Estimates rather than prices realised are given. At least they are what an experienced practitioner thinks they are worth rather than being a record of what is all too frequently a freak price.
Illustrated here:
Top: still on a Celtic theme, the reverse of this commemorative denarius struck in Rome 41-45AD furnishes us with a
contemporary illustration of two Celtic shields. The estimate? £300-400. Wake up arms and armour dealers!
This gold aureus of Augustus, struck in Spain c.18BC, with a fine portrait, is estimated at £3000-4000.
Bottom: as portraits go, this one of Hadrian on an aureus – he presided over the high point of Roman art – does not come finer. If it fetches the estimate (£800-1000), it
will not be expensive.
Celtic coins and aureus
In a recent issue some attempt was made to get away from only reporting past auction sales by noting coins from trade fixed price lists. To develop this theme further we return to auction sales but with a difference, this time to preview a few lots from Spink’s sale of April 11 in London.
