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225-214/2 Didrachm |
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ANCIENT - ROMAN REPUBLIC (4th CENT BC - 1st CENT BC) ROMAN REPUBLIC Anonymous, c.225-214/2 BC |
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AR Quadrigatus Jupiter-Victory quadriga The Dioscuri(?) janiform |
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NGC Ch XF Strike: 5/5 Surface: 4/5 |
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225-214/2 Didrachm |
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ANCIENT - ROMAN REPUBLIC (4th CENT BC - 1st CENT BC) ROMAN REPUBLIC Anonymous, c.225-214/2 BC |
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AR Quadrigatus Jupiter-Victory quadriga obv Dioscuri(?) janiform |
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NGC Ch XF Strike: 5/5 Surface: 3/5 |
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Owner Comments
This coin is beat up but the reverse is about the most detailed I've seen when it comes to the heads of Jupiter and the Victory riding shotgun.
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225-214/2 Didrachm |
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ANCIENT - ROMAN REPUBLIC (4th CENT BC - 1st CENT BC) ROMAN REPUBLIC Anonymous, c.225-214/2 BC |
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AR Quadrigatus The Dioscuri(?) janiform |
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NGC XF Strike: 4/5 Surface: 3/5 |
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Owner Comments
11-6-2018 artemide aste
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217 Ptolemy IV of Egypt Ptolemaic Empire |
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ANCIENT - GREEK EMPIRES (6th CENT BC - 5th CENT AD) PTOLEMAIC KINGDOM Ptolemy IV, 222-205/4 BC |
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AR Tetradrachm Ptolemaic Kingdom rv eagle w/cornucopia obv Serapis and Isis |
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NGC Ch VF Strike: 4/5 Surface: 2/5 |
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Owner Comments
This type is thought to have been issued in celebration of the Ptolemaic victory over the Seleukids at the battle of Raphia during the Fourth Syrian War. Official propaganda proclaimed that these two deities, Serapis and Isis, had intervened on behalf of the Egyptians, saving them from defeat (see C. Lorber, “The Ptolemaic Era Coinage Revisited,” NC 2007, p. 116, and L. Bricault, “Serapis et Isis, Sauveurs de Ptolémé IV à Raphia,” Chronique d’Égypte LXXIV (1999), pp. 334-43).
You will note that the eagle on the thunderbolt appears in essentially the same form on the gold Roman coins that would be struck just a few years after this coin. Some people think Rome got gold support from Ptolemy and this reverse on the Roman coins was a tribute to the gold donor. We know from his own huge gold coins that Ptolemy IV had a lot of gold.
Thomas Landvatter, in his die study cited above that appeared in the 2012 ANS American Journal of Numismatics (Second Series, Vol. 24, p. 88), suggests that this issue was “carrying a very specific ideological message directed more widely throughout the empire: Ptolemy IV was equating himself and his wife Arsinoe with the divine sibling-spouses Serapis and Isis.” Landvatter also notes that “[t]his was an ideological statement made during wartime, meant to have wide appeal and explicitly associate the Ptolemaic king and queen with two of the most popular deities in the Eastern Mediterranean.” Indeed, the popularity of the Serapis/Isis cult would outlive the Ptolemaic dynasty and continue well into the Roman Imperial period, only to be eventually usurped by the Christian and Muslim faiths.
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217 Ptolemy IV of Egypt Ptolemaic Empire |
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ANCIENT - GREEK EMPIRES (6th CENT BC - 5th CENT AD) PTOLEMAIC KINGDOM Ptolemy III, 246-222 BC |
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AV Octodrachm 217 B.C. Ptolemaic Kingdom rv diademed cornucopia posthumous under Ptol. IV |
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NGC Ch XF Strike: 5/5 Surface: 3/5 |
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Owner Comments
"Fine Style" according to NGC. It has some surface marks which they were kind enough not to mention. It is a huge “Oktadrachm” , or mnaion (25mm, 27.76 g, 12h). It is perfectly aligned at 12h. NGC has certified 95 of these in all conditions. Bought Raw from a CNG auction.
Posthumous issue of Ptolemy III Eugertes, issued by his son and successor Ptolemy IV Philopater. Alexandreia mint. Struck circa 219-217 BC, the coin was probably struck at the time of the Fourth Syrian War, as payment to the victorious soldiers of Ptolemy IV's army on June 13, 217 B.C. where he defeated the Seleucid army of Antiochus III at Raphia with an army that consisted partly of native Egyptian soldiers.
Ptolemy IV had these gold coins struck in memory of his father, to commemorate the great victories over the Seleucids in the Third Syrian War. Previous to the battle at Raphia in order to promote victory, the Queen, Arsinoe III, promised two gold minae for each soldier if the Ptolemaic army was successful. Following the victory, as recorded in the Raphia Decree, one-mina coins of this type were given. They were struck from a combination of the treasure captured by Alexander the Great and the fresh supply of gold from the mines of Nubia.
One week later, not that anyone in Syria or Egypt cared, on June 21, 217 B.C., Hannibal destroyed a second Roman army after leading it into a trap in the mist along the wooded shores of Lake Trasimene. If not struck within a week of the Battle at lake Tresimine, this coin's mintage is still contemporaneous with the start of the Second Punic War between Carthage and Rome, in the years of Hannibal's initial catastrophic victories at the river Trebia, Lake Trasimine, and Cannae (218, 217, 216 B.C.).
This huge coin features a bust of the deified Ptolemy III right, wearing radiate diadem and aegis; trident over left shoulder, middle prong ends in a lotus finial / BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΠTOΛEMAIOY, radiate and filleted cornucopia; ΔI below. CPE 888; Svoronos 1117; Olivier & Lorber dies 3/11, 112 (this coin); SNG Copenhagen 196; Noeske 137; Boston MFA 2283; Kraay & Hirmer 803 (same obv. die). Near EF, a couple tiny die breaks and usual light die rust on obverse.
From the PRB Collection. Ex Classical Numismatic Group 93 (22 May 2013), lot 615 (hammer $8000); Triton XV (3 January 2012), lot 1317.
One of the greatest Macedonian rulers of Egypt, Ptolemy III's powerful portrait appears on gold mnaieions struck by his son, Ptolemy IV Philopator, who succeeded him in 221 BC. The great conqueror appears almost bloated; while likely an accurate portrait, his well-fed appearance is also visual shorthand for Egypt's bountiful abundance. Ptolemy III also sports an array of godly attributes, including the rayed crown of Helios, the trident of Poseidon, and the aegis of Zeus. The reverse depicts a cornucopia, again symbolizing the plenty of Egypt. An inscription called the "Canopus Decree," dated 238 BC, takes the form of a letter from the Egyptian priesthood praising Ptolemy III and his wife Berenice as "benefactor gods" for their support of Egyptian religion, as well as for their "good governance" and generosity.
The buying power of one gold mnaieion was enormous and unprecedented, more than $1,100 just in gold at today's price of gold around $1250 per troy ounce (31.14 grams compared to the 27.7 grams in this coin) (as of May 29, 2019). This is almost equivalent to a U.S. gold double eagle (the currency kind, not the modern bullion kind). No other kingdom or empire in the ancient world could produce such large gold coins, and this display of economic clout drew thousands of mercenary soldiers into Egypt's service. This large and powerful army was put to maximum use by the third king of the Ptolemaic dynasty, Ptolemy III Euergetes (246-222 BC). Shortly after inheriting the throne of the Pharaohs, he launched a massive invasion of the neighboring Seleucid Kingdom of Syria. Easily crushing all resistance, he even reached Babylon, where he proclaimed himself King of Kings.
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222-187 Antiochos III The Great of Syria Selukid Empire |
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ANCIENT - GREEK EMPIRES (6th CENT BC - 5th CENT AD) SELEUCID KINGDOM Antiochus III, 222-187 BC |
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AR Drachm Seleucid Kingdom rv elephant stg. |
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NGC Ch VF Strike: 5/5 Surface: 2/5 |
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Owner Comments
SELEUCID KINGDOM. Antiochus III the Great (222-187 BC). AR drachm (17mm, 3.98 gm, 1h). NGC Choice VF 5/5 - 2/5, marks. Apameia on the Orontes. Diademed head of Antiochus right, with youthful, idealized features, no sideburns and break in bangs / BAΣIΛEΩΣ / ANTIOXOY, elephant walking right; monogram to HYI to right. SC 1065.6.
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205-200 Philip V of Macedon |
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ANCIENT - GREEK EMPIRES (6th CENT BC - 5th CENT AD) KINGDOM OF MACEDON Philip V, 221-179 BC |
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AR Tetradrachm Kingdom Of Macedon ex SBC 6 (4/1980), lot 48 Perseus hd./club & wreath |
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NGC Ch VF Strike: 5/5 Surface: 3/5 |
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Owner Comments
Philip V, 220 – 179. He allied with Hannibal to menace Rome on their Eastern front. This coin is thought to have been struck in the final years of the Second Punic War. Rome would soon embark on Macedonian Wars that culminated in Roman armies "liberating" most of Greece within the lifetimes of veterans of this war.
Tetradrachm, Pella (?) circa 202-200, AR 16.49 g. Head of young Perseus l., wearing winged griffin-headed helmet, sword on his r. shoulder, in centre of Macedonian shield. Rev. BAΣIΛEΩΣ – ΦIΛIΠΠOY Club within oak-wreath; in l. field, monograms.
NGC has certified 24 tetradrachms of Philip V of all types as of June 16, 2023.
Ex Swiss Banc Corporation Sale 6, April 19, 1980, Lot 48
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215-214 Ptolemy IV |
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ANCIENT - GREEK EMPIRES (6th CENT BC - 5th CENT AD) PTOLEMAIC KINGDOM Ptolemy IV, 222-205/4 BC |
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AR Tetradrachm Ptolemaic Kingdom yr.48 (215/4 BC(?)) Cyprus(?) obv Ptolemy I. |
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NGC Ch VF Strike: 5/5 Surface: 3/5 |
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Owner Comments
PTOLEMAIC EGYPT. Ptolemy IV Philopater (222-205/4 BC). AR stater or tetradrachm (25mm, 13.97 gm, 12h). NGC Choice VF 5/5 - 3/5. Uncertain Mint 42 (in Syria or Phoenicia? Arados?), dated Year 48 of an uncertain era (215/4(?) BC). Diademed head of Ptolemy I right, aegis tied around neck; dotted border / ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙOΥ-ΣΩTHPOΣ, eagle with closed wings standing left on thunderbolt; MH (date) between eagle's legs, dotted border. CPE 950. Svoronos 849.
The eagle on the thunderbolt appears in similar form on the reverse of the gold issues by Rome just a few years after this coin was struck, in about 212 BC. Maybe Ptolemy sent support - even gold - to Rome in its time of need.
In her new publication, Coins of the Ptolemaic Empire, Catharine Lorber proposes this issue could be tied to an Syro-Phoenician era, beginning in 262/1 BC, that might have replaced an aborted Raphian Era dating system.
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222-187 Antiochos III The Great of Syria Selukid Empire |
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ANCIENT - GREEK EMPIRES (6th CENT BC - 5th CENT AD) SELEUCID KINGDOM Antiochus III, 222-187 BC |
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AR Tetradrachm Seleucid Kingdom hldg. bow, testing arrow rv Apollo on omphalus |
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NGC Ch XF Strike: 5/5 Surface: 3/5 |
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Owner Comments
Antiochus III the Great (222-187 BC). AR tetradrachm (26mm, 16.97 gm, 1h). NGC Choice XF 5/5 - 3/5. Antioch on the Orontes, Series 4, ca. after 197 BC. After the Punic War. But a much nicer coin to look at than my other examples of this ruler.
Struck 223-211/10 BC under Antiochus III the Great (222-187 BC). a big silver tetradrachm (28mm, 11h). Struck at Antioch on the Orontes, 1st series. This coin was struck sometime before the start of, or in the first half of, the Second Punic War. Hannibal was ascendant. In 217 BC within months of Rome's defeat by Hannibal at the battle of Lake Trasimino, Antiochos III suffered his own defeat by Ptolemy IV at the Battle of Raphia in the modern day Gaza strip.
Diademed head of Antiochus III right with naturalistic style, smaller eye, receding chin and somewhat sharper features, hair tousled, hairline receding markedly at temple, one diadem tie upward behind, the other falling across shoulder; bead-and-reel border / BAΣIΛEΩΣ / ANT-IOXOY, Apollo seated left on omphalus, right leg drawn back, testing arrow in right hand, left hand on grounded bow right with no grip or pellets. No Symbols. SC 1045.5.
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237-209 Punic Spain 1/4 shekel |
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ANCIENT - GREEK CIVIC (7th CENT BC - 1st CENT AD) PUNIC SPAIN c.237-209 BC |
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AR Quarter-Shekel Punic Spain rv elephant r. obv Melkart(?) w/club |
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NGC Ch XF Strike: 5/5 Surface: 2/5 |
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Owner Comments
Punic Spain. That's where the Second Punic War started. Hannibal crossed the Ebro and sacked Saguntum. They appealed to Rome for help. There was legal bickering about the interpretation of the peace agreement that had settled the First Punic War. Meanwhile Hannibal headed up out of Spain and around to come down over the Alps into northern Italy.
This series has everything you want from the Second Punic War. The god Melkart on the front we can imagine bears features of Hannibal or someone else known to people at the time in Punic Spain. On the back you get the elephant. What else is the Second Punic War known for?
There are whole shekels and half shekels with about the same design. I'm dreaming big and living small. This coin has really rough surfaces but the centering is real good on the front and pretty good on the back. It's a start.
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216-214 Bruttium under the Bretti |
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ANCIENT - GREEK CIVIC (7th CENT BC - 1st CENT AD) BRUTTIUM, THE BRETTII c.216-214 BC |
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AR Drachm Bruttium, The Brettii Hera Lakinia/Zeus stg. |
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NGC Ch XF Strike: 5/5 Surface: 2/5 |
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Owner Comments
Bruttium, The Brettii AR Drachm. Second Punic War issue, circa 216-214 BC. Veiled head of Hera Lakinia to right, wearing polos; sceptre over shoulder, kantharos behind / Zeus standing to left, right foot on Ionic capital, holding sceptre; BPETTIΩN to right; before, eagle standing to left on thunderbolt; tiny Γ (engraver's signature) between sceptre and left foot of Zeus. Scheu 78; HN Italy 1970; HGC 1, 1357.
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215-205 Bruttium under Carthaginian Rule |
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ANCIENT - GREEK CIVIC (7th CENT BC - 1st CENT AD) BRUTTIUM c.215-205 BC |
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AR Half-Shekel Bruttium obv Tanit. rv horse+palm under Carthaginian rule |
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NGC AU Strike: 5/5 Surface: 4/5 |
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Owner Comments
Hannibal in South Italy
See this example https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=1444311 that hammered at 5,500 CHF in 2012
Mine has an edge chip, so there's that. My horse reverse has something in the right field too, like a reed, which is not in the auctioned example
ex collection of Bernhard Terletzki.
ex Kölner Münzkabinett 80, Köln 2003, Nr. 181.
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213-211 Akragas under Carthaginian Rule |
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ANCIENT - GREEK CIVIC (7th CENT BC - 1st CENT AD) SICILY, ACRAGAS c.213-211 BC |
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AR Quarter-Shekel Sicily, Acragas under Carthaginian rule |
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NGC Ch XF Strike: 5/5 Surface: 3/5 |
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Owner Comments
SICILY. Siculo-Punic Issue. 213-211 BC. AR Quarter Shekel (15mm, 1.90 gm). Attributed to Akragas. Male head right wearing wreath of grain ears; small pellet before and behind / Horse prancing right, Punic "HT" below. Burnett 148; SNG Copenhagen 37
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213-211 Akragas under Carthaginian Rule |
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ANCIENT - GREEK CIVIC (7th CENT BC - 1st CENT AD) SICILY, ACRAGAS c.213-211 BC |
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AR Quarter-Shekel Sicily, Acragas obv male head. rv horse. under Carthaginian rule |
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NGC AU Strike: 5/5 Surface: 3/5 |
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Owner Comments
SICILY. Acragas. c.213-211 BC. AR quarter-shekel (14mm, 1.48 gm, 2h). NGC AU 5/5 - 3/5. Carthaginian Rule, Phoenician standard. Head of male (Triptolemos?) right, wreathed with grain; dotted border / Horse galloping right; HT (Punic) below, linear border. Cf. HGC 2, 173 (eighth shekel or hemidrachm).
Ex Sovereign Rarities, private sale with old dealer's tag included.
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216-211 Hannibal in Italy |
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ANCIENT - GREEK CIVIC (7th CENT BC - 1st CENT AD) ZEUGITANA, CARTHAGE c.216-211 BC |
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EL 3/8th Shekel Zeugitana, Carthage ex Italo Vecchi Coll. Hannibal in South Italy |
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NGC AU Strike: 5/5 Surface: 3/5 |
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Owner Comments
Military coinage of the Punic War, struck to pay Carthaginian soldiers and Bretti mercenaries. It plainly imitates the circulating janiform Roman silver didrachms struck before the war, substituting the Punic goddess Tanit for the Roman dioscurii twins on the obverse.
Bruttium, Carthaginian Occupation EL 3/8 Shekel. Circa 215-205 BC. Janiform female heads (Tanit?), wearing wreaths of grain / Zeus, holding thunderbolt in right hand and sceptre in left, standing to right in quadriga driven by Nike, who holds reins. Jenkins & Lewis 487-493 (Capua); SNG ANS 146 (Capua); SNG Copenhagen 357; HN Italy 2013; HGC 1, 1382; CNG 120, 37 (hammer: USD 6,500). 2.53g, 14mm, 1h.
From the Italo Vecchi Collection;
Ex Bertolami Fine Arts - ACR Auctions, E-Auction 64, 13 January 2019, lot 104. (Hammered 1800 GBP)
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