Normally I would've kept these at the shop, at least for a while (I selected some of these with a client in mind), but since the shop is not open (for appointments only) and because this is the very first ancient coins update of the year, and yes, also because we have been selling them rather well on our website, I'm going to make them available to you: our collectors online... I guess one person's loss is another person's gain, right?
So make the best of it my friend! Because I'm giving you the opportunity to stay at home and spend some quality time investigating ancient ships craftsmanship with a Stater from Phaselis, Lycia. A Chance to reflect on how Ptolemy legitimised an entire dynasty of Greek Kings in Egypt by stealing Alexander's sarcophagus, with a Tetradrachm minted in his name. I'm inviting you to study the politics and wars of Ancient Rome with a Denarius minted during the time of the war of Octavian against Marc Anthony. Before Octavian became Augustus and took Rome from a city of brick to a city of marble.
There are worse ways of spending a lockdown if you ask me...
As per usual, there's only one coin of each available, so have a good look at our offering and be quick to the checkout page.
Arabia Felix - Himyarites. Amdan Bayyin Yanaf. Ca. 80-100 A.D. AR Scyphate Quinarius. Male head right within torc / 'MDNIBYN' around small head right with 'RYDN' in ex. sceptre to right & 'YNF' monogram to left. Good Very Fine & Scarce. Arabia Felix was wealthy in the ancient world thanks to a near monopoly of the trade in cinnamon & spices.
Heraclius. A.D. 610-641. Constantinople - A.D. 631-635. GOLD Solidus. Heraclius stg. between Heraclius Constantine on R. & Heraclonas on L., holding globus cruciger / 'VICTORIA – AVGYB' Cross with mintmark R. field. 'CONOB' in exergue. Very Fine for the issue & Scarce.
Cilicia, Mallos. Ca. 440-390 B.C. AR Stater. Bearded & winged male deity (Kronos?) in kneeling-running stance to right, holding solar disc with both hands / 'MA?' swan standing left, with wings uplifted. About Very Fine, archaic & Scarce. Mallos had an oracle where people would dream in the temple to receive the gods instructions. The Swan is most likely for Apollo.
Constantius II. A.D. 337-361. Arles - A.D. 357-361. AR Siliqua. Diademed, draped & cuirassed bust right / 'VOTIS XXX MVLTIS XXXX' in four lines within wreath; 'P CON' in ex. About Extremely Fine & Scarce. With this coin the emperor is celebrating his 30th anniversary & hoping for a 40th.
Cyprus, Kition. Azbaal - Ca. 449-425 B.C. AR Stater. Herakles in fighting stance right wearing lion skin & holding bow with club overhead / Lion attacking (from behind) a stag, facing right, inside dotted border within incuse square. Obverse struck from worn die as usual for these, Very Fine & Rare. Made during the time of Persian rule on Cyprus. The founder of Stoicism, Zeno, was from this city.
Lycia, Phaselis. Ca. 4th Century B.C. AR Stater. Prow of galley right with fighting platform, gunwale decorated with eye / ‘ΦAΣH’ above galley stern to left. Extremely Fine & Rare. Ex. Michael Higley collection. A well struck, beautiful ancient silver coin showing details of ancient ships. Phaselis had a temple to Athena that reputedly held the Lance of Achilles