voulgaroktonou Posted October 30, 2023 · Member Share Posted October 30, 2023 Dear coin friends, At the risk of betraying my Byzantine fixation, as my many friends/admirers of earlier Greek and Roman coins would say I have to a serious degree, I would like to share a mental exercise I perform whenever I add gasoline to my car. When the last drop has been squeezed into the gas tank, I take the total charge in US dollars, and treat it as a Sear number. Then, I try to visualize what that particular Byzantine coin is. I’m fairly good at this, and yesterday proved the point. On the way home from visiting our horse, I stopped at the gas station and filled my tank by spending $16.80, thinking of Sear 1680, and considering it to be a Theophilos follis from Syracuse. A few minutes later, at home, I saw I was right on the money, so to speak. Here's one of my examples of Sear 1680. Follis, Syracuse, 830/1 – 842. 1.69 gr. 17 mm. 4 hr. Sear 1680; DO 29c; BNP 1-4; Ricotti 239. Grierson (DOC 3:1, p. 447) considers this issue as a half follis, or as “a much reduced follis.” Obv: Θε O FI[LOS bA] Bust of Theophilos wearing crown with cross and loros; holdings cross potent on base in right hand. Rev: + mI[XA – HL S COnSt] Busts of Michael and Constantine, each wearing crown with cross and chlamys. Star above their heads. 10 2 1 1 1 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sand Posted October 31, 2023 · Member Share Posted October 31, 2023 (edited) @voulgaroktonou Nice and interesting coin. Unfortunately, my latest gas station cost was $55.93, and there are no Byzantine coins with Sear number higher than 2645. I can't remember, the last time my gas station cost was $26.45 or less. However, just for fun, I'll post 1 of my related Byzantine coins. Here's 1 of my Byzantine coins, with 3 portraits. Constantine V. AE 40 Nummi Follis. Minted 751 AD To 775 AD. Syracuse Mint. Sear 1569. DO 19. Maximum Diameter 19.1 mm. Weight 3.14 grams. Obverse : On Left Constantine V Standing Facing Front, Short Beard, Wearing Crown With Cross On Top, Holding Akakia In Right Hand, On Right Leo IV Standing Facing Front, Beardless, Wearing Crown With Cross On Top, Holding Akakia In Right Hand, On Left "K", On Right "Lambda-E-O-N". Reverse : Leo III Standing Facing Front, Short Beard, Wearing Crown With Cross On Top, Holding Cross Potent In Right Hand, On Left "Lambda-E-O-N", On Right "Delta-E-C-Pi". Edited October 31, 2023 by sand 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
voulgaroktonou Posted October 31, 2023 · Member Author Share Posted October 31, 2023 9 hours ago, sand said: @voulgaroktonou Nice and interesting coin. Unfortunately, my latest gas station cost was $55.93, and there are no Byzantine coins with Sear number higher than 2645. I can't remember, the last time my gas station cost was $26.45 or less. However, just for fun, I'll post 1 of my related Byzantine coins. Here's 1 of my Byzantine coins, with 3 portraits. Constantine V. AE 40 Nummi Follis. Minted 751 AD To 775 AD. Syracuse Mint. Sear 1569. DO 19. Maximum Diameter 19.1 mm. Weight 3.14 grams. Obverse : On Left Constantine V Standing Facing Front, Short Beard, Wearing Crown With Cross On Top, Holding Akakia In Right Hand, On Right Leo IV Standing Facing Front, Beardless, Wearing Crown With Cross On Top, Holding Akakia In Right Hand, On Left "K", On Right "Lambda-E-O-N". Reverse : Leo III Standing Facing Front, Short Beard, Wearing Crown With Cross On Top, Holding Cross Potent In Right Hand, On Left "Lambda-E-O-N", On Right "Delta-E-C-Pi". Gosh, you must have a lot bigger tank that I do! But I love your Constantine V follis - wonderful coloring and surfaces! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Kowsky Posted October 31, 2023 · Member Share Posted October 31, 2023 17 hours ago, voulgaroktonou said: Dear coin friends, At the risk of betraying my Byzantine fixation, as my many friends/admirers of earlier Greek and Roman coins would say I have to a serious degree, I would like to share a mental exercise I perform whenever I add gasoline to my car. When the last drop has been squeezed into the gas tank, I take the total charge in US dollars, and treat it as a Sear number. Then, I try to visualize what that particular Byzantine coin is. I’m fairly good at this, and yesterday proved the point. On the way home from visiting our horse, I stopped at the gas station and filled my tank by spending $16.80, thinking of Sear 1680, and considering it to be a Theophilos follis from Syracuse. A few minutes later, at home, I saw I was right on the money, so to speak. Here's one of my examples of Sear 1680. Follis, Syracuse, 830/1 – 842. 1.69 gr. 17 mm. 4 hr. Sear 1680; DO 29c; BNP 1-4; Ricotti 239. Grierson (DOC 3:1, p. 447) considers this issue as a half follis, or as “a much reduced follis.” Obv: Θε O FI[LOS bA] Bust of Theophilos wearing crown with cross and loros; holdings cross potent on base in right hand. Rev: + mI[XA – HL S COnSt] Busts of Michael and Constantine, each wearing crown with cross and chlamys. Star above their heads. That's a rather bizarre formula, but kudos to you if it works 🤔. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor Ancient Coin Hunter Posted October 31, 2023 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted October 31, 2023 Hmm. Something I never would have thought of but an interesting exercise! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
voulgaroktonou Posted October 31, 2023 · Member Author Share Posted October 31, 2023 4 hours ago, Al Kowsky said: That's a rather bizarre formula, but kudos to you if it works 🤔. Consider it a way to keep my aging brain active! 😁 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.