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RARE ANCIENT COINS

#C038: A Very Early Electrum Stater of Miletos, 600-550 BC.

The first true coins seem to have been minted in Asia Minor in the late 7th or early 6th century BC. These coins were struck in electrum, a naturally occurring alloy of gold and silver found in the Pactolus and other nearby rivers. Several Greek cities including Miletos on the Western coast as well as the Lydian kings began minting these first coins by stamping the badge of their city into one side of a standard weight lump of electrum and various punches into the other. These devices were used to facilitate trade by certifying that the intrinsic value and weight of the metal was guaranteed by the issuing authority. Of these first coins, those of Miletos like the current example, are probably the finest from an artistic perspective. The lion, cleverly configured with its head reverted and tail curled over its haunch to neatly fit within the rectangular frame, is a masterpiece of Archaic Greek art. The vigor and ferocity of the beast are beautifully conveyed by its snarling countenance and erect mane. The current piece is an excellent example of these extremely rare coins. Most of the few surviving examples are in poor condition or with irregular lumpy flans. This is without doubt a piece worthy of the finest collection. Obverse: Lion lying left, looking back and roaring, all within a double rectangular frame divided into segments. Reverse: Three incuse punches; an oblong punch containing a fox between two square punches, one containing the head of a stag, the other a star shaped ornament. Mean Diameter: 21 x 17.5 mm. (0.827 x 0.689"). Weight: 13.91 gm. (0.435 Troy oz.). Metal composition: Gold with some silver content. References: David Sear, Greek Coins, Vol. 2, # 3439. Grade: Very Fine Plus to Extra Fine. Price: US$10,000. Status: Available. Order #C038.Price: US$10,000. Status: Available.

#C139: MYSIA, KYZIKOS, ca. 550 BC, Electrum Stater, Rosen443. Winged Boar, tunny fish below/Four part incuse. AVF. Very RARE! $2500.

#C004: A Gold Daric of the Persians, Enemies of The Greeks, Circa 450-330 BC. A Choice Gold Daric of The Persians, Circa 450-330 BC After the defeat of King Croesus of Lydia, Asia Minor and its Greek cities fell under Persian control leading to more than two centuries of warfare between the Greeks and Persians. These struggles have become legendary thanks to the ancient historians' accounts of the Spartan defense of Marathon, the Persian sack of Athens, and the final defeat of the Persian fleet at Salamis. Throughout this period the Persians issued a series of gold and silver coins including this gold daric of circa 450-330 BC, the period of Kings Artaxerxes I to Darius III. This gold daric is a choice example of the Persian coinage of this period, as many of the surviving examples are in poor condition or with portions of the figure off the flan. This is one of the rare examples where the figure of the Great King is all present, in excellent condition and well centered on a symmetrical flan. Certainly a choice example of numismatic art from ancient times and one that is directly associated with these historic events. Obverse: Figure of the Great Persian King wearing crown and long robe. He runs right carrying a bow and spear, a quiver of arrows protruding behind him. Reverse: Irregular punch mark of rectangular form. Dimensions: 17 x 14.5 mm. (0.67 x 0.57"). Weight: 8.32 gm. (0.260 Troy oz.). Metal composition: Nearly pure gold. References: Babelon, pl. 86, 19-21. Grade: Extra Fine. Price US$2,750. Status: Available. Order #C004.Price: US$2,750. Status: Available.

#C046: A Choice Large Bronze Of Julian The Philosopher, AD 355-363. A Choice Large Bronze of Julian The Philosopher, AD 355-363 Julian was the last emperor who attempted to restore the old pagan gods of Rome after the emperor Constantine had adopted Christianity as the state religion. Reviled by later Christian writers he is often referred to as Julian the Apostate. The current coin is the largest and finest of Julian's issues and the bull on the reverse most probably depicts the Apis Bull, a lost Egyptian religious image which was rediscovered during Julian's reign. Obverse: Finely engraved bust of Julian wearing the royal diadem and robes, fastened by a large brooch at the shoulder; Latin legend DN FL CL IVLIANVS PF AVG, abbreviated form of Dominus Noster Flavius Claudius Julianus Pius Felix Augustus = 'Our Lord Flavius Claudius Julianus Dutiful and Wise Augustus'. Reverse: The Apis Bull standing right, two stars above; Latin legend SECVRITAS REIPVB = 'The Security of the Republic', CONSPB (mint of Constantinople) below. Mean Diameter: 29 mm. (1.14"). Weight: 8.61 gm. (0.269 Troy oz.). Metal composition: Bronze. References: David Van Meter, Handbook of Roman Imperial Coins, #25, Laurion Press, 1991. Price US$650. Status: Available. Order #C046Price: US$650. Status: Available.

#C140: CARACALLA, 196-217AD. AE42 Medallion of Pergamon, BMC321. Bust of Roman emperor Caracalla r./Caracalla on horseback approaching statue of Asclepius. Caracalla prayed here for relief of nightmares & physical ailments. F. Extremely RARE! $650.

#C122: L. Livineius Regulus, 42 BC. Silver denarius, Livineia 12. Portrait of Praetor L. Livineius Regulus/Combat of gladitors against wild beasts. One attacks a lion, another defends himself against a tiger, a wounded boar top left. VF+. Rare depiction of Roman Colliseum activities! Price: US$950. Status: Available.

#C167: TRAJAN, 98-117. Denarius, RIC307, C115, RSC284. Head of the emperor Trajan r./Trajan's Column which still stands in Rome. Toned EF. Superior example with detailed column and statues all on the flan. $500.

#C169: AUGUSTUS, 27 BC-14 AD. Denarius, RSC144. Head of the emperor Augustus r./IMP X ACT, Apollo stg l. holding lyre & plectrum. This historically important issue commemorates Octavian's (later called Augustus) great naval victory over Antony and Cleopatra at Actium. VF. $500.

#C165: VESPASIAN, 69-79. Judaea Capta Sestertius, Hendin773v(listed at $2500). Head of the emperor Vespasian r./Palm, bound Jew to l., mourning Jewess to r. AVF. Struck to commemorate the Roman victory in the first Judaean revolt. A rare coin of important historical interest. $1250.

#C265: IONIA, EPHESUS, Gold Stater, 87-85 BC, Sear 4397v, SNG Van Aulock 1869v. Diad. and dr. bust of Artemis r., bow and quiver at shoulder/Cult statue of Ephesian Artemis facing, E-F across upper field, stag at foot of statue. An excessively rare Greek Gold Stater from Ephesus, a rare variant and the best known example of it's type (if you ever see one it is usually damaged). EF, the obverse somewhat sharper than the image shows. Provenance: Realized $6,000 back in NFA auction X, lot 173, Sept, 1981, went for 7,000 German Marks at Kastner's #4 sale, lot 109 in 1973. It would seem that the Ephesians found Roman rule with its taxes and slave traders oppressive. When Mithradates VI declared his revolt against Rome and ordered the slaughter of all Italians, the Ephesians complied with such enthusiasm that not even the suppliants at the altar of their goddess were spared. The city minted gold staters to pay Mithradates' troops with the secondary effect of proclaiming its independence, since the minting of gold was a prestigious act and a prerogative of supreme power. This is the first numismatic depiction of the famous polymastic cult statue of the Ephesian Artemis. $9500---Available.

#C168: AUGUSTUS, 27BC-14AD. Denarius, RSC122. His bare hd r./Temple surrounded by balustrade. EF. A fine and detailed representation of Roman architecture. $500---Sold.

#C166: CASSIUS, ca. 42BC. Denarius, RSC6. Veiled head of Liberty r./Jug & Lituus. Toned EF. Rare. A choice example of a coin struck by Cassius, one of Caesar's assassins. $950---Sold.

#C141: MEXICO, CHARLES V & JOHANNA, 1537-56. 4 Reales. Pillars of Hercules/Royal arms. Choice example of the first coinage minted in the new world. One of the best examples from a recent hoard. Toned EF. Comes with xeroxed information about this historic issue. $500---Sold.

#C003: The Earliest Silver Coins. King Croesus, 561-546 BC. Price: US$750. Status: Sold.

#C001: An Extra Fine Gold Stater of Alexander the Great, 336-323 BC. Price: US$3,000. Status: Sold.

#C005: A Bronze 8 Prutot Coin of Herod The Great, 39-4 BC. Price: US$750. Status: Sold.

#C006: An Excessively Rare Silver Tetradrachm of Marc Antony and Cleopatra, Circa 39 BC. Price: On request. Status: Sold.

#C060: A Choice Sestertius of the Roman emperor Vitellius, AD 69. Price: US$3,500. Status: Sold.

#C055: A Drachm of Roman Egypt With The Pharos Lighthouse, AD 139. Price: US$250. Status: Sold, a much better one is available.

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