In a recent auction of the Classical Numismatic Group, or CNG there were a number of the Cilician Armenian coins auctioned. Some of these coins had old inked collection numbers in them. Most, if not all inked coins of Cilician Armenia originate from the Kutcher collection, some of which were sold in this recent CNG auction. It first became apparent that the coins sold by CNG had an interesting pedigree when it was possible to match these inked coins to an important article by Kutcher from an article he did about coins of king Smpad in the Armenian Numismatic Journal. Since a number of these inked coins originating from this famous collection have come on the market, it might be worthwhile to publish and discuss some of them and their former owner.
Below is commentary by L.A. Saryan on the provenance of these inked coins:
The Kutcher collection was formerly owned by the well-known collector/researcher Ian C. G. Campbell, who obtained the coins in Turkey ca. the 30's of the twentieth century. Kutcher (who was not of Armenian extraction), took the time to learn the Armenian alphabet so that he could read the coins, and classified them all based on Bedoukian's classic work Coinage of Cilician Armenia. I once had a chance to study the Kutcher collection; it was large and I know that a substantial part of the collection was inked, probably by Campbell himself. There were a few rare varieties and some exceptional coins within, including a gold coin. Kutcher won numerous major exhibit awards with his Armenians; he was fond of these coins and knew that they were not nearly as well known as his other ancient collections. Kutcher was a true numismatist, not merely a collector; he studied his coins and their background, understood the details, and labored to educate others about them.
It is also worthwhile to reproduce Mr. Kutcher's obituary by L.A. Saryan here:
I have the sad duty to report that numismatist Robert Kutcher died on June 29, 2005, at his home in Lincoln, Nebraska, at the age of 74. He was a veteran of the Korean War and a retired engineer with the Nebraska Department of Roads. In addition to owning an extensive and wideranging coin collection, Bob was an indefatigable researcher, writer and exhibitor. He was very knowledgeable about ancient coins as wellas medieval Armenian coins, of which he had a large collection, including some rarities. Using Bedoukian's Coinage of Cilician Armenia he taught himself how to read the legends and classify his Armenian coins, a remarkable feat for someone who is not of Armenian background. His exhibit of Cilician Armenian coins occasionally recieved awards at numismatic conventions. It was at one of these conventions in Milwaukee that I first met Bob, and had the opportunity to examine his Armenian collection. He was active in several organizations including the Central States Numismatic Society, which he served as a board member for many years. He was a member of the Armenian Numismatic Society and contributed an Article for the Armenian Numismatic Journal.
Included below is a list of 2 known articles written by or related to Mr. Kutcher, also mentioning his inked coins, and the numbers on them:
Since Mr. Kutcher's death some of these coins, including his famed inked trams and others have come on the market. All but 2 inked coins were sold by CNG during auction 143, and all images are reproduced from them or the respective seller with credit given. Listed below are some images, seller description and comment about inking on the coins.
143, Lot: 293. Estimate $100. Sold for $66.
ARMENIA. Levon I. 1198-1219. AR Tram (25mm, 2.96 g). Levon seated on lion throne;
footstool / Patriarchal cross flanked by rampant lions; four dots in quadrants
of cross. AC 286. Good VF, complete legends on large flan. Old collection number
on obverse.
(Comment: Inked with #31.)
143, Lot: 295. Estimate $75. Sold for $49.
ARMENIA. Levon I. 1198-1219. AR Tram (23mm, 2.83 g). Levon seated on lion throne;
no footstool, three dots in left field / Patriarchal cross flanked by rampant
lions; three dots at base of cross. Reverse legend begins at 6:00. AC 299; cf.
CCA 673. VF, old collection number on reverse.
The crude style and rotated legend of this coin suggest it is the product of
an irregular mint.
(Comment: Inked with #131.)
143, Lot: 298. Estimate $75. Sold for $69.
ARMENIA. Hetoum I. 1226-1270. AR Tram (21mm, 2.84 g). Zabel, daughter of Levon
I, and Hetoum holding cross between them / Crowned lion to right, holding cross.
AC 335. Good VF, reverse weak, with encrustation. Old collection number on reverse.
(Comment: Inked number illegible, perhaps 520.)
143, Lot: 361. Estimate $200. Sold for $264.
ARMENIA. 1296-1298. Lot of seven AR and Æ. Levon I. AR Trams (3) // Levon
II. AR Tram // Hetoum I. Æ Kardez // Smpad. AR Tram // Æ Pogh. Average
VF, several with old inked collection numbers. Seven (7) coins in lot. LOT SOLD
AS IS, NO RETURNS.
(Comment: coins from Kutcher's article about Smpads inked with # 146 and #20
in this lot.)
143, Lot: 362. Estimate $100. Sold for $182.
ARMENIA. Smpad. 1296-1298. Lot of three AR Trams. King enthroned / Cross with
heraldic lions. Minor varieties of AC 408. Average VF, with old inked collection
numbers. Three (3) coins in lot. LOT SOLD AS IS, NO RETURNS.
(Comment: coins from Kutcher's article inked with #144,148 amd 151 in this lot.)
Ex. Calgary Coin. Armenia, Smpad, AD 1296 to 1298. Silver Tram.
Denomination : Silver Tram. Mint : no mint mark, but probably struck at Sis.
Reference : Nec.-408.
Size : 22.8 x 24.6. Weight : 2.77 grams.
Grade : VF but weak areas. There is a collector mark (149) inked into the obverse
field.
Obverse : King seated forward, holding a cross and a sceptre, with an inscription
that translates to SMPAD KING OF THE ARMENIANS.
Reverse: Long cross flanked by two rampant lion's, with an inscription that
translates to BY THE WILL OF GOD.
Price: US$ 70.00 SOLD
(Comment: Same as coin inked with #149 in the Kutcher article.)
<<no image here, but on illustrated list>>
Y.T. Nercessian Fixed Price List 31.
#31: Levon IV, AR Takvorin, ACV 453v, CCA1973v, 1.94g -21mm -8h -F, $40.
(Comment: Inked with #154.)