Triton XIX Sessions 1 - 2
Date: 2016-01-05 00:00:00
Lots: 235
Total starting: $ 1,188,180.00
Total realized: $ 2,225,425.00 (+87.30%)
In this auction, Numistats has matched 167 coins, providing AI-powered purchase recommendations and detailed analysis. View more.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XIX Sessions 1 - 2 - Session 1, 478
Augustus.
27 BC-AD 14. AR Cistophorus (25mm, 11.97 g, 11h). Pergamum mint. Struck 27-26 BC. IMP • CAESAR, bare head right / AVGVSTVS, capricorn right, head left, bearing cornucopia on back; all within laurel wreath. RIC I 493; Sutherland Group IV 128a (O4/R6 - this coin); RSC 16; RPC 2211; BMCRE 696; BN 916–7. Choice EF, attractively toned. Great metal.
From the V. Robert Chiodo Collection. Ex Triton I (2 December 1997), lot 126; Sotheby’s (7 March 1996), lot 146; Glendining’s (3 December 1929), lot 1.
The capricorn represents Octavian’s birth sign and appeared often as a coin type during his reign. Adding the cornucopia, or horn of plenty, to the back of the capricorn symbolizes the prosperity brought about through his efforts, and his victories are symbolized by the laurel wreath.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XIX Sessions 1 - 2 - Session 1, 485
Tiberius, with Divus Augustus.
AD 14-37. AV Aureus (20mm, 7.67 g, 7h). Lugdunum (Lyon) mint. Struck AD 14-16. TI CAESΛR DIVI ΛVG F ΛVGVSTVS, laureate head of Tiberius right / DIVOS ΛVGVST DIVI F, laureate head of Divus Augustus right; six-pointed star above. RIC I 24; Lyon 118/15c (D12/R8); Calicó 311; BMCRE 29; BN 1-2; Biaggi 167. Good VF, some scratches and edge marks. Attractive portraits on a broad flan. Rare.
Ex Numismatica Ars Classica 77 (26 May 2014), lot 148.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XIX Sessions 1 - 2 - Session 2, 590
Crispina.
Augusta, AD 178-182. AV Aureus (20mm, 7.16 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck circa AD 178-182. CRISPINA AVGVSTA, draped bust right / PVDI-CITIA, Pudicitia standing facing, head left, drawing fold of veil with right hand and holding fold of skirt in left. RIC III 285; MIR 18, 15-2a; Calicó 2374 = Biaggi 1031 (same obv. die); BMCRE 43. EF, underlying luster. Rare.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XIX Sessions 1 - 2 - Session 2, 580
Lucius Verus.
AD 161-169. AV Aureus (19mm, 6.96 g, 1h). Rome mint. Struck AD 161. IMP CΛES L ΛVREL VERVS ΛVG, laureate head right / CONCORDIAE AVGVSTOR TR P, COS II in exergue, Lucius Verus and Marcus Aurelius, togate, standing vis-à-vis, clasping hands, each holding a volumen. RIC III 451; MIR 18, 15-12/30; Calicó 2112 (same dies); BMCRE 32 note (Aurelius and Verus); Biaggi 950-1 var. (bust type). FDC, lustrous. In NGC encapsulation, graded Gem MS, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 5/5.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XIX Sessions 1 - 2 - Session 2, 594
Septimius Severus, with Caracalla.
AD 193-211. AV Aureus (20mm, 7.16 g, 5h). Rome mint. Struck AD 202-210. IMP P • INVICTI • P II • AVGG, jugate busts of Septimius Severus and Caracalla, both laureate, draped, and cuirassed right / VICTORIA PARTHICA MAXIMA, Victory, winged and draped, advancing left, holding wreath in extended right hand and palm frond upward in left. RIC IV 311 (Septimius); Calicó 2597; BMCRE 266; Biaggi 1127. VF, some light marks, slight wave to flan. Very rare.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XIX Sessions 1 - 2 - Session 2, 571
Marcus Aurelius.
AD 161-180. AV Aureus (20mm, 7.31 g, 12h). Rome mint. Struck AD 178. M • AVREL • ANTO NINVS • AVG, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / TR P XXXII • IMP VIIII COS III • P P, Annona, draped, standing left, holding two grain ears in lowered right hand over modius filled with grain ears to left, and holding cornucopia in left hand; prow of ship to right. RIC III 389; MIR 18, 419-2/37; Calicó 2019 (same dies); BMCRE 771; Biaggi 905. Superb EF, lightly toned, underlying luster.
From the J. Eric Engstrom Collection. Ex Davissons 7 (21 August 1996), lot 1 (title page coin).
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XIX Sessions 1 - 2 - Session 2, 577
Faustina Junior.
Augusta, AD 147-175. AV Aureus (19mm, 6.45 g, 11h). Rome mint. Struck under Marcus Aurelius, circa AD 170-175/6. FAVSTINA AVGVSTA, draped bust right, hair waved and fastened in bun on back of head / MATRI MAGNAE, Cybele, towered, draped, seated right on throne between two lions, holding drum balanced in left hand and on left knee. RIC IV 704 (Aurelius); MIR 18, 25-2(c); Calicó 2071; BMCRE 132-3 (Aurelius and Verus); Biaggi 934. Choice EF, lustrous, minor deposits on reverse.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XIX Sessions 1 - 2 - Session 2, 625
Constantine II.
As Caesar, AD 316-337. AV Aureus (21mm, 5.35 g, 12h). Nicomedia mint, 4th officina. Struck AD 319. D N FL CL CONSTANTINVS NOB C, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / SOLI IN VICTO, Sol, radiate and in Eastern attire, standing left, raising right hand and holding globe in left; SMNΔ. Cf. RIC VII 22 (Crispus; for rev. [same die]); Calicó –; cf. Depeyrot 30/1 (Crispus) corr. (example is listed as officina Γ); Biaggi 2096 (this coin). EF, toned, a few field marks. Apparently unique issue for Constantine II as Caesar.
Ex Leo Biaggi de Blasys Collection, 2096.
The higher-than-average weight for this coin, a weight that harkens back to the reign of Diocletian, suggests that this coin was part of a
festaureus
issue – coinage struck for a special celebration. Likewise, the reverse, showing Sol Invictus, is also unusual. While Sol Invictus was a particularly common type on Roman coinage, especially during the third quarter of the third century, his use as a type began to fall out of favor following Constantine’s victory over Maxentius in AD 312 at the Milvian Bridge. Also, the depiction of Sol in Oriental attire is relatively rare in Roman coin iconography, and may be indicative of the purpose for this issue. Sol’s appearance in form on a very rare issue of aurei of Galerius as Caesar from Alexandria certainly refers to that emperor’s war against the Sasanians in AD 298, while later issues of Maximinus at Antioch and Alexandria have been associated with his persecution of the Christians. As there was peace between the Romans and Persians at the time of the present issue, its striking at Nicomedia, a mint held by Licinius, may allude to the resurgence of persecutions against Christians in his eastern territories in the years following his uneasy
rapprochment
with Constantine at Campus Ardiensis in AD 317.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XIX Sessions 1 - 2 - Session 2, 623
Crispus.
Caesar, AD 316-326. AV Solidus (20mm, 4.48 g, 12h). Sirmium mint. Struck AD 324. FL IVL CRIS PVS NOB CAES, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust left / FELIX PROCESSVS COS • III, Crispus, in toga, standing left, holding globe in right hand and baton in left; • SIRM •. RIC VI 43; Calicó –; Depeyrot 8/1; Biaggi 2056 (this coin). Superb EF. Rare.
Ex Leo Biaggi de Blasys Collection, 2056.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XIX Sessions 1 - 2 - Session 2, 642
Decentius.
Caesar, AD 350/1-353. AR Heavy Miliarense (24mm, 5.24 g, 6h). Treveri (Trier) mint. Struck AD 350/1. D N DECENTIVS NOB CAES, bareheaded and cuirassed bust right, slight drapery on shoulder / PRINCIPI IVVENTVTIS, Decentius, in military attire, standing right, holding spear in right hand and globe in left; TR. Cf. RIC VII 298 (referencing a specimen in the BN at 4.95 g, but with PRINCITI in the rev. legend) = RSC 7; cf. Bastien 38 (same); cf. Gnecchi 3 and pl. 33, 9 (Magnentius; for rev.) = Bastien 37 = Vienna Inv. 35239. Good VF, toned, hairline flan crack, a few light marks, some porosity. Extremely rare as a light miliarense and apparently unknown as a heavy one. Probably struck just after the elevation of Decentius as Caesar.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XIX Sessions 1 - 2 - Session 2, 622
Crispus.
Caesar, AD 316-326. AV Solidus (19mm, 4.47 g, 6h). Treveri (Trier) mint. Struck AD 317. FL IVL CRIS PVS NOB CAES, laureate head right / PRINCIPI • IV VENTVTIS, Crispus, diademed and in military attire, standing right, holding spear in right hand and globe in left; PTR. RIC VII 186; Calicó –; Depeyrot 24/2; Biaggi 2062 (this coin). EF, toned, traces of deposits. Very rare.
Ex Leo Biaggi de Blasys Collection, 2062; Hess-Leu 24 (16 April 1964), lot 359; Frank McClean [“Astronomer”] Collection (Sotheby, Wilkinson & Hodge, 13 June 1906), lot 140; E. Bizot Collection (Sotheby, Wilkinson & Hodge, 19 November 1902), lot 368; Hyman Montagu Collection (Rollin & Feuardent, 20 April 1896), lot 839; Vicount Gustave Ponton d’Amécourt Collection (not from 1887 Rollin & Feuardent sale).
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XIX Sessions 1 - 2 - Session 2, 616
Constantine I.
AD 307/310-337. AV Solidus (18mm, 4.43 g, 6h). Treveri (Trier) mint. Struck AD 312-313. CONSTAN TINVS P F AVG, laureate head right / FELICITAS REI PVBLICAE, Constantine seated left on curule chair set on high ornamented daïs; behind, two soldiers, each holding spear; to left at ground level, three figures kneeling right in supplication with hands raised; PTR. RIC VI 810; Calicó –; Depeyrot 17/2; Biaggi 1968 (this coin). EF, toned, some light scratches in fields. Very rare.
Ex Leo Biaggi de Blasys Collection, 1968; A. Hess Lucerne (9 May 1951), lot 277.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XIX Sessions 1 - 2 - Session 2, 686
Glycerius.
Usurper, AD 473-474. AV Tremissis (13mm, 1.44 g, 6h). Rome or Ravenna mint. D N CLYCERI VS F P AVG, pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Latin cross pattée within wreath; large central jewel above; COMOB. RIC X 3109 (Rome [?]; this coin illustrated); Depeyrot 38/2 (Ravenna; this coin referenced); Lacam, Pl. CXL, 1 = Mazzini 7 (this coin); cf. DOCLR 937 (for type); Biaggi 2387 var. (obv. legend). VF, toned, traces of deposits in devices, minor flan split, a few marks.
Ex Sternberg I (30 November 1973), lot 498; Münzen und Medaillen AG 44 (15 June 1971), lot 205; Giuseppe Mazzini Collection, 7.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XIX Sessions 1 - 2 - Session 2, 674
Constantius III.
AD 421. AV Solidus (22mm, 4.45 g, 12h). Ravenna mint. D N CONSTAN TIVS P F AVC, rosette-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right / VICTORI A AVGGG, Constantius, diademed and in military attire, standing facing, head right, left foot on bound captive, holding labarum in right hand and in left, Victory standing left on globe holding wreath and palm frond; R-V//COMOB. RIC X 1325; Ranieri 47-8; Depeyrot 7/4; Biaggi 2330. Good VF, toned. Very rare.
Ex Hess-Leu (7 April 1960), lot 420; Hess-Leu (27 March 1956), lot 441.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XIX Sessions 1 - 2 - Session 2, 540
Hadrian.
AD 117-138. AV Aureus (18mm, 6.87 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck circa AD 124-128. HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS, laureate bust right, slight drapery / COS above, III in exergue, she-wolf standing left, suckling the twins, Romulus and Remus. RIC II 193d; Strack 195θ; Calicó 1233a; BMCRE 449; Biaggi 598. Choice EF, lustrous, lightly toned. Bold portrait.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XIX Sessions 1 - 2 - Session 2, 597
Caracalla.
AD 198-217. AV Aureus (19.5mm, 7.48 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck AD 199. IMP CAES M AVR ANTONINVS AVG, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / PONTI FEX TR P II, Caracalla, laureate, in military dress, cloak hanging over left shoulder, standing left, holding Victory on globe in extended right hand and reversed, vertical spear in left; to left, captive, wearing peaked cap and long robe, seated left on ground, propping head on right hand; to far left, quiver of arrows. RIC IV 27b; Calicó 2773 (same obv. die); BMCRE 152 (Septimius and Caracalla–same obv. die); Biaggi (same obv. die). Superb EF, lustrous. Portrait of artistic merit.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XIX Sessions 1 - 2 - Session 2, 611
Claudius II Gothicus.
AD 268-270. Æ Medallion (37mm, 32.04 g, 6h). Rome mint. IMP CAES CLAVDIVS PIVS FEL AVG, laureate and cuirassed bust right / MONETA AVG, the three Monetae standing facing, heads left, each holding cornucopia in their left hand, scale in their right above a stack of coins at their feet. Gnecchi II 3, pl. CXVII, 2 (same obv. die); Grueber 237; Froehner p. 234; Tocci 108, pl. LII, 73 (same rev. die); Dressel –; Toynbee pl. XLVII, 1 (same rev. die). Good VF, brown patina, traces of original gilding, light smoothing in fields. Very rare.
Ex Triton XI (8 January 2008), lot 981; Lanz 121 (22 November 2004), lot 581.
The reverse of this medallion depicts the
tres Monetae
, female personifications of the three metals of gold, silver, and bronze, and commemorates the attempt of Claudius II to reform Roman currency. When Claudius II took the throne on the death of Gallienus in 268 AD, the Roman Empire had reached a low point. In addition to the numerous internal and external rebellions, the economy was in a state of near-collapse. While gold aurei still continued to be struck in order to pay the army, silver denarii and antoniniani, as well as the earlier large bronze denominations, had disappeared completely. In their place, near-billon antoniniani had become the medium of daily exchange. These too, however, were being reduced in size and silver content. Claudius II seems to have planned a reform of the currency, and he also began minting a wide variety of reverse types which emphasized traditional divine protection and renewal of Roman power. Unfortunately, the early death of Claudius delayed the anticipated monetary reformation, which his successor, Aurelian, would carry through.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XIX Sessions 1 - 2 - Session 2, 606
Otacilia Severa.
Augusta, AD 244-249. AV Aureus (21mm, 4.55 g, 6h). Rome mint. 2nd emission, AD 245. MARCIA OTACIL SEVERA AVG, draped bust right, wearing stephane / PVDICITIA AVG, Pudicitia seated left, drawing veil with right hand, holding scepter in left. RIC IV 1231; Bland,
Gold
, 18i var. (OS 4/ – [unlisted rev. die]); Calicó 3268 (same obv. die as illustration); Biaggi –. EF, light scuff on neck. Lustrous surfaces. Rare issue, only 10 cited by Bland in his recent die study.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XIX Sessions 1 - 2 - Session 2, 619
Constantine I.
AD 307/310-337. AV Solidus (21mm, 4.28 g, 6h). Heraclea mint. Struck circa AD 326-329/30. Diademed head right, gazing upward; diadem decorated with series of parallel lines, each angles left from the top to the bottom of the band / CONSTANTINVS MAX AVG, pair of interlaced laurel wreaths, each with large central jewel; eight-rayed star above; SMH •. RIC VII –, but cf. 497 and 108 (Trier and Nicomedia respectively; for type) ; Calicó –; cf. Depeyrot, p. 116 (citing an imitative issue of Constans as Caesar with the same mintmark); Biaggi 1961 (this coin). Choice EF, traces of underlying luster. Apparently unique.
Ex Leo Biaggi de Blasys Collection, 1961.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XIX Sessions 1 - 2 - Session 2, 595
Septimius Severus.
AD 193-211. AV Aureus (19mm, 7.10 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck AD 210-211. SEVERVS PIVS AVG BRIT, laureate head right / VICT OR IAE BRIT, Victory, winged and draped, advancing left, holding up wreath in right hand and palm frond upright in left. RIC IV 334; Calicó 2564; BMCRE 60 (same dies); Biaggi –; SCBC 649 (same dies). EF, toned, underlying luster. Very rare.
Struck to celebrate the success of the Roman military campaigns in Scotland from AD 209 through early AD 211.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XIX Sessions 1 - 2 - Session 2, 593
Septimius Severus.
AD 193-211. AV Aureus (19.5mm, 7.28 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck AD 197. L SEPT SEV PERT AVG IMP VIIII, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / PROFEC TIO AVG, Septimius Severus, in military dress, on horse prancing right, holding transverse spear, pointing upward in right hand. RIC IV ; Calicó 2521 (same obv. die); BMCRE –; Biaggi –. Superb EF, lustrous. Extremely rare. Exceptional.
IMP VIIII marks the victory of Septimius Severus over Clodius Albinus in early AD 197. PROFECTIO AVG marks the departure of Septimius Severus for the Parthian War.