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Home ▸ Catalog ▸ |Judean & Biblical Coins| ▸ |Biblical Coins| ▸ |The Virgin Mary on Coins||View Options:  |  |  | 

The Blessed Virgin Mary on Coins

The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you. Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob's descendants forever; his kingdom will never end."

Byzantine, Lead Bulla Seal, c. 6th Century A.D.

|Byzantine| |Seals|, |Byzantine,| |Lead| |Bulla| |Seal,| |c.| |6th| |Century| |A.D.||seal|
Reading a block monogram of such complexity as on the present Byzantine seal can be maddening, like a quadratic or more complex polynomial equation whose solutions are all found to be reasonable. The inherent ambiguity of many block monograms may have been one reason why they fell out of favor during the seventh century A.D. Nevertheless, through patient study, some possible clues have been squeezed out of ours. The monogram may in fact combine a personal name with the office of a bishop (written in the genitive, EΠICKOΠOY, or "of the bishop") or perhaps even an archbishop (APXIEΠICKOΠOY). The person's name is a much trickier question with multiple possibilities, including Markou, Mariou, Marianou, Maurikiou, Eukarpiou, or even Kyprianou (all transliterated into English in genitive form). Another, less probable, possibility is an unidentified eparch (bishop of an eparchy or diocese).
BZ114045. Lead seal, cf. Zacos BLS 1208 (for very similar obv.); DOC BZS.1951.31.5.3062 (for similar seal with block monogram), Choice gVF, attractive, yellow oxide patina, weight 10.259 g, maximum diameter 22.1 mm, die axis 330o, c. 6th century A.D.; obverse facing bust of Virgin Hodeghetria, nimbate, wearing tunic and maphorion, holding infant Christ on her left arm/shoulder, nimbate, wearing tunic and himation, dove (i.e., the Holy Spirit) above, cross pattée behind; reverse complex block monogram, containing the letters A, Y, E (lunate), I, K, Π, Ο, P, C, and M and/or X, and possibly N; extremely rare; $200.00 (€188.00)
 


Crusaders, Principality of Antioch, Roger of Salerno, Regent, 1112 - 1119

|Crusaders|, |Crusaders,| |Principality| |of| |Antioch,| |Roger| |of| |Salerno,| |Regent,| |1112| |-| |1119||follis|
Roger of was regent of the Principality of Antioch from 1112 until his death on 28 June 1119. Roger became regent of Antioch when Tancred died. The prince, Bohemund II, was still a child. Like Tancred, Roger was almost constantly at war with the nearby Muslim states such as Aleppo. In 1114 an earthquake destroyed many of his fortifications but Roger took great care to rebuild them. The Artquids allied with Aleppo and invaded in 1119. Despite the urging of the Patriarch, Roger did not wait for reinforcements from Jerusalem or Tripoli. Roger and nearly all of his 700 knights and 3000 foot soldiers were killed. Artquids forces plundered the land but did not attack Antioch itself. Baldwin II of Jerusalem came north to take over the regency.
CR111249. Bronze follis, Metcalf Crusades pl. 5, 90; Malloy CCS p. 200, 8; Schlumberger pl. II, 11, F, earthen deposits, overstruck, rev. off center, weight 2.956 g, maximum diameter 23.2 mm, die axis 0o, Antioch (Antakya, Turkey) mint, Roger's 3rd issue; obverse the Virgin Mary, standing orans, nimbate, MH monogram - ΘV (Greek abbreviation: MHTHP ΘEOY; - Mother of God); reverse + KE BOH Θ / EITWCW / ΔOVλWP / OTSEPI (Lord, help your servant Roger); ex Morton & Eden auction 119 (6 Dec 2022), lot 333 (part of); $160.00 (€150.40)
 


Byzantine Empire, Lead Bulla Seal, Anonymous, c. 7th - 9th Century A.D.

|Byzantine| |Seals|, |Byzantine| |Empire,| |Lead| |Bulla| |Seal,| |Anonymous,| |c.| |7th| |-| |9th| |Century| |A.D.||bulla| |(tag| |seal)|
Many Byzantine seals included the name of the sender. For anonymous seals, such as this one, the name of the sender would have been in the document to which the seal was attached. Some anonymous Byzantine seals included verses saying (in Greek): "Observe the document to see whose seal I am" or "The document clearly reveals the writer," etc.
BZ113989. Lead bulla (tag seal), unpublished in references held by Forum; DOCBS -, Zacos -, Jordanov -, et al. -, F, bump and marks, weight 7.039 g, maximum diameter 20.4 mm, die axis 0o, 7th - 9th Century A.D.; obverse nimbate and draped bust of St. John the Baptist facing, long cross staff in right hand, Θ over IW-Π/P/ΔO/M (or similar, Greek abbreviation: Ο Αγιος Ιωαννης ο Προδρομος - Saint John the forerunner); reverse the Virgin nimbate, veiled, and draped, with head of nimbate infant Christ before breast, star left and right over MP - ΘV (MP ligate, Greek abbreviation: Mητηρ Θεου - Mother of God) divided across field; $120.00 (€112.80)
 


Byzantine Anonymous Follis of Christ, Class K, Alexius I Comnenus, 4 April 1081 - 15 August 1118 A.D.

|Alexius| |I|, |Byzantine| |Anonymous| |Follis| |of| |Christ,| |Class| |K,| |Alexius| |I| |Comnenus,| |4| |April| |1081| |-| |15| |August| |1118| |A.D.||anonymous| |follis|NEW
The pallium was an open vestment used by the Greeks, Romans, and Byzantines as a cloak, or exterior garment. Some writers say it was of a round, others of a semi-circular form. It was so worn (and much nicety was displayed in its proper adjustment) as to be capable of covering the other habiliments, and even to envelop the whole person. On coins the figures of Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, saints, emperors and gods, sometimes appear clothed in the pallium.
BZ114449. Bronze anonymous follis, Anonymous follis of Christ, DOC III-2, class K; SBCV 1901; Sommer 40.13, F, dark patina, highlighting earthen deposits, uneven strike, scratches, porosity, squared flan, weight 6.876 g, maximum diameter 24.1 mm, die axis 180o, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, 1085 - 1092 A.D.; obverse bust of Christ facing, with nimbus cruciger, wears pallium and colobium, raising right, Gospels in left, border of large pellets between lines, IC - XC (Greek abbreviation: IΗΣOúΣ XPIΣTOΣ - Jesus Christ) flanking above shoulders; reverse the Virgin Orans, standing facing 3/4 length, nimbate, wears pallium, and maphorium, border of large pellets between lines, MP - ΘV (Mother of God) flanking nimbus; scarce; $90.00 (€84.60)
 


Byzantine Anonymous Follis of Christ, Class G, Romanus IV, 1 January 1068 - 19 August 1071 A.D.

|Romanus| |IV|, |Byzantine| |Anonymous| |Follis| |of| |Christ,| |Class| |G,| |Romanus| |IV,| |1| |January| |1068| |-| |19| |August| |1071| |A.D.||anonymous| |follis|NEW
Orans, from Medieval Latin, means one who is praying or pleading, also Orant or Orante, is a posture or bodily attitude of prayer, usually standing, with the elbows close to the sides of the body and with the hands outstretched sideways, palms up.
BZ114500. Bronze anonymous follis, Anonymous follis of Christ, DOC III-2, class G; SBCV 1867, F, dark patina near centered, highlighting earthen deposits, weight 8.488 g, maximum diameter 26.3 mm, die axis 180o, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, 1 Jan 1068 - 19 Aug 1071 A.D.; obverse bust of Christ facing, wearing nimbus cruciger, pallium, and colobium, raising right in benediction, scroll in left hand, IC - XC (Greek abbreviation: Jesus Christ) across field, border of large pellets; reverse facing bust of the Virgin Orans, nimbate and wearing pallium and maphorium, MP - ΘV (Greek abbreviation: Mother of God) across field; border of large pellets; scarce; $80.00 SALE PRICE $72.00 ON RESERVE


Byzantine Empire, Andronicus II Palaeologus and Andronicus III, 2 February 1325 - 24 May 1328 A.D.

|The| |Virgin| |Mary| |on| |Coins|, |Byzantine| |Empire,| |Andronicus| |II| |Palaeologus| |and| |Andronicus| |III,| |2| |February| |1325| |-| |24| |May| |1328| |A.D.||hyperpyron|
After Andronicus II did not select his popular grandson and namesake as heir, Andronicus III rose in revolt. Even after they agreed to reign jointly, grandfather and grandson were at war. In 1328 the grandson took the city by surprise and forced his grandfather to abdicate. Although at first he retained his titles and his home in the palace, in 1330 he was forced into a monastery. Old and blind, Andronicus II died on 13 February 1332.
SH15428. Gold hyperpyron, DOC V 503 var. (N sigla normal), SBCV 2461, VF, scyphate, clipped, scratched, weight 2.794 g, maximum diameter 21.8 mm, die axis 180o, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, 2 Feb 1325 - 1328 or possibly to 1330 A.D.; obverse Nimbate half-length facing figure of the Virgin Mary orans within city walls, four castles forming walls, N (reversed) - X across fields; reverse ] - A/N/Δ/PI/N/I (columnar, both Ns reversed), Andronicus II on left and Andronicus III on right, both bearded and kneeling facing, Christ stands in center behind with hands over their heads in benediction, IC - XC flanking Christ's head; SOLD


Theodora, 21 April 1042 - 12 June 1042 and 11 January 1055 - 21 August 1056

|Theodora|, |Theodora,| |21| |April| |1042| |-| |12| |June| |1042| |and| |11| |January| |1055| |-| |21| |August| |1056||histamenon| |nomisma|
Zoe and Theodora, the two elderly daughters of Constantine VIII ruled jointly for 7 1/2 weeks (21 Apr - 12 Jun 1042) following the deposition of Michael V. They were unfit for rule and did not get along. The senator Constantine Monomachus was selected as a husband for Zoe ascended the throne as Constantine IX. Theodora held sole rule for a year and a half after the death of Constantine IX until her death (11 Jan 1055 - 21 Aug 1056). She nominated Michael Stratioticus, a civil servant, as her successor.
BZ89542. Gold histamenon nomisma, DOC III, part 2, 1c; SBCV 1837, Wroth BMC 4 var. (pellets in nimbus); Morrison BnF 1 var. (same); Ratto -, Sommer -, VF, broad flan, bumps and scratches, die wear, weight 4.186 g, maximum diameter 24.8 mm, die axis 180o, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, sole reign, 11 Jan 1055 - 21 Aug 1056; obverse + IhS XIS REX REGNANITInm (Jesus Christ, King of Kings), Christ Pantokrator standing facing on dais, wearing nimbus cruciger with no pellets, pallium and colobium, right hand raised in benediction, book of Gospels cradled in left arm, double border; reverse + ΘEOΔwPA AVΓOVCTA (Theodora, Empress), Theodora (on left) and the Virgin (on left) standing facing, jointly holding labarum between them with pellet on shaft, Theodora with right hand on breast, wearing crown with pendilia, saccos with cross and loros; the Virgin nimbate, wearing pallium and maphorium, M - Θ (mother of God) flanking her head; from the Robert Watcher Collection; rare; SOLD


Byzantine Empire, John VI Cantacuzenus and John V Palaeologus, 13 May 1347 - April 1353 A.D.

|John| |VI|, |Byzantine| |Empire,| |John| |VI| |Cantacuzenus| |and| |John| |V| |Palaeologus,| |13| |May| |1347| |-| |April| |1353| |A.D.||hyperpyron|
When Andronicus III died, his chief administrator, John Kantakouzenos asserted a claim to regency of the young emperor John V. The emperor's mother, Anna of Savoy, was appointed regent and she had John Kantakouzenos declared an enemy of the state. John Kantakouzenos defeated Anna with Ottoman help, and he was made Emperor John VI. John V was married to his daughter, Helena Kantakouzene, and the boy was allowed to reign as the junior emperor. John VI Kantakouzenos spent much of his own private wealth unsuccessfully trying to strengthen the Empire but was still unpopular because of his ties to the Ottomans. His attempt to curb Genoese power ended with the total destruction of the Byzantine fleet in 1349. John VI ignored his young colleague and in time even replaced him with his own son Matthew. John V Palaeologus obtained Genoese help, overthrew his rivals, and banished John Kantakouzenos to a monastery, where he lived 30 years as the monk Joasaph and wrote his famous history.
SH70968. Gold hyperpyron, Lianta 849; Bendall 2004b, p. 297, C; SBCV 2526; Sommer 84.1; Grierson 1296; DOC V -, VF, scyphate, weight 3.402 g, maximum diameter 25.3 mm, die axis 180o, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, 2 Feb 1325 - 1328 or possibly to 1330 A.D.; obverse Nimbate half-length facing figure of the Virgin Mary orans within city walls, four castles forming walls, star on each side of the uppermost castle, B lower left, A lower right; reverse John VI on left and Andronicus V on right, kneeling facing, Christ stands behind with hands over their heads in benediction; IUINK (or similar) downward on left and IUINKY (or similar) downward on right, N's reversed; very rare; SOLD


Romanus III Argyrus, 12 November 1028 - 11 April 1034

|Romanus| |III|, |Romanus| |III| |Argyrus,| |12| |November| |1028| |-| |11| |April| |1034||histamenon| |nomisma|
Romanus III was fanatically devoted to the Virgin. His adoration found expression in the building and restoration of churches dedicated to St. Mary and also explains the Virgin's prominence on his coinage. M Θ is a Greek abbreviation for MηTερα Tου Θεου - Mother of God. ΘCE abbreviates ΘεοTοκε - God-bearer, also referring to the Virgin. On one of his types, a silver miliaresion, the inscription reads: Παρθενε σοι πολυαινε ος ηλιTικη πανTα καTοπθοι, which means, "He who places his hopes on thee, O Virgin all-glorious, will prosper in all he does."
RS94631. Gold histamenon nomisma, DOC III-2 1d, Morrisson BnF 43/Cp/AV/01, Ratto 1972, Sommer 43.2.2, SBCV 1819, Wroth BMC 2, Choice VF, well centered, highest points flat (not fully struck), weight 4.311 g, maximum diameter 25.7 mm, die axis 180o, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, 12 Nov 1028 - 11 Apr 1034; obverse + IhS XIS REX REΣNANTIhm (Jesus Christ King of Kings), Christ enthroned, wears nimbus cruciger, pallium, & colobium, raises hand, holds Gospels; reverse ΘCE bOHΘ RWMANW (god-bearer help the Romans), MΘ (mother of God) above center, nimbate Virgin (on right) wears pallium and maphorium, with right hand she crowns Romanus, who is bearded and wears a crown, sakkos and loros, globus cruciger in his right, four pellets in loros end below globus; from the Ray Nouri Collection; scarce; SOLD


Byzantine Empire, Romanus III Argyrus, 12 November 1028 - 11 April 1034

|Romanus| |III|, |Byzantine| |Empire,| |Romanus| |III| |Argyrus,| |12| |November| |1028| |-| |11| |April| |1034||histamenon| |nomisma|
Romanus III was fanatically devoted to the Virgin. His adoration found expression in the building and restoration of churches dedicated to St. Mary and also explains the Virgin's prominence on his coinage. M Θ is a Greek abbreviation for MηTερα Tου Θεου - Mother of God. ΘCE abbreviates ΘεοTοκε - God-bearer, also referring to the Virgin. On one of his types, a silver miliaresion, the inscription reads: Παρθενε σοι πολυαινε ος ηλιTικη πανTα καTοπθοι, which means, "He who places his hopes on thee, O Virgin all-glorious, will prosper in all he does."
SH83913. Gold histamenon nomisma, DOC III-2 1d, Morrisson BnF 43/Cp/AV/01, Ratto 1972, Sommer 43.2.2, SBCV 1819, Wroth BMC 2, VF, well centered and struck, die wear, weight 4.382 g, maximum diameter 23.6 mm, die axis 180o, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, 12 Nov 1028 - 11 Apr 1034; obverse + IhS XIS REX REGNANTInm (Jesus Christ King of Kings), Christ enthroned, wears nimbus cruciger, pallium, & colobium, raises hand, holds Gospels; reverse ΘCE bOHΘ RWMANW (god-bearer help the Romans), MΘ (mother of God) above center, nimbate Virgin (on right) wears pallium and maphorium, with right hand she crowns Romanus, who is bearded and wears a crown, sakkos and loros, globus cruciger in his right, four pellets in loros end below globus; from the Robert Wachter Collection, ex Kuenker; scarce; SOLD







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