Imitazioni ‘barbare’ e falsi moderni della monetazione imperiale macedone

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Benissimo.

Pesi inferiori a 16 g si riscontrano in alcuni tetradrammi di Faselide contromarcati con l’ancora, come ad es. proprio l’esemplare Price 2868 pubblicato dal Price che pesa 15,50 g e l’esemplare della foto battuto alla CNG 380, che pesa 15,87 g.

LYCIA, Phaselis. Circa 218/7-186/5 BC. AR Tetradrachm (30.5mm, 15.87 g, 12h). In the name and types of Alexander III of Macedon. Dated CY 26 (193/2 BC). Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin; c/m: anchor within oval incuse / Zeus Aëtophoros seated left; in left field, Φ above KC (date). Heipp-Tamer 309 (V42/R146); Price 2868; DCA 315. Near VF, lightly toned, some deposits, metal flaw on obverse, a few light marks on reverse.

From the collection of Dr. Will Gordon.

 

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Statere celtico dell’Europa orientale, imitazione dei tipi di Alessandro e Lisimaco (Roma Numismatics XVI).

https://www.sixbid.com/browse.html?auction=5198&category=162344&lot=4337120

Celts in Eastern Europe AV Stater. Imitating types of Alexander and Lysimachos. Late 2nd - mid 1st century BC. Celticised head of Herakles right, small figure on nose; pellet within annulet before / Celticised figure seated to left, holding small figure in extended hand; legends degraded to dashes at left and right; trident to left below. Cf. Castelin 1210ff. 3.88g, 22mm, 4h.

Extremely Fine; wavy flan. Very Rare.

Sold with export licence issued by The Israel Antiquities Authority.

Such imitations are found throughout the entire Black Sea area and as far north as the Baltic; their origin may be in the vicinity of Colchis-Iberia, in present day Georgia.

 

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Imitazione Est-europea di un tetradramma di Filippo II di Macedonia (Numismatik Naumann  70).

https://www.sixbid.com/browse.html?auction=5231&category=164021&lot=4362624

EASTERN EUROPE. Imitations of Philip II of Macedon (2nd-1st centuries BC). Tetradrachm. 

Obv: Laureate head of Zeus right.
Rev: ΦΙΛΙΠΠOY. 
Youth on horse right, holding palm frond. Controls: Below horse, Λ above torch; kantharos below raised foreleg.

Cf. Lanz 355-6; cf. OTA 10/1-3. 

Condition: Very fine.

Weight: 14.2 g.
Diameter: 26 mm.

 

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Altro tetradramma imitazione di Filippo II di Macedonia della stessa asta precedente.

EASTERN EUROPE. Imitations of Philip II of Macedon (2nd-1st centuries BC). Tetradrachm. 

Obv: Laureate head of Zeus right.
Rev: ΛΙIO. 
Youth on horse right. Control: Branch below horse.

Cf. Lanz 375-7; cf. OTA 38/1-3. 

Condition: Very fine.

Weight: 13.57 g.
Diameter: 25 mm.

 

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Tetradramma dell’Europa orientale imitazione di quelli di Alessandro Magno (Numismatik Naumann 70).

EASTERN EUROPE. Imitations of Alexander III 'the Great' of Macedon (3rd-2nd centuries BC). Tetradrachm.
EASTERN EUROPE. Imitations of Alexander III 'the Great' of Macedon (3rd-2nd centuries BC). Tetradrachm. 

Obv: Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin.
Rev: ΔΛΕΞΛΝΡOV+. 
Zeus seated left on throne, holding eagle and sceptre. Controls: K in left field, И below throne.

Cf. Lanz 875-80; cf. OTA 568-70. 

Condition: Near extremely fine.

Weight: 15.68 g.
Diameter: 27 mm.

 

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Imitazione celtica di un tetradramma di Alessandro (CNG 421).

Celtic 
EASTERN EUROPE, Imitations of Alexander III of Macedon. Late 4th-early 3rd centuries BC. AR Tetradrachm (26mm, 16.49 g, 12h). Imitating Babylon mint issue of Seleukos I in the name and types of Alexander III. Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin / Zeus Aëtophoros seated left; M-based monogram-in-wreath in left field, N below throne. Heintges –; CNG E-416, lot 312 (same rev. die). For prototype, cf. Price 3704. Good VF, toned.
From the Collection of José Miguel Márquez del Prado.

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Probabile tetradramma ‘barbarous’ di una zecca incerta dell’Est Arachosia (CNG 88).

UNCERTAIN EAST. Circa 300-250 BC. AR Tetradrachm (24mm, 17.61 g, 10h). In the name and types of Alexander III of Macedon. Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin / Zeus Aëtophoros seated left; retrograde S in left field; below throne, > above strut, N below. Unpublished. VF, a few small deposits, minor laminations, and cleaning marks on obverse.
 

While ‘barbarous’ issues of Alexander type are quite abundant in numerous regions, from eastern Europe to the East, the style of this piece is more aligned with those struck far to the east, beyond Arabia and Mesopotamia. Of the many published pieces, this coin appears most similar to the barbarous Alexanders in the recent East Arachosia (Quetta) Hoard ( CH X, 275 and pp. 105-14).

 

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Imitazione celtica di un tetra babilonese del Grande (CNG 416).

Celtic 
EASTERN EUROPE, Imitations of Alexander III of Macedon. 3rd century BC. AR Tetradrachm (25.5mm, 17.08 g, 12h). Imitating Babylon mint issue. Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin / Zeus Aëtophoros seated left; M-in-wreath in left field, N below throne. Cf. Price B33. VF, toned, patches of find patina, some roughness.

 

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Imitazione celtica di un tetra di Alessandro della zecca di Sidone (CNG 416).

Celtic 
EASTERN EUROPE, Imitations of Alexander III of Macedon. 3rd century BC. AR Tetradrachm (25.5mm, 16.89 g, 11h). Imitating Sidon mint issue. Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin / Zeus Aëtophoros seated left; N in left field, ΣI below throne. For prototype, cf. Price 3501. VF, toned, traces of find patina, some roughness.

 

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Imitazione celtica es-teuropea di un tetra di Alessandro (CNG 424).

Celtic 
EASTERN EUROPE, Imitations of Alexander III of Macedon. Late 4th-3rd centuries BC. AR Tetradrachm (28mm, 17.05 g, 10h). Copying southern Asia minor or Levantine mint style. Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin / Zeus Aëtophoros seated left; monogram in left field, H (or N?) below throne. Unpublished in the standard references. Near VF, toned, struck with broken obverse die.
From the Colin E. Pitchfork Collection.

 

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Imitazione celtica danubiana di un tetradramma di Alessandro (CNG 127).

CELTIC, Danube Region. Imitating Alexander III of Macedon. 3rd - 2nd century BC. AR Tetradrachm (25mm, 16.81 g). Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin headdress / Zeus Aëtophoros seated left; N below throne. Cf. Price B26; Lanz -; CCCBM I -. Fine, darkly toned, a couple pits and scratches on reverse.
From the Dr. Thomas Dailey Collection. Ex Wilkinson Collection (Malter 49, 15 November 1992), lot 7.

 

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Imitazione est-europea di un tetradramma di Filippo III Arrideo (Numismatik Naumann 70).

EASTERN EUROPE. Imitations of Philip III Arrhidaios of Macedon (3rd-2nd centuries BC). Tetradrachm. 

Obv: Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin.
Rev: Zeus seated left on throne, holding eagle and sceptre. Controls: Two monograms in left field, Ξ below throne.
OTA 579. 
Condition: Very fine.
Weight: 17.60 g.
Diameter: 26 mm.

 

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Statere dell’Arabia del Sud (Arabia Felix) imitazione degli stateri Atena/Nike di Alessandro Magno (Roma Numismatics XVI).

Southern Arabia (Arabia Felix), imitative Alexander type AV Stater. Late 3rd - 2nd centuries BC. Head of Athena right, wearing triple crested Corinthian helmet / Stylised figure of Nike standing to left, wearing helmet and long chiton, holding a serpent; Southern Arabian imitative characters around. Unpublished in the standard references; for the epigraphy cf. S. Munro-Hay, Coinage of Arabia Felix: The Pre-Islamic Coinage of the Yemen, Nomismata 5, Milan 2003, pp. 33 and passim. 5.49g, 23mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine. Unique, unpublished, and of great numismatic interest.

From a private British collection;
Privately purchased from the collection of the late Manzoor Mirza.

The convexity of the flan, artistic imitative style and Southern Arabian epigraphy all indicate a southern Arabian origin, the region known to the Romans as Arabia Felix and which now forms part of the territory of Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Oman. Most of the extensive coinage is made up of silver copying the old and new style issues of Athens, but there are also three rare issues imitating Alexander III tetradrachms (Munro-Hay p. 131, 1.10.4, pl. 11, 367-9). 

Curiously, the wreath and stylis normally carried by Nike are on this coin replaced by a serpent, which the standing figure (who is clearly helmeted here) grips with both hands. This departure from the prototype cannot be mere error; even on the most worn of Alexander staters the position of Nike's arms is clear. The depiction of a serpent thus suggests a deliberate change of iconography

 

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Emidramma di Filippo III Arrideo di zecca incerta, probabilmente una imitazione (CNG 168).

KINGS of MACEDON. Philip III Arrhidaios. 323-317 BC. AR Hemidrachm (13mm, 1.75 g). Uncertain mint, possibly an imitative issue. Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin / Zeus Aëtophoros seated left; no field marks. Price -. VF, toned, some porosity.

 

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Bronzo di una zecca incerta della Macedonia, probabilmente un’imitazione (CNG 193).

KINGS of MACEDON. Alexander III ‘the Great’. 336-323 BC. Æ 16mm (4.43 g, 7h). Uncertain Macedonian mint. Diademed head of Apollo right / Horseman riding right; uncertain letters below. Price -. VF, rough brown surfaces. Perhaps imitative.

 

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Imitazione di un obolo di Alessandro Magno di zecca incerta (CNG 207).

KINGS of MACEDON. Alexander III ‘the Great’. 336-323 BC. AR Obol (10mm, 0.50 g, 6h). Uncertain eastern imitation. Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin / Zeus Aëtophoros seated left; no controls in fields. Price -; Hersh, Corrections -; Arena -; cf. SNG Tübingen 1124; cf. Klein 127. VF, toned, minor porosity. Perhaps imitative.

 

 

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Imitazione di uno statere di Antigono I Monoftalmo sulla base di alcune anomalie stilistiche (CNG 312).

KINGS of MACEDON. Antigonos I Monophthalmos. As Strategos of Asia, 320-306/5 BC, or King, 306/5-301 BC. AV Stater (17mm, 8.56 g, 12h). In the name and types of Alexander III. Magnesia ad Maeandrum mint. Struck circa 318-301 BC. Head of Athena right, wearing crested Corinthian helmet adorned with a serpent / AΛEΞANΔPO[Y], Nike standing left, holding wreath in extended right hand; ΠA monogram in left field, AT monogram below right wing. Unpublished, but cf. Hersh, Additions 42 for a drachm with the same control marks (see also Price 1959). Superb EF, underlying luster, a little die rust on obverse, hairline die break on reverse.

From the Clearwater Collection.

This interesting piece appears to be an imitative issue because of a few stylistic anomalies. On the obverse, the two parts of the triple-crest that are normally visible have been melded into a single crest, the serpent is unusually forward rather than centered on the bowl, Athena’s ear has become strands of hair, and her eye has a pupil and cornea, which is an unusual detail. On the reverse, the shaft of the stylis has been omitted, while the upper portion has been transformed into an X-like device within the upper portion of the right wing. Nonetheless, the engraving of many issues at Magnesia during this period have anomalous style. The BM specimen used to illustrate Price 1947 is one such piece, and has elements that are similar to that found on the present coin. In sum, these irregularities of style are more indicative of the skill of the engravers, or lack thereof, rather than the authenticity of the issue.

 

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Valutazioni dello statere precedente nell'asta:

Estimate $2500. Sold for $4000. 

 

Non male per un'imitazione.

 

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Imitazione est-europea di una presunta dramma di Filippo III Arrideo ma attribuita ad Alessandro Magno (CNG 349).

EASTERN EUROPE, Imitations of Alexander III of Macedon. 2nd–1st centuries BC. AR Drachm (17.5mm, 3.43 g, 12h). Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin / Zeus Aëtophoros seated left; monogram in left field, Λ below throne. OTA 591/a corr. var. (in name of Alexander III; slightly different control marks); Lukanc 8 corr. (in name of Alexander); Lanz 937 corr. (same); CCCBM I 200 var. (slightly different control marks); KMW –. VF, lightly toned.

From the estate of Wayne C. Philips.

Most references place this issue under imitations of Philip III, but the name on all published pieces clearly show that the legend is a corruption of the name Alexander, rather than Philip. Nonetheless, such imitative drachms all seem to copy styles prevalent at the main Alexander type drachm mints in northwest Asia Minor, with the present piece having characteristics typical of issues from Kolophon. All of these mints produced issues in the names of both Alexander and Philip, so the imitations do belong together, regardless of the name on each issue.

 

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Imitazione contemporanea di un tetradramma di Tolomeo I Sotere, zecca di Alessandria (CNG 384).

PTOLEMAIC KINGS of EGYPT. Ptolemy I Soter. 305-282 BC. AR Tetradrachm (25.5mm, 14.01 g, 12h). Contemporary imitation of Alexandreia mint issue. Diademed head of Ptolemy I right, [wearing aegis around neck] / Eagle standing left on thunderbolt; monogram to left. For prototype, cf. Svoronos 234; cf. SNG Copenhagen 49. VF, some roughness.

This issue appears to be stylistically linked to a series of imitative issues of Ptolemy II recently studied by C. Lorber. Specifically, the obverse of this coin is identical in style to Lorber, Mint, emission 1 tetradrachms, which also have a single control mark in the left field.

 

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Prototipo dell’imitazione del tetradramma tolemaico precedente (CNG 100).

PTOLEMAIC KINGS of EGYPT. Ptolemy I Soter. 323-285 BC. AR Tetradrachm (30mm, 13.96 gm). Struck circa 305-285 BC. Diademed bust of Ptolemy right, wearing aegis / Eagle standing left on thunderbolt; monogram before. Svoronos 234; SNG Copenhagen 49. VF, rough.

L’asta è del 2004 e la moneta stimata $150 è stata aggiudicata a $115.

 

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Altro esemplare del prototipo di un’asta più recente (Roma Numismatics 32, 2017).

Ptolemaic Kings of Egypt, Ptolemy I Soter AR Tetradrachm. Circa 305-285 BC. Diademed bust of Ptolemy right, wearing aegis / ΠTOΛEMAIOY BAΣIΛEΩΣ, eagle standing left on thunderbolt; monogram before. Svoronos 234; SNG Copenhagen 49. 14.21g, 26mm, 12h.
Near Very Fine.
From the Mark Christenson Collection.

 

La stessa moneta è stata presentata sempre dalla Roma Numismatics in un’asta di un paio d’anni prima (RN 19, 2015) e rimasta invenduta.

 

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Tetradramma dell’Europa dell’Est imitazione di Filippo II di Macedonia (Triton XV).

EASTERN EUROPE, Imitations of Philip II of Macedon. 3rd century BC. AR Tetradrachm (25mm, 13.64 g, 1h). Mint in the middle Danube (Banat) region. Head of Zeus right, wearing laurel wreath / ΦIΛIΠ-OV, nude youth, holding branch in right hand, on horseback right; K below raised foreleg; below, thunderbolt above Z. Lanz –; OTA 14; CCCBM –; KMW –; cf. de la Tour 9703. Near EF, toned. Well struck on a broad flan.

This attractive coin, when compared to the previous lot, shows a marked progression in the early imitative Philip series. Here, the style has become more celticized, while the weight of the flan has decreased and the coin has taken on a slightly scyphate form.

 

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Si tratta molto probabilmente di un’imitazione di un tetradramma di Seleuco I per lo stile grossolano e la grafia scorretta (CNG 72).

SELEUKID KINGS of SYRIA. Seleukos I Nikator. 312-281 BC. AR Tetradrachm (16.94 g, 6h). Possibly uncertain mint 9. Struck circa 296/5 BC. Laureate head of Zeus right / CASILEWS SEAEUKO (sic), Athena in quadriga of horned elephants right, brandishing spear and shield; anchor above. Cf. SC 156. Good VF, die break on reverse.

The coarse style and misspellings on the reverse suggest this coin is an imitation, although the style of the obverse is remarkably good. Similarities between the reverse style of this coin and SC 156, which is a known imitative issue, indicate a placement at uncertain mint 9, which produced imitations of the elephant quadriga coinage of Seleukeia.

 

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Esemplare SC 156 della Gorny & Mosch 215 citato nel post precedente come nota imitazione del tetradramma di Seleuco I Nicatore.

GRIECHEN
SYRIEN
SELEUKIDEN
Seleukos I. Nikator, 312 - 281 v. Chr. Tetradrachme (16,94g). nach 296/5 v. Chr. Mzst. Unbestimmt (Barbarische Imitation von Seleukia a. Tigris?). Vs.: Kopf des bärtigen Zeus nach r. Rs.: BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΣEΛEΥKOΥ, Elefantenquadriga n. r. Darüber Anker. SC 156. Schöne Tönung, fast vz.