I have been studying these
types recently, I cannot answer your question with any certainty because I am just learning about them as well.
The coin was originally issued by
John II both in
Constantinople and
Thessalonica, the squat look of the figures seem to be in the
style of
Thessalonica and that was imitated by
John III AND the Latin rule of
Constantinople.
When I was reading about the newer find of the Latin imitation it mentioned a
star but on the emperors
side, yours has it on the
Christ side. It was only at 16 1/2 carats.
The original
John II issues were 20 carats and the imitations by
John III were at 18 carats. The most current article on the issues stated the only sure way to determine
John II or
John III is by the purity of the gold. 18 or 20.
Again, I am just learning right now and I am sure you might get better information from other board
members. My
search for knowledge about the issue started when I purchased a
John III that I was certain that it was
John II, however from what I have read it cannot be proved visually.
Simon
