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 - 809
Gaius (Caligula), with Agrippina Senior.
AD 37-41. AR Denarius (19.5mm, 3.78 g, 6h). Lugdunum (Lyon) mint. Struck AD 40. Laureate head of Gaius (Caligula) right / Draped small bust of Agrippina right. RIC I 22 (Rome mint); Lyon 179; RSC 6. VF, toned, minor porosity and marks under tone.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 103 - 843
Antoninus Pius.
AD 138-161. AV Aureus (19mm, 7.29 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck AD 151-152. IMP CAES T AEL HADR ANTO NINVS AVG PIVS P P, bare head right / TR POT XV COS IIII, Antoninus Pius, togate, standing left, holding globe on extended right hand and
volumen
in left. RIC III 213; Strack 235α; Calicó 1663a (same obv. die as illustration); BMCRE 743; Biaggi 768. VF, scattered light marks, scratches, and scrapes.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 103 - 817
Galba.
AD 68-69. AV Aureus (16.5mm, 5.80 g, 5h). Rome mint. Struck circa July AD 68-January AD 69. IMP SER GALBA AVG, bare head right / S P Q R/OB C S in two lines within oak wreath. RIC I 164; Calicó 509; BMCRE 29-32; BN 72-4; Biaggi 265; Triton XIV, lot 661 (same dies). Fine, ex jewelry, edge clipped and filed to fit prior bezel, traces of earthen deposits.
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 - 854
Faustina Junior.
Augusta, AD 147-175. AV Aureus (20mm, 7.32 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck under Antoninus Pius, circa AD 147-150. FAVSTINAE AVG P II AVG FIL, draped bust right, wearing band of pearls around head / VE NVS, Venus standing left, holding apple and rudder set on dove. RIC III 515a (Pius); Calicó 2094 (same rev. die); BMCRE –; Biaggi 941. Near EF, toned, lustrous, a few scratches and marks, some hairlines on reverse. Artistic portrait struck in high relief.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 103 - 832
Hadrian.
AD 117-138. AV Aureus (18.5mm, 6.73 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck circa AD 119-122. IMP CAESAR TRAIAN HADRIANVS AVG, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind / P M TR P COS III, Jupiter standing, slightly right, holding thunderbolt and scepter. RIC II 63c var. (bust type); Strack 92β; Calicó 1301c (same dies as illustration); Biaggi 629 var. (bust type); BMCRE 101–5 var. (same). Good VF, toned with underlying luster in the devices. Rare, only one example in CoinArchives.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 103 - 853
Faustina Junior.
Augusta, AD 147-175. AV Aureus (18mm, 6.73 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck under Antoninus Pius, circa AD 147-150. FAVSTINA AVG PII AVG FIL, draped bust right, wearing hair fastened in bun at back of head / CONCOR DIA, dove standing right. RIC III 503a (Pius); Strack 507; Calicó 2045a (same dies as illustration); Biaggi 923; BMCRE 1089 (Pius). Near EF, lightly toned, underlying luster.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 103 - 829
Domitian.
AD 81-96. AV Aureus (21mm, 7.71 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck AD 85. IMP • CAES • DOMIT • AVG • GERM • P • M • TR • P • IIII, laureate bust right, wearing aegis / IMP VIIII COS XI CENSORIΛ POTESTΛT P P, Germania seated right on shield in attitude of mourning; broken spear below. RIC II 325; Calicó 865; BMCRE 81 (same obv. die); Biaggi 416. VF, toned, a few shallow marks, die break on reverse.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 103 - 671
The Triumvirs
. Mark Antony and Cleopatra.
Autumn 34 BC. AR Denarius (18mm, 3.92 g, 12h). Alexandria mint. Bare head of Mark Antony right; Armenian tiara to left; ANTONI • ARMENIA • DEVICTA / Diademed and draped bust of Cleopatra right; at point of bust, prow right; CLEOPATRAE [REGINAE • REGVM •] FILIORVM • REGVM •. Crawford 543/1; CRI 345; Sydenham 1210; RSC 1; Kestner 3836; BMCRR East 179-82; RBW 1832. VF, toned, flan crack, old test cut on edge.
From the Korwin Collection.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 103 - 812
Claudius.
AD 41-54. AR Denarius (18mm, 3.77 g, 7h). Lugdunum (Lyon) mint. Struck AD 41-42. TI CLAVD • CAESAR • AVG • GERM P • M TR • P, laureate head right / EX • S C/ OB CIVES/ SERVATOS in three lines in oak wreath. RIC I 16 (Rome); von Kaenel Type 8 (unlisted dies); Lyon 17; RSC 35; BMCRE 18-9 (Rome); BN 33. Superb EF, lightly toned, hint of deposits on reverse and minor die rust on obverse, a few small marks on reverse. An excellent portrait coin.
From the collection of Jack Terner.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 103 - 813
Claudius.
AD 41-54. AR Cistophorus (28mm, 10.89 g, 6h). Ephesus mint. Struck circa AD 41-42. Bare head left / Cult statue of Diana (Artemis) of Ephesus within tetrastyle temple set on four-tiered base; pediment decorated with figures flanking a central table with disk above, two tables and recumbent figures in angles. RIC I 118; RPC 2222; RSC 30. Good VF, toned, minor scratches and deposits. Great portrait.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 103 - 876
Trajan Decius.
AD 249-251. AV Aureus (19.5mm, 3.79 g, 5h). Rome mint, 5th officina. 4th emission, mid-late AD 250. IMP C M Q TRAIANVS DECIVS AVG, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / VBERITAS AVG, Uberitas, draped, standing left, holding purse in right hand and cornucopia in left. RIC IV 28; Calicó 3299; Hunter 19; Biaggi 1397. EF, toned, underlying luster, traces of deposits, flan a little wavy.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 103 - 816
Nero.
AD 54-68. AV Aureus (19mm, 7.30 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck circa AD 66-67. IMP NERO CAESΛR ΛVGVSTVS, laureate head right / SALVS in exergue, Salus, draped, seated left on ornamented throne, holding patera in right hand and resting left at side. RIC I 66; Calicó 445; BMCRE 94-5; BN 236; Biaggi 244-5. Near EF, lustrous, reddish toning, typical of those from Boscoreale.
Ex J. Eric Engstrom Collection (Triton XIX, 5 January 2016), lot 49, purchased from Carl Subak, May 1986.
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 - 834
Hadrian.
AD 117-138. AV Aureus (20mm, 7.40 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck circa AD 124-128. HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS, laureate bust right, slight drapery / COS III, Hadrian on horse prancing left, raising right hand and holding spear in left. RIC II 188 var. (bust type); Strack 149α; Calicó 1229 (same rev. die as illustration); BMCRE p. 294, note 439; Biaggi 596 var. (same). Good VF, toned, short flan crack. Rare type with Hadrian on horse left. None of this variety in CoinArchives.
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 - 858
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 - Auction 103 - 866
Septimius Severus.
AD 193-211. AV Quinarius (15mm, 3.74 g, 12h). Laodicea ad Mare mint. Struck AD 194-195. IMP CΛE L SEP SEV PERT ΛVG COS I, laureate head right / VICTO R ΛV G, Victory advancing left, holding wreath in right hand and palm frond in left. Unpublished in the standard references. Good VF, toned. Extremely rare, none in CoinArchives.
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 - 867
Julia Domna.
Augusta, AD 193-217. AV Aureus (20mm, 7.26 g, 12h). Rome mint. Struck under Septimius Severus, circa AD 193-196. IVLIA DO MNA AVG, draped bust right / VENER I • VI CTR, Venus Victrix, with drapery falling below hips, standing with back turned, head right, resting left arm on low column, holding apple in extended right hand and in left, palm frond sloped upward to left; drapery falls over column. RIC IV 536 (Septimius); Calicó 2641; BMCRE 48 (Wars of Succession – same obv. die); Biaggi 1155. Superb EF, lightly toned, underlying luster. Struck in high relief with dies of artistic merit.
Ex Numismatica Ars Classica 11 (29 April 1998), lot 470.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 103 - 864
Pertinax.
AD 193. AV Aureus (20mm, 7.22 g, 6h). Rome mint. IMP CAES P HELV PERTIN AVG, laureate and draped bust right / PROVID DEOR • COS II, Providentia, draped, standing left, raising right hand toward star, left hand on breast. RIC IV 11b; Calicó 2390; BMCRE 12; Biaggi 1044. EF, toned. Rare.