ANCIENT GREEK COINS
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| 8526. AN EARLY GREEK DECADRACHM WEIGHT. Northern Greece, ca. 6th-4th century BC. The oblong weight with a molded bucranium. 1.1 x 1.25 inches. 44.28 gm. (The slightly heavy weight due to a thin layer of deposits). The bull's head a reminder of the early Greek equation of coin for the objects for which they purchased. Very rare and worthy of further study. $1800 estimate. |  |
| 8527. APULIA, LUCERIA, late 3rd century BC. AE Quincunx, SNG Cop.659, Sear 587. Head of Athena r., five pellets above/LOVCERI between the spokes of large wheel. Nice VF. Rare. A fine example considerably better than either the Copenhagen or Sear plate coin and with a superb patina. $2750 estimate. |  |
| 8528. BRUTTIUM, KROTON, 510-480 BC. AR stater, Sear 256. Stork beside Delphic tripod within double border with dots/Incuse tripod within hatched border. EF. Old cabinet toning. A fine example of this scarce coin. $4000 estimate. |  |
| 8529. LUCANIA, THURIOI, 4th century BC. AR Stater, SNG Cop.1436v, Sear 447v. Head of Athena r. her helmet ornamented with Skylla/Butting bull r., tunny fish below. VF. A superbly engraved coin with the full crest of Athena's helmet neatly following the edge of the flan and an exceptionally fine treatment of the face of Athena and especially of the Skylla. See the Sear plate coin for the usual inferior style. $3000 estimate. |  |
| 8530. LUCANIA, THOURIOI, 4th century BC. AE Litra (30 mm, 30.03 gm), SNG Copenhagen 1500v. Head of Athena r./Bull charging r. VF. Extremely rare large Greek bronze. Choice example with fine patina and much superior to the Copenhagen plate coin. $4000 estimate. |  |
| 8531. LUCANIA, THOURIOI, 3rd century BC. AE17, SNG Copenhagen 1514v. Head of Demeter wreathed with corn, ethnic behind/Bull charging l. EF. Choice example with superb patina. Probably one of the finest known. Rare. $1500 estimate. |  |
| 8532. SICILY, AGYRION, 343-300 BC. AE31 Litra, Leu 5/73 #54, ANS_, SNG Cop_, BMC_. Head young Herakles r. wearing lionskin/Forepart river god r. as bull with bearded human head. VF/AEF. Excessively rare and missing from most major collections. A choice example. $8000 estimate. |  |
| 8533. SICILY, AKRAGAS, 425-406 BC. AE26 Hemilitron, SNG Copenhagen 68v. Eagle on hare r./Large crab, prawn below, grape leaf between crab' claws, 6 pellets. VF/EF. Rare. A superb example of this classic and highly desirable Sicilian Greek bronze. One rarely finds a better example (the obverse is nearly always extremely worn) and far superior to the Copenhagen plate coins. Choice patina. $3750 estimate. |  |
| 8534. SICILY, AKRAGAS, 425-406 BC, AE27 Hemilitron, SNG Copenhagen 72. Eagle, with head thrown back, on tunny fish/Large crab, murex shell and octopus below, 6 pellets. VF+. Rare. One of the finest and most desirable Greek bronzes. A choice example with excellent patina and much superior to the Copenhagen plate coin. $3750 estimate. |  |
| 8535. SICILY, KENTORIPAI, ca. 340 BC. AE31 Litra, Sear 1080. Head Persephone wreathed with corn l., 4 dolphins around/Panther with raised paw l. VF+. Extremely rare and desirable large Sicilian bronze. Excellent example. $3750 estimate. |  |
| 8536. SICILY, THE MAMERTINI, 288-278 BC. AE28. AREOS, laureate head young Ares r./ MAMERTINWN, eagle stg. on thunderbolt. EF. Rare. The Mamertini were Italian mercenaries in Sicily. A beautiful sharp example of the finest style with a superb deep green patina and a rare example of a Greek coin with the god's name spelled out on the flan. $5000 estimate. |  |
| 8537. SICILY, PANORMOS, after 254 BC. AE26, S.1160, Copenhagen 523. Hd Athena r./Demeter? stg. EF. Very rare. $1750 estimate. |  |
| 8538. SICILY, SYRACUSE, Time of Timoleon, 344-336 BC. AE27 Litra, SNG Copenhagen 723, Sear 1190. Bearded head l. (Archias?) wearing Corinthian helmet, ethnic around/Pegasos flying l., dolphin below. VF. A nice example of this quite rare and desirable large Sicilian bronze, the obverse of excellent style. $3000 estimate. |  |
| 8539. SICILY, SYRACUSE, Time of Timoleon, 344-336 BC. AE28 Litra, BMC.2.311, SNG Copenhagen 725, Sear 1191. Laureate head of Zeus Eleutherios l., ethnic around/Prancing horse l. Nice VF+. A choice example and rare this nice with a wonderful high profile heavily bearded head of Zeus. $2750 estimate. |  |
| 8540. SICILY, SYRACUSE, Time of Timoleon, 344-336 BC. AE25 Hemilitron. Laureate head of Zeus Eleutherios r./Thunderbolt, eagle to r. EF. Choice example with very fine patina. $3000 estimate. |  |
| 8541. SICILY, SYRACUSE, AGATHOKLES, 317-289 BC. AE22, BMC.2.422, Sear 1200. Bust Artemis r., quiver over shoulder/Thunderbolt. VF. The great appeal of this coin lies in its superb gem-like emerald green patina. $1750 estimate. |  |
| 8542. SICILY, SYRACUSE, FOURTH REPUBLIC, 289-287 BC or later. AE25, SNG Copenhagen 789v. Laureate head of Zeus Hellanios r./Eagle with spread wings stg. l., star to l. AEF. A choice example struck on a very wide flan, this die with a superb rendering of the head of Zeus Hellanios in the finest Classical style with long flowing hair. $3000 estimate. |  |
| 8543. SICILY, SYRACUSE, REPUBLIC, 214-212 BC. AR 12 Litrai, Sear 997. Head Athena wearing Corinthian helmet l./Artemis drawing arrow l., hound leaping behind. EF+. Choice sharp example with unsurpassed fineness in small details such as the griffin adorning Athena's helmet, or the sharp rendering of her earring, also an excellent sensitive rendering of Artemis with every detail of her garments and features sharp. An exceptional example, compare eg. the ungainly Artemis of the Sear plate coin. $14,500 estimate. |  |
| 8544. SICILY, TAUROMENION, Time of Pyrrhos, 279-276 BC. AE22, BMC.2.27, Sear 1239. Laureate head of Apollo1./Lyre, grape bunch above. EF. A rare coin of superb style with a wonderful olive green patina. $2500 estimate. |  |
| 8545. SARDINIA, after 238 BC. AE22, Sear 1267. Head Persephone l./Three stalks of grain. VF. Rare. Nice example of this rare island. $2750 estimate. |  |
| 8546. MESSENIA, MESSENE, 3rd-2nd century BC. AE21, Sear 2853v. Head Demeter r./Zeus hurling thunderbolt, eagle on outstretched hand, tripod lebes below. VG/F. Rare. Not in the greatest condition but a nice lively spade-bearded Zeus outlined well by a pleasing contrasting patina. $450 estimate. |  |
| 8547. EUBOIA, PHOKIS, ca. 460 BC. AR Triobol, Sear 2347v. Bull's head facing/Head of Artemis l. in incuse square. EF/VF. Exceptional sharp high-profile bull head. $2000 estimate. |  |
| 8548. THESSALY, LARISSA, 344-321 BC. Signed AR Drachm by the master engraver 'AI', Lorber 21.2a. Head of the nymph Larissa facing 3/4 left, engraver's initial below border at 7 o'clock/Horse stg. l. with lowered head. EF. A few drachms of Larissa of exceptional beauty are known that are believed to be signed by the artist who engraved the dies known only as 'AI'. Certainly this wonderful head of the nymph with its great nobility touched with feminine sensuality embodies the finest in Classical Greek numismatic art. $5000 estimate. |  |
| 8549. THESSALY, LARISSA, 344-321 BC. AR Drachm, SNG Cop 120. Head of the nymph Larissa facing 3/4 left/Horse about to roll r. EF. An especially beautiful head of the nymph engraved with great sensitivity and imbued with life, the horse also finely done, we can almost feel his anticipation of enjoyment as he prepares to roll over and give his back a good scratching. $4000 estimate. |  |
| 8550. CALABRIA, TARENTUM, ca. 4th-3rd century BC. AR Pentonkia?, 0.21gm, Copenhagen 1019-1022. Oinochoe/Pi within wreath. VF. Rare. $450 estimate. |  |
| 8551. MACEDON?, UNCERTAIN, ca. 5th-4th century BC. AR Drachm? Head Apollo? r./Lyre in form of bucranium, Macedonian helmet to l., shield with crossed arms to r. VF. Attribution appreciated. $850 estimate. |  |
| 8552. MACEDON, TRAGILOS, ca. 450-410 BC. AR Hemiobol, Sear 1470. Barley ear/TRIA in four part incuse. VF. Rare. A charming little coin reminding us of the continuing Greek appreciation of the use of coin to purchase the daily necessities of life. $500 estimate. |  |
| 8553. MACEDON, SCARCE LIFETIME ISSUE OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT, 336-323 BC. AR Tetradrachm, issued under his authority during his lifetime. Head young Herakles wearing lionskin r./Zeus enthroned, holding his eagle and scepter. EF. A choice example of a rare lifetime issue type, the figure of Zeus wonderfully engraved bending slightly forward full of great energy as if ready to spring from his throne. $4000 estimate. |  |
| 8554. MACEDON UNDER ROME, AESILLAS QUAESTOR, ca. 90-75 BC. AR Tetradrachm, Sear 1439. Head of Alexander the Great r. with horn of Ammon and flowing hair, dot within circle behind neck/Club of Herakles between money chest and quaestor's chair, all within olive wreath. EF. Choice sharply struck high profile example, the finest I've carried. Old French collection tag, probably 19th century. $4000 estimate. |  |
| 8555. THRACE, BIZYA, Imperial times? AE21. Bearded male portrait head r./Nude youth stg. holding staff. EF. Very rare. A superb portrait, one of the finest in Greek art, depicting a personage of great nobility, yet with a relaxed air dressed casually in an wide-necked tunic. Probably one of the finest examples known of this rare coin and deserving of further study. Wonderful deep sea-green patina. $2500 estimate. |  |
| 8556. THRACE, MARONEIA, ca. 440-410 BC. AR Tetradrachm, Sear 1628v, (£1750 list), 14.24gm. Free horse prancing l, star above/Ethnic legend around grape arbor. VF. A Rare early tetradrachm, not the much more common stater. A fine example of Greek numismatic art. $5000 estimate. |  |
| 8557. THRACE, MARONEIA, after 148 BC. AR Tetradrachm, Sear 1635. Head of young Dionysis wreathed with ivy r., his long hair drawn up into a swirl behind/Dionysis stg. naked l. holding grape bunch. VF. This obverse die the work of a Hellenistic master, a superb example of Greek art. $3000 estimate. |  |
| 8558. THRACE, MARONEIA, after 148 BC. AE26, SNG Copenhagen 643. Head of young Dionysis wreathed with ivy r., his long hair drawn up into a swirl behind/Dionysis stg. naked l. holding grape bunch. VF. Nice example with choice patina. $750 estimate. |  |
| 8559. THRACE, PANTIKAPION, 4th century BC. AE20, Sear 1701. Head of young Pan wreathed with ivy l./Lion's head l., sturgeon l. below. EF. Scarce type in excellent condition with a fine depiction of the god. $400 estimate. |  |
| 8560. CARIA, ALINDA, 2nd century BC. AE16, Sear 4777v. Laureate young male head r./Club within oakwreath. VF. Another exceptional example of Greek art with a classical head of the finest style. Superb olive green patina. $1000 estimate. |  |
| 8561. CARIA, MYNDOS, 2nd-1st century BC. AR Drachm, BMC.6, Sear 4915. Laureate head of Zeus r. wearing head-dress of Osiris/Head-dress of Isis., thunderbolt beneath. EF. Choice example of this extremely interesting coin which reflects the spread of the cult of Isis through the Mediterranean in Hellenistic times. Even the cobra on the head-dress of Isis is visible which it is not in the Sear plate coin. $1750 estimate. |  |
| 8562. CILICIA, UNCERTAIN MINT, PERHAPS TARSOS, 4th century BC. AR Obol, 0.67 gm. Sear_. Janiform head of Athena/Young male head (Herakles?) l. EF. Of very fine Classical style, especially the noble young male head with curly hair and earring. Very rare, especially this nice. $750 estimate. |  |
| 8563. CILICIA, UNCERTAIN MINT, PERHAPS TARSOS, 4th century BC. AR 3/4 Obol, Sear 5663. Facing head of young Herakles/Eagle perched on stag's head between its large antlers. EF. While the obverse of this issue is rather crudely done, the reverse remains quite an interesting type. Rare this nice. $750 estimate. |  |
| 8564. IONIA, EPHESOS, 48-27 BC. AE19, Sear 4414. Bust Artemis r./Two stags, torch between. VF. Scarce example with a wonderfully intense, almost frenzied, face of Artemis. $850 estimate. |  |
| 8565. IONIA, HERAKLEIA, 2nd century BC. AR tetradrachm, Sear 4453. Head of Athena r./Club with small owl below. Choice EF. Superb sharp example with Athena's helmet ornamented with Pegasus and foreparts of five horses. Considerably better than photo. $5000 estimate. |  |
| 8566. IONIA, KOLOPHON WITH THE FIGURE OF THE POET HOMER. 2nd-1st century BC. AE18, Sear 4357. Homer std. l. holding scroll, resting his head on his r. hand/Apollo Kitharoidos advancing r. VF. Rare. Kolophon was one of several Greek cities that claimed to be the birthplace of Homer. However it's coins depicting Homer are much rarer than those of Smyrna. A very nice example with clear figures considerably superior to the Sear plate coin. $950 estimate. |  |
| 8567. IONIA, MILETOS, ca. 525-500 BC. AR Trihemitartemorion, 0.16 gm. Rosen.408. Lion's head r./Quail within incuse square, two pellets around. Sharp EF. Extremely rare. One of the smallest coins known demonstrating the Greek die engravers ability to produce great art on the smallest surface. One of the finest examples of this coin known. $950 estimate. |  |
| 8568. IONIA, SYANGELA, early 6th century BC. AR Hemidrachm. Head griffin l./ Square incuse with diamond ladder pattern, in the center of which a deeper circular incuse with star pattern. EF. Old cabinet toning. Once thought to have been minted at Phokaia, it has now been reassigned to Syangela. One of the finest examples known. $1850 estimate. |  |
| 8569. LESBOS, ERESUS, ca. 3rd century BC. AR Drachm, SNG Cop_ (but compare #343 in AE), Sear _. Head Demeter l. wreathed with grain/EP monogram within cornwreath. AEF. Old cabinet toning. Excessively rare. $2500 estimate. |  |
| 8570. LESBOS, MYTILENE, ca. 1st-2nd century. AE40 Medallion. Torso of Asclepius l. of fine Classical style/Asclepius std. l. resting left arm on long staff and reaching toward serpent with right. AVF. Holed & flan chip. Extremely rare. $3500. estimate. |  |
| 8571. LYDIAN KINGS, KROISOS, 560-546 BC. AR Stater, Sear 3419, 10.50 gm. Foreparts lion and bull confronted/Double punch. VF+. Rare, not the more usual half stater. A fine example of the largest type of the first silver coins ever struck. Prior to Kroisos' issuance of a bimetallic gold and silver currency, all earlier coins had been struck of electrum, a naturally occuring alloy of gold and silver. Very nice example of this historic coin with old cabinet toning. $4500 estimate. |  |
| 8572. MYSIA, IOLLAS, ca. 400-300 BC. AE20, Sear 3874. Head Athena wearing crested helmet r./Forepart of Pegasos r. with curled wings and wing at termination. EF. Very rare. Superb example, likely one of the finest known, with an excellent patina. $3000 estimate. |  |
| 8573. MYSIA, KYZIKOS, 2nd-1st century BC. AE27, BMC.165v, Sear 3867v. Laureate head of Apollo r./Large tripod lebes. VF. Superb gem-like patina, considerably better than image. $750 estimate. |  |
| 8574. MYSIA, PERGAMON, 2nd-1st century BC. AE20, Sear 3960. Head Athena r./Trophy of armour. EF. Excellent sharp example. $1500 estimate. |  |
| 8575. MYSIA, PERGAMON, 2nd-1st century BC. AE16, Sear 3963v. Head Athena r. wearing crested helmet ornamented with star/Owl facing with wings spread on palm branch. EF. Choice example with fine contrasting patina that brings out the detail. $1500 estimate. |  |
| 8576. PAMPHYLIA, SIDE, 3rd-2nd century BC. AE16, Sear 5437. Hd Athena in crested helmet r./Large pomegranate. EF. Very nice example with deeply struck high profile pomegranate. $400 estimate. |  |
| 8577. PONTOS, AMISOS, 2nd-1st century BC. Aegis with Gorgon's head at center/Nike adv. r. carrying palm. EF. Superior example with clear Gorgon head. $1500 estimate. |  |
| 8578. PONTOS, AMISOS, late 2nd-early 1st century BC. AE26, Sear_. Laureate head of Zeus r./Eagle stg. l. on thunderbolt looking back. AVF. Not the usual AE20 (Sear 3644) but the much rarer larger, thicker type of finer style similar to Sear 3659. $750 estimate. |  |
| 8579. PSIDIA, SELGE, ca. 300-190 BC. AR Stater, SNG Cop.249, Sear 5472v. Two nude wrestlers grappling/Slinger wearing short tunic preparing to throw, triskeles before. EF. A wonderful example of the ability of Greek art to convey lively action. A fine example of the type with excellent style and detail. $4000 estimate. |  |
| 8580. PERGAMENE KINGS, ATTALOS I, 241-197 BC. AR Tetradrachm, BMC.35, Sear 7220. Hd Philetaros r. wearing laurel wreath/Athena std. l., bow behind, ivy leaf and monogram before. EF+. Superb sharp very high profile example with incredible detail and of the finest style. Tiny ding at bottom edge and a few light scratches which don't detract only mentioned to complete the description of condition. The finest example I've seen and worthy of the finest collection. $8500 estimate. |  |
| 8581. PHOENICIA, SIDON, BA'ANA, 400-385 BC. AR Double Shekel, 27.96 gm, BMC.7, Betlyon 13. Sidonian war galley before the turretted walls of Sidon, two Persian lions tail to tail below/King of Persia in war chariot, Punic character above, below a ram in incuse with solar disk above reverted head leaping l. VF. Excessively rare. The only other example I've seen for some years, without a test cut, was being offered several years ago at $27,000. This wonderful extra large and heavy silver coin is one of the few that gives us a city view of a major city from ancient times reflecting the height of Phoenician maritime power which enabled the Phoenicians to extend their trading empire across the entire Mediterranean, down the west coast of Africa, up the coast of Europe and perhaps beyond. $8500 estimate. |  |
| 8582. SELEUCID KINGS, SELEUKOS II, 246-226 BC. AR Tetradrachm, Sear 6896. His diademed head r./Naked Apollo stg., leaning on tripod sighting an arrow. VF. Rare. Even though this coin has been harshly cleaned, the exceptional style both in the sensitive, intelligent head of the ruler and even more so in the superb rendering of Apollo make this coin an exceptional example of Greek numismatic art and far superior in style to the Sear plate coin. $4000 estimate. |  |
| 8583. SELEUCID KINGS, DEMETRIOS I, 162-150 BC. AR Tetradrachm, 16.79 gm. Houghton 151, Sear 7015. His diademed head r./Tyche std. l. EF. A superb finely styled example of Hellenistic portrait art much superior to most examples. $4000 estimate. |  |
| 8584. SELEUCID KINGS, DEMETRIOS I, 162-150 BC. Tetradrachm, Sear 7015. His head r./Tyche std. l. VF+. Choice finely styled reverse example with sharp figure of Nike supporting Tyche's throne. $4000 estimate. |  |
| 8585. SELEUCID KINGS, ALEXANDER I, BALAS, 150-145 BC. AR Tetradrachm, Tyre mint, Sear 7033v. His portrait head r./Eagle stg. on prow l., Heracles club with TYP monogram on top to l., date to r. EF. Choice example with beautifully styled Hellenistic portrait and great detail, especially on the reverse. Slightly gold iridescent tone. $4000 estimate. |  |
| 8586. SELEUCID KINGS, ANTIOCHOS VIII, 121-96 BC. AR Tetradrachm, Sear 7143. His portrait head r./Zeus stg. with scepter and star within laurel wreath. EF. Old cabinet toning. A superb example of Hellenistic portrait art which renders with the greatest sensivity the likeness of this ruthless and complex king. $4000 estimate. |  |
| 8587. EGYPT, PTOLEMY II, 285-246 BC. AE28, S7779v. Laureate head of Zeus r. of exceptionally fine style/Eagle stg. on thunderbolt l., shield to l. EF+. This is a very rare variety of the usual Ptolemaic type but of much finer style (see the Sear plate coin for the usual style) with a superbly rendered head of Zeus. This variant is quite rare and is usually found in Sicily. A choice example and deserving of further study. $2500 estimate. |  |
| 8588. ZEUGITANIA, CARTHAGE, late 3rd century BC. AE44, Sear 6533, 102gm. Head Tanit l. wreathed with corn, wearing single drop earring./Horse stg. r., above sun-disk between two uraeus cobras. VG. Excessively rare, one of the largest, rarest and most impressive of all Greek coins and missing from many major collections. Nearly all the very few extant examples are in very worn condition as is the current example. $8500 estimate. |  |
| 8589. ZEUGITANIA, CARTHAGE, ca. 221-202 BC. AE30, SNG Copenhagen 334, Sear 6507. Head of Tanit wreathed with corn l./Horse stg. r., palm tree beyond. AEF. There is evidence this issue may have been struck by an Italian mint under Hannibal during his occupation of Italy. A wonderful large well centered example with great detail, style and a choice chestnut patina. Very rare especially this nice. $2500 estimate. |  |
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