Edessa

Alexius III Angelus-Comnenus, AD 1195-1203. BI Aspron Trachys. Constantinople mint. Struck AD 1195-1197. Obv: KE RO-HQEI / IC-XC; Facing bust of Christ Emmanuel. Rev: Alexius and St. Constantine standing facing, holding labara and a globus cruciger between them. Ref: DOC 3; SB 2012 or 2013.

Hadrian, AD 117-138. Æ Sestertius (28.17g, 34mm, 7h). Rome mint struck AD 119-120. Obv: IMP CAESAR TRAIANVS HADRIANVS AVG; Laureate heroic bust to right, wearing balteus strap. Rev: PONT MAX TR POT COS III; Jupiter seated to left, holding Victory and sceptre; S•C in exergue. Ref: RIC II.3 249; C. 1184 var. (obv. legend); BMCRE 1146.

Seleucid Empire. Antiochus VI Dionysos, 144-142 BC. Æ Serrate Unit (23mm, 7.50g, 1h). Antioch mint. Obv: Radiate head right. Rev: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ / ΕΠΙΦΑ[ΝΟΥΣ ΔΙΟΝΥΣΟΥ]; Elephant advancing left; in right field, Σ(TA above palm branch]. Ref: SC 2006b; HGC 9, 1043. Very Fine, wonderful brown tone. Ex Morton & Eden Sale 115, 2022, Lot 146 (part of). Sold with original collector's ticket and from the duplicates of the British Museum. Ex Naville Numis 75 (31 Jul 2022), Lot 148.

Roman Cappadocia, Caesaraea-Eusebia. Marcus Aurelius, AD 161-180. AR Didrachm (21mm, 6.76g, 12h). Dated Cos. III (AD 161-166). Obv: AYTOKP ANTωNЄINOC CЄB; Laureate and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind. Rev: VΠATOC Γ; Mt. Argaeus, with trees, surmounted by star. Ref: Metcalf 130f; Sydenham 330. Very Fine. Next: Another Marcus Aurelius Provencial.

Sicily, Mamertinoi. Circa 208-200 BC. Æ Pentonkion (27mm, 11.52g, 3h). Obv: Laureate head of Zeus to right. Rev: MAMEPTINΩN, warrior advancing right, wearing helmet and holding shield and spear, to right, value mark Π. Ref: Calciati I, 40; SNG ANS 441; HGC 2, 853. About Very Fine, nice glossy dark brown patina.

Medieval Lead Token. Crusaders?

Yes, can't spell. I wasn't successful in any of my bids on the Simonetta Collection, but I certainly enjoyed trying. I do have a couple of die matched imitations. Kingdom of Cappadocia. Ariarathes V Eusebes Philopator, 163-130 BC. AR Drachm. Galatian or Kommagenean imitation. Obv: Diademed head of Ariarathes V right. Rev: Athena standing left, holding Nike and grounded shield, spear behind, blundered inscription around, reversed Γ below. Ref: Simonetta 1977, page 27, nos. 14a-14b; Hoover, HGC 7, 812; Cf. Lanz 92, 46. Kingdom of Cappadocia. Ariarathes V Eusebes Philopator, 163-130 BC. AR Drachm. Contemporary imitation, dated year 3 = 161/160 BC. Obv: Diademed head to right. Rev: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣΣ IΛIAIAOI EYΣEBOYΣ; Athena Nikephoros standing to left, with spear and shield; o above M to inner left, Λ to inner right, Γ (date) in exergue. Ref: Simonetta 22 var. (date) = SNG von Aulock 6296; Nomos Obolos 15, 459 (same dies); Rauch 86, 38 (same dies).

The only problem I have had in thirty years of buying from European Auctions has been with Bertolini. I am still waiting on several coins and books from a March auction. First it took six weeks for them to get DHL to "clear" the shipment, whatever that meant. I was frustrated but had good email communication with two ladies in their shipping department, so was willing to be patient. The coins were finally picked up by DHL, held for two days, then "Returned to Sender". Since that event in early July, Bertolini has ignored my email inquiries. In late July I called their office in Italy and a very nice employee told me that they would look into it and get back to me "within two days". In early August, I tried calling back, only to receive a voice mail that they would all be on vacation until early September. My patience is beginning to become frayed.

Once they let the Casinos into the French Quarter, the Casino Security largely took over the "regulation" of the riverfront. Along with the renovations from the 1976 World's Fair, the area from the bridge to Esplanade became a relatively safe and clean touristy area. Unfortunately, the outlying areas have slipped back toward lawlessness after Katrina, but the French Quarter itself is still a wonderful place to visit.

Sicily, Kamarina. Circa 420-410 BC. Æ Tetras (14mm, 3.17g, 4h). Obv: Facing gorgoneion, tongue protruding. Rev: KAMA; Owl standing right, head facing, grasping lizard; three pellets (mark of value) in exergue. Ref: CNS III, 21; SNG ANS 1225-7; HGC 2, 547. About Very Fine, nice green patina with highlights.

Augustus, 27 BC-AD 14. Æ Dupondius (27mm, 9.55g, 7h). Rome mint. P. Licinius Stolo moneyer. Struck 17 BC. Obv: AVGVSTVS TRIBVNIC POTEST; in three lines in oak-wreath. Rev: P LICINIVS STOLO IIIVIR A A A F F; around S C. Ref: Cohen 442; RIC 346 (R3). Brown tone and very fine. Ex Naville Numis, Live Auction 72 (27 Mar 2022), Lot 446.

I like it when they can even make Christ look pissed off... Michael VII Doukas, AD 1071-1078. AV Histamenon Nomisma (29mm, 4.41g, 6h). Constantinople mint. Struck AD 1071-1078. Obv: Bust of Christ facing, wearing nimbus cruciger, pallium and colobium, raising right hand in benediction, book of Gospels in left; IC-XC across fields, double border. Rev: + MIX-AHΛ RACI-Λ O Δ; Bust of Michael VII facing, bearded, wearing crown with pendilia and loros, labarum in right hand, globus cruciger in left; double border. Ref: DOC 2a; SB 1868. Extremely Fine. Ex Stephen Album 37 (12 Jun 2020), Lot 31.

Roman Arabia, Bostra. Trajan, AD 98-117. AR Tetradrachm (23mm, 10.30g, 6h) Struck AD 112-114. Obv: ΑΥΤΟΚΡ ΚΑΙС ΝΕΡ ΤΡΑΙΑΝΟС СΕΒ ΓΕΡΜ ΔΑΚ; Laureate bust right with paludamentum, seen from rear. Rev: ΔΗΜΑΡΧ ΕΞ ΥΠΑΤΟ Ϛ; Distyle temple, with eagle in pediment, on podium of four steps; cult image of Artemis of Perge within. Ref: RPC III 4071; Sydenham, Caesarea 190; Metcalf Tell Kalak 4. Very Fine. Very Rare with this bust type. From a private UK collection. Ex Roma ESale 94 (24 Feb 2022), Lot 606. From a CNG Auction Note: Traditionally thought to be tridrachms, but more recently termed tetradrachms (see K. Butcher, "The silver coinage of Roman Arabia," Judaea and Rome in Coins 65 BCE-135 CE [London, 2012], p. 208). Next: Your favorite Trajan Sestertius.

Roman Cilicia, Tarsus. Hadrian, AD 117-138. AR Tridrachm (25mm, 10.31g, 12h). Struck circa AD 117-138. Obv: ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙ ΘΕ ΤΡΑ ΠΑΡ ΥΙ ΘΕ ΝΕΡ-ΥΙ ΤΡΑΙ ΑΔΡΙΑΝΟC CΕ; Laureate and cuirassed bust of Hadrian right. Rev: ΤΑΡCΕΩΝ ΜΗΤΡΟΠΟΛΕΩC; Lion attacking bull kneeling left. Ref: Prieur 766; RPC 3265. Good Very Fine, old cabinet tone, two small digs on reverse. From the collection of a Mentor. Ex Naville Numis 75 (31 Jul 2022), Lot 469.

Or, you can have a mirror image on the same coin... Roman Republic. L. Memmius. 109-108 BC. AR Brockage Denarius (19mm, 3.89g, 12h). Obv: Male head right, wearing oak wreath; denomination mark below chin. Rev: Incuse of obverse. Ref: Crawford 304/1 and Memmia 1 for type. Very Fine, toned.

Roman Egypt, Alexandria. Lucius Verus, AD 161-169. Billon Tetradrachm (22.2mm, 13.76g, 12h). Dated RY 4 (AD 163/164). Obv: Λ ΑVΡΗΛΙΟϹ ΟVΗΡΟϹ ϹЄΒ; Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev: Tyche seated left on throne, holding rudder and cornucopia; L-Δ (date) to upper left. Ref: Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 3677 var. (laureate); K&G 39.82 var. (same); Emmett 2363.4. Very Fine, deeply toned and attractive. From the New Orleans Collection, purchased from Nilus Coins (April 2010). Ex Classical Numismatic Group 109, Lot 483.

This is an irrelevant observation, but actually the Mississippi River flows almost directly due north as it passes underneath the Greater New Orleans Bridge and enters the French Quarter. These days, you won't find many Cops in this area.

Not real, but a museum quality reproduction.

Probably this one. I sold some silver that Dad left me and "invested" in a few nice coins that were better than my average fare. Kings of Macedon. Demetrios I Poliorketes, 306-283 BC. AR Tetradrachm (28mm, 17.10g, 7h). Amphipolis mint, struck circa 293-292 BC. Obv: Nike alighting atop prow of galley left, blowing trumpet she holds in her right hand, and holding stylis in her left. Rev: BAS-ILEW-S/DHMHTRIOU; Poseidon Pelagaios, nude, standing left, throwing trident held in his right hand, mantle over his left arm; Z to left, HP monogram to right. Ref: Newell 97 (dies LXXXVIII/163); HGC 3, 1012f; SNG Berry 346. Good Very Fine, nice toning. From Bill Kalmbach at Nilus Coins. A coin that you spent too much on, but you will never regret buying...

Definitely some of my favorite types. Iberia, Malaka. 2nd century BC. Æ Unit (25mm, 14.19g, 11h). Obv: Bearded head of Hephaistos left, wearing conical cap; tongs to right; all within laurel wreath. Rev: Radiate facing head of Helios. Ref: ACIP 790. Extra Fine, dark green patina with light earthen dusting. From the Asher D. Atchick Collection. Ex CNG eAuction 431 (24 Oct 2018), Lot 6. Ex CNG eAuction 459 (8 Jan 2020), Lot 6. Iberia. Turiaso (Tarazona). Circa 50-20 BC. Æ As. (28mm, 11.25g, 6h). Obv: SILBIS; Female head laureate to right. Rev: Lancer rider with arm raised to the left, in exergue TURIASO. Ref: FAB 2434; ACIP 1737; APRH 401. Very Fine, nice green patina. Very scarce. Ex Aureo & Calico (7 Jul 2022), Lot 254. Iberia. Titiakos, early 1st century BC. Æ Unit (22.5mm, 8.66g, 11h). Obv: Bare male head right; Iberian ti below. Rev: Warrior, holding spear, on horseback right. Ref: ACIP 1897; SNG BM Spain 1074–5. Extra Fine, glossy dark green patina. From the Asher D. Atchick Collection. Ex CNG eAuction 359 (9 Sept 2015), Lot 1. Ex CNG eAuction 459 (8 Jan 2020), Lot 7.

George III. AD 1760-1820. AR Dollar (40mm, 26.76g). Bank of England Dollar. Dated AD 1804. (Current for 5s). S3768. Toned. Near VF. From the Ken Bressett Collection. Ex CNG Keystone 6 Auction (11 Mar 2022), Lot 1216.

Only have one, but I really like it. Lucilla, wife of Lucius Verus, AD 164-169. Æ Sestertius (30mm, 28.44g, 10h). Rome mint struck AD 164-169. Obv: LVCILLAE AVG-ANTONINI AVG F; Draped bust right. Rev: PIETAS; Pietas standing left, holding hand over altar and box of perfumes. Ref: RIC III 1756 (Marcus Aurelius); MIR 18, 11-6a; Cohen 54. Very Fine, brown surfaces, minor reverse porosity. Ex Coin Galleries (17 Nov 1981), Lot 288. Ex CNG eAuction 70 (8 Jun 2003), Lot 53.

One of my favorites: The Triumvirs. Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. 43 BC. AR Denarius (18mm, 3.55g, 6h). Obv: M ANTO IM[P R P C]; Bare head of Mark Antony right, lituus in left field. Rev: CAESAR DIC; Wreathed head of Caesar right, pitcher in left field. Ref: Craw 488/2, Syd 1166, Sear Imperators 123. Fine, nicely toned, slightly off-center, banker's marks, good style for these. Ex Berk, with ticket which includes the following note: "From a collection formed by a schoolboy in the 1950s, bought chiefly from Ben's Stamp and Coin Company in Chicago".

Thanks for the correction, Al. Sometimes I hit copy and paste with hitting the "think first" key!

Don't forget the Celts! Celtic. Trinovantes & Catuvellauni. Cunobelin, circa AD 8-41. AV Stater (16mm, 5.33g, 10h). Classic (Trinovantian X) type. Camulodunum (Colchester) mint. Obv: CA-VN; across field, grain ear with central stalk. Rev: CNV[O]; Horse leaping right; branch above. Ref: Allen, Cunobelin 126 (dies C/e); Van Arsdell 2027-1; ABC 2798; SCBC 288. Good Very Fine. Rose toning, cleaning scratches on obverse. Found Lowick Parish, East Northhamptonshire, 2010 (PAS WMID-731F04). Ex CNG eAuction 460 (29 Jan 2020), Lot 1012