Le più belle rappresentazioni di guerrieri

[King John]

Classical Numismatic Group > Electronic Auction 562	Auction date: 15 May 2024
Lot number: 134 Price realized: This lot is for sale in an upcoming auction
Lot description: PHRYGIA, Kibyra. Circa 166-84 BC. AR Drachm (16mm, 2.76 g, 12h). Helmeted head of male right / Warrior, holding couched spear, on horse galloping right; monogram to upper left, anchor below. HGC 7, 706; BMC 6. Faintly toned, underlying luster, hairline flan crack, weakly struck on obverse. EF. Estimate: 200 USD

Modificato 7 Maggio da King John

[torpedo]

Bellissima la scena col cavallo al galoppo.

[santone]

Bella scena di rovescio 

[King John]

Leu Numismatik AG > Auction 15	Auction date: 1 June 2024
Lot number: 198 Price realized: This lot is for sale in an upcoming auction
Lot description: Ti. Veturius, 137 BC. Denarius (Silver, 20 mm, 3.93 g, 4 h), Rome. Draped bust of Mars to right, wearing crested Corinthian helmet; behind, TI•VET and X (mark of value). Rev. ROMA Oath-taking scene: two soldiers facing each other, each of them holding sword and spear, both touching with the blade of their swords a pig, being held by man kneeling to left with his head raised toward the soldier on the right. Babelon (Veturia) 1. Crawford 234/1. RBW 969. Sydenham 527. A very attractive piece, beautifully toned and with a fine pedigree. Very light die rust on the obverse and minor flan faults on the reverse, otherwise, good extremely fine. From the collection of Regierungsrat Dr. iur. Hans Krähenbühl, Leu 8, 23 October 2021, 210, ex Münzen & Medaillen AG 52, 19-20 June 1975, 312, and from the collection of Justizrat Dr. iur. et phil. H. C. Ernst Justus Haeberlin, Cahn & Hess, 17 July 1933, 513. Estimate: 1000 CHF

[King John]

Numismatik Naumann (formerly Gitbud & Naumann), Auction 35, lot 599, 6/09/2025

TRAJAN (98-117). Denarius. Rome. Obv: IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P. Laureate head right, with slight drapery. Rev: COS V P P SPQR OPTIMO PRINC / DAC CAP. Bound Dacian captive seated right on pile of arms. Woytek 276b; RIC 96. Condition: Near extremely fine. Weight: 3.25 g. Diameter: 18 mm.

[King John]

Nomos AG > Auction 32	Auction date: 8 June 2024
Lot number: 47 Price realized: This lot is for sale in an upcoming auction
Lot description: The Anthony Milavic Collection of Ancient Games Coins Games Officials Gymnasiarch CILICIA. Anazarbus. Valerian I, 253-260. AE (Bronze, 28 mm, 12.33 g, 6 h), year ΒΟC = 272 = 253/4. ΑΥΤ Κ Π ΛΙΚ ΟΥΑΛЄΡΙΑΝΟC CЄ Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Valerian I to right. Rev. ΑΝΑΖΑΡΒ ΜΗΤΡΟ ΠΟ ЄΤ ΒΟC / Α Μ Κ / Γ Γ / ΓΥΜΝΑCΙΑΡΧΙΑ Valerian as a Gymnasiarch standing facing, head to left, holding his open right hand over a large basin on a pedestal; between the Gymnasiarch's feet and the pedestal, a large wineskin; on the left, palm branch. Burrell p. 229. RPC X online, 60266. SNG Levante 1515. SNG Paris 2159-2160. Ziegler 380. Attractive green patina. Good very fine. From the collection of Major Anthony F. Milavic, USMC (Ret.), acquired from T. Cederlind on 20 June 2002. The gymnasiarchia was the office that was in charge of a city's gymnasium, as well as being responsible for financing any games held there. Usually this was an honorary magistracy bestowed on an important citizen who would finance everything himself (or herself on some occasions). The large basin on a pedestal shown on this coin is what was known as a perirrhanterion or luter, which was used for ritual cleansing in sanctuaries and as an aid in washing off the oil and sand that covered the bodies of ancient athletes when their contests had finished. What seems to be a full wineskin, below the basin on the right, is a curious addition to the scene: could it be used for pouring out libations, or was it actually filled with water to refill the basin? Starting price: 750 CHF

[King John]

Nomos AG > Auction 32	Auction date: 8 June 2024
Lot number: 590 Price realized: This lot is for sale in an upcoming auction
Lot description: Roman Imperial & Provincial Theodosian Period, first quarter of the 5th century.. Contorniate medallion (Bronze, 43 mm, 37.19 g, 6 h), with the usual deep furrow between the edge and the field, struck circa 411-425. ANTONI-NVS PIVS Bare-headed, lightly bearded, draped and cuirassed bust of Caracalla to right, in the typically elongated 5th century style. Rev. SABVCIVS PINIAN-VS A bird catcher, wearing hunting attire, standing to right, holding, with both hands, a long staff with which he intends to capture a bird in the tree before him; leaning against the tree on the left, three extenders for his staff; on the right, next to the tree trunk, a viper, moving to left. Alföldi & Alföldi, Kontorniat, pp. 231-233, Rs 245 and pl. 179, 5 (this piece). J. Sabatier, Description Générale des Médaillons Contorniates. Paris, 1860. p. 88, 16 and pl. XIII, 16. Very rare and with a lovely khaki-green/tan patina. Minor faults from the manufacturing process, otherwise, nearly extremely fine. From a European collection and from the collection of W. Niggeler, III, Bank Leu & Münzen und Medaillen, 2 November 1967, 1604, ex Hess [141], 28 November 1912, 614, J. Hirsch XXII, 25 November 1908, 267 and from the collection of P. Charles Robert, Jules Sambon, 6 June 1898, 1322. The scene on the reverse is based on Aesop's Fable 21 (Perry 115), The fowler and the asp. It tells of a fowler, so intent on catching birds that he doesn't see a viper who, when stepped on, bites and kills him. As for the catching process: the hunter would spread lime on the end of his staff - which could be extended - and, thus, snare the bird. This contorniate bears the name of Sabucius Pinianus clarissimus, an otherwise unknown member of a very important family in Sicily, to which the Valerii, as Valerius Pinianus, the praefectus urbanus of Rome in 385-387, were closely related. In fact, the son of Valerius Pinianius, also named Valerius Pinianus (later known as Pinian c. 381-420 or 432), married Melania (c. 383-31 December 439), daughter of Valerius Publicola and Caeionia Albina. They were both Christians and she later became St. Melania the Younger. Interestingly enough, the family was also connected with Filosofiana, the great villa near Piazza Armerina. Starting price: 7500 CHF ILLUSTRAZIONE: SCENA DI CACCIA DAI MOSAICI DI PIAZZA ARMERINA

Modificato 10 Maggio da King John

[torpedo]

1 ora fa, King John dice:

Nomos AG > Auction 32	Auction date: 8 June 2024
Lot number: 590 Price realized: This lot is for sale in an upcoming auction
Lot description: Roman Imperial & Provincial Theodosian Period, first quarter of the 5th century.. Contorniate medallion (Bronze, 43 mm, 37.19 g, 6 h), with the usual deep furrow between the edge and the field, struck circa 411-425. ANTONI-NVS PIVS Bare-headed, lightly bearded, draped and cuirassed bust of Caracalla to right, in the typically elongated 5th century style. Rev. SABVCIVS PINIAN-VS A bird catcher, wearing hunting attire, standing to right, holding, with both hands, a long staff with which he intends to capture a bird in the tree before him; leaning against the tree on the left, three extenders for his staff; on the right, next to the tree trunk, a viper, moving to left. Alföldi & Alföldi, Kontorniat, pp. 231-233, Rs 245 and pl. 179, 5 (this piece). J. Sabatier, Description Générale des Médaillons Contorniates. Paris, 1860. p. 88, 16 and pl. XIII, 16. Very rare and with a lovely khaki-green/tan patina. Minor faults from the manufacturing process, otherwise, nearly extremely fine. From a European collection and from the collection of W. Niggeler, III, Bank Leu & Münzen und Medaillen, 2 November 1967, 1604, ex Hess [141], 28 November 1912, 614, J. Hirsch XXII, 25 November 1908, 267 and from the collection of P. Charles Robert, Jules Sambon, 6 June 1898, 1322. The scene on the reverse is based on Aesop's Fable 21 (Perry 115), The fowler and the asp. It tells of a fowler, so intent on catching birds that he doesn't see a viper who, when stepped on, bites and kills him. As for the catching process: the hunter would spread lime on the end of his staff - which could be extended - and, thus, snare the bird. This contorniate bears the name of Sabucius Pinianus clarissimus, an otherwise unknown member of a very important family in Sicily, to which the Valerii, as Valerius Pinianus, the praefectus urbanus of Rome in 385-387, were closely related. In fact, the son of Valerius Pinianius, also named Valerius Pinianus (later known as Pinian c. 381-420 or 432), married Melania (c. 383-31 December 439), daughter of Valerius Publicola and Caeionia Albina. They were both Christians and she later became St. Melania the Younger. Interestingly enough, the family was also connected with Filosofiana, the great villa near Piazza Armerina. Starting price: 7500 CHF ILLUSTRAZIONE: SCENA DI CACCIA DAI MAOSAICI DI PIAZZA ARMERINA

 

Bellissimo medaglione.

[King John]

Classical Numismatic Group, Triton IX, lot 1391, 10/01/2026

GAIUS (CALIGULA). 37-41 AD. Æ Sestertius (27.08 g, 7h). Rome mint. Struck 37-38 AD. C CAESAR AVG GERMANICVS P M TR POT, PIETAS in exergue, Pietas seated left on stool, holding patera in extended left hand and resting right forearm on small draped figure standing facing on basis / DIVO AVG above S C across field, Gaius, toga draped over his head, standing left, holding patera over garlanded altar; victimarius standing facing, holding bull for sacrifice; second attendant standing behind Gaius, holding a patera on either side; garlanded hexastyle temple of Divus Augustus in background, pediment decorated with sacrificial scene; triumphal quadriga and Victories as acroteria, statues of Romulus and Aeneas along roof line. RIC I 36; BMCRE 41; BN 51; Cohen 9. EF, glossy brown patina, speckled with red and dark green. Well struck from fresh dies. ($5000)
This coin commemorates the dedication of the temple of Divus Augustus, completed in 37 AD, with a remarkable scene of Gaius Caligula in his role of pontifex maximus leading the sacrificial ceremonies.

[King John]

Classical Numismatic Group, Triton X, lot 573, 9/01/2007

Gaius (Caligula). AD 37-41. Æ Sestertius (28.40 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck AD 39-40. C. CAESAR. DIVI. AVG. PRO.N. AVG. P. M. TR. P. III. P. P., PIETAS in exergue, Pietas seated left on stool, holding patera in extended right hand and resting left forearm on small draped figure standing facing on basis / DIVO AVG, S C across field, Gaius togate, standing left, holding patera in right hand over garlanded altar, raising hem of toga with left hand; victimarius holding bull for sacrifice and attendant holding a patera standing on either side; garlanded hexastyle temple of Divus Augustus in background; pediment decorated with sacrificial scene; quadriga and Victories as acroteria; statues of Romulus and Aeneas along roof line. RIC I 44; BMCRE p. 156, † (pl. 28, 9); BN 104; Cohen 10. Good VF, beautiful brown patina, surfaces lightly smoothed. Rare.
Ex Elsen FPL 211 (August-September 2000), lot 120 (cover coin).
Estimate: $3000

[King John]

Nomos AG > Auction 33	Auction date: 9 June 2024
Lot number: 1372 Price realized: This lot is for sale in an upcoming auction
Lot description: The Jonathan H. Kagan Collection of Ancient Greek Coins CARIA. Termera. Histiaios, Circa 490-480 BC. Stater (Silver, 20.58 mm, 11.06 g). Forepart of roaring lion to left, with an uncertain monogram on his shoulder. Rev. Ι - Σ - [Τ]Ι - Α Bearded male figure standing to right, wearing hunting attire, spearing a lion standing to left on its hind legs and attacking him; between them, large O; all within an incuse square. Cf. NH Online 2167 (but lacking the large circle). SNG Kayhan 1666 (= Baldwin's 34, 2003, 49). Traité II, 1, 918 and pl. XXV, 20 (as Issos). For this coinage in general, see: M. J. Price, Histaeus, son of Tymnes, Tyrant of Termera, Caria, NNF-NYTT 4, 1979, pp. 8-12, K.Konuk, Influences et elements achemenides dans le monnayage de la Carie, Varia Anatolica XII, 2000, pp. 171-183, but especially pp. 174-175 and pl. XXIX, 24-25. Extremely rare and with a remarkable reverse scene. Lightly toned. Somewhat rough surfaces and with an off-center obverse seemingly struck from a worn die, otherwise, very fine. From the Collection of Jonathan H. Kagan. Starting price: 500 CHF

ILLUSTRAZIONE: Late Protocorinthian olpe, made at Corinth, name-vase of the Chigi Painter, dated stylistically to ca. 650-640 BCE. Found just north of Veii, on the Chigi Estate, in a chamber tomb in a tumulus on Monte Aguzzo near Formello, in 1881.

[King John]

Numismatica Ars Classica, Auction 45, lot 2, 2/04/2008

The Barry Feirstein Collection Part IV
The Roman Republic
Stater circa 218-216, AV 6.82 g. Laureate Janiform head of the Dioscuri. Rev. Oath taking scene with two warriors, one Roman and the other representing the Italian allies, standing facing each other, holding spears and touching with their swords a pig held by a figure kneeling between them. In exergue, ROMA. Sydenham 69. Bahrfeldt 1 and pl. I, 8 (these dies). Crawford 28/1. Kent-Hirmer pl. 7, 14. Historia Numorum Italy 332. Treasures of Ancient Coinage, p. 64, 57 (this coin).
Extremely rare and among the finest specimens known and undoubtedly the best being
offered in a public sale in the last fifty years. Minor marks, otherwise extremely fine
Ex Sotheby’s 30 March 1995, 954 and Triton III, 1999, 806 sales.
The Second Punic War was one of the defining events in the history of Rome, a city-state on the verge of becoming an imperial power. It lasted nearly a generation and tested the government, the military and the system of alliances that Rome had painstakingly built in Italy and beyond. It also caused economic devastation: to pay for the war, the Roman state resorted to credit for the first time in its history, soliciting loans from leading citizens and their ally Hieron II, king of Syracuse.
The strain is reflected in Rome’s coinage: not only was gold coinage required for the first time in Rome’s history, but the course of events forced a monumental change by which the Roman monetary system came to be based on the silver denarius rather than the bronze as, which had lost 80 percent of its weight in the first six years of the war.
That the Romans prevailed is remarkable, for the news at the outset was terrifying. Despite Hannibal losing an eye while crossing the Apennines, his skills were in peak form: in the ambush at Lake Trasimene in 217 he killed 15,000 men and took 10,000 prisoners; and at Cannae the number of Romans and allies he killed or captured perhaps reached 50,000. The devastation of individual communities throughout Italy must have been incomprehensible, and the Romans responded with a gold coinage meant to support their war effort both in a financial and a political sense.
The janiform head of the Dioscuri (Castor and Pollux) on the obverse no doubt was meant to recall the miraculous intervention of the saviour twins so long ago at the Battle of Lake Regillus. The reverses of the staters and half-staters offered here, both struck early in the struggle against Hannibal, c. 218-216 B.C., show an oath-taking scene in which two soldiers touch the tips of their swords to a pig held by an attendant. The man on the right, un-bearded, youthful and armoured, is a Roman, and the man on the left, bearded and without armour, represents one of his Italian allies.
The meaning of this scene is clear: Rome demonstrates to her allies that the war against Carthage is a cooperative effort. This was critically important because not only did Rome need this system of alliances to survive Hannibal’s invasion, but it has often been suggested that Hannibal’s true goal in invading Italy was not to capture the city of Rome, but to dismantle its alliances. As such, these gold coins should be regarded as historical documents of Rome’s counterpoint to Hannibal’s effort to undermine its emerging empire.
Estimate: 75000 CHF

ILLUSTRAZIONE. IL GIURAMENTO DEGLI ORAZI, DIPINTO DI JACQUES-LOUIS DAVID

Modificato 13 Maggio da King John

[King John]

Nomos AG > Auction 32	Auction date: 8 June 2024
Lot number: 381 Price realized: This lot is for sale in an upcoming auction
Lot description: Greek THRACE. Ainos. Circa 356-350 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 25 mm, 14.84 g, 12 h). Head of Hermes facing, his hair flowing out to left and right, turned slightly to left, wearing a kausia-like petasos and with his cloak fastened with a broach below his chin. Rev. AINION Goat standing to right; in the field to right, thunderbolt. Apparently unpublished and unknown, especially with this obverse die, but cf. May, Ainos, obverse dies A260 and A263, (Nomos 7, 2013, 21 for the symbol, and the close resemblance of its obverse to that of May A263). Seemingly unique, a truly magnificent 'portrait' of Hermes with an intelligent expression worthy of a Renaissance prince. Traces of corrosion and cleaning marks on the reverse , otherwise, extremely fine. This stunning addition to the later fourth-century tetradrachm series - undoubtedly the last issue of all - with the thunderbolt symbol (unrecorded by May but known from two other pieces with 'normal' head of Hermes - Nomos 30, 2023, 1265 and Nomos 7, 2013, 21), gives us a head of Hermes wearing a most unusual form of headgear, at least for Ainos. While, as everyone knows, at Ainos Hermes usually wears a close-fitting petasus, what we have here is the kind of soft cap that is typically Macedonian: in fact it closely resembles the caps worn by tribesmen in Afghanistan today, and which first came there with Alexander the Great's army. It is also closely related to the soft cap that first appeared on the drachms from Ainos dated to May's period IV (c. 357-342/1 BC);, and which is also a complete departure from the headgear Hermes wears on all of the city's previous fractions. As noted elsewhere, the thunderbolt symbol used for this coin is closely related to the eagle of Zeus used as a symbol on May's group LXIV, hitherto identified as Ainos's last tetradrachm issue. Starting price: 30000 CHF

[King John]

Nomos AG > Auction 32	Auction date: 8 June 2024
Lot number: 494 Price realized: This lot is for sale in an upcoming auction
Greek PHOENICIA. Arados. Uncertain king, circa 440-420 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 25 mm, 17.16 g, 3 h), Attic standard. MA (in Phoenician script) Ba'al Arwad swimming to right, bearded and with long hair in Archaic style, a human torso and the tail of a ketos, holding, in each hand, a dolphin by the tail; cable border. Rev. Phoenician war-galley sailing to right with a prominent eye above the ram; below, sea-griffin swimming to right; all within dotted square frame. Unpublished save for the auction appearance of a second known piece, but from different dies, Roma XVI, 2018, 339. But for the type, see Elayi & Elayi, Phoenician Coinages, p. 592, 1.2.3 and pl. LXXXIV, C110 (1/6 Shekel). Extremely rare. Toned and with fascinating and quintessentially Phoenician types of great interest. Light marks and with a small scrape on the reverse, otherwise, nearly extremely fine. From a collection in North America, acquired in the mid 1990s. For the extraordinary importance of this coin, and the reason for it having been struck on the Attic standard, do see the effusive note in Roma XVI. What does not seem to have been noticed, however, is the fact that some coins of this basic type show a hippocamp (a seahorse) on the reverse, as E&E C110 cited above, while others, as this piece and the Roma coin, bear a sea-griffin. This is quite clear since, as can clearly be seen here, our creature has a sharp beak for its mouth, which is completely unlike any horses, living or extinct, known to this writer. Starting price: 15000 CHF

[torpedo]

Il 13/5/2024 alle 10:07, King John dice:

Classical Numismatic Group, Triton X, lot 573, 9/01/2007

Gaius (Caligula). AD 37-41. Æ Sestertius (28.40 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck AD 39-40. C. CAESAR. DIVI. AVG. PRO.N. AVG. P. M. TR. P. III. P. P., PIETAS in exergue, Pietas seated left on stool, holding patera in extended right hand and resting left forearm on small draped figure standing facing on basis / DIVO AVG, S C across field, Gaius togate, standing left, holding patera in right hand over garlanded altar, raising hem of toga with left hand; victimarius holding bull for sacrifice and attendant holding a patera standing on either side; garlanded hexastyle temple of Divus Augustus in background; pediment decorated with sacrificial scene; quadriga and Victories as acroteria; statues of Romulus and Aeneas along roof line. RIC I 44; BMCRE p. 156, † (pl. 28, 9); BN 104; Cohen 10. Good VF, beautiful brown patina, surfaces lightly smoothed. Rare.
Ex Elsen FPL 211 (August-September 2000), lot 120 (cover coin).
Estimate: $3000

 

Bellissimo sesterzio.

[King John]

Nomos AG > Auction 33	Auction date: 9 June 2024
Lot number: 1485 Price realized: This lot is for sale in an upcoming auction
Lot description: The Jonathan H. Kagan Collection of Ancient Greek Coins KYRENAIKA. Kyrene. Circa 410 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 24 mm, 12.94 g, 6 h). ΑΡΙΣ-ΤΟ-Μ-Η-ΔΕ-ΟΣ Silphium plant with four leaves (two on each side), and four flowers (a large one at the top and three smaller ones above the lower register of leaves); on the right, standing on its hind legs and propping its forelegs on the silphium, is a gazelle, raising its head - with a long ear and a stubby horn - to nibble on a silphium leaf. Rev. Bearded head of Zeus-Ammon to left, with carefully arranged hair, a ram's horn curled around his ear, and with a few tendrils of hair falling down his neck. Cf. BMC pl. XI, 11 (for the obverse) and pl. XII, 1 and 4 (for the reverse). (U. Wartenberg and J.H.Kagan, Silphium, Jerboas, Genets, and the Coinage of Cyrene, in Le Monete di Cirene e della Cirenaica nel Mediterraneo. Problemi e prospettive. Atti del V Congresso Internazionale di Numismatica e di Storia Monetaria, Padova, 17–19 Marzo 2016, ed. M. Asolati, Padova, 2016, pp. 43-56, especially pp. 50-51, 3 and p. 53, fig. 3 (this coin). An extremely rare type, with a particularly naturalistic obverse and a noble head of Zeus-Ammon on the reverse, masterfully engraved. Die flaw on the reverse, otherwise, about extremely fine. From the Collections of Jonathan H. Kagan, and N. B. Hunt, IV, Sotheby's 19-20 June 1991, 521. This coin is quite extraordinary in every way. The head of Zeus-Ammon is of a refined yet powerful Classical style, reminiscent of the Dionysos on the contemporary issues of Thasos and of the more refined heads soon to be produced at Olympia. However, it is the obverse that really catches the eye. What we have is a remarkably lively scene of an animal browsing on a silphium leaf, surely originally drawn from nature. Thus, unlike most ancient coin types, which are probably taken from sculpture - whether in the round or in relief, this type seems to be based on a painting or a drawing. It is quite clear, with the only problem being the identification of the animal on the obverse. Robinson, BMC p, li, description of 92a, called him a gazelle. On the contrary, W & K, in their masterful article cited above, believed that the animal was a genet (in fact, 'The Common Genet' Genetta genetta (Linnaeus), the habitat of which is North Africa - though not in much of Libya, at least in modern times), which is a cat-like creature with a pronounced neck, a long tail and large ears. They also pointed out that gazelles have horns, of which they saw no sign on this coin. However, from what we can see on this coin, and on the piece in Karlsruhe, BMC pl. XI, 10, this creature: has 1) long spindly hind legs, which genets do not have; has 2) a seemingly short and thin tail, unlike the thick bushy ones genets have; has 3) hind legs ending in hooves rather than the paws genets have; and has, clearly visible on this piece, to the left of the ear, 4) a short horn, which is depicted by a short vertical line ending in a knob (there is a clear space between the end of the knob and the edge of the coin; i.e., no part of the design is cut off), and genets do not have horns.Thus, the old identification of the animal on this coin as a gazelle seems certain. In addition, while some have suggested that the silphium was such a small plant that gazelles would not have had to rear up to browse on them - while genets might have had to do so (assuming they, as carnivores, had a taste for silphium leaves), we actually know, from a number of representations on coins (as BMC 11-12 and pl. II, 20-21, BMC 12a-12b and pl. III, 1-2) that silphium plants could be quite tall: the ones illustrated come up to the height of the head of a seated goddess. In another case a standing gazelle is browsing on leaves at the top of a silphium (BMC 15a and pl. III, 6). Starting price: 6500 CHF

[torpedo]

Bellissima la rappresentazione della gazzella.

[King John]

Leu Numismatik AG > Auction 15	Auction date: 1 June 2024
Lot number: 189 Price realized: This lot is for sale in an upcoming auction
Lot description: PHRYGIA. Apameia. Septimius Severus, 193-211. Pentassarion (Bronze, 38 mm, 23.74 g, 6 h), Artemas III, agonothetes, 202-205. AYT K Λ CЄΠT CЄOYHPOC ΠЄP-TI Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Septimius Severus to right, seen from behind. Rev. ЄΠI AΓΩNOΘЄTOY APTЄMA Γ // AΠAMЄΩ/N The story of Noah: on the right, half-length figures of Noah and his wife, in tunic and stola, standing left in square chest representing the Ark, inscribed NΩЄ and floating on waves; above to right, a seated bird; on the left, Noah and his wife standing left upon dry land, raising hands in supplication; above, a bird returning from land with olive branch in its talons. Head HN p. 667, fig. 313 (same dies). Leu Web Auction 5 (2018), 501 (same dies). Mairat, Apamée 5 (same dies). Extremely rare, apparently the sixth known example of this tremendously important issue. A highly interesting example with some contemporary silvering, a defaced imperial portrait on the obverse, and an attractive rendering of Noah's Ark on the reverse. The portrait of the emperor scraped off, otherwise, very fine. From a European collection, formed before 2005. Apameia was founded by the Seleukid King, Antiochos I (281-261 BC), in honor of his mother, Apame, the daughter of the Baktrian rebel, Spitamenes, and wife of Seleukos I. The city was home to a Jewish community, the ancestors of which were probably settled in the area by the Seleukid general, Zeuxis, who reportedly deported 2,000 Jewish families from Babylon to Asia Minor at the behest of Antiochos III 'the Great' (222-187 BC) (Jos. Ant. XII, 3.4). It was long believed that the astonishing emergence of the story of Noah on 3rd century AD coins of the Phrygian Apameia grew out of a supposed Jewish character of the city, but the literary sources are extremely sparse, and the fact that no Jewish names and only a single Jewish inscription are known from the local necropolis urges caution. On the other hand, sources attesting a large early Christian community in Apameia are abundant: not only are Christian epitaphs numerous, but the bishop, Julian of Apameia, attested by Eusebios (Euseb. HE 5.16.17), proves that Christianity had gained a strong foothold in the city as early as the late 2nd century. The sudden appearance of Noah's Ark on the civic coinage of Apameia at a time when all sources point towards a growing influence of the Christian community in the area must thus, despite cultural overlapping, reflect the increasing importance of Christian traditions to a greater degree than those of a century-old local Jewish community. Apameia differentiated itself from other cities of the same name by its epithet ἡ Kιβωtός, literally 'the chest', a reference to its importance as a trading post. The fact that Noah's Ark was also known in Greek as Kιβωtός hence apparently led to a pseudo-etymological local myth, which proclaimed that the mountain behind the city was the true Mount Ararat, on which Noah's Ark landed after the flood. The identification of the Ark with a chest is also evident in a striking 5th-century mosaic from the Cilician city of Mopsuestia. In its center, the mosaic displays a chest with the inscription KIBⲰTOC NⲰEP, surrounded by a variety of animals. Similarly, on our coin, Noah and his wife are depicted within the Ark on the right side, symbolized as a chest inscribed NΩЄ. On the left side, they are portrayed after the Ark has landed on Mount Ararat, accompanied by a land-seeking bird holding an olive branch in its talons. It is the only Graeco-Roman coin type to show a scene from the Βible and an incredibly important testimony to the history of the early Judeo-Christian communities in Asia Minor. The coins from Apamea featuring Noah's Ark were minted within about fifty years, namely under Septimius Severus, Macrinus, Severus Alexander, Gordian III, Philip I, and Trebonianus Gallus. Hence, our issue is the earliest, serving as the prototype for the entire series, with its highly important early Judeo-Christian iconography imbuiging it with profound cultural significance. Interestingly, the portrait of the emperor on our example has been scraped off - it takes little imagination to recognize this as the act of an enraged Jew or Christian expressing his discontent over the recurring persecutions of his faith by Roman authorities throughout the 3rd century. Estimate: 20000 CHF ILLUSTRAZIONE: MOSAICO RAFFIGURANTE L'ARCA DI NOE', CATTEDRALE DI MONREALE

[King John]

Numismatica Ars Classica > Auction 144 with CNG & NGSA	Auction date: 8 May 2024
Lot number: 1056 Price realized: 32,000 CHF   (Approx. 35,371 USD / 32,856 EUR)   Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees.
Lot description: The Geoffrey Cope Collection of Ancient Greek and Roman Bronzes. The Roman Empire. Trajan augustus, 98 – 117. Description Sestertius, Roma circa 107-108, Æ 33 mm, 25.27 g. IMP CAES NERVAE TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS V P P Laureate head r., drapery on l. shoulder. Rev. S P Q R OP[TIMO PRI]NCIPI Octastyle temple with portico on either side; at centre, architrave adorned with figure of Jupiter and other figures; on roof, figure holding spear between two Victories. In exergue, S C. Reference C 529 var. (without drapery) BMC 863 RIC 577 var. (without drapery) CBN 313 Woytek 305bC3 (this coin) Condition Rare and in exceptional condition for the issue. A superb portrait of unusually fine style and an interesting reverse type. Wonderful green patina and extremely fine Provenance Santamaria sale 26th June 1950, Magnaguti part III, 80 Leu sale 50, 1990, 300 Note: In addition to his stable government and military conquests that saw the expansion of the empire to its greatest extent, the emperor Trajan is also known for implementing beneficial social welfare policies and an extensive public building program that transformed much of Rome. The reverse of this fine middle aes issue shows the temple complex of Jupiter Victor, the 'giver of Victory', located in Regio X on the Palatine. According to Livy, the temple of Jupiter Victor had an ancient history, having been vowed by Q. Fabius Maximus Rullianus in 295 B.C. during the battle of Sentinum against the Samnites (Livy X.29.14, 18). It apparently was constructed quickly, being dedicated probably in either 294 or 293 B.C. on the Ides of April (April 13), as Livy makes the additional statement that at the battle of Aquilonia in 293 B.C. L. Papirius had vowed a cup of new wine to Jupiter Victor (Livy X.42.7). At some point the temple seems to have been either damaged or destroyed, probably during the great fire that ravaged Rome in A.D. 80, as it was restored under the emperor Domitian, who laid an artificial foundation for it and probably greatly expanded the original structure, which he commemorated on his coinage. The reason for Trajan's use of the type on his coins is not certain; it does not appear that he either restored the temple or added to its construction, so we should perhaps see its use a part of his decennalian series that was selected merely to represent his recent military prowess over. After all, he had just successfully finally subdued the Dacians, incorporating the former kingdom as a province to the empire. The temple was a large and imposing building in the Corinthian style with an octastyle façade. As seen on this coin, it featured colonnades at the sides, frontal steps, and within resided a great statue of Jupiter Victor. Sestertii of the same type show the addition of an altar before the steps and statues of Victory and Pax(?) before the end columns of the colonnade (Woytek 253). By the time of the emperor Elagabalus, the front courtyard had had a propylaea constructed before it, as can been seen on one of his medallions, now unfortunately lost (Gnecchi III, 6), and on later extremely rare sestertii and medallions of Severus Alexander. Under Elagabalus, the temple was rededicated to the sun god Sol El Gabal, but seemingly re-dedicated again under Severus Alexander to Jupiter Ultor. Estimate: 10000 CHF

[torpedo]

Bellissimo sesterzio di Traiano.

[King John]

Jean Elsen & ses Fils S.A. > Auction 159	Auction date: 21 June 2024
Lot number: 434 Price realized: This lot is for sale in an upcoming auction
Lot description: IONIE, EPHESE, AR cistophore, 48-47 av. J.-C. C. Fannius préteur. D/ Ciste mystique de laquelle s'échappe un serpent. Le tout dans une couronne de lierre et de fleurs. R/ Deux serpents dressés face à face autour d'un petit temple rond surmonté par une statue. Au-dessus, C FAN-PONT PR. A g., Π  (an 86)/ EΦE au-dessus d'une coiffe d'Isis. A d., une torche allumée. A l'ex., APATOC. SNG von Aulock 1868. 11,99 g. Très rare. Nettoyé. Beau à Très Beau Fine - Very Fine Estimate: 100 EUR ILLUSTRAZIONE: Larario dipinto di circa 4m x 5m nella Regio V di Pompei

[King John]

Nomos AG > Auction 32	Auction date: 8 June 2024
Lot number: 163 Price realized: This lot is for sale in an upcoming auction -
Lot description: The Anthony Milavic Collection of Ancient Games Coins Sanctuary Buildings Temples LYDIA. Sardis. Septimius Severus, 193-211. Oktassarion (Bronze, 38 mm, 32.31 g, 12 h), celebrating the games held in honour of Sardis's two neokorates, struck under the archon C. Julius Crispus, 193-195. AYT᛫KAIC᛫Λ᛫CЄΠTIMI᛫CЄOYHPOC᛫ΠЄPTINAZ Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Septimius Severus to right, seen from behind. Rev. ЄΠI᛫Γ᛫I᛫KPICΠOY᛫APX / CAPΔIANΩN᛫ΔIC / NЄΩKOPΩN Two hexastyle temples shown in perspective, facing each other, each on a podium of four steps; in field above, over the akroteria on the apex of the temple pediments, a laurel wreath, on the left, and, on the right, an oak wreath. Burrell p. 109, type 1a = SNG von Aulock 3155 (same dies). GRPCL 467 (same dies). Price and Trell 268 (same dies). Rare. An impressive and attractive piece, with a blackish-grey-green patina. About extremely fine. From the collection of Major Anthony F. Milavic, USMC (Ret.), ex Münzen und Medaillen (DE) 11, 8 November 2002, 91. Sardis seems to have received its first neokorate under Hadrian and its second at some time early in the reign of Antoninus Pius. A third was initially granted to Sardis by Elagabalus c, 220; it was withdrawn by Severus Alexander, only to be restored under Valerian. Starting price: 6500 CHF

[torpedo]

 Bellissimo sesterzio.

[King John]

Tauler & Fau > Auction 137	Auction date: 18 December 2023
Lot number: 2808 Price realized: 4,000 EUR   (Approx. 4,365 USD)   Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees.
Lot description: Titus. Aureus. 73 d.C. Rome. (Ric-510). (Cal-797). Anv.: T CAES IMP VESP PON TR POT. Laureate head right. Rev.: VESTA. Tetrastyle circular Temple of Vesta, a statue of Vesta standing within, holding sceptre, two statues flanking outside. Au. 7,19 g. Very scarce. Choice VF. Est...4000,00. Spanish Description: Tito. Áureo. 73 d.C. Roma. (Ric-510). (Cal-797). Anv.: T CAES IMP VESP PON TR POT. Cabeza laureada a derecha. Rev.: VESTA. Templo circular tetrástilo de Vesta, una estatua de Vesta de pie en el interior, sosteniendo el cetro, dos estatuas flanqueando el exterior. Au. 7,19 g. Muy escasa. MBC+. Est...4000,00. ILLUSTRAZIONE: RICOSTRUZIONE DEL TEMPIO DI VESTA

[torpedo]

Bellissimo aureo.