Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 55

Ancient and World Coins

Ancient Greek Coinage

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 51		Kingdom of the Cimmerian Bosporos. Pharnakes II, 63-47 BC. Gold Stater (8.24 g), Panticapaeum mint, struck 53/52 BC. Diademed bust of Pharnakes right, with luxuriant hair. Reverse: Apollo, semi-draped, seated left on lion-footed throne, holding laurel branch over tripod, left elbow resting on kithara at his side; name and titles above and below, X monogram to right, EMS above (year 245, Pontic Era). Golenko & Karyszkowski, "The Gold Coinage of King Pharnaces of the Bosporus," in Numismatic Chronicle, 1972, no. 6 (same dies); Fr-156. Finely centered on a spacious, nearly round flan. Lustrous. Exemplary, sensitive portrait -- among the finest in this series. Very Rare. NGC graded About Uncirculated. Pharnakes is, in general, little known to history, but for being the subject of an acerbic quip, made famous in Caesar's chronicles of the Civil Wars. Typical of the politics of the era, Pharnakes II, who was the son of Rome's implacable enemy, Mithradates VI, "the Great," forced his father to commit suicide in 64 BC to placate the Roman general Pompey, who had surrounded Pharnakes' citadel at Panticapaeum. In compensation Pompey granted Pharnakes the title King of the Bosporus and left him alone to his own devices. Meanwhile Rome went on to annex large swaths of the Middle East and Asia Minor. With the death of the Armenian king Tigranes II, the Great, in 55/4 BC, Pharnakes felt safely ambitious enough to assume the deceased king's title of "Great King of Kings" - that seen on the above gold coin. Later, sensing opportunity at reclaiming some of the vast empire created by his father, Pharnakes quickly threw in his lot with Pompey when civil war broke out between Caesar and Pompey in 49 BC. His initial military successes in the area evaporated with Caesar marching north into Asia Minor in 48 BC, in order to restore the situation and avenge Roman losses. Pharnakes' army proved no match against Caesar's battle-hardened troops at the battle of Zela, in mid-47 BC, and were quickly routed. Thus Caesars' "Veni, Vedi, Vinci" -- one of the more famous literary quips to survive from antiquity. Estimated Value $20,000 - 25,000. At the time of the Numismatic Chronicle survey, Golenko & Karyszkowski had assembled a corpus of 15 known specimens of the Pharnakes gold coins, ranging in date from c. 55-50 BC. Since then a few more examples have surfaced, with a total known population probably not exceeding 25. Of these, 10 are located within museum collections. The famed Hunt specimen, with nearly as fine a portrait, but of a somewhat lower grade (Extremely Fine), realized $29,700 (including the 10% premium) in the Sotheby New York sale of June 19, 1990 (lot 115). Illustrated in Money of the World, coin 22. Ex Millennia Sale, lot 35. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $63,250
Lot 52		Mysia. Kyzikos, 500-450 BC. Electrum Stater (16.08 g). Two confronted eagles standing on omphalos covered with network of fillets; below, tunny swimming right. Reverse: Windmill-sail incuse. Boston 1535. Very rare. Choice Very Fine. Two eagles were sent by Zeus flying from the east and from the west, then descending on the Delphic omphalos positioned at the center of the Earth. Estimated Value $10,000 - 12,000. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 53		Mysia. Kysikos, c. 500-450 BC. Gold Stater (16.00 g). Screeching griffin standing left on tunny fish left. Reverse: Windmill-sail incuse. Boston MFA 1455; Von Fritze 99. Very Fine. Estimated Value $7,500 - 8,500. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 54		Mysia, Kyzikos, c. 500-460 BC. Electrum Hemihekte (or 1/12 Stater; 1.31 g). Dog standing left; below, tunny left. Reverse: Quadripartite incuse square. Boston MFA 1471. About Very Fine. Estimated Value $200 - 250. Ex Malter Auction XLVII (4 II 92), lot 117. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $600
Lot 55		Aeolis. Kyme, c. 150-145 BC. AR Tetradrachm (15.56 g). Diademed head right of the Amazon Kyme. Reverse: Horse prancing right; below vase with one handle; all within laurel wreath. Oakley (ANS MN 27) 55. Some die rusting;. Well centered on a gargantuan flan; Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $1,500 - 1,750. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 56		Aiolis, Myrina, after 165 BC. AR Tetradrachm (16.61 g). Laureate head right of Apollo. Reverse: Apollo Grynion holding branch and phiale, ethnic and monogram to left; at feet, omphalos and amphora; all within laurel wreath. Sacks (ANS MN 30) issue 24. Some luster remaining; Superb Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $1,600 - 2,000. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 57		Aiolis, Myrina, c. 150-145 BC. AR Tetradrachm (16.76 g). Laureate head right of Apollo Grynion. Reverse: MYRINAION, monogram behind; Apollo Grynion standing right, holding phiale in right hand and filleted branch in left, omphalos and amphora before feet, all within laurel wreath. BMC 7. Lightly double-struck. Particularly large Hellenistic flan; Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $700 - 900. Ex Malter Auction XLVII (4 II 92), lot 124. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $920
Lot 58		Lesbos, Mytilene, 377-326 BC. Electrum Hekte (2.52 g). Laureate head right of Apollo. Reverse: Bust right of Artemis with hair in Korymbos. Dewing 2243; Bodenstedt p. 288, Em.95. Mark on cheek. Very Fine. Lesbos is the largest island off western Asia Minor; Mytilene is the main city of the island and, most probably, the place of minting these diverse coin types. Estimated Value $275 - 375. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $570
Lot 59		Ionia. Heraklea ad Latmon, c. 150-140 BC. AR Tetradrachm (16.52 g). Helmeted head right of Athena. Reverse: Club within wreath. Lavva, Chiron 23, 9;. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $2,500 - 2,750. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,875
Lot 60		Ionia, Magnesia ad Maeandrum, c. 175-170 BC. AR Tetradrachm (16.58 g). Bust right of Artemis wearing diadem; bow and quiver at shoulder. Reverse: Apollo standing left on maeander; behind, tripod; all within laurel wreath. Cf. Jones (ANS MN 24) 17a. Superb Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,250. Ex Hunt sale, 349. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,898
Lot 61		Ionia, Teos, Late 5th Century BC. AR Stater (11.87 g). Griffin seated right, left forepaw raised; on lower right, owl standing. Reverse: Quadripartite incuse square. Cf. SNG Cop 1436. Shaved along one side of the reverse square, and obverse discolored. Nearly Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $450 - 550. Ex Malter Auction XLVII (4 II 92), lot 135. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,150
Lot 62		Lydia, Sardeis, Time of Alyattes, 610-561 BC. Electrum 1/12 Stater (Phoenician standard; 1.17 g). Head of lion right with wart on nose. Reverse: Irregular incuse. Boston MFA 1770; Rosen 654; cf. Weidauer 79-85. About Very Fine. Estimated Value $300 - 350. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $414
Lot 63		Kings of Lydia. Kroisos, c. 561-546 BC. AR Third Siglos (3.35 g). Confronted foreparts of lion and bull. Reverse: Two incuse punches. Rosen 666; Boston MFA 2071. Well detailed; About Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $1,200 - 1,400. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,208
Lot 64		Kingdom of Lydia, c. 545-520 BC. AR Siglos (or Half-Stater; 5.39 g). Foreparts of lion and bull, facing each other. Reverse: Two incuse squares. Dewing 2428; BMC 45. NGC graded Choice VF: Strike 3/5; Surface 5/5. Estimated Value $350 - 400. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $575
Lot 65		Lydia under Persian Rule, c. Mid-Fifth Century BC. Gold Daric (8.38 g). Bearded archer (the Great King) in kneeling-running attitude right holding spear and bow; quiver on shoulder. Reverse: Oblong incuse. Carradice (BAR 343) type IIib (early). Choice Very Fine. Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,200. Ex Malter Auction XLVII (4 II 92), lot 158. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,520
Lot 66		Satraps of Karia. Hidrieos, c. 351-344 BC. AR Tetradrachm (14.33 g). Head of Apollo three-quarter facing to right, wearing laurel wreath, drapery and brooch at neck. Reverse: Zeus Labraundos standing right, holding labrys and reversed spear; "E" and dynast's name in field. Traité II 100; SNG Cop Supp. 340; BMC p. 183, 1; SNG von Aulock 8046. Rare. Cleaned with some porosity on obverse and upper quadrant of reverse; otherwise. Choice Very Fine. The labrys is a double axe associated with the Asia Minor cult of Zeus Labraundos. Estimated Value $500 - 750. Ex Malter Auction XLVII (4 II 92), lot 145. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $633
Lot 67		Islands off Karia, Rhodos, c. 408-394 BC. AR Tetradrachm (14.44 g). Head of Helios three-quarter facing to right. Reverse: Rose with tendril. Cf. Kraay (Archaic and Classical Greek Coins) 941; cf. BMC 23. Rare. Very Fine. Estimated Value $700 - 900. Ex Malter Auction XLVII (4 II 92), lot 137. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $3,220
Lot 68		Lykia. Kherei, c. 410-390 BC. AR Stater (8.54 g). Helmeted head right of Athena. Reverse: Bearded head right of dynast. Cf. Mørkholm & Zahle, AA 47, 46. Rare. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $3,000 - 3,500. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 69		Pamphylia, Aspendos, c. 300-250 BC. AR Stater (10.32 g). Two wrestlers grappling; between them, E. Reverse: Slinger standing right; before, triskelion and club. SNG von Aulock 4575; SNG Cop 240; Dewing 2464. Beautifully centered; Choice Very Fine. Estimated Value $750 - 900. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $719
Lot 70		Pamphylia, Aspendos, 3rd Century BC. AR Stater (9.76 g). Two wrestlers grasping each other by the arms; between them, "E". Reverse: Slinger standing right about to discharge his sling; to right, club and triskelion. SNG von Aulock 4574; SNG Berry 1230. Usual obverse weakness. Choice Very Fine. Estimated Value $250 - 300. Ex Malter Auction XLVII (4 II 92), lot 147. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $264
Lot 71		Cilicia, Kelenderis, c. 400-333 BC. Fourrée Stater (9.28 g). Rider seated sideways on horse prancing right, from which he is ready to dismount. Reverse: Goat kneeling right, looking backwards. Dewing 2483; BMC 20. A number of chips on both sides, revealing the copper core. Fine to Very Fine. Fourrées are ancient counterfeits, manufactured either at or outside the mint. The core is copper with a silver sheathing on the outside, which was made to deceive the unsuspecting. Estimated Value $175 - 250. Ex Malter Auction XLVII (4 II 92), lot 150. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $480
Lot 72		Cilicia, Tarsos. Satrap Pharnabazos, 379-374 BC. AR Stater (10.35 g). Female head three-quarter facing to left, wearing sphendone and necklace. Reverse: Helmeted male head left (Ares?) with name of dynast to left; in right field, ankh. SNG Cop 267-269; cf. Weber 7616 (plate 275). Flan crack at 6 o'clock on obverse; porous. Of excellent style and well detailed; Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $300 - 400. Ex Malter Auction XLVII (4 II 92), lot 151. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $633
Lot 73		Cilicia, Tarsos. Balakros, 333-323 BC. AR Stater (10.92 g). Baaltars seated left, holding lotus-tipped scepter; before, grain ear and grape bunch; behind, ivy leaf and B; beneath throne, T. Reverse: Draped bust of Athena three-quarter face to left, wearing triple-crested helmet. SNG Paris 367-9; de Luynes 2867; SNG von Aulock 5964. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $1,750 - 2,150. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 74		Syria. Seleukid Kingdom. Antiochos Hierax, 246-227 BC. AR Tetradrachm (17.05 g), probably minted in Asia Minor. Diademed head right of Antiochos Hierax (also resembing Antiochos III). Reverse: Apollo seated left on omphalos, holding bow and arrow; inscription in exergue. Seemingly unpublished; cf. Houghton and Lorber 851.2; Houghton ANS (ACNAC) --. Nearly Extremely Fine. The artistic quality of the die engraving is vastly different from obverse to reverse. The beautiful high relief portrait is in stark contrast to the Apollo figure and epigraphy on the reverse. During Roman times it is felt that an apprentice celator started with the more linear engraving of deities and personifications, then he would graduate to the more difficult and sensitive modeling of the emperor's portrait. In this instance, it seems more likely that the obverse die was shipped from one mint to a more provincial mint. Estimated Value $400 - 600. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,013
Lot 75		Seleukid Kingdom. Antiochos VII, 138-129 BC. AR Tetradrachm (16.53 g) minted at Antioch. Diademed head right of Antiochos VII. Reverse: Athena standing left, holding Nike with right hand, spear with left, all within laurel wreath. Newell (SMA) 287; Dewing 2615. NGC graded About Uncirculated. Our grade is About Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $250 - 300. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $288
Lot 76		Phoenicia, Arados, c. 400-350 BC. AR Obol (0.67 g). Laureate head right of marine deity. Reverse: Galley right, two lines of waves below. Betlyon 13; BMC 45. Rare. Well-centered Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $450 - 550. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 77		Phoenicia, Sidon, c. 372-358 BC. AR Double Shekel (25.41 g). War galley traveling left over waves; possibly one horizontal stroke and three vertical lines above galley. Reverse: Bearded king in horsedrawn cart; behind, Egyptian attendant. Cf. Betlyon 23; BMC 29. Well centered on good metal; Choice Very Fine. This impressive coin is usually from hoards which show porosity and horn silver. One group, now completely dispersed, has much more desirable silver and displays more careful striking procedures, as this present example. Estimated Value $2,000 - 2,500. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 78		Phoenicia, Tyre, 92/1 BC. AR Shekel (14.36 g) dated year 35. Laureate head right of Melqart. Reverse: Eagle standing left; year above club in left field. BMC 126-7. Choice Very Fine. Estimated Value $300 - 400. Ex Malter Auction XLVII (4 II 92), lot 172. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $840

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