Sale 12
Lot 606
ATABEG OF SHABANKARA (FADLUYID): Baha al-Din Isma'il b. Muhammad, fl. 1282, AV dinar (4.62g), NM, ND, A-H1941, Isma'il was vassal under the Mongols, and his dinars cite the Ilkhan ruler Abaqa as his overlord, Extremely Fine, RRR.
The Ilkhan Mongols allowed several local Iranian dynasties to continue to rule as subordinates after the Ilkhan conquest of the region. Coins were struck by the Qutlughkhanids of Kirman, Salghurids of Shiraz, Atabeks of Yazd, and Fadluyids of Shabankara, always citing the current Ilkhan as overlord. Either 3 or 4 specimens of the Fadluyid ruler Isma'il were discovered in an Ilkhan gold hoard that was marketed in the late 1980s, and it appears that none have appeared ever since. Although it is possible that either a mint or date appears in the marginal inscriptions (almost completely off flan), neither is discernible on all known examples. Shabankara (Shabankareh) was a town located about 40 miles northwest of Darab (Darabjird), and was also the name of the provincial district. The town still exists, under the name of Eij, formerly also the site of a military fortress, now just a village on a main highway. The modern Shabankareh town & district is located south of Shiraz and should not be confused with the medieval Shabankara.
Estimate $10,000-14,000
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Lot 900
TIBET: Thubten Gyatso, 1879-1933, AV tangka (5.12g), ND (1910), Y-14cf, flower design in an inner square, with outer square divided into four compartments surrounded by ornaments with Tibetan legend "Ga-den Palace, victorious in all directions" / wheel symbol in inner circle, outer circle is divided into eight compartments and each compartment holds one of the eight Buddhist symbols, Extremely Fine, RRRR.
While this coin does not bear a date, it is known that it was struck in 1910 and was struck specially for distribution to monks by the Dalai Lama at an important ceremony on February 21st, 1910. This piece was purchased from Century Coins in Los Angeles on May 9, 1971 and is the first piece struck in gold we have ever encountered. The only other example of this type we are aware of is in the collection of the British Museum and is a die match with this example.
Estimate $10,000-15,000
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Lot 425
EGYPT: Ali Bey, 1769-1771, AR piastre (11.49g), Misr, AH1183, KM-117, believed to be the finest known example, couple minuscule scratches in obverse field, barely noticeable without a magnifier, Very Fine to Extremely Fine, RRR, ex. Ken Bovenkamp Collection.
Ali Bey Al-Kabir was originally a Mamluk soldier, he rose to prominence in 1768 when he rebelled against his Ottoman rulers making Egypt independent. His rule following the insubordination of his most trusted general, Abu al-Dhahab, which led to Ali Bey's exile then death outside the walls of Cairo. Born in the region of Abkhazia in Georgia, Ali Bey was kidnapped and brought to Cairo in 1743 where he was sold into slavery. He was recruited into the Mamluk force in which he gradually rose in ranks and influence, winning the top office of sheikh al-balad (chief of the country) in 1760.
Estimate $6,000-7,000
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Lot 950
CHALUKYAS: temp. Somesvara, 1043-1068, AV pagoda (3.74g), Mitch-268/269, caparisoned boar facing right, sun, moon and Kannada letter above / three-tiered pagoda-style temple, whisk left & right, wheel & swastika above, bold strike, About Uncirculated, RR.
Obverse very similar to Mitch-268, reverse somewhat like Mitch-269, from a recently discovered small group.
Estimate $5,500-6,500
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Lot 1080
BARODA: Malhar Rao, 1870-1875, AR nazarana rupee, Baroda, AH1288, Y-21a, pattern issue, bold strike, lovely toning, About Uncirculated, RRR, ex. Numismatica Geneversis auction 4, December 2006, lot 696.
Estimate $5,500-6,500
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Lot 1033
MUGHAL: Jahangir, 1605-1628, AR zodiac rupee (11.39g), Ahmadabad, AH1027 year 13, KM-150.11, Leo, the lion, walking left, the sun behind, lovely Very Fine to Extremely Fine, ex. Gorny & Mosch Auction 195-197, Lot 6360.
Extremely rare in this grade, as nearly all specimens were kept as pocket pieces and thus heavily worn.
Estimate $5,500-6,500
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Lot 893
TIBET: Hsuan Tung, 1909-1911, AR srang, Dode mint, CD1 (1909), Y-9, NGC graded MS-62.
A superb example and the finest we have encountered or seen offered. This is the finest example graded by NGC and a wonderful example of the type!
Estimate $2,000-2,500
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Lot 1666
VISIGOTHS IN SPAIN: Anonymous, before 576, AV tremissis (1.44g), NM, cf. Grierson, p. 80, #254, in the name of the Byzantine emperor Justinian I (527-565), bust of Justinian right, wearing cross / highly stylized Victory standing, facing left, superb example, virtually Uncirculated, RRR.
Estimate $3,700-3,900
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Lot 1259
MADRAS PRESIDENCY: AR 2 rupees (24.03g), "Arkat", AH"1172", KM-404.2, nice strike, minor adjustment marks (to correct the weight upon issue), pleasing Very Fine, R, ex. Spink auction, December 2010.
Estimate $3,400-3,600
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Lot 825
KIANGNAN: Hsuan Tung, 1909-1911, AR 20 cents, ND (1911), Y-147, L&M-267, lovely original luster, NGC graded MS-63.
A similar coin graded MS-62 sold in the Stack's Bowers Ponterio Sale 161 Hong Kong Auction for $4250 plus buyer's fees.
Estimate $3,500-3,800
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