Watch List notes:

MIXED LOTS. Quartet of Ancient-Themed Medals (4 Pieces). Average Grade: CHOICE UNCIRCULATED.
This interesting assortment presents modern medallic issues drawing inspiration from ancient strikings. Included are:

1) MACEDON. Alexander III 'the Great' AR Medal, 1970. Diameter: 30mm; Weight: 22.13 gms. Issued for the 2nd International Coin Bourse in Berlin Obverse: Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin; Reverse: 2 INTERNATIONALE / MÜNZBÖRSE BERLIN, stylized skyline of Berlin, with electric tower and civic coat-of-arms. Edge: Plain. Light steely gray surfaces, with a good deal of brilliance. A great ancient-inspired modern medal.

Drawing inspiration from the coins in the name of Alexander III 'the Great' of Macedon, this medal presents the iconic obverse that Alexander started with his massive output of coinage. Featuring the bust of Herakles/Hercules draped in a lion skin, these coins were struck throughout the entirety of Alexander's growing empire and, on account of their status as a coin of the realm, continued to be struck in many instances by successors and city-states many years, even centuries, after his death in 323 B.C.

2) Tin "Tetradrachm" (11.63 gms), By P. Soušek, 2011. Issued for the 30th birthday of numismatist Milan Borůvka from Jaroměř (Czech Republic). Obverse: IIII SEP MMDCCLXIIII NUMISMATIC MILAN BORUVKA, diademed head right within wreath; Reverse: XXX JUBILEUM, the Three Graces as Monetae, each holding scales and cornucopias; in exergue, basket from which serpent rises and surrounded by serpents. An interesting, privately issued commemorative channeling the vibe of ancient Eastern European issues, this piece features the bizarre date in Roman numerals of MMDCCLXIIII = 2764. When converting from AUC (ab urbe condita, i.e., the founding of legendary Rome in 753 B.C.), this translates to 2011, the 30th birthday of the honoree.

3) MARCUS AURELIUS AR Medal, 1979. Diameter: 40mm; Weight: 29.80 gms. Commemorating the 2,000th anniversary of the founding of Regensburg (as Castra Regina). Obverse: Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right; pseudo-legend around; Reverse: - REGENSBURG 2 JAHRTAUSENDE GESCHICHTE - / JUBILÄUMSJAHR 1979, aerial view of the camp's plans containing CASTRA / REGINA / 179-1979 in three lines. Edge: Plain. Exceptionally prooflike and brilliant, with some frosting to the devices and a subtle tone; a fair amount of hairlines are noted in the fields.

The beginnings of Regensburg date to C.E. 179 when a Roman fort was established on the River Regen, hence the name 'Castra Regina.' In celebration of the 2,000th anniversary of this event, the present medal was issued drawing inspiration from the coinage of Marcus Aurelius, emperor at the time of the fort's founding and the fifth and final of the so-called "five good emperors."

4) CONSTANS II with CONSTANTINE IV. AR "Miliaresion" (5.24 gms), By P. Soušek, 2002. cf. S-987 (for prototype). Issued for auction 144 by Česká numismatická společnost (ČNS) in Brno. Obverse: D - N - CONST - C - CONST -, crowned and draped facing busts of Constans, wearing plume and long beard, and Constantine; Reverse: Cross potent set upon globus; palm frond to left and right; in three lines below, 144 / AVKCЄ / ČNS BRNO. Edge: Plain. Pleasantly toned. A great modern representation and emanating from a small mintage of just 55 pieces for the firm's 144th auction in 2002.

In commemoration of their auctions, ČNS would often issue a small output of commemorative tokens channeling a different coin theme from throughout history. In this case, a ceremonial miliaresion from the Byzantine emperor Constans II, along with his son (the future emperor Constantine IV), was utilized.

Estimate: $100 - $200