comes in rather low grade and somewhat corroded. This is the best example that we
have ever seen. Lightly toned with some hints of iridescence. Good VF............. 9850
200.
C. CASSIUS, STRUCK BY LENTULUS SPINTER
; Denarius, 42 BC, probably
at Smyrna, 3.95g. Cr-500/1, Syd-1308 (R9), Sear Imperators-219. Obv: Tripod
surmounted by cauldron, fillet hanging on either side, C CASSI on l., IMP on r. Rx:
Pitcher and lituus, LENTVLVS SPINT below. Mint State.................................. 3600
201.
LABIENUS
; 40 BC, Denarius, 3.20g. Cr-524/2; Syd-1357 (R9); C-2 (600 Fr.); Sear,
Imperators-341. Obv: Q LABIENVS PARTHICVS IMP Head r. Rx: Parthian horse
standing r. with bridle and saddle, to which bow case and quiver are attached. Ex
Gemini X, 13 January 2013, lot 388 (Randy Haviland Collection). Ex Harlan J. Berk
125, 27 February 2002, lot 348. Rare (R9 in Sydenham) and always in demand. C.
Hersh, Coinage of Quintus Labienus Parthicus, Schw. Num. Rundschau 59, 1980,
records only 34 specimens of this denarius, struck from eight obverse and twenty
reverse dies. Our piece is from Hersh’s obverse die B but a new reverse die (similar to
Hersh’s 19). Fine................................................................................................ 14750
202.
MARK ANTONY
; 32-31 BC, Denarius, 3.92g. Cr-544/14, Syd-1216, Sear,
Imperators-349. Obv: ANT AVG III VIR R.P.C. Praetorian galley r. Rx: LEG II
Legionary eagle between two standards . EF........................................................ 1600
203.
MARK ANTONY
; 32-31 BC, Denarius, 3.33g. Cr-544/15; Syd-1217; C-28 (2 Fr.);
Sear, Imperators-350. Obv: Galley r. Rx: LEG III Legionary eagle between two
standards. Exceptionally beautiful. Near Mint State............................................. 2000
ROMAN IMPERIAL SILVER
204.
AUGUSTUS
; 27 BC-14 AD, c. 36-31 BC, Denarius, 3.49g. BM-624, Paris-66, RIC-
267, C-123 (5 Fr.). Obv: Head of Octavian bare r., no legend. Rx: IMP [C]AESAR on
architrave of arch surmounted by facing quadriga bearing Octavian, who extends his
arms and holds the reins of all four horses. Some obverse porosity with a scrape on the
arch. VF................................................................................................................... 550
205.
AUGUSTUS
; 27 BC-14 AD, Lugdunum, 15-12 BC, Denarius, 3.80g. BM-451,
Paris-1373, C-137, RIC-167a. Obv: AVGVSTVS - DIVI F Head bare r. Rx: [I]MP.X
in exergue, Bull butting r., pawing ground and flicking tail. These dies apparently
not illustrated in Giard, Monnayage…de Lyon. With ticket of New Amsterdam Coin
Galleries, NYC. Sharply struck. Pleasant toning. Choice EF............................... 1750
206.
AUGUSTUS
; 27 BC-14 AD, Lugdunum, 11-9 BC, Denarius, 3.72g. BM-472,
Paris-1433, C-155, RIC-187a. Obv: AVGVSTVS - DIVI F Head laureate r. Rx:
IMP.XII in exergue, Bull butting r., flicking tail. This IMP XII issue is rarer than the
previous lot with IMP X. Head of bull exhibits minor flatness. Choice EF with luster.
.............................................................................................................................. 2250
207.
AUGUSTUS
; 27 BC-14 AD, Lugdunum, 2 BC-4 AD, Denarius, 3.74g. BM-519,
C-43, Paris-1651, RIC-207. Obv: CAESAR AVGVSTVS - DIVI F PATER PATRIAE
Head laureate r. Rx: C L CAESARES in exergue, AVGVSTI F COS DESIG PRINC
IVVENT around, Gaius and Lucius Caesars standing holding honorary shields and
spears, simpulum and lituus above. The commonest denarius of Augustus, but rare in
this condition. Struck on a broad flan with excellent luster. Mint State................ 1000
208.
TIBERIUS
; 14-37 AD, Lugdunum, Denarius, 3.74g. BM-48, Paris-28, RIC-30,
C-16. Obv: [TI CAES]AR DIVI - AVG F AVGVSTVS Head laureate r. Rx: PONTIF -
MAXIM Livia seated r. holding scepter and branch, throne legs ornamented, footstool
below feet, single line beneath throne. Ex Heritage 3026, Long Beach, 25 September
2013, lot 23358. Sharp portrait of Tiberius. Mint State........................................ 1600
209.
TIBERIUS
; 14-37 AD, Lugdunum, Denarius, 3.60g. BM-48, C-16, Paris-28, RIC-
30. Obv: TI CAESAR DIVI - AVG F AVGVSTVS Head laureate r. Rx: PONTIF -
MAXIM Livia seated r. holding scepter and branch, throne legs ornamented, footstool
below feet, single line beneath throne. aEF........................................................... 750
210.
CALIGULA
; 37-41 AD, Lugdunum, 37 AD, Denarius, 3.75g. BM-12, Paris-15, C-4
(25 Fr.), RIC-12 (R2). Obv: C CAESAR AVG GERM P M T[R POT] Bare head
of Caligula r. Rx: GERMANICVS CAES P C CAES AVG GERM Bare head of
Germanicus r. These dies not illustrated in Giard’s Monnayage…de Lyon. The portrait
of Germanicus on the reverse is unusually large and has a hooked nose, reminiscent
of many portraits of Tiberius. This coin is extremely interesting in that the portrait of
Germanicus has more of an insane stare typical of Caligula than the actual Caligula
portrait which looks rather placid. Nearly EF....................................................... 6500
Exquisite Claudius Forrée
211.
CLAUDIUS I
; 41-54 AD, British mint, 50-51 AD, Plated Forrée Denarius, 2.59g.
Reproducing the solid-silver piece BM-66, RIC-54, and C-93. Obv: TI CLAVD
CAESAR AVG P M TR P X IMP P P Head laureate r. Rx: SPQR / P.P / OB C S in
oak wreath. The reverse legend states: “The Senate and the Roman People (dedicate
this wreath to Claudius) the father of his country because he has saved the lives of
his fellow-citizens”. Ex Berk 141, 5 January 2005, lot 219. Our piece comes from
the Wortham hoard of at least 172 plated denarii of Claudius that was unearthed near
Wortham in Suffolk, England in the 1990s, from which the British Museum acquired
90 pieces and recorded and photographed most of the rest. These plated denarii were
apparently produced in Britain not many years after Claudius’ conquest of the island
in 43 AD. The excellent style of the plated denarii in this hoard could suggest that
the Romans themselves may have been trying to stretch their silver. This is by far the
finest of the examples we have handled from the hoard. Mint State.................... 5500
212.
GALBA
; 68-69 AD. Gaul. Denarius, 3.73g. BM-227, C-322 (12 Fr.), RIC-113 (R2).
Obv: SER GALBA - IMPERATO[R] Head laureate r. Rx: [VIC]TORIA - P R Victory
standing l. on globe, holding wreath and palm. Rare type: not in the Paris collection,
only three specimens in Berk photofile, one in CoinArchives Pro. Part of wreath flatly
struck. EF.............................................................................................................. 4500
Extremely Rare Left Facing Otho
213.
OTHO
; 69 AD, Rome, Denarius, 3.44g. BM-4, pl. 60.3 (same dies); C-5 (citing BM,
20 Fr.); RIC-6. Obv: IMP OTHO CAES[AR AVG] TR P Head bare left. Rx: PAX
ORBIS - [T]ERRARVM Pax standing l. holding branch and caduceus. Very rare with
portrait left. Of the 47 denarii of Otho in the Reka Devnia hoard, only one had portrait
left, and that one had the Securitas reverse type, not Pax like our coin. The Pax type
with portrait left is missing from the Paris collection, so Cohen had to cite this variety
from the BM specimen, which is from the same die pair as ours. In his corpus of
over one thousand images of Otho denarii in museums, publications, and online, Jyrki
Muona has found only five coins like ours, making it the second rarest Otho denarius
Excellent portrait. aVF.......................................................................................... 4500
Magnificent Portrait
214.
OTHO
; 69 AD, Rome, Denarius, 3.31g. BM-11, Paris-29, RIC-24 (R3), C-7 (12 Fr.).
Obv: IMP OTHO CAESARAVG TR P Head bare r. Rx: PONT - MAX Vesta seated l.
on high-backed throne with fringed seat cover, holding patera and transverse scepter.
Rare reverse type of this rare emperor: only one specimen in Reka Devnia Hoard,
compared to 25 specimens of his commonest type (Securitas standing). Most of the
issues of Otho show a standing figure and are weakly struck on the reverse. While part
of Otho’s name is off the flan, this coin is otherwise remarkably wonderful. It exhibits
a handsome, large, fully struck portrait with an extremely sharp reverse. Of the 34
examples recorded of this type, this appears to be the best. Mint State................ 8500
215.
VESPASIAN
; 69-79 AD, Rome, 70 AD, Denarius, 3.16g. RIC-2 (C2), BM-35,
Paris-23, C-226 (5 Fr.). Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG Head laureate r.
Rx: IVDAEA in exergue, Mourning Jewess seated r. on ground beside trophy. Toned
EF.......................................................................................................................... 1400
Very Rare Fourrée
216.
VESPASIAN
; 69-79 AD, 70 AD, Denarius fourrée, 2.92g. BM-336; Paris-431, pl.
XL (same dies); C-228 (5 Fr.). Obv: IMP CAES VES - P AVG P M Head laureate r.
Rx: IVDAEA in exergue (in arc), Mourning Jewess seated r. on ground beside trophy,
head resting on hand. A plated ancient imitation with a hybrid type combination,
joining an obverse of 71 with the IVDAEA reverse of 70. Very rare, possibly struck
from just the one die pair that is shared by our coin and the Paris specimen. BM-336 is
not illustrated, but might also be from the same dies, since it too has the break VES - P
in the obverse legend and the reverse legend IVDAEA in arc. aVF.................... 1000
217.
VESPASIAN
; 69-79 AD, Rome, 79 AD, Denarius, 3.42g. BM-246-247, C-552 (5
Fr.), RIC-1068 (C), Paris-214, Hendin-1485. Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS
AVG Head laureate r. Rx: TR POT X - COS VIIII Victory standing l. setting shield on
trophy, below which sits captive. Ex Davissons, December 2004.
Near Mint State....................................................................................................... 800
Ephesus Dynastic Denarius
218.
VESPASIAN
; 69-79 AD, Ephesus, 69-70 AD, Denarius, 3.16g. RIC-1411 (R), RPC-
819 (8 spec.), BM-443, C-249 (12 Fr.). Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASAVG COS II TR
P P P Head laureate r. Rx: LIBERI IM[P] - AVG VESPAS Titus and Domitian, togate
and veiled, standing front, each holding patera, tilted Φ in lower l. field. Ex Goldberg
75, 24 September 2013, lot 2587. A few years ago, denarii of Ephesus were available
in the market. That is not so now. When they were available we didn’t see an example
of this issue that is this fine. The portrait of Vespasian is struck in very high relief and
the portraits of Domitian and Titus are flawlessly struck as well.
Near Mint State..................................................................................................... 2500
219.
DOMITIAN
; 81-96 AD, Rome, 85 AD, Plated Denarius, 3.08g. As RIC-176,
but plated and with aegis on portrait. Obv: IMP CAES DOMITIANV - S AVG
GERMANIC Bust laureate r., aegis with Medusa head on front shoulder and behind
neck. Rx: P M TR POT III - IMP V COS X P P Minerva advancing r. brandishing
spear and holding shield. EF.................................................................................. 350
Games Issue
220.
DOMITIAN
; 81-96 AD, Rome, 88/9 AD, Denarius, 3.39g. RIC-596 (C2), BM-
131, Paris-120, C-76/7 (25 Fr.). Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG - GERM P M TR P
VIII Head laureate r. Rx: COS XIIII - LVD SAEC FEC Herald walking l., wearing
feathered cap, holding wand and shield decorated with helmeted head of Minerva
facing r. The reverse legend states that Domitian has celebrated Saecular games, and
the type probably shows one of the heralds who announced his intention to celebrate
them. Rare: not represented in Reka Devnia hoard. The new RIC rates this coin as
far commoner than it actually is, probably because its historical reverse type, desired
by collectors and readily saleable by dealers, has led to its over-representation in
collections and among the illustrated pieces in the sales literature. Darkly toned from
being in the earth. The earthen vestiges on the reverse give this coin a very pleasant
cameo effect. EF.................................................................................................... 2000
Rare Variant
221.
TRAJAN
; 98-117 AD, Rome, c. 108-9 AD, Denarius, 3.07g. MIR-283bC (79 spec.),
BM-391, Paris-457, C-120, RIC-98. Rx: DAC CAP in exergue, COS V P P SPQR
OPTIMO PRINC around, Dacian seated l., mourning, on round shield between two
oblong shields, l. foot resting on helmet; to l. and r., two spears and two curved
swords. A rare variant of the reverse type with two spears to the left and two curved
swords to the right of the seated Dacian, rather than vice versa. Woytek-233bC knew
only two specimens with this variety, compared to 77 specimens with the normal
variety. With other bust or portrait types he knew one specimen with the rare variety,
as against 85 specimens with the normal variety. Good VF.................................. 350
222.
HADRIAN
; 117-138 AD, Rome, 128 AD, Denarius, 3.44g. BM-480, C-338, RIC-
332. Obv: HADRIANVS - AVGVSTVS P P Bust laureate r. with fold of cloak on
front shoulder. Rx: COS - III Roma seated r. on cuirass and shield, holding spear and
parazonium. Ex Heritage 3026, Long Beach, 25 September 2013, lot 23389. Mint
state Hadrian denarii in fine style have become rather scarce on today’s market. Mint
State......................................................................................................................... 600
223.
HADRIAN
; 117-138 AD, Antiochia ad Orontem, Seleucis and Pieria, c. 119 AD,
Cistophoric Tetradrachm, 15.04g. Prieur-157. Obv: ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙ ΘΕ ΤΡΑ ΠΑΡ ΥΙ ΘΕ
ΝΕΡ ΥΙ ΤΡΑΙ ΑΔΡΙΑΝΟC CΕΒ Laureate, draped, cuirassed bust r., seen from front.
Rx: ΔΗΜΑΡΧ ΕΞΥΠΑΤΓ Eagle with head l. standing on leg and thigh of sacrificial
animal. Extremely beautiful and elaborate portrait of Hadrian. Mint State.......... 2500
224.
AELIUS AS CAESAR
; 136-138 AD. Rome, 137 AD. Denarius, 3.11g. BM-981,
C-1 var. (12 Fr.), RIC-436. Rx: CONCORD TR POT COS II Concordia seated l.
holding patera and resting l. elbow on large cornucopia reaching to ground. Scarce, 30
specimens in Reka Devnia hoard. High relief portrait. Brilliant luster. EF............ 975
225.
ANTONINUS PIUS
; 138-161 AD, Rome, 149-50 AD, Denarius, 3.58g. BM-670,
C-281, RIC-181. Obv: TR P XII. Rx: C - OS - IIII Salus standing l. extending patera
to serpent rising from altar and holding rudder on globe. Ex Phillip Davis Collection.
Excellent portrait. Mint State.................................................................................. 325
226.
MARCUS AURELIUS AS CAESAR
; 139-161 AD, Denarius, Rome, 145-7 AD,
3.51g. BM-594, C-110, RIC-429a. Rx: CO - S - II Honos standing l. holding branch
and cornucopia. Attractive example of young Marcus Aurelius. Legends and portrait
clear and good metal. EF......................................................................................... 365
227.
LUCIUS VERUS
; 161-169 AD, Rome, 168 AD, Denarius, 3.41g. BM-481, C-318,
RIC-595. Obv: L VERVS AVG ARM - PARTH MAX Head laureate r. Rx: TR P VIII
IMP V COS III Aequitas seated l. holding scales and cornucopia. Ex Berk 132, 14
May 2003, lot 440. aEF.......................................................................................... 250
228.
LUCILLA
; Rome, Denarius, 3.31g. BM-338, C-28, RIC-769. Obv: LVCILLA -
AVGVSTA Bust draped r. Rx: HIL - A - RITAS Hilaritas standing l. holding long
palm and cornucopia. Not common: 26 specimens in Reka Devnia hoard. Ex Phillip
Davis Collection. Excellent high relief portrait. Toned Near Mint State................ 425
229.
COMMODUS
; 177-192 AD, Denarius, Rome, 187 AD, 2.66g. Bust var. of BM-219,
C-523, and RIC-143. Obv: M COMMANT P - FELAVG BRIT Bust laureate, draped
r. Rx: PM TR P XII IMP - VIII COS V P P Felicitas standing l. holding short caduceus
and scepter. On Commodus’ denarii as co-emperor under Marcus Aurelius, a cuirass,
cloak, or both could be added to his laureate portrait, but during his sole reign virtually
all of his denarii showed simply his laureate head, and any addition of cuirass or cloak
was exceptional and rare. Our draped bust with the Felicitas type on a denarius of 187
is not in the standard catalogues, but C. Clay has noted two similar specimens offered
by Ancient Auction House, eBay, 6 December 2005, and by Rauch 86, 2010, 887.
From the Samuel Puchala Collection of Denarii of Commodus. EF..................... 350
Ex Ryan, Vierordt and Imhoof-Blumer
230.
MANLIA SCANTILLA
; Rome, 193 AD, Denarius, C-2, RIC-7A. Obv: MANLIA
SCAN - TILLA AVG Bust draped r. Rx: IVNO RE - GINA Juno, veiled, standing l.
holding patera and scepter, peacock at feet. Ex Berk 72, 4 August 1992, lot 249. Ex
Leu 54, 1990 lot 265. Ex Ryan 1951, lot 2206. Ex Laughlin. Ex Vierordt 1923, lot
1790. Ex Imhoof-Blumer lot 1053, J. Hirsch 18, 1907. One could not find a more
pedigreed denarius of Manlia Scantilla, dating back over 100 years. Planchet defect
from striking in the lower part of the empress’s jaw. Toned EF........................... 8000
231.
PESCENNIUS NIGER
; 193-194 AD, Antioch, Denarius, 2.68g. Obv. legend var. of
BM-299, RIC-5, and C-10 (200 Fr.). Obv: IMP CAES C PESC - EN NIG IVSI AVG
Head laureate r. Rx: BON[I] EV - ENTVS Fides Publica standing l. holding plate of
fruit and two wheat ears. Unusual obverse legend with only NIG not NIGER. Our
obverse legend, with IVST not IVSI, is recorded by Ted Buttrey in Num. Chronicle
152, 1992, President’s Address, p. viii, but without specification of the location of the
coin and the relevant reverse type. Excellent portrait with full name. Struck on usual,
somewhat poor silver. EF...................................................................................... 3950
Unique Niger Denarius
232.
PESCENNIUS NIGER
; 193-194 AD, Caesarea, Denarius, 2.78g. Zedelius,
Münzprägung von Pertinax bis Clodius Albinus, p. 56, pl. XI.5 (this coin); bust
and rev. type var. of C-68 (Gnecchi coll., 200 Fr.) = BMC 312A note. Obv: IMP
CAES C PESC - NIGER IVST AVG Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed r., seen from
behind. Rx: SALVTI - AVGVSTI Salus standing r., holding snake and feeding it
from patera, without altar below. Ex M & M List 358, July 1974, lot 30, the sole
specimen known to Zedelius. Apparently unique with draped and cuirassed bust seen
from behind on the obverse, and the SALVTI AVGVSTI type without altar at Salus’
feet on the reverse. The same SALVTI AVGVSTI type without altar is also known
combined with Niger’s draped and cuirassed bust seen from the front, Zedelius pl.
