ANCIENT & EARLY COINS
UNRESERVED MAIL BID SALE #75
CLOSING 11 PM, TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2009
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
COLOR PICTURES OF ALL SINGLE-COIN LOTS AT www.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.
LOTS 372-74, 384 OBVS only
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.
Before 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 ABDERA, Stater, Griffin std l./Nude Herakles std on rock with lion face; COPY, struck in silver, EF+ high relief, nice style, toned & very attractive.
2„ AKANTHOS, Tetrobol, 424-380 BC, Forepart of kneeling bull, A above/Quadripartite square, S1369var; EF, obv nrly centered, rev sl off-ctr, well struck with unusually strong definition on bullÕs head. Good metal with lt tone. Excellent for this. <Similar GVFs brought $368, F&S 11/04, $335, Kunker
9/05; AEF $490, Elsen 9/92.>
3 AKRAGAS, ®18, 275-240 BC, Apollo hd l./2 Eagles on hare; F-VF, centered, dark brown patina, moderately porous surfaces, features clear. <An example brought $3350, Kunker 10/07.>
4„ AMISOS, ®20, c. 100 BC, Dionysos hd r/Cista mystica, S3640; AEF/VF+, sl off-ctr but complete, glossy chocolate brown surfaces, almost lustery; good detail. Extremely nice. <A VF+ brought $91 on $120 bid in my sale 3/07; GVF $138, CNG 9/94.>
5„ AMPHIPOLIS, Tet, 158-149 BC, Artemis hd r in shield/
club & lgnd in oak wreath, as S1386 but diff monograms (SNG
Cop 1315); Nice VF, rev sl off-ctr on unround flan, good metal
with lt tone, pleasing style. <A VF brought $268 on $350 bid in
my 12/01 sale; VF+ $930, CGF 6/07.>
6 Same, F-VF, centered, ltly toned, short but deep test cut under rev club which bulges out on obv.
7„ APOLLONIA PONTICA, Drachm, 375-350 BC, Facing Gorgon head/anchor & crayfish, sim S1655 (£90); EF, obv sl off-ctr but head complete, rev centered; excellent bright metal; Gorgon face quite bold. Nice. <A VF brought $315, DNW 3/07;
EF $385, Hess-Divo 6/07.>
8 ARADOS, ®14, 2nd cent BC, Zeus hd r./galley ram, S6001; AVF, sl off-ctr but complete, dark brown patina, features clear
incl Phoenician lgnd on rev.
9 ARGOS, ®12, c. 300 BC, Wolf head l./helmet below large
A, S2800; F+, centered, near-black patina with some orangy hilighting, cute little coin, and not at all common, despite SearÕs derisory valuation. Catalogs are not always right.
10„ ASPENDOS, Stater , 370-333 BC, 2 wrestlers,WF monogram betw/Slinger & triskeles, as S5398 (£200); VF, quite well centered & nicely struck; features quite bold; bright silver with fields a bit granular due to die rust. <An F-VF brought $360
in my 5/00 sale; VF $935, Peus 11/06; VF $810, Fraysse 6/07.>
11„ ATHENS, Tet, 449-413 BC, Athena hd r/Owl, S2526; Absolutely EF and very sharp with every detail crisp; centered
on a sl tight flan; perhaps subtly smoothed on cheek. A nice example of the classic Owl. <An EF brought $1451 on $2750 bid
in my 11/04 sale; compare a NEF with minor porosity, $3163,
CNG 9/06; EF $7400, NAC 5/07 .>
12„ Same, VF, well centered, pleasant medium tone with bold features; extremely minor marks in rev field. <A VF in a mount brought $1001 in my 6/08 sale; VF $1548, CNG 6/06.>
13„ Another, F-VF, quite well centered, minor porosity traces,
ltly toned; test cut on rev across owlÕs wing to edge. Nicer looking than most of these test cut owls. <A VF with test cuts brought $441 in my 3/07 sale.>
14 One more -- this the later issue, 300-362 BC, S2547, F, typical small thick flan, obv somewhat off-ctr but face clear, rev well centered with owl nrly complete. Poor photo
15„ BAKTRIA, Antimachos, 171-160 BC, Tet, Kust r in kausia/Poseidon stg, S7542 (£900) but Pushkalavati monogram; VF-EF/VF, well centered, lt tone with perhaps a bit of smoothing on rev; nice strong portrait, a bold attractive coin. A curious de-tail is that the king is portrayed with his tongue slightly protruding; this is not a die flaw, since it appears on some other dies of this issue. <A VF sold for $665 reduced from a $750 bid in my 11/05 sale; VF $1500, Loiseau 6/97; GVF $2500, Gorny 11/99.>
16„ Eukratides, 171-135 BC, Tet, Bust r in helmet/Dioscuri on horses r, S7570 but Pushkalavati monogram; EF+, well centered & struck with strong high-relief detail; bright lustery silver with the most minor traces of porosity and smoothing on obv. Great appearance in the hand, a screaming coin. <Compare an AEF bringing $1001 on $1350 bid in my 1/94 sale; EF $4300, Aufhau-ser 10/93; Ch. VF $2420, Coin Galleries 4/93.>
17„ Apollodotos I, Square Drachm, elephant/humped bull, S7591; decent F+, centered with full lgnds, good metal, bold features. <An AVF brought $151 on $200 bid in my last sale.>
18 -- ®22x26 rectangular, Apollo stg/tripod, S7594; F-VF,
nrly centered with most of lgnds clear, dark greenish patina with some paler hilighting, bold & pleasant. <VFs brought $154, CNG 9/99, $225, Gorny 10/02.>
19„ Menander, Drachm, Bust r/Athena stg, S7600; nice EF, well centered with full lgnds, good metal with lt tone. Strong portrait detail. <An EF brought $325, Berk 11/06; EF/VF+ $360, CGF
6/07; EF $472, Freeman & Sear 6/08.>
20 -- Same but helmeted bust, S7601, VF-EF, centered, full lgnds, somewhat crudely struck mainly on rev; good bright silver. <A VF+ brought $72 in my 7/07 sale; VF+ $165, CGF 11/04.>
21 -- ®15 square, elephant head r/club, S7616; Nice VF, obv
sl off-ctr but lgnd complete, rev centered, dark green patina with paler hilighting, bold features. <A Ch. VF brought $81 in my 6/04 sale; VF, off-center & crude, $170, DNW 6/07.>
22 Antialkidas, 115-95 BC, Drachm, Bust r in kausia/Zeus std l, elephant forepart, S7629; VF/AEF, nrly centered, obv lgnd partly off & crude, good silver. <A GVF brought $253, CNG 5/08.>
23 Apollodotos II, ®17 square, Apollo stg r/tripod, S7677; VF/AEF, smooth glossy dark green patina, somewhat off-ctr with partial legends.
24„ Zoilos II, 50-40 BC, Drachm, bust r/Athena stg l, S7708; EF, decent centering for this with AthenaÕs head on the flan (often itÕs off), obv lgnd partly crowded/crude, good silver, portrait very sharp. Excellent quality for this. <Certainly finer than a VF bringing $345, CNG 9/06.>
25 -- Same but very different portrait style; VF, obv well center-
ed with tops of lgnds off; rev sl off-ctr crowding AthenaÕs head. Good silver with lt tone. Again much better than usual for these.
26„ BITHYNIAN KINGDOM, Nikomedes II, 149-128 BC, Tet, Bust r/Zeus stg l, date NP=149/48 BC, S7273; EF, nrly centered on a broad flan, very sl surface faults and smoothing mainly on rev, medium tone with some sl darker patches. A great portrait coin in fine style. <A GVF realized $1275, NAC 4/97;
VF-EF $155, Gorny 10/08.>
27„ CARIAN Satraps, Hekatomnos, 395-377 BC, Trihemi-obol, Lion head l./4-part pattern in square; VF-EF, obv sl off-ctr but lionÕs head complete, hoard tone in recesses hilights the strong detail. Remembles the common Miletos 1/12 staters but rev actually differs; and sometimes an ŅEÓ appears above lionÕs snout. On this specimen, happily, the E is clear. Photo enlarged.
<A GVF realized $1,100, CNG 3/00.>
28„ CARTHAGE, Ar Double Shekel or Tet, 200-146 BC, Tanit hd l./horse rt w/raised foreleg, S6500 (£325); nicely serrated
edge (quite remarkable on a large silver coin); VF, centered, porous surfaces have been partially smoothed, visible mainly on rev, the obv is quite appealing with very strong detail. Very scarce. <A GVF (with evident porosity) brought $920, CNG 6/05.>
YOU MUST BID TO STAY ON MY MAILING LIST
29„ -- Barcids in Spain, Carthago-Nova, 1/4 Shekel, 218-209 BC, Hannibal bust l./horse stg r, S-6572 (£1,250); F-VF, sl off-ctr, obv head complete, horse hd off on rev; uncleaned smooth brownish hoard patina; there is a small filled hole @ 5:00 obv, not very obvious. Nice strong portrait. Photo enlarged. Very rare, more so than the larger denominations; I could not find a sale record. <A Shekel of this type, GVF, brought $3,565, CNG 5/03.>
30„ CELTIC, BRITAIN, Doubunni, Ar Unit, 15-30 AD, EISU
head type, celticized head r/horse l, Spink 377, Van A 1110; EF/VF, nrly centered, sl grainy surfaces, lt grey tone with what looks like luster in recesses. <A Very similar type in EF (tho obv less sharp) brought $624, Leu 5/03.>
31„ DANUBIAN Celts (not to be confused with The Nubian Celts), Ar Tet copying Thasos types, Dionysos hd r/Herakles stg l, 1st cent BC, Kostial 966; AVF, well centered, distinctive obv style with simpering, almost mouthless face, rev of quite good style. Typical tiny flan bends at edges. Good silver. <A GVF of this exact variety, with big test cut, brought $219, StackÕs 7/07.>
32„ Drachm copying Alexander the Great types, Herakles hd/ Zeus std, nonsense lgnd, Delta below throne, ŅbutterflyÓ mono-gram at left, LaTour 9646; VF/AVF, well centered, good silver, nice quality for this, very scarce. <Hugely nicer than a very crude VF/F+ bringing 145 Euros, CGF 9/02.>
33„ CHERRONESOS, Hemidrachm, 400-350 BC, Lion fore-part/pellet in each corner of 4-part square, S1602; EF, obv well centered & struck with a complete & well-detailed lion, rev sl off-ctr; medium grey toning. Unusually good quality for this. <AEFs
of this type brought $265, Elsen 6/04, $305, Kunker 3/08.>
34„ CHIOS, Drachm, 2nd cent BC, Sphinx l./Amphora, cornucopiae, magistrate DERKULOS, S4609; VF, obv sl off-ctr but sphinx just complete, rev well centered; good silver with hint of russet toning. Rare, nice, and highly desirable. <A VF of this exact variety realized $1,380, Triton 1/07.>
35„ EGYPT, Ptolemy II, Tet., Ptolemy I bust r/Eagle stg l, nothing in fields; EF, smallish flan, obv well centered with sl crowding only at top, rev somewhat off-ctr, good bright silver, excellent detail on portrait & eagle. Ex Pars Coins as Choice EF. Actually a rarity with plain fields, though I doubt I can convince anyone of that. <Other Ptolemy II tets: GVF $575, UBS 9/08; VF $445, NAC 4/06; GVF with scrs $1138, Freeman & Sear 6/08.>
36 -- ®15, of Berytos, Zeus Ammon hd r/Eagle stg l, trident; VF, nrly centered, dark green patina with pale earthen hilights for dramatic contrast; good detailed portrait. Ex Eric Dyer collection with his neat tag. Nice example of what is really quite a scarce little coin. <Similar, VF, brought $138, CNG 6/92.>
37 Ptolemy III, ®28, Diademed Zeus hd r/Eagle l, cornucopiae,
E betw legs (the E hard to make out, but trust me on this reading).
F-VF or better, centered, smooth chocolate brown patina, portrait nicely detailed, rev a mite crude. Quite scarce with the non-customary diademed head. Just try to find another.
38 Ptolemy IV, ®35, Zeus Ammon hd r/Eagle stg l, Delta-I betw legs; VF/AVF, well centered, generally smooth dark brown patina with a few surface imperfections that are really altogether insig-nificant, so no carping or whining please; nice strong Zeus head. <Similar, VF, brought $126, FSR 2/05; VF $275, Berk 3/04.>
39 -- ®38, as last, Lambda betw legs, F-VF, centered, rev a little crude & wk at left edge, tan-brown, sl grainy surfaces, much de-tail on portrait & eagle. <An ®38, AVF brought $181, FSR 11/04.>
40 Ptolemy VI, ®30, Zeus Ammon hd r/2 eagles l, S7900; AVF, unround flan, obv centered low but head complete with much detail, rev centered; dark greenish patina with some pale earthen hilighting. <A VF brought $163 in my last sale.>
41 Same but ®19, F-VF, irregular flan, somewhat crude, olive-brown patina, obv sl off-ctr, portrait fairly nice.
42„ Ptolemy XII, Tet, Head of Ptol I r/Eagle l, Year I-Theta, S7945var; EF, nrly centered, only minor crowding of back of head & rev lgnd, nice bright silver, strong detail; good quality for these often crude issues. <A sl porous GVF brought $575, Triton 1/06; VF-EF/VF $460, Gorny 10/07.>
43„ Cleopatra VII, ®240 (Obol or 40 Drachmai), S7956 (£120); G+, olivy-green patina with some mottling, rev weak, portrait reasonably clear overall with the profile strong. <A G brought $420, Emporium Hamburg 5/08. ŅGÓ is an almost nonexistent grade for German auctions where even the worst coins are labelled ŅF;Ó had to be something special to be called ŅGÓ.>
44 ELYMAIS, Orodes III, 2nd cent AD, ® Drachm, Facg bust, anchor/Artemis bust, GIC-5907; VF, medium brown, rev sl off-ctr, good surfaces, nice strong portrait.
45 HIMERA, ®15 (Hemilitron) 413-405 BC, Nymph hd l./6 pellets in wreath, S-1110 (£25); F-VF, nrly centered, dark green patina, decent surfaces. <A VF brought $173, Ponterio 4/08.>
46 HIMYARITES, Amdan Bayyin, c. 100 AD, Ar Quinarius, Male hd r, monogram behind/small male hd r, lgnd around, GIC-5718; strongly cup-shaped; Choice Virtually Mint State, obv sl
off-ctr, very sharply struck; medium tone. Outstanding example. Much better than photo shows.
<An EF brought $240, Burgan 7/92; EF- $190, Kolner 11/04.>
47„ 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 lgnd;
well centered. <A similar type, F, brought $300, NAC 5/07.>
48 INDO-GREEKS, Indo-Skythians, Azilises, 57-35 BC,
®22 square, King on horse r/Herakles std on rock, VF, nrly centered, some of lgnds flatly struck, nice dark green patina.
<A GVF brought $345, CNG 9/03.>
49„ -- Azes II, 35 BC-5 AD, Sil. Tet, King on horse r/Pallas stg r; Ch. EF, a bit off-ctr with some lgnd partly off & crude, devices very sharply struck, good bright silver. <A Ch. EF brought $261
on $300 bid , FSR 11/06; VF-EF $300, Burgan 7/92>
50 KUSHANS, Vima Takto (ŅSoter MegasÓ), 55-105 AD, ® Tet, Bust r hldg scepter/king on horse r; VF-EF, obv well centered,
rev lgnd partial as usual; dark brown patina; a common coin but not in this quality. <A VF brought $198, Freeman & Sear 12/96; Nice VF $66 on $140 bid in my sale, 3/03.>
51 -- Wima Kadphises, 85-120 AD, ® Tet., King stg l./ Siva & bull; F-VF, sl off-ctr but more of lgnds present than usual; brown patina, bold features. <F-VF brought $43 on $70 bid, FSR 3/07.>
52 ISTROS, Cast ®13, 4-spoke wheel/IST; F or thereabouts, typically crude, pale green patina, quite scarce.
53 JUDAEA, John Hyrcanus, ® Prutah, Lgnd in wreath/ crossed cornucopiae, as Hend.-459-60 but no rev letter; VF, nrly centered, smooth dark patina with orangy hilighting, Hebrew inscription virtually complete; quite decent for these. <A Ch. VF brought $67 on $100 bid in my 6/08 sale.>
54„ Herod the Great, ® Prutah, Anchor/cornucopiae, Hen.-500; Choice VF, nrly centered, features complete, green patina with pale earthen hilighting, clear lgnd, very nice for this. <A Ch. VF brought $127, Coin Galleries 12/06.>
55„ Agrippa I, ® Prutah, Umbrella/3 barley ears, Hendin-553;
Choice VF, well centered & complete with totally complete clear lgnd; dark patina with pale orangy hilighting. Excellent quality for this. <A Ch. VF brought $201 on $300 bid in my last sale.>
56„ Marcus Ambibulus, Prutah, Barley ear/palm tree, date, Hen.-636; EF/VF, well centered, dark greenish patina with pale earthen hilighting; bold & extremely nice for this. <Same type with diff
date in Ch. VF brought $152 on $200 bid in my last sale.>
57„ Valerius Gratus, Prutah, Lgnd within wreath/crossed cornucopiae, Hen.-641 (VF $150); Choice VF, irregular flan, obv centered, rev somewhat off-ctr; dark green patina with strong earthen hilighting. Another very bold coin. <A VF brought $127, Peus 10/01.>
58 Pontius Pilate, 3 bound barley sprouts/simpulum, Hen.-648;
F, obv sl off-ctr, rev centered, flan with one edge clipped straight, dark patina with earthen hilighting, lgnds mostly very wk, devices bold. <An F-VF, off-ctr & crude, brought $113 in my 5/00 sale; F/VF $380, Kunker 9/06.>
59„ Porcius Festus under Nero, Prutah, Branch & lgnd/lgnd in wreath, Hen-653; VF-EF, obv nrly centered, rev sl off-ctr, smooth near-black patina with dramatic orangy hilighting, extremely bold & nice for this. <A VF brought $180, Astarte, 4/04.>
60 First Revolt, Prutah, Amphora/Vine Leaf, Year 2, Hen.-661; VF, rev sl off-ctr & crude, lgnds partly wk, smooth dark green patina with a little hilighting. Good detail on amphora. <A VF, partly weak brought $305, CGF 6/04.>
61„ Bar Kochba, ®27x31, Vine Leaf/palm tree, Hen-736; VF, football shaped flan, obv off-ctr, basically smooth dark brown patina, good detail visible. <A GVF brought $690, CNG 5/07; VF $345, CNG 6/06.>
62„ KORCYRA, Stater, 5th cent BC, Cow & calf/double stellate pattern in square, sim. S2007 (£150); VF, obv centered, rev sl off-ctr, flatly struck at left edge affecting front of cow. Medium grey tone, darker on rev. This rev pattern seems to differ from other published examples. <A VF brought $266 on $300 bid
in my 5/01 sale; VF with lt corr $500, Kunker 9/05.>
63„ KROTON, Stater, 360-330 BC, Hd of Hera Lakinia 3/4 rt/Herakles std l, on lion skin, sim. S474 (750); AVF, centered, good metal with lt grey tone, cudlike die break at 9-11:00 obv edge; nice face on obv. A rare and very desirable Greek coin.
<A VF from the same obv die and showing the edge break sold
for $3,678, Kunker 9/04.>
64 LAMIA, Hemidrachm, 400-344 BC, Dionysos hd l./amphora, S2098 (£140); F, centered, good bright silver, decent and scarce. <A VF brought $308, Gorny 3/08.>
65 LARISSA, ®16, Nymph head 3/4 left/horse grazing r; F+/AVF, obv off-ctr, rev centered, edge split, medium brown patina, few minor pits on obv but face clear. Scarce type.
66 LEONTINI, ®15 (Trias), 430-422 BC, Apollo hd r/tripod betw corn grains, S1118 (£30); VF, obv centered, rev sl off-ctr, dark olive patina, sl thick; excellent head with nice detail. <A VF sold for $140, Peus 4/04.>
67„ LOKRIS Opuntia, 1/4 Stater, 369-338 BC, Persephone
hd r/Ajax adv l, helmet betw legs, as S2330 (£125); AVF, obv well centered, rev centered a mite high losing top of head & with teeny graffito which is ridiciulous even to mention; excellent metal with pleasant light tone; lovely head of fine style. <Compare a nice F bringing $150 on $175 bid in my 7/07 sale; VF $581, CNG 9/07.>
68 Same, but Amphora betw legs; F, centered, deep bluish-grey tone on sl grainy surfaces, strong features, not bad. <An AF brought $114 on $125 bid in my 10/08 auction.>
69„ MACEDON, Amyntas III, 389-369 BC, Tet, Hd of bearded Herakles in lion scalp r/horse stg r in square, S1508; F-VF, nrly centered, bright silver, obv nice with much detail, rev a little misty in fields. Rare! <A VF brought $1,700, NAC 4/08.>
70 Philip II, 359-336 BC, ®17, Apollo hd r/youth on horse r, E below; as S6698; VF, nrly centered, good surfaces with delicate green patina, finely styled portrait with strong hair detail. Very nice. <GVFs brought $325, NAC 4/95 & Gorny 3/08.>
71„ Alex. the Great, Tet, Herakles hd r/Zeus std l, Ake mint, Price 3297 (same dies); VF-EF/VF, perfectly centered on large flan, good metal with lt tone, touch of die rust at nose but still a very nice portrait in good style. Aramaic lgnd weak. <A VF-EF brought $529, Rauch 1/09; GVF $604, Coin Gall. 12/08.>
72„ -- Posthumous Tet, ASIA to left, Seleucid anchor c/mk at rev right; F-VF, centered on large flan, very minor surface imperfections, strong features. <A similarly countermarked VF brought $230 on $300 bid in my 1/99 sale.>
73„ -- Hemidrachm, of Babylon, Herakles hd r/Zeus std l, M in field, Lambda-Y below seat, Pr. 3694-95; VF, obv sl off-ctr, rev well centered, large flan for this, bright, excellent detail, very nice for this, and rare. <A VF, diff mint, brought $853, Kunker 10/08.>
74„ Antigonos Gonatas, 277-239 BC, Tet, Pan hds l., within shield/Athena Alkidemos l, S6783; Choice VF, perfectly centered and well struck, good metal quality with lt tone, problem-free with full state-of-the-art whoop-dee-doo. A really nice coin; I hate to sell it. <GVFs brought $1,380, CNG 5/03, $1,724, CNG 9/04;
VF $1,800, Vinchon 10/00.>
75 -- ®16, Monogram in shield/helmet, S6788; VF/AF, obv a little off-ctr, pale green & brown patina, sl grainy. Bold monogram.
75A MAMERTINI, ®23, 220-200 BC, Zeus hd r/Naked warrior adv r, as S1144; VF, nrly centered, forest green patina with modest roughness, portrait nice with lots of detail visible.
<VFs brought $310, Peus 4/05 and $239 Elsen 9/07.>
76 MASSALIA, (Marseilles), Obol, after 400 BC, Youthful male hd l./MA in wheel, S72; F+, centered, good silver, a little crude. <A VF brought $355, NAC 5/07.>
77 MENDE, Tritetartemorion, 500-480 BC, Ass head r/seg-mented incuse square, S-1280 var (£65); F, nrly centered, grainy surfaces, toned, crude. Not much to look at, but if you canÕt afford one of those wonderfful Mende Tets, you can try to satisfy yourself with this instead. We all have to cut back these days.
78„ METAPONTUM, Stater, 510-480 BC, Grain ear/incuse grain ear, small compact flan, sim S238 (£200); AVF/VF, obv centered, rev sl off-ctr, some seeming flan faults on rev suggest an overstriking. <A VF brought $600, Astarte 12/02.>
79„ MILETOS, 1/12 Stater, 6th century BC, Lion hd l/star
pattern, S-3532 (£65); EF, centered, good metal. Photo enlarged. <A VF/AEF brought $156 in my7/07 sale; EF $430, Lanz 5/08.>
80 Same, VF, small flan, obv somewhat off-ctr to bottom, rev centered, decent metal with lt tone. <An F-VF/VF brought $126
on $144 bid in my 3/07 sale.>
81 Same, but lion hd rt, S3533 (scarcer, £75); VF, obv somewhat off-ctr losing lionÕs snout, rev centered; good metal with lt tone. These Miletos coins are the most affordable ones from this very early period. <A VF brought $86 on $110 bid in my 2/09 sale.>
82 NABATAEA, (Arabia), Aretas IV, 9 BC - 40 AD, ®17, Conjoined hds of Aretas & Queen Shaqilath/crossed cornucopiae & lgnd; F+, sl off-ctr on unround flan, dark grey-green patina with strong earthen hilighting; portraits quite bold. I forgot to turn the coin over to photograph the rev, so just use your imagination. <A F+/F brought $42 in my 5/01 sale.>
83„ OLYMPIA, Hemidrachm, 271-191 BC, Zeus hd r/F-A by thunderbolt within wreath, S2897var; VF, obv centered, rev sl off-ctr & crude; teensy edge irregularity on obv, otherwise good
metal with medium tone; excellent Zeus head. Ex-BCD collection, via Leu 2004; Rare. <A porous VF brought $431, CNG 5/08.>
84„ PAEONIA, Patraos, 340-315 BC, Tetrobol, Apollo hd r/Eagle r, S1522 (£150); VF/AVF, obv off-ctr to SW, rev centered; minor exfoliation at rev edge, otherwise good metal with lt tone. Nice style on portrait. Very rare; a Coin Archives search brought up only 2 examples, both crude Celtic imitations, which this is not (and over 150 Patraos Tetradrachms). Photo enlarged.
85 PAESTUM, ®17 (Triens), 268-89 BC, Female hd r, 4 pellets/cornucopiae, S630; F-VF/F, centered, even forest green patina, nice for the grade. <A VF ( much weak) brought $147, Kunker 10/07.>
PARTHIA (by Sellwood numbers, Drachms unless noted):
86„ Phraates II, Tetradrachm,, bust rt/Male deity std l, Sellw 17.1var (monograms reversed); VF+/VF, obv a little off-ctr to left, rev centered a mite high, bright silver with a touch of smoothing in rev field; excellent detailed portrait. Ex Pars Coins as Choice GVF. One of the major rarities of the Parthian series; Sellw valuation $3500 with only 2 coins higher; missing from the landmark Gonella Collection (Peus 11/06); said to be only about 25 known. <A GVF with sm porous area & crack brought $3,960, CNG 9/00; VF, minor porosity, $4,025, Triton 12/00.>
87„ Mithradates II, 28.7, Bust in fancy tiara; Mint State, good centering & strike, sharp portrait, good bright silver. Great
quality. <A Ch. EF brought $437, Triton 1/03.>
88 Orodes I, 31.6, VF, good centering, bright silver with trivial graininess on rev, nice strong portrait. <A VF realized $44 in my 6/93 sale; VF $130, Munz Zent 11/88; GVF $276, Triton 1/04.>
89 Orodes II, ®14, Dichalkon, bust left crowned by Nike/Victory adv r hldg wreath; Sellwood type 42, which is very rare in silver, and even more so in ®, and this reverse is unlisted. Coin is
strong F or better, centered, part of rev lgnd wk, but everything else bold; medium brown. <A GVF of ® Sellw 42.3 brought $345, Triton 1/04.>
90 -- 48.11, VF-EF/VF, centered just a little low as usual, good metal with bold two-tone color, excellent portrait. Pleasing coin. <Similar (48.10) Ch VF brought $78 on $85 bid in my 3/04 sale.>
91„ Vonones I, 60.5, the scarce and distinctive type with lgnd
on obv & rev of Victory stg r; EF, obv centered, rev sl off-ctr; smoothing in fields, with a little roughness still remaining; obv
lgnd quite crude; portrait shows sharp detail. Light grey tone.
<A VF brought $260, Peus 10/03; VF $220, Malter 6/93.>
92„ Vardanes I, Tet., 64.20-27, VF, centered, decent silver with
lt grey tone, faint graffiti in obv field visible if you really try hard to see it, and why would you do that? Month off as usual.
<A VF with no month brought $460, Kunker 3/08.>
93„ Gotarzes II, Tet., 65.8-17, VF+, obv sl off-ctr, rev centered but month not discernable; sl grainy surfaces with lt brownish-grey tone; strong portrait detail. <A VF with no month realized $460, Kunker 3/08.>
94„ Pacorus II, Tet, 73.3-5, beardless bust l, B behind; VF/AVF, obv nrly centered, rev sl off-ctr, pretty good silver with only the most minor surface imperfections & lt tone. Strong portrait.No month as usual. Quite nice for this. Scholars have debated what PacorusÕ unique beardless portrayal signified. Some say Pacorus was actually a queen. Others say a drag queen. <An AVF w ith no month brought $426 in my 3/03 sale.>
95„ Vologases III, 78.4, Choice EF, obv with usual low centering, rev well centered; very sharply struck, with tone in recesses to accentuate the features. A very attractive coin. <An EF brought $75 on $100 bid in my 10/08 sale; EF $205, Auctiones AG 12/96.>
96„ Mithradates IV, 82.3, Choice VF, nrly centered, decent met-al with medium toning. Sellw type 82 is quite scarce, but this is a rare variety with extra lines on diadem.I couldnÕt find a sales rec-ord. <A VF+ of the usual Sellw 82.1 brought $166 , FSR 11/04.>
97 PERSIA, Siglos, King with dagger & bow/incuse punch,
S4683 (£85); F or better, centered on a misshapen flan, good metal with lt tone, somewhat crude. <An AF brought $46 in my 8/91 sale.>
98„ PERSIS, Darius I, 2nd cent BC, Drachm, Bust r in satra-pal headgear, cresc at back/fire altar, S6195, Alram 551; EF/VF, obv centered on pear shaped flan, rev sl off-ctr, good metal with
lt tone; very nice portrait in ultra high relief. <Similar, EF, brought $281 on $400 bid in my 6/08 sale; GVF $330, Baldwin 10/04; VF $730, Elsen 2/94; and an EF, TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS, Hess-Divo 10/08.>
99„ Autophradates III, 90-80 BC, Hemidrachm, Diademed hd r/fire altar, Alr 562; nice VF/AEF, obv well centered, rev sl off-ctr, bright silver, nice portrait. Quite scarce. These coins can be very confusing. I finally figured out that Autophradates III is the same guy as Vadfradad III and is sometimes called Autophradates II, as in Sear (#6204). <A VF brought $200, Peus 4/06.>
100„ PHOKAIA, Diobol (1.42 gm), 6th century BC, Archaic female hd l./4 sunken compartments, Rosen 596; Nice VF, well centered, good metal with no corrosion, bold detailed portrait in excellent archaic style. Very scarce & desirable; this type usually found as a smaller Trihemiobol. Photo enlarged. <Trihemiobols in GVF brought $365, DNW 4/08 and VF $575, Gorny 3/08.>
101„ PHOKIS, Triobol, 357-346 BC, Facg bull head/Apollo hd r, S2353 (£140); Nice F, perfectly centered, good metal, attractive Apollo of attractive style. <A F+ brought $385, CGF 6/05; F+ $275, Berk 6/08.>
102„ RHODES, Drachm , 167-88 BC, Helios hd r/Rose in incuse square, NIKHFOPO, as S5063; EF, obv sl off-ctr to rt but face complete; nice metal with deep old blue & grey toning; 2 tiny edge cracks. Great detail on both sides. <Same type, EF brought $530, Lanz 5/01; Near EF with edge crack $305, Astarte 12/02.>
103„ ®34, 88-43 BC, Wreathed head of Helios l./Nike stg r; VF, centered, flatly struck around peripheries as usual, smooth dark brown patina with some pale green hilighting; portrait quite nicely detailed, making this a very superior example of these large bronzes, which normally come weak and crappy. Ex Karl Collection, Lanz 11/06 (as VF). <Stronger portrait than a similar VF bringing $460, CNG 9/06.>
104 SARDES, ®29, c. 100 AD, Senate bust r/Demeter stg l;
F-VF/F, nrly centered on a large flan, dark greenish-brown with sl hilighting, sl grainy surfaces, a little grubby looking, but lgnds mostly clear & good detail on portrait. Scarce. <For what the information is worth, an EF brought $748, CNG 9/04.>
105„ SEGESTA, Didrachm, 480-461 BC, Hound stg l./Nymph hd r, Cf. S896-97 (£600-750); F, sl off-ctr, houndÕs nose off, nymph head complete; moderately grainy surfaces with uneven dark toning. IÕd suggest a bid of $150 on this Segesta. <A Near VF with some flatness & cleaning marks brought $920, CNG 9/07.>
106„ SIKYON, Hemidrachm, 360-330 BC, Chimaera l./dove flying l, 3 pellets, S2774; AVF/VF, large flan, obv sl off-ctr crowding ChimaeraÕs forelimb, rev centered; good metal quality. <VFs brought $390, Astarte 12/02 and $400, Gorny 10/08.>
107 SPAIN, Carisa (Carija), ®19, Herakles hd l./horseman l, with big round shield, Alv-Burg 385; AVF, centered on a sl unround flan, dark green patina with orangy hilighting, nice
strong portrait, excellent quality for this very scarce coin.
108 Castulo, ® Semis, LOT of 2, ®21 & 22, Male bust r/bull r; one is F, centered, somewhat hilighted green patina, with lgnds to rt & left obv & above & below bull (scarce thus); other is very crude & perhaps barbarous with long-nosed portrait, LL & cresc above bull, VF or better, sl rough green & earthen patination. See photos.
<An AVF/F+ of this type brought $101 on $110 bid, FSR 10/08.>
109 Ebusus, ®24 (Semis), Facg figure of Bes (or Kabeiros)/ Pu-nic lgnd, F-VF/AF, centered on large flan, smooth dark patina with earthen hilighting, obv figure fairly bold, rev crude & partly weak. Scarce. <A VF (very crude looking) brought $491, Elsen 6/07.>
Your chances of success are better the more lots you bid on. You can bid with alternate choice, or a budget limit.
110 Malaka (Malaga), ®20x22, Hephaistos bust r/star; F-VF,
nrly centered, somewhat crude, sl rough green patina with paler hilighting. <A F-VF brought $115, Elsen 6/08.>
111 -- Same but ®13; at least VF/VF+, centered, dark green patina with nice strong earthen hilighting, obv sl crude but portrait quite strong, rev particularly bold & attractive. <An AEF brought $175, Auctiones AG 6/03.>
112 -- Malaka, ®16x18, Bust r/4-column temple, AVF or better, obv well centered, rev sl off-ctr, smooth dark green patina with nice pale earthen hilighting, very bold features, nice for this & rare
113„ SYRACUSE, Hiketas, 288-279 BC, ®21, Persephone hd r/biga r, AP monogram below, sim. S1209; AEF/VF, well centered, greenish-brown patina, very sl surface imperfections, trace of double striking on rev, obv portrait has strong detail. Nice coin. <A GVF realized $425, CNG 5/08VF $290, Peus 11/06.>
114 Hieron II, 275-215 BC, ®20, Persephone hd l./bull butting l., club above, S1218; F+, well centered, nice vivid green patina
with only the slightest hint of graininess on obv, rev smooth.
<A rough VF sold for $150, Astarte 5/02.>
115 -- ®19, Poseidon hd l./trident, S1223; VF/AVF, nrly center-ed, smooth dark brown patina, a few minor patches of maroon, sl wkness on rev, nice strong detailed portrait. <A Ch. VF brought $151 on $200 bid in my 2/05 sale; NVF $178, F&S 6/08.>
116 SYRIA, Antiochus I, ®18, Head r/Apollo std l, S6878; c/mk of what apopears to be an anchor in a round indent, on rev on omphalos; F+, dark brown patina, minimal graininess.
117„ Seleukos II, Tet, His hd r/Apollo stg at tripod, S6896
(£400); VF+, nrly centered, decent bright silver, excellent portrait with strong detail. Good quality for this. <A VF brought $925, Gorny 10/08; AVF $1330, Elsen 12/05.>
118„ Antiochus III, Tet, His head r/Apollo std l, monogram below, Goddess of Myra in left field (Myra mint), BMC11; VF, obv nrly centered, good metal with very minor imperfections, rev sl off-ctr with ApolloÕs hd partly off. Nice strong portrait. Rare type, not in Sear; monogram described as ŅobscureÓ on the BMC coin, but on ours it is perfectly clear. <Ordinary type Antiochus III Tets, VF, brought $1100, Peus 4/04; and $875 Kunker 9/06.>
119„ Antiochus VIII, Tet, Zeus std l, S7145; VF-EF, nrly centered, good metal with lt tone & perhaps a touch of smoothing, excellent hook-nosed portrait with curly hair detail. <A GVF brought $588, CNG 9/00; AEF $620, Lanz 5/04.>
120 TARSOS, Pharnabazos, 379-374 BC, Stater, Baal std l./helmeted hd l, S5641 (£275); VF in parts but really an ungrade-able coin as it is seriously messed up, with test cut on obv & 2 on rev, obv mostly very rough, rev partly so. Most dealers try to say something positive about every coin. OK: this one does have a clear rev legend. But otherwise itÕs a real dog.
121 ®18, c. 100 BC, Tyche hd r/Zeus std l, sim. S5673; AEF/VF, smooth dark greenish patina, obv well centered & struck with a nicely detailed head, rev somewhat off-ctr to bottom. <A GVF brought $207, CNG 9/05.>
122„ THASOS, Stater, 510-490 BC, Naked ithyphallic satyr carrying nymph/4-part incuse, S1357 (£400); Strong F-VF, well centered, good bright silver, sl smoothed on rev, couple tiny edge splits; features are very strong, with the all-important part of the SatyrÕs anatomy particularly clear. A classic erotically suggestive coin; holding it in my hand right now is actually making me a little ithyphallic myself. <An F+ brought $451 on $525 bid in my 1/95 sale; VF $4500, Peus 10/07.>
123„ Tet, after 148 BC, Dionysos hd r/Herakles stg l, S1759;
VF/F-VF, reasonably centered on a large flan, good silver with touch of tone; nicely detailed portrait of unusually fine style for this. <A F+/AVF brought $308 reduced from a $456 bid in my 8/90 sale; GVF $523, CNG 12/96.>
124„ THEBES, Stater, 390-382 BC, Boeotian shield/amphora, barleycorn above, FA-ST; AEF, egg shaped flan, obv centered, rev nrly centered & complete, obv has a little bit of die failure in the shieldÕs border, rev nicely struck, with the decoration on the amphora practically complete, thus very desirable quality. Good metal with old iridescent toning, blue-grey with russet & gold. <This exact variety, AEF (a little off-ctr) brought $1,045, LHS 4/07; GVF $863, Triton 1/07; GVF $1,083, Triton 1/06.>
125 „ THRACE, Lysimachos, 323-281 BC, Tet, Alex hd r/ Athena std l, Lampsakos, Thomp.49; AVF, well centered on large flan, good two-toned metal with only the tiniest surface marks, nicely styled portrait. <VF/F-VF brought $311, FSR 1/94.>
126„ -- Lysimachos, Tet, types as last, MT monogram below arm, Byzantion; AEF, obv well centered, rev nrly so; bright lusterlike silver; attractive portrait of fine style. Nice. <An AEF brought $850 on $1187 bid in my 8/90 sale; VF-EF $1950, Gorny 3/03.>
127 TRALLEIS, ®19, c. 100 BC, Zeus hd r/thunderbolt in wreath; VF, well centered & struck, even dark brownish patina, nicely detailed. A good bold coin.<An AEF, described as very rare & unpublished apart from auctions, brought $230, CNG 5/08.>
ROMAN REPUBLIC
128„ Bronze. Aes Grave. Sextans, Mercury hd l, 2 pellets/
prow r, 2 pellets, Cr. 35/5, T-V 55, Sy.76 (Rarity 4); AVF, pleasant green & brown patina with typical sl porosity & roughness, bold features, decent for this. <A F/VF brought $310 on $350 bid in my 3/04 sale; somewhat rough VF $661, Coin Gall. 7/02.>
129„ -- Struck. Quadrans, Herakles hd r/prow r, star to rt, Cr. 196/4, Sy.264d (Rarity 4); Ch. VF, nrly centered, two-toned green patina plus pale earthen hilighting, good detail, unusually nice for these. <A VF brought $117, CNG 9/02. Ours is much prettier.>
SILVER, (Denarii unless noted, Crawford & Sydenham #s):
130 Anonymous, Roma hd r/Dioscuri r, Cr.44/5; AVF, nrly centered on large flan, good metal with medium tone; a little wkness of strike at obv right edge affects RomaÕs nose.
<A GVF brought $430, Gorny 3/08.>
131 Brockage, obv of Roma hd r, 6-point star below chin/incuse of same. F+, nrly centered, the brockage impression quite clear.
132 L. Antestius Gragulus, 238/1, Sy.451, Roma hd r/Jupiter in quadriga r; F or better & nrly centered but flatly struck at obv top & rev bottom; good two-toned silver. <A F+ brought $53 reduced from a whopping $100 bid in my last sale.>
133 M. Metellus, 263/1a, Sy.480, Roma hd r/elephant hd in shield; F+/F, well centered, good bright silver; elephant head weak as usual. <A VF brought $135 on $176 bid, FSR 11/03.>
134 Q. Minucius Rufus, 277/1, Sy.421, Roma hd r/Dioscuri rt;
F-VF, nrly centered & complete, good silver with some lt tone, much detail. <An AVF got 95 bucks in my 6/04 scam.>
135 M. Tullius, 280/1, Sy.531, Roma hd r/quadriga; COPY, struck, base metal, but nice iridescent toning, EF+.
136 M. Calidius, Q. Metellus & Cn. Foulvius, Roma hd r, Victory in biga, 284/1a, Sy. 539 (Rarity 3); F+, centered on oval flan, bright, very sl bendy flan.
137 L. Memmius, Male hd r/Dioscuri stg with horses, 304/1, Sy.558; F+, but obv somewhat off-ctr to left and both sides weakly struck at left, so left horse is ghostly; bright metal,
portrait nice. <A sl bent F was sold at $150, Berk 5/06.>
138„ M. Herennius, 308/1a, Sy.567, Pietas hd r/Aeneas carrying Anchises; EF, nrly centered, well struck, sl ŅtexturedÓ fields with luster & lt blue-grey toning. Portrait very sharp; fairly attractive. <An EF brought $850, Elsen 3/06; VF $280, CGF 7/01.>
139 Q. Titius, 341/1, Sy.691, Mutinus Titinus hd r/Pegasus; F, large elongated flan, rev a little off-ctr with weak spot; good silver. <A F+/F brought $43 in my 12/02 sale.>
140 Q. Titius, 341/2, Sy.692, Bacchus hd r/Pegasus; a dramatic flip-over double strike, the second strike a good deal off-center, on both sides the Bacchus head is the dominant feature; close to VF if not better, bright lustery silver. <A F/VF (not double struck) brought $135, Berk 3/06.>
141 C. Vibius Pansy, 342/4b, Sy.685 (Rarity 3), Apollo hd r/ Minerva in quadriga left; AVF, sl off-ctr on a pear-shaped flan, sl graininess at peripheries, portrait nice. <AVF $135, Berk 6/04.>
142 L. Julius Bursitis, 352/1a, Sy.728, Youthy hd r/Victory in quadriga; VF but wkly struck in centers, so I will call it F; sl off-
ctr on large round flan, excellent metal quality with luster.
<A F+/F brought $51 in my 7/07 sale.>
143 Mn. Fonteius, 353/1c, Sy.724a, Youthful hd r/infant genius on goat, caps above, in wreath; VF+/VF, well centered but significantly chipped edge at left obv, revealing crystallized interior metal; bright lusterlike silver with minor traces of graininess. Portrait sharp & nice. Notice I did not say ŅslightlyÓ chipped. ŅSlightlyÓ is the most overworked word in numismatics. Usually it really means ŅterriblyÓ (though not in my sales).
I can provide sensible bidding guidance upon request and can also tell you where bidding stands on lots you have bid on.
144 A. Manlius & L. Sulla, 367/5, Sy.757; Roma hd r/Sulla in quadriga r; AF/F-VF, smallish flan, obv centered, rev sl off-ctr, minor crudeness. <A F/F-VF sold for $63 on $81 bid in my 3/04 sale; F $115, Berk 1/05.>
145 M. Plaetorius Cestianus, 405/3b, Sy.805 (Rarity 3), Female hd r, dolphin behind/winged caduceus; F+/F, now here are the detractions: rev is somewhat off-ctr, banker mark on neck, tiny scrs in obv field, minimally grainy. But none is serious & coin is not bad looking (and better than the picture). Medium tone. <VF $426, Peus 10/01.>
146 IMPERATORIAL. POMPEY, As, Janus hd/Prow r, CN MAG above; F, somewhat off-ctr, left Janus face crowded but all there, dark green patina with patchy earthen adhesions. <A GF brought $247, CNA 9/92; F+ $131 in my 9/98 sale.>
147 BRUTUS, Den., His head r in wreath/CASCA LONGVS, trophy; struck COPY, in silver, by Slavei, EF-Unc, ltly toned, top quality. Ex my 4/94 sale where it brought $43 on a $65 bid.
ROMAN EMPIRE
148 AUGUSTUS, Quinarius, Bust r/P CARISI, Victory crowning trophy; F, sl off-ctr, few sl surface imperfections, darkly patinated & uncleaned. <An AVF with obv banker marks brought $183, UBS 9/08.>
149 Same but bust left; AF/VG, sl off-ctr, asstd surface marks, darkly toned, portrait decent. Poor photo. <VF $316, Coin Gall. 7/99.>
150 Quadrans, LAMIA SILIVS ANNIVS, Clasped hands hldg cad-uceus/SC in lgnd; F, nrly centered, practically full lgnds, dk pat.
151„ Cistophorus, Ephesus, Bust r/AVGVSTVS, bundle of 6 grain ears; strong F/F-VF, obv nrly centered, rev somewhat off-ctr, good silver with medium blue-grey tone. Bold portrait.
<A F with scrs brought $308, CNG 9/96; GF $335, Downie 7/06.>
152 AUGUSTUS & JUBA II of Mauretania; Carthago Nova, ®21, sacrificial implements/Lotus flower, lgnd IVBA REX etc; VF in parts but rather crude with much lgnd wkness, call it around F overall. Dark green patina. <A VF, not really much better, brought $242, CNG 5/08.>
153„ AUGUSTUS & PTOLEMY, Carthago-Nova, ®19x21,
Augustus hd r/REX PTOL in wreath, lgnd around, GIC-13; VF/AEF and centered on an irregular flan with sizeable edge notch; slate green patina with very sl roughness, strong portrait. This Ptolemy was the son of Juba II & Cleopatra Selene (daughter of Mark Antony & Cleopatra). What he was doing on a Spanish coin, I canÕt explain, but anyhow itÕs an interesting & rare coin. <An AVF in my 3/07 sale brought $260 on $450 bid; NEF $778, Triton 1/07>
154„ AGRIPPA, As, Bust l./SC, Neptune stg l; VF-EF, center-ed on a quite broad flan, well struck with sharp lgnd, dark greenish patina with only the most minor surface imperfections; strong hair detail on portrait. Very nice quality. <A VF brought $1100, CNG 3/00; VF-EF $1170, Varesi 11/06; VF $1000, Lanz 11/07.>
155 TIBERIUS,NERO & DRUSUS, Spain, Carthago Nova, ®28, bust l./2 busts face-to-face; F, obv well centered with lgnd complete, rev sl off-ctr with tops of some lettering off; dark green patina with a little orangy hilighting; portraits a little weak. <An AF sold for $79 on $91 bid, FSR 3/88; Nr F, flaws, $121, CNG 9/94.>
156 CALIGULA, As, VESTA std l; F+, sl off-ctr, abt 1/3 of
obv lgnd wk or off, green patina with some patchy earthen hilighting & surface crusties; decent portrait with much hair detail visible. Slightly small size with the style of a Spanish mint.
<A F+, sl bendy, sold for $181 in my 9/02 phantasmagoria.>
157„ Sest, bust l./SPQR PP OB CIVES SERVATOS in wreath; VG/F, well centered, dark olive patina, lt to moderate porosity mainly on obv, only a little of obv lgnd visible; rev totally clear; portrait quite decent for the grade with even a bit of the laurel wreath showing. Better than the photo. <An AF brought $$408, BaldwinÕs 9/05.>
158„ Quadrans, Pileus betw S-C, lgnd around/RCC, lgnd around (COS DES III); AEF, obv perfectly centered, rev nrly so, lgnds complete; dark green patina with generally good surfaces, strong earthen hilighting mainly on rev. The meaning of RCC has engendered debate; some authorities say it stands for ŅRoman Copper Coin,Ó while others argue for ŅReally Crazy Caligula.Ó
<An EF of this exact variety brought $510, Kunker 3/07; similar, VF, $175, Peus 4/03.>
159 CLAUDIUS, As, LIBERTAS AVGVSTA, Libertas stg r; F, obv nrly centered with lgnd partly wk/off at rt, rev centered with lgnd complete tho partly wk; dark greenish patina with a little hilighting; lt porosity mainly on rev. Excellent bold portrait.
<A F brought $200, Berk 1/05; GF, smoothing, $288, CNG 6/05.>
160 Egypt, ®20+ (Obol), bust r/LI, hand hldg bunch of corn; VG/F, nrly centered, olive-brown patina, sl grainy, obv lgnd wk, portrait so-so, rev strong.
161„ NERO, Sest, bust r/ANNONA AVGVSTI CERES, Annona stg, Ceres std, modius on altar betw, shipÕs prow behind; AEF, well centered on large flan, a few letters flat on each side but rest of legnds crisp; brown-toned orichalcum metal, with nice surfaces on obv; rev not so nice as it is somewhat double struck on the figures & has a poorly struck & sl grainy area in upper center. The portrait of Nero is well-detailed, in high relief, and of fine style. <GVFs brought $4025, Triton 1/04, $6000, UBS 9/08.>
162„ Egypt, Tet, bust r/Alexandria hd r, LIB; VF, nrly centered, partial obv lgnd, silver-grey color with decent surfaces for these; both portraits exhibit a lot of nice sharp detail. Better than usual. <A GVF brought $280, Kunker 3/04; VF $310, Lanz 5/07.>
163 NERO & OCTAVIA, Egypt Tet, Bust r/bust r, L-Delta;
F, obv centered, rev sl off-ctr, lgnds mostly rather wk, sl uneven brown & green patina, NeroÕs portrait so-so, OctaviaÕs portrait quite bold & nice. Scarce. <A VF brought $390, Kunker 3/04.>
164 GALBA, Egypt ®26, Diobol, Isis bust r, LB; F+, sl off-ctr, abt 40% of obv lgnd missing but the rest is very clear; smooth reddish-brown surfaces; strong portrait. Decent for this.
165„ OTHO, Den, SECVRITAS PR, Securitas stg l; AVF/F+, nrly centered, tops of obv lettering off on right side, rev lgnd nrly complete; traces of graininess & a little dark tone in recesses; portrait strong with much hair detail (though actually in OthoÕs case it was a wig). <A F-VF sold for $963, Coin Gall. 4/96.>
166„ VITELLIUS, Den, XV VIR SACR FAC, dolphin, tripod, raven; F+/VG, obv centered with full lgnd, rev lgnd mostly gone at rt, good metal with medium tone, portrait quite bold. <A F was sold at $400, Berk 12/07; F/AF sl off-ctr, $170 on $201 bid, FSR 6/05.>
167 VESPASIAN, Den, PONTIF MAXIM, Ruler std r; AVF, nrly centered on an oval flan, obv lgnd complete, rev has some lettering partly off; good metal with medium toning; nice portrait.
<A GVF brought $414, CNG 5/08.>
168 Den, IVDAEA, mourning Jew by trophy; COPY, struck in base metal, F-VF, sl off-ctr, deep grey toning.
169 Egypt, ®22 (Diobol, or an oversized Obol), Hawk r, L-Delta; F, sl off-ctr, partial obv lgnd, sm edge splits, brown patina with lt to moderate roughness; portrait strong. Emmett 222 (Obol).
<A VF Obol of this type brought $242, Coin Galleries 7/92.>
170„ VESPASIAN & TITUS, Antioch, Tet, Bust r/bust r, Year B; VF, sl off-ctr, much lgnd missing, especially on rev; good silver; both portraits quite strong with full laurel wreath detail.
<An F-VF/VF fetched $376 in my 7/07 sale.>
171„ TITUS, Den, TRP VIIII etc, Triumphal quadriga left; F+/F, nrly centered, full lgnds (partly soft on rev); decent silver with lt tone; a few microscopic scratches might be mentioned, but who can afford a microscope in what the media calls Ņthese economic timesÓ? Of course, theyÕve been calling it that for decades. Scarce Jewish war type. <A slight variant, VF, brought $608, Kunker 3/05.>
172„ DOMITIAN, AS CAESAR, As, SC, Minerva stg l; VF,
well centered, full lgnds, dark brown patina, lt roughness partially smoothed mainly on rev; portrait quite strong with full laurel wreath. <A granular VR brought $317, Freeman & Sear 6/08.>
173 AS AUGUSTUS, Den, IMP XIX etc, Minerva stg r; F-VF, a bit off-ctr, losing a little of lgnds each side; decent metal, lt tone. Nicer than the picture.
174 As, SALVTI AVGVSTO, large altar; VF/F-VF, obv centered on large flan, rev sl off-ctr, full tho partly wk lgnds, dark brown patina with lighter color on highest relief; sl surface imperfections; good portrait with much detail. Scarce type, which is recorded only with lgnd SALVTI AVGVSTI; the AVGVSTO reading seems pretty clear, but conceivably it is just due to a small corrosion pit.
<A VF of this type, undetailed, brought $430, NAC 3/93.>
175 Antioch, ®20, bust l./SC in wreath; F, 2-toned lt brown, sl off-ctr, not much lgnd present, minor graininess, clear portrait.
176 NERVA, Paduan Sest, CONGIAR PR, platform scene; later cast of an original by Cavino (Lawr. 1); VF, obv sl off-ctr, sl thick dark brown patina, fairly nice piece. Better than photo.
177„ TRAJAN, Den, COS V PP SPQR OPTIMO PRINC, elabo-rate trophy; Choice EF, well centered on large sl oval flan, nicely struck, excellent metal quality with gentle tone. Better type; nice coin. <Ch. EFs brought $413, CNG 4/01; $770, Kunker 10/07.>
178„ Den, SPQR OPTIMO PRINCIPI, Mars stg; EF, centered on
a sl oval flan, lgnds complete, well struck with good detail, medi-um grey toning. Interesting bust style, seen from rear with much drapery. <EFs brought $375, Gorny 10/04, $465, Lanz 5/08.>
179„ As, lgnd as last, Spes stg l; VF, well centered with com-plete lgnds, dark green patina with some sl roughness mainly in obv field to rt; portrait has strong hair & laurel wreath detail.
180 As, same lgnd, Victory stg r, writing VIC DAC on shield set
on palm trunk; VF, obv nrly centered, rev centered, complete lgnds, brown patina with a little green in fields, lt to moderate surface roughness; much detail visible. Better type.
181 Egypt ®35 (Drachm), Ruler in quadriga r, LK; F-VF/F, nrly centered, obv lgnd generally somewhat wk, grey-brown patina, mild porosity; a fair amount of hair detail on portrait. Rev depiction fully clear. <A Ch. F brought $101 on $156 bid, FSR 9/89.>
182„ HADRIAN, Den, PM TRP COS III, CONCORD, Concor-dia std l; EF, obv centered, rev nrly so, somewhat ragged edge, lgnds complete; good silver with medium golden-grey tone. Portrait quite sharp. Ex Coin Galleries as Ch. EF.
<An EF brought $935, Tradart 12/85.>
183 Den, RESTITVTOR GALLIAE, Ruler & squatting female; F+/AVF, centered, lgnds complete, good clean metal, problem-free; bold & nice for the grade. <A VF with scrs & corr brought $180, Rauch 3/06.>
184 Quinarius, PM TRP COS III, Victory std l; F, a little off-ctr on egg-shaped flan with some of lgnds off, good two-toned silver, weensy little scrs on rev, nice bold portrait. Rare. <A VF brought $853, Kunker 10/08.>
185„ As, bare hd r/COS III, Roma stg r, foot on globe; overall VF+, obv nrly centered with lgnd sl wk, rev off-ctr losing lgnd at left; warm brown patina with sl touches of roughness; portrait in fine style with virtually full EF detail, every hair visible.
186 Egypt ®28 (Hemidrachm), Euthenia recl l., Yr 12; F-VF/F, obv nrly centered with most of lgnd present, brown patina, nice strong portrait with some detail; rev sl off-ctr & has some corrosion spots. <An AVF brought $177, Rauch 4/03.>
187 -- ®19 (Obol), Modius betw torches, LK (Emmett R5, his highest rarity rating); VG/F+, brown patina with some lt aqua-green hilighting on rev; moderately rough; no obv lgnd; rev strong.
<GVF $230, CNG 9/05>
188„ Amisos, Ar Drachm, Laur hd r/Athena stg l; strong VF, obv perfectly centered, rev sl off-ctr, lgnds complete, good silver with lt tone, strong relief & well-detailed. <A VF brought $231, Gorny 10/06; VF $180, Peus 10/00.>
189 ANTINOUS, Egypt ®23 (Diobol), bust of Antinous r/Antinous on horseback r; VG/Fair, mostly green patina with patches of other colors, portrait not great but reasonably discernable, NTINOOY of lgnd visible; rev indistinct but ghostly horse & rider can be seen. <A F brought $963, CNG 9/00.>
190„ ANTONINUS PIUS, As, TR POT COS IIII, Minerva
adv r; EF, nrly centered on raggy-edged flan, lgnds essentially complete, dark brown patina, sl touches of roughness, good detail. <A VF brought $140, Raauch 10/00.>
191 Egypt ®29 (Hemidrachm), Radiate bust r/Sphinx r/LB; Em. 1731; VG/F, centered, dark brown patina, obv moderately rough, rev only sl grainy, sphinx strong with some detail. Rare and de-sirable iconic Egyptian type. <A VF, not actually that much better (IÕd grade it F+ but partly weak), brought $1,725, CNG 5/07.>
192 Holyland, Gaza, ®17, Herakles stg l, hldg rocket being launched toward Israel, rather than doing anything to build up the quality of inhabitantsÕ lives (forgive the editorial, but itÓs my catalog); F-VF, nrly centered on sm flan, obv lgnd mostly off,
dark greenish patina with sl hilighting, portrait has quite a bit of detail, GAZA on rev very clear. Quite scarce and decent for this.
193„ ANTONINUS PIUS & MARCUS AURELIUS, Den, Bust r/bust r, Choice EF, centered & boldly struck, excellent metal with lt tone, two sharp portraits. Lovely quality. I hate to
sell a coin like this, because how can I replace it? <EFs brought $1900, Lanz 5/06, $1200, NAC 4/08; $1025, Gorny 10/05.>
194„ FAUSTINA SR, Den, AVGVSTA, Vesta stg at altar;
EF, centered, lgnds complete, decent bright silver, sl crudeness but portrait sharp. <An AEF brought $425, Gorny 3/07.>
The sentence below is true.
The sentence above is false.
195„ MARCUS AURELIUS, Den, TR POT XII COS II, Felicitas stg l; EF, nrly centered, lgnds complete though generally crude, good bright silver, head of Felicitas softly struck, portrait sharp. Ex Pegasi as Mint @ $350. <An EF from same obv die with lgnd crudeness brought $165, Sternberg 10/00.>
196 MARCUS AURELIUS & LUCIUS VERUS, Holyland, Gaza, ®20, busts face-to-face/Apollo stg l, Swastika-like Gaza symbol; F, sl off-ctr, obv lgnd mostly present tho weak, GAZA clear, brown patina, very sl porosity, portraits bold. Rare.
<A VF realized $403, CNG 9/08.>
197 FAUSTINA JR, Den, VENVS GENETRIX, Venus stg l, with interesting feature of Dioscuri on shield she holds; F-VF/VF, nrly centered, full lgnds, brightly cleaned with sl granularity.
Minor edge crack. <A VF brought $345, Peus 4/05.>
198„ LUCIUS VERUS, Den, PROV DEOR TRP II COS II, Providentia stg l; EF/AEF, centered with full lgnds, good bright metal, nice sharp hirsute portrait. Note, photo is not numbered. <An EF/AEF brought $500, Hauck & Aufhauser 3/03.>
199 COMMODUS, Den, TRP IIII IMP etc, Victory std l;
VF-EF/AVF, obv nrly centered with complete lgnd, rev sl off-ctr with lgnd partly off/wk; good metal quality with lt tone; strong youthful portrait. Difficult to find Commodus this decent.
200 CRISPINA, Sest, SALVS std l, F+/AF, centered, obv lgnd complete, rev lgnd very wk, brown-green patina, rev a bit crude & grainy, strong portrait with good hair detail. <A VF with weak rev brought a thousand bucks, NAC 2/91.>
201 SEPTIMIUS SEVERUS, Den, PART MAX PM TRP VIIII, 2 captives flanking trophy; EF, obv centered, rev sl off-ctr, full lgnds, nice lustery silver, teeny edge crack, portrait quite sharp. Photo not numbered. My bad. <An EF/AEF brought $290, Lanz 11/06.>
202„ As, VIRTVS AVGVSTOR, Roma std l, VF-EF/VF, nrly cent-ered, full lgnds; steely-brown patina; fields have been somewhat smoothed but still show some uneven surface, mostly on rev; obv fairly decent with only one really noticeable small depression before mouth; portrait unimpaired & with strong detail.A rare coin.
203 Marcianopolis, ®26, Homonoia stg l; AVF/F, obv sl off-ctr with tops of letters off at left, rev well centered with full lgnd, smooth olive-brown patina, much detail on portrait. Much nicer than picture suggests.
204 JULIA DOMNA, Den, VESTA stg l, AEF, centered on a large, sl raggy oval flan, good silver with lt tone. Pleasant.
<An EF sold for $355, LHS 4/08; EF $210, Varesi 11/07.>
205 Thrace, Augusta Traiana, ®23, Artemis rt, with hound; AVF/F-VF, centered with full lgnds, dark green patina, smooth
on rev with sl roughness or crusting on obv; portrait strong with good hair detail. Scarce.
206„ CARACALLA, Den, PROVIDENTIAE DEORVM, Providentia stg l; AEF, centered on a large flan, good bright lusterlike silver; nice sharp bearded portrait. <An EF/VF brought $123, Gorny 3/05.>
207 Den, PONTIF TRP VIIII COS II, Mars stg l; VF/F-VF, nrly centered on a raggy flan, full lgnds, bright, sl granular surfaces; tiny flan fissures above head; strong youthful portrait.
208„ Laodicea, Tet, Bust r/Eagle stg, hd l, star betw legs, Bell. 72; Virtually Mint State, nrly centered, lgnds complete with a little crowding; nicely struck with sharp portrait & no weak spots; wonderful brilliant mint luster. <An EF brought $600, Poindes-sault 6/02; EF $630, Hess-Divo 10/06; GEF $1065, Gorny 3/07.>
209„ GETA, Caesar, As, FELICITAS SAECVLI, Caracalla, Geta & S. Severus on platform, with citizen & soldier to rt, Coh. 41 (20 Fr); F+, centered on a sl small flan, lgnds nrly complete tho partly wk, generally smooth dark green patina, portrait bold with some hair detail, rev scene completely clear. A great rarity.
210 Augusta Traiana, ®18, bare hd r/Artemis stg r, hound;
VF/F-VF, well centered, obv well struck with smooth dark green patina, crisp lgnd, nice portrait with strong hair detail, tho it does have a centration dimple on jaw; rev lgnd partly crude & has some minor surface blemishes.
211 ELAGABALUS, Den, PM TRP II COS II PP, Sol stg l; EF/VF, centered, full lgnds, very sl granular surfaces with lt grey tone, obv nice looking with very sharp portrait, rev somewhat sloppily struck. <An AEF/VF brought $46 on $57 bid, FSR 11/05.>
212 Tarsos, ®23, Ciliarch crown with 5 busts (unusual bizarre type); VG+/F, sl off-ctr, partial lgnds, greenish-brown with sl graininess, portrait decent, rev design wholly clear.
213„ JULIA MAESA, Den, IVNO, Juno stg l; Choice EF+, obv centered, rev nrly so, well struck with only a touch of crudeness at obv left edge; excellent lustrous silver with whisper of tone; nice strong portrait of good style. <EFs brought $290, Peus 11/96, and $315, Hirsch 2/07.>
214 SEVERUS ALEXANDER, Den, PM TRP COS PP, Mars stg l; EF/VF, obv nrly centered, rev sl off-ctr, full lgnds; obv particularly well struck with excellent youthful portrait and good surface with nice lt tone.
215 Den, VIRTVS AVG, Roma std l; EF, centered on a sl raggy flan, faintest granularity, lgnds a little crudely struck; portrait quite sharp, with partial beard. Ltly toned
216„ As, VICTORIA AVGVSTI, Victory stg l; AEF/VF, centered, full lgnds, tho partly wk on obv; dark greenish patina; sl rough-ness in fields, more on rev than obv; portrait nice with strong hair & laurel wreath detail. Really quite scarce.
217 Egypt Tet, Homonoia stg l, with palm, LIA; AF/F+, obv centered, rev sl off-ctr, oval flan, thickish dark brown patina with patchy light green on obv; lgnd crude; portrait not bad.
218 JULIA MAMAEA, Den, IVNO CONSERVATRIX, Juno
stg l; VF-EF/VF, centered, full lgnds, faintly granular but nice looking lusterlike surfaces with lt tone; strong portrait detail.
<A GVF brought $115, DNW 6/07.>
219 MAXIMINUS I, Den, PAX AVGVSTI, Pax stg l; VF+/AVF, nrly centered on large flan, sl edge crack, sl granular but lustery fields, strong portrait with characteristic protruding chin. <A VF brought $77, Phillips 8/02; GVF $250, M&M 4/04.>
220 GORDIAN III, Ant, AEQVITAS AVG, Equity stg l; EF/VF+, centered on a large sl raggy flan, excellent metal quality with luster & lt tone, very nice portrait, rev fairly well struck for these. <An EF/VF brought $85, Aes Rude 9/88; EF $170, NAC 3/94.>
221 Ant, AETERNITATI AVG, Sol stg l; VF+, well centered on a large flan, well toned a battleship grey, obv well struck, rev rather poorly struck due to worn die.
222 Ant, CONCORDIA AVG, Concord std l, VF, centered, sl raggy edge, lustrous silver with golden-grey toning, nice strong portrait.
223 Ant, PM TRP III COS PP, Ruler stg at altar; EF, nrly centered, full lgnds, decent metal with lt tone, rev fairly well struck & portrait quite sharp. <An EF of this type brought $140, Aes Rude 2/97.>
224 Den., SECVRITAS PVBLICA, Securitas std l, AEF, well centered, bright lustrous silver, obv nicely struck :-) but rev softly struck from worn die :-( <A VF+/VF brought $90, CGF 1/02.>
225 Sest, IOVI STATORI, Jupiter stg r, nice F+, nrly centered on sl squared flan, few letters partly off, generally smooth greenish-brown patina with some paler hilighting, obv very bold. In an old Bruce Braun envelope with his correct F+ grade noted.
<A F brought $46 on $125 bid in my 3/06 sale.>
226 Egypt Tet, Homonoia stg l, Year Delta; Nice F-VF, a hair off-ctr but full clear lgnd, light brown with some seeming mint red in recesses, probably from old cleaning. A curious feature is a tiny ŅOÓ in rev right field, very clear & well formed, not a corrosion pit. <A similar type, F-VF, brought $82 on $97 bid in my 3/04 sale.>
227„ TRANQUILLINA, Egypt Tet, Tyche stg l, LS, AVF, nrly centered, obv lgnd partly wk with some peripheral porosity that was apparently in the original flan; portrait strong with much
detail; quite a lot of original silvering present. <An F/F-VF brought $136 in my 3/06 sale; diff rev, VF, $625, Elsen 3/06.>
228 PHILIP I, Ant, SALVS AVG, Salus stg l, EF, virtually as struck, obv well centered on large oval flan, rev sl off-ctr but com-plete, decent strike, good silver with much luster. Fine style port-rait. <EF-Unc brought $195, Gorny 10/03; VF $160, Peus 10/07.>
229 Egypt Tet, Victory std l, LS; AVF, obv nrly centered on large flan, full sharp lgnd, rev off-ctr to rt; chocolate brown patina. Full laurel wreath on portrait. Scarcer rev type. <An F-VF with Dikaoisyne rev brought $61 in my 5/99 sale.>
230 OTACILIA Severa, Sest, CONCORDIA AVGG, Concord std l; VF/AVF, centered, several sm edge splits, lgnds complete with a few letters wk, reddish-brown patina, very sl crusting in recesses, nice strong portrait with full hairdo detail. Pleasant. <VFs brought $435, Elsen 6/05, and $350, Varesi4/07.>
231 PHILIP II, AS CAESAR, Ant., PRINCIPI IVVENT, Phil
stg r, EF, obv sl off-ctr , lgnd complete,very lustrous; rev centered but lgnd wkly struck. Poor photo.
<EF brought $360, Lanz 11/07.>
232„ TRAJAN DECIUS, Ant, ABVNDANTIA stg r, Mint State, nrly centered on a large sl raggy flan, lgnds typically a little crude, portrait sharply struck. Bright luster. Almost imperceptible flan imperfection in obv field. <A VF realized $90, Peus 11/99.>
233 Ant, DACIA stg l, EF, well centered, nicely struck, portrait quite sharp, good silver with much glittery luster. <A Ch. EF brought $468, CNG 12/96; EF $360, Lanz 11/07.>
234 Ant, ADVENTVS AVG, Ruler on horse l, AEF, obv centered, rev sl off-ctr but complete, reasonable strike with usual lgnd crudeness, strong hair detail on portrait. Good metal. <An EF brought $141 on !196 bid, FSR 3/07; EF $185, Burgan 6/04.>
235 TREBONIANUS GALLUS, Viminacium, ®28, Moesia stg betw bull & lion, AN XIII; VF/AVF, sl off-ctr but complete lgnds, nice smooth deep forest green patina; good portrait with laurel wreath showing. Pleasing quality for this. <A VF brought $195, Emporium Hamburg 11/06.>
236 GALLIENUS, Ant, MARTI PACIFERO, Mars stg l; EF/VF, nrly centered, full lgnds, glossy dark brown patina, nice sharp portrait detail, rev crudely struck with lgnd weak.
237 Ant, VIRTVS AVGG, 2 Rulers stg; VF-EF/VF, centered, obv well struck, sl lgnd wkness on rev, tiny edge split, darkish toned silver-grey; much detail on portrait. Scarcer type. <A GVF sold
for $150, Gorny 3/07.>
238 Egypt Tet, Athena stg l, LIB; VF, a hair off-ctr, obv lgnd all there but somewhat wk, chocolate brown patina with minor porosity, strong detailed portrait.
239 SALONINA, Ant, IVNO REGINA, Juno stg l, EF, nrly centered on large egg-shaped flan, smooth glossy dark brown surfaces, obv wkly struck at right edge, rev just sl soft, excellent sharp portrait. Poor photo. <An EF brought $61 on $72 bid in my 5/00 sale; EF/VF $205, Peus 10/03; EF $220, Asta del Titano 6/05.>
240 Perga, ®30, Bust on crescent/Pan std l, playing syrinx; F+/VF, cenrered, obv lgnd mostly wk, rev bold, green patina with some hilighting especially on rev; even ltly rough surfaces. Much hair detail on portrait.
NOTE: PHOTOS of 240 & 241 have their numbers switched
241„ POSTUMUS, Ant, SAECVLI FELICITAS, Ruler stg r;
EF, centered, full lgnds (a few letters wk), bright lustrous silver, very sl graininess on rev. Sharp detail on portrait & rev figure. <EFs brought $132, CNG 3/99 and $150, Hirsch 2/05.>
242 Ant, PAX AVG, Pax adv l; VF-EF/VF, centered on large flan, silver with lt grey toning, rev somewhat wkly struck with a touch
of granularity, obv decent with sharp portrait. <An AVF sold for $42, Phillips 2/02.>
243 Ant, FORTVNA AVG, Fortuna stg l, VF, centered, silver-grey tone, sl uneven on rev, sl grainy, tiny edge split, portrait OK.
244 CLAUDIUS II, Egypt Tet, Eagle r, hd l, Yr 3; AEF/VF+, centered, lgnd complete tho sl crude, smooth brown patina with some pale green hilighting, nice sharp portrait. Somebody bid $90 on this in my last sale but I mis-coded it & no one has claimed it; so IÕll just run it again. Nicer than photo.
245 AURELIAN, Denarius, VICTORIA AVG, Victory stg l, cap-tive; VF-EF/VF, centered, good strike, generally smooth dk brown patina, sharp portrait; flan crack behind head. Scarce. <A VF brought $310, Asta del Titano 3/07; VF $190, Emp. Ham. 5/05.>
246 TACITUS, Ant, PROVIDEN DEORVM, Providentia stg l; F+, well centered on large flan, medium brown patina with sl roughness, not bad, portrait strong.
247 Ant, SALVS AVG, Salus stg l, F-VF, centered on large flan, dark grey-brown patina, somewhat thick & a bit rough.
248 Ant, TEMPORVM FELICIT, Felicitas stg l, VF, centered on large flan, obv has a little silvering & patchy brown toning, portrait sharp, rev has considerable silvering with only sl speckly tone.
249„ FLORIAN, Ant, CONCORDIA MILITVM, Victory giving wreath to Ruler, VF, well centered & struck, grey-brown tone with underlying silvering, nice coin. <GVF $325, Gorny 3/08.>
250 PROBUS, Ant, CLEMENTIA TEMP, Ruler & Jupiter stg, VF/EF, distinctive style of Tripolis mint with crude obv lgnd, perfectly centered on large round flan, toned with hints of underlying silvering, portrait & rev figures sharp. <A VF was sold at $70, Berk 6/04.>
251 Egypt Tet, Eagle r, LD; AVF/VF, centered, full clr lgnd, green & brown patina, rev crust spots. <VF $40 on $73 bid, FSR 1/01.>
252„ NUMERIAN, (As Aug) Ant, CLEMENTIA TEMP, Ruler & Jupiter stg; EF, well centered & struck on full round flan, silvered surfaces with moderate toning, portrait quite sharp. <Near EFs brought $202, NY Sale 1/06, and $185, DNW 6/07.>
253 Ant, PROVIDENT AVGG. Providentia stg l at altar; Nice VF, well centered & struck, good smooth dark green patina. <A VF brought $36 on $50 bid in my 12/02 sale; VF $90, NFA 2/79.>
254„ CARINUS, As Aug., Ant, VIRTVS AVGG, Ruler & Jupiter stg, Choice EF, perfectly centered & well struck on a round flan, much silvering with a lt greenish tone, excellent sharp portrait. <EFs brought $200, Peus 11/96 and $280, Elsen 9/04.>
255 DIOCLETIAN, Ant, CONCORDIA MILITVM, Jupiter giving Victory to Ruler, TR=Tripolis; Nice EF, nrly centered, full lgnds, glossy dark brown surfaces, sharp portrait. <A Ch. EF brought $86 in my 11/07 sale; EF $175, Peus 11/04.>
256 Argenteus, VIRTVS MILITVM, Tetrarchs before city gate;
F-VF, centered, surfaces somewhat impaired with horn silver & a little roughness, but portrait is decent with a bold laurel wreath, and it does not have the customary flan crack. <A VF with lt porosity brought $275, CNG 3/00.>
257 Egypt Tet, Elpis stg l, LH, Delta below; AEF/VF, nrly centered, medium brown, lgnd partly crude but complete, portrait unusually well detailed for Diocletian. <Another AEF/VF brought $48 on $67 bid in my 5/01 auction.>
258„ MAXIMIAN, Follis, GENIO POPVLI ROMANI, Genius stg l, naked but for a cape, with microscopic genitalia (actually com-mon in those times due to poor nutrition), HTB; Choice EF+/EF, obv perfectly centered, rev nrly so, well struck with no wkness; medium grey-brown tone with underlying silvering; outstanding portrait with every little hair crisp. Wow. <An EF brought $135 in my 6/08 sale; Ch. EF $297, CNG 6/96; EF $310, M&M 11/02.>
259 POSTHUMOUS, ®4, Veiled hd r/MEMORIAE AETERNAE, Lion r, club above; F, well centered with full obv lgnd, rev lgnd crude, dark patina, good portrait. Scarce type. <A VF [quite rough looking] brought $150, Elsen 6/08; AVF lt corr $100, Kunk 9/06.>
260„ CARAUSIUS, Ant, LAETITIA AVG, Laetitia stg l, C; EF, large unround flan, obv somewhat off-ctr but lgnd virtually comp-lete, rev centered; glossy smooth dark brown surfaces; portrait sharply struck, sl flatness at obv bottom; rev crude due to double strike. <EF brought $545, Peus 4/04; VF $265, Nomisma 3/08.>
261„ CONSTANTIUS I, As Aug. (scarce, only 1 year), Follis, FIDES MILITVM, Fides std l, TT, EF, well centered on large flan, well struck, medium brown tone with hints of underlying silvering, minor touches of porosity on rev, good detail. Non-customary rev type. <VF+ $200, Nomisma 10/04; VF-EF $260, Elsen 6/06.>
262„ GALERIUS, As Caesar, Follis, GENIO POVLI ROMANI, Genius stg l, No mintmk = London; EF, well centered, obv well struck & attractive with sharp portrait, lt grey-brown tone with hint of underlying silvering; rev strike somewhat shallow, with sl traces of granularity. Distinctive London style with small portrait. Very scarce. <A GVF brought $170, DNW 6/07; EF $262, Spink 11/07.>
263 As Augustus, Follis, GENIO AVGVSTI CMH (as monogram), Genius stg l, SMNA; F+, centered on large flan, grey-green pat-ina, well struck, decent.
264 MAXENTIUS, Fol, AETERNITAS AVG N, Dioscuri stg w/horses, MOSTQ; F/F+, centered, full lgnds (few letters flat), smooth dark brown surfaces, bold features. <An F-VF brought
$31 on $50 bid in my 9/01 whatchamacallit.>
265 MAXIMINUS II, As Aug., Follis, GENIO IMPERATORIS, Genius stg l, ALE; EF, centered, full lgnds (a few letters wk), medium brown with silvering traces, portrait & rev figure sharply struck. Slightest traces of porosity. Nice coin. <An EF broiught $78 in my 1/99 sale.>
266 Reduced Follis, IOVI CONSERVATORI, Genius stg l, HTD, obv lgnd ends PF INV AVG; F+, centered, sl thick near-black patina; strong portrait; scarce variety; with old tag.
267 LICINIUS I, ®3, Bust left hldg globe, scepter, mappa & iPhone/IOVI CONSERVATORI AVGG, Jupiter stg l, SMK; EF, obv well centered, rev sl off-ctr but complete, decently struckl, toned silvered surfaces. Poor photo of rev. <An AEF brought $58 on $100 bid, FSR 3/07; EF $175, Peus 1/05; EF much lgnd off $144, Coin Gall. 12/01.>
268 Reduced Follis, IOVI CONSERVATORI, Jupiter stg l, SMN; EF, well centered & sharply struck, olive-brown surfaces, nicely detailed, which doesnÕt show up on the photo. <An EF brought $61 on $150 bid in my 5/01 sale; EF $170, Gorny 11/90.>
269 Follis, IOVI CONSERVATORI AVGG, Genius stg l, SMNT; EF, well centered, lustery silvery-brown surfaces, a few letters weak, otherwise well struck, portrait nice. <An EF, with not even complete lgnds, brought $745 (not a typo), LHS 4/08; what were those guys smoking? >
270 CONSTANTINE I, Red. Follis, IOVI CONSERVATORI, Jupiter stg l, SMK; VF-EF, well centered, a bit of soft strike on rev, grey-brown tone with evident silvering in background.
<An EF with dark patina brought $250, Lanz 5/95.>
271 ®3, PROVIDENTIAE AVGG, camp gate, SMTSB, EF, nrly centered, full lgnds, smooth dark greenish patina with traces of silvering. <An EF brought $81, FSR 6/05.>
272 ®3, VIRTVS AVGG, camp gate with 4 turrets, large star above; PA-crescent-RL; VF, centered, dk green patina with pale earthen hilighting, sl roughness on cheek, otherwise good detail. Not the usual camp gate type; this is very scarce.
273 Same but PCONST; F+, centered, dark patina, some hilight-ing, moderate roughness, much detail shows. Again, very scarce.
274 ®3, VOT XX within wreath & lgnd, SMHB; AEF, centered, decent strike, brown patina with very minor graininess. <An EF sold for $56 on $70 bid in my 3/06 sale; EF $180 Lanz 5/04.>
275 COMMEMORATIVE, ®3/4, VRBS ROMA, Roma bust l./wolf & twins, TRP; EF, centered, glossy dark green patina, very sl crudeness on cheek. Good detail. <A Ch. EF brought $81on $110 bid in my 10/08 sale.>
276 Same but smaller size, ®4, SMALB, VF-EF, centered, medium brown, strong details.
277 ®3, VRBS ROMA?, helmeted bust rt/FEL TEMP REPARA-TIO, fallen horseman type, SMHG; weird mule, AF/F+, dark patina with some hilighting, obv weak, rev lgnd somewhat garbled, presumably barbarous; interesting curiosity.
278 HELENA, ®4, PAX PVBLICA, Pax stg l, CONS[A?]; F-VF, well centered, full lgnds, tho somewhat soft on rev, medium brown. <A VF realized $56 in my 4/94 sale; VF $150, Peus 11/04.>
279 FAUSTA, ®3, SPES REIPVBLICAE, Fausta stg l, hldg tots, PAR; VF/VF-EF, centered, full lgnds, darkish brown patina, sl touches of porosity, nice strong sweet-looking portrait.
<A VF brought $50 in my 1/00 sale; VF $97, Lanz 5/84.>
280 CRISPUS, ®3, helmeted bust left with spear & shield in front, Kilroy face on shield/BEAT TRANQLITAS, globe on altar, PLON; AEF/VF, centered, brown patina, lgnds partly wk, sl surface imperfections, portrait nice with strong detail. Scarce.
<A VF/F brought $66 on $100 bid, FSR 2/09; VF $165, CNG 9/02.>
281 HANNIBALIANUS, ®3/4, Euhprates reclining; G-VG, nrly centered, lgnds very wk, sl porous green patina, portrait not great but itÕs reasonably visible. Budget example of a very
scarce coin. <A pitted VG brought $121, Coin Galleries 8/89.>
282 CONSTANTINE II, ®3, bust left/VOT X in wreath, lgnd around, TSBVI; EF, well centered, full lgnds, dark green patina, glossy sm ooth on obv, minor graininess on rev. Poor photo. <An EF brought $45 on $75 bid, FSR 4/91.>
283 ®3, helmeted bust l./BEAT TRANQLITAS, globe on altar, PLON; VF, well centered, lt brown patina, minor granularity. Scarce London issue. <A VF+ brought $240, iNumis 3/07.>
284 CONSTANTIUS II, AS CAES., ®3, GLORIA EXERCITVS, 2 standards betw soldiers, GSIS; EF, centered, some lettering wk/crude, dark green patina with pale earthen hilighting, nice sharp portrait. <EF $42 on $75 bid, FSR 8/94.>
285 AS AUG., ®4, GLORIA EXERCITVS, standard betw soldiers, SMANE; AEF/EF, sl off-ctr, some lgnd crowded, tiny edge crack, glossy silvery-brown surfaces. <EF $39, FSR 4/94.>
286„ VETRANIO, Cent, CONCORDIA MILITVM, Ruler hldg 2 labara. A-B/TUA; VF, centered on oval flan, lgnds complete, dark patina, nice strong portrait. Ex Coin Galleries 2/07, Ņclose to EF,Ó sold for $403. This strange mintmk is not in references, seems perfectly clear, but possibly the U is a weirdly misshapen S.
287 MAGNENTIUS, Cent, GLORIA ROMANORVM, Ruler on horse r, spearing foe, RB?; F-VF/VF, centered, full lgnds, dark green patina with beige earthen hilighting, minor roughness on obv, rev very well detailed. <AVF $205, Asta del Titano 2/05.>
288 Cent, SALVS etc, Chr-Rho, PAR; AF/AVF, obv sl off-ctr, dark patina with strong hiliting, rev bold. <VF $245, Munz Zent 1/04.>
289 DECENTIUS, Cent, SALVS etc, Chr-Rho, AF, centered, partial lgnds, mintmk uncertain (to my eye), dark patina with some organy hilighting. Portrait nice. Faint scr. Scarce.
290 ANONYMOUS, ®3, GENIO ANTIOCHENI, Tyche of Antioch std, Orontes swimming below/APOLLINI SANCTO, Apollo stg l, SMA?; F+/AF, centered, dark patina with orangy hilighting, lgnds somewhat crude. <F+, sl rough, brought $27, FSR 8/94.>
291 PROCOPIUS, ®3, bust left/REPARATIO FEL TEMP, Ruler stg r,CONSP; F-VF/VF, centered, full lgnds, dark green patina, sl grainy. <An AVF [not nice] brought $340, Lanz 5/87.>
292 VALENTINIAN I, ®3, SECVRITAS REIPVBLICAE, Victory adv l, DSISC; VF, obv centered with full lgnd, rev nrly centered with lgnd crowded/wk at rt; dark steely-brown patina; nice strong portrait. Better than photo. <A VF brought $27 in my 9/93 sale.>
293„ GRATIAN, ®2, REPARATIO REIPVB, Ruler 7 kneeling female, ASISC; AEF/EF, perfectly centered on large flan, somewhat glossy dark greenish-brown patina, mostly smooth, with only very sl surface imperfections; rev unusually well struck & detailed. Exceptional for this. <An AEF brought $225, Lanz 5/03; only VF $630, Gorny 3/08.>
294 ®3, VIRTVS ROMANORVM,Roma std facg, ANTD; F-VF,
well centered, brown patina, sl grainy, strong portrait. Actually a very scarce type for bronze (usual lgnd is CONCORDIA).
295 VALENS, ®3, GLORIA ROMANORVM, Ruler dragging captive, BSISC; VF-EF/VF, obv perfectly centered, rev a hair off, lgnds complete, dark green patina, sl surface faults but good detail on portrait. <Same grade, $36 on $45 bid, FSR 11/07.>
296 VALENTINIAN II, ®2, REPARATIO REIPVB, Ruler & kneeling girl, ASISC; VF-EF, obv centered, rev sl off-ctr but complete lgnd (tho sl wk at rt); well struck for this with strong portrait & unusually good rev detail; glossy brown patina. Much better than usual. <A VF brought $73 on $83 bid in my 11/05 sale; GVF $130, M&M 10/06.>
297 THEODOSIUS I, ®2, Helmeted bust r/GLORIA ROMANORVM, Ruler on boat, SMKA; F-VF, nrly centered, complete tho partly soft lgnds, sm edge split, olive-green patina with nice hilighting, pleasing coin for the grade. <An AVF/F+ brought $111 on $200 bid in my 3/06 sale.>
298 AELIA FLACCILLA, ®4, SALVS REPVBLICAE, Victory std r; VF, centered, lgnds mostly crude/weak, mintmk looks ille-gible, dark green patina; nicely detailed little portrait, very tough to find even this good. Poor photo. <An AVF brought $110, Aes Rude 12/96>
299 HONORIUS, ®3, VIRTVS EXERCITI, Victory crowning Ruler, ANTD; F-VF, obv sl off-ctr with lgnd mostly wk, rev center-ed, smooth dark patina, VF hair detail. <AVF $85, Rauch 9/05.>
BYZANTINE
300 ANASTASIUS I, Follis, S-19, CON-B, F, obv sl off-ctr & a little double struck, rev centered & bold, nice dark green patina. <A F+ brought $41 in my 11/05 sale.>
301 JUSTIN I, Follis, S62, CON-B, VF, glossy dark green patina, obv crudely struck affecting profile, but portrait shows unusually strong detail otherwise; rev a little double struck ma-king M lean crazily to left. Still exceptional, probably in the top
1% for this type. <A VF brought $253, CNG 6/06.>
302 JUSTINIAN I, 5N, S241, bust r/Large E, offic B; F-VF/VF, obv somewhat off-ctr, portrait shows much detail, rev centered & bold. Brown patina with some hilighting.
303 Follis, S163, Facing bust/CON-Xu-Gamma, VF, centered on large 39 mm flan, everything clear including full strong face on portrait; dark brown patina with sl granularity. <A VF brought
$330, ASuperior 6/93; GVF $385, Freeman & Sear 10/00.>
304 JUSTIN II, 10N, S-383, THEUP-uII; VF, nrly centered,
dark patina with nice pale green hilighting, bold features.
305 20N, S366, TES Yr u, AVF, sl off-ctr but complete, lt brown, minor porosity, obv lgnd weak but much detail on figures.
<A F brought $27, Phillips 8/01.>
306 Follis, S360, CON-u-B, Christogram above M; F-VF,centered, some crudeness at peripheries, smooth dark green patina with dramatic hiliting. A ŅChristogramÓ was a telegram from Christ. Today he uses text messaging. <A F-VF brought $41 on $69 bid
in my 11/05 sale.>
PLEASE BID EARLY. IT HELPS ME; IT HELPS YOU.
307 Follis, S360, CON-uIII-B, AVF/VF+, centered on large flan, full lgnd, much detail on figures; dark brown with dramatic hiighting. In my collection since 1983. <An AVF/VF brought $89 on $105 bid in my 3/08 sale; VF VF $173, Coin Galleries 3/08.>
308 Follis, S369, NIKO-u-B, F+/VF, centered, sl thick dark green patina, full obv lgnd, rev bold. <An F-VF brought $70 on $83 bid in my 11/05 sale; VF $360, Argenor 4/05.>
309 Follis, S372, KVZ-III-Delta; VF, centered on a large flan, interesting neat style with skinny features, full lgnd, light brown patina, considerable detail on figures. <An F-VF/VF of S372 brought $98 on $110, FSR 3/06; VF $300, Lanz 11/07.>
310 TIBERIUS II, Follis, S430, CONE-u; F, oversized 35x39 mm flan, obv off-ctr, rev centered, brown patina with lt porosity, some striking wkness mainly on rev, most of obv lgnd clear. <A F+ brought $35 on $67 bid in my 5/01 sale; VF $860, Lanz 11/07.>
311 MAURICE, Follis, S494, CON-uI-A; VF/AVF, centered on large oval flan, medium brown with some dark green encrustation mostly on rev, flan faults mainly at obv right edge, possibly from overstriking; good strong face on portrait. <An AVF brought $37 on $40 bid, FSR 11/07; GVF $440, F&S 10/00.>
312 Follis, S495, CON-XXI-Gamma; VF, centered on large flan, trace of double striking & wkly struck at right on each side, dark greenish patina; fully clear face on portrait. Very scarce type; Ex my collection , bought 1978. <A VF brought $330, F&S 10/00.>
313 Follis, S533, THEUPÕ-XuI-Delta, the Delta turned on its side! VF, dark green patina with grass green hilighting, nrly centered, clear face on portrait. From my collection, bought 1979. The odd officina mark unambiguous. <A VF S533 brought $104 on $128
bid in my 11/05 sale; VF $290, Gorny 10/07.>
314 PHOCAS, 20N, S-644, CONB; VF, centered on somewhat irregular flan, dark green patina, sl thick & modestly rough on
obv, but face fully clear; rev nicely hilighted & bold. <A VF sold
for $350, Elsen, 9/04. I donÕt make these things up, folks. You might imagine that that VF was some gorgeous coin. But if you know European auctions, you might imagine otherwise.>
315 Follis, S640, Facing bust/CON-III-Delta; VF or better, sl off-ctr on a large oval flan with edge split, brown patina, signs of over-striking, some rev wkness; portrait has excellent detail & sharp facial features. <A VF [much weak] brought $160, CGF 4/07.>
316 HERACLIUS, Follis, S824, QEC (Thessalonika); F or better, dark brownish patina, obv clear (nice face on Heraclius Constantine), rev somewhat garbled by overstrike, making year uncertain. Very scarce type. <A VF brought $280, NAC 5/07.>
317 CONSTANS II, Follis, S1000, VF+/VF, well centered on small oval flan, dark near-black patina, Yr IIII, officina off; figure of Ruler has exceptionally strong detail, the best IÕve ever seen on one of these. <An F-VF brought $44 on $50 bid, FSR 5/00.>
318 THEOPHILUS, Follis, S1680, Bust facg/2 busts; VF/F, obv centered with clear lgnd & portrait, rev somewhat off-ctr & weak; sl grainy dark greenish patina. <F+ $33 on $45 bid, FSR 5/95.>
319 BASIL I, Cherson cast ®, Large B/cross on steps, S1719; at least F, obv softly cast, rev bold, dark green patina with hilighting. <Same grading, $46 on $61 bid in my 8/94 sale.>
320 ANONYMOUS, Follis, S1856, Christ std/3-line lgnd, F or better, centered, lt brown, trace of graininess, obv fully clear, rev somewhat garbled by overstrike. Much scarcer than the usual Anonymous types. <A VF brought $155, Vecchi 12/99.>
321 ALEXIUS I, Follis, S1911 (scarce, F £25); F-VF, sl off-ctr, smooth medium brown, a little crude but mostly quite clear, was
in my collection till now as best I could find. <At least equal to a NVF bringing $83, CNA 2/92.>
322 MANUEL I, Heavy Tetarteron, S1975, VF/F, nrly centered, olive-brown patina, some crudeness, Obv portrait strong, rev a little flawed on face but otherwise shows much detail. Better than photo. <A F/F+ brought $34 on $80 bid, FSR 11/05; VF $140, Gorny 3/04.>
323 ISAAC II, Scyphate, S2003, at least F, better in parts but typically crude, face of Virgin on obv clear. Olive-brown patina with a little encrustation. <F or so, crude, $37, FSR 9/00.>
324 LATIN RULERS, Scyphate Trachy, S2035; VF, glossy dark greenish-brown, edge split, typically crude with much wkness, ChristÕs face clear, face on rev flat.
325 -- Same as last but small module type, only 17 mm, not in Sear or Hendy; crude F-VF, squareish flan, dark brown. ID certain OTHER OLD COINS
326 AUSTRIA, Salzburg, Eberhard II, 1200-46, Sil Pfennig (16 mm square), Bishop std betw towers/bishop std; VF, typically quite crude but features clear, lt tone. <A similar type F-VF in my last sale brought $30.>
327 Salzburg, Sil 3 Kreuzer, 1681, Bishop facg/2 shields etc, 21 mm, Choice EF, centered, well struck, good bright silver, nicely detailed. <A 1690, VF/EF, brought $41 in my 6/04 sale.>
328 -- Sil 15 Kreuzer (28 mm), 1686, Bishop std facg/ elaborate arms; VF, well centered, minor trace of wkness but well detailed.
329 Windischgratz, Berthold of Aquilea, 1218-51, sil Pfennig
(17 mm), Bishop betw towers w/2 crosses/Bishop std; F-VF or
so, quite crude as usual, obv more or less clear, rev garbled.
<A similar F-VF in my last sale brought $29.>
330 BOHEMIA, silver Weisspfennig, Ferdinand I, 1527-64, lion in lgnd, rev nrly blank, 14 mm; F, clear.
331 -- Weisspfennig, Maximilian II, 1574, lion, lgnd around, uniface, 14 mm, F, minor crudeness.
332 BOLIVIA, Potosi, 1/2 Real cob, Philip III, 1598-1621, Assayer R, Cross, lions & castles/monogram, R to rt; VF in parts but off-ctr & crude with some wkness, good silver with dark tone
in recesses, not sea-salvaged.
333 CEYLON, Bhuvanaika Bahu I, 1277-88, ®Massa (29 mm), Monkey god/similar, VF, well centered & struck, brown patina
with pale green hilighting; a good substantial coin.
334 ENGLAND, Kings of Wessex, Aethelberht, 858-66, Penny,Bust r/Floral cross, S1054; copy, struck, in silver, EF, nicely toned, excellent workmanship capturing the spirit of the originals. <Same, brought $31 on $35 bid in my 1/99 sale.>
335 Edward I, 1272-1307, sil Penny of London, facg bust/long cross etc, S1401; F-VF, well centered, a little of lgnds wk, good silver with medium tone, reasonable portrait.
336 Henry VIII, Sil Groat, bust 3/4 rt/shield & cross, S2403; at least F for this, centered, usual shallow strike with much of lgnds flat, but portrait clear. Decent silver, medium greenish-grey tone. <A VF-20, also with much wk & hardly better, brought $345, Gold-berg 9/07; GF $243, St JamesÕs 10/05; AVF $386, Spink 9/05.>
337 Charles I, sil 6d, S2800, mm. crown; overall AF, peripheries VF but centers weaker, obv sl off-ctr, sl ragged edge, most of lgnds strong, portrait weak but visible. Good silver with lt tone.
<A VF brought $483, CNG 9/01.>
338 FRANCE, Valence et Die, sil Denier (17 mm), 1200s, Angel/ cross, P dÕA 4690; AF, crude, dark tone. <VF $91, Kunker 3/07.>
339 Chateau Renaud, ® Double Tournois, Francois, 1603-14, Bust r/3 lis, 20 mm, AF, brown, fully clear & decent.
340 GERMANY, Bavaria, sil 30 Kreuzer (30 mm), 1715, Bust r/lion & shield, VF, large mount mark in obv center.
341 Brandenburg-Prussia, 1/12 Thaler (23 mm), 1690-LCS, shield/lgnds, AF/VG, good silver, medium toning.
342 Cologne, SenatorÕs token, 1730, 21 mm, Arms/SIGNVM SENATORI, wine cup; appears bimetallic, silvered with copper plug in center, F/VF, gotta be purty durn rare.
343 Gottingen, sil Groschen or Kortling, 20 mm, Large G each side with lgnds around, dated MCCCCCXXXVIII = 1538; F-VF or better, sl wk in ctrs, lgnds fully clear, nice lt toning. <Much nicer than a VF with encrustation bringing $73, Leipziger 5/06.>
344 Leiningen, sil Kreuzer, 14 mm, 1685, F or so, sl crude but fully clear, very minor bend. Krause VG = $90
345 Magdeburg, sil Groschen, 23 mm, 1573, Orb/shield, call it G, shallow strike with much wkness, date Ņ73Ó clear. Old Adolf Hess tag. Rare. <A 1573 1/24 Tal, VF, brought $370, Kunker 6/07.>
346 Nurnburg, ® Kreuzer, 1622, 17 mm, shield/lgnd, F, centered, but somewhat crude with a little porosity; medium brown.
347 Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg, 1/24 Taler 1691, 21 mm, fancy orb/shield, F, sl crudeness.
348 Saxony, 1/12 Taler, 1695, 25 mm, crowned arms/lgnds, F, centered, roller dies, medium tone.
349 Strassburg, Johann von Manderscheid, sil Groschen, 1586, eagle/shield, 22 mm, AF or so, sl crude, good silver w/lt tone.
350„ HEPHTHALITES, ® Drachm, c.580 AD, Tall weird looking bust with flat nose & large earring, uniface, Cf Mitch. 1444, Gobl 150; EF, centered & well struck, smooth chocolate brown; quite rare & very nice for these.
351 HUNGARY, Bela III, 1172-96, Byzantine style Follis, 26 mm, scyphate, 2 Rulers enthroned, facg/St Mary, VF-EF, well centered, greenish-brown, obv very nice, rev has some subtle encrustation. Poor photo of rev. <A VF+ brought $56 on $70 bid in my 1/95 sale.>
352 Wladislaw II, sil Denar, 1506-KH, AVF, actually amost as struck but a little crude; good metal quality with lt tone & luster.
353 Ferdinand, Madonna Denar, 1541-KB, EF, centered, sharply struck, good lustrous silver with lt tone; very nice for these.
354 LOT of 8 diff to 1599: Bela II 1172-96 braceteate (crack), Matthias, Sigismund (2 diff), Wladislaw II, Ferdinand , Maximilian, Rudolf; all silver, all around F but crude; identified.
355 INDIA, Sultans of Delhi, Muhammad Adil, 1553-55., sil Rupee, 27 mm, EF/VF, bright silver, VF side sl grainy.
356 LOT of 12 diff, up to 1300 AD, mostly silver, more or less idfentified, mostly low grade but several nice; worth $25+
357 ISLAMIC, Arabic Spain, ® Fals, 18 mm, thick, F or better but crude, parts weak, dark green patina with earthen hilighting. Said to be the first ® coin of Arabs in Spain.
358 Umayyads, Hisham, Sil Dirham (25 mm), Wasit mint, AH 124; Brilliant AU-Unc, well centered & struck, every detail clear.
359 Abbasids, Al-Mahdi, 775-85 AD, Baghdad Mint, Sil Dirham , 23 mm, VF, fairly well struck, lt tone, minor dirt.
360 ITALY, LUCCA, sil Denier, Henry III-V, 1039-1125, 16 mm, Large H monogram etc, F-VF or so, very crude, 2-toned silver.
361 TASSAROLO, Sil Luigino, 1666, 21 mm, Livia Centurioni bust r/crowned shield, copying Dombes; VF, ltly cleaned, nice strong portrait. <A VF brought $364, M&M 3/02; worth more like $80.>
362 VENICE, Giovanni Dandolo, 1280-89, Ar Grosso (20 mm), St Mark & Doge/Christ stg, VF, well centered & struck, lt tone, nice. <A VF brought $171, UBS 9/07; VF $265, Peus 11/06.>
363 NETHERLANDS,ZWOLLE, Rudolf II, 1590-1612, Ar Esca-lin or Adlerschilling, 28 mm, 2-headed eagle/arms, AVF, rev sl off-ctr, some of lgnds flatly struck, otherwise bold & nice with lt tone. <A VF+ but much more weak brought $108, Westfalische 2/08.>
364 OVERIJSSEL, Ar Stiver, 1618, 21 mm, Lion l./lgnd, crude F/VG, some wkness, sl surface imperfections.
365 OTTOMAN Empire, Mehmet II 1451-81 (conqueror of Constantinople), Ar Akche, Serez mint, 10 mm, AVF, somewhat off-ctr, lt grey tone.
366 POLAND, Ar Poltorok (1-1/2 Gr), 1624, 19 mm, orb/shield, F, sl crudeness but not bad for this with full clear lgnds.
367 RIGA, Queen Christina, billon Solidus, 50% off-ctr, on one side the ŅblankÓ portion has abt 7 relief stars (unusual), on the other part of the next die shows. Crude VF with a little green. I forgot to turn the coin over for photographing the rev.
368„ SASSANIAN, Hormizd II, 302-09, Dirh (26+ mm), Bust r/fire altar & attendants; AEF, good bright silver, well struck with the rev particularly strong, without usual weak spots. Very scarce & very nice. <A VF brought $604, CNG 9/03; AEF $421 on $463 bid, FSR 11/06.>
369 Peroz, Dirh, 27 mm, EF, well centered, a little crude as usual but well struck for this with a strong portrait; good bright silver with lt tone. <An AEF brought $91 in my 3/06 sale; AEF $211, Rauch 9/08.>
370 Khusru II, Dir, 31 mm, Hamadan, Year 33; Choice EF+, very well struck with portrait in good style, nice lustery silver. <A VF+ from this mint but poor strike & style brought $115, CGF 12/02.>
371 -- Another, Nihavand, Year 33, 31 mm, EF, again very well struck in good style; very sl bendy at edge. Good silver, lt tone.
372 SPAIN, Ferd & Isabella, 1469-1504, ® Blancas, 15-19 mm, Crowned F/Crowned Y; LOT of 19 pcs, call them crude AG-G or so, generally with much weakness, mostly dark green with earthen hilites <An AVF in my last sale brought $51 on $70 bid.>
373 -- Same, LOT of 10 pcs, the better end of the hoard, generally VG-F or so with some wkness but plenty of meat visible, mostly hilighted by patina. See website photo.
374 TURKOMANS, Zengid Atabegs of Mosul, Said al-Din Ghazi II, 1170-80, Head facg 3/4 left, two angels above/lgnds, SS Type 60; F-VF, sl off-ctr, obv to bottom, nice glossy smooth chocolate brown surfaces, clear face. <A F+/AVF brought $57, FSR 9/00.>
MISCELLANEOUS
375 GREEK, 35 asstd bronze coins, low grade, rough, encrusted etc, will be tough to identify.
376 JUDAEA, 42 pcs, quite poor, some fragmentary flans, mostly cleaned lt brown & grainy, BUT all recognizably Judaean. This is actually the better end of the dreadful hoard of 260+ that was Lot 386 in my last sale.
377 ROMAN Provincial, 19 asstd, very poor condition.
378 ROMAN, coins of 46 diff rulers from Augustus to Honorius, identified at least by Ruler, mostly very low grade, but does include Nero, Nerva, Florian (this not too bad), Allectus, Galeria Valeria, Delmatius, Magnentius, Aelia Flaccilla. Worth $110
379 Asses & Dupondii, 21 pcs, including 8 Augustus, 4 Claudius, 1 Nerva, generally identifiable by ruler, a few maybe not. Imagine the lowest possible grades. These are worse.
380 Sestertii, 13 coins of 11 diff rulers, one worn almost smooth (probably Trajan), others low grade but identified at least by ruler.
381 54 Asstd, mostly ®4s, all identified in flips with neatly printed tags, but some of the identifications problematical (including the ŅEugeniusÓ), because these are rather low grade, worth $60-65.
382 14 asstd Roman in flips as above but somewhat better quality, VG-F, all identifiable, majority Ants & ®3s, worth $30+
383 Barbarous, 17 pieces, a varied assortment, generally crude & crappy.
384. GERMANY, Notgeld coin, Haltern, 10 PF 1921, iron. Why
is it here? Because obv is ŅDRVSVS-GERMANICVSÓ with bust
left (Nero Claudius Drusus). VF-EF, scarce, decent, and cute. See photo.
385 POOR Ancient coins, abt 265 pcs accumulated as the dregs of various lots, utterly poor garbage. Do I make myself clear?
386 REPLICAS, of Ancient & Medieval coinage, generally not intended to deceive, 14 diff, includes an oversized Trajan sestertius in Aluminum, BU. Worth maybe around $20.
387 NETHERLANDS East Indies, ŅVOCÓ Duits with 1700s dates, lot of 70 diff (there are different provinces) all G or so with clear dates, most with lt corrosion.
388 ENGLISH Conder Tokens, 1700s, 12 diff (2 Pennies, 10 1/2ds), AG-G, some with problems.
389 PRE-1800 dated World coins, 96 diff from a reasonable range of countries, strong on GB (10), France (17), and NEI (27 coins); all identified; a few silver; grades AG to VG & generally
not bad, a few holed.
LITERATURE
390 Gemini Auctions, IV & V (H. Berk & Freeman-Sear) 2008 & Ō09, high quality catalogs with high quality coins, both with PRLs.
391 Gorny & Mosch, 6 diff auction catalogs 2004-08, all with PRLs, very nice full size catalogs, 5 with full color plates.
392 F.R. Kunker (German) Auction 133, 10/07, Ancient coins, 344 pp, 2368 lots, color plates; features Popken Collection of Greek bronze coins, with some really eye-popping items.
393 Italo Vecchi, Auctions #1 & 7, 1996 & Ō97, large catalogs, mostly ancients, some modern; many interesting coins; PRLs.
394 Hauck & Aufhauser, 4 sales, #14-17, 1998-2003, plus one Bank Aufhauser 10/93; all big hefty catalogs, ancient & modern coins, all w/PRLS; very good sales with interesting material.
395 Sydenham, The Coinage of Nero, 1920, Durst Reprint 1982, 176 pp + 4 plates, hardcover, New condition.
396 Sear, Byzantine Coins & Their Values, 1st Edn, 1974, 415 pp, illus, hardcover, VF with dustjacket; bookplate of Alex G. Malloy. The catalog numbers have not changed.
397 Van Meter, Handbook of Roman Imperial Coins, 1991, large size softcover, 334 pp, VF <A F copy brought $82.50 in my 3/96 sale>; plus Doering, The Collecting of Roman Coins Made Easy, 72 pp, softcover, illus; both with bookplate of Alex G. Malloy.
398 White, Ancient Egypt, Its Culture & History, 217 pp; Smith, Ancient Egypt as Represented in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 215 pp, both w/photos; plus Treasures of Tutankhamun, oversized, 174 pp, beautifully illus w/color. All softcovers.
399 Gowlett, Ascent to Civilization -The Archaeology of Early Man, 208 pp, Whitehouse & Wilkins, The Making of Civilization - History Discovered Through Archaelogy, 207 pp, both oversized softcovers, beautifully illus w/color; a matching pair from Knopf.
400 Michael Grant,The Ancient Mediterranean, 374 pp, photos incl coins; National Georgraphic Soc., Greece & Rome, Builders of Our World, 448 pp, loaded with color illus, incl coins, ex-Library, one page was loose & fixed with tape. Both hardcovers.
401 Time-Life, Emergence of Man series, set of 11 hardcover volumes, covers early man & very early history, abt 160 pp each, beautifully illustrated in color, in nice condition.
402 Collins, The Medes and The Persians, 176 pp, hardcover, many illus incl color; plus Olmstead, History of the Persian
Empire , 568 pp, softcover, few illus.
403 Michael Grant, The Classical Greeks, 337 pp, photos; Kitto, The Greeks; & Edith Ham ilton, The Greek Way. Three softcovers
404 Michael Grant (again!) The Twelve Caesars, 282 pp, photos, incl coins; plus (guess who?) Michael Grant, Readings in the Classical Historians, 686 pp; both hardcovers with dustjackets.
405 Haywood, Ancient Rome, 650 pp, 1967, hardcover, few illus; plus (oh no!) Michael Grant, The World of Rome, softcover, illus.
406 Hale, The Horizon Book of Ancient Greece, 415 pp, huge Ņcoffee tableÓ book, hardcover w/dj, well illus with color & some coins; weighs 4-1/4 pounds.
407 Von Hagen, The Ancient Sun Kingdoms of the Americas, 617 pp, hardcover, some color illus; plus Time-Life, Ancient China, 191 pp, large hardcover, beautifully illustrated.
408 Harbison, The Archaeology of Ireland, 120 pp, w/dj; Time-Life, The Celts, 160 pp; both hardcovers, illus in color.
409 Cloulas, The Borgias, 388 pp, hardcover w/dj; plus Pollard, Henry VIII, 385 pp, softcover; plus Penguin ClassicsÕ Two Lives of Charlemagne, softcover, 227 pp.
FIXED PRICE SPECIALS
Multiples available. Shipping Extra. Order now or just add to bids.
411 BOOK, Frank S. Robinson, Life, Liberty, and Happiness:
An Optimist Manifesto, Prometheus Books, 2006, 364 pp, hard-cover; how use of reason & human freedom are the keys to living a good life & making a better world. Great reader response, 29.00
412 ISTROS, Cast ® coins, 420-400 BC, 9-12 mm, Wheel/IST, SNG Stancomb 131-323; crudely made, reverses indistinct 9.50
413 MILETOS, 6th cent BC, sil 1/12 Stater, S3532-33 (£65-75), lion forepart/star pattern; F or better, good centering, clear features, 33.95, 3 for 91.50. Earliest inexpensive Greek coin.
414 OLBIA, Dolphin shaped ® coins, 3rd-1st cent BC, as S1684 (£200) but smaller; crude, patinated, but decent quality, 11.95, 3/33.00
415 ROMAN Bronze Arrowpoints, restocked,3-sided,
green patina with some light soil; decent specimens, 13.95
416 BYZANTINE, Latin Rulers scyphates, mostly S2044, sl crude but good for these w/much detail; F or +, medium brn, 5.50
417 HUNGARY, sil Madonna denars with 1500s dates, G or better with clear dates (most actually at least F but crude) 3/13.95
418 Same, F-VF with clear dates, nice coins, 6.95, 3/18.95
419 INDIA, Sultans of Delhi, sil Jital, Balban, 1266-87, F-VF, good silver, decent, 3.25, 3/8.85
420 -- Large sil Tanka (27-28 mm) Nasir al-Din Mahmud I, 1246-66, Marsd.694; VF, decent 17.95, 3/48.95
421 -- Same, Fine, 12.95, 3/34.95
422 -- Balban, 1266-87, large sil Tanka, VF, nice 19.50
423 -- Jalal al-Din Firuz II, 1290-96, large sil Tanka, F-VF 15.75
424 -- Muhammad II, 1296-1316, large sil Tanka, Mars.705, VF nice 14.95, 3/$39.75, 10/$122. <A VF brought $41 FSR 3/06.>
425 -- Same, Fine, 9.50
426 KOREA, Cash coin, Hae Dong Tong Bo, 1097-1105, Mandel 6.4, G-VG 21.50; AVF 45.00. (These early Korean cash are really rare. Scott Semans, a specialist dealer, had a similar crusty F-VF at $200, late Ō90s. I have other types available.)
427 CHINA, Ancient cowrie-shell substitute, hand-carved in bone, 6.95 , 3 for 18.95
428 Chou Dynasty, before 255 BC, ŅYi-tao,Ó Schjoth-78, earliest inexpensive round coin, VG 6.50, 3/17.95
429 Pan-liangs, round coins, c. 2nd century BC, mixed varie-
ties, VF 2.95, 3/7.95
430 Han Dynasty, 1st cent BC, distinctive style Wu-chu, variety of Schj-114 with half star below hole, VF, almost as made with original lustrous Ņblue clayÓ surfaces, unusual condition, 3.45
431 Wang-mang 7-22 AD, Huo-chuan, S149-166, many varieties,
VF & nice 3/4.25, 10/$12.95
432 -- Spade coin, S148, choice EF, mostly with nice green patinas, 25.95, 3 for 74.00
433 TÕang Dynasty, large size coin, S352, scarce, AEF, from a hoard buried virtually as made, nice 8.50
434 N. Sung Dyn, 960-1125 AD, well mixed types, F or better, nice selected coins, 50/22.95
435 -- Large multi-value coins, mixed types, most with lt green patina, full VF, very nice, 10 for 19.75
436 -- S-622, Large 34+ mm coin, 1102-06 AD, F-VF 2.50; 3/6.75; 10 for 19.50
437 -- Large size IRON coins, scarce, group of 9 diff, all around VG & decent for these, my regular (low) prices abt $42, only 31.50
438 Western Hsia Kingdom IRON coin 1169-93, S-1080, VG 4.50
439 Bamboo or Wood tally tokens, c. 1900, die-stamped inscriptions, 3 diff 7.85, 10 diff 24.95
440 VIETNAM, Cash coin, Schj. 32, 1453-59, (Toda 56 cat $18), nice substantial coin VF 2.50, 3/6.75, 10/19.75, 30/$49, 100/$149
441 -- EF and really lovely, green patina, 4.50, 3/10.95, 10/29.95
442 Schj.33, 1460-97, scarce VF 4.50, 3/11.50, 10/29.50
443 Schj.34, 1460-97, scarce VF 4.50, 3/11.50, 10/29.50
444 Zinc cash, C36, 1739-66, rare, G-VG (KM G cat $10.50, wrongly listed as copper) 10/15.95, 30/$42, 100/$125
445 -- Same, F-VF (F cat $30) 7.50, 3/17.95
446 BENIN, 2500 Francs, 2007, silver, pattern ESSAI, Slavery Abolition, Unc 19.75
447 CROATIA Type set, 1 Lipa to 1K, 1993-2004, 7 coins, BU (cat $10) 4.20, 3/11.50, 10 sets 34.50
448 FR. INDOCHINA, 1/4c 1942, always come with corrosion (F cat $8), typical average pcs 10/5.95, 30/15.95, 100/39.75
449 -- Same, 1943 (F cat $15) 1.35, 3/2.99, 10/8.95
450 HAITI, 1811 Christophe crown, restrike, Prflike, very nice, copper, golden brnz or gilt (cat $40 in Bruce) 7.45, 3/$19.95
451 KEELING-COCOS ISL., 2004 7-pc set, 5¢ to bimetal $5, sea life, Unc 19.95, 3/56.95, 10/$179, 30/$485.
452 LIBYA 1979 6-pc set Unc (cat $32) 13.95, 3/37.95, 10/$112
453 RUSSIA, 5 Roub Y273 1991 Unc ($6) 1.25, 3/3.45, 10/10.50
454 SLOVENIA, 9-pc type set, 10 Stot to 50 Tolar BU (cat $19) 4.65, 3/11.95, 10/36.50, 30/95.00
