ROMAN, BYZANTINE, TURKOMAN AND EARLY WORLD COINS
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| 8590. A RARE AND IMPORTANT LEGIONARY OFFICER'S BRONZE COIN PURSE, ca. 1st-3rd century AD. To avoid loss of coin Roman officers put their coins in these purses, probably wrapping the body with leather, then slipped the purse over their arm where the arm secured the opening. 4.5 x 5 inches. An historically and numismatically significant artifact that is rarely offered. In excellent condition with engraved designs on the handle. |  |
| 8591. 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. |  |
| 8592. Anonymous, 217-215 BC. Sextans. She wolf with twins/ROMA before eagle holding flower in beak, 2 pellets. Nice AVF. Scarce. |  |
| 8593. Anonymous, 217-215 BC. Sextans, Cr.38/5. Hd Mercury r., 2 pellets/ROMA above prow of galley, 2 pellets. Nice AVF. Scarce. |  |
| 8594. C.Fonteius, 114/3 BC, AR Denarius, Fonteia.1. Janiform hd/Galley with pilot and three rowers l. FDC. A superb example of this interesting issue with every detail extremely sharply struck and clear. |  |
| 8595. AUGUSTUS, 27 BC-14 AD. AR Cistophor, 11.53gm. Suth 552a. Group VII, 19-18BC. /Temple of Mars Ultor with standard. Commemorates the return of captured legionary standards from the Parthians. VF. Scarce. |  |
| 8596. AUGUSTUS, 27 BC-14 AD. AE19 of Emerita, Spain. Crawford 595. /Legionary eagle and standards. F+. Scarce. |  |
| 8597. CALIGULA, 37-41. Sestertius. /Caligula, standing on a platform with curule chair behind, addressing five soldiers with crested helmets holding standards and shields. VF. Rare. Hole neatly plugged but still a wonderful portrait and reverse scene. |  |
| 8598. CLAUDIUS, 41-54. Sestertius. /IX SC OB CIV ET SERVATOS within oakwreath. Fine fierce EF portrait. Rare. |  |
| 8599. CLAUDIUS, 41-54 AD. Sestertius. /Spes stg. l. raising skirt. AVF. |  |
| 8600. NERO, 50-68. AR Denarius of 65/6 AD, Crawford 335. His laureate bust r./VESTA, statue within temple of Vesta. Excellent example with classic architectural reverse. |  |
| 8601. VITELLIUS, 69 AD. Denarius. /Victory std. l. VF+. Rare first issue of Vitellius after he defeated Otho, the coin struck still with the likeness much like Otho on the obverse. Old cabinet toning. |  |
| 8602. JULIA TITI WITH DAMNATIO, daughter of Titus. Dupondius, RIC.180, HRIC.5. Bust r. with hair in bun/Vesta std. with palladium & scepter. VF. Rare. Damnatio cuts across her face applied by someone in antiquity who obviously didn't like this lady, but still a surprisingly beautiful likeness much better than the usual worn example. |  |
| 8603. DOMITIAN, 69-96 AD. Dupondius. /Mars walking l. with Victory and trophy. AEF. Scarce. Beautiful coin. |  |
| 8604. ANONYMOUS QUADRANTE, 96-161 AD. Sear 841. Head of Mars r./SC around cuirass. EF. Scarce. Exceptionally fine example with a superbly styled head of Mars. |  |
| 8605. TRAJAN, 98-117 AD. AR Tetradrachm of Tyre, GIC_. Portrait bust above eagle, club of Herakles to r./Bust of the Tyrian god Melquarth. Choice EF. A superb sharply struck example of the finest style, the treatment of Melquarth simply wonderful. One of the finest known examples. |  |
| 8606. TRAJAN, 98-117. Dupondius. /Dacia mourning std. next to trophy. VF+. |  |
| 8607. ANTONINUS PIUS, 138-161. AR Antoninianus, 3.60gm, RSC.89. Radiate bust r./CONSECRATIO, Eagle stg. with spread wings. Old cabinet toning. EF. Scarce restoration issue by Trajan Decius. |  |
| 8608. ANTONINUS PIUS, 138-161. Sestertius, HRIC.72. Laureate bust r./HONORI AVG COS IIII SC, Honos stg. l. holding branch and cornucopia. VF+. Superb gem-like forest green patina. |  |
| 8609. HADRIAN WITH PHAROS REVERSE, 117-138. AE Drachm of Alexandria Egypt, Koln 1125. Laureate bust r./Isis stg. r. holding sistrum and billowing sail, the Pharos lighthouse to the right topped by three statues. VF/VF+. Excellent example of this large coin which portrays one of the Seven Wonders of The Ancient World. Very rare this nice. |  |
| 8610. MARCUS AURELIUS, 139-180. Sestertius, HRIC.125. M AVREL ANTONINVS AVG ARMENIACVS PM, laureate bust r./TR POT XX IMP III COS III SC, Providentia stg. l. with globe at her feet. AVF. The great appeal of this coin lies in the superb lustrous jade patina, one of the finest patinas I've seen on an ancient bronze and unfortunately not done justice at all by the image. Must be seen to be appreciated. |  |
| 8611. LUCILLA, wife of Lucius Verus, daughter of Marcus Aurelius. Dupondius, HRIC.30. LVCILLAE AVG ANTONINI AVG F, draped bust r./VESTA SC, Vesta stg. l. holding simpulum and palladium. AVF. The great appeal of this coin lies in the superb lustrous jade patina, one of the finest patinas I've seen on an ancient bronze and unfortunately not done justice at all by the image. Must be seen to be appreciated. |  |
| 8612. COMMODUS AS CAESAR, 166-192 AD. Sestertius. /DE GERMANIS, trophy of Germanic arms. Rare. VF+. A wonderful sharp and detailed reverse. |  |
| 8613. JULIA PAULA, 1st wife of Elagabalus. Denarius, RIC.211, Sear 2149. /Concordia std. l. with patera. EF. Old cabinet toning with hints of blue and orange iridescense. A beautiful and choice example much nicer than image shows. Scarce. |  |
| 8614. PHILIP II MEDALLION, 247-249, AE30 medallion of Zeugma, Commagene, GIC.4142. Laureate bust r./Tetrastyle temple with statue of god within, peribolos containing sacred grove in front, capricorn below. EF. One of the finest examples I've seen with every detail of the temple conplex clear and far superior to GIC.3954, the plate coin for the equivalent issue of Philip I (the Philip II issue is not plated). |  |
| 8615. MAXIMINUS, 235-238. Sestertius, RIC.78, Sear 2350, HRIC.14. Laureate bust r./FIDES MILITVM S C, Fides stg. l. holding two legionary standards. Choice EF. One of the finest examples I've seen both in style and condition with a wonderful portrait of the Thracian born giant who seized the throne by force. Note also that the numismatic busts of Maximinus are almost always depicted with the shoulders viewed from the side or even slightly from behind while this magnificent example is an extremely rare angled front view. Michael Alram, for example in Vol. 27 of 'Moneta Imperii Romani', 1989 Vienna, lists only a few examples of Sesterii busts rendered from this angle in the major collections, with none of the 84 listed with the Fides reverse having this bust type, there is however a medallion of the same issue with a very similar bust. Extremely rare and worthy of the finest collection. |  |
| 8616. GORDIAN III, 238-244. Sestertius, Sear 2488, HRIC.87. Diademed bust r./Laetitia stg. l. holding wreath and anchor. VF+. A wonderful goofy cartoonlike portrait of great charm. |  |
| 8617. GORDIAN III and TRANQUILLINA (his wife). AE26 of Tomis, Moesia Inferior. GIC._ but see GIC.3637 for a similar coin. Their confronted busts/Agonistic prize urn with two palm fronds on presentation table, two uncertain objects each side, an amphora beneath. VF+. A fine example of a very rare coin depicting a prize awarded to the winning athlete in the public games. The amphora may contain olive oil from the sacred groves. |  |
| 8618. GORDIAN III and TRANQUILLINA (his wife). AE26 of Anchialus, Thrace. Their confronted busts/Triptolemus driving chariot drawn by winged serpents r. VG/VF. Triptolemus, son of Celeus, king of Eleusis was said to have first taught agriculture to mankind, having himself been taught by the goddess Demeter. Here he is depicted traveling the earth in Demeter's chariot distributing grain to the peoples of the world. He then returned to Eleusis and ruled there where he is said to have established the Eleusinian mysteries. A rare depiction of the Greek myth, much superior in style and detail to most others. |  |
| 8619. GALLIENUS, 253-268. AE29 of Side, Pamphylia. BMC._, GIC._. Radiate head r./Agonistic prize urn containing two palm fronds on ceremonial table. VF. A fine example of a very rare coin depicting a prize awarded to the winning athlete in the public games. The design of this urn with its symmetrical notches top and bottom is quite intriguing. If one looks carefully it appears to have figures around the top half including a chariot galloping left. Certainly deserving of further study. |  |
| 8620. GALLIENUS, 253-268. AE29 of Iconium, Laconia. BMC.19. /Shewolf suckling twins. EF. Choice example. |  |
| 8621. SALONINA MEDALLION, wife of Gallienus. AE33 medallion of Syedra, Cilicia. SNG Cop.254, BMC.22, GIC._. Her bust r./Large agonistic prize urn flanked by palm fronds, 3 cups above. F/AVF. A fine example of a very rare coin depicting a prize awarded to the winning athlete in the public games. |  |
| 8622. PROBUS, 276-282 Antoninianus, HRIC.59. His radiate bust r./VIRTI PROBI AVG, Mars walking r. carrying spear and trophy. EF. Choice example. |  |
| 8623. SEVERINA, wife of Aurelian. Antoninianus, BL mint, Sear 3184v (List $100-$300). /Concordia std. l. BL mint is quite rare. EF. Remains of silvering. Excellent example. |  |
| 8624. GALERIUS, 293-311. Follis, Siscia mint, RIC.135b Diademed head r./Moneta stg. l. with scales and cornucopia. AEF. The silvery green patina resulting from the incorporation of the nearly complete original silvering. |  |
| 8625. MAXENTIUS, 306-312 AD. Gilded large module Follis, HRIC.17($300-$1000 list). Laureate bust r./CONSERVATOR AFRICA SVAE, Africa stg. l. holding standard and ivory tusk, lion at her feet. EF. Very rare type well struck on a large flan. This coin has been gilded, possibly in antiquity or possibly by an early European collector; the gilding certainly does not appear to be modern. |  |
| 8626. CONSTANTINE I, 'THE GREAT', 307-337 AD. AE3. His laureate head r./VOT XXX within wreath. EF. An especially nice and powerful portrait of the first Christian emperor on this issue. |  |
| 8627. CONSTANTIUS II, 337-361 AD. AE2, RIC.82. His diademed bust r./FEL TEMP REPARATIO, soldier spearing barbarian cavalryman. Choice EF+. Best example, especially, the supersharp reverse, the best I've seen in quite awhile. Larger AE2 rather than the usual AE3/4. |  |
| 8628.CHOICE CELTIC IMITATION OF CONSTANTINIAN AE, ca. 4th century AD. CONSTANTINVS AVG, Diademed Celtic style head r./Two Victorys beside plaque, blundered legend around. VF. A very interesting type with a wonderful classic Celtic style and deserving of further study and attribution. |  |
| 8629. HERACLIUS, EARLIEST DEPICTION OF EYEGLASSES, 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. |  |
| 8630. 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. One of the early representations of the Christogram transforming into a Christian cross. VF. |  |
| 8631. INDIA, MUGHAL EMPIRE, SHAH JAHAN I BUILDER OF THE TAJ MAHAL, 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. |  |
| 8632. 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. |  |
| 8633. 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 great with nice heft in the hand. Rare. |  |
| 8634. 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. |  |
| 8635. 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. |  |
| 8636. 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. |  |
| 8637. 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. |  |
| 8638. ARTUQUIDS OF MARDIN, HOSAM AL-DIN YULUK ARSLAN, MOURNING THE DEATH OF SALADIN, 1184-1201. AE Dirhem, Spengler/Sayles 35, Mitchener World of Islam 1040-1. The four figures are thought to 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. |  |
| 8639. 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). |  |
| 8640. 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. |  |
| 8641. 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+. |  |
| 8642. 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? |  |
| 8643. ARTUQUIDS OF MARDIN, NASIR AL-DIN ARTUQ ARSLAN, 1201-1239 AD. AE Dirhem, Spengler/Sayles 47. Facing bust representing the Sun/Legend. VF. |  |
| 8644. 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. |  |
| 8645. 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. |  |
| 8646. 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. |  |
| 8647. GERMANY, HAMBURG, 1675. AR . Castle with three turrets/48 in wreath. EF. Beautiful old cabinet toning with iridescence. |  |
| 8648. 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. Better detail than image shows. |  |
| 8649. 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. |  |
| 8650. SPAIN, CASTILE & LEON, ALFONSO X, 1252-1284. AR Pepion. Castle/Lion stg. l. VF. Rare. |  |
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