ANCIENT & EARLY COINS
UNRESERVED MAIL BID SALE #73
CLOSING 11 PM, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2008
No deposit. 98% unreserved. No buyer fee. Bids reduced (example: you bid $90; next bid $70; you pay $75). Addl photos $1.50 per shot. Shipping extra. Usual guarantees; 30-day return. NY bidders will be billed sales tax. Ph/fax 518-482-2639. FRANK@FSRCOIN.COM
FRANK S. ROBINSON, BOX 3040 PINE STA., ALBANY, NY 12203-0040
___________________________________________________________________________________________
PHOTOS:
Click below as shown for enlarged color photos of all except group lots. Please note, photos may not be in strict numerical order.
PLEASE BID EARLY! In my sales your best strategy is to enter early your top bid, to scare off competition. By waiting till the end you decrease your chances for success & increase the price you have to pay. Also, early bidding is a great help to me in managing the logistics of the sale, so I am highly grateful for early bids.
PLEASE READ THIS TOO:
Bidding is simple. NO registration hoops to jump through! Just send me an ordinary e-mail listing your bids. (Be sure to include MAILING ADDRESS) I always acknowledge e-mail bids. Phone or fax are fine too. I try to give feedback where possible.
Many lot entries are followed by some price history in brackets <like these>; often these are references to what comparable coins have brought in my own past sales ("FSR"). However, you are free to bid whatever you like, this is essentially an unreserved sale. In past sales, 90-99% of lots have actually been sold; the great majority of bids are reduced, with reductions averaging over 15%.
At the end of the listing you will find a bunch of fixed-price specials.
Please contact me with any questions or concerns. I am easy to deal with.
On sale day I will provide by e-mail a list of lots going cheaply.
I prefer payment by check, but also accept Mastercard or Visa, with a 3.5% service fee; or Paypal with a 3% service fee (4% foreign).
GREEK etc., listed alphabetically
1¥ ACHAEAN LEAGUE, Pallantion, Hemidrachm, 196-146 BC, Zeus hd r/AX monogram in wreath, S3001; VF, obv centered somewhat low with sl crudeness but a nice head of Zeus; rev nrly centered; mellow medium tone. <A VF+ brought $146 in my 3/08 sale; VF $265, CNG 9/07.>
2 AEZANIS, ®22, Imperial times, Roma hd r/Poseidon stg r;
F-VF, obv centered sl low, rev well centered; dark patina with contrasting beige cover in recesses, thus bold features. Scarce.
3¥ AKANTHOS, Tetrobol, 470-380 BC, Forepart of bull knee-ling r, PE above/4-part incuse square, sim S1369 (£75); VF, well centered, minor obv crudeness, lt tone; rev nice with the little granules in the square clear. <A GVF, this exact variety, brought $368, F&S 11/04; similar, VF, $167 on $200 bid, FSR 3/06.>
4 AMISOS, ®22, c. 100 BC, Dionysos hd r/Cista mystica, S3640; VF, nrly centered, much detail visible, brown tone upon orichalcum metal, sl even granularity. Decent coin. <A VF+ brought $91 on $120 bid in my sale (ÒFSRÓ) 3/07.>
5¥ AMPHIPOLIS, Tet, 158-149 BC, Artemis hd r in shield/
club & lgnd in oak wreath, as S1386 but AP monogram (SNG
Cop 1310); VF, obv sl off-ctr with shield detail weak, portrait quite nice; rev moderately off-ctr. Good bright metal. <A VF brought $268 on $350 bid in my 12/01 sale; VF $660, Coin Galleries 7/96.>
6¥ Same, but HP monogram above on rev (seems to be rather scarce); Choice VF+, well centered & struck, good metal with lt tone, pleasing style. A very nice coin. <A Ch. VF +/VF brought $410 on $580 bid in my 8/03 sale; VF+ $930, CGF 6/07>
7 Same, but diff monograms, SNG Cop 1315; F+/F-VF, obv a
hair off-ctr, shield detail weak, portrait quite nice; rev centered & bold but has a round punchmark below club. <An F-VF brought $231 on $260 bid oin my 11/06 sale.>
8 ®11, before 357 BC, Apollo hd r/race torch, S1391; VF, obv centered a mite low but head complete, rev sl off-ctr, dk green patina with sl hilighting & modest roughness mainly on rev; good obv detail. <An AVF brought $56 in my 3/08 sale.>
9 APOLLONIA PONTICA, Drachm, 450-400 BC, Facing Gorgon head/anchor & crayfish, S1655 (£90); F, somewhat off-
ctr on a raggy globular flan, some crudeness, Gorgon face pretty reasonable. Light tone. <An AVF brought $100 in my 1/94 sale.>
10 ARADOS, ®15, c. 100 BC, Zeus hd r/Triple pointed galley ram, S6001; VF-EF, centered, greenish-brown patina, only the slightest kiss of porosity. Good detail. A common type, but unusually nice for this. <An EF (but obv less detailed) brought $213, Kunker 10/07.>
11 ARGOS, Triobol, 490-480 BC, Wolf forepart l/Large A with
2 deep incuse squares above, S2663 (£90); F/AF, centered, somewhat crude, smooth surfaces with deep old tone. Very scarce early type. <A VF brought $795, LHS 5/06.>
12¥ ASPENDOS, Stater , 370-333 BC, 2 wrestlers, PO betw/Slinger & triskeles, to right Forepart of Pegasus above lyre; EF, centered on a large flan, nice lusterlike metal with perhaps a trace of smoothing; sl obv softness of strike; rev sharply struck
& wonderfully detailed. Quite scarce with Pegasos. This is a very good coin here, folks, please bid high, and then double it.
<A GVF of this exact variety brought $2,300, CNG 1/03; similar with spear head instead of lyre, VF/EF, $4,400, Peus 11/06.>
13¥ ATHENS, Tet, 449-413 BC, Athena hd r/Owl, S2526; AEF/EF, obv well centered on a broad flan, rev centered just a bit low; good metal with pleasant lt grey tone. On owlÕs wing there is a small spot that might be a die break or removable horn silver, but anyhow certainly not worth getting in a snit about. Really nice in comparison to most other ÒowlsÓ on the market. <An EF brought $1451 on $2750 bid in my 11/04 sale; GVF $2070, CNG 5/04; NEF minor porosity $3163, CNG 9/06.>
14¥ Another, AVF, quite well centered, decent bright metal; test cut in the standard location between owlÕs eyes. <In my 3/07sale a similarly test cut coin, VF, brought $441 on $550 bid.>
15 Obol, c. 400 BC, Athena hd r/Owl, as Tet, S2530; F-VF/AF, a little crude, but centered, with complete obv head having much detail visible. Trace of roughness on rev. Not at all bad for this. <An F/VF with obv off-ctr sold at $350, Berk 6/08.>
16¥ BAKTRIA, Demetrios I, ®29, elephant hd rt/caduceus, S7533; VF, nrly centered, medium brown patina, sl granularity mainly on rev, obv perhaps partly smoothed, nice bold features. <A VF brought $587, CNG 5/03; GVF $978, Triton 1/06.>
17 Antimachos, Drachm, Nike stg l./Horseman r, S7546; VF,
sl off-ctr, moderately coarse surfaces with lt grey tone.
<A sl granular VF+ in my 3/08 sale brought $81 on $100 bid;
a VF brought $165 CGF (Paris) 11/04.>
18¥ Menander, Drachm, Helmeted hd r/Athena stg, S7601; AEF, obv centered, rev sl off-ctr, lt tone, nice strong portrait.<An EF brought $141 on $165 bid , FSR 9/98; VF-EF $175, Elsen 9/04; EF $520, Gorny 10/05.>
19 -- ®13 square, elephant head r/club, S7616; VF, centered with complete lgnds, nice deep green patina with sl hilighting. Quite good for this. <A Ch. VF brought $81 in my 6/04 sale; VF, off-center & crude, $170, DNW 6/07.>
20¥ Queen Agathokleia & Strato I, ®20 Square, Helmeted
head r/Herakles std l, Kapisa mint monogram, S7650; Nice VF, nrly centered, obv lgnd crowded at rt, otherwise full lgnds, generally smooth deep brown patina; nice bold features. Rare.
<A VF with lt cleaning scrs (much inferior) brought $253, CNG 6/00; crude VF $215, DNW 6/07.>
21¥ Philoxenos, Square Drachm, Bust r/horseman r, S7664; AEF, well centered with full lgnds, excellent detail on portrait & horseman; a fourree as revealed by fairly minor surface imper-fections. Very good style. Overall ltly toned & decent. <A VF with small flaw brought $440, CNG 5/02; AEF $430, Lanz 11/03.>
22¥ CAPPADOCIA, Ariarathes V, 163-130 BC, Drachm, hd
r/Athena stg l, year 33; S7286; VF+/VF, obv sl off-ctr to SW, rev well centered; sl surface crudeness; portrait in high relief.
<A VF brought $106 in my last sale.>
23¥ CARIAN Satraps, Hekatomnos, 395-377 BC, Trihemi-obol, Lion head l./4-part pattern in square; F-VF/VF, nrly center-ed, obv ltly granular. Scarce; remembles the common Miletos
1/12 staters but rev actually differs. Photo enlarged.
<A GVF realized $1100, CNG 3/00.>
24¥ CARTHAGE, Hemidrachm, 220-210 BC, Tanit hd l./horse stg r, S6499; Ch. AEF, nrly centered on a broad flan, even the circular border is almost complete; well struck; good metal with lt tone. Unusually nice quality. <A Ch. VF brought $523, Coin Galleries 7/96; VF $580, Hauck & Aufhauser 10/07.>
25 ®16, Palm tree/Pegasus flying l.; AF/F-VF, obv sl off-ctr, rev centered, medium brown, minimally coarse, obv sl soft, rev bold. <A Nice VF brought $111, FSR 3/04; VF $335, Gorny 3/07.>
26 CELTIC, BRITAIN, DUROTRIGES, Ar 1/4 Stater, c. 45-40 BC, Ògeometric typeÓ/vague design on rev, S-(Brit)368; VF, centered, obv quite clear; lt scrs across the center of each side; ltly toned. Very poor photo. <A F or so in my 3/08 sale brought $57 on $100 bid.>
27¥ Danube region, c. 1st cent BC, Tetradrachm copying Thasos type, Dionysos hd r/Herakles stg, degraded lgnd; VF, good metal, lt tone. <I couldnÕt find any exactly like this in sale records; a generally similar one, VF, brought $305, Lanz 11/07.>
I can provide sensible bidding guidance upon request and can also tell you where bidding stands on lots you have bid on.
28 CHALKIS, Drachm, 340-294 BC, Hera hd r/Eagle r, munching snake, S3482; F-VF, obv off-ctr to left but head complete, rev well centered; good metal with medium old bluish-grey tone; a few lt marks on obv detract only minimally.
<Similar, F+/F, brought $96 in my 6/92 sale.>
29¥ EGYPT, Ptolemy I, as Satrap, 323-305 BC, Tet., Alexan-der hd r in elephant scalp/Athena Alkidemos adv r, small eagle, AX monogram; VF/AEF, centered on a broad flan, generally good metal with tone in recesses to accentuate features; obv has touches of smoothing. On the whole quite nice. <GVFs brought $1,392, CNG 5/04 and $1,846, CNG 9/04.>
30¥ Ptolemy II, Tet., of Sidon, Ptolemy I bust r/Eagle stg l, S7772var (£150); EF+, virtually mint state, nrly centered on a sl tight flan, couple rev letters off; Eye of portrait weak but otherwise quite sharply struck with unusually strong hair detail, EagleÕs feathers also very sharp. Bright silver. <A GVF with scratches brought $1,138, Freeman & Sear 6/08.>
31 -- ®20, Alexander hd r in elephant costume/Eagle stg l; plain fields; F+, well centered, nice smooth deep green patina. <An F+/F brought $37 on $72 bid, FSR 3/08; NEF $460, CNG 9/06.>
32¥ Ptolemy III, ®35, Zeus Ammon hd r/Eagle stg l, PX monogram betw legs, S7817, Svor 965; VF-EF, obv sl off-ctr, rev centered, dark green patina with whiteish hilighting, minor smoothing; great detail, quite attractive. <GVFs brought $422, CNG 9/03 and $518, CNG 9/06.>
33 -- ®39, Zeus Ammon hd r/Eagle stg l, looking back at cornucopiae, E betw legs; F+/F,nrly centered, grey-green patina with orangy hilighting, clear features. <A F brought $81 on $119 bid, FSR 12/01.>
34 Ptolemy IV, ®38, Zeus hd r/Eagle stg l, SE monogram betw legs (crude & garbled); AVF, centered, darkish brown patina, obv generally smooth with minor trace of granularity, rev shows more coarseness. Photo very poor. <Similar, AVF brought $181 in my 11/04 sale.>
35 Ptolemy VI, ®30, Zeus Ammon hd r/2 eagles l, S7900; VF, centered on a bevelled flan, squared at top & bottom; green patina with paler hilighting; minor striking wkness at rev bottom; portrait well detailed & nice. <A VF brought $161 in my 3/08 sale; GVF $345, CNG 9/07.>
36 Same, ®29, F, centered, green-brown patina with some beige hilighting, somewhat crude & a little rough. <A F+ brought $61 in my 11/07 auction.>
37 Ptolemy VIII, ®28, Herakles hd r/Eagle l; F-VF/F, a little off-ctr, somewhat crude, rev lgnd wkly struck, forest green patina with a few coppery spots. Quite a scarce type. <A VG brought $32 in my 6/92 sale.>
38 Cleopatra VII, ®26 (Diobol or 80 Drachmai), S7955 (£140); VG/AG, sl mottled green-brown patina, on obv the outline of the head is reasonably clear, the rev is very weak, tho the Pi mark of value shows. <A VG+/G-VG brought $295 on $375 bid in my last sale; Fair $660, CNG 9/02.>
39 ELYMAIS, Phraates, ® Drachm, Bust l., anchor, etc/dashes; GIC-5902; Nice VF, lt brown with excellent surfaces, centered, everything bold.
40 Orodes III, ® Drachm, Facg bust with bushy hair, anchor, etc/dashes, GIC-5910; AVF, lt brown patina, centered, clear face. <A VF brought $48 in my 3/04 sale.>
41 EPHESOS, Cistophoric Tet., 189-133 BC, Cista mystica with snake in wreath/bowcase betw snakes, bee at left, snake on altar at rt, as S4390 (£150); F, sl off-ctr on large flan, everything complete, bright metal. A very snaky coin. <A sl grainy F/VF brought $96 in my 4/92 sale.>
42 HERAKLEIA, Nomos, Helmeted Athena hd r/Herakles wrestling lion; copy by Slavei (signed with initials in Greek),
large 25 mm, an absolutely beautiful piece of work, struck in silver, Unc, rich iridescent toning, minor crudeness on rim.
43¥ HIMERA, ®16 Hemilitron, 420-407 BC, Nymph hd l, 6 pellets/6 pellets in wreath, S1110 (£25); EF, centered & com-plete, glossy dark greenish-brown patina, nice. <An EF brought $165 on $200 bid in my 12/91 sale; GVF $374, CNG 5/08.>
44¥ HYRIA, Didrachm or Nomos, 400-375 BC, Athena hd l./ Man-headed bull r, S294var (£200); F, an honestly worn coin but with undamaged surfaces, features clear, incldg the rev legend; well centered. <A similar type, F, brought $300, NAC 5/07.>
On Sale day I can provide a list of lots going cheaply.
45¥ INDO-GREEKS, INDO-SKYTHIANS, Azes II, 35 BC - 5 AD, Sil. Tet, King on horse r/Pallas stg r; Choice EF, perfectly centered, full lgnds, well struck, good bright silver. Simply unimprovable quality. <A Ch. VF brought $177 on $300 bid in my 11/06 sale; VF-EF $300, Burgan 7/92.>
46 KUSHANS, "Soter Megas" (Vima Takto), 55-105 AD, ® Tet, Bust r/king on horse; Choice VF, centered, glossy smooth dark greenish patina with hilighting. <A Nice VF brought $66 on $140 bid in my 3/03 sale; VF $198, Freeman & Sear 12/96.>
47 JUDAEA, John Hyrcanus, ® Prutah, Lgnd in wreath/ crossed cornucopiae, Hend.-454; Choice VF, quite well centered for this, Hebrew lgnd complete & clear; smooth dark green patina with earthen contrast. Nice example. <An almost identical nice VF brought $104, Heritage 9/04.>
48 Alexander Jannaeus, 103-76 BC, ® Prutah Lily/anchor, Hen. 467 (VF=$150); VF, obv nrly centered, rev somewhat off-ctr, two-toned brown, somewhat crude at obv upper edge, but lgnd clear. Decent for this scarcer type. <A VF brought $86, FSR 9/02.>
49¥ Herod the Great, ®23 (8 Prutot), Tripod & bowl/helmet, Hendin-486; VF, just sl off-ctr but complete on a large flan, dk green patina with pale eartthen hilighting, very strong contrast. Bold features, problem-free. Quite scarce & nice. <A VF brought $575, CNG 6/05; GVF $1,820, Leu 5/03.>
50 Agrippa I, ® Prutah, Umbrella/3 barley ears, Hendin-553; VF, a little off-ctr, obv lgnd wk at right but complete, some detail showing on umbrella & barley ears; smooth dark greenish patina with some hilighting. Much above average. <A Ch. VF brought $166 on $187 bid, FSR 3/07; weak VF $180, Sternberg 12/99.>
51 Marcus Ambibulus, Prutah, Barley ear/palm tree, date, Hend.-636; Choice VF, sl off-ctr but everything complete, smooth dark green patina with strong hilighting, very bold. I generally avoid buying these Jewish bronzes unless they are unusually nice.
<A VF brought $115, Munz Zentrum 7/07.>
52 Valerius Gratus, Prutah, Lgnd within wreath/3 lilies & date, Hen.-642 (VF $150); VF, centered on a large flan, smooth dark green patina with some earthen hilighting. Fully clear and again much above par. <A VF brought $145, Astarte 4/04.>
53¥ Ponty Pilate, Lituus/LIZ in wreath, Hen-649; VF, not badly centered, a little crude with some striking wkness on rev wreath & obv lgnd; glossy dark brown surfaces. Bold lituus. <An F-VF/F brought $171 in my 6/05 sale; F/VF $345, Munz Zentrum 7/07.>
54 First Revolt, Prutah, Amphora/Vine Leaf, Year 2, Hen.-661; VF, sl off-ctr, some crudeness, brown patina; much detail visible on leaf & amphora. <A F+ brought $59 in my 2/05 sale; VF part weak $305, CGF (Paris) 6/04.>
55 KEBREN, Hemiobol (.37 gm), 400-310 BC, Young male hd r/ram head r, BMC 14; AVF, obv nrly centered with a nice bold head, rev somewhat off-ctr losing ramÕs snout. Not common.
56 KOS, Hemidrachm, 300-190 BC, Herakles hd r/crab, S4993 (£120); F or so, centered, medium grey (or ÒgrayÓ in Yankish), a little roughness mainly on rev, reasonably clear features. Scarce. <A GVF brought $527, Gorny 3/05.>
57¥ KROTON, Stater, 510-480 BC, Delphic Tripod/incuse eagle flying left; VF/EF, obv well centered, rev a hair off-ctr but eagle complete, and with every feather visible (also a small die break); obv has been smoothed with still a little surface bumpi-ness evident. Bright silver. Very desirable type; seems scarcer with eagle left. <Similar (eagle rt) GVF with sl roughness & scrs brought $1,495, CNG 5/08; GVF $1,895, CNG 6/06.>
58 LARISSA, Drachm, Hd of nymph Larissa 3/4 left/horse r, S2120 (£175); AF/F, sl off-ctr on a pear-shaped flan, decent metal, nose & mouth worn. While this coin is fairly common in VF, it is rare to find such a well-circulated example.
59 LOKRIS Opuntia, 1/4 Stater, 369-338 BC, Persephone hd l/Ajax adv l, amphora betw legs, as S2330 (£125); AF, centered, darkish tone, clear features. <A F brought $119 in my 11/05 sale.>
60¥ LYCIA, Stater, c. 500 BC, Boar forepart l/incuse square containining Baetyl & globe, lgnds (?) either side, S3580 (£275); VF, typically somewhat crude, obv a bit off-ctr with boarÕs snout weak & modest flan imperfection at edge; rev fully clear. Quite rare & decent for this. <A VF brought $1,660, LHS 4/08.>
61 MACEDON,Philip II, 359-336 BC, ®18, Apollo hd r/youth on horse r, dot in circle below; S6698; VF+/AVF, very sl off-ctr, everything complete, glossy dark green patina with sl hilighting. Great hair detail. <GVFs brought $325, NAC 4/95 & Gorny 3/08.>
62 Alex. the Great, Drachm, Herakles hd r/Zeus std l, NO mono-gram below throne, Pegasos to left, Pr.1382; F+/F, nrly centered, types complete, sl grainy surfaces, lt grey tone, not bad.
63¥ --Tet, Herakles hd r/Zeus std l, 8-pt star in field, Sardes
mint; F-VF, centered, good bright silver with tone in recesses.
64 -- ®18, Herakles hd r/bowcase & club, S6739var; AVF, centered, dark greenish brown patina, sl porosity mainly on rev; much detail visible. <An AVF brought $37 on $41 bid, FSR 9/00.>
65 Interregnum, 288-277 BC, ®18, Monogram in ctr of shield/ helmet in wreath, S6779; VF, a hair off-ctr, brown patina, trace of coarseness, monogram sharp.
66¥ Demetrios Poliorketes, Tet, Nike stg on prow/Poseidon stg l, S6762 (£1400); VF, nrly centered, minor flan flaw on rev @ 7:30 by edge, otherwise good metal. Obv in quite high relief. Apparently unpublished with these monograms.
<GVFs brought $2415, CNG 9/06, $3163, Triton 1/07.>
67 MALLOS, 3/4 Obol (? .58 gm), 425-385 BC, Herakles hd r/Incuse square with Swan sg left & ivy leaf; F-VF or so, centered, the obv is very crude (rusty die?), rev clear. Rare -- try finding one
68 MASSALIA, (Marseilles), Obol, after 400 BC, Youthful male hd l./MA in wheel, S72; F-VF, nrly centered, good metal with lt tone, decent clear portrait. <A VF brought $355, NAC 5/07.>
69¥ METAPONTUM, Stater, 510-480 BC, Grain ear, META retrograde to r/incuse grain ear, small compact flan, sim S238 (£200); AVF/VF+, centered, sl raggy edge, sm edge crack, good bright silver. The reverse incuse is sharply detailed.
<A VF brought $600, Astarte 12/02.>
70¥ MILETOS, 1/12 Stater, 6th century BC, Lion hd l/star pat-tern, S-3532 (£65); AEF, obv well centered, rev sl off-ctr, good metal with lt tone, excellent detail on lion head. Photo enlarged. <A VF/AEF brought $156 in my7/07 sale; EF $430, Lanz 5/08.>
71 Same, VF, obv somewhat off-ctr losing lionÕs snout, rev centered, decent bright metal. <An F-VF/VF brought $126 on
$144 bid in my 3/07 sale.>
72¥ Same, but lion hd rt, S3533 (somewhat scarcer, £75); VF+, well centered & detailed; typical die bulge at rev edge; very sl grainy with lt tone. These Miletos coins are the most affordable ones from this very early period. Photo Enlarged.
73 NEAPOLIS, ®19, 270-240 BC, Apollo hd l/Man-headed bull rt, Nike above, S557; F+, medium brown patina, decent surfaces, several sm edge splits; much detail visible incl ApolloÕs laurel wreath & face on bull. Desirable type. Poor photo! <A VF brought $176 in my 5/95 sale; GVF $604, CNG 5/07.>
74¥ OLYMPIA, Hemidrachm, c. 340 BC, Hera hd l./Eagle stg r, hd l, cut pomegrate to rt, F-A, BCD 182; F, centered, somewhat uneven darkish tone, hint of graininess. Clear features. Rare. Better than the photo.
<A GVF with obv head rt & same rev brought $3,560, LHS 4/08.>
75 PARION, 3/4 Drachm, c. 480 BC, Gorgoneion/cruciform pattern in incuse square, S3917 (£200); F-VF, well centered,
good silver, the face is mushy as always, but fully clear.
<A VF brought $131 on $256 bid in my 3/06 sale.>
PARTHIA (by Sellwood numbers, Drachms unless noted):
76¥ Phraates II, Tetradrachm, bust rt/Male deity std l, Sellw 17.1var (monograms reversed); VF/VF-EF, centered, the obv
has been smoothed on the right side with a touch of surface bumpiness still discernable; extremely minor surface imperfections on rev; the portrait quite bold. One of the big rari-ties of the Parthian series; Sellw valuation $3500 with only 2
coins higher; missing from the landmark Gonella collection (Peus 11/06). <A GVF with sm porous area & crack brought $3,960, CNG 9/00; VF, minor porosity, $4,025, Triton 12/00.>
77¥ Mithradates II, 27.2, bust r/archer std r, EF, centered, bright silver, nicely struck & detailed. This is the scarce special type with larger bust. <A Ch. EF brought $202 on $220 bid in my 6/05 sale; VF $260, Peus 11/05.>
78 ÒUnknown KingÓ (now thought Orodes I), 30.14, VF-EF/VF, usual low obv centering, a few very sl surface imperfections; strong detailed portrait. <A VF, sl off-ctr & crude, brought $51
on $62 bid in my 3/03 sale; VF $175, Peus 11/06.>
79¥ Phraates IV, Tet., Type 52 portrait, but rev has Tyche giving wreath as Type 50, AVF/F-VF, good metal with lt tone, customary faint graffiti in obv field hidden by tone; rev double struck in date area. Needs study. <A VF (type 52) brought $430, Peus 10/02.>
80¥ Vardanes I, Tet., 64.28-30, VF, obv nrly centered, sl edge irregularity, decent silver, rev somewhat garbled by double strike. Month not visible. <A VF w/no month brought $460, Kunker 3/08.>
81¥ Gotarzes II, Tet., 65.8-17, VF-EF, nrly centered but month off as usual; decent metal with pleasant lt grey tone; nice bold portrait detail. <A VF with no month brought $460, Kunker 3/08.>
82 Vologases III, 78.4, EF, nrly centered, medium grey toning; sharp portrait detail. <An EF brought $68 in my 6/08 sale; EF $205, Auctiones AG 12/96.>
83¥ Parthamaspates, 81.1, bust in fancy tiara; Choice EF, nrly centered & sharply struck, nice lustery silver with hint of tone. Scarce brief ssue of the lone Parthian ruler who was a Roman stooge. <A Ch. EF brought $550, Malter 6/93; EF/VF $465, Peus 11/06; VF-EF $580, Kunker 3/08.>
84 Vologases V, ®21 (Dichalkon), 87.27, Rev Tyche bust r; VG, centered, somewhat rough & thick dark green patina, but types reasonably clear. Very scarce. One of the pleasures of this game is to come upon a crappy looking obscure coin like this in a junk lot & recognizing its significance.
85¥ PERGAMENE Kingdom, Attalos I, 241-197 BC, Tet., Bust rt of Philetairos the Eunuch King/Athena std l, grapes at left, S7220; VF+/VF, well centered, good metal with medium greyish ton ing, powerful portrait in high relief. Very pleasing quality.
<A GVF brought $1750, Auctiones AG 9/96.>
86¥ PERSIA, Siglos, King with spear & bow/incuse punch,
S4682 (£75); VF+, well centered on elongated flan, KingÕs figure just about complete & unusually well detailed. Excellent metal. A rare coin when in such good quality. <A Near VF brought $560, Astarte 12/02; VF+ $715, Hauck & Aufhauser 3/03.>
87 Same, F, well centered with good clear figure. <A F brought $63 in my last sale.>
88¥ PERSIS, Darius I, 2nd cent BC, Drachm, Bust r in satrapal headdress, cresc at back/fire altar, S6195; AEF, centered, portrait in amazingly high relief. There is a tiny spot of exfoliation above eye that might be indicative of a fourree. Otherwise good metal with lt tone. On the whole at least as nice as the one in last sale bringing $281 on $400 bid. <A VF brought $730, Elsen 2/94.>
89 Darev (Darius) II, 1st cent BC, Obol, bust left in tiara/ king
stg at altar, S6208; VF, centered, good metal, nice strong port-rait, rev crude as usual. <A similar VF Hemidrachm brought $260, Peus 4/06.>
90 Artaxerxes II, 1st cent BC, Hemidrachm, Bust l., in tiara/Ruler at altar, S6214; VF-EF, obv well centered, rev sl off-ctr, obv fields are crude, as though rough; portrait strong, with a little nick in hair. Rev crude but more clear than most. <A VF brought $101 on $130 bid, in my 3/08 sale; VF $315, Peus 5/07.>
91¥ Vadfradad IV, c. 100-150 AD, Obol, Bust left in tiara/bust l; AEF/VF+, well centered & struck for this, good metal; obv portrait particularly nice. These darn coins are hard to find so pleasing. <This one is oodles nicer than a GVF bringing $182, Gorny 3/05.>
92 PHOKIS, Triobol, 357-346 BC, Bull hd facg/Apollo hd r, S2353 (£140); F-VF/F, well centered, good metal, pleasing.
<A F+ brought $385, CGF, Paris, 6/05.>
93 PHLIUS, Trihemiobol, 370-322 BC, Bull butting l./Wheel with Phi & 3 grape bunches, S2757 (£140); F, well centered, some nicks on bullÕs body, sl abrasion at rev edge. Dk grey. A rare coin.
94¥ POSEIDONIA, Stater, 480-400 BC, Poseidon adv r/bull stg l in circular incuse, S424 (£225); VF, centered, good bright silver, problem-free & nice for these. <VFs brought $2,200, Kunker 3/05, $1,950, Peus 5/07.>
95¥ RHODES, Drachm, 205-190 BC, Helios hd 3/4 rt/Rose, bow in case, magistrate Gorgos, BMC 167; VF, obv off-ctr to SW but head complete, rev centered, sl porosity mainly on rev, obv field a bit smoothed. The head is very nice. <A VF of this exact variety brought $191, Elsen 9/07.>
96 SELGE, Obol, 400-333 BC, Facing Gorgoneion/Athena hd
r, spearhead behind, S5478; AEF, nrly centered, decent metal, very minor flan flaw in rev field. Nice high relief. <A GVF brought $230, CNG 9/06; VF $180, Gorny 3/07.>
97 SIKYON, Stater, 430-390 BC, Chimaera l./Eagle flying l, in wreath, S2763 (£375); AF, nrly centered on oval flan, fourree, with many spots of core exposure, one or two sm nicks on eagle. Here is a cheap budget example of what is normally a big-ticket coin. <Similar, F, brought $368, CNG 9/01.>
98 SPAIN, CASTULO, ®18, Male hd r/bull rt, L & cresc above; AVF/F+, rev sl off-ctr, generally smooth dark brown patina, portrait of crude style with bloated chin. <An F/VF brought $205, Teutoburger 12/03.>
99¥ SYRACUSE, ®16x18 (Trias), before 357 BC, Arethusa hd l./wheel & dolphins, S1186; Choice EF, obv sl off-ctr but complete, rev well centered, fully struck with wonderful detail on the head & rev quite sharp. Smooth green patina, darkish on obv & foresty on rev. This is a super nice example worthy of the best collection (so you bottom-feeders can just proceed directly to the next lot). <EFs brought $700, M&M 9/91 & $978, Triton 1/02.>
100 Hieron II, 275-215 BC, ®28, Head left/horseman r, S1221;
F-VF, well centered, sl rough but even dark brown patina, much detail shows on portrait, rev decent with lgnd legible. Thick heavy flan. <A F+ with tiny pits brought $71 on $100 bid in my 3/08 sale.>
101 -- ®19, Poseidon hd l./trident, S1223; AVF/F, obv centered
a bit high, rev well centered, brown patina with lt porosity, much detail on portrait. Poor photo <A F+ brought $45 on $89 bid in my 4/91 sale.>
102 Same, LOT of 6 pcs, all around VG+, some with lt porosity.
103 SYRIA, Seleukos I, ®12, Medusa hd r/bull butting r, VF, nrly centered, dark green patina with paler hilighting, good detail on head, a scarce & nice little coin. Photo mis-numbered as 102. <An ®20 of this type brought $322, CNG 9/07
104¥ Seleukos II, Tet, His hd r/Apollo stg at tripod, S6896 (£400); AVF, obv well centered, rev sl off-ctr, minor surface imperfections mainly on rev. (Actually, ancient coins normally have minor sur-face imperfections. Reminds me of old Jess Peters world coin auctions where Òtiny rim nicksÓ were so often included in descrip-tions, but hard to find on the coins. <AVF $1330, Elsen 12/05.>
105¥ Alexander I,Tet, His hd r/Zeus std l, S7030 (£250); Choice VF, obv nrly centered, rev well centered, teensy edge splits, nice metal quality with lt tone. Very nice portrait of good style.
<A GVF brought $330, CNG 3/00; VF $405, Noble 4/08.>
106 Antiochus IV, ®16, Radiate hd r/Apollo stg r, S6993; F+, centered, dark green patina with earthen hilighting, sl grainy.
107¥ Antiochus VII, Tet, His head r/Athena stg l; S7092 (£150); AEF/VF, sl egg-shaped flan, obv sl off-ctr but head complete, rev centered; good metal; the obv particularly attractive with finely styled portrait & lovely tone. <A VF brought $365, Burgan 6/04; GVF $437, CNG 9/04; AEF $276 on $300 bid in my 11/07 sale. Which do you suppose was the best buy?>
108 Antiochus X, 94-83 BC, ®20, His hd r/caps of Dioscuri, S7185; F/F-VF, obv somewhat off-ctr to NW, rev nrly centered, dark green-brown patina worn off at high points. Scarce. Rather poor photo.
109¥ TERINA, Stater, c. 440-425 BC, Hd of Nymph Terina w/in olive wreath/Nike std l on overturned amphora, SNG ANS 801, S506 (£1,250); VF/F+, obv well centered, rev a hair off-ctr with sl wkness in lgnd; decent metal with lt tone. <An AVF brought $1155, NFA 10/88; VF $2500, Kunker 3/05.>
110¥ THASOS, Stater, 510-490 BC, Naked ithyphallic satyr carrying nymph/4-part incuse, S1357 (£400); VF, quite well centered, sound metal with darkish grey tone, a few scrs on rev; the obv features are bold, apart from a small crude area (die breaks?) near the center. However, that all-important (if you are a man) element of the satyrÕs anatomy, which gives this coin its appeal to refined sensibilities, is fully clear. <An AVF brought $510 on $560 bid in my 9/98 sale; VF $4500, Peus 10/07.>
111¥ Tet, after 148 BC, Dionysos hd r/Herakles stg l, S1759; AVF, obv centered a mite high crowding top of head, rev nrly centered; good clean silver with lt tone; decent style.
<A F+/AVF brought $308 on $456 bid in my 8/90 auction.>
112¥ THEBES, Stater, 379-338 BC, Boeotian shield/Amphora, [K]A-BI; somewhat off-ctr, bottom of shield off, good silver, not unappealing in its idiosyncratic way. <A VF of this exact variety brought $632, CNG 1/06; F, obv corroded, $207, Heritage 9/05.>
113 TRAGILOS, Hemiobol, 510-480 BC, Pegasos forepart r/4-part incuse square; VF, nrly centered, sl grainy on rev, obv clear & decent. Very scarce type, try to find another. I notice what seems to be the same coin but attributed to Thermai, in Munz Zentrum's 9/08 auction, in comparable condition, realized $220.
114 TUDER, 3rd cent BC, ®18, Silenos hd r/Eagle l, AVF/F, dark brown patina, obv centered low but head complete, rev centered, minor roughness on obv, a bit more on rev. Rare.
<A GVF brought $575, CNG 5/08; an ungraded piece (looks F+) with Òsome oxidationÓ $203, UBS 1/03.>
YOU MUST BID TO STAY ON MY MAILING LIST
ROMAN REPUBLIC
115 Bronze Semuncia, 205-195 BC, Mercury hd r/prow, Sy.87, Cr.38/7; F+/VG, obv well centered, dark green patina with sl hi-lighting, very nice portrait with much detail visible; rev weak with
a mottled patina. <A F+ brought $83 on $93 bid, FSR 11/07.>
SILVER, (Denarii unless noted, Crawford & Sydenham #s):
116 C. Maianus, Roma hd r/Victory in biga r, 203/1a, Sy.427; F/F+, obv sl off-ctr, rev nrly centered & bold, extremely slight bend, bright silver with a touch of spotty tarnish on obv.
117 P. Sulla, Roma hd r/Victory in biga r, 205/1, Sy.386; F+/AF, sl off-ctr on small flan, obv crowded with tip of nose off; good clean metal. <A F-VF/AF brought $31 on $356 bid in my 4/92 sale.>
118 T. Cloulius, Roma hd r, wreath behind/Victory in biga r, horses rearing up; 260/1, Sy.516; F-VF, obv somewhat off-ctr to NE, losing front of helmet, rev centered; good silver with grey-brown toning in fields. Almost invisible banker mark at eye.
h<A GF brought $90, Noble 11/02.>
119 M. Carbo, Roma hd rt/Jupiter in quadriga, 276/1, Sy.423, F/AF, centered on a smallish flan, not much else to say, just a thoroughly routine, typical, humdrum, banal coin of no particular distinction, neither very good nor very bad, yet itÕs coins like these, just going about their business, that are the backbone of numismatics. <An AF brought $37 on $48 bid, FSR 11/06.>
120 M. Tullius, Roma hd r/Victory in quadriga, 280/1, Sy.531; F+, nrly centered on a large flan, bright silver. <F $80, Loiseau 4/95.>
121 C. Pulcher, Roma hd r/Victory in biga r, 300/1, Sy.569; F+, obv well centered, rev a hair off-ctr, well struck, good metal with lt tone, very pleasant for the grade. <An F-VF realized $51 on $65 bid in my 10/96 sale.>
122 L. Faminius Cilo, Roma hd r/Victory in biga, 302/1, Sy.540,
F, centered, fairly bright, very slightly bendy. <A F with sl faults brought forty bucks in my 3/03 thing.>
123 Q. Thermus, Mars hd l./3 soldiers in battle scene, 319/1, Sy.592; F+, obv centered sl low but complete, rev well centered with weak area at upper left; good clean silver. <A F, sl off-ctr, brought $57 on $70 bid in my 11/06 sale.>
124¥ C. Servilius, Roma hd r/2 soldiers, with horses, fighting (why canÕt people resolve diputes nonviolently?), 327/1, Sy.602; AEF/VF, centered on a large, sl oval flan, touch of crudeness on rev, medium grey tone. <A GVF brought $255, Astarte 12/02; VF $350, Peus 11/06.>
125 C. Allius Bala, Diana hd r/Jupiter in biga r, grasshopper below; 336/1, Sy.595; AVF, nrly centered on a small flan, lgnds partly off, nice metal quality with lt toning, bold features. <GVFs brought $202, CNG 6/99 and $195, Gorny 10/04.>
126 L. Piso Frugi, Apollo hd r/horseman zapping rt, 340/1, Sy.650 etc; F+, sl off-ctr on oval flan, flatly struck at obv rt edge & rev bottom left; portrait OK; bright silver. <AF $43/$50, FSR 8/06.>
127 Q. Titius, 341/2, Sy.692, Bacchus hd r/Pegasus r; F/AF,
nrly centered, decent metal, nice head; PegasusÕ head is flatly struck. <A F brought $41 on $70 bid in my 3/04 sale.>
128 C. Vibius Pansa, 342/5b, Sy.684, Apollo hd r/Minerva in qua-driga; F+, centered, bright silver, somewhat crude, flatly struck at bottoms; weensy banker mark in obv field.Decent looking head.<An F-VF/AF brought $51 on $70 bid in my last sale.>
129 L. Titurius Sabinus, 344/1a, Sy.698, Tatius hd r/2 soldiers, each carrying off a Sabine woman (without even buying them dinner first); F, sl off-ctr on smallish flan, obv head complete, left soldier incomplete; tiny banker mark in obv field.
<A F brought $67 on $85 bid in my 11/06 thing.>
130 C. Marcius Censorinus, Apollo hd r/horse r, 346/2, Sy714a, rev symbol appears to be star; F/AF, centered on a smallish flan, decent metal, rev a bit weak, tiny obv banker mark. <An off-ctr F brought $63 on $80 bid in my 3/08 sale.>
131 L. Julius Bursio, Apollo hd r/Victory in biga, 352/1, Sy.728; obv symbol looks like a shoe?; F+/F, nrly centered, nice clean metal quality, decent coin. <A F with lt faults brought $41 on $45 bid in my 11/06 sale.>
132¥ L. Marcius Censorinus, BARBAROUS copy of 363/1d, Sy.737, Apollo hd r/Marsyas stg l, with retrograde N in CENSOR; AVF, well centered & struck on a large flan, cute provincial style; good metal with some sl dark tone spots. Phil better bid on this because I paid a strong price.
133 L. Procilius, Jupiter hd r/Juno Sospita stg r, 379/1, Sy.771; F-VF/F, centered on a sl smallish oval flan, faintest wee trace of porosity, but nice looking, with a bold obv head. Forget I said that bit about porosity.<A VF with lt scrs brought $155, Astarte 11/04>
134¥ L. Rutilius Flaccus, Roma hd r/Victory in biga r, 387/1, Sy.780; VF, just sl off-ctr, but everything visible, good metal with lt tone & hints of luster if you look closely & squint. Nice. <A VF brought $97 on $106 bid in my 8/03 sale; GVF $219, CNG 9/03.>
135 Q. Cassius Longinus, Libertas hd r/Temple of Vesta, 428/1, Sy.917 (Rarity 3); AF, nrly centered, good metal with smooth wear, a few minor banker marks, nice bold head & rev temple fully clear. Better type. <A VF brought $690, CNG 9/06.>
136 Mn. Acilius, 442/1, Sy.922, Salus hd r/Valetudo stg l (whence the word Òvaletudinarian,Ó a synonym for Òhypochon-driac.Ó) F-VF/F+, very sl off-ctr, sl crowding of lgnds, nice metal quality with an almost invisible banker mark under ear.
<A F brought $51 on $60 bid in guess which auction, 11/07.>
137 IMPERATORIAL. BRUTUS, Den, COSTA LEG, Apollo hd r/BRVTVS IMP, trophy, S1436 (VF £350); VG-F, appears to be a fourree with dark areas; somewhat off-ctr on a smallish flan. Name ÒBrutusÓ fully clear. <An AG brought $150, Berk 1/03.>
ROMAN EMPIRE
138 AUGUSTUS, Quadrans, LAMIA SILIVS ANNIVS, Simpulum & lituus/SC in lgnd, RIC421; VF+, sl off-ctr, obv lgnd complete, tops of some letters off on rev; dark brown patina; insignificant porosity; nice sharp features. <A porous VF of this exact variety brought $99, CNG 3/00; VF $210, Gorny 3/04.>
139 Egypt, ®15 (Dichalkon), Bust r/wreath with (unclear) date, Em.44; F/VG, thick green patina, sl rough on rev, obv off-ctr to bottom, portrait OK with, in fact, considerable hair detail. Rare.
140¥ POSTHUMOUS, As, Radiate hd l./SC, thunderbolt; Full EF, obv off-ctr losing some lgnd, rev nrly centered, nice warm brown surfaces, great detail on both sides. Nice quality. <GVFs brought $690, Triton 1/06; $910, M&M 4/04; EF $2900, NAC 4/08.>
141 AGRIPPA, As, Head l./SC, Neptune stg; F+/F, nrly centered, medium brown patina with slt to moderate roughness; but obv decent looking with full lgnd & a nice bold portrait.
<A F+ brought $105 on $165 bid in my 9/01 sale.>
142¥ TIBERIUS, Sest., PADUAN by Cavino, Bust l./CIVITATI-BVS ASIAE RESTITVTIS, Std statue of Augustus, Lawr.5n; VF,
sl off-ctr on large flan, nice tan-brown patina, good surfaces, two small faults & minor scr in obv field. Very good quality, has the appearance of a struck piece, but probably an early cast.
143¥ GERMANICUS, As by Claudius, Hd r/SC in lgnd, RIC106; Choice VF/AEF, perfectly centered on a large flan with full clear lgnds; nice olivy-green patina, possibly very sl smoothed. Very pleasing. <A VF brought $940, Kunker 3/06.>
144¥ AGRIPPINA SR., Sest., bust r/SC in lgnd; F-VF, centered, full lgnds; two-toned brown, surfaces mostly not bad, but there is an area of sl roughness with some green on neck & field under chin; on rev an eroded area under SC. Portrait decent with much hair detail visible. <A F with smoothing & lt porosity brought $825, CNG 9/01.>
145 CALIGULA, As, VESTA std l; F, nrly centered, dark olive green patina, sl crusting, a little of obv lgnd rough; nice bold portrait. Poor photo. <A F+/VG brought $151 in my 9/93 sale.>
146 AGRIPPINA JR., Egypt, ®26 (Diobol), Her bust r/ Euthenia bust r, Yr 13; AF, sl off-ctr, thick & sl rough green-
brown patina, lgnds mostly wk, reasonable portrait.
<An AF/VG brought $105 on $115 bid in my 5/99 sale.>
147¥
