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 . 190
KINGS of MACEDON. Perseus. 179-168 BC. AR Tetradrachm (31mm, 16.75 g, 1h). Attic standard. Amphipolis mint. Struck circa 174-171 BC. Diademed head right / BAΣI-ΛEΩΣ ΠEP-ΣEΩΣ, eagle standing right on thunderbolt; AY monogram above, ΣΩ monogram to right, AN between legs; all within oak wreath; below, plow left. De Luca, Tetradrachms 86b (O22/R77 – this coin); Mamroth, Perseus 17; HGC 3, 1093. In NGC encapsulation 6642240-004, graded Ch AU, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 3/5, Fine Style. Well struck and high relief. Very rare issue with these control marks, struck from one obverse and three reverse dies.
Ex Giessener Münzhandlung 56 (7 October 1991), lot 192.
The last independent king of Macedon, Perseus was the eldest son of the dynamic but disastrous Philip V. Inheriting the throne in 179 BC, Perseus skillfully rebuilt the Macedonian army and a network of marriage alliances during the first years of his reign, which the Romans watched with rising alarm. In 172 BC the Romans sent a commission to Macedon and demanded that Perseus essentially end Macedonian independence and become a Roman vassal. Perseus angrily rebuffed their demands, sparking the outbreak of the Third Macedonian War in 171 BC. For a time, Perseus employed guerrilla tactics which gave him the initiative and kept the Romans on their heels. An initial battle at Callinicus in Thessaly was a narrow Macedonian victory, leading Perseus to become overconfident of Macedonian arms and his own generalship. Like his father, Perseus chose to risk all in a single pitched battle at Pydna in 168 BC but lost badly to the Roman general Lucius Aemilius Paullus. With his army shattered, Perseus surrendered and was taken to Rome, where he was led in chains in Paullus’ triumph. Accounts of his remaining life differ; according to one account, he remained imprisoned until he died after two years of abuse and neglect. But another tradition holds that he was allowed to live in comfortable exile at Alba Fucens outside of Rome, where his son Alexander became a metalworker and a Roman public notary. The Macedonian Kingdom was divided into four theoretically autonomous Republics which were soon subsumed into direct Roman rule.
The coinage of Perseus is one of the more attractive of the Hellenistic series, with strong portraiture depicting Perseus as a determined ruler with a piercing gaze and a stubbly beard. The reverse depicts the Macedonian eagle on a thunderbolt. Two weight standards are recorded, with the weight of the tetradrachm being reduced by about 10% after the war with Rome commenced, likely to stretch the silver supply.
Ex Giessener Münzhandlung 56 (7 October 1991), lot 192.
The last independent king of Macedon, Perseus was the eldest son of the dynamic but disastrous Philip V. Inheriting the throne in 179 BC, Perseus skillfully rebuilt the Macedonian army and a network of marriage alliances during the first years of his reign, which the Romans watched with rising alarm. In 172 BC the Romans sent a commission to Macedon and demanded that Perseus essentially end Macedonian independence and become a Roman vassal. Perseus angrily rebuffed their demands, sparking the outbreak of the Third Macedonian War in 171 BC. For a time, Perseus employed guerrilla tactics which gave him the initiative and kept the Romans on their heels. An initial battle at Callinicus in Thessaly was a narrow Macedonian victory, leading Perseus to become overconfident of Macedonian arms and his own generalship. Like his father, Perseus chose to risk all in a single pitched battle at Pydna in 168 BC but lost badly to the Roman general Lucius Aemilius Paullus. With his army shattered, Perseus surrendered and was taken to Rome, where he was led in chains in Paullus’ triumph. Accounts of his remaining life differ; according to one account, he remained imprisoned until he died after two years of abuse and neglect. But another tradition holds that he was allowed to live in comfortable exile at Alba Fucens outside of Rome, where his son Alexander became a metalworker and a Roman public notary. The Macedonian Kingdom was divided into four theoretically autonomous Republics which were soon subsumed into direct Roman rule.
The coinage of Perseus is one of the more attractive of the Hellenistic series, with strong portraiture depicting Perseus as a determined ruler with a piercing gaze and a stubbly beard. The reverse depicts the Macedonian eagle on a thunderbolt. Two weight standards are recorded, with the weight of the tetradrachm being reduced by about 10% after the war with Rome commenced, likely to stretch the silver supply.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 191
KINGS of MACEDON. Perseus. 179-168 BC. AR Tetradrachm (32mm, 15.47 g, 12h). Reduced Attic standard. Amphipolis mint. Struck circa 171-168 BC. Diademed head right / BAΣI-ΛEΩΣ ΠEP-ΣEΩΣ, eagle standing right on thunderbolt; ΘE monogram above, AY monogram to right, AN monogram between legs; all within oak wreath; below, plow left. De Luca, Tetradrachms 219f (O46/R201 – this coin); Mamroth, Perseus 25; HGC 3, 1094; SNG Ashmolean 3276 (same dies). Faintly toned, typical minor marks. EF.
Ex Peus 434 (24 April 2023), lot 165; Gorny & Mosch 152 (9 October 2006), lot 1338.
Ex Peus 434 (24 April 2023), lot 165; Gorny & Mosch 152 (9 October 2006), lot 1338.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 192
KINGS of MACEDON. Perseus. 179-168 BC. AR Tetradrachm (30mm, 15.37 g, 12h). Reduced Attic standard. Amphipolis mint. Struck circa 171-168 BC. Diademed head right / BAΣI-ΛEΩΣ ΠEP-ΣEΩΣ, eagle standing right on thunderbolt; NK monogram above, AY monogram to right, ΛΩ monogram between legs; all within oak wreath; below, plow left. De Luca, Tetradrachms 303 (O63/R258); Mamroth, Perseus 20b; HGC 3, 1094; SNG Ashmolean 3277 (same obv. die). Some die wear on obverse. EF.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 193
ISLANDS off ILLYRIA, Pharos. Pharos. Circa 350-320 BC. Æ (24mm, 14.01 g, 8h). Bearded head of Zeus left, wearing laurel wreath / Goat standing left; coiled serpent to left, [ΦAPIΩN in exergue]. Visonà, Greek-Illyrian Ph9 (same dies); HGC 6, 18; SNG Morcom 949 (this coin). Dark green-brown patina. Near VF. Very rare.
From the John Morcom Collection.
From the John Morcom Collection.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 194
KINGS of ILLYRIA. Monounios. Circa 280-270 BC. AR Stater (20mm, 10.64 g, 3h). Dyrrhachion mint. Cow standing right, looking back at suckling calf standing left below; monogram of Monounios above / Double stellate pattern divided by two lines, all in double linear square; Δ-Y-P and club around; all within linear circle. Meta Series II, dies D104/R161; Meadows, CH (forthcoming), 187 (this coin); Gjongecaj em. 1, 165-8 (same dies); Maier –; HGC 3, 66 (same obv. die as illustration); SNG Copenhagen 425 (same dies); BMC 21 (same dies); Weber 2977 (same dies). Slight die wear, a touch off center on obverse. Good VF. Very rare.
From the Michael Rogal Collection. Ex Classical Numismatic Group 91 (19 September 2012), lot 160.
From the Michael Rogal Collection. Ex Classical Numismatic Group 91 (19 September 2012), lot 160.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 195
EPEIROS, Federal coinage (Epirote Republic). Circa 148-50 BC. AR Drachm (21.5mm, 5.05 g, 7h). Bearded head of Zeus right, wearing laurel wreath; monogram to left / Eagle, with closed wings, standing right on thunderbolt; AΠEI-PΩTAN at sides; all within wreath. Franke Group II, Series 2, 52–3 var. (V–/R38 [unlisted obv. die]); HGC 3, 171; BM 1866,1201.1458 (same rev. die). Bright surface, minor flan flaw on reverse. Superb EF.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 196
THESSALY, Ainianes. Circa 80s-40s BC. AR Trihemidrachm or Stater (23mm, 7.47 g, 12h). Zenarchos, magistrate. Head of Athena Parthenos right, wearing triple crested Attic helmet decorated with tendril, Pegasos, and four horse foreparts; ΞЄNAPXOΣ to left / The hero Phemios, wearing scabbard with sword, standing left, head right, shooting sling to right; two spears in background to left, AINI-ANΩN at sides. Callataÿ, Argent, Type 2, 68–9 var. (O4/R– [unlisted rev. die]); BCD Thessaly –; HGC 4, 41; BM inv. 1947,0406.206 (same obv. die); de Luynes 1824 (same obv. die). Lightly toned, slightly off center on reverse. Near EF. Extremely rare with this magistrate, only two examples noted by Callataÿ.
Ex Peus 393 (31 October 2007), lot 172.
Ex Peus 393 (31 October 2007), lot 172.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 197
THESSALY, Larissa. Circa 380-365 BC. AR Drachm (19mm, 6.16 g, 11h). Head of the nymph Larissa facing slightly left, wearing ampyx, triple-pendant earring, and necklace / Mare standing right; below, in background to right, foal standing right; ΛΑΡ[Ι]-ΣΑΙΩ[N] above and below. L&S Series 6, Type C, dies O22/R1; BCD Thessaly II 297; HGC 4, 444; SNG Blackburn 599 (same dies); Jameson 1093 (same dies). In NGC encapsulation 6290605-018, graded AU, Strike: 4/5, Surface: 5/5, Fine Style.
Ex Mark & Lottie Salton Collection (Stack’s Bowers Galleries, 14 January 2022), lot 4218.
Ex Mark & Lottie Salton Collection (Stack’s Bowers Galleries, 14 January 2022), lot 4218.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 198
THESSALY, Larissa. Circa 365-356 BC. AR Drachm (19mm, 6.07 g, 5h). Head of the nymph Larissa facing slightly left, hair in ampyx, wearing linear necklace / Horse standing left, preparing to lie down; ΣAIΩN/ΛAPI above and below. Lorber, Beginning, Series 6, Head Type 10, dies O20/R2; BCD Thessaly II 312 (this coin); HGC 4, 452; ANS inv. 1944.100.16971–2 (same dies). Attractive light toning, slight die shift on reverse. EF. Well centered strike from dies of fine style.
From the Columbus Collection. Ex Rauch 105 (16 November 2017), lot 77; BCD Collection (Triton XV, 3 January 2012), lot 312.
From the Columbus Collection. Ex Rauch 105 (16 November 2017), lot 77; BCD Collection (Triton XV, 3 January 2012), lot 312.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 199
THESSALY, Larissa. Circa 356-342 BC. AR Stater (24mm, 12.20 g, 11h). Head of the nymph Larissa facing slightly left, hair in ampyx, wearing necklace / Bridled horse prancing right; ΛAPI-Σ-[AIΩN] around. L-S Type 2, Series A, dies O3/R4; BCD Thessaly II 306 (same obv. die); HGC 4, 409; Jameson 1092 = Rhousopoulos 1320 (same dies). Iridescent tone, traces of horn silver, some minor scratches, flaw on reverse. Near EF.
From the Gerald F. Borrmann (Northern California Gentleman) Collection, purchased from Dr. Arnold Saslow, 1987.
From the Gerald F. Borrmann (Northern California Gentleman) Collection, purchased from Dr. Arnold Saslow, 1987.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 200
THESSALY, Pharsalos. Late 5th-mid 4th century BC. AR Hemidrachm (15mm, 3.07 g, 5h). Obverse die signed by Telephantos. Head of Athena right, wearing crested Attic helmet with raised cheek guard; behind neck, tiny T above I Π / Head of horse right; Φ-A-P-Σ (partially retrograde) around; all within incuse circle. Lavva 121b (V57/R69 – this coin); BCD Thessaly II 668.3 (same dies); HGC 4, 635. Lovely old iridescent tone, slight double strike on reverse. Near EF.
Ex Tradart (12 December 1991), lot 108.
Ex Tradart (12 December 1991), lot 108.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 201
AKARNANIA, Anaktorion. Circa 350-300 BC. AR Stater (18mm, 8.52 g, 5h). Pegasos flying left; civic monogram below / Head of Athena left, wearing Corinthian helmet with neck guard; ΛYΣI above; tiny Λ, civic monogram, and thymiaterion to right. Imhoof-Blumer, Akarnaniens –; Pegasi 70 corr. (tiny ¬ not noted; same obv. die); BCD Akarnania 106 var. (no tiny ¬); HGC 4, 763. In NGC encapsulation 6290626-009, graded Ch XF★, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 5/5.
From the Michael Rogal Collection. Ex Triton XXVI (10 January 2023), lot 149; Mark & Lottie Salton Collection (Stack’s Bowers Galleries, 14 January 2022), lot 4218.
From the Michael Rogal Collection. Ex Triton XXVI (10 January 2023), lot 149; Mark & Lottie Salton Collection (Stack’s Bowers Galleries, 14 January 2022), lot 4218.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 202
AKARNANIA, Argos Amphilochikon. Circa 340-300 BC. AR Stater (20.5mm, 8.46 g, 5h). Pegasos flying left; A below / Head of Athena left, wearing Corinthian helmet with neck guard; APΓEI above, to right, crested Corinthian helmet left. Pegasi 11; Imhoof-Blumer, Akarnaniens 12; BCD Akarnania 132–3; HGC 4, 783. A couple of minor flan flaws, hairlines. Near EF.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 203
AKARNANIA, Argos Amphilochikon. Circa 340-300 BC. AR Stater (21mm, 8.35 g, 12h). Pegasos flying left; A below / Head of Athena left, wearing Corinthian helmet with neck guard; ΔI and shield with strap to right. Pegasi 19; Imhoof-Blumer, Akarnaniens 16; BCD Akarnania –; HGC 4, 756. Hairlines. Good VF.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 204
AKARNANIA, Leukas. Circa 440-400 BC. AR Trihemiobol (10mm, 0.64 g, 12h). Pegasos flying right; Λ below / Facing gorgoneion with protruding tongue; T-P-[I]-H (mark of value) around; all within incuse square. Imhoof-Blumer, Akarnaniens 12; BCD Akarnania –; HGC 4, 848; Traité IV 94. Lightly toned, granular surfaces, slightly off center. EF. Exceptional for issue. Extremely rare early issue, missing from the BCD Collection.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 205
AKARNANIA, Thyrrheion. Circa 320-280 BC. AR Stater (23mm, 8.37 g, 11h). Pegasos flying left; Θ below / Head of Athena left, wearing Corinthian helmet with neck guard, and pearl necklace; Θ-Y flanking neck, earring with pendants to right. Pegasi 10; Imhoof-Blumer, Akarnaniens 5; BCD Akarnania 371; HGC 4, 919. Bright surfaces, hairlines. EF. Well centered and struck.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 206
AITOLIA, Aitolian League. Circa 220-205 BC. AR Didrachm (24.5mm, 10.51 g, 4h). Head of Apollo right, wearing laurel wreath; ΦI below / Aitolos standing left, kausia hung around neck and sword slung at waist, holding spear in right hand, right foot set on rock, leaning on raised right knee; monogram to left. Tsangari 698a (D18/R47 – this coin, illustrated); BCD Akarnania 440; HGC 4, 942; SNG Berry 567; Hunterian 3; Weber 3123. Toned, underlying luster, some die wear, deposit and light scuff on obverse, minor die shift on reverse. Good VF.
Ex Lanz 36 (21 April 1986), lot 259.
Ex Lanz 36 (21 April 1986), lot 259.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 207
LOKRIS, Lokri Opuntii. Circa 360-350 BC. AR Stater (24mm, 12.12 g, 6h). Head of Persephone left, wearing wreath of grain ears, triple-pendant earring, and pearl necklace / Ajax, nude but for crested Corinthian helmet, holding sword in right hand, shield decorated with palmette and griffin on left arm, advancing right on rocks; OΠONTIΩN to left, Λ and broken spear below. H&D Group 16, 131b (O20A/R44) = BCD Lokris 456.4 (this coin); HGC 4, 992; BMC 32 (same dies). Old collection tone, with iridescence around the devices, die rust on obverse. Good VF.
From the Gerald F. Borrmann (Northern California Gentleman) Collection. Ex BCD Collection (Numismatica Ars Classica 55, 8 October 2010), lot 456.4; Spink & Gallerie des Monnaies (10 October 1977), lot 177.
From the Gerald F. Borrmann (Northern California Gentleman) Collection. Ex BCD Collection (Numismatica Ars Classica 55, 8 October 2010), lot 456.4; Spink & Gallerie des Monnaies (10 October 1977), lot 177.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 208
BOEOTIA, Federal Coinage. Circa 395-387 BC. AR Stater (22mm, 12.25 g). Boeotian shield / Amphora; above, club right; BO-IΩ across field. BCD Boiotia 17; HGC 4, 1163; SNG Copenhagen 169; BMC 45. In NGC encapsulation 6290616-003, graded AU, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 5/5, flan flaw.
Ex Mark & Lottie Salton Collection (Stack’s Bowers Galleries, 14 January 2022), lot 4237.
Ex Mark & Lottie Salton Collection (Stack’s Bowers Galleries, 14 January 2022), lot 4237.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 209
BOEOTIA, Thebes. Circa 425-395 BC. AR Stater (20mm, 12.12 g). Boeotian shield / Bearded head of Dionysos right, wearing ivy wreath; Θ/E downward to left; all within shallow incuse square. BCD Boiotia 436 var. (club on obv.); Myron Hoard pl. A, 35 var. (same); HGC 4, 1326; CNG E-166, lot 37 (same rev. die). Faintly toned, tiny flan flaw on obverse. Near EF. Well struck on a broad flan.
From the Michael Rogal Collection. Ex Triton XVII (7 January 2014), lot 206; G. Hirsch 280 (8 February 2012), lot 4255.
From the Michael Rogal Collection. Ex Triton XVII (7 January 2014), lot 206; G. Hirsch 280 (8 February 2012), lot 4255.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 210
BOEOTIA, Thebes. Circa 425-395 BC. AR Stater (21.5mm, 11.78 g). Boeotian shield / The Herakliskos Drakonopnigon: The infant Herakles seated facing, head right, strangling two serpents, one held in each hand; bow to left, club to right, Θ-E below; all within concave incuse. BCD Boiotia 455 (same rev. die); HGC 4, 1327; SNG Copenhagen 303 (same rev. die); Gulbenkian 503 (same rev. die); McClean 5582 (same rev. die); Prospero 361 (this coin). Banker’s mark on obverse. Near EF. Rare.
Ex Nomos 17 (26 October 2018), lot 124; Prospero Collection (New York Sale XXVII, 4 January 2012), lot 361; G. Hirsch 167 (26 September 1990), lot 334.
Ex Nomos 17 (26 October 2018), lot 124; Prospero Collection (New York Sale XXVII, 4 January 2012), lot 361; G. Hirsch 167 (26 September 1990), lot 334.