A tentative step into Byzantine waters... Byzantine Empire: Constantine V/Leo IV/Leo III, 741-775 AE Follis: 17.9mm, 2.09g; Syracuse Mint: 751-775 Obv.: Constantine V, bearded (on left) and Leo IV, beardless (on right) standing facing, each wearing crown and chlamys, and holding akakia; between their heads, cross; to left, K; to right, Λ / Є / W / N. Rev.: Leo III, bearded, standing facing, wearing crown and chlamys, and holding cross potent; to left, Λ / Є / O / N; to right, Δ / Є / C / Π. Reference: Sear 1569; Berk 864; Spahr 335; Anastasi 437; DO III 19 This is a tough coin to light for a good pic - seems like any combination of angles highlights certain details while hiding others. I've been comparing my coin to a couple on Wildwinds for the sake of learning the design... My example doesn't seem any better or worse than any I've found on the web. Apparently it's the kind of coin where you need a few choice pieces to illustrate all the devices.
Thanks - it's actually so dark it's almost black. I had to lighten it up to see anything in an image.
I had a feeling that coin might pique your interest. I need to find a way to photograph my coin so that it looks like yours - that's much closer to the true color.
Wish those were my photos; they're the seller's. Not that mine are bad; they just take a good amount of effort for me to get it right (or at least really, really close, with the color, detail), but when I do....
Those are great pics, VK. They really capture the character of the coins. If the dealer's pic of my Follis was any good, I wouldn't bother trying to retake it. I would be very satisfied with a pic like yours.
Nice pick-up, JA => yah, I don't have any coins from that century, "yet" ... Oh, and great coins too, Jango => that era is definitely your wheelhouse, eh?
Middle period is an unusual place to start Byzantine because so many of the coins are crude and hard to read. Most of us start with the big M bronzes or the cup shaped coins and work into the Constantine V period later if ever. I never really got into them perhaps for that reason you mention. I can take several coins to see what there was to see.
My example CONSTANTINE V (741 - 775 A.D.) AE Follis O: Two half-length figures facing, Constantine V on left, bearded, Leo IV on right, beardless, each wearing chlamys and crown with cross, holding in right hand akakia. Between heads, cross. To left, ; To right, /// R: Half-length figure of Leo III facing, bearded, wearing chlamys and crown with cross, holding in right hand, cross potent on base. To left, ///; To right, /// Syracuse 2.3g 19mm S.1569
