Feb. 16, 2001, The Benson Collection Part 1, Sale 8
Lot 2920
Judea. Gaza.
Philisto-Arabian Issues, c. 430-370 BC. AR Drachm (3.9 g). Janiform head,
bearded male head at left, female on right. Reverse: Within incuse
square, owl standing right, head facing; at bottom right, two letter
inscription. Mildenberg, Vestigia Leonis, pls. XXV, 17; XIX, 4. Reverse die in
advanced state of deterioration. Very Fine. Very rare.
Estimated
Value $700-900.
Lot 2921
Judea. Under Persian Rule,
before 333 BC. AR Yehud Hemiobol (0.3 g). Head of Persian King right,
wearing kidaris. Reverse: Falcon displayed, head right; Paleo-Hebrew
inscription at upper right ("YHD"). Hendin 429; Meshorer 9. Deeply toned.
Obverse a little off center, otherwise especially bold strike on unusually good
metal. Falcon and inscription exceptionally clear. Extremely Fine.
Rarely seen in this quality.
Estimated Value $1,500-UP.
Lot 2922
Judea. Under Persian Rule,
before 333 BC. Yehud AR Hemiobol (0.4 g). Head of bearded Persian King
left, wearing kidaris. Reverse: Falcon displayed, head
right; inscription(?). Cf. Hendin 429 = Meshorer, Ancient Jewish I, no.
9. Deeply toned. Superb, sharp strike on remarkably good metal. Almost
perfectly centered! Choice Extremely Fine. Very rare variety, of
superior quality.
Estimated Value $750-1,000.
This coin apparently
still unpublished with Persian king's head left. Also, on the normal coins of
this type that are illustrated in Meshorer, the various forms of the
inscription, "Yehud," are within very close proximity to, or even touching, the
falcon's wings. On this coin there is sufficient field around the bird, and yet
no lettering can be discerned. Perhaps another variety, i.e., uninscribed?
Lot 2923
Judea. Under Persian Rule,
before 333 BC. Yehud AR Quarter Obol (0.2 g). Facing unbearded head, within
circular border. Reverse: Owl standing right, head facing; at left,
Hebrew inscription: "Hapech," at right: "Hezekiah." Hendin 430; Meshorer,
Jewish Coins I, pl. 2, 10a. Sharply struck, on good metal. The reverse
well-centered and the inscriptions virtually complete. Deeply toned. Good
Very Fine. Rare. An exceptionally good specimen overall.
Estimated
Value $1,200-1,500.
Lot 2924
Judea. Samaria, Under
Persian Rule, c. 375-332 BC. AR Obol (0.7 g). Recumbent Persian griffin
right, letter in field, all within incuse square with dotted cable border.
Reverse: Facing head of horned lion, within square dotted cable border.
Mesh. & Qedar, no. 31. Toned. Better preserved than usual. Choice Very Fine.
Rare.
Estimated Value $600-700.
Lot 2925
Judea. Samaria, Under
Persian Rule, 375-332 BC. AR Obol (0.8 g). Head of bearded(?) satrap right,
wearing bashlik. Reverse: Forepart of galloping horse right, ethnic at
left. Mesh. & Qedar, no. 75. Deeply toned. Obverse a little off center,
nevertheless among the better Greek-style dies in the series. Choice Very
Fine. Rare.
Estimated Value $600-700.
Lot 2926
Judea. Hasmonean Period.
John Hyrcanus I, 134-104 BC. AE Double Prutah. Filleted double cornucopia;
Hebrew inscription around. Reverse: Crested helmet right, within border
of dots. Hendin 462; Meshorer, pl. 46, Group R. Surfaces a little rough,
nevertheless a bold strike. Black-brown patina, with earthen green highlights.
About Fine. Very rare.
Estimated Value $1,750-UP.
Lot 2927
Judea. Hasmonean Period.
Judah Aristobulus I, 104-103 BC. AE Prutah. Hebrew inscription within
wreath. Reverse: Filleted double cornucopia, pomegranate in between.
Hendin 465; AJC I, Group Ja. Dark brown patina, with earthen highlights.
Extremely Fine. Rare in this preservation.
Estimated Value $250-350.
Lot 2928
Judea. Hasmonean Period.
Mattathias Antigonus, 40-37 BC. AE 23 mm. (Four Prutot). Double
cornucopiae, Hebrew inscription around and inbetween. Reverse: Ivy
wreath, Greek inscription around. Hendin 481; Meshorer, AJC I, p. 158, V4. Well
struck for type, with bold inscription. Black-brown patina, with earthen
highlights. Nice Very Fine. Choice example.
Estimated Value
$300-350.
Lot 2929
Judea. Hasmonean Period.
103 BC - 69 AD. Lot of seven AE Prutahs. Lot includes Hasmonean,
Procuratorial, and First Revolt types. Two of Alexander Jannaeus: Anchor / Star
(Hendin 469). One of Pontius Pilate: Three ears of barley / Simpulum (Hendin
648). One of Agrippa I: Umbrella / Three ears of barley (Hendin 553). One of
Porcius Festus: Wreath, legend within / Palm branch (Hendin 653). And, two of
the First Revolt: Amphora / Vine leaf (Hendin 661, 664). Lot of 7 coins. With
brown or green patinas. Very Good to Fine plus.
Estimated Value
$100-125.
Lot 2930
Judea. Herodian Period.
Herod Philip, 4 BC-34 AD. Struck year 19 (15/16 AD). AE 19 mm. Laureate
head of Tiberius right with counterstamp on neck. Reverse:
Tetrastyle temple on low platform with staircase below, dot in pediment, date
between columns; LITh (year 19). Mesh. 7c; Hen. 534 var. Although worn, the
designs are easily discernible and the countermark is clear. Dark brown patina.
Very Good.
Estimated Value $300-400.
The interesting
countermark symbol appears to be a sun-wheel, somewhat similar to the symbol
used on the leptons of Alexander Jannaeus.
Lot 2931
Judea. Herodian Period.
Herod Agrippa II, 56-95 AD. AE 22 mm., Year 14 under Nero, 67/68 AD.
Sepphoris mint. Wreath around interior circle, inscription in five lines
within. Reverse: Twin cornucopiae, crossed, caduceus between; Greek
inscription around. Hendin 586; AJC II, 279, 8. Dark green and brown patina,
with earthen highlights. Very Fine. Very scarce.
Estimated Value
$400-500.
Lot 2932
Judea. Herodian Period.
Herod Agrippa II, 56-95 AD. AE 27 mm., Year 14, struck 74/75 AD. Laureate
head of Vespasian right. Reverse: Tyche frontal on dais, head left,
holding cornucopia, and two ears of corn in extended hand; inscription in two
lines. Hendin 589a; AJC II, 251, 8. Green and red patina, with slight earthen
highlights. Very Fine.
Estimated Value $500-600.
Lot 2933
Judea. Herodian Period.
Herod Agrippa II, 56-95 AD. AE 23 mm., Year 26, struck 86/87 AD. Laureate
and cuirassed bust of Titus right, cuirass with aegis details. Reverse:
Nike alights right, holding palm branch and wreath, inscription in field.
Hendin 612 var; AJC II, 254, 32. Minor striking flatness to reverse, which is a
little of center. Exceptional, boldly struck portrait. Handsome deep gray-green
patina. Choice Very Fine.
Estimated Value $300-400.
Lot 2934
Judea. Herodian Period.
Herod Agrippa II, 56-95 AD. AE 26 mm., Year 35, struck 95/96 AD. Laureate
head of Domitian right. Reverse: Tyche frontal on dais, head left,
holding cornucopia, and two ears of corn in extended hand; inscription in two
lines. Hendin 631; AJC II, 258, 53. Dark chocolate brown patina, with earthen
highlights. Very Fine.
Estimated Value $700-800.
Lot 2935
Judea. Lot of Small
Bronzes, mostly Prutahs and Leptons, ca. 100 BC. - 96 AD. Included are:
Alexander Janneaus (two examples), Inscription / Double cornucopia (Hendin 473,
474); Marcus Ambibulus, Ear of barley / Palm tree, Year 39 (Hendin 636);
Porcius Festus (two examples), Legend in wreath / Palm branch (Hendin 653); and
lastly, Agrippa II, Laureate head of Domitian right / War galley left (Hendin
599). Lot of 6 coins. Most with green patinas with earthen highlights. The
Agrippa quite pleasing. Coins average nice Very Fine, one or two a bit less.
Overall, a nice group.
Estimated Value $250-350.
Lot 2936
Judea. The Jewish War,
66-70 AD. AR Shekel (13.6 g), Year 2, struck 67/68 AD. Chalice with pearled
rim and raised foot; Hebrew inscription around, date above cup. Reverse: Stem
with pearled base and three pomegranates; Hebrew inscription around. Hendin
659; AJC II, 260, 8. Nicely centered, bold strike. Superb Extremely Fine.
Estimated Value $2,000-2,500.
Lot 2937
Judea. The Jewish War,
66-70 AD. Nine Choice AE Prutahs. Year 2, struck 67/68 AD. All with amphora
obverse, vine and leaf reverse. All dated year 2. Hendin 661; Meshorer 11a, 12.
Each well centered and boldly struck, with pleasant brown, or green, and
earthen patinas. Extremely Fine. Choice lot, with all superb examples.
Estimated Value $1,250-1,500.
Lot 2938
Judea. The Jewish War,
66-70 AD. AR Shekel (14.1 g), Year 3, struck 68/69 AD. Chalice with pearled
rim and raised foot; Hebrew inscription around, date above cup. Reverse:
Stem with pearled base and three pomegranates; Hebrew inscription around.
Hendin 662; AJC II, 261, 18. Well struck up on good metal. Superb Extremely
Fine.
Estimated Value $2,000-2,500.
Lot 2939
Judea. The Jewish War,
66-70 AD. AE Eighth (19 mm.), Year 4, struck 69/70 AD. Chalice with pearled
rim, Hebrew inscription around. Reverse: Lulav flanked by etrog on
either side, date in Hebrew around. Hendin 670; AJC II, 262, 30. Dark brown and
red patina, with slight coppery highlights. Very Fine.
Estimated
Value $150-200.
Lot 2940
Judea. The Jewish War,
66-70 AD. AE Eighth (21 mm.), Year 4, struck 69/70 AD. Chalice with pearled
rim; Hebrew inscription around. Reverse: Lulav flanked by etrog on
either side, Hebrew inscription around ("Year four"). Hendin 670; AJC II, 262,
30. Dark brown and green patina, with touches of red. Very Fine.
Estimated Value $150-250.
Lot 2941
Judea. Bar Kochba Revolt,
132-135 AD. AE Large Bronze (34 mm.), Year 1, struck 132/133 AD. Hebrew
inscription in three lines ("Simon Prince of Israel"), within wreath; below,
rectangular incuse counterstamp, with AD within. Reverse: Amphora with
two handles; Hebrew inscription around ("Year one of the redemption of
Israel"). Hendin 677; Meshorer 3b; Mildenberger 1; for counterstamp, cf.
Howgego 51, "Hadrian." Note a counterstamped Middle Bronze in Rosenberger IV,
p. 82, no. 24. Pleasant dark brown-green patina with reddish-ocher highlights.
Typical soft strike, although the counterstamping process may have added to the
flatness. Pleasing, and nearly Very Fine. Very rare.
Estimated Value
$6,000-7,000.
This is a most unusual variety to an already rare series
-- in fact this being the first countermarked large Bar Kochba bronze that
we've handled. The counterstamp would indicate that it was applied under the
authority of Hadrian's administration, yet by its appearance the coin would
seem to have endured an excessive amount of wear within a six year period.
Although the striking of these coins can be notoriously uneven, perhaps,
though, the coin was flattened or hammered to some extant in an attempt to
deface it prior to being counterstamped. In any event, it remains a provocative
item from this contentious era of Roman and Judaean history.
Lot 2942
Judea. Bar Kochba Revolt,
132-135 AD. AE Middle Bronze (22 mm.), Year 1, 132/133 AD. Palm branch
within wreath. Reverse: Lyre with five strings; Hebrew inscription
around ("Year one of the redemption of Israel"). Hendin 680; Mildenberg 25.
Boldly struck on nearly round flan. Nice green patina with earthen highlights.
Choice Very Fine. Rare.
Estimated Value $600-700.
Lot 2943
Judea. Bar Kochba Revolt,
132-135 AD. AE Small Bronze (23 mm.), Year 1, struck 132/133 AD.
"Eleazar." Palm tree of seven branches, with two date
clusters below; Hebrew inscription in field below ("Eleazar the Priest").
Reverse: Bunch of grapes with branch; Hebrew inscription around. Hendin
681; AJC II, 266, 7; Mildenberg 150. Boldly struck and well centered, on huge,
nearly round flan. Pleasing green to dark brown patina, with reddish-ochre
earthen highlights. Choice Very Fine. A choice and impressive example of
this type.
Estimated Value $500-750.
Lot 2944
Judea. Bar Kochba Revolt,
132-135 AD. AE Middle Bronze (23 mm.), Year 2, 133/134 AD. Seven-branched
palm tree with two date clusters; Hebrew across field below ("Simon").
Reverse: Bunch of grapes hanging from short branch; Hebrew around ("Year
two of the freedom of Jerusalem"). Hendin 708; Mildenberg 76. Black green, and
coppery-bronze patina. On compact flan. Choice Very Fine.
Estimated
Value $200-250.
Lot 2945
Judea. Bar Kochba Revolt,
132-135 AD. AE 25 of Year 2, struck 133/134 AD. Seven-branched palm tree,
with two bunches of grapes; Hebrew inscription below (Simon). Reverse:
Vine leaf, Hebrew inscription around (Year two of the freedom of Israel).
Hendin 708; Mildenberg 57. Green-black patina, with earthen highlights. Very
Fine.
Estimated Value $200-250.
Lot 2946
Judea. Bar Kochba Revolt,
132-135 AD. AR Sela (13.8 g), Year 3 (undated), 134/135 AD. Facade of the
temple of Jerusalem, ark within, star above. Reverse: Lulav with etrog
at left, Hebrew inscription around. Mild. 72 only 8 cited. Hendin 711; AJC II,
272, 51. Toned. Nice Extremely Fine.
Estimated Value $2,000-2,500.
Lot 2947
Judea. Bar Kochba Revolt,
132-135 AD. AR Sela (14.4 g), Year 3 (undated), 134/135 AD. Facade of the
temple of Jerusalem, ark within, star above. Reverse: Lulav with etrog
at left, Hebrew inscription around. Mild. 56 only 13 cited. Hendin 711; AJC II,
272, 51. Overstruck on an Antioch tetradrachm of Trajan, the undertype very
distinct on Sela's reverse. Deeply toned. Extremely Fine.
Estimated
Value $2,000-2,500.
Lot 2948
Judea. Bar Kochba Revolt,
132-135 AD. AR Zuz (3.2 g), Year 3 (undated), 134/135 AD. Bunch of grapes
hanging from short branch, Hebrew inscription around ("Simon"). Reverse:
Lyre with three strings, Hebrew around ("For the freedom of Jerusalem"). Hendin
734; Mildenberg 183. Some peripheral flatness, but essentially as struck.
Fields still lustrous. Extremely Fine.
Estimated Value $500-750.