Auktion Nr. 157

Münzen der Griechen
★ Ex Sotheby’s – NFA 1993 ★
SICILY. Entella. Punic Issues. Tetradrachm (Circa 320/15-300 BC).

Obv: Head of Arethousa left, wearing grain-ear wreath, earring and necklace; four dolphins around.
Rev: Head of horse left; palm tree to right.

Jenkins, Punic, 189 (O55/R166); CNP 267; HGC 2, 284.

Ex Sotheby’s – Numismatic Fine Arts (27-28 October 1993), lot 307. The foundation of Entella is traced back to Acestes, son of the river god Krimisos and a Trojan woman or, according to other sources to Prince Elymus, son of Anchises and brother of Aeneas. The city stood on a summit overlooking the Belice valley. Records are scarce until the arrival of the Campanian mercenaries, recruited in 410 BC by the Carthaginians and discharged after the 405 BC treaty, then passed into the pay of Dionysius I of Syracuse. After liberating Dionysius on the island of Ortigia from the Punic siege, the were discharged with rich gifts and settled in various cities on the island. In 404 a group of these mercenaries seized Entella, exterminating the entire male population, and began to mint their own coinage. From then on they implemented a generally pro-Carthaginian policy and, in 398 B.C., were able to stop Syracusan siege attempts with the help of the Punic. The strategic location of the fortress of Entella was coveted for its control of the valley below, and this led to several siege attempts: in 345 it was attacked by the Carthaginians led by General Annon, then in 342 the city was taken by the Syracusans commanded by Timoleon, but in 338 it fell back under Punic influence. During the First Punic War the city was destroyed by the Carthaginians. The “Decrees of Entella,” which were requests for help engraved on bronze slabs, from the inhabitants to neighboring cities, date from this period. In 263 Entella was conquered by the Romans and enjoyed a new period of prosperity until the second century BC when it was abandoned.

Condition: Near extremely fine.

Weight: 17.11 g.
Diameter: 26 mm.

Münzen der Griechen
★ Finest Style ★
SICILY. Syracuse. Agathokles (317-289 BC). Tetradrachm.

Obv: Wreathed head of Arethusa left, wearing triple-pendant earring and pearl necklace; three dolphins around; ΦI below neck.
Rev: ΣYPAKOΣION.
Charioteer driving quadriga left; triskeles above, AI in exergue.

SNG ANS 642; BAR Issue 2; HGC 2, 1348.

The first period (317-310 BC) of Agathokles‘ coinage is distinguished by the presence of the triskeles on the reverse. This symbol, which appears for the first time in the city’s coinage, symbolizes Syracusan supremacy and the tyrant’s rule over all of Sicily. The triskeles, commonly believed to be an allusion to the tricuspid shape of the island (Trinacria), is also an ancient symbol of the Sun and the cosmic sky, of rebirth and eternity. This tetradrachm is also a clear Agathoklean reworking of the magnificent dekadrachms designed by the engraver Euainetos, which were also imitated by the Sicilian-Punic coinage of Panormos.

Condition: Good very fine.

Weight: 17.00 g.
Diameter: 28 mm.

Münzen der Griechen
★ Mint State – Artistic Athena ★
KINGS OF MACEDON. Alexander III ‚the Great‘ (336-323 BC). GOLD Stater. Sardeis.

Obv: Head of Athena right, wearing helmet decorated with serpent.
Rev: AΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ.
Nike standing left, holding wreath and stylis. Controls: In left field, monogram; akrostolion below left wing.

Price 2592.

Already with Philip II the occupation of the Mount Pangaion region with its rich gold mines had made possible the abundant emission of gold coins, something that until then had been throughout Greece rather rare and linked to extraordinary circumstances or moments of crisis. Alexander, who imposed a single coinage throughout his vast empire, was able to issue States and their fractions in gold, using the Attic weight as the unit of measure. On the Staters the head of the goddess Athena with Corinthian helmet was depicted on the obverse, while a winged Nike was reproduced on the reverse. On silver tetradrachms, on the other hand, the head of Herakles with lion skin was depicted on the obverse and Zeus seated on a throne on the reverse (Phidian model). Toward the end of his reign there is an assimilation of the ruler with Herakles. The practice, derived from the Eastern world of reproducing the portrait of the ruler on the coin, represents a change with Alexander’s coinage. But as if the human figure did not dare to suddenly replace that of the gods, the image is clothed with religious content, through its deification or identification with the deity. Even after his death for a long time Tetradrachms with the effigy of Alexander continued to be issued by his successors. The Macedonian king had the possibility to exploit for his coinage a large amount of precious metal from the vast empire he had conquered. The extremely rich mines scattered throughout this territory also made his successors self-sufficient.. The coin from that time became a symbol of the ruler’s power and absolute authority; no longer protected by the image of deities, it became an instrument of propaganda and power.

Condition: Mint State.

Weight: 8.58 g.
Diameter: 18 mm.

Münzen der Griechen
★ Roman Embassy Issue ★
MACEDON UNDER ROMAN PROTECTORATE. Roman Embassy (Circa 148-147 BC). Tetradrachm. Amphipolis or Thessalonica.

Obv: Diademed and draped bust of Artemis right, with bow and quiver over shoulder; all in centre of Macedonian shield.
Rev: LEG / MAKEΔONΩN.
Club; above, hand holding olive branch left; all within oak wreath, thunderbolt to outer left.

MacKay, Macedonian, Series 1, 3c; AMNG III/1 194.

This tetradrachm was struck following Andriskos‘ attempt to restore the Macedonian kingdom. Born into a humble family, he exploited his resemblance to King Perseus to impersonate his illegitimate son and lay claim to the kingdom. Andriskos was initially in the pay of Demetrios I of Syria, from whom he hoped to receive support to conquer Macedonia, but he was handed over to the Romans in 153. He managed to escape to Miletos and was helped by Callippa, a former concubine of Perseus, who gave him the royal insignia and money. Thanks to this help, Andriskos organized a small army in Thrace and crossed into Macedonia, where he seized the Strymon Valley in 149 and was well received by the lower classes of the population. He was crowned king and chose Pella as his capital. After the Carthaginians offered Andriskos money and ships, the Romans sent an embassy headed by P. Cornelius Scipio Nasica, followed by two legions led by the praetor Q. Caecilius Metellus. The latter succeeded in defeating Andriskos and brought him to Rome, celebrating his triumph. The Roman embassy (legatio) is commemorated on this coin with the addition of a hand holding a branch, symbolizing the peace offered to Macedonia, which from that moment became a Roman province.

Condition: Near extremely fine.

Weight: 16.76 g.
Diameter: 29 mm.

Münzen der Römischen Republik
★ Romulus and Remus ★
ANONYMOUS. Didrachm (Circa 265 BC). Rome.

Obv: Diademed head of young Hercules right, with lion skin around neck; club on shoulder.
Rev: ROMANO.
She-wolf standing right, head left, suckling the twins Romulus and Remus.

Crawford 20/1; HN Italy 287; RBW 23.

The reverse of this Didrachm evokes one of the most widely attested legends about the foundation of Rome, faithfully reproduced from the famous sculpture preserved in the Capitoline Museums. Rome’s earliest bronze and silver coinage dates not earlier than the end of the 4th century BC. Produced initially in small quantities, they follow the pattern and weight values of Neapolitan coinage, so they are traditionally called ‚Romano-Campananian‘ series. This occurred mainly after the stipulation of the ‚foedum aequum‘, an agreement sanctioned between Rome and Neapolis in 326, at the time of the Second Samnite War, which marked the beginning of the Roman conquest of southern Italy. The period in which Rome began to produce coinage, between the second conflict with the Samnites until the end of the Punic Wars, coincides with the most intense phase of Roman expansion, implemented through the foundation of colonies and a widespread network of alliances. These issues responded to the need to meet the costs of military enterprises and subsequent public works in occupied territories. The myth of the she-wolf suckling the twins is the result of several elaborations by various authors over the centuries, and it was only in the Augustan age that it took on the definitive form that has been handed down to us, mainly by Titus Livius. The historian tells of Aeneas who landed in Lazio and his descendants, up to Numitor, king of Alba, who was deposed by his brother Amulius. The latter had Numitor’s sons killed and forced his only daughter, Rhea Silvia, to become a vestal, so that she would remain a virgin and not bear a son who might one day take revenge and reclaim the throne he had usurped. The vestal virgin was raped and gave birth to twins. In an attempt to save herself, she claimed that the father of her illegitimate offspring was Mars. However, Rhea Silvia was condemned and imprisoned, while the twins were placed in a basket and abandoned on the waters of the Tiber. According to Livius, divine will caused the river to overflow and forced the servants to leave the basket in a pool near the ficus Ruminalis (in the Velabrum). Here, a thirsty she-wolf, attracted by their cries, offered to suckle them and was noticed by the king’s herdsman Faustulus, who took them to be raised by his wife.

Condition: Near extremely fine.

Weight: 7.01 g.
Diameter: 22 mm.

Münzen der Römischen Kaiser
CALIGULA (37-41). Denarius. Rome.

Obv: C CAESAR AVG GERM P M TR POT COS.
Bare head of Caligula right.
Rev: Radiate head of Augustus right, flanked by two stars.

RIC² 2.

Rare

Condition: Near extremely fine; some luster in field.

Weight: 3.79 g.
Diameter: 19 mm.

Münzen der Römischen Kaiser
ANTONINUS PIUS (138-161). GOLD Aureus. Rome.

Obv: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P.
Laureate bust right, with slight drapery.
Rev: TR POT COS IIII.
Roma seated left on throne, holding Palladium and spear; shield to right.

RIC 147; Calicó 1656a.

Condition: Very fine.

Weight: 7.42 g.
Diameter: 19 mm.

Münzen der Römischen Kaiser
★ Ex Vedrines 1998 ★
LUCIUS VERUS (161-169). GOLD Aureus. Rome.

Obv: L VERVS AVG ARMENIACVS.
Bare head right.
Rev: TR P IIII IMP II COS II / REX ARMEN DAT.
Lucius Verus, in military dress, seated left on curule chair set on raised daïs with standing attendant on either side; before him on the ground below, Armenian king Sohaemus standing left, raising hand to accept crown.

RIC III 512 (Aurelius); Calicó 2154.

Ex Vedrines, 22-23 October 1998. Lucius Verus was born in Rome in 130 and was the son of Aelius, who had been adopted by Hadrian and died in 138 without ascending to the throne. Antoninus Pius then adopted Lucius Verus, himself an orphan. He was consul in 154 and 161, and reigned alongside Marcus Aurelius from 161, in a form of diarchy that was completely new for the time. This association of power was not desired by Marcus Aurelius, as some historians claim, but was Antoninus Pius who pointed them in this direction. Many historians emphasized a great difference between the two, describing Marcus Aurelius as a wise emperor-philosopher and Lucius Verus as an irresponsible prince, devoted to vice and fond of games and horse racing. However, he proved himself to be a great general. He led several wars, beginning with the Parthian king Vologases III, who was expanding into Cappadocia and Syria. At the end of this first war, Verus received the title ‘Armeniacus’, which can also be read on this aureus, for having shown great valor. In 164, he married Lucilla, daughter of Marcus Aurelius, and the following year he conquered several cities in Mesopotamia, earning the title ‘Parthicus Maximus’, even before conquering Seleucia and Ctesiphon, the two main strongholds of the Parthians. The two emperors celebrated a grand triumph in 166 and both assumed the title of ‘pater patriae’. However, the empire was immediately struck by the plague and a barbarian revolt in the north. The two princes were therefore forced to leave to defend an empire that had been weakened by the plague from invasion. After a grueling series of battles, during his return to Rome, Lucius Verus suffered a stroke and died in Altinum at the age of 42, after eleven years of reign. Despite his bad reputation among some historians, such as Julius Capitolinus, he must have been a good emperor. In addition to his numerous military victories, he studied Latin and Greek grammarians, wrote poetry, and was a good orator. So much so that Antoninus Pius, while still alive, urged Marcus Aurelius to be like him.

Condition: Near extremely fine.

Weight: 7.19 g.
Diameter: 19 mm.

Münzen der Römischen Kaiser
GORDIAN III (238-244). GOLD Aureus. Rome.

Obv: IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG.
Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: P M TR P IIII COS II P P.
Emperor standing right, holding globe and parazonium.

RIC -, cf. 105 (spear instead of parazonium); Calicó 3223.

Rare

Born to a daughter of Gordian I, sister of Gordian II, because of the young age at which he came to occupy the throne (13), Gordian did not rule directly, but the Senate did so for him. Gordian had become prince because the Senate needed to placate an uprising of the traditionalist urban plebs, bound to the dynastic ideal, and in order to take advantage of his family’s wealth. Moreover, the praetorians had acclaimed him emperor just to show the Senate that they were the ones who decided who to put on the throne. Among the first moves was the dismissal of the legion in Africa because it had supported Capellianus and led to the deaths of Gordian I and II, who were deified. During his relatively long tenure there were several problems to deal with. In 240 Sabinianus, elected caesar in Carthage, prepared to make war on him, but was stopped by the governor of Mauretania. In the north the barbarians were making constant raids and sacking villages and towns. Gordian was too young to face these problems, but fortunately for him he could count on the diplomatic and military skill of Timesitheus, who had become prefect of the praetorium and granted him his daughter, Tranquillina, in marriage in 241. Rome succeeded in repelling the Persians of Shapur I in 243 thanks to Timesitheus, but on his death he was replaced as prefect of the praetorium by Marcus Julius Philip known as ‚the Arab‘. The latter, however, was not satisfied with this title but aimed at the throne, and he convinced the army that they needed an adult prince and not a boy. Gordian showed maturity and offered to cede the throne to Philip and become his caesar, but he was killed in 244. The Senate was informed that he had died of wounds sustained in a battle against the Persians. His body was sent to Rome where he was deified.

Condition: Near mint state.

Weight: 5.04 g.
Diameter: 20 mm.

Münzen der Römischen Kaiser
★ The Farnese Hercules ★
GORDIAN III (238-244). GOLD Aureus. Rome.

Obv: IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG.
Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: VIRTVTI AVGVSTI.
The Farnese Hercules: statue of Hercules right, holding Apples of the Hesperides and lion skin, and leaning upon club.

RIC 108; Calicó 3242.

Born to a daughter of Gordian I, sister of Gordian II, because of the young age at which he came to occupy the throne (13), Gordian did not rule directly, but the Senate did so for him. Gordian had become prince because the Senate needed to placate an uprising of the traditionalist urban plebs, bound to the dynastic ideal, and in order to take advantage of his family’s wealth. Moreover, the praetorians had acclaimed him emperor just to show the Senate that they were the ones who decided who to put on the throne. Among the first moves was the dismissal of the legion in Africa because it had supported Capellianus and led to the deaths of Gordian I and II, who were deified. During his relatively long tenure there were several problems to deal with. In 240 Sabinianus, elected caesar in Carthage, prepared to make war on him, but was stopped by the governor of Mauretania. In the north the barbarians were making constant raids and sacking villages and towns. Gordian was too young to face these problems, but fortunately for him he could count on the diplomatic and military skill of Timesitheus, who had become prefect of the praetorium and granted him his daughter, Tranquillina, in marriage in 241. Rome succeeded in repelling the Persians of Shapur I in 243 thanks to Timesitheus, but on his death he was replaced as prefect of the praetorium by Marcus Julius Philip known as ‚the Arab‘. The latter, however, was not satisfied with this title but aimed at the throne, and he convinced the army that they needed an adult prince and not a boy. Gordian showed maturity and offered to cede the throne to Philip and become his caesar, but he was killed in 244. The Senate was informed that he had died of wounds sustained in a battle against the Persians. His body was sent to Rome where he was deified.

Condition: Near mint state.

Weight: 4.92 g.
Diameter: 20 mm.

Münzen der Römischen Kaiser
★ Ex NFA 1991 ★
DIVUS NIGRINIANUS (Died 284/5). Antoninianus. Rome.

Obv: DIVO NIGRINIANO.
Radiate head right.
Rev: CONSECRATIO / KA A.
Eagle standing facing, head left, wings spread.

RIC 472.

Ex Numismatic Fine Arts XXVII, (1991), 178; Baldwin’s 57 (2008), lot 21. Very little is known about Nigrinianus; he is presumed to have been the son of Carinus and Magna Urbica. An epigraph also identifies him as Carus‘ grandson. He certainly died very young and obtained the ‚consecratio‘ as evidenced by the rare posthumous coins portraying him.

Condition: Near extremely fine.

Weight: 4.29 g.
Diameter: 23 mm.

Münzen der Neuzeit
★ Mint State ★
GREAT BRITAIN. George II (1727-1760). GOLD 1/2 Guinea (1759).

Obv: GEORGIVS II DEI GRATIA.
Laureate head left.
Rev: M B F ET H REX F D B ET L D S R I A T ET E.
Crowned coat of arms.

SCBC 3685; KM 587.

Condition: Mint State.

Weight: 4.18 g.
Diameter: 21 mm.

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