Le più belle rappresentazioni di guerrieri

[santone]

Bel rovescio 

[King John]

Leu Numismatik AG > Web Auction 33	Auction date: 15 March 2025
Lot number: 1681 Price realized: This lot is for sale in an upcoming auction
Lot description: IONIA. Magnesia ad Maeandrum. Elagabalus, 218-222. Hexassarion (Bronze, 36 mm, 24.56 g, 6 h), ...einos, son of Zotikos, grammateus. ΑΥΤ•ΚΑΙ•Μ•ΑΥΡ•ΑΝΤΩΝΕΙΝΟϹ• Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Elagabalus to right, seen from behind. Rev. ЄΠI [...]INOY ΣΩTIKOY MAΓ[N/HTΩN] Dionysos riding a bull, standing on a base to left, holding a thyrsos in his upright right hand and one of the bull's horns with his left; the bull's legs tightly bound; in front of him, a male figure, likely a priest, restraining the beast with a rope tightly bound around its horns; below the base, four Dendrophoroi walking to the left, each carrying a tree trunk over his shoulder. RPC online -. Unpublished and unique. A highly important piece with a wonderful reverse composition of great mythological interest. Plugged hole and with a scratch on the obverse and the reverse double struck, otherwise, very fine. From a European collection, formed before 2005. The reverse of this fascinating coin depicts Dionysos riding a bull, swinging his thyrsos in his right hand. The wild animal is bound by its legs and is being tamed by the god, who grips one of its horns. In front of the bull stands a male figure, likely a priest, who restrains the animal with a rope or leash tied around its horns. The figure's physical struggle, actively participating in the taming of the beast alongside the god, highlights the contrast between the untamed nature of the animal and the controlling force of the priest. Below the base on which the bull stands are four Dendrophoroi, each carrying a tree trunk over his shoulder. Dendrophoroi were cultic bearers of tree trunks or branches, typically symbolizing nature's fecundity and fertility - key themes in the Dionysian cult, especially in processions honoring the god. Thus, the reverse emphasizes Dionysos' dominion over the wild forces of nature. The detailed depiction of the priest and the Dendrophoroi suggests that the scene represents a local procession held in Magnesia in honor of Dionysos, during which the bull was likely sacrificed. It is noteworthy that the only other known emission from this magistrate (RPC VI online 5131), whose name is unfortunately only partially legible, also features a Dionysian theme: Dionysos is shown seated in a shrine on a cista mystica, and once again, a Dendrophoros is depicted on the left, approaching an altar. This points to another Dionysian scene, perhaps performed during the same local procession in Magnesia. Starting price: 200 CHF ILLUSTRAZIONE: Neck amphora with Dionysos riding a bull, c. 510 AD, L 194 - Martin von Wagner Museum - Würzburg, Germany

[torpedo]

Bella moneta.

[King John]

The Coin Cabinet Ltd. > Kallista Auction 2	Auction date: 27 March 2025
Lot number: 193 Price realized: This lot is for sale in an upcoming auction
Lot description: ROMAN EMPIRE. Lucius Verus. Bronze Medallion, AD 165. Rome. Obv: L AVREL VERVS AVG ARMENIACVS IMP II TR P V COS II, laureate and cuirassed bust left. Rev: Hercules standing slightly right, head facing, raising hand to head and holding club and lion skin; tree to left, on which hangs bow-in-bowcase, and altar to right. About Extremely Fine; lightly reworked surfaces, otherwise exceptional and an absolute delight in hand. Roman medallions were large, high-quality coin-like pieces, not utilised as currency but instead given as prestigious gifts, often to military commanders, officials, or foreign dignitaries. Struck in gold, silver, or bronze, they allowed emperors to commemorate victories, reinforce their image, and spread political messages. Unlike ordinary coins, medallions offered ample space for elaborate designs, sometimes depicting the emperor in the guise of gods or heroes to emphasise power and divine favour. This exceptional medallion was struck during the later years of the campaign against Parthia (AD 161–166). While Lucius Verus led the war, his co-emperor Marcus Aurelius remained in Rome. Aurelius, the senior emperor, was seen as a philosophical, disciplined, and dutiful ruler, deeply committed to Stoic ideals. In contrast, sources such as Cassius Dio (Roman History, Book 71) and the Historia Augusta paint Verus as indulgent, criticising his love of luxury, games, and lavish feasts. Both sources suggest that Avidius Cassius, one of Rome’s most capable generals, was the true architect of victory, while Verus remained largely disengaged, spending much of his time in cities like Antioch, which had plenty to offer a wealthy hedonist. Nevertheless, we observe on this present medallion a thoroughly strong and capable leader, steadfast and triumphant in full military regalia. Such a portrayal can be seen as a response to the growing recognition of Cassius’ role in the Parthian campaign. To further assert his own authority and military strength, Verus used Hercules as a symbol on the reverse, linking himself to the hero’s renowned qualities of endurance and strength. By depicting himself in this way, Verus sought to reinforce his image as a ruler of equal stature to Aurelius and secure his status as Rome’s champion abroad, despite his more hands-off role in the war. Reference: Gnecchi-27, pl. 75, 1; Hess-Divo 309, lot 171; Naumann 51, lot 564 Rarity: Exceedingly Rare; only 4 others on CoinArchives. Die Axis: 1h. Diameter: 42 mm. Weight: 49.40 g. Estimate: 5000 GBP

[King John]

Numismatica Ibercoin > Online Auction 105	Auction date: 18 December 2024
Lot number: 1369 Price realized: 75 EUR   (Approx. 79 USD)   Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees.
Lot description: MALACA (Málaga). Semis. (Ae. 6,98g/22mm). 200-20 a.C. (FAB-1733). Anv: Cabeza de Vulcano a la derecha, detrás de la leyenda púnica y tenazas. Rev: Estrella de ocho rayos dentro de corona de laurel. MBC+. Realzada. Bonito ejemplar. Starting price: 60 EUR ILLUSTRAZIONE: PARTICOLARE DEL MOSAICO NELL'AMBULACRO DELLA GRANDE CACCIA, VILLA ROMANA DEL CASALE DI PIAZZA ARMERINA

[santone]

Entrambi di notevole bellezza 

[King John]

Classical Numismatic Group > Triton XXVIII	Auction date: 14 January 2025
Lot number: 236 Price realized: 400,000 USD   (Approx. 392,320 EUR)   Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees.
Lot description: ARKADIA, Pheneos. Circa 360-350/40 BC. AR Stater (25mm, 11.95 g, 2h). Head of Demeter to right, wearing grain wreath, elaborate disc and crescent earring with pendants, and pearl necklace / Hermes, nude but for his petasos and for a cloak over his shoulders, partially facing and moving to the left, holding a kerykeion in his right hand; his head is turned back to right to gaze at the infant Arkas, whom he holds on his left arm with his left hand and who raises his right hand towards Hermes' face; Θ between Hermes' legs, ΦΕ-ΝΕ-ΩΝ around lower right edge. Schultz 2 (V2/R1); BCD Peloponnesos 1615 (same dies); HGC 5, 975; Boston MFA 1266 (same dies); Du Chastel 243 (same dies). Toned, trace deposits on reverse. Choice EF. Very rare. A magnificent, sharply struck coin of great freshness and beauty, one of the finest known examples. From the Columbus Collection. Ex Cabinet W (Triton XV, 3 January 2012), lot 1013, purchased privately from the BCD Collection in 2005. The stater coinage of Pheneos was likely a rather limited series, being struck from only three obverse and seven reverse dies, with the first obverse die breaking almost immediately. These coins were probably created to pay mercenaries in the tumultuous years around 360 BC, when war raged across Greece. The beautiful, artistic style and fine engraving highlights the civic pride that was core to the design and production of classical Greek coinage. Here, the head of Demeter is rendered in particularly elegant style, accentuated by the remarkable strike and preservation of the present example. On the reverse, the figure of Hermes with the infant Arkas is reminiscent of the famous Hermes of Praxitiles, carved around 343 BC in nearby Olympia. Estimate: 300000 USD ILLUSTRAZIONE: HERMES E DIONISO BAMBINO, KRATER ETRUSCO DEL 440 A.C., MUSEI VATICANI