FORVM`s Classical Numismatics Discussion Board

Numismatic and History Discussion Forums => Greek Coins Discussion Forum => Topic started by: djmacdo on October 08, 2021, 04:22:26 pm

Title: Identification of auction reference
Post by: djmacdo on October 08, 2021, 04:22:26 pm
I have a reference to an auction that puzzles me: "Auct. Laur. 32 April 1985 no. 181."  Can you tell me what "Auction Laur." is?
Title: Re: Identification of auction reference
Post by: Mark Fox on October 08, 2021, 10:41:20 pm
Dear Mac,

Does the cited reference really read "32 April 1985" or does the '32' possibly mean "Auction 32"?  I have so far come up with very little, even after browsing through the Fitzwilliam Museum's list of auction catalogs and fixed price lists:

https://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/dept/coins/library/salescatalogue/  (https://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/dept/coins/library/salescatalogue/)


Best regards,

Mark Fox
Michigan

 
Title: Re: Identification of auction reference
Post by: Altamura on October 09, 2021, 02:44:25 am
Numismatik Lanz held his auction 32 on April 29th 1985, so your reference just contained a typo :).

But I didn't find the catalog of this auction online :(.

Regards

Altamura
Title: Re: Identification of auction reference
Post by: djmacdo on October 09, 2021, 08:20:43 am
Thank you, all!  It could well be Lanz.  The reference is handwritten, and what read as "u" could well be "n."
Title: Re: Identification of auction reference
Post by: Altamura on October 10, 2021, 03:21:10 am
... It could well be Lanz.  ...
I would say that the probability that it is not is near zero :).

But perhaps someone else has the catalog and can show us lot 181.

Regards

Altamura
Title: Re: Identification of auction reference
Post by: Mark Fox on October 12, 2021, 10:27:17 am
Dear Mac, Altamura, and Board,

Good work, Altamura!

Mac:  would you like to see a picture of lot 181 from Lanz 32 and have it posted here?  I might be able to dig up that information for you.


Best regards,

Mark Fox
Michigan   
 
Title: Re: Identification of auction reference
Post by: djmacdo on October 12, 2021, 04:01:45 pm
Mark,

I certainly would.  If it is the correct identification, it ought to be a coin of Apollonia Illyriae with head of Apollo/three nymphs dancing around a fire.
Title: Re: Identification of auction reference
Post by: Mark Fox on October 13, 2021, 12:56:29 am
Dear Mac, Altamura, and Board,

Altamura was of course right!  Attached is the information, courtesy of the kind efforts of Warren Esty.  He adds that "The PR was 300 DM on an estimate of 350.." 

In 1985, the average exchange rate was 2.94 marks to the US dollar.  My source for this is:

https://marcuse.faculty.history.ucsb.edu/projects/currency.htm (https://marcuse.faculty.history.ucsb.edu/projects/currency.htm)

It is a bit late here to do these sort of calculations, but if I did it correctly, the coin sold for roughly $102.  In current dollars, that would translate to roughly $259.33. 

Sorry, I just realized my curiosity had blown me perhaps a little too far in the price discussion direction.  I will end here and hope the historical context of my research will find an interested audience who will see it in the same light.


Best regards,

Mark Fox
Michigan         
Title: Re: Identification of auction reference
Post by: Altamura on October 13, 2021, 03:32:44 am
That's interesting, I haven't been aware of this coin type before :).
The context with the nymphaeum at Apollonia is interesting as well (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nymphaion_(fire_sanctuary) ).

Regards

Altamura
Title: Re: Identification of auction reference
Post by: Meepzorp on October 13, 2021, 11:45:29 am
The context with the nymphaeum at Apollonia is interesting as well.

Altamura

Hi Alta,

Yes, it is interesting.

Meepzorp
Title: Re: Identification of auction reference
Post by: Meepzorp on October 13, 2021, 11:48:32 am
Hi folks,

The reverse of the Apollonia coin reminds me of 2 of my Roman Provincial, Thrace, Pautalia coins:

https://www.forumancientcoins.com/meepzorp/rp_thrace_pautl_pt01.htm

Meepzorp