30 Byzantine Coins...

[ewomack]

In July 2022, I discovered Byzantine coins. After collecting US, Japanese, Roman, medieval, and other types of coins, Byzantines grabbed me like no other series yet. I still do not fully understand why. But a pile of 10 coins turned into one of 20 and now into one of 30. Throughout, while learning both about Byzantine coins and history, I've tried to focus mostly on coins that appeal to me rather than filling holes. Given this, I have duplicates from some emperors and the collection was dispersed through time until very recently. Not surprisingly, some types proved much tougher to obtain than others, and so the motto "good enough for the type" emerged. As such, some of my less appealing examples were also among some of the most expensive. It's been a fun dive into an area of history and coinage that I once knew absolutely nothing about. So, I thought I would share the lastest "divisible by 10" collection milestone of my Byzantine pile.

Anastasius I 491 - 518
Anastasius I (491-518), Æ follis-17.41g, 33 mm, Constantinople mint; Obv: DN ANASTASIVS PP AVG, Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Anastasius right; rev: Large "M", delta below, cross above, star to each side, "COM" in exergue; Sear 19

Justin I 518 - 527
Justin I (518-527), Æ follis- 17,95 gram- 31 mm, Constantinople mint; Obv: DN IVSTINVS PP AVG, diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right; rev: Large M, below, A; *-* in fields, above cross, CON in exergue; Sear 62; MIB 11

Justinian I 527 - 565

Justinian I Follis (540/1 - Year 14), Constantinople mint, Obv: DN IVSTINIANVS PP AVG, helmeted, cuirassed bust facing holding cross on globe and shield; cross to right. Rev: Large M, ANNO to left, cross above, XIIII (date) to right, A below, CON in exergue, Sear 163

Justin II 565 - 578

Justin II & Sophie (Year 5, 569 - 570), Æ Follis, 31.4mm, 11.83g, Nicomedia, Obv: DN IVUSTINUS PP AVG Justin II and Sophie seated facing forward, each with nimbus, holding globus cruciger and cruciform scepter; Rev: ANNO U, large M surmounted by cross, with B below, NIKO in exergue, Sear 369

Tiberius II Constantine 578 - 582

Tiberius II Constantine. 578-582 AD. Æ Follis (37mm, 16,64g, 12h). Constantinople mint. Dated year 5 (578/9 AD); Obv: d M TIb CONS-TANT PP AVC, crowned facing bust in consular robes, holding mappa and eagle-tipped sceptre; Rev: Large M; cross above, ANNO to left, u to right; CONE. MIBE 25; Sear 430

Maurice Tiberius 582 - 602
Maurice Tiberius. 582-602. Æ Decanummium 17mm, 3.1g Theoupolis (Antioch) mint. Dated RY 8 (AD 589/90); Obv: blundered legend, Crowned facing bust, wearing consular robe, holding mappa and eagle-tipped scepter; Rev: Large X; cross above, R below; A/N/N/O U/III (date) across field; Sear 536

Phocas 602 - 610

Phocas (602-610), Æ Follis (33mm, 11.79g), Cyzicus, Dated RY 4 ? (605/6); Obv: δN POCAS+PERPAVG, Crowned bust facing, wearing consular robes and holding mappa and cross, small cross to left; Rev: Large XXXX, ANNO above, II/II (date) to right, KYZA, Sear 665

Heraclius 610 - 641

Heraclius (610-641), Æ Follis (30/32mm, 16,54g); Sicily, undetermined mint, 616-622; Obv: coin of Anastasius I from Constantinople countermarked by crowned and bearded bust of Heraclius facing forward wearing chlamys, with Monogram to right; Rev: SCL topped by a line within small oval, stamped below the "M" of the original coin;  MIB Km 4, Sommer 11.113. Ex Rauch 86 (2010) lot 1380, Sear 882

Constans II 641 - 668
Constans II (641-668), AE Follis / 40 Nummi, Syracuse, 652-3, AE 23-27mm. 6g. Constans standing facing, wearing crown and chlamys, holding globus cruciger in right hand; I/H/Δ to l., I/A to right / Large M; cross above; SCL. MIB 208, DOC 179, Sear 1108

Constantine IV Pogonatus 668 - 685
Constantine IV Pogonatus (668 - 685), with Heraclius and Tiberius, Æ Follis (20mm, 4.38 g). Syracuse mint; Obv: No legend, Crowned and cuirassed facing bust, holding globus cruciger; Rev: Large M, flanked by Heraclius and Tiberius standing facing; TKW monogram above, [SC]L in exergue; MIB 104; Sear 1207

Justinian II, First Reign 685 - 695

Justinian II (685 - 695), first reign, Æ Follis, Syracuse, Obv: Justinian II standing facing holding spear and globus cruciger, branch to right; Rev: Large M, monogram (Sear #38) above, C/VP/A to left, K/OV/CI to right, SCL in exergue; 25.34mm, 5.44g; Sear 1301

Leontius 695 - 698

Leontius (695 - 698), Æ Follis, Constantinople, Obv: Legend obscure, bearded bust of emperor facing, wearing crown and loros, and holding globus cruciger, small cross in right field; Rev: large M, ANNO on left, probably year 1, officinal Δ; 23-24mm, 4.01g, MIB 32 var., Sear 1334 var

Tiberius III Apsimar 698 - 705

Tiberius III Apsimar (698-705, struck 698-702), Æ Follis, Syracuse, Obv: no legend, crowned and cuirassed facing bust, holding spear and shield; star to left; Rev: Large M, monogram above (Sear Monogram #42), palm fronds flanking, SCL in exergue; 15-19mm, 2.4g; DOC 32, MIB 79, Anastasi 337, Sear 1395

Justinian II, Second Reign 705 - 711

Justinian II (705-711), second reign, Æ Follis, Constantinople, Obv: Legend obscure, crowned facing busts of Justinian and Tiberius, each wearing chlamys and holding patriarcal cross set on globe inscribed PAX; Rev: Large M, cross above, Γ below, CON in exergue; 19-20mm, 3.81g; Berk-806, MIB-43, DO-12c, Sear 1428

Leo IV 775 - 780 (or possibly Leo III 717 - 741)

Leo IV with Constantine VI (775-780), AR Miliaresion, Constantinople; Obv: ҺSЧS XRISTЧS ҺICA, cross potent set on three steps; Rev: / LЄOҺ/ S COnSτ/ AҺτIҺЄ Є/C ΘЄЧ ЬA/SILIS· in five lines; 22mm, 1.75 g, 12h; DOC 3; Sear 1585

Leo V 813 - 820

Leo V AD 813-820, Æ Follis (23mm, 4.43 grams) Constantinopolis; LEON S CONST; facing busts of Leo (l.) and Constantine (r.); Large M between XXX and NNN; cross above and A below; Sear 1630


Leo V AD 813-820, Æ Follis (23mm, 4.43 grams) Constantinopolis; LEON S CONST; facing busts of Leo (l.) and Constantine (r.); Large M between XXX and NNN; cross above and A below; Sear 1630

Michael II The Amorian 820 - 829

Michael II the Amorian (AD 820-829) with Theophilus Æ Follis; Constantinople mint; Obv: MIXAHL S ΘЄOFILOS, crowned facing busts of Michael (on left) and Theophilus (on right); cross above; Rev: Large M, X/X/X to left, cross above, N/N/N to right, Θ below; 29.12mm; 6.21 grams; Sear 1642

Theophilus 829 - 842

Theophilus (AD 829-842) Æ Follis; Constantinople mint; AD 830-842; Obv: ΘEOFIL bASIL; Half-length figure standing facing, holding labarum and globus cruciger; Rev: ΘEO / FILE AVG / OVSTE SV / hICAS in four lines; 27.66mm; 7.46 grams; Sear 1667


Theophilus (AD 829-842) Æ Follis; Constantinople mint; AD 830-842; Obv: ΘEOFIL bASIL; Half-length figure standing facing, holding labarum and globus cruciger; Rev: ΘEO / FILE AVG / OVSTE SV / hICAS in four lines; 28mm; 8.26 grams; Sear 1667

Basil I 867 - 886

Basil I (867-886) Æ Follis; Constantinople mint; Obv: +LEOh bASIL COhST AVGG, Facing half-length figures of Basil in center, Leo on left and Constantine on right, Basil wears crown and loros and holds akakia, both sons wear crown and chlamys; Rev: +bASIL COhSTAhN T S LEOhNEN QO bASIL S ROMEOh in five lines, "*" in exergue; 24mm, 7.89 grams; DOC 11.1, Sear 1713

Leo VI 886 - 912

Leo VI (AD 886-912); Constantinople; Æ Follis; Obv: +LEOn bAS - ILEVS ROM' Bust facing wearing crown and chlamys, holding akakia in l. hand; Rev: Inscription in four lines: +LEOn / Eh ΘEO bA / SILEVS R / OmEOh; 7.67g.;  Berk 918, Sear 1729


Leo VI (AD 886-912); Constantinople; Æ Follis; Obv: +LEOn bAS - ILEVS ROM* Leo enthroned facing, wearing crown and loros, and holding labarum and akakia; Rev: Inscription in four lines: +LEOn / Eh ΘEO bA / SILEVS R / OmEOh; 6.90g, 28.00 mm;  Sear 1728

Constantine VII 913 - 959

Constantine VII (913-959);Constantinople; Æ Follis; Obv: CONST bASIL ROM, crowned bust of Constantine facing, with short beard and wearing vertical loros, holding akakia and cross on globe; Rev: CONST-EN QEO bA-SILEVS R-OMEON, legend in four lines; 25mm.,5.05g; DOC 26, SB 1761

Romanus I Lacapenus 920 - 944
Romanus I Lacapenus (920 - 944); Constantinople Æ Follis; Obv: +RwMAN bAS-ILEVS Rwm’ Facing bust of Romanus I, bearded, wearing crown and jeweled chlamys, and holding labarum and globus cruciger; Rev: +RwMA/N’ENΘEwbA/SILEVSRw/MAIwN; 27mm, 8.09g, 6h; R.1886-8, Sear 1760

Nicephorus II Phocas 963 - 969

Nicephorus II, Phocas (963-969); Constantinople Æ Follis; Obv: +nICIFR bASIL ROM, Facing bust holding labarum and cross on globe; Rev: +nICHF / Eh TEW bA / SILEVS RW / mAIWh in four lines; 6.58g. Berk-943, Sear 1782

Anonymous Class A3, attributed to Constantine VIII & Basil II 1025

Constantine VIII & Basil II (Circa 1025); Æ Anonymous Follis, class A3, Obv: "+EMMA-NOVHA," Facing bust of Christ, left hand holding the book of Gospels, right hand making blessing gesture; Rev: "+IhSUS  XRISTUS BASILEU BASILE" in 4 lines; 27mm x 29mm, 10.41g; DOC A2.41, Sommer 40.3.6, Sear 1818

Anonymous Class B, attributed to Romanus III 1028 - 1034

Romanus III (1028-1034); Constantinople; Æ Anonymous Follis, Class B, Obv: IC to left, XC to right, to bust of Christ, nimbate, facing, holding book of Gospels; Rev: IS XS / BAS ILE / BAS ILE to left and right above and below cross on three steps; 29 mm. 10.2 gm.; Sear 1823

Anonymous Class G, attributed to Romanus IV Diogenes 1068 - 1071

Romanus IV Diogenes AD (1068-1071); Constantinople; Æ Anonymous Follis, Class G, Obv: IC-XC to left and right of bust of Christ, nimbate, facing, right hand raised, scroll in left, all within border of large dots; Rev: MP-ΘV to left and right of Mary, nimbate, ands raised, all inside border of large dots; 26-28 mm. 10.2 gm.; Sear 1867

Manuel I Comnenus 1143 - 1183
Manuel I Comnenus (1143-1183), Æ Tetarteron; Thessalonica; Obv: ⨀/Γ/Є to left and P-over-w/Γ/O/S to right, half-length bust of St. George facing, holding spear and shield ; Rev:  MANɣHΛ ΔЄCΠΟΤ, bust of Manuel facing, holding labarum and globus cruciger; 20 mm,3.24g; DOC 18; Sear 1975

[Nerosmyfavorite68]

Those are nice examples! I have no idea how many I have.  I've been collecting Byzantine, on and off, for over 30 years.

[ela126]

Very high quality examples throughout. Good job sticking to that plan, there is the pull of checking off sear numbers, but that quickly ends up with a pile of junk.

i do notice you’re a fan of the large size coins. Any interest to move into the decas and pents? Or is it more of an emperor thing and not as much denomination?

[Roman Collector]

Those indeed are very nice for the type!! Coingratulations on the 30-coin milestone!

[ela126]

I have say, I really like your Heraclius. It’s the most recent one I’ve picked up, hasn’t even shipped yet. For how common Heraclius coins are, you picked quite a rare one, and a great example of it to boot!

[Nerosmyfavorite68]

On a scale of 10, how rare is 883?  I'm too lazy to pull up Sear's Byzantine but I seem to recall there's a bunch of BN listings for it.  However, there's usually not a lot of them on vcoins.  Maybe 1 per search, if one's lucky.

My main one is a pretty bulletproof example but I love this issue and I pick up any affordable example which strikes my fancy.  Are they ever found on a front-facing bust type?

Perhaps 883 was more common during the 90's?  I recall a plethora of Sicilian Heraclii in the HJB junk boxes, mostly Catania and 885's.

[ela126]

@Nerosmyfavorite68 i don’t have the long knowledge on the Sicily Heraclius type, but since I’ve become aware of them 2.5 years ago, I’ve definitely seen more 883’s, with Heraclius and HC, than I see the 882’s with just Heraclius on it.

Bertolami FA - Prague had an auction 2 weeks ago with 8-9 882’s… I’ve been watching auctions for years and never see more than 1 882 at a time… was pretty unique to see so many. I finally got one.

[Nerosmyfavorite68]

Whoops, I was off by one number; I meant the question about 882's.

Looking at the Sear book, I notice the long beard for 884.  My recently posted one with the large flan features Heraclius sporting a long handlebar moustache.  I guess that'd make it a freakishly large 884.

[ela126]

I did a search is Coryssa for 882’s. About 100 auction sales came up, which would make them reasonably common.

CGB had them mentioned as a R1.

[Simon]

Congratulations on your milestone.

Does your collection have a goal? Such as one of each emperor? 

[ewomack]

On 6/30/2024 at 9:02 PM, ela126 said:

I have say, I really like your Heraclius. It’s the most recent one I’ve picked up, hasn’t even shipped yet. For how common Heraclius coins are, you picked quite a rare one, and a great example of it to boot!

13 hours ago, ela126 said:

I did a search is Coryssa for 882’s. About 100 auction sales came up, which would make them reasonably common.

CGB had them mentioned as a R1.

Thank you! Your second message makes sense, because the 882 shown was probably one of the cheapest coins in the entire lot. It was just sitting there waiting to get purchased. I really liked the portrait of Heraclius, and I didn't yet have a Heraclius, so I added it to the pile.
 

3 hours ago, Simon said:

Congratulations on your milestone.

Does your collection have a goal? Such as one of each emperor? 

Thank you! There really isn't a goal apart from obtaining nicer examples of bronze Byzantine coins that appeal to me within a "decent" price range. At one point, I thought of trying to  attempt an example of each emperor, but, as I made my way into the 8th century, I realized that even "okay" examples can cost far more than I'm willing to pay for a bronze coin. From what I've seen so far, even "acceptable" Æ examples of Philippicus, Anastasius II, Theodosius III, and Artavasdus can sell for 4 figures. Examples of Philippicus and Theodosius III recently sold at auction for over $1,000 each. They were "okay" looking examples, but nothing beautiful. That's beyond what I'm willing to pay, so, unless I come across cheaper examples, I won't be obtaining those emperors. Along those lines, the least appealing coins of the 30 above, with the exception of the Tiberius II Constantine, were by far the most expensive to obtain. I bought them with mixed feelings. In fact, the more I think of it, 30 feels like a good number to think about taking an extended break from buying. I've been searching and buying these for 2 straight years now on an almost daily basis. I've spent considerable time and money on the examples above, and it might be time to back off for a bit and do other things. I have been selling my US coins, so I may focus more on that. I highly doubt that I'll quit altogether, but I will probably slow down considerably. Though 30 isn't a large collection by any means, for some reason hitting that milestone made me stop and think about where I want to go from here. I don't really know yet. I did really enjoy putting that collection together, in any case.

[Ancient Coin Hunter]

I didn't collect Byzantines until I got a Maurice Tiberius in 2018 that came in a bulk lot of LRB's. I thought, what is that giant coin?

Since then I've picked up maybe 20 (haven't counted) certainly most of the well known rulers up until Manuel Comnenus with one nice gold histamenon nomisma. You've managed to squeeze in a number of less common rulers of the period with collectible examples which is a nice accomplishment. 

I had taken a course in Byzantine history at Berkeley as an undergraduate with Warren Treadgold a prolific author and academician of the period. Got an A- in the course. We read around 12 original sourcebooks plus Ostrogorsky as the main text but it was getting a bit dated. On a business trip to Chicago I found John Julius Norwich's Short history of Byzantium in a bookstore at O'Hare around 2010 and read it on my flight back to the West Coast. Pretty engrossing. That kind of perked up my interest in the field but it was latent until the follis of Maurice.

[Furryfrog02]

Wonderful collection of Byzantines!

[ela126]

8 hours ago, ewomack said:

Thank you! Your second message makes sense, because the 882 shown was probably one of the cheapest coins in the entire lot. It was just sitting there waiting to get purchased. I really liked the portrait of Heraclius, and I didn't yet have a Heraclius, so I added it to the pile.

Interesting. I found this coin quite hard to find, after missing one at auction in 2023. 

just managed to pick this one up after 10 months of not seeing one in auction, although from my research, they seem to be rare in biddr auctions, but more common in Sixbid auctions. I undoubtedly overpaid for mine, but glad to hear it was a simple one for you.

I will say in early 2023 I did also step away from Byzantine for 6 months, to focus back on American stuff. I didn’t find it satisfying though as the hunt for Byzantine coins, mostly conditional, more than rarity, lured me back. I don’t regret staying with it.

[rasiel]

Love the Basil I and the first Leo VI! If you're in the mood to sell... :- )

I'm not particularly fond of Byzantine AEs but fell in love with two high enders on the recent Nomos sale. As you can see below, my love was embarrassingly short compared to the bidders who showed the true love 😅

What do you all think of these two jade beauts?

Rasiel

[ela126]

17 minutes ago, rasiel said:

What do you all think of these two jade beauts?

That Leo VI is the best I’ve seen, and it’s a common coin. Although damn, never saw one hammer above 200 before. That’s crazy

[catadc]

@ewomack Those are beautiful coins. Do whatever makes you happy with the collection - wait, get some more, sell or branch into something new. You do not necessarily need a theme, and if somebody asks you for one, "byzantine portraits" fits perfectly. If you look to tick a box, you'll have to make a compromise on price and quality.

The two coins posted by Rasiel are clearly smoothed. I have never seen such smooth green patina on any coin of that period. Considering I do not collect that period and I do not buy that quality, take this with a grain of salt. From what I saw and had in hand, the high relief of those coins forms a very irregular patina, with many deposits. As we collect byzantines, smoothing is one of the smallest problems a coin can have, as the price clearly showed. 

[Sulla80]

A great set and in my view with some outstanding portraits.  Congrats on the 30 coin milestone.  The two amazing coins from @rasiel are quite nice to see as well - challenging my assumptions about what Byzantine coins look like.  I especially like your Nicephorus II, Phocas (963-969); Constantinople Æ Follis. I also like your coin of Heraclius with Sicilian countermark (and a nice one shown by @ela126 as well).  Here's one (Ref: DOC 106c; MIB 170; SB 810) that that is ex @dougsmit with notes here: https://www.sullacoins.com/post/heraclius-a-sicilian-countermark.

I do not collect Byzantine coins, and yet somehow a few have come into my possession over time:

https://www.sullacoins.com/post/constantine-vii-born-in-the-purple

In case you or others reading this thread haven't discovered the wealth of Byzantine information on Dumbarton Oaks, I will add a link:

https://www.doaks.org/resources/publications/books#b_start=0&c1=coins&c7=Numismatics

Philip Grierson's Byzantine coins (that I picked up after a recommendation from  @Valentinian) is a favorite paper book on the subject.

Edited July 5 by Sulla80

[ewomack]

On 7/4/2024 at 7:44 PM, rasiel said:

Love the Basil I and the first Leo VI! If you're in the mood to sell... :- )
 

I'm glad someone at least might have an interest in buying these - I thought spending money on Byzatines would end up equivalent to tossing money into a shredder. 😁
 

14 hours ago, catadc said:

@ewomack Those are beautiful coins. Do whatever makes you happy with the collection - wait, get some more, sell or branch into something new. You do not necessarily need a theme, and if somebody asks you for one, "byzantine portraits" fits perfectly. If you look to tick a box, you'll have to make a compromise on price and quality.

Thanks. I think you may have captured my theme and expressed it better than I ever have. I am a sucker for nice Byzantine portraits, even if the rest of the coin looks sandblasted. That may help explain why I even bothered with the Justinian II, second reign coin. That portrait on the left wouldn't leave me alone, even though the remainder of the coin looked pretty iffy.
 

11 hours ago, Sulla80 said:

challenging my assumptions about what Byzantine coins look like. 

I think you expressed something I may have been doing unconsciously. I think I do want to challenge people's assumptions about the "beauty" of Byzantine coins. Maybe that explains my strange obsession? I find them strangely, uniquely, and ineffably beautiful, maybe I just want others to feel the same?
 

On 7/4/2024 at 6:25 PM, ela126 said:

I will say in early 2023 I did also step away from Byzantine for 6 months, to focus back on American stuff. I didn’t find it satisfying though as the hunt for Byzantine coins, mostly conditional, more than rarity, lured me back. I don’t regret staying with it.

Yes, the human brain seems to work in phases of novelty. This Byzantine obsession of mine is probably the longest consistent one I've ever experienced. I started buying these things in July 2022 and the only other thing I've bought since then is a single Greek obol. Otherwise, all Byzantine. My brain may need a break. I don't think that US coins (except maybe for half cents) will ever deeply capture my attention again. I find the hunt for ancients more satisfying.

[Nerosmyfavorite68]

It's a nice core 30 and I like the quality over quantity approach.  It took me quite a few years to amass a bunch of Byzantine, and it was only in recent years that I really began/was able to focus upon quality.  However, the old days also had the advantage of Allen Berman being more active in dealing.  Many of my favorite/most obscure Byzantines are from him.

Philippicus *sometimes* comes up at an affordable price but I'm in the same situation.

I had a dalliance with Class A2 folles, and I have a soft spot for 12th century gold, but my favorite periods have been, and always will be, 539-616 and 685-711.

After my most recent Byzantine order, I'm craving a very large Justinian follis, preferably with a green patina. The S884 from that order was on an unusually large S810 Year 20/21.  However if I go that particular vendor, I'll have to go the super-expensive (twice what regular postage is) DHL route. The DHL envelope performs the same function the cardboard inner mailer would have.  It's too risky to sweat what happens in transit since packaging best practices were frustratingly thrown out the window (the coins are stuffed together in a small inner envelope with the theory being, I suppose, that the coins will brace themselves).  The coins themselves are always high-quality and very satisfactory. The firm has quite a penchant to snag nicely patinated AE's and toned silver.  I think I've only ordered twice since the broken Nero but this order was certainly worth it.

Like with 882, I just can't get enough of the huge Justinians.  The coins themselves are a bit monotonous but the differences in patination make up for it.  S805 is the comfort food of the Byzantine series and I probably have maybe 15 examples, more than any other single type of any genre. I tossed one into my most recent order.

[ewomack]

Thanks again, @Nerosmyfavorite68. The quality over quantity approach obviously comes at a price, of course, but I have found it more satisfying regardless. So I buy fewer, more expensive, coins as a result. Quantity collectors who want to "scratch that itch" to obtain more examples quickly may find the quality approach slower and more frustrating. There were a few longer stretches where I found absolutely nothing that I wanted to add to the pile. I eventually learned to deal with those inevitable dry spells, but they were slightly irritating. It did take me two solid years to collect only 30 coins, after all. From what I can tell, many people here buy far more than that number annually. People can take various approaches, which is what makes this hobby interesting. No hard and fast rules really exist. One ultimately collects what they want to collect.