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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Hrefn, post: 8344771, member: 115171&quot;]A new auction win from CGB, a multiple tari of Frederic II Hohenstaufen, the Stupor Mundi, which I was pleased to obtain significantly under the estimate.&nbsp; I guess other bidders were put off by the irregular flan, but I rather like it.&nbsp; These coins vary in weight, this being a heavier example at 3.14 grams.&nbsp; The well-centered obverse (IC XC NIKA) continues the triumphant message of the earlier Norman conquerors of Arab Sicily, who had themselves seized the island from the Byzantines.&nbsp; The reverse is pseudo-Kufic scrip, serving to lend a familiar look to the inhabitants who would have been exposed to a couple of centuries of Arabic gold coins. Having that side of the coin off center seems less important since the inscription is not intelligible anyway.&nbsp; Struck in Messina, I believe. </p><p>Bertolami auctioned the Spahr collection of Sicilian coins about 2 weeks ago, and I bid on a number of the coins, but did not win one.&nbsp; Spahr wrote the book on Sicilian coins, literally, in 1976.&nbsp; Copies are elusive.&nbsp; I am curious to know if anyone has it, and whether it is worth hunting and purchasing.&nbsp; </p><p>[ATTACH=full]1480130[/ATTACH][ATTACH=full]1480132[/ATTACH][/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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