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Category:  Ancients
Owner:  Taler Universe
Last Modified:  1/18/2020
  
Set Description



Coins were first made in the seventh century BC, as part of what is classified as the ancient Greek world. The development of coinage allowed people to know that they were receiving a standard amount of metal in exchange for their goods.

As with all coins made during the next 2300 years or so, each coin was produced by hand. In ancient times, this was usually done by placing a piece of metal between two dies, and striking with a hammer. By the fourth century BC, the artwork on some coins was magnificent -- perhaps its highest level at any time in history. Over time, coins also began to be used outside the Greek domain, and began to include inscriptions, usually indicating the city the coin was minted in.

As the Romans became the dominant force in the Mediterranean, their coins were produced in greater numbers and with a wide variety of designs. When the Roman Republic evolved into the Roman Empire in the late first century BC, their coins began depicting the Emperor on the obverse, and including their name and copious titles in the inscription. The reverses often show gods or personifications of colonies that had been captured.

As the Roman Empire declined, so did the quality of the artwork on their coins. By the fall of Rome in the late fifth century AD, it had become almost cartoonish, and this is normally thought of as the endpoint for ancient coins.

2015 Best Ancient Set Award

Judge's comments: "A splendid assemblage of 87 coins representing different rulers and time periods from Ancient Greece through the Roman Empire, this set provides some real eye candy. Each coin is NGC-certified and accompanied by superb photographs. The owner provides a commentary for each group of coins and has selected these pieces with a “Focus on engraver’s fine style, eye appeal, and overall design,” noting that additional coins will be added as they become available. Most of the entries are silver or billon, but bronze, electrum and gold are included, as well, for a wonderful look at the coinage of the ancient world."

Set Goals
Select representative Ancient coins within a budgetary framework. Focus on engraver's fine style, eye appeal, and overall design. I aim to expand the collection over time to encompass different regions of both Greek and Roman coins, as well as the more classical designs minted.

Slot Name
Origin/Country
Item Description
Full Grade
Owner Comments
Pics
View Coin ATTICA, ATHENS. Owl Tetradrachm ANCIENT - GREEK CIVIC (7th CENT BC - 1st CENT AD) ATTICA, ATHENS c.440-404 BC AR Tetradrachm Attica, Athens rv owl, olive spray, moon obv Athena NGC Ch AU Strike: 5/5 Surface: 5/5 Attica. Athens. Ca. 454-404 BC. Silver AR Tetradrachm, 17.00 g., 26 mm. Obv. Helmeted head of Athena right. Rev. Owl standing to right, olive sprig and crescent behind, all within incuse square. Kroll 8; SNG Copenhagen 31; Dewing 1591-1598. A superbly centered specimen with unusually high relief. NGC graded as Ch AU★ 5/5, 5/5, Fine Style.
View Coin SICYONIA, SICYON Stater ANCIENT - GREEK CIVIC (7th CENT BC - 1st CENT AD) SICYONIA, SICYON c.400-323 BC AR Stater Sicyonia, Sicyon rv dove in olive wreath obv Chimaera NGC AU Strike: 5/5 Surface: 5/5 SICYONIA. SICYON (SIKYON). Ca. 400-323 BC. Silver AR Stater. 25mm, 12.20gr. BCD Peloponnesos 218; BMC 57. Obv: Chimaera standing left with forepaw raised, SE below, wreath in right field. Rev: Dove flying left within wreath. A truly beautiful coin with one of the most fascinating mythological monsters of classical antiquity. NGC AU★ 5/5, 5/5, Fine Style.
View Coin KINGDOM OF MACEDON. Lifetime Issue. Amphipolis Alexander III Tetradrachm ANCIENT - GREEK EMPIRES (6th CENT BC - 5th CENT AD) KINGDOM OF MACEDON Alexander III, 336-323 BC AR Tetradrachm Kingdom Of Macedon obv Heracles. rv Zeus. lifetime issue NGC MS Strike: 5/5 Surface: 5/5 MACEDONIAN KINGDOM. Alexander III, the Great. 336–323 BC. AR Tetradrachm, 26mm, 17.27gr., lifetime or early posthumous issue minted at "Amphipolis", Macedonia , ca. 323-320 BC. Obv. Head of young Herakles right in lion skin headdress. Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ, Zeus enthroned left, holding eagle and scepter, Athena Promachos right in left field. Price 109. Superb coin for the type. NGC MS★ 5/5, 5/5.
View Coin KINGDOM OF MACEDON. Pella Mint, AR Tetradrachm. ANCIENT - GREEK EMPIRES (6th CENT BC - 5th CENT AD) KINGDOM OF MACEDON Alexander III, 336-323 BC AR Tetradrachm Kingdom Of Macedon obv Heracles. rv Zeus. NGC Ch AU Strike: 5/5 Surface: 5/5 Alexander III the Great (336-323 BC). AR tetradrachm. 26mm, 17.15 gr. Pella Mint, posthumous issue under Cassander as regent, ca. 317/6-315/4 BC. Obv: Head of Heracles right wearing lion-skin headdress / ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ, Zeus seated on backless throne left, holding eagle on outstretched right hand and scepter in his left. Rev: Boeotian shield in left field, coiled serpent under throne. Price 249. Cleanly struck in choice metal, finely styled and fully lustrous. NGC Ch AU★ 5/5, 5/5. Fine Style.
View Coin SICILY. SELINUS. AR Didrachm ANCIENT - GREEK CIVIC (7th CENT BC - 1st CENT AD) SICILY, SELINUS c.540-480 BC AR Didrachm Sicily, Selinus rv multi-part incuse obv selinon leaf, pellets NGC Ch AU Strike: 5/5 Surface: 5/5 SICILY. SELINUS. Ca. 540-480 BC. AR Didrachm. 20mm, 9gr. Obv. Selinon leaf. Rev. Incuse square with linear patterns. Arnold-Biucci Group I; Selinos Hoard 20 (same dies); SNG ANS 676 (same dies); HGC 2, 1207 (same dies as illustr.). Attractively toned and well struck. NGC graded Ch AU 5/5, 5/5.

From the Elwood Rafn Collection.
View Coin SICILY. SYRACUSE. AR Obol (Litra) ANCIENT - GREEK CIVIC (7th CENT BC - 1st CENT AD) SICILY, SYRACUSE c.480-470 BC AR Obol or Litra Sicily, Syracuse rv four-spoked wheel obv Arethusa NGC MS Strike: 5/5 Surface: 5/5 SICILY. SYRACUSE. Ca. 480-470 BC. AR Obol (litra), 8mm, 0.69gr. Obv. Head of Arethusa right, within dotted circle.
Rev. Four-spoked wheel. Boehringer 279-285; HGC 2, 1371. A small coin almost never encountered in such an exceptional grade and degree of preservation. NGC MS★ 5/5, 5/5.
View Coin SICILY. Syracuse Agathocles Tetradrachm ANCIENT - GREEK EMPIRES (6th CENT BC - 5th CENT AD) SICILY, SYRACUSE Agathocles, 317-289 BC AR Tetradrachm Sicily, Syracuse rv quadriga, trisceles obv Arethusa, dolphins NGC Ch AU Strike: 5/5 Surface: 5/5 SICILY. Syracuse. Agathocles (317-289 BC). AR Tetradrachm. 26mm, 17.09gr ca. 310-305 B.C. Pre-royal coinage, Agathocles as Tyrant, ca. 310-305 BC. Obv: Wreathed head of Arethusa facing left wreathed with grain ears, wearing triple-pendant earring and necklace, three dolphins around, "NI" below neck truncation. Rev: Charioteer holding kentron and reins driving a fast quadriga left, triskeles above, AI monogram in exergue. An absolutely stunning example, leaving little to be desired. Great centering, allowing for a good portion of the obverse beaded border and the full reverse design evoking the finely styled decadrachms of Euainetos struck a century earlier. What really elevates this exquisite piece is the toning, with gorgeous cerulean toning amongst Arethusa's hair seems to reinforce her presence in an aquatic realm. The reverse also features beautiful toning, with similar cerulean and some azure hues melding with breath-taking sunset and rose surrounding the vigorous horses. NGC Ch. AU★ 5/5, 5/5. Fine Style.

Purchased from Catherine E. Bullowa-Moore in 1987.
View Coin SICILY. Siculo-Punic. Entella Tetradrachm ANCIENT - GREEK CIVIC (7th CENT BC - 1st CENT AD) SICILY, SICULO-PUNIC c.300-289 BC AR Tetradrachm Sicily, Siculo-punic Heracles/horse hd., palm 'Quaestors' issue NGC AU Strike: 5/5 Surface: 5/5 SICILY. SICULO-PUNIC COINAGE OF ENTELLA, ca. 300-289 BC. Silver tetradrachm, 16.46 g., 25 mm. Obv. Head of Herakles right, wearing the lion skin. Rev. Horse head left, palm tree behind, Punic inscription below. Jenkins, Punic 372 (O115/R302). Perfectly centered with all the pertinent details on planchet. NGC graded AU★ Strike 5/5, Surface 5/5, Fine Style.
View Coin SICILY, Syracuse. 8 Litra ANCIENT - GREEK CIVIC (7th CENT BC - 1st CENT AD) SICILY, SYRACUSE Fifth Republic,214-212 BC AR 8-Litrai Sicily, Syracuse ex CNG 32 (12/1994), 100 obv Athena rv thunderbolt NGC Ch AU Strike: 5/5 Surface: 5/5 SICILY, Syracuse. Fifth Democracy. 214-212 BC. AR 8 Litrai (22mm, 6.8gr). Obv: Head of Athena left, wearing crested Corinthian helmet, single-pendant earring, necklace, and aegis. Rev: Winged thunderbolt; ΣYPAKOΣIΩN above, ΞA below. Burnett 28. SNG ANS 1046. SNG Lockett 1023. ex CNG 32 (12/1994), Lot 100. NGC Ch AU★ 5/5, 5/5, Fine Style.
View Coin SICILY, Syracuse. 16 Litra ANCIENT - GREEK CIVIC (7th CENT BC - 1st CENT AD) SICILY, SYRACUSE Philistis, w.of Hieron II AR 16-Litrai Sicily, Syracuse rv Nike in fast quadriga issue of c.240-215/4 BC NGC Ch AU Strike: 5/5 Surface: 4/5 SICILY, Syracuse. Philistis, wife of Hieron II. 275-215 BC. AR 16 Litrai – Tetradrachm (26mm, 13.27gr). Struck circa 240-215/4 BC. Obv: Diademed and veiled bust left; torch behind. Rev: Nike driving galloping quadriga right; E to lower right. Burnett 47; SNG ANS 884. NGC Ch AU, 5/5, 5/4, Fine Style.
View Coin PTOLEMAIC KINGDOM. Ptolemy VI. AR Tetradrachm ANCIENT - GREEK EMPIRES (6th CENT BC - 5th CENT AD) PTOLEMAIC KINGDOM Ptolemy VI, 180-145 BC AR Tetradrachm Ptolemaic Kingdom rv eagle on fulmen obv Ptolemy I NGC Ch AU Strike: 5/5 Surface: 5/5 EGYPT. PTOLEMAIC KINGDOM. PTOLEMY VI, 180-145 BC. AR Tetradrachm, 26mm, 14.03gr, struck at Alexandria 180-170 BC. Obv. Diademed bust of Ptolemy I right, within dotted circle. Rev. ΠΤΟΛEMAIOY ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ, eagle standing on thunderbolt to left, within dotted circle. Svoronos 1489; SNG Copenhagen 267; Dewing 2766. Exceptional iridescence. NGC Ch AU★ 5/5, 5/5.
View Coin Celts Middle Danube Area Tetradrachm, Kroisbach-mit Reiterstumpf type ANCIENT - CELTIC (4TH CENT BC - 1ST CENT AD) CELTS, MIDDLE DANUBE c.2nd Century BC AR Tetradrachm Celts, Middle Danube obv 'Apollo' rv horseman Kroisbach-Reiterstumpf NGC Ch AU Strike: 5/5 Surface: 5/5 Celts - Middle Danube Area. Imitation of Audoleon. Pannonia (Burgenland). Ca. 2nd CENTURY BC. AR Tetradrachm. 23mm, 12.50gr. Kroisbach mit Reiterstumpf type. Obv: Diademed head right of male with heavy brows and prominent protrusion on bridge of nose. Rev : Diademed head and torso left of rider on prancing horse; above right, eye-shaped device; twisted exergual line terminating in torques. Lanz 743–5; OTA 469; CCCBM I 152-4; KMW 1391. NGC Ch AU★ 5/5, 5/5, Fine Style.
View Coin ROMAN REPUBLIC, L.Minucius. AR Denarius ANCIENT - ROMAN REPUBLIC (4th CENT BC - 1st CENT BC) ROMAN REPUBLIC L.Minucius, c.133 BC AR Denarius ex Jonathan K. Kern Coll. Roma/Jupiter quadriga NGC Ch MS Strike: 4/5 Surface: 5/5 ROMAN REPUBLIC. L. Minucius, ca. 133 BC. AR Denarius. 19mm, 4.00gr. Obv: Helmeted head of Roma right, star (mark of value) behind. Rev: ROMA / L MINVCI. Jupiter driving quadriga right, hurling thunderbolt, holding reins and sceptre. Minucia.15. Syd. 470. Cr. 248/1. Superb coin all over. Ex Jon K. Kern Collection. NGC Ch. MS 4/5, 5/5.

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