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When Anastasius became emperor the once vast number of Roman mints had been reduced to only two: Constantinople and Thessalonica.
Byzantine Empire, Nicephorus II Phocas, 16 August 963 - 10 December 969 A.D.
NEW Nicephorus II was an able military commander who followed Romanus II on the Byzantine throne and also married his widow, Theophano. He began a vigorous and successful campaign in the east, regaining Cyprus and Antioch. However, the high expenses of war made him unpopular. His wife had an affair with another general, John Tzimisches. In the end, Tzimisches had Nicepohorus killed, seizing the throne for himself.BZ112942. Silver miliaresion, DOC III-2 6; Morrisson BnF 39/Cp/AR/01; Wroth BMC 6; Ratto 1913; SBCV 1781; Sommer 38.5, EF, well centered, edge chips, weight 2.842 g, maximum diameter 22.1 mm, die axis 180o, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, 963 - 969 A.D.; obverse + IhSUS XRISTUS nICA * (Jesus Christ Conquers), cross crosslet on globus above two steps; center medallion contains: crowned bust of Nicephorus II facing, wearing loros, n/C - I/F in two divided lines; triple border with eight globules; reverse + nICHF'/ En Xw AVTO/CRAT EVSEb / bASILEVS / RWMAIW in five lines across field, decorative ornaments above and below, border as on obverse; scarce; $150.00 (€141.00) ON RESERVE
Byzantine Anonymous Follis of Christ, Class A3, Basil II & Constantine VIII, c. 1023 - 11 November 1028 A.D.
NEW 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.BZ114452. Bronze anonymous follis, Anonymous follis of Christ, DOC III-2, class A3; SBCV 1818; Grierson-NumisWiki ornaments 14b, VF, well centered, dark brown patina, weight 7.896 g, maximum diameter 28.1 mm, die axis 180o, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, c. 1023 - 11 Nov 1028 A.D.; obverse + EMMANOVHΛ (romanized Hebrew - God is with us), facing nimbate bust of Christ, two pellets in each arm of the cross, pallium, and colobium, Gospels ornamented with center pellet and pellet border held in both hands, IC - XC (Greek abbreviation: Ihsoús Xristós - Jesus Christ) across field; reverse + IhSuS / XRISTuS / bASILEu / bASILE (Greek: Jesus Christ King of Kings), ornaments above and below inscription; $160.00 SALE PRICE $144.00 ON RESERVE
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.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 Anonymous Follis of Christ, Class D, Constantine IX, 12 June 1042 - 11 January 1055 A.D.
NEW 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.
NEW 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 Empire, Anastasius I, 11 April 491 - 1 July 518 A.D.
NEW Coins of this type can be dated before or after 512 A.D. because a larger flan was introduced that year. This coin is a large module type dated after 512 A.D.BZ113292. Bronze follis, DOC I 23b, Wroth BMC 20, Morrisson BnF I 1/Cp/AE/53, Tolstoi 18, Ratto 335, Hahn MIB I 27, SBCV 19, Sommer 1.15, VF, sea green patina, obv. off center, light deposits, weight 18.678 g, maximum diameter 31.9 mm, die axis 180o, 2nd officina, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, 512 - 517 A.D.; obverse D N ANASTASIVS P P AV, diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right; reverse large M (40 nummi), cross above, six point star left and another right, B (second officina) below, CON (Constantinople) in exergue; $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.
NEW 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: IΗΣOúΣ XPIΣTOΣ - Jesus Christ) flanking above shoulders; reverse the Virgin Orans, standing facing 3/4 length, nimbate, wears pallium, and maphorium, border of large pellets between lines, MP - ΘV (Mother of God) flanking nimbus; scarce; $90.00 (€84.60)
Byzantine Empire, Justinian I, 4 April 527 - 14 November 565 A.D.
NEW In 542, the Plague of Justinian (Bubonic plague) spread from Egypt, killed at least 230,000 in Constantinople (before counting stops), and perhaps two million or more in the rest of the empire. Emperor Justinian I contracted the disease but recovered.BZ114210. Bronze follis, DOC I 41a, Wroth BMC 64, Ratto 513, Tolstoi 111, SBCV 163, Sommer 4.21, Hahn MIB I 95a, Morrisson BnF I 4/Cp/AE/66 var. (2nd officina), gF, centered on a large flan, earthen deposits, dark patina, weight 20.394 g, maximum diameter 34.9 mm, die axis 210o, 1st officina, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, 542 - 543 A.D.; obverse D N IVSTINIANVS P P AVG, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing, helmet with crest, diadem and pendilia, globus cruciger in right hand, shield ornamented with a horseman on left arm, cross right; reverse large M (40 nummi), cross above, ANNO left, regnal year X/YI (year 16) right, A (1st officina) below, CON (Constantinople) in exergue; BIG 35mm!!!; $90.00 (€84.60) ON RESERVE