Auction 103
Date: 2016-09-14 00:00:00
Lots: 231
Total starting: $ 210,540.00
Total realized: $ 469,758.00 (+123.12%)
In this auction, Numistats has matched 145 coins, providing AI-powered purchase recommendations and detailed analysis. View more.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 103 - 878
Zenobia.
Usurper, AD 268-272. Antoninianus (20mm, 3.17 g, 6h). Antioch mint, 8th officina. 2nd emission, March-May AD 272. S ZЄNOBIA AVG, draped bust right, wearing stephane, set on crescent / IVNO REGINA, Juno standing left, holding patera and scepter; at feet, peacock standing left, head right; star in left field. RIC V 2 corr. (star not noted); Bland,
Coinage
29, e–k, dies 45/Jun ii; Carson,
Zenobia
3 (same dies); MIR 47, 360b/0; BN 1267a. Choice EF, black-brown surfaces. Rare and exceptional for issue.
While a nominal ally of Rome, Odenathus, ruler of the wealthy eastern trade center of Palmyra and husband of Septimia Zenobia, took advantage of Rome’s internal and external conflicts to expand his territories. The circumstances surrounding the assassination of Odenathus around 267 are uncertain, but we do know that Zenobia soon after took the title of Augusta and bestowed on her infant son Vaballathus the title of Augustus. Zenobia continued to expand the Palmyrene kingdom, seizing control of Egypt in 269 and, with it, the Roman grain supply. To further bolster her position, Zenobia claimed to be the descendent of such illustrious figures as Cleopatra VII of Egypt and legendary Queen Dido of Carthage.
When Aurelian rose to the purple in 270, he pragmatically acquiesced to Zenobia and Vaballathus’ rule in the east while he concerned himself with stabilizing the situation in the west. By 272, he was prepared to campaign against the usurpers. Palmyra was sacked, and both Zenobia and Vabalathus were captured as they tried to make their way to Persia. Zenobia was brought to Rome and paraded in Aurelian’s triumph in 274. According to a later tradition, Aurelian, impressed by her beauty and dignity, later freed her and granted her a villa in Tibur, where she spent the rest of her life.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 103 - 879
Diocletian.
AD 284-305. AV Aureus (20mm, 5.34 g, 12h). Antioch mint. IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG, laureate and draped bust right, seen from behind / HERCVLI VICTORI, Hercules standing half-right, left hand on hip, right hand holding club set on rock to right, lion skin hanging from right arm; Σ/SMA. Unpublished in the standard references. Near EF. Apparently unique.
This reverse type is previously unknown at Antioch for any of the Tetrarchs, with the only similar issue being an aureus of Maximianus struck at Nicomedia, circa AD 294 (cf. Calicó 4670a).
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 103 - 880
Commemorative Series.
AD 330-354. Æ Medallete(?) (15mm, 1.12 g). Constantinople mint. Struck under Constantine I, circa AD 330. Eight-rayed star / Laurel wreath with central jewel. RIC VII –; Ntantalia –; cf. Bendall, Anonymous 6; Vagi –; cf. CNG E-Sale 360, lot 495 (AR). EF, dark green to black patina with reddish earthen highlights/deposits.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 103 - 881
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 Triton XIX (5 January 2016), lot 625; 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 - Auction 103 - 882
Constantine II.
As Caesar, AD 316-337. AV Solidus (22mm, 4.29 g, 12h). Antioch mint. Struck AD 335/6. CONSTANTINVS IVN NOB C, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / PRINCIPI IVVE NTVTIS, Constantine, diademed and in military attire, standing left, holding vexillum in right hand and scepter in left; two military signa to right; SMAN. RIC VIII 94; Depeyrot 45/2; Biaggi –. EF, traces of underlying luster, die rust.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 103 - 883
Constans.
AD 337-350. AR Siliqua (20mm, 3.05 g, 11h). Nicomedia mint. Struck AD 337-340. Laurel and rosette-diademed head right, with eyes raised to heaven / CONSTA NS AVG, Victory advancing left, holding wreath and palm frond; SMN. RIC –; RSC –. EF, lightly toned, flan crack, metal flaw on Constans’ cheek, hairline scratches. Very rare, perhaps unpublished for Nicomedia.
This coin is almost an identical twin to the specimen we sold in Auction 102, lot 1099, but the mintmark is weakly struck on the present coin. The observations made for lot 1099 in 102. though, are still relevant: “Although not listed for the Nicomedia mint by either RIC or RSC, the type is known for Heraclea with the mintmark SMH (RIC VIII 12, RSC 2B). One could argue that the very clear and delineated N in the mintmark of this coin is an H, but it is also possible that it is an unpublished type for the Nicomedia mint. On the other hand, the type is known for Constantius II at Nicomedia with the mintmark SMNA (RIC VIII 3, RSC 4b), which would seem to indicate that this coin is from Heraclea with a poorly engraved H in the mintmark. Also, the author of RIC VIII, J. P. C. Kent, noted that this listing was based on Cohen and that ‘confirmation [is] required.’”
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 103 - 884
Constantius II.
AD 337-361. AV Solidus (21mm, 4.45 g, 6h).
Quadricennalia
(?) issue. Rome mint, 5th officina. Struck AD 355-357. FL IVL CONST ANTIVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted, and cuirassed bust facing slightly right, holding spear in right hand over shoulder and ornate shield in left / GLORIA REI PVBLICAE, Roma and Constantinopolis, with right foot on prow and holding scepter in left hand, enthroned facing, holding between them a shield inscribed VOT/XXX/MVLT/XXXX in four lines; (palm)RSMЄ(palm). RIC VIII 291; Depeyrot 13/1. EF, lightly toned. Rare.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 103 - 885
Constantius II.
AD 337-361. AV Solidus (20mm, 4.46 g, 12h).
Decennalia
issue. Siscia mint. Struck AD 337-340. Laurel and rosette-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Victory seated right on cuirass, holding shield inscribed VOT/ X/ MVLT/ XX in four lines and supported by winged Genius standing left; SIS*. RIC VIII 30; Depeyrot 5/2; Biaggi 2176. Superb EF, a few scrapes and some hairlines, traces of earthen deposits.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 103 - 886
Constantius II.
AD 337-361. AV Solidus (22mm, 4.45 g, 6h). Antioch mint, 9th officina. Struck AD 347-355. Pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Seated figures of Roma and Constantinopolis, the latter with right foot on prow, each holding scepter and supporting between them a shield inscribed VOT/XX/MVLT/XXX; SMANΘ. RIC VIII 83; Depeyrot 6/3. Choice EF, lustrous.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 103 - 887
Festival of Isis.
Mid 4th century AD. Æ (14mm, 1.18 g, 6h). ISIS F-ARIA, draped bust of Isis right / VOTA P-VBLICA, Harpocrates standing left, holding right hand to his mouth, cradling cornucopia with his left arm. Alföldi,
Festival
, Group XIV, 268 (pl. XX, 31); Vagi –. VF, dark green patina with touches of red, some light smoothing. Rare.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 103 - 888
Valentinian I.
AD 364-375. AV Solidus (20.5mm, 4.46 g, 6h). Treveri (Trier) mint, 3rd officina. Struck mid AD 373-April AD 375. Rosette-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Valentinian and Valens enthroned facing, holding globe between them; above, Victory facing with wings spread, palm frond between; TROBT. RIC IX 17b.6; Depeyrot 43/1; Biaggi 2237. Superb EF, lustrous, slightly wavy flan.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 103 - 889
Valens.
AD 364-378. AV Solidus (22mm, 4.48 g, 6h). Consular issue. Nicomedia mint. Struck January AD 368. D N VALENS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust left, wearing consular robes, holding mappa and scepter / VOTA PV BLICA, Valentinian I and Valens enthroned facing, each nimbate and in consular robes, and holding mappa and scepter; in exergue, two bound captives vis-à-vis; N-N-M. RIC IX 16b, 8; cf. Depeyrot 19/2 (S-N-A mintmark); Biaggi 2268 var. (S-MN-N mintmark). VF, graffito “X” on Valens’ neck, a few light scratches. Rare.
From the M. A. Armstrong Collection. Ex Dürr & Michel (16 November 1998), lot 249.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 103 - 890
Gratian & Valentinian II (?).
AD 375-383. Æ Coin Weight (15.5mm, 3.94 g, 12h). Carthage mint. DD NN OI, two diademed and draped busts, vis-à-vis / PEΓ EX CARTAG, Carthage standing facing, holding fruits in both hands. Cf. Bendall,
Weights
2–3 (for obv. type). VF, dark green-brown patina. Very rare.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 103 - 891
Theodosius I, with Arcadius and Honorius.
AD 379-395. Æ Exagium Solidi Weight (20.5mm, 4.14 g, 11h). Constantinople mint. Struck circa AD 402-408. DDD NNN GGG, diademed and draped facing busts of Honorius, Theodosius, and Arcadius respectively / EXAGIVM SOLIDI, Moneta standing left, holding scales and cornucopia. Bendall,
Weights
8; RIC X, p. 8. VF, dark brown patina, red earthen deposits. Rare.
During the later Roman Empire, coin weights began appearing with the legend
exagium solidi
, a phrase which has often been translated as “the weight (or weighing) of a solidus”, in order to deal with the practice of clipping.
Exagium
derives from the Latin
exigere
(lit. “to drive out”). However, extant examples of these weights vary and some weigh much less than the 4.5 g of a full-weight solidus. These lighter weights are thought to possibly represent the lowest acceptable weight for aurei, and were used to withdraw under-weight solidi from circulation and thereby maintain an acceptable weight standard minimum for solidi to circulate at full value.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 103 - 892
Arcadius.
AD 383-408. AV Solidus (20mm, 4.45 g, 6h). Constantinople mint, 7th officina. Struck AD 395-402. Pearl-diademed, helmeted, and cuirassed bust facing slightly right, holding spear and shield / Constantinopolis seated right, holding scepter and Victory on globe, foot on prow; Z//CONOB. RIC X 7; Depeyrot 55/1. EF, lustrous, a few light scratches and marks.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 103 - 893
Honorius.
AD 393-423. AV Solidus (20mm, 4.46 g, 11h). Thessalonica mint. Struck AD 403-408. Pearl-diademed, helmeted, and cuirassed bust facing slightly right, holding spear and shield,
Christogram on chest plate
/ Constantinopolis seated right, holding scepter and Victory on globe, foot on prow; star to left; COMOB. RIC X 43; Depeyrot 46/2. VF, tiny bump on helmet, small mark in field. Very rare, only six inventoried by Depeyrot, one in CoinArchives.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 103 - 894
Theodosius II.
AD 402-450. AV Solidus (21mm, 4.36 g, 6h). Thessalonica mint. Struck AD 425-430. Pearl-diademed, helmeted, and cuirassed bust facing slightly right, holding spear and shield / Theodosius II standing facing, holding labarum and globus cruciger; star to left; TESOB. RIC X 362; Depeyrot 51/1. Near EF, lustrous.
From the estate of Thomas Bentley Cederlind. Ex Gorny & Mosch 232 (5 October 2015), lot 543.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 103 - 895
Theodosius II.
AD 402-450. AV Solidus (20mm, 4.15 g, 6h). Constantinople mint, 2nd officina. Struck AD 430-440. Pearl-diademed, helmeted, and cuirassed bust facing slightly right, holding spear and shield / Constantinopolis seated left, holding globus cruciger and scepter, foot on prow; shield and star to right; B//CONOB. RIC X 257; Depeyrot 81/1. VF, toned.
From the Dr. Lawrence D. Sporty Collection. Ex Bramhall Collection (Classical Numismatic Group 96 (14 May 2014), lot 907; Robert Bridge Collection (with his ticket).
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 103 - 896
Aelia Eudocia.
Augusta, AD 423-460. AV Solidus (20.5mm, 4.45 g, 6h). Constantinople mint. Struck AD 441/3-450. Pearl-diademed and draped bust right, Christogram on shoulder;
manus Dei
holding nimbus above / Constantinopolis seated left, foot on prow, holding globus cruciger and scepter; shield at her side to right, star in left field; CONOB. RIC X 296; Depeyrot 84/4. EF, some scratches/graffiti.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 103 - 897
Jovinus.
Usurper, AD 411-413. AR Siliqua (15mm, 1.41 g, 6h). Arelate (Arles) mint. D N IOVIN VS P F AVC, pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right / RESTIT[V TO]R REI P, Roma seated left on curule chair, holding Victory on globe in outstretched right hand and reversed spear with left; KONT. RIC X 1721; King,
Fifth
, p. 290 and pl. 22, 9; Ferrando 1717; RSC 2†b; DOCLR –. VF, toned, obverse die break, a few light marks. Rare.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 103 - 898
Majorian.
AD 457-461. AR Half Siliqua (11mm, 0.58 g, 6h). Uncertain mint in Northern Gaul. Pearl-diademed, helmeted, and cuirassed bust right / Victory standing left, holding long cross with both hands; [**]. RIC X 2653; RSC 8†b-c; DOCLR –; Hunter –. Near VF, lightly toned, roughness with areas of smoothing, tiny chips on the edge. Rare.