The ancient coin – at 66 millimeters, the largest known silver coin of the Roman Empire – was among the 85 percent of lots sold in the May 24 to 26 auction. The auction generated total prices realized of $15,573,743. The coin graded Extremely Fine but with "light porosity and displaying stray marks."

The prices realized include the 15 percent buyer's fee.

Larry Goldberg said bidding activity was especially strong for ancient and foreign coins, which were offered without reserves. The lots included an extensive run of Byzantine gold coins. He said the bidding for ancient and foreign issues was the strongest he had seen at public auction in more than 30 years.

Goldberg identified weakness in the U.S. coin lots, especially in high-end coins with fixed reserves. The high reserves resulted in some of the coins not selling.

Early U.S. gold coins and Panama-Pacific International Exposition gold coins brought strong prices, however, Goldberg said.

The auction included the Mark Gordon Collection of U.S. Type Coins.

For more information, contact Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, 350 S. Beverly Drive, Suite 350, Beverly Hills, CA 90212, telephone the firm at (310) 551-2646 or toll free at (800) 978-2646, or visit the company's Web site at www.goldbergcoins.com.

Some U.S. highlights:

• (1659) Lord Baltimore shilling, Professional Coin Grading Service Extremely Fine 40, $14,662.50.
  
• 1776 Continental dollar in pewter, currency spelling, PCGS Mint State 63, $86,250.
  
• 1793 Flowing Hair, Chain, america cent, PCGS Very Fine 35, $35,650.
  
• 1794 Liberty Cap, Starred Reverse cent, Sheldon 48 (Penny Whimsy by William H. Sheldon), PCGS Very Good 8, $22,425.
  
• 1848 Coronet cent, Newcomb 19 (United States Copper Cents 1816-1857 by Howard Newcomb), Numismatic Guaranty Corp. Proof 64 brown, $7,762.50.
  
• 1807 Draped Bust quarter dollar, Browning 1 (Early Quarter Dollars of the United States 1796-1838 by A.W. Browning), PCGS MS-64, $28,175.
  
• 1831 Capped Bust, Small Letters quarter dollar, PCGS Proof 64, $23,000.
  
• 1795 Flowing Hair dollar, Bolender 12 (United States Early Silver Dollars from 1794 to 1803 by M.H. Bolender), PCGS AU-55, $35,650.
  
• 1796 Draped Bust, Small Date, Small Letters dollar, Bolender 2, NGC AU-58, $26,450.
  
• 1796 Draped Bust, Large Date, Small letters dollar, Bolender 5, PCGS AU-55, $23,000.
  
• 1799/8 Draped Bust, 15 Stars on Obverse dollar, Bolender 3, PCGS MS-62, $24,150.
  
• 1879 Flowing Hair gold $4 Stella, PCGS Proof 64 cameo, $143,750.
  
• 1912 Indian Head gold $5 half eagle, PCGS MS-64, $36,800.
  
• 1795 Capped Bust, Small Eagle gold $10 eagle, Bass-Dann-reuther 1 (Early U.S. Gold Coin Varieties: A Study of Die States, 1795-1834 by Harry W. Bass Jr. and John W. Dannreuther), NGC AU-55, Certified Acceptance Corp. sticker, $74,750.
  
• 1795 Capped Bust, Small Eagle $10 eagle BD-1, NGC MS-61, $92,000.
  
• 1795 Capped Bust, Small Eagle, 13 Leaves eagle, PCGS AU-58, $87,400.
  
• 1930-S Indian Head eagle, PCGS MS-66, $80,500.
  
• 1907 Saint-Gaudens, High Relief, Roman Numerals, Wire Rim $20 double eagle, PCGS MS-65, $41,975.
  
• 1915-S Panama-Pacific International Exposition gold $50 coin, round, PCGS MS-63, $63,250.
  
• 1915-S Panama-Pacific International Exposition gold $50 coin, octagonal, PCGS MS-64, $78,200.

Some ancient highlights:

• Gold aureus of Vespasian, A.D. 69 to 79, minted at Rome, Mint State, $34,500.
  
• Gold aureus of Hostilian, as Caesar, A.D. 250 to 251, minted at Rome, nearly Mint State, $34,500.
  
• Gold solidus of Jovinus (A.D. 411 to 413), minted at Treveri, EF, $92,000.
  
• Byzantine gold solidus, Revolt of the Heraclii, A.D. 608 to 610, struck at Alexandria or Cyprus, EF, $24,150.

Some world highlights:

• Ecuador, 1845-Quito MV, gold 8-escudo coin, NGC AU-55, $57,500.
  
• Great Britain, undated gold sovereign of 30 shillings, NGC AU-58, $55,200.
  
• Great Britain, undated Proof unite of Charles 1 (1625 to 1649), struck at Tower Mint, one of five known, choice EF, $24,150.
  
• Great Britain, 1668 gold 5-guinea coin, NGC MS-61, $41,400.
  
• Great Britain, 1677 gold 5-guinea coin, NGC MS-61, $34,500.
  
• Great Britain, 1684 gold 5-guinea coin, NGC AU-55, $27,600.
  
• Great Britain, 1692 gold 5-guinea coin, NGC MS-61, $32,200.
  
• Great Britain, 1705 gold 5-guinea coin, NGC AU-58, $143,750.
  
• Mexico, 1823-Mo JM gold 8-escudo coin, NGC MS-62, $36,800.