Goldberg Coins and Collectibles



Sale 91

June 2016 Pre-Long Beach


Roman Imperial Coinage
 
 
Lot Photo Description Realized
Lot 1960
Augustus. Silver Denarius (3.72 g), 27 BC-AD 14. Superb EF. Caesaraugusta (?), ca. 19/8 BC. Head of Augustus right, wreathed with oak-leaves. Reverse CAESAR AVGVSTVS, two laurel branches. RIC 33a; BMC 352; RSC 47. Lovely old cabinet toning with hints of iridescense. A fantastic portrait of great style struck on an exceptionally large flan. Superb Extremely Fine.
When Octavian was awarded the honorary title of Augustus in 27 BC investing him with supreme power, he was also given the right to decorate his door posts with laurel branches, a sign of martial victory, and the corona civica, an oak-wreath symbolizing the saving of a Roman life. In the case of Augustus, the laurel branches signified his victory over Mark Antony and Cleopatra at Actium, and the corona civica was awarded for saving the life of not one citizen but of many thousands when he successfully ending the civil wars. On this coin Augustus is portraying wearing the oak wreath crown - which occurs only occasionally on Roman coins - which by law he was required to do at every public gathering. Estimated Value $30,000-UP

Ex Alberto Campana Collection (NAC 64, 17-18 May 2012), 1033; Rauch 82 (23 April 2008), 203 Ex Exceptional Roman Denarii Coll. #3104.

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Lot 1961
Augustus. AE As (13.24 g), 27 BC-AD 14 Choice VF. Colonia Patricia in Hispania. PER M CAES AVG, bare head of Augustus left. Reverse: COLONIA/PATRICIA in two lines within oak wreath. ACIP 3357; RPC 129. Excellent expressive portrait of Augustus. Red-brown patina. Choice Very Fine. Estimated Value $250 - 350
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Realized
$147
Lot 1962
Roman Empire. Agrippa. AE As (13.23g), 16 BC VF. Nemausus in Gaul, 16-10 BC. I(MP) above, DIVI F below, heads of Agrippa, wearing combined rostral crown and laurel wreath, and Augustus, bare, back to back. Reverse: [C]OL NEM across field, crocodile right, chained to palm with wreath at top; two palm branches at base. RIC 155; RPC 523. Nice earthen-green patina. Head of Augustus abraded. Very Fine. Estimated Value $250 - 300
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Lot 1963
Agrippa. AE aS (12.01 g), died 12 BC Choice VF. Rome, under Gaius Caligula, AD 37-41. M AGRIPPA L F COS III, head of Agrippa left, wearing rostral crown. Reverse: S C across field, Neptune standing facing, head left, holding small dolphin and trident. RIC 58; BMC 161. Dark reddish-brown patina. Choice Very Fine. Estimated Value $300 - 350
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Realized
$470
Lot 1964
Tiberius, AD 14-37. Gold Aureus (7.72g). Lugdunum, minted AD 14-17. Laaureate head of Tiberius right. Reverse: PONTIF MAXIM, Livia as Pax, seated right on chair with ornate legs, holding scepter and olive branch. RIC 29. Lyon 149. Calicó 305d (same obverse die with fine die crack across cheek). Fully lustrous with complete legends and beading on both sides. NGC grade Mint State; Strike: 5/5, Surface: 5/5. Estimated Value $12,500 - 15,000
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Realized
$14,100
Lot 1965
Tiberius, AD 14-37. Gold Aureus (7.78g). Lugdunum. "Tribute Penny" type. Laureate head of Tiberius right. Reverse: PONTIF MAXIM, Livia, as Pax, seated right on chair with orenate legs, holding scepter and olive branch. RIC 29; Lyon 149; BMC 46; Calicó 305a. NGC graded XF; Strike: 5/5, Surface: 3/5 edge marks. A nice bold strike and always in demand. Estimated Value $4,000 - 5,000
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Realized
$3,878
Lot 1966
Tiberius. Gold Aureus (7.47 g), AD 14-37 Fine. 'Tribute Penny" type. Lugdunum, AD 15-18. TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVGVSTVS, laureate head of Tiberius right. Reverse: PONTIF MAXIM, Livia, as Pax, seated right thorne with ornate legs, no footstool, holding inverted spear and olive branch; below, triple line. RIC 27; Lyon 145; BMC 39-41; Calicó 305a. A pleasing example. Toned. Fine. Estimated Value $3,500 - 4,000
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Realized
$2,585
Lot 1967
Tiberius, AD 14-37. Silver Denarius (3.83g). Struck at Lugdunum AD 18-35. "Tribute Penny" type. Laureate head of Tiberius right. Reverse: Livia, as Pax, seated right on chair with ornate legs, holding scepter and olive branch. RIC 30; Lyon 150; MBC 48. RSC 16a. NGC grade Choice XF; Strike: 5/5, Surface: 4/5. Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,200
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Realized
$852
Lot 1968
Nero Claudius Drusus. Silver Denarius (3.80 g), AD 41-54. Superb EF. Rome, under Claudius, ca. AD 41-45. NERO CLAVDIVS DRVSVS GERMANICVS IMP, laureate head of Nero Claudius Drusus left. Reverse Triumphal arch surmounted by equestrian statue left between two trophies, DE GERMANIS on architrave. RIC 72; BMC 101; RSC 4. Well struck on a large wide flan with every letter complete. A superb portrait of Nero Claudius Drusus and delicately toned. Very rare and among the finest specimens known. Superb Extremely Fine.
Nero Claudius Drusus was the son of Livia and the senator Tiberius Claudius Nero. Before he was born his parents divorced so that Augustus could marry his mother. Unlike his older brother, the future emperor Tiberius whom Augustus disliked, the emperor doted on his younger stepson.

In 13 BC Drusus was sent to govern Gaul, and while there he repelled an attack by a tribe of Germans who had invaded the province. Most of the following years until his death were spent on campaigns in German territory. First, he crossed the Rhine frontier and penetrated as far as the North Sea, subduing the Frisii. The following years saw him engaged against various confederations of the Chatti, Sicambri and Marcomanni. He died tragically in 9 BC from injuries he sustained when he fell from his horse while on campaign fighting the Marcomanni.

The Arch of Drusus that appears on the reverse of this coin and which commemorated his campaigns in Germania has not survived. Its precise location is not known, but it was on the Appian way. Estimated Value $30,000-UP

Ex NAC 62 (6 October 2011), 2018; NAC 29 (11 May 2005), 466; Tkalec (29 February 2000), 234; Ex Exceptional Roman Denarii Coll. #3043.

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Lot 1969
Antonia, mother of Claudius. AE Dupondius (12.9g), minted at Rome, AD 42 VF. 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. Nice strong portrait of this important Imperial woman. Very Fine.
Antonia, younger daughter of Mark 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 Caligua. Nonetheless, she recieved no honors until after her son Claudius becme emperor and struck coinage early in his reign. Estimated Value $350 - 400
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Realized
$734
Lot 1970
Agrippina Senior, wife of Germanicus. Died AD 33. AE Sestertius (24.79g) VF. Draped bust of Agrippina I right, hair at back of neck tied in long queue. Reverse: Carpentum drawn left by two mules, the cover supported by standing figures at the corners with ornamented side. RIC-55; BMC 81-7; Cohen 1. Uniform dark greyish-brown patina. Some smoothing in the fields. Rare. Very Fine. Estimated Value $500 - 600
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Realized
$823
Lot 1971
Gaius Caligula, with Germanicus. Silver Denarius (3.54 g), AD 37-41. EF. Lugdunum, AD 37/8. C CAESAR AVG GERM P M TR POT, laureate head of Gaius right. Reverse GERMANICVS CAES P C CAES AVG GERM, bare head of Germanicus right. RIC 18; Giard 172; BMC 19; RSC 2. Well struck and perfectly centered with all letters complete. Delicate antique toning. Among the finest examples to exist. Extremely Fine.
Germanicus was the son of Nero Claudius Drusus and Antonia, the daughter of Mark Antony, and was born in 15 BC. A scion of the Julio-Claudian dynasty, he also became one of Rome's most successful and beloved generals, having avenged Varus' defeat at the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest, retrieving two of the three lost standards and inflicting heavy defeats against Arminius, the protagonist in Varus campaign. He was not as successful in the field of politics, however, having inadvertently usurped the imperial prerogative on more than one occasion. The most egregious instance was his ordering the recall of the governor of Syria, Gnaeus Calpurnius Piso, for having canceled some of the arrangements for the settlement of Cappadocia and Commagene that Germanicus had ordered. Shortly after this episode, Germanicus fell severely ill and died at Antioch. Suspicion immediately fell on Piso, and it was thought that he had poisoned Germanicus at the instigation of Tiberius who was suspicious of Germanicus' popularity. The truth was never discovered, however, as Piso reportedly took his own life during the course of his trial (Tacitus believed Tiberius may have had him murdered before he could implicate the emperor in Germanicus' death). Estimated Value $30,000-UP

Ex The Millennia Collection (Goldberg 46, 26 May 2008), 84; NAC 25 (25 June 2003), 362.; Ex Exceptional Roman Denarii Coll. #3040.

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Realized
$32,900
Lot 1972
Gaius Caligula. AE As (12.40 g), AD 37-41 Choice VF. Rome, AD 40/1. C CAESAR DIVI AVG PRON AVG P M TR P IIII P P, bare head of Gaius Caligula left. Reverse: VESTA, S C across field, Vesta seated left, holding patera and scepter. RIC 54; BMC 72; BN 121. Lovely reddish brown patina. Well struck, well centered, and with full legends. Choice Very Fine. Estimated Value $1,200 - 1,500

Tom Peterson collection; Private purchase from Tom Cederline.

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Realized
$1,410
Lot 1973
Britannicus, son of Claudius. AE 17 (3.5g), minted at Smyrna, AD 50-54 VF. Draped bare head facing right. Reverse: Nike, right with trophy over shoulder. BMC 283; RPC (Nero Caesar) 2476. Very Rare. Uniform dark greenish-brown patina. Very Fine. Estimated Value $400 - 500
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Realized
$376
Lot 1974
Nero. Gold Aureus (7.45 g), AD 54-68 About VF. Rome, AD 61/2. NERO CAESAR AVG IMP, bare head of Nero right. Reverse: PONTIF MAX TR P VIII COS IIII P P, EX S C across field, Virtus standing left, resting foot on a pile of arms, holding parazonium and spear. RIC 31; WCN 15; Calicó 432. Scratches before the head of Nero. About Very Fine. Estimated Value $3,500 - 4,000

Tom Peterson collection; Private purchase from Tom Cederline.

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Realized
$3,760
Lot 1975
Nero. Gold Aureus (6.82 g), AD 54-68 Fine. Rome, ca. AD 64/5. NERO CAESAR AVGVSTVS, laureate head of Nero right. Reverse: IVPPITER CVSTOS, Jupiter seated left, holding thunderbolt and scepter. RIC 52; Calicó 412. We note some smoothing on the edge. Fine. Estimated Value $2,500 - 3,000
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Realized
$2,056
Lot 1976
Nero, AD 54-68. AE Sestertius (26.48g) VF. Minted at Lugdunum, ca. AD 65. Laureate head of Nero right, globe at point of bust. Reverse: Statiary group of the emperor in quadriga flanked by Victory and Pax atop triumphal arch; at cornices, soldiers or torch bearers; in side niche of arch, statue of Mars holding spear. RIC 393; BMC 329; Cohen 307. Scarce. Green patina. Some cleaning marks in the fields. Very Fine. Estimated Value $400 - 500
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Realized
$470
Lot 1977
Nero, AD 54-68. AE Sestertius (27.4g) Fine to VF. Uncertain provincial mint, probably Perinthus in Thrace, ca. AD 65. Laureate head of Nero right, globe at point of bust. Reverse: Statuary group of the emperor in quadriga flanked by Victory and Pax atop triumphal arch; at cornices, soldiers or torch bearers; in side niche of arch, statue of Mars holding spear. Cf. RPC 1758; RIC -; BMC -; Scarce. Greenish-brown patina. Smoothing noted in the obverse fields. Fine to Very Fine. Estimated Value $250 - 300
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Realized
$376
Lot 1978
Nero, AD 54-68. AE Sestertius (23.96g) About VF. Lugdunum, ca. 65. Laureate head of Nero left, globe at point of bust. Reverse: View of one front of the Temple of Janus with double latticed window to left and garland hung across closed double door to right. RIC 439; BMC 320; C -. Mottled reddish-brown patina, light smoothing in fields. About Very Fine. Estimated Value $250 - 300
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Realized
$259
Lot 1979
Nero. AE As (10.27 g), AD 54-68 Choice VF. Rome, ca. AD 65. NERO CAESAR AVG GERM IMP, laureate head of Nero right. Reverse: S C across field, Victory flying left, holding shield inscribed S P Q R. RIC 312; WCN 285; BMC 246. Dark green patina. Choice Very Fine. Estimated Value $300 - 350
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Realized
$176
Lot 1980
Otho, AD 69-69. Silver Denarius (3.48g). Struck at Rome, March-April, AD 69. Bare head of Otho facing right. Reverse: Vesta seated left, holding patera and sceptre. RIC 24; RSC 7; Sear 2161. Boldly struck on a nice broad flan with full and complete legends. A remarkablely choice example as most found are on short flans. NGC grade Choice XF; Strike: 5/5, Surface: 4/5. Estimated Value $5,000-UP
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Lot 1981
Civil Wars. Silver Denarius (3.36 g), AD 68-69 Choice VF. Uncertain mint in Southern Gaul, ca. AD 69. I O M CAPITOLINVS, diademed and heroic bust of Jupiter Capitolinus left, small branch before, with slight mantle showing on near shoulder. Reverse: VESTA P R QVIRITIVM, Vesta seated left, holding patera and torch. RIC 125a; AM 96; BMC 72; RSC 432. Very Rare. Attractively toned. Choice Very Fine.
This interesting Civil War type was struck for Vitellius, perhaps by his commander Fabius Valens, in southern Gaul shortly before the First Battle of Bedriacum, which saw the annihilation of Otho's forces in mid-April, AD 69. The figure of Jupiter Optimus Maximus Capitolinus invokes the invincible might of Rome, while the figure of Vesta, who was the goddess of the Rome's sacred hearth, symbolizes the Empire's permanence. Coincidentally, the only priestly college in Rome with full-time acolytes was the order of Vestal Virgins, whose duty it was to keep Vesta's flame continuously alight.

Although all Civil War coinage of AD 68-69 is rare today, it was originally struck on a vast scale in order to pay for the wartime expenses of various imperial contenders during this tumultuous period. The types are all anonymous in that they do not portray any of the figures involved, although one issue probably struck under Galba does indeed show the portrait of the deified emperor Augustus. Estimated Value $3,000 - 4,000

Tom Peterson collection; Private purchase from Tom Cederline.

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Realized
$3,408
Lot 1982
Vitellius. Silver Denarius (3.25 g), AD 69 Choice VF. Rome. A VITELLIVS GERM IMP AVG TR P, laureate head of Vitellius right. Reverse: PONT MAXIM, Vesta seated right, holding patera and scepter. RIC 107; BMC 34; RSC 72. Lightly toned with complete legends. Choice Very Fine. Estimated Value $600 - 700
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Realized
$541
Lot 1983
Vespasian, AD 69-79. Gold Aureus (7.32g) Superb EF. Mint of Rome AD 76. Laureate head of Vespasian facing right. Reverse: COSVII. Heifer standing right. Calicó 622; RIC II-25-96; C-117. Well struck with underlying luster present. Superb Extremely Fine.
The reverse recalls the occasion in 28 BC when Augustus dedicated the temple of Apollo on the Palatine. The temple's centerpiece was an altar with four statues of heifers by the great sculpteor Myron of Eleutherae. This theme was again used by Vespasian and his brother Titus suggesting that the use of the heifer design as a bridge to the earlier reign of Augustus. Estimated Value $15,000 - 20,000

Tom Peterson collection; Private purchase from Tom Cederline.

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Lot 1984
Vespasian, with Titus and Domitian, as Caesars. Silver Denarius (3.53 g), AD 69-. 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 $12,000 - 15,000

Ex Goldberg's Exceptional Roman Denarii Coll. #3130; Ex NAC 46 (2 April 2008), 528;.

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Lot 1985
Vespasian, AD 69-79. Silver Denarius (3.3g), minted at Rome, AD 76 EF. Laureate head right of Vespasian. Reverse: Eagle facing 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 $400 - 500
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Realized
$588
Lot 1986
Vespasian, AD 69-79. AE Sestertius (25.5g) Sharpness of VF. Rome, AD 71. Laureate head of Vespasian right. Reverse: Roma standing left, holding Victory and spear. RIC 214; BMC 564; Cohen 418. Glossy green patina. Minor porosity. Fields tooled. Sharpness of Very Fine. Estimated Value $300 - 400
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Realized
$259
Lot 1987
Vespasian. AE As (11.25 g), AD 69-79 EF. Rome, AD 71. IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG COS III, laureate head of Vespasian right. Reverse: AE-QVITAS AVGVSTI, S C in exergue, Aequitas standing facing, head left, holding scales and long scepter. RIC 287. Uniform dark greenish-brown patina. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $500 - 600
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Lot 1988
Divus Vespasian. Silver Denarius (3.48 g), died AD 79. Superb EF. 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 $2,500 - 3,000

Ex Roma V (23 March 2013), 714; Ex Goldberg's Exceptional Roman Denarii Coll. #3133.

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Lot 1989
Domitian. Silver Denarius (3.34 g), as Caesar, AD 69-81. Superb EF. 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 $1,500 - 2,000

Ex Roma V (23 March 2013), 723.; Ex Goldberg's Exceptional Roman Denarii Coll. #3138.

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Lot 1990
Domitian, AD 81-96. AE Sestertius (22.19g) VF. Reome, AD 90/1. Laureate head of Domitian right. Reverse: Jupiter seated left, holding Victory and scepter. RIC 702; BMC 439-42; Cohen 314. Green and reddish-brown patina, surfaces a little rough with minor smoothing in fields. Very Fine. Estimated Value $350 - 400
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Realized
$212
Lot 1991
Domitian, AD 81-96. AE Sestertius (27.8g) Fine. Rome, AD 90/1. Laureate head of Domitian right. Reverse: Emperor standing left, holding thunderbolt and spear, being crowned by Victory standing left behind, holding wreath and palm. RIC 703; BMC 443; C-513. Dark green patina with light depoits on reverse, edge chip on obverse. Fine. Estimated Value $200 - 250
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Realized
$306
Lot 1992
Domitian. AE Hexachalkon (4.66 g), as Caesar, AD 69-81 EF. Rome, for use in Syria, AD 74. CAESAR DOMIT COS II, laureate head of Domitian left. Reverse: ANTI-OCHIA, turreted, veiled and draped bust of Tyche (with Flavian features) right. McAlee 417; RPC 2004; RIC 1580. Brown patina. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $250 - 300
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Realized
$176
Lot 1993
Nerva, AD 96-98. Silver Denarius (3.0g), minted at Rome, AD 97 EF. Laureate head right of Nerva. Reverse: Libertas standing left, holding pileus and scepter. RIC 19; C-113. Excellent portrait and nicely toned. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $400 - 500

Ex Gerhard Hirsch Nachf. 208, February 17, 2000 Munich (Germany) lot 2115.

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Realized
$294
Lot 1994
Nerva, AD 96-98. Silver Denarius (3.4g), minted at Rome, AD 97 Nearly EF. Laureate head of Neerva right. Reverse: Clasped hands holding legionary standard resting on prow. RIC 15; BMC 29; C-29. Toned. Nearly Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $350 - 400
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Realized
$317
Lot 1995
Nerva, AD 96-98. AE Sestertius (26.88g) Fine. Minted at Rome, AD 96. Laureate head of Nerva right. Reverse: Fortuna seated left, holding grain ears and scepter. RIC 62; BMC 90; C-77. Dark green patina, some roughness. Excellent portraiture. Fine. Estimated Value $200 - 250
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Lot 1996
Trajan. Gold Aureus (7.05 g), AD 98-117 Choice VF. Rome, ca. AD 108-110. IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Trajan right. Reverse: COS V S P Q R OPTIMO PRINC, emperor standing right, raising arm in salute and holding reversed spear. RIC 136; Woytek 294f; Calicó 1007a. Choice Very Fine. Estimated Value $7,000 - 8,000
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Realized
$6,169
Lot 1997
Trajan, AD 98-117. Silver Cistophoric Tetradrachm (9.98g) About VF. Uncertain mint in Asia Minor, AD 98. Laureate head right of Trajan. Reverse: Cult statues of Augustus standing facing, holding spear and Roma, crowning emperor with wreath and holding cornucopiae; within distyle temple. RIC -; BMC -; RSC -. Unrecorded in the primary refernces. Cleaned. About Very Fine.
Although the combination of obverse legend with this reverse type is unrecorded in the primary literature, there have been a few examples of the type on the market over the past decade. Estimated Value $250 - 300
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Realized
$200
Lot 1998
Trajan. Silver Denarius (3.32 g), AD 98-117 Mint State. Rome, ca. AD 107. IMP CAES NERVAE TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P, laureate bust of Trajan right, slight drapery on far shoulder. Reverse: S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI, Aequitas standing facing, head left, holding scales and cornucopiae. RIC 169; Woytek 222b; BMC 167; RSC 462. High relief portrait. Lustrous. Mint State. Estimated Value $700 - 800
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Realized
$911
Lot 1999
Trajan. Silver Denarius (3.22 g), AD 98-117 Superb EF. Rome, ca. AD 107/8. IMP CAES NERVAE TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P, laureate bust of Trajan right, slight drapery on far shoulder. Reverse: COS V S P Q R OPTIMO PRINC, DAC CAP in exergue, bound Dacian captive seated right atop one round and two oblong shields; at sides, two swords and two spears. RIC 96; Woytek 276b; BMC 388; RSC 118b. Lightly toned with underlying luster present. Superb Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $500 - 600
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Realized
$529
Lot 2000
Trajan, AD 98-117. Silver Denarius (3.57g) Superb EF. Rome, AD 108. Laureate head of Trajan facing r. Reverse: Dacian, wearing peaked cap, seated l. on pile of arms, mourning; about him, two curved swords, two spears and oblong shield. RSC-120; RIC 98; BMC 390. Very scarce. Lightly toned with underlying luster present. Superb Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $400 - 500
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Realized
$376
Lot 2001
Trajan. Silver Denarius (3.48 g), AD 98-117. Rome, AD 102. IMP CAES NERVA TRAIAN AVG GERM, laureate head of Trajan right. Reverse: P M TR P COS IIII P P, Victory standing facing, head left, holding wreath and palm. RIC 58; Woytek 128b; BMC 120; RSC 240b. Untoned. NGC grade AU; Strike: 5/5, Surface: 4/5. Estimated Value $250 - 350
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Realized
$212
Lot 2002
Trajan. AE Sestertius (25.58 g), AD 98-117 VF. Rome, AD 113. IMP CAES NER(VAE) TRAIANO OPTIMO AVG GER DAC PARTHICO P M TR P COS VI P P, laureate and draped bust of Trajan right. Reverse: PORTVM TRAIANI, S C in exergue, aerial view of Trajan's hexagonal harbour at Ostia, with entrance at bottom, buildings and colonnades surrounding the harbour, and three ships anchored within. RIC 632; Woytek 470v. Very Rare. Some smoothing and tooling. Reddish-brown patina. Struck on a nice broad flan. Very Fine.
Rome in the second century AD was inhabited by more than a million people, a population which no city surpassed until the industrial age a millennium and a half later. To accommodate the needs of such a huge population, the small port at Ostia located at the mouth of the Tiber River fourteen miles distant from the city was greatly expanded during the reigns of Claudius and Nero. Goods off-loaded at Ostia were either transferred to barges that then went up the Tiber or were carried overland on carts and pack animals to the capital city.

Due to its unfortunate geography, the harbor at Ostia was prone to silting and had to frequently be dredged. The emperor Trajan, wishing to expand the facilities and also to help obviate the problem of the silting, ordered the construction of a new, hexagonal harbor further inland behind the original Claudian port, which he finished in AD 113. It is this port, the Portum Traiani, that is the subject of the reverse of this elusive sestertius. The remains of part of the docks as well as the canal that linked Trajan’s port with the Tiber can still be seen today. Estimated Value $5,000 - 6,000
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Realized
$8,519
Lot 2003
Trajan. AE Sestertius (24.16 g), AD 98-117 EF. Rome, ca. AD 106/7. IMP CAES NERVAE TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS V P P, laureate bust of Trajan right, slight drapery on far shoulder. Reverse: S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI, S C in exergue, Victory standing left, holding erecting trophy and holding palm; shields at base of trophy. RIC 523; Woytek 256bB; BMC 817. Lovely reddish-green patina. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $2,500 - 3,000
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Realized
$2,820
Lot 2004
Trajan, AD 98-117. AE Sestertius (22.9g), minted at Roma, AD 103-111 Choice VF. Laureate bust right of Trajan with drapery on left shoulder. Reverse: Dacia seated left in attitude of mourning; before her, trophy. RIC 565; C-535. Pleasing medium-green patina. A handsome and compelling example and a scarce reverse type. Choice Very Fine. Estimated Value $500 - 600
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Realized
$306
Lot 2005
Trajan. AE Sestertius (25.45 g), AD 98-117 Sharpness of EF. Rome, AD 116/7. IMP CAES NER TRAIANO OPTIMO AVG GER DAC PARTHICO P M TR P COS VI P P, laureate and draped bust of Trajan right. Reverse: ARMENIA ET MESOPOTAM[IA IN PO]TESTATEM P R REDACTAE, S C across field, emperor, in military attire, standing right, holding reversed spear and parazonium; at feet to left, Mesopotamia seated right; at feet to right, the river-gods Tigris and Euphrates seated left. RIC 642; Woytek 590v. Rare Armenia-related reverse. Some tooling in the fields. Glossy dark reddish-brown patina. Sharpness of Extremely Fine.
The client kingdom of Armenia served as a strategic buffer state between Rome's wealthy eastern provinces and the vast kingdom of the Parthians to the east. Every couple of generations throughout Roman history, the Parthians either invaded Armenia or installed a client king of their own choosing on its throne, which always prompted a strong response from Rome. In AD 114 during the latter part of Trajan's reign, the Parthians installed their own client king in Armenia. This upset the balance of power that had existed since the conquests of the Roman general Corbulo during Nero's reign. With the region thus destabilized, Trajan intervened militarily, restoring the kingdom as a Roman client state the following year. He then continued on into Parthian territory, even capturing and sacking the Parthian capital of Ctesiphon in 116. The reverse of this coin commemorates these conquests, and shows the emperor in military pose standing amongst the defeated figures of Mesopotamia and the Euphrates and Tigris rivers. Estimated Value $500-UP
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Realized
$852
Lot 2006
Trajan, AD 98-117. AE Sestertius (26.46g) Choice VF. Mint of Rome, AD 98/99. Laureate bust of Trajan right, wearing aegis. Reverse: Pax seated left, holding branch and scepter. Cf. RIC II 390; Cf. BMC 718; Cohen -. Glossy reddish-brown and green patina. Fields lightly smoothed. A handsome coin. Sharpness of Choice Very Fine. Estimated Value $350 - 450
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Realized
$235
Lot 2007
Trajan, AD 98-117. AE Sestertius (19.31g) VF. Laureate and draped bust of Trajan facing right. Reverse: REX PARTHISDATVS. Emperor seated left on platform, placing diadem on head of Parthamaspates standing left on the ground before him and presenting him to Parthia kneeling right. RIC 667; BMC 1046; Cohen 328. An historically important type. Hard apple green patina, patina chipped on lower obverse edge, roughness in reverse field. Very Fine. Estimated Value $300 - 400
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Unsold
Lot 2008
Hadrian, AD 117-138. Gold Aureus (7.39g). Struck at Rome, AD 119-122. Bust of Hadrian, laureate and draped facing right. Reverse: Jupiter standing facing, holding thunderbolt and sceptre. RIC-; C-; Calicó 1301c (this coin). Delicately toned with traces of underlying luster. NGC graded AU*; Strike: 5/5, Surface: 5/5 Fine Style. Estimated Value $8,000 - 9,000

Ex Dimitriadis Collection (on holder); Ex Collection S (Basel) Auc. 18/III/1936, lot 1693.

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Realized
$16,450
Lot 2009
Hadrian, 117-138 AD. AR Cistophoric Tetradrachm (10.76g), 117 Choice VF. Struck at Ephesus. Bare head of Hadrian facing r. Reverse: DIA-NA / EPHESIA. Cult statue of Diana of Ephesus within decorated teterastyle temple. Metcalf 40-65/ RIC 475a; RSC 538a. Rare. Natural die flaw on left obverse rim. A nice bold specimen on a full flan with some traces of luster on the reverse. Choice Very Fine. Estimated Value $2,000 - 2,500
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Realized
$2,056



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