the prospero collection of ancient greek coins

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Collection

THE NEW YORK SALE

To be sold by auction ate Waldorf Astoria Hotel, New York

4th January 2012THE NEW YORK SALE AUCTION XXVII

An official auction of the New York International Numismatic Convention

Over 600 Spectacular and Historically Important Greek Coins

For more details or to pre-order a copy of the auction catalogue please contactPaul Hill, [email protected] or Seth Freeman, [email protected]

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Collection

11 Adelphi TerraceLondon WC2N 6BJ

Great Britaintel: +44 (0)20 7930 9808fax: +44 (0)20 7930 9450

www.baldwin.co.uk

P O Box 950New York, NY10272

United Statestel: +1 908 470 2828fax: +1 908 470 0088www.russian-coins.net

P O Box 65908Washington, DC20035

United Statestel: +1 202 833 3770fax: +1 202 429 5275

www.thenewyorksale.com


Great Britaintel: +44 (0)20 7930 6879fax: +44 (0)20 7930 9450

www.nobleinvestmentsplc.com

Consisting of over six hundred coins from the Archaic,Classical and Hellenistic Greek periods, The Prospero Collectionencompasses the entire ancient Greek world; from Magna Graeciaand Sicily in the west, through to Thrace and Macedonia,mainland Greece, the Peloponnese and the Aegean Islands, theIonian coast and beyond, and North Africa. Put together overseveral decades with a discerning taste for outstanding examplesof the most beautiful and famous ancient Greek coins, thecollection has not been added to in the last twenty years andremains complete and untouched.

Not since the legendary Nelson Bunker Hunt Collection ofAncient Coins, sold more than two decades ago in New York, hassuch an important and comprehensive collection of high qualityancient Greek coins been offered for sale in one auction.

The Prospero Collection contains coins of sublime quality, of extreme rarity, of supreme artistic beauty, and of exceptionalhistorical importance. Many of the coins have importantpedigrees to the great collections of the last century, some datingback over one hundred years.

The artistic beauty of ancient Greek coins has never beenequalled by any other civilization that has existed since, and this collection contains masterpieces of the very highest archaicand classical artistry, created by the most famous artists andengravers of the time.

Included in the collection are beautiful coins from the Greekcolonies in Italy, a particularly fine example being a gold Staterfrom Tarentum. Its obverse shows the head of Hera and its reverse type, perhaps one of the most beautiful compositions ofall ancient Greek gold coins, shows the boy Taras raising hishands in supplication towards his father Poseidon.

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Collection

The coins of ancient Sicily, particularly those produced at Syracuse, represent the very pinnacle of the die-engravers art and are very well represented in The Prospero Collection. There are examples of the Dekadrachm of Syracuse, among the largest andmost famous of all ancient Greek coins, including a signed example, struck from the very first pair of dies engraved by the artistKimon. The famous ‘Demareteion’ Dekadrachm, one of the most beautiful creations of fifth century B.C. numismatic art, is represented in the collection. The artist who created this coin is considered to be one of the greatest master-engravers of the archaic and classical periods. Apart from this important Dekadrachm, the collection includes its companion piece, the ‘Demareteion’ Tetradrachm, as well as a Tetradrachm from the neighbouring city-state of Leontinoi, also believed to beengraved by the ‘Demareteion’ master.

The Prospero Collection is significant for containing beautiful examples of the coinage of Naxos. The coins from this city-stateare widely considered to display some of the greatest artistry of all ancient Greek coins. The famous Tetradrachm from the midfifth century B.C., its obverse type depicting the head of Dionysos and its reverse showing Silenos with his drinking-cup, isperhaps one of the greatest of all fifth century ancient Greek coins. It is important as it illustrates a move from the more rigidarchaic artistic style to a more naturalistic classical one. The master-engraver who produced the dies for this coin is believed to bethe same individual known as the ‘Aitna Master’, who produced the famous, and unique, Tetradrachm of Aitna.

The coinages of Thrace and Macedonia are very well represented in The Prospero Collection, among them being examples of the spectacular Tetradrachms of Amphipolis, with the facing head of Apollo as their obverse type. These are among the mostsublime of all facing head coins ever produced. From the Macedonian Kingdom, there are historically important coins ofAlexander The Great. Among them is an exceedingly rare silver Dekadrachm, its obverse type the head of Herakles wearing a lion’sskin headdress. Another special Dekadrachm issued during the lifetime of Alexander the Great was struck in Babylonia. Its obversetype shows Alexander the Great riding his horse, Bucephalus, in pursuit of an Indian elephant bearing a mahout and his master.This coin is historically fascinating as it probably commemorates Alexander The Great’s defeat of the Indian King Poros.

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“The Prospero Collection contains coins of sublimequality, of extreme rarity, of supreme artistic beauty, and of exceptional historical importance.”

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Collection

One of the most admired of all ancient Greek coins is includedin The Prospero Collection. The breathtaking gold Stater fromPantikapaion, the importance of which cannot be overstated,bears a facing head of a satyr, bearded and with long dishevelledhair. The work of a master artist, it is without doubt the greatestancient Greek gold coin and its appearance in the sale will be metwith considerable enthusiasm by numismatists.

From mainland Greece are included exceptional early Athenianissues from the sixth century B.C., as well as a spectacular exampleof the Athenian Dekadrachm. The Dekadrachm is one of themost majestic and highly-prized of all ancient Greek coins, withthe head of Athena as its obverse type and a facing owl, with itswings spread, on the reverse. From Crete, a very interesting Staterstruck at Knossos depicts one of the most famous mythologicalcreatures, the Minotaur, which had the body of a man and thehead of the bull. The Minotaur, held captive in the Labyrinth, wasfed with condemned criminals, maidens and young boys, and waseventually killed by Theseus in the well-known myth. An aerialview of the Labyrinth appears on the reverse of the same coin.

The Prospero Collection contains high quality Electrum Statersfrom Kyzikos, some of them extremely rare and with fascinatingmythological types. A gold Stater from Lampsakos has a femalehead on its obverse, purported to be that of the poetess Sappho.

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From Carthage on the North African coast, a silver Shekel dating from the period of the Second Punic War against Romedepicts a male head as its obverse type which, it has been argued, could be that of Hannibal himself. The reverse of the coinshows one of the African elephants that Hannibal would have used to cross the Alps into Italy. An extremely rare silverTetradrachm displays the head of the Carthaginian Queen, Dido, on its obverse. This coin was struck during the Carthaginianinvasion of Sicily, and its artistic style is exceptional, suggesting it was created by a Sicilian die-engraver of the greatest skill. It is a masterpiece from the fourth century B.C.

Finally, from Kyrene on the north African coast are a group of spectacular Tetradrachms. The most important of these showsthe head of Zeus Ammon facing three-quarters right. This excessively rare coin, apparently only the second known example,renders the head with immense power and majesty, the eyes being piercing and forceful in their purpose.

These are just a selection of the many highlights from The Prospero Collection, which offers everything that the seriouscollector desires, from superb quality and extreme rarity, to the very highest artistic and historical importance. A.H. Baldwin & Sons Ltd are proud to present The Prospero Collection for auction and it promises to be one of the most significant andanticipated numismatic events in recent decades.

“The artistic beauty of ancient Greek coins has never beenequalled by any other civilization that has existed since.”

“…one of the most significant and anticipatednumismatic events in recent decades…”

“A superb example and one of the most beautiful

designs of all ancientGreek gold coins.””

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Calabria, Tarentum (c.344-338 B.C.). Gold Stater. Head of Hera facing right. Rev. Taras standing right, raising his hands in supplication towards Poseidon. A superb example and one of the most beautiful designs of all ancient Greek gold coins.

Ex Sir Arthur J. Evans Collection.Ex William Harrison Woodward Collection.Ex Arnold Mallinson Collection.

“A spectacular coin of

immense power and majesty.Of the greatest rarity.”

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Kyrenaika, Kyrene (c.400 B.C.). Silver Tetradrachm. Head of Zeus Ammon. Rev. Silphium plant. A spectacular coin of immense power and majesty. Of the greatest rarity, apparently only the second known example.

Ex W. Giesecke Collection.Plate Coin From The British Museum Catalogue.

of the

highest importance”8

Sicily, Naxos (c.415 B.C.). Silver Tetradrachm. Headof Dionysos. Rev. Silenos squatting. An excellent example of this famous coin, of wonderful classical style.

Ex Countess de Béhague Collection.

Kingdom of Macedon, Alexander III, The Great(336-323 B.C.). Silver Dekadrachm. Babylon mint,struck during the lifetime of Alexander. Head ofyoung Herakles. Rev. Zeus. Well-struck in high relief.Superior to the Bunker Hunt Dekadrachm, a spectacularexample of Hellenistic die-engraving, of the greatestrarity and importance, apparently the second knownexample of this variety.

Mysia, Kyzikos (c.475-410 B.C.). Electrum Stater.Helios kneeling, with two horses. Rev. incuse square.Perfectly centred on a broad flan, a fascinating and superbly detailed obverse design of great animation andmovement, extremely rare.

Troas, Abydos (c.410 B.C.). Gold Stater. Eagle standing left. Rev. Gorgoneion facing. Unique and of great importance.

Ex Kunstfreund Collection.

“Unique andof the

highest importance”9

Mysia, Lampsakos (c.360 B.C.). Gold Stater. Female head. Rev. Pegasos-protome facingleft. Exquisite style, well-struck. Unique and of the highest importance, the head purported tobe that of the poetess Sappho.

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Sicily, Syracuse, Dionysos I (c.405-367 B.C.). SilverDekadrachm, struck from the first pair of dies engraved byKimon c.404-400 B.C. Reverse die signed by the artistKimon. Charioteer driving quadriga. Rev. Head of Arethusa.A beautiful and delicate depiction of Arethusa shown as a youngwoman, one of the true masterpieces of ancient Greek coinage.

Ex Sir Hermann Weber Collection.Ex Clarence S. Bement Collection.Ex Garrett Collection.

Attica, Athens (c.467-465 B.C). Silver Dekadrachm. Head ofAthena. Rev. Owl standing facing with wings spread. Struckin high relief, extremely rare, only two other examples knownfrom this pair of dies, of the highest numismatic and historicalimportance, a magnificent example of ancient art.

“…one of the greatest and most admired of

all ancient Greek coins. A true masterpiece.”

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Cimmerian Bosporos, Pantikapaion (c.350-300 B.C.). Gold Stater. Head of beardedsatyr. Rev. Winged griffin, with horned lion’s head. Fantastic style, one of the greatest and most admired of all ancient Greek coins, a true masterpiece, excessively rare and acoin of the highest importance.

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Sicily, Naxos (c.530-510 B.C.). Silver Drachm.Head of Dionysos. Rev. Bunch of grapes. Of superblate archaic style with an attractive cabinet tone.


Kyrenaika, Barke (c.360 B.C.). Silver Tetradrachm. Silphium plant. Rev. Facing head of Zeus Ammon.A superb coin, the head of Zeus is spectacular in itsrendering of the King of the Gods, excessively rare.

Carian Islands, Rhodes (c.404-375 B.C.). Silver Tetradrachm. Head of Helios. Rev. Rose.Outstanding style, one of the very finest of this series, a superb coin.

Macedon, Amphipolis (356/5 B.C.). SilverTetradrachm. Head of Apollo. Rev. Raised linearsquare enclosing a race-torch. A wholly exceptionalwork of ancient numismatic art, an absolutely breathtaking head of Apollo engraved to the very highest artistic standard, a magisterial example of one of the greatest ancient Greek coins.

“A wonderful example of one ofthe greatest of all 5th centuaryGreek coins, one of the mostfamous coins from antiquity.”

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Sicily, Naxos (c.461-430 B.C.). Silver Tetradrachm. Head of Dionysos. Rev. Silenossquatting. A wonderful example of one of the greatest of all 5th century Greek coins, thework of a master artist, one of the most famous coins from antiquity.


Kingdom of Epirus, Pyrrhos (297-272 B.C.). Silver Tetradrachm. Headof the Dodonian Zeus. Rev. Dione enthorned. The head of Zeus is one ofthe most magisterial ever to appear on a coin, a masterpiece of earlyHellenistic art.

Carian Islands, Kos (c.480-475 B.C.). Silver Triple Siglos. Diskobolos,about to hurl a discus. Rev. Incuse square. One of the greatest types of theentire ancient Greek series and the most successful rendering of an athleteever to appear on an ancient Greek coin, in exceptional condition with lightiridescent tone, extremely rare.

Kingdom of Syria, Seleucid Kings, Seleukos I Nikator (312-280 B.C.).Silver Tetradrachm. Pergamum mint. Bridled head of horned horse(perhaps Bucephalus) facing right. Rev. Elephant walking right. A magnificent coin of almost medallic impact, attractively toned, one of thefinest known examples of this extremely rare and historically significant coin.

Crete, Knossos (c.440 B.C.). Silver Stater. The Minotaur running right.Rev. The Labyrinth. In unusually good condition for this issue, extremely rare,an excellent depiction of one of the most famous of all mythological creatures.

Babylonia, Alexander III, The Great (336-323 B.C.). Silver Dekadrachmof Five Shekels. Taxla mint. Alexander The Great on Bucephalus (hishorse), in pursuit of a mahout and his master seated on an Indianelephant. Rev. Alexander standing left, wearing military attire. Probablystruck in commemoration of Alexander’s defeat of King Poros of India, thisextremely rare coin is without doubt one of the most historically importantever produced.

Zeugitana, Carthage (Second Punic War Issue, c. 213-210 B.C.). SilverShekel. Male head facing to left. Rev. Elephant walking to right. It hasbeen suggested that the head could be that of the Carthaginian generalHannibal, extremely rare, only a few known specimens of which this isperhaps the finest.

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Crete, Phaistos (c.350 B.C.). Silver Stater. Youthful Herakles seatedon lion’s skin. Rev. Bull butting right. A beautiful coin of superb styleand wonderful old cabinet tone, a wholly exceptional example of exquisitedie-engraving.Ex R. Carfrae Collection, Sotheby’s 1894, lot.Ex Sotheby’s 1900, ‘Late Collector’ (Rothschild).Ex Jameson Collection.Ex Kunstfreund Collection.

Sicily, Syracuse (c.466-465 B.C.). Silver Dekadrachm. By the Demareteion Master. Charioteer driving quadriga. Rev. Head ofArethusa. The Demareteion series is the most famous, and among themost beautiful, of all the archaic and classical coinage of Syracuse, of superlative style, very rare.

Ex Nelson Bunker Hunt Collection.

Sicily, Syracuse (c.405-400 B.C.). Silver Tetradrachm. Signed byEukleidas. Female charioteer driving quadriga. Rev. Head of Athena.A magnificent example of this beautiful issue by a master engraver, attractive iridescent tone and very rare.

Sicily, Syracuse, Dionysos I (c.405-367 B.C.). Silver Dekadrachm.Both dies signed by the artist Kimon. Charioteer driving quadriga.Rev. Head of Arethusa. Well-struck and with a handsome cabinet tone,a superb example of Kimon’s later style, and one of his greatest creations.

Ex R.C. Lockett Collection.

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Sicily, Leontinoi (c.466-460 B.C.). Silver Tetradrachm. By theDemareteion Master. Charioteer driving quadriga. Rev. Head of Apollo.Beautiful cabinet tone, a wonderful example of the Demareteion Master’s work,combining the very finest late archaic and early classical artistry.

Thrace, Ainos (c.385/4-384/3 B.C.). Silver Tetradrachm. Head of HermesRev. Goat standing to right. Of exceptional style, struck in high relief.

Sicily, Syracuse (c.466-465 B.C.). Silver Tetradrachm. By theDemareteion Master. Charioteer driving quadriga. Rev. Head ofArethusa. Oustanding style and very rare, an important coin from thefamous Demareteion group.

Attica, Athens (c.525 B.C.). Silver Tetradrachm. Gorgoneion facing. Rev. Forepart of panther facing. Well-struck on a broad flan, wonderfulstyle and very rare, a fantastic example.

Siculo-Punic (c.360 B.C.). Silver Tetradrachm. Head of Queen Dido left. Rev. Lion walking left. Of the highest artistic style of the period, exceedinglyrare, a masterpiece.

Attica, Athens (c.545-515 B.C.). Silver Didrachm. Owl standing to left.Beautiful old cabinet tone, extremely rare and important with a wonderfulold pedigree dating back to 1890.

Ex Jameson Collection.Ex Kunstfreund Collection.


tel: +44 (0)20 7930 9808fax: +44 (0)20 7930 9450

www.baldwin.co.uk

PO Box 950New York, NY10272


[email protected]

PO Box 65908Washington, DC20035



tel: +44 (0)20 7930 9808fax: +44 (0)20 7930 9450

www.baldwin.co.uk

THE NEW YORK SALE GROUPFormed in 1998 the New York Sale partnership currently comprises three of the most prestigious numismatic auction houses in the world, who together form a powerful international force in the numismatic industry.Original partners A.H. Baldwin & Sons Ltd (London, UK) and M&M Numismatics Ltd (Washington DC, USA and Basel, Switzerland) were subsequently joined by Dmitry Markov Coins & Medals of New York(USA) in 2000. e partnership has expanded to hold two multi-million dollar sales per year, specializing in Ancient and World coins and Russian Coins and Medals. Held each year in conjunction with one of the largest and annual numismatic events (e New York International Convention) the group holds two auctions on Wednesday and ursday of the week long conferencein January and has held over 22 auctions since its conception. By pooling a vast array of experience and knowledge the group strives to offer the best service to their clients and customers, whether buying at the auctionor as a potential vendor for the sale, any one of the partners can offer advice. Catalogues are produced to the highest possible standard and may be used as a useful reference for serious buyers and coin collectors.

Over the years the partnership has aimed to achieve the best possible prices for their vendors and undertake a marketing strategy which is proven by the excellent results achieved year upon year. In 2004 the sale ofan 1825 Russian silver Rouble for US$603,750 broke the world record price achieved for any non-US coin sold by public auction and since then lots have regularly attained prices well above estimate. In 2008 resultsfrom the Italian section of the sale made a staggering US$1,118,400, four times the pre-sale estimate. Even in the current economic climate recent results have spoken volumes about the ability of the group to attractdiscerning buyers for quality lots.

A. H. Baldwin & Sons Ltd, London Founded in 1872, A. H. Baldwin & Sons Ltd set up their in-house auction department ‘Baldwin’s Auctions’ in 1993 and have since expanded to hold regular auctions of allnumismatic material in London, New York, Hong Kong. Baldwin’s have been based in central London for over 100 years and are the last remaining traditional coin dealers in London offering an old-fashionedpersonal service to help you build your collection with confidence.

e Baldwin’s specialist team has worked as advisors and cataloguers of coins for many of the most prestigious auction houses in London and abroad for decades. Our extensive library, comprising thousands ofreference books, allows us to research thoroughly all aspects of numismatics from Ancient times to the present day, with the main focus including English, European, Russian, Islamic, Indian, the Americas andOriental coins, as well as commemorative medals, for auction and direct sale. Today our permanent staff of numismatists include: Edward Baldwin (European, Colonial, Oriental and Russian coins), DimitriLoulakakis (English, European, Latin American and Modern Greek coins), Steve Hill (English coins), Graham Byfield (Indian and Islamic coins and Commemorative Medals), Paul Hill (Ancient coins), SethFreeman (British Tokens and Banknotes), David Kirk (Military Medals), Caroline Holmes (Numisnatic Books), and Laurent Stainvurcel (European coins).

e merger of Baldwin’s with Noble Investments (UK) PLC in 2005, and the acquisition in early 2008 of Apex Philatelics Ltd., has seen the company expand to become a formidable market player offering a completepackage for any coin or stamp collector or investor. A. H. Baldwin & Sons Ltd is one of the largest numismatic houses in Europe and the only numismatic trading company listed on the London Stock Exchange.

Baldwin’s has been a member of the International Association of Professional Numismatists (IAPN) since 1969, and is also a member of the British Numismatic Trade Association (BNTA), the British AntiqueDealer’s Association (BADA) and individuals on their staff are members of the American Numismatic Association (ANA), the Royal Numismatic Society (RNS) and the British Numismatic Society (BNS).

Dmitry Markov Coins & Medals, New York Dmitry Markov's interest in coin collecting goes backto 1972. In 1985 he graduated from the History Department of the Kiev State University (Ukraine)and received his M.A. for the thesis - "Monetary Circulation in Ancient Russia (8th to 13th cent.A.D.)". His broad interests in numismatics include Russia, Ancient Coinage especially those of theNorthern Black Sea area, as well as Islamic Central Asia and Caucasus. He has published a number ofresearch articles in these fields.

After coming to the U.S. in 1990, Dmitry Markov founded "Dmitry Markov Coins & Medals," a well-known leading firm dealing with medals and coins. Dmitry Markov’s continuing research onRussian, Ancient and Islamic coinage makes an invaluable addition to his very extensive auction catalogs.He had issued over 40 illustrated reference catalogues, as well as many other fixed price lists.

Dmitry Markov Coins & Medals have been an elected member of the International Association ofProfessional Numismatists (IAPN) since 2000. Also a Life Member of the American NumismaticAssociation (ANA), American Numismatic Society (ANS), a Life Member of the Orders & MedalsSociety of America (OMSA), as well as many other trade and collectors associations.

M&M Numismatics Ltd, Washington DC & Switzerland Münzen und Medaillen AG (M&M) wasestablished in Basel, Switzerland in 1941. e founders of the firm were the brothers Dr. Erich Cahn andDr. Herbert Cahn, professional numismatists, together with several eminent Swiss collectors.

M&M became well-known in the post WWII period for its monthly fixed price lists, a series whichcontinued for over 60 years. e firm has also conducted over 100 auctions, including great collectionssuch as the Rosen (Ancient electrum), Bally (Roman), Kohlmoos (crown-sized coins) Sutter (Italy andSicily) and many others. In partnership with Leu Numismatik, M&M also auctioned the Kunstfreudand Niggeler collections.

In the 1990s, Dr. Hans Voegtli assumed responsibility for Ancient coins and Dr. Bernhard Schulte forMedieval and modern coins. In 1996, M&M Numismatics opened in Washington, DC with LucienBirkler as managing director. In 1997, M&M Deutschland opened in Weil am Rein, Germany, withJoachim Stollhoff as managing director. e Basel office was closed in 2004, but both the American andGerman firms remain active. Today both companies continue the long tradition of serving collectorsand look forward to serving your numismatics needs now and in the future.


tel: +44 (0)20 7930 9808fax: +44 (0)20 7930 9450

www.baldwin.co.uk

PO Box 950New York, NY10272


[email protected]

PO Box 65908Washington, DC20035



tel: +44 (0)20 7930 9808fax: +44 (0)20 7930 9450

www.baldwin.co.uk

the prospero collection of ancient greek coins

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