The piece was owned additionally by Gillet and by Rosen. As if the pedigree was not
enough to entice, the coin itself is beautiful in all aspects. A muscular triton swimming
on the obverse suggesting motion as the presence of the tunny fish below looks almost
as if he is riding it along in the vast ocean. The obverse is struck in relatively high relief
and exhibits a slight sheen to its surfaces, most likely from being stored for close to 100
years in various collections. Oddly shaped flan but luckily it beautifully outlines the
triton and we lose only half of the wreath as a consequence.. aEF.........................46600
Rare Pixodarus 1/12 Stater
14.
Caria, Pixodarus
; c. 341/0-336/5 BC, 1/12 Stater, 0.68g. BMC-p. 184, 3, pl.
XXVIII, 11, SNG Cop-595, SNG von Aulock-2373. Obv: Wreathed head of Apollo
l. Rx: ΠIΞΩΔA Zeus Labraundos standing right, holding labrys, left hand on staff set
on ground. The youngest son of Hecatomnos, Pixodaros was one of the later satraps of
Caria. His elder brothers Maussollos and Idrieus had ruled before him. As one of the
grandees of the Persian empire, Pixodaros was a major player in Aegean politics. When
he started negotiations with the Macedonian court, he had in mind to have his daughter
Ada marry king Philip II, but Philip’s son Alexander interfered, trying to secure the
Carian princess for himself. This was the conflict that led to the serious quarrel between
the ambitioned prince and his father, shortly before Philip was murdered in 336 BC.
Eventually Pixodaros had his daughter marry a Persian aristocrat. As he died before
Alexander launched his attack on the Persian empire in 334 BC, he did not experience
Alexander’s conquest of his satrapy that was supported by Pixodaros’ sister. His rare
gold coins reveal his high ambitions, though. Exceedingly rare type with only a few
specimens showing up in the market in the last several years. Our piece is slightly off-
center but with an attractive image of Apollo and a great high-relief strike. VF+...3500
Unpublished Variety
15.
Macedonia, Alexander III The Great
; Memphis, Stater, 8.60g.
Obv: Helmeted head of Athena r. Rx: Nike standing l., holding wreath. Apparently
unpublished. Even though this coin is unpublished and has no symbol, we believe it is
a product of the Memphis mint based on style. Somewhat rough surfaces, particularly
in area in front of Athena’s face. VF+......................................................................4250
16.
Macedonia, Alexander III The Great
; 336-323 BC. Sidon, c. 333-305
BC. Stater, 8.58g. Price-3461. Obv: Helmeted head of Athena r. Rx: Nike standing l.
holding wreath and standard, winged thunderbolt in r. field. Interesting variation with a
griffin on helmet. Somewhat uneven surfaces. EF...................................................3850
17.
Macedonia, Alexander III The Great
; 336-323 BC, Stater, Salamis, c.
332-323 BC, 8.53g. Price-3125. Obv: Helmeted head of Athena r. Rx: Nike standing l.,
holding wreath, eagle below r. wing. Lifetime issue. Pleasant piece with some minimal
wear and off-center, otherwise no real issues. Beautiful VF....................................4100
18.
Macedonia, Philip III
; 323-317 BC. Babylon, c. 311-305 BC. Stater, 8.57g.
Price-P178a. Obv: Helmeted head of Athena r. Rx: Nike standing l., holding wreath,
ΛY below r. wing, M below l. wing. A pretty example that is ever so slightly off-center.
aEF............................................................................................................................4300
19.
Ptolemaic, Ptolemy II
; 281-246 BC, Octadrachm, 27.66g. Troxell-Arsinoe,
Group 3, pl. 6, 3, Svoronos-460, SNG Cop-134. Obv: Head of Arsinoe II r., wearing
diadem, stephane and veil, behind Θ; dotted border; Rx: ΑΡΣΙΝΟΗΣ ΦΙΛΑΔΕΛΦΟΥ,
Double corncopia bound with fillet; dotted border. A few small contact marks on the
hair at brow on the obverse. Some areas of weak strike on the reverse. An extremely
pleasant piece at a reasonable price. EF...................................................................7250
20.
Ptolemaic, Ptolemy III
; 281-246 BC, Octadrachm, 27.74g. Svoronos-603,
Dewing-2752. Obv: Jugate busts of Ptolemy II and Arsinoe II r., ΑΔΕΛΦΩΝ above,
Celtic shield behind. Rx: Jugate busts of Ptolemy I and Berenike I r., ΘΕΩΝ above.
Various old nicks on both obverse and reverse, otherwise a decent example for a
reasonable price. Nearly VF.....................................................................................6500
Mint State Kushan Dinar
21.
India, Kushan Empire, Vasudeva II
; 290-310 AD, Dinar, 7.72g. Obv:
Vasudeva standing facing, head l., flames on shoulder, sacrificing over altar and holding
filleted scepter; to l., filleted trident. Rx: Ardoxsho seated facing on throne, holding
filleted investiture garland and cradling cornucopia in l. arm; above, tamgha to l. Mint
State..........................................................................................................................1500
22.
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. Small dig behind head of Honorius on obverse. Light
scratch on reverse in front of face of emperor. Somewhat softly struck on reverse. EF..
.................................................................................................................................1500
23.
Theodosius II
; 402-450 AD, Constantinople, c. 408-419 AD, Officina B, Solidus,
4.30g. MIB-12b, Berk-12, DO-314. Obv: D N THEODO - SIVS P F AVG Helmeted,
cuirassed bust facing, holding spear over r. shoulder and shield ornamented with rider.
Rx: CONCORDIA AVGGB/CONOB Constantinopolis seated facing, head r., holding
Victory on globe and scepter; to l., star. Some deeper scratches on both obverse to right
of face and reverse below Nike. aEF..........................................................................850
24.
Marcian
; 450-457 AD, Constantinople, Solidus, 4.38g. Berk-24, MIRB-5b, RIC-
510 (S), officinaI=10, Depeyrot-87/1 (33 spec. with officina I). Obv: D N MARCIA-
NVS P F AVG Helmeted bust facing, diademed, cuirassed, spear in r. hand held over
r. shoulder behind head, on l. arm decorated shield, horseman rides down enemy on
shield. Rx: VICTORI-AAVGGG I, Victory standing l. holding long jeweled cross; in r.
field, star; in exergue, CONOB. Some hairlines in right obverse field; minor weakness
on nose. aEF.............................................................................................................1200
25.
Leo I
; 457-474 AD, Constantinople, c. 457-73 AD, Solidus, 4.48g. Berk-13, DO-
516. Obv: DNLEOPE RPETAVC Bearded bust r. (pearl diadem). Rx: VICTOR IA
ROMANORVMVictory advancing l., holding wreath and palm; in l. field, Chirstogram;
in r. field, star; in ex., CONOB. Officina “A”. Very nice detail. VF+......................1100
26.
Anastasius I
; Constantinople, 491-518 AD, Solidus, 4.48g. DO-3a. Obv. DN
ANASTA-SIVSPPAVC 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-AAVCCC A (officina 1). Victoria standing l., supporting long jeweled
cross, in r. field star, in exergue CONOB. A lovely example of Anastasius. This coin is
sharply struck and facial details are in a great state of preservation. The reverse Victory
exhibits a remarkably good strike, particularly on her gown. Mint State................1250
27.
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. Slightly off-center which results in the legend
being partially off-flan. aEF.....................................................................................1500
28.
Justinian II
; 2nd Reign 705-711 AD. Constantinople, Solidus, 4.24g. Berk-200.
Obv: DhIhSChSREXRESNANTIuM Facing bust of Christ with short curly hair and
cross behind his head. He raises his right hand in benediction and holds the book of
Gospels in his left, Rx: DNIuSTINIANuS MuLTUSAN Facing bust of Justinian II with
short beard and crown with cross atop. He holds a cross potent on three steps in right
hand and a globus cruciger, inscribed PAX, in left hand. A fascinating type which shows
the first portrayal of Christ on any coinage. The type is the companion piece to a longer
haired version of Christ which shows him as the stereotypical version. This version is
more likely how Christ would have looked with middle eastern features in the form of
tight curly hair. aEF..................................................................................................4500
29.
Constantine V
; 741-775 AD. Constantinople, c. 751-7 AD. Solidus, 4.46g. Berk-
226, DO-2, S-1551. Obv: Facing busts of Constantine V (on l.) and his son Leo IV (on
r.). Rx: Facing bust of Leo III. Extremely sharp and nice relief portraits. Mint State.....
.................................................................................................................................2800
Rare Syracuse Solidus of Nicephorus I
30.
Nicephorus I
; Syracuse, c. 802-811 AD, Solidus, 3.78g. Ricotti-Prina-22. No
found in most of the standard references. See NAC 75, 18 November 2013, lot 696
for same dies. Obv: Facing bust of Nicephorus, with short beard, wearing crown with
cross on circlet and chlamys, holding cross potent and anexikakia. Rx: Cross potent
on three steps; at sides, C-I. An extraordinarily rare coin from the Syracuse mint. This
piece is in near perfect condition but does have some of the legend partially off the flan.
An interesting type that recently sold in a Roma auction (Auction 5, 23 March 2013,
lot 945) for $18,287. Our coin is comparable in grade at a heavily reduced price. Mint
State..........................................................................................................................9800
31.
Basil I
; 867-886 AD. Constantinople, c. 869-72 AD, Solidus, 4.41g. Berk-266, DO-
2b, Sear-1704. Obv: +IhS XPS REX REGNANTIUM*, nimbate Christ enthroned
facing, wears pallium and colobium; raises r. hand, holds Gospels with l.; Rx:
bASILIOS ET COhSTAhT AUGGb, facing crowned busts of Basil (l.) in loros, and
Constantine in chlamys, holding between them long patriarchal cross. Light hairline on
reverse to left of cross, otherwise minor wear at high points, particularly the faces of the
figures. Good VF........................................................................................................600
GREEK SILVER
32.
Gaul, Massalia
;After 220 BC, Drachm, 2.85g. Weber-Pl. 1, 42. Obv: Draped bust
of Artemis r. Rx: Lion walking l. Small imperfections on the surfaces and irregularity
to the top of the flan, otherwise, lovely imagery and cabinet like toning. EF............475
Lovely Tarentum
33.
Calabria, Tarentum
; c. 355-340 BC, Stater, 7.93g. Fischer-Bossert-688. Obv.
Horse standing r., crowned by boy rider. Rx. Dolphin rider l., holding cantharus and
trident. Below, waves. Ex NAC 51 (2009), lot 493. Despite their serenity, the Tarentine
coinage was frequently struck for financing the never-ending war against the indigenous
tribes of the Apulian and Lucanian hinterland. The obverses of the 4th century display
riders’games (in this case, a victorious boy crowns his horse), and the reverses show the
mythical founder of the harbor city, Phalanthos, riding a dolphin towards the shore. This
particular issue was approximately struck when the Spartan kingArchidamos supported
the Tarentines in their perpetual border wars. A high percentage of the relevant coins
were overstruck on Corinthian staters, thereby not only obliterating the undertype but
also defacing the Tarentine designs. Our specimen, however, does not suffer from the
typical production scars. A very lovely type with incredibly nice detail on the obverse,
particularly the face and musculature of the rider. aEF............................................2250
34.
Lucania, Heraclea
; c. 300-280 BC, Didrachm, 6.47g. Obv: Helmeted head of
Athena right, helmet decorated with Scylla, Rx: Heracles strangling the Nemean lion,
his club to left. A very lovely obverse type with distinct, high relief features. aEF.1250
35.
Lucania, Metapontum
; 330-280 BC, Stater, 7.73g. S-B3. Obv: ΛΕΥ[ΚΙΓΓΟ]
Σ Bearded head of Leukippos r., wearing Corinthian helmet with plain bowl; symbol
behind head: dog seated l. [with one paw raised], [Σ] below neck; Rx: MET[A] upward
at l. with six-grained barley ear with leaf to r.; bird r. with open wings stands on leaf;
AMI below. Unlike the earlier issues, the late 4th century BC coinage of Metapontum
frequently changed its obverse type. Besides various female deities, the helmeted head
of a bearded man can be found. Sometimes an epiclesis tells that this head represented
Leukippos, the mythical founder of Metapontum. Like many heroes he is shown in
military guise, although he is not known for any heroic deed. Rather the opposite:
he acquired the Metapontine territory from the neighboring Tarentines by deceit.
Ironically, the first Roman silver coinage (the Mars/horse ROMANO didrachms)
imitated the Metapontine hero for designing the head of Mars. Somewhat muted silver
but lovely imagery and good definition. Bold VF....................................................1100
36.
Lucania, Metapontum
; 330-300 BC, Diobol, 0.79g. Noe, Johnson-12.4.
Obv: Head of Apollo Carneius left, Rx: Ear of barley. Porous surfaces, but interesting
imagery on such a small denomination. Fine.............................................................250
37.
Lucania, Thurium
; 410-330 BC, Distater, 15.48g. Noe-F30. Obv: Helmeted
head of Athena r. with Skylla on helmet. Rx: ΘOYPIΩ[N] Butting bull r.; in exergue,
tuna swimming r. Normally distaters of Thurium are off-center, this one is not. While
the helmet is somewhat weak, the face of Athena is sharp and pleasant. Pleasant VF....
.................................................................................................................................2200
38.
Lucania, Velia
; 305/4-293 BC. Stater, 7.54g. Williams-393 (same dies). Obv:
Helmeted head of Athena r. Rx: Lion prowling r.; YEΛHTΩN above, N below lion,
thyrsos in exergue. Toned aVF.................................................................................500
39.
Bruttium, Caulonia
; 480-388 BC. Stater, 7.20g. SNG ANS-214 (same dies).
Obv: Apollo advancing right holding branch, fillets hanging from extended left arm,
symbol bird trap to left. Rx: Stag standing right. Deposits still remaining on both
obverse and reverse and worn surfaces. A lovely type for a reasonable price. Fine+.350
40.
Sicily, Himera
; Hemilitron, 1.78g. Rizzo-TAV XXI, 18. Obv: Nude rider on horse
right, blowing shell horn, Rx: Nike advancing left, holding branch in right hand. The
