I intend to bid on this coin: The description is as following: "JOHN VIII PALAEOLOGUS (1425-1448). AR 1/2 Stavraton. Constantinople. Obv: Facing bust of Christ Pantokrator. Rev: Crowned facing bust of John. Sear 2565. Weight: 3.24 g. Diameter: 19 mm." Note that the seller has confused the fotos of obverse and reverse. The first image of the coin is actually an emperor, not Jesus. However, I have trouble of identifying the coin. So I want help: Is this coin attributed correct, and is it indeed John VIII? Thank you for any help you can provide
I don't know enough about the styles of these to tell John from Manuel II when there is no legend. I would have guessed Manual but I would be wrong as often as not. I hope we have a Byzantine expert that can help with that. Mine is a whole stavraton of John VIII with the IW clear at 1 o'clock. I also put John on the obverse because the curve of the flan suggests to me that John was on the anvil die. However the Christian convention is to consider Christ to be on the obverse.
Dougsmith or others with knowledge. I just want an opinion if you have one. Do you think the beneath is indeed a John VIII? - I say it is imposible to know giving some crucial letters are worned. The description from the seller: "JOHN VII PALAEOLOGUS (1423-1448). 1/2 Stavraton. Constantinople. Obv: Facing bust of Christ Pantokrator. Rev: Crowned facing bust of John. Sear 2562. Condition: Extremely fine. Weight: 3.18 g. Diameter: 19 mm." The seller has forgot an "I" in John VII(I).
Hi Herbeto - This is probably John VIII - you can see part of the legend +IWANHC with the N & H ligatured around 3 o'clock on the reverse. (With John VII the legend is +IWANIC with no ligature). Ross G. (Cited from: https://www.cointalk.com/threads/help-about-a-late-byzantine-silver-coin.349114/)
