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Lot 8
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
Lot 10
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
Lot 15
Historically Important Double Sheqel Carthago Nova. 237-227 BC. Dishekel, 13.41g (12h). Obv: Diademed male head left with curly hair. Rx: Prow of war galley with triple ram, on the deck a pile of shields. Beneath, hippocamp right. Dotted border. E.S.G. Robinson, Punic Coins of Spain, in R.A.G. Carson and C.H.V. Sutherland (eds.), Essays in Roman Coinage presented to Harold Mattingly (Oxford 1956), pp. 37 f., 49, no. 4(b), pl. II. G.K. Jenkins and R.B. Lewis, Carthaginian Gold and Electrum Coins (London 1953), p. 45 [on findspots]. L. Villaronga, Las monedas hispano-cartaginesas (Barcelona 1973), no. 12. Pleasant toning. Powerful portrait, virtually unaffected by two holes in left field. Historically important and excessively rare. About EF Ex NAC 72, 16 May 2013, lot 805 This intriguing issue of the Carthaginian ‘provincial’ series with diademed portrait and prow of galley was, to judge from the known findspots, issued by a mint in southwestern Spain, probably at Carthago Nova (Cartagena) rather than Gades (Cadiz). The dating is somewhat controversial, although the wide bracket 237-209 BC is generally accepted. The diademed head on the obverse is clearly a portrait, depicting a man in his prime so possibly Hasdrubal, the son-in-law of Hamilcar Barcas, rather than Hamilcar himself. After the Carthaginian defeat in the First Punic War (264-241 BC) and the Libyan rebellion (241-239 BC), Hamilcar attacked Spain, the main supplier of silver in the western Mediterranean, and started conquering vast territories in its southwest. In 230 BC a native revolt broke out, Hamilcar was killed in a skirmish, and his son-in-law Hasdrubal succeeded him. Being a capable governor, Hasdrubal restored the Carthaginian position, and founded Carthago Nova, which had an excellent harbor, as the seat of Carthaginian government in Spain. Carthago Nova is therefore likely to be the mint of this issue that combines the prow of a war galley with the portrait of a young ruler. A date of issue not long after the city`s foundation (for financing building activities and the fleet) seems more likely than a date in the Second Punic War (218-202 BC). At any rate, 209 BC, when Scipio Africanus Maior conquered Carthago Nova, would be the latest possible date. Ony two other specimens of this dishekel appear to be known, namely in Madrid, published by Robinson (14.80 g), and in NAC 66, 2012, lot 1 (ex A. Huntington,13.68 g); plus two specimen of the corresponding shekel, in Leu 20, 1978, lot 55 (7.38 g, 12 h), and in Copenhagen (SNG Cop. Suppl. 1332, 7.29 g, 12 h)
Lot 100
Two Lysimachi from the same dies Kingdom of Thrace, Lysimachus, Lot of two from the same dies. 306-281 BC. Tetradrachm, (12h). Cius, Early posthumous, c. 270 BC. Obv: Head of Alexander the Great right, wearing diadem and horn of Ammon. Rx: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΛΥΣΙΜΑΧΟΥ Athena seated left holding Nike crowning legend in right hand and resting left elbow on a shield behind her. Monogram in inner left field, ear of grain in exergue. The first weighs 16.87g, the second 16.76g. Thompson 182 var. (no outer monogram, no club). The issues of Lysimachus tetradrachms were so extensive that it is unusual to come across two specimens struck from the same pair of dies. Both coins are EF
Lot 122
Starr Group I Attica. Athens. c. 475-470 BC. Tetradrachm, 17.06g (8h). Obv: Archaic head of helmeted Athena right. Rx: Owl standing upright. AΘΕ to right, to left crescent and drooping olive branch with two leaves and two olives. Starr Group I (same obverse die as no. 10). Extremely rare: Starr knew only twelve coins in his Group I, the earliest to bear the crescent moon on the reverse, and very few new specimens have appeared. One of the most interesting aspects of Starr Group I is that the leaves of the olive branch droop straight down, as on the latest issues of Athens before Marathon, which Seltman, surprisingly, wrongly viewed as being the very earliest Athenian owls. This issue disproves Seltman`s dating. Nearly EF After the Persian Wars, Athens slowly redesigned her coinage. In Starr’s first group the transition can be felt in the still archaic (not archaizing) heads of Athena that are reminiscent of the late archaic donations found on the Athenian Acropolis. At that time, Athens was organizing the Delian League in order to wage war against the dominions of the Persian Empire in Thrace and Asia Minor, but mainland Greece still had to recover from the Persian Wars, so no major actions were undertaken until the late 470s
Lot 129
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
Lot 131
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
Lot 143
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)
Lot 195
Seleucid Kingdom. Seleucus I. 312-280 BC. Tetradrachm, 16.89g (1h). Seleucia I (First Workshop), from c. 300 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 M in left field and secondary control ΔI under throne. Thin dotted border. SC 117c. ESM 4. Iridescent toning. EF Ex Richard P. Miller Collection. Purchased from Leo Dardarian at NYINT, 9 December 1995
Lot 290
Very First Siglos Asia Minor. Achemenid Empire. Darius I. 520-505 BC. Siglos, 5.14g Obv: Half length bust of bearded Persian king, holding bow and handful of arrows. Rx: Irregular incuse. Carradice Type I, pl. XI, 10. Extremely rare early type with half-length portrait and handful of arrows. The next issue eliminates the arrows. VF
Lot 294
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
Lot 299
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
Lot 325
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)
Lot 327
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
Lot 373
Q. Pompeius Rufus. Plated Denarius, 3.17g (4h). Rome, 54 BC. Obv: SVLLA COS Bare head right of the dictator Sulla, the moneyer`s maternal grandfather. Rx: RVFVS COS Bare head right of Q. Pompeius Rufus, the moneyer`s paternal grandfather. Crawford 434/1. Sydenham 908. Pompeia 4. Some breaks in surface. About EF Ex Nancy Walsh Collection. Ex HJB 92, 11 September 1996, lot 223 Sulla and Rufus, the moneyer`s two grandfathers, were consuls together in 88 BC. These are the first portaits to appear on Roman coins, and the only numismatic portrait of the famous Sulla, a precursor of Pompey, Caesar, and the Roman emperors
Lot 392
Caligula and Divus Augustus. 37-41 AD. Denarius, 3.76g (4h). Lugdunum, 37 AD. Obv: C CAESAR AVG GERM P M TR POT COS Bare head of Caligula right. Rx: No legend, radiate head of Divus Augustus right between two stars. BM 4. Paris 3. Cohen 11 (12 Fr.). RIC 2. These dies not in Giard, Monnayage de Lyon. Grey toning. EF Caligula at first intended to bestow on Tiberius similar honours to those enjoyed by Augustus, but desisted in face of the passive resistance of the Senate. The two stars (on his earliest aurei and denarii) suggest two `divi`, Augustus and (Tiberius) (Mattingly, BMC I, p. cxliv). Pictured in the June 2013 Numismatist article "Same as the Last Guy" by Harlan J. Berk, p. 59
Lot 393
Caligula. 37-41 AD. Sestertius, 26.30 (5h). Rome, 40-41 AD. Obv: C CAESAR DIVI AVG PRON AVG P M TR P IIII P P Head laureate left. Rx: SPQR / P P / OB CIVES / SERVATOS in four lines within oak wreath. BMC p. 157 note. Paris 116, pl. XVII (same rev. die). Cohen 26 (8 Fr.). RIC 53 (R2). Bronzes of Caligula`s third and fourth tribunician years are considerably rarer than those of his first year. About VF/VF Ex Richard P. Miller Collection, acquired from Forvm Ancient Coins, June 2007
Lot 398
Nero. 54-68 AD. Sestertius, 24.26g (6h). Lugdunum, 66-68 AD. Obv: IMP NERO CAESAR AVG P MAX TR P P P Head laureate right, globe below tip of neck. Rx: PACE P R TERRA MARIQ PARTA IANVM CLVSIT S - C Temple of the Twin Janus (Ianus Geminus) near the Roman Forum, closed double doors at right with garland hanging above them, each door divided into three panels with a large circular handle in the central panel, latticed window to left at top of side wall.. RIC 583 = MacDowall 475 (Vienna, Oxford, Madrid). Giard, Lyon 272 (Vierordt sale, lot 868). Rare: not in BMC, Paris, or Cohen with this obverse legend. Dark olive patination. About EF Ex Richard P. Miller Collection, acquired from Mike Vosper, May 2007 The reverse legend forms a complete sentence: "Since peace has been established for the Roman people on land and sea, he closed the temple of Janus." The legend first appears on aurei in 64 AD, so the closure of the temple apparently took place immediately after Corbulo`s settlement with the Parthians in the preceding year, 63 AD
Lot 403
Galba. 68-69 AD. Sestertius, 25.39g (6h). Rome. Obv: SER SVLPI GALBA IMP CAE - SAR AVG P M TR P Bust laureate right with aegis (Medusa head and snakes) on front shoulder. Rx: ADLOCVTIO in exergue, S - C across field, Galba addressing the army. On the left, Galba in military dress standing right on platform, attended by officer standing behind him, and guarded by two lictors standing right before the platform, holding fasces over their shoulders. On right, two helmeted soldiers standing left, looking up at the emperor, the first holding a shield, the second a spear and a shield. Between the soldiers, the head and forelegs of a horse; above their heads, a vexillun, a standard, and a legionary eagle. BMC p. 356, * (Walters Coll.). Paris 235, pl. XVII (same dies). Cohen 4 (40 Fr.). RIC 464. Kraay 374 (dies A 124/ P 188, Paris and 4 other spec.). Dark brown patina in fields, the portrait and the three main figures of the reverse type toned yellow orichalcum. VG/About VF Ex Knobloch List, March 1965, Stanton Collection, lot 709 From Kraay`s `Officina G`, one of the finest and most interesting issues of sestertii ever produced by the mint of Rome, with portraits of superb style and many fascinating, often multifigured reverse types, seven of which were struck from only a single reverse die each and none of them from more than four reverse dies. Our ADLOCVTIO type is known from two reverse dies, ours with S - C in field and a second with S C in exergue below the legend ADLOCVTIO
Lot 421
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)
Lot 455
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
Lot 464
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
Lot 474
Exceptional Julia Soaemias Julia Soaemias, Mother of Elagabalus. . Denarius, 2.91 (6h). Rome, 218 AD. Obv: IVLIA SOAEMIAS AVGVSTA Bust draped right. Rx: IVNO REGINA Juno, veiled, standing right holding scepter and Palladium. BM 41. Cohen 3 (3 Fr.). RIC 237. Scarce, only 7 specimens in Reka Devnia hoard.. Exceptionally beautiful portrait of Julia Soaemias, lightly toned flan with orange iridescence. Virtually Mint State Ex Phillip Davis Collection Interesting first issue of Soaemias, datable to 218 because the corresponding aureus (BM 39, 7.24g) predates Elagabalus` return in that year to the reduced aureus standard of Caracalla. The mint apparently erroneously thought that Soaemias rather than Julia Maesa was the predominant lady in Elagabalus` family, for there was no corresponding early issue of coins at Rome for Maesa! (unpublished research by C. Clay)
Lot 487
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
Lot 489
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)
Lot 510
One Tigress Reverse Die Overstruck on Another Gallienus. 253-268 AD. Antoninianus, 3.25g (4h). Rome, c. 267-8 AD. Obv: GALLIE - NVS AVG Head radiate right. Rx: LIBERO.P.CONS A, interrupted in exergue by remains of legend from the undertype, BERO.P.CONS, Tigress pacing left, head raised, [B] (=officina 2) in exergue not visible because of the surviving legend from undertype. The undertype and overtype were from different dies, as shown by the different spacing of the letters in the surviving portions of the two reverse legends. Cf. Göbl 713b (123 spec.), Cunetio hoard 1341 (198 spec.), RIC 230, and Cohen 586 (3 Fr.). EF This and the next Animal coin of Gallienus show an interesting striking error, of a sort that appears fairly frequently on Roman imperial sestertii and middle bronzes but only rarely on denarii or antoniniani, suggesting that two reverse dies were being used alternately and at rapid speed with the same obverse die, the overstrikes occurring when a finished coin was not removed promptly enough from the obverse die, so was erroneously struck with the second reverse die too. This ingenious explanation first occurred to Colin Kraay in 1974: see Num. Chronicle 2012, pp. 361-2. For the appearance of the same error on several Eastern antoniniani of Gordian III, the two overstruck dies in these cases showing different reverse types, see Gemini IV, 8 January 2008, lot 478
Lot 523
Unusual Medusa on Cuirass Probus. 276-282 AD. Antoninianus, 3.89 (11h). Siscia. Obv: IMP C PROBVS P F AVG Bust radiate, cuirassed left, seen from front, right hand holding spear over shoulder, shield covering left shoulder and arm; on cuirass, facing head.of Medusa enclosed by U-shaped border below and with two small wings above. Rx: ADVENTVS AVG Emperor on horseback left, raising right hand and holding transverse spear in left; in exergue, XXIP (officina 4). Alföldi, Siscia V, 5/42 (2 spec. in Vienna). Probus website, RIC 626, first illustration (this coin, image submitted by Phil Davis). EF Ex Phillip Davis Collection A small Medusa head, often placed between two sections of an aegis left and right of it, frequently decorates Probus` cuirass. The larger Medusa head on our coin, with distinct eyes, nose, mouth, and protruding tongue, and tightly surrounded by a border perhaps meant to represent the aegis, seems to be unusual; we could find no parallels in CoinArchives Pro, Berk photofile, the Gloucester Hoard publication, or the Hunter catalogue (Glasgow). The Probus website, under Mint of Siscia, illustrates our very coin under RIC 626, plus three other Siscia coins showing a rather large Medusa head on Probus` cuirass, though in different bust types than on our coin and combined with different reverse types: RIC 812 (fourth image), RIC 820 (last image), and RIC 821 (first image)
![Magnentius. 350-353 AD. AE 2, 4.81g (7h). Ambianum, 352 AD. Obv: [D N MAG]NEN - TIVS P F AVG Bare-headed, draped, cuirassed](http://lot-images.atgmedia.com/SR/35802/2896367/551-2013125154558_468x382.jpg)
Lot 551
Magnentius. 350-353 AD. AE 2, 4.81g (7h). Ambianum, 352 AD. Obv: [D N MAG]NEN - TIVS P F AVG Bare-headed, draped, cuirassed bust right, seen from front, A behind portrait. Rx: VICTORIAE DD NN AVG (AV ligate) ET CAE around, in exergue AMB preceded by star and followed by pellet within crescent, Two Victories facing one another, holding between them wreath inscribed VOT / V / MVLT / X, wreath has ties at bottom but does not rest on column, above wreath Chi-Rho. Rev. legend variant (AV ligate) of Bastien 133 (3 spec.) and RIC 31 (S). Apparently the first attested ligature on a coin of Magnentius` reign: none seem to be mentioned by Bastien or RIC. Mint State
Lot 563
Confirmation of Projected Type Decentius as Caesar. 350-353 AD. AE 2, 4.52g (6h). Ambianum, 352 AD. Obv: D N DECENTIVS NOB CAES Bare-headed, cuirassed bust right, seen from front. Rx: VICTORIAE DD NN AVG ET CAE around, in exergue AMB followed by pellet within crescent, Two Victories facing one another, holding between them wreath inscribed VOT / V / MVLT / X, wreath has ties at bottom but does not rest on short column, Chi-Rho above wreath. Bastien 128 (projected only, no spec. found). RIC 26 (R, citing BM, probably in error). Our coin is apparently the first known of this variety for Decentius at Ambianum, confirming the hypothesis of Bastien 128 and Late Roman Bronze Coinage 16 that such a coin should exist. Mint State Since this type and mintmark are definitely known for Magnentius, they could be expected to occur for Decentius also. RIC 26 cites such a coin of Decentius from the British Museum, but probably in error, since Bastien 128 projects the type only, and could find no actual specimen anywhere
Lot 565
Decentius as Caesar. 350-353 AD. AE 1, 9.56g (6h). Lugdunum, 353 AD. Obv: D N DECENTI - VS NOB CAES Bare-headed, cuirassed bust r., seen from front. Rx: SALVS DD NN AVG ET CAES Chi-Rho flanked by Alpha and Omega, [L or R]SL[G] in exergue. RIC 155 (S), officina S=2 (assuming mintmark LSLG). Bastien 205 (3 spec.) or 207 (0 spec.). Fine Since the mintmark RPLG occurs for Magnentius, Bastien assumes that RSLG must have been struck for Decentius, though no such coin has yet been recorded. Our coin could be that previously unknown variety, or the known coin with LSLG; the decisive first letter of the mintmark, L or R, is off flan
Lot 572
RIC 348 (This Coin): Victory Motif on Emperor`s Shield Honorius. 393-423 AD. Solidus, 4.43g (12h). Thessalonica, 408-420 AD. Obv: D N HONORI - VS P F AVG Pearl-diademed, helmeted, cuirassed bust three-quarters front, holding spear over right shoulder, shield by left shoulder decorated with standing, facing figure of Victory holding up two wreaths. Rx: CONCORDI - A AVGG Constantinopolis, helmeted, seated front, head right, placing right foot on prow and holding scepter and Victory on globe; star in left field, COMOB in exergue. RIC 348 (R4), pl. 15 (apparently this coin). Depeyrot 47/1, p. 226 (2 spec.). Hahn 52b. A surprising and very rare variant in this otherwise mundane series. Beautifully struck from fresh dies. Mint State Ex Gemini I, 11-12 January 2005, lot 481. Ex Triton IV, 5 December 2000, lot 731 This rare solidus is from Thessalonica`s first issue of solidi under Theodosius II, distinguished by the Victory holding two wreaths on the emperor`s shield
Lot 579
First Portrait of Christ Justinian II. First reign, 685-695 AD. Solidus, 4.38g (7h). Constantinople. Obv: IhS CRISTOS REX—RESNANTIUM, facing bust of Christ, with long hair and full beard, wearing pallium and colobium, raising right hand in benediction, holding book of Gospels in left hand, cross behind head. Rx: D IUSTINI—ANU—S SERV ChRISTI, Justinian standing facing, wearing crown and loros, holding akakia and cross potent on base, officina S in lower right field, [CONOP] in exergue. DO 7b. MIB 8. Berk 186 var. Sear 1248. Virtually flawless solidus with the images of Christ and Justinian perfectly struck. Only a bit of the legend on the left side of the reverse is missing. Mint State
Lot 580
Justinian II. First reign, 685-695 AD. Solidus, 4.37g (5h). Constantinople. Obv: IhS CRISTOS REX—RESNANTIUM, facing bust of Christ, with long hair and full beard, wearing pallium and colobium, raising right hand in benediction, holding book of Gospels in left hand, cross behind head. Rx: D IUSTINI—ANU—S SERV ChRISTI, Justinian standing facing, wearing crown and loros, holding akakia and cross potent on base, B (= officina 2) in lower right field, CONOP in exergue. DO 7b. MIB 8. Berk 186 var. Sear 1248. Contact mark on tip of nose, otherwise beautifully struck. Mint State Ex Gemini IV, 8 January 2008, lot 537
Lot 603
Lot of Three Animal Antoniniani of Gallienus, Rare Bust Varieties, One Unpublished. (0h). . All mint of Rome, c. 267-8 AD. (1) 2.66g, 5h. Obv: GALLIENVS AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed left, seen from back, holding spear pointed upwards below chin and shield decorated with Medusa head by left shoulder. Rx: IOVI CONS AVG Goat-stag mixture walking left, S (=officina 6) in exergue. A rare and elaborate left-facing military bust, Göbl`s bust r, unknown to him in combination with this reverse type, his 730, so apparently a unique new variety. (2) 2.64g, 1h. Obv: GALLIENVS AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed right, one wreath tie overlaps neck. Rx: APOLLINI CON[S] AVG Centaur walking right about to shoot arrow from bow, Z (=officina 7) in exergue. Normanby Hoard pl. 10, 342 (same obv. die) = Göbl pl. 57, 735w (bust misclassified as cuirassed only rather than draped and cuirassed); not in Cunetio hoard, RIC, or Cohen with this bust type. Appparently only the second recorded specimen with this bust type, and from the same obverse die as the first specimen, which was part of the Normanby hoard. (3) 2.99g, 11h. Obv: G[ALLIEN]VS AVG Bust radiate, cuirassed right, seen from front, fold of cloak on front shoulder. Rx: DIANAE CONS AVG Gazelle standing right, XI (=officina 11) in exergue. Göbl 747u (1 spec.), RIC 181, Cohen 164. Very rare with bust cuirassed instead of the standard "Head radiate right". Göbl knew only one such specimen, whose source he unfortunately misquotes. There may have been another example in Cunetio 1402, not illustrated, if the bust description there is erroneous ("draped and cuirassed, seen from front"). VF to Fine
Lot 618
Great Britain. Henry VI, First Reign (1422-1461). Gold Half Noble. 3.30g -. London, Annulet Issue, 1422-1430. Obv: HENRIC DI GRA REX ANGL Z FRANC DNS HYB King standing on ship holding sword and shield, annulet by sword arm. Rx: Floriate cross with letter h at the center, alternating crowns over lions in angles with annulet in outer spandrel.. Seaby 1805. North 1417. Friedberg 113.. VF.
Lot 658
France. Richard I & Richard Coeur de Lion (2 coins in Lot). . -. Lot of Two Hammered. 1. Normandy. Richard I. 943-996. Denier, 1.24g. Obv: Cross with pellets RICARDVS. Rx: Stylized Romanesque temple with X and pellets. D 16. 2. Anglo-Gallic. Richard Coeur de Lion. 1172-1199. Denier, 0.70g. First Type. Obv: RICA RVDV
Lot 1
Akademiia Nauk SSSR. НУМИЗМАТИКА И ЭПИГРАФИКА. Vols. I–XVII (1960–2005). Small 4to, original red cloth with white lettering. Plated throughout, with folding tables, charts and other graphical matter. Supplementary packet of large folding plates included as issued in Vol. IV. Very good to fine copies. The first 17 volumes of this significant Russian journal covering a range of numismatic subjects, including ancient, medieval, Islamic and early modern coins as well as (to a lesser extent) epigraphy and sigillography. After 1989, the journal took a ten-year hiatus, with Vol. 16 not appearing until 1999. A serious, scholarly journal including articles by most of the notable names in Russian numismatics. Sets are rarely offered. First 15 volumes ex Leonidas C. Hermes (Kolbe Sale 71, lot 1), with his label. Clain-Stefanelli 845.
Lot 6
Bauer, N. DIE SILBER UND GOLDBARREN DES RUSSISCHEN MITTELALTERS: EIN ARCHÄOLOGISCHE STUDIE. Wien: Numismatische Zeitschrift, 1929–31. 4to, later pebbled green cloth, gilt. (4), 153, (1), iv, 186 pages; 4 + 7 plates [Bauer’s article comprises pages 77–120 of the first volume and 61–100 of the second volume, and all 4 plates of the first volume]. Fine. The entire volumes of the 62. and 64. bände of the Numismatische Zeitschrift (Wien), including Bauer’s important work on the early Russian bars. Ex Ran Zander library (Elmen 2001 sale, lot 1009).
Lot 7
Bayer, Theophilus (Gottlieb) Siegfried. HISTORIA OSRHOENA ET EDESSENA EX NUMIS ILLUSTRATA. IN QUA, EDESSAE URBIS, OSRHOËNI REGNI, ABGARORUM REGUM, PRAEFECTORUM GRAECORUM, ARABUM, PERSARUM, COMITUM FRANCORUM, SUCCESSIONES, FATA, RES ALIAE MEMORABILES, A PRIMA ORIGINE URBIS AD EXTREMA FERE TEMPORA EXPLICANTUR. Petropoli (St. Petersburg): Ex Typographia Academiae, 1734. First edition. (22), 362, (10) pages; finely engraved armorial headpiece; 2 finely engraved initials; tables; 7 well-engraved plates of coins and headdresses [one inverted]. [bound with] Bayer, Theophilus (Gottlieb) Siegfried, and Christoph Gottfried Walther. HISTORIA REGNI GRAECORUM BACTRIANI IN QUA SIMUL GRAECARUM IN INDIA COLONIARUM VETUS MEMORIA. Petropoli (St. Petersburg): Ex Typogr. Acad. Scient., 1738. First edition. (24), 213, (9) pages; finely engraved armorial headpiece; 1 finely engraved initial; 1 well-engraved folding plate and table. [bound with] Bayer, Theophilus (Gottlieb) Siegfried. DE HORIS SINICIS ET CYCLO HORARIO COMMENTATIONES ACCEDIT EIUSDEM AUCTORIS PARERGON SINICUM DE CALENDARIIS SINICIS... Petropoli (St. Petersburg): Typis Academiae Scientiarum, 1735. First edition. (10), 213, (9) pages; finely engraved armorial headpiece and tailpiece; 2 finely engraved initials; 8 well-engraved folding plates and tables with one numismatic figure. 4to [26.5 by 20 cm], contemporary brown quarter calf and mottled boards; spine with five raised bands, richly decorated in gilt; red morocco spine label, gilt; page edges speckled. Some wear to joints and extremities. Very good or better. Three works by this German orientalist, all of them published by the Academy of Sciences in St. Petersburg, bound in one handsome volume. The first work is a rare early publication on the ancient coins of the Mesopotamian cities of Edessa and Osroene. Simone Assemani wrote the preface. Brückmann 12. Brunet 29883. Dekesel B171. Hirsch 9. Lipsius 26. Severova 8. Strandberg 30. The second work is, according to Severova, the “première recherche sur l’histoire de l’empire gréco-bactrien s’appuyant sur des données d’auteurs anciens.” Dekesel B172. Lipsius 27. Severova 9. The folding plate is not mentioned by Dekesel, though it bears the title of the book and obviously belongs with it (in this copy, it appears between pages 99 and 100). The third work is essentially non-numismatic, though one of the plates does feature a Chinese numismatic object.
Lot 11
Blau, Dr. O. ВОСТОЧНЫЯ МОНЕТЫ МУЗЕЯ ИМПЕРАТОРСКАГО ОБЩЕСТВА ИСТОРIИ И ДРЕВНОСТЕЙ ВЪ ОДЕССѢ / DIE ORIENTALISCHEN MÜNZEN DES MUSEUMS DER KAISERLICHEN HISTORISCH-ARCHÄOLOGISCHEN GESELLSCHAFT ZU ODESSA. Odessa: Druck von P. Franzow, 1876. Small 4to [26 by 21.5 cm], later dark blue processed leather and cloth sides; original printed wraps bound in. (2), v, (1), 94, (2) pages; 1 lithographic plate of coins and an alphabet key. Bilingual title and introduction; index of mints in Arabic, Russian and German; text in German. Repairs to front wrap, title page and first text leaf; general wear. Very good. A rare work describing the Crimean coins in the Museum of the Imperial Society of History and Antiquities in Odessa. Clain-Stefanelli 5872. Mayer 209.
Lot 19
Chaudoir, Baron S. de. APERÇU SUR LES MONNAIES RUSSES ET SUR LES MONNAIES ÉTRANGÈRES QUI ONT EU COURS EN RUSSE. St. Petersbourg, 1836–37. Three volumes, complete. 8vo, nineteenth-century brown cloth-backed boards, gilt. vii, (1), 266, (2); (4), xii, 331, (7); 23, (1) pages; 23 & 58 engraved tables and plates of coins. Minor staining to second volume. Very good or better. The classic work; the first general guide to Russian coins. Infrequently encountered with the second volume of text published in 1837 (present here). Volume I recounts the history of the Russian monetary system and features an extensive bibliography. The second volume of text consists of detailed coin descriptions and the plate volume, beyond its numerous illustrations of coins, features tables of metal production, mintages, etc. The work gained for the author the Grand Demidoff Prize of 5000 rubles. Clain-Stefanelli 11138*. Grierson 194: “Encore utile, en dépit de sa date.” Gromachevskii 392а.
Lot 20
Ch(ertkov), A. ОПИСАНIЕ ДРЕВНИХЪ РУССКИХЪ МОНЕТЪ. Moscow, 1834, 1837, 1838 and 1842. Four parts, complete, bound in one volume. 8vo, nineteenth-century brown quarter morocco; spine with four raised bands, ruled and lettered in gilt. Engraved main title printed in red and black, x, (2), 224, (2); viii, 63, (1); vi, (2), 48; vi, (2), 67, (1) pages; 33 engraved plates, six tinted, plus plates A–H, for a total of 41. Occasional institutional markings. Some foxing. Binding a bit rubbed, but sound. Very good or better. The first truly comprehensive work on medieval Russian coins. Rare complete. “Chertkov and Chaudoir were close contemporaries. Chaudoir’s work on Russian coins is of course more comprehensive, in style more discursive, but on the earlier coins less focused and less reliable. Its broader scope and its appearance in French (as well as Russian) have made it far more widely known…. Chertkov’s work on Russian coins — especially with all three supplements — is now a bibliophilic rarity. Even in Gromachevsky’s 1904 bibliography it is quoted at around twice the price of the Chaudoir three-volume catalogue.” — Randolph Zander, Journal of the Russian Numismatic Society. Clain-Stefanelli 7350 (noting only parts 2–4). Some of the later plates display forgeries made for collectors which Chertkov failed to notice. His collection formed much of the basis of the collection of the State Historical Museum in Moscow, described by Oreshnikov in 1896. Gromachevskii 385. Ex Leonidas C. Hermes (Kolbe Sale 71, lot 12), with his label.
Lot 22
Chizhov, S.I. 1888–1913. ЗАПИСКА О ДѢЯТЕЛЬНОСТИ МОСКОВСКАГО НУМИЗМАТИЧЕСКАГО ОБЩЕСТВА ЗА ПЕРВЫЯ 25 ЛѢТЪ ЕГО СУЩЕСТВОВАНIЯ. Moscow, 1913. 4to, disbound. 56 pages. Good to very good. Issued as a supplement to Vol. II of the Нумизматическiй Сборникъ. Functioning as an index, it is a rare and quite useful publication celebrating the first 25 years of the Moscow Numismatic Society and listing publications, members, contributions, etc.
Lot 29
Garshin, M. Yu. ОПЫТЬ УКАЗАТЕЛЯ ЛИТЕРАТУРЫ ПО НУМИЗМАТИКѢ. Russian Numismatic Society photocopy reprint of the original handwritten three-volume manuscript. Oblong 4to, original printed card covers. Vol. I: 108 unnumbered pages, being the title page and 207 pages of Part I of the original manuscript covering authors from A to Lerkh (Nos. 1 to 843). Vol. II: 153 unnumbered pages, being 87 pages of Part I of the original [authors Lerkh (844) to Oreshnikov (1151) together with a few additional notes] and 161 pages of what is presumably Part II (although there is no title page) covering authors from Oreshnikov (1152) to Trutovskii (1607). Part III: 163 unnumbered pages, being 97 pages of Part II of the original (authors Trutovskii to unknown, Nos. 1608 to 1885) and 208 pages of Part III [136 pages containing a supplement of authors from A.A.S. (1886) to Iakovlev (2237) and 72 pages containing lists, tables and indices]. Fine. A remarkable unpublished numismatic bibliography, still of the greatest importance, especially for the years between Gromachevskii (1904) and 1917. The original manuscript was produced by Garshin c. 1935–40. According to a 1958-dated handwritten note on the title page (reproduced in this copy), Vladimir Richter acquired the original manuscript from L.K. Davidova, who was caring for Garshin at the time of his death. Richter donated the volumes to the Hermitage library at the request of I.G. Spasskii. Leon Hermes was at some point allowed to copy the manuscript. His copy was sold with the rest of his library by George F. Kolbe in 1997. This RNS reproduction was probably made the following year. A Russian newspaper clipping on the first page of the manuscript translates as follows: “Mich. Yu. Garshin, honorary member of the Russian Society of Collectors in Paris, former member of the Russian Numismatic Society in St. Petersburg, and contributor to ‘Staraya Moneta,’ has completed the manuscript of his up to date numismatic bibliography. Listed are about 3,000 numismatic titles and some 700 authors—all that has been written about coins in the Russian language. Subjects include: early Russian coins, independent principalities and grand duchies, Czarist and Imperial, Revolutionary and USSR, the ancient world and Byzantine, oriental, coin-like badges, Polish coins, Western European, Jewish, biographies and obituaries of numismatists, coin hoards and finds, various writings on numismatic subjects, manuscripts, bibliographies, critiques, reviews. This book, of exceptional interest to every numismatist, should be published. October 20, 1935. V.M.” Our consignor notes that Garshin apparently copied some entries from Gromachevskii, as some errors found there are repeated. Not in Volkov. Grand Duke Georgii Mikhailovich on Peter I
Lot 30
Georgii Mikhailovich, Grand Duke. МОНЕТЫ ЦАРСТВОВАНIЯ ИМПЕРАТОРА ПЕТРА I. ТОМЪ II. St. Petersburg, 1914. Folio [40.5 by 31 cm], recent brown antiqued quarter morocco with burgundy cloth sides; spine with four raised bands; dark red calf spine label, gilt. Half-title; printed title in red and black; magnificently engraved portrait of Peter I; decorative phototype title; dedication leaf; ii, (2), 153, (1) pages; 55 very fine phototype plates on hinges, depicting coins from 1682 to 1710. Half-title a trifle dusty and chipped at edges. Near fine, with superb impressions of the plates. Copy No. 190. The only full volume produced on Peter I of Grand Duke Georgii Mikhailovich’s monumental work, published over a quarter century in a dozen volumes. The publication history behind the Peter I volumes of Монеты Царствованiя is a bit complicated. Volume I, which would have reproduced the historical documentation behind the coinage, was not yet produced when the project had to be suspended. Likewise, Volume IV had yet to be written. Volume II (the present volume) covers the period from 1682 to 1710, including the regency of Sophia and the coins of Peter’s brother Ivan (Ioann). Only the plates for Volume III appeared (vide infra). This is the only Peter I volume of this extraordinary work for which both text and plates were published. S.G. Gromachevskii wrote that Монеты Царствованiя is a “colossal and classic scientific work which has no equal in the Russian or in the entire foreign field of numismatic literature. Especially important for the coverage of monetary history through the inclusion of a vast wealth of hitherto inaccessible documentation. Each volume contains a well-focused summary covering the technical and fiscal aspects of the coinage it deals with, along with succinct, precise descriptions of the coins. A fully developed index in each volume covers persons, coins, subjects, etc. The edition is stunningly deluxe, with paper of the highest quality, elegant typography and superb photographic illustrations of the coins. The Office for the Preparation of Government Documents [the equivalent of the United States Bureau of Engraving and Printing] has turned out an unexcelled masterpiece.” The renowned numismatic researcher and collector Georgii Mikhailovich was born in Tiflis in 1863 and was murdered on January 28, 1919 by the Bolsheviks along with three other Russian Grand Dukes. His tragic end was in contrast to a life of privilege. The Grand Duke began collecting coins as a teenager and, being of extraordinary means, soon formed an impressive collection. In Описанiе и изображенiе нѣкоторыхъ рѣдкихъ монетъ моего собранiя, he first proposed the publication of a corpus of Russian coinage from Peter the Great onwards. A corpus of pre-Petrine coinage had already been proposed by Count Tolstoï a few years earlier. The Grand Duke funded the project and under his direction the various volumes were compiled by Giel, Demmeni and others. Twelve volumes had appeared when the outbreak of war curtailed completion. In an article in the Journal of the Russian Numismatic Society, V. Arefiev wrote: “Volume II covered the coinage from 1682 to 1710: it was published in 1914. Though the printing run of 200 was the same as for the preceding issues, very few were actually distributed and it is extremely rare.” Clain-Stefanelli 11178*. Grierson 193. Gromachevskii 92 (the project as a whole; this volume is unlisted). Ex Kolbe Sale 72 (1998), lot 1134, where it brought $4000 hammer. The Extremely Rare Georgii Mikhailovich Plates for 1711–1719
Lot 33
Giel, Chr. ТАБЛИЦЫ РУССКИХЪ МОНЕТЪ ДВУХЪ ПОСЛѢДНИХЪ СТОЛѢТIЙ: ПРАКТИЧЕСКОЕ РУКОВОДСТВО ДЛЯ СОБИРАТЕЛЕЙ. First edition. St. Petersburg, 1883. 8vo, contemporary black half morocco and mottled boards, gilt; marbled endpapers. vi, 10, (68) pages; errata slip tipped in. Extremities rubbed; some annotations. Very good or better. Rare. A very nice copy of the first edition of this excellent collector’s guide to Russian coins. Khristian Khristianovich Giel (1837–1908), was Grand Duke Georgii Mikhailovich’s mentor on Russian numismatics of the Imperial period and a leading member of the Grand Duke’s team that developed the corpus of Russian coins. He was responsible for coin classification, preparation of material for all plates and general management of the project. Giel, along with Dr. Lorenz von Pansner (1777–1851), can be regarded as fathers of modern Russian numismatics of the Imperial period. Giel’s own large collection of Greek and Byzantine coins was first purchased by Grand Duke Georgii Mikhailovich; it was then passed on to his brother Grand Duke Alexander and finally was disposed of via auctions (Naville, Lucerne 1922 and Glendining, London 1958) and through private sales among major museums (ANS 1944, Bibliothèque Nationale in Paris 1930, British Museum 1929, Hermitage, etc.) and collectors. He died in Dresden while undergoing medical treatment. Clain-Stefanelli 11152. Gromachevskii 95д.
Lot 34
Giel, Chr. ТАБЛИЦЫ РУССКИХЪ МОНЕТЪ ДВУХЪ ПОСЛѢДНИХЪ СТОЛѢТIЙ. Second edition. St. Petersburg, 1898. 8vo, contemporary brown half morocco with marbled boards. xvi, 125, (1) pages. Binding worn, but sound. First and last leaves with some discoloration. Early owner inscription. Very good. Rare. The best edition of this excellent collector’s guide to Russian coins. Giel was one of the most influential numismatists of his era. Clain-Stefanelli 11152. Gromachevskii 95е. Ex Kolbe Sale 87, lot 595.
Lot 35
Giel, Chr., and A. Ilyin. РУССКIЯ МОНЕТЫ ЧЕКАНЕННЫЯ СЪ 1801–1904 Г. St. Petersburg, 1904. 8vo, later blue cloth, gilt. xii, (2), 24, (2), 25–125, (1) pages; 6 fine plates. Repairs to first and last leaves; correction fluid applied to second leaf. Very good or better. Surprisingly rare for such an important work. Clain-Stefanelli 11153*.
![Gosudarstvennyi Ermitazh. ТРУДЫ ОТДЕЛА НУМИЗМАТИКИ. Том 1 (Leningrad, 1945). [with] ТРУДЫ ГОСУДАРСТВЕННОГО ЭРМИТАЖА. НУМИЗМАТ](http://lot-images.atgmedia.com/SR/35818/2891609/38-20131212121814_468x382.jpg)
Lot 38
Gosudarstvennyi Ermitazh. ТРУДЫ ОТДЕЛА НУМИЗМАТИКИ. Том 1 (Leningrad, 1945). [with] ТРУДЫ ГОСУДАРСТВЕННОГО ЭРМИТАЖА. НУМИЗМАТИКА. Тома 2–6 (Leningrad, 1961, 1967, 1971, 1981 and 1986. Six volumes total. First volume 8vo, subsequent volumes 4to, original cloth bindings. Over 1000 pages total; illustrated. Generally near fine. All six volumes of this important series of Hermitage papers on numismatics, generally with English summaries. Includes many important articles on pre-Petrine and Imperial numismatics. Authors include Nekliudov, Spasskii, Sotnikova, Kotliar, L’vov, Kalinin, Vilinbakhov and Potin.
![Grote, H. [editor]. BLÄTTER FÜR MÜNZKUNDE. HANNOVERISCHE NUMISMATISCHE ZEITUNG. Leipzig, 1835–44. Erster–Vierter](http://lot-images.atgmedia.com/SR/35818/2891609/40-20131212121821_468x382.jpg)
Lot 40
Grote, H. [editor]. BLÄTTER FÜR MÜNZKUNDE. HANNOVERISCHE NUMISMATISCHE ZEITUNG. Leipzig, 1835–44. Erster–Vierter Bände, complete. Four volumes. 4to, contemporary plain light brown boards; small library shelf labels. Erster Band (April 1834 to October 1835): title page, advertisement in French and index, followed by an April 1837 consolidated version of issues 1 to 11 (24 pages), issues 12 to 36 (unpaginated) and plates 1 to 25. Zweiter Band (October 1835 to December 1836): title page, contents, issues 1–31 and plates I–XXVI. Dritter Band (January 1837 to July 1838): title page, issues 1–20, index and plates I–XIII. Bound with Stammtafeln der europäischen Regentenhäuser seit den letzten drei Jahrhunderten (Leipzig, 1836) with added chromolithographic title, 37 genealogical tables and index. Vierter Band (undated, but 1838 up to No. 4 and irregularly published after): 1844-dated title page, issues 1–9, 1844 index of the first four volumes, and plates I–XIX bound in order of issue. Some browning and foxing throughout; some cracking at joints. Generally very good or better. A complete set of this rare publication, published 1834–41 (with an Index published in 1844), and later continued as Münzstudien, 1854–77. The Blätter für Münzkunde published articles on a wide range of numismatic subjects, including occasional Russian content (a large excerpt of Chaudoir, translated into German, appears in the fourth volume).
Lot 48
Ilyin, A. РУССКIЯ МОНЕТЫ. МѢДНАЯ МОНЕТА СЪ 1700–1725 Г. ПЕТРА I. Petrograd, 1918. 8vo, original printed card covers. 62 pages; errata leaf; 3 fine plates of coins. Spine sunned; near fine. A virtually unimprovable copy of the rare original edition of this still-important work on the copper coins of Peter I—the first copy we have offered in years. Clain-Stefanelli 11157. Purchased from Spink, who obtained it from the Hermitage as part of an exchange.
Lot 50
Ilyin, A.A. КЛАССИФИКАЦИЯ РУССКИХ УДЕЛЬНЫХ МОНЕТ. Leningrad, 1940. First edition. 4to, later maroon boards; spine label lettered by hand; original printed card covers bound in. 42, (2) pages; text illustrations; 8 plates of coins. Binding rather worn, but title complete and undamaged. Would benefit from binding. Very good or so. The very rare original of this important work on Russian feudal coins. Ex Zander library (Elmen, 2001 sale), lot 1049; previously ex I.I. Bekish and used by V. Arefiev for his reprint. Clain-Stefanelli 7360*.
Lot 54
Imperatorskoe Arkheologicheskoe Obshchestvo. ЗАПИСКИ ИМПЕРАТОРСКАГО АРХЕОЛОГИЧЕСКАГО ОБЩЕСТВА. Тома VIII и XI (1856 and 1865). 8vo, original printed wraps. (8), 323, (1), (2), 183, (3); (2), iii, (1), 615, (1) pages; 1 folding manuscript facsimile plate; 2 engraved plates; lithographic title page to plate section of second volume; 12 additional lithographic plates, the final one a double-plate. Both volumes with text blocks split at spine; first lacking rear wrap, second with front wrap loose; mostly unopened. General wear. Very good. Early volumes of this scholarly publication with occasional numismatic content. The second pagination to the first volume is for proceedings of meetings.
Lot 63
Iversen, V.M. НѢСКОЛЬКО РѢДКИХЪ И ИНТЕРЕСНЫХЪ РУССКИХЪ МОНЕТЪ ИЗЪ СОБРАНIЯ В.М. ИВЕРСЕНА. St. Petersburg, 1906. 8vo, original printed card covers. (2), 28, (2) pages; text figures; 4 very fine plates of coins. Covers backed and a bit worn. Very good. Inscribed in ink by the author to Nikolai Vasil’evich Chernikov. A rare offprint from the first volume of the Записки нумизматическаго отдѣленiя Императорскаго Русскаго Археологическаго Общества. Ex Leonidas C. Hermes (Kolbe Sale 72, lot 58), with his label.
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