Michael Kelly Collection

[klausklage]

Dear all,

The Michael Kelly Collection of Roman Silver Coins was auctioned by Spink, 18 November 1997 (https://bertolamifineart.bidinside.com/en/lot/76742/spink-auction-123-the-michael-kelly-/).

Part 2 of this collection was sold on 7 November 2018, again by Spink (https://www.the-saleroom.com/it-it/auction-catalogues/spink/catalogue-id-srspi10205).

A handful of these coins are now reunited in my collection.

Now I wonder:
Who is Michael Kelly?
Why was his collection sold in two tranches, 21 years apart?
Would anybody like to sell his copy of the 1997 catalogue?

Best,
Olaf

[Serendipity]

I have one of Michael Kelly's Trajan denarii in my collection which is most probably the best piece in my entire Roman collection. I always keep an eye out for his Roman denarii when they turn up for sale or auction. I also have a Marcus Aurelius denarius which comes from one of Kelly's collections.

Trajan (25 Jan 98 - 8/9 Aug 117 CE), Silver Denarius, RIC II 315, RSC II 150a, BMCRE III 634, BnF IV 894, Hunter II 206, Strack I 257, Woytek 579v, SRCV II -, Choice gEF, excellent portrait, well-centred on a slightly ragged flan, sharply struck, radiating flow lines, minor marks, edge cracks, plain edge, weight 3.21g, composition Ag, diameter 20.0×18.0mm, thickness 2.85mm, die axis 210°, Rome mint, c.autumn 116 - Aug 117 CE; obverse IMP CAES NER TRAIAN OPTIM AVG GERM DAC, laureate and draped bust right, seen from behind; reverse PARTHICO P M TR P COS VI P P S P Q R, Fortuna, veiled and draped, seated left, holding rudder by tiller in right hand, cornucopia in left, FORT RED in exergue; from the Roger Belmar Collection; ex Sovereign Rarities (26 Feb 2021); ex Michael Kelly Collection, Spink auction 20120 (13 Feb 2020), lot 268; £425.00.

[Justin L1]

Hello- I thought I had a Michael Kelly collection Trajan as well but just now got to confirming this and entering it into the gallery. Can't offer any insight into the collection but I do like this coin.

Trajan: Augustus 98-117 AD
ID: Trajan ‘heroic bust’ AR Denarius
Denomination: AR Denarius
Year: Autumn 116-August 117 AD
Bust: Laureate ‘heroic’ bust right, wearing aegis, with bare chest showing
Obverse: IMP CAES NER TRAIAN OPTIM AVG GERM DAC
Reverse: PARTHICO P M TR P COS VI P P S P Q R
Type: Felicitas standing left, holding caduceus and cornucopiae
Mint: Rome
Weight & Measures: 3.41g; 19mm
RIC: RIC 333
Provenance: Ex Roma numismatic E-sale 57, Lot 905 (05/30/2019); Ex Michael Kelly Collection of Roman Silver Coins; Ex CNG, E-sale 99, Lot 623 (10/13/2004)

[Teutoburgium]

Hello,
I am also wondering why the collection is sold in two auctions, 20 years apart.
Usually, such collections are sold by the same auctioneer in consecutive auctions, or within 1-2 years.

Teutoburgium

[Meepzorp]

Hi Teut,

That is usually true. But there are some famous exceptions to that, including Pozzi, BCD, etc.

Meepzorp

[klausklage]

Just got one more:
RIC 281, Woytek 440d (5 specimen, 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.

Too bad nobody seems to know more about the collector.

Olaf

[Serendipity]

I think I saw Michael Kelly with his dog somewhere on an ancient coin website but I can't quite recall which website. One of the aspects of Kelly's collections that makes them so appealing for collectors is that he has a very keen eye for Roman coin portraiture.