Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 70

The September 2-5, 2012

Roman Imperial Coinage

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 3212		Augustus, 27 BC-AD 14. AR Denarius likely minted at Samos, c. 21-20 BC. Bare head right of Augustus. Reverse: Bull standing right. RIC 475; BMC 662; C. 28. Recently cleaned, but not abrasively so. Struck from fresh dies; bold and unusually high relief . Cleaned. Extremely Fine. Augustus was in Samos during the winter of 21-20 BC, during which time he needed to mint Roman coin types for provincial propaganda, as well as to pay the Roman soldiers stationed there. Estimated Value $2,500 - 3,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,415
Lot 3213		Augustus, 27 BC-AD 14. AR Denarius minted in Colonia Patricia, 19 BC. Bare head right of young Augustus. Reverse: Round shield inscribed CL. V; to left, legionary eagle; to right, military standard. Sear 1633; RSC 265; RIC 86a. Toned. Semicircular banker's mark below chin of Augustus and a few minor die breaks. Nearly Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $800 - 1,000. Ex Freeman & Sear Mail Bid Sale 2, 31 January 1996, lot 469; The Joseph Melchione Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,323
Lot 3214		Augustus, 27 BC-AD 14. AR Denarius minted at Lugdunum, AD 13-14. Laureate head right of Augustus. Reverse: Female (Livia?) seated right, holding scepter and branch. RIC 220 [as R2]; BMC 545; C. 223. Extremely Fine. This very rare type, first issued by Augustus, was copied by Tiberius for the "Tribute Penny" of Biblical fame. It is hardly ever seen with the inscription of Augustus. In the case of Tiberius, this type formed his main silver issues. Livia, wife of Augustus and mother of Tiberius, engineered her son's accession to the purple, and is thought to be the female represented on the type's reverse. An important coin. Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,300. Ex Paulo Leitão collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $920
Lot 3215		Augustus, 27 BC-AD 14. AE Sestertius minted at Rome by Titus, AD 80-81. Radiate figure of Augustus seated left in curule chair, holding wreath and scepter. Reverse: Inscription around "REST" and "S C". RIC Vol. II, Part 1, p. 224, 403 [as Rare]. Glossy, dark brown patina; smoothing in the fields is noted. Sharpness of Extremely Fine. This lovely coin type is part of a restitutional coinage by Titus in commemoration of Vespasian's deification. It is designed to further the historical link between Augustus (in this case) and the Flavian dynasty. Estimated Value $500 - 700. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,380
Lot 3216		(Divus Augustus. Died AD 14.) AE Dupondius (12.1 g), Restitution Issue. Rome mint. Struck under Titus AD 80-81. Radiate head of Augustus left. Reverse: Victory, draped, alighting left, holding in right hand a round shield inscribed SPQR in two lines. RIC 189a (Titus); BMC 266 (Titus); cf. Cohen 557 var. (same). Wonderful uniform dark reddish-brown patina. We note some smoothing in the fields, nevertheless, a stunning bronze of Augustus. Sharpness of Superb Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $2,000 - 2,500. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 3217		Augustus, 27 BC-AD 14. AR Cistophoric Tetradrachm minted at Ephesus, 28 BC. Laureate head right of Augustus. Reverse: Pax standing half-left on parazonium, holding caduceus; to right, cista mystica; laurel wreath around. RIC 476. Areas of light porosity. Choice Very Fine. Estimated Value $400 - 600. The Joseph Melchione Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $661
Lot 3218		Augustus, 27 BC-AD 14. AR Cistophoric Tetradrachm minted at Pergamum, 19-18 BC. Bare head right of Augustus. Reverse: Hexastyle temple of Roma and Augustus. Sear 1588; RIC 29a. Toned. Reverse a little off-center. Nearly Very Fine. Estimated Value $400 - 500. The Joseph Melchione Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $391
Lot 3219		Tiberius, AD 14-37. Gold Aureus (7.67g) minted at Lugdunum, after AD 16. Laureate head right of Tiberius. Reverse: Female figure (Livia?) seated left, holding scepter and flower. Sear 1760; Calico 305d; RIC 25. Nearly Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $5,000 - 7,000. Ex Freeman & Sear Mail Bid Sale 1, 10 March 1995, lot 333; NFA 30, 8 December 1992, lot 210; The Joseph Melchione Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $6,613
Lot 3220		Antonia, mother of Claudius, AD 41-54. Gold Aureus (7.73 g) minted at Lugdunum, c. AD 41-47. Draped bust right of Antonia wearing wreath. Reverse: Constantia standing facing, holding long torch and cornucopiae. RIC 65 [as Rare]; BMC 109; Giard (Catalogue des monnaies de l'empire romain, Vol. II, Bibliothèque Nationale) 9. Beautiful portrait with a great deal of luster still present after 2000 years. Extremely Fine. All of her coins having been struck by her son Claudius, Antonia was one of the Imperial ladies whose personal life intimately touched many historically important lives. Her parents were Marc Antony and Octavia; she married Nero Claudius Drusus, mothered Germanicus and was the grandmother of Caius (Caligula). Estimated Value $25,000 - 30,000. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 3221		Nero Claudius Drusus, brother of Tiberius. AR Denarius minted at Rome, AD 41-45. By Claudius. Laureate head of left of Nero Claudius Drusus. Reverse: Two shields crossed before upright vexillum; behind, two pairs of spears and two trumpets. RIC 74; BMC 107. Toned. Minor surface porosity. Very Fine and very rare. Estimated Value $600 - 800. The Joseph Melchione Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,265
Lot 3222		Agrippina Senior (the Elder), wife of Germanicus and mother of Caligula, AD 37-41. AE Sestertius minted posthumously at Rome by Claudius, c. AD 53-54. Draped bust right of Agrippina Senior, hair in queue. Reverse: Inscription around "S C". RIC (Claudius) 102; BMC 219. Uniform glossy dark brown patina, a wonderful example. Superb Extremely Fine. Issued by Claudius in honor of his deceased sister-in-law (died in AD 33). Estimated Value $15,000 - 17,000. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 3223		Antonia, mother of Claudius. AE Dupondius minted of Rome, AD 42. Draped bust of Antonia bare-headed, right. Reverse: Claudius, veiled and togate, standing left holding simpulum. RIC 92; BMC 166; CBN 143. Uniform chocolate brown patina. Rare. Very Fine. Antonia, younger daughter of Marc Antony and Octavia, niece of Augustus and married to Nero Claudius Drusus and had two sons, Germanicus and the future emperor Claudius. Antonia died in AD 37, at the age of 73, many speculated by her grandson Caligula. Nonetheless, she recieved no honors until after her son Claudius became emperor and struck coinage early in his reign. Estimated Value $600 - 700. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 3224		Caligula, AD 37-41. AR Denarius minted at Lugdunum, AD 37-38. Laureate head right of Caligula. Reverse: Draped bust right of Agrippina. Sear 1825; RSC 2; RIC 14. Very rare this choice. Nicely toned. Both portraits are outstanding. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $10,000 - 13,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $9,775
Lot 3225		Caligula, AD 37-41. AE As, minted at Rome, AD 37/8. Bare-headed bust of the emperor facing left. Reverse: Vesta seated left holding patera and sceptre. RIC 38; C. 27. Boldly struck with full legends. Pleasing dark reddisih-brown patina with a small area of smoothing behind the head. About Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $600 - 700. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 3226		Claudius, AD 41-54. Gold Aureus (7.76 g) minted AD 41-42. Wreathed head right of Claudius. Reverse: Legend in three lines, all within oak wreath. RIC 15 [as R2]; BMC 16; Calicó 356b. Several marks and irregularities on obverse, not really marring emperor's portrait. Underlying luster, especially on reverse. Choice Very Fine/Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $6,000 - 7,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $6,038
Lot 3227		Claudius, AD 41-54. Gold Aureus (7.77g) minted at Lugdunum, AD 44-45. Laureate head right of Claudius. Reverse: Winged Nemesis advancing right, holding caduceus; at foot, snake. Calico 366; RIC 27. Several light scratches and a few nicks. Choice Very Fine. Estimated Value $5,000 - 7,000. The Joseph Melchione Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $6,325
Lot 3228		Claudius, AD 41-54. AE As minted at Rome, AD 41-50. Bare head left of Claudius. Reverse: Helmeted Constantia in military attire standing left, right hand raised and holding long scepter in left. Sear 1857; RIC 95. Deep green patina. Isolated areas of surface roughness. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $300 - 500. The Joseph Melchione Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $196
Lot 3229		Britannicus, son of Claudius minted AD 50-54. Draped bare head facing right. Reverse: Nike, right with trophy over shoulder. BMC 283; RPC (Nero Caesar) 2476. Uniform dark greenish-brown patina. Very rare. Very Fine. Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,200. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 3230		Nero, AD 54-68. AR Denarius minted at Rome, AD 65-66. Laureate head right of Nero. Reverse: Jupiter seated left, holding thunderbolt and scepter. BMC 74; Giard (Catalogue des monnaies de l'empire romain, Vol. II, Bibliothèque Nationale) 220; RIC 53 [as Rare]. Excellent portrait of Nero. About Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $2,000 - 2,500. Ex Baldwin (3 V 2000), lot 535. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,898
Lot 3231		Nero, AD 54-68. AR Denarius minted at Rome, c. AD 64-65. Laureate head right of Nero. Reverse: Jupiter seated left on throne, holding thunderbolt and long scepter. RIC 52 [as Rare]; BMC 67. Attractive with even antique toning. Choice Very Fine. Estimated Value $1,200 - 1,400. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,150
Lot 3232		Nero, 54-68 AD. AR Denarius. Laureate head right of Nero. Reverse: Aquila right, between two vexilla. RIC 68 [as R2]; BMC 107; C. 356. Areas of dark toning. About Extremely Fine (PCGS # 55) . One of the last issues of Nero, this reduced-weight denarius was struck betwixt the flame and the Civil Wars. Estimated Value $1,200 - 1,400. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 3233		Nero, AD 54-68. AR Tetradrachm (14.64 g) minted at Antioch in Seleucis and Pieria, dated regnal year 9 (AD 62-63), Caesarian year 111. Bust right of Nero, wearing aegis. Reverse: Eagle standing right on thunderbolt; in right field, palm branch. Prieur 85; RPC I, 4185. Nicely toned. Extremely Fine. Minted by the Romans in large numbers for the East, this was one of the coin types in circulation in Palestine during the Jewish War. This is a particularly fine specimen. Estimated Value $900 - 1,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,898
Lot 3234		Nero, AD 54-68. AR Didrachm minted at Caesarea in Cappadocia, 63-66 AD. Laureate head right of Nero. Reverse: Laureate head right of Divus Claudius. RPC plate 144, 3653; BMC 174; Syd. 68. Two lovely, well-detailed provincial portaits; attractively toned. Choice Very Fine. Estimated Value $1,500 - 2,000. Ex Lanz 94 (22 XI 99), Leo Benz Collection, lot 220. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,495
Lot 3235		Galba, AD 68-69. AE Dupondius (13.55g) minted at Rome, AD 68. Laureate, draped bust right of Galba. Reverse: Pax standing left, holding olive branch and caduceus. RIC 247. Attractive matte brown patina. A delightful specimen. Nearly Extremely Fine and rare. Estimated Value $3,000 - 4,000. Ex Sternberg 28 (with Freeman & Sear), 30 October 1995, lot 47; The Joseph Melchione Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $7,188
Lot 3236		Galba, AD 68-69. AR Denarius. Spanish mint, AD 68. Laureate bust facing right. Reverse: Victory standing on globe left, holding wreath and palm branch. RIC 111; RSC 322; BMC 227. Rare. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $2,000 - 2,500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,955
Lot 3237		Galba, AD 68-69. AR Denarius minted at Rome, c. July 68-January 69. Laureate, draped bust right of Galba. Reverse: Livia standing left, holding patera and scepter. RIC 189; BMC 6. Lightly toned. Flatness affecting obverse legend. Very Fine. Estimated Value $300 - 400. The Joseph Melchione Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $437
Lot 3238		Vespasian, AD 69-79. AR Denarius minted at Ephesus, AD 71. Laureate head right of Vespasian. Reverse: Bare heads of Titus, on left, and of Domitian, vis à vis; between their necks, monogram of Ephesus. RIC 1429; BMC 455; RPC 831. Purple (silver chloride) in places. Three remarkable high-relief portraits. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $3,000 - 4,000. Ex Gorny & Mosch 133 (11 X 04), lot 434. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $5,520
Lot 3239		Vespasian, AD 69-79. AR Denarius minted at Rome, AD 69-71. Laureate head right of Vespasian. Reverse: Bare heads confronted of Titus and Domitian. Sear 2399; RIC 2. Toned. Very Fine and rare. Estimated Value $350 - 450. The Joseph Melchione Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $518
Lot 3240		Vespasian, AD 69-79. AR Denarius minted at Ephesus, AD 69-70. Laureate head right of Vespasian. Reverse: Turreted and draped female bust right; below, mint monogram. RIC 1407 [as Rare]; RPC 813. Very well detailed; Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $1,200 - 1,500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,208
Lot 3241		Vespasian, AD 69-79. AR Denarius minted at Ephesus, AD 71. Laureate head right of Vespasian. Reverse: Victory standing right, holding wreath and palm branch; in lower right field, mint monogram. RIC 1431; BMC 457; C. 276. Nice bold strike with the head of Vespasian in high relief. Delicately toned. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,200. Ex Rauch sale 84, lot 419; from the Paulo Leitão collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $978
Lot 3242		Vespasian, AD 69-79. AR Denarius minted at Rome, AD 76. Laureate head right of Vespasian. Reverse: Jupiter standing left, holding scepter and sacrificing over altar. RIC 849; BMC 276; C. 222. Lightly toned and very crisp. Extremely Fine. This portrait has features of Vespasian's son, Domitian, as well. Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,200. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 3243		Vespasian, AD 69-79. AR Denarius minted at Rome, AD 76. Laureate head right of Vespasian. Reverse: Eagle standing on garlanded base with thunderbolt in claws; wings open and head turned left. RIC 847. Concise, expressive portrait; lightly toned. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $800 - 900. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 3244		Vespasian, AD 69-79. AR Denarius minted at Ephesus, AD 69-70. Laureate head of Vespasian, right. Reverse: Ceres seated left on ornate high-backed chair, with corn ears and poppy and cornucopiae; in exergue EPE. RIC 1428; RPC 830. Beautiful style and delicately toned. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $600 - 700. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $748
Lot 3245		Vespasian, AD 69-79. AR Denarius minted posthumously at Rome by Titus, AD 80-81. Laureate head right of Vespasian. Reverse: S C on a shield supported by two Capricorns; below, globe. RIC (Titus) 357; BMC 129. Minor planchet defect on reverse rim above the Capricorns. Luster remaining and delicately toned. Extremely Fine. Minted after the deification of Vespasian. Estimated Value $600 - 700. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 3246		Vespasian, AD 69-79. AR Denarius minted at Rome, AD 77-78. Laureate head left of Vespasian. Reverse: Sow left with three piglets. RIC 983. Very Fine to Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $500 - 600. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $506
Lot 3247		Vespasian, AD 69-79. AR Denarius minted at Rome, AD 79. Laureate head left of Vespasian. Reverse: Radiate male figure standing facing, holding spear and parazonium, atop column adorned with anchor and galley beaks. RIC 120; cf. Sear 2311 (obverse head right). Minor flan fault behind head of Vespasian. Extremely Fine and rare. Estimated Value $900 - 1,200. The Joseph Melchione Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,610
Lot 3248		Titus, AD 79-81. AR Denarius minted at Rome, 1 Jan. - 30 June AD 80. Laureate head right of Titus. Reverse: Winged thunderbolt above draped throne. RIC 119; C. 314. Cleaned. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $300 - 350. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,438
Lot 3249		Titus, AD 79-81. AE Dupondius minted at Rome, 1 July AD 72-30 June AD 73, while Caesar under Vespasian. Radiate head right of Titus. Reverse: Felicitas standing left with caduceus and cornucopiae. RIC 504 [as R2], citing one specimen in the Paris and Vienna museums. Possessing remarkable detail from fresh dies, with a uniform dark greenish-brown patina. Virtually Mint State. Of fantastic quality, likely the finest bronze of Titus known. Indirectly, the reverse commemorates the victory in the East by Titus and the happiness and riches of the Roman populace. Estimated Value $20,000 - 25,000. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 3250		Titus, AD 79-81. AE Dupondius minted at Rome, AD 74, while Caesar under Vespasian. Radiate head right of Titus. Reverse: Felicitas standing left with caduceus and cornucopiae. RIC Revised Vol. II, Part 1, p. 111, 742; C. 81. Dark greenish brown patina with fields that have been smoothed (mostly on the reverse). Choice Very Fine. Made of orichalcum, an alloy similar to brass, the dupondius was not that frequently seen in the marketplace. More often, Petronius the mason would carry several asses in his money pouch, bearing a laureate portrait of the emperor. The dupondius displayed a radiate head, while being thicker and twice the value of an as. Estimated Value $300 - 350. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $276
Lot 3251		Titus Caesar, AD 69-79. AE As (10.37g) minted at Lugdunum, AD 77-78. Laureate head right of Titus; below, globe. Reverse: Captive Judaea seated right against palm tree, mourning; arms piled at foot of trunk opposite. Sear 2475; RIC (Vespasian) 784. Dark brown patina. Choice Very Fine and very rare. Estimated Value $1,500 - 2,000. The Joseph Melchione Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,530
Lot 3252		Titus, AD 79-81. AR Denarius minted at Rome, AD 79 (after 1 July). Laureate head right of Titus. Reverse: Venus standing right, leaning on column, holding helmet and spear. RIC 34; BMC 9; C. 268. Lustrous; Nearly Mint State. Estimated Value $2,000 - 2,500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $4,830
Lot 3253		Julia Titi, daughter of Titus, AD 79-81. AR Denarius minted at Rome, AD 79-81. Diademed and draped bust right of Julia Titi. Reverse: Venus standing right, leaning on column, with helmet and spear. RIC 387 [as Rare]; BMC 140; C. 12. Well struck on a full flan. Lightly toned and quite pleasing. Very Fine. Domitian was the last of the "Twelve Caesars." The ancient author, Suetonius, in his frank appraisal of the first twelve Caesars and their families, tells his readers how fond Domitian was of "bed-wrestling." This included his attentions paid to his niece, Julia Titi, who is portrayed on this denarius. Julia was the daughter of Titus and Marcia Furnilla. Estimated Value $800 - 900. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $776
Lot 3254		Julia Titi, daughter of Titus. AE Sestertius, mint of Rome, AD 90/91. Carpentum drawn right by two mules. Reverse: Legend around large S C. RIC 717. Weak around the borders, strong through the centers. Attractive smooth uniform greenish-brown patina on both sides. A rare and handsome piece. Choice Very Fine. Estimated Value $2,500 - 3,000. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 3255		Domitian, AD 81-96. Gold Aureus (7.52 g) minted at Rome, c. AD 88. Laureate head right of Domitian. Reverse: Minerva advancing right holding spear and shield. RIC 556 [as R2]. Portrait of fine style, struck in bold relief; centered on a large flan Faint traces of burnishing evident only under strong magnification. Sharpness of Extremely Fine. The Secular Games took place during three days in October of AD 88. Held every 100 years, the "Ludi Saeculares" were one of the main Roman festivals and have an Etruscan origin. Estimated Value $5,000 - 6,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $7,475
Lot 3256		Domitian, AD 81-96. Gold Aureus (7.46 g) minted at Rome, AD 86. Laureate head right of Domitian. Reverse: Minerva advancing right with spear and shield. RIC 453 [as R3]; Calicó 879 (likely same dies). Some edge marks and smoothing on edge. Choice Very Fine. Regarding Domitian's precious metal coinage, Minerva advancing is the most common reverse. Estimated Value $3,000 - 4,000. Ex Spink-Taisei 52 (1994), lot 2094. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $4,025
Lot 3257		Domitian, AD 81-96. AR Denarius minted at Ephesus as Caesar by Vespasian, c. AD 71. Bare head right of Domitian with bust cuirassed and draped. Reverse: Victory advancing right, holding wreath and palm; mint monogram in lower right field. RIC 1447 [as Rare]; RPC 848. Lightly toned. Extremely Fine. This style of obverse bust is quite compelling. Estimated Value $400 - 500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,380
Lot 3258		Domitian, AD 81-96. AR Denarius minted at Rome, AD 88. Laureate head right of Domitian. Reverse: Cippus within laurel wreath. Sear 2725; cf. RIC 115 (different obverse legend). Toned. A few surface marks in right obverse field. Choice Very Fine and rare. Estimated Value $350 - 450. The Joseph Melchione Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $529
Lot 3259		Domitian, AD 81-96. AR Denarius minted at Rome, AD 91. Laureate head right of Domitian. Reverse: Minerva standing left, holding thunderbolt and spear; shield at feet. RIC 726; BMC 184. A little roughness in obverse right field, which is masked by toning. Choice Very Fine. Estimated Value $250 - 300. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $230
Lot 3260		Domitian, AD 81-96. AR Denarius minted at Rome, AD 92. Laureate head right of Domitian. Reverse: Minerva standing left, holding thunderbolt and spear; shield at her feet. RIC 732. Light hairline scratch in right obverse field. Nice old cabinet toning. About Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $400 - 500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $368
Lot 3261		Domitian, AD 81-96. AE As minted at Rome, AD 88. Issued on the occasion of the Secular Games (Ludi Saeculares). Laureate head right of Domitian. Reverse: Emperor standing left, sacrificing over garlanded altar; behind altar, harpist and flute player walking right; to left, river god Tiber reclining right, holding cornucopiae; in background, double temple with arch connecting the two pediments. RIC 387; Cohen 92. A very rare variety of this elaborate pictorial type. Brown patina. Obverse a little weakly struck. Choice Very Fine. Estimated Value $1,200 - 1,500. Ex Sternberg 28 (with Freeman & Sear), 30 October 1995, lot 70.; The Joseph Melchione Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,668

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