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Madagascar, P 38, Linzmayer B205c, Leclerc/Kolsky 811b, Banque de Madagascar, 50 Francs, (1937-47). Minerva at left, female allegory of science at right on front. Signatures Dejouany - Gonon. Three cherubs with flowers, vines, and fruit next to bust of Demeter, Greek goddess of the harvest on back., # F.977 24405706., PMG 58, Choice aUNC

Kingdom of Macedon, Philip II AV Stater. Struck under Philip III. Amphipolis, circa 323-315 BC. Laureate head of Apollo right / Charioteer driving biga to right, holding kentron in right hand, reins in left; facing bust of Sol and monogram beneath horses, ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΥ in exergue. Le Rider 250. 8.58g, 19mm, 9h. Near Mint State. From the A.F. Collection, Germany.

Kingdom of Macedon, Philip II AV Stater. Struck under Philip III. Lampsakos, circa 323-315 BC. Laureate head of Apollo right / Charioteer driving biga to right, holding kentron in right hand, reins in left; facing bust of Sol and monogram beneath horses, ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΥ in exergue. Le Rider pl. 93, 54. 8.56g, 19mm, 8h. Good Extremely Fine. Beautiful lustrous surfaces. Slight die-shift on reverse. Ex Stack's Bowers and Ponterio 164, 6 January 2012, lot 134.

Lesbos, Mytilene EL Hekte. Circa 340 BC. Bust of dancing maenad to right, with head thrown back, hair bound with sphendone, and drapery covering left shoulder, right breast exposed / Race torch within linear square frame. Bodenstedt 92; Traité II 2, 2219, pl. 161, 34; Jameson 1478. 2.53g, 12mm, 11h. Extremely Fine. Rare.

Lesbos, Mytilene EL Hekte. Circa 375-325 BC. Laureate head of Zeus Meilichios right, [forepart of small serpent before chin] / Draped bust of Nike right, two stars flanking above, all within linear square frame. Bodenstedt 101; HGC 6, 1027; SNG von Aulock 7741; Boston MFA 1728; BMC 113. 2.56g, 11mm, 12h. Extremely Fine.

Mysia, Kyzikos EL Stater. Circa 550-500 BC. Half-length bust of Kore-Persephone to left, wearing kekryphalos headdress, round earring and long-sleeved chiton, in her right hand holding a tunny fish by the tail, and raising a flower to her chin; bust truncation indicated by dotted line between parallel lines / Quadripartite incuse square. Von Fritze 75, pl. II, 30; SNG France 205; Boston MFA 1448 = Warren 1519. 16.00g, 21mm. Extremely Fine. Very Rare. From the A.F. Collection, Germany.

Phoenicia, Tyre Ӕ21. Pseudo-autonomous issue struck during the reign of Antoninus Pius, dated CY 265 = AD 139/40. Turreted, veiled and draped bust of Tyche right; palm behind, murex shell before / EΞΣ (date) TYP(ligate)IEPAΣ MHTPOΠO-ΛEѠΣ in four lines above galley; 'of Tyre' (in Phoenician) below. SNG Copenhagen 344; Rouvier 2196. 6.61g, 21mm, 12h. Good Extremely Fine. A wonderful example of the type, which is very difficult to find in good condition. From the V.D.T. Collection.

Parthia(?), 'Athenian Series' AR Tetradrachm. Hekatompylos(?), circa 246/5-239/8 BC. Attic standard. Head of Athena right, wearing earring, necklace, and crested Attic helmet decorated with three olive leaves over visor and a spiral palmette on the bowl; monogram of Andragoras(?) behind / Owl standing right, head facing; prow behind, AΘE before. Roma XIV, 329; Bopearachchi, Sophytes Series 1A; SNG ANS -; H. Nicolet-Pierre / M. Amandry, "Un nouveau trésor de monnaies d'argent pseudo-Athéniennes venu d'Afghanistan", RN 1994, 36-39; Mitchiner 13a = G.F. Hill, Greek coins acquired by the British Museum in 1920," in NC 1921, 17. 16.87g, 26mm, 6h. Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare. From the 1960s Andragoras-Sophytes Group, present in Germany in 1975, subsequently exported to the USA. The presence of this particular monogram on these issues of the 'Athenian Series' coinage is confounding. It is (with the occasional inclusion or omission of a central vertical line) precisely the same monogram that appears on all of the silver tetradrachms of Andragoras, as well as the gold staters (BMC Arabia, North East Persia 1) which have been variously attributed to either a Satrap appointed by Alexander in c.331 BC, or the Seleukid satrap who declared independence in 246/5 BC. The monogram has three possible explanations: firstly, the monogram could be an engraver's signature; secondly, it could be a magistral mark, the monogram of a mint or treasury official; thirdly, it could be the monogram of the issuing authority, i.e. the satrap. If indeed as we have proposed above there was only the one Andragoras, and that his silver and gold coinage is related, it is equally possible that the monogram could belong to engraver, official or satrap. However, examining the monogram itself, one can easily read 'ANΔPAΓOPAΣ', whether the central vertical line is present or not. The implications, if this is indeed correct, are significant. It may require the reconsideration of the attribution of at least part of the 'Athenian Series' and 'Eagle Series' coinage from Sophytes to Andragoras and therefore the Ekbatana mint. The matter is not so simple though, since the 'MNA' mark that appears on some other 'Athenian Series' coins also appears on the bust truncation of the helmeted coins of Sophytes. Additionally, there are other monograms and marks which cannot be tied to either Andragoras or Sophytes. One possible answer to this puzzle is that the 'Athenian Series' was not all struck at a single 'uncertain mint in the Oxus region', and that Athenian imitations were being produced at various satrapal minting facilities in the region for the purpose of local commerce, each utilising a different control mark or set of controls. Nicolet-Pierre and Amandry also reached the same tentative conclusion (see N&A p.40). We will not presume to attempt to solve a century old mystery in the few hours available to us - this must be left to others with more time - however in this cataloguer's opinion the links between the 'Athenian Series' and the coinage of both Andragoras and Sophytes cannot be ignored, and for the time being we have elected to re-attribute part of the 'Athenian Series' and 'Eagle Series' to the mint under Andragoras' control, since the same monogram can be found across those series."

Baktria, 'Athenian Series' AR Tetradrachm. Uncertain mint in the Oxus region, circa 261-239/8 BC. Attic standard. Head of Athena right, wearing earring, necklace, and crested Attic helmet decorated with three olive leaves over visor and a spiral palmette on the bowl; MNA behind / Owl standing right, head facing; olive sprig, crescent and grape bunch behind, AΘE before. Roma XIV, 347; Bopearachchi, Sophytes -; Mitchiner -; SNG ANS -; N&A 18-19; Leu 83, 264. 17.02g, 24mm, 6h. Extremely Fine. Only four other specimens previously recorded. From the 1960s Andragoras-Sophytes Group, present in Germany in 1975, subsequently exported to the USA. The appearance of the letters MNA on their own, not preceded by ΣTA, which also appear in abbreviated form as MN and M, both on this 'Athenian Series' coinage and on the helmeted portrait issues of Sophytes, is suggestive of MNA being either a magistral mark, or an engraver's signature. While the prominent placement of MNA on both the double daric and the tetradrachm would seem to be counter-indicative of its being a signature because of its brazen size and obtrusiveness, on the helmeted portrait coins of Sophytes it is very discreetly placed on the bust truncation. The fact that it is so well hidden (and on the tetradrachms, abbreviated simply to 'M') very strongly argues against it being a magistrate or subordinate official's name. The Baktrian 'Athenian series' coinage, judging from its lack of wear, must have been issued immediately prior to or concurrent to Sophytes' named coinage.

Baktria, Sophytes AR Tetradrachm. Uncertain mint in the Oxus region, circa 246/5-235 BC. Attic standard. Head of Seleukos(?) right, wearing laurel wreathed Attic helmet decorated with spiral pattern on crest and eagle wings on cheek-guard, tied under chin; M on bust truncation / Cockerel standing right; kerykeion behind, ΣΩΦYΤΟΥ to right. Cf. Bopearachchi, Sophytes Series 3A, pl. I, 1; for type cf. SNG ANS 21-23 (drachm); Mitchiner 29 (drachm); Whitehead NC 1943, pp. 64, 1 and pl. III, 7-8 (drachm); Roma XIV, 365 var. (no M under truncation). 16.87g, 26mm, 7h. Good Extremely Fine. The third known example of an issue of considerable numismatic interest. A bold and expressive portrait engraved in the finest Hellenistic style. From the 1960s Andragoras-Sophytes Group, present in Germany in 1975, subsequently exported to the USA. This portrait, which has all too often been simply assumed to be that of Sophytes himself, is eminently worthy of further scrutiny. It is the work of a highly talented individual, and depicts what should by any account be a great general, helmeted in Attic style and wearing the laurel wreath of a conqueror. Unfortunately the actions of Sophytes, whatever they might have been, were either not recorded or have long since been lost. We cannot therefore determine whether this individual may indeed have performed such deeds as to be worthy of commemoration in such a fashion. In examining the features of the individual depicted on this coin however, it becomes immediately apparent that there are distinct similarities with certain idealised portraits of Seleukos I. It is conceivable that we should see in this portrait not an image of the unknown ruler Sophytes, but an idealised image of the deified Seleukos, as can be found on the somewhat earlier coinage of Philetairos. Those images (cf. in particular Gulbenkian 966) have nearly identical features - in particular the heavy brow, aquiline nose, down-turned mouth and prominent chin. The historical sources offer us few clues as to the dating of Sophytes’ rule. They tell us that Stasanor was satrap of Baktria until at least 316 BC, and that Seleukos reintegrated Baktria into his empire on his eastern anabasis in c. 305. An early date therefore seems highly unlikely. Turning to the evidence of the coin itself, numismatists have correctly observed that the obverse portrait is derived from the similar type of Seleukos on his trophy tetradrachms (SC 174), which should be dated to after c. 301 BC; the presence of the somewhat worn elephant-quadriga tetradrachm in the present group pushes the date even further to the right, and into the third century. Now, the presence of this type in this group along with coins of Andragoras indicates a considerably later date than previously supposed. We have already proposed with good reason that the coinage of Andragoras should be dated to c.246/5-239/8 BC and that given the patterns of wear that may be observed upon them, there is sufficient justification to argue for the dating of Sophytes’ named coinage to c. 246/5-235, after Andragoras had begun coining but before Diodotos II would have been free to dispose of any lesser regional powers. This turbulent time period has already afforded us a plausible reason for the striking of Andragoras’ coinage. It is possible that Sophytes too was prompted to look to the security of his own territory following the effective withdrawal of the central government’s influence in that area. Diodotos I too struck his own coinage in Baktria, which while bearing his own portrait on the obverse nevertheless maintained the name ‘Antiochos’ on the reverse as a token symbol of loyalty. Does Sophytes coinage, with a distinctly ‘local’ reverse type, seek to achieve the same veneer of loyalty as that of Philetairos and Diodotos by placing the image of Seleukos I, the founder of the Seleukid empire, on his obverse?

Baktria, Sophytes AR Didrachm. Uncertain mint in the Oxus region, circa 246/5-235 BC. Attic standard. Head of Seleukos(?) right, wearing laurel wreathed Attic helmet decorated with spiral pattern on crest and eagle wings on cheek-guard; MNA on bust truncation / Cockerel standing right; kerykeion behind, ΣΩΦYΤΟΥ to right. Bopearachchi, Sophytes Series 3A, pl. I, 2 = Alpha Bank 7461; for type cf. SNG ANS 21-23 (drachm); Mitchiner 29 (drachm); Whitehead NC 1943, pp. 64, 1 and pl. III, 7-8 (drachm); Roma XIV, 366. 8.00g, 21mm, 5h. Good Extremely Fine. The third known specimen, the second Attic standard example, and of considerable numismatic interest. From the 1960s Andragoras-Sophytes Group, present in Germany in 1975, subsequently exported to the USA.

Baktria, Sophytes AR Drachm. Uncertain mint in the Oxus region, circa 246/5-235 BC. Attic standard. Head of Seleukos(?) right, wearing laurel wreathed Attic helmet decorated with spiral pattern on crest and eagle wings on cheek-guard; M on bust truncation / Cockerel standing right; kerykeion behind, ΣΩΦYΤΟΥ to right. Bopearachchi, Sophytes Series 3A, pl. I, 3; SNG ANS 21-23; Mitchiner 29b; cf. Whitehead NC 1943, pp. 64, 1 and pl. III, 7-8; cf. G&M 169, 149 (MNA on bust truncation). 3.86g, 16mm, 6h. Near Mint State. Extremely Rare. From the 1960s Andragoras-Sophytes Group, present in Germany in 1975, subsequently exported to the USA.

Sasanian Kings, Shapur I AV Dinar. Ctesiphon, AD 260-272. Draped bust right, wearing diadem and mural crown surmounted by a korymbos; one pellet above and two below diadem ties / Fire-altar flanked by two regal attendants wearing mural crowns, symbol to left of flames. SNS type IIc/1b, style P, group d/1 (pl. 31, 143); Göbl type I/1; Saeedi AV5; Sunrise 740. 7.44g, 21mm, 3h. Mint State. Rare. In AD 253 Shapur met and annihilated a Roman army of 60,000 at the Battle of Barbalissos, and proceeded then to burn and ravage the Roman province of Syria. Armenia was conquered, and Georgia submitted to Sasanian control. With his northern borders secure, Shapur then led an army which penetrated deep into Syria, plundering all the way to Antioch which quickly fell to his forces. The Roman counter-offensive under emperor Valerian was slow, but by 257 Antioch had been recovered and the province of Syria returned to Roman control. Shapur's speedy retreat caused the Romans to launch a hasty pursuit of the Sasanians all the way to Edessa, where they were severely defeated, and Valerian along with the survivors of his army were led away into captivity. The defeat and capture of Valerian surely marks the greatest achievement in the reign of Shapur, who is also called 'the Great', and the submission of Valerian is commemorated in a mural at Naqsh-e Rustam, which shows the emperor bending the knee before Shapur on horseback. Valerian's army was sent to Bishapur, and the soldiers were used in engineering and development works, such as the Band-e Kaisar (Caesar's dam) near the ancient city of Susa.

L series AR Victoriatus. Luceria, 211-208 BC. Laureate bust of Jupiter right within bead and reel border / Victory standing right, crowning trophy; L between, ROMA in exergue. Crawford 97/1a; RSC 36e*. 3.34g, 17mm, 12h. Fleur De Coin. Ex RBW Collection, Numismatica Ars Classica 61, 5 October 2011, lot 401 (hammered for 2750 CHF); Privately purchased from Harlan J. Berk in May 1994.

Cn. Gellius AR Denarius. Rome, 138 BC. Helmeted bust of Roma right, X behind; all within laurel wreath / Mars and Nerio in quadriga right; CN•GEL below, ROMA in exergue. Crawford 232/1; RSC Gellia 1. 3.98g, 19mm, 5h. Good Extremely Fine; old cabinet tone. A most pleasing example. From the V.D.T. Collection; Ex Münzen & Medaillen 7, 12 October 2000, lot 366.

The Social War, Marsic Confederation AR Denarius. Campania, 88-87 BC. Draped bust of one of the Dioscuri, wearing laureate pileus, surmounted by star / Italia (or Minerva), holding shield in left hand, spear and reins in right, driving galloping biga right; two pellets and bucranium. Campana 153; Sydenham 633a; HN Italy 417. 3.97g, 20mm, 12h. Good Very Fine. Very Rare. Ex SC Collection, Heritage ANA 3033, 8 August 2014, lot 23059.

C. Mamilius Limetanus AR Serrate Denarius. Rome, 82 BC. Bust of Mercury right, draped and wearing winged petasos; caduceus and A behind / Ulysses standing right, holding staff in left hand and extending right hand to Argus; C•MAMIL to left, LIMETAN to right. Crawford 362/1; RSC Mamilia 6. 3.95g, 20mm, 8h. Good Extremely Fine. From the collection of Z.P., Austria; Ex Credit Suisse 30, 1 December 1979, lot 111.

C. Annius T. f. T. n. and L. Fabius Hispaniensis AR Denarius. North Italy and Spain, 82-81 BC. Diademed and draped bust of Anna Perenna right; C•ANNI•T•F•T•N•V•PRO•COS•EX•S•C• around, scales before, winged caduceus behind, T• below / Victory driving quadriga right, holding reins and palm-branch; Q• above, L•FABI•L•F•HISP in exergue. Crawford 366/1b; RSC Annia 2b. 3.93g, 20mm, 10h. Fleur De Coin. From the V.D.T. Collection.

C. Poblicius Q. f. AR Serrate Denarius. Rome, 80 BC. Helmeted and draped bust of Roma right; P above, ROMA behind / Hercules strangling the Nemean lion; club at his feet, bow and arrows in bowcase to lower left, P to upper left, C•POBLICI•Q•F upwards to right. Crawford 380/1; RSC Poblicia 9. 3.89g, 20mm, 7h. Good Extremely Fine. Struck on a broad flan with very well centred obverse; attractive iridescent tone. Privately purchased from Baldwins.

Ti. Claudius Ti. f. Ap. n. Nero AR Serrate Denarius. Rome, 79 BC. Diademed and draped bust of Diana right, with bow and quiver over shoulder; S•C before / Victory driving galloping biga right, holding reins, palm frond and wreath; A•CXXV below, T•CLAVD•TI•F AP•N in exergue. Crawford 383/1; RSC Claudia 6. 3.98g, 18mm, 7h. Good Extremely Fine. From the collection of Z.P., Austria.

M. Plaetorius M. f. Cestianus AR Denarius. Rome, 67 BC. Bust of 'Vacuna' right, wearing a wreathed and crested helmet, bow and quiver on shoulder; cornucopiae below chin, CESTIANVS behind, S•C before / Eagle standing right on thunderbolt, head left; M• PLAETORIVS M•F•AED•CVR around. Crawford 409/1; RSC Plaetoria 4. 3.99g, 19mm, 6h. Good Extremely Fine. From the collection of Z.P., Austria.

Julius Caesar AR Denarius. Military mint travelling with Caesar in Spain, 46-45 BC. Draped bust of Venus left, wearing stephane; small Cupid at point of bust; lituus to left, sceptre to right / Trophy of Gallic arms, holding a shield and carnyx in each hand; on left, kneeling bearded male captive left, looking right; on right, seated female captive right, resting head in hand; CAESAR in exergue. Crawford 468/2; CRI 59; RSC 14. 3.73g, 18mm, 10h. Near Mint State. An exceptionally sharply struck and well preserved example. From a central European collection.

Julius Caesar AR Denarius. Military mint travelling with Caesar in Spain, 46-45 BC. Draped bust of Venus left, wearing stephane; small Cupid at point of bust; lituus to left, sceptre to right / Trophy of Gallic arms, holding a shield and carnyx in each hand; on left, kneeling bearded male captive left, looking right; on right, seated female captive right, resting head in hand; CAESAR in exergue. Crawford 468/2; CRI 59; RSC 14. 4.07g, 20mm, 10h. About Extremely Fine. Ex A. Tkalec, 17 May 2010, lot 141.

Julius Caesar AR Denarius. Military mint travelling with Caesar in Spain, 46-45 BC. Draped bust of Venus left, wearing stephane; small Cupid at point of bust; lituus to left, sceptre to right / Trophy of Gallic arms, holding a shield and carnyx in each hand; on left, kneeling bearded male captive left, looking right; on right, seated female captive right, resting head in hand; CAESAR in exergue. Crawford 468/2; CRI 59; RSC 14. 3.61g, 19mm, 2h. Very Fine.

Octavian Fourrée Denarius. Octavian Fourrée Denarius. Uncertain mint, after autumn 42 BC. Helmeted and draped bust of young Mars right, spear over left shoulder; CAESAR III VIR•R•P•C around / Aquila between two signa, all set on ground line; above, trophy, holding oval shields; S-C flanking aquila. Cf. Crawford 497/3; CRI 138; RSC 248. 2.61g, 18mm, 8h. Good Very Fine; intact plating. Rare.

Marc Antony AR Denarius. Athens, 38-37 BC. III•VIR•R•P•C•COS•DESIG•ITER•ET•TERT, radiate bust of Sol right / M•ANTONIVS•M•F•M•N•AVGVR•IMP•TER, Antony standing right, dressed as priest, veiled, wearing toga and holding lituus. Crawford 533/2; CRI 267; Sydenham 1199; RSC 13a. 3.75g, 18mm, 12h. Good Extremely Fine; very well preserved for the type, without the usual reverse weakness normally present.

Augustus AR Denarius. Rome, 19/18 BC. P. Petronius Turpilianus, moneyer. TVRPILIANVS III•VIR FERON, draped bust of Feronia right, wearing stephane and pearl necklace / CAESAR AVGVSTVS•SIGN•RECE•, bare-headed Parthian kneeling right, extending in right hand a standard, to which is attached a vexillum marked X, and holding out left hand. RIC 288; RSC 484; BMCRE 14; BN 127-37. 3.73g, 21mm, 2h. Extremely Fine. Fine light golden tone. From a central European collection; Ex Numismatica Ars Classica 72, 16-17 May 2013, lot 1387.

Agrippina I (mother of Caligula) Æ Sestertius. Rome, AD 37-41. AGRIPPINA M F MAT C CAESARIS AVGVSTI, draped bust right / SPQR MEMORIAE AGRIPPINA, carpentum to left, drawn by two mules, the domed cover supported by two figures. RIC 55 (Gaius); C. 1; BMCRE 81. 27.01g, 34mm, 6h. Very Fine. From a central European collection.

Caligula, with Agrippina I, AV Aureus. Lugdunum, AD 37-8. C•CAESAR AVG•GERM•P•M•TR•POT•, laureate head of Caligula right / AGRIPPINA•MAT•C•CAES•AVG•GERM•, draped bust of Agrippina right, wearing hair in waves from brow downwards and knotted in a long plait at the back, one lock falls loose down the neck. RIC 13; BMCRE 14; Calicó 326. 7.63g, 19mm, 10h. Near Extremely Fine. Very Rare. Much attention has been given over the years to the seemingly base character of Gaius, known to history as Caligula (meaning ‘little soldier’s boot) after the nickname he acquired as a child from his father Germanicus’ soldiers during their campaign in Germania. Though there are few surviving sources concerning his reign, he is generally described as noble and moderate in the first six months of his rule, after which time the sources focus upon his cruelty, sadism, extravagance and sexual perversion. All surviving sources, except Pliny the Elder, characterise Caligula as insane, but given his extreme unpopularity it is difficult to separate fact from fiction in the historical record. Recent studies have attempted to ascribe a medical reason for his unusual behaviour, citing encephalitis, epilepsy or meningitis as possibilities, however the question remains unanswered. Philo of Alexandria, Josephus and Seneca state that Caligula was insane, but describe this madness as a personality trait that came through experience. Certainly the experiences in the early years of his life would have been sufficient to leave an individual severely traumatised at the very least; born in AD 12 into the perilously dysfunctional Julio-Claudian family, his father Germanicus was allegedly poisoned by an agent of Tiberius (Germanicus’ uncle) when Caligula was only seven, and his mother Agrippina and eldest brother Nero were banished by the emperor on charges of treason in 29. His other older brother Drusus was imprisoned on similar charges in AD 30, and in the same year Nero was killed or committed suicide. His mother was mistreated in exile, losing an eye during a beating from a centurion, and died in AD 33. Tacitus (Annals, 6.25) speculates that she was starved to death as was Drusus, who died after having been reduced to chewing the stuffing of his bed. Meanwhile, Caligula and his sisters were “nothing more than prisoners of Tiberius, under the close watch of soldiers” according to Suetonius (Lives of the Caesars, III.64). All the while, Caligula was forced to act as though he bore Tiberius no ill-will, whom Caligula claimed to have planned to kill with a dagger in order to avenge his mother and brother (Lives of the Caesars, IV.12). The grief felt by Caligula at the loss of his murdered parents, Germanicus and Agrippina, and his murdered brothers, Nero Caesar and Drusus Caesar, is evident in his efforts to commemorate their memories, of which his coinage provides numerous examples including the present aureus.

Caligula, with Agrippina I, AR Denarius. Lugdunum, AD 37-38. C•CAESAR•AVG•GERM•P•M•TR•POT, laureate head of Caligula right / AGRIPPINA•MAT•C•CAES•AVG•GERM, draped bust of Agrippina right, wearing hair in waves from brow downwards and knotted in a long plait at the back, one lock falls loose down the neck. RIC 14 (Rome mint); Lyon 169; RSC 2; BMCRE 15; BN 24-6. 3.77g, 18mm, 10h. Extremely Fine; area of soft strike on rev. Rare. From a private European collection.

Caligula Æ Sestertius. Rome, AD 37-38. C CAESAR AVG GERMANICVS PON M TR POT, laureate bust left / AGRIPPINA DRVSILLA IVLIA, the three sisters of Caligula standing facing: Agrippina, as Securitas, holds cornucopiae in right hand resting on column, with left hand on shoulder of Drusilla, as Concordia, who holds patera and cornucopiae; Julia, as Fortuna, holds rudder and cornucopiae. RIC 33; C. 4; BN 47. 28.06g, 35mm, 6h. Good Very Fine; lightly smoothed. Rare. From a central European collection; Ex Hess-Divo 332, 31 May 2017, lot 92.

Claudius, with Agrippina II, AR Denarius. Rome, AD 50-51. TI CLAVD CAESAR AVG GERM [P M TRIB POT P P], laureate head of Claudius right / AGRIPPINAE AVGVSTAE, draped bust of Agrippina II right, wearing crown of corn ears, her hair in long plait behind. RIC 81; RSC 4; BMCRE 75. 3.66g, 19mm, 6h. Good Extremely Fine; highly lustrous metal. Rare.

Claudius, with Agrippina II, AR Denarius. Rome, AD 50-51. TI CLAVD CAESAR AVG GERM P M TRIB POT P P, laureate head of Claudius right / AGRIPPINAE [AVGVST]AE, draped bust of Agrippina II right, wearing crown of corn ears, her hair in long plait behind. RIC 81; RSC 4; BMCRE 75. 3.65g, 19mm, 9h. Near Mint State; light grey cabinet tone. Rare.

Claudius, with Agrippina II, AR Denarius. Rome, AD 50-51. TI CLAVD CAESAR AVG GERM P M TRIB POT P P, laureate head of Claudius right / AGRIPPINAE AVGVSTAE, draped bust of Agrippina II right, wearing crown of corn ears, her hair in long plait behind. RIC 81; RSC 4; BMCRE 75. 3.61g, 18mm, 6h. About Extremely Fine. Lightly toned. Rare. From a private European collection; Ex Fritz Rudolf Künker 257, 10 October 2014, lot 8470.

Nero, as Caesar, AV Aureus. Rome, AD 51-54. NERONI CLAVDIO DRVSO GERM COS DESIGN, bare-headed and draped bust right / EQVESTER OR-DO PRINCIPI IVVENT inscribed on shield in four lines, vertical spear behind. RIC 78; C. 96; BMCRE 92; Calicó 407. 7.58g, 19mm, 4h. Very Fine. From the V.D.T. Collection.

Nero, with Agrippina II, AR Denarius. Rome, AD 54. AGRIPP AVG DIVI CLAVD NERONIS CAES MATER, bare-headed bust of Nero right and draped bust of Agrippina II left / NERONI CLAVD DIVI F CAES AVG GERM IMP TR P, oak-wreath enclosing EX SC. RIC 2; C. 7; BMCRE 3. 3.54g, 18mm, 9h. Good Very Fine. Two attractive portraits. Rare. Ex Triton V, 15 January 2002, lot 1894.

Nero Æ Sestertius. Lugdunum, circa AD 65. NERO CLAVD CAESAR AVG GER P M TR P IMP P P, laureate head right, globe at point of bust / DECVRSIO, Nero riding right, holding spear in right hand, soldier riding behind, holding vexillum over his right shoulder; S-C across fields. RIC 436; WCN 418; BMCRE 311; BN 71; C. 86. 25.28g, 37mm, 6h. Extremely Fine; a wonderfully detailed reverse. From a private European collection; Ex Numismatik Lanz 114, 26 May 2003, lot 285.

Nero Æ Sestertius. Lugdunum, AD 66. IMP NERO CAESAR AVG P MAX TR P P P, laureate bust left, globe at point / PACE P R TERRA MARIQ PARTA IANVM CLVSIT, left-corner view of front and side of the temple of Janus, with garland hung across closed double door, side wall with long latticed window; S-C across fields. RIC 584; BMCRE -; C. -; WCN 481; BN -. 24.38g, 36mm, 7h. Extremely Fine; light smoothing behind bust and above temple. Very Rare, only four examples on CoinArchives. From a central European collection.

Nero Æ Sestertius. Lugdunum, AD 66. IMP NERO CAESAR AVG PONT MAX TR POT P P, laureate bust left, globe at point / ANNONA AVGVSTI CERES, Annona standing right, holding cornucopiae with her left hand, resting right hand on her hip, facing Ceres seated left, holding grain ears with her extended right hand and torch with her left; modius on garlanded altar between them, ship's stern in background, SC in exergue. RIC 495; C. 22; BMCRE p. 260 note; Lyon 184; WCN 445. 29.90g, 34mm, 7h. Good Very Fine. From a central European collection.

Nero Æ Sestertius. Lugdunum, AD 67. IMP NERO CAESAR AVG P MAX TR P P P, laureate bust left, globe at point / DECVRSIO, Nero on horse prancing to right, wearing short tunica and holding spear in right hand; behind him, mounted soldier prancing right with vexillum held over right shoulder; S-C across fields. RIC 580; WCN 480; C. 87 var. 29.25g, 37mm, 6h. Extremely Fine; slightly smoothed on rev.; fine style portrait. Very Rare. From a central European collection; Ex Hess-Divo 332, 31 May 2017, lot 100.

Galba Æ Sestertius. Rome, June - August AD 68. IMP SER GALBA AVG TR P, draped bust right, wearing oak wreath / SPQR OB CIV SER in three lines within oak wreath. RIC 263; C. 303; BMCRE 115. 25.50g, 37mm, 5h. Good Very Fine; very attractive rich green patina. Rare. Ex Numismatik Lanz 94, 22 November 1999, lot 282; Ex W. Niggeler Collection; Ex Naville - Ars Classica 13, 27-29 June 1928, lot 1183; Ex G. L. Cornaggia-Medici-Castiglioni Collection, R. Ratto, Milan 20 1914, lot 60.

Galba Æ Sestertius. Rome, June - August AD 68. SER GALBA IMP CAESAR AVG TR P, laureate and draped bust right / SPQR OB CIV SER in three lines within oak wreath. RIC 271; BMCRE 113 (this coin); C. 295. 26.92g, 35mm, 7h. Good Very Fine. Rare. Ex Sternberg XXXV, 29 October 2000, lot 471; Ex V. C. Vecchi & Sons 10, 10 October 1983, lot 309; Ex Credit Suisse 1, 22 April 1983, lot 297; Ex Leu 28, 5 May 1981, lot 398; Ex Sternberg X, 25-26 November 1980, lot 303; Ex Collection of the British Museum (duplicates).

Galba Æ Sestertius. Rome, August - September AD 68. IMP SER SVLP GALBA CAES AVG TR P, laureate and draped bust right / LIBERTAS PVBLICA, Libertas, wearing long dress, standing to left, holding sceptre and pileus; S-C across fields. RIC 309; C. 130; BMCRE 71. 27.30g, 36mm, 7h. Very Fine - Good Very Fine. Ex Leu 20, 25 April 1978, lot 252.

Galba Æ Sestertius. Rome, October AD 68. SER GALBA IMP CAESAR AVG TR P, laureate and draped bust right / LIBERTAS PVBLICA, Libertas, wearing long dress, standing left, holding sceptre and pileus; S-C across fields. RIC 388; C. 112; BMCRE 70. 28.16g, 36mm, 6h. Near Extremely Fine. Rare. Ex Credit Suisse 61, 1 March 1994, lot 116; Ex Credit Suisse 59, 1 March 1993, lot 116; Ex Credit Suisse 57, 1 May 1992, lot 7; Ex Credit Suisse List 54, September 1990, no. 134.

Domitian Æ Sestertius. Rome, AD 85. IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM COS XI CENS POT P P, laureate bust right, aegis on far shoulder / ANNONA AVGVST, Annona standing right, holding cornucopiae, facing Ceres seated left, holding corn ears and torch; modius on altar and stern of ship between, SC in exergue. RIC 349; C. 17 var. 26.75g, 36mm, 6h. Near Extremely Fine; somewhat smoothed. Very Rare; only two other examples on CoinArchives. From a private European collection; Ex ACR Auctions 12, 29 October 2014, lot 714; Ex Numismatica Ars Classica 72, 16 May 2013, lot 1558.

Domitia (wife of Domitian) AR Denarius. Rome, AD 81-84. DOMITIA AVGVSTA IMP DOMIT, draped bust right, hair falling in long plait behind neck / CONCORDIA AVGVST, peacock standing to right on ground line. RIC 151 (Domitian); C. 2; BMCRE 61 (Domitian); BN 65. 3.57g, 19mm, 5h. About Extremely Fine. Very Rare. Ex Barry Feirstein Collection, Numismatica Ars Classica 39, 16 May 2007, lot 115; Ex James Fox Collection, Classical Numismatic Group 40, 4 December 1996, lot 1465; Ex Nelson Bunker Hunt Collection, Sotheby's, 21 June 1990, lot 713; Ex Leu 28, 5 May 1981, lot 422. Together with Jupiter and Minerva, the goddess Juno was worshipped in Rome as part of the Capitoline Triad of supreme deities. Goddess of marriage and childbirth, she was the protector and special counsellor of the state, and took a further role safeguarding the women of Rome. It is therefore fitting that this bird above all should feature on the reverse of this rare and attractive denarius, for the peacock was an attribute of Juno and the goddess was often depicted with a peacock at her feet, signifying her watchful and warlike countenance. That the peacock was specifically linked to Juno is affirmed in myth by Ovid in his Metamorphoses, Book 1, where he relates the story of Jupiter, his lover Io, and his jilted wife Juno. Ovid tells us that after Jupiter was caught with his lover, she was turned into a pure white heifer by his enraged wife and set under the guard of Argus, the hundred-eyed watchman. Sent by Jupiter to free Io, Mercury distracted Argus by playing the pan-pipes and telling stories, eventually slaying the giant and freeing Io. To honour her faithful watchman, Ovid tells us that Juno transferred Argus’ eyes to the tail feathers of the peacock so as to preserve them forever. Further meaning can be found in the use of the peacock for this reverse type however, that also arises from the beliefs of the ancient Greeks, for the bird was seen as a symbol of immortality and is therefore an appropriate motif to highlight the desired concord and harmony that the legend references, between not only the emperor and empress but across the empire.

Julia Titi (daughter of Titus) AR Denarius. Struck under Domitian. Rome, AD 80-81. IVLIA AVGVSTA T AVG F, diademed and draped bust right / VENVS AVG, nude Venus standing to right, left elbow leaning on column, holding helmet and spear. RIC 387 (Titus); C. 12; BMCRE 140 (Titus); BN 104 (Titus). 3.40g, 19mm, 6h. Good Extremely Fine; light iridescent tone. Considerably rarer than the type with the longer VENVS AVGVST reverse legend. Ex Fritz Rudolf Künker 67, 9 October 2001, lot 712; Ex A. Tkalec, 29 February 2000, lot 255.

Julia Titi (daughter of Titus) Æ Dupondius. Struck under Domitian. Rome, AD 80-81. IVLIA IMP T AVG F AVGVSTA, draped bust right, hair in a chignon at the back / Vesta, wearing long dress, seated left, holding sceptre and palladium; S-C across fields, VESTA in exergue. RIC 398; C. 18; BN 271. 11.38g, 28mm, 6h. Very Fine. From a central European collection.

Trajan AV Aureus. Rome, AD 112-113. IMP TRAIANVS AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS VI P P, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right / Frontal view of the hexastyle façade of Trajan's Forum, with central entrance and two alcoves containing statues to either side, an elaborate statue group comprised of facing quadriga between three statues on each side atop the roof; FORVM TRAIAN in exergue. RIC 257; C 168 var. (not cuirassed); Calicó 1031; BMCRE 509; Biaggi 494; Woytek 409f. 7.30g, 19mm, 6h. Good Extremely Fine. The finest example of this desirable type to have been offered in many years. Trajan became consul for the sixth and final time on January 1, AD 112; on the same day he dedicated his new Forum complex. It is thought to have been designed by the architect Apollodorus who accompanied Trajan on his campaigns in Dacia and is famous for building a bridge across the Danube river recorded by ancient authors and artists. When complete, the vast complex consisted of the area fori (main square), the Basilica Ulpia, the column of Trajan, and two libraries, all situated adjacent to the Markets of Trajan on one side and the Forum Augustum on another. The project sought to exceed previous imperial fora in plan, scale and ornamentation while focusing directly on Trajan’s military achievements in Dacia. Each imperial forum had specific architectural and decorative schemes which created specific ambiences; thus, Trajan’s military theme is vastly different from the Forum of Vespasian (also known as the Temple of Peace and not officially called a forum since there is no evidence of it serving a political function) which instead contains gardens, fountains and promenades. One ancient account tells us that “all along the roof of the colonnades of Trajan’s forum there are placed gilded statues of horses and representations of military standards, and underneath is written Ex manubiis [from money obtained through spoils]” (Aulus Gellius, Attic Nights 13.25.1). Perhaps the message the emperor wished to send was that his rule saw such great military achievement that his successes alone were capable of creating the greatest public architectural space in Rome. Following Trajan’s death, Hadrian is reported to have added a colossal temple to the deified Trajan and his wife Plotina (of which very little survives) so that the completed Forum focused not only on Trajan’s military victories, but also on his apotheosis. The magnificence of this complex in comparison to previous imperial fora is emphasised by ancient witnesses, one of whom, when describing the emperor Constantius II’s reaction when he first visited Rome in AD 357, says it was “a construction unique under the heavens, as we believe, and admirable even in the unanimous opinion of the gods…” (Ammianus Marcellinus 16.10.15). It was later a space where various important events occurred; Hadrian and Aurelian ordered the burning of notes of debt to the state here (Historia Augusta, Hadrian 7.6, Aurelian 39.3), Marcus Aurelius held a sale of imperial treasures here following a period of war as an alternative to taxing the provinces (Historia Augusta, Marcus Aurelius 17.4) and here laws were frequently fastened up on bronze tablets to be read by the public. This coin was produced following the dedication of the forum and depicts the magnificent arch commemorating Trajan’s victories in Dacia which acted as its entrance. Martin Beckmann (see The Early Gold Coinage of Trajan’s Sixth Consulship in The American Journal of Numismatics Vol. 12 (2000), pp. 119-156) argues that it was part of the first production of AD 112 which contained a group of types focusing on commemorating the forum such as depictions of the Basilica Ulpia, and Equus Traiana (the following year saw the production of coins showing the newly built Trajan’s Column). His study reveals that there were ten dies for this reverse type and that “from the die links it appears that the forum type carried on strongly, perhaps to the end of the entire series…” implying that significant importance was attached to the promulgation of this great architectural work, the grandest of all imperial fora to date, made possible by the emperor’s military victories.

Divus Claudius AV Aureus. Rome, restitution issue by Trajan circa AD 112-113. DIVVS CLAVDIVS, laureate bust of the deified Claudius to right / IMP CAES TRAIAN AVG GER DAC•P•REST•, Concordia seated to left, holding patera and double cornucopiae. RIC 823; BMCRE -; C.110; Calicó 387. 7.21g, 20mm, 7h. Near Extremely Fine. Of the greatest rarity. From the property of B.R.S., United Kingdom. Though ‘restored’ coinage was nothing new to the Romans in Trajan’s time – they had made their first appearance under the Flavians, and been continued under Nerva – previous restorations had confined themselves only to the bronzes of certain well-remembered emperors. Trajan’s great restoration however consisted entirely of aurei and denarii, and went much further, by restoring Republican types, and effectively inventing wholly new ones. The occasion for this 'restitution' series issued under Trajan may have been the melting down of old coinage as mentioned in Cassius Dio (67.15), for Mattingly and Sydenham (RIC II, pg. 303) proposed that "since the Romans regarded their coins with a certain amount of reverence as products of the Sacra Moneta it is not unnatural to conclude that they valued them also as historical monuments. The dominating trait in the character of Trajan was a desire to emphasise and expand the glory of Rome. It seems reasonable, therefore, to suggest that this was his motive for issuing the Restored Coins; and, by thus placing together a series of types illustrative of the development of Rome, Trajan may not ineptly be regarded as one of the first to recognize Numismatics as an aid to History." The present type had no original prototype issued under Claudius during his lifetime, or indeed after his deification in the reign of Nero. The reverse type was used in the same form by Nero however, and bears a passing resemblance to the ‘CONSTANTIAE AVGVSTI’ aureus type of Claudius.

Hadrian AV Aureus. Rome, AD 124-128. HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS, laureate bust right, slight drapery on far shoulder / COS III, Capitoline wolf standing left, suckling the twins Romulus and Remus. RIC 193d; Strack 195θ; Calicó 1233a; BMCRE 449; Biaggi 598. 7.33g, 21mm, 6h. Mint State. A superb aureus of Hadrian with this ever-popular motif of the foundation myth. From the property of B.R.S., United Kingdom. The only shared component in the foundation legends recorded since the third century BC is that Romulus and Remus were the twin sons of a Vestal Virgin called Rhea Silvia. For the rest of the myth, there are many variances, but one of the most commonly attested narratives is the one told by Livy in his History of Rome. According to Livy, Rhea Silvia was the daughter of Numitor, the rightful king of Alba Longa (the city founded by Ascanius, the son of Aeneas, at the foot of the Alban hills) who was usurped by his brother Amulius and his progeny killed or, in his daughter’s case, deprived of hope of having children through being forced to be a Vestal Virgin. Rhea Silvia became pregnant through an encounter with the god Mars and the twins were set afloat on the flooded Tiber in the hope they would drown as ordered by the king of Alba Longa. Their crying attracted the attention of a she-wolf who nursed them and was so gentle that the shepherd Faustulus who found them, saw the wolf licking the human babies. The twins were then taken in by Faustulus and his wife and raised in the area around the Palatine hill until, as adults, they overthrew the usurper king and decided to found their own community where they had grown up. This type can be traced back to the earliest coinage of the Republic; a silver didrachm (Crawford 20/1) dated to circa 264-255 BC depicts on the obverse a youthful Hercules wearing a lion skin around his neck, and upon the reverse are the twins being suckled by the she-wolf. The type, either alone or as an adjunct motif, was sporadically reused into imperial times and was prominently featured on aurei and denarii of Domitian. Perhaps it was useful for Hadrian, who spent more than half his reign outside Italy, to draw upon a traditional Roman image as a reminder of his connection to home while away on his travels across the empire. Later examples of the type include coins produced under Constantine I, who, from AD 330, issued a vast number of small coins celebrating Rome by pairing a helmeted head of Roma with the twins and she-wolf motif following his foundation of Constantinople as a new capital in the East. The coin type was probably inspired by ancient statues of the wolf and twins, which unfortunately do not survive but their existence is verified by several ancient accounts; Livy’s History of Rome (10.23) states that in 295 BC a statue was placed near the Ficus Ruminalis (the fig tree at the foot of the Palatine hill which the legend says is the spot where the twins landed having floated along the Tiber) and Cicero reports how a statue of Romulus being suckled by the she-wolf was struck by lightning in 65 BC (Against Catiline, 3.19).

Hadrian Æ Dupondius. Rome, AD 120-122. IMP CAESAR TRAIAN HADRIANVS AVG P M TR P COS III, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right / FELICITAS AVGVSTI, Felicitas standing left, holding caduceus and cornucopiae; S-C across fields. RIC 598b; C. 642. 13.15g, 28mm, 5h. Near Extremely Fine. Rare; only three other examples on CoinArchives.

Hadrian AV Aureus. Rome, AD 125-128. HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS, laureate bust right, slight drapery on far shoulder / COS III, Hadrian on horseback right, raising right hand. RIC 186; Strack 146; Calicó 1215a; BMCRE 430-2. 7.24g, 21mm, 6h. About Extremely Fine. Ex Triton XVI, 9 January 2013, lot 1085; Ex H. D. Rauch 89, 5 December 2011, lot 1474.

Hadrian AR Denarius. Rome, AD 125-128. HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS, laureate bust right, with drapery on far shoulder / COS III, Hercules seated right on cuirass, holding club resting on shield, and distaff. RIC 149. 3.13g, 17mm, 6h. Extremely Fine. Pleasant underlying lustre. Ex Roma Numismatics IX, 22 March 2015, lot 680.

Hadrian Æ Sestertius. Rome, AD 125-128. HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS, laureate bust right, with drapery on far shoulder / COS III, Roma seated left on cuirass, with her right foot on a helmet, holding Victory and cornucopiae; shields behind, SC in exergue. RIC 636. 25.23g, 32mm, 6h. Near Extremely Fine. Ex Robert O. Ebert Collection, Stack's Bowers and Ponterio 174, 11 January 2013, lot 5192.

Hadrian AR Denarius. Rome, AD 134-138. HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P, laureate and draped bust right / TELLVS STABIL, Tellus standing left, holding plough-handle and rake, two corn ears behind. RIC 276; BMCRE 740; C. 1425 var. 3.40g, 19mm, 6h. Extremely Fine. Very rare with this bust type. From the V.D.T. Collection.

Diva Faustina I (wife of Antoninus Pius) AV Aureus. Rome, AD 150. DIVA FAVSTINA, draped bust right, wearing hair bound in pearls on top of her head / AVGVSTA, Ceres or Aeternitas standing left, holding torch in right hand and sceptre in left. RIC 356a (Pius); Calicó 1763a. 7.03g, 20mm, 6h. Very Fine. From the V.D.T. Collection.

Diva Faustina I (wife of Antoninus Pius) AV Aureus. Rome, AD 150. DIVA FAVSTINA, draped bust right, wearing hair bound in pearls on top of her head / AVGVSTA, Ceres or Aeternitas standing left, holding two torches. RIC 357a (Pius); Biaggi 808; BMCRE 403 (Pius); Calicó 1758. 7.26g, 20mm, 6h. Near Extremely Fine. From the collection of Z.P., Austria.

Marcus Aurelius Æ Sestertius. Rome, AD 163. IMP CAES M AVREL ANTONINVS AVG P M, laureate bust right, slight drapery on far shoulder / SALVTI AVGVSTOR TR P XVII, Salus standing facing, head left, feeding out of patera in right hand a snake coiled around and rising from an altar, cradling sceptre in left arm, S-C across fields; COS III in exergue. RIC 844; MIR 18, 54-6/32; Banti 287; BMCRE 1042. 24.94g, 32mm, 11h. Good Extremely Fine. Ex Fritz Rudolf Künker 216, 8 October 2012, lot 1037; Ex Triton XII, 6 January 2009, lot 633. This coin displays a beautiful 'Tiber' patina and very good preservation of detail. Beautiful, untouched fields.

Faustina II (daughter of A. Pius) AV Aureus. Rome, circa AD 145. FAVSTINA AVG PII AVG FIL, draped bust right, hair coiled on top of head / CONCORDIA, dove standing to right. RIC 503 (Pius); C. 61; BMCRE 1089 (Pius); Calicó 2045b. 7.19g, 19mm, 6h. Good Very Fine. Rare. From the collection of Z.P., Austria.