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Manuel I Komnenus clipped billion aspron trachy SB1966Obverse: IC-XC (bar above) in field, Christ bearded and nimbate, wearing tunic and colobion, seated upon throne without back; holds gospels in left hand.
Reverse: MAN(monogram)HA AECIIOT or var, MP OV bar above in upper right field, Full-length figure of emperor, bearded on left, crowned by Virgin nimbate. Emperor wears stemma, divitision, collar-peice, and jewelled loros of simplified type; holds in right hand labarum-headed scepter, and in left globus cruciger. Virgin wears tunic and maphorion.
four main varieties:
Mint: Constantinople
Date: 1167-1183?
Sear 1966 Var d, Fourth coinage; H 16.14,15; 17.1-4
rev: Jewel within circle on loros waist
16mm .89gm
As discussed in the Byzantine forumThese are the "neatly clipped" trachies.
During the reign of Manuel I the silver content of the trachy was dropped from c.6% to c.3%, but later types were sometimes issued with the higher silver content.
In Alexius III's time these high silver types were clipped down to half size, probably officially, presumably so as to match the lower silver content of the later issues.
Of course this would only have worked as long as the populace accepted the idea that the clipped coins were all high silver versions to start with. Once smarties started clipping ordinary coins these types would soon have have fallen out of favour and been withdrawn.

Ross G.

During the reign of Alexius III were reused coins of previous releases, clipping its border in a very regular mode and thus reducing to half their weight. Regularity of shearing and the fact that they were found to stock uniforms, suggesting that this clipping is a formal issuance of mint. Based on the stocks found in Constantinople , some of which consist only of clipped coins, it may safely be dated between 1195 and 1203.
Hendy and Grierson believe that this shearing was a consequence of the devaluation of trachy mixture during the reign of Isaac II and Alexius III. They reduced by half the already low silver content of this coin: shearing coins of previous emperors, still widely in circulation, made their trachy consistent with the intrinsic value of current emissions. Of course, this does not justify the clipping of coins already degraded of Isaac II and Alexius III. Therefore, reason for their declassification is not understood. I think that reason of Ross is right!
The structure of their dispersion in hoards indicates that, however, were made after the other emissions. Clipped trachys appear in small amounts along with regular trachy in hoards, represents a rarity. Were clipped trachys of Manuel I, Andronicus I, Isaac II and Alexius III, and perhaps of John II; those of Manuel are less scarce. In principle, we must believe that all trachys after Manuel I have been clipped, although many have not yet appeared.

Antvwala
wileyc

1943 JOHN II BILLION TRACHY NOMISA IV DOC 9 Constantinople SBCV-1943

OBV MP OV in field
Virgin nimbate, wearing tunic and maphorion, seated upon throne without back; holds beardless, nimbate head of Christ on breast.

REV Full length figure of emperor wearing stemma,short military tunic, and sagion; holds in right hand labarum on long shaft, and in left gl.cr

Size 28.71mm

Weight 3.6gm

DOC lists 3 examples total with weights from 3.59gm to 3.92gm and sizes from 29 to 30 mm.Simon

1944 JOHN II BILLION TRACHY NOMISA IV DOC 10 Constantinople SBCV-1944
OBV IC XC in field
Bust of Christ bearded and nimbate, wearing tunic and kolobion, holds Gospels in l. hand. Pellet in each limb of nimbus cross.

REV Bust of emperor wearing stemma, divitision,collar piece and paneled loros of a simplified type; holds in r hand scepter cruciger and in l. gl.cr

Size 29.10

Weight 4.9gm

DOC lists 20 examples total with weights from 2.59gm to 5.00 gm and sizes from 28 to 30 mm. It has two variations A and B , both are equal in rarity , the difference is a stroke on shaft on type B.

This coin is very heavily silvered, it was part of a hoard that was once thought to be electrum, it is not, just very heavily silvered.Simon

1952 JOHN II BILLION TRACHY NOMISA IV DOC 11 Thessalonica SBCV-1952
OBV MO OV in field
Virgin nimbate, wearing tunic and maphorion , seated upon throne without back; beardless, nimbate head of Christ on breast

REV Full-Length figure of emperor wearing stemma, divitision, and loros of traditional type; holds in r. hand labarum-headed scepter and in l. anexikakia

Size 27.19mm

Weight 4.0gm

DOC lists 5 examples total with weights from 2.65gm to 4.46 gm and sizes from 27 to 28 mm.
Simon

ALEXIUS I BILLION Trachy S-1936v DOC 31bObv: + KE RO AAEZIW - Christ enthroned facing, wearing nimbus cruciger, pallium and colobium, and holding book of Gospels in left hand, 'IC' in left field, 'XC' in right field Rev. Alexius standing facing, wearing corwn and loros, and holding labarum and globus cruciger 3.46g 23.8mm

Very Rare coin minted in Philippopolis , smaller in size and a much higher grade of billion. Coin is noted in DOC but not in their collection. Simon

ALEXIUS I Billion Trachy DOC 25 S-1918Christ enthroned facing wearing nimbus cr. pallium and colobium and holding book of gospels in l.

Rev Bust facing wearing crown and jewelled chalmys and holding cruciform sceptre and gl. cr. coin grades as fine with legends gone, it has a nice silver apearance.

This type of Alexius trachea has been found to have as much as 30% silver
Simon

Billion aspron trachy Alexios I SB 1918Obverse:(worn) Christ enthroned facing, wearing nimbus cr. pallium and colobium holding book of gospels in l., in field to l., IC to r, XC
Reverse: +AAEZIW AECIIT or similar, bust wearing crown and loros, holding labarum and gl. cr.
Mint: Constantinople
Date: post reform, 1092-1118 CE
Sear 1918 H pl 7.1
29mm 3.04gmwileyc

Billion aspron trachy John II SB 1944 Variation AObverse:(worn) Bust of Christ facing on footstool wearing nimbus cr. pallium and colobium.
Reverse: + IWAECIIOT T II(theta)VPgammaNT or similar, John stg facing, wearing crown and loros, and holding cruciform sceptre sometimes with additional bar on shaft as on this coin, and gl. cr.
Mint: Thessalonica
Date: 1118-1143 CE
Sear 1944 H 10.9-11
30mm 4.45gmwileyc

Billion aspron trachy John II SB 1944 Variation BObverse:(worn) Bust of Christ facing on footstool wearing nimbus cr. pallium and colobium.
Reverse: + IWAECIIOT T II(theta)VPgammaNT or similar, John stg facing, wearing crown and loros, and holding cruciform sceptre sometimes with additional bar on shaft as on this coin, and gl. cr.
Mint: Thessalonica
Date: 1118-1143 CE
Sear 1944 H 10.9-11
28mm 3.79gmwileyc

Billion Drachm from ElymaisA billion drachm from Elymais. 14 mm, 3.1 g.chuy1530

Billion Tetradrachm of CommodusA Billion Tetradrachm of Commodus. 24 mm, 9.8 g. Minted in Alexandria between 188-189 AD.1 commentschuy1530

Billion Trachy Theodore I Commenus-Lascaris SB 2061 Type AObverse: Virgin nimbate enthroned without back, holding nimbate head of Christ on Her breast
Reverse: Theodore and St Theodore stg, facing holding patriarchal cross between them, Emperor on l., wears stemma, divitision, a collor piece and simple panelled loros, hold labarum in r. hand and saint wears a short military tunic and breast plate holds spear in left, resting over shoulder.
Mint: nicaea
Date: 1205-12? CE
Sear 2061 H 30.7-10
23mm 2.49gmwileyc

Billion trachy lg module clipped Hendy Type R SB 2038Obverse: IC XC barred, Christ bearded and nimbate.
Reverse: MP OV barred, Full length figure of Virgan nimbate, orans, wearing tunic and maphorion
Mint Constantinople
Date: 1228-61 CE
Sear 2038 Hendy type R, 27.6-7, attributed mostly to Baldwin de Courtenai by Malloy et al
16mm 1.08gmwileyc

Billion trachy lg module, Hendy type J SB 2030Obverse: Full lengthe figure of Archangel (Michael?) nimbate, wearing short miltary tunic, breast plate. in r. hand jewelled scepter and in l. gl cr.
Reverse: Full length figure of Emperor wearing stemma, divitision, and chlamys holds in right hand sword resting on shoulder and in l. gl cr.
Mint: Constantinople
Date: 1228-60 CE
Sear 2030 H. 26.7-9. Type J attributed mostly to Baldwin de Courtenai by Malloy et al
21mm 1.47gmwileyc

Billion trachy lg module, clipped type P SB 2036Obverse: IC XC barred in field, Bust of Christ, beardless and nimbate, wearing tunic and colobion, hold scroll in l. hand.
Reverse: XX
AM
Full length figure of Archangel Michael nimbate, wearing short miltary tunic, breastplate, and sagion, holds in r. hand jewelled scepter and in L. Globus cruciger
Mint: Constantinople
Date: 1230-60 CE
Sear 2036 H. 27.3-4 Type P attributed mostly to Baldwin de Courtenai by Malloy et al
15mm .84gmwileyc

Billion trachy small module Type D SB 2047Obverse: IC XC barred in field, Christ seated on throne, bearded nimbate, wearing tunic and colobion Asterisk above cushion of throne both sides.
Reverse: Half-length figure of emperor wearing stemma, divitision and collor-piece, panelled loros of simplified type. holds in l. hand globus cruciger, in r. scepter cr.
Mint: Thessalonica
Date:1204-?
sear 2047 H. 29.10-12, Type D
14mm 1.84gmwileyc

Billion trachy small module Type G SB 2050Obverse: Virgin enthroned holding nimbate head of Christ on Her breast
Reverse: Theodore and St Theodore stg, facing holding patriarchal cross between them, Emperor on l., wears stemma, divitision, a collor piece and simple panelled loros, hold labarum in r. hand and saint wears a short militar tunic and breast plate holds spear in left, resting over shoulder.
As Theodore I Lascaris of Nicaea (1208-22) first billion coinage
Mint: uncertain
Date 1204-?
sear 2050 H. 29 19-20 Type Gwileyc

Billion Tridrachm from CarthageA Billion tridrachm from Carthage, minted during the second Punic war. 9.589g, 26.2mm, Carthage mint, c. 215 - 205 B.C.

Obverse: Head of Tanit left, wearing barley wreath, pellet on leaf, triple-pendant earing, and necklace with many pendants

Reverse: Unbridled horse standing right, palm tree in background, pellet below horse's belly forward of the palm trunk; scarce;

Attribution: Alexandropoulos 44a; Müller Afrique 104; SNG Cop 190 var (no pellet); SRCV II 6494 var (same)3 commentschuy1530

Byzantine, MANUEL COMNENUS, Billion Aspron Trachy SBCV-1966 DOC IV -13c OBV Christ, bearded and nimbate, wearing tunic and kolobion, seated upon throne without back; holds Gospels in l. hand. Pellet in each limb of nimbus cross

REV Full length figure of emperor, bearded on l., crowned by Virgin nimbate. Emperor wears stemma, divitision, collar piece, jeweled loros of a simplified type ; holds in right hand labarum-scepter, and inl. Gl cr.Virgin wears tunic and maphorion.

Size 31mm

Weight 4.63gm

A nearly perfect strike and that is exceptional. If you notice Christs head you will see the nimbus dots ever so slightly out of alignment. The dies were fresh when struck. Truly Exceptional.
3 commentsSimon

Gallienus Billon Antoninianus.GALLIENVS AVG, Radiate head right

MARTI PACIFERO, Mars standing left holding olive branch, shield and spear, "A" in left field

Minted in Rome

RIC V Part 1 236 (Scarce).
Will Hooton

Isaac II Billion Trachy DOC- 3 S-2003 with StarsVirgin Nimbate, wearing tunic and Maphorion, seated upon a throne with back holds beardless, nimbate head of Christ on breast. Stars in field.

REV Full length figure of emperor, wearing stemma divitision collar piece, jeweled loros of a simplified type and saigon; holds in r. hand sceptre cruciger and in l. anexikakia Manus Dei ( Hands of God) in upper r. field. Note stars in field! 30mm

Another nice example of of this coin, Almost all of the details from the legend to Manus Dei ( Hands of God) are visable, coin also has traces of silvering..Simon

John II Billion Trachy S-1944 DOC 10
IC XC Bust of Christ bearded and nimbate wearing tunic and kolobion holds gospel in l. hand , pellets in the limbs of the nimbate cross.

REV Bust of emperor wearing stemma divitision, collar piece, and paneled loros of the simplified type holds in r. hand sceptre cruciger. Note Var A has transverse stroke on shaft shaft and 5 jewel collar piece.28mm

This example is "as struck"it has an very unusual amount of silver much more than ever expected. Coin has been previosly thought to be electum. Simon

John II Billion Trachy S-1944 DOC 10 var.BIC XC Bust of Christ bearded and nimbate wearing tunic and kolobion holds gospel in l. hand , pellets in the limbs of the nimbate cross.

REV Bust of emperor wearing stemma divitision, collar piece, and paneled loros of the simplified type holds in r. hand sceptre cruciger. Note Var A has transverse stroke on shaft shaft and 5 jewel collar piece.28mm

This example is "as struck"it has an very unusual amount of silver much more than ever expected. Coin has been previosly thought to be electum.Simon

Manuel I Komnenus billion aspron trachy SB1962Obverse: Bust of Christ facing beardless, wearing nimbus cr., pallium and colobium, raising r. hand in benediction; in l. scroll; to l., IC; to r. XC.
Reverse: MANUHA AECII or similar, bust facing, beardless, wearing crown and jewelled chlamys and holding labarum and gl. cr.
Mint: Constantinople First metropolitan coinage Variation B
Date: 1143-1180 CE
Sear 1962 var b, First coinage; H 14.10-13
two varities
Var b Labarum shaft has two dots, one near head, the other between hand and shoulder, collar normally has four jewels

27mm 3.94gmwileyc

Manuel I Komnenus billion aspron trachy Manuel I SB1966Obverse: IC-XC (bar above) in field, Christ bearded and nimbate, wearing tunic and colobion, seated upon throne without back; holds gospels in left hand.
Reverse: MAN(monogram)HA AECIIOT or var, MP OV bar above in upper right field, Full-length figure of emperor, bearded on left, crowned by Virgin nimbate. Emperor wears stemma, divitision, collar-peice, and jewelled loros of simplified type; holds in right hand labarum-headed scepter, and in left globus cruciger. Virgin wears tunic and maphorion.
four main varieties:
Mint: Constantinople
Date: 1167-1183?
Sear 1966 Var A, Fourth coinage, H 16.1-6
Three jewels on emperor's loros between waist and collar-piece
30mm 3.77gm
wileyc

Manuel I Komnenus billion aspron trachy SB1964Obverse: The Virgin enthroned facing, nimbate and wearing pallium and maphrium, she holds nimbate head of the infant Christ facing; to l. MP to r. Theta V.
Reverse: MANUHA AECIIOTHC or similar, Manuel stg. facing wearing crown, divitision and chlamys and holding labarum (one dots= on shaft) and globus surmounted by patriarchal cross.
Mint: Constantinople Third metropolitan coinage Variation B
Date: 1143-1180 CE
Sear 1964 DO 15.5-10
22mm 4.44gm1 commentswileyc

Manuel I Komnenus billion aspron trachy SB1964Obverse: The Virgin enthroned facing, nimbate and wearing pallium and maphrium, she holds nimbate head of the infant Christ facing; to l. MP to r. Theta V.
Reverse: MANUHA AECIIOTHC or similar, Manuel stg. facing wearing crown, divitision and chlamys and holding labarum (variation A, no dots on shaft) and globus surmounted by patriarchal cross.
Mint: Constantinople Third metropolitan coinage Variation A
Date: 1143-1180 CE
Sear 1964 var A, DO 15.5-10

26mm 4.45gmwileyc

Manuel I Komnenus billion aspron trachy SB1964Obverse: The Virgin enthroned facing, nimbate and wearing pallium and maphrium, she holds nimbate head of the infant Christ facing; to l. MP to r. Theta V.
Reverse: MANUHA AECIIOTHC or similar, Manuel stg. facing wearing crown, divitision and chlamys and holding labarum (variation A, no dots on shaft) and globus surmounted by patriarchal cross.
Mint: Constantinople Third metropolitan coinage Variation A
Date: 1143-1180 CE
Sear 1964 DO 15.5-10
22mm 3.56gmwileyc

Manuel I Komnenus Billion aspron trachy SB1966Obverse: IC-XC (bar above) in field, Christ bearded and nimbate, wearing tunic and colobion, seated upon throne without back; holds gospels in left hand.
Reverse: MAN(monogram)HA AECIIOT or var, MP OV bar above in upper right field, Full-length figure of emperor, bearded on left, crowned by Virgin nimbate. Emperor wears stemma, divitision, collar-peice, and jewelled loros of simplified type; holds in right hand labarum-headed scepter, and in left globus cruciger. Virgin wears tunic and maphorion.
four main varieties:
Mint: Constantinople
Date: 1167-1183?
Sear 1966 Var c, Fourth coinage, H 16.10-13
obv: Asterisk above throne on left, or right or both
Rev: One jewel on emperors loros between waist and collar-peice
29mm 4.86gmwileyc

Manuel I Komnenus billion aspron trachy SB1966Obverse: IC-XC (bar above) in field, Christ bearded and nimbate, wearing tunic and colobion, seated upon throne without back; holds gospels in left hand.
Reverse: MAN(monogram)HA AECIIOT or var, MP OV bar above in upper right field, Full-length figure of emperor, bearded on left, crowned by Virgin nimbate. Emperor wears stemma, divitision, collar-peice, and jewelled loros of simplified type; holds in right hand labarum-headed scepter, and in left globus cruciger. Virgin wears tunic and maphorion.
four main varieties:
Mint: Constantinople
Date: 1167-1183?
Sear 1966 Var c, Fourth coinage, H 16.10-13
obv: Asterisk above throne on left, or right or both
Rev: One jewel on emperors loros between waist and collar-peice
29mm 4.25gmwileyc

Maximian (RIC 54b, Coin #749)RIC 54b, Billion Follis, Antioch, 300-301 AD
OBV: IMP C M A MAXIMIANVS P F AVG; Laureate bust right.
REV: GENIO POPVLI ROMANI; Genius standing left, kalathos on head, naked except for chlamys over left shoulder, patera in right hand, cornucopiae in left hand, K lower left, Z over V right.
SIZE: 28.0mm, 5.54gMaynardGee

Nero Poppea Alexandrian Billon TetradrachmNero
Reigned AD 54-68
Coin Struck AD 64-65
öln 157, Dattari 196, BMC 122-123, RPC 5275

O: NEPW KLAV KAIS SEB GEP AV radiate head right

R: POPPAIA SEBASTH, draped bust of Poppaea right, LI to right. K

Phillip I Billion Tetradrachm EagleObv.
AYTOK K M IOYLI FILIPPOC CEB
Radiate, draped & cuirassed bust right, seen from front

Rev.
DHMAPX EXOYCIAC YPATO G
ANTIOXIA SC in ex.
Eagle standing left, wings spread, head and tail left, wreath in beak

Prieur 3791 commentsancientdave

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