Attica. Athens. Ca. 454-404 BC. Silver AR Tetradrachm, 17.00 g., 26 mm. Obv. Helmeted head of Athena right. Rev. Owl standing to right, olive sprig and crescent behind, all within incuse square. Kroll 8; SNG Copenhagen 31; Dewing 1591-1598. A superbly centered specimen with unusually high relief. NGC graded as Ch AU★ 5/5, 5/5, Fine Style.

SICYONIA. SICYON (SIKYON). Ca. 400-323 BC. Silver AR Stater. 25mm, 12.20gr. BCD Peloponnesos 218; BMC 57. Obv: Chimaera standing left with forepaw raised, ΣE below, wreath in right field. Rev: Dove flying left within wreath. A truly beautiful coin with one of the most fascinating mythological monsters of classical antiquity. NGC AU★ 5/5, 5/5, Fine Style.

MACEDONIAN KINGDOM. Alexander III, the Great. 336–323 BC. AR Tetradrachm, 26mm, 17.27gr., lifetime or early posthumous issue minted at "Amphipolis", Macedonia , ca. 323-320 BC. Obv. Head of young Herakles right in lion skin headdress. Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ, Zeus enthroned left, holding eagle and scepter, Athena Promachos right in left field. Price 109. Superb coin for the type. NGC MS★ 5/5, 5/5.

Alexander III the Great (336-323 BC).  AR tetradrachm. 26mm, 17.15 gr. Pella Mint, posthumous issue under Cassander as regent, ca. 317/6-315/4 BC. Obv: Head of Heracles right wearing lion-skin headdress / ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ, Zeus seated on backless throne left, holding eagle on outstretched right hand and scepter in his left. Rev: Boeotian shield in left field, coiled serpent under throne. Price 249. Cleanly struck in choice metal, finely styled and fully lustrous. NGC Ch AU★ 5/5, 5/5. Fine Style

SICILY. Syracuse. Agathocles (317-289 BC). AR Tetradrachm. 26mm, 17.09gr ca. 310-305 B.C. Pre-royal coinage, Agathocles as Tyrant, ca. 310-305 BC. Obv: Wreathed head of Arethusa facing left wreathed with grain ears, wearing triple-pendant earring and necklace, three dolphins around, "NI" below neck truncation. Rev: Charioteer holding kentron and reins driving a fast quadriga left, triskeles above, AI monogram in exergue. An absolutely stunning example, leaving little to be desired. Great centering, allowing for a good portion of the obverse beaded border and the full reverse design evoking the finely styled decadrachms of Euainetos struck a century earlier. What really elevates this exquisite piece is the toning, with gorgeous cerulean toning amongst Arethusa's hair seems to reinforce her presence in an aquatic realm. The reverse also features beautiful toning, with similar cerulean and some azure hues melding with breath-taking sunset and rose surrounding the vigorous horses. NGC Ch. AU★ 5/5, 5/5. Fine Style. 

Purchased from Catherine E. Bullowa-Moore in 1987.

SICILY, Syracuse. Philistis, wife of Hieron II. 275-215 BC. AR 16 Litrai – Tetradrachm (26mm, 13.27gr). Struck circa 240-215/4 BC. Obv: Diademed and veiled bust left; torch behind. Rev: Nike driving galloping quadriga right; E to lower right. Burnett 47; SNG ANS 884. NGC Ch AU, 5/5, 5/4, Fine Style.

SICILY. SICULO-PUNIC COINAGE OF ENTELLA, ca. 300-289 BC. Silver tetradrachm, 16.46 g., 25 mm. Obv. Head of Herakles right, wearing the lion skin. Rev. Horse head left, palm tree behind, Punic inscription below. Jenkins, Punic 372 (O115/R302). Perfectly centered with all the pertinent details on planchet. NGC graded AU★ Strike 5/5, Surface 5/5, Fine Style.

SICILY, Syracuse. Fifth Democracy. 214-212 BC. AR 8 Litrai (22mm, 6.8gr). Obv: Head of Athena left, wearing crested Corinthian helmet, single-pendant earring, necklace, and aegis. Rev: Winged thunderbolt; ΣYPAKOΣIΩN above, ΞA below. Burnett 28. SNG ANS 1046. SNG Lockett 1023. ex CNG 32 (12/1994), Lot 100. NGC Ch AU★ 5/5, 5/5, Fine Style.

SICILY.  SELINUS.  Ca. 540-480 BC. AR Didrachm. 20mm, 9gr. Obv. Selinon leaf. Rev. Incuse square with linear patterns. Arnold-Biucci Group I; Selinos Hoard 20 (same dies); SNG ANS 676 (same dies); HGC 2, 1207 (same dies as illustr.). Attractively toned and well struck. NGC graded Ch AU 5/5, 5/5.

From the Elwood Rafn Collection.

SICILY. SYRACUSE.  Ca. 480-470 BC. AR Obol (litra), 8mm, 0.69gr. Obv. Head of Arethusa right, within dotted circle. Rev. Four-spoked wheel. Boehringer 279-285; HGC 2, 1371. A small coin almost never encountered in such an exceptional grade and degree of preservation. NGC MS★ 5/5, 5/5.

EGYPT. PTOLEMAIC KINGDOM. PTOLEMY VI, 180-145 BC. AR Tetradrachm, 26mm, 14.03gr, struck at Alexandria 180-170 BC. Obv. Diademed bust of Ptolemy I right, within dotted circle. Rev. ΠΤΟΛEMAIOY ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ, eagle standing on thunderbolt to left, within dotted circle. Svoronos 1489; SNG Copenhagen 267; Dewing 2766. Exceptional iridescence. NGC Ch AU★ 5/5, 5/5.

Celts - Middle Danube Area. Imitation of Audoleon. Pannonia (Burgenland). Ca. 2nd CENTURY BC. AR Tetradrachm. 23mm, 12.50gr. Kroisbach mit Reiterstumpf type. Obv: Diademed head right of male with heavy brows and prominent protrusion on bridge of nose. Rev : Diademed head and torso left of rider on prancing horse; above right, eye-shaped device; twisted exergual line terminating in torques. Lanz 743–5; OTA 469; CCCBM I 152-4; KMW 1391. NGC Ch AU★ 5/5, 5/5, Fine Style.

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