KUENKER AUCTION SALE 433

Those interested in coins of Roman Asia Minor will be familiar with the name of Willi Schleer. He often let young researchers view his collection, which is why many of his coins were published. With much enthusiasm for the subject and extensive knowledge, this collector succeeded not only in assembling an extremely comprehensive collection of Roman Provincial issues. Willi Schleer also made sure that the specimens in his collection are often by far the best preserved out there.

Those familiar with Greek aesthetics and Roman portraiture may initially be put off by the civic coinage of Asia Minor. After all, they do not align with our visual habits. However, no other coins of antiquity offer such direct insight into the political, religious and cultural life of wealthy provincial populations.

Provincial Roman coinage depict bridges, temples and images of gods. They refer to regional festivals and cults, some of which are depicted in great detail. These coins celebrate the emperor, particularly if he visited the province, perhaps even the city itself. Coins from Asia Minor are the best source to understand the inscriptions of cities, and to reconstruct a small part of ancient everyday life based on all available evidence.

Enjoy the many images from the past of the Roman Empire and take the time to delve into the details on the reverse. The Willi Schleer Collection is ideal for this because, as mentioned above, it is very rare to see Roman Provincial Coinage of this quality!

No. 6053: Pautalia (Thrace). Caracalla, 198-217. AE. Rev. Temple district of Pautalia: at the center the Temple of Asklepios, on the mountain above another temple between two small temples, on the right the entry to a cave with cult image, below the three Charites and another small temple. Very rare. About extremely fine. Estimate: 1,000 euros

No. 6067: Tieion (Bithynia). Antinoos. AE. Rev. Antinoos on a boat, cista mystica at his feet. Extremely rare. Very fine / Fine to very fine. Estimate: 5,000 euros

No. 6076: Pergamon (Mysia). Septimius Severus, 193-211. AE. Rev. Two centaurs with torches carry Asclepios. Very rare. Very fine. Estimate: 1,500 euros

No. 6116: Laodikeia on the Lycus (Phrygia). Caracalla, 198-217. AE. Rev. Emperor standing between two city deities standing to the left, offering sacrifice above a tripod, in front a flute player, soldier with vexillum and victimarius with bull. Temple in the background. Third known specimen. About very fine. Estimate: 2,000 euros

No. 6147: Aspendos (Pamphylia). Severus Alexander, 222-235. AE. Rev. Hera and Zeus sitting opposite each other. Probably unique. About extremely fine. Estimate: 750 euros

If the aesthetics of Roman Provincial Coinage does not appeal to you, then you are sure to be impressed with the Greek coins found in the collection of a North German friend of antiquity.

In auction 433, Künker will present a wide range of Greek coinage with a focus on curated aesthetics. Whether archaic or classical, this sale offers the most beautiful and best-known coin types, particularly from Sicily. And many of the pieces have pedigrees stretching far back in time. While the North German friend of antiquity prioritized quality, he was willing to compromise but only if it meant adding one of the great works of art of Greek antiquity to his collection.

Künker's auction 433 offers the opportunity to acquire one of the highly sought-after highlights of Greek numismatics, either from the collection of a North German friend of antiquity or from other sources, as the collection will be supplemented by other consignments. This means that you will see all your favorites, such as Straton's two eagles on the Akragas tetradrachm, or the heads of the youthful river god of Katane, engraved by Herakleidas or Euainetos. There is also the archaic Dionysos from Naxos, a Syracusan tetradrachm by the Demareteion Master, and several Syracusan tetradrachms from the period of signing artists, including the famous frontal depiction of Athena created by Eukleidas.

However, there is also much to discover from other Greek-influenced Mediterranean regions. Anyone enthusiastic about Greek art will find plenty to fuel their passion in Künker's auction 433.

No. 6278: Acragas (Sicily). Tetradrachm, 410-406, signed by Straton. From the collection of a North German friend of antiquity. Very rare. Very fine. Estimate: 25,000 euros

No. 6285: Katane (Sicily). Drachm, 405-402, signed by Euainetos. From the collection of a North German friend of antiquity. Very rare. Extremely fine. Estimate: 7,500 euros

No. 6301: Syracuse (Sicily). Tetradrachm, 470-460, work of the "Demareteion Master". From the collection of a North German friend of antiquity. Very rare. Very fine +. Estimate: 30,000 euros

No. 6308: Syracuse (Sicily). Tetradrachm, 415-405, signed by Euth(...) and Phrygillos. From the collection of a North German friend of antiquity. Very rare. About extremely fine. Estimate: 12,500 euros

No. 6309: Syracuse (Sicily). Tetradrachm, 415-405, signed by Eukleidas. From the collection of a North German friend of antiquity. Very rare. Obv. about very fine. Rev. very fine. Estimate: 10,000 euros

No. 6412: Perikle (Lycia). Stater, 380-360, Phellos. From the collection of a North German friend of antiquity. Extremely fine. Estimate: 6,000 euros

Do you prefer Roman portraiture to the Greek ideal? If so, you can look forward to when the collection of a Hessian pharmacist will go up for auction. It contains many aurei that many collectors have long dreamed of acquiring.

Have you always wanted to own the portraits of all emperors and empresses in gold one day? Then this is your opportunity, and not only if you want to treat yourself to the best quality – as this selection might suggest. Of course, Künker's auction 433 features many "extremely fine +" pieces. But those who collect "very fine" aurei will also find what they are looking for.

The material covers the classical Roman period, with a particularly large offer regarding coins minted under the Tetrarchs, Constantine and his successors, and the late Roman era.

No. 6457: P. Clodius Turrinus. Aureus, 42 BC. Rare. From the collection of a Hessian pharmacist. Very fine. Estimate: 7,500 euros

No. 6761: Commodus. Aureus, 190. Rare. From the collection of a Hessian pharmacist. About extremely fine. Estimate: 6,000 euros

No. 6769: Pertinax. Aureus, 193. Very rare. From the collection of a Hessian pharmacist. Extremely fine. Estimate: 25,000 euros

No. 6809: Septimius Severus with Caracalla and Iulia Domna. Aureus, 201. Very rare. From the collection of a Hessian pharmacist. About extremely fine. Estimate: 20,000 euros

No. 6873: Herennia Etruscilla. Aureus, 249-251. Rare. From the collection of a Hessian pharmacist. About FDC. Estimate: 15,000 euros

No. 7007: Constantinus. Aureus, 315/6, Herakleia. Very rare. From the collection of a Hessian pharmacist. Extremely fine. Estimate: 10,000 euros

No. 7350: Romulus Augustus. Tremissis, 475-476, Mediolanum. Very rare. From the collection of a Hessian pharmacist. Very fine. Estimate: 15,000 euros

Anyone who has ever met Christoph Buchhold is unlikely to forget him. From a young age, he struggled with paralysis in his left arm and leg, and was often in pain. Yet he made a point of attending many auctions in person. He was always friendly, open-minded and approachable, and would take his time viewing the pieces, selecting the coins he wanted to bid on with great expertise. He preferred everything that seemed historically interesting. He had a significant although not unlimited budget to acquire the pieces he liked. Sometimes this meant pieces in the best possible quality (especially regarding denarii); at other times he was willing to compromise to be able to purchase great rarities.

His collection, which is now returning to the market following his death last year, demonstrates the immense joy that numismatics and the study of ancient history can bring to someone's life. The Christoph Buchhold Collection contains a wealth of outstanding rarities that are sure to delight any connoisseur of Roman numismatics. In his moving obituary for his uncle, his nephew kindly asked: "If you enjoy the splendor and the exquisite engravings of Roman portraits, please spare a thought for the little boy who never learned to ride a bike, the young man who never became a father and the elderly senior who bravely endured the pains of old age, yet took his place with dignity in the long line of those who preserved these coins for us."

No. 6486: Augustus. Gold quinarius, 7/8 AD, Lugdunum. Very rare. From the Christoph Buchhold Collection. Very fine. Estimate: 2,000 euros

No. 6585: Vespasian. Dupondius, 74. From the Christoph Buchhold Collection. Extremely fine. Estimate: 250 euros

No. 6704: Antoninus Pius. Aureus, 148/9. Very rare in this quality. From the Christoph Buchhold Collection. Extremely fine +. Estimate: 6,000 euros

No. 6929: Carus. Double antoninianus, Siscia, 282-283. Very rare. From the Christoph Buchhold Collection. Very fine +. Estimate: 3,000 euros

Of course, auction 433 contains many more coins than the pieces from these three collections. Many lots are from various possessions, including numerous particularly spectacular pieces. We present a few of them.

No. 6337: Pantikapaion (Scythia). Stater, 340-325. Very rare. Auctioned by Virgil Michael Brand. Very fine +. Estimate: 50,000 euros

No. 6344: Thasos (Thrace). Gold drachm, 404-355. Extremely rare. From Bank Leu auction 45 (1989), No. 79. NGC Ch AU* 5/5, 4/5, Fine Style. Extremely fine. Estimate: 60,000 euros

No. 6503: Caligula. Sestertius, 37/8. Green patina. Extremely fine. Estimate: 5,000 euros

No. 6564: Vitellius. Aureus, 69. Very rare. From Ratto fixed-price list of April 1946. Extremely fine. Estimate: 50,000 euros

No. 6808: Septimius Severus with Caracalla and Iulia Domna. Aureus, 201. Very rare. About extremely fine. Estimate: 60,000 euros

No. 6899: Postumus. Aureus, 263, Cologne or Trier. Very rare. From Hamburger auction 96 (1932), No. 965. Extremely fine. Estimate: 50,000 euros

No. 7016: Crispus. Solidus, 319/20, Trier. Very rare. From the sale of the Leo Biaggi de Blasys Collection, No. 2058. About extremely fine. Estimate: 50,000 euros

To order a catalog contact Künker, Nobbenburger Straße 4a, 49076 Osnabrück; phone: +49 541 / 962020; fax: +49 541 / 9620222; or via e-mail: service@kuenker.de. You can access the auction catalogs online at www.kuenker.de. If you want to submit your bid from your computer at home, please remember to register for this service in good time.

	NBS (coinbooks.org) Web