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Sale 63
The Pre-Long Beach Auction of US, World Coins and Currency
| Lot |
Photo |
Description |
Realized |
Lot 2500 |
 |
Kingdom of Parthia. Phraataces, c. 2 BC - AD 4. AR Drachm (3.83 g) minted at Ecbatana. Diademed bust left of Phraataces; on either side, Nike crowning king. Reverse: Crowned bust left of Queen Musa; under chin, mint monogram. Sellwood 58/9. We note some faint scratching in fields; rare. Extremely Fine.
This coin type numismatically signals the rise of an Italian slave girl, Musa, to Queen of the Parthians. Along the way, she married Phraates IV, mothered Phraataces ("little Phraates"), had Phraates IV poisoned, then married her own son, Phraataces. There are few historical figures such as Musa; her coins are very rare and coveted.
Estimated Value $3,000 - 4,000.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$8,050 |
Lot 2501 |
 |
Kingdom of Parthia. Parthamaspates, c. AD 116. AR Drachm (3.71 g) minted at Ecbatana. Bust left of Parthamaspates wearing decorated tiara. Reverse: Archer seated right, holding bow. Sellwood 81/1. Light hoard toning remaining. Superb Extremely Fine.
The Roman emperor Trajan promoted Parthamaspates, great-nephew of Osroes I, to the Parthian throne. The coins of the puppet king Parthamaspates can be easily identified by his long moustache. Although his reign was short (about a year), there was a large hoard of his coins found in the late 1960s. At the time, the drachms, all of which were VF+ to Mint State, retailed around $150. About the time these were found, another large group of drachms was found, those of Arsakes I and II. These early coins were much more expensive, especially the relatively few which included "Autokrator" on the reverse (Sellwood 1/1). This hoard is partially documented in the 1971 Numismatic Chronicle article, "A Hoard of early Parthian drachms" by M. Abgarians and David Sellwood.
Estimated Value $400 - 500.
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| Realized
$748 |
Lot 2502 |
 |
Kingdom of Sasania. Artashir I, c. AD 224-242. AR Drachm (4.32 g). Crowned bust right of Artashir I. Reverse: Fire altar with ribbons, no attendants. Sellwood 10; Göbl 10; Saeedi 69. Extremely Fine.
The Sasanians were the first to mint large-diameter coins that were also thin.
Estimated Value $700 - 800.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$776 |
Lot 2503 |
 |
Kingdom of Sasania. Artashir I, c. AD 224-242. AR Hemidrachm (1.76 g). Crowned bust facing of Artashir I. Reverse: Diademed and helmeted bust left of Papak. Sellwood 2; Göbl 2. Excellent details. Choice Very Fine.
Very rare frontal portrait type of this first "King of Kings." Papak was the father of Artashir I.
Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,200.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$776 |
Lot 2504 |
 |
Kingdom of Sasania. Artashir I, c. AD 224-242. AR Obol (0.63 g). Crowned bust right of Artashir I. Reverse: Fire altar with ribbons, no attendants. Sellwood --; Göbl 5; Paruck 53. Very rare. Superb Extremely Fine.
Most unearthed obols are porous; this is a happy exception! It was likely part of a ceremonial or largesse issue, yet the obol as a denomination did have a place in the agora.
Estimated Value $800 - 900.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$1,006 |
Lot 2505 |
 |
Kingdom of Sasania. Varhran II, c. AD 274-293. AR Drachm (4.01 g). Crowned jugate busts right of Varhran II and his queen; crowned smaller bust of prince left, vis-à-vis. Reverse: Fire altar with kings as attendants. Sellwood 23; Göbl 64. Very Fine to Extremely Fine.
There are few coins depicting so many portraits as this drachm of the Zoroastrian kingdom of the Sasanids.
Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,200.
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| Realized
$1,121 |
Lot 2506 |
 |
Kingdom of Sasania. Shapur II, AD 309-379. Gold Dinar (7.08 g) minted at Merv. Crowned bust right of Shapur II. Reverse: Fire altar with ribbons, no attendants. Cf. Göbl 107; MK 1224. Rare. Well struck with lustrous fields. Superb Extremely Fine.
All gold coins of Sasania are rarely offered.
Estimated Value $6,000 - 7,000.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$5,750 |
Lot 2507 |
 |
Kingdom of Sasania. Varhran IV, c. AD 388-399. AR Drachm (4.09 g). Crowned bust right of Varhran IV. Reverse: Bust right of monarch atop fire altar with attendants. Sellwood --; cf. Göbl 139; cf. Alram 840. Extremely Fine.
Estimated Value $300 - 400.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$345 |
Lot 2508 |
 |
Kingdom of Sasania. Valkash, c. AD 484-488. AR Drachm (4.08 g). Crowned bust right of Valkash; flames issue from his shoulder. Reverse: Fire altar with attendants. Sellwood 50; Göbl 178. Scarce. About Extremely Fine.
Estimated Value $300 - 400.
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| Unsold |
Lot 2509 |
 |
Kingdom of Sasania. Xusro II, AD 591-628. AR Drachm (4.20 g) dated year 23 (AD 613). Facing bust of Xusro II, wearing mural crown with two wings and star-in-crescent; ribbons on shoulders; star-in-crescents flanking crown. Reverse: Facing bust of Anahita wearing crown of flames. Saeedi 277; Göbl type IV/5; Sellwood 67. Superb Extremely Fine.
Likely a commemorative for victories over Byzantine forces, especially the one at Damascus in AD 613.
Estimated Value $5,000 - 6,000.
Ex Triton XIV, lot 530.
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| Unsold |
Lot 2510 |
|
Seven Greek and Associated Silver Coins. Two Sasanian drachms (faulted), drachm of India (western satraps), three fractionals (Massalia, Euboia - ex BCD collection, and Abdera) plus an early shekel of Tyre. Condition is all over the board, averaging VG-Fine. Lot of 7 coins.
Estimated Value $225 - 275.
View details
| Realized
$299 |
Lot 2511 |
 |
Kingdom of Baktria. Antimachos, c. 171-160 BC. AR Tetradrachm (16.95 g) minted c. 171-168 BC. Diademed and draped bust right of Antimachos wearing kausia. Reverse: Poseidon standing facing, holding trident and palm branch. Bopear. Série 1, plate 9, 1; Mitchiner (Ancient and Classical World) 1656. Highly modeled and one of the most desired portrayals of the Baktrian Kingdom. Superb Extremely Fine.
One of the very finest examples we have seen of the type.
Estimated Value $6,000 - 7,000.
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| Realized
$7,475 |
Lot 2512 |
 |
Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt. Ptolemy I, 323-285 BC. Gold Pentadrachm (17.81 g) minted at Alexandria. Diademed bust right of Ptolemy I; behind ear, delta. Reverse: Eagle standing left on thunderbolt; in left field, monogram. Svoronos 210; Dewing 2740; SNG Cop --. Very rare. Slight damage on rim. A little luster remaining; Extremely Fine.
A very handsome example with the Greek letter delta, which is thought to be an artist's initial.
Estimated Value $8,000 - 9,000.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$12,650 |
Lot 2513 |
 |
Ptolemaic Egypt. Ptolemy II, 285-246 BC. Gold Oktadrachm (or Mnaieion; 27.72 g) minted at Alexandria after 270 BC. Diademed jugate busts right of Ptolemy II and Arsinoe II (sister and wife of Ptolemy II); behind, shield. Reverse: Diademed jugate busts right of Ptolemy I (father of Ptolemy II) and Berenike I (mother of Ptolemy II). Svoronos 603; Dewing 2752. Four excellent portraits; a beautiful example. Choice Very Fine.
Sometimes attributed a bit later, to Ptolemy III, this most impressive dynastic issue was minted at a time when the Library and Museum at Alexandria, as well as the Pharos Lighthouse, were newly constructed architectural wonders of their age.
Estimated Value $13,000 - 15,000.
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| Realized
$17,250 |
Lot 2514 |
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Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt. Arsinoe II, wife of Ptolemy II, d. 270 BC. AR Dekadrachm (35.53 g) minted posthumously under Ptolemy II, c. 253-246(?) BC. Veiled head right of Arsinoe II, wearing diadem and stephane; in left field, "MM"(?). Reverse: Double cornucopiae bound with fillet. Cf. Troxell (ANS MN 28) plate 7, 7; cf. Svoronos 947. Having absolutely none of the usual flan cracks. At 6 o'clock on edge there is a silver chloride spot. Some luster remains. Extremely Fine.
This example is a bit garbled at the issue mark behind Arsinoe's head; it seems closest to "MM", by which it is being catalogued. These issues with control marks were previously thought to be a year-dating, before Hyla Troxell's revealing ANS article.
Estimated Value $8,000 - 9,000.
Ex Auction '79, lot 1931. Accompanied by an ANACS certificate of authenticity.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$10,350 |
Lot 2515 |
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Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt. Arsinoe II, wife of Ptolemy II, d. 270 BC. Gold Oktadrachm (or Mnaieion; 27.62 g) minted posthumously under Ptolemy VI-VIII at Alexandria, c. 180-116 BC. Veiled head right of Arsinoe II, wearing diadem and stephane; in left field, "K". Reverse: Double cornucopiae bound with fillet. Svoronos 1498; Dewing 2762. Choice Very Fine.
Estimated Value $6,000 - 7,000.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$12,650 |
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