Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 80

June Pre Long Beach Sale

Denarii Collection - Roman Empire cont'd

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 3125		Galba. Silver Denarius (3.47 g), AD 68-69. Rome, AD 68. IMP SER GALBA AVG, bare head of Galba right. Reverse : S P Q R / OB / C S in three lines within oak-wreath. RIC 167; BMC 34 corr.; RSC 287. Boldly struck with the portrait of Galba in high relief. Luster present and all, delicately toned. Superb Extremely Fine. Before becoming emperor, the elderly Galba, governor of Hispania Terraconensis, served many years as a capable administrator and military leader, having previously governed in Gaul, Germany, Africa and Spain, where he had earned a reputation for strictness and impartiality. Hearing that he was in disfavor with Nero and that he would soon be executed, he considered joining the revolt of the governor of Gallia Lugdunensis, Gaius Julius Vindex, who had promised him his support in a bid for the throne. He hesitated, however, which was probably fateful as Vindex's revolt was quickly suppressed, the usurper committing suicide. The turmoil in Rome continued, and in June AD 68 the Praetorian Prefect, Nymphidius Sabinus, transferred his allegiance to Galba. Nero, deserted by the Praetorians, was declared a public enemy by the Senate and committed suicide. Galba promptly took the title of Caesar, raised a legion, and along with the governor of Lusitania, Marcus Salvius Otho, quickly marched on Rome where he was welcomed into the city. Galba's short reign was unpopular. Fearing conspiracy, he executed many senators and equites without trial, and he never paid the Praetorians the bonus promised in his name by prefect Nymphidius, scorning the idea that a soldier's loyalty could be bought. Additionally, the Rhine legions were hostile to him - they had expected to be rewarded for their loyalty to the throne by their actions in suppressing the revolt of Vindex, but instead were accused of impeding Galba's path to the throne. On January 1 AD 69, they refused to swear allegiance to the emperor and instead proclaimed their commander, Aulus Vitellius, emperor. With the Rhine legions in revolt, Galba made the fatal mistake of formerly adopting Lucius Calpurnius Piso Licinianus as his successor, which had the effect of inciting the hatred of his former supporter, Otho, who had hoped for the honor for himself. Otho plotted his revenge, and five days after Piso's adoption, Praetorian guardsmen in his pay brutally murdered both Galba and Piso. Estimated Value $9,000 - 10,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $10,575
Lot 3126		Otho. Silver Denarius (3.59 g), AD 69. Rome. IMP M OTHO CAESAR AVG TR P, bare head of Otho right. Reverse : SECV-RI-TAS P R, Securitas standing facing, head left, holding wreath and scepter. RIC 8; BMC 18; RSC 17. Well struck in high relief and perfectly centered. Beautiful electric blue iridescense about the obverse borders. Extremely Fine. Otho, of Etrurian stock, had been one of the most reckless and miscreant nobles in Nero's court. In AD 58, Otho's wife, the beautiful Poppaea Sabina, began a secret affair with the emperor and soon divorced Otho. At her insistence, Nero sent Otho far away, making him governor of the remote province of Lusitania. He remained there as governor for the next ten years, and Suetonius records his rule there as one of well-administered moderation. In AD 68, Galba, the governor of the neighboring province of Hispania Tarraconensis, revolted against Nero, and Otho joined him in his march on Rome. Otho perhaps thought that by his support he would be named as successor by the aged and childless Galba, if Galba were successful in overthrowing Nero, but in this he was to be disappointed. Once Galba had become emperor, he formerly adopted Lucius Calpurnius Piso Licinianus as his heir. With his hopes of peaceful succession now dashed, Otho boldly approached the Praetorian camp and bribed a few guardsmen, who were already aggrieved by Galba's refusal to pay the promised money for their support in his overthrow of Nero. They quickly found the emperor, who was making his way to the camp because of rumors of treachery, and brutally murdered him and Piso. They then declared for Otho, the Senate affirming the decision shortly afterward. Despite his reckless youth, Otho's short reign showed signs of equitable administration, emulating his former career in Lusitania. However, he never enjoyed the opportunity of fully establishing this benevolent rule for as soon as he was in power he faced the formidable revolt of Vitellius and the Rhine legions. While at first he showed remarkable energy in mustering an opposition to the revolt, after his forces were soundly defeated at the Battle of Bedriacum he committed suicide, preferring to spare his soldiers and the empire further bloodshed. Estimated Value $9,000 - 10,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $13,513
Lot 3127		Vitellius. Silver Denarius (3.30 g), AD 69. Rome. A VITELLIVS GERM IMP AVG TR P, laureate head of Vitellius right. Reverse : PONT MAXIM, Vesta, veiled, seated on throne right, holding patera and scepter. RIC 107; BMC 34; RSC 72. Boldly struck and well centered. Lovely old cabinet toning. Superb Extremely Fine. Vitellius was made Governor of Lower Germany by Galba. When the legions became disaffected from Galba's austere and strict rule, they renounced their allegiance to him and hailed Vitellius as emperor. Vitellius at first refused the imperial title, but he did take the name Germanicus and pledged to lead the revolt. Shortly thereafter the provinces of Britain, Gaul and Spain defected to him. Meanwhile in Rome Galba had been murdered and Otho installed as the new emperor by the Praetorian Guard. Otho offered to share the emperorship with Vitellius, but the latter, whose forces were already marching on Rome, refused. A decisive engagement, the Battle of Bedriacum, was fought between the two sides in the vicinity between Cremona and Verona, and Vitellius's forces were victorious. Despite losing at Bedriacum, Otho perhaps could still have won the war - he had the support of the formidable legions of Dalmatia, Moesia and Pannonia, as well as both the Praetorian Guard and the Roman fleet - but instead chose to avoid civil war by committing suicide. Once in Rome the Senate decreed Vitellius the usual imperial honors. The historians Suetonius, Tacitus and Dio Cassius do not record much positive about Vitellius's short reign, but he did implement some worthwhile and lasting changes (for instance, he accepted equites into the offices of imperial administration whereas before they had been open only to freedmen). Overall, though, his reign was irresolute, and Vitellius himself is described as lazy and self-indulgent. Estimated Value $7,000 - 8,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $7,050
Lot 3128		Vespasian. Silver Denarius (3.6 g), AD 69-79. Ephesus, AD 69/70. IMP CAES VESPAS AVG, laureate head of Vespasian right. Reverse : PACI ORB TERR AVG, turreted and draped female bust right; below, Φ horizontally. RIC 1407; RPC 813; BMC 437; RSC 291. Rare. Boldly struck and well defined with some luster present. Superb Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $1,500 - 2,000. Ex Goldberg 70 (4-5 September 2012), 3240. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,410
Lot 3129		Vespasian. Silver Denarius (3.50 g), AD 69-79. Ephesus, AD 71. IMP CAESAR VESPAS AVG COS III TR P P P, laureate head of Vespasian right. Reverse : AVG / E(PHE) in two lines within wreath. RIC 1427; RPC 829; BMC 452; RSC 40. Very scarce. Boldly struck in high relief and perfectly centered. A needle sharp example with luster present. Superb Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $2,500 - 3,000. Ex Künker 143 (6 October 2008), 518. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $4,935
Lot 3130		Vespasian, with Titus and Domitian, as Caesars. Silver Denarius (3.53 g), AD 69-79. Ephesus, AD 71. IMP CAESAR VESPAS AVG COS III TR P P P, laureate head of Vespasian right. Reverse : AVG VESPAS above, LIBERI IMP below, confronted bare heads of Titus and Domitian; between E(PHE). RIC 1429; RPC 831; BMC 455; RSC 2a. Rare. Boldly struck in high relief and all three portraits are incredibly sharp! Luster still present and lightly toned. Superb Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $8,000 - 9,000. Ex NAC 46 (2 April 2008), 528. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $13,513
Lot 3131		Vespasian. Silver Denarius (3.09 g), AD 69-79. Rome, AD 76. IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG, laureate head of Vespasian right. Reverse : COS VII, eagle standing facing on garlanded cippus, head left. RIC 847; BMC 180; RSC 121. Boldly struck in high relief on a large flan and perfectly centered. The surfaces are lustrous and delicately toned. Nearly Mint State. The principate of Vespasian brought much needed stability to the Empire after Nero's reign and the subsequent civil wars of AD 68-69. Vespasian settled disturbances in Judaea and in Britain, as well as smaller uprisings in Cyprus and Egypt. He rebuilt much of Rome, still largely ruined from the devastating fire that swept the city in AD 64, and he extended the citizenship of the Empire. The reverse of this coin is a stock type which alludes to this Flavian peace and prosperity, and perhaps implies the hand of Jupiter Optimus Maximus (Jupiter, Best and Greatest) to whom Vespasian had paid particular attention, re-consecrating his temple in AD 70. Estimated Value $2,000 - 2,500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $3,760
Lot 3132		Vespasian. Silver Denarius (3.43 g), AD 69-79. Rome, AD 76. IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG, laureate head of Vespasian right. Reverse : IOVIS CVSTOS, Jupiter standing facing, holding patera and scepter; at his feet to left, altar. RIC 849; BMC 276; RSC 222. Well struck and perfectly centered. Extremely Fine. Jupiter Custos, or Jupiter Conservator, is honored on this coin because he was thought to have protected Domitian when the Vitellians stormed the capitol in AD 69. Vespasian dedicated an altar of marble to the god, the sides of which were engraved with a scene representing the rescue. Once Domitian became emperor, he erected a large temple to Jupiter Custos, which may have incorporated the altar. Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,300. Ex CNG 61 (25 September 2002), 1684. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $852
Lot 3133		Divus Vespasian. Silver Denarius (3.48 g), died AD 79. Rome, under Titus, AD 80/1. DIVVS AVGVSTVS VESPASIANVS, laureate head of Vespasian right. Reverse : Foreparts of two capricorns opposed, supporting between them round shield inscribed S C on globe. RIC 357; BMC 129; RSC 497. Attractively toned. Superb Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $1,500 - 2,000. Ex Roma V (23 March 2013), 714. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,704
Lot 3134		Divus Vespasian. Silver Denarius (3.5 g), died AD 79. Rome, under Titus, AD 80/1. DIVVS AVGVSTVS VESPASIANVS, laureate head of Vespasian right. Reverse : EX S C across field, Victory standing left, affixing shield to trophy at foot of which Judaea seated left in attitude of mourning. RIC 364; BMC 112; RSC 144. Rare in this choice grade. Well struck on a huge flan and well centered. Lustrous surfaces with a hint of light golden tone. Superb Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,300. Ex Heritage 3008 (4 January 2010), 21362. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $3,408
Lot 3135		Titus. Silver Denarius (3.22 g), as Caesar, AD 69-79. Rome, AD 79. T CAESAR IMP VESPASIANVS, laureate head of Titus right sporting slight beard. Reverse : TR POT VIII COS VII, slow quadriga left, drawing garlanded cart containing flower. RIC 1073; BMC 256-7; RSC 336. Rare. Last issue as Caesar. Boldly struck in high relief and well centered. Lovely old cabinet toning. Superb Extremely Fine. This coin was struck shortly before Vespasian's death, in the period from January to June AD 79, and is from the last issue of Titus, as Caesar. Estimated Value $3,000 - 3,500. Ex Triton XII (6-7 January 2009), 579. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $7,638
Lot 3136		Titus. Silver Denarius (3.42 g), AD 79-81. Rome, AD 80. IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M, laureate head of Titus right sporting slight beard. Reverse : TR P IX IMP XV COS VIII P P, laurel wreath set on double curule chairs. RIC 108; BMC 66-9; RSC 318. Boldly struck on a large flan and perfectly centered, lightly toned. Superb Extremely Fine. This coin was struck after a very unfortunate year for Rome, AD 79, which first saw the death of the Emperor Vespasian, followed by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius with the resultant destruction of two major towns and the deaths of approximately 16,000 people, then a great fire that destroyed much of the monumental center of Rome, and finally plague which swept through the city, killing many thousands. In order to atone for any sacrilege, the Senate decreed a sellisternium, a ritual banquet for Roman goddesses and attended by their effigies placed on chairs or benches. The reverse type alludes to this event, with the laurel wreath representing the supremacy of the divine pantheon. Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,300. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,585
Lot 3137		Domitian. Silver Denarius (3.66 g), as Caesar, AD 69-81. Ephesus, under Vespasian, AD 71. DOMITIANVS CAESAR AVG F, bare-headed and cuirassed bust of Domitian right, aegis on breastplate. Reverse : PACI AVGVSTAE, Victory standing right, holding wreath and palm; in lower right field, EPE. RIC 1447; RPC 848; BMC 473; RSC 336. Very Rare. An outstanding example of this rare issue. Well struck in excellent metal and attractively toned. Superb Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $3,000 - 3,500. Ex Imagines Imperatorvm Sale (Aureo & Calicó, 8 February 2012), 72. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $6,169
Lot 3138		Domitian. Silver Denarius (3.34 g), as Caesar, AD 69-81. Rome, under Vespasian, AD 76/7. CAESAR AVG F DOMITIANVS, laureate head of bearded Domitian right. Reverse : COS IIII above, Pegasus standing right, pawing ground with foreleg. RIC 238; BMC 193-5; RSC 47. Well struck on a large flan and perfectly centered, all attractively toned. Superb Extremely Fine. The image of Pegasus on this issue is normally shown standing right, pawing the ground with his foreleg. There is one rare die, however, which shows him rearing instead of pawing (see Edston Hoard 91, CHRB 10, pl. 17). There are many reasons why horses paw at the ground, and most equine behaviorists will say the animal is either nervous or irritated. However, when the head is held in a high position, it usually means that the animal is establishing dominance. Of course, the animal on this coin is not a horse but a pegasus; it seems the engraver was attempting to convey the same idea, though. Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,300. Ex Roma V (23 March 2013), 723. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,939
Lot 3139		Domitian. Silver Denarius (3.3 g), as Caesar, AD 69-81. Rome, under Titus, AD 80/1. CAESAR DIVI F DOMITIANVS COS VII, laureate head of slightly bearded Domitian right. Reverse : PRINCEPS IVVENTVTIS, lighted and garlanded altar. RIC II 266; BMC 92; RSC 397a. Well struck with intricate detail, lightly toned. Superb Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,300. Ex Spink 1012 (1-2 December 2010), 1320. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,351
Lot 3140		Domitian. Silver Denarius (3.66 g), as Caesar, AD 69-81. Rome, under Titus, AD 80/1. CAESAR DIVI F DOMITIANVS COS VII, laureate head of Domitian right. Reverse : PRINCEPS IVVENTVTIS, goat standing left within laurel wreath. RIC 267; BMC 88-90; RSC 390. A superior example of the type. Well struck and well centered with some luster remaining. Superb Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,300. Ex Roma II (2 October 2011), 627. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,410
Lot 3141		Domitian. Silver Denarius (3.57 g), AD 81-96. Rome, AD 88. IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P VII, laureate head of Domitian right. Reverse : IMP XIIII COS XIIII CENS P P P, Minerva standing facing, head left, holding thunderbolt and spear; resting at her side on ground, shield. RIC 580; BMC 119-21; RSC 234. Boldly struck and perfectly centered. Lovely old cabinet toning. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $900 - 1,000. Ex Hess-Divo 309 (28 April 2008), 146. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,528
Lot 3142		Domitia. Silver Denarius (3.57 g), Augusta, AD 82-96. Rome, under Domitian, AD 82/3. DOMITIA AVGVSTA IMP DOMIT, draped bust of Domitia right, hair bunched high on forehead and braided in long plait down back of neck. Reverse : CONCOR-DIA AVGVST, peacock walking right. RIC 151; BMC 61; RSC 2. A magnificent example, boldly struck with the head of Domitia in high relief and beautifully preserved. Very rare, one of the finest known. Superb Extremely Fine. Domitia Longina was the youngest daughter of the Roman general Corbulo and a remote descendant of the emperor Augustus through Junia Lepida, a great-great granddaughter of Augustus. Despite her father's disgrace and forced suicide under Nero in AD 67, the family survived, perhaps due to this Julio-Claudian lineage. Early in Vespasian's reign, Domitia divorced her first husband and married the future emperor Domitian. After his assassination in AD 96 she went into retirement, living for many years afterward well into the reign of Hadrian. Estimated Value $15,000 - 17,000. Ex Nomos 2 (18 May 2010), 182. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $21,150
Lot 3143		Domitilla II. Silver Denarius (3.50 g), Augusta, ca. AD 82/3. Rome, under Domitian, AD 82/3. DIVA DOMITILLA AVGVSTA, draped bust of Domitillia II right, hair in curls on forehead and braided in long plait down back of neck. Reverse : FORTVNA AVGVST, Fortuna standing facing, head left, holding rudder and cornucopiae. RIC 157; BMC 137; RSC 3. Boldly struck on a huge flan and well centered on both sides. An incredible example, lustrous with hints of light golden toning. Extremely rare and among the finest known specimens. Superb Extremely Fine. Although the first edition of RIC II assigns this exceptionally rare and spectacular denarius to Domitilla I, the wife of Vespasian, it is a coin of Domitilla II, the sister of Titus and Domitian. The coin is undated, but metrological evidence indicates that it was struck after Domitian's monetary reform of AD 82, specifically to the year 82/3 (see Carradice, Coinage and Finances in the Reign of Domitian, AD 81-96, pp. 16-22). The title of Augusta - which surprisingly was not mentioned by any ancient author - was given posthumously to the younger Domitilla, probably at the same time that Domitian's wife Domitia was awarded the title. Estimated Value $30,000-UP. Ex Numismatica Genevensis 7 (27-28 November 2012), 348; NAC 41 (20 November 2007), 63. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $61,688
Lot 3144		Nerva. Silver Denarius (3.4 g), AD 96-98. Rome, AD 96. IMP NERVA CAES AVG P M TR P COS II P P, laureate head of Nerva right. Reverse : CONCORDIA EXERCITVVM, clasped hands before aquila set on prow. RIC 3; BMC 8; RSC 25. Well struck and well centered. Well toned with hints of iridescense. Extremely Fine. The Roman emperor Nerva came from a distinguished family that was connected to the Julio-Claudian dynasty through marriage. He served under Nero and was instrumental in uncovering the Pisonian conspiracy in AD 65, and subsequently served under each of the three Flavian emperors in turn. Upon Domitian's assassination in AD 96, the Senate proclaimed Nerva emperor solely on their own initiative, the first such instance of the Senate exercising this prerogative during imperial times. Upon his accession Nerva attempted to appease the Senate by ending Domitian's proscriptions and promising a general amnesty to the conspirators, stating he would not have any senators put to death. Additionally, he paid a large donative amounting to 5000 denarii a head to the Praetorian Guard. However, the Praetorians were dissatisfied, and in October AD 97 they laid siege to the Imperial Palace and took Nerva hostage. They demanded that the emperor hand over those responsible for Domitian's death, who were swiftly executed, and then forced Nerva to give a speech publicly thanking them. This event damaged the emperor's authority beyond repair, and shortly thereafter Nerva adopted as heir the popular general of the German frontier, Marcus Ulpius Traianus. With this accomplished, Nerva all but abdicated the throne, dying only three months later (January AD 98). Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,300. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,056
Lot 3145		Nerva. Silver Denarius (3.3 g), AD 96-98. Rome, AD 97. IMP NERVA CAES AVG P M TR POT II, laureate head of Nerva right. Reverse : COS III PATER PATRIAE, sacrificial implements: simpulum, sprinkler, ewer and lituus. RIC 34; BMC 56; RSC 51. Boldly struck in high relief and perfectly centered. Attractive iridescent toning. Superb Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,300. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,469
Lot 3146		Trajan. Silver Denarius (3.6 g), AD 98-117. Rome, AD 101/2. IMP CAES NERVA TRAIAN AVG GERM, laureate head of Trajan right. Reverse : P M TR P COS IIII P P, statue of Hercules standing facing on small base, holding club and lion's skin. RIC 49; Woytek 100a; BMC 86; RSC 234. Boldly struck and well centered with lustrous surfaces. Nearly Mint State. The statue of Hercules on this coin honors Hercules of Gades, the patron of Trajan's native country. The Pillars of Hercules - the Rock of Gibraltar on the European flank, and an undetermined summit on the North African coast opposite - served as the westernmost extent of Hercules' labors, where he was sent to capture the Cattle of Geryon and bring them back to Eurystheus. For the ancients, the sea beyond the Pillars represented the great Unknown. Estimated Value $800 - 900. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,351
Lot 3147		Trajan. Silver Denarius (3.3 g), AD 98-117. Rome, AD 101/2. IMP CAES NERVA TRA-IAN AVG GERM, laureate head of Trajan right. Reverse : P M TR P COS IIII P P, Victory standing right, holding wreath and palm, on prow of galley terminating in a serpent. RIC 59; Woytek 123a; BMC 102; RSC 241. Well struck and perfectly centered. Lightly toned. Superb Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $500 - 600. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,528
Lot 3148		Trajan. Silver Denarius (3.1 g), AD 98-117. Rome, AD 104-107. IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS V P P, heroic bust showing bare chest of Trajan left, slight drapery on near shoulder. Reverse : S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI, Genius standing facing, head left, sacrificing out of patera over altar at his feet to left, holding cornucopiae. RIC 185; cf. Woytek 217q; BMC p. 60, note; RSC 394f. Extremely rare. Boldly struck and quite attractive with lovely iridescent toning on both sides. Superb Extremely Fine. A splendid and very rare bust type, almost medallic in nature! We must wonder if coins such as this were used as special presentation pieces. Estimated Value $3,000 - 3,500. Ex NAC 38 (21 March 2007), 50. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $6,169
Lot 3149		Trajan. Silver Denarius (3.4 g), AD 98-117. Rome, AD 107-110. IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P, laureate bust of Trajan right, slight drapery on far shoulder. Reverse : COS V P P S P Q R OPTIMO PRINC, Fortuna standing left, holding rudder and cornucopiae; in background to left, forepart of ship. RIC 122; Woytek 271b; BMC 306; RSC 87. Boldly struck with needle sharp detail and lustrous surfaces. Nearly Mint State. Estimated Value $600 - 700. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,087
Lot 3150		Trajan. Silver Denarius (3.31 g), AD 98-117. Rome, ca. AD 113/4. IM[P TR]AIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS VI P P, laureate and draped bust of Trajan right. Reverse : S P Q R OPTI-MO PRINCIPI, Trajan's Column: tall column with diagonal bands representing friezes surmounted by statue of Trajan holding patera and long scepter; base with entrance and two eagles, one on either side of column. RIC 292; Woytek 425a; BMC 452; RSC 558. Well struck and well centered. Luster still present and delicately toned. An exceptional example of this popular and scarce type. Nearly Mint State. Trajan's column, completed during his sixth consulate about eight years after his final conquests over the Dacian's under their king Decebalus in AD 106, was an inspiring monument located in Trajan's forum in Rome. A flank of the Quirinal Hill had to be excavated to a height of 120 feet to make room for the forum, and it appears that originally the column was simply a marker of the depth of excavation that was required, the notable frieze being a mere afterthought. The column itself consists of seventeen marble drums, each over four feet tall, overlaid with a frieze approximately three feet wide and 656 feet long spiraling diagonally twenty-three times around the shaft from its base to its summit. The action of the frieze, which is continuous and is divided by conventional uprights such as a tree, a wall or a standing figure, shows 165 episodes of the campaign, and includes more than 2500 human figures. It chronicles Trajan's campaigns in Dacia, and is divided in half, the first representing the First Dacian War of AD 101-102, the latter the Second Dacian War of AD 105-106. Surmounting the whole structure was a statue of the emperor, which disappeared during the Middle Ages but which was replaced in 1587 by Pope Sixtus V with a bronze statue of St. Peter. In addition to providing entrance to the column, which contains an internal helical stairway to its summit, the base served as sepulcher housing the remains of Trajan and his wife, Plotina. Estimated Value $3,000 - 3,500. Ex NAC 40 (16 May 2007), 699. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $8,225
Lot 3151		Marciana. Silver Denarius (3.28 g), Augusta, ca. AD 105-112/4. Rome, under Trajan, AD 114. DIVA AVGVSTA MARCIANA, diademed and draped bust of Marciana right, hair in elaborately coifed row curls above brow and bound into tight bun high at back of head. Reverse : CONSECRATIO, eagle, with wings displayed, standing left, head right. RIC 743; Woytek 719; BMC 650; RSC 4. Boldly struck and well centered with incredibly sharp detail. Delicate old cabinet toning adds to its appeal. An absolutely marvelous example of this important rarity! Easily one of the finest known. Superb Extremely Fine. Marciana was Trajan's elder sister, and from all accounts they were very close. After her husband died in AD 78, she and her daughter, Matidia, lived with Trajan and his wife, Plotina. She never remarried and continued to live with Trajan and Plotina until she died, probably in AD 112 or 114. Estimated Value $25,000 - 30,000. Ex NFA VI (27-28 February 1979), 709. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $58,750
Lot 3152		Hadrian. Silver Denarius (3.11 g), AD 117-138. Rome, ca. AD 119-125. IMP CAESAR TRAIAN H-ADRIANVS AVG, laureate bust of Hadrian right, slight drapery on far shoulder. Reverse : P M TR P COS III, Fortuna standing facing, head left, leaning on column behind, holding rudder and cornucopiae. RIC 86; Strack 112; BMC 170; RSC 1155a. Well struck and well centered with lustrous surfaces, lightly toned. Nearly Mint State. Estimated Value $500 - 600. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,204
Lot 3153		Hadrian. Silver Denarius (3.4 g), AD 117-138. Rome, ca. AD 119-125. IMP CAESAR TRAIAN HADRIANVS AVG, laureate and draped bust of Hadrian right. Reverse : P M TR P COS III around, LIB PVB in exergue, Libertas seated left, holding branch and scepter. Cf. RIC 127 (bust); Strack 74; BMC 286; RSC 903a. Well struck and lightly toned. Superb Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $500 - 600. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $940
Lot 3154		Hadrian. Silver Denarius (3.33 g), AD 117-138. Rome, AD 121. IMP CAESAR TRAIAN HADRI[A]NVS AVG, laureate and draped bust of Hadrian right. Reverse : P M TR P COS III, galley sailing left. Cf. RIC 113 (bust); Strack 105; BMC 247; RSC 1174b. Boldly struck in high relief and perfectly centered. A marvelous specimen and delicately toned. Nearly Mint State. The extensive galley types of Hadrian should probably be placed in AD 121 when he first set out on what became extensive tours of the Roman Empire, the ship of course symbolically representing a long voyage. Estimated Value $2,500 - 3,000. Ex Numismatica Genevensis 5 (2-3 December 2008), 230. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $4,113
Lot 3155		Hadrian. Silver Denarius (3.1 g), AD 117-138. Rome, ca. AD 132-135. HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS, bare-headed and draped bust of Hadrian left. Reverse : PIETATI AVG around, COS III P P in exergue, Pietas seated left, holding patera and scepter. RIC 219; Strack 347; BMC 565; RSC 1047. Very Rare. Boldly struck and well centered with full legends and a fine sensitive portrait of the emperor. Attractive old cabinet toning. Superb Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $3,000 - 3,500. Ex Tkalec (7 May 2009), 135. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $9,106
Lot 3156		Hadrian. Silver Denarius (3.4 g), AD 117-138. Rome, ca. AD 134-138. HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P, bare head of Hadrian right. Reverse : TELLVS above, STABIL in exergue, Tellus reclining left leaning on basket, resting hand on globe and holding vine branch. Cf. RIC 277 (no vine branch); Strack 274; BMC 748; RSC 1429. Rare. Boldly struck, well centered with complete legends and lustrous. Nearly Mint State. Estimated Value $2,500 - 3,000. Ex Imagines Imperatorvm Sale (Aureo & Calicó, 8 February 2012), 95. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $5,875
Lot 3157		Hadrian. Silver Denarius (3.36 g), AD 117-138. Rome, ca. AD 134-138. HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P, laureate head of Hadrian right. Reverse : AEGYPTOS, Egypt reclining left, holding sistrum and resting arm on basket; at feet, ibis standing right. RIC 297; Strack 294; BMC 801; RSC 100. Boldly struck and well centered with lovely old cabinet toning. Superb Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,300. Ex Triton XII (5-7 January 2009), 612. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $3,525
Lot 3158		Hadrian. Silver Denarius (3.4 g), AD 117-138. Rome, ca. AD 134-138. HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P, laureate head of Hadrian right. Reverse : RESTITV-TORI GALLIAE, emperor, togate, standing right, holding roll and extending hand to raise up Gallia kneeling left. RIC 324; Strack 320; BMC 877; RSC 1247c. Boldly struck with the portrait in high relief and perfectly centered. Needle sharp with old cabinet toning. We note an old 'museum' number "97" faintly painted in the right obverse field. Superb Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $500 - 600. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,763
Lot 3159		Sabina. Silver Denarius (3.34 g), Augusta, AD 128-136/7. Rome, under Hadrian, ca. AD 128-134. SABINA AVGVSTA HADRIANI AVG P P, diademed and draped bust of Sabina right, hair plaited in coil atop head. Reverse : Ceres seated left on basket, holding grain ears and torch. RIC 411a; Strack 360; BMC 919, note; RSC 91. Very Rare. Boldly struck and well centered on a nice wide flan, all delicately toned. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $5,000 - 6,000. Ex Gorny & Mosch 203 (5 March 2012), 119; Leu 59 (17 May 1994), 278. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $7,638
Lot 3160		Aelius. Silver Denarius (3.29 g), Caesar, AD 136-138. Rome, under Hadrian, AD 137. L AELIVS CAESAR, bare head of Aelius right. Reverse : TRIB POT COS II, CONCORD in exergue, Concordia seated left, holding patera and resting arm on cornucopiae balanced on side of throne. Cf. RIC 443 (aureus); Strack 398; BMC 1001; RSC 11a. Boldly struck with the portrait in high relief. Extremely Fine. Overlooking the BM specimen, Mattingly and Sydenham omitted this type when compiling RIC II, which was published in 1926. Four specimens were amongst the coins in the massive 1929 Réka-Devnia Hoard, and perhaps it is for this reason that it was 'rediscovered' by both Strack in his study of Hadrian (1933) and Mattingly in BMC (1936). The type was marginally more common by number of specimens relative to several other types found in Réka-Devnia; however, it remains an elusive rarity for today's specialist of Hadrian's coinage. Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,300. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,351
Lot 3161		Antoninus Pius. Silver Denarius (2.88 g), AD 138-161. Rome, ca. AD 141-143. ANTONINVS AVG PI-VS P P TR P COS III, laureate head of Antoninus Pius right. Reverse : AVRELIVS CAES AVG PII F COS, bare-headed and draped bust of Marcus Aurelius right. RIC 417c; Strack 116; BMC 160, note; RSC 22. Well struck with full legends. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $500 - 600. Ex Goldberg 74 (4 June 2013), 3613. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $646
Lot 3162		Antoninus Pius. Silver Denarius (3.4 g), AD 138-161. Rome, AD 145-147. ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P, laureate head of Antoninus Pius right. Reverse : COS IIII, winged thunderbolt set on draped throne. RIC 137; Strack 165; BMC 536-9; RSC 345. Well struck and well centered. Lustrous surfaces. Mint State. Estimated Value $500 - 600. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $705
Lot 3163		Divus Antoninus Pius. Silver Denarius (3.2 g), died AD 161. Rome, under Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus, AD 161. DIVVS ANTONINVS, bare-headed and slightly draped bust of Antoninus Pius right. Reverse : CONSECRATIO, funeral pyre surmounted by facing quadriga. RIC 438; Szaivert 27/4-12; BMC 60; RSC 164a. Boldly struck and lustrous. Mint State. Estimated Value $500 - 600. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $558
Lot 3164		Diva Faustina I. Silver Denarius (3.3 g), died AD 140/1. Rome, under Antoninus Pius, ca. AD 141-146. DIVA FAV-STINA, draped bust of Faustina I right. Reverse : AVGV-STA, Ceres standing facing, head left, holding grain-ears and long torch. RIC 360; Strack 474; BMC 408; RSC 78. Well struck and well centered with delicate golden toning. Superb Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $300 - 400. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $294
Lot 3165		Diva Faustina I. Silver Denarius (3.5 g), died AD 140/1. Rome, under Antoninus Pius, ca. AD 141-146. DIVA FAVSTINA, draped bust of Faustina I right. Reverse : CONSECR-ATIO, peacock walking right, head turned to look back. RIC 384b; Strack 453; BMC 473; RSC 175. Perfectly centered and delicately toned, a superb example. Nearly Mint State. Estimated Value $400 - 500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $734
Lot 3166		Marcus Aurelius. Silver Denarius (3.41 g), as Caesar, AD 138-161. Rome, under Antoninus Pius, AD 145-147. AVRELIVS CA-ESAR AVG PII F, bare head of Marcus Aurelius right. Reverse : COS II, Honos standing facing, head left, holding branch and cornucopiae. RIC 429a; Strack 155; BMC 594; RSC 110. Well struck, fully lustrous and delicately toned. Mint State. Estimated Value $600 - 700. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,234
Lot 3167		Marcus Aurelius. Silver Denarius (3.4 g), AD 161-180. Rome, AD 162. IMP M AVREL ANTONINVS AVG, bare head of Marcus Aurelius right. Reverse : CONCORD AVG TR P XVI, COS III in exergue, Concordia seated left on low seat, holding patera and resting arm on small statuette of Spe; below seat, cornucopiae. RIC 35; Szaivert 32-4/12; BMC 181; RSC 35. Well struck with lustrous surfaces and lightly toned. Mint State. Estimated Value $500 - 600. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $940
Lot 3168		Marcus Aurelius. Silver Denarius (3.5 g), AD 161-180. Rome, AD 162. M ANTONINVS AVG, bare head of Marcus Aurelius right. Reverse : CONCORD AVG TR P XVI around, COS III in exergue, Concordia seated left, holding patera, elbow resting on statuette of Spes atop cornucopiae. RIC 38; Szaivert 39-4/10; BMC 194; RSC 33. Boldly struck, well centered and lustrous. Mint State. Estimated Value $500 - 600. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,585
Lot 3169		Marcus Aurelius, with Commodus, as Caesar. Silver Denarius (3.25 g), AD 161-180. Rome, AD 175. M ANTONINVS AVG GERM TR P XXIX, laureate head of Marcus Aurelius right. Reverse : COMMODVS CAES AVG FIL GERM, bare-headed and draped bust of Commodus right. RIC 336a; Szaivert 302-4/30; BMC 625, note; RSC 1c. Boldly struck, well centered and attractively toned. Of the highest rarity, very few specimens known. Extremely Fine. The underlying feature of the Adoptive emperors, Trajan, Hadrian, Antonius Pius, and jointly Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus, is that each had been adopted by his predecessor and cultivated to take over the reigns of power once the throne was vacant. This was an innovative and sound approach to the succession which provided Rome with excellent emperors and great stability throughout most of the second century AD. Marcus Aurelius, however, was a man thoroughly doting towards his family and broke with this tradition when he elevated his own son, Commodus, as Caesar in 166. As it turned out, once he had obtained sole rule Commodus proved thoroughly unsuited for the task, as he was mentally unbalanced and exceptionally cruel. The dual-portrait dynasty denarii of Marcus Aurelius and Commodus as Caesar are exceptionally rare, having been struck for a very short time sometime between July 7, when Commodus received the toga virilis and then end of September, when Aurelius began using the title Sarmaticus on his coinage. Sear notes "perhaps only one or two of the last three [varieties of dynastic denarii of Marcus Aurelius and Commodus] exist," while RIC notes only one specimen of this particular variety with the bust of Commodus draped, Ratto (8 February 1928), 3098, of which this coin shares both its obverse and reverse dies (particular thanks goes to Dr. T. V. Buttrey, Honorary Keeper of Ancient Coins, Department of Coins and Medals at the Fitzwilliam Museum, who has built a monumental collection of auction sale catalogues for the department, for comparing the dies of our coin to the Ratto specimen). Estimated Value $10,000 - 12,000. Ex Imagines Imperatorvm Sale (Aureo & Calicó, 8 February 2012), 119; NAC 18 (29 March 2000), 557. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $31,725
Lot 3170		Faustina II. Silver Denarius (3.6 g), Augusta, AD 147-175. Rome, under Antoninus Pius, ca. AD 147-150. FAVSTINAE AVG PII AVG FIL, draped bust of Faustina II right, hair tied in bun at back of head, single circlet of pearls around. Reverse : V-E-NVS, Venus standing facing, head left, holding apple and rudder placed on dove. RIC 515a; cf. Strack 520; cf. BMC 1067; RSC 261. Boldly struck with the portrait in high relief on a full flan, well centered and lustrous. Nearly Mint State. Estimated Value $800 - 900. Ex Tkalec (7 May 2009), 149. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,146
Lot 3171		Lucius Verus. Silver Denarius (3.29 g), AD 161-169. Rome, AD 163. IMP L VERVS AVG, bare head of Lucius Verus right. Reverse : PROV DEOR TR P III COS II, Providentia standing facing, head left, holding globe and cornucopiae. RIC 491; Szaivert 56-14/10; BMC 229; RSC 156. Boldly struck with a high relief portrait and perfectly centered. Lustrous and delicately toned. Nearly Mint State. Estimated Value $700 - 800. Ex Roma IV (30 September 2012), 567; Triton X (9 January 2007), 647. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $911
Lot 3172		Lucius Verus. Silver Denarius (3.28 g), AD 161-169. Rome, AD 163. L VERVS AVG ARMENIACVS, bare head of Lucius Verus right. Reverse : TR P III IMP II COS II, ARMEN in exergue, Armenia seated left in attitude of mourning, resting head on hand; in background, shields and vexillum. RIC 501; Szaivert 62-14/10; BMC 239; RSC 6. Boldly struck with a high relief portrait, perfectly centered and attractively toned. Nearly Mint State. Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,200. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,234
Lot 3173		Lucilla. Silver Denarius (3.26 g), Augusta, AD 164-182. Rome, under Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus, AD 161-162. LVCILLAE AVG ANTONINI AVG F, draped bust of Lucilla right. Reverse : VOTA / PVBLI/CA in three lines within laurel wreath. RIC 791; Szaivert 22-4/10; BMC 329; RSC 98. Well struck, well centered and lustrous. Nearly Mint State. Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,200. Ex Gorny & Mosch 203 (5 March 2012), 365; Lanz 72 (29 May 1995), 656. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,293
Lot 3174		Commodus. Silver Denarius (3.3 g), AD 177-192. Rome, AD 181. L AVREL COM-MODVS AVG, laureate head of Commodus right. Reverse : TR P IIII IMP III COS II P P, Fortuna seated left, holding rudder and cornucopiae; below seat, wheel. RIC 662; Szaivert 449-4/30; BMC 796; RSC 771. Well struck and well centered with lovely deep iridescent toning. Superb Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,200. Ex Goldberg 75 (22-25 September 2013), 2623; Lepczyk 61 (13-14 March 1985), 411. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,763

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