Sale: Triton VI, Lot: 578. Estimate $12500.  Closing Date: Monday, 13 January 2003.  Sold For $8000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

SAMARIA, Neapolis. A specialized collection of twenty-six Æ, from Domitian to Volusian. Domitian. Legend. Rosenberger 1 // Palmtree. Rosenberger 5 // Grain ears. BMC 16 // Marcus Aurelius. Nike. Rosenberger 13 // Faustina Jr. Ephesian Artemis. BMC 63 // Commodus. Tyche. Rosenberger 24 // Ephesian Artemis. Rosenberger 26 // Macrinus. Mt. Gerizim. Rosenberger 32 // Elagabalus. Temple of Tyche. Rosenberger 44 (ex Stack's, 12 April 2000, lot 221) // Quadriga of Elagabal. Rosenberger 50 // Nike. Rosenberger 51 // Julia Soaemias. Tyche. Rosenberger 68 // Philip I. Asklepios and Hygieia. BMC 124 // Marsyas and Mt. Gerizim. Rosenberger 77 // She-wolf and Mt. Gerizim. Rosenberger 80 var. // Eagle and tablet. Rosenberger 81 // Philip I and Philip II. Tyche and emperor. Rosenberger -; BMC - // Otacilia Severa. Tyche holding Mt. Gerizim. Rosenberger 95 (ex Superior, 8 December 1999, lot 1593) // Philip II. Emperor on horseback. BMC 142 (ex Stack's, 12 April 2000, lot 349) // Trebonianus Gallus. Nike and goddess. Rosenberger 111 // Legend. Rosenberger 114 // Poseidon and boar (emblems of the 10th Legion). Rosenberger 120 (Extremely rare) // Volusian. Mt. Gerizim. Rosenberger 123 // Mt. Gerizim. Rosenberger 124 // Mt. Gerizim. Rosenberger 125.PLUS, the rarest coin in the collection: Otacilia Severa, wife of Philip I. Æ 30mm (15.45 gm). M OT SEVERAE AVG MC, diademed and draped bust right, on crescent / COL NEAPOLI NEOCOPO, nude figure with modius on head walking right, holding staff (gnomon?) and altar, Mt. Gerizim above, DEKANOC to left, star to right. Rosenberger III, 96; Y. Meshorer, "Three Interesting Cults at Neapolis in Samaria", in Kraay-Mørkholm Essays, pg. 175, 2 (this coin illustrated); Y. Meshorer, TestiMoney, pg. 63, 1 (reverse of this coin illustrated); Harl 60. One of three known examples. Fine, encrusted dark green patina. The Dekanoi were 36 heavenly beings who divided and guided the 360º of the Zodiac. In Jewish and Samarian theology they became 36 righteous souls who protected the world, and prepared for the arrival of the Messiah. This is the only represention of a Dekanos on a coin.The collection averages Fine to good VF, with many rare types being candidates for the finest known examples. A unique opportunity for the advanced collector of city coins. Twenty-six (26) coins in lot. ($12,500) 

Neapolis (Biblical Shechem) had been a cult center for the Samarians since the 10th century BC. Although nominally Jews, the Samarians’ cosmopolitan tolerance of other beliefs infuriated their fellow Jews in Jerusalem, causing endless friction between them. That the Samarians retained their acceptance of other polytheistic faiths is proven by the coins struck in Neapolis after its founding as a Roman colony by Vespasian in 72 AD. Besides the ever-present temple to Zeus-Hypsistos on the summit of Mt. Gerizim, we find dedications to Artemis, Asklepios, Elagabal, Marsyas, Nemesis, Nike, Serapis, Triptolemus, and Tyche, as well as Biblical references and several types of obscure cultic significance. Numerous reverses also extoll the friendly relations between the Romans and the Samarians. The present collection offers an unparalleled opportunity to acquire a broad range of scarce and high grade coins from this important city in the Holy Land.