B2264. HERACLIUS, 610-641. Follis, Kyzicus mint, Sear 839v. His facing bust holding globus crucifer/Large M, cross above. VF+. This rare variety of a Heraclius follis, dated 612 AD, is believed to be the first depiction of the use of eyeglasses in any medium. One can clearly see what appear to be the large frames around the eyes and connecting across the bridge of the nose, a style that does not appear on other varieties. As such a coin with great historical significance, and one of the best examples I've seen. $650---Reserve $600.

B2265. JUSTINIAN I, 527-565 AD. AR 1/2 Siliqua, (0.71 gm). Ravenna, Bibliotek National 118,25. Bust r./Christogram with two stars within wreath. VF. $250---Reserve $175.

B2266. ABBASID CALIPHS, HARUN AL-RASHID, 786-809 AD. AR Dirham, AH 170, Damascus mint. Legend/Legend. Choice UNC. The coinage of the actual historic ruler beguiled by Sherazade in 'THE THOUSAND AND ONE NIGHTS'. Superb example with plenty of mint luster, one of the best I've seen. Rare this nice. $350---Sold.

B2267. INDIA, MAURYAN EMPIRE, ASHOKA, 272-232 BC. AR Karshapan of Paliputra, Mitchener 4166-81. Four punch-marked symbols including the sun, eight-armed symbol and the regal symbol of Ashoka/Blank. AVF. Rare. Ashoka was one of the world's most enlightened rulers; after conquering an empire he gave up violence and warfare altogether and ruled with great benevolence and compassion for many years. $135---Sold.

B2268. INDIA, MUGHAL EMPIRE, AKBAR, 1556-1605. AR Square Rupee, Quarin mint, KM #82.3. Legend/Legend. UNC. Choice example of the coinage of the most famous of the Mughal rulers. Very rare this nice. $250---Sold.

B2269. INDIA, MUGHAL EMPIRE, SHAH JAHAN I, 1628-1658. AR Rupee, Multan mint, KM #235.19. Legend/Legend. EF. Choice example of the coinage of the builder of the TAJ MAHAL. Very rare this nice. $450---Reserve $350.

B2270. MONGOLS, GENGIS KHAN, 1206-1277. AE Fals, Kurzuwan, Rabi' II, b18. VF. Excellent example of the rarer larger type coin of this historic ruler who conquered the world's largest empire. $350---Reserve $250.

B2271. PERSIAN, AFSHARIDS, SHAHRUKH, 1748-1795. AR Double Rupi, AH 1161, Mashhad mint. Legend within small circle/Legend. VF+. An interesting heavy thick silver coin that feels good in the hand. Rare. $175---Reserve $150.

B2272. ARTUQUIDS OF HISN KAYFA AND AMID, NASIR AL-DIN-MAHMUD, 1200-1222 AD. AE Dirhem, Spengler/Sayles 15. 12.68 gm. Two headed eagle with wings spread representing the astrological sign Gemini/Legend. Nice VF. $175---Sold.

B2273. ARTUQUIDS OF MARDIN, NAJM AL-DIN ALPI, 1152-1176 AD. AE Dirhem, Spengler/Sayles 27. Large male head facing r., Alpi's laqab legend on neck/Legend. VF+. Rare. The type probably modeled after the tetradrachms of the Seleucid ruler Antiochos VII. $150---Sold.

B2274. ARTUQUIDS OF MARDIN, NAJM AL-DIN ALPI, 1152-1176 AD. AE Dirhem, Spengler/Sayles 29.1. Diademed bust facing 3/4 l. (Mercury)/Crowned facing bust (Virgo) within legend. VF. $95---Reserve $75.

B2275. ARTUQUIDS OF MARDIN, NAJM AL-DIN ALPI, 1152-1176 AD. AE Dirhem, Spengler/Sayles 30. Two diademed male heads facing (Gemini) with legend on four sides around/Youthful female head facing (probably Virgo), hair arranged in six rolls within legend. VF. $95---Reserve $75.

B2276. ARTUQUIDS OF MARDIN, QUTB AL-DIN IL-GHAZI, 1176-1184 AD. AE Dirhem, Spengler/Sayles 32. Two diademed busts facing, heads turned slightly to lower r., date above/Legend. EF. Scarce. Influenced by Byzantine coins of Heraclius & son. Excellent example as good or better than the Spengler/Sayles plate coin. $250---Reserve $225.

B2277. ARTUQUIDS OF MARDIN, QUTB AL-DIN IL-GHAZI II, 1176-1184 AD. AE Dirhem, Spengler/Sayles 31. Head r. wearing an ornate diadem within a beaded square, legend giving his pedigree back four generations/Legend. EF. Scarce. Influenced by the famous types of Constantine The Great looking up to Heaven. Excellent example as good or better than the Spengler/Sayles plate coin. $250---Reserve $225.

B2278. ARTUQUIDS OF MARDIN, HOSAM AL-DIN YULUK ARSLAN, 1184-1201. AE Dirhem, Spengler/Sayles 35, Mitchener World of Islam 1040-1. The four figures may well be mourning the death of Saladin, since this coin was issued in 589 AH, the same year as he died/Legend. EF. A choice example of a probably historical coin with better detail than the Spengler/Sayles plate coin. $450---Reserve $350.

B2279. ARTUQUIDS OF MARDIN, HOSAM AL-DIN YULUK ARSLAN, 1184-1201. AE Dirhem, Spengler/Sayles 33. Diademed Turkish male bust facing/Legend partly within six sided star. AVF (probably more detail under heavy patina). $75---Reserve $65.

B2280. ARTUQUIDS OF MARDIN, NASIR AL-DIN ARTUQ ARSLAN, 1201-1239 AD. AE Dirhem, Spengler/Sayles 34. Large diademed Roman-style male head on the r. facing l., smaller crowned Byzantine-style facing bust on l./Legend. EF. Except for a small old ding under the patina an excellent example as good or better than the Spengler/Sayles plate coin. $175---Reserve $150.

B2281. ARTUQUIDS OF MARDIN, NASIR AL-DIN ARTUQ ARSLAN, 1201-1239 AD. AE Dirhem, Spengler/Sayles 38.2. Centaur r., representing the astrological sign Sagittarius, shooting bow back to l./Legend. F+. $95---Reserve $75.

B2282. ARTUQUIDS OF MARDIN, NASIR AL-DIN ARTUQ ARSLAN?, 1201-1239 AD. AE Dirhem, Spengler/Sayles 39&45 variant? Male figure riding lion l./Legend. Good VF. While this coin is quite similar to the Spengler/Sayles types, the position of the rider's head is quite different. Also Spengler/Sayles describes the beast as a leopard while the heavy mane of a lion is clearly visible in the current example, if the same type this would cast considerable doubt on their interpretation of the symbolism. Perhaps a rare variant or a new type. Additional information appreciated. Rare? $175---Reserve $150.

B2283. ARTUQUIDS OF MARDIN, NASIR AL-DIN ARTUQ ARSLAN, 1201-1239 AD. AE Dirhem, Spengler/Sayles 47. Facing bust representing the Sun/Legend. VF. $150---Reserve $125.

B2284. ZENGID ATABEGS OF SINJAR, QUTB AL-DIN MUHAMMAD B. ZENGI, 1197-1219. AE Dirhem, Spengler/Sayles 81. Heroic classical male bust l. with spear over shoulder, tamgha before/Legend. EF. As good as the Spengler/Sayles plate coin. Scarcer variant with tamgha. $175---Reserve $150.

B2285. ZENGID ATABEGS OF SINJAR, QUTB AL-DIN MUHAMMAD B. ZENGI, 1197-1219. AE Dirhem, Spengler/Sayles 82. Large female bust facing, head turned r. wearing crested Corinthian helmet and prominent brestplates over triple-folded garment/Legend. Nice VF. Nearly as good as the Spengler/Sayles plate coin. $200---Sold.

B2286. ZENGID ATABEGS OF MOSUL, QUTB AL-DIN MAWDUD, 1149-1170. AE Dirhem, Spengler/Sayles 59. Male bust with Turkish features facing 3/4 l. two angels flying above/Legend. Choice EF. As good or better than the Spengler/Sayles plate coin. This coin with its solar symbolism may refer to a solar eclipse that occurred on the morning of Feb. 9, 1160 which was visible in Mosul. $275---Sold.

B2287. ZENGID ATABEGS OF MOSUL, SAIF AL-DIN GHAZI II, 1170-1180. AE Dirhem, Spengler/Sayles 61. Large male head l. wearing crested helmet with kalima before/Legend. F+. Scarce. $100----Reserve $75.

B2288. ZENGID ATABEGS OF MOSUL, NASIR AL-DIN MAHMUD, 1219-1234. AE Dirhem, Spengler/Sayles 67. Crowned Turkish female figure std. facing holding the crescent moon/Legend. Choice EF. Better than the Spengler/Sayles plate coin, an excellent example of the so called 'watermelon eater' type. $350---Sold.

B2289. LU'LU'ID OF MOSUL, BADR AL-DIN LU'LU', 1234-1259. AE Dirhem, Spengler/Sayles 68. Diademed classical male head l. within square beaded frame, legend around/Legend. VF+. Better than the Spengler/Sayles plate coin. $175---Sold.

B2290. UNATTRIBUTED TURKOMAN, ca. 1100-1200. AE Dirhem. Seated figure facing wearing hat with tassels and voluminous robe/Legend within and without six-pointed star. EF. Attribution appreciated. $150---Sold.

B2291. AUSTRIA, ARCHDUKE LEOPOLD, 1619-1632. Double Thaler of 1626 commemorating his wedding to Claudia de Medici, Dav.3332, Kr.808. Jugate busts/Austrian eagle. EF. Scarce. $750---Reserve $600.

B2292. CRUSADER, ANTIOCH, BOHEMUD, 1201-1235. Bust of crusader warrior in helmet and chain mail, two stars/Cross, small crescent. EF. Old cabinet toning. Nice example. $200---Sold.

B2293. ENGLAND, ANGLO-SAXON KINGS, EADGAR, 959-975. AR Penny, Seaby 1129. EADGAR REX around small cross/INGOLF MY (moneyer). EF. Striking crack. Rare. $350---Sold.

B2294. ITALY, FLORENCE, COSIMO De MEDICI, 1670-1723. AR Piastra (29.33gm). Armoured bust/The baptism of Christ. CNI.36. Toned EF. Slightly curved flan from roller dies as made. Scarce coinage of the most famous of Rennaisance families. $650---Sold.

B2295. GERMANY, HAMBURG, 1675. AR . Castle with three turrets/48 in wreath. EF. Beautiful old cabinet toning with iridescence. $150---Reserve $125.

B2296. GERMANY, OTTINGEN, WOLFGANG (The Handsome) & JOACHIM VAN FLOCHBERG. AR Batzen of 1516. SANCTVS SEBASTIAN.MARTIR, St. Sebastian pierced by arrows/WOLFGANG.IOACHIM.OTING, Date above two heraldic shields, one with St. Bernard. VF. Interesting type. $150---Sold.

B2297. ITALY, BENITO MUSSOLINI, 1922-1943. The Ostia Medal, AE32 signed by P. Tailetti. Bare classical style head of Mussolini l./COLONIA MARINA DI OSTIA, nude youth (Romulus?) stepping into the sea, the Roman shewolf standing behind and looking on. The port of Ostia, a few miles down the Tiber from Rome, was Rome's main seaport. It was extensively built up with warehouses and a large harbor and mole added by a succession of early Roman emperors. Ostia was vital to the Romans as nearly all the grain to feed Rome's masses flowed through this port. AEF. Arguably one of Mussolini's positive accomplishments was the massive excavation of the ancient Roman port of Ostia. Though brutal by today's archaeological standards, it revealed much of the ancient city in a matter of a few years and added immensely to our knowledge of ancient Rome. An extremely rare medal and of great interest to collectors and students of Roman history. This example said to have been found in the Tiber. The only one I've carried. $1500---Reserve $1400.

B2298. ITALY, THE PAPACY, POPE ALEXANDER III, 1159-1181. 36 mm lead bulla (official papal seal). Facing heads of Saints Peter and Paul/ALEXANDER PP III. VF. Very rare seal of this early Pope in quite nice condition. $450---Reserve $400.

B2299. MEXICO, CHARLES V & JOHANNA, 1537-56. AR 4 Reales. FIRST COINAGE MINTED IN THE NEW WORLD. Pillars of Hercules/Royal arms. Choice example of the first coinage to be minted in the new world. One of the best examples from a recent hoard. EF. Comes with historical information about this important issue. $750---Reserve $500.

B2300. SPAIN, CASTILE & LEON, ALFONSO X, 1252-1284. AR Pepion. Castle/Lion stg. l. VF. Rare. $150---Reserve $125.