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Military, Combat & Arms on Ancient Coins
Macedonian Kingdom, Demetrios I Poliorketes, 306 - 283 B.C., In the Name and Types of Alexander the Great

|Alexander| |the| |Great|, |Macedonian| |Kingdom,| |Demetrios| |I| |Poliorketes,| |306| |-| |283| |B.C.,| |In| |the| |Name| |and| |Types| |of| |Alexander| |the| |Great
||tetradrachm|
Struck by Demetrius I Poliorketes (The Besieger). Demetrius I, the son of Antigonus I Monophthalmus, was given the title king by his father in 306 B.C. after he defeated Ptolemy I at the Battle of Salamis. In 294 he seized the throne of Macedonia by murdering Alexander V. The combined forces of Pyrrhus, Ptolemy and Lysimachus, forced him out of Macedonia in 288. Abandoned by his troops on the field of battle he surrendered to Seleucus in 286 and died in captivity in 283 B.C.
SL113486. Silver tetradrachm, Price 675, SNG Cop 734, Mόller Alexander 1348, Noe Sicyon 22, HGC 4 1902 (R1), NGC EF (Greek 336-323 BC, 4DR, Alexander the Great, Money of the Bible, 3009039-073), weight c. 16.8 g, maximum diameter 25.5 mm, die axis 45o, Corinth mint, c. 304 - 290 B.C.; obverse head of Herakles right, wearing Nemean Lion skin, scalp over head, forepaws tied at neck; reverse Zeus Aλtophoros seated left on throne, nude to the waist, himation around hips and legs, right leg drawn back, feet on footstool, eagle in extended right hand, long lotus tipped scepter vertical behind in left hand, AΛEΞANΔPOY downward on right, Nike flying right raising wreath and holding palm frond (control) lower left, Δo monogram (control) under throne above top strut; from a Virginia Collector, ex Eastern Numismatics Inc. (Garden City, NY, 5 Aug 2010, $625); NGC| Lookup; rare; $800.00 (€752.00)


Seleukid Kingdom, Philip I Philadelphos, c. 94 - 83 or 75 B.C.

|Seleucid| |Kingdom|, |Seleukid| |Kingdom,| |Philip| |I| |Philadelphos,| |c.| |94| |-| |83| |or| |75| |B.C.||tetradrachm|
Philip I Philadelphus was the fourth son of Antiochus VIII Grypus. He took the diadem in 94 B.C. together with his twin brother Antiochus XI Epiphanes, after the eldest son Seleucus VI Epiphanes was killed by their cousin Antiochus X Eusebes. The next year Antiochus X killed Antiochus XI. Antiochus X was probably killed in 88 B.C. Philip's younger brother Demetrius III turned on Philip I and took the capital, but the Philip I prevailed and took Antioch. Their youngest brother Antiochus XII took Damascus. Philip I tried to take Damascus, after which he disappears from the historical record, which does not tell us how or when he died. His death is traditionally dated 83 B.C. but Numismatic evidence and clues in ancient literature indicate that Philip I might have died in 75 B.C. His coins remained in circulation when the Romans conquered Syria in 64 B.C. Roman authorities in Syria continued to issue coins modeled on Philip I's coins, including his portrait, until 13 B.C.
GY113434. Silver tetradrachm, Houghton-Lorber II 2463(2)i, SNG Spaer 2803, Newell SMA 441, HGC 9 1319, BMC Seleucid -, gVF, toned, light encrustations, obv. off center, weight 15.904 g, maximum diameter 25.2 mm, die axis 0o, Antioch (Antakya, Turkey) mint, c. 88/7 - 83/75 B.C.; obverse diademed head of Philip I Philadelphos right, bulging eye, pouting lips, pronounced aquiline nose, fillet border; reverse BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΦIΛIΠΠOY EΠIΦANOYΣ ΦIΛAΔEΛΦOY, Zeus seated left on high-backed throne, nude to the waist, himation around hips and legs, Nike presenting wreath in right hand, long scepter vertical behind in left, .I.(Φ)/A outer left, N inner left, (frozen control monogram) below throne, all within laurel wreath; ex Leu Numismatik auction 26 (13 July 2023), lot 6961 (part of); $350.00 (€329.00)


Aspendos, Pamphylia, c. 465 - 430 B.C.

|Aspendos|, |Aspendos,| |Pamphylia,| |c.| |465| |-| |430| |B.C.||stater|NEW
In 467 B.C. the Athenian statesman and military commander Cimon, and his fleet of 200 ships, destroyed the Persian navy based at the mouth of the river Eurymedon in a surprise attack. In order to crush to Persian land forces, he tricked the Persians by sending his best fighters ashore wearing the garments of the hostages he had seized earlier. When they saw these men, the Persians thought that they were compatriots freed by the enemy and arranged festivities in celebration. Taking advantage of this, Cimon landed and annihilated the Persians. Aspendos then became a member of the Attic-Delos Maritime league.

Roma Numismatics speculated that the undertype of the present coin was the uncertain Cypriot stater of the ram with ankh symbol/laurel branch type. A tantalizing suggestion, but a likelier candidate for the host stater is an issue of neighboring Side with a pomegranate on the obverse and the head of Athena within an incuse square on the reverse. On the warrior side of our Aspendus coin, we see hints of the fruit, including its prominent stem flanked by two leaves. There are also suggestions of Athena’s neck on the reverse.
GS114035. Silver stater, SNG Fitzwilliam 5052 (same rev. die); SNG BnF 2 var. (no tortoise; same rev. die); cf. SNGvA 4484 (EΣ only; rev. tortoise; lion btw triskeles), aVF, oval flan struck with worn dies, clean bright surfaces, overstruck with traces of undertype visible on both sides, weight 10.896 g, maximum diameter 24.6 mm, die axis 180o, Aspendos (Serik, Turkey) mint, c. 465 - 430 B.C.; obverse warrior advancing right, wearing crested helmet, nude, couched spear in right hand, round shield on left arm, tortoise between legs; reverse triskeles of human legs clockwise, EΣT high across field, crouching lion lower left behind triskeles, all within an incuse square; interesting overstrike; ex Roma Numismatics e-sale 112 (7 Sep 2023), lot 408; $350.00 (€329.00)


Trajan, 25 January 98 - 8 or 9 August 117 A.D.

|Trajan|, |Trajan,| |25| |January| |98| |-| |8| |or| |9| |August| |117| |A.D.||denarius|
In 107 A.D., Trajan received an ambassador from India. In 108 A.D., "doctor's offices" opened in Rome replacing "house calls.
RS113935. Silver denarius, Woytek 270b, BnF IV 276, RIC II 128, RSC II 74, BMCRE III 328, Hunter II 104, Strack I 128, SRCV II 3129, EF, centered on a tight flan, attractive portrait, attractive toning, weight 3.505 g, maximum diameter 17.4 mm, die axis 180o, Rome mint, 107 - 108 A.D.; obverse IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P, laureate bust right, slight drapery on far shoulder; reverse COS V P P S P Q R OPTIMO PRINC, Victory standing slightly left, naked to hips, raising wreath in right hand, palm frond in left hand; from the Chris Noah Collection (purchased spring 2006); $330.00 (€310.20)


Judean Kingdom, Herod the Great, 37 - 4 B.C.

|Herod| |the| |Great|, |Judean| |Kingdom,| |Herod| |the| |Great,| |37| |-| |4| |B.C.||eight| |prutot|
Matthew (2:1-23) describes the Massacre of the Innocents. Wise men from the East visited Herod to inquire the whereabouts of "the one having been born king of the Jews," because they had seen his star. Herod, as King of the Jews, was alarmed. The chief priests, citing Micah 5:2, told Herod the anointed one would be born in Bethlehem. Herod sent the "wise men" to Bethlehem, instructing them to "report to me, so that I too may go and worship him." However, the Magi were warned in a dream not to report back to Herod. Joseph was warned in a dream that Herod intended to kill Jesus, so he and his family fled to Egypt. When Herod realized he had been outwitted, he gave orders to kill all boys of the age of two and under in Bethlehem and its vicinity. Joseph and his family stayed in Egypt until Herod's death, then moved to Nazareth. Herod was guilty of many brutal acts, including killing his wife and two sons, but no other source from the period refers to the massacre. Bethlehem was a small village, the number of male children under the age of two might not have exceed 20, and this may be the reason for the lack of other sources for this history.
JD114512. Copper eight prutot, Hendin 6204; Meshorer TJC 44; Meshorer AJC II 1; BMC Palestine p. 220, 1; RPC I 4901; HGC 10 651, F, near black patina with highlighting blue-green deposits, uneven strike with weak areas, rev. edge beveled, edge splits, weight 6.120 g, maximum diameter 23.6 mm, die axis 45o, Samaria mint, 40 - 37 B.C.; obverse HPΩΔOY BAΣIΛEΩΣ (Greek: of King Herod), tripod with ceremonial bowl (lebes), LΓ - P (year 3 of the tetrarchy) across fields; reverse military helmet facing, with cheek pieces and straps, wreathed with acanthus leaves, star above, flanked by two palm-branches; scarce; $220.00 (€206.80)


Nero, 13 October 54 - 9 June 68 A.D., Koinon of Galatia, Galatia

|Galatia|, |Nero,| |13| |October| |54| |-| |9| |June| |68| |A.D.,| |Koinon| |of| |Galatia,| |Galatia||AE| |20|
In 25 B.C., Augustus raised Ankara to the status of a polis and made it the capital city of the Roman province of Galatia. Ankara is famous for the Monumentum Ancyranum (Temple of Augustus and Rome) which contains the official record of the Acts of Augustus, known as the Res Gestae Divi Augusti, an inscription cut in marble on the walls of this temple. An estimated 200,000 people lived in Ancyra in good times during the Roman Empire, a far greater number than was to be the case from after the fall of the Roman Empire until the early 20th century.

Numismatic scholars have long speculated which city in Galatia was the minter of the Koinon of Galatia issues, with reasons to suggest Ancyra, Pessinus, and Tavium. In May 2023, a member of the FORVM Ancient Coins Discussion Board asked for help in identifying a Roman provincial of Galba with a temple reverse that he believed was a product of Tavium. Quite surprisingly, its actual origin was Ancyra and its strong resemblance to RPC I 3566, a Koinon of Galatia issue struck under Galba, was unmistakable. The Ancyra coin, still unpublished on RPC Online and the earliest attested Roman provincial issue of the city, also bore an owl countermark (Howgego 468). This mark was previously known only from the Koinon of Galatia coinages of Nero and Galba, thus adding even more evidence in favor of Ancyra as the Koinon minter/issuer.
RP114405. Bronze AE 20, RPC Online 3563A (6 spec., otherwise apparently unpublished) , VF, green patina, smooth surfaces except for the occasional tiny pit, a handsome specimen, weight 4.577 g, maximum diameter 20.3 mm, die axis 0o, Ancyra (Ankara, Turkey) mint, 13 October 54 - 9 June 68 A.D.; obverse NEPΩNOΣ ΣEBAΣTOY, laureate head right; reverse ΣEBAΣTH, Nike striding left, wreath in extended right hand, palm frond in left hand; very rare; $200.00 (€188.00)


Constantius II, 22 May 337 - 3 November 361 A.D.

|Constantius| |II|, |Constantius| |II,| |22| |May| |337| |-| |3| |November| |361| |A.D.||heavy| |maiorina|
In 352, The Alamanni and the Franks defeated the Roman army and took control of 40 towns between the Moselle and the Rhine. The return of happy times, advertised by the reverse legend, was more a hope than reality.
SL113481. Billon heavy maiorina, RIC VIII Heraclea 82, LRBC II 1893, SRCV V 18144, Cohen VII 46, Hunter V 69 var. (2nd officina), NGC XF, strike 3/5, surface 4/5 (centenionalis, 2412818-042), weight 6.11 g, maximum diameter 24.5 mm, die axis 0o, 4th officina, Heraclea (Marmara Ereglisi, Turkey) mint, 15 Mar 351 - 6 Nov 355 A.D.; obverse D N CONSTANTIVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right; reverse FEL TEMP REPARATIO (happy times restored), helmeted soldier advancing left, shield on left arm, spearing fallen horseman, shield on the ground at feet, horseman is diademed, turns to face soldier, and extends left arm, Γ left, SMHΔ in exergue; from a Virginia Collector; NGC| Lookup; $150.00 (€141.00)


Nero, 13 October 54 - 9 June 68 A.D., Caesarea, Cappadocia

|Cappadocia|, |Nero,| |13| |October| |54| |-| |9| |June| |68| |A.D.,| |Caesarea,| |Cappadocia||hemidrachm|
Kayseri, Turkey was originally named Mazaca. It was renamed Eusebia by Ariarathes V Eusebes, King of Cappadocia, 163 - 130 B.C. The last king of Cappadocia, King Archelaus, renamed it "Caesarea in Cappadocia" to honor Caesar Augustus upon his death in 14 A.D. Muslim Arabs slightly modified the name into Kaisariyah, which became Kayseri when the Seljuk Turks took control, c. 1080 A.D.
GP114564. Silver hemidrachm, Ganschow 60, RPC Online I 3646, RIC I 618, Sydenham Caesarea 83, SNG Cop 183, SNGvA 6359, SNG Tub 4617, aVF, toned, mild roughness, weight 1.792 g, maximum diameter 13.9 mm, die axis 0o, Cappadocia, Caesarea (Kayseri, Turkey) mint, c. 58 - 59 A.D.; obverse NERO CLAVD DIVI CLAVD F CAESAR AVG GERMANI, laureate head right; reverse Victory standing right, right foot on globe, inscribing shield resting on knee; ex CNG e-auction 541 (28 Jun 2023), lot 357; ex Baldwin & Sons (London); $125.00 (€117.50)


Trajan, 25 January 98 - 8 or 9 August 117 A.D.

|Trajan|, |Trajan,| |25| |January| |98| |-| |8| |or| |9| |August| |117| |A.D.||denarius|
In 107 A.D., Trajan received an ambassador from India. In 108 A.D., "doctor's offices" opened in Rome replacing "house calls.
RS113123. Silver denarius, Woytek 270b, BnF IV 276, RIC II 128, RSC II 74, BMCRE III 328, Hunter II 104, Strack I 128, SRCV II 3129, aVF, flow lines, small edge crack, weight 3.256 g, maximum diameter 19.0 mm, die axis 180o, Rome mint, 107 - 108 A.D.; obverse IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P, laureate bust right, slight drapery on far shoulder; reverse COS V P P S P Q R OPTIMO PRINC, Victory standing slightly left, naked to hips, raising wreath in right hand, palm frond in left hand; $120.00 (€112.80)


Judaea, Antonius Felix, Roman Procurator Under Claudius and Nero, 52 - 60 A.D.

|Antonius| |Felix|, |Judaea,| |Antonius| |Felix,| |Roman| |Procurator| |Under| |Claudius| |and| |Nero,| |52| |-| |60| |A.D.||prutah|NEW
The palm depicted is, of course, the date palm. The tree was a symbol of Judea where palm trees grow in greater numbers than the surrounding areas (the Romans also used it as a symbol of Judea on Judaea Capta coins). The palm also symbolized abundance and plenty, dignity, royal honor, jubilation and victory, and was used in religious processions
JD114538. Bronze prutah, Hendin 6377; Meshorer TJC 340; Sofaer 59; BMC Palestine p. 264, 21; RPC I 4971, aVF, dark patina with highlighting earthen deposits, obv. slightly off center, rev. edge beveled, sprue cuts, small edge split, weight 2.223 g, maximum diameter 16.3 mm, die axis 0o, Jerusalem mint, under Nero, 54 A.D.; obverse NEPW KΛAV KAICAP (Nero Claudius Caesar), two crossed oblong shields with two crossed spears on far side; reverse BPIT (Britannicus), six-branched palm bearing two bunches of dates, L - IΔ / K-AI (year 14 of Caesar) flanking trunk; $120.00 (€112.80)


Hierapolis, Phrygia, c. 1st Century B.C.

|Hierapolis|, |Hierapolis,| |Phrygia,| |c.| |1st| |Century| |B.C.||AE| |19|
Hierapolis (Greek: "Holy City") was located on hot springs in Phrygia in southwestern Anatolia. Its ruins are adjacent to modern Pamukkale in Turkey and are designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The hot springs have been used as a spa since the 2nd century B.C., with many patrons retiring or dying there. The large necropolis is filled with sarcophagi. In A.D. 17, during the rule of the emperor Tiberius, a major earthquake destroyed the city.
The unusual seated figure on the reverse of this Apollo type has variously been described as Athena, Roma, Tyche, or a "City-goddess," none of which have found full acceptance among numismatists. Leo Weber in his 1911 XAPITEΣ article, "Zur Mόnzprδgung des phrygischen Hierapolis" was decidedly against the attribution to Athena based on the absence of her iconic helmet. An unnamed city goddess, as tentatively proposed by Barclay Head in BMC Phrygia, seemed to Weber the closest identification of those he knew. That said, discussed later in the article was a pseudo-autonomous issue (i.e. RPC III 2350) inscribed ΘEA PΩMH ("the Goddess Roma") on the reverse. Although the designs are different in many ways and (supposedly) similar to the seated Athena type of the Pergamene kings, they undeniably capture the spirit of the old Hierapolis Greek type.
GB113956. Bronze AE 19, BMC Phrygia p. 228, 2-3; HGC 7 696 (R2), cf. SNG Tόbingen 4019 (uncertain monogram), gF, well centered, attractive dark green patina with good contrast, weight 6.802 g, maximum diameter 19.1 mm, die axis 0o, Hierapolis (near Pamukkale, Turkey) mint, c. 58 - 40 B.C.(?); obverse laureate head of Apollo right; reverse IEPO/ΠOΛITΩN downwards in right and left fields, respectively, Roma(?) seated left on pile of three shields, holding wreath-bearing Nike in right hand supported by scepter in left; letters ΦI in lower right field.; very rare; $110.00 (€103.40)


Philip II, July or August 247 - late 249 A.D., Side, Pamphylia

|Side|, |Philip| |II,| |July| |or| |August| |247| |-| |late| |249| |A.D.,| |Side,| |Pamphylia||pentassarion|
The great ruins of Side are among the most notable in Asia Minor. They cover a large promontory which a wall and a moat separate from the mainland. There are colossal ruins of a theater complex, the largest in Pamphylia, built in the 2nd century A.D. Following Roman design it relies on arches to support the sheer verticals. The Roman style was adopted because Side lacked a convenient hillside that could be hollowed out in the usual Greek fashion more typical of Asia Minor. The stage building was ornately adorned but the decorations and the theater are damaged, in part due to a strong earthquake. The theater was converted into an open-air sanctuary with two chapels during the 5th or 6th century (Byzantine times).Theater at Side
RP114000. Bronze pentassarion, RPC Online VIII U21158, Watson 922, SNG BnF 867, SNG Pfalz 774, Waddington 3478, SNG Cop -, SNGvA -, F, dark patina, earthen deposits, porosity, weight 17.053 g, maximum diameter 32.1 mm, die axis 0o, Side (near Selimiye, Antalya Province, Turkey) mint, as caesar, 247 A.D.; obverse MAPKON IOYΛION CEYHPON ΦIΛIΠΠON KAICAPA (Marcus Iulius Severus Philippus Caesar), bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust right, E (mark of value) lower right; reverse IC AI-ΩNA, two Nikai facing each other, holding between them an agonistic crown containing two palm fronds, TA ΠT/ΘIA (refers to Pythian games) in two lines below, CIΔHTΩN in exergue; ex CNG e-auction 549 (30 Oct 2023), lot 365; rare; $110.00 (€103.40)


Macedonian Kingdom, Alexander III - Kassander, c. 325 - 310 B.C.

|Alexander| |the| |Great|, |Macedonian| |Kingdom,| |Alexander| |III| |-| |Kassander,| |c.| |325| |-| |310| |B.C.||unit|
The B A on the reverse refers to BAΣIΛEΩΣ AΛEΞANΔPOY, King Alexander (Alexander the Great). Born a leader, his genius and charisma led the Macedonian Army across the world creating an empire spanning from Greece to India. His reign begins the Hellenistic Age, a time when civilization flourished. He was regarded as a god and his fame grew even greater after his premature death at thirty-three.
GB114231. Bronze unit, Price 373, SNG Mόnchen 880, SNG Alpha Bank 781, VF, good centering, green patina, obv. slightly rough, weight 6.048 g, maximum diameter 17.7 mm, die axis 180o, uncertain Macedonian mint, c. 325 - 310 B.C.; obverse head of Herakles right, wearing Nemean Lion skin, scalp over head, forepaws tied at neck; reverse fulmen (thunderbolt) between B and A, club right above right, bow in bowcase left below; $110.00 (€103.40)


Herod Archelaus, Ethnarch of Samaria, Judea, and Idumea, 4 B.C. - 6 A.D.

|Herod| |Archelaus|, |Herod| |Archelaus,| |Ethnarch| |of| |Samaria,| |Judea,| |and| |Idumea,| |4| |B.C.| |-| |6| |A.D.||prutah|NEW
Grapes, the vine and wine were an important part of the ancient economy and ritual. Grapes were brought to the Temple as offerings of the first-fruits and wine was offered upon the altar. The vine and grapes decorated the sacred vessels in the sanctuary and a golden vine with clusters of grapes stood at its entrance.
JD114866. Bronze prutah, Hendin 6227; Meshorer TJC 73; BMC Palestine p. 232, 10; SNG Cop 69; Sofaer 81; RPC I 4917, VF, dark patina, grainy surfaces, rev. off center, obv. edge beveled, sprue remnants/cuts, tiny edge split, weight 2.198 g, maximum diameter 15.7 mm, die axis 345o, Jerusalem mint, 4 B.C. - 6 A.D.; obverse HPΩΔOY (Greek: of Herod), bunch of grapes, leaf on left; reverse EΘNOPXOY (Greek: Ethnarch), tall helmet with crest and neck straps viewed from the front, small caduceus in lower left field; $110.00 (€103.40)


Nabataean Kingdom, Anonymous Issue, c. 272 - 72 B.C.

|Nabataean| |Kingdom|, |Nabataean| |Kingdom,| |Anonymous| |Issue,| |c.| |272| |-| |72| |B.C.||AE| |18|
There has been much debate over the dating of this bronze type, imitative of the gold staters of Alexander. Great variation in style suggests a long period of striking and they are often overstruck on coins of Ptolemy I - III. They were most likely struck at the desert citadel of Petra before Aretas III lost Damascus to Tigranes II in 72 B.C., and then transferred his royal mint to Petra.
GB110809. Bronze AE 18, Barkay CN 1, Meshorer Nabataea 1; Huth 44; HGC 10, 671, gF, green patina, highlighting earthen deposits, obv. edge beveled, central dimples, weight 3.911 g, maximum diameter 17.8 mm, die axis 90o, Petra (Jordan) mint, c. 272 - 72 B.C.; obverse helmeted head of Athena right; reverse Nike advancing left, wreath in extended right hand, Λ in left field; scarce; $100.00 (€94.00)


Macedonian Kingdom, Alexander the Great, 336 - 323 B.C., Kition, Cyprus

|Alexander| |the| |Great|, |Macedonian| |Kingdom,| |Alexander| |the| |Great,| |336| |-| |323| |B.C.,| |Kition,| |Cyprus||quarter| |unit|
Kition, also known by its Latin name Citium, was a city-kingdom on the southern coast of Cyprus (present-day Larnaca). According to local tradition, it was established in the 13th century B.C. by Greek (Achaean) settlers, after the Trojan war. Its most famous resident was Zeno of Citium, born c. 334 B.C. in Citium and founder of the Stoic school of philosophy which he taught in Athens from about 300 B.C.
GB111031. Bronze quarter unit, Price 3111A; cf. Tziambazis 6 (full unit); BMC Cyprus -, VF, glossy green patina, tight flan, weight 1.289 g, maximum diameter 11.4 mm, die axis 180o, Kition (Larnaca, Cyprus) mint, c. 325 - 320 B.C.; obverse head of Herakles right, wearing Nemean Lion skin, scalp over head, forepaws tied at neck; reverse bow and quiver on left, AΛEΞANΔPOY downward in center, knobby club with handle up on right, uncertain device outer left; very rare; $100.00 (€94.00)


Carus, Early September 282 - c. July or August 283 A.D.

|Carus|, |Carus,| |Early| |September| |282| |-| |c.| |July| |or| |August| |283| |A.D.||antoninianus|
Victory or Nike is seen with wings in most statues and paintings, with one of the most famous being the Winged Victory of Samothrace. Most other winged deities in the Greek pantheon had shed their wings by Classical times. Nike is the goddess of strength, speed, and victory. Nike was a very close acquaintance of Athena and is thought to have stood in Athena's outstretched hand in the statue of Athena located in the Parthenon. Victory or Nike is also one of the most commonly portrayed figures on Greek and Roman coins.
RA112891. Billon antoninianus, RIC V-2 84, Cohen VI 93, SRCV III 12181, Hunter IV -, VF, well centered on broad flan, dark patina, scratches, weight 3.061 g, maximum diameter 22.6 mm, die axis 0o, 1st officina, Ticinum (Pavia, Italy) mint, Early September 282 - c. July or August 283 A.D.; obverse IMP C M AVR CARVS P F AVG, radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right; reverse VICTORIA AVG (the victory of the Emperor), Victory walking left, wreath in right hand, palm frond in left hand, PXXI in exergue; $100.00 (€94.00)


Septimius Severus, 9 April 193 - 4 February 211 A.D., Thessalonika, Macedonia

|Thessalonika|, |Septimius| |Severus,| |9| |April| |193| |-| |4| |February| |211| |A.D.,| |Thessalonika,| |Macedonia||AE| |27|
This type normally has Nike left, but we do know of two specimens from auctions with Nike right, struck with the same dies. Under Commodus the same type was struck with Nike right. Perhaps this a mule struck with a leftover die.
RP113162. Bronze AE 27, Touratsoglou 13 (V5/-) var. (Nike left), SNG ANS 855 var. (Nike left), Varbanov 4343 var. (same), SNG Cop -, Moushmov -, F, green patina, red-brown areas of corrosion, part of reverse leg. obscure/weak, weight 10.776 g, maximum diameter 26.7 mm, die axis 180o, Thessalonica (Salonika, Greece) mint, emission 2, 9 Apr 193 - 4 Feb 211 A.D.; obverse AV K Λ CEΠ CEYHPOC ΠE, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind; reverse ΘECCEAΛ-ONIKEΩN (clockwise from upper right), Nike (Victory) advancing right, raising wreath in extended right hand, palm frond in left hand over left shoulder; ex Numismatik Naumann auction 130 (2 Jul 2023), lot 1244 (part of); first specimen of this type handled by FORVM, Coin Archives records only two specimens of the type at auction in the last two decades; very rare with Nike right; $100.00 (€94.00)


Cassandrea, Macedonia, 16 March 37 - 24 January 41 A.D.

|Roman| |Macedonia|, |Cassandrea,| |Macedonia,| |16| |March| |37| |-| |24| |January| |41| |A.D.||AE| |17|
Cassandreia was founded by Cassander in 316 B.C. on the site of the earlier city of Potidaea, at the isthmus of the Pallene peninsula. That Cassander named it after himself suggests he may have intended it to be his capital. If the canal which cuts the peninsula at this point was dug or at least planned in his time, he may have intended to develop his naval forces using it as a base with two harbors on the east and west sides. Cassandreia soon became a great and powerful city, surpassing the other Macedonian towns in wealth. Philip V of Macedon made it his main naval base. At the end of the Roman Republic, around 43 B.C., a Roman colony was settled by order of Brutus. In 30 B.C., Augustus installed additional settlers and renamed the city Colonia Iulia Augusta Cassandrensis. It was destroyed by the Huns and Slavs around 540 A.D.
RP113318. Bronze AE 17, RPC Online I 1513; SNG ANS 233; SNG Evelpidis 1210; BMC 1; AMNG 4–5, VF, dark patina, earthen deposits, weight 3.152 g, maximum diameter 17.0 mm, die axis 135o, Cassandreia (Kassandreia, Greece) mint, time of Caligula, 16 Mar 37 - 24 Jan 41 A.D.; obverse Vexillum inscribed AVG, flanked by two standards, each topped with a crescent horns up; reverse CAS/SAN/DRE in three lines within wreath; ex Harlan Berk, ex Dr. Michael Slavin Collection; $100.00 (€94.00)


Macedonian Kingdom, Philip III Arrhidaeus and Alexander IV, 323 - 317 B.C.

|Macedonian| |Kingdom|, |Macedonian| |Kingdom,| |Philip| |III| |Arrhidaeus| |and| |Alexander| |IV,| |323| |-| |317| |B.C.||1/2| |unit|
Struck in the name of King Philip III Arrhidaeus, Alexander the Great's half-brother, under the regent Perdikkas. Philip III and Alexander's infant son, Alexander IV, were made joint kings after Alexander's death. Philip was the bastard son of Philip II and a dancer, Philinna of Larissa. Alexander the Great's mother, Olympias, allegedly poisoned her stepson Philip III as a child, leaving him mentally disabled, eliminating him as a rival to Alexander. Neither Philip III nor Alexander IV was capable of actual rule and both were selected only to serve as pawns. The regents held power, while Philip III was actually imprisoned. In 317, Philip was murdered by Olympias to ensure the succession of her grandson.
GB111207. Bronze 1/2 unit, Price 2072, VF, green patina, earthen deposits, some corrosion, light scrape on rev., weight 3.655 g, maximum diameter 14.0 mm, perhaps Miletos (near Balat, Turkey) mint, struck under Asandros, c. 323 - 319 B.C.; obverse Macedonian shield, pellet at boss center with three rings around, with five crescents around,; reverse crested Macedonian officer's helmet facing, with ear flaps, stalk of grain lower left, K lower right; from the Michael Arslan Collection; $90.00 (€84.60)


Seleukid Kingdom, Antiochus VII Euergetes Sidetes, 138 - 129 B.C.

|Seleucid| |Kingdom|, |Seleukid| |Kingdom,| |Antiochus| |VII| |Euergetes| |Sidetes,| |138| |-| |129| |B.C.||AE| |12|
David Hendin identifies the mint city as Jerusalem. Some numismatists have attributed this type to Askalon. Houghton and Lorber attribute it to an uncertain mint in southern Koile-Syria.
GY111516. Bronze AE 12, Houghton-Lorber II 2122, SNG Spaer 2095, Houghton CSE 819, Hendin 6166 (Jerusalem mint), HGC 9 1111, VF, green patina, highlighting earthen deposits, rev. off center, weight 1.108 g, maximum diameter 11.8 mm, die axis 45o, southern Koile-Syria (?, uncertain) mint, 138 - 137 B.C.; obverse crested Boeotian helmet with cheek guards; reverse ANTIOXOY BAΣIΛEΩΣ, aphlaston; this is the first specimen of this type handled by FORVM, ex Zuzim Inc. (Isadore Goldstein, Brooklyn, NY); $90.00 (€84.60)


Hadrian, 11 August 117 - 10 July 138 A.D., Tyana, Cappadocia

|Cappadocia|, |Hadrian,| |11| |August| |117| |-| |10| |July| |138| |A.D.,| |Tyana,| |Cappadocia||AE| |19|
Tyana was an ancient city in the Anatolian region of Cappadocia. Under Caracalla the city became Antoniana colonia Tyana. After having sided with Queen Zenobia of Palmyra it was captured by Aurelian in 272, who would not allow his soldiers to sack it, allegedly because Apollo appeared to him, pleading for its safety. The ruins of Tyana are at modern Kemerhisar, three miles south of Nigde. There are remains of a Roman aqueduct and of cave cemeteries and sepulchral grottoes.
RP111720. Bronze AE 19, RPC III 2956; Henseler 1517; Waddington 6805; cf. Cox Tarsus p. 59, 234 & Pl. XI (year 21), gF, green patina, porous, scratches, light earthen deposits, tight flan, weight 5.839 g, maximum diameter 18.5 mm, die axis 0o, Tyana (Kemerhisar, Turkey) mint, 135 - 136 A.D.; obverse AYTO KAIC TPAI AΔPIANOC CEBACTOC, laureate head right; reverse TYANEΩN TΩN ΠP TA IEP ACY AYTO, Athena standing slightly left, head left, Victory bearing wreath and palm frond in right hand, left hand resting on grounded shield, vertical spear resting against shield, ET-K (year 20) across fields; $90.00 (€84.60)


Hadrian, 11 August 117 - 10 July 138 A.D., Tiberias, Galilee, Judaea

|Roman| |Judea| |&| |Palestina|, |Hadrian,| |11| |August| |117| |-| |10| |July| |138| |A.D.,| |Tiberias,| |Galilee,| |Judaea||AE| |18|
Tiberias, on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee, was founded by Herod Antipas in 20 A.D., named in honor of the Roman emperor Tiberius. Tiberias was the capital of Galilee and for Herod Antipas. Tiberias is mentioned in John 6:23, after Jesus' miraculous feeding of 5000, a crowd seeking Jesus took boats from Tiberius across the lake. Tiberias did not participate in the Bar Kokhba revolt. Following the expulsion of Jews from Jerusalem and most of Judaea after 135, Tiberias and its neighbor Sepphoris became the major Jewish cultural centers. The Mishna and Talmud were both finished at Tiberias.
RP111763. Bronze AE 18, RPC III 3934.30 (this coin); Kindler Tiberias 8; BMC Palestine p. 9, 32; SNG ANS 1112; Sofaer 12; Rosenberger III p. 66, 14; Baramki AUB 14, aVF, nice dark green patina, marks, light earthen deposits, weight 5.383 g, maximum diameter 18.5 mm, die axis 0o, Galilee, Tiberias (Israel) mint, 118 - 119 A.D.; obverse AYT TP AΔ&PIANW KAIC CEB, laureate bust of Hadrian right, aegis on left shoulder; reverse TIBEP KΛAYΔ, Nike standing slightly right, head left, wings open, wreath in right hand, palm frond in left hand, wearing long chiton and peplos, date L - AP (year 101) across lower fields; ex CNG e-auction 510 (23 Feb 2022), lot 646; ex Dr. Jay M. Galst Collection; $90.00 (€84.60)


Licinius I, 11 November 308 - 18 September 324 A.D.

|Licinius| |I|, |Licinius| |I,| |11| |November| |308| |-| |18| |September| |324| |A.D.||follis|
In 320 A.D., Licinius reneged on the religious freedom promised by the Edict of Milan, and began a new persecution of Christians in the Eastern Roman Empire. He destroyed churches, imprisoned Christians and confiscated their property.
RL112086. Billon follis, Hunter V 138 (also 1st officina); RIC VII Nicomedia p. 604, 24 (R1), SRCV IV 15236, Cohen VII 116, Choice VF, black patina, well centered, weight 3.023 g, maximum diameter 19.8 mm, die axis 0o, 1st officina, Nicomedia (Izmit, Turkey) mint, 317 - 318 A.D.; obverse IMP LICINVS AVG, laureate consular bust left, mappa in right hand, globe and scepter in left hand; reverse IOVI CONSERVATORI AVGG (to Jove the protector of the two Emperors), Jupiter standing left, nude but for chlamys over shoulder, crowned by Victory on globe in right hand, long scepter in left hand, palm frond lower left, A right, SMN in exergue; first specimen of this type handled by FORVM, from the Michael Arslan Collection; scarce; $90.00 (€84.60)


Constans, 9 September 337 - 19 January 350 A.D.

|Constans|, |Constans,| |9| |September| |337| |-| |19| |January| |350| |A.D.||heavy| |maiorina|NEW
In 348, the Goth bishop Wulfila escaped religious persecution by the Gothic chieftain Athanaric and obtained permission from Constantius II to migrate with his flock of converts to Moesia and settle near Nicopolis ad Istrum (Bulgaria).
RL113901. Billon heavy maiorina, RIC VIII Thessalonica p. 412, 109, LRBC II 1639, SRCV 18661, Cohen VII 9, Hunter V -, VF, full legends/mintmark, porous, light earthen deposits, part of edge ragged with small splits/crack, weight 4.631 g, maximum diameter 23.6 mm, die axis 180o, 2nd officina, Thessalonica (Salonika, Greece) mint, 348 - 350 A.D.; obverse D N CONSTANS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right; reverse FEL TEMP REPARATIO (happy times restored), Constans standing left in galley left, Phoenix on globe in right hand, labarum (legionary vexillum standard with monogram of Christ) in left hand, Victory seated in stern steering, TESB in exergue; $90.00 (€84.60)


Philip I the Arab, February 244 - End of September 249 A.D., Antiocheia, Pisidia

|Pisidia|, |Philip| |I| |the| |Arab,| |February| |244| |-| |End| |of| |September| |249| |A.D.,| |Antiocheia,| |Pisidia||AE| |27|
For most coins, the only way to distinguish between Philip I and his son Philip II is the age of the portrait. The portrait here appears a little young for Philip I, but RPC dates it to 244 - 245, when Philip II was not yet Augustus. The "P M" at the end of the obverse legend likely means "Persicus Maximus" boasting of victory over Persia, rather than the traditional "Pontifex Maximus." In either case, victorious commander or high priest, it is appropriate only for Philip I. With all the above being said, it is still interesting to see a few of the coins cataloged for this type with a clearly bearded emperor, with even a reverse die that is identical (or nearly identical) to the youthful portrait(s). Compare "B: 18273822, Rauch" with "C: 146-1961" under RPC Online VIII U3290.
RP113939. Bronze AE 27, RPC Online VIII U3290 (71 spec.); SNG BnF 1277-1778 corr. (Philip II); SNG Pfalz 110 corr. (same); cf. BMC p. 197, 122-123 (leg. arr.) corr. (same), Choice F, well centered, smooth, even surfaces, good detail, weight 11.131 g, maximum diameter 26.7 mm, die axis 180o, Antioch in Pisidia (Yalvac, Turkey) mint, early issues, 244 - 245 A.D.; obverse IMP N IVL PHILIPPVS P F AVG P M, radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind; reverse CAES ANTIO-CH COL (last five letters upside down in exergue), vexillum flanked by two standards and surmounted by eagle facing with wings spread and open wreath in beak, standards also topped by eagles turned toward the vexillum, S - R on ground line in inner fields divided by base of vexillum; $90.00 (€84.60)


German States, Margraviate of Brandenburg, Friedrich II, 1440 - 1470

|Germany|, |German| |States,| |Margraviate| |of| |Brandenburg,| |Friedrich| |II,| |1440| |-| |1470||Hohlpfennig| |Bracteate|
Frederick II of Brandenburg was a Prince-elector of the Margraviate of Brandenburg from 1440 until his abdication in 1470, and was a member of the House of Hohenzollern.
ME92076. Silver Hohlpfennig Bracteate, Bahrfeldt 16a, Tewes H60c, Saurma 4819, aEF, toned, tiny edge crack, weight 0.274 g, maximum diameter 17.0 mm, die axis 0o, Frankfurt (Oder) mint, 1440 - 1470; obverse helmet with crest of six feathers on top, within rayed border; reverse incuse of obverse; ex Mόnzenhandlung W. Rittig (Schwelm, Germany); $80.00 (€75.20)


Herod Archelaus, Ethnarch of Samaria, Judea, and Idumea, 4 B.C. - 6 A.D.

|Herod| |Archelaus|, |Herod| |Archelaus,| |Ethnarch| |of| |Samaria,| |Judea,| |and| |Idumea,| |4| |B.C.| |-| |6| |A.D.||prutah|
Grapes, the vine and wine were an important part of the ancient economy and ritual. Grapes were brought to the Temple as offerings of the first-fruits and wine was offered upon the altar. The vine and grapes decorated the sacred vessels in the sanctuary and a golden vine with clusters of grapes stood at its entrance.
JD111431. Bronze prutah, Hendin 6227; Meshorer TJC 73; BMC Palestine p. 232, 10; SNG Cop 69; Sofaer 81; RPC I 4917, F, earthen deposits, off center, edge split, sprue remnant, obv. edge beveled, weight 1.937 g, maximum diameter 16.0156 mm, die axis 135o, Jerusalem mint, 4 B.C. - 6 A.D.; obverse HPΩΔOY (Greek: of Herod), bunch of grapes, leaf on left; reverse EΘNOPXOY (Greek: Ethnarch), tall helmet with crest and neck straps viewed from the front, small caduceus in lower left field; $80.00 (€75.20)


Licinius I, 11 November 308 - 18 September 324 A.D.

|Licinius| |I|, |Licinius| |I,| |11| |November| |308| |-| |18| |September| |324| |A.D.||follis|
On 3 July 324, at Adrianople, Constantine defeated Licinius forcing him to retreat to Byzantium. Crispus destroyed Licinius' fleet at the Battle of Hellespont in the Dardanelles, allowing his father to cross over the Bosporus and besiege Licinius. On 18 September, Constantine I decisively defeated Licinius at the Battle of Chrysopolis and became sole emperor.
RT112896. Billon follis, Hunter V 118 (also 2nd officina), RIC VII Heraclea 52 (R1), SRCV IV 15222, Cohen VII 74, Choice gVF, earthen deposits, weight 3.437 g, maximum diameter 19.5 mm, die axis 0o, 2nd officina, Heraclea (Marmara Ereglisi, Turkey) mint, 321 - 324 A.D.; obverse IMP C VAL LICIN LICINIVS P F AVG, radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right; reverse IOVI CONSERVATORI (to Jupiter the protector), Jupiter standing slightly left, head left, Victory on globe presenting wreath in right hand, long eagle-topped scepter vertical behind in left, at feet captive right and eagle with wreath in beak left, X/IIΓ right, SMHB in exergue; $80.00 (€75.20)


Lysimacheia, Thracian Chersonese, c. 245 - 225 B.C.

|Lysimacheia|, |Lysimacheia,| |Thracian| |Chersonese,| |c.| |245| |-| |225| |B.C.||AE| |17|
Lysimachia was built by Lysimachus in 309 B.C. On the isthmus, it commanded the road from Sestos and mainland Thrace. To obtain inhabitants for his new city, Lysimachus destroyed neighboring Cardia and settled the inhabitants of it and other Chersonese cities here. Lysimachus made Lysimachia the capital of his kingdom and it must have rapidly risen to great splendor and prosperity.
GB112978. Bronze AE 17, SNG Cop 914; HGC 3.2 1500 (S); BMC Thrace p. 195, 4 var. (monogram); Weber 2454 var. (same), VF, green patina, encrustations, porosity, weight 3.680 g, maximum diameter 16.2 mm, die axis 0o, Lysimacheia (Eksemil, Turkey) mint, c. 245 - 225 B.C.; obverse head of Herakles right, wearing Nemean Lion's scalp headdress; reverse Nike standing left, raising wreath in right hand crowning city name, ΛYΣIMA,XEΩN starting downward on left and ending below, AN monogram over IΣE monogram (controls) on right; $80.00 (€75.20)


Amisos, Pontos, c. 105 - 85 B.C.

|Pontos|, |Amisos,| |Pontos,| |c.| |105| |-| |85| |B.C.||AE| |20|
Amisos was settled c. 760 - 750 B.C. by people from Miletus, who established a flourishing trade relationship with the ancient peoples of Anatolia. Amisos came under the rule of the Persian Empire, Alexander the Great's Macedonian Empire, and then the Kingdom of Pontus. The Romans took control in 47 B.C. and Amisos remained within the Byzantine Empire after the fall of Rome. In 1200, the city was captured by the Seljuks, to be later taken over by the Ilhanlilar. Amisos today is Samsun, a city of about half a million people on the north coast of Turkey.
GB113913. Bronze AE 20, cf. SNG BM 1159; SNG Stancomb 678; BMC Pontus p. 17, 46; Rec Gen p. 68, 31; SNG Cop 154; HGC 7 241, F, near centered, porosity, scratches, weight 7.483 g, maximum diameter 19.9 mm, die axis 0o, Amisos (Samsun, Turkey) mint, struck under Mithradates VI, c. 105 - 85 B.C.; obverse head of Ares right in crested helmet; reverse sword in sheath with strap, AMI-ΣOY divided across field, star within crescent with horns up upper left, IB upper right, ΩΠA monogram lower left, monogram (off flan) lower right; $80.00 (€75.20)


Judaea, Antonius Felix, Roman Procurator Under Claudius and Nero, 52 - 60 A.D.

|Antonius| |Felix|, |Judaea,| |Antonius| |Felix,| |Roman| |Procurator| |Under| |Claudius| |and| |Nero,| |52| |-| |60| |A.D.||prutah|NEW
The palm depicted is, of course, the date palm. The tree was a symbol of Judea where palm trees grow in greater numbers than the surrounding areas (the Romans also used it as a symbol of Judea on Judaea Capta coins). The palm also symbolized abundance and plenty, dignity, royal honor, jubilation and victory, and was used in religious processions
JD114537. Bronze prutah, Hendin 6377; Meshorer TJC 340; Sofaer 59; BMC Palestine p. 264, 21; RPC I 4971, F, dark green patina, highlighting earthen deposits, rev. edge beveled, flan partially squared by sprue cuts, weight 3.541 g, maximum diameter 18.2 mm, die axis 300o, Jerusalem mint, under Nero, 54 A.D.; obverse NEPW KΛAV KAICAP (Nero Claudius Caesar), two crossed oblong shields with two crossed spears on far side; reverse BPIT (Britannicus), six-branched palm bearing two bunches of dates, L - IΔ / K-AI (year 14 of Caesar) flanking trunk; $80.00 (€75.20)


Licinius Junior, Caesar, 1 March 317 - 18 September 324 A.D.

|Licinius| |II|, |Licinius| |Junior,| |Caesar,| |1| |March| |317| |-| |18| |September| |324| |A.D.||follis|
On 1 March 317, Constantine and Licinius elevated their sons Crispus, Constantine II, and Licinius II to the rank of Caesar. Licinius ceded most of Europe to Constantine, and having lost Sirmium, relocated his capital to Nicomedia. The Thracian frontier was established as the boundary between the eastern and western empires.
RL114448. Billon follis, Hunter V 44 (also 6th officina), RIC VII Antioch 29 (R1), SRCV IV 15415, Cohen VII 32, VF, slightly uneven obverse strike, nice centering, coloration, and contrast, weight 2.814 g, maximum diameter 19.1 mm, die axis 0o, 6th officina, Antioch (Antakya, Turkey) mint, 1 Mar 317 - 320 A.D.; obverse D N VAL LICIN LICINIVS NOB C, laureate and draped bust left, mappa in right hand, globe and scepter in left hand with latter extending over shoulder; reverse IOVI CONS-ERVATORI CAESS (to Jove the protector of the two Caesars), Jupiter standing left, nude but for cloak on shoulders, Victory on globe in right hand, scepter in left, captive with a pointed Parthian cap and beard standing at feet with hands tied behind back, S right, SMANT in exergue; $80.00 (€75.20)


Pergamon, Mysia, c. 2nd Century B.C.

|Pergamon|, |Pergamon,| |Mysia,| |c.| |2nd| |Century| |B.C.||AE| |20|
Pergamon, Mysia was located to the northwest of the modern city of Bergama, Turkey, 16 miles (26 km) from the Aegean Sea on a promontory on the north side of the Caicus (Bakircay) River. It was the capital of the Kingdom of Pergamon under the Attalid dynasty, 281-133 B.C. Pergamon is cited in the book of Revelation as one of the seven churches of Asia.
GB112986. Bronze AE 20, SNG BnF 1875; SNGvA 1374; SNG Cop 396; BMC Mysia p. 131, 172, VF, nice green patina, old scrapes, die damage, weight 8.689 g, maximum diameter 20.0 mm, die axis 0o, Pergamon (Bergama, Turkey) mint, c. 2nd century B.C.; obverse head of Athena right wearing crested Corinthian helmet; reverse trophy of captured arms, NIKHΦOPOY (Victorious) downward on left, AΘHNAΣ (Athena) downward on right, Pergamon monogram lower right; $75.00 (€70.50)


Mesembria, Thrace, 300 - 250 B.C.

|Mesembria|, |Mesembria,| |Thrace,| |300| |-| |250| |B.C.||AE| |20|
The wheel on the reverse is depicted with a degree of perspective, which is unusual on ancient coins.

(sampi) was an archaic Greek letter used between the 7th and the middle of the 5th centuries B.C., probably to denote some type of a sibilant (hissing) ΣΣ or TΣ sound, and was abandoned when the sound disappeared from Greek. The name sampi is of medieval origin. The letter's original name in antiquity is not known. Its use has been attested at the Ionian cities Miletus, Ephesos, Halikarnassos, Erythrae, and Teos, at the Ionian colony of Massalia in Gaul, on the island of Samos, and at Kyzikos, Mysia. At Mesembria, on the Black Sea coast of Thrace, it was used on coins in an abbreviation of the city's name, spelled META. In a famous painted black figure amphora from c. 615 B.C., known as the "Nessos amphora," the inscribed name of the eponymous centaur Nessus is rendered in the irregular spelling NETOΣ.
GB98883. Bronze AE 20, SNG Stancomb 229, SNG Cop 658, SNG BM 276 var. (helmet left), gF, weight 6.780 g, maximum diameter 19.7 mm, die axis 0o, Mesambria (Nesebar, Bulgaria) mint, 300 - 250 B.C.; obverse Thracian helmet with cheek guard right; reverse wheel with hub and four spokes, METAM/BPIANΩN (T = archaic Greek letter sampi = ΣΣ) divided, above and below; rare; $70.00 (€65.80)


Eudoxia, Augusta 9 January 400 - Early October 404 A.D., Wife of Arcadius

|Eudoxia|, |Eudoxia,| |Augusta| |9| |January| |400| |-| |Early| |October| |404| |A.D.,| |Wife| |of| |Arcadius||centenionalis|
The Christogram (also called a Monogramma Christi or Chrismon) is a ligature of Chi (X) and Rho (P), the first two letters of Christ in Greek. It was among the earliest symbols of Christianity. The crucifix was rarely used in early Christian iconography, perhaps because most people then had personally witnessed its gruesome use for public execution.
RL110194. Bronze centenionalis, Hunter V 4 (also 3rd officina), RIC X Arcadius 104 (S), LRBC II 2800, DOCLR 288, SRCV V 20895, VF, dark green patina, earthen encrustation, weight 3.216 g, maximum diameter 16.5 mm, die axis 135o, 3rd officina, Antioch (Antakya, Turkey) mint, 401 - 403 A.D.; obverse AEL EVDOXIA AVG, diademed and draped bust right with hand of God holding wreath over her head; reverse SALVS REIPVBLICAE (health of the Republic), Victory seated right on cuirass, inscribing Christogram on shield resting on cippus, ANTΓ in exergue; scarce; $70.00 (€65.80)


Hadrian, 11 August 117 - 10 July 138 A.D., Caesarea, Cappadocia

|Cappadocia|, |Hadrian,| |11| |August| |117| |-| |10| |July| |138| |A.D.,| |Caesarea,| |Cappadocia||hemidrachm|NEW
Kayseri, Turkey was originally named Mazaca. It was renamed Eusebia by Ariarathes V Eusebes, King of Cappadocia, 163 - 130 B.C. The last king of Cappadocia, King Archelaus, renamed it "Caesarea in Cappadocia" to honor Caesar Augustus upon his death in 14 A.D. Muslim Arabs slightly modified the name into Kaisariyah, which became Kayseri when the Seljuk Turks took control, c. 1080 A.D.

RPC Online lists the date "AD 119/20" for this coin issue of year 4 (Δ) which must surely be incorrect if Hadrian became emperor in August 117 A.D. We therefore are following the date given in Metcalf.
RS113850. Silver hemidrachm, RPC III Online 3075 (31 spec.); Metcalf 86b; Sydenham Caesarea 256; SNGvA 6412; SNG Hunt I 2228; SNG Fitzwilliam VII 5451; BMC Galatia p. 62, 142, F, well-centered with full legend, obv. die wear, light pitting on rev., weight 1.558 g, maximum diameter 15.8 mm, die axis 0o, Cappadocia, Caesarea (Kayseri, Turkey) mint, 120 - 121 A.D.; obverse AYTO KAIC TPAI AΔPIANOC CEBACT, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right; reverse Nike advancing right, holding wreath in right hand, palm frond in left hand and over left shoulder, ET Δ (year 4) in lower right field; ex Leu Numismatik auction 24 (3-6 Dec 2022), lot 5078 (part of); $70.00 (€65.80)


Constantius II, 22 May 337 - 3 November 361 A.D.

|Constantius| |II|, |Constantius| |II,| |22| |May| |337| |-| |3| |November| |361| |A.D.||reduced| |maiorina|
In 352, The Alamanni and the Franks defeated the Roman army and took control of 40 towns between the Moselle and the Rhine. The return of happy times, advertised by the reverse legend, was more a hope than reality.
RL113922. Bronze reduced maiorina, RIC VIII Heraclea 90, LRBC II 1900, SRCV V 18276, Cohen VII 47, Hunter V 72 var. (1st officina), gVF, green patina, obv. slightly off center, weight 2.469 g, maximum diameter 17.2 mm, die axis 180o, 3rd officina Heraclea (Marmara Ereglisi, Turkey) mint, 15 Mar 351 - 6 Nov 355 A.D.; obverse D N CONSTANTIVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right; reverse FEL TEMP REPARATIO (happy times restored), soldier standing left, wearing helmet and military garb, shield on left arm, spearing fallen horseman who is turned toward him and raises his left hand, shield on the ground right, SMHΓ in exergue; from the Michael Arslan Collection; $70.00 (€65.80)


Licinius I, 11 November 308 - 18 September 324 A.D.

|Licinius| |I|, |Licinius| |I,| |11| |November| |308| |-| |18| |September| |324| |A.D.||half| |follis|
For many years, the two imperial colleagues had maintained an uneasy truce, but temperatures rose again in 321 when Constantine pursued some Sarmatians, who had been ravaging territory in his realm, across the Danube into Licinius' territory. When he repeated this with another invasion, this time by the Goths who were pillaging Thrace, Licinius complained that Constantine had broken the treaty between them.
RT114013. Billon half follis, Hunter V 175 (also 4th officina), RIC VII Cyzicus 15, Cohen VII 71, SRCV IV 15216, Choice aEF, dark patina with attractive highlighting earthen deposits, weight 4.201 g, maximum diameter 20.2 mm, die axis 0o, 4th officina, Cyzicus (Kapu Dagh, Turkey) mint, 321 - 324 A.D.; obverse IMP C VAL LICIN LICINIVS P F AVG, radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right; reverse IOVI CONSERVATORI (to Jupiter the protector), Jupiter standing slightly left, nude but for chlamys over shoulders, Victory on globe presenting wreath in right hand, long eagle-topped scepter vertical in left hand, eagle standing left with wreath in beak at feet on left, in right field: X/IIΓ over bound captive seated right and looking left, SMKΔ in exergue; $70.00 (€65.80)


Trajan, 25 January 98 - 8 or 9 August 117 A.D.

|Trajan|, |Trajan,| |25| |January| |98| |-| |8| |or| |9| |August| |117| |A.D.||denarius|NEW
Regarded as one of Rome's greatest emperors, Trajan was responsible for the annexation of Dacia, the invasion of Arabia and an extensive and lavish building program across the empire. Under Trajan, Rome reached its greatest extent.
MA114205. Silver denarius, RIC II 68, RSC II 249, SRCV II -, F, centered on a tight flan, toned, scratches/scrapes, weight 2.943 g, maximum diameter 17.4 mm, die axis 180o, Rome mint, 102 A.D.; obverse IMP CAES NERVA TRAIAN AVG GERM, laureate head right; reverse P M TR P COS IIII P P (Pontifex Maximus, Tribunitia Potestas, Consul Quartum, Pater Patre), Victory seated left, patera in right hand, palm frond in left hand; ex Priapus Numismatics e-auction 1 (5 Nov 2023), lot 742; $70.00 (€65.80)


Geta, 209 - c. 26 December 211 A.D.

|Geta|, |Geta,| |209| |-| |c.| |26| |December| |211| |A.D.||denarius|
The estimated worldwide human population was about 257 million in 200 A.D. According to the United Nations, the worldwide human population reached 7 Billion on October 31, 2011.
RS114209. Silver denarius, RSC III 157b; RIC IV 18; BMCRE V p. 198, 234; Hunter III p. 70, 10; SRCV II 7196, VF, well centered, dark tone, edge cracks, struck with a worn rev. die, weight 3.376 g, maximum diameter 18.9 mm, die axis 180o, Rome mint, as caesar, c. 200 A.D.; obverse P SEPT GETA CAES PONT, boy's bare-headed and draped bust right; reverse PRINC IVVENTVTIS (Prince of Youth), Geta standing left, baton in right hand, scepter in left hand, trophy of captured arms behind; ex Priapus Numismatics e-auction 1 (5 Nov 2023), lot 898; $70.00 (€65.80)


Maximinus II Daia, May 310 - 30 April 313 A.D., Antioch, Syria, Civic Christian Persecution Issue

|Antioch|, |Maximinus| |II| |Daia,| |May| |310| |-| |30| |April| |313| |A.D.,| |Antioch,| |Syria,| |Civic| |Christian| |Persecution| |Issue||quarter| |follis|
In 311, after the death of Galerius in late April or May, representatives from Nicomedia presented themselves before Maximinus, bringing images of their gods and requested that Christians not be allowed to live in their city. Late in 311, an embassy from Antioch, led by their curator Theotecnus, also requested permission to banish Christians from their city and its territory. Other cities followed with the same request. Maximinus support for Antioch's requests is advertised by this coin type. Fearing his co-emperors, however, Maximinus changed his mind. His edict in May 313 restored privileges and property to Christians. Later in 313, Licinius captured Antioch and executed Theotecnus.
RT114655. Billon quarter follis, McAlee 171(c), Van Heesch 2, Vagi 2955, SRCV IV 14932, gVF, highlighting earthen deposits, rev. off center, weight 1.276 g, maximum diameter 15.8 mm, die axis 0o, 3rd officina, Antioch (Antakya, Turkey) mint, 312 - May 313 A.D.; obverse IOVI CONS-ERVATORI, Jupiter seated left, globe in right, long scepter vertical behind in left; reverse VICTORIA AVGG (victory of the two emperors), Victory left, wreath in extended right hand, palm frond in left, Γ in right field, ANT in exergue; scarce; $65.00 (€61.10)


Seleukid Kingdom, Diodotus Tryphon, 142 - 138 B.C.

|Seleucid| |Kingdom|, |Seleukid| |Kingdom,| |Diodotus| |Tryphon,| |142| |-| |138| |B.C.||AE| |18|
Tryphon, a general, betrayed and deposed the child king Antiochus VI and seized power for himself in Coele-Syria. He reinstated Hasmonean rule in Judea in exchange for which Jewish armies under the High Priest Jonathan marched against his rival Demetrius. But Tryphon betrayed Jonathan taking him prisoner at a "friendly" meeting and marching his army to Judaea. Jonathan's brother, Simon Maccabaeus, was ready for battle, preventing invasion. Tryphon promised to free Jonathan in exchange for one hundred talents and Jonathan's two sons as hostages. Simon did not trust Tryphon, but he complied so he could not be accused of his brother's death. As expected, Jonathan was executed.Tryphon committed suicide after he was defeated by Antiochus VII.
GY98893. Bronze AE 18, Houghton-Lorber II 2034(2)a, SNG Spaer 1835, Babelon Rois 1051, HGC 9 1061 (S), aVF, brown patina, central cavities, scattered tiny pitting, weight 5.626 g, maximum diameter 18.3 mm, die axis 0o, Antioch (Antakya, Turkey) mint, 142 - 138 B.C.; obverse diademed head right, diadem ends falling straight behind; reverse spiked Macedonian helmet left, with cheek guards, adorned with a wild goat's horn above the visor, aphlaston (control) left, BAΣIΛEΩΣ / TPYΦΩNOΣ in two downward lines on the right, AYTOKPATOPOΣ downward on left; $60.00 (€56.40)


Sinope, Paphlagonia, c. 105 - 85 B.C.

|Paphlagonia|, |Sinope,| |Paphlagonia,| |c.| |105| |-| |85| |B.C.||AE| |21|
Sinope, founded from Miletus about 630 B.C., was a flourishing city, preeminent in Paphlagonia. In 183 B.C. it was captured by Pharnaces I and became the capital of the kingdom of Pontus. Lucullus conquered Sinope for Rome in 70, and Julius Caesar established a Roman colony there, Colonia Julia Felix, in 47 B.C.
GB99015. Bronze AE 21, SNG BM Black Sea 1528; SNG Stancomb 795; Rec Gιn p. 196, 67; BMC Pontus p. 100, 50; HGC 7 418, gVF, dark green patina, porous, a few pits, off center, weight 7.378 g, maximum diameter 20.5 mm, die axis 0o, Sinope (Sinop, Turkey) mint, struck under Mithradates VI, c. 105 - 85 B.C.; obverse head of Ares right in crested helmet; reverse sword in sheath with strap, ΣINΩ-ΠHΣ divided across field; $60.00 (€56.40)


Phaselis, Lycia, c. 190 - 167 B.C.

|Lycia|, |Phaselis,| |Lycia,| |c.| |190| |-| |167| |B.C.||AE| |21|
Athena is the Greek goddess of wisdom, courage, inspiration, civilization, law and justice, strategic warfare, mathematics, strength, strategy, the arts, crafts, and skill. She was believed to lead soldiers into battle as the war goddess Athena Promachos. The Parthenon on the Athenian Acropolis was dedicated to her, along with numerous other temples and monuments across Europe, West Asia, and North Africa. Her usual attribute is the owl and Nike is her frequent companion.
GB111741. Bronze AE 21, Heipp-Tamer B55; SNG Cop 126; SNGvA 4439; BMC Lycia p. 82, 18; Mionnet III p. 443, 69, aF, Light earthen deposits, weight 4.059 g, maximum diameter 20.6 mm, die axis 330o, Phaselis (near Tekirova, Turkey) mint, c. 190 - 167 B.C.; obverse prow of war galley right, Nike flying right above crowning acrostolium with wreath; reverse Athena standing right, wearing long chiton and helmet, aegis on left arm, wielding thunderbolt in right hand, Φ - A flanking across field below center; $60.00 (€56.40)


Trajan, 25 January 98 - 8 or 9 August 117 A.D.

|Trajan|, |Trajan,| |25| |January| |98| |-| |8| |or| |9| |August| |117| |A.D.||as|
In 100 A.D., there were just over 300,000 soldiers in the Roman Army.
RB112568. Copper as, Woytek 82c, BnF IV 106, RIC II 402 var., Cohen II 617 var., SRCV II 3242 var., Hunter II 226 var., BMCRE III 740 var. (all var. no aegis), gF, well centered, turquoise green patina, porosity, weight 11.006 g, maximum diameter 28.0 mm, die axis 135o, Rome mint, 1 Jan - c. Oct 100 A.D.; obverse IMP CAES NERVA TRAIAN AVG GERM P M, laureate head right, aegis on left shoulder; reverse TR POT COS III P P, Victory flying left, shield in right hand inscribed S P / Q R in two lines, S - C (senatus consulto) flanking across field; from the Collection of Dr. Jόregen Buschek; $60.00 (€56.40)


Constantius II, 22 May 337 - 3 November 361 A.D.

|Constantius| |II|, |Constantius| |II,| |22| |May| |337| |-| |3| |November| |361| |A.D.||reduced| |maiorina|
In 356, Constantius II published a decree ordering the closure of all pagan temples throughout the Empire.
RL113923. Bronze reduced maiorina, RIC VIII Cyzicus 104 & 110, LRBC II 2496, SRCV V 18285, Cohen VII 47, gVF, green patina, centered on a tight flan, small edge splits, weight 2.336 g, maximum diameter 16.8 mm, die axis 315o, 3rd officina, Cyzicus (Kapu Dagh, Turkey) mint, 28 Sep 351 - 3 Nov 361 A.D.; obverse D N CONSTANTIVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right; reverse FEL TEMP REPARATIO (happy times restored), soldier advancing left, spearing fallen horseman wearing a pointed cap and raising hand, oval shield at feet, SMKΓ in exergue; from the Michael Arslan Collection; $60.00 (€56.40)


Valentinian I, 25 February 364 - 17 November 375 A.D.

|Valentinian| |I|, |Valentinian| |I,| |25| |February| |364| |-| |17| |November| |375| |A.D.||centenionalis|NEW
Siscia, a chief town and colony of Pannonia, was located at the confluence of the Colapis and the Savus, and is now called Sisak, Croatia. The Roman imperial mint operated from 260 to c. 390 A.D. The mint master was called procurator monetae Siscianae.
RL114434. Bronze centenionalis, LRBC II 1444, RIC IX Siscia 15(a)xxxvii, SRCV V 19511, Cohen VIII 37, VF, green patina, near centered on a tight flan, weight 2.077 g, maximum diameter 18.0 mm, die axis 180o, 3rd officina, Siscia (Sisak, Croatia) mint, 24 Aug 367 - 17 Nov 375 A.D.; obverse D N VALENTINIANVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right; reverse SECVRITAS REIPVBLICAE (security of the Republic), Victory walking left, wreath in right hand, palm over shoulder in left, R over A with hook on left, S over dot on right, ΓSISCS in exergue; $60.00 (€56.40)


Seleukid Kingdom, Antiochus I Soter, 280 - 261 B.C.

|Seleucid| |Kingdom|, |Seleukid| |Kingdom,| |Antiochus| |I| |Soter,| |280| |-| |261| |B.C.||AE| |14|
Antiochos' reign was marred by struggle against internal and external enemies, including the betrayal and revolt of his co-regent in the east, his eldest son, whom he was forced to execute. He earned the title savior (soter) of Asia by defeated roving bands of Galatians that had terrorized the cities for years. However, not long after, he lost southern and western Asia Minor to Ptolemy.
GY114635. Bronze AE 14, Houghton-Lorber 315a; Newell WSM 1369; BMC Seleucid p. 13, 58; SNG Spaer 233; SNG Cop 77; SGCV II 6883; HGC 9 167 (R2), aVF, green patina, scratches, areas of light corrosion, weight 2.032 g, maximum diameter 14.4 mm, die axis 0o, Sardes (Sart, Turkey) mint, 280 - 261 B.C.; obverse bust of Athena facing, wearing triple-crested Attic helmet; reverse Nike walking left, raising wreath in right hand, long palm frond over left shoulder in left hand, BAΣIΛEΩΣ downward on right, ANTIOXOY downward on right, monogram in circle over line outer left (control); $60.00 (€56.40)


Nabataean Kingdom, Anonymous Issue, c. 272 - 72 B.C.

|Nabataean| |Kingdom|, |Nabataean| |Kingdom,| |Anonymous| |Issue,| |c.| |272| |-| |72| |B.C.||AE| |21|
There has been much debate over the dating of this bronze type, imitative of the gold staters of Alexander. Great variation in style suggests a long period of striking and they are often overstruck on coins of Ptolemy I - III. They were most likely struck at the desert citadel of Petra before Aretas III lost Damascus to Tigranes II in 72 B.C., and then transferred his royal mint to Petra.
GB110813. Bronze AE 21, Barkay CN 2, Meshorer Nabataea 1; Huth 44; HGC 10, 671, F, dark patina, highlighting earthen deposits, scratched, edge cracks and split, weight 2.716 g, maximum diameter 18.9 mm, die axis 0o, Petra (Jordan) mint, c. 272 - 72 B.C.; obverse helmeted head of Athena right; reverse Nike advancing left, wreath in extended right hand, Λ in left field; scarce; $55.00 (€51.70)




  



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