Boeotian poet Pindar who wrote victory odes for Cyrenian aristocrats donated a statue
of Zeus-Ammon to a sanctuary (c. 450 BC). Its head might have been reminiscent of the
relevant type of Cyrenian coins, and it is fun to imagine what Pindar’s unsophisticated
fellow-citizens thought about a statue of Zeus with the horns of a ram!. Porous surfaces
but a striking piece nonetheless. The obverse of this coin shows a very complete and
elegant silphium plant. The reverse is very well struck with a sharp shadowing of an
undertype that doesn’t interfere with the image of the deity Ammon. aEF.............9500
ROMAN REPUBLICAN SILVER
129.
Anonymous: Ear of grain
; c. 214-212, Victoriatus, 3.19g. Cr-72/1, Syd-194.
Obv: Head of Jupiter r. Rx: Victory crowning trophy, wheat-ear in field. [ROMA] in
exergue. Ex Sternberg 21, 1988, lot 217. Scarce. EF...............................................495
130.
Anonymous: Gryphon
; 169-158 BC, Denarius, 4.07g. Cr-182/1, Syd-283.
Obv: Helmeted head of Roma r., X behind. Rx: Dioscuri riding r., ROMA in linear
frame and griffin below. Toned VF..........................................................................485
131.
Anonymous
; 157/6 BC, Denarius, 3.96g. Cr-197/1a, Syd-376, RSC-6. Obv:
Helmeted head of Roma r., X behind. Rx: Victory in biga r., holding goad; ROMA in
exergue. EF...............................................................................................................315
132.
C. Thalna
; 154 BC, Denarius, 3.33g. Cr-202/1a, Syd-379, RSC-Juventia-7. Obv:
Helmeted head of Roma r., X behind. Rx: Victory in biga r., C TAL ligate below,
ROMA in exergue. Toned VF...................................................................................275
133.
C. Scribonius
; 154 BC, Denarius, 4.20g. Cr-201/1, Syd-380, Scribonia-1. Obv:
Helmeted head of Roma r. Rx: The Dioscuri riding r., CS CR below, ROMA in exergue.
aEF..............................................................................................................................395
Choice Republican Denarius
134.
Spurius Afranius
; 150 BC, Denarius, 3.79g. Cr-206/1, Syd-388, Afrania-1. Obv:
Helmeted head of Roma r., X behind. Rx: Victory in biga r., SAFRA below, ROMA in
linear frame below. Mint State...............................................................................1150
135.
Decimius Flavus
; 150 BC, Denarius, 3.57g. Cr-207/1, Syd-391, Decimia-1. Obv:
Helmeted head of Roma r., X behind. Rx: Diana in biga r., FLAV[S] below, ROMA on
tablet. Ex Munzzentrum Albrecht list 24, 1976, lot 34. EF......................................350
136.
C. Antestius
; 146 BC, Denarius, 4.06g. Cr-219/1e, Syd-411, Antestia 1. Obv: Head
of Roma r., C ANTESTI behind, X below chin. Rx: Dioscuri r., dog running r. below,
ROMA in exergue. Toned VF...................................................................................365
137.
Cn. Gellius
; 138 BC, Denarius, 3.80g. Syd-434, Cr-232/1, Gelia 1. Obv: Head Of
Roma r., X behind, all within laurel wreath. Rx: Mars and Nerio in quadriga r., CN GEL
below horses, ROMA in exergue. Ex Hirsch 104, 1977, lot 2364. Toned VF+.......345
138.
Ti. Veturius
; 137 BC, Denarius, 3.90g. Cr-234/1, Syd-527, Veturia 1. Obv: Draped
bust of Mars r., X and TI VET behind; Rx: Youth kneeling l., between two warriors who
touch with their swords a pig which he holds, ROMA above. Toned VF................495
139.
Cn. Blasio Cn.f.
; 112-111 BC, Denarius, 3.84g. Cornelia 19, Cr-296/1. Obv:
Helmeted head r. (Scipio Africanus?), CN BLA]SIO CN F before. Rx: Jupiter stg.
between Juno and Minerva, [RO]M[A] in ex. Area of weak strike. Toned VF.........175
140.
L. Calpurnius Piso Frugi
; 90 BC, Denarius, 3.83g. Cr-340/1, Syd-661. Obv:
Laureate head of Apollo r., numeral behind. Rx: Horseman r, palm over shoulder,
numeral above, L PISO FRVGI / Roma monogram below. Toned VF....................150
Mint State M. Cato Quinarius
141.
M. Cato
; 89 BC, Quinarius, 2.25g. Cr-343/2b, Syd-597, Porcia 7. Obv: Young head
r., M CATO behind, bow below. Rx: Victory seated r., VICTRIX in exergue. Attractive
light toning; light scratch before face. Mint State....................................................1600
Stunning L. Censorinus Denarius
142.
L. Censorinus
; 82 BC, Denarius, 4.01g. Cr-363/1d, Syd-737, Marcia 24. Obv:
Head of Apollo r. Rx: Marsyas walking l. bearing wine-skin on shoulder; behind,
statue on column; before, L. CENSOR. Ex Sotheby’s Branch sale, 9 June 1983, lot 42.
Beautifully toned. EF...............................................................................................1750
143.
Q. Antonius Balbus
; 83-82 BC, Denarius, 3.97g. Cr-364/1b, Syd-742, Antonia
1a. Obv: Head of Jupiter r., P below, S C behind. Rx: Victory in quadriga r., Q ANTO
BALB / PR in exergue. Scarce with control letter below head. Toned VF..............250
144.
Q. Antonius Balbus
; 83-82 BC, Denarius, 3.91g. Cr-364/1d, Syd-742b,
Antonia-1. Obv: S C Laureate head of Jupiter r. Rx: Q ANTO BALB PR Victory in
quadriga r.; below, O. Beautifully toned. EF..............................................................950
145.
C. Naevius Balbus
; 79 BC, Denarius, 3.63g. Cr-382/1b, Syd-769b, Naevia 6.
Obv: Diademed head of Venus r., S C behind. Rx: Victory in triga r, CCVIIII above, C
NAE BALB in exergue. Minor area of weak strike. Toned aEF................................525
146.
Cn. Lentulus
; 76-75 BC, Denarius, 3.88g. Cr-393/1a, Syd-752, Cornelia-54. Obv:
Bust of Genius of the Roman People r., GPR above. Rx: EX SC divided by globe,
rudder and scepter, CN LEN Q below. Toned EF....................................................325
Attractive and Rare Q. Crepereius Rocus Denarius
147.
Q. Crepereius M.f. Rocus
; 72 BC, 72 BC, Denarius, 3.93g. Cr-399/1b, Syd-
796a (R6), Crepereia 2 (45 Fr.). Obv: Bust of Amphitrite draped r., turned from viewer;
B before. Rx: Neptune in sea-chariot r., drawn by two hippocamps; [B] above, Q
CREPEREI / ROCVS below. Interesting and very scarce. Toned VF...................2200
148.
Q. Fufius Calenus & Mucius Cordus
; 70 BC, Denarius, 4.10g. Cr-403/1,
Syd-797, Fufia 1. Obv: Jugate heads of Honos and Virtus, labeled HO and VIRT
respectively, KALENI below. Rx: Italia (ITAL) clasping hands with Roma (RO),
CORDI in exergue. Reverse type commemorates the reconciliation of Rome and Italy
after the Social War. Beautifully toned. aEF............................................................1650
149.
C. Hosidius C.f. Geta
; 68 BC, Denarius, 3.98g. Cr-407/2, Syd-903, Hosidia
1. Obv: Diademed bust of Diana r., III VIR behind, GETA before. Rx: Wild boar of
Calydon r., pierced by spear and attacked by dog, C HOSIDI CF in exergue. EF.1100
150.
M. Plaetorius M.f. Cestianus
; 67 BC, Denarius, 4.12g. Cr-409/1, Syd-809,
Plaetoria 4. Obv: Winged bust of Vacuna r., CESTIANVS behind, SC before. Rx: Eagle
on thunderbolt, M PLAETORIVS M F AED CVR around. Toned VF....................350
151.
M. Aemilius Scaurus and Pub. Plautius Hypsaeus
; 58 BC, Denarius,
3.86g. Cr-422/1b, Syd-913, Aemilia 8. Obv: Kneeling figure (King Aretas of Nabataea)
holding reins of camel. Rx: Jupiter in quadriga l. Toned aVF................................175
152.
M. Junius Brutus
; 54 BC, Denarius, 3.91g. Cr-433/2, Syd-907, Junia 30. Obv:
Head of L. Iunius Brutus r., behind BRVTV[S] downwards. Rx: Head of C. Servilius
Ahala r., behind AHALA downwards. Minor area of weak strike. Toned VF...........450
153.
Q. Caecilius Metellus Pius Scipio
; 47-46 BC, Utica, Denarius, 3.75g.
Cr-460/3, Syd-1049, RSC-Caecilia 52, Sear, Imperators-42. Obv: CRASS·IVN –
LEG·PRO·PR Turreted female head r.; uncertain object above, rostrum tridens below;
ear of grain and caduceus to l. and r. Rx: METEL·PIVS – SCIP·IMP Trophy between
lituus and pitcher. Quite rare; the first we have handled in 50 years. Slightly bent
planchet. Fine...........................................................................................................475
IMPERATORIAL SILVER
154.
Julius Caesar and Mark Antony
; 43 BC, Denarius, 3.84g. Cr-488/2; Syd-
1166; Sear, Imperators-123. Obv: M ANTO IMP R P C Bare head of Mark Antony r.,
lituus behind. Rx: CAESAR DIC Wreathed head of Caesar r., pitcher behind. Fine+..
.................................................................................................................................1500
155.
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
156.
Cassius
; 42 BC, probably at Smyrna, Denarius, 3.52g. Cr-500/3, Syd-1307, Sear,
Imperators-221. Obv: Diademed head of Liberty r.; C CASSI IMP behind, LEIBERTAS
before. Rx: Pitcher and lituus, LENTVLVS SPINT below. Ex HJB 70, 16 March 1992,
lot 338. Some light corrosion. EF.............................................................................3000
157.
MarkAntony
; 42 BC, Denarius, 3.56g. Cr-494/32, Syd-1144, Sear Imperators-149.
Obv: Head of Antony r., bearded. Rx: Fortuna stg. l., holding Victory and cornucopia,
C VIBIVS behind, VERVS before. Ex HJB 60, 16 January 1990, lot 308. Beautifully
centered obverse. Pieta’s head weakly struck. Some light corrosion.. VF...............2750
158.
Mark Antony and Octavian
; 41 BC, Denarius, 3.21g. Cr-517/2, Syd-1181,
C-8 (30 Fr.), Sear, Imperators-243. Obv: MANT IMPAVG IIIVIR R P C M BARBAT
Q P Bare head of Mark Antony r. Rx: CAESAR IMP PONT IIIVIR R P C Bare head of
Octavian r. A bit overcleaned. A few banker’s marks. VF..........................................700
Exceptional Ahenobarbus Denarius
159.
Cn. Domitius Ahenobarbus
; 41 BC, Denarius, 3.93g. Cr-519/2, Syd-1177
(R5), Sear, Imperators-339. Obv: Head of L. Ahenobarbus r., AHENOBAR before. Rx:
CN DOMITIVS IMP around prow, on which trophy. Ex Gemini V, 6 January 2009, lot
778. Toned EF......................................................................................................11500
ROMAN IMPERIALAND PROVINCIAL SILVER
Important Augustus Discovery
160.
Augustus
; 27 BC-14 AD, Hispania Tarraconensis (Caesaraugusta), c. 19 BC,
Denarius, 3.70g. Rev. type unpublished at this mint, but cf. UBS 78, 9 Sept. 2008,
lot 1270 (same rev. die, obv. oak-wreathed portrait r.). Obv: CAESAR - AVGVSTVS
Head l. wearing oak wreath. Rx: SIGNIS / RECEPTIS S P Q R Shield inscribed [CLV]
between standard (on l.) and legionary eagle (on r.). An important addition to the corpus
of aurei and denarii attributed by Mattingly to the two Spanish mints of Caesaraugusta
and Colonia Patricia. In BMC, our reverse type is recorded only in combination with
bare-headed portraits of Augustus, of the style Mattingly attributed to Colonia Patricia.
Our coin, however, has an oak-wreathed portrait, and is in the style that Mattingly
attributed to his other Spanish mint, Caesaraugusta. Two other “Caesaraugusta” coins
with this reverse type have recently become known, both of them struck from the same
reverse die as our denarius: a denarius with oak-wreathed portrait facing right rather
than left, in UBS 78, 2008, lot 1270, ex Hess, 16 April 1957, lot 341; and an aureus with
bare-headed portrait right and legend just AVGVSTVS, under the portrait, rather than
CAESAR - AVGVSTVS, in Triton XI, 2008, lot 761, earlier in Berk 81, 1994, lot 13. So
this will be a new reverse type for Caesaraugusta, known from just one aureus and two
denarii, all three coins with differing obverse types, if in fact Mattingly’s attributions
are correct. One could wonder, for example, whether “Caesaraugusta” might not just be
an earlier stage of the same mint as “Colonia Patricia”. VF / aVF........................1000
161.
Augustus
; 27 BC-14 AD, Denarius, Hispania Tarraconensis (Caesaraugusta), c.
19-18 BC, 3.68g. BM-334 pl. 6.13 (same obv. die), Paris-1311,C-294, RIC-42a. Obv:
CAESAR AVGVSTVS Head bare r. Rx: Round shield inscribed SPQR CL V. Ex HJB
BBS 132, 14 May 2003, lot 383 . Fine.......................................................................475
162.
Augustus
; 27 BC-14 AD, Lugdunum, c. 2 BC-4 AD, Denarius, 3.72g. BM-538,
Paris-1666, RSC-43d, RIC-212 (R). 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 with honorary shields and
spears, lituus and simpulum above, x in center field. Scarce mirror-image variant of
reverse type with the right shield overlapping the left shield rather than vice versa and
the lituus and simpulum in field reversed, rare with x in field. VF..........................450
163.
Augustus
; 27 BC-14 AD, c. 36-31 BC, Denarius, 3.76g. BM-625, Paris-57, RIC-
265a, C-119. Obv: Head of Octavian bare r., no legend. Rx: IMP - CAESAR Trophy set
on prow, above the prow crossed rudder and anchor. EF.......................................1100
164.
Augustus
; 27 BC-14 AD, Hispania Baetica (Colonia Patricia or Cordoba), 19
BC, Denarius, 3.55g. BM-417, Paris-1132, C-265 (6 Fr.), RIC-86a. Obv: CAES[AR -
AVGVS]TVS Head bare r. Rx: SIGNIS / RECEPTIS S - P / Q - R Shield inscribed [CL
V] between legionary eagle (on l.) and standard (on r.). VF....................................500
165.
Augustus
; 27 BC-14 AD, 19-15 BC, Denarius, 3.75g. BM-347, C-21 (6 Fr.),
Paris-1266, RIC-126 (R2). Obv: Bare head of Augustus r., no legend. Rx: AVGVSTVS
in exergue, Capricorn r. holding globe attached to rudder, above its back cornucopia
bound with fillet. Light graffito behind head. VF.......................................................350
166.
Augustus
; 27 BC-14 AD, 19-15 BC, Denarius, 3.64g. BM-307; C-22 (6 Fr.),
Paris-1354, pl. LV (same obv. die), RIC-547b (R2). Obv: Bare head of Augustus l.,
no legend. Rx: AVGVSTVS in exergue, Capricorn r. holding globe attached to rudder,
above its back cornucopia bound with fillet. Fine....................................................325
167.
Augustus
; 27 BC-14 AD, Rome, 16 BC, Denarius, 3.81g. BM-82, Paris-357, C-543
(30 Fr.), RIC-362 (R). Obv: Equestrian statue of Augustus r. before city walls and gate,
the pedestal inscribed [S]PQR / [I]MP / CAES. Rx: L VINICIV[S] - L F IIIVIR Cippus
inscribed SP[Q]R / IMP CAE / QV[O]D V / M [S E]X / EA [P] Q IS / AD A DE.
The inscription on the cippus means “The Senate and the Roman people (dedicate this
monument) to Caesar Augustus because roads have been built from the money which
he deposited in the treasury”. Area of weak strike. Toned VF.................................1750
168.
Augustus
; 27 BC-14 AD, Lugdunum, 15-12 BC, Denarius, 3.71g. BM-451,
Paris-1373, C-137, RIC-167a. Obv: AVGVSTVS - DIVI F Head bare r. Rx: IMP.X in
exergue, Bull butting r., pawing ground and flicking tail. EF..................................750
169.
Augustus
; 27 BC-14 AD, Lugdunum, 15-12 BC, Denarius, 3.72g. BM-462, pl.
