• Finest Quality Ancient Greek, Roman & Byzantine Coins
  • Renaissance & 17th Century Dutch Medals
  • Auctions & Private Treaty Sales

Nomos 21

21 November 2020
Zunfthaus zur Saffran, Zurich

overview
Estimate: 500 CHF
Hammer Price:  1800 CHF
Lot 328

PHRYGIA. Bruzus. Aelius Caesar, 136-138. Assarion (Bronze, 20 mm, 4.91 g, 6 h). Λ.ΑΙΛΙ ΚΑΙCΑΡ Bare-headed, bearded and draped bust of Aelius to right. Rev. ΔΗΜΟC ΒΡΟΥΖΗΝΩΝ Laureate head of the youthful Demos of Bruzus to right. Unpublished and unknown, the reverse struck from the same die as Paris 573, illustrated as RPC III 2595 on pl. 117. Apparently unique. With an exceptionally noble and fine portrait of Aelius and a lovely brown patina. About extremely fine.



Hadrian's coinage of Bruzus is actually extremely rare; the RPC recorded just four examples: this is, thus, the fifth known piece, though it is, of course, hitherto unknown. Since this coin's reverse die was used as the obverse die for RPC III 2595, we now can date the magistrate who signed the RPC piece, Rufeinos Drumikos, to late in Hadrian's reign, during the Caesarship of Aelius. Why the obscure city of Bruzus should have produced a coinage with such an artistically superior portrait is unknown.

Online bidding closes: 21 Nov 2020, 11:00:00 CET Current Date & Time: 25 Apr 2024, 11:34:02 CEST Remaining Time: Closed Hammer Price:1800 CHF

Pre-Bidding closes on 21 November 2020 at 11:00 CET. Live bidding starts at 14:00 CET and is EXCLUSIVELY available on biddr. Separate registration is required.

An error has occurred. This application may no longer respond until reloaded. Reload 🗙
Reconnecting, please wait...