I bought these simply because I found them attractive, in that Byzantine kind of way. The first is the common type, temp. Basil II and Constantine VIII. The second turned out to be much scarcer, although I didn't know anything about it when I bought it: temp. Nikephoros III. It sure looks like it has some BD, but the deposits don't budge. I'm keeping a close eye on it to see if it's stable... 1. Anonymous Follis. temp. Basil II & Constantine VIII Æ Follis 30 mm, 11.4 gm. Class A3. Uncertain (Thessalonica?) mint, circa 1020-1028. Obv.: Facing bust of Christ Pantokrator. Rev.: + IҺSЧS/XRISTЧS/ЬASILЄЧ/ЬASILЄ (Jesus Christ, King of Kings) in four lines; ornament above and below. Reference: DOC A2.24; SB 1818. Attribution of second to follow.
those are solid examples of the type JA. i don't have a nikephoros with the cross reverse...that one is on my list.
A very brief type evidently. There are a couple of really nice ones on Wildwinds, the nicest of which sold for $500. I was drawn to the ornate cross on this coin, which is quite lovely. The obverse details leave something to be desired.
Wow => that's a gorgeous example, JA ... I also happen to have a pretty sweet example ... Anonymous Folles, Basil II & Constantine VIII ... dudes like us, rock!! => have a great weekend
Steve's coin is offensively nice. I offends me that I don't own one that nice. Many of these were overstruck on earlier coins and often one issue is noted in the catalogs as which earlier coin was used for the undertype. It makes figuring out the order of issue easier but it can make some ugly coins. Sometimes the same coins can look quite different. Eyes are not automatic; noses are hard to find.
Very nice Big John, i had a couple with a different cross Reverse. i gave them away, but still have 5 large follis, my favorite. well next to my gold avatar.. Obv. Bust of Christ facing, holding the four Gospels. Rev. in four lines, Jesus Christ, King of Kings, ornament above and below. 33mm x 12.g lite brown patina, with a hint of green.
Heres one of my anonymous folles, time of Constantine IX Sear 1836 circa 1042-1055 9.55g, 29mm, (possibly holed)
http://www.forumancientcoins.com/numiswiki/view.asp?key=Anonymous Follis Just in case anyone is interested and new to the subject: The above linked article explains the 15-16 major types of Anonymous Christ folles. These came from a period in the 10th to 12th centuries when the emperors did not put their names on the copper coins (but did on the gold). Among our number here there are a few who might want a set of 16 and others who hope never to hear them discussed again (not to mention everything in between). Those who want just one for their general collection usually go for a class A2 which are big and common. Only specialists will want a class M which is going to be ugly and expensive unless you find one in a junk bin (the only way I will have one). The examples shown in the article are nice average coins and will give an idea which types will be impossible to find in mint state. There are, however, a few like me that would be happy to have a dozen examples of some of the cheap ones as long as they showed what we might consider interesting minor variations or wild overstrikes. It is definitely a field making it hard to say which of two examples is 'better'. We pick the faults we each find least disturbing. Christ portrait collectors will also be interested in the large number of coins made with Christ sharing the coin with one or more rulers. When you add images of other Christian figures (Mary and St.George come to mind) a 'set' will be many coins.
I agree, the cross on the Nikephoros III nice. Pardon me for re-posting the coin I flip when refereeing volleyball. I have worn the nose of this one a bit.
