A month after acquiring my first Tiberius Apsimar, a decrepit placeholder, Sear 1395 Syracuse Follis. I came upon this: Tiberius III. Solidus, Off. B. Büste mit Speer und Schild von vorn / Stufenkreuz. 4.46 g. GOLD Sehr schön - vorzüglich Many thanks to the folks at the firm of Dr. Busso Peus, who went out of their way to be helpful; really, really out of their way. The coin's purchase has a somewhat convoluted beginning. The below Divus Augustus As is the coin I initially purchased on the Peus Vcoins store. I was informed that the coin was sold, and A led to B, and eventually I ended up buying the Apsimar. I lost out on a coin with a lovely portrait and a nice patina, but I ended up with a coin I really love. It's my second most expensive coin to date, but I consider it a good deal and it's a scarce emperor. The fields are far more mirror-like than any of my other gold coins (the Apsimar is now my favorite gold coin). There's probably very little wear, but the flat/double strike is what made the coin hang around and become more affordable. (above: the coin I didn't get) Insofar as the history of Apsimar himself, I'm not much on doing writeups, but there's someone who can tell it far better than I; The History of Byzantium podcast. https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/b53d3462-8bc8-46b5-875c-99d8b173ed52 #54, 65 and 66 are the relevant ones to the story of Apsimar, especially 66. He came to a Game of Thrones-type end, so I recommend listening.
I wonder if the double strike contributed to the mirror-like fields? It was fun to trawl through the inventory of Dr. Busso Peus to find a coin within my price range. Several were noted for later. There were some archaic-era examples of types I've admired, but I didn't really love them. The Apsimar the Admiral was the one for me. Again, thanks to Dr. Haymann and the folks there. I'll also have to head over to Wildwinds or break out my Sear to see what number the Tiberius is. I listened to another very compelling episode of The History of Byzantium today, the one about the battle of Pliska. On the Rome front; I've been listening to the years leading to, and including, Actium. It seems like Antony really bungled that one.
Thanks! If I have time this weekend, I'll try to photograph my Heraclius from 'Jerusalem' or military mint. Apsimar evidently had good taste; his bust types are really neat. Too bad he got beheaded. (by another Byzantine emperor I love to collect).
Did anyone happen to listen to the History of Byzantium podcast? It really is quite addicting. Sigh, I'm down to the odds and ends episodes and the decline of Byzantium - post-1071. Oh, and per the coin, if one's ordering from Dr. Busso Peus do so from the website, not from vcoins. The vcoins listings aren't always kept up to date. At least my vcoins 'disappointment' led to one of my favorite coins and a repeat customer. A side effect was that I'm also more comfortable with DHL Express for delivery.
