Empire. Caracalla. Rome. AD 217. AR Antoninianus (5.10g, 12h). Cohen 383; RIC 289. Lightly toned. Bold portrait. Choice extremely fine. From a private collection; Numismatica Ars Classica 1990 (2) lot 725
Lot 133
Starting price: 200€
A Roman sardonyx cameo with a portrait of Caracalla. 3rd century AD. 22mm. Formerly broken. With a bold and realistic portrait. From a private collection; former Roberto Russo (1945-2012) collection
Formally known as Antoninus, Caracalla - popular nickname which referred to the Gallic hooded tunic Antoninus habitually wore and which he made fashionable - was a rough-and-ready soldier, son of Septimius Severus. In his official portraiture, he abandoned the luxuriant hair and beard of his predecessors for a military style, characterized by closely cropped curls, a stubble beard and a realistic and threatening presence. This new look was an overnight success and dominated Roman art for a century.
Lot 134
Starting price: 6000€
Empire. Elagabalus. Rome. AD 219. AR Denarius (2.73g, 5h). Cohen 143; RIC 21. Old cabinet tone. Lovely portrait. Choice extremely fine. From a private collection; Frank Sternberg 2000 (35) lot 622; Auctiones 1983 (13) lot 713
Lot 135
Starting price: 200€
A Roman cornelian intaglio with a portrait of Isis-Fortuna. 3rd century AD. 25mm. Formerly broken. From a private collection; former Arthur Forgeais (1822-1878) collection
Isis-Fortuna was the goddess of fortune and the personification of luck in Roman religion. Often depicted with the Rota Fortunae (wheel of fortune), a gubernaculum (ship's rudder) or a cornucopia (horn of plenty), she represents life's capriciousness.
Lot 136
Starting price: 2000€
Empire. Julia Maesa. Rome. AD 219-224. AR Denarius (2.99g, 6h). Cohen 36; RIC 268. Old cabinet tone. With a noble and elderly portrait. Good very fine. From a private collection; Schweizerische Kreditanstalt 1975 (18) lot 82
The Severan dynasty was dominated by powerful women, one of which was Julia Maesa. Politically ruthless, she is known for her plotting and scheming which resulted in the restoration of the Severan dynasty after the assassination of Caracalla and usurpation of Macrinus.
Lot 137
Starting price: 200€
Empire. Maximinus. Rome. AD 236-237. AR Denarius (2.89g, 12h). Cohen 75; RIC 20. Lightly toned. Perfectly centered. Choice extremely fine. From a private collection; Schweizerische Kreditanstalt 1976 (20) lot 77
Lot 138
Starting price: 200€
Empire. Gordian III. Antioch. AD 241-244. BI Tetradrachm (13.99g, 5h). McAlee 874; Prieur 302. Lightly toned. Some deposits on obverse. Choice extremely fine. From a private collection; MünzZentrum Albrecht & Hoffmann 1987 (61) lot 317
Lot 139
Starting price: 200€
A Roman sardonyx cameo with a portrait of Tranquillina (?). 3rd century AD. 36mm. From a private collection
Furia Sabinia Tranquillina (226-after 244) was a Roman empress and the wife of Gordian III. She was the young daughter of the praetorian prefect Timesitheus. Historians are inclined to believe that marriage, though born to political interests, was really a union of hearts and the confirmation would be the representation of the many coins minted back in a short period.
Lot 140
Starting price: 20000€
Empire. Philip I. Rome. AD 248. AR Antoninianus (4.23g, 12h). "Ludi Saeculares" issue commemorating the 1000th anniversary of Rome. Cohen 173; RIC 12. Lightly toned. Perfectly centered. Choice extremely fine. From a private collection; Tkalec 1998 (23 October) lot 263; Tkalec 1992 (23 October) lot 365
“There were thirty-two elephants, ten elk, ten tigers, sixty tame lions, thirty tame leopards, ten belbi (hyenas), a thousand pairs of imperial gladiators, six hippopotami, one rhinoceros, ten wild lions, ten giraffes, twenty wild asses, forty wild horses, and various other animals of this nature without number. Philip either presented or killed all of these at his Saecular Games" (Historia Augusta, The three Gordians, 33).
Lot 141
Starting price: 200€
Empire. Trajan Decius. Rome. AD 251. AR Antoninianus (4.68g, 6h). Commemorative issue for Divus Titus. Cohen 405; RIC 82b. Lightly toned. Struck on a broad flan. Choice extremely fine. From a private collection; former H.A. collection, Tradart 1991 (1) lot 415; Giessener Münzhandlung 1988 (40) lot 420; Adolp Hess & Bank Leu 1971 (49) lot 424
Lot 142
Starting price: 200€
Empire. Volusian. Rome. AD 251-253. AR Antoninianus (3.73g, 6h). Cohen 32; RIC 205. Lightly toned. Perfectly centered and struck on a broad flan. Choice extremely fine. From a private collection; Leu Numismatics 2000 (77) lot 629; Tkalec 1992 (23 October) lot 394
Lot 143
Starting price: 200€
Empire. Probus. Siscia. AD 277. AV Aureus (6.09g, 6h). RIC 594; Calicó 4189. Lightly toned. Perfectly centered and struck. With a superb portrait. Choice extremely fine. From a private collection
"A man of spirit, activity and justice, equalling Aurelian in military glory, surpassing him in affability of manners", wrote Eutropius. Marcus Aurelius Probus, Roman emperor from 276 to 282 BC, was an active and successful general as well as a conscientious administrator, and in his reign of six years he secured prosperity for the inner provinces while withstanding repeated invasions of barbarian tribes.
Lot 144
Starting price: 4000€
Empire. Carinus. Lyon. AD 283. Æ Antoninianus (4.27g, 1h). Cohen 8; RIC 212. Glossy black patina. Perfectly centered. Choice extremely fine. From a private collection; Tradart 1991 (1) lot 434
Lot 145
Starting price: 100€
Empire. Maximinus II. Antioch. AD 312. Æ Follis (5.76g, 1h). Cohen 17; RIC 164b. Wonderful black patina. Perfectly centered and struck. Choice extremely fine. From a private collection; Gerhard Hirsch 1989 (163) lot 1327; Gerhard Hirsch 1988 (159) lot 1204
Lot 146
Starting price: 100€
Empire. Constantine, with Crispus and Constantine II. Sirmium. AD 320-324. AR Medallion (4.76g, 6h). Cohen 3; RIC 14; Tradart 5.86 (this coin). Old cabinet tone. Perfectly centered and struck on a broad flan. Excellent metal. Exceptional for issue. Choice extremely fine. From a private collection; Tradart 1992 (2) lot 258; Tkalec & Rauch 1985 (15 April) lot 387
There are relatively few historical personages whose decisions have set the path for generations to come. Constantine the Great is one of these. To review his life is certainly needless, so plentiful is the literature on this subject but it is surely worth remembering that our daily actions, our way of living and thinking often stem from the vision he had the night before the battle of the Milvian Bridge...
Lot 147
Starting price: 6000€
Empire. Helena. Thessalonica. AD 318-319. Æ Follis (3.78g, 6h). Cohen 14; RIC 50; Hirmer 637 (this coin). Enchanting light brown patina. Perfectly centered and struck. With a wonderful portrait in the finest style of the period. Undoubtedly the finest known. Choice extremely fine. From a private collection; Tkalec 1998 (23 October) lot 333; former U.N. collection, Bank Leu 1989 (48) lot 426
Formally known as Flavia Julia Helena, Saint Helena was the mother of the emperor Constantine. She ranks as an important figure in the history of Christianity and of the world due to her influence on her son. In her final years, she made a religious tour of Syria Palaestina and Jerusalem, during which ancient tradition claims that she discovered the True Cross.
Lot 148
Starting price: 2000€
Empire. Constantius II. Constantinople. AD 351-353. AR Siliqua (1.91g, 6h). Cohen 342; RIC 102. Attractively tone. Choice extremely fine. From a private collection; Tradart 1994 (4) lot 277; Giessener Münzhandlung 1990 (48) lot 981; Adolph Hess & Bank Leu 1969 (41) lot 600
Lot 149
Starting price: 200€
Empire. Julian II. Rome. AD 361-363. Æ Centenionalis (3.09g, 6h). Cohen 151; RIC 329. Charming brown patina. Bold portrait. Struck on a ragged flan, otherwise, choice extremely fine. From a private collection; Bankhaus Hauck & Aufhäuser 1998 (14) lot 521
Lot 150
Starting price: 100€
Empire. Julian II. Sirmium. AD 361-363. AV Solidus (4.45g, 6h). Cohen 78; RIC 95. Lightly toned. Perfectly centered and struck. A superb example of Roman portraiture of the period. Choice extremely fine. From a private collection; Tradart 1994 (4) lot 282
Lot 151
Starting price: 8000€
Empire. Procopius. Constantinople. AD 365-366. AV Solidus (4.37g, 6h). Cohen 5; RIC 2a. Lovely light reddish tone. Perfectly centered and struck. With a magnificent portrait. One the finest known. Insignificant scratches on reverse, otherwise, choice extremely fine. From a private collection
Lot 152
Starting price: 20000€
Britannia. The Cantiaci. Canterbury area. 40-35 BC. AV Quarter Stater (1.34g). VA 151.1; SCBC 172. Old cabinet tone. Perfectly centered and struck. Choice extremely fine. From a private collection
Lot 153
Starting price: 200€
Belgica. The Caletes. Fecamp area. 2nd century BC. AV Quarter Stater (1.87g, 11h). DT 95; Sills 346 (this coin). Lightly toned. Good very fine. From a private collection
Lot 154
Starting price: 600€
Belgica. The Ambiani. Amiens area. 1st century BC. AV Stater (6.21g). DT 239; SCBC 11. Lightly toned. Perfectly centered and struck. An attractive coin. Choice extremely fine. From a private collection
Lot 155
Starting price: 400€
Belgica. The Bellovaci. Beauvais area. 1st century BC. Æ (9.51g, 9h). LT -; DT 289. Lovely light green patina. Ragged flan. The reverse is inspired by the elephant denarius of C. Julius Caesar. Good very fine. From a private collection
Lot 156
Starting price: 400€
Belgica. The Morini. Boulogne area. 1st century BC. AV Quarter Stater (1.38g). LT 8722; DT 253. Old cabinet tone. Choice extremely fine. From a private collection
Lot 157
Starting price: 200€
Belgica. The Morini. Boulogne area. 1st century BC. AV Quarter Stater (1.59g, 6h). LT -; DT S262A (this coin). Possibly unique. Interesting issue. Good very fine. From a private collection
Lot 158
Starting price: 600€
Belgica. The Nervii. Hainaut area. 1st century BC. AV Stater (6.09g, 3h). DT 179; Scheers 218. Lightly toned. Choice extremely fine. Some flan cracks, otherwise, choice extremely fine. From a private collection
The Nervii were one of the most powerful Belgic tribes, living in northern Gaul at the time of its conquest by Rome. Their territory corresponds to the central part of modern Belgium, including Brussels, and stretched southwards into French Hainault. Julius Caesar considered the Nervii to be the most warlike of the Belgic tribes and that the Belgic tribes were the bravest in Gaul. Their culture was a Spartan one: they would not partake of alcoholic beverages or any other such luxury, feeling that the mind must remain clear to be brave!
Lot 159
Starting price: 1000€
Belgica. The Nervii. Hainaut area. 1st century BC. Æ (4.77g, 3h). DT 626; Scheers 517. Lovely green-brown patina. Oblong flan. Very fine. From the Sadijas collection; 51 Gallery 2014 (17 October) lot 177
Lot 160
Starting price: 100€
Belgica. The Suessiones. Soissons area. 1st century BC. AR Denarius (1.89g, 6h). LT 7220; DT 198. Lightly toned. Good very fine. From a private collection
Lot 161
Starting price: 200€
Belgica. The Suessiones. Soissons area. 1st century BC. Æ Potin (5.27g). LT 7873; DT 214. Glossy green-brown patina. Choice extremely fine. From a private collection
Lot 162
Starting price: 400€
Celtica. The Mediomatrici. Metz area. 1st century BC. AV Quarter Stater (1.93g, 3h). LT -; DT 45. Lightly toned. Well-centered. A charming coin. Good very fine. From a private collection
Lot 163
Starting price: 400€
Celtica. The Sequanes. Besançon area. 1st century BC. AR Obol (0.64g, 1h). LT -; DT -. Old cabinet tone. Possibly unpublished. Perfectly centered and struck. Good very fine. From a private collection
Lot 164
Starting price: 100€
Celtica. The Leuci. Toul area. 1st century BC. AR Denarius (1.85g, 9h). LT 9020; DT 3270. Lightly toned. Short flan. Good very fine. From a private collection
Lot 165
Starting price: 100€
Celtica. The Leuci. Toul area. 1st century BC. Æ Potin (3.08g, 3h). LT -; DT.153. Enchanting glossy black patina. Good very fine. From the Sadijas collection
Lot 166
Starting price: 100€
Celtica. The Veneti. Vannes area. 1st century BC. AV Stater (6.92g, 1h). DT -; SENA 6.58 (this coin). Lightly toned. Struck on a broad flan. Good very fine. From a private collection; former so-called Hennebont hoard
Ogmios was the Celtic deity of eloquence. He is described by Lucian, a satirical author of the 2nd century, with long chains running from his tongue to the ears of his disciples. The chains, made out of amber and gold, represent him using his powers of persuasion and eloquence to bind his listeners to his every word. This shows that Ogmios has the power to change and influence men's minds so that they want to follow him to the ends of the earth.
Lot 167
Starting price: 1000€
Celtica. The Veneti. Vannes area. 1st century BC. AV Quarter Stater (1.97g, 3h). LT 6911; DT 2139. Lightly toned. Interesting issue. Some areas of weakness. Good very fine. From a private collection
Lot 168
Starting price: 400€
Celtica. The Namnetes. Nantes area. 1st century BC. AV Quarter Stater (1.74g, 9h). LT 6725; DT 2195. Lightly toned. A lovely coin. Choice extremely fine. From a private collection
Lot 169
Starting price: 400€
Celtica. The Osismii. Carhaix area. 1st century BC. Base AV Quarter Stater (1.46g, 12h). LT -; DT -. Old cabinet tone. Possibly unique and unpublished. Worn obverse die, otherwise, good very fine. From a private collection
Lot 170
Starting price: 400€
Celtica. The Carnutes. Chartres area. 1st century BC. Æ (3.34g, 2h). LT 8000; DT 2586. Lovely red-brown patina. Unusually well-centered. Good very fine. From a private collection
Lot 171
Starting price: 200€
Celtica. The Carnutes. Chartres area. 1st century BC. Æ (3.71g, 3h). LT 6361. DT 2596. Lovely glossy green patina. Reverse slightly off-centre, otherwise, choice extremely fine. From a private collection
The Carnutes were a powerful Gallic people in the heart of independent Gaul. Their territory had the reputation among Roman observers of being a prominent religious center, especially the famous forest where stood the annual meeting of the Druids. According to Titus Livius, they had been one of the tribes that accompanied Bellovesus in his invasion of Italy during the reign of Tarquinius Priscus.
Lot 172
Starting price: 400€
Celtica. The Bituriges Cubi. Bourges area. 1st century BC. AR Denarius (1.94g, 9h). LT -; DT 3436. Old cabinet tone. Areas of weakness. Good very fine. From a private collection
Lot 173
Starting price: 100€
Celtica. The Bituriges Cubi. Bourges area. 1st century BC. AR Denarius (1.92g, 6h). LT -; DT 3436. Old cabinet tone. Well-centered. Good very fine. From a private collection; Thierry Parsy 2013 (26 November) lot 150
Lot 174
Starting price: 200€
Celtica. The Bituriges Cubi. Bourges area. 1st century BC. AR Drachm (3.36g, 6h). LT -; DT -. Old cabinet tone. Some areas of weakness. Good very fine. From a private collection; probably from the 1880 Valençay hoard (ABT 116)
Lot 175
Starting price: 200€
Celtica. The Bituriges Cubi. Bourges area. 1st century BC. AR Drachm (3.39g, 11h). LT 6017; DT 3363. Old cabinet tone. Lovely portrait. Slightly off-centre. Good very fine. From a private collection; former collection of a prominent Swiss scholar, Leu Numismatics 2003 (86) lot 140; Münzen & Medaillen 1968 (285) lot 16
The Bituriges Cubi was a Celtic Gaul tribe with its capital at Bourges (Avaricum). Their name supposedly meant "kings of the world". Early in the 1st century BC, they had been one of the main Gaul tribes, especially in terms of druids and their political influence. But they soon declined in power as the Druids were an important target for Julius Caesar in his conquest of Gaul.
Lot 176
Starting price: 200€
Celtica. The Cadurci. Cahors area. 1st century BC. AR Drachm (2.23g). Lopez 146; Savès -. Lightly toned. Good very fine. From a private collection
Lot 177
Starting price: 100€
Celtica. The Cadurci. Cahors area. 1st century BC. AR Drachm (3.29g, 9h). Lopez 162; Savès -. Old cabinet tone. A coin of very modern style and amazing appeal! Obverse slightly off-centre, otherwise, choice extremely fine. From a private collection; former Georges Savès (1908-1985) collection
Lot 178
Starting price: 200€
Southwest Gaul. Uncertain tribe. 2nd century BC. AR Drachm (4.34g, 11h). LT 2252; DT 3291. Old cabinet tone. Unusual classical portrait. Worn reverse die, otherwise, good very fine. From a private collection; probably from the 1862 Bridiers hoard (ABT 51)
Lot 179
Starting price: 400€
Narbonensis. The Volcae Tectosages. Toulouse area. 1st century BC. AR Drachm (3.42g, 2h). Lopez 61 (this coin); Savès 1. Old cabinet tone. Obverse slightly off-centre, otherwise, choice extremely fine. From a private collection
Lot 180
Starting price: 200€
Arab-Byzantine. In the style of Justin II. Beth She'an. After AD 641. Æ Follis (11.04g, 7h). Album 98. Green patina with earthen deposits. Good very fine. From a private collection
Lot 181
Starting price: 100€
Rashidun Caliphate. In the style of Constans II. Uncertain mint. AH 37-55 (AD 658-675). Æ Fals (3.32g, 12h). Album 3504. Brown patina with earthen deposits. Good very fine. From a private collection
Lot 182
Starting price: 100€
Umayyad Caliphate. In the style of Heraclius. Tiberias. AH 41-77 (AD 661-697). Æ Fals (5.75g, 6h). Album 107. Green patina with earthen deposits. Very fine. From a private collection
Lot 183
Starting price: 100€
Umayyad Caliphate. Time of 'Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan. Homs. AH 65-86 (AD 685-705). Æ Fals (3.57g, 6h). Walker 119. Brown-green patina with earthen deposits. Very fine. From a private collection
Lot 184
Starting price: 100€
Ummayad Caliphate. Time of 'Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan. Aleppo. AH 65-86 (685-705 AD). Æ Fals (3.27g, 1h). Goodwin 269. Green patina with earthen deposits. Good very fine. From a private collection
Lot 185
Starting price: 100€
Umayyad Caliphate. Time of 'Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan. Qinnasrin. AH 74-80 (AD 693-699). Æ Fals (4.08g, 3h). Goodwin 221. Green patina with earthen deposits. Good very fine. From a private collection
Lot 186
Starting price: 100€
Umayyad Caliphate. Post-reform. Palestinian mint. AH 112-132 (AD 730-750). AE Fals (1.86g, 7h). Album 161. Green patina with earthen deposits. Good very fine. From a private collection
Lot 187
Starting price: 100€
Umayyad Caliphate. Post-reform. Jerusalem. AH 76-133 (AD 695-750). AE Fals (2.21g, 2h). Menorah type. Album 163. Green patina with earthen deposits. Very fine. From a private collection
Lot 188
Starting price: 100€
Umayyad Caliphate. Post-reform. Tiberias. AH 77-132 (AD 697-750). Æ Fals (3.59g, 6h). SICA 1227. Green patina with earthen deposits. Good very fine. From a private collection
Lot 189
Starting price: 100€
Umayyad Caliphate. Post-reform. Wasit. AH 120 (AD 737-38). Æ Fals (2.60g, 3h). Album 205. Green patina with earthen deposits. Good very fine. From a private collection
Lot 190
Starting price: 100€
Umayyad Caliphate. Post-reform. Homs. AH 125 (AD 742-743). Æ Fals (1.99g, 3h). Album 178. Green patina with earthen deposits. Good very fine. From a private collection
Lot 191
Starting price: 100€
Umayyad Caliphate. Time of Hisham. Uncertain mint. AH 123 (AD 740-741). AV Dinar (4.24g, 6h). Walker 243. Lightly toned. Choice extremely fine. From a private collection
Lot 192
Starting price: 100€
Abbasid Caliphate. Al-Mansur. Baghdad. AH 148 (AD 765-766). AV Dinar (4.23g, 12h). Lowick 222. Lightly toned. Choice extremely fine. From a private collection
Lot 193
Starting price: 100€
Abbasid Caliphate. Al-Mansur. Baghdâd. AH 148 (AD 765-766). AV Dinar (4.24g, 11h). Lowick 222. Lightly toned. Choice extremely fine. From a private collection
Lot 194
Starting price: 100€
Abbasid Caliphate. Al-Mansur. Baghdad. AH 152 (AD 769-770). AV Dinar (4.23g, 6h). Lowick 239. Lightly toned. Choice extremely fine. From a private collection
Lot 195
Starting price: 100€
Abbasid Caliphate. Al-Mutawakkil. Surra man Ra‘a. AH 245 (AD 859-860). AV "Presentation" Double Dinar (8.34g, 8h). Album T229. Lightly toned. Possibly unique. Choice extremely fine. From a private collection; Heritage 2013 (3021) lot 21609
Lot 196
Starting price: 10000€
Abbasid Caliphate. Al-Muqtadir. Al-Ahwaz. AH 309 (AD 921-922). AV Dinar (3.80g, 12h). Album 245. Lightly toned. Good very fine. From a private collection
Lot 197
Starting price: 100€
Almohad Caliphate. Abu-Ya’qub Yusuf II. Uncertain mint. AH 610-620 (AD 1213-1224). AV Dinar (4.63g, 12h). Hazard 508. Lightly toned. Choice extremely fine. From a private collection
