The epic Byzantine portrait thread

[voulgaroktonou]

15 hours ago, Simon said:

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. 

Thanks for your kind words. You've got some wonderful coins, there, @Simon! Thank you for sharing them!

[ela126]

Awesome to see such great coins. New to the forum so catching up.

Attached is my Alexis III sb 2012. Not a wonderful patina but the strike is quite good. 2.17g

Also attached is my Andronicis 1, sb 1985. Very good strike (seems like many of these were well strike) and has a good patina with nice toning to highlight the details.

[ela126]

Way way late on this one but since bronze Byzantine portraits are usually a bit artistic, those that seem a bit lifelike are worth sharing.

Justinian I, Half Follis, Antioch, 8.25g, minted 533-537, sb226

Edited August 23, 2023 by ela126

[sand]

The Crusaders, also called the "Latins", ruled the city of Constantinople, and varying amounts of nearby territory, from 1204 AD to 1261 AD. When the Crusaders conquered Constantinople in 1204 AD, the Byzantine Empire split into at least 4 parts : the Latin Empire, the Empire Of Nicaea, the Empire of Thessalonica, and the Empire Of Trebizond. However, it is debatable, whether the Latin Empire should be called "Byzantine". Some persons would also say, that none of the 4 parts should be called "Byzantine", and that the Byzantine Empire ended in 1204 AD. I have not studied this aspect of the Byzantine Empire enough, to know the answer. The following maps are snapshots of the interesting Youtube video titled "Wars of the Byzantine Partition: Every Month". The maps show the 4 (or possibly more) parts of the Byzantine Empire, and some of the nearby empires, at various times. Unfortunately, the Empire Of Trebizond is not shown in its entirety.

Here's my Latin Empire trachy. The coin has been clipped, which is typical.

Latin Empire. Billon Trachy. Minted 1204 AD to 1261 AD. Constantinople Mint. Sear 2035. Maximum Diameter 20.5 mm. Weight 1.15 grams. Obverse : Jesus Christ Full Length Facing Front, Standing On Dais. Reverse : Emperor Full Length Facing Front, Right Hand Holding Labarum, Left Hand Holding Globus Cruciger. The coin has been clipped, which is typical.

Edited August 24, 2023 by sand

[Simon]

Theodore II Ducas-Lascaris ( 1254-1258)

SBCV-2143 29mm  3.9gm 

 

And a coin that is a bit more common but not in this condition. This type of coin was included in Wayne Sayles Masterpieces of Romaion Coinage.

John III  tetarteron 

JOHN III DUCAS AE Tetarteron S- 2116 DOC 57

OBV Bust of St. George , beardless and nimbate, wearing tunic ,breastplate, and saigon; holds in r. hand spear, resting over shoulder and in l. shield. REV Full length figure of emperor wearing stemma , divitision, collar piece, jeweled loros of a simplified type, and saigon; holds in r hand labarum on long shaft, and in l. anexikakia. Size 23mm Weight 4.09gm

[voulgaroktonou]

Theodore I Laskaris, founder of the empire of Nicaea and its emperor (1205–21). His wife was daughter of Alexios III Angelos.  After his father-in-law's overthrow in July 1203, he escaped with his wife to Asia Minor, where he began to lay the foundations of an empire in exile centered on Nicaea. In summer 1205 an assembly at Nicaea proclaimed him emperor following the Latin defeat at the battle of Adrianople.

Theodore’s fledgling state had to meet both a Seljuk invasion as well as Latin attempts to destroy the resurgent Byzantine power. On his death in 1222, he left a secure empire to his son in law / successor  John III Vatatzes.

 

Billon Aspron Trachy, Nicaea, 1205-08. 3.30 gr. 32.3 mm. 5 hr. Sear 2061; DO 5a. Obv: Virgin seated on throne; nimbate head of Christ on her breast. Rev: Emperor and St. Theodore holding patriarchal cross.

Silver Aspron Trachy, Magnesia, 1208-12. 3.48 gr. 33 mm. 6 hr.Sear 2064; DO 2. Obv: Christ enthroned; rev: Emperor and St. Theodore holding star on long shaft. It is no coincidence that the emperor featured his namesake, St. Theodore,  prominently on his coinage.

 

John III Vatatzes, emperor of Nicaea (1221 - 1254). Under John’s dynamic hand, the Nicaean state extended its territories, its greatest prize, Thessalonike , being added to the empire in 1246. His remaining years were devoted to protecting and extending his European territories and preparing for the eventual recovering of Constantinople. John III was a ruler of the highest ability and of great tenacity of purpose. Remembered as “a kind and gentle soul”,  he was revered after his death as a saint by the Greeks of Asia Minor.

 

Billon Aspron Trachy, Thessalonika, 1249-54. 3.03 gr. 27.8 mm. 5 hr. Sear 2128; DO 8. Obv: The Virgin enthroned facing, holding head of the infant Christ on lap; rev: facing figures of John and St. Demetrius, holding long patriarchal cross between them. Ex Despot Sale, LHS 97, May 10, 2006, lot 200 (part).

Billon Aspron Trachy, Thessalonika, 1249-54. 3.93 gr. 31 mm. 6 hr. Sear 2129; DO 9. Obv: Bust of Christ; rev: John and Saint Demetrius, holding between them a model of a castle. Ex Despot Sale, LHS 97, May 10, 2006, lot 200 (part).

On the death of his father, John III in 1254, Theodore II Laskaris, became emperor of Nicaea. Like his father, he too was a gifted and energetic ruler, but died after being on the throne for only 4 years, in 1258. 

 

Billon Aspron Trachy, Magnesia, 1254-55. 2.84 gr. 31.9 mm. Sear 2143; DO 11b. Obv: St. Theodore; rev: emperor holding labarum and globe surmounted by a patriarchal cross.

[voulgaroktonou]

Theodore Komnenos Doukas, emperor at Thessalonike (1224-1230). In 1215 Theodore Komnenos Doukas inherited from his half brother Michael I Angelus the Despotate of Epirus, which the latter had established in the wake of the fall of Constantinople in 1204. In 1224, Theodore conquered the Latin kingdom of Thessalonike, expanding his territories into the new Empire of Thessalonika.

Theodore's conquest of Adrianople in 1225 suggested that the recovery of Constantinople was in sight, but his hopes were ended by his defeat, capture, and blinding by the Bulgarian tsar, John Asen II, in 1230 at the battle of Klokotnica. His brother Manuel Komnenos Doukas succeeded him.

 

 

Tetarteron, Thessalonike, 1227-28. 3.47 gr. 22.1 mm. 7 hr. Sear 2170; DO (12.6). Obv: + ӨЄ/OΔωPOC/ ΔЄCПOT/HC O ΔOY/KAC in five lines; rev:  Cross potent on three steps; facing busts of Theodore to left and St. Demetrius to right.

Half tetarteron, Thessalonike, 1226-27. 1.74 gr. 17.4 mm. 6 hr. Sear 2173; DO 15b. Obv: Bust of St. Demetrios, holding spear and shield; rev: standing figure of emperor, holding labarum and globus cruciger.

 

Manouel Komnenos Doukas, emperor at Thessalonike (1230–1237). Following his brother Theodore’s capture and blinding in 1230 at the hands John Asen II of Bulgaria, Manouel secured control of Thessalonike with the backing of the Bulgarian tsar. He held the lower rank of despotes, but affected the imperial title, which contemporaries recognized as a fiction. John Asen II released Theodore in 1237, placing him back in Thessalonike, and deposing Manouel.

 

Billon Aspron Trachy, Thessalonika, 1230-37. 3.71 gr. 29.5 mm . 6 hr. Sear 2177; DO 3. Obv: Half-length facing bust of St. Demetrius, holding spear and hilt of sword; rev:  Manuel standing facing, being crowned by Christ.

 

John Komnenos-Doukas emperor at Thessalonike (1237-1242); as Despotes (1242-44)

Upon the return of Theodore Komnenos Doukas to Thessalonike in 1237, instead of reascending the throne, he made his son John Komnenos-Doukas emperor. He ruled from 1237-1242 as emperor, but was forced by John III Vatzates in 1242 to accept the lower rank of Despotes, holding it until his death in 1244.

 

Billon Aspron Trachy, Thessalonika, 1237-42. 1.69 gr. 19.9 mm. 6 hr. Sear 2205; DO (20). Obv: Eagle with wings outstretched, head to left; rev: patriarchal cross between facing busts of John and St. Demetrius.

Billon Aspron Trachy, Thessalonika, 1237-? 1.13 gr. 16.5 mm. 12 hr. Sear 2220; DO (35). Obv: Brockage, but it would be an open wing; rev: facing winged bust of John above city walls.

[Valentinian]

Theodore I, Empire of Nicaea, 1208-1221.


Theodore I
28-25 mm. 3.01 grams.
Virgin enthroned
Theodore and St. Theodore
Sear 2061

John III, Ducas, Vatatzes, of Nicaea:

29-27 mm. 3.06 grams.
3/4 length figure of archangel Michael
John and Christ
Sear 2089

John III. 28-27 mm. 2.97 grams.
Full length Christ
Full length emperor
Sear 2096



John III, tetarteron. 19 mm. 2.07 grams.
(This coin is smaller than the previous coins, so I used to NF feature (double click the image) to make its image smaller, even though the original image is the same width in my files).)
Bust of St. George facing
Emperor standing, legible legend
IW  (for "John:) ΔЄCΠOTHC O ΔɣKAC
John, Despot, the Ducas  (Greek uses "the" more than we do)

Theodore Comnenus-Ducas, Empire of Thessaloncia, 1224-1230


33-28 mm. 3.10 grams. Pierced. Originally cup-shaped, but since then flattened, but not flat.  I have seen others of this type flattened, too. 
St. Demetrius.  O AΓIOC ΔЄMHTPIOC
Emperor and Virgin
Sear 2167

From my website:  http://augustuscoins.com/ed/Byz/late2.html
I repeat this about this Theodore (there is more than one "Theodore")


Empire of Thessaloncia (The tan-colored area on the map from wikipedia). Theodore Angelus Comnenus Ducas, 1225-1230. In 1215 the Crusaders ("Latins") were in charge of Constantinople, a region around it, and some of Greece (the tan-colored area on the map from wikipedia) including Thessalonica, the second-largest city after Constantinople. The Despotate of Epirus occupied the west coast of Greece. The Bulgarians occupied much of the rest of the Balkins. The Empire of Nicaea occupied Asia Minor outside the Latin territory. Theodore became ruler of the Despotate of Epirus in 1215 upon the death of his half-brother Michael Angelus. (There is a different Theodore, Theodore I Lascaris, who was Emperor of Nicaea.)  He was a relative of three of the most promient Byzantine families, which explains all those names. In 1224 Theodore reconquered Thessalonica from the Latins and founded "The Empire of Thessalonica". In 1230 he invaded Bulgarian territory and lost his army and was captured by Ivan (a.k.a. John) II Asen, the Bulgarian Tsar. Initially treated well, he was blinded after plotting against Ivan. Amazingly, that was not the end of his political involvement. After many more complicated events, Ivan's first wife died during an epidemic and Theodore managed to persuade Ivan to take his, Theodore's, daughter, Irene (who then was renamed Anna) as his new wife. As father-in-law of the Tsar, he was released, went back to Thessalonica in disguise, and deposed his brother, Manuel Comnenus-Ducas, in 1237 and installed his son, John Comnenus-Ducas, who was "emperor" only until 1242 and then was obliged to accept the lessor title of "despot" and acknowledge John III Comnenus-Dukas, emperor of Nicaea, as overlord. John III of Nicaea took full control in 1246, bringing the "Empire of Thessalonica" to an end.  (This is only one of many sequences of events where the history is truly "Byzantine.")

The coins may not be beautiful, but the stories are fascinating!

[voulgaroktonou]

Michael VIII Palaiologos, emperor of Nicaea (1258-1261), at Constantinople, (1261–1282). Founder of the last dynasty of the Eastern Empire, the Palaiologoi (1259–1453), Michael made himself regent over the Nicaean child emperor John IV Laskaris in Aug. 1258 and was crowned co-emperor sometime after 1 Jan. 1259. He then planned for the restoration of the Byzantine Empire and in July 1261 recovered Constantinople from the Latins.

The early years of Michael's reign were devoted to repopulating the capital and restoring damaged churches and public buildings. He also set about the construction of a fleet and strengthening of the fortifications of Constantinople.

Michael's foreign policy focused on the use of diplomacy to ward off Latin attempts to regain Constantinople. He agreed to the Union of the Churches at Lyons (1274) in order to ward off the projected invasion of the empire by Charles I of Anjou. Although Michael was responsible for several important military and diplomatic accomplishments, he neglected the eastern frontier, permitting the Turks to increase their strength.

In 1272 he made his son Andronikos II joint Augustus and on Michael’s death in 1282 was succeeded by him. Although Michael did his best to stabilize the restored empire, his Unionist religious policy alienated his subjects and the majority of the clergy. At his death he was refused the final rites of the Orthodox church.

 

Æ Trachy,  Constantinople, 1261-82. 3.04 gr. 28 mm. 5 hr. Sear 2260; DO 52-55. Obv: The Virgin  enthroned facing; rev:  Michael, supported by Archangel Michael , kneeling before Christ. Ex Bendall collection.

Æ Trachy,  Constantinople, 1261-82. 2.95 gr. 26.3 mm. 6 hr. Sear 2275; DO 91-95. Obv: Bust of Virgin orans; rev: Michael seated on throne.

 Æ Trachy,  Thessalonike, 1252-1282. 1.33 gr. 27.2 mm. 6 hr. Sear 2297; DO 147-150.  Obv: Archangel Michael standing on dais; rev: half length figures of emperor and St. Demetrios, holding a long haloed cross.

Æ Trachy,  Constantinople, 1272-82. 1.67 gr. 25.2 mm. 7 hr. Sear 2319; DO 202. Obv: Bust of Archangel Michael; rev: on left, half length figure of Andronikos II, beardless, holding palm branch in right hand; on right, half length figure of Michael, bearded, holding a labarum scepter.

[Hrefn]

With this coin we have reached my terminus ante quem of my Byzantine collection.                                            

Michael VIII

 

 

Edited August 28, 2023 by Hrefn
Duplicate photo

[ela126]

My modest Michael VIII (1261-1282)

AE Trachy, 2.56g, SB 2263

[Ancient Coin Hunter]

Good to see the thread still going. I was out after Manuel Comnenus.

[sand]

I don't have any Michael VIII coins. However, I'll post 2 maps, and some history. In 1258 AD, Theodore II, the Emperor Of Nicaea, died at the age of 36. Theodore II's son John IV became the Emperor Of Nicaea in 1258 AD at the age of 7.  Michael VIII quickly led a coup, in which Michael VIII made himself the guardian of John IV. In 1259 AD, Michael VIII made himself co-Emperor Of Nicaea. Michael VIII's military had a major victory in western Greece in 1259 AD. This victory allowed Michael VIII to focus his military on the conquest of the city of Constantinople, which was still ruled by the Latin Empire, the Crusaders. In 1261 AD, when most of the Latin army and Venetian navy were away from Constantinople attacking a Nicaean island, part of Michael VIII's army sneaked into the city of Constantinople through a secret passage, and attacked the city walls from the inside, and opened a city gate, to allow the rest of Michael VIII's army into the city. After a short battle, Michael VIII's army conquered the city of Constantinople. In 1261 AD, Michael VIII entered the city of Constantinople in triumph, and he was crowned Byzantine Emperor at the Hagia Sophia. The legitimate Emperor Of Nicaea, John IV, was blinded on his birthday at the age of 11, and then imprisoned. Thus, the Laskaris Dynasty of the Empire Of Nicaea ended, and the Palaeologus Dynasty of the resurrected Byzantine Empire began. The following 2 maps are snapshots of the interesting Youtube video "The History of the Byzantine Empire : Every Month". The maps show the Byzantine Empire, near the beginning of the reign of Michael VIII as the Byzantine Emperor in 1261 AD, and near the end of the reign of Michael VIII as the Byzantine Emperor in 1282 AD. We see that, according to the maps, during the reign of Michael VIII, some Byzantine territory was lost in the west and east, and a few small islands were gained. In 565 AD, the Byzantine Empire ruled most of the Mediterranean Sea. Now, in 1282 AD, the Byzantine world has become much smaller, and now the Byzantine Empire only consists of part of Greece and part of western Asia Minor. One wonders, if the Byzantine people's world view became smaller, slowly collapsing as their empire slowly collapsed.

Edited August 30, 2023 by sand

[Valentinian]

Michael VIII, Palaeologus, of the restored Byzantine empire.

It is not easy to get a well-struck trachy of Michael VIII. 

25-22 mm. 1.49 grams. Sear 2259.
Bust of Christ, K to left
Michael kneeling before seated Christ, supported by St. Michael

25-23 mm. 3.08 grams. Sear 2260
Virgin enthroned facing
Michael kneeling before seated Christ, supported by St. Michael

24-22 mm. 2.49 grams. Sear 2264.
Virgin
Emperor and St. George, with patriarchal cross between

 

25-21 mm. 2.60 grams. Sear 2265
Sear 2259. "Struck 1261-early in reign" [Grierson]
St. Demetrius standing
Michael crowned by the Virgin



 

25-23 mm. 2.33 graams. Sear 2283.
Winged archangel Michael
emperor standing with labarum

With coins with quality like these you really have to love Byzantine history to want examples. I can understand why images in Bendall and Donald's book, "The Later Palaeologan Coinage" were line-drawings and not photos. Line drawings which consolidate the most visible parts of several coins of one type are clearer than any individual coin of the type. I am almost surprised that I have some!

[Simon]

19 minutes ago, Valentinian said:

It is not easy to get a well-struck trachy of Michael VIII. 

Your right there, I have many trachea from this time period not fully attributed but this is one of my favorites, poorly struck but still nicely done. 

Nice dark coin, good portrait of emperor. 

[voulgaroktonou]

Andronikos II Palaiologos, emperor (1282–1328). His 46-year reign, the third longest in the history of the empire, was plagued by religious dissension, Ottoman advances, civil war, and financial problems; but at the same time, arts and letters flourished. Co-emperor from 1272, Andronikos repudiated the unpopular pro-Latin religious policies of his father, Michael VIII, immediately upon the latter's death in 1282. He was staunchly Orthodox. The final years of the reign of Andronikos, 1321–28, were troubled by civil war with his grandson, the future Andronikos III. He was deposed on 24 May 1328 and died as the monk Antonios four years later.

 

Michael IX Palaiologos, co-emperor (1295–1320); died 12 Oct. 1320. Eldest son of Andronikos II, he was named co-emperor in 1295. Although a brave and energetic soldier, Michael’s military campaigns over the empire’s increasing threats from both west and east were notoriously unsuccessful. He predeceased Andronikos II, dying at the age of 43, reportedly of grief over the accidental murder of his son Manuel .

 

Andronikos III Palaiologos, emperor (24 May 1328–1341). Son of Michael IX Palaiologos, he became co-emperor sometime between 1308 and 1313.  Andronikos was second in line to the throne until he antagonized his grandfather, Andronikos II, by his dissolute behavior and by accidentally causing the death of his brother Manuel. With the support of John (VI) Kantakouzenos, Andronikos rebelled in 1321 against the old emperor. The civil war lasted, on and off, for seven years; in 1328, Andronikos III entered Constantinople and forced his grandfather to abdicate.

During the reign of Andronikos III, Kantakouzenos held real power, while the emperor devoted himself to military campaigns and hunting. He restored northern Thessaly and Epiros briefly to the empire and strengthened the imperial navy. These gains were offset, however, by Serbian expansion in Macedonia and the Ottoman advance in Bithynia. He died at age 44, leaving as his heir his nine-year-old son, John V Palaiologos.

 

 

The diversity and inventiveness of the types of the Palaeologan base metal coinage are matched and, not a few times exceeded, by the distressing carelessness of their execution. Years ago I was invited to attend a celebration at Dumbarton Oaks on the occasion of the completion of DOC IV and V. Although not yet published, the page proofs for both volumes were available for examination. During the affair someone asked Philip Grierson the rich variety of types notwithstanding, how could he stand to look at them? We all laughed in agreement.

 

Andronikos II, alone

Trachy, Constantinople, 1282-1328. 2 gr. 23.7 mm. 5 hr. Sear 2346; DO 579-80. Obv: St. Theodore, holding sword and scabbard;  rev: emperor holds scepter cruciger and globus cruciger within inner circle, surrounded by inscription within outer circle.

Trachy, Thessalonike, 1282-1328. 1.25 gr. 22.9 mm. Sear 2370; DO 849-51. Obv: brockage, but likely bust of St. Demetrios; rev: winged emperor holds model of city.

Trachy, Thessalonike, 1282-1328. 1.97 gr. 24.1 mm. 6 hr. Sear 2379; DO 846-8. Obv: bust of nimbate military saint, flanked by 2 stars; rev: winged emperor holds patriarchal cross.

Trachy, Thessalonike, 1282-1320. 2.18 gr. 25 mm. 6 hr. Sear 2384; DO 784-5. Obv: winged patriarchal cross; rev: emperor holds akakia and labarum. Star in left field.

Trachy, Thessalonike, 1282-1328. 1.51 gr. 25.5 mm. 6 hr. Sear 2385; DO 745-48. Obv:2 wings, 6 pointed  star above and below; rev: emperor in portico, holds cross scepter and akakia.

 

Andronikos II and Michael IX

Hyperpyron, Constantinople, 1303-20. 3.31 gr. 24.4 mm. 6 hr.  Sear 2396; DO 262-492 var. (Sigla of B Θ not in DO.) Obv: Virgin within walls of Constantinople; rev: Andronikos and Michael crowned by Christ.

Basilikon, Constantinople, 1295-1320. 1.93 gr. 20.7 mm. 6 hr. Sear 2402; DO 509-12. Obv: Christ enthroned; rev: Andronikos and Michael facing, holding labarum. Scarcer variety with emperors’ names.

Basilikon, Constantinople, 1295-1320. 1.60 gr. 19.8 mm. 6 hr. Sear 2402; DO 517-24 var. All as before, but this is the commoner variety with the generic inscription AVTOKPATOPεC POMεON.

Assarion , Constantinople, 1294-1320 or later. 2.98 gr. 22 mm. 6 hr. Sear 2430; DO 647-654. Obv: +ANΔPONIKOC ΔЄCΠOTHC, cross pattée with pellet in each quarter; rev: Andronicus and Michael standing facing.

Assarion, Constantinople, 1294-1320 or later. 1.52 gr., 19.3 mm. 12 hr. Sear 2433; DO 661-670. Obv: Half-length figures of Andronicus and Michael facing, holding a labarum; rev: Palaiologan monogram: ΛΓ/ ΠA;

Assarion, Constantinople, 1294-1320 or later. 2.21 gr. 23.1 mm. 5 hr. Sear 2434; DO 671-76. Obv: Andronikos standing; rev: Michael standing.

 

Andronikos II and Andronikos III

Hyperpyron, Constantinople, 1325-1328. 2.94 gr. 20.7 mm. 6 hr. Sear 2461; DO 494-97. Obv: Virgin within walls of Constantinople; rev: Andronikos II and III blessed by Christ.

Trachy, Thessalonike, 1325-1328. 0.72 gr. 18.1 mm; 1 hr. Sear 2465; DO 853-4. Obv: Brockage, but would be bust of St. Demetrios; rev: Andronikos II and III blessed by Christ.

[Nerosmyfavorite68]

4.10g, 24mm
The Virgin Mary, orans, facing within city walls
Andronicus II and Michael IX, kneeling, facing, between the facing figure of Christ who is crowning them.
SB 2396

Andronicus II and Michael IX 1295-1320.AR.Basilikon. 2.1gr 20.3mm

[Edessa]

Andronicus II Palaeologus, with Michael IX, AD 1282-1328. AV Hyperpyron (25mm, 3.36g, 6h). Class IIb. Constantinople mint. Struck AD 1303-1320. Obv: Half-length figure of the Theotokos, orans, within city walls with four towers; sigla: M | (retrograde B). Rev: Christ standing facing, crowning Andronicus and Michael, kneeling to left and right, respectively. Ref: DOC –; PCPC 128 (sigla 15); SB 2396. Very Fine, toned, typical areas of weak strike at periphery, small flan crack. Ex Pegasi, May 2009.

[catadc]

Andronicus II and Michael IX, Assarion, 22 mm, 1.87g, SB 2440

 

[ela126]

my Michael IX and Andronicus II pieces, Basilicon and Hyperpyron. Don’t have the tags in front of me.

Edited August 31, 2023 by ela126

[voulgaroktonou]

Andronikos III Palaiologos, emperor (24 May 1328–1341). Son of Michael IX Palaiologos, he became co-emperor sometime between 1308 and 1313.  Andronikos was second in line to the throne until he antagonized his grandfather, Andronikos II, by his dissolute behavior and by accidentally causing the death of his brother Manuel. With the support of John (VI) Kantakouzenos, Andronikos rebelled in 1321 against the old emperor. The civil war lasted, on and off, for seven years; in 1328, Andronikos III entered Constantinople and forced his grandfather to abdicate.

During the reign of Andronikos III, Kantakouzenos held real power, while the emperor devoted himself to military campaigns and hunting. He restored northern Thessaly and Epiros briefly to the empire and strengthened the imperial navy. These gains were offset, however, by Serbian expansion in Macedonia and the Ottoman advance in Bithynia. He died at age 44, leaving as his heir his nine-year-old son, John V Palaiologos.

 

Trachy, Thessalonike, 1328-41. 3.36 gr. 25 mm. 6 hr.Sear 2359 (Andronikos II) ; DO 913-17. Obv: Half length figure of Archangel Michael; rev: emperor kneeling in proskynesis before Christ.

Basilikon, Constantinople, 1328-41. 1.17 gr. 19 mm. 7 hr. Sear 2472; DO 875-76. Obv: Christ enthroned; rev: St. Demetrios and emperor.

Assarion, Thessalonike, 1328-41. 0.87 gr. 21.7 mm. 6 hr. Sear 2482; DO 918. Obv: Nimbate bust of St. Demetrios; rev: St. Archangel Michael crowning emperor, who holds a patriarchal cross.

Assarion, Thessalonike, 1328-41.  22 mm. 6 hr. Sear 2483; DO 919-20.  Obv: Winged patriarchal cross;  rev: emperor and St. Demetrios holding long cross, above which, star in a cloud.

Assarion, Thessalonike, 1328-41.  2.16 gr. 25.5 mm. 6 hr. Sear 2486; DO 927-28. Obv: Nimbate bust of St. Demetrios, holding sword and shield; rev: emperor standing, holding in each hand a patriarchal cross. Star in left and right fields.

Trachy, Thessalonike, 1328-41.  1.52 gr. 20.5 mm; 6 hr. Sear 2497; DO -; LPC 242, 13; PCPC 265.  Obv: Palaeologan monogram, star in left field; rev: emperor on horseback, B in left field, star in right.

[Valentinian]

Andronicus II and Michael IX, 1295-1320:

23-22 mm. 1.82 grams. Sear 2372. LPC p. 212 $13
Facing bust
Full-length figure of emperor holding large fleur-de-lis in each hand.
 

22-20 mm. 1.67 grams. Sear 2393. LPC page 224 #32
Large 6-pointed star
Emperor standing between backwards B and B



19 mm. 1.54 grams.Sear 2432. LPC page 87 #31
Full length figures of Androncius II and Michael IX, long cross between (often considered the reverse)
NA for indiction year 1 which fits both 1303 and 1318


21-19 mm. 2.52 grams. Sear 2435. LPC page 88 #36.
Andronicus and Michael either side of Christ who places his hands on their heads.
3/4 length figure of winged archangel.

20-18 mm. 1.47 grams. Sear 2440. LPC pages 92-3 #41
Androncius and Michael with patriarchal cross between them
4-line legend

 

20 mm. 1.37 grams. Sear 2442. LPC pages 94-5, #43
Two figures standing.
    Πλ
    Κωɣ   [clearer on the coin than in this photo]
Thought to be an abbreviation for Polis Constantine [Constantinople]

Andronicus III, 1328-1341:

21-20 mm. 1.61 grams. Sear 2481. DOC V.II plate 50, class IV, #908-912.
Elaborate cross
Andronicus standing 
ΑVΤΟΚΡΑΤ POΜΙΑΙΟ  [Sp?]  [beginning from 1:00]

This coin is well-struck and preserved for coins of the era, but is slightly bent. 
 

[PseudoPsellos]

Between my portraits thinning out and my repeatedly missing deadlines, it's been awhile, but here's my representative for Andronicus III:

Andronicus III Palaeologus, 1328-1341. Reduced Basilikon (AR, 20 mm, 1.14 g, 6 h), Constantinople. Christ Pantokrator seated facing on throne. IC - XC across field. Sigla: lis to left, B to right. // ΔHMHT[PIOC] left, ΓΟΔ in center, and ANΔPON[IK] right. St. Demetrius standing on left, nimbate, holding cross on his breast in his right hand, and Andronicus III, standing on the right, bearded and wearing loros, placing his left hand on his chest. DOC 875-6. LBC 826. LPC 118.4 (i). PCPC 197.2. Sear 2472. 

Summarizing the discussion in DOC: Several changes to the basilikon coinage were made during the reign of Andronicus III. The first was a reduction in weight, decreasing from the ~2g of his predecessors and the early part of his reign to a reduced standard of about 1.25g starting around the year 1335. This change paralleled similar developments in Venice. Due to inadequate silver supply across Europe and the Mediterranean during the 1320s, Venice halted production of its influential silver grosso (the coin which the basilikon was introduced to mimic), introducing lighter weight and somewhat debased mezzanino (half grosso) and soldino coins in its place. The Byzantine weight reduction likely reflects similar silver cost issues, as well as the recognition that there was no longer a need to maintain interchangeability with the old Venetian counterpart.

Not pictured here, but Andronicus III's reign also saw the introduction of several new design types in addition to the standard Christ seated // two standing figures. Some of his coins depict the Virgin Mary, a single standing figure on the reverse, or a monogram/inscription. Curiously, these new types appeared _before_ the reduction in weight -- some of his heavy weight coins bear experimental designs, while some of his light weight coins (as above) bear the traditional design.

[sand]

Andronicus III was the Byzantine Emperor from 1328 AD to 1341 AD. The following maps are snapshots of the interesting Youtube video "The History of the Byzantine Empire : Every Month". The maps show the Byzantine Empire, at the end of the reign of Andronicus II in 1328 AD, and at the end of the reign of Andronicus III in 1341 AD. We see that, according to the maps, during the reign of Andronicus II, the Byzantine Empire lost most of its remaining territory in Asia Minor, but it still held Nicomedia, and Nicaea, and interestingly, Philadelphia deep in the interior of Asia Minor (compare with the maps in my Michael VIII maps post in this thread). Then, we see that, according to the maps, during the reign of Andronicus III, the Byzantine Empire lost Nicomedia and Nicaea to the Muslim Ottoman Turks, but the Byzantine Empire had a net gain of territory in Greece, and the Byzantine Empire still amazingly held Philadelphia deep within Asia Minor, and a few ports on the western coast of Asia Minor.

Here's my Andronicus III bronze trachy. It's a brockage. A brockage is when a flan is hammered between the dies, and then the coin gets stuck on 1 of the dies, and then the coin makes an imprint on the next flan, when the next flan is hammered. This creates an image on 1 side of the coin, and an indented mirror image on the other side of the coin. On the obverse/brockage side of my coin, one can see part of the Fleur-De-Lis, and perhaps part of Andronicus III's robe. On the reverse side of my coin, Saint Demetrius is completely missing, seemingly because of a weak strike on that part of the coin. NOTE : Ross G. at his web site www.glebecoins.org (an interesting web site) disagrees with the reference books Dumbarton Oaks (DO), Grierson, and Lianta. Ross G. says that, based on hoard data, this coin type was minted during the reign of Andronicus II, with a calculated mint date of circa 1297 AD. Ross G. is our Nvmis Forvms member @Glebe.

Andronicus III. AE Trachy. Minted 1328 AD To 1341 AD. Thessalonica Mint. DO 936. Grierson 1473. Lianta 844. Maximum Diameter 19.7 mm. Weight 1.83 grams. Obverse : Brockage Of Reverse. Reverse : On Left Saint Demetrius 3/4 Length Facing Front With Halo, At Center Staff Surmounted By Large Fleur-De-Lis Held By Saint Demetrius And Andronicus III, On Right Andronicus III 3/4 Length Facing Front, Top Left (Delta-H-M-H?), Top Right (A-N-Delta-Rho?). NOTE : Ross G. at his web site www.glebecoins.org (an interesting web site) disagrees with the reference books Dumbarton Oaks (DO), Grierson, and Lianta. Ross G. says that, based on hoard data, this coin type was minted during the reign of Andronicus II, with a calculated mint date of circa 1297 AD.

Edited September 3, 2023 by sand

[voulgaroktonou]

John V Palaiologos, emperor (1341–91). During his 50-year reign John faced numerous rebellions and a civil war; he was nine years old at the death of his father Andronikos III (1341), and initially came under the control of his empress-mother Anna of Savoy (regent 1341-47). The same year John VI Kantakouzenos was proclaimed emperor at Didymoteichon and began the Civil War of 1341–47. After the victory of Kantakouzenos, John married the usurper's daughter Helena and remained in the background until he forced Kantakouzenos's abdication in 1354.

 

During the 1350s and 1360s John sought Western aid against the Ottomans. He visited Hungary in 1366 and Rome in 1369, where he converted to Catholicism in the hope of eliciting western assistance. On his way home, he was detained in Venice because of his debts and was forced to promise the cession of Tenedos to the Venetians. In 1371 John bowed to the inevitable and became an Ottoman vassal. His remaining years were troubled by the rebellions of his son Andronikos IV (1373, 1376–79) and grandson John VII (1390). To conciliate his heirs, John had to allocate to them appanages and divide the empire into semi-independent principalities, while he retained rule in the capital.

 

John VI Kantakouzenos, emperor (1347–1354), was about the same age as Andronikos (III) Palaiologos and was his close friend until the emperor's death in 1341. He supported Andronikos's rebellion against his grandfather (1321–28) and was his principal general and adviser during his reign.

After Andronikos died, leaving a nine-year-old heir, John V Palaiologos, Kantakouzenos failed to secure the regency. His power struggle with Anna of Savoy and her supporters ended in the Civil War of 1341–47, and Kantakouzenos was proclaimed co-emperor at Didymoteichon (26 Oct. 1341). On 21 May 1346 he was crowned at Adrianople and in Feb. 1347 entered Constantinople.

The relatively peaceful relations between John V and John VI lasted until 1351; in 1352 a new civil war broke out. Although Kantakouzenos used Ottoman troops (who established themselves at Kallipolis, their first foothold in Europe), he was defeated by John V, who assumed sole power. After his abdication Kantakouzenos became the monk Ioasaph, spending the remainder of his days as a monk.

 

Although today’s schedule includes John VII, he seems better placed with his uncle Manuel II, so I will include him next time.

 

 

John V, Accession Issue, Stamenon, Thessalonike, 1341. 1.21 gr. 21.4 mm. 12 hr. Sear -; DO 1190. Obv: (Bust of Archangel); rev: Archangel Michael presents kneeling emperor to a military saint (Demetrios?), who holds with the emperor a patriarchal cross.

John V with Anna, Hyperpyron, Constantinople, 1341-47. 3.10 gr. 22 mm. 6 hr. Sear 2466; DO 942. Obv: Andronikos (deceased) kneeling before Christ; rev: Anna and John standing.

John V with Anna, Assarion, Thessalonike, 1352-65. 1.19 gr. 22 mm. 12 hr. Sear 2521; DO – (p. 198, #2)      Obv: John standing, holding labarum and akakia; rev: Anna standing, holding a cross scepter and a building. Ex Despot Sale, LHS 97, May 10, 2006, lot 337.03

 

John V, Eighth stavraton, Constantinople, 1367-1376. 1.04 gr. 16 mm. 7 hr. Sear 2512 ; DO 1247-1248a.      Obv: Nimbate bust of Christ; rev: bust of John.

John V, Stavraton, Constantinople, 1379-1391. 8.03 gr. 25.5 mm. 6 hr. Sear 2510; DO 1266-67. Obv: Nimbate bust of Christ; rev: bust of John.

John V, Follaro, Constantinople, 1379-1391. 1.25 gr. 16.2 mm. 12 hr. Sear 2515; DO – (p. 212).             Obv: Standing figure of St. Demetrios, holding spear and shield; rev: nimbate bust of John, holding cross scepter. Ex Despot Sale, LHS 97, May 10, 2006, lot 350 (part).

 

I would have included this basilikon of John V/VI, but I sadly have doubts concerning its authenticity. With an obverse bearing a standing St. Demetrios and reverse featuring standing figures of John VI and John V together holding a long cross, the coin is not listed in any of the standard references. Several examples have appeared on the market in the past few years, but a comparison of photos shows too many exact peculiarities of strike to inspire confidence. I would welcome any thoughts.