TRITON XVI
In Conjunction with the 41st Annual New York International
January 8-9, 2013
© TRITON XVI
In Conjunction with the 41st Annual New York International Numismatic Convention
January 8-9, 2013
North Suite, 18th Floor Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, 301 Park Avenue, New York
Featuring:
The Chiltern and RCM Collections of Ancient Coinage
The Alex Shubs Collection of Coinage of the Western Black Sea Region
A Demareteion Tetradrachm and Six Dekadrachms of Syracuse A ‘Porus’ Dekadrachm of Alexander the Great from the Hunt Collection
Further Selections from the BCD Collection of the Coins of Thessaly A Stater of the Seleukid Usurper Andragoras The Goldman Collection of Roman Imperatorial Coinage The Rarest Gold Issue of Vespasian’s Judaea Capta Coinage Medallion of Severus Alexander — Conversion of the Elagabalium Silver Medallion of Constantine I from the Feirstein Collection Very Rare Artavasdus Gold Nomisma An Extremely Rare Gold Maravedi of Alfonso IX A Gold Unite of Charles I from the Ryan Collection
One of the Finest Proof Pattern Gold Broads of Oliver Cromwell
Presented by:
Classical Numismatic Group, Inc.
United States Office: . London Office: Post Office Box 479, Lancaster, PA 17608-0479 >» 14 Old Bond Street, London W1S 4PP, U.K. Tel: (717) 390-9194 Fax: (717) 390-9978 Vay. Tel: +44 (20) 7495 1888 Fax: +44 (20) 7499 5916
Email: cng@cngcoins.com Website: www.cngcoins.com
Grading Conditions
English Proof
Mint State/Uncirculated Extremely Fine (EF) Very Fine (VF)
Fine
Good/Fair
Deutsch Polierte Platte Stempel glanz Vorziiglich Sehr Schon Schon
Gut
Common Abbreviations
AD Anno Domini la) Bronze
AE Actian Era
AH Anno Hegirae AR Silver
AV Gold
BBS _ Buy or Bid Sale BC Before Christ BCE
BE BI
CE Cf.
CY EL FPL
Before the Common Era g
Francais
Flan Bruni Fleur de Coin Superbe
Tres Beau Beau
Bien
Bithynio-Pontic Era
Billon
Common Era
Confer (compare) Countermark
Civic Year (Era)
Electrum
Fixed Price List RY Gram SE
Italiano Fondo Specchio Fior di Conio Splendido Bellissimo Molto Bello Bello
Indictional Year
Mail Bid Sale Mintmark
Lead
Page
Plate
Roman Provincial Era Regnal Year
Seleukid Era
See Bibliography on our website, www.cngcoins.com, for a complete list of reference abbreviations.
Production Staff
Senior Directors:
Senior Numismatist: Numismatists (U.S.):
Numismatists (U.K.):
Controller:
Lancaster Office Manager: London Office Manager: West Coast Representative: Office Staff:
Accounting: Photography & Design:
Printing Control: IT Consultant: Auctioneer:
Victor England, Jr. (U.S.)
Eric J. McFadden (U.K.)
Bradley R. Nelson
D. Scott VanHorn
Kenneth McDevitt
Jeremy A. Bostwick
Jeffrey B. Rill
Bill Dalzell
Max Turs1
David Guest
Julia Trocmé-Latter
Cathy England
Karen Zander
Alexandra Spyra
Dr. Larry Adams
Dawn Ahlgren
Dale Tatro
Tina Jordan (U.K.)
Travis A. Markel
Jessica Garloff
Robert A. Trimble
A.J. Gatlin
Herbert L. Kreindler (License No. 820339)
Classical Numismatic Group, Inc. is a United States limited company. United Kingdom Registration No. FC18173, Branch No. BR2639.
AUCTION TERMS
This is a public, mail bid, and internet auction conducted by Classical Numismatic Group, Inc. (CNG). Bidding in the auction constitutes acceptance of the following terms:
1. The property listed in this catalogue is offered for sale by CNG for itself and as agent for various owners and other consignors. We reserve the right to reject any bid, to determine the opening price, to set bidding increments, to vary the order of the auction, to reopen bidding in the case of a dispute, to withdraw any lot, to bid on behalf of CNG, to bid on behalf of the consignor, to permit the auctioneer to bid on his own behalf, and to permit the consignor to bid on his own lots. CNG may loan or advance money to consignors or prospective bidders, and may have an interest other than commission charges in any lot. CNG may bid on its own account as an “insider” with infor- mation not available to the public.
2. A buyer’s fee will be charged to all successful bidders as fol- lows on the hammer price:
A. 20% for written, fax, email, telephone, and live internet bids.
B. 17.5% for floor bids placed in person at the auction and electronic bids placed directly on www.cngcoins.com.
All written bids, email bids, non-live telephone bids, live internet bid registrations, and live telephone bid registrations must be received before 5PM Eastern time on the day before the auction begins. CNG reserves the right to change the format of www.cngcoins.com at any time.
ey All coins are guaranteed genuine. Attribution, date, condi- tion, and other descriptions are the opinion of the cataloguer, and no warranty is expressed or implied. Please note that an auction sale is not an approval sale. Lots examined prior to the sale and lots purchased by floor bidders (including bidders executing commission bids on behalf of other parties) may not be returned for any reason except lack of authenticity. All claims of misdescription and all claims of return, except claims regarding authenticity, must be made within 5 days of receipt of material. Any claim of lack of authenticity must be made in writing by the original purchaser immediately after discovery that an item is not authentic, and upon making such a claim the original purchaser must immediately return the lot to CNG in the same condition as at the time of the auction. Coins that have been encapsulated (“slabbed”) by a grading and/or authentication service may not be returned for any reason, including authenticity, if they have been removed from the encapsulation (“slab”). If payment is made by credit card, rights of return are governed by these Auction Terms which supercede any rights of return promulgated by the card issuer. Estimates are intended as a guide only and not as a statement of opinion of value.
4. Invoices are due and payable immediately upon receipt. Interest and late fees of 2.0% per month, or at the highest rate permit- ted by law, whichever is less, from the date of the auction, shall be payable on invoices not settled within 30 days of the auction date. Payment may be made by check or bank wire. Credit cards (Visa or MasterCard) will be accepted; credit card payments will not be accepted more than 14 days after the sale date. Payment by check must be made in either US dollars ($) drawn on a US bank or British sterling (£) drawn on a British bank. All successful bidders outside North America and the United Kingdom will be charged an additional $20 fee for bank charges that are the result of international wire trans- fer fees; this fee will be deducted for credit card or check payment as described above. CNG may reduce or compromise any charge or fee at its discretion.
5. Bidders not known to us must provide us with satisfactory credit references or pay a deposit as determined at CNG’s discretion before bidding. Minors are not permitted to bid without written con- sent of a parent guaranteeing payment. CNG may require payment in full from any bidder prior to delivery of lots. Title does not pass until lots are paid in full. Upon receipt of lots, the buyer assumes full responsibility for loss or damage. Delivery to the buyer’s address of record shall constitute receipt by the buyer regardless of the identity of the person accepting delivery.
6. Estimates are in U.S. dollars ($US) and bids must be in even dollar ($) amounts. CNG will execute mail bids on behalf of mail bidders. Subject to reserves and opening prices, mail bids will be executed at one bidding increment (approximately 10%) over the next highest bid. In the case of identical bids, the earliest bid wins. A mail bid has priority over an identical floor bid. Bid by lot number. No lots will be broken. Bidders are responsible for errors in bidding. Check your bid sheet carefully.
7. All lots are subject to reserve unless otherwise indicated. However, no reserve will be higher than the estimate, and ordinarily lots are reserved at 60% of estimate.
8. Bidders personally guarantee payment for their successful bids, including bidders executing commission bids from other parties and bidders representing corporations or other entities. Buyers accept- ing commission bids from other parties do so at their own risk and remain responsible for payment under these Auction Terms.
9. At the conclusion of bidding for each lot, the sale contract is concluded and the successful bidder becomes liable for immediate payment under these Auction Terms. In the event a successful bidder fails to make full payment within 30 days of the auction date, CNG reserves the right either: (a) to require payment as provided under these Auction Terms; or (b) to deem the sale incomplete and to re-auc- tion the material, in which case the successful bidder agrees to pay for the reasonable cost of such a sale and also to pay any shortfall between the re-auction price and the successful bidder’s purchase price. CNG reserves all rights that it is entitled to under the Pennsylvania Uniform Commercial Code, including the right to offset any sums due from a successful bidder against any future consignment or purchase or mon- ies or goods in possession of CNG.
10. Sales tax, postage, handling and insurance are the responsibil- ity of the buyer and are added to all invoices where appropriate. For buyers in the European Union, CNG may import lots into the United Kingdom prior to shipment and charge buyers the import Value Added Tax. On any tax not paid by the purchaser which should have been paid, even if not invoiced by CNG, the purchaser agrees to pay the same on demand together with any interest or penalty that may be assessed. It is the responsibility of the buyer to comply with foreign customs and other regulations.
11. Prices realized are published after the sale and are mailed with CNG’s next publication. Prices realized are also posted after the sale on CNG’s web site: www.cngcoins.com
12. Bidders hereby waive any claim for incidental, consequential or exemplary damages arising from this auction. The sole remedy that any participant in the auction shall have for any claim or controversy arising out of the auction shall be a refund, without interest, of all or part of the purchase price paid by the participant.
13. All rights granted by CNG or otherwise available to bidders and purchasers, under these Auction Terms or otherwise, are personal and may not be assigned or transferred to any other person or entity, whether by operation of law or otherwise. No third party may rely on any benefit or right conferred by these Auction Terms. Bidders acting as agents must disclose the agency in writing to CNG prior to the auc- tion; otherwise rights are limited to the agent and are not transferable to the undisclosed principal.
14. Any dispute regarding this auction shall be governed by the laws of Pennsylvania and shall be adjudicated only by the Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas or the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania; all bidders submit themselves to the personal jurisdiction of these courts for this purpose, consent to service of process by registered or certified mail, and waive any contrary provisions of Articles 14 or 15 of the French Civil Code and any similar provisions in any jurisdiction. All bidders consent to the confidentiality of consignors’ identities and waive any right to require disclosure of the name of the consignor or owner of any auction lot, whether such right is based on New York GOL §5-701(a) or any other provision in any jurisdiction. In any dispute regarding this auction, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover its reasonable costs and attorney fees.
Participate in Triton XVI Live on the Internet
With Live Online Bidding, you can: ¢ Log on and bid at any time through our partner the-saleroom.com e View the lots, follow the bidding, and see hammer prices as they are sold e Hear and see the auctioneer live e Enjoy all the advantages of an auction room bidder to win your favorite lots
To bid live in Triton XVI: e Visit our dedicated Live Online Bidding site before the auction at http:/Aivebidding.cngcoins.com e Register online and choose your username and password e On the auction day, login to join the auction and participate live
Please Note
e Your CNG handle and password will not allow you to bid live — you must register separately for this auction e You must register to bid live before 5PM EST on Monday, January 7, 2013 e All lots won through Live Online Bidding will be subject to a 20% buyer’s fee
Hemera tla ton .. AT COUR ALI TICONS
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Lot Viewing
Lancaster, PA Auction lots may be viewed at our Lancaster Office from December 3, 2012 until December 31, 2012, by appointment only, unless the lots are on exhibition at the showing below. Lancaster Office Hours: 10 AM - 5 PM (Monday - Friday). Please note that our hours will be limited during the holiday season.
San Francisco New York City San Francisco Historical Bourse Waldorf-Astoria Hotel Holiday Inn Golden Gateway Carnegie and Morgan Suites, 18th Floor Gold Rush Ballroom Sunday January 6, 2013 - 1 PM until 7 PM Friday & Saturday, December 14-15, 2012 Monday January 7, 2013 - 9 AM until 7 PM 8—10 AM (Dealers) and 10 AM—6 PM (Public) Tuesday January 8, 2013 - 9 AM until 6 PM Individual Lots Only at this Showing Wednesday January 9, 2013 - 9 AM until Noon
Online Viewing
Enlargements of all single lots and selected multiple lots may be viewed on the internet at
G4) CNGCOINS.COM B3NumisBids.com SIXBID.COM
We are sorry, but photographs of individual coins in multiple lots cannot be provided.
Auction Location
New York City - Waldorf-Astoria Hotel North Suite, 18th Floor
Lot Pickup
New York City - Waldorf-Astoria Hotel Starlight Roof - North Foyer (The room on the right immediately after NYINC Registration Desk) Thursday January 10, 2013 - 2 PM until 6 PM Friday January 11, 2013 - 10 AM until 6 PM Saturday January 12, 2013 - 10 AM until 6 PM Sunday January 13, 2013 - 10 AM until Noon
Order of Sale
Session One — Tuesday Morning — January 8 — 9:30 AM
The Alex Shubs Collection of Coins of the Western Black Sea Region .................... 1-167 reek Comace (alt l).cs 6s chet pede pee need bnew ded ees nee du aw ded sdee ads 168-406
Session Two — Tuesday Afternoon — January 8 — 2:00 PM
Creek: COmace (Malt 2) x nnchaitere 2 oat ody asd aie adults 0 oat eviesaed alah pile Sod evict aud oem ard piiets 407-612 Celtic © OMAGG.. stant tase aasd ts ae iAs aaa thes tae A Seer es eee ees 613-626 Onenta Greek COMAG@ 2.4. aee tater Sh eheeaee tater S64 habeeaee cater Suet nas 627-650 Central siat COMaGC-vx mick coe e ak eat a eine gine Winsted pine gains alah Wanted pies aoa 65 1-683 Ronmian Provincial COma@e: sc 2-9:0.50-4 soe BB cee BA whew ot KB ae Ee BA ww ew ot Kees Bd 684-749 Roman Republican & Imperatorial Coinage (part 1)... 2... 0... ee ee eee 750-852
Session Three — Wednesday Morning — January 9 — 9:30 AM
Roman Republican & Imperatorial Coinage (part 2)... 2... eee eee 853-1000 The A.K. Collection of Roman Coinage ......... 0... ccc eee e eens 1001-1005 Roman: Impérial Comage: 3.4 246 en3e405s yee She oa boa RSs yee eae oe BOWES yee 1006-1238
Session Four — Wednesday Afternoon — January 9 — 2:00 PM
By Zantine © O1ndee: 44.40 sa gteb eh tae es Poe cate tas yas ee nee tae yes 1239-1303 Early. Wedieval-ec Islamic Comate:.4 24.cxuedwstevesteaecneedeadewenetheeeaades 1304—1326 W Old’ C OIMdCC a. a aia uiieod Bete teak Bei eo Bee dee ase eee Bee see ase ei ees aE 1327-1532 BS TAMUIS i O NAC 0.4, sesr nace Siaae apek, Ree Sosa SU ence teat dechy Bos Sate dy eee cane at decks Be Sate, tienes gt aoe 1533-1609 British Wied als 1s -3aric tae eee Bathe hae Nae Ge hee kee Ne ae ee dS ears 1610-1630 Nel OCU AO(S Sa ates oda eter BG aes Md a tr eG ance Cdn ent Galas Cea ered 1631-1730
All lots in this auction from the BCD Collection were in the possession of CNG in CNG’s Lancaster, Pennsylvania office no later than 1 November 2011. All other lots in this auction were in the possession of CNG in CNG’s Lancaster, Pennsylvania office no later than 1 November 2012.
This information is provided for the protection of buyers in the event that US import restrictions are introduced subsequent to that date on any of the types of coins and antiquities that are included in this auction.
Notice Regarding ‘‘Slabs”’ Coins that have been encapsulated (“slabbed”’) by a grading and/or authentication service may not be returned for any reason, including authenticity, if they have been removed from the encapsulation (“‘slab’’).
Acknowledgement
CNG would like to thank Jan Moens Gan.moens@bvdmc.com) for creating and providing the Numismatica Medievalis font used in this sale.
Session 1 — Tuesday, January 8, 2013 — 9:30 AM
The Alex Shubs Collection of Coins of the Northwestern Black Sea
Alex’s 40 years of collecting ancient coins began when he was merely a boy of 11 years, when his father gave him the autobiography of the famous German archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann. From that moment, Alex became enamored with archaeology and ancient history. At the time, his family was living in Kiev, where the Institute of Archeology of the Ukrainian Academy of Science was located. The Institute held special after-school classes for children who were interested in ancient history and archaeology, and one of the best archaeologists at that time, Valery Dudkin, was an instructor. By the following summer, Alex and his classmates, alongside students from Moscow University, were conducting a dig at the site of ancient Olbia along the Black Sea in the Crimea. Thereafter, for three months every other summer until the completion of his schooling, Alex and his classmates were involved in archaeological expeditions with their teacher. In addition to the dig at Olbia, Alex participated in digs at Tauric Chersonesos, Karkinitis, Pantikapaion, and Nymphaion. Of course, ancient coins were found by Alex during these summer digs. The first coin he found was at his first site, Olbia; it was a 4th century BC bronze with the head of the river god Borysthenes (the Dneiper River was known as the Borysthenes to the Olbians). The coin was in excellent condition, and so beautiful to the young boy that he even slept with it under his pillow over the following days. It was the first coin that Alex obtained for his collection, where it remains to this day.
Beside this archaeological experience, one other event in Alex’s youth was a motivating factor in his desire to collect ancient coins. When he was 13 years old, Alex visited the coin cabinet of the Hermitage Museum, which holds the greatest collection of ancient Greek coins of the Black Sea area. While amazed by the entire display, he was particularly captivated by the 5th-4th century bronze coins of Theodoseia, which, at that time, were of even greater rarity than today (though they are still quite rare, with only 20-30 pieces are known). On the reverse of these coins was the forepart of a bull, but the obverse was never displayed. The young Alex, enamored with the beauty of their reverse, dearly wished to see what the obverse depicted, and the simple pictures he found in books failed to assuage his desire to view one of these in his hand. Over the years of his collecting, Alex managed to obtain four early bronzes of Theodoseia for his collection, one of which is of the extremely rare type he saw at the Hermitage. Finally having the coin in-hand, Alex spent three hours just staring at the head of Hera on the obverse.
Collecting coins was not new to Alex’s family; his father and grandfather both collected, but concentrated on issues of Imperial Russia. Eventually, their collections were passed on to Alex, who exchanged the (then-inexpensive) Russian coins for ancient Black Sea Greek and Roman coins. He soon built a quite impressive collection of ancient coins.
In 1988, at age 28, and holding a degree in mechanical engineering, Alex moved to the US and opened his own engineering firm a couple of years later. His company soon developed into an international firm, giving him the opportunity to travel throughout Europe, where he would acquire new coins for his growing collection. By the 1990s, with huge hoards of material pouring out of eastern Europe, Alex was in a position to acquire many very rare and desirable coins.
The first portion of his collection, containing the coinage of the Cimmerian Bosporos and Kings of Bosporos, was sold in Classical Numismatic Group 84 on 5 May 2010, and the concurrent Electronic Auction 233. That collection of coins from the Northeastern Black Sea mints was extraordinarily diverse, with numerous rarities not often seen in the marketplace. CNG is proud to now offer his complimentary collection of coinage from the Northwestern Black Sea mints, which is equally diverse in its selection of rare and interesting types. Many of these coins have been unavailable in the marketplace, and some have been used as plate coins in publications. No comprehensive collection of these coins have ever appeared at auction.
Alex has provided personal notes throughout the collection, and they appear in italics following the relevant lots.
A Note on Dating, References, and Rarity
The dating of much of the coinage from this region is not secure, and often the subject of pure speculation. The various references often diverge on their dating schemes, sometimes to a great extent for particular coin series. For the purpose of consistency, this collection generally follows the 2011 edition of Anokhin’s catalog of coins of the northern Black Sea (see Anokhin in the bibliography below). Unfortunately, this catalog is not yet widely available in the West, nor are many of the primary references that are necessary for an understanding of the coinage of this region. For this reason, each lot will include references to SNG BM Black Sea, SNG Pushkin, SNG Stancomb, and the two volumes of the Sutzu collection, which are the primary specialized collections of this coinage that are widely available. Regarding the rarity of the coins, ascertaining the objective data to quantify their rarity is difficult, as there is so little published. At the same time, the scarcity of this type of coinage in most published collections may be the result of a bias against lower grade coins, as most of these issues commonly occur in average to low grade. In any event, Alex is intimately familiar with the existence of examples in both public and private collections, and the rarity ratings on the coins are based on his observations.
Works Cited
Anokhin Anokhin, V.A. Aumuunoie Monemoi Ceéeepuozo [IpuuepHomopbea (Ancient Coins of the Northern Black Sea Coast). Kiev, 2011.
Anokhin, Arrowhead ——. “Monuetpli-cTpesikn” (The Arrowhead-Money) in Ozveua u ee oxpyea (Olbia and its Vicinity). Kiev, 1986.
Anokhin, Khersonesa ——. Monemnoe deno Xepcoueca (IV 6. 00 H.9. - XII 6. u.9) (Coinage of Chersonesus [4th century BC - 12 century AD]). Kiev, 1977.
Frolova, Friihe Frolova, N.A. Die friihe Miinzprdgung vom Kimmerischen Bosporos (Mitte 6. bis Anfang 4. Jh. v. Chr.): Die
Miinzen der Stddte Pantikapaion, Theodosia, Numphaion und Phanagoria sowie der Sinder. Berlin, 2004.
Frolova, Skilura ——. “MonuetpI cKudbcKoro tapas CKustypa” (The Coins of the Scythian King Scilurus) in Coeemcxaa Apxeonoeusn (Sovietskaya Arkheologiya) 1964.
Frolova & Abramzon Frolova, N.A., and M.G. Abramzon. Monemb: Onveuu 6 Cobpanuu TocyOapcmeennozo Ucmopuueckoeo Myzea (Coins of Olbia in the Collection of the State Historical Museum). Moscow, 2005.
Karyshkovskij Karyshkovskij, PO. Monemnoe Oeno u OeHexcHoe Obpawexnue Onveuu (VI 6. Oo H.9. — IV 6. H.9.) (Coinage
and Monetary Circulation in Olbia [6th century B.C. — 4th century A.D.]). Odessa, 2003.
Kutajsov Kutajsov, V.A. “Cast money and coins of Kerkinitis of the Fifth Century B.C.” in Ancient Civilizations from Scythia to Siberia 2.1 (1995).
Medvedeva Medvedeva, L.I. “Mounetsr Kepkunutuypr’ (Coinage of Kerkinitis) in Hymuamamuxka u anuepaqduKa (Numismatics and Epigraphy) 14 (1984).
Sidorenko & Shonov Sidorenko, V.A., and I.V. Shonov. “K Tunojormu MOHeETHOM YeKaHKH aHTMYHOK Peogocuu” (Typology of the ancient coinage of Theodosia) in MAIET XV (2009).
SNG BM Black Sea Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum, Great Britain, Volume IX, British Museum, Part 1: The Black Sea. London, 1993.
SNG Pushkin Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum, State Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts Coins of the Black Sea Region. Part I: Ancient Coins of the Northern Black Sea Littoral. Leuven, 2011.
SNG Stancomb Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum, Great Britain, Volume XI, The William Stancomb Collection of Coins of the Black Sea Region. Oxford, 2000.
Solovyov Solovyov, S.L. “Monetary Circulation and the Political History of Archaic Borysthenes” in Ancient Civilizations from Scythia to Siberia 12 (2006).
Stolba Stolba, V. “Ein Miinzfund aus Eupatoria von 1917 und der Beginn der Pragung von Kerkinitis” in
W. Leschhorn, et al., eds., Hellas und der Griechische Osten. Festschrift fiir Peter Robert Franke zum 70. Geburtstag. Saarbriicken, 1996.
Sutzu I Petac, E. La Collection M.C. Sutzu (Bibliothéque de l’ Académie Roumaine, Bucarest). I. Istros, Kallatis, Tomis. Wettern, 2005. Sutzu II ——. La Collection M.C. Sutzu (Bibliothéque de 1 Académie Roumaine, Bucarest). II. Cités grecques du
Nord de la Mer Noire, d’Asie Mineure et d’ Afrique (Collection Grand-duc Alexandre Mikhailovitch). Wettern, 2009.
Zograph, Tyra A.N. Zograph. Mouemui Tupvi (Coinage of Tyra). Moscow, 1957.
Borysthenes [IACP 690]
Borysthenes was a Milesian settlement established circa 600 BC near the confluence of the Hypanis and Borysthenes rivers. There is ongoing debate about the exact location of the settlement, with some scholars placing it on Berezan, while others collocate it with site of Olbia. It was the first of the Greek cities of the northern Black Sea to issue a coinage of its own, in the second half of the sixth century BC, consisting of large triangular and trapezoidal cast bronzes featuring arrows or arrowheads on one side and a tunny fish (or its head) on the other. These large coins were soon supplemented with smaller cast bronzes in the shape of arrowheads. These arrowheads were produced for a century or more, and, over time, evolved from plain biface arrowheads into a form with an arrowhead on just one side and a dolphin on the other. In his 1986 study of this ‘arrowhead money,’ V.A. Anokhin distinguished four basic types, although many more varieties have appeared since that time. Most numismatists, however, view the ‘arrowhead money’ as proto-money, and typically do not include these in publications of coinage from this region (SNG BM Black Sea, for example, contains none). The reason that this coinage was produced is not certain, but most scholars agree that it comprised a local trade coinage among the Greek settlements along the western and northwestern Black Sea coast, where they have been found in many excavations and hoards. It is also apparent that these cast arrowheads replaced the use of actual military arrowheads that were modified for trade by bending down the point and filling the empty orifice where the shaft had been attached with lead. Trade among these poleis also included a precious metal coinage at this time as well, but hoards and excavations have shown that they relied upon the bountiful electrum issues of Kyzikos for this purpose. The use of the tunny on the early bronzes of Borysthenes is probably related to its presence on the electrum coinage of Kyzikos, and some studies have suggested that the weights of the bronze coinage may be relative to the Phocaic standard that was used at Kyzikos. By the end of the sixth century, there was certainly a robust economy between Borysthenes and the other cities in the region, as significant numbers of these arrowhead coins have been found in hoards across the western Black Sea coast. Political and military upheavals in the fifth century, however, resulted in a reduction of the population of Borysthenes, while the population and prosperity of Olbia grew. In the third quarter of the fifth century, Borysthenes was finally absorbed into the territory controlled by Olbia, becoming the emporion of the latter, and this event marked the end of its coinage.
From the consignor: During my participation in archeological digging in Berezan & Olbia, when I was 11-14 years old, we were often digging out many pieces of Greek ceramic from the 6th-5th centuries BC decorated with fish (tunny) heads and arrows. Later, I read in D.B. Shelov, Coins of Bosporos (Moscow, 1956), that salted fish and grains were a primary trade product between the Black Sea coast and cities of Greece. At the same time, bronze arrows were also important products of trade between Greek settlers and Skythians.
The Borysthenes, which should be, in accordance with archeological literature, understood as Berezan, was founded around 645/644 BC (Euseb. Chron. Can. 11.88). Most of the cities of the northern and western Black Sea region were founded by settlers from Ionia. This is why almost in all of these cities one could find a cult of Apollo the Healer. Attributes of such a cult were arrows and arrow heads (A.F. Losev, An- cient Mythology in Their Historical Development /[Moscow, 1957], p. 410). So this explains the appearance of bronze arrowheads in 7th-6th centuries BC as votive donations to the temple of Apollo Iatros. The bronze dolphins and tunny heads were attributes of another cult, Apollo Delphinios, the temple of which was found during archeological excavations in Olbia. Its construction is dated to the 3rd quarter of the 6th century BC (V.P. Yailenko, Greek Colonization, VI-III Centuries BC [Moscow, 1982]; and V.P. Yailenko, To the Age & Translation of the Berezan Letter to Achillodoros [Moscow, 1974], pp. 133-52). Bronze dolphins were found in the temple and in the sorounding houses, which attest to its use as proto-money.
While the plain arrowheads and dolphins are quite plentiful today, the presence of any letters or symbols (including slanted “nerves” emanat- ing from the central spines) only occurs in roughly I out of every 10,000 examples. Therefore, any such examples are extremely rare. This is attested by the rarity of examples with letters or symbols present in the major collections: for instance, there are only 4 in the British Museum, 3 in Berlin, and about 14 in the Hermitage.
Sometime after Olbia absorbed Borysthenes, the proto-coinage of cast arrowheads, tunny heads, and dolphins were eventually replaced by the large cast asses with the legend APIX. This legend first appears on the latest issue of dolphins (and possibly arrowheads - see Lot 20, below), as APIXO, with the O equating to the first letter of the city name, Olbia. The APIX is more uncertain. It is quite possible that the AP and IX are abbreviations of two Greek words, APotc (= arrowhead) and IX@v¢ (= fish), respectively. This legend, therefore, would reinforce that this new coinage of asses was the replacement for the previous “proto-coinage” of arrowhead and dolphin money. The advent of the asses is thought to be circa 437-410 BC, following the Athenian expedition of Perikles to the region, whereupon Olbia became a member of the Delian League.
1. SKYTHIA, Borysthenes. Circa 550-500 BC. Cast AE (53mm, 49.77 g, 12h). Large tunny head right; [A to left], M to right / Three arrows left. Solovyov fig. 3, 3 (Hermitage, inv. B78.216) = A. Trofimova, Greeks on the Black Sea: Ancient Art from the Hermitage (Los Angeles, 2007), p. 86, 11. Fine, brown patina, areas of roughness on obverse. Extremely rare, the third known (the others in the Hermitage and a private collection). ($3000)
2; SKYTHIA, Borysthenes. Circa 550-500 BC. Cast A (50mm, 43.95 g, 12h). Large tunny head right / Bilobate arrowhead left. Solovyov fig. 3, 1-2 (Hermitage, inv. B63.370 and B89.351). Fine, rough green-brown patina with patches of red. Extremely rare, one of three known (the other two in the Hermitage). ($2000)
SKYTHIA, Borysthenes. Circa 550-450/25 BC. Cast AE (34mm, 4.23 g). Bilobate arrowhead with axial spine on
soe sides. Anokhin, Arrowhead, Type I. EF, green-brown patina. ($100) 4. SKYTHIA, Borysthenes. Circa 550-450/25 BC. Cast AE (28mm, 2.81 g). Bilobate arrowhead with axial spine on both sides. Anokhin, Arrowhead, Type I. VF, brown patina with earthen deposits. ($75)
SKYTHIA, Borysthenes. Circa 550-450/25 BC. Cast AE (43mm, 4.37 g). Bilobate arrowhead with axial spine on on sides. Anokhin, Arrowhead, Type I. VF, rough green-brown patina. ($100)
6. SKYTHIA, Borysthenes. Circa 550-450/25 BC. Cast AE (30mm, 3.74 g). Bilobate arrowhead with axial spine and raised edges on both sides. Anokhin, Arrowhead, Type I. Fine, dark green patina, slightly bent with gouge at bend on one side. Extremely rare, approximately only 6 of this variety known, 4 of which are in museums. ($100)
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SS
7. SKYTHIA, Borysthenes. Circa 550-450/25 BC. Cast AZ (44mm, 4.79 g). Bilobate arrowhead with axial spine; on one side, four slanting nerves above and below spine. Anokhin, Arrowhead, Type II. VF, dark green patina. Extremely rare, approximately only 2 of this variety known. ($150)
iw i. ; a le cael Ie 2 ae = Fe
8. SKYTHIA, Borysthenes. Circa 550-450/25 BC. Cast A (34mm, 2.59 g). Bilobate arrowhead with axial spine and raised edges, seven slanting nerves above and below spine / Flat surface with irregular raised lines, two horizontal and three vertical. Anokhin, Arrowhead, Type H/III hybrid. VF, dark green-brown patina, slight bend in flan. Extremely rare, approximately only 3 of this variety known, 2 of which are in museums. ($200)
SS
9. SKYTHIA, Borysthenes. Circa 550-450/25 BC. Cast AE (37mm, 3.71 g). Bilobate arrowhead with axial spine, two slanting nerves above and below spine / Bilobate arrowhead with axial spine, wheel of four spokes (solar disk) in center. Anokhin, Arrowhead, Type II/III hybrid. Good VF, dark green patina. Extremely rare, approximately only 6 of this variety known, 3 of which are in museums. ($200)
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10. SKYTHIA, Borysthenes. Circa 500-450/25 BC. Cast AE (52mm, 5.82 g). Bilobate arrowhead with axial spine / Bilobate arrowhead with axial spine, wheel of four spokes (solar disk) in center. Anokhin, Arrowhead, Type III. VF, green patina. Extremely rare, approximately only 10 of this variety known, 6 of which are in museums. ($300)
11. SKYTHIA, Borysthenes. Circa 500-450/25 BC. Cast AE (29mm, 1.60 g). Bilobate arrowhead with axial spine and raised edges / Blank surface. Anokhin, Arrowhead, Type II. VF, green-brown patina. ($75)
10
SKYTHIA, Borysthenes. Circa 500-450/25 BC. Cast AE (38mm, 3.72 g). Bilobate arrowhead with axial spine, with a A in lower half on both sides. Anokhin, Arrowhead, Type III. Near EF, green-brown patina. Very rare, approximately only 15 of this variety known, 9 of which are in museums. ($150)
The letter A on these may refer to the local cult of Apollo Iatros at Borysthenes.
aS
SKYTHIA, Borysthenes. Circa 500-450/25 BC. Cast AE (39mm, 3.37 g). Bilobate arrowhead with axial spine, with i A in lower half on both sides. Anokhin, Arrowhead, Type III. VF, dark green patina. Very rare, approximately only 15 of
this variety known, 9 of which are in museums. ($150) 14. SKYTHIA, Borysthenes. Circa 500-450/25 BC. Cast AE (26mm, 1.43 g). Bilobate arrowhead with axial spine, with large A in lower half on both sides / Flat surface with thin axial spine, along which are three pellets. Anokhin, Arrowhead, Type Ill. VF, dark green patina, irregular flan, as cast. Very rare. ($100) 15. SKYTHIA, Borysthenes. Circa 500-450/25 BC. Cast A (28mm, 1.94 g). Bilobate arrowhead with axial spine / Flat surface with large A perpendicularly aligned at one end. Anokhin, Arrowhead, Type III. VF, green patina. Extremely rare, one of only 3 of this variety known, the other 2 of which are in museums. ($150) 16. SKYTHIA, Borysthenes. Circa 500-450/25 BC. Cast AE (25mm, 1.65 g). Bilobate arrowhead with axial spine / Flat surface with large pellet in the field. Anokhin, Arrowhead, Type III. VF, dark green patina. Very rare. ($100) 17. SKYTHIA, Borysthenes. Circa 500-450/25 BC. Cast AE (25mm, 2.28 g). Bilobate arrowhead with axial spine / Flat surface with thin axial spine, along which are three pellets. Anokhin, Arrowhead, Type III. Good VF, green-brown patina. Extremely rare, approximately only 10 of this variety known. ($100)
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18. SKYTHIA, Borysthenes. Circa 500-450/25 BC. Cast A (37mm, 2.84 g). Bilobate arrowhead with axial spine / Flat surface with partial axial spine at one end, anchor-like device at other end. Anokhin, Arrowhead, Type III. VF, green-brown patina. Extremely rare, approximately only 2 of this variety known. ($300)
11
19. SKYTHIA, Borysthenes. Circa 500-450/25 BC. Cast AZ (30mm, 1.55 g). Bilobate arrowhead with axial spine / Dolphin. Anokhin, Arrowhead, Type IV. VF, brown patina with patches of red. Very rare, approximately only 11 of this variety known, 5 of which are in museums. ($150)
Anokhin’s Type IV coins, combining the types of Borysthenes (arrowhead) and Olbia (dolphin), either postdate the incorporation of the former into the latter, or else it indicates that there was a period of direct economic cooperation between the two cities while they were still independent of one other.
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20. SKYTHIA, Borysthenes. Circa 437-410 BC. Cast AZ (33mm, 3.25 g). Bilobate arrowhead with axial spine and raised edges / Flat surface, upon which is the legend [XI]9A. Anokhin, Arrowhead, Type III. VF, green-brown patina. Unique example with this legend. ($200)
This piece was reportedly found in the sea close to Berezan. After 2,500 years in salty water, the reverse is understandably difficult to read; it is only partially visible to the naked eye. This is the sole example of an arrowhead coin with this inscription that is commonly found on the dolphin coins, which subsequently was used on the large asses at Olbia.
The presence of the legend suggests that this coin was made after Borysthenes lost its independence to Olbia, becoming the latter’s emporion. It is possible that production of the arrowhead coins was moved to Olbia after this event, but the lack of the O at the end of the legend, which is present on contemporary dolphin-coins (Anokhin 177—9; see Lot 32, below), and possibly refers to Olbia, suggests that it was not.
Olbia [IACP 690]
Olbia was settled by Milesian colonists in the early sixth century BC (Eusebius’ date of 647/6 BC is now thought to refer to the foundation of Olbia’s neighbor, and later emporion, Borysthenes), near the confluence of the Hypanis and Borysthenes rivers. The earliest coinage of the city, considered by some to be proto-money, was cast bronze in the form of dolphins, which was likely developed as a local trade coinage in the vein of the cast arrowhead money of Borysthenes, which was already in widespread use in the region. The earliest of these coins had dolphins on both sides, but on later issues one side was flat and usually had some lettering. While Olbia is thought to have had an aristocratic constitu- tion from its beginning, this government form was replaced by a tyranny circa 480 BC. Herodotos (4.78—80) and numismatic evidence also suggests that in the early to mid-fifth century Olbia was under the protection of the Skythian king Skylas, though all of his coinage is known from the city of Nikonion (see Lot 104, below). Olbia became a member of the Delian League after 437 BC, and democratic control was rees- tablished by the early 4th century. There is abundant epigraphic and archaeological evidence for the presence of numerous patron deities, but the most significant of these was Apollo Delphinios, whose cult became preeminent at Olbia from the late 6th century.
Olbia was one of the most prolific issuers of coinage in the region, and its issues span the length of its early history, lasting well into the Ro- man period. As mentioned above, the earliest coinage consisted of cast bronze dolphins, which was followed by large cast bronzes with the head of Athena and a dolphin on the obverse, and a four-spoke wheel (or solar disc) on the reverse. These were later succeeded by other cast bronzes with a facing gorgoneion on the obverse and a sea-eagle holding a dolphin on the reverse. This reverse image became an archetype that appeared on numerous issues over the next couple centuries. Most of the subsequent issues in the pre-Roman period featured the portrait of one of the city’s patron deities on the obverse, and either that or another deity’s attributes on the reverse. The portrait and attributes of the city’s primary patron deity, Apollo Delphinios, are featured on some of the city’s coinage, but Demeter, another of the city patrons, is far more common on the various denominations. Other deities found on Olbia’s coins include Zeus, Athena, and Herakles. The river-god Borysthenes also features prominently on the large issues of the late 4th-early 3rd centuries. One of the most interesting aspects of Olbian coinage is the existence of a fairly large civic gold issue in the later fourth century BC, which consisted of two denominations, staters and hemidrachms, struck on the Attic standard. While other northwestern Black Sea cities struck rare gold issues, they were almost exclusively royal issues struck for various dynasts, or else military issues of posthumous Lysimachos type. Olbia also struck a variety of silver issues, usually in multiple denominations, at various times from the later 4th to 2nd centuries BC.
Lot 21
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21. SKYTHIA, Olbia. Circa 470-460 BC. Cast AE (45mm, 82.28 g). Head of Athena left, wearing Attic helmet; to left, dolphin upward; all within incuse circle / Wheel with four spokes (‘solar disk’). Anokhin 157; Karyshkovskij —; Frolova & Abramzon 139 corr. (no letters on rev.[?]); SNG BM Black Sea —; SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb —; Sutzu II —. Good Fine, untouched, “as found” thick rough green patina. Extremely rare, approximately only 4 of this type known, 2 of which are in museums. ($2000)
Anokhin 155-7 lists a multi-denominational issue of these “wheel” coins that have no magistrate’s name. It is questionable, however, whether the absence of the name is not due to the poor condition of the coins listed. All of the other authors do not list any coins without a magistrate’s name (the Frolova & Abramzon coin is also of poor quality), and the coarse condition of the patina on this and the following coin could easily be obscuring a name.
22. SKYTHIA, Olbia. Circa 470-460 BC. Cast AE (45mm, 75.74 g). Head of Athena left, wearing Attic helmet; to left, dolphin upward; all within incuse circle / Wheel with four spokes (‘solar disk’). Anokhin 157; Karyshkovskij —; Frolova & Abramzon 139 corr. (no letters on rev.); SNG BM Black Sea —; SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb -; Sutzu II -. Fine, dark green patina. Extremely rare, approximately only 4 of this type known, 2 of which are in museums. ($1500)
Za. SKYTHIA, Olbia. Circa 460-450 BC. Cast AZ (43mm, 73.36 g). Paus(a)-, magistrate. Head of Athena left, wearing Attic helmet; to left, dolphin upward; all within incuse circle / Wheel with four spokes (‘solar disk’); [S]YA [I] around rim of wheel. Cf. Anokhin 160 (larger denomination); Karyshkovskiy —; Frolova & Abramzon —; SNG BM Black Sea —; SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb -; Sutzu I -. Fine, green-brown patina, a few scratches. Extremely rare, one of only 3 of this type known, the other 2 of which are in museums. ($2000)
From the late 6th century BC, the cult of Apollo Delphinios was preeminent among the many cults located at Olbia, and its temple was the city’s central temenos, and formed part of the agora. This cult was important at Miletos, and therefore it is not surprising that it became the main cult at Olbia, which was Miletos’s primary colony on the northern Black Sea. Naturally, the administration and customs of the cult at Olbia closely followed the norm at Miletos: The observance was carried out by a group of six called the Molpoi (“singer-dancers”’), whose leader was called the aisymnetes. At Miletos, the aisymnetes was also the political leader of the city, and this was also the case at Olbia, where he was also the eponymous official. During the time of oligarchic government at Olbia, prior to the expedition of Perikles to the region, the Molpoi were certainly part of the ruling elite. In fact, the magistrate Pausa—on these early cast issues was probably the same Pausanias that was known to have been one of the aisymnetes in the 5th century. The importance of the cult is also reflected in the coinage types at Olbia, where dolphins feature prominently from the earliest proto-money (cast dolphins). By the time of the present issue, one can observe the changing dynamics of the Olbian polity. The dolphin is retained as a prominent symbol, but it appears beside the profile of Athena, which must relate to the cult of Athena that, along with Zeus and Apollo Delphinios, was also in the central temenos at Olbia. The wheel on the reverse, which is also featured on later issues, likely refers to the cult of Apollo Iatros (cf. A.S. Rusyaeva, “Miletus - Didyma - Borysthenes - Olbia. Problems of Colonization of the Lower Bug Region,” VDI 2 [1986]: 25-64), which had been the central deity at Borysthenes, but was also important at Olbia, particularly so after the former became the emporion of the latter. (Cf. JACP, p. 938-9; and F. Graf, Apollo [Taylor & Francis, 2008], p. 89-90.)
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24. SKYTHIA, Olbia. Circa 460-450 BC. Cast AZ (79mm, 293.64 g). Paus(a)-, magistrate. Head of Athena left, wearing Attic helmet; to left, dolphin upward; all within incuse circle / Wheel with four spokes (‘solar disk’); [=]VAl I'15 around rim of wheel. Anokhin 161 var. (legend not retorgrade); Karyshkovskij —; Frolova & Abramzon —; SNG BM Black Sea —; SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb -; Sutzu II —-. VF, dark green patina. Extremely rare, the finer of only 2 of this type known, the other is in the Odessa Archaeological Museum. ($15,000)
Ex Tkalec (9 May 2005), lot 55.
25. SKYTHIA, Olbia. Circa 460-450 BC. Cast AZ (42mm, 62.74 g). Pausa-, magistrate. Head of Athena left, wearing Attic helmet; to left, dolphin upward; all within incuse circle / Wheel with four spokes (‘solar disk’); E’l TAY2A around rim of wheel. Cf. Anokhin 162 (larger denomination); Karyshkovskij —; Frolova & Abramzon —; SNG BM Black Sea —; SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb -; Sutzu H—. Near VF, brown patina. Extremely rare, one of only 3 of this type known, the other 2 of which are in museums. ($3000)
26. SKYTHIA, Olbia. Circa 450-440 BC. Cast AE (70mm, 130.75 g). Paus(a)-, magistrate. Head of Athena left, wearing Attic helmet; to left, dolphin upward / Wheel with four spokes (‘solar disk’); FAY = within quarters. Anokhin 164; Karyshkovskij p. 392, Tao. If=B, 1; Frolova & Abramzon 130-3; SNG BM Black Sea —; SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb -; Sutzu II —. Near VF, rough dark green patina. Very rare, only 15 of this type known, 8 of which are in museums. ($5000)
Ex New York Sale IV (17 January 2002), lot 100.
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21s SKYTHIA, Olbia. Circa 437-410 BC. Cast AZ (68mm, 137.81 g, 12h). Facing gorgoneion / Sea eagle flying right, wings spread, holding in its talons a dolphin right; A-P-I-X around. Anokhin 168; Karyshkovskij p. 395, Ta6. II=C, 2; Frolova & Abramzon 156-8; SNG BM Black Sea 383; SNG Pushkin 38-42; SNG Stancomb 343; Sutzu II 95-6. Good VF, green- brown patina, a few scrapes and scuffs. ($3000)
This series marks the next development of coinage at Olbia, following the expedition of Perikles to the region. During this expedition, Perikles promoted the democratic style of government, and removed aristocracies and oligarchies from power at a number of the cities, which were then brought into the Delian League. This event is reflected on the new series at Olbia in three ways. First, the name of the magistrate, who had been part of the ruling oligarchy, was removed from the coinage. Second, the obverse type was changed to a facing gorgoneion, which was emblematic of the protecting cuirass of Athena (Athens). And finally, the reverse shows a dolphin in the talons of Zeus’s eagle. This reverse type is particularly significant, as the dolphin, long a symbol of the cult of Apollo Delphinios, whose leaders were members of the oligarchy, was now depicted under the influence of Zeus, whose cult was ascendant under the democratic government, when he was known as Zeus Eleutherios (cf. Y.G. Vinogradov, Pontische Studien: Kleine Schriften zur Geschichte und Epigraphik des Schwarzmeerraumes [Mainz, 1997]: 212-5).
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28. SKYTHIA, Olbia. Circa 437-410 BC. Cast AE (39mm, 28.32 g, 12h). Facing gorgoneion with protruding tongue / Wheel with four spokes (‘solar disk’); A-P-I-X in quarters. Anokhin 169; Karyshkovskij p. 463, 3; Frolova & Abramzon 160-9; SNG BM Black Sea 386; SNG Pushkin 43-6; SNG Stancomb -; Sutzu II 97. Good VF, green patina, a few light marks. Very rare, approximately only 14 examples known, 8 of which are in museums. ($2000)
Ex Classical Numismatic Group 87 (18 May 2011), lot 247.
29. SKYTHIA, Olbia. Circa 437-410 BC. Cast A (27mm, 10.07 g, 2h). Facing gorgoneion, with solid eyes / Wheel with four spokes and central pellet (‘solar disk’); A-P-I-X counterclockwise in quarters. Anokhin 171 var. (orientation of letters); Karyshkovsky p. 468. 1—8 var. (same); Frolova & Abramzon 179 (same rev. die); SNG BM Black Sea 388-9 var. (same); SNG Pushkin 49 var. (same); SNG Stancomb 345 var. (same); Sutzu II —. VF, red-brown patina. Very rare, approximately only 23 examples known, 12 of which are in museums. ($1000)
30. SKYTHIA, Olbia. Circa 437-410 BC. Cast ZZ (28mm, 11.84 g, 6h). Facing gorgoneion, with hollow eyes / Wheel with four spokes and central pellet (‘solar disk’); A-[X]-P-[I] clockwise in quarters. Anokhin 171 var. (orientation of letters, solid eyes); Karyshkovsky p. 468, 7-8; Frolova & Abramzon 172-9 var. (same); SNG BM Black Sea 388-9 var. (same); SNG Pushkin 49 var. (same); SNG Stancomb 345 var. (same); Sutzu II —. VF, dark green patina with patches of brown. ($500)
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31. SKYTHIA, Olbia. Circa 437-410 BC. Cast ZZ (81mm, 85.11 g). Dolphin right / Flat surface with small + in relief. Anokhin 173; Karyshkovski p. 390, Tao. I=A, 1; Frolova & Abramzon 1; SNG BM Black Sea 359; SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb -; Sutzu II —. VF, dark green patina, a couple pits. Extremely rare, one of 4 known, the other 3 of which are in museums (Kiev [Ukrainian Archaeological Museum], London [BM], and Moscow [State Historical Museum]). ($7500)
32. SKYTHIA, Olbia. Circa 437-410 BC. Cast A (39mm, 4.65 g, 12h). Dolphin right / APIXO. Anokhin 179; Karyshkovsky p. 390, Tao. I=B, 9; Frolova & Abramzon 68-84; SNG BM Black Sea 374-6 var. (legend); SNG Pushkin 17-9; SNG Stancomb -; Sutzu II 89-91. Good VF, dark green patina. ($1000)
33: SKYTHIA, Olbia. Circa 400-380 BC. Cast AE (35mm, 19.83 g, 12h). Facing gorgoneion, with no tongue / Sea eagle flying left, wings raised, holding in its talons a dolphin left; O-A-B-| around. Anokhin 184; Karyshkovskij p. 469, 6; Frolova & Abramzon 187; SNG BM Black Sea 396-8; SNG Pushkin 55-6 and 59-63; SNG Stancomb 347 var. (gorgoneion with tongue); Sutzu II 98-9 var. (same). VF, brown patina. ($500)
oS
34. SKYTHIA, Olbia. Circa 400-380 BC. Cast AZ (10mm, 1.02 g). Imitiating Istros. Wheel with four spokes (‘solar disk’) / Distorted |=T on flat surface. Anokhin 188; Karyshkovskij —; cf. Frolova & Abramzon 223-4; SNG BM Black Sea -; SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb -; Sutzu II —-. VF, dark green-brown patina. ($200)
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35. SKYTHIA, Olbia. Circa 400-380 BC. Cast AZ (12mm, 0.91 g). Imitiating Istros. Wheel with four spokes (‘solar disk’) / Distorted |=T, small [OA]-B around, on flat surface. Anokhin 189; Karyshkovskij —; Frolova & Abramzon —; SNG BM Black Sea —; SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb -; Sutzu II —. Good Fine, dark green patina, areas of corrosion on reverse. Extremely rare with OA-B on reverse, approximately 12 known, 7 of which are in museums. ($300)
36. SKYTHIA, Olbia. Circa 380-360 BC. A (17mm, 4.23 g, 12h). Head of Demeter right / Sea eagle standing right on dolphin right, tearing at its head; OABIO above, YA below. Anokhin 203; Karyshkovskij p. 405, Ta6. IX=A, 5-7; Frolova & Abramzon 331; SNG BM Black Sea 413 var. (PYd on rev.); SNG Pushkin 55-6 and 59-63; cf. SNG Stancomb 350; Sutzu II 98-9 var. (gorgoneion with tongue). Good VF, dark green patina. ($200)
i 0 . bat ual s iL = iy i ts ae i ‘ al rt = r ;
37. SKYTHIA, Olbia. Circa 360-350 BC. AE (18mm, 5.23 g, 12h). Head of Tyche right, wearing mural crown and wreath / Archer crouching left, drawing bow; [Q=TPA to right, [OJABIO below. Anokhin 222; Karyshkovskij p. 410, Tao. XHU=A, 1-5; Frolova & Abramzon 1299-324; SNG BM Black Sea 536-7; SNG Pushkin 142-6; SNG Stancomb 402; Sutzu II 180-1. VF, red-brown patina, some roughness. ($150)
This archer coinage was struck during a period of conflict between Olbia and Chersonesos. It is interesting that an archer is on the reverse of contemporary issues at Chersonesos, but facing in the opposite direction (cf. Anokhin 654). Olbia was unsuccessful in this conflict, and the victory of Chersonesos was reflected in that city’s quadriga-hoplite coinage (cf. Anokhin 658; see also Lot 122 below).
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38. SKYTHIA, Olbia. Circa 360-350 BC. A (12mm, 1.85 g, 6h). Head of Tyche right, wearing mural crown and wreath / Archer crouching left, drawing bow; OBIO (sic) to right. Anokhin 226; Karyshkovskij p. 410, Ta6. XII=A, 12; Frolova & Abramzon 1388 corr. (ethnic); SNG BM Black Sea 543; SNG Pushkin 157—8; SNG Stancomb 405 var. (ethnic); Sutzu II 184-6 var. (same). Near VF, green patina. ($100)
39. SKYTHIA, Olbia. Circa 350-330 BC. Cast AZ (66mm, 106.50 g, 12h). Head of Demeter facing, wearing grain-ear wreath and necklace / Sea eagle standing left, wings spread and head right, on dolphin left; OABIH above, d below. Anokhin 235; Karyshkovskij p. 400, Ta6. VI=C, 2; Frolova & Abramzon 237 var. (different control letter); SNG BM Black Sea 390-2 var. (no control letter); SNG Pushkin 91—3 var. (same); SNG Stancomb 348 var. (different control letter); Sutzu II —. Good VF,
dark green patina with patches of red, die break on reverse. Very rare, one of 26 known, 20 of which are in museums. ($5000)
These are the final cast bronze coins of Olbia during the Classical Period, as well as the final large cast bronze asses in Olbia’s history. There are & different varieties known, distinguished by the letters and/or symbol on their reverse. Letters A, B, I’, and E are known without other symbols, while A is found with a star, and Y with an ear of grain. An ear of grain also occurs without a letter, and some examples have no letters or symbols at all. The appearance of these letters and symbols may reflect a change in the political structure of the city. In numismatics, the appearance of letters on pre-Hellenistic coinage have often been connected with oligarchy (see, for instance, coins of Samos [Barron, pp. 40-3, 89-93] and Tauric Chersonesos [Anokhin, Khersonesa, pp. 44-45]). Thus, an oligarchic system may have been reinstated at Olbia circa 350 BC. In 334 BC, Alexander the Great changed the ruling oligarchy in Miletos, the parent city of Olbia, and a desire to change the political situation in Olbia may have prompted Alexander’s general Zopyrion to besiege the city in circa 330 BC.
40. SKYTHIA, Olbia. Circa 350-330 BC. Cast AZ (66mm, 105.90 g, 12h). Head of Demeter facing, wearing grain-ear wreath and necklace / Sea eagle standing right, wings spread and head left, on dolphin right; OABIH above. Anokhin 242-3 var. (grain ear on rev.); Karyshkovski p. 403, Tao. VII=C, 1-2 var. (same); Frolova & Abramzon 235 var. (same); SNG BM Black Sea 393 var. (same); SNG Pushkin 96-7 var. (same); SNG Stancomb -; Sutzu I —. VF, dark green-brown patina, some smoothing. Very rare, one of 18 known, 11 of which are in museums. ($5000)
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41. SKYTHIA, Olbia. Circa 330-325 BC. AZ (12mm, 1.63 g, 9h). Head of Demeter left / Grain ear left above dolphin left; OABIO below. Cf. Anokhin 270-2; Karyshkovskij p. 408, Tao. XI=A, 12; Frolova & Abramzon 478-90; SNG BM Black Sea 554—6; SNG Pushkin 90; SNG Stancomb 363; Sutzu I 116. VF, dark green patina with a few spots of red, slight roughness. ($100)
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42. SKYTHIA, Olbia. Circa 325-320 BC. AZ (9mm, 1.26 g, 10h). Head of Apollo right, wearing laurel wreath / Barley grain right above dolphin right; OABIO below. Anokhin 284 var. (rev. type left); Karyshkovskij p. 407, TaO. X=B, 3-7; Frolova & Abramzon 545-630; SNG BM Black Sea 418-9; SNG Pushkin 101—2; SNG Stancomb 358; Sutzu If 111. Good VF, dark green-brown patina. ($200)
43. SKYTHIA, Olbia. Circa 320-315 BC. AR Stater (22mm, 12.76 g, 12h). Head of Demeter left, wearing grain ear wreath / Sea eagle standing left, wings spread and head right, on dolphin left; 0 above, trident head to right, OABIO below. Anokhin 287; Karyshkovskij p. 270, 58-76; Frolova & Abramzon 693; SNG BM Black Sea 434 var. (control marks); cf. SNG Pushkin 132; SNG Stancomb 359 var. (same); Sutzu II —. Good VF, lightly toned, slightly weak strike on high points. Extremely rare, one of only 8 known, of which 5 are in museums. ($5000)
Circa 331-328 BC, Alexander the Great’s satrap of Thrace, Zopyrion, led an expedition of about 30,000 men across the Danube, into Skythia. He soon besieged the city of Olbia, which put up a staunch resistance. Olbia took drastic measures in its attempt to bolster it position militarily and economically: slaves were freed, foreigners were granted citizenship, and debts were canceled. While these measures proved to be beneficial, the success of Olbia surely was helped by a winter storm that decimated the Macedonian fleet that must have played a significant role in Zopyrion’s strategy. Ultimately, the siege was raised, and the Macedonians were forced to march back to Thrace. Along the way, the already weary army was picked apart by Skythian raiders and a brutal winter. It is unknown how many made it back across the Danube, but Zopyrion was not one of them; he died en route, either at the hands of the Skythians or as a result of the harsh conditions, circa 325/4 BC.
Although victorious, Olbia certainly was not unscathed by the siege. During the event, Olbia struck a siege coinage (cf. Anokhin 274-6), which showed its desperate position. However, the city’s coinage over the subsequent decades attest to a city not in decline, but ascendant. By 315 BC, the city redeveloped its economy, which is reflected by a robust precious metal coinage in multiple denominations, including both silver
and gold (cf. Anokhin 277-94, and see Lot 45, below).
44. SKYTHIA, Olbia. Circa 320-315 BC. AZ (12mm, 1.95 g, 10h). Head of Demeter left, wearing grain ear wreath / Sea eagle right standing on dolphin right; OABIO below. Anokhin 289; Karyshkovskij p. 409, TaO. XI=B, 4-6; Frolova & Abramzon 274-82; SNG BM Black Sea 428; SNG Pushkin 137; SNG Stancomb 364; Sutzu II 106 var. (rev. type left). VF, rough brown surfaces. ($100)
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45. SKYTHIA, Olbia. Circa 315-310 BC. AV Hemidrachm (11mm, 2.09 g, 7h). Head of Demeter left, wearing grain ear wreath / Dolphin left; OA below. Anokhin 291; Karyshkovskij p. 267, 25-40; Frolova & Abramzon 695-6; SNG Black Sea 550; SNG Pushkin 138; SNG Stancomb -; Sutzu II —. Good VF, some die rust, minor die shift on obverse. Extremely rare, only 10 examples remaining (see below), 7 of which are in museums. ($10,000)
At the time of Karyshkovskij’s study, he found 15 examples of this coinage. However, since then, 6 were stolen (along with other gold objects, and all were melted into ingots), leaving only 9 pieces, to which we can add a single example that was subsequently discovered.
46. SKYTHIA, Olbia. Circa 310-280 BC. A (21mm, 11.27 g, 12h). Head of river god Borysthenes left / Ax and bowcase; "O to left, OABIO to right. Anokhin 316; Karyshkovskij p. 412, Ta6. XTI=B, 1; Frolova & Abramzon 830-41; SNG BM Black Sea 474; SNG Pushkin 195-8; SNG Stancomb 375; Sutzu II 129-30. VF, brown patina. ($150)
47. SKYTHIA, Olbia. Circa 310-280 BC. A (21mm, 8.55 g, 12h). Head of river god Borysthenes left / Ax and bowcase; M to left, OABIO to right. Anokhin 354; Karyshkovskij p. 564, Ta6. CXLV; Frolova & Abramzon —; SNG BM Black Sea 509; SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb -; Sutzu II 161. Good VF, dark brown patina, minor smoothing. Rare control mark. ($200)
48
48. SKYTHIA, Olbia. Circa 310-280 BC. A (21mm, 10.61 g, 6h). Head of river god Borysthenes left / Ax and bowcase; [BO to left], OABIO to right. Anokhin 359 (same dies as illustration); Karyshkovskij p. 414, TaO. XV=A, 3; Frolova & Abramzon 1052-65; SNG BM Black Sea 512; SNG Pushkin 246; SNG Stancomb 394; Sutzu II 165—6. VF, dark red-brown patina, minor smoothing. ($100)
49. SKYTHIA, Olbia. Circa 310-280 BC. A (24mm, 12.12 g, 9h). Head of river god Borysthenes left / Ax and bowcase; M1 to left, OABIO to right. Anokhin 363; Karyshkovskij p. 414, Ta6. XV=A, 13; Frolova & Abramzon 1076-82; SNG BM Black Sea 516; SNG Pushkin 253; SNG Stancomb -; Sutzu II —. VF, dark green-brown patina with patches of red, light cleaning scratches. ($150)
50. SKYTHIA, Olbia. Circa 310-280 BC. A. (17mm, 4.97 g, 7h). Head of river god Borysthenes left / Ax and bowcase; AP to left, OABIO to right. Anokhin 386 (same rev. die as illustration); Karyshkovskij p. 415, TaO. XV=C, 12; Frolova & Abramzon 1207—21; SNG BM Black Sea 531; SNG Pushkin 275-8; SNG Stancomb 399; Sutzu II 153. VF, dark green patina, minor area of flat strike. ($100)
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i
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51. SKYTHIA, Olbia. Circa 270-260 BC. AE (17mm, 4.04 g, 12h). Head of Apollo right, wearing laurel wreath / Archer crouching left, drawing bow; CEY to left, OABIO to right. Anokhin 406; Karyshkovskij p. 418, Ta6. X VII=B, 7; Frolova & Abramzon 1588-91; SNG BM Black Sea 591; cf. SNG Pushkin 302—4; SNG Stancomb -; cf. Sutzu II 199. VF, dark red-brown
patina. ($200) 52. SKYTHIA, Olbia. Circa 250-240 BC. A (12mm, 2.31 g, 12h). Head of river god Borysthenes left / Dolphin left; OABI[O] above, $1 below. Anokhin 420; Karyshkovskij p. 419, Ta6. XVII=A, 4; Frolova & Abramzon—; SNG BM Black Sea —; SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb -; Sutzu II —. VF, dark brown patina. Very rare. ($200)
53. SKYTHIA, Olbia. Circa 230-220 BC. A (20mm, 6.39 g, 3h). Head of Herakles left, wearing lion skin / Bow in bowcase left above club left; OABIO above, K to right, [EE below. Anokhin 434; Karyshkovskij p. 417, Ta6. XVII=A, 7-8; Frolova & Abramzon 1533—40; SNG BM Black Sea 1584—5; SNG Pushkin 291—3; SNG Stancomb 410 var. (® not K); Sutzu If 192-3. VF, dark green patina, light cleaning marks on reverse. ($100)
54. SKYTHIA, Olbia. Circa 200-190 BC. AZ (20mm, 7.87 g, 12h). Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin; c/m to left: Macedonian helmet within incuse circle / Club left; OABIO above, K to right; A, AM, and A below. Anokhin 455 (with c/m); Karyshkovski p. 422, Tao. XX=A, 12; Frolova & Abramzon 1876 (with c/m); SNG BM Black Sea 617 (with c/m); SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb -; Sutzu II —-. VF, dark green patina with light earthen dusting, struck from broken obverse die. Extremely rare, approximately only 9 examples known, 6 of which are in museums. ($100)
55. SKYTHIA, Olbia. Circa 180-170 BC. ZZ (20mm, 8.51 g, 12h). Head of Demeter right, wearing grain ear wreath / Sea eagle standing left on dolphin left; [OJABIO above, BEE below. Anokhin 480; Karyshkovskij p. 420, Ta6. XVIII=C, 3; Frolova & Abramzon 1653-8; SNG BM Black Sea 648—9; SNG Pushkin 352-68; SNG Stancomb 423-4; Sutzu I 203-4. VF, green-brown patina, slight die shift on reverse, reverse a little off center. ($150)
Some of the coins of this type have a control letter on the left side of the reverse. As that portion of the die was not struck up on this example, it is uncertain whether this coin has this feature.
56. SKYTHIA, Olbia. Circa 180-170 BC. ZZ (18mm, 8.80 g, 12h). Head of Demeter right, wearing grain ear wreath / Sea eagle standing left on dolphin left; [OJABILO] above, BEE below. Anokhin 480; Karyshkovskij p. 420, Ta6. X VIII=C, 3; Frolova & Abramzon 1653—8; SNG BM Black Sea 648—9; SNG Pushkin 352-68; SNG Stancomb 423-4; Sutzu II 203-4. Good Fine, brown patina with patches of red. ($100)
Similar to the previous example, the left side of the reverse is not struck up on this example, so that it is uncertain whether this coin has a control mark that is sometimes present on this type.
2)
SKYTHIA, Olbia. Circa 180-170 BC. A (14mm, 3.88 g, 11h). Head of Artemis Pe / Quiver; OABIO to left, BEE i vide Anokhin 489; Karyshkovskij p. 420, Tao. X[X=A, 11; Frolova & Abramzon 1797-1817; SNG BM Black Sea 661-2; SNG Pushkin 388-91; SNG Stancomb 426 var. (orientation a legends); Sutzu II 210. VF, red-brown patina. ($150)
58. SKYTHIA, Olbia. Circa 180-170 BC. A (12mm, 1.98 g, 12h). Head of Athena right, wearing helmet / Owl standing right, head facing; OABI above, =BE below. Anokhin 490; Karyshkovskij p. 420, TaO. XIX=A, 15; Frolova & Abramzon 1843- 57; SNG BM Black Sea 663-4; SNG Pushkin 397; SNG Stancomb 427-8; Sutzu II -. Good Fine, brown patina. ($150)
SKYTHIA, Olbia. Circa 160-150 BC. ZZ (14mm, 3.16 g, 12h). Head of Artemis right. wearing necklace / Dolphin OABI[O] above, BA below. Anokhin 498; Karyshkovskij p. 422, Ta6. XX=B, 15; Frolova & Abramzon 2019-27; SNG BM Black Sea 643-6; SNG Pushkin 438-9; SNG Stancomb -; Sutzu H —. Good VF, brown patina. Well centered and struck.
($200)
60. SKYTHIA, Olbia. Circa 120-110 BC. A (14mm, 1.40 g, 12h). Head of Athena right, wearing crested Attic helmet / Round shield; spear diagonally in backgound; OABIO to left, EYPH to right. Anokhin 507; Karyshkovskij p. 423, Ta6. XX=C, 17; Frolova & Abramzon 2077; SNG BM Black Sea 685; SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb -; Sutzu II —. VF, brown patina, slightly weak strike in center of obverse. Rare. ($150)
61. SKYTHIA, Olbia. Circa 110-100 BC. AR Didrachm (18mm, 5.74 g, 12h). Head of Athena right, wearing crested Corinthian helmet; c/m to left: leaf (or silphion plant?) within incuse circle / Round shield on upright spear; OABIO above, EA to left, NOALI] below. Anokhin 508 (with c/m); Karyshkovskij —; Frolova & Abramzon —; SNG BM Black Sea 684 (with c/m); SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb -; Sutzu II —; SNG Lockett 1084 (this coin). VF, coned, a couple light scratches on reverse. Very rare, approximately only 12 examples known, 8 of which are in museums. ($2000)
Ex LHS 95 (25 October 2005), lot 547; Hess-Leu 45 (12 May 1970), lot 90; Richard Cyril Lockett Collection (Part II, Glendining, 12 February 1958), lot 999.
The monogram on this issue is thought to resolve as ENIPAN[OY =].
This silver coinage was struck just after the death of the Skythian king Skilouros, who ruled from the city and had been at war against Mithradates VI of Pontos. It was a tense time for Olbia, as the Pontic king began extending his rule, often by force, throughout the region.
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SKYTHIA, oui Circa 90-80 BC. AZ (13mm, 2.31 g, 1h). Head of Apollo right, wearing laurel wreath(?) / Bow in tees two stars and OA-BI across field. Anokhin 514; Karyshkovskij p. 423, TaO. XX=C, 18; Frolova & Abramzon 2149-54; SNG BM Black Sea 675-6; SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb 446; Sutzu II —. Good VF, dark brown patina.
($150)
All of the references note that the obverse type is a laureate head of Apollo, but the laurel wreath is not visible on any of the published examples, nor the present coin. The style of the portrait is more similar to the representations of Artemis on relatively contemporary issues.
63. SKYTHIA, Olbia. Circa AD 50/1. A (18mm, 3.73 g, 12h). Head of Zeus right, wearing laurel wreath; [scepter to left, thunderbolt to right, below chin] / Eagle standing right; OABIO above, MI to right, [NJOAEITEQIA] below. Anokhin 532; Karyshkovsk p. 424, Tao. XXI=B, 9-11; Frolova & Abramzon 2267-87; RPC I 1947; SNG Pushkin 463-7; SNG Stancomb 929; Sutzu II 232. VF, brown patina. ($150)
64. SKYTHIA, Olbia. Circa AD 74/5. 4 (22mm, 9.40 g, 6h). Head of Apollo right. wearing laurel wreath; OABIONLO]I-A€El around / Sea eagle standing right on dolphin right; |EP O€O [BI] around, 2 to right. Anokhin 536 (this coin illustrated); Karyshkovsky p. 425, Tao. XXII=B, 9; Frolova & Abramzon 2343 corr. (monogram); RPC H 491; SNG Pushkin 486 var. (monogram); SNG Stancomb 931 var. (same); Sutzu II 234-8 var. (same). VF, dark brown patina, minor smoothing. ($150)
65. SKYTHIA, Olbia. Circa AD 75/6. 4 (20mm, 6.78 g, 12h). Head of Apollo right. wearing laurel wreath; OABIO NOA-€l around / Sea eagle standing right on dolphin right; T[P]CW around, ® above, W to right. Cf. Anokhin 537; Karyshkovski p. 648, TaO. CCXL; Frolova & Abramzon 2469 (same dies); RPC II 492; SNG Pushkin 519 (same dies); SNG Stancomb 941 (same dies); Sutzu II 243 (same dies). VF, brown patina. ($100)
66. SKYTHIA, Olbia. Severus Alexander. AD 222-235. A Tetrassarion (21mm, 6.20 g,6h). AV T K MA/P CE\WEFAN- APOC, laureate bust right, slight drapery on far shoulder / OAVIO-TIOAIT ON (sic), eagle standing facing, head left, wreath in beak; A (mark of value) to upper left, I between legs. Anokhin 563 var. (rev. legend); Karyshkovskij p. 428, Ta6. XXIV=B, 3-7 var. (same); Frolova & Abramzon 2708—28 var. (same); SNG Pushkin 586 var. (same); SNG Stancomb 949-50 var. (same); Sutzu If 258 var. (same). Near VF, black patina, lightly smoothed. ($100)
eis)
67. SKYTHIA, Olbia. Severus Alexander. AD 222-235. A Assaria (15mm, 1.94 g, 12h). AV K CEOV AATE]EAN- APOC, laureate head right /OAB/OAI/TWN in three lines within laurel wreath. Anokhin 565; Karyshkovskij p. 428, Ta6. XXIV=B, 12; Frolova & Abramzon 2742-50; SNG Pushkin 591-4; SNG Stancomb 951; Sutzu II —. Good VF, dark green- brown patina, small area of roughness on obverse. ($100)
Tyra [IACP 694]
The origin and location of Tyra is not yet certain, but it appears to have been a Milesian colony founded in the sixth or fifth century BC. Al- though only called a polis in very late sources, its status as a polis in the 4th century is attested by its coinage, as well as its presence in the tribute list of the Delian League in 425/4 BC. Very little is known about the city today. Its coinage began in the second quarter of the 4th century BC, and consisted primarily of relatively small bronze issues down to Roman times. Nevertheless, there were two series of precious metal coinage, a relatively diverse issue of silver drachms in the mid-late 4th century BC, and a very rare issue of gold staters of Lysimachos type in the mid-3rd century. The quantity and diversity of the city’s issues were greatly increased in the Roman period, particularly in the second and early third centuries AD. Tyra’s last issues appear to have been struck during the reign of Severus Alexander.
From the Consignor: The absence of subsidiary letters and symbols (control marks) on the coins of Tyra suggest that its coinage was issued by a democratic city government. This is in contrast to the situation at Olbia, where many of the coin series bear such markings (see note on Lot 39, above). Only the period in which its silver coinage (Anokhin 7-18, and Lots 72-4, below) was struck do we see control marks that suggest the city’s government was temporarily under the control of an oligarchy.
68 69
68. SKYTHIA, Tyra. Circa 370-360 BC. A (13mm, 2.14 g, lh). Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin / Bull standing right on club right; TYPA above. Anokhin 1; Zograph, Tyra 40; SNG BM Black Sea 348; SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb —; Sutzu II —. Fine, rough brown patina. Very rare. ($100)
69. SKYTHIA, Tyra. Circa 360-350 BC. AZ (17mm, 4.84 g, lh). Head of Tyras right, wearing laurel wreath / Bull standing right, head facing; TYPA above. Anokhin 2-3; Zograph, Tyra 13; SNG BM Black Sea 338; SNG Pushkin 1-2; SNG Stancomb 332; Sutzu II —-. VF, dark green and red-brown patina, minor roughness. Rare. ($150)
70. SKYTHIA, Tyra. Circa 350-340 BC. AZ (22mm, 9.45 g, 12h). Head of Tyras left, wearing laurel wreath / Head of horse right; TYPA to left. Anokhin 7; Zograph, Tyra 11; SNG BM Black Sea 337; SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb 331; Sutzu II 270. Good VF, red-brown patina, light smoothing. ($200) 71. SKYTHIA, Tyra. Circa 350-340 BC. A (12mm, 1.70 g, 7h). Head of Tyras left, wearing laurel wreath / Head of horse right, wearing bridle; TYPA to left. Anokhin 9; Zograph, Tyra —; SNG BM Black Sea —; SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb —; Sutzu II —. VF, black patina, area of roughness on obverse. Extremely rare. ($100)
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72. SKYTHIA, Tyra. Circa 330-310 BC. AR Drachm (17mm, 5.46 g, 6h). Aeginetan standard. Head of Demeter facing slightly left, veiled and wearing grain ear wreath and necklace / Bull butting left; TYPANION] above, ® below. Anokhin 13 var. (control letter); Zograph, Tyra —; SNG BM Black Sea —; SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb -; Sutzu II -. VF, lightly toned, minor porosity, flat strike at high points of obverse. Extremely rare, approximately only 9 examples of this variety, 5 of which are in museums. ($1500)
73. SKYTHIA, Tyra. Circa 330-310 BC. AR Drachm (17mm, 5.29 g, 12h). Aeginetan standard. Head of Demeter facing slightly left, veiled and wearing grain ear wreath [and necklace] / Bull butting left; TYPANON above, NEY below. Anokhin 16; Zograph, Tyra —; SNG BM Black Sea —; SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb -; Sutzu II -. VF, lightly toned, minor porosity. Extremely rare, approximately only 7 examples of this variety, 4 of which are in museums. ($2000)
74. SKYTHIA, Tyra. Circa 330-310 BC. AR Drachm (17mm, 5.79 g, 6h). Aeginetan standard. Head of Demeter facing slightly right, veiled and wearing grain ear wreath and necklace / Bull butting left; TYPANON above. Anokhin 17; Zograph, Tyra 8; SNG BM Black Sea 335; SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb -; Sutzu II —. Near VF, toned, light die rust, minor deposits on reverse. Very rare. ($2000)
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73: SKYTHIA, Tyra. Circa 310-300 BC. A (17mm, 4.79 g, 6h). Head of Tyras right, wearing laurel wreath / Head of horse right, wearing bridle; TYPA to left. Anokhin 24; Zograph, Tyra 17; SNG BM Black Sea 342-3; SNG Pushkin 3-4; SNG Stancomb 333; Sutzu II 271. Near VF, dark green-brown patina, small area of roughness on cheek of Tyras. ($150)
7
76. SKYTHIA, Tyra. Circa 300-290 BC. A (16mm, 5.66 g, lh). Head of Demeter left, wearing grain ear wreath / TYPA within wreath of grain ears. Anokhin 25; Zograph, Tyra 39; SNG BM Black Sea 347; SNG Pushkin 6; SNG Stancomb -; Sutzu II —. VF, dark brown patina. Well centered. ($150)
Pa
77. SKYTHIA, Tyra. Circa 290-280 BC. A (13mm, 4.01 g, 6h). Head of Demeter right, wearing veil / TY/PA in two lines within wreath. Anokhin 26; Zograph, Tyra 20; SNG BM Black Sea —; SNG Pushkin 6; SNG Stancomb -; Sutzu II —. Good
Fine, dark brown patina. Very rare. ($100) 78. SKYTHIA, Tyra. Circa 280-270 BC. A (19mm, 5.29 g, 6h). Head of Athena right, wearing crested helmet / Bull butting left; TYPA above. Anokhin 27 (this coin illustrated); Zograph, Tyra 22; SNG BM Black Sea —; SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb —; Sutzu II —. Good VF, dark brown/black patina on an irregular flan. Extremely rare. ($150) 79. SKYTHIA, Tyra. Circa 270-260 BC. A (18mm, 6.06 g, 6h). Head of Athena right, wearing crested helmet / TY/PA in two lines within wreath. Anokhin 29; Zograph, Tyra 21; SNG BM Black Sea —; SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb -; Sutzu II —. VF, dark green-brown patina, lightly smoothed. Rare. ($150)
80. SKYTHIA, Tyra. Circa 260-250 BC. A (19mm, 5.37 g, 10h). Head of Demeter facing, wearing grain ear wreath / Cista; T-Y/P-A in two lines across field, M1 below. Anokhin 31; Zograph, Tyra 8; SNG BM Black Sea 344; SNG Pushkin 5; SNG Stancomb -; Sutzu IH —. EF, dark brown patina with hues of blue-green, tiny pit in field on reverse. minor smoothing. Exceptional for issue. ($200)
0.8 82 b ©O
81. SKYTHIA, Tyra. Circa 260-250 BC. AZ (11mm, 0.69 g, 3h). Bearded head of Kabiros facing / Grain ear right; TY/PA in two lines above and below. Anokhin 32; Zograph, Tyra 19; SNG BM Black Sea —; SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb —; Sutzu II —. Near Fine, dark green patina. Extremely rare. ($100)
82. SKYTHIA, Tyra. Circa 230-220 BC. A (20mm, 3.33 g, 5h). Dolphin left(?) / Large TY. Anokhin 36; Zograph, Tyra —; SNG BM Black Sea 349; SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb -; Sutzu II —. Fine, rough brown patina, with patches of red and dark green. Extremely rare. ($100)
All of the published examples of this type have very rough obverses, and therefore the identification of the type is not certain.
83. SKYTHIA, Tyra. Circa 220-210 BC. ZA (16mm, 3.18 g, 12h). Draped bust of Artemis right, wearing laurel wreath, bow and quiver over shoulder / Tripod; 1-Y/P-A in two lines across field. Anokhin 38; Zograph, Tyra —; SNG BM Black Sea —; SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb -; Sutzu II —. VF, brown surfaces, slight roughness. Very rare. ($100)
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One of Two Known
84. SKYTHIA, Tyra. Circa 210-200 BC. A (15mm, 2.18 g, 1h). Head of Tyche left, wearing mural crown and veil / Lion seated right, head left; T-Y/P-A in two lines across field. Anokhin 39 (this coin illustrated); Zograph, Tyra -; SNG BM Black Sea —; SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb -; Sutzu II —. Fine, rough dark brown patina. Extremely rare, one of only two known. ($300)
The other example of this type is only known from a line-drawing in P.O. Karyshkovskij & I.B. Kleiman, Old City Tyra (Kiev, 1985), p. 158.
© ; ge @ : S
85. SKYTHIA, Tyra. Circa 160-150 BC. Z (14mm, 2.36 g, 12h). Head of young Dionysos right / Thyrsos; | -Y/P-A in two lines across field. Anokhin 47; Zograph, Tyra 29; SNG BM Black Sea —; SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb -; Sutzu II -. VF, dark red-brown patina. Very rare. ($150)
86. SKYTHIA, Tyra. Circa 140-130 BC. AE (14mm, 2.12 g, 1h). Bearded head of Asklepios right / Serpent right, rising from omphalos; | -Y/P-A in two lines across field. Anokhin 51; Zograph, Tyra 37; SNG BM Black Sea —; SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb —; Sutzu II —. VF, dark brown patina. Extremely rare. ($150)
87. SKYTHIA, Tyra. Circa 130-120 BC. A (12mm, 2.01 g, 12h). Head of Artemis right; bow and quiver behind /
Cornucopia; | -Y/P-A in two lines across field. Anokhin 52; Zograph, Tyra 34; SNG BM Black Sea 345; SNG Pushkin 8-9; SNG Stancomb -; Sutzu II —. VF, dark green-brown patina. Rare. ($150)
88. SKYTHIA, Tyra. Augustus. 27 BC-AD 14. A (24mm, 8.30 g, 8h). [KIAICAPOC [CE]BACTOLY], laureate head left / TYPA-NWN, eagle standing right, wings spread. Anokhin 61 (Vespasian); Zograph, Tyra —; RPC Supp. 2, S2-I-1947B; SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb -; Sutzu II —-. VF, dark green and red-brown patina, smoothed. Very rare. ($200)
Tyra’s civic coinage comes to an abrupt end following the defeat of Mithradates VI of Pontos in 63 BC. Shortly thereafter, the Getai, under
Burebista, devastated the region in a series of raids. Tyra was sacked and largely destroyed during one of the incursions, and was not substantially rebuilt until early Roman times, at which time its coinage resumed.
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89. SKYTHIA, Tyra. Domitian. AD 81-96. Z (23mm, 6.45 g, 7h). KAICAP AO-ME[TIAJNOC, laureate head right; c/m to right: grape bunch on vine within incuse circle / TYPA, female figure seated left, wearing polos and holding wreath. Anokhin 63 (this coin illustrated); Zograph, Tyra 44; RPC II 493; SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb —; Sutzu II —. For c/m: Howgego 411. VF, dark brown patina, some smoothing. Very rare. ($200)
90. SKYTHIA, Tyra. Domitian. AD 81-96. 4 (20mm, 3.59 g, 12h). KAICAP [AOMETIANOC], laureate head right / [T]-Y/[P]-A/NWN in three lines across field and in exergue, upright club; c/m to left: grain ear in rectangular incuse. Anokhin 65; Zograph, Tyra 47; RPC II 495; SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb -; Sutzu IH 272. For c/m: Howgego 407. Good Fine, red- brown patina, areas of roughness. Very rare. ($100)
91. SKYTHIA, Tyra. Hadrian. AD 117-138. A (18mm, 3.24 g, 1h). KA AY AAPIANOC, laureate head right / TYPA, eagle standing facing, head left, wings spread. Anokhin 67 (same obv. die as illustration); Zograph, Tyra 49; SNG Pushkin -; SNG Stancomb -; Sutzu II 273. VF, red-brown patina. Rare. ($100)
92. SKYTHIA, Tyra. Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. 2 Tetrassarion (21mm, 7.63 g, 12h). AYT ANTON-CINON CEB, laureate head right / TYPA-NON, Cybele seated left, holding patera in extended right hand, resting left arm on throne; at feet to left, forepart of lion left. Anokhin 69; Zograph, Tyra 51; RPC Online —; SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb -; Sutzu II —. Good Fine, dark brown patina, minor smoothing. Well centered. Very rare. ($150)
93. SKYTHIA, Tyra. Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. A Diassarion (19mm, 4.03 g, 12h). AYT ANTON-€INON CEB,
laureate head right / TYPA-NON, eagle standing left, head right, holding wreath in beak. Anokhin 70; Zograph, Tyra 52; RPC
Online —; SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb 911-2; Sutzu II 274. VF, dark brown patina, light cut in field on obverse. Rare. ($150)
94. SKYTHIA, Tyra. Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. A Assaria (16mm, 1.73 g, 12h). AYT ANTONEINON CEB, laureate head right / TYPA-NON, Herakles standing right, leaning on club held in right hand, lion skin draped over left arm. Anokhin 72; Zograph, Tyra 54; RPC Online —; SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb 913-5; Sutzu II 275. VF, dark brown patina, some smoothing. ($100)
95. SKYTHIA, Tyra. Marcus Aurelius. As Caesar, AD 139-161. ZA Trihemiassarion (17mm, 2.50 g, 12h). BHPICCIMOC KAICAP, bare head right / TYPA-NON, Athena standing left, holding patera in extended right hand, spear and shield in left. Anokhin 73; Zograph, Tyra 53; RPC Online —; SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb 916—7; Sutzu II —. Good VF, brown patina. Well centered. ($100)
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96. SKYTHIA, Tyra. Marcus Aurelius. As Caesar, AD 139-161. A Trihemiassarion (18mm, 3.14 g, 12h). BHPICCIMOC KAICAP, bare head right / TYPA-NON, Athena standing left, holding patera in extended right hand, spear and shield in left. Anokhin 73; Zograph, Tyra 53; RPC Online —; SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb 916—7; Sutzu II —. VF, brown patina, light smoothing. ($100)
97. SKYTHIA, Tyra. Commodus. AD 180-192. A Tetrassarion (21mm, 6.08 g, 7h). [AVT K A A]VP KOMOAOC, laureate and cuirassed bust right / TV-P-A[NON], Cybele seated left, holding Nike in extended right hand, resting left arm on throne; at feet to left, forepart of lion left; [A (mark of value) in exergue]. Anokhin 75 var. (no lion); Zograph, Tyra 56 var. (same); RPC Online —; SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb -; Sutzu IH —. VF, dark green-brown patina, off center strike, hairline flan crack, some roughness. Unpublished variety with lion. ($150)
98. SKYTHIA, Tyra. Commodus. AD 180-192. A (21mm, 3.54 g, lh). AV KA] M KOMOAOC, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / TY-PA-NON, Tyche standing left, holding rudder in right hand and cradling cornucopia in left arm. Anokhin 80 var. (mark of value on rev.); Zograph, Tyra 60—60a var. (same); RPC Online —; SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb -; Sutzu II 278 var. (same). VF, brown patina, minor smoothing. Unpublished variety without mark of value. ($100)
99. SKYTHIA, Tyra. Commodus. AD 180-192. © Assaria (14mm, 2.47 g, 6h). AY K M KOMOAOC, laureate head right / TY-PANON, Herakles standing right, leaning on club held in right hand, lion skin draped over left arm. Anokhin 83; Zograph, Tyra 63; RPC Online —; SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb -; Sutzu II —. Good Fine, dark red-brown patina with hues of dark green. Very rare. ($100)
100. SKYTHIA, Tyra. Septimius Severus. AD 193-211. AE Tetrassarion (22mm, 7.20 g, 12h). Struck circa AD 198-211. AV K A CE-AIT] CEVHP-OC 11, laureate head right / TV-PANON, Nike advancing right, holding wreath in extended right hand, cradling palm frond in left arm; A (mark of value) to lower left. Anokhin 88 (same dies as illustration); Zograph, Tyra 69; SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb -; Sutzu Il —. VF, dark brown patina with tan highlights, area of roughness at top of obverse. Very rare. ($200)
101. SKYTHIA, Tyra. Julia Domna. Augusta, AD 193-217. A Assaria (16mm, 2.58 g, 6h). Struck under Caracalla, AD 211-217. [OYAIA AOMNA, draped bust right / TYPA-NON, Herakles standing right, leaning on club held in right hand, lion skin draped over left arm. Anokhin 134; Zograph, Tyra 113; SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb -; Sutzu II —. Near VF, dark green patina. Very rare. ($100)
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102. SKYTHIA, Tyra. Caracalla. AD 198-217. Tetrassarion (24mm, 7.20 g, 11h). Struck circa AD 205-208. AVT M A-VP ANTWNEINOC, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / TYPANON, Caracalla, holding spear in right hand, riding right on galloping horse; A (mark of value) below. Anokhin 109 corr. (obv. legend); Zograph, Tyra 83a; SNG Pushkin -; cf. SNG Stancomb 921; Sutzu II —. Near VF, dark brown patina, surface roughness. Very rare. ($150)
103. SKYTHIA, Tyra. Geta. As Caesar, AD 198-209. AE Diassarion (17mm, 3.00 g, 12h). Struck circa AD 202-204. I] CENT] FETAC KAIIC], draped bust right / TYPANON, eagle standing left, head right, holding wreath in beak; B (mark of value) to right. Anokhin 100; Zograph, Tyra 80; SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb -; cf. Sutzu II 280. Near VF, dark brown patina, some minor pitting. Rare. ($100)
Kings of Skythia
Coins of the Skythian kings are relatively rare. Two are represented in the present collection, Skyles and Skilouros. Skyles was a king who lived circa 500 BC, and was mentioned by Herodotos (4.78—-80). The son of Skythian King Ariapeithes and a Greek woman, he was of mixed blood, and took more to Hellenic culture. This tendency toward Greek culture set him apart from his subjects, and this trait was used against him by his brother Oktamasadas, who led a successful rebellion against Skyles. The coins attributed to Skyles are all cast bronze, featuring an owl on the obverse and either a four-spoke wheel or the letters 2K on the reverse. The types with the wheel reverse have the letters EKYA on the obverse. All of these coin types have been found in Nikonion, which must have been the location of their mint. The attribution of these coins to the Skythian king is still debatable.
Skilouros was a Skythian king who ruled circa 130-114/3 BC. Although his capital was Neapolis in the Tauric Chersonesos, all of his coinage was struck at Olbia. His coins are all bronze, and although they are quite rare today, the fact that there are six general types suggests that his coinage was relatively extensive. Very little is known of his reign, except for his attacks against the city of Chersonesos, which forced the inhabitants of the city to appeal to Mithradates VI of Pontos for help. Mithradates’s forces successfully defended the city, which then became a part of his kingdom. Skilouros died during this conflict, which was continued by his son and successor, Palak. Other than the literary evidence regarding this incident, evidence of Skilouros’ reign is provided by his coinage at Olbia, which attests to the extent of his authority over this
city. © ps EP
104. KINGS of SKYTHIA. Skyles. Circa 470-460 BC. AE (13mm, 1.40 g, 3h). Nikonion mint. Owl standing left, head facing / Large =K. Anokhin 571; Alram —; SNG BM Black Sea —; SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb -; Sutzu II —. Good Fine, dark brown patina. Extremely rare, approximately 6 known, 3 of which are in museums. ($750)
All of the known examples of this rare issue are in rather poor condition, making this one of the better pieces.
105. KINGS of SKYTHIA. Skilouros. Circa 140-114/3 BC. AE (16mm, 3.77 g, 12h). Olbia mint. Struck circa 140-130 BC. Head of Apollo right, wearing laurel wreath / [BIAZIAEQ(2] 2KIAOYP[O2], kithara; OA below. Anokhin 578 (this coin illustrated); Frolova, Skilura —; Alram —; SNG BM Black Sea—; SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb -; Sutzu I —. VF, black patina, a couple spots of roughness on obverse. Extremely rare. ($300)
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106. KINGS of SKYTHIA. Skilouros. Circa 140-114/3 BC. A (20mm, 6.04 g, 4h). Olbia mint. Struck circa 130-120 BC. Bearded head of Skilouros right, wearing diademed headdress /BA2IAEQ(2] 2KIAOYPO2, grain ear, bow-in-bowcase, and upright club; OABIO below. Anokhin 580; Frolova, Skilura, Type IA, 1-4; Alram 11; SNG BM Black Sea —; SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb -; Sutzu II —. VF, dark red-brown patina, some minor pitting. Very rare. ($500)
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107. KINGS of SKYTHIA. Skilouros. Circa 140-114/3 BC. ZE (16mm, 3.05 g, 12h). Olbia mint. Struck circa 130-120 BC. Draped bust of Demeter right, wearing veil / [BJAZIAEQ2 [2K]IAOY[PO2], cart drawn by horse right; [OABIO] and thick line above. Anokhin 581; Frolova, Skilura, Type UI’, 13-7; Alram 12; cf. SNG BM Black Sea 669; SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb —; Sutzu II —. Near VF, dark green-brown patina, some minor pitting. Rare. ($200)
108. KINGS of SKYTHIA. Skilouros. Circa 140-114/3 BC. ZZ (14mm, 2.82 g, 10h). Olbia mint. Struck circa 120-114/3 BC. Head of Hermes right, wearing petasos / BAIZIAEQ2] 2KIAOY[PO2], kerykeion. Anokhin 584; Frolova, Skilura, Type ITTAK, 20-2; Alram 13; SNG BM Black Sea —; SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb -; Sutzu II —. Fine, dark brown patina, pitting. Very rare. ($150)
Istros [[ACP 685]
Istros, located on the west coast of the Black Sea just south of the Danube delta, was a Milesian colony founded in the mid-7th century BC, although the area had been settled earlier by the Getai. The city flourished as a result of its trade in wine, oils, and other Greek goods with tribes located far within central Europe, although the city was sacked by Skythian raiders near the end of the 6th century. As with many other cities in the region, Istros began issuing a coinage of cast bronze arrowheads in the 5th century BC, and possibly earlier. By the end of the 5th century, these were replaced by another cast coinage of bronze ‘wheels’ or ‘solar disks.’ Shortly thereafter, the city developed a precious metal coinage in silver, with a novel obverse type, featuring two facing heads téte-béche, while the reverse features a sea-eagle-on-dolphin motif that was popularized on the silver coins of Sinope. A bronze coinage with the same reverse type was added to the silver, but featured various dei- ties on their obverse. The silver coinage appears to have ceased with the advent of the Macedonian domination of the area, most likely while Lysimachos was satrap of Thrace; he sacked the city, destroying its walls, circa 313 BC. The bronze continued to be issued sporadically until sometime in the 2nd century BC.
@ © 6 © 111
109. MOESIA, Istros. Late 5th century BC. Cast ZZ (11mm, 2.10 g). Wheel with four spokes (‘solar disk’) / Large l=T. AMNG I 532; SNG BM Black Sea 222; cf. SNG Stancomb 131; Sutzu | 22—5. VF, black patina. ($75)
110. MOESIA, Istros. Late 5th century BC. Cast A (12mm, 1.26 g). Wheel with four spokes (‘solar disk’) / Large |= T. AMNG [I 532; SNG BM Black Sea 222; cf. SNG Stancomb 131; Sutzu I 22—5. Fine, dark green patina. ($75)
111. MOESIA, Istros. Late 5th century BC. Cast (11mm, 0.96 g). Wheel with four spokes (‘solar disk’) / Large |= T. AMNG I 534; SNG BM Black Sea 224; SNG Stancomb 132; Sutzu I 28-30. Good VF, brown patina. ($75)
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112. MOESIA, Istros. Late 5th century BC. Cast A (9mm, 0.70 g). Wheel with four spokes (‘solar disk’) / Large |=T. AMNG I 534; SNG BM Black Sea 224; SNG Stancomb 132; Sutzu I 28-30. VF, dark brown patina. ($75)
Chersonesos [[ACP 695]
Tauric Chersonesos, located on the western coast of the Crimea, was founded circa 422 BC by colonists from Herakleia Pontika and Delion in Boiotia. The city quickly rose in stature through its wine production, but also through its location, which was ideal for trade compared to the other cities in the Cimmerian Bosporos. In turn, as the city grew, Chersonesos established a colony at Karkinitis on the northwest coast of the Crimea. In the second century BC, the city became a target of Skythian raids, and it was forced to appeal to Mithridates VI of Pontus for protection. The Pontic king saved the city from the Skythians, but now incorporated Chersonesos into his own dominion. With the passing of Mithridates, the city became a part of the Kingdom of Bosporos, but finally regained its independence by declaration of the Romans in 36 BC.
Chersonesos began issuing coinage in the early 4th century BC, and had a robust production that reflected the successful commercial center that it was. Its types are unusually diverse, depicting various gods and mythological creatures, although Athena Parthenos and Chersonas appear most frequently in the Greek and Roman periods, respectively. Initially, the city’s coinage was almost strictly bronze, with only a couple rare issues of silver. By the third century, however, a regular silver coinage began to be produced, comparable in size to that of the bronze. This coinage continued into the Roman period, though at a lower level of production after the Ist century BC. In the late Ist century AD, the city issued an unprecedented gold coinage featuring a diademed and draped bust on the obverse (sometimes with the city ethnic), and the figure of Artemis on the reverse. These coins are also dated, probably a convention copied from the contemporary royal Bosporan coinage. Chersonesos had a robust coinage under the Romans, but, unlike many other cities, its coinage never named any of the emperors. While the reverse types featured a diverse selection of mythological scenes and deities, the obverse typically featured a bust of the eponymous Chersonas accompanied by the city’s ethnic. During the Severan period, there were a few issues where this bust appears to have individualized features resembling particular emperors, such as Caracalla, Elagabalus, and Severus Alexander, but even these issues never named the emperor. The coinage under the Empire continued well into the mid-3rd century AD, ending during the reign of Gallienus.
113. TAURIC CHERSONESOS, Chersonesos. Circa 400-390 BC. AE (14mm, 3.69 g, 5h). Head of Artemis Parthenos left, wearing sphendone / Tunny right above club right; XEP below. Anokhin 626; Anokhin, Khersonesa 4; SNG BM Black Sea 708; SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb 454; Sutzu II —. Fine/VF, rough black patina. Rare. ($100)
114. TAURIC CHERSONESOS, Chersonesos. Circa 385-380 BC. AZ (21mm, 6.61 g, 10h). Head of Artemis Parthenos right, wearing stephanos, earring, and necklace / Facing lion scalp above club left; XEP below. Anokhin 631; Anokhin, Khersonesa 26; SNG BM Black Sea 720-1; SNG Pushkin 611—2; SNG Stancomb -; Sutzu II —. Good VF, dark green-brown patina, area of flat strike on reverse. Very rare. ($300)
115. TAURIC CHERSONESOS, Chersonesos. Circa 385-380 BC. A (9mm, 0.60 g, 8h). Head of lion right / Star; X-E-P between lower rays. Anokhin 633; Anokhin, Khersonesa 28; SNG BM Black Sea 722-3; SNG Pushkin 608-9; cf. SNG Stancomb 463; Sutzu II 11—2. VF, brown patina. ($100)
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116. TAURIC CHERSONESOS, Chersonesos. Circa 380-375 BC. A (24mm, 9.46 g, 5h). Artemis Parthenos seated right, removing arrow with right hand from stag standing right, to right / Bull butting left on club left; XEP above. Anokhin 638; Anokhin, Khersonesa 8; SNG BM Black Sea 709; SNG Pushkin 610; SNG Stancomb 456; Sutzu II —. Fine/VF, dark green patina, some roughness on obverse. ($300)
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117. TAURIC CHERSONESOS, Chersonesos. Circa 380-370 BC. AE (12mm, 1.76 g, 3h). Facing boukranion, fillets hanging from horns / Tunny left above club left; XEP below. Anokhin 640; Anokhin, Khersonesa 10-1; SNG BM Black Sea 710; SNG Pushkin 602-5; SNG Stancomb 457; Sutzu II 2. VF, black patina. ($100)
118. TAURIC CHERSONESOS, Chersonesos. Circa 380-370 BC. AE (13mm, 2.33 g, 6h). Head of Artemis Parthenos right, wearing laurel wreath and earring / Club right; XEP below; all within laurel wreath. Anokhin 642; Anokhin, Khersonesa 13-4; SNG BM Black Sea 711-2; SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb 458; Sutzu II 6. Near VF, dark green patina, die shift on obverse. ($100)
119. TAURIC CHERSONESOS, Chersonesos. Circa 380-370 BC. AE (13mm, 2.03 g, 5h). Head of Artemis Parthenos left, wearing laurel wreath / Club right; XEP above; all within laurel wreath. Anokhin 643; Anokhin, Khersonesa 15; SNG BM Black Sea 713; SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb 459; Sutzu II 7. VF, green patina. ($150)
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120. TAURIC CHERSONESOS, Chersonesos. Circa 380-370 BC. A (7mm, 0.36 g, 11h). Head of Artemis Parthenos right, wearing sphendone and earring / Fish right; XEP below. Anokhin 645; Anokhin, Khersonesa 17; SNG BM Black Sea 715; SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb 462; Sutzu II —. Fine/VF, dark brown patina. Rare. ($100)
121. TAURIC CHERSONESOS, Chersonesos. Circa 380-370 BC. A (10mm, 0.61 g, 12h). Dolphin right above exergue line / Club right; XEP below. Anokhin 650; Anokhin, Khersonesa 22; SNG BM Black Sea 719; SNG Pushkin 613-6; SNG Stancomb -; Sutzu II 8. Near VF, brown patina, die break on reverse. ($100)
122. TAURIC CHERSONESOS, Chersonesos. Circa 350 BC. AZ (19mm, 6.30 g, 12h). Artemis Parthenos, holding torch in extended right hand, reins in left, driving quadriga right / Hoplite, nude but for conical helmet, crouching left, wearing round shield on left arm and holding spear in right hand; XEP below. Anokhin 658; Anokhin, Khersonesa 35; SNG BM Black Sea 734; SNG Pushkin 617-9; SNG Stancomb 464; Sutzu II —. VF, dark brown patina, a few tiny pits. ($200)
According to Anokhin, this early Chariot-Hoplite type is connected to the victory of Chersonesos over Olbia, after their war in the mid 4th century.
123. TAURIC CHERSONESOS, Chersonesos. Circa 350 BC. A (20mm, 6.23 g, 12h). Artemis Parthenos, holding torch in extended right hand, reins in left, driving quadriga right; \Y above horses / Hoplite, nude but for conical helmet, crouching left, wearing round shield on left arm and holding spear in right hand; XEP below. Anokhin 662; Anokhin, Khersonesa 37; SNG BM Black Sea 735 var. (letters on obv.); SNG Pushkin 620; SNG Stancomb -; Sutzu II -. VF, dark green-brown patina. ($200)
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124
124. TAURIC CHERSONESOS, Chersonesos. Circa 350 BC. AE (15mm, 2.55 g, 12h). Janiform head of female on left and laureate and bearded male on right (Hera and Zeus?); HP above / Lion on the back of a bull right, biting into its neck; XEP below. Anokhin 664; Anokhin, Khersonesa 57; SNG BM Black Sea 745; SNG Pushkin 627; cf. SNG Stancomb 467; Sutzu II ~. Good Fine, rough brown patina. ($100)
125. TAURIC CHERSONESOS, Chersonesos. Circa 350-330 BC. A (20mm, 6.78 g, 7h). Artemis Parthenos, holding torch in extended right hand, reins in left, driving quadriga right; E above horses / Hoplite, nude but for conical helmet, crouching left, wearing round shield on left arm and holding spear in right hand; XEP below. Anokhin 671; Anokhin, Khersonesa 43; SNG BM Black Sea 738; SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb 465-6 var. (same); Sutzu II —; DCA 994. Near VF, dark green patina with patches of brown. ($200)
126. TAURIC CHERSONESOS, Chersonesos. Circa 330-320 BC. AZ (23mm, 9.72 g, 12h). Artemis Parthenos crouching right, holding arrow in right hand, bow in left; [A behind head / Griffin springing left; [X]EP below. Anokhin 690; Anokhin, Khersonesa 65; cf. SNG BM Black Sea 751; cf. SNG Pushkin 630; SNG Stancomb —; Sutzu II 16 var. (letters on obv.). VF, dark brown patina with patches of red, area of flat strike on reverse. Rare. ($150)
127, TAURIC CHERSONESOS, Chersonesos. Circa 320-310 BC. (19mm, 7.42 g, 3h). Bathullo—, magistrate. Artemis Parthenos crouching right, holding arrow in right hand, bow in left / Griffin springing left; BAO YAAO above, XEP below. Anokhin 692; Anokhin, Khersonesa 72; SNG BM Black Sea 758; SNG Pushkin 638—9; SNG Stancomb 470; Sutzu II —. Near VF, dark green-brown patina. ($150)
128. TAURIC CHERSONESOS, Chersonesos. Circa 320-310 BC. A (21mm, 6.72 g, 8h). Bathullo—, magistrate. Artemis Parthenos crouching right, [holding arrow in right hand, bow in left] / Griffin springing left; [BAOYIAA[O] above, XEP below. Anokhin 692; Anokhin, Khersonesa 72; SNG BM Black Sea 758; SNG Pushkin 638-9; SNG Stancomb 470; Sutzu II —. Good Fine, dark red-brown patina, small edge split. ($150)
129. TAURIC CHERSONESOS, Chersonesos. Circa 300-290 BC. AZ (20mm, 6.61 g, 11h). Eudromos, magistrate. Artemis Parthenos advancing left, preparing to strike with raised right hand a stag recumbent left, looking upward at her; XEP below / Bull butting left on club left; in exergue, EYAPOMOY above bow and quiver left. Anokhin 700; Anokhin, Khersonesa 77; SNG BM Black Sea 766—8; SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb 474-7; Sutzu Il 24. Near VF, brown surfaces with hues of green. ($200)
130. TAURIC CHERSONESOS, Chersonesos. Circa 300-290 BC. AE (21mm, 5.36 g, 9h). Diagora—, magistrate. Artemis Parthenos advancing left, preparing to strike with raised right hand a stag recumbent left, looking upward at her; XEP below; c/m to upper left: dolphin left in pelleted circle within incuse circle / Bull butting left on club left; in exergue, AIAIO[PA] above bow and quiver left. Anokhin 701 (cf. 702 for c/m); Anokhin, Khersonesa 78; SNG BM Black Sea 769-71 (cf. 768 for c/m); SNG Pushkin 651 (cf. 658 for c/m); SNG Stancomb 478 (with c/m); Sutzu II 26 (with c/m). Near VF, brown surfaces. ($150)
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131. TAURIC CHERSONESOS, Chersonesos. Circa 300-290 BC. AZ (20mm, 6.21 g, 9h). Theochare[s], magistrate. Artemis Parthenos advancing left, preparing to strike with raised right hand a stag recumbent left, looking upward at her; XEP below; c/m to upper left: dolphin left in pelleted circle within incuse circle / Bull butting left on club left; in exergue, OEO[XAPE] above bow and quiver left. Anokhin 704 (cf. 702 for c/m); Anokhin, Khersonesa 81; SNG BM Black Sea — (cf. 768 for c/m); SNG Pushkin — (cf. 658 for c/m); SNG Stancomb — (cf. 478 for c/m); Sutzu II — (cf. 26 for c/m). Fine, brown surfaces, porous. Extremely rare issue by Thochares, approximately only 10 examples known, 8 of which are in museums. ($100)
132. TAURIC CHERSONESOS, Chersonesos. Circa 220-210 BC. AR Hemidrachm (16mm, 1.69 g, 12h). Mik[a]-, magistrate. Head of Artemis Parthenos right / Bull butting left, head facing; XEP above, MKIA] in exergue. Anokhin 747; Anokhin, Khersonesa 122; SNG BM Black Sea 784 (same rev. die); SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb —; Sutzu II —. VF, dark find patina, obverse struck off center. Very rare. ($500)
133. TAURIC CHERSONESOS, Chersonesos. Circa 220-210 BC. AR Hemidrachm (16mm, 1.69 g, 12h). Zoilos, magistrate. Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin / Bull butting left, head facing; XEP above, TOIAOY in exergue. Anokhin 754; Anokhin, Khersonesa 129; SNG BM Black Sea 788 var. (magistrate); SNG Pushkin 661; SNG Stancomb 483 var. (same); Sutzu II -. VF, thick find patina. Very rare. ($300)
Although Anokhin and SNG Pushkin list the magistrate on their examples as [OIA, is it likely that they bear the full magistrate’s name as here, but the off-center strike on both of those coins obscures a definitive reading.
134. TAURIC CHERSONESOS, Chersonesos. Circa 210-200 BC. AR Drachm (20mm, 3.79 g, 12h). Umnou-, magistrate. Head of Artemis Parthenos right, wearing laurel wreath, bow and quiver behind neck / Artemis Parthenos advancing left, preparing to strike with raised right hand a stag recumbent left, looking upward at her; XEP to right, YMNOY in exergue. Anokhin 760; Anokhin, Khersonesa 133; SNG BM Black Sea 795; SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb 484 var. (magisgtrate); Sutzu II —. Near VF, dark find patina, light deposits on reverse. Rare. ($500)
GO 136
135. TAURIC CHERSONESOS, Chersonesos. Circa 210-200 BC. AZ (18mm, 3.49 g, 7h). Choreios, magistrate. Head of Artemis Parthenos right, wearing laurel wreath, bow and quiver behind neck / Stag lying left; XEP above, [KO]PEI[OY] in exergue. Anokhin 771; Anokhin, Khersonesa 144; SNG BM Black Sea 798; SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb -; Sutzu II 30-1 var. (same). Fine, green patina. Rare. ($100)
136. TAURIC CHERSONESOS, Chersonesos. Circa 210-200 BC. AE (14mm, 2.23 g, 11h). Xenokles, magistrate. Head of Herakles(?) right, wearing diadem / Club left; XEP above, =FNOKAE in exergue. Anokhin 772 corr. (magistrate); Anokhin, Khersonesa 145 corr. (same); SNG BM Black Sea 801; SNG Pushkin 671; SNG Stancomb 486-9 var. (magisgtrate); Sutzu II 32-4 var. (same). Near VF, hard green patina. ($100)
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137. TAURIC CHERSONESOS, Chersonesos. Circa 190-180 BC. AR Hemidrachm (12mm, 1.33 g, 3h). Delphos, magistrate. Head of Artemis Parthenos right, wearing mural crown, [bow and quiver behind neck]; two c/m’s to left: star within circular incuse and club within rectangular incuse / Bow and quiver(?) left; [IXJEP above, AEA[POC] below. Anokhin 781; Anokhin, Khersonesa 158; SNG BM Black Sea —; SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb -; Sutzu II —. Near Fine, toned, light porosity. Extremely rare, approximately 6 known, 4 of which are in museums. ($200)
© 6 . © 34 ©
138. TAURIC CHERSONESOS, Chersonesos. Circa 190-180 BC. AE (15mm, 4.23 g, 12h). Agasikl[es], magistrate. Head of Artemis Parthenos right, wearing laurel wreath, bow and quiver behind neck / Bull butting left, head facing; XEP above, [A] AZIKA in exergue. Anokhin 782; Anokhin, Khersonesa 156; SNG BM Black Sea 806-7; SNG Pushkin 672; SNG Stancomb 490-1 var. (magisgtrate); Sutzu II 35. VF, dark green patina. ($100)
139. TAURIC CHERSONESOS, Chersonesos. Circa 190-180 BC. AE (15mm, 3.62 g, 12h). Agasikl[es], magistrate. Head of Artemis Parthenos right, wearing laurel wreath, bow and quiver behind neck / Bull butting left, head facing; XEP above, [AT JAZ=IKI[A] in exergue. Anokhin 782; Anokhin, Khersonesa 156; SNG BM Black Sea 806-7; SNG Pushkin 672; SNG Stancomb 490-1 var. (magisgtrate); Sutzu II 35. Near VF, rough dark red-brown patina. ($100)
140. TAURIC CHERSONESOS, Chersonesos. Circa 190-180 BC. ZZ (16mm, 3.06 g, 12h). Heroida—, magistrate. Head of Artemis Parthenos right, wearing laurel wreath, bow and quiver behind neck / Bull butting left, head facing; XEP above, HPQIAA in exergue. Anokhin 783; Anokhin, Khersonesa 157; SNG BM Black Sea 808-9; SNG Pushkin 673-5; SNG Stancomb 490-1; Sutzu II 36—7. VF, dark brown patina, slight roughness. ($100)
141
141. TAURIC CHERSONESOS, Chersonesos. Circa 190-180 BC. ZZ (15mm, 3.79 g, 12h). Heroida—, magistrate. Head of Artemis Parthenos right, wearing laurel wreath, bow and quiver behind neck / Bull butting left, head facing; XEP above, HPQIATA] in exergue. Anokhin 783; Anokhin, Khersonesa 157; SNG BM Black Sea 808-9; SNG Pushkin 673-5; SNG Stancomb 490-1; Sutzu II 36—7. Near VF, green patina. ($100)
142. TAURIC CHERSONESOS, Chersonesos. Circa 180-170 BC. A (12mm, 1.16 g, 12h). Head of Athena right, wearing crested helmet / Nike standing left, holding wreath in extended right hand; [X]EP to left, unclear magistrate’s name to right. Cf. Anokhin 787-9; cf. Anokhin, Khersonesa 161-3; cf. SNG BM Black Sea 813; SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb -; Sutzu Il —. Fine, dark brown patina. Very rare. ($100)
143. TAURIC CHERSONESOS, Chersonesos. Circa 170-160 BC. AZ (15mm, 2.37 g, lh). Simaios, magistrate. Head of Dioskouros right, wearing conical helmet adorned with wreath / Prow left; XEP above, =IMAIOLY] below. Anokhin 792; Anokhin, Khersonesa 166; SNG BM Black Sea —; SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb -; Sutzu IJ —. VF, dark brown and black patina, some smoothing. Very rare. ($150)
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144. TAURIC CHERSONESOS, Chersonesos. Circa 110-90 BC. AR Drachm (19mm, 4.13 g, 12h). Moirios, magistrate. Head of Artemis Parthenos right, wearing mural crown and single-pendant earring, bow and quiver behind neck / Stag standing right; XEP to right, MOIPIO& in exergue. Anokhin 807; Anokhin, Khersonesa 179; SNG BM Black Sea 819 (same dies); SNG Pushkin 687-9 (same dies); SNG Stancomb 495; Sutzu II —. Good VF, toned, minor porosity, edge split, die shift on reverse. Rare. ($1000)
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145. TAURIC CHERSONESOS, Chersonesos. Circa 110-90 BC. AZ (17mm, 3.81 g, 12h). Herakl-, magistrate. Head of Artemis Parthenos right, wearing mural crown, bow and quiver behind neck / Stag standing right; XEP above, grain ear to right, HPAKA in exergue. Anokhin 813 var. (HPAK in exergue); Anokhin, Khersonesa —; SNG BM Black Sea 826 var. (same); SNG Pushkin 691 var. (magistrate); SNG Stancomb -; Sutzu II —. Near VF, dark brown patina, minor smoothing. Very rare. ($150)
146. TAURIC CHERSONESOS, Chersonesos. Circa 65-63 BC. A (21mm, 6.72 g, lh). Draped bust of Artemis Parthenos right, bow and quiver behind neck / Eagle standing left, head right, wings spread, on thunderbolt; MP to right, XEP below. Anokhin 827-8; Anokhin, Khersonesa 197—8; SNG BM Black Sea —; SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb -; Sutzu II 47-8 corr. (monogram). VF, dark green patina, some roughness, smoothing. Very rare. ($100)
147. TAURIC CHERSONESOS, Chersonesos. Circa 45-44 BC. A (24mm, 14.73 g, 7h). Artemis Parthenos advancing left, preparing to strike with raised right hand a stag recumbent left, looking upward at her; XEPC €ACY to left / Bull butting left; legends obscured. Cf. Anokhin 831-2; cf. Anokhin, Khersonesa 200—1; RPC I—; SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb -; Sutzu II -; K.V. Golenko, “Coctas eHexHoro OOpailjenua Xepconeca”’ (Composition of Chersonese currency in the Ist century BC) in BecTuuk jjpeBuen uctopuu (Journal of Ancient History) 4 (1964), 3 and pl. I, 5. Fine, dark green-brown patina, large cuts on reverse apparently applied to “erase” the legend. Extremely rare, possibly the second known. ($300)
This obverse of this coin appears to have been struck with the obverse type of Anokhin 832, while the reverse appears to use the obverse type of Anokhin 831. This may explain the “erased” legend on the reverse here, as it would be redundant to the obverse, and the obverse of these two types was the proper place for the city ethnic. At the same time, however, one should expect either a monogram or magistrate’s name to have been added on the reverse, but, curiously, neither is present. The sole published example, in the Golenko article (op. cit.) also exhibits similar “erasures” on its reverse.
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148. TAURIC CHERSONESOS, Chersonesos. Circa 44-17 BC. AE (20mm, 7.49 g, 12h). Head of Chersonas right, wearing tainia; XEP to right / Athena Parthenos standing facing, head right, holding spear in right hand, bow in left; MW? to left. Anokhin 836 var. (monogram); Anokhin, Khersonesa 205 var. (same); RPC I —-; SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb -; Sutzu II -. VF, brown patina, some roughness. Very rare. ($150)
148
149. TAURIC CHERSONESOS, Chersonesos. Circa AD 47/8-54/5. AE (16mm, 4.57 g, lh). Dated CY 76 (AD 52/3). Head of Chersonas right, wearing laurel wreath; XEP to left, serpent to right, OM (date) below / Nike advancing left, holding wreath in extended right hand and cradling palm frond in left arm; V\ to left. Anokhin 849 var. (form of date); Anokhin, Khersonesa 220 var. (same); RPC I 1942 var. (same); SNG Pushkin 704—5 var. (date); SNG Stancomb 953 var. (same); Sutzu If 56 corr. var. (form of date). VF, dark brown patina. ($150)
© @ ‘ | 151
150. TAURIC CHERSONESOS, Chersonesos. Circa AD 47/8-54/5. AE (27mm, 10.34 g, 6h). Dated CY 78 (AD 54/5). Head of Chersonas right, wearing laurel wreath; HO (date) to left, X, serpent, and XEP to right / Nike advancing left, holding wreath in extended right hand and cradling palm frond in left arm; V\ to left. Anokhin 851 corr. (X not noted on obvy.); Anokhin, Khersonesa 222 corr. (same); RPC I 1944 var. (obv. legends); SNG Pushkin 705 var. (same); SNG Stancomb 953 var. (same); Sutzu Il —. Near VF, greenish-brown and red patina. Extremely rare, one of only three known. ($150)
Although Anokhin does not note the X on the obverse above the serpent, it seems to be present on the example he cites, but is mostly off the flan. The letter apparently was added late in this dated year, and retained on the subsequent, undated issues (cf. Anokhin 852 and Sutzu II 58).
This coin was issued while Rome was at war against Mithradates III of the Cimmerian Bosporos, who had been forcibly removed from the throne by the emperor Claudius circa 45 BC, replacing him with Cotys I. During this conflict, the Roman Legion X was stationed at Chersonesos.
151. TAURIC CHERSONESOS, Chersonesos. Late Ist-early 2nd centuries AD. A (27mm, 10.34 g, 6h). Struck circa AD 80/1. EPI-HNHC CEBACT[HC], laureate head of Chersonas right; palm frond and serpent to left, lyre to right / [EPIHN]JH[C] CEBACTHC, head of Athena Parthenos right; bow and quiver below, AV to right. Anokhin 859; Anokhin, Khersonesa 230; RPC II 483; SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb -; Sutzu II -. Fine, dark green patina, irregular flan, reverse off-center. Extremely rare, one of 4 known, the other 3 in museums. ($200)
152. TAURIC CHERSONESOS, Chersonesos. Circa AD 138-161. A (27mm, 10.23 g, 7h). XEP, laureate and draped bust of Chersonas right; lyre to right / EACY-O-E€PAC, Athena Parthenos standing facing, head right, holding spear in right hand, bow in left; to left, forepart of stag left, head right. Anokhin 881; Anokhin, Khersonesa 255; RPC Online 3702 var. (palm frond on obv.); cf. SNG Pushkin 711 var. (rev. legend arrangement); SNG Stancomb -; Sutzu I —. VF, dark green patina. Rare. ($200)
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153. TAURIC CHERSONESOS, Chersonesos. Circa AD 138-161. 4 (22mm, 8.86 g, lh). XEPCO in exergue, Artemis Parthenos advancing left, preparing to strike with raised right hand a stag recumbent left, looking upward at her / [EJAEYOSEPAICI, bull butting left. Anokhin 886; Anokhin, Khersonesa 260; RPC Online 3705; cf. SNG Pushkin 716-7; SNG Stancomb 955; Sutzu II 62—3. Near VF, dark green patina. ($150)
154. TAURIC CHERSONESOS, Chersonesos. Circa AD 161-180. H (16mm, 2.39 g, 4h). Artemis Parthenos advancing left, preparing to strike with raised right hand a stag recumbent left, looking upward at her / XEP, bull butting left. Anokhin 894; Anokhin, Khersonesa 271; RPC Online 3714; SNG Pushkin 721-6; SNG Stancomb 957; Sutzu II —. Fine, brown patina with spots of red and green. ($100)
155. TAURIC CHERSONESOS, Chersonesos. Circa AD 180-190. (19mm, 4.17 g, lh). XEP, Artemis Parthenos advancing right, holding by its antlers, stag recumbent right, and preparing to strike it with spear she holds in her right hand / CAEYOEPAC, bull butting left. Anokhin 902; Anokhin, Khersonesa —; RPC Online —; SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb -; Sutzu II —. Near VF, hard green patina. Very rare, approximately 26 known, 19 of which are in museums. ($150)
156. TAURIC CHERSONESOS, Chersonesos. Circa AD 192-211. A Triassarion (19mm, 3.52 g, 7h). EAEC-Y OEPA-AC (sic), Asklepios-Serapis advancing right, head left, holding serpent-entwined staff in right hand / XEPC-ONHC-COY, Hygieia- Salus standing right, holding serpent in right hand, feeding it from patera in left hand;! (mark of value) to left. Anokhin 904; Anokhin, Khersonesa 284; SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb -; Sutzu II 79-80. Near VF, red-brown patina with spots of green. Very rare. ($150)
157. TAURIC CHERSONESOS, Chersonesos. AD 218-222. (24mm, 7.96 g, 6h). EAEVO-EPAL, bareheaded and draped bust of Chersonas right (with the features of Severus Alexander[?]); lyre to right / XEPCO-[NIHCOV, Athena Parthenos standing facing, head right, holding spear in right hand, bow in left; to right, forepart of stag right. Anokhin 909; Anokhin, Khersonesa 290; SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb -; Sutzu II —. VF, dark brown surfaces, porous. Very rare. ($100)
Anokhin identifies the obverse portrait as that of Severus Alexander, rather than the ubiquitous Chersonas. The features certainly are more individualized, and are very similar to portraits of both Elagabalus and Severus Alexander as a child. As Anokhin placed two issues of this type during the reign of Elagabalus, one with a laureate portrait and one bareheaded, he identified the latter as Severus Alexander as Caesar.
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158. TAURIC CHERSONESOS, Chersonesos. Circa AD 253-268. A (20mm, 3.49 g, 6h). EACYO-EPAC, laureate and draped bust of Chersonas right; lyre to right / [KEPCJO-NHC-OY, Athena Parthenos standing facing, head right, holding spear in right hand, bow in left; to left, forepart of stag left, head right. Anokhin 917 var. (legend breaks); Anokhin, Khersonesa 306 var. (same); SNG Pushkin 747-8 var. (same); SNG Stancomb -; Sutzu II —. VF, green patina. ($100)
159. TAURIC CHERSONESOS, Chersonesos. Circa AD 253-268. A (18mm, 3.72 g, 7h). EAEY-GEPAL, laureate and draped bust of Chersonas right; lyre to right / XEPLO-UHLOY, Athena Parthenos standing facing, head right, holding spear in right hand, bow in left; to right, forepart of stag right. Cf. Anokhin 917; Anokhin, Khersonesa 307; SNG Pushkin 745-6; SNG Stancomb —; Sutzu II 87-8 (same obv. die, different legend breaks on rev.). Near VF, green patina. ($100)
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Karkinitis [[ACP 698]
As with Tyra, the exact location of Karkinitis is still uncertain, with many conflicting statements in the ancient texts pointing to various locations in the western Tauric Chersonesos. The consensus opinion is that the city located just west of modern Yevpatoria. Archaeological evidence from that location dates its founding to the late 6th century BC, probably by settlers from Chersonesos. Karkinitis was one of the earliest cities in the region to issue coinage, with its first series belonging to the period when cast arrowhead money was still in circulation. According to Kutajsov’s study of the 5th century coinage at Karkinitis, the city began to cast their particular arrowhead money in the first third of the century. At the time, however, the cast dolphins from Olbia were overtaking the arrowheads of Borysthenes in trade, and this is reflected at Karkinitis, where the arrowheads quickly evolved into a hybrid form, with an arrowhead on one side and a fish or dolphin on the other. The fish/dolphin side of these coins also featured a K, the first letter of the city’s name. In the third quarter of the 5th century, this cast coinage was replaced with a new round form of cast coinage that had a fish on the obverse and K or KA on the reverse. It appears that the cast coinage of Kerkinitis ended by 400 BC, and the city had no further issues of coinage until the mid-late 4th century BC. The struck coinage of the city generally comprises two groups of bronze coins whose dating is still debated. The first group comprises a variety of three types (Lion attacking bull/Nike, Head of Herakles/Eagle, and Head of female/Horseman) that are all represented in the important 1917 Eupatoria Hoard. Anokhin places these coins in three separate issues from circa 330-300 BC, while Stolba’s 1996 analysis of the hoard places the coins in two issues, both dating to the period of circa 345-340 BC. There seems to be a consensus that this group belongs to the mid-4th century, and Stolba’s archaeological and typological examination of the coinage is quite persuasive and is followed here. The second group of struck coinage at Karkinitis comprises a single seated Skythian/horse type that was struck in the late 4th (Stolba) or early 3rd (Anokhin) century BC. While very little is known about the city, it is clear that from the mid 4th century, Karkinitis was under the influence of the city of Chersonesos. As such, its small bronze issues were certainly for local consumption, and there was no need for Karkinitis to strike a precious metal coinage.
160. TAURIC CHERSONESOS, Karkinitis. Circa 470-460 BC. Cast A (20mm, 0.92 g). Bilobate arrowhead. Anokhin 601; Kutajsov Type II; SNG BM Black Sea —; SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb 449. VF, brown patina. Very rare. ($500)
161. TAURIC CHERSONESOS, Karkinitis. Circa 450-425 BC. Cast Z (28mm, 1.76 g). Fish with large horizontal K / Arrowhead with central rib. Anokhin 600; Kutajsov Type III; SNG BM Black Sea —; SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb -; V.F. Stolba, “Fish and Money: Numismatic Evidence for Black Sea Fishing” in T. Bekker-Nielsen, ed., Ancient Fishing and Fish Processing in the Black Sea Region (Aarhus: Aarhus University Press, 2005), 1 (this coin). Good VF, dark brown patina. Rare. ($200)
Ex Giessener Miinzhandlung 60 (5 October 1992), lot 180.
Although over 35 of these coins were discovered in the excavations reported by Kutajsov, all of them were sent to museums (Eupatoria, Kiev, Hermitage, and Moscow). Thus, these are extremely rare in trade.
162 163
162. TAURIC CHERSONESOS, Karkinitis. Circa 345-340 BC. AZ (17mm, 3.41 g, lh). Herakl-, magistrate. Lion on the back of a bull right, biting into its neck; below, club right above HPAKA / Nike advancing right, holding [wreath] in extended right hand; KAPK to right. Anokhin 604; Medvedeva 2; Stolba 6; SNG BM Black Sea 693; SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb —. VF, dark brown patina, edge split. Extremely rare, one of three known (the others in London [BM] and Qrim [Eupatoria Museum)]). ($300)
163. TAURIC CHERSONESOS, Karkinitis. Circa 345-340 BC. A (17mm, 2.91 g, 1h). Heroni-, magistrate. Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin / Eagle standing left on thunderbolt; HPONI above, [KAPIKI[NI] below. Anokhin 605 var. (spelling of magistrate’s name); Medvedeva 15 var. (same); Stolba 7—9 var. (same); SNG BM Black Sea 695; SNG Pushkin —; SNG Stancomb -. VF, dark brown patina, a little smoothing. Extremely rare, only 6 known to Medvedeva, 4 of which are in museums. ($500)
Ex Christopher Morcom Collection (Classical Numismatic Group 76, 12 September 2007), lot 188.
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164. TAURIC CHERSONESOS, Karkinitis. Circa 345-340 BC. AZ (22mm, 6.42 g, 12h). Herak-, magistrate. Head of Female (Hera or Tyche?) left, wearing ornamented mural crown / Warrior, holding spear aloft in right hand, on horse rearing right; HPAIK] to left, KAPKI below. Anokhin 607; Medvedeva 3; Stolba 1-4; SNG BM Black Sea 694 var. (magistrate); SNG Pushkin 595 var. (same); SNG Stancomb 450. VF, rough dark brown patina, a hint of smoothing. ($200)
165. TAURIC CHERSONESOS, Karkinitis. 4th century BC. ZZ (19mm, 4.86 g, 12h). Gelo-, magistrate. Bearded Skythian seated left on rocks, holding ax in right hand, bow and quiver at side; KEPK to left / Horse standing left, raising right foreleg; [- JEAQ in exergue. Anokhin 611; Medvedeva 20-6; SNG BM Black Sea 696-7 corr. (magistrate); SNG Pushkin 599; SNG Stancomb 451-3 var. (magistrate). VF, dark brown patina with spots of green. ($500)
Ex Christopher Morcom Collection (Classical Numismatic Group 76 (12 September 2007), lot 189.
166. TAURIC CHERSONESOS, Karkinitis. Circa 300-290 BC. AZ (17mm, 2.41 g, lh). Ge-, magistrate. Head of Artemis left, quiver over shoulder; [KEP to right] / Stag standing left, raising right foreleg; [J E above]. Anokhin 620 (same rev. die); Medvedeva 77-9; SNG BM Black Sea 703-4; SNG Pushkin 601 var. (magistrate); SNG Stancomb —. Good Fine, dark green-brown patina, irregular flan, light cleaning marks. Extremely rare, approximately 10 known, most of which are in public collections. ($200)
Theodoseia [[ACP 707]
Theodoseia was a Milesian colony located on the eastern shore of the Cimmerian Bosporos (Crimea) in the 6th century BC. The city had a fine harbor, and its territories were particularly fertile, enabling it to flourish through regular grain shipments to Athens. Very little is known of the history of the city today. It appears to have been a rival of Pantipikaion from the 5th century, but it eventually was conquered by the Bosporan king Leukon I (389/8-349/8 BC) around 370 BC, who incorporated it into the Bosporan domain. Theodoseia issued a very rare silver and bronze coinage from the late 5th century, featuring the head of Athena on the obverse, and a bull’s head or star on the reverse. The issues appear to have been very sporadic and short, and generally came to an end with Leukon’s conquest, although the city was allowed to strike a fairly large bronze issue in the mid-3rd century BC.
167. CIMMERIAN BOSPOROS, Theodoseia. Circa 395-390 BC. AR Trihemiobol (8mm, 0.82 g, 2h). Head of Athena left, wearing crested Attic helmet / Facing bucranium, fillets hanging from horns; OF-OA-[EQ] around. Sidorenko & Shonov 15; Anokhin 933; Frolova, Friihe —; MacDonald —; HGC 7, —. VF, toned. Extremely rare, only two examples published (both in private collections). ($3000)
An extremely rare issue from a city whose total coinage is very rare today. This issue was struck while the city was making preparations for the coming war against the Bosporan kingdom.
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GREEK COINAGE
168. IBERIA, Emporion. 5th century BC. AR Obol (11mm, 1.09 g). Forepart of man-headed bull left / Rough incuse.
Campo pl. XVI, 3; Villaronga, Troballa 7-13; ACIP 2; SNG BM Spain —. Good VF, toned. Exceptional for type. Very rare. ($2000)
170
169. GAUL, Massalia. Circa 525/0-480/70 BC. AR Diobol (9mm, 1.11 g). Auriol type. Forepart of lion left, devouring prey / Rough incuse square. Brenot 1; Auriol Group U, 18 (Av.14/Rv.4) = SNG Delepierre 23; SNG Copenhagen —. Good VF,
toned. ($2000)
170. GAUL, Massalia. Circa 200-121 BC. AR Obol (9mm, 0.63 g, 9h). Bare head of Apollo left /MA within wheel of four spokes. Depeyrot, Marseille 31; Brenot & Sias E5; SNG Copenhagen 723-8. EF, toned. Fine style. ($300)
171. GAUL, Massalia. Circa 121-82 BC. AR Tetrobol (16mm, 2.81 g, 6h). Draped bust of Artemis right, wearing stephane, bow and quiver over shoulder; \ to right / Lion standing right; MA==A above, A to right, AHX in exergue.
Depeyrot, Marseille 55/8 corr. (monogram on obv.); Brenot & Sias 93; SNG Copenhagen 794. Near EF, attractively toned. ($500)
172. ETRURIA, Populonia. 3rd century BC. AR 10 Asses — Denarius (17mm, 4.18 g). Laureate head of Aplu left; X (mark of value) behind / Blank. Vecchi III 13 (same obv. die); HN Italy 168; SNG ANS 26; SNG Lloyd 24 (same obv. die); SNG Ashmolean 14—7 (same obv. die); SNG Copenhagen 39 (same obv. die); Basel 14; Weber 64 (same obv. die). Good VF, toned. Early die state and free of the normal die rust. ($1500)
Ex Gemini IIT (9 January 2007), lot 25.
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173. ETRURIA, Populonia. 3rd century BC. AV Twenty-Five Units (11mm, 1.33 g). Bare male head right, wearing pearl necklace; XXV (mark of value) behind / Blank. Vecchi I 53-4; HN Italy 132; SNG ANS 4-6; SNG Lloyd 13-4; SNG Ashmolean 11; Jameson 2378. EF. ($4000)
Ex Numismatica Genevensis SA 6 (30 November 2010), lot 4.
174. decorated with Skylla throwing a stone / Herakles crouching right, strangling the Nemean Lion; on the Lion’s back, owl standing left, head facing; [club to left]. Vlasto 1323-4; HN Italy 976; SNG ANS 1413 (same rev. die); SNG Lloyd 245; Dewing -. EF, lightly toned, some deposits on obverse. Wonderful strike for issue. ($500)
Ex Maly, Nanteuil, and Picard
175. CALABRIA, Tarentum. Circa 400-390 BC. AR Nomos (21mm, 7.89 g, 1h). Phalanthos, holding akrostolion in extended right hand, riding dolphin left; TAPA= below / Nude warrior, holding shield in right hand, dismounting horse galloping left; \ below. Fischer-Bossert 338d and 338f corr. (V154/R262) = Nanteuil 85 (this coin); Vlasto 309 (same dies); HN Italy 849; SNG ANS 873 (same dies). Near EF, attractively toned. Well centered on good metal. ($3000)
Ex Roland Maly Collection (LHS 100, 23 April 2007), lot 46; Hess-Leu 24 (16 April 1964), lot 19; Henri de Nanteuil Collection, no. 85; G. Picard Collection (Sambon, 14 March 1923), lot 61.
Fischer-Bossert’s 338 coins d and f are the same coin. His entry for 338d lists the Hess-Leu and Sambon sales, but incorrectly lists the Sambon lot as 60a. There is no lot 60a in that sale, and the coin certainly is lot 61, which F-B lists under his 338f. This confusion is perhaps caused by the Hess-Leu sale, which incorrectly lists the pedigree as Sambon lot 60. Furthermore, while the Hess-Leu sale correctly shows the die axis as lh, the Nanteuil plate erroneously shows the coin as having a 10h die axis. These inconsistencies in the earlier collections suggests they are different coins, but a comparison of the plates proves that is not correct.
176. CALABRIA, Tarentum. Circa 315-302 BC. AR Nomos (20mm, 8.05 g, 12h). Nude warrior, holding two spears in left hand, preparing to throw a third in his right hand, shield on left arm, on horseback right; = to left, API below / Phalanthos, holding kantharos in extended right hand, oar in left, riding dolphin left; KA before, TAPA® behind. Fischer-Bossert 914 (V357/R709); Vlasto 640 (same obv. die); HN Italy 939; SNG ANS —; SNG Lloyd —; BMC 208 (same dies); Pozzi 123 (same obv. die). EF, attractively toned. ($2000)
From the RCM Collection. Ex Triton XII (6 January 2009), lot 28; Leu 91 (10 May 2004), lot 15; The Numismatic Auction 3 (1 December 1985), lot 3.
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177. CALABRIA, Tarentum. Circa 280 BC. AR Nomos (20mm, 7.91 g, 6h). Nude youth on horseback right, crowning horse with wreath in his extended right hand; =A to left, APE/OON in two lines below / Phalanthos, holding tripod in right hand, riding dolphin left; TAPA= to right, CA= below. Vlasto 666; HN Italy 957; SNG ANS 1046-50; SNG Lloyd —; Dewing 168; Gulbenkian 39 (same obv. die). Good VF, toned, some porosity, struck from worn obverse die. ($750)
From the Chiltern Collection.
178. CALABRIA, Tarentum. Circa 280-272 BC. AR Nomos (22mm, 6.52 g, 8h). Nude warrior, shield and two spears on his back, thrusting third spear held in his right hand, on horse rearing right; [E]Y to left, PINTYAO below / Phalanthos, holding Nike, who crowns him with wreath held in both hands, in extended right hand, riding dolphin left; TOAY to left, [T] APA to right; below, prow left. Vlasto 720-2 (same dies); HN Italy 1002; SNG ANS 1089 (same rev. die); SNG Lloyd 204; Dewing 195. Good VF, old cabinet toning. Well centered on a broad flan. ($1500)
Ex Heritage New York Signature Sale (2 January 2012), lot 23023; Gorny & Mosch 180 (12 October 2009), lot 10; A. Weil (14 February 1987), lot 2.
Extraordinary Symbol — A Great Rarity in Series
179. CALABRIA, Tarentum. Circa 280-272 BC. AR Nomos (20mm, 6.55 g, 4h). Nude youth on horseback left, crowning horse with wreath in his extended right hand; API TO=[ENO€] to right; below, A and serpent entwined in bow, shooting arrow left / Phalanthos, holding cornucopia in extended right hand and cradling trident in left arm, riding dolphin left; H to left, TAPA to right. Vlasto 818 corr. = E.J. Seltman, “Interessante Beizeichen auf Miinzen von Tarent und Aenus” in Z{N XIX (1895), p. 283 (monogram on rev.; same dies); HN Italy -; SNG ANS —; SNG Lloyd —; Dewing —; Jameson 210 (same dies). Good VF, lightly toned, area of flat strike. Extremely rare, Vlasto only noted three examples, his piece (originally from
the E.J. Seltman Collection), one in the Jameson Collection (originally owned by Sir Arthur Evans), and one in the Museum of Bari. ($3000)
180. CALABRIA, Tarentum. Circa 240-228 BC. AR Nomos (20mm, 6.56 g, 12h). Dioskouros, raising right hand and holding rein in left, on horseback left; & and pileos to right; FE-NOKPA/T -H& in two lines below / Phalanthos, holding trident in right hand and raising drapery aloft in left, riding dolphin left, head and torso facing; TAPA& to left, 2 to right, waves and cuttlefish below. Vlasto 955-7; HN Italy 1058; SNG ANS 1256-8; SNG Lloyd 229; Dewing —. Near EF, toned, some light deposits, slightly weak strike on obverse. Lovely style, with Phalanthos in dynamic motion. ($500)
Ex Gemini IIT (9 January 2007), lot 31.
46
181. CALABRIA, Tarentum. Punic occupation. Circa 212-209 BC. AR Reduced Nomos — Half-Shekel (19mm, 3.81 g, 6h). Nude youth on horseback right, crowning horse with laurel wreath in his right hand, left hand on reins; [QKAN-NA& below / Phalanthos, holding aphlaston in extended right hand, cradling trident in left arm, astride dolphin left; to right, eagle standing left, wings spread; TA-PA& below. Vlasto 984 (same rev. die); HN Italy 1082; SNG ANS 1272; SNG Lloyd -; Dewing 320. EF, even gray toning with slight iridescence around the devices. ($1500)
From the RCM Collection.
182. LUCANIA, Herakleia. Circa 420/15-390 BC. AR Nomos (19mm, 8.02 g, 10h). Head of Athena right, wearing crested Corinthian helmet decorated with hippocamp; small = to lower left / Herakles standing right, wrestling the Nemean Lion; club and bow to left, HPAKAEI[ON] to right, ® below. Van Keuren 7; Work 18; HN Italy 1372; SNG ANS 53; SNG Lloyd —; BMC 12; Dewing 340; de Luynes 424; Rutter, Greek 25 (all from the same dies). VF, toned, die break on reverse. Well centered strike. ($750)
Ex Frederick M. Bayer Collection (New York Sale VII, 15 January 2004), lot 6; Miinzen und Medaillen GmbH 8 (10 May 2001), lot 14; A. Hess (14 April 1954), lot 29.
183. Corinthian helmet decorated with Skylla holding rudder and uncertain object; X between neck guard and crest / Herakles wrestling the Nemean Lion; kantharos and club to left, [HPAKAHION to right]. Van Keuren 46 (same obv. die as illustration); HN Italy 1376; SNG ANS 58 (same obv. die); SNG Lloyd —. Good VF, toned. Very rare issue. ($5000)
Ex Numismatica Ars Classica 29 (11 May 2005), lot 29; Athos D. Moretti Collection.
Ex De Ciccio Collection
184. upward on right, TA downward on left / Incuse ear of barley with seven grains. Noe 87 (same dies, this coin referenced); HN Italy 1470; SNG ANS -; SNG Lloyd —; Dewing 352 (same dies). Near EF, toned, small edge split. Great metal. ($5000)
Ex Giuseppe De Ciccio Collection (Sambon & Canessa, 19 December 1907), lot 28.
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185. LUCANIA, Metapontion. Circa 330-290 BC. AR Nomos (20mm, 7.92 g, 2h). Head of Demeter facing slightly right, wearing grain ear wreath, triple-pendant earrings, and necklace / Barley ear of seven grains, leaf to right; bucranium above leaf, AOIA] below. Johnston Class C, 2.6 (same dies); HN Italy 1584; SNG ANS 463-4 (same obv. die); SNG Lloyd —; SNG Copenhagen 1220 (same obv. die). Good VF, darkly toned with slight iridescence around the devices. Fine style. ($4000)
Ex Paul H. Gerrie Collection (Triton XII, 6 January 2009), lot 40.
Ex Hermitage Collection
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186. LUCANIA, Poseidonia. Circa 420-410 BC. AR Nomos (16mm, 7.78 g, 3h). Poseidon, nude but for chlamys draped over both arms, holding trident aloft in right hand, advancing right; H to left, FO=EI[AA] to right / Bull standing left; [TOZEIAA above], H below. Noe, Group 20b (this coin, citing incorrect Hermitage sale date); HN Italy 1127; SNG ANS 678/677 (for obv./
rev. dies); SNG Lloyd —; Dewing —. Good VF, toned. Rare. ($3000)
Ex Miinzhandlung Basel 4 (1 October 1935), lot 335; Hermitage Collection (Schlessinger 13, 4 February 1935), lot 99.
187. LUCANIA, Sybaris. Circa 453-448 BC. AR Nomos (17mm, 8.09 g, 9h). Nude Poseidon, holding trident aloft in right hand, advancing right; AdVM to left; to right, bird flying right / Bull standing right; dVM in exergue. Kraay, Coinage, pl. Ill, 9 = SNG Fitzwilliam 580 (same dies); HN Italy 1743; SNG ANS —; SNG Lloyd —; Dewing -; L. Breglia, “Le monete delle quattro Sibari’” in AJIN 2 (1955), 6 (same dies). Good VF, lightly toned. Well centered. Very rare. ($3000)
Ex Gemini IIT (9 January 2009), lot 39.
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188. LUCANIA, Thourioi. Circa 443-400 BC. AR Nomos (19mm, 7.89 g, 8h). Head of Athena right, wearing Attic helmet decorated with laurel branch and ivy leaf / Bull butting right, OOYPION above; in exergue, fish right. HN Italy 1775; SNG ANS 928 (same obv. die); SNG Lloyd 463; Dewing 417. EF, toned. ($3000)
Ex Hess-Leu (16 April 1957), lot 41.
189. LUCANIA, Thourioi. Circa 350-300 BC. AR Nomos (18mm, 7.82 g, 6h). Head of Athena right, wearing Attic helmet decorated with Skylla hurling a stone, small = on neck guard / Bull advancing right; OOYPION above, two dolphins confronted in exergue. HN Italy 1820; SNG ANS —; SNG Lloyd —; SNG Ashmolean 287 (same dies); Dewing —. EF, attractive gray toning with light iridescent hue around the devices. Rare. ($2500)
From the RCM Collection. Ex Triton VIII (11 January 2005), lot 42; Rauch 73 (17 May 2004), lot 65.
190. BRUTTIUM, The Brettii. Circa 216-214 BC. AV Hemidrachm (12mm, 2.11 g, 8h). Third coinage. Attic standard. Second Punic War issue. Bearded head of Herakles left, wearing lion’s skin; club to right, tiny! below / Nike, holding kentron and reins in right hand, driving biga right; below, coiled serpent right; BPET TION in exergue. Arslan dies 5/8 (this coin referenced); Scheu G.8; HN Italy 1953; SNG ANS 15 corr.; SNG Lloyd 540; SNG Copenhagen 1613; Jameson 404; de Luynes 653 (all from the same dies). EF, light scratches in field on reverse. Extremely rare, only 17 examples cited in Arslan, all but one in public collections. ($7500)
From the RCM Collection. Ex James A. Ferrendelli Collection (Triton VII, 13 January 2004), lot 34; Numismatica Ars Classica 9 (16 April 1996), lot 90.
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191. BRUTTIUM, The Brettii. Circa 216-214 BC. AR Drachm (20mm, 4.69 g, 3h). Third coinage. Attic standard. Second Punic War issue. Veiled head of Hera Lakinia right, wearing polos; transverse scepter in background, fly over shoulder / Zeus, nude, standing left, right foot on ionic capital, holding scepter in left hand; to left, eagle flying left, holding wreath in its talons; BPET TION to right, tiny | between foot and scepter. Arslan dies 21/35’ (this coin referenced); Scheu S84; HN Italy 1970; SNG ANS 26 (same dies); SNG Lloyd 542 (same dies); SNG Ashmolean 1416 (same dies); SNG Miinchen 1249 (same dies). EF, attractively toned. Well centered on good metal. ($3000)
Ex Collection Mme. T. (Weil, 15 January 2006), lot 1; Miinzen und Medaillen 54 (26 October 1978), lot 67.
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192. BRUTTIUM, The Brettii. Circa 216-214 BC. AR Drachm (20mm, 4.79 g, 4h). Third coinage. Attic standard. Second Punic War issue. Draped bust of Nike right, wearing diadem, single-pendant earring, and pearl necklace / Dionysos standing facing, crowning himself with wreath held in his right hand, holding scepter in his left; BPET TION to left; to right, incense altar above tiny K. Arslan dies 46/64’; Scheu S9; HN Italy 1959; SNG ANS 18 var. (no K on reverse); SNG Lloyd -;
Pozzi 269 (same dies); Ars Classica XII, lot 541 (same dies). Superb EF, attractive cabinet toning. ($1500)
From the RCM Collection. Ex Triton XII (6 January 2009), lot 51; Triton VIII (11 January 2005), lot 47.
193. BRUTTIUM, The Brettii. Circa 216-214 BC. AR Drachm (19mm, 4.53 g, 8h). Third coinage. Attic standard. Second Punic War issue. Diademed bust of Nike right; cornucopia to left / Dionysos, nude but for drapery over left arm, standing facing, crowning himself with wreath in right hand and holding scepter in left; BPE T TION to left; to right, thymiaterion above b. Arslan dies 53/77’; Scheu S27; HN Italy 1959; SNG ANS —; SNG Lloyd 545 (same dies); SNG Ashmolean 1410 (same dies); de Luynes 657 (same dies). Good VF, attractive dark toning. Excellent metal. ($750)
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194, BRUTTIUM, Kaulonia. Circa 525-500 BC. AR Nomos (29mm, 7.81 g, 12h). Apollo advancing right, holding branch aloft in right hand, left hand extended, upon which a small daimon is running right; KNVI* to left; to right, stag standing right, head reverted / Incuse of Apollo and stag, but stag’s antlers and daimon in linear outline. Noe, Caulonia, Group A, 8d (this coin); Gorini 2; HN Italy 2035; Boston MFA 173 = Warren 139 (same dies); Pozzi 270 (same dies); Weber 982 (same dies). Near EF, attractive old cabinet toning. ($10,000)
Ex J. Hirsch XIV (27 November 1905), lot 127.
50
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195. BRUTTIUM, Kaulonia. Circa 525-500 BC. AR Nomos (30mm, 7.78 g, 12h). Apollo advancing right, holding branch aloft in right hand, left hand extended, upon which a small daimon is running right; KAVF to left; to right, stag standing right, head reverted / Incuse of Apollo and stag, but stag’s antlers and daimon in linear outline. Noe, Caulonia, Group A, 20 (same obv. die); Gorini 2; HN Italy 2035; SNG ANS 148 (same obv. die); SNG Lloyd 571-2; Weber 980. EF, attractive dark cabinet toning with slight iridescent hues, three tiny edge splits, die break on obverse. ($10,000)
From the RCM Collection. Ex G. Hirsch 233 (12 February 2004), lot 1248 (illustrated on front cover).
196. BRUTTIUM, Kroton. Circa 480-430 BC. AR Nomos (20mm, 7.62 g, 12h). Tripod; to left, heron standing right; OPO upward to right / Incuse tripod. Attianese 45 var. (ethnic); Gorini 20 var. (same); HN Italy 2102; SNG ANS 264 (same obv. die): SNG Lloyd 597 var. (same); Dewing 495. EF, toned. ($1000)
197. BRUTTIUM, Kroton. Circa 400-325 BC. AR Nomos (19mm, 7.59 g, 10h). Head of Apollo right, wearing laurel wreath; KPOTONIA-TA& around / The Herakliskos Drakonopnigon: the Infant Herakles, nude, crouching facing on rock, head left, strangling a serpent in each hand. Attianese 164; HN Italy 2157; SNG ANS 386 (same dies); SNG Lloyd 617-8; Basel 199; Dewing 513; Gulbenkian 132-3; Jameson 433-4. VF, toned, slight die shift and light scratch under tone in field on reverse. ($2000)
Ex Frederick M. Bayer Collection (New York Sale VII, 15 January 2004), lot 10; New York Sale IV (17 January 2002), lot 39.
51
198. BRUTTIUM, Rhegion. Circa 415/0-387 BC. AR Tetradrachm (22mm, 17.05 g, 10h). Facing lion head / Head of Apollo right, wearing laurel wreath; olive sprig to left, PHT INON to right. Herzfelder 86 (D53/R73); HN Italy 2496; SNG ANS 661—3; SNG Lloyd 698; Dewing 535; Hunterian 7 (same obv. die). Good VF, attractive cabinet toning. ($20,000)
From an American Collection with official export papers from Italy, dated December 2010. Ex ArtCoins Roma 2 (10 December 2010), lot 11.
199. BRUTTIUM, Rhegion. Circa 415/0-387 BC. AR Tetradrachm (24mm, 17.30 g, 9h). Facing lion head / Head of Apollo right, wearing laurel wreath; olive sprig to left, PHT INON to right. Herzfelder 95 (D56/R80); HN Italy 2496; SNG ANS 662 (same dies); SNG Lloyd 698; Dewing 535; Bement 758 (same dies); McClean 1873 (same obv. die). Choice EF, toned. Well centered and struck on excellent metal. ($30,000)
Ex Classical Numismatic Group 79 (17 September 2008), lot 40; Kiinker 133 (11 October 2007), lot 7915; Leu 33 (3 May 1983), lot 213.
200. BRUTTIUM, Terina. Circa 400-356 BC. AR Nomos (19mm, 7.66 g, 1h). Head of the nymph Terina right, wearing triple-pendant earring and beaded necklace; TEPIN[AION] to right / Nike seated left on plinth, holding out right hand upon which a small bird alights, left hand resting on plinth. Regling, Terina 80 (dies MM/000); Holloway & Jenkins 84 (same obv. die); HN Italy 2629; SNG ANS 852 (same obv. die); SNG Lloyd 761-2 (same obv. die); BMC 41 = GPCG p. 46, 25 (same dies); Basel 242; Gulbenkian 154 (same obv. die). Good VF, toned. ($7500)
From the RCM Collection. Ex Sternberg XVI (16 November 1985), lot 45.
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201. BRUTTIUM, Terina. Circa 300 BC. AR Drachm (17mm, 2.33 g, 11h). Head of the nymph Terina left, wearing triple-pendant earring and beaded necklace; TEPINAION to left, triskeles behind neck / Nike seated left on plinth, holding out right hand upon which a small bird alights, left hand resting on plinth; star to left. Holloway & Jenkins 114; HN Italy 2642; cf. SNG ANS 867; SNG Lloyd 770 var. (symbol on rev.); Dewing 543. EF, toned. ($2000)
From the RCM Collection. Ex Miinzen und Medaillen AG FPL 216 (October 1961), no. 12.
202. SICILY, Akragas. Punic occupation. 213-211 BC. AR Half Shekel (18mm, 3.27 g, 12h). Head of Melkart left, wearing laurel wreath / Elephant advancing right; X (Punic A) in exergue. Cf. Visona 55 (shekel); Walker 29; Burnett, Enna 129 (same dies). EF, toned. Very rare. ($5000)
Ex Geissener Miinzhandlung 25 (14 June 1983), lot 108.
203. SICILY, Entella. Punic issues. Circa 300-289 BC. AR Tetradrachm (24mm, 17.01 g, 4h). Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin / Head of horse left; palm tree to right, P)A4440 (Punic ‘MHMHNT) below. Jenkins, Punic — (093/R233 [unlisted combination]); SNG Lloyd 1655 (same obv. die); SNG Fitzwilliam 1495 (same obv. die); Cajaniello Collection (Sambon & Canessa, 27 June 1927), lot 1160 (same rev. die). Superb EF, attractive light gray cabinet patina, some die wear on reverse. A new die combination for the corpus. ($7500)
From the RCM Collection.
53
204. SICILY, Entella. Punic issues. Circa 300-289 BC. AR Tetradrachm (24mm, 17.02 g, 9h). Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin / Head of horse left; kerykeion to left, palm tree to right, [4]9%4A4 (Punic MHSBM) below. Jenkins, Punic 362 (0113/R295); SNG Lloyd 1623 var. (same obv. die, no kerykeion). Good VF, lightly toned, die break on reverse. ($2000)
Ex Garth R. Drewry Collection (Classical Numismatic Group 67, 22 September 2004), lot 396.
205. SICILY, Entella. Punic issues. Circa 300-289 BC. AR Tetradrachm (23mm, 17.02 g, 7h). Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin / Head of horse left; palm tree to right, 494449 (Punic MHSBM) below. Jenkins, Punic 391 (O120/R319); SNG Lloyd 1646. Good VF, flan flaw on cheek, die flaw on eye. ($2000)
Ex Alan Harrison Collection (Dix, Noonan, Webb Al0, 22 June 2011), lot 1062.
Ex ‘Exceptional Private Collection’
206. SICILY, Gela. Circa 490/85-480/75 BC. AR Didrachm (18mm, 8.69 g, 5h). Nude warrior riding right, preparing to cast javelin held aloft in his right hand / Forepart of man-headed bull right, CEAA= above. Jenkins, Gela, group Ia, 2 var. (O2/R- [unlisted rev. die]); SNG ANS —; SNG Lloyd —; SNG Lockett 762 (same obv. die). EF, toned, edge marks from possible prior mounting. ($7500)
Ex ‘Exceptional Private Collection’ (Leu 76, 27 October 1999), lot 26.
The earliest coins of Jenkins’ Group I at Gela reflect the experimental nature of an initial coinage series at a Greek mint. Stylistically, the first six obverses feature a youthful nude male riding a horse, brandishing a spear overhead. Gela had been known for its adept cavalry, and this type is likely an allusion to that asset of the polis. It is uncertain why the initial inclination of the engravers was to depict the warrior bare headed, but this was quickly changed by the addition of a helmet beginning with the seventh obverse die. Depicting a nude warrior with helmet was more typical in contemporary artwork, and this revised obverse type became canonical for the remainder of the city’s didrachm issues. Another interesting “experimental” feature of the earliest coins is the presence of some obverses that are slightly concave. Typically, the obverse of ancient coins are flat or slightly convex, while the reverses are either concave or incuse. The reverse die, being on the hammer used to punch the flan, is typically made with either a raised area, producing an incuse, or a convex surface, producing a concave reverse on the coins. These forms would not only allow for better metal flow when the flan was struck, but also allow the die to better absorb the forces of the striking. In contrast, the obverse dies, placed in the anvil, would be either flat or slightly concave in form. Thus, the concave obverses seen on some of the very early issues at Gela reflect the fact that some of the obverse dies are actually convex, which must have constituted some attempt by the mint to experiment with different die forms. The present coin is one that was produced with such a convex obverse die. As one of the earliest coinages struck on Sicily, it is not surprising to find some experimental aspects in its earliest series, and this coin is a wonderful example of an issue combining both experimental features. As such, this coin could be considered a prototype for the large didrachm coinages that followed.
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207. SICILY, Gela. Circa 490/85-480/75 BC. AR Didrachm (18mm, 8.62 g, lh). Nude warrior riding right, preparing to cast javelin held aloft in his right hand / Forepart of man-headed bull right; CE-A-A to right. Jenkins, Gela, group Ib, 8 (O5/ R4); SNG ANS 6 var. (same obv. die, arrangement of ethnic); SNG Lloyd —; Dewing 592; Kraay & Hirmer 155 (same dies). EF, attractively toned, a couple minor die breaks, a few light marks under tone. ($7500)
Ex Patrick H.C. Tan Collection (Gemini VI, 9 January 2011), lot 97; Numismatica Ars Classica 48 (21 October 2008), lot 30.
208. SICILY, Gela. Circa 450-440 BC. AR Tetradrachm (24mm, 17.65 g, 11h). Charioteer, holding kentron in left hand and reins in both, driving slow quadriga right; above, Nike flying right, crowning horses with open wreath held in both hands; palmette with tendrils in exergue / Forepart of man-headed bull left; CEAA= above. Jenkins, Gela, group IV, 363 (O71/R146); SNG ANS -; SNG Lloyd —; BMC 40 (same dies); Hunterian 16 (same dies); Jameson 584 (same dies). VF, toned, struck from worn obverse die. Rare. ($1500)
Ex Triton VII (13 January 2004), lot 45.
209. SICILY, Gela. Circa 440-430 BC. AR Tetradrachm (25mm, 17.37 g, 1h). Charioteer, holding kentron in left hand and reins in both, driving slow quadriga right; above, Nike flying right, crowning horses with open wreath held in both hands / Forepart of man-headed bull right; SAA[3O] above. Jenkins, Gela, group V, 384.7 (O78/R158 — this coin); SNG ANS 74; Hunterian 6; McClean 2238; Nanteuil 282 (all from the same dies). VF, toned, a few minor scratches under tone. ($2000)
Ex Elsen FPL 257 (July-September 2011), no. 43; Kélner Miinzkabinett 40 (19 November 1985), lot 1018; Leu FPL [2] (September 1962), no. 31.
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From the Weber Collection
210. SICILY, Gela. Circa 420-415 BC. AR Tetradrachm (24mm, 16.75 g, 11h). Charioteer, holding kentron in left hand and reins in both, driving slow quadriga right; above, Nike flying right, crowning horses with open wreath held in both hands / Forepart of man-headed bull right; [EAA above. Jenkins, Gela, group VIII, 468.29 (090/R180) = Weber 1324 (this coin); SNG ANS 90; SNG Lloyd 971; BMC 50; McClean 2258 (all from the same dies). Good VF, dark cabinet toning, typical weak obverse die. Fine style. ($3000)
Ex Sir Hermann Weber Collection, 1324.
Signed by Prokles
211. SICILY, Katane. Circa 415/3-404 BC. AR Litra (11mm, 0.83 g, 7h). Obverse die signed by P(rokles). Head of
Silenos left, wearing ivy wreath; small [ behind neck / Winged thunderbolt; two shields flanking, [IKATA]-NAION around.
Boehringer, Kataneische Li 6; Mirone 82 (same dies); Rizzo pl. XIV, 17; SNG ANS —; SNG Lloyd —. EF, toned. Rare. ($5000)
From the RCM Collection. Ex Triton XII (6 January 2009), lot 77; Numismatica Ars Classica 29 (11 May 2005), lot 75; Numismatica Ars Classica 21 (17 May 2001), lot 61.
The dies used at Katane in the mid-late 5th century BC display some of the finest classical style engraving in Sicilian numismatics. Parallels in style between Katanean issues in this period and contemporary signed pieces from other mints have led numismatists to assign many dies to the work of master engravers such as Euainetos. The present piece, however, is signed II, for the artist Prokles, whose full signature is known on tetradrachms at Katane in this period (cf. CNG 57, lot 83). This Prokles is thought to be the same artist who engraved a number of magnificent didrachm, hemidrachm, and litra dies at Naxos (cf. Cahn 108, 122, and 136, respectively). The quantity of his work there suggests that Naxos was his home (see also ACGC pp. 224-5).
56
Two Examples of a Classical Masterpiece
212. SICILY, Katane. Circa 412-403 BC. AR Tetradrachm (25mm, 16.33 g, 10h). Obverse die signed by Euainetos. Charioteer, holding goad in right hand and reins in both, driving fast quadriga left, passing turn-post to right; above, Nike flying right, crowning charioteer with wreath in right hand and holding in left plaque inscribed [E]Y JAIN; crab in exergue / Head of Apollo left, wearing laurel wreath; KATANAION above, bell hanging on knotted cord to left, crawfish to right. Mirone 68; Rizzo pl. XIV, 6; SNG ANS 1260; SNG Lloyd 901; Basel 334; Gulbenkian 188-9; Jameson 550; Pozzi 965; Kraay & Hirmer 42 (all from the same dies). Good VF, toned. One of the classical masterpieces. ($20,000)
Ex Gemini IT (10 January 2005), lot 24.
213. SICILY, Katane. Circa 412-403 BC. AR Tetradrachm (24mm, 16.87 g, 2h). Obverse die signed by Euainetos. Charioteer, holding goad in right hand and reins in both, driving fast quadriga left, passing turn-post to right; above, Nike flying right, crowning charioteer with wreath in right hand and holding in left plaque inscribed [E]YAI[N]; crab in exergue / Head of Apollo left, wearing laurel wreath; KATANAION above, bell hanging on knotted cord to left, crawfish to right. Mirone 68; Rizzo pl. XIV, 6; SNG ANS 1260; SNG Lloyd 901; Basel 334; Gulbenkian 188-9; Jameson 550; Pozzi 965; Kraay & Hirmer 42 (all from the same dies). Near VF, lightly toned. One of the classical masterpieces. ($10,000)
Ex Kovacs XIII (3 June 1998), lot 6.
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214. SICILY, Kephaloidion. Circa 307-305 BC. AR Drachm (17mm, 3.73 g, 6h). Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin; EX KE®AAOIAI-ON to right and below / Bull butting left on tablet; AA and HRAKAEIOTAN above. Campana, Kephaloidion 1; Jenkins, Coinages, p. 97, 1 = CNS I p. 245 (Herakleia) = Basel 345 = Numismatica Ars Classica 13, lot 345 (same dies). Good VF, darkly toned. Extremely rare, one of only two known. ($5000)
Ex Gemini IV (8 January 2008), lot 33; Leu 38 (13 May 1986), lot 23.
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215. SICILY, Leontini. Circa 450-440 BC. AR Tetradrachm (26mm, 17.29 g, 10h). Head of Apollo right, wearing laurel wreath / Head of roaring lion right; four barley grains and L-E-O-V-T-IV-OW around. Boehringer, Miinzgeschichte 41; Rizzo pl. XXII, 1; SNG ANS 224; SNG Lloyd 1055; Dewing 627 (all from the same obv. die). EF, attractive light cabinet toning. Well centered and struck from artistic dies. ($5000)
Ex Classical Numismatic Group 36 (5 December 1996), lot 1755.
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216. SICILY, Messana. 420-413 BC. AR Tetradrachm (25mm, 17.28 g, 5h). The nymph Messana, holding kentron in left hand and reins in both, driving slow biga of mules right; ME2=ANA above, two dolphins confronted in exergue / Hare springing right; MEZ=A/NV-Il-OW around; below, dolphin right. Caltabiano Series XIV, 521 (D207/R218); Rizzo pl. XXVI, 2; SNG ANS —; SNG Lloyd —; SNG Copenhagen 400 (same obv. die); SNG Lockett 826 (same obv. die). Superb EF, even gray toning with slight iridescence around the devices, minor edge splits, a few minor hairlines under tone. Well centered. ($5000)
From the RCM Collection. Ex Triton VII (13 January 2004), lot 69.
217. SICILY, Messana. 412-408 BC. AR Tetradrachm (25mm, 17.44 g, 12h). Charioteer, holding kentron in left hand and reins in right, driving slow biga of mules left; above, Nike flying right, crowning charioteer with wreath held in extended right hand and fillet in left / Hare springing right; MEZ2ANVIOV above; below, hippocamp left. Caltabiano Series XVA, 599 (D215/R231); Rizzo pl. XX VII, 1; SNG ANS 380; SNG Lloyd 1108; SNG Lockett 833; Boston MFA 296; Jameson 652; Pozzi 1098 (all from the same dies). EF, attractively toned, slight die shift on reverse. ($15,000)
Ex Nomos 3 (10 May 2011), lot 17.
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218. SICILY, Motya. Circa 405-397 BC. AR Tetradrachm (24mm, 16.90 g, 6h). Head of Arethusa left, in the style of Kimon, wearing triple-pendant earring and necklace; four dolphins around / Crab within circular incuse. Jenkins, Punic 47 (O6/ R9); Rizzo pl. LXV, 9; SNG ANS 501 (same obv. die); SNG Lloyd 1138 (same obv. die); SNG Copenhagen 481 (same obv. die); Jameson 667 (same dies). Good VF, toned, some areas of roughness along edge. Well centered for issue. ($3000)
Ex Hess-Divo 289 (24 October 2001), lot 12; Hess-Divo 283 (10 May 2000), lot 42; Auctiones 17 (7 June 1988), lot 59; A. Hess 247 (29 June 1978), lot 51.
219. SICILY, Naxos. Circa 461-430 BC. AR Litra (11mm, 0.69 g, 12h). Head of Dionysos right, wearing ivy wreath; VAX| to right / Grape bunch on encircling vine from which three leaves hang to either side; all in linear circle border within concave circle. Cahn 74 (V54/R62); Campana 10; SNG ANS -; SNG Lloyd —; SNG Copenhagen 491—2 (same dies); BMC 17 (same dies); de Luynes 1067 (same dies). VF, old collection toning, very light porosity, minor die break at edge on reverse. ($1500)
Reportedly ex Gustav Philipsen Collection (J. Hirsch XV, 28 May 1906), lot 1080. This lot includes old dealer/collection tickets that are marked as Ex Hirsch X V/1080. Philipsen 1080 was an unillustrated lot in the Hirsch sale,
so the pedigree cannot be confirmed. However, this coin was consigned with others that also include the same type of old tickets, which are also marked as Ex Hirsch, and have been confirmed as being accurate.
220. SICILY, Segesta. Circa 440/35-420/16 BC. AR Didrachm (22mm, 7.98 g, 4h). Hound standing left / Head of female right, hair in band, within linear circular border in shallow incuse circle. Hurter, Didrachmenprdgung 117k (V36/R63 — this coin); Rizzo —; SNG ANS 623 (same dies); SNG Lloyd —; Dewing -. VF, toned, slightly granular surfaces. ($1000)
From a Continental Collection. Ex Aes Rude 5 (11 April 1980), lot 50.
221. SICILY, Segesta. Circa 440/35-420/16 BC. AR Didrachm (20mm, 8.83 g, 8h). Hound standing left, on the scent / Head of female right, hair in band, within linear circular border; [ZETE=JTAZIIB] around; all in shallow incuse circle. Hurter, Didrachmenprdgung 140a (V42/R73) = P. Lederer, “Neue Beitrége zur antiken Miinzkunde aus schweizerischen 6ffentlichen und privaten Sammlungen II” in SVR XXXII, 6 (this coin, illustrated); Rizzo —; SNG ANS -; cf. SNG Lloyd 1177/1171 (for obv./rev. dies); cf. SNG Miinchen 852 (same obv. die); cf. McClean 2537 (same rev. die). Good VF, toned, obverse off center. ($1000)
Ex Dr. R. Wehrli Collection; Prince of Waldeck Collection (Miinzhandlung Basel 4, 1 October 1935), lot 475.
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222, SICILY, Syracuse. Gelon I. 485-478 BC. AR Tetradrachm (25mm, 17.14 g, 7h). Struck circa 480-478 BC. Charioteer, holding kentron in right hand and reins in left, driving slow quadriga right; above, Nike flying right, crowning horses with open wreath held in both hands / Head of Arethusa right, hair in pearl band, wearing pearl necklace; =VRA-K- Oz-l-O-/N and four dolphins around. Boehringer 81 (V38/R53); SNG ANS 20 (same dies); BMC 18 (same dies); Hunterian 6 (same dies). VF, attractively toned, minor flan flaw in field on reverse. Well centered. ($3000)
Ex Ars Classica XVI (3 July 1933), lot 657.
Boehringer Plate Coin
223% SICILY, Syracuse. Hieron I. 478-466 BC. AR Tetradrachm (25mm, 17.18 g, 9h). Struck circa 475-470 BC. Charioteer, holding kentron in right hand and reins in left, driving slow quadriga right; above, Nike flying right, crowning horses with open wreath held in both hands / Head of Arethusa right, hair in pearl band, wearing pearl necklace; = V-SAKO- =IO-W and four dolphins around. Boehringer 310E.1 (V150/R206 — this coin); SNG ANS 100; Randazzo 476-7 (same dies); Weber 1561 (same dies). Near EF, gray toning with slight iridescence around the devices. ($3000)
From the RCM Collection. Ex Leu 91 (10 May 2004), lot 69; Miinzen und Medallien AG 37 (5 December 1968), lot 101; G. Picard Collection (Sambon, 14 March 1923), lot 326.
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From the Famed ‘Demareteion’ Issue
224. SICILY, Syracuse. Hieron I. 478-466 BC. AR Tetradrachm (26mm, 17.40 g, 6h). ‘Demareteion’ issue. Struck circa 470-466 BC. Charioteer, holding kentron in right hand and reins in both, driving slow quadriga right; above, Nike flying right, crowning horses with wreath held in both hands; in exergue, lion advancing right / Head of Arethusa right, wearing laurel wreath, hoop earring with single pendant, and pearl necklace, enclosed within linear circle; =V-RAK-O2=I-O-/V and four dolphins swimming clockwise around. Sult 385.10 (this coin); Boehringer 385 (V196/R273); Rizzo pl. XX XV, 6 (same dies); SNG ANS 122 (same dies); SNG Lloyd 1306 (same obv. die); BMC 65 (same dies). Near EF, toned. An important rarity in superb style. Well struck on a broad flan. ($100,000)
From the L. Josey Collection. Ex Numismatica Ars Classica 40 (16 May 2007), lot 240.
The story of the Demareteion coinage has its source in a passage in Diodorus (XI 26.3), that relates to the events following the defeat of the Carthaginians by the Syracusans after the battle of Himera in 479 BC. In the wake of their defeat, the Carthaginians expected harsh treatment by their foes, but Gelon, tyrant of Syracuse, imposed quite favorable terms upon them, supposedly at the behest of his wife, Demarete. In response, the Carthaginians are said to have presented Demarete with a crown of gold valued (or weighing) at a hundred talents, and from this gift was struck a coin, called the Demareteion, that weighed ten drachms on the Attic standard. The identification of the coin in question was one of the great mysteries of numismatics, due to the apparent contradictions in the story: the crown was said to be of gold, but the weight of the coin struck from it was given in Attic drachms, which implied a silver, not gold, coin. We know the metal of the coin must have been silver, as Syracuse apparently had no gold until many years after the event. Among the silver coinage, however, there was a suitable candidate that was known to have been struck relative to the time frame of the battle of Himera, the dekadrachms of Quadriga/Arethusa type. The appearance of these impressive coins was unprecedented at the time, and their style of such superior quality, that it is certain that they commemorated a particular, special event. Thus, these dekadrachms came to be known as the ‘Demareteion’ coinage, and their engraver labelled the “‘Demareteion Master.’ These dekadrachms were accompanied by a series of tetradrachms that featured the exact same iconography and style, and are regarded as masterpieces themselves, only on a smaller scale. Unlike the dekadrachms, which, judging from the extant examples, did not circulate, the tetradrachms appear to have had circulated widely, as most examples show wear comparable to the average Syracusan tetradrachms. The present example, however, exhibits relatively minor wear, and was struck with precision and care. Of the remaining pieces, it is surely among the finest.
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225. SICILY, Syracuse. Second Democracy. 466-405 BC. AR Litra (12mm, 0.77 g, 4h). Struck circa 466-460 BC. Head of Arethusa right, hair in pearl band; =VRA to right / Octopus. Boehringer 415-30 var. (unlisted dies); SNG ANS 131; SNG Lloyd 1310; Dewing —; BMC 50. Superb EF, lightly toned. Exceptional for issue. ($1000)
Ex Historical Coin Review XII.1 (January 1987), no. 7.
226. SICILY, Syracuse. Second Democracy. 466-405 BC. AR Tetradrachm (26mm, 17.31 g, 11h). Struck circa 430 BC. Charioteer, holding kentron in right hand and reins in both, driving slow quadriga right; above, Nike flying right, crowning horses with open wreath held in both hands; laurel branch in exergue / Head of Arethusa right, hair in ornate sakkos, wearing plain necklace; =YPAKO-I-O-N and four dolphins around. Boehringer 652 (V330/R447); SNG ANS 215; Dewing 822 (same dies [the rev. reengraved]); J. Hirsch XXXII [Virzi], lot 288 (same dies). EF, attractive even gray tone with slight iridescence around the devices, slightly weak strike on obverse, tiny knock on cheek. Lovely style. ($5000)
Ex Roma II (2 October 2011), lot 105; Patrick H.C. Tan Collection (Classical Numismatic Group 85, 15 September 2010), lot 198; Nomos 2 (18 May 2010), lot 26.
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2213 SICILY, Syracuse. Second Democracy. 466-405 BC. AR Tetradrachm (24mm, 17.05 g, 9h). Struck circa 413-405 BC. Charioteer, holding kentron in extended right hand and reins in left, driving fast quadriga left; above, Nike flying right, crowning charioteer with open wreath held in both hands; EV below horses; in exergue, two dolphins confronted / Head of Arethusa left, wearing anchor-shaped earring and plain necklace; £YAKO2IOW above, four swimming dolphins around. Tudeer 27 (dies 10/18); Rizzo pl. XLU, 14; SNG ANS 260; Hunterian 42; de Luynes 1174; Ward 277 (all from the same dies). Near EF, toned, a few light marks under tone. ($5000)
Ex Gemini VII (9 January 2011), lot 136; Numismatic Fine Arts XVIII (31 March 1987), lot 50.
Facing-Head Athena of Eukleidas with Extensive Pedigree
228. SICILY, Syracuse. Second Democracy. 466-405 BC. AR Tetradrachm (26mm, 15.25 g, 7h). Reverse die signed by Eukleidas. Struck circa 413-405 BC. Charioteer, holding flaming torch in right hand and reins in left, driving fast quadriga left; above, Nike flying right, crowning charioteer with open wreath held in both hands; in exergue, grain ear left / Head of Athena, facing slightly left, wearing crested Attic helmet with cheek pieces raised, signed [EV/K-A]EIA/[A] across the bowl; [=Y-P]- AK-O&I[ON] and four dolphins around. Tudeer 58f (dies 21/36) = Locker Lampson 94 (this coin); Rizzo pl. XLII, 22; Basel 464; BMC 198-9; de Luynes 1191; Gulbenkian 282 and front cover; Kunstfreund 120; Kraay & Hirmer 111 (all from the same dies). Near VF, toned, smoothing, light porosity, some light marks. One of approximately 18 recorded specimens from these dies, at least 10 of which are in museums. ($5000)
Ex Berk BBS 143 (18 May 2005), lot 62; Hagen Tronnier Collection (Kiinker 94, 27 September 2004), lot 404; Collection of a Scholar (Auctiones 20, 8 November 1990), lot 163; A.H. & M.E.H. Lloyd Collection (Helbing, 8 November 1928), lot 3654; Godfrey Locker Lampson Collection, no. 94; Allatini Collection; Berlin Museum Duplicates (A. Hess, 27 October 1902), lot 658; Fox Collection; Thomas Collection (Sotheby, Wilkinson & Hodge, 23 February 1844), lot 593.
229. SICILY, Syracuse. Dionysios I. 405-367 BC. AV 20 Litrai — Tetradrachm (11mm, 1.15 g, 5h). Struck circa 405-400 BC. Head of Herakles left, wearing lion skin; [=Y]-PA before / Quadripartite incuse square, =-Y-P-A in quarters; in deeper incuse circle in center, small female head (Arethusa?) left, wearing necklace. Bérend pl. XI, 3; Boehringer, Miinzprdgungen, pl. I, 6; Rizzo pl. XLVI, 9; SNG ANS 351; SNG Lloyd -; Dewing 865; Pozzi 1263. Choice EF, lustrous. ($5000)
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Dekadrachms of Syracuse
Dionysios assumed power in 405 BC and immediately set out to make Syracuse the greatest and best fortified city in all of Greece. He was defending against the renewed imperialistic expansion of Carthage. Three times he defeated the Carthaginians, bringing further prestige and wealth to Syracuse. During his reign, the Syracuse navy became the most powerful in the Mediterranean, allowing Syracuse to expand her territorial control over much of southern Italy.
Dionysios reintroduced the large and ostentatious silver dekadrachms, a denomination that had not been used in Syracuse since the issue of the Demareteion decades earlier. He entrusted two of the greatest local numismatic artists, Kimon and Euainetos, to design these impressive pieces. The regard for these coins in modern times is reflected by the fact that they are considered a must for any first rank collection of Greek coins.
Signed by Kimon
230. SICILY, Syracuse. Dionysios I. 405-367 BC. AR Dekadrachm (33mm, 42.51 g, 12h). Reverse die signed by Kimon. Struck circa 404-400 BC. Charioteer, holding kentron in extended right hand and reins in left, driving fast quadriga left; above, Nike flying right, crowning charioteer with wreath held in her extended hands; below heavy exergual line, a military harness, shield, greaves, cuirass, and Attic helmet, all connected by a horizontal spear; [AQAA below] / Head of Arethusa left, wearing single-pendant earring and necklace, hair restrained in an open-weave sakkos and ampyx, Kl (Kimon’s signature) on ampyx; =YPAKOSI-ON behind hair, four swimming dolphins before and below. Jongkees 6 (dies A/C); Rizzo pl. L, 5 (same rev. die); SNG ANS 357 (same dies); SNG Lloyd 1410 (same rev. die); Dewing 870 (same dies); Boston MFA 433 = Warren 356 (same dies); Kraay & Hirmer 121 (same dies). Good VF, toned, usual obverse die rust. The reverse finely centered and struck. A masterpiece of the die engraver’s art. ($30,000)
Ex Classical Numismatic Group 82 (16 September 2009), lot 305; Gorny & Mosch 151 (9 October 2006), lot 90; Miinzen und Medaillen AG SI (18 September 1995), lot 39; Miinzen und Medaillen AG XIII (17 June 1954), lot 1049.
231. SICILY, Syracuse. Dionysios I. 405-367 BC. AR Dekadrachm (35mm, 42.34 g, 11h). Unsigned dies in the style of Kimon. Struck circa 404-400 BC. Charioteer, holding kentron in extended right hand and reins in left, driving fast quadriga left; above, Nike flying right, crowning charioteer with wreath held in her extended hands; below heavy exergual line, a military harness, shield, greaves, cuirass, and Attic helmet, all connected by a horizontal spear; AO/AA below / Head of Arethusa left, wearing single-pendant earring and necklace, hair restrained in an open-weave sakkos and ampyx; =YPAKOI behind hair, four swimming dolphins before and below. Jongkees 14 (dies C/v); Rizzo pl. L, 6 (same obv. die); SNG ANS 360 (same obv. die); SNG Lloyd —; Dewing 872 (same obv. die); Nanteuil 356 (same dies); Jameson 1921 (same obv. die); de Luynes 1241 (same obv. die); Egger, 12 November 1913, lot 386 (same dies). Good VF, toned, usual obverse die rust, minor area of flat strike on reverse. Very rare final dies of Kimon. ($30,000)
Ex Numismatic Fine Arts XVI (2 December 1985), lot 75. Lot includes a David Sear Certificate of Authenticity (no. 48VM/GC/N/CM).
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Signed by Euainetos
232. SICILY, Syracuse. Dionysios I. 405-367 BC. AR Dekadrachm (34mm, 42.68 g, 6h). Reverse die signed by Euainetos. Struck circa 404-390 BC. Charioteer, holding kentron in extended right hand and reins in left, driving fast quadriga left; above, Nike flying right, crowning charioteer with wreath held in her extended hands; below heavy exergual line, [military harness], shield, greaves, cuirass, and crested Attic helmet, all connected by a horizontal spear; [AO/AA below] / Head of Arethusa left, wearing wreath of grain ears, triple-pendant earring, and pearl necklace; =Y-PAK-O-[I-ON] above (bottom of letters visible), four swimming dolphins around, and EY-A[INJE along lower edge (top of letters visible). Gallatin dies R. VIII/C.XV; Rizzo pl. LIV, 6-7; SNG ANS 369; SNG Lloyd 1412; Dewing 896—7; BMC 175 (same dies); SNG Miinchen 1078 (same dies). EF, even gray tone with golden hues, minimal die rust. Excellent metal. ($50,000)
Ex Classical Numismatic Group 75 (23 May 2007), lot 80.
233: SICILY, Syracuse. Dionysios I. 405-367 BC. AR Dekadrachm (34mm, 42.69 g, 10h). Reverse die signed by Euainetos. Struck circa 404-390 BC. Charioteer, holding kentron in extended right hand and reins in left, driving fast quadriga left; above, Nike flying right, crowning charioteer with wreath held in her extended hands; below heavy exergual line, [military harness, shield], greaves, cuirass, and crested Attic helmet, all connected by a horizontal spear; [AQAA below] / Head of Arethusa left, wearing wreath of grain ears, triple-pendant earring, and pearl necklace; [fY-PA-K-O-ION above], A below chin, four swimming dolphins around, and EY-AINE along lower edge. Gallatin dies R.[X/D.II; Rizzo pl. LIV, 5 and pl. LVI, 5; SNG ANS -; SNG Lloyd 1413; Dewing 898-900; Basel 481; BMC 173; Boston MFA 425; Hunterian 53 (all from the same dies). Near EF, toned, minor porosity and die rust. ($30,000)
Ex Berk BBS 148 (29 March 2006), lot 78.
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234. SICILY, Syracuse. Dionysios I. 405-367 BC. AR Dekadrachm (34mm, 43.26 g, 7h). Unsigned dies in the style of Euainetos. Struck circa 405-400 BC. Charioteer, holding kentron in extended right hand and reins in left, driving fast quadriga left; above, Nike flying right, crowning charioteer with wreath held in her extended hands; below heavy exergual line, [military harness], shield, greaves, cuirass, and crested Attic helmet, all connected by a horizontal spear; [AQAA below] / Head of Arethusa left, wearing wreath of grain ears, triple-pendant earring, and pearl necklace; [=Y-PA-K-O-SION above], scallop shell behind neck, four swimming dolphins around. Gallatin dies R.XI/E.I; Rizzo pl. LIV, 1-3 (same rev. die as 4); SNG ANS 372 (same dies); SNG Lloyd —; Dewing 909 (same obv. die); Hunterian 55 (same dies); Boston MFA 426 = Warren 359 (same dies). EF, lightly toned, a hint of die rust, minor marks on edge. Excellent metal. ($50,000)
235. SICILY, Syracuse. Dionysios I. 405-367 BC. AR Dekadrachm (33mm, 41.80 g, 9h). Unsigned dies in the style of Euainetos. Struck circa 405-400 BC. Charioteer, holding kentron in extended right hand and reins in left, driving fast quadriga left; above, Nike flying right, crowning charioteer with wreath held in her extended hands; below heavy exergual line, [military harness], shield, greaves, cuirass, and crested Attic helmet, all connected by a horizontal spear; [AQAA below] / Head of Arethusa left, wearing wreath of grain ears, triple-pendant earring, and pearl necklace; [=Y ]-PA-K-O-ZION above, four swimming dolphins around. Gallatin dies R.VII/C.XIV; Rizzo pl. LIV, 8; SNG ANS 369 (same rev. die); SNG Lloyd -; Dewing 896-7 (same dies); de Luynes 1249 (same dies); Naville V, lot 1115 (same dies). Good VF, attractive find patina, usual light die rust, slight die shift on obverse. ($20,000)
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Ex Virzi Collection
236. SICILY, Syracuse. Dionysios I. 405-367 BC. AR Tetradrachm (23mm, 17.22 g, 9h). Struck circa 405-400 BC. Charioteer, holding kentron in right hand and reins in both, driving fast quadriga left; above, Nike flying right, crowning charioteer with wreath held in both hands; in exergue, dolphin left / Head of Arethusa left, hair in wide band, wearing double-loop earring and plain necklace with frontal pendant; [=VP]-AK-O=[|-O-N] and four dolphins around. Tudeer 102b (dies 35/69 — this coin); Rizzo pl. XLIII, 16 (same obv. die); Boston MFA 444 (same obv. die); Hunterian 92 (same obv. die); de Luynes 1208 & 1210 (same obv. die). Good VF, attractive old collection toning, small die break on reverse. Fine style. ($7500)
Ex Tom Virzi Collection (J. Hirsch XXXII, 14 November 1912), lot 366.
237. SICILY, Syracuse. Timoleon and the Third Democracy. 344-317 BC. AR Stater (20mm, 8.55 g, 8h). Struck under Timoleon, 344-339/8. Pegasos flying left / Head of Athena right, wearing Corinthian helmet; =YPAKOSION to right. Pegasi 2; SNG ANS 496-507; SNG Lloyd 1442-3. EF, toned. ($1000)
From the RCM Collection. Ex Gemini IIT (9 January 2007), lot 73.
238. SICILY, Syracuse. Agathokles. 317-289 BC. AR Tetradrachm (24mm, 16.92 g, 11h). Struck circa 317-310 BC. Head of Arethusa left, wearing wreath of grain ears, triple-pendant earring, and pearl necklace; three dolphins around, NI below neck / Charioteer, holding kentron in right hand, reins in left, driving fast quadriga left; counterclockwise triskeles above, [=]YPAKOZIQIN] and AI in exergue. Ierardi 34 (06/R24); SNG ANS 638 (same obv. die); SNG Lloyd 1479 (same dies); de Luynes 1317 (same obv. die); Pozzi 641 (same dies). Superb EF, toned. ($3000)
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239. SICILY, Syracuse. Agathokles. 317-289 BC. AR Tetradrachm (24mm, 17.13 g, 7h). Struck circa 317-310 BC. Head of Arethusa left, wearing wreath of grain ears, triple-pendant earring, and pearl necklace; three dolphins around, ?| below neck / Charioteer, holding kentron in right hand, reins in left, driving fast quadriga left; counterclockwise triskeles above, £YPAKOZION. Terardi 64 corr. (O12/R40 - no monogram on rev.); SNG ANS 640 corr. (same dies; no monogram); SNG Lloyd —; McClean 2817 (same dies). EF, toned. Very rare issue without monogram on reverse, only one die noted by Ierardi. ($7500)
From the RCM Collection.
240. SICILY, Syracuse. Agathokles. 317-289 BC. EL 25 Litrai (14mm, 3.65 g). Struck circa 310-306/5 BC. Head of Apollo left, wearing laurel wreath; Thessalian helmet behind neck / Tripod; = YPAK-OZION around. Jenkins group C, unlisted dies; BAR Issue 10; SNG ANS —; SNG Lloyd 1434 var. (small I" on rev.). EF, small edge bruise on obverse. Well struck. ($2000)
Ex Tkalec (8 September 2008), lot 19.
241. SICILY, Syracuse. Agathokles. 317-289 BC. AR Tetradrachm (27mm, 17.30 g, 10h). Struck circa 310-306/5 BC. Head of Kore right, wearing wreath of grain ears, single-pendant earring, and necklace; KOPA behind / Nike standing right erecting trophy to right; AJ AOOKAEIO€ to left, triskeles to lower left. Ierardi 175 (045/R116); BAR Issue 23; SNG ANS 677 (same dies); SNG Lloyd 1495 (same dies); SNG Fitzwilliam 1345 (same dies). Good VF, lightly toned, struck from worn dies. ($1500)
242. SICILY, Syracuse. Philistis, wife of Hieron I. 275-215 BC. AR 16 Litrai — Tetradrachm (26mm, 13.45 g, Ih). Struck circa 218/7-214 BC. Diademed and veiled head left; wreath to right /BA2IAIZ2A2 PIAIZTIAO2, Nike, holding reins in both hands, driving slow quadriga right; ® above. CCO 171 (D13/R23); BAR Issue 65; SNG ANS 874; SNG Lloyd 1544 (same dies); Dewing —; Boston MFA 476 (same rev. die). Near EF, toned. ($3000)
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243. SICILY, Syracuse. Fifth Democracy. 214-212 BC. AR 10 Litrai (25mm, 8.47 g, 9h). Head of Persephone left, wearing wreath of grain ears, single-pendant earring, and necklace; long torch to right / Zeus Strategos standing facing, head right, holding scepter in right hand; to left, XAP above eagle flying right; 2YPAKO2ION to right. Burnett, Enna 38 (same dies as illustration); BAR Issue 85 (same dies as illustration); SNG ANS —; BMC 661 (same dies); De Luynes 1394 (same dies); Triton XI (8 January 2008), lot 75 (same dies). Near EF, lightly toned. Overstruck on a 10 Litrai of Hieronymos. Extremely rare, one of approximately six known examples. ($10,000)
Ex Athos D. Moretti Collection (Numismatica Ars Classica 29, 11 May 2005), lot 135; Lanz 36 (21 April 1986), lot 115.
The Syracusan ruler Hieron II, a loyal ally of Rome, died in 215 BC while the Romans were locked in a life-and-death struggle with Hannibal of Carthage. Hieron’s son, Gelon, had predeceased him, so the throne of Syracuse passed to Hieron’s grandson, Hieronymos, a youth of only fifteen. The Carthaginian faction in Syracuse persuaded the new ruler to renounce the Roman alliance which his grandfather had so steadfastly maintained, but this soon resulted in a revolution at Syracuse in which Hieronymos and all the members of his family perished (214 BC). The young king had reigned for a mere thirteen months. Democratic government was now reestablished but the following year the Romans laid siege to the city and it was sacked following its fall in 211, thus bringing to an end almost three centuries of Syracusan preeminence in the affairs of Greek Sicily. The three-year period of the restored democracy saw a surprisingly large and varied output of coinage, principally in silver, all the more remarkable as the city was under siege by the Romans throughout most of this period.
The reverse of the 10 litrai has a figure that appears to represent the statue of Zeus Strategos mentioned by Cicero in JJ Verr. IV. 58 (cf. Historia Numorum, pp. 186-7). This denomination is probably the rarest of all the coinage of the Fifth Democracy. Only the BMC and BN (De Luynes) have specimens in published collections. Three other examples have appeared in auction sales: Gorny & Mosch 148, 77; Triton XI, 75; and Triton V, 1248 = Triton I, 369.
244. CARTHAGE. Circa 350-320 BC. AV Tenth Stater (8mm, 0.81 g, 10h). Palm tree with two date-clusters, border of pellets / Head of horse right. Jenkins & Lewis Group III, 136-155; MAA 8; SNG Copenhagen —; Boston MFA 500. VF, some die rust and light marks, slight die shift on obverse, minor deposits on reverse. ($750)
245. CARTHAGE. Circa 320-310 BC. EL Stater (18mm, 7.62 g, 12h). Head of Tanit left, wearing wreath of grain ears, triple-pendant earring, and necklace with ten pendants / Horse standing right; one pellet on ground line between rear legs. Jenkins & Lewis Group IVb, 190 (same dies); MAA 9; SNG Copenhagen —; SNG Lloyd 1659 (same obv. die). Good VF, lightly toned. High relief. ($3000)
246. CARTHAGE. Circa 310-290 BC. EL Stater (18mm, 7.58 g, 12h). Head of Tanit left, wearing wreath of grain ears, triple-pendant earring, and necklace with ten pendants / Horse standing right; one pellet on ground line and three below. Jenkins & Lewis Group V, 287 (same dies); MAA 9; SNG Copenhagen -; Naville X, lot 369 (same dies). Good VF, toned. Fine style. ($1500)
From a Continental Collection, purchased privately in 1979.
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247. CARTHAGE. Circa 160-149 BC. AV Unit or 4/5 Shekel (12mm, 3.02 g, 1h). Head of Tanit left, wearing wreath of grain ears, single-pendant earring, and necklace / Horse standing right, raising left foreleg. Jenkins & Lewis Group X VIII, 496 (same dies); MAA 97; SNG Copenhagen -; Triton XIII, lot 81 (same dies). Good VF, lightly toned, light die rust on obverse. Extremely rare issue with plain edge. ($1000)
248. WESTERN BLACK SEA REGION, Uncertain. Circa 250-200 BC. AR Tetradrachm (30mm, 16.90 g, 12h). In
the name and types of Alexander III of Macedon. Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin / Zeus Aétophoros seated left; ® below throne. Price 1322. Good VF, underlying luster, overstruck on uncertain type. ($500)
249. THRACE, Abdera. Circa 450-425 BC. AR Tetradrachm (26mm, 15.00 g, 11h). Kallidamas, magistrate. Griffin seated left on tunny left, raising right foreleg; KA-A-AIA-AMA-& around / ABA-HP-ITE-O/W around raised quadripartite incuse square; all within shallow incuse square. May, Abdera 142 (A118/P117); AMNG II 61; SNG Copenhagen —; SNG Newham- Davis 113 (same dies); Nanteuil 703 (same dies); Ward 413 (same dies); Weber 2375 (same dies). Good VF, attractively toned, die break on griffin’s hind quarter. Excellent metal. ($7500)
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250. THRACE, Abdera. Circa 395-360 BC. AR Stater (21mm, 12.82 g, 4h). Promethides, magistrate. Griffin springing left off base; [AIBAHPITE-[ON] below / PPO-MH-OIA-HE within linear square border around dolphin diagonally downward to right; all within incuse square. May, Abdera 343 (A247/P289); SNG Copenhagen —; Jameson 1036 (same dies). EF, lightly toned, a couple minor die breaks in field on obverse. Very rare, May records only one example from this group (CIID), the Jameson piece, now in the BM. ($7500)
Ex Hess-Divo 308 (24 October 2007), lot 23; Classical Numismatic Group 73 (13 September 2006), lot 104.
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251. THRACE, Ainos. Circa 459/8-458/7 BC. AR Tetradrachm (23mm, 16.16 g, 3h). Head of Hermes right, wearing petasos / Goat standing right; AINI above; to right, owl standing right, head facing; all within incuse square. May, Ainos 40 (A23/P32); AMNG II 265; SNG Copenhagen 391 (same dies); Boston MFA 773 = Warren 461 (same obv. die). Good VF, toned, granular surfaces. Very rare with owl symbol, only two examples cited by May. ($5000)
Ex Berk BBS 143 (18 May 2005), lot 92.
252. THRACE, Ainos. Circa 455/4-453/2 BC. AR Tetradrachm (23mm, 16.24 g, 3h). Head of Hermes right, wearing petasos / Goat standing right; AINI above; to right, herm right and small kerykeion, both on garlanded throne; all within incuse square. May, Ainos 70 (A44/P56); AMNG II 259; SNG Copenhagen —; BMC 3 (same dies); Jameson 1047 (same dies); Weber 2303 (same obv. die). Near EF, dark iridescent toning, a couple minor edge splits. ($7500)
253. THRACE, Byzantion. Circa 175-150 BC. AV Stater (19mm, 8.49 g, 5h). In the name and types of Lysimachos. Diademed head of the deified Alexander right, with horn of Ammon /BA2IAEQ2 AY2IMAXOY, Athena Nikephoros seated left, left arm resting on shield, transverse spear in background; WN to inner left, BY below throne, ornate trident in exergue. Marinescu Issue 109, 290 (O119/R180); Miiller 153; SNG Copenhagen 1088 (same dies). EF, tiny die break on obverse. Extremely rare, only one example of this issue listed by Marinescu. ($2500)
From the RCM Collection. Ex G. Hirsch 233 (12 February 2004), lot 1281.
254. THRACE, Mesambria. Circa 275/50-225 BC. AR Tetradrachm (28mm, 16.75 g, 12h). In the name and types of Alexander III of Macedon. Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin / Zeus Aétophoros seated left; helmet in inner left field,
1 below throne. Karayotov 3 (O2/R3); Price 985 corr. (monogram); Topalov, Messambria, Issue 13. EF. Fine early style. ($1000)
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255. ISLANDS off THRACE, Thasos. Circa 500-480 BC. AR Stater (20mm, 8.70 g). Satyr advancing right, carrying off protesting nymph / Quadripartite incuse square. Le Rider, Thasiennes 2; HPM pl. X, 5; HGC 6, 331; SNG Copenhagen 1009. Good VF, toned. Nice metal. ($1000)
256. ISLANDS off THRACE, Thasos. Circa 500-480 BC. AR Hemiobol (7mm, 0.27 g). Dolphin right / Quadripartite incuse square. Le Rider, Thasiennes 10; HGC 6, 338 var. (pellets on obv.); SNG Copenhagen —; BMC 23. EF, lightly toned. Well struck and better metal than usual for issue. ($300)
257. ISLANDS off THRACE, Thasos(?). Circa 500-480 BC. AR Hemiobol (6mm, 0.38 g). Dolphin left; two pellets above, three pellets below / Incuse square punch. Unpublished, but cf. CNG 73, lot 107 for a similar issue. Good VF, lightly toned. ($300)
The attribution of this issue to Thasos is not certain, particularly given its relatively thick flan, plain square incuse punch, and the refined style of the dolphin. Tzamalis has identified electrum and silver coins from the Thraco-Macedonian region that have characteristics similar to this issue (cf. Tzamalis 21-22 [EL] and 42 [AR]).
258. ISLANDS off THRACE, Thasos. Circa 480-463 BC. AR Stater (21mm, 8.82 g). Satyr advancing right, carrying off protesting nymph / Quadripartite incuse square. Le Rider, Thasiennes 5; HPM pl. X, 12; HGC 6, 331; SNG Copenhagen 1010-2. Good VE, toned, some die rust on obverse. Well centered. ($1500)
259. ISLANDS off THRACE, Thasos. Circa 412-404 BC. AR Trihemiobol (12mm, 0.91 g, 12h). Satyr kneeling left, holding kylix in right hand / Amphora; CA=-ION at sides; all within incuse square. Le Rider, Thasiennes 27; HGC 6, 351; SNG Copenhagen 1030. Superb EF, dark cabinet toning, a couple light scratches under tone in field on obverse, minor double strike on reverse. ($750)
From the RCM Collection.
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260. KINGS of THRACE. Lysimachos. 305-281 BC. AR Tetradrachm (30mm, 16.99 g, 12h). Lampsakos mint. Struck 297/6-282/1 BC. Diademed head of the deified Alexander right, with horn of Ammon / BAZIAEQ2 AY2IMAXOY, Athena
Nikephoros seated left, left arm resting on shield, transverse spear in background; to inner left, PA above star. Thompson 61; Miiller —; SNG France —. EF. Powerful portrait. ($5000)
Ex Roma II (2 October 2011), lot 260.
261. 299/8-297/6 BC. Diademed head of the deified Alexander right, with horn of Ammon / BAZIAEQ2 AY2IMAXOY, Athena Nikephoros seated left, left arm resting on shield, transverse spear in background; PE to outer left, () to inner left. Thompson 89; Miiller 405. EF, attractively toned, a couple tiny die breaks. Wonderful expressive portrait. ($3000)
Ex Triton XV (3 January 2012), lot 1099; Classical Numismatic Group 85 (15 September 2010), lot 242.
262. KINGS of THRACE. Lysimachos. 305-281 BC. AR Tetradrachm (28mm, 16.99 g, 2h). In the types of Alexander III of Macedon. Magnesia ad Maeandrum mint. Struck circa 299/8-297/6 BC. Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin /BAZIAEQ2 AY2ZIMAXOLY], Zeus Aétophoros seated left; in left field, above forepart of lion left; & below throne. Thompson 96; Miiller 2; Price L31. Near EF, light gray toning with light golden hues around the devices, slightly weak strike on obverse, touch of die rust in the eye. Well centered on a broad flan. ($2000)
Ex Lanz 102 (28 May 2001), lot 139.
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263. KINGS of THRACE. Lysimachos. 305-281 BC. AV Stater (18mm, 8.55 g, 12h). Alexandreia Troas mint. Struck circa 297/6-282/1 BC. Diademed head of the deified Alexander right, with horn of Ammon / BAZIAEQ2 AY2IMAXOY, Athena Nikephoros seated left, left arm resting on shield, transverse spear in background; CE to outer left, cornucopia to inner left. Meadows, Earliest 33b (A5/P11 — this coin); Thompson 143; Miiller 96. Near EF, underlying luster. ($5000)
Ex B.C. Prichard Collection (Sotheby & Co., 21 February 1929), lot 52; Rous Collection (Bourgey, 29 May 1911), lot 75.
264. KINGS of THRACE. Lysimachos. 305-281 BC. AR Drachm (19mm, 4.32 g, 12h). Ephesos mint. Struck circa 294-287 BC. Diademed head of the deified Alexander right, with horn of Ammon / BAXIAEQ2 AY2IMAXOLY], Athena Nikephoros seated left, left arm resting on shield, transverse spear in background; to inner left, E-P flanking bee. Thompson 168; Miiller 421. Superb EF, toned. An exceptional, high relief example. ($1000)
265. KINGS of THRACE. Lysimachos. 305-281 BC. AR Tetradrachm (29mm, 16.93 g, 12h). Pergamon mint. Struck circa 287/6-282 BC. Diademed head of the deified Alexander right, with horn of Ammon; K below /BA2IAEQ2 AY2IMAXOY, Athena Nikephoros seated left, left arm resting on shield, transverse spear in background; N to outer left, cult image to inner left, crescent in exergue. Thompson 225; Arnold-Biucci, Pergamene — (O8/R62 [unlisted combination]); Miiller 290. Near EF, toned. Fine style portrait. ($5000)
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266. KINGS of THRACE. Lysimachos. 305-281 BC. AR Tetradrachm (27mm, 17.28 g, 6h). Uncertain mint in Thrace. Struck under Skostokos, circa 285-281 BC. Diademed head of the deified Alexander right, with horn of Ammon / BA2|AEQ2 AYZIMAXOY, Athena Nikephoros seated left, left arm resting on shield, transverse spear in background; herm to iner left, 2KO2 TOKOY in exergue. Fischer-Bossert, Lysimacheier 4a (V 1/R4 - this coin); Dimitrov, Coinage, group B, obv. die 9; Peter
p. 218; Draganov p. 25, 3; Youroukova 103; SNG Copenhagen 1171; SNG Ashmolean 3779. EF, toned, minor die breaks on obverse. Struck from very high relief dies. ($5000)
From the RCM Collection. Ex Triton XII (6 January 2009), lot 144; Triton VII (13 January 2004), lot 180. While previous scholars viewed Skostokos as a dynast who took control of parts of Thrace following Lysimachos’ death, Fischer-Bossert’s die
study demonstrates that Skostokos was most likely a local ruler, under Lysimachos, who was permitted to strike these coins near the end of the Thracian king’s reign. This particular coin was struck from the first reverse die to add Skostokos’ name.
267. THRACO-MACEDONIAN TRIBES, Derrones. Circa 480-465 BC. AR Dodekadrachm (35mm, 39.57 g). Male, holding goad in right hand and reins in left, driving ox cart left; above, crested Corinthian helmet left / Clockwise triskeles of legs; palmettes between legs; [all within incuse square]. Cf. Topalov 9; HPM pl. I, 4=AMNG III 7 = Traité I 1453; SNG ANS
—; Triton X, lot 127; CNG 91, lot 102; CNG 81, lot 261. VE, toned, usual small pits on reverse. Well centered strike from dies of refined style. Rare. ($5000)
Ex Gemini I (11 January 2005), lot 65.
268. THRACO-MACEDONIAN REGION, Uncertain. Mid 5th century BC. AR Tetartemorion (Smm, 0.26 g). Primate crouching left / Pellet or shield [within incuse square]. Tzamalis 67; CNG 88, lots 77-78; CNG 87, lot 284; CNG 82, lot 390; Leu 45, lot 100; Gemini II, lot 46. Good VF, toned. Excellent metal for issue. A rare and popular type. ($500)
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269. MACEDON, Akanthos. Circa 500-480 BC. AR Tetradrachm (27mm, 16.89 g). Lion right, attacking bull crouching left; floral ornament in exergue / Quadripartite incuse square. Desneux 35—40 var. (unlisted dies); cf. AMNG III/2 11; SNG ANS 8; Walcher de Molthein 951 (this coin). Good VF, old cabinet toning. ($5000)
Ex Léopold Walcher de Molthein Collection (Cahn 9, 25 February 1901), lot 961.
270. MACEDON, Akanthos. Circa 500-470 BC. AR Obol (9mm, 0.50 g). Facing lion head / Quadripartite incuse square. AMNG III/2, 16; SNG ANS 27-29. Good VF. ($300)
271. MACEDON, Akanthos. Circa 470-390 BC. AR Hemiobol (8mm, 0.28 g). Head of bull right / Quadripartite incuse
square. AMNG III/2, 36-37; SNG ANS 51. Near EF, lightly toned. Great metal for issue, and struck from a well-executed obverse die. ($300)
272. MACEDON, Argilos. Circa 495-478/7 BC. AR Thirty-Second Stater (8mm, 0.56 g). Forepart of Pegasos left / Quadripartite incuse square. Liampi 54 (046/R44); AMNG ITI/2, -; SNG ANS --; Traité I 639 var. (pellets on obv.). Good VF, toned. Good metal. Very rare, only one example listed by Liampi. ($300)
273. MACEDON, Chalkidian League. Circa 425-420 BC. AR Tetrobol (15mm, 2.35 g, 12h). Olynthos mint. Head of Apollo right, wearing laurel wreath / Kithara; X-A-A-KIA-EON around; all within incuse square. Robinson & Clement Group C, 20 (A16/P11); cf. AMNG III/2, 15; SNG ANS —-; SNG Ashmolean 2343. EF, toned, slight die shift. Fine style. Rare early
issue. ($1000) Ex Heritage (3 January 2010), lot 21236 (hammer $1900).
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274. MACEDON, Chalkidian League. Circa 383/2 BC. AR Tetradrachm (24mm, 14.43 g, 5h). Olynthos mint. Head of Apollo left, wearing laurel wreath / Kithara; X-A-A-KIA-EON around; all within incuse square. Robinson & Clement Group H, 18 bis (A17/P16 bis); cf. AMNG III/2, 4; SNG ANS —; CNG 90, lot 408 (same dies); CNG 88, lot 82 (same dies). Superb EF, attractive even dark gray toning. ($10,000)
275. MACEDON, Chalkidian League. Circa 350 BC. AR Tetradrachm (24mm, 14.41 g, 2h). Olynthos mint; Aristonos, magistrate. Head of Apollo right, wearing laurel wreath / Kithara; X-A-A-KIA-EON above and at sides, El] APIS TONO€ in tiny letters below. Robinson & Clement Group V, 134 (A82/P112); AMNG III/2, 8; SNG ANS 496; BMC 10 (same dies); Pozzi 753 (same obv. die). Near EF. Fine style. Struck on a broad flan. ($7500)
From the RCM Collection. Ex Forestier I (8 June 2007), lot 20.
276. MACEDON, Mende. Circa 510-480 BC. AR Tritartemorion (7mm, 0.37 g). Head and neck of ass right; pellet at truncation / Quadripartite incuse of mill-sail pattern. AMNG III/2, 8; SNG ANS 307 = SNG Berry 34. Good VF, toned, edge split. Good metal. Rare. ($300)
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277. MACEDON, Tragilos. Circa 450-400 BC. AR Obol (9mm, 0.40 g, 4h). Grain ear / T-P-A-I within quadripartite incuse square. AMNG III/2, 1; SNG ANS 903; BMC 3. Near EF. Well struck for issue. ($300)
278. MACEDON, Tragilos. Circa 450-400 BC. AR Hemiobol (7mm, 0.19 g, 10h). Grape bunch / T-P-A-| within quadripartite incuse square. AMNG III/2, 2 var. (arrangement of letters); SNG ANS —; BMC 5 var. (same). Near EF, lightly toned. Well struck for issue. ($300)
279. KINGS of MACEDON. Philip II. 359-336 BC. AV Quarter Stater (10mm, 2.12 g, 8h). Pella mint. Struck circa 345/2-340/36 BC. Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin / PIAIPTOY, bow and club; above, facing lion head. Le Rider 2 (D2/R2); SNG ANS —; SNG Saroglos —; SNG Alpha Bank —; SNG Miinchen —; CNG 79, lot 152 (same dies). Good VF, underlying luster, a couple light marks. Very rare. ($1500)
280. KINGS of MACEDON. temp. Philip IT — Alexander III. Circa 340/36-328 BC. AR Tetradrachm (25mm, 14.07 g, 3h). In the name and types of Philip II. Amphipolis mint. Head of Zeus right, wearing laurel wreath / PIAIT-OY, nude youth, holding palm in right hand and reins in left, on horseback right; Janiform head below raised foreleg. Le Rider — (D218/R-— [unlisted rev. die]); SNG ANS 529-32; SNG Saroglos 55. Good VF, slight granularity, light die rust on obverse, minor die shift on reverse. Interesting die link between two issues with Janiform head. ($500)
In Le Rider, the obverse die 218 is known on issues with a janiform head below the raised foreleg, but with the additional symbol of a bee below the horse. On the illustrated examples in Le Rider, the die rust visible on the present piece is not evident, which suggests that this coin was struck at a later time. This calls into question the relative chronology of the two issues, Janiform head alone and Janiform head with bee. Die links between the Janiform head alone issue and other issues suggested this issue preceded the issue with the additional bee, but this die link now suggests the two issues may have been at least partially concurrent.
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281. KINGS of MACEDON. Alexander III ‘the Great’. 336-323 BC. AR Tetradrachm (27mm, 17.19 g, 1h). Amphipolis mint. Struck under Antipater, circa 325-323/2 BC. Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin / AAEZANAPeY, Zeus Aétophoros seated left; in left field, cock standing left. Price 79; Troxell, Studies, Issue E3; SNG Saroglos 202-3. EF, lustrous, a few light deposits. Well centered and struck lifetime issue. ($1500)
Ex Gemini IV (8 January 2008), lot 81.
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282. KINGS of MACEDON. Alexander III ‘the Great’. 336-323 BC. AV Stater (18mm, 8.55 g, 1h). Lampsakos mint. Struck under Kalas or Demarchos, circa 328/5-323 BC. Head of Athena right, wearing crested Corinthian helmet decorated with serpent, single-pendant earring, and necklace / AAEZANAPOY, Nike standing left, holding wreath in extended right hand and cradling stylis in left arm; conjoined horse foreparts in left field, ¢ below left wing. Price 1358; ADM II series V, 100 (same obv. die); SNG Saroglos 121. Superb EF, underlying luster, a hint of die rust in hair. ($3000)
283. KINGS of MACEDON. Alexander III ‘the Great’. 336-323 BC. AR Tetradrachm (25mm, 17.18 g, 7h). Babylon mint. Struck under Stamenes or Archon, circa 324/3 BC. Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin / AAEZANAPOY, Zeus Aétophoros seated left; in left field, Nike standing right, holding wreath aloft in both hands; in left field, hoe right above M; i below throne. Price 3666; SNG Saroglos —; Demanhur 4343-54. Choice EF, attractive cabinet tone. Fine style, rare symbol. ($1500)
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Poros ‘Medallion’ from the Hunt Collection
284. KINGS of MACEDON. Alexander III ‘the Great’. 336-323 BC. AR ‘Medallion’ of 5 Shekels or Dekadrachm (33mm, 38.75 g, 5h). Local (Satrapal) mint in Babylon. Struck circa 325-323 BC. Alexander, wearing military attire and holding couched xyston in right hand, on Boukephalos rearing right, attacking toward an elephant retreating right, upon which sits a helmeted mahout, holding goad and spear in left hand, turning around to throw another spear held aloft in his right hand, and, behind him, another helmeted figure, who also is turning around, his right hand holding the tip of Alexander’s xyston; £ above / Alexander, wearing military attire and sword, standing facing, head left, holding thunderbolt in extended right hand, left hand holding spear set on ground to right; [above, Nike flying right, crowning him with wreath held in both her hands]; A to left. Price pp. 452-3 and pl. CLIX, G—H; F. Holt, Alexander the Great and the Mystery of the Elephant Medallions (Berkeley, 2003), Appendix A, E/A 10 (dies 2/F) = M.J. Price, “Circulation at Babylon in 323 B.C.” in Mnemata: Papers in Memory of Nancy M. Waggoner (New York, 1991), 13 = M.J. Price, “The ‘Porus’ Coinage of Alexander the Great: a Symbol of Concord and Community” in SPNO, Obv. B/Rev. d = MIG type 21, c (this coin). VF for type, toned, some minor cleaning marks, usual areas of weak strike, a few minor flan flaws. Extremely rare, one of ten examples known, five of which are in museums (ANS, BM [2], BN, and Copenhagen), and the only example from these dies. ($75,000)
Ex Gemini II (11 January 2006), lot 144; Nelson Bunker Hunt Collection (Sotheby’s New York, 19 June 1991), lot 229; Numismatic Fine Arts V (23 February 1978), lot 81; Leu 13 (29 April 1975), lot 130; Near Babylon, 1973 Hoard (CH I 38).
Undoubtedly one of the most fascinating and intriguing issues associated with Alexander the Great, the ‘Poros’ Coinage has sparked debate about all aspects of its production and meaning. One point that is not contentious for a consensus of scholars is the interpretation of the designs; clearly they commemorate the great victory of Alexander against Poros at the Hydaspes. What is still debated is where, when, and under what circumstances were they produced. Both W. Hollstein (“Taxiles’ Pragung fiir Alexander den Grossen,” SNR 68 [1989], pp. 5-17) and F.L. Holt (Alexander the Great and the Mystery of the Elephant Medallions [Berkeley, 2003]) advocate for an emission struck while Alexander was in India, though they differ on the circumstances. Curtius (8.12.15) mentions that, while Alexander was in Taxila prior to the battle at the Hydaspes, Taxiles (Omphis) gave Alexander 80 talents of silver (signati argenti), and Hollstein suggests that the Poros coinage was the form in which this silver was given to the Macedonian king. M.J. Price disagreed, noting that the medium of coinage at Taxila was silver punch-marked bars, and the use of Greek types and monograms by Taxiles would be unlikely (cf. Price p. 452, n. 9). Moreover, M.J. Olbrycht’s analysis of the regalia of Alexander on these coins concluded that they are Iranian, rather than Indian (“On Coin Portraits of Alexander the Great and His Iranian Regalia,” Notae Numismaticae VI [2011]: 13-27). Similarly, with the exception of the elephant and its riders, the types on the coins are of specifically Iranian, and not Indian, iconography (cf. M.J. Olbrycht, “Macedonia and Persia,” in J. Roisman and I. Worthington, A Companion to Ancient Macedonia [Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell, 2007]: 361). None of these aspects of the coins seem consistent with an issue that Taxiles would strike for Alexander, and the depiction of such a battle scene is unlikely prior to the famous encounter at the Hydaspes, let alone an amicable exchange of gifts between these two kings (see also R.J. Lane Fox, “Text and Image: Alexander the Great, Coins and Elephants,” BICS 41 [1996]: 103-4). In contrast to Hollstein, Holt placed the issue after the battle of the Hydaspes and considered the coins as aristeia, awards for meritorious service that would be handed out after the conflict. Holt’s theory has two flaws. The first is that Alexander and Poros were allies following the conflict, so such an issue would be highly unlikely while Alexander was still in India. The second problem is that it seems unlikely that Alexander would decide at this point in his long campaign to use a medallion or coinage as aristeia, when other objects, such as spoils of the battle, would suffice (and probably had sufficed before).
The most significant problem for both Hollstein and Holt, however, is the record of where the ‘Poros’ coins have been found. Nearly all of the extant examples, of all the denominations in the series, are from the Iraq 1973 Hoard; only one coin, a dekadrachm, has an eastern provenance (Bukhara — but this provenance is only anecdotal). If this coinage was produced and distributed in the east, it seems incredible that nearly all that are known today would be from a single hoard found in the region of Babylonia. Moreover, the Poros coins in the hoard exhibit almost no wear, which suggests they did not circulate much, if at all, prior to the deposit of the hoard. It is more logical that the coins were produced in relatively close proximity to the hoard — in Babylonia. Although Price originally thought the issue belonged in India, he finally decided they probably had “a Mesopotamian origin” (Price, p. 452). R.J. Lane Fox, “Text and Image,” advanced a plausible argument for Susa, based on the coins’ epigraphy, A and £, noting that these may equate to Aboulites, Alexander’s satrap of Susa, and Xenophilos, the garrison commander, who also was the keeper of the treasury in Susa. While this theory is intriguing, Lane Fox noted the difficulty of assigning the coins to Susa, which produced high quality Alexanders, and substantiating the circumstances for such a coinage by these two officers. This theory also ignores the Iranian character of the imagery noted by Olbrycht, which would make little sense for an offical issue by the Macedonian administration as Lane Fox suggests. Price, who originally advanced the theory (“The Porus Coinage of Alexander the Great,” 83-4), rejected it as “highly speculative,” as did Hollstein and others.
In Babylonia at that time, there were at least two mints operating: an imperial mint in Babylon that produced the Alexander-type coinage, and at least one mint striking issues that were of a local character. This ‘local’ (or ‘satrapal’) mint was responsible for the Baal/Lion staters of Mazaios and his successors that were struck on the Babylonian shekel standard, and is thought to have produced coinage for the local Babylonian economy. If the ‘Poros Coinage’ was struck in Babylonia, it must have been at the ‘local’ mint, for the local coinage has the same characteristics — very thick flan, uneven striking, somewhat porous metal, less refined style--while the coins of the imperial mint were of a totally different character — relatively thinner flans, even striking, good metal, and a refined style. It is logical to assume that if this coinage was a commemorative coinage struck by Alexander for his Macedonian commanders, they would have been struck at the imperial mint, using its refined dies and higher quality metal. In fact, the imperial mint did produce a series of Alexander-type dekadrachms (Price 3598 and 3600), which were of the same high quality as the ubiquitous tetradrachms. The mint workers there had the experience to produce high quality dekadrachms, and it would only make sense for them to produce the ‘Poros Coinage’ if Alexander wanted to have them struck within the context of his imperial coinage. The fact that the coins were not produced there strongly suggests that they were not meant to be an official commemorative issue by Alexander for his Macedonian commanders. This also makes sense considering that Alexander never even issued a commemorative coinage for his greatest achievement, the defeat of the Persian Empire at Gaugamela, which had been not only his own goal, but the goal of his countrymen, and at least some of the Greeks who fought with him.
As the series was struck at the ‘local’ mint, it is most likely that the coins were struck for members of the local population, rather than any of the Macedonians or Greeks. At the time of the battle at the Hydaspes, there was a large contingent of troops in Alexander’s army who were raised from the local populations of the eastern satrapies (see, e.g., N.G.L. Hammond, “Alexander’s Non-European Troops and Ptolemy I’s Use of Such Troops,” BASP 33 [1996]: 99-109; and M.J. Olbrycht, “First Iranian military units in the army of Alexander the Great,” Anabasis 2 [2011]: 67-84). Unlike the Macedonians and Greeks, who probably would have viewed Gaugamela as the most significant victory during their tenure under Alexander, to the troops raised from the populations of the east, the victory over Poros would have been the most important event in which they had participated. Thus, the event commemorated on the coins, the regalia of the figures on the coins, and the particular mint, point to the recipients being local, probably Iranian, leaders who had served under Alexander. The identification of the exact people involved, however, cannot yet be determined with certainty, although Alexander’s Persian Companion Cavalry (Arr. 7.6.3) is an attractive possibility (the horseman on the obverse may serve a dual purpose as a reference to both Alexander and the Persian cavalrymen, both of whom would have been armed with a xyston as depicted on the coins). Alexander’s popularity among the eastern leaders was significantly high, possibly even more so more than among his war-weary countrymen and accompanying Greeks, so he certainly would have had good reason to reward them with such an issue (see also Olbrycht, “Macedonia and Persia,” 361). Using the local mint in Babylonia for such a purpose would be perfectly reasonable.
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285. KINGS of MACEDON. temp. Alexander III — Philip III. Circa 325-319 BC. AV Stater (18mm, 8.61 g, 4h). In the name of Alexander III. Amphipolis mint. Struck under Antipater. Head of Athena right, wearing crested Corinthian helmet decorated with serpent, and necklace / AAEZ[ANAPOY, Nike standing left, holding wreath in extended right hand and cradling stylis in left arm; thunderbolt in left field. Price 164; Troxell, Studies, p. 127 and pl. 25, M—N; SNG Saroglos 96-8. Superb EF, underlying luster, very slight die shift. ($5000)
==
286. KINGS of MACEDON. temp. Alexander III — Philip HI. Circa 324/3-320 BC. AR Tetradrachm (26mm, 17.21 g, 4h). In the name of Alexander III. Arados mint. Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin / AAEZANAPOY, Zeus Aétophoros seated left; in left field, Nike standing right, holding wreath aloft in both hands; A in left field, A\ below throne. Price 3320; Duyrat group IV, series 5, 326 (D63/R118 — this coin); Rouvier 50 var. (no back on throne); SNG Saroglos —. Superb EF, toned. ($2000)
From the RCM Collection. Ex Giessener Miinzhandlung 46 (30 October 1989), lot 129.
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287. KINGS of MACEDON. Philip III Arrhidaios. 323-317 BC. AV Stater (17mm, 8.61 g, 6h). In the types of Philip If. Abydos mint. Struck under Leonnatos, Arrhidaios, or Antigonos I Monophthalmos. Head of Apollo right, wearing laurel wreath / PIAITTOY, charioteer, holding kentron in right hand, reins in left, driving biga right; PF’ below, grain ear in exergue. Le Rider pl. 90, 12 (same obv. die); Thompson, Philip —; ADM II series [X, 127a (same dies); SNG ANS 305 (same obv. die). FDC, attractively toned. Very rare issue, Thompson records only six examples from one obverse and two reverse dies (note: her Vinchon and Bourgey sales refer to the same coin). ($15,000)
Ex Numismatica Genevensis SA 6 (30 November 2010), lot 46.
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288. KINGS of MACEDON. Philip HI Arrhidaios. 323-317 BC. AV Stater (16mm, 8.65 g, 12h). In the types of Philip II. Pella mint. Struck under Antipater or Polyperchon, circa 323-318/7 BC. Head of Apollo right, wearing laurel wreath / PIAITT ey, charioteer, holding kentron in right hand, reins in left, driving biga right; trident below. Le Rider — (D227/R-— [unlisted rev. die]); SNG ANS 177; SNG Saroglos 29 var. (same obv. die, different symbol). Good VF, compact flan. ($2000)
This coin is likely the latest known stater from the Pella Group IIIA trident staters, as this obverse die is only known on one example from the later, bee control mark from that same group.
289. KINGS of MACEDON. Philip HI Arrhidaios. 323-317 BC. AV Stater (18mm, 8.58 g, 7h). In the name of Alexander III. Pella mint. Struck under Antipater or Polyperchon, circa 323-318/7 BC. Head of Athena right, wearing crested Corinthian helmet decorated with serpent, and necklace / [AJIAEZANAPOLY], Nike standing left, holding wreath in extended right hand and cradling stylis in left arm; bee in left field. Price 202; Moore —; SNG Saroglos 107. Superb EF, very slight die shift on reverse. ($3000)
290. KINGS of MACEDON. Philip III Arrhidaios. 323-317 BC. AV Stater (18mm, 8.58 g, 12h). In the name of Alexander III. Miletos mint. Struck under Asandros, circa 323-319 BC. Head of Athena right, wearing crested Corinthian helmet decorated with serpent, and necklace / AAEZANAPOY, Nike standing left, holding wreath in extended right hand and cradling stylis in left arm; K1 in left field, labrys below right wing. Price 2114; ADM I Series VII, 172 (same rev. die); SNG Saroglos 133-4. Good VF. ($2000)
291. KINGS of MACEDON. Philip HI Arrhidaios. 323-317 BC. AV Stater (17mm, 8.59 g, 12h). Sardes mint. Struck under Menander or Kleitos, circa 322-319/8 BC. Head of Athena right, wearing crested Corinthian helmet decorated with serpent, single-pendant earring, and necklace / PIAITTOY, Nike standing left, holding wreath in extended right hand and cradling stylis in left arm; TI in left field, rose below left wing. Price P90; ADM I Series XIV, 228 (same dies); SNG Saroglos —. EF, toned, underlying luster on obverse. ($3000)
From the RCM Collection. Ex Gemini IV (8 January 2008), lot 87.
292. KINGS of MACEDON. Philip HI Arrhidaios. 323-317 BC. AV Stater (17mm, 8.52 g, 7h). In the name of Alexander III. Sardes mint. Struck under Menander or Kleitos, circa 322-319/8 BC. Head of Athena right, wearing crested Corinthian helmet decorated with serpent, and necklace / AAEZANAPOY, Nike standing left, holding wreath in extended right hand and cradling stylis in left arm; torch below left wing, A below right wing. Price 2633; ADM I Series XV, 301b (same dies; this coin referenced); SNG Saroglos —; SNG Fitzwilliam 2095. EF, lightly toned, minor die wear on obverse, light scratch and slight die shift on reverse. Well centered. ($5000)
From the RCM Collection. Ex G. Hirsch (20 September 1956), lot 28.
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293. KINGS of MACEDON. Philip III Arrhidaios. 323-317 BC. AV Stater (17mm, 8.61 g, 10h). In the name of Alexander III. Side(?) mint. Struck under Philotas or Philoxenos. Head of Athena right, wearing crested Corinthian helmet decorated with griffin, and necklace /BA-=IAEQ= AAEZANAPOY, Nike standing left, holding wreath in extended right hand and cradling stylis in left arm; Al below left wing. Cf. Price 2948 (tetradrachm at Side(?) mint); CNG 66, lot 249 (same dies). Superb EF, underlying luster. Well centered, bold strike from fresh dies. ($5000)
In the CNG 66 sale, this type was given to Babylon, due to a striking similarity of the obverse die to the illustration of P203 in Price. However, this may be the result of a die transfer or a transfer of the celator from one mint to the other. The illustration of Price 2957 from Side(?) also has a remarkably similar obverse style. In any event, the attribution to Side(?) is more likely, due to the presence of the AI control mark, which is not known at Babylon, nor is it likely at to have been used contemporaneously with P203, when that mint employed multiple control marks on each issue. At the same time, the Side(?) tetradrachm issue Price 2948 was relatively large in size, and it would not be surprising to find that the issue included staters along with the tetradrachms.
294. KINGS of MACEDON. Philip II Arrhidaios. 323-317 BC. AR Tetradrachm (28mm, 17.23 g, 2h). In the name of Alexander III. Tarsos mint. Struck under Philotas or Philoxenos. Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin / BA=IAEQ= AAEZANAPOY, Zeus Aétophoros seated left; in left field, Nike standing right, holding wreath aloft in both hands; AN below throne. Price 3038 var. (monogram); Newell, Tarsos 43, obv. die XLIV, var. (monogram); SNG Saroglos 515 var. (same). EF, attractive light gray toning with golden hues around the devices. Well centered and of fine style. ($1000)
From a Continental Collection, purchased in the 1970s.
295. KINGS of MACEDON. Philip II Arrhidaios, 323-317 BC. AV Stater (18mm, 8.54 g, Ih). In the name of Alexander If. Sidon mint. Struck under Laomedon. Dated RY 13 of Abdalonymos (321/0 BC). Head of Athena right, wearing crested Corinthian helmet decorated with serpent, and necklace / AAEZANAPOY, Nike standing left, holding wreath in extended right hand and cradling stylis in left arm; N (date) below left wing. Price 3500 (same dies as illustration); Newell, Sidon 38 (dies Z/a); SNG Saroglos —; Anadol 448-9. Good VF, slight die shift on reverse. ($3000)
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296. KINGS of MACEDON. Philip III Arrhidaios. 323-317 BC. AR Tetradrachm (25mm, 17.14 g, 2h). In the name of Alexander III. Babylon mint. Struck under Archon, Dokimos, or Seleukos I, circa 323-318/7 BC. Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin /BA2IAEQ2 AAEZANAPOY, Zeus Aétophoros seated left; in left field, Nike standing right, holding wreath aloft in both hands; M in left field, AY below throne. Price 3692; SNG Saroglos 635. Choice EF, toned. Very high relief. ($1000)
~ 7 298 a 297. KINGS of MACEDON. Philip HI Arrhidaios. 323-317 BC. AR Didrachm (20mm, 8.00 g, 12h). In the name of Alexander II. Babylon mint. Struck under Archon, Dokimos, or Seleukos I, circa 323-318/7 BC. Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin / BAZIAEQIE=] AAEZANAPOLY], Zeus Aétophoros seated left; in left field, Nike standing right, holding wreath aloft in both hands; M in left field, AY below throne. Price —; Hersh 78 (same dies); CNG 73, lot 149 = Triton XI, lot 805 (same dies); CNG Electronic Auction 125, lot 19 (same dies). VF, find patina. Extremely rare denomination for issue. ($1000)
From a Continental Collection, purchased privately in 1980.
298. KINGS of MACEDON. Philip HI Arrhidaios. 323-317 BC. AR Tetradrachm (26mm, 17.15 g, 3h). Babylon mint. Struck under Archon, Dokimos, or Seleukos I, circa 323-318/7 BC. Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin / BA=IAEQ= PIAIFTOY, Zeus Aétophoros seated left; M in left field, B below throne. Price P182; SNG Saroglos —; SNG Miinchen 969-70. EF, toned. ($2000)
From the RCM Collection.
299. KINGS of MACEDON. Philip HI Arrhidaios. 323-317 BC. AR Tetradrachm (28mm, 17.19 g, 3h). Babylon mint. Struck under Archon, Dokimos, or Seleukos I, circa 323-318/7 BC. Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin / BA=IAEQ PIAIPPOY, Zeus Aétophoros seated left; in left field, wheel above YY; F¥ below throne. Price P189; SNG Saroglos —; SNG Alpha Bank 873 corr. (cites Price 191). Near EF, obverse a little off center. ($500)
Ex Bayer Collection (The New York Sale VII, 15 January 2004), lot 80.
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Extremely Rare Fifth Tetradrachm
300. KINGS of MACEDON. Antigonos I Monophthalmos. As Strategos of Asia, 320-306/5 BC. AR Fifth Tetradrachm (16mm, 3.27 g, 6h). Babylon mint. Struck under Peithon, circa 315-311 BC. Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin / Club and quiver over bow; ‘# in wreath to left, X to right. Price 3727 var. (monogram; same obv. die as illustration); SNG Saroglos —. Good VF, toned, very light porosity. Extremely rare, possibly the second known. ($2000)
The other known example, published in Price, is in the BM. The reverse dies of these two are remarkably similar, and thus likely from the
same engraver. Interestingly, this lot includes an inventory ticket from F. Kovacs, marked “8/1987” on the back, which was a year after the BM acquired their example. It is therefore likely that these two coins were found together.
Le Rider Plate Coin
301. KINGS of MACEDON. Kassander. As regent, 317-305 BC. AR Tetradrachm (23mm, 14.33 g, 3h). In the name and types of Philip II. Pella mint. Struck circa 317/6-315/4 BC. Head of Zeus right, wearing laurel wreath / PIAIP-eY, nude youth, holding palm in right hand and reins in left, on horseback right; below, coiled serpent right; Boeotian shield in exergue. Le Rider 530f (D281/R437 — this coin, illustrated); SNG ANS 450 var. (same obv. die, shield under foreleg); SNG Saroglos —; SNG Lockett 1414 (same dies). Choice EF, lovely old cabinet toning. ($4000)
Ex R. Abecassis Collection.
302
5 - 303 302. KINGS of MACEDON. Kassander. As regent, 317-305 BC. AR Tetradrachm (23mm, 14.18 g, 12h). In the name and types of Philip I. Amphipolis mint. Struck circa 316-311 BC. Head of Zeus right, wearing laurel wreath / PIAIT TOY, nude
youth, holding palm in right hand and reins in left, on horseback right; aplustre below, [*' below raised foreleg. Le Rider pl. 46, 18; Troxell, Studies, group 9, 323 = SNG ANS 740 (same dies). EF, toned. ($1000)
From the RCM Collection.
303. KINGS of MACEDON. Kassander. As regent, 317-305 BC, or King, 305-297 BC. AR Tetradrachm (25mm, 14.11 g, 1h). In the name and types of Philip II. Amphipolis mint. Struck circa 307-297 BC. Head of Zeus right, wearing laurel wreath / PIAIT-eY, nude youth, holding palm in right hand and reins in left, on horseback right; below, A above torch; © below raised forelag. Le Rider pl. 47, 21 (same obv. die); SNG ANS 488-90 (same obv. die as 791); SNG Saroglos —; SNG Berry 121. EF, toned, a little die rust on eye. ($1000)
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304. KINGS of MACEDON. Demetrios I Poliorketes. 306-283 BC. AR Tetradrachm (27mm,