Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 41

Pre-Long Beach Coin and Currency Auction

The Alan Levin Collection-Bar Kokhba War

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 2528		AR Tetradrachm (14.07g) dated year One (132/3 C.E.). . Hen-674. . TJC 218. Mild. 3. Tetrastyle façade of the Temple of Jerusalem; within the middle of the Temple interior, the Ark of the Covenant in chest form. Reverse: Lulav thrice bound; to left, etrog. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $35,000 - 45,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $55,200
Lot 2529		AR tetradrachm (13.83g) dated year One (132/3 C.E.). . Hen-674var. . Cf. Mild 5. Tetrastyle façade of the Temple of Jerusalem; within the middle of the Temple interior, the Ark of the Covenant in chest form. Reverse: Lulav thrice bound; to left, etrog. Multiple strike; Very Good to Fine. This piece seems to give every numismatist who has studied it a different view on its origin. It was sold to the consignor as a barbaric tetradrachm of year One, though no known barbaric tetradrachms had been previously discovered of this first year. The so-called "barbaric" issues are believed to have been struck by a moving military mint, which accounts for their crudeness and hurried production. As we know, all Bar Kokhba coinage, whether of silver or bronze, was restruck over host coins then in circulation. This is no exception, and the metal appears ancient. A certificate of authenticity accompanies this lot, suggesting that it is not barbaric in nature, but in fact a regular year One tetradrachm of the main mint (cf. Mildenberg obverse die 1). Individual examination is suggested of this enigmatic piece, and copies of Mr. Kovacs' certificate are available to interested parties. Estimated Value $12,000 - 15,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $8,625
Lot 2530		Large Bronze (33mm, 18.89g) dated year One (132/3 C.E.). . Hen-676. . AJC 4a. Mild 15 [1 specimen cited]. Inscription within wreath. Reverse: Amphora with fluted body. Dark green patina; Nearly Extremely Fine. This is a newly found example of this die combination, in a much higher grade than the British Museum coin quoted in the Mildenberg corpus. Estimated Value $17,500 - 25,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $29,900
Lot 2531		Large Bronze (30mm, 15.27g) dated year One (132/3 C.E.). . Hen-676. . AJC 4. Mild 12 [13 specimens cited, this coin being #3]. Inscription within wreath. Reverse: Amphora with fluted body. Dark green patina; Choice Very Fine. Estimated Value $9,500 - 12,500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $14,375
Lot 2532		Large Bronze (28mm, 18.77g) dated year One (132/3 C.E.). . Hen-677. . AJC 3. Mild 10 [27 specimens cited]. Inscription within wreath. Reverse: Amphora with fluted body. Dark green patina; Very Fine. Estimated Value $10,000 - 12,500. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 2533		Large Bronze (28mm, 20.97g) dated year One (132/3 C.E.). . Hen-677. . AJC 3. Mild 7 [5 specimens cited]. Inscription within wreath. Reverse: Amphora with fluted body. Dark green patina; Very Fine to Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $6,000 - 9,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $10,925
Lot 2534		Medium Bronze (23mm) dated year One (132/3 C.E.). . Hen-678. . AJC 40. Mild 47 [10 examples cited]. Three-lobed vine leaf. Reverse: Palm tree with seven branches. Choice Very Fine. There is only one die pairing known of this greatly underrated coin type. It combines an obverse die inscribed "Year One of the Redemption of Israel" with a reverse "Shim" die which was utilized on later production. Estimated Value $700 - 1,100. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $403
Lot 2535		Medium Bronze (24mm) dated year One (132/3 C.E.). . Hen-678. . Mesh1 170a. Mild 42 [large issue]. Three-lobed vine leaf. Reverse: Palm tree with seven branches. Surfaces reworked; Details of Very Fine. Estimated Value $500 - 750. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $299
Lot 2536		Medium Bronze (23mm) dated year One (132/3 C.E.). . Hen-678. . AJC 5. Mild 45 [large issue]. Three-lobed vine leaf. Reverse: Palm tree with seven branches. Very Fine to Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $500 - 700. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $288
Lot 2537		Medium Bronze (26mm) dated year One (132/3 C.E.). . Hen-678. . AJC 5. Mild 46 [large issue]. Three-lobed vine leaf. Reverse: Palm tree with seven branches. Choice Very Fine. Estimated Value $500 - 700. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $345
Lot 2538		Medium Bronze (23mm) dated year One (132/3 C.E.). . Hen-680. . AJC 6a. Mild 23 [23 examples cited]. Upright palm branch within laurel wreath. Reverse: Chelys-lyre with six strings. Nearly Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $604
Lot 2539		Medium Bronze (22mm) dated year One (132/3 C.E.). . Hen-680. . AJC 6c. Mild 26 [31 examples cited]. Upright palm branch within laurel wreath. Reverse: Chelys-lyre with five strings. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $850 - 1,350. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $810
Lot 2540		Medium Bronze (22mm) dated year One (132/3 C.E.). . Hen-680. . AJC 6e. Mild 25 [only 4 examples cited]. Upright palm branch within laurel wreath. Reverse: Chelys-lyre with six strings. Nearly Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $750 - 1,150. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $690
Lot 2541		Medium Bronze (22mm) dated year One (132/3 C.E.). . Hen-680. . AJC 6e. Mild 24 [16 examples cited]. Upright palm branch within laurel wreath. Reverse: Chelys-lyre with four strings. Mostly unpatinated; Very Fine. Estimated Value $600 - 800. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $506
Lot 2542		Medium Bronze (24 mm) dated year One (132/3 C.E.). . Hen-680. . AJC 6e. Mild 24 [16 examples cited]. Upright palm branch within laurel wreath. Reverse: Chelys-lyre with four strings. Encrusted; Fine to Very Fine. Estimated Value $250 - 350. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $253
Lot 2543		Small Bronze (20mm) dated year One (132/3 C.E.). . Hen-681 (this coin ill.). . AJC 10. Mild 151 [16 examples cited]. Triform bunch of grapes. Reverse: Palm tree with seven branches. Unusually large flan; Very Fine. This is another underrated rarity of the Bar Kokhba series, with only one die pairing published by my mentor, Dr. Leo Mildenberg. The obverse again uses the first die, which was also used for silver denar production, coupled with a year 2 "Jerusalem" reverse. Estimated Value $1,500 - 2,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,320
Lot 2544		Small Bronze (18mm) dated year One (132/3 C.E.). . Hen-681. . AJC 7. Mild 150 [mass issue]. Triform bunch of grapes. Reverse: Palm tree with seven branches. Repatinated; Very Fine to Extremely Fine. The center of the reverse displays a counterstamp of an oared galley to right, commonly used by the Roman 10th Legion. Very rare and important. Estimated Value $1,200 - 1,600. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $690
Lot 2545		Small Bronze (19mm) dated year One (132/3 C.E.). . Hen-681. . AJC 8. Mild 147 [large issue]. Triform bunch of grapes. Reverse: Palm tree with seven branches. Lovely green patina; Extremely Fine. One of the few instances that the cataloguer knows of an ancient die being used for both silver and bronze coin production. This obverse die (Mildenberg obv. 1) was utilized both for the first die pairing of the silver denars and for five die pairings of the small bronzes. It is much more common to find Roman gold aureus dies having been used for silver denarii. Estimated Value $700 - 1,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $552
Lot 2546		Small Bronze (17mm) dated year One (132/3 C.E.). . Hen-681. . AJC 7. Mild 150 [mass issue]. Triform bunch of grapes. Reverse: Palm tree with seven branches. Repatinated; Nearly Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $500 - 700. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $460
Lot 2547		AR Denar (2.89g) dated year 1 and year 2 (133/4 C.E.). . Hen-683. . AJC 20. Mild 10 [15 examples cited]. Triform bunch of grapes. Reverse: Upright palm branch. Choice Very Fine. This is an example of a denar (or "zuz") bearing two different dates; both year 1 and year 2 legends appear on this coin. This is a true hybrid issue. Estimated Value $3,000 - 4,500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $3,565
Lot 2548		AR Denar (3.21g) of year 1 and year 2 (133/4 C.E.). . Hen-685. . AJC 17a. Mild 3 [23 examples cited]. Inscription within wreath. Reverse: One-handled jug right with palm branch to right. Well-centered and boldly struck; Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $3,500 - 4,500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $5,520
Lot 2549		AR Denar (2.79g) dated year 1 and year 2 (133/4 C.E.). . Hen-685. . AJC 17. Mild 8 [14 examples cited]. Inscription within wreath. Reverse: One-handled jug right with palm branch to right. Very Fine. Overstruck on a drachm of Trajan. Estimated Value $2,250 - 3,250. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,013
Lot 2550		AR Tetradrachm (14.32g) dated year 2 (133/4 C.E.). . Hen-686. . TJC 229. Mild 9 [10 examples cited, this coin being #1]. Tetrastyle façade of the Temple of Jerusalem; within the middle of the Temple interior, the Ark of the Covenant in chest form. Reverse: Lulav thrice bound; to left, etrog. Extremely Fine. Although a few references insist on calling this combination of dies a "hybrid" or "mule," it is simply a pairing of Mild. obverse 1 (which was used for year one production as well), with a year 2 reverse. Obverse dies, being the lower, more protected ones, lasted longer. This particular obverse die is known to have been paired with nine different reverse dies. The reverse dies took the "wham" of the striking hammer, and wore or broke much more quickly. Estimated Value $12,500 - 17,500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $12,075
Lot 2551		AR Tetradrachm (14.41g) dated year 2 (133/4 C.E.). . Hen-687. . AJC 12. Mild 10 [18 examples cited]. Tetrastyle façade of the Temple of Jerusalem; within the middle of the Temple interior, the Ark of the Covenant in chest form; above, cross. Reverse: Lulav thrice bound; to left, etrog. Natural striking crack Nearly Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $5,000 - 7,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $4,200
Lot 2552		AR Tetradrachm (13.94g) dated year 2 (133/4 C.E.). . Hen-687. . AJC 12a. Mild 11 [10 examples cited, this coin being #7]. Tetrastyle façade of the Temple of Jerusalem; within the middle of the Temple interior, the Ark of the Covenant in chest form; above, cross. Reverse: Lulav thrice bound; to left, etrog. Extremely Fine/Choice Very Fine. Estimated Value $5,000 - 7,000. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 2553		AR Tetradrachm (15.18g) dated year 2 (133/4 C.E.). . Hen-688a. . AJC 13b. Mild 15 [12 examples cited]. Tetrastyle façade of the Temple of Jerusalem; within the middle of the Temple interior, the Ark of the Covenant in chest form; above, cross. Reverse: Lulav thrice bound; to left, etrog. Sharply struck obverse; Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $3,250 - 4,250. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $3,720
Lot 2554		AR Tetradrachm (13.67g) dated year 2 (133/4 C.E.). . Hen-688. . AJC 13b. Mild 17 [32 examples cited, this coin being #30]. Tetrastyle façade of the Temple of Jerusalem; within the middle of the Temple interior, the Ark of the Covenant in chest form; above, cross. Reverse: Lulav thrice bound; to left, etrog. Nearly Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $3,000 - 4,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $3,565
Lot 2555		AR Tetradrachm (15.07g) dated year 2 (133/4 C.E.). . Hen-689. . AJC 16. Mild 36 [11 examples cited]. Tetrastyle façade of the Temple of Jerusalem; within the middle of the Temple interior, the Ark of the Covenant in chest form; above, rosette. Reverse: Lulav thrice bound; to left, etrog. Wonderfully detailed; Nearly Mint State. Estimated Value $4,250 - 6,250. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $3,840
Lot 2556		AR Tetradrachm (14.42g) dated year 2 (133/4 C.E.). . Hen-689. . AJC 16. Mild 38 [only 5 examples cited]. Tetrastyle façade of the Temple of Jerusalem; within the middle of the Temple interior, the Ark of the Covenant in chest form; above, rosette. Reverse: Lulav thrice bound; to left, etrog. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $3,500 - 4,500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $4,025
Lot 2557		AR Tetradrachm (14.58g) dated year 2 (133/4 C.E.). . Hen-689. . AJC 16. Mild 37 [26 examples cited]. Tetrastyle façade of the temple of Jerusalem; within the middle of the Temple interior, the Ark of the Covenant in chest form; above, rosette. Reverse: Lulav thrice bound; to left, etrog. Lustrous and unusually well-struck; Superb Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $3,250 - 4,250. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $3,450
Lot 2558		AR Tetradrachm (12.18g) dated year 2 (133/4 C.E.). . Hen-689. . AJC 16. Mild 43 [11 examples cited]. Tetrastyle façade of the Temple of Jerusalem; within the middle of the Temple interior, the Ark of the Covenant in chest form; above, rosette. Reverse: Lulav thrice bound; to left, etrog. Lustrous; Extremely Fine. With D. Sear certificate. Estimated Value $3,250 - 4,250. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $3,600
Lot 2559		AR Tetradrachm (14.06g) dated year 2 (133/4 C.E.). . Hen-689. . AJC 16. Mild 45 [only 8 examples cited]. Tetrastyle façade of the Temple of Jerusalem; within the middle of the Temple interior, the Ark of the Covenant in chest form; above, rosette. Reverse: Lulav thrice bound; to left, etrog. Lustrous Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $3,250 - 4,250. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,640
Lot 2560		AR Tetradrachm (15.37g) dated year 2 (133/4 C.E.). . Hen-689. . AJC 16. Mild 35 [14 examples cited, this coin being #3]. Tetrastyle façade of the Temple of Jerusalem; within the middle of the Temple interior, the Ark of the Covenant in chest form; above, rosette. Reverse: Lulav thrice bound; to left, etrog. Lustrous Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $3,000 - 4,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $4,600
Lot 2561		AR Tetradrachm (13.41g) dated year 2 (133/4 C.E.). . Hen-689. . AJC 16. Mild 40 [only 6 examples cited]. Tetrastyle façade of the Temple of Jerusalem; within the middle of the Temple interior, the Ark of the Covenant in chest form; above, rosette. Reverse: Lulav thrice bound; to left, etrog. Excellent detail; Extremely Fine. With D. Sear certificate. Estimated Value $3,000 - 4,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,880
Lot 2562		AR Tetradrachm (14.62g) dated year 2 (133/4 C.E.). . Hen-689. . AJC 16. Mild 31 [13 examples cited]. Tetrastyle façade of the Temple of Jerusalem; within the middle of the Temple interior, the Ark of the Covenant in chest form; above, rosette. Reverse: Lulav thrice bound; to left, etrog. Very Fine. Estimated Value $3,000 - 4,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,128
Lot 2563		AR Tetradrachm (10.91g) dated year 2 (133/4 C.E.). . Hen-689. . TJC 233a. Mild 28. Tetrastyle façade of the Temple of Jerusalem; within the middle of the Temple interior, the Ark of the Covenant in chest form; rosette above architrave. Reverse: Lulav thrice bound; to left, etrog. Fully sharp strike; Extremely Fine. Most of the tetradrachms, or selas, were overstruck upon the vast quantities of Roman provincial tetradrachms originally minted at Antioch (Antiocheia on the Orontes). These tend to weigh around 14 grams, but lighter overstruck coins are known, such as this example. The host coin might be a tridrachm of Caesarea, but these are usually a bit lighter still. Another possibility is a stater on the Persian standard. Because the understriking is not decipherable on this coin, it is likely to remain a mystery. Estimated Value $2,750 - 3,500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $6,038
Lot 2564		AR Tetradrachm (13.31g) dated year 2 (133/4 C.E.). . Hen-689. . AJC 16. Mild 32 [only 5 examples cited]. Tetrastyle façade of the Temple of Jerusalem; within the middle of the Temple interior, the Ark of the Covenant in chest form; above, rosette. Reverse: Lulav thrice bound; to left, etrog. Very Fine. Estimated Value $2,000 - 3,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,610
Lot 2565		AR Denar (3.15g) dated year 2 (133/4 C.E.). . Hen-690. . AJC 21. Mild 13 [22 examples cited]. Inscription within wreath. Reverse: Broad chelys-lyre with three strings. Extremely Fine. This is a very desirable type of the year 2 denars, depicting one of the most ancient of all musical instruments. The later kithara, shown on year 2 and 3 denars, had a sound box like our stringed instruments of today. Estimated Value $2,500 - 3,500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $4,600
Lot 2566		AR Denar (3.07g) dated year 2 (133/4 C.E.). . Hen-691. . AJC 28. Mild 17 [26 examples cited]. Inscription within wreath. Reverse: Upright palm branch. Lustrous; Superb Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $850 - 1,250. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,150
Lot 2567		AR Denar (2.86g) dated year 2 (133/4 C.E.). . Hen-692. . AJC 33. Mild 34 [25 examples cited]. Inscription within wreath. Reverse: One-handled jug right with palm branch to right. Lustrous; Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $500 - 750. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $489
Lot 2568		AR Denar (2.81g) dated year 2 (133/4 C.E.). . Hen-692. . AJC 33b. Mild 36 [7 examples cited]. Inscription within wreath. Reverse: One-handled jug right with palm branch to right. Large flan with a mint-made striking crack at edge Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $500 - 750. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $414
Lot 2569		AR Denar (3.02g) dated year 2 (133/4 C.E.). . Hen-692. . AJC 33b. Mild 22 [30 examples cited]. Inscription within wreath. Reverse: One-handled jug right with palm branch to right. Large flan; Extremely Fine. Overstruck on a drachm of Trajan. Estimated Value $450 - 650. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $489
Lot 2570		AR Denar (2.82g) dated year 2 (133/4 C.E.). . Hen-692. . AJC 33. Mild 33 [52 examples cited]. Inscription within wreath. Reverse: One-handled jug right with palm branch to right. Very Fine or better. Estimated Value $375 - 475. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $368
Lot 2571		AR Denar (3.30g) dated year 2 (133/4 C.E.). . Hen-693. . AJC 26. Mild 20 [only 4 examples cited]. Inscription within wreath. Reverse: Two upright trumpets. Extremely Fine. On this reverse die, the final resh of the inscription ("Year 2 of the Freedom of Israel") is placed between the trumpets. This is often collected as a separate sub-variety. Also note the reverse die bulge in the center, extending from the midpoint of the right trumpet to nearly the top of the left trumpet. See if you can discern the differences between it and the traces of the emperor's visage on the host coin, which is oriented with the top of the head at 10:30 o'clock. Estimated Value $575 - 725. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $518
Lot 2572		AR Denar (3.30g) dated year 2 (133/4 C.E.). . Hen-693. . AJC 26. Mild 23 [28 examples cited]. Inscription within wreath. Reverse: Two upright trumpets. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $475 - 675. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $661
Lot 2573		AR Denar (3.18g) dated year 2 (133/4 C.E.). . Hen-694. . AJC 23. Mild 43 [33 examples cited]. Triform bunch of grapes. Reverse: Chelys-lyre with three strings. Nearly Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $1,750 - 2,500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,620
Lot 2574		AR Denar (3.49g) dated year 2 (133/4 C.E.). . Hen-695. . AJC 31. Mild 41 [28 examples cited]. Triform bunch of grapes. Reverse: Upright palm branch. Superb Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $700 - 1,100. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $600
Lot 2575		AR Denar (2.64g) dated year 2 (133/4 C.E.). . Hen-695. . AJC 31. Mild 42 [46 examples cited]. Triform bunch of grapes. Reverse: Upright palm branch. Choice Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $575 - 725. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,150
Lot 2576		AR Denar (3.40g) dated year 2 (133/4 C.E.). . Hen-695. . AJC 31. Mild 49 [29 examples cited]. Triform bunch of grapes. Reverse: Upright palm branch. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $550 - 750. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $661
Lot 2577		AR Denar (3.33g) dated year 2 (133/4 C.E.). . Hen-695. . AJC 31. Mild 38 [only 7 examples cited]. Triform bunch of grapes. Reverse: Upright palm branch. A few striking cracks; Extremely Fine. An interesting understrike of a denarius worthy of greater study. The obverse certainly reveals "CAESAR" and the top of the portrait at 5 o'clock. Figuring the original Roman type is part of the fascination of this most compelling series. Estimated Value $500 - 750. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $311

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