Le più belle rappresentazioni di guerrieri

[King John]

Numismatica Ars Classica > Auction 116	Auction date: 1 October 2019
Lot number: 117
Lot descriptio Pharsalus Drachm signed by the artist TH circa 420-350, AR 5.93 g. Head of Athena r., wearing crested Thessalian helmet; TH, behind neck-guard. Rev. Φ – Α / Ρ – Σ Cloaked warrior on horseback r., wearing petasus, holding mace over shoulder; in exergue, TH. Lavva 82 (V42/R47). SNG Lockett 1604 (these dies). SNG Ashmolean 3920 (these dies). BCD Thessaly I, 1284 (this reverse die). BCD Thessaly II, 638 (these dies). A finely detailed reverse composition of fine style. Wonderful iridescent tone and extremely fine / good extremely fine Ex CNG mail bid 73, 2006, 196 and NAC 59, 2011, 587 sales. Estimate: 6000 CHF

[King John]

Numismatica Ars Classica > Auction 117	Auction date: 1 October 2019
Lot number: 223
Lot description: Usurper King in Parthia, Andragoras circa 245-239/8. Stater circa 245-239/8, AV 8.54 g. Diademed and draped bust of Zeus r.; behind, monogram. Rev. Fast quadriga driven r. by Nike holding kentron and reins; at her l., a warrior. In exergue, ΑΝΔΡΑΓΟΡΟΥ. Gardner, NC 1979, 1 and pl. 1, 1 (this obverse die). Dressel, ZfN 21, 1898, 231 (these dies). BMC 2 (these dies). Mitchiner type 19a, left pictures (these dies). Exceedingly rare, one of only seven specimens known of which only four are in private hands. A superb portrait of excellent style and a lovely light reddish tone. Good extremely fine From a Swiss Private collection and notarised as being in Switzerland prior to 2005. The dearth of evidence concerning events in the eastern lands once ruled by Alexander III and his successors has led to much confusion about what followed the Macedonian conquest of the Persian Empire. The gold staters and silver tetradrachms bearing the name Andragoras, inscribed in Greek, are thus imperfectly understood. Since they are objects of such fascination they have been studied intensively ever since the first gold staters of this ruler, purportedly from the Oxus River treasure (IGCH 1822), unearthed in the territory of ancient Sogdiana in 1877, came to light. The staters bear on their obverse a highly individualistic, bearded, draped and diademed portrait of a ruler, behind which is a monogram composed of Greek letters, perhaps HPAI. The reverse shows Nike piloting a chariot drawn by four horses; she is accompanied by an armored figure – perhaps Andragoras(?) – who holds an uncertain object in his raised right hand. The tetradrachms show on their obverse the turreted head of Tyche, behind which is the same monogram as appears on the staters. The reverse shows the standing figure of Athena holding an owl in her extended right hand as she places her left hand upon a Gorgoneion-shield; a transverse spear is engraved in the background. The Roman author Justin, who in the 2nd, 3rd or 4th Century A.D. compiled an epitome of the now-lost 'Philippic Histories' of Pompeius Trogus, offers two possibilities of whom this Andragoras may be, both of whom were satraps of Parthia. He states that the first was appointed by Alexander III, perhaps in 331 B.C., while he was on campaign in the East (xii.4.12). Except for this reference in Justin, there is no reason otherwise to question the testimony of Arrian and Diodorus Siculus, who indicate that Alexander had maintained the Persian satrap Phrataphernes in that position. Indeed, the answer may be that Andragoras is a Greek version of Phrataphernes. Justin's second reference is to an Andragoras who was appointed to his satrapy in the early- to mid-3rd century B.C. by a Seleucid king, seemingly Antiochus II or Seleucus II, only to be overthrown by the Parthian King Arsaces I, perhaps in about 238/7 B.C. (xli.4.7). We must also consider a Greek inscription found at Gurgan, about seventy miles inland from the south-eastern tip of the Caspian Sea, near the western border of Iran and Turkmenistan, which names a certain Andragoras as a high-ranking official under Antiochus I (see J. Wolski, "Andragoras était-il Iranien ou Grec?" Studia Iranica 4 [1975], pp. 166-69). Though there are these three fragments of information to consider, none of them eliminates the possibility that the Andragoras in question was another person entirely, for whom no historical record (other than his coins) survives. The discovery of a new inscription one day may provide conclusive information, but at present it is most freq Estimate: 100000 CHF

[King John]

Roma Numismatics Ltd > Auction XVIII	Auction date: 29 September 2019
Lot number: 396
Kings of the Bosporos, Leukon II Æ18. Pantikapaion, circa 240-220 BC. Oval thyreos shield with spear behind / Sword in scabbard; ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΛΕΥΚΩΝΟΣ around. MacDonald 101; SNG France 959; HGC 7, 191. 4.05, 18mm, 12h. Good Very Fine. Extremely Rare. From the William Stancomb Collection; Ex Gerhard Hirsch Nachfolger, Auction 214, 15 February 2001, lot 1339. Estimate: 100 GBP

 

Modificato 16 Settembre, 2019 da King John

[King John]

Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co. KG > Auction 326	Auction date: 7 October 2019
Lot number: 296
Lot description: THESSALIA. LAMIA. Æs, 325/300 v. Chr.; 2,49 g. Athenakopf r. mit korinthischem Helm//Philoktetes steht r. und schießt auf Vögel, davor Köcher. Rogers 384; Slg. BCD 125. Sehr schön Exemplar der Sammlung BCD, CNG Electronic Auction 311, Lancaster 2013, Nr. 90. Philoktetes war einer der Helden des Troianischen Krieges und befand sich im Besitz des Bogens und der Pfeile des Herakles. Estimate: 75 EUR

[King John]

Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co. KG > Auction 326	Auction date: 7 October 2019
Lot number: 640
SICILIA. SYRAKUS. AR-Drachme, um 405 v. Chr.; 4,11 g. Athenakopf fast v. v. mit attischem Helm, von vier Delphinen umgeben//Leukaspis geht r. mit Speer und Schild, dahinter Altar, davor Widder. Slg. Kunstfreund 121 (stempelgleich); SNG ANS 310 (Avers stempelgleich); SNG München vergl. 1090 f. (Avers stempelgleich). R Herrliche Patina, sehr schön Aus der Sammlung eines norddeutschen Antikenfreundes. Exemplar der Auktion NAC 9, Zürich 1996, Nr. 220 (dort mit irrtümlicher Provenienzangabe). Leukaspis war einer der fünf sikanischen Anführer, die sich Herakles auf seinem Zug durch Sizilien entgegenstellten und von ihm erschlagen wurden. Estimate: 4000 EUR

[King John]

Leu Numismatik AG > Auction 4	Auction date: 25 May 2019
Lot number: 719 Price realized: 13,500 CHF   (Approx. 13,413 USD / 12,030 EUR)   Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees.
Lot description: Postumus, Romano-Gallic Emperor, 260-269. Antoninianus (Billon, 21 mm, 3.45 g, 6 h), Cologne, early 268. POSTVMVS AVG Radiate bust of Postumus to left, in the guise of Hercules, holding club over his right shoulder and lion skin over his left. Rev. P M TR P VIIII COS IIII P P Bow, club and Skythian quiver. AGK (corr.) 65b. Cohen 282. Cunetio 2445. Elmer 560. RIC 292. Very rare and undoubtedly among the finest known. A wonderful, spectacular coin, beautifully toned, sharply struck and without the porosity and flatness that usually plague Postumus' late antoniniani. Thin flan crack, otherwise, good extremely fine. Postumus' worship of his comes Hercules went far beyond the normal fondness of Roman generals for the belligerent hero. The Romano-Gallic usurper maintained a close relationship with Hercules ever since his insurrection in 260, in particular with Hercules Magusano and Hercules Deusoniensi, local cult forms that certainly reflect preferences by the Rhine Legions - the backbone of Postumus' power. The present issue, of which this is a particularly spectacular example, portrays the emperor in the guise of Hercules on the obverse, holding the hero's club in his right hand and with the lion skin draped over his left shoulder, whereas the reverse shows the demigod's trademark weapons: a bow, a quiver, and his redoubtable club. Estimate: 2500 CHF

[dabbene]

Beh qualcosa di buono, non fosse altro per queste 140 pagine per me entusiasmanti e ricche di storia e monete, questo @King John lo ha poi fatto ...almeno per Lamoneta ....io glielo riconoscerò sempre.

[Masiserafino]

Incredibile mai visto tanta passione complimenti vivissimi.

[King John]

LHS Numismatik AG, Auction 96, lot 1105, 8/05/2006

Argos
The coinage of Argos from the mid-4th century unti
Estimate: CHF 350.00
Trihemiobol (Silver, 1.15 g 8), c. 260s/250s. Wolf at bay to left; above, . Rev. Laureate crested Corinthian helmet to left; below, . BMC 88. Mycenae pl. 10, 19-20. Nemea 1639-1641. A lovely example, lightly toned. Extremely fine.
The {/DE and {/QY issues are among the last silver issues of the 3rd century, and were almost certainly struck just prior to the weight reduction in c. 250/240 (those found in the Mycenae Hoard [IGCH 171] were virtually uncirculated and must have been struck just before the hoard’s burial).

[King John]

Numismatica Ars Classica > Auction 114	Auction date: 6 May 2019
Lot number: 138 Price realized: 4,750 CHF   (Approx. 4,667 USD / 4,172 EUR)   Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees.
Koinon, pseudo-autonomous issue. Time of Gordian III, 238-244. Bronze circa 238-244, Æ 12.59 g. AΛEΞANΔPOV Head of Alexander III r., wearing lion skin headdress. Rev. KOINON MAKEΔONΩN NЄΩ Alexander standing r., placing harness on Bucephalus rearing to l. AMNG III p. 111, 416a. Very rare and in exceptional condition for the issue. An issue of great fasciation with a lovely and interesting reverse composition. Green patina and good very fine Ex Roma Numismatics sale 7, 2014, 467. Estimate: 3000 CHF

[King John]

The New York Sale, Auction 37, lot 858, 5/01/2016 

ANCIENT COINS, ANCIENT GREEK, Kingdom of Syria, Seleukid Kings, Seleukos I (312-280 BC). Silver Tetradrachm, 17.11g, 10h. Head of Seleukos I facing right, wearing a helmet ornamented with a panther-skin and ram-horns. Rev. Nike crowning a trophy right, radiate head of Helios below (Newell, ESM, 301; Houghton & Lorber, SC I, 173.16). Broad flan and very fine. Rare . $ 3,500

[King John]

Roma Numismatics Ltd > Auction XVIII	Auction date: 29 September 2019
Lot number: 639
Dynasts of Lykia, Perikles AR Stater. Circa 380-375 BC. Head of Perikles three-quarters facing, turned slightly to left, wearing laurel wreath and drapery around neck / Warrior, nude but for crested Corinthian helmet, in fighting attitude to right, holding sword aloft in right hand, shield on left arm; Π↑PEKΛ↑ (PERIKLE in Lycian) around, triskeles to lower right; all within shallow incuse square. Mildenberg, Mithrapata 27 (dies 16/22); Podalia 434–47 (A3/P10); cf. Falghera 215; SNG Copenhagen Supp. 478 var. (no star); SNG von Aulock 4253 (same dies). 9.79g, 23mm, 6h. Near Extremely Fine. Rare, and uncommonly well preserved for the issue, with a superbly detailed reverse. Acquired from Muizon Rieunier, Paris. Lykian Perikles, dubbed 'the other Pericles' by Bryce (Historia: Zeitschrift für Alte Geschichte, Bd. 29, H. 3, 1980) to distinguish him from his more famous Athenian namesake, was a native of the city of Limyra who eventually came to be sovereign of the whole of Lykia. Bryce speculates that Hellenistic influences seen in Lykian architectural and sculpture around this period suggest that Perikles' own name may have been an adopted one taken as an homage to the former Athenian general in an attempt to both distance himself from Persian influence in the area, and to present himself as just such a leader. Bryce uses this coin type as further evidence of Perikles' active move away from Persian influence during his rule; previous coinage of the dynasts of Lykia show a clearly satrapal-style portrait, where the dynasts often wear a bashlik or kyrbasia (see Roma XIV, lot 258 & 259), whereas this coin depicts a laureate head, facing three quarters with long wavy hair, providing an overall much more Hellenised effect, particularly given the contemporary vogue for such facing portraits, made popular by Kimon a couple of decades or so earlier. Estimate: 5000 GBP

[dabbene]

2 ore fa, King John dice:

Roma Numismatics Ltd > Auction XVIII	Auction date: 29 September 2019
Lot number: 639
Dynasts of Lykia, Perikles AR Stater. Circa 380-375 BC. Head of Perikles three-quarters facing, turned slightly to left, wearing laurel wreath and drapery around neck / Warrior, nude but for crested Corinthian helmet, in fighting attitude to right, holding sword aloft in right hand, shield on left arm; Π↑PEKΛ↑ (PERIKLE in Lycian) around, triskeles to lower right; all within shallow incuse square. Mildenberg, Mithrapata 27 (dies 16/22); Podalia 434–47 (A3/P10); cf. Falghera 215; SNG Copenhagen Supp. 478 var. (no star); SNG von Aulock 4253 (same dies). 9.79g, 23mm, 6h. Near Extremely Fine. Rare, and uncommonly well preserved for the issue, with a superbly detailed reverse. Acquired from Muizon Rieunier, Paris. Lykian Perikles, dubbed 'the other Pericles' by Bryce (Historia: Zeitschrift für Alte Geschichte, Bd. 29, H. 3, 1980) to distinguish him from his more famous Athenian namesake, was a native of the city of Limyra who eventually came to be sovereign of the whole of Lykia. Bryce speculates that Hellenistic influences seen in Lykian architectural and sculpture around this period suggest that Perikles' own name may have been an adopted one taken as an homage to the former Athenian general in an attempt to both distance himself from Persian influence in the area, and to present himself as just such a leader. Bryce uses this coin type as further evidence of Perikles' active move away from Persian influence during his rule; previous coinage of the dynasts of Lykia show a clearly satrapal-style portrait, where the dynasts often wear a bashlik or kyrbasia (see Roma XIV, lot 258 & 259), whereas this coin depicts a laureate head, facing three quarters with long wavy hair, providing an overall much more Hellenised effect, particularly given the contemporary vogue for such facing portraits, made popular by Kimon a couple of decades or so earlier. Estimate: 5000 GBP

Beh, impressionante l'espressività di questo volto, stupefacente !

[dabbene]

Ripeto per me da libro illustrato a colori per le scuole per insegnare e incuriosire...

[King John]

Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co. KG > Auction 326	Auction date: 7 October 2019
Lot number: 49
SCYTHIA. KÖNIGREICH. Ailis, um 188/180 v. Chr. Æs; 10,60 g. Köpfe der Dioskuren r.//Köpfe der Pferde der Dioskuren r. Draganov 655 (dies Exemplar); SNG BM -; SNG Stancomb 320. RR Grüne Patina mit Auflagen am Rand, gutes sehr schön Exemplar der CNG Electronic Auction 93, Lancaster 2013, Nr. 89. Estimate: 200 EUR

[King John]

Naville Numismatics Ltd. > Auction 51	Auction date: 21 July 2019
Lot number: 2 Price realized: 90 GBP   (Approx. 113 USD / 100 EUR)   Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees.
Lot description: Samnium, Aesernia Bronze circa 265-240, Æ 23mm., 5.70g. Head of Vulcano l., wearing pileus; tongs in r. field. Rev. Zeus driving fast biga r. SNG ANS 118. Historia Numorum Italy 430. Nice light green patina, Very Fine. This coin is Not subject to any kind of US import restrictions. Starting Price: 45 GBP ILLUSTRAZIONE: BASSORILIEVO RAFFIGURANTE SOLDATI SANNITI

[King John]

Gorny & Mosch Giessener Münzhandlung > Online Auction 267	Auction date: 17 October 2019
Lot number: 3805
RÖMISCHE KAISERZEIT. Maxentius, 306 - 312 n. Chr. AE Follis (5,62g). Frühling 308 - Sommer 309 n. Chr. Mzst. Aquileia. Vs.: IMP MAXENTIVS P F AVG CONS II, Konsularbüste mit Lorbeerkranz u. Adlerzepter n. r. Rs.: CONSERV VRB SVAE / AQS, hexastyler Tempel mit Mondsichel im Tympanon u. Kugeln als Eckakrotere, darin Sitzstatue der Roma mit Globus, Zepter u. Schild. RIC 125; Drost, Maxence 29; Bauten S. 37 Nr. 67; Hill, Monuments S. 16 Nr. 12. Reste des Silbersuds, sonst getönt, geglättet, Rs. Kratzer, ss-vz Estimate: 100 EUR ILLUSTRAZIONE: LA BATTAGLIA DI PONTE MILVIO. LA CAVALLERIA DI MASSENZIO TENTA DI FUGGIRE ATTRAVERSO IL TEVERE MENTRE GLI UOMINI DI COSTANTINO LA BERSAGLIA DALLA RIVA

Modificato 25 Settembre, 2019 da King John

[King John]

Gemini, Auction XII, lot 467, 11/01/2015

Constantine XI. Palaeologus. 1448-1453 AD. Stavrata, 6.80g (12h). Constantinople, Siege of Constantinople. Obv: Bust of Christ facing, wearing nimbus cruciger and holding book of Gospels, IC and B to left and right. Rx: KWNCTANTINOC ΔΕCΠΟΤΗC Ο ΠΑΛΕΟΛΟΓ in the outer circle, ΘV ΧΑΡΙΤΗ ΒΑCΙΛΕΩC ΡΟΜΕΟΝ in the inner circle, Crowned bust of Constantine facing, wearing maniakon. Bendall, Revue Numismatique 1991, 'The Coinage of Constantine XI', pp. 135-142, pl. XV, 93 (this coin). EF for issue
Purchased from Harlan J. Berk Ltd., 16 July 1990. From the Constantine XI Hoard

ILLUSTRAZIONE: LA CADUTA DI COSTANTINOPOLI, 29 MAGGIO 1453

[King John]

Leu Numismatik AG > Auction 5	Auction date: 27 October 2019
Lot number: 262
MYSIA. Pergamum. Gaius Caesar, 20 BC-AD 4. Hemiassarion (Bronze, 18 mm, 3.14 g, 12 h), A. Fourios, gymnasiarch, 2-3 AD. Γ•KAICAP ΠEPΓAMHNΩN Bare head of Gaius Caesar to right. Rev. A•ΦOYPIOΣ ΓYMNAΣIAPXΩN Armenian standing facing, wearing bashlyk and long garnments, holding spear downward in his right hand and bow in his left. Imhoof-Blumer, KM, p. 500, 1 and pl. XIX, 10 (same dies). RPC I 2361 corr. (same dies, but erroneous dating). SNG Paris 2031 (same dies). Very rare and among the finest of a very few known examples. An unobstrusive die break near the obverse edge, otherwise, good very fine. From an important collection of Armenian coins. The reverse of this very rare issue refers to the Parthian campaign of Gaius Caesar, who in 2 AD installed Ariobarzanes, the former King of Media Atropatene, as King of Armenia after Tigranes IV had died in battle the year before. However, Ariobarzanes died soon thereafter and Gaius faced an Armenian revolt incited by the Parthian King Phraates V. The Romans trapped the rebels in Artagira, but Gaius was severely wounded after Abbadon, the leader of the uprising, treacherously invited him into the fortress for pretended peace talks on 9 September 3 AD. In the end, Roman military might prevailed nonetheless and Gaius installed Ariobarzanes' son Artavasdes IV as the new King of Armenia. Augustus' victorious grandson, however, died a few months later in Limyra in Lycia from the after-effects of his wounds. The reverse of this very rare coin from Pergamum, which celebrates Gaius' success, was largely copied from Augustus' earlier denarius celebrating Tiberius' achievement in Armenia in 20 BC (RIC 519), when the future emperor had installed Tigranes III as king. The asiarch A. Fourios is dated in RPC to 1 BC (?), but this is an error as the Armenian campaign of Gaius did not take place in 2 BC, as noted on RPC I, p. 401, but in 2-3 AD, meaning that his coin emission was struck either in 2 AD to celebrate the appointment of Ariobarzanes as King of Armenia, or in the year thereafter, following the capture of Artagira and the installment of Artavasdes IV. While the obverse is sometimes described as showing Augustus, the legend leaves no doubt that it is in fact Gaius Caesar: it is the only known coin where he appears without his grandfather or his younger brother Lucius, no doubt in reference to the key role he played in the course of the Armenian victory celebrated on the reverse. Estimate: 1000 CHF illustrazione: arciere armeno

[King John]

Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co. KG > Auction 326	Auction date: 7 October 2019
Lot number: 272
MACEDONIA. KOINON. Æs, Jahr 275 der Siegesära von Actium (=244 n. Chr.), Beroia; 7,98 g. Alexanderkopf r. mit Diadem//Alexander auf seinem Pferd Bukephalos r. AMNG 827 var.; SNG Cop. -. Grüne Patina, sehr schön Exemplar der Auktion Helios 1, München 2008, Nr. 100. Estimate: 125 EUR ILLUSTRAZIONE: ALESSANDRO E DARIO III ALLA BATTAGLIA DI ISSO DEL 333 A.C. NEL CELEBRE MOSAICO DEL MUSEO ARCHEOLOGICO DI NAPOLI ED IN UNA SUA REINTERPRETAZIONE MODERNA.

[King John]

 

Numismatica Ars Classica > Auction 114Auction date: 6 May 2019Lot number: 1450

Price realized: 2,750 CHF   (Approx. 2,702 USD / 2,415 EUR)   
The Roman Empire
The Civil Wars, 68 – 69. Plated denarius, Spain 68-69, AR 2.79 g. Bare head of Genius r., holding cornucopiae on shoulder. Rev. Helmeted Mars advancing r., holding spear and shield. C Galba 384. Martin 34. RIC 17.
Very rare. Old cabinet tone, a small edge chip at eleven o'clock on reverse,
otherwise about extremely fine
Ex Gemini V, 2009, 801 and Gorny & Mosch 180, 2009, 373 sales. From the George C. Hopkins collection,
Estimate: 3000 CHF

ILLUSTRAZIONE: STATUA DI MARTE A VILLA ADRIANA, TIVOLI

[King John]

Leu Numismatik AG > Auction 5	Auction date: 27 October 2019
Lot number: 585
Lot description: Konstantinos Angelos Doukas, before 1193. Seal (Lead, 45 mm, 39.43 g, 12 h). X/A/I/PЄ - KAI/XA/PI/T/ω/MЄ/NH - O / KC / MЄ/TA / C૪ ('Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.') The Annunciation: the Virgin standing facing on the right, nimbate and raising her right hand with the palm turned outwards; on the left, the angel Gabriel, nimbate, advancing towards the Virgin, raising his right hand and holding wand in his left. Rev. +ΠOP/ΦVPOΦVOVC / ЄKΓONON KωN/CTANTINON: ΠPω/TЄΞAΔЄΛΦOV AΓΓЄΛON RACIΛЄωC / KVPωMA ΓPAΦωN / H CΦPAΓIC ΔI/AΓPAΦЄI ('The seal, as affirmation of his writings, names Konstantinos Angelos, grandson of one who was born in the Porphyra and first cousin of the emperor.') in nine lines. Wassiliou-Seibt, Corpus 1812. Zacos/Veglery 2743a-c. A magnificent Byzantine seal, very sharp and undoubtedly the finest known. Breaks in patina on the edge, otherwise, good extremely fine. The obverse of this splendid seal depicts Gabriel announcing the birth of Jesus to the Virgin, a familiar scene, but very rarely found on Byzantine seals. The episode was known to the Byzantines as the 'Chairetismos', but interestingly, the seal legend quotes the words of Gabriel from the Gospel of Luke (1, 28). From the intricate family ties mentioned in the reverse legend, which is composed of three twelve-syllable verses, we can deduce that the owner of our seal was Konstantinos Angelos Doukas, first cousin of Isaac II Angelos (1185-1195 and 1203-1204) and grandson of Theodora Komnene. His grandmother was born in the Porphyra, the 'Purple chamber', a free-standing pavilion of the imperial palace, implying that she was born to an emperor (Alexios I) - a great honor that was evidently deemed worthy enough to be proudly mentioned by her grandson even a century later. Isaac II Komnenos appointed his cousin Konstantinos, born in circa 1173, as commander of the Byzantine fleet and governor of Philippopolis in the war against the Bulgarian Uprising of Asen and Peter (1185-1204). The young general succeeded in winning some battles against Tsar Theodor-Peter (1186-1190 and 1196-1197), but when he declared himself emperor in 1193 against the advice of his entourage, he was betrayed by his own followers and handed over to his imperial cousin, who had him blinded. Estimate: 2500 CHF

 

Modificato 30 Settembre, 2019 da King John

[King John]

Leu Numismatik AG > Auction 5	Auction date: 27 October 2019
Lot number: 582
Katakalon Kekaumenos, Duke of Antioch, 1056. Seal (Lead, 34 mm, 27.50 g, 12 h). M/I-X/A Facing bust of St. Michael, nimbate and diademed, holding trefoil scepter in his right hand and globe in his left. Rev. +KЄ R,Θ, / Tω Cω Δ૪' / KATAKAΛω / MAΓICTPω / KAI ΔOVKH / ANTIOXЄI, / Tω KЄKAM/MЄN in eight lines. Hermitage M-8231. Spink 127 (George Zacos sale), 41. A wonderful piece of great historical interest, and with a most beautiful rendering of the archangel Michael. The obverse struck somewhat off center and with a very minor crack along the channel on the reverse, otherwise, extremely fine. Although of humble Armenian descent, Katakalon Kekaumenos rose to prominence as a successful general in the 40s and 50s of the 11th century, fighting battles practically everywhere in the empire. He is first mentioned in the year 1039, when he commanded the defense of Messina during an Arab attack of Sicily. In the following years he fought off a raid of the Rus on the capital and combatted the Seljuk Turks on the eastern border. In the 1050s he was dispatched to the Danubian frontier, where he repelled an invasion of the nomadic Pechenegs in northern Bulgaria. During this campaign he was almost fatally wounded – we are being told that his body was found, barely alive, lying amongst the corpses after a battle. Having miraculously survived his injuries, Kekaumenos was appointed duke of Antioch in circa 1056, a stage of his career to which this beautiful seal dates. Shortly thereafter, the new emperor Michael VI (1056-1057) refused Kekaumenos' promotion to proedros and dismissed him from office. Michael's mistrust of his generals eventually led to the coup of Isaac Komnenos in 1057, in which the usurper was aided by Kekaumenos. Once he had won the throne, Isaac rewarded Kekaumenos for his support with the court dignity of kouropalates. However, Kekaumenos was not only a successful general, but also a sophisticated writer: he apparently wrote an autobiography, which was likely used by the historian John Skylitzes as his primary source for the events in 1042-1057, and he corresponded with the philosopher and historian Michael Psellos. Estimate: 1000 CHF

[King John]

Leu Numismatik AG > Auction 5	Auction date: 27 October 2019
Lot number: 14
Lot description: CALABRIA. Tarentum. Punic occupation, circa 212-209 BC. Half Shekel (Silver, 18 mm, 3.60 g, 7 h), Sokannas, magistrate. ΣΩKANNAΣ Warrior on horseback right, holding filleted palm frond in his right hand. Rev. TAPAΣ Youthful oikist, nude, riding dolphin to left, holding kantharos in his right hand and trident in his left; to right, eagle with spread wings standing left. HN Italy 1082. Vlasto 984. A splendid, fresh and sharply struck example. Thin flan crack, otherwise, good extremely fine. From a Swiss collection, formed before 2005. Estimate: 350 CHF ILLUSTRAZIONE: LASTRA TOMBALE AFFRESCATA DEL IV SECOLO A.C., MUSEO ARCHEOLOGICO NAZIONALE DI PAESTUM

[King John]

Roma Numismatics Ltd > Auction XVIII	Auction date: 29 September 2019
Lot number: 681
Seleukid Empire, Seleukos I Nikator AR Tetradrachm. Susa, circa 305/4-295 BC. Head of Seleukos I right, wearing helmet covered with panther skin and adorned with bull's ears and horns, panther skin tied around neck / Nike standing right, wearing peplos, crowning trophy of Macedonian arms set on sapling tree, from which branch sprouts near base; ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΕΛΕΥΚΟΥ around; AP below left wing, facing bust of Helios in lower middle field, monogram to lower right. SC 173.16; ESM 301; ESMS Tr. 108; HGC 9, 20; SNG Spaer -; Houghton -. 17.23g, 26mm, 3h. Good Extremely Fine. Rare variety. Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XV, 5 April 2018, lot 306; Ex J. R. Williams Collection; Privately purchased from Roma Numismatics Ltd., February 2011. The trophy series of Seleukos was issued over an extended period, and used 67 obverse dies and at least 93 reverses that we are aware of. The type is generally assumed to commemorate the victories of Seleukos as he pushed eastwards into India, occupying territory as far as the Indus, and eventually waging war against the Mauryan Empire. This campaign against Chandragupta Maurya was however a failure. While there is no record of what transpired to prevent Seleukos achieving his aims, the two leaders eventually reached an accord whereby Seleukos ceded some of his easternmost territory in exchange for a gift of 500 war elephants. The massive beasts were to play a significant role in the coming wars of the Diadochi, in particular at the Battle of Ipsos in 301 BC. The assertion that the trophy reverse commemorates a victory by Seleukos in the east or in the Upper Satrapies, and his subsequent assumption of a the royal title in 305/4 BC is problematic. The dating of the issue was proposed by Kritt (The Early Seleukid Mint of Susa, 1997) and subsequently accepted by the numismatic community seemingly without question. Moreover, the important detail of the trophy's composition is ignored. The trophy is unquestionably built from Macedonian arms, as evidenced by the Vergina Sun (or Argead Star) clearly emblazoned on the shield. That this should therefore represent an eastern victory is impossible, particularly given the inconclusive nature of Seleukos' campaign against Chandragupta, and its stale conclusion. The issue bears far more significance when viewed in the context of a victory over other Macedonians - for which we should look to the battle of Ipsos, in which Seleukos' elephants played a decisive role in the victory over Antigonos. Estimate: 15000 GBP ILLUSTRAZIONE BUSTO MODERNO DI SELEUCO I NICATORE CHE INDOSSA UN ELMO RICOPERTO DI PELLE DI LEOPARDO E ADORNATO CON LE CORNA E LE ORECCHIE DI UN TORO

Modificato 2 Ottobre, 2019 da King John