TheTrachyEnjoyer

This is quite interesting not only because of the significance of a such an early Christian archeological find generally (and specifically in the germanic regions), but it is also quite noteworthy in that it features the invocation of a Saint and the Trisagion from the Mass.

I am sorry to hear this 🙏 . Prayers for him and his family

the obverse is quite nice indeed!

This is exactly what makes Alexander Severus fun for many collectors. He is readily available in very high grades. 🤔Im not sure I can agree with the title that the denarius posted is the finest known for Alexander Severus. That is quite the bold claim to make with an off center flan and worn reverse die (not to mention style). However, it is a nice coin.

Hi, sorry for delayed responses. I have been quite busy. No worry on the catalogue being rushed. I am taking my time and making sure accuracy is the foremost quality of the work. Real, quantified evidence will be provided for all theories and frank acknowledgment when something is uncertain, as is often the case for the period. Part of my emphasis will be the use of statistics for stylistic analysis, something that has not been done before for late byzantine numismatics and will hopefully help to create a common framework for future discussions. At this point, the catalogue and commentary is probably at least a year out from printing with publishing partners, and likely closer to two or even three. It is hard to predict the time needed for a project like this. One step forward and two steps back…However, I will share that the catalogue (without commentary or analysis) will be in a working form with plates by Christmas. The hardest part that has taken over two years is almost done (in the form of a working rough draft). Some of the analysis work will be undertaken in the spring for my thesis as I am wrapping up master’s degree next semester. It could also be that the catalogue and commentary will form the basis of an institutional project or doctorate post graduation. It may be that the publication of this and future volumes come with a partnership at a University. I will have a clearer picture come spring.

2230 (left coin), 2231 (center coin), and LBC 470 (right coin). I do not see how it would be possible for 2230 to be attributed to Michael I yet 2231 to be attributed as being from the same mint and ruler as LBC 470. 2230 should be attributed to Michael I based on the sigla evidence and style. It is directly linked via the control marks to the coinage of Theodore, and so must be of Michael I as I have laid out with the above chronologies. AR type 2230 is also directly stylistically connected to 2231, with the same engraving style being used on either coin. When we then compare the obverse of 2231 to the different styles of Christ Emmanuel seen across the states of the period, we see it is also stylistically different than Thessalonica and Nicaea. It is stylistically similar to the early Arta coinage of Michael I, Theodore, and Manuel.

Style group A is intimately linked with the early Arta Coinage. The portrayal of the youthful Christ has small, finely executed hair. The proportions of the face are exact, and limited portions of the face are hollow. Compare 2231 to any of the early Arta coinage and you will find an identical style of engraving not seen on other coinage of this period. 2231 is unlike contemporary Thessalonican or nicaean portraiture, only similar to Arta. With the mint of arta not producing coinage for John I Ducas or Demetrios. Again, you are faced with the chronological sequence of: Engraving style A for Michael I Ducas at Arta (2227) Engraving style A for Theodore I Ducas at Arta (2228) Engraving style A for Manuel at Arta (2229) No coins from Arta for John I Ducas No coins from Arta for Demetrios Engraving style A for Michael II at Arta (2230, 2231, 2232) Or Engraving style A for Michael I Ducas (2227, 2230, 2231, 2232) Engraving style A for Theodore I Ducas at Arta (2228) Engraving style A for Manuel at Arta (2229) No coins from Arta for John I Ducas No coins from Arta for Demetrios No coins from Arta for Michael II with style A A 20-30 gap in numismatic production with a resurrection of the exact or extremely similar style under a ruler with diminished power in different geopolitcal circumstances seems significantly less likely than contiguous production between three succeeding rulers who operated at one shared mint. Style group A, Arta 2227 Nicaean busts of Christ, beardless Thessalonican bust of Christ, beardless

Thanks for engaging. I didn’t include the 2237 type both because it was not a named issue and also because I had very limited time. Each speaker was allotted a little over 20 minutes. The paper will discuss all topics in full length. (On the topic of 2237, it is actually connected via hoard analysis patterns to the coinage of Group A) On the question of style, why would the later coinage be finer? On what evidence would the coinage of Michael II be of a significantly more refined style than those of his near predecessors? What about the AR obverse sigla connection of the style A AR trachy to the coinage of Theodore I Ducas? I would recommend revisiting my arguments for this section. It is infeasible, bordering on incredulous, that a celator(s) who cut AR trachy dies for Theodore I Ducas would stop his work for two decades and return to cut dies for Michael II. Hendy proposes that, this obverse sigla was cut by the same celator(s) via the following chronology: • Theodore I Ducas • Not used by Manuel, who minted significantly smaller amounts of AR coinage than Theodore • Not used by John Ducas, who minted zero AR coinage • Not used by Demetrios Ducas, who minted no coinage whatsoever • Only for a very specific and shortly used Depot’s coinage at least two decades after its initial appearance. Or, my proposed chronology: • Michael I minted coins with this sigla • His immediate successor, Theodore I Ducas, continued minting coins with the same sigla. How do you explain the dearth of AR coinage from Manuel I? The total lack of AR coinage for John and Demetrios Ducas? The general decrease in the quality and fabric of Epirote coinage? The total lack of any coinage under Demetrios, only for a fully fledged system with multiple metals and modules to return? The proposed theory by Hendy is not tenable, and the logicial conclusion from the evidence to follow the chronology that the sigla was used for contiguous reigns, not after a break of two decades. Connection of the Style type A’ sigla directly to the early coinage of Theodore is proof of style A belonging to a chronology of the period adjacent toTheodore, thus Michael I. This doesn’t bring up the rest of my arguments, but if chronology of the groups is in question, this evidence firmly places the AR coinage (and so the rest of the stylistically connected group) to before Theodore I Ducas, and thus being of Michael I.

For those who are interested, the seminar is on youtube. The paper is expected to be published in the Spring of 2025.

I will have something more comprehensive out in the near future!

Photographs would be necessary for any opinion 👼

Certainly! Its a little paradoxical that the impossible to acquire silver coinage of early 13th century becomes so common later on! Bronzes, which can be had for cents from the 13th century become quite expensive in the later half of the 14th and early 15th. I would agree. In general, NAC conveyed very accurate photography at the cost of sometimes muting surfaces. This one is more pleasant in hand. Congrats on the win and thank you very much for supporting my consignment!

Hello, everyone! In case you are interested, I will presenting a seminar titled “Reevaluating the Epirote Coinage of Michael II Komnenos Doukas”. Part of the Oxford Byzantine Studies “Epiros: The Other Western Rome” workshop, my slot is Saturday November 9th at 10:30 AM UK time! You can attend online via zoom. Further information and the zoom link is below: https://medieval.ox.ac.uk/2024/10/22/epiros-the-other-western-rome-virtual-workshop-8th-9th-november-2024-registration-and-programme/ Epiros Workshop Programme Final .pdf

Thanks for the support!! That one has some nice toning in hand

Thanks for bidding and congrats on the hyperpyron! It is a great coin