192
nd
BUY OR BID SALE
The Closing Date is October 9, 2014
ALL COINS AND ANTIQUITIES GUARANTEED GENUINE
WE STILL CHARGE NO BUYERS FEES
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Harlan J. Berk, Ltd.
“The Art & Science of Numismatics”
Tel: (312) 609-0018
31 N. Clark Street • Chicago, Illinois 60602
Fax: (312) 609-1309
Harlan J. Berk, Ltd. has presented an innovation in antiquities and numismatics for some time now. The system is simple. When you want an antiquity or coin in the sale, just
bid the estimated price by phone, fax, web site, email or post. We will send you the antiquity or coin immediately. No waiting for the closing of the sale. Any and all antiqui-
ties or coins not sold before the closing date will be sent to the highest bidder on October 9, 2014.
EXAMPLE—
You bid estimate on an item valued at $100.00 and if your bid is the 1st to reach us, you will receive the item immediately. If on th on the same item and are
still the high bidder at the end of the sale, the item will be mailed to you after the closing date, October 9, 2014.
If you are ever in the area, stop in to see us! Of course, it’s best to call first.
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Experts
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“White Gold”
Lots 1-13 represent the earliest known coinage from the late 7th century BC. “White Gold”,
the name that the ancient historian Herodotus applied for Lydian electrum coins, is an apt
name to characterize this fascinating group of coins. “White Gold”, or electrum, is an alloy
of gold and silver that originated from the area of westernAsia Minor, or modern day coastal
Turkey. For a long time numismatists and scholars believed that electrumwas a natural alloy
found in the vicinity of Mount Tmolus, near the ancient city of Sardis. It was accepted that
this precious metal washed down the mountain into the hands of the Lydians, who controlled
Sardis, and who hence began to use them to mint the first coins in the history of the world.
Scholars have recently determined that this naturally occurring alloy might have initially
been used but before long the percentages of gold and silver were manipulated to ensure a
more consistent mixture. This made an arbitrary system into one that was more equitable.
Curiously,theamountofgoldinthealloywaslessenedovertimewhilethesilverwasincreased
(and copper to enrich color). The reason for this is still debated but it could be an early case
of improper behavior by some issuing authorities. It should be added that Lydian electrum
reliably kept to the original formula until king Croesus turned to a bimetallic currency.
Electrum coins were a high-value currency and not for everyday purchases.
Scholars estimate that the most common denomination, the trite (or third stater)
was worth the price of sixteen sheep. So it is understandable that very tiny
denominations existed in the electrum series, going down to a 1/96th stater.
Most electrum coins exhibit various animals or mythical figures, sometimes as a
badge of the city for which they were minted (e.g. Phocaea used the seal and Cyzicus
the tunny fish). There are only a few types which have inscriptions, including the
famous and highly sought after coins bearing the name of Phanes, a man whose
role in Lydian society is uncertain but who has evidently a person of authority.
Lots 1-13 in our 192nd Buy or Bid sale are a fascinating selection of the very
first coinage. It is incredibly mind-boggling and fascinating to reflect that over
2600 years ago, a person in the ancient Greek world was using these very coins
to pay soldiers, purchase property, store wealth, or for some other such purpose.
GOLD
1.
Uncertain Ionia. Striated
; 650-600 BC, EL Hekte, 2.41g. Weidauer-8. Obv:
Striated, Rx: Rough incuse. Nice example of early coinage. Early coins had “blank”
surfaces. The second generation of early coinage began to reflect lines. What those lines
signify is a matter of opinion. What is assumed is that they were the prescursors of imagery
on coins. Good VF.........................................................................................................4000
2.
Uncertain Ionia. Striated
; 650-600 BC, Hemihekte, 1.17g. Weidauer-9. Obv:
Striated, Rx: Rough incuse. Very nice example from the dawn of coinage. EF..........3000
3.
Uncertain Ionia
; c. 7th-6th century BC, Trite (1/3 Stater), 4.76g. Babelon I-p. 67,
71 (pl. 2, 25), Numismatic Chronicle 1890-pl. 3, 17, Weidauer-149, Boston-1761. Obv:
Striding Pegasos facing l.; Rx: Two irregular square incuses beside each other. Wonderful
centering with porous surfaces. The consistency of the surfaces makes the coin very
pleasant. A beautiful piece of early electrum coinage. VF+..........................................6000
4.
Uncertain city in Ionia
; 625-600 BC, EL Stater, 14.26g. Weidauer-139 (6
recorded). Obv: Forepart of bridled horse left, with loose mane. Rx: Three-part incuse,
rectangle in center, square to either side. Good VF....................................................39000
5.
Ionia, Phocaea
; c. 625-600 BC, 1/48 Stater, 0.28g. Bodenstedt-E2, Vs a, Rs a. Obv:
Head of griffin to left. Rx: Irregular four part square incuse. Incredibly well-struck tiny
fraction of Phocaea. Mint State.....................................................................................3000
Phocaea Man-Headed Bull in Incredible Condition
6.
Ionia, Phocaea
; c. 500-480 BC, EL Hecte (1/6 Stater), 2.60g. Bodenstedt Em. 35.
Obv: Man-headed bull l; behind, small seal, Rx: Irregular incuse. Sharply struck with
extraordinarily good details. Mint State.......................................................................8500
7.
Ionia, Phocaea
; c. 360-340 BC, Hecte (1/6 Stater), 2.54g. Bodenstedt-94, pl. 9 (same
obv. die), SNG von Aulock-2130, Boston-Supp. 176. Obv: Head of nymph left. Rx: Four
part square incuse. Lovely strike with minimal wear and high relief. Small nick on cheek.
aEF.................................................................................................................................3000
Phanes
8.
Ionia, Ephesus
; c. 625-600 BC, EL Trite, 4.70g. Weidauer-40. Obv: Spotted stag
grazing left; above, retrograde, ΦΑΝΕΟΣ (“Phanes”). Rx: Two rough geometric incuse
punches (Reverse “E”). An incredible piece with historical significance, though no one
knows for certain who Phanes was, a ruler, statesman, person of nobility, or simply a city
official responsible for the minting of coinage. Good VF with EF inscription..........SOLD
Mint State Lesbos
9.
Lesbos, Mytilene
; 377-326 BC, EL Hekte, 2.55g. Bodenstedt-90. Obv: Wreathed
head of Dionysus, Rx: Facing satyr. Perfectly centered and struck. Some porosity in some
of the crevices, such as the eyes, but otherwise a great piece. Mint State....................5400
Unpublished Denomination
10.
Mysia, Cyzicus
; c. 550-475 BC, EL Hecte (1/6 Stater), 2.69g. cf. von Fritze-48, pl.
I, 49 (stater). The hecte denomination is not found in any of the standard references. Obv:
Goat’s head l., tunny fish upwards behind. Rx: Four-part incuse square. Slightly off-center
but high relief and pleasant specimen. This type is known only as a stater and hemi-hecte.
The hecte was previously unpublished. aEF.................................................................5000
11.
Mysia, Cyzicus
; c. 550-475 BC, EL Hecte (1/6 Stater), 2.66g. von Fritze-93, pl. iii, 12
(stater), Boston-1470, SNG von Aulock-1193, SNG Paris BN-231. Obv: Dog l. on tunny
fish l., forelegs extended in semi-crouch, one paw raised, tail curled up over back. Rx:
Four-part incuse square. This type is common but normally found in much lower grade.
With flan cracks and irregular edges, which are normal for these early electrum types. The
central features of the dog and tunny are unaffected however except for the tail being partly
off flan and one of the hind legs missing. Lovely detail and nice relief. A most pleasant
specimen. aEF...............................................................................................................5400
12.
Mysia, Cyzicus
; c. 550-475 BC, EL Hecte (1/6 Stater), 2.70g. cf. von Fritze-39, pl. I,
40 (stater), Boston-1413, Rosen-432. Obv: Lioness head l. with mouth closed, tunny fish
upward behind. Rx: Four part incuse square. Nicely centered with good relief. Tunny fish
is partly off flan. Four short edge cracks. aEF..............................................................6500
Ex Naville, Ex Spencer-Churchill, Ex Gillet, Ex Rosen Collections
13.
Mysia, Cyzicus
; 500-450 BC, EL Stater, 15.98g. von Fritze-126, SNG von
Aulock-7305, Rosen-502 (this coin), SNG Spencer-Churchill-171 (this coin), SNG Paris
BN-275 (this obverse die), Kunstfreund Private-1054 (this coin), Regling-pl. V, 133. Obv:
Triton swimming l., holding wreath in l. hand; below, tunny. Rx: Quadripartite incuse
square. Ex Naville IV, 1922, Collection of Grand Duke Alexander Michailovitch, lot 699.
Ex Ars Classica XVI, 1933, Spencer-Churchill Collection, lot 1344. Ex Gillet Private
Collection. Ex NFA XVIII, 1987, lot 176. Ex Jonathan Rosen Collection. Ex Sotheby’s, 8
July 1996, lot 57. This coin boasts a long and impressive pedigree. Starting in 1922 it was
auctioned off by Naville as part of the Grand Duke Alexander Michailovitch collection. It
then appeared 10 years later in an Ars Classica auction of the Spencer-Churchill collection.
