GREEK COINS FETCH STRONG PRICES IN DIX NOONAN WEBB’S SALE OF ANCIENT AND ISLAMIC COINS AND ANTIQUITIES

A variety of Greek Coins from various properties proved popular and sold very well at Mayfair-based Auctioneers Dix Noonan Webb in their auction of Ancient and Islamic Coins and Antiquities on Wednesday, April 13, 2022.

The market for Ancient Greek coins is extremely strong at the moment and highlights of the sale included a very fine Tetradrachm (silver coin equivalent to four drachmae) from Syracuse in Sicily from the reign of Dionysios I, and dating from circa 399-87. This coin was previously sold in 1933 in the renowned Ars Classica Auction XVI in Lucerne and shows a charioteer driving fast, and a Nike flying above to crown him with a wreath. After much competition, it was bought by an overseas collector for £9,000 against an estimate of £2,000-2,600 [lot 1181].

Another Tetradrachm, also from Sicily; this time from the reign of Hieron I, (478-466) realised £4,800 against an estimate of £800-1,000. It was sold by a private collector and bought by another private collector in the room [lot 1180].

Among the 75 coins from the reign of Emperor Hadrian was a fine Aureus (gold coin), dating from AD 133-5, which sold for £4,000 to an overseas dealer. The coin which was being sold by a private collector, portrayed a bare headed draped bust on one side, and on the other: Roma in military attire with left foot on a helmet and holding a spear. [lot 1424]

Elsewhere, Part One of the Collection of the Hon. Robert Erskine which consisted of 175 lots of Early Persian, Islamic and Crusader Coins realised £42,365. The highest price was for a drachm from the reign of Phraates III (c. 70-58 BC) which sold for £3,000 to a phone bidder against an estimate of £1,000-1,200 [lot 1004].