AV Solidus Nicephorus and Stauricus

Nicephorus led his army vs the pesky Bulgars. However, their king named Krum fled the scene. So, Nicephorus sacked the Bulgar Capital , Pliska. After a lot of pillaging/rape/murder, the Byzantine Army and their booty marched home. To their surprise, the Bulgar Army ambushed them, Nicephorus was killed, as where most of his army. Krum made a "drinking cup" out of the Emperors head, that is after he had it removed/boiled/prepared....

 

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=> man, they should make a Disney movie from that tale

 

Yeah. Rated "G" for all audiences.

 

If I had been in Krums boots...let the crows have the carcass. Then celebrate the victory. Beer/wine from golden goblets/crystal glasses/ or better right out of the bottle!
Seems the Byzantines and Bulgars were not best of neighbours.

 

Another wonderful coin ...and an incredible bit of history to go with it......WOW!!

 

Edit: I was wrong.

NIce solidus. As always.

Here my follis of Nicephorus with Stauricius, Sear 1607

 

I am reading a Short History of Byzantium, but am finding it slow going...it is one pillaging/rape/murder after another.

 

Great write-up @panzerman ! Nice Solidus... But, of all the histories I have immersed myself into, I just don't care for the Byzantines... Too much back-stabbing, poisoning, murder, cloak-and-dagger, intrigue, etc. for my taste. And they called those that were not Byzantines "Barbarians"??? Kinda the example of what NOT to be as a people...

 

I don't care for the Byzantine era either, but, I'm not so sure that the same kind of behavior wasn't going on in the the entire Imperial era as well.

 

Kinda agree on that too... I am not a big fan of later Empire due to some of that. However, we can always find the good and the bad in any era. But, at the 30,000 ft viewpoint, I am just not a fan of Eastern Empire/Byzantine, Late Western Empire, etc...

 

Probably right. I come from those so-called, "Barbarians" roots being German myself. Even Arminius who defeated the mighty Roman Army at the Teutonburger Wald 9 AD, was in the Roman Army himself. He was horrified at the way, Romans treated native populations in conquered territories. Later, he left that life and returned to his Germanic roots. Once there, he able with his knowledge to use that against his former masters...

 

The only reason I like those eras, are that the coins, for the most part are affordable to obtain, the Roman Imperial 33BC- Constantine I are $$$$$$$$$

 

I primarily collect coins of the Roman Republic coins, which are getting very popular and the price is being driven up. So I was hoping to branch out into Byzantine coins, which are relatively inexpensive. But what I like best about the Roman Republic is the historical appeal. So far, the history of the Byzantine empire is not too interesting...

 

Umm...yeah, I MORE than agree! I have yet to capture an Ancient gold... I kinda want one of those Early RR 60, 40, or 20 As golds... But WOW, they are pitched to a LIMITED audience! However, I AM pretty familiar with modern gold... modern is more fungible when I ramp up purchases... And, I have never seen a 1 TOZ Ancient! A 60 As weighs in at approx 3.4g, and worth 800+ AR denarii at approx same weight ea. I know, I know, you can't equate modern intrinsic metal values to ancient historical coins...

 

I have my share of LRBs and a few Byzantine as well, but I have never really appreciated the later years of the Empire. I prefer RR and early Imperial period. I guess I also like the Greek coinage, but the expense is usually more than I am willing to pay.

 

Now I really feel like the oddball

 

Oh, here is a ancient coin which weighs 42 g.

 

LOL, Dude, no worries! I feel alone with my love of the Roman Republic Era. There are only a few of us (RR fans), but a vast sea of Roman Empire fans! And generally, I only collect from an historical viewpoint vs. a numismatic approach, so my opinions and feelings revolve around the history of the coin vs. its numismatic value and variety. And, there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with that you are a fan of the Late Empire and Byzantines!

 

Way cool! Hand it to the Ptolomies to have a pig of gold as a coin! Nice! I would gladly pay $50/gram for that one

 

@ValiantKnight I am attending a 5-day ANA workshop in June, to learn about the Byzantines and their coinage. So I might end up a fan!