I have some new ones on route, they will go in a different thread but in the meantime I knew this was misattributed as Manuel I Comnenus , I am thinking its a bit later John III, any ideas?
I think this is our old friend the copper version of the John III Vatatzes Hyperpyron Sear 2073. These things appear in many guises with various fancy patinas (even gold plated) and seem to be modern. Ross G.
Bummer, I did not think of that, I was caught up trying to figure out what is was, it will go back to the auction house. I got it because I thought it was interesting puzzle. Thanks for your insight @JohnnyC Here is an example of the real coin Ross referred to.
After much hunting, I finally picked up a Serbian trachy. Its not pretty, but these are extremely rare in "stellar" condition. Serbia didn't issue that many trachaea and only three types are known, all issued by Stefan Radoslav and all are extremely rare. Serbia: Stefan Radoslav (1228–1234) Æ Trachy (Jovanovic 3.4; Ivanisevic 1.4) Obv: Nimbate Christ enthroned facing, wearing tunic and pallium, raising his right hand in benediction and holding book of Gospels in his left; in field to left and right, IC - XC Rev: Θ KONCTANT CTEΦANOC PIZ; Stefan Radoslav standing facing on the left, holding akakia in his right hand, and St. Constantine standing facing on the right, holding cruciform scepter in his left hand; both holding between them long patriarchal cross Dim: 33 mm, 2.35 g, 6 h
My guess is it was a counterfeiting measure- creating such a die and then striking correctly must have been a hidden secret, since there’s still speculation today I think.
Until we find something written in regard to the making of the denomination it is only theory. Hopefully some written documentation will come to light. Here is a new addition to my collection, a very nice Manuel I Comnenus . It still has silvering on the reverse.
...Not to mention some Solid legend!!! Trachea with this much, especially including the emperor's name, always make me sit up. ...But no, silvering is off the radar for me.
This tiny coin took a lot of time for analysis, and it has been laying around for a while, but I finally got an ID! Bulgarian Empire: Anonymous (ca. 13th century) Æ Trachy (Raduchev & Zhekov 1.17.11) Obv: Half-length figure of emperor; holds in right hand scepter with circular disk, and in left, globus cruciger Rev: Blank or patriarchal cross with smaller crosses on each corner