on star, P SEPVLLIVS behind, MACER before. Absolutely exquisite portrait. Mint
State.....................................................................................................................SOLD
ROMANSILVER
146.
AUGUSTUS
; 27 BC-14 AD, Denarius, Lugdunum, 2 BC-4 AD, 3.65g. BM-519,
Paris-1651,C-43.Rx:CLCAESARES in exergue,AVGVSTI FCOSDESIGPRINC
IVVENT around, Gaius and Lucius Caesars standing holding honorary shields and
spears, ladle and lituus infield above. Bluish toning.About EF............................600
147.
TIBERIUS, TRIBUTE PENNY
; 14-37AD, Denarius, Lugdunum, 3.83g. BM-48,
Paris-28, RIC-30, C-16. Rx: PONTIF - MAXIM Livia seated r. holding scepter and
branch, single line below throne. ExHJBBBS 107 (1999), lot 284 . NearMint State.
............................................................................................................................. 1250
148.
CLAUDIUS
; 41-54AD, Denarius, Rome, 46-7AD, 3.69g. BM-40, Paris-51, C-58
(10 Fr.), RIC-39 (R2). Obv: TI CLAVDCAESARAVG PMTR PVI IMPXI Head
laureate r. Rx: PACI - AVGVSTAE Pax-Nemesis, winged, advancing r., l. holding
winged caduceus pointing down at snake, r. holding out fold of drapery below chin.
ExHJBBBS 127 (2002), lot 298Some isolated obverse porosity. EF................3950
149.
NERO
; 54-68 AD, Denarius, Rome, 66-8 AD, 3.09g. Paris-233, C-121, BM-77
note, RIC-64 (R3). Obv: [I]MPNEROCAESARAVGVSTVS Head laureate r. Rx:
IVPPITERCVSTOS Jupiter seated l. holding thunderbolt and scepter. ExHJBBBS
154 (2007), lot 281Toned.Mint State..................................................................1850
ExquisiteGalba
150.
GALBA
; 68-69AD,Rome,Denarius, 3.57g.RIC-170corr.,C-287,BM-34corr.Obv:
IMPSERGALBAAVGHeadbare r. Rx:WreathwithSPQR /OB /CSwithin. Bare-
headed portrait, wrongly described as laureate in BMC and RIC. Ex HJBBBS 124
(2002), lot 420. Exquisite portrait. EFwith luster................................................4150
151.
VITELLIUS
;69AD,Rome,Denarius,2.99g.BM-1,Paris-31,C-21,RIC-66.Obv: [A
VITELL]IVSGERMANICVS IMPHeadbare r. Rx: CONCOR -DIAPRConcordia
seated l. holdingpatera and cornucopia.Acquired in Istanbul, c. 1960.Rare: only four
specimens in Reka Devnia hoard. Scarce earliest obverse type of reign, with bare
portrait and noTRPorAVG in legend. ExHJBBBS 1002 (Electronic sale 2011), lot
123. Hairlines in obversefield in front of emperor’s face. GoodVF /VF.............550
Vitellius andhisChildren
152.
VITELLIUS
; 69 AD, Rome, Denarius, 3.28g. RIC-79 (citing Rome), C-5 (100
Fr.), BM-12 note. Obv: AVITELLIVS GERMAN IMP TR P Head laureate r. Rx:
LIBERI - IMP - GERMANDraped busts of Vitellius’ son, acclaimed “Germanicus”
by the army, and his daughter, Vitellia, facing each other. The rare earliest variety
of a rare dynastic type: with GERMAN rather than GERM in obverse legend this
denarius is not inParis orBM.An illustrated specimen, fromdifferent dies thanours:
Münzhandlung Basel 3, 1935, Waldeck 225. Coins of Vitellius and his children are
scarce but they only come inVG toFine condition.Acoin such aswe are offering in
EF isquite rareandhighlydesirable.The reverseexhibits someareasof light porosity.
EF..........................................................................................................................5750
ExquisiteOxen
153.
VESPASIAN
; 69-79 AD, Denarius, Rome, 77 AD, 3.43g. BM-206, Paris-184,
C-133 corr. (2 Fr.), RIC-107. Rx: COSVIII Pair of oxen under yoke left. Scarce: 28
specimens in Reka Devnia hoard. Ex HJBBBS 129 (2002), lot 188 This coin bears
a piercing portrait of Vespasian on the obverse, but the pair of oxen depicted on the
reverseareabsolutelywonderful.This issue is relativelycommonbut normallycomes
in very worn condition. This is the best that the cataloguer has ever handled. Mint
State.......................................................................................................................2150
154.
TITUS
; 79-81 AD, Denarius, Rome, 79 AD, 3.40g. RIC-22 (C ), BM-7, Paris-7,
C-270. Obv: IMPTITVS CAESVESPASIANAVG PMHead laureate r. Rx: TR P
VIIII IMPXIIII COSVII PPCeres seated l. holdingwheat ear, poppy, and torch. Ex
HJBBBS 165 (2009), lot 319 . GoodEF /GoodVF..............................................600
FDCLeft FacingPortrait
155.
TITUS
; 79-81AD, Rome, 80AD, Denarius, 3.49g. RIC-120 (C ), BM-56, Paris-45,
C-314. Obv: IMPTITVS CAESVESPASIANAVG PMHead laureate l. Rx: TR P
IX IMPXVCOSVIII PPWinged thunderbolt on square seatwith fringed seat cover.
Rarewith portrait left: apparently only three specimens inRekaDevnia hoard, all in
Sofia, since the eight specimens reported fromVarnawere surely in fact Cohen-314,
with portrait right. Scarce left facing portrait of Titus, virtually unobtainable in this
exquisite quality. FDC...........................................................................................1750
156.
DOMITIAN
; 81-96 AD, Denarius, Rome, Sept. 92-Sept. 93 AD, 3.32g. RIC-740
(C3), BM-202, Paris-184, C-281. Obv: TR PXII. Rx: IMPXXII COSXVI CENS P
PPMinervafighting r. on capital of rostral column, owl before her. ExHJBBBS126
(2002), lot 281High relief portrait. Some iridescent blue toning.VirtuallyMint State
................................................................................................................................ 650
IncrediblePortrait
157.
NERVA
; 96-98AD,Denarius, Rome, 96AD, 3.44g. BM-10, Paris-, C-59.Obv: COS
II. Rx: FORTVNA - AVGVST Fortuna standing l. holding rudder and cornucopia.
Scarce with this date: only four specimens in Reka Devnia hoard, none in the Paris
collection. Privately purchased fromHarlan J. BerkLtd. in 2002. Nerva is known for
his large hookednose, his portraits go frommundane to incredible. This coinbelongs
in the categoryof sculptural and incredible. Light iridescent toning.NearMint State /
EF..........................................................................................................................1750
158.
TRAJAN
; 98-117AD,Denarius, 100AD, 3.38g.MIR-75a (53 spec.),BM-72,C-222,
RIC-38.Rx: PMTRPCOS IIIPPPax standing l. holdingbranchandcornucopia. Ex
HJBBBS 124 (2001), lot 429. Some orange and red toning.Mint State...............500
159.
HADRIAN
; 117-138 AD, Denarius, Rome, c. 124-8 AD, 3.47g. BM-392, C-328,
RIC-172.Rx:COS - IIIConcordia seated l. holdingpateraand restingarmon statuette
of Spes. Privately purchased fromHarlan J. BerkLtd. in 2002. Small planchet defect
on neck.Mint State.................................................................................................400
IncrediblePortrait
160.
LUCIUSVERUS
; 161-169AD, Rome, 164AD, Denarius, 3.36g. BM-282, C-229,
RIC-515. Obv: L.VERVSAVG -ARMENIACVSHeadbare r. Rx: TRP IIII - IMP II
COS IIMars standing r. holding spear and shield. ExHJBBBS 123 (2001), lot 576.
Though the reverse is softly struck, this coinbears an incredible high relief portrait of
the emperor.Mint State......................................................................................... 1150
161.
ANTONINUSPIUS
; 138-161AD,Rome, 153AD,Denarius, 3.47g.BM-782,C-197,
RIC-219. Obv: ANTONINVSAVG PIVS PP TRPXVI Laureate head r. Rx: Vesta
standing l. holding ladle and Palladium. Ex HJB BBS 125 (2002), lot 387. Mint
State.........................................................................................................................325
162.
MARCUS AURELIUS AS CAESAR
; 139-161 AD, Rome, 154 AD, Denarius,
3.57g. BM-822, C-663, RIC-459. Rx: TR POT VIII - COS II Minerva standing l.
holdingowl in r. hand and spear and shield restingonground in l. hand. ExHJBBBS
140 (2004), lot 303. Unusually sharp portrait ofMarcusAurelius. Lightly tonedwith
some gold and orange iridescence.Mint State........................................................750
163.
MARCUS AURELIUS, DIVUS
; Died 180 AD, Rome, Denarius, 2.88g. BM-
22, C-83, RIC-269. Obv: DIVVS M AN - TONINVS AVG Head bare r. Rx:
CONSECR[ATIO] Eagle standing r. on thunderbolt, head l., wings spread. Mint
State.........................................................................................................................300
164.
COMMODUS
; 177-192AD, Rome, 192AD, Denarius, 2.40g. BM-343, C-195 (5
Fr.), RIC-253. Obv: LA - ELAVRELCO - MMAVG PFELBust r. of Commodus
as Hercules wearing skin of lion’s head with mane. Rx: Bow, club, and quiver,
inscription HER[CV]LI ROMANOAVG, “To the Emperor, the Roman Hercules”.
Rare: only four specimens inRekaDevnia hoard. VF...........................................250
165.
PESCENNIUSNIGER
; 193-194AD,Antioch, Denarius, 2.27g. Obv. legend var. of
BM-298, C-7 (200Fr.), andRIC-3a (R3). Obv: IMPCAESCPESC - ENNIG IV[S]
TAVGHead laureate r. Rx: BONAE - SPEI Spes advancing l. holding flower and
raising skirt. Rust spot andflan defect in front of face. EF.....................................975
166.
CARACALLA
; 198-217AD, Rome, 204AD, Denarius, 3.23g. BM-296, C-658 (5
Fr.), RIC-144b. Rx: VICT - PARTMAXVictory advancing l. holding wreath and
palm. Privately purchased fromHarlan J. BerkLtd. in 2001. Mint State..............250
167.
GETAASAUGUSTUS
; 209-211AD,Rome, 210AD,Denarius, 3.22g.BM-47,RIC-
69b, C-138. Obv: with BRIT. Rx: PONTIF TR P II - COS II Felicitas standing l.
holding cornucopia and long caduceus. Scarce: 12 specimens inRekaDevnia hoard.
ExHJBBBS 136 (2004), lot 179. EF....................................................................200
168.
MACRINUS
; 217-218AD,Rome, 218AD,Denarius, 3.07g.BM-73,C-108,RIC-80.
Rx: PROVIDENTIADEORVMProvidentia standing l. holdingwand over globe and
cornucopia. ExHJBBBS 129 (2002), lot 241. Mint State....................................450
.
TheSamuel PuchalaCollection ofRareDenarii ofElagabalus
We are honored to offer a second collection of Roman imperial denarii formed
by Samuel Puchala. The first, presented in our sale 173 of 15 March 2011,
was an extensive collection of denarii of Commodus. The present offering is a
smaller but very exciting collection of rare denarii of Elagabalus, a few from
RomeorElagabalus’Rome-stylebranchmint, butmostly fromhisEasternmint,
variouslyattributed toAntiochorNicomedia,whichwasactive in218-9AD.One
of the branch-mint coins shows the Stone of Emesa by itself on the reverse, one
ofElagabalus’rarest andmost sought-afterdenarius types. Several of theRome-
mint orEastern-mint typesarerepresentedby twoormore specimens,whichare
however not duplicates, but minor varieties of bust, legend, or reverse type. A
numberof these coins areunlisted in the standard catalogues, soarebound tobe
of interest to both specialized collectors and future academic cataloguers of the
coinage ofElagabalus.
169.
ELAGABALUS
; 218-222 AD, Rome, 221 AD, Denarius, 3.24g. BM-260, C-205
(3 Fr.), RIC-49, Thirion-186. Obv: IMPANTO[NINV]S - PIVSAVGBust laureate,
draped r., seen from front, with “horn”. Rx: PMTRP IIII CO - S III PPElagabalus,
laureate and in Syrian priestly dress, standing l. holding patera above altar in r. hand
and branch downwards in l. hand; behind him two religious standards; star in field l.
Rare with two standards behind the emperor: only nine specimens in Reka Devnia
hoard. ExSamuel PuchalaCollection. EF..............................................................350
170.
ELAGABALUS
; 218-222AD, Rome, 221AD, Denarius, 3.25g. BM-259 and 262,
C-204=206 (3 Fr.), RIC-48=51, Thirion-184 and 185. Obv: IMP ANTONINVS -
PIVSAVGBust laureate, draped r., seen from front, with “horn”. Rx: PMTR P IIII
CO - S III P PElagabalus, laureate and in Syrian priestly dress, standing l. holding
patera above altar in r. hand and club upwards in l. hand; before him and behind him
two religious standards, theone in front placedbetween thealtar and theemperor; star
infield l.Quite rarewithone standardbeforeandonebehind theemperor: noneof this
variant inRekaDevnia hoard. For an illustrated example, seeBM-340 (misattributed
toAntioch), pl. 93.6. From theSamuel PuchalaCollection.Mint State.................450
171.
ELAGABALUS
; 218-222AD, Rome, 221AD, Denarius, 2.35g. BM-259 and 262,
C-204 (3Fr.), RIC-48=51, Thirion-184 and185.Obv: IMPANTONINVSPIVSAVG
Bust laureate, draped r., seen from front, with “horn”. Rx: PMTR P IIII COS III P
PElagabalus, laureate and in Syrian priestly dress, standing l. holding patera above
altar in r. hand and club upwards in l. hand; before him and behind him two religious
standards, theone in front placed l. of the altar; star infield l. between the standardon
l. and the emperor’s shoulder. Quite rarewithone standardbefore andone behind the
emperor: noneof this variant inRekaDevniahoard.Thepresent coin shows the rarest
variant of all, not differentiated by the standard catalogues, with the standard on left
placed left rather than right of the altar. From theSamuel PuchalaCollection. EF.250
172.
ELAGABALUS
; 218-222 AD, Branch Mint, 220 AD, Denarius, 2.08g. C-26
(Gosselin Sale, 60 Fr.), RIC-176 (R3, citing Cohen), RSC-26 (illustrating spec.
in Arnold Coll., from different dies than ours), BMC-p. 584, * (citing Cohen and
the Arnold spec.), Thirion-339, pl. 5 (citing Cohen and two earlier appearances of
theArnold spec., Mazzini-26 and Vinchon, 6April 1959, 316). Obv: IMPANTO -
NINVSAVGBust laureate, draped r. Rx: COS III P PThe Stone of Emesa, before
which is an eagle standing r. on thunderbolt, head l., wreath in beak, wings raised; on
