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Coinex Auction in London 8 October 2003

Spink’s auction during Coinex week opens with ancient Greek, Roman, and Byzantine coins. Part of the morning session will feature the collection of a Scots Lawyer, comprising high quality and rare Baktrian and Indo-Greek coins.

The inspiration for the collection was first sparked in the early 1970s when the collector travelled extensively in Persia and Afghanistan and was captivated by the archaeological evidence of the extent of Alexander the Great’s conquests and the Hellenistic legacy that survived his return to the West. No better is this illustrated than in the remarkable series of the medallic portrait tetradrachms of the successors of Alexander the Great, who ruled the Graeco-Baktrian Kingdom (which roughly comprised an area north of the Hindu Kush). These represent some of the finest numismatic art of the whole Hellenistic period, and they are sometimes the only evidence we have for the existence of these rulers.

Among this comprehensive collection are some of the rarest examples in the entire series, and coins of superb quality. A tetradrachm of Demetrios I (c. 205-185 B.C.) displays a particularly fine diademed and draped bust wearing an elephant’s scalp head-dress. A tetradrachm of Antimachos (c. 174-165 B.C.) has a superb portrait of Diodotos I and a reverse of Zeus striding right, while a tetradrachm of Plato (c. 150 B.C.) has a reverse of Helios driving a quadriga. Among the extreme rarities are a tetradrachm of Apollodotos I (c. 174-165 B.C.), the bust of the King diademed, draped and wearing a kausia; and two tetradrachms of Agathokles (c. 185-170 B.C.), both being possibly the second known examples of their type, one struck in the name of Pantaleon, and the other struck in the name of Demetrios.

In addition there are extremely rare tetradrachms of Antialkidas (c. 115-95 B.C.), and of Theophilos (c. 90 B.C.). Of exceptional quality are tetradrachms of Demetrios (c. 175-170 B.C.), Eukratides I (c. 171-145 B.C), and of Heliokles (c. 145-130 B.C.) which displays a beautiful golden tone.

Also included in the collection is a tetradrachm of Andragoras (c. 330-315 B.C.), struck at Ecbatana, with a particularly attractive reverse of Athena holding an owl; and a very rare tetradrachm of Tigranes II of Armenia (83-69 B.C.), showing the King wearing an Armenian tiara decorated with a star with tail.

The general section of ancient Greek coins includes many interesting lots, among them a Syrian tetradrachm of Cleopatra Thea (sole reign, 126/125 B.C.), one of four known specimens.

There is a superb Rhegium tetradrachm (c. 410-400 B.C.), with a facing lion’s head struck in very high relief, and an archaic stater of uncertain Cypriot origin (c. 525-500 B.C.). An extremely rare tetradrachm of Antiochos VII of Syria, struck at Mallos, and with M/A behind the head, is only the second (and finest) recorded example. In addition to these, there will be several interesting archaic silver fractions from Pantikapaion, some Carthaginian gold and electrum coins, and a rare silver drachm of Seleukos I (312-280 B.C.) of Syria, the bust wearing a helmet covered in panther skin and ornamented with a bull’s horn and ear. Also included in silver is an attractively toned Siculo-Punic tetradrachm, a drachm of Sariakos of Scythia, a tetradrachm of Audoleon of Paeonia, and an Athenian tetradrachm dating from c. 470 B.C., while in electrum are two Staters of Kyzikos.

The Roman section will include coins in gold, silver, and bronze dating from the 1st to the 5th centuries A.D. Of particular interest are aurei of Trajan, Lucius Verus, and Maximian, and there is a superb aureus of Probus (A.D. 276-282), the reverse depicting Probus in a quadriga. As in the Greek section, there will be rarities, such as an antoninianus of Sabinia Tranquillina (wife of Gordian III), and an apparently unique denarius of Carausius (A.D. 287-293).

The Byzantine section includes a silver miliaresion of Justinian I (A.D. 527-565), and gold solidi of Constantine IV (A.D. 668-685), Leontius (A.D. 695-698 B.C.), and Leo V & Constantine (A.D. 813-820). There will also be multiple lots included throughout the sale, consisting of miscellaneous Greek, Sasanian, Greek Imperial, Roman, and Byzantine coins.

The English section starts with a collection of Angels and Touch Pieces belonging to Mr C.F. Noon, FRCS, many with fine pedigrees. Almost every reign is represented, including an exceptional example from Henry VI (restored), Edward IV (second reign), three of Richard III, several of Henry VII and Henry VIII, three of Mary, two of Philip and Mary - one of them previously unrecorded- and Elizabeth I, James I and Charles I.

The Noon collection continues with a group of officially pierced touchpieces and tickets in various metals. It starts at Charles II with three admission tickets or tokens all struck in base metal, very similar in style to the 17th Century tokens of this period. These are followed by four gold touchpieces of Charles II, then five gold ones of James II plus two silver. Four gold pieces of Queen Anne continue the pieces relating to our monarchy. There follows pieces relating to the son and grandsons of James II who continued the touching tradition. There are seven pieces of “James III” who lived from 1688-1760. After his demise “Charles III”, who lived from 1720-88, is represented by two pieces; then there are three pieces of his brother “Henry IX”, who lived 1725-1807.
The Touching Ceremony is an ancient custom that can trace its roots certainly back to the time of Edward the Confessor where the reigning monarch would touch for the disease known as the “King’s Evil” or scrofula as it is known to the medical world - a tuberculosis infection of the skin around the neck. Alms would be given to those who were touched and many reigning monarchs since that time have taken part in the ceremonies. Those touched by the monarch were given gold angels to wear as a talisman of healing, and some monarchs refused to touch the patient but instead left their healing touch to the talisman only, therefore the great reverence with which these touching pieces were held. The Stuarts it seems were the most keen “touchers” and would hold ceremonies many times throughout the year, but especially at Easter and Micklemas.
There are no touch pieces of William and Mary because they ardently refused to take part in such a ceremony. After the reign of Queen Anne it was only the Jacobites who continued the tradition of personally touching, as the Kings of Hanover wanted no part in such a ceremony. This collection was formed in the Forties and Fifties and has not been offered to the market since. Significantly some pieces bear provenances to collection of the Helen Farquhar, who was one of the prominent early researchers into the Touching ceremony and one of the founding members of the British Numismatic Society.

The foreign section starts with a collection of Maltese coins which are the property of the De La Valette family. The most famous member of the family, Jean de la Vallette, was Grand Master in 1557-68 and successfully defended Malta against the Turks; the Capital Valletta is named after him. Coins of that rule feature prominently in the collection.

The general section which includes a good selection of European medieval coins also includes a collection of silver Osellas of Venice and a collection of USA silver dollars. A selection of Islamic gold coins is followed by a most unusual collection of Islamic coin scales or balances, offered together as one lot.
The commemorative medal section includes some rare gold Bismarck medals which are the property of the Von Bismarck family.

If you have any pre-sale enquiries, please email Jeremy Cheek. To pre-order your catalogue, please contact Client Services by email on catalogues@spink.com or telephone 020 7563 4008.