Furryfrog02 Posted May 27, 2022 · Supporter Share Posted May 27, 2022 Welcome to my first thread on the new forum! 🙂 I feel like Byzantines should get more love. Sure, their coins were often crudely engraved, struck on wonky flans, or even over struck on previous' ruler's coins...but that doesn't mean they don't deserve love too! Just like that slightly off-looking dog, Byzantine coins are beautiful in their own right. You sometimes just have to look past the surface to see their inner beauty.  So let's show off those Byzantine coins that have great personalities, even if they may terrify you if you were to meet them in a dark alley. I will kick it off with my newest Byzantine coin. It isn't the ugliest in my collection but it does suffer from a certain lack of style. The legends are often garbled (who needs spelling?) and the busts of Justin II and his wife Sophia look more like visitors from another planet than what I'm sure they looked like in real life. The reverse is plain and uninspired as well. All-in-all, it is a bit of a "meh" coin. But I still love it. Why? Because I enjoy the odd denominations that Byzantine coins have. I like that they actually have a denomination marked; "I" in this case for decanummium. And lastly, I like that it was minted in Carthage. Not your ho-hum everyday Constantinople. Anyways, here it is: Justin II and Sophia, AE Decanummium, Carthage. DN IVSTINO ET SOFIA AG (usually garbled or illegible), Facing busts of Justin (helmeted and cuirassed) and Sophia (crowned and draped), cross between their heads, VITA below / Large I, N to left, M to right. 21 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noname Posted May 27, 2022 · Member Share Posted May 27, 2022 Good stuff, this thread is perfect for @TheTrachyEnjoyer 3 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alegandron Posted May 27, 2022 · Supporter Share Posted May 27, 2022 Eastern Roman EmpireManuel I Comnenus 1143-1180 CEAspron Trachy35mm 4gChrist GospelsLabaran globus cruciger Virgin maphoriumSB 1966 scyphate 18 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zimm Posted May 27, 2022 · Member Share Posted May 27, 2022 (edited) Here‘s a pretty fun coin I bought a while back  A small module trachy of John Komnenos Doukas (from the Empire of Thessalonica). The pictures are awful since the coin is about 8mm in diameter and has a dark black patina. It's in amazing condition for the issue though Sear 2208 (Rev. John holding labarum and akakia) (Obv. Brockage) Edited May 27, 2022 by Zimm 13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troyden Posted May 27, 2022 · Member Share Posted May 27, 2022 Sicilian follis of Justinian II. I have a mixed attitude to Byzantine coinage. At one hand, they are incredible cool as something that came from medieval iteration of the Roman Empire. At the same time, the decline of artistic value when compared to the coinage of Principate and even the Late Roman period is staggering. Â 15 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheTrachyEnjoyer Posted May 27, 2022 · Member Share Posted May 27, 2022 Here is an ugly little coin - fifth example in private hands of Michael II’s despot coronation 17 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GordianAppreciator101 Posted May 27, 2022 · Member Share Posted May 27, 2022 23 minutes ago, TheTrachyEnjoyer said: Here is an ugly little coin - fifth example in private hands of Michael II’s despot coronation Where's the crowning Hand of God when you need one. Cool coin tho. Does that say IX as in 9? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alegandron Posted May 27, 2022 · Supporter Share Posted May 27, 2022 ER Andronicus II - Michael IX AD 1295-1320 AR Basilikon 22mm 2.1g Cnstntnple Jesus Christ enthroned labarum DOC V 1 Class VIII 13 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheTrachyEnjoyer Posted May 27, 2022 · Member Share Posted May 27, 2022 1 hour ago, Alegandron said: ER Andronicus II - Michael IX AD 1295-1320 AR Basilikon 22mm 2.1g Cnstntnple Jesus Christ enthroned labarum DOC V 1 Class VIII Hey I would say that is an objectively beautiful coin…maybe I have been collecting Byzantine for too long 😂 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheTrachyEnjoyer Posted May 27, 2022 · Member Share Posted May 27, 2022 1 hour ago, GordianAppreciator101 said: Where's the crowning Hand of God when you need one. Cool coin tho. Does that say IX as in 9? XM as in Michael! 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helvius Pertinax Posted May 27, 2022 · Member Share Posted May 27, 2022 3 hours ago, Alegandron said: Eastern Roman EmpireManuel I Comnenus 1143-1180 CEAspron Trachy35mm 4gChrist GospelsLabaran globus cruciger Virgin maphoriumSB 1966 scyphate What a satisfyingly round flan! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alegandron Posted May 27, 2022 · Supporter Share Posted May 27, 2022 1 hour ago, TheTrachyEnjoyer said: Hey I would say that is an objectively beautiful coin…maybe I have been collecting Byzantine for too long 😂 Thank you. I actually do collect Late Eastern Roman, just snared a few as representations of their coinage. Gotta a couple butt-uglies too. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GordianAppreciator101 Posted May 27, 2022 · Member Share Posted May 27, 2022 1 hour ago, TheTrachyEnjoyer said: XM as in Michael! OH lol, I didn't read it that way. That's cool! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alegandron Posted May 27, 2022 · Supporter Share Posted May 27, 2022 40 minutes ago, Helvius Pertinax said: What a satisfyingly round flan! LOL, I call it a soup-bowl. 🙂 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor robinjojo Posted June 5, 2022 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted June 5, 2022 I've lately focused on the last year of Maurice Tiberius' reign, year 20 and year 21 (part of). His regnal year 21 was literally cut short by the rebellion led by Phocas and others. Here's what I have so far. Constantinople Maurice Tiberius follis, RY 20 601/2 officina gamma. I thought it might be 21, but it's not. 12.42 grams  Maurice Tiberius follis, RY 20 601/2,  Sear 495. 12.13g  Antioch Maurice Tiberius follis Antioch RY 20 AD 601/2.AD Sear 533. 10.61 grams  Maurice Tiberius follis RY 21 AD 602/3.AD Sear 533. 9.86g  Cyzicus Maurice Tiberius follis Cyzicus RY 20 AD 601/2.AD  Sear 519. 9.96 grams  I still need to add a RY 21 from Constantinople, which might be a bit of a challenge.  13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alegandron Posted June 5, 2022 · Supporter Share Posted June 5, 2022 JUSTINIANER Justinian I 527-565 CE AE Folles 30mm 17g 40 Nummi M monogram 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Furryfrog02 Posted June 5, 2022 · Supporter Author Share Posted June 5, 2022 Love everyone's examples! The coinage from Syracuse was pretty awful. Oddly shaped flans and lackluster portraits were the norm instead of the exception. The one thing I like about them though, is that you can get multiple rulers on just one coin. Here's a follis with Leo IV, Constantine V, and Leo III. The only way I can tell the difference is because they are named. Otherwise, they might as well be triplets IMO 🙂 14 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alegandron Posted June 5, 2022 · Supporter Share Posted June 5, 2022 (edited) This one is purdy grody... ERE Justinian I 527-565 CE AE30 Folles 12.2g 40 Nummi M monogram Edited June 5, 2022 by Alegandron 10 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zimm Posted June 5, 2022 · Member Share Posted June 5, 2022 37 minutes ago, Furryfrog02 said: Love everyone's examples! The coinage from Syracuse was pretty awful. Oddly shaped flans and lackluster portraits were the norm instead of the exception. The one thing I like about them though, is that you can get multiple rulers on just one coin. Here's a follis with Leo IV, Constantine V, and Leo III. The only way I can tell the difference is because they are named. Otherwise, they might as well be triplets IMO 🙂 That‘s a great example. I‘ve always had a soft spot for Syracusan dynastic folles. The small flans and poor style combined with designs that have so much going on makes the coins just have a different feel to them. Also the emerald coloured patina on your example looks amazing!  Here‘s my example of the type (though the patina isn‘t nearly as nice)  15 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Furryfrog02 Posted June 5, 2022 · Supporter Author Share Posted June 5, 2022 The patina on mine really is beautiful. Here is my other Syracusan follis. This one featuring Leo V and his son/co-ruler Constantine. The patina is non-existent unfortunately. 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alegandron Posted June 5, 2022 · Supporter Share Posted June 5, 2022 This one is purdy grody... BZ Justinian I 527-565 CE AE30 Folles 12.2g 40 Nummi M monogram 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quant.geek Posted June 5, 2022 · Member Share Posted June 5, 2022 I have been trying to wrap up my XXX/NNN-type coins and it is proving to be challenging. My recent pickup is a follis of Nicephorus. Its a bit of a dog, unfortunately...  Byzantine Empire: Nicephorus I (802-811) Æ Follis, Constantinople (Sear 1606; DOC III.4) Obv: hI-CIFORI bAS, crowned, draped bust facing, holding cross potent and akakia Rev: Large M, X/X/X to left, cross above, N/N/N to right, A below   13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Furryfrog02 Posted June 5, 2022 · Supporter Author Share Posted June 5, 2022 Here is my only Nicephorus I (another twofer) with Stauracus. Nicephorus I. 802-811. AE Follis. Constantinople. no legend, crowned busts facing of Nicephorus with short beard, on left and Stauracus, unbearded, on right, each wearing chlamys, cross between their heads / large M, XXX to left, cross above, NNN to right, A below 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quant.geek Posted June 5, 2022 · Member Share Posted June 5, 2022 @Furryfrog02, how about I increase the head-count to FOUR:  Byzantine Empire: Nicephorus I (802-811) Æ Follis, Constantinople (Sear 1607; DOC III.5) Obv: Facing busts of Nicephorus on the left, with short beard, and Stauracius on the right, beardless, each wearing crown and chlamys; between their heads, cross. Rev: Large M between XXX and NNN; above, cross; beneath, A. Dim: 25 mm; 3.97 g A Flipover Double Strike of Sear 1607... 9 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alegandron Posted June 5, 2022 · Supporter Share Posted June 5, 2022 I just never could understand how the crucible of Classical Arts and the Eastern side of a Great Empire produced... such... dreary... dreadful designs... ERE Justin I 518-527 CE Copper Folles Antioch 20 nummia K monogram 9 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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