Numismatica Ars Classica Zurich

Auction 91  –  23 May 2016

Numismatica Ars Classica Zurich, Auction 91

The George W. La Borde Collection of Roman Aurei

Mo, 23.05.2016, from 11:30 AM CEST
The auction is closed.

Description

The George W. La Borde Collection of Roman Aurei Part I
THE ROMAN EMPIRE
Elagabalus, 218-222
Aureus 220, AV 6.46 g. IMP ANTONINVS PIVS AVG Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust r. Rev. P M TR P III COS III P P Elagabalus seated l. on curule chair, holding globe and sceptre; in field l., star. C 166. BMC 181 var. (star high l. in field). RIC 33. Calicó 3007.
An extremely rare variety (star in lower l. field) of a rare type. An unusually attractive
portrait in the finest style of the period. Virtually as struck and virtually Fdc
Provenance
Sold by Adolph Hess A.G. & Bank Leu, Hermann Rosenberg expert, auction 15, Lucerne, 7 April 1960, lot 371, estimated CHF 1’900 to 2’200.
Götz Grabert (1924-2000) Collection sold by LHS Numismatik, auction 97 (”A European Scholar lately deceased”), Zurich, 10 May 2006, lot 54.

Few emperors are known almost exclusively for their peculiarities and perversions, but on the short list of qualified applicants, Elagabalus rises to the top. The 19th century antiquarian S.W. Stevenson, ever a delight for his artfully delivered comments, did not fail to deliver in his summary of Elagabalus whom he called: "…the most cruel and infamous wretch that ever disgraced humanity and polluted a throne…" Elagabalus and his family had lived in Rome during the reign of Caracalla, who was rumored to have been Elagabalus’ natural father. When Caracalla was murdered, his prefect and successor, Macrinus, recalled the family to their homeland of Syria. Upon arriving, Elagabalus assumed his role as hereditary priest of the Emesan sun-god Heliogabalus. For the Roman soldiers in the vicinity, who engaged in the common practice of solar worship, and who had fond memories of the slain Caracalla, Elagabalus was an ideal candidate for emperor. He soon was hailed emperor against Macrinus, who was defeated in a pitched battle just outside Antiochia.

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Bidding

Price realized 32'000 CHF
Starting price 20'000 CHF
Estimate 25'000 CHF
The auction is closed.
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