I have been too busy with work/ better late then never Byzantine Empire AV Solidus ND Philippicus Bardanes 711-13 Emperor facing with short beard/ wearing Loros/ Crown/ holding Globus Cruciger/ Eagle tipped Sceptre/ surmounted by Cross a N FILCPICyS MyLTyS AN Cross Potent on Three Steps VICTORIA AVgyε CONOB in Exergue 4.39g. 18mm. 6h Constantinople Mint MIB 1 DOC !e
He was blinded on June 3rd 713 by Opsikion officers while he was seated in the Hippodrome! It all started when the Bulgarians under Tervel plundered their way to the gates of Constantinople in 712. He sent in the army to counter the threat. Meanwhile Umayyad Caliph Al-Walid I invaded Asia Minor due to poor defenses and planning by the Emperor. He was succeeded by Anastasius II in 713. Most of his coins are badly struck with off center legends.
Beautiful looking gold coin. And thanks for the explanation of the "eye patch." It adds a whole additional degree of fascination for the coin.
I know many of the Byzantine emperors had nasty stuff done to them now and then. So is that why his eye is messed up on this particular coin or is it a striking issue?
I would say its a striking flaw 100 percent. After, he was blinded/ Anastasius II Artemius was appointed Emperor by the Army. The mint employees did some shabby work in that century.
