A packed auction room received the first of two Official Coinex Auctions held by A. H. Baldwin & Sons Ltd. Competitive bidding for Part One of the academic David Sellwood collection of Parthian Coins saw all 187 lots sell and totalling over the pre-sale estimation. Held in London, Coinex is the UK’s premier International numismatic show organized by the British Numismatic Trade Association Ltd and sponsored exclusively by Baldwin’s.
Paul Hill, Ancient Coins Specialist at A. H. Baldwin & Sons Ltd said: “The first part of the David Sellwood collection of Parthian coins surpassed our expectations. We were delighted to see such keen interest in this specialized area of numismatics. A core of private collectors participated strongly to acquire coins with the important Sellwood pedigree. We look forward to Part Two of the collection, which will be offered in our New York Sale in January 2015. It will include coins of both rarity and exceptional quality.”
The Sellwood Collection of Parthian Coins Highlights
Phraates II (132-127 BC), Silver Tetradrachm, minted at Seleucia on the Tigris, diademed and lightly bearded bust right, reel-and-pellet border, rev male deity enthroned left, holding Nike in outstretched right hand, cornucopia in left hand, four line inscription ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟY ΑΡΣΑΚΟY ΝΙΚΗΦΟΡΟY, no date, two monograms in exergue, 16.11g, 1h (S 17.1 var (exergual monograms reversed); Sunrise 267). This issue was minted after Phraates II defeated and slew Antiochus VII in late summer – early autumn 129 BC
Sold for £864 [Lot 1091]
Arsaces XVI (78/7-62/1 BC), Silver Tetradrachm, minted at Seleucia on the Tigris, diademed and short bearded bust left, wearing spiral torque, dotted border, rev archer enthroned right, bow in outstretched right hand, monogram above bow, seven line inscription ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟY ΑΡΣΑΚΟY ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΕYΕΡΓΕΤΟY ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟYΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ, 15.61g, 12h (S 30.2 (unknown king); Sunrise 311).
Sold for £960 [Lot 1094]
Phraates III (70/69-58/7 BC), Silver Tetradrachm, minted at Seleucia on the Tigris, diademed and short bearded bust left, wearing spiral torque, dotted border, rev archer enthroned right, bow in outstretched right hand, monogram below bow, seven line inscription ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟY ΑΡΣΑΚΟY ΦΙΛΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΕYΕΡΓΕΤΟY ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟYΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ, 13.05g, 12h (S 36.1 (Darius)).
Sold for £1,440 [Lot 1096]
Mithradates IV (58/7-55 BC), Silver Tetradrachm, minted at Seleucia on the Tigris, diademed and short bearded bust left, wearing spiral torque, dotted border, rev archer enthroned right, bow in outstretched right hand, five line inscription ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ ΜΕΓΑΛΟY ΑΡΣΑΚΟY ΚΑΙ ΚΤΙΣΤΟY, 15.00g, 12h (S 44.1 (Orodes II); Sunrise 355).
Sold for £1,440 [Lot 1097]
Orodes II (57-38 BC), Silver Tetradrachms (2), minted at Seleucia on the Tigris, diademed and lightly bearded bust left, wart on brow, wearing griffin ended spiral torque, first rev king enthroned right, Tyche standing left, palm branch and cornucopia in right and left hands respectively, seven line inscription ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ ΑΡΣΑΚΟY ΕYΕΡΓΕΤΟY ΔΙΚΑΙΟY ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟYΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ, abbreviated month name YΠ (Hyperberetaios) and monogram ΤΙ in exergue, 12.43g, 12h, second rev king enthroned left, holding flying Nike and sceptre in right and left hands respectively, same inscription, 13.56g, 12h (S 47.4 var, 48.1; Sunrise 375-376).
Sold for £1,080 [Lot 1099]
Other Top Sellers in Auction 90
Great Britain, George V, Gold Sovereign, 1922 S, Sydney mint (Australia), bare head left, B.M. on truncation, rev St George slaying dragon with sword, S mintmark on ground, date in exergue, tiny B.P. to upper right, 7.99g
Sold for £18,000 [Lot 1792]
Great Britain, George V, Gold Sovereign, 1924 SA, Pretoria mint (South Africa), bare head left, B.M. on truncation, GEORGIVS V D: G: BRITT: OMN: REX F: D: IND: IMP:, rev St George slaying dragon with sword, SA mintmark on ground, date in exergue, tiny B.P. to upper right, 7.99g.
Sold for £10,200 [Lot 1793]
Philip II of Spain (1527-1556-1598) and of England (1554-1558), The Opposition to Protestantism and Supression of Sir Thomas Wyatt`s Rebellion, struck Silver Medal, 1556, by Gianpaolo Poggini (c.1518-1580), signed on exergual line on reverse, bearded and armoured bust left, wearing Badge of Golden Fleece on ribbon, PHILIPPVS DG HISPANIARVM ET ANGLIÆ REX, rev Bellerophon, astride a Pegasus, spears the Chimaera, HINC VIGILO, dated in exergue, fine beaded border to both sides, 42mm, 32.22g
Sold for £7,800 [Lot 1812]
Great Britain, Edward VI (1547-1553), Gold Half-Sovereign, Second Period (January 1549 – April 1550), Tower mint, bare head and cuirassed bust right, beaded circle surrounding, initial mark arrow both sides, rosette and lozenge stops in obverse legend, legends transposed, SCVTVM* FIDEI* PROTEGET* EVM*:, rev quartered arms on crowned frame, Roman style E to left, R to right, beaded circle surrounding, double lozenge stops in legend, EDWARD`.
Sold for £6,720 [Lot 1521]
Great Britain, Charles I, Obsidional Coinage, Silver Shilling, 1648, Pontefract besieged, struck on an octagonal flan before the execution of Charles I (June 1648 – March 1649), CR at centre, crown above, legend DVM:SPERO.SPIRO outer beaded circle both sides, rev castle gateway with small flag at top P and C either side of flag, date below, OBS to left, sword in hand right, 5.16g
Sold for £5,280 [Lot 1650]
This auction was part of a two day calendar taking place during Coinex 2014 on the 24-25 September. Baldwin’s also offered Auction 91, on Friday 25 September 2014, featuring the final part of the Lindén Collection. Catalogues are available online at www.baldwin.co.uk.
