January 13 saw the ninth and tenth of this series which began in 1998.
The first of these two sales covered coins of all periods. Given how little space a general report has available, it is as well to concentrate on the theme.
At Pergamum in 27-26BC, the Emperor Augustus struck a silver tetradrachm with as fine a portrait as one could wish for. The reverse bears the Zodiac sign of his birth or, more precisely, as it then corresponded to the date given to us by Surtonius. The Zodiac band processes (shifts) once in about 24,000 years so we are about a sign out on the Roman reckoning. This is interesting archaeological evidence for an astronomical phenomenon.
Actually, these imposing coins turn up remarkably frequently which must be why it was estimated at $950. It made $900 (£483).
A smaller denarius with an equally fine portrait realised $680 (£365). The estimate was $750.
To a different time and a different place but still an imposing portrait, the Hungarian Gold 10 Ducats of Charles VI struck at Presburg cannot fail to impress.
It was prudently estimated at $15,000. It made $37,500 (£20,160).
January 28 saw a massive offering of this type of material by Numismatica Ars Classica in Zurich which will form the subject of a later ATG report. The other sale by the triumvirate noted earlier was devoted to Russian coins.
The newly rich and emancipated Russian collectors are creating an exceedingly firm market in this area. In its turn this is giving rise to some overblown estimates.
Remaining with the theme of the portrait, I draw your attention to the Galleonesque portrait medal of Czarina Elizabeth on a bronze medal estimated at just $275. It would have been an optimist who believed he would get it for this. For all that it realised $350 (£188).
The varieties of the coinage of Czar Nicholas II is a mystery penetrated only by a few savants. To the uninitiated, they all look much the same, so do not get excited without specialist advice.
The highest price of the day was the $67,500 (£32,290) paid for a pattern 37.5 roubles. The estimate was $75,000. Why the peculiar denomination? It was equivalent to 100 French francs.
