Ancients at Heritage

IONIA. Ephesus. Phanes (ca. 625-600 BC). EL stater. NGC VF 4/5 - 4/5.

Heritage offered the impossibly rare Phanes stater in 2019. Phanes coinage falls into seven denominations, from the stater down to a 1/96 stater, all featuring the stag in various poses. There are only two other known staters. It made $300k.

SICILY. Syracuse. Time of Dionysius I (405-367 BC) AR decadrachm NGC MS 5/5 - 5/5.

Considered to be the most beautiful coins ever struck, the silver decadrachms of Syracuse represent the apex of classical Greek sculptural art. Syracuse, the foremost Greek city in Sicily, had produced coins of great beauty for a century when engravers began signing their coin dies. Master engravers Kimon and Euainetos are recognized today.

Prices range from tens of thousands to well over $100k. Price depends on artistry, condition, provenance, and if signed by Kimon or Euainetos.

Quintus Labienus, rebel Imperator (40-39 BC). AR denarius. NGC AU 5/5 - 3/5

Quintus Labienus was the son of Titus Labienus, one of Julius Caesar's generals, who threw his support to Pompey and the Senate during the Civil War of 49-45 BC. Following the assassination of Caesar in 44 BC, Quintus fell in with the assassins Brutus and Cassius. He would be dead by the end of the year, 40BC.

Prices range from $7,500 for low grade examples to over $82,500 for exceptional coins.