Provenance & Plate Coins V: Rome

(Photo Credit: CNG.) Collection History:
RBW Collection Duplicates [Richard B. Witschonke (1945-2015), from Elsen 37 (17 Dec 1994), 219 ; Agora 42 (6 Oct 2015), 116];
Dr. Jay M. Galst (1950-2020) Collection [CNG EA 550 (15 Nov 2023), 457].
Notes: Galst had only a few Republican bronzes, two of which were optical types for his 2018 book (coauthored w/ van Alfen) Ophthalmalogia. He bought this coin eight months after the death of RBW, I feel sure, to accompany an edited volume that his friend, the great RRC collector-scholar, had inscribed to him in 2013 (along w/ van Alfen, who coauthored that vol. too).
The volume includes Andrew McCabe’s important essay on anonymous struck bronzes of this type, using many of RBW’s coins as data (see next coin also):

I suspect RBW knew that, sooner or later, Galst would take his inscription as a challenge:
“I’m not sure that any of these will interest you…“
A credit to Galst that, being inexperienced in RRC, he nonetheless found a coin to perfectly fit the book — both in substance and in provenance!
This copy (inscribed to Galst by RBW and Peter van Alfen) is now in my library, reunited with the coin, a touching artifact of the friendship between two fine numismatists. They clearly belong together: the meaning of each object would be lost without the context of the other.

(Photo Credit: CNG.) Collection History:
Richard Schaefer (1946-) Collection [AKA “Goodman Coll.”];
RBW Collection Duplicates [Richard B. Witschonke (1945-2015), from RS, Apr 1989 ; CNG EA 374 (11 May 2016), 436];
Shetland Sheepdog Collection [CNG EA 548 (18 Oct 2023), 403].
Notes (substantive): While Andrew McCabe cited both Schaefer’s & RBW’s coins in his “provisional arrangement” of “The Anonymous Struck Bronze Coinage of the Roman Republic,” this piece and the one above seem to have escaped his attention. (McCabe in van Alfen & Witschonke, eds. [2013], Essays in Honour of Roberto Russo.) This die exhibits the defining feature of McCabe’s Group G3: the long, low prow-stem — so much so that it appears to overlap the dotted border!
Notes (provenance): See also my copy of that volume with the Sextans above. Not only did RBW edit the volume and sign that copy, but this coin’s other collector, Richard Schaefer, also contributed an essay.

(Photo Credit: CNG.) Collection History:
Frederick Hastings Rindge (1857–1905) Collection [Part I, Malter XXIX (22 Mar 1985), 284];
S & S Collection [acq. Malter XIX ; CNG EA 536 (12 Apr 2023), 424].
Institutional History: Boston Museum of Fine Arts, c. 1880s-1905/1941 (long-term loan/exhibition).
Notes: Rindge’s Republican coins were among the first and most important to be shown at the BMFA from at least 1889 until 1905 (but prob. later). Also in my collection: L. Flaminius Chilo Denarius, ex Rindge/BMFA loan [CNG EA 536, 440].

(Photo Credit: CJJ.) Collection History:
Alba Longa Collection (José Fernández Molina, d. 2003) [vol II, Aureo & Calicó 339 (14 Nov 2019), 1398];
Aureo 89 (4 Mar 1998), 1345;
A.N.E. (Xavier Calicó), Asociacion Numismatica Española (Barcelona, 15 Dec 1981), 508.
See also: ANS, Roman Republican Die Project, “Richard Schaefer Binder” No. 22, p. 2 (this coin illustrated twice from the 1981 & 1998 sales above).

(Photo Credit: Soler y Llach.) Collection history:
Ex Crippa FPL 1971 / 1, No. 379;
Kricheldorf 29 (3 Mar 1975), 249;
Sammlung Leo Benz (1906-1996) [Part I, Lanz 88 (23 Nov 1998), 407];
Colección Scipio [Part III, Soler y Llach 1124 (23 Feb 2022), 458].
Published: CNR 8/18 (this coin illustrated) in A. Banti (1980-2), Corpvs Nvmmorvm Romanorvm, vol. 5 (pp. 91 [photo], 93 [text], corr.: ·ꓘ not ꓘ).
See also: Illustrated twice in ANS, Roman Republican Die Project, Schaefer Binder #19 (Processed, 300-399): pp. 320_08_od [142, corr.] (ꓘ) & 320_10_od [144] (·ꓘ).

Notes: One of my favorite catalog sets! Rare hardbound Leo Benz (Lanz 88, 94, 100), ex Lanz Library. (Plus a set of the standard-issue softcover Benz catalogs.)

(Photo Credit: Bertolami.) Collection History:
“John Quincy Adams (1767-1848) Collection,” added by Charles Francis Adams (1807-1886) in 1860s London while serving as Minister to the UK [see Adams-RBW Provenance note, below];
Massachusetts Historical Society, donated by Henry Adams (1838-1918) in 1914 [deaccessioned, sold: Stack’s (5 Mar 1971), 496 (part); see note]];
RBW Collection [Richard B. Witschonke (1945-2015), Part II, NAC 63 (17 May 2012), 101].
Published: RBW 1325 (this coin illustrated), in: Russo, Robert (2013), The RBW Collection of Roman Republican Coins (Zurich: NFA).
My thanks to Jordan Montgomery for the RBW images, and to Humilau for the image from Charles Francis’ 1913 catalog, showing corr. weight of 26 grains.

(Photo Credit: Stack’s.) Collection History:
Este Family Collection (erroneously dubbed “Gonzaga Collection“), begun by Leonello d’Este c. 1430, countermarked w/ gold Aquiletta by Alfonso II c. 1574;
“Collectionneur Anonyme” (Horst-Ulbo Bauer?) [Monnaies et Médailles Vente Publique 52 (1975), Lot 263, one of 24, the largest such private collection to be published];
David B. Simpson Collection [Stack’s Bowers Global Showcase (12 Aug 2024), Lot 40053].
Published/Exhibited: Part of important exhibition at the Este Castle, c. 1571-4, curated by Pirro Ligorio (perhaps only 10% of the Este coll. was countermarked, being the 1,200-1,500 coins exhibited);
T.E.P. (this coin, uncertain number), The Este Project, F. Catalli et al. (database currently not working).
Notes: I know where this coin was in 1574 and 1975. Where was it for the intervening four centuries? This coin was part of the magnificent collection of 24 coins with Este Aquilette formed the anonymous collector (H.U. Bauer?) of MM 52. Most of those coins came from famous collections of the 19th and 20th centuries, but I have yet to find this one among their sales. Fortunately, I love nothing more than a question of provenance to research. I’m sure I’ll find more soon (i.e., within a few decades or less).

Although this coin is not known (yet) to have been published in the centuries immediately after it was famously exhibited at the Castello Ferrara, c. 1571-4, Fulvio Orsini published the earliest illustration (to my knowledge) of its type a few years later, in 1577. In 1734, Morrel published at least one Este coin in his Thesaurus, also illustrating the present type. Though a common coin, one wonders if the authors weren’t familiar with this specimen, having seen the famous collections of their time.

(Photo Credit: CNG.) Collection History:
Archer M. Huntington (1870-1955) Collection;
Hispanic Society of America [HSA 1001.1.22981, donated 1940s];
American Numismatic Society [ANS 1001.1.22981, long-term loan, accessioned, deaccessioned ; CNG EA 397 (17 May 2017), 469];
Lampasas Collection [CNG EA 488 (24 Mar 2021), 404].

(Photo credit: CNG.) Collection & Selected Sale Hist.:
(prob.) 1906 Caesarea Hoard (Noe 1937: 179) [dispersed by Indjoudjian Frères, Paris & Istanbul];
Franz Trau Jr. (1881-1931) [Hess/Gilhofer & Ranschburg, (22 May 1935), 394];
Walter Niggeler (1878-1964) [Leu/Münzen & Medaillen AG, Slg. Niggeler, Part II (21 Oct 1966), 659];
Peter J. Merani (1936-2020) [CNG Triton XXIV (19 Jan 2021), 139; video on YouTube];
Four additional sales not naming consignors.
Selected Publications: RPC I 3637, ex. 5 (this coin illustrated);
RPC Supplement II (2006) p.56 & Consolidated Supplement (2015), 3637.5 (this coin cited);
CNR 16, p. 136, no. 73 (this coin illustrated), in: A. Banti & L. Simonetti (1978), Corpus Nummorum Romanorum, Vol XVI: Da Messalina a Nerone.
Trau 394 (this coin) in: Attic Books (1976) reprint, Hess/Gilhofer & Ranschburg, Sammlung Franz Trau: Münzen der römischen Kaiser.
Howgego 850i (6^th coin cited);
Wildwinds “digital plate coin,” Caesarea & Nero pp.

(Photo Credit: HJB.) Collection History:
Jyrki Muona Collection [HJB 212 (9 Sep 2020) 511 (part of 35 denarii)];
This coin among dozens of denarii donated to science by Muona — drilled, sliced, and quartered so we would all know what is inside. The results totally changed what we knew about Roman silver coins & the economy (from Walker’s 1976 surface analysis): A few more notes in Otho “Numislit Exhibit”.
Selected Research/Publication History:
Ponting & Butcher (2005/2015), Archaeology Data Service, UK: No. M16 (this coin illustrated, before cut), Public Dataset: “Analysis of Roman Silver coins, Augustus to the reform of Trajan (27 BC – AD 100)”;
Butcher & Ponting (2014), M16 (this coin analyzed & illustrated by microscopic cross-section), pp. 136 & 253, in: Metallurgy of Roman Silver Coinage, from the Reform of Nero to the Reforms of Trajan (Cambridge);
Butcher, Ponting & Muona (2009), M16 (this coin illustrated by microscopic cross-section), pp. 299-303, in: “The Denarii of Otho: A Stylistic and Compositional Study,” RIN 100: 291-310.
Note: I also have a Titus (ex Muona & Orfew/Andrew Short Collection) from the same group & appearing in some of the same research as “M40.”

(Photo Credit: CJJ.) Collection History:
Archer M. Huntington (1870-1955) Collection;
Hispanic Society of America, w/ original museum tag [HSA 1001.1.22362, donated 1940s];
American Numismatic Society [ANS 1001.1.22362, long-term loan, accessioned, deaccessioned];
Lampasas Collection [CNG EA 397 (17 May 2017), 522 ; CNG EA 487 (10 Mar 2021), 510];
Charles Chamberlain Collection [CNG EA 509 (9 Feb 2022), 664].

(Photo Credit: HJB.) Collection History:
Henry Platt Hall (1863-1949) Collection [Part II, Glendining “Catalogue of the important collection…” (16 Nov 1950), 1198 (part)];
possibly (see note) ex Sammlung Franz Trau Jr. (1881-1931) [Hess/Gilhofer & Ranschburg, (22 May 1935), 561];
JSW Collection, w/ tray tag [J.S. Wagner, CNG EA 169 (25 Jul 2007), 203];
Curtis Clay Collection, w/ tray tags [HJB BBS 225 (30 Nov 2023), 23];
Institutional/Publication Hist.: RIC II.1 (2007, 2nd Ed.) 263 (this coin illustrated [from plaster cast]);
Plaster cast after Hall Collection, held at Heberden Coin Room of Ashmolean Museum, Oxford University;
Note – Trau: Curiously, unpublished until 2007. This coin/type not in BMCRE or RIC (1st ed.), as one would expected; Mattingly referenced Hall’s others. Conceivably, BMC 588–note & RIC 470; but that seems to be the Hall II, 1204 (part; also a Cohen 70-71 var. Concordia Dupondius).
Hall prob. added this coin too late for BMCRE II (1930) & RIC III (1926). The most likely candidate is Trau 561 (Hess, 1935), described there as a C. 70 but with Concordia “Sitz.” (C. 70 is standing, CONCOR AVG.) (Glendining lists >19 of Hall’s coins as ex-Trau, no doubt among others.) Neither illustrated it, which might explain how this type eluded proper publication before RIC II.1 (263) in 2007.
Note – Kraay: Curtis Clay’s friend/colleague Colin Kraay (1918-1982) was a long-time keeper of coins (from 1948, and “the” Keeper, 1975-82) at Heberden Coin Room, and published extensively on Vespasian bronzes & other Flavian coinage, so he would’ve known this specimen’s cast. (But at least 25 years before it came to Clay’s possession.)
See also: On Clay & Kraay, see also the Antoninus Pius Sestertius below. When the Byzantine are up, see Goodacre’s John III Tetarteron; Kraay’s service overlapped 30 of its 34-year loan to Heberden.

(Photo Credit: CJJ / CNG.) Collection History:
Kenneth Bressett (1928 – ) Collection [purchased in 1957 for $8 from Salton ; CNG Keystone Auction 6 (11 Mar 2022), 3156 (Corr. Obv/rev legends, date/mint, ref. no)];
Mark M. Salton-Schlessinger (1914-2005), with his tag & uncertain envelope;
(possibly) Ex Hesperia (V. Clain-Stefanelli/R. Hecht, Baltimore) FPL 1 (Spring 1951), 386 (“F/VF”) or 387 (“G”). [Salton-Hesperia note].
Note: This coin on “captives” page.

(Photo Credit: HJB.) Collection History:
Apostolo Zeno (1668-1750) Collection [formed c. 1722-1747];
St. Florian Monastery Collection [1747-1955 ; Dorotheum, Zeno Part I (13 Jun 1955), 952, ill. on plate 16];
Ex Alex G. Malloy (uncertain sale), 574 & Silenos (eBay, 11 Nov 2005);
Curtis Clay Collection, w/ tray tags [Part III, HJB BBS 227 (bt. 15 Mar 24), 93 ; Berk’s coin-in-hand video].
Notes: I suspect Clay found several things notable about this coin. He spent his early career in Vienna (Zeno himself was a foreigner in Vienna when he served in the court of Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI) and was familiar with the practice of Austrian monasteries holding ancient coin collections. I assume Clay knew Robert Göbl (1919-1997), the great Viennese numismatist who cataloged the Zeno sales & commented of this coin, “Der Revers ist auf GENIO SENATVS überprägt.”
Clay certainly knew Colin Kraay, for whom he coined the phrase “Kraay Overstrikes,” based on their conversations (2008, JAN v. 1.2-2). Two reverses must have been paired w/ this obverse (anvil die) & struck in alternating fashion; this coin was struck once w/ the GENIO SENVATVS reverse & then, instead of being replaced by a fresh blank, w/ the Liberalitas scene (the “SENA” remains clear).
Additional Notes: It is fascinating to me that this coin came from two extremes of repute in the “hierarchy of respectability” for provenances: first, from one of the world’s oldest, most distinguished private collections, Apostolo Zeno’s; second, from a notorious eBay dealer surrounded by smuggling accusations, Interpol warrants, organized crime & Bulgarian public corruption, and at least one murder mystery (see e.g., Campbell 2013). A lesson, perhaps, not to assume that a coin associated w/ a scandalous dealer must itself be disreputable.

(Photo Credit: HJB.) Collection History:
Sammlung Dr. Karl Gustav Elberling (1797-1873);
Curtis Clay Collection, w/ tray tags [Part III, HJB BBS 227, 97 ; acq. NAC Auction I (19 May 1999), Lot 1990].
Possibly (?) Spink Numismatic Circular 158 (Jan 1906), 23130 (not illustrated, no weight)
Publication History: Elberling 32 (this coin illustrated) on Pl. V, Nr. 88, in “Die Wichtigsten Exemplare in Meiner Sammlung Römischer Münzen,” Part III, in Publications de la Section Historique de l’Institut Royal Grand-Ducal de Luxembourg (v. 20, 1864/5);
this coin cited in all of the following:
Cohen VII [Supplement] (1868: p. 155) 114 (10 Fr.) [on Google books];
Cohen (1882: p. 359) 929 (4 Fr.) [on Google books];
* notice that Feuardent reduced Cohen’s est. by a factor of 2.5X (10 Fr. -> 4 Fr.) in 14 yrs! For the exact opposite, see Hendin 160A from 1976 to 1987;
BMC 1651, note (this coin cited), in Coins of the Roman Empire in the British Museum, vol 4 (Mattingly & Carson, 1940: p. 266, note) [on Archive];
RIC 753 (this coin cited with note of doubt, “probably same Rev. as No. 750”), in The Roman Imperial Coinage, vol III (Mattingly & Sydenham, 1930: p. 122 & note);
Strack +83 (this coin cited as “probable”);
ERIC II 780 (this coin cited as unverified).
See also: OCRE RIC III 753 (zero specimens).
Notes: For nearly 150 years, this was the only known specimen. A second specimen came to market in 2012 & 2013, now in the Charles Schotman collection. (Notice that when C. Clay comments on that ex., his discusses this coin without realizing it was in his collection! He discovered he owned the Elberling coin a year later.)
Additional Notes: As I commented in my Elberling bio, his work had a major impact (being thoroughly referenced in Cohen), but was sadly soon forgotten. Many of the later authors, using Cohen’s 2nd ed., were apparently unaware of Elberling’s remarkable 10 part catalog illustrated w/ 24 detailed plates by Conrad Rosbach (1817-1885). Several later authors suggested varying degrees of doubt about the accuracy of this coin’s description, but the original illustration leaves no doubt. The recovery of this lost provenance is thanks to the careful research of Curtis Clay, who acquired it from NAC, who cataloged it without provenance (while unknowingly citing this coin as RIC 753, Cohen 929!). Clay had, for years, been one of the only professional catalogers to regularly cite Elberling in HJB & Gemini catalogs, so it is only fitting that the coin spent 25 years in his collection.

Related: Also in my collection, Elberling’s later article from the same series, “Wichtigsten Examplare in Meiner Sammlung… [Teil V]” (PSH v. 23, 1867/8). Although this one doesn’t include my coin, it is signed by Elberling and inscribed to GTI de la Fontaine (1787-1871), the first Prime Minister of Luxembourg (1848) & co-founder of the Grand Duchy’s historical institute — to which Elberling’s collection was promised. The heirs instead sold the collection. (Might that have been partly because de la Fontaine preceded Elberling in death by two years, thus no longer able to advocate for the bequest?)

(Photo Credit: Leu.) Collection History:
Collezione Giuseppe Mazzini (1883-1961);
George His (1927-2021) Collection [CNG MBS 69 (8 Jun 2005), 1465];
Sammlung Dipl. Ing. Adrian Lang [Leu 12 (15 May 2022), 1386].
Publication Hist.: Mazzini 351 (this coin illustrated), in M. Ratto (1957), Monete Romani Imperiali, vol. III, Pl. XCI;
Banti 105 (this coin illustrated), in (1983) Il Grandi Bronzi, v. IV.2, p. 331.
See Also: Wildwinds, Gordian III page, RIC 337a (this coin illustrated); see also Sear 8741 page.
Notes: See this coin on “Barbarians, Captives & Enemies” page; video & additional provenance background on blogpost (15 Jul 2022).

(Photo Credit: CNG.) Collection History:
Kenneth Bressett (1928-) Collection [CNG Keystone Auction 6 (11 Mar 2022), 3231 & 3244 ; acq. Boston, 1950];
Joseph Powers [Boston Numismatic Society ; prob. acq. Seaby, 1940s];
Dorchester Hoard (1936) [IRBCH 470].
Notes: “The Great Dorchester Hoard of 1936” (Mattingly, NC 1939), one of the largest & most important hoards ever found in Britain (>22,000 total coins, 20,748 identified). Although fully tabulated by Mattingly, my specimens are of common types not individually cited: Gordian III (Cohen 299, 128 specimens); Philip I (Cohen 9 X3, 526 specs.), (Cohen 25, 411 specs.), (Cohen 215, 167 specs.).

(Photo Credit: CJJ.) Collection History:
George H. Earle, Jr. (1856-1928) [Henry Chapman “Earle Sale” (25 Jun 1912), 703 (not ill.), purchased by “HY” (Henry Chapman?) over “Black” (?)];
Mark M. Salton-Schlessinger (1914-2005) & Lottie Salton (1924-2020) Collection, with their tag & envelope [Künker 377, Salton Collection Part IV (20 Oct 2022), 5990].
Note: David Fanning (2020) described Chapman’s Earle sale as the single most important early American ancient coin auction catalog. Image below from Bass-Hamelberg hand-named & priced copy (by Chapman?) digitized by NNP-ANS. The “HY” was written more clearly on previous lots; Henry Chapman acting as agent for clients, I assume. “Black” is a bidder code (others: “White,” “Purple,” & “Boston” for Bement). (Previous lots in the Bass Library sale incl. Chapman bid book…wonder if D.H. has that too?! Seeing as we’re almost neighbors…)

(Photo Credit: Jacquier.) Collection History:
Philippe Gysen (1950-2019) Collection, Inv. #5 [Jacquier 46 (Slg. Gysen, Part II; 20 Sep 2019), 315; acq. Berliner Münzauktion 74 (31 Oct 1992), Lot 512].
Publication Hist.: Bastien Suppl. II 196-e (this coin illustrated), in Amandry, Estiot & Gautier (2003), Le Monnayage de L’Atelier de Lyon, Supplement II;
Hiland & Oliva 9 (this coin illustrated), in La Le Règne de l’Empereur Probus, Histoire et Numismatique, p. 79.
See Also: Probvs.net RIC 17 (ex. 1 of 3, this coin illustrated online);
Probuscoins.fr Coin ID 555 (this coin illustrated online).
Notes: As Grzegorz Kryszczuk kindly informed me, this coin was No. 5 in Gysen’s inventory, making it one of his first coins (acq. 1992).

(Photo Credit: CJJ [edited].) Collection History:
Paul DiMarzio (1962-) Londinium Collection, w/ tag [CNG EA 525 (19 Oct 2022), 1389 ; Hookmoor FPL 1 (Feb 2016), 12];
Lee Toone (1958-) Collection, w/ tag [Clive Eyre, October 2010].
Publication History: CT 7.01.007 (this coin illustrated) in: H. Cloke & L. Toone (2015), The London Mint of Constantius and Constantine.
See Also: Lech Stepniewski (2004 ff.),“Not In RIC,” CORRIGENDA Vol. VI, p. 134, Lond. 136 (this coin).

(Photo Credit: CNG.) Collection History:
Kenneth Bressett (1928-) Collection [CNG Keystone Auction 6 (11 Mar 2022), 3335, 3352];
Lincoln W. Higgie, III (1938-) Collection;
Lincoln Higgie Hoard (1967, Turkey).
Notes: The “Lincoln Higgie Hoard” was “discovered in Turkey by Lincoln W. Higgie, III, in 1967 and sold intact to Ken Bressett.” It contained about 40 VRBS ROMA AEs, plus a couple dozen Constantine I and II. Characteristic of the era, no publications or other reports of the hoard seem to have been made (nor does one imagine cultural property and export permits were considered a major concern).