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[King John]

Heritage World Coin Auctions > NYINC Signature Sale 3071	Auction date: 6 January 2019
Lot number: 32148
Ancients Septimius Severus (AD 193-211), with Julia Domna, Caracalla and Geta. AV aureus (20mm, 7.27 gm, 6h). NGC Choice MS★ 5/5 - 5/5, Fine Style. Rome, AD 201. SEVERVS PIVS AVG-P M TR P VIIII, laureate head of Septimius Severus right / FELICITAS / SAECVLI, draped bust of Julia Domna facing (in center), confronting busts of Caracalla (on left), laureate, draped and cuirassed, seen from behind, and Geta (on right), bare headed, draped and cuirassed, seen from behind. RIC IV.I 175. Calicó 2589a (this coin, misdescribed with sons not wearing cuirasses). Very rare, struck from dies of exceptional style with flashy luster. From the Morris Collection. Ex "An Important Collection of Roman Gold Coins Part I" (Numismatica Ars Classica, Auction 34, 24 November 2006), lot 38. The reign of the "African Emperor" Septimius Severus was unique for the production of a remarkable series of coins depicting various members of the Imperial family in a variety of combinations, many of great beauty and exceptional iconographic interest. Among the rarest of this series is this beautiful aureus, which combines a a forceful obverse portrait of Severus with a charming group portrait on the reverse, with the adolescent brothers Caracalla and Geta flanking a fully frontal portrait of their mother, Julia Domna. The promise of a stable imperial dynasty is implicit; however, the positioning of Domna between her two sons proved eerily prescient: Following the death of Severus in AD 211, the bitter sibling rivalry between Caracalla and Geta threatened to sunder the Empire and placed their mother squarely in the middle.  Estimate: 30000-50000 USD

ILLUSTRAZIONE: Tondo showing the Severan dynasty: Septimius Severus with Julia Domna, Caracalla and Geta, whose face has been erased, probably because of the damnatio memoriae put against him by Caracalla, from Djemila (Algeria), circa AD 199-200, Altes Museum, Berlin

[King John]

Classical Numismatic Group, Auction 105, lot 710, 10/05/2017

Roman Republican 
Moneyer issues of Imperatorial Rome. L. Hostilius Saserna. 48 BC. AR Denarius (18mm, 3.69 g, 5h). Rome mint. Head of Gallic captive (Vercingetorix?) right, wearing hair flowing back and long, pointed beard, and a chain around his neck; Gallic shield to left / Two warriors in galloping biga right: one driving, holding whip in right hand and reins in left, and the other, facing backward, holding shield in left hand and brandishing spear in right. Crawford 448/2a; CRI 18; Sydenham 952; Hostilia 2. VF, deep cabinet toning, some minor porosity.
From the Archer M. Huntington Collection, ANS 1001.1.24825.
The obverse portrait has sometimes been identified as the famous chief of the Arverni, Vercingetorix, whom Julius Caesar captured in 52 BC in Alesia. It is difficult to imagine anyone placing such a dramatic portrait of a defeated foe on their coinage, but it is clear from surviving sources of the period that the Romans had a good deal of respect for the Gauls as honorable warriors. Crawford and Sear believe this identification is unlikely, but the large, distinctive, and carefully engraved head suggests the die cutter worked with an eye toward creating an individualized portrait, rather than a stylized personification of a Gaul. The reverse is also of particular historical interest, in that it depicts the manner in which chariots were used in Celtic Gaul, and perhaps in Britain as well.

[King John]

[King John]

Leu Numismatik AG > Web Auction 6	Auction date: 9 December 2018
Lot number: 235 Price realized: 40 CHF   (Approx. 40 USD / 35 EUR)   Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees.
Lot description: TROAS. Kebren. Circa 412-399 BC. Chalkous (Bronze, 8 mm, 0.84 g, 5 h). Head of a Persian satrap to left, wearing kyrbasia. Rev. Monogram of KE. SNG Copenhagen 261. SNG von Aulock 1547. Minor pitting and the obverse a bit off center, otherwise, very fine. Starting Price: 25 CHF

[King John]

Nomos, Auction 12, lot 112, 22/05/2016

CILICIA, Uncertain (Tarsos?). Circa 400-380 BC. Obol (Silver, 9mm, 0.73 g 10). Janiform head: on the left, a bearded the male and, on the right, a diademed female (Zeus and Hera as at Tenedos?). Rev. Triform, bearded male head. Göktürk 37 and pl. XX, 7. SNG Levante 202. Very rare. A charming little coin, well struck and of particularly nice style. Extremely fine.

ILLUSTRAZIONE: GERIONE. Gerione è una figura della mitologia greca, figlio di Crisaore e di Calliroe, e fratello di Echidna. Era un fortissimo gigante con tre teste, tre busti e due sole gambe. Era re dell'Isola dell'Eritea, nell'Oceano occidentale, fino ai confini della mitica Tartesso. Possedeva delle bellissime vacche rosse (consacrate al proprietario, il divino Apollo) protetti dal cane a due teste Orto e dal semidio Euritione, figlio di Ares. La cattura dei buoi e l'uccisione di Gerione, Ortro e Euritione costituirono la decima fatica di Eracle. Infatti, Euristeo ordinò a Eracle di catturare i suoi buoi. Eracle partì e vide la barca dorata di Helios e se la fece dare in prestito. Arrivò nell'isola di Gerione e uccidendo il mostro si prese i buoi. Era arrabbiata mandò uno sciame di mosche a uccidere i buoi ma Eracle affrontò pure loro e vinse.

[King John]

Litra in bronzo (9,44 g) coniata a Messana (Sicilia) tra il 310 ed il 288 a.C.  D.: Testa della ninfa Peloria con corona d’orzo a sinistra; davanti ad essa due delfini; legenda PELORIAS. R: Feraimone che avanza nudo verso sinistra proteggendosi dietro ad un grande scudo rotondo ed impugnando la lancia; legenda: MESSANIWN., “(moneta) dei cittadini di Messana”. 

Classical Numismatic Group, asta Triton V del 15/01/2002, lotto n. 199

[King John]

Gerhard Hirsch Nachfolger > Auction 346	Auction date: 13 February 2019
Lot number: 2529
Lot description: RÖMISCHE MÜNZEN, RÖMISCHES KAISERREICH  NERO. 54-68, Pisidien, Sagalassos.AE-20 mm. Belorbeerter Kopf r. Rs: Behelmter Kopf des Heros Lakedaimon r. RPC 3526. Dunkle Patina. Hohes Relief. Ovaler Schrötling. R ss-vz Ex Sammlung M. Burstein (Peus 366, 2000, Los Nr. 908). Ex Sammlung R.P.  Estimate: 200 EUR

[King John]

Classical Numismatic Group > Triton XXII	Auction date: 8 January 2019
Lot number: 42
Lot description: LUCANIA, Metapontion. Circa 340-330 BC. AR Double Nomos (27mm, 15.63 g, 4h). Head of Leukippos right, wearing Corinthian helmet decorated with charioteer driving fast quadriga right on the bowl, and tiny hippocamp left on the side; to left, forepart of lion right and AΠH / Barley ear with leaf to left; club above leaf, AMI below; METAΠONTINΩN to left. Johnston Class B, 1.1 (same dies); HN Italy 1574; SNG ANS 431; Jameson 306 (same obv. die). VF, lightly toned, light marks, minor flan flaw on obverse.  From the Gasvoda Collection. Ex Baldwin's 96 (24 September 2015), lot 3005; Spink Numismatic Circular CXIV.5 (October 2006), no. GK1953. Estimate: 3000 USD

[King John]

Classical Numismatic Group > Triton XXII	Auction date: 8 January 2019
Lot number: 282
Lot description: ASIA MINOR, Uncertain. Late 6th-early 5th centuries BC. AR Stater (17.5mm, 9.71 g, 11h). Winged figure (Baal?) advancing left, torso and head facing, arms raised, tail hanging below; uncertain symbol or letter(s) to outer left, star to inner left, L' (in Aramaic) to outer right; all on raised circular field [with radiate border] / Herakles, wearing lion skin headdress, holding bow in extended right hand and club raised overhead in left, advancing left; uncertain devices above; to right, forepart of creature left, head reverted; all within incuse square with portions of the sides extending into the inner fields. Rosen 750 = Asyut p. 126, fig. D = Leu 13, lot 293 (same dies); otherwise unpublished, but cf. Mildenberg, Bes 1 (third stater); and cf. CNG 91, lot 344 (sixth stater). EF, deep cabinet tone. Extremely rare, one of two known.  This stunning issue was first discovered in a small group of coins found circa 1970 that M.J. Price and N. Waggoner thought was likely another parcel from the Asyut Hoard. The authors suggested the coin was from the Cypriot mint of Lapethos based on an issue of that mint that has roughly similar types (cf. Larnaca Hoard 458-30). The coin was further analyzed by O. Masson in his RN 1982 article, "Notes de numismatique Chypriote" (pp. 14–6), in which he accepted Price and Troxell's attribution, and suggested that the epigraphy referred to a king named 'B[D]– (or 'abd–), for which there are possibilities at various locations on Cyprus. Price and Waggoner had found the inscription "vague", but suggested that it was perhaps Baal written in retrograde. The coin was again discussed by J.H. Kagan in the context of discussing a hoard of archaic coins that included two staters with a nearly identical obverse type as here, but lacking any legend and paired with a reverse featuring the forepart of a winged, man-headed bull right in an incuse (J.H. Kagan, "An Archaic Greek coin hoard from the Eastern Mediterranean and early Cypriot coinage" in NC 154 [1994], pp. 17–52, at 36 [Kagan also notes that one of these winged-bull staters was present in the archaic Demanhur Hoard (IGCH 1637)]). Kagan accepted an attribution to an uncertain mint on Cyprus, though he was not convinced of the connection to the Lapethos issues noted by Price and Waggoner. Two fractions, a third and a sixth stater, have since come to light that must be associated with the present coin, both featuring obverses with the exact same type as here, but with rough incuse squares on their reverse (see references above). While no legend is visible on the third stater, the sixth stater appears to have the Aramaic letters B' above, and another B' in the left field, flanking the lower wing (though the second letter is partially off the flan). The attribution of these issues to a mint on Cyprus, though, is untenable for many reasons. First, the association of the issue with the Lapethos coins is very weak. The obverses are certainly of very different figures, though their poses are somewhat similar. The reverse type is found on many coinages elsewhere – a popular type that was replicated on a number of disparate issues. Second, none of the known provenances for any of these coins is a location on Cyprus – two are in Egypt, Asyut and Demanhur, while the third is thought to be from a site in Cilicia, Syria, or Phoenicia. Third, all of these hoards contained coins from various mints, and none are of exclusively Cypriot composition. Fourth, characteristics of the flan – thick and compact in manufacture – is rather inconsistent with early Cypriot issues. The coins of Euelthon are the most similar, but even these have flans that are consistently more flat and spread. In contrast, many early coins of southern Asia Minor, Syria, and Phoenicia have this type of flan. Fifth, the form of the incuse, with portions of the sides of the square extending into the fields, is not present on any Cypriot issues, but is known on coins of Lycia (cf. Asyut 249–51) and an uncertain mint likely in southern Asia Minor or Syria (cf. Triton XXI, lot 515, and Savoca 19, lot 96). As such, it seems more likely that this coin is an issue from southern Asia Minor, particularly so if the issues with the forepart of a winged, man-headed bull are from the same series, as that reverse type is well known on issues in Caria, Lycia, and Cilicia. Finally, the identification of the types has also probably been incorrect. The figure on the obverse has traditionally been identified as a Gorgon, which would make this issue unique for the fact that it would be the only Greek issue depicting the full figure of a Gorgon, rather than just its head. Admittedly, the facing head with its protruding tongue is identical to the form of Gorgon heads commonly found on early coins, but other characteristics of the figure suggest it is not a Gorgon. For one, the figure has four straight wings, depicted in a style that is the norm for eastern deities, but is unknown for Gorgons. There are rare early vases that do depict Medusa with four wings, but they are quite different in their representation (cf. Attic black figure amphora Paris N1020 or F230, in the Louvre). The most salient feature discounting the figure as a Gorgon has been completely overlooked before – the figure has a tail – a feature that is not a part of any ancient representation of a Gorgon, nor is a Gorgon ever described as having one in ancient literature. It is thus more likely that the obverse depicts a local representation of Ba'al, as noted by the legend on the coins. If this is correct, it is also likely that the reverse type does not depict Herakles, as previously described, but the eastern deity associated with him, Melkart.  Estimate: 10000 USD ILLUSTRAZIONE: STATUA DI BAAL HAMMONE AFFIANCATO DA SFINGI (I SECOLO D.C.)

 

 

[King John]

Leu Numismatik AG > Web Auction 6	Auction date: 9 December 2018
Lot number: 315 Price realized: 250 CHF   (Approx. 252 USD / 221 EUR)
Lot description: CILICIA. Uncertain. 4th century BC. Obol (Silver, 10 mm, 0.66 g, 9 h). Female head of (Arethusa?) facing slightly to left, wearing necklace. Rev. Facing head of Bes. Göktürk 44. SNG Levante 233. SNG Paris 486. A beautifully struck piece. Minor cleaning marks, otherwise, nearly extremely fine. Starting Price: 50 CHF ILLUSTRAZIONE: STATUA DEL DIO BES

[King John]

Bertolami Fine Arts - ACR Auctions > E-Auction 64	Auction date: 13 January 2019
Lot number: 763
Lot description: Divus Trajan, late 4th century AD. Æ Contorniate (40mm, 25.46g, 1h). DIVO [NE]R[VA]E - TRAI[A]NO, Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust r., R/ The seventh of the Twelve Labors of Hercules: the hero l., capturing Cretan Bull. C 225; Sabatier, tav. XIII, 4. Very Rare, some corrosion, otherwise Good VF Starting Price: 600 GBP ILLUSTRAZIONE: METOPA DEL TEMPIO DI SEUS AD OLIMPIA CHE RAFFIGURA ERACLE CHE CATTURA IL TORO DI CRETA

 

[King John]

Agora Auctions > Numismatic Auction 75

Lot number: 82 Price realized: 86 USD   (Approx. 73 EUR / 65 GBP / 85 CHF)

Lot description: Lydia, Mostene. 2nd-1st centuries B.C. AE (21,9 mm, 7,80 g, 11 h). Laureate head of Zeus right / ΛVΔΩΝ / MOΣΤΗΝΩΝ, youth on horseback right, holding labrys; EP to left, monogram to right. BMC 1. VF, green patina.  Estimate: 100 USD

[King John]

cgb.fr > e-Monnaies July 2018	Auction date: 31 July 2018
Lot number: 112 Price realized: 280 EUR   (Approx. 328 USD)   Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees.
Lot description: CARACALLA Denier Type : Denier  Date: 208  Mint name / Town : Roma  Metal : silver  Diameter : 19 mm  Orientation dies : 6 h.  Weight : 3,32 g.  Rarity : R1  Officine: 3e  Comments on the condition: Exemplaire de qualité exceptionnelle sur un flan irrégulier et échancré avec les grènetis visibles. Tête de Caracalla de toute beauté. Revers de haut relief. Belle patine grise avec des reflets dorés. Conserve l'intégralité de son brillant de frappe et de son coupant d'origine  Catalogue references : ROME 8/302 - C.447 - RIC.100 - BMC/RE.569 - H.2/982 - RCV.6867  Obverse Obverse legend : ANTONINVS - PIVS AVG. Obverse description : Tête de Caracalla laurée à droite (O*). Obverse translation : "Antoninus Pius Augustus" (Antonin pieux auguste). Reverse Reverse legend : PONTIF TR P - XI - COS III. Reverse description : Mars debout à droite, en posture de combattant, tenant une haste de la main droite et un bouclier de la main gauche. Reverse translation : "Pontifex Tribunicia Potestate undecimum Consul tertium" (Pontife,revêtu de la onzième puissance tribunitienne consul pour la troisième fois). ILLUSTRAZIONE: TESTA DI MARTE (II SECOLO D.C.)

[King John]

Leu Numismatik AG > Auction 2

Lot number: 195 Price realized: 340 CHF   (Approx. 339 USD / 285 EUR)   Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees.

PISIDIA. Termessus Major. Pseudo-autonomous issue. Tetrassarion (?) (Bronze, 29 mm, 13.88 g, 12 h), circa 250-255. TЄPMЄCCЄΩN Laureate head of Zeus Solymos to right. Rev. AYTONOMΩN The hero Solymos, helmeted, seated to left on a large throne, raising his right hand and holding sword in sheath with his left. SNG Paris 2205. SNG von Aulock 5354 var. (later style). Attractive earthen highlights. Good very fine. Estimate: 250 CHF

[King John]

Classical Numismatic Group, Electronic Auction 366, lot 371, 13/01/2016

CALABRIA, Tarentum. Circa 333-331/0 BC. AR Nomos (19.5mm, 7.70 g, 2h). Warror, preparing to throw spear and holding shield and two more spears, on horse rearing right; [|- to left], Λ to right, KAΛ and Δ below / Phalanthos, holding crested Phrygian helmet, astride dolphin right; stars flanking, API below. Fischer-Bossert Group 60, 770–3 var. (V303/R– [unlisted rev. die]); Vlasto 543–4 (same obv. die); HN Italy 896. Good VF, toned, a little off center. From fine style dies.

[Baylon]

19 ore fa, King John dice:

cgb.fr > e-Monnaies July 2018	Auction date: 31 July 2018
Lot number: 112 Price realized: 280 EUR   (Approx. 328 USD)   Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees.
Lot description: CARACALLA Denier Type : Denier  Date: 208  Mint name / Town : Roma  Metal : silver  Diameter : 19 mm  Orientation dies : 6 h.  Weight : 3,32 g.  Rarity : R1  Officine: 3e  Comments on the condition: Exemplaire de qualité exceptionnelle sur un flan irrégulier et échancré avec les grènetis visibles. Tête de Caracalla de toute beauté. Revers de haut relief. Belle patine grise avec des reflets dorés. Conserve l'intégralité de son brillant de frappe et de son coupant d'origine  Catalogue references : ROME 8/302 - C.447 - RIC.100 - BMC/RE.569 - H.2/982 - RCV.6867  Obverse Obverse legend : ANTONINVS - PIVS AVG. Obverse description : Tête de Caracalla laurée à droite (O*). Obverse translation : "Antoninus Pius Augustus" (Antonin pieux auguste). Reverse Reverse legend : PONTIF TR P - XI - COS III. Reverse description : Mars debout à droite, en posture de combattant, tenant une haste de la main droite et un bouclier de la main gauche. Reverse translation : "Pontifex Tribunicia Potestate undecimum Consul tertium" (Pontife,revêtu de la onzième puissance tribunitienne consul pour la troisième fois). ILLUSTRAZIONE: TESTA DI MARTE (II SECOLO D.C.)

Ogni volta che vedo le sculture ove viene rappresentato un volto o l'intera figura umana, rimango sempre meravigliato per la disarmante potenza espressiva dei soggetti. 

[King John]

8 minuti fa, Baylon dice:

Ogni volta che vedo le sculture ove viene rappresentato un volto o l'intera figura umana, rimango sempre meravigliato per la disarmante potenza espressiva dei soggetti. 

E' la grandezza e la magia dell'arte classica....

 

[King John]

SINCONA AG > Auction 51

Lot number: 2047 Price realized: 475 CHF   (Approx. 477 USD / 417 EUR)   Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees.

Lot description: COINS OF THE GREEK WORLD. RHODES. Didrachm c. 275-250 BC, Herasikles, magistrate. Radiate head of Helios facing slightly to the right. Rv. ΕΡΑΣΙΚΛΗΣ / Ρ - Ο Rose with bud to right; in field to left, Phrygian helmet to right. 6.76 g. Ashton 187. SNG Copenhagen 738. SNG Keckman -. Nicely toned. Good very fine.

[King John]

Pegasi Numismatics, Auction XXXVI, lot 314, 23/05/2017

MACEDON, Koinon. Time of Gordian III, 238-244 AD. Æ27 (10.61 gm). Head of Alexander the Great / Alexander on horseback. SNG.Cop.1356. AMNG.647. VF, green patina.

ILLUSTRAZIONE: ALESSANDRO IL GRANDE

[King John]

Gerhard Hirsch Nachfolger, Auction 314, lot 2860, 23/09/2015

RÖMISCHE MÜNZEN, RÖMISCHES KAISERREICH 
PESCENNIUS NIGER. 193-194, Antiochia.Denar. Belorbeerter Kopf r. Rs: Tropaeum, am Boden Waffen. C. -, vgl. 36. R.I.C. -, vgl. 38. 3.54g, Etwas fleckige Tönung. RRRR fast vz
Nach dem Tod des Didius Julianus wurde Pescennius Niger, ein altgedienter Offizier und Statthalter von Syrien, von seinen Soldaten zum Kaiser ausgerufen. Septimius Severus ließ ihn in Rom zum Staatsfeind erklären. Erst im Folgejahr kam es bei Issos zur Entscheidungsschlacht, die mit einer vollständigen Niederlage für Niger endete. Kurz darauf wurde er gefangengenommen und hingerichtet.

[King John]

Numismatik Naumann (formerly Gitbud & Naumann) > Auction 68	Auction date: 5 August 2018
Lot number: 265 Price realized: 200 EUR   (Approx. 232 USD)   Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees.
Lot description: TROAS. Ilium. Commodus (177-192). Ae Dupondius. Obv: AV K M [...] KOMMOÎ"OC.  Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right. Hector, raising arm and holding spear and shield, advancing left. RPC IV online -; Bellinger -. Extremely rare  Condition: Near very fine, some chipping to the patina on the edge. Weight: 7.75 g. Diameter: 27 mm. Hector of Troy Estimate: 50 EUR ILLUSTRAZIONE: RILIEVO RAFFIGURANTE UN COMBATTIMENTO TRA UN SODATO GRECO ED UNO TROIANO DALLA TOMBA DI UN PRINCIPE LICIANO.

 

[King John]

Leu Numismatik AG > Web Auction 6	Auction date: 9 December 2018
Lot number: 520 Price realized: 550 CHF   (Approx. 555 USD / 487 EUR)   Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees.
Lot description: TROAS. Ilium. Commodus, as Caesar, 166-177. Diassarion (Bronze, 27 mm, 11.87 g, 7 h), circa 175-177. Λ ΑY ΚΟΜΟΔΟС ΚΑΙ ΓЄΡ СЄ Υ Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust of Commodus to right, seen from behind. Rev. ΙΛΙ[ЄΩΝ] On the left, cult statue of Athena Ilias standing right on cippus, wearing kalathos and holding Palladium in her left hand and a transverse spear in her right; before her, emperor standing left on low base, raising his right hand and holding scroll (?) is his left; behind, Nike standing left on garlanded cippus, crowning enmperor with wreath. Bellinger T175 = RPC IV online 111 (1 specimen, same dies). Of the highest rarity, apparently the second known example. Very fine. Starting Price: 75 CHF illustrazione: STATUA DI PALLADE ATENA POSTA DAVANTI AL PARLAMENTO AUSTRIACO, VIENNA

[dabbene]

Il 31/12/2018 alle 16:45, King John dice:

Heritage World Coin Auctions > NYINC Signature Sale 3071	Auction date: 6 January 2019
Lot number: 32148
Ancients Septimius Severus (AD 193-211), with Julia Domna, Caracalla and Geta. AV aureus (20mm, 7.27 gm, 6h). NGC Choice MS★ 5/5 - 5/5, Fine Style. Rome, AD 201. SEVERVS PIVS AVG-P M TR P VIIII, laureate head of Septimius Severus right / FELICITAS / SAECVLI, draped bust of Julia Domna facing (in center), confronting busts of Caracalla (on left), laureate, draped and cuirassed, seen from behind, and Geta (on right), bare headed, draped and cuirassed, seen from behind. RIC IV.I 175. Calicó 2589a (this coin, misdescribed with sons not wearing cuirasses). Very rare, struck from dies of exceptional style with flashy luster. From the Morris Collection. Ex "An Important Collection of Roman Gold Coins Part I" (Numismatica Ars Classica, Auction 34, 24 November 2006), lot 38. The reign of the "African Emperor" Septimius Severus was unique for the production of a remarkable series of coins depicting various members of the Imperial family in a variety of combinations, many of great beauty and exceptional iconographic interest. Among the rarest of this series is this beautiful aureus, which combines a a forceful obverse portrait of Severus with a charming group portrait on the reverse, with the adolescent brothers Caracalla and Geta flanking a fully frontal portrait of their mother, Julia Domna. The promise of a stable imperial dynasty is implicit; however, the positioning of Domna between her two sons proved eerily prescient: Following the death of Severus in AD 211, the bitter sibling rivalry between Caracalla and Geta threatened to sunder the Empire and placed their mother squarely in the middle.  Estimate: 30000-50000 USD

ILLUSTRAZIONE: Tondo showing the Severan dynasty: Septimius Severus with Julia Domna, Caracalla and Geta, whose face has been erased, probably because of the damnatio memoriae put against him by Caracalla, from Djemila (Algeria), circa AD 199-200, Altes Museum, Berlin

Molto interessante questa moneta, anche per le funzioni e scopi del documento moneta oltre al valore economico, sembra quasi un quadro di famiglia, una testimonianza storica fatta per il loro presente e il futuro ...

[King John]

Classical Numismatic Group, Triton X, lot 1512, 10/01/2006

SEPTIMIUS SEVERUS. 193-211 AD. Æ 38mm (21.35 g, 12h). Abydus in Troas mint. Faba Proclus, archon. AV KAI L CEPTIMIOC CEOVHPOC PERTIN, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind / E[PI] ARC FABA PR-OKLOV, ABVDHN in exergue, Leander swimming right across Hellespont toward tower containing Hero standing left, who holds a lighted lamp in extended right hand; below Leander, two dolphins swimming right, one left. Cf. Kraft pl. 56, 21 (for obv. type); BMC 60 corr. (ABVDH) and pl. III, 2; SNG Copenhagen -; SNG von Aulock -. Near EF, green patina with traces of red. ($5000)
The tagic love-story of Hero and Leander was a popular theme with Classical and Renaissance poets and playwrights. Leander was a young man from Abydus, located on the Asian side of the Hellespont. Across the water in Sestus lived Hero, a virgin and priestess of Aphrodite. Enamored of Hero, Leander would swim each night two miles across the strait to woo her and, in the early morning, swim back to Abydus. To guide him in this dangerous journey, Hero would climb a tower on the shore near Sestus with a lamp. One stormy night, however, Leander, drowned when his strength failed him. When Hero became aware of his death, she cast herself in despair from the tower into the waters below, and too was drowned.
Estimate: $5000

ILLUSTRAZIONE: Ero e Leandro, dipinto di William Etty

Leandro era un giovane di Abido, che durante una festa di Afrodite nella città di Sesto, situata di fronte sull'altra riva dell'Ellesponto, s'innamorò della sacerdotessa della dea, Ero, e si diede a visitare di notte l'amata compiendo la difficile traversata dello stretto sotto la guida della fiaccola che Ero teneva accesa in cima alla sua torre sul lido. La difficile impresa riuscì più volte, ma una notte, essendosi Leandro arrischiato nel mare agitatissimo, avvenne che il vento spegnesse la fiaccola dell'amata. Al mattino Ero vide ai piedi della torre il cadavere del suo diletto, e allora gli si precipitò accanto, affinché neanche la morte valesse a separarla da lui. Questa leggenda dai tratti così romantici ebbe larga elaborazione solo a cominciare dagli Alessandrini e dai loro imitatori; si veda, ad es., Ovidio, Eroidi, 17 e 18; Museo nel suo poemetto Le vicende di Ero e di L., in 343 versi; Antologia Palatina, V, 231 e 263; Stazio, Tebaide, VI, 542, ecc.

 

Modificato 8 Gennaio, 2019 da King John

[King John]

Leu Numismatik AG > Web Auction 6	Auction date: 9 December 2018
Lot number: 19 Price realized: 180 CHF   (Approx. 182 USD / 159 EUR)   Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees.
Lot description: LUCANIA. Herakleia. Circa 330/25-281 BC. Didrachm or Nomos (Silver, 20 mm, 7.93 g, 9 h). Head of Athena to right, wearing Corinthian helmet decorated with Skylla hurling a stone; behind, K. Rev. HPAKΛEIΩN - AΘA Herakles standing facing, head to left, holding club with his right hand and bow, arrow and lion's skin with his left; to left, aryballos. HN Italy 1384. Van Keuren 85. Minor graffiti, otherwise, good very fine. From a Swiss collection, formed before 2005. Starting Price: 150 CHF