Solidus Auction 126: Fine Late Antique Solidi and Very Rare Russian Coins

In the current auction 126, Solidus presents 580 attractive lots with some rarities, including some late antique solidi in fine condition, an extremely rare Viking Hedeby penny and rare Russian Imperial coins. Interesting coin groups with very moderate estimates will be offered at the end of the auction. The auction will be held as a live auction on the AUEX auction platform on Tuesday, 21 November 2023 from 16:00. Pre-bids can already be submitted.

Lot 1019: Sarmatia. Olbia. 437 – 410 B.C. Very rare, heavy Dolphin money of bronze. Starting price: 5,800 EUR.

The auction begins with Celtic coins, predominantly from the East Celtic area, followed by interesting imitations of Greek and Roman coins. Greek coins from the European areas come from Magna Graecia, the Black Sea region, including an exceptionally large and heavy dolphin coin from Olbia weighing over 95 g (lot 1019). Thrace, Macedonia, Thessaly and Attica. Various coins from Greek cities and peripheral cultures of the Greek world in Asia Minor follow.

Lot 1175: Solidus of Honorius, 393 – 395 A.D., Sirmium. Starting price: 800 EUR.

A group of provincial Roman coins is followed by denarii from the Roman Republic. The Roman Imperial period begins with a selection of coins from the 1st – 3rd centuries made of silver and bronze. The late antique coinage includes some excellently preserved solidi (lots 1174 – 1178) alongside beautiful bronze coins, which lead on to the Byzantine coinage. Clay seals and interesting lead objects round off the ancient period.

Lot 1191: Denmark. Haithabu. Hedeby-Penny, Mid 9th century. Starting price: 1,800 EUR.

Among the coins from the Middle Ages, an extremely rare pfennig from the middle of the 9th century stands out (lot 1191), which was probably minted in the Viking trading emporium of Haithabu (Hedeby), with a strikingly stylised depiction of an animal on one side. The remainder of the offering focuses on coins from south-eastern European dominions (Serbia, the principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia, Hungary) and the Crusaders.

Lot 1331: Russia. Alexander II. Rubel 1859 commemorating the monument for Nikolaus I. Starting price: 1,000 EUR.

This is followed by German coins, Habsburg and Austrian coins as well as European coins. There are again several Russian rarities on offer (lots 1328 – 1332): a Sestroretsk rouble of 1771, a novodel of 1845; a copper strike (novodel) of a 5 rouble piece of 1817 on a thick piece; in gold 50 zloty 1819 Warsaw for Poland; the splendid specimen of a rouble of 1859 on the unveiling of the equestrian monument to Nicholas I; a trial strike in copper for the 3 rouble piece of 1875.

Several medals and Islamic coins round off the range of individual coins.

The last section of the auction is made up of interesting coin groups with very moderate estimate prices.