Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 136

Pre-Long Beach Auction

City Coins of Israel

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 189		City Coinage. Aelia Capitolina (Jerusalem) under Macrinus, 217-218 CE. Billon Tetradrachm (13.37 g). Laureate, cuirassed and draped bust right of Macrinus. Reverse: Eagle to front, head left and wings spread on thyrsos; between legs, wine amphora; in exergue, bunch of grapes. Prieur 1640 var. (obverse variant) and 1641 (obverse legend variant); cf. Meshorer 96. Rare. Very Fine. Estimated Value $1,000 - UP When the Prieurs compiled their exhaustive reference (published in 2000), only 21 examples were known of all variants minted by Macrinus in Jerusalem. Goldberg's Auction 63, lot 2497 The Peh Family Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $930
Lot 190		City Coins of Judaea. Gadara. Commodus. Æ Medallion 34mm (24.90 g), AD 177-192. CY 243 (AD 179/80). [AVT K ?] AVP KOM[MO?ON], laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Commodus right. Reverse: ?OM?/HIE?N/GA?APE?N in three lines above, galley with rowers and helmsman left; above, date (ET GMC). Spijkerman 66; Rosenberger 61; Sofaer 66; RPC IV online temp. 6689. Hard apple-green patina. Very Rare. Very Fine. Estimated Value $1,500 - UP From the Dr. Patrick Tan Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,140
Lot 191		City Coins of Judaea. Gadara. Gordian III. Æ 26 (12.91 g), AD 238-244. CY 303 (AD 239/40). Laureate and cuirassed bust of Gordian III right. Reverse Galley left with captain, seven oarsmen, and steersman on deck; in exergue, date (ΓT). Spijkerman 93; Rosenberger 90. Light green patina. Choice Very Fine. Estimated Value $300 - UP From the Dr. Patrick Tan Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $180
Lot 192		City Coins of Judaea. Medaba. Elagabalus AE 15, AD 218-222. Radiate head of Elagabalus right. Reverse Tyche seated facing, foot on prow, holding scepter and uncertain object. Spijkerman 11; Rosenberger 11. Rare. Earthen-green patina. Very Fine. Estimated Value $200 - UP From the Dr. Patrick Tan Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $240
Lot 193		City Coins of Judaea. Neapolis, Domitian. Æ 27 (16.91 g), AD 81-96. CY 11 (AD 82/3). AYTOK ΔOMI-[TIANOΣ KAIΣAP] ΣEBAΣTOΣ, laureate head of Domitian right. Reverse ΦΛAOYI/NEAΠOΛI/Σ [AMAPE/L AI] in four lines within wreath. Rosenberger 1; RPC 2218. Rare. Earthen dark-green patina. Choice Very Fine. Estimated Value $350 - UP From the Dr. Patrick Tan Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $180
Lot 194		Nabataean Kingdom. Rabbel II, 70-106 CE. AR Drachm (3.74 g) dated year 1 (70/1 CE). Laureate bust right of Rabbel II. Reverse: Laureate bust right of Shuqailat. Meshorer (Qedem 3) 142. Rare. Double-struck, causing portions of the inscriptions to be difficult to decipher. Remarkably fine portraits; Choice Very Fine. Estimated Value $500 - UP Shuqailat was the mother of Rabbel II and used the title "Queen [of the Nabataeans]" on coinage. The mint place is likely Petra for this fascinating and historically important kingdom. Goldberg's Auction 59, lot 2231 The Peh Family Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $630
Lot 195		Persia, Alexandrine Empire. Mazaios. Gold Double Daric (17.11 g), Satrap of Babylon, 331-328 BC. Baaltars seated left on a backless throne, his head and torso facing, holding eagle, grain ear, grape bunch on vine and long scepter. Reverse: Lion attacking bull left; all within a linear square border. F. Holt & O. Bopearachchi note 106, figs. 51-2 var. = Miho Museum, Treasures of Ancient Bactria, 2002, 44 a-b var.; Triton X 412 (same dies). Very Rare. Very Fine. Estimated Value $12,500 - UP Copying the types of Mazaios' silver staters from Cilicia but lacking the corresponding legends and monograms, this very rare double daric was unknown until recently, when two examples were discovered in the Mir Zakah II deposit. Since then, several further examples have come to light. Originally, some doubt arose concerning the authenticity of these coins, but that has completely faded away. These coins are undoubtedly genuine: their technique, their dies, and their similarity to Mazaios running-king double darics is precise and perfectly in line. In 361, Mazaios was made satrap of Cilicia by Darios III, the Persian king. When Alexander the Great conquered the region in 331 BC, Mazaios at first fought valiantly to preserve the Persian Empire, but when he recognized that all hope was lost, he threw in his lot with the Macedonians, surrendering Babylon to the invaders. As reward, Alexander employed Mazaios as governor, a position he held until his death in 328 BC. Babylon became a principal mint under the Macedonian conquerers, striking both regular 'imperial' coinage and a issues of a local nature, such as the present double daric. The latter was issued without any legend, seemingly copying the standard of Mazaios' double darics depicting the running king type. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $18,600
Lot 196		Parthian Kingdom. Mithradates II. Silver Drachm (3.97 g), ca. 123-88 BC. Rhagai. Diademed and draped bust of Mithradates II left; neck torque ends in sea-horse. Reverse: Archer seated right, holding bow; arm ends in pellet below seat. Sellwood 27.1; Shore 85. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $300 - UP View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 197		Parthian Kingdom. Gotarzes I. Silver Drachm (4.05 g), ca. 95-90 BC. Rhagai. Diademed and draped bust left, wearing tiara decorated with horn. Reverse: Archer seated right, holding bow. Sellwood 33.3; Shore 112. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $250 - UP View details and enlarged photos	Realized $180
Lot 198		Parthian Kingdom. Mithradates III. Silver Drachm (4.26 g), 87-80 BC. Rhagai. Bust of Mithradates III left, wearing tiara decorated with eight-pointed star. Reverse: Archer seated right on throne, holding bow. Sellwood 31.6 (Orodes I); cf. Shore 123 (Orodes I). Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $250 - UP View details and enlarged photos	Realized $180
Lot 199		Parthian Kingdom. Vologases I. Silver Drachm (2.86 g), second reign, ca. AD 58-77. Ekbatana. Diademed bust of Vologases I left, with tapering square cut beard and wart on forehead. Reverse. Archer seated right on throne, holding bow; monogram below bow. Sellwood 70.13; Shore 373; cf. Sunrise 424. Incredibly full flan. NGC grade MS; Strike: 5/5, Surface: 3/5. Estimated Value $300 - UP From the Dr. Patrick Tan Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $216
Lot 200		Parthian Kingdom. Orodes II. Silver Drachm (3.97 g), 57-38 BC. Ekbatana. Diademed bust of Orodes II left, wart on forehead, neck torque ends in upward curve; star before, crescent above star behind. Reverse: Archer seated right on throne, holding bow; anchor behind, monogram below bow. Sellwood 48.6; Shore 258. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $250 - UP View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 201		Parthian Kingdom. Mithradates II, c. 123-88 BC. AR Tetradrachm (15.68 g), Seleucia on the Tigris mint, struck c. 119-109 BC. Diademed bust left of Mithradates II. Reverse: Archer seated right on omphalos; behind, monogram; upright palm to right of legend. Sellwood 24.5; Shore 68; Nicely centered and well struck up on spacious flan. Attractively toned. NGC graded About Uncirculated. Estimated Value $2,500 - UP The Parthians were the arch (or should we say archer?) enemies of Rome for several centuries. While the silver drachms are most often seen, tetradrachms and bronzes were also issued; there are no gold coins known of this kingdom, encompassing modern Iran and surrounding territories. Many different city-mints were employed, along with traveling military and court mints. Early silver tetradrachms were all very rare and generally in circulated condition until a sizable hoard was unearthed about 15 years ago. Today, this group has been dispersed throughout the world, and occurrences in the modern marketplace are seldom for these glorious, quasi-medallion, Hellenistic portrait coins. Ex Millennia Sale, lot 60 Goldberg's Auction 59, lot 2236 The Peh Family Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $4,200
Lot 202		Kingdom of Parthia. Phraataces, c. 2 BC - AD 4. AR Drachm (3.83 g) minted at Ecbatana. Diademed bust left of Phraataces; on either side, Nike crowning king. Reverse: Crowned bust left of Queen Musa; under chin, mint monogram. Sellwood 58/9. We note some faint hairlines in fields; rare. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $4,000 - UP This coin type numismatically signals the rise of an Italian slave girl, Musa, to Queen of the Parthians. Along the way, she married Phraates IV, mothered Phraataces ("little Phraates"), had Phraates IV poisoned, then married her own son, Phraataces. There are few historical figures such as Musa; her coins are very rare and coveted. Goldberg's Auction 63, lot 2500 The Peh Family Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 203		Kingdom of Parthia. Parthamaspates, c. AD 116. AR Drachm (3.71 g) minted at Ecbatana. Bust left of Parthamaspates wearing decorated tiara. Reverse: Archer seated right, holding bow. Sellwood 81/1. Light hoard toning remaining. Superb Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $500 - UP The Roman emperor Trajan promoted Parthamaspates, great-nephew of Osroes I, to the Parthian throne. The coins of the puppet king Parthamaspates can be easily identified by his long moustache. Although his reign was short (about a year), there was a large hoard of his coins found in the late 1960s. At the time, the drachms, all of which were VF+ to Mint State, retailed around $150. About the time these were found, another large group of drachms was found, those of Arsakes I and II. These early coins were much more expensive, especially the relatively few which included "Autokrator" on the reverse (Sellwood 1/1). This hoard is partially documented in the 1971 Numismatic Chronicle article, "A Hoard of early Parthian drachms" by M. Abgarians and David Sellwood. Goldberg's Auction 63, lot 2501 The Peh Family Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $312
Lot 204		Kingdom of Sasania. Artashir I, c. AD 224-242. AR Drachm (4.32 g). Crowned bust right of Artashir I. Reverse: Fire altar with ribbons, no attendants. Sellwood 10; Göbl 10; Saeedi 69. Toned Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $600 - UP The Sasanians were the first to mint large-diameter coins that were also thin. Goldberg's Auction 63, lot 2502 The Peh Family Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $720
Lot 205		Kingdom of Sasania. Artashir I, c. AD 224-242. AR Hemidrachm (1.76 g). Crowned bust facing of Artashir I. Reverse: Diademed and helmeted bust left of Papak. Sellwood 2; Göbl 2. Rare Nicely toned. Excellent details. Choice Very Fine. Estimated Value $500 - UP Very rare frontal portrait type of this first "King of Kings." Papak was the father of Artashir I. Goldberg's Auction 63, lot 2503 The Peh Family Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $750
Lot 206		Kingdom of Sasania. Artashir I, c. AD 224-242. AR Obol (0.63 g). Crowned bust right of Artashir I. Reverse: Fire altar with ribbons, no attendants. Sellwood --; Göbl 5; Paruck 53. Very rare. Superb Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $700 - UP Most unearthed obols are porous; this is a happy exception! It was likely part of a ceremonial or largesse issue, yet the obol as a denomination did have a place in the agora. Goldberg's Auction 63, lot 2504 The Peh Family Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,320
Lot 207		Sasanian Kingdom. Shapur I. Gold Dinar (7.46 g), AD 240-272. Mint I ('Ctesiphon'), phase 2, ca. AD 260-272. Bust of Shapur I right, wearing diadem and mural crown with korymbos. Reverse: Fire flanked by two attendants, each wearing mural crown with ribbons and korymbos and holding staff surmounted by pellet-in-crescent; two pellets above. SNS type Iic/1b, style P; Göbl type I/1. Full legends and lustrous. Superb Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $3,500 - UP View details and enlarged photos	Realized $4,200
Lot 208		Sasanian Kingdom. Shapur I. Silver Drachm (9.29 g), AD 240-272. Mint I ("Ctesiphon"), phase 2, ca. AD 260-272. Bust of Shapur I right, wearing diadem and mural crown with korymbos. Reverse: Fire altar; flanked by two attendants wearing diadems and mural crowns; symbol to right of flames. SNS type Iic/1b; Göbl type I/1. Overcleaned. Sharpness of Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $250 - UP View details and enlarged photos	Realized $192
Lot 209		Sasanian Kingdom. Varhran II, AD 274-293. AR Drachm (4.13 g). Busts right of King and Queen facing the Prince. Reverse: Fire altar with flames; Varhran II and Mithra on either side. Sellwood 23; Göbl plate 4, 64. A bit porous with a uniform light violet tone. Extremely Fine on a fully round, large flan. Estimated Value $500 - UP One of the most attractive types struck by the successors of the Parthians. Goldberg's Auction 59, lot 2241 The Peh Family Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $600
Lot 210		Kingdom of Sasania. Varhran II, c. AD 274-293. AR Drachm (4.01 g). Crowned jugate busts right of Varhran II and his queen; crowned smaller bust of prince left, vis-à-vis. Reverse: Fire altar with kings as attendants. Sellwood 23; Göbl 64. Toned Very Fine to Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $750 - UP There are few coins depicting so many portraits as this drachm of the Zoroastrian kingdom of the Sasanids. Goldberg's Auction 63, lot 2505 The Peh Family Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $875
Lot 211		Elymaian Kingdom. Kamnaskires III, with Anzaze. Silver Tetradrachm (16.10 g), ca. 82/1-73/2 BC. Seleukeia on the Hedyphon, uncertain date. Conjoined busts of Kamnaskires III and Anzaze left; behind, monogram above anchor symbol. Reverse: Belos seated left, holding Nike and scepter; in exergue, date (off flan). Cf. Haaff 7.1, subtype 1.6 (no date). Cleaned and toned. We note some damage on the reverse rim. Extremely Fine / Very Fine. Estimated Value $400 - UP View details and enlarged photos	Realized $408
Lot 212		Kingdom of Persis. Bagadat. Silver Tetradrachm (16.94 g), early 3rd century BC. Persepolis. Head right, with short beard, moustache, and earring, wearing kyrbasia with flaps tied behind. Reverse: King seated left, wearing long cloak and kyrbasia, holding scepter and cup; standard to inner left. Klose & Müseler 2/1; Alram 511; Sunrise 557. Rare. Boldly struck on an oblong flan. Lightly toned and with a fantastic portrait! Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $7,500 - UP Bagadat was either the third or fourth frataraka (governor) of Persis under the far-away Seleukid Kingdom. Persis, once a political and cultural center of the Achaemenid Empire, by this time had become little more than a remote outpost of the Seleukid Kingdom, the political and cultural epicenter having moved further northwest to Mesopotamia and Media.Perhaps indicative of the loose control from the central Seleukid authorities, here Bagadat is depicted on the obverse of this coin in traditional Achaemenid style, wearing a kyrbasia, a type of headgear worn by Achaemenid satraps, and a short beard and moustache, neither of which at this time were typically worn by Greek Hellenistic rulers. Additionally, on the reverse Bagadat is shown wearing traditional Persian garb and carrying a long scepter, all surrounded by a Persian (not Greek!) legend naming Bagadat as the "Governor of God." The types are reminiscent and likely inspired by earlier satrapal issues, thus indicating a very loose control of the region of Persis from the Seleukid overlords. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $6,900
Lot 213		Baktrian Kingdom. Euthydemos I. Silver Tetradrachm (15.93 g), ca. 230-200 BC. Mint A (near Aï Khanoum), ca. 220/215-210/208 BC. Diademed head of Euthydemos I right. Reverse: BAΣIΛEΩΣ EYΘYΔHMOY, Herakles seated left on rock, holding club set on rocks; to inner right, monogram; in exergue, N. Bopearachchi 5D; Kritt A11; SNG ANS 128-9; HGC 12, 40. Overcleaned. Sharpness of Extremely Fine or better. Estimated Value $500 - UP View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 214		Baktrian Kingdom. Eukratides I. Silver Drachm (3.41 g), ca. 171-145 BC. Ancient imitation. Diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust of Eukratides I right, wearing crested helmet adorned with bull's horn and ear. Reverse: BAΣIΛEΩΣ MEΓY above, EYKPΔTΛ in exergue, the Dioskouroi, holding palm branches and spears, on horses rearing right; to lower right, monogram. Bopearachchi type 7, but unlisted control for drachms; SNG ANS -; cf. HGC 12, 136. Rare imitation. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $1,000 - UP View details and enlarged photos	Realized $600
Lot 215		Baktrian Kingdom. Heliokles I. Silver Tetradrachm (14.60 g), ca. 145-130 BC. Diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust of Heliokles I right, wearing crested helmet covered with pelt of scales and adorned with head of Gorgon and wing. Reverse: BAΣIΛEΩΣ HΛIOKΛEOYΣ ΔIKAIOY, Zeus enthroned left, holding Nike and scepter; to inner left, M. Bopearachchi 3A; SNG ANS -; HGC 12, 170. Untoned, and with luster present. Superb Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $4,000 - UP Virtually nothing is known of the Baktrian king Heliokles I except that he was a brother of Eukratides I, who was murdered by his own son, Eukratides II. The legends on his coins proclaim him as King Heliokles the Just, which may refer to some role he played in avenging his brother. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $6,300
Lot 216		Baktrian Kingdom. Heliokles I. Silver Drachm (3.55 g), ca. 145-130 BC. Diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust of Heliokles I right, wearing crested helmet covered with pelt of scales and adorned with head of Gorgon and wing. Reverse: BAΣIΛEΩΣ HΛIOKΛEOYΣ ΔIKAIOY, Zeus enthroned left, holding Nike and scepter; to inner left, M. Bopearachchi 4; SNG ANS -; HGC 12, 172. Rare. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $2,000 - UP Like the tetradrachm of Heliokles in this sale, this drachm also depicts the king wearing a crested helmet adorned with the head and scales of the Gorgon. Heliokles' coins typically show the king diademed. His helmeted issues are considerably more rare and desirable, especially when in high grade as is the present specimen. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,800
Lot 217		Baktrian Kingdom. Eukratides II. Silver Tetradrachm (16.88 g), ca. 145-140 BC. Diademed and draped bust of Eukratides II right. Reverse: BAΣIΛEΩΣ EYKPATIΔOY, Apollo standing facing, head left, holding arrow and bow; in inner left field, monogram. Bopearachchi 1H; SNG ANS 619-23; HGC 12, 161. A small area of weakness on Eukratides' nose. Untoned. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $750 - UP View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,080