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Neapolis, Campania, Italy270 - 250 BC
AE 21, 5.763 grams, 135 degrees
O: NEOΠOΛITΩN, laureate head of Apollo left, long wavy hair, E behind
R: River-god Acheloios Sebethos, as a man-faced bull, standing right, head turned facing, being crowned by Nike who flies right above, MB monogram below, possibly IΣ in exergue (off flan)
Ref: Potamikon 333, Taliercio IIIa.10, HN Italy 589; BMC Italy p. 115, 219, SNG Cop 505, Sambon 658
Notes: VF, irregular flan shape typical for the type with remnants of casting sprues, nice jade green patina, light corrosion, Campania mint. I will credit Nick Molinari's book, Acheloios, Thales, and The Origin of Philosophy, for me wanting a man-faced bull coin. The book is really good, even if it was over my head at times. Fascinating read and I find his conclusions quite convincing. Knowing what the man faced bull is makes all the difference in understanding these coins. I am thrilled to have an example.
Ex-Forum Ancient Coins, Feb 2023Virgil H01/13/24 at 12:33Molinari: Thank you for the compliment—great coin! I have an...
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000981 Bull Leaping Right, Horse and Rider Galloping RightThessaly Greece, the City of Larissa
Obv: ΛΑΡΙΣΑΙON above, bull leaping r., horizontal groundline. All within a border of dots.
Rev: Thessalian horseman (Thessalos?) wearing a tunic, petasos, and a chlamys fluttering to the l., holding a goad in his r. hand on a horse galloping r.
Denomination: silver drachm; Mint: Larissa; Date: c. 370 - 356 BC; Weight: 6.05g; Diameter: 20mm: Die axis: 0º; References, for example: BMC Thessaly p. 29 no. 54, pl. V, 13 var. Ω instead of O in legend; Pozzi 1229; Weber 2856, p. 110 var. Ω instead of O in legend; Hermann Group VI, pl. IV, 17 and 18 var. Ω instead of O in legend; McClean 4610, pl. on p. 173, 6; Traité IV 698, pl. CCXCVIII, 9; SNG Lockett 1566, var. Ω instead of O in legend; SNG Cop 118; SNG Ashmolean 3871; Lorber 2008, pl. 46, 101; BCD Thessaly I 1136; BCD Thessaly II 186 var. Ω instead of O in legend; HGC 4, 449.
Provenance: Ex. CNG Feature Auction 121 October 6, 2022, Lot 234, from the Weise Collection; Ex. Daniel Koppersmith Collection CNG Triton XVII January 7, 2014, Lot 195; Ex. BCD Collection Classical Numismatic Group Auction 90 May 23, 2012, Lot 94; Ex. Leu 30 April 28, 1982, Lot 100.
Photo Credits: Classical Numismatic Group, LLC.
CLICK FOR SOURCES
Tracy Aiello10/31/22 at 10:15Molinari: Great coin!
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RIC 0857 (V) Titus AureusT CAESAR IMP VESPASIAN
Laureate head of Titus right
COS V
Cow (heifer)standing right
Rome, 76 CE
6.84g
RIC 857 (C)
EX-Stephen Album Auction 43 lot 69
It has been proposed that the cow depicted on this type is one of the famous statues by the fifth century BCE Greek sculptor Myron. Myron's statues were brought to Rome by Augustus and were placed in the temple of Apollo on the Palatine in 28 BCE. Vespasian moved them to the new Temple of Pax that he began constructing in 71 CE, to celebrate the end of the Jewish War.
Jay GT410/01/22 at 22:30Molinari: Sweet!
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Sicily, Gela, c. 465-450 BC. AR Litra11mm, 0.85g, 9h
Horse advancing r.; wreath above. R/ Forepart of man-headed bull r. Jenkins, Gela, Group III; HGC 2, 373. Toned, wavy flan, VFLeo01/11/22 at 17:26Molinari: A beauty!
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SICILY, Gela. Circa 490/85-480/75 BC. Didrachm, Silver21mm, 8.19 g 1
Nude rider galloping to right, hurling spear with his raised right hand. Rev. CΕΛΑ Forepart of man-headed bull to right. SNG Copenhagen 255. SNG München 254. About very fine.
From a collection in Ticino, formed over 20 years ago.Leo01/11/22 at 17:25Molinari: Nice!
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CAMPANIA, Neapolis. Circa 300-275 BC. AR NomosCAMPANIA, Neapolis. Circa 300-275 BC. AR Nomos (19mm, 7.21 g, 11h).
Head of nymph right; kantharos behind, XAPI below / Man-headed bull walking right; above, Nike flying right, placing wreath on bull's head; K below. Sambon 467b; HN Italy 569; SNG ANS 356 (same rev. die). Near VF, bright iridescent toning, light roughness on obverse.Leo01/11/22 at 17:23Molinari: Great coin!
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Macedonian Kingdom, Alexander the Great, Gold Stater Lifetime IssueMacedonian Gold Stater, BC 336 - 323, 8.59g, 17.9mm, Ionia, Miletos (near Balat, Turkey) mint, die axis 345o,
struck under Philoxenos, c. 325 - 323 B.C.; ADM I series I, 14 (same dies); Price 2077; Müller Alexander 8;
SNG Munchen 571; SNG Saroglos 131; HGC 3.1 893f (S); SNG Alpha Bank,
OBV: head of Athena right wearing earring, necklace, and crested Corinthian helmet decorated with a coiled snake, small thunderbolt under neck truncation;
REV: Nike standing slightly left, head left, wreath in extended right hand, stylus in left hand, HA monogram left, AΛEΞAN∆POY downward on right; scarce; SOL
ANACS Extremely Fine EF45 (6275437), Ionia
In 334 B.C. the Siege of Miletus by the forces of Alexander the Great of Macedonia liberated the city from Persian rule, soon followed by most of Anatolia.
Under Alexander, the city reached its greatest extent, occupying within its walls an area of approximately 90 hectares (220 acres). When Alexander died in 323 B.C.,
Miletus came under the control of Ptolemy, governor of Caria and his satrap of Lydia Asandrus, who had become autonomous.
In 312 B.C. Antigonus I Monophthalmus sent Docimus and Medeius to free the city and grant autonomy, restoring the democratic patrimonial regime.
SRukke03/03/21 at 11:58Molinari: Great coin!
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Crawford 513/2, ROMAN IMPERATORIAL, M. Arrius Secundus, AR DenariusRome, Moneyer Issues of the Imperatorial Period.
M. Arrius Secundus. 41 BCE.
AR Denarius (3.82g; 20mm).
Rome mint.
Obverse: M. ARRIVS - SECVNDVS; bare head, with slight beard, facing right.
Reverse: Victory honors - wreath, spear and phalera.
References: Crawford 513/2; HCRI 319; Sydenham 1084; BMCRR 4210; Arria 2; G. Lahusen, Die Bildnismunzen Der Romischen Republik, pl. 63, nos. 12 and 16 (this coin illustrated twice).
Provenance: Nomisma 59 (14 May 2019) Lot 134; Munzen und Medaillen XIX (5-6 Jun 1959) Lot 172; Munzhandlung Basel 10 (15 Mar 1938) Lot 486.
M. Arrius Secundus was likely son of Quintus Arrius, who had a victory in the Servile War against one of Spartacus’ lieutenants, but subsequently lost a battle to Spartacus himself. He was the only member of his gens to strike coins, and not much else is known about him.
The slightly-bearded, obverse portrait, while probably depicting the moneyer’s father, Quintus Arrius, also bears a striking resemblance to contemporaneous portraits of Octavian. However, without any inscription naming Caesar, a positive identification of the portrait remains debated by scholars. David Sear suggests that the portrait is deliberately ambiguous, as the political and military climate was very risky and the moneyer likely wanted plausible deniability that the portrait was Octavian. The reverse shows awards of victory granted to the moneyer’s father for his Servile War victory: a laurel wreath, golden spear and phalera (a military decoration attached to a harness and worn over a cuirass).
Carausius08/15/20 at 22:11Molinari: Well done!
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Crawford 039/5, ROMAN REPUBLIC, Semilibral Reduction AE SemunciaRome, The Republic.
Anonymous, Semilibral Reduction, 217-215 BCE.
AE Struck Semuncia (6.03g; 20mm).
Uncertain Italian Mint.
Obverse: Turreted, draped female bust right.
Reverse: Rider on horseback holding whip and galloping right; ROMA below.
Reference: Crawford 39/5; Sydenham 97 (R4); BMCRR (Romano-Campanian) 136-138; R. Gobl, Antike Numismatik, pl. 1420 (this coin illustrated).
Provenance: Ex CB Collection (private purchase); SC Collection (bought from Richard Pearlman Dec 2015); Numismatic Fine Arts 17 (May 1976); Prof. Bonacini Collection [Rinaldi & Figlio FPL 1 (1942) Lot 4]; Sir Arthur Evans Collection [Ars Classica XVII (3 Oct 1934), Lot 1013]; Martini Collection [R. Ratto (24 Feb 1930) Lot 74].
This coin is part of a short-lived, semi-libral series, struck collateral to the standard prow types (Crawford 38) in 217-215 BC. The economic hardship on Rome imposed by Hannibal’s invasion led to a rapid decline in the weight of Roman bronze coins, resulting in the adoption of a semi-libral bronze standard (AE As of ½ Roman pound) and eventual elimination of cast coins. The Series 39 types appear quite propagandistic in the context of the Second Punic War. On the obverse of this coin, we have a female bust wearing a turreted crown, a device previously unseen on Roman coinage though frequently seen on eastern Greek coinage. The head may represent Roma, but more likely represents Cybele who protects people and cities during wartime. Cybele’s cult officially appeared in Rome circa 205-204 BCE. The reverse alludes to the cavalry’s importance in the war effort. The coin type would not be repeated in Roman bronze coinage; however a similar type AE Biunx (with horseman carrying spear rather than whip) was produced in Capua from 216-211 BCE, after the Capuans allied with Hannibal. While Crawford, relying on Rudy Thomsen’s analysis, attributes this series to the Rome mint, I believe the types and fabric of the coins are inconsistent with the contemporaneous, Crawford 38 prow types which are also attributed to Rome.
Carausius08/15/20 at 22:10Molinari: Great coin!
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Burnt Hoard Coin 9 reverse close upIs the figure wearing a radiate crown or is that just an illusion? It appears that she (he) has right arm raised slightly and might be holding something. SC03/28/20 at 01:21Molinari: Turreted headdress?
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Roof Tile - LEGIO XXXA Roman roof tile, or brick, bearing "XXX VV".
This is part of the stamp LEG XXX VV from Legio XXX Ulpia Victrix.
This tile fragment was found by my son in a ploughed farm field at Carnuntum.
Legio XXX VV was never stationed at Carnuntum but was stationed at Brigetio (the next legionary base downstream on the Danube, now Komarom, Hungary) 103 - 118 AD.
Other tiles from Legio XXX VV have been found at Carnuntum, including one in the collection of R.F. Ertl, and thus tiles must have been shipped upriver from Brigetio to the larger base and town at Carnuntum.
SC03/22/20 at 10:27Molinari: VERY cool!!!
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SOLD! Æ Aes Grave (cast) QuadransHead of young Hercules left, wearing lion skin; ••• (mark of value) to right; all on a raised disk
Prow of galley right; ••• (mark of value) below; all on a raised disk.
Rome, Circa 225-217 BC.
Libral standard
40mm; 58.73g
Crawford 35/4; ICC 80; HN Italy 340; RBW 88
aVF for type,
Ex-Canadian Coin
Not as rough in hand.Jay GT402/13/20 at 14:53Molinari: Nice!
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Seleukos I Nikator Trophy Tetradrachm SELEUKID KINGS of SYRIA. Seleukos I Nikator, 312-281 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 26mm, 17.02 g 8), Susa, c. 304-298/7.
O: Bust of Alexander the Great and/or Seleukos as Dionysos to right, wearing helmet covered with a panther skin and adorned with a bull’s horn and ear, and with a panther skin tied around his shoulders.
R: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΕΛΕΥΚΟΥ Nike walking to right, placing wreath on trophy of arms to right; to left and right of Nike, monogram.
- CSE 1023. ESM 426. Kraay/Hirmer 740. SC 173.4., Ex New York Sale XXVIII, 5 January 2012, 1033, and from an English collection.
The portrait on the obverse has been identified as Dionysos, Alexander, or Seleukos. The arguments for each identification have merit, and indeed they are probably all correct; the image is an assimilation of all three into a singular portrait, as Iossif argues. The portrait relates to Seleukos' eastern victory and ties his mythology to that of both Dionysos (the panther being the animal companion of the god Dionysos), the first conqueror of India, and Alexander, the second conqueror of India.
In contrast, the reverse relates to the western victories of Seleukos. Here, Nike, the goddess of victory, places a wreath on a “trophy of arms”. An ancient “trophy” was a wooden post set up on a battlefield, decorated with the armor and weapons of a defeated enemy. This trophy is built from Macedonian arms, as evidenced by the Vergina Sun (or Argead Star) emblazoned on the shield. This star is ubiquitous in Greek and Macedonian art from ancient times down to our day. A beautiful example is found on a larnax in the tomb of Philip II of Macedonia, the father of Alexander the Great. This clearly identifies the vanquished enemy as the Antigonid army that fell at Ipsos in 301 BCE.
Thus, this issue celebrates the totality of Seleukos' victories in the east and west, solidifying his new empire, and also further establishes his dynastic heritage by tying his exploits to that of the great conqueror, Alexander, in an effort to legitimize Seleukos' right to rule over these vast lands.
Nemonater11/25/19 at 22:37Molinari: Great coin!
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RIC 0159 VespasianÆ Sestertius, 26.69g
Rome mint, 71 AD
Obv: IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M TR P P P COS III; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev: IVDAEA CAPTA; S C in exergue; Palm tree; to l. Captive stg. r.; to r., Judaea std. r. on cuirass; both figures surrounded by arms
RIC 159 (C3). BMC 532. BNC 490, pl. XLIV (same dies). Hendin 1500.
Acquired from Witter Coins, eBay, October 2019. Ex Triton V, 16 January 2002, lot 1913 (From the Robert Schonwalter Collection). Ex Worner List 1, January 1951, no. 394. Formerly in NGC holder #4683650-005, with grade 'F', strike 5/5, surface 3/5.
Ambition sighed: she found it vain to trust
The faithless column and the crumbling bust;
Huge moles, whose shadow stretched from shore to shore,
Their ruins perished, and their place no more!
Convinced, she now contracts her vast design,
And all her triumphs shrink into a coin.
A narrow orb each crowded conquest keeps,
Beneath her palm here sad Judea weeps. -
Alexander Pope, To Mr. Addison, Occasioned by his Dialogues on Medals II. 19-26
For Jerusalem is ruined, and Judah is fallen ... Thy men shall fall by the sword and thy mighty in the war. And her gates shall lament and mourn, and she being desolate shall sit upon the ground - Isaiah III.25-26.
In 70 AD Jerusalem was besieged and sacked and the Temple razed by the Roman forces commanded by Titus Caesar. The following year a massive joint Triumph was held in Rome for Vespasian and Titus to celebrate their successful conclusion of the Jewish Rebellion. Coins were also issued to commemorate their victory. These so called 'Judaea Capta' coins first appeared in late 70 just after the fall of Jerusalem in August, both in the precious metals and at first sparingly in bronze. It wasn't until 71, the year of the triumph, that the bronze coinage came into its own with a whole host of 'Judaea Capta' types. Probably the most famous of these depicts the ubiquitous date palm with a standing bound captive to the left and a seated Judaea to the right, both surrounded by arms. The second bronze issue of 71 saw these produced in massive quantities (Colin Kraay knew of 23 reverse dies paired with this obverse). Although the overall allegorical meaning of the reverse is readily apparent, what each individual device specifically symbolises is open to debate. We are on firm ground to assume the date palm represents the land of Judaea as H. Mattingly proposed in BMCRE II (although J. M. Cody speculated the palm possibly represents the Roman victory). The motif of the standing captive is copied from earlier Republican coin issues, reminiscent of the Gaulish and Spanish captives on those Republican types. His dress indicates he is a barbarian from outside the boundaries of Roman civilisation. In the spirit of the 'Vercingetorix' denarius, H. St. J. Hart proposed the captive is actually either Simon Bar Giora or John of Gischala(!), the two defeated Jewish commanders. The seated female figure is the personification of Judaea, the daughter of Zion. This figure is frequently seen on the various designs of the series, often paired with the palm tree. Her attitude of mourning and dejection leaves little doubt she is lamenting the defeat of her people.
Modern viewers see this as a forlorn scene of defeat, however, to the Roman coin designers the images are meant to convey victory over a worthy foe. The Jewish War was an important event for the fledgling Flavian dynasty - in essence it gave them the legitimacy to rule. The ensuing propaganda onslaught after the 'Gotterdammerung' fall of Jerusalem is awe inspiring. The slight of hand the Flavian regime pulled off which transformed defeated rebel provincials into a foreign menace is truly amazing. The coins were a major part of the regime's propaganda commemorating Vespasian's defeat of the Jews and saving the empire. Their efforts paid off, for even today this 'Judaea Capta' type is one of the most iconic and recognised reverses in the whole of Roman coinage.
Fantastic surfaces in good metal. A beauty in hand.David Atherton10/12/19 at 01:12Molinari: Excellent coin!
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Naxos. Archaic Dionysios and Grapes Litra.Greek Sicily. Naxos. 530-510 BC. AR Litra (0.73 gm, 10.4mm, 12h). Archaic, bearded head of Dionysios left. / Bunch of grapes with tendril, ͶΟΙΧΑͶ (ΝΑΧΙΟΝ in retrograde), all in both a linear and a dotted border. VF. Bt. Coral Gables, 2000. SNG ANS 4 #513; HGC 2 #967; Cahn Naxos p.106 #21 (V14/R20); Campana CNAI Naxos #2; Jameson 671; Pozzi 504-505; SNG Lockett 839; Rizzo pl. XXVIII #5; SNG Cop - ; SNG Lloyd 1149; SNG Lockett 839. cf. CNG 93 #62 (same dies).Anaximander09/03/19 at 21:41Molinari: Nice and old, just how I like them!
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Gela. Cavalryman and Man-headed Bull DidrachmGreek Sicily. Gela. c. 490/485-480/475 BC. AR Didrachm (8.57 gm, 21.8mm, 6h) on Attic standard. Horseman galloping right, brandishing spear overhead. / Forepart of river god Gelas as man-headed bull right. ⤾ 𑀝Ε (inward) - ΛΑ (outward). nEF. Gela was famous for its cavalry. Triton V #1167. Ex William N. Rudman Coll. SNG ANS 4 #7 (same obv. die); Jenkins Gela Gp Ib 42 (O13'/R17); SNG Cop 1 (Sicily) #256; SNG Klagenfurt 430 (same obv. die, not yet recut); HGC 2 #363.Anaximander08/25/19 at 11:15Molinari: Excellent example. I love it!
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Campania, Neapolis.Greek Italy. Campania. 320-300 BC. AR Nomos (7.47 gm, 19mm, 6h) of Neapolis. Head of nymph Parthenope right, with pendant earring, dolphins around. / Nike crowning man-headed bull walking right, ΟΥΙΛ below. Ex: [NEO]POΛITΩ[N]. VF. Pegasi Numismatics Auction XXI #40. SNG ANS 1 #337-339; SNG Cop 1 (Italy) #413-414; HN Italy 576 (pl.10); HGC 1 #452; McClean Coll. I #242; Sambon 458 (plate III); Weber Coll. I #330 (pl.18).Anaximander08/19/19 at 11:22Molinari: Beautiful.
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Campania, Neapolis. Nymph and Man-headed bull Didrachm.Greek Italy. Campania. 450-340 BC. AR Didrachm (7.29 gm, 20mm, 3h) of Neapolis, Campanian standard. Head of nymph Parthenope right, hair bound with ampyx, wearing single-pendant earring, X behind. / Man-headed bull standing right, head facing, with Nike flying above, crowning bull, Θ below. [NEO]POΛITΩ[N] on raised exergual band. VF. SNG ANS 1 #367 (same dies)-368 (same rev. die); SNG Cop 1 (Italy) #436; Sambon 476, 480 var. (no A on obv.); SNG München 223; HN Italy 579 (pl.10); McClean Coll. I #253 (pl.12 #18); Weber Coll. I #336; HGC - . cf CNG EA 288 #22.Anaximander08/19/19 at 11:21Molinari: A great example.
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Bruttium, Laus. Man-headed bull Stater.Greek Italy. Bruttium. 480-460 BC. AR Stater (8.07 gm, 18mm, 3h) of Laus. Man-headed bull stdg l., looking back. ΛAϞ (retrograde) above. / Man-headed bull standing r. ΛAϞ (retrograde) above. VF. CICF06 138 #1422. SNG ANS 2 (Lucania) #135; HN Italy 2275; McClean Coll. I #880 (pl.30 #15); Pozzi 154 (same dies); SNG Cop. 1 (Italy) #1146; SNG Fitzwilliam I (Lucania) #445; SNG München 920; Sternberg 9 (V8/R8); Weber I #728 (plate 30). cf. HGC 1 #1539 (drachm).Anaximander08/19/19 at 11:20Molinari: Excellent coin.
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RIC 0057A TitusObv: IMP T CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M TR P P P COS VII (counterclockwise), Laureate head right
Rev: PAX AVGVST / S C (in field), Pax standing left holding branch and cornucopia
AE/Sestertius (33.90 mm 25.98 g 6h) Struck in Rome 79 A.D. (Group 1)
RIC unpublished (provisionally assigned n. 57A)
ex Numismatik Naumann Auction 80 Lot 527FlaviusDomitianus08/16/19 at 22:18Molinari: Nice!
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RIC 1137 Vespasian (1)Æ Sestertius, 25.51g
Lyon mint, 71 AD
Obv: IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M TR P P P COS III; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.; globe at point of bust
Rev: S P Q R / •P•P• / OB CIVES / SERVATOS within oak wreath
RIC 1137 (R). BMC p. 198 note ‡. BNC 800.
Ex Leu Web Auction 8, 29-30 June 2019, lot 1008.
During the great bronze issue of 71 a sestertius reverse type was struck at both Rome and Lyon (Lugdunum) which commemorates the Senate awarding the corona civica to Vespasian. The corona civica was originally a military honour bestowed upon a Roman who had saved a fellow citizen's life in battle. It was one of the greatest public honours. In the imperial era the honour developed from a coveted military decoration into an imperial emblem granted by the Senate to the emperor. The wreath was made of oak leaves and is sometimes called a corona quercea after the common name for the oak. Artistically it is sometimes depicted with acorns scattered amongst the leaves. Plutarch believed the oak was chosen for this highest of honours for several reasons. The tree was easily found throughout the countryside and was quite convenient for fashioning a wreath when the need arose. Also, the oak is sacred to Jupiter and Juno and thus was an appropriate symbolic honour given to one who has saved the life of a fellow Roman citizen, or indeed the state. Finally, the early settlers of Rome, the Arcadians, were nicknamed 'acorn-eaters' in an oracle of Apollo.
The Wreath was awarded to Vespasian by the Senate for rescuing the Roman people from civil war and bringing about peace. The legend within the wreath S P Q R / P P / OB CIVES / SERVATOS translates as: 'The Senate and the Roman People / Father of the Nation / For Having Saved the Citizens'. This rare Lugdunese specimen commemorating the award was struck during the first bronze issue at that mint.
Cleaned surfaces with brass toning.David Atherton07/17/19 at 13:15Molinari: I love it. So glad you're collecting bronze n...
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RIC 0989 VespasianÆ Sestertius, 21.45g
Rome mint, 77-78 AD
Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIAN COS VIII; Head of Vespasian, laurerate, l.
Rev: ANNONA AVGVST; S C in field; Annona std. l., with sack of corn ears
RIC 989 (R3). BMC -. BNC 766.
Ex eBay, 13 April 2019.
The bronze issue of 77-78 struck at Rome was quite small, all the sestertii from it are considered rare. The 'IMP CAESAR' left facing obverse portrait with Annona reverse is listed in RIC as unique with one specimen cited from the Paris collection. None are listed in the RIC II Addenda. This then is the second known specimen, a double die match with the Paris coin.
A classic severe portrait (B. Levick called them 'straining' portraits) combined with a beautiful dark olive green patina.
David Atherton04/30/19 at 15:55Molinari: Very nice, congrats.
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RIC 0167 VespasianÆ Sestertius, 24.60g
Rome mint, 71 AD
Obv: IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M TR P P P COS III; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev: IVDAEA CAPTA; S C in exergue; Palm tree; to l., Vespasian stg. r. with spear and parazonium, foot on helmet; to r., Judaea std. r. on cuirass
RIC 167 (C3). BMC 543. BNC 497. Hendin 1504.
Acquired from Denarius, December 2018.
The Jewish War was an important event for the fledgling Flavian dynasty - in essence it gave them the legitimacy to rule. The ensuing propaganda onslaught after the 'Gotterdammerung' fall of Jerusalem in August of 70 is awe inspiring. We have Josephus' description of the joint triumph of 71 held for Vespasian and Titus in book 7 of his 'Jewish War', the buildings and monuments erected by the regime, and more importantly for our purposes we have the coins. Judaea Capta types were struck in all metals for almost as long as the dynasty ruled. The first flurry of these came in 71, presumably in conjunction with the triumph, amidst a great issue of bronze coinage that same year. One of the most iconic Judaea Capta types is this sestertius' reverse featuring a triumphal Vespasian with a defeated Judaea at his feet, not surprisingly one of the more common types from the issue. Vespasian is seen proudly standing holding a spear and parazonium (a triangular sword) with his foot on an enemy helmet, while Judaea is sitting on a captured cuirass in abject despair - take note of their size discrepancy. The iconography on display here strongly hints at what the spectators of the triumph likely witnessed. The slight of hand the Flavian regime devised which transformed defeated rebel provincials into a foreign menace is truly amazing.
'Ambition sighed: she found it vain to trust
The faithless column and the crumbling bust;
Huge moles, whose shadow stretched from shore to shore,
Their ruins perished, and their place no more!
Convinced, she now contracts her vast design,
And all her triumphs shrink into a coin.
A narrow orb each crowded conquest keeps,
Beneath her palm here sad Judea weeps.' -
Alexander Pope, To Mr. Addison, Occasioned by his Dialogues on Medals II. 19-26
Honest wear with some minor cleaning scratches.David Atherton12/12/18 at 11:39Molinari: I love it.
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Crawford 044/7, ROMAN REPUBLIC, Anonymous, AR SestertiusRome. The Republic.
Anonymous, 212-208 BCE
AR Sestertius (1.0g; 12mm).
Rome Mint.
Obverse: Helmeted head of Roma, right; IIS (mark of value) behind.
Reverse: Dioscuri galloping right with spears; two stars above; ROMA below in linear frame.
References: Crawford 44/7; Sydenham 142; BMCRR 13-18.
Provenance: Ex Volteia Collection [CNG 102 (18 May 2016), Lot 777]; ex August Voirol Collection [Munzen und Medaillen 38 (6-7 Dec 1968), Lot 105].
The IIS mark of value denotes that the coin is worth 2 asses + a semis, or 2.5 asses. This quarter-denarius denomination was part of the introduction of the denarius coinage following the Roman sack of Syracuse. The subsequent reduction in the weight standard and size of the bronze coinage eliminated the need for this tiny silver denomination, and it was soon discontinued. However, the denomination would be resurrected for short times during the Social War and Imperatorial eras.
There are various styles of anonymous AR Sestertii that likely correspond to the various styles of anonymous denarii. Some of these stylistic variations may represent different issues and/or different mints. This particular coin depicts Roma with unbound hair and a necklace of a simple line; the helmet visor is "splayed" and consists of two lines with a central, partial third line; the tail of the Dioscuri's horses are fully extended. Carausius08/02/18 at 21:39Molinari: 
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PhraatesAE tetradrachm, early to mid 2nd century AD
Van’t Haaff 14.7.1-2Kamnaskires07/16/18 at 01:39Molinari: I love it.
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Eastern Europe. Imitation of Philip II of Macedon (Circa 200-0 BC)Tetradrachm (Kugelwange or "ball cheek" type)
20 mm, 11.46 g
Obverse: Stylized laureate head of Zeus right
Reverse: Stylized horse prancing left, pellet-in-annulet above, pelleted cross below.
Lanz 468-9; OTA 193/9.
Around the end of the 3rd century B.C., the Celtic Scordisci tribe started issuing their own local coinages imitating the types of Philip II of Macedon. These coinages had a limited volume of production and a restricted area of circulation, so their finds are not numerous and occur mostly in their own territory and in the neighboring territories of other Celtic or Celticized tribes. The Scordisci were originally formed after the Celtic invasion of Macedonia and Northern Greece (280-279 BC) which culminated in a great victory against the Greeks at Thermopylae and the sacking of Delphi, the center of the Greek world. The Celts then retreated back to the north of the Balkans (suffering many casualties along the way) and settled on the mouth of the Sava River calling themselves the Scordisci after the nearby Scordus (now Sar) mountains. The Scordisci, since they dominated the important Sava valley, the only route to Italy, in the second half of the 3rd century BC, gradually became the most powerful tribe in the central Balkans.
From 141 BC, the Scordisci were constantly involved in battles against Roman held Macedonia. They were defeated in 135 BC by Cosconius in Thrace. In 118 BC, according to a memorial stone discovered near Thessalonica, Sextus Pompeius, probably the grandfather of the triumvir, was slain fighting against them near Stobi. In 114 BC, they surprised and destroyed the army of Gaius Porcius Cato in the western mountains of Serbia, but were defeated by Minucius Rufus in 107 BC.
From time to time they still gave trouble to the Roman governors of Macedonia, whose territory they invaded, even advancing as far as Delphi for a second time and once again plundering the temple; but Lucius Cornelius Scipio Asiaticus finally overcame them in 88 BC and drove them back across the Danube. After this, the power of the Scordisci declined rapidly. This decline was more a result of the political situation in their surrounding territories rather than the effects of Roman campaigns, as their client tribes, especially the Pannonians, became more powerful and politically independent. Between 56 and 50 BC, the Scordisci were defeated by Burebista's Dacians (a Thracian king of the Getae and Dacian tribes), and became subject to him. Nathan P06/23/18 at 11:45Molinari: Nice!
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RIC 1102 DomitianusObv: CAESAR AVG F DOMITIAN COS VI, Laureate head right, bust draped
Rev: PRINCEPS IVVENTVTIS, S-C in left field; Domitian on horseback, raising right hand and holding sceptre
AE/Dupondius (27.91 mm 12.869 g 6h) Struck in Rome 79 A D
RIC 1102 (R2, Vespasian), BMCRE unlisted - BNF 795 (same dies)
ex Naville Live Auction 40 Lot 662 (Ex NAC sale O, 05/2004, lot 1960, NAC Auction 72, 05/2013, lot 1556)FlaviusDomitianus06/12/18 at 10:23Molinari: Great coin!
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RIC 0255 DomitianusObv: IMP CAES DOMITIANVS AVG GERMANIC, laureate head right
Rev: P M TR POT IIII IMP VIII COS XI P P, Minerva advancing right holding spear and shield
AU/Aureus (20.22 mm 7.373 g 6h) Struck in Rome 85 A.D. (1st issue)
RIC 255 (R2), BMCRE 70, BNF unlisted
ex Monnaies d'Antan Auction 23 Lot 835FlaviusDomitianus05/28/18 at 22:48Molinari: Awesome.
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Crawford 35/1, ROMAN REPUBLIC, Janus/Prow Series, Aes Grave AsRome, The Republic.
Janus/Prow Series, circa 225-217 BCE.
AE Aes Grave As (256.29g; 64mm).
Obv: Head of Janus; - (value mark) below neck.
Rev: Prow right; I (value mark) above.
Reference: Crawford 35/1; Vecchi, ICC 74; Sydenham 71.
Provenance: Ex Kuenker Auction 280 (26 Sep 2016), Lot 315; ex Hannelore Scheiner Collection; acquired 1966 from Martin Nading of Fort Wayne, IN.
Aes Grave were a significant departure from the previous Roman bronze money in that Aes Grave were denominated with marks of value, and thus did not require weighing. The prow series of Libral Aes Grave was a very large issue. E.J. Haeberlin included nearly 1,200 examples of the As in the weight analysis within his monumental "Aes Grave". The Prow series Aes Grave was initially based on an As of about 270 grams. The iconography likely refers to the role of Rome's new and powerful navy in the victory over Carthage in the First Punic War and to the closing of the doors of the Temple of Janus in recognition of the peace. This same iconography subsequently became emblamatic of the As for several centuries of Roman struck bronze coinage.
Carausius03/30/18 at 21:32Molinari: Great coin.
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Crawford 26/1, ROMAN REPUBLIC - AR DidrachmRome, The Republic.
Anonymous, 234-231 BCE.
AR Didrachm (6.74g; 20mm).
Obv: Laureate head of Apollo facing right.
Rev: Horse rearing left; ROMA above.
Reference: Crawford 26/1; Sydenham 27.
Provenance: Ex Kuenker (25 Sep 2017) Lot 508; ex Bernhard Terletzkli Collection; ex Dr. Hagen Tronnier Collection; ex Kunker Auction 94 (2004), Lot 1650; ex Auctiones 10 (1979), Lot 303.
By about 240 BCE, the inscription on struck Roman Republican coins had changed from ROMANO to ROMA. This coin is part of the second series to include the ROMA legend.
Carausius03/30/18 at 20:17Molinari: A very special coin. I love it.
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Alexander the GreatCNG description:
KINGS of MACEDON. Alexander III ‘the Great’. 336-323 BC. AR Tetradrachm (25.5mm, 17.19 g, 11h). Babylon mint. Struck under Stamenes or Archon, circa 324/3 BC. Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin / Zeus Aëtophoros seated left; in left field, horizontal ear above M; monogram below throne. Price 3611 corr. (symbol). Good VF, lightly toned, slight die shift on obverse, reverse a little off center. Ex CNG.Molinari03/12/18 at 15:14Molinari: Thanks guys.
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CONSTANTINOPLE: Leo ILeo I. AD 457-474. AV Solidus (21mm, 4.46 g, 6h). Constantinople mint, 10th officina. Struck AD 462 or 466. D N LEO PE RPET AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted, and cuirassed bust facing slightly right, holding spear over shoulder and shield with horseman motif / VICTORI A AVGGG, Victory standing left, holding long, jeweled cross in right hand; star to right; I//CONOB. RIC X 605; Depeyrot 93/1. VF, “X” graffito on obverse, a few light marks on reverse.Molinari02/14/18 at 15:30Molinari: Thanks, Peter. I'm shaking things up a bit ou...
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0083 - Republic, Didrachm (Quadrigatus)Rome or other italian mint, c 215-211 BC
Laureate janiform head of Dioscuri
ROMA in relief in linear frame at exergue, Jupiter, holding thunderbolt in right hand and scepter in left, in fast quadriga driven right by Victory.
6,69 gr - 20-21 mm
Ref : RCV #33, RSC # 24Potator II01/17/18 at 08:28Molinari: Great coin!
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MYSIA: KyzikosMYSIA, Kyzikos, c. 460 BC. Acheloios Aisepos as a man-faced bull to right on tuny. Ex. CNG.Molinari05/24/17 at 16:14Molinari: Thanks guys. It is a real beauty to behold.
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THESSALY: MetropolisTHESSALY: Metropolis, large bronze trichalkon, early third century B.C. Apollo / Acheloios Pamisos. MSP I, 498. Probably the finest known.Molinari05/18/17 at 13:32Molinari: Thanks, Shanxi. It really is exceptional for the ...
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Taras, Calabria272-240/35 BC (Period VIII - The Roman Alliance I)
AR Didrachm (19mm, 6.18g, 2h).
O: Youth on horseback left, crowning horse; cornucopia in field to right, |-AΠEAC (magistrate) below.
R: Taras riding dolphin left, holding kantharos in extended right hand and upright trident in left; POΛY behind, ΤΑΡΑΣ below.
D'Andrea XLIV, 1352; Vlasto 822; Evans VIII, A4; Cote 456; SNG ANS 1160; SNG Cop 910; HN Italy 997; cf Sear 374
From the W. H. Guertin Collection; ex CNG
The symbolism of the cornucopia has many origins in ancient lore, from the story of Zeus and Amaltheia to that of Herakles and the river-god Acheloos. Dionysus is also associated with the “horn of plenty”.
All of these deities were venerated at Taras, so the appearance of the cornucopia on this coin may be connected to any of the three, although the kantharos in Taras‘ extended right hand on the reverse makes the cult of Dionysus quite compelling.
George Brauer Jr. (‘Taras: Its History and Coinage’) suggests that the cornucopia can represent “the fruits of war”, and while the city of Taras was constantly fighting one battle or another during its long history, I believe the commonly seen Nike would be a more appropriate symbol of a military victory, and the passive nature of this particular type, with Taras holding his trident in a decidedly non-threatening posture, also seems to argue against this idea. In addition the fact that the city had just been subdued by Rome would apparently put Brauer’s theory to rest, at least in this case.
Of course the answer may be as simple as a local celebration of a particularly prosperous year, or a thank you to Demeter for an abundant harvest. We may never know for certain, but this kind of speculation can be half the fun of collecting!Enodia05/12/17 at 20:21Molinari: Interesting write up!!
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Accidental Man-Faced Bull!BLACK SEA: Pantikapaion, AE 12mm, 2.25g, c 160-150BC,Obverse: Head and neck of bull, head facing, over-struck on bow and PAN reverse type, with AN forming a perceived nose and mouth on the bull. Reverse: Plough & Corn ear ; PAN surrounding. Anokhin 165.Molinari03/20/17 at 16:03Molinari: It is neat, but I was so disappointed to learn it ...
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CAMPANIA: NeapolisCAMPANIA, Neapolis. 350-326 BC. AE half unit. Obverse: Laureate head of Apollo right. Rev: Forepart of Achelous Sebethos as a man-faced bull to right, star with four rays on shoulder, NEOPOLITHS above. Sambon 564, Taliercio Ib, 5; MSP I, 206 (this con illustrated).
Ex. CNG eAuction 308, lot 539 (part of)Molinari03/16/17 at 09:55Molinari: Thanks. I got this one in a group lot for a real b...
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Seleukid Kingdom, Seleukos I Nikator, 312-281 BC, AR Tetradrachm - Babylonia, Uncertain Mint 6A Head of Herakles right wearing lion skin headdress.
ΒΑΣΙΛEΩΣ ФIΛIÎ Î OY Zeus Aëtophoros enthroned left, star symbol beneath throne, Î recut over an earlier mint control in left field.
Taylor, Triparadeisos to Ipsos, Series IV, 189 (this coin), Plate 12, 189 (this coin), dies A50/P1; HGC 9, 11a (same dies); SC 68 (same dies); WSM 1241 (same dies); Price P167 (same dies).
Uncertain Mint 6A in Babylonia, 303-302 BC.
Struck under Seleukos utilising a reverse die from an earlier lifetime Philip issue (Price P160) with the left field mint control recut. Obverse die linked to examples of SC 67 (Alexander), SC 69 (Seleukos) and SC 50.1 (Alexander Uncertain Mint 1) .
One of four examples known and the only one outside the ANS (Newell) collection.
(26 mm, 17.0 g, 3h).
This very late posthumous issue in the name of Philip III is a unique numismatic circumstance. It was struck from a Philip III lifetime reverse die used about twelve years previously, paired to an obverse die that was also used to strike coins in the name of Alexander and Seleukos. This was not a matter of happenstance, but rather a deliberate pairing of dies that symbolically linked the name of Seleukos to the preceding Argead kings in a ritual numismatic statement of legitimacy. This occurred in Uncertain Mint 6A, which by this time was a mobile military mint, attached to the army of Seleukos on the campaign to Ipsos. This ritual symbolic numismatic acclamation of kingship paralleled the acclamation of Seleukos as king by the assembled army in a long-standing Macedonian tradition.
Reference: Taylor, L. W. H. 2015. From Triparadeisos to Ipsos: Seleukos I Nikator’s Uncertain Mint 6A in Babylonia. AJN Second Series 27: 41-97.n.igma02/19/17 at 14:16Molinari: Awesome!
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Brutus Gold Stater Roman Consul Brutus in center accompanied by two lictors
KOΣΩN in ex. BR monogram on left.
Eagle standing left on scepter, wings open raising wreath in left claw.
Eastern mint, Dacia? 43-42 B.C.
8.38g
Choice aUNC
RPC I 1701; BMC Thrace p. 208, 1; BMCRR II 48; Crawford 433/1
Ex-ANE, Ex CNG
Clickable for larger image
For an excellent write up/ theory on these coins including a fascinating metalurgy report:
http://www.calgarycoin.com/reference/articles/koson/koson.htm
And of course the numiswiki article:
http://www.forumancientcoins.com/numiswiki/view.asp?key=Koson
Jay GT401/26/17 at 21:55Molinari: Beautiful!
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Holyland Oil LampHerodian? Terracotta Oil Lamp
decorated with grapes and vines
1st Century BC-1st Century AD
measures 60 x 98
Intact
Ex-Time Machine(Clayton Rare Coins)
part of the David Liebert estateJay GT412/19/16 at 20:20Molinari: Very cool!
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Roman oil lampRoman Terracotta Oil Lamp
Amphora decoration
1st Century AD
measures 589 x 83 mm
Intact
Ex-Time Machine (Clayton Rare Coins)
Part of the David Liebert estateJay GT412/19/16 at 20:19Molinari: Nice!
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Taras, Calabriacirca 302 BC
AR Trihemiobol (11mm, 1.04g)
O: Two horse heads, joined at truncation; four ):( symbols around.
R: Two horse heads back-to-back; four ):( symbols around.
D'Andrea XXXVIII, 837 (this coin); Vlasto 1688 (trihemiobol); McGill II, 210v (trihemiobol); SNG France 2229; HN Italy 1072 (diobol); Sear 353v (diobol)
Rare
From the E.E. Clain Stefanelli collection. ex ex Naville Numismatics
D'Andrea plate coin, Series XXXVIII, 837
Vlasto defines this series as ‘trihemiobols’, claiming the ):( symbol to be a mark of value. Whether this is true, and if so why this symbol relates to a trihemiobol, which suggests an approximate weight of .75g, I cannot say. However based on an obol of .50g I would have to agree with Rutter et al and declare this type to be a diobol.
Enodia12/14/16 at 20:09Molinari: Love it!
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RIC 0596 Domitian DenariusIMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P VIII
laureate head right.
COS XIIII LVD SAEC FEC
herald advancing left, wearing feathered cap, holding wand with right hand and shield with left.
Rome mint.
Struck 14 September-31 December 88 AD
3.5g
RIC II 596 (C2); BMCRE 131-2; BN 120-1; RSC 76/77.
Ex-Tom VossenJay GT412/07/16 at 19:12Molinari: Awesome!
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RIC 0544Vespasian, 69-79 A.D. AR Denarius, 3.16g. 21.41mm. Rome, 73 A.D.
Obv: IMP CAES VESP AVG CENS. Laureate head of Vespasian to right.
Rev: MAXIM PONTIF. Nemisis walking to right holding caduceus over snake. RIC 544.
Ex: E. E. Clain-Stefanelli collection. Ex: Numismatica Ars Classica - Auction 92 Part 2, Lot 2133 May 24, 2016; Ex: Ed waddell
This denarius of Vespasian is interesting because of the reverse. The reverse features Nemesis walking with a snake. This reverse was also used earlier by Claudius. In fact, Vespasian revived many of the earlier coin types for his own coinage.
The other interesting fact about this denarius is the provenance. This coin once belonged to E. E. Clain-Stefanelli. She was senior Curator of the National Numismatic Collection in the Numismatics Division of the National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC. She also published works concerning ancient coins and their history.
orfew09/07/16 at 22:47Molinari: That's a real beauty!
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Syracuse, Sicily, Tyrant Agathokles, 317 - 289 B.C.Silver tetradrachm, Ierardi 40 (O7/R23), SNG ANS 639 (same dies), SNG Delepierre 701, SNG Lloyd 1479, Boston MFA 460, HGC 2 1348 (S), SNG Cop -, SNG München -, gVF, superb classical style, excellent centering on a tight flan, toned, flan flaw on obverse, Syracuse mint, weight 16.954g, maximum diameter 25.2mm, die axis 270o, c. 317 - 310/305 B.C.; obverse head of Persephone (or Arethusa) left, crowned with grain, wearing triple-drop earrings and a pearl necklace, surrounded by three dolphins, NI below; reverse quadriga galloping left, young charioteer wearing long chiton, kentron in right hand, reins in left hand, triskeles above; ΣYPAKOΣIΩN over AI monogram in exergue; ex Helios Numismatik, auction 6 (9 March 2011), lot 345; scarce.
With an army of mercenaries, through deceit, and after banishing or murdering some 10,000 citizens, Agathocles made himself master of Syracuse and later most of Sicily. Machiavelli wrote of him, "It cannot be called prowess to kill fellow-citizens, to betray friends, to be treacherous, pitiless, and irreligious" and cited him as an example of "those who by their crimes come to be princes." According to the historian Justin, very early in life Agathocles parlayed his remarkable beauty into a career as a prostitute, first for men, and later, after puberty, for women, and then made a living by robbery before becoming a soldier and marrying a rich widow.
FOVM Ancient Coins / From The Sam Mansourati Collection.Sam05/27/16 at 10:56Molinari: A real beauty!
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RIC 392A DomitianAR Denarius, 2.90g
Rome mint, 85 AD
Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P V; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: IMP XI COS XI CENS P P P; Minerva stg. l., with thunderbolt and spear; shield at her side (M3)
RIC 392A (R2). BMC -. RSC -. BNC -.
Acquired from Incitatus Coins, May 2016.
A previously unknown Minerva type 3 from Domitian's rare sixth issue of denarii for 85. Until this coin recently surfaced only three of the four standard Minerva types were known for this issue, now all four are accounted for. Ted Buttrey was notified of this coin's existence and he has assigned it as RIC 392A in the Flavian RIC Addenda. In the Flavian RIC Addenda another specimen is now noted - Hurston list 43, 1985, lot 10.
Well toned with rainbow hints and a stylish portrait. David Atherton05/23/16 at 22:09Molinari: Sweet!
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Sicily, Kamarina, (420-410 B.C.), AE-Tetras, Calciati-III, p-53-, No-16, -/Γ//•••, Owl standing right,Sicily, Kamarina, (420-410 B.C.), AE-Tetras, Calciati-III, p-53-, No-16, -/Γ//•••, Owl standing right,
avers: Head of Gorgon Faceing,
revers: KAMA, Owl standing right, clutching lizard in talons; Γ to right, three pellets below.
exerg: -/Γ//•••, diameter: 16-18 mm, weight: 4,08 g, axes: 10h,
mint: Sicily, Kamarina, date: 420-410 B.C.,
ref: Westermark and Jenkins 189/4 = Virzi 783,Calciati III pg. 53, 16; BMC Sicily pg. 39, 36;
SNG Copenhagen 166 var. (B on reverse); SNG Morcom 547 var.; Laffaille 154 var.,
Virzi Collection (Bank Leu Auktion 6, 8 May 1973), lot 122.
Triton V Sale, 15 Jan 2002, lot 172.
Q-001quadrans05/01/16 at 10:23Molinari: Fantastic!
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Pisidia, Selge, SNG Paris 1963AE 11, 2.45g
struck ca. 150 BC
obv. Bearded head of Herakles, facing, slightly r., wreathed with Styrax leaves, wearing lion-skin around shoulders, behind his club
rev. Stag kneeling r., head turned l.
in field l. and r. SE - L
ref.: SNG Paris 1963; SG 5489
about VF
Herakles is wearing the Styrax wreath, typically for Selge. Jochen04/25/16 at 22:52Molinari: Nice one!
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Gela, Sicily, c. 430 - 425 B.C.Silver litra, Jenkins Gela, group VI, 401 - 453; SNG Cop 275; BMC Sicily p. 71, 52; HGC 2 374 (R1), aF, dark toning, scratches, corrosion, flan cracks, Gela mint, weight 0.563g, maximum diameter 13.3mm, die axis 45o, c. 430 - 425 B.C.; obverse bearded cavalryman charging left on horseback, helmeted, armed with shield and couched spear; reverse CEΛAΣ, forepart of a man-faced bull (river god) swimming right; from a Northern Florida collector.
EX FORVM . With my sincere thank and appreciation , Photo and Description courtesy of FORVM Ancient Coins Staff.
Gela, named after the river Gela, was founded around 688 BC by colonists from Rhodos (Rhodes) and Crete, 45 years after the founding of Syracuse. In 424 B.C., the Congress of Gela established a platform of "Sicily for the Sicilians" and formed a league that pushed back the Athenian attempt to conquer the island.Sam04/21/16 at 15:04Molinari: Forepart of Acheloios Gelas as a man-faced bull, i...
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Larissa, ThessalyCirca 356-342 BC
AR Drachm (21mm, 5.83g)
O: Head of nymph Larissa facing slightly left, hair in ampyx, wearing single-pendant earring and plain necklace.
R: Horse standing right, preparing to lie down; ΛΑΡΙΣ−ΑΙΩΝ above and below.
Lorber L-III; BCD Thessaly II, 319; SNG Cop 120-121
ex Praefectus Coins
In my opinion one of the most beautiful coin types of all time, this design from Thessaly was an homage to the Syracusan master engraver Kimon and his artistic tetradrachm featuring a similar nymph, Arethusa. The nymph is depicted in her natural element of water, with her hair ‘floating’ about her face.
Facing head coins represent some of the greatest achievements in Greek numismatic art, and this type upholds that claim most admirably.Enodia04/12/16 at 09:21Molinari: A real beauty, Peter!
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RIC 0846 VespasianAR Denarius, 2.90g
Rome mint, 76 AD
Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, l.
Rev: COS VII across field; Eagle head r. standing on thunderbolt, on Altar. Very uncommon with thunderbolt showing.
RIC 846 (R). BMC p. 34 note. RSC 122a. BNC -.
Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection.
A fairly rare denarius with portrait left and the head of the eagle to the right. Variant lacking thunderbolt.
Deep toning combined with an artistic portrait makes this a wonderful coin with plenty of in hand eye appeal.
David Atherton04/02/16 at 13:42Molinari: Really nice!
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Akarnania, Oiniadai, 219-211 BC, Æ 22 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.igma03/16/16 at 09:04Molinari: A fantastic coin. Interesting that the body of the...
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Akarnania, Federal Coinage (Akarnanian Confederacy), Leukas, 3rd Century BC, Æ 23 Head 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.igma03/16/16 at 09:02Molinari: Great coin.
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Syracuse, Reign of Hiketas287-283 BC
AE23 (23mm, 11.375g, 135o)
O: Head of Kore (Persephone) left, wreathed in grain; ΣΥΡΑΚΟΣΙΩΝ before, pellet and stalk of grain behind.
R: Nike driving biga right, whip in right hand, reigns in left; star above, Σ in exergue.
HGC 2, 1446; Calciati II, p. 259, 123; SNG ANS 760 var. (no Σ in ex.); Sear 1209
ex Forvm Ancient Coins
“Apart from Demeter, lady of the golden sword and glorious fruits, she was playing with the deep-bosomed daughters of Oceanus and gathering flowers over a soft meadow, roses and crocuses and beautiful violets, irises also and hyacinths and the narcissus which Earth made to grow at the will of Zeus and to please the Host of Many, to be a snare for the bloom-like girl -- a marvelous, radiant flower. It was a thing of awe whether for deathless gods or mortal men to see: from its root grew a hundred blooms and it smelled most sweetly, so that all wide heaven above and the whole earth and the sea's salt swell laughed for joy. And the girl was amazed and reached out with both hands to take the lovely toy; but the wide-pathed earth yawned there in the plain of Nysa, and the lord, Host of Many, with his immortal horses sprang out upon her -- the Son of Cronos, He who has many names.”
~ The Homeric Hymn to Demeter
One of my favorite coins... Enodia03/16/16 at 08:59Molinari: They don't get better than this.
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RIC 0688 VespasianAR Denarius, 2.84g
Rome mint, 74 AD
Obv: IMP CAESAR in exergue; Vespasian stg. r., with branch and sceptre, in quadriga r.
Rev: VESP AVG across field; Victory on prow r., with wreath and palm
RIC 688 (R). BMC 147. RSC 569. BNC 121. Hendin 1484 corr. (rev. legend).
Ex Nomos Obolos 4, 21 February 2016, lot 575. Ex GH Collection. Ex Superior Galleries, The Moreira sale, Part II, 10-11 December 1988, lot 2374.
A major feature of Vespasian's coinage is in its use of antiquarian styled types and recycled ones from previous eras. K. Butcher and M. Ponting in The Metallurgy of Roman Silver Coinage have shown that a big component of Vespasian's silver bullion consisted of recycled denarii from the republic and early empire. Vespasian's moneyers were removing the older worn coinage and replacing them with brand new coins and in the process keeping some of the familiar reverse designs that the Roman public had grown accustomed to.
With that in mind, this very rare coin which copies not only the reverse design from a denarius of Octavian, it also copies the obverse. The only change is with the reverse legend VESP AVG to indicate Vespasian's authority. Being undated, it is difficult to correctly place in the series. RIC assigns it to 74 AD based on the legends. D. Hendin to 71-72, just after Vespasian and Titus' joint triumph for the Jewish War.
This denarius is so rare I have only been able to locate six other examples, all of which are in public collections: BM 3 examples (one plated), Paris (BNC 121, obv die match with mine), Berlin (rev die match with mine), and ANA NY. Curtis Clay has kindly informed me of several other examples offered at auction: "Glendining, 1952, Ryan Part 5, part of lot 2147, not illustrated, 'only fine but rare.' Perhaps the same coin as Trau Sale, 1935, lot 625, pl. 8: a worn example. Stack's, Knobloch, May 1980, lot 300. VF, but small edge chip (the ANA NY coin). Leu, April 1982, lot 327, VF."
I think the RIC frequency rating of 'rare' really underestimates the rarity of the type.
Fantastic old cabinet toning on a large 20mm flan. David Atherton03/09/16 at 19:43Molinari: Congratulations!
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AR Nomos of Neapolis, Campania c340-241 BCOBV: Head of nymph facing right, bunch of grapes(?) to left
REV: Man-faced Bull walking right, Victory overhead crowning with wreath.
Sambon 436, SNG ANS 366, weight 7.3 gms; 18 mm
A coin which has all the things that I like about the ancient Greeks - beautiful sense of natural form, balanced design, and whimsical imagination. The small flan cuts off some elements of the overall design and put it in range of my budget.daverino03/02/16 at 07:47Molinari: The figure above the man-faced bull is exceptional...
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Sold! Agrippina Orichalcum SestertiusAGRIPPINA M F GERMANICI CAESARIS
Draped bust of Agrippina right
TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG GERM P M TR P IMP P P
around large SC
Rome circa 42 AD
Issued by Claudius
27.07g
RIC 102; C. 3; BMC 219.
Ex-Londinium
Sold Torex February 2023
Jay GT402/28/16 at 22:54Molinari: Great coin Jay!
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Neapolis, Campania270-240 BC
AE19 (19mm, 5.38g)
O: Laureate head of Apollo left; NEOΠOΛITΩN before, Ξ behind.
R: Man headed bull right, crowned by Nike flying right; IΣ below.
Graziano 423; MSP I, 363; Sambon 672; SNG ANS 477; Hands Type IV; HN Italy 589; Sear 557
ex Ancient Imports
“I will remember and not forget far-shooting Apollo.
Gods tremble as he approaches the home of Zeus:
All rise from their seats as he draws near
when he stretches his gleaming bow…
… How to praise you, celebrated in so many hymns?
Phoibos, the range of songs for you spreads over
all the islands and lands that feed calves.
All high places please you, from the mountain
headlands, to the rivers that flow seaward,
and the rugged banks sloping to the sea and harbor.”
~ Homeric Hymn to Apollo (Diane Rayor translation)Enodia02/15/16 at 17:30Molinari: Awesome!
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Taras, Calabria240/35-212 BC (Period IX - The Roman Alliance II)
AR Didrachm (20mm, 6.21g)
Xenokrathes magistrate.
O: Bearded strategos on horse parading left, wearing short tunic and chlamys, raising right hand, short sword in scabbard under left arm; monogram and pileus above, Ξ / ENO - KP ATHC in two lines below.
R: Taras wearing leafy crown, astride dolphin left, naked but for chlamys raised in left hand and draping over right thigh, trident over right shoulder; waves and cuttlefish below, [Τ]ΑΡΑΣ to left, monogram to right.
D'Andrea XLV, 1645 (this coin); Vlasto 958; Evans IX, G1; Cote 579; HN Italy 1058
ex Roma Numismatics
D'Andrea plate coin
Series XLV, 1645
An interesting piece from the last days of Tarentine independence.
Evans divides the Horsemen of the post-Pyrrhic era into Period VIII (272-235 BC) and Period IX, which he terminates at 228 BC with the alleged closing of the mint, but which hoard evidence suggests should be extended to the Punic occupation of 212.
The coins of the former category are of a decidedly inferior style compared to those of the previous century, but Period IX reveals something of a renaissance, and many of these coins are of fine style. Surely this is befitting the final truly Tarentine issues.
The Vlasto catalog describes the obverse figure as “Single Dioskuros…”. likely due to the pileus in the field above (almost off-flan here). However this mounted nobleman must certainly be the model for the less impressive Punic issues of Period X.
The obverse die is peculiar for its use of the ‘lunar E’ in the magistrate’s name, which was not at all typical at Taras.
Enodia01/26/16 at 16:26Molinari: Really nice addition. Certainly one of your best ...
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Mazaios, Satrap of Cilicia AR StaterCILICIA, Tarsos. Mazaios. Satrap of Cilicia, 361/0-334 BC., 10.78g. AR Stater
O: Baaltars seated left, head and torso facing, holding eagle, grain ear, and grape bunch in extended right hand, lotus-tipped scepter in left; TN (in Aramaic) to left, M (in Aramaic) below throne, B’LTRZ ("Baal of Tarsos" or "Baaltars" in Aramaic) to right
R: Lion attacking bull left; MZDY (Mazaeus in Aramaic) above, monogram below.
- Casabonne Series 2, Group C; SNG France –; SNG Levante 106. -Ex Walter M. Shandruk Collection
The obverse of this coin depicts the Baal of Tarsos.
"Baal" is a Semitic word for "Lord" or "God." The symbols of an eagle, wheat stalk, grapes, and a scepter may represent Baal’s capacity as a god involved in the seasonal cycles of life and death.
The reverse features a lion-and-bull motif as did earlier Anatolian coins of Kroisos/Croesus. But here, on the reverse, the full bodies of both lion and bull are shown, and the lion is ferociously jumping on the back of the bull, who's kneeling.
If you assume that a kneeling bull (without a lion) on the scores of later Greek and Roman coins is symbolic of Zeus, a position that Marvin Tameanko has persuasively argued for (Celator, Jan. 1995, pp. 6-11), and that the lion is symbolic of the supreme god, or Baal, of the Celicians, the symbolism of this coin, may be direct and simple: Our god is more powerful than your god.
The Baal obverse of Mazaios' coinage may have been used as the model for the Zeus reverse of Alexander the Great's huge output of silver coinage, though Martin Price believed that both coinages were based on similar models. Price did feel, however, that the celator who engraved the latter Mazaios staters also engraved Alexander III's Tarsos tetradrachms.
Mazaios (also referred to as "Mazaeus" and "Mazday") was the Persian satrap of Celicia beginning c. 361 BC, then the satrap of both Celicia and the larger territory of Transeuphratesia/Transeuphrates (Syria and Palestine, also known as Abar Nahara) beginning c. 345 BC.
Mazaios fought Alexander the Great at the Battle of Gaugamela in 331 BC. After this loss, he fled to Babylon. With the Great King Darius III of Persia also fleeing Alexander's army, Mazaios was the person who surrendered the capital of the Persian Empire, Babylon, to Alexander later in 331 BC, which prevented the sack of the city. For doing this without a fight, Alexander appointed him governor of Babylon, which at the time was the world's largest city. Mazaios died in 328 BC.
https://www.forumancientcoins.com/numiswiki/view.asp?key=baal
Nemonater12/24/15 at 19:10Molinari: They don't get better than this!
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Domitian AR Denarius AD 85Domitian. AD 81-96. AR Denarius, 20mm, 3.50g. Rome mint. Struck AD 85
O: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P IIII; Laureate bust Domitian right with aegis
R: IMP VIIII COS XI CENS POT P P; Minerva standing right on capital of rostral column with spear and shield; aegis draped over back with snakes around; owl to right.
- RIC 334
Minerva was clearly the favorite goddess and patroness of Domitian, evidenced here by his wearing of her aegis.
In the Thebaid Minerva is represented as a terrifying battle goddess, entrusted with Jupiter's horrible aegis, that terrifies the Thebans. The popular perception of Domitian as cruel and capricious was entirely consistent with the wanton destructiveness of Minerva in the epic.
What scene is portrayed on the center of the capital?
From Dressel, Berlin Medallions (published 1973), p. 14, note 1: 'Cohen 237 note says, "a standing figure and a seated figure". Gnecchi, Medaglioni I, p. 43, 4 says "two small figures, the one on the left seated and the second one kneeling before the seated figure". As can be seen on many of the more carefully engraved specimens [Dressel continues], the first figure is shown seated right, while the second figure kneels before the first figure, with arms raised in entreaty.'Nemonater12/09/15 at 22:26Molinari: Stunning!
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RIC 515 TitusAR Cistophorus, 10.64g
Rome mint (for Asia), 80-81 AD
Obv: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M.; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: CAPIT across field, RESTIT in exergue; Temple of Capitoline Jupiter with 4 columns enclosing figures of Juno, seated Jupiter and Minverva
RIC 515 (R). BMC spec. acquired 1948. RSC -. RPC 860 (3 spec.). BNC 111.
Acquired from Calgary Coin, 30 November 2015. Ex MS collection. Ex Harlan J. Berk BBS 124, 3 January 2002, lot 448.
In 80 AD while Titus was away in Campania surveying the damage Vesuvius had caused in the region the previous Fall, a devastating fire broke out in Rome, damaging much of the city center. One of the most important buildings affected by the fire was the Temple of Capitoline Jupiter, rebuilt recently by Vespasian. The temple being the most sacred and important building in Rome, Titus began rebuilding it immediately. Construction was still ongoing when Titus died of natural causes in September of 81. A cistophorus commemorating the rebuilding of the structure was struck for Domitian but it was not until 1948 with the discovery of this reverse type for Titus when the BM acquired a specimen was the type known to be minted for Titus. Needless to say it is extremely rare. Since 1948 seven other examples have surfaced, four of which are in public collections. A.M. Woodward speculates the type for Domitian is actually a hybrid struck from carry-over dies intended for Titus. This cistophorus was minted in Rome for export to Asia Minor. The style and die axis are similar to the denarii from Rome during the same period, firmly placing it to that mint. This coin is an obverse die match with Gemini IX, lot 458.
A wonderful 'chunky' coin in hand in good style. David Atherton12/07/15 at 12:07Molinari: Great coin that will only improve with toning!
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Athens, AtticaEleusinian Festival Coinage
340-335 BC
AE 16 (16mm, 3.65g)
O: Triptolemos seated left in winged chariot drawn by two serpents, holding grain ear in right hand.
R: Pig standing right on mystic staff; EΛEYΣI above, bucranium in ex.
SNG Cop 415; Agora 38h; Sear 2586v
The Sons of Dysaules
The story of Triptolemus being charged with bringing agriculture to man has been well told. That of his brother Eubouleus perhaps less so.
Eubouleus was a swineherd whose pigs were lost when the Earth gaped open to swallow up Persephone.
Pigs were sacrificed during the Eleusinian Rites in a women’s mystery ritual known as the Thesmophoria. The piglets would be washed in the sea during the Procession and then brought back to the Sanctuary and ritually slaughtered.
It is interesting to note that in ancient Greek religion pigs were thought to be able to absorb miasma from humans, making this an even more appropriate offering.
"It is said, then, that when Demeter came to Argos she was received by Pelasgos into his home, and that Khrysanthis, knowing about the rape of Kore, related the story to her. Afterwards Trokhilos, the priest of the mysteries, fled, they say, from Argos because of the enmity of Agenor, came to Attika and married a woman of Eleusis, by whom he had two children Eubouleos and Triptolemos. That is the account given by the Argives."
~ Pausanias, Description of Greece 1. 14. 3 Enodia11/29/15 at 19:45Molinari: Awesome!
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Taras, Calabria425-415 BC
AR Hemiobol (7.5mm, 0.20g).
O: Skyphos with single handle to left.
R: Olive wreath, Γ within.
D'Andrea XVII, 245; Vlasto 1744; Cote 448; SNG France 2224; HN Italy 867; Sear 360v
Rare
ex Savoca Coins
A peculiar little coin with obscure symbolism.
Even the vessel type is uncertain. It is often called a ‘skyphos’, although those are typically two-handled. I have also seen it referred to as a ‘kyathos’, but that type usually has its single handle molded extremely long, making it more useful as a dipper.
This scarce coin is more commonly seen with the cup handle to the right. The reverse can also depict a ‘K’ within the wreath, or even a race torch. An empty wreath is also recorded.Enodia11/13/15 at 19:27Molinari: Interesting acquisition. If it didn't have th...
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Military Diploma and Denarii issued by Severus AlexanderDated by line 3, side 2, to 229-230, 233-235: COS III, preceded by II, the last two digits of the TRIB POT number. He became COS III in 229, and remained this until his death in 235, so the possible years are 229 (TRIB POT VIII), 230 (VIIII), 233 (XII), 234 (XIII) and 235 (XIIII). **CLICK TO EXPAND**
Nemonater10/20/15 at 20:46Molinari: Wicked awesome!
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Taras, Calabria272-240/35 BC
AR Didrachm (20mm, 6.95g)
O: Diademed head of nymph Satyra left, wearing triple-pendant earring.
R: Nude youth on horseback right crowning horse and holding reins; star of eight rays above, dolphin below, TA beneath raised foreleg.
D'Andrea XLIII, 1338; Vlasto 1036-37, Cote 548; McGill II, 131; SNG ANS 1301; SNG Cop 904; HN Italy 1098; Sear 366v
ex Praefectus Coins
These so-called Campano-Tarentine (or sometimes Bruttio-Tarentine) types are something of a numismatic enigma.
The idea of an alliance was originally put forth in the 19th century due to the apparent similarity of the obverse portraits of this series with the coins of Neapolis and other Campanian cities. However the nymph depicted here is more likely to be the local Satyra rather than Campanian Parthenope, and there is no direct historical evidence of any alliance between Taras and the Campanians during this period.
The heavier standard may mean that this series was intended to circulate outside of Taras as a federal issue, or possibly as a trade unit. Further, no coins of this type have been found within the city itself.
It has also been suggested that these coins were struck as tribute to Rome, and the apparent timeframe is in line with such a theory.
Enodia10/20/15 at 19:32Molinari: Great coin, Peter!
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Gordian III denariusIMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG
laureate bust right
DIANA LVCIFERA
Diana standing right holding lighted torch in both hands
Rome
241-2 AD
Rare?
Sear 8673, RIC 127, RSC 69
Special issue for marriage of Gordian III and Sabinia Tranquillina
SOLD! Forum Auction January 2017Jay GT407/03/15 at 14:35Molinari: I agree, very nice reverse!
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Kamnaskires-OrodesAE tetradrachm, early to mid 2nd century AD
Van't Haaff 12.1.1-3E
This coin published as figure seven in:
“Der Sammler Pieter Anne van't Haaff und seine Forschungen zur Münzprägung der Elymais”
("The Collector Pieter Anne van't Haaff and His Research on the Coinage of the Elymais")
by Michael Stal
Published in “Sammlungen und Sammler
Tagungsband zum 8. Österreichischen Numismatikertag
S ONDERDRUCK”
Klagenfurt am Wörthersee 2019Kamnaskires04/30/15 at 19:21Molinari: I have one that appear to be from the same dies. ...
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Ptolemy II Philadelphos - Alexandria - 283/246BC - Drachm - ObversePtolemy Coin GAE087
Ptolemy II Philadelphos Drachm - 285/246BC
AE 44.1-45.0mm : 100.9gm
OBV - Zeus Ammon, facing right
REV - Eagle standing on thunderbolt, wing open on right side of coin, head reverted over open wing, no monogram between legs. BASILEOS on left, PTOLEMAIOY on right. Denomination A
REF - Svoronos 412 (Plate 17 #1)PtolemAE04/26/15 at 21:23Molinari: What a monster! 100+ grams
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Diocletian antoninianus from LvgdvnvmDiocletian antoninianus. Lvgdvnvm mint. 286 AD.
3.62 grs and 21 mm.
Obs. : IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind.
Rev. : IOVI CONSERVATORI, Jupiter standing left, holding thunderbolt in right hand, scepter in left.
RIC 47labienus03/17/15 at 22:16Molinari: Great coin.
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ROMAN EMPIRE, ANTONINUS PIUS sestertius, RIC 618 Æ Sestertius (24.83g, Ø 33mm, 11h), Rome mint, Struck AD 140-144.
Obv.: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P COS III, laurate head Antoninus Pius facing right
Rev.: PROVIDENTIAE DEORVM (around) S C (in field), winged thunderbolt with six lightnings.
RIC 618; Coh.684; BMC 1266 note (six barbs instead of four); Strack 845; Banti 321 (same rev. die as illustrated, 2 spec.)
ex CNG eAuction 202 (2009); ex White Mountain Collection
 Charles S02/21/15 at 16:18Molinari: Very attractive coin!
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Bronze Roman Seal boxBronze seal box with image of lion, jug above, wreath below, ( horse head to right?)
Attached to packages or letters that are tied with strings. The strings pass into the box which is then filled with wax, to protect against tampering.
Bronze
26mm x 21mm x 7mm.
3mm diameter holes
5.56g
2-3rd Century?
Pannonia
Ex-Ancient TreasuresJay GT402/12/15 at 19:56Molinari: Nice one!
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RPC 1801 VespasianAR Tetradrachm, 11.50g
Antioch mint (for Cyprus), 75-76 AD
Obv: AYTOKPATΩP OYЄCΠACIANOC KAICAP; Head of Vespasian, laureate, l.
Rev: ЄTOYC NЄOY IЄPOY H; Zeus Salaminios standing facing, holding patera in r. hand, l. hand resting on a short sceptre; eagle on l. arm
RPC 1801 (16 spec.).
Acquired from Herakles Numismatics, February 2015.
Style and legend format link this Cypriot series to Antioch's tetradrachm and bronze issues. RPC II proposes these coins were actually struck in Antioch and then sent to Cyprus for circulation. Very likely this is the case since the minting of silver was highly centralised and controlled by the imperial government. The date off flan should read year 8 (H). Obverse die match with Gorny & Mosch Auction 134, 11 October 2004, lot 2079.
This coin has one of the most extraordinary portraits of Vespasian I've ever seen. The engraver has depicted the emperor as an elderly, overweight glutton - it's utterly fantastic! David Atherton02/11/15 at 22:45Molinari: Great coin, David!
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RIC 0362 DomitianusObv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM COS XI CENS POT P P, Laureate head right, with aegis
Rev: S-C, in exergue; Domitian standing left, with thunderbolt and spear, crowned by Victory, standing left
AE/Sestertius (34.49 mm 28.75 g 6h) Struck in Rome 85 A.D. (2nd issue)
RIC 362 (R3, only one known, in Oxford collection), BMCRE - BNF unlistedFlaviusDomitianus02/10/15 at 15:43Molinari: A great rarity AND very well preserved!
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Marcus AgrippaM AGRIPPA L F COS III
head of Agrippa left wearing rostral crown
SC
Neptune standing holding dolphin and trident
AE As
Issued by Caligula in honour of his deceased grandfather Agrippa
Minted in Rome 37-41 A.D.
9.06g
Ex- Ancient TreasuresJay GT401/31/15 at 18:45Molinari: Nice portrait!
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Greek, Datames stater, SNG Levante 86 = SNG von Aulock 5951 (this coin)384-361/0 BC
25 mm, 10.57 g
obv: Baaltars seated right; holding grain ear and grape bunch, resting on eagle-tipped scepter; thymiaterion to left, branch under throne; all within crenellated wall
rev: Satrap seated right, wearing Persian dress, holding arrow; winged solar disk upper right, bow lower right
(Casabonne series 2; SNG Levante 86 = SNG von Aulock 5951 (this coin); SNG France 288ff var. (symbol under throne on obverse)) areich01/02/15 at 11:09Molinari: You are very fortunate to own this coin! Congratu...
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Krannon, Thessaly, Greece, c. 400 - 350 B.C.Bronze AE 15, Rogers Thessaly 182, SNG Cop 39, BMC Thessaly 7 corr. (Zeus, 300 - 190 B.C.), F, Krannon mint, weight 4.169g, maximum diameter 18.5mm, die axis 315o, c. 400 - 350 B.C.; obverse laureate head of Poseidon right; reverse KPA, horseman galloping right, wearing petasos and chlamys, trident below.
Found nr. Pelinna, July 97, Sfr. 35.-
Ex FORVM Auction House
*With my sincere thank and appreciation , Photo and Description courtesy of FORVM Ancient Coins Staff.
From The Sam Mansourati Collection. Sam12/17/14 at 12:51Molinari: Great coin, Sam.
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Syracuse, Timoleon and the Third Democracy344-336 BC
AE Hemidrachm (23mm, 12.40g)
O: Laureate head of Zeus Eleutherios right, hair short; ZEYΣEA EΛE-YΘEPIOΣ
to right.
R: Thunderbolt; eagle with closed wings standing to right; ΣYPAKOΣIΩN around.
HGC 2, 1440; Calciati II p. 167, 72; SNG ANS 477ff; SNG Cop 727; Sear 1192
ex Forvm Ancient Coins
Timoleon was cool.Enodia12/14/14 at 21:31Molinari: Haha yes he was. Nice coin.
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Taras, Calabria385-380 BC
AR 3/8 Obol (7mm, 0.15g, 7h)
O: Head of nymph Satyra right, within dotted border.
R: Kantharos; three pellets around.
D'Andrea XXII, 410 (this coin); Vlasto ----
Very rare
ex Roma Numismatics
D'Andrea plate coin, Series XXII, 410
Previously unpublishedEnodia12/14/14 at 00:12Molinari: It is amazing to think about how these dies were e...
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Aitna, Sicily210-150 BC (Roman rule)
AE Hexas (16.5mm, 3.89g)
O: Head of Persephone right, wreathed in grain.
R: Filleted cornucopia; two pellets in upper right, AITNAI−ΩN upward to left.
HGC 2, 70; Calciati III, 152, 11; SNG ANS 1165; SNG München 26; Sear 1019v (pellets to left); BMC 5, 8
ex Forvm Ancient Coins
Demeter and Persephone
"…As Queen of Death, that worship which is Fear,
Henceforth, as having risen from out the dead,
Shalt ever send thy life along with mine…"
~Alfred Lord TennysonEnodia10/05/14 at 21:32Molinari: Love it!
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Taras, Calabria212-209 BC (Period X - The Punic Occupation)
AR Half-Shekel (Reduced Nomos) (22mm, 3.94g)
Sokannos magistrate.
O: Warrior on horseback right, holding filleted palm frond in right hand, rein in left; ΣΩKAN-NA below.
R: Phalanthos on dolphin left, holding kantharos in extended right hand, trident in left; eagle with open wings standing left behind, TAPAΣ below.
D'Andrea XLVI 1730; Vlasto 984-86; Cote 605-06; SNG ANS 1272; SNG Cop 951; HN Italy 1082; SNG Ashmolean 420-1; Sear 383v (drachm)
ex CNG
Popular history suggests that the Romans shut down the Tarentine mint circa 228 BC. No further coins were produced (at least in silver) until Hannibal captured the city in 212, at which time these “reduced nomoi” were struck for the approximately three years of occupation using the Punic standard.
While the earlier horseman/dolphin rider types were renewed at this time, the artistic quality was greatly diminished.
Also, the magistrate names differed greatly from the earlier coins and were likely not even Hellenic. One theory is that the names were those of the local indigenous peoples (Messapians, etc), although I believe they were more likely Carthaginian and probably those of Hannibal’s own administrators.
What a shame that the last emissions from this once great city should be so debased.
Enodia10/03/14 at 19:40Molinari: Another great coin, Peter!
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Phistelia, Campania325-275 BC
AR Obol (10mm, 0.55g)
O: Head of Nymph facing slightly left.
R: Lion standing left, right forepaw raised; star above, [serpent] in exergue(?).
SNG ANS 590; HGC I, 505; HN Italy 619
From the Jörg Müller Collection; ex CNG
Very little is known of Phistelia, a city accounted for only by its coinage. It is believed to have been located by the sea due to the clam shell device used on many of the coin types issued there. Enodia09/27/14 at 20:23Molinari: Great coin, Peter!
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Antoninus Pius, RIC 615a, Sestertius of AD 140-144 (Aeneas) Æ Sestertius (26.15g, Ø33mm, 11h). Rome mint. Struck AD 140-44.
Obv/ ANTONINVS · AVGVSTVS PIVS, laureate head of Antoninus Pius facing right, aegis on left shoulder.
Rev/ P P TR P COS III (in field) [S C (in ex.)], Aeneas wearing a short tunic and cloak, advancing right, looking back, carrying Anchises on his shoulder and holding Ascanius by the hand. Anchises (veiled and draped) carries a box in left hand, Ascanius wears a short tunic and Phrygian cap and caries a pedum (shepherd's crook) in left hand.
RIC 615a (R2), BMCRE 1264, Cohen 655 (80 Fr.), Strack 904 (3 specimens found); Banti (I Grandi Bronzi Imperiali II-3) 309 (same obv. and rev. dies, 3 specimens found).
ex Numphil (Paris, june 2014 auction)
This type is part of a series figuring scenes from ancient Roman legends. The scene depicts Aeneas leaving Troy with his son Ascanius and his father Anchises. According to the legend, Aeneas, son of Venus and the Trojan Anchises, fled by boat with some inhabitants of Troy as it fell to the Greeks, taking the Palladium - the ancient sacred statue of Athena - and eventually made their way west to resettle in Italy. They intermarried with the local inhabitants and founded the town of Lavinium, and became the nucleus of the future Roman people. One of the descendants of Aeneas'son Ascianus was Rhea Silvia, the mother of the twins Romulus and Remus.
Numismatic note: This issue has been struck from a single obverse die with the unique obverse legend "ANTONINVS AVGVSTVS PIVS" found nowhere else in the coinage of Antoninus Pius. This obverse die was used exclusively with two reverse dies with slightly different legends: the one in the photo above, and a similar one with the legend "P P TR POT COS III". The use of the aegis on the bust is not exclusive for this issue, but very rare for Antoninus Pius.Charles S09/06/14 at 15:23Molinari: Nice coin and a great collection. Very well thoug...
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Antoninus Pius, RIC 753, Sestertius of AD 144 (Salus)Æ Sestertius (23.55g, Ø 31mm, 12h), Rome mint, Struck AD 144.
Obv.: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P, laurate head Antoninus Pius facing right
Rev.: TR·POT COS·III·DES·IIII (around) S C (in ex.), Salus seated left, holding feeding a snake coiling around an altar and resting her left elbow on .
RIC 753; Cohen 929; BMC 1651 note; Strack (*)
ex Cayón auction, May 2013; ex NAC 64, May 2012.
* Very rare variant which Strack did not include in his catalogue (1937) questioning the Cohen record (see Strack: p.347, no. +83). See also the detailed comment of Curtis Clay below. Charles S09/02/14 at 09:09Molinari: Wowza, that's a nice coin.
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Ancient Greek Coin Collection From Sixth to First Centuries B.C.Here are the coins I started collecting from 2012 to present. As Aristotle wrote two millennia ago that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, there is no better way to present a collection of Greeks than to put them all together in a single shot. (Please click on picture for bigger resolution and to show greater details on coins).
Top row from left to right: AEOLIS, MYRINA. AR "Stephanophoric" Tetradrachm. Circa 150 BC**ILLYRIA, DYRRHACHION. AR Stater. Circa 340-280 BC**IONIA, SMYRNA. AR “Stephanophoric” Tetradrachm. Circa 150-145 BC** PELOPONNESOS, SIKYON. AR Stater. Circa 335-330 BC**ATTICA, ATHENS. “New style” Tetradrachm. Circa 169 BC.
Fifth row: BACTRIA, Antialkidas. AR Drachm. Circa 145-135 BC**CAPPADOCIA. Ariobarzanes I AR Drachm. Circa 96-63 BC**THRACE, ABDERA. AR Tetrobol. Circa 360-350 BC**THRACE, CHERSONESSOS. AR Hemidrachm. Circa 386-338 BC.
Fourth row: LUCANIA, METAPONTION. AR Stater. Circa 510-480 BC**THESSALIAN LEAGUE. AR Stater. Circa 196-146 BC**MACEDONIA. Kassander AR Tetradrachm. Circa 317-315 BC**AKARNANIA, LEUKAS. AR Stater. Circa 320-280 BC**PAMPHYLIA, ASPENDOS. AR Stater. Circa 330-300 BC.
Third row: SELEUKID SYRIA. Antiochos VI AR Drachm. Circa 144-143 BC**LUCANIA, METAPONTION. AR Stater. Circa 340-330 BC**LUCANIA, VELIA. AR Stater. Circa 280 BC**PARTHIA. Mithradates II AR Drachm. Circa 121-91 BC.
Second row: MYSIA, PERGAMMON. Eumenes I AR Tetradrachm. Circa 263-241 BC**CILICIA, TARSOS. Mazaios AR Stater. Circa 361-334 BC**THRACE. Lysimachos AR Tetradrachm. Circa 297-281 BC**CILICIA, TARSOS. Pharnabazos AR Stater. Circa 380-374 BC**THRACE, MARONEIA. AR Tetradrachm. Mid 2nd cent. BC.
Bottom row: SELEUKID SYRIA. Antiochos Euergetes VII AR Tetradrachm. Circa 138-129 BC**MACEDON. Alexander III AR Tetradrachm. Circa 325-315 BC**CILICIA, AIGEAI. AR Tetradrachm. Circa 30 BC**PAIONIA. Patraos AR Tetradrachm. Circa 335-315 BC**PAMPHYLIA, SIDE. AR Tetradrachm. Circa 155-36 BC.
Jason T08/02/14 at 10:37Molinari: Beautiful. Nice work!
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GREEK, Phoenicia, Arados 131-130 B.CPhoenicia, Arados 131-130 B.C
AE 20.75mm (Thickness 2.86mm), weight 6.32g, die axis = 1h (30 degrees), denomination B.
Obverse: Turreted head of Tyche right, braided ponytail, palm frond behind.
Reverse: Poseidon seated left on prow of galley left with (Ἀθηνᾶ Πρόμαχος) Athena figurehead, holding wreath in right, trident in left, Phoenician letters nun (N) and aleph (´) above, Aradian era date 129 with gimel (G) below.Arados06/13/14 at 11:12Molinari: Nice one.
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ROMAN EMPIRE, Constantius I, AE Follis, London Mint Constantius I as Caesar (A.D. 293 - 305), Bronze Follis, 9.41g., 27mm, London mint, c. A.D. 300 onward, Group I, Class II(a), laureate cuirassed bust right, FL VAL CONSTANTINVS NOB C, rev., Genius standing left modius on head, holding cornucopiae with chlamys over left shoulder, patera in right from which liquor flows, exergue blank, GENIO POPVLI ROMANI, (RIC VI, 14a), almost extremely fine, dark black patina, rare, superb!06/12/14 at 13:31Molinari: Great looking coin.
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Seleucid Kingdom - Seleucus I Nicator (312-281 BC)AR tetradrachm (17.08 gm). Seleuceia in Pieria, ca. 300-290 BC. Head of Herakles right wearing lion skin headdress / BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΣEΛEYKOY Zeus enthroned left, holding Nike bearing wreath and scepter, monogram in left field and KP under throne. WSM 890. SC 29.1b.RobertBohn06/11/14 at 08:56Molinari: This coin has great eye appeal. It's my favor...
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