| Savoca Numismatik GmbH & Co. KG > Online Auction 203 | Silver | Auction date: 24 March 2024 |
| Lot number: 1 Price realized: 2,000 EUR (Approx. 2,172 USD) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Central Europe. Germania. The Vindelici circa 150-50 BC. Stater AV 17 mm, 7,51 g Wreath formed of two branches with eight leaves going in opposite directions and with a disc at each end / Six pellets within torque with pellet at each end; all within cup-shaped incuse. The Celtic gold stater, known as the "Empty Leaf Type," is a remarkable issue from the ancient world, shedding light on the artistic and cultural practices of the Celtic people. Dating back to the late 2nd to the early 1st century BC, these staters are a testament to the intricate craftsmanship and symbolic significance in Celtic coinage. Originating from the region inhabited by the Vindelici tribe in what is now southern Germany, these gold staters display a unique design. The obverse features a distinctive leaf wreath made of opposing leaves, adorned with small balls at the ends. Intriguingly, the top of the wreath has only four leaves, a detail that may hold symbolic meaning. The center of the wreath is marked by a dot, surrounded by three small triangles, adding to the mystical allure of the design. The reverse of the coin features a torques, a traditional Celtic neck ring, embellished with six balls. This element not only showcases the Celts' renowned metalworking skills but also reflects their cultural identity, as torques were significant status symbols in Celtic society. The "Empty Leaf Type" gold stater is not just a piece of ancient currency; it is an embodiment of the artistic expression and cultural richness of the Celtic civilization. Its rarity and distinctive design make it a valued piece for historians and numismatists alike, offering a glimpse into the mysterious world of the ancient Celts Beautiful Reddish tone, well centred, Near Extremely Fine Flesche 312; Kellner, Manching, type IV Aa; LT 9423; SLM 1081; Cf. Gorny & Mosch Giessener Münzhandlung, Auction 228, lot 2; Cf. Leu Numismatik AG, Auction 2, lot 16. Extremely Rare! Only one dozen recorded in the past 3 decades and only very few in good condition. In colloquial language, "Regenbogenschüsselchen" refers to a unique type of Celtic gold and silver coin that was in circulation in a region stretching from what is now Hungary through Austria to southern Germany between roughly 200 BC and the turn of the era. These coins are known for their characteristic bowl-like shape and typically lack any inscriptions. Instead, they feature abstract, symbolic patterns or tangible motifs from Celtic iconography. The name "Regenbogenschüsselchen," which translates to "rainbow bowls," derives from a superstition that these gold pieces fell from the sky as if from a rainbow and landed on the earth. The unique curvature of these coins made them stand out when discovered, especially when the sun was at the observer's back, as their shape allowed them to reflect sunlight back in the direction it came from. This sometimes led people to believe that the coin had fallen from the heavens and was gleaming under a rainbow. These mysterious coins were often uncovered during plowing and were believed to bring luck, possessing even healing properties. This finding context likely inspired the Grimm fairy tale "The Star Money." The Bohemian numismatist Nikolaus Adaukt Voigt used the Podmokl coin hoard discovery in 1771 to characterize these coins as early indigenous pieces, dispelling theories about their foreign origin Starting price: 2000 EUR |  |
Match 1:
| Savoca Numismatik GmbH & Co. KG > Online Auction 198 | Silver | Auction date: 25 February 2024 |
| Lot number: 5 Price realized: 1,900 EUR (Approx. 2,054 USD) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Central Europe. Vindelici circa 100-1 BC. "Regenbogenschüsselchen" type Stater AV 21 mm, 5,92 g Triskeles, with a pellet within an annulet at the center and a pellet at the end of each leg, to right within a wreath-like torc with an annulet at each end / Pyramid of eight annulets: five, on the bottom, each enclosing a pellet, and three, forming the top two rows, each enclosing a smaller annulet; all within a wavy torc. Near Mint State Allen & Nash 160. Castelin 1097. De la Tour 9441. Dembski 467-9. Kellner type IX The Regenbogenschüsselchen (Rainbow Cup) coins are a fascinating aspect of ancient numismatics, embodying the rich cultural and artistic heritage of the Vindelici, a Celtic tribe that inhabited the region of what is now Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg in Germany, and parts of Austria, during the late Iron Age. These coins are particularly notable for their distinctive designs and the symbolism they carry, which reflect the beliefs, values, and aesthetic preferences of their creators. The obverse of the Regenbogenschüsselchen features triskeles, a motif consisting of three spirals, radiating from a central point. This symbol is of significant historical and cultural importance, often associated with the movement of the sun and the concept of progress or competition. It is a motif found in various ancient cultures around the Mediterranean and beyond, symbolizing life, dynamism, and the cyclic nature of existence. In the context of the Vindelici coins, the triskeles might have represented strength, unity, or a connection to the divine, reflecting the tribe's worldview and religious beliefs. On the reverse, the coins are adorned with annulets and pellets. Annulets are small ring shapes, and pellets are dot-like marks. These elements might have served multiple purposes, including decorative, symbolic, and practical aspects such as helping to standardize the weight of the coins. The combination of annulets and pellets could symbolize the cosmos, with the annulets representing celestial bodies or eternity, and the pellets symbolizing stars or the abundance of the earth. This imagery suggests that the Vindelici attributed a cosmological significance to their currency, integrating their observations of the natural world and their spiritual beliefs into the design of their coins. The Regenbogenschüsselchen coins are an expression of the Vindelici's artistic capabilities and their interaction with the natural and divine worlds. As artifacts, they provide valuable insights into the social, economic, and religious practices of this ancient Celtic tribe. The use of triskeles and the combination of annulets and pellets on these coins illustrate the complex interplay between symbolism, aesthetics, and utility in ancient numismatic traditions, offering a glimpse into the past where currency was not only a medium of exchange but also a carrier of cultural identity and values. Starting price: 1800 EUR |  |
Match 2:
| Leu Numismatik AG > Web Auction 29 | Auction date: 24 February 2024 |
| Lot number: 866 Price realized: 260 CHF (Approx. 295 USD / 273 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: PISIDIA. Selge. Circa 400-325 BC. Stater (Silver, 23 mm, 10.91 g, 12 h). Two nude wrestlers, standing and grappling with each other. Rev. [ΣΤΛΕΓΕΙΥΣ] (or similar) Slinger standing right; to right, astralagos; all within dotted square border within incuse square; five countermarks: lion or panther leaping left, bull(?) standing right, lion crouching right, uncertain, and man-headed bull with Araaic legend 'Ba'al' above, all but the third countermark within rectangular incuses, the third in a circular incuse. SNG Paris 1927. Areas of weakness from countermarking and with a small test cut on the reverse, otherwise, very fine. From a European collection, formed before 2005. Starting price: 50 CHF |  |
Match 3:
| Numismatica Ars Classica > Auction 146 | Auction date: 8 May 2024 |
| Lot number: 2212 Price realized: To Be Posted | |
| Lot description: Troas, Abydos. Stater circa 330, AV 17 mm, 8.60 g. Facing head of Artemis, wearing an ornate stephanos decorated with acanthus leaves, triple pendant earrings and necklace. Rev. Eagle standing l. with closed wing; in l. field, vine-tendril with bunch of grapes. For similar reverse type. cf. Traite II, 2449 and pl. CLXVIII, 2 (eagle standing r.). Apparently unique and unpublished. A portrait of enchanting beauty, in the finest late Classical style work of a very talented master engraver. Virtually as struck and almost Fdc Ex NGSA sale 6, 2010, 84. From the Collection of a Man in Love with Art. The eagle type used for the reverse of this unique stater signals its production at the mint of Abydos on the Hellespont. This city, which faced Sestos in the Thracian Chersonesos, was a popular crossing point from Asia to Europe and vice versa due to is location at the narrowest point on the Hellespont. As such it was a staging area for various invasions, such as those of Xerxes against mainland Greece and of Philip II and Alexander the Great against the Persian Empire, ostensibly in revenge for the earlier campaign of Xerxes. Unlike most Greek cities, Abydos possessed its own gold mines and is known to have struck gold coins in the late fifth and early third centuries BC, probably in support of the fleets used by both the Spartans and Persians to end Athenian domination in the region. The city probably also struck gold coins in the name of Alexander the Great and Philip III Arrhidaeus in the period between 328 and 297 BC. The present coin, however, probably belongs to the 330s BC and the beginning of Alexander's conquest of the Persian Empire. The Mysian city of Pergamon also struck an unexpected civic gold emission at this time, possibly in support of Alexander's fleet before he could release the vast wealth of the Persian treasuries. The obverse type, depicting an exquisite image of Artemis, the patron goddess of the city, is mirrored in the contemporary bronze coinage of Abydos. The goddess is shown facing and wearing a polos on the bronze issues, but only on this remarkable stater is her headdress so masterfully ornamented with palmettes and acanthus decorations. Estimate: 500000 CHF |  |
Match 4:
| Leu Numismatik AG > Auction 15 | Auction date: 1 June 2024 |
| Lot number: 117 Price realized: This lot is for sale in an upcoming auction - Bid on this lot  | |
| Lot description: ISLANDS OFF CARIA, Rhodos. Lindos. Circa 475-460 BC. Stater (Silver, 25 mm, 13.65 g, 6 h). Head of a roaring lion to right. Rev. ΛΙИ-Δ-[Ι]ΟИ Dolphin swimming right; pellet below; all within incuse square. Cahn, Lindos, Group H. CNG 124 (2023), 226 = Triton XXIII (2020), 438. Gorny & Mosch 280 (2021), 310 var. (slightly differing reverse legend). HGC 6, 1399 = SNG Ashmolean 522 (same dies). HN online 1462. Jameson 2312 = Kunstfreund 12 (same dies). Kraay & Hirmer 781 = Traité I, 781 (same dies). Extremely rare, apparently only the sixth known example. A beautiful example of this important early Rhodian issue. Struck from the ususal worn obverse die and with a minor die break on the reverse, otherwise, very fine. From a European collection, formed before 2005. Before the island of Rhodes united in 408/7 BC to form the polis of Rhodes with a new capital at the northern tip of the island, it was dominated by the triad of Ialysos, Kamiros, and Lindos. The latter was founded in the 10th century BC by Doric immigrants on the site of a former Mycenaean settlement. With its impressive acropolis situated between two natural harbors, Lindos dominated the eastern coast of Rhodes and served as an important cult center not only for the local population but for the entire island community, with its temples dedicated to Athena Lindia and Zeus Polieus situated on the citadel hill. In the 7th century BC, Lindos, along with the cities of Kamiros, Ialysos, Kos, Knidos, and Halicarnassus, joined together to form the Doric Hexapolis, a league of cities likely constituted in response to the establishment of the Ionic League. In the 5th century, when our coin was struck, Lindos was one of the founding members of the Delian League and paid a relatively high annual tribute of 8 talents and 2500 Attic drachms (= 50,500 drachms), which was raised to 10 talents = 60,000 drachms in 450 BC and further increased to 15 talents = 90,000 drachms in 421 BCE. These figures attest to the economic power of the city, which became wealthy through maritime trade thanks to its two excellent harbors. Even after the founding of Rhodes city, Lindos retained its significance as a religious center, and its temple precinct on the acropolis was generously expanded. Today, the ancient ruins overlaid by a mighty Knights Hospitaller castle constitute one of Rhodes' most important tourist attractions, visited annually by hundreds of thousands of tourists. Estimate: 7500 CHF |  |
Match 5:
| Leu Numismatik AG > Auction 15 | Auction date: 1 June 2024 |
| Lot number: 80 Price realized: This lot is for sale in an upcoming auction - Bid on this lot | |
| Lot description: KINGS OF PAPHLAGONIA. Amastris, circa 300-285 BC. Stater (Silver, 22 mm, 9.58 g, 1 h). Head of Mên to right, wearing Phrygian cap adorned with a laurel wreath. Rev. ΑΜΑΣΤΡΙΟΣ - ΒΑΣΙΛΙΣΣΗΣ Aphrodite seated left on throne, holding Nike, who crowns her with wreath, in her right hand and lotus-tipped scepter in her left. F. De Callataÿ: Le premier monnayage de la cité d'Amastris, in: SNR 83 (2004), p. 67 and pl. 9, 16a (this coin, D5/R5). HGC 7, 353. SNG Delepierre 2477. SNG von Aulock 6799. Beautifully toned and struck in high relief, a lovely example of this earliest independent coinage of a female ruler in history. Slightly porous and with minor marks, otherwise, good very fine. Ex Giessener Münzhandlung 45, 4 April 1989, 113. As the niece of the last Achaemenid king and wife of two Diadochi and a tyrant, the Persian princess Amastris witnessed the tremendous upheavals of early Hellenism. Born around 340 BC as the daughter of Oxyathres, a brother of Darius III (336-330 BC), she was a direct descendant of Darius II (423-404 BC) and thus came from the highest Persian nobility. Amastris, along with the entire family of Darius III, fell into Macedonian captivity after the Battle of Issus in 333 BC and was married to the distinguished general Krateros by Alexander in the mass wedding at Susa in 324 BC. Like all high-ranking officers of Alexander except Seleukos, Krateros divorced his Persian wife after the king's death, who then married Dionysios, the tyrant of Herakleia Pontika. After her husband's death in 305 BC, she served as queen regent for her eldest son Klearchos under the suzerainty of Antigonos Monophthalmos. In 302 BC, Amastris married the Diadoch Lysimachos, who shortly thereafter defeated Antigonos in alliance with Seleukos I, only to leave his new wife immediately and marry Arsinoe II, the daughter of Ptolemy I. Shortly thereafter, the now twice-abandoned queen founded a new city by synoecism of the towns Sesamos, Kytoros, Kromna, and Tios, which she named after herself - an extraordinary act, as it represents the only known case in antiquity where a queen independently founded and named a city after herself. Undoubtedly, Amastris positioned herself within the early Hellenistic tradition of city foundations, evidently considering herself an equal queen to her male rivals. Although Greek aristocratic women occasionally exerted great political power in the Hellenistic era, Amastris' Persian heritage is likely evident here, as women in Achaemenid society generally held a more independent and influential role than in Greek society. Amastris' position in Herakleia Pontika was so formidable that she eventually became the first woman in history to also mint coins in her own name, of which we have here a particularly well-preserved example. Remarkably, nothing on these coins indicates her role as regent for her son; on the contrary, she appears unambiguously as a βασίλισσα, an independent queen. Therefore, through the figure of the former Persian princess Amastris, we witness not only early Hellenistic history but also an important moment in global cultural history, as the earliest independent coinage by a female ruler holds evident significance. However, the reign of the queen did not end well, for when she died in 285, her sons Klearchos and Oxyathres were suspected of murder by Lysimachus and executed. Nevertheless, her legacy lives on both in her coins and in the founding of her city, which still bears the name Amasra to this day. Estimate: 3500 CHF |  |
