Something came over me this year and I suddenly found myself really wanting some Byzantine Coins. Perhaps their unique art and increasing use of Greek lettering allowed my brain some cherished novelty? I also read the Sear book and watched some histories on that long conquered Roman empire that I knew almost nothing about. In any case, since that revelation, I've accumulated the following, posted in Sear number order. Justinian I Follis (540/1 - Year 14), Constantinople mint, Obv: DN IVSTINIANVS PP AVG, helmeted, cuirassed bust facing holding cross on globe and shield; cross to right. Rev: Large M, ANNO to left, cross above, XIIII (date) to right, A below, CON in exergue, Sear 163 Leo V AD 813-820, Æ Follis (21.59mm, 5.48 grams) Constantinople Mint; Obv: LЄ-OҺ ЬASIL, crowned and draped bust facing, holding cross potent and akakia; Rev: Large M, [X/X/X] to left, cross above, N/N/N to right, A (officina) below, Sear 1629 Leo V AD 813-820, AE Follis (23mm, 4.43 grams) Constantinopolis; LEON S CONST; facing busts of Leo (l.) and Constantine (r.); Large M between XXX and NNN; cross above and A below; Sear 1630 Theophilus (AD 829-842) Æ Follis; Constantinople mint; AD 830-842; Obv:ΘEOFIL bASIL; Half-length figure standing facing, holding labarum and globus cruciger; Rev: ΘEO / FILE AVG / OVSTE SV / hICAS in four lines; 27.66mm; 7.46 grams; Sear 1667 Post your own Byzantines, please!
Nice additions. Byzantines can be a lot of fun, especially once you read/learn the history. Justinian I (527 - 565 A.D.) Æ Follis O: DN ISTINI-ANVS PP AVG Helmeted and cuirassed bust of Justinian facing, holding globus cruciger and a shield. R: Large M, cross above, ANNO left, regnal year XXXI right, G ( = officina 3 ) below, THEUP in ex. Theoupolis - Antiochia 18.64g 32mm SB 220
Every Byzantine collection should have a silver Hexagram of emperor Heraclius. Silver Hexagrams were produced during the Persian and Arab invasions of the Eastern Roman Empire. Apparently, these coins were minted using silver plates confiscated from churches and monasteries. All Hexagrams bore the legend “May God save the Romans.” The silver Hexagrams of Heraclius were often crudely engraved and weakly struck, which reflected the turmoil within the Empire. It was during Heraclius’s reign that the Eastern Roman Empire evolved into the medieval Byzantine Empire: Heraclius & Heraclius Constantine AR Hexagram. Constantinople mint Obv: Heraclius and Heraclius Constantine seated facing on double throne, each holding globus cruciger. δδ NN ҺЄRACILЧS ЄT ҺЄRA CONST. Rev: Cross potent set upon globus set upon three steps; K to right. δЄЧS AδIЧTA ROMANIS. SB 798.
Justinian I, half-follis, Antioch mint (4th officina) 528-539 Justinian I, half-follis, Antioch mint, 550-551
