In my quest to finish all of the coins of John Comnenus I (1118-1143) I managed to get the last of the three types I needed for his Electrum Aspron Trachy series. This one was minted in Thessalonica and what makes it notable different from the other two types minted in Constantinople is the labarum on the reverse between St. George and John II. SBCV-1951, The hardest of the three Electrum Aspron trachy to acquire, bit worn, bit battered but I like it, The coin is 4.1gm and 29.95mm Interesting note for John II coinage, he was the one who introduced St. George to his coins and St. Demetrius. Coins were used to send the population a message like the days of old but instead of deities, Saints were put on coins to send the message. These Saints were picked because of their warrior skills, he used them to remind the population and its neighbors ( Especially the Latin Crusaders) that the empire was Militarily strong. I did get another, a hyperpyron I was seeking in todays Nauman auction but I will share it when I get it ( Takes like a month with them.) I lost out on two others, decided to wait , I am sure other auctions will present the opportunity to acquire them and finish off my collection of his coins.
