Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4

Date: 2025-01-14 15:00:00 (3 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.

Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 148
KINGS of THRACE, Macedonian. Lysimachos. 305-281 BC. AR Tetradrachm (28mm, 17.12 g, 1h). Pella mint. Struck circa 288/7-282/1 BC. Diademed head of the deified Alexander right, with horn of Ammon / BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΛYΣIMAXOY, Athena Nikephoros seated left, left arm resting on shield, transverse spear in background; HP monogram to inner left, ornament on throne. Thompson 247 var. (no ornament noted); Müller –; HGC 3, 1750l. Deep cabinet tone, very minor die shift on obverse, small scuff on edge. EF. Extremely rare with ornament.


Ex Classical Numismatic Group 99 (13 May 2015), lot 57; Sotheby’s (20 April 1970), lot 115.

Thompson notes (p. 176, n. 1) that this particular ornament on the throne is commonly seen on coins of Magnesia, but it also occurs on rare issues of Mytilene and Ephesos. Unbeknownst to Thompson, however, it appears to also occur on rare issues of Pella (cf. Bourgey, March 1975, lot 30 [a variety of Thompson 248], CNG 81, lot 253 [a variety of Thompson 250], and Knobloch FPL 21, no. 67 [a variety of Thompson 252]).
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 149
THRACO-MACEDONIAN TRIBES, Mygdones or Krestones. Circa 480-470 BC. AR Stater (23mm, 9.24 g). Goat kneeling right, head reverted, on dotted ground line; ΔE monogram above / Quadripartite incuse square. Lorber, Goats, Issue 8; HPM pl. I, 5 = BMC Macedon p. 37, 1 (same obv. die); AMNG III/2, 6; HGC 3, 366 (‘Aigai’); SNG ANS 58 (same obv. die [Aegae]); Gillet 737; Locker-Lampson 152 (same dies); Raymond p. 52 (this coin referenced [Hirsch 1933]); Weber 1840 (same dies). Lovely deep old cabinet tone, minor edge marks. Near EF.


From the Columbus Collection. Ex New York Sale III (7 December 2000), lot 118; R. de St. Marceaux Collection (Ars Classica XVI, 3 July 1933), lot 968. Reportedly also ex H. Herzfelder and P. Strauss collections.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 150
THRACO-MACEDONIAN REGION, Berge. Circa 525-480 BC. AR Stater (21mm, 9.90 g). Ithyphallic satyr standing right, right hand grasping right wrist of nymph fleeing right, his left hand supporting her chin; three pellets around / Rough incuse square divided diagonally. Smith Group 5 (Lete); Peykov A0020 (Siris); HPM pl. VIII, 4; AMNG III/2, 14 (Lete); SNG ANS 954–61 (“Lete”); Kunstfreund 40 (Uncertain mint); Traité I 1568 (Lete). Beautifully toned. Superb EF.


From the Columbus Collection. Ex Triton XVIII (6 January 2015), lot 430; LHS 100 (23 April 2007), lot 211; Leu 38 (13 May 1986), lot 58; Christitch Collection (Egger XLI, 18 November 1912), lot 340; Dr. Fenerly Bey du Phanar Collection.

The satyr/centaur and nymph type represents a common theme in Greek mythology: the juxtaposition of the wildly monstrous and sexually-charged with the human. Kraay's view (ACGC pp. 148-9) that the coins where the satyr and nymph are both standing show the nymph seducing the satyr, while the coins where the nymph is in the satyr's arms show the nymph is protesting her being carried off, is contradicted by a close inspection of the coins themselves. In similar scenes of this event depicted elsewhere, the satyr clearly manhandles the nymph, forcibly grasping one of her arms, while the nymph appears in a posture of apparent flight (see, e.g., HPM pl. VII-VIII). Clearly, in both scenes the nymph is protesting the actions of the satyr or centaur, who, in the role of the wild, libidinous creature that he is, is seizing the nymph for his own purposes, driven by his sexual arousal.

This particular issue has previously been given to Lete and Siris, but S. Psoma has persuasively argued against both of these attributions, and suggests that the city of Berge is the most likely in light of the historical and numismatic evidence. (See S. Psoma, “The ‘Lete’ Coinage Reconsidered” in Agoranomia.)
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 151
MACEDON, Akanthos. Circa 525-470 BC. AR Tetradrachm (28mm, 17.13 g). Attic standard. Lion attacking right, biting into the hindquarter of a bull kneeling left, head right, biting the leg of the lion; Θ above, three ground lines below, the middle composed of pellets; floral ornament in exergue / Quadripartite incuse square. Desneux 69–79 (unlisted dies); AMNG III/2, 5; HGC 3, 383; SNG ANS 10 var. (bull head left); SNG Spencer 109; SNG Lockett 1282; Boston MFA 520 = Warren 536. Attractive light toning, deposits on reverse. Good VF. Well struck on a broad flan.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 152
MACEDON, Akanthos. Circa 430-390 BC. AR Tetradrachm (22mm, 14.07 g, 8h). Thraco-Macedonian standard. Lion attacking right, biting into the hindquarter of a bull kneeling left, head raised / AKA-N-ΘIO-N in shallow incuse around quadripartite square, the quarters raised and granulated. Desneux 117 (D113/R105); AMNG III/2, –; HGC 3, 391; Boston MFA 529 (same dies). Lightly toned. Good VF. Very rare early Thraco-Macedonian standard issue.


From the Michael Rogal Collection. Ex Triton XVIII (6 January 2015), lot 435; RAJ Collection (Triton XVII, 7 January 2014), lot 118.

Akanthos was founded on the easternmost “finger” of the Chalcidice in the seventh century BC. Huge silver deposits were discovered in close proximity during the sixth century BC, leading to Akanthos becoming a prolific mint, with its coinage circulating widely in northern and mainland Greece. Of the Archaic Greek coinages, the imagery of Akanthos is one of the most influential, depicting a lion attacking a bull. Lions still prowled the hinterlands of Thrace and Macedon in this era. Herodotus recounts an episode in The Histories when the baggage camels of the army of the Persian King Xerxes was set upon by lions during its march from Asia Minor into Greece proper (Herodotus 7.125-126).
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 153
MACEDON, Akanthos. Circa 430-390 BC. AR Tetradrachm (25.5mm, 14.11 g, 10h). Thraco-Macedonian standard. Lion attacking right, biting into the hindquarter of a bull kneeling left, head raised; Γ in exergue / AKA-N-ΘIO-N in shallow incuse square around quadripartite square with stippled quarters in relief. Desneux 123a (D118/R110 [erroneous pedigree listed]) = Hunt IV 194 (this coin); cf. AMNG III 29; HGC 3, 391; SNG ANS 12 (same rev. die). Lightly toned, trace deposits, minor marks. Good VF.


Ex Leu 18 (5 May 1977), lot 107; Nelson Bunker Hunt Collection (Part IV, Sotheby’s New York, 19 June 1991), lot 194; Robert Allatini Collection (Sotheby, Wilkinson & Hodge, 9 May 1904), lot 24.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 154
MACEDON, Akanthos. Circa 430-390 BC. AR Tetradrachm (25mm, 13.76 g, 6h). Thraco-Macedonian standard. Lion attacking right, biting into the hindquarter of a bull kneeling left, head raised; AΛEΞIΣ in exergue / AKA-N-ΘIO-N in shallow incuse square around quadripartite square with stippled quarters in relief. Desneux 140a (D132/R126 – this coin); AMNG III 29; HGC 3, 391; SNG ANS 15; Hirsch 955 (same obv. die). Lightly toned, trace deposits, granular surfaces. Good VF.


Ex Leu 71 (24 October 1997), lot 125; Hess-Leu 45 (12 May 1970), lot 115; H. C. Hoskier Collection (J. Hirsch XX, 13 November 1907), lot 228; Harlan P. Smith Collection (Sotheby, Wilkinson & Hodge, 5 June 1905), lot 139.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 155
MACEDON, Akanthos. Circa 430-390 BC. AR Tetradrachm (25mm, 14.37 g, 11h). Thraco-Macedonian standard. Lion attacking right, biting into the hindquarter of a bull kneeling left, head raised; AΛEΞIΣ in exergue / AKA-N-ΘIO-N in shallow incuse square around quadripartite square with stippled quarters in relief. Desneux 147–8 var. (D139/R– [unlisted rev. die]); AMNG III 29; HGC 3, 391; SNG ANS 15; SNG Copenhagen 14 (same obv. die); BMC 25 (same obv. die). In NGC encapsulation 5771750-005, graded AU, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 4/5, Fine Style.


Ex Edward H. Merrin Collection (noted on NGC tag); Leu 45 (26 May 1988), lot 106.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 156
MACEDON, Amphipolis. 369/8 BC. AR Drachm (15.5mm, 3.51 g, 5h). Head of Apollo facing slightly right, wearing laurel wreath, drapery around neck / AMΦ-IΠO-ΛIT-EΩN on raised linear square enclosing race torch; all within shallow incuse square. Lorber 55 (Od3/Rd2); HGC 3, 413; SNG Soutzos 271 (same dies); SNG Stockholm 873 = SNG Lockett 1301 = Bement 672 (same dies); McClean 3207 (same dies). Faintly toned, trace of find patina, typical light granularity. Good VF.


Ex Spink 212 (28 March 2012), lot 21; Classical Numismatic Group 79 (17 September 2008), lot 139.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 157
MACEDON, Chalkidian League. Circa 383/2 BC. AR Tetradrachm (25mm, 14.45 g, 12h). Olynthos mint. Head of Apollo right, wearing laurel wreath / Kithara; X-A-Λ-KIΔ-EΩN around; all within incuse square. Robinson & Clement Group H, 26–7 var. (A22/P– [unlisted rev. die]); AMNG III/2, 5; HGC 3, 498; SNG ANS 474 (same obv. die); SNG Copenhagen 242 (same obv. die). Bright surfaces, even light die wear on obverse. EF.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 158
MACEDON, Chalkidian League. Circa 383/2 BC. AR Tetradrachm (24mm, 14.42 g, 12h). Olynthos mint. Head of Apollo right, wearing laurel wreath / Kithara; X-A-Λ-KIΔ-EΩN around; all within incuse square. Robinson & Clement Group H, 28 (A23/P25); AMNG III/2, 5; HGC 3, 498; SNG Lockett 1308 (same dies). Faintly toned, light cleaning marks on obverse. EF. Attractive style.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 159
MACEDON, Chalkidian League. Circa 352 BC. AR Tetradrachm (23mm, 14.41 g, 2h). Olynthos mint; Olympichos, magistrate. Head of Apollo right, wearing laurel wreath / Kithara; X-A-Λ-KIΔ-EΩN around, [ΕΠΙ OΛYMΠΙXΟΣ below]. Robinson & Clement Group T, 116 (A74/P99); HGC 3, 499; SNG ANS 509; Boston MFA 581 = Warren 564 (same obv. die); Kraay & Hirmer 413 (same dies). Lightly toned, trace deposits. Good VF.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 160
MACEDON, Neapolis. Circa 500-480 BC. AR Stater (20mm, 9.83 g). Facing gorgoneion with protruding tongue / Quadripartite incuse square. AMNG III/2, 6; HGC 3, 583; SNG ANS 406–19; Dewing 1604; Kraay & Hirmer 433; Traité I 1740. Attractive old collection tone. Choice EF. Well centered and struck from fresh dies.


From the Columbus Collection. Ex Edward J. Waddell inventory C29932 (c. 1990).

Neapolis, which is well known for its apparently large issues of silver in the 5th-early 4th centuries BC, is relatively unknown outside of numismatics. Its exact location is unknown, though a city that has been under excavation near modern Polychronon may be Neapolis. The city was likely founded as a settlement by colonists from Mende in the 6th century BC. Like many of the other cities in the region, Neapolis supplied troops and ships to Xerxes during the Greco-Persian Wars, and afterward became a member of the Delian League. Its coinage consists of two large series of silver coins, both featuring the facing head of a gorgoneion on the obverse. The first series, with a simple quadripartite incuse reverse, began late in the Archaic period, circa 500 BC, and lasted until circa 480 BC. This is followed by a dual-sided coinage of drachms and hemidrachms featuring a female head on the reverse, which ran from the late 5th century BC until the early 4th century BC.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 161
MACEDON, Neapolis. Circa 500-480 BC. AR Stater (18mm, 9.59 g). Facing gorgoneion with protruding tongue / Quadripartite incuse square. AMNG III/2, 6; HGC 3, 583; SNG ANS 406–19; Dewing 1604; Kraay & Hirmer 433; Traité I 1740. Deeply toned, minor marks, bump on obverse, scratch on reverse, scrapes and marks on edge. VF.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 162
MACEDON, Neapolis. Circa 500-480 BC. AR Stater (19mm, 9.95 g). Facing gorgoneion with protruding tongue / Quadripartite incuse square. AMNG III/2, 6; HGC 3, 583; SNG ANS 406–19; Dewing 1604; Kraay & Hirmer 433; Traité I 1740. Toned, light scratches under tone, a hint of porosity, scrapes on edge. VF.


Ex Peus 432 (1 November 2022), lot 1142; Nomos Obolos 1 (8 February 2015), lot 149.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 163
MACEDON, Neapolis. Circa 375-350 BC. AR Hemidrachm (13mm, 1.82 g, 12h). Facing gorgoneion with protruding tongue / Head of nymph right, hair in thin band and wearing necklace; N-E-O-Π clockwise around. AMNG III/2, 11; HGC 3, 586; SNG ANS 439; Boston MFA 565 = Perkins 105 (this coin). Old cabinet tone, minor marks on edge. Good VF.


Ex Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Collection [acc. no. 00.139] (Numismatic Fine Arts VIII, 6 June 1980), lot 104; Catharine Page Perkins Collection (acquired for the museum by E. P. Warren from Perkins in 1900).
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 164
MACEDON, Neapolis. Circa 375-350 BC. AR Hemidrachm (15mm, 1.83 g, 9h). Facing gorgoneion with protruding tongue / Head of nymph right, hair in thin band and wearing necklace; N-E-O-Π clockwise around. AMNG III/2, 11; HGC 3, 586; SNG ANS 439; Boston MFA 566 = Perkins 107 (this coin). Old cabinet tone. Near EF.


Ex Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Collection [acc. no. 00.135] (Numismatic Fine Arts VIII, 6 June 1980), lot 103; Catharine Page Perkins Collection (acquired for the museum by E. P. Warren from Perkins in 1900).
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 165
MACEDON, Sermyle. Circa 500-470 BC. AR Tetradrachm (28mm, 16.61 g). Attic standard. Warrior, holding spear aloft in right hand, on horseback right; SER-MVΛ-I-AOИ around, pellet to left; below, hound running right; all on three ground lines, the middle composed of pellets / Quadripartite incuse square. AMNG III/2, 1 var. (no hound); Liampi pl. 24, 24; HGC 3, 661 var. (same); SNG ANS 721 var. (no pellet); SNG Spencer 125; Asyut 219. Lightly toned, traces of find patina, patches of granularity. Near EF. Very rare, and exceptional for issue.


Ex Leu 71 (24 October 1997), lot 131.

Very little is known of the early history of Sermyle. During the Greco-Persian Wars, the city supplied troops and ships to the Persians, and afterward became a member of the Thracian District of the Delian League. During the Peloponnesian War, many of their citizens were killed by the Peloponnesians, and Sermyle was turned over to the Chalkidians until the Peace of Nikias, whereafter the city appears under Athenian control. In the 4th century BC, Sermyle joined the Chalkidian League, and was apparently one of the cities destroyed by Philip II, as it disappears from the historical record after 348 BC. The coinage of the city was small, with a short issue of silver tetradrachms and fractions in the early 5th century, and a limited issue of bronze in the early 4th BC.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 166
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 . 167
KINGS of MACEDON. Philip II. 359-336 BC. AR Drachm (15.5mm, 3.56 g, 9h). Pella mint. Struck circa 359-355/4 BC. Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin / ΦIΛIΠΠOY, Philip, wearing kausia, chlamys, tunic, and boots, raising right hand and holding rein in left, on horseback left; below, spearhead left above monogram. Le Rider Group IA, 45 (D28/R37); SNG Copenhagen 567 (same rev. die); Traité pl. CCCIX, 18 (same obv. die). Typical granular surfaces, a few minor scrapes, a little off center on reverse. Good VF. Very rare, five noted by Le Rider, this coin the only example in CoinArchives.


Ex Numisfitz 2 (4 June 2023), lot 70 (hammer €1300).
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 168
KINGS of MACEDON. Philip II. 359-336 BC. AR Tetradrachm (24mm, 14.41 g, 1h). Pella mint. Struck circa 342/1-337/6 BC. Head of Zeus right, wearing laurel wreath / ΦIΛIΠ-ΠOY, nude youth, holding palm frond in right hand, rein in left, on horseback right; thunderbolt below, N in exergue. Le Rider Group II.A.2, 238 (D133/R192); SNG ANS 385–95; Boston MFA 649 (same dies). In NGC encapsulation 6557416-004, graded Ch VF, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 4/5, Fine Style.


Ex Sovereign Rarities 7 (21 September 2022), lot 33; Baldwin’s 33 (6 May 2003), lot 9.