Going small - some leftover coins from the Roma Byzantine coin auction of July 18, 2023

[robinjojo]

I like to look over coins that have not attracted any bids, and are offered on a fixed price basis post-auction.  Roma does this, and some other firms, notably and perhaps notoriously, depending on one's view, Heritage.  

My Byzantine coins are primarily focused on the "main" mints, with a few exceptions.  The Roma sale had some very rare coins from outlying mints, and these coins by and large attracted very healthy bids.  The auction featured lower denomination bronzes from mints that I do not representative examples, so figured why not go small?  The big boys, the folles, are very meritorious coins, but the smaller siblings do offer more affordable alternatives, generally speaking.

So, as often occurs, a strategy to buy only a couple of coins quickly went out the window and I picked up nine in all, aside from the two that I acquired through the auction.  So much for focus and discipline. 

I photographed four today, with more to follow.

Maurice Tiberius, half follis, Rome, AD 582-602.

MIBE 155 (military mint); Sear 587.

5.31 grams

This example has pretty rough surfaces, but the main features are quite bold.  This is a pretty rare coin - I found one match in my online search, but some longtime Byzantine collectors might have other example?

Maurice Tiberius, Æ 10 Nummi, Catania, RY 17  (AD 598/599).

DOC 275; Sear 581.

3.07 grams

Again, somewhat rough surfaces, but the coin is nice, especially the obverse despite the crudeness.  There were multiple lots of this denomination of Maurice Tiberius, Catania, offered in this auction.  I guess that must be many of these coins available, but many seem to be very crude and have other issues.

 

Heraclius, half follis, Ravenna, dated RY 25 (AD 634/5).

MIB 262; Sear 922.

3.83 grams

Definitely a very crude example, which is why it probably did not attract any bids, an ugly duckling, especially for the obverse., but a scarce coin and I now have a Ravenna coin.  Possibly an overstrike.

 

Constans II, half follis, Syracuse, dated  IY 10 (AD 651/2).

MIB 212; Sear 1113.

2.73 grams

Despite the obverse flan flaw, to the left, the portrait is quite nice.  I wonder if they had mustache wax back then?   

To be continued....

 

Edited September 3, 2023 by robinjojo

[Nerosmyfavorite68]

Neat!  I'm missing Ravenna from my Heraclius collection.

I have the Maurice Rome, unphotographed, from Allen Berman a couple of decades ago.

[Roman Collector]

I love this sort of bargain hunting! Frank Robinson has an unsold fixed-price list after every auction, too.

[robinjojo]

Here are the remaining coins, all from Syracuse.

 

Constans II, follis, Syracuse, dated IY 11 ( AD 652/3).

DOC 179; Sear 1108.

4.76 grams

 

Constantine IV, with Heraclius and Tiberius, follis, Syracuse, AD 674-681.

DOC 61; Sear 1208.

3.97 grams

Justinian II, follis, second reign, Syracuse, IY 5 (AD 706-7).

Cf. BCI 665 variety (no stars); Sear 1299 (first reign).

4.18 grams

A definite overstrike.  The under coin detail is clearest on the obverse, rotated, at the bottom.  Now, to match that orb and cross with another follis, possibly from the first reign?

Nicephorus I and Stauracius, Æ nummus, Syracuse, AD 803-811.

DOC 10; Spahr 355; Sear 1612.

3.24 grams

Struck on a broad flan.

 

 

Leo V "The Armenian" and Constantine, Æ 40 nummi, Syracuse, AD 813-820.

Spahr 374; Sear 1637.

4.27 grams

Edited September 3, 2023 by robinjojo