I consigned 7 coins to CNG 99 because I felt like they didn't belong in my collection anymore. I let 5 of them go, but these two were going too cheaply during the sale yesterday and I bought them back. They are too nice to part with and I don't regret it. Syracuse, Sicily AR tetradrachm, c 478-475 BC, 24mm, 17.40 g, 5h. OBV: Charioteer driving slow quadriga right holding kentron in right hand, reins in left; above, Nike flying right, crowning horses with palm / REV: Diademed head of Arethusa right; four dolphins around. Boehringer Series VIIIa, 104E (V48/R71E); HGC 2, 1306; Randazzo 261 (same dies); Ex: Ronald J. Hansen collection. Tarsos, Cilicia, Pharnabazos, Persian military commander, c 380-374/3 BC., AR stater, 23 mm, 10.88 g, 12h, c 380-379 BC. OBV: Baaltars seated left, holding lotus tipped scepter in extended right hand; B’LTRZ (= Baltaars) in Aramaic to right / REV: Bearded male head (Ares?) left, wearing crested Attic helmet; FRNBZW (= Pharnabazos) in Aramaic to left, HLK (= Cilicia) in Aramaic to right. Casabonne series 4; Moysey Issue 2, 1-27; BMC Lycaonia, page 165, 21; SNG France 251; SNG Levante 72; SNG von Aulock 5927; SNG Copenhagen Supp. 609; Sear GC 5641.
Absolutely gorgeous coins AN.....I'm sorry I missed seeing them (and the others) on CNG---but, I'm sure they were WAY out of my budget. Maybe one day I'll own one like those you offered....
I can see why you brought them back home, but, for the life of me, I don't understand sending them away in the first place. These are two fine examples; my favorite being the Tarsos Stater. Sweet!
atta-boy, ancientnut ... don't let those puppies go without a fight!! Sweet coins, my friend ... I have a humble example of that first type Sicily, Syracuse. Hieron I AR Tetradrachm (240 Onkia) 478-466 BC Struck circa 478-475 BC Diameter: 24 mm Weight: 16.90 grams Obverse: Charioteer driving quadriga right; above, Nike flying right, crowning horses Reverse: Diademed head of Arethusa right; four dolphins around Reference: Boehringer series IXa, 190 (V86/R130); SNG ANS –; Randazzo 356 (same dies) Other: 2h ... toned, test cut on reverse From the Robert and Julius Diez Collection, Ex Gustav Philipsen Collection (Part I, J. Hirsch XV, 28 May 1906), lot 1132
