Largest & Heaviest Coin of Tarsos – Ex Levante and von Aulock

CNG 93, Lot: 918. Estimate $1000. Sold for $2000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

CILICIA, Tarsus. Severus Alexander. AD 222-235. Æ (44mm, 48.50 g, 12h). Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Sacrificial scene: Four figures around garlanded altar – Priestess standing left, to attendants standing right behind altar, and Perseus, holding harpe, standing left; column surmounted by statue of Apollo Lyceius in background; before altar, bull kneeling left. SNG Levante 1087 = SNG von Aulock 6027 (this coin); SNG France 1573 (same dies). Fine, brown patina, a few typical minor edge splits. An extraordinary medallic bronze, undoubtedly the largest and heaviest coin struck at Tarsus.

From the Kelly J. Krizan, M.D. Collection. Ex Classical Numismatic Group 64 (24 September 2003), lot 705; Eduardo Levante Collection, 1087; Hans von Aulock Collection, 6027.