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Home ▸ Catalog ▸ |Byzantine Coins| ▸ |Comnen Dynasty||View Options:  |  |  |   

Byzantine Coins of the Comnen Dynasty
Byzantine Empire, Duchy of Chaldia, Theodore Gabras, c. 1075 - 1098 A.D., In the Name of Alexius I Comnenus

|Trebizond|, |Byzantine| |Empire,| |Duchy| |of| |Chaldia,| |Theodore| |Gabras,| |c.| |1075| |-| |1098| |A.D.,| |In| |the| |Name| |of| |Alexius| |I| |Comnenus||follis|NEW
Theodore Gabras' crowning glory was the recapture of Trebizond from the Seljuk Turks c. 1075, which he ruled for years as if it were his own personal fiefdom. By the late 1080s, Theodore was residing at Constantinople. To keep him in check, Alexios I made Theodore Dux of Chaldia and ordered him to take up his post, leaving his eldest son Gregory at the court. By 1091, Theodore returned to the capital, demanding the return of his son. Alexios refused, claiming he was contemplating marrying the boy to one of his own daughters. Doubting the emperor, Theodore sailed with his son to Trebizond in secret. Alexios sent a squadron of ships which overtook Theodore and advised him that if he refused to hand over his son, he would be arrested as a rebel. Theodore allowed Alexios’ emissaries to take Gregory back with them, while he continued back to Trebizond. Gregory attempted to escape but was discovered and imprisoned. A man of Theodore's military talents was too good to waste, and by 1097 he was once again at the front line fighting the Turks in alliance with the Crusaders. While the Franks were engaged at the Siege of Antioch, Theodore was marching with Alexios, helping him recapture towns in western Asia Minor. In 1098 he was captured by the Danishmends and martyred. He was later venerated as a saint. His younger son Constantine Gabras succeeded him as Dux of Chaldia. Following the dissolution of the Byzantine Empire by the Fourth Crusade in 1204, the region became the center of the new Empire of Trebizond which survived until falling to the Ottomans in 1461. The feast day of Saint Theodoros Gabras is 2 October.
BZ113693. Bronze follis, Bendall Trebizond NC 137 (1977), p. 131 & pl. 6, 3; Corinth VI p. 151 & pl. X, 175; DOC IV -; Hendy -; SBCV -, F, green patina, light earthen deposits, off center, wavy clipped polygonal flan with 9(?) sides (as minted), weight 4.050 g, maximum diameter 26.6 mm, die axis 0o, Trebizond (Trabzon, Turkey) mint, c. 1092 - 1098 A.D.; obverse + AΛEΞI - ΔECP (or similar, struck in the name of Emperor Alexius I Comnenus), facing bust, wearing crown with cross and pendilia, stemma, collar piece, divitision and chlamys, cruciform scepter in right hand, globus cruciger in left; reverse Cross fourchée-pommée on three steps, IC - XC / NH-KA (Jesus Christ conquers) in angles of cross; only one sale of this type listed on Coin Archives in the last two decades, the finest of only six specimens known to FORVM; extremely rare; $900.00 SALE PRICE $810.00


Byzantine Empire, Duchy of Chaldia, Theodore Gabras, c. 1075 - 1098 A.D., Reign of Alexius I Comnenus

|Trebizond|, |Byzantine| |Empire,| |Duchy| |of| |Chaldia,| |Theodore| |Gabras,| |c.| |1075| |-| |1098| |A.D.,| |Reign| |of| |Alexius| |I| |Comnenus||follis|NEW
Bendall notes the X's on the obverse may refer to Christ, and the E's on the reverse to St. Eugenius, the patron saint of Trebizond.

The general Theodore Gabras captured Trebizond and ruled it and the theme of Chaldia as a virtually autonomous state (c. 1075 - 1098). He was celebrated for his martial exploits, and was later venerated as a saint in the region. Following the dissolution of the Byzantine Empire by the Fourth Crusade in 1204, the region became the center of the new Empire of Trebizond which survived until falling to the Ottomans in 1461.
BZ113695. Bronze follis, Bendall Trebizond NC 137 (1977), p. 132 & pl. 6, 9; DOC IV-1 p. 431, 9; Corinth VI p. 151 & pl. X, 172; Sabatier II p. 339, 10 & pl. LXX, 16, F, uneven strike with weak areas, die wear, earthen encrustations, marks, large heavy clipped polygonal flan with 8 sides (Bendall notes weights vary between 2.0 and 3.5g), weight 4.885 g, maximum diameter 23.3 mm, die axis 0o, Trebizond (Trabzon, Turkey) mint, reign of Alexius I Comnenus, c. 1075 - 1098 A.D.; obverse patriarchal cross set on step, X in each angle; reverse patriarchal cross set on step, E in each angle; only one sale of this type listed on Coin Archives in the last two decades (realized $4,500 plus fees in 2020); very rare; $500.00 SALE PRICE $450.00


Byzantine Empire, Duchy of Chaldia, Theodore Gabras, c. 1075 - 1098 A.D., Reign of Alexius I Comnenus

|Trebizond|, |Byzantine| |Empire,| |Duchy| |of| |Chaldia,| |Theodore| |Gabras,| |c.| |1075| |-| |1098| |A.D.,| |Reign| |of| |Alexius| |I| |Comnenus
||follis|NEW
Theodore Gabras' crowning glory was the recapture of Trebizond from the Seljuk Turks c. 1075, which he ruled for years as if it were his own personal fiefdom. By the late 1080s, Theodore was residing at Constantinople. To keep him in check, Alexios I made Theodore Dux of Chaldia and ordered him to take up his post, leaving his eldest son Gregory at the court. By 1091, Theodore returned to the capital, demanding the return of his son. Alexios refused, claiming he was contemplating marrying the boy to one of his own daughters. Doubting the emperor, Theodore sailed with his son to Trebizond in secret. Alexios sent a squadron of ships which overtook Theodore and advised him that if he refused to hand over his son, he would be arrested as a rebel. Theodore allowed Alexios’ emissaries to take Gregory back with them, while he continued back to Trebizond. Gregory attempted to escape but was discovered and imprisoned. A man of Theodore's military talents was too good to waste, and by 1097 he was once again at the front line fighting the Turks in alliance with the Crusaders. While the Franks were engaged at the Siege of Antioch, Theodore was marching with Alexios, helping him recapture towns in western Asia Minor. In 1098 he was captured by the Danishmends and martyred. He was later venerated as a saint. His younger son Constantine Gabras succeeded him as Dux of Chaldia. Following the dissolution of the Byzantine Empire by the Fourth Crusade in 1204, the region became the center of the new Empire of Trebizond which survived until falling to the Ottomans in 1461. The feast day of Saint Theodoros Gabras is 2 October.
BZ113698. Bronze follis, Bendall Trebizond (NC 77) p. 133, 11 & pl. 6, 13; DOC IV-1 p. 432 & pl. XXV, 11; Sabatier pl. lxvi, 5; SBCV -, Hendy -, Wroth -, Ratto -, F, rough, dark near black patina, clipped ovate polygonal flan, double struck, overstruck (on Bendall Trebizond p. 132, 10), weight 1.943 g, maximum diameter 23.3 mm, die axis 180o, Trebizond (Trabzon, Turkey) mint, reign of Alexius I Comnenus, c. 1080 - 1098 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, remnants of undertype inscription on right; reverse full length figure of St. Theodore standing facing, nimbate, wearing tunic, breastplate, and sagion, spear vertical in right hand, sheild in left hand, inscription flanking in columns O / A/GI/C - Θ/E/O/Δ (or similar, Saint Theodore); only one sale of this type listed on Coin Archives in the last two decades; very rare; $400.00 SALE PRICE $360.00


Byzantine Empire, Duchy of Chaldia, Gregorios Taronites, c. 1103 - 1106 A.D., In the Name of Alexius I Comnenus

|Trebizond|, |Byzantine| |Empire,| |Duchy| |of| |Chaldia,| |Gregorios| |Taronites,| |c.| |1103| |-| |1106| |A.D.,| |In| |the| |Name| |of| |Alexius| |I| |Comnenus||follis|NEW
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.
BZ113701. Bronze follis, Bendall Trebizond p. 133, 13B & pl. 7, 19; DOC IV-1 p. 433, 13b; Schlumberger pl. ii, 5; Hendy -; Wroth BMC -; Ratto -, F, off center on a broad flan, dark brown and green patina, overstruck, weight 7.493 g, maximum diameter 32.1 mm, die axis 0o, 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; rare; $350.00 SALE PRICE $315.00


Byzantine Empire, Duchy of Chaldia, Gregorios Taronites, c. 1103 - 1106 A.D., In the Name of Alexius I Comnenus

|Trebizond|, |Byzantine| |Empire,| |Duchy| |of| |Chaldia,| |Gregorios| |Taronites,| |c.| |1103| |-| |1106| |A.D.,| |In| |the| |Name| |of| |Alexius| |I| |Comnenus||follis|NEW
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.
BZ113702. Bronze follis, Bendall Trebizond p. 133, 13B & pl. 7, 19; DOC IV-1 p. 433, 13b; Schlumberger pl. ii, 5; Hendy -; Wroth BMC -; Ratto -, VF, uneven strike with weak areas, earthen encrusted, small clipped polygonal flan with 8 sides, weight 1.567 g, maximum diameter 19.4 mm, die axis 90o, 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; rare; $200.00 SALE PRICE $180.00


Byzantine Empire, Duchy of Chaldia, Theodore Gabras, c. 1075 - 1098 A.D., Reign of Alexius I Comnenus

|Trebizond|, |Byzantine| |Empire,| |Duchy| |of| |Chaldia,| |Theodore| |Gabras,| |c.| |1075| |-| |1098| |A.D.,| |Reign| |of| |Alexius| |I| |Comnenus||follis|NEW
Theodore Gabras' crowning glory was the recapture of Trebizond from the Seljuk Turks c. 1075, which he ruled for years as if it were his own personal fiefdom. By the late 1080s, Theodore was residing at Constantinople. To keep him in check, Alexios I made Theodore Dux of Chaldia and ordered him to take up his post, leaving his eldest son Gregory at the court. By 1091, Theodore returned to the capital, demanding the return of his son. Alexios refused, claiming he was contemplating marrying the boy to one of his own daughters. Doubting the emperor, Theodore sailed with his son to Trebizond in secret. Alexios sent a squadron of ships which overtook Theodore and advised him that if he refused to hand over his son, he would be arrested as a rebel. Theodore allowed Alexios’ emissaries to take Gregory back with them, while he continued back to Trebizond. Gregory attempted to escape but was discovered and imprisoned. A man of Theodore's military talents was too good to waste, and by 1097 he was once again at the front line fighting the Turks in alliance with the Crusaders. While the Franks were engaged at the Siege of Antioch, Theodore was marching with Alexios, helping him recapture towns in western Asia Minor. In 1098 he was captured by the Danishmends and martyred. He was later venerated as a saint. His younger son Constantine Gabras succeeded him as Dux of Chaldia. Following the dissolution of the Byzantine Empire by the Fourth Crusade in 1204, the region became the center of the new Empire of Trebizond which survived until falling to the Ottomans in 1461. The feast day of Saint Theodoros Gabras is 2 October.
BZ113697. Bronze follis, Bendall Trebizond (NC 77) p. 132, 10 & pl. 6, 10; DOC IV-1 p. 431 & pl. XXV, 10; SBCV -, Hendy -, Wroth -, Ratto -, aF, rough, clipped polygonal flan with 8 sides, weight 2.521 g, maximum diameter 22.3 mm, die axis 90o, Trebizond (Trabzon, Turkey) mint, reign of Alexius I Comnenus, c. 1075 - 1090 A.D.; obverse facing bust of St. Theodore, nimbate, wearing tunic, breast plate and sagion, sword in right hand over right shoulder, shield in left hand, / Θ-E/O/Δ (Saint Theodore) in downward columns left and right; reverse Latin cross, pellet at each end; very rare; $170.00 SALE PRICE $153.00


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|
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: Ihsoús Xristós - Jesus Christ) across field; reverse the Virgin Orans, standing facing 3/4 length, nimbate, wears pallium, and maphorium, border of large pellets between lines, MP - ΘV (Greek abbreviation: Μητηρ Θεου; - Mother of God) flanking nimbus; scarce; $90.00 SALE PRICE $81.00


Byzantine Empire, Constantine X Ducas, 25 December 1059 - 21 May 1067 A.D.

|Constantine| |X|, |Byzantine| |Empire,| |Constantine| |X| |Ducas,| |25| |December| |1059| |-| |21| |May| |1067| |A.D.||follis|
On 28 December 1065, Westminster Abbey was consecrated.
BZ112958. Bronze follis, DOC III-2 8, Wroth BMC 18, Morrisson BnF 51/Cp/AE/1, Ratto 2021, SBCV 1853, Sommer 52.6, F, nice green patina, edge/cracks splits, weight 7.324 g, maximum diameter 27.8 mm, die axis 180o, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, 25 Dec 1059 - 21 May 1067 A.D.; obverse +EMMA-NOVHΛ, Christ standing facing on footstool, wears nimbus cruciger, pallium and colobium, Gospels in left, IC - XC (Greek abbreviation: Jesus Christ) across field; reverse + KWNT ΔK - EVΔK AVΓO (or similar, from upper right), Eudocia on left, Constantine on right both stand facing crowned, wearing loros, holding between labarum with cross on shaft on three steps; $70.00 SALE PRICE $63.00


Byzantine Empire, Manuel I Comnenus, 8 April 1143 - 24 September 1180 A.D.

|Manuel| |I|, |Byzantine| |Empire,| |Manuel| |I| |Comnenus,| |8| |April| |1143| |-| |24| |September| |1180| |A.D.||aspron| |trachy|NEW
Called ho Megas ("the Great"), Manuel inspired intense loyalty in those who served him. He appears as the hero of a history written by his secretary, John Kinnamos, in which every virtue is attributed to him. Modern historians, however, have been less enthusiastic. Some argue that, since Byzantine imperial power declined catastrophically after Manuel's death, it is necessary to look for the causes of this decline in his reign.
MA113982. Billon aspron trachy, DOC IV-1 12b; Morrison BnF 61/Cp/B/11; CLBC I 4.3.3.A; Grierson 1089; SBCV 1964; Sommer 61.9; Wroth BMC 56; Henley pl. 15, 5-10, VF, green patina, scratches, weight 4.251 g, maximum diameter 27.6 mm, die axis 180o, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, c. 1160 - 1164 A.D.; obverse the Virgin Mary seated facing on a throne, nimbate and wearing pallium and maphorium, she holds before her the nimbate head of the infant Christ, MP - ΘV (Greek abbreviation: Μητηρ Θεου; - Mother of God) across field; reverse MANYHΛ ΔECΠOTHC, Manuel standing facing wearing crown, divitision, and chlamys, and holding labarum and globus cruciger surmounted by patriarchal cross; $45.00 SALE PRICE $40.50


Byzantine Empire, Constantine X Ducas, 25 December 1059 - 21 May 1067 A.D.

|Constantine| |X|, |Byzantine| |Empire,| |Constantine| |X| |Ducas,| |25| |December| |1059| |-| |21| |May| |1067| |A.D.||follis|NEW
Constantine X seems to have been a weak, ineffective leader. His wife, Eudocia, had great power within the empire, and was thought by some to be "the power behind the throne." Upon the death of Constantine X, his eldest son, Michael VII was still a child, so Eudocia took over as regent.
MA114384. Bronze follis, DOC III-2 8, Wroth BMC 18, Morrisson BnF 51/Cp/AE/1, Ratto 2021, SBCV 1853, Sommer 52.6, F, green patina, overstruck with strong undertype effects, weight 6.384 g, maximum diameter 29.5 mm, die axis 180o, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, 25 Dec 1059 - 21 May 1067 A.D.; obverse +EMMA-NOVHΛ, Christ standing facing on footstool, wears nimbus cruciger, pallium and colobium, Gospels in left, IC - XC (Greek abbreviation: Jesus Christ) across field; reverse + KWNT ΔK - EVΔK AVΓO (or similar, from upper right), Eudocia on left, Constantine on right both stand facing crowned, wearing loros, holding between labarum with cross on shaft on three steps; $30.00 SALE PRICE $27.00




  







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