I've recently encountered a most interesting coin. I got intreged by it, but was unable to identify it.. If anyone can identify this peice and perhapse direct me to some sort of a coin catalog where I can find information about this coin, I'd appretiate it. Thanks in advance! The coin:
Hello leo44 For sure it's a Byzantine coin, looks like it is in gold, solidus or trmissis depends on size and weight. I can't tell more, not being specialized in these Cucumbor
This coin is a Gold Solidus of Phocas 602-610 AD There are a couple possible attributions for it, but I can't totally be sure from the pic which one.
Brian - you could easy be right. But it's missing a letter in the reverse legend. I normally don't study these, but I do have catalogs for them. Unfortunately I only have a couple. Also, the pics I have don't show the roped beading around the edge. So it might be a variety - or it might be a fake.
You're right I could be wrong, but I'm 99% sure I'm not. Fake? Possibly. If you mean the last letter in the reverse their are various officina for this coin. I don't have the experience to tell if it's fake. Post it somewhere like ancients.info where a Byzantine collector & a bunch of dealers will see it. Here are some examples of various Phocas coins... http://www.coinarchives.com/a/results.php?results=1000&search=phocas
AnemicOak is correct.This is a typical dark ages Byzantine gold solidus of Phocas and was minted in Constantinople (CONOB).When I say typical,I don't just mean the design since 90% of these feature a cross potent (with 3 steps leading up to the base) on the reverse but the off center (and bad) strike.You'd think if you were working with such a valuable material,you'd be a bit more careful but I've seen a LOT of these 30% off the flan strikes. Here is mine and as you can see,it's not much better. yours is a variety of Sear #620.
After careful examination I figure that you're most likely right. The pictures you sent are exactly like that coin, and I'm convinced it's a Phoca. I'd like to thank you all for your assistance and I'll now try to use that site to try and figure weather it's authentic. Thanks again!
