Le più belle rappresentazioni di guerrieri

[King John]

Leu Numismatik AG > Web Auction 13	Auction date: 15 August 2020
Lot number: 963
Lot description: SYRIA, Seleucis and Pieria. Antioch. Caracalla, 198-217. Tetradrachm (Billon, 25 mm, 14.24 g, 6 h), 213-217 (probably circa 214-215). ΑΥΤ Κ•Μ•Α•ΑΝΤΩΝЄΙΝΟC C•ЄΒ Laureate head of Caracalla to right. Rev. •ΔΗΜΑΡΧ ЄΞ [ΥΠ]Α•ΤΟ•Δ• Eagle with spread wings standing facing on leg and thigh of a sacrificial animal, head to right and holding wreath in beak. McAlee 677. Prieur 217. Good extremely fine. Starting Price: 50 CHF

[King John]

Continuo con la carrellata di ricostruzioni fedeli dei volti dei principali Imperatori Romani realizzate dal comunicatore visivo Daniel Voshart.

Voshart nel 2015 ha completato un Master in Architettura presso l'Università di Toronto, con particolare attenzione al design sostenibile e alla realtà virtuale. Ha in programma di unire le sue sensibilità spaziali ed estetiche sviluppate durante il suo periodo come direttore della fotografia alla sua carriera in architettura e in cinematografia.

 

Savoca Numismatik GmbH & Co. KG > Online Auction 82 | Silver	Auction date: 26 July 2020
Lot number: 306 Price realized: 110 EUR   (Approx. 128 USD)   Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees.
Lot description: Vespasian AD 69-79. Rome    Denarius AR   16 mm, 3,32 g IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG, laureate head right / COS ITER TR POT, Pax seated left, holding branch and caduceus. very fine RIC 10. Starting Price: 50 EUR

[Matteo91]

@King John Progetto molto interessante! Forse lo proporrei nella sezione delle monete imperiale; qui potrebbe passare un po' inosservato...

[King John]

ISLANDS OFF IONIA, Samos. Gallienus, 253-268. Tetrassarion (Bronze, 29 mm, 12.90 g, 6 h). AYT ΠO ΛIK ΓAΛΛIHNOΣ AYΓΟ Radiate and draped bust to left, holding spear and shield. Rev. CAMIΩN Achilles, helmeted and naked, standing facing, head left, holding round shield in left hand; below shield and behind the legs, uncertain long object (vine trunk?). BMC -. BMFA -. Lindgren I+III -. Imhoof-Blumer KM -. SNG Copenhagen -. SNG Glasgow -. SNG Leypold -. SNG Righetti -. SNG von Aulock -. Apparently unpublished and unique. The figure on the reverse is clearly different from the usual warrior in chiton advancing right on prow and gesturing troops to follow (BMC 348 and 384): not only is the hero resting, but he is also naked, with the exception of wearing a helmet. The latter is clearly reminiscent of the Samos issue with Achilles stabbing Penhesilea, the queen of the Amazons, in battle during the siege of Troy (BMFA 1984.257 and Auctiones GmbH 18, 2013, 51). Another similarity lies in the uncertain object behind the legs, which also appears on the Boston and Auctiones examples: it might be part of a long clamys, although its supporting position points towards a more static object, possibly a vine trunk. While this identification remains uncertain for the time being, there can be little doubt that the hero is, in fact, Achilles the Thessalian, the strongest warrior of the Greeks. 

illustrazione: ACHILLE E LA NEREIDE CIMOTOE

Modificato 6 Agosto, 2020 da King John

[King John]

Roma Numismatics Ltd > E-Sale 73	Auction date: 23 July 2020
Lot number: 246 Price realized: 2,200 GBP   (Approx. 2,801 USD / 2,416 EUR)   Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees.
Lot description: Kingdom of Macedon, Philip II AR Tetradrachm. Pella, circa 342/1-337/6 BC. Laureate head of Zeus right / Youth on horseback right, holding reins and long palm branch; thunderbolt below, ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΥ around, N in exergue. Le Rider 246c & g (D134/R198); HGC 3, 864; SNG ANS 384-95; SNG Alpha Bank 272; SNG Fitzwilliam 2047; SNG Saroglos 49-50; Gulbenkian 816. 14.40g, 25mm, 12h. Extremely Fine; scrape to obv. Ex Dr. G.W. Collection; Ex Schweizerische Kreditanstalt (Crédit Suisse), List 52, 1989, lot 48. Estimate: 1250 GBP

[King John]

Jesus Vico S.A. > Online Auction 9	Auction date: 16 July 2020
Lot number: 47 Price realized: 290 EUR   (Approx. 332 USD)
Lot description: Grecia Antigua CALABRIA. TARENTUM. Didracma. A/ Jinete a der., detrás GY. R/ Taras a izq. con Niké con corona y cornucopia; detrás haz de rayos, debajo TARAS, delante G L U. AR 6,53 g. SBG-No. COP-No. MBC+/MBC. Starting Price: 180 EUR illustrazione: A GREEK TERRACOTTA HORSE HEAD | TARENTINE, CLASSICAL PERIOD, CIRCA 4TH CENTURY B.C. | Ancient Art & Antiquities, fragments |Manufatto venduto all'asta da Christie's

[King John]

Leu Numismatik AG > Web Auction 13	Auction date: 15 August 2020
Lot number: 551
NABATAEA. Aretas IV, with Shaqilat, 9 BC-AD 40. AE (Bronze, 14 mm, 1.55 g, 12 h), Petra. Aretas IV standing front, head to left, holding spear in his right hand and resting his left on sword in sheath; before, palm frond; to upper right, ? ('ḥ' in Aramaic). Rev. Shaqilat standing front, head to left, raising her right hand; to left, wreath; to right, ??/??/? ('shqylt' in Aramaic). Huth 80. Meshorer, Nabataea, 97. An unusually clear example. The obverse struck somewhat off center, otherwise, very fine. Starting Price: 25 CHF

[King John]

Gerhard Hirsch Nachfolger > Auction 361	Auction date: 24 September 2020
Lot number: 2463
RÖMISCHE MÜNZEN, RÖMISCHES KAISERREICH PHILIPPUS I. ARABS. 244-249, Sesterz. Belorbeerte, drapierte und gepanzerte Büste r. Rs: Mars steht l. mit Olivenzweig, Speer und Schild. C. 146. R.I.C. 152. Grüne Patina. fast vz Seit den frühen 1980er Jahren in deutschem Privatbesitz. Estimate: 250 EUR ILLUSTRAZIONE: STATUA DI MARTE

[King John]

Auktionshaus H. D. Rauch GmbH, Auction 79, lot 2056, 17/11/2006

Griechische Münzen Italien - Makedonien
LUKANIEN - Metapontum
Metapontum
Stater (6,78 g), 4./3. Jhdt. Av.: Ähre. Rv.: Apollo steht links, hält Zweig und Bogen. SNG Cop:1185. RR s.sch.
Estimate: EUR 500

ILLUSTRAZIONE: APOLLO E DAFNE

 

Modificato 14 Agosto, 2020 da King John

[King John]

SICILY, Alontion . Circa 241-210 BC. Æ 19mm (6.34 gm). Male head left wearing Phrygian helmet / ALONTINWN, man-headed bull standing left with water flowing from its mouth; crab in exergue. SNG ANS -; Calciati I pg. 67, 2; BMC Sicily pg. 30, 5; SNG Copenhagen 144; SNG Morcom -; Laffaille, "Choix de Monnaies Grecques en Bronze," 51 (this coin); Laffaille 134 var. (no crab); Virzi 749. EF, dark green, almost black, patina. Very rare. Probably the finest known example of this type.

Provenance: Classical Numismatic Group, Inc.

Triton V of 15.01.2002, lot.142.

ILLUSTRAZIONE: ELMO ALATO SORMONTATO DA GRIFONE PROVENIENTE DALLA MAGNA GRAECIA (350-300 A.C.), GETTY VILLA, MALIBU

 

[King John]

Heritage World Coin Auctions > Dallas Signature Sale 3085	Auction date: 5 August 2020
Lot number: 30011
Ancients THRACO-MACEDONIAN TRIBES. The Bisaltae. Ca. 480-465 BC. AR octodrachm (32mm, 28.50 gm). NGC AU 5/5 - 3/5, marks. Graeco-Asiatic standard. CΙ-ΣΑΛ-ΤΙΚΩΝ, bridled horse prancing right, on his far side nude warrior 'Ares' standing right, shoulders facing, wearing causia and holding two spears horizontally / Shallow quadripartite incuse square. cf. Svoronos plate XI, 6 (legend breaks). cf. BMC 1-2. cf. SNG ANS 919. Ex Swiss collection (Numismatica Ars Classica, Auction 114, 6 May 2019), lot 141; A. Tkalec, private sale in 1994 The Bisaltae were one of the powerful Thraco-Macedonian tribes that struck coinage in the late 6th and early 5th centuries. Estimate: 30000-35000 USD

[King John]

Roma Numismatics, Auction XVIII, 29-09-2019, Lot 666. Battuto a 6.500 Sterline

Cyprus, Salamis AR Stater. Evagoras I, circa 411-374 BC. Head of bearded Herakles wearing lion skin headdress to right, Cypriot script before / Goat with long horns and beard lying to right on dotted ground line; combined Greek and Cypriot letters around; letter to right. BMC 55 var.; Boston 2144 var.; Tziambazis 113 var. 10.87g, 24mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine. Remarkably well struck and preserved for this type. Very Rare.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction V, 23 March 2013, lot 438.

Coinage commenced in Cyprus around 525 BC, with the city of Salamis minting a primitive currency which from its earliest days featured the type of a ram lying down on its obverse. This design would remain common on the coinage of Salamis, no doubt implying that the region's economy was heavily reliant on goat herding. Interestingly, in these early days the reverse was blank and flat, without even a punch mark. In this respect the coins of Salamis differ significantly from those of Greece or Asia Minor.

Evagoras I, the greatest king of Salamis, claimed descent from Teukros son of Telamon and half-brother of Ajax. Having failed to avenge his brother's death, Teukros was thus prevented from returning home from the Trojan war and supposedly settled in Salamis, becoming the mythical founder of the city. But Evagoras was born under the rule of the Phoenician usurpers, and according to Isokrates, was so possessed of "beauty... strength... manly courage, wisdom and justice" that "one of the princes, starting a conspiracy, slew the tyrant and attempted to arrest Evagoras, believing that he would not be able to retain the rule himself unless he should get him out of the way." First escaping to Soloi in Cilicia, then returning with a picked band of fifty men, Evagoras attacked the palace by night and established himself as ruler of the city.

The king produced a substantial issue of coinage in support of Athens and to further his ambitions for the domination of Cyprus. Indeed, with Athenian aid Evagoras succeeded in extending his rule over the greater part of the island, and even conquered several cities in Phoenicia, including Tyre. Yet when Athenian support was withdrawn under the terms of the Peace of Antalkidas, Evagoras continued to fight alone against the Persian Empire, which resulted in an invasion of the island that effectively reduced him to the status of a vassal king. In 374 he was assassinated by a eunuch for motives of private revenge, and was succeeded by his son, Nikokles.

The inscription on the reverse of this coin is written in a combination of Cypriot syllabic and Greek characters. Although Cypriots were Greeks and their language a dialect of Greek, their written language was recorded in an older and more difficult system, the Cypriot syllabary, which was ultimately derived from the Linear A script of the Minoans. Evagoras has been called a pioneer of the adoption of the Greek alphabet in Cyprus in place of the older Cypriot syllabary.

[King John]

Classical Numismatic Group > Auction 115	Auction date: 16 September 2020
Lot number: 628
Lot description: Nero. AD 54-68. Æ Sestertius (35mm, 23.98 g, 6h). Lugdunum (Lyon) mint. Struck circa AD 66. Laureate head left, globe at point of neck / Nero on horseback riding right, holding spear; behind him, soldier on horseback riding right, holding vexillum. RIC I 508; WCN 448; Lyon 187. Dark green patina, earthen deposits, a hint of smoothing. Good VF. Reverse struck in high relief. Ex Classical Numismatic Group 94 (18 September 2013), lot 1146; Classical Numismatic Group 90 (23 May 2012), lot 1467; Numismatica Ars Classica N (26 June 2003), lot 1788. Estimate: 2500 USD

[King John]

Bertolami Fine Arts - ACR Auctions > E-Auction 92	Auction date: 2 October 2020
Lot number: 1186
Lot description: Domitian (Caesar, 69-81), Denarius, Rome, 77-8. AR (g 2,98; mm 18; h 5). CAESAR AVG F DOMITIAN[VS], Laureate head r., Rv. Soldier on horseback rearing r., raising r. hand; COS V below. RIC 957 (Vespasian); RSC 49a. Toned, good very fine Starting Price: 60 GBP

[King John]

Classical Numismatic Group, Electronic Auction 358, lot 29, 26/08/2015

THRACO-MACEDONIAN REGION, Uncertain. 5th-4th centuries BC. AR Hemiobol (7mm, 0.27 g, 6h). Facing gorgoneion / Crested helmet within incuse square. LHS 100, lot 197 (Maroneia), otherwise apparently unpublished. Near VF, a little porous. Ex Classical Numismatic Group 78 (14 May 2008), lot 305.LHS attributed their piece based on the similarity of style of the gorgoneion to known obols at Maroneia (Schönert-Geiss 354-6). The helmet, however, is problematic. First, an equal argument can be made for the similarity of the helmet to those on the issues of the early Macedonian kings as well as a number of mercenary issues in Magna Graecia. Second, a helmet never appears as a type at Maroneia. Finally, all of the issues of Maroneia prior to the second century BC include either some form of horse or grapes, neither of which appears here. Nonetheless, the characteristics of the flan, as well as the general style, suggest a placement in the Thraco-Macedonian region.

[King John]

CNG, Triton XV, lot 667, 3/01/2012

THESSALY, Pharsalos. Early 4th century BC. Æ Chalkous (12mm, 1.36 g, 10h). Head of Athena r., wearing triple drop earring and a crested Attic helmet with ear flaps raised, decorated by Skylla to r. / Φ below, A to r., sideways, P retrograde above l., helmeted horseman prancing r., his r. arm raised above his head, brandishing a lagobolon (here partly off flan). Lavva -, but type similar to group B.II.8. Near VF, dark green patina; the rev. die not fully in the small flan.

[King John]

Numismatik Naumann, SKU: 0296, 9/04/2020

THESSALY. Pharsalos. Drachm (Late 5th-mid 4th century BC).

Obv: Helmeted head of Athena right, helmet decorated with scanning Skylla.
Rev: ΦAPΣ.   Horseman right, brandishing lagobolon; B and Φ on horse; MTH below.
BCD Thessaly II 642 corr. (letters below horse).
Condition: Good very fine.  Weight: 6.03 g. Diameter: 20 mm.

[King John]

Roma Numismatics Limited, E-Live Auction 4, lot 216, 29/11/2018

Greek
Macedon, Koinon of Macedon Æ26. Pseudo-autonomous issue struck during the reign of Severus Alexander. Beroea, circa AD 222-235. AΛЄΞANΔPOY, diademed head of Alexander III 'the Great' to right / KOINON MAKЄΔONΩN •B•N•, warrior standing facing, head left, holding reverted spear and parazonium. AMNG 517 var. (reverse legend). 12.85g, 26mm, 7h.
Very Fine.
From a private UK collection.

ILLUSTRAZIONE: L'IMPERO CREATO DA ALESSANDRO IL GRANDE

[King John]

[King John]

2 minuti fa, Scudo1901 dice:

Io non so se tutti vi rendete conto dell’incredibile lavoro divulgativo e culturale che costituisce questo infinito (e che spero rimanga tale, ovvero che non finisca mai ?) post a cura di @King John.

E’ una selezione da aste e listini del mondo straordinariamente curata, intelligente, senza ripetizioni, ricca di riferimenti storiografici, estetici, architettonici, letterari, che consentono una conoscenza della monetazione classica che ha pochi eguali.

Andrebbe raccolta e sistemata in un volume anche online e presa come testo di riferimento nei corsi di numismatica greca e romana di tutto il mondo. 
 

Oh mamma mia.....non esagerare...Troppo buono, mi confondi! Raccolgo solo le immagini che ogni giorno fanno innamorare di nuovo delle monete antiche me e ogni altra persona che ha il senso del bello...

[King John]

Gorny & Mosch Giessener Münzhandlung, Auction 269, lot 1323, 9/03/2020

MISCELLAN
SCHMUCK
Silberne Ringplatte. Hellenistisch, 2. - 1. Jh. v. Chr. 1,4 x 0,95cm (0,61g). Querovales Silberplättchen mit erhabenem Relief. Zeus in Gestalt eines Schwanes zwischen den Beinen der auf dem Rücken liegenden Leda.
Zahlreiche kleine Kratzer, ss
Die Vereinigung zwischen der spartanischen Königstochter Leda mit dem zu einem Schwan verwandelten Göttervater Zeus regte bereits in der Antike die Vorstellung der Menschen an. Von weitreichender mythologischer Bedeutung ist die Geschichte deshalb, weil dieser Verbindung nicht nur die Dioskuren, sondern vor allen Dingen die schöne Helena entsprang, deren Entführung durch Paris später den Anlass zum Krieg zwischen Griechen und Trojaner gab. Frühe Darstellungen waren zunächst durch die Statue des Timotheus aus dem 4. Jh. v. Chr. beeinflusst, bei der die Erotik noch verhalten dargestellt wurde. Doch schon in hellenistischer Zeit verbreitete sich ein Typus, der unverhohlen den Akt zwischen Tier und Mensch zum Gegenstand hat. s. dazu zum Beispiel das Siegel des Heinrich von Suderlant mit Abruck einer Gemme aus dem späten 1. Jh. v. Chr.: E. Zwierlein-Diehl, Antike Gemmen und ihr Nachleben (2007) S. 470 zu Abb. 845 und Taf. 192 mit Abb. 845. Zu diesem Typus, der neuzeitlich 1530 von Michelangelo aufgegriffen wurde (vgl. eine Kopie des Gemäldes in der National Gallery in London), gehört auch unser Stück.

ILLUSTRAZIONE: Leda and the Swan marble relief - found Argos, from Roman period, circa 50-100 AD - at the British Museum

Modificato 17 Settembre, 2020 da King John

[King John]

1) Moneta di Adriano raffigurante la Statua di Zeus Olimpio ad Olimpia,  legenda "Jupiter Victor",

2) Moneta di epoca Adrianea coniata ad Elide , raffigurante la Statua di Zeus Olimpia ad Olimpia.

Illustrazione: Statua crisoelefantina di Zeus collocata nel tempio di Zeus Olimpio a Olimpia, alta 12 metri, realizzata da Fidia nel 436 a.C.

Modificato 17 Settembre, 2020 da King John

[King John]

ALTRA RAPPRESENTAZIONE DELLA STATUA CRISOELEFANTINA DI ZEUS, COLLOCATA NEL TEMPIO DI OLIMPIA Numismatica Ars Classica > Auction 120, 6/10/2020, lot 837

Licinius I, 308 – 324 Aureus, Antiochia 320-321, AV 5.30 g. LICINIVS AVG OB D V FILII SVI Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust facing. Rev. IOVI CONS – LICINI AVG Jupiter seated facing enthroned on platform, holding Victory on globe in r. hand and sceptre in l.; in field l., eagle with wreath in beak and in r. field, star. The platform is inscribed SIC X / SIC XX. In exergue, •SMAE. C 128. Alföldi 263. RIC 32. Kent-Hirmer pl. 159, 622. Depeyrot 37/4. Calicó 5097. Very rare. A magnificent portrait of excellent style perfectly struck on a full flan. Good extremely fine The facing portrait on Roman coins was an extremely rare occurrence until the reign of Constantius II, who eventually adopted the form as his standard obverse type at eastern mints. However, the form he used was simplistic in comparison to earlier attempts: the face of the emperor was small and inarticulate, with the true impact of the design being derived from the form and the ornamentation of the armoured, helmeted bust, which could be easily replicated on a large scale. By contrast, this aureus of Licinius represents an impressive attempt to capture the spirit of the emperor as an individual, not merely as a universal being. Four important issues of gold with facing busts were produced from c. 310 to c. 321. The first was by Maxentius on aurei of c. 310-312, and the second by Constantine on solidi of 316; the former was shown bare-headed and bearded, in the guise of a model Tetrarch, the latter was shown nimbate and clean-shaven, as a reflection of his unique brand of monotheism, which embraced solar worship and the Christian faith. Similarities in the style of the two issues make it possible that both were the work of the same artist, who initially worked for Maxentius, and who remained in Italy after Constantine's takeover and produced a facing-head for his new master. Following these two coinages are the solidi of c. 321 struck for Licinius I and Licinius II, and we should not doubt that they were inspired by one or both of the predecessor issues. The Licinian solidi mark a special event, the taking of imperial vows. The statue of Jupiter rests upon a monumental base inscribed SIC X SIC XX, a substitute for the usual votum, in which Licinius gives thanks for ten years of rulership and demonstrates a desire to reign for twenty. Based on this alone, the issue might be attributed to 317, when those vows were taken on the occasion of Licinius' decennalia, but a formula cleverly integrated into the obverse inscription, OB D V (ob diem quinquennalium), alludes to the quinquennalia (fifth anniversary) of his son Licinius II, for whom a companion issue of facing-head solidi was struck. Thus, we must date this aureus to c. 320/321. Equally worthy of comment is the reverse type, on which Jupiter makes one of his last appearances on Roman coinage. This can be seen as evidence of the simmering hostilities between Constantine and Licinius, who not only were co-emperors, but were brothers-in-law. Their rivalry increasingly took on a religious tone, with Constantine now favouring Christianity and Licinius embracing the supreme pagan god – partly because of his own beliefs, partly in opposition to Constantine. Licinius had initially adopted religious ambiguity in 313 as a token of good faith toward Constantine, who early in that year had issued the 'Edict of Milan' in both of their names. Here that position is rejected: the inscription describes Jupiter as the protector of Licinius, and the god is represented by an especially powerful and ancient image, seemingly derived from Phidias' famous gold and ivory statue in the Temple of Zeus at Olympia. contrast, this aureus of Licinius represents an impressive attempt to capture the spirit of the emperor as an individual, not merely as a universal being. Four important issues of gold with facing busts were produced from c. 310 to c. 321. The first was by Maxentius on aurei of c. 310-312, and the second by Constantine on solidi of 316; the former was shown bare-headed and bearded, in the guise of a model Tetrarch, the latter was shown nimbate and clean-shaven, as a reflection of his unique brand of monotheism, which embraced solar worship and the Christian faith. Similarities in the style of the two issues make it possible that both were the work of the same artist, who initially worked for Maxentius, and who remained in Italy after Constantine's takeover and produced a facing-head for his new master. Following these two coinages are the solidi of c. 321 struck for Licinius I and Licinius II, and we should not doubt that they were inspired by one or both of the predecessor issues. The Licinian solidi mark a special event, the taking of imperial vows. The statue of Jupiter rests upon a monumental base inscribed SIC X SIC XX, a substitute for the usual votum, in which Licinius gives thanks for ten years of rulership and demonstrates a desire to reign for twenty. Based on this alone, the issue might be attributed to 317, when those vows were taken on the occasion of Licinius' decennalia, but a formula cleverly integrated into the obverse inscription, OB D V (ob diem quinquennalium), alludes to the quinquennalia (fifth anniversary) of his son Licinius II, for whom a companion issue of facing-head solidi was struck. Thus, we must date this aureus to c. 320/321. Equally worthy of comment is the reverse type, on which Jupiter makes one of his last appearances on Roman coinage. This can be seen as evidence of the simmering hostilities between Constantine and Licinius, who not only were co-emperors, but were brothers-in-law. Their rivalry increasingly took on a religious tone, with Constantine now favouring Christianity and Licinius embracing the supreme pagan god – partly because of his own beliefs, partly in opposition to Constantine. Licinius had initially adopted religious ambiguity in 313 as a token of good faith toward Constantine, who early in that year had issued the 'Edict of Milan' in both of their names. Here that position is rejected: the inscription describes Jupiter as the protector of Licinius, and the god is represented by an especially powerful and ancient image, seemingly derived from Phidias' famous gold and ivory statue in the Temple of Zeus at Olympia. Estimate: 20000 CHF

Modificato 16 Settembre, 2020 da King John

[King John]

Roma Numismatics Ltd > Auction XX	Auction date: 29 October 2020
Lot number: 7
Carthaginian Spain, Barcid Dominion AR Dishekel. South-western region of Gadir, circa 237-228 BC. Diademed male head (Hamilcar?) to left, with hanging ties / Prow of galley to right, with rostra, oars, two shields on deck and a wreathed forepost, to which is attached a pennant; hippocamp in exergue. MHC, Class II, 14 (same dies); ACIP 542; AB 481. 14.72g, 27mm, 11h. Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare, and among the finest known examples. From the Long Valley River Collection; Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XII, 29 September 2016, lot 6; Ex collection of M.D. (United Kingdom); Privately purchased from David Morgan. In 237 BC Hamilcar Barca, after having lost the First Punic War against Rome, but having won the Mercenary War against the Libyans, disembarked at Gadir with a Carthaginian expedition for the purpose of "re-establishing Carthaginian authority in Iberia" (Polybios, Histories, 2.1.6), and within nine years he had expanded the territory of Carthage well into the Iberian peninsula, securing control of the southern mining district of Baetica and Sierra Morena, before dying in battle in 228. Hamilcar was succeeded by his son-in-law Hasdrubal the Fair who expanded the new province by skilful diplomacy and consolidated it with the foundation of Akra Leuka, Mahon and finally in 227, Qart Hadasht (Latin: Carthago Nova) as his capital. After his untimely death in 221 he was succeeded by Hannibal (247-182), oldest son of Hamilcar Barca, and Hamilcar's second son Hasdrubal (245-207 BC). The Barcids now wielded control over much of the mineral rich Mediterranean side of the peninsula until 219 when Hannibal made the fateful move of taking and sacking Saguntum, a well established Roman ally. The wholesale slaughter of this Roman ally's population, and the arrogance with which the Roman ambassadors sent to Carthage to seek redress were met, led directly to the Second Punic War: the great statesman Quintus Fabius, speaking to the Carthaginian senate, gathered a fold of his toga to his chest and held it out, saying "Here, we bring you peace and war. Take which you will." The Carthaginians replied "Whichever you please - we do not care." Fabius let the fold drop and proclaimed "We give you war." The obverse of this coinage is popularly believed to depict Hamilcar Barca (or depict his features assimilated into Herakles-Melqart), who had after 247 commanded Carthage's fleet and army in the Sicilian theatre of the First Punic War. The reverse of this type clearly alludes to the Carthaginian tradition of being a primarily naval power, and probably more specifically, to a renewed strengthening of the fleet, which had been so devastated in the war - according to Polybius' estimates, Carthage had lost 500 ships and he commented that the war was, at the time, the most destructive in terms of casualties in the history of warfare, including the battles of Alexander the Great. Yet despite rebuilding their ships, Carthage's naval supremacy and the confidence to use them aggressively had been broken. Although Hamilcar himself had been an able admiral, after his death Carthaginian commanders (including his sons) appear not to have been sufficiently confident to aggressively challenge the Romans at sea in the Second Punic War, which in contrast to the preceding war, was largely a land-based conflict. Estimate: 15000 GBP ILLUSTRAZIONE: NAVE DA GUERRA CARTAGINESE

[King John]

Roma Numismatics Ltd > Auction XX	Auction date: 29 October 2020
Lot number: 81
Sicily, Syracuse AR Drachm. Time of Dionysios I, circa 405-400 BC. Head of Athena facing three-quarters left, wearing triple-crested Attic helmet; on either side, two dolphins snout to snout; [ΣΥΡΑΚΟΣΙΟΝ around] / Naked Leukaspis advancing right, wearing crested helmet and holding spear in right hand and oval shield in left; sword suspended by strap over right shoulder; square altar ornamented with garland in background left, and to right, forepart of slain ram on its back; ΣΥΡΑ[ΚΟΣΙΟΝ] around; [ΛΕΥΚΑΣΠΙΣ] in exergue. Jameson 810 (same dies); Boehringer, Essays Thompson pl. 38, 6 (same); SNG ANS 310 (same); BMFA 420; Kunstfreund 121; Rizzo pl. XLII, 1; HGC 2, 1364. 3.98g, 18mm, 3h. Good Very Fine; well detailed, original 'find' patina. Very Rare. From the inventory of a European dealer, outside of Italy prior to December 1992. Estimate: 1500 GBP