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Home ▸ Catalog ▸ |Judean & Biblical Coins| ▸ |Biblical Coins||View Options:   | | | |
R. Pesant in "Three Additional Folles Presumably of Joscelyn of Edessa" in NumCirc 100/9 (Nov 1992), pp. 302 - 303, attributed very similar coins to Joscelin I de Courtenay, count of Edessa. He read the inscription in the angles of the cross as corrupt Latin naming Joscelyn. The legend and attribution remain less than certain.BZ113807. Bronze follis, see Pesant NumCirc 1992 p. 302 - 303 (for similar types); Metcalf Crusades -; Malloy CCS -; Wäckerlin -, Porteous -, aVF, crude, irregularly shaped flan, weight 5.211 g, maximum diameter 21.9 mm, die axis 180o, Mesopotamia, Edessa (Urfa, Sanliurfa, Turkey) mint, c. 1119 - 1131; obverse nimbate and crowned bust of a Saint facing, gospels in his right hand, cross in his left hand; reverse large cross with uncertain legend in angles; ex Leu Numismatik web auction 26 (8-13 Jul 2023), lot 5993; ex European collection formed before 2005; extremely rare; $1350.00 (€1269.00)
Crusaders, County of Edessa, Joscelin I de Courtenay, 1119 - 1131
R. Pesant in "Three Additional Folles Presumably of Joscelyn of Edessa" in NumCirc 100/9 (Nov 1992), pp. 302 - 303, attributed very similar coins to Joscelin I de Courtenay, count of Edessa. He read the inscription in the angles of the cross as corrupt Latin naming Joscelyn. The legend and attribution remain less than certain.BZ113788. Bronze follis, see Pesant NumCirc 1992 p. 302 - 303 (for similar types); Metcalf Crusades -; Malloy CCS -; Wäckerlin -, Porteous -, VF, crude, harshly cleaned, irregularly shaped flan, edge crack, weight 4.131 g, maximum diameter 21.0 mm, die axis 90o, Mesopotamia, Edessa (Urfa, Sanliurfa, Turkey) mint, c. 1119 - 1131; obverse nimbate and crowned bust of a Saint facing, gospels in his right hand, cross in his left hand; reverse large cross with uncertain legend in angles; ex Leu Numismatik web auction 26 (8-13 Jul 2023), lot 5989; ex European collection formed before 2005; extremely rare; $800.00 (€752.00)
Byzantine Empire, Andronicus III Palaeologus, 24 May 1328 - 15 June 1341 A.D.
His grandfather disinherited him, so Andronicus III revolted, gaining joint rule. They fought again and in 1328 he took the city. Later Andronicus II was sent to a monastery to die old and blind. Andronicus III was at war his whole reign, chiefly with the Ottomans, who held almost all of Asia Minor even before his rule.
In Simon Bendall's 1988 catalog of his Byzantine coin collection (Bendall PCPC), he recorded five sets of sigla (letters, symbols, monograms, or a combination thereof) that appear on the obverse of this (light) basilikon issue. Interestingly, three of them were also used on the joint reign hyperpyra of Andronicus II & III. The sigla-letters B - K are, in this cataloger's view, probably the second from the rarest of the five different sets attested in the standard works, with only three confirmed coin examples (including the present specimen) found by FORVM. The meaning and purpose of sigla are still a baffling mystery and the subject of much debate in Byzantine circles. For an excellent (and very readable) overview of the research, including the merits and shortcomings of various theories on sigla, see Dr. Eleni Lianta's paper "The Development and Function of Sigla on Late Byzantine Coins (A.D. 1204-1453)," published in Domus Byzantinus 16 (2007-2008) and on her Academia.edu page.BZ114246. Silver reduced basilikon, Bendall PCPC 197C; B-D LPC p. 118, 4 var. (unlisted sigla); SBCV 2472 (£150 VF); Sommer 82.1.2 (€750 VF) var. (rev. leg.), gVF, flan slightly irregular, great detail for type, sigla bold, most other devices/details visible, minus part of rev. legend as usual, weight 1.641 g, maximum diameter 20.6 mm, die axis 180o, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, 24 May 1328 - 15 Jun 1341 A.D.; obverse Christ Pantokrator seated facing on throne with backrest, nimbate, wearing tunic and mantle, holding the book of the Gospels on left knee, IC - XC (Greek abbreviation: ΙΗΣΟΥΣ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ - Jesus Christ) flanking head, B - K (sigla) flanking throne; reverse ΔHMHTP (or similar) clockwise on left, ANΔPONI on right, St. Demetrius on left, standing facing, nimbate, holding cross to chest, Andronicus on right, standing facing, crowned, placing hand on chest, Γ/O/A downward between; ex Numismatik Naumann auction 102 (2 May 2021), lot 856; very rare; $700.00 (€658.00)
Byzantine Empire, Duchy of Chaldia, Theodore Gabras, c. 1075 - 1098 A.D., Reign of Alexius I Comnenus
Theodore Gabras' crowning glory was the recapture of Trebizond from the Seljuk Turks c. 1075, which he ruled for years as if it were his own personal fiefdom. By the late 1080s, Theodore was residing at Constantinople. To keep him in check, Alexios I made Theodore Dux of Chaldia and ordered him to take up his post, leaving his eldest son Gregory at the court. By 1091, Theodore returned to the capital, demanding the return of his son. Alexios refused, claiming he was contemplating marrying the boy to one of his own daughters. Doubting the emperor, Theodore sailed with his son to Trebizond in secret. Alexios sent a squadron of ships which overtook Theodore and advised him that if he refused to hand over his son, he would be arrested as a rebel. Theodore allowed Alexios’ emissaries to take Gregory back with them, while he continued back to Trebizond. Gregory attempted to escape but was discovered and imprisoned. A man of Theodore's military talents was too good to waste, and by 1097 he was once again at the front line fighting the Turks in alliance with the Crusaders. While the Franks were engaged at the Siege of Antioch, Theodore was marching with Alexios, helping him recapture towns in western Asia Minor. In 1098 he was captured by the Danishmends and martyred. He was later venerated as a saint. His younger son Constantine Gabras succeeded him as Dux of Chaldia. Following the dissolution of the Byzantine Empire by the Fourth Crusade in 1204, the region became the center of the new Empire of Trebizond which survived until falling to the Ottomans in 1461. The feast day of Saint Theodoros Gabras is 2 October.BZ113698. Bronze follis, Bendall Trebizond (NC 77) p. 133, 11 & pl. 6, 13; DOC IV-1 p. 432 & pl. XXV, 11; Sabatier pl. lxvi, 5; SBCV -, Hendy -, Wroth -, Ratto -, F, rough, dark near black patina, clipped ovate polygonal flan, double struck, overstruck (on Bendall Trebizond p. 132, 10), weight 1.943 g, maximum diameter 23.3 mm, die axis 180o, Trebizond (Trabzon, Turkey) mint, reign of Alexius I Comnenus, c. 1080 - 1098 A.D.; obverse facing bust of Christ, bearded and nimbate, wearing tunic and himation, Gospels in right hand, IC - XC (Greek abbreviation: Ihsoús Xristós - Jesus Christ) across field, remnants of undertype inscription on right; reverse full length figure of St. Theodore standing facing, nimbate, wearing tunic, breastplate, and sagion, spear vertical in right hand, shield in left hand, inscription flanking in columns O / A/GI/C - Θ/E/O/Δ (or similar, Greek: Saint Theodore); only one sale of this type listed on Coin Archives in the last two decades; very rare; $400.00 (€376.00)
Byzantine Empire, Duchy of Chaldia, Gregorios Taronites, c. 1103 - 1106 A.D., In the Name of Alexius I Comnenus
Gregorios Taronites was made Dux of Trebizond by Alexius I after military successes against the Seljuks. He almost immediately rebelled. While the emperor sought a diplomatic solution, Taronites went so far as to publicly insult the imperial family. Captured, Alexius intended to have him blinded but he was granted clemency and instead paraded through the streets of Constantinople and then thrown into the Prison of Anemas. At first, Gregory remained obstinate and continued to hurl abuse on the emperor from his cell, but was persuaded to recant and beseech the emperor's pardon. In the end, he was not only released and pardoned, but accorded even higher honors.BZ113701. Bronze follis, Bendall Trebizond p. 133, 13B & pl. 7, 19; DOC IV-1 p. 433, 13b; Schlumberger pl. ii, 5; Hendy -; Wroth BMC -; Ratto -, F, off center on a broad flan, dark brown and green patina, overstruck, weight 7.493 g, maximum diameter 32.1 mm, die axis 0o, Trebizond (Trabzon, Turkey) mint, reign of Alexius I Comnenus, c. 1103 - 1106 A.D.; obverse facing bust of Christ, bearded and nimbate, wearing tunic and himation, Gospels in right hand, IC - XC (Greek abbreviation: Ihsoús Xristós - Jesus Christ) across field; reverse Latin cross on three steps, globule at end of each arm, A-Λ / B - P (Greek abbreviation: Αλεξιο Βασιλευς Ρωμαιων - Alexius king of the Romans) in angles; rare; $350.00 (€329.00)
Trajan, 25 January 98 - 8 or 9 August 117 A.D., Struck for Use in Roman Arabia
This type was previously attributed to Caesarea, Cappadocia, but the Tell Kalak hoard and a lack of finds in Cappadocia indicate the type circulated in Arabia. Slightly more than two-thirds silver, the composition of this type is identical to contemporary Syrian tetradrachms. The weight indicates they are tridrachms, but there is no consensus as to the denomination. Sydenham and Kindler refer to them as tridrachms, McAlee as light tetradrachms, and Butcher as tetradrachms. The type has no iconographic link with Arabia and Arabian drachms are considerably more debased, typically at a 50:50 ratio of silver to bronze. RPC III notes they may have been struck in Rome for circulation in Arabia, or at least, the dies were made in Rome.RS114873. Silver tridrachm, RPC Online III 4071; Henseler 267; SNG Cop 5433 (Caesarea); SNG ANS 1161 (Caesarea); BMC Galatia p. 55, 74 (Caesarea), aVF, fine Roman style portrait, flow lines, highest points weakly struck, tight flan, weight 10.263 g, maximum diameter 22.9 mm, die axis 225o, Bostra (or Rome?, see note) mint, 112 - 114 A.D.; obverse AYTOKP KAIC NEP TPAIANOC CEB ΓEPM ΔAK (Imperator Caesar Nerva Traianus Augustus Germanicus Dacicus), laureate and draped bust right, seen from slightly behind; reverse ΔHMAPX EΞ YΠATO ς (Tribunicia Potestate Consul VI), distyle temple, podium of four steps, cult image of Artemis of Perge within, eagle standing on pediment with head left and wings open; $300.00 (€282.00)
Byzantine Empire, Duchy of Chaldia, The Gabrades Dynasty, 12th Century A.D.
The general Theodore Gabras captured Trebizond and ruled it and the theme of Chaldia as a virtually autonomous state (c. 1075 - 1098). He was celebrated for his martial exploits, and was later venerated as a saint. After his death the province of Chaldia effectively became an autonomous semi-hereditary domain of the Gabrades family. Following the dissolution of the Byzantine Empire by the Fourth Crusade in 1204, the region became the center of the new Empire of Trebizond which survived until falling to the Ottomans in 1461.BZ113692. Bronze follis, Sommer T1.2; Bendall Trebizond -; imitative of anonymous follis of Christ, DOC III-2, class I, SBCV 1889, F, dark patina, heavy earthen deposits, off center, clipped polygonal flan (typical of Trebizond), edge crack, weight 2.454 g, maximum diameter 24.6 mm, die axis 45o, Trebizond (Trabzon, Turkey) mint, semi-Autonomous coinage, 12th Century A.D.; obverse facing bust of Christ Pantocrator, nimbate, Gospels in left hand, IC - XC (Greek abbreviation: Ihsoús Xristós - Jesus Christ) across field; reverse Latin cross with X at center, two pellets at each extremity, floral ornaments in lower fields, crescents in upper fields; only two sales of this type listed on Coin Archives in the last two decades; extremely rare; $250.00 (€235.00)
Lot of 5 Judaean Coins, Herod the Great - First Jewish Revolt, c. 37 B.C. - 70 A.D.
Lot includes: King Herod the Great (Hendin 6219), Ethnarch Herod Archelaus (Hendin 6227), Roman Procurators Valerius Gratus (Hendin 6364) & Antoninus Felix (Hendin 6376), and First Jewish Revolt (Hendin 6389).LT114809. Bronze Lot, Lot of 5 Judaean prutot, c. 14 - 17mm, average gF, Jerusalem mint, c. 37 B.C. - 70 A.D.; $250.00 (€235.00)
Constantius II, 22 May 337 - 3 November 361 A.D.
In Roman Imperial Coins, volume VIII, pp. 136-7, J.P.C. Kent attributes this type to the revolt of Poemenius in Trier against the regime of Magnentius and Decentius (July - Aug 353). The type was struck in bronze, without any silver, at a standard used by Magnentius and Decentius, but not used by Constantius. In Roman Coins and Their Values V, p. 176, David Sear note that it could have been struck after Poemenius returned the city to Constantius II and Decentius' suicide on 18 Aug 353.RL113309. Bronze reduced double maiorina, RIC VIII Trier 332, LRBC II 67, SRCV V 18083, Cohen VII 176 corr., aEF/aVF, ragged edge, tight flan, legends weak/off flan, weight 4.607 g, maximum diameter 24.1 mm, die axis 180o, Treveri (Trier, Germany) mint, 352 A.D.; obverse D N CONSTANTIVS P F AVG, diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right; reverse SALVS AVG NOSTRI (the salvation of our Emperor), large chi-rho (Christ monogram), A - W (alpha to omega) across field, TRS* in exergue; rare; $200.00 (€188.00)
Byzantine Empire, Duchy of Trebizond, Theodore Gabras, c. 1075 - 1126 A.D.
The general Theodore Gabras captured Trebizond and ruled it and the theme of Chaldia as a virtually autonomous state (c. 1081 - 1098). He was celebrated for his martial exploits, and was later venerated as a saint in the region. Following the dissolution of the Byzantine Empire by the Fourth Crusade in 1204, the region became the center of the new Empire of Trebizond which survived until falling to the Ottomans in 1461.BZ113699. Bronze follis, Bendall Trebizond, issue 12, pl. 7, 15 - 16; DOC IV Trebizond p. 432, 12; undertype: Bendall Trebizond, issue 11, pl. 6, 13, aVF, strong undertype effects resulting in an obscure reverse type, encrustations, porosity, clipped polygonal flan with 8 sides (as minted), weight 3.411 g, maximum diameter 23.5 mm, die axis 180o, Trebizond (Trabzon, Turkey) mint, reign of Alexius I Comnenus, c. 1100 A.D.; obverse facing bust of Christ, bearded and nimbate, larger pellet with four smaller pellets around in each limb of cross, wearing tunic and himation, Gospels in right hand, IC - XC (Greek abbreviation: Ihsoús Xristós - Jesus Christ) across field; reverse bust of St. Demetrius, beardless, nimbate, wearing tunic, breastplate and sagion, spear in right hand over right shoulder, Θ left, Δ/I/M in a column right (Greek abbreviation: St. Demetrius); first specimen of this type handled by FORVM, zero sales of this type listed on Coin Archives in the last two decades; extremely rare; $200.00 (€188.00)
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