For a while now, I’ve been hoping to acquire a coin with an interesting provenance, but for the most part, those that came with one were either outside my price range or the coin itself just didn’t grab me. I finally found something that fit both of those criteria, although it’s definitely outside my collecting area. It’s probably on the fringes of ancient/medieval coins at all, and historically squarely early modern, but it is still a hammered coin, so I think it belongs here more than anything else. I also think it has a very interesting provenance. I know my photos appear 'dark,' but that is truly how the coin looks. It might be lacquered, I'm not sure. The coin itself is a 2 myte (mijt, if we go with the Dutch spelling) copper coin struck in 1554, bearing the image of Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. It was issued in Gelderland, in the Netherlands. Before this I didn’t really have any coins from after Justinian, but I was interested in this one because I know that my ancestors came from Gelderland, and I figure they would have probably come across coins like this. Coming from ancients, I was surprised by how thin and light this coin feels, but compared to earlier medieval it has a fairly realistic and detailed portrait, albeit much worn. At any rate, it came with an interesting envelope, as you can see below, marking it as part of the H.D. Gibbs collection. I don’t know whether any of you have come across his name before, but a little research turned up some auction catalogues with this fascinating photograph of him, along with a short biography (see bottom). He worked as a negotiator between labor unions and the coal industry, and was also involved in the Truckers Union. He was born in 1895, started collecting at 7 years old, and died in 1970. He looks like he must have been quite a fascinating fellow, and it sounds as if he was an accomplished numismatist and sometimes dealer with a very extensive collection that also included many Greek and Roman coins. Although much of his collection was sold after his death in 1970, I didn’t spot my coin in the catalogues, and from the look of the envelope I wonder if he might have sold it sometime earlier. I’m sure there’s another thread about old and interesting provenances, but I didn’t come across it right away with a search. At any rate, if any of you have coins with interesting pedigrees, I’d love to see them. I think it’s an aspect of collecting that can sometimes be as interesting as the coins themselves.
My most interesting provenance is the Vespasian which once was in the collection of John Quincy Adams. VESPASIAN Æ Dupondius OBVERSE: IMP CAES VESP AVG P M T P COS V CENS, radiate head left REVERSE: FELICITAS PVBLICA S-C, Felicitas standing facing, head left, holding caduceus & cornucopiae Struck at Rome, 74AD 10.2g, 28mm RIC 716, (RIC [1962] 555), Cohen 152, BMC 698 Ex: J.Q. Adams Lot 785 of the John Quincy Adams sale (Stacks, 1971) purchased by Christian Blom. Chris sold it to Mendel Peterson of the Smithsonian Institution (it comes with his tag) who sold it to Gene Brandenberg, Trojan Antiques
I think my most interesting provenance is from the E.E. Clain-Stefanelli collection. From her obituary: "In October of 2001, Mrs. Elvira Elisa Clain- Stefanelli passed away quietly, at the age of 86. She is survived by her son, Alex, his wife Eleanor, and their daughters Catherine and Elizabeth. Her passing marked the end of an era for the National Numismatic Collection (NNC). The Smithsonian Institution’s coin cabinet today is primarily the work of Elvira and her late hus- band, Vladimir. Together, they built it from approximately 60,000 specimens in 1956 to over 960,000. With the death of her husband in 1982, Elvira took over the sole leadership of the NNC as executive director, continuing the growth and expansion of the size and impor- tance of the collection. It is now by far the largest and most valuable single collec- tion in the Museum of American History. Its growth under their direction in both size and quality elevated the Smithsonian’s numismatic cabinet to the level of a world-class collection. Not the least of Elvira’s achievements was her service as advisor to the US Mint, the Department of Treasury and many boards, committees and associations. She was never an insular scholar. She always believed her professional responsibility includ- ed using her extensive knowledge to help others achieve their goals. Her contribu- tions have been lauded by organizations throughout the world. Over her career, she received almost every major award in Numismatics. Elvira was not only an avid collector, but also an outstanding scholar. Her numer- ous books and articles on many numismatic topics have appeared in many lan- guages. Her most recent book, Life in Republican Rome on its Coinage, was pub- lished in 1999. As a museum professional, she crafted many exhibitions, not only at the Smithsonian, but also in museums and shows around the world. Millions of peo- ple have come to see and enjoy the objects that she put on display. This record of achievement is not only a measure of her personal skill, but also of her relationships. Elvira Clain-Stefanelli not only formed close relationships with the leading numismatists of the world, but also with many collectors and particular- ly with young interns and scholars for whom she always had kind words of encour- agement and advice. I was lucky enough to work with her and be the beneficiary of her guidance. I am sincerely grateful for the experience and memories of a great lady and scholar. Douglas MUDD Selected Bibliography The Beauty and Lore of Coins, Currency, and Medals (with Vladimir Clain- Stefanelli), Riverwood Publishers Ltd, 1974. Chartered for Progress : two Centuries of American Banking; a pictorial essay (with Vladimir Clain-Stefanelli), Acropolis Books, Ltd., 1975.Das Grosse Buch der Münzen und Medaillen (with Vladimir Clain-Stefanelli), Munich, Battenberg, 1976.Highlights from the Money Collection of the Chase Manhattan Bank, Washington, DC, Smithsonian Institution, 1979. « Italian Coin Engravers since 1800 », Smithsonian Institution, Bulletin 229 (Contributions from the Museum of History and Technology, Paper 33), 1970.Life in Republican Rome on its Coinage, Washington, DC, Smithsonian Institution, 1999.Medals Commemorating Battles of the American Revolution (with Vladimir Clain-Stefanelli), Washington, DC, Smithsonian Institution, 1973. Monnaies européennes et monnaies coloniales américaines entre 1450 et 1789 (with Vladimir Clain-Stefanelli), Fribourg, Office du Livre, 1979.Numismatic Bibliography, Munich, Battenberg, 1984. « Numismatics - an Ancient Science : a Survey of its History », Smithsonian Ins- titution, Bulletin 229 (Contributions from the Museum of History and Technology, Paper 32), 1970. Select Numismatic Bibliography, Stack’s, 1965." M. Porcius Cato.AR Denarius Africa 47-46 BCE (18mm., 3.57g). Obv: M CATO PRO PR Draped female bust r. Rev: Victory seated r., holding patera. Babelon Porcia 9. Sydenham 1052. Sear Imperators 46. RBW –. Crawford 462/1c. SRCV 1 (2000) 1381. From the E.E. Clain Stefanelli collection. Naville Numismatics 29 February 26 2017 Lot # 560 M. Porcius Cato. Quinarius Africa 47-46, AR ( 13.5mm., 1.94g). Obv: Ivy-wreathed head of Liber r.; below, [M·CATO·PR]O·PR. Rev. Rev. Victory seated r., holding patera; in exergue, VICTRIX. Babelon Porcia 11. Sydenham 1054. Sear Imperators 47. RBW –. Crawford 462/2.Old cabinet tone, Very Fine.From the E.E. Clain-Stefanelli collection. Naville Numismatics Auction 33 Lot 391 July 16, 2017 Quintillus, 270 Antoninianus circa 270, Æ (17.5mm., 2.67g.) Obv: Radiate and draped bust r. Rev. Concordia standing l., sacrificing over altar and holding double cornucopiae. C 17. RIC 13.AbouExtremely FineFrom the E.E. Clain-Stefanelli collection. Ex: Naville Numismatics Auction 35 Lot 717 October 29, 2017. Iulius Caesar. Denarius mint moving with Caesar 49-48., AR (18.66 mm., 3.85g). Obv: Pontifical emblems: culullus, aspergillum, axe and apex. Rev: Elephant r., trampling dragon; in exergue, CAESAR. Babelon Julia 9. C 9. Sydenham 1006. Sear Imperators 9. RBW 1557. Crawford 443/1. SRCV I (2000) 1399, RSC 49 Ex: E.E. Clain Stefanelli, Ex: Naville Numismatics Auction #25 Lot 378 September 25, 2016. Vespasian, 69-79 A.D. AR Denarius, 3.16g. 21.41mm. Rome, 73 A.D. Obv: IMP CAES VESP AVG CENS. Laureate head of Vespasian to right. Rev: MAXIM PONTIF. Nemesis walking to right holding caduceus over snake. C 385, RIC 544. SRCV I (2000) 2304 Ex: E. E. Clain-Stefanelli collection. Ex: Numismatica Ars Classica - Auction 92 Part 2, Lot 2133 May 24, 2016 275 CHF ; Ex: Ed waddell September 7, 2016 Coin depicted in the Wildwinds.com database.
Here is my oldest provenance so far.. I found out after buying this coin that my Alexander Balas tetradrachm was from the "Ritter Alexander Von Petrowicz" collection + is Ex( Naville X(1925) Cahn 60(1928) and Cahn 65(1929) He is supposedly best known for his Parthian coins and wrote a book about them.. A quote from a review of the book "The title of the book suggests that it is only a first instalment. Is it too much to hope that Ritter von Petrowicz will also publish his rich collection of Seleucidae" The Journal of Hellenic Studies, Volume 24, 1904 Should be any day now
