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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. |
John I Tzimisces was the lover of Empress Theophano, which led to the murder of Emperor Nicephorus II and John's elevation to the throne. John introduced a follis that depicted a bust of Christ on the obverse and a religious inscription on the reverse. These types, referred to as anonymous folles because they do not identify the issuing emperor, would become the norm for bronze coinage during the following century.BZ111223. Silver miliaresion, DOC III-2 7a, Wroth BMC 5, Morrisson BnF 1, Ratto 1919, SBCV 1792, aVF, uneven toning, weight 2.034 g, maximum diameter 21.6 mm, die axis 0o, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, 969 - 976 A.D.; obverse + IhSUS XRISTUS nICA * (Jesus Christ Conquers), cross crosslet on globus above two steps, circular medallion at center containing crowned bust of John facing wearing loros, dividing the inscription I/W - A/n, triple border ornamented with eight equally spaced globules; reverse + IWAnn'/ En Xw AVTO/CRAT' EVSEb / bASILEVS / RWMAIW' in five lines, dotted cross ornaments above and below, triple border ornamented with eight equally spaced globules; scarce; $225.00 (€207.00)
Byzantine Anonymous Follis of Christ, Class B, Romanus III or Michael IV, 12 November 1028 - 10 December 1041 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.BZ110731. Bronze anonymous follis, Anonymous follis of Christ, DOC III-2, class B; SBCV 1823, aVF, green patina, irregularly shaped flan, rev. off center, some corrosion, weight 8.745 g, maximum diameter 30.1 mm, die axis 180o, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, obverse + EMMANOVHΛ (romanized Hebrew - God is with us), facing bust of Christ, wearing nimbus cruciger, pallium, and colobium, Gospels in both hands, IC - XC (Greek abbreviation: Ihsoús Xristós - Jesus Christ) across field; reverse cross on three steps with pellet at each extremity, in fields IS - XS (Greek abbreviation: Ihsoús Xristós - Jesus Christ) bAS-ILE / bAS-ILE (King of Kings); $140.00 (€128.80)
Leo I, 7 February 457 - 18 January 474 A.D.
Leo came to the throne at a time when the Eastern Roman army was made up almost entirely by Germans, but through his efforts the influence of the powerful German military factions was ended.RL111190. Bronze half centenionalis, RIC X 687 (S), DOCLR 563, LRBC II 2263, SRCV V 21443, Hunter V 13, Nice gVF, well centered on an irregularly shaped flan, highlighting earthen deposits, weight 0.934 g, maximum diameter 9.9 mm, die axis 0o, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, 462 - 472 A.D.; obverse D N LEONS P F AVG (or similar), pearl diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right; reverse Leo's Latin monogram
(LEONS) within wreath, CON (Constantinople) in exergue; from the Michael Arslan Collection; scarce; $140.00 (€128.80) Byzantine Empire, John II Comnenus, 15 August 1118 - 8 April 1143 A.D.
John II was the oldest son of Alexius I and succeeded to the throne in 1118. He was a good and capable ruler and did much to further the Byzantine Empire. He recaptured lost territory and added territory to the Empire. He attempted to curtail the trading privileges given to the Venetians but was forced to give up this idea. His reign was brought to an early end when he died in a hunting accident. His youngest son, Manuel I, succeeded him.BZ110676. Billon aspron trachy, DOC IV-I 10; CLBC 3.3.2; Morrisson BnF 60/Cp/B/02; Hendy pl. 10, 9; Wroth BMC 53; SBCV 1944; Grierson 1070; Sommer 60.7; Ratto -, VF/gVF, part of edge ragged, weight 3.301 g, maximum diameter 28.9 mm, die axis 180o, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, 15 Aug 1118 - 8 Apr 1143 A.D.; obverse IC-XC (Greek abbr.: Ihsoús Xristós - Jesus Christ), Bust of Christ facing, wearing nimbus cruciger, pallium, and colobium, raising right hand in benediction, gospels in left hand; reverse + ΙΩ ΔΕC-ΠΟΤ ΠΦVΡΟΓΝΗΤ (or similar), bust of John facing, wearing crown and loros, and holding cruciform scepter and globus cruciger; $110.00 (€101.20)
Byzantine Empire, Heraclius & Heraclius Constantine, 23 January 613 - 11 January 641 A.D.
Heraclius came to power through revolt against Phocas. He defeated the Sassanids, but this only facilitated the Arab conquests. The Byzantines lost Syria and Palestine before Heraclius died and Egypt fell soon after. Heraclius Constantine was made joint emperor at 8 months old. He was in poor health when his father died and lived only about 100 days as senior emperor.BZ110679. Silver hexagram, DOC II-1 64, Wroth BMC 100, Morrisson BnF 10/Cp/AR/06, Tolstoi 216, Ratto 1390, Hahn MIB III 140, Sommer 11.47, SBCV 798, F, scratches, edge cracks, uneven weak strike, weight 6.540 g, maximum diameter 24.7 mm, die axis 180o, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, c. 615 - 638 A.D.; obverse dd NN hERACLIUS ET hERA CONSTI (Our lords, Heraclius and Heraclius Constantine), Heraclius and Heraclius Constantine enthroned facing, each holds globus cruciger, cross above; reverse dEUS AdIUTA ROmANIS (May God help the Romans), cross potent on globe above three steps, K right; Zeus Numismatics auction 25 (23 Oct 2022), lot 752; scarce; $110.00 (€101.20)
Byzantine Empire, John II Comnenus, 15 August 1118 - 8 April 1143 A.D.
John II was the oldest son of Alexius I and succeeded to the throne in 1118. He was a good and capable ruler and did much to further the Byzantine Empire. He recaptured lost territory and added territory to the Empire. He attempted to curtail the trading privileges given to the Venetians but was forced to give up this idea. His reign was brought to an early end when he died in a hunting accident. His youngest son, Manuel I, succeeded him.BZ110677. Billon aspron trachy, DOC IV-I 10; CLBC 3.3.2; Morrisson BnF 60/Cp/B/02; Hendy pl. 10, 9; Wroth BMC 53; SBCV 1944; Grierson 1070; Sommer 60.7; Ratto -, VF/gVF, part of edge ragged, weight 3.566 g, maximum diameter 27.9 mm, die axis 180o, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, 15 Aug 1118 - 8 Apr 1143 A.D.; obverse IC-XC (Greek abbr.: Ihsoús Xristós - Jesus Christ), Bust of Christ facing, wearing nimbus cruciger, pallium, and colobium, raising right hand in benediction, gospels in left hand; reverse + ΙΩ ΔΕC-ΠΟΤ ΠΦVΡΟΓΝΗΤ (or similar), bust of John facing, wearing crown and loros, and holding cruciform scepter and globus cruciger; $100.00 (€92.00)
Byzantine Empire, Justin II, 15 November 565 - 5 October 578 A.D.
On 22 August 565, St. Columba first reported seeing a monster in Loch Ness, Scotland.BZ111189. Bronze pentanummium, DOC I 60b, Morrisson BnF 5/Cp/AE/55, Tolstoi 475 (Justinian), Ratto 743 (Justinian), Wroth BMC 417 (Justinian), Hahn MIB 45, SBCV 363, VF, well centered, highlighting red earthen deposits, ragged edge, weight 1.773 g, maximum diameter 16.7 mm, die axis 225o, 2nd officina, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, 15 Nov 565 - 5 Oct 578; obverse IVΣTINOY KAI COΦIAC (Justin and Sophia) monogram
; reverse large E (5 nummi), smaller B (2nd officina) on right; from the Michael Arslan Collection; $90.00 (€82.80) Byzantine Empire, Alexius I Comnenus, 4 April 1081 - 15 August 1118 A.D.
Although he was not the founder of the Comnenian dynasty, it was during his reign that the Comnenus family came to full power. Inheriting a collapsing empire and faced with constant warfare during his reign against both the Seljuq Turks in Asia Minor and the Normans in the western Balkans, Alexius was able to curb the Byzantine decline and begin the military, financial, and territorial recovery known as the Comnenian restoration.BZ110675. Billon aspron trachy, DOC IV-1 25; Hendy III pl. 7, 2; Wroth BMC 14; Morrison BnF 59/Cp/Bi/01; Ratto 2064; SBCV 1918; Sommer 59.17, aVF/gVF, weight 4.958 g, maximum diameter 29.1 mm, die axis 180o, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, 2nd coinage, c. 1092 - 15 Aug 1118 A.D.; obverse Christ seated facing, throne with square back, bearded, nimbate, wearing pallium and colobium, Gospels in left hand, IC - XC (Greek abbreviation: Ihsoús Xristós - Jesus Christ) flanking back of throne; reverse + AΛEAΞIW - ΔECΠT (Alexius, despot), bust of Alexius facing, bearded, wearing crown with pendilia, stemma, divitision, and jeweled chlamys, cruciform scepter in right hand, globus cruciger in left hand; $80.00 (€73.60)
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.BZ110704. Bronze follis, DOC III-2 14a (star on Gospels cover); Wroth BMC 26; Morrisson BnF 55/Cp/AE/2; Ratto 2042; Berk 958; Sommer 55.8; SBCV 1878, VF, nice bust of Christ, nice green patina, overstruck with strong undertype effects, weight 5.264 g, maximum diameter 27.7 mm, die axis 180o, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, obverse bust of Christ facing, cross behind head, wearing pallium and colobium, raising right in benediction, Gospels in left hand, IC - XC (Greek abbreviation: ΙΗΣΟúΣ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ - Jesus Christ) flanking above large stars; reverse + MIXAHΛ RACIΛ O Δ, bearded bust facing wearing crown and loros, labarum in right, globus cruciger in left; $80.00 (€73.60)
Byzantine Empire, John II Comnenus, 15 August 1118 - 8 April 1143 A.D.
John II was the oldest son of Alexius I and succeeded to the throne in 1118. He was a good and capable ruler and did much to further the Byzantine Empire. He recaptured lost territory and added territory to the Empire. He attempted to curtail the trading privileges given to the Venetians but was forced to give up this idea. His reign was brought to an early end when he died in a hunting accident. His youngest son, Manuel I, succeeded him.BZ110674. Billon aspron trachy, DOC IV-I 10; CLBC 3.3.2; Morrisson BnF 60/Cp/B/02; Hendy pl. 10, 9; Wroth BMC 53; SBCV 1944; Grierson 1070; Sommer 60.7; Ratto -, aF/VF, toned, scyphate, weight 3.254 g, maximum diameter 29.7 mm, die axis 180o, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, 15 Aug 1118 - 8 Apr 1143 A.D.; obverse IC-XC (Greek abbr.: Ihsoús Xristós - Jesus Christ), Bust of Christ facing, wearing nimbus cruciger, pallium, and colobium, raising right hand in benediction, gospels in left hand; reverse + ΙΩ ΔΕC-ΠΟΤ ΠΦVΡΟΓΝΗΤ (or similar), bust of John facing, wearing crown and loros, and holding cruciform scepter and globus cruciger; $80.00 (€73.60)
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