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High Grade Ancient Coins

When first introduced to ancient coins, most people are shocked to learn that some coins remain in mint state and even more surprised to learn that they are not all in musuems. Ancient people did not have stocks, bonds mutual funds, or bank accounts. The primary implement for holding wealth was coins, often buried, and often buried in uncirculated or mint state condition. If an owner died without recovering their coins or telling an heir where to find them, they were lost. Millions of ancient coins have been recovered, and thousands have been found in superb condition.

Basiliscus, January 475 - Late August 476 A.D.

|Basiliscus|, |Basiliscus,| |January| |475| |-| |Late| |August| |476| |A.D.||tremissis|
"'Tremissis' is a Latin word which was created by analogy to the term 'semissis' and probably came from "triens as", meaning a third of an 'as'. It came to mean a coin having 1/3 the value of another. It is applied to the Roman gold (98%+ fine) one-third solidus, first struck about 385 to replace the 3/8 solidus (1˝ scripulum) piece. It was one-third of the solidus' weight, or about 1.51 grams (theoretically 1/216 of a Roman pound). Roman gold fractions were scarce and never played a large part in the monetary system, but the tremissis was struck well into Byzantine times; the last known are of Basil I (867-886)." - from Moneta Historical Research by Tom Schroer
SH10944. Gold tremissis, RIC X 1008, gVF, weight 1.479 g, maximum diameter 15.37 mm, die axis 180o, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, obverse D N bASILI-CuS P P AVG, pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right; reverse VICTORIA AVGVSTORVM (to the victory of the Emperor), Victory advancing front, head left, holding wreath and globus cruciger, star in right field, CONOB in exergue; very rare (R3); SOLD


Byzantine Empire, Constans II and Constantine IV, 13 April 654 - 15 July 668 A.D.

|Constans| |II|, |Byzantine| |Empire,| |Constans| |II| |and| |Constantine| |IV,| |13| |April| |654| |-| |15| |July| |668| |A.D.||solidus|
In 663, Constans II visited Rome for twelve days - the only emperor to set foot in Rome for two centuries! He was received with great honor by pope Vitalian. Constans II gave the order to strip buildings, including the Pantheon, of their ornaments to be carried back to Constantinople.
SH26632. Gold solidus, DOC II-2 30b, Morrisson 13/Cp/AV/46, Tolstoi 287, Ratto 1605, Hahn MIB 31, Sommer 12.23, SBCV 964, Wroth BMC -, EFvery sharp, minor edge bump,, weight 4.486 g, maximum diameter 20.1 mm, die axis 180o, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, c. 661 - 663 A.D.; obverse [legend fragmentary], facing busts of Constans & Constantine IV, Constans wears plumed helmet, Constantine a helmet with cross, small cross between heads; reverse VICTORIA AVGU H (victory of the Emperor, 8th officina), cross potent on three steps between Heraclius (left) and Tiberius, each wears crown and chlamys and holds globus cruciger, CoNoB in exergue; ex Gorny & Mosch; scarce; SOLD


Roman Civil War, Vitellius, c. 69 A.D.

|Civil| |War| |of| |68| |-| |69|, |Roman| |Civil| |War,| |Vitellius,| |c.| |69| |A.D.
||denarius|
This coin is M71 in Butcher, K. & M. Pointing, The Metallurgy of Roman Silver Coinage: From the Reform of Nero to the Reform of Trajan (Cambridge, 2015). There is a tiny drill hole on the edge where silver was extracted for testing. This was an important coin in the study, with test results indicating 93.9% silver bullion and Gallic isotope ratios strongly suggesting similarity with other Vitellius coins from Gallia, not coins minted for Galba.
RS86684. Silver denarius, Butcher-Pointing M71 (this coin), RIC I Civil Wars 121, BMCRE I 65, RSC I Galba 363, BnF I 75, Martin 7, EF, toned, tight flan, light corrosion, test drill hole on edge, weight 3.127 g, maximum diameter 17.5 mm, die axis 180o, Southern Gaul(?) mint, c. 69 A.D.; obverse clasped hands, FIDES above, EXERCITVVM below; reverse clasped hands, FIDES above, PRAETORIANORVM curving along the edge below; from the Jyrki Muona Collection, ex Helios, auction 4 (Munich, 14 Oct 2009), lot 270; ex Coll. A. Lynn collection; ex Classical Numismatic Group, auction 54 (14 June 2000), lot 1484; ex P. DeVicci collection; rare; SOLD


Constantine II, 22 May 337 - March or April 340 A.D.

|Constantine| |II|, |Constantine| |II,| |22| |May| |337| |-| |March| |or| |April| |340| |A.D.||siliqua|
All the references list this type with the reverse legend ending CAES, but our coin's reverse legend ends CAESAR. RIC lists only officina Z and Θ. Most of the officina number is off flan, but our coin does not appear to be either. There is possibly a pellet at the beginning of the mintmark, a possibility is not in the references. We are uncertain if the this is a variation of the referenced types or if the references are in error. We could not locate even one plate or online photo of another specimen of this type to compare. There are three auctions of this type on recorded on Coin Archives, but all of them are for this exact same coin.
SH89742. Silver siliqua, RIC VII Constantinople 127 var. (CAES), RSC V 72 var. (same), SRCV V 17087 var. (same), Hunter V -, gVF, attractive youthful portrait with eyes to God, toned, light marks, weight 2.622 g, maximum diameter 18.4 mm, die axis 0o, 9th Officina(?), Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, as caesar, 336 A.D.; obverse Constantine diademed right, looking up to God, no inscription; reverse CONSTANTINVS CAESAR, Victory walking left, wreath in right hand, palm frond in left hand, CONS[...] in exergue; ex Heritage auction 271848 (2 Dec 2018), lot 36228; ex CNG sale 84 (5 May 2010), lot 1531; ex CNG Triton XIII (5 Jan 2010), lot 1523; ex White Mountain Collection; extremely rare; SOLD


Byzantine Empire, Heraclius, 5 October 610 - 11 January 641 A.D.

|Heraclius|, |Byzantine| |Empire,| |Heraclius,| |5| |October| |610| |-| |11| |January| |641| |A.D.||solidus|
On 4 October 610 A.D., Heraclius arrived at Constantinople with a fleet from Africa. Assisted by an uprising in the capital, he overthrew Phocas, who was killed by the mob. Heraclius gained the throne with help from his father Heraclius the Elder. His first major act was to change the official language of the Eastern Roman Empire from Latin to Greek (already the language of the vast majority of the population).
SH94510. Gold solidus, DOC II-1 3d; Morrison BnF 10/Cp/AV/07; Tolstoi 10; Sommer 11.3; Hahn MIB 5; SBCV 731; Wroth BMC -; Ratto -, aEF, nice luster, well centered slightly uneven strike, light marks, weight 4.440 g, maximum diameter 21.9 mm, die axis 180o, 10th officina, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, 5 Oct 610 - 613 A.D.; obverse D N hERACLI-VS PP AVC, bust facing with short beard and mustache, wearing helmet and chlamys, helmet with cross on arc and plum, cross in right hand; reverse VICTORIA AVGy I (victory of the Emperor, 10th officina), cross potent on three steps, CONOB below; from the Ray Nouri Collection; scarce; SOLD


Pupienus, 22 April - 29 July 238 A.D.

|Pupienus|, |Pupienus,| |22| |April| |-| |29| |July| |238| |A.D.||antoninianus|
Magnificent. Spectacular portrait. Beautifully toned with traces of iridescent blue. This coin is the scarcer of two types minted with the same reverse but with different obverse legends. The reverse refers to the mutual clarity or shared vision of the emperors Balbinus and Pupienus. Because they were quarreling they were unable to put up a joint defense against the praetorians. They were both murdered after a reign of only 99 days.
SH07654. Silver antoninianus, RIC IV-1 10a (S); RSC III 4; BMCRE VI 80, SRCV III 8519, Hunter III 8 var. (obv. legend), aEF, weight 4.26 g, maximum diameter 22.4 mm, die axis 0o, Rome mint, obverse IMP CAES M CLOD PVPIENVS AVG, radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right; reverse CARITAS MVTVA AVGG (Mutual Clarity of the Emperors), clasped hands; from the Scott Collection; scarce; SOLD


Zeno, 18 January - 17 November 474 and August 476 - 11 April 491 A.D.

|Zeno|, |Zeno,| |18| |January| |-| |17| |November| |474| |and| |August| |476| |-| |11| |April| |491| |A.D.||solidus|
They look similar, but there is a significant physical difference between angels and Victory. Angels are all male. Victory (Nike) is female. On Byzantine coinage, the male angel replaced the female Victory after the reunion with Rome was concluded on 28 March 519 A.D.
SH42812. Gold solidus, DOCLR 641 (also 9th officina), Tolstoi 22, Ratto 283, RIC X 910, Depeyrot 108/1, SRCV V 21514, EF, obv flan defect, weight 4.459 g, maximum diameter 20.4 mm, die axis 180o, 9th officina, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, 2nd reign, Aug 476 - 11 Apr 491; obverse D N ZENO PERP AVG, helmeted bust facing, pearl diademed ornamented with trefoil on arc, cuirassed, spear in right over shoulder, shield on left arm decorated with horseman riding down enemy; reverse VICTORIA AVGGG Θ (victory of the three emperors, 9th officina), Victory standing left, long jeweled cross in right, star right, CONOB in exergue; SOLD


Byzantion, Thrace, 2nd - 1st Century B.C., Restoration of Lysimachos' Type, Portrait of Alexander the Great

|Byzantion|, |Byzantion,| |Thrace,| |2nd| |-| |1st| |Century| |B.C.,| |Restoration| |of| |Lysimachos'| |Type,| |Portrait| |of| |Alexander| |the| |Great||tetradrachm|
SH53582. Silver tetradrachm, Müller 200, SNG Cop 1141 var. (monogram), Choice gVF, weight 16.850 g, maximum diameter 33.8 mm, die axis 0o, Byzantium (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, 2nd - 1st Centuries B.C.; obverse diademed head of Alexander the Great wearing the horn of Ammon; reverse BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΛYΣIMAXOY, Athena enthroned left, rests arm on shield, transverse spear against right side, holds Nike crowning name in right, monogram inner left, BY on throne, trident in exergue; uncleaned with dark hoard toning!; SOLD


Pupienus, 22 April - 29 July 238 A.D.

|Pupienus|, |Pupienus,| |22| |April| |-| |29| |July| |238| |A.D.||antoninianus|
Great story coin. The reverse refers to the mutual love of the emperors Balbinus and Pupienus. Because they were quarreling they were unable to put up a joint defense against the praetorians. They were both murdered after a reign of only 99 days
SH71019. Silver antoninianus, RIC IV-1 9b, RSC III 2, BMCRE VI 82, Hunter III 7, SRCV III 8518, Choice EF, fantastic strike, full circles strike, some mint luster, weight 4.682 g, maximum diameter 23.7 mm, die axis 0o, Rome mint, 22 Apr - 29 Jul 238 A.D.; obverse IMP CAES PVPIEN MAXIMVS AVG, radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right; reverse AMOR MVTVVS AVGG (Mutual Love of the Emperors), clasped hands; scarce; SOLD


Kushan Empire, Shaka, c. 305 - 335 A.D.

|Kushan| |Empire|, |Kushan| |Empire,| |Shaka,| |c.| |305| |-| |335| |A.D.||dinara|
The list of Kushan rulers and their dates of reign is constantly under review. This coin has a Brahmi inscription "Shaka" in the right field, in the same place where Vasudeva II's coins read "Vasu." It is natural to suppose that perhaps Shaka was the name of the king who issued the coin. There is a mention of one "Devaputra Shahi Shahanshahi Shaka Murunda" in Samudragupta's famous Allahabad inscription, as one of the rulers who paid him homage. In this context, Shaka could be a title, it could refer to a tribe, or it could be a personal name. Robert Göbl did not think Shaka was the name of a ruler; rather, he thought the coins were tribal issues, but Michael Mitchiner and the authors of ANS Kushan think Shaka was a king.
SH85122. Gold dinara, ANS Kushan 1671, Göbl Kushan 585, Donum Burns 760 - 762, gVF, small hairline flan crack, scratch on reverse, weight 7.823 g, maximum diameter 19.7 mm, die axis 0o, uncertain mint, c. 305 - 335 A.D.; obverse Shaka standing facing, head left wearing nimbus, diadem and conical hat, sacrificing over altar from right hand, filleted staff in left hand, filleted trident to left, Brahmi inscriptions: sya under left arm, vi between altar and leg, Shaka right; reverse goddess Ardoxsho enthroned facing, nimbate, diadem in right hand, cradling cornucopia in left arm, tamgha upper left, blundered Bactrian inscription (mostly off flan as usual); SOLD


Kingdom of Persis, Manchihr III, c. 150 - 200 A.D.

|Kingdom| |of| |Persis|, |Kingdom| |of| |Persis,| |Manchihr| |III,| |c.| |150| |-| |200| |A.D.||drachm|
Certificate of Authenticity issued by David R. Sear.
GS06321. Silver drachm, Alram IP 643, BMC Arabia p, 243, 2 and pl. XXXVII, SGICV 5967, gVF, weight 3.00 g, maximum diameter 22.0 mm, die axis 270o, Persepolis (Fars Province, Iran) mint, c. 150 - 200 A.D.; obverse Manucithr the king (Aramaic/Pehlvi legend behind), bearded bust left in Parthian style tiara adorned with rows of pellets and pellet in crescent; reverse Son of Manucithr the king (Aramaic/Pehlvi legend before and behind), smaller bust left of Mancithr II (his father) wearing diademed headdress with top bent forward and ornamented with row of pellets; Sear graded as "good VF, rare and attractive"; SOLD


Aspendos, Pamphylia, c. 380 - 325 B.C.

|Aspendos|, |Aspendos,| |Pamphylia,| |c.| |380| |-| |325| |B.C.||stater|
Aspendos is about 40 km east of Antalya, Turkey about 16 km inland on the Eurymedon River. In 546 B.C. it fell to Persia. After a Persian defeat in 467, the city joined the Attic-Delos Maritime League. Persia took it again in 411 B.C., Alexander in 333 B.C., and Rome in 190 B.C. Although often subject to powerful empires, the city usually retained substantial autonomy.
SH75373. Silver stater, SNG BnF 102 (same dies), Tekin Series 4, SNGvA 4544, SGCV II 5398 var, aEF, superb style, lightly toned, nice metal, flatly struck areas as typical of the type, light marks and scratches, weight 10.827 g, maximum diameter 22.4 mm, die axis 15o, Aspendos (Serik, Turkey) mint, c. 380/375 - 330/325 B.C.; obverse two wrestlers, the left one holds the wrist of his opponent with his right, K F between their legs; reverse EΣTΦEΔIIYΣ, slinger, wearing short chiton, discharging sling to right, triskeles on right with feet counter-clockwise, square dot border, no trace of incuse square; ex CNG e-auction 353 (17 Jun 2015), lot 177; SOLD


Byzantine Empire, Anastasius, 11 April 491 - 1 July 518 A.D.

|Anastasius| |I|, |Byzantine| |Empire,| |Anastasius,| |11| |April| |491| |-| |1| |July| |518| |A.D.||solidus|
During the Anastasian War of 502–505 with the Sassanid Persians, the Sassanids captured the cities of Theodosiopolis and Amida, although the Romans later received Amida in exchange for gold. The Persian provinces also suffered severely and a peace was concluded in 506. Anastasius afterward built the strong fortress of Daras, which was named Anastasiopolis, to hold the Persians at Nisibis in check. The Balkan provinces were denuded of troops, however, and were devastated by invasions of Slavs and Bulgars; to protect Constantinople and its vicinity against them, the emperor built the Anastasian Wall, extending from the Propontis to the Black Sea. He converted his home city, Dyrrachium, into one of the most fortified cities on the Adriatic with the construction of Durrës Castle.
SH12102. Gold solidus, DOC I 7i, Ratto 320, Tolstoi 8, Hahn MIBE 7, Sommer 1.4, SBCV 5, Wroth BMC -, Morrison BnF -, Choice EF, weight 4.492 g, maximum diameter 21.0 mm, die axis 180o, 9th officina, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, c. 507 - 518 A.D.; obverse D N ANASTASIVS P P AVG, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly right, helmet with plume, trefoil ornament and diadem, pellets on cuirass, spear in right hand and behind head, shield on left arm ornamented with mounted cavalryman right attacking prostrate enemy; reverse VICTORIA AVGGG Θ (victory of the three emperors, 9th officina), Victoria standing half left, head left, long staff topped with (inverted staurogram) in right hand, star left, CONOB in exergue; a touch flat on the forehead but with mint luster in fields and a wonderful reverse; SOLD


Corinth, Corinthia, Greece, c. 345 - 307 B.C.

|Corinth|, |Corinth,| |Corinthia,| |Greece,| |c.| |345| |-| |307| |B.C.||stater|
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.
SH26890. Silver stater, Pegasi I 427, Ravel 1009, gVF, weight 8.512 g, maximum diameter 20.9 mm, die axis 270o, Corinth mint, c. 375 - 300 B.C.; obverse Pegasos flying left, koppa below; reverse laureate and helmeted head of Athena (or Aphrodite) left, aegis behind, A-P below; SOLD


Roman Republic, Q. Caecilius Metellus Pius Scipio, Imperator 47 - 46 B.C.

|Pompeians|, |Roman| |Republic,| |Q.| |Caecilius| |Metellus| |Pius| |Scipio,| |Imperator| |47| |-| |46| |B.C.||denarius|
Scipio was the Pompeian commander of the anti-Caesareans. His headquarters was at the provincial capital of Utica, near the site of Carthage, and this is likely the site of his mint. Defeated by Caesar's forces, Scipio committed suicide in 46 B.C.
SH27786. Silver denarius, Crawford 459/1, Sydenham 1046, RSC I Caecilia 47, BMC Africa 1, Vagi 77, SRCV I 1379, EF, weight 3.887 g, maximum diameter 16.5 mm, die axis 135o, Africa, Utica mint, 47 - 46 B.C.; obverse Q. METEL PIVS, laureate head of Jupiter right, beard and hair in ringlets; reverse elephant walking right, SCIPIO above, IMP in exergue; SOLD


Anastasius, 11 April 491 - 1 July 518 A.D.

|Anastasius| |I|, |Anastasius,| |11| |April| |491| |-| |1| |July| |518| |A.D.||solidus|
Anastasius I came to the throne at the age of 61 after being chosen by the wife of his predecessor, Zeno. He is noted for leaving the imperial government with a sizeable budget surplus of 23,000,000 solidi by reducing government corruption, reforming the tax code, and currency reform. He is venerated as a saint by the Syriac Orthodox Church. His improvements to the government, economy, and bureaucracy of the Eastern Roman empire were so dramatic that he is often described as the first Byzantine emperor.
SH19042. Gold solidus, DOC I 3a (not in the collection, refs Tolstoi), Tolstoi 70, Hahn MIB 4, SBCV 3, Morrisson BnF -, BMC Wroth -, Ratto -, aEF, nice strike, nice coin, weight 4.480 g, maximum diameter 20.7 mm, die axis 180o, 1st officina, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, c. 491 - 498 A.D.; obverse D N ANASTA-SIVS P P AVC, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly right, helmet with plume, trefoil ornament and diadem, pellets on cuirass, spear in right hand and behind head, shield on left arm ornamented with mounted cavalryman right attacking prostrate enemy; reverse VICTORI-A AVCCC A CONOB, Victory stands half left, head left, long jeweled cross in right hand which rests on ground, star right; SOLD


Diadumenian, Mid May - 8 June 218 A.D.

|Diadumenian|, |Diadumenian,| |Mid| |May| |-| |8| |June| |218| |A.D.||denarius|
Spes was the Roman personification of Hope. In art Spes is normally depicted carrying flowers or a cornucopia, but on coins she is almost invariably depicted holding a flower in her extended right hand, while the left is raising a fold of her dress. She was also named "ultima dea" - for Hope is the last resort of men. On this coin, the Caesar, Diadumenian, the designated successor of the emperor, is identified as the hope for the future of the Roman people.
SH82699. Silver denarius, RSC III 21b; RIC IV 117; SRCV II 7450; BMCRE V, p. 510, 93 var. (from front) and 94 var. (no cuirass); Hunter III 4 var. (no cuirass), Choice EF, excellent portrait, translucent look drapery, light rose tone on luster, excellent centering and strike, tiny edge cracks, but for slight obv. double strike it would be FDC, weight 3.000 g, maximum diameter 20.4 mm, die axis 0o, Rome mint, as caesar, Jan - mid May 218 A.D.; obverse M OPEL ANT DIADVMENIAN CAES, bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind; reverse SPES PVBLICA (the hope of the public), Spes advancing left, flower in right hand, raising skirt with left hand; SOLD


Byzantine Empire, Theophilus, 12 May 821 - 20 January 842 A.D.

|Theophilus|, |Byzantine| |Empire,| |Theophilus,| |12| |May| |821| |-| |20| |January| |842| |A.D.||semissis|
After Leo III, 717-741 A.D., the semissis and tremissis were issued only in small quantities and normally only on particular occasions for ceremonial distribution.
SH10988. Gold semissis, SBCV 1674; DOC III-1 26c, Morrisson BnF 8-10, EF, weight 1.749 g, maximum diameter 12.8 mm, die axis 135o, Sicily, Syracuse mint, 829 - 830 A.D.; obverse ΘEOFIΛOS, crowned bust of Theophilus facing with short beard, wearing chlamys and holding globus cruciger; reverse similar to obverse, but emperor wears loros instead of chlamys; ex Edward J. Waddell; SOLD


Kindarite Huns, Peroz, c. 345 - 350 A.D.

|Kushan| |Empire|, |Kindarite| |Huns,| |Peroz,| |c.| |345| |-| |350| |A.D.||stater|
The Kindarite coins betray little of their Hun origins as the designs were copied from coins issued by the Kushan and Kushano-Sasanian kings, whom they succeeded. In Bactria, the coins of were struck in the name of the last Kushano-Sasanian king, Varahran Kushanshah, whom they may have retained as a puppet ruler, but the real power is identified by a Kindarite tamga.
SH48317. Gold stater, ANS Kushan 2420, Mitchiner ACW 3592, Göbl Kushan 608, aEF, weight 7.796 g, maximum diameter 21.8 mm, die axis 0o, Gandhara mint, c. 345 - 350 A.D.; obverse Kushan style king standing facing, head left, nimbate, diademed, wearing pointed cap, sacrificing at altar from right hand, staff in left hand, trident above left; Brahmi inscriptions: Kapana next to altar, Peroyasa under left arm, Gadahara right; reverse goddess Ardochsho (Lakshmi) enthroned facing, nimbate, crescent on top of head, diadem with ladder-like ribbons in right hand, cornucopia in left hand, tamga upper left, Brahmi monogram sha right; SOLD


Mesembria, Thrace, c. 250 - 65 B.C., Civic Issue in the Types and Name of Alexander the Great

|Mesembria|, |Mesembria,| |Thrace,| |c.| |250| |-| |65| |B.C.,| |Civic| |Issue| |in| |the| |Types| |and| |Name| |of| |Alexander| |the| |Great||tetradrachm|
The monogram control symbol is apparently unpublished and we did not find another example online.
SH90210. Silver tetradrachm, apparently unpublished; Price -, Müller Alexander -, Karayotov -, SNG Saroglos -, SNG Munchen -, SNG Alpha Bank -, SNG Cop -, aEF, weight 16.498 g, maximum diameter 28.2 mm, die axis 0o, Mesambria (Nesebar, Bulgaria) mint, c. 250 - 65 B.C.; obverse head of Herakles right, wearing Nemean Lion skin, scalp over head, forepaws tied at neck; reverse Zeus enthroned left, right leg drawn back, eagle in right, long lotus tipped scepter vertical behind in left, Corinthian helmet right over monogram in inner left, AΛΕΞANΔPOY downward on left, BAΣIΛΕΩΣ downward on right; ex CNG auction 324, part of lot 666; extremely rare; SOLD


Nuremberg, German States, 1700

|Medieval| |&| |Modern| |Gold|, |Nuremberg,| |German| |States,| |1700||klippe| |ducat|
Attractive and popular "lamb ducat".

The coin is dated using a chronogram. Four letters from the obverse legend were engraved larger than the others, giving the year MDCC (1700).

The denominations of the series range from 1/32 to 4 ducats!
SH31262. Gold klippe ducat, KM 258, EF, weight 3.477 g, Nuremberg mint, obverse TEMPORA NOSTRA PATER DONATA PACE CORONA, pascal lamb standing left on globe, banner inscribed PAX across shoulder; reverse SECVLVM NOVVM CELEBRAT RESP NORIBENGENS, ornate cartouche bearing three shields of arms, dove above, signature IMF below; c. 20 mm square; SOLD


Diadumenian, Mid May - 8 June 218 A.D.

|Diadumenian|, |Diadumenian,| |Mid| |May| |-| |8| |June| |218| |A.D.||denarius|
Diadumenian was the son of Macrinus, made Caesar at the age of nine in 217 A.D. and Augustus in 218. After his father's defeat he fled towards Parthia but was overtaken and executed.
SH77397. Silver denarius, RIC IV 107.1a (S), RSC III 12; Hunter III 1, cf. BMCRE V p. 508, M82 (antoninianus, but denarius noted); SRCV II -, NGC AU (about uncirculated) (3819479-44); full circle centering, mint luster, weight 2.935 g, maximum diameter 19.6 mm, die axis 0o, Rome mint, as caesar, May 217 - mid May 218 A.D.; obverse M OPEL DIADVMENIANVS CAES, bare-headed and draped bust right, seen from behind; reverse PRINC IVVENTVTIS (Prince of Youth), Diadumenian standing slightly left, head left, in military dress, baton in right hand, scepter nearly vertical in left hand, legionary aquila and standard standing in ground behind him on right; ex Forum (2009); NGC| Lookup; scarce; SOLD


Russia, Anna Ioannovna, 26 February 1730 - 28 October 1740

|Russia|, |Russia,| |Anna| |Ioannovna,| |26| |February| |1730| |-| |28| |October| |1740||Rouble|
Anna Ioannovna and sometimes anglicized as Anne ruled as Empress of Russia from 1730 to 1740. Much of her administration was defined or heavily influenced by actions set in motion by her uncle, Peter the Great, such as the lavish building projects in St. Petersburg, funding the Russian Academy of Science, and measures which generally favored the nobility, such as the repeal of a primogeniture law in 1730. In the West, Anna's reign was traditionally viewed as a continuation of the transition from the old Muscovy ways to the European court envisioned by Peter the Great. Within Russia, Anna's reign is often referred to as a "dark era."
SH111005. Silver Rouble, Davenport Large 1670, SCWC KM 192.1, aEF, toned, light marks, die crack on rev., weight 26.520 g, maximum diameter 41.3 mm, die axis 0o, Moscow mint, 1732; obverse Б M AHHA IMΠEPATPИЛA ICAMOДEPЖИЛA BCEPOCИCКAЯ, crowned and cuirassed bust right; reverse MOHETA 1732, crown above crowned double-headed eagle, shield on breast ornamented with St. George spearing dragon, garland tied with X on tail, imperial scepter in right talons, imperial orb in left talons; SOLD


Anastasius, 11 April 491 - 1 July 518 A.D.

|Anastasius| |I|, |Anastasius,| |11| |April| |491| |-| |1| |July| |518| |A.D.||solidus|
"Although historians often date the start of the Byzantine Empire at either the dedication of Constantinople (330 AD - making Constantine I the first Byzantine Emperor), the split of the Roman Empire at the death of Theodosius I (395 AD - making Arcadius the first Byzantine Emperor), or even at the fall of the western Roman Empire (476 AD - making Zeno the first Byzantine Emperor), numismatically the break is clearly in the reign of Anastasius, specifically at his previously mentioned coinage reform of 498. That reform was a radical re-structuring of the bronze coinage, and a sharp departure from previous Roman designs. Although the pre- and post-reform silver and gold are indistinguishable, the vast bulk of the coinage, what the 'man-in-the-street' dealt with, was clearly symbolic of a new beginning, and thus Moneta ends its coverage of Roman coinage with Anastasius." - Moneta Historical Reference
SH16824. Gold solidus, SBCV 3, DOC I 3i, EF, weight 4.481 g, maximum diameter 20.9 mm, die axis 225o, 10th officina, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, c. 491 - 498 A.D.; obverse D N ANASTA-SIVS P P AVG, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly right, helmet with plume, trefoil ornament and diadem, pellets on cuirass, spear in right hand and behind head, shield on left arm ornamented with mounted cavalryman right attacking prostrate enemy; reverse VICTORIA AVGGG I (victory of the three emperors, 10th officina), Victoria standing left, long jeweled cross in right, star right, CONOB in exergue; mirror luster with some light scratches; SOLD


Anaktorion, Akarnania, Greece, c. 350 - 300 B.C.

|Akarnania|, |Anaktorion,| |Akarnania,| |Greece,| |c.| |350| |-| |300| |B.C.||stater|
Anaktorion (Anactorium) was a Corinthian colony, founded c. 630 B.C. on the south bank of the Ambracian Gulf, near modern Vonitsa. The location was favorable for trade and shipping but less so for farming. The residents engaged in trade, fishing and logging. Like the other cities of Acarnania, Anaktorion declined after the Battle of Actium when Augustus founded Nikopolis on the other side of the Ambracian Gulf and forced the its residents to move there. No archaeological excavations have yet been done at the site and few ruins remain visible above ground.Anaktorion
SH19454. Silver stater, Pegasi II 30, BCD Akarnania 89, BMC Corinth p. 118, 35; SNG Cop 289; SNG Alpha Bank 525; HGC 4 758, aEF, weight 8.378 g, maximum diameter 22.4 mm, die axis 180o, Anaktorion (near Nea Kamarina, Greece) mint, c. 350 - 300 B.C.; obverse Pegasos with pointed wing flying right, ligate AN below; reverse head of Athena (or Aphrodite) right in Corinthian helmet over leather cap, tripod in wreath and ligate AN behind; SOLD


Byzantine Empire, Basil I Alexander & Leo VI, 867 - 886 A.D.

|Basil| |I|, |Byzantine| |Empire,| |Basil| |I| |Alexander| |&| |Leo| |VI,| |867| |-| |886| |A.D.||miliaresion|
Leo VI was a scholar who had little time for foreign affairs, as a result the empire declined. The Bulgars and Arabs became problematic. He completed the legal system started by Basil. He married four times in the quest for a male heir, putting him in conflict with the church. He was eventually barred from attending St. Sophia.
SL49973. Silver miliaresion, DOC III-2 7; SBCV 1708, ICG AU55, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, 868 - 879 A.D.; obverse IhSUS XRISTUS nICA (Jesus Christ Conquers), cross potent on three steps and globe; reverse + bASI/LIOS CE / CONStAN/tIN' PIStV / bASILIS / ROMEO, legend in six lines; ICG certified (slabbed); SOLD


Thebes, Boiotia, Greece, c. 363 - 338 B.C.

|Boiotia|, |Thebes,| |Boiotia,| |Greece,| |c.| |363| |-| |338| |B.C.||stater|
The largest city in Boeotia, leader of the Boeotian confederacy, and rival of Athens, Thebes sided with Persia during Xerxes' invasion in 480 B.C. Thebes ended Sparta's power at the Battle of Leuctra in 371. The Sacred Band of Thebes famously fell to Philip II at Chaeronea in 338. After a revolt in 335, Alexander the Great destroyed the city, except, according to tradition, the house of the poet Pindar.
SH59517. Silver stater, BCD Boiotia 551; Hepworth 1; Head Boeotia p. 63; BMC Central p. 80, 111; SNG Cop 314; HGC 4 1334, aEF, toned, scratches, weight 12.141 g, maximum diameter 21.141 mm, Thebes mint, magistrate Agla -, 363 - 338 B.C.; obverse Boiotian shield; reverse ornate amphora, AΓ-ΛA across fields, all within a concave incuse circle; ex CNG, ex Pegasi; SOLD


Julian II "the Apostate," February 360 - 26 June 363 A.D.

|Julian| |II|, |Julian| |II| |"the| |Apostate,"| |February| |360| |-| |26| |June| |363| |A.D.||double| |maiorina|
The common belief which identifies the bull with the Apis bull is probably wrong. An interesting passage from Dio Chrysostom compares a good ruler to a bull. Also, Julian was most likely born in May, in the sign of Taurus. The stars are probably the two important star clusters in Taurus, Pleiades and Hyades. Taurus or Apis, this bull is pagan and this coin was the last pagan coin type issued by the Empire.
SH32850. Billon double maiorina, RIC VIII Constantinople 164 (S), SRCV V 19157, Cohen VIII 38, LRBC II 2059 var. (pellet at end of legend not noted), EF, weight 8.601 g, maximum diameter 28.7 mm, die axis 0o, 1st officina, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, 3 Nov 361 - 26 Jun 363 A.D.; obverse D N FL CL IVLIANVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right; reverse SECVRITAS REIPVB• (security of the Republic), bull right, two stars above, CONSP flanked by branches in exergue; scarce; SOLD


Kingdom of Bosporus, Eupator, 154 - 170 A.D., Marcus Aurelius Reverse

|Bosporan| |Kingdom|, |Kingdom| |of| |Bosporus,| |Eupator,| |154| |-| |170| |A.D.,| |Marcus| |Aurelius| |Reverse||stater|
The Bosporan Kingdom (or Kingdom of the Cimmerian Bosporus) was in eastern Crimea and the Taman Peninsula on the shores of the Cimmerian Bosporus, the present-day Strait of Kerch (it was not named after the Bosphorus beside Istanbul). The mixed population adopted Greek language and civilization. The prosperity of the kingdom was based on the export of wheat, fish and slaves. The kingdom's golden age was 2nd and 1st centuries B.C. At the end of the 2nd century A.D., King Sauromates II inflicted a critical defeat on the Scythians and expanded his state to include the entire Crimea. It was the longest surviving Roman client kingdom, lasting until it was overrun by the Huns c. 375 A.D.
SH17753. Electrum stater, Frolova, p. 164, pl. XXVII.35-6; MacDonald Bosporus 474/3; BMC Pontus p. 65, 8 (Lucius Verus); RPC IV.1 T3749, Choice gVF, a few light scrapes, weight 7.740 g, maximum diameter 19.6 mm, Pantikapaion (Kerch, Crimea) mint, 67/8 A.D; obverse BACILEΩC EVΠATOPOC, diademed bust of Eupator right; reverse laureate head of Marcus Aurelius right; star before, ΔΖV (year 464) below; SOLD


Arcadius, 19 January 383 - 1 May 408 A.D.

|Arcadius|, |Arcadius,| |19| |January| |383| |-| |1| |May| |408| |A.D.||solidus|
In 402, Germanic settlers laid siege to Milan. Honorius transferred the capital of the Western Empire from Milan to Ravenna. General Stilicho recalled troops from the frontiers of the Empire to defend Italy. On April 6 he defeated the Visigoths at the Battle of Pollentia. The Visigoths left Italy for Illyricum after Stilicho defeated them at the Battle of Verona in June 403.
SH10008. Gold solidus, RIC IX p. 84, 35(b) & RIC X Honorius p. 318, 1205(c); DOCLR 265; Depeyrot p. 171, 16/1; Hunter V p. 467, 8; SRCV V 20724, Mint State, weight 4.45 g, maximum diameter 21.2 mm, Mediolanum (Milan, Italy) mint, 395 - 402 A.D.; obverse D N ARCADIVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right; reverse VICTORIA AVGGG (victory of the three emperors), Arcadius standing right, wearing military garb, standard in right hand, Victory on globe offering wreath in left hand, left foot treading on thigh of bound bearded captive seated left with one leg visible more or less straight, M left, D right, COMOB in exergue; SOLD




  



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