A silver Denarius of Clodius Macer estimated at US$100,000 will go under the hammer during the International Numismatic Convention in New York on 6, 7 and 8 of January 2015 alongside other exceptional Roman Imperial Coins, ancient Judean coins and Part Two of the acclaimed David Sellwood Collection of Parthian Coinage.
A.H. Baldwin & Sons Ltd, in association with Dmitry Markov Coins, Medals and M & M Numismatics and Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles Inc. will hold the sale.
Clodius Macer (AD 68) was appointed provincial governor of North Africa during the reign of Nero (AD 54-68). Along with Senatorial rank, Macer also had the power to act as General in the Roman Army. Following Nero's suicide, Macer seized Carthage and began striking his own coinage. He amassed support legions against newly appointed Galba in the North coast of Africa and put pressure on Rome by threatening to cut off her grain supply.
ANCIENT COINS, ROMAN COINS, Clodius Macer, Silver Denarius, 3.62g, Governor of Africa, AD 68. Mint of Carthage. L CLODI-VS MACER, S C below bust, bare head of Clodius Macer facing right. Rev. PRO/PRAE in two lines above, AFRICAE below, war galley with aplustre and five oarsmen sailing right (RIC 37; K. V. Hewitt, NC 1983, 55 (dies 31/37) = L. Mildenberg, Vestigia Leonis p.362, pl. LI, 1 (this coin); A. Gara, RIN 1970, p.67, 7, and pl. 1, 11/12; BMC 1; RSC 13). An excellent portrait unusually well-centred, complete and of excellent metal, attractive old cabinet tone adds to its appeal, superb extremely fine. Exceedingly rare and probably the finest specimen known.
ex Tunis Hoard
ex Sternberg Auction III, 29-30 November 1974, lot 47
ex Highly Important Greek and Roman Coins, The Nelson Bunker Hunt Collection (part I), Sotheby's, 19 June 1990, lot 126
ex James Fox Collection, CNG/NAC Auction 40, 4 December 1996, lot 1402
ex Barry Feirstein Collection, NAC Auction 39, 16 May 2007, lot 107
Galba retaliated by having Macer killed and immediately recalled and melted all of Macer's coinage, accounting for their extreme rarity today. Fewer than 85 of Macer's coins survive today and only 20 feature his portrait, of which this is the finest known specimen. When this superb Silver Denarius goes under the hammer it is estimated to achieve US$100,000.
Macer's modest coins are reminiscent of those struck during the Republic of Rome. In modern times this has fuelled suggestions that he was attempting to re-establish the Roman Republic. Coins during this Republican period were decorated with iconic images that reinforced the glory of Rome and her history. They did not carry the portraits of living people until Julius Caesar’s image started to appear on coins in 44BC.
The sale will be held on Tuesday 6, Wednesday 7and Thursday 8 January 2015 at the New York International Numismatic Convention. The catalogue will be available to view online at www.baldwin.co.uk.
