Feb. 16, 2001, The Benson Collection Part 1, Sale 8
Lot 2843
Sicily. Akragas, c.
425-406 BC. AE Hemilitron. Overstruck bronze with eagle and hare obverse,
and crab and sea serpent reverse. Obverse: Uniface. Reverse: Head
of beardless Herakles right, wearing lion skin headdress (struck c. 380 BC.).
On this, counterstamp of youthful male head right; behind, conch shell,
caduceus before (c. 325 BC.). Gabrici pl. IV, 30.4; cf. SNG ANS 1078, 1079.
Pleasing black, red, and deep green patina. Last countermark a Choice Very
Fine. Unusual. One of the better preserved examples.
Estimated Value
$250-350.
Lot 2844
Sicily. Leontini, c.
470-466 BC. AR Tetradrachm (16.1 g). Charioteer driving walking quadriga
right, with Nike above, flying left to crown him; running lion right in
exergue. Reverse: Laureate head of Apollo right, three laurel leaves
around with ethnic interspersed within; below head, running lion right. SNG ANS
217. This could be improved by proper cleaning. Old deep collection toning.
Some slight smoothing and minor patches of surface roughness. Die breaks
beginning to appear on Apollo at ear and neck truncation. About Very Fine.
Very rare. This coin could be further improved with proper cleaning.
Estimated Value $2,000-UP.
The relationship of the Syracusan
masterworks of the "Demareteion Master" to the coins of Leontini is discussed
by R.R. Holloway in ANSMN IX, pp. 1-11. These he wholly regards to be works of
the same person. On the other hand, Carmen Arnold-Biucchi disputes this in her
work on the Randazzo Hoard. She considers the Leontini coins influenced by, but
not the same works of the master. She places the Leontini issues somewhat later
than those of Syracuse, and in a more developed and realistic style. In any
event, the coin is one seminal issues in the whole of the Leontini series, and
as such the opportunity of enriching one's collection with this serviceable
example should not be missed.
Lot 2845
Sicily. Messana, c.
460-450 BC. AR Tetradrachm (17.3 g). Charioteer driving walking biga right.
Reverse: Hare springing right, ethnic around. SNG ANS 315ff. Fine old
toning. About Very Fine.
Estimated Value $500-600.
Lot 2846
Sicily. Messana, c.
420-413 BC. AR Tetradrachm (17.2 g). Charioteer, holding reins, in walking
biga of mules right; ethnic above, two confronted dolphins in exergue.
Reverse: Hare leaping right, dolphin beneath right; ethnic around.
Caltabiano 526 (D208/R223). Obverse die a little worn, but very sharply struck.
Reverse somewhat double struck, but the hare splendidly characterized. Coin
very lustrous. Extremely Fine.
Estimated Value $1,500-2,000.
Lot 2847
Sicily. Syracuse, c. 440
BC. AR Tetradrachm (17.3 g). Nike flying right to crown horses in slow
quadriga right; below, sea dragon. Reverse: Head of Arethusa right, four
dolphins around, ethnic around. SNG ANS 184. Toned, with clean strike. This
example with handsome early classical portrait. Extremely Fine. Color
photo.
Estimated Value $1,000-1,500.
Ex. Hirsch Coll. 575.
Lot 2848
Sicily. Syracuse, c.
405-400 BC. Gold 100 Litrae/Double Dekadrachm (5.8 g). Head of Arethusa
left, hair in ampyx and sphendone, decorated with stars; in field at left,
ethnic above, globe below; at right EY[AI]. Reverse: Herakles, kneeling
right, strangling the Nemaean lion. De Ciccio 44; Lockett 887 (same dies); SNG
Lockett 985; SNG ANS 334 (same reverse die). Boldly and cleanly struck, from
lightly rusted dies -- the reverse the better preserved. Nearly Mint State.
The restrained, classical elegance of this coin's reverse make it one of
the masterpieces of Greek numismatic art.
Estimated Value $7,000-8,000.
Lot 2849
Sicily. Syracuse.
Agathokles, 317-289 BC. Gold Double Decadrachm, struck c. 295 BC. Head of
Athena right, wearing crested helmet with griffin ornament. Reverse:
Winged thunderbolt; name and title above and below. SNG ANS 704. Artistic
portrait. Some fine hairline scratches noted, otherwise, with some residual
luster. About Extremely Fine.
Estimated Value $2,000-2,500.
Lot 2850
Sicily. Syracuse.
Philistis, wife of Hieron II, 274-216 BC. AR Tetradrachm (13.4 g). Diademed
and veiled bust of Philistis left, star behind. Reverse: Nike in walking
quadriga right, star above, K before horses. SNG ANS 878. Choice style for the
series, with artistic old collection toning. Reverse very slightly double
struck, but sharp and with good metal. Nearly Extremely Fine.
Estimated Value $700-900.
Lot 2851
Sicily. Syracuse.
Philistis, wife of Hieron II, 274-216 BC. AR Tetradrachm (12.9 g).
struck c. 216-215 BC. Diademed and veiled head of Philistis left.
Reverse: Nike in galloping quadriga right, E below. SNG ANS 887. Well
struck, with residual luster. Attractive iridescent toning -- gray with silvery
golds, reds, and steely blues. Good, flamboyant Hellenistic style, on excellent
metal. Superb Extremely Fine.
Estimated Value $1,400-1,600.
Lot 2852
Macedonia. Eion, c. 480
BC. AR Diobol (1.1 g). Goose with head reverted, lizard above left, Th
below right. Reverse: Quadripart incuse square. SNG Cop. 174. Pleasant
medium toning. Very Fine.
Estimated Value $125-175.
Lot 2853
Macedonia. Neapolis,
424-350 BC. AR Triobol (1.7 g). Gorgoneion facing. Reverse: Head of
nymph right, ethnic around. SNG Cop. 227; Gaebler, pl. 16, 26. Minor edge
fault, but with attractive old collection toning. Bold, appealing style -- the
gorgon portrait very forceful. Superb Extremely Fine.
Estimated
Value $400-500.
Ex. Sotheby Auction, London, 5-12-83, lot 154.
Lot 2854
Macedonia. Neapolis, c.
400 BC. AR Hemidrachm (1.6 g). Gorgoneion facing. Reverse: Head of
nymph right, ethnic at right. SNG Cop. 229; Dewing 1066. Toned. Pleasing early
classical style. Choice Very Fine.
Estimated Value $200-250.
Lot 2855
Macedonian Kingdom.
Perdikkas II, 454-413 BC. AR Tetrobol (2.1 g). Free horse prancing right.
Reverse: Crested helmet right. SNG Cop. 496 var.; BMC Macedonia, p.162,
1 var. Lightly toned, the horse of fine style. Good Very Fine / Very Fine.
Estimated Value $150-200.
Lot 2856
Macedonian Kingdom.
Phillip II, 359-336 BC. Gold stater (8.5 g), Pella mint, struck c. 323-315 BC.
Laureate head of youthful Apollo right, A behind head. Reverse:
Charioteer in fast biga right, thunderbolt in field below. Le Rider 612; SNG
Cop. 530; SNG ANS 200. Portrait of quite elegant style for series; with
residual luster. Nice Extremely Fine. Letter on obverse a rare variety
within the enormous coinage of Philip II staters.
Estimated Value
$3,000-3,500.
Lot 2857
Macedonian Kingdom.
Phillip II, 359-336 BC. Gold Stater (8.6 g), Pella mint. Struck c.
323-315 BC. Laureate head of Apollo right. Reverse: Charioteer in
fast biga right, head of trident below. Le Rider 516. Bold strike, with much
residual luster. Better style portrait for this mint. Nice Extremely Fine.
Estimated Value $2,000-2,400.
Lot 2858
Macedonian Kingdom.
Phillip II, 359-336 BC. AR Tetradrachm, struck c. 325-300 BC. Laureate head
of Zeus right / Nude youth on horseback right (Le Rider 123). Along with:
Alexander III, 3336-323 BC., AR Drachm, Colophon mint: Head of youthful
Herakles right, wearing lion's skin / Zeus enthroned left; wheat grain in left
field, spearhead in right. Lot of 2 coins. Some porosity to first; the second
attractive style, with deep iridescent toning. Nice Fine.
Estimated
Value $100-150.
Lot 2859
Macedonian Kingdom.
Alexander III, the Great, 336-323 BC. Gold stater set in men's gold ring.
Stater with Athena on obverse, Nike standing left on reverse, and probably
from a Macedonian mint and a life time issue. Head of Athena right, wearing
triple-crested helmet with serpent ornament. Her hair arranged into three long,
and one short, corkscrew curls. Coin set slightly to left of center in large
man's ring of 14 kt. yellow gold, with bezel and left side with fluted
modeling, and with stippled texture. The right side of the ring highly
polished, with a channel set row of six round, brilliant cut diamonds, along
with two similar deep green tourmalines. The diamonds average about 3.3 mm in
size, for a total weight of about .98 cts. Inside diameter of band about .89"
and should easily accommodate a large man's finger. With accompanying insurance
description.
A bold and eye-catching jewel! The assertive, textured
setting, almost suggestive of an ancient weathered marble column, provides an
intriguing contrast to the richly colored, velvety texture of the ancient gold.
This counterplay repeated between the flash and sparkle of the diamonds, and
sultry luminescence of the deep green gems.
Estimated Value $3,000-UP.
Lot 2860
Macedonian Kingdom.
Alexander III, the Great, 336-323 BC. AR Tetradrachm (17.1 g), Pella mint.
Struck 323-215 BC. Head of youthful Herakles right, wearing lion
skin headdress. Reverse: Zeus enthroned left, holding eagle and scepter;
at left field, bee. Price 204 (for reverse), cf.206 for obverse style.
Attractive old toning. Good Very Fine.
Estimated Value $250-300.
Lot 2861
Macedonian Kingdom.
Alexander III, the Great, 336-323 BC. AR Tetradrachm (17.1 g). Struck c.
315-294 BC. Head of Herakles right, wearing lionskin headdress.
Reverse: Zeus seated left, holding eagle and scepter; at left, L, torch
below, star beneath chair. Amphipolis mint. Price 474. Sharp, well-centered
strike. With slight gold/iridescent toning. Superb Extremely Fine.
Estimated Value $450-550.
Lot 2862
Macedonian Kingdom.
Alexander III, the Great, 336-323 BC. AR Tetradrachm (16.9 g), Corinth mint.
Struck c. 310-290 BC. Head of youthful Herakles right, wearing
lion's skin. Reverse: Zeus enthroned left, Nike in left field, monogram
in throne. Price 675a. Artistic old collection toning; handsome reverse.
Choice Very Fine. Scarce.
Estimated Value $250-350.
Lot 2863
Macedonian Kingdom.
Alexander III, the Great, 336-323 BC. AR Tetradrachm (17.0 g), Sardes mint.
Struck c. 319-315 BC. Head of youthful Herakles right, wearing
lion's skin. Reverse: Zeus enthroned left, star in left field. Cf. Price
2664a. Nice old collection toning. Very Fine.
Estimated Value
$200-250.
Lot 2864
Macedonian Kingdom.
Alexander III, the Great, 336-323 BC. AR Tetradrachm (15.9 g), Tarsus mint.
Struck 327-323 BC. Head of youthful Herakles right, wearing lion
skin headdress. Reverse: Zeus enthroned left, holding scepter and eagle,
plow at left field. Price 3032. Toned , the reverse double struck. Very Fine
/ Fine.
Estimated Value $200-250.
Lot 2865
Macedonian Kingdom.
Alexander III, the Great, 336-323 BC. AR Tetradrachm (17.1 g), Babylon mint.
Struck c. 325-323 BC. Head of youthful Herakles right, wearing
lion's skin. Reverse: Zeus enthroned left, cornucopia in left field; M
and monogram beneath chair. Price 3613. High relief portrait, with pleasant old
collection toning. Choice Very Fine.
Estimated Value $250-300.
Lot 2866
Macedonian Kingdom.
Alexander III, the Great, 336-323 BC. Eight AR Drachms, Asia Minor mints.
All with youthful head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin headdress /
Zeus enthroned left. Each different, with various symbols or monograms in
field, including one with a mouse! Lot of 8 coins. Coins average Extremely
Fine. A worthwhile group.
Estimated Value $600-700.
Lot 2867
Macedonian Kingdom.
Alexander III, the Great, 336-323 BC. Ten AR Drachms. All of usual type:
Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin / Zeus enthroned left, various
symbols or monograms. Mostly Asia Minor mints. Two in need of cleaning,
otherwise all serviceable to attractive. Good dealer or eBay material. Lot of
10 coins. Coins average Fine to Very Fine, a few a bit better.
Estimated Value $300-500.
Lot 2868
Macedonian Kingdom.
Phillip III, 323-317 BC. AR Tetradrachm (17.0 g), Babylon mint. Head of
youthful Herakles right, wearing lion skin headdress. Reverse: Zeus
enthroned left, holding eagle and scepter; at left field, wheel, N below,
monogram beneath chair. Price P200 (for reverse), cf. P175c for obverse
(Sidon). Lightly toned. A pleasing Very Fine.
Estimated Value
$250-300.