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Home ▸ Catalog ▸ |Byzantine Coins| ▸ |Byzantine Countermarked||View Options:   | | | A countermark is a stamped or punched impression adding elements of design to a coin after it was originally struck. The practice of countermarking coins was widespread throughout antiquity. It was particularly common in the provinces of the Roman Empire. Countermarks were applied to coins for many reasons, including revalidation, revaluation, devaluation, and propaganda. Exactly when and why any individual countermark was applied is often uncertain. |
Gregorios Taronites was made Dux of Trebizond by Alexius I after military successes against the Seljuks. He almost immediately rebelled. While the emperor sought a diplomatic solution, Taronites went so far as to publicly insult the imperial family. Captured, Alexius intended to have him blinded but he was granted clemency and instead paraded through the streets of Constantinople and then thrown into the Prison of Anemas. At first, Gregory remained obstinate and continued to hurl abuse on the emperor from his cell, but was persuaded to recant and beseech the emperor's pardon. In the end, he was not only released and pardoned, but accorded even higher honors.BZ95867. Bronze follis, Bendall Trebizond p. 133, 13B & pl. 7, 19; DOC IV-1 p. 433, 13b; Schlumberger pl. ii, 5; Hendy -; Wroth BMC -; Ratto -, gF, overstruck on Michael IV follis, dark brown patina, obverse off center, light marks, weight 6.735 g, maximum diameter 26.3 mm, die axis 180o, Trebizond (Trabzon, Turkey) mint, reign of Alexius I Comnenus, c. 1103 - 1106 A.D.; obverse facing bust of Christ, bearded and nimbate, wearing tunic and himation, Gospels in right hand, IC - XC (Greek abbreviation: Ihsoús Xristós - Jesus Christ) across field; reverse Latin cross on three steps, globule at end of each arm, A-Λ / B - P (Greek abbreviation: Αλεξιο Βασιλευς Ρωμαιων - Alexius king of the Romans) in angles, Arab countermark 'Lillah" (For Allah); rare; SOLD
Byzantine Empire, Heraclius, 5 October 610 - 11 January 641 A.D., Palestina Prima Heraclian Countermark
"Heraclian countermarks on Byzantine copper coins in seventh-century Syria" by Wolfgang Schulze, Ingrid Schulze and Wolfgang Leimenstoll discusses finds near Caesarea Maritima, where this example was found, and concludes, "During the military conflict between the Byzantine Empire and the Muslim Arabs in Syria in the years 633-36 Byzantine coins were countermarked by the Byzantine military with a Heraclius monogram. Countermarking most probably was exercised predominantly in Palestine I and was carried out to revalue the few circulating copper coins in order to remedy the general supply gap and disastrous shortage of cash."CM77067. Bronze cut follis, countermark: Schulze HCM type 1b; on uncertain Heraclian follis (SBCV 810, year 20 or 21?) overstruck on Phocas follis, coin Fair, c/m VF; 5.186g, 31.9x23mm, coin c. 629 - 631, countermark c. 633 - 636 A.D.; obverse ...HERCL..., probably standing figures of Heraclius and Heraclius Constantine (legend and type obscured by cutting and countermarking); reverse countermark: Heraclius' HRC cruciform monogram
; large M (40 nummi), cross above, AN.. left (date and mintmark off flan but most with this countermark are year 20 or 21); undertype remnant: XXXX (40 nummi, Phocas follis); from The Jimi Berlin Caesarea Collection (found at Caesarea, Israel); SOLDByzantine Empire, Heraclius, 5 October 610 - 11 January 641 A.D.; Justinian I Undertype
These Heraclius countermark/overstrikes were used on early, large folles of Anastasius to Justinian. The purpose is uncertain. Later, c. 631 and 638 A.D., of Heraclius and Heraclius Constantine folles were countermarked, possibly in conjunction with clipping even before the coins entered circulation.BZ82573. Bronze follis, DOC II-1 241b; Anastasi 37a; SBCV 882; undertype: SBCV 161 (Justinian I), VF, weight 13.892 g, maximum diameter 30.4 mm, die axis 225o, countermark: Syracuse mint, c. 610 - 624 A.D.; obverse [D N IVLI]-ANVS P P AVG, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust of Justinian I right; countermark: facing bust of Heraclius and his monogram
SCLS in oval punch; SOLDByzantine Empire, Heraclius, 5 October 610 - 11 January 641 A.D., Anastasius Undertype
These Heraclius countermark/overstrikes were used on early, large folles of Anastasius to Justinian. The majority of overstrikes appear on folles of Justin I and Justinian I, overstrikes of Anastasius are rare. The purpose is uncertain. Later, c. 631 and 638 A.D., of Heraclius and Heraclius Constantine folles were countermarked, possibly in conjunction with clipping even before the coins entered circulation.BZ93524. Bronze follis, DOC II-1 241a; Morrisson BnF 10/Sy/AE/01; Wroth BMC 370; Anastasi 32; SBCV 882; undertype: SBCV 22 (Anastasius I), coin: F, countermarks: F, light deposits in reverse field, small edge splits, weight 12.524 g, maximum diameter 28.6 mm, die axis 180o, countermark: Syracuse mint, c. 610 - 624 A.D.; obverse D N ANA[STA]-SIVS P P [AVG], laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust; countermark: facing bust of Heraclius and his monogram
within round punch; reverse large M (40 nummi) between star and crescent, cross above; countermark over mintmark: SCLS in oval punch; from the Errett Bishop Collection; SOLDByzantine Empire, Heraclius & Heraclius Constantine, 23 January 613 - 11 January 641 A.D.
Heraclius came to power through revolt against the tyrannical Focas. He defeated the Sassanid Persians, but this only facilitated Arab conquest of Persia and the eastern Byzantine Empire. The Byzantines lost Syria and Palestine before Heraclius died and Egypt fell soon after.BZ36645. Bronze follis, DOC II-1 243; Anastasi 66; Wroth BMC 398; Tolstoi 315; Ratto 1450; Morrisson BnF 10/Sy/AE/35; SBCV 884; Sommer 11.115, VF, nice green patina, weight 6.871 g, maximum diameter 27.1 mm, Syracuse mint, 632 - 11 Jan 641 A.D.; obverse facing busts of long-bearded Heraclius and his son Heraclius Constantine, wearing short beard, cross above, all within large round countermark; traces of undertype; reverse Heraclian monogram
and SCs within large round countermark; traces of undertype; SOLDByzantine Empire, Heraclius & Heraclius Constantine, 23 January 613 - 11 January 641 A.D.
Heraclius came to power through revolt against the tyrannical Focas. He defeated the Sassanid Persians, but this only facilitated Arab conquest of Persia and the eastern Byzantine Empire. The Byzantines lost Syria and Palestine before Heraclius died and Egypt fell soon after.BZ82564. Bronze follis, DOC II-1 243; Anastasi 66; Wroth BMC 398; Tolstoi 315; Ratto 1450; Morrisson BnF 10/Sy/AE/35; SBCV 884; Sommer 11.115, gVF, weight 5.888 g, maximum diameter 21.9 mm, Syracuse mint, 632 - 11 Jan 641 A.D.; obverse facing busts of long-bearded Heraclius and his son Heraclius Constantine, wearing short beard, cross above, all within large round countermark; traces of undertype; reverse Heraclian monogram
and SCs within large round countermark; traces of undertype; SOLDByzantine Empire, Heraclius & Heraclius Constantine, 23 January 613 - 11 January 641 A.D., Countermarked in Sicily
Heraclius came to power through revolt against Phocas. He defeated the Sassanids, but this only facilitated the Arab conquests. The Byzantines lost Syria and Palestine before Heraclius died and Egypt fell soon after. Heraclius Constantine was made joint emperor at 8 months old. He was in poor health when his father died and lived only about 100 days as senior emperor.BZ65617. Bronze follis, Anastasi 65a, DOC II 242, SBCV 883; Sicilian countermarks applied on Heraclius follis, Constantinople, year 21, 630 A.D. (DOC II 106a, SBCV 810), VF, obscure due to undertype effects and the crude nature of the type, weight 10.057 g, maximum diameter 28.6 mm, die axis 180o, uncertain Sicilian mint, 630 - 638 A.D.; obverse SCL within oval punch, over lower part undertype: standing figures on original coin; reverse facing crowned and draped busts of Heraclius (on left) and Heraclius Constantine, cross between their heads all within oval punch; over undertype: large M (40 nummi), ANNO left, XXI right, A (1st officina) below, CON (Constantinople) in exergue; scarce; SOLD
Byzantine Empire, Constantine IV, Heraclius and Tiberius, 2 June 659 - Autumn 681 A.D.
Sear notes this type is often overstruck on Syracusan folles, and even half folles, of Constans II.BZ36680. Bronze follis, DOC II-1 181; SBCV 1207; Berk 739, F, weight 3.894 g, maximum diameter 23.5 mm, die axis 180o, Syracuse mint, 659 - 668 A.D.; obverse helmeted and cuirassed bust of Constantine IV facing, beardless, globus cruciger in right; reverse large M flanked by Heraclius and Tiberius standing facing, each wearing crown and chlamys, globus cruciger in right, monogram above, SCL in exergue, monogram in round countermark upper right; SOLD
Byzantine Empire, Heraclius & Heraclius Constantine, 23 January 613 - 11 January 641 A.D.
Heraclius came to power through revolt against the tyrannical Focas. He defeated the Sassanid Persians, but this only facilitated Arab conquest of Persia and the eastern Byzantine Empire. The Byzantines lost Syria and Palestine before Heraclius died and Egypt fell soon after.BZ77965. Bronze follis, DOC II-1 243; Anastasi 66; Wroth BMC 398; Tolstoi 315; Ratto 1450; Morrisson BnF 10/Sy/AE/35; SBCV 884; Sommer 11.115, countermarks: F, uncertain undertype, weight 5.609 g, maximum diameter 25.9 mm, die axis 180o, Syracuse mint, 632 - 11 Jan 641 A.D.; obverse facing busts of long-bearded Heraclius and his son Heraclius Constantine, wearing short beard, cross above, all within large round countermark; traces of undertype; reverse Heraclian monogram
and SCs within large round countermark; traces of undertype; from the Butte College Foundation, ex Lindgren; SOLDByzantine Empire, Constans II with Constantine IV, Heraclius and Tiberius (his sons), 2 June 659 - 15 July 668 A.D.
This type is known for years IΘ (19), XX (20), AX or KA (21), and XXΓ (23).BZ36672. Bronze follis, SBCV 1011; cf. DOC II-2 82a for same type, year 19, with the same countermark, F, overstruck, countermarked, weight 2.002 g, maximum diameter 20.5 mm, die axis 0o, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, 659 - 664 A.D.; obverse Constans standing facing, bearded, wearing helmet, long cross in right, left hand on hip, obscure regnal year left, M with cross above and officina number below on right, round countermark with Constans II monogram obliterating officina number; reverse Constantine IV, Heraclius and Tiberius standing facing, each wearing crown and chlamys, holding globus cruciger in right; SOLD
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