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 . 523
EGYPT, Alexandria. Geta. As Caesar, AD 198-209. Æ Diobol (25mm, 11.20 g, 12h). Dated RY 6 of Septimius Severus (AD 197/8). Λ CЄΠTIMIOC ΓЄTAC KAICAP, bareheaded, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind / Eagle standing right on thunderbolt, head left, with wings gathered, wreath in beak; L ς (date) across field. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) –; K&G –; Emmett 2809.6 (RY 6 not recorded); Demetrio 2313 var. (obv. legend, date arrangement). Dark green-brown patina with light earthen highlights, some roughness, cleaning scratches. Near VF.
From the Dr. Thomas E. Beniak Collection, purchased from Schick Coins, 31 March 2015.
Extremely rare and presently unique. The only other similar specimen is in the Demetrio collection housed in the Numismatic Museum of Athens; it has a shorter obverse legend and the date on the reverse is in the lower left field.
From the Dr. Thomas E. Beniak Collection, purchased from Schick Coins, 31 March 2015.
Extremely rare and presently unique. The only other similar specimen is in the Demetrio collection housed in the Numismatic Museum of Athens; it has a shorter obverse legend and the date on the reverse is in the lower left field.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 524
EGYPT, Alexandria. Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (34mm, 25.39 g, 12h). Apollonopolites nome. Dated RY 8 (AD 144/5). AYT K T AIΛ AΔP ANTωNЄINOC CЄB ЄVC, laureate head right / AΠOΛΛ ω NO ΠOΛIT, Horus-Behedeti/Apollo standing facing, head right, crowned with skhent, holding long scepter in right hand, hawk standing right, crowned with skhent, in extended left hand; L H (date) in lower field. Köln 3432; Dattari (Savio) 6203; K&G N4.6; RPC IV.4 774.9 (this coin); W&G III; Emmett 1823.8 (R3). Red-brown patina, light porosity, edge splits, patch of corrosion on obverse. VF. One of the finest known.
From the Dr. Thomas E. Beniak Collection, purchased from Frank L. Kovacs, 18 June 2001. Ex Classical Numismatic Auctions XIV (20 March 1991), lot 568; Henry Clay Lindgren Collection.
The Alexandrian nome series provides a fascinating glimpse into the religious worship and every day life in ancient Egypt. Nomes were administrative districts, either towns or small regions, which presented their own cultural identities on coins and local art. There were 55 coin-producing nomes, many with their own unique cult deities or sacred animals. For example, the Coptite nome always featured the Dorcas gazelle; being held by Sobek-geb (Kronos) on the larger denominations, or simply standing by itself on the smallest coin. Other motifs include more common Roman or Egyptian deities such as Athena or Hermanubis. Other Egyptian themes are also popular, such as the crocodile, hippopotamus, ibis, cynocephalus (a dog-headed baboon sacred to Thoth), and Canopic jars.
The first nomes coinage was issued by Domitian in his regnal year 11 (AD 91/2) and continued in certain years through Antoninus Pius and Marcus Aurelius, as Caesar, year 8 (AD 144/5). The largest production came under Hadrian’s year 11 (AD 126/7) with over 110 types recorded. The nomes coinage produced only bronze denominations, no tetradrachms, with the larger denominations being rarer. Alexandria’s economic system was closed to the Roman currency of the day, denarii and aurei were not allowed beyond the port. The nomes coinage mirrors the Roman provincial coinage of the rest of the empire. With the billon tetradrachms circulating for larger purchases, there was a need for smaller bronze coinage at a local level.
From the Dr. Thomas E. Beniak Collection, purchased from Frank L. Kovacs, 18 June 2001. Ex Classical Numismatic Auctions XIV (20 March 1991), lot 568; Henry Clay Lindgren Collection.
The Alexandrian nome series provides a fascinating glimpse into the religious worship and every day life in ancient Egypt. Nomes were administrative districts, either towns or small regions, which presented their own cultural identities on coins and local art. There were 55 coin-producing nomes, many with their own unique cult deities or sacred animals. For example, the Coptite nome always featured the Dorcas gazelle; being held by Sobek-geb (Kronos) on the larger denominations, or simply standing by itself on the smallest coin. Other motifs include more common Roman or Egyptian deities such as Athena or Hermanubis. Other Egyptian themes are also popular, such as the crocodile, hippopotamus, ibis, cynocephalus (a dog-headed baboon sacred to Thoth), and Canopic jars.
The first nomes coinage was issued by Domitian in his regnal year 11 (AD 91/2) and continued in certain years through Antoninus Pius and Marcus Aurelius, as Caesar, year 8 (AD 144/5). The largest production came under Hadrian’s year 11 (AD 126/7) with over 110 types recorded. The nomes coinage produced only bronze denominations, no tetradrachms, with the larger denominations being rarer. Alexandria’s economic system was closed to the Roman currency of the day, denarii and aurei were not allowed beyond the port. The nomes coinage mirrors the Roman provincial coinage of the rest of the empire. With the billon tetradrachms circulating for larger purchases, there was a need for smaller bronze coinage at a local level.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 784
Allectus. Romano-British Emperor, AD 293-296. PB Antoninianus Trial Strike (28x39mm, 34.74 g). IMP C ALLECTVS P F AVG, radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Blank. Tan and dark brown surfaces, fractures in metal. VF. A very interesting and incredibly rare item. The diameter of the antoninianus 18mm.
From the Dr. Malcolm Lyne Collection. Ex Roma E-Sale 21 (31 October 2015), lot 864 (hammer £2,400), reportedly found in County Durham.
From the Dr. Malcolm Lyne Collection. Ex Roma E-Sale 21 (31 October 2015), lot 864 (hammer £2,400), reportedly found in County Durham.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 532
EGYPT, . Alexandria. Trajan. AD 98-117. Æ Drachm (35.5mm, 22.22 g, 12h). Herakleopolite nome. Dated RY 12 (AD 108/9). AYT TPAIAN CЄB ΓЄPM ΔAKIK, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind / HPAKΛEωΠ O ΛEITHC, Herishef-Herakles standing left, holding griffin in his outstretched right hand, club in left, lion’s skin draped over left arm; L IB (date) to left. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 6251 var. (rev. legend); K&G N16.2 var. (same); RPC III 6360; W&G p. 181, II.1, pl. VII, 81 corr. (rev. legend, this coin); Emmett 752.13 (R5). Brown patina with red, short flan crack, light roughness, scrape on reverse. Near VF. Extremely rare, presently unique.
From the Dr. Thomas E. Beniak Collection, purchased from Frank L. Kovacs, 8 December 1999. Ex Dürr & Michel (16 November 1998), lot 749.
From the Dr. Thomas E. Beniak Collection, purchased from Frank L. Kovacs, 8 December 1999. Ex Dürr & Michel (16 November 1998), lot 749.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 27
LUCANIA, Herakleia. Circa 330/25-281 BC. AR Nomos (21mm, 7.77 g, 7h). Head of Athena right, wearing single-pendant earring, pearl necklace, and crested Corinthian helmet decorated with Skylla hurling a stone in right hand; |-HPAKΛHIΩN above, K behind neck / Herakles standing slightly left, head facing, right hand set on grounded club to left, holding bow and two arrows in extended left hand, lion skin draped over left arm; oinochoë and AΘA to left, |-H[AKΛ]HIΩN to right. Work 62–3/78 (same obv./rev. dies); Van Keuren 84; HN Italy 1384; NAC 27, lot 29 (same dies). Slightly weak strike, a little die wear on obverse, minor flan flaw on reverse. Good VF.
Ex MACM inventory MMoCA10C; Numismatica Ars Classica 52 (7 October 2009), lot 24.
Herakleia, located on the Gulf of Taranto, was one of the last Greek colonies to be established in Italy, with a foundation date of 432 BC. Its foundation arose from the destruction of Siris, an Ionic colony located nearby, circa 550 BC. Athens claimed the right to re-found Siris with its own colonists and is said to have briefly considered relocating Athens itself to the site after its destruction by the Persians in 480 BC. Athens did indeed found Thourioi in 443 BC across the gulf from the site of Siris, but this was resisted by Tarentum and Kroton, which sided with Sparta in the Peloponnesian War and did not want an ally of Athens so close. After a brief war, an agreement was signed whereby Athens and Tarentines would jointly found a new city on the site of Siris. This became Herakleia, named in honor of Herakles. The city’s coinage reflected its bifurcated foundation by honoring Athena (patron of Athens) on the obverse and its namesake Herakles on the reverse.
Ex MACM inventory MMoCA10C; Numismatica Ars Classica 52 (7 October 2009), lot 24.
Herakleia, located on the Gulf of Taranto, was one of the last Greek colonies to be established in Italy, with a foundation date of 432 BC. Its foundation arose from the destruction of Siris, an Ionic colony located nearby, circa 550 BC. Athens claimed the right to re-found Siris with its own colonists and is said to have briefly considered relocating Athens itself to the site after its destruction by the Persians in 480 BC. Athens did indeed found Thourioi in 443 BC across the gulf from the site of Siris, but this was resisted by Tarentum and Kroton, which sided with Sparta in the Peloponnesian War and did not want an ally of Athens so close. After a brief war, an agreement was signed whereby Athens and Tarentines would jointly found a new city on the site of Siris. This became Herakleia, named in honor of Herakles. The city’s coinage reflected its bifurcated foundation by honoring Athena (patron of Athens) on the obverse and its namesake Herakles on the reverse.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 543
EGYPT, Alexandria. Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (33.5mm, 25.01 g, 12h). Menelaites nome. Dated RY 8 (AD 144/5). AYT K T AIΛ AΔP ANTωNЄINOC CЄB ЄVC, laureate head right / MЄNЄ ΛAЄITH[C], Harpokrates of Canopus: as a youth, nude from the waist up with the lower body of a crocodile, wearing pschent and standing left, right hand raised to his mouth, holding cornucopia with his left arm; lit altar to left; L H (date) in exergue. Köln 3435-8; Dattari (Savio) 6315-9; K&G N31.8; RPC IV.4 Online 13971.44 (this coin); W&G III.1b; Emmett 1819.8. Dark brown patina with spots of green, slight porosity. VF.
From the Dr. Thomas E. Beniak Collection. Ex Stein A. Evensen Collection (Classical Numismatic Group 115, 16 September 2020), lot 498; Collection CR (Classical Numismatic Group 85, 15 September 2010), lot 717.
From the Dr. Thomas E. Beniak Collection. Ex Stein A. Evensen Collection (Classical Numismatic Group 115, 16 September 2020), lot 498; Collection CR (Classical Numismatic Group 85, 15 September 2010), lot 717.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 544
EGYPT, Alexandria. Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (35mm, 23.97 g, 12h). Naukratis nome. Dated RY 8 (AD 144/5). AYT K T AIΛ AΔP ANTωNЄINOC CЄB ЄVC, laureate head right / NAY K P ATIC, Isis standing facing, head left, wearing basileion, holding the serpent Agathodaemon right in outstretched right hand and long scepter in left; L H (date) in lower field. Köln 3439; Dattari (Savio) 6409; RPC IV.4 789.14 = W&G p. 258, III.1a, pl. XVI, 160 (this coin); K&G N33.6; Emmett 1815.8 (R3). Green patina, slight roughness, edge splits. VF. Rare.
From the Dr. Thomas E. Beniak Collection. Ex Dürr & Michel (16 November 1998), lot 772.
From the Dr. Thomas E. Beniak Collection. Ex Dürr & Michel (16 November 1998), lot 772.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 34
LUCANIA, Poseidonia. Circa 530-500 BC. AR Half Nomos – Drachm (18.5mm, 2.93 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; ΠOM-E around; all within double dotted circular border / Incuse of obverse type, but trident is in relief; Ǝ-MOΠ around. Gorini 10 (same dies as illustration); HN Italy 1108; SNG ANS 625 (same dies); SNG Lloyd 433 = Jameson 332 (same dies). Lightly toned, traces of find patina, minor marks, a few cleaning scratches at edge on reverse. Good VF.
From the Gerald F. Borrmann (Northern California Gentleman) Collection, purchased from Frank Kovacs, December 2000.
From the Gerald F. Borrmann (Northern California Gentleman) Collection, purchased from Frank Kovacs, December 2000.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 291
IONIA, Phokaia. Circa 625/0-522 BC. EL Hekte (10mm, 2.59 g). Lion couchant left; above, small seal left / Quadripartite incuse square. Bodenstedt Em. 27; Boston MFA 1902. Minor edge splits, a couple of light scrapes. Near EF. Rare.
Ex Roma V (23 March 2013), lot 321.
Ex Roma V (23 March 2013), lot 321.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 550
EGYPT, Alexandria. Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (35.5mm, 26.18 g, 11h). Prosopite nome. Dated RY 8 (AD 144/5). AYT K T AIΛ AΔP ANTωNЄINOC CЄB ЄVC, laureate head right / ΠPOCω ΠITHC, young Harsomtous-Herakles standing facing, head left, wearing nemes and hem-hem crown, raising right hand to mouth and club in left; L H (date) in lower field. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 6360; K&G N44.5; RPC IV.4 791.11 (this coin); W&G III; Emmett 1817.8 (R3). Dark brown patina with patches of verdigris, some porosity. VF. Rare.
From the Dr. Thomas E. Beniak Collection. Ex Thomas O. Mabbott Collection (H. Schulman, 6 June 1969), lot 3775.
From the Dr. Thomas E. Beniak Collection. Ex Thomas O. Mabbott Collection (H. Schulman, 6 June 1969), lot 3775.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 295
IONIA, Teos. Circa 500-450 BC. AR Stater (19.5mm, 11.75 g). Griffin with curled wings seated right, raising forepaw; grape bunch on vine to right / Quadripartite incuse square. Matzke Series Ca1; Balcer Group VII, 15, dies A15/P26; SNG von Aulock 2254 (same dies); SNG Fitzwilliam 4587 (same obv. die); SNG Lockett 2851 = Pozzi 2517 (same obv. die); Jameson 1516 (same obv. die); Nanteuil 613 (same obv. die). Faintly toned. Good VF. Well centered.
Ex La Galerie des Monnaies IV (2 July 2022), lot 6.
Ex La Galerie des Monnaies IV (2 July 2022), lot 6.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 808
Justinian II, with Tiberius. Second reign, 705-711. AV Solidus (19.5mm, 4.47 g, 6h). Constantinople mint. Struck 705-711. ∂ N IҺS CҺS RЄX RЄΓNANTIЧM, draped and nimbate facing bust of Christ Pantokrator, raising right hand in benediction and holding Gospels in left / [...]RIЧS PP ´, crowned facing half-length busts of Justinian and Tiberius, both wearing chlamys, holding cross potent set on two steps between them with right hands. DOC 2a; MIB 2a; SB 1414. Small metal flaw on obverse. EF.
Ex Numismatic Fine Arts I (20 March 1975), lot 439.
Ex Numismatic Fine Arts I (20 March 1975), lot 439.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 40
LUCANIA, Velia. Circa 400-340 BC. AR Nomos (20mm, 7.72 g, 1h). T Group. Head of nymph right, wearing a kekryphale; YEΛH to right / Roaring lion standing right on dotted ground line; ΛH below. Williams Period IV, 219 (O134/R168); HN Italy 1278; SNG Ashmolean 1098 (same dies); SNG Copenhagen 1528 (same dies); BMC 20 (same dies); McClean 1407 (same dies); Sartiges 52 (same dies). Lightly toned, a touch of die wear, a few light marks. Good VF. Well centered.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 554
EGYPT, Alexandria. Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (33mm, 23.92 g, 12h). Sebennyte nome. Dated RY 8 (AD 144/5). AYT K T AIΛ AΔP ANTωNЄINOC CЄB ЄVC, laureate head right / CЄBЄN NV THC, Onuris-Shu/Ares standing facing, head left, wearing helmet and military dress, holding spear in right hand and parazonium in left; L H (date) in lower field. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 6383; K&G N46.5; RPC IV.4 794.14 = W&G p. 514, III, pl. XXV, 237 (this coin); Emmett 1810.8 (R4). Dark brown patina, trace deposits. Good VF. One of the finest known.
From the Dr. Thomas E. Beniak Collection. Ex Classical Numismatic Auctions XXI (26 June 1992), lot 560.
From the Dr. Thomas E. Beniak Collection. Ex Classical Numismatic Auctions XXI (26 June 1992), lot 560.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 811
Constantine VI & Irene. 780-797. AV Solidus (21.5mm, 4.43 g, 6h). Constantinople mint. Struck 792-797. IRIҺH AΓOVSτ[I], crowned facing bust of Irene, wearing loros, holding globus cruciger in right hand and cruciform scepter in left / COҺSτAҺ τ[IҺ]OS ЬAS´, crowned facing bust of Constantine, wearing chlamys, holding globus cruciger in right hand and akakia in left; Θ at end of legend. DOC 3a; Füeg 5.A; SB 1594. Toned, with some luster, minor doubling, areas of weakness, a couple of minor marks, thin die break and faint hairlines on reverse. Near EF.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 1067
ANGLO-SAXON, Continental Sceattas. Circa 715-800/20. AR Sceatt (11mm, 1.05 g, 9h). Series X, type 31. Ribe mint. ‘Wodan’ head facing; pellet above, short cross pommée to left and right / Fantastic creature flying left, head right, with tail coiled leftward; short cross below head. Abramson 104.10; MEC 8 Series X; North 116; SCBC 797. Toned. Near EF.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 812
Irene. 797-802. AV Solidus (20mm, 4.37 g, 6h). Constantinople mint. ЄIRInH ЬASILISSH, crowned facing bust, wearing loros, holding globus cruciger in right hand and cruciform scepter in left / • ЄIRIҺH ЬASILISSH (archaic Θ), crowned facing bust, wearing loros, holding globus cruciger in right hand and cruciform scepter in left. DOC 1a; Füeg 1.C.1; SB 1599. Toned, with some luster, a couple of spots of weakness, die cud and minor die rust on obverse, doubling on reverse. Near EF.
From the Ramrodivs Collection. Ex Harlan J. Berk inventory cc70053 (ND).
From the Ramrodivs Collection. Ex Harlan J. Berk inventory cc70053 (ND).
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 557
EGYPT, Alexandria. Trajan. AD 98-117. Æ Drachm (35mm, 24.70 g, 12h). Xoite nome. Dated RY 13 (AD 109/10). AYT TPAIAN CЄ B ΓЄPM ΔAKIK, laureate bust right, aegis on left shoulder / [Ξ]OI THC, Zeus Ammon-Ra standing facing, head left, wearing solar disk and ram’s horns, holding long scepter in left hand, and ram in extended right hand; L IΓ (date) across field. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 6400; RPC III 6429; K&G 52.6; W&G –; Emmett 741.13 (var. legend - R5); Curtis, “The Coinage of Roman Egypt: A Survey” (reprinted from The Numismatist, January-August 1956), pl. XLIV (this coin’s reverse illustrated, there attributed to the Ombite nome). Dark green patina, slight roughness, edge flaw. VF. Extremely rare.
From the Dr. Thomas E. Beniak Collection, purchased from Harlan J. Berk, 20 July 2004.
From the Dr. Thomas E. Beniak Collection, purchased from Harlan J. Berk, 20 July 2004.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 47
BRUTTIUM, Kroton. Circa 480-430 BC. AR Nomos (19.5mm, 7.94 g, 4h). Tripod, legs terminating in lion's feet; retrograde (koppa)PO to left / Incuse eagle flying left, leg in relief. Gorini –; Attianese 56 var. (ethnic to right); HN Italy 2108; SNG ANS 292 (same dies); SNG Lloyd 598; Gillet 290. Lightly toned, slight die wear on obverse. Near EF. Struck with fresh reverse die.
From the JTB Collection. Ex Dr. Paul Peter Urone Collection (Nomos 30, 6 November 2023), lot 1047; Classical Numismatic Group 72 (14 June 2006), lot 158.
From the JTB Collection. Ex Dr. Paul Peter Urone Collection (Nomos 30, 6 November 2023), lot 1047; Classical Numismatic Group 72 (14 June 2006), lot 158.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 817
Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus, with Romanus I. 913-959. AV Solidus (18.5mm, 4.39 g, 6h). Constantinople mint. Struck 920-921. +IҺS XPS RЄX RЄςNANτIЧM *, Christ Pantokrator enthroned facing on suppedion, draped and nimbate, raising right hand in benediction and holding Gospels in left / COҺSτAҺτ´ CЄ ROMAҺ´ AЧϥϥ´ Ь´, crowned facing busts of Constantine and Romanus, both wearing loros and together holding patriarchal cross between them with right and left hand respectively. DOC 3; Füeg 3; SB 1741. Toned, trace deposits, a few minor die breaks on obverse. Good VF. Rare.
Constantine VII’s time as emperor had a very complex path to his eventual sole reign. Following the death of his uncle Alexander, Constantine began his reign under the regency of the Patriarch of Constantinople, Nicolas Mystikos. However, Nicolas’ regency was short-lived. After the Tsar of Bulgaria, Symeon, appeared outside Constantinople with a massive army, Nicolas capitulated to the Bulgarians’ demands and granted them numerous concessions. This lack of strength by Nicolas led to a palace revolt in which Nicolas’ regency was removed and replaced with that of Constantine’s mother, Zoe Karbonopsina. This change in government led Symeon to invade the Byzantine empire and lay waste to numerous provinces. His destructive campaign was eventually stymied by the capable general Romanus Lecapenus. Upon Romanus’ initial victories, he assumed the regency from Zoe, whom he forced into a convent. Romanus additionally married his daughter Helena to Constantine. In December of 920, Romanus assumed the title of co-Augustus and, though he did not depose Constantine, he kept all the power for himself. Romanus and Symeon continued to war against each other until Symeon’s death in 927. Symeon’s death seriously diminished the Bulgarians’ power and Romanus was free to turn his attention towards matters of state.
Between 921 and 945, Romanus elevated three of his sons as co-Augustus: Christopher, Stephen, and Constantine. All the while, the former senior Augustus Constantine VII was completely sidelined for over thirty years (Romanus officially displaced Constantine as senior Augustus around 921). However, matters eventually changed when Stephen and Constantine turned on their father and deposed him in December 944. This was precipitated by Romanus drafting a will in which he intended to leave Constantine VII as sole Augusutus following his death. Constantine VII seized his chance and in turn successfully deposed Stephen and Constantine that following January. Finally, in the thirty-first year of his reign, Constantine VII was free of his domineering associates and became sole Augustus. Later that year, he added his own son Romanus II as co-Augustus. Constantine reigned for an additional fourteen years after he finally deposed the Lecapeni before dying in 959 after reigning for a total of forty-six years. This issue was struck during the brief one-year period in which Romanus I had assumed the title of Augustus but before he began elevating his own sons which accounts for the rarity of this difficult issue.
Constantine VII’s time as emperor had a very complex path to his eventual sole reign. Following the death of his uncle Alexander, Constantine began his reign under the regency of the Patriarch of Constantinople, Nicolas Mystikos. However, Nicolas’ regency was short-lived. After the Tsar of Bulgaria, Symeon, appeared outside Constantinople with a massive army, Nicolas capitulated to the Bulgarians’ demands and granted them numerous concessions. This lack of strength by Nicolas led to a palace revolt in which Nicolas’ regency was removed and replaced with that of Constantine’s mother, Zoe Karbonopsina. This change in government led Symeon to invade the Byzantine empire and lay waste to numerous provinces. His destructive campaign was eventually stymied by the capable general Romanus Lecapenus. Upon Romanus’ initial victories, he assumed the regency from Zoe, whom he forced into a convent. Romanus additionally married his daughter Helena to Constantine. In December of 920, Romanus assumed the title of co-Augustus and, though he did not depose Constantine, he kept all the power for himself. Romanus and Symeon continued to war against each other until Symeon’s death in 927. Symeon’s death seriously diminished the Bulgarians’ power and Romanus was free to turn his attention towards matters of state.
Between 921 and 945, Romanus elevated three of his sons as co-Augustus: Christopher, Stephen, and Constantine. All the while, the former senior Augustus Constantine VII was completely sidelined for over thirty years (Romanus officially displaced Constantine as senior Augustus around 921). However, matters eventually changed when Stephen and Constantine turned on their father and deposed him in December 944. This was precipitated by Romanus drafting a will in which he intended to leave Constantine VII as sole Augusutus following his death. Constantine VII seized his chance and in turn successfully deposed Stephen and Constantine that following January. Finally, in the thirty-first year of his reign, Constantine VII was free of his domineering associates and became sole Augustus. Later that year, he added his own son Romanus II as co-Augustus. Constantine reigned for an additional fourteen years after he finally deposed the Lecapeni before dying in 959 after reigning for a total of forty-six years. This issue was struck during the brief one-year period in which Romanus I had assumed the title of Augustus but before he began elevating his own sons which accounts for the rarity of this difficult issue.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 306
IONIA, Uncertain. Circa 600-550 BC. EL Hekte – Sixth Stater (10.5mm, 2.35 g). Lydo-Milesian standard. Schematic head of lion right / Rough incuse square. Weidauer 119; cf. Elektron II 24 (hemihekte); Traité –; SNG von Aulock –; cf. SNG Kayhan 708–10 (myshemihektai); SNG Berry 1029. Trace deposits, minor die wear. Good VF. Rare.
From the MM Collection. Ex Gorny & Mosch 199 (10 October 2011), lot 25 (hammer £2200).
From the MM Collection. Ex Gorny & Mosch 199 (10 October 2011), lot 25 (hammer £2200).