My first ancient gold, a Byzantine one.

I'm still alive and kicking... well somewhat. and its been so long since I bought an ancient coin, I have to fix that problem soon. Well, I did manage to get a little something a little while back that I haven't posted (at least I think I haven't posted it)



Heraclius Tremissis, Constantinople Mint
610-641 AD
O: dN hERACLIVIS PP AVG around diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Heraclius to right
R: VICTORIA AVGYS around cross potent, CONOB in exergue
Sear 787

Feel free to post any gold, Byzantine, coin or whatever you want. Well as long as its appropr... ah you guys know what I mean.

 

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Nice, always good to get gold. I don't have any byzantine gold. Maybe a goal for next year.

 

My only two gold coins, both Byzantine:

Tremissis of Anastasius



Solidus of Justinian

 

Congrats!!!

Notice the "fang" marks on his upper neck.
JUSTINIAN AV TREMISIS, 527 - 565 C.E.

About Extremely Fine, typical flan waviness, few slt. obv scratches, 15.8 mm, 1.40 grams, Constantinople mint

Obverse: Diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust of Justinian to right. Reverse: Victory advancing right, head left, holding wreath in right hand and globus cruciger in left

 

I hate you guys. All these are really wonderful.

 

I think that will be a 2016 goal for me as well. Congrats on the Byzantine gold coins.

Nothing wrong with a Byzantine silver coin.

Byzantine Empire
Eastern Roman Empire
Heraclius and Heraclius Constantine
AR Hexagram 22.0 mm x 6.28 g
Constantinople mint. 610-640 AD
Obv. dd NN HERAKLIUS et hERA CONST Heraclius and Heraclius Constantine seated facing on double throne
Rev. Large DEUS ADIUTA ROMANIS Cross potent above three steps (God Help the Romans)
ref# S 798

 

Come on let's see that Valens solidus of yours

 

Really? Again? Well, you twisted my arm.

VALENS
AV Solidus
OBVERSE: DN VALENS PER F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped & cuirassed bust right
REVERSE: RESTITVTOR REIPUBLICAE, Valens standing right, holding labarum in right hand & Victory on globe in left, cross to left. Mintmark star ANTE star
Struck at Antioch, 364 AD
3.6g, 19mm
Antioch RIC 2d,xxxvii-5

 

Beautiful coins, but I must say this, it always surprises me how simplistic the figures in Byzantine coinage are compared to Roman coinage that preceded it.

 

It wasn't a sudden degeneration in artistry though.
Styling became more and more crude towards the end of the 4th century, and even more so in the 5th century. After the western empire collapsed, the eastern (Byzantine) empire continued, but the artistry remained crude, never returning to the glory of the 1st/2nd imperial issues.

I think the 3/4 portrait solidi are quite attractive, but most Roman coins from the 5th century onwards are ugly. That said, they have appealing "character".

 

Wonderful posts and very lovely GOLD pieces guys!!

I also have a tremises of Heraclius and with a little luck I might add a solidus of Phocas to it--- Heraclius gets so lonely being the one and only gold coin I own LOL

 

Nice, here is my gold coin.


Justinian I. 527-565. AV Solidus (4,51 g 21 mm). Constantinople mint, 5th officina. Struck 527-537. Helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly right, holding spear and shield / Angel standing facing, holding long cross and globus cruciger; star to right; Є//CONOB. DOC 3e; MIBE 5; SB 137.

 

nice to see you again IR, and dang...that's one sweet coin.

well...I don't have a gold coin to post here.

 

Me neither. There are just too many sweet silver and bronze coins to get first. Once I cross most of those off my list I'll look for some Byzantine gold myself.

 

Kingdom of Macedonia, Philip II, 359 - 336 BC
Gold Stater
Lampaskos Mint
19mm, 8.5 grams
Obverse: Laureate head of Apollo right.
Reverse: Charioteer in biga right, facing head of Helios and monogram below.
LeRider 91,13

Gone now, to a new home.

 

Very wow.

Here's the most beautiful thing I own, an Alex III Babylon Mint stater:

 

A tremissis from the large lot of Byzantines I purchased at auction a couple of years ago:


Constantine IV, CE 668-685
AV tremissis, 1.4 gm, 17 mm
Constantinople mint
Obv: DN CONSTANTINUS PPAG; Pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right
Rev: VICTORIA AVGUS; cross potent; CONOB
Ref: SB 1162

 

The good news is I once owned this. The bad news is, I once owned this. Gone but not forgotten.



HONORIUS. 383-408 AD. AV Solidus (20mm, 4.48 gm). Constantinople mint. Struck 408-423 AD. D N HONORI-VS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted, and cuirassed bust facing slightly right, holding spear and shield decorated with horseman / CONCORDI-A AVGG, Constantinopolis enthroned facing, head right, foot on prow, holding sceptre and Victory on globe; star in left field; I/CONOB. RIC X 201

 

Beautiful Greek Gold!!!!

That's not a next year, but a year after that wish list item for me....

 

My latest gold coin purchase: Carthage stater, Tanit/Horse.