Auction 123 - Session 3
Date: 2023-05-23 00:00:00
Lots: 250
Total starting: $ 0.00
Total realized: $ 0.00 (+0.00%)
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Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 123 - Session 3 . 713
Justinian I. 527-565. Æ Half Follis (21.5mm, 8.66 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck 537-539. Diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Large K; cross to left, star to right; all within wreath. DOC 325b; MIBE 223; SB 303. Attractive dark olive patina. EF. Among the finest known for issue. From the Gasvoda Collection. Ex Artemide LII (26 October 2019), lot 436.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 123 - Session 3 . 714
Anonymous. temp. Justinian I, circa 530. AR Third Siliqua or Scripulum(?) (13.5mm, 0.86 g, 7h). Constantinople mint. Helmeted, draped, and cuirassed bust of Constantinopolis right / Large K. Bendall, Anonymous 8b; Vagi 3051. Lightly toned, some slight porosity. Good VF. From the DFA Collection.The introduction of this type probably occurred in 530, on the bicentennial of the founding of Constantinople, but the large output and scant hoard evidence would seem to suggest a much longer period of mintage, perhaps lasting decades. Bendall proposes (p. 151):If we consider that type 8 was originally struck to commemorate the bicentennial of the foundation of Constantinople, what reasons might there be for the continued striking for so long? Was it struck in large quantities at intervals, perhaps every succeeding tenth anniversary of Constantinople, or was it struck more frequently in smaller quantities? This is probably an unanswerable question but I have one suggestion. Consuls distributed coins to the populace at the consular games, the emperors in gold and non-imperial consuls in silver. Originally the consulship had been a great honour since the consuls named the year. However, by the early sixth century, consulships were not held every year and the cost of the games [became] so expensive that in the east, where the senators were not as wealthy as the old families in the west, the emperor defrayed part of the costs. Justinian I held his last consulship in 540 and the last private consulship was held the following year. It is possibly not a coincidence that, since the consulship was no longer annual, thus making its use in annual dating prone to error, its demise basically coincided with the commencement of dating official documents by regnal year from 538. A further reason for the demise of the consulship was that Justinian possibly no longer wished to subsidize the games at a time when he needed every penny to pay for his reconquest of Africa and Italy.The consulship was not held again until Justin II took it in 566. It was held thereafter at regular intervals and only by the emperors; Tiberius Constantine in 579, Maurice for six days at the end of 583 and from July to November 602, while Phocas took the consulship in December 603, which was the last occasion which it was held. The taking of the consulship by Justin II in 566 was well received by the populace of Constantinople, but they could hardly have been starved for entertainment during the previous 25 years. In fact, the founding of the city had always been celebrated and it may well be that this now took on a more important part in the entertainment of the citizens. Could it be that type 8 was struck annually on these occasions, after 530, or possibly, after 541? A regular small annual issue might well have been sufficient to introduce these coins into the currency pool.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 123 - Session 3 . 715
Justin II. 565-578. AV Solidus (19.5mm, 4.44 g, 6h). Constantinople mint, 10th officina. Struck 567-578. Helmeted and cuirassed bust facing, holding Victory on globe and shield on left shoulder / Constantinopolis seated facing on throne, head right, holding scepter and globus cruciger; I//CONOB. DOC 4i; MIBE 5; SB 345. Lustrous. In NGC encapsulation 6558566-005, graded Ch AU, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 4/5, clipped. From the Gasvoda Collection. Ex Numismatik Naumann 81 (1 September 2019), lot 672.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 123 - Session 3 . 716
Maurice Tiberius. 582-602. AV Solidus (20mm, 4.37 g, 7h). Constantinople mint, 7th officina. Struck 583/4-602. Helmeted, draped, and cuirassed bust facing, holding globus cruciger / Angel standing facing, holding long staff surmounted by staurogram and globus cruciger; Z//CONOB. DOC 5g; MIBE 6; SB 478. Lustrous. In NGC encapsulation 6558566-004, graded MS, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 4/5, clipped. From the Gasvoda Collection. Ex Classical Numismatic Group Electronic Auction 451 (4 September 2019), lot 485.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 123 - Session 3 . 717
Maurice Tiberius. 582-602. AR Light Siliqua (20mm, 1.94 g, 8h). Ceremonial coinage. Constantinople mint. Struck 583/4-602. Helmeted, draped, and cuirassed bust right; all within double pelleted border / Cross potent set on globe; all within double pelleted border; [four globules] around and outside border. DOC –; MIBE 54a; SB 491. Toned, find patina, some roughness, scratches, minor flan crack, porous. VF. From the Gasvoda Collection. Ex Classical Numismatic Group 114 (13 May 2020), lot 1040.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 123 - Session 3 . 718
Maurice Tiberius. 582-602. AV Solidus (18mm, 4.53 g, 6h). Carthage mint. Dated IY 1 (597/8). Helmeted and cuirassed bust facing, holding globus cruciger; A (date) at end of legend / Angel standing facing, holding long staff surmounted by staurogram and globus cruciger; A (date)//CONOB. DOC 230; MIBE 25b; SB 549. Near EF. Rare. From the Gasvoda Collection. Ex Triton XXV (11 January 2022), lot 1036.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 123 - Session 3 . 719
Maurice Tiberius. 582-602. AV Tremissis (15.5mm, 1.46 g, 5h). Ravenna mint. Diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Victory standing facing, head left, holding wreath and globus cruciger; star to right. DOC 287; MIBE 50; Ranieri 480 (this coin); SB 592. Near EF. Very rare. From the Gasvoda Collection. Ex Künker 351 (25 September 2021), lot 595; Numismatica Ars Classica Autumn Sale 95 (26 October 1995), lot 805; Leu & Numismatica Ars Classica (26 May 1993), lot 511.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 123 - Session 3 . 720
Maurice Tiberius, with Constantina and Theodosius. 582-602. Æ 8 Pentanummia – Follis (29mm, 13.11 g, 7h). Cherson mint. Maurice, holding globus cruciger, and Constantina, holding cruciform scepter in both hands, standing facing, nimbate; cross in field above / Theodosius, nimbate, standing facing, holding long cross; to right, cross above large H. DOC 303.2 var. (obv. figures on dias); MIBE 157a; SB 607. Dark green-brown patina. Good VF. From the Gasvoda Collection. Ex Jack A. Frazer Collection (Triton XXIII, 14 January 2020), lot 918; Berk BBS 142 (15 March 2005), lot 378.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 123 - Session 3 . 721
Phocas. 602-610. AV Solidus (23mm, 4.36 g, 7h). Constantinople mint, 6th officina. Struck 604-607. Draped and cuirassed bust facing, wearing crown without pendilia, holding globus cruciger / Angel standing facing, holding long staff surmounted by staurogram and globus cruciger; S//CONOB. DOC 5f; MIBE 7; SB 618. Lustrous. In NGC encapsulation 6558566-003, graded MS, Strike: 3/5, Surface: 2/5, die shift, clipped, brushed. From the Gasvoda Collection. Ex Roma E-Sale 74 (20 August 2020), lot 1463.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 123 - Session 3 . 722
Phocas. 602-610. AR Quarter Siliqua – 120 Nummi (9.5mm, 0.38 g, 6h). Ravenna mint. Struck 602-607. Cross-diademed and draped bust right / Large ΦK within wreath. DOC 130a; MIBE 58a; Ranieri 516; SB 702. Toned, light scuff on reverse. Near EF. Very rare. The first we have offered in over ten years. From the Gasvoda Collection. Ex Artemide LII (26 October 2019), lot 446.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 123 - Session 3 . 723
Revolt of the Heraclii. 608-610. AV Solidus (19mm, 4.47 g, 6h). Carthage mint. Dated IY 12 (608/9). DMN HЄR[AC]ΛI CONSVΛI IB, facing busts of Heraclius the younger, beardless, and the Exarch Heraclius, bearded, both wearing consular robes; cross above / VICTORIA CONSΛB, cross potent set on three steps; IB//CONOB. DOC 13; MIBE 2; SB 720. In NGC encapsulation 6558560-001, graded Ch AU, Strike: 3/5, Surface: 4/5. Very rare. From the Gasvoda Collection. Ex Elsen 125 (13 June 2015), lot 567.The episode known as the "Revolt of the Heraclii" marked one of the few times the East Roman Empire witnessed a "constitutional" coup d'etat. Phocas, a low-ranking officer in the Byzantine army, had seized power in AD 602, but within six years his incompetence in dealing with escalating crises had badly weakened the empire's military position, crippled the economy, and alienated much of of society. Beginning in 608, the aged exarch of Africa and his son, both named Heraclius, began issuing coinage in opposition to Phocas at Carthage and Alexandria. This coinage named both Heraclii as consuls, an old Republican title that hadn't been held by anyone outside the imperial family in nearly a century. The two men are shown without crowns or diadems and wearing consular robes, the age-old dress of office. By what authority the Heraclii held that title remains unclear; the Senate of Carthage could not legally bestow it, the Senate of Constantinople was under the thumb of Phocas, and the last recorded act of the Senate of Rome was to erect statues of Phocas and his wife Leontia in the Forum in AD 603. Still, even if self-appointed, the reticence of the Heraclii to claim the full imperial title and their adherence to old Republican forms bespeaks their respect for constitutional government, as opposed to the outright tyranny of Phocas. Aided by this "champions of the people" pose, the revolt gained support in the provinces and the younger Heraclius was ultimately able to enter Constantinople and depose Phocas in October of AD 610. The younger Heraclius was proclaimed emperor; the elder Heraclius passed away peacefully soon after receiving word of his son's accession. The Carthage solidi of the Revolt of the Heraclii are far rarer than the Alexandria mint issues and are distinguished by the younger Heraclius, and future emperor, being depicted beardless.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 123 - Session 3 . 724
Heraclius. 610-641. AV Solidus (20.5mm, 4.42 g, 7h). Constantinople mint, 5th officina. Struck 610-613. Draped and cuirassed facing bust, wearing plumed helmet, holding cross / Cross potent set on three steps; Є//CONOB. DOC 3b; MIB 5; SB 731. Lustrous. In NGC encapsulation 6558566-001, graded MS, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 3/5, edge marks, edge bend. From the Gasvoda Collection. Ex Triton XVIII (5 January 2015), lot 1301.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 123 - Session 3 . 725
Heraclius. 610-641. AV Solidus (20mm, 4.52 g, 7h). Constantinople mint, 5th officina. Struck 610-613. Draped and cuirassed facing bust, wearing plumed helmet, holding cross / Cross potent set on three steps; N to right; Є//CONOB. DOC 4; MIB 6b (same dies); SB 732. Lustrous. In NGC encapsulation 6558568-008, graded MS, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 4/5. From the Gasvoda Collection. Ex Künker 351 (25 September 2021), lot 600.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 123 - Session 3 . 726
Heraclius, with Heraclius Constantine. 610-641. AR Miliaresion (21mm, 4.48 g, 7h). 'Ceremonial' coinage. Constantinople mint. Struck circa 620. Heraclius standing facing, wearing military attire and crown, holding long cross and crowning Victory; to right, Heraclius Constantine standing facing, wearing crown and chlamys, holding globus cruciger / Cross potent set on globe set on three steps; palm fronds flanking. DOC 58; MIB 129; SB 789. Lightly toned. In NGC encapsulation 6558569-014, graded AU, Strike: 3/5, Surface: 4/5. Very rare. Among the finest known for this difficult issue. From the Gasvoda Collection. Ex Heritage 3081 (12 January 2020), lot 30202.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 123 - Session 3 . 727
Heraclius, with Heraclius Constantine. 610-641. AV Solidus (21.5mm, 4.45 g, 6h). Constantinople mint, 10th officina. Struck 629-631. Crowned facing busts of Heraclius and Heraclius Constantine, each wearing chlamys; cross above / Cross potent set on three steps; K to right; IB//CONOB. DOC 30d; MIB 36; SB 755. Lustrous. In NGC encapsulation 6558566-002, graded Ch AU, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 3/5, edge bend. Extremely rare, possibly the second known example. All references cite the same coin from a 1928 Santamaria sale. From the Gasvoda Collection. Ex Provence Collection (purchased privately).
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 123 - Session 3 . 728
Heraclius, with Heraclius Constantine and Heraclonas. 610-641. AV Solidus (20mm, 4.48 g, 6h). Constantinople mint, 8th officina. Dated IY 12 (638/9). Heraclonas, Heraclius, and Heraclius Constantine standing facing, each wearing crown and chlamys and holding globus cruciger / Cross potent set on three steps; monogram to left; IB monogram (date) to right; H//CONOB. DOC 41h; MIB 48; SB 767. In NGC encapsulation 6558568-010, graded MS, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 4/5. From the Gasvoda Collection.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 123 - Session 3 . 729
Constans II. 641-668. AV Solidus (20mm, 4.40 g, 6h). Constantinople mint, 4th officina. Struck 641-646. Crowned, draped, and cuirassed bust facing, holding globus cruciger / Cross potent set upon three steps; ∆//CONOB. DOC 1d; MIB 3b; SB 938. Minor die rust. EF. From the Gasvoda Collection. Ex Phoibos Collection (Künker 341, 1 October 2020), lot 6162.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 123 - Session 3 . 730
Constans II. 641-668. AV Solidus (19mm, 4.37 g, 6h). Constantinople mint, 9th officina. Dated IY 7 (648/9). Crowned facing bust, wearing chlamys, holding globus cruciger / Cross potent set on three steps; Z (date) to right; Θ//CONOB. DOC 13 var. (unlisted officina); MIB 16a; SB 949. Lustrous. In NGC encapsulation 6558566-010, graded MS, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 3/5, clipped. From the Gasvoda Collection. Ex W. Besler Collection (Nomos 21, 21 November 2020), lot 373.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 123 - Session 3 . 731
Constans II, with Constantine IV. 641-668. AV Solidus (20mm, 4.30 g, 6h). Constantinople mint, 2nd officina. Struck 654-659. Crowned facing busts of Constans and Constantine, each wearing chlamys; cross above / Cross potent set on three steps; B//CONOB. DOC 25b; MIB 26; SB 959. Lustrous, clipped, hairlines on reverse, a couple edge marks. EF.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 123 - Session 3 . 732
Constans II, with Constantine IV, Heraclius, and Tiberius. 641-668. AV Solidus (19.5mm, 4.45 g, 6h). Constantinople mint, 3rd officina. Struck circa 661-circa 663. Crowned facing busts of Constans, with long beard, wearing plumed helmet and chlamys, and Constantine, beardless, wearing chlamys; cross above / Cross potent set on three steps flanked by Heraclius and Tiberius, each wearing chlamys and holding globus cruciger; Γ//CONOB. DOC 30c; MIB 31; SB 964. Lustrous. In NGC encapsulation 6558569-002, graded MS, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 4/5. From the Gasvoda Collection. Ex Numismatik Naumann 97 (6 December 2020), lot 653.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 123 - Session 3 . 733
Constans II, with Constantine IV, Heraclius, and Tiberius. 641-668. AV Solidus (20mm, 4.44 g, 6h). Syracuse mint. Struck circa 668. Crowned facing busts of Constans, with long beard, and Constantine, beardless, each wearing chlamys; cross above / Cross potent set on three steps, flanked by crowned facing figures of Heraclius, on left, and Tiberius, on right, each wearing chlamys and holding globus cruciger; Γ• at end of legend; CONOB(triple pellets). Cf. DOC 162 (for obverse type); MIB pl. 23 (same dies); cf. Anastasi 222 (Constantine IV; for reverse); cf. SB 1202 (same). Lustrous, a few light scratches and marks, some light deposits. Good VF. Extremely rare. Only two known examples. An extremely rare late Constans II die-pair was thought by Hahn in MIB to be a hybrid with a reverse die known to Constantine IV. Alternatively, this reverse die may have originally been used for Constans with the reverse die simply continuing in usage into the reign of Constantine IV. Given that this reverse die is known for Constans II from only two examples, it is probable that it was issued in Syracuse very late into Constans II's reign, and ceased production immediately upon his death.