Le più belle rappresentazioni di guerrieri

[King John]

SICILY, Syracuse. Timoleon and the Third Democracy. 344-317 BC. AR Diobol or 1½ Litrai (12mm, 1.25 g, 6h). Attic or litra standard. Head of Athena facing slightly left, wearing triple-crested Attic helmet and pearl necklace; ΣYPAKOΣ-[ION] at sides / Nude youth on horseback right; star to left. Nanteuil 372 = Sambon, March 1923 (Picard), lot 330 = Sambon & Canessa, December 1907 (de Ciccio), lot 391; Leu 81, lot 114 = Leu 2, lot 118; M. Ratto, May 1935, lot 205; otherwise unpublished. Good VF, toned, minor surface roughness. Extremely rare, one of four published examples.
From the collection of the MoneyMuseum, Zurich. Ex Münzen und Medaillen AG 88 (17 May 1999), lot 99; Münzen und Medaillen AG FPL 602 (November/December 1996), no. 29.
This issue is truly enigmatic. It appears to mimic the issue of Athena/horseman hemidrachms struck on the Attic standard during the time of Timoleon and the Third Democracy (cf. SNG ANS 519–22), but there are two significant differences. The hemidrachms have three dolphins around the head of Athena, and they weigh between 1.75 and 2.15 grams. The four published pieces of the present issue weigh between 1.25 and 1.36 grams. The consistent light weight and absence of the dolphins suggest that these are not simply hemidrachms of light weight. Another possibility (posed in Leu 81) is that these are hemidrachms on the Corinthian standard that was also used at that time at Syracuse, but hemidrachms on that standard are well known, and use typical Corinthian types: female head/forepart of Pegasos. The suggestion by Leu, that this might have been an early Corinthian standard hemidrachm issue that was too confusing due to its similarity to the Attic hemidrachms and was quickly replaced, is not convincing. Another possibility is that this is an issue struck on the litra standard (as cataloged in Nanteuil), which was also used during this period. Theoretically, these would be equal to 1½ litrai. Moreover, the known dilitrai used a horse type on their reverses, and their field markings suggest they were issued contemporary to the Attic hemidrachms. The star on the reverse of the present issue also suggests they were contemporary to the Attic hemidrachms and dilitrai. What is equally plausible, given their weight, is that these coins represent an issue of Attic diobols that were struck alongside the Attic hemidrachms with similar types.

IMMAGINE: PARTICOLARE DEL FREGIO DEL PARTENONE

[King John]

PHOENICIA, Tyre. ‘Uzzimilk. Circa 347-332 BC. AR Shekel (20mm, 8.65 g, 12h). Dated RY 6 (345/4 BC). Melkart, holding reins and bow, riding hippocamp right over double line of waves; below, dolphin right / Owl standing right, crook and flail over left shoulder; date to right. Betlyon 37; SNG Copenhagen 306-11 var. (date). VF, toned.

ILLUSTRAZIONE: ALESSANDRO IL GRANDE CONQUISTA TIRO

Modificato 21 Settembre, 2017 da King John

[King John]

British Celts, Trinovantes, Tasciovanus (20-15 B.C.), AV Stater (5.34g), crossed wreaths with two pellets between the crescents, rev. warrior on horse right on double exergual line (S. 217; VA 1732-11), near extremely fine.
Estimate £ 500-600

ILLUSTRAZIONE: I ROMANI SBARCANO IN GRAN BRETAGNA

[VALTERI]

Un guerriero da Aptera di Creta

[King John]

SWITZERLAND. Hannibal / Hannibal Crosses the Alps. AR Medal (32mm, 10.56 g, 12h). By Jean Dassier & sons, 1740-1750. Helmeted bust of Hannibal left, with large shield decorated with a running horse / Hannibal Crosses the Alps: Hannibal’s forces traverse the Alps; in distance, flames and smoke from the fires employed to clear the route; dated year 534 (217 BC) in exergue. Eisler 25a; Catenacci pp. 52-3. EF, toned. From the RBW Collection. Ex G. Hirsch 168 (22 November 1990), lot 2658.

ILLUSTRAZIONE: ANNIBALE ALL'INIZIO DELLA BATTAGLIA DI CANNE

Modificato 23 Settembre, 2017 da King John

[King John]

Leu Numismatik AG > Auction 1	Auction date: 25 October 2017
Lot number: 5
Lot description: CELTIC, Central Gaul. Uncertain tribe. Mid 1st century BC. Quinarius (Silver, 12 mm, 1.40 g, 3 h). Draped bust of Mercury to right, wearing winged diadem and holding caduceus over shoulder. Rev. Horse to left, with long tail and two pellets above. A. de Barthélémy, Monnaies gauloises inédites et rectifications, RN 1883, p. 11, 8 and pl. I, 8 corr. = LT 2349. D&T -. Of the highest rarity, possibly only the second example known. Darkly toned. The reverse struck somewhat off center, otherwise, good very fine. From the Helvetii Collection, formed in the 1970s and 1980s. De Barthélémy described the reverse on the Paris example as 'partie postérieure d'un quadrupède courant à gauche'. Our example shows that this is a misinterpretation caused by an off-centered strike: it is clearly a full horse prancing to the left and not just the rear part of it. A closely related type, with the same obverse, features a reverse with a bull springing to the right and the legend DONN (RN 1883, p. 11, 9). It is tempting to connect this issue to the Potins of the Arverni naming a DONNADV (D&T 3595-3598), but the homonymy may be a coincidence and thus does not allow a definite attribution. In any case, this is an extremely rare and intriguing coin and it should be of great interest to the specialist! Estimate: 250 CHF

[King John]

Roma Numismatics Ltd > Auction XIV	Auction date: 21 September 2017
BELLISSIMA MONETA DI RESTITUZIONE CONIATA DA TRAIANO Lot number: 712 Price realized: 6,000 GBP   (Approx. 8,126 USD / 6,815 EUR)   Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees.
Lot description: Trajan AR Denarius. Rome, circa AD 107. Restored issue of C. Numonius Vaala. C NVMONIVS VAALA, bare head of Caius Numonius Vaala to right, assimilating the features of Octavian and/or Trajan / IMP CAES TRAIAN AVG GER DAC P P REST, soldier standing to left, holding spear and shield, assaulting foe who stands behind rampart, brandishing javelin; VAALA in exergue. RIC 812; BMCRE 690; cf. RSC Numonia 2 and Crawford 514/2 for prototype. 3.02g, 19mm, 6h. Good Very Fine. Excessively Rare, one of very few known examples. The occasion for this 'restitution' series issued under Trajan may have been the melting down of old coinage as mentioned in Cassius Dio (67.15), for Mattingly and Sydenham (RIC II, P. 303) proposed that "since the Romans regarded their coins with a certain amount of reverence as products of the Sacra Moneta it is not unnatural to conclude that they valued them also as historical monuments. The dominating trait in the character of Trajan was a desire to emphasise and expand the glory of Rome. It seems reasonable, therefore, to suggest that this was his motive for issuing the Restored Coins; and, by thus placing together a series of types illustrative of the development of Rome, Trajan may not ineptly be regarded as one of the first to recognize Numismatics as an aid to History." The C. Numonius Vaala named on the obverse may have been an acquaintance of Horace, who lived near Velia and Salernum in Campania, and to whom in about 22 BC, Horace, seeking a place to spend the winter, addressed a letter, inquiring as to the climate of the area. The ancestor depicted on the reverse is not known to history, though we can deduce that in the course of battle he was the first to storm a vallum (frequently an earthen rampart with a wooden pallisade) and for this was awarded the Corona Vallaris – a prestigious military honour – and took the cognomen Vaala which he passed on to his descendants.

[King John]

MARCUS ANTONIUS AND LEPIDUS Quinaire 43 AC. avec Antoine, Gaule Transalpine R3 silver (14mm, 1,77g, 7h)
Obverse : M. (ANT) IMP Emblèmes de l’augurat, lituus, vase à sacrifice (capis) et corbeau
Reverse : M LEPID IMP Instruments pontificaux : simpulum, aspersoir, hache à sacrifices et apex (chapeau de pontife)
Ref : B.13 (Antonia) BMC/RR.33 (Gaul) CRR.1158 (4) RRC.489 /3 RSC.3
Pedigree : Cet exemplaire provient de la liste OGN., hiver 2003-2004, n° 116 et de la collection D. J
Grade : VF
Coments on the condition : Exemplaire sur un petit flan ovale et irrégulier, bien centré des deux côtés, sujets complets. Jolie patine de collection ancienne avec des reflets dorés
Starting Price : 380.00 Euro
Estimate : 750.00 Euro

[King John]

Macedonian Kingdom. Time of Philip V and Perseus. Ca. 221-168 B.C. AR tetrobol (14.3 mm, 2.43 g, 6 h). Uncertain Macedonian mint, Struck ca. 184-179 B.C. Zoilos, magistrate. MA/KE, Macedonian shield, legend above and below club / ΣI monogram - ΔI, Macedonian helmet, monogram and trident below. Touratsoglou pl. 5, 9; SNG Ashmolean 3280; SNG Cop 1283. gVF.

illustrazione: soldato macedone, in partenza per la guerra, saluta moglie e figlio che gli porge la spada

Modificato 28 Settembre, 2017 da King John

[VALTERI]

Dalla monetazione della Lega achea , propongo , non già un guerriero , bensì un piccolo bell' elmo crestato .

La moneta risulterebbe un esemplare unico .

Vale uno sguardo , al diritto , la ragguardevole testa forse di Artemide con una non consueta acconciatura .

[King John]

Sicily, Alaisa, Bronze, c. 339-317 BC; AE (g 16,57; mm 24; h 11); ΑΛΑΙΣΑ[Σ], head of Sikelia r., wearing sphendone, Rv. Herakles, wearing lion’s skin, holding club and bow. CNS III, p. 449; 1/1.Very rare, brownish patina, good very fine - about extremely fine.

ILLUSTRAZIONE: ERACLE UCCIDE GLI UCCELLI STINFALIDI

In mezzo a una selva intricata e melmosa c'era uno stagno chiamato Stinfalo , li accanto vivevano certi uccelli mostruosi che si nutrivano di carne umana. Questi uccelli erano figli del crudele dio Ares, avevano il becco, gli artigli e le ali di bronzo, e usavano le penne come frecce per uccidere le loro vittime. Nessuno aveva mai avuto il coraggio di cacciarli, solo Ercole nella sua quinta fatica comandatagli da Euristeo, osò farlo. Per stanare gli uccelli dai loro nidi nascosti, l'eroe si mise a scuotere con forza un cimbalo che aveva portato con sé. A quello strepito gli uccellacci si spaventarono e uscirono dai rifugi, dando così modo ad Ercole, che era abilissimo tiratore con l'arco, di colpirli con le sue frecce avvelenate e di ucciderli tutti, uno a uno. La triste terra divenne allora abitabile e Euristeo fu anche questa volta obbedito.

[King John]

GRIECHISCHE MÜNZEN (GREEK COINS)
MYSIA
MYSIA
PERGAMON. Stadt.
Æs, nach 133 v. Chr.; 6.59 g. Athenakopf r. mit korinthischem Helm//Trophäe. SNG France 1893. Dunkelgrüne Patina, vorzüglich
Estimate: 100 EUR

[King John]

KINGS of THRACE. Rhaiskuporis I, with Kotys II. Circa 48-42 BC. Æ 16mm (3.44 g, 1h). Diademed and draped bust of Kotys II right / Trophy. Youroukova 157; RPC I 1703. Good VF, dark green patina. Very rare.
The supplement to RPC I corrected the description of the reverse of this type, from “Victory carrying trophy” to “Trophy.” However, the description of the coinage of Rhaiskuporis in RPC incorrectly states that Youroukova showed that this coinage was struck under both Rhaiskuporis I and Kotys II. Youroukova actually says that Rhaiskuporis was the sole issuer of this coinage, and he placed the deceased Kotys’ titles and bust on his coins for political purposes.
Estimate: 200 USD

[King John]

The Roman Empire
Gordian III Augustus, 238 – 244
No.: 546
Schätzpreis - Estimate CHF 60000
d=44 mm
Medallion circa 244, æ 57.65 g. IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FELIX – AVG Laureate and cuirassed bust l. with transverse spear in r. hand and shield over l. shoulder. The shield is decorated with an horseman (the Emperor ?) spearing a fallen enemy; before him, Victory flying l. and behind, soldier standing l. Rev. VIRTVS AVGVSTI Gordian standing l., holding transverse sceptre, receiving globe from Sol and being crowned by Valour; in field l., soldier holding spear and vexillum. In the background, a youth standing to front, three standards and two captives seated on the ground facing each other. Cf. C 397 (no shield over shoulder) = Toynbee pl. 45, 1. Gnecchi p. 93, 58 and pl. 106, 9.
Extremely rare. A fabulous medallion well-struck in very high relief on a broad flan,
a portrait of enchanting beauty and an exceptionally rich and well-detailed reverse
composition. Undoubtedly one of the finest Roman medallion in existence,
untouched brown-green patina and good extremely fine
Without question this is one of the most exceptional bronze medallions to have survived antiquity: not only is its artistry of monumental quality, but it is almost perfectly preserved and is struck on a planchet that is medallic even by medallion standards. This magnificent piece exemplifies Tonybee’s opinion that the bronze medallions of Gordian III and his immediate successors "…represent the last flowering of the second-century medallic tradition."
This piece was struck within months of Gordian’s murder early in 244, and the occasion of its issue is the success of his campaign against the Sasanians, in which he scored significant victories over Shapur’s army in 243. On this piece the sungod Sol, representing of the Orient, is shown handing Gordian a globe representing the world, both terrestrial and celestial. On a medallion from the same issue inscribed PAX AETERNA, Sol is shown driving a frontal chariot beside Gordian, who, crowned by Victory, makes sacrifice to Sol before the reclining figures of the Tigris and Euphrates. The date of this medallion is supported not only by its historical context, but also by Gordian’s mature and forceful portrait (a far cry from the innocent, boyish portraits of his earlier years), and the obverse inscription, which includes PIVS and FELIX, and thus places it in the last phase of his reign. The propaganda value of this medallion is as clear today as it must have been in 243 and 244. Its tenor is entirely militant – from the armored bust of Gordian on the obverse to his armored figure on the reverse, crowned by Virtus. The soldier, vexillum, three signa and two seated captives round out the composition

[King John]

[King John]

Tulunids, Ahmad AV Dinar. Misr, AH 264. In the name of the Abasid Khalifate. Bernardi 194. 4.17g, 22mm, 5h. Near Extremely Fine.

[King John]

THESSALY, Pharsalos. 4th century BC. Æ Trichalkon (21mm, 8.47 g, 11h). Helmeted bust of Athena facing, wearing double strand pearl necklace and turned slightly to l., shield over her l. and spear over her r. shoulders / ΦA l. up, P r. down, Σ-A retrograde below, armoured Thessalian horseman wearing Boiotian helmet, short chiton and brandishing bifurcate flail above which bird r., riding r. on prancing horse decorated with a bead necklace having a central globular ornament. Lavva 349 (V179/R249) (these dies). Near VF, nice green patina; die flaw just beginning under the bust on the obv., the retrograde letter Σ poorly struck.

SOTTO: L'ELMO BEOTICO INDOSSATO DAL CAVALIERE AL ROVESCIO DELLA MONETA

[King John]

Sulla moneta del post precedente l'elmo indossato al diritto da Atena, invece, è simile a quello usato dai triarii repubblicani. 

[King John]

DIRETTAMENTE DAL MUSEO STATALE DI BERLINO

Abukir 1. Hälfte 3. Jh. n. Chr.
Ausstellung im Bode-Museum Room 242, BM-035/05 Die Berliner Abukir-Medaillone
Panzerbüste des Caracalla mit Lorbeerkranz, Schwert und Rundschild in der Brustansicht nach l. Der r. Arm hält einen geschulterten Speer. Auf dem Schild: Alexanderkopf mit Diadem nach l. Darüber Alexander zu Pferde mit Speer einen Löwen jagend.
ΒΑCΙΛΕVC - ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟC. Nach r. auf einer Bank mit Hüftmantel bekleideter Alexander mit Diadem. Gegenüber stehend Nike nach l., die l. Hand auf Rundschild gestützt, die r. Hand hält attischen Helm mit Busch. Auf Schild: Achilleus, die Amazonenkönigin Penthesilea tötend.
Caracalla (Marcus Aurelius Antoninus)

Modificato 6 Ottobre, 2017 da King John

[King John]

Monnaie : Tétrobole, Argent, Methymna, Éolide, Lesbos  (2,70 g)

Bibliothèque nationale de France

[King John]

Ancients
MYSIA. Kisthene. Orantes, Satrap of Mysia (ca. 357-352 BC). AR tetrobol (2.39 gm). NGC Choice XF 4/5 - 3/5. Hoplite, nude save for pileus helmet, crouching left behind shield (aspis) on left arm, spear held to fore in right hand / Forepart of winged boar right. SNR 60, Troxell, Orontes, Satrap of Mysia, pp. 27-39. Babelon Traite II 2, 6. Very rare! Struck from dies of fine, dynamic style and attractively toned.
HID02901242017

AL DI SOTTO DELLA MONETA: Bronze, Cheekpiece of helmet, 400BC, warrior with cape, pileus and shield holds.

[King John]

MACEDON. Autonomous issue, time of Philip V - Perseus, 185-168 BC. AR Tetrobol (2.70 gm). Club in center of Macedonian shield / Macedonian helmet. AMNG.3. SNG.Cop.1285. Toned VF+.

SOTTO: Elmo beotico di bronzo alto cm 22,5; riporta una scritta (Alessandro figlio di Nicanore) che potrebbe indicarlo come elmo utilizzato da un ausiliario greco in Egitto, in forza alle truppe romane. Museo Egizio Torino

[King John]

Bertolami Fine Arts - ACR Auctions > Auction 37	Auction date: 19 September 2017
Lot number: 85 Price realized: 200 GBP   (Approx. 270 USD / 226 EUR)   Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees.
Lot description: Sicily, Solous, Bronze, post 241 BC; AE (g 3,52; mm 17; h 11); Laureate head of Poseidon r., Rv. COΛΟΝ - ΤΙΝΩΝ, naked warrior charging l., with spear and shield. CNS I, 23. Scarce. Reddish patina, good extremely fine. Starting Price: 200 GBP

[King John]

Numismatica Ars Classica > Auction 102	Auction date: 24 October 2017
Lot number: 553 Price realized: This lot is for sale in an upcoming auction -
Lot description: Gallienus, 253 – 268  Aureus circa 261–266, AV 1.88 g. IMP C P LIC GALLIENVS P F AVG Laureate and cuirassed bust r. Rev. VIRTVS AVG Soldier standing l., holding globe and sceptre. C 1217. RIC –. Göbl 406. Biaggi 1486 (this coin). Calicó 3639 (this coin). A very appealing portrait unusually well struck for the issue. Extremely fine Ex NAC 18, 2000, 679; NAC 24, 2002, European Nobleman, 191 and NAC 72, 2013, 728 sales. Gallienus rose to power alongside his father Valerian in A.D. 253. In the aftermath of the assassinations of the rival emperors Trebonianus Gallus and Aemilianus, Valerian was proclaimed emperor. Unlike the preceding military emperors of the third century, Valerian was of senatorial background and used it to gain the sanction of the Senate in appointing Gallienus as a second emperor. Together father and son divided the vast empire between them in an attempt to better deal with its numerous problems. Valerian immediately advanced to the East in order to oppose Shapur I and the Sasanian Persian Empire, which had recently seized Antioch and reoccupied Armenia. Gallienus was left in control of the West, where he repulsed several Germanic invasions and put down the revolt of the rogue Pannonian governor Ingenuus. As governor of an important frontier province that provided much manpower for the Roman army the revolt of Ingenuus was very dangerous and Gallienus acted swiftly to repress it. Proclaiming his son Saloninus as Caesar and leaving him in charge of Cologne, Gallienus moved against Ingenuus with a new cavalry corps (the comitatus) and defeated him near Sirmium. Ingenuus was either killed by his own troops or committed suicide. The withdrawal of troops to fight Ingenuus weakened Roman defences along the Rhine and Danube frontiers and permitted a series of major Germanic invasions that reached as far as Italy. Gallienus was only able to defeat the invaders at the Battle of Mediolanum (A.D. 259) as they were withdrawing from Italy laden with plunder. They were only stopped from sacking Rome by an army hastily assembled by the Senate. While Gallienus could claim victory, the political fallout was serious. The military initiative shown by the Senate made Gallienus suspicious towards that political body and subsequently inspired him to ban senators from holding military commands. A dispute about the distribution of the spoils after a successful secondary action against the retreating Germans became the excuse for the commander Postumus to claim the title of Augustus and establish his own breakaway Gallic Empire. As if the situation for Gallienus was not difficult enough, in 260 his father was captured by the Sasanian king Shapur I (and later stuffed as a plush footstool, or so it was said by certain ancient sources), leaving his son to deal with the problems of the Roman Empire on his own. These included outbreaks of plague and the repression of a new revolt by L. Mussius Aemilianus, the prefect of Egypt, in A.D. 262. Gallienus attempted twice, in A.D. 265 and again in 267, to defeat Postumus and restore the territories of the break-away Gallic Empire but failed. He also faced invasions by the Germanic Goths and Heruli that devastated much of mainland Greece before they were defeated at the Battle of Naissus in A.D. 268. A further revolt took place around the same time under the leadership of Aureolus, the cavalry commander at Mediolanum (Milan) charged with guarding against Postumus. Gallienus marched against this new usurper and besieged him in Mediolanum in A.D. 268, but by this time the frustration and resentment of Gallienus' generals had reached the point of no return. During the siege the emperor made the mistake of leaving his tent without his bodyguard and was assassinated by his own commanders. Despite the virtus (bravery and military prowess) of Gallienus advertised on this aureus struck shortly after his assumption of the title of Augustus, the problems he faced were so many and so great that even this was not enough to defend against them all. The Crisis of the Third Century continued and Gallienus' problems were passed on to his successor, Claudius II Gothicus. Estimate: 6000 CHF ILLUSTRAZIONE : SOLDATI ROMANI DI STANZA SUL CONFINE GERMANICO

[King John]

Roman Imperial 
Hadrian Æ Sestertius. Rome, AD 134-138. HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P, laureate head right / BRITANNIA, Britannia seated slightly left, head facing and resting on right arm, with spear lying on left arm and right foot set on rocks; round shield to right; SC in exergue. RIC II 845; BMC 1723 (same obverse die); SCBC 636. 22.03g, 32mm, 6h.
Good Very Fine; untouched emerald green patina. Extremely Rare.
Featured continuously on British coins from 1672-2008, Britannia is the Roman personification of the island province of Britain, and first appeared on coins during the reign of Hadrian as this well preserved example illustrates. Intended to be a visual signifier of the province itself, Britannia is appropriately equipped with a spear and a distinctive shield with a sharp central point, both military attributes referencing Britain's position at the farthest edge of Roman power. She is also well clothed against the inclement weather of the island in a birrus Britannicus, or hooded cloak.
Hadrian's reign was characterised by his travels abroad as he gave direct instruction for the defence and enhancement of the empire. He is known to have visited Britain in around AD 122, when he ordered that the northern frontier of the empire be protected by a monumental construction known to us as Hadrian's Wall.

ILLUSTRAZIONE: LA COSTRUZIONE DEL VALLO DI ADRIANO

Modificato 13 Ottobre, 2017 da King John