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.
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.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 443
SASANIAN KINGS. Āzarmīg-duxt (Āzarmīdokht). AD 631. AR Drachm (32mm, 3.57 g, 9h). WYHC (Weh-az-Amid-Kavad) mint. Dated RY 1 (AD 631). Bearded bust right, wearing mural crown with frontal crescent, two wings, and star-in-crescent, ribbons and crescents on shoulders; stars flanking crown; GDH monogram and ’pzwt’ in Pahlavi to left, ’wtwrmigduht in Pahlavi to right; star-in-crescents in margin / Fire altar with ribbons; flanked by two attendants; star and crescent flanking flames; ’ywky (RY date) in Pahlavi on left, šy (mint signature) in Pahlavi downward to right; star-in-crescents in margin. SC Tehran –; Mochiri 443 = 508; Sunrise –; SNS Schaaf 702: Zeno #100488. Lightly toned, with iridescence, areas of find patina/deposits, cleaning marks. VF. Extremely rare.
Because of the loss of his power and prestige due to the victories of the Byzantine emperor Heraclius, in AD 628, Husrav (Khosrau) II (and eighteen of his sons) was assassinated by his son and successor, Kavad (Kvadh) II. Over the next few months, Kavad attempted to initiate peace negotiations with the Byzantine emperor, but the Sasanian king’s death only a few months into the new reign precipitated a period of civil war. Kavad’s son and co-ruler, the seven-year-old Ardaxšīr (Ardashir) III, was killed by the Husrav’s former general, Shahrbaraz, but he too was soon removed. This vacancy on the throne was filled by two daughters of Husrav II, each of whom ruled for about a year, whether on their own, or as possible regents for Husrav (Khosrau) III. The first, Boran, attempted to restore stability to the Sasanian empire by making peace with the Byzantines, reducing taxation, and revitalizing the governmental infrastructure, including restoring a general sense of justice. All of these moves did little to restrore the power of the central government. Her sister and successor, Āzarmīg-duxt (Āzarmīdokht), reigned for only a few months. According to the ninth-century Persian historian, al-Tabari, the general Farrokh sought her hand in marriage (and, thus, a link to the throne), but she had him murdered. In retaliation, Farrokh’s son, thought to be Rostam Farrokhzad, had her blinded and subsequently killed after she was captured at Ctesiphon.
Because of the loss of his power and prestige due to the victories of the Byzantine emperor Heraclius, in AD 628, Husrav (Khosrau) II (and eighteen of his sons) was assassinated by his son and successor, Kavad (Kvadh) II. Over the next few months, Kavad attempted to initiate peace negotiations with the Byzantine emperor, but the Sasanian king’s death only a few months into the new reign precipitated a period of civil war. Kavad’s son and co-ruler, the seven-year-old Ardaxšīr (Ardashir) III, was killed by the Husrav’s former general, Shahrbaraz, but he too was soon removed. This vacancy on the throne was filled by two daughters of Husrav II, each of whom ruled for about a year, whether on their own, or as possible regents for Husrav (Khosrau) III. The first, Boran, attempted to restore stability to the Sasanian empire by making peace with the Byzantines, reducing taxation, and revitalizing the governmental infrastructure, including restoring a general sense of justice. All of these moves did little to restrore the power of the central government. Her sister and successor, Āzarmīg-duxt (Āzarmīdokht), reigned for only a few months. According to the ninth-century Persian historian, al-Tabari, the general Farrokh sought her hand in marriage (and, thus, a link to the throne), but she had him murdered. In retaliation, Farrokh’s son, thought to be Rostam Farrokhzad, had her blinded and subsequently killed after she was captured at Ctesiphon.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 444
HUNNIC TRIBES, Alchon Huns (Eastern). Toramana. Circa 490-515. AV Dinar (19mm, 9.38 g, 12h). Horseman Slaying Lion type. Parahitkari [raja] vijitya [va]sudham divam jaya[ti] in Brahmi, male figure wearing Hunnic-style crown on horseback right, bow slung across torso, spearing lion that stands left on its hind legs; ru in Brahmi below horse / [Śri] prakaśaditya in Brahmi to right, Lakshmi, nimbate, seated facing on lotus, holding diadem in extended right hand and lotus in left; tamgha to upper left. Kumar (2nd ed.) 17.8.2, Variety C, 952; P. Tandon, “The Identity of Prakāśāditya”in Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society 25.4 (October 2015), pp. 647–68 (reattributing the issue to Toramana), and fig. 1; BKB 222; BMC Guptas 552 corr. (tamgha); Altekar 2; Bayana 13; Sunrise 555. Lightly toned, traces of deposits, multiple strikes on obverse. VF. Very rare variety with ru below horse.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 445
THRACE, Perinthus. Septimius Severus. AD 193-211. Æ Medallion (41mm, 40.59 g, 1h). AV • K • Λ • CЄΠTI CЄVHPOC • [ΠЄ], laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind / ΦΙΛAΔЄΛΦЄIA Π–ЄPINΘIΩN NЄ/ΩKOPΩN, Herakles, wearing lion’s skin, standing right, holding the Erymanthean Boar over his shoulder, displaying it to Eurystheus, who stands left in a krater at Herakles’ feet, his arms raised in terror. Schönert-Geiss, Perinthos 521.2 = Stoll, Herakles, 28 (this coin); Voegtli type 3b; Varbanov 201 (same dies as illustration). Attractive dark brown patina with tan highlights, edge split and short flan crack, spots of verdigris. EF. Extremely rare, one of five known.
Ex Triton XX (10 January 2017), lot 444; Triton XI (7 January 2008), lot 439; Aufhäuser (7 October 1986), lot 234a and cover coin.
In his Fourth Labor, Herakles was charged with capturing the Erymanthean Boar. The beast resided in a grove sacred to Artemis near Mount Erymanthus in Arcadia, and would descend from the wilderness to wreck havoc on the surrounding farms and groves.
During his hunt for the Boar, Herakles visited his friend, the centaur Pholus, who lived in a cave on the mountain. The centaur provided the hungry and thirsty hero with food, but shied from offering him the wine he had because it did not belong to him, and was for the use of all the centaurs. Herakles nevertheless opened the jar, and, smelling the wine’s aroma, the other centaurs became excited and intoxicated. A fight soon ensued, and Herakles slew a number of centaurs with arrows poisoned by the blood of the Hydra. During the melee, another of Herakles’ friends, the kindly centaur Chiron, was accidentally wounded. Although Chiron did not die, as he was immortal, he did experience great pain. Herakles attempted to medicate the wound, but his ministrations were of little avail. In return for his kindness, however, Chiron offered advice to the hero as to how he could capture the Boar.
Now back on task after his disastrous dawdling, Herakles easily trapped the Boar by pursuing it through the mountain snows until the creature collapsed from exhaustion. Netting the animal, he carried it back to Tiryns and presented it to Eurystheus.
Ex Triton XX (10 January 2017), lot 444; Triton XI (7 January 2008), lot 439; Aufhäuser (7 October 1986), lot 234a and cover coin.
In his Fourth Labor, Herakles was charged with capturing the Erymanthean Boar. The beast resided in a grove sacred to Artemis near Mount Erymanthus in Arcadia, and would descend from the wilderness to wreck havoc on the surrounding farms and groves.
During his hunt for the Boar, Herakles visited his friend, the centaur Pholus, who lived in a cave on the mountain. The centaur provided the hungry and thirsty hero with food, but shied from offering him the wine he had because it did not belong to him, and was for the use of all the centaurs. Herakles nevertheless opened the jar, and, smelling the wine’s aroma, the other centaurs became excited and intoxicated. A fight soon ensued, and Herakles slew a number of centaurs with arrows poisoned by the blood of the Hydra. During the melee, another of Herakles’ friends, the kindly centaur Chiron, was accidentally wounded. Although Chiron did not die, as he was immortal, he did experience great pain. Herakles attempted to medicate the wound, but his ministrations were of little avail. In return for his kindness, however, Chiron offered advice to the hero as to how he could capture the Boar.
Now back on task after his disastrous dawdling, Herakles easily trapped the Boar by pursuing it through the mountain snows until the creature collapsed from exhaustion. Netting the animal, he carried it back to Tiryns and presented it to Eurystheus.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 446
THRACE, Perinthus. Elagabalus. AD 218-222. Æ Octassarion (43mm, 40.25 g, 11h). AYT K M AYPH ANTΩNEINOC, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from the front / ΠEPINΘIΩN ΔIC NEΩKO/PΩN, two octastyle temples seen in perspective; AKTIA ΠYΘIA above; in upper field, two prize baskets, each containing two palm fronds. Schönert, Perinthos 714; RPC VI Online 991.3 (this coin); Varbanov 405. Green-brown patina, slight roughness, scrapes and scratches. Near VF. Extremely rare, one of only three recorded in RPC, with this coin illustrating the type.
From the collection of Major Anthony F. Milavic, USMC (Ret.). Ex Gorny & Mosch 134 (11 October 2004), lot 1857.
Originally founded as one of four Panhellenic Games during the sixth century BC, the first Pythian Games were said to have been held by Apollo in penance for the killing of Python at Delphi. With gymnastic, athletic, music, and poetry competitions, the games evolved to display the very best of Graeco-Roman culture and traditionally drew visitors from across the empire. Illustrated on the reverse of this coin are the two temples of the neokorate as well as two victory baskets, representing the Actian and Pythian Games, the two local contests held in the city of Perinthus.
From the collection of Major Anthony F. Milavic, USMC (Ret.). Ex Gorny & Mosch 134 (11 October 2004), lot 1857.
Originally founded as one of four Panhellenic Games during the sixth century BC, the first Pythian Games were said to have been held by Apollo in penance for the killing of Python at Delphi. With gymnastic, athletic, music, and poetry competitions, the games evolved to display the very best of Graeco-Roman culture and traditionally drew visitors from across the empire. Illustrated on the reverse of this coin are the two temples of the neokorate as well as two victory baskets, representing the Actian and Pythian Games, the two local contests held in the city of Perinthus.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 447
THRACE, Philippopolis. Elagabalus. AD 218-222. Æ (36mm, 23.79 g, 7h). Struck AD 219. AYT K M AYPHΛ ANTΩNEINOC CEB, radiate and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind / KENΔPEICEIA ΠVΘIA EN ΦIΛIΠ ΠOΠOΛI(NE)Ω KOPΩ, octastyle temple seen in perspective left, with shield and spear in pediment. Varbanov, Philippopolis XVII.11.2.2 (O1/R1); Mouchmov, Philippopolis 470; RPC VI Online 505; Varbanov 1658 (R7, same dies as illustration). Green patina with light earthen highlights, scratches, edge chipping. Good VF.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 448
MACEDON, Roman Republican period. First Meris. Circa 174/3-149 BC. AR Tetradrachm (32.5mm, 16.84 g, 9h). Amphipolis mint. Struck circa 174/3-158 BC. Diademed and draped bust of Artemis right, bow and quiver over shoulder, in the center of a Macedonian shield ornamented with stars within crescents, triple-pellets between each set / Club right; AΘ monogram and MAKEΔONΩN above; below, ΠPΩTHΣ above XAE monogram and E; all within oak wreath, thunderbolt to left. Prokopov, Silver, Group I.A, 15-23 & 26-34 var. (unlisted dies); HGC 3, 1103. Iridescent tone, light porosity. Near EF. Struck from fresh dies.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 449
MACEDON, Roman Republican period. First Meris. Circa 174/3-149 BC. AR Tetradrachm (30mm, 16.77 g, 9h). Amphipolis mint. Struck circa 158-149/8 BC. Diademed and draped bust of Artemis right, bow and quiver over shoulder, in the center of a Macedonian shield ornamented with stars within crescents, triple-pellets between each set / Club right; AP monogram above MAKEΔONΩN / ΠPΩTHΣ below; all within oak wreath, thunderbolt to left. Prokopov, Silver, Group I.B, 155 (O45/R132); HGC 3, 1103. Lightly toned. Near EF.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 450
MACEDON, Roman Republican period. Aesillas. Quaestor, circa 95-70 BC. AR Tetradrachm (31mm, 16.84 g, 12h). Uncertain mint. MAKЄΔONΩN, head of the deified Alexander the Great right; monogram below chin / AESILLAS, Q, money chest, club, and chair; all within wreath, [B at lower knot of wreath]. Bauslaugh Group III, obv. die O14; HGC 3, 1110. Toned, minor scratches. EF.
From the JTB Collection. Ex Triton XXVI (10 January 2023), lot 537.
From the JTB Collection. Ex Triton XXVI (10 January 2023), lot 537.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 451
BITHYNIA, Claudiopolis (as Bithynium). Elagabalus. AD 218-222. Æ Assarion (22.5mm, 6.15 g, 6h). M AYP ANT ΩNINOC A, laureate head right / BIΘYNIЄΩN, three goats playing. RG 57; RPC VI Online 3665 corr. (obv. legend); BMC 13. Brown patina, some roughness. Near VF. Extremely rare, only three recorded in RPC, none in CoinArchives.
From the CLA Collection, purchased from John Jencek.
From the CLA Collection, purchased from John Jencek.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 452
BITHYNIA, Heraclaea Pontica. Septimius Severus. AD 193-211. Æ (31mm, 18.23 g, 6h). AVT • K • Λ • CЄΠ • CЄVHPOC Π, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind / HPAKΛHAC ЄN ΠONTΩ, Herakles advancing right, carrying the Erymanthean boar on far shoulder over which is draped his lion’s skin. RG 107bis = Voegtli type 3, pl. 3, a; SNG von Aulock –; Mionnet Supp. V 300. Dark green patina that is slightly chipped in a few areas around the edge, slight porosity. Good VF. Fine style mythological scene. Very rare.
Ex Triton XVI (8 January 2013), lot 693; Cornelius C. Vermeule III Collection.
Ex Triton XVI (8 January 2013), lot 693; Cornelius C. Vermeule III Collection.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 453
MYSIA, Pergamum. Gallienus. AD 253-268. Æ (36mm, 23.50 g, 6h). Sextus Claudius Silanus, magistrate. AYT • K • Π ΛIKI • ΓAΛΛIHNOC, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind / ЄΠ CЄΞ KΛ CЄIΛIANOY ΠЄPΓAMHN/ΩN ΠPΩTΩN Γ N/ЄΩKOP, wreath with OΛ/YMΠ/IΛ in three lines, flanked by two prize crowns, each containing a palm frond; all set on prize table seen in perspective; below, two purses and whips with vase between them; in upper field, A. Weisser 2533; RPC X Online 62141.3 (this coin); SNG BN 2299 (same dies). Dark brown patina with light earthen deposits, slight roughness, die shift on reverse. Near EF. Extremely rare, only three recorded in RPC.
From the collection of Major Anthony F. Milavic, USMC (Ret.). Ex Leu 48 (10 May 1989), lot 406.
By the mid second century BC, Pergamum had become the most important center of sport and physical education in the Hellenistic east. Its Nikephoria games, held every three years, had nearly the prestige and appeal of great Panhellenic games, including the Olympics, upon which they were modeled. By the second century AD, the Olympic name had even been “franchised,” in a manner still poorly understood, for use at sporting contests far removed from the original quadrennial festival still held at the ancestral home of Olympia. The contests at Pergamum now honored the Roman emperors and bore the name Olympic, as attested by the reverse of this remarkable medallion, which shows the prizes awarded to the victors in the various athletic, equestrian and artistic contests, all arrayed on and around a table. The laurel wreath enclosing the name “Olympia” was likely for the winner of the premier event of the games, possibly the “stadion” foot race. The A in the upper field of this coin commemorates Pergamum as the first city to be honored as the first thrice neokorate.
From the collection of Major Anthony F. Milavic, USMC (Ret.). Ex Leu 48 (10 May 1989), lot 406.
By the mid second century BC, Pergamum had become the most important center of sport and physical education in the Hellenistic east. Its Nikephoria games, held every three years, had nearly the prestige and appeal of great Panhellenic games, including the Olympics, upon which they were modeled. By the second century AD, the Olympic name had even been “franchised,” in a manner still poorly understood, for use at sporting contests far removed from the original quadrennial festival still held at the ancestral home of Olympia. The contests at Pergamum now honored the Roman emperors and bore the name Olympic, as attested by the reverse of this remarkable medallion, which shows the prizes awarded to the victors in the various athletic, equestrian and artistic contests, all arrayed on and around a table. The laurel wreath enclosing the name “Olympia” was likely for the winner of the premier event of the games, possibly the “stadion” foot race. The A in the upper field of this coin commemorates Pergamum as the first city to be honored as the first thrice neokorate.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 454
IONIA, Ephesus. Circa 1st-3rd centuries AD. Æ Tessera (17mm, 3.16 g, 12h). KHPIΛICωAЄΠPOCΠAΛYPIN, bee / Stag kneeling left, head right; Є Φ flanking, CKOΠI in exergue. Cf. SNG Copenhagen 355; cf. BMC 186; cf. SNG von Aulock 1875 (all with legend variations). Dark brown patina, minor marks. Choice EF. A superb example of the type, with exceptionally detailed engraving.
From the Michael Rogal Collection. Ex Triton XXVII (9 January 2024), lot 466.
A number of bronze tesserae of the bee/stag type were struck at the cult center of Ephesus, likely during the 1st-3rd centuries AD, and are distinct from the widely varied lead issues from the same city. The legends on these bronzes cannot be translated and are, for the most part, meaningless mystical formulae, but are most likely related to the apotropaic and healing properties attributed to Artemis of Ephesus. (J. Obermajer, “The Tesserae of Ephesos in the History of Medicine,” in Medical History Vol. 12, No. 3 [1966], pp. 292–4).
From the Michael Rogal Collection. Ex Triton XXVII (9 January 2024), lot 466.
A number of bronze tesserae of the bee/stag type were struck at the cult center of Ephesus, likely during the 1st-3rd centuries AD, and are distinct from the widely varied lead issues from the same city. The legends on these bronzes cannot be translated and are, for the most part, meaningless mystical formulae, but are most likely related to the apotropaic and healing properties attributed to Artemis of Ephesus. (J. Obermajer, “The Tesserae of Ephesos in the History of Medicine,” in Medical History Vol. 12, No. 3 [1966], pp. 292–4).
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 455
IONIA, Ephesus. Gordian III. AD 238-244. Æ (36mm, 25.81 g, 6h). Homonoia with Alexandria in Egypt. AYT K M ANTΩ ΓOPΔIANOC, laureate and cuirassed bust right, seen from the front, gorgoneion on breastplate / OMONOIA EΦECIΩN K AΛЄΞANΔPЄΩN, cult statue of Artemis Ephesia, wearing kalathos, with supports, flanked by stags standing outward, looking up; to left, Isis standing facing, holding sistrum in right hand, situla in left; to right, Serapis standing facing, wearing kalathos, raising right hand and holding scepter in left; in upper field, crescent and star. Karwiese, MvE 5, 901 (V32/R74, this coin illustrated); Franke & Nollé 546-8 (VsQ/Rs54); RPC VII.1 401.6 (this coin). Earthen brown patina, some roughness. Near VF. Rare.
From the CLA Collection. Ex Freeman & Sear 7 (22 February 2002), lot 282; G. Hirsch 189 (7 February 1996), lot 762.
From the CLA Collection. Ex Freeman & Sear 7 (22 February 2002), lot 282; G. Hirsch 189 (7 February 1996), lot 762.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 456
LYDIA, Sardis. Caracalla. AD 198-217. Æ (38mm, 27.80 g, 6h). Antonius Rufus, first archon for the third time. AYT KAI M AYP CЄYH ANTΩNЄINOC, laureate and cuirassed bust right, seen from the front, wearing balteus over shoulder / ЄΠI AN POYΦOY APX A TO Γ CAPΔIANΩN B NЄKOPΩN, three agonistic prize crowns, each containing a palm frond, two purses between them; all set on prize table seen in perspective; below, vase with two whips flanking. Hochard 2010 (D223/R500); Kurth 502; BMC 166. Dark green patina with spots of red, light roughness. Good VF. Very rare.
From the collection of Major Anthony F. Milavic, USMC (Ret.). Ex Münzen und Medaillen GmbH 12 (11 April 2003), lot 208; Mozelt 34 (November 1985), lot 176 .
From the collection of Major Anthony F. Milavic, USMC (Ret.). Ex Münzen und Medaillen GmbH 12 (11 April 2003), lot 208; Mozelt 34 (November 1985), lot 176 .
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 457
LYDIA, Sardis. Philip I. AD 244-249. Æ (34mm, 26.06 g, 11h). Aurelius Herakleidianos, strategos. AYT K M IOYΛ ΦIΛiΠΠOC AYΓ, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from the front / ЄΠ CTP AYP HPAKΛЄIΔIANOY CAPΔIANΩN B NЄΩK, Chrysanthina wreath enclosing XPYCANΘINA A. Hochard 2133 (D309/R653); Kurth 681; RPC VIII Online 20239 (this coin cited). Brown patina, some smoothing and cleaning marks. VF. Very rare.
From the collection of Major Anthony F. Milavic, USMC (Ret.). Ex Gorny & Mosch 122 (10 March 2003), lot 1795; Gorny & Mosch 107 (2 April 2001), lot 311.
The Chrysanthina flower, modern Mediterranean Strawflower, gave its name to the Chrysanthian Games, founded between 150 and 175 AD. The games honor Persephone, who was said to be picking these flowers in a field near Sardis when she was abducted by Hades and taken to be his wife as queen of the underworld. The prize wreath given to the winners of these games was made of these flowers.
From the collection of Major Anthony F. Milavic, USMC (Ret.). Ex Gorny & Mosch 122 (10 March 2003), lot 1795; Gorny & Mosch 107 (2 April 2001), lot 311.
The Chrysanthina flower, modern Mediterranean Strawflower, gave its name to the Chrysanthian Games, founded between 150 and 175 AD. The games honor Persephone, who was said to be picking these flowers in a field near Sardis when she was abducted by Hades and taken to be his wife as queen of the underworld. The prize wreath given to the winners of these games was made of these flowers.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 458
LYDIA, Sardis. Gallienus. AD 253-268. Æ (38mm, 26.78 g, 6h). Domitius Rufus, asiarch for the second time, and Kratistos, first archon. AYT K Π ΛIK ΓAΛΛIHNOC AY, radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind / ЄΠI ΔOM POYΦOY ACIAPX K YIOY B APX K KPATICT APX A CAPΔIA/NΩN Γ NЄKOP/ΩN, three agonistic prize crowns, each containing a palm frond, set upon table, seen in perspective. Hochard 2157 corr. (obv. legend; D324/R686); Kurth 719 corr. (same); RPC X Online 84190 corr. (same; this coin the second listed, and illustrating the type); SNG von Aulock 8262. Green patina, die shift on reverse. Good VF. Extremely rare, one of three listed in RPC (including the two known to Hochard); this the finest of the three.
From the collection of Major Anthony F. Milavic, USMC (Ret.). Ex Aufhäuser 7 (8 October 1990), lot 660.
From the collection of Major Anthony F. Milavic, USMC (Ret.). Ex Aufhäuser 7 (8 October 1990), lot 660.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 459
CARIA, Stratonicaea. Septimius Severus, with Geta as Caesar. AD 193-211. Æ (37mm, 28.32 g, 5h). Damnatio Memoriae. Philon, prytanis. AY K Λ CЄ CЄYHPOC ΠЄ AY CЄΠ ΓЄTAK C K, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust of Septimius vis-à-vis [laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust of Geta]; c/ms: helmeted bust of Roma within circular incuse, and ΘEOY within rectangular incuse / ЄΠ ΠPY ЄΠI[TYNXANO]NTOC Γ ΦIΛΩNOC CTPATONIKЄΩN, Hecate standing facing, head left, wearing kalathos, holding patera in right hand and torch in left; at feet left, lighted altar. BMC 71; SNG von Aulock 2678. For c/ms: Howgego 188 and 536. Brown patina, flan adjustment marks. Good VF. Rare. Portrait of Geta erased, Caracalla’s Damnatio Memoriae of Geta applied after his murder in AD 211.
Upon Septimius’ passing in AD 211, his sons Caracalla and Geta assumed joint rule of the empire. Their joint rule was a failure, the Imperial Palace was separated into two sections and they threatened to divide the empire between them. During the Festival of Saturnalia, December 211, Caracalla tried unsuccessfully to have his brother assassinated. But a week later, at an arranged meeting in their mother’s quarters, Geta was murdered by Caracalla’s centurions.
Caracalla immediately ordered a damnatio memoriae of his brother’s image: statues were removed, paintings were destroyed or, like the Severan Tondo erased, and coins were recalled to have his image carved out. This damnatio was especially apparent on the provincial coinage of Pergamum in Mysia and Stratonicaea in Caria. It is estimated that approximately 95% of the dual bust types at Stratonicea have had the portrait of Geta erased, many of them having a countermark of Roma or Caracalla stamped over his bust.
Upon Septimius’ passing in AD 211, his sons Caracalla and Geta assumed joint rule of the empire. Their joint rule was a failure, the Imperial Palace was separated into two sections and they threatened to divide the empire between them. During the Festival of Saturnalia, December 211, Caracalla tried unsuccessfully to have his brother assassinated. But a week later, at an arranged meeting in their mother’s quarters, Geta was murdered by Caracalla’s centurions.
Caracalla immediately ordered a damnatio memoriae of his brother’s image: statues were removed, paintings were destroyed or, like the Severan Tondo erased, and coins were recalled to have his image carved out. This damnatio was especially apparent on the provincial coinage of Pergamum in Mysia and Stratonicaea in Caria. It is estimated that approximately 95% of the dual bust types at Stratonicea have had the portrait of Geta erased, many of them having a countermark of Roma or Caracalla stamped over his bust.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 460
CARIA, Stratonicaea. Septimius Severus, with Julia Domna. AD 193-211. Æ (34mm, 19.34 g, 12h). Flavius Leon Lena, archon. Struck circa AD 205-209. [AY] KAI CЄY[HPOC] IOYΛI[A ΔOMNA], laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust of Septimius vis-à-vis draped bust of Domna; c/ms: helmeted head of Roma within circular incuse, and ΘEOY within rectangular incuse / ЄΠI ΦΛ ΛЄONTOC ΛЄN A APX CTPATO[NIKЄΩN], Hecate standing facing, head left, wearing kalathos, holding patera in right hand and torch in left; at feet left, dog standing left, looking right. BMC 54; SNG von Aulock 2675. For c/ms: Howgego 188; 536. Dark brown patina with green highlights, minor marks. Near EF.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 461
CARIA, Stratonicaea. Septimius Severus, with Geta as Caesar. AD 193-211. Æ (36mm, 27.43 g, 6h). Damnatio Memoriae. Iouliades, son of Hierokles, prytanis. AY K Λ Π CЄ ΓЄTAC KAI ΛOY CЄΠ CЄYHPOC, laureate and cuirassed bust of Septimius, gorgoneion on breastplate vis-à-vis [laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust of Geta]; c/m: ΘEOY within rectangular incuse / ЄΠI ΠP IOYΛIAΔOY TOY IЄPOKΛЄOYC CTPATONIK/ЄΩN, Zeus Panamaros, draped, on horseback right, holding transverse scepter in left hand; at feet right, lighted altar. SNG von Aulock 2679. For c/m: Howgego 536. Red-brown surfaces, light porosity, slight die shift on reverse. Near EF. Portrait of Geta erased, Caracalla’s Damnatio Memoriae of Geta applied after his murder in AD 211.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 462
CARIA, Stratonicaea. Caracalla, with Plautilla. AD 198-217. Æ (37.5mm, 27.06 g, 12h). Claudius Nikephoros, son of Dionysios, prytanis. Struck circa AD 202-203. AY K AN KAI ΘЄ CЄB NЄ ΠΛAYTIΛΛAN, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust of Caracalla vis-à-vis draped bust of Plautilla; c/ms: helmeted head of Roma within circular incuse, and ΘEOY within rectangular incuse / ЄΠI TΩN NЄΠ ΠЄP TB KΛ ΔIOИYCIO И CTPATOИЄIKЄΩИ, Hecate standing facing, head left, wearing kalathos, holding patera in right hand and torch in left; at feet left, dog standing left, looking right. Cf. BMC 65 (different magistrate, same obverse); cf. CNG E-563, lot 461 (same magistrate, different obverse). For c/ms: Howgego 188 and 536. Dark brown patina with green highlights, minor marks and scratches, slight die shift on reverse. VF. Presently unique.
Three Carian cities - Alinda, Alabanda, and Stratonicaea - commemorated the marriage between Caracalla and Plautilla by issuing coins with dual portraits proclaiming the young empress as “the new goddess Hera.” As Ken Harl notes (Civic Coins and Civic Politics in the Roman East: A.D. 180-275 [Berkeley, CA: University of California Press], p. 41): “By implication, Caracalla was envisioned as a youthful Zeus, so that the imperial marriage became a symbolic reenactment of the celestial one.”
The obverse die used for this coin is known for a similar type struck by the grammateus Tiberius Claudius Dionysios, but not Claudius Nikephoros. Another unique feature of this coin is the reverse legend beginning at 10:00 o’clock, the legend typically begins at 7:00.
Three Carian cities - Alinda, Alabanda, and Stratonicaea - commemorated the marriage between Caracalla and Plautilla by issuing coins with dual portraits proclaiming the young empress as “the new goddess Hera.” As Ken Harl notes (Civic Coins and Civic Politics in the Roman East: A.D. 180-275 [Berkeley, CA: University of California Press], p. 41): “By implication, Caracalla was envisioned as a youthful Zeus, so that the imperial marriage became a symbolic reenactment of the celestial one.”
The obverse die used for this coin is known for a similar type struck by the grammateus Tiberius Claudius Dionysios, but not Claudius Nikephoros. Another unique feature of this coin is the reverse legend beginning at 10:00 o’clock, the legend typically begins at 7:00.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 463
CARIA, Stratonicaea. Caracalla, with Plautilla. AD 198-217. Æ (38.5mm, 24.59 g, 12h). Claudius Nikephoros, son of Dionysios, prytanis. Struck circa AD 202-203. ANTΩ NINOC NЄA Θ HP ΠΛAYTIΛΛA [AYΓO]Y, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust of Caracalla vis-à-vis draped bust of Plautilla; c/ms: helmeted head of Roma within circular incuse, and ΘEOY within rectangular incuse / ЄΠI KΛ NЄIKHΦOPOY ΔIONYCIOY CTPATONIKЄΩN, Hecate standing facing, head left, wearing kalathos, holding patera in right hand and torch in left; at feet left, dog standing left, looking right. CNG E-563, lot 461; CNG E-306, lot 255, otherwise unpublished. For c/ms: Howgego 188; 536. Red-brown surfaces, light porosity, flan adjustment marks. Near EF. Very rare, one of the finest known.