Rare Roman gold aurei lead bidding in Swiss auction

A trio of rare Roman gold aurei led bidding during Numismatica Ars Classica’s May 9 and 10 auctions in Zurich. The coins were issued for some of the shortest-serving leaders of the Roman Empire. Galba’s reign as emperor occurred from July 68 to January 69, and a gold aureus that was “virtually as struck” was the top lot in the sale. It made $ 256k. Another rarity in the triumvirate is a piece struck for the son of emperor Macrinus. The aureus of Diadumenian Caesar, struck late in 217, realized a hammer price of $239,402. A gold aureus of Florian issued in Cyzicus in 276 A.D. realized a hammer price of $ 229k.