27 BC: the name Augustus, two laurel trees left and right of the door to his home to
indicate that he was always victorious, and the oak wreath “for saving the lives of his
fellow citizens.” This historically significant issue is struck on an extremely broad
flan. It has aN edge knock at 7h on the obverse as well as two small scratches between
the trees. Otherwise handsome and impressive. Good VF.................................... 7750
23.
TIBERIUS
; 14-37 AD, Lugdunum, Aureus, 7.84g. BM-40, Paris-17, C-15 (40
Fr.), RIC-27 (R2), Calicó-305a, Giard, Lyon-145. Obv: TI CAESAR DIVI - AVG F
AVGVSTVS Laureate head r. Rx: PONTIF - MAXIM Livia as Pax seated r. holding
reversed spear and branch, feet on footstool, chair legs ornamented, double line
below chair. These dies are not illustrated in Giard’s book on the earliest coinage
of Lugdunum. Excellent portrait of Tiberius. Beautifully centered with a significant
amount of luster. Near Mint State......................................................................... 9500
Nero and Poppaea
24.
NERO
; 54-68 AD, Rome, 64-5 AD, Aureus, 7.30g. BM-52, C-42 (60 Fr.), Paris-199,
RIC-44 (R2), Calicó-401. Obv: NERO CAESAR - AVGVSTVS Head laureate r. Rx:
AVGVSTVS - AVGVSTA Nero and Poppaea standing l. beside each other; Nero is
togate and radiate and holds patera and scepter; Poppaea is draped and veiled and
holds patera and double cornucopia. Ex Goldberg 75, 24 September 2013, lot 2579.
The figures on the reverse can hardly be Augustus and Livia, since neither is called
divine. They must be Nero and his consort, and the issue date of the coin requires that
the consort be Poppaea, who was made Augusta when she gave birth to a daughter in
63, and who died in 66. See Mattingly in BMC, p. clxxiii. The authors of the standard
catalogues do not seem to have noticed that Poppaea sometimes holds a double rather
than a single cornucopia in this type, as clearly on our coin. This is Nero’s most
entertaining issue, showing not only an excellent laureate portrait of Nero on the
obverse, but also his radiate, togate figure with his unfortunate wife Poppaea standing
next to him on the reverse. Choice EF................................................................ 12500
Third Recorded
25.
ANTONINUS PIUS AND MARCUS AURELIUS
; Rome, 140-4 AD, Aureus,
7.23g. Strack-112 (St. Petersburg only with this obv. type); Calicó-1724 (same dies);
obv. bust var. of BM-153, RIC-417d, and C-19 (60 Fr.). Obv: ANTONINVS AVG
- PIVS P P TR P COS III Bare-headed, draped, cuirassed bust r. of Antoninus. Rx:
AVRELIVS CAESAR AVG PII F COS Bare-headed, draped, cuirassed bust r. of
Marcus. Ex Stack’s, Bowers and Ponterio 173, NYC, 12 January 2013, lot 2048. Rare
with this bare-headed bust of Antoninus on the obverse: Strack knew only one such
aureus, in St. Petersburg, and Calicó publishes another, from the same die pair as
ours, from a private collection. Pleasant dynastic issue of Antoninus Pius and Marcus
Aurelius, with a rare bare-headed bust type of Antoninus. While worn, this coin has
no significant defects and some pleasant cabinet toning. VF................................ 6000
Third Recorded
26.
FAUSTINA I
; Rome, 138-140 AD, Aureus, 7.21g. Strack-402, pl. VI (Sofia only,
same dies as ours); C-157 (Turin, 60 Fr.); BMC-132 note, RIC-337, and Calicó-1779
all cite Cohen only. Obv: FAVSTINA - AVGVSTABust draped r. Rx: CONCOR - DIA
AVG Concordia standing r. holding scepter and cornucopia. A very rare reverse type
for Faustina I, this being perhaps only the third recorded specimen, after the one in
Sofia recorded and illustrated by Strack, which is from the same dies as ours, and
the one in Turin reported by Cohen, with the slight error that Concordia is said to be
standing front rather than with her head turned right. CoinArchives Pro contains our
specimen from the Stack’s Bowers sale, but none others. An unusual lifetime reverse
type of Faustina I, occurring only on rare aurei, not on denarii or bronze coins.
aVF / VF................................................................................................................ 4000
Possibly only Fourth Recorded
27.
GORDIAN III
; 238-244 AD, Rome, 243-4 AD, Aureus, 4.88g. RIC-164 corr., C-326
(Caylus, 80 Fr.), Calico-3232 (same dies). Obv: IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG
Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed r. Rx: SECVR - IT PERP Securitas standing l. with
legs crossed, leaning on column and holding scepter. A rare late aureus of Gordian
III, reported by Cohen only from the Paris collection before the great theft of 1831,
as published by Caylus. Only one specimen in CoinArchives Pro and one in Berk
photofile, both from the same reverse die as ours; another specimen illustrated by
Calicó is from the same dies as ours on both sides. Not in Glasgow or in the Montagu,
Mazzini, or Biaggi Collections. Pleasant well struck portrait of Gordian. Very Nearly
Mint State.............................................................................................................. 8500
28.
CONSTANTIUS II
; 337-361 AD, Antioch, 355-361 AD, Solidus, 4.35g. RIC-
172 (R2); C-126 (30 Fr.); Depeyrot-12/1, officina E=5, p. 277 (9 spec.), Obv: D N
CONSTAN - TIVS P F AVG Large head r. wearing pearl diadem. Rx: GLORIA - REI
- PVBLICAE Roma and Constantinopolis seated holding wreath encircling legend
VOT / XXXX between them, ANTE in exergue. Ex Heritage 3026, Long Beach, 25
September 2013, lot 23445. Very light old hairlines on neck of emperor. Large bold
handsome portrait. Pleasant VF............................................................................ 1800
29.
VALENS
; 364-378AD, Nicomedia, 364-7AD, Solidus, 4.38g. RIC-2d (R), mintmark
6; Depeyrot-18/3 (p. 268, 17 spec. with this mintmark), C-32 (25 Fr.). Obv: D N
VALENS - P F AVG Pearl-diademed, draped, cuirassed bust r., seen from front. Rx:
RESTITVTOR - REIPVBLICAE Emperor standing l., head r., holding labarum
marked XP and Victory on globe who extends wreath towards him, SMNM in
exergue. Mint State.............................................................................................. 3000
30.
ARCADIUS
; 383-408 AD, Sirmium, 395-7 AD, Solidus, 4.31g. RIC-1 (R3),
Depeyrot-32/1 (1 spec. from officina I=10). Obv: D N ARCADI - VS P F AVG Bust
diademed r. Rx: VICTORI -A AVGG I Emperor standing r. holding vexillum and
Victory on globe, placing foot on chest of bearded captive lying before him, mintmark
S - M across field, COMOB in exergue. Ex Goldberg 72, 5 February 2013, lot 4629
(Hunter Collection). Depeyrot records only one specimen of this solidus from officina
I: Kress Sale, 30 June 1964, lot 959. Mint State.................................................. 2750
31.
HONORIUS
; 393-423 AD, Milan, c. 395-402 AD, Solidus, 4.50g. RIC-1206c,
Depeyrot-16/2, p. 171 (577 spec.), DO-712, C-44 (20 Fr.). Obv: D N HONORI - VS
P F AVG Pearl-diademed, draped, cuirassed bust r., seen from front. Rx: VICTORI -
A AVGGG Emperor standing r., placing l. foot on legs of seated and bound bearded
captive, and holding labarum and Victory on globe, COMOB in exergue, M - D in
field. Ex Goldberg 72, 5 February 2013, lot 4630 (Hunter Collection).
Mint State.............................................................................................................. 2000
32.
HONORIUS
; 393-423 AD, Ravenna, 402-23 AD, Solidus, 4.46g. RIC-1287 (S),
Depeyrot-7/1 (p. 188, 763 spec.), C-44 (20 Fr.). Obv: D N HONORI - VS P F AVG
Pearl-diademed, draped, cuirassed bust r., seen from front. Rx: VICTORI - AAVGGG
Emperor standing r. placing l. foot on groin of bearded captive seated l. on ground
with hands tied behind back, and holding labarum and Victory on globe; COMOB in
exergue, R - V across field. Somewhat softly struck on reverse.
Virtually Mint State............................................................................................... 1500
33.
HONORIUS
; 393-423 AD, Constantinople, c. 403-8 AD, Solidus, 4.44g. RIC-201,
Depeyrot-73/1. Obv: D N HONORI - VS P F AVG Helmeted, pearl-diademed and
cuirassed bust facing three quarter r., holding spear and shield with horseman and
enemy motif. Rx: CONCORDI - A AVGG H Constantinopolis, helmeted, seated
facing, head r., on throne ornamented with lions’ heads, holding scepter and Victory
on globe, r. foot on prow; in field left, eight-rayed star; in exergue, CONOB. Mint
State....................................................................................................................... 1500
34.
THEODOSIUS II
; 402-450 AD, Constantinople, c. 441-450 AD, Solidus, 4.31g.
Depeyrot-84/1, RIC-293, Berk-9 var (star in l. field). Obv: D N THEODOSI-
VS.P.F.AVG Helmeted facing bust, pearl-diademed, draped, cuirassed, spear over r.
shoulder, on l. arm decorated shield with horseman riding down enemy. Rx: IMP.
XXXXII.COS.-XVII.P.P. Constantinoplis enthroned to l., holding cross on globe and
scepter; by the throne a shield, star in l. field; COMOB in exergue. Mint State. 1350
35.
EUDOCIA
; 421-441 AD. Constantinople, c. 423-42 AD, Tremissis, 1.47g. DO-463,
RIC-281, Depeyrot-72/2. Obv: AEL EVDO - CIA AVG Diademed and draped bust
bust r. Rx: Cross within wreath, CONOB* in exergue. Ex CNG 63, 21 May 2003, lot
1556. Absolutely beautiful portrait. Unusually well-struck for issue. Mint State.1750
36.
MARCIAN
; 450-457 AD. Constantinople, Solidus, 4.20g. RIC-510 (S), Berk-24,
MIRB-5b, Ratto-217. Obv: D N MARCIA - NVS P F AVG Helmeted bust facing,
diademed, cuirassed, spear in r. hand held over r. shoulder, on l. arm decorated shield,
horseman rides down enemy on shield; Rx: VICTORI - A AVGGG Z (officina 7)
Victory standing l. supporting long jeweled cross, in r. field, star; in exergue, CONOB.
Several small hairlines in obverse field. EF.......................................................... 1600
37.
LEO I
; 457-474 AD, Constantinople, c. 457-73 AD, Solidus, 4.36g. Berk-13, DO-
520. Obv: DNLEOPE RPETAVC Helmeted bust facing. Rx: VICTORI AAVGGG B
Victory standing l., holding long cross; in r. field, star; in exergue, CONOB. Officina
B=2. Mint State.................................................................................................... 1150
38.
LEO I
; 457-474 AD, Thessalonica, 457-468 AD, Solidus, 4.25g. DO-668, RIC-616
(R3). Obv: D N LEO PE - RPET AVG Facing bust wearing diademed helmet and
holding spear over shoulder and shield. Rx: VICTORI - AAVGGG Victory standing
l. holding long jeweled cross, star in r. field, THSOB in exergue, the SOB larger and
in higher relief than the TH, as though changing an earlier mintmark. Interesting
apparently recut mintmark. Ex CNG 55, 13 Septemeber 2000, lot 1491. Nose weakly
struck. aEF.............................................................................................................. 875
39.
ZENO (474-491 AD)
; 474-491 AD, Constantinople, Solidus, 4.44g. Berk-26, RIC-
910, officina S=6. Obv: D N ZENO PERP AVG Helmeted, pearl-diademed and
cuirassed bust three-quarters facing, holding spear over right shoulder and behind
head, and shield with horseman motif. Rx: VICTORIA AVGGG S, Victory standing
l., supporting long jewelled cross, star in r. field, CONOB in exergue. Extremely sharp
strike. Mint State................................................................................................... 1150
Visigoths
40.
THE VISIGOTHS IN SPAIN: PSEUDO-IMPERIAL SERIES, COPYING
JUSTINIAN I
; Solidus, 4.33g. MEC-191 var. Obv: D N IVSTI - NI - ANVS P
(several letters backwards or upside down) Helmeted bust of Justinian front holding
spear and shield. Rx: VICTORI - AAVGGG V Victory standing l. holding long cross
with forked base, CONOB in exergue, star in l. field. Cf. Grierson and Blackburn,
Medieval European Coinage I, p. 48: “These coins are rare, and indeed are too few to
allow any satisfactory classification or mint attributions”. Struck in high relief.
EF.......................................................................................................................... 5000
41.
JUSTINIAN I
; 527-565 AD. Constantinople, 527-537 AD, Solidus, 4.41g. Berk-
42, MIB-5, Sear-137. Obv: D N IVSTINI - ANVS PP AVG Helmeted, cuirassed
bust facing, holding spear over r. shoulder and shield ornamented with rider. Rx:
VICTORI - A AVGGG Δ (officina 4) Angel standing facing, holding long cross and
globus cruciger, star in r. field, CONOB in exergue. Some areas of weak striking on
emperor’s face. Mint State...................................................................................... 735
42.
JUSTIN II
; Constantinople, c. January 566 AD, Solidus, 4.51g. Berk-60, DO-4, Sear-
345. Obv: DN INVSTINVS PP AVI Helmeted and curiassed bust facing, holding
Victory on globe. Rx: VICTORIA AVGGG B Constantinopolis seated facing, head
righ, holding spear and globus cruciger; in exergue, CONOB. Mint State........... 500
43.
FOCAS, 602-610 AD
; Constantinople, c. 603-607 AD, Solidus, 4.25g. Berk-99,
Hahn-7, DO-5, Sear-618. Obv: D N FOCAS - PERP AVG, Frontal bearded bust
wearing crown with cross atop, draped and holding small cross; Rx: VICTORIA -
AVGG E, Angel standing front holding long staff surmounted with chi-rho in right
hand and globus cruciger in left. Hit at 8 o’clock on obverse. Mint State.............. 390
44.
CONSTANS II, 641-668 AD
; Constantinople, 662-667 AD, Solidus, 4.32g. MIB-34,
Sear-972, Berk-154. Obv: Facing busts of Constans II, wearing a plumed helmet, and
Constantine IV, crowned, small cross between them, Rx: Cross potent on three steps
flanked by Heraclius and Tiberius; officina A; CONOB in exergue. Very sharp obverse
portraits. Mint State................................................................................................. 600
45.
TIBERIUS III, 698-705 AD
; Constantinople, Solidus, 4.34g. Berk-193, Hahn-
1, Sear-1360. Obv: Bust facing, with short beard, wearing crown and cuirass, and
holding spear (diagonally, across body) and shield. Rx: Cross potent on three steps,
CONOB beneath; officina Θ. Mint State............................................................. 1200
46.
TIBERIUS III
; 698-705 AD. Constantinople, Solidus, 4.46g. Berk-193. Obv:
DTIbERIuS PE AV Bust facing, with short beard, wearing crown and cuirassed and
holding spear diagonally across his body and shield, Rx: VICTORIA AVζuS Cross
potent on three steps, CONOB beneath. Mint State............................................. 1500
47.
LEO III
; Constantinople, Solidus, 4.42g. Berk-220, DO-7, S-1504. Obv: Bust of Leo
III, facing, with short beard, wearing crown and chlamys, and holding globus cruciger
and akakia. Rx: Facing bust of Constantine V, beardless, wearing crown and chlamys,
and holding globus cruciger and akakia. EF........................................................ 2250
48.
CONSTANTINE VI AND IRENE
; Constantinople, Solidus, 4.44g. Berk-234,
DO-1, S-1593, Sear-1593. Obv: Facing busts of Constantine VI, beardless on left,
and Irene on right, both crowned and with cross between their heads; Constantine
wears chlamys and holds globus cruciger in right hand; his mother wears loros and
holds cruciform scepter in left hand; pellet in field between their faces. Rx: Leo III,
Constantine V, and Leo IV seated facing, each wearing crown and chlamys. Well
struck for issue with a few usual weaknesses. Mint State..................................... 5850
49.
CONSTANTINE VI AND IRENE
; 780-797 AD. Constantinople, c. 792-797 AD.
Solidus, 4.41g. Berk-235, DO-3, Sear-1594. Obv: Bust of Irene facing, wearing crown
and loros, and holding globus cruciger and cruciform scepter. Rx: Bust of Constantine
VI facing, beardless, wearing crown and chlamys, and holding globus cruciger and
akakia. On the reverse, to right of Constantine’s head at 2h, is part of an additional
border of dots produced by overstrike or engraver’s error. Some areas of flatness. Near
Mint State.............................................................................................................. 9250
Sole Reign Solidus
50.
IRENE, SOLE REIGN
; 797-802 AD. Constantinople. Solidus, 4.35g. Berk-236,
DO-2, Sear-1599. Obv: Bust of Irene facing, wearing crown and loros and holding
globus cruciger and cruciform scepter. Rx: Bust of Irene as on obverse. Legends on
left side flatly struck. EF....................................................................................... 9500
51.
THEOPHILUS
; Syracuse, 831-842 AD, Solidus, 3.88g. Berk-251, DO-24, Sear-
1670. Obv: ΘE - OFILOC Crowned bust facing holding cross potent. Rx: As obv., but
emperor holds globus cruciger. Twenty years ago there were many of these coins in
the market. Today we rarely see them. FDC......................................................... 1200
52.
ITALY. KINGDOM OF SICILY. PETER I THE GREAT OF ARAGON AND
CONSTANCE
; 1282-1285 AD, AV Pierreale, Messina Mint, 4.39g. Spahr-1,
Friedberg-654. Obv: +.SUMMA.POTENCIA.EST.IN DEO. / +.P.DEI.GRA.
ARAGON.SICIL.REX. in two circles, with annulet stops, bordered by three dotted
circles, around coat of arms of Aragon. Rx: +XPS.VINCIT.XPS REGNAT.XPS
IMPAT / +COSTA.DEI.GRA.ARAG.SICIL.REG in two circles, with pellet stops,
bordered by three dotted circles, around eagle standing l., head r., with wings raised.
Ex Gemini VIII, 14 April 2011, lot 537 Peter the Great (who was known as Peter I of
Valencia, Peter II Count of Barcelona and Peter III King of Aragon) conquered Sicily
in 1282 and became its king. He was considered to be one of the greatest medieval
Aragonese monarchs. Peter was characterized in Shakespeare’s Much Ado About
Nothing. This coin is in pristine condition with incredible detail.. FDC............. 6500
GREEK SILVER
53.
IMITATION OF PHILIP II, DANUBE BASIN
; c. 3rd Century BC, Tetradrachm,
12.74g. Pink-138 var. Obv: Celticized head of Zeus r. Rx: Celticized king on
horseback l. VF...................................................................................................... 300
54.
GAUL, MASSALIA
; After 220 BC, Drachm, 2.85g. Weber-Pl. 1, 42. Obv: Draped
bust of Artemis r. Rx: Lion walking l. Toned. EF................................................... 475
55.
CALABRIA, TARENTUM
; 325-281 BC, Stater, 7.79g. Fischer-Bossert-960a
(this coin), Vlasto-654. Obv: Youth on horseback r., crowning himself with his r.
hand, holding reins with his l. hand; below horse, ΣΑ and Ionic capital. Rx: ΤΑΡΑΣ
Phalanthos, nude, astride dolphin l., holding snake in his extended r. hand, whip in
his lowered l. hand; below, ΚΟΝ. Ex New York Sale XXIII, 6 January 2010, lot 1. Ex
Sternberg XXXI, 27-8 October 1996, lot 57. Ex Gorny 55, 14 May 1991, lot 12. This
