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Thrace, Mesembria, ca. 200-190 BC, AR Tetradrachm - in the name of Alexander III the Great62 viewsHead of Herakles r. with the features of Alexander the Great (?) wearing a lion skin headdress.
ΒΑΣIΛΕΩΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ, Zeus enthroned l., legs draped, confronting eagle held on outstretched r. arm and grasping lotus-tipped scepter, crested Corinthian helmet with cheek guards facing r. before, ΔIOΣK in exergue.
Price 1003; Waggoner “The Propontis Hoard” Revue Numismatique 1979, 30 (same obverse die). The same reverse die as that of this coin was re-cut by erasing the name ΔIOΣK while adding a monogram beneath the throne and was used to strike Propontis Hoard 31, Price 1005. This is the only known example from this reverse die in its initial state.
(31 mm, 16.85 g, 12h)
Eukratides Ancient Numismatics; CNG 42 (29 May 1997), lot 245
One of nine known examples of Price 1003 and the only one from this reverse die, which was re-cut to Price 1005.
Price in describing this emission noted, ”The Mektipini and Propontis hoards document the chronology of the chronology of the late third and early second century BC. In particular they pinpoint the dramatic issues of Dioskouridas, with the very fine portrait, apparently of Alexander in the guise of Herakles as an issue of the 190’s BC.”
As indicated by Price, this is one of the few Alexandrine issues where there is a possibility that the portrayal of Herakles might have been based on a portrait of Alexander the Great. For whatever reason this portrayal was restricted to a single obverse die that was used to strike all known examples of Price 1003 and 1004.
The letters ΔIOΣK in exergue of this coin are an abbreviation of ΔIOΣKOYPIΔA, the name Dioskouridas, a relatively common name in the second century BC. The full name is spelt out in the exergue on an associated emission from the same obverse die, Price 1004. Die wear evident on this coin (Price 1003) indicates it was struck after Price 1004. This revised sequence is further validated by the fact that the reverse die of this coin was subsequently re-cut by erasing the letters ΔIOΣK while engraving a monogram beneath the throne. In this modified form the reverse die was then used to strike Propontis Hoard 31, Price 1005. This is the only known specimen of Price 1003 on which this reverse die, the precursor to Price 1005, has been identified. Until the identification of the reverse die on this coin, it was only known in its modified re-cut form on Price 1005 where ΔIOΣK is faintly visible in the exergue.
The reverse die of this coin also warrants further mention for its unusual iconography when compared to others in the series. The associated Disokouridas issue, Price 1004, bears Zeus seated on a backless throne, the latter depicted only in an outline form only. On this coin, the base of the throne is quite detailed, while a disjoint and improperly scaled back, defined in a bare, undecorated linear outline style appears to have been added almost as an afterthought. The same effect is apparent on the three other reverse dies used to strike Price 1003. The left side offset of the outline of the throne back relative to the throne base is pronounced, while the height of the back rises above the shoulder of Zeus, so as to intersect his head. This incongruity of the treatment of the back of the throne is a stark contrast to the well styled, detailed engraving of the balance of the reverse.
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Attica, Eleusis, ca. 322/17-307 BC, Æ 15 62 viewsTriptolemos holding ears of wheat, in winged chariot drawn left by two serpents.
Pig standing right on a long torch (bacchos) within wreath of wheat ears; legend EΛEY (illegible) below.
BMC Attica p. 113, 10; Svoronos pl. 103.26-28; SNG Copenhagen 421-423; Kroll, Agora, 49.
(15 mm, 2.22 g, 8h).
Harlan J. Berk Buy or Bid Sale 159, 3 June 2008, 480; ex- John Twente Animal Collection.n.igma
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Akarnania, Oiniadai, 219-211 BC, Æ 2261 views Laureate head of Zeus right, eagle (?) behind.
Head of man-faced bull, the river-god Acheloos right, trident above, OINIAΔAN behind.
BCD Akarnania 349; SNG Copenhagen 403.
(22 mm, 6.73 g, 1h).
Harlan J. Berk Buy or Bid Sale 187, September 2013, 336. n.igma
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Akarnania, Leukas, 87 BC, AR Didrachm52 viewsCult statue of the goddess Aphrodite Aeneias with stag standing right, holding aplustre, bird on standard behind; all within a laurel wreath.
ΛΕΥΚΑΔΙΩΝ ΦΙΛΑΝΔΡΟΣ (Leukadion Philandros) above prow of galley right.
de Callataÿ Didrachms of Leukas 195-212 dies O31/R2; BCD Akarnania 313-314; BMC 180, 101-103; Postolokas, Lambros 67, 688 var.
(23 mm, 7.90 g, 11h)
Forestier & Lambert.
Based on the study of de Callataÿ, Didrachms of Leukas, this coin was struck in the summer and autumn of 87 BC as a contribution to Sulla’s campaign against Mithrades Eupator. De Callataÿ connected it with the encampment of Sulla’s troops at Leukas that year and argued that the coinage is a pseudo-civic Greek coinage issued by and for for the Romans. This is reflected in the reverse iconography where the galley prow is distinctively Roman, identifieable as such by the wolf head on the prow, above the ram, a decorative element unknown on Greek vessels.
This coin was struck when the Hellenistic age was in advanced decline, succumbing to the expansionary drive of Rome. The coins of this issue were often struck from relatively crude dies in an advanced state of wear. Yet they retain a charm and aesthetic that in some sense seems to speak of the last gasps of a dying Hellenistic age. The obverse image is thought to depict the cult statue of Aphrodite Aeneias, whose sanctuary was situated near the town of Leukas, overlooking the shipping canal that separated the island from the mainland. n.igma
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Attica, Athens, 454-413 BC, AR Tetradrachm 49 viewsHead of Athena right, wearing created Attic helmet decorated with three olive leaves above visor and floral design on bowl.
Owl facing standing right, head facing, AΘE to right, olive sprig and crescent to left, all within incuse square.
SNG Copenhagen 31; Sear 2526.
(23 mm, 17.04 g, 9h).
Freeman & Sear.n.igma
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Thessaly, Ainianes, Hypata, 87 BC, AR Didrachm 44 viewsHead of Athena right wearing Attic helmet decorated with tendril, Pegasos and four horse protomes.
ΑΙΝΙΑΝΩΝ l. up, ΚΑΝΩΡ r. down, Phemios as a slinger, naked but for chlamys over his shoulder and sword in scabbard, shooting sling to right; behind, leaning against his right leg, two spears.
De Callataÿ, Le monnayage d'argent au type d'Athéna Parthénos émis au nom des Ainianes, p. 130, 34 D4/R1 (this coin); BCD Thessaly II 41.2 (this coin).
This is the only known example from ΚΑΝΩΡ.
(24 mm, 6.97 g, 12 h)
Harlan J. Berk 181, 17 November 2012, 230; ex-BCD Collection: Triton XV (BCD Thessaly II Catalogue), 3 January 2012, 41.2.
Almost all specimens of this coinage appear to have a provenance to collections formed in the early twentieth century. No documented hoards of the type have been found. The examples that have come to market in the last few decades appear to have been recycled from old collections. Seventy six specimens are known and documented (de Callatay). Twenty-five exist in private hands.
Based on another study by de Callataÿ,” Didrachms of Leukas” this coin like the following coin of Leukas was struck in 87 BC (The First Mithradatic War) as a contribution to Sulla’s campaign against Mithrades VI Eupator. As noted by de Callataÿ both Leukas and Hypata “are located at strategic points for any Roman army coming from Brundusium and going directly to Attica.” The fabric and technical features of both coinages “support the strong suspicion that skilled Roman agents were involved in the process. Their volumes (ca. 250 talents of monetized silver in both cases) are consistent with the situation facing Sulla in the summer of 87 BCE.”n.igma
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Islands off Thrace, Thasos, ca. 412-404 BC, AR Drachm 43 viewsJolly Satyr carrying a nymph, striding forward in anticipation.
Granulated quadripartite incuse square.
Le Rider, Thasiennes 8; HGC 6, 336; SNG Cop 1018; Dewing 1325; BMC 35; Pozzi 2382; SNG Lockett 1223.
(14 mm, 3.5 g)
Harlan J. Berk.
Of exceptional late style.
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Kings of Macedon, Philip II, 359-336 BC, Æ1640 viewsHead of Apollo right.
ФIΛIΠΠOY Youth on horseback right; below, dolphin above AP monogram.
Hersh 1999, p.163, 31; SNG Alpha Bank 405; SNG ANS 909; SNG Munchen 188-189; Mionnet vol. I, 752.
Uncertain Macedonian mint.
(16 mm, 6.44 g, 1h)
Coin India; found in Pakistann.igma
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Attica, Athens, 454-413 BC, AR Tetradrachm37 viewsHead of Athena right, wearing created Attic helmet decorated with three olive leaves above visor and floral design on bowl.
Owl standing right, head facing; olive sprig & crescent behind, AΘE to right, all within incuse square.
Svoronos pl. 13, 20.
(24 mm, 17.07 g, 7h).
Harlan J. Berk Buy or Bid Sale 184, 7 May 2013, 63; ex-Freeman & Sear 2008n.igma
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Akarnania, Federal Coinage (Akarnanian Confederacy), Leukas, 3rd Century BC, Æ 23 37 viewsHead of Herakles right.
Head of man-faced bull, the river-god Acheloos right, trident above, letter A behind.
BCD Akarnania 35 (this coin); SNG Copenhagen 422; BMC 169, 16; Sear 2313. Leukas mint.
(23 mm, 7.14 g, 8h).
Classical Numismatic Group, January 2008; ex-BCD Collection: Munz & Medaillen Deutschland GmbH Auction 23, 18 October 2007, 5.n.igma
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Thessaly, Krannon, 400-344 BC, Æ Dichalkon35 viewsLaureate head of Poseidon right.
KP-A Rider wearing chlamys and petasos on horse prancing right.
Rogers 179; SNG Copenhagen 39-40; BCD Thessaly 1081.2 (same dies); BCD Thessaly II (Triton XV) 117.7 (this coin).
(17 mm, 5.28 g, 1h).
Barry P. Murphy; ex- BCD Collection: Triton XV, 3 January 2012, 117.7.n.igma
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Thrace, Mesembria ca. 100 BC, AR Tetradrachm - in the name of Alexander III the Great35 viewsHead of Herakles wearing lion skin headdress r.
ΒΑΣIΛΕΩΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ, Zeus enthroned l., legs draped, confronting eagle held on outstretched r. arm and grasping lotus-tipped scepter, crested Corinthian helmet with cheek guards facing r. before, BAK above, ΘΕΣ below throne.
Price 1119; Callataÿ Groupe 3.
(32 mm, 15.7 g, 12h)
Freeman & Sear
Located on the western shores of the Black Sea, Mesembria was the most active mint in the Black Sea region, issuing Alexanders from the mid 3rd century until the death of Mithradates VI of Pontus in ca. 63 BC. The city minted the last of the posthumous Alexanders, more than two centuries after Alexander's death.
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Kings of Paeonia, Patraos, ca. 335-315 BC, AR Tetradrachm 35 viewsLaureate head of Apollo right.
[Î ]ATPAOY Warrior on horse rearing right, spearing fallen enemy who defends with shield; ligate [E]M monogram behind horse’s rear leg.
AMNG III 4; Paeonian Hoard 312 & 410 (same reverse die); SNG ANS 1040.
Damastion mint (?).
(23 mm, 12.55 g, 9h)
CNG; ex- Numismatica Ars Classica Auction N, 26 June 2003, 1242. n.igma
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Kings of Macedon, Alexander III the Great, 336-323 BC, AR Tetradrachm - Amphipolis Mint under Antipater 33 viewsHead of Herakles right, wearing lion skin headdress.
AΛEΞANΔPOY Zeus Aëtophoros seated left; janiform head vase in left field. Graffiti in upper left field - Aramaic kaph (k) and sadhe (s).
Price 6; Troxell, Studies, Issue A3; SNG Cop 660; Muller 853.
Struck at Amphipolis in the period 332-329 BC.
(29 mm, 17.15 g, 2h)n.igma
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Cyclades, Syros, 3rd- 1st Centuries BC, Æ 1132 viewsHead of Dionysos wreathed with ivy left.
Kantharos, between two symbols 8-Æ· (symbols largely off-flan).
Unpublished in the standard references, cf. CNG eAuction 248 (26 Jan 2011) Lot 119 (Syros).
(11 mm, 1.46 g 10h)
Forvm Ancient Coins
This coin was acquired with an "unknown attribution". Subsequently, CNG attributed the coin type to Syros. A handful examples are known from sales in recent years. n.igma
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Aegina, ca. 445-431 BC, AR Stater 29 viewsLand tortoise with segmented shell.
Large incuse square with heavy skew pattern in five compartments.
Millbank plate 2, 12; SNG Copenhagen 516; Sear 2600.
(20 mm, 12.16 g).
Classical Numismatic Group.
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Phokis, Federal Coinage, 354-352 BC, AR Triobol - struck under Onymarchos28 viewsFrontal bull's head.
Laureate head of Apollo right, lyre behind, Φ – Ω below.
BCD Lokris/Phokis 295.2 (this coin); Williams - (O-/R216).
(14 mm, 2.75 g, 11h).
ex- BCD Collection: NAC 55 (8 October 2010) Lot 295.2.
The district of Phokis was centered on the ancient city of Delphi and its sacred precinct. This coin was struck from the silver appropriated from the Delphic Apollo Temple treasury by the Phokians during the Third Sacred War (356-346 BC). The sacred precinct at Delphi was seized by the Phokians and fortified at the start of the war. It is probable Onymarchos, the Phokian strategos of the time, struck this coinage within the sacred precinct and used it to pay for the ongoing war effort. Coins of this type are relatively rare despite the massive minting to fund the war effort. This results from to the fact that at war’s end the Lokrians collected all the Phokian coinage then in circulation and melted it down to make a massive silver hydria which was dedicated to Apollo at Delphi.n.igma
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Cyclades, Delos, ca. 308-167 BC, Æ 1025 viewsLaureate head of Apollo left.
Δ-H either side of Kithara.
Kroll, Agora, 828a-d; SNG Copenhagen 670; Weber 4660.
(10 mm, 1.15 g, 12h).
Kirk Davis; ex- James H. Joy Collection: Munzen & Medaillen Deutschland Auction 21, 24 May 2007, 511(d).
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Boeotia, Federal Coinage, 225-171 BC, AR Drachm 24 viewsLaureate head of Poseidon right.
BOIΩTΩN in left field, Nike standing left, ligate AN inner left.
BMC Central Greece p 42, 99; SNG Copenhagen 387; BCD Boiotia 126; McLean 5618, pl 202, 17.
(20 mm, 5.10 g, 12h).
Freeman & Sear Mail Bid Sale 13, August 2006, 154n.igma
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Kings of Macedon, Philip II, 359-336 BC, AR Tetradrachm - Amphipolis Mint under Kassander 315-297 BC24 views Laureate head of Zeus right.
ФIΛIΠ-ΠOY Youth holding a palm branch on horseback right, below horse Λ above torch, HMΓ monogram beneath foreleg.
Le Rider pl. 47, 20, Amphipolis Group IV, 315-297 BC.
(23 mm, 14.27 g, 11h).
Harlan J. Berk Buy or Bid Sale 174, 10 May 2011, 82.
Following the victory of Philip’s entry in the Olympic Games of 356 BC, the youth (jockey) with palm branch reverse of this coin type was introduced in celebration of his Olympic win. This became a standard throughout and beyond his reign. It continued to be struck into the early years of the reign of Alexander the Great and later by his successors in Macedonia, into the first years the third century BC. The emission with the Λ above torch mint control was struck during the latter part of the reign of Kassander in parallel with a large emission of Alexander tetradrachms bearing the same mint control. This coinage may have been struck to pay Thraco-Macedonian mercenaries in the service of the Kassander.n.igma
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Thrace, Odessos, ca. 80-72/1 BC, AR Tetradrachm - Mithradatic Alliance issue22 viewsHead of Herakles r., with the features of Mithradates VI of Pontos, wearing lion skin headdress.
ΒΑΣIΛΕΩΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡOΥ, Zeus seated l., legs draped, confronting eagle held on outstretched r. arm and grasping lotus-tipped sceptre, ΛAK before, OΔΗ (Odessos ethnic) in exergue.
Price 1192; de Callataÿ Group 3 (D2/R?). (30 mm, 16.04 g, 1h).
Freeman & Sear.
For this issue, the portrait of Herakles on the Alexandrine coinage of Odessos was adapted to the features of Mithradates VI. The exact reason for this brief experiment is not clear, although it probably reflects veneration for Mithradates when at the zenith of his success he evicted the Romans from Asia Minor, Macedonia, and Greece. This portrayal is found on three emissions (Price 1191-1193) issued by the magistrate ΛAKΩN, struck from six obverse dies. The experiment was short lived and the portrayal of Herakles quickly reverted to the more usual style, which was maintained to the end of the series about a decade later. Mithradates considered himself a descendent of Alexander the Great, so that the adaption of Herakles features to those of Mithradates on Alexandrine coinage links to him to his mythological ancestry.
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Thrace, Byzantion, 340-320 BC, AR Siglos 21 viewsHeifer standing left above dolphin, VΠΥ above.
Incuse square of mill-sail pattern.
SNG BM Black Sea 21; SNG Copenhagen 476; Sear GCV 1579.
(17 mm, 5.36 g)
Classical Numismatic Group electronic Auction 146, 23 August 2006, 34.
This coin originates from Byzantion, which together with its twin city of Kalchedon, was founded astride the southern entrance to the Bosporus by 7th century Greek colonists from Megara. The cities controlled the entrance to the Bosporus, the demarcation between Europe and Asia and the access route to the Black Sea. Both cities played a major role in many of the historical events involving the interaction of west and east. They eventually merged into one metropolis astride the Bosporus, modern day Istanbul.
On this coin the first letter of the ethnic above the heifer is an archaic form of the letter Beta used by Byzantion. The latter was situated on the European (western) side of the entrance to the Bosporus and came to control the vital grain trade from the Black Sea region. The dolphin on the obverse of this coin of Byzantion may be an allusion to the maritime significance of the city in the grain trade, or may reflect that the association of the city with the dolphins that today can be seen in large numbers feeding in the rapidly flowing currents of the Bosporus, immediately adjacent to the shore of old Constantinople.n.igma
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Attica, Athens, ca. 125-175 AD, Æ 1919 viewsHelmeted head of Athena right.
AΘHNA-IΩN Theseus advancing left wielding club, chlamys in left hand.
Kroll, Agora, 209a (same dies); Sv-pl 96, 20 (same dies).
(19 mm, 4.79 g, 6h).
Harlan J. Berk Buy or Bid Sale 160, 13 August 2008, 358n.igma
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Attica, Athens, ca. 264-267 AD, Æ 2118 viewsHelmeted head of Athena right.
AΘHN-AIΩN Athena standing left holding Nike, shield and spear.
Kroll, Agora, 284; Sv-pl 82, 5ff; SNG Copenhagen 384.
(21 mm, 4.98 g, 6h).
Harlan J. Berk Buy or Bid Sale 160, 13 August 2008, 355.n.igma
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Macedon, Bottice, Spartolos, ca. 385-350 BC, Æ 1517 viewsLaureate head of Apollo right.
B-O-T-TIA-IΩΝ Kithara.
Psoma, Olynthe IX, 79-82 var. (D49/R- [unlisted rev. die]); AMNG 6 (Bottice); SNG ANS 926. Struck circa 365 BC. Very rare.
(15 mm, 3.86 g, 4h).
Classical Numismatic Group Mail Bid Sale 82,16 September 2009, 396n.igma
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Kings of Macedon, Demetrios I Poliorketes, 306-283 BC, AR Tetradrachm - Thebes 16 viewsDiademed and horned head right - Demetrios personified as a god.
BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΔHMHTPIOY Poseidon Pelagaios standing left, foot on rock, holding trident; circled ΛY monogram to inner right.
Newell 141; SNG Berry 341; Pozzi 964 = Pozzi (Boutin) 2017; Meydancikkale 2584; “Seleucus I” Hoard 2005 (CH10.265) 281-284. Thebes mint. Struck circa 289-287 BC.
(29 mm, 16.09 g, 11h).
Forum Ancient Coins.n.igma
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Aegina, 510-490 BC, AR Stater 15 viewsSea turtle with smooth shell.
Skew pattern consisting of five sunken compartments.
HGC 6, 435; Dewing 1660; SNG Delepierre 1625; Sear 1851.
(18 mm, 12.08 g).
Classical Numismatic Group.
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Phokis, Federal Coinage, 351-346 BC, Æ 15 - struck under Phalaikos15 viewsHelmeted head of Athena facing slightly left.
Φ within laurel wreath.
BCD Lokris 332.2 (same obv. die) and 470.5 (this coin); SNG Copenhagen 114.
(15 mm, 1.99 g, 1h).
Classical Numismatic Group, December 2010; ex- BCD Collection: NAC 55, 8 October 2010, 470.5.n.igma
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Kings of Macedon, Philip II, 359-336 BC, Æ 16 14 viewsHead of Apollo wearing taenia r.
ФIΛIΠΠOY Youth on horseback r.; below, dolphin above AP monogram.
Hersh 1999, p.163, 31; SNG Alpha Bank 405; SNG ANS 909; SNG Munchen 188-189; Mionnet vol. I, 752.
Uncertain Macedonian mint.
(16 mm, 6.44 g, 1h).
Coin India 2011; found in Pakistan.
Found in Pakistan, some 3,000 miles to the east of Macedonia, it is possible that it made its way to the region in which it was found with Alexander’s army.
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Boeotia, Thebes, 368-364 BC, AR Stater 13 viewsBoeotian shield.
Amphora, KA-BI across field.
BMC Central Greece p 83, 150; BDC Boiotia 539; Hepworth 61; Head, Boeotia p. 65; BMC p. 83, 150; SNG Copenhagen 339. Struck ca. 368 - 364 BC.
(20 mm, 12.14 g).
Classical Numismatic Group e-Auction 142, 28 June 2006, 21.n.igma
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