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Vol. 7, No. 1 FEATURES January 1993
6 Detailed analysis exposes rrfie Cefator Imitation antoninlanl 01 Gordian III PublisherfEditor by Marvin Tameanko Wayne G. Sayles Office Manager 14 Part 2: The first reign of Zeno Janet Sayles The fall of Rome and the Associate Editor PageS Steven A. Sayles Imitation antoniniani ea rly Byzantine empire of Gordian III by Ron Kolfgaard RCCLiaison by Marvin Tameanko James L. Meyer Production Asst. 34 Inscribed statue of "Weary Hercules" Nick Popp solves numismatic mystery in Characene Distribution Asst. by Ed Dobbins Christine Olson Rochelle Olson Art Parnell Nelson The Ce/ator DEPARTMENTS (lSSN *10480986) Is an Independent journal published on the first day of each month et 226 Palmer Parkway, Page 14 2 The Celator's Point of View LocIl, WI. It is circulated The fall of Rome Internationally through by Ron KolIgaard 4 Letters to the Editor - Quotes from the Past subscriptions and special distributions. Subsaiplion rates, 12 Antiquities by David Uebert payable in U.S. funds, are $24 per year 28 Coming Events (second class) within the United States; $30 to Canada; $48 29 Art and the Market per year 10 all other addresses (Air Pm ted 30 People in the News - Profiles in Numismatics Matter). Advertising and ropy deadline is the first of each month. 31 People in the News Unsolicited articles and news releases 36 Book News are welcome, however publication cannol be guaranteed. Second Page 34 37 Just for Beginners by Wayne G. Sayles dass postage paid (USPS /1'00(077) Numismatic mystery 38 Coins of the Bible by David Hendin at LocIl, WI 53555. on coins of Characene Copyright C 1993, by Ed Dobbins Celator, Inc. 40 Reference Reviews by Dennis Kroh Postmaster: send address changes to P.O. Box 123, About the cover: 43 Coin File - Trivia - Humor Loci!, WI 53555 Obverse of a modern forg 608-592-4684 44 Professional Directory (same lor FAX, after hours ery of an antoninianus of activate with asterisk Gordian III. 52 Index of Advertisers - Classifieds on touch tone pnone)
Deadline for the February issue is Monday, January 4 any firm price guide equivalent to those used for modem coinage. When itcomes to the pricing of ancient coins, we can only reiterate what we have said many times before. If you really love the coin, • • if you can afford it, and if you are buyi ng from a reputable source, let your heart Commentary by Wayne G, Sayles make the decision. More often than not you will find that your first impulse is the ri ght choice. Anomersubject of perennial interest, he New York International Furthermore, those offerings-whether closely related to price, is that of Numismatic Convention has by mail or at shows-must be real investment in ancient coins as a Profit T come and gone, and the eyes of competitive offerings, not artificial or Making Venture. Are ancient coins a the hobby will turn now to Chicago to isolated situations. good investment? Cenainly! If you buy measure the long.awaited rebound in We have received a number ofletters the ri ght ones. Choosing the ri ght coins the economy and in the ancient coin over the past few years in which the is, unfortunately, not as easy as one might market. Dealers and collectors use writer asked where to find a good price think. Buying high priced rarities in shows as a gauge of market prices and guide to ancient coins. We have tried to superb condition is not always a recipe availability by simply observing the explain the seemingly mystical nature for profit, as some have discovered in the asking and selling prices on the bourse of ancient coin pricing, both in this past few years. Buyinggeneric Byzantine fl oor, or the prices realized at auction. column and in our "Just for Beginners" gold, because it's CHEAP, doesn't seem Therefore, the regular show attendee column, but it is still a perennial question. to work either. Certainly, there isn't develops a sense of what a coin should As collectors switch from modem to much profit potential in buying low grade be worth on the current market. This ancient coins, they are of len put off by common bronzes of 4th century Rome (although Dan Clark might argue the point). One thing that does seem to work "The difference between investing and collecting is that the fairly well is to buy coins that are beautiful investor can't afford to gamble on his or her own taste." in tenns of composition, production, and preservation. These coins generall y increase in value faster than the average, unwritten "sense" is a floating perception the vagueness ofthe pricing and grading simply because they are rare and more than a fixed value, since the prices disparities in this field. They are used to desirable. Even the ubiquitous of coins ate affected by so many picking up the Krause catalog or Coin Constantine bronze- when skillfully intangible factors. Nevertheless, one World and rmdin g the "standard" catalog engraved, perfectly struc k, and does over a period of time develop a . price. This is simply not possible for beautifully p re served~ can become a "feel" for value. The collector who ancient coins-or is it? rarity. If you want to buy coins for buys coins strictly through mailed lists Readers have undoubtedly noticed investment, buy coins of this nature. or auctions can also develop a sense of that we have been running a market Some people hire connoisseurs to make value, but it is not always the same as capsule, contributed by Numismatic value j udgements for them. In the 17th that acquired at shows. It is hard to Archives (Tom Simmons), along with and 18th centuries, Europe was fill ed judge through lists whether the our Coin File each month. This market with connoisseurs who served th e appearance of a normally scarce type is capsule is the result of a computer nouveau riche in their quest for gra nd related to a hoard find. !fit is, how many database query, and it reflects the results collections of the finest works of coins are there in the hoard? Is it still of major auctions over the past several numismatic art. Today, collectors tend scarce? The bourse fl oor may be years. The database has now been made to make their own choices. Some do so inund ated with coins fro m some accessible in printed form by Numismatic with exceptional skill-some don't. The particular site, but they wi ll probably Archives, and is available through The difference between investing and appear as singles on mail lists. Celator. We hearda report at the NYlNC collecting is that the investor can ' 1 afford Conversely, a mail list might contain that a price guide or compendium of to gamble on his or her own taste. Somy the only three available examples of a prices is also being developed from the advice to investors is hire a top-notch ra re ty pe-making it seem relatively Mail Bid Sale results of a very active connoisseur and listen . My advice to common. Most dealers know beller dealer who specializes in "discount" collectors is- follow your heart, have tha n to do something this foolish (from ancient coins. If this transpires, the fun , and expect to pay something for a marketing perspective), but the point infonnation should prove useful as a your entertainment. should be clear. To be able to develop a basic guide to coins not often found in Until next month, we'll be watching sense of value, one must be exposed to major auctions. Still, the very nature of the mailbox for a note sharing your as many offerings as possible. ancient coins will stymie the creation of point of view.
fJf.. Cdato, ii nam.d fa, a~d d.diaat.d to th, aoin di.-.n9,a~"i of a~U~uily who" a,t lemalnJ. oJ. k6w~.qut and apktaling today ai in thd, Own0tilfj(t.
2 The Celator We are now taking consignments for our Spring 1993 Sale
"Andros" Stater Ddos. Didrachm Nax"", SmCT Sold December 1 !. 1992 Sok! Dc'Ccml>er 11 , 19'n Sold Dc'ccmber I I, 1992 for 535,200 fo r $41.800 for $28,600
Enquiries: James Lamb or Christine Deussen (212) 546- 1056 or write to the Coin Department, Christie's, 502 Park Avenue, N ew York, NY 10022
CHRISTIE'S
January 1993 3 Anything you can do to clarify the Where are the Bactrians? situation would be appreciated. Keep up the good work! A couple of issues ago (Vol. 6, No. 10) Dennis Kroh wrote: ~NEXT MONTH: Howard Biederman The specialized references concerning Pennsylvania BACTRIAN, INDO·GREEK, INDO· SCYTHIAN and related issues will be (I saw the complete proposal in Orlando covered" last summerduring the ANA Convention. The next issue, (Vol. 6, No. 11), the ftwouldtake a lawyer {and translator} to November 1992 issue featured the LATE explain all of the details. Basically, it ROMAN EMPIRE and the December means that dealers in Europe would be issue features CORINTH. Did I miss EEC clarification needed faced with additional taxes; repressive something? How about a detailed report and permit requirements; limited transfer of explanation in The Celalor concerning material; and elimination of the free Robert Steinhilber the ramifications of the proposed EEC market system as we currently know it. Arizona tax on coins. There is, as one might expect, strong Obviously, this move would serve to opposition in some circles, and the final (Occasionally, we find It necessary to raise prices and cause certain coins to version of the plan will almost certainly alter the sequence of Dennis Kroh's become scarce. be modified before it is accepted.) Reference Reviews columns. The Reference Reviews for BACTRIAN, INDO-GREEK, INDO-SCYTHIAN and related types appears in this issue.) Ancient Coins • Mail Bid Sales Explanation requested • Fixed Price Lists • Buy or Bid Sales Recently I purchased a coin of the Seleukid Kingdom that was struck on a • Numismatic Literature flan with a serrated edge. Perhaps one of your contributors could explain the Specializing in moderate priced Judaean coins hows and whys of these unusual coins. (serious want~lists SOl~iJed) •.~ William M. Rosenblum rare coins Greg Szekely Oregon p.O. box 355·CE, evergreen, colo. 80439 303-838-4831 (The reasons for serrated edges on ancient coins are not quite clear. Several hypotheses have been suggested in The Ce/ator. See Jordan Wagner's -Acceptability of coins suggested as QUOTES FROM THE PAST reason for serrations· in the March 1990 issue, and also William Horr's ·Serrated coinage helped ensure quality and "He suffers more than is necessary, stabifity· in the January 1990 Ce/ator. who suffers before it is necessary." Perhaps some of our readers would like to offer other possible explanations?) Seneca, c. 4 B.C. - A.D. 65 , Please . .. Check your mailing label: If the address is not Correct, send us a comj"ction notice Reader Response immediately. .WflE:l:n tf!e postal is essential to the success ofany publication. We are sincerely service sends us· ~ouraddress interested in your comments, criticisms, suggestions and change, they rip the label 6ff your Celator, send it to us with desires. Share your news, views and observations with others a change notiee, and throw the who enjoy the fascination of antiquity as much as you do. rest of the Joumalaway. Adding ins'ulft9.injury. we have Wnte to, The Ceiator, P.O. Box 123, Lodi, WI 53555 to pay thell) (pdstClge due) ·for this dissetVice.
4 The Gelator -7iUE/. To order your catalogue for Ponterio & Associates 1993 Chicago International Coin Fair Auction Being held February 26-27, 1993 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Chicago
Don't miss this exceptional and varied offering of quality ancient and world coins! Order your catalogue today! Catalogue and prices realized - $15
For more information, please contact our office. PONTERIO & ASSOCIATES P.N.G. #308 1818 Robinson Ave., San Diego, CA 921 03 .cJ1Plh1 800-854-2888 or 619-299-0400 AmerlconNumlsmatlc "''''' ' ''0 0 Ucensed Auclion Company #968 LM. #2163 Richard H. Ponterio - President
January 1993 5 Detailed analysis exposes imitations of antoniniani of Gordian III
spirit of fair play, 1 prefer not to label as opened up to treasure hunters anned by Mar vin Tam eanko criminals those unknown persons who with metal detectors. Several large have no opportunity to defend them hoards of genuine antoniniani, dating selves. However, somewhere in the from the period A.D. 238 to 268, have The reecmly published controversy Balkans, probably in Bulgaria, several recently been found in the Balkans and over the "Black Sea Hoard" involved artisans are mass producing very good Turkey, and were offered to coin deal many people prominent in the numis imitations of the antoniniani of the em ers in North America. The twO visiting matic fie ld, but the dispute was afliulc peror Gordian IJI, A.D. 238-244. This dealers were shown large quantities of inicresl to the average collector of an concerns me greatly, because these coins coins and, probably overwhelmed or cient coins. Most of these collectors are among the cheapest and most readily tired from the long trip, they purchased find the Black Sea Hoard coins to be available silver coins of the Roman Im many coins carelessly, with only a cur crudely made, of little historic interest, perial series. Because of their beauty soryexamination. At one supplier, they and looexpensive even if genuine. Only and affordability, these antoniniani are were shown several hundred extremely a dedicated specialist with an unlimited among the fi rst ancient coins a beginner fine antoniniani of Gordian 111. They budget could gel excited about these would collect, and it would be a great were told that this group came from a unattractive, little coins. But, it has pity if their imroduction to this fine hob recently discovered hoard of several been lots of fun tosland on the sidelines by becomes the frustration and disap thousand coins. On returning home. he and watch all the dealers, scientists, and pointment of finding out that they have became suspicious of some of his hasty authors take friendly pot-shots at each purchased an overpriced imitation. purchases, and consulted other dealers other. However, there arc many clever I recently acquired six imitations of and experts for advice. These people imitations of ancien! coins entering the the antoniniani of Gordian 1lI from a were of divided opinions, but most marketplace, and this should alarm those local ancient coin dealer. He and an identified the antoniniani as expertly of us who derive great pleasure from associate had visited Bulgaria in 1991 made im itations. Thedealerreluctantly collecting, and who take the avocation on a buying trip. With the demise of put the coins into his sale box reserved very seriously. Communism, the Balkans have adopted fo r copies or fantasy coins. It is painful I use the tenns "imitation", "copy", a free enterprise system, and have be to report that, over time, some of them or "replica" instead of fake, counterfeit, come the distribution center for many drifted back into the boxes which held or forgery because this is the correct ancient coins and artifacts owned by genuine ancient coins. nomenclature if these coins are consid individuals who could not sell them Why would anyone imitate anton ered to be art ifacts rather than currency. under a totalitarian government. Also, iniani of Gordian m. and sell them to Also, the words fake, forgery, and coun with the loosening of political controls, dealers or middlemen for a few dollars terfei t im ply something illegal. In the once restricted military areas were each, when an authentic one, in very fine condition, can usually be purchased retail for about $30? The makers of The Imitation III these antoniniani must be highly edu cated and trained individuals. Judging by the quality of the engraving and workmanship of the coins, they may be great artists and skillful metal working technicians. It is obvious that the mar ket for ancient coins in Europe is lucrative, and these art isans have the Coin 4 skills, art, technology, and the factory facilities to mass produce thousands of extremely fine replicas of ancient coins. Even at two dollars a coin, great profit coul d be realized. Funhennore, the coin artists may have adopted the famous mountain climbers' rationale of why they climb CoinS mountains: "we do it because it's there". The imitation makers may do it as a challenge, just to see if it can be done successfully. As well, the current de pressed economic situation in the world has thrown many talented artistic and technically capable people out of work. While they wait for employment oppor tunities, they may be making replicas of 6 The Cefator coins in order to fill their idle time, and showed no wear and had an extremely the emperor's legends on coins. The to "keep their hand in" by practicing high relief. Also, the colors of the artists of the imitation antoniniani were their arts. Making a profit on their surfaces were wrong. Some were unable to capture this smile on their efforts may not be their only goal. "steely" grey, looking as if they had replicas, and could only produce a wry The imitations are extremely well been plated. Others appeared to be grimace or a slight frown on the made. They are not the crude, cast excessively "frosted". Two coins even emperor's lips. Also, the position of the copies made to sell to gullible tourists in show some mint lustre in the fields eyeball in the eye is wrong. Instead of Europe. The coin imitators did their around the busts. the usual frontal position and a straight homework, and these replicas have been I have 17 antoniniani of Gordian III forwardstare, the eyeball in the imitation well researched, so that the weights, in my own collection, and I purchase portrait is located at the top of the eye, metal content, inscriptions, portraits, and these coins whenever possible. I am and looks upwards. the form of the letters are fairly accu rather fond of Gordian because of his The replicas are attempts to copy the rale. The coins are struck, not cast, and tumultuous history, and the fact that coins struck at the mints in Rome. Not ring true when dropped on a hard sur many of his portraits on the antoniniani represented by the imitations are the face. This may be the only test given to have a slight smile playing in the cor coins struck at other mints, located at a doubtful coin by a novice collector. ners of his mouth. He is the only Antioch and one assigned by some nu Some of the copies have flan cracks, Romanemperorwho managed tosmile mismatists to Viminacium. l The coins striking stress lines at the edges, and one for his coin engravers, perhaps to indi made in Rome carry a distinctive por has traces of verdigris on the surface. cate to the public that he was a happy trait, which can beeasily identified by its On first sight, I suspected that they were emperor. The Latin word FELIX, style. Also, the standard reference cata imitations because of the unusual style meaning happy or fortunate and abbre log, Roman Imperial Coinage (RIC) of the ponraits, and the fact that they viated as FELt appears frequently in divides the coinage of Gordian III into a
January 1993 7 comparison to the six imitations. Two of these, coins A and E, are the same coin Iype as two of the replicas, num~ bers 3 and 2 (RIC 69 and 151), so that direct comparison of types is possible. Coin numbers 5 and 6 of the copies have die~linked obverses. This is perhaps another indication of imitation, because it is uncommon to find die~linkages in a hoard of antoniniani. Even in a large collection such as the Smyrna Hoard, which contained 662 antoniniani of Gordian Ill, only two pairs of die~linked coins were found.2 Also, the reverse of coin 5 is, accord~ ing to RI C, from the first issue of coinage dated to A.D. 238~239, while the re~ verse of coin 6 belongs in the fifth issue of 243~244. This time gap for a die~ linkage is doubtful. Apparently, the makers of the imitations carelessly mixed up the die types and created hy~ brid coins. In order 10 describe the portraits in a systematic manner, I have adopted the most important headings established by series of "issues" which can be dated. Sabinia Ttanquillina in A.D. 241. This S. K. Eddy for such descriptions in his The first issue was produced in A.D. system of categorization by issue is used report on the Smyrna Hoard of antonini~ 238~239; the fifth issue in 243-244. in this article as one of the criteria to ani.3 These are: thesizeoflhehead, the There are, however, numerous undated describe the coins. size of the neck, the shape of the line of coins and hybrids, as well as a special I have selected six authentic, typical the cranium at the back, the chin jutting issue for the marriage of Gordian and antoniniani from my collection for out or recessed, the shape of the mouth and lips, the nose pointed or blunt, and the lettering around the portrait. Eddy uses these categories to identify the three C./. Martin (Coins) Ltd branch mints, called "officinae", oper~ ating in Rome. According to Eddy, of London, England. each one of these mints produced a different style of portrait bust of Gordian, with only slight variations which were Our current 24 page made by the numerous engravers work· catalogue contains ing on the dies. He supports his theory about 500 Greek by referring to the descriptions of the busts in the great Dorchester Hoard, and Roman coins, discovered in England in 1936, and 200 English which contained 8,888 antoniniani of Hammered Gordian 1lI.4 Referring to Eddy, the first officina and a wide produced a bust with a large head set on range of a slender neck, with a graceful line de~ antiquities. fining the back of the head. The nose, mouth, and lips are norma!. The letter ing is large, finn, and neatly form ed. C.J. Martin (Coins) Ltd The second officina is identified by a bust with a thick neck. The back of the 85, The Vale, Southgate, head is sharply rounded. The portrait London N14 GAT, England displays a recessed chin, and the upper Established 20 years lip overhangs the lower one. The nose is larger, nearly straight, and with a Tel: (0)81 882 1509 Fax: (0)818865235 sharp tip. The lettering has no distin~ Telephone Vis(l; [. Mastercards tlccepted guishing features, and is nonna!. The third officina issued coins showing a OUR CATALOGUES INCLUDE ANCIENT GREEK BRONZE, GREEK SILVER, bust with a heavy neck, large head, and ROMAN SILVER [. BRONZE, BYANTINE, CELTIC, ANGLO SAXON, NORMAN, HAMMERED MEDIEVAL, ANCIENT ARTIFACTS, HOARDS [. SPECIAL OFFERS pointed nose. The chin, however, is not recessed, but juts out and is ~
8 The Celator is pleased to announce its WINTER MAIL BID SALE ANCIENT AND MODERN COINS OF c;ij; . THE WORLD ~ =.,.- - . "~ . ' AND THE UNITED STATES Closing Date: Wednesday, February 10, 1993
Over 500 Lots of Ancient Coins FEATURING: • An attracti ve offering of Greek and Roman gold, silver and bronzej • Ancient Judaean and City coinsj · The Joseph J. Copeland Collection of ancient coins - Part n
Profusely Illustrated Catp!o&ues Aypilable Now! The Price of $ 10.00 Includes the Prices Realized And on to April! We are pleased to announce the sale of THE GOLDEN GATE COLLECTION of Ancient Greek Coins in Gold, Electrum and Silver The most important collection of ancient coins ever offered in a Mail Bid Sale catalogue! Look for further announcements describing this momentous event in the February issue of The Celator
r------, : ./tadl"/fJJnin ~all£ri£s : 1 123 West 57th St. 1 1 New York, NY 10019 1 I Enclosed please find S 10.00 for your February 10, 1993 Mail Bid Sale I I catalogue and list of Prices Reali zed (after sale). I 1 1 The Ancient and Foreign Department of Stack's 1- 1 123 West 57th Street New York, NY 10019 1- 1 L ______~ Telephone (212) 582·5955 FAX: (2 12) 245·501 8 I Ci ty State Zip I (2 12) 582·1946
January 1993 9 bulbous. The lips are of even length and To check the metal composition of The relief, or thickness of the coin, slightly pursed or pouting (smiling). The the imitation coins, I had them tested by was measured with a chronometer cali lettering in this example is small and the Applied Chemistry and Chemical brated to l/lOOth of a millimeter. This neaLS The creators of the imitations Engineering Department at Ryerson measurement was taken on the headband were probably aware of these different Poly technical Institute, Toronto. The of the radiate crown above the ear, which features, but disregarded them in their testing equipment used was the Seimens is the highest point on the portrait of the engravings so that all six coins show the VRS X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrom coin. The weights were taken using a same type of large, bold, neat lettering, eter. This testing device penetrates the digital scale calibrated to l/lOOOth of a while the portraits have the features metal only 1/2 millimeter, or about 1/ gram. Specific gravities were also taken mixed up, with large or medium heads 50th of an inch (about the thickness of as a check on the spectrometric exami perched on heavy necks, sharp or blunt five pages of The Celator). Therefore, nation. Thespecificgravitiesconfinned noses, nonnal or bulbous chins, and I decided to sacrifice one of the imita the composition of the metal alloy to equal length or protruding lips all indis tions in order to see if it was a solid within plus-orwminus 7%. These same criminately combined. No attempt was silver alloy or a plated copper core. I cut tests were also done on the genuine made to duplicate the style of the differ a narrow slice out of the edge of coin coins for comparison purposes. A sum ent, traditional portraits used by the three No.4, the least interesting of the six mary of the results is shown in Table 2 officinae as set out by Eddy. These replicas. I used ajeweler's saw with a at right. characteristics for the imitation and very fine, number 3 blade. The coin Examined with a 50 power micro genuine antoniniani are given in Table 1 resisted the saw teeth, proving that it scope, the surfaces of the imitation coi ns below. had been "work hardened" by being appeared unifonnly grainy. This is Although the artisans making the struck. Cast coins are not so hard, and probably the result of "piclding" the imitations meticulously researched the cut more easily. The coin proved to be coins. Pickling is ajeweler's technique coins, they still carelessly applied the not a plated core, but homogenous metal for treating the surface of silver articles. wrong obverse inscriptions to three of throughout. The sawdust and the cut It is usually done to remove "fire scale", the coins. Coin numbers 1 and 2, which edges of the coin appeared to be very a thin grey deposit of copper which rises are RIC 92 and RIC 151 respectively, coppery silver in color, looking almost to the surface of the silver when it is show the obverse legend as IMP CAES like low carat gold. Using a standard heated. The piclde is a diluted acid or M ANT GORDIANVS AVG, but it jeweler'schemical test for silver purity , similar solution which dissolves the base should read as IMP GORDIANVS PIVS I applied a nitric acid-based silver re metal on the surface, and leaves a thin FEL AVG. Coin 6, RIC 1, bears the agent to the cut edge, and saw the solution layer of enriched silver. I have seen this legend IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL bubble and tum light green. This is the operation done on the billon tetra AVe when it should be the earlier in indication that the silver was debased, drachms of Alexandria. When cleaned, scription, IMP CABS M ANT and lessthan 50% pure.6 The coins were these debased coins often appear very GORDIANVS AVG. Such errors ate a then weighed, measured, examined un coppery in color. A quick bath in a dear indication that the coins are repli der several magnifications, and piclde solution quicldy restores the silo cas. compared to the six genuine coins. very look to the surface. The pickling
TABLE OF COIN CHARACTERISTICS THE IMITATION ANTONINIANI Coin AIC Weight Relief Silver Die Description No. No. ingms. inmm. % Axis Reverse Legend and Description Color RIC Issue Condition 1 92 4.1906 2.39 17.89 t. PM TRP 1111 COS II PP, Gordian standing D. Grey 41h EF 2 151 4.1540 2.38 16.32 t. SECURIT PERP, Security standing left Silver 5th EF 3 69 4.480 2.52 18.53 t. PM TRP II COS PP, Gordian sacrificing L Grey 3,d EF 4 63 4.8299 2.54 17.89 t. AEQVITAS AVG, Equity standing D. Grey 3" EF 5 150 4.377 2.68 16.74 t. PROVIDENTIA AVG, Providence standing Silver 5th EF 6 1 4.3882 2.65 16.63 to FIDES MILlTVM, Fides holds standard Silver 1s1 EF Averages 4.403 2.53 17.33 THE GENUINE ANTONINIANI Coin AIC Weight Relief Silver Die Description No. No. ingms. inmm. % Axis Reverse Legend and Description Color RIC Issue Condition A 69 4.0579 1.91 29.57 t. PM TRP II COS PP, Gordian sacrificing Silver 3" VF B 39 4.8192 2.08 26.07 t. VIRTVS AVG, Virtue standing D. Grey 3" VF C 156 4.023 1.86 25.18 tt VICTORIAAETERNA, Victory standing Silver 5th EF 0 84 4.1228 1.84 27.56 tt IOVI STATOR I, Jove (Zeus) standing Silver 4th EF E 151 4.3063 1.78 28.01 tt SECVRIT PERP, Security standing D. Grey 5th VF F 65 4.2634 2.05 27.83 tt CONCORDIA MILlTVM, Concord seated Silver 3,d EF Av erages 4.265 1.91 27.37
10 The Gelator would account for the color variations, The Imitation Antonlnlanl, No. 2 and NO. 3 Compared to silvery look, and graininess of the imi the Genuine Coins, No. E and No, A, RIC 1 S1 and 69 Respectively tationcoins. Also, under the microscope, the verdigris on the obverse of coin number 3 was revealed to be a smooth, thin surface deposit, rather than a rough patina integral with the metal. Suspect ing it to be paint, I tested some of it with paint thinner, and it dissolved immedi ately without leaving a pitting on the surface, which is the tell-tale sign when genuine verdigris has been chemicall y removed. This paint was exactly the bright green color of the verdigris usu all y found on silver, and was expenly applied to the lettering and edges of the portrait in very thin lines, probably with a hypodermic needle. The makers of the repli cas obviously took great pains to make the coins look authentic and an cient. were done with a pantograph type copy 2 "The Minting of Antoniniani, TheSmyma The results of all these tests and machine, similar to those used in mints, Hoard" by S. K. Eddy, Numismatic Notes examinations indicate that the imita using some genuine coins as the mod and Monographs, No. 156,the American tions are of very fine workmanship and els. This guess may be confirmed when Numismatic Society, New York, 1967, style, duplicating very closely the tech you compare the reverses of coins No. 2 page 62. 3 "'The Minting of Antoniniani, TheSmyma nical data, the appearance, and anisti c and No. E, as well ascoin No.3 and coin Hoard" as above, page 5 1-61. style of the genuine coins. The coins A as illustrated above. 4 For more information on this find ,seethe may have been struck manually, but The twodealers who bought thecoins article, "The Great Dorchester Hoa rd M in perhaps by using an old-fashioned screw in Bulgaria were shown several hun the Numismatic Chronicle, Series 5, No. press because the strike is uniform over dred coins, reputedly from a hoard of 19, 1939, by Harold Mattingly, Royal the entire surface of the fians, whereas several thousand. Thesix replicas illus Numismatic Society, London, 1939, pages the genuine coins usually show a deeper trated in this article represent six reverse 21·6 1. impression on pan of the coin where the and five obverse dies. From these few 5 "The Minting of Antoniniani,TheSmyma workman hand-held the die at a slight dies, many thousands of coins could be Hoard", as above. See page 60 for th e angle) Also, the die axes are ri gidly made. These coins may already be on characteristics. 6 Using the jeweler's test for silver with venical, without any of the normal de the market or in collections, or they may this reagent, the following would be ob viations of a few degrees. Usually, be making their way to North America served. Bright red • .999 silver, dark red about SO% of genuine coins found in in the suitcases of refugees and immi •. 925 (s terling silver), brown· .800, and hoards have the same die axis obverse to grants. Regrettably, this thought brings medium green · .500 silver purit y. The reverse t t . The imitation coins all new and urgent meaning to the tradi salts and nitric acid for the reagent can be show only the die axes opposite to each tional warning given to ancient coin pu rchased at jeweler's supply stores. other t "' . The fIan cracks in some of collectors, "Caveat Emptor", let the CAUTION. Ni tric acid is the most corro the coins, however, may suggest the use buyer beware. sive of all the acids. HA NDLE WITH of hand hammers and an excessive force, GREAT CARE. Footnotes: 7 For a descriplion of this feature of hand although these cracks may have been I SeeRomanlmperialCo;nage Vol.4-3 by striking the coins, see ~The Mint ing of caused by the fIan being too hot when it M H. Mattingly et ai, Spink and Son Ltd., An toniniani as above, pages 54·55 . was struck. The dies are engraved so London, 1949, page I for adescri ption of masterfully, I can only surmise that they these coins or Gordia n III. !iii
DESCRIPTION OF THE PORTRAIT OF GORDIAN'" ACCORDING TO S. K. EDDY'
Neck Head Back 01 Chin Ups Nose lettering Size Size Head Type Shape Shape Shape 1 sl Officina Slender Large Smooth Une Normal Normal Normal Large, Neal 2nd Officina Thick Med. Sharply Round Recessed Top Overhangs Large, Sharp Normal 3rd Officina Thick Large Nonnal Juts Out Even, Pursed Pointed Small, Neal Replica 1 Thick Mad. Normal Juts Out Top Overhangs Large, Sharp Large, Neat Replica 2 Slender Large Smooth Une Juts Out Even, Pursed Pointed Normal Replica 3 Slender Mad. Normal Juts Out Normal Normal Normal Replica 4 Slender Med. Sharply Round JulsOut Even, Pursed Normal Normal Replica 5 Slender Med. Smooth Une JulsOut Top Overhangs Large, Sharp large, Neal Replica 6 Slender Med. Smooth Une Juts Out Top Overhangs Large, Sharp Large, Neat
January 1993 11 Antiquities How do you get those artifacts anyway?
century, you might have heard a story lay in pieces under the bed of Mr. by David Liebert such as this: "The golden chalice I am Ibrahamanopolis, a close friend of the offering was sacked by vandals in the fall grandfather of the noted Lebanese antiq of Rome. It was known to be in the uities merchant Suleman Mabruk, who Antiquities dealers often have to an personal collection of Charlemagne; se acquired it and then sold it to Mr. swer many questions in the course of questered through the Middle Ages by Zurichmench. the Swiss antiquarian, who their professional endeavors. The first monks in the abbey of St. Simon in restored it and sold it to the gentleman question usually asked by non collectors Northumbraland, and it subsequently who is now offering it for sale along with is "You mean you can actually buy that came into the possession of the Duke of numerous documents attesting to the truth stufr and it doesn't cost a fortune?" Beaconsfield, etc. etc., whence it was in of the above story. The question most frequently asked numerous private cabinets until it was Surprisinglyenoughsuchastorymight by novices, however, is "How do you get acquired by my principals. who are offer in fact be quite true. The fact is that many that stuff anyway?" It is usually followed ing it through me because they wish to of the antiquities which appear on the by a "How do you know it's real?" The remain anonymous." Very romantic. but market today are found more or less by latter two questions are indeed central to regrettably not very verifiable. accident in the countries where they were the whole concept of antiquities collcet In the early days of archaeology at the lost in antiquity, and sold to local mer ing. At flf'S! glance the answer to the first tum of the century, the story usually went chants, who sell them to international might seem self-evident. i.e. "We get it something like this: "This beautiful heart middlemen, who sell them todealerssuch from the ground where it is buried in scarab was found by Howard Carter him as myself. Such chance finds fonn the an tiquity!" However, the many pages self in the tomb of King Tut, and given to bulk of the material offered at auction, devoted by myself and others to answer Lady Ersatz." Perhaps not quite as r0- along with material from various collec ing the second question should lead you mantic. but equally unverifiable. tions, where they are bought by dealers, to suspect thai the answer to the first is not Today, in the age of scientific archae collectors, and museums ali ke. so glib and simple. ology, you are more likely to get a story This does not mean to say that Indiana True, all of the antiquities likely to about how the Euphorinos cup being of Jones type adventurers do not exist. In come on the market today were at one fered was found by Lebanese peasants deed, I am personally acquainted with time buried and rediscovered. In the last digging for bat guano in 19 10, and how it individuals who have told me stories of harrowing encounters with jungle beasts and bandit gangs in their efforts to explore remote comers of the world, and I have Iron Age arrowheads found in no reason to doubt their honesty. the Levant, 1st mill. B. c. The laws regarding the sale of such treasure troves vary from country to Approximately 2-3", country, and I will not discuss them here. Suffice it to say that the vast majority of VF, $18 each antiquities sold in America today aresold We have many more interesting antiqumes and with clear title and are perfectly legal. ancient CfJins in stock. Send for your free catalog The few objects which have been looted today. For more Information contact· from protected sites. museums, and pri vate collections can and should be The Time Machine Co. rigorously pursued by international au thorities. As the victim of such a theft, I ~ P.O. Box 282, FlushIng Station, / ~ Queens, NY 11367 • (718) 544-2708 support the efforts of any organization seeking to bring the perpetra tors of such crimes to justice. In fact, many objects have been and are currently being lost to the effects of Quality Auctions war, construction, and climatic condi We co nduct two Numismatic Collector orienled Public & Mail Bid Auction sales tions throughout the world. Thus, the cach year. OUf sales feature a wide selection of Ancients, Antiquities. World Gold. notion that all antiquities are by defmi Crowns & Minors. Canadian & United States Coinage as well as Paper Money. tion "stolen" and should be left in the Tokens & Medals. nOI Each of our catalogs is well illustrated. Subscription rates lire $17.50 ~r year ground for "future excavation" is which includes prices realized following the sale. only ridiculous, it does a great disservice Consignments are always accepted ror our upcoming auction schedule. For to the eventual preservation of the objects information and terms please write us. themselves. Certainly we should all ap plaud and support the efforts of Craig A. Whitford Numismatic Auctions professional archaeologists to further our P.O, Box 22026, Lansing, Michigan 48909 understanding of the past. Let us not Tel: 517/394-4443 or Fax: 517/394-5510 forget, though, that collectors and dealers can also have a constructive role to play in this effort.
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January 1993 13 Part 2: The first reig1l of Ze1lO The fall of Rome and the early Byzantine empire
the governments of the east and west pire", although there is no sharp divi by Ron Kollgaard diverged, effee ti vely becoming two dis sion between the "eastern Roman" and tinct and independent empires. In the "Byzantine" periods. Of the many fac western empire, real power fell to the tors involved in the survival of the east. The realization that the defense of Master-of-Soldiers- thecommanderof one that cannot be overlooked are three the Roman Empire might require more the army-and most of the last western emperors who sat on the eastern throne than one emperor arose during the time emperors were weak puppets in their in Constantinople at the end of the fifth of Marcus Aurelius (l61 ~ 180), whose hands. Like the bulk of the late Roman century: Leo (457-474), Zeno (474- early reign was shared with Lucius Verus army, the Masters-of-Soldiers were 491), and Anastas ius (491-518). (161-169), and later by Aurelius' son usually Germanic barbarians. In the Commodus (180-192). Diocletian (284- east the situation did not deteriorate as 305) fonnalized a system of two senior badly, although by the mid fifth century and two junior emperors, each with pri the barbarian Aspar, the eastern Master mary jurisdiction over one quarter of of-Soldiers, wielded enormous power. the empire. Di oclctian intended for his The internal weakness of the late system to eliminate the struggles for fifth century Roman governments, in succession that had become all too fre both east and west, only helped the quent in the third century. It did not, hostile barbarians who pressed in on all Gold solklus 01 Leo I (457-474) although after him it became more com· sides. It was to prove too much in the minted at Constantinople man for the eastern and western hal ves west, where the provinces were slowly of the empire to be ruled separately. converted into proto-national Germanic Leo arrived to the throne because of Thcodosius I (379-395) was the last kingdoms. Finally, Italy itself was thus the backing of the powerful barbarian man to rule the cast and west together, transformed. marking the "fall" of the general Aspar. Aspar had desired that leaving half to each of his sons, Arcadi us western empi.re. The eastern empire. Leo operate as his puppet. though Leo (395-408) and Honori us (395-423). however. survived. and was to exist for resisted. To balance Aspar and his bar NeitherofTheodosius' sons was strong almost a thousand years mote. Today barian anny, Leo recruited Isaurian enough to hold the reigns of power, and we refer to this as the "Byzantine Em- soldiers from the wilds of Asia Minor. Leo went so far as to marry his older daughter. Ariadne. tothe Isaurian leader Tarasicodissa. Although the lsaurians were Roman citizens. they were not considered by most in Constantinople to be s ignificantly different from the Mail Bid Sale barbarians. Tarasicodissa tried to soften ARCHAEOLOCIA GALLERY. a leader in the antiquities market with 25 this reputation somewhat by taking the years experience, announces the introduction of its first catalogue. more respectable-sounding name of Archaeologia serves both the advanced collector/inveslOr and the Zeno. The struggle for supremacy be novice. We welcome your want lists so we may SCI\IC your needs bettcr. tween Aspar and Leo filled much of Please send for a free fully illustrated catalogue. Leo's reign. but with Zeno's help he was fi nally able to elim inate Aspar. Archaeologia Gallery 1486 Sherbrooke West. Montreal. P.Q., Canada H3G 1L3 Zenoand Ariadne had a child. Leo H (January-November 474), and it was to Tel.: (514) 932-7585 ·Fax: (514) 932-9143 him that Leo I turned when it came to Alt.: Len Spevack or Greg Manoukian choosing a successor. Although Leo had depended on Zeno and his Isaurians for destroying Aspar, Leo probably felt that Zeno himself was too uncouth to be Maine Classical Numismatics emperor. When Leo I died, his grand 2069 Atlantic Hwy., Warren, Maine 04864 son was recognized as the sole new emperor of the eastern empire, even New England's largest ancient coin inventory though he was only seven. Leo H was a sickly child, however, and it was prob Bowley's U.S. Route #1, Warren, Maine ably with this as the official excuse that Phone 207-273-3462 -H. 207-273-2653 Ariadne had the boy crown his father co-emperor less than three weeks after Sorry, no lists available. Watch for show schedule the death of Leo 1. Buying and selling at competitive prices This move did not sit well with Verina, Leo's widow and Ariadne's Barrie Jenkins - Classical Numismatist mother, who began to scheme the first of her many plots to undermine Zeno. 14 The Celator However, for the immediate needs of message having been sent by none other the empire, it was just as well, for Leo II than Verina! Zeno took the advice, but died less than a year after his grandfa not at once. He gathered up a consider ther. Zeno became the sole ruler of the able force of loyallsaurians, as well as east, although he had been effectively in much treasure, and in January 476 re control since the death of Leo l. treated to the wilds of Isauria, where he Whatever Zeno may have contem began to plot his return. In Constan tinople, meanwhile, Basiliscus managed plated for his rule when he became Gold solidus of Anthemius (467-472) emperor, he could not have imagined to outwit his sister, had the Senate by the internal strife that was to soon em pass Patricus, and had himself declared broil the eastern court with intrigue, emperor. Basiliscuswasduelycrowned, remained in the control of the western duplicity, murder, and civil war. It did and found a city that was much relieved government. not help mailers that the Isaurians, by to have seen Zeno flee. The hatred of Ricimer, one of the last of the bar their arrogant and hauty behavior, had the lsaurians was so deep that it would barian army commanders who managed to make themselves even less require considerable effort for the people effectively controlled the west, had made popular than the barbarians who had and Senators to wish for the return of an agreement with Leo I to allow Leo's previously filled the ranks of the anny. Zeno. Basiliscus was to prove stupid ally, Anthemius (467-472) to become Much of the growing public anger to enough to manage that feat. the western emperor. Anthemius, how wards the lsaurians was directed at Zeno As the eastern empire found itself ever, was not prepared to become himself. embroiled in civil war, the final curtain Ricimer's puppet, although neither was Zeno had problems beyond popular was drawing across the west. While at he in a position to dominate the barbar ity at home, however. The Ostrogoths one time the western emperor controlled ian. In spite of his best efforts, and Huns were causing trouble in the much of western Europe, by the late Anthemius managed major Roman de Balkans, Arabs were raiding across the fifth century barbarian kingdoms had feats at the hands of the Vandals and southern provinces,and the Vandal fleet, been set up in Roman Africa (modern Visigoths. Ricimer concluded that attacking from their base in Carthage, Tunisia), Spain, and Gaul. Britain Anthemius was against his own best ra ided the coastline of Greece. Zeno nominally remained under the control interests, and attacked him. A brief civil realized that the eastern empire was too of the emperor, but was cut off and war broke out in Italy, ending with the weak to deal with all these threats at began to disintegrate into a series of deathof Anthemius. Beforetheconclu once. He sent a high ranking delegation smaller, local kingdoms under pressure sion of the war, however, Leo sent to Carthage and concluded a peace with from invading groups like the Angles, 01 ybrius (A pril-November 4 72) to Italy. the Vandals which, remarkably for any Saxons, and Jutes. Little outside Italy with the intention of reconcil ing Ri cimer age, actually held for sixty years. Against the Ostrogoths, however, Zenosent one of his most trusted aides, the Isaurian general Iilus, who was able to defeat Miinzen und Medaillen AG them. The Ostrogoths were momen tarily thwarted, but their involvement 1942-1992 with Zeno was only beginning. For 50 years we have been serving In spite of these successes against external enemies, a major conspiracy collectors of Ancient Coins ... was formed against the emperor. The center of this plot was Leo l's widow and we would like to serve you too! Verina. Verina had since taken a court official Patricus as a lover, and sought to overthrow her son-in-law and place Patricus on the throne (this Patricus has the same name as the son of the barbar ian general Aspar, but is unrelated). Verina's motives seem to have been • Monthly Illustrated Fixed Price Lists . both a dislike ofZeno and jealousy that her daughter Ariadne had moved into • Public Sales ' Appraisals' Buying and Selling· the Imperial limelight. Verina allied • Large Stock in All Price Ranges • herself with her brother Basiliscus, whose previous claim to "fame" was in (Please send us your want list. We willfill leading the massive Roman expedition itt) against the Vandals, which had been totally destroyed by his own incompe Please contact: tence. Verina was also able to induce lIlus to abandon Zeno and throw in his Miinzen und Medaillen AG lot with her. P.O. Box 3647 • Malzgasse 25 Zeno found out about the conspiracy CH - 4002, Basel, Switzerland in November 475, when he received a message tell ing him ofthe forces against Tel. (061) 272 75 44 Fax. (061) 272 75 14 him and that he must flee the city-the
January '993 15 was forced to conclude a peace with the Visigoths, fonnall y acknowledging their holdings. Nepos was, however, much to his later regret, able to see the post of Master-of-Soldiers filled by the barbar ian Orestes. Orestes had been aconfidant of Anila the Hun, and was married to a Roman countess. Orestes wasted no time in working to undennine Nepos. As Orestes' barbarian background still made it unacceptable for him to become emperor, he raised his son Romulus (475-476) to the throne, and ruled Gold solidus through him. The feeble Romulus was mockingly called "Augustulus", which is on the level of calling the present British monarch "Queenie". Nepos, having little active support in Italy, withdrew to Dalmatia, where henodoubt had an embarrassed reunion with the still-bitter Glycerius. Thus it was that in both the east and west the "legitimate" emperors had been forced tofleein475. Thecircumstances were much different, however, as were the fates of both these men and their empires. In the east, Verina's brother Gold solidus Basiliscus ruled Constantinople, with the lsaurian Zeno laying low with his and Anthemius. lnstead, Olybrius joined being in effective control of the western anny in Isauria. Basilisclls wasted no with Ricimer, and was made emperor Roman Empire. Glycerius could not time in alienating his own allies. He after Anthemius was beheaded. How have been pleased, as Gundobad was moved against Verina by having her ever, within two months Ricimer probably the only one who could have lover Patricus assassinated, as Verina dropped dead, and before the year was saved him. Others realized this, and had desired that he, and not Basilisclls, out Olybrius himself died. when Nepos landed in Italy he was in become emperor. A serious power vacuum now ex stantly recognized as emperor. The isted in the west. Ricimer's nephew hapless Glycerius surrendered, and was Gundobad succeeded him as Master-of sent to Salonae, Dalmatia (modem Yu Soldiers, and had Glycerius (473-474) goslavia), and made the local bishop. declared emperor. In Constantinople, However, Glycerius was to have his however, Leo refused to recognize re venge. Glycerius. Instead, Leo sent Julius Nepos was the undisputed western Nepos (474-480), who was related to emperor, though it was worth little. him by marriage, to Italy as the new Pressure was being exerted on all sides, old sofidusqfBasi/isct,Js (47~4i(3) ;': emperor. It is a measure of the straits to in particular from the Visigoths, who which the western empire had fallen controlled most of Gaul and Spain. that Gundobad then left Italy. He had Nepos may have wanted to resist, but Basiliscus then nominated as his become heir to the throne of the king Leo had since died, and no help was Master-of-Soldiers his nephew dom of Burgundy, and preferred that to forthcoming from the east. In 475 Nepos Hannalus, a worthless dandy who was the lover of Zenonis, who happened to be both Zeno's sister and Basiliscus' wife! This position of Master-of-Sol diers had already been given to Theodoric the Ostrogoth, for his sup port, and its unprecedented duplication only served to enrage him. Hannatus, however, was delighted, and took to riding about the Hippodrome dressed as Achilles, and was so stupid and vain that he interpreted the crowd's nickname of "pink cheeks" to be a compliment for his bravery! Basiliscus also seems to have spent extravagantly, forcing an increase in taxation, which did little to increase his popularity. -+ 16 The Celator A Perfect Little Gift Only $4.95
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January 1993 17 But the most serious mistake which Timothy tried to persuade the emperor brother Longinus and had him impris Basil iscus made was in promoting the to undennine the authority of the onho.. oned in a fortress. monophysite creed of Christianity, dox Patriarch o f Constantinople, Basiliscus' nephew Harmatus, which was popular in Egypt and Syria, although Basiliscus was allegedly though, was a fool. He was ent iced to and became the basis of the Coptic stopped at the last moment by Daniel support Zeno with elaborate promises Church. It had been declared heretical the Sty lite, one of the most revered holy that his son would become Zeno's heir. at the Council of Chalcedon convened men in the city. Daniel's claim to holi Basiliscus sent Harmatus into Isauria durin g th e reign of Marcian (450-457). ness came because-for reasons that with an army and orders to stop Zeno. In Constantinople, most of the citizenry actually seemed reasonable at the time Hannatus "accidentally" took the wrong agreed with this, and subscribed to the he chose to live on top of a stone column road , and Zeno marched past with his "orthodox" doctrines determined at erected in a marketplace. Except for his anny, and was soon at the gates of Chalcedon. Deadly rialS between the trip down to yell at Basiliscus, Daniel Constantinople. In August 476, Zeno rival creeds were not un common remained aloft on a column for thirty entered the city with no one attempting throughout the empire, although today three years! Worse for posterity, a to stop him. Basiliscus fled 10 the sane it is difficult to see why. Essemiall y, massive fire tore through Constan tuary of achurch, where he was captured. monophysites believed that Christ has tinople, destroying numerous antiquities Basiliscus surrendered, but made Zeno only a single divine nature, while the which had been brought there from all promise that his blood would not be orthodox vi ew was that Christ has both over the empire. At the time, this was shed. Zeno agreed. Basiliscus and his a perfect divine and perfect human na seen (correctly, as it turned out) to be a family were sent to Cappadocia in Asia ture. It is not easy to understand the bad omen for Basiliscus. Minor, where they were starved to death. relevance this argument has, but in When even holy men came off their For good measure, "pink cheeks~ Byzantium the controversy was to en columns to curse him, Basi liscus should Harmatus was assassinated as well. rage mobs, as well as threaten and even have realized he was in trouble. Instead, Zeno had returned to power, bUlthe topple emperors for some time to come. he promoted three of his sons to be co same was not to be the case for the Underlining the religious question, rulers, and no doubt was sure that he legitimate emperor of the west, Julius however, were easier to understand re was planting the seeds of a great dy Nepos. The western throne was occu gionalist feelings between the eastern nasty. But a counter-revolt began to pied by Romulus, although real power and more Hellenized parts of the em sprout first. IIIus, the Isaurian general was with his father Orestes. But Orestes pire. who had turned against Zeno, now de soon found himself facing the wrath of Basili scus fell under the spell of a cided to tum against Basiliscus. lllus his own barbarian soldiers. They de monophysite cleric from Alexandria, was no fool, and as insurance against manded that 1/3 of the land of Italy be sometimes called Timothy the Weasel. Zeno's revenge he captured Zeno's turned over to them, just as large por tions of other provinces had been given over to Germanic warriors and their families. Orestes refused, and he was overthrown by a coup engineered by another barbarian, Odoacer (also known SPINK. THE OLDEST as Odovacar). Qdoacer killed Orestes, although he merely sent poor Romulus ESTABLISHED COIN home to his family'S estate. Odoacer was the heir of Ricimer and BUSINESS IN TI-IE the other great barbarian military com manders who had effectively ruled the WORLD. east, although unlike them, he saw no need for a puppet emperor to sit in Italy. Odoacer sent a delegation to Constan Coins from ancien! 10 modern bought and sold, Free verbal va lua lions tinople, infonning them that Italy was E"pcn imparlial advice gi"en . Coins bought outright, or S?ld on comm i ss ~ on now under the dominion of the eastern Regular auctions held - pl ease send for o ur cun':n! I!st . Pub.hshcTS lIIld stOC ~I S I S of emperor, and that Qdoacer was to be numismatic books ' Publishers of The NumismatIC CIrcular slOce 1892 . AdVIce and confirmed in the rank of Patrician, which purehase at auction salcs on collectors' behalf - all majo r salcs 'lllcndcd. had come to denote the supreme army For I!lnher illjorm(l/ioll 011 ancielll coill.\' cOlltad Johll/'eff. commander. In practice, this meant that . ~, :; QuOle Thc Cdltor for a free edition ofThl! Numismatic Odoacer was to be confirmed as the O"'utar, our fixed price list of coins of all the seri es and a ruler ofltaly. Meanwhile, Nepos, from • '~J~'" forum for numismatic debate. Subscription $45 (10 issues). his exile in Dalmatia, sent a delegation !''I ~' ;I 'I;"'J• of his own, requesting help in being " - restored to the western throne. ".", Zeno received both delegations soon ','"~ :1' after he was restored to power himself. -. The eastern empire was in no posi tion to intervene in the west, nor was it clear that there was a reason to do so. Zeno responded diplomatically, informing SI' I N~ & SO~ ITI), ~ & 7 WlC, ST RFFL Sl Ji\.IlI S'S, I O ~ I)ON SlI'll';.os, TEl: IIJ j·9.1(11!OOC, !'AX OJ 1·8.N ~S_\ 3 . T~lEX: 9161 11. Odoacer that Nepos was still the legiti Lni l<.., !'.... ,'"p.n
Chica90 Intelnational Coin rait
•.~' •••• ''i:~) February 26-27-28,1993 • • • .' Hyatt Regency Hotel - 151 East Wacker Dr. * Featuring a 125 Booth * With a Major All World Bourse Area with the and Ancient Auction Sale ~((j~ Leading Specialists in World Catalogued and Conducted . :S:y and Ancient Numismatics. by Ponterio and Associates,
To reserve a room at the Hyatt Regency Chicago at the special CICF rate of $1 08 per night, including free valet parking, call the hotel direct at (312) 565·1234,
Show Hours: Bourse: Friday, February 26: lOam-6pm Kevin Foley Saturday, February 27: lOam-6pm P.O. Box 537, Milwaukee, WI 53201 Sunday, February 28: lOam-3pm (414) 282·2388 ' FAX (414) 282·3528
20 The Cefalo( NUMISMATIC A ARS CLASSICA AUCTION 6 Thesday, 23rd February 1993 An important collection of Greek and Roman coins Wednesday, 24tb February 1993 A large selection of Celtic, Greek and Roman coins with many rare varieties at accessible prices
Catalogues available from NUMISMATIC A ARS CLASSICA Niederdorfstrasse 43 CH-8001 Zurich Telephone 01 261 17 03 Fax 01 261 53 24
January 1993 21 Leo II. Of related interest are other mint of Constantinople was able to re I, could have tried again to secure the solidi which show a completely non spond very quickly to Imperial changes, support of the new government in Con standard reverse type, with the two in some cases striking coins in the names stantinople, while Nepos, who had been emperors shown together seated on of two co-emperors when their period of sent to the west by Leo I, would surely thrones. On Byzantine coin designs joint rule lasted only a few weeks or have wanted continued eastern support. with two Imperial figures, the figure on less. It is possible, of course, that coins Both of these are sufficient reasons for the coin's left (being the right side from struck for Leo II alone followed the the striking of coins in the names of Leo the point of view of the coin) was the standard conventions, in which case they II and Zeno at western mints. Perhaps senior emperor. On these issues of Leo would be indistinguishable from coins none were produced because neither and Zeno, the left seated figure is smaller of Leo l. However, an extremely rare 01 ycerius nor Nepos was confident about than the one on the right. What this no solidus struck in the name of one of the the stability of the situation at the east doubt intended to show was that the Leos, and showing an unusual reverse ern court, and would rather say nothing young Leo II was senior to Zeno by type of the emperor standing by a dias, than back a loser? virtue of his having been emperor for has been attributed by the numismatist Upon the death of Leo II, coins were longer (albeit by only a few days), and J.P.C. Kent to Leo II alone, although struck in the name of Zeno alone, with having been selected by Leo I. It was this does not seem to be generally ac Thessalonica and Antioch also issuing, not lost on anyone, however, that Zeno cepted. as well as the three Italian mints then in in fact held all the reigns of power. But What is accepted, however, is that no operation. The number of denomina even from the beginning, these coins silver or bronze was struck for both Leo tions in all three metals was also emphasize that Zeno had to develop his II and Zeno. Gold circulated among the increased, although the bulkofthecoin claim to the throne. This interpretation wealthier, more educated classes, with age consisted of solidi, Iremisses, and also implies that the obverse bust prob bronze being the principal means of nummi from Constantinople. The gold ably represented Leo II, although we exchange for most transactions with the coinage ofZeno continued the standard cannot besure, and it may have been left rest ofthe population. Perhaps Zenodid designs of the fifth century, and make deliberately vague. not want to issue such coins, and thereby no references to any ofthe chaotic poli What is also interesting about these add even more legitimization to Leo II's tics of the time. Some rare silver coins early issues ofZeno are the coins which claim on the throne? The western mints are also known of Zeno, although, like were not struck. Probablyno coins were also minted no coins in the names of some of the silver of Leo I, they often produced in the name of Leo II alone. both Leo and Zeno, although there was have blundered legends. The errors Admittedly the time interval during surely enough time for them to be made became more glaring underZeno. Some which Leo II was sole emperor was very aware of the new situation. Olycerius, silver siliquae, for example, seem to short, but during the sixth century the having been refused recognition by Leo have been intended to have on the reverse
.9Lncient yreek..t !Rgman & tJ3yzantine COINS
TOM CEDERLIND P.o. Box 1963-C, Portland, OR, 97207 (503) 228-2746
22 The Gelator a wreath with a legend showing the shifted from Latin to Greek as the offi too copy the type used by Zeno and Leo emperor's vota ("vows") forthe welfare cial language. Otherwise, the major II, although Basiliscus is clearly por of the state. These types had (most interest in this series is who was por trayed as the dominant emperor. Nurruni likely) lapsed during the reign of Leo I, trayed. Basiliscus used the coinage to with monograms of both Basiliscus and but had been common before that. promote numerous members of his fam Marcus were also struck. However, legends which should read Hy. His clear intent was to promote his Most intriguing of all are coins struck VOT V MVLTX appear as TOV VIM V reign as the beginning of a new dynasty, in the names of a Zeno and Leo. These MTI, or other badly confused versions. as successful dynastic houses, such as coins bear the obverse legend D N ZENO It is possible that these coins, like the those of Constantine I and Theodosius I, ET LEO NOV CAES, for DOMINVS blundered sHver of Leo, were produced could exert a powerful influence on the NOSTER ZENO ET LEO by contemporary forgers, who desired loyalty of the army. It is not clear NOBILISSIMVS CAESAR ("Our to make a profit by ex ploi ting the lack of whether this was a vain presumption, or Lord[s] Zeno and Leo the most noble effective coinage with values between part of an act of desperation to shore up junior-emperor[s]"). As these coins re the nummus and semissis. The bronze flagging support, although considering fer to the junior instead of senior coinage of Zeno is also consistent with Basiliscus' almost total lack of common emperors, they cannot refer to the Zeno late fifth century standards, being pri sense I would opt for the fonner. who fled to Isauria, or to Leo I or Leo II. marily nummi with monograms of the Basiliscus himself, of course, is shown Based on stylistic considerations, these emperor's name on the reverse. A few on most of the coinage of all metals coins appear to have been struck during rarer types, both nummi and larger from a variety of mints in the east and the time of Basiliscus. The most likely bronze denominations, show the em west. Basiliscus raised his son Marcus explanation is that they represent two perorstanding with a cross. Zeno's wife to be co-emperor, and gold coinage additional sons ofBasiliscus, who were Ariadne also had some coinage struck in struck in both their names appeared from (presumably) raised to the rank of jun her name, but only a few gold issues, several mints. Rather oddly, the ob ior emperor when Marcus was elevated and only from Constantinople. verse inscription on these coins follows to senior emperor. Thehistoricalrecords During his brief reign, Basiliscus the precedent set by the joint coinage of of the time do not explicitly mention brought no dramatic innovations to the Leo II and Zeno, and fails to use the this, or any other Zenos and Leos for coinage, which illustrate standard types. correct plural fonns. The repetition of that matter, although they do say that One rather small variation was the occa this mistake makes it almost certain that Basiliscus had more children. Zenonis, sional use of "b" instead of "B". Such it was not intended to have any subtle the empress, also appears on gold and changes in letter styles were to become meaning. Some of the solidi struck in bronze coinage, although I ike thaI of her more common in the early centuries of both their names portray them seated on (possible) children Zeno and Leo, these the Byzantine Empire, as it slowly thrones on the reverse, although these were struck only at Constantinople.
The Patrick E. Cosgrove Collection of ROMAN IMPERIAL COINS A Mail & Phone Bid Sale closing Monday, 1 February, 1993
An exceptional collection in all denominations with an emphasis on early material, and featuring an excellent run of bronze and silver reverse types of Caligula, Claudius and Nero, with most emperors up to the 4th Century represented. The nearly 200 specimens are all illustrated and heavily researched. The condition is generally very high. with many spectacular coins (several with excellent pedigrees). This is a matchless opportunity to acquire some of the most elusive and popular coins in the entire Roman series in one shot! All current subscribers and active customers will receive this catalogue in early January. If you are not already currently on our mail ing list, send $5.00 (M/C or Visa OK), or $12.00 for overnight delivery within the U.S. EM NS P.O. Box 2634 Dennis J. Kroh, President Onnond Beach, FL 32175 Desiree Van Seeters, Vice-President (904) 677-7314
January 1993 23 Coinage from the western empire stress their religious orthodoxy, and coins of poorer style being minted dur· during the reign ofZeno is not common. Glycerius desired to play on nostalgic ing his exile in Dalmatia. Further This is unfonunate, as several issues are feelings for a time when the western stylistic appraisal has linked the latter rather interesting. For the last western empire was still strong. In neither case issues with similar western solidi struck emperors, propaganda was one of their did it work, and no support or recogni· for Zeno, and also later Gennanic is few weapons, and coins were one way tion from the east was forthcoming. sues. The implication is that these later to get a favorable message across. For Nepos was the last western emperor coins were struck under the authority of the ephemeral Olybrius and Glycerius, recognized in Constantinople. Thesolidi Odoacer. Further, at least some nummi only gold is known to have been slruck of Nepos reverted tothe military, facing from Ravenna in the name ofZeno, and (silversiliquae in the name ofGlycerius bust, with the reverse showing the em for Zeno and Nepos from Mediolanum, exist, but there is doubt about their au peror standing with a long cross. This may also have been struck under thenticity). In spite of the brevity of use of the traditional eastern design was Odoacer's authority. This is not at all their reigns, curious design innovations almost certain1y intended to show that impossible, as later Odoacer was tostri ke were introduced which give some clue Nepos, unlike his two predecessors, was in his own name. as to their thinking. Solidi and tremisses recognized by Leo. Tremisses with the Odoacer 's motives were rather of Olybrius show a facing bust, similar cross reverse,however, were also struck. straightforward. Although inall practi in some respects to that usually used on Some rare siliquae, showing the per· cal ways Odoacer acted as an eastern solidi, but with a diadem instead sonification of Roma, were also struck. independent king of his Italian domain, of a helmet, and no spear. The reverse Romulus made no innovations, adopt he still gave fonnal acknowledgement of these coins has a large cross and the ing the gold designs used by Nepos to the idea that the emperors were his legend SALVS MVNDI C"Saviorofthe during his brief reign. masters. This even included Nepos, world"), both powerful Christian refer· But there are several curious fea· although Odoacer certainly made no ences. Glycerius kept some of these tures about these coins which bear attempt to actually restore Nepos to changes, issuing tremisses w ith large witness to the odd politics of the final power, and Nepos would have been a crosses, although without the legend. days of the western empire. The gold of fool to try. But, by striking coins for The obverse portraits on his solidi and Nepos has been divided into two types, Nepos and Zeno, Odoacer showed that tremisses, however, were large profile based on their style and execution, which fonnally-he was ruling Italy as their busts done in a style similar to that used are presumed to have been struck during agent. This reverence for what Rome during the time of Constantine the Great different time intervals. Those solidi represented was not confined to the im and his children. It seems likely that and tremisses of better and finer style mediate period of its fall, but was to both Olybrius and Glycerius were cast have been attributed to the period when appear in various fonns throughout the ing about for support. Both wanted to Neposactually resided in Italy, with the history of early medieval Europe. But, perhaps most surprising from our vantage today, these coins show that, in some sense, no one noticed that Rome had/allen! After all , what had changed? True power was in the hands Mail Auction Number One of a Gennanic general, but that situation had been developing in the western · Better Greek coins empire since the reign of Valentinian II (375-392). The legitimate western em • Better Roman Republican and Roman coins peror was unable to appear in Italy, but this too was only an extreme case of the • Better British coins, tokens, medals weak puppets who sat on the throne. The eastern emperor was still acknowl· edged as the supreme autocrat, and the • Important references fact that he had no effective authority at all was not new. We can presume that • Some interesting bargain lots Zeno believed that at some point he would be able to restore Nepos or • NO BUYER'S FEES someone else 10 the western throne. Events were to lead elsewhere, how Our first major mail auction will be out this month. ever. So it is with some irony that the Send for your copy-$2 will just about cover the postage. final days of Rome are shown most clearly, not by swords or annor, but in some of the last Imperial coinagestTUck in Italy.
COLD SPRING, MN 56320 • USA • (612) 685-3835 ·FAX (612) 685-8636 Writing for The Celalor
. A.N.A .• A.N.S . . British Numismatic Society · Royal Numismllie Society· is easy and fun. Don 'I In bo<,sintSS!Q' owr ZO yMf'S be afraid 10 give it a try!
24 The Celator Coins with pedigrees Have your coins professionally researched and catalogued through the draw intense bidding in Malter auction DA VID R. SEAR Ancient Coin Certification Service (A.C.C.S.) by Wayne G. Sayles The collection of Dr. J.S. Wilkinson, Each coin submined will be personally examined by David R. Sear, Iccurately described, which has been referred to by some as complete with citation of references, and graded. Additionally, the Detailed Format includes the -Mini-Pozzi- collection, was sold at a full commentary on the historical and numismatic background of the piece. auction by Joell. Malter & Co .• Inc., at The infonnation is presented on an attractive laminated certificate complete with the Ramada Hotel Beverly Hills in Los high quality black and white photograph. Angeles on November 15. Approx imately 75 bidders attend in person, Feu: $35,00 ]Hrcoin (Dewiled Fonmu) $25.00 pereof" (BfJ$ie FOT7flrU) wi th mail and commission bidders For EXPRESS SERVICE (3 d#I.:11 tM""/fTou"dlrom dille 01 rut/pi) a4JJ S15.00 pu coil! bringing the total to about 300 (IIImllllllll 015 Co/"l per f ubIllUJlO") participants. Pkase submit by re8istutd mail and odd sufficient/o your rtmittonce to co""r cost ofrtturn Prices realized were mixed, with mailing ($&00 up to $J,OOO valut: $10.00 up /0 $5,000 valut; $J2.JO up to $10,000 valut: coins of exceptional condition and rarity $15.00 up 10 $15,000 va/ut). Furthu informalion ond submi.Jsionform.s sent on nqutst. doing well against estimates and less Ortkrs acctptedfor aut08raphtd copies oflk Staby cOlalogues spectacular items not faring as well. on Gretk. Romon, ond 8)'lJlntilll: coilW8t. The sale consisted of 101810ls of ancient Chub and M.O. 's payable to uDA VID R. SEAR" Greek coins, most of which were in the less than $1.000 range. The top draw Ilem.sfor Ik Ancitnt Coin Ceni,(icolion ~rvict may be 5Mbntined directly 10 was a Syracusan Decadrschm by David R. Sear, P.O. Box 5004, Chatsworth, CA 91313 Euainetos in VF/EF condition which sold or, i/mort convtnitnt, throush 0111: o/tht following Authori~d Submission Centers: for $10,000 against a $15,000 estimate. A rare and anractive stater from Croton, Classical Numismatic Group, Inc., P.O, Box 245, Quarryville, PA 17566 HarlanJ. Berk, Ltd., 31 N, Clark Street, Chicago, ll.60602 with the reverse type of Baby Hercules Seaby Coins, 7 Davies Street, London, WI Y ILL, England wrestling serpents, brought $625; an EF tetradrachm from Gela, ex Locken Phone (818) 993-7363 Fax (818) 993-6119 and of artistic execution, was hammered down at $1,500, and a magnificent tetradrachm of Audoleon from Paeonia (ex Lockett and ex Pozzi) sold at $2,700, nearly doubling the pre-auction estimate. A NEW COMPANY An early 5th or late 6th century B.C. tetradrachm of Athens, also ex Locken and ex Pozzi, drew a winning bid of STEVE L. RUBINGER $3,800 which humbled the $2,500 FORMERLY OF NUMISMATIC FINE ARTS INTERNATIONAL estimate. Throughoutthe sale, nice rare coins from pedigreed collections were VICE·PRESIDENT 1 977- 1981 fie rcely contended for. PRESIDENT 1981·1992 Malter GaJleries has also just announces released the Winter/Spring edition of Collector's Journal of Ancient Art. The A NEW SERVICE FOR COLLECTORS firm's fixed price catalog of ancient coins and antiquities, which also includes as a fully independent annotations and articles, is sold by subscription. For information write to CONSULTANT Malter Galleries, 17005 Ventura Blvd., Encino, CA 91316 or call (81 8) 784- It Acquisitions and Liquidations 7772. It Advisory Services
It Professional Representation The advertIsers on these details in upcoming issues of The Cefalor pages support your Inquiries Welcomed Journal. Support them, and remember to say STEVE L. RUBINGER that you saw It In Classical Numismatic Consultant Telephone (818) 592·2100 6320 Canoga Ave., Suite #1770 rz1it Cefator Fax (818) 592·2101 Woodland Hills, Ca. 91367
January 1993 25 SELECTIONS OF ANCIENT GREEK, ROMAN and JEWISH COINS
ANCIENT GREEK SILVER 11 .....underthea.-t. TeIr..nctvn. Arrf>hIpoh. Hod 25 AntJoc..... Vln, 121 ... B.C. Te!radrechm. AnIIoctI. of HereIde. r. RY. Zeus enthroned I., A/IItirc:ilIO r., Diedemed head r. Av. Z8
Tenn. of Sell 1. '" Item. oIIered In \hi. tis! .... guar-..d 10 be gsnUne and 1$ de~. 2. Item, found unaalisr..:to 26 The Celator 19 H1MEAA.. Sk:11t. 42O-4INI B.C. IE Hemilitron. Heed 57 ANTlOCH.1'E 2O. Year19. 32/31 B.C. HladotZeus. ROMAN EMPIRE 01 nymph Hlme .. l. Rv. 6i*lets In wrHth. S.1110. Rv. Zeus enthroned I. BMC 34. Dark g,..... 74 Augultua.27B.C.· 14A.D. 143. Ce. 25B.C. Ephesus Extremely FIn.. 1300.00 Choice Very FII1I, $125.00 (1). Barlhead I.; CAESAR. Rv. AVCVSlVS inllUnlal 40 KENTOA1PAL. SIcily. Afte r241 B.C.IEOekO/'lklon. wrlalh. RIC 486. V9ry Fine. 1125.00 t..~ ....t. need 01 ZII\l$ r. Rv. WInged thunderbolt. S. 75 Nero. 54-&e A.D. T.tradrad1m. v .. '" 112. Antioch. 1081 vII. Medium ""... n and earthen. ROMAN REPUBLIC Laur.. ta bust I. with .egl•. Rv, Eagl" r. on lIIundl<· 58 M. Furlus Lt. Phliul. Dan.rlul. \ 19 B.C. Laureate About E~tremely Aile. $4 5D.00 boll. palm 10 r. BMC 196. Dark lone. head 01 Janus. Rv. Aoma alandlng t .,acting !rophV. 41 MENAINON. SlcUy. Atter210B.C • .Elrtas. Head NIoaVaryFine. $100.00 01 Har.Id •• r. Rv. Club. S. 1130. OIivI brown. Craw. 261/1. Dark toni. Nice Vary A..... $150.00 59 L VaierlUI Flaccul. Danarlu •• IOB-I07B.C. Bustot 76 V.. paalltf'l.I~7'8A.D. rltrad,achm. Antioch. COS Very Fine. A.... $275.00 D. Av. Eagle I. on club. BMC 230. VIckvy r. Rv. Mars walking l. c."ylng!rophV. Craw. 42 SELINUS. Sicily. 415-409 B.C. Trlu. Very FIne. $ISO.00 Ai. GorfIon'. VfK'/ $100.00 30611. Lighl pining. Fine. OomItl.n. 61-96 A.D. Oanarius. 95A.0. Rv. MInItrva hoIad taelng. Av. Celery 1&81. eNS 3. Mottled dar1c 60 Q . Thlua. DInariu5,908.C. Hlad ot Bacchus I. Rv. n sIarIdWlg t hokIIng..-o'. RIC 189. Cleaned. 1iI_. Unu ....1Iy do.... F...... $375.00 springing tablal. PagasDS I. 'rom C ... w.34I/2- £lclrlmlly Fine. 1240.00 43 SYRACuse . Sielly, nnw 01 nmol Term. 01 Sel. I. M ilwnl 011"",,, in IN. list ... ~onI_ 10 be genuine and .. dttocribod. 2. 1*,," looocI ooslllislldOry may be ..lUmI:o 123 West 57th Slreel, New York, NY 10019-2280 4. All order. MOl pOstpaid. S. SInce moo' ~.ma on this lisl ... MCOnd c:IIoIces are Tdcpho"" (212)!i82-S9SS • F... (212) S82-194ti one.ol·.-klnd. rocommendt January 1993 27 Numismatica ARS Coming Events •••• Classica changes Jan. 7-10 F.U.N. Show auction dates Convention Genter, Orlando, FL Iialo Vecchi of Numismatica ARS Jan. 22-24 San Jose Show Classica has announced a date change Old Convention Center, San Jose, CA forthefirm's upcoming auction of ancient Feb. 4-7 Long Beach Expo coinage. The sale, previously set for Long Beach Convention Center, Long Beach, CA February 23-24, will be held March 11· Feb. 18 Spink/Taisei Singapore Coin Auction 12. The change of dates permits auction Raffles Conv. Center, Singapore City lot viewing for U.S. collectors at the Feb. 19-21 Singapore Int'I Coin Convention 1993 Chicago International Coin Fair. Raffles City Conv. Center, Singapore The date change was received by Feb. 20 Elsen Auction The Celator as this issue was on the Avenue de Tervueren 65, Brussels, Belgium press, and we were unable to change Feb. 26-27 Ponterio Auction the dates for the firm's advertisement, Hyatt Regency Hotel, Downtown Chicago which appears on page 17. Feb. 26-28 Chicago International Coin Fair Further information and catalogues Hyatt Regency Hotel, Downtown Chicago are available from Numismalica ARS Mar. 11-12 Numismatica ARS Classica Auction Classica, Niederdorfstrasse 43, CH · Niederdorfstrasse 43, Zurich, Switzerland 8001 Zurich, Switzerland; phoneOl 261 Mar. 11-13 ANA Early Spring Convention 1703; fax 01 261 5324. Broadmoor Hotel, Colorado Springs, CO Mar. 19-21 Bay State Coin Show -5r Park Plaza Hotel, Boston, MA Mar. 19-21 Northwest Coin Show Clubs invited to Earle Brown Heritage Center, Brooklyn Center, MN Apr. 17 Elsen Auction participate in 1993 Avenue de TeNueren 65, Brussels, Belgium CICF activities Organizers of the Chicago International Coin Fair (CICF) have issued an invitation for numismatic PALLADIUM groups to participate in the 18th annual show 10 be conducted February 26·28, 1993. Meeting rooms again will be NUMISMATICS provided free to clubs during the CICF events at the Hyatt Regency Holel, 151 •A full-service firm for collectors of Classical East Wacker Drive in downtown coins and antiquities in all price ranges. Chicago. Numismatic groups that want to conduct meetings are encouraged to • We issue regular illustrated Bid-Or-Buy promptly contact CICF meeting co· catalogs and attend most major coin shows. ordinator Donn Pearlman at P.O. Box 750, Skokie, IL 60076. The three-day show will feature a • We service want lists and will assist you in world-class bourse with more than 100 developing your collection. prominent rare coin, currency, and token and medal dealers from around the world, educational meetings of local and • To receive a free catalog, please international collectors' groups, and a large auction. call or write: The 1993 CICF sale, featuring a wide selection of choice world numismatic materials, will be catalogued an d PALLADIUM NUMISMATICS conducted by Ponterio & Associates 01 4125 W. Mineral King, Suite 316 San Diego, California. David S. Michaels, Visalia, CA 93277 Additional information aboutlhe 18th (209) 636·0945 annual Chicago International Coin Fair Classical Numismatist can be obtained by writing to Kevin Foley, CICFConvention Manager, P.O. Box 573, Milwaukee, WI 53201. 28 The Celator Art ana the Market Deluge fails to dampen enthusiasm at NYINC by Wayne G. Sayles A silver didrachm from Kamarina in repeat of last year, the CICF is early this The great storm of 1992, perhaps Sicily, with helmet on shield obverse, year-so we won't have long to wait. the worst of the century for natives of brought$1 8,500 against a $6,000-9,000 The educational programs, which the "Big Apple", tried its best to douse estimate. A didrachm from the island of were generally well attended given the the fire that has been burning in the Delos, bearing a seven-stringed lyre, weather conditions, included three bowels of this year's New York brought $38,000 against the $12,000- programs oriented specifically toward International Numismatic Convention. 18,000 estimate. Ancient coins in the ancient coinage. Fred Shore spoke on Although itdid dampen the spirit, with a Slack's sale were supported by the ·Coinage of the Parthians" at the dismal turnout for the event, those who typicaJly strong book (mail) bids that are educational forum sponsored by braved the elements proved that the a hallmark of this company. The Kolbe Numismatics International. Shore has ancient coin market is ready for a Spink auction of numismatic literature, aUlhored a forthcoming book on the rebound. Even with limited attendance, although hampered by the inability of subject. John Gainor, representing Ihe some dealers reported their best NYINC some area collectors to travel, was Classical and Medieval Numismatic ever. Those who did make it to the typical of recent sales in this popular Society, spoke about the Bulgarian bourse were generally in a "buying" field. Scarce out of print books brought copyist ~Slavei" and displayed an mood, and although most dealers had strong prices. more than enough invoices on hand to The bourse, cover sales, the bottom line was still which was much encouraging. enhanced by its The looming question prior to the return to the Shera convention was whether there would be ton Hotel, included enough loose cash in the market to over 150 tables support all of the coins offered at auction. with many foreign Many potential bidders were trying to dealers partici figure out when and where the money pating. While total would flow, and where the bargains revenues were might turn up. Well, the pondering was down, the bourse in vain. All of the auctions were well visitors who did turn attended, and exceptional coins brought out were generally exceptional prices as usual. Most of the eager to acquire Bulk lot of ancients, sold for about $1 per coin by Superior auctions seemed more active than those coins. Overall, the of the past two years, because nice revenue to atten- collectible coins also drew the attention dance ratio was probably higher than it impressive array of his work. Dr. Law of floor bidders. has been in recent years. Although the rence Adams addressed the Oriental The eNG auction set a company hoped-for rebound of the ancient coin Numismatic Society on the subject of record for lots sold on the floor. The market cannot be confirmed by this -Late Kushano-Sasanian Gold Dinars". Roman Republican cast bronzes of the year's NYINC, there was a definite spirit As usually is the case in times of Thurlow Collection generally went at or of optimism on the floor. For a clearer natural disaster, people went about their above estimate, with many pieces doing picture of the market, we'll have to wait business as best they could and, all-in extremely well. The ancient coin section forlheCICF in Chicago. Fortunately, or all, made this year's NYINC a qualified of the Superior Stamp and Coin auction perhaps unfortunalely jf the weather is a success and certainly a yearto remember. drew a similar response, with few coins selling below ~realistic·levels. Several large lots of surprisinglydecentancient bronzes (5000 coins each) sold in the ANCIENT & $5,500-$6,000 range, slightly more than MEDIEVAL $1.00 per coin, proving that ancientcoins don't necessarily have to be expensive. COINS, The NFA sale realized approximately BOOKS & $2.2 million, with rare Aoman gold ANTIQUITIES leading the way. Greek coinage was generally mixed, with bidder attention focusing mainly on quality and rarity. L.R. LANTZ The rarest specimens in the Christie's auction of the Elisabeth Washburn King Collection (now the property of Bryn CMV NUMISMATICS Mawr College) brought huge premiums, while the more common or lower grade PO BOX 1699, ALAMEDA, CA 94501 USA· 510769·0137 pieces generally did not make reserve. January 1993 29 in the News Fond memories honor Craig Alden Burns by Stephen Album enthusiasm that he later was able to By the mid-1970s, Craig had chosen I was very much saddened to learn transfer to his numismatic endeavors. to specialize in the coinage of the Kushan 01 the passing of Dr. Craig Alden Burns During several visits to India and kingdom in India and Central ASia, and on October 30,1992, of cancer, at the Afghanistan as an exchange doctor in set outto assemble the finest collection age 01 seventy-two. A native of the 1960s, Craig began purchasing a of that series ever amassed, especially Minnesota, Craig eventually came to few coins. Back in Big Springs, he of their gold coinage. Financing his new California, where he became a family devised a scheme for building his effort largely through the sale of other doctor in Berkeley. In the 1950s, he collection. He would select a dozen or parts of his wide-ranging collection, he took a leave of absence from his practice so coins, from various parts of the world, succeeded admirably in this endeavor. in order that he, along with his family, to represent each century, from the By 1988 he felt that he had carried the could build an imposing new home beginning of coinage to the modern collection along as far as possible, and overlooking lake Almanor, at Big day. At first, he kept the coins of each presented it to the Bern Historical Springs, California. He continued to century in a small box, butthe collection Museum in Switzerland, where it practice medicine from his new home rapidly outgrew that format, and currently resides. The Bern collection until his retirement a few years ago. developed into a broad representation and the British Museum collection are Craig was a relative newcomer to of aU coinage through history, with now the two most important in the world. numismatics, which he discovered in increasing specialization in the medieval My fond memories of Craig extend the mid-1960s as a means of enriching period. His particular love was the beyond numismatics. like myself, Craig his other hobby, reading history. A coinage of the so-called "barbarians·, was an avid walker, and we often took voracious reader, Craig never lived those somewhat wild, much maligned, long hikes in the mountains and deserts without books, which were always his and frequently nomadic states that near his home. We stayed up late many solace and his passion, and which he throve upon the fringes of the great a night arguing politics, sure that we loved with wonderful enthusiasm, an empires. could solve all the world's ills in a single night. I remember the evening Craig and I helped home a drunk who had fallen in the gutter near my house, and was apparently too inebriated to get up JfofHn in and continue walking under his own power. Craig is survived by his wife, Eleanor, ~umisml!fits three sons, Dale, Dana, and Darwin, Carl Trau and one daughter, Lark. 1811-1887 Police seize ancient Carl Trall, the progenitor of a highly respected family of collectors, came coins during recent from Frankenthal in the Rheinpfalz, and entered the world of business at collectors' fair bourse Mannheim in about 1828. As a young A recent report in the Orlando man he travelled throughout Austria, Sentinel indicated that over 5,000 Germany, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. He married Marie Haslinger in ancient Greek and Roman coins were 1839, and moved to Vienna about 1843, where he practiced Pharmacy. About seized by Italian police at a collectors' 1850 he entered the tea importing business and acquired substantial wealth fair. The coins, which included gOld, importing tea from China. He also began collecting Oriental and Medieval an, silver and bronze issues, have an as well as rare coins from antiquity. In 1870 he was honored by the Austrian estimated value in the millions of dollars. Academy of Numismatic Science, of which he was a director and life member. In addition 24 people were arrested The Carl Trau collection of ancient coins was significantly expanded, especially in the raid, and charged with handling with the addition of Roman coins of very high grade and rarity, by his son Franz stolen goods and illegal possession of Trau Senior, and his grandson Franz Trau Junior. The family collection was archaeological material. eventually sold in Vienna in 1935, and the catalog of coins in that collection The timing of the raid coincides with remains an important reference for students of Roman coinage. discussions between Italian police and other European agenCies concerning the interdiction of illicit trade in art and This feature is provided courtesy of George Frederick Kolbe artifacts when European Economic Fine Numismatic Books, Crestline, CA 92325 Community customs barriers are abolished next year. 30 The Celator People in the News Symposium brings numismatic fraternity together by Kerry Keith Wetterstrom E. McGovern, a prominent ancient discuss the events of both the -rhirty The American Numismatic Society coinage speciatist from the Washington Years' War" and the administration of and the National Numismatic Collection D.C. area. The panel's topic was English Prime Minister Harold Wilsonl 01 the Smithsonian Institution recenlly "Numismatics - A Small Reflection of Following his talk was another panel held a joint symposium entitled -Money History", and audience members were discussion entitled "Technology Versus as Art, Archaeology and Motivator - invited to participate in the discussion Art in Modern Coinage", moderated by Ancient to Modern". This joint and ask questions of the panelists that Richard G. Doly, Curator of Numismatics symposium was held altha Smithsonian included the aforementioned two at the Smithsonian. The panel included in the Leonard Carmichael Auditorium speakers, and the last speaker for the Mrs. Jones, John Kleeberg, and Elvira of the National Museum 01 American morning session, Abraham D. Sofaer, Claln-Stefanelli. History on Monday, November 9,1992. an attorney in Washington D.C. It The final paper of the symposium The ANS is trying to reach a broader probably would have been betterto have was presented by Mrs. Claln-Stefanelli, audience by bringing their educational had the panel discussion after Mr. who spoke on "Numismatica Americana: forums to major cities across the country. Sofaer's talk on MHoly Land Numismatics Resilience and Adaptation". Her talk The jOint symposium with the - The Richest Province" so that he too was concluded by remarks from Arthur Smithsonian is a significant step in could have been included in the question Houghton and Spencer R. Crew, Acting achieving that goal, and both and answer segment. As it was, both Deputy Director of the National Museum organizations are to be commendedfor the panel discussion and Mr. Sofaer's of American History. Symposium their efforts. The ANS has long presentation held the rapt attention of participants were then invited to a recognized that the location of their the audience. reception hosted by U.S. Congressman headquarters in the outer limits of New After a break for lunch, Mr. Houghton and ANS Councilor Jimmy Hayes (D York City is not conducive to a casual introduced the first speaker of the Louisiana) at the Rayburn House Office visit by the serious numismatist. Only afternoon session, Elizabeth Jones, the Building (Mr. Houghton extended the the most stalwart will make the trek to former Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint invitation to this reception throughout the Society's headquarters at 155th and from 1981 to 1990. Mrs. Jones talk on the day to insure that all participants for Broadway. "An Artist's View of Contemporary both sessions could attend). M The symposium was organized by Coinage was emotionally charged, and This delightful reception was a filting Arthur Houghton Ill, a noted expert in her opinions will certainly spark much conclusion to a day of numismatic Hellenistic coinages and a member of debate in the continuing discussion of fellowship hosted by two of the pre the ANS Council, and Elvira E. Clain modem U.S. coin designs and their artistic eminent numismatic institutions in this Stefanelli, Executive Director of the merit (or lack thereof). The next speaker country and the world. All involved in National Numismatic Collection. They on the dais was John M. Kleeberg, organizing this symposium, particularly gathered together an impressive group Associate Curator of Modem Coins for Arthur Houghton and Elvira Crain of speakers, and the event was well the ANS, and his entertaining topic was Stefanelli, should be congratulated for attended, with approximately 90 people "'Ferdinand, Get Your Tanks Off My their efforts. Hopefully. the ANS will be in attendance for the mornin9 session, Lawn': The Wolfenbultel Bell Thalers of able to continue to bring this type of which focused on ancient coinages, and 1643". Mr. Kleeberg was able to use his numismatic educational event to the rest a few less for the afternoon session on die stUdy of this coinage as a basis to of the country and numismatic community . modern and U.S. coinages. The audience was greeted by Roger Kennedy, the Director of the National Museum of American History, and by R. Henry Norweb, Jr., the President of the WHOLESALE TO ALL! ANS. Afterwelcomingremarks by these two gentlemen, Mr. Houghton introduced 100 ancient coins in flips and attributed. A diverse lot the first speaker for the day, William E. including Nero, Caesar Augustus, Alexander the Great, Metcalf, ChiefCuratorforthe ANS, who Biblical "Widow's Mite', etc. Only $475.00 postpaid, with spoke on "Whose Liberalitas? Propaganda and Audience in the Early satisfaction guaranteed! Roman Empire". He was followed by noted local collector Anthony F. Milavic, who discussed "The First Greek ~uu~uu ([uiu {iaIl:eri:es Wrestler-Type Coin". Suite 132, Mission Viejo Mall, Following the first two speakers was Mission Viejo, CA 92691 • (714) 364-0990 a panel discussion moderated by Wayne January 1993 31 Inscribed statue of "Weary Hercules" solves numismatic mystery in Characene by Ed Dobbins In scientific research it's known as the "aha" phenomenon-that moment when everything clicks into place and murky theories suddenly become crys tal clear. Investigators may have "aha 'd" in 1984 when inscriptions on a bronze Hercules statue solved a 150 year old numismatic controversy. This solution, in tum, helped to clarify second century A.D. relationships between the king dom of Parthia and her vassal state Characene. Background Parthian history in the first half of the second century A.D. is highlighted His chief rival through A.D. 129 was followed by Vologases IV in an appar by power struggles between various Osroes l. Parthamaspates, son ofOsroes, ently peaceful succession.! Arsacid princes, and the incursion into was a Roman puppet ruler appointed by The Parthian subkingdom of Mesopotamia by the Roman emporor Trajan in A.D. 116. Two additional Characene, also known as Mesene, was Trajan. Vologases III succeedcdPacorus pretenders, Mithradates IV and an un located close to the mouth of the Tigris II and reigned during most of the time known king, challenged Vologases Rivernear the head of the Persian Gulf) period between A.D. 105 and A.D. 147. around A.D. 140. Vologases III was It served as an important trade center between the Arabian caravan route and the water passage to India. Through Characene flowed many of the luxury Classical Coins & items coveted by the Romans. The area Art of the Ancient World appears to have maintained some de gree of independence, as exemplified Greek, Etruscan, Roman, by its long history of Hellenistically Egyptian, & Near Eastern Antiquities styled coinage. This status varied as the strength of the Parthian empire waxed Send for our new FREE full color 32 page brochure. and waned over the years. Characene Our 1992 full-color catalogue- sympathies were probably with the Ro 96 pages, 466 objects - $10.00 mans, rather than the Parthians, whenever the two powers clashed. Characene coinage includes a num ber of dated issues from the time of EUROPEAN Hyspaosines in 140 B.C. through about FINE'"' ART ."uFA.... IR.. , ,.., A.D. 79.3 The standard coin is a ~,~'_"' .'n ' tetra drachm portraying a diademed bust on the obverse, and Hercules seated on the reverse (Figure 1). This style is believed to have been derived from Bactrian issues of Euthydemus I. After Established 1942 more than a 20 year hiatus, the coinage returns for a brief period between A.D. royal-athena galleries 101-113. There is another break in the Jerome M Eisenberg, Ph.D., DireetOf sequence, until a quite different type of coin dated 454 S.E. (A.D. 142/143) ap 153 East 57th St., New York, N.Y. 10022 Tel: (212)·355·2034 Fax: (212)-688-0412 pears. Coins inscribed in Aramaicoccur 332 North Beverly Dr.• Beverly Hills, Ca. 90210 in the latter half of the second century Tel: (310)-550-1199 Fax: (310)-550- 1395 A.D. Royal-Athena at B.A. Seaby Ltd. The Problem 7 Davies Street, London WIY ILL, England A controversial Greek inscription is Tel: 071-495-2590 Fax: 071-491-1595 found on the Characene tetradrachmsof 32 The Gelator A.D. 142/3, theonlydateknownforthis issue (Figure 2). Although clearly pre served examples were available, it took many years for a consensus to be reached on the abbreviated legend's decipher ment. Pous4 cites at least sixteen published attempts at interpretation, be ginning in 1829 with Sestini5 and continuing through Le Rider in 1965.6 Until the recent discovery of the statue, the tentatively accepted reading had been "Meheredates, son of Phobus") A troubling aspect of this solution is that although "Meheredates" could be a variation of"Mithradates" or "Miradates", no previous rulers named "Phobus" occur in the Arsacid (Par thian) or Hyspaosinid (Characene) dynasties. The coin also differs in design from Year 462 according to the Greeks. Miradates invalidates both aspects of previous Characene issues. The use of Arsakes Vologoses, King ofKings, this assumption. a die with a diameter smaller than the son of Miradates. campaigned Miradates, fatherofVologases IV, is fian resulted in uncharacteristically wide against Mesene against King most likely the person known to histori borders around the coin's portraits. Both Miradates, son o/Pa/cores. who was ans as Mithradates IV, one of the rivals the Parthian-style crown on the obverse king be/ore. He expelled King ofVologases III around A.D. 140. The and the turreted bust of a goddess on the Miradates from Mesene and be limited coinage available for reverse were substantial departuresfrom came master ofthe whole ofMe sene. Mithradates IV places his sphere of in· previous coins in the series. Because of He transferred from Mesene this fIuence on the Iranian plateau.16 these differences, this coin was catego bronze image o/the god Herakles Vologases IV's long reign clearly shows rized in the BMC catalogue under the andset it up in this temp leo/the god that he succeeded in the endeavor started heading "sub-Characene". Apollo, who sits before the Bronze by his father Mithradates IV. In the most complete review of Gate.12 How MiradatesofCharacene gained Characene history, Nodleman8 returned his throne and why he was expelled the coin to the main Characene dynasty. from the area in A.D. 151 are not di He included Phobus in his king list, The Answer13 recti y referred to in the inscription. Some despite the absence of coins for this This remarkable inscription effec of the circumstances, however, may be ruler. Meheredates is placed between tively lays to rest much of the long about A.D. 131 and 150. Nodleman running controversy surrounding the believed the coin was produced at the "Meheredates,sonofPhobus" coin. The Characene mint in Forat, near modern enigmatic name "Phobus" can be dis day Basra. HehypothesizedthatPhobus carded from historical reconstructions. had been placed on the throne by the "Meheredates" is identifiable as a vari Parthian ruler some time shortly after ant of "Miradates" and "Mithradates". the withdrawal of Trajan in A.D. 117. The likely candidate for Pakores, fatherofMiradates, is the Parthian ruler The Statue Pacorus II (A.D. 80-105). His descrip Digging activities at Seleucia-on-the tion as one "who was king before" Tigris in 1984 unearthed an 85.5 cm tall indicates that Pacorus directly governed bronze statue of Hercules9 (Figure 3). the Characene ("Mesene") area at some Exact circumstances of the excavation time during his reign. Characene tetra are unclear, and have been tenned "ac drachms possibly countermarked by cidental"IO and "clandestine") I The Pacorus may explain the lack of local statue portrays Hercules standing, with coinage in the area between A.D. 80- one bent leg and his right hand on his 100.14 Pacorus' conjectured rule in hip. The left ann, which is missing, is Characene is also supported by a Chi believed to have been leaning on a club nese emissary's statement that the area resting on a rock. A Nemean lion skin was under Parthian sovereignty in A.D. would have been draped over the ann. 97.15 This style has been termed the "Weary The author of the inscription can be Hercules", and is datable to the first or identified as Vologases IV of Parthia late second century B.C. (A.D. 147·192). Due to lack of evi The unique aspect of this find is the dence to the contrary, it had been Figure 3 inscription on each leg of the statue. On assumed that Vologases IV had ascended MWeary Hercules~ marble statue the left thigh the writing is in Aramaic, the throne peacefully as the son of similar to the one with inscriptions and on the right is Greek. The full Vologases III (A.D. 105-147). found near Se/eucia in 1984. reading is: Vologases IV's claim to be the son of January 1993 33 inferred from this and other historical exact year and underwhosesovereignty Miradates' expulsion indicates that evidence. he was empowered are unclear. The he incurred the disfavor of Vologases Because of the importance of the two Parthian rulers at the time were IV. Part of the reason may be found in Roman trade, the reigning king of Osroes I and Vologases III. Miradates the design of Miradates' coin. The Characene in A.D. 116 probably sup was related to both as the nephew of depiction of a bust wearing the Panhian ported Trajan 's in vasion. ArterTrajan's Osroes and as second cousin to royal crown isnonnally reserved forthe withdrawal, the Parthian ruler may have Vologases. In either case, a member of king of kings. On the reverse, a ponion retaliated against the local Characene the Arsacid family was probably thought of the legend has been interpreted as dynasty, and placedon the throne some to be preferable toa member of the local "king of the Omani'" .17 Each of these one with allegiance to the Arsacid ruling clan. These Arsacid dynasty ties claims to power seem to far exceed the dynasty. This appears to have been the were emphasized by Miradates in his role of a local governor of a small area Miradates of Characene referred to in striking of a coin radically different such as Characene. The nature of the the inscription. from the standard Hyspaosinid issues, kinship between Miradates and Miradates is known to have been and by his overstriking on coins minted Vologases IV is unknown, but was ruling Characene in A.D. 131, but the by his Characene predecessors. probably not as close as that between Miradatesand Vologasesm. Miradates, in fact, was part of the reigning family whom Vologases IV's father had tried to usurp in Iran a few years previously. Vologases IV, therefore, may have per ceived this boastful prince as a potential claimant tothe Parthian throne, and thus Leu Numismatics Ltd. expelled him from the area. Zurich, Switzerland Future Considerations As a historical document,lhe "Weary Hercules" inscription provides impor tant insights into Characene history and the relationships between Panhia and Characene during an imperfectly known era. The inscription's reference to a temple of Apollo at Se1eucia also sig nificantly aids archaeological reconstruction oflhe sile. Funher study will undoubtedly refine and expand the findings which have been published on this interesting artifact. Foomotes: I D. Sellwood, An Introduction to the Coinage of Parthia, London, 1980. 2 For the location of the site of Charax Spasinou, the main ci ty in Characene, see J. Hansman, "Charax and the Karkheh". iranica Antiqua VII (1967), 21-58. 3 This date is a recent revision to the chronology based on a drachm of Attembelos III dated A.D. 78/79 as listed in Dr. Busso Peus Auction 333, Every year we have an auction of very important ancient coins May 1992, Lot number 382. in spring. 4 D.T. Potts, "Arabia and the Kingdom We issue occasiona/ lists. of Characene" inAraby the Blest, D.T. Our stock ranges from Hemitartemoria to Dekadrachmai, and Pottsed., 1988, CNI Publications No. from Quadrantes to Multiple Aureus Medallions. 7, Copenhagen. We actively buy and sell at all price levels. 5 D. Sestini, Descrjzione della MedaglieAntiche Grechedel Museo Say you saw it in Leu Numismatics Ltd. In Gassen 20 CH-8001 Zurich Switzerland %e Cefator Telephone (from the US) 01141121147 72 Telefax011 4112114686 34 The Cela tor Hedervariano,1829,ascitedinPolts, op. cit. 6 G. Le ruder, Suse sous les Sileucides Dr. Busso Peus Nachf. et les Parthes, Mission Archeo - NUMISMATISTS AND AUCfIONEERS SINCE 1870- logique en Iran, Tome XXXVIlI, Paris, 1965. 7 G.F. Hill, BMC, Catalogue of the Greek Coins ofArabia, Mesopotamia, and Persia, London, 1922. 8 S. Nodleman, "A Preliminary His tory of Characene", Berytus, XUI (1960), 11-121. 9 W . Ismail AI-Salihi, "Mesenes' • PURCHASE AND SALE OF ANCIENT, MEDIEVAL AND Bronze Statue of •W eary Hercules''', MODERN CO INS AND MEDALS AS WELL AS OF IMPORTA NT Sumer,43(1984} ,219-229. See also. NUMISMATIC LIBRARIES W. Ismail AI-Salibi, "The Weary • AT LEAST TWO PUBLIC AUCfIONS I MAIL BID SALES A YEAR Hercules of Mesene" , Mesopora mia. XXII (1987),159-167. • APPRAISALS AND EXPERT ADVICE 10 D.T. Potts op. cit. • AITENDING MOST MAJOR INTERNATIONAL SALES II W.lsmaii AI-Salihi op. cit. ON BEHALF OF CLIENTS 12 J. Black, "The History of Parthia and Characene in the Second Cen Catalogs available by subscription at a biennial rate of U.S. $40 (4 issues). tury A.D.", Sumer, 43 (1984). Payments may nm be made by Credit Card 230-234. PLEASE CONTACT US FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 13 For more detailed versions of the fo llowing discussion see J. Black Bomwiesenweg 34, op. cit. and D.T. Polts op. cit. ~OOO Fr.nkfurt •.111. 1 14 E. Dobbins, in preparation, 1993. GERMANY 15 S. Nodleman op. cit., pg. 106. • • PHONE 49.69-5970281 FAX 49-69.555995 16 D. Sellwood, op. cit. r=t 17 D.T. Potts op. dr. ,..., SUBSCRIBE TO THIS IMPORTANT NEW PUBLICATION NOW! The International Bi-Monthly Review of Ancient Art & Archaeology MINERVA is an illustrated news and review magazine, appearing bi-monthly (6 issues per year), devoted to ancient art, antiquities, archaeological and numismatic discoveries worldwide from prehistory to the 19th century. With regular contributors from around the world, MINERVA, published in England, is truly internati onal in style and coverage. Feature articles will emphasize M newly discovered works of art and objects of archaeological and numismatic importance leading to a better understanding of the past. A bi-monthly numismatic column, by Eric J. McFadden. will furnish readers with a lively review of the ancient coin marketplace. Regular excavation reports will include prehistoric, classical. early Christian. medieval. 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II is the largest collection of Armenian secure, spacious, and beautifullormer headquartered in Watertown, Massa· artifacts and antiquities found in North bank building in the center of Watertown, chusetls (near 80ston) and has America. Through the generosity of where its permanent collection is housed. The main exhibit hall is named in Bedoukian's honor, and houses his entire collection of Armenian antiquities, as well as a representative selection of CALVIN J. ROGERS Armenian coins. The exhibits at ALMA are tastefully Classical Numismatist arranged and concentrate on the Armenian heritage in art, weaving, Fully illustrated coinage, crafts, literature, metalwork, list free upon request and village lile. The collection has several inscribed Armenian rugs on display, a rich collection of metallic Ancient & P.O. Box 7233 artifacts, including a magnilicenl 5-loot Redwood City CA 94063 copper tray donated by Dr. Bedoukian. Medieval which once belonged to the (415) 369-1508 Catbolicosate of Cilicia, manuscripts. needlelace, costumes, church models, and an extensive library of Armenian books and periodicals. The upper floors 01 the building are devoted to special functions such as lectures and art BOOK SALE! exhibits. The museum is open several days 8 week. and 8 varied selection 01 We have just published a new sale list gifts is available for purchase in the museum gift shop. containing hundreds of new, used, The fine collection of coinage on display includes coins of the ancient and slightly damaged new books Armenian dynasties, coins of the Romans pertaining to Armenia, coins of on ancient Greek, Roman, and the Cilician Armenian kingdom 01 the Byzantine coins and the related history. Middle Ages, and medals dating from the 17th century to the present. ALMA's Chief Curator is Gary Lind THERE IS A DISCOUNT OF 20% FOR Sinanian, who manages the day-to-day activities at the museum and carries on PURCHASING THREE OR MORE BOOKS! an active correspondence with the museum's friends and supporters. In order to continue the educational SEND FOR YOUR FREE COpy TODAY mission, ALMA seeks financial contributions in any amount from the • Fixed price catalogs and auctions of quality coins . public. Membership is available at $25 • Catalogs of new, used, and out-of-print books. annually, and a newsletter is • Write for free sample copies. occasionally released. Donations of Armenian art and artifacts, old books, and important papers are eagerly THOMAS P. MCKENNA solicited. ALMA is a non-profit charitable P.o. Box 1356-F - Fort Collins, CO 80522 institution and contributions are tax deductible. ALMA may be contacted at Phone or FAX: 303-226-5704 65 Main Street, Watertown, MA 02172; phone (617) 926-2652. 36 The Gelator Biblical passages and antiquities combined JUST FOR BEGINNERS in new sale booklet by Wayne G. Sayles A small booklet entitled BIblical Questions Answers Antiquities, published byAlexG. Malloy, Inc., has recently peaked the interest of The'ads you carry You are quite right-if one purchased every auction collectors. A compendium of repre concerning the catalog ever published it would stretch the average sentative artifacts illustrating Biblical various auctions .f. working man's budget. Generally speaking, the price of passages, each item is keyed to a very Intriguing. an auction catalog is related to its production cost, and specific Biblical verse quoted in the text. Alas, It Is very the production cost is a reflection of the contents. A $25 Provided in an easy to read tabular expensIve to order perfect-bound auction catalog. filled with exceptional lormat are historical background notes, even a small selec photos, is usually worth the investment for the educa descriptive characteristics and uses of tion of the catalogs tional value alone. Some companies have been known the individual Items, and references to offered In your to send active bidders a complimentary copy of their the standard archaeological authorities. pages. Would It be catalog, but the high cost 01 production makes this The book is arranged in Biblical feasible to have 8 practice hard to justify for the occasional bidder. Some sequence, beginning with Genesis and monthly column dealers have offered free copies to readers of The Ce/ devoted following ator an exclusive offer. Read the adsdosely, these ending with Revelation. Presented in a to as the results of the.e should NEVER be ignoredl Actually, reading a report of simple, digestible format, it is augmented advertl.ed auc· auction results would be of little value unless one had the with a bibliography of scholarly works tlons? In addttlon, catalog in the first place, and il one buys the catalog, the for lurther study. Its utility and low price Is there a represen· prices realized list is generally included. Therefore, make this work weH suited to use as tatlve selection of tracking results of these auctions in The Celatorwould be both a gilt for students and Biblically commonly held of little help. We do report on various auction results, oriented individuals, and as a simple COins, e.g. the although in very general terms, in the Art and The Market introduction to the material culture of Alexander III section. Biblical times for Sunday school and tetradrachm, and the One of the hardest things that newcomers to ancient Bible study groups. like, who.e price coin collecting face is the realization that there are not any Biblical Antiquities is softcover, fluctuation could be price guides 'or ancient coins. We haVe discussed this perfect-bound, with 52 pages and 14 monitored In your problem on several occasions, and this month's Point 01 additional photographic plates. It is pages to gin new View deals with it in a limited way. There have been priced at$4.95 postpaid, and is available collectors some attempts over the years to produce such guIdes. the from Alex G. Malloy, Inc., P.O. Box 38, price guidance? latest being the Classical Coin Newsletter, but none have South Salem, NY 10590. Each copy will been very practical and all have disappeared. Ancient coin pricing, like the pricing of any collectible, is related to be accompanied by a fixed price list of the catalogued items for safe. grade and rarity. Both are nebulous aiteria. Within the grade of Very Fine, for example, a particular coin type might sell for anything between X and 3X. True, this is partlyb9cause there aren't any price guides. To a larger New numismatic degree, however, the variance is related to otherfactors that cannot be graded objectively-things likeoentering, collectors forum surfaces, calor, style, and metal quality. This variance is normal for ancient coins, and should notbe perceived as augments NVN inconsistency in the ma/1(el. The only real price protec tion the buyer of ancient coins has is comparative shop Collectors of coins, paper money, ping. Every collector should watch the prices for material tokens, and other related collectibles he orshe is interested in, but keep in mind that comparisons can now meet and exchange information require like items. Don't try to mix apples with oranges and ideas, hold live group discussions, and can it all fruit. and upload/download a variety of data files through their computer using the National Videotex Network's (NVN) new Numismatic Forum. NVN is a nationwide on-line information and communications service provider which offers personal computer users access to a variety of informative, interactive, and entertaining services. Memberships to NVN are priced at $5.95 per month, and offer users unlimited access to Basic services. Premium services are available at hourly rales. NVN can be accessed using any IBM or Macintosh computer and communications software. For additional Information, contact NVN Client Services at 1-800-336-9096. January 1993 37 Coins of the Bible The cornucopia served as a Jewish symbol We can confidently say that, during this by David Hendin period, all cultures of the Near East ".:: ,', " were influenced by the Greek culture. i;' . This does not mean that these peoples Recently a few readers have inquired changed their religions or customs en ,If , about how the cornucopia became a tirely. They simply adopted some of the symbol commonly used on ancient Jew new elements and produced a combina rtJ ish coins. In fact, the cornucopia was tion of eastern and western religions; one of the most popular religious sym this phenomenon is known as sincrelism. bols of the ancient world. Sometimes an Oriental cult kept its en It came into use on the coins of the tire meaning and content, and changed Hasmonean (or Maccabean) kings, and only itsnameorshapeof god. Thesame later on the coins of Herod the Great process occurred with respect to certain and his son Herod Archelaus via Hel symbols which, although adopted from lenistic influence. Coins of the the Greeks by an Oriental religion, re Ptolemaic Kings of Egypt, Seleucid tained an independent Oriental Kings of Syria, as well as a number of significance." ancient Hellenistic city-states depicted Basically, the cornucopia was an comucopiae. animal hom, hollow, and thus used as a In a hard-ta-find 1976 article in The container for many purposes. As the Judaka Post, Ya'akov Meshorer ex overflowing "hom of plenty", it con plains that "During the Hellenistic tained agricultural fertility symbols such period, and in particular during the third as ears of grain, bunches of grapes, and to the first centuries B.C. E., Greekcul pomegranates. On Hellenistic coins the lUre spread all over the ancient world. cornucopia is often carried by Tyche, Its influence resulted in the Helleniza the city goddess, or Demeter, the god tion of the Oriental countries and nations. dess of the earth. Paul Romanoff writes that "The COf If you aren't seeing this symbol on nucopiae appearing alone, without the catalogues you are currently receiving goddesses ... were abstract symbols. In this respect the horns of plenty were akin to the Jewish symbols." InAncient Jewish Coinage, Meshorer adds that "It is logical to assume that the symbol filtered into Judaism as an ob ject related to fertility, and then acquired additional Jewish connotations ... In Jewish life animal horns were used for a number of purposes, including as an oil container, an object to anoint kings, or as 'shofars' -musical instruments of the Temple service." The use of the animal hom as a holder for oil is referred to in the first Book of Samuel (16:13) during the coronation of King David: "Then Samuel took the hom of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brethren." Possibly the hom of plenty became a symbol for the ancient Jews because of Write for our membership list the legendary richness of the ancient Holy Land itself-the very land of milk Jean-Paul Diva and honey. We know, for example, that Secretary, I.A.P.N. cornucopiae were used by the Jews in the Holy Land in the first few centuries L6wenstrasse, 65 C.E. not only on coins, but on other CH-B001 Zurich, Switzerland small objects such as seals, rings, amu lets, and also in larger architectural 38 The Gelator contexts. A famous relief of a double cornucopia witha pomegranate between was found in the excavations of the Jewish Quarter of the Old City of STEPHEN M. HUSTON Jerusalem and can be seen in The Israel C{assica{'J\[umismarist Museum. It dates from the first century • B.C.E. to the first century C.E. Post Ofnce Box 193621 San Francisco, CA 94119-3621 USA On the coins of the earlier Hasmonean ~ kings-Yehohanan, Yehudah, Yehon tIl ·415· 781- 7580. atan, and Yonatan-the double b cornucopia also appears with the pome . ...." fllwtraua Catafo8lUJ (mUll 'X./gularfy granate between thehoms. Occasionally the pomegranate has a different appear ~0 OPPICR OrRN ~Y AnOINTMENT ON{.Y ance, and some numismatists have • 1.'<1 S82 MARKET S TREET ' SA .. FI January 1993 39 Ref erence Reviews Bactrian, Indo-Greek & Indo-Scythian Kingdoms by Dennis Kroh (London, 1979) covers the Bactrian and Unfortunately it is now OUT OF l'RINT There ort! 10 rimu 100ft! reference works (lnd Indo·Grcck coinage (but not Indo-Scythian). already as only 1,000 copies were produced other books on Ancient Coins available today As can be expected it li sts all of the major and it just wasn't enough to go around (it than jlltl Iwenly years ago. Vt'ry jew tlmn;! principal types with valuations (thaI lire now cost e.$1 45 when available). lIIalislS know how to un"fiu these references, or totally meaningless) and has some very good l "en "'hut! 10 start looking Jor ctrlaln ilems. illustrations. In print, but now S65. Mitchin t'r ***** Many of theu books a n~ essential jar Ihe Indo-Greek and Indo-Scythian Coinage is a callufor /0 010'11, others woflhy ofo nt reading nine-volume set by Michael A. Mitehiner (and are " erer again consulud). and some art Ro pt'arachchi ***** published 1975·6. It covers in extreme obsoleu and pcmderOIl$ e.urc:ist!6 in futility. 8Monnaies Grico-Bactriennes el Indo detail the Grcek coinage in India up to the This momhly column txpfores mOST references Grecques, Calalog/It Raisonnr by Osmund Kushan period. Each type is illustrated by on Anciem Coins (by city-s/au or rime pulod), Bopcarachchi was published in Paris in and will rale them according to their (juJu/ 1991. This is the finest and most up to date many specimens, and although his attitude ness, darity, illustrarions, and availability. reference for the Bactrian and Indo·Grcek on absolute mint attributions and chronology has come under criticism by many scholars, utll/zlng a jive-star rystem similar to Ihal uud coinage. Besides being II catalogue of the it remains the fi nest work in the English jor movies, reslal/rams, and hou ls. Prices (1ft 1,227 coins in the Cabinel des MMailles oj also given whuevu available. II is highly the Bibliolheqlle Natjonale in Paris, it also language on the subject. Each cardeover volume contains around 100 pages, and sclls recO/Tunended Ihm al {easl 10% ofyou r COil~Cl· records all other types not present in that ing budgel be inl'~ SI~d in coin reJerences. collection but published elsewhere including for £t8 eaeh. those in private collections known to the N~o.rly t~rylhi .. t IhD.! il hlo.", o.hoUI liris aut hor and the contents of published hoards. l lUUntmO.Il of 0.11 Gud: uolms hIU bUll dtduud **** Excellcnt historical summaries of each reign Oritnlaf Coins & Their Vahles: T7lt AIIt,jelll Iron' ill coi.... , e i" lJ,e 1"'1 200 p:ars. D.NJ IJ,trt is al/d Cfllssicai World 600 B.C. - A.D. 600 milch mort ytl 10 bt discovtrtd or cofTtt:lly arc includcd in thc introduction, and the illltrprtftd. cataloguc itself contain s full cross·references by Michael Mitehiner (1978) is a mossive to all standard works (such as Mitchiner, and excellent reference for many types of coins, even though many series arc givcn a S(,llr *** BMC, PlIIljab & Lllckn ow) and many sales Pagcs 705-731 of "Greek Coins & T71l!ir catalogues. 458 pages of French tcxt and 69 mther general treatment. The Bactrian. Vailles, Volume 2" by David R. Scar exceptionally crisp and clcar plates. Indo·Greek and Indo-Scythian coinage is particularly well represented (numbers 1589- 2914 on pages 252-396), with illustrations of each type and cross·references to his Indo· Are you interested in Gruk 9-Volume set. 760 pages, £85 (5150). CHOICE WORLD COINS? 8Corp1ls oj Indo-Greek Coins" ****by A.N. You should be receiving our publications Lahiri was published in 1965 . [t is a very noble attempt at a full reckoning of the MORE THAN THREE Bactrian issues based upon what was then MAIL BID CATALOGUES ANNUALLY recent scholarship. He shows somc inability to recognize counterfeits (as several have crept their way into this publication), and Featuring RARE and CHOICE gold and silver coi ns of hi s chronology and attribution to kings is also sometimes suspect, but otherwise it the world as well as ancient coi nage and world paper remains an excellent catalogue wit h the best money. A sample catalogue is $15.00 postpaid. introduction to previous scholarship I have ever fCad on the subject. OP, around $40. Includes Prices Realized Nllrain **'h ~ T7l e Coills oj T711! Indo·Greek Killg s~ by An annual sub scri pti on is also available. The cost is $45 A.K . Narain was pllblished in Bombay in within the U.S. and $60 outside the U.S. 1955, and an amended Chicago reprint of it appeared in 1976 entitled -nle Coin Types of/li t Indo-Oru k Kings 256·54 BC 8. It is Ponterio & Associates, Inc. a pretty good type-catalogue of the Bactrian 1818 Robinson Ave. and Indo-Greek coinage, but compared to Mitehiner and Bopcarachchi it is now San Diego, CA 92103 lacking in many rcspeets. 58 pages, 14 1-800-854-2888 or 619-299-0400 plates, reprints around $20. His his/orical Licensed AUClion Company #968 mastcrpieee, "11Ie Indo-Greeks ", was pub li shcd by Oxford University Press in 1957 P.N. G. #308 LM. #2163 Richard H. Ponte rio - President and is esst'nt ial reading for the background of this fascinating period. 40 The Celator PUBLISHED COLLECTIONS CUriel and G. Fussman was published in His 189 1 tome "Coins of Ancienl llUlia, Pflris in \965 . This is an analysis of a from Ihe Earliest Times down to the Seventh spectacular find of 627 coins of the Bactrian CelltlilY A,D. H contai ns 118 pages of tcxt "A eowlog/Ie oj Indian Coins in Ihe Brilish* Kings (all attic tctradrachms), and and 14 plates of photos, and his "Coills of Museum: TIlt Coins oj fhe Grttk and conveniently covers an area that was not Ihe hldo-Scythians. Sakasand Kllshmls " was SCYlhic Kings 0/ Bac/ria and India H by well represented before. There is 93 Jmges actually a series of articles In Ihe Percy Gardner appeared in 1886, As can be of Frt ncl! text, Dnd 60 exceptionally clear Nllmismalic Chronicle 1889-1 894 that was expected most of its information has been plates (including a fold-out map and some reprinted in one volume in thc 1960's (w ith long out of date and it is useful only for its photos of the lind-site). Published in 106 pages and 24 platcs). Reprillls of all 32 plates of photographic illustrations. 269 cardcover, it scarce to rare: S200 or more. three ofthcsc arc quite casy to find, and scll pages, a reprint appeared in 1966 (c.520)_ for only S20 each or so. Whit rhrad Lucknow MUH'UIII "NOles on Indo-Greek NwniSlilatics" **is a 'h * "Cola/aglll! oj Indo Greek-Coins in/he*** Stale 1969 compilation of 4 articles by Richard Jamcs & Henry Thoby Princep arc the acknowledgcd fathers of Bactrian numisma Museum, Lucknow" by A.K. Srivastava was Bertram Whitehead taken from NWllismatie published in India in 1969. It is a cardcover Chronicles in 1923, 1940, 1947 and 1950. tics, and their 1844 tome "HislOrical Resilits volume in which 245 coins aTC described, It contains some very informative (if not from Bactrian Coins and Other Disco"uil's with many illustrated, and it contains a vcry dull) re3ding in 144 pages with 8 plates of ill Afghanistan " is only mentioncd here decent 32-pagc introductory text. 46 pages photos plus numerous illustrations bccause of the available 1974 Chicago of catalogue, with 12 plates of coin-photos throughout. For serious study Ihe original reprint which one might purchase. Its 124 & 5 of drawings of devices utilized on the articles should be studied instead, as the pages of tcxt and 15 hand-drawn plates arc coins. OP, but can be had in the 530 range. illustrations in this reprint are miserable at of some numismatic interest, but it is best to best (but it's CHEAP at SIS or so). consult the more modem works (most of which are based upon this volum.;) if you Cotaloglll! oj Coins in Ihe Panjab MIIStllm,* wish reliable information, Lahore, VollIlIZe I: Indo-Greek Coins by Cunningham R.B. Whitehead was published in Oxford in In the last century Sir Alc)lander* Cunningham wrote three useful books on 1914. It contains a pretty decent collection, ~,,,,is Kroh is" ,h;,,/u of a".ci~m coill$ (1",1 boob this subjcct. His "Coins of Alexander's although as can be expected much of the ObOIlII/,t"'. . SNG Copenh:u!('n Volume 39 of the Danish Naliollal MllsellllZ* THE SWISS NUMISMATIC SOCIETY Col/eefion (in Volume 7 of the reprint) Founded in 1879 covers Par/liia - India, and was wrillen in At the forefront of scientific and historical research for over one hundred years, the 1965. Not a great collection for Bactrian, it SWiss Numismatic Society has established a wOfld-wide reputation by its work with contains only 118 coins of this area, but all IeOding scholars, collectors 000 dealers diffused through Its well known Revue and arc illustrated on 4 plates. It is suggested Gazette journals with articles In four languages, together w ith numerous monographs that this be utilized as a reference only if al"ld special publications In such series as Typos and the Catalogues of SWiss COins. absolutely nothing else is available. The Society Itself owes its Inception in 1879 to the pioneertng spirit of Dr. Charles Franyois Trachsel, its founder and first president, but the SWIss numi:smoIic tradition goes bock to the earliest days of coin collecting In the Iote 15th century when SPECIALIZED REFERENCES connoisseurs like the Arnerbach family of Basel. Inspired by Renaissance humanists such as Erasmus of Rotterdam then residing In the city. established Important cabinets. The Society continued from the old century under the guidance of Eugene Demole Qunduz and Paul Stroehlin, while the new was presided over by eminent scholars such as "Le Tresor Mon/taire de QlllldllZ"***** by R. DIetrich Schwarz and Colin Martin. The SWiss Numismol\c Society remains today at the seMce of the international ntnlisrnal\c community, dedicated as it Is to the ftxtherance of the knowledge of those small but Invaluable witnesses of art and history, the coins of Greece, Rome, Byzantium, the Orient, the middle ages, the modern period and Switzerland Itself. The advertisers By Ioining this leading society you will be able to partiCipate directly In numismatic research ond moreover be eligible to receive the annual Revue and the quorterly on these pages Gazette, as weU as members' discounts on most special publications. support your journal. Applications for membership In the Society are welcome from all with on Interest in ancient and modern numismatics. Support them, and The membership fee Is Sf, 100 per year(Sfr 50 tOf members under 25) and Sf, 2000 fOf life membership. or a sponsoring membership from Sfr 250 per yeor. Make checks remember to say that payable to Swiss Numismatic Society. Credit Swiss Bonk. Berne. Switzerland. ole 0094- you saw their ad in 100849-41. SWISS NUMISMATIC SOCIETY %e Cefator c/O Italo Vecchi Niederdorfstrasse 43, CH·8001 Zurich January 1993 41 Levy Collection to ANCIENT COIN SPECIALIST be auctioned in May GREEK, ROMAN, BYZANTINE COINS AND CLASSICAL ANTIQUITIES by Leu Numismatics Bob Levy, author of -A Coin's Point of View" articles that have appeared in The Ce/ator since 1989, has announced that an agreement has been reached with Leu Numismatics, Ltd. of Zurich, Switzerland to auction his collection of ancient Roman Imperatorial and Imperial Julio-Claudian coins in the firm's May, 1993 auction. leu representative Silvia Hurter had several of the coins on display at the New York International Numismatic Convention, so that the many American collectors who wouldn't be able to travel to Europe would have a chance to view some of the highlights of the collection. Coins in the collection include many SAMPLE CATAWG UPON REQUEST rarities in terms of condition and/or type. There are Julius Caesar portraits and a EDWARD J. WADDELL, Ltd. Pompey the Great portrait In ·Choice Extremely Fine- condition; Octavianl 444 N. Frederick Avenne, Suite 316 Aegypto Capla reverse; Caligula/Divus Gaithershurg, MD 20877 Augustus reverse; and a Claudius As/ ~ Minerva reverse; all in ·Superb- grade. (301) 990-7446 FAX: (301) 990-3712 ~ Type rarities in ·Very Fine- to ·Choice Very Fine- include a Mark Antonyl • Cleopatra denarius, and the -Family" group of coins of Augustus from 13 B.C.: Augustus/Juliareverse,Augustus/ Agrippa reverse, and Augustus within a ROMAN IMPERIAL wreath/Julia, Caius and lucius triple ANCIENT NEAR EAST headed reverse. When asked why the collection was ISLAMIC & INDIAN COINAGE being sold, Levyresponded, -rhecoins have asked me not to get into that. Our Specialty When pressed further, l evy intimated, "To be honest, there's been some strife around here lately. The collection, which numbers around sixty coins, has broken off into two warring factions-the Imperatorials and the Imperials. They've been arguing over which group is more rare, in better condition, more histori cal-you know, things like that. One group wants to be sent to Europe to stay for awhile, whila the othar wants to stay in the United States I decided to let Interested in buying rare or high grade Roman, Greek. Greek the collectors of the world decide their Imperial, Byzantine, Ancient Near Eastern and Indian coins. fale, and thus the agreement with Leu to For Serious Collectors - Occasional Lists auction the coins in May, 1993. WILLIAM B. WARDEN, JR. Writlng for The Celator \Ji P.o. BOX 356 [I] Is easy and fun. NEW HOPE, PA 18938 IIS\ Don't be afraid ~IER (215) 297-5088 \D to give it a try! 42 The Celaror Davisson releases major collection TRIVIA QUIZ Which Greek historian, born at in fixed price list Halicarnassus in 484 B.C., is known as the "father of history"? Davissons Ltd. of Cold Spring, Minnesota. has recently released their (Answer on page 52) , 992 Catalog 5, which offers a selection of 228 lots of classic Greek, Roman Republican, and Roman Imperial coins. r------, English coins from Anglo-Saxon to I I modern times, as well as Scottish and I Clip & Save ~.. I Irish issues are also included. The catalog is the first of a series featuring coins from a major collection recently : Coin File : purchased by the firm. i------, Greek highlights include an archaic Postumus . stater of Sybaris offered for $550. Other staters include examples from AE-5estertius Poseidonia. Epidamnos-Dyrrachium, A.D. 259-268 and Kelenderis. A variety of other RIC 172 denominations are represented, M. Cassianius Latinius including drachms, didrachms, Postumus, like many Ro· tetradrachms, and some fractions. man leaders before him, Early Roman issues include several rose through the ranks of the army and acquired position and fame through merit. Aes Grave and anonymous issues, with He served as the commander olthe Rhine legions, and was appointed Governor a nice run of Republican denarii of Gaul by Valerian. While his mentor was lighting against the Persians, highlighting the section. Notable are Postumus was proclaimed emperor by his troops, and he ruled effectively over examples 01 O. Caecilius Metellus Pius Gaul, Britain, and Spain for a decade. His military success is heralded on this and L Cassius Longinus. Coinage of coin type by the reverse portrayal of Victory with a captive. Coinage of the -Gallic the Twelve Caesar includes denarii of Empire~ is usually quite crudely struck, but the coins of Postumus are a notable exception. His issues reflect an artistic sensitivity seldom seen this late in the Titus, Domitian and Nerva. Thirteen Empire. Postumus was slain by his troops in A.D. 268 because he refused to denarii of Trajan are prominent in this Lallow ______them to sack the city of Moguntiacum (modern Mainz in Germany). _ ... section, along with several interesting sestertii. Hadrian, and Caracalla are I T~ ,. no d/r>«;f ~11on '*'"'-' m.nan ~. and IhfJ photo .bo..... I also well represented. MARKET CAPSULE I I Comments: The catalogue concludes with coinge I Personality Postumus See RIC 169-176 I of the British Isles. Sprinkled throughout Denomination Sestertius for similar types. I each section are various multiple coin I References RIC 172/Cohen 387 lots. Copies of 1992 Catalog 5 may be I Database (sale) appear. 1 (1992) Source: I obtained upon request by writing to I Ave. Weight 17.01 gms Numismatic Archives, I Davissons Ltd. , Cold Spring, MN 56320, Ave. Condition Very Fine P.O. Box 173, ~I or by calling (612) 685-3835; fax (612) IL ______Ave. Price Realized $645 Littleton, C080J60 685·8636. 50T)..l£RE" you ARc,YOU BIG> LUG.! WELL "YOU GeT CLEN"'U::.D UP ,AND CO M£;. HO ME"RIGHT" N OW ! You'RE. NOT GONNA GET OlJT C'F MARR~ING ME,BUSTSRAAD BlAfi BIA~,BIAH,BLAH. AND YOU'RE NOT ",ONNA !?RING ,HAT 1i~~1.:~~k::j~ A-7qj"&> DO& IN Tl-1E HOUSE ,,"IIa;':=<-' E"I1HER ! 7f;;:"!--~ January 1993 43 Professional Directory C_C __~ A~n=t=iq~u=it=ie=s ~ ___) ( ~ -" '1r_ ~)t - .... + ..... __ M _.:'"~ 3? EGYPTIAN & CLASSICAL Ancient Coins & Antiquities . (41~i7~~~.ioor ! 1 (410) 235·1696 I ANTIQUITIES I Buy, Sell & Auction ~ ~ • We offer the col/ector Q varied selection T • Ancient, Medieval & Modem Coins • HELlOS ~ of fine quality Ancienl World Art! J • Pre-Columbian Art, Rare Books aUf 'WorUf .!'!rrtiquities I I • Weapons, Orientalia, Old Maps Atlcient Greek, Roman, Egyptian, Etc. I I Artifacts, Bronzes, Statuettes, Pottery, • • Seeking coins, artifacts, books and Amulets· Send lor free list ;,. l,. more for upcoming auction Member: Antiquities Dealers Assoc. P.O. Box 25 JOEL MALTER & Co. Westminster, MD 21158 ! .JEWElRY • SCUlYTURE • BRONZE 1 17005 Ventura Blvd. J. • POlTERY • WEAPONS • AMULETS .i Encino, CA 91316 USA + • FREE: CM~log No. C191 upon request + (818) 784·7n2 FAX: 784·4726 ~ Ca/lug bll appointment· (212) 724.9455 0 ~ ANCIENT WORLD ARTS, LTD. ~ Important ancient Greek silver coin auction later this year! f 50 West 76th St. . New York 10023 I 1- , .. .r... -? ~.;>. 'lJ _ .... + ...... __ M-to. 'IE mpin (tloins Ancient Coin Specialists 25 years serving you... • BUyUl$ • Sclling • Want Lists· Books • AppraIsals· ConsiglUnents • Referrals Sadigh yaCCery • Auendanee at all major Shows and Sales • ANCIENT COINS • Exclusive Auction Bidding Service • Sound Advice based on long experience 5'lncient 5'lrt • MEDlEYAL COINS • Subscribers receive six fully illustrated • ANCIENT ART & fixed price catalogues of ancient coins MEHRDAD and books aboullhem, and two major ANTIQUITIES auction sales per ycar. SADIGH 'Periodic reference book lists & sales Write for Free Illustrated Six buy or bid sales per year Catalogues of the Following: Empire Coins, Inc. I Call or write/or free catalog • Ancient Coins LXII P.o . Bm 263~ • Medieval Coins XXVlll Ormond Beach, fL 32175·2634 USA Phone (904) 677·7314 303 5th Ave., Room #1603 • Ancient Art and Antiquities XXI Office hours 9-5, M·F New York, NY 10016 F.. (904)6n·7)24 800-426-2007 P.O. Box 38 212-725-7537 South Salem New York 10590 The Jewish War Si\ver"YearOne" prototype shekel :rJ'J{'lJ !l/2I(C J'E'J{'T PHOENICIA realized $242,000 Tl('E.5t5'U'1('ES • World's Largest Coin Auctioneers • Ancient Coin Collector Program • Quarterly Price Lists r!l • Prompt Want List Service The Time Call 1·800421·0754 today and ask for Machine Co. David Vagi, director of Ancient CoifL~ . Superior Galleries Fine Archaeological Suv;ng coll.elCFS sjne. 1930 Art and Coins 9478 W. Olympic Bl., 8cverly Hills, CA 90212 PHOENICIA P.O. Box 282 - Flushing Sta. Queens, NY 11367 Holyland Antiquities (718) 544-2708 p.o. Box 692, Gracie Station Say you saw it in %e Ce£ator New York, NY 10028 (212) 722·4603 44 The Gelator Professional Directory ( Coins & Books g ( ...... Coins & Books g ( Coins & Books g Wn"te for your Target your advertising complimentary copy afour: NUl\fISl\fATICA ARS CLASSICA message directly to • Quarterly illustrated ancient catalog ANCIENT COINS AND MEDALS collectors of ancienr and . Book List &: Accessory Catalog GREEK ·Ancient Bargain Price List medieval coins and antiquities. • Frequent Mail Bid Sales ROMAN . Or all ofthe above BYZANTINE For Only M&RCoins MEDIAEVAL $20 per month 10705 South Roberts Rd. Suite 146 RENAISSANCE Your ad could appear . Palos Hills, IL 60465 AUCTIONS ~ LISTS in this space. · (708) 430-1445 VALUATIONS 1: Write or call for details 10k. ~ l.-.d '7wude '::' 'Ifie Ce(ator Anci~nt Gruk 4t Roman Coins W&rI1 US1S P.O. Box 104, Lodi, WI 53555 Qualify Co/n~ ",nil .n "fllmal Alotif ollf SP"C~/ty NUMISl\fATICA ARS CLASSICA MU, 105 Lefevre Hall, Columbia, MO 65211 N;edudorfsuass< 4J T<1q':bone 01 261 11 OJ (608) 592-4684 (314)-445-3389 ·882·2663 8001 Zurich. S",hwland Tolef.. 01 261 S324 Phone or Feu Visiting: San Francisco? RARE The Silicon Valley? AMPHORA Stanford University? COINS Jewish • Biblical Specializing in the Greek· Roman TREASURE Coinage ofJuda ea Visit.. Coins • Weights ISLAND * Ancient Antiquities· Jewelry We carry a large inventory * Medieval Free illustrated list of Ancients as well as available upon request the largest Philatelic stock in the Bay Area. * Modern "We wrote the book Biblical coins!" TREASURE ISLAND William M. Rosenblum on 3703 EI Camino Real P.O. Box 355 - CE Palo Alto, CA 94306 Evergreen CO 80439 P.o. Box 805 t ~~ . NyackAM~f). NY 10960 ~,~ (415) 855-9905 (303) 838-4831 ~ Q14-J58-7;}64 ~ " ISLAMIC & INDIAN COINS Jose Katich From the earliest times numismatist to the present day quality· service' integritJ,.' • Buy, sell , trade ancient coins and antiquities · ancients • All coins and artifacts Price lists issued regularly, • world fully guaranteed available upon request • unusual • Write or call for free STEPHEN ALBUM illustrated price list 500 comstock lane P.o. BOX 7386 2230 W. Sunnyside Ave., Suite 8 SANTA ROSA, CA. 95407 U.S.A. santa cruz, CA 95060 Visalia, CA 93277 phone, 707-526-3421 (209) 732-2026 fax, 707-526-3266 408427-0621 January 1993 45 Professional Directory ( Coins & Books ) C Cpins I/l Books ) . Goins 8< Books ) Aigai Numismatics is curr~ntly offering Ine Lucien Birkler fi n ~sl ancient Gruk, ROT/Uln aruJ Byl.llntiM numismatic art if! th~ mar~lp/ace 1D Jonathan K. Kern Co. S. GILLIS Greek, Roman, Byzantine Bachelor of Arts ANCIENT COINS & ANTIQUITIES & Medieval Coins Numismatics BRONZE AGE, CELTIC, ROMAN for the Connoisseur Ancient, Medieval, Early SAXON, VIKING & MEDIEVAL American Numismatics lllustrated catalogue Occasional Catalogues Please write or telephone VIKEN M. HAVANDJIAN for your free copy P.O. BOX 50417 20 HOWARD ST, DARFlELD, BARNSLEY S. YORKSHIRE, S1J 9JD, ENGLAND AUSTIN, TX 78763 Tel: 0226 750371 (512) 250-1931 Free Ust of inexpensive ANCIENT COINS ORACLE 441 S. Ashland ANCIENT COINS Lexington, KY 40502 MICHAEL & SANDRA WOLF (606) 269-1614 P.O. Box 233, Dewey. AZ 86327 Attractive Andent Gndr. (602) n2-7144 • Table 316 at Long BBach And Roman Coins For The Collector Affordable Prices · Free Lists Islamic, Indian, Baktrian For the finest of Conservative Grading and Central Asian Coinages numismatic art, P.O. Box 205152, Sunset Sta. write for a Brooklyn, NY 11220-0023 complimentary copy of our fixed price catalogue. Greek. Roman, Byzantine Coins and Classical Antiquities DR . PJ.\7l P,yneJ.Rson Sendforsample catalog Write for sample illustrated list EDWARDJ. WADDELL, Ltd. Persic Gallery P.O. Box 4009 Omar Hamidi, P.O. Box 10317 Malibu Torrance, CA 90505 California 90265 (310) 326-8866 • 46 The Gelator Professional D irectory C Coins & Books ) G. .Coins .&Books ) ( CoiIls& ..Bo!)ks ) FRANK Ancient Greek & Roman Coins Glenn Schinke and books about th em Numismatist STERNBERG AG Fru samplt catalogs Schanzengasse 10, CH·8001 T ho mas P. McKenna P.O. Dox 1356·E Ancie nts Zurich, Switzerland Ft. Collins, co 8052 2 (303) 226-5704 Medieval tel. 01/252.30.88 fax . 01/252.40.67 Foreign P.O. Box 3371-CH ILLUSTRATED Rosemead, CA 91 770 PRICELISTS (SIS) 446-6775 Bought and Sold Greek COINS AND MEDALS Roman Ancient, Medieval and Modem DMITRY MARKOV NUMISMATIC LITERATURE Byzantine GEMS, CAMEOS, JEWELRY Request yours today! -Ancient Ancient to Modem r " • Medieval AUCTION SALES Wayne C. Phillips * Islamic 8-A Village Loop G * Ru ssian Suite 125 Write for illustrated catalogues Edgar L. Owen Phillips Ranch, CA 91766 (909) 629-0757 p.o. Box 950 Ph: (212) 385-8661 Ancient Coins Se rving the collector since 1959 New York, NY 10272 Fax: (2 12) 349-1743 & Antiquities 1!Jn n b nn ~ ECONOMOPOULOS Our unique mail bid auctions The advertisers ENTERPRISES allow you to CLASS/CAL PAY THE on these pages NUM/SMA TICS PR ICEVOU WANT TO PAY supportyourjournaL Greek our folly iIlustrmed moil bid Que/iollS Roman contain ova 500 loIS of ancient Support them, and Byzantine coins, antiquilit'S arid antiques in 0/1 price rangt'S. For Iru catalog cOn/act: remember to say Bought & Sold Colosseum that you saw it in Nicholas T. Coin Exchange, Inc. Economopoulos p.o. Box 21C L P.O. Box 199 Hazlet, NJ 07730 The Cefator Holicong. PA 18928 (908) 264·1161 (215) 491-0650 January 1993 47 Professional Directory ( Coins & Books ) ( Coins & Books ) ( Coins & Books ) FINE NUMISMATIC BOOKS Fred B. Shore Bought and Sold Classical Numismatics Numismatic Arts Ancielll Greek, Roman and of Santa Fe Parthian coins of the highesl P.o. Box 9712, Santa Fe, NM 87604 Robert T. Golan quality bought and sold Phone or FAX ·505-982-8792 P.O. Box 812 PO Box 36 We are always keenly interested in buying Warrenton, N.C. 27589 important Antiquarian and Out·Of·Print Fort Washington PA 19034 Numismatic Books and Ubraries in al l (91 9) 257-3853 215 / 275-3430 languages. Ancients Catalog $5 Member. ANA, ANS, NCNA, SAN ANCIENT COINS Christian Blom ANCIENT COINS AND ANTIQUITIES Greek, Roman, Byzantine Greek, Roman and Price Lists Harlan J. Berk, Ltd. World Coins Six buy or bid sales per year Buy-Bid Sales Write or call for free catalogue write f or free price list Free on Request 312-609-0016 P.O. Box 7618 SOUTHEAST - ~l".~""" 312-609-0017 + - 31 N. Clark St. Arlington, VA 22207 NUMISMATIC SERVICE Chicago. Il60602 703-276-2392 P.O. Box 50607, Dept. C noon to midnight Jacksonville Beach. FL 32240 BILL MCDANIELS Ancient and Medieval Coins (Greek, Roman, Indian, INDIA, PERSIA, e DINA lind EUROPE ilU!xpt nsiw tarly coins Islamic, Chinese, Fret Ust, $ paymtntJacility. Early European, Etc.) CLASSIC GREE K, ROMAN AND BRITISH COINS Robert Tye P.O. Box 2273 Locheynort , South Uist . Prof~ ssionaJ service with a personal naVQr Albany, NY 12220 • Thoughtful and detailed catalogs-hi gh Scotland, PAS! 551, United Kingdom quality photographs and printing. Sample issuc- S2 ~or;S Whatever your Cold Spring, MN 56320 • . (612) 685-3835 numismatic specialty. the ancient & rare coins p.o. box 3K7. rye, 11.),. 105HO Professional serving dl'akrs. colkctors. inn'siurs Directory ,,~ nnd , .. hm Greek • Byzantine offers a variety of Roman . Judaean . f o' The CoU,OOt • ANCI ENT & MEDI EVA L COINS Wall' Ii,,, ",II",,, "."-,,,,-,j. !~ 48 The Gelator Professional Directory ( Coins & Books ) ( Coins & Books ) ( Coins & Books ) ANClENT COINS Ancient & World Coins ARCHEOLOGICAL ARTIFACTS A full-service firm for Greek, Roman, PONTERIO Bywntine & ASSOCIATES, INC. i coins and antiquities. ! Auctions ; 1818 Robinson Ave. I For a free catalog, Buy and sell high grade coins, write or caff: entire collutions, lots. San Diego, CA 92103 DEALERS ARE KINDLY I 4125 W. Mineral King, REQUESTED TO ASK FOR (619) 299·0400 Suite 316 OUR SPECIAL OFFERS. (800) 854·2888 I Visalia, CA 93277 Athena GmbH (209) 636·0945 ~ Oltostr. 5 ~",-WW),M ..nl lIen G. B~nm!!l Brian Kritt FRANKL. .. _ P.O. Ikn 605 WulIiD!'I. ,.rn.Id C1 (604)0 Dealer in Ancient & Medieval Coins KOVACS ~ Ph, (20)1)74.]0)2 01' 2504-7177 More Byzantine coins next month! Specializing in Ancient Ancient Coins Greek, Roman & Judaic Coins & Antiquities For Serious Collectors Professional Directory Ads just make good sense! P.O. Box 25300 P.O. Box 558 San Mateo, CA 94402 1 col. xl" - $7 per month Burtonsville, MD 20866 (4 15) 574-2028 1 col. x 2" - $ 14 per month (301) 236-0256 FAX (415) 574- 1995 1 col. x 3" - $20 per month Signature ads only Specialist in Ancient Coins Pegasi Coins Annual also sfod World Minor Coins. M~dal$, contracts: Crow/lS, Artifacts, Books and Coin cas~s P.O. Box 4207 Our inventory is IlIIIOfIg !he fil'lCSl in Amelka Ann Arbor, MI48106 take a 10% Phone: (313) 995-5743 Fax: (313) 995-3410 discount Classical numismatists serving beginners thru advanced collectors Write to: Classical Greek, Roman, %e Cefator Byzantine, and Medieval Coins, Books & Antiquities In the pasl """ ),o"r.; ..., h""" compl~l.d P.O. Box 123 fi..e selS ofrh. 12 Coums in gold. Free illustrated catalogs Lodi, WI 53555 GEORGE M, BEACH Specify: Ancient or Medieval (608) 592-4684 Numiscellaneous Want lists S¥Jrvieed. Consvltalions availabJe. p.o. Box 113, Owosso, Ml 48867 I Appraisals and eslale evalvations performoo. (517) 634-5 415 Active blJyer of all material. 49 f January 1993 Professional Directory ( Equip. & Supplies ) ( Equip. & Supplies ) ( Shows & Services ) INTRODUCING Glasrubber GREATER PHOTOGRAPH The finest tooJ flV&r Invented frx cleaning COINS & BILLS ancient bronz" col", .nd Iltlfact! NEW YORK • Instant Polaroid Prints NUMISMATIC • Color or Black & While -.- ...... ~ CONVENTION Of . • Same Size Enlarged ..~ ...... MAY 6, 7, & 8, 1993 .- OMNI PARK CENTRAL HOTEL ....... 71h Aye. & 56th SL, New York City Call or Send for . _~wirl'" - AMERICAN ISRAEL NUM!SMAT!C .-~ Free Brochure ASSOCIAT!ON CONVENT!ON W-e .,. oIfetlnfl rile i.WQv- '0101.,.- ...._ P.O. 80)( 2937 CONVENTION FEATURES: whole ...... 10 OOM. PIN"" COtII8Cf In lor AUCTIONS BY STACK'S & CHARLES KIRTLEr Redwood City. CA 94064 quanlity puroha.... C"",",ron ..." pcxcII ... 'Ancients NCIoiH' , MedalsjExDlllllT1la Hall. 1IIM1Ing •• IndMduaJ 'Glu/I,oIlbet" ".". /rom .lIIh<:>rlltd 1onIm1 ••""_. numlsmlllic ~tl.. ond luppHl. o dH .... l5. ordlreclty /rom ,,"lor U .8Spl. BOSTON ... Check out these rates! Ancient and Foreign Coin Mecca o/The Northeast! BAY STATE COI N SHOW March 19,21, & 21,1993 1/6 Page - $60 October 29, 30, & 31,1993 1/2 1/3 Page-$110 "57" PARK PLAZA HOTEL Room reservations: 617-482-1800 1/2 Page - $160 Owr 26 y~ars. .. ·N~w England's Larg~st Coin Show!!!· Full Page - $320 Bours~space $195 and up. 1/3 (single insertion prepaid rates) Chairman: Ed Aleo Box 400, Winchester, MA 01890 617-729-9677 1/6 Multiple insertion discounts available TARGET MARKET GOALS Clients find our Database, with 15,(XXJ+ Lot Descriptions and Prices Realized, gives critical Targeted directly to col/ectors of knowledge ofpast hnmmer prices ancient and medieval coins and antiquities for any Roman Imperial Gold, Silver or Bronze coin. Use our Service when plotting auction Get the most from your advertising dol/ar, bidding strategy or valuating advertise in your holdings. NUMISMATIC ARCHIVES rr'fie Ce[ator BOX 173 , LITILErON,CO P.O. Box 123, Lodi, WI 53555 • (608) 592-4684 80160-0173 USA 50 The Celator Paid Advertisement THE BACK PAGE Well, the show opened on Friday morning, and at the Dear Celator Reader: same time NYC, NJ , Connecticut, and Long Island were hit Well, the NY International has come and gone, and an by a real old-fashioned "Noreasterner". Huge waves experience it was. If you remember a "Back Page" several crashing ashore, winds up to 78 MPH, sheets of rain, and months ago, when I discussed the various mishaps that the complete shut-down and paralysis of every transporta had occurred during our attendance at various shows, I tion system available. My daughter and two other friends somehow missed snow, sleet, and hail. Well, these plagues wefe due to arrive by 9 AM to work at the show, and they caught up with us with a vengeance at the NY In!. Some managed to make it, but soaked to th e bone. I quickly newscasters called it the "Storm of the Century", while arranged for a hotel room for them, as there was no way I others just downplayed it to -the worst storm to hit NYC in was going to send them home, nor was there any way to get 50 years·. And of course, right in the midst of itwe held the them home. With all this going on, we still managed to get show!! about 400 obviously maniacal collectors to register at the Earlier in the week, it had been quite nice. On Tuesday, show. The Bromberg sale of Judaean was held at 1 PM that SOlheby's held their sale, and It was very heavily attended, day, and did very well, making over $1,000,000. Rob and the bidding was quite strong. In the case of this sale, Freeman and I decided to go to the Christie's sale instead the estimates were kept qu ite low, either through inexperi· that afternoon, and made it 2 blocks before almost being ence on the part of the cataloguers, or the old game 01 blown off our feel. We somehow managed to gel a cab, and "make em' believe the estimates are actually what the made the sale to find a very nice, but dedraggled crowd coins will sell for". The numerous dealers and collectors in who paid some extraordinary prices for certain coins of attendance knew what th e coins were worth, and bid Central Greece which were very rare and In demand. Many accordingly. In some cases the price went extraordinarily of the highlights of the sale unfortunately did not sell, as high as the interest shown in Greek-I taly by certain Italian they may have been extraordinarily rare, but just estimated dealers remains very strong, as they obviously have cus and reserved much too high for their quality. Friday night tomers back home who are collecting the series and who the downpour continued. Saturday turned colder, so now have the funds to spend. The NFAsalewas held the same we had sleet and snow with large accumulations in parts of evening. The weather was again very nice, and the sale NJ and Conn. Yet, another 400 crazy people made it to the was again heavily attended. Here the catalogue reflected show, and trade was quite brisk. Thai evening the Superior the actual market value of the coins, and the bidders In sale went to 1 AM, but was filled with seri ous buyers. This attendance took this into consideration. The real "run· sale afforded many dealers a chance to buy material for aways· were the very rare "Judaea Capla" related gold future resale al shows or by list for next year, as many coins aurei, which almost never come on the market and wh.idl were lotted up but still seriously contested. were not in the BrombergColiection. So much forTuesday. Of course, Sunday dawned cold, clear, and IKLJl[e.:. On Wednesday, CNG held their sale during the afternoon. cjpjtalion, and the show was as busy as any Sunday th at I I decided to skip the Aes Grave section, as I have absolutely have ever seen as some collectors fina.IIy made it to the no interest in this series and also had no bids to execute, show. Such is the life of a coin dealer. but I understand that the series did quite well. By the time that the Greek rolled around and I arrived on the scene, I To all our clients & friends we had to hunt for a seal as the ·place was packed". I again managed to sit with my oid buddy Alan Walker of Bank l eu wish a very happy holiday season! fame, whose running commentary during the course of most auctions has those of us near enough to hear in FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY stitches. The sale was very Slrong. In lact, probably one of the heaviest bid sales that I have ever attended at CNG. WE WILL BE IN NJ & NYC They got very good prices and was, as usual, very I Show Schedule: surprised to see local collectors who seem to always dither around at coin shows when viewing coins for sale, bid very F,U,N Show, Jan 7_10, Orlando, Fla. - usual massive heavily on coins at auction. It would seem that some ThurS.-Sun. show, but a very good show to attend. Normal people feel much "safer??· bidding at auction for some show hours. We will be in the Foreign & Ancient section. strange reason, even when offered a similar coin at a lesser Held at the Convention Cenler. cost. San JOlt Show, CA Jan, 22-24 - at the Old Convention On Thursday, we had the set-up for the show. The Center, usual show hours, a Fri.-sun. show, always attracts weather held, and in fact was mild enough for Dennis and a good crowd, we will have corner table. Desiree to go out 10 supper with me sans any overcoats at a all. I was wearing a fox parka and cap, and was provoking the usual comments from the "peanut gallery" at the auc tions, as the vote seemed to be evenly split between my looking like a "mob chauffeur" from the 1930's or one of & those ch aracters from the ·Superfly· movies of the early Rare Coins Classical Arts ltd. 1970's. And some people actually th ink that I am "stuffy". ~Specialists in Museum Quality Coins" The show during the set-up was fairly qu iet, although Member: ANA, ANS, SAN, AINA, INS, Ex·Feliow RNS some very aggressive buying of choice Roman bronzes was being done by certain Spanish and French deaters. I P.O, Box 374 P,O. Box699 , had some really choice material snapped up as there was South Orange, NJ 07079 Palm Desert, CA 92261 I a distinct lack of nice bronzes in the various auctions, and Phone: (201) 761-0634 Phone: (619) 345-7161 apparenlly a real shortage of this material in Europe. FAX, (201)761-8406 I January 1993 51 INDEX OF DISPLAY Celator Classifieds ADVERTISERS Algal Numlsma1ies Rates: Album. Stephen '" " $5.00 for the first 20 words, 20¢ each additional word. Amsellem, Claud INTERNATIONAL,IHC Now Accepting Consignments For Upcoming • Complete Access to the International Market· • Incomparable Catalogs· • Best Results for Coins Sold in Auction • Cu/au" SiltJcl' tefradraclulI c. 405 s.c. Baenia 11 wife of Plak",y III Oms/all/jrlt I I ~ Gmlt Gold Jccadracl"n Gold ",~ dallio" 011-112 solidi Ak:umdria, c. 230-222 B.C. AD.J26 Please ( 0 11 tact R ob l'YttmaIJ fo r further in/ormation Numismatic Fine Arts INTERNATIONAL , INC 10100 Santa Monica Blvd, Sixth Floor. Los Angeles, CA 90067 TEL: (310) 278- 1535 FAX (310) 785- 0457 75TH BUY OR BID SALE ... Closing date January 28, 1993 ... WHERE ELSE ARE YOU GOING TO BUY COINS LIKE THESE WITH A LIMITED PRICE AND NO 10% BUYERS PREMIUM ????? ! ,-- , .... ,11,..,. HARLAN 1. BERK, LTD. • . 'l' MIS"" :~I' ~ ' "Hg, ·· < 31 N. Clark Street, Chicago, Illinois 60602 ~ .."'- .../ (312) 609-0017 FAX: (312) 609-1309 #178