Le più belle rappresentazioni di guerrieri

[VALTERI]

Ancora una testa elmata della dea guerriera Atena .

Da una tetradramma di Atene  di metà V sec., tipologia pervenutaci in più che grande quantità, ma con pochi  esemplari nei quali il tondello riporta l'elmo con completa la cresta che lo adorna .

Passerà a breve in asta Num.Naumann 76 al lotto 103 .

[eracle62]

10 ore fa, King John dice:

Auktionshaus H. D. Rauch GmbH, Auction 92, lot 1082, 22/04/2013

GRIECHISCHE MÜNZEN
PONTUS
Amisos
(D) Bronze (2,78g), ca. 90-85 v.Chr. Av.: Kopf des Perseus mit geflügelter Phrygischer Kappe n.r. Rv.:
AMI-ΣOY, geflügelte Harpa. SNG BM 1196-1198, HGC 256.
s.sch.-vzgl./s.sch.

ILLUSTRAZIONE: PERSEO CHE DECAPITA MEDUSA

Anche se di stile un po grezzo il tondello richiama un'icona dei miti..

Il mito di Perseo mi perseguita...

 

                                

[King John]

Da "Panorama Numismatico" di marzo 2019

[King John]

Classical Numismatic Group, Electronic Auction 312, lot 8, 9/10/2013

MYSIA, Pergamon. Mid-late 330s BC. AV Stater (17mm, 8.60 g, 1h). Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin / Archaistic Palladion: statue of Pallas Athena standing facing, holding spear aloft in right hand, preparing to strike, on left arm, a shield adorned with a four-point star and fillet hanging below; to lower left, a crested Corinthian helmet right; all within cupped circular incuse. Callataÿ, Statères 2q (D2/R3 – this coin); SNG France 1557 = De Luynes 2493 = Saida 37; Von Fritze, Pergamon 7 = Saida 36 var. (rev. not incuse); Gulbenkian 699 var. (same); Jameson 2580 var. (same); PCG pl. 28, 25 var. (same). Superb EF, lustrous, tiny die break and a couple insignificant marks on obverse. Very rare. Although lacking a legend, this series has been attributed to Pergamon, based on similar silver fractions which also contain the city ethnic, ΠEPΓA(M) (SNG France 1558-66). On the other hand, the date of this issue is less certain. SNG France placed it circa 310-284 BC, though ignoring that two examples of this type were found in the Saïda hoard (IGCH 1508 = CH VIII 190), which Westermark dated to circa 323/20 BC. She also saw a correlation between these staters and those of Philippi in Macedon (an example of which was in the hoard), and accordingly dated them to after 336 BC (echoed by G.K. Jenkins and M. Castro Hipólito in the Gulbenkian catalog), based on Mørkholm's placement of the Philippi issues during the reign of Alexander (EHC pp. 84-5). Mørkholm's dating, however, was based on the single coin of Philippi in the Saïda hoard (Saïda 34), which was of such high grade that he thought it must have been struck near the date of the hoard's deposit. Other numismatists, however, have placed these Philippi staters earlier, circa 356-345 BC (Bellinger, Philippi p. 37, and N. Waggoner in SNG ANS). The hoard also contained ten of the twelve known examples of an extremely rare gold issue of Kios. Significantly, this issue of Kios and the fact that the Pergamene staters have a close stylistic affinity with the coinages of Philip II and Alexander III – offer a potential clue toward identifying when and why they were struck.More recently, De Callataÿ has revisited the issue by examining the examples of this issue that have appeared on the market over the last decade (F. de Callataÿ. “Les statères de Pergame et les réquisitions d’Alexandre le Grand: l’apport d’un nouveau trésor (‘Statères de Pergame 2004’)” in RN 169 [2012]). Exhibiting no traces of circulation wear, these coins are closer to the full Attic weight than the two more worn specimens in the Saïda hoard, suggesting an earlier date for this issue than circa 323/20 BC. De Callataÿ also demonstrated (along with the two specimens in the Saïda hoard) that in total five obverse and seven reverse dies by two engravers were used in striking this issue, all of which are die-linked. The obverse dies share a close stylistic similarity to early Alexandrine issues of Miletos (cf. Leu 81, lot 182) and Abydos (cf. CNG 70, lot 92), as well as earlier staters of Philippi (cf. Triton IX, lot 724). Likewise, the control marks which appear on these Pergamene coins (Corinthian helmet, rose, and eagle [or cock]), are symbols typically found on coins from early in thereign of Alexander III. The apparently brief but intense minting of these Pergamene staters, with their links to Macedonian types struck early in the reign of Alexander III, suggests that these coins were struck from funds requisitioned locally for the Macedonian troops in Asia Minor, perhaps those of Alexander himself in 334 BC (cf. Diod. Sic. 17.19-21; cf. Plut. Vit. Alex. 16.1-8; cf. Arr. Anab. 1.14-16).

ILLUSTRAZIONE: Particolare di un affresco pompeiano che raffigura l'empio Aiace Oileo che durante la notte della presa di Troia violenta  la profetessa Cassandra nei pressi dell'altare di Atena. Cassandra cercò anche di resistere aggrappandosi al simulacro della vergine Pallade Atena (Palladio) , ma con violenza venne trascinata via da Aiace  facendo cadere anche la statua. Per questo motivo, Atena punì tutti i combattenti greci rendendo loro difficile il ritorno in patria.

Modificato 26 Marzo, 2019 da King John

[eracle62]

12 ore fa, King John dice:

Classical Numismatic Group, Electronic Auction 312, lot 8, 9/10/2013

MYSIA, Pergamon. Mid-late 330s BC. AV Stater (17mm, 8.60 g, 1h). Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin / Archaistic Palladion: statue of Pallas Athena standing facing, holding spear aloft in right hand, preparing to strike, on left arm, a shield adorned with a four-point star and fillet hanging below; to lower left, a crested Corinthian helmet right; all within cupped circular incuse. Callataÿ, Statères 2q (D2/R3 – this coin); SNG France 1557 = De Luynes 2493 = Saida 37; Von Fritze, Pergamon 7 = Saida 36 var. (rev. not incuse); Gulbenkian 699 var. (same); Jameson 2580 var. (same); PCG pl. 28, 25 var. (same). Superb EF, lustrous, tiny die break and a couple insignificant marks on obverse. Very rare. Although lacking a legend, this series has been attributed to Pergamon, based on similar silver fractions which also contain the city ethnic, ΠEPΓA(M) (SNG France 1558-66). On the other hand, the date of this issue is less certain. SNG France placed it circa 310-284 BC, though ignoring that two examples of this type were found in the Saïda hoard (IGCH 1508 = CH VIII 190), which Westermark dated to circa 323/20 BC. She also saw a correlation between these staters and those of Philippi in Macedon (an example of which was in the hoard), and accordingly dated them to after 336 BC (echoed by G.K. Jenkins and M. Castro Hipólito in the Gulbenkian catalog), based on Mørkholm's placement of the Philippi issues during the reign of Alexander (EHC pp. 84-5). Mørkholm's dating, however, was based on the single coin of Philippi in the Saïda hoard (Saïda 34), which was of such high grade that he thought it must have been struck near the date of the hoard's deposit. Other numismatists, however, have placed these Philippi staters earlier, circa 356-345 BC (Bellinger, Philippi p. 37, and N. Waggoner in SNG ANS). The hoard also contained ten of the twelve known examples of an extremely rare gold issue of Kios. Significantly, this issue of Kios and the fact that the Pergamene staters have a close stylistic affinity with the coinages of Philip II and Alexander III – offer a potential clue toward identifying when and why they were struck.More recently, De Callataÿ has revisited the issue by examining the examples of this issue that have appeared on the market over the last decade (F. de Callataÿ. “Les statères de Pergame et les réquisitions d’Alexandre le Grand: l’apport d’un nouveau trésor (‘Statères de Pergame 2004’)” in RN 169 [2012]). Exhibiting no traces of circulation wear, these coins are closer to the full Attic weight than the two more worn specimens in the Saïda hoard, suggesting an earlier date for this issue than circa 323/20 BC. De Callataÿ also demonstrated (along with the two specimens in the Saïda hoard) that in total five obverse and seven reverse dies by two engravers were used in striking this issue, all of which are die-linked. The obverse dies share a close stylistic similarity to early Alexandrine issues of Miletos (cf. Leu 81, lot 182) and Abydos (cf. CNG 70, lot 92), as well as earlier staters of Philippi (cf. Triton IX, lot 724). Likewise, the control marks which appear on these Pergamene coins (Corinthian helmet, rose, and eagle [or cock]), are symbols typically found on coins from early in thereign of Alexander III. The apparently brief but intense minting of these Pergamene staters, with their links to Macedonian types struck early in the reign of Alexander III, suggests that these coins were struck from funds requisitioned locally for the Macedonian troops in Asia Minor, perhaps those of Alexander himself in 334 BC (cf. Diod. Sic. 17.19-21; cf. Plut. Vit. Alex. 16.1-8; cf. Arr. Anab. 1.14-16).

ILLUSTRAZIONE: Particolare di un affresco pompeiano che raffigura l'empio Aiace Oileo che durante la notte della presa di Troia violenta  la profetessa Cassandra nei pressi dell'altare di Atena. Cassandra cercò anche di resistere aggrappandosi al simulacro della vergine Pallade Atena (Palladio) , ma con violenza venne trascinata via da Aiace  facendo cadere anche la statua. Per questo motivo, Atena punì tutti i combattenti greci rendendo loro difficile il ritorno in patria.

Tutta la vitaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!

Straordinario statere di fattezza pregevole, in conservazione paurosa, carico di simbologia divina, e con un ritratto Eracleo stupefacente ovviamente...

Grazie carissimo..

[King John]

Nomos di taranto e bassorilievo in marmo del IV secolo a.C. conservato al Metropolitan Museum of Art di New York

 

 

Modificato 27 Marzo, 2019 da King John

[King John]

Nomos AG > obolos 12	Auction date: 31 March 2019
Lot number: 142
Lot description: CALABRIA. Tarentum. Circa 280-272 BC. Stater (Silver, 22 mm, 7.81 g, 9 h), Sa... and Arethon. ΣΑ - ΑΡΕ / ΘΩΝ Nude youth riding horse walking to right, raising his right hand to crown the horse's head. Rev. ΤΑΡΑΣ Youthful oikist, nude, riding dolphin to left, holding a tripod in his outstretched right hand and resting his left on the dolphin; below, ϹΑΣ. HN III 957. Vlasto 666. A well struck, bright example of excellent style. Extremely fine. From a European collection formed before 2005. Starting Price: 200 CHF

[King John]

Heritage Auctions, Auction 3061, lot 29315, 7/01/2018

Ancients
EGYPT. Alexandria. Trajan (AD 98-117). Æ drachm (34mm, 21.86 gm, 12h). NGC Choice AU★ 5/5 - 5/5.  Dated RY 18 (AD 115-116), AVT TPAIAN API CEB ΓEPM ΔAKIK ΠAP, laureate bust of Trajan right, aegis on left shoulder  / Zeus, holding scepter, seated left on eagle standing facing, head right, with spread wings, LIΘ (date) in lower right field. Dattari 1080. Milne 695v. With a spectacularly detailed portrait and reverse, and a wonderful deep brown-green patina with no signs of tooling or smoothing.
Ex Morton & Eden 72 (15 December 2014), lot 111 (realized $7,200 hammer). 

[eracle62]

8 ore fa, King John dice:

Heritage Auctions, Auction 3061, lot 29315, 7/01/2018

Ancients
EGYPT. Alexandria. Trajan (AD 98-117). Æ drachm (34mm, 21.86 gm, 12h). NGC Choice AU★ 5/5 - 5/5.  Dated RY 18 (AD 115-116), AVT TPAIAN API CEB ΓEPM ΔAKIK ΠAP, laureate bust of Trajan right, aegis on left shoulder  / Zeus, holding scepter, seated left on eagle standing facing, head right, with spread wings, LIΘ (date) in lower right field. Dattari 1080. Milne 695v. With a spectacularly detailed portrait and reverse, and a wonderful deep brown-green patina with no signs of tooling or smoothing.
Ex Morton & Eden 72 (15 December 2014), lot 111 (realized $7,200 hammer). 

Bella questa Dracma, anche se il ritratto di Traino non mi convince affatto dal punto di vista stilistico.

Invece l'aquila è meritevole di lode, un po' meno Zeus, nel complesso un tondello da Medaglione...

 

[King John]

Roma Numismatics Ltd > Auction XVII	Auction date: 28 March 2019
Lot number: 648
Lot description: Caracalla Æ29 of Seleucia ad Calycadnum, Cilicia. After AD 212. AV K•M•A• ANTΩNINOC, laureate bust right / [CEΛEYKE-ΩN] TΩN ΠPOC KAΛYKA Δ ΝΩ, Dionysos standing to right in biga drawn by two panthers, holding thyrsos in right hand and, kantharos in left, from which he pours wine over the head of one of the panthers which is turned back to left; to right, Silenos kneeling facing, his head turned to left and his right hand outstretched to catch some falling wine. SNG France 986; SNG Levante 746 = SNG von Aulock 5830. 13.17g, 29mm, 6h. Good Extremely Fine; a beautiful and untouched olive-green patina. Very Rare. A wonderful, complex mythological reverse scene.  Acquired from Nomos AG; Ex Vineyard Collection, bought privately in December 1999. The reverse of this beautiful type depicts the Triumph of Dionysus, wherein he returns triumphant from the conquest of India. Dionysiac mythology relates that Zeus ordered Dionysus to travel to India, whose inhabitants refuse to worship him (stubbornly preferring their ancestral gods of fire and water), and to this end Dionysus gathered together a vast army, both conquering and teaching the cultivation of the vine as he went. Returning at length from the east towards Greece, Dionysus is pictured here in a chariot drawn by exotic panthers as the central figure in what the viewer would have understood to be the great procession of the god, which the Romans considered to have been the origin of their own custom of triumphal processions of conquering generals. The composition of this scene follows what must have been a widely copied prototype, which survives also in very similar format in the roughly contemporary 2nd century AD 'house of Dionysus' at Paphos. According to a legend, when Alexander the Great reached a city called Nysa near the Indus river, the locals there related to him that their city had been founded by none other than the god Dionysus in the distant past, and their city was dedicated to the god. While the veracity of the story cannot be attested, nonetheless the cultural impact of the encounter between Alexander's Greek army and the theretofore unknown Indian world cannot be understated. Of all the many legacies of this meeting of worlds one of the most curious products emerged only centuries later in the late 4th or early 5th century AD in the shape of ancient Greek literature's last epic poem, the Dionysiaca by Nonnus of Panopolis. This 48-book work is also the longest surviving poem from antiquity at 20,426 lines, composed in Homeric dialect and dactylic hexameters, of which the main subject is the life of Dionysus, his expedition to India, and his triumphant return to the west, written just as the worship of the Greek gods was on the cusp of disappearing forever. Estimate: 1500 GBP Illustrazione: Dioniso e Arianna su un carro trainato da due pantere, sarcofago romano del II secolo d.C.

Modificato 28 Marzo, 2019 da King John

[King John]

Heritage World Coin Auctions > NYINC Signature Sale 3071	Auction date: 6 January 2019
Lot number: 33158 Price realized: 1,700 USD   (Approx. 1,490 EUR)   Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees.
Lot description: Ancients LESBOS. Mytilene. Ca. 412-378 BC. EL sixth stater or hecte (10mm, 2.58 gm, 5h). NGC AU 5/5 - 4/5. Head of Ariadne left, wearing earring and necklace, hair in sphendone and saccos decorated with three grape bunches / Lion crouching right, spear head in jaws; in linear square, within incuse square. Bodenstedt 78. HGC 6, 1004. Sharply struck from dies of fantastic style and detail. Estimate: 1000-1500 USD illustrazione: Dioniso e Arianna (Ariadne), particolare di un cratere attico a figure rosse del IV secolo a.C., Louvre

[King John]

Nomos AG > obolos 12	Auction date: 31 March 2019
Lot number: 365
Lot description: PHRYGIA. Apameia. Circa 166-133 BC. Cistophorus (Silver, 28.5 mm, 12.73 g, 12 h), circa 150-140 BC. Serpent emerging to left from a partially open cista mystica; around, ivy wreath. Rev. Bow in gorytos between two upwardly coiling snakes; to left, monogram of ΑΠ; to right, elephant's head to right. Kleiner & Noe Series 23. Pinder 69. SNG Copenhagen 147. SNG von Aulock 8332. Well and clearly struck on a broad flan; nicely toned. Slightly off-centered reverse, otherwise, good very fine. Starting Price: 100 CHF ILLUSTRAZIONE: PARTICOLARE DI UN AFFRESCO POMPEIANO

Modificato 28 Marzo, 2019 da King John

[King John]

Gorny & Mosch Giessener Münzhandlung > Auction 261	Auction date: 4 March 2019
Lot number: 477 Price realized: 2,200 EUR   (Approx. 2,491 USD)   Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees.
Lot description: IONIEN. EPHESOS. Cistophor (11,72g). 39 v. Chr., Marcus Antonius und Octavia. Vs.: M ANTONIVS IMP COS DESIG ITER ET TERT, Köpfe des Marc Anton mit Lorbeerkranz und der Octavia hintereinander gestaffelt n. r. Rs.: III VIR - R P C, Dionysos mit Thyrsos-Stab auf Cista mystica n. r. stehend, von zwei Schlangen mit erhobenen Köpfen flankiert. RPC I, 2202. Feine dunkle Tönung, vz Estimate: 1500 EUR ILLUSTRAZIONE: PARTICOLARE DI UN AFFRESCO POMPEIANO

[King John]

Statere - argento - Ambrakia, Epiro (350-300 a.C.) - recto: testa di Atena con elmo corinzio, riccioli di capelli sulle guance e sul collo; piccolo Zeus nudo con fulmine nella destra - Münzkabinett der Staatlichen Museen Berlin

[eracle62]

3 ore fa, King John dice:

Statere - argento - Ambrakia, Epiro (350-300 a.C.) - recto: testa di Atena con elmo corinzio, riccioli di capelli sulle guance e sul collo; piccolo Zeus nudo con fulmine nella destra - Münzkabinett der Staatlichen Museen Berlin

Beh il piccolo Zeus nel campo affianco ad Athena è geniale..

Erano avanti su tutto...dritto e rovescio in un'unica faccia...

A parte gli scherzi, il senso prospettico era già presente, come la tridimensionalità...

 

[King John]

Roma Numismatics Ltd > Auction XVII	Auction date: 28 March 2019
Lot number: 155 Price realized: To Be Posted
Lot description: Celts in Eastern Europe AR Drachm. Lysimachoskopf Type. Circa 2nd - 1st century BC. Youthful head to right (the deified Alexander the Great) with wild hair and wearing horn of Ammon / Stylised rider on horseback to left, right arm outstretched, left arm holding shield overhead. Cf. Göbl, OTA pl. 24, type 282 & 284 (obv.) and pl. 29, 351/1 var. (rev.); Lanz 583 (this coin). 4.62g, 17mm, 1h. Very Fine. Rare. From the Hermann Lanz Collection; this coin published in M. Kostial, Kelten im Osten - Gold und Silber der Kelten in Mittel- und Osteuropa - Sammlung Lanz (Staatlichen Münzsammlung München, 1997); Ex Auktionshaus H. D. Rauch GmbH, Auction 45, 29 October 1990, lot 13. Estimate: 150 GBP

[King John]

Monete 497 Sex. Pompeius, Denario, Sicilia, 42-40 a.C.; AR (g 3,89; mm 19; h 10); Galea con aquila su prua e scettro legato da un nastro sulla poppa; sullo sfondo, il Faro di Messina sormontato da statua di Nettuno, elmato, tiene tridente e timone, piede su prua; intorno, [MAG] PIVS IMP [ITER], Rv. Scilla con timone; intorno, PRAEF [CLAS ET ORAE MARI]T EX S C. Crawford 511/4a; Pompeia 22; Sydenham 1348. Raro, leggera patina, q.spl - spl.
Sex. Pompeius, Denarius, Sicily, 42-40 BC; AR (g 3,89; mm 19; h 10); Pharos of Messana, surmounted by statue of Neptune, helmeted, holding trident and rudder, placing l. foot on prow; in the background, ship l., with aquila on prow and sceptre tied with fillet on stern; around, [ITER], Rv. Scylla wielding rudder with both hands; around, PRAEF [CLAS ET ORAE MARI]T EX S C. Crawford 511/4a; Pompeia 22; Sydenham 1348. Rare, lightly toned, about extremely fine - extremely fine.

[eracle62]

9 ore fa, King John dice:

Monete 497 Sex. Pompeius, Denario, Sicilia, 42-40 a.C.; AR (g 3,89; mm 19; h 10); Galea con aquila su prua e scettro legato da un nastro sulla poppa; sullo sfondo, il Faro di Messina sormontato da statua di Nettuno, elmato, tiene tridente e timone, piede su prua; intorno, [MAG] PIVS IMP [ITER], Rv. Scilla con timone; intorno, PRAEF [CLAS ET ORAE MARI]T EX S C. Crawford 511/4a; Pompeia 22; Sydenham 1348. Raro, leggera patina, q.spl - spl.
Sex. Pompeius, Denarius, Sicily, 42-40 BC; AR (g 3,89; mm 19; h 10); Pharos of Messana, surmounted by statue of Neptune, helmeted, holding trident and rudder, placing l. foot on prow; in the background, ship l., with aquila on prow and sceptre tied with fillet on stern; around, [ITER], Rv. Scylla wielding rudder with both hands; around, PRAEF [CLAS ET ORAE MARI]T EX S C. Crawford 511/4a; Pompeia 22; Sydenham 1348. Rare, lightly toned, about extremely fine - extremely fine.

Incredibile questo tondello quanto movimento ci sia al suo interno, interessante la rappresentazione, sembra un fumetto stilisticamente...

[King John]

L'originale e le imitazioni...

[King John]

Nomos AG > obolos 12	Auction date: 31 March 2019
Lot number: 281
Lot description: CORINTHIA. Corinth. Circa 400-375 BC. Diobol (Silver, 11 mm, 0.80 g, 11 h). Ϙ Pegasos with spread wings flying to left. Rev. A-P Pegasos with curved wings standing left on a stepped plinth. Cf. BCD Corinth 196 (but there the reverse Pegasos is walking and is accompanied by a magistrate's initials). For the same types as here see the diobol from Leukas, BCD Akarnania 190.1 and SNG Copenhagen 333. Extremely rare, perhaps the second known example, clear and well-struck. Very fine. The particularly archaic way the wings of the Pegasos are shown, and the presence of the base (not clearly visible on the BCD example or on the known examples from Leukas), probably indicates that the depiction on the reverse is that of an actual late Archaic or early Classical bronze statue in Corinth. In addition, the presence of two images of Pegasos might also be a way of indicating to the ancient user that the coin is a diobol. Starting Price: 75 CHF

[King John]

Roma Numismatics Ltd > Auction XVII	Auction date: 28 March 2019
Lot number: 522 Price realized: 600 GBP   (Approx. 792 USD / 704 EUR)   Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees.
Lot description: Pamphylia, Aspendos AR Stater. Circa 460-420 BC. Helmeted, nude hoplite advancing right, holding spear in right hand and round shield in left / Triskeles to left, [Ε]-Σ above; all within shallow incuse square. SNG France 1-8ff; SNG von Aulock 4483; SNG Copenhagen -. 10.85g, 20mm. Near Extremely Fine; an obverse of very pleasant style. From the collection of an antiquarian, Bavaria c. 1960s-1990s. Estimate: 500 GBP

[King John]

Roma Numismatics Ltd > Auction XVII	Auction date: 28 March 2019
Lot number: 478 Price realized: 16,000 GBP   (Approx. 21,108 USD / 18,761 EUR)   Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees.	S
Lot description: Mysia, Kyzikos EL Stater. Circa 500-450 BC. Corinthian helmet with large crest to left; tunny fish below / Quadripartite incuse square. Von Fritze 81, pl. II, 36; Gemini XIII, 60 = Hess-Divo 325, 211; Boston MFA -; SNG France -. 16.13g, 20mm. Good Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare; one of only four examples in CoinArchives, and the best preserved of these. From the inventory of a UK dealer. The helmet type called 'Corinthian' is one of the most important and influential military archetypes in human history. Described by Fernando Quesada Sanz as one of the most aggressive looking helmets in history, the evolution of the immediately recognisable classical form can be traced to simple designs of the early seventh century BC, beaten from a single sheet of bronze, which covered the full head, leaving only the eyes and mouth exposed. Over time the design was made more elaborate: the cheek-guards lengthened, and decoration was frequently added around the eyes and bowl. Together with dyed helmet plumes, the features of this helmet were deliberately intended to de-humanise the wearer in the eyes of his opponent and contribute to an image of implacable hostility. Despite, or indeed because of this, peripheral vision and hearing were severely compromised by this design, making its use possible only within the phalanx formation since open order combat would have proven deadly thus encumbered.  Weighing on average approximately two kilograms, the helmet was a critical element of the Greek hoplite's panoply, an expensive heirloom often handed down from father to son. As a type, it is depicted on more sculpture than any other helmet pattern; it has often been suggested that it possessed a deep romantic associated with glory not only for Greeks (note the Corinthian helmet dedicated at the temple of Zeus at Olympia by Miltiades for the victory at Marathon), but later for the Romans also, who adapted the helmet into the Italo-Corinthian type that was designed specifically to be worn pushed back on the head in the 'over the forehead' position so often depicted in Greek art, and on the coinage in particular. As a standalone type however, such a design is exceedingly rare, with only a few parallels such as is found on the silver coins of Temesa in Italy. While it is tempting to look for a military reason behind the present issue, the likelihood is that it found artistic favour for its simple yet bold and striking appearance. Estimate: 15000 GBP

[King John]

Leu Numismatik AG (1991-2007), Auction 90, lot 322, 10/05/2004

THE COINAGE OF OLYMPIA
The Roman Provincial Coinage of Elis - Olympia
Estimate: CHF 850.00
2 Assaria (AE, 29 mm, 11.47 g 9), 135, by the Alpheios Master. [ ] Bareheaded and draped bust of Hadrian to left. Rev. [] The Zeus of Phidias seated left on high backed throne, holding Nike in his right hand and long scepter in his left. NCP P, XX = Franke 29 = Seltman 1948, 5 = Weil 3 (same dies). Very rare. Light brown patina. Good fine.
This is the finest known ancient numismatic representation of the great chryselephantine statue of Zeus by Phidias. The coin can be dated by the title on the obverse, the translation of the Latin IMP II, which Hadrian received in 135 but, oddly enough, never used on his imperial issues.

ILLUSTRAZIONE: LA STATUA DI ZEUS A OLIMPIA, OPERA DI FIDIA

[King John]

Classical Numismatic Group, Triton XXI, lot 170, 9/01/2018

The Staffieri Collection 
EGYPT, Alexandria. Marcus Aurelius. As Caesar, AD 139-161. BI Tetradrachm (24mm, 12.86 g, 12h). Dated RY 13 of Antoninus Pius (AD 149/150). M AVPHΛIC • KAICAP, bareheaded and draped bust right / Zeus ('Jupiter Capitolinus') enthroned left, holding phiale in his extended right hand and scepter with his left; at his feet, eagle standing left, head right, wings closed; L IΓ (date) across upper field. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 3185 (this coin); K&G 37.31; Emmett 1868.13 (R4); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 169 (this coin). Near EF, toned. Very rare, nice metal, and of fine style, probably the finest known for the type.
From the Giovanni Maria Staffieri Collection, purchased from Dr. Piero Beretta, Milan, April 1972. Ex Dr. Piero Beretta Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 3185.

[King John]

Roma Numismatics Ltd > E-Sale 52	Auction date: 10 January 2019
Lot number: 476 Price realized: 1,400 GBP   (Approx. 1,789 USD / 1,553 EUR)   Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees.
Lot description: Crassus Æ25 of Cnossus(?), Crete. Circa 37-36 BC. Crocodile right / Prow right; CRAS above. RPC I 914. 12.24g, 25mm, 12h. Very Fine. Export permit approved by the Israel Antiquities Authority. The Crassus responsible for this issue was most likely Marcus Licinius Crassus, who was put in control of Crete and Cyrene under Marc Antony and later became consul in 30 BC after transferring loyalty to Octavian before the battle of Actium. Estimate: 150 GBP ILLUSTRAZIONE: ROSTRI DI TRIREMI ROMANE