Yesterday, I went to HJB and bought these Folles minted in Syracuse. I find them interesting because of their "squarish" shape, and how they contrast with ancient Greek coins from Syracuse. Haven't measured them yet. All pictures courtesy HJB. Roman Empire East, Constans II & Constantine IV, AE Follis 4.67 g Sicily, Syracuse, 659-663 AD DOC II (Dumbarton Oaks Collection, Vol 2, Part 2, p. 497) Follis Class 6, 181; Sear (Byzantine) 1110; MIB 210; Anastasi 204; Berk 697; Monogram 35 (Sear) TKw Obv.: Anepigraphic. Constans II and Constantine IV, standing facing, both wearing crowns. Constans (on l.) with long beard, in military attire holds long cross; his son, Constantine (on r.), beardless, wearing chlamys, holds globus cruciger. Rev.: Reverse: Large M with monogram (Sear 35) above, flanked by standing figures to either side of Heraclius (on l.), beardless, standing facing, wearing crown and chlamys, similar figure of Tiberius (on r.) each holding globus cruciger. Mint mark SCL in exergue. The mintmark SCL is for SECILLIA (Sicily). The monogram TKw on coins was introduced by Constans and Constantinus IV continued to use it on his coinage. Byzantine monograms are available here: https://www.forumancientcoins.com/numiswiki/view.asp?key=Monogram Roman Empire East, Constantine IV, AE Follis Sicily, Syracuse, 674-681 AD 2.95 g DOC II (Dumbarton Oaks Collection, Vol 2, Part 2, p. 555) Follis Class 3, 62; MIB 105; Berk 740; Sear(Byzantine) 1209; Monogram 35 (Sear) TKw Ob.: Anepigraphic. Constantine IV standing facing, wearing helmet and cuirass and holding spear. Rev.: Large M between facing standing figures of Heraclius on l. and Tiberius on r. each wearing crown and chlamys, and holding globus cruciger; above M, imperial monogram ; Mint mark SCL in exergue. Roman Empire East, Constantine IV, AE Follis Sicily, Syracuse, 674 -681 AD 5.15 g DOC II (Dumbarton Oaks Collection, Vol 2, Part 2, p. 555) Follis Class 2, 61; Sear(Byzantine) 1208; Monogram 35 (Sear) TKw; MIB 106; Berk 741 Ob.: Anepigraphic. Bust of Constantine IV ¾ facing, with short beard, wearing cuirass and helmet with cross, plume, and diadem, crown and holding spear over his r. shoulder and shield with horseman device on his l. shoulder. Rev.: Large M between facing standing figures of Heraclius on l. and Tiberius on r. each wearing crown and holding cross on globe; above M, imperial monogram TKw ; in exergue. Mint mark SCL in exergue. Please share your "squarish" Follis or anything you like to share
@Victor_Clark Thank you so much for the correction, I appreciate it very much. You're not pedantic at all. As you can see, my Latin is practically non existent
Those are wonderful folles! Very choice. One of the last auctions conducted by Roma Numismatics featured a nice run of Byzantine bronze coins, some very rare. I focused mostly on the Syracusan folles as they were the most numerous and "affordable". I actually acquired a few of these in the after sale, something that Roma did on a regular basis for unsold coins, which I miss! Constans II half follis. Syracuse, dated IY 10 (AD 651/2). MIB 212; Sear 1113. 2.73 grams Constans II, follis, Syracuse, dated IY 11 ( AD 652/3). DOC 179; Sear 1108. 4.76 grams Constantine IV, Heraclius, Tiberius, follis. Syracuse, AD 674-681. DOC 61; Sear 1208. 3.97 grams Justinian II, follis, 2nd reign, Syracuse, IY 5 (AD 706/7). Cf. BCI 665 variety (no stars); Sear 1299 (1st reign). 4.18 grams Nicephorus I, Stauracius, Æ Nummus. Syracuse, AD 803-811. DOC 10; Spahr 355; Sear 1612. 3.24 grams Leo V the Armenian, Constantine, Æ 40 Nummi. Syracuse, AD 813-820. Spahr 374; Sear 1637. 4.27 grams
You have a wonderful selection @robinjojo Thank you so much for sharing. Do you know why the shape of many of this coinage is not round but "squarish"?
I don't really know. Generally speaking Byzantine bronze run the circuit for flan size and shape over the centuries. One possible explanation could be that the flans varied in shape to accommodate the obverse and reverse dies, but that's just an idea of mine. The changes in flan shapes can be seen at the larger mints as well over time. It seems that the reform folles of Justinian I devolved over time, with less care on the minting process. Arguably the "pinnacle" of Byzantine bronze coinage could be said to be the early reform folles of Justinian I, with their large module flans, quite round and nice strikes. Justinian I, follis, Antioch, Year 13 (539/40 AD). 22.7 grams It could be that the bubonic plague that hit the empire starting in 541 AD, as well as the ongoing wars and upheaval, might have had an effect on minting coins, as it also had with other aspects of society at large. That plague is estimated to have killed around 25 million people in the sixth century AD. Justinian I, follis, Constantinople, year 20 546/47 AD). Sear163 21.29 grams Heraclius, follis, Constantinople, RY 24 officina Γ. MIB 164b 6.29 grams Constantine IV, Follis, 668-685 AD. 17.3 grams
