Ancient Gold

  PrevNext  

Lot 4344    Session 15 (7.30pm Friday)    Ancient Gold

Estimate $7,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au

TACITUS, (A.D. 275-276), gold aureus, Tripolis mint (6.582 grams), obv. laureate draped and cuirassed bust to right of Tacitus, around IMP C M C L TACITVS AVG, rev. Mars walking right, holding spear and trophy, pellet in exergue, around P M TB P VI COS II P P, (cf.S.3298, RIC -, C.-, cf.Estiot 'Aurelian et Tacite: Monnaies d'or et faux modernes BSFN 9 [1990] fig. 4 same obverse die). Gilt and ex jewellery, otherwise choice good very fine and excessively rare.

Ex Classical Numismatic Group Sale 63 (lot 1519). Estiot asserts that this remarkable coin is based on the final issues at Tripolis by Aurelian since it contained the exact reverse legend and type (cf.MIR pl.143 384d). The other known authentic example is in the Hermitage in St. Petersburg and its reverse die is linked to this issue. Estiot identified those features of the false reverse dies which make their identification possible the TB P is reverted to TR P and there is no pellet on the reverse on the false coins. The present coin, however still retains the TB P and pellet, making it the second known authentic specimen. The forgeries are copies of this and the Hermitage coin or of another unpublished example. Truely a very remarkable coin. (abridged from CNG Sale 63, lot 1519 footnote).

Estimate / sale price does not include buyer's premium (currently 22% including GST) which is added to hammer price. All bids are executed on the understanding that the Terms & Conditions of sale have been read and accepted. For information on grading and estimates please refer to the Buying at Auction advice.

Quick find

View a lot by number and sale.

Adjacent lots

  • Lot 4342  

    SEVERUS ALEXANDER, (A.D.222-235), gold aureus, issued 230, Rome mint, (5.618 grams), obv. laureate head to ...

    Estimate $12,000

  • Lot 4343  

    VOLUSIAN, (A.D. 251-253), gold aureus, Rome mint (3.652 grams), obv. laureate draped and cuirassed bust ...

    Estimate $6,000

  • Lot 4344   This lot

    TACITUS, (A.D. 275-276), gold aureus, Tripolis mint (6.582 grams), obv. laureate draped and cuirassed bust ...

    Estimate $7,000

  • Lot 4345  

    PROBUS, (A.D. 276-282), gold aureus, Cyzicus mint (6.356 grams), obv. laureate draped and cuirassed bust ...

    Estimate $13,000

  • Lot 4346  

    CARINUS AS CAESAR, (A.D. 283-285), gold aureus, issued 282-3, Antioch mint, (4.426 grams), obv. laureate ...

    Estimate $10,000