Auction win: Anastasius

Hi all,

During the course of my reading on ancient history I came upon an interesting character, Anastasius. Here is a snippet from wikipedia:

"Anastasius I (Latin: Flavius Anastasius Augustus, Greek: Ἀναστάσιος; c. 431 – 9 July 518) was Eastern Roman Emperor from 491 to 518. His reign was characterized by substantive accomplishments, which were representative of emerging patterns of government, economy, and bureaucracy in the Eastern Roman empire.[1] In addition, Anastasius I is known for leaving the imperial government with a sizable budget surplus due to minimization of government corruption, reforms to the tax code, and the introduction of a new form of currency.[2]

Anastasius is famous for showing an uncommon interest in administrative efficiency and issues concerning the economy.[9] Firstly, whenever it was possible in governmental transactions, he altered the method of payment from goods to hard currency. This practice decreased the potential for embezzlement and the need for transportation and storage of supplies. It also allowed for easier accounting.[2] The emperor applied this practice to taxes as well — he mandated that taxes be paid with cash rather than with goods.[2] He also eliminated the practice of providing soldiers with their arms and uniforms; instead he allotted each soldier a generous amount of money that was more than enough to pay for arms and uniforms.[2] These alterations to imperial policy seem to have worked exceptionally well; taxpayers often faced a lesser amount of taxes than they had before and the government gained revenue.[2] Importantly, the increase in revenue allowed the emperor to pay soldiers a higher wage, which attracted native Byzantine soldiers to the military (as opposed to the unreliable Barbarian and Isaurian groups that some previous emperors were forced to rely on).[17] In general, given these alterations to governmental policy and their positive effect on governmental revenue, Anastasius is often cited for his "prudent management" of the empire's finances.[18]

Yet amidst all these reforms, Anastasius I continued the practice of selling official positions.[1] In fact, he sold enough official positions that he has been accused of having facilitated the creation of a civilian aristocracy; a claim that is strengthened by the growth in influence of families that often held high level positions in the government such as the Appiones from Egypt.[1] Anastasius I also gave official positions to his close friend general Celer, his brother-in-law, his brother, his nephews, and his grand-nephews.[1] This can be considered noteworthy given that the emperor seems to have minimized government corruption/inefficiency in other areas.

In addition, the main elements of the complex monetary system of the early Byzantine Empire, which suffered a partial collapse in the 5th century, were revived by Emperor Anastasius I (491–518) in 498. The new system involved three denominations of gold (the solidus and its half and third) and five of copper (the follis, worth 40 nummi and its fractions down to a nummus). It would seem that the new forms of currency quickly became an important part of trade with other regions. Indeed, a follis coin has been found as far as the Charjou desert in the middle of the Amudarya.[19] It also appears that some Byzantine trading partners may have attempted to replicate coins of Anastasius; a theory strengthened by the fact that four solidi from his reign have been recovered as far from the Byzantine Empire as China. China might seem an unlikely trading partner, but the Byzantines and the Chinese were probably able to do business via Central Asian merchants traveling along the Silk Roads.[19] Thus, the currency created by Anastasius proved to circulate widely and retain influence well after his reign."



When I saw this coin come up for auction it looked imperfect and therefore in need of a good home. The portrait has a kind of ugly charm for me, and though the flan is irregular I liked the overall appearance of the coin. It has clear legends and an interesting image on the reverse. This will make a nice addition to my historical figures collection.

Please post your coins of Anastasius or any Byzantine coins you like.

Anastasius I (491-518), Semissis, Constantinople, c. 507-518, 2.00g, 17mm. Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right / Victory seated right, inscribing shield set on knee; star to left, staurogram to lower right; CONOB. MIBE 10; DOC 9; S. 7. Very fine.

 

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Nice gold, I like the reverse.


Anastasius (491-518)
Æ Follis, "Small Module"
O: DN ANASTASIVS P P AVG, diademed, draped, cuirassed bust right.
R:Large M, cross above, CON in ex.
Constantinople Mint
25mm
12.65g
Sear 14 DO 16

 

He saved up 23 million Solidii in gold then Justinian came along and spent all of it

also he was the oldest Roman/Byzantine Emperor at 87 or 88 when he died...

My follis of him

a big one at 17.1g + 36mm

 

Interesting guy!

I have a follis of his from a mixed Byz lot purchased a few years ago. It's not that bad considering it was from a large lot.


Anastasius I, CE 491-518
AE follis, 33 mm, 17.0 gm
Constantinople mint, CE 512-517
Obv: DN ANASTASIVS P P AVG, pearl diademed, draped, cuirassed bust right
Rev: Large M, star to left, cross above, star to right, officina letter below, mintmark CON
Ref: SB 39

 

He was a very busy man indeed. Nice Semissis @Orfew

Anastasius
491 to 498 AD
Mint: Constantinople
AE Nummus
Obvs: Diademed bust right.
Revs: Monogram of Anastasius.
8mm, 0.92g
And my closest to op

Tiberius II Constantine
578 to 582 AD
Mint: Constantinople
AV Tremissis
Obvs: δ M COSTANTINVS P P AV, Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Revs: ЧICTOR TIbЄRI AЧG, Cross potent. CONOB
16x18mm, 1.49g

 

@David@PCC

I really like that tremissis of Tiberius II.

 

The last Roman emperor to bring the fight to the barbarians on their own turf.

Maurice Tiberius, Byzantine Empire
AV solidus
Obv: D N mAVRC TIb PP AVC, diademed, helmeted, and cuirassed bust facing, holding globus cruciger in left hand
Rev: VICTORI-A AVGG ∆, Victory standing facing, holding long staff surmounted with staurogram in left hand and globus cruciger in right hand
Mint: Constantinople
Mintmark: CONOB
Date:582-602 AD
Ref: SB 476
Size: 4.29 g., 21 mm wide

 

@ValiantKnight

What a gorgeous coin and a great photo too! The reverse is terrific.

 

cool new coin orfew...your starting a bit of a gold byzantine collection aren't you?

here's my favorite coin of this fellow...



Anastasius I, Half Follis, 491-518 AD

O: Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right, D N ANASTASIVS P P AVC R: K, cross in left field flanked by N and I Nikomedia mint SB-38, 21 mm 4.5g

 

A little worn, but I like it

Byzantine Empire
Anastasius I, r. 491-518 (498-518)
Constantinople Mint, AE Half Follis, 19.37 mm x 4.3 grams
Obv.: DN ANASTA-SIVS PP AVG, pearl diademed, draped, cuirassed bust right
Rev.: Large K, long cross to left, star above, A right, star below
Ref.: SBCV 24
Ex. DC Collection

 

Very nice!

 

Great coins everyone! It's interesting to note that Anastasius' foremost monetary reform, as late as the 5th century, had to do with transitioning from barter to hard currency. We forget that, despite all the billions of coins minted in ancient history, the common man still relied heavily on exchanging goods and services for goods and services.

 

My small module contribution...

Anastasius (491-518 AD)
AE Small Module 40 nummis (Follis)
Nikomedia mint
struck 498-507 AD
23.8 mm x 12.43 grams
Obverse: Diademed bust of Anastasius- DN ANASTASIVS AV
Reverse: Large M flanked by Stars, Delta Officina - NIC, cross above
ref# SB32
Note: Chocolate

 

...and this guy...in the name of Anastasius...

Sirmium,Serbia
Ostrogoths (Gepids)
Theodoric in the name of Anastasius (AD 491-518)
AR Fractional Siliqua
16 mm x 0.64 grams
Obverse: Diademed draped bust right. - DNANASTASIVSPAV
Reverse: Monogram of Theodoric ♰ ROMANI*VINVICTA
Ref: Wroth 74
Note: Full legend, sharp details, clipped (common for type)

 

My first ever gold coin, an Anastasius tremissis. Parted with it last year but I am glad that it stayed within the CT family (I think @Eng has it?).

 

Zeno (r 474-491 AD) (Predecessor of Anastasius I) Gold Solidus.

Obverse: Pearled-diademed head, helmeted, bust facing, spear in right hand over right shoulder, shield decorated with horseman riding, DN ZENO- PERP AVG
Reverse: VICTORI A AVGGGE, Victory standing left, long jewelled cross in right hand, star in right field.



Unfortunately having scuff to face and damage to edge.

Zeno the Isaurian (/ˈziːnoʊ/; Latin: Flavius Zeno Augustus; Greek: Ζήνων; c. 425 – 9 April 491), originally named Tarasis Kodisa Rousombladadiotes /ˈtærəsᵻs/, was Byzantine Emperor from 474 to 475 and again from 476 to 491. Domestic revolts and religious dissension plagued his reign, which nevertheless succeeded to some extent in foreign issues. His reign saw the end of the Western Roman Empire under Romulus Augustus, but he contributed much to stabilizing the eastern Empire.

 

Justin I. (r 518-527 AD). Successor of Anastasius I. Gold solidus.





Obv: D N IVSTI-NVS PP AVC, helmeted and cuirassed bust of Justin I facing slightly right, holding spear over shoulder and shield.
Rev: VICTORI-A AVGGG, Angel standing facing, holding long cross and globus cruciger; star to right; //CONOB.

Justin I (Latin: Flavius Iustinus Augustus, Ancient Greek: Ἰουστίνος; 2 February 450 – 1 August 527) was Eastern Roman Emperor from 518 to 527. He rose through the ranks of the army and ultimately became Emperor, in spite of the fact he was illiterate and almost 70 years old at the time of accession. His reign is significant for the founding of the Justinian Dynasty that included his eminent nephew Justinian I and for the enactment of laws that de-emphasized the influence of the old Roman nobility. His consort was Empress Euphemia.

 

Orfew => congrats on your OP-score

Ummm, but this is my only Anastasius example (it's a wee bit damaged) ...

Syracuse Overstrike (Heraclius/Anastasius), AE34
HERACLIUS Overstruck on Anastasius follis
622 AD

 

That drawing image of Anastasius in the OP must be somehow wrong as Anastasius was beardless. I think i read once that all Byzantine emperors were beardless until Phocas introduced the beard as fashion and after that it was the rule than exception that an Emperor had beard. One exeption was Empress Irene.

Follis of Anastasius:



A deca-nummi, sear 26: the size the same as a little fingernail. (it is even smaller and lesser fabric than a pentanummi of Justin I and Justinian. Weird)