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Edward VIII (Jan-Dec 1936). Half-silver matte Proof Threepence, 1937, bare head left, HP below for designer T Humphrey Paget, Latin legend and toothed border surrounding, EDWARDVS VIII D: G: BR: OMN: REX, Rev. struck en medaille, three interlinked rings of St Edmund, lower legend THREEPENCE, upper legend :FID: DEF: : IND: IMP: 1937, edge plain (Giordano P5b; cf.Bull 4015 R7; ESC -; S.p.512 note; cf.KM.Pn125). Lightly toned, practically as struck, the only known example with a matt finish, has been graded, slabbed and conserved by NGC as PF62, of the highest rarity thus. Ex Dr Alfred Globus, Stacks, New York Coin Convention Auction, 1st December 1999, lot 1003. Ex Portraits of a Prince, collection of Joseph S Giordano, Spink Auction 206, 21st October 2010, lot 186. NGC certification 4864279-001. The matte proof coins of this period are of the highest rarity as they were only produced for photographic purposes for internal use within the Mint to go toward promoting the eventual coins to the press when released. As Edward VIII's coinage was never issued it seems only a few individual matte proofs of the smaller denominations, had been produced by the time of the abdication. This coin is therefore unique at the current time and was last sold publicly at auction in Stacks of New York in the late 1990s. For further reading of how the proposed coinage progressed from start till the King's abdication please see "The Proposed Coinage of Edward VIII" by G P Dyer, published by HMSO 1973. Maurice Bull did not list the matte proof for the silver threepence.

Mark Antony and Cleopatra. Silver Tetradrachm (14.97 g), 36 BC. Antioch in Syria. BACI?ICCA K?EO?ATPA ?EA NE?TEPA, diademed and draped bust of Cleopatra right. Rev. ANT?NIOC AY[TOKPAT?P T]PITON TPI?N AN?P?N, bare head of Mark Antony right. McAlee 174; Prieur 27; RPC I 4094. Huge flan on fine metal with complete legends. Toned. An incredible coin! Possibly the finest known specimen. Extremely Fine. From the S. Moussaieff Collection, This lot has been officially exported from Israel through the Israel Antiquities Authority. Cleopatra VII, the last queen of the Ptolemaic kingdom, remains to this day a colossal figure of legend as much as history. Her life and tragic end have been immortalized and popularized by poets, playwrights, and screen actors over the centuries since her death. While the average person is not likely to know the various preceding Cleopatras, Arsinoes, and Berenikes of the Ptolemaic dynasty, almost everyone knows of Cleopatra VII, if only in her latter day guise as Elizabeth Taylor. She remains ever an icon of ancient female power and this remarkable silver tetradrachm features one of her most iconic portraits to survive from antiquity. The most famous Ptolemaic queen is shown here in rich royal dress and wearing the diadem — a long standing symbol of royal authority in the Hellenistic age, but most commonly worn by kings rather than queens. It serves as a sign that Cleopatra sought to rule entirely in her own right without accepting the second place of power behind a husband, as was customary in the Greek cultural tradition. She had rejected her brother, Ptolemy XIII, as co-ruler (probably also as husband) by the summer of 51 BC, sparking a civil war in Egypt that eventually drew the attention of Julius Caesar who was waging his own civil war (49-45 BC) against Pompey and his senatorial adherents. She initiated a romance with the Roman leader as a means of using his power to defend her position. A son born to them became a new potential tool for guaranteeing the security of Cleopatra's kingdom, but after Caesar was assassinated in 44 BC, his adopted nephew, Octavian was recognized as his legitimate heir.In 41 BC, the triumvir Mark Antony invited Cleopatra to meet him at Tarsus. A romantic relationship developed between the two, but this was in part predicated on the burning desire that each had for power. Antony's grandiose military ambitions would surely benefit from the wealth of Ptolemaic Egypt to underwrite them while Cleopatra might convince the triumvir to restore old Ptolemaic possessions detached by the Romans. Even more, children by Antony, a man deemed by many at the time to be the most powerful of the triumvirs, might even offer Cleopatra a chance to parlay her position as queen of Egypt into that of queen of the entire Roman world. The potential opportunities were far too great for either of them to ignore.In 40 BC, Cleopatra provided Antony with a fleet and support for his Parthian campaign in return for the restoration of former Ptolemaic territories in Cilicia and Cyprus that had been annexed by the Romans. By the end of the year, she had also given birth to twins, a boy and a girl, both of whom Antony recognized as his own. Despite the arrival of these children, Antony concluded a marriage alliance with Octavia in order to preserve the triumviral arrangement that recognized Antony as master in the East. He returned to the arms of Cleopatra in 36 BC, gaining her financial support for a new and ultimately failed Parthian campaign, and granting her large parts of Phoenicia and Coele Syria, as well as Jericho and parts of the Nabataean kingdom. This tetradrachm was struck at the time of this renewal of the relationship between Antony and Cleopatra and may perhaps represent part of the monies provided to support the Parthian war. The Greek legend surrounding the portrait of Cleopatra names her as Thea Neotera ("the Younger [or Newer] Goddess") which may have provided some cover of legitimacy for Antony's grants to Cleopatra of territories annexed by Rome. It has been suggested that she is described as Thea Neotera in order to connect her to her ancestor, Cleopatra Thea (i.e. the "Elder Goddess"), the daughter of Ptolemy VI Philometor who ruled as the powerful queen of the Seleukid Empire in 150-126 BC. This Seleukid connection was used to give the impression that Cleopatra was really the rightful ruler of the Levantine territories granted by Antony. On the other hand, Thea Neotera, has also been understood to describe Cleopatra as a living manifestation of Isis-Aphrodite, the goddess with whom Ptolemaic queens were traditionally identified. This title would match that of Neos Dionysos ("New Dionysos") that is known from literary sources to have been received by Antony in the East. However, the legend associated with the portrait of Antony on this coin does not provide him with divine epithets to match Cleopatra, but instead gives the Greek version of his Latin titulature naming him as "Triumvir holding the consulship for the third time." Antony's grants of territory to Cleopatra in 36 BC and further proposed grants to her and her children (the "Donations of Alexandria") in 34 BC became a propaganda weapon for Octavian, who used them as evidence that his former colleague intended to subvert the Roman Republic and impose an eastern queen on the city of Romulus. While this may have been Cleopatra's true hope it came to nothing once the triumvirate expired in 33 BC and Octavian and Antony prepared for a showdown. Cleopatra provided Antony with a new fleet to wage the war, but cost Antony many Roman allies when she insisted on being present during the campaign. The two were defeated at the battle of Actium in 31 BC and fled to Egypt, where they both committed suicide. Antony killed himself in the mistaken belief that the queen had already done so, but Cleopatra ended her life by poison in order to deny Octavian the chance to parade her in his triumph. In life and in her depiction on this coin juxtaposed with Antony, Cleopatra ruled as an equal to her male lovers and rivals. So too did she choose the death of a king when all hope was finally lost.

Edward III (1327-77). Gold Noble of six shillings and eight pence, Fourth Coinage (1351-77), Tower Mint London, Treaty Period (1361-69) King standing in ship with upright sword and quartered shield, beaded circle surrounding, annulet before legend, oED WArdxx Deixx GraxxRexxx AnGlxx DnSxx hYbxZx AQ T, Rev. E at centre of ornamental cross with lis terminals, crowns over lions in angles, all within a beaded and linear tressure, fleurs in spandrels, legend +IhCxx AVtemxx TranSienSxx Perxx mEDivxx ILLOrvmxx IBAT, weight 7.67g (cf.Schneider 87; cf. Doubleday 216; N.1232; S.1503; Fr.95). Has been graded and slabbed by NGC as UNC Details due to "saltwater damage" suggesting this coin may well have come from a sunken treasure under the sea; the coin is full weight, fully round with an excellent portrait, the surfaces have a nice red hue and it seems a shame the service has not seen fit to grade it; however to this cataloguers eye the coin has merely been struck from a rusty obverse die with the associated raised "rust" dots that manifest when a lightly rusted die is used to strike a coin on a damp day in Mediaeval England. NGC certification 4862402-004.The abbreviated Latin legends translate as on the obverse "Edward by the Grace of God, King of England, Lord of Ireland and Aquitaine"; and on the reverse "But Jesus, passing through the midst of them, went His way" taken from the Bible. This coin was struck in the period of the Treaty of Bretigny ratified on the 24th October 1360, at which point Edward III relaxed his claim to the French throne, so that he no longer styled himself as King of France in the Latin titles upon the coinage. This all changed in 1369 when the captive King John II died and his son became King Charles V of France continuing the 100 years War.

William III (1694-1702). Gold Guinea, 1695, first laureate head right, Latin legend and toothed border surrounding both sides, GVLIELMVS. III. DEI. GRA., Rev. crowned cruciform shields, small lis in French arms, emblematic sceptres in angles, Lion of Nassau at centre, date either side of top crown.MAG. BR. FRA. ET. HIB. REX., weight 8.38g (Schneider 483; MCE 174; S.3458; Fr.313; KM.488.1). Golden yellow tone, though perhaps once lightly cleaned, a couple of light flecks and some striated marks in fields, a little weak at hair ties, otherwise Extremely Fine. Ex Spink Coin Auction, 6th October 2004, lot 726. The Latin legends translate as on the obverse "William the Third, by the Grace of God," and abbreviated on the reverse as "King of Great Britain, France and Ireland."

Vitellius. Æ Sestertius (29.08 g), AD 69. Rome. A VITELLIVS GERM IMP AVG P M TR P, laureate head of Vitellius right. Rev. PAX AVGVSTI, S C across field, Pax standing facing, head left, holding branch and cornucopaie. Cf. RIC 157 (obv. legend); BMC p. 377. An incredible coin. A masterpiece sestertius of Vitellius. Uniform chocolate brown patina. Worthy of a record price. Superb Extremely Fine. Ex NCirc (May 1940, G34), 98782; G. Gillet Collection (Florange et Ciani, 28 May 1924); F. Gnecchi Collection; Lord Sidmouth Collection; C.E.G. Mackerell Collection (Sotheby's, 18 May 1906), 60; J. Tyszkiewicz Collection (Serrure, 25 June 1901). Vitellius was made Governor of Lower Germany by Galba. When the legions became disaffected from Galba's austere and strict rule, they renounced their allegiance to him and hailed Vitellius as emperor. Vitellius at first refused the imperial title, but he did take the name Germanicus and pledged to lead the revolt. Shortly thereafter the provinces of Britain, Gaul and Spain defected to him. Meanwhile in Rome Galba had been murdered and Otho installed as the new emperor by the Praetorian Guard. Otho offered to share the emperorship with Vitellius, but the latter, whose forces were already marching on Rome, refused. A decisive engagement, the Battle of Bedriacum, was fought between the two sides in the vicinity between Cremona and Verona, and Vitellius's forces were victorious. Despite losing at Bedriacum, Otho perhaps could still have won the war - he had the support of the formidable legions of Dalmatia, Moesia and Pannonia, as well as both the Praetorian Guard and the Roman fleet - but instead chose to avoid civil war by committing suicide. Once in Rome the Senate decreed Vitellius the usual imperial honors. The historians Suetonius, Tacitus and Dio Cassius do not record much positive about Vitellius's short reign, but he did implement some worthwhile and lasting changes (for instance, he accepted equites into the offices of imperial administration whereas before they had been open only to freedmen). Overall, though, his reign was irresolute, and Vitellius himself is described as lazy and self-indulgent.

James I (1603-1625). Fine gold Rose Ryal of thirty shillings, Third coinage (1619-25), King in robes seated facing on plain back throne within tressure, holding orb and sceptre, portcullis below, initial mark trefoil (1624), struck over lis on reverse, Latin legend and beaded border surrounding, IACOBVS D; G; MA BRI: FR; ET. HI: REX., Rev. quartered shield upon long cross fourchée, value above, beaded circle surrounding, alternating lis, lion and rose in circle, Latin legend and beaded border surrounding, A DNO: FACTVM EST ISTVD ET EST MIRA: IN OC: NRIS, weight 12.37g (Schneider 78; N 2108; S.2633; Fr.239; KM.66.2). Attractively toned, with one light crease in flan, a little weak on face, otherwise good very fine and extremely rare this well preserved in combination with the plain back throne. Ex F. G. Hilton Price, Sotheby, 17th - 19th May 1909, lot 172, illustrated on plate V, sold for £8 ½. Ex Sir Kenyon Vaughan-Morgan, Sotheby, 17th June 1935, lot 68 and plate III, sold for £35. Ex Herbert M Lingford, Collection part II, Glendining, 20th June 1951, lot 1050 and plate VII, sold for £64, the highest price for a coin of this denomination and reign in the sale. Ex A H Baldwin, Fixed Price List Summer 2014, BH078. The abbreviated Latin legends translate as on the obverse "James by the Grace of God, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland" and on the reverse as "This is the Lord's doing and it is marvellous in our eyes" a Psalm from the Bible, which should read in full "A Domino Factum Est Istud Et Est Mirabile In Oculis Nostris". The indenture for both the fine and crown gold coinages was issued on 20th August 1619 with the fine gold Rose Ryal being the largest denomination at thirty shillings, the terms were repeated in a further indenture to new master-worker Randall Cranfield on 17th July 1623 under whose master-ship this coin would have been struck.

George II (1727-60). Silver Halfcrown, 1743, older laureate and draped bust left, legend and toothed border surrounding, GEORGIVS. II. DEI. GRATIA. Rev. crowned cruciform shields, roses in angles, garter star at centre, date either side of top crown, M.B.FE. ET. H. REX. F.D. B.ET. L. D. S. R. I. A. T ET. E. edge inscribed in raised letter and dated, DECVS. ET. TVTAMEN. ANNO REGNI. DECIMO. SEPTIMO, weight 15.07g (Bull 1684; ESC 603A; S.3694; KM.584.1). Attractively toned, good Extremely Fine. Ex Colin Adams, Collection of Halfcrowns, Spink Coin Auction, 1st December 2005, lot 547. The Latin legends translate to on obverse "George II by the Grace of God" continuing on the reverse in abbreviated Latin which if in shown in full reads "Magnae Britanniae Franciae ET Hiberniae Rex Fidei Defensor Brun ET Lunebergen-sis Dux, Sacri Romani Imperii Archi-Thesaurius ET Elector" and translates as "King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, Duke of Brunswick and Luneberg, High Treasurer and Elector of the Holy Roman Empire."

Judaea, Herodian Kingdom. Agrippa II. Galilaea, Sepphoris. Pseudo-autonomous issue. Æ (17.15 g), 1st century AD CY 14 (AD 67/8). Vespasian, procurator. Crossed cornucopias over caduceus. Rev. L?I/NEP?NOC/K?AY?IOY/KAICAPO/C in five lines within laurel wreath. Hendin 1276; TJC 127; RPC 4849. In the name of Agrippa II as king of the Jews, but struck under Vespasian while governor. A fantastic example. Struck on a nice full flan. Dark reddish-brown patina. The finest example we have ever handled. Extremely Fine. From the Palm Desert Collection. Purchased from D. Hendin in the 1980s. This interesting type was struck at the beginning of the Jewish War, and mentions Vespasian a governor (procurator) under Nero. The legend on the obverse, which is normally at most only partially legible, is unusually clear and mostly complete on this coin. In addition to naming Vespasian as governor, it also mentions Sepphoris as Irenopolis ('City of Peace'). Both Josephus and certain Rabbinic texts note that the Jews of Sepphoris did not support their fellow Jews during the Jewish Revolt, and this coin supports these ancient writings.

Judaea, Roman Administration. Nero. Æ (13.12 g), AD 54-68. Caesarea Paneas (as Neronias), under Agrippa II, AD 61-68. Laureate head of Nero right; in right field, lituus. Rev. E?I/BACI?E/A?PI??/NEP?/NIE in five lines within wreath. RPC 4988; Meshorer 129; Hendin 1273 (this coin illustrated). Hendin 1273; TJC 129; RPC 4988. Rare. Glossy dark green patina. Choice Very Fine. From the Palm Desert Collection. Ex Superior (1 June 1988), 1572.

Oliver Cromwell (d.1658). Silver Shilling, 1658, laureate and draped bust left, raised die flaw at top of forehead, legend and toothed border surrounding, OLIVAR. D.G.R.P. ANG. SCO. HIB &c PRO, Rev. crowned quartered shield of arms of the Protectorate, date above, PAX QVÆRITVR BELLO, weight 6.01g (Bull 254; ESC 1005; S.3228; KM.A207). Attractively toned, with proof-like mint bloom, a very slight hint of wear to the highest points only, good extremely fine, practically as struck, and rare this nicely preserved. Ex Stacks, Coin Galleries, New York, 12th December 2004, lot 1365. The abbreviated Latin legends translate as "Oliver by the Grace of God, Protector of the Republic of England, Scotland and Ireland," and on the reverse "Peace is sought by war."

Kajetan Soltyk, Bishop of Kraków and Duke of Siewierz (1759-1782), formerly Bishop of Kiev (1756-1759). Private Gold Ducat, 1762, 3.01g. 20.7mm. Kraków. Capped bishop's bust left clad in ecclesiastical robes; CAL.SOLTYK EPI: CRAC: DUX SEVERIAE. Rev. MONETA AUREA DUCATVS SEVERIAE A.1762 in five lines within wreath (Kop.6506 - R8, Hcz 9947 - R8, Fr.54 - plate coin). Excessively rare. Slightly wavy flan. Good Very Fine. Ex Henry V. Karolkiewicz Collection, CNG, Triton IV, December 2000, lot 2433,Ex "The Alicia and Sid Belzeberg Collection," Stack's, Rosemount, IL, April 24, 2008, lot 1047. During the reign of August III, Kajetan Ignacy Soltyk (1715-1788), scion of the prominent Saltykov family of Russia, became one of the most important politicians at the royal court. Initially tied to the defacto ruler of Poland Count Heinrich v. Brühl, Soltyk, in the 1760's, because of various conflicts, distanced himself from the Saxon-Polish statesman. After the death of August III, Soltyk opposed the election of Stanislaw August Poniatowski and went on to work with pro-Russian factions to dethrone him. But in the shifting landscape of political alliances, Soltyk eventually became an opponent of the Russian ambassador and provocateur Nicholas Repnin.As a result of his vocal opposition to the Repnin Sejm of 1767-1768, Solytk was imprisoned in Kaluga. He returned from imprisonment in 1781. His increasingly erratic behavior allowed his opponents to declare him insane and Soltyk was unable to reclaim his Bishopric.Under the Bishops of Kraków, the Silesian town of Siewierz had its own laws, treasury and army, but apparently never exercised any mint rights. Twelve years after Bishop Soltyk's death, his nephew Michal Soltyk had the engraver Szapacha Wappenstein strike private coins for Siewierz - a silver Grosz dated 1761 and a gold Ducat dated 1762, along with some Ducats in silver. Count Hutten-Czapski speculated that he did this in order to preserve related mint rights that were granted in 1232 but never utilized.

Thracian Kingdom. Lysimachos. Gold Stater (8.38 g), as King, 306-281 BC. Uncertain mint, early posthumous issue, after 281 BC. Diademed head of deified Alexander right, with horn of Ammon. Reverse: BA?I?E?? ?Y?IMA?OY, Athena seated left, holding Nike and resting elbow on shield at side, spear leaning against far shoulder; in inner left field, monogram. Müller 501. Boldly struck and perfectly centered on a nice broad flan. A wonderful example. Superb Mint State. After the death of Alexander the Great, his former bodyguard Lysimachos managed to parlay his position as strategos (military governor) of Thrace into kingship in Thrace (306 BC) and then into a great kingdom that encompassed Thrace, Macedonia, and much of western Asia Minor (301 BC). Unfortunately, family intrigues ultimately led Lysimachos to execute his popular son Agathokles in 282 BC. This sparked a revolt in Asia Minor that drew in the forces of Seleukos I and resulted in the battle of Koroupedion (281 BC). Lysimachos was killed in the fighting and his kingdom disintegrated amid war and barbarian invasion. Nevertheless, Lysimachos achieved near immortality through his coin types depicting the deified Alexander and Athena Nikephoros. These types had made such a strong impression on the peoples of Thrace and regions further to the north that they continued to be demanded as payment by mercenaries and as protection money well into the first century BC. This impressive demand was met by numerous posthumous issues struck by cities up and down the western littoral of the Black Sea and the Propontis. They are perhaps best known from Byzantion, which struck posthumous Lysimachi not only to retain domination in the Black Sea grain trade but also to pay the exorbitant tributes demanded by the Galatians of Tylis in the third century BC.

Judaea, Herodian Kingdom. Herod I. Æ Lepton (0.97 g), 40 BCE.-4 CE. Jerusalem. BACI? HP??, cornucopiae. Rev. Eagle standing right. Hendin 1190; TJC 66. The first coin issued by a Jewish ruler with a graven image. One of the finest examples we have handled. Pleasing green patina. Choice Very Fine. From the Palm Desert Collection. Purchased from Superior in the 1980s.

Scotland, Charles I (1625-49). Gold Half-Unit or Double Crown, Nicholas Briot's coinage (1637-42), crowned and draped bust left to bottom of coin, Scottish styled crown on head with central fleur de lis (engraved over an English cross), B below for Briot, Latin legend and beaded borders surrounding both sides, CAR. D: G. MAG. BRIT. FRAN. ET. HIB. Rex, small x at end of legend, Rev. crowned quartered shield of arms, crowned C with lozenge below to left, crowned R with lozenge below to right, VNITA. TVEMVR., lozenge stops, weight 4.92g (Burns 6 fig. 1035; S.5534; Fr.58; KM.54). Light adjustment marks on the breast, hairline scratch on forehead to field, light red patchy tone, otherwise a bold very fine and unusual with the tiny terminal X to legend, rare. Ex Angus Sutherland Collection, Spink Coin Auction 64, 23rd June 1988, lot 121. Ex Spink Coin Auction, 28th March 2012, lot 1005. The Lords of Secret Council had sanctioned the use of Briot's mill and screw press for the minting of coinage on the 12th January 1637, at first for silver coins only, however, from 19th October 1637 a warrant was issued to strike gold coins from gold supplied from the Guinea coastline by the African Company. Direction was given on 14th December 1637 to Nicholas Briot and his son-in-law John Falconer at Edinburgh to issue Units, Halves and Quarters in the same specification as the first issue albeit now machine made by the screw press. The "Scottish Crown" version was struck later than the "English Crown" version as the fleur de lis that denotes it, is engraved over the cross pattée at centre of the crown. The Latin legends translate as on the obverse "Charles, by the grace of God, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland" and on the reverse "These united, we guard."

George III (1760-1820). Pattern silver Crown, 1817, "Incorrupta" type design by William Wyon, laureate and draped bust right, small W. WYON: below to left, date below all, legend surrounding with toothed border around rim both sides, GEORGIUS III D: G: BRITANNIARUM REX, Rev. struck en medaille, crowned quartered shield of arms, with an escutcheon of the Arms of Hanover, INCORRUPTA FIDES VERITASQUE, edge plain, weight 28.87g (Bull 2029 R4; ESC 229 R4; L&S 159 R4; KM.PnI77). Attractively toned, practically as struck, has been graded and slabbed by PCGS as PR65, the joint finest graded of only 4 pieces at PCGS; NGC have graded 6 examples of which only one is finer, purportedly only 25 pieces were struck, extremely rare. Ex F. W. Willis Collection, Part II, Glendining, 7th October 1991, lot 465. Ex Dr David Rees Jones, Spink Coin Auction 117, 19th November 1996, lot 200. PCGS certification 208053.65/83700152. The Latin legends translate as on obverse "George the Third by the grace of God, King of the Britons" and on the reverse "An untarnished faith." The influence of the Cromwellian engraver Thomas Simon can be clearly seen in this portrait by William Wyon where George III is styled in a similar fashion, as well as a similar reverse design. The Thomas Simon’s Oliver Cromwell portrait was still a major inspiration for engravers within the Royal Mint, even after it moved to Tower Hill and reopened with steam powered machinery from which this coin would have been struck. This influence is also seen later, from an extremely rare crown size piece after Oliver Cromwell and struck by William Wyon’s son Leonard Wyon in 1843 (Oliver Cromwell L&S 5-6).

Hadrian. Gold Aureus (7.41 g, 6h), AD 117-138. Mint of Rome, A.D. 125-8. HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS, laureate bust facing right, light drapery on left shoulder. Rev. COS III, Hadrian on horseback galloping right, holding a spear (RIC 187; Calicó 1228; BMC 435). An exceptional example, with an impressive bust of Hadrian struck on a broad flan, residual lustre beneath toning and Superb Extremely Fine, a superb coin. Ex Collection of the Money Museum, Zurich Ex Triton XVIII, 6 January 2015, lot 1088 Ex Leu 72, 12 May 1998, lot 433.

I. Denomination between 3-leave clover. 1.32 gm. Bit 765 (R2), Diakov 662 (R2), Ilyin (8 Rubl.), Sev 1784 (R). We found no record for the coin of this variety sold at public auctions. Extremely rare Extremely fine

Judaea, Hasmonean Kingdom. John Hyrcanus I (Yehohanan). Æ 1/2 Prutah (1.15 g), 134-104 BCE. Jerusalem. 'Yehohanan the High Priest and the Council of the Jews' (Paleo-Hebrew) in two lines above and below palm branch. Rev. Lily between two grain ears, within circular beaded border. Hendin 1134a; cf. TJC grp. C (all with monogram to left of lily). Rare in this choice grade. Extremely Fine. From the Palm Desert Collection. Purchased from Superior in the 1970s. It is unclear whether the palm branch on this coin should be interpreted as a Jewish ritual object or as an emblem celebrating one or more of John Hyrcanus' many victories over the Seleukids and other neighboring peoples who were opposed to increasing Hasmonean power in the region. The lily on the reverse serves as the emblem of Jerusalem and perhaps a cipher for John Hyrcanus I himself.

Jewish Reference Coinage, M. Aemilius Scaurus and Pub. Plautius Hypsaeus. Silver Denarius (3.83 g), 58 BC. Rome. M SCAVR / AED CVR in two lines above, EX S C across field, REX ARETAS in exergue, the Nabatean king Aretas kneeling to right, extending olive-branch and holding reins, before camel standing right. Rev. P HVPSAE / AED CVR in two lines above, CAPTV to right, C HVPSAE COS / PREIVE in two lines in exergue, Jupiter driving quadriga left; below horses' forelegs, scorpion. Hendin 1441; Crawford 422/1b; Sydenham 913; Aemilia 8. Boldly sturck, lightly toned, and lustrous. Perfectly centered. Nearly Mint State. From the Palm Desert Collection. Purchased from NFA in the 1970s or 1980s. During the first century, it was normal for a moneyer to highlight some important event from his family's past. This was because for the Roman aristocracy an illustrious past was extremely important for advancing one's political career. Here, however, M. Aemilius has deviated from the norm, depicting an event from his own career, the first such instance in Roman coinage. While serving as Governor of Syria, Scaurus invaded Nabataea, laying waste much of its territory. Although he was unable to conquer king Aretas' stronghold, through an intermediary he was able to convince Aretas to pay a substantial bribe (300 talents) for him to desist. As the event is presented on the coin one would think that the Nabataeans were soundly defeated and that Aretas begged for mercy, but this is mere propagandistic opportunism on the part of Scaurus.Unlike the obverse, the reverse follows tradition by commemorating a past deed of the moneyer, recalling that it was his ancestor, the consul Gaius Hypsaeus, who captured the Volscian town of Privernum.

Mysia, Kyzikos., 450-400 BC. Electrum Stater (15.98 g). Herakles and his younger brother, Iphicles, both naked, being attacked by serpents. Herakles is facing to the left and strangling two serpents, while Iphices faces to the right and holds out his right hand in fear; a tunny below. Rev. Quadripartite incuse square of mill-sail pattern. Von Fritze, Nomisma VII, 208, pl. VI, 20; W. Greenwell, 'The Electrum Coinage of Cyzicus' NC 1887, 63, pl. III, 14; Gulbenkian 629; Boston 1531; SNG France 341. Very Rare. Well centered and problem-free. Choice Very Fine. Far superior than the Prospero specimen sold in The New York Sale Auction XXVII, 4, January 2012, lot 456 (realized $13,000). The obverse of this coin depicts the mythological tale of the serpents sent by Hera to destroy Herakles and his brother. Greenwell (p. 83) mentions the likelihood that this interesting mythological type was copied from a group in marble.

Elizabeth I (1558-1603). Fine gold Angel of ten shillings, first to fourth issue (1559-78), St Michael slaying dragon right, head breaks inner wire line circle, initial mark cross crosslet (1 January 1561 - 31 August 1565) both sides, ELIZABETH. D'.G'. ANG'. FRA 'ET. HIB'. REGINA., Rev. ship sailing right, large quartered shield upon hull, cross above, E over rose to left, rose over E to right, crows nest of ship beyond inner beaded circle, Latin legend and outer beaded border surrounding, A.DNO'. FACTVM EST ISTVD:ET.EST.MIRABI'., weight 5.03g (Schneider 733 same dies; B&C 2, C7; N.1979; S.2514; Fr.199). One small rim imperfection, some light surface marks, good very fine, similar grade to Schneider example and rare with the reverse overstrike. The abbreviated Latin legends translate as on the obverse "Elizabeth by the Grace of God, Queen of England, France and Ireland"; and on the reverse "This is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes." A Psalm from the Bible. This coin has a very interesting variety on the reverse showing the engraver's corrected mistake when making up the die with the design element punches. At first the engraver has erroneously placed the E and rose on the wrong sides of the cross on the ship mast. The engraver has noticed the error and then corrected it with placing the E and rose on the correct sides of the mast leaving the remains of the erroneous punching splaying out in places beneath. The fine gold Angel coinage was issued in 23 carat 3 ½ grains fineness (0.995) at a ten shilling face value as per an indenture with Thomas Stanley Under-Treasurer of 8th November 1560, the cross crosslet mint mark being the second of the reign and with a total value of only £7,145 worth across the fine gold denominations (£106,278 worth of crown gold for comparison) representing the smallest output of such gold until late in the reign.

Antoninus Pius. Æ 33. (21.05 g), AD 138-161. Philippopolis in Thrace. Gargilius Anticus, hegemon. Laureate head of Antoninus Pius right. Rev. The river-god Hebros reclining left, holding branch and resting against overturned amphora from which water flows. Varbanov 692; RPC III ­. Wonderful high-relief, great style. Reddish-brown patina. Extremely Fine. The city of Philippopolis (modern Plovdiv in Bulgaria) was founded as a colony by Philip II of Macedon in 342 BC in order to maintain a Macedonian presence in the heart of Thracian territory. It was built on the crests of three hills from which it ultimately derived its Latin nickname, Trimontium ("Three Hills"). As part of the ongoing Third Mithridatic War (74-63 BC), in 72 BC, the city was captured by M. Terentius Varro Lucullus, the Roman governor of Macedonia. In AD 46, Philippopolis was incorporated into a new Roman province of Thrace and flourished as a provincial trade center. The city was beautified by an extensive public building program, particularly under the Flavian emperors, and continued to grow in size and importance. In the third century AD, Philippopolis boasted a population of more than 100,000 people and became the provincial capital.This wonderfully preserved bronze issue was struck under Antoninus Pius while the city was still on its journey towards preeminent status within the province. The obverse features an attractive portrait of the emperor while the reverse depicts the local river god Hebros reclining on an overturned amphora from which water pours. This type may possibly represent a fountain statue of the god incorporated into the city's nymphaeum. The surrounding Greek legend names both the Philippopolitans and the city magistrate (hegemon) Gargilius Anticus as the authorities behind the issue. One of the duties of Philippopolitan hegemones may have been to underwrite the cost of civic coin production. Such duties (known as liturgies) were commonplace for wealthy office-holders in Greek cities of the Hellenistic and Roman ages. Through liturgies the cities were able to maintain necessary services and keep up their appearances while the liturgist was memorialized for his benevolence. The system worked better than anyone could have predicted. It seems improbable that when Gargilius Anticus funded this coinage with his name on it he realized that he was actually buying a guarantee that his name would still be written and spoken almost 2000 years later. Whatever he may have paid, Anticus got a bargain.

Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Æ Medium Bronze (12.49 g), 132-135 CE. Irregular issue. Year 2 (133/4 CE). 'Simon' (Paleo-Hebrew; retrograde), seven-branched palm tree with two bunches of dates. Rev. 'Year two of the redemption of Israel' (Paleo-Hebrew; partly retrograde), vine leaf on tendril. Hendin 1408a; Mildenberg 195.1 (O27/R33; this coin); TJC 259a. Extremely Rare - only three specimens recorded by Mildenberg, this being the example used to illustrate the dies. Dark green patina. Choice Very Fine. From the Dr. Patrick Tan CollectionEx Sternberg 6 (25 November 1976), 411.

Anne (1702-14). Silver Crown, 1703, VIGO. below first draped bust left, Latin legend and toothed border surrounding, ANNA.DEI. GRATIA., Rev. Pre-Union crowned cruciform shields, seven strings to Irish harp, garter star at centre, date either side of top crown, Latin legend and toothed border surrounding.MAG BR. FRA ET. HIB REG., edge inscribed in raised letters of upright orientation to obverse.+ DECVS. ET. TVTAMEN. ANNO. REGNI. TERTIO (Bull 1340; ESC 99; C&R 562 R; S.3576; KM.519.1). Attractively toned, slabbed and graded by PCGS as AU58, the only example at this grade with only two graded higher out of 22 pieces; for comparison NGC currently have graded 34 pieces of which only 4 are higher; we note Sovereign Rarities auction 1 sold a beautiful raw example of the Vigo Crown in September for £15,000 sterling hammer price. Ex A H Baldwin, purchased May 1976. Ex E D J Van Roekel Collection, Spink Coin Auction 156, 15th November 2001, lot 164. PCGS certification 616699.58/36046639. The most intrepid of stories lays behind the capture of the Vigo treasure as opposed to the other companies or privateers who had their mark placed upon the coins in other reigns. The Battle of Vigo Bay occurred on 23rd October 1702 and it was after the Battle that the treasure largely of silver, with a tiny proportion of gold was captured and transported back to Southampton on the south coast of England. From there the treasure was brought with great pomp and ceremony to London, overseen by the Mint Master himself, one Mr Isaac Newton, to then be turned into coinage at the Royal Mint in the Tower of London. The treasure consisted of absolutely thousands of pounds in weight of silver, but a mere seven pounds and eight ounces of gold. The Latin legends translate as on the obverse "Anne by the Grace of God," and abbreviated on the reverse as "Queen of Great Britain, France and Ireland." and additionally on the edge "An ornament and a safeguard, in the third year of the reign."

Edward IV, second reign (1471-83). Gold Angel of six shillings and eight pence, final issue of reign issued at juncture with reign of Edward V, St Michael slaying dragon right, Latin legend and beaded border surrounding on both sides, initial mark halved sun and rose (1483) both sides, saltire stops, EDWArdxx Deixx Graxx Rexxx AnGlxx Z Fran' xx, Rev. ship sailing right, quartered shield at centre, E and rose above with cross, PER CRVCE'. TVA. SALVA' nOS. XPC' REDEMPT', weight 5.14g (Schneider 469; N.1626; S.2144; Fr.139/141). Struck short of flan and therefore quite thick and of full prescribed weight, with good detail especially on St Michael, good very fine and extremely rare. Ex M W Peace, Sotheby, 18th June 1894, lot 105. Ex Col. L P Dawnay, Sotheby, 1st March 1922, lot 50. Ex Glendining, 18th November 1970, lot 159. Ex Bonhams, 4th June 1998. Lot 256. The abbreviated Latin legends translate as on the obverse "Edward by the Grace of God, King of England and France"; and on the reverse "By Thy cross, save us, O Christ, our Redeemer". The final issue of gold in the reign of Edward IV carries the halved sun and rose mint mark and was indentured with the new Master, Bartholomew Reed on the 12th February 1483, then issued as such until the King's death in April. This three month issue was very small as an account survives showing just over a mere 141lb weight of gold being struck into gold Angels and their halves. Therefore rendering the few surviving coins extremely rare. The mint mark continues into the very short reign of the 12 year old Edward V with only a change in the obverse legend signifying the issue with DEI spelt as DI and the reverse die shared between them. This mint mark even continues into the reign of Richard III from late June of 1483, with the first coin indenture issued with Robert Brackenbury on 20th July 1483.

Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Zuz (3.28 g), 132-135 CE. Hybrid Year One and Year Two. (132/3-133/4 CE). 'Year one of the redemption of Israel' (Paleo-Hebrew), bunch of grapes with branch and small leaf. Rev. 'Year two of the freedom of Israel' (Paleo-Hebrew), palm branch. Mildenberg 10 (O2/R8); TJC 237; Hendin 1382. Luster still present. Boldly struck and perfectly centered. Very rare. Mint State. From the S. Moussaieff Collection, This lot has been officially exported from Israel through the Israel Antiquities Authority. A hybrid coin struck from two reverse dies, one from the first year (132/3 CE) and the other from the second year (133/4 CE) of the Bar Kokhba War. This sort of reverse muling, which appears to have been peculiar to the zuz denomination, may have taken place late in the second year when the tide was beginning to turn decisively against the Bar Kokhba rebels and the coins were struck under difficult conditions with little concern for quality control. These mules are important from a technical perspective because they show that in the Bar Kokhba mint(s) obverse and reverse dies were completely interchangeable.

Trajan Decius. Æ Double Sestertius (44.62 g), AD 249-251. Rome, AD 250. IMP C M Q TRAIANVS DECIVS AVG, radiate and cuirassed bust of Trajan Decius right. Rev. VICT-ORIA AVG, S C across field, Victory advancing left holding wreath and palm. RIC 126a; Banti 29 = RCTV 9397 (this coin illus.); Gnecchi III 6, pl. 161, 4. Uniform green patina. Boldly struck, perfectly centered, and a full size flan. Most impressive. Extremely Fine. Ex Sternberg XXVIII (30 October 1995), 264; NFA XXIX (13 August 1992), 416; Sir Arthur J. Evans Collection (Ars Classica XVII, 3 October 1934), 1685; Sir John Evans Collection.

Judaea, The Jewish War. Silver Shekel (13.45 g), 66-70 CE. Jerusalem, year 4 (69/70 CE). 'Shekel of Israel' (Paleo-Hebrew), ritual chalice with pearled rim, the base raised by projections on both ends; above, 'year 4'. Rev. 'Jerusalem the holy' (Paleo-Hebrew), staff with three pomegranate buds, round base. Hendin 1364; TJC 207; Deutsch die 22. Boldly struck and well centered on a nice full flan. Lightly toned. A marvelous example of this very rare year 4 shekel. Extremely Fine. From the Palm Desert Collection. The disasters brought by the internecine conflict among the Jewish rebel factions in the third year of the Jewish War turned into horror in the fourth (April 69-March 70 CE) as Titus marched south against Jerusalem and laid siege to the heavily fortified city. The Jews trapped within faced the torment of starvation. Hunger stalked the streets and compelled the Jerusalemites to eat the leather from their shoes, belts, and even the coverings of their shields. Some even descended to cannibalism in order to survive. By this point, the possibility of redeeming Zion from the Romans, as indicated by the coin legend, was long past and the tragic fall of the Holy City was soon to come.

Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Sela (14.43 g), 132-135 CE. Year 2 (133/4 CE). 'Simon' (Paleo-Hebrew), tetrastyle façade of the Temple of Jerusalem; show bread table or Ark of the Covenant in chest form with semicircular lid and short legs, seen from a narrow side; above façade, star. Rev. 'Year two of the freedom of Israel' (Paleo-Hebrew), lulav with etrog at left. Hendin 1388; Mildenberg 40 (O10/R28); TJC 233. Rare. Clear undertype portrait of Galba. A fantastic coin. Extremely Fine. From the S. Moussaieff Collection; Ex Superior's A. Bromberg pt. 2, Dec. 10, 1992, lot 411. This lot has been officially exported from Israel through the Israel Antiquities Authority.

Unlisted in all references. Eagle seated right, head reverted, atop crowned cloud bracing elaborate cartouche adorned with Elizabeth’s cipher, mm below / Eagle seated right, head reverted atop crowned cloud bracing fancy cartouche inscribed with value, date below. An Extremely rare unrecorded pattern. In “The Baroque Kopeck” article by John Dalquest in: Brekke and Bakken’s “The Copper Coinage of Russia. Imperial Russia 1700-1917 Supplement 1997”, the existence of these patterns is posited, cf. p.41-42. Lovely glossy brown. An exciting discovery coin, requires additional research. Uncirculated

Henry VIII (1509-47). Gold Half-Sovereign, third coinage (1544-47), Tower Mint, initial mark pellet in annulet both sides, facing crowned robed figure of King on ornate throne, rose below, 8 type Latin legend with Roman lettering and beaded border surrounding, initial mark pellet in annulet both sides, HENRIC; '8; D; G; AGL; ‘’ FRANC;Z; HIB; REX', slipped trefoil stops, Rev. crowned quartered shield of arms, with lion and dragon supporters, HR on banner below, Latin legend with Roman lettering and beaded border surrounding, IHS; AVTEM; TRNSIEN; PER; MED; ILLOR; IBAT (cf.Schneider 617; N.1827; S.2295; Fr.167). A little double struck on a broad flan, toned, graded and slabbed by NGC as AU50, the second finest of four pieces currently graded, only one finer piece graded by PCGS. Ex Spink Coin Auction, 2nd December 2013, lot 573. NGC certification 4862402-006. The Latin legends translate to on obverse "Henry the Eighth by the Grace of God, King of England, France and Ireland" continuing on the reverse as "But Jesus, passing through the midst of them, went His way" taken from the Bible.

Carian Islands, Kos, Silver Tetradrachm (15.24 g, 5h), 350-345 BC. Magistrate Theodotos. Head of Herakles facing left, wearing a lion’s skin headdress. Rev. K?ION, crab, a club and the magistrate’s name ?EO?OTO? below; all within a dotted square border within a shallow incuse square (Pixodarus Hoard, Cos (A. Meadows), Coin Hoards IX, phase 3, 9b (o2/r7) (this coin); SNG von Aulock 2747; Boston 2019). Fine style, lightly toned, about Extremely Fine. Ex Hess - Leu, Auction 45, Lucerne, 12 & 13 May 1970, lot 291 Ex J. Vinchon, Monte-Carlo, 13-15 November 1986, lot 219 Ex Prospero Collection, The New York Sale XXVII, 4 January 2012, lot 555. This coin published in Coin Hoards IX (Pixodarus Hoard, Cos), p. 230, 9b.

Samaria, Nysa-Scythopolis. M. Licinius Crassus. Æ (6.83 g), Proconsul, 54-53 BC. CY 10 (54 BC)(?). Head of the proconsul Crassus right. Rev. ?AB NY in two lines in left field, Dionysos standing facing, head left, holding kantharos and thyrsus; in right field, date (L H sic (?); in exergue, [?]. Cf. Barkay 5 (year 10; same obv. die); cf. Rosenberger 3; cf. RPC 4827. Fantastic portrait! Dark olive-green patina. EF/VF. From the Palm Desert Collection. Purchased from Superior in the 1980s. This interesting coin was struck shortly before Crassus' fateful campaign against the Parthians where he was killed, losing nearly the entirety of the Roman forces he had taken with him. RPC identifies the portrait of Crassus' predecessor, Gabinius, but Barkay argues for Crassus based on the dissimilarity of the portrait on this coin to that on the coins of Gabinius.The date on the reverse of this coin normally reads year 10 (L I). Here, however, it reads year 8 (L H). Considering that Crassus was still in Rome in 56 BC and that the obverse of this coin shares its die with the issue dated year 10 (see Barkay pl. 1, 5), it seems the date on this coin must be an engraver's error.

George VI (1936-52), Gold Proof Five Pounds, 1937. Bare head facing left, tiny HP below for designer Humphrey Paget, legend and toothed border surrounding, GEORGIVS VI D: G: BR: OMN: REX: F: D: IND: IMP. Rev. St George slaying the dragon right, date in exergue, tiny BP initials to upper right for designer Benedetto Pistrucci, edge plain (S 4074; Fr 409; KM 861), in PCGS holder graded PF 65 Deep Cameo. PCGS certification 36156820. A truly superior example of this large coin hastily produced to commemorate the coronation of King George after the unexpected abdication of his brother Edward VIII (to marry Mrs Simpson) in December 1936.

Thraco-Macedonian Region, Uncertain mints (perhaps of the Derrones?). Silver Tetradrachm (13.54 g), ca. 520-500 BC. Bull walking left on ground line, head lowered. Rev. Small incuse square with irregular surfaces. HPM 33, pl. II, 19 = Traité IV 1227, pl. CCCXXVI, 20 = J. Kagan, "Some Archaic Bovine Curiosities," MN 33 (1988), p. 41, 4, pl. 16 (same Rev. die); cf. Gorny 52, 148; SNG ANS -. Exceedingly Rare - only two other known specimens. Struck on a very broad flan. Toned. Very Fine. Ex Prospero Collection (New York Sale XXVII, 4 January 2012), 252 (purchased privately from Athena, Munich, 27 October 1989). The Derrones have been variously identified as a Thracian or Paeonian people who may have inhabited the Upper Strymon valley or a region further to the south. They are known exclusively from their inscribed Archaic coinage which is described in Greek as "Derronic" (?EPPONIKON). This particular coin belongs to an anepigraphic issue that has been tentatively associated with the Derrones in the past, but the style of the bull seems very different from that of the oxen on their inscribed issues. In his 1988 article in Museum Notes, Kagan only attributes this issue to the Thraco-Macedonian region and points out that coins of similar weight and denomination were struck by Alexander I of Macedon (c. 498-454 BC).

Victoria (1837-1901). gold Sovereign, 1874, die number 32 on reverse, young head facing left, date below, W.W. raised on truncation for engraver William Wyon, Latin legend and toothed border surrounding, VICTORIA DEI GRATIA, Rev. crowned quartered shield of arms within laurel wreath, die number 32 and emblems below, Latin legend and toothed border surrounding, BRITANNIARUM REGINA FID: DEF:, edge milled (Bentley 301; Marsh 58; S.3853B; Fr.387j; KM.736.2). Graded by PCGS as MS61, there is one graded as a 62 with NGC which according to our consignor is this coin when previously graded by that service having dropped one point when cross-graded, the London 1874 shield variety extremely rare. PCGS certification 206986.61/81493194. 1874 represents the last year for the shield Sovereign at the London Royal Mint and is therefore the rarest. The calendar year mintage for the Sovereign this year is a mere 520,713 but this also includes the more numerous St George reverse pieces. The shield reverse must have totalled a mere fraction of this mintage. The shield Sovereigns of this period have individually numbered dies, a way of identifying which press on which journey of which day minted the coinage, and though this one is 28, only seven different die numbers are purported to exist as defined by Marsh, but we have only ever seen numbers 28, 32 and 33. The Latin legends translates on obverse as "Victoria by the Grace of God," and on the reverse as "Queen of the Britons, Defender of the Faith."

George II (1727-60). Gold Guinea, 1731, second young laureate head left, legend small lettering both sides of coin, GEORGIVS.II. DEI.GRATIA., Rev. second crowned quartered shield of arms, date either side of crown, M.B.F. ET. H. REX. F.D. B.ET. L. D. S. R. I. A. T ET. E., weight 8.33g (Schneider 584; MCE 303; S.3672; Fr.339; KM.573.1). Toned with plenty of mint bloom, extremely fine, reverse good extremely fine and very rare this well preserved, has been graded and slabbed by PCGS as AU58, the only example graded; NGC have graded only two pieces, one of which is finer, a very rare date. The Latin legends translate to on obverse "George the Second by the Grace of God" continuing on the reverse in abbreviated Latin which if in shown in full reads "Magnae Britanniae Franciae Et Hiberniae Rex Fidei Defensor Brun Et Lunebergen-sis Dux, Sacri Romani Imperii Archi-Thesaurius Et Elector" and translates as "King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, Duke of Brunswick and Luneberg, High Treasurer and Elector of the Holy Roman Empire." This 1731 Guinea is the only example graded on the PCGS population report where it features as the illustration for this date. NGC have only graded two examples of this date, one better, one worse, all in all a very rare date. PCGS certification 779639.58/85165531.

Anne (1702-14). Silver Halfcrown, 1706, draped bust left, Latin legend and toothed border surrounding, ANNA. DEI. GRATIA., Rev. Pre-Union crowned cruciform shields, garter star at centre, roses and plumes in alternate angles, date either side of top crown, Latin legend and toothed border surrounding.MAG. BR. FRA. ET. HIB. REG. edge inscribed in raised letters.+.DECVS. ET. TVTAMEN. ANNO. REGNI. QVINTO., weight 14.94g (Bull 1361; ESC 572; S.3582; KM.518.4). Attractively toned, a few light surface marks and light flecks, otherwise almost Extremely Fine. Ex Colin Adams, Collection of Halfcrowns, Spink Coin Auction, 1st December 2005, lot 495. The Latin legends translate as "Anne by the grace of God" on obverse, and on the reverse "Queen of Great Britian, France and Ireland." The old claim to the French Kingdom dates back to the time of the Wars of the Roses, when King Henry VI had regnal jurisdiction over a portion of France, and a number of Mints including Paris. Subsequently the last French possession of Calais had been physically lost in the time of Mary Tudor on January 7th 1557/8.

Hadrian. Æ As (13.18 g), AD 117-138. Rome, AD 134-138. HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P, laureate and draped bust of Hadrian right. Rev. ADVENTV-I AVG IV]DAEAE, S C in exergue, emperor standing right, extending hand towards Judaea standing left, holding patera in and cup; at her feet, two children before her, one behind, each holding a palm branch; between the emperor and Judaea, a lit altar. Cf. Hendin 1606 (only two children on reverse); RIC 893; cf. BMC 1661. Extremely Rare. Light brown patina. Very Fine. From the S. Moussaieff Collection, This lot has been officially exported from Israel through the Israel Antiquities Authority. This copper as of Hadrian belongs to that emperor's popular "travel series" which commemorated his visits to various provinces throughout the Empire, including Hispania, Macedonia, and Egypt among others. This particular issue celebrates a visit to Judaea. On the reverse, the togate emperor greets the female personification of Judaea, who offers a sacrifice in his honor and is surrounded by three children holding palm branches. The amicable relationship between Hadrian and Judaea expressed by the type belies the deep crisis that unfolded in the province under Hadrian.In AD 130, Hadrian passed through Judaea on his way to Egypt. During this trip he saw the ruins of Jerusalem left from the destruction of the city by Titus in AD 70 and vowed to rebuild it as the capital of the province. As a philhellene and respecter of antiquity, Hadrian was generally concerned with the upkeep of the old cities of the Empire. Unfortunately, he decided not to restore the city as a Jewish religious center, but rather as a pagan capital dedicated to the cult of Jupiter Capitolinus and renamed as Aelia Capitolina. It is not entirely clear whether this refoundation was really intended by Hadrian as an affront to Jewish sensibilities or rather as a misguided attempt to bring Judaea into the Hellenic cultural oikeumene that the emperor was constructing throughout the Greek East. The Seleukid king Antiochos IV Epiphanes (175-164 BC) had courted disaster with similar attempts to Hellenize Jerusalem and Judaea and centuries later, Hadrian had not learned from the mistake. Just as Antiochos' attempts at Hellenization had sparked the Maccabean Revolt against Seleukid rule, Hadrian's refoundation of Jerusalem horrified the remaining Jewish inhabitants of Judaea and sparked the armed uprising known as the Bar Kokhba War (AD 132-135). Rebels under the leadership of the messianic figure, Simon bar Kokhba, fought a bloody guerilla war and inflicted severe losses on the Roman legions before they were finally crushed. Enraged by the revolt and its high cost in men and money, Hadrian took steps to eradicate Jewish nationalism by burning sacred texts, forbidding the use of Torah law or the Hebrew calendar, and changing the name of the province from Judaea to Syria Palaestina. Although sometimes associated with a supposed imperial visit after the conflict, the happy reverse type and the use of the name Judaea on this travel issue strongly suggests production in AD 130 and the period before the outbreak of the Bar Kokhba War. The personification of Judaea offering a sacrifice over a pagan altar (an image that would have been offensive to many Jews of the period) underlines the kind of cultural insensitivity that incited the conflict in the first place. Although Hadrian was himself a great lover of Hellenism, he was very much blind to the fact that it was not something for everyone and that its imposition would not always result in the joyous reception depicted on the reverse of this coin.

Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Zuz (2.99 g), 132-135 CE. Undated, attributed to year 3 (134/5 CE). 'Simon' (Paleo-Hebrew), bunch of grapes with leaf and tendril. Rev. 'For the freedom of Jerusalem' (Paleo-Hebrew), upright palm branch. Hendin 1430; Mildenberg 145.6 (O11/R61); TJC 272c. The Mildenberg plate coin. Toned. Choice Very Fine. From the Palm Desert Collection. Ex Abraham Bromberg Collection, pt. I (Superior, 5 December 1991), 190.

Vespasian. Gold Aureus (7.36 g), AD 69-79. Judaea Capta Issue. Antioch, AD 72/3. IMP VESPAS AVG P M TRI P P P COS IIII, laureate head of Vespasian left. Rev. PAX AVG-VSTI, Vespasian nude except for cloak floating behind, standing facing, head left, holding spear and raising draped woman (Jewess?) r. wearing a 3-tipped crown, who clasps his right hand with hers. Hendin -; RIC 2, pl. 82, 1550; RPC 1924; BMC 504; Calicó 664 (this coin illus.). A great rarity! This is the plate coin in Calicó and is listed as R2. It is in fact much rarer. Toned. Choice Very Fine. From the S. Moussaieff Collection, This lot has been officially exported from Israel through the Israel Antiquities Authority. The eight years between AD 66 and 73 had been long and exhausting for Rome indeed. In AD 66, a revolt against Roman rule broke out in Judaea that had the potential to destabilize the Roman East. When Cestius Gallus, the legate of Syria, failed to crush the rebels and suffered the defeat of an entire legion, command of the war was transferred to the general Vespasian. Despite Vespasian's early successes against the rebels in Galilee, the conflict dragged on. It was a tiring, dirty affair, often involving massacre and atrocity on both sides. At the same time, the Jewish and Greek populations that had long lived side by side in the cities of Syria and Judaea fell upon one another. In the spring of AD 68, Vespasian pressed his advance into Judaea proper, systematically capturing rebel strongholds and crushing resistance on his inexorable march towards Jerusalem. Then, the unthinkable happened. On June 9, AD 68, the increasingly unpopular emperor Nero killed himself in order to escape a potentially worse fate at the hands of his senatorial enemies and Servius Salpicius Galba, the rebel governor of Hispania Tarraconensis. This event sparked the infamous Year of the Four Emperors (AD 69), in which Galba and his rivals, M. Salvius Otho and Aulus Vitellius embroiled the Roman world in bloody civil war as they struggled to claim the imperial purple. Vespasian joined the fray as the fourth imperial claimant and was ultimately successful, his forces crushing the legions of Vitellius at Bedriacum and taking possession of Rome in the late autumn of AD 69.While all of this chaos was taking place in the West, Vespasian had left his son, Titus, in command in Judaea. Titus continued to prosecute the war against the Jewish rebels and besieged a Jerusalem crowded with refugees in AD 70. After a grueling seven months, bringing the defenders to their knees through starvation, disease and factional conflict, Titus at last stormed the city, plundering the Temple and slaughtering or enslaving many of the survivors. Victory was in Roman hands and in AD 71 Titus embarked for Rome to share in a great triumph with his father. Nevertheless, pockets of Jewish rebels still remained in the countryside to harass the Roman victors. Only in AD 73, after the capture of the Dead Sea fortress of Masada and the mass suicide of its Jewish defenders, was the First Jewish Revolt fully repressed. Rebuilding after years of destruction in both the East and West could begin in earnest.The present gold aureus struck in AD 72-73 celebrates the much longed-for return of "Augustan Peace" to the Roman Empire. The reverse features Vespasian represented as a spear-wielding hero (this heroic quality is indicated by the emperor's nudity) raising up a female figure wearing a turreted headdress. She is normally described as Tyche (Roman Fortuna), the Greek personification of a city's fortune, but it is somewhat unclear how she should be understood here. On the one hand, she could represent the oikoumene — the entirety of the Greco-Roman world — freed from war by the victories of Vespasian (and Titus). On the other hand, since this coin was struck at Antioch, Tyche here may represent the fortune of that city in its capacity as the capital of the Roman province of Syria. As Judaea was under the jurisdiction of the Syrian legates and the province at large had suffered great upheavals over the course of the First Jewish Revolt, it would have been fitting to advertise the restoration of Syria’s fortune at the conclusion of the war. A further comment by David Hendin, American Numismatic Society and author of a Guide of Biblical Coins:Among all of the known coins of Vespasian, the only subjugated men or women depicted are Jews or personifications of Jews in relation to the Roman victory in the Jewish War (66 - 73 AD). Thus this rare coin is almost certainly a local-Antiochean-variation on the Judaea Capta theme, but instead suggesting that this victory was pointing to "The Emperor's Peace."Mattingly suggests that the kneeling woman is wearing a "crown of towers." If this was true it would suggest that the Jewess was also representing the city goddess of Jerusalem, in her defeat. However, this specimen is better centered and better struck than the RIC specimen and the crown appears to have three pointed tips rather than three rectangular towers as usually seen related to a city goddess figure.

George V (1910-36). 0.500 silver Wreath Type Crown, 1934, bare head left, BM raised on truncation for engraver Bertram Mackennal, Latin legend and toothed border surrounding, GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX, Rev. Imperial crown, date above, emblematic wreath surrounding of roses, shamrocks and thistles, small K.G. to right of lowest rose for engraver Kruger Gray, denomination in words at bottom, Latin legend surrounding.FID.DEF.IND.IMP. (Bull 3647; ESC 374 R2; Davies 1637; S.4036; KM.836). Attractively toned, has been graded and slabbed by NGC as MS62, currently 29 pieces have been graded of which 13 are finer; for comparison at PCGS only six pieces have been graded finer; very rare with only 932 examples struck. NGC certification 4864280-001. The legends translate across both sides of these denominations as "George the Fifth by the grace of God, King of all the Britons, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India." This coin would appear to be in the top five graded pieces at both PCGS and NGC, where it is equal highest grade at the latter as of August 2017. The Wreath Crown design by Kruger Gray was much admired and the type design continued in succeeding years at the request of the Bank of England who liked to stock them at Christmas time to present to good clients, hence why the mintages were always quite small for the normal currency pieces. Bertram Mackennal (later knighted) was the Australian engraver responsible for the obverse design.

Lucilla. Æ 17 (4.45 g), Augusta, AD 164-182, Hippos in Decapolis. Draped bust of Lucilla right. Rev. Horse's head right. Spijkerman -; Rosenberger -; Sofaer -; RPC -. Extremely Rare and unpublished. The first known coin of Lucilla from the mint. Green patina. Very Fine. From the Dr. Patrick Tan Collection.

Anne (1702-14). Gold Two Guineas, 1711, draped bust left, Latin legend and toothed border surrounding, ANNA. DEI. GRATIA., Rev. crowned cruciform shields, sceptres in angles, garter star at centre, date either side of top crown, abbreviated Latin legend and toothed border surrounding, MAG BRI. FR ET. HIB REG., edge grained (MCE 206; S.3569; Fr.319; KM.531). Has been graded and slabbed by NGC as AU55, they have graded 12 pieces of which 6 are finer; for comparison at PCGS there are 6 graded finer. NGC certification 4862402-002. The Latin legends on this coin translate as "Anne by the Grace of God" and on the reverse "Queen of Great Britain, France and Ireland."

Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Sela (14.29 g), 132-135 CE. Undated, attributed to year 3 (134/5 CE). 'Simon' (Paleo-Hebrew), tetrastyle façade of the Temple of Jerusalem; show bread table or Ark of the Covenant in chest form with semicircular lid and short legs, seen from a narrow side; above façade, wavy line. Rev. 'For the freedom of Jerusalem' (Paleo-Hebrew), lulav with etrog at left. Hendin 1413; Mildenberg 9.165 (O17/R65; this coin); TJC 269. Boldly struck on a beautiful full flan. Toned. Extremely Fine. From the Palm Desert Collection. Ex Superior (10 June 1987), Buddy Ebsen Collection, 4208.

Nerva. Silver Tetradrachm (15.45 g), AD 96-98. Antioch in Syria, AD 96. AV NEPOVA? KAI? ?EB, laureate bust of Nerva right, wearing aegis. Rev. ETOV? NEOV IEPOV, eagle standing facing, head right, on thunderbolt; in right field, TA monogram above palm branch. Prieur 149; McAlee 419. Boldly struck in high relief on excellent quality metal. The portrait of Nerva is absolutely amazing! A spectacular coin that should stir plenty of excitement. Superb Extremely Fine.

George III (1760-1820). Proof gold Guinea, 1787, fifth laureate head right, legend surrounding, GEORGIVS III DEI GRATIA., Rev. crowned quartered spade shaped shield of arms, date below, legend surrounding, M.B.F. ET. H. REX. F.D. B.ET. L. D. S. R. I. A. T ET. E. (Schneider -; WR 104; S.3729; Fr.356; KM.609). Some red toning, has been graded and slabbed by PCGS as PR65CAM, currently only one piece graded finer out of a total of 5, for comparison NGC have not graded anything better out of six examples seen. Ex Dr Jacob Y Terner, part II, Ira and Larry Goldberg, Auction 25, 31st May 2004, lot 1213. PCGS certification 10043333.65/21474883.This issue of the fine gold Proof Guinea was struck exclusively for the use of the Bank of England along with fine gold Half-Guineas and pure silver Shillings and Sixpences, as of September 1787. The order was approved by the Master of the Mint on the 19th September and Lewis Pingo went ahead and struck 168 four coin groups of which this coin would have been one of 168 Guineas struck. A contemporary record (Mint 1/14 p.12) shows that 100 of the four coin sets were for the Directors of the Bank of England, 18 for higher ranking officers, 38 for Royal Mint officials and 12 for the Company of Moneyers. For further reading on the issue of 1787 Shillings and for a breakdown of some recipients of the sets of four coins see Appendix E in the article "The 1787 Shilling - A Transition in Minting Technique" by H E Manville and Prof. P P Gaspar, British Numismatic Journal, 2004, volume 74.

Edward III (1327-1377). Gold Half-Noble of three shillings and four pence, third coinage, third period (1346-1351), armoured King standing facing in ship, holding sword and quartered shield, Latin legend and beaded borders surrounding, chevron barred As in legend, ED WAR' Dxx GRaxx Rexxx AnGlxx Zx FRanCx DnSxx hIB, Rev. E in central compartment of ornate cross with lis terminals, crown over lion in each angle, all within beaded and linear tressure of eight arcs, fleurs in spandrels, Latin legend and beaded border surrounding, initial mark cross pattée, DomInExx nExx Inxx FVRORExx TVoxx ARGVAsxx mExx, weight 4.15g (Schneider 6; N.1111; S.1482; Fr.87). Some light surface marks from excavation, a couple of rim imperfections, otherwise good very fine, very few known today, extremely rare. This coin was previously bought from Studio Coins in July 2007 and appears to have been a metal detector find not long before that. This is an example of the second earliest Half-Noble struck, dating from 1346 with the reverse carrying the initial letter E of King Edward at centre. The Noble and its fractions quickly became the most successful gold denomination not just in England but also for trade into Europe where the denomination was easily divisible into the European Mark. This issue in the third period of the third coinage was indentured on 28th July 1346 with Lote Nicholyn, George Cleckyn and others with a slight reduction in weight from the previous issue. A further indenture in this period with a new master on the 27th January 1349 mentions for the first time the fineness of the gold as 23 carat 3 ½ grains (0.995) fine. Coinage output in this early period was much smaller than what was to follow in the fourth coinage from 1351 with a mere 9,500 pounds in weight of gold issued over the near five year period which is smaller than what was produced in a year not much later. When the famous numismatist W J Potter was researching the Edward III gold coinage in the early 1960s just over half a century ago, the only examples of the gold Half Noble of this coinage known to him were housed in the British Museum with none available in private collections. There are two now in the Schneider Collection, this piece and maybe one or two others today rendering it an extreme rarity.

Commonwealth (1649-60). Silver Crown, 1656, second 6 of date struck over 4, English shield within laurel and palm branch, legends in English language, initial mark sun.THE. COMMONWEALTH. OF. ENGLAND., Rev. English and Irish shields, value .V. above, beaded circle and legend surrounding, date at top, GOD. WITH. VS., 29.95g (cf.Bull 13; ESC 9; N.2721; S3214; KM.392). Toned, has been graded and slabbed by NGC as MS62, with only one piece currently graded a point higher out of a total of nine graded; for comparison PCGS have graded six examples all AU58 or below. Ex Ira and Larry Goldberg, Auction 48, 14th September 2008, lot 2526. Ex A H Baldwin, Fixed Price List, Winter 2013, item BH078. NGC certification 4862402-003. This coin does not have the inverted A for V on the reverse as per the Bull entry. The Commonwealth coinage was the only to have legends in English language until the 1953 Crown of Queen Elizabeth had an edge inscription in English.

Arab-Byzantine. Anonymous (temp. Mu'awiya b. Abi Sufyan or 'Abd al-Malik b. Marwan). Gold Solidus (4.34 g), AH 41-60 or 65-86. De-Christianized type imitating the Byzantine emperor Heraclius. Syrian or perhaps an Egyptian mint. The emperor Heraclius, in the center, between his sons Heraclius Constantine, on the left, and Heraclonas, on the right, each standing facing, wearing rudimentary crown missing the central cross of the prototype; each figure holds a globe lacking a cross. Rev. VICTORIA AV??, T-shaped cross on four steps; in left field, Heraclian monogram; in right field, I; A//CONOB. Cf. Baldwin's Islamic Sale 24 (9 May 2013), 3999; cf. Spink Zurich 18 (February 1986), 86. Of the highest rarity. NGC grade AU; Strike: 4/5, Surface: 2/5. Bent, scuffs, edge cut, and light graffito. Although it is not actually an official Byzantine imperial issue from the mint of Constantinople, the types and inscriptions of this wonderfully preserved solidus closely mimic those used by the emperor Heraclius in the period 639-641, when he ruled alongside his sons, Heraclius Constantine and Heraclonas. The three emperors are depicted as full figures on the obverse with Heraclius distinguished from his sons by his central position, larger scale, and by the splendid mustache and beard he sports. Heraclius Constantine and Heraclonas lack such remarkable facial hair and are instead represented as beardless youths. On the reverse, the legend proclaims the "Victory of the Emperor" — the standard reverse legend for Byzantine solidi since the early sixth century — and carries the mint mark of Constantinople. Despite all of these features that might otherwise give the impression of a legitimate Byzantine solidus struck during the coregency of Heraclius and his sons, the reverse type immediately betrays the coin as an imitation. Official issues feature a cross potent set on three steps, but here the crossbar has been raised to the top of the shaft, turning the usual cross type into a T. The much smaller crosses that normally adorn the diadems and globes worn and carried by the emperors on the obverse have been modified in a similar way on this coin, making it clear that the omitted crossbar on the obverse was no engraving error, but part of a clear attempt to remove explicit Christian symbolism from the types. Although the rare examples of solidi with these de-Christianized types are occasionally attributed to northern barbarians, they are far more likely to belong to the pseudo-Byzantine series struck by mints in Syria and the southern Levant following the loss of the region (together with Egypt) to the Islamic Arabs in 634-642 and the end of locally produced and imported official Byzantine coins. The present solidus was almost certainly struck to fill the need for gold coin that was no longer being supplied to the region by the Byzantine imperial mint. In order to maintain trust in the new imitative coins, the types of the latest official solidi circulating in the region were taken as models, just as they were for pseudo-Byzantine and subsequent Arab-Byzantine bronze issues. However, the engraver clearly found himself in a difficult position: it was critical to retain the traditional Byzantine types in order to avoid a crisis of faith in the coinage, but at the same time the retention of the traditional crosses — an unequivocal emblem of Christianity — posed a crisis of faith for the engraver and/or the Muslim authorities responsible for the coinage. While the Quran recognized Jesus in the line of prophets leading up to Muhammad, it did not accept the Christian belief in his crucifixion and resurrection. Therefore, from the religious perspective, it seemed necessary to convert the crosses on the coin into something more neutral. Interestingly, while the removal of overtly Christian symbolism was deemed important at the time that the solidus was struck, the religiously-based aniconism that came to characterize the majority of Islamic coinage after the reform of the Umayyad Caliph ‘Abd al-Malik in 697 is not at all evident.This solidus provides an important link between the official Byzantine gold coinage and the "Standing Caliph" dinars introduced by 'Abd al-Malik in 693-697. It has long been suggested that the "Standing Caliph" dinars were produced as a direct response to the Christ solidi of Justinian II, 'Abd al-Malik's great Byzantine adversary, but the chronological relationship of the Christ solidi and the "Standing Caliph" dinars has been brought into question. Even if a so-called "war of images" between 'Abd al-Malik and Justinian II did result in the "Standing Caliph" dinars, the iconography of the latter is firmly rooted in the solidi of Heraclius and the modified types of the present pseudo-Byzantine solidus.Both issues feature a modified cross-on-steps reverse — sometimes the cross is converted into a phi (?) rather than an I form on "Standing Caliph" dinars — while the standing caliph (representing 'Abd al-Malik himself) on the obverse seems to be influenced by the central standing figure of Heraclius on the pseudo-Byzantine solidus. The standing caliph sports an impressive beard like that of Heraclius although the caliph's stylist has controlled his mustache to a much greater degree than that of the Byzantine Emperor. The caliph also wears a similar embroidered robe and holds his arms diagonally (slanting right rather than left as on the solidus), but replaces the de-Christianized globe with a sword in its scabbard. This coin is not only an object of desire due to its beautiful metal and high state of preservation, but also due to its great importance for the development of early Islamic coinage. It also marks a profound turning point in the artistic, political, and religious history in the Middle East. The Christian Byzantine Empire had come to an end in the region and this solidus encapsulates the growing pains of the young Islamic empire of the Umayyad dynasty that replaced it. This extremely rare gold solidus represents the earliest Arab gold coinage and it may be regarded as the precurser of all the later Islamic gold coinage.References: Miles, G: Earliest Arab Gold Coinage in the American Numismatic Society Notes, No. 13, 1967; Foss, S: Arab Byzantine Coins: An Introduction with a Catalogue of the Dumbarton Oaks Collection, Harvard University Press 2008.

India, EIC, Bengal Presidency. Silver Pattern ½-Rupee, in the name of Shah Alam II, Pulta Mint [Princep’s Coinage] AH 1198, year 26, edge dot and arrow repeated, 5.76g (Pridmore 348, though not traced at the time of publication; Pridmore Sale, lot 675, this coin; Stevens 2017, 3.3). Extremely Fine and of the highest rarity. Ex David Fore Collection, Baldwin’s Auction 82, 31 May 2013, lot 891. Ex Pridmore Sale, Glendinings 1981, lot 675. Entrepreneur John Princeps secured copper mining rights in Bihar and a coining contract to mint copper currency for the EIC. Authorities in London strongly objected that any individual should have been awarded these rights and put extreme pressure on John Princeps to resign his contracts. Princeps refused to bow to the pressure but was persuaded by a large sum of money instead. After receiving his compensation he applied to work as mint master for the Calcutta Mint even without a salary, this time to provide the company with gold and silver coinage. His application was refused but the present coin is the exceptionally rare ½-Rupee from the series of silver patterns he produced to demonstrate his credentials while applying for that position. It was presumably acquired by Fred Pridmore after his books were published but before his collection was sold.

Zeugitania, Carthage. Electrum Stater (7.56 g), ca. 310-290 BC. Head of Tanit left, wreathed with grain ears, wearing triple-pendant earring and necklace; before neck, pellet. Rev. Horse standing right on ground line with quatrefoil of pellets. Jenkins & Lewis grp. V, 259-279; Norman Davis 340 (this coin); MAA 12. Bold and perfectly centered. Extremely Fine. Ex Gemini VII (9 January 2011), 204; Norman Davis Collection.

Victoria (1837-1901). Pattern silver Crown, dated 1837, struck circa 1893 after a design by Joseph Bonomi for J Rochelle Thomas, struck by T Pinches Birmingham, Egyptian style diademed head of Queen left with incuse outline, incuse date either side of base of neck, incuse legend VICTORIA REG DEI GRA, outer border of stars raised in incuse border both sides, Rev. standing figure of Britannia as Minerva right with incuse outline, holding winged Victory in outstretched hand, with trident and shield, shield with raised lettering on border, DECUS ET TUTAMEN, incuse legend vertically in four lines, BRITT / MINERVA / VICTRIX / FID DEF, edge plain apart from number incuse "T-29" (Bull 2612 R2; ESC 320; L&S 1). Has been graded and slabbed by NGC as MS64+, one of ten graded with three higher; PCGS for comparison seem to have only graded one lesser piece, rare. NGC certification 4864281-002. The "Bonomi patterns" were produced for the coin dealer J Rochelle Thomas in 1893 from original designs suggested by Joseph Bonomi printed in the Proceedings of the Numismatic Society of London in November 1837. The full text of the original advertising was reproduced by Howard Linecar and Alexander Stone in their publication "English Proof and Pattern Crown Size Pieces," pages 76-80 where all the varieties are catalogued and the quantities struck are shown. The most prolific is the silver version of which 150 were struck with each individually numbered on the edge like we have demonstrated here as "T-29.".

George III (1760-1820). Gold Sovereign, 1818, ascending colon in legend, first laureate head right, date below, Latin legend commences lower left GEORGIUS III D: G: BRITANNIAR: REX F:D:, Rev. St George and dragon right, incuse BP below broken lance at lower left for designer and engraver Benedetto Pistrucci, garter motto surrounding, buckle with incuse WWP for Master of the Mint William Wellesley Pole, French motto HONI. SOIT. QUI. MAL. Y. PENSE., edge milled (Bentley 384; Marsh 2A; S.3785A; Fr.371; KM.674). Graded by PCGS as MS64 who are the only service to differentiate the variety and this coin is therefore the finest graded, very rare. PCGS certification 517059.64/31800252. Calendar year mintage 2,347,230.The Latin legends translate on obverse as "George III by the Grace of God, King of the Britons, Defender of the Faith." The older Norman-French legend on the reverse translates as "Evil to him, who evil thinks" and is the motto of the chivalric Order of the Garter founded in 1348 by King Edward III.

Harold II (6th Jan-14th Oct 1066). Silver Penny, London Mint, Moneyer Edwine, crowned bust left with sceptre, legend and beaded outer circle surrounding, legend commences at top, +HAROLD REX ANGL, Rev. PAX between beaded lines horizontal at centre, beaded circles and legend surrounding, legend commences at left +EDPINE ON LVNDE, weight 1.09g (N.836; S.1186). Toned, just a little striking weakness at corresponding parts both sides around facial profile, toned good very fine and very desirable. The reign of King Harold II was shorter than that of the modern British King Edward VIII who famously abdicated and produced no coins for British currency. The coinage of Harold II all have the same "Peace" type reverse and a head and neck bust on the obverse, which can sometimes face right or have the sceptre absent. As a type coin of the reign demand for King Harold remains strong, especially since 2016 marked the 950th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings, celebrated by the Royal Mint with the release of a Fifty Pence coin depicting Harold with the arrow in his eye as seen on the Bayeux Tapestry.The legends translate as "Harold King of the English" on the obverse and "Edwine of London" on the reverse with "Peace" across the centre.

Jewish Reference Coinage, Vespasian. Gold Aureus (7.16 g), AD 69-79. Judaea Capta type. Rome, AD 69/70. IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG, laureate head of Vespasian right. Rev. IVDAEA in exergue, Jewess seated right, head resting on hand in attitude of mourning; behind, trophy. Hendin 1464; RIC 1; BN 20-2; BMC 31-4; Calicó 643. Quite pleasing and problem free. The surfaces and devices are quite appealing. About Very Fine. From the S. Moussaieff Collection, This lot has been officially exported from Israel through the Israel Antiquities Authority. First coin of the standard 'Judaea Capta' series. In the 'Judaea Capta' coinage, the seated personified Judaea evokes the iconographic language of the defeated and degraded prisoner. The conquered province type has its own set of gestures expressing a mournful or abject context, which are derived from Roman funerary iconography. They include an attitude formed by the resting of the chin in the hand, a pose that evokes pensiveness, uncertainty, and grief with overtones of repentance or lamentation. Additionally, the mourner is shown with hunched shoulders, and a bowed and covered head. The depiction of the personified province recollects the Biblical description of the besieged Jerusalem by the prophet Isaiah (ca. 700 BCE): "For Jerusalem is ruined, and Judah is fallen… Thy men shall fall by the sword and thy mighty in the war. And her gates shall lament and mourn, and she, being desolate, shall sit upon the ground" (Isaiah 3:8-9; 25-26).The imposing military trophy standing to the left of the picture looms over the back of the vanquished Judaea, taunting the humiliated figure, re-enforcing the fact that the weapons used to resist Rome are now spoils to the victors; they no longer hold power.

Edward VI (1547-1553). Silver Crown of five shillings, 1551, Fine Silver issue, King on horseback right, date below in Arabic numerals, wire line and beaded inner circles surrounding with Latin legend and beaded border around both sides, initial mark y both sides,:EDWARD'. VI: D'G'. AGL': FRA': Z: hIB': REX::, Rev. quartered shield over long cross fourchée, wire line and beaded inner circles, :POSVI. DEvm: A DIVTOR E':mEV': weight 30.83g (Lingford dies G/7; N.1933; S.2478). Some very light flan striations in field, otherwise attractively toned, almost extremely fine on obverse, good very fine on reverse with some surface marks, seemingly the finest of this die variety, very rare as such. Ex Captain H.E.G. Paget Collection, Glendining, 25th September 1946, lot 1. Ex W.B. and R.E. Montgomery Collection Triton XIV, Classical Numismatic Group, 8th January 2008, lot 1682. The abbreviated Latin legends translate as on the obverse "Edward the Sixth, by the Grace of God, King of England, France and Ireland"; and on the reverse "I have made God my helper," a Psalm from the Bible The 1551 dated crown is the first English coin to have the date displayed in our modern familiar way rather than in Roman numerals as some of the preceding coins of Edward of 1547-50 had displayed. This is also the first occasion an English Crown had been issued in silver having been exclusively a gold denomination up to this time. The gold Crowns continue as a concurrent issue until the last hammered issue of Charles II in circa 1662. The dated silver Crowns of our familiar format continue until 1553 whereupon there is not another until the 1642 issues at the Provincial mints of Charles I at Shrewsbury and Oxford.

Corinthia, Corinth. Silver Stater (8.35 g), ca. 480-465 BC. Koppa below, Pegasos flying right. Rev. Head of Athena right, wearing Corinthian helmet, within shallow incuse square. Ravel 222; Pegasi 75/1 (this coin); cf. BCD Corinth 22. Lightly toned. Choice Very Fine. Ex Hess Divo 321 (25 October 2012), 121; Auctiones 18 (21 September 1989), 699.

Vespasian. Gold Aureus (6.98 g), AD 69-79. Judaea Capta type. Lugdunum, AD 72. MP CAES VESPAS AVG P M TR P IIII P P COS IIII, laureate head of Vespasian right. Rev. DE IVDAEIS, trophy. Cf. Hendin 1472; RIC 1179; BN 305; BMC 402; Calicó 627c. Very Rare. Fine. From the S. Moussaieff Collection, This lot has been officially exported from Israel through the Israel Antiquities Authority. This gold aureus belongs to the vast coin series struck to celebrate the victory of Vespasian (and his son Titus) in the First Jewish Revolt, a bloody conflict that rocked the eastern territories of the Roman Empire between AD 66 and 73. Although the last pocket of Jewish rebels was only defeated at the desert fortress of Masada in AD 73, the major fighting was over and Titus had captured the Judaean capital at Jerusalem in AD 70. The Holy City was besieged for seven terrible months, during which the defenders were decimated by starvation, disease, and factional conflict among the rebel leadership. At last, Roman forces stormed Jerusalem, slaughtering and enslaving the defenders and plundering the sacred wealth of the Second Temple. Slaves and treasure were carried off to Rome by Titus in AD 71 to adorn the great triumph that he was to celebrate along with his father. This procession, in which a variety of Temple instruments, including a menorah, were carried before the Roman people is immortalized in a famous frieze from the Arch of Titus in Rome. The trophy type on the reverse of the present coin, with the simple statement, DE IVDAEIS ("From the Judaeans") serves as shorthand for the vast booty that was taken from Jerusalem and especially from the Temple. The historian Josephus reports that the quantities of gold, ivory, jewelry, and purple cloth in Vespasian's triumph that the procession resembled "a running river of wealth." The emperor subsequently tapped this river to cover the expenses of a grand new project to reshape Rome itself. He ordered an artificial lake belonging to the palace complex of the dead and disgraced Nero to be drained and used as the foundation for an enormous amphitheater. This amphitheater was to be used for the display of the gladiator shows and wild beast hunts that were such popular entertainments for the Roman public. It was officially described as the Flavian Amphitheater, but came to be known as the Colosseum after its location near a colossal statue of Nero in the guise of the sun god. This aureus and other gold coins produced in the context of Vespasian's triumph very well may have been struck from the gold objects carried off from conquered Judaea. And some were struck in order to pay for the construction of the Colosseum, which in its own somewhat sinister way was also DE IVDAEIS.

George V (1910-36). Gold Proof Crown, 1935, Silver Jubilee Issue, bare head left with raised BM for Bertram Mackennal on truncation, legend and toothed border surrounding, GEORGIVS V. DG. BRITT: OMN: REX. FD. IND: IMP:, Rev. stylised St George and dragon left, raised PM initials to lower right for engraver Percy Metcalfe, denomination and date above, edge inscribed in raised letters, DECUS ET TUTAMEN. ANNO REGNI XXV., weight 48.01g (Bull 3656 R3; ESC 379; L&S 47; S.4048; KM.842b). Toned, has been graded and slabbed by NGC as PF63 Cameo, the finest currently graded; for comparison PCGS seem to have graded four pieces, two of which are at 64 level, extremely rare. NGC certification 4600778-003. Mintage thought to be 28 pieces with only 25 confirmed released to the public. The Latin legend translates as "George the Fifth, by the grace of God, King of all the Britons, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India." On the edge the inscription translates as "An ornament and a safeguard, in the 25th year of the reign." This lot is accompanied with original letters from the Royal Mint concerning the successful application and ballot to allot the 25 pieces to the public. Included are Royal Mint letter as a delivery note originally enclosed with the gold Crown dated the 15th May 1935, informing the recipient G. Beale Esq. of his success in the public ballot in obtaining a gold version of the Silver Jubilee Crown, for which there were 1,329 applications, hand signed by Robert A. Johnson, Deputy Master and Controller. Additionally there is a follow up photostat letter dated 23rd May 1935, from Deputy Master and Controller Robert A. Johnson once again congratulating the recipient, and for interest purposes enclosing a two page list of the names and addresses of all the successful applicants, which number to 25 persons including Mr Beale the recipient. Note on the lists there are 24 entries but two examples are embedded in the entry to Spink and Son Ltd for two different customer accounts.This original correspondence and list of names will be sold with the coin to the successful buyer but are too fragile for public viewing. A scan is herewith included for viewing with the lot.