Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 72

February 2-5. 2013

Byzanitne Empire

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 4640		*Justinian I, 527-565. Gold Solidus (4.46g) minted at Constantinople, first officina,* 538-545.** Helmeted bust of Justinian facing holding globus cruciger. Reverse: Angel standing facing holding globus cruciger and long staff terminating in a staurogram; legend ends A; CONOB in exergue. D.O. 9a.1; S.140. Some flatness as made. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $350 - 400. The Hunter Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $460
Lot 4641		Justinian I, 527-565. Gold Solidus (4.4g). Helmeted and cuirassed bust facing. Reverse: Angel standing, facing, holding long linear staff surmounted by Chi-Ro. Officina B. Scrape across head and marks on the rims. Very Fine. Estimated Value $300 - 350. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 4642		*Justinian I, 527-565. Gold Solidus (4.42g) minted at Constantinople, 545-565, second officina.* Helmeted and cuirassed facing bust of Justinian, hodling globus cruciger and shield. Reverse: Victoria (Victory) standing facing, holding long staff surmounted by staurogram and globus cruciger; star in right field; legend ends: B; in exergue, CONOB. DO 9b; Sear 140. Some old scratches on upper reverse. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $500 - 600. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $403
Lot 4643		Maurice Tiberius, 582-602. Gold Solidus (4.43g). Mint of Constantinople. Crowned and cuirassed bust of M. Tiberius facing, wearing plumed helmet. Reverse: Angel standing facing, holding long stafff surmounted by Chi-Ro and cross globus. Officina B. Sear 478. NGC graded Mint State, Strike: 4/5, Surface: 4/5. Estimated Value $600 - 700. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 4644		Maurice Tiberius, 582-602. Gold Solidus (4.37g) minted at Constantinople, third officina. Diademed, helmeted, draped and cuirassed bust of Maurice Tiberius facing, holding globus cruciger. Reverse: Angel standing facing, holding staff surmounted by a Christogram and a globus cruciger, legend ends: Γ. D.O. 5c, S.478. Quite well-struck for type. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $500 - 600. Ex Wolfen Family Foundation, purchased from NFA early 1970s. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $437
Lot 4645		Maurice Tiberius, 582-602. Gold Solidus (4.55g) minted at Carthage, 590/1. Draped and cuirassed facing bust of Maurice Tiberius wearing crown with plume and holding globus cruciger; legend ends: Θ. Reverse: Victoria (Victory) standing facing holding long staff terminating in staurogram and globus cruciger; legend ends: Θ; in exergue, CONOB (N retrograde). D.O. 223; Sear 548. A few old hairlines reverse field noted. Rare. Superb Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,300. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,495
Lot 4646		Phocas, 602-610. Gold Solidus (4.42g). Mint of Constantinople. Draped and cuirassed bust of Phocas facing, wearing crown without pendilia and holding globus cross. Reverse: Angel standing facing, holding long staff surmounted by Chi-Ro and globus cross. Officinae I. Sear 618. NGC graded Mint State, Strike: 3/5, Surface: 4/5. Estimated Value $600 - 700. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 4647		*Phocas, 602-610. Gold Solidus (4.37g) minted at Constantinople, third officina.* Crowned and cuirassed Phocas bust facing holding globus cruciger and shield. Reverse: Angel standing facing, holding staff surmounted by a Christogram and a globus cruciger, legend ends: I. D.O. 10j.2; S.618. Obverse slightly off center. Lustrous. Nearly Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $500 - 600. Ex Wolfen Family Foundation, purchased from Bank Leu early 1970s. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $460
Lot 4648		Phocas, 602-610. Gold Solidus (4.41g) minted at Constantinople, tenth officina. Cuirassed bust of Phocas facing wearing crown with pendilia and holding globus cruciger and shield. Reverse: Angel standing facing holding globus cruciger and long staff terminating in a staurogram; legend ends I; CONOB in exegue. D.O. 1d; MIB 5; S.616. Lustrous. Superb Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $500 - 600. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $805
Lot 4649		Heraclius with Heraclius Constantine and Heraclonas, 610-641. Gold Solidus (4.46g). *Minted at Constantinople, fourth officina, ca. 638/9-641.* Heraclonas, Heraclius and Heraclius Constantine standing facing, each wearing crown and chlamys and holding globus cruciger. Reverse: Cross potent on three steps flanked by monograms, legend ends: Δ. D.O. 43c, MIB 50, S.769. Excellent details and lustrous. A few old test scratches. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $700 - 900. Ex Wolfen Family Foundation, purchased from NFA early 1970s. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $805
Lot 4650		Heraclius, with Heraclius Constantine and Heraclonas, 610-641. Gold Solidus(4.50 g). Constantinople mint, struck 632-635. Officina H. Heraclonas, Heraclius, and Heraclius Constantine standing facing, each holding globus cruciger; all but Heraclonas crowned. Reverse: Cross potent set on three steps. D.O. 33; Sear 758. NGC graded Mint State; Strike: 5/5, Surface: 4/5. Well struck on a nice large flan. Estimated Value $700 - 800. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $633
Lot 4651		Heraclius and Heraclius Constantine 610-641. Gold Solidus (4.3g). Facing busts of Heraclius (on l.) with long beard and Heraclius Constantine (on r.). Reverse: Cross potent on three steps.l Officinae H. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $400 - 500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $449
Lot 4652		*Constans II, 641-668. Gold Solidus (4.44g) Constantinople, eighth officina, ca. 650-651.* Crowned and draped bust of Constans II facing, with short beard, holding globus cruciger. Reverse: Cross potent on three steps, legend ends: H. MIB 20; S.953. Pleasing style and exceptionally choice. Superb Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $800 - 900. Ex Wolfen Family Foundation, purchased from Bank Leu early 1970s. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $552
Lot 4653		Constans II, 641-668, with Constantine IV, Heraclius and Tiberius. Gold Solidus (4.39g). *Minted at Constantinople, second officina, 661-663.* Draped facing busts of Constans, with a long beard, and Constantine IV, each wearing a cross-topped crown, Constans' plumed; cross above between them. Reverse: Cross potent on three steps, flanked by Heraclius, wearing a cross-topped crown and holding a long cross, and Tiberius, wearing a cross-topped crown and holding a globus crucige; legend ends B; CONOB in exergue. Mint State. Estimated Value $700 - 800. The Hunter Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $483
Lot 4654		Constans II, 641-668. Gold Solidus (4.36g). Facing bust with long beard and moustache. Reverse: Cross potent on steps. Officina E NGC graded Choice AU. Strike: 5/5, Surface: 3/5. Clipped. Estimated Value $600 - 700. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 4655		Constans II, with Constantine IV, 641-668. Gold Solidus (4.45g). Constantinople mint, struck 654-659. Officina Γ. Crowned and draped facing busts of Constans and Constantine; cross above. Reverse: Cross potent set on three steps. DOC 25c; Sear 959. *NGC graded Mint State; Strike: 5/5, Surface: 4/5**. Needle sharp with full clear legends. Estimated Value $800 - 900. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,840
Lot 4656		*Constans II, with Constantine IV, 641-668. Gold Solidus (4.31g) minted at Constantinople, 654-659, first officina.* Crowned and draped facing busts of Constans with a long beard, and Constantine IV beardless; cross above and between them. Reverse: Cross potent on three steps; legend ends: A; in exergue, CONOB+. DO 27 (officina not listed); Sear 961. Nearly Mint State. Estimated Value $700 - 800. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $483
Lot 4657		Constans II, with Constantine IV, 641-668. Gold Solidus (4.33g) minted at Constantinople, 654-659. Third officina. Crowned and draped facing busts of Constans with a long beard, and Constantine IV beardless; cross above and between them. Reverse: Cross potent on three steps; legend ends: Γ; in exergue, CONOB. DO 25c; Sear 959. Nearly Mint State. Estimated Value $700 - 800. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $483
Lot 4658		*Constans II, with Constantine IV, 641-668. Gold Solidus (4.36g) minted at Constantinople, 654-65, second officina.* Crowned and draped facing busts of Constans with a long beard, and Constantine IV beardless; cross above and between them. Reverse: Cross potent on three steps; legend ends: B; in exergue, CONOB. DO 25b; Sear 959. Nearly Mint State. Estimated Value $600 - 700. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $472
Lot 4659		*Constans II, with Constantine IV, 641-668. Gold Solidus (4.37g) minted at Constantinople, 654-6, seventh officina.* Crowned and draped facing busts of Constans II with a long beard, and Constantine IV beardless; cross above and between them. Reverse: Cross potent on three steps; legend ends: Z (retrograde); in exergue, CONOB. DO 25; Sear 959. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $500 - 600. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $437
Lot 4660		Constans II, 641-668, with Constantine IV, Heraclius and Tiberius. Gold Solidus (4.45g) minted at Constantinople. *Third officina. Facing busts of Constans II wearing crown with cross and slanted plume, and Constantine IV wearing crown with cross; cross above and between them. Reverse: Cross potent on three steps flanked by standing figures of Heraclius and Tiberius, each holding globus cruciger; legend ends: Γ; in exergue, CONOB. DO 30c; Sear 964. Nice and lustrous. Mint State.* Estimated Value $800 - 900. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $506
Lot 4661		Constans II with Constantine IV, Heraclius and Tiberius, 664-668. Gold Solidus (4.40g) minted at Constantinople. *Third officina. Facing busts of Constans II, wearing a crown with a slanted plume and cross, and Constantine IV, wearing crown with cross; cross above and between them. Reverse:* Cross potent on three steps flanked by standing figures of Heraclius and Tiberius, each holding globus cruciger; legend ends: Γ; in exergue, CONOB. DO 30c; Sear 964. Mint State. Estimated Value $800 - 900. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $529
Lot 4662		Constans II and Constantine IV, 654-668. Gold Solidus (4.32 g). Facing busts of Constans with long beard and Const. IV beardless each wearing crown and chlamys; between their heads, cross. Reverse: Cross potent on steps. Officina I. Sear 959. NGC graded Mint State. Strike 5/5, Surface: 3/5 clipped. Estimated Value $800 - 900. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $489
Lot 4663		Constans II and Constantine IV, 654-668. Gold Solidus (4.30 g). Facing busts of Constans with long beard and Const. IV beardless each wearing crown and chlamys; between their heads, cross. Reverse: Cross potent on steps. Officina H. Sear 959. NGC graded Mint State. Strike: 5/5, Surface: 3/5. Clipped. Estimated Value $800 - 900. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $518
Lot 4664		Constans II and Constantine IV, 654-668. Gold Solidus (4.3g). Facing busts of Constans with long beard and Const. IV beardless each wearing crown and chlamys; between their heads, cross. Reverse: Cross potent on steps. Officina I. Sear 959 var. (CONOB+). NGC graded Mint State. Strike: 5/5, Surface: 3/5. Clipped. A beautiful strike on a nice large flan. Estimated Value $800 - 900. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $506
Lot 4665		Constans II and Constantine IV, 654-668 (4.38g). Facing busts of Constans with long beard and Const. IV beardless each wearing crown and chlamys; between their heads, cross. Reverse: Cross potent on steps. Officina I. Sear 959. NGC graded Mint State. Strike: 5/5, Surface: 3/5. Clipped Well centered with full legends. Estimated Value $800 - 900. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $518
Lot 4666		Constans II and Constantine IV, 654-668Z (4.26g). Facing busts of Constans with long beard and Const. IV beardless each wearing crown and chlamys; between their heads, cross. Reverse: Cross potent on steps. Officina .Z Sear 959. NGC graded Mint State. Strike: 5/5, Surface: 1/5. Clipped. Estimated Value $700 - 800. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $460
Lot 4667		Constans II and Constantine IV, 654-668. (4.47g). Facing busts of Constans with long beard and Const. IV beardless each wearing crown and chlamys; between their heads, cross. Reverse: Cross potent on steps. Officina Γ. Sear 959. NGC graded Choice AU. Strike: 5/5, Surface: 2/5. Hairlines . Estimated Value $700 - 800. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $449
Lot 4668		Constans II and Constantine IV, 654-668. (4.43g). Facing busts of Constans with long beard and Const. IV beardless each wearing crown and chlamys; between their heads, cross. Reverse: Cross potent on steps. Officina I. Sear 959. NGC graded Choice AU. Strike: 5/5, Surface: 3/5. Estimated Value $700 - 800. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $437
Lot 4669		Constans II and Constantine IV, 654-668. Gold Solidus (4.42g). Facing busts of Constans with long beard and Const. IV beardless each wearing crown and chlamys; between their heads, cross. Reverse: Cross potent on steps. Officina - Sear 959. NGC graded Mint State. Strike: 3/5, Surface: 22/5. Clipped. We note weakness around the borders as struck. Estimated Value $600 - 700. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $460
Lot 4670		*Constantine IV, Pogonatus, 668-685. Gold Solidus (4.3g) minted at Carthage, 675/676.* Helmeted, draped and cuirassed facing bust of Constantine IV, holding spear across his shoulder and shield. Reverse: Cross potent on three steps flanked by standing figures of Heraclius and Tiberius; OBN below steps. D.O. 43a.1 var. As usually for these Carthaginian issues, struck partially off-center. Nearly Mint State. Very scarce. Constantine IV (668-685) may be regarded as the savior of European civilization by virtue of his defense of Constantinople against the seemingly relentless tide of Muslim expansion. The Arabs, under the leadership of the powerful Umayyad Caliph Muawija I, besieged the Byzantine capital over a period of four years (674-678) until they were eventually repulsed with heavy losses. In the earlier part of his reign, Constantine IV shared the throne with his younger brothers Heraclius and Tiberius, but in 681 he deposed them and ruled alone until his death four years later. This rare solidus, issued ca. 675/676, exhibits the characteristics of the north African mint of Carthage, which was destined to be lost to the Arabs before the end of the century. The two co-emperors appear on the reverse and, as is frequently the case with the later products of this mint, the Latin inscriptions are hopelessly blundered. Estimated Value $700 - 800. The Hunter Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $949
Lot 4671		Constantine VIII, 1025-1028. Gold Histamenon Nomisma (4.4g) minted at Constantinople. + IhS XIS REX REGNANTINM. Nimbate bust facing of Christ Pantokrator, wearing pallium and colobium, raising right hand in benediction, holding Gospels in left; nimbus adorned with a crescent in each upper quarter; triple border. Reverse: + CWNSTANTIN bASILEYS ROM. Bust facing of Constantine with long beard, wearing crown and loros, holding labarum in right hand, akakia in left; triple border. Sear 1815; DO 1. Lustrous. Superb Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $800 - 900. The Hunter Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,006
Lot 4672		Romanus III Argyrus, 1028-1034. Gold Histamenon Nomisma (4.42g) Minted at Constantinople, 1029. Christ enthroned facing, raising His hand from cloak in benediction and holding the Gospels. Reverse: Romanus standing facing, wearing loros and crown with pedilia, and holding globus cruciger; Theotokos at right, wearing chiton and maphorium, crowns the emperor, barred M Θ between their heads. D.O. 1a; S. 1820. Well centered with full legends. A bold and attractive example. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $800 - 900. Ex Wolfen Family Foundation, purchased from Bank Leu early 1970s. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $920
Lot 4673		*Constantine IX, Monomachus, 1042-1055. Gold Histamenon (4.32g) minted at Constantinople.* Enthroned figure of Christ facing. Reverse: Facing crowned bust of Constantine holding labarum and globus cruciger. D.O. 2a; S.1829. Bold and superbly detailed strike for type. Lustrous. Superb Extremely Fine. Relatively common, but not as beautiful as this. Estimated Value $700 - 800. The Hunter Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $719
Lot 4674		Constantine IX, Monomachus, 1042-1055. Gold Histamenon Nomisma. Christ enthroned facing, wearing nimbus cross, pallium and colobium, and raising r. hand in benediction; in l. hand, book of Gospels. Reverse:Bust of Constantine IX facing, bearded, wearing crown, loros and saccos, and holding cruciform sceptre and globe surmounted by simple cross. Sear 1829; D.O. 2. NGC graded Mint State; Strike: 4/5, Ssurface: 5/5 . Fully struck up and lustrous. A rather common type but in superb condition. Estimated Value $700 - 800. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $633
Lot 4675		Constantine IX Monomachus, 1042-1055. Gold Histamenon Nomisma (4.40g) minted at Constantinople. Facing nimbate bust of Christ Pantokrator, raising hand from cloak in benediction and holding book of Gospels. Reverse: Crowned facing bust of Constantine IX, wearing jeweled chlamys, holding long cross and globe surmounted by a pelleted cross. D.O. 3, S.1830. Nearly Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $500 - 600. Ex Wolfen Family Foundation, purchased from Bank Leu early 1970s. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $661
Lot 4676		Constantine X Ducas, 1059-1067. Gold Tetarteron Nomisma (4g). Constantinople mint. Facing bust of the Virgin, nimbate and wearing pallium and maphorium. Reverse: Bust of Constantine facing, bearded, wearing crown and loros and holding globus. Sear 1849; Ratto 2012; DO 3a. Extremely Fine. Rare. Estimated Value $800 - 900. Ex Numismatica Genevensis Sale 6, lot 261. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,990
Lot 4677		Michael VII and Maria of Georgia, 1071-1078. Pale Gold (Electrum) Tetarteron (4.00g). Facing bust of the Theotokos, orans, holding medallion with the nimbate bust of the infant Christ. Reverse: Half-length facing figures of Michael VII, wearing loros and crown with pendilia, and Maria, daughter of the Georgian king Bagrat IV, wearing loros with collar piece and a crown with pinnacles and pendilia, holding between them a long cross with a crescent and pellet and X on the shaft. D.O. 5; S.1872. An excellent example of this scarce type. Choice Very Fine. Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,300. Ex Wolfen Family Foundation, purchased from Bank Leu early 1970s. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,725
Lot 4678		Michael VII Doukas, 1071-1078. Electrum Histamenon Nomisma (4.40g) minted at Constantinople. Facing nimbate bust of Christ Pantokrator, raising hand in benediction and holding book of Gospels. Reverse: Crowned facing bust of Michael VII, wearing jeweled chlamys, holding labarum and globus cruciger. D.O. 2d; S.1868. Excellent detail throughout. A few old test scratches in the margins. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $700 - 800. Ex Wolfen Family Foundation, purchased from Bank Leu early 1970s. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,668
Lot 4679		Andronicus I Comnenus, 1183-1185. Electrum Aspron Trachy (4.28g). The Virgin orans, nimbate facing on dais and wearing pallium and maphorium; on Her breast, nimbate head of the infant Christ facing; on either side of Virgin's nimbus. Reverse: Christ, bearded with crossed nimbus and Andronicus standing facing; Christ wears pallium and collobium, holding Book of Gospels and crowns the Emperor. DO 2a; Sear 1984. Unusually choice for this issue. Extremely Fine. Rare. Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,400. Ex Numismatica Ars Classica 56, 2010, Lot 798. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $575
Lot 4680		Empire of Nicaea. John III Ducas-Vatazes, 1222-1254. Gold Hyperpyron (4.57 g). Magnesia. Christ enthroned facing with crossed nimbus, wearing pallium and colobium, raising hand in benediction and holding Book of Gospels. Reverse: John on left, standing facing and holding labarum, crowned by the Virgin. DO 5.9; Sear 2073. Unusually well struck with excellent detail. We note some graffiti in the left reverse margins not effecting design. Estimated Value $500 - 600. Ex Numismatica Ars Classica 56, 2010, Lot 815. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $5,060
Lot 4681		*Empire of Trebizond. Andronicus I Gidon Comnenus,1222-1235. Silver Aspron Trachy (2.80g).* The Theotokos, nimbate, standing facing, right hand placed on Her chest, left hand raised in benediction, flanked by MHP monogram upper left, and ΘV monogram upper right; eight-point star at left. Reverse: O / X / Λ / A in left field, K / H / Th / S (the "Th" ligatured) in right; Christ Chalkites: nimbate Christ standing facing (three pellets in nimbus), wearing himation over divitision, right hand on His chest, holding Book of Gospels in left; monogram IC upper left field; monogram XC upper right field. S. Bendall, "A Further Note on a Possible Early Coinage of the Empire of Trebizond," Ncirc CXIV.4 (August 2006), figure I; cf. S. Bendall, "An Early Coinage of the `Empire' of Trebizond?" Ncirc CX.3 (June 2002); 1 = DOC IV, pl. XXXVII, E1. 1 (Nicaea); Sear. 2148. Very Rare. Extremely Fine. The highly venerated cult icon of Christ Chalkites was located in the vestibule of the Imperial Palace in Constantinople, thus closely associating it with the emperor. Estimated Value $2,000 - 2,500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,150