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Home ▸ Catalog ▸ |Byzantine Coins| ▸ |Byzantine Mints| ▸ |Constantinople||View Options:   | | | When Anastasius became emperor the once vast number of Roman mints had been reduced to only two: Constantinople and Thessalonica. |
The emperor's name and portrait are not part of the design on the Byzantine types referred to as anonymous folles. Instead of the earthly king, these coins depict Jesus Christ, King of Kings.BZ113972. Bronze anonymous follis, Anonymous follis of Christ, DOC III-2, class D, pp. 685 - 687; Wroth BMC 10; Ratto 2015; SBCV 1836; Sommer 40.6, VF, well centered, green patina, overstruck, weight 6.449 g, maximum diameter 30.3 mm, die axis 180o, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, c. 1050 - 1055 A.D.; obverse Christ seated facing on throne with back, wearing nimbus cruciger, pallium, and colobium, and Gospels in both hands, IC - XC (Greek abbreviation: Ihsoús Xristós - Jesus Christ) across field; reverse IS XS / bASILE / bASIL (Greek: Jesus Christ, King of Kings) in three lines, ornamental lines and cross above, ornamental lines and crescent below; $120.00 (€112.80)
Byzantine Empire, Basil I the Macedonian, 24 September 867 – 29 August 886
Basil was born to peasant parents. During Basil's reign, an elaborate genealogy was produced that purported that his ancestors were not mere peasants, as everyone believed, but descendants of the Arsacid kings of Armenia, Alexander the Great and also of Constantine the Great. He was raised from companion, confidant, and bodyguard of Michael III to co-emperor. When he felt his position was being undermined by another courtier, Basil and several members of his family killed Michael III, and he became the ruling basileus.BZ114454. Bronze follis, DOC III-2 12; Wroth BMC 8, Ratto 1851, Tolstoi pl. 72, 13; SBCV 1709; Morrison BnF 34/Cp/AE/01; Sommer 33.5, VF, well centered, nice green patina, light deposits, light corrosion, weight 7.991 g, maximum diameter 26.2 mm, die axis 180o, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, 879 - 886 A.D.; obverse + bAISILIO-S - bASILEVS, emperor enthroned facing on lyre-backed throne, wearing loros and crown with cross and pendilia, labarum in right hand, akakia in left hand; reverse + bASIL/IOS Eh ΘEO / bASILEVS / ROmEON in four lines; first example of this type handled by FORVM; $100.00 (€94.00)
Byzantine Anonymous Follis of Christ, Class D, Constantine IX, 12 June 1042 - 11 January 1055 A.D.
The emperor's name and portrait are not part of the design on the Byzantine types referred to as anonymous folles. Instead of the earthly king, these coins depict Jesus Christ, King of Kings.BZ114498. Bronze anonymous follis, Anonymous follis of Christ, DOC III-2, class D, pp. 685 - 687; Wroth BMC 10; Ratto 2015; SBCV 1836; Sommer 40.6, VF, well centered, dark patina, slight double strike on rev., light deposits, scattered porosity/light corrosion, weight 10.679 g, maximum diameter 27.6 mm, die axis 180o, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, 12 Jun 1042 - 11 Jan 1055 A.D.; obverse Christ seated facing on throne with back, wearing nimbus cruciger, pallium, and colobium, and Gospels in both hands, IC - XC (Greek abbreviation: Ihsoús Xristós - Jesus Christ) across field; reverse ISXS / bASILE / bASIL (Jesus Christ King of Kings), lines and cross above, ornamental lines and crescent below; $100.00 (€94.00)
Byzantine Empire, Justinian II, 10 July 685 - Late 695 and Summer 705 - 4 November 711 A.D.
Justinian II took the throne at the young age of sixteen. He achieved a peace treaty with the Arabs early in his reign and was able to make progress on the Balkan troubles. He was the first of the Byzantine emperors to put the likeness of Christ on his coinage. After ten years of rule, he was overthrown by the general Leontius; his tongue and nose were slit and he was exiled. In 705, Justinian II returned to Constantinople with an army of Bulgars and Slavs. He gained entrance to the city by climbing through an aqueduct pipe and with the advantage of surprise regained his throne. Both Leontius and Tiberius (who succeeded Leontius) were dragged through the streets in chains and beheaded. His revenge soon developed into a reign of terror. A rebellion started in the army and the general Bardanes was named Emperor. Justinian II and his son, Tiberius, age 6, were put to death.BZ113289. Bronze half follis, DOC II-2 20a; SBCV 1262; Sommer 14.10; Hahn MIB 47; Morrison BnF p. 407, type 2 (not in the collection); Wroth BMC -, Ratto -, Tolstoi -, VF, dark patina, earthen deposits, scratches, overstruck, edge ragged with spits, weight 3.180 g, maximum diameter 21.4 mm, die axis 180o, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, 1st reign, c. 686 - 687 A.D.; obverse bust facing, short beard, wearing crown with cross and chlamys, globus cruciger in right; star left from undertype; reverse large K (20 nummi), cross above, A/N/N/O in a downward column left, II (regnal year 2) right, Γ (3rd officina) below, remnants of undertype; rare; $90.00 (€84.60)
Byzantine Anonymous Follis of Christ, Class D, Constantine IX, 12 June 1042 - 11 January 1055 A.D.
The emperor's name and portrait are not part of the design on the Byzantine types referred to as anonymous folles. Instead of the earthly king, these coins depict Jesus Christ, King of Kings.BZ113810. Bronze anonymous follis, Anonymous follis of Christ, DOC III-2, class D, pp. 685 - 687; Wroth BMC 10; Ratto 2015; SBCV 1836; Sommer 40.6, gF, brown tone, green encrustations, weight 11.894 g, maximum diameter 29.1 mm, die axis 180o, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, 12 Jun 1042 - 11 Jan 1055 A.D.; obverse Christ seated facing on throne with back, wearing nimbus cruciger, pallium, and colobium, and Gospels in both hands, IC - XC (Greek abbreviation: Ihsoús Xristós - Jesus Christ) across field; reverse ISXS / bASILE / bASIL (Jesus Christ King of Kings), lines and cross above, ornamental lines and crescent below; $90.00 (€84.60)
Byzantine Empire, Constantine VII and Romanus I Lecapenus, 17 December 920 - 16 December 944 A.D.
Constantine VII became sole emperor while he was a minor. He was dominated by his regents and was not allowed to take part in government. His regent Romanus I was made co-emperor in 920. In 945 Romanus I was deposed by his sons who wanted the throne. Instead Constantine VII took control. Finally, when he was 40 years old, he had sole rule and real power.BZ113980. Bronze follis, DOC III-2 25, Sommer 36.16, Morrisson BnF 37/Cp/AE/31, Wroth BMC 19, Ratto 1886, SBCV 1760, aVF, dark green patina, weight 6.759 g, maximum diameter 26.8 mm, die axis 180o, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, 931 - 944 A.D.; obverse + RWmAn' bASILEVS RWM' (or similar), Romanus I facing, bearded, wearing jeweled chlamys and crown with cross, globus cruciger in left, transverse labarum in right; reverse + RWMA/n' En ΘEW bA/SILEVS RW/mAIWn in four lines; $90.00 (€84.60)
Byzantine Anonymous Follis of Christ, Class K, Alexius I Comnenus, 4 April 1081 - 15 August 1118 A.D.
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 (€84.60)
Byzantine Empire, Constantine X Ducas, 25 December 1059 - 21 May 1067 A.D.
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 (€65.80)
Byzantine Empire, Michael VII Ducas, 24 October 1071 - 24 March 1078 A.D.
Sear notes the type is frequently overstruck on folles of Romanus IV, SBCV 1866.BZ112960. Bronze follis, DOC III-2 14a; Wroth BMC 24; Morrisson BnF 55/Cp/AE/03; Ratto 2041; Berk 958; Sommer 55.8; SBCV 1878, VF, overstruck, rev. off center, edge split, weight 5.414 g, maximum diameter 27.2 mm, die axis 180o, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, obverse bust of Christ facing, cross behind head, wearing pallium and colobium, raising right in benediction, star on cover of Gospels in left hand, IC - XC (Greek abbreviation: Ihsoús Xristós - Jesus Christ) flanking above stars; reverse + MIXAHΛ RACIΛ O Δ, bearded bust facing, wearing crown and loros, labarum in right hand, globus cruciger in left hand; $70.00 (€65.80)
Byzantine Empire, Constans II, September 641 - 15 July 668 A.D.
According to Sebeos' account, it was Valentinus, a general of Armenian origin, who engineered the fall and mutilation of Martina and Heraklonas, and imposed Constans II as the sole Byzantine emperor. Early in 642, Valentinus was appointed commander-in-chief of the Byzantine army, he was also rendered quasi-imperial honors - most notably he was allowed to wear the imperial purple, and his daughter Fausta was married to the young Constans II and proclaimed Augusta. In 643 and 644, Valentinus led a campaign against the Arabs but his army was routed and he reportedly panicked and fled, leaving his treasury to be captured by the Arabs. In 644 or 645, Valentinus appeared at Constantinople with a contingent of troops, and demanded to be crowned emperor. The people of the capital and the leading men of the state, Patriarch Paul II foremost, rejected his claim. A mob lynched his envoy Antoninos and then killed Valentinus.BZ111906. Bronze follis, cf. DOC II-2 60a, Wroth BMC 105, Tolstoi 144, Morrisson BnF 13/Cp/AE/04, SBCV 1000, Sommer 12.45, Hahn MIB 162, Ratto -, F, centered, highlighting earthen deposits, hexagon flan, weight 4.244 g, maximum diameter 22.6 mm, die axis 225o, 4th officina, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, 642 - 643 A.D.; obverse EN TouTO NIKA (In this, be victorious, ou ligate), Constans standing facing, beardless, wearing crown with cross and chlamys, long staff surmounted by globus cruciger in right, globus cruciger in left; reverse large m (40 nummi), cross above, A/N/A downward on left, N/E/O/ς/[ς?] downward on right (last two letters in exergue); AII (1st officina, regnal year 2) in exergue on left; $60.00 (€56.40)
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