EASTERN EUROPE, Imitations of Thasos. Circa 148-90/80 BC. AR Tetradrachm (33mm, 11h). "Imitative series". Wreathed head of young Dionysos right / Herakles standing facing, head left, holding club, lion skin draped over arm; monogram to inner left. Prokopov, Silberprägung, Group XII, 789-805 (obv. die V AE7); HGC 6, 359. In NGC encapsulation 5749206-006, graded Ch AU.
Description
GAUL, Northwest. Redones. Circa 100-50 BC. BI Stater (22mm, 4.81 g, 6h). Class 7. Celtic head right / Celticized biga right; above, human-like head right; below, wheel set on spiral ornament. Depeyrot, NC VIII, 152; D&T 2315; de la Tour 6792. In NGC encapsulation 6290542-114, graded AU, Strike: 4/5, Surface: 3/5. Ex Tresor du Piolaine hoard.
Description
GAUL, Northeast. Ambiani. Circa 58-55 BC. AV Stater (18mm, 6.00 g). Gallo-Belgic E. Gallic Wars Issue. Plain bulge / Large disjointed horse right; ornaments around; crescent above, pellets and crescent below. Depeyrot, NC VI, 161; D&T 239; Van Arsdell 52-1; ABC 16; SCBC 11. Good VF. As their name implies, Gallic War staters were issued to fund the fight against Julius Caesar in Gaul. Two explanations for the blank obverse have been suggested: firstly, to signify that the coins were minted by a coalition of tribes – 'headless' in other words – and, secondly, to speed up the production process, because the coins were often made in a hurry. The latter rationale seems to be more plausible.
Description
GAUL, Massalia. Circa 150-125 BC. AR Drachm (15mm, 2.78 g, 6h). Light standard. Diademed and draped bust of Artemis right; bow and quiver over shoulder; to right, ΔI monogram above K / Lion standing right; to right, ΔI monogram above K. F&P DRM-38-7. In NGC encapsulation 6556787-034, graded Ch AU, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 4/5.
Description
GAUL, Massalia. Circa 125-90 BC. AR Drachm (16mm, 2.75 g, 7h). Light standard. Diademed and draped bust of Artemis right, bow and quiver over shoulder / Lion standing right; EE in exergue. F&P DRM-46-1. In NGC encapsulation 6556787-020, graded Ch AU, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 4/5.
Description
CALABRIA, Tarentum. Circa 315-302 BC. AR Nomos (21mm, 7.75 g, 10h). Warrior, holding shield and two spears, preparing to cast a third, on horseback right; ΣA below / Phalanthos, holding three arrows and bow, riding dolphin right; |-HP below. Fischer-Bossert Group 68, 814 (V322/R628); Vlasto 629; HN Italy 938. In NGC encapsulation 4531891-027, graded Ch XF, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 2/5, Fine Style.
Description
CALABRIA, Tarentum. Circa 290-281 BC. AR Nomos (20mm, 9h). Warrior, nude but for crested helmet, holding two spears in right hand, shield adorned with dolphin on left arm, on horse rearing left; A-Z-A in upper fields, AΠH below / Phalanthos, nude, right hand resting on dorsal fin, cradling distaff in left arm, riding dolphin left; COI to left, ornate trident head downward to right. Fischer-Bossert Group 81, 1137 (V421/R879); Vlasto 648 (same dies); HN Italy 940. In NGC encapsulation 6625610-036, graded XF(star). Very rare.
Description
CALABRIA, Tarentum. Circa 280 BC. AR Nomos (21mm, 7.72 g, 12h). Warrior, wearing shield on left arm and holding spear, on horse prancing left; to left, Nike standing facing, restraining horse; [ΛYKIΣK-OΣ below] / Phalanthos, wearing shield inscribed E and holding two spears, standing astride dolphin left; ZOP to left, waves below. Vlasto 679–82; HN Italy 963. In NGC encapsulation 6625605-055, graded Ch XF, Strike: 4/5, Surface: 4/5. This unusual issue differs from the standard Tarentine nomos types by introducing a figure of Nike on the obverse restraining the horse; likewise, the reverse depiction of Phalanthos/Taras stands upright atop the dolphin in a fighting stance, instead of riding seated as usually shown. The new types surely reflect the presence of Pyrrhos of Epiros, who arrived at Tarentum with his army in 280 BC to begin his bloody war against Rome on behalf of the Greek city-states of southern Italy. The Pyrrhic victory at Heraclea the same year likely accounts for the presence of Nike leading the cavalryman. Although he continued to win battles, the term "Pyrrhic victory" would soon take on a very different connotation as the war dragged on.
Description
CALABRIA, Tarentum. Circa 280 BC. AR Nomos (23mm, 7.69 g, 9h). Warrior, nude but for helmet, holding shield and two spears, preparing to cast a third, on horseback right; ANΘ[PΩΠ] below / Phalanthos, nude, holding kantharos, riding dolphin left; EY to left, anchor to right, AP below. Vlasto 691; HN Italy 966. In NGC encapsulation 6625607-068, graded AU, Strike: 5/5; Surface: 2/5.
Description
CALABRIA, Tarentum. Circa 280 BC. AR Nomos (21mm, 7.66 g, 12h). Nude youth, shield on arm, hand on mane of horse rearing left; [EY] to right, NIKΩN below / Phalanthos, nude, holding, holding grain ear, riding dolphin left; API to left, spearhead below. Vlasto 701–2; HN Italy 969. In NGC encapsulation 6625607-003, graded AU, Strike: 4/5, Surface: 4/5.
Description