At the end of this month, Germany's Kunker coins will be holding a series of auctions in Osnabruck - and it looks like collectors and investors everywhere would be well advised to pay attention.
The first sale will concentrate on coins of the ancient world. Whilst those with little expertise often believe Roman coins in general to be very valuable because of their age, in this case the Roman pieces on offer are indeed exciting and coveted:
Firstly, an Augustan aureus (gold coin) hails from 19BC and bears the face of Medusa on its obverse and a laurel wreath on the back. Very rare and with only the lightest markings, it is expected to sell for around €20,000 - a good investment.
 Medusa Aureus (Click to enlarge) |
Another aureus from the brief reign of Pertinax (following the assassination of Commodus) is even more impressive. Pertinax was the son of a freedman and worked as a teacher before he began his military career, Senator, and eventually became consul suffectus.
Pertinax's reign lasted just 86 days before his death. The attractive piece is listed at €25,000.
Surprisingly, however, neither of the top two lots is a gold coin, rather they are silver denarii:
From 40BC, there is a coin bearing the head of Quintus Labienus, who was dispatched to the court of the Parthian Orodes by Julius Caesar's assassins Cassius and Brutus to seek support. This was achieved, though only after great hesitation and their invasion of Syria and Asia Minor, joint-led by Labienus.
Labienus appears to have been in a position to found his own coinage in Syria or Asia Minor following his successes in these battles. The coin is estimated at €35,000.
 Caesar Denarius (Click to enlarge) |
The expected top lot is a coin showing Julius Caesar himself in a fine portrait whilst Venus appears on the reverse. It appears that the purpose of the 41BC (at which point Caesar was already dead) coin is to enhance his divine image, which would strengthen the hand of his (adopted) son Octavianus.
Exceptionally well-preserved, the piece is expected to sell for €40,000. Kunker's auction takes place on September 27 with online bidding available.
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