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 2578		AR Denar (3.47g) dated year 2 (133/4 C.E.). . Hen-695. . AJC 31. Mild 40 [60 examples cited]. Triform bunch of grapes. Reverse: Upright palm branch. Nearly Extremely Fine. Overstruck on a denarius of Trajan. Estimated Value $500 - 700. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $528
Lot 2579		AR Denar (3.24g) dated year 2 (133/4 C.E.). . Hen-695. . AJC 31. Mild 49 [29 examples cited]. Triform bunch of grapes. Reverse: Upright palm branch. Very Fine. Overstruck on a provincial drachm of Trajan. Estimated Value $475 - 625. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $357
Lot 2580		AR Denar (3.12g) dated year 2 (133/4 C.E.). . Hen-696. . AJC 36a. Mild 45 [23 examples cited]. Triform bunch of grapes. Reverse: One-handled jug right with palm branch to right. Striking crack at edge; Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $500 - 750. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $403
Lot 2581		AR Denar (3.44g) dated year 2 (133/4 C.E.). . Hen-696. . AJC 36a. Mild 39 [19 examples cited]. Triform bunch of grapes. Reverse: One-handled jug right with palm branch to right. Lustrous; Nearly Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $450 - 600. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $449
Lot 2582		AR Denar (3.17g) dated year 2 (133/4 C.E.). . Hen-696. . AJC 36a. Mild 46 [only 7 examples cited]. Triform bunch of grapes. Reverse: One-handled jug right with palm branch to right. About Very Fine. Estimated Value $425 - 525. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $299
Lot 2583		AR Denar (2.70g) dated year 2 (133/4 C.E.). . Hen-697. . AJC 25. Mild 46 [42 examples cited]. Triform bunch of grapes. Reverse: Kithara with three strings. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $600 - 900. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $489
Lot 2584		AR Denar (3.16g) dated year 2 (133/4 C.E.). . Hen-701. . AJC 29. Mild 60 [20 examples cited]. Inscription within wreath. Reverse: Upright palm branch. Weakly struck at places, Extremely Fine. This final die pairing of the year 2 coinage of denars displays a reverse die which shows a strong break as well as significant recutting. Estimated Value $575 - 775. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $334
Lot 2585		Large Bronze (31mm, 14.74g) dated year 2 (132/3 C.E.). . Hen-704. . AJC 38a. Mild 18 [13 specimens cited]. Inscription within wreath. Reverse: Amphora with fluted body. Edge crack (common to this issue); Extremely Fine. As the war went on, the large bronzes in circulation were hoarded. None were struck during year 3, and the examples we have of year One were invariably struck on heavier Roman host coins. The large bronzes dated year 2 were restruck on much thinner and lighter flans, such as this one. Notice on the obverse of this beautiful coin that there are two different kinds of parallel lines. The ones at the edge were made with a file on the original host coin to better deface the hated pagan inscriptions; they are seen incised on the coin. The lines in the central field around the Palaeo-Hebrew inscription were also made by a file, but on the die itself, and are therefore raised on the coin; these were made in order to make the field more even and to strengthen the die. Estimated Value $12,500 - 17,500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $27,600
Lot 2586		Medium Bronze (20mm) dated year 2 (133/4 C.E.). . Hen-707. . AJC 50a. Mild 30 [15 examples cited]. Upright palm branch within laurel wreath. Reverse: Chelys-lyre with four strings. Repatinated, otherwise Choice Very Fine. Estimated Value $650 - 850. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $374
Lot 2587		Medium Bronze (19mm) dated year 2 (133/4 C.E.). . Hen-707. . AJC 50a. Mild 30 [15 examples cited]. Upright palm branch within laurel wreath. Reverse: Chelys-lyre with four strings. Very Fine. This rare transitional issue could have been struck during year 3 as well, since the obverse inscription is normally found on the coins of the the final year of the war. Estimated Value $400 - 650. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $368
Lot 2588		Medium Bronze (26 mm) dated year 2 (133/4 C.E.). . Hen-708. . AJC 42c. Mild 78 [19 examples cited]. Three-lobed vine leaf. Reverse: Palm tree with seven branches. Fine to Very Fine. The host coin, no doubt being very worn, was countermarked twice for use by the Tenth Legion. These rectangular stamps can be quite easily seen on the reverse of the coin: galley right, and boar. This same coin was then restruck during the Bar Kokhba War, using their standard types (vine leaf/palm tree). Certainly a coin with several stories to tell! Estimated Value $500 - 700. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $518
Lot 2589		Medium Bronze (24mm) dated year 2 (133/4 C.E.). . Hen-708. . AJC 42a. Mild 84 [only one example cited]. Three-lobed vine leaf. Reverse: Palm tree with seven branches. Nearly Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $350 - 550. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 2590		Medium Bronze (23mm) dated year 2 (133/4 C.E.). . Hen-708. . Cf. Mild 91 [7 examples cited]. Three-lobed vine leaf. Reverse: Palm tree with seven branches. Nearly Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $325 - 525. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $311
Lot 2591		Medium Bronze (24 mm) dated year 2 (133/4 C.E.). . Hen-708. . AJC 42a. Mild 83 [only 3 examples cited]. Three-lobed vine leaf. Reverse: Palm tree with seven branches. Very Fine; the reverse is Choice VF. Estimated Value $250 - 350. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 2592		Medium Bronze (25 mm) dated year 2 (133/4 C.E.). . Hen-708. . AJC 43a. Mild 57 [14 examples cited]. Three-lobed vine leaf. Reverse: Palm tree with seven branches. Nearly Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $225 - 325. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $192
Lot 2593		Small Bronze (19mm) dated year 2 (133/4 C.E.). . Hen-710. . AJC 49b. Mild 153 [21 examples cited]. Triform bunch of grapes. Reverse: Palm tree with seven branches. Choice Very Fine. Estimated Value $275 - 425. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $299
Lot 2594		Small Bronze (20mm) dated year 2 (133/4 C.E.). . Hen-710. . AJC 49a. Mild 154 [31 examples cited]. Triform bunch of grapes. Reverse: Palm tree with seven branches. Choice Very Fine. Estimated Value $275 - 425. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $690
Lot 2595		AR Tetradrachm (14.88g) attributed to year 3 (134/5 C.E.). . Hen-711. . AJC 51. Cf. Mild 57 and 67. 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. Nearly Extremely Fine. This intriguing tetradrachm, or sela, seems to be an unlisted die pairing of Mildenberg obv. 14 with rev. 43. Although there are a few coins from unpublished tetradrachm dies reposing in a remarkable So. Californian collection, as J. Kaufman ably points out in INJ 14, most all specimens not in the Mildenberg corpus are from new pairings of known dies, such as this coin. Estimated Value $4,000 - 6,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $3,335
Lot 2596		AR Tetradrachm (13.68g) attributed to year 3 (134/5 C.E.). . Hen-711a. . AJC 52. Mild 102 [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. Choice Very Fine. This is an excellent example of the "irregular" coinage of the Bar Kokhba War. There were two mints in operation, and the one that created this tetradrachm was most likely a military mint, moving with the rebels. They are sometimes called barbaric in style, but this seems judgmental, as this particular issue was created under such difficult circumstances. Estimated Value $3,250 - 4,250. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,300
Lot 2597		AR Tetradrachm (10.77g) attributed to year 3 (134/5 C.E.). . Hen-711. . AJC 51. Mild 54 [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. Virtually as struck; Extremely Fine. Undertype minted by Trajan, whose bust is centered under lulav. Estimated Value $2,750 - 4,250. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $3,220
Lot 2598		AR Tetradrachm (14.07g) attributed to year 3 (134/5 C.E.). . Hen-711. . AJC 51. Mild 85 [30 examples cited, this coin being #12]. 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. Choice Very Fine. The collector must answer the question as to how much value should be placed on provenance. Having been placed in such important offerings, this particular specimen should bring 20%-40% more than its unpublished counterparts. No doubt this present catalogue will be used as a reference in the future as well, since the Alan Levin collection is so complete and discerning for high quality examples. Estimated Value $2,750 - 3,750. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $4,140
Lot 2599		AR Tetradrachm (14.63g) attributed to year 3 (134/5 C.E.). . Hen-711. . AJC 51. Mild 80 [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; Superb Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $2,250 - 3,250. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $3,360
Lot 2600		AR Tetradrachm (14.82g) attributed to year 3 (134/5 C.E.). . Hen-711. . AJC 51. Mild 61 [29 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. Likely overstruck on a tetradrachm of Galba. Despite the brevity of his reign, Galba's tetradrachms were minted in very large numbers at Antioch. Estimated Value $2,000 - 3,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,185
Lot 2601		AR Tetradrachm (14.82g) attributed to year 3 (134/5 C.E.). . Hen-711. . AJC 51. Mild 62 [24 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. Nearly Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $2,000 - 2,500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,185
Lot 2602		AR Tetradrachm (14.14g) attributed to year 3 (134/5 C.E.). . Hen-711. . AJC 51. Mild 63 [25 examples cited, this coin being #4]. 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. Nearly Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $2,000 - 2,500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,070
Lot 2603		AR Tetradrachm (12.60g) attributed to year 3 (134/5 C.E.). . Hen-711. . AJC 51. Mild 56 [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. Nearly Mint State. Estimated Value $2,000 - 2,500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,300
Lot 2604		AR Tetradrachm (13.29g) attributed to year 3 (134/5 C.E.). . Hen-711. 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. Mild 79 [95 examples cited, this coin being #94]. Choice Very Fine. Estimated Value $1,800 - 2,200. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,875
Lot 2605		AR Tetradrachm (13.59g) attributed to year 3 (134/5 C.E.). . Hen-711. . AJC 51. Mild 69 [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. Nearly Extremely Fine. Likely overstruck on a tetradrachm of Galba. Estimated Value $1,750 - 2,500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,668
Lot 2606		AR Tetradrachm (13.88g) attributed to year 3 (134/5 C.E.). . Hen-711. . AJC 51. Mild 82 [44 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. Minor flan flaws on reverse; Nearly Extremely Fine. Overstruck on a tetradrachm of Trajan. Estimated Value $1,750 - 2,500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,415
Lot 2607		AR Tetradrachm (15.03g) attributed to year 3 (134/5 C.E.). . Hen-711. . AJC 51. Mild 87 [24 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. Choice Very Fine. Possibly overstruck on a Tyrian shekel (see lulav side). Estimated Value $1,750 - 2,500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,530
Lot 2608		AR Tetradrachm (14.02g) attributed to year 3 (134/5 C.E.). . Hen-711. . AJC 51. Mild 78 [40 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/Very Fine. Estimated Value $1,650 - 2,250. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,840
Lot 2609		AR tetradrachm (14.52g) attributed to year 3 (134/5 C.E.). . Hen-711. . AJC 51. Mild 57 [21 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 to Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $1,500 - 2,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,610
Lot 2610		AR Tetradrachm (14.65g) attributed to year 3 (134/5 C.E.). . Hen-711. . AJC 51. Mild 59 [13 examples cited, this coin being #12]. 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. Choice Very Fine. Estimated Value $1,500 - 2,250. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,783
Lot 2611		AR Tetradrachm (14.20g) attributed to year 3 (134/5 C.E.). . Hen-711. . AJC 51. Mild 76 [only 4 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. Fine to Very Fine. Estimated Value $1,500 - 2,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,265
Lot 2612		AR Tetradrachm (14.21g) attributed to year 3 (134/5 C.E.). . Hen-711. . AJC 51. Mild 77 [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. Nearly Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $1,500 - 2,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,070
Lot 2613		AR Tetradrachm (14.55g) attributed to year 3 (134/5 C.E.). . Hen-711. . AJC 51. Mild 71 [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. The reverse a bit granular; Nearly Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $1,450 - 1,850. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,553
Lot 2614		AR Tetradrachm (15.10g) attributed to year 3 (134/5 C.E.). . Hen-712. . AJC 54. Mild 50 [9 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; no etrog. Very Fine to Extremely Fine. This is an underrated rarity in the series, especially so in very fine or better condition. Estimated Value $2,250 - 3,250. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,070
Lot 2615		AR tetradrachm (14.48g) attributed to year 3 (134/5 C.E.). . Hen-712. . AJC 54. Mild 58 [33 examples cited, this coin being #16]. 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; no etrog. Choice Very Fine. Estimated Value $1,750 - 2,500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,783
Lot 2616		AR tetradrachm (14.29g) attributed to year 3 (134/5 C.E.). . Hen-713 var. . AJC 53c. Mild 88 [7 examples cited]. Tetrastyle façade of the Temple of Jerusalem; within the middle of the Temple interior, the Ark of the Covenant in chest form; wavy line composed of four semicircles connected by three horizontal bars above Temple Architrave. Reverse: Lulav thrice bound; to left, etrog. As found (uncleaned); Extremely Fine. It is most unusual to find any ancient coin totally uncleaned with such charismatic surfaces and color as this one. It is provocative to speculate how this coin was secreted in ancient times and remained so original, yet enhanced by the passage of millenia. Estimated Value $4,000 - 6,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $8,625
Lot 2617		AR Tetradrachm (14.05g) attributed to year 3 (134/5 C.E.). . Hen-713. . AJC 53c. Mild 91 [38 examples cited]. Tetrastyle façade of the Temple of Jerusalem; within the middle of the Temple interior, the Ark of the Covenant in chest form; serpent-like wavy line above Temple Architrave. Reverse: Lulav thrice bound; to left, etrog. Large flan; Superb Extremely Fine. Note that on this exceptional specimen the reverse inscription is missing the penultimate letter, lamed. Estimated Value $3,000 - 4,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $5,290
Lot 2618		AR Tetradrachm (14.61g) attributed to year 3 (134/5 C.E.). . Hen-713. . AJC 53c. Mild 92 [43 examples cited]. Tetrastyle façade of the Temple of Jerusalem; within the middle of the Temple interior, the Ark of the Covenant in chest form; serpent-like wavy line above Temple Architrave. Reverse: Lulav thrice bound; to left, etrog. Lustrous; Superb Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $3,000 - 4,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $3,335
Lot 2619		AR Tetradrachm (14.84g) attributed to year 3 (134/5 C.E.). . Hen-713. . AJC 53c. Mild 95 [20 examples cited]. Tetrastyle façade of the Temple of Jerusalem; within the middle of the Temple interior, the Ark of the Covenant in chest form; serpent-like wavy line above Temple Architrave. Reverse: Lulav thrice bound; to left, etrog. Lustrous; Superb Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $3,000 - 4,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $3,795
Lot 2620		AR Tetradrachm (14.94g) attributed to year 3 (134/5 C.E.). . Hen-713. . AJC 53c. Mild 96 [19 examples cited]. Tetrastyle façade of the Temple of Jerusalem; within the middle of the Temple interior, the Ark of the Covenant in chest form; serpent-like wavy line above Temple Architrave. Reverse: Lulav thrice bound; to left, etrog. Choice Very Fine. Estimated Value $1,750 - 2,500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,955
Lot 2621		AR Denar (3.00g) attributed to year 3 (134/5 C.E.). . Hen-715. . AJC 62b. Mild 64 [13 examples cited, this coin being #6]. Inscription within wreath. Reverse: Upright palm branch. Mint bloom under toned surfaces; Superb Extremely Fine. For decades, Ira and Larry Goldberg have assisted collectors form world-class collections of ancient Jewish coins, as well as in all areas of numismatics. Besides the ancient life this particular coin has had, modern times are reflected in its appearances in the Goldberg auctions of the 1970s, as owners of Superior Stamp and Coin, then a family business. It is a tribute to Ira and Larry that each of these enthusiasts has returned to them to find yet another new collector to feel the excitement and pride of this, and other historical treasures. Estimated Value $475 - 625. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,080
Lot 2622		AR Denar (3.44g) attributed to year 3 (134/5 C.E.). . Hen-715. . AJC 62b. Mild 65 [29 examples cited]. Inscription within wreath. Reverse: Upright palm branch. Nearly Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $450 - 600. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $489
Lot 2623		AR Denar (3.33g) attributed to year 3 (134/5 C.E.). . Hen-715. . AJC 62b. Mild 103 [46 examples cited]. Inscription within wreath. Reverse: Upright palm branch. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $450 - 600. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $368
Lot 2624		AR Denar (3.32g) attributed to year 3 (134/5 C.E.). . Hen-716. . AJC 59b. Mild 67 [26 examples cited]. Inscription within wreath. Reverse: Two upright trumpets; central dot. Extremely Fine. Overstruck on a provincial drachm of Trajan. Estimated Value $500 - 750. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $575
Lot 2625		AR Denar (3.39g) attributed to year 3 (134/5 C.E.). . Hen-717. . AJC 66b. Mild 73 [19 examples cited]. Inscription within wreath. Reverse: One-handled jug right with palm branch to right. Superb Extremely Fine. In 1984, when Leo Mildenberg's corpus on the Bar Kohkba coinage was published, there were a few more than 4000 denars known of all years and varieties. In the ensuing 23 years, this cataloguer would estimate that another 1500 or so have been unearthed. If we add another 10 or 11 coins to the total number Dr. Mildenberg enumerated for these dies, we have in this offering a superlative coin, certainly one of the finest existing from this scarce die pairing, estimated at much less than $1000. In addition, it is of silver, nearly 1900 years old and of great significance to Biblical and Jewish coin collectors. In order to find another such underrated area of numismatics to collect, I believe one would have to embark on a very esoteric topic, and end up with coins which are not as beautiful and historically meaningful. A relatively small number of new collectors could well change the market. Many believe ancient Jewish coinage is an area ripe for expansion and higher valuations. Estimated Value $575 - 775. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $720
Lot 2626		AR Denar (3.15g) attributed to year 3 (134/5 C.E.). . Hen-717. . AJC 66b. Mild 105 [7 examples cited]. Inscription within wreath. Reverse: One-handled jug right with palm branch to right. Nearly Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $575 - 775. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $316
Lot 2627		AR Denar (2.90g) attributed to year 3 (134/5 C.E.). . Hen-717. . AJC 66b. Mild 72 [11 examples cited]. Inscription within wreath. Reverse: One-handled jug right with palm branch to right. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $450 - 600. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $633

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