FORVM`s Classical Numismatics Discussion Board
Numismatic and History Discussion Forums => Byzantine Coins Discussion Forum => Topic started by: vercingetorix on June 12, 2006, 03:02:58 pm
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I think it should be interesting and useful to post here the most rare specimens in your byzantine collection along with a picture and a brief numismatic/historical description. Very often pictures of rare coins are even more rare to find than the coin itself. Even byzantine related coinage is suited for this thread (Bulgarian, Russian etc.). Also if you possess anlo images of rare byzantine coins, please post them as well.
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Here goes an imitation of an anonymous follis. Quite rare I might add. About 12 recorded in copper and one in silver. Bears Armenian legends and cites an Armenian ruler though. This is the first coin struck in the Armenian language.
Image source: MONETARY CIRCULATION IN ARMENIA By K. Mousheghian.
Armenia, Principality of Lori, Kiurike II (1048-1089 AD).
Obv. Bust of Christ with the following Armenian letters above his shoulders:
ՅՍ ՔՍ
(Jesus Christ)
Rev. Inscription in five lines in Armenian:
ՏՐ ՈԳ
ՆԷ ԿՈՐԻԿ
¡¤Ի ԿՈՐԱ¨‹
ՊԱՂԱ
ՏԻՆ.
(Lord aid Kiurike the Curopalatus.)
Weight, g: 4.92
Size, mm: 25
Mint: Tashir ?
Date: 1048-1089 A.D
Denomination: Follis
Metal: AE
Best,
Levon
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I have a half dozen tetartera that would rank as Rare but here is my rarest. I figure that this coin gets me closer to being the first with a complete collection ( at least in the west.) of tetartera.
ALEXIUS I AE Tetarteron SR- Unlisted DOC 41
Monogram of Alexius. Rev Bust of Emperor wearing stemma divitision and jewelled loros of traditional type holds in r. hand jewlled sceptre and in l. gl. cr. 15/17
Only one known in a major collection located in Istanbul Turkey. DOC mentions and includes the type in the catalog but does not have one in inventory.
I should have asked to have this included this mongram with the list that was posted.
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This is probably my rarest one. It's a Latin trachy with a facing eagle on the obverse. The reverse is a standing emperor holding a scepter and globus cruciger. The size is 18-20mm.
The unique thing about it is the facing eagle obverse. I've never seen anything like it. This coin is unpublished in Sear, Dumbarton Oaks Vol IV, and in articles on Latin and Thessalonican trachea in Numismatic Chronicles 1973 and 1978. I can't seem to be able to take a good photo of it; it's a really pretty coin with a beautiful, smooth patina.
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Of course in Byzantine numismatics there are quite a few extremely rare coins, but just to give Simon´s Alexius a comrade
here´s another tetarteron from my collection:
John II, DOC (15), mentioned as available in a private collection, but not in the DOC collection and not in Sear -
this coin is somewhat similar to Sear 1953, but John is holding a labarum ( instead of jewelled sceptre )
and the legend is +I W D CC Pi T I - T W Pi O P Phi V P O
byzantiumcoins
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Gold half tremissis (1/6 solidus), 14.34mm, 0.72g
Struck c. 607-610 at Constantinople
dN FOCAS PER AV, diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right, beardless / VICTORI FOCAS AV, cross potent, CONOB beneath.
Three known specimens; the smallest gold denomination in the Byzantine series.
Certificate of Authenticity by David R. Sear, ACCS
Sear 635; cf. DOC 20; cf. MIB 29
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The following one is not a particular rare coins but gives an idea about south italy coins in byzantine style. It's a follis fraction by Roger II minted in Messina in 1138-1140
obv/ PO :Greek_Pi_2: EPIOC ANAZ
rev/ IC-XC NI-KA
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Another Arab-Byzantine coin
Not that rare but I would say it is extremly rare in this condition
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Hi sari,
a very interesting coin, though I suppose not a regular Byzantine coin of the Alexandrian mint,
but possibly a very well done Islamic imitation.
I have never seen this combination of obverse / reverse before and will try to find out more about it soon.
byzantiumcoins
Sorry everybody, I must have been dreaming ...
I have to correct myself: of course it´s just a regular Constans II, Sear 1026, MIB 188,
byzantiumcoins
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A little fouree collection
https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/index.php?cat=14595
Attributions are well come! :)
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Dear "byzantinecoins"
You are not dreaming at all. Please read the following message received from
Chriss Conell in the ANS regarding this coin.
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Dear sari,
thanks for your posting.
I am sorry, but I disagree - at first sight I thought the coin looks regular, but I was confused because
this type doesn´t exist as a Heraclius type. That´s why I wrote " a very well done " imitation.
In fact your coin looks much better than the usual Arab-Byzantine "Alexandria" coins
I simply didn´t think of the first Constans II ( or more likely Heraclonas ) type.
After checking the fotos that are available of this type I am quite sure Chris is wrong,
it is the regular Constans II, Sear 1026, Ratto 1318, DOC (Heraclonas) 7, MIB 188=Oxford ( Ashmolean ),
( BTW, attribution to the Persian Occupation is rather obsolete anyway, the Arab-Byzantine "Alexandrian" coins
have to be dated to the second half of the 7th cent. )
byzantiumcoins
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sari's AE22 seems rather wide for a 12nummi.
Were later official byz issues struck so large?
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Yes, the official Heraclonas and Constans II Dodekanummia are usually in the 20 - 22 mm range.
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Hi all,
I'll continue the series of Arab immitations of Byzantine coins:
This is immitation of Constans II follis of Nikomedia minted in Diospolis (Lodd). This is extremally rare coin. About 10 of them are known. The prices are 1000 - 1300 USD.
Regards,
Explorer
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Heraclius, A.D. 610-641. AE Follis. 10.85 gms. Mint of Constantinople. Obv: Heraclius, bearded, on left and Heraclius Constantine on right standing facing, each wearing crown and chlamys and holding globus cruciger in right hand, between their heads, cross. Rev: Large M between A/N/N/O and Regnal year III (A.D. 612/3), cross above, officina letter A, in exergue, CON. Sear BCV 805. Fine, double struck.
Rare only in the sense that the double strike makes it appear to be an early issue with three augustii! Heraclonas did not actually appear on the bronze coinage until A.D. 638.
Eugene
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33 Nummi, Justinian, Alexandria mint, AE25
O: DNIVSTINIANVS.AVG. Helmeted and cuir. bust facing, holding gl. cr.
and shield; to right., cross.
R: Large 33 (Greek numerals); above cross; in ex., ALEZ (greek).
SB246; D.O.273; B.M.C. 339-41; T. 502; R.688; B.N. 1-4; MIB146; H-164
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Three-quarter follis, Heraclius, year 629/630,
Constantinople mint, officina four, AE23
overstruck on SB841.
O: No legend. Heraclius and Heraclius Constantine stg. facing,
star between their heads; Hearclius wears crown and military dress,
holds long cross, and has moustache and long bears; his son, with
short beard, wears crown and chalmys, and holds gl. cr.; in field
to l., Monogram 23; to r., K.
R: Large 30 (greec numeral); to l.. ANNO; to r., regnal year (XX?);
beneath, officina Delta; in ex., CON.
DO117; BMC202; T305; BN85-7; MIB168; H-168;
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And it's, off course SB812.
Explorer
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ALEXIUS I AE Tetarteron SR- Unlisted DOC 41
Monogram of Alexius. Rev Bust of Emperor wearing stemma divitision and jewelled loros of traditional type holds in r. hand jewlled sceptre and in l. gl. cr. 15/17
Only one known in a major collection located in Istanbul Turkey. DOC mentions and includes the type in the catalog but does not have one in inventory.
I should have asked to have this included this mongram with the list that was posted.
No problem Simon, new ones can always be added! Did I draw this one correctly?
Kevin :)
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Hi Pep. catching up on your reading I see.
Replace C with Phi :Greek_Phi:
Replace :Greek_Lambda: with :Greek_Delta: Delta
Happy Holidays
Simon
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Hi Pep. catching up on your reading I see.
Yes I am! :laugh:
Replace C with Phi :Greek_Phi:
Replace :Greek_Lambda: with :Greek_Delta: Delta
(https://www.forumancientcoins.com/numiswiki/images/AlexiusI_DO41.gif)
Thessalonica, right? You may want to check my entry on the monogram page and make any corrections:
https://www.forumancientcoins.com/numiswiki/view.asp?key=Monogram
Happy Holidays to you!
Kevin :)
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this is my rarest Byz coin :)
Empire of Nicaea, John III (1222-1254)
Obverse: Virgin orans.
Reverse: Emperor and St. Demetrius holding labarum.
Sear 2130
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Hello, does anyone know what the Delta and the Phi stand for in the monogram of Alexius I ?
I've attached the front side with a double cross.
Thank you!
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Hello, does anyone know what the Delta and the Phi stand for in the monogram of Alexius I ?
I've attached the front side with a double cross.
Thank you!
K
:Greek_Phi:
A
:Greek_Delta:
Their meaning is:
Kirie (Lord reffering to God)
Filate (protect)
Alexio
Despoti (Lord reffering to rulers)
or "Lord protect our Lord Alexios"
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Many thanks! I am a native Greek speaker but was not aware of it. So if one were to read it from top to bottom, it would be:
Aleksion Despotin Kyrie Fylatte
ΑΛΕΞΙΟΝ ΔΕΣΠΟΤΗΝ ΚΥΡΙΕ ΦΥΛΑΤΤΕ
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Hello everyone
I will present today a Tiberius Constantine follis which is not mentioned in Sear nor have I seen it in DOC catalogue, or Hahn, Ratto, Grierson or Berk.
There are two types of this Constantinople follis mentioned:
Either with large M (for the denomination) and CON at the exergue (Sear 428, DOC 10, MIB 23)
or with small m and CON or CON+off at the exergue (CONA, CONB, CON :Greek_Gamma:,CON :Greek_Delta: or CONE) as in Sear 430, DOC 11-14, MIB 25.
The combination large M plus CON :Greek_Gamma: is not reported.
I would really like to hear some comments about this coin if anyone knows anything more.
Thomas
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The coin would have been indeed an unlisted variety. If you look carefuly on the coin you will se that the M is (or was initially) a small m. You can se the small cuved extension of the top of the left vertical line of the M that is typical for the small m. The two converging lines of the M are quite blury and perheps not only in the picture. So I must conclude without enthusiasm that we are presented with a regular issue of Tib. II, albeit a very nice specimen. How much did you pay? Around 40$?
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First off all thank you for the reply,
to be honest, I was -and still am- not sure about this coin as well. So when I bought it I knew
there was a risk of having bought just a normal Tiberius follis but even so, I think I can financially survive ;D
But I asked other opinions like yours, because it does not fit to be a normal follis either.
Believe me I have touched and seen so many (too many...) byzantine coins, that it is not easy for someone to sell me a fake (even the price I payed does not justify the effort of producing such a fake or intentionally modifying a genuine one).
From Wildwings I took the picture of an almost perfect Tiberius follis with m instead of my M.
They really do not seem to be the same, although I still can not say that mine is an unlisted variety...
thank you anyway
Thomas
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I agree it looks different, but my assumption was that initially they were the same; your coin is certainly genuine. There is either an overstrike or a deliberate blunder of the small m to make it look like a big M (don't ask me the reason for doing that). See the circled areas below. You can see the left-curved line specific to a small m. You can also see between the legs of the m the horizontal line from the middle leg. I should stress again that the center part of the m is blury and seems carved (tooled?)
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Very hard to dissagree!
You are more than 90% correct.
Two things still annoy me though.
See the two circled areas at the attachment.
Normal m does not have a relief area there. Where did -and how- this extra medal came from.
More over, using a 30X magnifying glass, it is obvious that the patina over the central area
is old. Maybe as old as at the rest of the coin.
So if someone modified the m into an M, he did it a very long time ago.
The reasons we will never know...
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This is a very interesting coin nonetheless; especially for this alteration of this original type, which is not modern but made in ancient times. Of course the reason eludes us, but you could figure out a few possible explanations.
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The previous coin I posted here arrised many question marks and doubts ???.
This one will not :)
All normal Iustinianus 16 nummia from Thessaloniki, mention TES (or rarely TESB,TESX)
under an exergual line.
However there is a rare type without TES
According to Metcalf, 5 coins were only known of this type untill some years ago.
I myself have not seen during these last years any copy -apart mine- of that coin at any auction, printed or electronic.
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Very hard to dissagree!
You are more than 90% correct.
Two things still annoy me though.
See the two circled areas at the attachment.
Normal m does not have a relief area there. Where did -and how- this extra medal came from.
More over, using a 30X magnifying glass, it is obvious that the patina over the central area
is old. Maybe as old as at the rest of the coin.
So if someone modified the m into an M, he did it a very long time ago.
The reasons we will never know...
Sorry about the late entry, it looks like the "M" is either incluse, and was hand cut using a chisel, or the die was was warn out and a quick alteration was made to make it last. The arches of the
"m" may have been too worn, so it was re-cut into the "V" . If you look just under the "+" you and see hints of the arches and the terminal "-" below at the center.
Bruce
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After all this discussion and Bruces correct comments, I am convinced that the coin was
altered.
The reason though can not be a quick restoration of a "worn out die" for two reasons:
a. The overall condition of the coin does not indicate an extensive wear at this particular area
b. Even so, being worn out in a spot could not be a problem for the coin to circulate normally and be accepted for everyday transactions.
So I believe that the alteration, which 100% sure is not modern (at least not during the last 100 or so years due to the uniform patina as I mention in another post), was done for other reasons.
Either as an effort to create a variety (were there interested people-collectors back then??)
or from someone as a joke at his spare time...
Imagine, someone centuries ago, was lauphing at me :evil:
But I am lauphing at him also because I enjoy every minute of this story and the money I spent could just buy me 2-3 decent Mc Donalds meals ;D
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But I am lauphing at him also because I enjoy every minute of this story and the money I spent could just buy me 2-3 decent Mc Donalds meals ;D
Isn't a decent McDonald's meal one of the rarest things on the planet? ;) ;D
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Not at all. It's as common as any other mythical beast.
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Here«s my latest acquisition, an unpublished Justinianus, 8 Nummi of the Thessalonica mint.
byzantiumcoins
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byzantiumcoins,
Interesting coin, I have a couple of questions, I presume this might place as around a sear 189-193 ??
I was looking in Metcalfs' The copper coinage of Thessalonica under Justinian I and noting some of the weight variations between the different varieties. Might that be a :Greek_Rho: between the dot and :Greek_omega_small: Great coin as I saw his comment (1976) that the survival-rate of the Thessalonican coins is low, 1 in 100,000 give or take a factor of 2.
cw
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I thought that my $ 167 bid would be enough :evil: :evil:
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The following coin is not really rare but it's not common either.
It is a trachy from John III Doucas Vatatzis(1222-124) of Thessalonica mint, Sear 2128.
Virgin enthroned on one side and John as well as St Demetrius on the other.
Funny thing is that the seller sold this coin as Manuel I trachy!
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It's rare to find it in such beautiful condition! Very nice!
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byzantiumcoins,
Interesting coin, I have a couple of questions, I presume this might place as around a sear 189-193 ??
I was looking in Metcalfs' The copper coinage of Thessalonica under Justinian I and noting some of the weight variations between the different varieties. Might that be aÊ :Greek_Rho: between the dot andÊ :Greek_omega_small:Ê Great coin as I saw his comment (1976) that the survival-rate of the Thessalonican coins is low, 1 in 100,000 give or take a factor of 2.
cw
Dear wileyc,
please excuse my late answer.
The 8 Nummia coin would be classified as Sear 192 var, it corresponds with the 16 Nummia Sear 186, MIBE 170a
The second I of the AISPI of the 16 Nummia coin has been moved to the top and placed between the pellet and the Omega,
thus showing " A - pellet - I - Omega "Ê
Metcalfs book is wonderful, I truely love it.
Quite a few new variants especially of the 8 Nummia have come to light during the last 30 years though -
all of them are exceedingly rare, mostly only known in 1 or 2 examples.
Kind regards
byzantiumcoins
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I am glad to share with you a rare coin of my collection.
According to the data I have, less than 10 similar coins exist.
Iustinus I pentanummium Thessalonica mint.
Sear 80B
The coin is in EF condition.
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Hello friends,
I'd like to share with you this (one of my favorite) coin out of my trachy collection.
I only show the reverse because the obverse is as flat as usual. The reverse is in VF condition or even better (sorry for the lack of sharpness in the pic).
ALEXIOS I (minted ~1114 at Philippoplis, today's Plovdiv, Bulgaria - Hendy mentions it was a commemorative coin on the 2nd visit of ALEXIOS in that town) - ref. DOC 31b, Sear 1936, Pz. 1.3b - the huge cross on globus cruciger is distinctive for this issue. BTW: I think, this coin is undervalued in Sears BC. During the last 5 years I only recognized 5 or 6 specimens of that type in auctions.
Some sources suspect Adrianopolis (todays Edirne, european Turkey) as where this coin was minted, but this is very unlikely. ALEXIOS spent 2 times in Plovdiv - both with distinctive coinage (Sear 1935 in year 1093-1094 and Sear 1936 in year 1114-1115). According to Hendy and Grierson ALEX never stayed in Adrianopolis, so it's obvious, that both emissions were issued in contribution of the Emperor's stay (both times for several months) in later Bulgaria.
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Anything from the Rome mint?
Emperor: Heraclius (r. 610-641 AD)
Date: 613-ca. 620 AD
Condition: aVF/EF
Denomination: Half Follis
Obverse: :D3::Greek_Nu::Greek_epsilon::A::C::L::Greek_Iota::Greek_Omicron::R::Greek_Upsilon_2::Greek_Nu:
Two busts facing, beardless, draped, each wearing trefoil ornament. Heraclius on left, slightly larger than Heraclius Constantine on right. Between heads, cross.
Reverse: Large ":Greek_Chi::Greek_Chi:"; Above, cross.
Exergue: :R::Greek_Omicron::Greek_Mu:
Rome mint
DO 261; Sear 889; MIB 243a
3.89g; 18.3mm; 165°
Ex Dr. Michael Metlich Collection
Kevin :)
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Lovely coin Kevin. Is it yours?
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Thank you and yes it is! 8)
Kevin :)
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If you like "roman" stuff :)
16 mmm, 3,7 gr still Heraclius with family :laugh:
Note the reverse :reversedN: :reversedN: :)
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Great coin !
At first sight it looks like a contemporary imitation of Sear 891, DOC 266, MIB 244
but despite the retrograde NN it might as well be Imperial.
Byzantiumcoins
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Thnak you Byzantium :)
you got informations about imitation of byzantine coins from Rome mint?
I don't believe so :)
Anyway the reverse :reversedN: is quite common in italian and roman mints ;)
I'm searching also images of these coins, can you help me to find them?
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Very often retrograde letters like on your coin indicate the possibility of "irregular" mints
but after looking through the reference books I guess your coin is Imperial.
I have found a similar coin from year 15 sold through CNG some time ago:
I have also checked the fotos in the standard reference works and found one moreÊ similar coin with retrograde NN
It is Tolstoj 437, also struck in year 15
Unfortunately I do not read Russian and thus cannot tell you what he writes about this coin.
Kind regards
byzantiumcoins
Foto from CNG, 152. Electronic auction, lot 242
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thank you Byz :)
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Hi! I have some unpublished trachy. For exemple, this two trachy of Isaac II with two stars in the field, near the emperor. In the first trachy, the two stars are both below under right arm of Isaac. In the second, the two stars are in both side of emperor.
Antvwala
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Wonderful
Bakkar
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A coin that has always fascinated me is Sear 85A, a Justin I follis of Nicomedia with manus Dei holding diadem above emperor´s head.
I bought it more than 10 years ago as a "barbaric imitation"
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Great coin :o
Here is a special coin from my collection ;D
Iustinus and Iustinianus follis Kyzicus mint, Sear 128A
The only specimen I know without a retrograde Z at KYZ
tk
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Hi i have coin №4 from this site http://members.ozemail.com.au/~chrisandpeter/coins/coins.html
4 = 'anonymous' follis Class A2, attributed to Basil II (976-1025). What is the price actually of this coin?
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Hi i have coin №4 from this site http://members.ozemail.com.au/~chrisandpeter/coins/coins.html
4 = 'anonymous' follis Class A2, attributed to Basil II (976-1025). What is the price actually of this coin and is it rare?
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In average condition $10-$20
In VF condition $40-80
As in the drawing you submitted could reach $150-200
Very common coin
tk
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One of the new additions in my collection.
Andronicus III AE Trachy, Thessalonica mint.
Obv Paleologan monogam
Rev St Demetrius and emperor holding large lis on stuff.
Not in Sear. (Grierson 1473)
PS According to our friend "glebe" Ross Glanfield, this is an Andronicus II coin
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I found a rare Byzantine coin online this week. Focas 30 nummi, Cyzicus, Sear 666. The coin is pretty worn, but I like the cadaverous looking face -- perfect for this Emperor.
I thought I was going to pick it up on the cheap for $11.50, but someone swooped in and bid it up to $164 with only seconds remaining. This time I had a higher maximum bid - barely. ;D Maybe the other bidder was someone else who reads this board???
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I need to dig up the coin and photograph it sometime - I have what may be a 1/2 follis of Constantine VII. It would be interesting to get a consensus whether it's a true 1/2 follis or a cut-down regular. Last time I looked at it, I thought the dies were slightly smaller than a regular follis.
I also was lucky to receive as a Christmas present the same type (not this particular coin, but same type) as http://www.byzantinecoins.com/10917o.jpg
I think the Maurice Grierson's Rome style follis is relatively rare, too.
I have one of the "neatly clipped" Aspron Trachea of Manuel, which don't seem to be super-common.
Cool Phocas, by the way, I have one from Constantinople, which I picked up a few years ago for a relative bargain, although I can't remember from whom I bought it.
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As you may know, there have been noted some rare specimens of John II AE half tetarteron, Sear 1954, where Christ is depicted
with his right hand raised in benediction while at the normal coin both his hands hold the book of Gospels.
Recently I found a specimen with the raised hand.
Below I present two pictures one of the normal coin and one with the raised in benediction right hand.
tk
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Quite honestly, I do not know how "rare" this assarion is. According to Sear this is one of the rarest in the Andronicus II - Michael IX series. I have looked in the archives for other specimens and google shows me that there is at least one in coinarchives, but I am not a coinarchives pro subscriber, so I cannot access the file. Sear 2451.
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Lately I added this coin to my collection.
It is worn and unattractive, but:
1. It does not exist in better condition than this one (not by far at least)
2. The opportunity to find a specimen is at the most once per year.
3. Approx. 20 specimens have beed recorded
So I got it ;D
Iustinus I AE follis, Kyzicus mint, Sear 96
INS :Greek_Delta: : fourth indiction, year 525/526
If I am not wrong, this is the first dated Byzantine coin
tk
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I'd like to present a recent addition to my byzantine collection -
Andronicus II Ae trachy, Thessalonica mint. Sear 2487
Another thing about this coin which pleases me as much
as it's rarity is it's condition, not very common for those types I guess
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Here is a special Iustinianus follis, Kyzicus mint.
This variant is not mentioned in Sear.
One more specimen -apart from this one- is recorded by Hahn
also from officina A and year 19.
This type -with a cross before mintmark- is better known from the Nicomedian follis
which I have also presented in this forum.
The cross before mintmark on these is found on some (4-5 pieces known) year 16 folles.
I have no idea, nor have I read any speculation either for the meaning of the cross or why we see it on year 16 folles for NIKO and year 19 for KYZ ???
tk
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This is my first Byzantine coin. I am not sure if it is authentic, but if it is, it might be extremely rare. I believe the obverse is Leo III. The writing says "DNOLEO NPAMVL" The edge is dotted. The reverse says "VICTORIA AVGVS." The reverse edge line is solid, not dotted. The coin weighs approximately 1.68grams and the diameter averages 15-16mm. The coin appears to be silver. I have looked through the entire British Museum catalog of Byzantine coins and cannot find this one. I believe this coin to be minted in Ravenna. And I think the fact that it is silver with the cross on a globe make it unusual.
Can anyone tell me what it is?
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this is a known forgery noted in Sear/Bendall Byzantine coins #F67 (pg 510)
its noted to be a copy of a italian mint semissis, as you noted meant to be from Ravenna.
cordially
cw
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Thanks Wiley. Much appreciated.
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Let us give some life to this thread!
I recently found on e-bay listed as "interesting Byzantine coin" and eventually bought :),
an Isaac Comnenus Usurper of Cyprus trachy.
Obv. The Virgin standing facing orans
Rev. Isaak standing facing on dais, holding long cross and globus crusiger.
Above manus Dei.
Sear 1995.
Not in great condition but you just cann't have them all....
tk
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Of course, in Byzantine numismatics are quite a few extremely rare coins, but just to give a buddy Simon Alexis tetarteron here is another of my collection: John II, DOC (15), scored available in a private collection, but not in the collection of DOC and not in Sear - this piece is somewhat similar to Sear 1953, but John is in possession of a labarum (instead of a scepter jewelry) and the legend is CC + IWD IT Pi - Pi TW Phi UP OPV
Collectibles (http://www.coinsworld.eu)
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??? 8)
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Don't now how rare this is. I thaught it was unusual:
Nicephorus III, Botaniates, 24 March 1078 - 4 April 1081 A.D
Bronze follis, SBCV 1888, Constantinople mint, obverse IC - XC, 3/4 figure of Christ standing facing, raising right in benediction, Gospels in left, star left, star right; reverse C - Φ / N - Δ, Cross with pellet at each end, at center eight ray star in circle; rare
Regards
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(https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/albums/userpics/21657/Trebizond_follis.jpg)
Trebizond follis type I, 1080-1110? diameter 22,5/24,2 mm, weight 3,31 gr. struck by Teodor Gabras.
Av. Bust of Christ, bearded and nimbate, wearing tunic and kolobion; holds Gospel in left hand.
Rv. Leaved cross, with pellets at ends, all within border of large globules.
Lit. DOC t. IV tabl. XXV nr 1. Sear. Byzantine coins... nr – Grierson tabl. 58 nr 1002.
One of the rarests byzanitne coins known from one piece in a private collection (Numismatic Chronicle 1977, Pl.6.1).
Best regards,
Zbigniew
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Andronikos III, Palaeologos. 1328-1341. AE Trachy (1.17 gm). Thessalonika mint. Half-length bust of St. Demetrios facing / Andronikos standing facing, holding patriarchal cross in either hand. I have it,in perfect condicion...very rare???
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Picture?
CW
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I will send soon az posibble :)
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I would like to share with you my POLITIKON coin
overstuck on a denier.
Regards Paleologos.
LPC 180.1 S.2570
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mine is not exactly rare either but i think it is a very neat coin because i fully cleaned it on my birthday! today it is a justinian II and sophia follis from nicomedia sear#369 :Chi-Rho:
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Hi !
I`m Strategos from Ukraine.
I have many of interesting Byzantine coins.
This is my POLITIKON coins.
Sear 2581 14-15 mm, 0,52 g
Regards
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1/8th basilikon variation.
:Greek_Beta: at the intersection of the cross.
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Hello Paleologos,
Rare variation!
I have a question - why did you think it's a 1/8 basilikon?
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Byzantine Coin
Philip Grierson
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Interesting coin Paleologos, quite rare I agree.
Stefan Joppich helped me attribute this worn billion tornese, bought it in a group lot form Forum 4 yrs of so ago rather cheaply, coming to the conclusion of it being a anonymous politikon issue. SBVC 2584.
cw
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:) OK, my dear friend: ))))
Let's summarize the conclusion:
The name "1/8 basilikon" = "8 stamini"= denomination with unknown to us name.
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Interesting coin Paleologos, quite rare I agree.
Stefan Joppich helped me attribute this worn billion tornese, bought it in a group lot form Forum 4 yrs of so ago rather cheaply, coming to the conclusion of it being a anonymous politikon issue. SBVC 2584.
cw
Yes SBVC 2584
rare coin
i've seen it in your gallery long time ago
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:) OK, my dear friend: ))))
Let's summarize the conclusion:
The name "1/8 basilikon" = "8 stamini"= denomination with unknown to us name.
Exactly!
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OK! But .... is this a reason to name every Comnenan electrum aspron trachy "1/3 hyperpyron"?
Or Comnenan billon aspron trachys "1/48 or 1/120 or 1/184 hyperpyron"? ;D
We need name for every different denomination. For a better understanding of the Byzantine coinage.
If the weight of basilikon is 2 g of silver, and if we have coin 0.25 g of silver - it will be 1/8 basilikon.
When we have other coin made by billon alloy, and weight about 1.20 g, with silver content of 0.25 g, then this coin is a different denomination.
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So which names you suggest we should give them?
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Not me! I'm too "small": )))
Bendall in LPC (36), in PCPC (94b), Sear 2327 var., and Greirson (558, 559) suggests the name "Billon Tornesi",
and only Grierson - as the second name - offers (1/8 basilicon).
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I understand , your question is why we should call these coins 1/8 of a basilikon and not a billon tornesi as most references do.
I believe it is not a mistake to call these coins 1/8 of a basilikon since according to the historical sources the value of LPC 36.4 etc. is equal to the 1/8 of a basilikon and it was used in the commercial transactions as such.
The apparition of this denomination coincides with the basilicon coin and the references mention it also as such (1/8 of a basilikon).
I take it I don’t confuse the board when I call this specific billon tornese an 1/8 of a b. Certainly I don’t intend to find other names for other billon tornese of different weight and silver pourcentage, as this would be extremely confusing.
Regards
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Hi, one of the new additions in my collection.
Andronicus I Gidon Comnenus.
Trachy, the Empire of Trebizond 1222-1235, 1,89 g., Sear 2599.
St. Andronicus?, nimbate, standing on the obverse holding a spear and shield with the legend A/N/ΔP/O-NI/KO/C.
Rev. MHP – QV and KO/M\H/NC-OΓ/ΔO/N The Virgin, nimbate, standing facing on dais, holding the bust of beardless Christ to her breast.
Сoin before cleaning https://www.forumancientcoins.com/board/index.php?topic=84840.0
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Hi all !
I present to you a new coin from my collection.
Heraclius, Heraclius Constantine and Martina, AE follis or 8 pentanummia, Cherson, 616-624 AD. Heraclius on left and Heraclius Constantine, shorter, on right, both standing facing, each wearing crown and chlamys and holding cross on globe / Large H (= 8) to right of which stands Martina (?) facing, holding long P-headed cross. DOC 311; MIB 265; Sear 926.
There is a hypothesis that the coin is not minted in Сherson, in the Bosporus.
Found on the territory of Bosporus.
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That's a very nice and rare coin, Strategos. Thanks for showing us.
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Sear 2410.
18mm 0.82 g
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Andronicus II Palaeologus, with Michael IX. 1282-1328. AR Basilikon or Weight for Basilika Constantinople mint. Andronicus and Michael standing facing, holding patriarchal cross between them / +XAP/AGMACEP/ TOKAT AB/OLIKVBD/LLV in five lines across field. Bendall, Weights 22; PCPC 383
The legend on the reverse of these coins translates as “Money from the Sacred Mint discredits false coin,” which seems to suggest that they are coin weights. The fact that they are left out of DOC V reinforces this view. However, the basilikon was introduced by Andronicus as a new silver denomination, and the legend may also imply that these types were the first. Bendall noted that the weights of the known examples are all slightly higher than the standard Basilikon of 2.4g. Thus, these issues could possibly be a trial run at a slightly higher weight, one that was discounted in favor of the lower weight types that became the standard issue.source :CNG
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The Empire of Thessalonica Uncertain Thessalonican Attribution
Billon Trachy (BI, 1.65 g). Winged arm holding sword to left;three stars. Rev. St. Demetrius and Emperor standing facing, holding sword between them. S. 2226.
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Nice coins +++
tk
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Sear 2272
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Here are a rare sb 1943 for John II.
A coin that is seen very infrequently ! so important to keep in archives
https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22540/normal_sb1943.jpg
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Interesting example, CLBC says about 40-50 copies known. I do not always agree with the rarity system of the catalog but he lists this as rarity 4 and says even though Sear listed it as common he only found one for sale in the past few years.
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I saw the 5 copies of the coins on sale for the last 3 years. I have 2 copies of the coins in his collection.
One of them is found in Cyprus, as this coin too.
I think the rating R4 corresponds to the reality.
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Five years ago, I was outbidden on this one.
I think it was found in Cyprus as well.
tk
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Sear 2234
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Mine is kind of rare. It is #148 in the Bendall Revue Numismatique. 1/8 constantine xi stavraton
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Nice coin at good price
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Sear 2217
John Comnenus Ducas
1237-1242AE trachy 21mm 1.56gr.,6h
Thessalonica mint.
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Lovely coin, not a series of John I have spent much time looking at. The obverse is a stretched wing, what does this represent do you think?
cw
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Michael VII, Sear 1879
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This John VIII 1/8 stav is from the Constantine XI hoard so it is pictured, weighed, described in the Simon Bendall's "The coinage of Constantine XI" published in Revue Numismatique. This John VIII is coin #64 in the hoard, so I have this and my Constantine XI (#148) from that hoard. All known John VIII 1/8 stavraton come from this hoard or the Corlu hoard acording to Bendall. There were 16 of this type in the Constantine XI hoard.
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I just got this coin, and the auctioneer called it rare. It is a silver 1/2 siliqua of Justinian I. On the coin flip it is called a 1/2 siliqua.
"Justinian I (527-565 AD). AR 1/2-Siliqua (14-15 mm, 1.08 g), Carthage, 534-565 AD.
Obv. D N IVSTINI-ANVS PP AI, pearl-diademed and draped bust right.
Rev. VOT / MVL / HTI within wreath.
Ex. CONOS.
Sear 253."
Different, being a Byzantine coin from Carthage. "Issued at Carthage after the reconquest of the African province from the Vandals by Belisarius." --Brian
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I like this thread and I think it is worth keeping alive. I just read it again from the beginning.
Here is a rare one I picked up this summer. This is the auction houses picture. I am going to reshoot my collection in the upcoming months.
Isaac Comnenus. Usurper in Cyprus, 1185-1191. Æ Tetarteron (20mm, 2.39 g, 6h). Struck 1187-1191(?). Facing bust of Christ Pantokrator / Crowned facing bust of Isaac, holding cruciform scepter and akakia. DOC 7; SB 1994. VF, green patina. Rare.
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Excellent sample of its type
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Thank You Jason, Welcome to the board.
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Justin I and Justinian
Sear 128 variety = Hahn 8 variety.
Crosses either side of M. Cross above. Officina number B below. In ex: NIKM
Sear does not mention the cross above head. Sear 128 is illustrated without the cross-above-head. 40-nummia.
The cross is neither mentioned nor illustrated by Hahn 8 (plate 12). DO 12 neither mentions nor illustrates a cross-above-head.
32-30 mm. 14.94 grams.
Cross above head visible.
B below M.
Unlisted. Possibly unique with the cross-above-head.
(http://S128_0334.jpg)
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That orange patina also makes that coin very attractive, nice coin Warren.
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Andronicus III, AE assarion. Constantinople. 1328-1341 AD. ANDPONIKOC, Andronicus, standing, holding sceptre / Cross with v-shaped leaves on ends. Sear 2481. DOC 912. LBC 831.
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SB 2105
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Did not realize how rare this coin was until I got it. I have found no image on Wildwinds and one image on Labarum. Sear puts it at a higher value but I am uncertain how he got that price when no examples seem to be avaiable.
Theodore II (Magn.) AE Tetarteron SBCV-2146 DOC IV 14
OBV- Star in Crescent
REV- Full length figure of emperor wearing stemma, divitision and Chalmys; holds in r hand labarum headed scepter. In l.Globus .
Size 19.36
Weight 1.8gm
DOC notes one example, no weight given size 19x16
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John Comnenus-Ducas. As emperor of Thessalonica, 1237-1242. Æ Half Tetarteron (1,04 gr.). Thessalonica mint. + Iω Δ/KOMNH/NOC O ΔO/VKAC in four lines / Cross potent on two steps; barred IC-XC across field. DOC 13; SB 2224,CLBC V.Marchev 14.30.3
The coin is minted in 1242-1244
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I have a version of that as well, I was noticing how they differed. Weight is near same but the reverse legend is not the same. These are found concaved as well. Both yours and mine agree with Hendys observation that they are tetartera.
https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-160043
Here is our coins side by side.
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I read kitov's coin: Ιω/ ΔΕCΠ(Ο)/ ΤΗCΚ/ ΟΜΝ
Pekka K
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I was with my Dad in 1972 in Carthage. He bought a bunch of uncleaned "Roman" coins. I recently "cleaned" enough to identify - some late Roman, some Arab, some Byzantine (all minted in Carthage), some imitations, and a lot of vandal coinage. This little silver coin turned out to be a surprise. SB#872 Heraclius 1/2 Siliqua, Carthage.
Reverse is Her. Const. and Martina, with cross between.
Obverse is Heraclius, looking like Darth Vader here. It was solid smooth black all around when I started.
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Here is another find. SB276 Justinian I Pentanummium, Carthage. VICTORIA AG ex. CAR - maybe not "rare" but not common. Sorry about condition.
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John Comnenus-Ducas. As emperor of Thessalonica, 1237-1242. Æ Half Tetarteron (1,04 gr.). Thessalonica mint. + Iω Δ/KOMNH/NOC O ΔO/VKAC in four lines / Cross potent on two steps; barred IC-XC across field. DOC 13; SB 2224,CLBC V.Marchev 14.30.3
The coin is minted in 1242-1244
Kitov, I think you have something different there. Your lettering says John the Despot (Delta Epsilon Lunate-S Pi Tau). then something???? My Greek is not so good. John of Thessalonica indeed has the lettering Simon shows and you quote which seems to indicate 'Comenenus' (transliterated) in the second line.
After Nicea took over in 1242, John of Thessalonica was demoted to Despot, no? I think your coin might indicate that (?).
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JUSTINIAN I, AR 250 Nummi, struck 540 - 542 at Ravenna
Obverse: D N IVSTINIANVS P P AVG. Diademed bust of Justinian I, wearing imperial mantle, facing right.
Reverse: Large CN (= 250 Nummi) within wreath.
Diameter: 14mm | Weight: 1.07gms | Die Axis: 6
SBCV: 313 | DOC: 334a
Alex
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JUSTINIAN I, AR 120 Nummi, struck 552 - 565 at Rome or Ravenna
Obverse: D N IVSTINIANVS P P AVG Diademed bust of Justinian I facing right, wearing robe ornamented with a row of pellets.
Reverse: Large P•K enclosed within wreath.
Diameter: 11mm | Weight: 0.67gms | Die Axis: 6
SBCV: 317 (Rome) | DOC: 336.3 (Ravenna) | MIB: 76 (Rome) | Ranieri: 355 (Ravenna)
Alex
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Two nice additions Alex.
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Thank-you. When it comes to Byzantine coins I am limiting myself to only collecting coins of Justinian I.
Alex