HERITAGE SEPTEMBER 2018 WORLD & ANCIENTS

SAM SPIEGEL'S PICKS

Ancients: MACEDONIAN KINGDOM. Philip V (220-179 BC). AR tetradrachm (32mm, 16.72 gm, 11h). NGC MS ★ 5/5 - 4/5 Fine Style

Though not a rare coin by any means, Philip V tetradrachms seem to have circulated widely and apparently for a long period of time, as they are usually seen today in fairly worn condition. This particular lot is exceptionally unusual in this regard, as it is not only completely uncirculated, but also free of any significant imperfections. It is truly deserving of the star designation assigned to it by NGC, and I think it would make a great addition to any high-grade ancient Greek type collection.

Ancients: CYCLADIC ISLANDS. Paros. Ca. 500-480 BC. AR drachm (17mm, 6.07 gm). NGC Choice XF ★ 5/5 - 5/5

As a general rule, coins of the Cycladic Islands are much harder to find than those of contemporaneous regions in mainland Greece or Asia Minor. Though not quite as rare as the Delos didrachm that we sold in our August auction, this particular piece, from the island of Paros, is still not encountered often. In fact, this is one of only two Paros drachms that we have ever sold in our history. The toning further adds to its appeal in my eyes, clearly coming from an old collection and likely stored in a cabinet, in order to get its dark gray hues.

ROXANA USKALI'S PICKS

French Cochin China: French Colony Proof 50 Cents 1879-A PR66 PCGS

Right up there with the stylings of the Gothic Florin, in my opinion, is this beautifully designed French colonial issue. While not the largest denomination, nor the only French colony to bear this obverse illustration, it's definitely a scarce issue as French Cochin China existed for less than sixty years and only produced coins during ten of them. This proof emission easily wins me over with its sublime color and nearly flawless surfaces.

Martinique: French Colonial gold Regulated/Countermarked 20 Livres ND (c. 1805) AU53 PCGS

This coin has it all: stamps, countermarks, and a giant hole—all on an imitation flan. From yet another French colony—literally across the globe from my previous pick—this specimen hails from the Caribbean island of Martinique. What seems like an all-to-complicated way of issuing and regulating coinage, these pieces were covered with markings and assay stamps in an effort to separate genuine examples from imitations, and then pierced or plugged to regulate weight. The historical background surrounding these coins is actually fascinating, and the silver issues from this era are equally engaging.

To read the newsletter online, see:
Coin News September 4, 2018 (https://coins.ha.com/c/newsletter.zx?frame=no&id=5538#collector-c)

	NBS (coinbooks.org) Web