The epic Byzantine portrait thread

[Hrefn]

Electrum.  Manuel with St Theodore.

 

[wittwolff]

My last byzantine:

[Valentinian]

Manuel, 1143-1180 (That's a long reign!)

Trachy of Manuel are very common. Not so common are trachy where his name of the reverse is legible: MANɣHΛ  ΔЄΠOTHC  (Manuel, Despot)

28mm. 3.34 grams. Sear 1964.
Virgin Mary Seated
Manuel standing.
Struck c. 1160-1164 at Constantinople

The name is on the concave side which rarely shows wear. However, the name is usually weekly struck or doublestuck, making a clear name unusual.

29 mm. 3.52 grams. Sear 1966
Christ seated.
Manuel crowned by the Virgin Mary.
Struck 1167-1180? at Constantinople.

Small Ae tetartera of Manuel are common:



21 mm. 4.85 grams (heavy standard).  Sear 1975
Bust of St. George
1/2 length figure of Manuel (name visible)

19 mm. 2.42 grams. Sear 1977
Facing 1/2 length bust of Manuel
monogram

 

[Edessa]

Manuel I Comnenus, AD 1143-1180. Æ Tetarteron (21mm, 3.42g, 6h). Type "B" (Heavy Standard). Thessalonica mint. Struck AD 1167-1183(?). Obv: Radiate cross on three steps; IX-XC in fields to left and right Rev: [MAN(OV)H]Λ-ΔE-C; Half-length figure of Manuel I standing facing, bearded, wearing stemma, divitision, collar-piece and jeweled loros of simplified type, holding labarum on long shaft in right and globus cruciger in left. Ref: DOC 19; SB 1976. Near Very Fine, irregular cut flan, nice for issue. Ex CNG (June 1994) Multiple Lot.

[sand]

Many beautiful and interesting Manuel I coins have been posted in this thread.

Manuel I "The Great" was the Byzantine Emperor from 1143 AD to 1180 AD. Manuel I was called "The Great" by the citizens of the Byzantine Empire. It seems that Manuel I "The Great" dared greatly, because his ambition was to restore the Byzantine Empire to its past status as the superpower of the Mediterranean. But, it seems that, he failed at the quest, in the end. Manuel I "The Great" was the last Byzantine Emperor to attempt to reconquer territory in the western Mediterranean, and he was the last Byzantine Emperor to attempt to reconquer the interior of Asia Minor (what is now Turkey). He invaded the Norman Kingdom Of Sicily, but he failed to conquer it. He also invaded the interior of Asia Minor, which was under Turkish rule, but he failed to conquer that also, in the end. However, he was able to conquer some territory west of northern Greece. The following map is a snapshot of the nice Youtube video titled "The History of the Byzantine Empire : Every Month". The map shows the Byzantine Empire, near the end of the reign of Manuel I "The Great" in 1180 AD. The map does not include most of the Crusader states in the Holy Land on the eastern Mediterranean coast, as part of the Byzantine Empire at this time, perhaps because it seems debatable whether the Byzantine Empire actually ruled the Crusader states at this time, or any other time.

Here's my Manuel I "The Great" billon aspron trachy. Some toned silvering seems visible.

Manuel I "The Great". Billon Aspron Trachy. Minted 1167 AD To 1180 AD. Constantinople Mint. Sear 1966. DO 13. Maximum Diameter 30.0 mm. Weight 4.62 grams. Obverse : Jesus Christ Facing Front, Seated Upon Throne Without Back, Bearded, With Halo, Holding Book In Left Hand. Reverse : On Left Manuel I Full Length Facing Front, On Right Mary Full Length Facing Three Quarters Crowning Emperor. Some Toned Silvering Seems Visible.

Edited August 15, 2023 by sand

[voulgaroktonou]

Andronikos I Komnenos, emperor (1183–85). Instead of summarizing the highlights (?) of this violent and unpleasant reign, it might be fun to quote from Charles Diehl’s Figures Byzantines:

“In the life of this prince, so brilliant and yet so corrupt, at once an abominable tyrant and a superb statesman, one who could have saved the Empire but only precipitated its ruin, we find combined, as in a magnificent summary, all the essential characteristics, all the contrasts of Byzantine society: that strange mixture of good and evil – cruel, atrocious and decadent, yet also capable of grandeur, energy, and effort; a society which, during so many centuries, in all the troublous times of its history, always succeeded in finding within itself the necessary resources for life and for survival, not without glory.”

 

Billon Aspron Trachy, Constantinople, 1183-85. 3.23 gr. 30.4 mm. 6 hr. Sear 1985 (Sear plate coin); DO 3a. Obv: The Virgin, nimbate, standing facing on dais, holding before Her the nimbate head of the infant Christ. Rev: Andronicus standing facing, with forked beard, holding labarum in his right hand and globus cruciger in his left; on the right, Christ standing facing, crowns the Emperor.

Copper Tetarteron, Thessalonika, 1183-85. 4.68 gr. 21.9 mm. 6 hr. Sear 1987; DO 6. Obv: Bust of Virgin, orans, nimbate head of Christ on her breast. Rev: ¾ length figure of Andronikos holding labarum and globus cruciger.

 

Andronikos is distinguished on his coins by his long forked beard. This was considered sufficiently noteworthy to be mentioned by the 12/13 c. historian Niketas Choniates. Here’s another Sear 1985 showing the detail.

 

 

Isaac Komnenos, usurper in Cyprus (1184–91).

Isaac had a varied career as governor of Cilicia, then, as a prisoner, first of the Armenians, then of Bohemund III of Antioch, from whom Andronikos I ransomed him with the Templars' help. About 1183 or 1184, Isaac falsified imperial letters appointing him governor and went to Cyprus where he proclaimed himself emperor. The uniformly hostile sources charge him with tyrannical acts rivaling those of Andronikos I. About 1186 or 1187, Isaac II Angelos dispatched a fleet to regain Cyprus, but Isaac Komnenos defeated the imperial forces. Cyprus᾽s conquest by Richard I Lionheart ended Isaac's rule. Released in ca.1194 after subsequent imprisonment, Isaac went to Ikonion; from there he sought to arouse Turkish and Byzantine opposition to Alexios III. He was reportedly killed by poisoning.

 

Billon Aspron Trachy, Nicosia (?), 1187-91. 3.40 gr. 30.1 mm. 6 hr. Sear 1991; DO 2. Obv., Virgin seated, holding nimbate medallion of Christ on lap. Rev. Isaac and St. George hold a long cross.

Copper Tetarteron, uncertain mint, 1187-91. 2.31 gr. 21.3 mm. 7 hr. Sear 1998; DO 10a. Obv. Christ enthroned. Rev. Isaac crowned by Virgin.

[Simon]

Andronicus was an evil bastard.

When Manuel Passed his teenage son took the purple with his mother as overseer. The public at the time did not care for Manuels widow a westerner, during Manuel Comnenus life he had started favoring the west, its ways , its traditions. If he had lived longer or had his son a little bit older when he took the throne, we have seen a different ending of the empire, this was one of those many what if moments in history. 

Andronicus came to the aid of Alexius II, he subdued a rebellion and vowed to protect the new emperor, instead he planned one of the most elaborate coos. He tricked the boy emperor into having his mother from the West killed, then he arranged to have the boy killed and took the thrown for himself. Andronicus was in his 70's during these events, he even took Alexius II bride as his new wife.

He removed the protection of the Latins in the city and a massacre occurred of merchants and immigrants. This resulted in a division in the two empires that would never be mended.

Andronicus was overthrown by supporters of Isaac II, he died a miserable death taking two days of mob torture.  

His gold coinage market is full of forgery's. I only need a hyperpyron to complete my collection of his rule, but I am waiting for an example reliable source.

Here is a El Aspron Trachy, the only coin I have still in a CNG slab, again I am weary of his forgeries. 

His billion trachea tend to lack the silver coating. This one has done well in time. 

ANDRONICUS Trachy SBCV-1985

 

 

Here is the nicest example of a City tetarteron I have ever seen. One of the gems in my collection. 

ANDRONICUS METROPOLITIAN TETARTERON SBCV-1986 DOC 5 CLBC 5.4.1 

Size 20.84

Weight 4.55gm

Here is one of my oldest pieces in my collection, I purchased it almost 25 years ago.

 ANDRONICUS AE TETARTERON S-1987 DOC 6 CLBC 5.4.2

Size 21.96 mm

Weight 5.1gm

 

Another example 

ANDRONICUS AE TETARTERON S-1987 DOC 6 CLBC 5.4.2

Size 20mm

Weight 3.63gm

This one is special, it came from the collection of Simon Bendall, it is very rare and said to only to have been minted for a month, during the siege of Thessalonica. It has been attempted to be reattributed to a later ruler but the evidence still points to Andronicus. 

Andronicus I SBCV-1988 DOC 7

2.57gm

20mm

 

 

Next is a half tetarteron but on a large flan, the die size matches the 12mm half tetarteron but the size and weight do not. So that makes this a visually great example. 

ANDRONICUS HALF TETARTERON S-1989 DOC 8 CLBC 5.4.3

Size 22 mm

Weight 3.4 gm

 

 

Edited August 17, 2023 by Simon

[Simon]

Here is Isaac Comnenus of Cyprus, an Usurper. 

I have numerous tetartera of him but unfortunately this has his best portrait among them. His tetartera were modeled after the city tetartera and did contain 1% of silver. 

ISAAC COMNENUS OF CYPRUS AG TETARTERON S-1994 DOC 7CLBC 6.3.6A

OBV Bust of Christ, bearded and nimbate, wearing tunic and kolobion; r. hand raised in benediction. Holds gospels in l. REV Bust of emperor wearing stemma, skaramangion or divitision and saigon; holds in r. hand scepter cruciger and in l. ? Size 20mm Weight 2.39gm Ex CNG DOC list 2 examples with a weight of 2.67 gm and sized at 19mm and 21mm

[sand]

Andronicus I was the Byzantine Emperor from 1183 AD to 1185 AD. In 1183 AD, the 65 year old Andronicus I married 12 year old Agnes of France, the daughter of King Louis VII of France. Andronicus I became increasingly paranoid and violent, and the Byzantine Empire descended into a reign of terror. Andronicus I earned the nickname "Misophaes" ("Hater of Sunlight"), because of the many enemies he had blinded. The tales of chaos led King William II Of Sicily to invade the Byzantine Empire. King William II Of Sicily landed in Epirus with a strong force of 200 ships and 80,000 men, including 5,000 knights, and marched all the way to Thessalonica, which he conquered and pillaged ruthlessly, killing 7,000 Greeks. Finally, Andronicus I attempted to exterminate the entire Byzantine aristocracy. This led to a popular revolt in the city of Constantinople, led by Isaac Angelos. Isaac Angelos was proclaimed the Byzantine Emperor by the people of the city, and earned the name Isaac II. Andronicus I was captured, and then maimed and tortured by the city mob for 3 days, and finally died. The following map is a snapshot of the nice Youtube video titled "The History of the Byzantine Empire : Every Month". The map shows the Byzantine Empire, near the end of the reign of Andronicus I in 1185 AD. We see that, compared with the end of the reign of Manuel I in 1180 AD (see my Manuel I post in this thread), the Byzantine Empire has lost large amounts of territory, west of northern Greece, and within western Greece all the way to Thessalonica, and along the southern coast of Asia Minor (what is now Turkey).

Here's my Andronicus I billon aspron trachy. I don't see any noticeable silvering.

Andronicus I. Billon Aspron Trachy. Minted 1183 AD To 1185 AD. Constantinople Mint. Sear 1985. DO 3. Maximum Diameter 28.8 mm. Weight 3.40 grams. Obverse : Mary Full Length Facing Front, With Halo, Standing On Dais, Holding On Breast Head Of Infant Jesus Christ With Halo Facing Front, M-Rho On Left, Theta-V On Right, M-Rho Theta-V Is Abbreviation For "Meter Tou Theou" Greek For "Mother Of God". Reverse : On Left Andronicus I Full Length Facing Front Holding Labarum In Right Hand Holding Globus Cruciger In Left Hand, On Right Jesus Christ With Halo Full Length Facing Three Quarters Crowning Emperor.

Edited August 18, 2023 by sand

[Valentinian]

Andronicus, 1183-1185


31-29 mm. 4.06 grams. Sear 1985
Virgin standing
Andronicus being crowned by Christ. His name is legible on the left.



21-17 mm. 4.39 grams. Tetarteron. Sear 1987
Bust of the Virgin, orans, bust of Christ on her breast
3/4 length figure of the emperor holding labarum and globus cruciger



20-19 mm. 3.74 grams. Another Tetarteron. Sear 1986.
Virgin standing (photo on the right)
Andronicus and Christ. Legend clear but head of Andronicus gone.


Isaac Comnunus, 11-84-1191. Usurper in Cyprus. Possibly struck at Nicosia.
He was defeated by Richard the Lionheart who was on the Third Crusade.



Flattened trachy. 30 mm. 3.21 grams. Sear 1991.
Virgin facing holding nimbate head of Christ
Isaac and St. George. Much of his name legible from 7:00.
These are often flattened. 



19 mm. 3.60grams. Sear 1998.
Christ pantocrator enthroned facing
Virgin, nimbate, crowns Isaac.


 

[Hrefn]

Isaac II Angelus on a Hyperpyron

And on an electrum trachy.

 

[voulgaroktonou]

Isaac II Angelos, emperor (1185–95, 1203–04). Upon the death of Andronikos, Isaac was acclaimed emperor by the people of Constantinople on 12 Sept. 1185. The historian Niketas Choniates records that the new emperor had a “mad passion for erecting huge buildings.” The emperor added baths and apartments to the Great Palace and Blachernai and created artificial islands in the Sea of Marmara.

Isaac preferred a life of ease in the palace, but campaigned in person when necessary. From ca.1186, he was involved in continual warfare with the Vlachs and Bulgarians, often to the disadvantage of the Byzantines. The section of the Third Crusade led by Frederick I Barbarossa did much damage as it passed through imperial territory; only by timely concessions to the Westerners did Isaac avoid an attack on Constantinople. In early April 1195, conspirators led by Alexios III overthrew and blinded Isaac. After Alexios fled in 1203, the nobility returned Isaac to rule jointly with his son Alexios IV. He soon became weakened by age, and, conveniently for Alexios V, died of natural causes.

 

 

Electrum Aspron Trachy, Constantinople, 1185-95. 2.63 gr. 28.1 mm. 6 hr. Sear 2002; DO 2a. Obv. Virgin seated, holding medallion with infant Christ. Rev. Isaac, on left, crowned by Archangel Michael, on right.

Billon Aspron Trachy, Constantinople, 1185-95. 5.60 gr. 29 mm. 6 hr. Sear 2003; DO 3f. Obv. Virgin seated, holding medallion with infant Christ. Rev. Isaac standing, holding scepter cruciger and anexikakia. In upper right, manus Dei.

 

 

Theodore Mankaphas (usurper in Philadelphia, ca.1188–1205).

A nobleman from Philadelphia in the Thrakesion theme, Theodore Mankaphas usurped twice, the first during the reign of Isaac II in 1188 and a second time following the conquest of Constantinople during the Fourth Crusade in 1204. Isaac II besieged Mankaphas in Philadelphia (June 1189), causing the usurper to give up his imperial title but he retained control in the city. Basil Vatatzes, doux of Thrakesion, forced Mankaphas ca.1193 to seek refuge from the sultan of Rūm at Ikonion. Isaac persuaded the sultan ca.1194 to surrender Mankaphas. The usurper was imprisoned, but by 1204 free and again powerful in Philadelphia. Following the Fourth Crusade, he created an independent state around Philadelphia. Mankaphas brought a large force to counter Henry of Hainault, who had occupied Atramyttion, but was defeated on 19 Mar. 1205. Mankaphas soon lost his territories to Theodore I Laskaris.

 

Billon Aspron Trachy, Philadelphia, 1188-89. 3.17 gr. 27 mm. 5 hr. Sear - ; DO (2). Obv: Standing figure of Christ. Rev. Standing figure of Mankaphas, holding scepter surmounted by patriarchal cross.

Although the Byzantine historian Niketas specifically mentions that the usurper initially struck a silver coin, Grierson was aware of no specimens of the reign as of 1969. However, several examples have turned up in Serbian and Bulgarian hoards since then, and Grierson, writing in DOC IV, 1, pp. 392-95 discusses in scholarly detail the various theories put forth as to their attribution, but indicating Mankaphas as the appropriate issuer. I enjoy his summary of the learned discussion on p. 395: “The amount of time and trouble expended on this historically quite insignificant and really rather quirky problem is now rapidly approaching the boundaries of absurdity.” Philip had a way with words! 😊

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Simon]

Here is the coin tray I made some time ago for Isaac II, all are included but I used a 15mm die for the half tetarteron, since then I did find a 12mm and included it bellow the tray. This with the 12mm die is a complete set for Isaac II. 

Isaac II was part of a cult that was dedicated to Archangel Michael. Thats why he is on almost all of his coinage. 

From l to r, Hyperpyron, El Aspron Trachy, Billion Trachy ( Var with Patriarchal cross.) City Tetarteron, tetarteron , Half tetarteron (15mm die but 2.2. gm)

And the 12mm tetarteron. The detail of the Archangel Michael proves to me this is an official issue, not an imitation. 15MM 1.9GM 

 

And last but not least, one of my favorites not pictured above. SBCV-2005 ( Same scale as 12mm die above.)

 

His reign does not end well, he was blinded but he does make a comeback. He will later rule with Alexius IV  ( I do not have his 2nd reign coin or Alexius IV coin.  Hope fully someone will surprise us.) 

[Edessa]

A heavy example.

Isaac II Angelus, First reign, AD 1185-1195. BI Aspron Trachy (27mm, 4.48g, 6h). Variety B. Constantinople mint. Struck AD 1185-1195. Obv: The Virgin enthroned facing, wearing tunic and maphorion, seated upong throne with back, holding the beardless, nimbate head of Christ on breast; MP-ΘV in fields to left and right. Rev: [I/CAA/KI/[OC]-ΔE[CΠOTHC]; Full-length figure of emperor wearing stemma, divitision, collar-piece, jewelled loros of simplified type and sagion; holds scepter cruciger in right hand and anexikakia in left; Manus Dei in upper right field. Collar-piece has seven jewels. Ref: SB 2003; DOC IV 3d. About Fine, obverse badly double struck, reverse nice but incomplete, nice brown patina, heavy example. Ex CNG (June 1994) Multiple Lot.

[sand]

Isaac II was the Byzantine Emperor from 1185 AD to 1195 AD, and from 1203 AD to 1204 AD. Overall, Isaac II was a failure. According to Wikipedia, "Surrounded by a crowd of slaves, mistresses, and flatterers, he permitted his empire to be administered by unworthy favourites, while he squandered the money wrung from his provinces on costly buildings and expensive gifts to the churches of his metropolis." In 1195 AD, Alexius Angelos, the older brother of Isaac II, proclaimed himself Emperor, and the soldiers quickly switched their allegiance to Alexius, who became the Byzantine Emperor Alexius III. Then, Alexius III ordered Isaac II to be blinded and imprisoned. However, that was not the end, for Isaac II. In 1203 AD, Isaac II became the Byzantine Emperor again. The following map is a snapshot of the nice Youtube video titled "The History of the Byzantine Empire : Every Month". The map shows the Byzantine Empire, near the end of the 1st reign of Isaac II in 1195 AD. We see that, compared with the end of the reign of Andronicus I in 1185 AD (see my Andronicus I post in this thread), the Byzantine Empire has lost territory in northern Greece, and has lost the island of Cyprus.

Here's my Isaac II billon aspron trachy, from the 1st reign of Isaac II.

Isaac II First Reign. Billon Aspron Trachy. Minted 1185 AD To 1195 AD. Constantinople Mint. Sear 2003. DO 3. Maximum Diameter 28.8 mm. Weight 3.82 grams. Obverse : Mary With Halo Seated Upon Throne Facing Front, Holding Head Of Infant Jesus Christ With Halo, M-Rho On Left, Theta-V On Right, M-Rho Theta-V Is Abbreviation For "Meter Tou Theou" Greek For "Mother Of God". Reverse : Emperor Full Length Facing Front, Holding Scepter Cruciger In Right Hand, Holding Akakia In Left Hand, I/CAA/KI/OC On Left.

[Ancient Coin Hunter]

As usual, great map. What's really impressive is how the empire hung in there, preserving significant territory, it would seem, until the time of the Fourth Crusade. However, unlike the 11th century when the empire had its last age of dynamism, it was all downhill from there. 

Edited August 20, 2023 by Ancient Coin Hunter

[voulgaroktonou]

Alexios III Angelos overthrew and blinded his younger brother Isaac II, taking the throne in 1195. Under his weak and ineffectual rule the empire  tottered close to collapse, the capital finally succumbing to the forces of the Fourth Crusade in 1203.

 

Two top coins: Alexius III Angelus-Comnenus, 1195-1203

 Billon Aspron Trachy, Constantinople, 1195-97. 2.99 gr. 27.7 mm. 6 hr. Sear 2011; DO 3a.1-3. Obv.: Beardless, nimbate bust of Christ; rev., Alexius and St. Constantine together holding a globus cruciger.

AE Half tetarteron, Thessalonica, 1195-97 (?).  2.20 gr. 15.9 mm. 6hr. Sear 2016; DO 7. Obv: Bust of St. George facing, nimbate, wearing cuirass and sagion, holding in right hand spear, and in left  sword hilt. Rev: Alexius, crowned, wearing divitision and chlamys, standing facing, holding in right hand a labarum and in left, a cross on globe.

 

Third coin: Isaac II Angelos, 2^nd. reign,  (1203–04). Following the flight of Alexius III when Constantinople fell to the forces of the Fourth Crusade in 1203, the blind Isaac was placed on the throne to rule jointly with his son Alexios IV. He died shortly thereafter.

 

I apologize for the abysmal condition of this example. (And to my chagrin, I am unable to supply descriptive information such as weight, etc. My home records are lacking, and specific information is to be found on the envelope, in which the coin sits at the bank. ☹)

Tetarteron, Constantinople, 1203. Sear 2019; DO 1a. Obv: Bust of Virgin orans, holding medallion with infant Christ; rev: emperor standing, holding labarum and globus cruciger.

[Nerosmyfavorite68]

I had a mediocre, unphotographed example of Isaac II.  I guess I'm out til Andronicus II.  Any coins which I currently have that may be appropriate from the upcoming period are unphotographed.

Attribution: Sear Byzantine 2011 (sic) 2012 Constantinople mint
Date: AD 1195-1203
Obverse: ✠KЄ RO-HΘЄI, nimbate bust of Christ facing, holding book of the Gospels, and raising right hand in benediction
Reverse: IC-XC, Alexius on left, and St. Constantine on right, both standing facing, holding globus cruciger between them
Size: 28.67mm
Weight: 4.31 grams

Condition VF, dark patina, almost black

Tag from Econoupolis numismatics (working from memory and probably butchering the name)

*Isn't that the ex Pegasi fellow? Was the guy from Athena coins the other one?

[Nerosmyfavorite68]

25 minutes ago, voulgaroktonou said:

I apologize for the abysmal condition of this example. (And to my chagrin, I am unable to supply descriptive information such as weight, etc. My home records are lacking, and specific information is to be found on the envelope, in which the coin sits at the bank. ☹)

 

Tetarteron, Constantinople, 1203. Sear 2019; DO 1a. Obv: Bust of Virgin orans, holding medallion with infant Christ; rev: emperor standing, holding labarum and globus cruciger.

 

How dare you bring us such a low grade example!  Oh wait, ... Are you kiddin'?  We'd all love to have an example of Isaac II, second reign, in any condition. 

Your billon trachea of Isaac II and Alexius III, respectively, are quite lovely, especially the Isaac II, with its wonderful patina (rare for trachea).

And per Ancient Coin Hunter's comment, there was a period of upswing, from about the low point of 1212 to 1261.  Then it was mostly all downhill from there, after the Lascarids.  The Catalan Grand Company briefly regained a lot of Anatolia, but that was really fleeting.

[Valentinian]

Alexius III, 1195-1203

26-25 mm. 2.81 grams. Sear 2012 (It is hard to distinguish between Sear 2011, 2012, and 2013)
Bust of Christ facing
Alexius and St. Constantine standing



21-17 mm. 3.22 grams. Tetarteron. Sear 2015.
Facing bust of St. George
O/ΓЄ/P     Π/OC
Emperor standing
AΛЄΞIOC   ΔЄCΠOTHC

29-27 mm. 4.49 grams. Very pale electrum, virtually silver. "electrum aspron trachy"
Sear 2010.
Christ enthroned
Alexius and St. Constantine standing
 

[Simon]

I spent twenty plus years working on my collection of the 12th century. Originally just,tetartera. Then I decided to finish the century.  Now I only buy when they are better than my examples or my new collection of assaria. 

Alexius III coinage is a real pian to collect, so many variations, the mint seemed to lose all control that was seen with the previous emperors. Even looking @Valentinian example of the tetarteron, I have never seen the ball on the middle of the labrum so bold, wonderful example. 

My collection lacks the Hyperpyron but I do have several El Aspron Trachy, again, none seem to be exactly the same, always variations.

My best portraits however are on the billion trachy. He is on the reverse on the left, the other fellow is Saint Constantine. 

 

Here is an awesome Half tetarteron, 

ALEXIUS III ANGELUS-COMNENUS AE HALF TETARTERON S-2016 DOC 7 CLBC 8.4.4

Size 16mm

Weight 1.7gm

 

 

[voulgaroktonou]

18 hours ago, Nerosmyfavorite68 said:

Your billon trachea of Isaac II and Alexius III, respectively, are quite lovely, especially the Isaac II, with its wonderful patina (rare for trachea).

Thank you for your kind words. That trachy came from a CNG auction many years ago...

[sand]

Alexius III was the Byzantine Emperor from 1195 AD to 1203 AD. In 1195 AD, Alexius Angelos, the older brother of the Byzantine Emperor Isaac II, proclaimed himself Emperor, and the soldiers quickly switched their allegiance to Alexius, who became the Byzantine Emperor Alexius III. Then, Alexius III ordered Isaac II to be blinded and imprisoned. Isaac II was in prison for 8 years. Alexius III was a terrible Emperor. Alexius III bankrupted the treasury by giving lavish gifts, and Alexius III allowed the military's officers to do whatever they wanted, which caused the army to become almost useless, and eventually the neglected navy had only 20 worm eaten ships. In 1203 AD, the Crusaders of the 4th Crusade, allied with Isaac II's son Alexius (a different Alexius), and attacked Constantinople. Rather than trying to lead his military to defend Constantinople, Alexius III cowardly fled Constantinople, sneaking away during the night. After that betrayal, the imperial staff went to Isaac II's prison cell, and proclaimed the blind Isaac II as the Byzantine Emperor again in 1203 AD. In an attempt to appease the Crusaders, Isaac II named his son Alexius as Co-Emperor, who then became Byzantine Co-Emperor Alexius IV. However, this did not appease the Crusaders. In 1204 AD, yet another Alexius, Alexius Doukas, led a successful palace coup, which resulted in the deaths of Isaac II and Alexius IV, and Alexius Doukas became the Byzantine Emperor Alexius V. Alexius V's military fought against the Crusaders, but the Crusaders easily won the battle, and Alexius V fled the city. Then, in 1204 AD, in a shameful event, the Crusaders sacked Constantinople, killing and raping and looting, killing women and children, destroying many works of art, some of which dated back to ancient Greece, and stealing many religious relics and works of art, many of which were taken to western Europe. An estimated 2,000 Byzantine citizens were killed. It was the 1st time, in the history of the Byzantine Empire, that the city of Constantinople had ever fallen. The following map is a snapshot of the nice Youtube video titled "The History of the Byzantine Empire : Every Month". The map shows the Byzantine Empire, near the end of the reign of Alexius III in 1203 AD. We see that, compared with the end of the 1st reign of Isaac II in 1195 AD (see my Isaac II post in this thread), the Byzantine Empire has lost territory in northern Greece.

Here's my Alexius III billon aspron trachy. Both obverse and reverse show signs, that the coin was struck twice. If I remember correctly, this was common for Byzantine trachy coins. If I remember correctly, perhaps it was because, the curved surface of the flan, or the curved surface of the dies, perhaps sometimes required the person who struck the coin, to rock the die from side to side, and strike the die twice, in order for all of the design to appear on the coin. If I remember correctly, perhaps this was because, perhaps sometimes the curvature of the obverse die, was different than the curvature of the reverse die.

Alexius III. Billon Aspron Trachy. Minted 1195 AD To 1197 AD. Constantinople Mint. Sear 2011. DO 3a. Maximum Diameter 27.2 mm. Weight 2.00 grams. Obverse : Bust Of Jesus Christ Facing Front, Beardless, With Halo. Reverse : On Left Alexius III Standing Facing Front Bearded Wearing Crown With Pendilia Holding Labarum In Right Hand, On Right Saint Constantine Standing Facing Front Bearded With Halo Wearing Crown With Pendilia Holding Labarum In Left Hand, Alexius III And Saint Constantine Hold Globus Cruciger Between Them.

Edited August 23, 2023 by sand

[voulgaroktonou]

Latin Occupation, 1204-61. When Constantinople fell to the Latin invaders of the 4^th Crusade in 1204, they looted wealth that had accumulated in the City for 900 years. Priceless gold and silver church plate was melted to swell their coffers. Bronze statuary dating back to the classical period of Greece was melted down to make coins. The Latin rulers of Constantinople struck no coinage in their name. What we have of their coinage consists of trachea more or less imitating Byzantine models, although there are a few innovations markedly western in theme. For example, Sear 2040, with Sts. Peter and Paul embracing is without precedent in Byzantine coinage, although the type does appear on some Byzantine lead seals.

Top row:

Billon Aspron Trachy, Constantinople, 1204-61.  3.85 gr. 29.6 mm. 5 hr. Sear 2021; DO 1. Obv: Virgin enthroned, nimbate head of Christ on breast; rev: emperor (inscription naming Manouel), holding labarum and anexikakia.

Billon Aspron Trachy, Constantinople, 1204-61. 6.70 gr. 34.8 mm. 6 hr. Sear 2029; DO (9) = BNP 62/Cp.(B)02 . Second known example. Virgin standing, orans; emperor crowned by Christ.

Billon Aspron Trachy, Constantinople, 1204-61.  0.82 gr. 19 mm. 6 hr. Sear 2035; DO 15. Obv: Christ standing on dais. Rev: emperor in military dress holding labarum and globus cruciger.

Bottom row:

Billon Aspron Trachy, Constantinople, 1204-61. 1.28 gr. 19.6 mm. 6 hr. Sear 2036; DO 16. Obv: nimbate bust of Christ; rev: Archangel  Michael, holding scepter and globus cruciger.

Billon Aspron Trachy, Constantinople, 1204-61. 1.37 gr. 22.7 mm. 6 hr. Sear 2040; DO 20.7-9. Obv: Virgin orans; rev: Sts. Peter and Paul embracing. This novel scene is without precedent in Byzantine coin types, being western in composition.

Billon Aspron Trachy, Constantinople, 1204-61. 1.38 gr, 21.9 mm. 6 hr.  Sear 2043; DO 23. Obv: cross on base, in corners, I C / N K; rev: emperor in military dress holding labarum and globus cruciger.

 

Billon Aspron Trachy, Constantinople, 1204-?. 1.27 gr. 23.2 mm. 12 hr. Sear 2044; DO 30. Obv: brockage of reverse, but would have been Virgin enthroned; rev: emperor (inscription naming Manouel), holding labarum and anexikakia. For a discussion of the mint and dating of this and the next 2 small module trachea, see DOC 4:2, pp. 670-72.

Billon Aspron Trachy, Constantinople, 1204-?. 0.63 gr. 17 mm. 6 hr. Sear 2048; DO 34. Obv: Bust of Christ; rev: emperor holding labarum and globus cruciger.

Billon Aspron Trachy, Constantinople, 1204-?. 1.52 gr. 19.5 mm. 6 hr. Sear 2049; DO 35. Obv: Christ enthroned; rev: Sts. Helen and Constantine holding patriarchal cross.

[Simon]

Beautiful collection @voulgaroktonou , it is so hard to find interesting and well struck in this series.

The denominations begin going downhill durring the reign of Alexius III , then ( or during) the introduction of the faithfull copies/Bulgarian imitations. The trachy denomination was no longer billion, not even silver coated to deceive. 

My collection Stopped at Alexius III but I have picked up some examples of Latin coinage that had some beauty to it. 

 

My favorite is this., Unique imagery and attractive. 

BYZANTINE, Latin Rule Half Tetarteron S-2058

OBV Bust of Virgin nimbate, wearing tunic and maphorion REV Leaved patriarchal cross. 17mm 1.59gm   And this one feels very Latin with Saint Constantine and Saint Helen.  BYZANTINE, Latin Rule Half Tetarteron S-2059 OBV Figure of St. Helen Nimbate, turned slightly to the r. wearing stemma, divitision, collar-piece, and jeweled loros of simplified type; holds patriarchal cross on long shaft in l. hand REV Full-length figure of St. Constantine turned slightly to the l. wearing stemma, divitision, collar-piece, and jeweled loros of a simplified type; holds patriarchal cross on a long shaft in r. hand and in l. , anexikakia. 20mm 2.28gm And this one, I just like it Large module.  SBCV-2036