SOLD
130,000.00CHFto f****************** + buyer's premium (21,450.00)
This item SOLD at 2010 Mar 24 @ 15:38UTC+01:00 : BST/CET
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The Roman Empire. Uranius Antoninus, 253–254. Aureus, Emesa October-November 253 (?), AV 6.15g. L IVL AVR SVLP VRA ANT[ONIN]VS Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust r. Rev. CONSERVATO–R AVG Pacing quadriga l., bearing conical stone of Emesa engraved with eagle and flanked by parasols. C 2 var. (omits VRA). Delbrueck, NC 1948, fig. 8 (obverse) and fig. 3. (reverse). Baldus, Uranius Antoninus 69 (these dies). Kent-Hirmer pl. 127, 461 (these dies). RIC 2. Calicó 3383 (this coin). Extremely rare and of great historical interest. Slightly off-centre on both sides, otherwise virtually as struck and almost Fdc. Ex Sotheby’s 19 June 1990, Hunt part I, 143; NAC 8, 1995, 917 and Vecchi 8, 1997, 328 sales. From the Weintraub collection. In the mid-3rd Century, Rome's enemies along the Rhine, Danube and Euphrates became increasingly aggressive, sometimes inspiring frontier legions to rebel on behalf of their commanders. One such instance was the revolt of Uranius Antoninus in Emesa during an invasion of Syria by the Sasanian king Shapur I. Two literary sources are helpful: the pagan Zosimus, writing in about 500, speaks of a usurper Antoninus who rebelled under Gallienus, and John Malalas, a Christian writing at least half a century later, describes an Emesan priest of Aphrodite named Samsigeramus who assembled an army of “rustic slingers” that defeated Shapur's army at Emesa as it returned from sacking Antioch. Another source, the Oracula Sibyllina XIII, predicted a Persian defeat at Emesa. Since this is a Graeco-Roman text of the era, composed in provincial Syria to predict the deliverance of Syria from the Persians, it is of great value in identifying Emesa as the site of the Persian reversal. The coinage issued at Emesa by Uranius is of critical value in supporting the meagre literary evidence. One of Uranius' provincial bronzes is dated to the 565th year of the Seleucid Era, providing a chronological anchor of A.D. 253/4 for his rebellion, which accords well with the account of John Malalas. For a short-lived usurper, Uranius produced a diverse and fascinating coinage of imperial-style aurei and denarii and three types of provincial coinage–large bronzes, billon tetradrachms and silver ‘tetradrachms’. His aurei were uncommonly heavy for the period and his silver 'tetradrachms' were of high purity (and the intrinsic equivalent of two of Shapur's dirhams). On his provincial issues Uranius uses the name Sulpicius Antoninus and the titles imperator (AYTOKPATWP) and Augustus (CEBACTOC), whereas on his Latin coinage he uses no imperial title and offers his full name, Lucius Julius Aurelius Sulpicius Uranius Antoninus. The name Samsigeramus recorded by Malalas suggests the victor over Shapur was the current priest of Elagabal, and thus a member of the old Emesan royal house of Samsigeramus and Sohaemus. Though this name is not attested on the coinage, it would come as no surprise if an adopted Latin name would be used on that medium, just as the Emesan sun priest Elagabalus (Heliogabalus) assumed the name Marcus Aurelius Antoninus when he was raised to the throne. A connection of Uranius with the Severan-Emesan house is to be assumed. The emperors Caracalla, Geta, Elagabalus and Severus Alexander were all maternal descendants of Julius Bassianus, the high priest of Elagabal who reputedly was a direct descendant of Sampsigeramus, the last king of independent Emesa. The presumed Severan connection is made even stronger with this aureus, the reverse of which copies one of Elagabalus that shows the stone of Elagabal being transported from Emesa to Rome (as it had been just 35 years before). This coin type, in many ways the finest emblem of Uranius' revolt, shows that he based his legitimacy not only upon his priestly role in Emesa, but his hereditary link with the Severan dynasty.
Auction Location:
Hotel Baur au Lac, Talstrasse 1, Zurich, 8001, Switzerland
Previewing Details:
in London: February 22 to March 8, 2010
in Zurich: March 23, 2010
Buyer's Premiums:
| From (Incl.) | To (Excl.) | Premium |
| 0.00 |
Infinite |
16.5% |
Additional Fees:
Shipping Details:
The coins will be dispatched by registered, insured and priority 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.
Terms and Conditions:
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.