The epic Byzantine portrait thread

[nomisma]

Hello to the group from a newbie. Here is a solidus of Leo III minted in Rome.

[sand]

8 hours ago, nomisma said:

Hello to the group from a newbie. Here is a solidus of Leo III minted in Rome.

Hello @nomisma. Welcome to Nvmis Forvms.

[Valentinian]

19 hours ago, nomisma said:

Hello to the group from a newbie.

Welcome! That is an impressive coin in your first post. We hope it is the first of many. 
 

[nomisma]

Here is a tetarteron of Constantine X (S 1849)

[Hrefn]

@nomisma, talk about starting out with a bang!  Nice rarity for your first post. 

Here’s Romanus IV with Eudokia Makrembolitissa, widow of Constantine X, whom Romanus married to legitimize his claim to the throne.

 

Eudokia was a beauty and a political power in her own right.

 

Edited August 6, 2023 by Hrefn
X not IX

[Rand]

This coins does not win beauty prizes. I struggled to find a nice one 10 years ago.

Nicephorus III Botaniates, Constantinople, Histamenon nomisma. Jean Elsen & ses Fils S.A. Auction 117. 15/06/2013.

 

[nomisma]

Inspired by the Romanus IV histamenon I am posting here the histamenon of Eudocia (S 1857). This is the last Byzantine coin with any Latin on it. The obverse inscription reads IHS XIPS RCX RCGNANTINM, a corruption of the Latin IESUS CHRISTUS REX REGNANTIUM, i.e., Jesus Christ, King of those who rule.

Edited August 7, 2023 by nomisma
added a sentence about obverse inscription.

[Al Kowsky]

This coin type is affectionally known as a "6 header" because it has 6 historical figures  on one coin.

Romanus IV is best known for a humiliating defeat against the forces of Sultan Alp Arslan, at the Battle of Manzikert on August 26,1071. Romanus was captured alive & held prisoner for 8 days. The Sultan had Romanus lay on the ground & put his foot on the neck of Romanus as an act of submission. The Sultan negotiated a peace treaty with Romanus that required a ransom of 1,500,000 nomisma & annual payments of 360,000 nomisma that the Romans refused to pay. When Romanus returned to Constantinople he was imprisoned & later was blinded with a red hot poker in a public ceremony. He was then sent into exile where he died a slow agonizing death. 

[voulgaroktonou]

Constantine X (1059-67)

Mint of all coins is Constantinople.

2/3 Miliaresion, 1.42 gr. 22.4 mm. 4 hr. Sear 1851; DO 6 var.; BNP 4-9; BM 9 var.; R. 2013 var. Although lacking a portrait of Constantine, the reverse inscription invokes the Virgin’s aid for “Constantine Doukas, the Despotes”.

Follis, 7.56 gr. 29 mm. 6 hr. Sear 1853; DO 8; BNP 1-29; BM 18-31; R. 2021-24. The reverse features standing figures of Eudokia and Constantine, holding a labarum.

Follis, 6.32 gr. 28.5 mm. 4 hr. Sear 1854; DO 9; BNP 31-43; BM 32-37; R. 2018-19. On the reverse is a bust of the emperor, holding a cross and akakia.

 

Romanos IV, (emperor 1068-71).

Mint of all coins is Constantinople.

2/3 Miliaresion, 0.88 gr.  18.3 mm. 5 hr. Sear 1864; DO 6a; BNP 1. As on the first coin above of Constantine X (Sear 1851), although lacking a portrait of Romanos, the reverse inscription invokes the Virgin’s aid for “Romanos Diogenes, the Despotes”.

1/3 Miliaresion, 0.75 gr. 16.2 mm. 6 hr. Sear 1865A; DO 7; BNP 2 (Romanos III) ; BM 8. The emperor’s bust on the reverse holds a patriarchal cross and globus cruciger.

Follis, 7.64 gr. 29 mm. 6 hr. Sear 1866; DO 8; BNP 1-5; BM 9-13; R. 2030-31. Although lacking the emperor’s portrait, the four letters C R P Δ surrounding the cross are to be understood as: ΣTAYPΕ BOΗΘΕI PΩMANΩ ΔΕΣΠOTΗ: Σταυρε βοηθει Ρωμανω Δεσποτη = Oh, Cross, aid Romanos, the Despotes. (The letter “Β” in epigraphy of the period has the form of “R”.)

 

Michael VII (emperor 1071-78)

Mint of all coins is Constantinople.

Histamenon Nomisma. 4.31 gr. 28 mm. 6 hr. Sear 1868; DO 2c; BNP 1-10; BM 5-7. The emperor on the reverse holds a labarum and globus cruciger.

Histamenon Nomisma. 4.37 gr. 28.3 mm 6 hr. Sear 1869; DO 1; BM 1. Reverse all as before.

Tetarteron Nomisma. 3.99 gr. 18.6 mm. 6 hr. Sear 1872; DO 5b; R. 2044. On the reverse, Michael and Maria hold a long cross.

Miliaresion. 1.88 gr. 24.1 mm. 6 hr. Sear 1873; DO 7b; BNP 1; R. 2036. The reverse displays a standing Michael holding a long cross and sword.

Miliaresion 1071-78. 1.91 gr. 23 mm. 6 hr. Sear 1874; DO 6b2 var. BNP 2; BM 17; R. 2047. Ex Hunt collection. Sotheby’s Dec. 5-6, 1990, lot 858. Interestingly, the obverse inscription hearkens back to the famous vision of Constantine and the heavenly cross, as expressed n mid 4^th c. coins in Latin as well as under Constans II in the 7^th c. in Greek: Hoc signo victor eris and Εν τουτω νικα. Here we have: ΕΝ ΤΟΥΤΩ ΝΙΚΑΤΕ ΜΙΧΑΗΛ ΚΑΙ ΜΑΡΙΑ:  Εν τουτω νικατε Μιχαηλ και Μαρια = Michael and Maria, in This conquer. This Constantinian reference is found on several miliaresia of different reigns of this period, for example, that of Nikephoros III, the last coin below.

Michael VII (emperor 1071-78)

Mint of all coins is Constantinople.

2/3 Miliaresion, 1.41 gr. 20.5 mm. 5 hr. Sear 1875; DO (11b); BNP 6; BM 21. As in the next coin, the reverse invokes the Virgin’s aid for “Michael Doukas, the despotes”.

2/3 Miliaresion, 1.29 gr. 21 mm. 6 hr. Sear 1876; DO 8.2 var. BNP 7 var. R. 2037

Follis, 4.53 gr. 26 mm. 6 hr. Sear 1878; DO 14a; BNP 1-11; BM 24-25; R. 2041. The reverse depicts a bust of Michael holding a labarum and globus cruciger.

Half Follis, 2.86 gr. 22 mm. 6 hr. Sear 1880A; DO 15. This is the last bronze issue that is a fractional part of a follis. Reverse as before.

 

Nikephoros III, (emperor 1078-81)

Histamenon Nomisma, 4.35 gr. 30.2 mm. 6 hr. Sear 1881; DO 3b; BM 7-9; R. 2051. The reverse has a figure of Nikephoros holding a labarum and globus cruciger.

Miliaresion, 1.43 gr. 23.2 mm. 6 hr. Sear 1886; DO 6. Like the miliaresion of Michael VII (Sear 1874) above, the obverse features busts of Nikephoros III and Michael’s widow, now wife to his successor, with the same “Constantinian” legend, the name Nikephoros now substituted for that of Michael:  ΕΝ ΤΟΥΤΩ ΝΙΚΑΤΕ ΝΙΚΗΦΟΡΕ ΚΑΙ ΜΑΡΙΑ: Εν τουτω νικατε Νικηφορε και Μαρια.

[Nerosmyfavorite68]

Constantine X

11gr 29.4mm

 

Here's my modest example from Opisthodomos.  I was one of the lucky few to receive coins.

[Ancient Coin Hunter]

Constantine X: 1059-1067

AV Histamenon Nomisma. (AV, 28 mm, 4.41 g, 5 h), Constantinople.

Obv: +IhS XIS RЄX RЄςNANTҺIm Christ, nimbate, seated facing on square-backed throne, wearing tunic and pallium, raising his right hand in benediction and holding book of Gospels in his left.

Rev. +KωN RAC Λ O ΔOVKAC Constantine X standing facing, wearing crown and loros, holding labarum in his right hand and globus cruciger in his left.

DOC 1a. SB 1847. 

[Valentinian]

29-28 mm. 10.58 grams. Sear 1853.
Constantine X and Eudocia
On the obverse "+ЄMMA-NOVHA" is "God is with us"
around Christ standing. IC XC either side.
Reverse legend: +KωN T ΔK ЄVΔK AVΓ   (unusually, beginning at 1:30 on the reverse)
KωN[Σ]Τ[ΑΝΤΙΝΟΣ O] Δ[ΟY]Κ[ΑΣ] [ЄΥΔ[Ο]Κ[ΙΑ] ΑYΓ[ΟΥΣΤΟΙ] Constantine (the) Doukas, Eudocia, Augusti [or, emperors]


27-25 mm. 8.82 grams. Sear 1854.
Bust of Christ/Bust of Constantine X
"KωN" for "Constantine" followed (at 10:30) by
RACILЄVC O ΔVK  "Basileus [= emperor] (the) Ducas" with "R" an epigraphic form of "B" and "C" a lunate "S".

Most of what I know about Byzantine-coin legends I learned from @voulgaroktonou . I have a page about Byzantine coin legends:
http://augustuscoins.com/ed/Byz/legends.html

[Valentinian]

3 hours ago, voulgaroktonou said:

Constantine X (1059-67)

 

Mint of all coins is Constantinople.

That is a wonderful group, obviously the accumulation of many years of thoughtful collecting. I'm impressed!

[Hrefn]

Constantine X, just picked up this year.  The wear is all on the convex side with Christ.   

 

[sand]

I see lots of beautiful and interesting gold coins, posted by Nvmis Forvms members, for this era. And, many nice and interesting silver and bronze coins.

Constantine X was the Byzantine Emperor from 1059 AD to 1067 AD. The following map is a snapshot of the nice Youtube video titled "The History of the Byzantine Empire : Every Month". It shows the Byzantine Empire, near the end of the reign of Constantine X in 1067 AD. We see that, compared with the end of the reign of Basil II in 1025 AD, the Byzantine Empire has lost almost all of its lands in the Italian peninsula, and has lost some territory west of northern Greece, and has lost some territory east of northern Anatolia, but has gained some territory east of southern Anatolia.

Here's my Constantine X 40 nummi follis. For the Emperor's portrait style, I'm not an expert in the subject, but it seems to me, that the Emperor's head and face, from approximately 1000 AD through the end of the Byzantine Empire in 1453 AD, were almost always approximately the same, with the notable exception of the crude silver coins (the stavraton and its fractions) which were minted toward the end of the Byzantine Empire. From approximately 1000 AD through 1453 AD, the Emperor always has a beard, and the Emperor is always wearing a crown, with pendilia hanging from the crown, on each side of the Emperor's head, and his face always seems to look approximately the same (except for the stavraton and its fractions). However, there were variations of other aspects of the Emperor's portrait, such as whether only the Emperor's bust was shown, or whether the Emperor's entire standing figure was shown, and who was standing beside the Emperor (no one, or Jesus, or various Saints, or his wife, or perhaps a child or previous Emperor (I'm guessing), or perhaps someone else). My coin seems to be an overstrike. The undertype may be Sear 1853 DO 8. On the obverse, there seem to be remnants of the undertype reverse. To the left of the upper part of Jesus's head, there seems to be a sideways image of the undertype Emperor's head. To the left of the lower part of Jesus's head, there seems to be a sideways image of the undertype cross.

Constantine X AE 40 Nummi Follis. Minted 1059 AD To 1067 AD. Constantinople Mint. Sear 1854. DO 9. Maximum Diameter 26.9 mm. Weight 5.05 grams. Obverse : Jesus Christ Bust Facing Front, Long Beard, Cross Halo, Right Hand Raised In Front Of Body In Blessing, Holding Book In Left Hand. Reverse : Constantine X Bust Facing Front, Bearded, Wearing Crown With Cross On Top And Pendilia, Wearing Modified Loros, Holding Cross In Right Hand, Holding Akakia In Left Hand. Overstruck On Earlier Coin Perhaps Sear 1853 DO 8.

Here are photos of the possible undertype Sear 1853 DO 8, as well as photos of the overtype Sear 1854 DO 9, from Dumbarton Oaks Volume 3 Part 2. These are not my coins.

Edited August 7, 2023 by sand

[Jims,Coins]

Minted at Constantinople during the reign of Constantine X and Eudochia between 25 November 1059 - 21 May 1067. Obv. +EMMANOVHA.: (GOD IS WITH US) Christ standing facing on footstool, wearing nimbus cr., pallium and colobium, and holding book of Gospels with both hands. Rev. +KWN TAK EVAK AVrO. Eudochia (on l.) and Constantine X, bearded (on r.) stg. facing, holding between them labarum, with cross on shaft, resting on three steps, each wears crown and loros. BCVS #1853. CBE #8 pg. 247.

I have two

[wittwolff]

My second to last byzantine coin:

[TheTrachyEnjoyer]

On 7/15/2023 at 4:09 PM, voulgaroktonou said:

Theophilos, emperor (829–42), son of Michael II, was crowned co-emperor by his father in spring 821. On Michael II’s death in 829, Theophilos became sole Augustus. The new emperor had a son, Constantine, whom he made co-Augustus in 830 or 831, but he died in infancy. A second son, Michael III was born in 840 and crowned in the  same year.

If Michael II was known as an unlettered rustic, his son Theophilos was schooled in art, literature, and philosophy, as well as in more practical subjects such as architecture and warfare. He possessed a deep knowledge of and respect for Islamic culture, but sadly much of his reign was spent in armed conflict against the Arabs.

He was deeply interested in the welfare of his subjects. His sound fiscal policies allowed major additions to the Great Palace, construction and restorations of many existing buildings, public and private, as well as renovations of Constantinople's walls. Perhaps influenced by his appreciation for Arab culture and religious sensibilities, Theophilos restored Iconoclasm by prohibiting all painted images, in addition to persecuting iconodules, many of whom he exiled or physically punished.  Theophilos died of dysentery in 842, and with him Iconoclasm came to an end.

 

Mint of all three coins is Constantinople.

Follis, 829-31. 7.63 gr. 30 mm. 6 hr. Sear 1666; DO 13; BNP 1-3; BM 15-16; R. 1822.

Theophilos, with Constantine. Follis, 830 or 831. 8.33 gr. 30.6 mm. 6 hr. Sear 1165;DO 14; BM 12; T. 43. As @Valentinan has noted, this is a rare coin.

Half follis, 830-42. 5.01 5.01 gr. 25.5 mm. 5 hr. Sear 1668; DO 16a; BM 27-29; R. 1826. With this class, the traditional mark of value on the reverse, by now lacking any meaning, is replaced by an inscription in several lines, as found on the miliaresia.

 

Mint of third coin, top row is Naples (?); that of the rest, Syracuse.

Solidus, 829-30. 3.97 gr. 17 mm. 6 hr. Sear 1671; DO 18.

Semissis, 831-42. 1.70 gr. 12.8 mm. 5 hr. Sear 1674; DO 26c; BM 36-40; T. 12. The faces on this class have a drawn, emaciated appearance.

Solidus, Naples (?), 831-42. 3.97 gr. 20 mm. 5 hr. Sear 1683; DO 33; BM 56-57; T. 36-37. Unlike the previous two coins, on which Theophilos appears on both sides, this coin depicts the emperor’s son Constantine on the reverse.

Follis, 830-42. 1.69 gr. 17 mm. 4 hr. Sear 1680; DO 29c; BNP 1-4. The reverse of this coin features Michael III and Constantine.

Follis, 830-42. 5.19 gr. 26.6 mm. 5 hr. Sear 1681; DO 30; BNP 5-10; BM 44-46; R. 1829. Overstruck on a follis of Michael II. DOC 3, p. 421 notes that the chronology of Theophilos’ Sicilian folles is uncertain due to a paucity of overstrikes. The overstriking of this coin on a Michael II could argue for placing it first in the series.

 

Naples, incredible. I was the underbidder on that type a while back.

[TheTrachyEnjoyer]

On 8/4/2023 at 11:13 PM, Hrefn said:

 

        My first Byzantine coin.

and these coins of Romanus III.  The first depicts the Virgin without a halo.

And Constantine IX.  The middle coin is a tetarteron.

 

So very lovely. These are all as fine as they come

[TheTrachyEnjoyer]

On 8/5/2023 at 4:44 PM, nomisma said:

Hello to the group from a newbie. Here is a solidus of Leo III minted in Rome.

A nice example of this hard to acquire type

[Severus Alexander]

My portrait coins for the Aug. 6 slot:

Constantine X alone:

With Eudocia:

Bonus: An imitation of the above by Nur ad-Din ibn Zengi from roughly 80 years later:

(Zengi captured Bohemond III of Antioch in battle, but restored him to the throne later, preferring him to the Byzantine emperor at the time. It was under Nur ad-Din that Saladin got his start.)

Romanus IV (of Manzikert infamy), 1/3 miiaresion:

Bonus: dirham of Alp Arslan, victor of Manzikert, Balkh mint:

Michael VII:

(Wow I really need a new photo of that one!)

And for Nicephorus III, one of my few electrum coins:

Tomorrow we get a little sideshow of anonymous folles! 👍

I'd like to join everyone in welcoming @nomisma. That Rome Leo III is amazing!!

[Al Kowsky]

Anonymous, circa AD 976-1065. Constantinople Mint. AE Nummus: 10.46 gm, 29 mm, 6 h. Obverse: Christ Pantokrator holding book of gospels. Reverse: Inscription translating "Jesus Christ, King of Kings". DOC A2.24a; Sear 1813.  AWK Collection.

[voulgaroktonou]

On the accession of John I Tzimiskes in 969, the follis undergoes a significant change. The emperor’s portrait and titles disappear from the coinage until the reign of Constantine X. Replacing the traditional designs, the coins bear an image of Christ on the obverse, and on the reverse an inscription in several lines proclaiming “Jesus Christ, King of kings”, although  several of the later classes feature on the reverse either an image of Mary, or a cross decorated in various ways. This class of coins is known as the Anonymous Folles or Anonymous Bronzes.

It is rare that Byzantine historians mention specific coin developments, so it is worth quoting the eleventh century historian, John Skylitzes: “And  he  [John  I]  ordered  also  the  image  of the  Savior  to  be  engraved  on  the  nomisma and the obol [i.e., copper coin], which had not  been  done  before  this.  And  Greek  letters were engraved on the other side to about this  effect:  “Jesus  Christ,  King  of  Kings.” And  the  emperors  who  succeeded  him  did likewise.” Although  the  attribution  to  John  of  the  creation  of  the  first gold  coins  with  an  image  of  Christ  is  in  error, otherwise  the  statement is reliable, especially when considering the earliest classes and their occasional overstrikes. No folles are known for John , and the earlier classes are often overstruck on coins of Nikephoros II, Constantine VII, and Michael VIII, for example.

Grierson provides a good summary of the coinage in DOC 3:2, pp. 634-47, and the Sear Byzantine book also contains a useful section on the series.

 

Class A1 ca. 970-76. 6.27 gr. 27.8 mm. 5 hr. Sear 1793; DO-A1.6-13. Overstruck on a follis of Nikephoros II.

Class A2, var. 5. Ca. 976-1035. 13.86 gr. 32 mm. 6 hr. Sear 1813; DO–A2.21.

Class B. Ca. 1030-42. 15.16 gr. 36 mm. 5 hr. Sear 1823; DO-B.1-64.

Class C. Ca. 1042-50. 9.09 gr. 31 mm. 6 hr.  Sear 1825; DO-C.1-48. Ex Hunt collection. Sotheby’s 6/21/91, lot 228 (part).

Class D. Ca. 1050-60. 11.65 gr. 29 mm. 6 hr. Sear 1836; DO-D.1-34.

Class E. Ca. 1060. 7.11 gr. 28 mm. 5 hr. Sear 1855; DO-E.1-8.

 

Class F. Ca. 1060-65. 9.77 gr. 28.4 mm. 12 hr. Sear 1856; DO-F.1-15. Overstruck on a Class E follis.

Class G. Ca. 1065-70. 9.21 gr. 28.6 mm. 6 hr. Sear 1867; DO-G.1-28.

Class H. Ca. 1070-75. 6.65 gr. 27 mm. 5 hr. Sear 1880; DO-H.1-19.

Class I. Ca. 1075-80. 9.31 gr. 27 mm. 6 hr. Sear 1889; DO-I.1-64. Overstruck on a follis of Michael VII, whose inscription [MIX]ΑΗΛ  RACIΛ Ο Δ is visible on the reverse. Ex Hunt collection. Sotheby’s 6/21/91, lot 228 (part).

Class J. Ca. 1080-85. 6.69 gr. 25 mm. 6 hr. Sear 1900(this coin) ; DO-J.1-14.  Sear plate coin. Ex Hunt collection. Sotheby’s 6/21/91, lot 228 (part).

Class K. Ca. 1085-92. 4.93 gr. 23.8 mm. 6 hr. Sear 1901; DO-K.1-26. 

Nikephoros Basilakios rebelled against Nikephoros III Botaneiates, 1077-78. The emperor’s forces besieged Thessalonike, where the rebel was entrenched but the population surrendered him and he was blinded.

Follis, Thessalonike, 1077-78. 5.23 gr. 24.5 mm. 6 hr. Sear 1890; DO 2c (Bryennios). Bust of Christ / patriarchal cross between C – B / N - B

Grierson, in DOC 3:2, pp. 833-35 discusses the reasons for attributing the issue between Basilakios and Bryennios.

[Al Kowsky]

4 minutes ago, voulgaroktonou said:

On the accession of John I Tzimiskes in 969, the follis undergoes a significant change. The emperor’s portrait and titles disappear from the coinage until the reign of Constantine X. Replacing the traditional designs, the coins bear an image of Christ on the obverse, and on the reverse an inscription in several lines proclaiming “Jesus Christ, King of kings”, although  several of the later classes feature on the reverse either an image of Mary, or a cross decorated in various ways. This class of coins is known as the Anonymous Folles or Anonymous Bronzes.

 

It is rare that Byzantine historians mention specific coin developments, so it is worth quoting the eleventh century historian, John Skylitzes: “And  he  [John  I]  ordered  also  the  image  of the  Savior  to  be  engraved  on  the  nomisma and the obol [i.e., copper coin], which had not  been  done  before  this.  And  Greek  letters were engraved on the other side to about this  effect:  “Jesus  Christ,  King  of  Kings.” And  the  emperors  who  succeeded  him  did likewise.” Although  the  attribution  to  John  of  the  creation  of  the  first gold  coins  with  an  image  of  Christ  is  in  error, otherwise  the  statement is reliable, especially when considering the earliest classes and their occasional overstrikes. No folles are known for John , and the earlier classes are often overstruck on coins of Nikephoros II, Constantine VII, and Michael VIII, for example.

 

Grierson provides a good summary of the coinage in DOC 3:2, pp. 634-47, and the Sear Byzantine book also contains a useful section on the series.

 

 

 

Class A1 ca. 970-76. 6.27 gr. 27.8 mm. 5 hr. Sear 1793; DO-A1.6-13. Overstruck on a follis of Nikephoros II.

 

Class A2, var. 5. Ca. 976-1035. 13.86 gr. 32 mm. 6 hr. Sear 1813; DO–A2.21.

 

Class B. Ca. 1030-42. 15.16 gr. 36 mm. 5 hr. Sear 1823; DO-B.1-64.

 

Class C. Ca. 1042-50. 9.09 gr. 31 mm. 6 hr.  Sear 1825; DO-C.1-48. Ex Hunt collection. Sotheby’s 6/21/91, lot 228 (part).

 

Class D. Ca. 1050-60. 11.65 gr. 29 mm. 6 hr. Sear 1836; DO-D.1-34.

 

Class E. Ca. 1060. 7.11 gr. 28 mm. 5 hr. Sear 1855; DO-E.1-8.

 

 

 

Class F. Ca. 1060-65. 9.77 gr. 28.4 mm. 12 hr. Sear 1856; DO-F.1-15. Overstruck on a Class E follis.

 

Class G. Ca. 1065-70. 9.21 gr. 28.6 mm. 6 hr. Sear 1867; DO-G.1-28.

 

Class H. Ca. 1070-75. 6.65 gr. 27 mm. 5 hr. Sear 1880; DO-H.1-19.

 

Class I. Ca. 1075-80. 9.31 gr. 27 mm. 6 hr. Sear 1889; DO-I.1-64. Overstruck on a follis of Michael VII, whose inscription [MIX]ΑΗΛ  RACIΛ Ο Δ is visible on the reverse. Ex Hunt collection. Sotheby’s 6/21/91, lot 228 (part).

 

Class J. Ca. 1080-85. 6.69 gr. 25 mm. 6 hr. Sear 1900(this coin) ; DO-J.1-14.  Sear plate coin. Ex Hunt collection. Sotheby’s 6/21/91, lot 228 (part).

 

Class K. Ca. 1085-92. 4.93 gr. 23.8 mm. 6 hr. Sear 1901; DO-K.1-26. 

 

 

Nikephoros Basilakios rebelled against Nikephoros III Botaneiates, 1077-78. The emperor’s forces besieged Thessalonike, where the rebel was entrenched but the population surrendered him and he was blinded.

 

Follis, Thessalonike, 1077-78. 5.23 gr. 24.5 mm. 6 hr. Sear 1890; DO 2c (Bryennios). Bust of Christ / patriarchal cross between C – B / N - B

 

Grierson, in DOC 3:2, pp. 833-35 discusses the reasons for attributing the issue between Basilakios and Bryennios.

 

 

That's an impressive group of coins 🤩!

[Severus Alexander]

That's a spectacular set of anonymous folles, @voulgaroktonou!

I highly recommend @Valentinian's excellent guide to these on his website: http://augustuscoins.com/ed/ByzAnon/

Here are mine, with a few extra related coins added in:

I didn't really set out to "build" this set, most of it happened by accident (group lots, opportunity buys, and such), except for the most recent two or three.

"Class A3" is in scare quotes because it probably doesn't exist. The difference between A2 and A3 is allegedly the size, but size variation is more or less continuous.  Still, I suspect my A2 is earlier than the one I've labeled A3 because it's close in style and design to A1.