Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4
Date: 2025-01-14 15:00:00 (2 weeks from now)
Lots: 1152
Total starting: $ 3,093,540.00
In this auction, Numistats has matched 120 coins, providing AI-powered purchase recommendations and detailed analysis. View more.
Auction Summary
La subasta "Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4", programada para el 14 de enero de 2025, presenta una impresionante colección de 1152 lotes, destacando monedas de diversas épocas y regiones. Entre las piezas más notables se encuentra un estater de plata de Arkadia, datado entre 360-350 a.C., que muestra un magnífico retrato de Deméter y Hermes, con un precio estimado de 180,000 USD. También se destaca un denario de Bruto, famoso por conmemorar el asesinato de Julio César, que se ofrece por 150,000 USD, siendo considerado uno de los más icónicos de la numismática romana. Otro ejemplar notable es un estater de oro de Nektanebo II de Egipto, que representa un caballo y un collar jeroglífico, con un precio de 60,000 USD. Además, se presenta un dekadrachm de Siracusa, que es considerado uno de los más bellos de la antigüedad, con un precio de 60,000 USD. Estas monedas no solo son valiosas por su rareza y belleza, sino que también representan momentos significativos de la historia antigua, lo que las convierte en piezas de gran interés para coleccionistas y estudiosos.
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ELIS, Olympia. 87th Olympiad. 432 BC. AR Stater (21mm, 11.70 g, 1h). Eagle, wings spread, standing left on serpent that strikes upward; [F]=A across central field; c/m: quadruped(?) at bay right within incuse circle / Upright winged thunderbolt, with volutes below; F-A across upper field; all in linear square within shallow incuse square. Seltman, Temple 124 (dies BH/βχ); BCD Olympia 49 (same dies); HGC 5, 333 (same dies as illustration); SNG Copenhagen 363 (same dies); SNG Delepierre 2081 (same dies); BMC 25 (same dies); McClean 6609 (same dies); Pozzi 1829 (same dies). Lightly toned, compact flan, some granularity, light scratches struck with somewhat worn obverse die. Near VF. Very rare.
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ELIS, Olympia. 89th-90th Olympiad. 424-420 BC. AR Stater (24.5mm, 12.03 g, 10h). Obverse die signed by Da–. Eagle, wings spread, standing right on, and holding the neck of, a serpent, while the serpent strikes at its head; Δ-A across central field / Upright thunderbolt, with wings above and volutes below; F-A across central field; all in dotted circle within shallow incuse circle. Seltman, Temple 140d (dies BN/γκ) = Jameson 1228 (this coin); BCD Olympia 58 (same dies); HGC 5, 341 (same dies as illustration); Boston MFA 1202 = Warren 918 (same dies). Lovely old cabinet tone, with a hint of iridescence, slightly off center on obverse. Good VF.
Ex Mark & Lottie Salton Collection (Stack’s Bowers Galleries, 14 January 2022), lot 4310 (hammer $46,000); Robert Jameson Collection (publ. 1913); J. Hirsch XVI (5 December 1906), lot 557.
Located near the northwestern coast of the Peloponnesos, the sacred shrine of Olympia became established as the site of the most important Greek festival of athletics in the eighth century BC. The first Olympic Games were held in 776 BC, consisting solely of a foot race, or stadion, won in that year by Koroibus of Elis. As time went on, more events were added, including wrestling, boxing, long jump, javelin, discus, and chariot races. The contests became so important that Greek cities at war would declare a truce for the duration. Soon a permanent complex was built to house the games, and a magnificent temple of Zeus containing a statue ranked as one of the Seven Wonders of the World was completed in 463 BC. The first coins of Olympia date to the games of 468 BC, and new types were issued at four year intervals (to coincide with the games) thereafter. Three basic types were struck, depicting a head of Zeus, Hera, or an eagle. The finest die engravers were employed in their production and coins of Olympia rank as some of the greatest masterpieces of Greek coinage.
Ex Mark & Lottie Salton Collection (Stack’s Bowers Galleries, 14 January 2022), lot 4310 (hammer $46,000); Robert Jameson Collection (publ. 1913); J. Hirsch XVI (5 December 1906), lot 557.
Located near the northwestern coast of the Peloponnesos, the sacred shrine of Olympia became established as the site of the most important Greek festival of athletics in the eighth century BC. The first Olympic Games were held in 776 BC, consisting solely of a foot race, or stadion, won in that year by Koroibus of Elis. As time went on, more events were added, including wrestling, boxing, long jump, javelin, discus, and chariot races. The contests became so important that Greek cities at war would declare a truce for the duration. Soon a permanent complex was built to house the games, and a magnificent temple of Zeus containing a statue ranked as one of the Seven Wonders of the World was completed in 463 BC. The first coins of Olympia date to the games of 468 BC, and new types were issued at four year intervals (to coincide with the games) thereafter. Three basic types were struck, depicting a head of Zeus, Hera, or an eagle. The finest die engravers were employed in their production and coins of Olympia rank as some of the greatest masterpieces of Greek coinage.
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ELIS, Olympia. 91st-94th Olympiad. 416-404 BC. AR Obol (11mm, 0.86 g, 4h). Head of eagle left; leaf below / Thunderbolt with volutes above and wings below; F-A across field; all within wreath. Cf. BCD Olympia 79 (hemidrachm); BCD Peloponnesos –; BCD Peloponnesos II 2221; HGC 5, –; SNG Copenhagen 370. Toned, granular surfaces. VF. Very rare.
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ELIS, Olympia. 134th-143rd Olympiad. Circa 244-208 BC. AR Drachm (18mm, 4.73 g, 10h). Eagle flying right, tearing at hare held in its talons / Vertical thunderbolt with volute above, wings below; F-A flanking. Elis Hoard Group I, 1 (same dies); BCD Olympia 231 (this coin); cf. SNG Copenhagen 426; Dewing 1902; Pozzi 4145. Toned. Good VF.
From the Michael Rogal Collection. Ex Triton XVII (7 January 2014), lot 235; BCD Collection (Leu 90, 10 May 2004), lot 231.
From the Michael Rogal Collection. Ex Triton XVII (7 January 2014), lot 235; BCD Collection (Leu 90, 10 May 2004), lot 231.
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ARKADIA, Pheneos. Circa 360-350/40 BC. AR Stater (25mm, 11.95 g, 2h). Head of Demeter to right, wearing grain wreath, elaborate disc and crescent earring with pendants, and pearl necklace / Hermes, nude but for his petasos and for a cloak over his shoulders, partially facing and moving to the left, holding a kerykeion in his right hand; his head is turned back to right to gaze at the infant Arkas, whom he holds on his left arm with his left hand and who raises his right hand towards Hermes’ face; Θ between Hermes’ legs, ΦΕ-ΝΕ-ΩΝ around lower right edge. Schultz 2 (V2/R1); BCD Peloponnesos 1615 (same dies); HGC 5, 975; Boston MFA 1266 (same dies); Du Chastel 243 (same dies). Toned, trace deposits on reverse. Choice EF. Very rare. A magnificent, sharply struck coin of great freshness and beauty, one of the finest known examples.
From the Columbus Collection. Ex Cabinet W (Triton XV, 3 January 2012), lot 1013, purchased privately from the BCD Collection in 2005.
The stater coinage of Pheneos was likely a rather limited series, being struck from only three obverse and seven reverse dies, with the first obverse die breaking almost immediately. These coins were probably created to pay mercenaries in the tumultuous years around 360 BC, when war raged across Greece. The beautiful, artistic style and fine engraving highlights the civic pride that was core to the design and production of classical Greek coinage. Here, the head of Demeter is rendered in particularly elegant style, accentuated by the remarkable strike and preservation of the present example. On the reverse, the figure of Hermes with the infant Arkas is reminiscent of the famous Hermes of Praxitiles, carved around 343 BC in nearby Olympia.
From the Columbus Collection. Ex Cabinet W (Triton XV, 3 January 2012), lot 1013, purchased privately from the BCD Collection in 2005.
The stater coinage of Pheneos was likely a rather limited series, being struck from only three obverse and seven reverse dies, with the first obverse die breaking almost immediately. These coins were probably created to pay mercenaries in the tumultuous years around 360 BC, when war raged across Greece. The beautiful, artistic style and fine engraving highlights the civic pride that was core to the design and production of classical Greek coinage. Here, the head of Demeter is rendered in particularly elegant style, accentuated by the remarkable strike and preservation of the present example. On the reverse, the figure of Hermes with the infant Arkas is reminiscent of the famous Hermes of Praxitiles, carved around 343 BC in nearby Olympia.
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ARKADIA, Stratos(?). Mid 5th century BC. AR Trihemiobol(?) (9mm, 0.97 g, 9h). Hydria / Kantharos or kylix within incuse square. NAC 133, lot 80; Nomos 26, lot 297; Nomos 33, lot 1158; otherwise, unpublished. Faintly toned, light roughness. Good VF. Well centered. Extremely rare, apparently the fourth known.
The attribution of this issue is uncertain, with the suggestion of possibly Stratos based on a private comment by BCD (see the note on the Nomos 26 example).
The attribution of this issue is uncertain, with the suggestion of possibly Stratos based on a private comment by BCD (see the note on the Nomos 26 example).
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ARKADIA, Thelpusa. Circa 370-350 BC. AR Obol (12mm, 0.75 g, 3h). Bare head of Demeter Erinys right, wearing single-pendant earring; Θ below chin / The horse Areion prancing right; EPIΩN above, Θ below. BCD Peloponnesos 1757; Traeger, Arkadien 679; HGC 5, 1083; Traité III 935; Pozzi 1961. Toned, minor deposits, a few marks, flan flaw on reverse. VF. Very rare.
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CRETE, Gortyna. Circa 330-270 BC. AR Stater (25.5mm, 11.42 g, 3h). Europa seated half-right in tree, lifting her veil in her right hand, left hand resisting an eagle as it ravages her / Bull standing right, head reverted. Svoronos, Numismatique 83 (same dies as illustration); Le Rider, Crétoises pl. V, 16 (same obv. die); SNG Copenhagen 443 (same obv. die); BMC 29; Dewing 1022 (same obv. die). Toned, underlying luster, traces of find patina, overstruck on uncertain type as usual, cleaning marks. EF. Well centered and struck for type.
From the Columbus Collection. Ex Classical Numismatic Group 100 (7 October 2015), lot 1399 (conserved since).
While the myth of Europa as one of Zeus’ numerous trysts is well-known and has been the subject of literature and art since at least the fifth century BC, certain portions of the entire episode received more attention than others. What occurred when Zeus brought Europa to Crete is one such part. According to the later authors Theophrastos (371-ca. 287 BC) and Pliny the Elder (AD 23-79), Zeus consummated his abduction of Europa in a plane-tree (ἡ πλάτανος), an event commemorated on a series of silver and bronze issues from the Cretan city of Gortyna, traditional site of that event.
According to the traditional account, Europa was the daughter of Agenor, king of Tyre, the sister of Kadmos, the legendary founder of Corinth, and Kilix, for whom Cilicia was named, and was a descendant of Io, one of Zeus’ numerous other mortal female trysts. Europa, too, attracted the eye of Zeus, who, transforming himself into a white bull, seduced the young girl, carrying her across the Aegean Sea to the region of Gortyna on Crete, where she was made the first queen of Crete. Gortyna’s special involvement in this myth - it was claimed the plane-tree was still extant centuries after the event - made its depiction on the civic coinage an important reminder of the city’s role in Crete’s early history.
From the Columbus Collection. Ex Classical Numismatic Group 100 (7 October 2015), lot 1399 (conserved since).
While the myth of Europa as one of Zeus’ numerous trysts is well-known and has been the subject of literature and art since at least the fifth century BC, certain portions of the entire episode received more attention than others. What occurred when Zeus brought Europa to Crete is one such part. According to the later authors Theophrastos (371-ca. 287 BC) and Pliny the Elder (AD 23-79), Zeus consummated his abduction of Europa in a plane-tree (ἡ πλάτανος), an event commemorated on a series of silver and bronze issues from the Cretan city of Gortyna, traditional site of that event.
According to the traditional account, Europa was the daughter of Agenor, king of Tyre, the sister of Kadmos, the legendary founder of Corinth, and Kilix, for whom Cilicia was named, and was a descendant of Io, one of Zeus’ numerous other mortal female trysts. Europa, too, attracted the eye of Zeus, who, transforming himself into a white bull, seduced the young girl, carrying her across the Aegean Sea to the region of Gortyna on Crete, where she was made the first queen of Crete. Gortyna’s special involvement in this myth - it was claimed the plane-tree was still extant centuries after the event - made its depiction on the civic coinage an important reminder of the city’s role in Crete’s early history.
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CRETE, Knossos. Circa 360-320 BC. AR Stater (24mm, 10.80 g). Head of Demeter right, wearing wreath of grain ears, single-pendant earring, and [necklace]; KN below neck truncation / Cruciform labyrinth, with pellet in center, within dotted circle border. Svoronos, Numismatique 44 (same dies as illustration); Le Rider, Crétoises pl. VII, 8 (same dies). Old collection tone, minor cleaning marks. Good VF.
From the Henry A. Sauter Collection, purchased from Superior Stamp & Coin.
According to the Greek myth, Minos was the first king of Crete. Although he gave the island its first constitution, ordered the construction of the palace at Knossos, and was the first to build a navy, he was a cruel tyrant and imperialist. One of his subject cities was Athens. He demanded from its citizens as payment every nine years seven youths and seven virgins. Minos would feed them then to the Minotaur, a half-man, half-bull who was held in the Labyrinth, a large walled maze. To stop this brutal tribute, the Athenian hero, Theseus, had himself sent as part of the required tribute. With the assistance of Ariadne, the daughter of Minos, Theseus was able to navigate the Labyrinth successfully and kill the Minotaur.
From the Henry A. Sauter Collection, purchased from Superior Stamp & Coin.
According to the Greek myth, Minos was the first king of Crete. Although he gave the island its first constitution, ordered the construction of the palace at Knossos, and was the first to build a navy, he was a cruel tyrant and imperialist. One of his subject cities was Athens. He demanded from its citizens as payment every nine years seven youths and seven virgins. Minos would feed them then to the Minotaur, a half-man, half-bull who was held in the Labyrinth, a large walled maze. To stop this brutal tribute, the Athenian hero, Theseus, had himself sent as part of the required tribute. With the assistance of Ariadne, the daughter of Minos, Theseus was able to navigate the Labyrinth successfully and kill the Minotaur.
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CRETE, Lyttos. Circa 320-270 BC. AR Stater (23.5mm, 10.82 g, 4h). Eagle flying left / Head of boar left; ΛYTTI/IΛO in two lines above; all in dotted square within incuse square. Svoronos, Numismatique 36 var. (ethnic); Le Rider, Crétoises, pl. VII, 16; BMC 12 var. (same). Toned, smoothed. VF. Rare variety.
From the Henry A. Sauter Collection. Ex Superior (26 July 1979), lot 1896.
From the Henry A. Sauter Collection. Ex Superior (26 July 1979), lot 1896.
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CRETE, Phaistos. Circa 300-270 BC. AR Stater (25mm, 11.47 g, 11h). Herakles, nude but for lion skin draped over left arm, standing left, his left hand extended and holding one head of the Hydra, which he strikes at with club held aloft in his right hand; ΦAIΣTIΩ[N] to right / Bull standing left. Svoronos, Numismatique 53 (same dies as illustration); Le Rider, Crétoises, pl. XXIII, 19–20 (same dies); SNG Lockett 2592 (same obv. die); BMC 13; Mionnet II p. 291, 255. Lightly toned, typical die wear, a few flan flaws on reverse. Good VF. Rare.
The Lernaean Hydra, the offspring of Typhon and Echidna, was said to be the sibling of the Nemean Lion, the Chimaera, and Cerberus. Inhabiting the swamp near Lake Lerna in the Argolid, the creature possessed numerous mortal and one immortal head on its single body; should one head be removed, two more would grow in its place. When Herakles reached the swamp where the Hydra dwelt, he drew it out of its lair near the spring of Amymone. Thereupon, wielding a harvesting sickle, he attempted to decapitate the creature. When this proved unsuccessful, because of the Hydra’s regenerative ability, Herakles enlisted the assistance of his nephew Iolaus, who devised a plan: once Herakles had cut off one of the creature’s heads, Iolaus would cauterize the stump with a burning firebrand. The plan succeeded, and the Hydra was destroyed. Herakles placed its one immortal head under a large rock on the sacred way between Lerna and Elaius and dipped his arrows in its poisonous blood.
The Lernaean Hydra, the offspring of Typhon and Echidna, was said to be the sibling of the Nemean Lion, the Chimaera, and Cerberus. Inhabiting the swamp near Lake Lerna in the Argolid, the creature possessed numerous mortal and one immortal head on its single body; should one head be removed, two more would grow in its place. When Herakles reached the swamp where the Hydra dwelt, he drew it out of its lair near the spring of Amymone. Thereupon, wielding a harvesting sickle, he attempted to decapitate the creature. When this proved unsuccessful, because of the Hydra’s regenerative ability, Herakles enlisted the assistance of his nephew Iolaus, who devised a plan: once Herakles had cut off one of the creature’s heads, Iolaus would cauterize the stump with a burning firebrand. The plan succeeded, and the Hydra was destroyed. Herakles placed its one immortal head under a large rock on the sacred way between Lerna and Elaius and dipped his arrows in its poisonous blood.
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CRETE, Phaistos. Circa 300-270 BC. AR Stater (25.5mm, 11.79 g, 12h). Herakles, nude but for lion skin draped over left arm, standing left, his left hand extended and holding one head of the Hydra, which he strikes at with club held aloft in his right hand; crab between his legs below / Bull advancing right; ΦAIΣTIΩN above. Svoronos, Numismatique 64 (same dies); Le Rider, Crétoises, pl. XXIII, 24 var. (rev. type left; same obv. die); Mionnet II p. 291, 253 (same obv. die). Faintly toned, traces of find patina, slightly weak strike. Good VF.
Ex Roma X (27 September 2015), lot 381 (hammer £13,000).
Ex Roma X (27 September 2015), lot 381 (hammer £13,000).
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CIMMERIAN BOSPOROS, Pantikapaion. Circa 340-325 BC. AV Stater (19mm, 9.09 g, 12h). Bearded head of Pan left, wearing ivy wreath / Griffin, holding spear in its mouth, standing left, head facing, forepaw raised, on grain ear; Π-A-N around. Anokhin 1021; MacDonald 54; HGC 7, 20; SNG BM Black Sea 864; Gulbenkian 588–90; Jameson 1361; Pozzi 1150; Sartiges 1580. Lustrous. Choice EF.
From the Georges Albert Haikel Collection. Ex Prospero Collection (New York Sale XXVII, 4 January 2012), lot 214, purchased from Spink, London, 22 April 1986.
Situated on the west side of the Cimmerian Bosporos, in what is now called the Crimea, Pantikapaion achieved great prosperity through its exploitation of the abundant fisheries of the straits and the export of wheat from the Crimea. This wealth is attested by its splendid gold coinage, which commenced in the mid-4th century BC, and by the magnificently furnished rock tombs of its principal citizens in the same period. Later, it was to become a regional capital of the kingdom of Mithradates VI of Pontos (120-63 BC) and later still the seat of the kings of Bosporos (first century BC – fourth century AD). The coinage of Pantikapaion seems to have commenced with silver issues in the latter part of the fifth century BC, but it is for its beautiful gold staters that the mint is chiefly noted. They depict the head of the god Pan (a pun on the name of the city) and on the reverse, the griffin that Herodotos describes as being the guardian of the remote sources of gold.
From the Georges Albert Haikel Collection. Ex Prospero Collection (New York Sale XXVII, 4 January 2012), lot 214, purchased from Spink, London, 22 April 1986.
Situated on the west side of the Cimmerian Bosporos, in what is now called the Crimea, Pantikapaion achieved great prosperity through its exploitation of the abundant fisheries of the straits and the export of wheat from the Crimea. This wealth is attested by its splendid gold coinage, which commenced in the mid-4th century BC, and by the magnificently furnished rock tombs of its principal citizens in the same period. Later, it was to become a regional capital of the kingdom of Mithradates VI of Pontos (120-63 BC) and later still the seat of the kings of Bosporos (first century BC – fourth century AD). The coinage of Pantikapaion seems to have commenced with silver issues in the latter part of the fifth century BC, but it is for its beautiful gold staters that the mint is chiefly noted. They depict the head of the god Pan (a pun on the name of the city) and on the reverse, the griffin that Herodotos describes as being the guardian of the remote sources of gold.
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CIMMERIAN BOSPOROS, Pantikapaion. Circa 340-325 BC. AR Drachm (16mm, 3.42 g, 12h). Bearded head of satyr facing slightly left / Head of ox left; Π-A-N around. Anokhin 1034; MacDonald 57; HGC 7, 87; SNG BM Black Sea 880; SNG Stancomb 548; SNG Copenhagen 321. Toned, much find patina, some roughness. Good VF.
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CIMMERIAN BOSPOROS, Pantikapaion. Circa 90-79 BC. AR Didrachm (20mm, 8.72 g, 12h). Head of young Dionysos right, wearing ivy wreath / Grape bunch above ∏Å@t5/˚Å∏Å5/tW@ in three lines; all within ivy wreath; [monogram above]. Frolova & Ireland dies I/i; Anokhin 1116; MacDonald 168; HGC 7, 98; SNG Lockett 1102 = Bement 884 (this coin). Old collection tone, minor doubling on reverse, minor deposits. Good VF.
Ex Richard Cyril Lockett Collection (Greek Part II, Glendining, 12 February 1958), lot 1017; Clarence S. Bement Collection (Naville VI, 28 January 1923), lot 884.
Ex Richard Cyril Lockett Collection (Greek Part II, Glendining, 12 February 1958), lot 1017; Clarence S. Bement Collection (Naville VI, 28 January 1923), lot 884.
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KINGS of BOSPOROS. Asander. As archon, circa 47-43 BC. AV Stater (22mm, 8.14 g, 12h). Pantikapaion mint. Dated RY 4 (44/3 BC). Bare head right / APXONTOΣ AΣANΔPOY BOΣΠOPOY, Nike, holding wreath in extended right hand and palm frond in left, standing left on prow left; ЄT Δ (date) across upper field, monogram to inner left. Frolova & Ireland § 6, 5 (O3/R4) = Natwoka 3; Anokhin 1312 corr. (date); MacDonald 189/2 corr. (date); RPC I 1842.1 corr. (date); HGC 7, 199 corr. (date); DCA2 515; SNG BM Black Sea 961 = GPCG pl. 51, 1 (same dies); Adams III 2046 (same dies). Underlying luster, a few minor metal flaws on obverse. EF. Well centered. Extremely rare, one of only 6 examples published (the others: Adams III 2046; BM 961; CNG 72, lot 692; Morton & Eden 86, lot 14 = CNG 84, lot 575; and Frolova & Ireland pl. LXI, 3).
Ex Jonathan P. Rosen Collection (Triton XXIII, 14 January 2020), lot 285; Numismatica Ars Classica 23 (19 March 2002), lot 1230.
The date of this issue has long been debated, with some numismatists reading the delta as an alpha, but the die studies of Natwoka and Frolova & Ireland conclusively show that this issue must be dated year 4.
Ex Jonathan P. Rosen Collection (Triton XXIII, 14 January 2020), lot 285; Numismatica Ars Classica 23 (19 March 2002), lot 1230.
The date of this issue has long been debated, with some numismatists reading the delta as an alpha, but the die studies of Natwoka and Frolova & Ireland conclusively show that this issue must be dated year 4.
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KINGS of PONTOS. Mithradates VI Eupator. Circa 120-63 BC. AV Stater (19.5mm, 8.42 g, 12h). Pergamon mint. Dated CY 4 (85 BC). Diademed head right / Stag grazing left; BAΣIΛEΩΣ above, MIΘPAΔATOY/EYΠATOPOΣ in two lines below; star-in-crescent to left; Δ (year) to right, monogram in exergue; all within Dionysiac wreath of ivy and fruit. Callataÿ dies D11/R2, b (this coin); HGC 7, 334; DCA2 557; Hirsch 1414 (same dies). Some light marks, scrape on reverse, edge marks and bumps. VF. Very rare.
From the Gerald F. Borrmann (Northern California Gentleman) Collection. Ex Olga H. Knoepke Collection (Glendining’s, 10 December 1986), lot 236; J. Hirsch XX (13 November 1907), lot 362; Theodor Prowe Collection (Egger XVII, 28 November 1904), lot 959; ‘Late Collector’ [Rothschild Collection] (Sotheby, Wilkinson and Hodge, 28 May 1900), lot 305.
Mithradates was a fascinating Hellenist at a time when Roman power was ascendent. His career, driven by megalomaniacal ambitions, led to murderous assaults upon family and followers alike and disastrous foreign adventures against superior forces. His portraiture attempts to mimic the gods with its bold staring gaze and unruly, free-flowing hair, but at its most extreme is a personification of hysteria in its Dionysiac sense.
At the age of 18, Mithradates overthrew his mother’s regency and embarked on a career of conquest, bringing most of the lands around the Black Sea into his domain. His expansionist aims inevitably brought him into conflict with Rome, and in preparation for the coming war he built up the largest army in Asia, unleashing it in 88 BC in what would be the First Mithradatic War. He sought to undermine the Roman power base by ordering the massacre of every Roman citizen in Asia in which nearly 80,000 people perished.
The Romans were not intimidated, and when Mithradates crossed over to Greece proper as ‘Liberator’, the Roman legions under Sulla smashed his army. Mithradates retreated to Pontus, from where he continued to skirmish with the Romans, suffering more defeats to the general Lucullus. In 63 BC, having suffered a final defeat by Pompey and facing a revolt by his own son Pharnakes, the elderly king tried to commit suicide by taking poison, but he had inured himself to its affects by years of small counterdoses, and so had to be stabbed to death by one of his mercenaries.
From the Gerald F. Borrmann (Northern California Gentleman) Collection. Ex Olga H. Knoepke Collection (Glendining’s, 10 December 1986), lot 236; J. Hirsch XX (13 November 1907), lot 362; Theodor Prowe Collection (Egger XVII, 28 November 1904), lot 959; ‘Late Collector’ [Rothschild Collection] (Sotheby, Wilkinson and Hodge, 28 May 1900), lot 305.
Mithradates was a fascinating Hellenist at a time when Roman power was ascendent. His career, driven by megalomaniacal ambitions, led to murderous assaults upon family and followers alike and disastrous foreign adventures against superior forces. His portraiture attempts to mimic the gods with its bold staring gaze and unruly, free-flowing hair, but at its most extreme is a personification of hysteria in its Dionysiac sense.
At the age of 18, Mithradates overthrew his mother’s regency and embarked on a career of conquest, bringing most of the lands around the Black Sea into his domain. His expansionist aims inevitably brought him into conflict with Rome, and in preparation for the coming war he built up the largest army in Asia, unleashing it in 88 BC in what would be the First Mithradatic War. He sought to undermine the Roman power base by ordering the massacre of every Roman citizen in Asia in which nearly 80,000 people perished.
The Romans were not intimidated, and when Mithradates crossed over to Greece proper as ‘Liberator’, the Roman legions under Sulla smashed his army. Mithradates retreated to Pontus, from where he continued to skirmish with the Romans, suffering more defeats to the general Lucullus. In 63 BC, having suffered a final defeat by Pompey and facing a revolt by his own son Pharnakes, the elderly king tried to commit suicide by taking poison, but he had inured himself to its affects by years of small counterdoses, and so had to be stabbed to death by one of his mercenaries.
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KINGS of PONTOS. Mithradates VI Eupator. Circa 120-63 BC. AR Tetradrachm (30mm, 16.80 g, 12h). Pergamon mint. Dated month 5, year 210 BE (February 87 BC). Diademed head right / Pegasos grazing left; BAΣIΛEΩΣ above, MIΘPAΔATOY/EYΠATOPOΣ in two lines below; star-in-crescent to left; to right, HΣ (year) above monogram; E (month) in exergue; all within Dionysiac wreath of ivy and fruit. Callataÿ p. 12, dies D62/R3, a (this coin); HGC 7, 338; DCA2 555. Toned, area of slightly weak strike, slight die shift. Near EF.
From the Gerald F. Borrmann (Northern California Gentleman) Collection, purchased from Dr. Arnold Saslow, 1988. Ex Christie’s New York (8 June 1988), lot 65; Sternberg VIII (16 November 1978), lot 89.
From the Gerald F. Borrmann (Northern California Gentleman) Collection, purchased from Dr. Arnold Saslow, 1988. Ex Christie’s New York (8 June 1988), lot 65; Sternberg VIII (16 November 1978), lot 89.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 250
KINGS of PONTOS. Mithradates VI Eupator. Circa 120-63 BC. AR Tetradrachm (29.5mm, 16.56 g, 12h). Pergamon mint. Dated month 5, year 210 BE (February 87 BC). Diademed head right / Pegasos grazing left; BAΣIΛEΩΣ above, MIΘPAΔATOY/EYΠATOPOΣ in two lines below; star-in-crescent to left; to right, HΣ (year) above monogram; E (month) in exergue; all within Dionysiac wreath of ivy and fruit. Callataÿ p. 12, dies D62/R2; HGC 7, 338; DCA2 555. Deep iridescent tone, a hint of porosity, small mark on obverse. Good VF.
From the JTB Collection. Ex Leu Numismatik AG Web Auction 24 (3 December 2022), lot 71.
From the JTB Collection. Ex Leu Numismatik AG Web Auction 24 (3 December 2022), lot 71.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 251
PAPHLAGONIA, Sinope. Circa 425-410 BC. AR Drachm (15mm, 6.12 g). Aeginetic standard. Head of sea-eagle left; below, dolphin left / Quadripartite incuse square with two opposing quarters filled, K in one unfilled quarter. RG 11; HGC 7, 388 corr. (pellets not always present); SNG von Aulock 6837 (same dies). Old cabinet tone, compact flan. EF. Well centered.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 252
BITHYNIA, Kalchedon. Circa 260-230s BC. AV Stater (19.5mm, 8.41 g, 1h). In the name and types of Lysimachos of Thrace. Diademed head of the deified Alexander right, with horn of Ammon / ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΛΥΣΙΜΑΧΟΥ, Athena Nikephoros seated left, left arm resting on shield, transverse spear in background; K to inner left, ZΩΠY in exergue. Marinescu Issue 35, 78 (O34/R72); Seyrig, Monnaies, pl. 25, 29 (same dies); Müller 468; Türkoğlu L01; HGC 7, 505. Minor deposits, minor marks and scratches, some die breaks on obverse, minor flan flaw in field on reverse. Good VF. Very rare.