Fine Coins Showcase
Antiquities Showcase
Hide empty categories
Shop Search
Shopping Cart
My FORVM
Contact Us
About Forum
Shopping at Forum
Our Guarantee
Payment Options
Shipping Options & Fees
Privacy & Security
Forum Staff
Selling Your Coins
Identifying Your Coin
FAQs
zoom.asp
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. |
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, Andronicus II Palaeologus, 1272 - 24 May 1328 A.D.
Under Andronicus II the empire permanently declined. His grandson, Andronicus III, rebelled and defeated him. He was forced to abdicate, retired as a monk and died 13 Feb 1332.BZ113983. Bronze trachy, DOC V 583; Bendall PCPC 115; Grierson 1409; LPC p. 50, 23; SBCV 2348; Sommer -, gF, green patina, uneven strike, edge ragged with splits, scyphate, weight 1.984 g, maximum diameter 20.4 mm, die axis 180o, Constantinople mint, sole reign, 1282 - 1295; obverse Nimbate facing half-figure of Archangel Michael; reverse Andronicus standing facing, cruciform scepter in right hand, akakia in left hand; first specimen of this type held by FORVM; scarce; $180.00 (€169.20)
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 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 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)
CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE FROM THIS CATEGORY - FORVM's PRIOR SALES
MINTMARKS
Page created in 1.875 seconds.
