Bronzi provinciali romani e mitologia greca

[apollonia]

Medaglione di bronzo di Commodo (Hierapolis-Castabala, Cilicia) che raffigura al rovescio Tyche in piedi, turrita e velata, che porge una corona d'alloro all'imperatore in piedi a sinistra, in tenuta militare, con lancia e spada nel fodero (Roma Numismatics, Sale 84, lot 1173).

Lot 1173. Estimate: 100 GBP. Price realized: 150 GBP.

Commodus Æ Medallion of Hierapolis-Castabala, Cilicia. AD 180-192. ΑVΤ Κ Μ ΑV ΑΝ ΚΟΜΟΔΟϹ ЄVΤVΧΗϹ, laureate and cuirassed bust to right, wearing paludamentum / ΙЄΡΟΠΟΛЄΙΤѠΝ ΤѠΝ ΠΡΟϹ ΤѠ ΠVΡΑΜѠ, Tyche standing to right, turreted and veiled, handing laurel wreath to emperor standing to left, in military attire, holding spear, sword in sheath. RPC IV.3 Online 5807 (temporary); SNG BnF 2237; SNG Levante 1588. 24.81g, 38mm, 6h.
Near Very Fine. Rare.
From the inventory of a UK dealer.

apollonia

[apollonia]

Bronzo di Alessandro Severo (Hierapolis, Cyrrhestica) che raffigura al rovescio Atargatis seduta di fronte su un leone che avanza verso destra, con lo scettro in mano (Roma Numismatics, Sale 84, lot 1205).

Lot 1205. Estimate: 50 GBP. Price realized: 55 GBP.

Severus Alexander Æ 29mm of Hieropolis, Cyrrhestica. AD 222-235. AYT KAI MAP AYP CЄY ΑΛΕΞANΔΡΟC CЄB, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust to right / ΘЄΑC CΥΡΙΑC ΙЄΡOΠΟΛΙΤΩΝ, Atargatis seated facing on lion advancing to right, head to right, holding sceptre. BMC -; SNG Copenhagen -. 15.15g, 29mm, 11h.
Good Very Fine.
From a private UK collection.

Ricordo che Atargatis è una divinità fenicia di epoca tarda, nata dalla fusione, rispecchiata anche dal nome, delle due dee Astarte e ‛Anat. Atargatis, che aveva il maggior centro di culto a Hierapolis, era nota ai popoli classici essenzialmente col nome di Dea Syria, alla qual voce si rimanda per la trattazione. Bibl.: E. Meyer, in Roscher, I, cc.

https://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/atargatis_(Enciclopedia-dell'-Arte-Antica)/

 

apollonia

[apollonia]

Medaglione in bronzo di Gordiano III (Odessus, Mesia Inferiore) che raffigura al rovescio l’imperatore in abito militare, in piedi, che tiene nella sinistra una lancia e nella destra una patera su un altare (Roma Numismatics, Sale 84, lot 1211).

Lot 1211. Estimate: 650 GBP. Price realized: 750 GBP.

Gordian III Æ Medallion of Odessus, Moesia Inferior. AD 238-244. ΑΥΤ Κ Μ ΑΝΤ ΓΟΡΔΙΑΝΟⳞ ΑΥΓ, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust to left, raising hand and holding globe / ΟΔΗⳞⳞΕΙΤΩΝ, Emperor, radiate and in military dress, standing to left, holding vertical spear and patera over altar. RPC VII.2 Online Unassigned ID 28521 (temporary); AMNG 2317; Varbanov 4440. 22.07g, 35mm, 12h.
Near Extremely Fine; minor cleaning marks visible in fields, pleasant dark green patina.
From the property of an American collector;
Ex Solidus Numismatik, Premier Auction 39, 24 March 2019, lot 30 (hammer: 850 EUR).

apollonia

[apollonia]

Bronzo di Cizico (Misia), tempo di Gallieno, che raffigura al dritto la testa diademata del fondatore della città e al rovescio un piccolo altare tra due fiaccole fiammeggianti con serpenti attorcigliati (Pecunem Online Auction 39).

Lot 558. Estimate: 50 EUR. Price realized: 40 EUR

MYSIA. Kyzikos. Pseudo-autonomous. Time of Gallienus (253-268). Ae. Obv: KVZIKOC.
Diademed head of the founder of Cyzicus right. Rev: KVZIKHNΩN ΔIC / NЄΩΚΟ. Small altar between two flaming and serpent-entwined torches.
SNG France 607.
Condition: Good very fine.
Weight: 8.95 g.
Diameter: 24 mm.

apollonia

[apollonia]

Bronzo di Gordiano III (Antiochia, Pisidia) che raffigura al rovescio la Pietas in piedi, di fronte, che tiene una patera sopra l’altare acceso a sinistra e la scatola dell’incenso; tre stendardi all'estrema sinistra, il più lontano a sinistra sormontato dalla Vittoria in piedi (https://www.numisbids.com/n.php?p=lot&sid=4800&lot=1217).

Lot 1217. Estimate: 50 GBP. Price realized: 160 GBP.

Gordian III Æ 34mm of Antioch, Pisidia. AD 238-244. IMP CAES M ANT GORDIANVS AVG, laureate head to right / CAES ANTIOCH COL, Pietas standing facing, head to left, holding patera over lit altar to left and incense box; three standards on far left, the furthest to left surmounted by Victory standing to left; SR in exergue. RPC VII.2 Online Unassigned ID 3372. 25.11g, 34mm, 7h.
Good Very Fine. Very Rare.
From the inventory of a UK dealer.

apollonia

[apollonia]

Filippo II, a sinistra rivolto a destra, e Filippo I, a destra rivolto a sinistra, si stringono le mani sull'altare illuminato tra loro, con la Vittoria in piedi a sinistra sull'estrema destra, che tiene la palma sulla spalla e incorona Filippo I con una corona di fiori (https://www.numisbids.com/n.php?p=lot&sid=4800&lot=1234).

Lot 1234. Estimate: 200 GBP. Price realized: 200 GBP.

Otacilia Severa (wife of Philip I) Æ 29mm of Heliopolis, Seleucis and Pieria. AD 244-245. OTACILIA SEVERA AVG, diademed and draped bust to right, with crescent at shoulders / Philip II, on left facing to right, and Philip I, on right facing to left, stand clasping hands over lit altar between them, with Victory standing to left on far right, holding palm over shoulder and crowning Philip I with wreath; COL HEL in exergue. RPC VIII Online Unassigned ID 6467. 19.70g, 29mm, 1h.
Good Very Fine. Extremely Rare; RPC Online only cites six examples, and there are none on CoinArchives.
From a private UK collection.

apollonia

[apollonia]

Billion tetradrachm di Claudio II il Gotico che raffigura al rovescio un’aquila in piedi a destra, ghirlanda nel becco, con data L B attraverso il campo (Roma Numismatics, Sale 84, lot 1272).

Lot 1272. Estimate: 50 GBP. Lot unsold.
Claudius II Gothicus BI Tetradrachm of Alexandria, Egypt. Dated RY 2 = AD 268/9. AVT K KΛAVΔIOC CЄB, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust to right / Eagle standing to right, head to left, wreath in beak; L-B (date) across fields. Emmett 3878; Dattari (Savio) 5415. 9.64g, 21mm, 12h.
Very Fine.
From the inventory of a North American dealer.

apollonia

[apollonia]

Bronzo di zecca incerta (Spagna Nord-Occidentale?) con testa nuda di Augusto affiancata da palma e caduceo alato al dritto, e al rovescio uno scudo celtico-iberico (Roma Numismatics Ltd, Auction XXV  22-23 Sep 2022).

Lot 657. Estimate: 250 GBP. Price realized: 550 GBP.

Augustus Æ As of uncertain mint, North-Western(?) Spain. Circa 27-23 BC. IMP AVG DIVI F, bare head to left; palm to left, winged caduceus to right / Celt-Iberian shield. RPC I 3 (same dies as illustration); ACIP 3301 (same dies); Vives 118-2. 9.76g, 24mm.
Good Very Fine.
From the Dr. Ulisses Vaz Pardal collection.

apollonia

[apollonia]

Bronzo di Adriano (Alessandria d’Egitto) che raffigura al rovescio l’imperatore laureato e togato in piedi, alla guida di una quadriga lenta a destra, con scettro a punta d'aquila nella mano sinistra e ramo d'alloro nella mano destra estesa; L Iς (data) in esergo (https://www.numisbids.com/n.php?p=lot&sid=5992&lot=666).

Lot 666. Estimate: 8000 GBP. Price realized: 7000 GBP.

Hadrian Æ Drachm of Alexandria, Egypt. Dated RY 16 = AD 131/2. AVT KAI TPAI AΔPIA CЄB, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust to right / Laureate and togate emperor standing in car of slow quadriga to right, holding eagle-tipped sceptre in left hand and laurel branch in extended right hand; L Iς (date) in exergue. RPC III 5790; Dattari (Savio) 1591 (same obv. die); Geissen 1047; Emmett 960.16. 29.13g, 37mm, 12h.

Near Mint State; a bold and striking portrait. Rare, particularly so in this condition; one of the very finest of all surviving Alexandrian bronzes.

Ex Hess-Divo AG, Auction 339, 22 October 2020, lot 58;
Ex Walter Niggeler Collection Part II, Bank Leu AG - Münzen und Medaillen AG, 21-22 October 1966, lot 707;
Ex Conte Alessandro Magnaguti Collection Part III, P. & P. Santamaria, 26 June 1950, lot 943;
Ex Dr. Hans Steger Collection, Münzhandlung Basel, Auction 6, 18 March 1936, lot 486.

apollonia

[apollonia]

Bronzo di Antonino Pio (Alessandria d’Egitto) che raffigura al rovescio Zeus con patera e scettro in mano, steso a sinistra su un'aquila in piedi di fronte con le ali aperte e la testa a destra (https://www.numisbids.com/n.php?p=lot&sid=5992&lot=667).

Lot 667. Estimate: 2500 GBP. Price realized: 2400 GBP.

Antoninus Pius Æ Drachm of Alexandria, Egypt. Dated RY 10 = AD 146/7. AVT K T AIΛ AΔP ANTѠNЄINOC CЄB ЄYC, laureate head to right / L ΔEKATOY (date), Zeus, holding patera and sceptre, reclining to left on eagle standing facing with wings spread and head to right. RPC IV.4 Online 13589.66 (temporary, this coin cited); Dattari (Savio) pl. 155, 2933 bis (this coin). 25.76g, 35mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine; in outstanding condition for an Alexandrian drachm, and likely the finest known example of this particular type. Rare.

This coin published at Roman Provincial Coinage Online (rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk);
This coin published in A. Savio, Catalogo completo della collezione Dattari Numi Augg. Alexandrini (Trieste, 1999);
Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XVIII, 29 September 2019, lot 766;
Ex Naville Numismatics Ltd., Auction 46, 27 January 2019, lot 279;
Ex Giovanni Dattari Collection, formed in Egypt prior to 1901.

apollonia

[apollonia]

Bronzo di Geta (Germe, Misia), magistrato Glykon, che raffigura al rovescio Apollo in piedi a destra, con le gambe incrociate, che alza la mano verso la testa e appoggia il braccio sulla colonna sormontata dalla lira; alle spalle albero con serpenti attorcigliati (https://www.numisbids.com/n.php?p=lot&sid=5992&lot=670).

Lot 670. Estimate: 1000 GBP. Price realized: 1000 GBP.

Geta, as Caesar, Æ 30mm of Germe, Mysia. AD 198-209. Glykon, magistrate. Π ϹЄΠΤΙΜΙΟϹ ΓЄΤΑϹ ΚΑΙϹΑ, bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust to right / ЄΠΙ ΓΛΥΚΩΝΟϹ ΓЄΡΜΗΝΩΝ, Apollo standing to right, legs crossed, raising hand to head and resting arm on column surmounted by lyre; serpent-entwined tree behind. SNG BnF 991; SNG von Aulock 1115; Ehling 170. 15.62g, 30mm, 10h.

Extremely Fine. Very Rare.

apollonia

[apollonia]

Bronzo di Alessandro Severo (Perinto, Tracia) che raffigura al rovescio l’Imperatore in piedi a sinistra su una galea che naviga verso sinistra, che alza la mano destra e tiene lo scettro nella sinistra; davanti a lui Iside Pharia in piedi che regge un velo svolazzante, dietro di lui Serapide in piedi che gli pone sul capo una corona di fiori; NEWKOPWN in esergo (https://www.numisbids.com/n.php?p=lot&sid=5992&lot=671).

Lot 671. Estimate: 3000 GBP. Price realized: 2600 GBP.

Severus Alexander Medallic Æ 42mm of Perinthus, Thrace. AD 222-235. AV K M AVP CEVH AΛEΞANΔPOC AVΓ, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust to right / ΠEPINΘIWN ΔIC, emperor standing to left on galley sailing to left, raising right hand and holding sceptre in left, Isis Pharia standing before, holding billowing sail, Serapis standing behind, placing wreath on emperor's head; NEWKOPWN in exergue. Schönert, Perinthos 782 (same dies); Varbanov 460. 37.17g, 42mm, 1h.
Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare; only three others auctioned in the past 20 years, with none finer.
From the inventory of a German dealer.

apollonia

[apollonia]

Bronzo di Settimio Severo (Sardis, Lidia) celebrativo dei giochi in onore dei due neocorati di Sardi, coniato sotto l'arconte C. Giulio Crispo, che raffigura al rovescio due templi esastili in prospettiva, l'uno di fronte all'altro, ciascuno su un podio di quattro gradini; nel campo in alto, sopra gli akroteria all'apice dei frontoni del tempio, una corona d'alloro, a sinistra, e, a destra, una corona di quercia (https://nomosag.com/nomos-32/163).

Lot 163. Estimate: 6500 CHF; Hammer Price: 11000 CHF.

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.

apollonia

[apollonia]

Bronzo di Claudio II Gotico (Sagalasso, Pisidia) che raffigura al rovescio Ermes che avanza a destra con petasos e sandali alati, tenendo in mano un caduceo e una torcia accesa; davanti una I (= dieci) e un ramo (https://www.numisbids.com/n.php?p=lot&sid=5992&lot=673).

Lot 673. Estimate: 2000 GBP. Price realized: 1600 GBP.

Claudius II Gothicus Æ Dekassarion of Sagalassus, Pisidia. AD 268-270. ΑΥ Κ Μ ΑΥΡ ΚΛΑΥΔΙΟΝ, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust to right / ϹΑΓΑΛΑϹЄЄΩΝ, Hermes alighting to right, wearing petasos and winged sandals, holding kerykeion and lit torch; I (= ten) and branch before. SNG von Aulock 5202. 21.44g, 35mm, 12h.

Near Mint State; in exceptional condition for the type. Extremely Rare; the first example to come to auction since 2005, and likely the finest known.

apollonia

[apollonia]

Il più antico ritratto di Giulio Cesare su questo bronzo di Nicea (Bitinia), al tempo del proconsole e governatore Vibio Pansa Cetroniano, che raffigura al rovescio la Nike che avanza a destra, tenendo in mano una corona di fiori e sulla spalla sinistra una fronda di palma (Leu Numismatik AG. Web Auction 12, 30-31 May 2020).

Lot 828. Starting price: 50 CHF. Price realized: 762 CHF.

BITHYNIA. Nicaea. Julius Caesar, 49-44 BC. Assarion (Bronze, 23 mm, 7.15 g, 12 h), C. Vibius Pansa Caetronianus, proconsul and governor of Bithynia et Pontus, CY 236 = 47/6. ΝΙΚΑΙΕΩΝ Bare head of Julius Caesar to right. Rev. ΕΠΙ ΓΑΙΟΥ - ΟΥΙΒΙΟΥ / ΠΑΝΣΑ // [ϚΛΣ] Nike advancing to right, holding wreath in her right hand and palm frond over her left shoulder; to right and below left, monograms. RG 11. RPC I 2026. Rare. Fine.
This is the earliest portrait of Julius Caesar, predating that of Lampsacus (RPC I 2268-9) by a year and the earliest Rome mint denarii by two.

apollonia

[apollonia]

Bronzo di Gallieno (Irenopolis-Neronias, Cilicia) che raffigura al rovescio Dioniso in piedi, di fronte, con il kantharos nella mano destra, il dio Pan appoggiato a destra con il pedum nella mano sinistra, e a sinistra un satiro(?) con la mano tesa; in basso a sinistra una pantera seduta (Leu Numismatik AG. Web Auction 12, 30-31 May 2020).

Lot 870. Starting price: 75 CHF. Price realized: 2600 CHF.

CILICIA. Irenopolis-Neronias. Gallienus, 253-268. Heptassarion (Bronze, 26 mm, 10.73 g, 7 h), CY 203 = 253/4. ΠΟΥ ΛΙΚ ΓΑΛΙΗΝΟC (sic!) Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Gallienus to right, seen from behind. Rev. [IPHN]OΠOΛЄITΩN Γ C / Z Dionysos standing facing, holding kantharos in his right hand and being supported by Pan to right, holding pedum in his left hand; to left, satyr (?) standing left with outstretched right hand; to lower left, panther seated left. Karbach -, cf. 146-7 (same obverse die, but different reverse type). SNG Levante -. SNG Paris -. SNG PFPS -. Ziegler -. Apparently unpublished and unique. Somewhat smoothed and slightly rough, otherwise, very fine.

apollonia

[apollonia]

Oricalco di Traiano (Koinon dell’Armenia) che raffigura al rovescio l’allegoria dell’Armenia, con diadema, seduta a sinistra su scudi, appoggiando la testa sulla mano destra in atteggiamento di lutto; a sinistra, trofeo d'armi (Leu Numismatik AG Web Auction 12, 30-31 May 2020).

Lot 891. Starting price: 750 CHF. Price realized: 3400 CHF.

ARMENIA MINOR, Koinon of Armenia. Trajan, 98-117. 'Sestertius' (Orichalcum, 35 mm, 30.53 g, 12 h), Nicopolis ad Lycum, RY 17 and CY 43 = 113/4. ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙϹ ΝЄΡ ΤΡΑΙΑΝΟϹ ϹЄΒ ΓЄΡΜ ΔΑΚ ΤΟ ΖΙ Laureate head of Trajan to right, with slight drapery on his left shoulder. Rev. ΚΟΙΝΟΝ ΑΡΜЄΝΙΑϹ ЄΤΟΥ ΜΓ Armenia, wearing tiara, seated left on shields, propping her head on her right hand in attitude of mourning; to left, trophy of arms. Kovacs 302. RPC III 2944. Very rare and of great historical interest. Traces of removed encrustations, otherwise, nearly very fine.

From an important collection of Armenian coins.

This very rare coin from the Armenian Koinon celebrates Trajan's conquest and annexation of Armenia in 114. The issue is dually dated to the regnal year of the emperor on the obverse and the civic era of Nicopolis ad Lycum on the reverse, the latter of which was introduced in 71/2 following the dissolution of the Kingdom of Armenia Minor and its incorporation into the province of Galatia-Cappadocia. Style and size are closely reminiscent of sestertii and the type is obviously heavily influenced by Roman imperial propaganda, which makes it likely that it was struck in support, or by command, of Roman military forces, all the more as Nicopolis ad Lycum lay on a strategically important crossroad on the way to the Armenian frontline.

 

Il busto al dritto mi dà l’idea di un antenato di Trump.

apollonia

[apollonia]

Oricalco di Julia Domna (Germanicopolis, PAPHLAGONIA) che raffigura al rovescio Afrodite inginocchiata a destra, con la testa rivolta a sinistra e la mano sinistra appoggiata sulla coscia, che alza la mano destra verso la testa; dietro di lei, Eros in piedi a destra, che le tocca la schiena (Leu Numismatik AG Web Auction 12, 30-31 May 2020).

Lot 826. Starting price: 75 CHF. Price realized: 1200 CHF.

PAPHLAGONIA. Germanicopolis. Julia Domna, Augusta, 193-217. Tetrassarion (Orichalcum, 30 mm, 14.91 g, 1 h). IOYΛ ΔOMNA CЄBACTH Draped bust of Julia Domna to right. Rev. ΓЄPMANIKOΠOΛЄΩC ЄCTIAC / ΘЄΩN Aphrodite kneeling to right, head turned back to left, leaning her left hand on her left thigh and raising her right hand to her head; behind her, Eros standing right, touching her back. RG 35. SNG Copenhagen -. SNG Leypold -. SNG Paris 174 corr. (Aphrodite not holding a mirror). SNG von Aulock - . Rare. Slightly rough and the reverse somewhat double struck, otherwise, very fine.

apollonia

[apollonia]

Bronzo di Seleucia e Pieria (Siria), emissione pseudo-autonoma all’epoca di Augusto, P. Quinctillius Varus legato di Siria, anno civico 25 dell’Era Actiana = 7/6 a. C., raffigura al dritto la testa laureata di Zeus e al rovescio la Tyche di Antiochia seduta a destra su una roccia, con un ramo di palma nella mano destra; sotto, il dio fluviale Oronte nuota a destra (Leu Numismatik AG, Web Auction 29, 24-26 Feb 2024).

Lot 1386. Starting price: 75 CHF. Price realized: 850 CHF.

SYRIA, Seleucis and Pieria. Antioch. Pseudo-autonomous issue, Time of Augustus. Trichalkon (Bronze, 19 mm, 7.10 g, 11 h), P. Quinctillius Varus, legate of Syria, CY 25 (Actian Era) = 7/6 BC. Laureate head of Zeus to right. Rev. [ΑΝΤΙ]ΟΧΕΩΝ ΕΠΙ ΟΥΑΡΟΥ / EK The Tyche of Antioch seated to right on rock, holding palm branch in her right hand; below, river-god Orontes swimming right. McAlee 85. RPC I 4242. A beautiful example of this interesting issue with very attractive earthen highlights. The reverse struck slightly off center, otherwise, good very fine.
From an American collection, ex Naumann E-Auction 114, 6 March 2022, 599.

Il legato nominato sul rovescio di questa emissione è nientemeno che il famigerato generale Varo, il quale guidò un esercito di tre legioni e un grande distaccamento di truppe ausiliarie nella disastrosa battaglia della Foresta di Teutoburgo del 9 d. C. Troppo sicuro della forza del suo esercito e della lealtà dei suoi alleati germanici, Varo fu colto completamente di sorpresa dall'imboscata di Arminio e alla fine si suicidò con i suoi ufficiali dopo aver perso tutti i suoi 15-20.000 uomini in un feroce combattimento di tre giorni.

apollonia

 

[apollonia]

Bronzo di Seleucia e Pieria (Siria), tempo di Adriano, che raffigura al diritto la testa laureata di Apollo e al rovescio l’immagine speculare del diritto (Incuso di diritto) (https://www.numisbids.com/n.php?p=lot&sid=7654&lot=1410).

Lot 1410. Starting price: 25 CHF. Price realized: 25 CHF.

SYRIA, Seleucis and Pieria. Antioch. Pseudo-autonomous issue. AE (Bronze, 15 mm, 4.43 g, 12 h), brockage mint error. Time of Hadrian, likely CY 177 = 128/9. ANTIOXЄѠN MHTPOΠOΛЄⲰC Laureate head of Apollo to left. Rev. Incuse of obverse. Cf. RPC III 3745-3749 and 3753-3755. Some deposits, otherwise, good fine.
Ex Leu Web Auction 15, 27 February 2021, 1426.

apollonia

[apollonia]

La spiegazione più plausibile della coniazione di questo bronzo è che la moneta battuta in precedenza sia rimasta aderente al conio di martello e quindi che la parte superiore del tondello sia rimasta esposta alla faccia con l’immagine di Apollo in positivo. Nella coniazione successiva, mentre la parte inferiore del tondello veniva impressa regolarmente dal conio di incudine che reca l’immagine di Apollo in negativo, sulla parte superiore era impressa in incuso, invece che in rilievo, l’immagine speculare del diritto.

Mi sono ricordato di un incuso di Diadumeniano proveniente dalla stessa zecca, che avevo presentato in precedenza.

CNG ELECTRONIC AUCTION 553. Valutazione: 100 USD. Risultato: 550 USD.

Lotto 345. SELEUCIS and PIERIA, Antioch. Diadumenian. As Caesar, AD 217-218. Æ As (17mm, 4.27 g, 12h). Obverse Brockage. Bareheaded and cuirassed bust right / Incuse of obverse. Cf. McAlee 745. Earthen brown patina. Near VF. Very rare brockage of Diadumenian from Antioch, none in CoinArchives.

apollonia

[apollonia]

Bronzo di Chalcis ad Libanum (Siria) che raffigura al dritto il busto di Cleopatra e la rovescio Marco Antonio (https://www.numisbids.com/n.php?p=lot&sid=7654&lot=1466).

Lot 1466. Starting price: 750 CHF. Price realized: 2600 CHF.

SYRIA, Coele-Syria. Chalcis ad Libanum. Cleopatra VII of Egypt & Mark Antony. AE (Bronze, 21 mm, 8.81 g, 11 h), RY 21 & 6 of Cleopatra = 32/1 BC. ΒΑϹΙΛΙϹϹΗϹ ΚΛ[ЄΟΠΑ]ΤΡΑϹ Diademed and draped bust of Cleopatra to right. Rev. [ЄΤΟΥC ΚΑ] ΤΟΥ ΚΑΙ ς ΘЄΑϹ ΝЄⲰΤЄΡΑ[Ϲ] Bare head of Mark Antony to right. HGC 9, 1451. RPC I 4771. SNG Copenhagen 382. Svoronos 1887. A wonderful example of this difficult issue, with an exceptionally attractive portrait of Cleopatra. The reverse struck slightly off center, otherwise, about extremely fine.

Ex Leu Web Auction 28, 11 December 2023, 2633.

apollonia

[apollonia]

Oricalco di Domiziano (Alessandria d’Egitto) che raffigura al rovescio una Sfinge distesa a destra (https://www.numisbids.com/n.php?lot=1503&p=lot&sid=7654).

Lot 1503. Starting price: 500 CHF. Price realized: 2000 CHF.

EGYPT. Alexandria. Domitian, 81-96. Obol (Orichalcum, 18 mm, 3.35 g, 12 h), RY 11 = 91/2. ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙϹΑΡ ΔΟΜΙΤ ϹЄΒ ΓЄΡΜ Laureate head of Domitian to right. Rev. L IA Sphinx reclining right. Dattari (Savio) 570. Emmett 326.11. K&G 24.181. RPC II online 2645.10 (this coin). An exceptional example, certainly among the finest known of this difficult issue. Patina stripped, otherwise, good very fine.

Ex Naville E-Auction 76, 2 October 2022, 185.

While many Alexandrian coins adhered to Greco-Roman motives, the coinage was also suffused with typical Egyptian elements, such as local deities, canopi, or temples. One of the most impressive reverse types in this regard is no doubt the sphinx. While the winged sphinx was no novelty due to her role in Greek tragedy, or even as an iconographic element on coins, the sphinx on our coin is decidedly more Egyptian in outlook (and male, unlike the Greek sphinx), immediately bringing to mind the Great Sphinx of Giza. Whether the latter is actually depicted is uncertain - the nearby Great Pyramids were never featured on Alexandrian coins and sphinxes were relatively ubiquitous in Egypt (the dromos connecting the temples of Karnak and Luxor, for instance, was lined with smaller sphinxes). Still, the wonderful appearance of the sphinx on Alexandrian coins shows Rome's appreciation, perhaps even admiration, of Ancient Egypt's monumental art.

apollonia

[apollonia]

Bronzo di Gordiano III (Tarso, Cilicia) che raffigura al rovescio due figure in piedi rivolte verso l'altare con ghirlande; sotto l'altare, toro reclinato a sinistra; al centro, colonna sormontata dalla statua di Apollo Lykeios; a sinistra, Demetra in piedi a destra, con due torce accese; a destra, Perseo in piedi a sinistra, con arpa e phiale.

Lot 756. Estimate: 50 EUR. Price realized: 130 EUR
 

CILICIA. Tarsos. Gordian III (238-244). Ae. Obv: AVT M ANT ΓOPΔIANOC CEB / Π - Π. Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev: TAPCOV MHTPOΠOΛΕΟC / AMK / Γ - B. Two figures standing facing behind garlanded altar; below altar, bull recumbent left; in centre, column surmounted by statue of Apollo Lykeios; to left, Demeter standing right, holding two lighted torches; to right, Perseus standing left, holding harpa and phiale. SNG Levante Suppl. 283; SNG France 1644.
Condition: Very fine. Weight: 25.81 g. Diameter: 26 mm.

apollonia

[apollonia]

Bronzo di Domiziano (Alessandria d’Egitto) che raffigura al rovescio il Faro di Alessandria sormontato da una statua e da due Tritoni (https://www.numisbids.com/n.php?p=lot&sid=7654&lot=1504).

Lot 1504. Starting price: 75 CHF. Price realized: 420 CHF.

EGYPT. Alexandria. Domitian, 81-96. Hemidrachm (Bronze, 29 mm, 17.41 g, 12 h), RY 15 = 95/6. ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙC ΘΕΟ ΥΙΟC ΔΟΜΙΤ [CЄB ΓЄΡΜ] Laureate head of Domitian to right. Rev. L - IE The Pharos of Alexandria, which is surmounted by a statue and two Tritons. Dattari (Savio) 552. Emmett 273.15. K&G 24.241. RPC II 2732. Extremely rare. Light cleaning scratches and a dig on the obverse, otherwise, good fine.
From the collection of a Cosmopolitan, acquired before 2005.

apollonia