| Jean Elsen & ses Fils S.A. > Auction 158 | Auction date: 22 March 2024 |
| Lot number: 2184 Price realized: 180 EUR (Approx. 196 USD) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: ARAB-SASANIAN, Abbasid Governors of Tabaristan, lot of 8 half dirhams, anonymous: year PY 130, 132 (3), 133, 134, 135, 136. Sold with an article of G. Graff, Ensemble de 87 demi-dirhems anonymes frappés au Tabaristan (in Jean Elsen, list 24, August 1980, p. 7-11). The coins described in this lot correspond with the numbers 7, 14, 25, 42, 53, 61, 68 and 87 of the article. Very Fine - Extremely Fine Very Fine - Extremely Fine Estimate: 200 EUR |  |
Match 1:
| Spink > Auction 392 | Auction date: 14 January 2024 |
| Lot number: 204 Price realized: 35,000 USD (Approx. 31,976 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Edward VIII (1936), Winchester College, The King's Gold Prize Medal, 1936, awarded to Christopher Ivan William Seton-Watson MC*, by Thomas Humphrey Paget and Bertram Wyon, EDWARDVS VIII REX ET IMPERATOR HONOREM PROPONIT, 'classical' bare head left, rev. the tomb of William of Wykeham, ETIAM SEPULTI VIVIT FAMA WYKEHAMI OB MCCCCIV in three lines in exergue [\Even buried the fame of Wykeham lives, died 1404"], 49mm., 86.35g., [Unhallmarked, Spink XRF: 18ct. Gold, London (Royal Mint)], struck retrospectively on 2 March 1937, edge largely plain but inscribed upwards C. I. W. SETON-WATSON. 1936. in New Roman capitalised script 9 and 4 o'clock (BHM - [cf. 4383/3720]; Eimer - [cf. 1240]; Jeremy Cheek, 'Royal Prize Medals', BNJ, 2018, pp. 175-188), faintly hairlined and lightly wiped in otherwise lustrous, original fields, an unfortunate but largely imperceptible scratch above Wykeham, otherwise extremely fine and much as issued, OF NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE, as a 'one-year type' of which only two examples were struck off in gold for English and Latin Speech at Winchester College, the oldest continuously operating patron of an annual Royal Prize Medal, and whose unique obverse legend: 'Edward VIII, The King and Emperor Proposes this Honour' elevates this prestigious award to truly exalted numismatic heights especially when viewed alongside the approved 'Coin Portrait' in a format larger even than his legendary Pattern Five-Pounds, and critically struck in gold, by and housed in, the Royal Mint official case of issue with the stunning and seldom-encountered Edward VIII Cypher in gold-letter Provenance The Estate of Christopher Ivan William Seton-Watson MC and Bar (1918-2007). Christopher was born 6 August 1918, the younger son of Robert William and Marion Esther Seton-Watson. He was baptised at St Margaret's (Westminster) on 7 October that same year. Prior to education, he resided at No. 1 Buckingham Street, Buckingham Gate, London. His father, often writing under the pseudonym 'Scotus Viator' from here, proved a troublesome thorn in the side of the British Government for his outspoken beliefs on a federal solution to Austro-Hungary. Conscripted into the Royal Army Medical Corps in 1917, his allies soon rescued him to the Intelligence Bureau of the War Cabinet and the Enemy Propaganda Department. It was during this posting that Marion would fall pregnant and Christopher would be born. Whilst his second son was still an infant, Robert journeyed to Paris on his own diplomatic mission for the Peace Conference of July 1919. He continued to rile European officials with his jibe about the 'pygmies of Paris', but equally sought the renewal of friendships with ministers of the new state of Czechoslovakia. His allies Tomáš Masaryk would become the first premier; and Edvard Beneš its Foreign Minister. Unsurprisingly Seton-Watson Senior would prove instrumental in the establishing the post-war frontiers of Yugoslavia and Italy. Robert separately established the School of Slavonic Studies and from 1922 held its post as the first Masaryk Chair of the Faculty. Following the Wall Street Crash of 1929, Robert devoted his time to academic teachings; although was reportedly unpunctual, untidy, and too preoccupied with other matters". Unsurprisingly, Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain's later policy of appeasement to Nazi Germany about the subject of Czechoslovakia, found in Seton-Watson one of his governments most pointed critics. This lead to his publication of "Britain in Europe: 1789-1914 - A Survey of Foreign Policy, 1937, in which he argued for the strengthening of the enforcement role of the League of Nations as a 'united European front against the disturbers of the peace'; in short to be an active deterrent against the 'inverted Bolshevism of Italy' and naked aggression of Germany. Following the Second World War, Seton-Watson lamented the loss of the former Easter blocs new-found democratic freedoms, retiring to the Isle of Skye where he died in 1951. With the pursuit of geo-political and military history firmly embedded within the traditions of this family, it is unsurprising to see first Hugh (born 1916), and then Christopher follow in their father's footsteps. Educated at Horris Hill, Christopher became a scholar of Winchester College in 1931. In the Summer of 1936, Christopher would receive this prestigous King's Gold Prize Medal for Latin Verse; and subsequently serve as Head Boy, or 'Aule Prae' until he left the school the following year. His academic record was excellent - having further distinguished himself in History and Latin Speech; a School Exhibition; and as the recipient of the main Classical Prize for an Old Wykehamist - the Goddard Scholarship. The following year, Christopher commenced his Bachelor degree at New College, Oxford with the study of Classics and PPE, and helpfully where his elder brother Hugh was already working as a lecturer. Also revealed on the 1939 Census is the fact Christopher had joined the Officer Training Corps as a Cadet. This would expedite his transition into the colours upon the outbreak of hostilies in September 1939. The history of the Winchester College Prize Medal dates to at least as early as the first decade of the reign of King George III in the 1760s. However, it was not until 1797, that the Prince of Wales (the then Prince Regent) took up the patronage of the award and the addition of HONOREM PROPONIT ("Proposes the Honour") was made to the design. This Royal Prize Medal is the oldest of the now 24 annual awards bestowed by the Sovereign across the Armed Forces, Education, Architecture, Science, Poetry and Geography. As noted by Christopher Eimer (Author, British Historical Medals): "the medal was established by the Prince of Wales... two each in gold and silver, to be awarded in gold for Latin speech and in silver for Latin prose; the other two medals to be awarded for English, gold for speech, silver for verse, these to be awarded in alternate years." Today, Winchester College preserves an early example of the award for 1801, stating the transitional legend 'HONOREM PRINCEPS PROPONIT' and the device of the Prince of Wales (the Ostrich Feathers). When the Prince Regent became King George IV in January 1820, the bestowal of the Prize Medal became the preserve of the Sovereign, a tradition that endures to the present day over two centuries later. The present design was updated by Bertram Wyon during the reign of Queen Victoria to depict the tomb of school founder William of Wykeham, who died in 1404. Winchester College also preserves a small collection of prize medals from the reign of King George V (1919); King George VI (1945) and the late Queen Elizabeth II (2008). As Cheek notes: "Laurence Brown went to great lengths to define which medals should or should not be included in his book. Generally prize medals were excluded, as he felt that if he did not do so the book would never be complete or be published. However his overriding consideration was that medals of national importance would be included. As Royal Prize Medals were thought to be of national importance they were there confusingly in both categories. The result was that Royal Prize Medals issued during the reigns of George IV (1820-30) to George VI (1936-52) were included in BHM.... He continues: "There are also other Royal Price Medals not listed in BHM and not present in the following set: those medals produced with the effigy of Edward VIII, of which twenty-six were produced late in 1937. Equivalent issues to nos. 1-7, 10-12, 14-16, 18 and 20-21 were produced bearing the effigy of Edward VIII; no Edward VIII medals were produced for the Royal Geographical Society (Founder's Medal); the Royal Institute of British Architects, the Police Essay Competition or the Poetry Medal. A Royal Household Long and Faithful Service medal of Edward VIII was produced but never awarded; there is an example in the Royal Mint Museum. The other medals listed in the set described below were only initiated after the abdication of Edward VIII in December 1936. Laurence Brown was an assiduous researcher and I am sure that the omission of these medals from BHM was deliberate, presumably because he believed that they should be considered as Patterns for medals that were not issued, and thus lay outside the scope of his book. However since the publication of BHM two examples of Royal Prize Medals with the effigy of Edward VIII have appeared at auction inscribed with receipients' names, so it would appear that at least two were in fact awarded. There are no specimens of Royal Prize Medals with the effigy of Edward VIII in the Royal Collection." Corpus: 1. Royal Military Academy (Sandhurst) 2. Britannia Royal Naval College (Dartmouth); Awarded to Peter S Wilson; Morton & Eden, Auction 8, 25 May 2004, lot 133 (£6,200 HP); Joseph S Giordano Collection 3. Royal Air Force College (Cranwell) 4. King Edward VIII School (King's Lynn) The abdication of King Edward VIII on the 11 December 1936 brought to an end a tumultous 325-day reign. The termination of his reign brought with it the logistical headache of scrapping his approved effigy for a replacement in the likeness of King George VI. Deputy-Master of the Royal Mint (1922-1938), Sir Robert Arthur Johnson conceded: "The work of the two artists was all but completed when the events of last December rendered it nugatory. Over 200 dies of coins, medals and seals were thus rendered useless and the Mint was faced with the task of securing portraits of his present Majesty with but limited time available." He added in the same December 1937 interview shortly before his death: "I am betraying no profound secret in stating that the coinage effigy of the former King was, at his personal wish, prepared facing to the left. But as there has been no coinage bearing the bust of the former King, the old tradition has maintained by showing the effigy of the present monarch facing in the same direction as the last monarch but one. The new King's effigy faces left, as did those of King George V and Queen Victoria, a fact which is surely one of the most happy augury." He concluded: "During 1936, in the early stages when the coinage for King Edward was in question, I was made aware that some desire existed for a complete departure from the heraldic tradition which has been associated for several centuries with our principal coins." Based on surviving Royal Mint Archives, Official Gazette entries, contemporary newspaper reports and eyewitness accounts, the following timeline can be reconstructed for the numismatic and philatelic record of the short-lived King's reign. 20 January 1936 - At five minutes to midnight, King George V dies at Sandringham and his eldest son David, Prince of Wales becomes King Edward VIII. Thursday, 6 February 1936 - An official at the General Post Office informs the Daily Telegraph, that: "New postage stamps and postal orders bearing the portrait of King Edward VIII are not likely to be issued until the end of the year. It can also be authoritatively stated that no mourning stamps are to be printed. The annual sale of stamps in Britain totals 7,000,000,000. Postal orders number 225,000,000. Of the 70,000 letter boxes in the country, comparatively few will bear King Edward's initials for some time. New boxes will do so. Letter boxes bearing the inscription E.R. VII are still in existence, and there are still a few old ones marked V.R. On the 9,000 mail vans, the Royal initials will be altered as the vehicles are repainted." It is estimated that only 271 post-boxes bearing the cypher of Edward VIII were eventually produced. The same day, the 4th Winter Olympiad is opened in Garmisch-Partenkirchen by Adolf Hitler. Friday, 21 February 1936 - "The King received Sir Robert Johnson, Deputy Master of the Royal Mint at Buckingham Palace, and inspected a plaster cast of his own head, which had been prepared at the Mint. The cast will, with Royal Approval, be used not only for the new coins, but also in the preparation of dies for medals and other purposes." Friday, 13 March 1936 - "The King has approved two designs for the new Royal cypher: "E.R. VIII.". The War Office will make known to the public next week the designs submitted by Garter King of Arms which have been approved by the King. One Cypher in plain modern block letters surmounted by the Imperial Crown, will be used by the postal authorities and Government offices, Embassies, Legations and Consulates abroad, and by Dominions, India and the Crown Colonies. The other cypher follows the traditional style of interlocked initials with oak-leaf fringes. This will be used by the armed forces and the constabulary of the Empire." Tuesday, 28 April 1936 - The King sat at Buckingham Palace for the two medallionists [Thomas Humphrey Paget and Percy Metcalfe] of the Royal Mint, for the head which will appear on the new coinage and the medals which will be granted by King Edward the Eighth. Friday, 1 May 1936 - In what is estimated to be a £1,000,000 stimulus to the manufacting and stationery industry of Britain, the first printed examples of the King's Cypher appear in circulation. Saturday, 30 May 1936 - Bradford Post Office becomes the first building in Britain to feature the King's new cypher. Monday, 20 July 1936 - The Annual Swan Voyage of His Swan Master's Skiff along the River Thames exhibits the new Royal Cypher 'in red surmounted by a gold crown'. Friday 31 July 1936 - Sir William Currie, Chairman of the Worcester Committee announced that the King had been graciously pleased to become the patron of [Thames Nautical College, H.M.S.] Worcester. The King's gold medal was won by Kenneth Hodson. "A letter from the Secretary of the King's Privy Purse was read explaining that the medal could not be presented yet as a new one had to be cast bearing King Edward's head." This same medal was later sold by Sotheby's at an auction of 5 July 1994 (lot 211) and is believed to remain in a Private British Collection. Friday, 7 August 1936 - The King approves the uncrowned effigy submitted by Mr Thomas Humphrey Paget for his coins and medals, and the designs for the reverse of the new silver coinage by Mr George Kruger Gray. Tuesday, 1 September 1936 - Edward VIII's uncrowned effigy is released on stamps at midnight, featuring the series of halfpenny, threehalfpenny and twopence-halfpenny. London's three 'all-night post offices' in Fleet Street were besieged by collectors with queues forming two hours beforehand. "The issue was regarded as the greatest success of any recorded by the Post Office as over 30,000,000 stamps were sold on the first day." The following day however, critics were quick to note: "The head of the King is far from being the best photograph that has ever been taken and makes him appear more youthful than he really is. People are asking why there could not have been a break from tradition. Why always a face in profile? Why not full face, with the King wearing that boyish smile which has endeared him to millions? The new Australian stamp shows the King full face, so why not the English?" The Belfast Newsletter notes: "People are expressing the hope that a little more imagination will be displayed in the preparation of the new King Edward coins than has been manifested in the printing of the new stamps." Monday, 14 September 1936 - The penny stamp of Edward VIII is released. Wednesday, 16 September 1936 - The Royal Mint submits proposals to the Treasury for a new larger Threepence coin. An official stated: "the size is midway between that of a sixpence and a shilling. Efforts are being made to find a distinctive edge for the coin. The metal to be used has not yet been decided upon. The new coin will not however be made of silver or nickel." As Prince of Wales, Edward had described the silver issue, colloquially dubbed a 'joey' as an 'annoying coin'. Monday, 8 December 1936 - The Official Gazette, Notice No. 769 states: His Majesty the King has approved the issue of the customary official medal to commemorate His Majesty's Coronation. The medal will show on the obverse the crowned effigy of His Majesty with legend, and on the reverse the gateway of St James's Palace. "The Royal Mint are prepared to accept orders for these medals in Gold, large size, diameter 2.5 inches, price 50 guineas; small size, diameter 1.25 inches, price 12 guineas." Notice No. 770, states: "It has been announced that His Majesty the King will broadcast a message to the Empire on the day of his Coronation, Wednesday 12 May 1937. This will be His Majesty's first act after the Coronation ceremony is over. It is understood that a message to the Empire will not be broadcast by His Majesty at Christmas." Wednesday, 10 December 1936 - King Edward VIII signs his 'Instrument of Abdication' Thursday, 11 December 1936 - King George VI acceeds to the throne Tuesday, 2 March 1937 - The Royal Mint produces the obverse die hub for the Winchester College, King's Prize Medal. As each Royal Award is the preserve of the incumbent Sovereign, it is elected to retrospectively strike the medals with the 'classical' uncrowned effigy of the former King Edward VIII for those awarded in 1936. These are distributed to recipients over the following month. i) The Royal Collection boasts the artist's approval in gilt metal of King George VI sent for the monarch's personal assent (RCIN 443736). No artistic trials of Edward VIII were produced for the same purpose as the medals were to be produced retrospectively. ii) Spink has offered Marcus William Dick's, 1938 award in 2014, lot 628 iii) Spink has offered John Christopher Dancy's, 1939 award in 2021, lot 8110 Estimate: 15000 - 20000 USD |  |
Match 2:
| Numismatica Ars Classica > Auction 145 with CNG & NGSA | Auction date: 8 May 2024 |
| Lot number: 1191 Price realized: 28,000 CHF (Approx. 30,949 USD / 28,749 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: The Geoffrey Cope Collection of British Coins. Henry VIII. 1509-1547. AR Groat (27.5mm, 3.38 g, 10h). Tournai mint. Dated 1513. hENRIC'· 8'· dI · GRA · FRANCIE : ET : ANGLIE : REX , crowned coat-of-arms; lis to left, lion to right / CIVITAS TORNΛ CENSIS : 1 : 5 : 1 : 3, long voided cross fourchée with three bars on each limb; h in central quatrefoil; lis and lions passant in alternating quarters. M. Hoc, "Le monnayage tournaisien de Henri VIII roi d'Anglterre," in RBN 98 (1952), 1.1a and pl. IV, 1 (this coin); Lionell M. Hewlett, "Anglo-Gallic Coins," in NC 19 (1919), type 1; Vanhoudt G418; Whitton –; North –; SCBC p. 242 note; Ruding Annals 3rd (1840) ed. Supplement Part II, Pl. XII, no. 9 - this coin illustrated. Deep old tone. Good VF. Of the highest rarity. Ex F. Brady (Spink 209, 6 October 2011), lot 290; Spink Numismatic Circular XCVIII (May 1990), no. 2521; Spink Numismatic Circular LXXIX (June 1971), no. 6819; Philippi (Glendining, 8 July 1970), lot 59; W. Boyne (Sotheby, Wilkinson, & Hodge, 26 June 1896), lot 130; J.D. Cuff (Sotheby & Wilkinson, 8 June 1854), lot 2190 (£7/7/-); Duke of Devonshire (Christie's, 26 March 1844), lot 196 (£11/-). 1513 was a glorious year for the 22-year-old Henry VIII. In June he sailed to Calais to lead an English invasion of northern France. On the 16th of August the English army, together with the forces of Henry's ally, the emperor Maximillian, won a stunning victory against the French at the Battle of the Spurs. On 9th September a Scottish army, that had invaded northern England at the behest of Louis XII of France, was routed at Flodden Field by an English force. James IV, the Scottish king, died in the battle; his bloodied coat and gauntlets were recovered as trophies and were sent by Katherine of Aragon to Henry, to display before the walls of the now besieged city of Tournai. Tournai fell on the 23rd September and Henry made a ceremonial entry into the city two days later. The mint of Tournai commemorated the event with a very limited issue of coins in Henry's name dated 1513, the first time a date appears on a coin struck by an English monarch. Two distinct types are known both derived from contemporary issues of Burgundian Low Countries. One which has a crowned shield on obverse and, on the reverse, a cross in tressure with a cinquefoil in centre, is known from a unique specimen in the British Museum. The other - the type offered here - has a lis and leopard flanking the shield on the obverse and, on the reverse, an h in centre of a cross with lis and leopards in alternate angles. This later type is known from the two specimens in the British Museum and the present coin. A more substantive issue of a groats of the English type, bearing he portrait of Henry's late father and with a crowned 't' mint mark, followed later. Estimate: 10000 CHF |  |
Match 3:
| Roma Numismatics Ltd. > E-Sale 116 | Auction date: 18 January 2024 |
| Lot number: 1624 Price realized: Unsold | |
| Lot description: A Collection of 50 Abbasid Æ Fulus. Lot includes: 1) Abbasids, time of al-Ma'mun Æ Fals Samarqand mint, AH 205 = AD 821. First part of Kalima in three lines; date formula around / Continuation of kalima in three lines; citing governor Ghassan ibn 'Abbad. Album 334; Shamma p. 335, 6. Good Fine. Very Rare. 2) Abbasids, Anonymous time of Al-Mansur (?) Æ Fals. No mint, undated, citing Hamid [bin Quhatiba]?. Allah in the centre; kalima around / Hamid in the centre. Album 334E; Shamma -. Good Fine. Very Rare. 3) Abbasids, time of al-Ma'mun Æ Fals. Al-Shash mint, AH 204 = AD 820. First part of Kalima in three lines, citing governor Ghassan [ibn 'Abbad]; Quran IX, 33 around / Continuation of kalima in three lines; mint and date formula around. Album 334E; Shamma -; SICA II, -. About Very Fine. Very Rare. 4) Abbasids, Al-Mahdi Æ Fals. Kazirun mint, AH 167 = AD 784. Mint in two lines, citing Rabi' below / Caliph's name and title in three lines, citing Prefect Nusayr below; date formula around. Album A328; Shamma -; Cf. SICA II, 1242 (dated AH 166). About Very Fine. Extremely Rare. 5) Abbasids, time of Al-Amin Æ Fals. Sijistan mint, AH 194 = AD 810. First part of Kalima in three lines; mint and date formula around / Large six-pointed star on petaled flower; Quran IX, 33 around. Album 335. Cf. Shamma p. 290, 11; SICA II, 1499. Good Fine. Rare. 6) Abbasids, time of Al-Rashid Æ Fals. Sijistan mint, AH 178 = AD 795. First part of Kalima in three lines; mint and date around / Continuation of kalima in three lines; citing the governor Yazid below. Album 335. Shamma p. 289, 7; SICA II, 1498. Good Fine. Rare. 7) Abbasids, Anonymous time of Al-Mansur Æ Fals. Jurjan mint, AH 145 = AD 763. First part of Kalima in three lines / Continuation of kalima in three lines; mint and date formula around. Album 327; Shamma p. 303, 5. Fine. Scarce. 8) Abbasids, Anonymous time of Al-Mansur Æ Fals. Jurjan mint, AH 139 = AD 757. First part of Kalima in three lines / Continuation of kalima in two lines divided by two stars and circle; mint and date formula around. Album 327; Shamma p. 302, 1. Good Fine; edge chipped. Scarce. 9) Abbasids, time of Al-Rashid Æ Fals. Jurjan mint, AH 184 = AD 800. First part of Kalima in three lines; citing governor al-Husayn ibn Ali and Isma'il ibn Mas'ub / Continuation of kalima in three lines; "Salam" (?) split above and below; mint and date formula around. Album 327; Shamma p. 304, 12. Good Fine. Rare. 10) Abbasids, Anonymous time of Al-Mansur Æ Fals. Jurjan mint, AH 151 = AD 769. First part of Kalima in three lines / Continuation of kalima in three lines; mint and date formula around. Album 327; Shamma p. 303, 7. Fine. Scarce. 11) Abbasids, time of Al-Rashid Æ Fals. Jurjan mint, AH 190 = AD 806. First part of Kalima in three lines; mint and date formula around / Continuation of kalima in three lines; citing the Abbasid governor Isma'il ibn Musa and the Abbasid official Ya'qub ibn Ishaq. Album 327; Shamma p. 304, 13. Good Fine. Rare. 12) Abbasids, Anonymous time of Al-Mansur Æ Fals. Al-Muhammadiya mint, AH 152 = AD 770. First part of Kalima in three lines; mint and date formula around / Citing the caliph al-Mahdi as al-khalifa; Quran IX, 33 around. Album 329; Shamma p. 206, 5. About Very Fine. Scarce. 13) Abbasids, Anonymous time of Al-Mansur Æ Fals. Balkh mint, AH 142 = AD 760. First part of Kalima in three lines; mint and date formula around / Continuation of kalima in three lines; citing Governor al-Hasan Ibn Himran around. Album 319; Shamma p. 307, 1. Very Fine; area of weakness. Scarce. 14) Abbasids, Anonymous time of Al-Mansur Æ Fals. Balkh mint, AH 149 = AD 767. First part of Kalima in three lines; mint and date formula around / Continuation of kalima in two lines; citing Governor Harb bin Ziyad and the heir al-Mahdi around. Album 319; Shamma p. 312, 2. Very Fine. Scarce. 15) Abbasids, Anonymous time of Al-Rashid Æ Fals. Balkh mint, AH 187 = AD 803. First part of Kalima in three lines, citing 'Issa below; mint and date formula around / Continuation of kalima in three lines; Quran IX, 33 around. Album 319; Shamma p. 312, 6. About Very Fine. Scarce. 16) Abbasids, Anonymous time of Al-Rashid Æ Fals. Balkh mint, AH 182 = AD 798. First part of Kalima in three lines; mint and date formula around / Continuation of kalima in three lines; Quran IX, 33 around. Album 319; Shamma p. 312, 3. About Very Fine. 17) Abbasids, time of Al-Mahdi Æ Fals. Kurat al-Mahdiya min Fars mint, AH 161 = AD 788. First part of Kalima in three lines; date formula around / Continuation of kalima in three lines, citing the city name "Jur" above; mint formula around. Album 328; Shamma p. 227, 1. About Very Fine. Rare. 18) Abbasids, Anonymous time of Al-Mansur Æ Fals. Bukhara mint, AH 143 = AD 761. First part of Kalima in three lines; mint and date formula around / Continuation of kalima in three lines; citing the governor al-'Ashath and the caliphal heir al-Mahdi. Album 320; Shamma p. 327, 3. Good Very Fine. Rare. 19) Abbasids, Anonymous time of Al-Mansur Æ Fals. Bukhara mint, AH 148 = AD 766. First part of Kalima in three lines, star below; mint and date formula around / Continuation of kalima in three lines, tamgha similar to the later Zangids tamgha below; citing the governor Mu'abad and the caliphal heir al-Mahdi. Album 320; Shamma p. 328, 6. About Very Fine. Rare. 20) Abbasids, Anonymous time of Al-Mansur Æ Fals. Bukhara mint, AH 151 = AD 769. First part of Kalima in three lines, star below; mint and date formula around / Continuation of kalima in two lines divided by ornament between them; citing the governor al-Junayd b. Khalid and the caliphal heir al-Mahdi. Album 320; Shamma p. 328, 7. Very Fine; light oxidation. Rare. 21) Abbasids, time Al-Rashid Æ Fals. Bukhara mint, AH 185 = AH 801. First part of Kalima in three lines; date formula around / Continuation of kalima in three lines, "Adl" below; citing Ali' ibn Isa and Sa'id Ja'far around. Abum 320; Shamma p. 329, 12. Very Fine. Rare. 22) Abbasids, time of Al-Mahdi Æ Fals. Bukhara mint, AH 160 = AD 787. "Blessing Musa" as califal heir; First part of Kalima in three lines; date formula around / Continuation of kalima in three lines; citing the governor Abdullah bin Qudayd and 'Abd al-Malik bin Yazid around. Album 320; Shamma p. 329, 9. Very Fine. Rare. 23) Abbasids, time Al-Rashid Æ Fals. Bukhara mint, AH 190 = AH 806. First part of Kalima in three lines; date formula around / Continuation of kalima in three lines; citing governor al-Hakim ibn Sa'id. Abum 320; Shamma p. 330, 12. Very Fine. Rare. 24) Abbasids, Anonymous time of Al-Mansur Æ Fals. Samarqand mint, AH 144 = AD 762. First part of Kalima in three lines; mint and date formula around within a dotted circle / Continuation of kalima in three lines, Tamgha of Samarqand below; citing the governor al-'Ashath and the caliphal heir al-Mahdi within a dotted circle. Album 334; Shamma p. 334, 2. About Very Fine. Very Rare. 25) Abbasids, time Al-Rashid Æ Fals. Samarqand mint, AH 172 = AH 790. First part of Kalima in three lines; date formula around / Continuation of kalima in three lines, "Adl" below; citing Jafar bin Muhammad and Masa`da b. Zuhayr. Album 334; Shamma, p.334, 4. Very Rare. 26) Abbasids, Anonymous time of Al-Mansur Æ Fals. Samarqand mint, AH 153 = AD 771. First part of Kalima in three lines; citing governor Hamza bin 'Amru around / Continuation of kalima in three lines, mint and date formula around. Album 334; Shamma p. 334, 3. About Very Fine. Very Rare. 27) Abbasids, Anonymous time of Al-Mansur Æ Fals of 1/60 dirham. Al-Shash mint, AH 149 = AD 767. First part of Kalima in three lines; mint and date formula around within a dotted circle / Continuation of kalima in three lines; citing Sa'îd ibn Yahyâ and denomination of 1/60 dirham within a dotted circle. Album 334E; Shamma -; SICA II, -. Good Fine. Very Rare. 28) Abbasids, al-Mahdi Æ Fals. Madinat al-Salam mint, AH 166 = AD 783. First part of Kalima in three lines; mint and date formula around / Continuation of kalima in three lines; citing the caliph al-Mahdi Muhammad around. Album 307.1; Shamma p. 40, 16. Good Fine; clipped. 29) Abbasids, al-Mansur Æ Fals. Madinat al-Salam mint, AH 157 = AD 774. First part of Kalima in three lines; mint and date formula around / Continuation of kalima in three lines, " 'Adl " below; citing the caliph Abd Allah al-Mansur around. Album 307.1; Shamma p. 38, 7. Good Fine. Scarce. 30) Abbasids, al-Mahdi Æ Fals. Al-Kufa mint, AH 167 = AD 784. First part of Kalima in three lines / Continuation of kalima in three lines; " baraka" below; citing the caliph al-Mahdi, mint and date formula around. Album 306; Shamma p. 63, 20. About Very Fine. 31) Abbasids, al-Mahdi Æ Fals. Al-Kufa mint, AH 163 = AD 780. First part of Kalima in three lines / Continuation of kalima in three lines; " baraka" below; citing the caliph al-Mahdi, mint and date formula around. Album 306; Shamma p. 61, 13; Lowick 489. About Very Fine. 32) Abbasids, Anonymous time of al-Mutawakkil Æ Fals. Dimashq mint, AH 234 = AD 849. First part of Kalima in three lines; mint and date formula around / Continuation of kalima in three lines, "al-hamd" below; Quran IX, 33 around. Album 284; Shamma p. 86, 13. About Very Fine; clipped. Scarce. 33) Abbasids, al-Rashid Æ Fals. Wasit mint, AH 187 = AD 803. First part of Kalima in three lines; mint and date formula around / Continuation of kalima, tasliya in three lines, citing " Sa'id" below; citing the heir al-Amir around. Album 313; Shamma p. 66, 13. About Very Fine. Very Rare. 34) Abbasids, Anonymous time of al-Saffah Æ Fals. Halab mint, AH 135 = AD 754. First part of Kalima in three lines; mint and date formula around / Continuation of kalima in three lines; Quran IX, 33 around. Album 286; Shamma p. 89, 3. About Very Fine. 35) Abbasids, Uncertain period time of al-Saffah to al-Amin in the name of Amr ibn Isa and Abd-Allah ibn Zayd Æ Fals. Hims mint, undated, circa AH 132-199 = AD 749-813. First part of Kalima in three lines; mint formula around citing Abd-Allah ibn Zayd / Continuation of kalima in three lines, citing Amr ibn Isa. Album 287; Shamma p. 96, 2. About Very Fine. 36) Abbasids, time of Al-Mansur Æ Fals. Qinnasrin mint, AH 157 = AD 774. First part of Kalima in three lines; " 'ala yaday Ahmad " below; mint and date formula around / Continuation of kalima in three lines, "bakh - bakh" below; citing Ahmad around. Album 290; Shamma p. 111, 4. Very Fine. 37) Abbasids, Al-Mansur Æ Fals. Kahazanat Halab (Treasury of Halab) mint, AH 146 = AD 764. First part of Kalima in three lines; citing Salih ibn Ali around / Continuation of kalima in three lines; mint and date formula around. Album 289; Shamma p. 90, 9. About Very Fine. Rare. 38) Abbasids, Uncertain period time of Rustam ibn Bardaw, governor of Tarsus Æ Fals. Tarsus mint, undated, circa AH 240-330 = AD 850-940. First part of Kalima in three lines / Citing the governor of Tarsus Rustam ibn Bardaw in four lines. Album 299; Shamma p. 100, 11. Fine. Very Rare. 39) Abbasids, time of Al-Rashid Æ Fals. Thaghr al-Masisa ('The Frontier town of al-Masisa') mint, undated, AH 170-193 = AD 786-809. First part of Kalima in three lines / Continuation of kalima in three lines, "bi-Taghr _ al-Masisa" split above and below. Album 298; Shamma -; SICA II, 1591. About Very Fine. Rare. Al-Masisa, the ancient city of Mopsos-Mopsuestia in Cilicia, was located at the northern frontier of the Abbasid empire in the 2nd century AH. 40) Abbasids, time of Al-Mansur Æ Fals struck under Governor al-'Abbas ibn Muhammad. Al-Jazira mint, undated, struck circa AH 130-140 = AD 750-760. Kalima in three lines; citing al-'Abbas ibn Muhammad / Continuation of kalima in three lines; mint formula around. Album 304; Shamma p. 145, 1. About Very Fine. 41) Abbasids, Uncertain period time of Muhammad ibn Musa, Tulunid governor of Cilicia Æ Cast Fals. (Tarsus) mint, undated, circa AH 280 = AD 893. Kalima in three lines; below, 'fard' (excellent) / "ordered by al-Amir Muhammad ibn Musa" in three lines. Album 300 (cf. Album 669 for the Tulunid issue); Shamma p. 99, 8. Fine. Very Rare. 42) Abbasids, time of Al-Mansur Æ Fals. al-Yazidiya mint, AH 149 = AD 767. First part of Kalima in three lines / Continuation of kalima in three lines; mint and date formula around. Album 313K. Shamma -; SICA II, -; Vardanyan 2016, 40. Very Fine. Extremely Rare. al-Yazidiya is a mint located probably in Armenia. 43) Abbasids, time of Al-Mansur Æ Fals. Al-Bab mint, AH 153 = AD 773. First part of Kalima in three lines; mint and date formula around / Citing caliphal heir apparent al-Mahdi Muhammad in three lines. Album A315; Shamma p. 236, 1. About Very Fine. Extremely Rare. 44) Abbasids, time of Al-Mansur Æ Fals, struck under Governor of Armenia Yazid ibn Asid ibn Zafir al-Sulami. Bardha'a (in Armenia), AH 142 = AD 760. First part of Kalima in two lines; Citing the governor Yazid ibn Asid around / Continuation of kalima in three lines. Album 315. Shamma -; SICA II, -. About Very Fine. Very Rare. Yazid ibn Asid as-Sulami was a member of the Banu Sulaym tribe, which had participated in the Muslim conquest of Armenia and been settled by the caliphs in the western Armenian borderlands with the Byzantine Empire. 45) Abbasids, time of Al-Mansur Æ Fals. al-Yazidiya mint, AH 150 = AD 768. First part of Kalima in three lines/ Continuation of kalima in three lines; mint and date formula around. Album 313K. Shamma -; SICA II, 1628; Vardanyan 2016, 40. Good Fine. Very Rare. al-Yazidiya is a mint located probably in Armenia. 46) Abbasids, Al-Mahdi Æ Fals. Sabur mint, AH 167 = AD 784. Caliph's name and title, within elaborate border in margin / Mint and date in four lines; citing the governor Nusayr around. Album 333; Shamma p. 281, 9. About Very Fine. Scarce. 47) Abbasids, time of Al-Mahdi Æ Fals, struck under Governor of Armenia Yazid ibn Asid ibn Zafir al-Sulami. Bardha'a (in Armenia), AH 159 = AD 776. First part of Kalima in two lines; Citing the governor Yazid ibn Asid around / Continuation of kalima in three lines. Album 315. Shamma -; SICA II, -. Vardanyan 2016, 248. Very Fine. Very Rare. Yazid ibn Asid as-Sulami was a member of the Banu Sulaym tribe, which had participated in the Muslim conquest of Armenia and been settled by the caliphs in the western Armenian borderlands with the Byzantine Empire. 48) Abbasids, time of al-Rashid Æ fals. Fasa mint, AH 182 = AD 798. First part of Kalima in three lines, Muhammad below; citing Muhammad b. Yahya al-Barmaki around / Continuation of kalima in three lines; mint and date formula around, " Barmaki" below. Album 321; Shamma p.273, 3. Very Fine. Very Rare. 49) Abbasids, time of Al-Saffah Æ Fals. Ardashir Khurra mint, AH 134 = AD 752. First part of Kalima in three lines / Continuation of kalima in three lines; mint and date formula around. Album 317; Shamma p. 265, 2. About Very Fine. Very Rare. 50) Abbasids, Al-Mahdi Æ Fals. Istakhr mint, AH 167 = AD 784. First part of Kalima in three lines / Caliph's name and title in three lines, citing the governor al-Rabi below; mint and date around. Album A216; Shamma p. 269, 9. Good Very Fine. Scarce. Lot sold as seen – no returns. Estimate: 1500 GBP |  |
Match 4:
| Spink > Auction 23051 | Auction date: 27 January 2024 |
| Lot number: 1035 Price realized: 10,500 GBP (Approx. 13,335 USD / 12,311 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Eadgar, King of the Mercians (957-959), latterly, King of All England (1 October 959 - 8 July 975), "Circumscription Cross" Type, Round Halfpenny, struck October 959 - 963 [?], Southampton, + EADGA•R REX, small cross pattée, rev. H-A-M-T• divided by cruciform of crucifixes, with pellet at centre, [Spink XRF: 95.10% Ag; 2.39% Cu; 0.81% Au; 0.69% Zn; 0.647% Pb; 0.36% Fe], 0.497g [7.67grns], 15.25mm., 7h (Kevin Hoffman, 'Anglo-Saxon and Danelaw halfpennies, c. 877–c.970', BNJ 93 (2023), p. 82 and EGSH-01 this coin; EMC 2023.0244 this coin; North - [cf. 749.1]; Spink - [cf. 1140C]), an extraordinary fractional issue and evident contemporary of the Winchester-signed Halfpence found at Preston Candover in October 2022 and sold in these rooms earlier this year; beautifully fresh for strike and sharp in relief, with a speckle of inconsequential verdigris in recesses, otherwise near extremely fine, the design previously unrecorded, UNIQUE, and of great importance to 10th Century English numismatics thus. Provenance, Found at 1:37pm on an organised metal detecting rally between Winchester and Basingstoke, Sunday 16 April 2023, Reported to the Fitzwilliam Museum, ref. EMC 2023.0244, 8 June 2023, Recorded by Spink, 2 September 2023, Reported to Spink, 22 September 2023, Consigned for sale at Spink, 29 September 2023, , , Spink XRF Analysis (Conducted 2 October 2023, Olympus VANTA Series L, from which the reading is calculated) , , Corpus: , , Eadwig (955-959), , North 738 (Floral type C, Chester, Eadwine), a) EMC 1034.0857 = SCBI 34 [BM], 857; 0.60g, Found at the Castle Esplanade, Chester, 1950 , , North 738 variety (Floral type C, Chester, Wigelm), b) EMC 2004.0221; "0.66g", but a fragment in five pieces; Found at Ockley (Surrey), by May 2003, , , North 740.3; Spink 1128A; CTCE - (Two crosses dividing VV-IN) -) EMC 2006.0203; 0.56g, 3h; Found by Robert Fry at Calbourne Parish (Isle of Wight), Wednesday 3 May 2006; Recorded with the Isle of Wight Museum (internal ref. IOW2006-40-49; public ref. PAS IOW-FA69C3) ; Listed in the BNJ, Coin Register 2007, no. 290; R Fry by private treaty with A H Baldwin; Baldwin, Summer FPL [published 1 August 2011], AS009 - "chipped around nearly half of rim, otherwise toned, a bold very fine and of the highest rarity" - £6,500; "The Collection of an English Doctor" ["7-367"], dispersed by Sovereign Rarities in three portions from 7 March 2022; this coin advertised exclusively 8 September 2022; and remaining in company stock inventory, ref. GM23854 (£9,750), October 2023 , , Eadgar (957-959), latterly, King of All England (1 October 959 - 8 July 975), , North 754 (Two crosses dividing VV-IN, and five pellets), -) EMC 1991.0256; fragmented and lost; Found at St Bartholomew's Church (London), during widening of Threadneedle Street, August-October 1840; cf. Lindsay, Heptarchy [1842], pp. 89; cf. "Catalogue of the Museum of London Antiquities" [1854], pp. 108 - the latter recording that coin's accidental destruction; CTCE 395, Pl. 25, -) EMC 2022.0360; 0.52g [8.4grns], 10h; Found at Preston Candover (Hants), Sunday 9 October 2022; Spink 286, 3 April 2023, lot 404 (£7,800); Private US Collection , , Kevin Hoffman, in his forthcoming article on Anglo-Saxon and Danelaw Halfpennies c. 877-970' for the BNJ (2023, pp. 37-93), noted: "Since the finalisation of this article an important new halfpenny has come to light. This coin, which was found in the Winchester area of Hampshire on 16 April 2023 (EMC 2023.0244), is the first of a new type for Edgar. The obverse is of a standard 'Circumscription Cross' type. The reverse, however is unique: it has a long-armed cross crosslet with a pellet at the centre; in the arms of the cross are the letters HAMT with a final pellet. The mint is certainly Southampton, although the coin was found near Winchester. Like most coins of Edgar this halfpenny is light, at 0.50g, and its diameter is 15.2-15.3mm. , , The long-armed cross design is quite rare; before the reign of Edgar it last appeared on some of the 'Early York' types (e.g. ECCP-12), in the early tenth century. For the abbreviated mint-name without a moneyer's name the most relevant comparison is the 'Winchester' type of Edgar (WIEG-01 and WIEG-02). As with the 'Winchester' type, the design does not appear on Pennies. From the extremely small sample of three coins that is currently known, the abbreviated mint-name seems to be a style associated with the West-Saxon heartlands. On the pattern of the 'Winchester' type, the new halfpenny should be described as the first representative of the 'Southampton' type: EGSH-01." Estimate: £10000 - £12000 |  |
Match 5:
| Spink > Auction 24004 | Auction date: 4 April 2024 |
| Lot number: 17 Price realized: 550 GBP (Approx. 691 USD / 642 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: (x) Æthelred II 'Unræd' (978-1016), 'First Hand' Type, Penny, 979-985, Exeter, Bruna, + ÆÐELRÆD REX ANGLORX, ORX ligated, diademed and draped bust right within solid inner circle, rev. + BRVN M-O EAXECESTE, Hand of Providence (manus dei) issuing from clouds with double crescent sleeve, pellet on palm of hand, at either side Alpha and Omega with contraction bar above each, 1.43g [22.1 gns], 10h (Hildebrand 469 [a.10]; Brettell 21 this coin; SCBI 7 [Copenhagen II], 150 same dies [pierced], and 151 different dies; SCBI 24 [West Country] -; SCBI 25 [Helsinki] -; SCBI [Hermitage I] -; SCBI [Estonia] -; SCBI 65 [Norway I] -; North 766; BMC IIa [Coll. -]; Spink 1144), legend softly struck 1 to 3 o'clock, otherwise almost very fine, an exceedingly rare type coin, the sole issue for this moneyer who also struck for Launceston (cf. John Mayne, Spink 145, 12-14 July 2000, lot 2658 and Montagu, Sotheby's, 1895, lot 770 now in the British Museum). Provenance, The Steve J Green Collection of Anglo-Saxon Coins [with his tickets and envelope], Michael L Gray, Spink 248, 26 September 2017, lot 694 [with his ticket], Seaby, by private treaty, November 1983 [with this ticket], SCMB, July 1983, E425 - "good fine" - £160, SCMB, April 1983, E233 - "good fine" - £160, Glendining, 23 February 1983, lot 69 - £120 [Seaby], R P V Brettell, "A Specialist Collection of the Devon Mints", Glendining, 28 October 1970, lot 21* - fine - £26.0.0, Almost certainly:, W C Wells, collection purchased en bloc by Baldwin, c. 1949, "A Hoard of Coins of Æthelræd II Found in Ireland", William C Wells (BNJ 1923/24), pp. 51-59, no. 4 this coin, Acquired en bloc by William C Wells, Spring 1923, Kildare (1923) Hoard, deposited c. 991, , Wells writes of this find: "The coins were found in the early part of 1923, and came into the writer's possession a few months later. The hoard consisted of 34 coins (Inventory 134), all of the reign of Æthelraed II, which were evidently deposited in the early part of that reign, as only the first two main types are represented. The writer could obtain no information as to the circumstances in which the hoard was discovered, but there is every reason to believe that the 34 specimens described comprised the whole find. The coins were probably enclosed in a leather wallet or purse, which would account for the circumstance that the greater part of the coins are in [an] excellent state of preservation and quite flat" , , However, Dolley writing again for the British Numismatic Journal (1966), in his article: "New Light on the Mullingar Find of Hand Pence of Æthelræd II", noted the following important information: "Most of the coins from this quite limited hoard are in the National Museum in Ireland, despite statements to the contrary, and deficiencies in the original publication and in the inventory listing justify a summary recapitulation of its essential content:- First Hand issue....Exeter, Brun, 1" Estimate: £240 - £300 |  |
