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Last comments - Pharsalos
Gordian_III_as_Victory-Virtus.jpg
Gordian III As (VIRTVS AVGVSTI, RIC IV 326) v.1GORDIAN III, AD 238-244
AE As (25.10mm, 8.47g, 12h)
Struck AD 242/3. Rome mint
Obverse: IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, laureate and draped bust of Gordian III right
Reverse: VIRTVS AVGVSTI, Gordian, in military attire, seated left on cuirass, holding spear, crowned by Victory standing left
behind him and receiving branch from Mars or Virtus standing right before; two standards in background, S C in exergue
References: RIC IV 326 (R2), RCV 8809

A very rare type, possibly struck in anticipation of Gordian's successful campaign against the Sassanid empire and the defeat of Shapur I at the Battle of Resaena in 243.
1 commentsCPK03/28/24 at 11:54Pharsalos: Wow, this is an amazing coin. Both rare and intere...
Trajan_RIC_281.jpg
RIC 281Quinarius, 112-114
Obv: IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS VI P P
Laur. r., dr. l. s.
Rev: S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI
Victory walking r. holding wreath and palm.

1.42g, 15mm
RIC 281, Woytek 440d (5 known, this coin illustrated); King 61j (this coin)
From the Quietus Collection. Ex Michael Kelly Collection (Roma XVII, 28 March 2019), lot 743; Rüdiger Krause Collection (Morton & Eden, 18 April 2002), lot 77; Helbing [59] (31 January 1930), lot 415.
2 commentsklausklage02/09/24 at 21:55Pharsalos: Rare, beautiful, plated and an awesome provenance!
RE_ConstantineI_RIC_7_23_.jpg
Constantine I the Great. Jupiter standing follis of Nikomedia.Roman Empire. Constantine I. 306-337 AD. AE Follis, silvered (4.02 gm, 21.6mm, 12h) of Nikomedia, 6th officina, 317-320 AD. Laureate bust left, wearing consular robes & holding mappa & sceptre, IMP CONSTANTINVS AVG. / Jupiter standing left, with Victory on globe & long sceptre, IOVI CONSERVATORI AVGG. ex: SMN, S (stigma) in right field, branch in left. nEF. Pegasi Numismatics Auction VII #576. RIC VII p.603 #23; Cohen 301; SRCV IV #15966.3 commentsAnaximander11/11/23 at 00:14Pharsalos: Beautiful dies and strike!
RE_JulianII_RIC_8_Lyons_227_.jpg
Julian II. Votive Siliqua of Lyons.Roman Empire. Julian II. 360-363 AD. AR Siliqua (2.48 gm, 17mm, 7h) of Lugdunum (Lyons). 2ⁿᵈ officina. Pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right, FL CL IVLIANVS PP AVG. / Votive inscription within wreath, medallion at top. VOTIS V MVLTIS X. Ex: SLVG. EF. East Harptree 1887 Hoard. Bt. Herakles Numismatics, Richmond Coin Show, 11/2023. RIC VIII p.195 #227; RSC V #163b; SRCV V  #19122 var. (VOT V MVLT X & star in exergue).1 commentsAnaximander11/11/23 at 00:13Pharsalos: Very nice, excellent provenance too.
ConstantiusII_Rome_FTR.JPG
Constantius II FEL TEMP phoenix on rocky mound from RomeConstantius II
A.D. 348- 350
18x19mm 2.0g
D N CONSTAN-TIVS P F AVG; pearl diademed, draped and cuirassed bust.
FEL TEMP REPARATIO; radiate phoenix on rocky mound.
In ex. RT
RIC VIII Rome --

The rocky mound type is very rare and only issued by Rome. This coin is unlisted without star in left of reverse (compare with RIC VIII Rome 141)
1 commentsVictor C10/29/23 at 01:04Pharsalos: Wow, that is a rare type!
IMG_3786~0.jpeg
Euboia, Euboian League. AR Drachm.
Date: c. 304-290 B.C.
Denomination: AR Drachm.
Diameter: 17 mm.
Weight: 3.70 grams.
Obverse: Head of the nymph Euboia left.
Reverse: Filleted head and neck of cow facing slightly right; EY above; BCD Euboia 22; HGC 4, 1421; Ex Glendining 13 November 1957, lot 94.
1 commentspaul188810/29/23 at 01:04Pharsalos: Beautiful coin and cool provenance.
V111.jpg
RIC 0111 VespasianÆ Sestertius, 26.55g
Rome mint, 71 AD
Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG P M T P P P COS III; Bust of Vespasian, laureate, draped, r.
Rev: SALVS AVGVSTA; S C in exergue; Salus std. l., with patera and sceptre
RIC 111 (R2). BMC -. BNC -.
Ex Harlan J Berk BBS 225, 30 November 2023, lot 7. Ex Curtis Clay Collection. Ex Tom Cederlind.

An extremely rare sestertius struck for Vespasian between January and March 71. Curtis Clay had this to say about the piece which I cannot improve upon:

'Kraay in his illuminating Oxford dissertation, summarized in the new RIC, p. 22, established that Vespasian's sestertii of 71 (COS III) fall into three successive groups marked by progressive abbreviations of the emperor's name, and he suggested the following dates for the groups: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG P M T P P P COS III: Jan.-March/April 71; Same but VESPASIAN and TR P for T P: March/April-July/August 71; Same but VESPAS: July/August-Dec. 71. The reverse SALVS AVGVSTA S C occurs mainly in the third and latest issue of the year. In the earlier groups this type is very rare. Obv. VESPASIANVS, with bust laureate and draped; the bust types and portrait features are much more varied in this early group than in the two later ones. Rev. SALVS AVGVSTA S C, from the only die known for this type in the VESPASIANVS issue. Kraay discovered that this is actually a rev. die of Galba's, engraved and used by Galba in 68 (Kraay's P 61), now reused by Vespasian about 2 1/2 years later!'

An utterly fantastic piece! RIC describes many of the sestertii from this issue as 'monumental', I think the above coin fits that description perfectly. Missing from the BM and Paris collections.
7 commentsDavid Atherton10/29/23 at 00:42Pharsalos: Impressive and important, awesome coin.
Vlasto958_forvm.jpg
Calabria Tarentum AR nomosCalabria, Tarentum, nomos. c. 240-228 BC. Xenokrates magistrate.
20.5mm, 6.56g, 5h.
O/ Dioskouros, head facing, bearded with long flowing hair, raising right hand and holding rein in left, on horse stepping left;
monogram and pileos to right; ΞE-NOKPA/[T-HΣ] in two lines below.
R/ Phalanthos, nude, head and torso facing, holding trident over shoulder in right hand, and lifting drapery with left, riding dolphin left; [T]APAΣ to left; monogram to right, waves and cuttlefish below.
HN Italy 1058; Vlasto 958.
1 commentsBruno V07/31/23 at 16:10Pharsalos: Beautiful, great strike both sides.
RIC_II_12_364_titus.jpg
RIC II 1² Titus 0364Obv.: DIVVS AVGVSTVS VESPASIANVS
Rev.: EX S C
Titus 79-81, Divus Vespasian, Denar 80-81, Rom, 19mm 3,55g, ss, (C), INV:R049
1 commentsDirk J07/31/23 at 16:08Pharsalos: Beautiful details and surfaces.
RIC_II_12_1400.jpg
RIC II 1² Vespasian 1400Obv.: IMP CAES VESPAS AVG
Rev.: CONCORDIA AVG
Vespasian 69-79, Denar 69-70, Ephesus, 18mm 3,40g, vz, (R), INV:R147
1 commentsDirk J07/31/23 at 15:57Pharsalos: Wow, what a spectacular denarius!
RIC_II_12_980.jpg
RIC II 1² Vespasian 0980Obv.: CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG
Rev.: IMP XIX
Vespasian 69-79, Denar 77-78, Rom, 18mm 3,40g, vz+, (C), Ex. Yves Gunzenreiner, INV:R169
1 commentsDirk J07/31/23 at 15:54Pharsalos: So beautiful!
Octavian_Denarius_Victory_On_Globe.jpg
Octavian Denarius Victory On GlobeObv.

Bare head of Octavian right

Rev.

CAESAR DIVI F

To left and right of Victory, standing
left on globe, holding wreath and palm branch

RIC I 254a RSC 65
7 commentsancientdave07/23/23 at 13:46Pharsalos: Lovely toning and portrait.
Phalanna_Zeus_Nymph_Tags.jpg
Thessaly, Phalanna AE Chalkous, Zeus Peloris & Nymph (Ex BCD Collection)Thessaly, Phalanna AE Chalkous (14mm, 2.71g, 12h), mid-late 4th cent. BCE.
Obv: ΛΟ below [ΠΕΛΟΡΙΣ, fragmentary]. Head of Zeus Peloris right.
Rev: ΦΑΛΑ to right. Head of nymph right.
Ref: BCD Thessaly II 589.3; cf. BCD Thessaly I 1259.2; Rogers 455; Papaevangelou-Genakos 16.
Prov: Ex Tom Mann (Frascatius), previously BCD Collection (w/ collector tags), acq. “V. ex Thess. Nov. 1991, Sfr. 120.—”; prob. from CH8.132: “Phalanna (?), Greece, 1991” Hoard of 600+ Phalanna AE.

Notes: A scarce type (w/ many rare sub-types), very rare before the BCD Coll. was dispersed, many of which likely came from the CH8.132, Phalanna 1991 Hoard, which may correspond to his tickets for coins "ex. Thess." c. "1991" (perhaps the hoard report came from Lorber via BCD?).

The fragmentary ΛΟ (from ΠΕΛΟΡΙΣ) is actually a substantial obv. inscription for these. Most have no obv. legend; it seems to never be complete. Combined with the lovely deep blueish patina, a very nice example of this type despite the wear.
3 commentsCurtis JJ07/23/23 at 13:42Pharsalos: Beautiful in its own right,
but with those surfa...
Marc_Bar_Elsen_155_140.jpg
Olympia, Elis AR Obol, Hera & Eagle (BCD Olympia 126 = HGC 472) Photo Credit: Elsen [LINK].
Greek (Classical). Olympia, Elis AR Obol (12mm, 0.86g, 5h), 105th Olympiad, c. 360 BCE.
Obv: Head of Hera or the nymph Olympia to right.
Rev: F / A (to l. & r.). Eagle w/ closed wings standing right.
Ref: BCD Olympia 126 (this coin); Hoover, HGC (5) 472 (this coin illustrated).
Prov: Ex BCD Collection BCD Collection (Leu 90 [Zurich, 10 May 2004], Lot 126 [LINK];
Mar Bar (1921-2015) Collection (Elsen 155 (16 Jun 2023), Lot 140 [LINK]).

Notes: I’m not sure of the significance of this disagreement, but Oliver Hoover (HGC) identifies the obverse figure as Hera; Alan S. Walker (BCD Olympia) calls her “the eponymous nymph Olympia” (both describing this specimen).

ASW comments (p. 63) that he IDs those wearing a stephane as Hera, those without (hair in rolls) as Olympia. Importantly, there is an AR Stater w/ a Zeus obv. & the nymph on the rev. (BCD Olympia 118 [LINK], pp. 52-3), along w/ a rev. inscribed OΛYMΠIA, apparently naming her. ASW writes: "Both the legend and the lack of the stephane prove that she's not Hera: she reappears, in a more mature and commanding way, on the contemporary issues of the Hera mint (see below, lots 122-127)" [i.e., including my coin, 126].
4 commentsCurtis JJ07/23/23 at 13:39Pharsalos: Wonderful coin.
RE_AeliaFlaccilla_RIC_9_62_.jpg
Aelia Flaccilla, Empress Standing Double Centenionalis or Maiorina of Antioch.Roman Empire. Aelia Flaccilla, 1st w. Theodosius. 378-394 AD. Æ Double Centenionalis or Maiorina (5.48 gm, 22mm, 12h) of Antioch, 383-388 AD. Draped bust r. with elaborate headdress and necklace, AEL FLACCILLA AVG. / Flaccilla stdg facing, arms raised to chest. SALVS REIPVBLICAE, ex: ANT Є. VF. CNG EA259 #398. RIC IX p. 291 #62; Cohen 6; LRBC II #2760; SRCV V #20621corr. (Antioch). 1 commentsAnaximander04/02/23 at 11:25Pharsalos: Oh wow, what a wonderful portrait of Aelia Flaccil...
GM_PerdiccasII_SNG-ANS-8-47ff_bg.jpg
Perdikkas II. Heavy Tetrobol of Aigai.Kings of Macedon. Perdikkas II. 451-413 BC. AR Tetrobol (2.38 gm, 15mm, 7h) of Aigai? 432-422 BC, heavy Thraco-Macedonian standard. Mounted horseman wearing petasos, with two spears on horse walking r. / Forepart of lion in incuse square. VF. CNG EA 519 #57. HGC 3.1 #790; Pozzi 827; Raymond Group IV, Series 1 #181 (A17/P14) pl.XIII #181a = Jameson 972 (same dies); SNG Alpha Bank 107 (same dies); SNG ANS 8 #47-51; SNG Cop 2 (Macedonia) #498-499; SNG Ashmolean III #2419-2420; Babylon de Luynes II (Alexandre I) #1579 (pl.LIX).2 commentsAnaximander03/27/23 at 07:14Pharsalos: Lovely example!
Elis_Olympia_E1TRWh.jpg
Olympia, Elis AE (27mm), 30s BCE. Ex Franke, Morcom, Warren, Philipsen Collections, Naville Ars Classica XV & Hirsch XXVGreek (Post-Hellenistic, Roman Era). Olympia, Elis AE Diassarion-Dupondius (25-27mm, 12.56 g, 1h), temp. Marc Antony & Cleopatra, c. 30s BCE.
Obv: Head of Hera right, wearing stephane & necklace. Rev: Eagle standing right on thunderbolt; F-A across field, monogram (K or Y Retrograde Γ = Ꞁ) to lower right.

Ref (BCD): BCD Olympia 307 (same monogram, different dies); see also BCD Olympia 308-313 (mgm. vars.); BCD Peloponnesos 695-696 (mgm. vars.); BCD Peloponnesos II 2303-2307 (mgm. vars.). Ref (other): HGC 5, 544; Franke (1984 p. 19: Abb. 21, and p. 21); Weber 4082; Strauss-Laffaille (1990) 368; SNG Copenhagen 429-30 var. (monogram); Cahn 71 [1931], 365 (same rev., obv. facing left); Wroth (NC) 1905: p. 335; Earle-Fox (NC) 1898: pp. 292-3.

Prov: Sammlung P.R. Franke (1926-2018) [Solidus Auktion 108 (8 November 2022), Lot 137];
Christopher Morcom (1939-) Collection [CNG MBS 76 (12 September 2007), Lot 562];
Col. R.K. Morcom Collection (1877-1961);
Edward Perry Warren (1860-1928) Collection [Naville Ars Classica XV (2 Jul 1930), Lot 809, ill. on Pl. 28, "amateur étranger récemment décédé"];
Sammlung Gustav Philipsen (Copenhagen, 1853-1925) [Jacob Hirsch XXV (25 Nov 1909), 1300 (Pl. XVI)];
Ex IGCH 216 (unknown findspot hoard, c. 1887-1894); possibly dispersed by Canon [Rev.] William Greenwell (1820-1918).

Notes: Variously described as Double-Unit, Diassarion, Dupondius, Obol, and/or “Denomination A” (Hoover, HGC 5); and dated c. 4th BCE (Franke), 3rd (Wroth, Strauss), 2nd (Moustaka), or 30s BCE, temp. Antony/Cleopatra (J. Warren, Nicolet, BCD). (For a summary, see BCD Olympia 307 [LINK].) In the past 25 years it has become more common to interpret these coins as part of Antony & Cleopatra’s Romanization of currency in the Greek Provinces, struck during their final years in the lead up to Actium. From this perspective, we can interpret them as a Diassarion equivalent to a Dupondius.
7 commentsCurtis JJ03/26/23 at 05:28Pharsalos: Wow, what a breathtaking bronze! Fantastic provena...
Constantius_II_282017_Photo_by_Bertolami29_FEL_TEMP_REPARATIO_Fallen_Horseman__Gran_Constantinople_.jpg
Roman Empire, Constantius II Fallen Horseman, Constantinople 348-351 CE. Overweight specimen (7.67g, 25mm, 12h).Coin-in-hand video: LINK
Roman Imperial. Constantius II (Augustus, 337-361 CE) AE Centenionalis (7.67g, 25mm, 12h). Struck in Constantinople, 348-351.
Obv: D N CONSTANTIVS P F AVG. Pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust, surrounded by border of dots. Rev: FEL TEMP REPARATIO // Γ to left // CONSЄ* in exergue. Soldier standing left, holding long oval shield with circular boss, and spearing fallen horseman; bearded horseman astride fallen horse, turning and reaching back with left arm (FH3), wearing short-brimmed Scythian helmet, ornate tunic, and trousers. "Centering dot" between soldier and horse. Dotted border.
Ref: RIC 82-E, LRBC 2026; cf. RIC 81 (FH4). NVMMVS BIBLE II NBD N° 61536 (this coin; LINK).
Prov: Ex-Bertolami Fine Arts Auctions 37 (19 Sept 2017), Lot #689 (corr. RIC 81) & e-92 (2 Oct 2020), Lot 1554 (corr. weight as 7.70g, RIC 81).
Note: Based on the weight distribution provided for "Large AE2" in RIC VIII, only 2 of 405 specimens are as heavy or heavier than this one (7.7g & 8.2g). One Constantius Gallus Fallen Horseman weighing over 8.10g is reported in ACSearch (Roma 13, 939); Doug Smith has reported a 9.5g (!) Cyzicus FH in his collection, c. 1997.
5 commentsCurtis JJ02/12/23 at 14:18Pharsalos: Spectacular example, very hefty flan indeed.
Hidrieus_Tetradrachm_Caria_Satraps_CNG_247_2812_January_2011292C_145.jpg
Hidrieus Tetradrachm, Ex Whittall, Weber, Bement, Lockett, von Aulock Collections(CNG's Photo as temp. placeholder)
Greek (Classical, Asia Minor). Satraps of Caria, Hidrieus
AR Tetradrachm (23mm, 14.74g, 12h). Halikarnassos, c. 351-344 BCE.
Obv: Laureate head of Apollo facing slightly right, light drapery around neck. Rev: ΙΔΡΙΕΩΣ. Zeus Laubrandos standing right holding scepter (inverted spear?) and labrys over shoulder, E below to right.
References: SNG von Aulock 8046 (this coin); SNG Lockett 2909 (this coin [LINK]); Weber (L. Forrer) 6604 (this coin); Comparette-Bement (ANS 1921) p. 79 & Pl. XIX, No. 283 (this coin); Historia Numorum Caria (Online) 1399, ex. 5 (this coin [LINK]).
Provenance: Ex-James Whittall Collection (Sotheby, Wilkinson, & Hodge, London, 10 July 1884), lot 1113; Sir Hermann Weber Collection, 6604 (published by Spink, 1922); Clarence S. Bement Collection (Naville VII, Lucerne, 23 June 1924), Lot 1520; Richard Cyril Lockett Collection (Part XII/Greek IV, Glendining, London, 21 February 1961), lot 2384; Hans von Aulock Collection (Germany & Ankara), 8046 (his ticket in my possession); CNG e-Auction 247 (Lancaster, 12 Jan 2011), lot 145; Noble Numismatics Auction 126 (Sydney, 24 March 2021), Lot 2768. See also: "Provenance Chart" (1884-present) & 8 photographs (1921-2021), LINK
3 commentsCurtis JJ02/12/23 at 14:06Pharsalos: Amazing provenance trail.
Galst_Skione_tags.jpg
"Plate Coin" from Galst's Ophthalmologia in Nummis & Marathaki's SkionePhoto Credit: CNG (for coin, edited)
GREEK (Archaic/Classical). Macedon, Skione AR Hemiobol (6mm, 0.34g, 1h), c. 5th century BCE.
Obv: Head of Protesilaos (?) right wearing taenia
Rev: Schematic human eye in incuse square. (Legend in incuse? Σ−K−I or var.?)
Ref: Marathaki (2014) No. 93 (E70/O67), p. 81, 284, Pl. 27, 57 (this coin illustrated; only spec. from this obv. die); Galst & van Alfen XIII.9 (this coin illustrated); HGC 3, 677 var. (no taenia).
Comparanda: Two examples of this (later?) style, otherwise unpublished: (1) BnF btv1b8590874v [LINK]; (2) Forum (Joe Sermarini, n.d.) GA73133 [LINK].
Provenance: Ex Collection of Dr. Jay M. Galst (1950-2020), w/ his tags, published in his 2013 book with Peter van Alfen, Ophthalmologia Optica et Visio in Nummis; CNG, Classical Numismatic Review vol. XXV [CNR 25] (Summer 2000), No. 22, published in Marathaki's 2014 History and Coinage of Ancient Skione in Chalcidice; CNG e-Auction 531.1 (25 Jan 2023), Lot 78.
Notes: A rarer variety of distinctly more Classical style, and depicting Protesilaos (?) wearing taenia. (Protesilaos was first to die, heroically, in the Trojan War. He fulfilled prophesy by leaping first onto the shores of Troy, knowing it meant he would be killed by Hector.) Prob. later than the usual Archaic style Hemiobol of this type. Possibly c. 423 BCE or later?
Coin-in-hand video & plate excerpt: [Imgur LINK]
1 commentsCurtis JJ02/12/23 at 13:48Pharsalos: Wonderful coin and write up!
Elis_Olympia_BCD-327_3.jpg
Elis, Olympia. Eagle and Nike Stater. Greece. Elis. c. 452-432 BC. AR Stater (11.89 gm, 17.1mm, 10h) of Olympia, Zeus mint, 450-440, 82nd-87th Olympiad. Eagle flying right, tearing at hare in its talons. Three bankers marks. / Nike running left, holding wreath in outstretched hand and raising hem of chiton. F–A in field. aVF. Ponterio Auction 136 #1755. Ex CNG 69 #326; Ex Hirsch XVI (6 Dec. 1906) #544. BCD Olympia 327.2 corr. (labeled 327.3) (same obv. die); Seltman Temple Gp B Series VIII (dies AN/ατ) pp.18-19 #69e (pl.II); SNG Cop 3 (Phliasia-Laconia) #358 (same dies). SNG Delepierre 2064-2065 (same); SNG Spencer-Churchill 165; HGC 5 #305.1 commentsAnaximander12/16/22 at 12:28Pharsalos: Wow, great coin and provenance.
Corinthia_Corinth_BCD-Corinth155.jpg
Corinthia, Corinth. Pegasos and Aphrodite Drachm.Greece. Corinthia. 345-307 BC. AR Drachm (2.71 gm, 14.6mm, 6h) of Corinth. Pegasos flying left, with pointed wing. Ϙ below. / Head of Aphrodite left, wearing sakkos. Δ-Ι in lower fields. gVF. Bt. Coral Gables, 2000. BCD Corinth 155-158; ACNAC Dewing 1779; BMC p.35 #322 (pl.XII #29); HGC 4 #1869; SNG Lockett 2139. cf SNG Cop 3 (Corinth) #125 (N on rev.); Boston MFA 1145 (same).1 commentsAnaximander12/16/22 at 12:26Pharsalos: Beautiful coin, especially lovely Aphrodite!
GS_Entella_Jenkins-4-351_.jpg
Entella, Siculo-Punic "The Camp." Tetradrachm.Greek Sicily. Entella, Siculo-Punic "The Camp." 300-289 BC. AR Tetradrachm (16.82 gm, 22.5mm, 6h) on Attic standard. Head of Herakles right, wearing lionskin headdress. / Horse head left, palm tree behind, astragalos (knuckle bone) before, Punic legend 'MHSBM' (Quaestors, Paymasters) below. EF. Bt. KJC Australia, 2002. Jenkins Punic 4 (SNR 57, 1978) #351 (O112/R286); HGC 2 #295; SNG Lloyd 1653 (same obv. die). cf. Roma Numismatics A4 #1135 (same dies), CNG 121 #103 (Jenkins 350).2 commentsAnaximander12/16/22 at 12:22Pharsalos: Beautiful, dies and toning.
D837.jpg
RIC 837 DomitianÆ Sestertius, 24.93g
Eastern Mint (Thrace?), 82 AD
Obv: IMP DOMITIAN CAES DIVI VESP F AVG P M TR P P P COS VIII; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: PAX AVGVST; S C in field; Pax stg. l., holding branch and cornucopiae
RIC 837 (R2). BMC 516. BNC 551. RPC 530.
Acquired from Gert Boersema, November 2022.

An unknown Eastern mint struck a small series of bronze coins for both Titus and Domitian. The style (heavily seriffed letters, large portraits, and massive reverse figures), unique obverse legends, and uncommon fabric (flat, almost convex flans) all suggest a mint other than Rome. Attributing exactly where these coins were struck has historically been a moving target - Mattingly in BMCRE thought Lugdunum, H.A. Cahn believed somewhere in Bithynia. More recent scholarship has looked towards Thrace as a possible location for production based on the Balkan distribution pattern of found specimens. Although the region of mintage has been narrowed down, the city itself remains elusive. RPC has suggested possibly Perinthus. Presumably a shortage of bronze coins in the region prompted a localised imperial issue. The striking of imperial bronze outside of Rome was an exceptional step at the time considering the last imperial branch mint at Lugdunum had shuttered late in Vespasian's reign. The issues consisted of sestertii, dupondii, asses, and semisses which copied types struck at Rome. Production at this Eastern mint continued uninterrupted between Titus's and Domitian's reigns, hinted at by Domitian's seamless adoption of Titus's types and legend formula after his accession. Owing to the scarcity of this Domitianic Pax sestertius dated COS VIII, it could not have been struck for any great length of time. The mystery mint was likely closed when Domitian began his reform of the coinage in early 82.

Struck on a large flan (37mm!) in fine 'Balkan' style.
2 commentsDavid Atherton12/15/22 at 10:50Pharsalos: Beautiful sestertius!
1739_P_Hadrian_RIC--.jpg
3168A Hadrian Denarius 117-30 AD Asia Eastern mintReference.
RIC 3168A; Strack *73

Bust A2

Obv: HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P
Laureate bust with drapery

Rev: ASIA.
Asia stepping on prow left, holding reaping-hook and rudder.

3.06 gr
19 mm
6h

Note.
Provenance: P. Webb Collection, Vecchi Auction 5 (London), 5 March 1997, lot 534
1 commentsokidoki06/29/22 at 07:50Pharsalos: Very interesting style.
MAMAEA_JULIA_RIC_343_AUREO.jpg
RIC_343_MAMAEAObv.: IVLIA MAMAEA AVG; Bust of Julia Mamaea, draped, right
Rev.: IVNO CONSERVATRIX; Juno, diademed, veiled, draped, standing left, holding patera in right hand and sceptre in left hand; at feet, peacock

Splendidly preserved coin. Rare in this condition. Wirtually as struck.

ex Áureo & Calicó, 30 May 2012, 61.
ex Áureo & Calicó, Auction 345, 13 February 2020, 87.
1 comments06/29/22 at 07:49Pharsalos: Wow that is very sharply struck!
RI_169ch_img.JPG
169 - Constans - AE2 - RIC VIII Rome 158AE2
Obv:- D N CONSTANS P F AVG, Pearl diademed, draped & cuirassed bust left holding globe, N behind bust
Rev:- FEL TEMP REPARATIO, Helmeted soldier, spear in left hand, advancing right, head left; with his right hand he leads a small bare-headed figure from a hut beneath a tree. The spear points down and to the left
Minted in Rome; (_ | N //RE)
Reference:– RIC VIII Rome 158 (Rated R)

21.39 mm, 4.25g, 0 degrees
3 commentsmaridvnvm06/29/22 at 07:38Pharsalos: Nice example of a harder mint type.
Lucania_Velia_Williams-192.jpg
Lucania. Velia. Athena and Lion Nomos.Greek Italy. Lucania. Velia. 400-350 BC. AR Nomos (7.52 gm). Head of Athena l., wearing Phrygian helmet decorated w. draped female centaur. Monogram ˃Ε (Kleodoros) behind. / Lion stdg l., devouring prey. A above, ˃Ε below. ex: VEΛHTΩN. gVF. Bt. Stack's Bowers 2011. CG #931. HN Italy 1296; HGC 1 #1314; Williams Velia pd.6 #351 (O.181/R.254); SNG Ashmolean II #1279-1281; SNG Blackburn 104; SNG Fitzwilliam I #673; BnF Gallica 1563 (cb41833487b). SNG ANS - ; SNG Cop - .1 commentsAnaximander06/29/22 at 07:36Pharsalos: Gorgeous coin, fine classical style.
Campania_Neapolis_SNG-ANS338.jpg
Campania, Neapolis.Greek Italy. Campania. 320-300 BC. AR Nomos (7.47 gm, 19mm, 6h) of Neapolis. Head of nymph Parthenope right, with pendant earring, dolphins around. / Nike crowning man-headed bull walking right, ΟΥΙΛ below. Ex: [NEO]POΛITΩ[N]. VF. Pegasi Numismatics Auction XXI #40. SNG ANS 1 #337-339; SNG Cop 1 (Italy) #413-414; HN Italy 576 (pl.10); HGC 1 #452; McClean Coll. I #242; Sambon 458 (plate III); Weber Coll. I #330 (pl.18).2 commentsAnaximander06/29/22 at 07:32Pharsalos: Lovely dies, lovely surfaces.
Bruttium_Lokroi_Epizephyrioi_SNG-ANS513.jpg
Bruttium, Lokroi Epizephyrioi. Pegasus and Helmeted Athena Stater.Greek Italy. Bruttium. 350-274 BC. AR Stater (8.65 gm, 21mm, 6h) of Lokroi Epizephyrioi. Bridled Pegasus flying left, thunderbolt beneath. / Head of Athena left in Corinthian helmet and wearing pearl necklace, ΛΟΚΡΩΝ to left. EF. Bt. Rare Coins & Classical Arts, NJ, 2000. SNG ANS 3 #513-515; HN Italy 2342; HGC 1 #1574; Pegasi II (Locris) #11/2; ACNAC Dewing #521; Pozzi Paolini Gp II, g; SNG Cop 1 (Italy) #1869; SNG Lloyd 648; SNG Ashmolean II #1549, 1550, 1555; SNG Delepierre 482. cf. Triton XXV #44 (same obv. die).1 commentsAnaximander06/29/22 at 07:31Pharsalos: Beautiful coin, very nice strike both sides.
vlasto_197.jpg
CALABRIA, Taras. Circa 450-425 BC. AR Nomos8.10 gm.
Dolphin rider l., with both arms extended; beneath, pecten.
Rev. Oecist seated r. on stool, holding staff and cantharus.
Vlasto 197. SNG France 1164 (these dies). F.B. 161. Historia Numorum Italy 844.
Lightly toned and extremely fine.
Ex: from Vinchon collection(1951).
3 commentsLeo06/29/22 at 07:27Pharsalos: Beautiful and interesting dies.
Licinius_follis.jpeg
Licinius II follisLicinius Follis, struck AD 321-324 at Alexandria mint.
Obv. D N VAL LICIN LICINIVS NOB C, helmeted and cuirassed bust left, holding spear over shoulder and with shield on left arm.
Rev. IOVI CONSERVATORI / SMALA (in exergue), Jupiter standing left holding Victory and scepter, eagle and captive at feet, XIIΓ in right field.
20 mm, 3,43 gr.
RIC 30
1 commentsMarsman10/09/21 at 06:34Pharsalos: Great dies both sides!
RE_FaustinaJunior_RIC_3(M_Aurelius)686_.jpg
Faustina Junior, Augusta and wife of Marcus Aurelius. Hilaritas Denarius.Roman Empire. Faustina Junior, Augusta and wife of Marcus Aurelius. †175 AD. AR Denarius (3.37 gm, 18.8mm, 1h) of Rome, 161-175 AD. Draped bust of Faustina, right. FAVSTINA AVGVSTA. / Hilaritas standing left, holding cornucopiae and palm frond. HILARITAS. EF. Bt. Herakles Numismatics, 2004. RIC III (M. Aurelius) #686; BMCRE (same) 100; RSC II #111; MIR 15; SRCV II #5254.1 commentsAnaximander10/09/21 at 06:26Pharsalos: Fantastic portrait, great reverse detail, and beau...
GR_Crete_Gortyna_SNG-Cop-3-443v_.jpg
Crete, Gortyna. Europa & Eagle Stater.Greece. Crete. c. 330-270 BC. AR stater (15.23 gm, 24.0mm, 2h) of Gortyna. Europa seated facing in tree, raising her veil and hand on the back of eagle with its wings spread. / Bull standing right, head reverted. VF Bt. Herakles Numismatics, 2021. Ex-Thomas Bentley Cederlind, CNG 102 #318; Hirsch 275 (22 Sept 2011) #3648; G. Hirsch 135 (19 Jan 1982), #380. SNG Cop. 3 (Argolis-Aegean Islands) #443v; BMC Crete 30; Boston MFA 117; Svoronos Crète p.168 #84 (pl.XV #7) (same obv die). cf. Heritage Auction 3061 #29134.1 commentsAnaximander09/30/21 at 12:11Pharsalos: Lovely example of this interesting type.
Larissa_Trihemiobol_Facing_Head_L_Horse_Rider_R.jpg
000993 Larissa ¾ Left, Rider on Horse Prancing RightThessaly Greece, the City of Larissa

Obv: Head of the nymph Larissa 3/4 facing l., an ampyx in her hair, wearing a simple necklace and what looks like a single globule earring hanging from the bottom of the base of the last lock of hair on the r. All within a border of dots.
Rev: Thessalian cavalryman on prancing horse r., wearing chlamys and petasos. ΛAPI above l., Σ downwards in front of horse, AIΩN in exergue below the ground line.
Denomination: silver trihemiobol; Mint: Larissa; Date: c. late 4th/early 3rd Century BC1; Weight: 1.38g; Diameter: 13.3mm: Die axis: 180º; References, for example: BMC Thessaly p. 30 nos. 69 and 70, pl. VI, no. 6; Weber 2855, pl. 110; McClean 4631, pl. on p. 173, no. 25; SNG Cop vol. 11, 134; SGCV I 2128; SNG Ashmolean 3890 and 3891; BCD Thessaly II 341; HGC 4, 515.

Notes:
1This is the date provided in BCD Thessaly II.

Provenance: Ex. Zuzim September 16, 2021.

Photo Credits: Zuzim

CLICK FOR SOURCES

3 commentsTracy Aiello09/30/21 at 12:08Pharsalos: Beautiful coin.
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RIC 1071 VespasianAR Quinarius, 1.55g
Rome mint, 79 AD
Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS COS IX; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev: VICTORY AVGVSTI; Victory adv. r., with wreath and palm
RIC 1071 (R2). BMC -. RSC -. BNC -.
Acquired from Numismeo, September 2021. Ex ALDE, 19 October 2016, lot 240.

Vespasianic quinarii are extremely rare, and none more so than those struck in 79. When the new RIC II.1 was published only one specimen was known residing in the Budapest collection. In 2016 the present coin came up for auction and later was cited by the RIC authors in the Addenda & Corrigenda as the second known example. Owing to their extreme rarity, it's likely these quinarii may have been struck just prior to Vespasian's death in June. Vespasian revived the quinarius after a long hiatus going back to the time of Augustus. Striking this denomination was quite in keeping with the antiquarian flavour of the Rome mint during his reign.
3 commentsDavid Atherton09/30/21 at 11:45Pharsalos: Very nice, great rarity.
Constantinople_35d.jpg
Constantine I CONSTANTINIANA DAFNE ConstantinopleConstantine I
A.D. 328
Ӕ nummus 20mm 3.7g
CONSTANTINVS MAX AVG; diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right, with left shoulder raised up (possibly an adlocutio).
CONSTANTINIANA DAFNE; Victory seated l. on cippus, palm branch in left hand and laurel branch in right hand, looking r.; trophy at front, at the foot is a kneeling captive with head turned being spurned by Victory; Δ in left.
in ex. CONS
RIC VII Constantinople 35

bust variation
1 commentsVictor C09/30/21 at 11:41Pharsalos: Beautiful and interesting.
Constantinople_22s.jpg
Constantine I GLORIA EXERCITVS ConstantinopleConstantine I
A.D. 327-8
Ӕ nummus 18x19mm 3.2g
CONSTANTINVS MAX AVG; rosette diademed head right.
GLORIA EXERCITVS; Soldier holding reversed spear in right, left hand on shield S in left field.
in ex. CONS
RIC VII Constantinople 22

Ex-Peter Weiß
1 commentsVictor C09/30/21 at 11:40Pharsalos: Spectacular, what a wonderful strike.
Licinius_IOM_ET_VIRTVTI.jpg
Licinius & Licinius Jr. I O M ET VIRTVTI DD NN AVG ET CAES from AntiochLicinius I & Licinius II
Ӕ nummus A.D. 318
21mm 4.2g
D D N N IOVII LICINII INVICT AVG ET CAES; laureate and draped confronted busts, together holding trophy of arms.
I O M ET VIRTVTI DD NN AVG ET CAES; Jupiter stg. Left, chlamys across l. shoulder, leaning on scepter, in front of trophy, at foot of which two captives are seated on either side.
In ex. SMATB
RIC VII Antioch –

This coin was listed in RIC VII as Heraclea 50 by Bruun, because he
thought the mintmark read SMHT[A] instead of SMAT[A]. This error was addressed by Pierre Bastien in his article “Coins with a Double Effigy Issued by Licinius at Nicomedia, Cyzicus, and Antioch.” NC 13 (1973) : 87.
1 commentsVictor C09/30/21 at 11:38Pharsalos: Fantastic coin, what an obverse!
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Calabria. Taras. Alexander the Molossian, King of Epeiros, 350-330 B.C. AV 1/12 Stater0.60 gms
HGC-3.1, 255; cf. HN Italy-906; Vlasto-1864-5.
Obverse: Radiate head of Helios facing slightly left;
Reverse: Thunderbolt.
Despite the noted edge bend--an easy occurrence given the small module--this alluring and RARE specimen presents a great overall strike with some hints of brilliance and a charming golden-orange tone.
1 commentsLeo08/31/21 at 11:38Pharsalos: Wow, amazing coin.
Gordian_III_Felicitas_Sestertius.jpg
Gordian III. AD 238-244. Æ Sestertius (29mm, 21.20 g, 12h). Rome mint, 1st officina. 12th emission, AD 243. Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Felicitas standing left, holding caduceus and cornucopia. RIC IV 330; Banti 29.1 commentspaul188808/31/21 at 11:35Pharsalos: Outstanding portrait!
Septimius_50.jpg
Septimius Severus Denarius RIC IVa 207Septimius Severus AR denarius

2.71g, 19.3mm, 0 degrees, Rome mint, 207 CE.

Attribution: RIC IVa 207. Cohen 493. BMCRE V 531-532.

O: SEVERVS PIVS AVG, laureate head right.

R: P M TR P XV COS III P P, Africa, wearing elephant-skin head dress, standing right, holding out drapery with fruits in its fold, at feet, right, a lion.

53 examples in Reka Devnia, Mouchmov P.101.

Ex-Zuzim Inc. NY, NY.
1 commentsRon C208/13/21 at 02:34Pharsalos: What, no enormous flan crack? Nice.
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CARACALLADenario Caracalla 199-200 AC

Ceca: Roma
Peso:3,62 gr.
Diam: 19 mm

RIC 35 Escasa. EF

Estado excepcional

Ex-ibercoin 2021

Anv: ANTONINVS AVGVSTVS
Rev: FELICITAS AVGG
1 commentsJose Vicente A08/13/21 at 02:32Pharsalos: Fantastic denarius.
Vlasto_140.jpg
CALABRIA, Taras. Circa 470-465 BC. AR Nomos18.5mm, 8.05 g, 7h
Taras, nude, raising left hand and supporting himself with his right, riding dolphin right; TARAS (retrograde) to left, scallop shell below / Head of nymph (Satyra?) left in linear circle within concave incuse. Fischer-Bossert Group 5, 91b (V41/R60) = Vlasto 140 (this coin, illustrated in both references); HN Italy 838; Berlin 65 (same dies). VF, old cabinet tone, a few marks.

From the Gasvoda Collection. Ex M. L. Collection of Coins of Magna Graecia and Sicily (Numismatica Ars Classica 82, 20 May 2015), lot 4; A. D. Moretti Collection; Classical Numismatic Group 40 (with Numismatica Ars Classica, 4 December 1996), lot 575; Hess-Leu [11] (24 March 1959), lot 5; Kricheldorf IV (7 October 1957), lot 26; Münzen und Medaillen AG VIII (8 December 1949), lot 696; Michel Pandely Vlasto Collection; Maddalena Collection (Sambon & Canessa, 7 May 1903), lot 244.
1 commentsLeo08/13/21 at 02:30Pharsalos: Amazing coin and provenance.
Julia_Domna_sestertius.jpg
2. Julia Domna (Augusta, AD 193-217)Denomination: AE Sestertius
Date: AD 215, struck under Caracalla.
Obv: IVLIA PIA FELIX AVG, diademed and draped bust right.
Rev: SAECVLI FELICITAS S C, Felicitas standing left, sacrificing out of patera over altar and holding sceptre.
Diameter: 31mm
Weight: 26.52 g
Mint: Rome
RIC IV 590
Ex Jack A. Frazer Collection.
Ex Classical Numismatic Group 117 (19 May 2021), lot 577.
Ex Classical Numismatic Group Triton XXIII (14 Jan 2020), lot 797.
Ex James Fox Collection.
Ex Classical Numismatic Group 40 with Numismatica Ars Classica (14 Dec 1996), lot 1573.
Ex Leu 50 (25 April 1990), lot 335.
1 commentsRomancollector08/13/21 at 02:24Pharsalos: Beautiful, exceptional both sides!
Cnaeus_Pompey_Jr_denarius.jpg
1. Cnaeus Pompey Jr.Denomination: AR Denarius
Date: 46-45 BC
Obv: Head of Roma right, in Corinthian helmet; before, M POBLICI LEG PRO, behind, P R.
Rev: CN MAGNVS IMP, Hispania standing right, holding two spearrs over shoulder and presenting palm frond to Pompeian soldier standing left on prow, armed and with sword.
Diameter: 18.5mm
Weight: 3.90 grams
Mint: Corduba
Crawford 469/1a
Ex Classical Numismatic Review Vol XLVI No. 1 (Winter 2021), 559027.
Ex CNG Feature Auction 115 (15 September 2020), lot 592.
2 commentsRomancollector08/13/21 at 02:23Pharsalos: Wow, amazing reverse strike.
Vlasto_1036.jpg
CALABRIA, Taras. Campano-Tarentine series, c. 281-272 BC. AR Nomos20mm, 7.10g, 5h
Diademed head of nymph l. R.
Youth on horseback r., crowning horse with wreath; star to upper l., dolphin and TA below.
Vlasto 1036–7; HNItaly 1098.
Toned, VF
1 commentsLeo08/13/21 at 02:20Pharsalos: Very nice, pretty obverse.
Vlasto_82-1.jpg
GREEK, Italy, CALABRIA, Taras. Circa 480-470 BC. AR Nomos18mm, 7.67 g
Taras, nude, both arms outstretched, riding dolphin left; scallop shell below.
Wheel of four spokes; in each quarter, dolphin leaping right.
Fischer-Bossert Group 4, 70 (V31/R54); Vlasto 82 (same dies); HN Italy 833; SNG BN 1587 = de Luynes 262 (same dies); McClean 531 (same dies).
Iridescent tone, minor die wear. VF.
Very rare, only one other example in CoinArchives.
4 commentsLeo07/04/21 at 12:26Pharsalos: Beautiful!
Septimius_48.jpg
Septimius Severus Denarius RIC IVa 1Septimius Severus AR denarius

3.81g, 17.8mm, 180 degrees, Rome mint, 194 CE

Attribution: RIC IVa 1. Cohen 146. BMCRE V 6.

O: IMP CAE L SEP SEV PERT AVG, laureate head right.

R: FIDEI LEG TR P COS, Fides standing left, holding Victory and standard.

17 examples in Reka Devnia, Mouchmov P.94.

Ex-Editions V. Gadoury, Monaco, Online auction 31, Lot 149, 18 June 2021.
5 commentsRon C207/04/21 at 12:22Pharsalos: That is a beautiful coin and a great portrait, I d...
Constantine_I_half_argenteus.jpg
1. Constantine I (AD 307/310-337)Denomination: AR Half Argenteus
Date: AD 306-307
Obv: IMP CONSTANTINVS AVG, laureate and cuirassed bust right, slight drapery on left shoulder.
Rev: VIRTVS MILITVM, four-turreted camp gate; no doors; PTR.
Diameter: 15mm
Weight: 1.6 grams
Mint: Trier mint, 1st officina
Ex Praefectus Coins
Ex Gorny & Mosch Auction 276 (19 April 2021), lot 645.
Ex Credit Suisse Bern Auction 4 (4 December 1985), lot 624.
Ex British Museum Collection
1 commentsRomancollector07/04/21 at 12:04Pharsalos: Beautiful example and provenance.
vlasto_650~1.jpg
Greek, Catalogue of the Collection of Tarentine Coins formed by M. P. Vlasto #650GREEK, Italy, CALABRIA, Taras. AR Nomos. Circa 290-281 BC.
7.72 g, Helmeted horseman galloping l., holding spears and shield decorated with dolphin; below, KAΛ and around, A - Z - Λ.
Rev. ΤΑΡΑΣ Dolphin rider l., holding distaff; in l. field, COI and in r. field, trident pointing downwards.
Vlasto 650 (these dies). SNG Sweden II, 157. Fischer-Bossert 1136b (this coin illustrated). Historia Numorum Italy 940.
Rare. Of pleasant style and with a lovely iridescent tone, minor marks, otherwise about extremely fine Ex Vinchon sale 13th April 1985, 22.
2 commentsLeo04/15/21 at 12:42Pharsalos: Amazing coin, that obverse is spectacular. ‘pleasa...
Captura_de_pantalla_2021-04-09_a_las_18_56_11.png
TRAJANTrajan AR Denarius. AD 116-117.

RIC 328; RSC 189.

Very Fine. Extremely Rare.
Aegis on left shoulder not cuirassed

Ceca : Roma
Peso :3,23 gr
Diam: 18.mm
9h



Anverso:IMP CAES NER TRAIAN OPTIM AVG GERM [DAC], laureate, bare-chested 'heroic' bust with aegis on far shoulder /
Reverso: PARTHICO P M [TR P COS VI P P] S P Q R, bust of Sol to right, radiate and draped.

From the collection of an antiquarian, Bavaria c. 1960s-1990s.
Ex-Roma Numismatics auct-59 2019
1 commentsJose Vicente A04/15/21 at 11:48Pharsalos: Nice aegis!
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LUCANIA, Velia. 290-270 BC. AR Nomos (7.44 gm). Helmeted head of Athena decorated with griffin / Lion attacking stag. Williams.567 (o) (this coin). Nicely toned VF+, full crest. ex R T Williams collection. Ex: Baldwin’s Auction 75, lot 2264, September 26, 2012.3 commentspaul188804/15/21 at 11:45Pharsalos: Beautiful!
414-1-3_97g-blk.jpg
Crawford 414/1 L. Furius Cn.F Brocchus DenariusDenomination: Denarius
Era: C. 63 BC
Metal: AR
Obverse: Head of Ceres r.; behind, corn ear and III; before, barley grain and VIR; below, BROCCHI,

Reverse: Curule chair; on either side, fasces; above, L FVRI / CN F.

Mint: Rome
Weight: 3.97g
Reference: Crawford 414/1
Provenance: Roma Numismatics Auction 20, lot 433;
Ex Numismatica Ars Classica AG, Auction 106, 9 May 2018, lot 438

Comments: Lovely style and toning. Unually sharp reverse with fasces fully defined. Superb EF.
2 comments04/15/21 at 11:35Pharsalos: An exceptional example.
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Julius Caesar - Denarius, Crawford 485/1Denomination: Denarius
Era: c. 43 BC
Metal: AR
Obverse: Laureate head of Caesar r., border of dots

Reverse: Pax (or possibly Venus) standing l. holding caduceus & scepter; on r., L. FLAMINVS, downwards; on l., IIII. VIR upwards

Mint: Rome
Weight: 3.70 gm.
Reference: Crawford 485/1
Provenance: Superior Galleries, The Dr. Feori Pipito Collection Sale, lot 780, December 12, 1987.

Bankers mark on laurel crown and test cut on edge about 12:30, Otherwise, well centered, nicely toned GVF.
3 comments04/15/21 at 11:33Pharsalos: Wow, that is a nice portrait.
Alexander-NFA-June1986-Blk.jpg
Alexander of Macedon - Tetradrachm of AmphipolisDenomination: Tetradrachm
Era: After 323 BC
Metal: AR
Obverse: Head of Hercules in Lion Scalp

Reverse: Jupiter seated l. holding staff in l. eagle in r. ΑΛΕΣΑΝΔΡΟΥ along r. paralell with staff. Torch mintmark of amphipolis

Mint: Amphipolis
Weight: 17.05 gm.
Reference: Muller 81 var.
Provenance: NFA Summer Mail Bid Sale, June 27, 1986, lot 202; Ex Superior Stamp and Coin Co., Inc. Dr Walter Lee Crouch Collection, June 13-16, 1977, lot 2577

Remarkable obverse style. GVF.
3 comments04/15/21 at 11:29Pharsalos: Stunning obverse, what is the weight?
hadrian-nilus.jpg
Hadrian (Nile River)Denarius of Hadrian, emperor of Rome 117-138
"Travel series"
Nile River (Nilus)
RIC 310
RIC II.3 1547
O: HADRIANVS AVG COS III PP
R: NILVS

Ex- CNG
2 commentsSt. George's Collection03/16/21 at 10:59Pharsalos: That is one handsome coin.
Pak2tdrcombo7.jpg
Parthia -- Pakoros II., 78 - 105 ADAR tdr., 9,08gr, 27,45mm; Sellwood 75.5, Shore -, Sunrise -, Sinisi Type II, p. 86;
mint: Seleukia; axis: 12h;
obv.: bare-headed, left, w/facing torso; 4-layer diadem, 1 loop and 2 broad ribbons; medium-long hair in 4 waves of curls, short chin beard and sideburns(?); 3-layer necklace; tunic w/ornamental border; in upper right field Δ; dotted border 11 to 16h;
rev.: king, left, on horseback, facing goddess w/staff or sceptre offering diadem in right hand behind her male figure w/untied diadem(?); only 4 letters of top 2 lines of legend readable: IΛ and IΛ; year between the heads ΔΦT (82/83 AD), month in exergue unreadable;
1 commentsSchatz03/16/21 at 10:56Pharsalos: Wonderful coin, Very interesting reverse type.
673PACNG900.jpg
Cr 449/2 C. Vibius C.f. C.n. Pansa Caetronianus 48 b.c.e.. Rome mint.
o: Head of young Bacchus (or Liber) right, wearing ivy-wreath; PA[NSA] downward to left
r: Ceres advancing right, holding a torch in each hand; plow to right; C • VIBIVS • C • F • C • N downward around left
HCRI 21; Vibia 16.
17.5mm, 4.06 gm, 6h

Ah, Pansa. Issuing as a Caesarian moneyer, this relatively hopeful type did not accurately predict Pansa's future retirement to the joys of Bacchus, or even to see many future coming Springs when Ceres returns from the underworld. Pansa was perhaps the unhappiest man in Rome in the year following Caesar’s murder.
As consul in 43, nominally one of the two most important men in the Roman state, he was caught between the factions in Italy and seemingly tried to bring about a reconciliation. Antonius and Octavian would have none of it, and, with Cicero carping at the consuls to do something, Pansa headed out to reinforce Hirtius at Mutina. His raw recruits fell apart when Antonius jumped them; Pansa was mortally wounded, or at least that is what was said after he died unexpectedly -- miraculous to report, Octavian was on hand to pick up the reins.
Pansa’s similar reverse types have two snakes pulling Ceres in what is usually described as a “chariot” but proportioned more like a child’s toy wagon.
This specimen is quite nice, and even better in hand, with wonderful tone. I'd prefer to have the full name on the obverse, of course.
2 commentsPMah03/16/21 at 10:52Pharsalos: Beautiful coin.
821NAC543885.jpg
Cr 448/3 L. Hostilius Saserna AR Denarius 48 b.c.e., Rome
o: Female Gallic head r. with long hair; behind, carnyx
rL L·HOSTILIVS – SASERNA Artemis of Ephesus standing facing, holding spear, w/ r. hand on head of prancing stag.

HCRI 19. Hostilia 4.
3.64 gm.

Issued by an obscure Caesarian moneyer, this type advertises Caesar’s capture of Massilia, an unwanted diversion on his rapid first strike “I go to Spain to fight an army without a general…” against the Pompeians.
Caesar, always quick to turn necessity into virtue, advertises his mercy in addition to his time-consuming victory, the female Gaul not being clearly captive (as on issues reflecting the Gallic War itself), as mostly-friendly-Greek Massilia was spared the usual sack, massacre and enslavement. He also honors their favorite imported Eastern goddess on the reverse (which may be a depiction of the cult statue from the recently non-sacked temple).
Notably, the defense was led by Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus, who escaped with his son, soon to be Imperator Gnaeus, whose issue Cr. 519/2 is described in this gallery. (Lucius was killed after Pharsalus, supposedly by Antonius himself.)
1 commentsPMah03/16/21 at 10:51Pharsalos: Gorgeous example of this fascinating type.
vlasto_331~0.png
GREEK, Italy, CALABRIA, Taras. AR Nomos. Circa 400-390 BC.7.88 gms
Vlasto-331; HN Italy-850.
Obverse: Nude youth, holding whip, on horse rearing left; Λ below;
Reverse: Phalanthos, holding aphlaston, on dolphin left.
An EXTREMELY RARE earlier issue, this example features even wear but some rather attracting gray tone throughout.
This particular obverse appears to be used only on Vlasto-331, which the author notes as being "presumed unique," a clear indicator of the the rarity of the type.
1 commentsLeo03/16/21 at 10:50Pharsalos: Gorgeous coin, the die style is so unusual and dis...
Vlasto_142~0.jpg
GREEK, Italy, CALABRIA, Taras. Circa 480-450 BC. AR Nomos18mm, 7.88 gm, 12h
TARAS, Taras astride dolphin right, left hand outstretched; scallop shell below, dotted border on raised bank.
Female head left (Satyra?); within linear circle, all with incuse circle.
Vlasto 142, HN Italy 838. A rare early issue with light golden toning.
1 commentsLeo03/16/21 at 10:44Pharsalos: Awesome example of this early type.
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Nerva Silver DenariusNerva (18 Sep 96 - 25 Jan 98 CE), Silver Denarius, RIC II 2, RSC II 16, BMCRE III 6, BnF III 3, Hunter I 2, SRCV II -, gVF, boldly and sharply struck on good metal, nicely toned, minor marks, obverse and reverse slightly off-centre, some legends off-flan, plain edge, weight 2.98g, composition Ag, diameter 18.0×17.0mm, thickness 2.42mm, die axis 210°, Rome mint, 19 Sep - Dec 96 CE; obverse IMP N[ERVA CAES AVG] P M TR P COS II P P, laureate head right; reverse [CONCOR]DIA EXERCITVVM (Concord of the Armies), clasped hands; from the Roger Belmar Collection; ex Silbury Coins (6 Mar 2021); £325.00.5 commentsSerendipity03/16/21 at 10:41Pharsalos: Beautiful example.
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NERON Denario Neron 64 A.c

Ceca: Roma

RIC 55 Rare VF+

Anverso: IMP NERO CAESAR AUGUSTUS. Cabeza laureada derecha
Reverso: ROMA sentada izquierda, portando Victoria.

Peso: 3,46 gr.
Diam: 18,9 mm.

Procedente de casa de subastas alemana
3 commentsJose Vicente A03/16/21 at 10:38Pharsalos: That is a great one.
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091a01. Constantius IIAE2. 21.38mm, 3.58 g. Constantinople mint. Obv: D N CONSTANTIVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust left with orb. Rev: FEL TEMP REPARATIO, Emperor in military dress standing left with labarum, two captives standing before. Mintmark CONSA star. Constantinople RIC VIII 87.1 commentslawrence c03/16/21 at 10:37Pharsalos: Wonderful example, not easy to find in this qualit...
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Entella3 commentsBrennos03/16/21 at 10:36Pharsalos: Stunning dies, you have an amazing collection.
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Athens - tetradrachmAttique, Athènes 490-482 BC Tétradrachme 17.08g
A:/ Tête d'Athéna à dr. coiffée d'un casque attique à cimier, les cheveux rangés en petites vagues autour du front tombant sur la tempe en natte.
R:/ AθE Chouette debout à droite, la tête de face , à g. une pousse d'Olivier.
Seltman Groupe M, Svoronos pl.5 34
1 commentsBrennos03/16/21 at 10:34Pharsalos: Wow, great coin!
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Agathocles4 commentsBrennos03/16/21 at 10:32Pharsalos: Breathtaking, the obverse die especially.
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D. Iunius Brutus Albinus - denarius - Sear 426, Sear Imperators 25, Cr 450/1a1 commentsLimes03/16/21 at 10:29Pharsalos: Great example of this interesting type.
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Domitian - Sear 2740, Van Meter 47, RIC 144An awesome reverse, with a mighty eagle1 commentsLimes03/16/21 at 10:28Pharsalos: Beautiful example!
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Caracalla - Sestertius - Sear 6938, Clive Foss 87, RIC 544The reverse refers to the massacre of the troops of Caracalla in Alexandria during a visit of the emperor to the tomb of Alexander the Great in 215 AD. The story goes that the emperor heard that the populace of Alexandria spoke ill of him. He then marched his whole army into the city, after notifying the citizens first to stay at home. According to the historian Cassius Dio: "And, to pass over the details of the calamities that then befell the wretched city, he slaughtered so many persons that he did not even venture to say anything about their number, but wrote to the senate that it was of no interest how many of them or who had died, since all had deserved to suffer this fate.” 1 commentsLimes03/16/21 at 10:26Pharsalos: Great sestertius, not one you see everyday.
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Caracalla - Van Meter 4/1, Sear 6769, RIC 260BA beautiful, heavy antoninianus1 commentsLimes03/16/21 at 10:24Pharsalos: Beautiful coin!
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Trajan - sestertius Sear 3206, Clive Foss 18, RIC 572The reverse refers to the first Dacian war, and the dedication of a triumphal arch to Jupiter Optimus Maximus (i.o.m. in pedestal, barely visibile on my specimen)1 commentsLimes03/16/21 at 10:19Pharsalos: Wonderful reverse type, I’ve never seen it before.
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Athens, Attica454-431 BC
AR Tetradrachm (24mm, 16.95g)
O: Head of Athena with archaic eye right, wearing Attic helmet decorated with palmette and olive leaves.
R: Owl standing right, head facing; olive sprig and cresent moon above, AΘE to right, all within incuse square.
SNG Cop 31; Kroll 8; Sear 2526
ex Steven Battelle

With her almond eye and Mona Lisa-like grin, along with her companion owl (Athene Noctua), these classic 5th century tetradrachms from Athens are truly THE iconic ancient coin.
7 commentsEnodia03/16/21 at 10:17Pharsalos: Lovely example, pretty dies both sides.
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Thrace, Griffin & Hermes Tetradrachm of Abdera.Thrace. Abdera. 355/354 BC. AR Tetradrachm or double siglos (11.38 gm, 17mm, 1h). Eagle-Griffin rearing left from its base. ΑΒΔΗ above. / Hermes standing right, wearing petasos and chlamys, holding rod. Kantharos in field to right. ΕΠΙ ꞮΗΝΩΝΟΣ. Zenon, magistrate. EF. Very Rare. Bt. Louis di Lauro, Coral Gables, 2000. Chryssanthaki-Nagle p.127 pd.VII (plate 8 #8); HGC 3.2 #1206; May Abdera 447 (A301/P355); Imhoof-Blumer MG #6 (Abdera, plate C #2); Weber 2378 (same obv. die). cf.Triton XII #127 (same dies); Roma Numismatics XX #144.7 commentsAnaximander01/29/21 at 08:05Pharsalos: Amazing, the griffin especially is spectacular.
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Syracuse, Hieron II. Apollo and Isis 2 1/2 LitraGreek Sicily. Syracuse, Hieron II. 274-216 BC. AR 2 1/2 Litra (2.22 gm, 14.1mm, 3h) struck 216-215 BC. Laureate head of Apollo left. / Isis standing left, holding scroll and palm branch, veil billowing behind, E in right field. ΣΥΡΑΚΟΣΙΟΙ. gVF. CNG 51 #156. Rare. Same dies: SNG Lockett 1024; Caltabiano et al. Siracusa #299 (D1/R1); Carroccio BAR 69; HGC 2 #1420; SNG Lloyd 1571 = Pozzi 666; SNG Fitzwilliam 1440. cf. CNG 106 #54.
References disagree on the date of this type, from 275 BC (Hieron II) to the end of the 5th Republic in 212 BC.
1 commentsAnaximander01/29/21 at 07:57Pharsalos: Very beautiful!
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RIC 212Denarius, 103-111
Obv: IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS V P P
Bust r., laur.
Rev: S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI
Trajan crowned by Victory standing on r.

3.30g, 19mm
Woytek 185b (34 specimen)
1 commentsklausklage01/28/21 at 09:13Pharsalos: Spectacular reverse!
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Theodosius I, Gloria Rom, Antioch.Theodosius I - Gloria Romanorvm
Maiorina, Antioch mint.
24 mm, 6,2 g.
aUNC.
1 commentsFlamur H01/28/21 at 09:08Pharsalos: Wonderful example, the details are so sharp!
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Agrippa & AugustusAgrippa & Augustus, dupondius.
Mint Gaul Nemausus, ca 10-14 AD.
Obv. Back-to-back heads, Agrippa left, wearing rostral crown and Augustus right, laureate; IMP above, P P across fields, DIVI F below.
Rev. Crocodile right, chained to palm branch with long vertical fronds; above, wreath with long ties, palms below; COL NEM.
27 mm 13,12 g.
RIC I 160 RPC 525
1 commentsMarsman11/14/20 at 08:03Pharsalos: Beautiful example!
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PROBUS RIC 861 VAR. H7 BUST OFFICINA 1OBVERSE: IMP C M AVR PROBVS P F AVG
REVERSE: SOLI INVICTO
BUST TYPE: H7 = Radiate bust right in imperial mantle (toga picta and tunica palmata) without scipio
FIELD / EXERGUE MARKS: -/-//KA•A•
WEIGHT 3.81g / AXIS: h / WIDTH 21mm
RIC 861 VAR. (H7 BUST UNLISTED)
COLLECTION NO. 1206

Note: very rare and desirable bust type !

6th specimen of this type known to me
2 commentsBarnaba609/27/20 at 11:54Pharsalos: Spectacular coin, wonderful details and toning!
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Tauric Chersonesos, Chersonesos, Artemis, bullTAURIC CHERSONESOS. Chersonesos.
Circa 300-290 BC.
Syriskos, magistrate

Obv: Artemis Parthenos running to left, holding bow in his left hand and spearing fallen stag; to right, countermark: dolphin to right within round incuse
Rev. ΣΥRΙΣ[ΚΟΥ] Bull butting left.
AE, 21 mm, 7.32 g, 6 h
Ref.: SNG BM Black Sea 772. SNG Stancomb 480 (this coin).

From the William Stancomb Collection; this coin published in Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum, Great Britain, Volume XI, The William Stancomb Collection of Coins of the Black Sea Region (Oxford, 2000).
Ex Leu Numismatik, Webauktion 13, Lot139
Ex Roma Numismatics, Auction 18, Lot 356
1 commentsshanxi09/27/20 at 11:45Pharsalos: Beautiful design.
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Constantius I. Tetrarchs sacrificing outside camp gate. Argentus of Nicomedia.Roman Empire. Constantius I. 293-305 AD. AR Argentus (3.40 gm, 19.4mm, 12h) of Nicomedia, officina 3, 295 AD. Laureate head right, CONSTANTIVS CAESAR. / Diocletian, Maximian, Constantius, & Galerius sacrificing over tripod outside camp gate with six turrets, PROVIDENTAIE AVGG. Ex: SMN Γ. gVF. Bt. Guy Clark 2003. RIC VI p.555 #18; Pink p.27 #2; RSC V #245Aa; SRCV IV #13942.1 commentsAnaximander09/27/20 at 11:40Pharsalos: One of the most beautiful argentii(?) I’ve ever se...
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Asia Minor, Aiolis, Kyme, Athena, SwanAsia Minor, Aeolis, Kyme
Pseudo-autonomous issue AD 117-161. (Hadrian or Antoninus Pius)
Obv: ΚYΜΑΙ, Head of Athena right
Rev.: ΕΠΙ ΙΕΡΩΝVΜΟV, swan standing, right
AE, 15 mm, 2,61g.
Ref.: RPC IV.2, 211 (temporary), BMC 101, MG 272, no. 224
1 commentsshanxi09/27/20 at 11:37Pharsalos: Great coin, can’t believe it’s 2nd century AD
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1650 Hadrian Sestertius, Roma 130-38 AD Dacia Reference.
RIC II, 849; Strack 715: RIC 1650; Banti 237

Bust C2

Obv. HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P
Laureate, draped, bust viewed from side

Rev. S C in field; DACIA in ex.
Dacia seated left, on pile of rocks, with foor on helmet, holding standard and falx (curved sword)

26.93 gr
34 mm
12h
1 commentsokidoki09/27/20 at 11:35Pharsalos: Not a ‘travel’ type you see often, beautiful.
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Constantine I the Great. Eyes Raised Siliqua of Constantinople.Roman Empire. Constantine I. 306-337 AD. AR Siliqua (2.48 gm, 18.7mm, 12h) of Constantinople, 326 AD. Head right with rosette-diadem, looking upwards. / Victory standing left holding wreath and palm, CONSTANTINVS AVG. ex: CONS. nEF. Flan crack. Bt. Guy Clark, Charlotte, 2010. RIC VII p.570 #5; RSC V #97k; SRCV IV #15848.1 commentsAnaximander09/27/20 at 11:27Pharsalos: Stunning coin, beautiful dies and toning.
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1282 Hadrian Sestertius Roma 129-30 AD Galley leftReference.
RIC II –; RIC II.3 1282 (this coin referenced and illustrated); Strack –;Banti –.

Bust C2

Obv. HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS
Laureate, draped bust, viewed from side

Rev. FELICITATI AVG COS III P P in three lines above, S C across field
Galley moving left with stearman and six rowers; vexillum on prow.

27 gr
32.50 mm
12h

Note.
From the Toliver Besson Collection, purchased from Jon Jencek (14 December 2012). Ex Goldberg 5.3 (7 June 2000), lot 3582; Earl Fitzwilliam’s Wentworth Estates Company Collection (Christie’s, 30 May 1949), lot 124 (part of).

This very rare Hadrian Sestertius was part of the highly important collection of Roman Brass Coins and Medallions originally formed in the mid-eighteenth century, and sold by order of The Earl Fitzwilliam’s Wentworth Estates Company. Spring notes that the coins came from the collections of the Museo del Padri Corsini acquired in Italy in 1748, and the Abbé Visconti, President of the Society of Antiquaries in Rome, purchased about 1774.
4 commentsokidoki09/27/20 at 11:23Pharsalos: Agreed, that is an amazing coin!
1529Hadrian_RIC2370.jpg
2370 Hadrian Sestertius, Roma 130-38 AD AequitasReference.
RIC 2370; RIC II, 743; Strack 650; C. 125; Banti 85

Bust A2

Obv. HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P
Laureate head with drapery

Rev. AEQVITAS AVG S C in field.
Aequitas standing left, holding scales and sceptre

23.69 gr
31 mm
6h

Note.
Philippe Rossignol collection
1 commentsokidoki09/27/20 at 11:22Pharsalos: Beautiful portrait.
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Constantius II. Roma facing Constantinopolis Solidus of ThessalonicaRoman Empire. Constantius II. 337-361 AD. AV Solidus (4.20 gm, 22.3mm, 12h) of Thessalonica, 353-355 AD Pear diadem, draped, & cuirassed bust right, DN CONSTANTIVS MAX AVGVSTVS. / Roma enthroned left, facing Constantinopolis, foot on prow, holding sceptres and shield inscribed VOT XXX MVLT XXXX; GLORIA REIPVBLICAE. ex: ⦁TES⦁. EF. Ponterio Numismatics Auction 123 #387. RIC VIII p.416 #150; Cohen 122; SRCV V #17751.1 commentsAnaximander09/27/20 at 11:21Pharsalos: Very impressive Shocked !
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Constantius II. Votis XXX Siliqua of Sirmium.Roman Empire. Constantius II. 337-361 AD. AR Siliqua (3.02 gm, 21.1mm, 12h) of Sirmium, 353-355 AD. Pearl diadem, draped & cuirassed bust right, D N CONSTANTIVS P F AVG. / VOTIS XXX MVLTIS XXXX in four lines within wreath. Ex: SIRM (no dot or crescent). EF. Bt. Coral Gables, 2001. RIC VIII p.385 #15; RSC V #343e; SRCV V #17936.1 commentsAnaximander09/27/20 at 11:15Pharsalos: Beautiful Siliqua!
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077 - Severus Alexander denarius - RIC 246Obv:– IMP ALEXANDER PIVS AVG, Laureate head right
Rev:– MARS VLTOR, Mars advancing right, holding a spear and shield
Minted in Rome, A.D. 232
References:– RIC 246, RSC 161a

This was my first ancient coin and is still one of my favourites.

3.64gms. 19.91mm. 180 degrees
1 commentsmaridvnvm09/27/20 at 11:12Pharsalos: Great first coin!! Beautiful details both sides, l...
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