When Henry Gorringe excavated Cleopatra’s Needle in 1880, he reportedly found this bronze coin of Cleopatra under the pedestal. Its whereabouts and significance were forgotten for 140 years. Until now.
Category: Showcase Coins
My First 100 Provenance-Coins Posted
I’ve just reached 100 “provenance coins” cataloged online. Click for “object biographies” (click again to enlarge). See also the collector bios & more in the “provenance glossary.”
Provenance Glossary: Dr. Jay M. Galst (1950-2020)
Jay Galst (1950-2020) was a prominent New York ophthalmologist & important numismatist. His magnus opus was Ophthalmologia Optica et Visio in Nummis (2013, ANS, w/ van Alfen). Much of his collection was auctioned by CNG, 2021-.
“Provenance Diagrams” for Ancient Coins: Chain-of-Custody, Publication, Sales and Other Important Events in Numismatic “Object Biography”
“Provenance Diagrams” are a way to visually represent important moments in a coin’s “object biography.” These can begin with a hoard discovery, continue to sales and collections, or publications, exhibitions, and other key events.
New Additions: Roman Bronze Coins with Distinguished Provenances Depicting “Barbarians, Captives, and Enemies”
In addition to the interesting imagery of captives on their reverses, each coin has a notable provenance and backstory related to the modern history of classical numismatics.
Showcase: Gordian plate coin, Giovanni Dattari (1858-1923) Collection, important die variant
Pedigreed to 1901, from the Giovanni Dattari Collection & plate coin from Savio-Dattari & RPC. Gordian III Tetradrachm of Egypt, Alexandria with very rare obverse die & legend arrangement.
Historic Classic: Julius Caesar Elephant Denarius 49 BCE
A historically significant, iconic classic. The coins of Julius Caesar are of special interest to numismatists because they not only reflected important historical moments, but actually played a role in shaping them.
Historic “Justinian Plague Follis,” Constantinople 541 CE
[Updated 15 July 2022.] In the Spring of 541, the devastating Bubonic Plague reached Byzantine N. Africa. By Fall, it struck Constantinople. Justinian himself was famously infected, miraculously survived, and bore the facial scars for life. The city was decimated by the “Justinian Plague,” with incalculable consequences for the Empire and for Western History.