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Author Topic: anonymous half follis  (Read 1193 times)

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Offline Warren

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anonymous half follis
« on: January 25, 2017, 10:31:52 pm »
In the Berk sale #200 of Jan. 18, 2017 lot 380 is described as an anonymous "half follis" of the type of Sear 1793, but a half.  At 4.28 grams "Half folles are rather rare and unrecognized in literature, but because of the small flan and small image they can be nothing but that denomination."

I have something similar. It is 17 mm and 4.16 grams at 6:00 die axis with a beveled flan (not cut after the strike):

The face of Christ from the top of his head to the tip of his beard is 9 mm.
As you can see, it looks like the middle of the usual four-line legend is there, but the flan did not have room for it all; the reverse die was not intended for a flan of this small size.

Offline Warren

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Re: anonymous half follis
« Reply #1 on: January 25, 2017, 10:33:15 pm »
I hit "post" too soon. I intended to ask if others think this coin, or Berk's coin, are intentional half folles.

Offline Simon

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Re: anonymous half follis
« Reply #2 on: January 26, 2017, 05:44:15 am »
Hi Warren,

I bought the Berk A1 follis and yes I agree it is a half follis, The legend on the back is complete and centered, the coin only weighs 4.28gm. I also went to the FUN show here in Florida and I found two more examples that I did not purchase, I believe yours too is a half follis with your reverse a bit oc.

I recently started an Anonymous follis collection  so the concept of a half follis is a bit new to me as well.

Simon
https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=5633 My main collection of Tetartera. Post reform coinage.

Offline wileyc

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Re: anonymous half follis
« Reply #3 on: January 27, 2017, 09:07:33 pm »
I would consider it might be A weight, at 4.16 fits with being a one nomisma coin weight. It being beveled makes me think it was fashioned to a certain point rather than a new/ unusual denomination that was struck in a die. Some one spent the time to bevel it to the current shape and weight.

CW

Offline Joe Sermarini

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Re: anonymous half follis
« Reply #4 on: January 28, 2017, 05:54:41 am »
I agree.  I also believe it is a one nomisma coin weight made from anonymous follis.
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Offline wileyc

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Re: anonymous half follis
« Reply #5 on: January 29, 2017, 01:05:40 am »
and a intersting weight /coin I think. Certainly helps date it. Often many weights are generally attributed to the 6-7th century, based on some stratification of archeology findings. I have often felt there is a likely wider time range of production, this certainly points it out.

cw

Offline Obryzum

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Re: anonymous half follis
« Reply #6 on: January 29, 2017, 07:50:41 am »
It seems this coins has been clipped.  In orthodox iconography the nimbus should not be so large for a coin of this size, and the bust of Christ should normally include the Gospel book.  The proportions are wrong given the size of the flan.  I have seen a few of these small size Anonymous A1 coins, but never for A2 or A3.  I do not think this was intended as a separate denomination.

 

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