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Sale 119
THE NEW YORK SALE
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Photo |
Description |
Realized |
Lot 113 |
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Augustus. Silver Denarius (3.72 g), 27 BC-AD 14. Uncertain mint, ca. 17 BC. CA-ES-AR, bare head of Gaius Caesar (or Augustus?) right within oak wreath. Reverse: AVG-VST across field, candelabrum ornamented with rams' heads; all within a floral wreath entwined with two bucrania and three paterae. RIC 540; BN 1013-6; BMC 684-5; RSC 2. Struck in high relief. Untoned. Nearly Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $1,500 - UP
This coin represents one of the more enigmatic issues of Augustus' long reign as emperor. Sutherland in RIC I attributes the issue to an uncertain mint and dates it to 17 BC, noting that it was in celebration of the ludes Saeculares held that year. The youthful portrait on the obverse is uncertain and could be either a "rejuvenated" portrait of Augustus (Mattingly, RIC I, 1st ed.) or a portrait of the young heir, Gaius Caesar, the eldest son of Augustus' lieutenant M. Vipsanius Agrippa and Julia the Elder, whom Augustus adopted that year along with his younger brother, Lucius. The first interpretation rests on the oak-wreath surrounding the portrait, identifying it as the corona civica aurea which in 28 BC was awarded by a grateful Roman Senate to Augustus for having ended the long period of civil wars, and accordingly positively identifies the portrait as being that of Augustus. However, no convincing argument explains why his portrait would be rejuvenated. R. Prideaux recently put forth the idea that the issue was struck at a special military mint operating in Pannonia in 12 BC to appease Agrippa's troops after his untimely death while on campaign in Pannonia in that year, and that the portrait was engraved by someone unfamiliar with the emperor's likeness (see the commentary to Triton XI, 829). This argument fails on two counts: firstly, an engraver with the legions in Pannonia would most certainly be familiar with the portrait of Augustus as the troops were paid in denarii transported from the main imperial mints, and secondly, legions would not simply begin striking coins on their own initiative because to do so would be a treasonous usurpation of an imperial prerogative.Although not addressed in the Triton commentary, Prideaux also mentions the funereal importance of the candelabrum on the reverse. Rams' heads are fairly common adornments on Julio-Claudian funerary altars (see, e.g., P. Zanker, The Power of Images in the Age of Augustus p. 280 for a Roman funerary altar of the Claudian period that features the garland, candelabra and rams' heads), and an aromatic garland was a staple of Roman funerary rites for obvious reasons. Otherwise the association of the candelabrum with the ludes Saeculares (which is the traditional interpretation of the type) is not readily apparent. Seemingly only a death of significance to the succession would manifest itself on coinage, and the death of Agrippa in 12 BC was one such death as he was not only Augustus' closest friend and confidant but his chosen successor. It is recorded that the emperor mourned his passing for a full month and even had Agrippa's remains interred in his own mausoleum despite Agrippa having constructed a mausoleum of his own. In light of the funerary nature of the reverse of this coin, and also the fact that nothing specifically ties it to the ludes Saeculares of 17 BC other than the tenuous link of the candelabrum reverse, could it be that the portrait in the obverse is in fact young Gaius Caesar and that it was struck in 12 BC to commemorate both Agrippa's death and Gaius' newfound role as Augustus' direct heir? The framing corona civica would quite nicely associate the youth with the imperium of the principate in this instance and should not necessarily be interpreted as a prerogative solely of the emperor. It also serves as an artistic function as a balance to the floral border enclosing the candelabrum on the reverse. Furthermore, as David Sear notes in the millennial edition of Roman Coins and Their Values, the combination of the youthful portrait along with the title CAESAR simply and clearly suggests the young heir, while its placement in the place of precedence on the obverse further serves to highlight his status.
Ex Goldberg 55 (29 October 2009), 129.
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Realized
$1,907 |
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Lot 114 |
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Withdrawn
| Unsold |
Lot 115 |
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Vespasian. AE Sestertius (24.76 g), AD 69-79. Judaea Capta type. Rome, AD 71. Obverse: IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG PM TR PPP COS III, laureate head of Vespasian right. Reverse: IVDAEA CAPTA; SC in exergue, palm tree; mourning Jewess sits to right of palm; to left Vespasian stands right in military dress with spear and parazonium, left foot on helmet. Hendin 1504; RIC II, 167. Popular and always in demand. Chocolate brown patina. Very Fine. Estimated Value $2,000 - UP
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Realized
$3,360 |
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Lot 116 |
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Vespasian. AE Sestertius (25.37 g), AD 69-79. Judaea Capta type. Rome, AD 71. Obverse: IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG PM PPP COS III, laureate head of Vespasian right. Reverse: VICTORIA AVGVSTI; SC in exergue, palm tree; mourning Jewess sits on right, Victory stands on left with left foot on helmet, inscribing a shield set on tree. Hendin 1508; RIC 221; BN 151. Uniform steel-brown patina. Choice Very Fine. Estimated Value $2,500 - UP
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Realized
$3,840 |
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Lot 117 |
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Divus Vespasian. Silver Denarius (3.48 g), died AD 79. Judaea Capta type. Rome, under Titus, AD 80/1. DIVVS AVGVSTVS VESPASIANVS, laureate head of Vespasian right. Reverse: EX S C across field, Victory advancing left, attaching shield to trophy below which Jewess seated left, in attitude of mourning. Hendin 1586; RIC 364; BN 90; BMC 112; RSC 144. Attractive light tone. Choice Very Fine. Estimated Value $400 - UP
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Realized
$240 |
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Lot 118 |
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Titus. AE As (9.35 g) as Caesar, AD 69-79. Judaea Capta type. Struck at Rome AD 75. Obverse: T CAES IMP PON TRP COS II CENS, laureate head of Titus right. Reverse: SC in exergue; Titus stands in triumphal quadriga right, holds branch in right hand and scepter in left, on side of cart Victory right holds wreath. Hendin --; REIC 635; C-227; CBN 688. Extremely Rare. Uniform reddish-brown. Choice Very Fine. Estimated Value $2,500 - UP
Ex NAC 05-25-20, #952; Ex Numismatica de Falco (Naples).
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Realized
$5,040 |
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Lot 119 |
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Domitian. Silver Denarius (3.52 g), as Caesar, AD 69-81. Rome, under Vespasian, AD 79. CAESAR AVG F DOMITIANVS COS VI, laureate head of Domitian right. Reverse: PRINCEPS IVVENTVTIS, Salus leaning right on column, holding serpent which she feeds from patera. RIC 1084; BMC 265; RSC 384. Magnificent multi-hued iridescent toning. Lustrous. Mint State. Estimated Value $500 - UP
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Realized
$810 |
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Lot 120 |
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Trajan. Silver Denarius (3.23 g), AD 98-117. Rome, ca. AD 112/3. IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS V P P, laureate bust of Trajan right, slight drapery on far shoulder. Reverse: S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI, emperor on horseback walking left, holding spear. RIC 291; Woytek 394b; BMC 445; RSC 497a. Finely detailed and beautifully toned. Superb Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $500 - UP
Ex Roma II (2 October 2011), 647.
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Realized
$660 |
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Lot 121 |
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Trajan. Æ As (13.43 g), AD 98-117. Rome, ca. AD 103. IMP CAES NERVAE TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS V P P, laureate bust of Trajan right, slight drapery on far shoulder. Reverse: S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI S C across field, Virtus standing facing, head left, holding Victory and inverted spear. RIC 483. Glossy dark greenish-brown patina. Choice Very Fine. Estimated Value $500 - UP
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Unsold |
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Lot 122 |
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Withdrawn
| Unsold |
Lot 123 |
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Antoninus Pius. Æ Sestertius (19.92 g), AD 138-161. Rome, AD 140-144. ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P COS III, laureate head of Antoninus Pius right. Reverse: TR POT COS III around, S C across field, Juno Sospita advancing right, brandishing javelin and holding forth shield; before her, serpent. Cf. RIC 608; cf. BMC 1248. Chocolate-brown patina, some smoothing in the fields. Sharpness of Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $300 - UP
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Realized
$528 |
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Lot 124 |
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Antoninus Pius, with Marcus Aurelius, as Caesar. Æ Medallion 67 mm. (176 g), AD 138-161. Rome, ca. AD 140-141. ANTONINVS AVG PI-VS P P TR P COS IIII, laureate head of Antoninus Pius right. Reverse: AVRELIVS CAES AVG PII F COS, Bare head of Marcus Aurelius right. Cf. Gnecchi II p. 23, 3 (…COS III). Possibly unique. Uniform hard apple-green patina. All original with virtually no wear or imperfections. A magnificent piece! Superb Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $30,000 - UP
This remarkable bronze medallion features a beautiful large linear frame surrounding a central type depicting the portraits and titulature of Antoninus Pius and Marcus Aurelius as his Caesar, a post held by the latter from AD 138 to 161. The types and inscriptions are very similar to those found on double portrait aurei and denarii struck to celebrate the assumption of the third and first consulships (COS III and COS) by Pius and Aurelius, respectively, in AD 140 (see RIC 415). This relationship to the precious metal coinage sets the medallion apart from the contemporary double portrait aes issues (RIC 1211-1221, which always feature a laureate or radiate image of Antoninus Pius, thereby placing it in a special class distinct from the regular coinage.
The medallion is also notable for its unexpected deviation from the titulature of the AD 140 issues. Here Antoninus Pius is identified as holding his fourth consulship (COS IIII), which only took place in AD 145, while Aurelius is still indicated as holding his first (COS), although it is known that he assumed his second consulship (COS II) at the same time that Pius took up his fourth. This incongruity may be explained by the production of the medallion from an improper die combination. Such hybrids are known for the regular coinage of Antoninus Pius, such as RIC 123, an aureus combining an obverse type dated COS III (AD 140) and a reverse dated COS IIII (AD 145). Numerous other, but less closely dateable, hybrids are known for the reign Antoninus Pius (e.g., RIC 408-410, 492, 518, 1201-1203), suggesting that the mismatching of dies was a special problem for the Roman mint administration under that emperor.
Medallions like this were most likely produced for distribution to important individuals to celebrate and commemorate the assumption of the consular dignity by the emperors. This took place on 1 January and marked the Roman New Year, an occasion that involved public and private distributions and exchanges of presents (strenae) that regularly included coins and medallions.
As a means of establishing an orderly succession, Hadrian arranged for Antoninus Pius to adopt Marcus Aurelius as his son, although the latter seems to have been unhappy about this and the requirement that he move into the imperial palace. After the death of Hadrian on 10 July AD 138, Antoninus Pius, named Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus as his Caesars, his junior co-emperors and designated heirs, and arranged the betrothal of Marcus Aurelius to his daughter, Faustina the Younger. Under Antoninus Pius, Marcus Aurelius was heaped with titles and extraordinary privileges and trained in the difficult work of administration. He was named princeps iuventutis, a title carried by designated imperial heirs, made a member of all the priestly colleges, served as quaestor, and held the consulship with Antoninus Pius twice. Although Marcus Aurelius is said to have complained about the paperwork involved in administering the Roman Empire and did not appreciate the pomp of the imperial lifestyle, by the time he succeeded when Antoninus Pius died in AD 161, he was well prepared to take up the mantle of his adopted father.
From a private Swiss Collection. To the best of our knowledge, never before offered publicly.
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Lot 125 |
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Diva Faustina I. Æ Dupondius (12.22 g), died AD 140/1. Rome, under Antoninus Pius, ca. AD 141-146. DIVA FAVSTINA, diademed and draped bust of Faustina I right. Reverse: AETER-NITAS, S C across field, Aeternitas standing facing, head left, holding phoenix and hem of skirt. RIC 1157. Dark green patina. About Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $300 - UP
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Realized
$288 |
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Lot 126 |
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Faustina Jr. (daughter of Antoninus Pius and wife of Marcus Aurelius), Gold Aureus (7.33 g). Mint of Rome, struck under Antoninus Pius, circa AD 147-150 FAVSTINA AVG PII AVG FIL, draped bust left with hair waved and coiled on the back of the head, rev. CONCORDIA, dove standing right, 6h, RIC III 503b (Pius); Cohen 60; BMCRE 1090; Calico 2044c. A superb portrait in very high relief, residual lustre around legend in obverse, light cabinet wear to high points, scarce. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $5,000 - UP
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Lot 127 |
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Pertinax. Gold Aureus (7.26 g), AD 193. Rome. IMP CAES P HELV PERTIN AVG, laureate head of Pertinax right. Reverse: PROVID DEOR COS II, Providentia standing facing, head left, extending hand towards star above to left. RIC 11a; BMC 11 (same obv. die); Calicó 2389. Rare. Excellent style and a powerful portrait of Pertinax. Boldly struck in high relief, minor edge filing noted. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $20,000 - UP
Pertinax rose from humble beginnings to the highest echelons of administration, having served as a successful general and subsequently governor of several important provinces. At the time of Commodus' murder, he was Prefect of Rome. Upon his elevation on 1 January AD 193, Pertinax immediately began a series of legal and fiscal reforms, which although sound were unpopular with the corrupt officials then serving in the highest administrative posts in the Empire. This quickly led to an attempted coup, led by his co-consul Sosius Falco just two days after his accession. While the first coup was put down, a second was just beginning, and it came to a head on 28 March when the praetorians stormed the imperial palace and murdered the 66-year-old Pertinax. His reign had lasted a mere 86 days. The guardsmen paraded his decapitated head on a lance through the streets of Rome, but this heinous deed would shortly condemn them as when Septimius Severus arrived in Rome he tricked the Praetorians into assembling unarmed, then dismissed and banished the entire Guard under threat from his Illyrian troops.
This fantastic aureus of Pertinax features a powerful portrait of the aged emperor, and is impressively centered on a beautifully round flan. The reverse features the minor goddess Providentia, the goddess of foresight, who embodied virtues that were part of the Imperial cult of ancient Rome.
Ex Hauck & Aufhäuser 17 (18 March 2003), 382; MMAG XIX (5-6 June 1959), 236 (purchased by Gerhard Hirsch for CHF 2950).
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Realized
$30,000 |
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Lot 128 |
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Septimius Severus, with Caracalla, as Caesar. Gold Aureus (7.41 g), AD 193-211. Rome, AD 204(?). IMPP INVICTI PII AVGG, Jugate heads of Septimius Severus, laureate, draped and cuirassed, and Caracalla, laureate and draped, right. Reverse: VICTORIA PARTHICA MAXIMA, Victory advancing to left, holding wreath and palm branch. RIC 311; F. W. Madden, "An Account of the Collection of Roman Gold Coins of the late Duke de Blacas, purchased, with other Antiquities, for the British Museum," NC 1868, pl. IX, 5 (this coin); BMC 266; Calicó 2597b (same obv. die). Extremely Rare. Boldly struck with minor edge file marks. Very Fine. Estimated Value $15,000 - UP
In 195, Septimius Severus invaded Mesopotamia and occupied the Parthian cities of Seleucia and Babylon. Two years later he launched a further campaign and sacked Ctesiphon, the Parthian royal capital. The war substantially weakened the Parthian kingdom, which was already suffering considerably from internal stresses, and led to its eventual collapse in the 220s when the Sasanian Persians gained control. This extremely rare aureus, which we have been able to trace to the famous nineteenth century collection of the Duke de Blacas, a French antiquarian upon whose death in 1866 his heirs sold most of his extensive collection of coins and antiquities to the British Museum for the astounding sum of £1,200,000, was seemingly struck to mark the dedication of the Arch of Septimius Severus in 203. The arch, which was faced in white marble and was built at the northwestern end of the Forum in Rome, commemorated the emperor's victories over the Parthians. Visitors to Rome today can still admire this remarkable monument, its long dedicatory inscription, and its sculptural reliefs, next to the Church of Saints Luca e Martina at the foot of the Capitoline Hill.
Ex Aufhäuser 6 (5 October 1989), 447; G. Hirsch 161 (22 February 1989), 860; Sir J. Evans and the Duc de Blacas Collections (Glendining & Co., 27 September 1962), 207; L. G. Schlesinger y Guzman Collection (Sotheby, Wilkinson & Hodge, 20 July 1914), 168; Collection J. E. [Sir John Evans] (Rollin et Feuardent, 26-27 May 1909), 188 (realized 400 French francs); Duc de Blacas Collection.
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Realized
$22,800 |
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Lot 129 |
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Julia Domna. Æ Medallic Sestertius (31.68 g), Augusta, AD 193-217. Rome, under Caracalla. IVLIA PIA FELIX AVG, draped bust right. Reverse: IVNO-NEM, S C across field, Juno standing facing, head left, holding scepter; at feet to left, peacock standing left. RIC 585; BMC 206. Perfectly centered on a broad flan with wide borders. Dark olive-green patina. Choice Very Fine. Estimated Value $500 - UP
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Realized
$1,080 |
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Lot 130 |
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Geta. Æ 22 mm (6.58 g), as Caesar, AD 198-209. Ilium in Troas. Π CEPTI ΓETAC KAI, bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust of Geta right. Reverse: IΛ-IE-ΩN, Helmeted bust of Athena right, wearing aegis. Bellinger T234; SNG von Aulock 1542; BMC 95. Attractive green patina with a few light adjustment marks. Choice Very Fine. Estimated Value $300 - UP
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Lot 131 |
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Geta. Æ 22 mm (6.48 g), as Caesar, AD 198-209. Bageis in Lydia. Gaios, archon. Π CEPT ΓETAC KAI, bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust of Geta right. Reverse: EΠI ΓAIO-Y AP-X BAΓ(HN)ΩN, Hygeia standing right, holding serpent, and Asklepios standing facing, head left, leaning on serpent-entwined staff; between them, altar. SNG Copenhagen 54; BMC 47. Dark brown patina. Choice Very Fine. Estimated Value $250 - UP
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Unsold |
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Lot 132 |
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Diadumenian. Æ 21 mm (5.84 g), as Caesar, AD 217-218. Marcianopolis in Moesia Inferior. M OΠEΛΛIOC ANTΩNEINOC K, bare head of Diadumenian right. Reverse: MAPKIANO-ΠOΛEITΩN, Hygeia standing right, feeding from patera serpent held in her arms. Hristova & Jekov 6.25.21.1; Varbanov 1344. Dark brown patina. Very Fine. Estimated Value $200 - UP
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Realized
$216 |
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Lot 133 |
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Philip I. Æ 36 mm (19.57 g), AD 244-249. Ancyra in Phrygia. Zoilos, magistrate. AYT KM I(OVΛ) ΦIΛ-IΠΠOC AVΓ, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Philip I right. Reverse: EΠ Π APV ZΩIΛ–OV AP A TO B around and in field (ANΓ)KYPANΩ/N in two lines in exergue, Tyche standing right, holding scepter and pomegranate, facing Zeus standing left, holding anchor and scepter, between two trees and with eagle between them; in foreground, altar between two butting bulls. BMC 44; GIC 3918. Wonderful dark reddish-green patina. Magnificent and virtually as struck. Superb Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $2,500 - UP
Ex NAC 92/1 (23 May 2016), 649; NAC 78 (26 May 2014), 2377.
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Realized
$2,640 |
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Lot 134 |
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Maximinus II Daza, Gold Aureus (5.32g), AD 309-313. Minted at Antioch AD 311. MAXIMI NVS P F AVG. Laureate head of the ruler right. Reverse: SOLE IN VICTO. Sol raidate, standing wearing long dress and cloak, holding globe surmounted by Victory on her raised hand in greeting gesture; in exergue, SMAΣ, flanked by crescent and star. C-154; Calicó 5032; Depeyrot 29/3; RIC VI 160. Very rare. Nice bold strike and quite lustrous. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $10,000 - UP
Ex Hess Divo 338, lot 1116; CNG 90 (MBS), 2012, lot 1710.
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Lot 135 |
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Licinius I. Gold Aureus (5.29 g), AD 308-324. Nicomedia, AD 316. LICINIVS AVGVSTVS, Laureate bust of Licinius I facing right. Reverse: IOVI CONS-ERVATORI, Jupiter standing facing, head left, holding Victory on globe and scepter; at his feet to left, eagle standing left, head right, holding wreath in beak; SMN. RIC 11; Depeyrot 20/1; Calicó 5112. A boldly struck lustrous example. NGC grade AU; Strike: 5/5, Surface: 2/5. Edge filing, scratches. Estimated Value $2,500 - UP
Ex The William Oldknow Collection.
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Realized
$6,600 |
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Lot 136 |
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Constantine I. Gold Solidus (4.35 g), AD 307/10-337. Treveri, AD 317. CONSTAN-TINVS P F AVG, Laureate head of Constantine I right. Reverse: VICTORIA CONSTANTINI AVG, Victory, holding wreath and palm advancing right between two bound and seated captives; PTR. RIC 190; Bastien, Donativa p. 75f and note 6; Depeyrot 24/5. NGC grade AU; Strike: 5/5, Surface: 2/5. Edge filing, scratches. Estimated Value $2,000 - UP
Ex The William Oldknow Collection.
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Realized
$6,601 |
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Lot 137 |
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Constantine I. Gold Solidus (4.47 g), AD 307/10-337. Antioch, ca. AD 335/6. CONSTANTI-NVS MAX AVG, Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Constantine I right. Reverse: VICTORIA CO-NSTANTINI AVG, Victory advancing left, holding trophy and palm; in right field, VOT/XXX; SMAN. RIC 96; Depeyrot 46/1. NGC grade Ch XF; Strike: 5/5, Surface: 3/5. Graffito. (The mentioned "graffito" appears to be only a faint hairline on the neck or in the reverse field). Estimated Value $2,000 - UP
Ex The William Oldknow Collection.
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Realized
$8,100 |
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Lot 138 |
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Crispus. Gold Solidus (4.41 g), Caesar, AD 317-326. Sirmium, AD 323. FL IVL CRIS-PVS NOB CAES, laureate and bare bust of Crispus left, viewed from behind, holding spear pointing forward and shield. Reverse: CONCOR-D-IA AVGG NN, Concordia seated left on a backless throne, holding caduceus and cornucopiae; SIRM. RIC 39; Alföldi 17; Depeyrot 7/3. Very Rare and with a wonderful heroic bust. Some light scuffs, marks and burnished. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $5,000 - UP
Ex Helios 1 (17 April 2008), 577; NAC 24 (5 December 2002), 287; NAC 11 (29 April 1998), 548.
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Realized
$5,400 |
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Lot 139 |
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Jovian. Gold Solidus (4.35 g), AD 363-364. Antioch. D N IOVIANVS PE P AVG, diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Jovian right. Reverse: SECVRITA-S REI PVBLICAE, Roma enthroned facing, holding scepter, and Constantinopolis seated slightly left, resting foot on prow, supporting between them shield inscribed VOT/V/MVL/X in four lines; ANTA. RIC 223; Depeyrot 18/2. Very scarce. NGC grade Ch VF; Strike: 5/5, Surface: 2/5. Grafitti. Estimated Value $500 - UP
Ex The William Oldknow Collection.
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Realized
$840 |
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Lot 140 |
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Valentinian I. Gold Solidus (4.44 g), AD 364-375. Antioch, AD 366. D N VALENTINI-ANVS P F AVG, diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Valentinian I right. Reverse: RESTITVTOR REIPVBLICAE, emperor standing facing, head right, holding labarum with staurogram on banner and Victory on globe; .ANTΔ. RIC 2a.xxii (officina not recorded); Depeyrot 26/2. NGC grade VF; Strike: 5/5, Surface: 3/5. Edge crimp, light graffiti. Estimated Value $350 - UP
Ex The William Oldknow Collection.
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Realized
$870 |
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Lot 141 |
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Valens. Gold Solidus (4.45 g), AD 364-378. Arelate, AD 364-367. D N VALEN-S P F AVG, diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Valens right. Reverse: RESTITVTOR REIPVBLICÆ, emperor standing facing, head right, holding labarum and Victory on globe; KONS(TAN). RIC 1a.2; Depeyrot 14/1. Lustrous. Beautiful style. Nearly Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $800 - UP
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Realized
$1,260 |
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Lot 142 |
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Theodosius I. Gold Solidus (4.30 g), AD 379-395. Sirmium, AD 393-395. D N THEODO-SIVS P F AVG, diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Theodosius I right. Reverse: VICTORI-A AVGGG, emperor standing right, holding labarum and Victory on globe, spurning captive with foot; S-M/H//COMOB. RIC IX 15a.8; Depeyrot 31/5. NGC grade XF; Strike: 5/5, Surface: 3/5. Ex jewelry. Estimated Value $450 - UP
Ex The William Oldknow Collection.
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Realized
$1,050 |
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Lot 143 |
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Arcadius. Gold Solidus (4.41 g), AD 383-408. Constantinople, AD 395-402. D N ARCADI-VS P F AVG, diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust of Arcadius facing slightly right, holding spear over shoulder and shield with horseman spearing enemy. Reverse: CONCORDI-A AVGG, Constantinopolis seated facing, head right, foot on prow, holding scepter and Victory on globe; B//CONOB. RIC 7; Depeyrot 55/1. Nice frosty mint luster still intact. NGC grade MS; Strike: 5/5, Surface: 3/5. Estimated Value $600 - UP
Ex The William Oldknow Collection.
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Realized
$1,200 |
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Lot 144 |
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Honorius. Gold Solidus (4.44 g), AD 393-423. Ravenna, AD 402-408. D N HONORI-VS P F AVG, diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Honorius right. Reverse: VICTORI-A AVGGG, emperor standing right, holding labarum and Victory on globe, spurning captive with foot; R-V//COMOB. RIC 1287; Depeyrot 7/1. A lovely lustrous example. NGC grade AU; Strike: 4/5, Surface: 4/5. Estimated Value $500 - UP
Ex The William Oldknow Collection.
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Realized
$1,110 |
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Lot 145 |
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Honorius. Gold Solidus (4.42 g), AD 393-423. Constantinople, AD 420. D N HONORI-VS P F AVG, diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust of Honorius facing slightly right, holding spear over shoulder and shield with horseman spearing enemy. Reverse: VOT XX MVLT XXX, Victory standing left, holding long jewelled cross. RIC 218; Depeyrot 74/1. NGC grade Ch VF; Strike: 5/5, Surface: 2/5. Edge filing, graffito. Estimated Value $400 - UP
Ex The William Oldknow Collection.
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Realized
$552 |
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Lot 146 |
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Constantine III. Gold Solidus (4.46 g), AD 407-411. Lugdunum, AD 408-411. D N CONSTAN-TINVS P F AVG, diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Constantine III right. Reverse: VICTORIA AA AVGGGG, emperor standing right, holding standard and Victory on globe, spurning captive on ground below with foot; L-D//COMOB. RIC 1506; Lacam 3c; Depeyrot 21/2. A wonderful lustrous example. NGC grade Ch AU; Strike: 5/5, Surface: 3/5. Edge scuff, crimped. Estimated Value $2,000 - UP
Constantine III, a soldier about whom we know very little, was proclaimed emperor in Britain in 407 and soon invaded the mainland, eventually occupying all of Gaul and Spain. His authority was opposed by Honorius, the western Roman emperor, who first sent his general Sarus to oppose him, whom Constantine defeated. Although his subjects liked him - he had restored order after fending off barbarian incursions from across the Rhine frontier - his reign was not destined to last. First, Britain rose in revolt, then his magister militum Gerontius, who had been sent to Spain to quell a revolt there, likewise revolted. Finally, in 411 Honorius sent the general Constantius against him, and Constantine's forces were defeated. The usurper surrendered to Constantius but the latter had him executed regardless.
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Realized
$9,600 |
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Lot 147 |
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Constantine III. Silver Siliqua (1.47 g), AD 407-411. Treveri. D N CONSTAN-TINVS P F AVG, diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Constantine III right. Reverse: VICTORI-A AAVGGG, Roma seated left on cuirass, holding Victory on globe and reversed spear; TRMS. RIC 1533; RSC 4a. Beautiful iridescent toning. Minor flan crack at 6 o'clock. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $600 - UP
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Realized
$990 |
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Lot 148 |
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Galla Placidia. Gold Tremissis (1.45 g), Augusta, AD 421-450. Rome or Ravenna, ca. 440-450. D N GALLA PLA-CIDIA P F AVG, diademed and draped bust of Galla Placidia right, with cross on shoulder. Reverse: Christogram within wreath; COMOB. Cf. RIC 2066 (cross within wreath); Depeyrot (Rome) 47/12. Extremely Rare. NGC grade Ch XF; Strike: 4/5, Surface: 4/5. Slightly wavy, light scuff. Estimated Value $1,000 - UP
Galla Placidia was a daughter of Theodosius I and half-sister of the emperors Arcadius and Honorius. In 410 she was taken hostage by the Goths and subsequently married to the Gothic king Ataulf. After his death, she was released back to the Romans in exchange for 600,000 modii of wheat. She subsequently married the Roman general Constantius, who in 421 became emperor. Her son, Valentinian III, ascended the western throne in 425, and as he was very young she led the affairs of state for more than a decade. This variety of Galla Placidia's tremisses, with a Christogram in wreath as opposed to a cross, is not recorded in RIC. RIC 1343 does have a Christogram but is of much finer style and lacks the cross seen here on Placidia's shoulder. However, several examples of this type have appeared on the market, and it is recorded in Depeyrot (27 examples).
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Realized
$2,160 |
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Lot 149 |
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Johannes. Gold Solidus (4.47 g), AD 423-425. Ravenna. D N IOHAN-NES P F AVG, diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Johannes right. Reverse: VICTORI-A AVGGG, emperor standing right, holding labarum and Victory on globe, spurning captive with foot; R-V//COMOB. RIC 1901; Depeyrot 12/1. Extremely Rare. NGC grade XF; Strike: 4/5, Surface: 3/5. Flan flaw, edge bend. Estimated Value $2,500 - UP
Johannes was one of many ephemeral emperors of the Western Roman Empire. After Honorius' death in 423, the throne of the West remained vacant for three months. Honorius died childless, and his heir, the eastern emperor Theodosius II, either decided to rule a reunited Roman Empire from Constantinople or simply hesitated to nominate a successor to the throne as there was no suitable candidate. In the absence of a decision from Constantinople, Honorius's patrician, Castinus, elevated the civil servant Johannes to the throne. Johannes tried unsuccessfully to gain recognition from Theodosius, who in the meantime had elevated Valentinian III to the western throne, and when his efforts failed he knew that war was inevitable. He sent Aetius to seek an alliance with the Huns, but before there was an agreement the eastern troops marched, soon taking Ravenna where Johannes was overthrown after a reign of less than two years. In order to humiliate him his hand was amputated and he was paraded on the back of a donkey before a jeering populace, before finally being decapitated.
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Realized
$5,520 |
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Lot 150 |
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Aelia Eudocia. Gold Tremissis (1.51 g), Augusta, AD 423-460. Constantinople, under Theodosius II, ca. AD 440-445. AEL EVDO-CIA AVG, diademed and draped bust of Aelia Eudocia right. Reverse: Cross within wreath; CONOB*. RIC 335; Depeyrot 72/2. Sharply struck and well defined. Very Rare. NGC grade MS; Strike: 5/5, Surface: 4/5. Light scuff. Estimated Value $750 - UP
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Realized
$1,500 |
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Lot 151 |
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Aelia Pulcheria. Gold Solidus (4.26 g), Augusta, AD 414-453. Constantinople, under Marcian, AD 450-457. AEL PVLCH-ERIA AVG, diademed and draped bust of Pulcheria right; above, manus Dei crowning her with wreath. Reverse: VICTORI-A AVGGG, Victory standing left, holding long jewelled cross; in right field, star; CONOB. RIC 512; Depeyrot 87/3. NGC grade XF; Strike: 5/5, Surface: 2/5. Bent, plugged. Estimated Value $750 - UP
Aelia Pulcheria was the daughter of Arcadius and older sister of Theodosius II. When their father died in AD 408 and the young Theodosius II became the new emperor of the embattled eastern half of the Roman Empire, Pulcheria assumed the role of her brother's protector. When the Senate voted her the title of Augusta (Empress) in AD 414, she used this newfound legitimacy to take over the regency for Theodosius II, which had been managed previously by the praetorian prefects. Pulcheria aimed at being the real power in the Empire and declared her intention to remain a virgin and never marry as a means of avoiding male control. In contrast, her brother was easily dominated, and Pulcheria taught him to be an emperor in keeping with her own image of the office. Under her guidance, Theodosius II successfully warred against the Sasanian Persians in AD 421 and intervened in the Western Roman Empire, placing their nephew, Valentinian III, on the throne in AD 425. Pulcheria even engineered the disgrace and exile of Theodosius' wife, Aelia Eudocia, to remove her competing influence over the emperor. When Theodosius II died unexpectedly in a riding accident in AD 450, Pulcheria took power in her own right. However, her sole reign was very brief as she was finally forced to take the lowborn Marcian as her husband. She died three years later, still Augusta and still a virgin.
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Realized
$1,500 |
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Lot 152 |
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Valentinian III. Gold Solidus (4.47 g), AD 425-455. Ravenna, ca. AD 426-455. D N PLA VALENTI-NIANVS P F AVG, rosette-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Valentinian III right. Reverse: VICTORI-A AVGGG, emperor standing facing, holding long cross and Victory on globe, resting foot on human-headed coiled serpent; R-V//COMOB. RIC 2010; Depeyrot 17/1. NGC grade AU; Strike: 5/5, Surface: 5/5. Estimated Value $750 - UP
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Realized
$1,680 |
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Lot 153 |
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Marcian. Gold Solidus (4.48 g), AD 450-457. Constantinople. D N MARCIA-NVS P F AVG, diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust of Marcian facing slightly right, holding spear over shoulder and shield with horseman spearing a fallen enemy. Reverse: VICTORI-A AVGGG, Victory standing left, holding long jeweled cross; in right field, star; B//CONOB. RIC 510; Depeyrot 87/1. NGC grade XF; Strike: 4/5, Surface: 3/5. Edge bend, graffito. Estimated Value $450 - UP
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Realized
$720 |
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Lot 154 |
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Majorian. Gold Solidus (4.35 g), AD 457-461. Arelate. D N IVLIVS MAIO-RIANVS P F AVG, Diademed, helmeted, and cuirassed bust of Majorian right, holding spear forward and shield decorated with Christogram. Reverse: VICTORI-A AVGGG, emperor standing facing, resting foot on human-headed serpent, holding long cross and Victory on globe; A-R//COMOB. RIC 2629; Lacam -; Depeyrot 25/4. Extremely Rare - Lacam knew of no examples of this variety and Depeyrot recorded just two examples. Boldly struck and well centered. NGC grade Ch VF; Strike: 4/5, Surface: 4/5. Estimated Value $3,500 - UP
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Realized
$11,400 |
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Lot 155 |
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Majorian. Gold Tremissis (1.40 g), AD 457-461. Ravenna. D N IVL MAIORIANVS P F AVG, diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Majorian right. Reverse: Cross within wreath; COMOB. RIC X 2610; Lacam 42; Depeyrot 23/2. Very Rare. Boldly struck and perfectly centered with full legends. A lustrous specimen that shows a tiny mark at 12 o'clock. NGC grade AU; Strike: 4/5, Surface: 2/5. Ex jewelry. Estimated Value $1,000 - UP
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Realized
$1,800 |
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Lot 156 |
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Anthemius. Gold Solidus (4.02 g), AD 467-472. Rome. D N ANTHE-MIVS P F AG, diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust of Anthemius facing slightly right, holding spear over shoulder and shield on back. Reverse: SALVS R-EIP-VBLICAE, Anthemius and Leo, in military attire standing facing, holding spears and supporting between them a globus cruciger; in central field, ROMA monogram; COMOB. RIC 2835; Lacam 33; Depeyrot 69/1. Very Rare. NGC grade XF; Strike: 4/5, Surface: 3/5. Edge marks. Estimated Value $1,500 - UP
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Realized
$3,000 |
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