Press Release: Auctions 203-205, March 5-8, 2012
Auction week with Gorny & Mosch
Coins for every budget: from the most exquisite showpiece for the moneyed collector to the most
beautiful rarities of high historical significance for the collector who has to keep an eye on his
financial means: nobody misses out at the auctions Gorny & Mosch 203-205 on March 5-8, 2012!
At the beginning of March, Munich is the center of international numismatics. Immediately after the
“Numismata”, Gorny & Mosch, in its own business premises, starts its traditional spring auction
which consists of three parts: auction 203 “High-quality Ancient Coins” with 670 lots with a total
estimate of 1.2 million Euros; auction 204 “Ancient Coins and Lots”, Eldorado for all collectors that
have to keep an eye on their budget; and auction 205 “Medieval and Modern Times” with numerous
collections. In total, more than 5,000 lots with an estimate totaling 3.2 million Euros will be called up
during the four days.
For a couple of years now, Gorny & Mosch successfully offers live bidding on the internet. Everyone
who likes to participate is kindly requested to register in time. Further information is available at
www.gmcoinart.de
Auction 203 – High-quality Ancient Coins
At 10 a.m. sharp auction 203 commences featuring extraordinary works of ancient numismatic art.
Those who take pleasure in finest quality, superb style and historic significance and, in addition, have
the necessary financial means, discover coins here that may well make them dream.
How about, for example, a Tetradrachm from Akragas that shows two eagles tearing a hare to pieces.
This very rare and very fine masterpiece of the art of die cutting of Classical Times is estimated at
15,000 Euros. Marvelous is a coin from Punic Motya illustrating how closely the ancient artists had
watched animals. On the obverse we see an eagle, on the reverse a crab. The pre-sale price tag of
this very rare item in very fine reads 15,000 Euros. Two gorgeous rarities at once the connoisseur
discovers amongst the Syracusan coins: Arethusa wearing the cap with a zigzag border and the one
decorated with a meander, respectively – both are extremely fine, of finest style, and estimated at
20,000 Euros.
Many more Greek coins deserve to be mentioned here: a tempting Siculo-Punic Tetradrachm with
the head of Thanit on its obverse and a horse’s head on the reverse (ef; estimate: 10,000 Euros), a
series of perfect gold Staters of Alexander, an interesting gold Stater from Kyzikos with a griffin
Editor:
GORNY & MOSCH
Giessener Münzhandlung GmbH
Maximiliansplatz 20
D-80333 München
Phone: +49-89/24 22 643-0
Fax: + 49-89/22 85 513
[email protected]
www.gmcoinart.de
1
protome (vf+; estimate: 10,000 Euros) or a depiction of the Acropolis with its sanctuaries (ef;
estimate: 1,500 Euros), to name but a few outstanding examples of the exquisite offer.
Let us turn to the Romans. A small series of Roman Republican coins in the best condition lead the
way to Imperial Times. Particularly remarkable is an extremely fine Denarius of C. Numonius Vaala
with a hitherto unidentified but realistic portrait of a Roman (Estimate: 3,000 Euros). Not to omit two
rare Aurei, the first minted under Marcus Antonius showing his own portrait and the one of Octavian
(Cr. 529/1; vf+; estimate: 25,000 Euros), the other one minted under Octavian with his portrait and
the one of his adoptive father Caesar (Cr. 490/2; vf+; estimate: 25,000 Euros).
Roman Imperial Times impress with fine conditions and the good die cutting of the coins listed here.
Cover piece became a more than extremely fine Sestertius of Nero with finest green patina in its
original state depicting an adlocutio on its reverse: Nero is standing next to the prefect of the
Praetorians who is addressing three soldiers (Estimate: 30,000 Euros). This is only one coin from a
great number of unusual pieces. We skip the rare emperors and empresses like Matidia, Pertinax,
Pescennius Niger, Didia Clara, Gordian I and II, Balbinus, Pupienus, Magna Urbica, Aelia Pulcheria,
Iusta Grata – to name but a few, and mention a not too rare Denarius of consecrated Iulia Domna
with an unusually fine die cut. Magnification reveals how finely the peacock on the reverse is carved
(Estimate: 2,500 Euros).
The section Byzantium offers rarities in addition, like a brilliant uncirculated Solidus of Theodosius III
(Estimate: 7,500 Euros), two Solidi of Eirene (same die both, estimate: 15,000 and 12,000 Euros,
respectively) as well as a Solidus of Michael III with the nice epithet The Drunkard (ef; estimate:
12,000 Euros).
Auction 204 – Ancient Coins and Lots
Still on Monday afternoon, auction 204 begins offering attractive coins at fair prices to aficionados.
Almost 30 Celtic coins start off the sale, followed by more than 600 Greek pieces including many an
attractive fraction and finely preserved bronzes. Let’s single out just one example: only 120 Euros
reads the estimate of an extremely fine Hemiobol from Neandria / Troas.
As always, Gorny & Mosch manages to present a broad range – roughly 200 this time – of Greek
coins from Roman Imperial Times. Once again, intriguing reverses don’t necessarily come at high
prices. A very fine bronze coin from Parion, for example, with the very rare depiction of the god
Asklepios examining a bull is estimated at 250 Euros only. Just two numbers away the dignitaries of
Alexandria Troas can be met: the extremely fine piece, estimated at 500 Euros, shows the gathering
of the city council. Approximately 160 coins from the Roman Republic lead over to 650 or so Imperial
pieces. Many tempting items are to be found, like an As with a countermark of Varus (Estimate: 600
Editor:
GORNY & MOSCH
Giessener Münzhandlung GmbH
Maximiliansplatz 20
D-80333 München
Phone: +49-89/24 22 643-0
Fax: + 49-89/22 85 513
[email protected]
www.gmcoinart.de
2
Euros), a Sestertius of Traianus depicting the Circus Maximus (Estimate: 600 Euros) or a hitherto
unpublished bronze of Constantin whose obverse shows him with the so-called Pileus Pannonicus
(Estimate: 500 Euros).
The Late Roman coins come up with a familiar name. Parts of the collection of Andreas Urs Sommer
will be liquidated, whom many know thanks to his catalog of Byzantine coins, THE German-language
standard reference in this field. As usual, the auction will be concluded by the famous lots – roughly
110 numbers this time –, all of them reasonably estimated and always likely candidates for springing
a (pleasant) surprise.
Auction 205 – Medieval and Modern Times
Two full days are reserved for Medieval and Modern Times with Gorny & Mosch, for many surprises
lie ahead. Already during the first hours thrilling bidding fights can be expected because the Italian
collectors are renowned for their enthusiasm when rare coins from their country are offered for sale.
Amongst the coins from the European Middle Ages, an exciting collection Italy can be found, with
items dating as late as the early Renaissance. Examples are the pieces from Ferrara with a very rare
Testone of Alfonso I d’Este (1505-1534) in extremely fine or a 1/2 Scudo of Ercole II d’Este (15341559) showing the namesake of the Duke on its reverse (Estimate: 5,000 Euros each). To that, an
Augustalis of course doesn’t stand back. The collector can choose from three examples of the rare
emission at once: the extremely fine splendid specimen is estimated at 12,000 Euros, two only
slightly poorer examples at 10,000 and 7,500 Euros, respectively.
He with an interest in Portugal ought to have a look at an unedited unique specimen, a 1/2 Denarius
of Alfonso I (1128-1185) from the Mealha Mint (f-vf; estimate: 5,000 Euros). Medieval Times are
followed by Germany since 1871. Naturally some extraordinary individual items are included here as
well, like an Inngold Ducat from 1780, minted for Charles Theodore in Munich (about brilliant
uncirculated; estimate: 7,500 Euros), a Reichstaler 1667 of the “Great Elector” from his Berlin Mint
on the death of his wife Luise Henrietta of Nassau (ef; estimate: 10,000 Euros) or a Brunswick Löser
of four Taler 1685 from the Zellerfeld Mint (ef; estimate: 7,500 Euros).
Connoisseurs will appreciate the collection Kingdom of Hanover to be liquidated under no. 4272 to
4467 as well as 5190 to 5219. The rich offer also includes fractions in finest conditions. Anyone
familiar with the topic knows that it is easier to find ten attractive Taler than one single magnificently
preserved fraction.
After Old Germany the turn is on a comprehensive series of almost 400 lots containing coins since
1871. In addition, there are lots of this field under nos. 5236 to 5366. To address only two out of the
Editor:
GORNY & MOSCH
Giessener Münzhandlung GmbH
Maximiliansplatz 20
D-80333 München
Phone: +49-89/24 22 643-0
Fax: + 49-89/22 85 513
[email protected]
www.gmcoinart.de
3
great number of rarities: Mecklenburg-Strelitz, 10 Mark 1905 A (J. 239; about brilliant uncirculated;
estimate: 5,000 Euros) or Saxe-Meiningen, 20 Mark 1882 D (J. 276; vf-ef; estimate: 6,000 Euros).
Anyone with an interest in Henry Prince of Prussia (1862-1929) will discover a small series of pieces
struck in his honor amongst the medals. Highlight of this section is a gold Schauguldiner of
Maximilian I 1505 from Hall, mounted as Gnadenpfennig. This magnificent work of goldsmithery
from the German Renaissance is estimated at 20,000 Euros.
This takes us to the European coins, starting of course with ‘A’ as in Albania. Already the first piece is
an extraordinary rarity, a coin of the Albanian Republic (1925-1928) of 20 Francs 1926 in Rome
(brilliant uncirculated; estimate: 8,000 Euros). Of this 100 piece emission 90 were melted down
again. Thus, this is one of the rarest European coins of the 20th century. Another rarity comes from
Mantua. The extremely fine Taler without date of Vincent I of Gonzaga (1587-1612) is estimated at
25,000 Euros.
Five Swedish copperplates from the 18th century, offered for estimates between 150 and 200 Euros,
ought to be mentioned briefly before turning to the Islamic coins. This section contains a collection of
Ottoman coins from the 9th to the 19th centuries, including many rarities –reasonably estimated –
connoisseurs of this field surely will appreciate. The price-conscious collector will find a number of
inexpensively estimated lots with parts of an old collection that was assembled together over years.
Last but not least a collection of Russian coins. It consists of 435 numbers and is estimated at 400,000
Euros. Something for every budget is to be discovered here. A case in point are the various Dengi,
most of them coming with estimates of 100 Euros. Considerably more – 45,000 Euros, to be specific –
is the price for a Poltina from 1741 from St. Petersburg that was minted for John III. Its edge displays
at once the typical milling with letters and, rarer, with a net.
Of course, this isn’t the only expensive item of the collection Russia. Here are the frontrunners: a 5
Kopeck piece of Alexander I (1801-1825) with the last number of the year missing on the die (ef;
estimate: 20,000 Euros); two Rouble from 1707 from the Kadashevsky Mint (ef and vf-ef,
respectively; estimate: 12,000 Euros each) and a Commemorative Rouble from 1912 depicting the
monument honoring Tsar Alexander III on its reverse (ef-brilliant uncirculated; estimate: 10,000
Euros).
The end of the auction likewise promises to be thrilling when Russian patterns made of nickel of 25,
20, 10 and 5 Kopecks from 1911 will be sold. The pieces are all extremely fine to mint condition and
estimated at 2,500 Euros each.
Editor:
GORNY & MOSCH
Giessener Münzhandlung GmbH
Maximiliansplatz 20
D-80333 München
Phone: +49-89/24 22 643-0
Fax: + 49-89/22 85 513
[email protected]
www.gmcoinart.de
4
All catalogs can be viewed on the internet at https://www.gmcoinart.de/kataloge and ordered at
Gorny & Mosch, Giessener Münzhandlung, Maximiliansplatz 20, D-80333 Munich, phone +49 / (0)89
/ 24 22 643-0, fax +49 / (0)89 / 22 85 513.
Consignments for the auction in October are accepted until July 27, 2012.
Captions:
No. 34: Akragas (Sicily). Tetradrachm, around 420 B. C. SNG Ashmolean 1677 (same die.). Dewing
Coll. 564 (same die). Very rare. Light toning. Very fine.
Estimate: 15,000 Euros
No. 62: Syracuse (Sicily). Tetradrachm, around 450-439. Boehringer 654 (this specimen). Rizzo pl.
40.2 (this specimen). Magnificently toned splendid specimen with illustrious provenance. Extremely
fine.
Estimate: 20,000 Euros
No. 274A: Athens (Attica). AE, Hadrianic Times. Rev. View of the Acropolis with the Erechtheion, the
statue of Athena Promachos and the Cave of Pan at the foot of the hill. SNG München 371 et seq.
Vera rare. Extremely fine.
Estimate: 1,500 Euros
No. 312: Roman Republic. Octavian. Aureus, mint in Gallia Cisalpina, 43 B. C. Cr. 490/2. Extremely
rare. Impressive portrait of Iulius Caesar. Acquired in 1956 from the coin dealer Ludwig Grabow.
Good very fine.
Estimate: 25,000 Euros
This extremely rare emission was minted in 43 B. C., after Octavian marched to Rome in July and
before the triumvirate was installed in autumn when he held the consulship for a short period of time.
No. 327: Roman Imperial Times. Nero, 54-68. Sestertius, Lugdunum, 67. Rev. Adlocutio. RIC 565. Very
rare. Splendid specimen with original, dark green patina. Good extremely fine.
Estimate: 30,000 Euros
Editor:
GORNY & MOSCH
Giessener Münzhandlung GmbH
Maximiliansplatz 20
D-80333 München
Phone: +49-89/24 22 643-0
Fax: + 49-89/22 85 513
[email protected]
www.gmcoinart.de
5
No. 379: Roman Imperial Times. Diva Iulia Domna, after 217. Denarius, minted under Elagabalus, 218.
Rv. CONSECRATIO peacock displaying. RIC 2, 715. Delicate toning. About extremely fine.
Estimate: 2,500 Euros
No. 590. Byzantium. Eirene, 797-802. Solidus. Sear 1599. Rare. Brilliane uncirculated.
Estimate: 15,000 Euros
No. 604: Byzantium. Michael III, 842-867. Solidus, 856-876. Sear 1688. Rare. Extremely fine.
Estimate: 12,000 Euros
No. 1747: Roman Imperial Times. Parion (Mysia). Commodus, 180-192. AE. Rev. Asklepios, examining
a bull. RPC online 3164. Rare. Very fine.
Estimate: 250 Euros
No. 1749: Roman Imperial Times. Alexandria (Troas). Trebonianus Gallus, 251-253. AE. Rev. Assembly
of decurions. Bellinger, Troy A 409. Very rare. Very fine.
Estimate: 500 Euros
No. 2568: Roman Imperial Times. Constantin I. Follis, around 318-319, Siscia. RIC VII (for the date cf.
52 et seq.). Extremely rare. Good very fine.
Estimate: 500 Euros
Surprisingly, the Pileus Pannonicus is no big issue on coins. Only this type, of which only a few pieces
are known to exist, shows that type of headgear which was so characteristic of Roman soldiers on the
Danube front that it became an element even of Imperial iconography, as can be viewed on statutes
like the famous Portrait of the Four Tetrarchs in Venice. Over time, the Pileus Pannonicus virtually
became synonymous with the Roman soldier in general which was why some sculptors of Christian
sarcophagi in Rome used this detail to identify soldiers.
No. 4056: Ferrara (Italiy). Ercole II d’Este, 1534-1559. 1/2 Scudo 1546. CNI X, 455, 13. Bellesia 12.
Very rare. About extremely fine.
Estimate: 5,000 Euros
No. 4207: Brandenburg / Prussia (Old Germany). Frederick William,“Great Elector“, 1640-1688.
Reichstaler 1667, Berlin, on the death of his wife Luise Henrietta of Nassau. Dav. 6197. Very rare.
Extremely fine.
Editor:
GORNY & MOSCH
Giessener Münzhandlung GmbH
Maximiliansplatz 20
D-80333 München
Phone: +49-89/24 22 643-0
Fax: + 49-89/22 85 513
[email protected]
www.gmcoinart.de
6
Estimate: 10,000 Euros
No. 4273: Kingdom of Hanover (Old Germany). George III, (1760)-1820. Cassen-Taler 1801. Dav. 660.
Mintage 126 pieces. Extremely fine to brilliant uncirculated.
Estimate: 2,500 Euros
No. 4287: Kingdom of Hanover (Old Germany). George IV, 1820-1830. 16 Gute Groschen 1820. AKS
31var. Extremely fine to brilliant uncirculated.
Estimate: 100 Euros
No. 4345: Kingdom of Hanover (Old Germany). William IV, 1830-1837. 2 Pfennig 1833. AKS 76. Good
extremely fine.
Estimate: 60 Euros
No. 4877: Saxe-Meiningen (Germany since 1871). George II, 1866-1914. 20 Mark 1882 D. J. 276.
Mintage 3.061 pieces. Very fine to extremely fine.
Estimate: 6,000 Euros
No. 5001: Maximilian I. Gold Schauguldiner 1505, Hall Mint. Benedict Burkhart of Innsbruck, 14961508. Egg, Die Münzen Kaiser Maximilians I., p. 35 et seq. Unique specimen! Gem of magnificent
clarity and beauty. Gorgeus work of German Renaissance goldsmithery.
Estimate: 20,000 Euros
Of the Schauguldiner from 1505 only minted silver specimens are known to exist otherwise. For the
most part they don’t keep up with the attractiveness of the present gold piece.
No. 5059: Albania. Republic, 1925-1928. 20 Francs 1926, Rome. Fr. 5. Extremely rare. Edge flaw,
brilliant uncirculated.
Estimate: 8,000 Euros
Of the 100 produced pieces 90 were melted down again, hence this is one of the rarest European
coins of the 20th century.
No. 5425: Ottoman Empire. Muhammad II, 1451-1481. Altin 1478/9, Qustantiniya Mint. Nuri Pere 80.
Very fine.
Estimate: 2,500 Euros
Editor:
GORNY & MOSCH
Giessener Münzhandlung GmbH
Maximiliansplatz 20
D-80333 München
Phone: +49-89/24 22 643-0
Fax: + 49-89/22 85 513
[email protected]
www.gmcoinart.de
7
No. 6085: Russia. John III, 1740-1741. Poltina, 1741, St. Petersburg. Bitkin cf. 38 and 39. Extremely
rare edge variant. Extremely fine to mint condition.
Estimate: 45,000 Euro
Interestingly enough, this coin displays two different edge types. About 70 % of the edge milling
conforms to edge type 4 with the inscriptions of the St. Petersburg Mint, the remaining 30 % show a
deeper edge milling with edge type 5 (net milling) as it was typical for the extremely rare type Bitkin
38 and the Poltiny of his predecessor, Tsarina Anna.
No. 6156: Russia. Alexander I, 1801-1825. 5 Kopecks 180. The last number of the year is missing on
the die. Bitkin 301. Very rare. Extremely fine.
Estimate: 20,000 Euros
No. 6356: Russia. Nicholas II, 1894-1917. 20 Kopecks 1911. Pattern with plain edge. Bitkin 353. Very
rare. Mint condition.
Estimate: 2,500 Euros
Editor:
GORNY & MOSCH
Giessener Münzhandlung GmbH
Maximiliansplatz 20
D-80333 München
Phone: +49-89/24 22 643-0
Fax: + 49-89/22 85 513
[email protected]
www.gmcoinart.de
8