Author Topic: Your favorite Byzantine portrait. (Read 3959 times)

Simon · « **on:** December 15, 2014, 07:27:58 pm »

I just got this today in the mail, an early Christmas gift to myself. The portrait of St George is beautiful but a little off center. S-2116 2.5g 21.5mm

This is one of my all time favorite portraits for a Byzantine coin, I am curios to what other favorite portraits people have in their Byz collection. It does not have to be pretty in the classical sense but if you collect Byzantine you already know what I mean.

Obryzum · « **Reply #1 on:** December 15, 2014, 10:06:27 pm »

I'll probably be in the minority on this one, but I have always been captivated by the by the debased semissis from Syracuse during the reign of Theophilus. So simple, rudimentary, and cartoonish -- and yet the facial expression is unforgettable. Strikes me as a precursor to Picasso.

Simon · « **Reply #2 on:** December 15, 2014, 10:29:35 pm »

That is a very beautiful coin Obryzum. I like your Picasso reference.

Here is a Heraclius and family I did not win at auction, It made me think of Picasso as well.

Posa · « **Reply #3 on:** December 16, 2014, 02:13:40 am »

You´re not that alone, Obryzum, 8th century sicilian portraits are really great. I´d like to add an eastern imitation of Maurice, in my oppinion much better than many originals...

Best regards

Posa

joma-tk · « **Reply #4 on:** December 18, 2014, 02:34:27 pm »

I think this is a great portrait

tk

Lone Wolf · « **Reply #5 on:** December 19, 2014, 01:40:43 pm »

Yeah, nice Justinian!

I like most of 6th century Antioch and the gold coins from Constantine IV to the beginning of Leo III. The gold coinage of the usurpers during the "twenty years' anarchy" has its own charm.

I also like some of the more elegant hyperpyra of John II and Manuel I.

However, when I look at this 9th century Syracusan stuff, I just wonder what the engravers were thinking

quadrans · « **Reply #6 on:** December 19, 2014, 01:54:44 pm »

Anonim-Follis, SB 1813, AE-Follis, Class A Folles' target='_blank'>Class A2, (Constantine VIII. (976-1025 A.D.)),

https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-74639

Byzantine but Christ portret , but nice I hope...

Best regards
Q.

Simon · « **Reply #7 on:** December 19, 2014, 04:46:23 pm »

Nice coin Q and yes a great Christ portrait.

quadrans · « **Reply #8 on:** December 19, 2014, 04:48:34 pm »

Quote from: Simon on December 19, 2014, 04:46:23 pm

Nice coin Q and yes a great Christ portrait.

Thank you Simon

Q.

Nassif · « **Reply #9 on:** December 22, 2014, 06:15:32 pm »

I would like to share with you some nice portraits;
enjoyyyyy
Nassif

Nassif · « **Reply #10 on:** December 22, 2014, 06:18:06 pm »

Few more;
enjoyyyyyy
Nassif

Simon · « **Reply #11 on:** December 25, 2014, 09:09:42 pm »

Nice one for Christmas day. S-1920 17mm Giving the everything is Ok symbol.

Lone Wolf · « **Reply #12 on:** December 26, 2014, 03:40:11 pm »

Nassif: nice Roman Justinian you have here (it's Rome mint, yes?)

Nassif · « **Reply #13 on:** December 26, 2014, 06:54:12 pm »

Yes and here is the attribution:
Byzantine Empire- JUSTINIAN I. 527-565. Æ Follis 26mm(8,4 gm-6h). Struck circa 540-542. Rome mint. D N IVSTINI-ANVS P P AC, diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Large M flanked by star and cross; above, cross and below, ROMA; all within wreath. MIB I 214; DOC I 321a; SB 292. EF, Superb patina.Very Rare such nice-
The wreath around the mark of value celebrates the initially unopposed recapture of Rome in 536 by Belisarius for the empire, which was followed by the epic siege by the Gothic forces of Witigis from March 537 to March 538.
regards
Nassif

L.e. · « **Reply #14 on:** January 04, 2015, 12:52:26 pm »

Very nice coin and portraits here!
This is one of my favourite, for style and condition

Posa · « **Reply #15 on:** January 05, 2015, 01:55:35 am »

Nice one, L.e.! Is ist a follis or the half-follis variant?

Best regards Posa

L.e. · « **Reply #16 on:** January 05, 2015, 02:11:55 pm »

Hi Posa, thanks! it is a follis!

L.e. · « **Reply #17 on:** January 05, 2015, 07:09:59 pm »

you can note, on my follis, the unusual position of the hand that holds the labarum...you often see this position (image)...

Lone Wolf · « **Reply #18 on:** January 08, 2015, 05:26:28 pm »

Yes, the Theophilos folles are neat, the designer, whoever it was, definitely made an effort at producing something interesting.

Quant.Geek · « **Reply #19 on:** January 12, 2015, 03:57:35 pm »

Figured I should tag along as well. One of my favorite portraits on a Byzantine coin is the following "Count Chocula" like depiction of the Virgin Mary:

Simon · « **Reply #20 on:** January 12, 2015, 10:23:59 pm »

Nice addition SpongeBob, she looks very thin, she does remind me of count Chocula ( Do they even make that cereal anymore?)

L.E. love your additions looks great.

Quant.Geek · « **Reply #21 on:** January 15, 2015, 01:18:19 pm »

Quote from: Simon on January 12, 2015, 10:23:59 pm

Nice addition SpongeBob, she looks very thin, she does remind me of count Chocula ( Do they even make that cereal anymore?)

Come to think of it, I haven't seen it myself in a loong time. But, it seems to be alive and kicking. I, personally, didn't like the cereal as I was more of a corn flakes and fruit loops person

Nero 30 · « **Reply #22 on:** February 05, 2015, 04:14:01 am »

This Bust is my favorite one in my Byzantine collection but without attribution because I could not attribute it sorry!!

Lone Wolf · « **Reply #23 on:** February 06, 2015, 02:14:14 am »

It's Heraclius again, year 1.

Nero 30 · « **Reply #24 on:** February 06, 2015, 02:36:30 am »

Thanks a lot Lone Wolf

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Author Topic: Your favorite Byzantine portrait. (Read 3959 times)

Nero 30

Nero 30