Auction 126 - Session 3
Date: 2024-05-28 00:00:00
Lots: 322
Total starting: $ 0.00
Total realized: $ 0.00 (+0.00%)
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Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 126 - Session 3 . 941
Zeno. Second reign, AD 476-491. AV Solidus (20.5mm, 4.43 g, 6h). Constantinople mint, 8th officina. Pearl-diademed, helmeted, and cuirassed bust facing slightly right, holding spear over shoulder and shield / Victory standing left, holding long cross; star to right; H//CONOB. RIC X 911 and 930; Depeyrot 108/1; Biaggi –. Lightly toned with some luster, obverse die rust, a few light scratches and minor marks on reverse, minor deposits. Good VF. From the Family of Constantine Collection, assembled with guidance by Roland Michel, Geneva.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 126 - Session 3 . 942
Zeno and Leo Caesar. AD 476-477. AV Solidus (21.5mm, 4.49 g, 6h). Constantinople mint, 5th officina. Pearl-diademed, helmeted, and cuirassed bust facing slightly right, holding spear over shoulder and shield / Victory standing left, holding long jeweled cross; star to right; Є//CONOB. RIC X 906; Depeyrot 107/1; Biaggi –. Lightly toned, metal flaws and lamination errors, minor deposits. Good VF. Very rare. From the Family of Constantine Collection, assembled with guidance by Roland Michel, Geneva. Ex Numismatica Ars Classica 24 (5 December 2002), lot 367; William Herbert Hunt Collection (Sotheby's New York, 5 December 1990), lot 35.This issue has long puzzled scholars and catalogers due to the wording of the obverse legend, D N ZENO ET L EO NOV CAES. The issue was previously thought to be a reference to two separate caesars under the usurper Basiliscus belonging to the period of his reign from 475-476 (cf. J. P. C. Kent, "Zeno and Leo, the Most Noble Caesars" in (NC 1959, pp. 93-98 and pl. VIII)). However, current scholarship has determined that the coin does in fact belong to the early period of Zeno's second reign and that the Leo Caesar it references refers to Basiliscus, the son of the turncoat general Armatus, renamed to the more acceptable Leo. When Armatus betrayed the usurper emperor Basiliscus and aided the rightful deposed ruler Zeno in his return to power, he made Zeno promise to name his son as caesar. While this promise was briefly honored, once Zeno was securely restored, he disposed of his associate, the junior Basiliscus/Leo, and executed Armatus.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 126 - Session 3 . 943
Anastasius I. 491-518. AV Solidus (20mm, 4.44 g, 6h). Constantinople mint, 10th officina. Struck 492-507. Helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly right, holding spear over shoulder and shield on left shoulder / Victory standing left, holding long jeweled cross; star to right; I//CONOB. DOC 3i; MIBE 4a; SB 3. Lightly toned with some underlying luster, trace obverse die rust, small metal flaw, hairlines, trace deposits. Good VF. From the Family of Constantine Collection, assembled with guidance by Roland Michel, Geneva.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 126 - Session 3 . 944
Justin I. 518-527. AV Solidus (20.5mm, 4.49 g, 6h). Constantinople mint, 3rd officina. Struck 522-527. Helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly right, holding spear over shoulder, shield on left shoulder / Angel standing facing, holding long cross and globus cruciger; star to right; Γ//CONOB. DOC 2c; MIBE 3; SB 56. Brilliant luster. Choice EF. From the Family of Constantine Collection, assembled with guidance by Roland Michel, Geneva.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 126 - Session 3 . 945
Justin I & Justinian I. 527. AV Solidus (20.5mm, 4.49 g, 6h). Constantinople mint, 6th officina. Struck 4 April-1 August. Justin and Justinian enthroned facing, both nimbate, both placing hand on breast and holding globus; cross between / Angel standing facing, holding long cross and globus cruciger; star to right; S/CONOB. DOC –; Metcalf, Joint Group Id, 17 (O8/S4); MIBE 1d; SB 117. Lightly toned, small metal flaw, a few minor marks. EF. Very rare. From the Family of Constantine Collection, assembled with guidance by Roland Michel, Geneva. Ex William H. Williams Collection (Triton VI, 13 January 2003), lot 1196.Justin was an illiterate peasant from Thrace who acquired the throne through his natural strengths and cunning. Though of little learning himself, he understood the value of education, especially for his relatives. Consequently, his nephew Peter was sent to Constantinople for his education. When Justin became emperor, his nephew was renamed Justinian and served as his trusted advisor. Justinian was the real driving force behind many of the wise policies adopted under the reign of his uncle. His true brilliance would come to light during his future sole reign. When Justin's health began to fail in 527, Justinian was readily accepted as co-emperor and the transition of power was uneventful. The coming change was advertised by an extensive series of joint reign solidi, judging by the number of dies known. Presumably, these pieces were withdrawn from circulation after the accession of Justinian, accounting for their significant rarity today.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 126 - Session 3 . 946
Justinian I. 527-565. AV Solidus (20.5mm, 4.41 g, 6h). Constantinople mint, 3rd officina. Struck 527-537. Helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly right, holding spear over shoulder, shield on left shoulder / Angel standing facing, holding long cross and globus cruciger; star to right; Γ//CONOB. DOC (3c); MIBE 5; SB 137. Lightly toned, lightly clipped, light scratch, minor marks. VF. From the Family of Constantine Collection, assembled with guidance by Roland Michel, Geneva.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 126 - Session 3 . 947
Justin II & Tiberius II Constantine. 578. AV Solidus (20.5mm, 4.40 g, 6h). Constantinople mint, 7th officina. Struck 26 September-5 October. D N IVSTINI ЄT CONSTAN P P AVG, crowned and draped facing busts of Justin and Tiberius; cross above / VICTORIA AVGGG, Angel standing facing, holding long staff surmounted by staurogram and globus cruciger; Z//CONOB. DOC (1); MIB 1 and pl. 10, 1 (this coin cited and illustrated [from a plaster cast copy in the British Museum]); MIBE 1 and pl. 10, 1 (this coin cited and illustrated [from a plaster cast copy in the British Museum]); SB 417. Thin obverse die break, clashing on reverse, minor metal flaw, light edge marks from mount, light hairlines. EF. Extremely rare. One of the absolute supreme rarities of all Byzantine coinage. This example one of the finest preserved of this incredibly difficult issue and recorded by Hahn in MIB as being in the Protonotarios collection in the early 1970's. From the Family of Constantine Collection, assembled with guidance by Roland Michel, Geneva. Ex Glenn Woods Collection (Triton VII, 12 January 2004), lot 1082; Stack's (1 December 1999), lot 40; Sotheby's New York (2 November 1998), lot 121; William Herbert Hunt Collection (Sotheby's New York, 5 November 1990, lot 124; P. N. Protonotarios Collection.The extremely rare joint-reign solidi of Justin II and Tiberius II are attested to by precious few examples. First discovered among the solidi and medallions contained within the remarkable Kyrenia Girdle, the issue instantly became a grail coin for any Byzantine or late Roman gold collection. The example found here is among the finest struck and best preserved of the known examples (which number fewer than ten). Considering the brevity of the joint reign, it is remarkable that such coins were struck, or that any have survived. But the existence of this extremely rare issue proves the ceremonial and legitimizing value of coinage. The production of the joint reign solidi must have been planned and probably implemented well in advance, and attests to the importance attached to such coinage in conveying the ideas of the successful transfer of power or the accession of a new ruler.Succeeding his uncle by marriage, the formidable Justinian I, would have been a daunting task for Emperor Justin II even with his full faculties. Unfortunately, Justin was hampered by ill health, which may have included mental troubles. Pressure from his influential wife Sophia and the imperial court led to the nomination of Tiberius as Caesar in 574. Tiberius proved a competent administrator, and opinion mounted that the junior ruler should be elevated to full co-Augustus. The ailing Justin acceded to this, and Tiberius was elevated as Augustus on September 26th 578. The senior augustus Justin died only nine days later.The Kyrenia Girdle was first discovered in 1902 (though published later in the 1955 Numismatic Chronicle). The incredible belt was ornamented with an unprecedented four six-solidi consular medallions of Maurice Tiberius (dated to 582) along with fifteen solidi including: an IMP XXXXII issue of Theodosius II, three Justin I and Justinian I join reign pieces, one Justin II and Tiberius II joint reign solidus, and ten consular solidi of Maurice, (two of which were later discovered separately). Taken together, the coins demonstrate a consistent theme. The Theodosius issue marked his 42nd year as ruler, equal to the reign of the first emperor Augustus. The joint reign solidi denote dynastic continuity, and the consular issues of Maurice record the preservation of the ancient traditional office in Roman culture.The belt, embellished with over one-half pound of coined gold, must have been a donative presented to a very high ranking official. The pieces were likely selected not for their rarity, but for their propaganda value. Like the Kyrenia Girdle, the joint reign solidi of Justin II and Tiberius, such as this wonderful example, were struck for the same reason-to serve as a tangible reminder of the solidity of the imperial succession.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 126 - Session 3 . 948
Tiberius II Constantine. 578-582. AV Solidus (20.5mm, 4.47 g, 6h). Constantinople mint. Crowned facing bust, wearing consular robes, holding mappa and eagle-tipped scepter surmounted by cross / Cross potent set on four steps; CONOB. DOC 2; MIBE 2; SB 420. Lightly toned, thin scrape, light scratches. Good VF. From the Family of Constantine Collection, assembled with guidance by Roland Michel, Geneva.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 126 - Session 3 . 949
Maurice Tiberius. 582-602. AV Solidus (18.5mm, 4.38 g, 6h). Carthage mint. Dated RY 7 (588/9). Helmeted and cuirassed bust facing, holding globus cruciger; Z (date) at end of legend / Angel standing facing, holding long staff surmounted by staurogram and globus cruciger; Z (date)//CONOB. DOC 221 var. (obv. legend); MIBE 25a; SB 548. Toned, a few small metal flaws, a few minor marks and light scratches. Good VF. From the Family of Constantine Collection, assembled with guidance by Roland Michel, Geneva.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 126 - Session 3 . 950
Phocas. 602-610. AV Solidus (21mm, 4.49 g, 7h). Consular issue. Constantinople mint, 5th officina. Struck December 603-604. Crowned facing bust, wearing consular robes, holding mappa and cross / Angel standing facing, holding long staff surmounted by staurogram and globus cruciger; Є//CONOB. DOC 4 var. (unlisted officina); MIBE 2; SB 623. Lightly toned with some luster, die rust, some doubling, thin scrape, a few light scratches and minor marks. Near EF. From the Family of Constantine Collection, assembled with guidance by Roland Michel, Geneva. Ex Numismatica Ars Classica 11 (29 April 1998), lot 581 (since conserved).
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 126 - Session 3 . 951
Phocas. 602-610. AV Solidus (22mm, 4.39 g, 7h). Constantinople mint, 9th 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; Θ//CONOB. DOC 5i; MIBE 7; SB 618. Toned with some luster, lightly clipped, obverse die shift, light die rust, area of weak strike, minor scrape, edge mark. Good VF. From the Family of Constantine Collection, assembled with guidance by Roland Michel, Geneva.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 126 - Session 3 . 952
Revolt of the Heraclii. 608-610. AV Solidus (21mm, 4.48 g, 7h). Uncertain eastern mint. Crowned, draped, and cuirassed facing bust (resembling Phocas), holding globus cruciger / Angel standing facing, holding long staff surmounted by staurogram and globus cruciger; IΠ//CONOB. DOC 186 (Heraclius; Alexandria); MIB III 76 (Heraclius; Cyprus?, or eastern military mint); Bendall, Jerusalem 7 (Jerusalem?); SB 850 (Heraclius; Jerusalem). Lightly toned with some luster, minor peripheral weakness, minor marks and scratches. EF. Very rare. From the Family of Constantine Collection, assembled with guidance by Roland Michel, Geneva. Ex Glenn Woods Collection (Triton VII, 12 January 2004), lot 1094.This interesting issue belongs to the imperfectly understood subsidiary mint in the east that struck issues during the reign of Heraclius from his proclamation as emperor into the war with the Sasanian Persians. As of the present writing, no definitive conclusion have been able to be drawn regarding its location(s) and origin. Nevertheless, the use of a Phocas portrait for this type, unique for a Heraclius solidus, suggests that this issue was struck near the end of the revolt of Heraclii (circa 610) specifically within the timeframe when Heraclius the younger was proclaimed emperor but before a formal imperial imago had been prepared. This nebulous subsidiary mint, usually signed I, IX, or IΠ (there are two known examples with an Є), likely struck solidi to pay eastern troops loyal to Heraclius. It may have continued to operate sporadically after the revolt as a replacement for the mint of Antioch, which was closed by Heraclius in 610. The issues from this mint appear to terminate sometime after the Sasanian invasion of the eastern provinces in 614.The historical context during which this coin was struck was tumultuous. After Phocas deposed Maurice Tiberius, the Sasanians invaded the eastern borders of the Byzantine Empire. Byzantine-Sasanian relations had been at their zenith since Maurice supported Khosrau II's successful bid for the Sasanian throne. But once Maurice, Khosrau's ally and father-in-law, was executed by Phocas, the Sasanian king used the unfavorable change in government to launch a retaliatory invasion. The war would drag on for over two decades and span the reigns of Phocas and Heraclius from 602-628. During the conflict, Jerusalem itself fell to the Sasanian forces in 614, and Egypt was occupied for the last ten years from 618-628. The losses and recaptures of major cities and mints during this conflict muddies the waters for better understanding this eastern series. Ultimately, it remains difficult to say at which mint this series was struck, or if it belongs to a transient military mint as Bendall suggested in 2003. The very limited historical find evidence is additionally inconclusive and could equally support the Alexandrian, Levantine, or transient military mint hypotheses.Regardless of the mint's location(s), this solidus is an extremely rare issue with precious few peers, rarely seen at auction. Furthermore, it serves as a fascinating linchpin between the end of the Revolt of the Heraclii, the demise of Phocas, and the ascension of the Heraclian dynasty.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 126 - Session 3 . 953
Heraclius. 610-641. AV Solidus (21.5mm, 4.45 g, 6h). 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. Lightly toned with some luster, small die break, thin scrape on reverse, light scratches and marks, light deposits. Good VF. From the Family of Constantine Collection, assembled with guidance by Roland Michel, Geneva.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 126 - Session 3 . 954
Heraclius, with Heraclius Constantine. 610-641. AV Solidus (20mm, 4.45 g, 6h). Constantinople mint, 6th officina. Struck 629-631. Crowned facing busts of Heraclius and Heraclius Constantine, both wearing chlamys; cross above / Cross potent set on three steps; S(retrograde)//CONOB. DOC (26f) var. (officina not retrograde); MIB 29; SB 749. Lightly toned and lustrous, trace die rust, minor area of weakness, minor marks. EF. Two wonderfully struck portraits. From the Family of Constantine Collection, assembled with guidance by Roland Michel, Geneva.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 126 - Session 3 . 955
Heraclius, with Heraclius Constantine and Heraclonas. 610-641. AV Solidus (20mm, 4.42 g, 6h). Constantinople mint, 2nd officina. Struck circa 639-641. 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; Є to right; B//CONOB. DOC (44b); MIB 53 (Heraclonas); SB 770. Toned, trace die rust, minor marks. Near EF. From the Family of Constantine Collection, assembled with guidance by Roland Michel, Geneva.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 126 - Session 3 . 956
Heraclius, with Heraclius Constantine and Heraclonas. 610-641. AV Solidus (19.5mm, 4.46 g, 6h). Constantinople mint, 5th officina. Struck circa 639-641. 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; Є//CONOB. DOC 43d; MIB 50; SB 769. Toned with some luster, a couple of thin scrapes on reverse, a few minor marks at edge. EF. From the Family of Constantine Collection, assembled with guidance by Roland Michel, Geneva.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 126 - Session 3 . 957
Heraclius, with Heraclius Constantine. 610-641. AV Solidus (21.5mm, 4.46 g, 6h). Uncertain eastern mint. Struck 613-619. Crowned, draped, and cuirassed facing busts of Heraclius and Heraclius Constantine; cross above / Cross potent set on three steps; IΠ//CONOB. Cf. DOC 187-8 (for series; Alexandria); MIB 77 (Cyprus?; or eastern military mint); Bendall, Jerusalem, Type 4, 16 (uncertain eastern military mint?); SB 852 (Jerusalem). Toned with some luster, trace die rust, light edge filing, light scratches. EF. A lovely specimen from the eastern mint. Outstanding portraits. From the Family of Constantine Collection, assembled with guidance by Roland Michel, Geneva.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 126 - Session 3 . 958
Heraclius Constantine. 641. AV Solidus (19mm, 4.35 g, 7h). Constantinople mint, 3rd officina. Struck 11 January-20 April. Crowned facing bust, wearing chlamys and plumed helmet, holding globus cruciger / Cross potent set on three steps; Γ//CONOB. DOC 1; MIB 1 (Constans II); SB 932. Lightly toned, clipped, minor spots of roughness, flan flaw, scrapes, scratches and marks, light hairlines. Good VF. Extremely rare, only three examples known in this officina. From the Family of Constantine Collection, assembled with guidance by Roland Michel, Geneva. Ex Christopher Connell Collection (Triton VII, 12 January 2004), lot 1100.The coinage of Heraclius Constantine from his very brief reign as senior augustus is extremely rare. There are only three specimens of this issue in CoinArchives, with only one other in this officina.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 126 - Session 3 . 959
Constans II. 641-668. AV Solidus (19mm, 4.39 g, 6h). Constantinople mint, 5th officina. Struck 642-647. Crowned facing bust, wearing chlamys, holding globus cruciger / Cross potent set on three steps; Є//CONOBK. DOC (2b) (Heraclonas); MIB 4; SB 937. Lightly toned, clipped, graffiti, trace die rust, minor deposits. VF. From the Family of Constantine Collection, assembled with guidance by Roland Michel, Geneva.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 126 - Session 3 . 960
Constans II. 641-668. AV Solidus (18.5mm, 4.37 g, 6h). Constantinople mint, 6th officina. Struck 651-654. Crowned and draped facing bust, wearing long beard and mustache, holding globus cruciger / Cross potent set on three steps; S//CONOB. DOC 19f; MIB 23; SB 956. Toned with some luster, obverse die rust, area of edge filing, a couple of edge marks, minor marks and faint hairline scratches. Near EF. From the Family of Constantine Collection, assembled with guidance by Roland Michel, Geneva.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 126 - Session 3 . 961
Constans II, with Constantine IV. 641-668. AV Solidus (20mm, 4.36 g, 6h). Constantinople mint, 5th officina. Struck 654-659. Crowned facing busts of Constans and Constantine, both wearing chlamys; cross above / Cross potent set on three steps; Є//CONOB. DOC (25e); MIB 26; SB 959. Toned with some luster, trace die rust, light edge filing, hairlines. Near EF. From the Family of Constantine Collection, assembled with guidance by Roland Michel, Geneva.