PHOENICIA, Arados. Uncertain king. Circa 380-351/0 BC. AR Stater (20mm, 10.41 g, 1h). Head of marine deity right, wearing laurel wreath / Galley right; m a (in Phoenician) above, waves below; dotted line border above, curved solid border below; all within [incuse square]. Betlyon 10; Rouvier 2; HGC 10, 29 corr. (see below); SNG Copenhagen 10; BMC 18; Hunt IV 471 (this coin); Pozzi 3041–5. EF, toned. Unusually well struck for issue. Ex Nelson Bunker Hunt Collection (Part IV, Sotheby’s, 19 June 1991), lot 471; Leu 28 (5 May 1981), lot 202.In HGC 10, no. 28 (= Betlyon 9) is a tetrobol, while no. 29 (= Betlyon 10) is a stater with a frontal eye, not a profile eye (there is no distinction between the two eyes in Betlyon). Thus, the photo marked 28 is actually a photo of 29, while the photo marked 29 is actually an enlargement of a tetrobol, HGC 10, no. 40 (= Betlyon 11).
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PHOENICIA, Byblos (Gebal). `Ozba`al. Circa 400-370 BC. AR Shekel (24mm, 13.25 g, 5h). Three hoplites, holding shields, on galley left above waves, prow ending in lion`s head; below, hippocamp left above murex shell, ‘Z (in Phoenician) above dorsal fin / Lion attacking bull left; ‘ZB‘L MLK GBL (Ozbaal, king of Gebal in Phoenician) above. E&E-B Series IV.2.1.c, – (O13/R37 – unlisted die combination); Betlyon 14 var. (no letters on obv.); Rouvier 640 var. (letters on obv.); HGC 10, 133 corr. (letters on obv. not noted); SNG Berry 1431; Athena Fund II 872 (same rev. die). EF, lustrous, some die wear on obverse. From the collection of a Southern Pathologist, purchased from Superior Stamp and Coin, 28 December 1989.
PHOENICIA, Sidon. Uncertain king. Circa 450-435 BC. AR Sixteenth Shekel (8mm, 0.71 g, 4h). Galley with triangular sail left / Three tiered podium of the Temple of ’Ešmun in dotted circle within incuse square. E&E-S Group I.3, 3 (D1/R1 – this coin); Betlyon 2; Rouvier – HGC 10, 216; CNG 37, lot 679. EF, deeply toned. Very rare, only 17 examples noted by the Elayis, but probably fewer are known (see below). From the collection of a Southern Pathologist. Ex Classical Numismatic Review XIX.3 (3rd quarter, 1994), no. 130.In their die study of the coins of Sidon, the Elayis note 8 individual pieces located in public collections and sales records. The other coins they note are nine pieces in the 1902 Qasr Naba hoard (IGCH 1493; J. Elayi & A.G. Elayi, Tresors de monnaies pheniciennes et circulation monetaire [Paris: Gabalda, 1993], no. XXIII) However, the coins in that hoard were never recorded in detail; there are no photographs or even weights provided in any publication of the find. Thus, some, if not all, of the eight individual coins the Elayis list may be from this find. In fact, the patina on the present piece is consistent with a very old pedigree, although the only known previous sales record is from 1994.
CILICIA, Tarsos. Tarkumuwa (Datames). Satrap of Cilicia and Cappadocia, 384-361/0 BC. AR Stater (23mm, 10.07 g, 9h). Struck circa 370 BC. Baaltars seated right, head and torso facing, holding grain ear and grape bunch in extended right hand, cradling eagle-tipped scepter in left arm; B’LTRZ (in Aramaic) to left, thymiaterion in background; all within crenellated wall / Ana, nude, standing right, extending right hand and pointing at the head of Tarkumuwa, standing left, wearing chlamys, leaning on staff in left hand, right hand raised; thymiaterion and TRKMW (in Aramaic) between; all within square dotted border in linear border. Casabonne Series 3; Moysey Issue 5, dies 1/b; SNG France 290-7; SNG Levante 83; Sunrise 54 (this coin). EF, toned, some die wear on obverse. From the Sunrise Collection. Ex Robert Harlick Collection (Spink America, 7 December 1995), lot 2154.
PHOENICIA, Tyre. Uncertain king. Circa 425-394 BC. AR Quarter Shekel (14.5mm, 3.00 g, 1h). Melkart, holding bow in extended left hand and reins in right, riding hippocamp right; below, waves above dolphin right / Owl standing right, head facing; crook and flail diagonally in background. E&E-T Group II.1.1.2, 408 (O3/R5 – this coin, illustrated); Betlyon –; Rouvier 1789; HGC 10, 324; SNG Copenhagen 302–4; BMC pl. 44, 3 = Ward 817; McClean 9519 (same obv. die); Sunrise 134. VF, toned, light porosity, off center on obverse. Very rare. From the collection of a Southern Pathologist. Ex Superior (31 May 1989), lot 6105; Superior Money Talks FPL 24/5 (Winter 1988/1989), no. C44; G. Hirsch 159 (21 September 1988), lot 461.
PHOENICIA, Tyre. 126/5 BC-AD 65/6. AR Shekel (27mm, 14.36 g, 1h). Dated CY 21 (106/5 BC). Bust of Melkart right, wearing laurel wreath, [lion skin around neck] / Eagle standing left on prow; palm frond in background; to left, AK (date) above club; monogram to right, Phoenician B between legs; TYPOY IEPAS KAI ASY?OY around. Rouvier 1998; HGC 10, 357; DCA 919; BMC 99–100; Kampmann 6 = AdG p. 45 (this coin). Near EF, toned. Featured in the podcast “Tyros, 106 BC” on the MoneyMuseum website. From the collection of the MoneyMuseum, Zurich. Ex Classical Numismatic Group 47 (16 September 1998), lot 606.
CILICIA, Tarsos. Tarkumuwa (Datames). Satrap of Cilicia and Cappadocia, 384-361/0 BC. AR Obol (8mm, 0.76 g, 3h). Bearded head right, wearing crested Attic helmet / Cock standing right; star above and to right. Casabonne –; Göktürk 26; SNG France –; SNG Levante 99 = Sunrise 55 (this coin). EF, toned, reverse a little off center. Excellent metal. Rare. From the Sunrise Collection. Ex Edoardo Levante Collection (Triton VII, 13 January 2004), lot 317.
JUDAEA, Bar Kochba Revolt. 132-135 CE. AR Sela – Tetradrachm (26mm, 14.65 g, 1h). Dated year 2 (133/4 CE). Façade of the Temple at Jerusalem; showbread table within, “Jerusalem” (in Hebrew) around / Bundle of lulav; etrog to left, “Y(ear) 2 of the Freedom of Israel” (in Hebrew) around. Mildenberg 8 (O1/R7); Meshorer 229 (same obv. die as illustration); Hendin 1385 (same obv. die as illustration); Bromberg 80 (same obv. die); Shoshana I 20255 = C. Samuels, P. Rynearson, & Y. Meshorer, The Numismatic Legacy of the Jews as Depicted by A Distinguished American Collection (New York, 2000), 105 (this coin); Sofaer 29 (same obv. die); Spaer 188 (same dies); SNG ANS 517 (same dies). Superb EF, underlying luster, a touch of die wear on obverse. Sharply struck on a broad flan. Very rare year 1/2 hybrid, the finest known. Ex Shoshana Collection (Part I, Heritage, 8 March 2012), lot 20255.As noted in Hendin, the first selas of year 2 were struck using the same obverse die that had been used on all the year 1 selas, and are thus considered hybrids. Another carryover from the first year is the more broadly formed flan that extends well beyond the edge of the dies.
JUDAEA, Bar Kochba Revolt. 132-135 CE. AR Sela – Tetradrachm (26.5mm, 15.34 g, 1h). Undated, but attributed to year 3 (134/5 CE). Façade of the Temple at Jerusalem; showbread table within, star above, “Shim‘on” (in Hebrew) at sides / Bundle of lulav; etrog to left, “For the Freedom of Jerusalem” (in Hebrew) around. Mildenberg 56.11 (O13/R42 - this coin, illustrated); Meshorer 267; Hendin 1411; Bromberg 420 (this coin); Shoshana II 20335 (same dies); Sofaer 107–13; Spaer 193 (same obv. die). Good VF, toned. Overstruck on a Tyre tetradrachm of Trajan. From the collection of a Southern Pathologist. Ex John F. Sullivan Collection (Classical Numismatic Group 70, 21 September 2005), lot 399; Abraham Bromberg Collection (Superior Galleries, 10 December 1992), lot 420; Dahariÿeh, 1976 Hoard.
CILICIA, Tarsos. Mazaios. Satrap of Cilicia, 361/0-334 BC. AR Stater (22mm, 10.92 g, 3h). Baaltars seated left, his torso facing, holding lotus-tipped scepter in extended right hand, left hand holding chlamys at his waist; monogram below throne, B’LTRZ (in Aramaic) to right / Lion attacking stag left; MZDY (in Aramaic) above, retrograde D to lower left; all within incuse square. Casabonne Series 1, Group A; SNG France 314–7; SNG Levante 111; Sunrise 63 (this coin). Good VF, toned. From the Sunrise Collection.
JUDAEA, Bar Kochba Revolt. 132-135 CE. AR Sela – Tetradrachm (25.5mm, 14.18 g, 12h). Undated, but attributed to year 3 (134/5 CE). Façade of the Temple at Jerusalem; showbread table within, star above, “Shim‘on” (in Hebrew) at sides / Bundle of lulav; etrog to left, “For the Freedom of Jerusalem” (in Hebrew) around. Mildenberg 79.24 (O12/R62 – this coin); Meshorer 267; Hendin 1411; Bromberg 115 (same dies); Shoshana II 20211–2 (same dies); Sofaer 108 (same rev. die); Spaer 194 (same dies). VF, toned, overstruck on a tetradrachm of Roman Syria, with much of the eagle visible on the reverse. Ex Superior (24 September 1970), lot 136.
PHILISTIA (PALESTINE), Gaza (‘Azah). Mid 5th century-333 BC. AR Drachm (14mm, 4.03 g, 9h). Imitating Athens. Head of Athena right, wearing earring, necklace, and crested Attic helmet decorated with three olive leaves over visor and palmette on the bowl / Owl standing right, head facing; olive sprig and T to left, ATE to right; all within incuse square. Gitler & Tal V.10D; Fischer-Bossert, Notes 13f (this coin); Mildenberg, Gaza, pl. XXIV, 13–4; HGC 10, 534; Sofaer 2. Near EF, toned, minor porosity, light scratch on reverse. Very rare, and exceptional for issue. From the collection of the MoneyMuseum, Zurich. Ex Leu 72 (12 May 1998), lot 349.
PHILISTIA (PALESTINE), Gaza (‘Azah). Mid 5th century-333 BC. AR Drachm (15mm, 3.45 g, 9h). Bearded head right / Facing head of Bes; az (in Phoenician) flanking; all in dotted circle within incuse circle. Gitler & Tal VI.13D; Fischer-Bossert, Notes 31o (this coin); Mildenberg, Gaza, pl. XXV, 36; HGC 10, 551; Sofaer –. Good VF, toned, typical minor roughness, obverse a little off center. Very rare, one of only eighteen examples noted by Fischer-Bossert. From the collection of the MoneyMuseum, Zurich. Ex Leu 75 (25 October 1999), lot 1311.
PHILISTIA (PALESTINE), Uncertain mint. Mid 5th century-333 BC. AR Drachm (14mm, 3.30 g, 12h). Obverse imitating Athens. Head of Athena right, wearing earring, necklace, and crested Attic helmet decorated with three olive leaves over visor and palmette on the bowl / Winged lion seated right, raising left forepaw; b (in Phoenician) above; to lower right, facing head of Bes; all in dotted square within incuse square. Gitler & Tal XIII.14Da (this coin); Mildenberg, Gaza, pl. XXVI, 5; HGC 10, –; Sofaer –; Traité II 1049. EF, toned, a touch of roughness, a little soft on reverse. Good metal. Extremely rare, and the finest. From the collection of the MoneyMuseum, Zurich. Ex Goldberg (7 June 2000), lot 3218.
ARABIA, Northwestern. Lihyan. 2nd–1st centuries BC. BI ‘Tetradrachm’ (20mm, 13.11 g, 9h). Imitating Athens. Schematic head right, two upward crescents on cheek / Owl standing right, head facing; olive spray to left, [A]TE to right. Huth, Athenian, fig. 5, c (this coin); cf. Huth 40; cf. Triton XVII, lot 402. Good VF, darkly toned, typical irregular flan. Rare. From the collection of the MoneyMuseum, Zurich. Ex ‘Amadaeus’ Collection (Giessener Münzhandlung 100, 20 November 1999), lot 211.
ARABIA, Southern. Qataban. Unknown ruler(s). Before 150 BC. AR “Gms” – Hemidrachm (11mm, 2.01 g, 9h). Imitating Athens. Male head right, wearing broad diadem inscribed gms¹m (in Qatabanian = “one gms”) / Owl standing right, head facing; monogram to left, Royal Qatabanian monogram and ATE to right. CAF 1.8aii, fig. 413 = Huth 357 = HGC 10, 712 (illustration); Triton XVII, lot 595. Near EF. Excellent metal. Extremely rare, the third known. With its male obverse head, this type marks the transition in South Arabia from owl imitations to a coinage bearing local images. It is also important for the curious inscription on the diadem, which, in fact, provides the coin’s denomination, and therefore confirms the South Arabian coin designations mentioned in minuscule inscriptions found on wooden sticks (cf. Stein in CCK). This important rarity thus represents a short and very experimental phase in South Arabian coinage. Whereas the inscription on the diadem is less clear than on the single previously known example, the present coin has a complete monogram behind the owl’s back. (CNG thanks Martin Huth for providing this commentary on this intriguing coin.)
PERSIA, Achaemenid Empire. temp. Darios I to Xerxes I. Circa 505-480 BC. AV Daric (14mm, 8.33 g). Persian king or hero, wearing kidaris and kandys, quiver over shoulder, in kneeling-running stance right, drawing bow / Incuse punch. Carradice Type II (pl. XI, 11); Meadows, Administration 319; BMC Arabia –; Sunrise 19; AdG p. 38 (this coin). VF. Rare. From the collection of the MoneyMuseum, Zurich.
PERSIA, Achaemenid Empire. temp. Darios I to Xerxes II. Circa 485-420 BC. AR Siglos (14mm, 5.28 g). Persian king or hero, wearing kidaris and kandys, quiver over shoulder, in kneeling-running stance right, holding spear in right hand, bow in left / Incuse punch. Carradice Type IIIb, Group A/B (pl. XII, 17); Meadows, Administration 322; BMC Arabia pl. XXIV, 17; Sunrise 25; Kampmann p. 27 = AdG p. 42 (this coin). Near EF, toned. Well centered and struck. From the collection of the MoneyMuseum, Zurich. Ex Sotheby’s (7 March 1996), lot 119.
CILICIA, Tarsos. Mazaios. Satrap of Cilicia, 361/0-334 BC. AR Obol (10mm, 0.69 g, 5h). Baaltars seated left, his torso facing, holding grain ear and grape bunch in extended right hand, lotus-tipped scepter in left / Lion attacking stag left. Casabonne Series 1; SNG France 329; SNG Levante 112; Sunrise 64 (this coin). Near EF, light porosity. From the Sunrise Collection.
PERSIA, Alexandrine Empire. Mazakes. Satrap of Mesopotamia, 331-323/2 BC. AR Tetradrachm (24.5mm, 17.40 g, 9h). Helmeted head of Athena right / Owl standing right, head facing; olive spray and crescent to left, small T-like symbol and MZDK (in Aramaic) to right. Le Rider, Alexander, pp. 214-9; Van Alfen, Owls, Group IVc, 95 = O. Mørkholm, “A Coin of Artaxerxes III” in NC 1974, pl. I, 6 (same dies). VF, toned. Well centered on a broad flan. Very rare. Mazakes is best known as the Persian satrap who took over Egypt after Sabakes fell in battle against Alexander the Great`s army at the Granicus, and later handed over the province peacefully to the Macedonian king. Imitative owls in the name of Mazakes have been known for some time, and all were originally attributed to his satrapy in Egypt. However, it was clear that stylistic elements separated the coinage into two general groups. More recent hoards, especially the 1973 Iraq hoard, have shown that one of the groups of imitative owls was certainly not struck in Egypt, but somewhere in the territory of modern day Iraq. In his analysis of the 1973 hoard, M. Price ("Circulation at Babylon in 323 B.C." in W.E. Metcalf, ed., Mnemata: Papers in Memory of Nancy M. Waggoner [New York, 1991], pp. 63–72) changed the findspot from Iraq to the more specific cite of Babylon, based on anecdotal evidence (p. 63), and gave the series of Mazakes` owls to the city. However, such an assignment has forced numismatists to conduct mental gymnastics in order to rationalize the presence of Mazakes` coins at Babylon (cf. Van Alfen, Owls, pp. 27–33, and Le Rider, Alexander, pp. 215–7, for a summary of the previous research).It is clear that the attribution of the owls to Babylon is almost certainly incorrect, and other find evidence suggests an attribution to somewhere further north, perhaps in the satrapy of Mesopotamia (cf. Le Rider, op. cit., p. 217–9). In any event, this coinage clarifies the historical record regarding the disposition of Mazakes following his hand-over of Egypt, upon which subject the literary evidence is silent. As noted by Le Rider (op. cit., p. 215), one can compare Mazakes to other Persians who peacefully welcomed Alexander to their domains: Mazaios, who handed over Cilicia, was later made satrap in Babylon, and Mithrenes, who surrendered Sardes, was made satrap in Armenia. Also, the Persian noble Amminapes, who met Alexander in Egypt with Mazakes, was later made satrap of Parthia and Hyrkania. Thus, one would expect Mazakes to receive similarly favorable treatment, appointment to some position of authority. Interestingly, Mesopotamia is the only satrapy that is not addressed in the literary evidence when Alexander is organizing his eastern territories. As these tetradrachms of Mazakes are found in that region, and date to the period after Alexander`s conquest, it is reasonable to suggest that Mazakes may have been appointed as satrap of Mesopotamia. It was also in the adjacent satrapy of Babylonia that Mazaios was allowed to strike a coinage in his name and types (influenced by his prior issues at Tarsos) for local use, and similar issues of local type and weight are known to have been issued at mints throughout the basin of the Tigris and Euphrates, from the time of Alexander to Seleukos I. Thus, these Athenian type tetradrachms likely constitute a local coinage of Mazakes, struck in the satrapy of Mesopotamia while he reigned there.
EGYPT, Achaemenid Province. Artaxerxes III Okhos. As Pharaoh of Egypt, 343/2-338/7 BC. AR Tetradrachm (22mm, 16.85 g, 9h). Imitating Athens. Head of Athena right, wearing earring and crested Attic helmet decorated with three olive leaves over visor and a spiral palmette on the bowl / Owl standing right, head facing; olive spray and crescent to left, “Artaxerxes Pharaoh” in two-line Demotic B script to right. Van Alfen Type III, 9 (O9/R9 – this coin); M.J. Price, “More from Memphis and the Syria 1989 Hoard” in Essays Carson-Jenkins, 152–3; O. Mørkholm, “A Coin of Artaxerxes III” in NC 1974, pl. I, 5; SNG Copenhagen 2. Near EF, toned, a few minor deposits. Extremely rare, one of only three known with these inscriptions. From the collection of the MoneyMuseum, Zurich. Ex Triton II (1 December 1998), lot 515.
PTOLEMAIC KINGS of EGYPT. Ptolemy I Soter. As satrap, 323-305 BC. AR Tetradrachm (27.5mm, 17.08 g, 12h). In the name and types of Alexander III of Macedon. Memphis or Alexandreia mint. Struck circa 323/2-317/1 BC. Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin / A?E?AN?POY, Zeus Nikephoros seated left; rose in left field, ?I-O below throne. Svoronos –; Zervos Issue 2B, obv. die 207; Price 3971; SNG Ashmolean (Macedonia) 3127 (same obv. die); SNG Copenhagen 7 (same obv. die); Dewing 1180 (same obv. die); Kampmann 7 = DDTP p. 18 (this coin). Near EF, dark iridescent tone, double struck on reverse. From the collection of the MoneyMuseum, Zurich. Ex Classical Numismatic Group 45 (18 March 1998), lot 215.
PTOLEMAIC KINGS of EGYPT. Arsinoe II Philadelphos. Died 270/268 BC. AV Mnaïeion – ‘Oktadrachm’ (28mm, 27.80 g, 12h). Alexandreia mint. Struck under Ptolemy II, circa 253/2-246 BC. Head right with ram’s horn, veiled and wearing stephane; lotus-tipped scepter in background, I to left / APSINOHS FI?A?E?FOY, double cornucopia, grape bunches hanging at sides, bound with fillet. Svoronos 471; Olivier & Lorber 150, dies 2/4 (this coin); Troxell, Arsinoe, Group 3, p. 44 and pl. 7, 2 (same obv. die); SNG Copenhagen –; Noeske –; Boston MFA Supp. 320; de Luynes 3562 (same obv. die); Triton XVI, lot 593 (same obv. die); NFA XX, lot 819 = Leu 36, 211 (same dies). Near EF, lustrous, a few minor marks. Rare with I control, 29 coins known to Lorber. Ex Triton XV (3 January 2012), lot 1315.
PTOLEMAIC KINGS of EGYPT. Arsinoe II Philadelphos. Died 270/268 BC. AV Mnaïeion – ‘Oktadrachm’ (29mm, 27.74 g, 12h). Alexandreia mint. Struck under Ptolemy V, circa 204-180 BC. Head right with ram’s horn, veiled and wearing stephane; lotus-tipped scepter in background, ? to left / APSINOHS FI?A?E?FOY, double cornucopia, grape bunches hanging at sides, bound with fillet. Svoronos 1165 (Ptolemy IV); SNG Copenhagen –; Noeske –; Athena Fund I 83 (Ptolemy IV; same obv. die); Boston MFA 2285 (Ptolemy IV; same obv. die); BMC 35; Consul Weber 4498; Hunterian 24. EF, lustrous, faint mark on cheek, light cleaning marks in fields on reverse. Very rare late Arsinoe mnaïeion with lambda control. Arsinoë II, wife (and sister) of Ptolemy II, exerted a powerful influence on her younger mate, her experience in statecraft coming from her earlier marriage to Lysimachos of Thrace, and her subsequent involvement in the turbulent politics of the Successor kingdoms. After her death in 271 BC, her devoted husband deified her, and initiated a cult in her honor. The temple he intended to construct (plans cut short by his own death) in her name was to have an iron ceiling with a statue of Arsinoë, made entirely of lodestone, suspended in the air beneath it. That grandiose plan came to nothing, but the series of large value gold and silver coins struck in her name was a suitable memorial. As noted by Lorber, the letters behind her bust are die sequence numbers, though it is still not proven whether they note annual issues. Under Ptolemy II, these large gold coins served a variety of purposes. The early issues were struck during the time of the Second Syrian War, but while some probably were used toward war finance, Lorber noted that these issues were too large to be solely for that purpose. The later issues were marked by an early spike in production, to Lorber, the evidence is fairly convincing that these were primarily related to the resettlement of veterans following the Second Syrian War and the reclamation of land in the villages of the Fayum. The issues of Arsinoe gold came to an end soon after the accession of Ptolemy III, but later kings sporadically issued more of them, a phenomenon that lasted into the middle of the 2nd century BC. These issues are characterized by a less refined style in type and epigraphy, and their late chronology is confirmed by finds, though the reason for their reissue is unknown. Nearly all of these late issues bear a kappa behind the head of Arsinoe, but there are also very rare issues with other letters, such as the lambda on the present coin. While the former are present in most major collections, the latter are found in only a very few.
PTOLEMAIC KINGS of EGYPT. Ptolemy IV Philopator. 222-205/4 BC. AR Tetradrachm (26mm, 14.16 g, 1h). Alexandreia mint. Struck circa 217-215/0 BC. Jugate draped busts right of Serapis and Isis / BASI?EOS ?TO?EMAIOY, eagle standing left, head right, on thunderbolt; filleted cornucopia over shoulder, ?I between legs. Svoronos 1124; Landvatter 25a (O5/R22 – this coin); SNG Copenhagen 197-8; Noeske 139; Boston MFA 2284; SNG Berry 1488; Dewing 2760. EF, lovely even dark gray tone with hues of blue around the devices, a couple light marks. Exceptional strike. Ex Leu 83 (6 May 2002), lot 464; Giessener Münzhandlung 64 (11 October 1993), 264; Numismatic Fine Arts XXVIII (23 April 1992), lot 804.This type is thought to have been issued in celebration of the Ptolemaic victory over the Seleukids at the battle of Raphia during the Fourth Syrian War. Official propaganda proclaimed that these two deities, Serapis and Isis, had intervened on the behalf of the Egyptians, saving them from defeat (see C. Lorber, “The Ptolemaic Era Coinage Revisited,” NC 2007, p. 116, and L. Bricault, “Serapis et Isis, Sauveurs de Ptolémé IV à Raphia,” Chronique d’Égypte LXXIV (1999), pp. 334-43).
PTOLEMAIC KINGS of EGYPT. Ptolemy IV Philopator. 222-205/4 BC. AR Tetradrachm (28mm, 13.72 g, 11h). Uncertain mint in Cyprus. Dated year 49 of an uncertain era (214/3 BC). Diademed head of Ptolemy I right, wearing aegis around neck / ?TO?EMAIOY SOTHPOS, eagle standing left on thunderbolt; MT (date) across field. Svoronos 851; Mørkholm, Ptolemaic 19 (A5/P15 – this coin); SNG Copenhagen –; Noeske –; Seyrig, Trésors p. 29, 36 (same dies); DCA 73. Near EF, toned, double struck on reverse. Rare date. From the collection of the MoneyMuseum, Zurich. Ex Münzen und Medaillen AG 88 (17 May 1999), lot 99; Münzen und Medaillen AG FPL 205 (November 1960), no. 353.The mint and era of this enigmatic coinage has been much debated. For the most recent discussion, see C. Lorber, “The Ptolemaic era coinage revisited,” NC (2007), pp. 105–17. Although this issue is traditionally assigned to Arados, Lorber argues for a Cypriot mint, perhaps Arsinoe near Salamis. Although the era is uncertain, a starting date of 262/1 BC has been accepted by Lorber and most scholars.
CILICIA, Tarsos. Mazaios. Satrap of Cilicia, 361/0-334 BC. AR Stater (22mm, 10.98 g, 3h). Baaltars seated left, his head and torso facing, holding eagle, grain ear, and grape bunch in extended right hand, lotus-tipped scepter in left; TN (in Aramaic) to left, M (in Aramaic) below throne, B’LTRZ (in Aramaic) to right / Lion attacking stag left; MZDY (in Aramaic) above. Casabonne Series 2, Group D; SNG France –; SNG Levante Supp. 20; Sunrise 66 (this coin). Superb EF, a touch of die wear on obverse. Well centered. From the Sunrise Collection.
CILICIA, Tarsos. Mazaios. Satrap of Cilicia, 361/0-334 BC. AR Stater (25mm, 10.78 g, 10h). Baaltars seated left, his torso facing, holding eagle-tipped scepter in extended right hand; to left, grain ear and grape bunch above L (in Aramaic) to left, M (in Aramaic) below throne, B’LTRZ (in Aramaic) to right / Lion left, attacking bull right above crenellated walls; MZDY ZY `BRNHR’ W ?LK (‘Mazaios, Governor of Transeuphrates and Cilicia’ in Aramaic) above. Casabonne Series 4, Group A; SNG France 360; SNG Levante 113; Sunrise 67 (this coin). Good VF, toned, a little soft, die break and a little porosity on obverse, small pit on reverse. From the Sunrise Collection.The Aramaic inscription on the reverse of this stater has prompted Biblical coin researcher David Hendin to reconsider the meaning of this coin type. It traditionally is translated as “Mazaios governor of Transeuphrates and Cilicia,” but Hendin translates it somewhat differently as “Mazaios who is over Eber Nahara and Cilicia.” The similarity of this inscription and a descriptive phrase used in two books of the Old Testament (which was codified at approximately the time this coin was struck) has led to Hendin’s suggestion that the walls on this coin represent the ones encompassing Jerusalem, which less than a century before had been rebuilt by Nehemiah, as related in the Books of Ezra and Nehemiah. (A fuller discussion of the subject is presented on pages 100-103 of the 4th edition of Hendin’s Guide to Biblical Coins.)
CENTRAL EUROPE, Helvetii(?). Early-mid 3rd century BC. AV Stater (17mm, 8.28 g, 8h). Imitating Philip II of Macedon. Gamshurst type. Head of Apollo right, wearing laurel wreath / [F]I?I??[OY], charioteer, holding kentron in right hand, reins in left, driving biga right; kantharos below. Sills 98.2579 (dies 3/3 – this coin); D&T 3021; Flesche 282; Lanz –; KMW –; Zürich 376. Good VF, lightly toned, small scrape on reverse. Very rare, Sills located thirteen Gamhurst staters, and only one in CoinArchives. From the collection of the MoneyMuseum, Zurich. Ex Triton I (2 December 1997), lot 9; Leu 61 (17 May 1995), lot 19; Leu 25 (23 April 1980), lot 19.
GAUL, Northwest. Abrincatui. Circa 100-50 BC. BI Stater (20mm, 6.85 g, 8h). Celticized head right, spiral ornament and annulet on cheek; pearl ornament around / Celticized horse right; head of charioteer to upper left, “pole” surmounted by pellet-in-annulet above, boar to right, “lyre” flanked by pellets-in-annulets below. D&T 2269 (this coin illustrated); Depeyrot, NC VIII, 122; de la Tour J 5; Flesche 196; Gruel & Morin –. EF, toned. Excellent metal quality. Very rare. From the collection of the MoneyMuseum, Zurich. Ex Leu 79 (31 October 2000), lot 76; Anthony McCammon Collection (Baldwin’s 20, 11 October 1999), lot 26; 1957 La Catillon (Jersey) hoard.
GAUL, Northwest. Andecavi. 2nd century BC. Base AV Stater (19.5mm, 7.53 g, 2h). Celticized head right, surmounted by hippocamp right; pearl strings flowing around, [terminating in small Celticized heads] / Devolved charioteer driving biga right, holding reins in left hand, right hand holding long branch connected to vexillum-like device to right; below, winged figure flying right. D&T 2118 (Veneti); Depeyrot, NC VIII, 99.23 (this coin); de la Tour 6830; Flesche –; Gruel & Morin 41 (Veneti). Good VF, toned, soft strike on obverse. Struck on a broad flan. From the collection of the MoneyMuseum, Zurich. Ex Tresor à Le Mans (Sarthe) (Weil, 27 March 2001), lot 112.
CILICIA, Tarsos. Mazaios. Satrap of Cilicia, 361/0-334 BC. AR Stater (22mm, 10.83 g, 11h). Baaltars seated left, his torso facing, holding lotus-tipped scepter in extended right hand, left hand holding chlamys at his waist; B’LTRZ (in Aramaic) and shield to right / Lion walking left; MZDY (in Aramaic) above, P (in Aramaic) in exergue. Casabonne Series 5, Group A; SNG France –; SNG Levante Supp. 27 var. (nothing in exergue; Myriandros); BMC 62; Sunrise 56 corr. (mint; this coin). EF, a couple edge splits. Very rare issue with letter in exergue on reverse. From the Sunrise Collection. Ex Leu 83 (6 May 2002), lot 360; Classical Numismatic Group XXX (11 June 1994), lot 181.The attribution of the walking-lion series of Mazaios had originally been given to the mint of Tarsos, but Newell argued that they more likely were struck at Myriandros in his study of that mint in AJN 53 (1919). Later, J.D. Bing, in AJN 1 (1989), argued for an alternative attribution of the Myriandros coinage to the mint of Issos. While most numismatic works continue to follow Newell, Casabonne’s significant study of Cilicia during the Persian period convincingly returns these coins of Mazaios to the mint of Tarsos (cf. Casabonne, pp. 215–7).
GAUL, Northeast. Catuslogi. Circa 50-30 BC. Æ (14.5mm, 2.70 g, 1h). Bracquemont type. Helmeted head (of Roma) right; X to left / Cock standing right, its breast in the form of a bearded male face; ornaments around. Scheers 111, Class 1, pl. XVII, 461; D&T 511; Depeyrot, NC VI, 25.65 (this coin); de la Tour –; CCCBM III –; Flesche –; KMW –; Zürich –. Good VF, dark emerald green patina, small spot of encrustation on reverse. Rare. From the collection of the MoneyMuseum, Zurich. Ex Leu 79 (31 October 2000), lot 95.
CILICIA, Tarsos. Mazaios. Satrap of Cilicia, 361/0-334 BC. AR Stater (20mm, 10.40 g, 4h). Baaltars seated left, his torso facing, holding lotus-tipped scepter in extended right hand, left hand holding chlamys at his waist; thymiaterion to left, B’LTRZ (in Aramaic) to right / Lion walking left on ground; MZDY (in Aramaic) above. Casabonne Series 5, Group B; SNG France 431 (Myriandros); SNG Levante 188 (Myriandros); Sunrise 56 corr. (mint; this coin). EF, even gray toning with light golden hues around the devices, some minor surface delaminations, obverse a little off center. From the Sunrise Collection.The attribution of the walking-lion series of Mazaios had originally been given to the mint of Tarsos, but Newell argued that they more likely were struck at Myriandros in his study of that mint in AJN 53 (1919). Later, J.D. Bing, in AJN 1 (1989), argued for an alternative attribution of the Myriandros coinage to the mint of Issos. While most numismatic works continue to follow Newell, Casabonne’s significant study of Cilicia during the Persian period convincingly returns these coins of Mazaios to the mint of Tarsos (cf. Casabonne, pp. 215–7).
CILICIA, Tarsos. Mazaios. Satrap of Cilicia, 361/0-334 BC. AR Obol (10mm, 0.82 g, 6h). Baaltars seated left, his torso facing, holding lotus-tipped scepter in extended right hand, left hand holding chlamys at his waist; MZDY (in Aramaic) to right / Lion walking left, head facing, on ground; above, winged solar disk with volutes. Casabonne Series 5, Group B; Göktürk –; SNG France –; SNG Levante 190 (Myriandros); Sunrise 62 corr. (mint; this coin). Superb EF, toned, a few light marks under tone. Exceptional. From the Sunrise Collection.The attribution of the walking-lion series of Mazaios had originally been given to the mint of Tarsos, but Newell argued that they more likely were struck at Myriandros in his study of that mint in AJN 53 (1919). Later, J.D. Bing, in AJN 1 (1989), argued for an alternative attribution of the Myriandros coinage to the mint of Issos. While most numismatic works continue to follow Newell, Casabonne’s significant study of Cilicia during the Persian period convincingly returns these coins of Mazaios to the mint of Tarsos (cf. Casabonne, pp. 215–7).
CILICIA, Tarsos. Mazaios. Satrap of Cilicia, 361/0-334 BC. AR Obol (10mm, 0.75 g, 2h). Baaltars seated left, his torso facing, holding lotus-tipped scepter in extended right hand, left hand holding chlamys at his waist / Lion walking right over crescent; star above. Casabonne Series 5, Group C; Göktürk –; SNG France 435 (Myriandros); SNG Levante 191 (Myriandros); Sunrise 59 corr. (mint; this coin). EF, minor porosity. Very rare, only two examples on CoinArchives. From the Sunrise Collection.The attribution of the walking-lion series of Mazaios had originally been given to the mint of Tarsos, but Newell argued that they more likely were struck at Myriandros in his study of that mint in AJN 53 (1919). Later, J.D. Bing, in AJN 1 (1989), argued for an alternative attribution of the Myriandros coinage to the mint of Issos. While most numismatic works continue to follow Newell, Casabonne’s significant study of Cilicia during the Persian period convincingly returns these coins of Mazaios to the mint of Tarsos (cf. Casabonne, pp. 215–7).
SASANIAN KINGS. Kavad (Kavadh) II. AD 628. AR Drachm (31mm, 4.16 g, 3h). AHM (Hamadan) mint. Dated RY 2 (AD 628). kw’ty in Pahlavi to left, pylwcy in Pahlavi to right, bust right, wearing mural crown with frontal crescent and korymbos set on crescent; ribbon on left shoulder, crescent and ribbon on right; stars flanking crown; star-in-crescents in margin / Fire altar with ribbons; flanked by two attendants; star and crescent flanking flames; RY date on left, AHM in Palavi (mint) on right; star-in-crescents in margin. Malek, Kavad, 1-8 (this coin unrecorded); Göbl type I/1; Mochiri 429; Paruck -; Saeedi –; Sunrise –. EF, lustrous.
SPAIN, Bilbilis. Tiberius. AD 14-37. Lot of two (2) Æ Asses. L. Aelius Sejanus, consul along with the emperor. Struck AD 31. Both VF, second coin a bit rough. From the R.A.M. Collection. Ex Classical Numismatic Group XXXII (7 December 1994), lot 470.Lucius Aelius Sejanus came from an up-and-coming equestrian family. Early in his career, Sejanus served with Augustus` grandson Gaius in the east, and may have accompanied Drusus Caesar north to quell the mutinies that broke out upon Augustus` death. He was made praefectus praetorio (commander of the Praetorian Guard) along with his father Lucius Seius Strabo, but when Strabo was promoted to the post of praefectus Aegypti, Sejanus took sole command of the Guard. As head of a force of 12,000 loyal soldiers, he used his position to gain influence over Tiberius.In AD 23, upon the death of Drusus Caesar, Sejanus proposed marrying Drusus` widow Livilla, with whom he was allegedly having an affair. So indispensable had he become in maintaining order in the capital that Tiberius called him "the partner of my labors," a position that Sejanus carefully built upon following the emperor`s retirement to Capri in AD 26. Using the emperor`s absence to his advantage, Sejanus imprisoned Germanicus` widow, Agrippina Senior, her sons Nero and Drusus, and their supporters on charges of treason. In AD 31, Sejanus served as consul with Tiberius – the first step, he hoped, in acquiring tribunician power and becoming the imperial heir. Although Sejanus` position seemed unassailable, Tiberius became aware of Sejanus’ machinations and condemned his consular colleague in a letter to the Senate. Sejanus and his children were executed, reprisals followed against his adherents, and the Senate issued a damnatio memoriae.
CILICIA, Tarsos. Mazaios. Satrap of Cilicia, 361/0-334 BC. AR Stater (23mm, 10.81 g, 7h). Baaltars seated left, his torso facing, holding lotus-tipped scepter in extended right hand, left hand holding chlamys at his waist; thymiaterion surmounted by eagle to left, barley grain below throne, B’LTRZ (in Aramaic) to right / Lion walking left; Z (in Phoenician[?]) above. Casabonne Series 5, Group E; SNG France –; SNG Levante Supp. 28 (Myriandros); Sunrise 60 corr. (mint; this coin). EF, toned, some die wear on obverse. Well centered on a broad flan. From the Sunrise Collection, purchased from Kirk Davis, December 2000.The attribution of the walking-lion series of Mazaios had originally been given to the mint of Tarsos, but Newell argued that they more likely were struck at Myriandros in his study of that mint in AJN 53 (1919). Later, J.D. Bing, in AJN 1 (1989), argued for an alternative attribution of the Myriandros coinage to the mint of Issos. While most numismatic works continue to follow Newell, Casabonne’s significant study of Cilicia during the Persian period convincingly returns these coins of Mazaios to the mint of Tarsos (cf. Casabonne, pp. 215–7).
![CILICIA, Adana. Caracalla. AD 198-217. Æ (38mm, 25.20 g, 6h). AVT · KAI[C · M ·] AVP ANTON?INOC C?B ·, radiate, draped, and c](http://lot-images.atgmedia.com/SR/35357/2920276/882-201412817314_468x382.jpg)
CILICIA, Adana. Caracalla. AD 198-217. Æ (38mm, 25.20 g, 6h). AVT · KAI[C · M ·] AVP ANTON?INOC C?B ·, radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / [A?]P [C?]V ANTONIN[I]A–NON A?AN?ON, Zeus Nicephorus seated left; at feet, eagle standing left, head right. Levante, Adana –; SNG Levante –; SNG France –; SNG von Aulock –; SNG Pfälzer –; SNG Leypold –; Lindgren –. Good VF, green patina, minor roughness, scratches on forehead and before bust. Possibly unpublished. From the Edoardo Levante Collection. Ex La Galerie Numismatique IX (14 January 2007), lot 539.An interesting coin struck late in Caracalla’s reign. This appears to be the earliest coin of Adana to name the city as “Severan” and “Antonine”. All earlier coins of the imperial era in Levante’s catalog bear either the honorific title “A?PIANON" or a similar, shortened form.
CILICIA, Aegeae. Pseudo-autonomous issue. temp. Caligula, AD 37-41. Æ (30mm, 18.98 g, 12h). Dated CY 86 (AD 39/40). Head of Dionysus right, wearing ivy wreath and head band; thyrsus over far shoulder / AIG?AI?N upward to left, ?? (date) to upper right, ANTIG[?] to lower right, draped bust of Poseidon right, wearing taenia; trident before. SNG Levante 1690 = SNG von Aulock 8665 = RPC I 4034.3 (this coin); SNG France –. VF, earthen black patina. Rare. From the Edoardo Levante Collection. Ex Hans von Aulock Collection.
CILICIA, Aegeae. Hadrian. AD 117-138. AR Tridrachm (23.5mm, 9.49 g, 12h). Dated CY 164 (AD 117/8). AYTOKP KAIC TPAIANOC A?PIANOC C?B, laureate bust of Hadrian right, slight drapery / AIG?AION ?TOYC ??P (date), diademed head of Alexander the Great right; below, goat kneeling left, head right. Prieur 715A (this coin); SNG Levante –; SNG Levante Supp. –; SNG France 2326. VF, toned, light porosity. Rare. From the Edoardo Levante Collection.Some question has arisen regarding the identification of the portrait on the reverse of this issue. Prieur identified it as Perseus, the hero who slew Medusa and rescued the princess Andromeda. SNG France (cataloged by Levante) opted instead for Alexander the Great. While some coins from this region do use the portrait of Perseus as a type, his identifying symbols – the gorgoneion, the winged helmet, and especially the harpa – are always included as identifying elements. The diademed head, on the other hand, is indicative of a Hellenistic ruler. It is possible that since Cilician Aegeae was the namesake of the old Macedonian capital (see reverse legend on lot 886 below), the inclusion of Alexander’s portrait made an attractive reference to the Hellenistic past. At the same time, given that these coins were struck on behalf of the philhellenic Hadrian, the connection between the emperor and the great Macedonian king would not have been missed.
CILICIA, Aegeae. Septimius Severus. AD 193-211. Æ (33mm, 22.30 g, 12h). Dated CY 247 (AD 200/1). AVT K ? C?? C?VHPOC ??P C, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / C?V–HPI[A]N?N AIG–?AI?N ? ZMC (date), galley right with two masts and standard, seven oarsmen and one helmsman. SNG Levante 1736 = SNG von Aulock 5454 (this coin); SNG France –. VF, attractive brown patina. From the Edoardo Levante Collection. Ex Hans von Aulock Collection.
CILICIA, Aegeae. Pseudo-autonomous issue. temp. Caracalla, AD 198-217. AR Tetradrachm (29mm, 13.31 g, 6h). Dated CY 262 (AD 215/6). AIG?AION ANTON?INOY ?O[?]?OC, bust of Asclepius right, wearing taenia and with slight drapery; serpent-entwined staff before / MAK??ONIKHC ?YG?NOYC, Asclepius standing facing, head left, leaning on serpent-entwined staff; to left, Telesphorus standing facing; to right, goat kneeling right, head left; B?–C (date) across central field. H. Bloesch, “Caracalla in Aigeai,” Congresso internazionale di numismatica Roma 1961, vol. 2: Atti (Rome: 1965), pp. 307-8, pl. 23, 1 var. (date written out in words rather than expressed in numerals); Prieur 723 = SNG Levante 1741 (this coin); SNG France –; Kastner 4, lot 165 var. (date arranged differently in field). EF, toned. Extremely rare and possibly the only example in private hands. From the Edoardo Levante Collection. Ex Numismatic Fine Arts XVI (2 December 1985), lot 496.A highly interesting issue and one of only three examples known to Prieur at the time of his corpus (the specimen published by Bloesch is in the Winterthur Museum, the Kastner coin is now in the British Museum). As patron deity of Aegeae, which was renowned for its doctors, the appearance of Asclepius is not surprising, but the type must also allude to Caracalla’s well being. The emperor’s health had declined precipitously in the final years of his reign. On his way to campaign in the east in AD 214, he visited the great shrine of Asclepius at Pergamum in hopes of finding a cure. This visit was commemorated with a remarkable series of medallions issued at Pergamum, and around the same time Asclepius was honored on Caracalla’s imperial coinage. The exact circumstances which led to this rare and artistic tetradrachm being struck at Aegeae are unknown. It is possible that Caracalla visited the important port town on his journey east.The legends can be translated as “The Antonine city of Aegeae / of noble and Macedonian origin.”
CILICIA, Anazarbus. Maximinus I. AD 235-238. Æ Hexassaria (32mm, 24.78 g, 12h). Dated CY 255 (AD 236/7). AV · K · G · IOV · OVH · MA?IM?INOC · C?B ·, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / ANAZ · ?N? · MHTPO ·/ B–G/ [CVN]TVCIA OI/KOV(M?)(NH)C, female figure standing left, wearing polos and holding bipennis in left hand, before bull standing left. Ziegler 663.1 = SNG Levante 1480 = SNG von Aulock 5500 = Ziegler, Städtisches 40, B44 = SGI 3539 (this coin). Good VF, dark brown patina, very minor roughness. One of only two cited in Ziegler’s die study (the other in the ANS). From the Edoardo Levante Collection. Ex Hans von Aulock Collection.
CILICIA, Mopsouestia-Mopsos. Domitian. AD 81-96. Æ (26.5mm, 11.43 g, 12h). Dated CY 161 (AD 93/4). ?OM?TIANOC C?BACTOC, laureate head right / [M]O??A/[T]?N TH–C I?PA/[C] KAI ACY–?OY upward to left, KAI AYT–ONOM/OY A?P (date) upward to right, Apollo standing left, holding branch in right hand, leaning left elbow on tripod. Von Aulock, Mopsos 27c = SNG Levante 1326 = SNG von Aulock 5734 = RPC II 1741.1 (this coin); SNG France 1965-6. Good VF, dark brown patina. From the Edoardo Levante Collection. Ex Hans von Aulock Collection.
CILICIA, Seleucia ad Calycadnum. Geta. AD 209-211. Æ (27mm, 10.36 g, 7h). AVT KAI ?O C? G?TAC, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / C??–?VK?ON T–ON ?POC ?O K/A?–VK–A?NO, Apollo standing left, holding branch in right hand, leaning left elbow on tripod with serpent coiled around middle leg. SNG Levante 752 = SNG von Aulock 8709 (this coin); SNG France –; CNG 91, lot 559 (same dies). VF, brown patina. From the Edoardo Levante Collection. Ex Hans von Aulock Collection.
CILICIA, Tarsos. Mazaios. Satrap of Cilicia, 361/0-334 BC. AR Obol (9mm, 0.72 g, 9h). Crowned figure of Artaxerxes III in the guise of Baaltars seated right, holding lotus flower in right hand, lotus-tipped scepter in left / Lion walking left; Z (in Phoenician[?]) above. Casabonne Series 6 and p. 218, n. 913; Göktürk –; SNG France 425 (Myriandros); SNG Levante 184 (Myriandros); Sunrise 61 corr. (mint; this coin). Superb EF, toned, a little off center. Exceptional. From the Sunrise Collection.The attribution of the walking-lion series of Mazaios had originally been given to the mint of Tarsos, but Newell argued that they more likely were struck at Myriandros in his study of that mint in AJN 53 (1919). Later, J.D. Bing, in AJN 1 (1989), argued for an alternative attribution of the Myriandros coinage to the mint of Issos. While most numismatic works continue to follow Newell, Casabonne’s significant study of Cilicia during the Persian period convincingly returns these coins of Mazaios to the mint of Tarsos (cf. Casabonne, pp. 215–7).The appearance of Baaltars on this issue is significantly different from the relatively standard depiction of the deity on other coins of Tarsos. While the diety is typically shown nude to his waist, here the figure is fully clothed with attire that closely resembles that on the figure that appears on the royal Persian coinage struck at Sardes. More importanly, though, is the headdress on the figure. Baaltars typically wears a laurel wreath or no headdress, while this portrait shows the figure wearing an elaborate headdress. In a recent article, Frank Kovacs analysed the type, and argues that this figure is actually the Great King Araxeres III Ochos, in the guise of Baaltars, and the headdress is the combined crown of Upper and Lower Egypt, thus his appearance here is as pharaoh of Egypt (cf. F. Kovacs, "Two Persian Pharaonic Potraits" in JNG L [2000]; see also M. Thompson, in MN XII [1968], pp. 11–2, who notes the figure wearing a "high crown of Egyptian type"). This is plausible, as Araxerxes was the first pharaoh of the Thirty-First Dynasty of Egypt, and the date of his rule there, 343-338 BC, comports well with this issue under Mazaios.O. Casabonne, while acknowledging that the figure here may represent a synthesis of Baaltars and the Great King, disagrees with the identification of the headdress as the Egyptian crown. Instead, he views the headdress as being a Phrigian style cap that is often depicted in contemporary art as being worn by warriors (cf. Casabonne, p. 121, fig. 8), but is here shown with the cheek guards in a raised position.Nonetheless, it is doubless that the figure here is a synthesized portrait of Baaltars and the Persian Great King. The fractional silver of this issue, interestingly, may be most instructive, as the headdress on the figure is shown wearing a crown that is identical to that on the figure of the royal Achaemenid coinage and his robes have interlocking circles reminiscent of the darics of Carradice Type IV Late (cf. M. Thompson, op. cit., p. 12).
CILICIA, Tarsus. Marcus Aurelius, with Lucius Verus. AD 161-169. Æ (32mm, 18.03 g, 12h). AVT KAIC MAP AVPH?IO ANTON?INOC C?B, laureate head of Marcus right / A?PAINHC TAPCOY MHTPO?O??OC, Marcus, holding volumen in left hand, and Lucius standing facing one another, clasping right hands; star above, OMO/NOIA/ C?BACTON between emperors and continuing into exergue. SNG Levante 1017 (this coin); SNG von Aulock –; SNG France 1452 var. (bust type). VF, dark green patina, light roughness in field before portrait. From the Edoardo Levante Collection.
CYPRUS, Uncertain. Diva Faustina Senior, with Galerius Antoninus. Died AD 140/1 and before AD 138, respectively. Æ (28mm, 9.84 g, 12h). Struck AD 147 or later. T?A FAY–CT?INA, draped bust of Diva Faustina right / M [GA]??PI[OC ANT?NINO]C AYTOKPATOPOC ANT?NINOY YIOC, bareheaded and draped bust of Galerius Antoninus right. Overbeck, Galerius 6; Parks 22; Vagi 1517; Lindgren III 940. Near VF, dark green and brown patina. From the R.A.M. Collection.This issue raises three important questions. The first regards where it was minted. While the general consensus assigns it to a Cypriot mint, alternative suggestions include an uncertain Cretan or Balkan mint or Rome. The second question regards its date. If the obverse legend for this coin follows the pattern set at Rome, then this coin had to be struck no earlier than AD 147, when the DIVA FAVSTINA obverse legend was instituted. The third question regards the purpose for which it was struck. Galerius Antoninus was the natural son of Antoninus Pius and Faustina Senior. When he had died before his father had been made Caesar, Hadrian compelled Antoninus Pius, now without a son, to adopt Lucius Verus and Marcus Aurelius as his heirs. In AD 147, Faustina Junior, Antoninus Pius` only surviving daughter, was created Augusta upon her marriage to Marcus Aurelius. In the flurry of issues struck to commemorate this event and the formation of a new dynasty, it is quite possible that this issue was struck to commemorate the young boy`s premature death and posthumously include him in the new imperial scheme.
KINGS of MACEDON. Philip III Arrhidaios. 323-317 BC. AV Stater (19mm, 8.57 g, 7h). In the types of Philip II. Abydos mint. Struck under Leonnatos, Arrhidaios, or Antigonos I Monophthalmos. Head of Apollo right, wearing laurel wreath / FI?I??OY, charioteer, holding kentron in right hand, reins in left, driving biga right; star and monogram below, horse leg in exergue. Thompson, Philip 27; ADM II Series VII, 106 (same dies); SNG ANS 303; Sunrise 149 (this coin). Choice EF, underlying luster, a tiny nick at edge on reverse. From the Sunrise Collection.
CILICIA, Tarsos. Balakros. Satrap of Cilicia, 333-323 BC. AR Stater (23mm, 10.88 g, 1h). Baaltars seated left, his torso facing, holding lotus-tipped scepter in extended right hand, left hand holding chlamys at his waist; grain ear to left, B’LTRZ (in Aramaic) to right / Lion left, attacking bull right above crenellated walls; B above. Casabonne Series 1; SNG France 365 corr. (no letter below throne); SNG Levante –; Sunrise 146 (this coin). EF, lightly toned, slight die shift and die wear on obverse. From the Sunrise Collection. Ex Peter Guber Collection (Freeman & Sear Manhattan Sale II, 4 January 2011), lot 67.
![SYRIA, Seleucis and Pieria. Nicopolis Seleucidis. Philip I. AD 244-249. Æ 8 Assaria(?) (26mm, 13.46 g, 6h). AVT K [M] IV?R](http://lot-images.atgmedia.com/SR/35357/2920276/900-2014128173146_468x382.jpg)
SYRIA, Seleucis and Pieria. Nicopolis Seleucidis. Philip I. AD 244-249. Æ 8 Assaria(?) (26mm, 13.46 g, 6h). AVT K [M] IV?–IOC FI?I??[OC] C?[B], radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / N?IKO?O–??IT?N C???VKI[?]OC, two figures advancing left, heads right; to upper right, Eros flying right, holding torch; to lower right, H (mark of value) before half-length figure of river-god swimming right. R. Bland, “The coinage of Jotapian. Appendix: The coinage of Philip I from Nicopolis in Seleucia,” Essays Carson-Jenkins p. 205, 5b (this coin, illustrated on pl. XXXVI); Butcher 17 = BMC 3 var. (bust type, arrangement of rev. legend). VF, dark green patina, roughness. Very rare. From the Edoardo Levante Collection. Ex Münzen und Medaillen GmBH 14 (16 April 2004), lot 679; G. Hirsch 175 (23 September 1992), lot 1310.
SYRIA, Decapolis. Dium. Septimius Severus. AD 193-211. Æ (3mm, 28.86 g, 12h). Struck CY 268 (AD 205/6). AV · K · ? · C?? C?OVHPOC ·, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / [?]TOYC H?C (date) above, ??[IH]–N?N below, bearded river-god reclining left on overturned amphora from which water flows, holding reed in right hand, cornucopia in left; tree in left field. Spijkerman –; Rosenberger –; cf. Sofaer 8 (Adraa). VF, earthen brown patina. Extremely rare. The left hand portion of the ethnic is very faint but the first two letters, which appear to be ??, are fairly legible. Very little of the legend on the Sofaer coin is preserved and it was presumably given to Adraa due to the river-god type the mint often used. That coin seems to have the ethnic above (only the end portion ...N?N is visible) and, presumably, a date below. The style, however, does not match the coinage of Adraa and the river-god on the known types is always accompanied by a figure of Tyche. Additionally, a date of 268, comporting with the Pompeian era, would be incompatible with the city (Adraa’s coinage is dated according to Trajan’s establishment of the Provincia Arabia in AD 106). At Dium, coins of Domna with her earlier hairstyle, a young Caracalla as Augustus, and Geta as Caesar are all known, each with portraits with bulbous heads, pointy noses, and recessed chins as on our coin. Year 268 was apparently the first year the city struck coins, based on the dates known for all other members of the imperial family.
PHOENICIA, Tyre. Trajan. AD 98-117. AR Tetradrachm (27mm, 15.06 g, 6h). Dated RY 12 (AD 108/9). AVT KAI N?POVA TRAIANOC, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust of Trajan right / C?B T?P (sic) ?KI (sic) ?HM ?? V? ?, laureate bust of Melqart-Hercules right, with lion’s skin tied around neck; L IB (date) below. Prieur 1524 var. (rev. legend); McAlee 456 var. (same). EF, toned, small scuff below Melqart’s chin. Rare and of exceptional style. There is good evidence that Rome and Alexandria were involved in the production of the Tyrian silver coinage under Trajan. This and a related issue (Prieur 1523; McAlee 457) are not only Alexandrian in style but use a form of dating that is characteristically Egyptian. Discussing these coins, McAlee (p. 191) notes: “Given the die link between a Group 1 tetradrachm and a bronze coin of Alexandria at the beginning of Trajan’s reign, it seems likely that Alexandria also produced dies or struck coins for Tyre in this instance. The reason on this occasion was probably that the tetradrachm mint at Tyre lacked the skilled engravers necessary to produce the dies, since it had been dependent on Rome for producing dies (and perhaps for striking as well) for its preceding issues.”
![EGYPT, Alexandria. Trajan. AD 98-117. Æ Drachm (34mm, 19.66 g, 12h). Dated RY 17 (AD 113/4). AVT T PAIAN C?B G?RM ?AK[IK], la](http://lot-images.atgmedia.com/SR/35357/2920276/906-201412817320_468x382.jpg)
EGYPT, Alexandria. Trajan. AD 98-117. Æ Drachm (34mm, 19.66 g, 12h). Dated RY 17 (AD 113/4). AVT T PAIAN C?B G?RM ?AK[IK], laureate bust right, wearing aegis / Helios, holding a scepter over his left shoulder and raising his right hand in salute, in galloping quadriga right; winged bust of Serapis(?), facing left, above horses; [L] IZ (date) in exergue. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 6925; K&G –; Emmett –; Kellner p. 103, Abb. 14 (this coin). VF, dark green and brown patina with touches of red, edge splits, area of corrosion on the obverse. Very rare. From the ‘AK Collection’. Reportedly ex August Voirol Collection, purchased privately from Frank Sternberg.A fascinating type with Helios saluting a winged bust of Serapis. Many references either do not describe the type, or have a different attribution for the winged bust above the horses (i.e. Eos flying left in a biga per Kellner). While the Kellner attribution certainly makes sense (Helios, the sun, flying toward Eos, the dawn), a survey of the few known examples seems to support this cataloger’s identification. A high-grade example would be needed to identify the type with any certainty.
![EGYPT, Alexandria. Hadrian. AD 117-138. Æ Drachm (32mm, 21.98 g, 11h). Dated RY 20 (AD 135/6). [AVT KAIC] TPAIAN • A?P[](http://lot-images.atgmedia.com/SR/35357/2920276/907-201412817322_468x382.jpg)
EGYPT, Alexandria. Hadrian. AD 117-138. Æ Drachm (32mm, 21.98 g, 11h). Dated RY 20 (AD 135/6). [AVT KAIC] TPAIAN • A?P[IANOC C?B], laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Ram, wearing crown composed of two uraei and disk, standing right before altar; above, draped bust right of Serapis wearing calathus; in field, [L]-K (date). Köln 1206; Dattari (Savio) 1825; K&G 32.715; Emmett 1028.20 (R2); Kellner p. 108, Abb. 17 (this coin). VF, dark green patina with touches of brown, some minor smoothing. Rare. From the ‘AK Collection’. Ex Dr. Hans Steger Collection (Münzhandlung Basel 6, 18 March 1936), lot 557.An interesting type that is often misidentified as a ‘Zodiac’ type (Aries).
EGYPT, Alexandria. Antinoüs. Died AD 130. Æ Hemidrachm (29mm, 14.76 g, 12h). Struck RY 19 of Hadrian (AD 134/5). ANTINOOV [HP?OC], draped bust right, wearing hem–hem crown / Antinoüs, cloaked and holding caduceus, on horseback right; L/I–T (date) in field. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 8007-9; K&G 34a.2; Blum 10; Emmett 1347.19 (R3); Kellner p. 108, Abb. 14 (this coin). Fine, dark brown patina with touches of red, two edge splits. Rare. From the ‘AK Collection’. Ex Dr. Hans Steger Collection (Münzhandlung Basel 6, 18 March 1936), lot 585.
![EGYPT, Alexandria. Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (35mm, 31.42 g, 11h). Dated RY 5 (AD 141/2). [AV]T K T AI? A?P ANT?NI](http://lot-images.atgmedia.com/SR/35357/2920276/909-201412817326_468x382.jpg)
EGYPT, Alexandria. Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (35mm, 31.42 g, 11h). Dated RY 5 (AD 141/2). [AV]T K T AI? A?P ANT?NIN[OC C?B ?VC], laureate head right / Radiate and draped bust of Serapis-Pantheos right, wearing calathus and horn of Ammon; dolphin-entwined trident to right, L-? (date) across field. Köln 1412 var. (Pius’ bust draped and cuirassed); Dattari 2867 (same dies); K&G 35.163 var. (same); Emmett 1676.5; Curtis, “The Coinage of Roman Egypt: A Survey” (reprinted from The Numismatist, January-August 1956), Pl. I, 1 (this coin–reverse illustrated). Good VF, attractive brown patina. Rare and exceptional. From the RAJ Collection. Purchased privaely from CNG (CICF, 2009). Ex Classical Numismatic Group 78 (14 May 2008), lot 1509; Col. James W. Curtis Collection.Serapis was a syncretic god, a combination formed from Hellenistic Greek and Egyptian religious concepts. His name is of Egyptian origin and derives from a synthesis of Ausar (Greek, Osiris), the Egyptian god of the Underworld, and Hapi (Greek, Apis), a manifestation of the god Ptah. Under the Ptolemies, Serapis became the chief tutelary god and the subject of a royally-sponsored cult, whose emphasis on an afterlife made the worship of Serapis one of the more popular mystery cults. His immense popularity soon promoted his creation as Serapis-Pantheos, a hybrid deity incorporating other divine elements. In Alexandria, a large temple complex called the Serapeum was constructed that remained highly patronized well into the fourth century AD. Shortly after the imperial decree of AD 391, officially ordering pagan temples closed, the Serapeum was besieged, plundered and destroyed.
![EGYPT, Alexandria. Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (33mm, 24.57 g, 12h). Zodiac series. Dated RY 8 (AD 144/5). [AVT K] T](http://lot-images.atgmedia.com/SR/35357/2920276/910-201412817329_468x382.jpg)
EGYPT, Alexandria. Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (33mm, 24.57 g, 12h). Zodiac series. Dated RY 8 (AD 144/5). [AVT K] T AI? A?P ANT?NINOC C?B [?VC], laureate head right / Selene (Moon) in Cancer: draped bust of Selene right; star of eight rays before, crescent moon below, crab beneath all; L–H (date) to either side. Köln 1494; Dattari (Savio) 2964; K&G 35.270; Emmet 1681.8. VF, dark green and brown patina with touches of red, earthen highlights/deposits, edge split. Alexandria saw an immense output of coinage during the eighth year of Antoninus Pius’s reign. The Zodiac drachms, mythological types, and a host of issues for the nomes appeared that year. One explanation for this activity centers on the celebration of the renewal of the Great Sothic cycle, the point when the star Sothis (Sirius) rises on the same point on the horizon as the sun. This cycle of 1461 years began early in the reign of Pius in AD 139, and apparently prompted a renewal in the ancient Egyptian religion, while the coin types also stressed the connections to the Greco-Roman Pantheon.
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