Lot 3667

Description

Leo V and Constantine, (813-820), AE follis, (2.72 g), struck at Syracuse mint, obv. facing bust of Leo with short beard with crown and loros and holding cross potent to left [**L*] to right [E] O over star, rev. facing bust of Constantine wearing crown and chlamys holding cross on globe around KONC[T], (S.1636, DOC 17, BMC 27, Spahr 373) (illustrated); Romanus II, (A.D. 959-963), AE 17 (follis?), Cherson mint, (2.09 g), obv. monogram of 9WMA, rev. cross floriate on two steps, pellets to left and right, (S.1775, DOC 3, BMC 32-34 [Romanus I]); Nicephorus II, Phocas, (A.D. 963-969), AE 18 (follis?), Cherson mint, (3.06 g), obv. monogram of emperor's name, rev. monogram, (S.1784, DOC 9, BMC 13, R.1916). First coin good very fine with dark green patination, others fine - very fine and all very scarce. (3)

The type suggests for the second coin that an attribution to Romanus I may be more preferable. The coinage of the mint of Cherson produced a very distinctive copper coinage of cast fabric. The cast series under various rulers continued until Basil II (976-1025).