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Home ▸ Catalog ▸ |Themes & Provenance| ▸ |Numismatics| ▸ |Scyphate||View Options:  |  |  | 

Scyphate - "Cup Shaped Coins"

Scyphate coins are sometimes described as cup-shaped or saucer-shaped, perhaps they would be better described as bowl shaped. The obverse of a scyphate coin is convex and the reverse is concave. Scyphate coins were struck in all metals and by many cultures including Celtic tribes, The Himyarites of Arabia, the Byzantine Empire and their successor medieval kingdoms. A photograph of a beautiful Byzantine gold scyphate histamenon nomisma can be seen above. Read more...

Byzantine Empire, Isaac I Comnenus, 1 September 1057 - 22 November 1059

|Isaac| |I| |Comnenus|, |Byzantine| |Empire,| |Isaac| |I| |Comnenus,| |1| |September| |1057| |-| |22| |November| |1059||histamenon| |nomisma|
Isaac I Komnenos was the founder of the Komnenian dynasty. Orphaned at an early age, he was raised under the care of Emperor Basil II. He made his name as a successful military commander. In 1057 he led a conspiracy of dissatisfied generals against the newly crowned Michael VI. He was proclaimed emperor by his followers and defeated the loyalist army in battle. On 1 Sep 1057, Isaac was crowned in the Hagia Sophia. To strengthen the Empire's fiscal condition he reduced salaries, implemented harsh tax measures and confiscated Church properties. This aroused much opposition particularly, from the Patriarch of Constantinople, whom he had arrested and exiled but who died before he was put on trial. The eastern frontier held firm during his reign, Hungarian raids were resolved by a treaty, and the restive Pechenegs were subdued by Isaac in person in summer 1059. Soon after, he fell ill and abdicated his throne in favor of Constantine X Doukas. Isaac retired to a monastery where he died in 1060.
SH87502. Gold histamenon nomisma, DOC III-2 2; Morrisson BnF 50/Cp/AV/01; Wroth BMC p. 512, 3; Ratto 2007; Sommer 51.1; SBCV 1843, gVF/XF, scyphate, well centered and struck, weight 4.400 g, maximum diameter 26.6 mm, die axis 180o, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, 1 Sep 1057 - 22 Nov 1059; obverse +IhS XIS REX - REGNANTIhm (Jesus Christ King of Kings), Christ enthroned facing, wearing nimbus cruciger, pallium, and colobium, raising right hand in benediction, gospels in left hand, double border; reverse +ICAAKIOC RA - CIΛEVC PΩM (Isaac King of the Romans), Issac standing facing, bearded; wearing crown with cross and pendilia, and military attire: cuirass, tunic, cloak and high boots; sword over his right shoulder in his right hand, resting left hand on scabbard hung on his side; from the Robert Watcher Collection, ex iNumis auction 6 (11 Oct 2008), lot 426; scarce; SOLD


Byzantine Empire, John VI Cantacuzenus and John V Palaeologus, 13 May 1347 - April 1353 A.D.

|John| |VI|, |Byzantine| |Empire,| |John| |VI| |Cantacuzenus| |and| |John| |V| |Palaeologus,| |13| |May| |1347| |-| |April| |1353| |A.D.||hyperpyron|
When Andronicus III died, his chief administrator, John Kantakouzenos asserted a claim to regency of the young emperor John V. The emperor's mother, Anna of Savoy, was appointed regent and she had John Kantakouzenos declared an enemy of the state. John Kantakouzenos defeated Anna with Ottoman help, and he was made Emperor John VI. John V was married to his daughter, Helena Kantakouzene, and the boy was allowed to reign as the junior emperor. John VI Kantakouzenos spent much of his own private wealth unsuccessfully trying to strengthen the Empire but was still unpopular because of his ties to the Ottomans. His attempt to curb Genoese power ended with the total destruction of the Byzantine fleet in 1349. John VI ignored his young colleague and in time even replaced him with his own son Matthew. John V Palaeologus obtained Genoese help, overthrew his rivals, and banished John Kantakouzenos to a monastery, where he lived 30 years as the monk Joasaph and wrote his famous history.
SH70968. Gold hyperpyron, Lianta 849; Bendall 2004b, p. 297, C; SBCV 2526; Sommer 84.1; Grierson 1296; DOC V -, VF, scyphate, weight 3.402 g, maximum diameter 25.3 mm, die axis 180o, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, 2 Feb 1325 - 1328 or possibly to 1330 A.D.; obverse Nimbate half-length facing figure of the Virgin Mary orans within city walls, four castles forming walls, star on each side of the uppermost castle, B lower left, A lower right; reverse John VI on left and Andronicus V on right, kneeling facing, Christ stands behind with hands over their heads in benediction; IUINK (or similar) downward on left and IUINKY (or similar) downward on right, N's reversed; very rare; SOLD


Byzantine Empire, Constantine X Ducas, 25 December 1059 - 21 May 1067 A.D.

|Constantine| |X|, |Byzantine| |Empire,| |Constantine| |X| |Ducas,| |25| |December| |1059| |-| |21| |May| |1067| |A.D.||scyphate| |histamenon| |nomisma|
In 1066 A.D., on 28 September, Duke William of Normandy landed in England at Pevensey. On 14 October, at the Battle of Hastings, King Harold II of England was killed and Duke William of Normandy was victorious. In England, this date is the traditional end of the Dark Ages (Early Middle Ages). On 25 December, Duke William of Normandy was crowned King William I of England in Westminster Abbey.
SH81740. Gold scyphate histamenon nomisma, DOC III-2 1b; Wroth BMC 1 - 2; Morrisson BnF 51/Cp/AV/08; SBCV 1847; Sommer 52.1; Ratto 2010 var. (no pellet on labarum), gVF, scyphate, weight 4.412 g, maximum diameter 27.6 mm, die axis 180o, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, 25 Dec 1059 - 21 May 1067 A.D.; obverse +IhS XPS REX REGNANTnIm (sic, Jesus Christ King of Kings), Christ seated facing on square-backed throne, wearing nimbus cruciger, pallium, and colobium, raising hand in benediction, Gospels in left, double border; reverse +KWN RAC Λ-O ΔOVKAC, Constantine standing facing on footstool, bearded, wearing crown, sakkos and loros, labarum with pellet on shaft in right hand, globus cruciger in left, double border; SOLD


Byzantine Empire, Constantine X Ducas, 25 December 1059 - 21 May 1067 A.D.

|Constantine| |X|, |Byzantine| |Empire,| |Constantine| |X| |Ducas,| |25| |December| |1059| |-| |21| |May| |1067| |A.D.||histamenon| |nomisma|
Constantine X seems to have been a weak, ineffective leader. His wife, Eudocia, had great power within the empire, and was thought by some to be "the power behind the throne." Upon the death of Constantine X, his eldest son, Michael VII was still a child, so Eudocia took over as regent.
SH76238. Gold histamenon nomisma, DOC III-2 2, Morrisson BnF 51/Cp/AV/10, Wroth BMC 4, Ratto 2011, Sommer 52.2, SBCV 1848, VF, scyphate, well centered, mild strike error, weight 4.399 g, maximum diameter 28.0 mm, die axis 180o, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, 25 Dec 1059 - 21 May 1067; obverse + IhS XIS REX REGNANTIhm, Christ seated facing on lyre-backed throne, wears nimbus cruciger, pallium and colobium, raising hand in benediction; reverse + KWN RAC Λ O ΔOVKAC, the Virgin Mary (on right) standing facing, M - Θ flanking her head, crowing Constantine, who stands facing, globus cruciger in his left hand; from the Robert Watcher Collection, ex Lodge Antiquities; SOLD


Byzantine Empire, Michael VIII Palaeologus, 15 August 1261 - 11 December 1282

|Michael| |VIII|, |Byzantine| |Empire,| |Michael| |VIII| |Palaeologus,| |15| |August| |1261| |-| |11| |December| |1282||hyperpyron|
Michael VIII was regent for and later co-emperor with the Nicaean Emperor John IV. He defeated the Latin emperor Baldwin II, captured Constantinople and restored the empire. His superb diplomatic skills balanced his enemies against each other. He founded the last great Byzantine dynasty.
SH70964. Gold hyperpyron, Bendall PCPC 4.4 (sigla 38), DOC V 14, Lianta 488 ff. var. (sigla), Grierson 1288, Sommer 77.1, SBCV 2242, EF, scyphate, well struck face of the Virgin, flat areas as usual, weight 4.141 g, maximum diameter 27.6 mm, die axis 180o, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, 15 Aug 1261 - 11 Dec 1282; obverse Nimbate half-length facing figure of the Virgin Mary orans within city walls, six towers on walls; sigla A - K across fields; reverse X MH ΔEΠTI (or similar, MH ligate) downward on left, XC / Π/ΛA (or similar) on right, Archangel Michael standing facing, on left, behind Michael VII kneeling facing, presents Michael VIII to Christ, on right, seated left on high throne, scroll in right, IC - XC (Greek abbreviation: Ihsoús Xristós - Jesus Christ) flanking Christ's head; ex Baldwin's auction A210 (5 Jun 2010), lot 47; very scarce; SOLD


Byzantine Empire, Michael VIII Palaeologus, 15 August 1261 - 11 December 1282

|Michael| |VIII|, |Byzantine| |Empire,| |Michael| |VIII| |Palaeologus,| |15| |August| |1261| |-| |11| |December| |1282||hyperpyron|
Michael VIII was regent for and later co-emperor with the Nicaean Emperor John IV. He defeated the Latin emperor Baldwin II, captured Constantinople and restored the empire. His superb diplomatic skills balanced his enemies against each other. He founded the last great Byzantine dynasty.
SH86353. Gold hyperpyron, Bendall PCPC 4.4 (sigla 38), DOC V 14, Lianta 488 - 493 var. (sigla), Grierson 1288, Sommer 77.1, SBCV 2242, VF, scyphate, not fully struck and double as typical for the type, marks and scratches, weight 4.207 g, maximum diameter 28.7 mm, die axis 180o, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, 15 Aug 1261 - 11 Dec 1282; obverse Nimbate half-length facing figure of the Virgin Mary orans within city walls, M - Θ(?) flanking nimbus, six towers on walls; sigla A - K across fields; reverse ...X/M...on left, OΠ/A... on right (abbreviated and blundered Greek for Michael Despot), Archangel Michael standing facing, on left, behind Michael VII kneeling facing, presents Michael VIII to Christ, on right, seated left on high throne, scroll in right, HT ligature (siglon?) above center, IC - XC (Greek abbreviation: Ihsoús Xristós - Jesus Christ) flanking Christ's head; very scarce; SOLD


Byzantine Empire, Romanus IV Diogenes, 1 January 1068 - 19 Aug 1071

|Romanus| |IV|, |Byzantine| |Empire,| |Romanus| |IV| |Diogenes,| |1| |January| |1068| |-| |19| |Aug| |1071||histamenon| |nomisma|
Due to their distinctive iconography, these histamenon were nicknamed "six-headers" in their day.
SH70956. Gold histamenon nomisma, Sommer 54.2.3 (also clipped); DOC III-2 2; Ratto 2026; Morrisson BnF 4 ff.; Wroth BMC 2; SBCV 1861, gF, scyphate, clipped, weight 2.749 g, maximum diameter 21.9 mm, die axis 180o, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, 1 Jan 1068 - 19 Aug 1071; obverse KWN MX ANΔ, Michael standing facing, labarum in right, akakia in left, flanked by Constantius and Andronicus, each holding globus cruciger in outer hand, akakia in inner hand, all wear sakkos and loros, all without footstools on dotted exergual band; reverse +PWMA EVΔKIA (or similar), Christ standing facing, wearing nimbus, pallium and colobium, crowning Romanus standing facing on left, and Eudocia standing facing on right, each wearing sakkos and loros and hold a globus cruciger in inner hand, , IC - XC (Greek abbreviation: IΗΣOúΣ XPIΣTOΣ - Jesus Christ) flanking above; ex Marti Hervera (Barcelona, Spain); SOLD


Empire of Nicaea, John III Ducas-Vatatzes, c. 15 December 1221 - 3 November 1254

|John| |III|, |Empire| |of| || |Nicaea,| |John| |III| |Ducas-Vatatzes,| |c.| |15| |December| |1221| |-| |3| |November| |1254||hyperpyron|
Graffiti around edges (WMK between 9 and 11, + at 3, and III at 4 on the obverse; + at 12 and symbols at 3 on reverse). In Forum's opinion, this graffiti is not detracting, but rather interesting.
SH08811. Gold hyperpyron, DOC IV-2 4; Hendy pl. 31, 13; Lianta 202; Sommer 70.1.1; SBCV 2073; Ratto -, Choice aEF, scyphate, much better strike than typical for this issue!, graffiti, weight 4.27 g, maximum diameter 27.5 mm, die axis 180o, Lydia, Magnesia ad Sipylum (Manisa, Turkey) mint, 1222 - 1254 A.D.; obverse Christ seated facing on throne without back, nimbate, wears tunic and kolobion, raising right hand in benediction, Gospels in left hand, IC - XC (Greek abbreviation: IΗΣOúΣ XPIΣTOΣ - Jesus Christ) flanking nimbus, no sigla; reverse IW ΔECΠOT - TW ΠOPΦVPΓEN (or similar, John, despotes, born in the purple), John on left, standing facing, wears stemma, divitision, collar-piece and loros, holding labarum in right hand, anexikakia in left; crowned by Virgin Mary on right, standing left, nimbate, wears tunic and maphorion, MP - ΘV (Greek abbreviation: MΗTΗP ΘΕOY - Mother of God) flanking nimbus; from John Aiello; SOLD


Byzantine Empire, Nicephorus III Botaniates, 7 January 1078 - 1 April 1081

|Nicephorus| |III|, |Byzantine| |Empire,| |Nicephorus| |III| |Botaniates,| |7| |January| |1078| |-| |1| |April| |1081||histamenon| |nomisma|
After the inept rule of Michael VII led to several revolts, Nicephorus seized the capitol and was crowned emperor. His wife died shortly after. To gain the aura of royalty and the support of the powerful Ducas family, he married Michael's wife, Empress Maria of Alania (despite that her husband was still alive). Instead of strengthening his position, the marriage would lead to his downfall. In order to ensure the succession of her son Constantine, Empress Maria conspired with Alexius Comnenus to dispose of Nicephorus. Just as Nicephorus had banished Michael to a monastery, Alexius Comnenus banished Nicephorus to a monastery. He died soon after.
SH70970. Electrum histamenon nomisma, DOC III-2 3b, Wroth BMC 7, Morrisson BnF 56/Cp/AV/01, Ratto 2051, SBCV 1881, Sommer 56.3, F/VF, scyphate, flan crack, weight 4.257 g, maximum diameter 28.7 mm, die axis 180o, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, obverse Christ seated facing on a throne without back, wearing nimbus cruciger, no pellets in the arms of the cross, pallium, and colobium, gospels in left, raises right in benediction, IC - XC on sides of nimbus, all inside double border; reverse +NIKHΦ ΔEC TW ROTANIAT (or similar), Nicephorus standing facing on footstool, bearded, wearing crown and loros, holding labarum with cross on shaft and globus cruciger, all inside double border; from the Robert Watcher Collection; very scarce; SOLD


Byzantine Empire, John II Comnenus, 15 August 1118 - 8 April 1143 A.D.

|John| |II|, |Byzantine| |Empire,| |John| |II| |Comnenus,| |15| |August| |1118| |-| |8| |April| |1143| |A.D.||aspron| |trachy|
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.
SH90889. Electrum aspron trachy, DOC-1 IV 8d; Morrisson BnF 60/Cp/El/3; Wroth BMC 46; Ratto 2098; Grierson 1068; CLBC I 3.2.2; Sommer 60.5; SBCV 1942, aEF, scyphate, flan crack, weight 4.119 g, maximum diameter 33.1 mm, die axis 180o, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, 1122 - 8 Apr 1143 A.D.; obverse Christ seated facing on throne without back, bearded, wearing tunic and kolobion, raising right in benediction, gospels in left hand, IC - XC (Greek abbreviation: Ihsoús Xristós - Jesus Christ) flanking nimbus, three pellets at each side of throne; reverse + Iw / ΔECΠO/TH in column of four rows on left - Θ / ΓE/PW/ΓI in column of four rows on right, John (on left) and St. George standing facing, together holding patriarchal cross on a small globe between them, John wearing crown, divitision, and chlamys with dot (control symbol) below the tablion, St. George nimbate, in military dress, left hand on sword at side; from the Robert Watcher Collection, ex Jean Elsen sale V 116, lot 747; SOLD







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REFERENCES|

Bendall, S. "Sigla on Palaeologan Hyperpyra" in Revue Numismatique 26 (1984), pp. 161 - 192. (Figures 1 - 5 are from this article). Available online


Catalog current as of Tuesday, March 19, 2024.
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