Ancient Coin News: Weekly Internet World & Ancient Coin Auction Closing Thursday

Ancient Coin Newsletter [Read this newsletter online]( [Heritage Auctions]( [Classical Coin News] In This Issue: [Weekly Internet World & Ancient Coin Auction Closing Thursday](#collector-a) [Upcoming World Coin Auctions](#collector-b) [Chicago Coin Expo (CCE) Auction Produced Remarkable Results](#collector-f) [Ancient Coin Club of Los Angeles (ACCLA)](#collector-c) [Pompeia's Pick:](#pompeia) Vetranio: Temporary Emperor [What Happened In Ancient May?](#what-happened) [Is It Time To Sell?](#sell) [Employment Opportunities]( [Around Heritage Auctions](#around) [Current Auctions](#current) May 11, 2017 [Newsletter Archive]( [Last Issue]( There are a couple of possible explanations for the origin of Maius, the Roman name for our month of May. It could be named after the Greek Maia, an earth and fertility goddess associated with the Roman Bona Deia ("Good Goddess"). Maia also embodied the concept of growth, appropriate for a Spring month ripe with burgeoning crops, orchards and the like. The Roman poet Ovid offers a second etymology, however, proposing that Maius is named for the "elders" or maiores ("majors") of Roman society, in contrast to June, which is named for the younger folk or ioniores ("juniors"). Whichever way you read it, May brings with it a full crop of news relating to Ancient history and coinage, so read on! []Weekly Internet World & Ancient Coin Auction Closing Thursday The [May 11 auction]( offers 138 Ancient coins out of 359 total, including the following highlights: [[Beautiful Syracuse Gold Hemistater, NGC AU] Beautiful Syracuse Gold Hemistater, NGC AU]( [[Striking Persian Gold Daric, NGC Choice AU] Striking Persian Gold Daric, NGC Choice AU]( [[Rare Roman Civil War denarius] Rare Roman Civil War denarius]( [[Choice AU Valentinian II gold solidus] Choice AU Valentinian II gold solidus]( [Weekly Internet Auction 231720]( concluding Thursday, May 18 – The following weekly auction comprises 373 World and Ancient coins, including 144 Ancients, with a particularly strong showing of Roman Egypt. Again, here are some highlights: [[Mint State Chalcidian League tetrobol] Mint State Chalcidian League tetrobol]( [[NGC MS Athens owl tetradrachm] NGC MS Athens "owl" tetradrachm]( [[Fully silvered Aurelian antoninianus] Fully silvered Aurelian antoninianus]( [[Choice AU Theodosius I solidus] Choice AU Theodosius I solidus]( [Back to Top](#top) []Upcoming World Coin Auctions June Monthly Internet Auction: The Paul Balla Collection of Roman Denarii Collectors of Roman silver coins will not to miss our [first all-ancients Monthly internet auction]( featuring a wonderful offering of more than 300 lots of denarii (and a few Antoniniani) from the collection of Paul Balla, a former Hungarian diplomat who assembled his impressive holding between the 1920s and 1960s. Focusing mainly on the Imperial coinage, the collection features a diverse offering of rulers and their relations, reverse types, and mints, with a considerable number of scarce and rare varieties, many in extremely high grade. Highlights include portrait denarius of Julius Caesar, several Hadrian "travel" reverses, and a "Stone of Emesa" reverse type for Elagabalus. Nearly all individual coins are certified and encapsulated by NGC, while a few high-quality group lots will be offered "raw." The sale will run for nearly the entirety of June. Coins can be viewed by appointment at the 3500 Maple headquarters of Heritage; contact Sam Spiegel (SamS@ha.com) to set up a viewing. Hong Kong Signature Auction #3055, June 21-23, 2017 [This World Coin auction]( comprises 770 lots, mainly focused on Asian mints, including an eye-popping offering of Qing dynasty large stamped gold ingots! ANA Platinum Night Auction #3056, August 3-4, 2017 The World's Fair of Money will travel to Denver, CO this year, and once again Heritage will bring to the block [a highly select offering of World and Ancient coins, including a beautiful collection of Roman gold aurei!]( to Top](#top) []Chicago Coin Expo (CCE) Auction Produced Remarkable Results The [Chicago Coin Expo (CCE) Auction on April 7-12]( produced some truly remarkable results, indicating the market for Ancient Greek, Judean, Roman and Byzantine coins is on a definite upswing. All told, the CCE World and Ancients auction realized more than $6.3 million, with ancient coins accounting for just over $1.2 million. Showing particular strength were the early electrum and gold coins of Lydia, Mysia and Ionia, with many coins selling for multiples of the pre-auction estimate. These included [lot 30114]( a "heavy" gold stater of Croesus, which brought $35,250; [lot 30096]( a very early "striated" electrum hecte of an uncertain Ionian city, which realized $17,625, and [lot 30100]( a tiny "striated" electrum 24th stater, which brought $12,295. Other notable results included $35,250 for [lot 30066]( a superb gold stater of Mithradates VI of Pontus; $9,400 for lot [30173]( a lovely Judean shekel struck Year 3 of the Jewish War, and the top result for all ancients, an astonishing $94,000 for lot 30248, a beautiful and rare Roman gold aureus of the heroic Emperor Claudius II Gothicus. [Back to Top](#top) []Ancient Coin Club of Los Angeles (ACCLA) This very active and informative club is looking for new members who share a passion for ancient history and coins! The ACCLA meets on the second Sunday of each month in the [Community Room at the Sherman Oaks Galleria]( starting at 1:00 PM. Galleria is located northwest of the intersection of the Ventura and San Diego Freeways at 15301 Ventura Boulevard (at Sepulveda Boulevard), in Sherman Oaks. Park in the Galleria parking lot (ACCLA validates parking). The Community Room is behind the escalator on Level 1 of the rotunda, one floor below the cinema. The next ACCLA meeting this Sunday, May 14, will have a special program in honor of Mother's Day. Lorie Ann Hambly (author of "Pompeia's Pick") will do an in-costume presentation on "The Many Faces Of Minerva." Her presentation is sponsored by Adventures In Edutainment, a nonprofit group dedicated to bringing Living History to the classroom. The ACCLA's website, with contact information, is here: [(. NOTE: If you belong to an Ancient Coin Club in your region and would like its meetings posted in Heritage Ancient Coin News, contact me at DMichaels@HA.com and provide your meeting dates, location, and the title or theme of any upcoming presentations. [Back to Top](#top) []Pompeia's Pick: Vetranio: Temporary Emperor [Vetranio (Mar.-Dec. AD 350). BI maiorina (5.08 gm). NGC AU 4/5 - 4/5, silvering]( By Lorie Ann Hambly Vetranio (we do not know first or family name) was born to humble parents in Moesia, probably in the AD 290s. He entered the army and served with distinction under the mighty Constantine I (AD 306-337), the first Christian ruler of Rome, who even during his lifetime came to be called "Magnus" -- The Great. Upon Constantine's death, the Roman Empire was split between his three surviving sons, Constantine II, Constantius II, and Constans. In AD 340 a spate of sibling bloodletting eliminated Constantine II and the survivors divvied up the spoils, with the West going to Constans, who late in his reign made Vetranio master of infantry (magister peditum) for Pannonia. However, a coup toppled Constans early in AD 350, replacing him with the Frankish-born Magnentius, who had no blood connection to the Constantinian dynasty. Magnentius quickly consolidated his power base in Gaul and Italy, and set about preparing for the inevitable response of Constantius II, Emperor of the East. Commanding a large army at a critical crossroads between the two rivals, Vetranio was unsure whether to remain loyal to the house of Constantine, which he had served for three decades, or to back Magnentius, who was closer and already making overtures to his troops. At this point Constantia, the eldest sister of Constantius, enters the picture. She persuaded Vetranio that he could best support her brother by temporarily claiming the Imperial title for himself, thus keeping the Pannonian army from backing Magnentius. On March 1, Vetranio's soldiers duly proclaimed him Augustus at Mursa. Constantia sent her brother a letter explaining the situation, which he received at Edessa in Syria. He responded as she wished, by recognizing Vetranio as a fellow "legitimate" ruler opposed to the "usurper" Magnentius. He sent along a diadem, an imperial purple cloak, and large sum of money to pay the Balkan troops. Constantius also instructed Vetranio to block Magnentius' eastward advance until he could deal with the situation in person. For 10 months, Vetranio played the man in the middle, alternately professing loyalty to Constantius and telling Magnentius he might be open to negotiating an alliance with him. In December of AD 350, Constantius marched west and met Vetranio at Naissus in modern Serbia. On Christmas day, both emperors mounted a platform before the assembled armies, where Vetranio formally abdicated the throne. Constantius praised Vetranio's loyalty (although he also ridiculed him as an "old fool" for thinking he could hold onto power for very long) and pensioned him off to an opulent estate in Bithynia. "Old fool" he may have been, but Vetranio had brilliantly played the difficult hand dealt him, had briefly been counted among the rulers of the Roman world, and enjoyed a far more sanguine fate than most other men who claimed the deadly purple. Having two mints under his control, Siscia and Thessalonica, Vetranio struck coins both in his own name and that of Constantius II. His bronze coinage is scarce, the silver rare, the gold exceptionally so. Interestingly, his obverse portraiture eschews the by-now usual imperial diadem in favor of an old-fashioned laurel wreath, perhaps a visual clue of his subordinate status. The reverse shows Victory crowning an Emperor (Constantine the Great) in military dress, along with the inscription, "HOC SIGNO VICTOR ERIS" ("In this sign, conquer"). This is a direct reference to the "divine vision" that supposedly convinced Constantine the Great to support the Christians and their God before the battle of Milvian Bridge in AD 312. Constantine's biographers Lactantius and Eusebius give two different versions of the vision: Lactantius says Constantine had a dream before the battle instructing him to have his men inscribe their shields with the "heavenly sign" of a staurogram, a cross topped by a P, while Eusebius claims Constantine actually saw a cross of light in the heavens with the Greek words En Touto Nika, a Greek version of the Latin phrase on Vetranio's coin. Some historians to doubt whether Constantine really ever experienced either version, or simply made them up years later to explain his sudden decision to back the Christian cause. Whatever the truth of the matter, Vetranio's coin proves that by AD 350 the story of Constantine's vision was widely accepted. [Back to Top](#top) []What Happened In Ancient May? May 1 (Annual): The Ludi Floriales or Floria, the annual festival of flowers and dedication of the temple of the "Good Goddess," Bona Dea. May 1, 475 BC: P. Valerius triumphs over the Veientines and Sabines, two of Rome's first military victories. May 1, AD 304: Commencement of the Great Persecution of Christianity under the First Tetrarchy. May 1, AD 311: Emperor Galerius signs the Edict of Toleration, ending the Persecutions. May 2, 1453: Constantinople falls to the Ottoman Turks, bringing an end to the Byzantine / East Roman Empire after more than 1,100 years of existence. May 4, AD 328: Traditional date for the death of Saint Helena, mother of Constantine. May 7, 358 BC: C. Sulpicius triumphs over the Gauls. May 7, AD 392: Western Emperor Valentinian II discovered dead in his chambers; either he hung himself in despair or was murdered by agents of his generalissimo, Arbogast. May 8, 1737: Birth of Edward Gibbon, author of Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. May 10, AD 238: Emperor Maximinus I Thrax murdered by his own soldiers near Aquileia. May 11, AD 330: Official foundation day for Constantinople (as re-founded and renamed by Constantine I the Great). May 16, AD 218: Elagabalus acclaimed Emperor by the Roman garrison at Emesa. May 18 (annual): Feast of Pan in Ancient Greece. May 21, 427 BC: Birth of Plato, one of the greatest Greek philosophers. May 22, AD 337: Emperor Constantine I the Great dies. May 23, 1270 BC: Possible (approximate) date for the fall of Troy. May 23, 37 BC: Herod takes control of Jerusalem and title of King. May 25, 194 BC: Temple of Fortuna on Quirinal Hill dedicated in Rome. May 26, AD 17: Germanicus celebrates Triumph over the Germans. May 26, AD 107: Trajan celebrates Triumph over the Dacians. May 30, AD 339: Death of Eusebius, biographer of Constantine and the early Christian Church. May 31, AD 70: Titus captures Jerusalem's outermost wall. [Back to Top](#top) [] Is it Time to Sell? We're always seeking consignments our world and ancient coins auctions. If you'd like to see all or part of your collection sold at this high-profile venue, please contact me at DMichaels@HA.com, or (310) 492-8615. As you can see from our recent track record, Heritage Ancients is really starting to achieve some amazing results! If you have any thought of selling your collection, there is no better time than the present and no better venue than Heritage! Our rates are highly competitive and we offer top-notch cataloguing, exceptional photography and production values, an incomparable database of more than 1 million potential buyers, and a matchless promotions/PR department that will make sure everyone knows about your collection. Until next month! Veritas et vita, [David S. Michaels] David S. Michaels Director of Ancient Coins [DMichaels@HA.com]( 1-800-872-6467 ext. 1606 Interested in Selling? [Consign to a Heritage Auction]( [Back to Top](#top) [] Around Heritage Auctions Influential New York City Photographer Berenice Abbott Prints Offered May 18-19 [Berenice Abbott Broadway to battery]( Remembered as one of the most independent, determined and respected photographers of the 20th century, Berenice Abbott chronicled the evolution of New York City for decades beginning with the Great Depression. Almost 80 original prints will be available with 61 prints being offered without reserve to collectors during [Heritage Auctions' Photographs Signature Auction]( May 18-19 in New York City. Images of iconic New York City landmarks such as [the New York Stock Exchange]( (est. $3,000-5,000), [the construction of Rockefeller Center]( (est. $1,500-2,500) and [Broadway to the Battery]( ($1,000-2,000) highlight this collection of original prints "Berenice Abbott spent years chronicling the evolution of New York City. She captured the architecture, the people and the spirit of one of the busiest, most dynamic and influential cities in the world. Many of these prints capture iconic images of the New York City from Abbott's creative perspective but still with a dramatic effect that stands the test of time," said Nigel Russell, Heritage Auctions Director of Photography. Heritage Auctions will be hosting a reception from 6-8 p.m. May 11 at the New York Office located at 445 Park Avenue at 57th street. Julia Van Haaften - who has written a biography Berenice Abbott: A Life in Photography which is to be published by W.W. Norton in April 2018 will speak about Abbott's impact and significance. [More information about Fine Art auctions]( [Back to Top](#top) [] Current Auctions Coin and Currency Auctions [May 28 Schroeder Monthly, Part II World Coins - Dallas #271722]( [May 28 Schroeder Monthly, Part II World Coins - Dallas #271722]( [View Lots]( [Weekly World Coin Auction]( [Thursday World Coin]( May 11 Live session @ 8PM CT [Sunday Internet Coin Auction]( [Sunday Coins]( May 14 Live session @ 7PM CT [Tuesday Internet Currency Auction]( [Tuesday Currency]( May 16 Live session @ 7PM CT [Tuesday Internet Coin Auction]( [Tuesday Coins]( May 16 Live session @ 7PM CT OTHER SIGNATURE AUCTIONS • [Manuscripts - May 11]( • [Sports - May 11-13]( • [Artscape Charity Auction - May 12]( • [Illustration Art - May 12]( • [Americana & Political - May 13]( • [Texas Art - May 13]( • [Real Estate - May 16]( • [Photographs - May 18-19]( • [Comics & Comic Art - May 18-20]( • [Space Exploration - May 19]( • [Vintage Sports Photography - May 20]( • [Modern & Contemporary Art - May 22]( • [European Art - May 24]( • [Vintage Guitars - May 25]( • [20th Century Design - May 25]( • [Watches & Fine Timepieces - June 6]( OTHER INTERNET AUCTIONS • [Monthly Wine - May 11]( • [Thurs. 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