. A lovely toned example. Tiny flan crack, otherwise, virtually as struck. 1200


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232

232.

Constantius I. As Caesar, AD 293-305. Argenteus (Silver, 3.32 g 6), Siscia, c. 295. CONSTANTIVS CAESAR Laureate head of Constantius to right. Rev. VIRTVS MILITVM / SIS Four Tetrarchs sacrificing over a tripod altar before the gate of a camp with six towers. Cf. RIC 53 (but unpublished for Constantius Caesar). Very rare. Perfectly struck. Good extremely fine. 1500


233

233.

-. Argenteus (Silver, 3.03 g 12), Siscia, c. 295. CONSTANTIVS NOB C Laureate head of Constantius to right. Rev. VIRTVS MILITVM / *SIS Four Tetrarchs sacrificing over a tripod altar before the gate of a camp with six towers. Cf. RIC 61 (but not known for Constantius Caesar). Very rare. Lustrous and well centered. Slightly softly struck, otherwise, extremely fine. 1400


234

234.

-. Argenteus (Silver, 3.36 g 12), Nicomedia, c. 295. CONSTANTIVS CAESAR Laureate head of Constantius to right. Rev. PROVI DENTIAE AVGG / SMNΓ Camp gate with with doors thrown back and four turrets. RIC 21. Very rare. Nicely centered and struck. Good extremely fine. 1600


235

235.

-. Argenteus (Silver, 3.38 g 12), Alexandria, c. 295-296. CONSTANTIVS CAES Laureate head of Constantius to right. Rev. VIRTVS MILITVM / ALE Camp gate with with open door and three turrets; to right, B. RIC 12 var. (officina letter to left). Extremely rare. Good extremely fine. 1500


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236

236.

- . Argenteus (Si lver , 3.26 g 12), Aquileia, c. 295-300. CONSTANTIVS CAESAR Laureate head of Constantius to right. Rev. VIRTVS MILITVM / AQΓ Camp gate with with open door and three turrets. Apparently unknown and unpublished. Of great rarity. Some minor deposits and a few scrapes on the obverse, otherwise, good extremely fine. 1400


This is not merely an issue that is known for some of the Tetrarchs but not others, this is a completely unknown issue for Aquileia!

237

237.

- . Argenteus (Si lver, 3.02 g 12), Carthage, c. 296-298. CONSTANTIVS CAES Laureate head of Constantius to right. Rev. FEL ADVENT AVGG NN / T Africa standing facing, with lion and bull at her feet. RIC 12a. Very rare. Lustrous and well centered. Reverse lightly struck, otherwise, good extremely fine. 1600


238

238.

-. Argenteus (Silver, 3.65 g 6), Aquileia, c. 300. CONSTANTIVS CAESAR Laureate head of Constantius to right. Rev. XCVI /AQ within wreath. RIC 17a. Very rare. Lustrous and attractive. Tiny bangs on the obverse and reverse, otherwise, good extremely fine.

1400 From the Tetrarchy Collection, New York.

239

239.

-. Argenteus (Silver, 3.27 g 6), Siscia, c. 303. CONSTANTIVS NOB C Laureate head of Constantius to right. Rev. VICTORIA AVGG / SIS Camp gate with with open door and four turrets. RIC - (but cf. 73 with a camp gate that has doors). Exremely rare. Fresh and sharp. Good extremely fine. 1750


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240

240.

Constantius I. AD 305-306. Argenteus (Silver, 3.25 g 6), Siscia, c. 305-306. CONSTANTIVS AVG Laureate head of Constantius to right. Rev. VICTORIA AVGG / SIS Camp gate with open door and four turrets. RIC -, but see the note on p. 473 for the Madrid specimen of this type, then unique. Extremely rare. A lustrous coin with some minor marks. Good extremely fine. 1600


241

241.

-. Argenteus (Silver, 3.25 g 12), Serdica, c. 305-306. CONSTAN TIVS AVG Laureate head of Constantius to right. Rev. VIRTVS MILITVM / SM.SDΔ. Camp gate with open door and three turrets. Gautier 25. RIC 11a. Very rare. A lustrous, superb example. Virtually as struck. 1800


242

242.

Severus II. As Caesar, AD 305-306. Argenteus (Silver, 2.91 g 12), Serdica, c. 305-306. SEVERVS NOB C Laureate head of Severus II to right. Rev. VIRTVS MILITVM / .SM.SDB. Camp gate with open door and three turrets. Gautier 24 var. (different officina). RIC - (but cf. 11). Tkalec 17 May 2010 456 (same dies but damaged). Extremely rare. Beautifully preserved. Virtually as struck. 17,500


The silver coinage of Severus II, both as caesar and emperor, has always been rare, but his issues from Serdica were unknown until a few turned up nearly ten years ago. This is surely the finest existing example.

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243

243.

Maximinus II. As Caesar, AD 305-309. Argenteus (Silver, 3.16 g 12), Alexandria, c. 305-307. MAXIMINVS NOB CAES Laureate head of Maximinus to right. Rev. CONCORDIA AVGG / B /ALE Turreted figure of Alexandria standing left, holding long sceptre in her left hand and head of Serapis in her right. RIC -. See NAC 52, 2009, 597 (same dies). Of great rarity, only the third example known. Good extremely fine. 7500

From the Tetrarchy Collection, New York, ex Freeman & Sear FPL 13 (Winter 2008), 72.

Until the appearance of this coin in 2008, there was no silver of Maximinus II Caesar known from Alexandria; in fact, there was no silver for any of the rulers struck there after the mid 290s. Why Alexandria produced no silver is unknown but, quite possibly, the fact that Egypt was always rather lacking in silver resources might be the answer. Yet why was this coin made? Could it be a souvenir of the visit of a high ranking official, perhaps one of emperors himself?

244

244.

-. Argenteus (Silver, 3.33 g 11), Serdica, c. 306-307. MAXIMINVS NOB C Laureate head of Maximinus II to right. Rev. VIRTVS MILITVM /.SM.SDΓ. Camp gate with open door and three turrets. Gautier 27. RIC 22. Very rare. Lustrous, sharp and attractive. Virtually as struck. 1600


245

245.

Constantine I. As Caesar, AD 306-309. Argenteus (Silver, 3.61 g 12), Trier, c. 306-307. CONSTANTINVS NOB C Laureate head of Constantine Caesar to right. Rev. VIRTVS MILITVM / PTR Camp gate with open door and four turrets. RIC 638. Very rare. Beautifully toned and superb. Virtually as struck. 3000

From the Tetrarchy Collection, New York, and from the Guermantes collection, Leu 86, 5 May 2003, 982.

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246

246.

Constantine I. AD 307/310-337. Follis (Bronze, 2.77 g 6), Siscia, 319. IMP CONSTANT - INVS AVG Bust of Constantine to left, wearing a close-fitting helmet adorned with a crest and two stars, holding a spear in his right hand over his right shoulder and with a shield over his left. Rev. VICT LAETAE PRINC PERP /.ΓSIS. Two Victories standing facing each other, holding, between them, a shield inscribed VOT/PR on an altar. RIC VII, p. 434, 82 var. (this officina not recorded). Extremely rare, with a remarkable obverse bust and a fine olive green patina. Extremely fine. 400


247

247.

Licinius I. AD 308-324. Follis (Billon, 4.52 g 12), Heraclea, 313- 314. IMP C VAL LICIN LICINIVS P F AVG Laureate head of Licinius I to right. Rev. IOVI CONSERVATORI / SMHT Jupiter, nude but for cloak over his shoulder, standing left, holding Victory on globe in his right hand and long scepter in his left; to left, eagle standing left, holding wreath in his beak and looking back at Jupiter; to right, Δ. RIC 6. A splendid, fresh, unusually nice example, with considerable surface silvering. Virtually as struck. 250


248

248.

Theodosius II. AD 402-450. Solidus (Gold, 4.48 g 6), Constan- tinople, 408-420. DN THEODO-SIVS P F AVG Helmeted and cuirassed bust of Theodosius facing, wearing pearl diadem and holding spear in his right hand and with a shield bearing a cavalryman riding over a fallen foe over his left shoulder. Rev. CONCORDI-A AVGGH / CONOB Constantinopolis seated facing on throne, head to right, holding long staff in her right hand and Victory on globe in her left; in field to left, star. Depeyrot 7372. RIC 202. An unusually nice example, lustrous and well-struck. Good extremely fine. 2000


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Late Roman and Byzantine Coins


249

249.

Justa Grata Honoria. Augusta, circa AD 426-450. Tremissis (Gold, 1.48 g 6), Rome or Ravenna, c. 430-437. D N IVST GRAT HONORIA P F AVG Diademed and draped bust of Honoria to right, wearing pearl necklace and with a cross on her shoulder. Rev. COMOB Cross within wreath. Depeyrot 47/10. DOC LRC 868. RIC X, 2068. Very rare. Lightly struck but clear and attractive. About extremely fine. 4500


Honoria was the older sister of Valentinian III and seems to have attempted to play the important role that other female members of the House of Theodosius managed to obtain for themselves. She must have rightly viewed her brother as a relatively worthless person (true) but her attempt to advance her position by secretly marrying the imperial chamberlain Eugenius only resulted in his execution and her exile. She then sent a letter to Attila the Hun offering herself to him, but this idea failed as well when Attila withdrew his army from Italy in the face of Aëtius and the remonstrations of Pope Leo I. She was then married off to an elderly senator named Herculanus and disappears from history.

250

250.

Leo I. AD 457-474. Solidus (Gold, 4.49 g 6), Constantinople, c. 460-468. D N LEO PERPET AVG Helmeted, diademed and cuirassed bust of Leo facing , holding spear with his right hand over his right shoulder and with a shield embellished with horseman attacking a fallen foe. Rev. VICTORIA AVGGG B / CONOB Victory standing left, holding long jeweled cross. RIC X, 605. Good extremely fine. 1200


251

251.

Justinian I. 527-565. Solidus (Gold, 4.40 g 6), Thessalonica, 538- 545. DM IVSTINIANVS P P AVG Diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust of Justinian facing, holding cross on globe in his upraised right hand and with a shield bearing a horseman over his left shoulder. Rev. VICTORIA AVCCC /CONOB Angel standing facing, holding long cross in his right hand and globe in his left. DOC 7 (Constantinople). MIB 22. Rare. Good extremely fine. 750


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252

252.

Artavasdus. 742-743. (Gold, 4.41 g 6). dARTAUASDOS MULT Bust of Artavasdus facing, with slight beard, wearing chlamys and a crown with cross on circlet, and holding a patriarchal cross in his right hand. Rev. dNIChFORUS MULTU A Bust of Nicephorus facing, beardless, wearing chlamys and a crown with cross on circlet, and holding patriarchal cross in his right hand. DOC 2a. SB 1542. Extremely rare. A beautifully struck and splendid example. Good extremely fine. 100,000


Artavasdus was the son-in-law and colleague of Leo III and had provided considerable help when Leo revolted and became emperor in 717. After Leo’s death in 741, and the accession to the throne of his young son Constantine V, Artavasdus decided to take the throne for himself and revolted in 742; he was, however, defeated in a number of battles, captured and, with his two sons, imprisoned and blinded. After his defeat all his coinage would have been recalled and melted down; thus their great rarity today.

253

253.

Irene. 797-802. Solidus (Gold, 4.43 g 6). ’IRInH bASILISSH Bust of Irene facing, wearing loros and crown with cross, pinnacles and pendilia, holding a globus cruciger in her right hand and a cross tipped scepter in her left. Rev. ’IRInH bASILISSHΘ Bust of Irene facing, wearing loros and crown with cross, pinnacles and pendilia, holding a globus cruciger in her right hand and a cross tipped scepter in her left. DOC 1a. SB 1599. Very rare. A superb, perfectly struck example, perfectly centered. Good extremely fine. 25,000


Irene was the most powerful and active of all the Byzantine empresses, ruling very effectively for 22 years until she was deposed. She came from a noble Athenian family and in 769 was married to Leo IV, the son of Constantine V and his co-ruler. In 771 she had her only son, Constantine VI; upon his father’s early death in 780 he succeeded to the throne, but under Irene’s regency. Their relations went down hill quite soon, probably due to a combination of her intelligence and his evil disposition. In the end, after they began a joint reign in 790, his actions led to a coup by Irene in 797, which resulted in him being blinded so violently that he died a few days later. For the next five years Irene ruled alone, thus allowing Pope Leo III to claim the throne was vacant so that he could proclaim Charlemagne emperor. In 802 Irene was finally deposed in favor of her minister of finance and exiled to Lesbos, where she died the following year.

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254

254.

Michael I Rhangabe, with Theophylactus. 811-813. Solidus (Gold, 4.40 g 6). MIXAHL bASILE’ Bearded bust of Michael I facing, wearing chlamys and crown with cross, and holding a cross potent in his right hand and an akakia in his left; to left, pellet. Rev. ΘEOFVLACTOS DESP'E Beardless bust of Theophylactus facing, wearing loros and crown with cross, and holding a globus cruciger in his right hand and a cross tipped scepter in his left. DOC 1b. SB 1615. Very rare. Very well struck and centered, an exceptional piece. Virtually as struck. 37,500


When Nicephorus I was killed in battle by the Bulgarians he was succeeded by his very badly wounded son Stauracius. He, in turn, was deposed and tonsured in a coup by Michael I, his brother-in-law, and died from his wounds three months later. Michael’s reign was not a long one: after also being severely defeated in battle by the Bulgarians he was forced to abdicate and ended up dying as an elderly monk in 840 (Theophylactus was also made a monk and died five years after his father). Their coinage is very rare, almost certainly due in part to the withdrawal of all their issues by their successor.

255

255.

Constantine IX Monomachus. 1042-1055. Histamenon nomisma (Gold, 4.42 g 6), Constantinople. +IhS XIS REX REGNANTIhM Christ seated facing on wide, lyre-backed throne. Rev. [C&nSTA] nTh bASILEUS Rm Bust of Constantine IX facing, wearing loros and crown with pendilia, holding labarum in his right hand and globus surmounted by a cross in his left. DOC 2a. Sear 1829. Well preserved and sharp. Good extremely fine. 1000


256

256.

Alexius I Comnenus. 1081-1118. Electrum/Silver Trachy Nomisma (Silver, 4.35 g 6), Thessalonica, 1082-1087. +KE RΘ - ALEZ / IC XC Nimbate bust of Christ facing, holding book of Gospels. Rev. ΔΗ/Μ/Τ/Ρ - Δ/ΕC/Π/I/T On the left, St. Demetrius, nimbate and in military dress and, on the right, crowned figure of the Emperor wearing loros, standing facing and holding a patriarchal cross between them. DOC 5a. SB 1905. Sharply struck and attractive. Good extremely fine. 1000


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Medieval and Modern Coins

MEROVINGIANS

257

257.

Teodericia. Circa 585-675. Tremissis (Gold, 1.15 g 3), Trizay-sur-le- Lay. + TEODERICIA Diademed and armored bust to right. Rev. + TEODIRICO MO Simple cross with triangle in each quarter. Belfort 4302 var. Depeyrot Or III, 1 var. Prou 2358 var. Extremely rare. Unusually legible and well struck. Very minor marks on the reverse, otherwise, about extremely fine. 15,000

From a Swiss private collection, ex Numismatica Genevensis V, 2 December 2008, 500.

Today Trizay-sur-le-Lay is known for its Cistercian Abbey, founded in the 12th century and now refounded as a modern religious community.

258

258.

Uncertain mint. Circa mid 7th century. Tremissis (Gold, 1.27 g 6), Brucumateo. BRVCVMATEO Bearded figure standing right, raising arm. Rev. Cross, with pellet at the end of each arm, atop a pedestal or fenced enclosure; above, lozenge in each quarter; below, R to left and inverted Δ to right. Apparently unpublished and unknown. A fascinating piece, apparently unique. 15,000


In some ways the Merovingian monetary system is very hard to understand. For over a century large amounts of gold tremisses were produced by an enormous number of mints, all presumably coined with gold that had come in with taxes and then was transferred in an identifiable way. The die cutters ranged from artisans to blacksmiths, and often had highly idiosyncratic ideas about legibility. The maddening thing about these coins is that one can often read a part of the inscription, but it is usually the part that does not help us to know what it says! Even worse, as with this piece, we can read everything perfectly, yet its identification remains elusive. As a famous epigrapher used say, “it’s easy to read if you know what it says”, unfortunately, as with so many Merovingian issues, we simply do not.

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259

259.

Poitiers, St. Hilaire (?). Late 7th century. Denier (Silver, 1.23 g 9), Mar..rus. MAR..RVS Diademed and armored bust to right, in Roman style. Rev. Stylized church formed by cross atop a triangular- shaped stand set on a cursive M. Cf. Depeyrot AG 51 (Poitiers) and 3-4 (Saint-Hilaire). Cf. Prou 2218. Extremely rare. Beautifully toned and unusually well-preserved. Good extremely fine. 10,000


This marvelous little coin is particularly annoying because even if we can read it, we can not be sure what it says! It seems to be northern, probably Neustrian, but its exact origin is at present uncertain. The obverse inscription is very tantalizing, it clearly begins with MAR, possibly continues with two letters under the bust (though they could both be part of the figure’s cuirass) and then ends with what seems to be the letters RVS (the S is on its side). As for the reverse, the type is very reminiscent of a prototype Carolingian church, but it could equally well be a cross atop a monogram of MA or AM. In any case, it is a particularly fine and attractive Merovingian silver coin.

FRANCE

260

260.

Louis XVI. 1774–1793. Double Louis d’or (Gold, 15.30 g 6), Engraved by P.S. B. Duvivier (1728-1819), Nantes. Seated greyhound, sign of the mintmaster M.-J- Francois, 1786, first semester. LUD.XVI.D.G.FR.ET NAV.REX Head of Louis XVI to left; on truncation, DUVIV; below, greyhound to left. Rev. CHRS.REGN.VINC.IMPER 1786 Crowned arms of France and Navarre; below, T. KM 592.14. A nearly perfect, lustrous coin. Virtually as struck. 5000


Why is this coin here? The fact is that it is so perfectly preserved that it is exceptional in every way. The cataloguer simply could not resist this piece, or the three others that follow.

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261

261.

Louis XVI. 1774–1793. Louis d’or (Gold, 7.60 g 6), Nantes. Seated greyhound, sign of the mintmaster M.-J- Francois, 1786, second semester. LUD.XVI.D.G.FR.ET NAV.REX Head of Louis XVI to left; below third letter in inscription, pellet; on truncation, DUVIV; below, greyhound to left. Rev. CHRS.REGN.VINC.IMPER 1786 Crowned arms of France and Navarre; below, T. KM 591.14. Bright and perfectly struck. Uncirculated. 3000


ITALY

262

262.

Kingdom of Sicily. Constance and Peter III of Aragon. 1282-1285. Pierreale (Gold, 4.36 g 12), Messina. +XPS.VINCIT.XPS. REGNAT.XPS.IMPAT around +COSTA.DEI.GRA.ARAG.SICIL. REG Eagle standing left, with spread wings and head to right. Rev. +SUMMA.POTENCIA.EST.IN DEO. around +.P.DEI.GRA. ARAG.SICIL.REX Shield bearing the arms of Aragon. MEC 756 var. Friedberg 654. Spahr 1 var. A superb piece, toned and particularly attractive. Good extremely fine. 10,000


Constance, daughter of King Manfred of Sicily, was born in 1249 and married the ten-years older Peter III of Aragon in 1262 when she was still a child. This effectively made Peter an heir of the Hohenstaufens and he was able to put this connection to good use when Sicily rose against Charles of Anjou in 1282. Thanks to the diplomacy of John of Procida, the long-time Hohenstaufen counselor, Peter was asked to accept the kingship of Sicily and did so, thus ushering in a series of wars that lasted until 1302. On this coin the types are those of the eagle of the Hohenstaufens (taken from the Augustale of Frederick II) and the arms of Aragon.

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263

263.

Knights of Malta, Malta. Grand Master Emmanuel de Rohan. 1775-1797 . Tar i (Copper , 26mm, 7 .54 g 3) , undated . F.EMMANUEL DE ROHAN.M Crowned quartered arms of Rohan and of the Order on the breast of a headless eagle. Rev. + CONCUTIATIS NEMINEM Head of John the Baptist on a salver from left to right. Azzopardi M.H. 918 (photograph, the text describes another coin). KM 333. Schembri 2. An astonishing piece, fresh and nearly proof-like. Center of the obverse softly struck, otherwise, uncirculated. 3000

From a Swiss private collection, ex Heritage 3005, 29 May 2009, 21934 (but with the head on the reverse described as being that of the Grand Master!!) .

The copper coinage of the Knights was really meant to be used. Of course, much of the silver was too, which is why so many surviving pieces are quite worn; however in comparison with the coppers the silver is really very nice. As a rule, the copper coins usually come down to us in fairly terrible condition: worn, corroded, and generally unpleasant. This piece is a great exception; while the coin itself is quite common, in this condition it is astounding, and we have to assume that it formed part of a special issue that was used as presentation pieces or souvenirs that were given out by the Grand Master on some special occasion.

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Numismatic Literature

264.

Paolo Pedrusi (1644-1720), Catalogue of the Farnese Collection of Roman Coins, ten volumes, but with all the engraved plates of coins removed and bound separately in two contemporary supplementary volumes. The first eight volumes were the work of Pedrusi; after his death the remaining two were finished by his continuator, Pietro Piovene. Twelve folio volumes in all.

I Cesari, etc. (Parma, 1694-1727). 227 + 3703 + 20 pp., 266 pls., portrait of Pedrusi, 10 frontispieces, 27 portraits and 27 architectural views, many figural and floral filling engravings. I Cesari in Oro, Racolti nel Farnese Museo, e pubblicati colle loro congrue Interpretazioni. Tomo Primo composto dal padre Paolo Pedrusi della Compagna di Gesù, e dedicato all ‘ Altezza Serenissima di Rannuccio Secondo, Duca di Parma, Piacenza, &. Parma, 1694. Folio (25.5 x 36 cm) frontispiece (portrait of Ranuccio II), pp xii + 432, 28 pls.; I Cesari in Argento da Giulio Cesare fino a Trajano…Tomo Secondo…Francesco Primo…Parma, 1701. Folio, frontispiece (portrait of Francesco I), pp. xx + 452, 34 pls.; ibid, da Adriano fino a Carcalla, e Geta…Tomo Terzo…Parma, 1703. Folio, pp x + 370, 24 pls.; ibid, da Macrino fino a Eraclio…Tomo Quarto…Parma, 1704 Folio, frontispiece (portrait of Francesco as volume II), pp. xii + 324, 19 pls.; I Cesari in Medaglioni…Tomo Quinto…Parma, 1709. Folio, frontispiece (as last), pp. xxiv + 369, 27 pls.; I Cesari in Metallo Grande, da Giulio Cesare fino a L. Elio…Tomo Sesto…Parma, 1714. Folio, frontispiece (as last), pp. xl + 403, 40 pls. (partially hand colored); ibid, da Antonino Pio fino a Gordiano III…Tomo Settimo…Parma, 1717. Folio, frontispiece (as last), pp. xxxxxvi + 432, 43 pls. (partially hand colored); ibid, Proseguendo da M. G. Filippo, fino a Postumo, con parte de’Cesari in metallo mezzano, e piccolo, incominciando da Alessandro Magno, fino a Tito…Tomo Ottavo…Parma, 1721. Folio, frontispiece (standing figure of Francesco I), portrait of the author, pp. xv + 355, 23 pls.; ibid, Tomo Nono, che contiene le medaglie di Domiziano, di Domizia, e de Giulia di Tito, opera de Pietro Piovene…Parma, 1724. Folio, frontispiece (medallion of Francesco I in landscape), pp. xx + 260 + (12), engraved vignettes of members of the Farnese family and of Farnese palaces in the text, 9 pls.; ibid, Tomo Decimo che contiene le medaglie di Nerva, di Trajano, di Plotina, e di Matidia…Parma, 1727. Folio, frontispiece (as last), pp. (18) + 306 + (8), many engraved vignettes of members of the Farnese family and of Farnese palaces in the text, 19 pls.

Fine condition, Volumes I-III, VII-VIII, modern vellum with labels; volumes IV-VI, IX-X, contemprary original vellum; plate volumes I-II, old, perhaps contemporary, full leather with gold stamps. 5000

Babelon, Traité I, 163, 5. Cicognara Library 2971. Lipsius p. 309. Olschki, Choix, 12977.


Very rare, especially complete, and with the portrait of Pedrusi in volume VIII. Very well preserved, often internally perfect, but with a few minor worm holes and lacking the frontispiece of volume III. The Farnese collection of Roman coins was and is one of the great Italian collections of ancient coins, most of it going back to Fulvio Orsini’s collection of the later 16th century. Ranuccio II Farnese, Duke of Parma and Piacenza (1646- 1694), was so proud of it that he decided to have the Roman coins published by the Jesuit scholar, P. Pedrusi. The first volume of the ten published appeared in 1694: the project was still incomplete in 1727 when the tenth volume was published, not only after the deaths of both Ranuccio II and Pedrusi, but of Ranuccio II’s successor, Francesco I; the duchy passed to his brother Antonio who, like his brother, died without issue. Parma then became a Bourbon possession and, had its collections transferred to Naples, where they remain to this day. Needless to say, these ten superb folio volumes of the late 17th and early 18th century are the only ‘modern’ publication of the Farnese collection of coins, which is quite a commentary on how coins are valued by Italian museums.

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