Beautiful Byzantines

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The beat goes on.

Here are two more folles.

The first coin, the one on the left, is a follis of Heraclius (610-641 AD). This coin depicts, on the obverse, Hercalius standing left, facing, in military dress. Constantine III is standing to the right, holding a cross. A large cross is to the far left. The die is very crude, as is the flan. As a result Heraclius' beard is quite bold, but the rest of his head is basically missing.

The reverse has "XX" for the year (630 AD), CON below, and Officina Δ below the "M".

The weight is 5.4 grams (thin flan), is approximately 26.5 mm wide and the reverse orientation is 8h. SB 810, Berk 546

The second coin, to the right, is another anonymous follis of Romanus IV (1068-1071), class G. This coin came to me by way of Stephen M. Huston of San Francisco back in the late 80's. This coin weighs 11.1 grams

 

Just in....
AV Semissis ND Constantinople Mint
Constantine IV Pogonatus 668-85AD

 

Two Byzantine Justinian coins from Constantinople:


Justinian AE Follis
Bronze, 30 mm, 17.98 gm, Struck: AD 527-538, Sear 158
Obverse: Justinian facing right, D N IVSTINI-ANVS PP AVG
Reverse: Large letter 'M', star left, cross top, cross right, G under 'M', CON below (Constantinople mint)

Philip Grierson's book Catalogue of late Roman coins in the Dumbarton Oaks Collection (Dumbarton Oaks, 1992) places the Constantinople mint for bronze coins near the "Golden Gate". Gold coins were minted at the "Great Palace".


The Golden Gate, Castle of the Seven Towers, Yedikule, Istanbul


Justinian Solidus Victory
Gold, 21 mm, 4.43 gm
Struck: AD 527-537 Constantinople
Obverse: Justinian facing 1/4 right, holding spear over shoulder
Reverse: Victory standing facing holding cross and globe

There was some discussion on another forum about whether the spear the emperor is holding is an ordinary spear or the Christian holy relic, the "Holy Lance of Longinus" or "Spear of Destiny", which was the lance that a Roman soldier pierced the side of Jesus as he hung on the cross. The Spear was supposed carried into battle by the Emperor Constantine, among others.

 

A Manuel half tetarteron. SBCV-1978.

 

New one, Very rare. Its from John II Comnenus. 18.5mm and 3.6gm

 

These six imitative Arab Byzantine folles arrived today, awaiting documentation and labels.

All six are the three standing caliphs/emperors type.

 

The one in the lower right looks like it could be an official coin of Heraclius, Sear 808. It looks much better than the Sear plate coin.



Here is mine from year 15 instead of 17.

 

It could very well be. What's the character or symbol to the right of the M on the reverse? It's not Greek.

Thanks

 

The middle right coin must also be Heraclius as well, but probably a different Sear number, as it has a different reverse, without the monogram to the left of the M.

 

So I spent a little time online, visiting wildwinds.com, and looked up coinage of Heraclius. Identifying these coins wasn't much of a problem. None of them are Arab imitations.

So, here they are in order of appearance:

Top left, Sear 849, Cyprus Mint
Top right, Sear 849, Cyprus Mint
Middle left, Sear 849, Cyprus Mint
Middle right, Sear 808, Constantinople Mint
Bottom left, Sear 849, Cyprus Mint
Bottom right, Sear 808, Constantinople Mint

 

I can see where these Byzantines could easily become addictive. They come from a fascinating and rather neglected historical span of centuries. There is so much more to the history of the world than what we kids in America were taught. Kudos to you guys for enlightening us more.

 

Like this one?

On yours, John has a labarum in right hand?

 

Look closely at attire. Totally different. I have only seen less than 6 in the last twenty years. I now own two.
No sear number, DOC has it listed, one example was known then. Now I have seen a couple in collections.

Here are my two side by side. My first example is very nice. It will also give you a better look at the Emperors clothes'.



Here is a better example ( For attire.) of your coin.

 

I am fairly new to the CT message boards. I love this thread. I am working on an Byzantine Emperor's set. I realize it is a near impossible goal. But I am having a great time so far! Here is my favorite Byzantine coin I own so far....Solidus from Justinian II