Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 119

THE NEW YORK SALE

Greek Coinage

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 1		East Celts. Imitation of coins of Philip II. Silver Tetradrachm (12.68 g), ca. 3rd Century BC. Laureate and bearded bust of Philip II in beaded border. Reverse: ΦIΛIΠΠ OY, youth on horseback r. holding palm over horse, H monogram beneath horse's belly; dolphin below raised foreleg. Apparently unpublished. Cf. Gðbl, OTA pl. 4,4 (close) and Le Rider pl. 48, 4-5 (close). Nice old toning. Choice Very Fine. Estimated Value $750 - UP View details and enlarged photos	Realized $870
Lot 2		East Celts. Imitations of coins of Patraos. Silver Tetradrachm (10.96 g), ca. 2nd Century BC. Crude head of Apollo (?) left. Reverse: YΛIΓM, Stylized warrior on horseback left. Göbl, OTA pl. 12, 119B; Kostial, Lanz coll. 1004 (same dies). Lightly toned. Choice Very Fine. Estimated Value $200 - UP View details and enlarged photos	Realized $312
Lot 3		East Celts. Imitations of coins of Patraos. Silver Tetradrachm (11.57g), ca. 2nd Century BC. Crude head of Apollo (?) left. Reverse: YΛIΓM, Stylized warrior on horseback left. Göbl, OTA pl. 12, 119B; Kostial, Lanz coll. 1004 (same dies). Lightly toned. Choice Very Fine. Estimated Value $200 - UP View details and enlarged photos	Realized $504
Lot 4		Calabria, Taras. Silver Nomos (8.13 g), ca. 480-470 BC. TAPAΣ (retrograde), Phalanthos riding on back of dolphin right, raising one hand and resting the other on the dolphin's back; below, pecten. Reverse: Four-spoked wheel. Vlasto 81 (these dies). SNG Ashmolean 205 (these dies). SNG ANS 828 (these dies). Fischer-Bossert 72q (this coin). Historia Numorum Italy 833. Fischer-Bossert 72q (this coin); SNG ANS 828 (same dies); SNG Ashmolean 205 (same dies); Vlasto 81 (same dies); HN Italy 833. Wonderful old cabinet tone. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $2,500 - UP Ex ADM Collection (NAC 92/1, 23 May 2016), 76. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $3,240
Lot 5		Bruttium, Temesa. Silver Nomos (8.16 g) ca. 450 BC. Between two greaves, tripod with three ring handles, legs ending in lion's paws. Reverse: TEM, Corinthian helmet with crest right. AMB 234 (this specimen); Jameson 464. Extremely Rare. Well struck and well centered. Attractive light toning. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $25,000 - UP According to Greek mythological tradition the somewhat obscure city of Temisa was founded by Polites, one of the companions of Odysseus on the difficult return journey from the Trojan War. The city grew and prospered over the years and centuries, thanks in part to a nearby copper mine, but was said to be plagued by the shade of Polites, which attacked people in the night. (No reason is given as to why he should have haunted his own foundation). At last, the ghost was put to rest when the Olympic athlete Euthymos of Lokroi Epizephyrioi challenged it to a wrestling match and won. Evidently shouting "Boo!" in a scary voice was not enough to break a choke hold. This story is thought to symbolize the probable late fifth-century BC domination of Temisa by Lokroi�only one in a line of cities to hold power over Temisa. It was originally subject to the indulgent city of Sybaris before the latter was destroyed by Kroton in ca. 510 BC. Once Sybaris was no more, Temisa fell under the domination of Kroton. Although the present coin was struck in the mid-fifth century BC when Krotoniat power was on the decline, the obverse tripod type (a well-established emblem of Kroton) suggests the continued influence of Kroton over Temisa. However, the addition of the greaves seems to be a specifically Temesan feature. A related issue (HN Italy 2122) employs the same tripod and helmet types as well as abbreviated legends that seem to name both cities. Ex Abou Taam Family collection; Ex Dr. B. Peus Nach., Frankfort/M. 407, 2012, lot 141; Ex NAC AG, Zurich, Auction 13 (1998), lot 234; Ex Dr. H. Maag Collection; Ex Dr. A.D. Moretti Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 6		Katane/Catana. Silver Tetradrachm (17.26 g), 450-440 BC. Slow quadriga r., the driver, wearing long, sleeveless chiton, holding the reins with both hands, kentron in his r. hand. Reverse: KATANAI - O-N. Head of Apollo r., the long hair tied up in a laurel wreath in the back of the head. Gulbenkian 1, 179 (these dies); SNG ANS 1241 (these dies). Rare. Excellent classical style. Pleasing old toning with lustre present. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $10,000 - UP Ex Barone Pennisi di Floristella, Acireale collection; Bank Leu AG, Zurich 22, 1979, lot 20. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 7		Macedonian Kingdom. Phillip II. Silver Tetradrachm (14.36 g), 359-336 BC. Amphipolis, posthumous issue under Kassander as regent, ca. 316-311 BC. Laureate head of Zeus right. Reverse: ΦIΛIΠΠOY, youth on horseback right, holding palm branch; below horse's belly, dolphin; below raised foreleg, Γ-pellet monogram. Le Rider p. 124 and pl. 46,19. SNG ANS 738-46. Untoned, lustrous. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $600 - UP View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,980
Lot 8		Macedonian Kingdom. Phillip II, 359-336 BC. Silver Tetradrachm (14.36 g). Amphipolis, posthumous issue under Kassander as regent, ca. 316-311 BC. Laureate head of Zeus right. Reverse: ΦIΛIΠΠOY, youth on horseback right, holding palm branch; below horse's belly, tree; below raised foreleg, Γ-pellet monogram. Le Rider p. 124 and pl. 46,11. SNG ANS 738-46. Untoned, lustrous. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $500 - UP View details and enlarged photos	Realized $900
Lot 9		Macedonian Kingdom. Philip V. Æ 23 mm (11.60 g), 221-179 BC. Uncertain Macedonian mint, ca. 183/2 BC. Bearded head of Herakles right, wearing lion's skin headdress. Reverse: BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΦIΛIΠΠOY, Harpa; above, monogram; all within oak-wreath tied at left. Mamroth 25a; SNG Alpha Bank 1116-9. Dark green patina with hints of red. Choice Very Fine. Estimated Value $200 - UP View details and enlarged photos	Realized $228
Lot 10		Macedonian Kingdom. Perseus, 179-168 BC. Silver Tetradrachm (15.38g). Head of Perseus right with royal diadem and short beard. Reverse: BAΣΛENΣΠEPΣENΣ. Eagle with open wings and between legs monogram; all within oak wreath, below plough. Mamoth, 2IN 38 (1929), 20b; SNG Oxford 3277 (this obv. die). Wonderful portrait. Boldly struck in high relief. Pleasing antique tone that deepens in the recesses. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $2,000 - UP Ex Abou Taam Family Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 11		Paeonian Kingdom. Patraos. Silver Tetradrachm (12.89 g), 335-315 BC. Damastion (?). Laureate head of Apollo right. Reverse: ΠATPAOY, warrior on horseback right, riding down enemy below with shield and lance; above ΓA monogram. Paeonian Hoard I, 445 (same dies); cf. SNG ANS 1030-2. Untoned, lustrous and virtually as struck. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $300 - UP View details and enlarged photos	Realized $660
Lot 12		Paeonian Kingdom. Patraos. Silver Tetradrachm (13.00 g), 335-315 BC. Damastion (?). Laureate head of Apollo right. Reverse: ΠATPAOY, warrior on horseback right, riding down enemy below with shield and lance; above kantharus. Paeonian Hoard I, 184 (same dies); cf. SNG ANS 1030-2. Untoned, lustrous and virtually as struck. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $300 - UP View details and enlarged photos	Realized $576
Lot 13		Paeonian Kingdom. Patraos. Silver Tetradrachm (12.64 g), 335-315 BC. Damastion (?). Laureate head of Apollo right. Reverse: ΠATPAOY, warrior on horseback right, riding down enemy below with shield and lance; above C. Paeonian Hoard I, 380 (same dies); cf. SNG ANS 1030-2. Untoned, lustrous and virtually as struck. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $300 - UP View details and enlarged photos	Realized $420
Lot 14		Thrace, Ainos. Silver Tetradrachm (15.76g), ca. 400-370 BC. Facing head of Hermes, wearing riveted petasus. Reverse: AINION, Billy goat standing right, about to nibble at ivy tendril twined around amphora; all within incuse square. May, Abdera 225, 370 (these dies); Traité pl. CCCXLV, 17. Very Rare. Outstanding classical style. Struck in very high relief. Beautiful old uniform dark cabinet toning certainly adds to this coin's great beauty and charm. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $25,000 - UP The obverse of this tetradrachm features a wonderful facing head of Hermes clearly inspired by the celebrated and widely imitated head of Arethusa pioneered by the likes of Eukleidas and Kimon at Syracuse in ca. 413 BC. Hermes here is especially notable for the extremely high level of preservation with almost no wear visible on the nose. The reverse depicts a goat, the usual animal prescribed for sacrifice to Hermes. Here the goat seems poised to take a bite out of the ivy entwined around the amphora that serves as a control mark for this issue. Ainos was famous in antiquity for its sanctuary of Hermes Perpheraios ("the Wanderer") and its miraculous wooden cult statue of the god. Epeios, the famous creator of the Trojan Horse, was said to have carved a wooden cult statue of Hermes and erected it on the shore before Troy, but this was washed out to sea. The image drifted until it came to the mouth of the Hebros River on the coast of Thrace where it was caught in the nets of local Greek fishermen. They failed to recognize it as a cult statue (suggesting that either they could not appreciate art or Epeios was a very inept woodcarver) and proceeded to use it as firewood when they returned to shore. The fishermen became frightened when they discovered that it could not be made to burn under any circumstances (perhaps forgetting that they had just dragged it out of the Aegean?) and threw it back into the sea, only to have it immediately returned by the waves. When a group of Thracians subsequently came upon the statue, they immediately recognized it as a sacred image and erected a shrine that later grew into the city of Ainos. Ex Abou Taam Family Collection; Ex Denyse Berend, Paris Collection; Prof. Dr. APC Weiss, USA (private purchase at TEFAF Maastricht in 2007). View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 15		Thessaly, Larissa. Silver Stater (11.90 g), ca. 356-342 BC. Head of the nymph Larissa facing slightly left, hair bound in ampyx. Reverse: ΛAPI-Σ-AIΩN, bridled stallion trotting right. BCD Thessaly I 1159 (same dies); BCD Thessaly II 308 (same dies); Hermann grp. VII, pl. V, 1-2; SNG Copenhagen 119. Incredible quality! One of the finest examples of this remarkable coin we have seen. Perfectly struck and perfectly centered on an excellent fine silver planchet. Delicately toned with underlying luster present. Virtually as struck. Nearly Mint State. Estimated Value $10,000 - UP A numismatist could spend years building just a collection centered solely on the coins of Larissa in Thessaly and probably never really complete it, such is the variety of the city's coinage. The facing head portraits of the nymph Larissa are some of the most beautiful in Greek coinage, showing the importance that the city attached to the artistry of its coinage. It would seem that the city even hosted a resident school of highly skilled die-engravers. This particularly fine stater is in a much better state of preservation than most found on the market, and it is also from truly handsome dies. Additionally, it is perfectly centered on both sides and struck on a nice full flan. It would certainly prove a highlight of any collection. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 16		Phocis. Phocian League Federal Coinage. Silver Triobol (2.99 g), ca. 449-447 BC. Bucranium facing. Reverse: Φ - O - K - I. Head of Artemis facing right, hair tied up in a thin band at the back of the head; she wears a necklace; all within incuse square. BCD, Lokris-Phokis 242 (this specimen); SNG Delepierre 1278 (these dies); Williams, Ph. 105, 214 (these dies). Rare. Lovely early classical style. Boldly struck in very high relief and lovely old cabinet tone. Nearly Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $2,000 - UP Ex Abou Taam Family Collection; Ex BCD Collection, NAC AG, Zurich 55 (2010), lot 242. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 17		Euboea, Histiaia. Silver Drachm (3.33g), ca. 350-320 BC. Head of nymph Histiaia to r., wearing wreath of vine leaves and bunches of grapes, ear pendant and necklace. Reverse: IΣTI, Heifer standing r. in front of a vine with bunches of grapes; in front, monogram. BCD, Euboea 375; SNG Cop. 516; Traité pl. CXCVIII, 14. Wonderful fine style with lovely old cabinet tone. Choice Very Fine. Estimated Value $1,000 - UP Ex Abou Taam Family Collection; Ex Auction Naville & Cie, Geneva X (Lucerne 1925), lot 559. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 18		Colonies of Corinth. Silver Triobol (1.88g), 300-275 BC. Uncertain Mint. Pegasus flying left, below, ΛY. Reverse: Head of Aphrodite l., wearing diadem, ear-pendant and necklace, hair in a chignon at the back of the head; low in field r., monogram. BMC 146, 30 and pl. XXXIX, 19 (these dies); SNG Lockett 2312 var. (obv. to r.). Scarce. Beautiful old cabinet tone. A miniature masterpiece. Superb Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $1,000 - UP Ex Dr. B. Peus Nachf, Frankfort, The Hans Maag Collection, 407, 2012, lot 371. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,320
Lot 19		Pamphylia, Side. Silver Stater (10.75 g), 400-370 BC. Athena Parthenos, wearing long chiton and crested helmet, standing l., holding transverse spear and shield with her l. hand, on her extended r. hand Nike, taking off to crown her; at her feet, serpent erect; in flied r., short Sidetan legend. Reverse: Apollo, wearing short chiton and cloak, standing l., holding long scepter in his l. hand, sacrificing out of patera in his extended r. hand over lighted altar; in field r., Sidetan legend. Cf. Auction Nomos AG, Zurich 12 (2016), 108 (these dies). Very rare type. Excellent style and delicately toned. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $15,000 - UP The attribution of this very rare and unusual coin to the city of Side is uncertain. The types of both obverse and reverse are those of Side, but the city's distinctive mark, the pomegranate is missing. The inscriptions are definitively in the Pamphylian alphabet, it could therefore be an issue for a polis depending on Side or a special issue for a festivity. Ex Leu Numismatics Ltd., Zurich 61 (1995), lot 161; Ex Spink & Son, London 1012 (2010), lot 1255. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 20		Cilicia, Tarsos. Mazaios. Silver Stater (10.76 g), Satrap of Cilicia, 361/0-334 BC. Baaltars seated left, holding eagle, grain ear, bunch of grapes and scepter; in left field and below throne, Aramaic letters. Reverse: Lion attacking bull left; below, grain stalk and letter. Casabonne series 2; SNG BN -; SNG Levante -; SNG Levante Suppl. -. Lightly toned. Very Fine. Estimated Value $400 - UP View details and enlarged photos	Realized $528
Lot 21		Kingdom of Armenia Minor. Aristobulus, with Salome. Æ 22 mm (9.98 g), AD 54-92. RY 13 (AD 66/7). BACIΛEΩC APICTOBOYΛOY, diademed and draped bust of Aristobulus left; at end of legend, date (ET IΓ). Reverse: [BACIΛIC]-CHC CAΛOMHC, diademed and draped bust of Salome left. Hendin 1257a; Cf. TJC 365 (date); cf. RPC 3840 (date). Extremely Rare and probably the finest known example. Light green over dark green-brown patina. Perfectly centered with excellent detail and legends. Superb Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $30,000 - UP This extremely rare and important coin shows the infamous Queen Salome, the wife of Aristobulus of Chalkis, and the daughter of Herod II and Herodias. Although she is not directly named in any biblical account it is assumed that it was she who danced for her step-father, Herod Antipas, at his birthday feast and demanded in return for her performance the head of John the Baptist delivered to her on a platter. The story is related twice in the New Testament, in both Mark 6:21-29 and Matthew 14:6-11. Although saddened with the execution of John, Herod Antipas nonetheless fulfilled Salome's request as after her performance he had promised her that he would give her whatever she requested of him. She ran from the room to consult her mother, Herodias, whom John had slighted by stating that her previous marriage to Herod II was unlawful, for which she held a grudge. Herodias told her daughter to ask for John's head, which she did, and because the promise had been made in front of his guests Herod Antipas had no choice but to honor it. The guard was sent, John was executed, and his head was presented to Salome as she had requested. Ex Tareq Hani Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $63,000
Lot 22		Phoenicia, Tyre. Silver Shekel (14.10 g), ca. 126/5 BC-AD 65/6. Year 31 (96/5 BC). Laureate bust of Melkart right. Reverse: TYPIOY IEPAΣ KAI AΣYΛOY, eagle standing left on prow, palm on far wing; in left field, date (AΛ) and club; in right field, monogram; between legs, 'beth'. DCA Suppl. 76. Well centered and lightly toned. NGC grade XF; Strike: 4/5, Surface: 4/5. Estimated Value $1,000 - UP View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,740
Lot 23		Phoenicia, Tyre. Silver 1/2 Shekel (6.91 g), ca. 126/5 BC-AD 65/6. Year 108 (96/5 BC). Laureate bust of Melkart right. Reverse: TYPIOY EPAΣ (sic) KAI AΣYΛOY, eagle standing left on prow, palm on far wing; in left field, date (qH) and club; in right field, BN; between legs, 'beth'. Cf. DCA Suppl. 515 (with KP monogram in left field of rev.). Unpublished with this control. Fine style, well centered and lightly toned. Choice Very Fine. Estimated Value $750 - UP View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,380