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voulgaroktonou

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Posts posted by voulgaroktonou

  1. Here’s an unusual asper of Alexios II (1297 -1330). 2.00 gr. 22.3 mm. 6 hr.

    Obverse, St. Eugenios on horseback right and holding cross in his right hand.

    Rev: Alexios  on horseback right and holding sceptre of 3 pellets in his right hand; manus Dei to upper right .  Not in Sear or Retowski. Bendall 51. Bendall, in his An Introduction to the coinage of Trebizond, p. 52 considers this variety with the emperor being crowned by the manus Dei as the first issue of the reign.

    2024_26.jpg.d9237a6528ac08a797422b13f29f97d4.jpg

     

    And two less-than beautiful aspers of Alexius IV (1417-1446).

    Top coin. 0.90 gr. 15.5 mm 7 hr

    Obv:  St. Eugenios on horseback right and holding cross in his right hand. Beneath horse’s head, B; beneath horse, star.

    Rev: Alexios on horseback right, holding trilobate sceptre in his right hand. [Beneath horse’s head, B]; beneath horse, star.

    S2641;  Bendall 79;  Retowski 14-15.

     

    Bottom coin.  0.88 gr. 15.4 mm 6 hr

    Obv: St. Eugenios on horseback right and holding cross in his right hand. Beneath horse’s head, B; beneath horse, star.

    Rev: Alexios on horseback right, holding trilobate sceptre in his right hand. Beneath horse’s head, B; beneath horse, star.                          

    S2641;  Bendall 79;  Retowski 14-15.

    S2641.jpg.cdfb076c4833d5e399dad6df433d7725.jpg

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  2. 13 hours ago, DLTcoins said:

    Actually, isn't νικα an imperative verb (second person singular), giving the meaning "In this, win!", thus the Latin equivalent vinces. Interestingly, it isn't clear to me whether Constantine is supposed to have actually seen the words in Greek (ἐν τούτῳ νίκα) or whether Eusebius simply recorded them in Greek because he was writing in Greek. Most of us are more familiar familiar with the Latin version (in hoc signo vinces) but which came first, the chicken or the egg? 

    Yes, in the phrase ἐν τούτῳ νίκα, the verb is an imperative, so your translation is accurate. As far as the Latin version(s), "In hoc signo vinces" is, I suppose, the more well known one, but we also have "Hoc signo victor eris", "[In] this sign you will be the conqueror". it appears on this Siscia bronze of Constantius II (RIC 286).

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  3. In addition to S882, consisting of a counterstamp with Heraclius’ sole portrait, there are two later counterstamped issues for Sicily featuring busts of Heraclius and his son Heraclius Constantine, first as a child, and then as an adult with slight beard and mustache.

    From clockwise:

    Sicily, 614-21. 14.26 gr. 33 mm. 6 hr. Sear 882; DO 241 a-e; H. KM 4. Counterstamp: bust of Heraclius with short beard and Heraclian monogram. Overstruck on Justinian. SCLs counterstamp on reverse of host coin.

    Sicily, 629-31. 9.04 gr. 36 mm. 6 hr. Sear 883; DO 242, a, b; H. KM 5. Counterstamp: bust of Heraclius with short beard and youthful portrait of Heraclius Constantine. No Heraclian monogram. SCLs counterstamp on obverse of host coin, a follis of Heraclius and Heraclius Constantine from Constantinople, year 21, officina A.

    Sicily, ca. 635-41. 5.55 gr. 25.9 mm. 5 hr. Sear 884; DO 243; H. KM 6. Counterstamp: bust of Heraclius with long beard and adult portrait of Heraclius Constantine, with light beard and mustache. SCLs counterstamp on reverse of host coin, a follis of Heraclius and Heraclius Constantine from Constantinople. Accompanying the Sicilian counterstamp is the Heraclian monogram.

    S0882-0884.jpg.831e42c485cd70f11bfba224ffdc3206.jpg
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  4. In advance, apologies for a poor photo and even poorer attempt to reconstruct the undertype!

    Here’s a half follis of Leontius from Constantinople, year 1 = 695-6. 3.39 gr. 22.2 mm. 1 hr. Sear 1335; Hahn 33. Overstruck on a radiate fraction of Maximianus, 286 to 305. Of the host coin details remain of the obverse legend ….MAXIMIANVS PF AVG, plus the back of Maximianus’ portrait with radiate crown and wreath ties. On the reverse is visible above, the upper third of a large laurel wreath of the original coin, with a small ring at its apex. Byzantine copper coins overstruck on earlier Byzantine coins are common, but less so to find one struck on a 400 year old coin. Three such overstruck bronzes of Leontius  were published for the first time in “Spink’s Numismatic Circular”, Jan. 1971, p.7; the undertypes of those coins were all Tetrarchic radiate fractions with VOTA wreath on the reverse as on this coin, one of Maximianus and two of Constantius I as Caesar. The author conjectured that a hoard of radiate fractions may have been discovered early in Leontius’ reign and “used as ready made flans for this issue.” The overstruck coins may have been from the mint at Carthage, with VOT XX FK or VOT X FK in the wreath on the reverse, to judge from the small size of the leaves that make up the wreath, comparable to RIC VI, plate 8, 38.

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  5. Here are  a small and a large Tiberius II:

    Carthage, 578-82. Half siliqua. 1.06 gr. 16.4 mm. 6 hr. The reverse features a cross within a wreath bisecting the inscription LVX M/VNDI. Sear 464; Hahn 20; BNP 1-2; BMC 147-147.

    Constantinople, 579. Follis. 16.97 gr. 37.8 mm. 6 hr. Sear 430; Hahn 25; DO 11a; R. 926.

    Interestingly, Tiberius II is one of the few emperors whose coinage is mentioned by contemporary Byzantine authors. John of Ephesus writes in his Church History that the decision to replace the Victoria that had appeared on the reverse of the joint reign solidi of Justin II and Tiberius with the cross on steps was prompted by the emperor’s being ordered to do so in a dream.

    TibII.jpg.f9643133dc52e1819149ad2111ab5b18.jpg

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  6. On 12/23/2023 at 2:23 PM, Simon said:

    @theotokevoithi I just had a bunch of dental surgery and I misspoke when you said after Manuel they could not afford silver, I misread it (My apologies) and saw Manuel could not afford silver content. You are correct, you rarely see and silvering on Andronicus coinage, I have just trace silver from the wash but no data on how much the silver content was. 

    As for the coronation coinage I am a little confused to what coin you are referring to. The coronation coinage is actually how the coin reform was dated. 1092, that is when John II was made co emperor  and successor of his father.  No coronation coins were issued when his father died. 

    The first  Coronation coins with John and Alexius were in lead ( tetartera) Billion (trachea) and Mixed Gold Electrum (EL Aspron Trachy.) They are not easy to come by. 

    I do not have SBCV-1914 the El Aspron Trachy

    However I do have SBCV-1916 The Billion Aspron Trachy. Not pretty but hard to come by in any condition. 

    1916.jpg.0c77efc1821695e0a56c3dc6c3707063.jpg

     

    The lead tetarteron. This one is from Constantinople. 

    1919f.jpg.027c92cf4cfa84659a09904cec1a9f85.jpg

     

    If you look at the reverse of your coin, it matches SBCV 1918 ( here is another example, nice but silver gone.) 

    g7.jpg.62feb05092f28967594700bf028ea7ad.jpg

     

    Now I do understand the portrait looks more like John, one theory that has been used with other rulers is the portrait changed but the same coin was issued. However, the only way to prove this is to find a legend because that would change with the portrait. I have read of Isaac II coins issued but clearly with Andronicus Split beard, this was a mistake and likely because of the quick change in power. 

    As of now no Alexius II coins are known, his father Manuel died and he was still a boy who only ruled a couple of years before Andronicus killed him, it is thought he used his fathers coinage during his rule. I think someone will find a Manuel coin with Alexius II inscription it will be the first Alexius II coin found. 

    Perhaps your coin is John II but issued on Alexius coin. Or it is just an older picture of Alexius. 

    This coin I have had in the collection for years, it is SBCV-1920 an Alexius Issue City tetartera but the portrait always reminded me of his son.  The obv is Christ and the rev the emperor. 

    z3.jpg.384bfba0e7b96cfed829a31714df32d9.jpg

     

    I hope this helps or at least keeps you looking. 

    Enjoy the holidays and Merry Christmas, I have enjoyed the conversation. 

     

    Here's another lead coronation tetarteron. 5.43 gr. 20.7 mm. 6 hr. DO 32.

    S1923A.jpg.8ac88cd08199d0b22d80e2a4b615a0c9.jpg

     

    ...And billon trachy, 3.81 gr. 28.1 mm. 6 hr. DO 24.

    2023_59a.jpg.749a227b12e2ba16b32b9d8c6ac3d091.jpg

     

     

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  7. 15 hours ago, JeandAcre said:

    Best of the season right back at you, especially @voulgaroktonou And that's the most late Byzantine I've ever seen in one place. Quietly amazing.

    ...Regarding the differences in the liturgical calendar, going back to having been Protestant before I was even Christian (know that kind of people? promise you, I sure have), we don't even go up to Epiphany.  Bad on us.

    Dear @JeandAcre, Thank you for your kind comment.

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  8. 13 hours ago, sand said:

    @voulgaroktonou That's a fascinating collection of very late Byzantine silver coins. I only have 2. I could try to arrange them in a tree pattern, but they would be a Charlie Brown tree. Here they are. A Manuel II half stavraton, and a John VIII stavraton. Merry Christmas!

    image.jpeg.bac7bbedddc5cccbd649fd07eb9211d7.jpeg

    image.jpeg.cba593a6c69bbd258ca35dd6a3db2837.jpeg

    COIN DESCRIPTIONS

    Manuel II. AR Half Stavraton. Minted 1391 AD To 1425 AD. Constantinople Mint. Sear 2551. Grierson 1517. Maximum Diameter 20.2 mm. Weight 3.68 grams. Obverse : Jesus Christ Bust Facing Front, With Halo. Reverse : Manuel II Bust Facing Front, Wearing Crown With Pendilia, With Halo, "M-A-N-O-V-H-Lambda" Greek For "Manuel" Clockwise Starting At 12 O'Clock.

    John VIII. AR Stavraton. Minted 1425 AD To 1448 AD. Constantinople Mint. Sear 2563. LPC Page 172 Type 1. Maximum Diameter 23.0 mm. Weight 6.76 grams. Obverse : Jesus Christ Bust Facing Front, With Halo. Reverse : John VIII Bust Facing Front, Wearing Crown With Pendilia, With Halo, "IWAN" Greek For "John" In Outer Legend Clockwise Starting At 12 O'Clock.

    @Sand, your two coins would grace ANY collection of Palaeologan silver! And your John VIII even has 2 (mostly) visible lines of inscription! One of the reasons I enjoy so many duplicates of the stavrata is that one must examine a fist full of them in order to construct one full legend! 🙂 On the other hand, when it comes to the earlier miliaresia, I am happy to have one nice one each for the various Sear examples, but I never mind adding duplicate stavrata to my modest collection.

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  9. Καλά Χριστούγεννα! Blessings and good will of the Season to you all! I’ve recently  seen some wonderful ancient coin trees. Here’s my little Byzantine coin tree. The mint of all is Constantinople, except for the top one, a Carthage fraction of Maurice Tiberius, Sear 551.

    Row 2: Constantine XI, Bendall 129, Bendall 110. One eighth stavrata.

    Row 3: first two: John VII as regent, Sear 2562; last coin, Manuel II, Sear 2552. Half stavrata.

    Row 4: John V, Sear 2510. Stavrata.

    Row 5: Manuel II. First coin, Sear 2548; remaining coins, Sear 2549. Stavrata.

    Last 2 coins: John VIII,  Sear 2564. Stavrata.

    Silvertree01.JPG.edcfc02d6f4465bde85c266473efb508.JPG
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  10. On 12/4/2023 at 4:30 AM, Rand said:

    After being unable to find the Doubarton Oaks Coin collection at Harvard last year, I learned that even though it belongs to Harvard University, it is in Washington. 

    Finally, I had a chance to visit the Dumbarton Oaks Museum in Washington.

    image.png.ba753a90f07333fe3ad4a7690b728b76.png

    It is a small but breathtaking museum.

    The presented coin collection shows a few masterpieces, but next time, I would contact the museum in advance about the possibility of seeing some coins in the main collection.

    image.png.df1e3d4b3c8629c3e5d5a915d696c2aa.png

    The exposition shows Byzantine art masterpieces, including a few ivory icons and plaques of great beauty. 

    image.png.0f819f29624fc62865b1e9d34b5a1d5d.png

    However, the most amazing part was the pre-Columbian section. I did not expect the art of the ancient America to be so beautiful.

    image.png.7bfac2efa93913c7e73afdcb74f47f83.png

    I was particularly surprised to see colourful pottery from the first millennium - predating Chinese porcelain.

    image.png.320bebcd84f3b23462f97cb3d6d4af67.png

     

     

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    Thanks for the photographs; they bring back to me many happy memories of times I have spent there, and with many friends there as well.

     

     

     

     

     

     

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  11. On 12/1/2023 at 9:57 AM, ela126 said:

    I purchased this piece off eBay a month or two ago and cleaned it, revealing a rather nice silver inlay for OA which I understand is the Roman abbreviation for 1 Roman ounce, specifically 27.11g on this piece, I believe it has a Bendall 23 attribution. Not knowing a ton about weights, is this a nicer one? Should I treasure it more than the $8.00 with shipping eBay price leads me to value it? 
     

    Do other Byzantine collectors also have some weights in their collection?IMG_5517.jpeg.5915ed75d9e8b8b181cf6ff2443de830.jpegIMG_5519.jpeg.6ec59ae67a43a4b677e9d43349a37006.jpegIMG_5518.jpeg.e6b042a8d46c438ccac83bbaf697bd9d.jpeg

    I've 30-40 weights, but need to photograph them! Your is a nice one.

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  12. On 11/19/2023 at 11:58 PM, sand said:

    @ewomack That's an interesting, large Tiberius II 40 nummi bronze coin. Tiberius II was 1 of the last Byzantine Emperors from the "glory days" of the Byzantine Empire in the 6th century AD. On your coin, perhaps the dark areas, are where the patina was more stubborn, when the coin was cleaned. The dark areas have a grayish purple color, which is similar to the color of the patina within the pitting on the coin. I agree, that large Tiberius II 40 nummi bronze coins seem to be difficult to find. It took me approximately 6 months of searching and waiting, to find my large Tiberius II 40 nummi bronze coin. Then, 1 day, it magically appeared, and I got it. It was a bit expensive, for me. It's my 4th most expensive Byzantine coin, and my 9th most expensive coin overall. Here it is.

    image.png.ea5f4ffc588765aef7553ac84d66d217.png

    Byzantine Empire. Tiberius II. AE 40 Nummi Follis. Regnal Year 5. Minted 578 AD To 579 AD. Constantinople Mint. Sear 430. Maximum Diameter 36.7 mm. Weight 17.60 grams. Obverse : Tiberius II Bust Facing Front, Wearing Crown With Cross On Top, Holding Mappa And Eagle Tipped Scepter, Cross Above Eagle. Reverse : Large Lower Case "m", Mint "CON", Officina E.

    @sand, a beautiful example! These year 5 issues are, in my opinion, one of the handsomest folles of the 5th-6th c., in their own way, equal to the earlier dated folles of Justinian I. Here's one of mine. Sear 430; Hahn 25; DO 11a. 16.97 gr. 37.8 mm. 6 hr.

    S0430_03.jpg.eef3f6beebecb0666f46a4e9989d8261.jpg

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  13. 21 hours ago, catadc said:

    @voulgaroktonou I collect this denomination and I am missing the one from Antioch. That is very rare comparing to the others. And yours are all very nice coins. 

    To add something to this topic - the most common 30 nummi is the CONA, the only type I have two pieces. 

    image.jpeg.93fa748fb461fcd04177d81e4292bac4.jpeg

    image.jpeg.ab1f1c9681680f6720eadae1ae73952c.jpeg

    @catadc, Yours are very nice examples. I agree that Antioch is the rare one in this series. I have seen only 3-4 over many years of looking.

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  14. A few 3/4 folles:

    Constantinople, 578-82. 12.18 gr. 33 mm. 6h

    Obv: δm TIЬ CONS - TANT P P AVC, crowned and cuirassed bust facing, wearing cross and chlamys.

    Rev: XXX; cross above; in exergue, CONΓ. Sear 432; DO 15d; H. 27; BM 40; R. 940

     

    Nicomedia, 578-82. 12.84 gr. 36 mm.; 6h

    Obv: δm TIЬ CONS – TAN[T PP] AVC, crowned and cuirassed bust facing, wearing cross and chlamys.

    Rev: XXX; cross above; in exergue, NIKOB

    Sear 442; H. 36; BM 72

     

    Cyzicus, 579-82. 12.45 gr. 33 mm. 6h

    Obv: δm TIЬ CONS – TANT PP AVC, crowned and cuirassed bust facing, wearing cross and chlamys.

    Rev: XXX; cross above; in exergue, KYZA

    Sear 445; DO 37a; H.42 ; BM 79

     

    Antioch, 579-82. 9.20 gr. 28 mm. 6h

    Obv: δm TЬЬ CO - NSTANT PP, crowned and cuirassed bust facing, wearing cross and chlamys.

    Rev: XXX; cross above; in exergue, tHEЧP

    Sear 449; H. 48; BM 107. Same obverse die as BM 107.

    TiberiusIIthreequarterfolles.jpg.4a28c84cb171a179dfa5d2c5f1b6b8b1.jpg

    ...and a diminutive silver fraction from Carthage.

    Half siliqua, Carthage, 578-82. 1.06 gr. 16.4 mm. 6 hr.

    Obv: [δm TIb CON]STANT PP Helmeted, diademed and cuirassed bust facing.

    Rev: LV X M/VNDI Latin cross, above which, 2 pellets, all within a wreath. Sear 464; Hahn 20; BNP 1-2; BM 146-147

    S0464.jpg.bf35b48f49766f4bc20b7518d5cb877b.jpg
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  15. Ceremonial silver miliaresion. Constantinople, 602/7. 1.21 gr. 18.9 mm. 7 hr. Sear 638A; Hahn 54. The portraits on Phokas’ fractional gold and occasional silver coins are generally beardless, unlike the bearded ones on his other issues.

    Half follis, Kyzikos, 603/4. 6.50 gr. 25.9 mm. 6 hr. Sear 670 var.; Hahn 79 var.; DO 79a var.; BM 98 var.; R. 1239 var.  This variety, with the regnal year to the left of the mark of value, is not noted. The raised position of the officina letters (in this case A) on the halves from this mint shows that they were later added to the die. @Valentinian has earlier noted the eccentricity of the Kyzikene portraits for Maurice. We see the “tradition” alive and well on occasional half folles of his successor from this mint. Or as my wife, classically trained in Greek pottery, is wont to assert, “proof that space aliens interbred with inhabitants of the eastern Mediterranean in late antiquity.” And who am I to disabuse her?

     

    Follis, Antioch, 608/9. 10.56 gr. 30.2 mm. 5 hr. Sear 672A; Hahn 84 b. Portrait of fine style. This is the second example of this portrait I have encountered. I published a better example of it in a private collection (now in DO) in The Celator, Aug. 2000, pp. 16-20:  “From the hand of a master – an Antiochene follis of Phocas”.

    Fokas.jpg.0bb5c0cb698c2ebc52a9ba4802da4818.jpg
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  16. 9 hours ago, sand said:

    @voulgaroktonou Nice and interesting coin. Unfortunately, my latest gas station cost was $55.93, and there are no Byzantine coins with Sear number higher than 2645. I can't remember, the last time my gas station cost was $26.45 or less.

    However, just for fun, I'll post 1 of my related Byzantine coins. Here's 1 of my Byzantine coins, with 3 portraits.

    image.jpeg.779997de596c9fb1249bbd6a67951c08.jpeg

    Constantine V. AE 40 Nummi Follis. Minted 751 AD To 775 AD. Syracuse Mint. Sear 1569. DO 19. Maximum Diameter 19.1 mm. Weight 3.14 grams. Obverse : On Left Constantine V Standing Facing Front, Short Beard, Wearing Crown With Cross On Top, Holding Akakia In Right Hand, On Right Leo IV Standing Facing Front, Beardless, Wearing Crown With Cross On Top, Holding Akakia In Right Hand, On Left "K", On Right "Lambda-E-O-N". Reverse : Leo III Standing Facing Front, Short Beard, Wearing Crown With Cross On Top, Holding Cross Potent In Right Hand, On Left "Lambda-E-O-N", On Right "Delta-E-C-Pi".

    Gosh, you must have a lot bigger tank that I do! But I love your Constantine V follis - wonderful coloring and surfaces!

     

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  17. Dear coin friends,

                  At the risk of betraying my Byzantine fixation, as my many friends/admirers of earlier Greek and Roman coins would say I have to a serious degree, I would like to share a mental exercise I perform whenever I add gasoline to my car. When the last drop has been squeezed into the gas tank, I take the total charge in US dollars, and treat it as a Sear number. Then, I try to visualize what that particular Byzantine coin is. I’m fairly good at this, and yesterday proved the point. On the way home from visiting our horse, I stopped at the gas station and filled my tank by spending $16.80, thinking of Sear 1680, and considering it to be a Theophilos follis from Syracuse. A few minutes later, at home, I saw I was right on the money, so to speak.

    Here's one of my examples of Sear 1680.

     

    Follis, Syracuse, 830/1 – 842. 1.69 gr. 17 mm. 4 hr. Sear 1680; DO 29c; BNP 1-4; Ricotti 239. Grierson (DOC 3:1, p. 447) considers this issue as a half follis, or as “a much reduced follis.”

    Obv:  Θε O FI[LOS bA] Bust of Theophilos wearing crown with cross and loros; holdings cross potent on base in right hand.

    Rev: + mI[XA – HL S COnSt] Busts of Michael and Constantine, each wearing crown with cross and chlamys. Star above their heads.

    S1680_02.jpg.7b2283213cc555a1f323ec2eeb1002bf.jpg
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  18. Although I have shared these two coins before, while on the topic of Anastasius, I thought I'd bring them out again, in case others have not seen the type. When the weights of the follis and its fractions were doubled in 512, the mint evidently considered that the increased size of the flans would allow for a figural reverse type, a seated representation of Constantinople holding a globus cruciger. Examples exist for the follis (I know of three examples, Berlin, BM, and Triton XIX, lot 688), its half (three examples: mine, and two others in DO., and quarter (three examples: Barber Institute, mine, and the third, Leu Web Auction 11, lot 2129). But it evidently did not give satisfaction, and specimens are extremely rare today.

    Anastasius I. Constantinople. 512-17. Half follis. 9.62 gr. 24.5 mm. hr. 8. Sear 25A; Hahn 20a (this coin). Ex Vecchi 8, Dec. 4, 1997, lot 401. Published in The Celator, April 1999, “A Pair of holed rarities”. This example is holed, as are two of the three known half folles as well as one of the three known decanummia. 

    Anastasius I. Constantinople. 512-17. Decanummium. 4.30 gr. 20 mm. hr. 6. Sear 28A; Hahn 21. Ex Triton XV, lot 1573.

    An example of the follis came up in Triton XIX, lot 688. However, when I saw where the bidding was going, I decided that Meat Loaf's song “Two out of three ain't bad” made a lot of sense. Another song lyric, in this case from John Entwhistle’s “My Wife”, also suggested the importance of restraint: “My life’s in jeopardy, shot down in cold blood I’m gonna be” (or would have been if I had purchased it.)

     

    AnastasiusS25A-28A.jpg.7bd2e0c0069b2a50b97ee9a9e10f8f6d.jpg
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  19. @Sand posted several days back a wonderful and concise summary of the Anastasian currency reform. Here are a few additional notes and photos to illustrate the various denominations of the initial and final reform.

    I always love to read about Anastasius and his coins. Imagine the effect his reformed coinage would have had upon a populace used to those tiny nummi that must have had to circulate in bags!

    The Anastasian currency reform developed in two stages. The first, in 498, consisted in the issuance of multiples of the nummus, denominations of 40, 20, and 10 nummi. Then in 512, the weights were doubled, and at the same time, a further multiple, the pentanummium of 5 nummi was introduced. The striking of the tiny nummi continued. In addition to their much heavier weight and size, the distinguishing feature of the reform coins is the reverse type, consisting of a Greek letter corresponding to the appropriate denomination. M = 40; K = 20; I = 10; ε = 5. Below are some examples of the various denominations. The first row reflects the initial, lighter reform of 498-512, and the second row, the corresponding denominations of the second reform of 512-518. The obverse images are on the left, while the reverses are on the right. All are from the mint of Constantinople, although the other mints followed the same development. The coins are, from left to right:

    First row. Initial, lighter reform of 498-512.

    Follis. 8.50 gr. 26 mm. Hr. 6. Sear 14; Hahn 22; DO 16; BNP 11-12.

    Half follis. 3.76 gr. 20 mm. Hr. 6. Sear 24; Hahn 32; DO 21b; BNP 37.

    Quarter follis (decanummium). 1.51 gr. 16 mm. Hr. 12. Sear 26; Hahn 34a; DO 19; BNP 44-50.

    Nummus. 0.79 gr. 7 mm. Hr. 12. Sear 13; Hahn 40; DO 15; BNP 1-10.

     

    Second row. Subsequent (heavier) reform of 512-518.

    Follis. 18.17 gr. 36 mm. Hr. 6. Sear 19; Hahn 27; DO 23d, e; BNP 69-75.

    Half follis. 9.07 gr. 31 mm. Hr. 6. Sear 25 (this coin); Hahn 33; DO 24d; BNP 14.

    Quarter follis (decanummium). 4.16 gr. 22 mm. Hr. 6. Sear 28; Hahn 36; DO -; BNP –

    Eighth follis (pentanummium). 1.90 gr. 16 mm. Hr. 7. Sear 29; Hahn 39; DO 26d; BNP 92.

    Anastasiusdenominations.jpg.128f8261437af01bf9d0ee47cc735492.jpg
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  20. 46 minutes ago, sand said:

    @voulgaroktonou Very nice and interesting silver and gold Constans II coins with a short beard. Here's my bronze Constans II, which seems to be an early, beardless example.

    image.jpeg.2673b89b7796bfdd0e14113f9c7d5efa.jpeg

    Constans II. AE 40 Nummi Follis. Minted 641 AD To 647 AD. Syracuse Mint. Sear 1104. DO 176. Maximum Diameter 23.2 mm. Weight 4.19 grams. Obverse : Constans II Bust Beardless Facing Front Holding Globe Cross, No Legend. Reverse : Large M, Monogram Above.

    A very nice example; thanks for sharing!

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  21. 1 hour ago, ewomack said:

    Very nice coins @voulgaroktonou! Constans II is a fascinating, if not, like many Byzantine rulers, an altogether impressive Emperor.

    I have not purchased any Byzantine gold or silver yet (my Byzantine collection only dates from summer 2022, so I'm still relatively a beginner). My entire collection consists of bronze. My only Constans II is a relatively humble bronze follis from Syracuse.

    641_to_668_ConstansII_AE_Follis_01.png.5b28794327daac7c5ffd0dbdd670e11f.png641_to_668_ConstansII_AE_Follis_02.png.5e611efcddaa9daa319b5fc80b000e2e.png
    Constans II (641-668), AE Follis / 40 Nummi, Syracuse, 652-3, AE 23-27mm. 6g. Constans standing facing, wearing crown and chlamys, holding globus cruciger in right hand; I/H/Δ to l., I/A to right / Large M; cross above; SCL. MIB 208; DOC 179; S. 1108.


    I am very glad that this forum has a contingent of Byzantine appreciators. They probably represent the pinnacle of "acquired taste" in ancient/medieval coinage.

    Your Syracusan Constans is very nice; these issues really show the emperor's extravagant beard. And your comment of "acquired taste" resonates. My local ancient coin club friends consider my taste in Byzantine strange. And my wife, who studied ancient Greek pottery in graduate school, considers my passion for the 15th stavrata perverse.

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