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Double-Signed, Possibly by the Artist Polycrates. Ex Bunbury 1896. Ex Perkins 1902. Ex Boston 1955 Bruttium. Terina. 410-405 BC. Stater, 7.16g (5h). Obv: Head of nymph Terina right, hair in sphendone decorated with meander pattern, wearing necklace; artist`s signature Π behind. Rx: Nike seated left with open wings on cippus, wearing chiton and himation; holding olive branch in right hand and resting left hand on cippus; artist`s signature Π on cippus. Holloway & Jenkins 47. Regling 43 (this coin). Boston MFA 1955, 213 (this coin). HN Italy 2602. EF Ex The New York Sale, Prospero Collection, 4 January 2012, lot 112. Ex M&M 54, 26 October 1978, lot 79. Ex Museum of Fine Arts Boston. Ex Sir E. Bunbury Collection, Sotheby 1896, lot 246. Ex Catherine Page Perkins Collection Literature: Guide to the Catherine Page Perkins Collection of Greek and Roman Coins, Boston 1902, #35 (this coin) Terina, Kurt Regling, #43d (this coin), Berlin 1906 Catalogue of Greek Coins, Agnes Baldwin Brett, Boston 1955, #213 (this coin) From the preface of the 1902 MFA Boston Perkins Guide: "As evidence of the estimation in which certain of them are held by connoisseurs, it may be of interest to state that one coin now in this collection was sold at a London auction a few years ago for over $1500, and another, at a different sale, brought over $900. Figures like these show that the formation of a collection of first-rate Greek coins is no longer a simple or inexpensive matter" (Edward Robinson, Director of the Museum) From the Introduction of the 1902 MFA Boston Perkins Guide: "No, 35, Terina (Pl. I), recalling the style of the Nike Balustrade (see casts, Nos. 491-497); and No. 28 Croton (Pl. I), which seems to reproduce the `Theseus` of the Parthenon (cast 410 C)." From the text of the 1902 MFA Boston Perkins Guide: "34-35 Terina, colonized from Croton 35 (Pl. I.) Nike (Victory) seated, holding an olive spray. This graceful and beautiful figure is among the finest creations of Greek coin-engraving. It is probably the work of the artist of the Pandosia stater, No. 32 (Pl. I). Compare the gem-like fineness of this coin with the similar but more sculpturesque and broadly treated coin of Elis, No. 355" The seated Nike is one of the most charming coin images from the late fifth century. Obviously the engraver Π "who clearly shows a sculptural tendency" (Jongkees) was well informed about avant-garde works of art. The informal, nonchalant posture of the goddess, the slightly rippling folds of her garments, all this shows features of the `rich style` developed by Attic sculptors after the Parthenon sculptures had been finished in 432 BC. The closest parallels can be found among the reliefs of the Nike temple parapet, the famous one showing Nike fixing her sandal in particular. Known as the `ornate style` in South Italian vase-painting, the `rich style` was not confined to sculptures, but it barely has parallels among Greek coins. Here is one of the rare examples where a talented coin engraver was stimulated by the most innovative artists of the Attic school in other media. Of the 605 coins in the Perkins collection that Boston purchased in three sections in 1895,1897 and 1900 only 57 were illustrated in the plates. That is less than 10% and our Terina was one of them. This coin left the museum, not in the 1980 sale of Boston duplicates held by NFA but by private treaty. It was sold to Herbert Cahn of M&M Basel before 1978. Cahn was one of the most renowned numismatists of the last century who was known for his scholarship and great eye. Further attesting to the importance of this coin are the comments, already cited, by the probable author of the Perkins guide, Jacob Hirsch of Ars Classica fame, who anonymously wrote the de Sartiges catalogue in France in 1910, spoke perfect English and thus probably wrote the Perkins Guide. A coin of this artistic quality combined with rarity, condition and provenance rarely comes into the market. Only 14 coins are recorded by Regling for this unique reverse die. It is very unusual that a signed coin or any coin can be linked to a famous sculpture group and further to a famous sculpture. It seems likely that these dies were created by Polycrates who was the author of the Acragas decadrachm dies which date to around the same time

Die Engraver`s Masterpiece. Rizzo Plate Coin Sicily. Naxos. c. 460/50 BC. Drachm, 4.35g (9h). Obv: Head of Dionysos right, wearing an ivy wreath in his hair. Rx: NAXION Naked and bearded Silenos squatting, facing, inclined slightly to the left, and turning his head towards the drinking vessel which he holds in his right hand, meanwhile supporting himself by his left hand resting on the ground. His animal tail curls behind him and beneath him to the left. Cahn 56.3 (V41/R47) = Rizzo, pl. XXVIII,14 (this coin). Boston 306, SNG Lloyd 1152, and Jameson 676 (all from the same dies). Of superb early classical style, with the usual die flaw in its early stages on the obverse, the reverse exceptional. Toned. aEF Ex The New York Sale XXX, 9 January 2013, lot 25. Ex M & M 54, 26 October 1978, lot 107. Ex Walter Niggeler, Bank Leu/Munzen und Medaillen, 3-4 December, 1965, lot 127. Ex Merzbacher II, 15 November 1910, lot 241. Ex Carlo Stiavelli, Santamaria, 6 April 1908, lot 178. Ex Franz Merkens, J. Hirsch XIV, 27 November 1905, lot 191. Ex Theodor Prowe, Egger, 28 November 1904, lot 217. Ex Cahn, 25 February-2 March 1901. Ex Walcher von Molthein, Rollin & Feuardent 1895, lot 478

Double Signed Kimon Masterpiece Sicily. Syracuse. 406/5 BC. Tetradrachm, 16.16g (8h). Obv: Three-quarter facing head of Arethusa, artist`s signature ΚΙΜΩΝ on headband. Dotted border. Above, [ΑΡΕΘΟΣΑ]. Rx: Racing quadriga left, Nike flying right above, crowning driver; artist`s signature ΚΙΜΩΝ on exergual line. In exergue, wheat ear and ΣΥΡΑΚΟΣΙΩΝ. Tudeer 80. Jameson Coll. 1835. SNG Oxford 2004. Nanteuil Coll. 358. For the meaning of the obverse type, see W. Fischer-Bossert in S. Vogt (ed.), Gedenkschrift Manfred Gutgesell (forthcoming). Some reverse porosity. A significant amount of horn silver has been removed from this coin since the 2011 Hirsch sale. EF/VF+ Ex Gemini X, 13 January 2013, lot 21. Ex G. Hirsch 275, 22-23 September 2011, lot 3289. Ex M&M 79, 28 February and 1 March, 1994, lot 186 Kimon’s facing Arethusa is one of the most famous head designs of antiquity, rivaling even the Arethusa of Euainetos’ decadrachm. Like the latter, Kimon’s facing Arethusa was quickly adopted by other mints in Sicily and abroad, as well as by vase painters and metal workers. The design’s adoption even in remote areas such as Lycia and Cilicia shows that it got to the heart. The point is not in the boldness to show a head 3/4 facing to the observer – this idea had been in the wind for many years, though mainly among vase painters. The revolutionary attraction is in the facial expression that gives voice to a new philosophy of life. In archaic and early classical times, heads looking to front were used by both vase painters and sculptors for characterizing dying and dead warriors, as well as monsters like the Gorgons. Then, facing heads were something scary. Heads about to turn around, thus seen in three-quarter perspective, only came into fashion in early classical times, c. 470 BC. Judging from the scenarios they were used in, they are thought to characterize a process of reasoning, or a sophisticated perception like listening to music. Kimon’s facing Arethusa, however, is totally different. The nymph is not acting as a mythological being, executing her role in the myth told about her and the river god Alpheios. She is not acting at all, but merely presenting herself to the observer, thereby enjoying herself rather than executing a role. This design appears to be the earliest forerunner of a new view of the Greek gods. In fifth century art, the gods were acting beings, engaged in human affairs. In fourth century art, the gods kept to themselves, enjoying their divine sphere, and no longer dealing with human trifles. On the one hand, this development accords with old Greek thinking, expressed as early as Homer who spoke of the “easy-living gods”. On the other, this view of the gods is totally new, and revolutionary. The old gnawing doubt as to whether deities were really controlling human affairs, thereby setting moral standards and balancing out the many great injustices of human life, forced its way into Greek philosophy during the fifth and fourth centuries, thus leading to new designs in Greek art. So Kimon’s facing Arethusa is likely to be the first, and most influential, predecessor of masterpieces of fourth century art like Praxiteles’ Cnidian Aphrodite and Olympian Hermes. The short die chain this coin belongs to consists of just four dies, two obverse dies and two reverse dies, three of which were signed by Kimon, and the fourth one made by him, too. The obverse die of our coin (Tudeer’s O29) might be the prototype; the late Leo Mildenberg demonstrated that Tudeer’s arrangement must be modified, thereby putting O29 first and O28 second. The reverse die (R53) is a highly sophisticated variant of a famous Catanean model, the tetradrachm made by Kimon’s rival Euainetos. Surprisingly in view of its importance – the influence that both the obverse and the reverse types were to exert on contemporaneous coinages, and the high esteem this die pair enjoys among coin collectors and connoisseurs of art – the die pair is extremely rare. Tudeer knew five specimens in 1913, just one of them in private hands (the Jameson coin that was to come up again in the Hunt Collection). Since then only three or four more specimens have emerged, one of them in the Ognina Hoard

Billon Tridrachm Zeugitana. Carthage. c. 215-213 BC. Billon tridrachm, 11.24g (12h). Obv: Young Tanit head left, wearing single-pendant earring. Rx: Horse standing right, palm tree behind. C. Lorber, CH IX, p. 285, no. 37, pl. 55 (this coin). These billon tridrachms were struck after the Punic War, when Hannibal had a need for money but was challenged by a shortage of silver. This coin was struck early in that period in a sweeter, more Sicilian style, rather than the harder edge Carthaginian style. The dies for this issue were cut in very low relief, thus the coins appear to be of a lower grade than they actually are. VF+

Mint State Macedonian Tribes. Derrones. c. 480-465 BC. Dodecadrachm, 30.39g Obv: Ox cart with basket-weave sides driven right by bearded man with whip, Corinthian helmet above, aphlaston under ox. Rx: Triskeles of human legs. Unpublished. This is a remarkable coin for several reasons. The large incuse air bubbles on the reverse show that during the minting process the flans were created by pouring molten metal onto a smooth surface. While the obverse is slightly doublestruck, it shows mint luster which is seldom seen on dodecadrachms. Mint State Ex Gemini VIII, 14 April 2011, lot 24

Macedonian tribes. Derrones. c. 475-450 BC. Dodekadrachm, 34.47g (11h). Bisaltian District, DerronesObv: Driver, holding goad in right hand, in oxcart right, Corinthian helmet above; Π between ox`s legs, I to right, Ǝ above. Rx: Triskeles. Cf. Svoronos pl. I, 10-16. Unpublished, but several from the same dies have appeared in trade in recent years. Obverse type is very complete. Head of driver is not struck up, otherwise EF Ex Richard P. Miller Collection. Privately purchased from Harlan Berk in 2007 Svoronos knew the inscriptions Euergetes , Xe…, and Ekco… on dodecadrachms of the Derrones (pl. ii, 5-7), and surmised that they might be the names of tribal chieftans. Our unpublished coin adds the new name ΠΕΙ… to this short list

Macedonian tribes. Bisaltae. c. 470 BC. Octodrachm, 28.86g (11h). Bisaltian District, BisaltaeObv: Bridled horse walking right, in background nude warrior standing right, torso facing, wearing kausia and holding two spears whose points emerge above the horse`s raised left foreleg; CΙΣ--ΑΛ--ΤΙ--Κ--ΩΝ around. Rx: Shallow quadripartite incuse square. Cf. Svoronos pl. XI, 1-3. Beautifully centered and well-struck. Nearly EF Ex Richard P. Miller Collection The Bisaltian series is a short-lived one that might have lasted for ten or fifteen years only. The Macedonian king Alexander I undertook the task of conquering the Bisaltian district in order to gain control of the silver mines there. Having accomplished his goal, he adopted the coin type of the Bisaltian coinage but put his own name in place of theirs

Macedonia. Uncertain Mint. 500-450 BC. Hemiobol, 0.35g Obv: Forepart of horse right, head turned three-quarters to front. Rx: Four-part incuse square. Not to be found in major references. A remarkable obverse type, difficult to render on such a small coin. About EF Ex Gemini IX, 8 January 2012, lot 35 (purchased but not paid for)

Kangaroo Mouse Macedonia. Uncertain Mint. 5th century BC. Obol, 0.56g Obv: Kangaroo mouse squatting left. Rx: Four-part incuse square. Not to be found in major references. This coin has normally been misinterpreted as one of the monkey obols, but this sharply struck example proves otherwise. EF Ex Gemini IX, 8 January 2012, lot 47 (purchased but not paid for)

Macedonian Kingdom. Philip II. 359-336 BC. Stater, 8.61g (2h). Pella II 1, c. 340-328 BC. Obv: Laureate head of Apollo right. Rx: ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΥ Galloping biga driven right by charioteer holding whip; trident symbol below horses. Le Rider 326 (D148/R249, this coin). SNG ANS 144-154. Extremely beautiful head of Apollo struck in high relief. Mint State Ex Gemini I, 11 January 2005, lot 72. Ex Commander David R. Hinkle Collection. Ex CNG 42, 29-30 May 1997, lot 230. Ex Peus 268, 1968, lot 24 In CNG 42, the obverse die of this stater is identified as Le Rider`s D131 in an earlier state, prior to the addition of symbols in the field behind Apollo`s head. D148 is the same die in its original state, before being reëngraved

Unpublished Didrachm Macedonian Kingdom. Alexander III The Great. 336-323 BC. Fourrée Didrachm, 7.60g (11h). MemphisObv: Head of Herakles right wearing lion-skin headdress. Dotted border. Rx: .ΔΝΔ.. Zeus enthroned left. In left field, rose symbol. Beneath throne, ΙΔ. Dotted border. Not listed in Price. Unpublished didrachm. A didrachm of the Memphis mint, whether fourrée or not, is previously unknown. The quality of the die work leads us to believe that this coin could be a mint product, possibly a trial or experiment. VF

Possible Camp-Mint Issue, Unpublished Macedonian Kingdom. Alexander III The Great. 245-215/4 BC. Tetradrachm, 16.93g (1h). Obv: Head of Herakles right wearing lion-skin headdress. Dotted border. Rx: ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡ[ΟΥ] Zeus enthroned left, holding eagle and scepter. In left field, AB monogram above palm tree. Apparently unpublished; cf. Price 3365-3404, for the monogram cf. Price 3344. About EF This puzzling coin combines two features of the Alexander coinage of the city of Aradus, the palm-tree symbol and the AB monogram. While the style of our coin matches the late 3rd century issues of Arados, the AB monogram is a revival of a late 4th century issue. Since the Aradian AP monogram is missing under the throne of Zeus, it is not clear whether this is a late regular issue or rather a military imitation varying the earlier official issues

Macedonian Kingdom. Demetrius Poliorcetes. 306-283 BC. Drachm, 3.27g (11h). Uncertain mint in Euboeia, c. 290-287 BC. Obv: Diademed and horned head of the young Demetrius right. Rx: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΥ Poseidon standing left, foot on rock, monogram in outer left field. Newell 154. VF Extremely rare; known to Newell in three specimens, all from the same obverse die as the present coin

Abdera Octodrachm Thrace. Abdera. c. 510-490 BC. Octodrachm, 28.96g (11h). Obv: Griffin seated left, raising right forepaw, AB below raised foreleg. Rx: Quadripartite incuse square. May 44. The octodrachms of Abdera are normally struck off-center. This coin is perfectly centered and beautifully struck, with even the fine details on the neck of the griffin very sharp. Rare, only two examples of the AB magistrate known to May. Choice EF Ex Richard P. Miller Collection

Unique Mule Hybrid of Lysimachus and Seleucid types, ancient imitation. 306-281 BC. Tetradrachm, 15.44g (11h). Uncertain Mint, c. 245-225 BC. Obv: Head of Alexander the Great right, horned, wearing diadem. Rx: [Β]ΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ − [Α]ΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ Naked Apollo seated left on omphalos, holding arrow in right hand and resting left hand on bow. For the obverse, see Meydancıkkale 2720, 2733 and 2734. For the reverse, see C. Boehringer in Carson/Jenkins Essays, pl. XI, 9. VF/Fine+ This hybrid tetradrachm is without parallel as far as we can discover. The obverse rather accurately copies that of the posthumous Lysimachus tetradrachms that were struck by numerous mints in both Thrace and Asia Minor for decades after Lysimachus’ death in 281 BC. The reverse, however, is Seleucid both in type, Apollo seated on the omphalos at Delphi, and legend, that of a ruler with the Seleucid name Antiochus. The style of the reverse is slightly barbarous, indicating that the coin is irregular rather than a mule produced in an official city mint that had recently been captured by a Seleucid general. The absence of control marks supports this view. Perhaps our coin was struck by the Galatian mercenaries that Antiochus Hierax engaged for his war against his brother Seleukus II Callinicus in the 230s BC; the engraver of the reverse die could have worked earlier in a Celtic workshop in Thrace or Asia Minor. At any rate, this coin gives us a fascinating glimpse into the frequently changing borders and allegiances in Asia Minor during the almost continuous wars between the Hellenistic rulers in the third century BC

Satrapal Owl Attica. Athens. c. 420-380 BC. Tetradrachm, 16.34g (8h). Obv: Helmeted head of Athena with countermark (W) on cheek. Rx: ΑΘΕ Owl standing right, head facing, with olive sprig and crescent behind. P. van Alfen, AJN 14 (2002), p. 19, no. 6, pl. 12 (countermark 31, see p. 5) = ANS 1953.171.229. See also SNG ANS 4 = ANS 1944.100.24223.. Mint State The types and style of this tetradrachm are near those of late fifth century issues of Athens, but the sloping reverse legend and the sloppy treatment of Athena’s hairdo prove that this must be an imitative coin. Most interesting is the countermark on Athena’s cheek, including the Aramaic letter shin (s²). Since shin is the first letter of the Samarian ethnic and its abbreviations (see now Sofaer Collection, p. 207), coins with a shin countermark are often attributed to Samaria, although not all countermarks were necessarily applied by the same mints that struck the coins. Anyway the shin countermark is just one of a wide range of both figural and letter punches used to mark Athenian and pseudo-Athenian coins circulating in the Levant. An overview of these punches (van Alfen, p. 5) shows that attributing them to the major mints would be hazardous; rather they will be personal badges of magistrates or bankers’ marks. In this case it is clear the coin was produced by a Levantine mint, most probably controlled by a governor or even a satrap (the standardized fabric of such pseudo-Athenian coins reveals experienced minting staffs). A countermark was not necessary for getting the coin into circulation, but a banker or warlord may well have wished to check, and mark, coins passing into or out of his treasuries. So this beauty from the Levant gives a fascinating glimpse of financial habits at a time when the orient was starting to get monetized

Earliest New-Style Obverse Type Attica. Athens. New Style. c. 185-180 BC. Tetradrachm, 16.70g (1h). Obv: Helmeted head of Athena right, without border of dots. Rx: Α-ΘΕ, monograms of ΑP and ΜHT. Οwl standing right, head facing, on fallen amphora. Symbols of kerchnos to right, bakchos below amphora; all within wreath. Thompson 4 (obverse die) and 5b-7 (monograms on reverse). Very rare early obverse die without border of dots, new with these monograms on reverse. Light gray toning. Mint State Ex Richard P. Miller Collection. Purchased from Frank Kovacs This is one of only four very early obverse dies in the Athenian New Style series that omit a border of dots around the type. That omission is shown only by the three obverse dies of the first issue, and by this first die of the second issue; the remaining three obverse dies of the second issue, and all obverse dies from Issue 3 on, have the border of dots surrounding Athena`s head. Our coin is also noteworthy for showing the AP and MHT monograms coupled with this first obverse die of the issue. Thompson`s two coins from this obverse die showed instead the monograms ΠAP and MHT, and she knew the monograms AP and MHT only coupled with the three later obverse dies of the issue showing the border of dots

Milbank 15 Attica. Aegina. c. 480-456 BC. Stater, 12.31g Obv: Smooth-shelled sea turtle, with row of dots down the middle and across top of shell, in the form of a `T`. Rx: Large incuse square, of `skew` pattern, divided by straight lines into five compartments. Milbank 15. This coin is an excellent example of the more commonly seen sea turtle. Exceptional centering with all four legs of the turtle on flan. EF

Elis, Olympia. 85th Olympiad, 440 BC. Stater, 11.71g (3h). Obv: Eagle flying right with both wings above his body, grasping hare by the back with his talons and tearing at it with his beak. Rx: Thunderbolt with wings below and volutes above; F-A to either side. Seltman 67 (AN/aω). BCD 36 (this coin). SNG Berry 827 (same dies). SNG Delepierre 2069 (same dies). Toned VF/Fine Ex Richard P. Miller Collection. Ex Lanz 121, 22 November 2004, lot 190. Ex Leu 90, 10 May 2004, lot 36. Ex BCD Collection

Special Head of Hera Elis, Olympia. 91st Olympiad, 416 BC. Stater, 11.94g (3h). Obv: Head of Hera right, wearing stephane decorated with palmettes interspersed with the letters H-P-A. Rx: F-A across field, fiery thunderbolt within olive wreath. Seltman 251 (EC/nn). BCD 68 (same dies). SNG Copenhagen 381. SNG Fitzwilliam 3707 (same dies). BCD lot 69, from the same obverse die as our coin, is praised as being "one of the prettiest pieces known". Our example is better. EF Ex Richard P. Miller Collection. Ex Triton VIII, 11 January 2005, lot 342. Ex CNG 63, 21 May 2003, lot 377

Elis, Olympia. First quarter of 3rd Century BC. Stater, 12.16g (7h). Obv: Laureate head of Zeus right. Rx: Eagle, with closed wings, standing right on the tail of a snake, coiling upwards and striking towards the eagle’s head; to left, vertical thunderbolt. To right, H. Seltman 211-212 var. (CT/ –, new reverse die). BCD Peloponessus 652 (this coin). Extremely rare, the only known example. Obverse struck with worn die. VF/EF Ex Richard P. Miller Collection. Ex LHS 96, 8 May 2006, lot 652. Ex BCD Collection. Ex Atalanti/North of Elis Hoard of 1975 (Picard p. 324 = Coin Hoards II, 75)

Ex Jameson Collection Elis. Olympia. c. 269-250 BC. Stater, 12.28g (1h). Obv: Laureate head of Zeus right. Rx: F-A, eagle with closed wings standing right on tail of coiled serpent, control letters A-P (latter retrograde) across field. Seltman 237/238 (new combination). Jameson 2510 (this coin). Pleasant cabinet toning. EF Ex Gemini I, 11 January 2005, lot 146. Ex BCD Collection (Leu 90, 10 May 2004, lot 220). Ex Stack`s sale, 4 December 1984, lot 99. Ex Jameson Collection 2510. Ex Ars Classica XV, 2 July 1930, lot 810. Ex J. Horsky Collection (Hess 155, 30 April 1917, lot 966)

Two Magnificent Tetradrachms of Mithradates the Great Pontic Kingdom. Mithradates VI. 120-63 BC. Tetradrachm, 16.84g (11h). , Year 213=85/4 BC. Obv: Diademed head of Mithradates right. Rx: Stag grazing left; ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ above, star, crescent and monogram to left, date ΓΙΣ (year 213) and monogram to right, ΜΙΘΡΑΔΑΤΟΥ / ΕΥΠΑΤΟPΟΣ / A below; all within ivy wreath. De Callataÿ, p. 16, D5/R4 (this coin listed as specimen f). Hunter 3 (same dies). BMC 6. SNG Cop. 236. Dewing 2122. Iridescent toning. Mint State Ex Richard P. Miller Collection. Ex Triton V, 15 January 2002, lot 1399. Ex William N. Rudman Collection. Ex Edward J. Waddell Fixed Price List #68, 1996, lot 55. Ex Lanz 74, 20 November 1995, lot 190. Ex Busso Peus 326, 1-3 November 1989, lot 164. Ex Busso Peus 323, 1-4 November 1988, lot 790 An exceptional example; described by the collector as "a masterpiece of coin sculpture… beyond grading… overall the most beautiful coin I own"

Ionia. Lebedus. c. 150 BC. Tetradrachm, 16.36g (12h). Obv: Helmeted head of Athena right. Rx: ΛEBEΔIΩN Owl standing right, head facing, on club, between two cornucopias. ΑΠΟΛΛ-ΟΔΟΤΟΣ below, all within wreath. Amandry 18a (this coin). Pleasant gray toning with some hints of iridescence. Near Mint State Ex Richard P. Miller Collection. Ex Kastner 4, 1973, lot 116

Excessively Rare Early Depiction of Homer Ionia. Smyrna. c. 200 BC, concurrent with the earliest bronze Homereia. Drachm, 4.02g (11h). Obv: Laureate head of Apollo right. Border of dots. Rx: Homer seated left, himation draped over knees, holding scepter in left hand, reading from scroll held before him; [Σ]MYPNAIΩN before. Milne, NC 1921, p. 143 f. (same dies). Leu 38, 13 May 1986, lot 116 (same dies; realized Sfr 5800 + commission!) Milne 1914-. BMC (not in catalogue, an example was subsequently obtained by the BM). Grose-. SNG von Aulock-. SNG Cop.-. Slight wave in planchet at 10h. VF/Good Fine Excessively rare. Apparently the fourth known example and the second in private hands, the other two being in the collections of the British Museum and Utrecht (Dutch Royal Collection). Milne knew of the Utrecht example from a cast when he wrote his 1914 NC article on Smyrna silver coins but declined to include it in that article. Presumably he entertained doubts about its authenticity, although he couched these doubts in euphemism about being "puzzled" by the cast. His excitement at being able to confirm the authenticity of this dramatic and brilliantly executed type is evident in his later article devoted to it alone. He writes, "This drachma is clearly earlier in style than any of the Smyrnaean drachmas previously published, and differs from all in the treatment of the figure of Homer on the reverse, wherein it is artistically far superior to either the later drachmas or the bronze Homereia, which have a similar type. In both of the latter groups the figure is in simple profile, with the right hand up to the chin, the roll held out almost horizontally in the left, the sceptre transversely resting on the right shoulder, and the whole body draped: the general effect is clumsy and huddled. The coin now under consideration shows a more majestic treatment, which suggests a derivation from a Zeus type: the upper part of the body is partly turned out of profile to the front, the roll in the right hand is pointed upwards on the diagonal of the knee-angle, the sceptre is vertical, and only the legs are draped. In the execution as well as in the conception of the type the superiority is equally marked." Milne places this coin--correctly in our estimation--at the very beginning of the Homereia series at Smyrna. The absence of a magistrate`s name points to the same conclusion. Milne saw the remnants of a monogram in the exergue of the BM coin, but we believe this to be a misreading as neither the present specimen nor the Leu example show anything at all below the exergual line. This is an opportunity to own what is arguably the finest depiction of the renowned poet Homer on any ancient coin

Ex SNG Berry 1129 Caria. Rhodes. 167-88 BC. Drachm, 2.84g (11h). Obv: Radiate head of Helios right. Rx: P-O to right and left. Above, ΑΝΑΞΙΔΟΤΟΣ. Rose with vine to right and serpent coiled around omphalos to left; all within incuse square. SNG Berry 1129 (this coin). Sear 5063. Flan crack on reverse at 12h, otherwise toned EF

Seleucid Kingdom. Seleucus I. 312-280 BC. Tetradrachm, 17.17g (12h). Sardes, c. 282/1 BC. Obv: Head of young Herakles right in lion-skin headdress. Dotted border. Rx: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΕΛΕΥΚΟΥ Zeus enthroned left, holding Nike and scepter. Primary control E in left field and secondary control AΣ under throne. Dotted border. SC 3.1. WSM 1350. Gray toning. aEF/EF Ex Richard P. Miller Collection. Purchased from Spink at NYINC, 12 January 2006 The control letter E in reverse field is engraved atop a small protrusion in the surface of the coin, probably replacing an earlier control mark which had been eradicated from the die

Seleucid Kingdom. Antiochus II. 261-246 BC. Tetradrachm, 17.02g (12h). Ephesus (?)Obv: Diademed head of king right. Rx: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ Apollo seated left on omphalos, holding bow. In outer left field, monogram. In exergue, star (partly off flan). SC 543.4. WSM 1488. Meydancıkkale 2863 (Magnesia). Obverse somewhat softly struck, otherwise VF The mint of this issue remains uncertain. In earlier literature, it was attributed to Magnesia on the Maeander, but Ephesus seems to be a better candidate. At any rate, this coin is a rare product from the westernmost part of the Seleucid Empire after Antiochus II recaptured Ionia from the Ptolemies

Antiochus I, "The Savior": Attribution Debated Seleucid Kingdom. Interregnum. The "Soter" Coinage. 246-244 BC. Tetradrachm, 17.00g (11h). Perhaps the ΔΕΛ Mint, associated with AntiochObv: Diademed head of Antiochus I right. Border of dots. Rx: ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ ANTIOXOY Apollo sitting left on omphalos, holding arrow, left hand resting on bow. No control marks. SC 641. WSM 1144. Le Rider, Antioche, pp. 74 f. Houghton Coll. I 419. About EF The rare tetradrachms issued in the name of Antiochus I Soter, this coin and the next two in our sale, are something of an enigma. Newell attributed them to Apamea in the interregnum after the murder of Antiochus II, conjecturing that they were struck to pay the troops permanently garrisoned in and around Apamea while Antioch, the Syrian capital, was occupied by Ptolemaic troops. He believed that the neutral types were selected to protect the local authorities regardless of the outcome of the civil war. Le Rider, however, rejected Newell`s attribution to Apamea. He tentatively assigned the "Soter" tetradrachms to a mint closely associated with Antioch, perhaps a second workshop within the mint or a facility located in an Antioch suburb such as Daphne; but he left open the possibility that they might be products of a different mint, struck later than the interregnum

Extremely Rare Draped Bust Seleucid Kingdom, Antiochus Hierax. 242(?)-227 BC. Tetradrachm, 16.77g (12h). Eastern Cilicia, 227 BC. Obv: Diademed and draped bust of king right. Border of dots. Rx: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ Apollo sitting left on omphalos, holding arrow, left hand resting on bow. Two monograms in outer right field and in exergue. SC 914.1. Very rare draped bust type on obverse, exceptional on a Seleucid coin. VF

Seleucid Kingdom. Antiochus III. 223-187 BC. Tetradrachm, 16.42g (12h). Uncertain Mint 68, in Northern Mesopotamia, after 197 BC. Obv: Diademed head of king right, with receding hairline, diadem ends falling straight behind. Rx: [Β]ΑΣΙΛΕ[ΩΣ] ANTIOXOY Elephant walking right. In lower right field, ΕΣ. SC 1135.1 (this coin). ANSMN 31, 93 (this coin). Gray toning with some porosity, particularly on obverse. Fine/About EF Ex Richard P Miller Collection. Ex Gemini II, 10 January 2006, lot 134. Ex Arthur Houghton Collection

Menorah Judaea. Mattathias Antigonus. 40-37 AD. Prutah, 1.26g (12h). Obv: Mattatayah the High Priest around showbread table. Rx: BAΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΓΟΝΟΥ; seven-branched menorah. Hendin 1168. Beautifully centered. About EF Other than the first type of the Year One Shekel of the Jewish War, the Menorah coin of Antigonus Mattatias is the most significant and sought-after of all Jewish coins. At the time that this coin was minted the golden show-bread table was considered more relevant than the menorah, which is why it is on the obverse. Possibly because of its relationship to the Christian Mass and the body of Christ our modern perception has changed totally. Less than forty of these coins are recorded. While we hesitate to call anything the finest known, this specimen is marginally better than Bromberg and far better than the two Sheshona examples. A testament to its rarity is the fact that in fifty years this is the first example of this important coin that we have ever had the honor to offer

Agrippa I. 37-44 AD. AE 25, 12.07g (12h). Caesarea Paneas, Year 5, 40/1 AD. Obv: [ΓΑΙΩ ΚΑΙΣΑΡΙ ΣΕΒ]ΑΣΤΩ ΓΕΡΜΑΝ[ΙΚΩ] (For Gaius Caesar Augustus Germanicus), Laureate head of Caligula left. Rx: [ΝΟΜΙΣ]ΜΑ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΓΡΙΠΠΑ (coin of King Agrippa). LE=Year 5=40/41 in exergue; Germanicus stands in triumphal quadriga right. Hendin 1240. TJC 230-1,116. AJC II 2. RPC 4976. Extraordinary quality for this very rare issue. About EF

Mint State Bactrian Kingdom. Diodotus I as satrap under Antiochus II. c. 255/250-c. 235 BC. Gold Stater, 8.30g (6h). First Diodotid mint, in eastern Bactria, c. 240 BC or shortly after. Obv: Diademed head of Diodotus I right. Rx: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΕ ANTIOΧ[OΥ] Zeus, viewed half from behind, advancing left, brandishing thunderbolt in raised right hand, aegis draped over extended left arm, in inner left field wreath above eagle with raised wings standing left. SC 629.2. Holt Series A, Group 8, 7. This coin is unusual because it lacks the normal test cut. Extremely sharp portrait. Mint State Ex Gemini II, 11 January 2006, lot 163 Originally a satrap of the Seleucid Empire, Diodotos I rebelled against Antiochus II and established his own rule in Bactria. When fighting the Parthian empire, he appears to have made an alliance with Seleucus II who was not able to reconquer the lost satrapy

Hellenistic Masterpiece Bactria. Agathocles. c. 185-180 BC. Tetradrachm, 16.99g (11h). Obv: Diademed and draped bust of king right. Border of dots. Rx: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΓΑΘΟΚΛΕΟΥΣ Zeus standing front holding statue of Hekate and scepter; monogram in inner left field. Bopearachchi 1D. Bopearachchi & Rahman 149. SNG ANS 230. Exquisite portrait struck in high relief. This had to be one of the last coins struck from this die because of the large die break across the reverse. Mint State Ex CNG 84, 5 May 2010, lot 784 The Bactrian ruler Agathocles is not mentioned by the ancient sources, so all we know about him is gleaned from his coins. He is most remarkable for his commemmorative coins that combine his portrait with those of Alexander the Great, Antiochus (I), the Bactrian rulers Diodotos (I and II), Euthydemos, Pantaleon and Demetrios. It folows that his reign should be dated to c. 180 BC, but the meaning of the gallery is not clear. It should also be noted that Agathocles struck bilingual bronze coins (with Karoshti or Brahmi coin legends) featuring Buddhistic symbols and deities of the Hindu pantheon: the earliest representations of Hindu gods known so far. He might have been a multisided personality open to both the Greek world and Indian culture

Attic Weight Ptolemaic Kingdom. Ptolemy I as Satrap. 323-305 BC. Tetradrachm, 17.08g (12h). Alexandria, c. 316-312/0 BC. Obv: Diademed head of Alexander right, wearing elephant-skin headdress. Border of dots. Rx: ΑΛΕΣΑΝΔΡΟΥ Athena Alkidemos advancing right, AΠ monogram in inner left field, letters EY and small eagle [on thunderbolt] in right field. Svoronos 44, pl. II, 23 (same dies). Zervos issue 20A (dies 299/a). Very rare second elephant issue of Ptolemy I which is of Attic weight. These coins were called in and reissued at the much lighter Rhodian standard. Toned EF Ex CNG 88, 14 September 2011, lot 532 The elephant headskin portraits of Alexander are the first unmistakable coin portraits of the (deceased) ruler. They were imitated by both Agathocles of Syracuse (a rare issue of gold staters) and Agathocles of Bactria (commemorative tetradrachms)

Exceptional Decadrachm Ptolemaic Kingdom. Ptolemy II. 285-246 BC. Decadrachm, 35.84g (12h). AlexandriaObv: Portrait head of Arsinoe II right, wearing stephane and veil; behind, O. Dotted border. Rx: ΑΡΣΙΝΟΗΣ ΦΙΛΑΔΕΛΦΟΥ Double cornucopia bound with fillet. Troxell, ANSMN 28, pl. 4, 1 (same dies); pp. 42, 56. Svoronos 492. SNG Cop.-, but cf. 135. Many Arsinoe decadrachms are heavily corroded. This coin not only has no corrosion whatsoever, but also bears a wonderful portrait of Arsinoe with beautifully detailed hair. We had to look in Svoronos to find anything approaching this quality. Virtually Mint State Ex Richard P Miller Collection. Purchased from Spink & Son, NYINC, 16 January 2003 Married to her brother Ptolemy II, Arsinoe II was the first female to rule the Ptolemaic kingdom. While her brother was absent fighting the Seleucids, his sister ran Egypt. She was also the first female ruler to be deified by both Greeks and Egyptians

Pub. Lentulus Marcelli F. 100 BC. Denarius, 3.93g (12h). Rome. Obv: Bust of young Hercules right, turned from spectator, wearing lion`s skin, club over shoulder, shield and dot over T behind, ROMA below. Rx: LENT MAR F in exergue, Roma standing facing, being crowned by the Genius of the Roman People, dot over T between them, all within laurel wreath. Crawford 329/1a. Sydenham 604. RSC Cornelia 25. According to Crawford, the control marks on this coin and the next are always the same on obverse and reverse, and each control mark appears on only a single pair of dies. About EF

Galba. 68-69 AD. As, 10.87 (7h). Rome. Obv: SER SVLPI [G]ALBA IMP CAESAR AVG P M TR P Head laureate right. Rx: S - C across field, Three standards set on prows, the middle one topped by a legionary eagle standing right on thunderbolt, wings raised. Bust var. of BM 264 and Paris 257, pl. XIX. Cohen 268 (4 Fr.). RIC 508 (R ). Kraay 388c (dies A i/ P iii, this coin). Scarce: Kraay found four reverse dies with this type in his Officina G. About VF/VF Purchased from Münzen und Medaillen AG, Basel, July 1970; from the Niggeler Collection, earlier in Münzhandlung Basel 1, 28 June 1934, lot 312

Hendin Plate Coin. Ex Brand Collection Titus. 79-81 AD. Sestertius, 24.68g (5h). Rome, 80-1 AD. Obv: IMP T CAES VESP AVG P M TR P P P [COS] VIII Head laureate left. Rx: IVD - CAP across field, S C in exergue, Palm tree, at base of which (a) on left, Judaea seated left on pile of shields, supporting head with hand in mourning, a helmet on ground before the shields, and (b), on right, Jew standing right, hands tied behind back, yoke and shield at his feet. RIC 151 (R2), pl. 94 = Paris 156, pl. LXXVIIII (same dies as ours). Hendin 1593a. BM 169 (S - C in field). Cohen 109 (12 Fr.). Rare variant with Jew looking right not left. Minor smoothing and numerous small cleaning marks. Lower right edge of obverse weakly struck. VF Ex CNG 53, 15 March 2000, lot 125 (Marian A. Stinton Collection, ex Virgil Brand Collection)

Lot of three Flavian sestertii. . (1) Divus Vespasian, struck by Titus, 80-81 AD. 22.95g, 7h. Obv: DIV[O] / AVG / VESP in field, S P Q R in exergue, seated statue of Divus Vespasian, holding scepter and Victory on globe, on wagon drawn right by four elephants with drivers. Rx: Legend of Titus around large S C. RIC 257 (R ); BM 222, pl. 51.5 (same obv. Die); Paris 229, pl. LXXXIII (same obv. Die); Cohen 205 (25 Fr.). (2) Titus, 80-81 AD. 22.68g, 7h. Obv: IMP T CAES VESP AVG P M TR P P P COS VIII Head laureate right. Rx: PIETAS - AVGVSTI around (final I added by tooling), S C in exergue, togate Titus and Domitian clasp hands and hold scepters, veiled Pietas/Concordia standing between them joins their right hands. RIC 159 (R2), pl. 95 = Paris 166, pl. LXXIX (same dies); BMC 177 note; Cohen 151 (30 Fr.). (3) Titus, Thracian mint, 80-81 AD. 25.68g, 7h.Obv: IMP T CAES DIVI VESP F A - VG P M TR P P P COS VIII Head laureate right. Rx: PAX - AVGVST S - C Pax standing left holding branch and cornucopia. RIC 498 (C ), BM 309, Paris 323, Cohen 141 corr. (4 Fr.). Second coin tooled, third has fine portrait. About Fine to VF Ex Richard P. Miller Collection; the second coin from G. Hirsch 269, 24 September 2010, lot 2748

Colosseum Sestertius. Ex Dutch Royal Collection Divus Titus. 79-81 AD. Sestertius, 23.12g (6h). Rome, 81 AD. Obv: Colosseum seen from front and above between obelisk on base (Meta Sudans) and porticoed building of two stories (Baths of Titus), without legend. Rx: DIVO AVG T DIVI VESP [F VESPASIAN] around, S C in exergue, Titus, togate, seated left holding branch and roll on curule chair set on globe among arms. RIC 131 (R2). BMC p. 262, 191 note, pl. 70.1 (Paris, same dies). Paris 543, pl. CXVIII (same obv. die). Cohen 399 (80 Fr.). Hendin 1599. N.T. Elkins, The Flavian Colosseum Sestertii, Numismatic Chronicle 166, 2006, p. 219, 9, pl. 32 (our dies). Extensive light pitting, brown patination. About Fine/VG Ex Dutch Royal Collection, deaccessioned in J. Schulman 254, November 1971, part of lot 3409. This specimen listed in Elkin`s Appendix to his die catalogue of Colosseum sestertii, Numismatic Chronicle 169, 2009, p. 203, 9h To prove the popular nature of Vepasian`s rule, the Colosseum was built on the site that had recently been occupied by Nero`s Golden Palace. The reverse type of Titus seated as master of the world (his curule chair set on globe), bringing peace (olive branch) by means of victory over enemies (captured arms), fits well with the recently discovered dedicatory inscription of the Colosseum, stating that the emperors constructed it "from the proceeds of booty" (ex manubis), doubtless chiefly the booty of the Jewish War. This Colosseum type was struck mainly for the living Titus, but after Titus` death Domitian continued it for Divus Titus, taking over one of the Colosseum obverse dies of Titus and cutting two new reverse dies with Titus` titles as Divus. Our coin belongs to this rarer second issue for Divus Titus rather than Titus alive

Mercury`s Mother, Ex Voirol Collection Domitian. 81-96 AD. Denarius, 3.06 (6h). Rome, 96 AD. Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG - GERM P M TR P XV Head laureate right. Rx: IMP XXII COS XVII CENS P P P Maia (mother of Mercury) advancing left., holding bird with raised wings in extended right hand and winged caduceus by shoulder in lowered left hand. RIC 786 (R2), pl. 134 (Oxford, same rev. die). BM 237A (Tinchant Gift, 1937). Cohen 295 (Rollin, 20 Fr.). VF/Fine Ex Voirol Collection, M&M 38, 6-7 December 1968, lot 403. Ex M&M VI, 6-7 December 1946, lot 804. This specimen published by H.A. Cahn, Flaviana Inedita, Num. Chronicle 1946, p. 22, 50 An extraordinary reverse type, known only from rare denarii struck at the very end of Domitian`s reign; this deity with bird and caduceus interpreted as Maia, the mother of Mercury, by T.V. Buttrey in Journal of Roman Archaeology 15, 2002. The type may come from only two reverse dies, (1) that of our coin, also shown by the Oxford specimen illustrated in RIC; by a specimen in CoinArchives Pro (G. Hirsch 266, 2010, lot 1978); and by Mazzini d.297, with obverse TR P XVI; (2) a second reverse die with obverse TR P XV, Gorny & Mosch 211, 2013, lot 594

Domitia, Wife of Domitian. . Aureus, 7.55g (7h). Rome, c. 83 AD. Obv: DOMITIA AVGVSTA IMP DOMITIANI (counterclockwise) Bust draped right. Rx: CONCORDIA - AVGVST (clockwise) Peacock standing right. RIC 679 (R3, citing Bourgey, 6 Dec. 1961, 40). BMC 60 note, citing Montagu Sale, 1896, lot 244 (same dies as our coin). Calicó 945, illustrating the Montagu specimen. Obv. legend var. of Cohen 4 (300 Fr.). A charming aureus with a stately portrait, and very rare. Nearly EF The second and rarest of Domitia`s three issues of aurei, apparently struck from just this one obverse die. Domitia`s aurei seem to fall into three issues of varying sizes, as follows: 1. RIC 150, 152, 155, 82-83 AD. Obverse legend DOMITIA AVGVSTA IMP DOMIT running counterclockwise. Two reverse types, also with counterclockwise legends: CONCORDIA AVGVST, Peacock standing right, and DIVVS CAESAR IMP DOMITIANI F, Domitian`s deified infant son seated on the celestial globe. Most of Domitia`s aurei belong to this issue, which is securely dated to 82-83 (a) by the fact that the corresponding denarii of Domitia were struck at the elevated weight and fineness which were used only in those two years, and (b) by the occurrence of the same obverse type of Domitia as a reverse type on aurei of Domitian, who still uses his early obverse legend IMP CAES DOMITIANVS AVG P M of 81-83 AD. 2. RIC 679, our coin, probably 83 AD, because Domitian is not yet called GERM, a title he received towards the end of 83. Obverse legend still running counterclockwise, and the same as in issue 1, but with the longer ending IMP DOMITIANI rather than just IMP DOMIT. The portrait with a more massive clump of hair from Domitia`s ear to above her forehead than in issue 1. Only one reverse type, Peacock standing right, as in issue 1 but with the legend now running clockwise, in two variants: CONCORDIA AVGVST, as on Montagu 244, the Bourgey coin cited by RIC 679, and our coin, or CONCORDIA AVGVSTA, Hess-Leu, 7 April 1960, lot 318, a variant that RIC omits, the coin in question being from the same obverse die as our piece and Montagu 244. This issue was struck in gold only, without corresponding denarii, and may have used just one obverse die. 3. RIC 678, 680, 681, calling Domitian GERM, so probably dating to late 83-84 AD. Obverse legend DOMITIA AVG IMP DOMITIAN AVG GERM, now running clockwise rather than counterclockwise as before. With the same massive clump of hair in Domitia`s portrait as in issue 2. Also repeating the same Peacock reverse type and clockwise reverse legend as in issue 2, but now also with a third legend variant, CONCORDIA AVGVSTI in addition to CONCORDIA AVGVST and CONCORDIA AVGVSTA. Aurei of this issue are rarer than those of issue 1, but less rare than those of issue 2. A unique corresponding denarius is also known (RIC 683). In the new RIC, pp. 252 and 314, our issues 2 and 3, despite the change of obverse legend direction and the omission of Domitian`s title GERM in the first case and its inclusion in the second, are amalgamated into a single issue, and both are tentatively assigned to 88-89 AD, though with little evidence (weights of aurei, possible inclusion of living Julia Titi in same issue). Surely the aurei without GERM in a counterclockwise legend have to be separated from those with GERM in a clockwise legend, and the chronolgy for the resulting issues 2-3 suggested above is, in our opinion, more likely than RIC`s (Curtis Clay)

Medallic Obverse, MIR Plate Coin Trajan. 98-117 AD. Sestertius, 27.95g (6h). Rome. Obv: IMP CAES NERVAE TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS V P P Heroic bust right, laureate, with bare chest seen from front and fold of cloak on left shoulder and behind neck. Rx: S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI around, S C in exergue, Victory stepping left, with right hand placing helmet atop trophy to complete it and holding palm branch in left hand. MIR 256d (5 spec.), pl. 51 (illustrating this coin). Bust variety of BM 817, RIC 523, and Cohen 444. Medallic style heroic bust of Trajan. Glossy olive patination. EF Ex Triton V, January 2002, lot 1962

Exceptional Danube Bridge Sestertius Trajan. 98-117 AD. Sestertius, 27.32g (7h). Rome, c. 104-11 AD. Obv: IMP CAES NERVAE TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS V P P Bust laureate right, fold of cloak on front shoulder and behind neck. Rx: S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI S C Trajan`s Danube bridge, depicted as a single arching span between entrance and exit gates topped by statues; a boat in the river below. MIR 314bD (7 spec.), pl. 63 (two illustrated, ours is from the same dies as the second of them). BM 851. Paris 315. Cohen 542 (8 Fr.). RIC 569. Exceptional iconic sestertius rarely seen in this quality. Choice EF Ex Gemini II, 10 January 2005, lot 346; this coin published in Collecting World Coins, Winter 2005/2006, Cover and p. 19 Although other identifications have continued to be advanced in both academic and trade literature, Strack`s arguments for the traditional identification of this bridge type on Trajan`s bronze coins as representing Trajan`s Danube bridge were virtually conclusive and should really have ended the debate. See C. Clay`s review of Woytek`s book on Trajan in Numismatic Chronicle 172, 2012, pp. 357-8

Lot of three sestertii of Trajan. . (1) 111 AD. 28.86g, 7h. Obv: COS V, Bust laureate right showing bare chest, fold of cloak on front shoulder and behind neck. Rx: ARAB ADQVIS in exergue, SPQR OPTIMO PRINCIPI around, S - C across field, Arabia standing right, head left, holding branch over camel at her feet in right hand and conical object in left hand. MIR 363d (3 spec.); bust var. of BM 877, Paris 704, RIC 466, and Cohen 32 (10 Fr.). (2) 112-113 AD. 25.06g, 6h. COS VI, Bust laureate right, fold of cloak on front shoulder and behind neck. Rx: DACIA AV - GVST around, PROVINCIA / S C in exergue, Dacia holding standard seated left on rocks, before her two boys holding wheat ears and bunch of grapes respectively. MIR 467b (19 spec.), BM 960, Paris 766, RIC 621, Cohen 125 var. (12 Fr.). From the same reverse die as MIR 467c, pl. 93. (3) Circa 115 AD. 26.24g, 6h. Obv: NER OPTIMO COS VI, Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: IMPERATOR VIII / S C in exergue, The army saluting Trajan "imperator" for the eighth time; Trajan and two officers on platform, lictor standing before, five soldiers and horse with three standards above them represent the army. MIR 548f (5 spec.), pl. 110 (same dies); bust variety of BM 1017, Paris 84, RIC 655, and Cohen 176 (25 Fr.). The third coin lightly, the second heavily tooled. Generally VF Ex Richard P. Miller Collection

Lot of three sestertii of Trajan and Hadrian. (0h). . (1) Trajan, 114 AD. 25.32g, 6h. Obv: NER OPTIMO COS VI, Bust laureate, draped right, seen from side. Rx: FORT RED / S C in exergue, SENATVS POPVLVSQVE ROMANVS around, Fortuna Redux seated left holding rudder and cornucopia. MIR 505v (19 spec.), BM 1026, Paris 847, Cohen 158 (4 Fr.), RIC 652. (2) Trajan, 116-117 AD, 28.37g. 6h. Obv: Long legend including PARTHICO, Bust laureate draped right, seen from side. Rx: ARMENIA ET MESOPOTAMIA IN POTESTATEM P R REDACTAE S C (="Armenia and Mesopotamia placed under the control of the Roman people") Trajan standing left, head right, holding spear and parazonium; at his feet Armenia seated left wearing tiara, flanked by the river gods Tigris and Euphrates, each holding reed and reclining on urn from which water flows. MIR 590v3 (57 spec.), BM 1033, Paris 916, Cohen 39 (20 Fr.), RIC 642. (3) Hadrian, c. 132 AD. 23.63g, 6h. Obv: HADRIANVS - AVG COS III P P Bust laureate, draped right, seen from side. Rx: RESTITVTORI BITHYNIAE around, S C in exergue, Hadrian, on right, standing left raising kneeling Bithynia, who wears crown of towers and holds rudder over shoulder. BM 1803, Cohen 1240 (15 Fr.), RIC 948.. Generaly VF, but the two Trajans overcleaned and somewhat tooled Ex Richard P. Miller Collection; second coin acquired from Gorny & Mosch 186, 8 March 2010, lot 2014

Hadrian. 117-138 AD. Denarius, 3.50g (6h). Rome, c. 132 AD. Obv: HADRIANVS - AVG COS III P P Bust laureate left, fold of cloak on front shoulder and behind neck. Rx: FORTVNAE - REDVCI Fortuna Redux, veiled, seated left holding rudder and cornucopia. Cohen 783 (Paris). RIC 247. Bust var. of BM 648. About EF Ex Phillip Davis Collection The reverse type apparently refers to Hadrian`s return to Rome from his second great provincial tour in c. 132 AD. Rare with bust left on obverse: there were no such coins in the Reka Devnia hoard. This coin confirms Mattingly`s supposition that the specimen in Paris may show a fold of cloak on Hadrian`s shoulder, since Cohen 783 says "bust (not head) laureate left". BM 648 has simply head laureate left, without the fold of cloak. Strack 240 lists four specimens with head laureate left, including the one in Paris, but his bust codes do not distinguish between "head laureate" and "bust laureate, with fold of cloak (or aegis) on front shoulder"

Unpublished Eastern Denarius of Hadrian Hadrian. 117-138 AD. Denarius, 3.36g (12h). Eastern Mint, c. 130-1 AD. Obv: HADRIANVS - AVGVSTVS Bust laureate right, fold of cloak on front shoulder. Rx: COS above, I - I - I symmetrically below, Crescent moon with one star within and four more stars in a horizontal line above the crescent. There are also two dots, perhaps representing background stars, below the second star and between the third and fourth stars in the line of four. Apparently unpublished obverse-legend and reverse-type variant of Strack *49; BMC p. 380, 28; Cohen 464; and RIC 357 (wrongly under Rome). Toned EF This coin differs on both obverse and reverse from the rare known Eastern denarius of similar type, Strack *49 (3 specimens, all illustrated on his pl. XIX). On the obverse, our coin omits P P from the legend; HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS is a much rarer obverse legend on these Eastern denarii of Hadrian than HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS P P. The same obverse die was also used with the type COS III Sacrificial implements, Strack *16, pl. XX. On the reverse, the arrangement of the stars and the legend is different on our coin: in the known type the stars are arranged in three rows containing one, three, and one star respectively, and COS is written to the left, III to the right. On our coin in contrast there are only two rows of stars, containing four and one star respectively, and COS is written above, III below. Curiously, the reverse legend on our die was originally arranged differently, but was then altered in the die: traces of the eradicated letters C - O - S - I running counterclockwise are visible from 9 to 3 o`clock!

Exceptional Largesse Scene Aureus Antoninus Pius. 138-161 AD. Aureus, 7.08g (6h). Rome, 145 AD. Obv: ANTONINVS AVG - PIVS P P TR P COS IIII Bust laureate right, fold of cloak on front shoulder and behind neck. Rx: LIB IIII in exergue, Antoninus presiding at his Fourth Largesse. The emperor, togate, sits left on curule chair on platform, extending right hand and holding roll in left. Before him on the platform, Liberalitas standing left holding coin counter and cornucopia; on ground before platform, citizen standing right, holding out fold of toga to receive coins. BM 546. Calicó 1572. Strack 149. Bust variety of Cohen 496 (100 Fr.) and RIC 141. Elaborate historical reverse type, rare in this condition. Mint State The Ostian Fasti record that this largesse to the Roman people was in the amount of 90 denarii per citizen and took place in spring 145, soon after the wedding of Marcus Aurelius and Faustina II. Without specifically mentioning the largesse, the Historia Augusta states that Antoninus fully celebrated the wedding of his daughter and adopted son, even to the point of distributing a donative to the soldiers. See Strack, pp. 109 and 131

Faustina I, Wife of Antonius Pius. Died 140 AD. As, 10.77g (12h). Rome. Obv: DIVA AVGVSTA - FAVSTINA Bust draped, veiled right. Rx: AETER - NITAS S - C Providentia standing left holding globe and scepter. Fabric and a few spots of metal glinting through the patina suggest that this coin is an As rather than a dupondius. BM 1459. C 38. RIC 1163a. An As of exceptional quality. Choice EF

Lot of four Antonine sestertii. (0h). . (1) Antoninus Pius, 140-144 AD. 27.09g, 10-11h. Obv: COS III, Head laureate right. Rx: OPI - AVG around, S C in exergue, Ops seated left holding transverse scepter and pulling out drapery from left shoulder. BM 1258, Cohen 569 (8 Fr.), RIC 612. (2) Marcus Aurelius, 173 AD. 23.33g, 11h. Obv: TR P XXVII, Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right. Rx: GERMANICO - AVG IMP VI COS III S - C Trophy, between German woman seated on shields, supporting head with hand, and German man standing with hands tied behind back. BMC 1436 note, Cohen 228 (15 Fr.), RIC 1060. (3) Marcus Aurelius, 178 AD. 21.49g, 12h. Obv: TR P XXXII, Head laureate right. Rx: FELICITAS - AVG - IMP VIIII COS III P P S - C Felicitas standing left holding caduceus and scepter. BM 1676, RIC 1227, Cohen 184 var. (4) Lucius Verus, 164 AD. 21.48g, 12h. Obv: L AVREL VERVS AVG - ARMENIACVS Bust laureate, cuirassed right. Rx: TR P IIII - IMP II COS II S - C Mars standing right holding spear and shield. BMC 1115 note, RIC 1385, bust var. of Cohen 232. VF to EF Ex Richard P. Miller Collection; second coin from Cornelius Vermeule Collection, with Vermeule`s ticket recording provenance from Christie`s 1948 Fitzwilliam Sale, lot 192, the collection of an aristocratic British family formed in the eighteenth century

Ex Harlan J. Berk Collection, 1965 Lucius Verus. 161-169 AD. Sestertius, 21.35g (12h). Rome, 168 AD. Obv: L VERVS AVG - ARM PARTH MAX Head laureate right. Rx: TR P VIII - IMP IIII COS III S - C Victory advancing left holding wreath and palm.. BMC p. 603. Cohen 211 corr. RIC 1466. Rare with IMP IIII in this year. That title was apparently superseded by IMP V very soon after 10 December 167. Though struck in low relief, this coin has an exquisite portrait of Lucius Verus with completely pristine surfaces, save a flan crack at 8h on the obverse. Choice EF This sestertius was the cover coin in Harlan Berk`s first catalogue of ancient coins, 1965

Commodus. 177-192 AD. Sestertius, 25.09g (12h). Rome, 190 AD. Obv: M - COMMOD ANT P F - ELIX AVG BRIT P P Head laureate right. Rx: LIBERAL AVG VII P M TR P XV IMP VIII COS VI S - C Liberalitas standing left holding coin counter and cornucopia. BM 650. RIC 563. Cohen 320. Exquisite portrait. Completely untouched surfaces. Green patination. Virtually Mint State With tag from former ICG slab, graded EF40, "Robert Richendollar"

Lot of three sestertii, Didius Julianus and two Septimius Severus. (0h). . (1) Didius Julianus, 193 AD, 19.00g, 11h. Obv: IMP CAES M DID SEV - ER IVLIAN AVG Head laureate right. Rx: RECTOR - ORBIS S - C Didius Julianus, bare-headed, togate, standing left holding globe and roll. BM 29, Cohen 17 (30 Fr.), RIC 16. (2) Septimius Severus, 193. 24.62g, 5h. Obv: IMP CAES L SEPT - SEV PERT AVG Head laureate right. Rx: VICT A[VG T]RP COS S - C Victory advancing left holding wreath and palm. BM 476, pl. 20.2 (same obv. die); Cohen 683 (8 Fr.); RIC 656. (3) Septimius Severus, 194 AD. 22.69g, 6h. Obv: L SEPT SEV PE - RT AVG IMP IIII Head laureate right. Rx: AFRICA S - C Africa standing right wearing elephant-skin headdress, holding out fold of her drapery from which wheat ears emerge, lion at her feet. BM 514, Cohen 28 (10 Fr.), RIC 676. The Didius Julianus tooled, the second Septimius with nice green patina. Fine to VF Ex Richard P. Miller Collection. The first coin from CNG E225, 13 January 2010, lot 365; the third from CNG 63, 21 May 2003, lot 1402 (Marc Melcher Collection) = CNG 50, 23 June 1999, lot 1572

Exquisite Sestertius Severus Alexander. 222-235 AD. Sestertius, 22.65g (1h). Rome, 232-5 AD. Obv: IMP ALEXANDER PIVS AVG Bust laureate right, fold of cloak on front shoulder and behind neck. Rx: SPES PVBLICA S - C Spes advancing left, left foot forward, holding flower and raising skirt. BM 902. Cohen 549. RIC 648. A common coin, but hard to find in this quality. Mint State

Philip II Mule and Regular Issue Lot of Two Hippopotamus Sestertii of Otacilia Severa and Philip II. (0h). . (1) Marcia Otacilia, Sestertius, 16.24g (1h). Rome, 248 AD. Obv: MARCIA OTACIL SEVERA AVG Bust draped right wearing stephane. Rx: SAECVLARES AVGG S C Hippopotamus standing right, raising head. RIC 200a (S), Cohen 65 (12 Fr.). (2) A sestertius with the same reverse type, 19.49g (12h), but of Philip II, Obv. IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right, RIC 272 (S), Cohen 75 (20 Fr.). A mule using the reverse type of his mother, very rare. Otacilia VF/Fine, Philip II EF (**Aaron, ENLARGE PHILIP II) First coin Ex Galerie des Monnaies, ANA Sale, St. Louis, 31 July 1979, lot 829; also ex Galerie des Monnaies Sales, 1978 and 1976. Second coin ex Frank Kovacs Collection, Helios 1, April 2008, lot 369

Second Recorded Earliest Two Pannonias Type Trajan Decius. 249-251 AD. Antoninianus, 3.74g (7h). Rome. Obv: IMP C M Q TRAIANVS DECIVS AVG Bust radiate, cuirassed right. Rx: PANNON - IAE The two Pannonias, Upper and Lower, both veiled, standing close together, looking left and right respectively, and both raising their right hands; the one on the right also holds a transverse standard in her lowered left hand, while the top of a second standard can be seen between the two deities, as though held by the Pannonia on the left in her invisible left hand. RIC 24 (R2). A very rare variant type, apparently known previously only from a single specimen in the Dorchester hoard, Num. Chronicle 1939, p. 26, presumably now in the British Museum = RIC 24, unfortunately not illustrated in either publication. Not in CoinArchives Pro or the Berk photofile covering sale catalogues of c. 1970-1990. The website "249-253 AD: Four Bad Years" even denies the existence of RIC 24, but our coin disproves that assertion and confirms Mattingly`s description of the variety!. Struck from a worn obverse die. EF Decius` first PANNONIAE type, RIC 5 and 20, showed only a single Pannonia, draped and veiled, standing left but looking right, half raising her right arm and holding a standard in her lowered left hand, exactly like the Pannonia on the right in our two-figured type and also in the types of the rare RIC 25 and the common RIC 21a. RIC 24 and 25 may be regarded as preliminary artistic attempts to add a second Pannonia to the original single-figured type, before the normal type with two Pannonias, RIC 21a, was reached. In the first attempt, shown by our coin, the Pannonia in the single-figured type was simply duplicated, the only changes being that the second figure was made to look left not right, and that she was placed so close to the first Pannonia that her left arm and the lower half of her standard disappeared behind the raised right forearm of the first Pannonia, and only the top of her standard could be shown between the heads of the two figures. Being close together and near the center of the die, both figures could be made tall, like the single Pannonia in the first type. In the second attempt, RIC 25, all the details of the first attempt were repeated, except that the two Pannonias were made to stand farther from each other, necessitating a reduction in their height since they were now nearer the edges of the die, so that there would be no overlap between them and the left arm and full standard of the second figure could be depicted. This second variant of the two-figured type, like the first, was represented by only a single coin in the Dorchester hoard, but it appears to be a little commoner than the first variety, since four other specimens, all from different obverse and reverse dies than each other, may be seen in Sternberg XVIII, 1986, lot 591; Sternberg XIX, 1987, lot 921; Lanz 102, 2001, lot 918; and on the Four Bad Years website. Finally the decision was made to remove the standard from the left arm of the Pannonia on the left and instead place it upright on the ground before her, behind her half-raised right arm, where it may have been thought to mirror the standard held near the right edge of the type by the first Pannonia, and so to give the type better balance. This is the normal two-figured PANNONIAE type, RIC 21b (slightly misdescribed), represented by 159 antoniniani in the Dorchester hoard, and quite common also on Decius` sestertii, RIC 124a. For the sake of completeness it may be mentioned that this common PANNONIAE type of RIC 21 was replaced towards the end of Decius` reign by yet a third major type bearing the same legend, which showed the two Pannonias standing face to face and clasping right hands in front of a single standard resting on the ground between them (RIC 26 and 41) (Curtis Clay)

Portrait Left Plus Legend Error on Reverse Gallienus. 253-268 AD. Antoninianus, 2.96 (6h). Rome, c. 267-8 AD. Obv: GALLIENVS AVG Head radiate left. Rx: SOLI CONS AVVG (sic) Bull standing right, X[I] (=officina 11) in exergue. Göbl 749c, pl. 58 (only one specimen, "Capelli", same dies). Cunetio hoard 1406 (one specimen, not illustrated, this example not mentioned by Göbl). RIC 285. Cohen 984 (Paris, 2 Fr., this specimen again not mentioned by Göbl). EF Acquired from CNG, with their ticket dated "8/07" A scarce reverse type, represented by only 16 specimens in the Cunetio hoard combined with the standard right-facing bust type; quite rare with head left, only one such coin in the hoard. Our coin also has an apparent engraver`s error in the reverse legend, AVVG for the correct AVG. The specimen illustrated by Göbl, being from the same dies, of course has the same error, though it is not pointed out by Göbl