E-Auction 40 closes Wednesday, July 21st! Below we look at some lots in the Ancient section that merit extra attention. (And be sure to scroll to the end for one of our favorite numismatic publications.)

The Greek section of the sale begins with a fascinating small group of scarcer Iberian issues. From the distinctly Roman-feeling Sekobirikes denarius above, to the stylish bronzes at once crude and artistic, Iberian coinage is one of the first areas of ancient coinage that I remember being able to identify without being familiar with the issues themselves. The distinctive style and motifs, to me, resemble a fascinating blend of Celtic and Greek. With many pieces available for modest sums it is also a perfect area to dabble in without needing to break the bank.

Apart from the usual smattering of interesting pieces, the other theme of the Greek section this time around is tiny issues-obols and chalkoi-of exquisite style. These tiny works of art are often rare, and the fine artistry displayed on such a small canvas was often an expression of civic pride. In person they may seem modest at first glance, but on close examination (or when enlarged online) you can see just how much is contained in such a small area.

After a couple auctions off, we are once again offering a few choice electrotypes of rare Greek coins in the British Museum. These two piece historic replicas are the perfect way to represent coins that would normally be out of reach to all but the most committed collector.

The Roman section features a nice selection of silver and bronze, imperial and provincial. The choice imperatorial denarius with a mask of Pan and the extremely rare Caligula/Germanicus fourrée denarius above are two highlights, as are the Agrippa and Claudius asses, both with exquisite portraiture and patinas.

I have always had a soft spot for earthen-highlighted bronze, both imperial and provincial, and these two lots are fine examples. As the photographer I do not mind saying that my photo of the Pisidian bronze of Antoninus Pius does not do it justice. It is beautiful in hand, with the design set off by light green highlights. Another handsome piece, the orange earthen highlights on the Philip I sestertius are accurately shown in the photo.

Typically more modest and less aggressively collected, it can be easy to miss truly choice late Roman issues when they are offered. The Valerian I and Gallienus antoninianii shown above are both exceptional for their issue, and the small group of late Roman in the auction features several other particularly nice examples of the era.

One particularly effective strategy when browsing an auction is to look for any 'orphan' lots-a coin or two from a category that is otherwise not well represented in the sale, or is not usually offered by the auction house. These can often escape the notice of collectors of that area. These two late Roman seals are two such lots-we rarely offer seals, but these examples caught Marnie's eye several years ago. With relatively little scholarship available (at least compared to coins) they are nevertheless fascinating pieces of history.

Finally, a brief aside. There are many high quality publications that support collectors, and one of our favorites is the E-Sylum. Established in 1998, edited by Wayne Homren, it publishes a wide range of curated numismatic articles weekly. It just won first place for electronic publications in the ANA's 2021 Outstanding Club Publication competition. If you are not familiar be sure to check it out!

For more information on the sale, see:
https://davcoin.com/