Hi all Been a while between posts. I've been reading threads, but not posting much. However, I did want to share this little win. One of my goals for 2021 is to expand my Eastern Roman Empire collection from 1 page (10 coins) to 2 pages (20 coins). I have been making good progress, securing an Aspron Trachy, my long time white whale, along with a 395 to 401 Arcadius Nummus minted in Constantinople (which I haven't posted yet), and a very late 2020 purchase - an AR Basilikon to get 2021 on the right path . So, I have now added Manuel II to the 2021 expansion. Manuel II was a soldier, statesman, Eastern Roman Emperor, and finally a monk, shortly before his death in 1425. He was the third last Emperor of the Romans. Through diplomacy, Manuel II navigated an uneasy peace with the Ottomans, and managed to regain Thessaloniki. Through his diplomatic approach, he ultimately delayed the inevitable collapse of the empire by half a century. 1/2 Stavraton Manuel II Palaeologus AR 1/2 Stavraton. Constantinople, AD 1403-1425. Nimbate bust of Christ Pantokrator facing; IC-XC above pellet topped star and pellet across fields / Facing bust of Manuel; pellet in left and right fields. DOC 1419 (same dies); Bendall 21; Sear 2551 corr. (denomination). 3.65g, 20mm, 6h. Post your late Eastern Roman Empire coins! Cheers AC
John VIII Palaiologos, Byzantine Empire AR stavraton Obv: IC-XC, Facing bust of Christ, surrounded by eight dots Rev: IWANHC DECPOTIC O PALEOLOGOC QV XAPITI AVTOKPATOP in two lines around nimbate facing bust of the emperor, dot to left and right Mint: Constantinople Date: 1425-1448 Ref: SB 2563 Size: 6.66 gr. John VIII Palaiologos, Byzantine Empire AR half-stavraton Obv: IC-XC, Facing bust of Christ Rev: IWANHC DECPOTIC Q PALEOLOGOC, nimbate facing bust of the emperor Mint: Constantinople Date: 1425-1448 Ref: SB 2565 Size: 3.3 gr.
Nice coin! I don't have anything from the late Byzantine Empire yet - but no doubt i will eventually, as the affordable options for my remaining Western Roman Empire portrait series grow ever slimmer, enabling me to concentrate on the much cheaper Byzantine rulers.
Congratulations @AussieCollector. That's a nice example. I like the shape, the color, the centering, the strike, and the overall appearance of your coin. @ValiantKnight those are nice examples. Here is my John VIII stavraton. This was one of my "whale" coins. I finally got one this year. Byzantine John VIII AR Stavraton, Minted 1425 AD To 1448 AD, Constantinople Mint, Sear 2563, Maximum Diameter = 23 mm, Weight = 6.76 grams, Obverse Has Bust Of Jesus Christ Facing Forward, Reverse Has Bust Of John VIII Facing Forward
You have TWO John VIII's???? Nice Thank you! ERE certainly isn't for the faint of heart, especially in the later years. That said, once you accept what they are, they have a certain charm and are very addictive. Lovely coin @sand And thanks for your comments on mine. I like it too, nicely centred, and quite decent detail. The rev (obv??) is a little crude, and lightly struck, but it's also not overly flattened, like many examples. So I'm happy
