Attica/Athens Tetradrachm c. 440-404 BC NGC AU Strike 4/5 Surface 3/5
The Trade Coin of Antiquity
In 454 BC, after military defeats in Egypt against the Persians, the Athenians moved their treasury to Athens from Delos, as it was considered safer terrain. This setback followed spectacular victories by the Athenians at Marathon (490 BC), and Thermopylae (480 BC). After moving the treasury, the era of standard tetradrachms commenced around 440 BC, and continued until about 404 BC.
As the production of tetradrachms increased over time and provided funding for various war efforts, the dies naturally became worn, making well struck and full crested specimens somewhat scarce. We are pleased to offer an example of this classic, standard coinage, ranked at #10 in the 100 Greatest Ancient Coins reference. Today’s example features a finely developed and tall crest, and abundant silvery bloom.
This artistically pleasing “owl” is available here for: $3,480
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Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, better known as Caracalla, was a promising son of emperor Septimius Severus. Born at Lugdunum in 188 AD while his father was governor of the province, his youth was spent as the groomed son and heir apparent of Septimius, and many honors were bestowed upon him at the expense of his brother Geta. After their father’s passing in February of 211, the brothers embarked upon a contentius joint rule that lasted less than a year and ended in the fratricidal murder of Geta.
Caracalla was now free to live out his fantasies as the reincarnation of Alexander the Great, and embarked upon his campaign to conquer neighboring empires, as Alexander had done centuries before. In 214 AD he commenced war against the Alemanni, a German confederation, and he began to wear the caracallus, a hooded cloak from which his nickname derives. After successes in this campaign, Caracalla conquered the Danubian Capri, and began preparation for his invasion of Persia, another goal in imitation of Alexander. At Troy, Caracalla sponsored military parades to honor the fallen heroes of the Trojan War and acted out portions of Homer’s Iliad – with himself playing the role of Achilles, the greatest of Greek mythological warriors. Visiting the tomb of Alexander in Alexandria, he sought cures for his illnesses and for reasons unknown, decided to massacre tens of thousands of unarmed citizens. Now completely unhinged, Caracalla headed east to commence his much anticipated Parthian campaign, but was killed en route to Mesopotamia by a disgruntled soldier who was probably also concerned for his life, his praetorian prefect and successor, Macrinus.
We are fortunate to have on offer today a high grade and rare example of Caracalla’s gold coinage, an aureus in AU condition, graded by NGC. Superbly centered and lustrous, it features a strong portrait and has the excellent rating of 5/5 for both Strike and Surface.
Silver Tetradrachm NGC Ch AU Strike 5/5, Surface 3/5 Fine Style
Silver Drachm NGC MS Strike 4/5, Surface 5/5
Considered one of the greatest military commanders in history, Alexander was born in 356 BC in Pella, Macedonia. He was the son of King Phillip II and Queen Olympias, who claimed she was impregnated by Zeus (actually, it was by Phillip). From childhood, Alexander displayed exceptional leadership qualities, and he was imbued by his tutor Aristotle with a thirst for knowledge in philosophy, literature and the arts. Alexander considered his lineage divine (like his mother did) and linked his bloodline to Achilles and Hercules.
After ascending to the throne following his father’s assassination in 336 BC, Alexander consolidated his empire of Greek city states and began his military campaign against Darius III and the Persian Empire. He decisively defeated Darius at the battle of Guagamela, and took over Babylon and Susa with little resistance. With the fall of Persia, Alexander had available vast amounts of silver and gold available from the depositories of Susa and Persepolis, and some of this output was utilized for the production of silver drachms and gold staters like the ones on offer here today.
Alexander was succeeded as king by by his half brother, who ruled as Phillip III.
The Alexander the Great type collection is on offer here for: $18,975
Though normally associated with hedonistic excess and debauchery, Nero’s first years were actually a relatively peaceful time in the empire. Nero began his rule at the tender age of 17 with much promise – his mother Agrippina Jr. was regent at first, until he began to assert his independence the following year. With the government largely in the hands of capable administrators like Seneca and Burrus, Rome enjoyed peace and prosperity for the first five years of Nero’s reign. Things began to take a turn south for his reign, however, with his involvement in the murder of his mother in 59 and the subsequent shedding of his key advisors Seneca and Burrus in 62 AD. He also divorced and executed his wife Claudia Octavia in that fateful year. So, at the age of 25, Nero had reconstructed his life, shedding moderating influences on his activities – he was now able to pursue his interests in acting, carousing, various persecutions, chariot racing and random sexual adventures – in short, he was becoming the Nero we all know and love.
Probably most shocking to the populace, however, was the Great Fire of 64 AD, where it was thought that Nero had started it to clear out large portions of prime Rome real estate to build his ostentatious palace. With much of Rome destroyed and his grand palace usurping the dwindling financial resources of the empire, conspiracies began to form against the emperor. His stage antics, poetry readings and singing and dancing had never been particularly well received by the populace, anyway, who not only viewed his talents as marginal, but also saw them as not dignified for an emperor.
Nero embarked on a “Grand Tour” of Greece in AD 67, where he participated in the Pythian, Nemean and Olympic Games – as Vagi notes, Nero was declared victor in the latter, even though he fell out of his chariot mid-way through the race!
With Imperial finances stretched to the limit with Nero’s excesses, the populace finally had enough and forced Nero to flee to his country villa on the outskirts of Rome. On June 9 of 68, surrounded by hostile soldiers, Nero uttered the famous dictum, “what a great artist we are losing”, and died in a murder/suicide situation. Not long afterwards, Rome descended into civil war.
Always conscious of his artistic portrayals on the coinage, Nero took special efforts to ensure favorable images and favorite musical themes, such as him playing the lyre. The austere portraits of his predecessors gave way to naturalistic poses and a realism previously unseen
An Extremely Fine aureus and an AU hemidrachm are on offer here today, providing splendid examples of his portraiture and reflecting the high artistry of his coinage in general.
Offered at $9,550 delivered
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The most prominent city in Ancient Greece militarily and economically, Athens had at its disposal an almost inexhaustible supply of silver from the mines it controlled at Laurion. This mine would be instrumental as Athenian influence increased in the region. To facilitate this expansion, a large supply of coinage was necessary, both for international economy and as a means of declaring Athems’ dominance in the region. The famous “owl” silver coinage was introduced around 520 BC, featuring the helmeted head of Athena, and on the reverse, the standing figure of an owl, her sacred bird. Over time, the design of the owls became more streamlined, culminating in the naturalistic style of the coins on offer here.
Struck around the time period of the Peloponnesian War (431 to 404 BC), these ancient trade coins formed the basis of the Greek economy in antiquity and circulated widely in the Mediterranean region and beyond. Athenian “owls” are a good candidate for being the most famous coins of antiquity, and provide a link to the history and style of the ancient world that is without parallel.
A superb specimen of the ancient Greek tetradrachm is on offer today -with an appealing lustrous silvery bloom and light golden highlights, it is certified Mint State* by NGC. Furthermore, is well struck and sports excellent surfaces, as the 10 out of 10 rating from NGC for Strike and Surface attests.
Direct inquires to Alan Christopher (800) 257-3253
We do business the old fashioned way, we speak with you.
