Fine Coins Showcase
Antiquities Showcase
Show Empty Categories
Shop Search
Shopping Cart
My FORVM
Contact Us
About Forum
Shopping at Forum
Our Guarantee
Payment Options
Shipping Options & Fees
Privacy & Security
Forum Staff
Selling Your Coins
Identifying Your Coin
FAQs
zoom.asp
Home ▸ Catalog ▸ |Featured Collections| ▸ |Michael Arslan Collection||View Options:   | | | |
Mostene, in ancient Lydia, prospered in Roman and Byzantine eras. There is debate, based on a line in Tacitus, over whether Mostene was a Macedonian colony or a native Lydian city. In 17 A.D. the city was hit by an earthquake and was assisted by relief from Tiberius.RP113182. Bronze AE 35, Apparently unpublished; GRPC Lydia -, RPC Online IV -, F, dark green patina, earthen deposits, marks, pit lower right, weight 21.592 g, maximum diameter 35.3 mm, die axis 180o, Mostene (Kepecik, Turkey) mint, c. 161 - 162 A.D.; obverse AVT K M AVPH ANTΩNEINOC, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind; reverse EΠI AΛEΞANΔPOY APX ΛYΔ MOCTHNΩN (authority of Alexandros, archon, Mostene), Demeter, holding grain and torch?; from the Michael Arslan Collection, ex Solidus auction 123 (25 Jul 2023), lot 359 (part of); the only known specimen; extremely rare; $250.00 (€235.00)
Persian Empire, Kolophon, Ionia, Artaxerxes I - Darios III, c. 400 - 332 B.C.
In the past, this coin type was commonly grouped under the large "Uncertain Cilicia" umbrella. However, Nicolas Assur Corfù in his 2015 Schweizerische Numismatische Rundschau (SNR) paper, "Bogenschützen auf Kleinsilbermünzen vor 333 v.Chr. – Tetartemoria aus Kleinasien," attributes this and similar tetartemoria of Persian influence to the Ionian city of Colophon, c. 400–332 B.C., thereby filling a notable gap in its minting history, after the end of production of the various Apollo-headed tetartemoria.GS113187. Silver tetartemorion, Corfù type 1.2, taf. 1, 17-18 (2 spec.); Troxell-Kagan 12 var. (Athena left); Sunrise 94 var. (same); SNG BnF -; SNG Levante -; Göktürk -, aVF/VF, obv. off-center, large die-break cud upper left; rev. nicely preserved in round circle, weight 0.240 g, maximum diameter 6.1 mm, die axis 0o, Kolophon (near Degirmendere Fev, Turkey) mint, c. 400–332 B.C.; obverse Persian king or hero kneeling in readiness to right, wearing kidaris and kandys, quiver over right shoulder, dagger in right hand, bow in left hand; reverse head of Athena right in crested Attic helmet; from the Michael Arslan Collection, ex Bucephalus Numismatics Auction 19 (6 May 2023), lot 280; very rare with Athena right; $140.00 (€131.60)
Caracalla, 28 January 198 - 8 April 217 A.D., Alabanda, Caria
The portrait countermarks of Caracalla and Geta (Howgego 39i & 39ii) are well-known on Alabandian Roman provincials from the standpoint of their occurrence, but not much is known on why they exist. Writing in Greek Imperial Countermarks (1985), Christopher Howgego notes simply, "It is impossible to read the letters on many of the countermarks. The countermarks are not found on the coins of Caracalla's sole reign (unlike cmk 52) and therefore probably belong to the joint reign of Caracalla and Geta." In part five of SNG Tübingen, however, we find two Severan coins of Alabanda probably marked with the bust of Julia Domna (nos. 3343 & 3346), in a manner similar to the other Severan countermarks. Also intriguing is the possibility of Severus within the obverse punch on BMC Caria 46, who looks both laureate and bearded, in addition to a letter on either side of the portrait which may read "C – E" rather than "G – E." In light of this evidence, one wonders if the purpose of the literal Howgego 39 family of marks was tied to an imperial visit to Alabanda or the anticipation of one.RP112699. Bronze AE 26, BMC Caria, p. 8, 46 (same dies); SNG Tüb 3345, 3346 corr. (leg. arrangement); McClean 8442; countermarks: obv: Howgego 39ii; rev: Howgego -, F, green patina, scratches, areas flattened by countermarks, chipped patina on edge, scattered porosity on rev., weight 6.302 g, maximum diameter 25.8 mm, die axis 0o, Alabanda (Doganyurt, Turkey) mint, 28 Jan 198 - 8 Apr 217 A.D.; obverse ΑV Κ Μ ΑV Α – [ΝΤΩΝΙΝΟC?], laureate, cuirassed bust right, seen from behind; countermark: right-facing bust of Caracalla with sideways 'A' before (pointing inward), in a 6.5mm round punch; reverse AΛABANΔEΩN, kithara (lyre); countermark: eagle with wings open(?); the first example of this type handled by Forum; from the Michael Arslan Collection; added to the RPC Online V database; scarce; $120.00 (€112.80)
Nero, 13 October 54 - 9 June 68 A.D., Sardis, Lydia
Sardis was the capital of the Kingdom of Lydia, an important city of the Persian Empire, a Roman proconsul seat, and in later Roman and Byzantine times the metropolis of the province Lydia. In the Book of Revelation, Sardis, one of the Seven Churches of Asia, is admonished to be watchful and to strengthen since their works haven't been perfect before God. (Revelation 3:1-6).RP113207. Bronze AE 19, RPC Online I 2997a; SNG Cop 521; BMC Lydia p. 253, 119; Waddington 5241; Weber 6909, nice F, nice green patina, highlighting earthen deposits, edge splits, weight 6.014 g, maximum diameter 18.7 mm, die axis 180o, Sardes (Sart, Turkey) mint, Mindios (strategos for the 2nd time), c. 60 A.D.; obverse NEPΩN KAIΣAP (counterclockwise from lower right, N retrograde), laureate head right; reverse EΠI MINΔIOY (counterclockwise from upper left, under Mindios), CAPΔIANΩN (upward on right), Dionysus standing slightly left, head left, cantharus in right hand, thyrsus in left hand, no panther,
B (strategos for the 2nd time abbreviated and ligated, downward in left field); from the Michael Arslan Collection; ex Bucephalus Numismatics auction 19 (6 May 2023), lot 399; $100.00 (€94.00) Drusus, Son of Tiberius, Born 13 B.C., Died 14 September 23 A.D., Philippi(?), Macedonia
Drusus, the only son of Tiberius, never took the throne. Drusus' wife Livilla was seduced by the praetorian prefect Sejanus. She poisoned Drusus to support Sejanus' plot to become emperor. Years later the plot was discovered and Sejanus and Livilla were executed.RP111916. Bronze AE 16, RPC Online I 1659 (10 spec.), SNG Cop -, BMC -, F, green patina, encrustations, scratches, weight 4.145 g, maximum diameter 16.2 mm, die axis 30o, probably Philippi (near Filippoi, Greece) mint, obverse DRV CAES, bare head right; reverse two priests with yoke of two oxen right, plowing the pomerium (sacred boundary), founding a new colony; from the Michael Arslan Collection; $90.00 (€84.60)
Maximian, 286 - 305, 306 - 308, and 310 A.D.
In 305 A.D. the capital of the Western Empire was moved from Rome to Milan.RT113191. Billon follis (large), RIC VI Roma 111b, SRCV IV 13291, Cohen VI 502, Hunter V -, Choice gVF, well centered, dark patina, highlighting deposits, flan split/crack, weight 9.721 g, maximum diameter 29.0 mm, die axis 180o, 2nd officina, Rome mint, 303 - 305 A.D.; obverse IMP C MAXIMIANVS P F AVG, laureate head right; reverse SAC MON VRB AVGG ET CAESS NN, Moneta standing slightly left, head left, scales in right hand, cornucopia in left hand, R crescent S in exergue; from the Michael Arslan Collection; $90.00 (€84.60)
Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, Ptolemy III Euergetes, 246 - 222 B.C.
Ptolemy III Euergetes was the third ruler of the Ptolemaic dynasty in Egypt. He promoted the translation of Jewish scriptures into Greek as the Septuagint. Due to a falling out at the Seleucid court, his eldest sister Berenice Phernophorus was murdered along with her infant son. In response, he invaded Syria, occupied Antioch, and even reached Babylon. This war, the Third Syrian War, is cryptically alluded to in Daniel XI 7-9. The Ptolemaic kingdom reached the height of its power during his reign.GP111186. Bronze hemiobol, Lorber CPE B469, Svoronos 709, SNG Cop 496, BMC Ptolemies p. 53, 70, Weiser 57, Hosking 27; SNG Milan 138; Noeske 96, VF, broad flan, earthen encrustation, scratches, obverse edge beveled, central dimples, weight 6.182 g, maximum diameter 20.5 mm, die axis 0o, Phoenicia, Tyre (Lebanon) mint, c. 230 - 222 B.C.; obverse diademed and horned head of Zeus-Ammon right; reverse ΠTOΛEMAIOY BAΣIΛEΩΣ (King Ptolemy), eagle standing left on fulmen (thunderbolt), wings closed, club left, no control letters; from the Michael Arslan Collection; $81.00 (€76.14)
Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, Ptolemy III Euergetes, 246 - 222 B.C.
Ptolemy III Euergetes was the third ruler of the Ptolemaic dynasty in Egypt. He promoted the translation of Jewish scriptures into Greek as the Septuagint. Due to a falling out at the Seleucid court, his eldest sister Berenice Phernophorus was murdered along with her infant son. In response, he invaded Syria, occupied Antioch, and even reached Babylon. This war, the Third Syrian War, is cryptically alluded to in Daniel XI 7-9. The Ptolemaic kingdom reached the height of its power during his reign.GP111196. Bronze dichalkon, Lorber CPE 471; Svoronos 711; Weiser 58; Hosking 28; BMC Ptolemies p. 53, 72; SNG Milan 181; SNG Cop -; Noeske -, VF, earthen encrustation, rev. off center, obv. edge beveled, central dimples, weight 3.036 g, maximum diameter 15.9 mm, die axis 0o, Phoenicia, Tyre (Lebanon) mint, c. 230 - 222 B.C.; obverse diademed head of Zeus-Ammon right; reverse ΠTOΛEMAIOY BAΣIΛEΩΣ (King Ptolemy), eagle standing left on thunderbolt, club left, no control letter; from the Michael Arslan Collection; $80.00 (€75.20)
Macedonian Kingdom, Philip III Arrhidaeus and Alexander IV, 323 - 317 B.C.
Struck in the name of King Philip III Arrhidaeus, Alexander the Great's half-brother, under the regent Perdikkas. Philip III and Alexander's infant son, Alexander IV, were made joint kings after Alexander's death. Philip was the bastard son of Philip II and a dancer, Philinna of Larissa. Alexander the Great's mother, Olympias, allegedly poisoned her stepson Philip III as a child, leaving him mentally disabled, eliminating him as a rival to Alexander. Neither Philip III nor Alexander IV was capable of actual rule and both were selected only to serve as pawns. The regents held power, while Philip III was actually imprisoned. In 317, Philip was murdered by Olympias to ensure the succession of her grandson.GB111207. Bronze 1/2 unit, Price 2072, VF, green patina, earthen deposits, some corrosion, light scrape on rev., weight 3.655 g, maximum diameter 14.0 mm, perhaps Miletos (near Balat, Turkey) mint, struck under Asandros, c. 323 - 319 B.C.; obverse Macedonian shield, pellet at boss center with three rings around, with five crescents around,; reverse crested Macedonian officer's helmet facing, with ear flaps, stalk of grain lower left, K lower right; from the Michael Arslan Collection; $80.00 (€75.20)
Septimius Severus, 9 April 193 - 4 February 211 A.D., Laodiceia ad Mare, Seleucis and Pieria, Syria
Laodiceia was made a metropolis in 194 and a colonia with ius Italicum in 197/8 A.D.RP113185. Bronze AE 27, Meyer Laodikeia 10 (same rev. die); SNG Cop 362 (same c/ms); BMC Galatia p. 258, 84; Lindgren 2088; c/ms: Howgego 581 (CA), Howgego 586 (COL), gF, desert patina with highlighting earthen deposits, edge cracks, weight 9.525 g, maximum diameter 27.2 mm, die axis 0o, Laodicea ad Mare (Latakia, Syria) mint, obverse AYT KAI CEΠ CEOYHPOC, laureate head right, countermarks: CA and COL each in rectangular punch; reverse IOYΛ / ΛAOΔIC/EOYH / M/HTPOΠO/ΛEΩC (MH ligate) in five lines within laurel wreath; from the Michael Arslan Collection; $80.00 (€75.20)
CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE FROM THIS CATEGORY - FORVM's PRIOR SALES
Page created in 1.485 seconds.
