Beautiful Byzantines

Thanks, glad to hear that!
John

 

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An attractive class B.

 

That is a good looking portrait.

 

Just in:
This thing is graded MS 4/5 5/5 !!!!! Looks like its been thru a siege.

AV Hyperypron ND Constantinople Mint 24mm. 4.33g. .600
Byzantine Empire Restored to City Walls
Michael IX/ Andronicus II 1282-1382
Virgin Mary inside City Walls/ Turks outside!
Christ Crowning Michael IX/ Andronicus waiting his turn.

 

Ditto. The MS labeling on these coins are really misleading. The best you can do is to see if you can get a good strike with several of the features showing, regardless of what NGC states. I was looking at those coins myself and was tempted, but decided to pass. There seems to be a few of these coming to light and I am going to wait a bit. Here is one of mine that I purchased a while ago:

Byzantine Empire: Andronicus II Palaeologus with Michael IX (1295-1320) AV Hyperpyron, Thessalonica (Sear 2396v; Bendall 207.2)
Obv: Bust of the Virgin, orans, within city walls with six groups of towers
Rev: Christ standing facing, crowning Andronicus and Michael kneeling to either side

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought when it came to ancients being graded and slabbed, they were given strike ratings like 4/5, 5/5, etc... I don't recall seeing them ever given grades like "MS". Could just be that I haven't seen many ancients in plastic to know one way or another.

 

Actually, they come in: different strike/ surface ratios 1/5-5/5
and in grades....plus of course AU/EF/VF/F/G and it subgrades CH/GEM

MS
MS-CH
MS-GEM

 

Yours is beautifull, best example I have ever seen fot type!

 

These came recently from my super generous Secret Saturnalia benefactor. My first Byzantine coins, and I fear it may start a new addiction...

 

Black Friar, thank you for your kind words. Our northern Kentucky/Cincinnati ancients club has been meeting for 40 years. While I love the members as family after all these decades, I have to monthly endure their good hearted teasing about my strange "Byzantine" tastes!

 

Thank you, Quant., for your kind words. I very much enjoy seeing your coins as well, and those from other wonderful collectors on Cointalk! I wish the internet existed when I was young, and knew no other ancient enthusiasts!

 

I found this tet of Alexius many years ago. Still one of my favorites.

 

Very nice condition for that issue, even though it was minted in very large quantities it is difficult to find that nice. Most cut off the cross and the letters at the top of the cross.
This same issue was imitated in the 13th century ( Yours is not an imitation.) The imitations tend to be very light under 1gm and much cruder.

 

I was given a deal on it and am quite happy. I looked at your Forum collection, quite excellent. Good fortune is always appreciated. I have others, the Manuel I is really is my best. The attached Alexius I is also a treasure.

 

I finally finished my John II coin collection, this one was not the last but a favorite.
SBCV-1940 30.57mm 4.3gm , Ancient graffiti on the reverse. Minted in Constantinople.

 

Haven't really gotten deep in Byzantine gold, but seeing some of @panzerman, @BenSi, and others coins makes me want to reconsider!

 

There are still some great bargins to be found, if you know your attributions. Just picked up this Tiberius III follis that was misattributed as a Constantine IV follis. These coins are literally dogs due to poor striking and overstrikes. I haven't been able to determine the host coin yet...

Byzantine Empire: Tiberius III Apsimar (698-705) Æ Follis, Constantinople (Sear 1366; DOC II.8; MIB 73)
Obv: DTibЄRI-ЧƧPЄ-AV or similar; Bust facing, with short beard, wearing crown with cross on circlet and cuirass, and holding spear diagonally, across his body and shield with horseman device
Rev: Large M; cross above, to left, A/N/N/O, to right, regal year; Γ below; CON in exergue

 

Okay , this is the first time this little one got photographed. It is about 15mm but it still has remarkable detail and a pleasing patina. It is on a small flan and a little off center for OBV.

John II half tetarteron. Minted in Thessalonica.