Description

Baldwin’s Ancient Coin Auction, featuring the ‘Eid Mar’ plated denarius May 2024 We’re pleased to announce our May Ancient Coin Auction, containing over five hundred Greek, Roman and Byzantine coins of the highest quality. Included are three substantial collections, two of which were assembled from the 1960s to the 1990s. The first collection is formed of coins from the Greek world, from ancient Spain to Africa, with the majority bought from dealers in Bournemouth. Of particular interest will be a Spanish silver drachm of exceptional quality, tetradrachms from Sicily, and various Rhodian pieces. The mainstay of the Roman collection, assembled from the 1970s and into the 2000s, comprises Imperatorial and Imperial denarii, sestertii and asses. The collector spent decades acquiring pieces of the finest quality and additional coins of high rarity, including an example of the legendary ‘Eid Mar’ denarius of Brutus. This type – the most famous of Roman coins, was minted by Brutus in the aftermath of Caesar’s assassination. While the example seen here is a plated copy from the time, it is an attractive piece, free from significant corrosion and will surely see spirited bidding. An opportunity to own an example of this important coin design. This is followed by extremely fine coins of each of the Twelve Caesars, the Flavians (including an exceptional elephant denarius of Titus, one of the finest known), the ‘Five Good Emperors’ and on into the later Imperial period. The collection will be a joy for collectors of Roman coins and history enthusiasts alike. For collectors of Late Roman Silver, the sale contains a plethora of argentii and siliquae from the reign of Diocletian onwards. Particular attention will be garnered by the many ‘eyes to God’ examples of Constantine and his sons, as well as numerous silver miliarenses. The sale will close with a selection of encapsulated Byzantine gold solidi, with multiple pieces of Justinian II featuring the portrait of Christ. This auction is currently undergoing cataloguing and photography, so be sure to sign up to our mailing list for the latest information.