Recent Posts

41

Seals and Tesserae / Re: Identification of Byzantine lead seal?

« Last post by Gert on Yesterday at 05:13:15 pm »

This seal was struck on a blank that was too small for the boulloterion, resulting in loss of the legend. I think much can be reconstructed. Here's my proposal, not sure about the first and last line:

Obverse St. George. Sigla in field [ΓEW]-PΓ/H/OC

Reverse legend:

[CK]E[ΠOIC?]
TON CO[N ΔU]
ΛON CVM[EWN]
ΠPOTOCΠ[AΘ]
APHON …
VΠ’TO[N]

...your servant Symeon, protospatharios, hypatos.

The legend is in the accusative, so the invocation probably starts with 'skepois' (may you [i.e. Saint George] protect), rather than the common 'Kyrie boethei' (Lord, help...), which would need a dative. However, grammatical 'mistakes' are not uncommon.

This would date c. 11th century.

Regards
Gert

42

Seals and Tesserae / Re: Identification of Byzantine lead seal?

« Last post by djmacdo on Yesterday at 05:06:16 pm »

Thank you!

43

Ancient and Medieval Coin Identification Help / Re: 2 strange ottoman coins for ID

« Last post by Jan P on Yesterday at 04:59:23 pm »

I think, your first coin here could be an Onluk of Mustafa I.

44

Coin of the Day / Re: Coin of the day - a personal collection favorite

« Last post by Virgil H on Yesterday at 04:44:15 pm »

This is such a fantastic coin, portrait is amazing.

Virgil

45

Ancient and Medieval Coin Identification Help / Re: Beyazyd II - akce

« Last post by Jan P on Yesterday at 04:29:12 pm »

So, both my assumptions for this coin were right. Only, I could not find a second specimen of this piece.
Dear "kitov", put your answers in the right topic. Nobody is searching nor finding your "Süleyman - Serez" in this topic.
Thanks and congratulations for your confirmation though. Well done!

46

Coin of the Day / Re: Forum purchase o' the day

« Last post by Virgil H on Yesterday at 04:17:01 pm »

I have certainly strayed from my main coin collecting interests. Sometimes a coin or medal just speaks to you. That is a beautiful medal.

Virgil

47

Coin of the Day / Re: Trajan Sestertius OTD

« Last post by Virgil H on Yesterday at 04:13:49 pm »

That is such a beautiful coin.

Virgil

48

Medieval, Islamic and Crusader Coins Discussion Forum / Re: Afghanistan? ID help

« Last post by Virgil H on Yesterday at 04:05:21 pm »

The Hindu Shahis of Kabul and Gandara ruled over roughly these dates: 750-921 AD. These Bull and Horseman types were used by many other kingdoms over the years in central Asia and India. Look up Tye on Numiswiki for a link to his type listing for all these coins. They are fascinating coins. I love them.

Virgil

49

Ancient and Medieval Finger Rings / Roman Men's Ring with Victory

« Last post by Mayadigger on Yesterday at 03:57:42 pm »

Ave!

Just sharing for your edification. LOL!

Roman Signet ring with Victory, ca. 1st-3rd Cent AD

Copper alloy; 11.8gm, Ring size 8

Description/ Cast on a large and heavy bronze band, blue paste bezel, featuring winged Victory, standing left, holding wreath and palm frond, and standing on a globe.

Ref/ Guiraud Type 2 = 1st Century BC - 3rd Century AD

Such images of Victory were nearly always depicted on Roman coins after successful battles...but exactly which battle is moot. As to who wore this ring is also moot but perhaps a Roman legionary centurion, not rich, nor poor, but had enough denarii to purchase, and wear, such an expensive ring. If his ring was used as a personal signet to seal letters and documents....Well, your guess is as good as ours!  FYI- All that conjecturing above is moot, as well. Ha-ha!

Best to all,

Kevin

50

Ancient and Medieval Finger Rings / Ladies Gold Roman Ring

« Last post by Mayadigger on Yesterday at 03:42:46 pm »

Ave!

Just sharing. LOL!

Gold; 4.2gm - ca.1st-3rd Cent. Ground found in a farmers field in Croatia.

Con/ Missing small piece of the lower bezel, otherwise, about As Fabricated.

Description/ The oval five tiered bezel and the band were created separately then assembled onto the band The three gold beads flanking the bezel were then added to the band.

How this extraordinary ring survived all those centuries in the ground is not the question. The real question is who and how it was made. For size reference, the gold beads on the band are only 2mm and the lower tiers are less than 1mm! Could any modern gold smith actually create such a delicate ring as this from scratch without present day technology? The fellow who made this ring was a certainly a master gold smith, no doubts at all. But you have to ask yourself how he could create such tiny and perfectly round balls as seen on the third tier?

I'm no gemologist, and have no idea as to the dark blue semi-precious stone, but it is certainly not glass.

Lovely, isn't it?