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The Andre Constantine Dimitriadis Collection of Roman and Byzantine Gold Coins:
A California resident of Greek descent, the late Mr. Dimitriadis' collection features an astonishing run of more than 215 Roman gold aurei and solidi, and another 500+ Byzantine gold coins, including many pieces of impeccable condition, artistry and rarity. This is the largest and strongest offering of Roman and Byzantine gold ever presented in the United States and will certainly draw worldwide interest! Part I, Roman gold coinage, will cross the block at the CICF, while the Byzantine portion of the auction will be offered at our New York auction this September. Mr. Dimitriadis was also an avid collector of Greek and Ottoman coins, which will be offered in the CICF and New York auctions. Here is just a tiny sampling amid a collection of golden delights:

Rare Mark Antony Aureus
Rare Mark Antony Aureus    Augustus Aureus Honoring Tiberius
Augustus Aureus Honoring Tiberius    Rare Vitellius Aureus
Rare Vitellius Aureus    Splendid Galba in Gold
Splendid Galba in Gold

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The Andre Constantine Dimitriadis Collection, assembled by a Californian of Greek descent over a 30-year period starting in 1984, is one of the largest and most comprehensive collections of ancient Roman and Byzantine gold coins ever brought to auction, according to David Michaels, Director of Ancient Coins for Heritage.

"The late Mr. Dimitriadis, who was born in Istanbul and had a deep connection to his Greco-Roman cultural roots, showed great patience and connoisseurship in putting together this amazing collection," said Michaels. "Heritage is thrilled and honored that his heirs have chosen us to make these beautiful coins available to a new generation of collectors."

The Dimitriadis Collection also includes more than 100 Greek and Roman silver coins, which will be sold along with the Roman gold coins at the CICF auction April 10-16. "The Greek silver coins are extremely attractive and present a pleasing general survey of the field, with a special emphasis on Greek Asia Minor," Michaels said.

The incredibly comprehensive Byzantine collection, which includes more than 600 coins, will be sold by Heritage in New York City September 17-19.

Mr. Dimitriadis, founder of LTC Properties, a Westlake Village-based real estate investment trust, obtained many of his standout coins from important public auctions in the 1990s, including the collections of Neil Philips, Gordon McLendon, Anton Dreesmann, and brothers Nelson Bunker and William Herbert Hunt. A large number of the gold aurei and solidi in the Dimitriadis Collection are the very coins illustrated in standard reference books such as "The Roman Aurei" by Xavier Calico and "The Roman Imperial Coinage" by a variety of scholars. "This is a rare opportunity to obtain outstanding ancient coins with significant auction pedigrees, in some cases dating back to the 1880s," Michaels said.

The Roman gold coins are notable not only for their rarity and artistic beauty, but for their condition as well. "By special arrangement, Numismatic Guaranty Corporation has graded all of the Roman gold aurei and solidi from the Dimitriadis Collection in this important CICF auction," Michaels said. "Dozens of coins received MS or Choice AU grades from NGC, putting them among the finest known examples of each ruler."

"The Dimitriadis Collection is a truly impressive group of coins that will attract the interest of many collectors, both veterans and those new to the market," said David Vagi, head of NGC Ancients. "It includes some museum-quality specimens and some true rarities that are seldom available in the marketplace. NGC is honored to have been chosen to grade these coins."

"NGC grading of ancients opens the market to new buyers, especially those looking for quality," said Cristiano Bierrenbach, Executive Vice President for International Numismatics at Heritage Auctions. "It also adds tremendous value to the coins by having a third party opinion on the grade and additional expertise."

Augustus (27 BC-AD 14). AV aureus (20mm, 7.82 gm, 3h)
Augustus (27 BC-AD 14). AV aureus (20mm, 7.82 gm, 3h)
The Roman gold collection starts with aurei of the early Roman Imperators Julius Caesar, Marc Antony and Octavian/Augustus. Highlighting these pieces is an aureus of Marc Antony struck in the Eastern portion of the Empire, likely Ephesus, in 41 BC. Also among these early gold rarities is a beautiful aureus of Augustus with a reverse depicting his stepson Tiberius in a triumphal quadriga, struck toward the end of his reign in AD 13-14.

The Julio-Claudian Dynasty (27 BC – AD 68) receives excellent coverage in the collection, with many attractive aurei of Augustus, Tiberius, Claudius, and Nero. Also represented are the short-reigning emperors Galba (AD 68-69) and Vitellius (AD 69), participants in the destructive Civil War of AD 68-69. The collection continues with a broad selection of fine-style aurei of the Flavian Dynasty (AD 69-96) and the "Four Good Emperors" whose reigns spanned most of the 2nd Century AD, including attractive aurei of Vespasian, Titus, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, Marcus Aurelius, and Lucius Verus. Many of these coins received grades of AU to Choice Mint State by NGC.

Gold coins of the tumultuous 3rd Century AD are also well represented, including many rare issues of the Severan Dynasty (AD 193-235). These include an extremely rare aureus of the young Caracalla from a Syrian branch mint, and a second aureus of the same ruler with a brutal mature portrait.

Maximian, first reign (AD 286-305). AV aureus (21mm, 5.30 gm, 1h)
Maximian, first reign (AD 286-305). AV aureus (21mm, 5.30 gm, 1h)
The Tetrarchy, a period when four (and sometimes more) emperors ruled jointly, also receives good coverage in the Dimitriadis Collection, including a stunning Mint State example of the Emperor Maximian. From this point the collection (and the Empire) transitions from the aureus to the solidus, a somewhat lighter but larger gold coin introduced by Constantine I the Great (AD 307-337). Particularly well represented is the brief reign of the last ruler of the Constantinian Dynasty, the brilliant and controversial Julian II "The Philosopher" (AD 360-363).

The Dimitriadis Collection continues with exciting rarities from the Late Roman Empire, divided between Eastern and Western halves. Highlights include solidi of Constantine III, Majorian and Anthemius, as well as rare solidi of the Late Roman empresses Galla Placidia, Honoria, and Aelia Pulcheria.

The Dimitriadis Collection is at the heart of Heritage's largest-ever offering of Ancient Coins, with more than 1,800 outstanding lots in two Signature floor sessions (starting at 1:00 pm and 6:00 PM CT on Thursday, April 10) and a Signature Internet Session (starting 1:00 PM CT Tuesday, April 15). Bidding is already open for all sessions, and remote bidding will be available on the auction day via Heritage Live!

To receive a copy of the fully illustrated Heritage CICF Ancients catalog, contact Dave Michaels (DMichaels@HA.com / (310) 492-8615) or Sam Spiegel (SamS@HA.com / (214) 409-1524).

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