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  4. Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4

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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Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 1051
2025-01-14 (2 weeks from now)
Grade: VF
ANGLO-SAXON, Kings of Wessex. Edward the Elder. 899-924. AR Penny (21mm, 1.57 g, 6h). Botanical type (BMC ix). Mercian Northwest dies; Asulfr, moneyer. Middle period I, circa 910-915. + EΛDVVEΛRD EX, small cross pattée / Two branches; OS VLF across field. CTCE 329c (this coin); SCBI –; BMC 105; North 659; SCBC 1079. Old cabinet toning. VF. Extremely rare – one of only four listed in CTCE.


From the Sidney W. Harl & Kenneth W. Harl Collection, purchased from J. Linzalone. Ex L. Stack Collection (Sotheby’s, 22 April 1999), lot 454; P. Nelson Collection; Lord Grantley Collection (Part III, 22 March 1944), lot 1011; H. Montagu Collection (Sotheby, Wilkinson, & Hodge, 18 November 1895), lot 591; W. Brice Collection (collection acquired en block by Montagu in 1887); E. Wigan Collection (acquired by Rollin & Feuardent in 1872); Joseph Barratt Collection; T. Dimsdale Collection (Sotheby, 6 July 1824), lot 607.

Under Edward the Elder, a limited number of coins were struck that stand out from the usual cross or two line types generally in vogue at the time. Usually depicting a tower (or possibly a church or reliquary) or a botanical design, the exact reason for these charming types is today unknown. Regardless, they are justifiably popular among collectors and would form the centerpiece of any collection of 10th century English coins.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 1053
2025-01-14 (2 weeks from now)
Grade: Near EF
ANGLO-SAXON, Kings of Wessex. Edward the Elder. 899-924. AR Penny (22mm, 1.56 g, 3h). Botanical type (BMC ix). Mercian West dies; Heremod, moneyer. Middle period II, circa 910-915. + EADVVEARD EX, small cross pattée / Flower with arching leaves set on groundline terminating in rosettes; in exergue, HEREMOD over rosette. CTCE 341c = Blunt & Stewart B5 (this coin); SCBI 9 (Ashmolean), 314; cf. BMC 102 (for similar); North 658; SCBC 1078. Old collection toning. Near EF. Extremely rare – only four specimens listed in CTCE, plus three more in EMC.


From the Sidney W. Harl & Kenneth W. Harl Collection, purchased from J. Linzalone. Ex L. Stack Collection (Sotheby’s, 22 April 1999), lot 457; Sotheby’s (28 May 1987), lot 331; Samuel Birchall of Leeds Collection (1761-1814); 1807 Bossal Hoard.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 32
2025-01-14 (2 weeks from now)
Grade: Near EF
LUCANIA, Poseidonia. Circa 530-500 BC. AR Nomos (26.5mm, 7.09 g, 12h). Poseidon, bearded and nude but for chlamys draped over both arms, standing right, preparing to cast trident held aloft in right hand, left arm extended; M◊Π to left / Incuse of obverse type, but trident is in relief; MOΠ to right. Gorini 1 var. (obv. ethnic); HN Italy 1107; SNG ANS 614 (same dies); SNG Lloyd 428; Gillet 207. Deep old collection tone, small scuff at edge on obverse. Near EF. Well centered and struck.


From the Gerald F. Borrmann (Northern California Gentleman) Collection. Ex Freeman & Sear FPL 6 (Summer 2001), no. 11.

From the earliest issue of the coinage at Poseidonia. A Sybarite colony founded circa 600 BC, Poseidonia grew rapidly in the 6th century through the exploitation of its considerable agricultural resources. This was a time of extensive temple construction and, in common with the other Achaian cities of southern Italy, Poseidonia began producing silver coinage of the distinctive ‘incuse’ fabric in the final decades of the century. The fine archaic striding figure brandishing a trident is Poseidon, god of the sea and the patron deity of the city. This particular depiction of him is probably inspired by a colossal statue that stood in one of the city’s temples.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 33
2025-01-14 (2 weeks from now)
Grade: Good VF
LUCANIA, Poseidonia. Circa 530-500 BC. AR Nomos (28mm, 6.86 g, 12h). Poseidon, beardless and nude but for chlamys draped over both arms, standing right, preparing to cast trident held aloft in right hand, left arm extended; MOΠ to left / Incuse of obverse type, but trident is in relief; MOΠ to right. Gorini 3; HN Italy 1107; SNG ANS 604 (same obv. die); SNG Copenhagen 1271; Basel 158; Regling, Antike 239. Faintly toned, small flan flaw, a few minor chips at edge. Good VF.


From the Columbus Collection, purchased from Harlan J. Berk, 2002.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 57
2025-01-14 (2 weeks from now)
Grade: EF
SICILY, Akragas. Circa 465/0–445/0 BC. AR Tetradrachm (27.5mm, 17.19 g, 6h). Sea eagle standing left; AKRAC-ANTOΣ (partially retrograde) around / Crab within shallow incuse circle. Westermark, Coinage, Period II, Group III, 338.8 (O8/R28) = Prospero 119 = Gillet 346 (this coin); HGC 2, 77; SNG ANS 970 (same dies). Lightly toned, slight die wear on obverse. Superb EF. Well centered and struck on a broad flan. Excellent detail.


From the Georges Albert Haikel Collection. Ex Prospero Collection (The New York Sale XXVII, 4 January 2012), lot 119; Leu 30 (28 April 1982), lot 22; Charles Gillet (†1972) Collection.

Akragas, Roman Agrigentum, was situated close to the southern coastline of Sicily midway between Gela and Selinos. Founded by colonists from Gela circa 580 BC, Akragas grew to become the second most important city on the island after Syracuse, deriving much of its wealth from the export of agricultural produce to Carthage, which lay about 200 miles to the west. Its coinage commenced in the closing years of the 6th century and principally consisted of silver didrachms down to about 440 BC, after which the tetradrachm became the principal denomination. The first series of tetradrachms, though, coincided with the last period of didrachms, with all featuring the same types that had persisted since the beginning of the city's coinage: on the obverse, an eagle, sacred to Olympian Zeus, to whom the city dedicated an immense temple, and a reverse with an overhead view of a crab, harvested from the sea as a delicacy in the region. After 440 BC, as with many of the coinages of the great Sicilian cities, the designs became more complex and artistic, with one or two eagles shown devouring a hare on the obverse, and a galloping quadriga ultimately replacing the crab on the reverse. In the final decade of the 5th century, as the artistry of it coinage reached its zenith, Akragas suffered the same fate as many of the other Greek cities of Sicily when it was stormed and sacked by the invading Carthaginians (406 BC). Though its coinage continued thereafter, the scale and beauty of its 5th century series were never attained again.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 63
2025-01-14 (2 weeks from now)
Grade: Near EF
SICILY, Katane. Circa 450-445 BC. AR Tetradrachm (30mm, 17.03 g, 2h). Charioteer, wearing long chiton, holding kentron in right hand and reins in both, driving slow quadriga right / Head of Apollo right, wearing laurel wreath; KATANAIO-N around. Mirone 30–2; HGC 2, 566; SNG ANS 1241 (same obv. die); SNG Spencer 37 (same dies); Basel 326 (same rev. die); Rizzo pl. X, 11 (same obv. die). Old collection tone, hairline flan crack, minor flan flaw on obverse. Near EF. Well centered and struck from artistic dies on a broad flan.


From the Columbus Collection. Ex Numismatica Genevensis SA VII (27 November 2012), lot 144; Leu 77 (11 May 2000), lot 83.

The Sicilian city of Katane (modern Catania) was a Chalkidian colony founded from Naxos in 729 BC. Katane was located midway along the eastern coast of the island at the southern extremity of the slopes of Mount Aetna. Its fertile territory was coveted by neighboring Syracuse, and in 476 BC the Syracusan tyrant Hieron I removed the population of Katane to the inland city of Leontini. Katane was then given the name of Aetna and resettled with Syracusan citizens and a group of Dorian mercenaries. On the fall of the Sicilian tyrannies in the late 460s BC, the alien population was expelled and the former inhabitants of Katane returned from exile in Leontini to reclaim their city, which now reverted to its original name. It seems unlikely that any coinage was produced at Katane prior to the events of 476 BC, so any issues bearing the name of the Katanians must postdate the restoration of the original population in 461 BC.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 841
2025-01-14 (2 weeks from now)
Grade: fine
BULGARIA, Principality. Ferdinand I. 1887-1908. Proof AV 20 Leva (20mm, 6.45 g, 6h). Kremnitz mint. Dated 1894 KБ. Bare head left / Crowned coat-of-arms. CBC p. 16; KM 20; Friedberg 3. In NGC encapsulation 6891729-001, graded PF 66 Ultra Cameo. Rare. Top Pop. The finest graded by either NGC or PCGS.


From the Alexander Christopher Collection.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 1118
2025-01-14 (2 weeks from now)
Grade: -
WINDSOR. George V. 1910-1936. Proof Set. Dated 1911. Includes: AV 5 Pounds. In NGC encapsulation 6890874-012, graded PF 64 // AV 2 Pounds. In NGC encapsulation 6890874-013, graded PF 64 // AV Sovereign. In NGC encapsulation 6890874-010, graded PF 66 Cameo // AV Half Sovereign. In NGC encapsulation 6890874-014, graded PF 65 // AR Halfcrown. In NGC encapsulation 6890874-008, graded PF 65 // AR Florin. In NGC encapsulation 6890874-06908067-007, graded PF 65 // AR Shilling. In NGC encapsulation 6890874-006, graded PF 65 // AR Sixpence. In NGC encapsulation 6890874-005, graded PF 66 // AR Maundy Fourpence. In NGC encapsulation 6890874-003, graded PF 65 // AR Maundy Threepence. In NGC encapsulation 6890874-004, graded PF 66 // AR Maundy Twopence. In NGC encapsulation 6890874-002, graded PF 66 // AR Maundy Penny. In NGC encapsulation 6890874-001, graded PF 65. SCBC PS11. All NGC graded. The silver all handsomely toned. Twelve (12) coins in lot. An attractive, high grade set.


From the Alexander Christopher Collection.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 864
2025-01-14 (2 weeks from now)
Grade: -
CHINA, Republic of China. General issues. 1912-1949. Pattern AR Yuan – Dollar (38mm, 12h). Běiyáng Arsenal (Tiānjīn) mint. Dated year 12 of the Republic (AD 1923). Dragon and phoenix atop symbol of longevity / Denomination within wreath. Small characters. L&M 81; KM (Y) 336. In NGC encapsulation 6922995-002, graded AU Details, cleaned.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 1131
2025-01-14 (2 weeks from now)
Grade: -
STUART. Anne. 1702-1714. AV Medal (35mm, 18.60 g, 10h). Coronation. By J. Croker. Dated 23 April 1702. ANNA · D · G · MAG · BR · FR · ET · HIB · REGINA ·, draped bust left / VICEM GERIT · ILLA · TONANTIS ·, Anne (as Pallas-Athena) standing right, holding shield and hurling thunderbolt at two-headed and four-armed serpentine monster (James ‘III’ and Louis XIV) to right, holding rocks and clubs; in two lines in exergue, INAVGVRAT · XXIII · AP/MDCCII ·. MI 228/4; Eimer 390. In NGC encapsulation 6906709-005, graded MS 62.


From the Drewry Family Collection. Ex World-Wide Coins of California (James F. Elmen) XXIX (16 May 1996), lot 158.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 1133
2025-01-14 (2 weeks from now)
Grade: -
HANOVER. George II. 1727-1760. AV Medal (35mm, 22.23 g, 12h). Coronation. By J. Croker. Dated 11 October 1727. GEORGIVS · II · D : G · MAG · BR · FR · ET · HIB · REX ·, laureate, draped, and armored bust left / VOLENTES · PER · POPULOS ·, George seated right on throne, being crowned by Britannia standing left, cradling cornucopia in elbow and leaning upon fasces to right; in two lines in exergue, CORON · XI · OCTOB ·/MDCCXXVII ·. MI 479/4; Eimer 510. In NGC encapsulation 6906709-002, graded MS 63.


From the Drewry Family Collection. Ex World-Wide Coins of California (James F. Elmen) XXIX (16 May 1996), lot 160.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 635
2025-01-14 (2 weeks from now)
Grade: Good VF
Augustus. 27 BC-AD 14. AV Aureus (20mm, 7.83 g, 6h). Uncertain Spanish mint (Colonia Patricia?). Struck 19-18 BC. CAESAR AVGVSTVS, bare head right / SIGNIS downward to left, RECEPTIS upward to right, Mars, helmeted, naked except for chlamys behind, standing left, head right, holding aquila in right hand and signum cradled in left over left shoulder. RIC I 80a; Calicó 268 (this coin illustrated); BMCRE –; BN 1095; Biaggi 140 (this coin); Mazzini 258 (this coin); CNR IV 173 (this coin). Good VF. Wonderful portrait of fine style. Extremely rare.


Ex MACM inventory MMoCA33C; Lanz 148 (with Numismatica Bernardi, 4 January 2010), lot 73; Gilbert Steinberg Collection (Numismatica Ars Classica & Spink Taisei, 16 November 1994), lot 152; Leo Biaggi de Blasys Collection, 140; Giuseppe Mazzini Collection (publ. 1957).
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 391
2025-01-14 (2 weeks from now)
Grade: Good VF
PTOLEMAIC KINGS of EGYPT. Ptolemy I Soter. 305/4-282 BC. AV Stater (17.5mm, 7.08 g, 12h). Alexandreia mint. Struck early 290s BC. Diademed head right, wearing aegis around neck / ΠTOΛEMAIOY BAΣIΛEΩΣ, Alexander, holding thunderbolt in right hand, standing left in chariot drawn by four elephants left; three monograms in exergue. CPE 93; Svoronos 147; Zervos Type VI, Issue 91; SNG Copenhagen –; Hirsch 1793. Faint graffito (¬Ås) in field on obverse, light scratch and minor doubling on reverse. Good VF. Very rare, only five examples noted by Zervos, five additional in CoinArchives (including the present coin).


Ex MACM inventory MMoCA14C; Classical Numismatic Group 84 (5 May 2010), lot 751.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 674
2025-01-14 (2 weeks from now)
Grade: VF
Otho. AD 69. AV Aureus (18.5mm, 7.25 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck 15 January-8 March. IMP M OTHO CAESAR AVG TR P, bare head right / SECV RI TAS P R, Securitas, draped, standing left, holding wreath in right hand and scepter in left. RIC I 7; Muona Group 1, Type 4A, Portrait Type A; Calicó 531b (same obv. die as illustration); BMCRE 13-5; BN 7-8; Biaggi 271; Jameson 56; Mazzini 16. Some minor smoothing in fields, edge scrape on obverse, light marks on reverse. VF. Well centered obverse shows full legend. Excellent Portrait.


From the Ramrodivs Collection. Ex Harlan J. Berk inventory cc72777 (ND); Gemini VIII (with Heritage, 14 April 2011), lot 293.

Marcus Salvius Otho was a minor functionary in the court of Nero, known more for his enthusiastic participation in the emperor’s revels than for any real competency. His one mistake was in introducing his beautiful wife Poppaea Sabina to his master. Very soon, Otho got the governorship of the remote province of Lusitania, and Nero got Poppaea. With Nero’s downfall, Otho aligned himself with his fellow governor Galba, fully expecting to be named the elderly emperor’s successor. When Galba designated Piso as his successor, the disappointed Otho joined the conspiracy that led to Galba’s assassination. Otho himself would perish three months later, by his own hand as the armies of Vitellius approached Rome.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 166
2025-01-14 (2 weeks from now)
Grade: Near EF
MACEDON, Stagira. Circa 500-480 BC. AR Tetradrachm (31mm, 16.87 g). Attic standard. Lion attacking right, on the back and biting into the hindquarter of a boar standing left below; STAΓI and three ground lines, the middle composed of pellets, below; floral ornament in exergue / Quadripartite incuse square. Cahn, Skione 10 var. = Cahn, Tetradrachmon 1 var. = Käpelli F12 var. (pellets, no ornament, ethnic above); otherwise, unpublished. Lightly toned, granular surfaces, minor doubling on obverse. Near EF. Struck on a broad flan. Apparently unique with ethnic below and floral ornament.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 729
2025-01-14 (2 weeks from now)
Grade: VF
Caracalla. AD 198-217. AV Aureus (19.5mm, 7.23 g, 12h). Rome mint. Struck AD 205-206. ANTONINVS PIVS AVG, laureate and draped bust right / FELICIA above, TEMPORA in exergue, the Four Seasons, dancing and showing their attributes: from left to right, Spring carries a basin on his head, Summer holds a sickle in right hand above his head, Autumn holds a hare and a tray full of fruit, Winter wears a hood over his head and holds a bird which he has just captured, probably a wild duck. RIC IV 126; Calicó 2672 (this coin illustrated); BMCRE p. 207, note *; Adda –; Biaggi 1176 var. (bust type); Jameson –; Mazzini –. Scratch on obverse. VF. Extremely rare. None in CoinArchives, missing from most collections.


From the Georges Albert Haikel Collection. Ex Spink America 8232 (7 December 1995), lot 2215.

This charming reverse depicts Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter in the guise of young boys at play, with each season bearing some symbol of its gift to mankind. Although a common motif in Roman sculpture and painting, its appearance on coinage is rare, recurring from time to time on issues from the 2nd century until the Tetrarchic period.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 994
2025-01-14 (2 weeks from now)
Grade: -
VENEZUELA, Republic. 1830-pres. AV Venezolano Essai (15mm, 1.51 g, 6h). Paris mint. Dies by Barré. Dated 1875. BOLÍVAR LIBERTADOR, bare head of Simón Bolívar right; ESSAI to lower left / · ESTADOS UNIDOS DE VENEZUELA · G 1.6129 · 1875 · LEI 900, coat-of-arms surmounted by crossed cornucopias; olive branch and palm frond flanking, all set on ribbon inscribed INDEPEND LIBERTAD 5 DE JUNO 1811 28 DE MARZO 1864 DIOS Y FEDON. Edge: reeded. KM EA18. In NGC encapsulation 6917297-002, graded PF 62. Extremely rare. Top Pop.


From the Alexander Christopher Collection.

While a few examples of the larger 5, 10, and 20 Venezolano essais of 1875 have appeared on the market, none of this type have been offered since the John Jay Pittman Collection (David Akers, 9 August 1999), lot 3690 (hammer $18,400). The example offered there suggested there were perhaps only 5 known examples in total. A gilt copper uniface trial strike is also known: Heritage 3033 (8 August 2014), lot 23413 (hammer $75,000)
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 233
2025-01-14 (2 weeks from now)
Grade: Good VF
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.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 753
2025-01-14 (2 weeks from now)
Grade: fine
Maximianus. First reign, AD 286-305. AV Aureus (18.5mm, 5.19 g, 6h). Treveri (Trier) mint. Struck March AD 302. MAXIMI ANVS P F AVG, laureate head right / HERCVLI CON SERVATORI, head of Hercules right, wearing lion skin; TR. RIC VI 46; Depeyrot 7A/1; Calicó 4654 (this coin illustrated); Beaurains 255 = Biaggi 1813 = A. Baldwin Brett, “The Aurei and Solidi of the Arras Hoard” in NC 1933, p. 311, 90 (3) (this coin); Mazzini –. Attractively toned, a few light marks. EF. Extremely rare, six examples noted by Depeyrot in his inventory for the type (though erroneously noting this example twice).


From the Georges Albert Haikel Collection. Ex Dr. Anton C. R. Dreesmann Collection (Part I, Spink, 13 April 2000), lot 78; Numismatic Fine Arts XVI (2 December 1985), lot 536; Leo Biaggi de Blasys Collection; Henry Platt Hall Collection (Part II, Glendining, 16 November 1950), lot 1983; R. Ratto (2 April 1923), lot 398; 1922 Arras – Beaurains Hoard.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 319
2025-01-14 (2 weeks from now)
Grade: fair
ISLANDS off CARIA, Rhodos. Rhodes. Circa 408/7-404 BC. AR Tetradrachm (23.5mm, 15.15 g, 12h). Head of Helios facing slightly right / Rose in profile, with bud to left; POΔION above; Φ and facing boukranion to right; all within incuse square. Hecatomnus 106a (A70/P76) = Bérend, Tétradrachmes 75 = HN Online 1034.4 = Prospero 560 (this coin); Ashton 42; HGC 6, 1417; SNG Ashmolean 539; SNG von Aulock –; SNG Fitzwilliam 4778 = Weber 6715; SNG Keckman –; Karl –. Beautiful even gray tone, with some iridescence around the devices, a little die rust on obverse, a couple of minor scratches in field on reverse. Superb EF. Fine style, and the finest 5th century Rhodian tetradrachm in CoinArchives.


From the Georges Albert Haikel Collection. Ex Prospero Collection (New York Sale XXVII, 4 January 2012), lot 560, purchased from Spink, 10 February 1983; Numismatic Fine Arts VIII (6 June 1980), lot 300; 1971 Marmaris Hoard (IGCH 1209).

The polis of Rhodes was created out of a synoecism of the cities of Ialysos, Kamiros, and Lindos in 408/7 BC, and immediately began to issue a series of coinage that endured until the Roman era. The rose was chosen as the perennial reverse type, a punning allusion to the city's name. The obverse type was usually the head of Helios, the patron deity of the new polis, but occasionally the nymph Rhodos appeared. Until the end of the Rhodian series, these types adorned the coins, with a few exceptional issues that featured novel designs. The Chian standard was employed, although after a reduction in the late 340s, the standard is commonly called 'Rhodian.' The first issue of Rhodian coinage was a brief, yet large issue of tetradrachms, that stand among the finest pieces of Classical Greek art. On the obverse, the head of Helios is displayed in a nearly frontal position. Such facing head coins were not novel by this time, but the boldness of the design and the particularly high relief of the dies sets the Rhodian coinage apart from all others. Moreover, this facing head type was the standard obverse type for most of the Rhodian issues. The tetradrachm was the primary denomination until the later 4th century, when the didrachm became preeminent. Both of these denominations were supplemented by a wide variety of fractions, in both silver and bronze, and the tetradrachm was also issued on occasion after the 4th century. Around 190 BC, the coinage system was completely reorganized, with the primary denomination being the drachm, struck on a standard called 'plinthophoric' for the square incuse around the reverse type (plinthos = brick or ingot). Gold coinage was issued only on very rare occasions, and not until the 2nd century BC. As noted by Ashton, the coinage was issued fairly regularly, with occasional spikes in production that correlate to either construction work (e.g. the building of the Colossus) or military necessity. As a primary trading center in the Mediterranean, it is not surprising that the bulk of the coinage of Rhodes appears to have been used for regular state expenditure, such as maintaining its fleet, paying mercenaries, making contributions to the Nesiotic League (revived by Rhodes circa 200 BC), paying state officials, and maintaining a system that cared for its needy citizens (Ashton, pp. 96-7). The massive amount of coinage struck by Rhodes is evidenced by the adoption of the Rhodian weight standard by many other cities in the Hellenistic period, as well as the large amounts of Rhodian coins found in hoards today.