Feb. 24-25, 2003, The Benson Collection Part 3, Sale 17
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Lot 1264 Imperatorial Rome. Julius Caesar, d. 44 BC. AR Denarius, struck in Italy, 49 BC. Elephant right, trampling serpent. Reverse: Sacrificial implements. RSC 49. Plus, a legionary denarius of Mark Antony, d. 30 BC. Praetorian galley right. Reverse: Legionary eagle between two standards. RSC 47. Caesar with complete devices, and two discreet banker's marks. Antony sharply struck, but on tight flan; with two trivial banker's marks on obverse, and small edge test cut on reverse. Both lightly toned. Lot of 2 coins. Caesar Fine; Antony Very Fine plus. Estimated Value $275-400. |
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Lot 1265 Cassius, as Imperator. AR Denarius (Smyrna?) struck 42 BC. Diademed, draped, and veiled bust of Libertas right. Reverse: Lituus and jug; below, LENTVLVS SPINT. Craw. 500/3; BMCRR East, 77-8. Perfectly centered on very round flan. A few spots of peripheral porosity. Evidence of very thin flan crack, but area solid and stable. Overall an attractive example, with handsome toning. Near Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $600-800. |
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Lot 1266 Mark Antony and Cleopatra, d. 31 BC. AR Denarius, Alexandria, struck 34 BC. Bare head of Mark Antony right, Armenian tiara behind. Reverse: Diademed and draped bust of Cleopatra right. RSC 1; Craw. 543/1. Along with this, two Denarii of Julius Caesar, d. 44 BC: Italian mint, c. 49 BC., Elephant / Sacrificial implements (RSC 49); and African mint, c. 46 BC., Venus head right / Aeneas and Anchises (BMCRR 31). Cleopatra and Antony portraits sharply struck, but metal of coin porous. It appears that a section of flan had separated, but was re-attached. The coin now appears to be solid and stable. The break not impinging on the portraits. Venus coin with pleasing portrait, but banker's mark in field before. Elephant coin with some speckled deposits on the reverse. Lot of 3 coins. Coins average Fine. The Cleopatra coin with decent, legible portraits -- a great hole filler for those who are seeking one, and at a price that would be hard to beat elsewhere. Estimated Value $550-650. |
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Lot 1267 Augustus, 27 BC-14 AD. AR Denarius, Lugdunum mint, struck 2 BC - 14 AD. Laureate head of Augustus right. Reverse: Togate Caius and Lucius Caesar frontal, holding shields and spears; lituus and simpulum between them. RIC 207; BMCRE 519. Well struck up, with head of Augustus in better style. Metal a little granular, but with choice deep iridescent toning. Nearly Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $175-275. |
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Lot 1268 Divus Augustus, d. 14 AD. AE Dupondius, Rome, struck by Caligula, 37-41 AD. Radiate head of Augustus, SC in field. Reverse: Togate Augustus seated left on curule chair, holding branch; CONSENSV SENAT ET EQ ORDIN P Q R. RIC 56; BMCRE 88. Attractive and well centered, on very round flan. Light smoothing in fields; variegated olive, brown, and green patina. Near Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $550-750. |
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Lot 1269 Agrippina Senior, wife of Germanicus & Mother of Caligula, d. 33 AD. AE Sestertius, Rome, struck 37-41 AD. Issued under Caligula. Draped bust of Agrippina right. Reverse: Carpentum drawn left by two mules, standing figures support canopy of cart; MEMORIAE AGIPPINAE, SPQR. Light smoothing, mostly in fields. Pleasing vareigated brown, red and green patina. Handsome and dignified portrait, finely centered on very round flan. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $2,000-2,500. |
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Lot 1270 Caligula, 37-41 AD. AE As, Rome, struck 37-38 AD. Bare head of Caligula left. Reverse: Draped and veiled Vesta seated left, holding patera and scepter; VESTA, S - C. Sharp strike, finely centered, but surfaces overall a little rough. Good portrait, pleasing speckled green patina. Nice Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $350-450. |
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Lot 1271 Caligula, 37-41 AD. AE Sestertius, Rome, struck 40-41 AD. Pietas, veiled and draped, seated left, holding patera, elbow resting on small facing statue behind. Reverse: Caligula sacrifing before hexastyle temple; attendant at left leading bull to altar, attendant behind, holding patera. RIC 51; BMCRE 69. Slight smoothing to obverse fields; pleasing green and brown patina. Crisp strike, finely centered on very round flan. Very Fine. Estimated Value $750-1,000. |
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Lot 1272 Claudius, 41-54 AD. AE Sestertius, Rome, struck 42 AD. Laureate head of Claudius right. Reverse: Inscription in four lines: EX S C / P P / OB CIVES / SERVATOS, all within wreath of oak leaves. RIC 112; BMCRE 185. Attractive portrait, with pleasing dusky green and brown patina. Some smoothing, with touches of tooling, mostly in hair and leaves. Nevertheless, large and impressive looking. Nearly Extremely Fine / Very Fine. Estimated Value $900-1,100. |
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Lot 1273 Claudius, 41-54 AD. AE As, Rome, struck 42 AD. Bare head of Claudius left. Reverse: Libertas frontal, head right, holding veil and pileus in right hand, left extended. RIC 113; C. 47. Light smoothing, mostly in fields. Pleasing deep to apple green patina; nick in right reverse field. Extremely Fine / Very Fine plus. Estimated Value $300-400. |
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Lot 1274 Claudius, 41-54 AD. AE As, Rome, struck 42-43 AD. Bare head of Claudius left. Reverse: Minerva standing right, brandishing spear and shield; SC. RIC 116; C. 84. Well centered and struck. Light smoothing to fields. Variegated deep green, brown and lighter dusky green patina. Choice Very Fine. Estimated Value $350-450. |
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Lot 1275 Nero, 54-68 AD. AR Denarius, Rome, struck 64-65 AD. Laureate head of Nero right. Reverse: Jupiter enthroned left, holding fulmen and scepter; IVPITER CVSTOS. RIC 53; BMCRE 74. Sharply struck, with only a hint of toning. Splendid portrait, with attractive Jupiter also. About Extremely Fine. A very nice coin. Estimated Value $600-750. |
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Lot 1276 Nero, 54-68 AD. AE Sestertius, Rome, struck c. 64 AD. Laureate head right; NERO CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG GERM PM TR P IMP PP. Reverse: Triumphal arch, with Nero in facing quadriga on top, accompanied by Pax and Victory; S C on either side. Apparently unlisted in RIC with right laureate head for this inscription, only with left, RIC 150. Devices sharp, but a trifle softly struck, with reverse a little off center. Light surface roughness to reverse. Overall handsome, with pleasing green and black patina. Scarce. Extremely Fine / about Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $600-750. |
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Lot 1277 Nero, 54-68 AD. AE 33 mm. of Perinthus, Thrace, c. 59-63 AD. Laureate head of Nero left. Reverse: Apollo standing left , holding scepter and branch; ethnic around. RPC 1753. Light smoothing to obverse fields, occasional on reverse. Bold provincial portrait. A thick Sestertius-like coin. Nearly Extremely Fine. Rare. Estimated Value $275-350. |
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Lot 1278 Galba, 68-69 AD. AR Denarius, Rome, struck 68-69 AD. Laureate head of Galba right; IMP SER GALBA CAESAR AVG. Reverse: Livia standing left, holding patera and scepter; DIVA AVGVSTA. RIC 186, same as illustration in Sear II, no. 2102 var. Nicely centered, sharp strike. Livia stylishly rendered. A good deal of residual luster. Near Extremely Fine / Very Fine plus. Estimated Value $775-975. |
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Lot 1279 Otho, 69 AD. AR Denarius, Rome mint. Bare head of Otho right. Reverse: Pax standing left, holding branch and caduceus. RIC 14; BMCRE 3. Lightly toned, with splendid portrait, but lamination flake at neck. Very Fine plus. Estimated Value $450-600. |
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Lot 1280 Otho, 69 AD. AR Denarius Rome, struck 69 AD. Bare head of Otho right. Reverse: Securitas towards left, holding wreath and scepter; SECVRITAS P R. RIC 8; BMCRE 17. Some light roughness to fields; just a touch of smoothing to reverse. Bold, crisp, and attractive portrait. Near Very Fine +. Scarce. Estimated Value $450-600. |
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Lot 1281 Vespasian, 69-79 AD. AE As, Rome, struck 71 AD. Laureate head right. Reverse: Aequitas standing left, holding scales and scepter. RIC 482; C. 13. Bold relief portrait on oversize flan, with choice dark green patina. Choice Very Fine. Estimated Value $275-350. |
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Lot 1282 Titus, 79-81 AD. AR Denarius, Rome, struck 80 AD. Laureate head right. Reverse: Draped throne with triangular back. RIC 24a var.; BMCRE 61. Well centered on round flan. Slight portrait weakness at ear and cheek. Choice Very Fine, or better. Estimated Value $150-250. |
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Lot 1283 Domitian, 81-96 AD. AR Denarius, Rome, struck 80 AD. Laureate head right. Reverse: Helmet on draped throne. RIC 51; BMCRE 98. Also, Divus Antoninus Pius, AR Denarius struck under Marcus Aurelius. Bare head of Pius right. Reverse: Funeral bier in four tiers, chariot at top. RIC 438. Both finely centered and struck, on nice round flans. Lot of 2 coins. Coins average Extremely Fine. Choice lot. Estimated Value $300-400. |
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Lot 1284 Lot of Three AR Denarii, 81-192 AD. All are select examples, with two having laureate portraits; the last, Antoninus Pius, bare-headed. Domitian, struck 92-93 AD.: Minerva right, brandishing spear and shield; RIC 171. Commodus, 177-192 AD., struck 184 AD.: Aequitas left, holding scales and cornucopia; RIC 73. And lastly, Divus Antoninus Pius, d. 161 AD.: Funeral pyre; RIC 438. All are well centered, sharp strikes with good portraits. Domitian with flan flaw in right reverse field. Coins average Extremely Fine, plus and minus. Good dealer or collector lot. Estimated Value $300-375. |
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Lot 1285 Nerva, 96-98 AD. AE Sestertius, Rome, struck 97 AD. Laureate head of Nerva right. Reverse: Fortuna seated left, holding ears of grain and scepter; FORTVNA P R, SC. RIC 85; C. 80. Good portrait, with dusky to deep apple green patina. Choice Very Fine. Estimated Value $400-500. |
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Lot 1286 Trajan, 98-117 AD. AE Sestertius, Rome, struck 112-114 AD. Laureate, cuirassed, and draped bust right. Reverse: Felicitas standing left, holding caduceus and cornucopia. RIC 625. Finely centered and struck, with very good dark green patina. Minor surface irregularity on lower reverse field, otherwise coin quite handsome. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $750-950. |
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Lot 1287 Trajan, 98-117 AD. AE Sestertius, Rome, struck 115 AD. Laureate and draped bust of Trajan right. Reverse: Trajan seated right on platform, two officers behind, addressing five soldiers at right; IMPERATOR VIIII, SC. RIC 658. Well struck and centered, with fine dark green patina. Smoothing to fields. A handsome coin, with complex pictorial reverse. Extremely Fine. Rare and choice. Estimated Value $1,250-1,650. This scene of acclamation is based on that which occurred following Trajan's capture of theMesopotamian city of Singara. |
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Lot 1288 Trajan, 98-117 AD. AR Denarius, Rome, struck 114-117 AD. Laureate and draped bust of Trajan right. Reverse: Mars advancing right, holding spear and trophy. RIC 337; C. 270. Faintly toned and lustrous. Also, Hadrian, 117-138 AD., another Denarius, of 133 AD.: Laureate head right. Reverse: Tellus standing left, holding rake and plough handle, corn at feet. RIC 276; BMCRE 739. Very good portrait. Lightly toned. Somewhat less common type. Lot of 2 coins. Both Extremely Fine. Handsome pair. Estimated Value $275-375. |
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Lot 1289 Faustina Senior, wife of Antoninus Pius, d. 141 AD. AE Sestertius, Rome mint. "Diva Favstina." Diademed and draped bust of Faustina right. Reverse: Aeternitas enthroned left, holding scepter and phoenix atop globe. RIC 1103; C. 15. Sharp strike, well centered on fairly round flan. Pleasing deep green and brown patina , with modest earthen highlights. Very Fine. Estimated Value $175-250. |
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Lot 1290 Galerius Antoninus, son of Antoninus Pius, and "Diva Faustina." AE 29 mm. (Sestertius?), uncertain provincial mint, c. after 147 AD. Veiled and draped bust of Faustina Sr. right. Reverse: Bare-headed and draped bust of young Galerius Antoninus right. Sear II, Vol 2, 4659; Vagi 1516. Nicely centered on spacious flan. Handsome dark green patina. Light smoothing to fields, and perhaps a faint touch of tooling to Faustina's jaw and neck. Fine or better / Very Fine. A appealing example of this rarity. Estimated Value $1,500-UP. Marcus Galerius Aurelius Antoninus was one of two sons born to Antoninus Pius and Faustina Senior. From his coin portraits it is apparent he died very young, perhaps in his infancy. This coin was issued in two denominations: a 31 mm. size, and a 26 mm. size, probably from a Balkan mint. It remains very rare. |
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Lot 1291 Marcus Aurelius, 161-180 AD. AR Denarius, Rome, struck 166/167 AD. Laureate head of Aurelius right. Reverse: Providentia left, holding rod and scepter, globe at feet. RIC 170; C. 881. Also, Lucius Verus, 161-169 AD., AR Denarius, struck 161/162 AD. Providentia standing left, holding globe and cornucopia. RIC 482; C. 155. Both finely centered and struck. Reverse dies well detailed but beginning to show wear. Lot of 2 coins. Both coins a Choice Extremely Fine. A very fine lot. Estimated Value $300-400. |
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Lot 1292 Marcus Aurelius, 161-180 AD. AR Denarius, Rome, struck 166 AD. Laureate head of Aurelius right. Reverse: Victory, semidraped and frontal, head right, holding palm, arm resting on inscribed shield (VIC PAR), attached to palm tree. RIC 163; C. 878. Also, another Denarius, of wife, Faustina Jr. Draped bust right. Reverse: Fecunditas standing right, holding scepter and infant; FECVNDITAS. RIC 677; C. 99. Both sharply struck, well centered, on good metal. Lot of 2 coins. Both Choice Extremely Fine. A very fine lot. Estimated Value $250-350. |