The upcoming Stack’s Bowers Galleries May Collectors Choice Online Auction featuring Ancient and World coins is now online and can be viewed here. This week’s ancient coin preview is lot 70113, a scarcely seen type produced by a rebellious Alexander of Carthage. Domitius Alexander led a short rebellion against Maxentius in A.D. 308, holding North Africa and Sardinia. Little is known about this usurper, likely due to his brief tenure. The coins produced by Alexander were the last to be coined by Romans in Carthage, though a mint would open up under Byzantine rule nearly two centuries later. The obverse features a right facing laureate head of Alexander that is somewhat off-center, but the portrait is bold and most of his name is clear. The reverse shows a Legionary eagle (Aquila) between two vexilla surmounted by hand (on left) and wreath (on right). This example offers nice glossy brown surfaces and is sure to be a treasured piece in its next collection.
We are currently accepting consignments of world and ancient coins as well as world paper money for our August 2018 ANA Auction, our October 2018 Collectors Choice Online Auction and the January 2019 New York International Auction. In addition, we are taking consignments of Chinese and other Asian coins and currency for our August 2018 Hong Kong Showcase Auction. Time is running short, so if you are interested in consigning your coins and paper currency (whether a whole collection or a single rarity) be sure to contact one of our consignment directors.