Kazuma78

On 1/3/2024 at 8:31 PM, rvk said:

Incredible coins. The Demetrius I Poliorcetes tetradrachm is specular.

Thar coin really is excellent in person, the surfaces truly are as struck. It's a beautiful coin. 

On 1/3/2024 at 9:43 PM, Hrefn said:

As my father-in-law sometimes said, “Not a dog in the bunch.”  Any one of them would be a highlight of a collection.  If forced to choose, I would select the tetradrachm of Noricum.  The strange and unfamiliar bust, the idiosyncratic horse, the exaggerated prancing, and the utterly mysterious reverse inscription in a forgotten alphabet all constitute an intriguing glimpse of a nearly-forgotten past.  You cannot surpass the boys in Syracuse for pure engraving expertise, but this coin from Noricum embodies curiosity and mystery, and insight into the past is one of the main draws of ancient coins for me. 

I REALLY enjoy celtic coinage. Especially the better styled pieces. They don't tend to get as much love as the Greek but they are really fascinating and artistic also. 

20 hours ago, JeandAcre said:

Nope, for 1 and 2, I'm having to say,

Woof, Woof.

Syracusan tetradrachms (or the other kind) are The First Reason Why Greek coins are what they are.  The jaw-dropping state of yours eloquently compensates for the house deposit you'd have to make on a dekadrachm, in any condition. 

The Hannibal half shekel, with the amazing hyperspecificity of historical context (right, and there's the elephant) is on the same level.  With the history bumping the esthetics off to one side.  Just for a minute.

Then there has to be #7, the iconic drachm of Thessaly.  Here's a coin I need for evidence that the Hellenic ethos persisted this late into the 4th c. BCE.  Just, you want some?  you got it.

And #8.  I've never once seen a Celtic coin, from either side of Europe, that so magnificently combines 'imitation' (of a presumed Greek prototype) with such a resonantly fully realized assertion of the inimitable Celtic esthetic.  These people aren't imitating; they're riffing.  I have to think they knew exactly what they were doing.  In the process, I have to be reminded of what Charlie Parker did with Broadway standards.  

Well described and put! I really enjoyed reading your feedback and specificity of those types and why you liked them and I must say I agree! 

8 hours ago, AncientJoe said:

An excellent year for you, @Kazuma78! It's tough to pick a favorite but I'd say #1 and #3, especially knowing how long you've waited for an example of the Agathokles. Looking forward to what you find in 2024!

Thanks Joe! I'd love to catch up with you soon and see what you were able to add this year. Your additions are always spectacular and stunning. 

6 hours ago, Limes said:

My wife asked what I was crying about. I stopped reading/looking after yiur coin no. 1. Can't handle this. 

But on a serious note, next level coins, beyond amazing. I voted for the Agathokles Tetradrachm, the Hannibal half shekel and the Larissa drachm. 

Thanks! 

11 hours ago, David Atherton said:

Achingly beautiful coins. I can't choose a favourite, they are all stunning.

Thanks! It was hard to pick my top for the year. I'm always happy when it's a struggle to rank them because I like them all! 

10 hours ago, El Cazador said:

Solid list @Kazuma78

 I voted for #1,# 4 and #9 Lysimachos 

Thanks! 

10 hours ago, Di Nomos said:

Lovely coins, particularly like #'s 1 & 5, but my absolute favourite is your Hannibal half shekel. A wonderful example and a coin I would love to own.

I was super thrilled to add that one. It's a type I thought an attractive example of might be out of reach, but I shockingly was able to win that one this year. I love the realistic elephant on it. 

10 hours ago, Jay GT4 said:

Outstanding!

Thanks! 

9 hours ago, happy_collector said:

All stunning coins, @Kazuma78. My absolute favorites are your #1, 2 and 3. Thanks for sharing! 🙂

Thanks! 

8 hours ago, DonnaML said:

All gorgeous, but I voted for #'s 1, 2, and 7 as the fairest of them all. Congratulations on a fantastic year!

Thanks! You had a great year too Donna!

6 hours ago, lordmarcovan said:

I see we both bought octopus litrae this (oops- last) year.  I wanted to do a side-by-side comparison.  I'd say they're fairly close, though yours is a touch sharper.

Yours (the face reminds me of the features of an old friend of mine, and several of his family members.)

 

Mine (Arethusa has more kissable lips here, anyway.  Or maybe she's pouting?  LOL)

I like your example a lot too Rob. And NGC did a great job photographing it. It's a very attractive example of the type. Between both of our coins I think we could make the perfect example. I like different elements of both coins better. 

1 hour ago, panzerman said:

Marvelous list! Kazuma

My #1 is Teos Griffin

#2 Larissa

#3 Syracuse (Octopus)

Thanks for sharing!

John

Thanks! I really enjoy the Teos also. That one is now sitting in a tray and I'm hoping it picks up a little iridescent cabinet toning. I'd be thrilled if that happened. 

1 hour ago, Al Kowsky said:

Josh, You had a sensational year 🤩! My favorite has to be #1, the breathtaking Sicilian tet 😍. The toning accentuates the flawless die engraving. #4, the Ionian stater is a masterpiece of classical numismatic art, & 7, the Larissa drachm is a superb example of portraiture by a gifted engraver, & the realism of the horse adds to the beauty of the coin ☺️.

Thanks! That's high praise coming from you Al! You have a great eye for coins too! 

#11) KINGS OF MACEDON. Alexander III ‘the Great’, 336-323 BC. AR Tetradrachm (25 mm, 17.24 g), Amphipolis, struck under Antipater, circa 325-323/2. Head of Herakles to right, wearing lion skin headdress. Rev. AΛEΞANΔPOY Zeus seated left on low throne, holding long scepter in his left hand and eagle standing right with closed wings in his right; in field to left, crescent. Price 89. A fresh, clear and well struck lustrous example with some light cabinet toning. Mint State.

Ex. Ed Waddell FPL 36, lot 26 (January 1989)



#12) Sicily, Syracuse, AR litra, c. 466-460 BC, ΣΥΡΑ, pearl-diademed head of Arethusa right wearing earring and necklace, rev., octopus, 0.81g, die axis 3.00 (Boehringer 449-467, dies unlisted; SNG Ashmolean 1952; SNG ANS 130), toned, sharp and extremely fine
Ex. Munzen & Medaillen Auction 494 (11/1/1986) lot 23



#13) Lucania, Velia AR Stater. Circa 300-280 BC. 7.46g, Philistion group. Helmeted head of Athena to right, helmet decorated with wing; AH monogram behind neck guard, Φ before neck / Lion standing to right; above, grain ear between Φ and I, Π beneath lion; YEΛHTΩN in exergue. Williams 478 (O238/R337); SNG Copenhagen 1578 (same dies); SNG ANS 1379 (same dies); HN Italy 1309. Beautifully toned with original luster remaining. EF.

Ex. Dr. Busso Peus Nachf Auction 353 (10/29/97) lot 29

Now that 2023 is through, I'll post my top 10 list here for posterity, even though I haven't been on the forums much this year and spend more of my time in the specialized ancients Facebook groups.

I was able to add about 36 coins this year for my collection and there were lots of runners up for the last few slots, so I'll sneak in a couple extra above my top 10. Feeling blessed for all the pieces I was able to add!


#1) SICILY, Syracuse. Agathokles. 317-289 BC. AR Tetradrachm (24mm, 17.05 g). Struck circa 317-310 BC. Wreathed head of Arethousa left; three dolphins around; ΦI below neck / Charioteer driving quadriga left; triskeles above, AI monogram in exergue. Ierardi 73 (O13/R47); BAR Issue 2; HGC 2, 1348; SNG München 1209 (same dies). Beautifully toned and with lustrous surfaces.

Ex. Gorny & Mosch Auction 114, Lot 26 (March 4, 2002)


#2) Zeugitania, Carthage. Time of Hannibal (213-210 BC). AR half-shekel (3.44g, 19mm). Second Punic War issue, for the Sicilian campaign. Carthage or uncertain mint in Sicily, ca. 213-210 BC. Laureate male head left (Melqart, Hannibal, or Mago?); dotted border Reverse: African elephant advancing right; alef (Phoenician) in exergue, linear border. A. Burnett, SNR 62 (1983), 123. E. S. G. Robinson, "Punic Coins of Spain and their Bearing on the Roman Republican Series,"Essays Mattingly series 8b, pl. III (Gades). SNG Copenhagen 383. Solidly struck from fine style dies, with deep colorful iridescent cabinet toning on excellent metal. Superb Extremely Fine.

From the Century Collection. Ex Stack's (10 June 1996), 147.


#3) Macedonian Kingdom, Demetrius I Poliorcetes (306-283 BC). AR tetradrachm (29mm, 17.21 gm). Pella, 294-293 BC. Nike standing left on prow of galley left, sounding trumpet in right hand, stylis cradled in left arm; eye on prow, waves below / ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΥ-ΒΑ-ΣΙΛΕΩ-Σ, Poseidon, nude, striding left, seen from behind, net draped over extended left arm, preparing to throw trident with right hand; ZΩ monogram in left field, dolphin left above eight-pointed star in right field. Dewing 1196. Newell Demetrius, 68 and pl. VI, 18. Lustrous flan with areas of golden toning.

Ex. CNG Mail Bid Sale 60 (May 22, 2002), Lot 361


#4) IONIA. Teos. Ca. 460-420 BC. AR stater (25mm, 11.76 gm). T-H-I-O-N (N retrograde), griffin seated right on ground line, left foreleg raised, beak open; panther head seen from above below raised foreleg / Quadripartite incuse square with stippled surfaces. Balcer, SNR 47, 103. BMC 19. A magnificent example of the type boasting devices struck from fresh Fine Style dies on lustrous surfaces and excellent metal. Virtually as struck and almost FDC.

Ex. NAC Sale 10 (1996), lot 241.


#5) Greek, Kings of Lydia. Alyattes to Kroisos, circa 610-546 BC. Trite (Electrum, 11 mm, 4.74 g), Sardes. Head of a lion with sun and rays on its forehead to right. Rev. Two incuse squares, one larger than the other. SNG Kayhan 1013. SNG von Aulock 2868-9. Weidauer 86-9. A very well centered and unusually complete example. EF.


#6) Kings of Pontos. Mithradates VI Eupator AV Stater (20mm, 8.61 g). First Mithradatic War issue. In the name and types of Lysimachos of Thrace. Byzantion mint. Struck circa 88-86 BC. Diademed head of the deified Alexander right, with horn of Ammon / Athena Nikephoros seated left, left arm resting on shield, spear diagonally in background; monogram to inner left; in exergue, ornate trident left with dolphins above and below trident shaft. Callataÿ p. 142, dies D4/R3(?). Superb Mint State and high relief.

Ex. Ed Waddell Auction 101 (December 19, 2005) Lot 4


#7) Thessaly, Larissa, drachm, c. 350-300 BC, head of nymph Larissa facing three-quarters left, wearing diadem and plain necklace, rev., ΛΑΡΙΣ-ΑΙΩΝ, horse feeding to right, left foreleg raised, 6.10g, die axis 10.00 (BMC 58; SNG Copenhagen 121), toned and extremely fine.

Ex. NFA 18 (3/31/87) Lot 139


#8) Central Europe, East Noricum AR Tetradrachm. 12.91g, 23mm, Warasdin Type A. Circa 2nd - 1st century BC. Male ('Apollo') head wearing three-strand pearl diadem to left / Horse prancing to left; Venetian script above. Göbl, TKN pl. 19, 6 (same dies) [21/77]; Lanz 154, Kostial 154, Flesche 510.
EF with beautiful iridescent cabinet tone highlighting some of the devices and with an old unidentified dealer ticket. Very Rare.


#9) Kings of Thrace, Lysimachos. 305-281 BC. AR Tetradrachm (28mm, 17.21 g). Pella mint. Struck circa 286/5-282/1 BC. Diademed head of the deified Alexander right, with horn of Ammon / Athena Nikephoros seated left, left arm resting on shield, spear behind; HP monogram to outer left, monogram to outer right. Thompson 248; Müller 353 var. (position of outer right monogram). Lustrous with some iridescent toning.

Ex. Gorny and Mosch Auction 112, lot 4066 (October 2001)

Ex. Jonathan Kern with old dealers tag


#10) SICILY. Syracuse. Fifth Republic (Democracy). 214-212 BC. AR 8-litrai (22mm, 6.79 gm, 3h). Head of Athena left, hair flowing in waves, tied at back and upswept at temple, wearing pendant earring and beaded necklace with crested Corinthian helmet pushed back on head / ΣΥΡΑΚΟΣΙΩΝ, winged thunderbolt; ΞΑ below. SNG Copenhagen 880. SNG ANS 1046. SNG Lockett 1023

Wow! You selected some beautiful coins! And just as impressive are the provenance you were able to dig up for so many of them! I am legitimately impressed! 

Gorgeous coin! Nice to have some great images of it too! 

Looks great and is coming along nicely! I like that you have all 3 metal compositions in the set. 

55 minutes ago, Deinomenid said:

I did this initially and then they passed it on to a collection agency! Who took great pleasure in harassing  for me  around $42.50.

 

 

Interesting! Well I shall await their call I suppose!

Last time this happened to me FedEx sent me a bill after the coin had been delivered. It was not truly an import or customs fee, just a fee that FedEx made up of their own, so I laughed, threw away the bill and moved on with my life. 

The time before that, they would not release the coin without the fee so I had to pay what was essentially a "ransom" fee they made up. It was around $40. It was the only way to get my coin at that point. 

14 hours ago, CPK said:

Wow that is incredible!!! Congratulations!

Thank you! 

8 hours ago, Di Nomos said:

Congratulations, a fantastic coin, and a type I'd love to add to my collection. The obverse is great of course, but I love the elephant on the reverse, for both the style and symbolism.

 

4 hours ago, kapphnwn said:

Barcids in Spain Ar Quarter Shekel Carhago Nova 221-209 BC Obv Beardless head of Melkart laureate left with club behind. Rv Elephant advancing right MHC 47 1.65 grms 14 mm Photo by W. Hansen

The image of Melkart on this coin is often cited as being a portrait of Hannibal. It might be, but if it is he has adopted some of the adjunct symbols  of the god Herakles. Interestingly the reverse features the image of the animal Hannibal is most associated with the elephant  

Thanks! I love both sides but the style of the elephant I think is beautiful and it's a wonderful symbol of Hannibal. I really love the style of portrait on this one too. I can see it being Melqart, Heracles or Hannibal. 

3 hours ago, Al Kowsky said:

Josh, Great score 😲! This coin has to be the finest example known for the type ☺️. Amazing engraving, strike, & toning; being anepigraphic on both sides enhances the beauty of the coin 😉. I have only one Punic coin left that I've posted a number of time but will post again for comparison. Unlike your coin that is totally Punic in design, the obverse on my coin is a copy of the Greek Tets from Macedonia, however, the reverse is Punic in design.

Thank you! Yours is also a beautiful coin! A type I would love to eventually add also!

44 minutes ago, Curtisimo said:

That is a beautiful coin @Kazuma78. I’d like to add one of these someday. The portrait in particular is very nice.

Thanks! I am very excited about adding it and can't wait to see it in person. I really like the fine style of portrait and the strike and toning. 

28 minutes ago, Nerosmyfavorite68 said:

Wow!  Yeah, I'd want to show that off, too!  What a coin!

Thanks! I was very happy to be able to win it! 

23 minutes ago, seth77 said:

Melkart looks a bit like Louis XVI of France 

I can see that! I blame it on the multiverse of madness?...

8 minutes ago, ominus1 said:

...it does bring Louis's to mind   very fine and historic coin @Kazuma78 🙂

Thanks! 

I've been pretty busy with life and work lately so I haven't been on here to post much, but I was very excited to win this coin yesterday and wanted to show it off. 

Zeugitania, Carthage. Silver 1/2 Shekel (3.44 g), ca. 220-205 BC. Second Punic War issue. For the Sicilian campaign, ca. 213-210 BC. Laureate head of Melkart left. Reverse: Elephant advancing right; in exergue, Punic 'A'. MAA -; Enna Hoard 123; SNG Copenhagen 383. A superb and finely detailed portrait. Attractive old cabinet toning. Superb Extremely Fine.

From the Century Collection. Ex Stack's (10 June 1996), 147.

13 minutes ago, Hesiod said:

I suspect both @Deinomenid and @Kazuma78 are referring to the Nomos 26 auction (Sans Pareille), which I am personally also very excited for

Yep! I know fractions aren't as popular, but I really enjoy them and this auction was really fun to see pop up. Really hoping to add 1 or 2 more from this collection. In some ways, fractions are more impressive to me when they are well engraved because of their size and the necessary skill of the engraver to get fine details on such a small canvas. Super cool, in my opinion. 

Here are a few of my small gold/silver fractions that I've really enjoyed picking up so far:

I really enjoy coins from Argos and like seeing everyone else's examples. Here is the only example I have at this time, picked up earlier this year.

ARGOLIS. Argos. Circa 330-270 BC. Silver obol (10mm, .86 g). Head of wolf left, teeth bared, Σ (retrograde) above / large A, Π — Ρ across upper field, club left below, all within incuse square. BMC-94, BCD Peloponnesos 1090-1091. Extremely fine with attractive iridescent toning and luster remaining. 
Ex. Freeman & Sear Manhattan Sale III (January 3, 2012) lot 130
Ex Dr. Charles L. Ruby Collection (Superior, Part 2, 17-22 June 1974, lot 218).

1 hour ago, Deinomenid said:

With 550 Greek fractionals coming up in a Leu auction in  May, I preemptively moved  into my river-view van last weekend.

They have some great fractions there. I have a few in my sights. 

15 hours ago, John060167 said:

Amazing set, wow! Especially love the entella tet and the Agathokles tet, super jealous. How long you have been building this  set?

 

Cheers

Thanks! The first of this little group I bought back in the summer of 2020- so just shy of 3 years for this grouping. I've been collecting ancients primarily since early 2020- though it had nothing to do with covid- that was only an odd (and unfortunate) coincidence of timing. Unfortunate because prices seem to have skyrocketed since then. I had bought an ancient here or there before then but nothing insanely serious. 

20 hours ago, John060167 said:

Hello, long time no see! Its 3:50am the morning after valentines day and my mind won’t let me sleep tonight, so here we go…🤣 I have not posted here in a while…mostly was posting Roman stuff before, but now its Greek season for me so gonna post some more Greek coins I’ve  had picked up! Here is a really awesome one I picked up at the last NYINC:

 

Sicily, Syracuse

AR tetradrachm, 23mm, 16.92g, 6h
struck 415-405bc, second democracy era
double signed dies by eumenos
Tudeer 31 (v11/r21)
Obv: charioteer , driving galloping quadriga left , holding kentron in right hand, reins in both; nike flying above, crowning charioteer; in exergue, dolphin chasing fish to right, EV signature below horses
Rev: ΣΥΡΑΚΟΣΙΟΝ, head of arethusa left, wearing earring and necklace, four dolphins swimming around. EV signature below neck

 

Whats awesome about this coin is that it was struck during the height of Syracusan numismatic art following the defeat of the Athenians who invaded  Syracuse during the Peloponnesian war era (c.413bc if i recall) . The Syracusans  employed some of the finest artists around Sicily to make dies for the coins, and they started doing experiments with the dies and raising coin art to a new level not seen before. The artwork was so good that syracuse allowed the artists who made these dies to sign their coins , and the artists apparently became famous in their own day for it. You can see some really experimental designs, such as arethusa facing front, arethusa under water(which i really want, shared below-not mine),  and very lively variations of the quadriga. This is the era in which the decadrachms were made too, so yeah.

 

In this case, both dies were signed EV, by Eumenos it is said. I find it cool that some “signed” issues are signed only on one die while the other side is unsigned, some dies have both sides signed by different artists, Ive seen some by Eumenos and Eukleidas, etc. In this case, the coin was made only by one artist entirely, and it is cool that we know this was entirely made by one master engraver. Signed issues became was a thing in Sicily before 415bc, you see them in issues from Katane, Akragas, Leontini, etc. even Syracuse had an earlier case of a master engraver signing their coins. Sometimes the artist only signed with a symbol of some sort, not actual lettering like the “Leaf Master” of Leontini & Katane. The artists were not necessarily restricted to one city either but appeared to move around to different cities who contracted their services, which is interesting and i do wonder more on how that worked. Only if we knew more about these master engravers… would be cool to know their stories.

Have any coins from sicily? Please share! Cheers

PS: Here is an imgur video of the coin for anyone interested 

https://imgur.com/a/14xR1tA

 

Beautiful coin and a wonderful pickup! It is a type I would love to eventually add to my own collection.

I completely understand why the coinage of Sicily is so hotly collected. So many talented engravers and great designs. I have a handful myself but am always looking to add more:

23 minutes ago, Jay GT4 said:

Well this is timely lol just watched that Netflix piece on this dude

Gorgeous acquisition! That is a wonderful example of the type and is more reminiscent of some of the classical Greek coinage than most other RR I've seen. 

This will be really interesting to see how it goes- I feel like prices have been generally soft so far in comparison to the last couple years. 

Accidental double post 

19 minutes ago, Di Nomos said:

Of your latest acquisitions, (and they're all great), the Messana coin is really fantastic, but if I could add one to my collection, it would be the Punic tetradrachm. I love the large flan and toning. A Carthaginian coin is something I'm looking for.

Those coins turned a great year of collecting for you into an incredible one!

Thank you! I love the flan on the punic tetradrachm- I even like that the flan is a little irregular since it adds a little extra character. The toning really sets it off and makes it extra attractive. 

I think my favorite of the group is the Sicily Pegasus Stater. The surfaces are very sharp and lustrous like the day it was struck. It's quite beautiful in hand and is probably top 5 in luster for any ancients I own. 

13 minutes ago, panzerman said:

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Really spectacular examples Kazuma. I could not do justice in selecting only three/ I love them ALL. Seems you had a super 2022/ here is wishing you have an amazing 2023!

Thanks for sharing....

John

Thanks @panzerman! I have been thrilled with this year and I'm positive I won't have another year like it for a long time if ever. But if I've learned one thing, it's that you have to get the good coins when you can! You also had a great year, so cheers to a great 2023 for you too!

I posted my list prematurely as I was able to pick up a handful more before year end- which I seriously didn't see coming or else I would have waited for my list. Anyways, here they are:

SICILY, Messana. 425-413 BC. AR Tetradrachm (26mm, 17.29 g). Charioteer, holding reins, driving slow biga of mules right; above, Nike advancing right on reins, crowning mules with wreath; olive leaf and berry in exergue / Hare springing right; below, dolphin right. Caltabiano Series XIII, 487 (D199/R198); HGC 2, 787; SNG ANS 358 (same dies); SNG Lloyd 1095 (same dies); Boston MFA 290 (same dies); McClean 2395 (same dies). Mint State with gorgeous lustrous surfaces and iridescent toning. NGC MS 4/5, 4/5

Ex. A. Tkalec AG, 5/9/2005 lot 19

ISLANDS off CARIA, Kos. Circa 350-345 BC. AR Tetradrachm (15.17 g, 11h). Herakleitos, magistrate. Bearded head of Herakles left, wearing lion skin / Crab; club and HRAKLEITO[S] below; all in dotted square within incuse square. Pixodarus 16a (O5/R11; this coin); SNG Copenhagen -. EF, toned, underlying luster. NGC XF Star 5/5, 4/5 Fine Style.

Ex. CNG Mail Bid Sale 73, September 2006, Lot 371
Ex. Gorny & Mosch auction 146, March 2006, Lot 248
Ex. UBS Gold & Numismatics Auction 63, September 2005, lot 196
Ex Sternberg 18 (20 November 1986), lot 171; Pixodarus hoard (CH IX, 421).

AEOLIS. Cyme. Ca. 165-155 BC. AR tetradrachm (31mm, 16.94 gm, 12h). Callias, magistrate. Head of the Amazon Cyme right, hair bound with taenia / KYMAIΩN, horse standing right, left foreleg raised, one handled cup below; KAΛΛIAΣ in exergue, all within laurel wreath. SNG Copenhagen 103. SNG von Aulock 1636.
Superb EF on a large well flan, well centered and struck with old cabinet toning. NGC CH AU Star 5/5, 5/5 Fine Style.

Ex. Davissons Auction 16 (2002)
Ex. Spink & Son

Sicily, Syracuse, Hieron II, 275-215 B.C. 16 litrae for his wife Philistis. AR 13.39 g. Diademed, veiled head of Philistis l., in field r., ear of corn. Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΙΣΣΑΣ - ΦΙΛΙΣΤΙΔΟΣ Nike, nude to waist and with open wings, driving fast quadriga r., holding reins with both her hands; above, ΚΙ, below forelegs of the horses, ear of corn r. A. Burnett, The Enna Hoard and the Silver Coinage of the Syracusan Democracy, SNR 62, 1983, 43. BMC 548. Scarce variety. NGC CH AU Star 5/5, 5/5.

Ex. New York Sale Auction 23, January 2010 Lot 6
Ex. Baldwins Auctions 62-63 September 2009, Lot 6
Ex. LHS Numismatics AG Auction 102, April 2008, Lot 98
Ex. NAC Auction 29, May 2005, Lot 131

SICILY, Syracuse. Timoleon and the Third Democracy. Circa 344-317 BC. AR Stater (8.66 g, 21mm). Pegasos flying left / Helmeted head of Athena right. Pegasi II pg. 607, 2; SNG ANS 494. Attractively toned, superb EF, well struck, nicely centered. NGC CH AU Star 5/5, 5/5

Ex. CNG Mail Bid Sale 64 (September 2003) Lot 62

ISLANDS off CARIA, Rhodos. Rhodes. Circa 230-205 BC. AR Tetradrachm (13.54 gm, 1h). Eukrates, magistrate. Radiate head of Helios facing slightly right / Rose with bud to right; thunderbolt to left, EUKRATHS below. Ashton 214; SNG Keckman 548; SNG Copenhagen 754 var. (position of ethnic). Superb EF. Exceptional strike with fresh dies. NGC CH AU Star 5/5, 4/5 Fine Style.

Ex. CNG Mail Bid Sale 69 (June 2005) Lot 462
Ex. Spink Sale 4018 (October 2004) Lot 46

SICILY, Entella. Punic issues. Circa 320/15-300 BC. AR Tetradrachm (28mm, 16.85g). Wreathed head of Arethusa left, wearing triple-pendant earring and necklace; four dolphins swimming around / Horsehead left, palm behind; Punic 'MMHNT below. Jenkins, Punic 168 (O50/R149); SNG Lloyd 1635 (same dies); HGC 2, 284. EF and well centered on a large flan with iridescent toning over lustrous surfaces. NGC AU Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5 Fine Style. 

Ex. Gorny & Mosch Auction 114 (March 2002) Lot 34