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Lot 39
Calabria, Tarentum AR Nomos. Circa 320-315 BC. Nude youth on horse pacing to right, wreath in outstretched right hand to crown the horse; ΣΑ to left, mask of Pan below / Taras astride dolphin to left, holding kantharos; ΦΙ below, TAPAΣ behind. Vlasto 661 (these dies); HN Italy 945. 7.81g, 23mm, 9h. Near Extremely Fine. Very Rare. Ex Numismatica Ars Classica 59, 4 April 2011, lot 488.
Lot 394
Mysia, Kyzikos EL Stater. Circa 550-500 BC. Chimaera to left, tunny fish below / Quadripartite incuse square. Von Fritze 55; BMFA -; SNG France -. 16.09g, 22mm. Near Mint State. Extremely Rare. The feared Chimaera was a monster of which a brief description in Homer’s Iliad is the earliest surviving literary reference. He depicts it as “a thing of immortal make, not human, lion-fronted and snake behind, a goat in the middle, and snorting out the breath of the terrible flame of bright fire”. It was the offspring of Typhon (last son of Gaia, fathered by Tartarus, and most fearsome of all the monsters of Greek mythology) and Echidna (a half-woman, half-snake, who with her mate Typhon was the origin of many monsters) and a sibling of such monsters as Cerberus and the Lernaean Hydra. According to Greek myth, the Chimaera lived in Lycia, ravaging the land. It was eventually slain by Corinth’s most famous son Bellerophon, with the help of Pegasos, at the command of King Iobates of Lycia. Since the Chimaera was impervious to Bellerophon’s attacks even when mounted on Pegasos, an inventive weapon was required – thus, mounting a block of lead on the end of his spear, Bellerophon lodged the lead in the Chimaera’s mouth so that when it breathed fire the lead melted and blocked its airway, suffocating it. The Chimaera first appears at an early stage in the repertory of the proto-Corinthian pottery-painters, providing some of the earliest identifiable mythological scenes that may be recognized in Greek art. The Corinthian type has been fixed, after some early hesitation, in the 670s BC. In Etruria too, the Chimaera appears in the Orientalizing period of the seventh cenury BC that precedes Etruscan Archaic art, where it found considerable popularity both as a myth and as a motif. The Chimaera appears in Etruscan wall-paintings of the fourth century BC, was one of the principal types employed on the coinage of Populonia, and is the subject of one of the most important surviving Etruscan bronze statues (see Chimera of Arezzo). It is well known that Kyzikos frequently took inspiration for its coin types from the art of other Greek city-states’ coins and wares, however the present type does not quite conform to the Chimaera seen on either the coinage of Populonia or Sikyon. The former’s coins were not widely distributed and on those of the latter the goat always (and the serpent tail usually) faces front. On this occasion therefore it is probable that this depiction copies the design of a vase or other vessel which found its way to Kyzikos - see for example Louvre A478 for a c.560-550 Attic black figure cup with a similarly formatted chimaera.
Lot 401
Mysia, Kyzikos EL Hemihekte. Circa 550-500 BC. Bearded head of Poseidon to left, wearing a helmet in the form of the head of a sea monster; [below, tunny fish to right] / Quadripartite incuse square. Von Fritze -; Hurter-Liewald (SNR 2002), 17b; SNG von Aulock 7291 (hekte). 1.42g, 4mm. Near Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare.
Lot 403
Mysia, Kyzikos EL Hekte. Circa 550-500 BC. Upper body of winged female deity to left, holding tunny fish in right hand, raising a flower to her face with left hand / Quadripartite incuse square. Von Fritze 75, pl. II, 30; SNG von Aulock 7280; SNG France 206. 2.68g, 11mm. Extremely Fine. Rare.
Lot 405
Mysia, Kyzikos EL Stater. Circa 550-500 BC. Head of Silenos facing; two tunny fish upward to either side / Quadripartite incuse square. CNG 75, 23 May 2007, lot 336; cf. Von Fritze 77 (fractions); SNG France -; Hurter & Liewald I, 77. 15.99g, 23mm. About Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare, the sixth and finest known. A superb archaic head of Silenos. Of the other five examples, one was sold by CNG in 2007, and two were noted by Hurter & Liewald as being in the von Aulock Collection (but unpublished) and the Velkov Collection (Vinchon, 24 Nov. 94), lot 61 = CH II, p. 7, 2. Two others were sold by Roma Numismatics: Auction V, 2013, lot 364; Auction X, 2015, lot 483. This spectacular coin features a bold facing portrait of Silenos engraved in excellent archaic style. The teacher and faithful companion of the wine-god Dionysos, Silenos was described as the oldest, wisest and most drunken of the followers of Dionysos, and was said in Orphic hymns to be the young god's tutor. Originally a folkloric man of the forest with the ears of a horse (and sometimes also the tail and legs of a horse), Silenos was often depicted with thick lips and a squat nose, as is the case here, fat, and most often bald – though our Silenos may consider himself fortunate in that he sports a full head of hair. Unusual consideration has been given to symmetry in the composition of this type: though symmetrical designs do occur, as in the case of two eagles perched on an omphalos (v. Fritze 220) or the double bodied sphinx (v. Fritze 138) to name but two, this is one of a tiny minority of designs that incorporates two tunny fish for balance. Interestingly, it has been suggested that the head of Silenos on this coin very possibly served as the model for a silver issue of the slightly later Lykian dynast Teththiveibi (see BMC 88 and SNG Berry 1164). One of the principal myths concerning Silenos has him lost and wandering in Phrygia, rescued by peasants and taken to the Phrygian King Midas, who treated him kindly. In return for Midas' hospitality Silenos regaled him with tales and Midas, enchanted by Silenos’ fictions, entertained him for five days and nights. When the god Dionysos found his wayward friend, he offered Midas a reward for his kindness towards Silenos, a blessing which the avaricious Midas squandered by choosing the power of turning everything he touched into gold. How fitting then, that we should see in this beautiful coin a faint reflection of that classic myth of the drunken but sage Silenos looking out at us across the millennia through this window of golden metal.
Lot 417
Mysia, Kyzikos EL Stater. Circa 500-450 BC. Satyr in kneeling-running stance to left, holding in his extended right hand a tunny fish by the tail / Quadripartite incuse square. Von Fritze 122; Boston 1461; SNG France -. 16.03g, 19mm. Good Very Fine. Extremely Rare; although around six or so hektes of this series have been offered at auction over the last fifteen years, there has been only one stater of this type (Roma VIII, 2014, lot 627).
Lot 42
Calabria, Tarentum AR Nomos. Circa 240-228 BC. Youth on horse leaping right, ΖΩΠΥΡΙΩΝ below; below forelegs, ΣΩ above bukranion / TAPAΣ below, Taras astride dolphin to left, holding hippocamp in extended right hand, trident against left arm; monogram and mask of Silenos right. Vlasto 941 (same obverse die); Evans IX B, 1; HN Italy 1054. 6.49g, 20mm, 3h. Near Mint State. Very Rare. A very unusual obverse type with the rider's head thrown back and facing the viewer of the coin.
Lot 420
Mysia, Kyzikos EL Stater. 400-350 BC. Apollo, clad in himation, seated sideways on swan flying left, holding laurel branch in right hand; tunny to left below / Quadripartite incuse square. Von Fritze 150 & pl. IV, 38; Babelon pl. 175, 16; BMC 104 & pl. VIII, 13 (same obv. die). 16.04g, 16mm. Good Very Fine. Extremely Rare - only one example on CoinArchives.
Lot 421
Mysia, Kyzikos EL Stater. Circa 450-400 BC. Male figure (Odysseus?), wearing a pilos and a chlamys, kneeling to left, in the act of sacrificing a ram; tunny fish below / Quadripartite incuse square. Greenwell 71, pl. III, 22; Von Fritze 156, pl. V, 4. 16.07g, 21mm, 12h. Extremely Fine. Very Rare. By quality far superior to the Prospero specimen, which realised $40,000 on a $20,000 estimate. The identity of the figure on the obverse of this coin has been widely debated. It has been suggested that it could be Phrixos, in the act of sacrificing the ram with the golden fleece. However, on the basis of the pilos, Odysseus, shown sacrificing the animal provided by Circe before his descent into Hades, has also been suggested.
Lot 422
Mysia, Kyzikos EL Hekte. Circa 400-360 BC. Bearded and laureate head of Zeus three-quarters facing; tunny fish to right below / Quadripartite incuse square. Leu 57, 1993, 100; cf. von Fritze 182 (stater); cf. Hurter & Liewald, SNR 83, 2004, p. 34, 182 (hemihekte). 2.64g, 11mm. Near Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare, apparently only the third known example.
Lot 426
Kingdom of Pergamon, Philetairos I AR Tetradrachm. Circa 270-265 BC. Diademed head of the deified Seleukos I to right / Athena, helmeted and wearing long robes, seated to left on low throne with lion’s feet, resting her left elbow on support in the form of a sphinx, holding a transverse downward pointing spear in her left hand and resting her right on the edge of a round shield adorned with a gorgoneion standing before her; above, ivy leaf; to right, bow. BMC 28; De Hirsch 1459; Kraay/Hirmer 736; Newell 14, XVI-36a (same dies); SNG Lockett 2718 (same dies); SNG von Aulock 7451 (same dies). 17.03g, 28mm, 12h. Near Extremely Fine. Very Rare. Philetairos began his career serving under Antigonos Monophthalmos, but after the Battle of Ipsos in 301 BC where Antigonos was killed, he shifted his allegiance to Lysimachos, who entrusted him with command of the fortress of Pergamon, and a treasury of nine thousand talents of silver (234 metric tonnes). Philetairos served Lysimachos until 282 BC, when perhaps because of conflicts involving the court intrigues of Arsinoe, Lysimachos' third wife, Philetairos deserted Lysimachos, offering himself and the important fortress of Pergamon, along with its treasury to Seleukos, who subsequently defeated and killed Lysimachos at the Battle of Korupedion in 281 BC. Seleukos himself was murdered by Ptolemy Keraunos, a brother of Arsinoe, a few months later at Lysimacheia. After the death of Seleukos, though he and Pergamon remained nominally under Seleukid dominion, Philetairos had considerable autonomy and with the help of his considerable wealth was able to increase his power and influence beyond Pergamon. His first coinage was struck under the reign of Antiochos I, the son of Seleukos, and though it proclaims his loyalty to Seleukos, the presence of his name upon the reverse must have inevitably raised suspicions about his ambitions. Nevertheless, Philetairos never went so far as to proclaim himself king, and remained loyal to the Seleukids until his death in 263. Having no children of his own, Philetairos passed the rule of Pergamon to his nephew Eumenes, who almost immediately revolted against Antiochos, defeating the Seleukid king near Sardes in 261. Eumenes was thus able to free Pergamon, and greatly increased the territory under his control. In his new possessions, he established garrison posts in the north at the foot of Mount Ida called Philetaireia after his adoptive father, and in the east, north-east of Thyatira near the sources of the river Lykos, called Attaleia after his grandfather, and he extended his control south of the river Caïcus to the Gulf of Kyme as well. Demonstrating his independence, he began to strike coins as his predecessor had done, only now the obverse portrait was that of his uncle and adoptive father Philetairos.
Lot 427
Kingdom of Pergamon, Philetairos I AR Tetradrachm. Circa 284-263 BC. Diademed head of Seleukos I right / Athena enthroned left, holding shield and spear; ivy leaf before, ΦIΛETAIPOY and bow behind. SC 309.5a; SNG France 1599 (same obv. die); Newell 14. 17.12g, 30mm, 12h. Very Fine. Very Rare.
Lot 430
Kingdom of Lydia, Kroisos AV Stater. Heavy series, prototype issue. Sardes, circa 564/53-550/39 BC. Confronted foreparts of lion, with sun on forehead, and bull / Two incuse squares. Berk 1; Konuk & Lorber fig. 25 = CH VIII, pl. I, Hoard 7, no. 40 = Triton XV, lot 1243 (same die and punches; realized $150,000); Athena Fund I 58; McClean 8635; NAIM-BAN 6; Ward 723 (same die and punches); Triton XVIII, lot 656 (realized $130,000); Triton XIX, lot 243. 10.82g, 18mm. Near Mint State. Very Rare. The heaviest example recorded on CoinArchives, and easily the best preserved.
Lot 431
Kingdom of Lydia, Kroisos AV Stater. Heavy series. Sardes, circa 564/53-550/39 BC. Confronted foreparts of lion and bull / Two incuse squares. Berk 2; Le Rider, Naissance, pl. V, 2; Traité I 396; BMC 30; Boston MFA 2068–9; Gulbenkian 756. 10.75g, 18mm. Extremely Fine; lustrous, handsome metal. Very Rare.
Lot 438
Karia, Achaemenid Period AR Tetradrachm. Circa 341-334 BC. Persian king or hero in kneeling-running stance right, drawing bow / Satrap on horseback right, thrusting spear; to left, bearded male head right. Konuk, Influences, Group 5 var. (head of Herakles); SNG Copenhagen (Persian Empire) 290-291 var. (same); Traité II 121 var. (same); CNG 72, 14 June 2006, 801. 14.66g, 23mm, 11h. About Very Fine. Very Rare, and unpublished in the standard references with this symbol. Struck in the last years before Alexander's invasion of the Persian empire, the archer-horseman tetradrachms of Achaemenid Karia are one of the rarest and most enigmatic Persian coinages struck in Asia Minor. We are unfortunately aware neither of where nor why they were produced - no inscription is present to facilitate identification of the issuing authority, with only various symbols and letters present as control marks. These control marks allowed Konuk to discern two distinct series: those with subsidiary symbols, and those without. Analysis of the Pixodarus Hoard has allowed the coinage to be dated from the decade beginning circa 350 BC. Additionally, since that hoard contained only the earlier, non-symbol, type, Meadows concluded that the date of deposit of the hoard (341 BC) should be seen as the earliest possible start of the second series, to which this coin belongs.
Lot 457
Lykia, Oinoanda AR Stater. Early Second Century BC. Laureate head of Zeus right; B and lotus-tipped sceptre behind / Eagle standing right on thunderbolt; before, round shield over sword; OINO-ANΔЄ Ѡ-N in exergue. Ashton, "The coinage of Oinoanda," NC 2005, 4 (A3/P3) (this coin). 7.79g, 20mm, 12h. Extremely Fine. Rare. From the Mark Christenson Collection; Ex Gemini IV, 8 January 2008, lot 205.
Lot 460
Cilicia, uncertain mint AR Obol. 4th century BC. Head of Herakles facing slightly left, wearing lion skin headdress / Head of Aphrodite left, wearing triple pendant earring, necklace, and turreted stephane decorated with palmette between two circles. Göktürk –; SNG France –; SNG Levante 242. 0.66g, 10mm, 9h. Extremely Fine. Very Rare.
Lot 467
Cilicia, Mallos AR Stater. Circa 440-390 BC. Winged male deity (Kronos?) advancing right, holding solar disk with both hands / Swan standing left, MAP above, fish downwards to left; all within pelleted square border within incuse square. Casabonne Group 4; SNG France -; SNG von Aulock -; cf. BMC 12, pl. xvi, 8 (dotted incuse square, but grain kernel in place of fish); cf. Traité II 1399 = SNG Paris 378 (no square incuse or border, and ankh behind swan); SNG Levante -; Gemini IV, 209; otherwise apparently unpublished. 11.18g, 22mm, 1h. Near Mint State. Extremely Rare, perhaps the second known example. Beautiful early style, and in exceptional condition for this early series; very possibly the finest known example. Mallos (archaically known as Marlotas) issued a rich coinage between the early fifth century and 333 BC, when it came under Macedonian hegemony, featuring Greek deities including Herakles, Aphrodite, Athena, Hermes, Dionysos and Demeter, as well as securely identifiable oriental deities such as Baal and Ahuramazda. The solar deity present on the obverse of this coin is sometimes identified as Kronos (a Semitic god more properly known as 'El', and distinct from the Greek Titan and father of the Olympian gods, but with whom he was syncretised by Greeks). This seems eminently logical, since the spiral - which Robert Graves called a 'spiral of immortality' (The White Goddess, 1948), a symbol of power most likely appropriated from the Red Crown of Lower Egypt - and solar disc attributes do not belong to any Olympian deity, but to one of near-Eastern origin. It has moreover been suggested that Mallos was originally of Phoenician foundation (see IACP, 1009) on the basis of its original ethnik, a suggestion supported by the presence of other Semitic deities portrayed on the city's coinage, as well as the use of Aramaic legends. Curiously, the attribute of the solar disc is one with few parallels in the archaeological record. In a similar pose, a male solar deity is carrying a sun disc on a 6th century orientalising archaic Greek scarab from Cyprus, and an alabastron from the Isis tomb at Vulci, Etruria (suggested locations for its manufacture are Cyprus and Phoenicia) depicts a female carrying a winged sun disc. Possibly related also are Phoenician terracotta figurines from Punic sites holding a disc in front of them. In all cases a Semitic origin is apparent, further strengthening the likelihood that the deity of this coin should be the Semitic solar god Kronos.
Lot 468
Cilicia, Mallos AR Obol. Circa 440-390 BC. Bearded janiform head / Head (of Bellerophon?) left, wearing cap; MAP before; all in dotted square within incuse square. Cf. CNG 90, 23 May 2012, lot 642 (sold for $1,100). 0.59g, 8mm, 6h. Good Very Fine. Slightly granular surfaces, lightly toned, of good style. Extremely Rare.
Lot 469
Phrygia, Kibyra AR Drachm. Circa 166-84 BC. Young male head right, wearing crested helmet / Helmeted and cuirassed horseman galloping right, wielding spear and shield; M and ΚΙΒΥΡΤΩΝ below. SNG von Aulock 3709; SNG Copenhagen 267. 2.89g, 17mm, 12h. Good Extremely Fine. Struck in fine style and remarkably well preserved. One of the finest known. Very Rare. Ex Giessener Münzhandlung 46, 30 October 1989, lot 303.
Lot 471
Kingdom of Pontos, Mithradates VI Eupator AR Tetradrachm. 67/66 BC. Diademed head right / Pegasos on ground line to left, preparing to lie down, BAΣΙΛEΩΣ above, MIΘPAΔATOY EYΠATOPOΣ below; star within crescent to left, monogram to right, date (year 231) below. De Callataÿ D77/R1a; Paris, BN, Pont 50 = Waddington 131; Burgan, 30 June 1984, 309. 16.44g, 32mm, 12h. Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare - De Callataÿ recorded only two specimens. The examples presented here bring the known corpus up to just eight surviving coins. Ex Roma Numismatics VII, 22 March 2014, lot 759 (sold for £12,000 but not paid for). The latest known tetradrachms struck by Mithradates date from the year 231 BE (67/66 BC), of which De Callataÿ found only three extant examples from two reverse dies. Struck at the height of the Third Mithradatic War, Mithradates had succeeded in regaining control of his kingdom of Pontos after a resounding victory at the Battle of Zela, in which the Romans suffered near catastrophic casualties and were routed, leaving 7000 dead on the field including 24 tribunes and 150 centurions. Despite this victory, Mithradates had only bought himself brief respite, as Pompey's campaign against the Mediterranean pirates was brought to a close and he proceeded to take command of the war against Mithradates, reorganising the Roman forces and drawing on reinforcements from Cilicia, such that a force of some six legions was brought under his command. Pompey opened peace negotiations with Mithradates, naming his terms as a formal submission to Pompey's authority and the surrender of a large number of Roman deserters who were now fighting on the Pontic side. Mithradates refused his terms, and forced onto the defensive, he made preparations to receive Pompey's assault.
Lot 5
Celts in Eastern Europe AR Tetradrachm. Zigzag type, 2nd century BC. Stylized head of Zeus left / Stylized horse and rider left, zigzag pattern and annulet above, circle in square before. Pink 460; Dessewffy 235; BMCC S132. 12.16g, 24mm, 3h. Well struck and centred on a pleasing flan of good metal. Lightly toned and well preserved. Very Rare - only one example on CoinArchives.
Lot 511
Kings of Elymais, Kamnaskires III, with Anzaze, AR Tetradrachm. Circa 82-75 BC. Conjoined busts left of Kamnaskires and Queen Anzaze; monogram above anchor symbol behind; countermark: Nike standing left / Zeus seated left, holding sceptre and Nike, who crowns him, MAKEΔΩN before; IΛCIΛEΩC KΛMNΛIKIPOY KΛI IΛIIΛIICHC ANZAZH (BAΣIΛEΩΣ KAMNΣKIROY KAI BAΣIΛIΣΣHΣ ANZAZHΣ) around, date in exergue. BMC 245/1; Alram 454. 16.51g, 27mm, 6h. Extremely Fine, struck on sound metal and exceptionally well preserved and detailed for the issue. Very Rare.
Lot 512
Kings of Elymais, Kamnaskires V AR Tetradrachm. Seleucia on the Hedyphon, Year 267 = 46/5 BC. Diademed and draped bust left, with pointed beard; star and anchor behind / Diademed and draped male bust with short beard left, legend around, date in exergue. Van't Haaff p. 75, subtype 1-4. 14.28g, 28mm, 12h. Good Very Fine. Very Rare.
Lot 521
Marcus Aurelius Æ28 of Corinth, Corinthia. AD 161-180. M AVR ANTONINVS AVG, laureate bust right, drapery on far shoulder / CLI COR, Melikertes-Palaimon lying on the back of a dolphin swimming right; pine-tree behind. BCD Corinth -; BMC 611 var.; SNG Copenhagen -; Edwards -; F. Imhoof-Blumer and P. Gardner, A Numismatic Commentary on Pausanias, JHS London 1885-7, pp. 10-11, pl. B, I-II. 13.87g, 27mm, 10h. Good Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare, and one of the best preserved of all Corinthian imperial bronzes. Pausanias travelling to Corinth in the 2nd century AD observed: 'In the Corinthian territory is also the place called Cromyon from Cromus the son of Poseidon. Here they say that Phaea was bred; overcoming this sow was one of the traditional achievements of Theseus. Farther on the pine still grew by the shore at the time of my visit, and there was an altar of Melikertes. At this place, they say, the boy was brought ashore by a dolphin; Sisyphus found him lying and gave him burial on the Isthmus, establishing the Isthmian games in his honour'. - Pausanias, Description of Greece 2.1.3, with an English Translation by W.H.S. Jones and H.A. Ormerod, London 1918.
Lot 523
Julia Domna AR Tridrachm of Seleucia ad Calycadnum, Cilicia. AD 193-211. ΙΟΥΛΙΑ ΔΟΜΝΑ ΣΕΒΑΣΤΗ, draped bust right / ΣΕΛΕΥΚΕΩΝ ΤΩΝ ΠΡΟΣ ΤΩ ΚΑΛΥΚΑΔΝΩ, Tyche standing to left wearing Polos, holding cornucopiae, hand on rudder; C−Ε across field. SNG von Aulock 5828; SNG Levante 740; BMC 28 var. 7.32g, 25mm, 7h. Good Very Fine. Very Rare.
Lot 524
Julia Domna AR Drachm of Tarsus, Cilicia. AD 193-217. ΙΟYΛΙΑ ΔΟΜΝΑ CΕΒΑCΤ, draped bust right / ΤΑΡCΟY ΜΗΤΡΟ Α Μ Κ, Nike walking left, holding wreath and palm. SNG Levante 1030; SNG France -; BMC Lycaonia -; SNG Copenhagen -; SNG von Aulock -; Prieur 783. 3.54g, 21mm, 7h. Minor flan crack, otherwise Good Very Fine. Lightly toned. Very Rare.
Lot 526
Diadumenian, as Caesar, AR Drachm of Tarsus, Cilicia. AD 217-218. M OΠ ANTOΩNINOC KAIC, bareheaded and draped bust right / TAPCOV MHTPOΠ, Nike walking left, holding wreath and palm. SNG France 1556 corr. (obv. legend); BMC Lycaonia -; SNG Copenhagen -; SNG von Aulock -. 4.84g, 21mm, 6h. Minor flan crack, otherwise Good Very Fine. Lightly toned. Extremely Rare.
Lot 528
Maximinus I Æ37 'Medallion' of Tralleis, Lydia. AD 235-238. Aur. Faidreios, magistrate. AYT K Γ IOYL OYH MAXIMEINOC, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right / EΠI ΓP AYP ΦAIΔPEIOY A TPAΛΛIANΩN, statue group of diademed Venus standing right wearing stola and palla with arms around Mars, nude but for crested helmet, standing facing, holding shield; cuirass on low column on right field ground line. F. Imhoof, Lydische Statdmünzen, Winterthur 1897, pp. 178-9, 38, pl. 7, 16. 23.63g, 37mm, 5h. About Extremely Fine. Dark green patina. Of the highest rarity; the only other known specimen is the one recorded by Imhoof in his collection. Under the Antonines there was an increased interest in depicting both aristocratic and freed men and women in mythical guise. The models for such statuary groups in the round and in the relief undoubtedly belonged to courtly circles. Even though no extant groups or coins explicitly portray an emperor or empress as Mars and Venus, such examples certainly existed. We know from Cassius Dio (81-96) that Marcus Aurelius and Faustina minor were celebrated as Mars and Venus and that she was commonly represented as Venus. Hadrian and other emperors also commonly appeared in statues in the guise of Mars. Three Roman statue groups have survived of a man and woman depicted as Mars and Venus in which portrait heads were placed on bodies based on the 5th century BC Greek so called ‘Ares Borghese’ type with attributed to the sculptor Alkamenes, now in the Louvre (MA 866; LIMC II, Ares 23). He stands in a counter-pose (contrapposto), with his right leg advanced in front and his weight resting on the left leg. In his right hand he carries a shield or lance and on his head he wears a high crested helmet. The woman also stands in counter-pose to the male figure which ultimately derives from a 4th century BC Greek so called ‘Aphrodite of Capua’ type now in the Museo Nazionale Archeologico, Naples (LIMC II, Aphrodite 627), an earlier version of the celebrated Aphrodite of Milos type now in the Louvre (LIMC II, Aphrodite 645), and close to the Venus of Arles attributed to Praxiteles, also now in the Louvre (LIMC II, Aphrodite 526). The statue probably represented the goddess admiring her reflection in the reflective surface of Ares’ shield, a motif known on coins from Corinth. (cf. Corinth, Plautilla BMC 664-6), with most of its weight on one foot so that its shoulders and arms twist around from the hips and legs, giving the figure a dynamic and tender appearance. The earliest extant of these three groups was found on the Isola Sacra in Ostia and now in the Museo Capitolino, Rome (LIMC II, Ares/Mars 348). The woman is represented according to the Capuan Aphrodite type: she turns toward her husband and puts her left arm around his shoulders, unlike the Venus of Capua, she is clothed in a stola and palla. The man is nude, wears a helmet and short pallium and stands in the Ares Borghese counter-pose. The woman’s diademed head is coiffure with its series of overlapping locks and bun at the back of the head, is comparable to that of Faustina II on coins and portraits in the round of about AD 147. The carving of the hair style and face of the man resembles the portraits of a young Marcus Aurelius in about AD 145. This group must date from AD 145-150. The second group, formerly from the Borghese Collection and now in the Louvre (LIMC II, Ares/Mars 350) depicts the woman, probably Sabina, represented in the style of the Capuan Venus, except that she is also clothed in a stola and palla. The man is heroically nude, save for helmet and balteus with parazonium, and stands in the Ares Borghese counter-pose with a portrait that has often been identified as Hadrian during the principate of Antoninus Pius and can be dated to about AD 150-160. The third and latest group was found in the so-called Basilica at Ostia, now in the Museo Nazionale, Rome (LIMC II, Ares/Mars 347) also represents a man and woman in the style of the Venus of Capua and Ares Borghese statuary group, but now the woman is partially nude and the man is again completely heroically nude but for helmet and balteus with parazonium. The carving style of this group suggests an unknown Roman and his wife in the time of Marcus Aurelian and Faustina II to Commodus and Crispina, circa AD 175-180. Although there is no consensus amongst scholars as to the identification of these three groups as celebrating imperial personages or high status wealthy members of Roman society emulating the conceit of mythological portraiture popular among the imperial circle, there are three other lesser works with very similar representations of the general Mars/Venus group theme: the ‘Concordia group’ high relief sarcophagus panel in Palazzo Mattei, Rome (LIMC II, Ares/Mars 351); a mint of Rome medallion of Faustina II (Gnecchi II, p. 39, 10, pl. 67, 8) and a rare mint of Rome As of Faustina II (RIC III, 1680; BMC IV, 999-1001).
Lot 529
Gordian III Æ23 of Seleucia ad Calycadnum, Cilicia. AD 238-244. ΑΝΤΩΝΙΟΣ ΓΟΡΔΙΑΝΟΣ ΣΕΒΑΣ, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right / ΣΕΛΕΥΚΕΩΝ ΤΩ ΠΡΟ ΠΟ [...], Europa, with veil billowing over her head, seated facing on bull charging to right, dolphin swimming right on waves below. SNG Levante -; SNG France -; SNG von Aulock 5843. 6.26g, 23mm, 12h. Fine patina, Near Extremely Fine. Very Rare.
Lot 533
Central Italy, uncertain mint Æ Currency Bar. Circa 6th-4th centuries BC. ‘Ramo secco’ pattern on each side. ICC pp. 26-7, 3; Garrucci pp. 5-8, pls. 7-11; Haeberlin pp.10-19, pls. 6-8; ERC III pp. 207- 212; CMRR p. 4, 2; Craddock, P.T. and Meeks, N. ‘Italian currency bars’, in Italian Iron Age Artefacts, J. Swaddling (ed.), London 1986, pp. 127-130; D. Neri. ‘Aspetti premonetali e monetali nell'Emilia centrale, aes signatum e moneta greca da Castelfranco Emilia’, in QAER 1, Bologna 1998; E. Pellegrini and R. Macellari, I lingotti con il segno ramo secco, considerazioni su alcuni aspetti socio-economici nell'area etrusco-italica durante il periodo tardo arcaico, Biblioteca di ‘Studi Etruschi’ 38, Pisa-Roma 2002. 1865.00g, 148 x 74 x 30mm. One of the finest known examples. Extremely Rare. Ex Artemide 28, 10 April 2010, lot 1121; Published in The Collector’s International Magazine 12, Turin 1956, p. 59. From about the 6th century flat cast copper currency bars or ingots with a high ferruginous content appear, often bearing a cross-section design called by Italian numismatists ‘ramo secco’ (dry branch or twig). They appear in hoards throughout Italy and Sicily, with a concentration of finds in Etruria and the Padana, often together with aes rude lumps. They do not equate to a set weight standard and are usually found broken into subdivisions. Before denominated round coins were introduced in the early third century, all bronze transactions had to be weighed, and not counted, by dispensatoris (dispensers or cashiers). This manner of exchange necessitated the use of a balance and has left a rich legacy to the Latin language, e.g., expensa, inpendia, dependere, stipendia, aerarium, aestimare. Most striking of all was the formula per aes et libram (with bronze and balance), which was used to designate the formal ceremony of emancipatory contracts. All these terms lasted well beyond the introduction of struck coinage and have passed into modern languages. The Latin term aes signatum (signed or marked bronze) was used by Pliny (HN 33.13.43) for the cast currency bars supposedly issued by king Servius Tullius. These bars were frequently converted to aes rude. The term was misused by 19th and 20th century numismatists and has been avoided in this catalogue.
Lot 534
Cast Æ As. Rome, circa 235 BC. Diademed head of Apollo right; behind, bunch of grapes / Same type left. RRC 26/5 (acorn); ICC 54 (acorn); HN Italy 310 (acorn); Haeberlin p. 81, 1-7 pl. 33, 1-6 (Vine-leaf). 250.20g, 48mm, 12h. Very Fine. Extremely Rare. Ex Artemide XXX, 9 October 2010, lot 116;Ex Münzen & Medaillen 2, 27 March 1998, lot 316.The style of this rare issue is quite different from the common Apollo/Apollo series RCC 18/1, which led Haeberlin (pp. 80-81) to hypothesize that it was a provincial issue of Latium or Campania. Two find spots have been noted: Lake Nemi in Lazio and Nicotera in Calabria.
Lot 538
Latium, Praeneste (?) Æ As. Circa 275-225 BC. Lion’s head facing, spear between jaws / Horse’s head left. HN Italy 249; ICC 254; Haeberlin p. 152, 16 = Sir Hermann Weber Collection, Forrer 1922, 224 (this coin). 247.34g, 68mm, 12h. Very Fine. Very Rare. Ex E. H. Bunbury Collection, Sotheby, Wilkinson & Hodge, 10-14 June 1895, lot 210. Tentative identification of this remarkable issue to Praeneste (modern Palestrina) by most numismatists is based on find evidence provided by Garrucci (p. 22, 1) and Haeberlin (p. 151, 11). Praeneste was a very early Latin settlement 40 km south-east of Rome on Monte Ginestro, a strategic site facing the Alban hills, to which tradition gives various founders in the mythical period (Virgil. Aeneid 7,678). It became an ally of Rome after the battle of Lake Regillus in 499 BC, but opposed Rome in the Latin War and was eventually subdued by Cincinnatus in 388. Famous for its opulent Etruscan type tombs of the 7th century BC, the immense temple of Fortuna Primagenia and oracular sortes Praenstinae.
Lot 54
Bruttium, Rhegion AR Drachm. Circa 494-480 BC. Lion's head facing / Head of calf to left, RECINON (retrograde) around. Robinson 3; HN Italy 2470; SNG Copenhagen 1923; SNG ANS 622. 5.67g, 17mm, 7h. Good Very Fine. Very Rare. From the Dr. Murray Gell-Mann Collection; Ex SKA 57, 1 March 1992, lot 9.
Lot 577
A. Manlius Q. f. Sergianus AR Denarius. Rome, 118-107 BC. Helmeted head of Roma right, SER behind, ROMA before / Sol in facing quadriga rising from the waves of the sea, X and crescent above, XVI monograms in both fields, A•MANLI•Q•F below. Crawford 309/1; RSC Manlia 1. 3.88g, 21mm, 3h. Good Very Fine. Rare. From the Eucharius Collection. This bold and innovative reverse design uses the device of Helios in quadriga as an allusion to the East to recall the memory of the moneyer's ancestor Cn. Manlius Vulso who led a victorious campaign against the Galatians in Asia Minor, concluded a treaty with Antiochos III of the Seleucid Empire, and returned to Rome laden with treasure. Manlius' campaign was apparently widely regarded in the Senate as a wanton expedition for the gaining of plunder, and Florus reports that his request for a triumph was rejected, though Livy, who is greatly critical of Manlius' actions, nonetheless describes a triumphal procession in elaborate detail, including its captives, wagon loads of booty and even the celebratory songs of the soldiery.
Lot 579
Cn. Cornelius L. f. Sisena AR Denarius. Rome, 118-107 BC. Helmeted head of Roma right, SISENA behind, ROMA before, X below chin / Jupiter in quadriga right, holding sceptre and reins and hurling thunderbolt, star on either side, head of Sol and crescent above, anguipede giant holding thunderbolt below, CN•CORNEL•L•F in exergue. Crawford 310/1; RSC Cornelia 17. 3.89g, 20mm, 7h. Good Very Fine. Well struck on a broad flan, lightly toned. Very Rare, and extremely well preserved for the type. From the Eucharius Collection.
Lot 591
D. Junius L. f. Silanus AR Denarius. Rome, 91 BC. Diademed bust of Salus right, SALVS below, C before, all within torque / Victory in biga right; ROMA beneath; D•SILANVS•L•F in exergue. Crawford 337/2c; RSC Junia 18a. 3.84g, 19mm, 12h. Extremely Fine. Pleasant old tone. Rare. Ex Sternberg XXXII, 28-29 October 1996, lot 228.
Lot 602
C. Vibius C. f. Pansa AR Denarius. Rome, 90 BC. Mask of bearded Silenos right; control mark below, PANSA behind / Mask of bearded Pan right; control mark before, C•VIBIVS•C•F below. Crawford 342/1; RSC Vibia 8. 3.88g, 20mm, 6h. Very Fine. Light cabinet tone with golden highlights. Very Rare. Unusually complete for this issue, with nearly full legends. From the Eucharius Collection.
Lot 606
The Social War, Marsic Confederation AR Denarius. Corfinium, 89 BC. Laureate head of Italia right, wearing pearl necklace; ITALIA behind, X (mark of value) below chin / Italia, seated left on shields, holding sceptre in right hand and sword in left, being crowned with wreath by Victory who stands behind; retrograde B(?) in exergue. Campana 105 (same obverse die); HN Italy 412a. 3.60g, 20mm, 8h. Near Very Fine. Cleaning marks to rev. Very Rare.
Lot 630
L. Volteius L. f. Strabo AR Serrate Denarius. Rome, 81 BC. Laureate head of Jupiter right; L behind / Europa seated on bull charging left, holding veil which billows overhead; thunderbolt behind, vine leaf below; L•VLO•L•F•STRAB in exergue. Crawford 377/1; RSC Volteia 6. 3.87g, 19mm, 3h. Extremely Fine. Rare. From the Eucharius Collection.
Lot 642
L. Plaetorius L. f. Cestianus AR Denarius. Rome, 74 BC. Draped and diademed bust of Juno Moneta right; MONETA behind; S•C below chin / Victorious boxer running right, holding caestus and palm-branch over shoulder; L•PLAETORI behind; L•F•Q•S•C before. Crawford 396/1a; RSC Plaetoria 2. 3.77g, 19mm, 1h. Good Very Fine. A very attractive example of the type. Rare. From the Eucharius Collection.
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