Auction No. 153

Greek Coins
★ Spectacular Type ★
MYSIA. Kyzikos. EL Stater (Circa 500-450 BC).

Obv: Facing head of Athena(?), wearing crested helmet; below, tunny left.
Rev: Quadripartite incuse square.

Von Fritze 69, pl. II, 21; SNG BN 196; Traité 2611; Greenwell 30.

Extremely rare

Condition: Good very fine.

Weight: 15.98 g.
Diameter: 20 mm.

Greek Coins
CARIA. Kaunos. AR Stater (Circa 410-390 BC).

Obv: Winged female figure in kneeling-running stance left, head right, holding kerykeion and weath.
Rev: Triangular baetyl with a central ridge; inverted Δ and Γ across upper field; all within shallow square incuse.

Konuk 111-116; SNG von Aulock 2350; SNG Kayhan I, 799; HN Online 5.

Condition: Extremely fine.

Weight: 11.75 g.
Diameter: 23 mm.

Greek Coins
★ Unicum ★
CARIA. Knidos. Tetradrachm (Circa 350-330/20 BC). Teleas, magistrate.

Obv: Head of Aphrodite right, hair tied at back, wearing triple-pendant earring and necklace; monogram to left.
Rev: ΤΕΛΕΑΣ / KNI.
Forepart of roaring lion right, with paw extended.

HN online 1318.1 (this coin).

Ex Classical Numismatic Group 105 (2017), lot 372

Condition: Good very fine.

Weight: 15.23 g.
Diameter: 24 mm.

Roman Imperial Coins
TRAJAN (98-117). GOLD Aureus. Rome.

Obv: IMP CAES NER TRAIAN OPTIM AVG GERM DAC.
Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: PARTHICO P M TR P COS VI P P S P Q R.
Radiate and draped bust of Sol right.

Woytek 572f; RIC 329f; Calicó 1038a.

Condition: Very fine.

Weight: 6.97 g.
Diameter: 20 mm.

Roman Imperial Coins
★ Matidia ★
MATIDIA (Augusta, 112-119). GOLD Aureus. Rome.

Obv: MATIDIA AVG DIVAE MARCIANAE F.
Draped and diademed bust right.
Rev: PIETAS AVGVST.
Matidia standing facing, head left, placing her hands on heads of Sabina and Matidia the Youngest.

Woytek 728; RIC 759 (Trajan); Calicó 1157.

Salonia Matidia was born in AD 68 and was the only daughter of praetor Gaius Salonius Matidius Patruinus and Ulpia Marciana (mentioned in the obverse legend of this coin), the sister of the future emperor Trajan. She married at the age of 13-14 to Lucius Vibius Sabinus, from a powerful family of consular rank. In 83 AD a daughter, Vibia Sabina, the future wife of Emperor Hadrian, was born and her husband died. Matidia married twice more and had three more daughters, including the future grandmother of Marcus Aurelius, Rupilia Faustina. But her other two husbands also soon died. She made her home a literary salon, full of cultured people, and loved palace life, advising the emperor Trajan, and often following him to the battlefields to support him. She is also said to have had a good understanding with the emperor’s wife, Plotina, with whom she worked to secure a worthy successor to the throne, opting for Hadrian, who married his daughter Vibia. It is unclear what happened when Trajan died, having fallen ill in Cilicia during the campaign against the Parthians. Hadrian’s adoption, according to the historian Cassius Dio, was announced to the Roman Senate with a false letter from Trajan, actually written by Plotina. Hadrian however kept both women close and allowed Matidia to assist him until she died in 119 AD. At her death the emperor granted her a touching eulogy and organised spectacular gladiatorial games, and finally deified her by having a temple built in Rome.

Condition: Very fine.

Weight: 7.21 g.
Diameter: 19 mm.

Roman Imperial Coins
HADRIAN (117-183). GOLD Aureus. Rome.

Obv: IMP CAESAR TRAIAN HADRIANVS AVG.
Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: P M TR P COS II / SALVS AVG.
Salus seated left, holding patera and feeding serpent coiled around altar.

RIC² 137; Calicó 1368.

Hadrian was born in Italica or Rome in 76 AD to an influential family; his grandfather had been a member of the senate. Having soon been orphaned, Hadrian was entrusted to his cousin Trajan, who acted as his tutor and granted him in marriage one of his great-granddaughters, Sabina, in 100 AD. It was therefore quite natural that on Trajan’s death Hadrian should succeed him, although he had never adopted him. In fact at the prince’s death the senate received letters from Trajan mentioning Hadrian’s adoption, but according to Cassius Dio they were signed by his widow Plotina. Probably Lucius Licinius Sura, his future and greatest general, also made great efforts for Trajan to consider Hadrian’s candidacy. Hadrian is remembered as a literate monarch, a lover of Greek letters and neosophistic philosophy. The new emperor had a very different political conception from that of his predecessor, beginning with the renouncing of the expansionism so much desired by Trajan in order to focus more on the defense of imperial borders, as evidenced by the construction of Hadrian’s Wall. His reign was also marked by the travels he embarked on between 121 and 132, a way of learning about and expressing respect for every corner of the empire. Indeed, he visited numerous regions and garrisons, reserving special interest for the armies and the discipline of the soldiers. Despite his efforts to avoid any armed conflict, Hadrian had to deal with a Jewish revolt that erupted because he had renamed Jerusalem as the Colonia Aelia Capitolina, after his family name, for having a temple dedicated to Jupiter Capitolinus erected there and for forbidding circumcision, a custom he perceived as barbaric, despite not being hostile to Judaism. The revolt was very bloody and led by Simon bar Kochba, who lost his life in the last battle. In internal politics Hadrian gave his best, eliminating unnecessary expenses and undertaking magnificent public works, not only in Rome. He also asked his jurists to collect all edicts that would ensure greater justice for the weaker, but went to the disadvantage of the Senate, which responded with conspiracies. Hadrian managed to escape these attempts and sent all the conspirators to death, earning himself a very bad reputation. For this he publicly apologized and engaged in a series of food concessions to the people, forgave a huge amount of debt, and promised not to use any more violence against the senators. Promise that he did not keep, however, as a result of further conspiracy attempts. In 136 he designated Lucius Aelius Caesar as his successor, but he died two years later. Hadrian, having failed to have children by Sabina, was thus forced to adopt Antoninus Pius, asking him to adopt in turn two other young men, Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus, son of the late Aelius. He died in 138 after a long and painful illness.

Condition: Very fine.

Weight: 7.20 g.
Diameter: 19 mm.

Roman Imperial Coins
★ Hispania Aureus ★
HADRIAN (117-138). GOLD Aureus. Rome. “Travel Series” issue.

Obv: HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P.
Bare head left.
Rev: HISPANIA.
Hispania reclining left, holding olive branch and resting arm on rock; rabbit at feet to left.

RIC² 1530; Calicó 1273.

Hadrian was born in Italica or Rome in 76 AD to an influential family; his grandfather had been a member of the senate. Having soon been orphaned, Hadrian was entrusted to his cousin Trajan, who acted as his tutor and granted him in marriage one of his great-granddaughters, Sabina, in 100 AD. It was therefore quite natural that on Trajan’s death Hadrian should succeed him, although he had never adopted him. In fact at the prince’s death the senate received letters from Trajan mentioning Hadrian’s adoption, but according to Cassius Dio they were signed by his widow Plotina. Probably Lucius Licinius Sura, his future and greatest general, also made great efforts for Trajan to consider Hadrian’s candidacy. Hadrian is remembered as a literate monarch, a lover of Greek letters and neosophistic philosophy. The new emperor had a very different political conception from that of his predecessor, beginning with the renouncing of the expansionism so much desired by Trajan in order to focus more on the defense of imperial borders, as evidenced by the construction of Hadrian’s Wall. His reign was also marked by the travels he embarked on between 121 and 132, a way of learning about and expressing respect for every corner of the empire. Indeed, he visited numerous regions and garrisons, reserving special interest for the armies and the discipline of the soldiers. Despite his efforts to avoid any armed conflict, Hadrian had to deal with a Jewish revolt that erupted because he had renamed Jerusalem as the Colonia Aelia Capitolina, after his family name, for having a temple dedicated to Jupiter Capitolinus erected there and for forbidding circumcision, a custom he perceived as barbaric, despite not being hostile to Judaism. The revolt was very bloody and led by Simon bar Kochba, who lost his life in the last battle. In internal politics Hadrian gave his best, eliminating unnecessary expenses and undertaking magnificent public works, not only in Rome. He also asked his jurists to collect all edicts that would ensure greater justice for the weaker, but went to the disadvantage of the Senate, which responded with conspiracies. Hadrian managed to escape these attempts and sent all the conspirators to death, earning himself a very bad reputation. For this he publicly apologized and engaged in a series of food concessions to the people, forgave a huge amount of debt, and promised not to use any more violence against the senators. Promise that he did not keep, however, as a result of further conspiracy attempts. In 136 he designated Lucius Aelius Caesar as his successor, but he died two years later. Hadrian, having failed to have children by Sabina, was thus forced to adopt Antoninus Pius, asking him to adopt in turn two other young men, Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus, son of the late Aelius. He died in 138 after a long and painful illness.

Condition: Very fine.

Weight: 7.19 g.
Diameter: 20 mm.

Roman Imperial Coins
★ Mint State Aureus ★
GORDIAN III (238-244). GOLD Aureus. Rome.

Obv: IMP CAES M ANT GORDIANVS AVG.
Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: PAX AVGVSTI.
Pax standing left, holding branch and transverse sceptre.

RIC 9; Calicó 3207a.

Born to a daughter of Gordian I, sister of Gordian II, because of the young age at which he came to occupy the throne (13), Gordian did not rule directly, but the Senate did so for him. Gordian had become prince because the Senate needed to placate an uprising of the traditionalist urban plebs, bound to the dynastic ideal, and in order to take advantage of his family’s wealth. Moreover, the praetorians had acclaimed him emperor just to show the Senate that they were the ones who decided who to put on the throne. Among the first moves was the dismissal of the legion in Africa because it had supported Capellianus and led to the deaths of Gordian I and II, who were deified. During his relatively long tenure there were several problems to deal with. In 240 Sabinianus, elected caesar in Carthage, prepared to make war on him, but was stopped by the governor of Mauretania. In the north the barbarians were making constant raids and sacking villages and towns. Gordian was too young to face these problems, but fortunately for him he could count on the diplomatic and military skill of Timesitheus, who had become prefect of the praetorium and granted him his daughter, Tranquillina, in marriage in 241. Rome succeeded in repelling the Persians of Shapur I in 243 thanks to Timesitheus, but on his death he was replaced as prefect of the praetorium by Marcus Julius Philip known as ‘the Arab’. The latter, however, was not satisfied with this title but aimed at the throne, and he convinced the army that they needed an adult prince and not a boy. Gordian showed maturity and offered to cede the throne to Philip and become his caesar, but he was killed in 244. The Senate was informed that he had died of wounds sustained in a battle against the Persians. His body was sent to Rome where he was deified.

Condition: Mint State.

Weight: 4.88 g.
Diameter: 21 mm.

Roman Imperial Coins
GORDIAN III (238-244). GOLD Aureus. Rome.

Obv: IMP CAES M ANT GORDIANVS AVG.
Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: ROMAE AETERNAE.
Roma seated left, holding Victory and spear; shield at side.

Cf. RIC IV 38 (Antoninianus); Calicó 3230a.

Born to a daughter of Gordian I, sister of Gordian II, because of the young age at which he came to occupy the throne (13), Gordian did not rule directly, but the Senate did so for him. Gordian had become prince because the Senate needed to placate an uprising of the traditionalist urban plebs, bound to the dynastic ideal, and in order to take advantage of his family’s wealth. Moreover, the praetorians had acclaimed him emperor just to show the Senate that they were the ones who decided who to put on the throne. Among the first moves was the dismissal of the legion in Africa because it had supported Capellianus and led to the deaths of Gordian I and II, who were deified. During his relatively long tenure there were several problems to deal with. In 240 Sabinianus, elected caesar in Carthage, prepared to make war on him, but was stopped by the governor of Mauretania. In the north the barbarians were making constant raids and sacking villages and towns. Gordian was too young to face these problems, but fortunately for him he could count on the diplomatic and military skill of Timesitheus, who had become prefect of the praetorium and granted him his daughter, Tranquillina, in marriage in 241. Rome succeeded in repelling the Persians of Shapur I in 243 thanks to Timesitheus, but on his death he was replaced as prefect of the praetorium by Marcus Julius Philip known as ‘the Arab’. The latter, however, was not satisfied with this title but aimed at the throne, and he convinced the army that they needed an adult prince and not a boy. Gordian showed maturity and offered to cede the throne to Philip and become his caesar, but he was killed in 244. The Senate was informed that he had died of wounds sustained in a battle against the Persians. His body was sent to Rome where he was deified.

Condition: Extremely fine; some luster in field.

Weight: 4.56 g.
Diameter: 20 mm.

Roman Imperial Coins
CONSTANTIUS II (337-361). Siliqua. Constantinople.

Obv: D N CONSTANTIVS P F AVG.
Pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: VOTIS / XXX / MVLTIS / XXXX / C • Z.
Legend in four lines within wreath.

RIC 102.

Condition: Extremely fine; luster in field.

Weight: 3.07 g.
Diameter: 21 mm.

Roman Imperial Coins
★ Galla Placidia ★
GALLA PLACIDIA (Augusta, 421-450). GOLD Solidus. Ravenna.

Obv: D N GALLA PLACIDIA P F AVG.
Diademed and draped bust right, wearing earring and double pearl-necklace, crowned by Manus Dei; cross on shoulder.
Rev: VOT XX MVLT XXX / R – V / COMOB.
Victory standing left, holding long jeweled cross; star to upper left.

RIC 2020; Ranieri 76 corr. (cross on shoulder); Depeyrot 16/3.

Galla Placidia was the daughter of emperor Theodosius I and his second wife Galla Justina. With her two Roman imperial dynasties were united, the Valentinianic dynasty (her maternal grandfather was Valentinian I) and her father’s Theodosian dynasty. In 390 she received the title ‘nobilissima,’ which gave her dignity on a level with her brothers (Arcadius, Honorius, and Gratianus). After the sack of Rome in 410, Alaric’s Visigoths left the city and took with them Galla Placidia, then 18 years old, as a hostage to force Honorius to concede to their demands for tribute and land. Upon Alaric’s death, Ataulf led the Visigoths and Galla Placidia to Gaul, whom he took in marriage by Roman rite in 414 at Narbo, naming her queen of the Visigoths, hoping for Honorius’ recognition. But the marriage was not recognized by the court in Ravenna, and Ataulf elected Priscus Attalus emperor, who was defeated by the Roman army, captured and sent to Honorius. Ataulf and Galla Placidia then traveled to Spain (early 415), where the king died shortly thereafter. The successor Walha, in exchange for a large amount of grain, agreed to fight for the Romans against the Vandals and Suebi in Spain, and to give back Galla Placidia, who returned to Ravenna with Constantius, who became her husband and was rewarded by Honorius with the consulship (417). Constantius III and Galla Placidia had two children, Justa Grata Honoria and the future emperor Valentinian III, on whose behalf Galla actually reigned for more than a decade. She died in 450, shortly after Justa Grata Honoria’s marriage to Bassus Herculanus, and was buried in Rome in a chapel in the old St. Peter’s Basilica.

Condition: Extremely fine.

Weight: 4.44 g.
Diameter: 21 mm.

Migration Period
★ Interesting Imitation ★
UNCERTAIN GERMANIC TRIBES (Circa 3rd-4th century AD). GOLD Cast ‘Aureus’. Imitating Probus(?).

Obv: Blundered legend.
Two jugate, helmeted busts left, each holding decorated shield.
Rev: Blundered legend.
Figure driving quadriga left.

Very interesting imitation with unusual double bust

Condition: Good very fine.

Weight: 5.64 g.
Diameter: 23 mm.

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