ANCIENT - Byzantine Fever-

In recent months I have noticed an increase in Byzantine activity. I have also noticed a cold sweat and a desire to purchase Byzantine coins. I have seen many many many a coin for sale. Most are bronze and of low grade and poor strike. I must say I have seen some amazing Byzantine coins. I have never bought one. I wanted a gold one but could never take the plunge. A rather worn yet special bronze Anonymous Follis featuring Big J on the obverse and Jesus Christ King of Kings reverse, was given to me by a friend and fellow member. Remarkably this is how I lost my Byzantine virginity.

Now I just picked up something I never saw before.


JOHN I TZIMISCES 969-976 A.D. AR MILIARESION CONSTANTINOPLE MINT

+IHSUS XRISTUS NICA - Cross crosslet on globus above two steps; at centre, circular medallion with facing bust of John dividing the inscription I/W - A/N
+IWANN' / EN / XW / AVTO / CRAT' EVSEb' / bASILEVS / RWMAIW - Legend in lines
SB 1792

 

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Scarce dang coin for your first byzantine. Silver is the rarest metal for byzantines.

Nice coin, i have hundreds of byzantines, including gold, but not this one.

 

Tell me more.....

At approx 23 mm x 2.5 g it reminds me of a thin Denarius of the days long ago.

 

Btw AN, i would have thought you would have picked a byzantine ruler who had an effect on central asia, like MT.

 

They simply had all of their silver drained in trade, so had none to strike with. Sassanids did not really use gold, so had a high demand for silver. So they simply sucked any silver out of the byzantines through trade. Also, the silk road used a lot of silver, since the chinese demanded sassanid silver for duties. This is where the chinese got their silver for their sycee ingots.

 

Very tempted. I also wanted Justinian I. I collect mostly silver, so I wanted Byzantine silver. (I suppose you explained the slim pickings). I saw some other ones like this in not much better condition for many US dollars. This I got a real good deal, from a seller I sadly haven't used in over a year. I also selected the coin because the legends were most legible in the price range that I wanted to spend. I'm glad you like it.

I also saw a Hexagram from the 7th century that was silver and about 5 grams but it was nearly twice what I spent for this and the condition was less than I could accept in that price range.

 

Must have set you back a bit. Excellent pickup :thumb:

 

Wow, ultra-cool Byzantine my good man ... absolutely top-drawer!!

:high5:

 

Anoob: This kind of coin could tempt me into buying Byzantine coinage. Very nice. Two thumbs up. :thumb::thumb:

 

Thanks. It wasn't that bad, I worked out a very good deal with the seller. I always shoot for a deal my friend. I just couldn't pass up this coin. Like I said before, I never came across one like it before, and after searching I found a few 1-2 were reasonable and the other 3 were pushing $1000 in not so great condition.

 

I think this coin has that affect simply because it is "denarius" like. As cool and rare as this coin is, I am still struck by the First Meris.
You have got to love RR tetradrachms.

 

Ummm, what are the specs with dat thar coin? (diameter, weight) ...

 

Approx 23 mm x 2.5 g

 

Thanks ... it's a bit smaller than a quarter, but bigger than a typical denarius (a nice sized coin)

 

that is AWESOME!!!! one of the coolest byzantines i've seen....fantastic pick up AN!

aachoooooooo!

oh no.....now i've got the byzantine fever also!

 

Hey chrismat71 ... long time no hear my hilarious coin buddy ... I hope that everything is good in your world?

=> Cheers

:cheers:

 

Very nice coin. I don't know much about Byzantine coins except that the silver ones are hard to find. Yours looks like its in good shape.

 

Excellent coin Anoob.

 

all is good stevex...cheers! :cheers:

 

Master Anoob, very well done,nice to pick something up that you haven't collected before..well done my Friend...:yes: