PRESS RELEASE Auction , , Preliminary Report. A fest for the aficionado of medals: auction sale 123 of Gorny & Mosch

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Lenard Gaines
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1 PRESS RELEASE Auction , , Preliminary Report A fest for the aficionado of medals: auction sale 123 of Gorny & Mosch The undoubted highlight of the three great auctions, to be conducted by Gorny & Mosch from March 4 to 7, 2013, is an important collection of historical medals. But there is more to come. Gorny & Mosch offer ancient coins of the finest quality, rarities from and Europe as well as a unique bar from Colombia roughly 4,500 lots all together and a total estimate of 4.5 million euros. A magnificent ensemble of historical medals manufactured by the best die cutters in their day will be offered in auction 213 of Munich auction house Gorny & Mosch, ranging from Hans Reinhart the Elder to Sebastian Dadler, from Johann Höhn and P. H. Müller, to state just a few illustrious names here. And this is only one highlight of the upcoming auction week from March 4 to 7, It all starts on Monday, March 4, with high-quality ancient coins. Two days are scheduled for the sale of the second auction s lots consisting of ancient coins. Thursday, March 7, is focused on the medals, although several numismatic and phaleristic rarities from, Europe, Russia and overseas will compete for the collectors attention. Auction 211 High-quality ancient coins 18 lots Celtic coins, 454 lots Greek coins, 247 lots Roman coins and 99 lots Byzantine coins this is a very brief summary of this auction, albeit a not very illuminating one.. After all, every item on offer stands out due to its beauty, its rarity, its state of preservation, its provenance sometimes due to all these at once. Let s first have a look at THE Greek coin: the early Classical tetradrachm from Naxos showing the splendid head of Dionysos on its obverse and the squatting Silenus with a kantharos on the reverse. Auction 211 offers a very fine, magnificently toned example that was part of the Hunt Collection when it was auctioned off in 1991 at Sotheby s in New York. This rarity is estimated at 50,000 euros. Generally speaking, the descendants of the famous Kunstfreund will discover much that would have fit in with his collection perfectly, particularly in regard to Syracuse. The connoisseur s eye will be appealed by a gorgeous severe style tetradrachm (EF; estimate: 15,000 euros) or by pieces signed by Eumenos, Eukleidas and Euainetos (EF and VF-EF, respectively; estimate: 20,000 euros and 15,000 euros, respectively). The unchallenged highlight of this section is a marvelous tetradrachm struck between 415 and 409 B. C. (EF; estimate: 75,000 euros) with its obverse being designed by Euth... and the reverse by Phrygillos. This piece breaks new ground iconographically: the hair of Arethusa is held together by a fillet decorated with grain ears. The charioteer has turned into Nike, and Phrygillos 1

2 uses the exergue for a depiction of Skylla. This gives rise to the hypothesis that this coin alludes to the naval victory of the Syracusans over the Athenians in 413 B. C. There are many more highlights yet to come. It goes on with a monumental stater of the Orrescii which exhibits a kind of primitive archaic charm (VF-EF; estimate: 8,000 euros), a very early and very rare drachm from Argos showing a crouching wolf on the obverse (VF; estimate: 15,000 euros) and some unflawed pieces from Cyzicus like a stater with the head of young Perseus (EF; estimate: 30,000 euros) or the stater depicting Eleutheria sitting on a piedestal above a thuna fish (VF-EF; estimate: 20,000 euros). Special reference should be made to an example the best one known so far of an extremely rare emission of electrum coins, a hekte following the Milesian standard with a horse s head to the left (EF; estimate: 25,000 euros). We mustn t omit a series of Armenian coins here including a very rare chalkos of Tigranes IV from Artaxata which is hard to come by in such a nice condition (EF; estimate: 4,000 euros). Roughly 50 coins date to the Roman Republic. The numerous rare gold coins deserve particular mention here, like an aureus of Marc Antony with the portrait of Octavian on the reverse (EF; estimate: 20,000 euros). Anyone dealing with Roman Imperial Times will appreciate the rare denarii in perfect condition, the splendid aurei and the untooled bronze coins with the finest patina possible. And here we are again, being at a loss which item to single out: perhaps an aureus of Augustus with Victoria on its reverse (EF-MS; estimate: 20,000 euros), an aureus of Otho (EF+; estimate: 50,000 euros) or an aureus of Septimius Severus featuring a double portrait, his own and the one of Caracalla, on the obverse (EF+; estimate: 25,000 euros). Numerous gold coins come from the period of the Tetrarchy, like an aureus of Diocletian with Iuppiter Conservator on the reverse (FDC; estimate: 15,000 euros), an aureus of Maximianus Herculius with Hercules killing the Lernaean serpent (EF-FDC; estimate: 15,000 euros) and a solidus of Crispus with a rare portrait to the left (EF+; estimate: 15,000 euros). A great number of solidi from the time of the joint reign of Valentinian I and Valens leads over to Byzantium where the connoisseur will discover rarities like a hexagram of the first reign of Justinian I (EF; estimate: 10,000 euros) or a histamenon of Michael VI (EF; estimate: 15,000 euros). Auction 212 Ancient coins and multiple lots All these four- and five-figure estimates mustn t be taken as evidence that only the rich can afford to collect ancient coins. Quite the contrary, as auction catalog Gorny & Mosch 212 testifies. Prices for ancient coins start with 50 euros here, and many a rarity comes with a low three-figure estimate. This auction is interesting notably for the collector of fractions. Historical rarities in silver and bronze are on offer, like, for example, the extremely rare tetras from Himera whose obverse displays a bearded man with a long he-goat s horn (EF; estimate: 250 euros), an extremely rare small bronze 2

3 coin of the Scythian king Sariakos (VF; estimate: 120 euros), a likewise extremely rare small bronze coin of the Arcarnanian city of Medion (VF; estimate: 150 euros) or hemiobol from Assos which is impossible to find in the great collections (EF; estimate: 250 euros). Large series of coins of Alexander the Great, of Athenian tetrachdrachms from Hellenistic times and of electrum coins from the cities of Mytilene and Lesbos complete the varied offer of Greek coins. The roughly 200 multiple lots containing Roman Provincial coins, the 150 lots with coins from the Roman Republic and the more than 350 lots with Roman Imperial coins come up with a wealth of rare coins and minting authorities and thus offer some rarity for every collector. The Byzantine section not only includes solidi and bronze coins but an assortment of lead seals as well. As usual, the second auction week of Gorny & Mosch will be concluded by the popular, interestingly assembled multiple lots more than 100 this time we recommend every dealer and collector for a closer inspection. Auction 213 Medieval and modern times Hardly any other numismatic genre has more to offer and is (yet) as underestimated as the medal. This is a good reason to examine auction catalog 213 of Gorny & Mosch in closer detail. Its first part is devoted to historical medals. Several important die cutters are present there, from Hans Reinhart the Elder to Sebastian Dadler and Johann Höhn as well as P. H. Müller whose great works the collector had bought. The estimates range from 50 euros to 30,000 euros. Hence, there is something here for everyone. Let s begin with the medals of the 16th century, the Renaissance works of art that depict the leading figures of the Reformation. The medals and a commemorative coin, respectively, display three variants of Frederick the Wise at once (VF-EF; VF; and VF-EF; estimates: 5,000, 7,500 and 4,000 euros, respectively). The catalog puts a special emphasis on the fantastic medals of the Leipzig artist Hans Reinhart the Elder. The aficionados encounter, amongst other pieces, his medal on the Fall of Man and the Salvation (EF, original cast; estimate: 5,000 euros), his elaborate portrait of Charles V (old cast, EF; estimate: 1,000 euros), his extremely rare work about the apocalypse (EF, original cast; estimate: 4,000 euros) and the famous Trinity medal as his most groundbreaking and at the same time most mature work (EF; original cast; estimate: 30,000 euros). Sebastian Dadler most certainly was the most prominent die cutter of the 17th century. The collector was able to acquire highlights of his work in finest conditions, like a splendid specimen of the medal 1634 on the burial of Gustavus II Adolphus in Stockholm (FDC; estimate: 5,000 euros) or a medal from 1649 on Emperor Ferdinand III and the Nuremberg day of execution (EF-FDC; estimate: 15,000 euros). 3

4 The medals spanning the period of time from the 18th to the 20th century likewise contain some rarity, like an extremely rare gold medal of 15 ducats from 1814 on the triumphal march of the allied forces against Napoleon and the Treaty of Paris (EF; estimate: 22,000 euros). But don t think that s it for now, there are many more spectacular items still ahead. The orders and decorations as well as the medieval coins are followed by with quite a number of rarities. Bavaria, for example, is present with a small series of the rare Würzburgian neujahrsgoldgulden for Louis I and Louis II (all FDC; estimates: ,500 euros; ,500 euros and 3,000 euros, respectively). The collectors of Brandenburg-Prussia will be delighted by an extremely rare vereinskrone from 1861 whose mintage was 2,488 specimens only (Proof; estimate: 7,500 euros). Even rarer is a unifaced ducat-klippe from Braunau from 1743 on the defense of the fortress against the Austrian siege (FDC; estimate: 12,000 euros) and a unique double ducat from Jülich Cleves Berg from 1682 (VF-EF; estimate: 20,000 euros). A 5 ducat piece from Würzburg from 1702 brings up the rear (EF-FDC; estimate: 15,000 euros). Similar surprises can be found with Europe, like a pattern of the Belgian 40 francs piece from 1841 with a marginal inscription in cursive characters (FDC; estimate: 25,000 euros) as well a Danish ducat from 1699 with an impressive depiction of a ship (VF-EF; estimate: 7,500 euros). The category Sweden and its territories has a small series of extremely rare gold coins on offer: a mining ducat 1750 (EF-FDC; estimate: 6,000 euros), a double ducat 1843 (about EF; estimate: 6,500 euros) as well as a ducat 1700 from Riga (EF-FDC; estimate: 12,500 euros). One of the most expensive items of the auction is a completely preserved gold bar, weighing 1061 g, made of the gold from the mines of the Colombian province of Antioquia; the ship with which that bar should have been transported from the New World to the Old sank in 1622 (estimate: 100,000 euros). The overseas coins are followed by the Oriental ones with a very special collection: a number of miniature orders from the Ottoman Empire. The Russian coins conclude the auction. It is a grand finale, since a majority of the 150 lots carry presale price tags with five- or even six-figure sums. For example: 9 lots date to the reign of Paul I, three of them are estimated between 15,000 and 25,000 euros, another one is the most expensive coin of the entire sale with its estimate of 200,000 euros. It is a hitherto unpublished rouble from 1798 with no comparandum known so far. A 10 rouble piece in gold from 1897, issued under Nicholas II, likewise is of greatest scarcity. Bitkin refers to it as donative coin, hence a coin given away as a present (about FDC; estimate: 100,000 euros). However, don t let yourself be fooled by this: many high estimates are faced on the catalog by any number of lots that are of interest to every collector. The reasonably assembled multiple lots in particular contain a number of good bargains. 4

5 Thus, browsing the latest Gorny & Mosch auction catalogs will surely pay off. All catalogs can be viewed on the internet at and ordered at Gorny & Mosch, Giessener Münzhandlung,, D Munich, phone +49 / (0)89 / , fax +49 / (0)89 / Consignments for the upcoming auction October 2013 can be made as of now until August 2, Captions: Lot 65A. Greeks / Sicily. NAXOS. Tetradrachm, c. 460 B. C. Cahn 54 (same die). From Hunt Collection, Sotheby s New York 1991, 79. Marvelous toning. Very fine. Estimate: 50,000 euros. Lot 85. Greeks / Sicily. SYRACUSE. Tetradrachm, c B. C. Tudeer 47 (same die). Work signed by Euth... and Phrygillos. From Leu 25 (1980), 73. Extremely fine. Estimate: 75,000 euros. Lot 243. Greeks / Argolis. ARGOS. Drachm, c. 490/ B. C. BMC 1f. 6th specimen known! Dark toning. Very fine. Estimate: 15,000 euros. Lot 271. Greeks / Mysia. CYZICUS. Stater, B. C. SNG BN 193. Extremely rare. About extremely fine. Estimate: 30,000 euros. Lot 337. Greeks / Ionia. UNIDENTIFIED MINT. Milesian standard. Hekte, 6th cent. B. C. Weidauer 141. Extremely rare. 3rd known and best specimen of this denomination. Extremely fine. Estimate: 25,000 euros. Lot 449. Greeks / Armenia. TIGRANES IV, 10/6-5 B. C. Chalkos, Artaxata. Nercessian 163. Rare. Seldom to be encountered in this condition. Nice dark-green patina. Extremely fine. Estimate: 4,000 euros. Lot 474. Roman Provincial coins / Thrace. UNIDENTIFIED MINT. Galerius Antonius, + prior to A. D AE. Overbeck, M. Galerius Antoninus, BVbl 36, 1971, p. 254 with pl. 25, 4. Very rare. About extremely fine. Estimate: 4,000 euros. Marcus Galerius Aurelius Antoninus was the second eldest son of Antoninus Pius. He had already died before his father accessed the throne in A. D His burial inscription was found in the mausoleum of Hadrian. 5

6 Lot 540. Roman Republic. MARCUS ANTONIUS. Aureus of M. Barbatus Pollio, 41 B. C., from the mint that accompanied Marc Antony. Cr. 517/1a. From auction sale Kress 129 (1964), 427. Very nice portraits. Very rare. Extremely fine. Estimate: 20,000 euros. Lot 579. Roman Imperial Times. GALBA, As, 69. RIC (cf. 491f). Extremely rare variant. Darkgreen, untouched patina. Extremely fine. Estimate: 1,500 euros. Lot 579A. Roman Imperial Times. OTHO, 69. Aureus. RIC 7. Rare. Good extremely fine. Estimate: 50,000 euros. Lot 676. Roman Imperial Times. CRISPUS Caesar, Solidus, 323, Sirmium. RIC VII 39. Rare. Good extremely fine. Estimate: 15,000 euros. Lot 713. Roman Imperial Times. VALENS, Solidus, Januar 368, Nicomedia. RIC 16(b). Very rare. Vs. die crack. Extremely fine. Estimate: 1,500 euros. Lot 805. Byzantium. IUSTINIANUS II, first reign, Hexagramm, DOC 17. Very rare with this officina. About extremely fine. Estimate: 10,000 euros. Lot Historical medals / Saxony. FREDERICK III the Wise, Guldengroschen (1513), Nuremberg, on the dignity of the general stadtholder. Merseburger Coll Extremely rare. Very fine. Estimate: 7,500 euros. Lot Historical medals. TRINITY MEDALLION of Hans Reinhart the Elder, Habich 1962var. From Eugen Felix Coll., auction A. Hess Nachf., Frankfurt 1895, lot 232. Estimate: 30,000 euros. Lot Historical medals / Saxe-Eisenach. ALBRECHT, Duke As administrator of the Teutonic Order bailiwick Thuringia. Octagonal golden gnadenpfennig Tentzel pl From WAG (09/2006), Of greatest scarcity. Gorgeous original cast. Extremely fine. Estimate: 17,500 euros. Lot Historical medals / HRE. FERDINAND III, Medal 1649 of S. Dadler on the Nuremberg day of execution. Montenuovo Coll Very rare. Extremely fine to proof-like. Estimate: 15,000 euros. Lot Historical medals / Brandenburg-Prussia. Gold medal of 15 ducats 1814 of Ascher Wappenstein on the triumphal march of the allied forces against Napoleon and the Treaty of Paris. From auction sale UBS 53, lot 831. Montenuovo Col. cf (silver). Very rare. Extremely fine. Estimate: 22,000 euros. 6

7 Lot Italy / Sicily. PETER AND CONSTANCE, Pierreale d oro n. y., Messina. Spahr 1var. Very rare. Extremely fine. Estimate: 5,500 euros. Lot / Brandenburg-Prussia. WILLIAM I, Vereinskrone 1861A. Schl Only 2,488 specimens were minted. Very rare. Proof. Estimate: 7,500 euros. Lot / Braunau. Commander Duke LOUIS FREDERICK of Saxe-Hildburghausen. Unifaced ducat-klippe 1743 on the defense of the fortress against the Austrian siege. From auction sale Hess- Leu, Luzern (1959), 250. Very rare. Proof-like. Estimate: 12,000 euros. Lot / Jülich Cleves Berg. JOHN WILLIAM II von der Pfalz, Double ducat Unique specimen. Very fine to extremely fine. Estimate: 20,000 euros. Lot / Würzburg. JOHN PHILIP II Greiffenklau von Vollraths, ducat piece Fr Extremely rare. Extremely fine to proof-like. Estimate: 15,000 euros. Lot Belgium / Kingdom. LEOPOLD I, francs Pattern with marginal inscription in cursive characters. Delm Mintage: c. 10 specimens. About proof-like. Estimate: 25,000 euros. Lot Denmark. CHRISTIAN V, Ducat 1699, Copenhagen. Fr Very rare. Extremely fine to proof-like. Estimate: 7,500 euros. Lot Sweden / Riga. CHARLES XII, Ducat Fr. (Latvia) 19. Very rare. Extremely fine to proof-like. Estimate: 12,500 euros. Lot Colombia. Completely preserved gold bar, weight 1061 g. Cast and essay prior to 1622, Zaragoza mint (gold mines of the Antioquia province). Retrieved from the wreck of the Spanish galleon Nuestra Senora de Atocha, which had sunk in 1622, with Fischer certificate of authenticity #85A-GB045 from July 1, Measuring c. 275 x 27 x 11 mm. The bar carries markings stating the fineness as XXI (= 21 carat; in 5 places), on the tax class (10 partial stamps in total), the place of manufacture and the assayer. Extremely rare. Traces where the bar has been tested on one end, attractive specimen, straight and even. Estimate: 100,000 euros. Lot Oriental World / Ottoman Empire / miniature orders. MUHAMMED V, Order chain with miniature decorations, World War I for the most part. Handling marks. Very fine to extremely fine. Estimate: 1,200 euros. 7

8 Lot Russia. PAUL I, Rouble 1798, Petersburg. Unpublished rouble variant. Of utmost scarcity. Dark patina. Very fine. Estimate: 200,000 euros. From a private collection in the Baltic States. The design of the reverse die shows similarities to the one of the Jefimok reverse illustrated under Bitkin lot 213 (cf. Michail Coll. pl. II, 4; Chaudoir 2026). Since neither diameter nor weight perfectly matches this piece, it cannot simply be an unusual die combination. Lot Russia. ALEXANDER I, for Poland. 25 Zlotych 1825 IW, Warsaw. Bitkin 818. Mintage: 636 specimens. Good very fine / extremely fine. Estimate: 22,000 euros. Lot Russia. NICHOLAS II, Imperial - 10 rouble gold 1897, St. Petersburg mint. Bitkin 319. Ex WCN A 46 (6/2011), Of utmost scarcity. About proof-like. Estimate: 100,000 euros. 8

PRESS RELEASE Auction , , Follow-up Report. Fantastic prices for Roman gold

PRESS RELEASE Auction , , Follow-up Report. Fantastic prices for Roman gold PRESS RELEASE Auction 211-213, 21.03.2013, Follow-up Report Fantastic prices for Roman gold 57,500 euros for an aureus of Augustus, 80,500 euros for Septimius Severus and Otho, nearly 53,000 euros for