Basil I, Byzantine emperor, 867-886

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Valentinian, Mar 2, 2021.

  1. Valentinian

    Valentinian Well-Known Member

    Basil I was Byzantine emperor from 867 to 886. He founded the "Macedonian Dynasty" which lasted almost 200 years, until 1056.

    Here is one of his AE coin types, a recent acquisition:

    SB1709Basil2006.jpg

    Basil I, alone. Struck 879-886.
    28-27 mm. 7.01 grams.
    +bASILIO S bASILЄVS
    Basil in loros on throne with curved arms ("winged throne")
    +bASIL
    IOS ЄҺΘЄC
    bASILЄVS
    ROMEOҺ

    Sear 1709. DO 12.

    I wrote up the story on my page about Basil I:
    http://augustuscoins.com/ed/Byz/Basil.html
    It is interesting, I assure you. His second son and successor was Leo VI, so if you have one of those common coins, you might like to read it.

    For an introduction to Byzantine coins, see:
    http://augustuscoins.com/ed/Byz/index.html

    Show us something Byzantine!
     
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  3. dougsmit

    dougsmit Member

    I'll tack on two coins of Basil I that are a bit different. First is an AE18 from the Cherson mint with a large B on exergual line on the obverse and cross on three steps reverse. Sear 1718. The coin comes without the obverse pellets and only two steps for those into varieties.
    rz0420bb0598.jpg

    My solidus of Basil and Constantine is gold over copper fourree and the reverse legend does not match listings so I assume this is a mule that I am not recognizing. I bought this coin from an estate in 1990 so those of you who recognize this pairing are asked to correct my 30 year ignorance. Please.
    rz0430bb0431.jpg
     
    IanG, Quant.Geek, tibor and 6 others like this.
  4. furryfrog02

    furryfrog02 Well-Known Member

    All three of those are great examples! That is an absolutely beautiful Basil 1 @Valentinian !
    And that fouree is really interesting @dougsmit ! It close to this one but definitely has a different legend on the side of Jesus.
    https://www.wildwinds.com/coins/byz/basil_I/sb1704.jpg


    I don't have a Basil, though I have been on the hunt for an example. But I do have an example of his successor, Leo VI, the Wise.

    Leo VI
    AE Follis
    Constantinople
    Obverse: LEON bASILEVS ROM, crowned bust facing with short beard, wearing chlamys, holding akakia
    Reverse: LEON EN QEO BA SILEVS R OMEON legend in four lines
    Leo VI The Wise, Follis.png
     
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  5. Only a Poor Old Man

    Only a Poor Old Man Well-Known Member

    That is a great follis @Valentinian .

    I have one of his successor as well.

    leocombo2.jpg

    Plus one from just further down the line:

    zoecombo2.jpg
     
    IanG, Quant.Geek, tibor and 4 others like this.
  6. arnoldoe

    arnoldoe Well-Known Member

    I think its just a messed up legend
     
  7. Quant.Geek

    Quant.Geek Well-Known Member

    Here are a few of my Basil I coins that hasn't been posted yet...

    Sear-1708.jpg
    Byzantine Empire: Basil I the Macedonian (867-886) AR Miliaresion, Constantinople (Sear 1708)
    Obv: IhSЧS XRISτЧS hICA; Cross potent set on three steps on globe
    Rev: +bASI/ LIOS CЄ/ COnSTAn/TIn PISTV/ bASILIS/ ROMEO in 6 lines


    Sear-1712.jpg
    Byzantine Empire: Basil I the Macedonian (867-886) Æ Follis, Constantinople (Sear 1712; DOC 11)
    Obv: Crowned facing half-length figures of Basil, wearing loros and holding akakia, flanked by Leo and Constantine, each wearing chlamys
    Rev: + ЬASIL / COҺSTAҺ / T S LЄOҺ ЄҺ / ΘO ЬASILS / ROMЄOҺ in five lines; ✷ below


    This poor tattered coin came in a lot that I bought a while ago:
    Sear-1721.jpg

    Byzantine Empire: Basil I the Macedonian (867-886) Æ Follis, Constantinople (Sear 1721; DOC III 8b)

    Obv: + ЬASILIOSSCOҺST' AЧGG; Two busts facing, Basil to left, bearded, Constantine to right, smaller, beardless, each wearing chlamys and crown with cross, holding between them by their right hands a labarum ornamented with ⁛ and streamers
    Rev: + ЬASIL / SCOҺSTAҺ / TIҺOSЄҺΘO / ЬASILSЄISR / OMAOҺ in five lines
     
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