Ancients pass $3 million in CNG sale

Exceptional Wappenmünzen silver scarab didrachm struck at Athens c. 545-525 B.C.E. It sold at CNG’s Sale 105 for $71,400 in gVF. (Image courtesy & © CNG)

The results of Classical Numismatic Group’s sale 105 held on May 10 were impressive. Some 97.6 percent of the lots sold for a total of $3,397,762 on a presale estimate of $1,938,350. Of the 1,245 lots, 44 hammered for over $10,000.

Top lot was an extremely rare Wappenmünzen [[blazon /coat-of-arms coin] silver didrachm struck at Athens c. 545-525 B.C.E. It bears a scarab. An exceptional coin it is just the second known. Graded gVF with minor roughness it hammered for double estimate to realize $71,400.

Also exceeding double estimate was a superb EF aureus struck by Claudius at the Lugdunum [Lyon] mint in 41-42 C.E. The coin honors his father Nero Claudius Drusus who is shown wearing a corona civica. This oak wreath was awarded to an individual who had personally saved the lives of citizens by slaying enemy at a position held by that enemy. It was for the same series of actions across the Rhine that saw him eventually awarded the title Germanicus.

The coin came ex-Leo Biaggi de Blasys Collection and had no problem racing away to $56,525 on its $20,000 estimate.

The sale also featured an exceptional group of bilingual double dinars from India’s Kushan Empire c. 100-127 C.E. All had been superbly struck at the mint in Baktria. All were high grade. All were ex-Sunrise Collection and had been purchased from CNG some 10 years earlier.

Aureus of Claudius struck in 41-42 C.E. and showing his father Nero Claudius Drusus Germanicus. In EF it realized $56,525. (Image courtesy & © CNG)

Typical was lot 539: 25 mm and weighing 15.99 g. The obverse shows Vima Kadphises on clouds, holding a scepter in right hand and sword in left, with flames at shoulder and tamgha to right. On the reverse Siva stands holding trident in right hand and resting left arm on the bull Nandi. The obverse legend is Greek with a translation into Karosthi script on the reverse. In choice EF the coin easily made $32,725.

Bilingual Kushan double dinar struck at Baktria showing Vima Kadphises and Siva with Nandi. In EF it took $32,725. (Image courtesy & © CNG)

The complete list of prices realized is at www.cngcoins.com. The sale catalog is no longer posted but the content can be found at “Research Sold Items” at top right and then entering “105” in the auction box.