SOLD
550,000.00CHF+ (90,750.00) buyer's premium + applicable fees & taxes.
This item SOLD at 2009 Oct 07 @ 14:34UTC+2
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The Roman Empire, Pescenius Niger, June 193 – end of 194, Aureus, Alexandria 193, AV 6.78 g. IMP CAES C PESC – NIGER IVSTVS AVG Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust r. Rev. ·I·O· – ·M· Jupiter, naked to waist, seated l. on throne, holding thunderbolt and sceptre; in exergue, P.P retrograde. C –. BMC –. RIC –. Vagi I p. 262 (this coin illustrated). Bland, Burnett and Bendall NC 1987, p. 70, 9 and pl. 10, 9b (this coin). Calicó 2405 (this coin). Of the highest rarity, possibly unique. An impressive portrait perfectly struck in high relief and a superb reddish tone. Good extremely fine Ex NFA sale XXX, 1992, 271. The civil war that was sparked in A.D. 193 with the murders of Commodus, Pertinax and Didius Julianus was long and complex, involving participants from throughout the empire, including commanders stationed in Gaul, Pannonia and Syria, each of whom committed themselves to becoming emperor. In the centre of this maelstrom was the final victor, Septimius Severus, who upon the accession of Julianus marched on Rome before the other contestants, Clodius Albinus in Gaul and Pescennius Niger in Syria, could arrive. His strategy proved correct, for Severus assumed control in the capital by eliminating Julianus and forcing the senate to declare him emperor. Next he lulled Albinus into inaction by offering him the empty title of Caesar, and led an army to the East to confront Niger. Niger had been appointed governor of Syria in 191 through his familiarity with Narcissus, the athlete enlisted to strangle Commodus. He was known in Rome, and during the brief reign of Didius Julianus a group of citizens gathered in the Circus Maximus to draft a plea asking Niger to liberate Rome. The senate, which disliked Severus and would have preferred Niger, was forced to declare Niger a public enemy, even though it prayed for his success. The overland journey for Severus in the summer of 193 required much time and effort, allowing Niger to muster a defence from his capital of Antioch, where this remarkable aureus was struck. He did not wait for Severus to arrive, but instead led his army of nine legions northward to meet his opponent. The victory for Severus’ Illyrian soldiers was relatively easy as they routed the Syrian legions in Thrace, Mysia and Bithynia. The only serious resistance they met was at Byzantium, which refused to capitulate and was repaid with destruction. News travelled quickly, and part of Syria and Egypt changed their loyalty to Severus. As Niger’s army retreated southward, pursued by the Illyrians, the fatal battle occurred at Issus, where we are told some 20,000 of Niger’s soldiers perished. Niger then fled toward Antioch, after which he intended to seek refuge with the Parthians. Reports of his fate vary, which is not surprising considering the weak sources for this period. In all likelihood he was overtaken and executed by Severus’ general Anullinus before reaching Antioch, but he may have made it to Antioch only to be quickly captured or to endure a siege. Severus took revenge against the Parthians, and repaid the cities in Syria that had supported Niger, including Antioch, which he could not afford to punish too severely due to its importance. In addition to economic sanctions, Antioch was degraded to a village (kome) within the territory of Laodicea, a coastal city that had been sacked by Niger because it expressed support for Severus. Laodicea was immediately raised to the status of metropolis and then, in 198, was declared a colonia with ius Italicum. On this aureus, produced in a hopeful stage of the rebellion, Niger not only declares himself pater patriae, father of his country, but invokes the help of Jupiter Optimus Maximus. The figure of Jupiter differs from the usual one on Niger’s coins, as he holds in his right hand a fulmen rather than a wreath-bearing Victory. On other issues of Niger, Jupiter is described as praeses orbis (governor of the world), and were it not for the fact that pater patriae was used on coins of Niger that do not depict Jupiter, we might suspect that appellation was intended for the deity.
Auction Location:
Hotel Baur au Lac, Zurich, 8001, Switzerland
Previewing Details:
By Appointment:
In London from Aug 24 to Sep 18, 2009 at
Numismatica Ars Classica NAC AG
3rd Floor, Genavco House, 17, Waterloo Place
GB-London, SW1Y 4AR
Phone: +44 20 7839 7270
In Zurich on Oct 6, 2009 at the Hotel Baur au Lac, Talstrasse 1.
Buyer's Premiums:
| From (Incl.) | To (Excl.) | Premium |
| 0.00 |
Infinite |
16.5% |
Additional Fees:
Shipping Details:
The coins will be dispatched by registered and insured mail for the account and the risk of the purchaser. The purchaser is responsible for any dues or taxes outside of Switzerland and is advised to acquaint himself with the formalities.
Payment Details:
After the auction invoices will be sent to the successful buyers. Payment instructions are found on the invoice.
The sign-up for this auction will close 48 hours before the auction starts. Please make sure you sign up on time. Also, there is NO ABSENTEE BIDDING for this auction. Please plan to bid live during the sale.
English:
The following conditions are acknowledged by all persons participating in the auction:
The estimates are in Swiss Francs. The opening bids will be about 80% of estimate, unless there are higher offers. The purchase price plus a commission of 16.5% is due and payable in Swiss currency. For lots delivered in Switzerland, VAT of 7.6% will be added to the total (hammer price together with auctioneer's commission and sending charges). Gold coins (AV) are free of VAT. The total price is due after the final bid and payable on delivery. A default interest of 1% per month on the purchase price will be charged for delayed payments. Adjudication ensues after the highest bid has been called three times, and commits the bidder to accept the coins. Written bids have preference over room bids. The buyer cannot claim to act on behalf of a third person. The authenticity of the coins is unconditionally guaranteed, without time limit. All identifications of the items sold in this catalogue are statements of opinion and made in good faith. The coins will be dispatched by registered and insured mail for the account and the risk of the purchaser. The purchaser is responsible for any dues or taxes outside of Switzerland and is advised to acquaint himself with the formalities. The auctioneer cannot be responsible for contraventions. The auction is held in Zurich and any legal questions arising shall be determined in Zurich. A buyer consigning commissions or executing room bids acknowledges the acceptance of the above conditions. The usual conditions applied to auction sales held in Zurich are here reiterated. The above mentioned conditions are written in German, French and English; the only valid text is the German one.
German:
Mit der Teilnahme an der Versteigerung werden folgende Bestimmungen anerkannt:
Die angegebenen Preise sind Schätzpreise in Schweizer Franken. Der Ausruf erfolgt in der Regel bei 80%, sofern nicht höhere Angebote vorliegen. Auf den Zuschlagspreis ist ein Aufgeld von 16.5% zu entrichten; für Auslieferungen in der Schweiz erhöht sich der Endpreis (Zuschlagspreis + Aufgeld und Versandspesen) um die MWSt von 7,6%. Goldmünzen (AV) sind von der MWSt befreit. Der Gesamtpreis ist nach erfolgtem Zuschlag fällig und bei der Aushändigung in Schweizer Franken zu bezahlen. Für verspätete Zahlungen wird ein Verzugszins von 1% pro Monat in Rechnung gestellt. Der Zuschlag erfolgt nach dreimaligem Aufruf des höchsten Gebotes und verpflichtet zur Annahme. Schriftliche Gebote haben den Vorrang. Jeder Ersteigerer verpflichtet sich für die durch ihn getätigten Käufe persönlich. Er kann nicht geltend machen, für Rechnung Dritter gehandelt zu haben. Für die Echtheit der Münzen wird vorbehaltlos und zeitlich unbeschränkt garantiert. Alle Angaben im Katalog sind nach bestem Wissen und Gewissen zusammengestellt. Der Versand erfolgt eingeschrieben und versichert auf Kosten und Risiko des Empfängers. Im Ausland verrechnete Gebühren und Steuern gehen zu Lasten des Käufers. Es obliegt dem Erwerber, sich über ausländische Zoll- und Devisenvorschriften zu informieren. Die Veranstalterin der Auktion übernimmt keine Haftung für allfälliges Zuwiderhandeln gegen solche Vorschriften. Erfüllungsort und Gerichtsstand im Verhältnis zwischen der Veranstalterin und dem Erwerber ist Zürich. Die Abgabe eines schriftlichen oder mündlichen Gebotes bedeutet gleichzeitig die Anerkennung der Auktionsbedingungen. Im übrigen kommen die ortsüblichen Gantbedingungen zur Anwendung. Vorliegende Bedingungen liegen in deutscher, französischer, italienischer und englischer Fassung auf. Bei Meinungsverschiedenheiten ist die deutsche Fassung massgebend.
French:
En participant à la vente, les conditions suivantes sont considérées comme acceptées:
Les prix indiqués sont des prix estimatifs en francs suisses. La vente débute en principe à 80% du prix d'estimation, pour autant qu'il n'y ait pas d'offres plus élevées. Sur le prix d'adjudication une majoration de 16.5% est prélevée. En cas de livraison en Suisse, le prix total (prix d'adjudication + majoration et frais d'expédition) est augmenté de la TVA de 7,6%. Les monnaies en or (AV) ne sont pas sujettes à la TVA. Le prix total, y compris les taxes, est payable en francs suisses à la réception de la marchandise. Un intérêt de 1% par mois sera facturé pour tout retard. L'adjudication a lieu après le 3e rappel de l'offre la meilleure et oblige l'acheteur à prendre son acquisition. A prix égal, les offres écrites ont la priorité. Chaque participant à la vente s'oblige pour les achats effectués par lui-même. Il ne peut faire valoir avoir agi pour un tiers. Nous garantissons l'authenticité des monnaies sans condition et sans aucune limite de temps. Les indications de notre catalogue ont été faites en toute science et conscience. L'envoi se fait sous pli recommandé, assuré, aux frais et risques du destinataire. Toutes taxes ou impôts prélevés à l'étranger sont à la charge du destinataire. L'acquéreur doit lui-même s'informer des prescriptions douanières et des taxes du pays d'importation. La maison organisatrice de la vente ne peut être tenue pour responsable au cas ou ces prescriptions ne seraient pas respectées. Le domicile juridique entre l'organisatrice et les acheteurs est Zurich, ceci en cas de différences. La remise d'une offre écrite ou verbale signifie en même temps l'acceptation des conditions précitées de vente aux enchères. Les conditions locales de mise aux enchères seront appliquées et celles-ci sont disponibles dans les langues allemande, française, italienne et anglaise. En cas de différences d'interprétation, le texte allemand fait foi.
Italian:
La partecipazione alla vendita all'asta comporta l'accettazione integrale delle seguente condizioni:
I prezzi indicati rappresentano la stima in franchi svizzeri. Se non sono pervenute offerte più elevate, l'inizio di battuta d'asta corrisponde generalmente all' 80% circa dello stesso. Al prezzo di aggiudicazione verrà aggiunto un diritto d'asta del 16.5%. Per le consegne all'acquirente in territorio svizzero sarà aggiunta al prezzo totale (prezzo di aggiudicazione + diritto d'asta e spese di spedizione) il 7,6% d'IVA. Le monete in oro (AV) non sono soggette al pagamento dell' IVA. L'importo complessivo sarà esigibile alla consegna dei lotti e pagabile in franchi svizzeri. In caso di ritardo nel pagamento sarà applicato un interesse dell'1% al mese sul totale dovuto. L'aggiudicazione avviene dopo la terza chiamata della migliore offerta ed obbliga l'offerente ad accettarla. In caso di parità di offerte, avrà la precedenza quella effettuata per corrispondenza. Ogni partecipante alla vendita all'asta è personalmente responsabile degli acquisti effettuati: pertanto egli non può pretendere di avere agito per conto di terzi. Gli oggetti offerti in vendita sono garantiti autentici senza limiti di tempo. L'invio degli oggetti viene di regola effettuato in plico postale raccomandato a spese ed a rischio del destinatario, il quale, se residente all'estero, dovrà assumere a proprio carico ogni eventuale tassa o imposta applicata nel paese di residenza. E' onere dell'acquirente d' informarsi sulle prescrizioni doganali e valutarie del paese d' importazione e la società organizzatrice della vendita all'asta non può essere ritenuta responsabile nel caso in cui esse non vengano rispettate. In caso di controversia è competente il foro di Zurigo. L'inoltro di un'offerta scritta o verbale implica l'accettazione senza riserve delle presenti condizioni d'asta. Saranno inoltre applicabili le consuetudini locali sulle vendite all'asta, il testo delle quali è disponibile nelle lingue tedesca, francese e inglese: in caso di divergenze di interpretazione farà fede il testo in lingua tedesca.