Three Isaurians For The Price Of One

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by furryfrog02, Aug 24, 2020.

  1. furryfrog02

    furryfrog02 Well-Known Member

    In my never-ending quest to acquire as many Byzantine emperors (and empresses) as possible, I came across this coin last week. Best part about it? It knocks out three Byzantine emperors/caesars on one tiny little coin.

    I did some comparison shopping and this one was a great deal and was better looking than a lot of pricier coins. Nobody had bid on it and it was well within my price range so I plopped a bid on and to my surprise I wasn't sniped at the last second. Now these fellows have joined some of the most famous Byzantine emperors to include Justin, Justinian II, Phocas, Constantine VII, and Leo VI the Wise.

    The Isaurian Dynasty is one of the more interesting Byzantine dynasties, in my opinion. From Leo III ending the "Twenty Years' Anarchy" and forbidding the veneration of idols, to Irene who reversed the worshiping of idols, blinded her son Constantine VI, and became the first empress of the Byzantine empire, The Isaurian's were the ancient equivalent of the "Real Housewives of Constantinople"

    Without further ado, I present my three-fer of Leo III, Constantine V, and Leo VI.

    Constantine V and Leo IV
    751-775 AD
    AE Follis
    Syracuse mint
    Obverse: K-LEWN to right and left of Constantine V, bearded on left, and Leo IV, beardless on right, standing facing, each wearing crown and chlamys and holding akakia in arm across their chests; cross between their heads
    Reverse: LEON-DECP downwards to left and right, Leo III, bearded, half-length, standing facing, wearing crown and chlamys and holding cross potent
    Constantine V, Leo IV, and Leo III, Follis, 751-775 AD, Syracuse Mint.png

    Feel free to post any other coins from the Isaurian Dynasty or whatever else you think may fit :)
     
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  3. Severus Alexander

    Severus Alexander find me at NumisForums

    Nicely done! I love the patination. I bought mine as a 3-fer many years ago, and if you're like me, you will eventually decide that it only counts for Constantine V. :)

    Mine has a very wonky left eye placement on Constantine:
    Screen Shot 2020-08-24 at 3.46.07 PM.jpg
     
  4. furryfrog02

    furryfrog02 Well-Known Member

    That is a great looking one!
    Do you think these coins were poorly struck like lots of Byzantine coins or did they just live a rough life?

    As for this one only counting for Constantine V, it will have to do for awhile. I think I may eventually be able to get Leo III and Leo IV. I think that completing the dynasty is not possible though since Constantine VI and Irene are way out of my price range.
     
  5. Severus Alexander

    Severus Alexander find me at NumisForums

    Generally not well made, although it seems these ones are among the best output of the Syracuse mint in this period. Much better than those under his father. This one is actually a pretty good Leo III:
    Screen Shot 2020-08-24 at 4.34.51 PM.jpg

    I don't have an Irene either, not yet. Savoca has sold some low quality Irene & Constantine VI for 50 bucks though, so I think it's still doable on a budget if you're willing to wait a while.

    The only coin I have with Constantine VI is a four-fer under Leo IV:
    Screen Shot 2020-08-24 at 4.39.54 PM.jpg
    That's Leo IV and Constantine VI on the obverse, and Leo III and Constantine V on the reverse.
     
  6. furryfrog02

    furryfrog02 Well-Known Member

    I will keep my eye out. I've never bid on anything from their auctions. Usually out of my price range. But it's worth a shot.

    That Four-fer is really nice. What is the size/weight?
     
  7. Severus Alexander

    Severus Alexander find me at NumisForums

    Thanks - I'm not sure of the diameter but it's 5.16g. Ex Christov family collection.
     
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  8. dougsmit

    dougsmit Member

    rz0410bb0777.jpg
    I believe 'both'.
     
  9. furryfrog02

    furryfrog02 Well-Known Member

    Having seen other coins from this mint, I gotta say, they really didn't seem to care at all.
    I do like the idea of them being used for every day commerce though. Makes it seem more historically significant to me. Even if they were used only for every day things like buying a loaf of bread.
     
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