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Koinon of Macedonia, 243 - 244 A.D., Portrait of Alexander the Great
NEW The Macedonian Koinon (community) was the political organization governing the autonomous Roman province of Macedonia and was responsible for issuing coinage. The individual cities, as members of the Koinon, sent representatives to participate in popular assembly several times each year. The high point of the year was celebrations and matches in honor of Alexander the Great and the Roman emperor held in Beroea (modern Verria) located about 75 km. west of Thessaloniki. This was the provincial center of the emperor cult, with the appropriate temple and privileges, first granted to the Koinon by Nerva. The title Neokoros, or "temple guardians" was highly prized and thus advertised on coins. Under Elagabalus, the Koinon received a second neokorie, indicated by B (the Greek number two) or rarely ΔIC (double in Greek). The title was rescinded but later restored by Severus Alexander, probably in 231 A.D.GB115034. Bronze AE 28, RPC Online VIII U70336 (7 spec.), AMNG III 831, SNG Cop 1361, BMC Macedonia -, Lindgren -, gF, grainy mildly rough surfaces, off center, weight 11.160 g, maximum diameter 27.6 mm, die axis 90o, Beroea (Verria, Greece) mint, rule of Philip I the Arab, 243 - 244 A.D.; obverse AΛEΞANΔPOY, diademed head of Alexander the Great right, long hair down back of neck; reverse KOINON MAKEΔONΩN B NEΩ, cista mystica, snake rising up on the left side, EOC (year 275) in exergue; first specimen of this type handled by FORVM; from Shawn Caza former diplomat, author of A Handbook of Late Roman Coins (Spink, 2021), collection assembled during postings and international travel; ex Dorotheum (Vienna, Austria); scarce; $80.00 (€75.20)
Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, Ptolemy III Euergetes, 246 - 222 B.C.
NEW 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.GP115041. Bronze dichalkon, Lorber CPE B471; Svoronos 711; Weiser 58; Hosking 28; BMC Ptolemies p. 53, 72; SNG Milan 181; SNG Cop -; Noeske -, VF, well centered on a broad flan, earthen encrusted, weight 3.164 g, maximum diameter 17.0 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 Shawn Caza former diplomat, author of A Handbook of Late Roman Coins (Spink, 2021), collection assembled during postings and international travel; ex uncleaned lot; $60.00 (€56.40)
Amaseia, Pontos, c. 120 - 100 B.C.
NEW According to Strabo the Greek name Amaseia comes from Amasis, the queen of the Amazons, who were said to have lived here. The name has changed little throughout history: Amaseia, Amassia, and Amasia are all found on ancient Greek and Roman coinage and continue to be used in modern Greek. Modern Turkish Amasya represents the same pronunciation. Amaseia was captured by the Roman Lucullus in 70 B.C. from Armenia. Pompey designated it a free city and the administrative center of the new province of Bithynia and Pontus. Amaseia was a thriving city, the home of thinkers, writers, and poets. Strabo left a full description of Amaseia as it was between 60 B.C. and 19 A.D.GB115021. Bronze AE 15, SNG BM 1046; SNG Stancomb 655; BMC Pontus p. 6, 2; Rec Gén p. 28, 4; HGC 7 225, F, centered on a tight flan, light marks, weight 4.107 g, maximum diameter 15.3 mm, die axis 0o, Amaseia (Amasya, Turkey) mint, c. 120 - 100 B.C.; obverse draped bust of youthful Perseus right, head bare and wing in hair; reverse cornucopia between two pilei (caps of the Dioskouroi), eight-rayed star above each cap, AMAΣ-ΣEIAΣ divided across field below caps; from Shawn Caza former diplomat, author of A Handbook of Late Roman Coins (Spink, 2021), collection assembled during postings and international travel; ex Dorotheum (Vienna, Austria); $90.00 (€84.60)
Elaia, Aeolis, c. 340 - 275 B.C.
NEW Herodotus describes the following story relevant to the olive wreath. Xerxes was interrogating some Arcadians after the Battle of Thermopylae. Asked why there were so few Greek men defending the Thermopylae, they answered, "All other men are participating in the Olympic Games." And when asked "What is the prize for the winner?", "An olive-wreath" came the answer. Then Tigranes, one of his generals uttered a most noble saying: "Good heavens! Mardonius, what kind of men are these against whom you have brought us to fight? Men who do not compete for possessions, but for honor."MA115024. Bronze AE 11, cf. SNG Cop 169; SNGvA 1605; SNG Munchen 386; SNG Tübingen 2685; BMC Troas p. 126, 11, aF, weight 1.569 g, maximum diameter 10.9 mm, Elaia (near Zeytindag, Turkey) mint, c. 340 - 275 B.C.; obverse head of Athena left in Corinthian helmet; reverse Ε - Λ either side of grain kernel, the whole within olive wreath; from Shawn Caza former diplomat, author of A Handbook of Late Roman Coins (Spink, 2021), collection assembled during postings and international travel; ex Dorotheum (Vienna, Austria); $40.00 (€37.60)
Ephesos, Ionia, 305 - 288 B.C.
NEW Ephesus was one of the twelve cities of the Ionian League on the west coast of Anatolia. The city was famed for the Temple of Artemis, completed around 550 B.C. and one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Ephesus was one of the seven churches of Asia that are cited in the Book of Revelation. The Gospel of John may have been written there.GB115025. Bronze AE 13, BMC Ionia p. 54, 58 ff.; SNG Cop 245 ff. (various magistrates), aF, weight 1.969 g, maximum diameter 13.1 mm, die axis 0o, Ephesos (near Selcuk, Turkey) mint, 350 - 288 B.C.; obverse bee, E-Φ in upper fields; reverse stag kneeling left looking back, astragalos (sheep or goat knuckle bone used for divination) above, uncertain magistrate name left; from Shawn Caza former diplomat, author of A Handbook of Late Roman Coins (Spink, 2021), collection assembled during postings and international travel; ex Dorotheum (Vienna, Austria); $28.00 (€26.32)
Maximinus I Thrax, 20 March 235 - Late May 238 A.D.
NEW In 237, Maximinus Thrax campaigned on the rivers Danube and Rhine in Germania, defeating the Alemanni. He never visited Rome. He taxed the rich aristocracy heavily and engendered such hostility among them that they plotted against him.SL115006. Silver denarius, RIC IV 3, RSC III 55, BMCRE VI 77, Hunter III 3, SRCV III 8312, NGC AU (2031557-445, The Seven Hills Hoard), weight c. 3.0 g, maximum diameter 19.0 mm, die axis 180o, Rome mint, 236 A.D.; obverse IMP MAXIMINVS PIVS AVG, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind; reverse P M TR P II COS P P (high priest, holder of Tribunitian power for two years, consul, father of the country), Maximinus standing half-left, head left, wearing diadem and military attire, flanked by a standard on each side, raising right hand, reversed vertical spear in left hand; ex Stack's Bowers World CCO Auction (26 Feb 2024), lot 74117 (part of); ex The Seven Hills Hoard; NGC| Lookup; $240.00 (€225.60)
Trajan, 25 January 98 - 8 or 9 August 117 A.D.
NEW In Roman mythology, Aequitas was the minor goddess of fair trade and honest merchants. Aequitas was also the personification of the virtues equity and fairness of the emperor (Aequitas Augusti). The scales, a natural emblem of equity, express righteousness. The cornucopia signifies the prosperity which results from Aequitas and Aequitas Augusti.SL115008. Silver denarius, Woytek 278b, RIC II 118, RSC II 85, BMCRE III 281, BnF IV 257, Strack I 144, NGC Ch F (2054424-563, Golden Age Hoard), weight c. 3.2 g, maximum diameter 17.8 mm, die axis 180o, Rome mint, c. 108 - 109 A.D.; obverse IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P, laureate head right, slight drapery on far shoulder; reverse COS V P P S P Q R OPTIMO PRINC, Aequitas standing slightly left, head left, scales in right hand, cornucopia in left; ex Stack's Bowers World CCO Auction (26 Feb 2024), lot 74117 (part of); ex Golden Age Hoard; NGC| Lookup; $140.00 (€131.60)
Faustina Sr., Augusta 25 February 138 - Early 141, Wife of Antoninus Pius
NEW Ceres a goddess of agriculture, grain crops, fertility and motherly relationships, was listed among the Di Consentes, Rome's equivalent to the Twelve Olympians of Greek mythology. The Romans saw her as the counterpart of the Greek goddess Demeter, whose mythology was reinterpreted for Ceres in Roman art and literature.SL115009. Silver denarius, RIC III AP378, RSC II 136, BMCRE IV AP461, Hunter II 46, SRCV II 4591, NGC Ch VF (2054524-025, Golden Age Hoard), weight c. 3.2 g, maximum diameter 17.1 mm, die axis 0o, Rome mint, posthumous, 147 - 161 A.D.; obverse DIVA FAVSTINA, draped bust right, hair elaborately waived and banded, drawn up at the back and piled in a round coil at top; reverse CERES, Ceres standing front head left, heads of grain in right hand, long torch in left hand; ex Stack's Bowers World CCO Auction (26 Feb 2024), lot 74117 (part of); ex Golden Age Hoard; NGC| Lookup; $150.00 (€141.00)
Marcus Aurelius, 7 March 161 - 17 March 180 A.D.
NEW In 174, Faustina the Younger accompanied her husband, Marcus Aurelius, on various military campaigns. She was loved by the Roman soldiers and Aurelius gave her the title Mater Castrorum (Mother of the Camp).SL115010. Silver denarius, RIC III 316, RSC II 341, Hunter II 66, BMCRE 613 var. (obv legend, noted), SRCV II -, NGC Ch VF (3762438-196, Golden Age Hoard), weight c. 3.3 g, maximum diameter 16.8 mm, die axis 0o, Rome mint, Dec 174 - Autumn 175 A.D.; obverse M ANTONINVS AVG GERM TR P XXIX, laureate head right; reverse IMP VII COS III, Roma standing left, wearing helmet and military garb, Victory standing right offering wreath in Roma's extended right hand, inverted spear in left hand; ex Stack's Bowers World CCO Auction (26 Feb 2024), lot 74117 (part of); ex Golden Age Hoard; NGC| Lookup; $160.00 (€150.40)
Antoninus Pius, August 138 - 7 March 161 A.D.
NEW Fortuna distributed good and evil among mankind according to her caprice and without any regard to merit.SL115011. Silver denarius, RIC III 245, RSC II 273, BMCRE IV 842, Strack III 288, Hunter II -, SRCV II -, NGC VF (2054445-041, Golden Age Hoard), weight c. 3.2 g, maximum diameter 17.0 mm, die axis 180o, Rome mint, 155 - 156 A.D.; obverse ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P XIX, laureate head right; reverse COS IIII, Fortuna standing left, rudder on globe in right hand, out-turned cornucopia in left hand; ex Stack's Bowers World CCO Auction (26 Feb 2024), lot 74117 (part of); ex Golden Age Hoard; NGC| Lookup; $150.00 (€141.00)
Catalog current as of Tuesday, April 23, 2024. Page created in 1.593 seconds.