Catalogue
Leo III the 'Isaurian' and Constantine V, (717-741), gold solidus, (4.41 g), Constantinople mint, issued 724-731, obv. facing bust of Leo III with short beard, wearing crown and chlamys, holding cross potent on globe, around dND LEO ND AMUL, rev. Constantine V beardless wearing crown and chlamys, holding cross potent, around DN CONST ANTINUS M, (S.1504, cf.DOC 4-5, BMC 8, T.54, R.1734). Trace of mint bloom, otherwise good very fine and rare.
Estimate $1,500
SOLD $1,100
Theophilus, (A.D. 829-842), gold semissis, issued at Syracuse mint in A.D. 831-842, (1.76 g), obv. facing bust of Theophilus, crowned with cross, holding cross on globe wearing chlamys, around **QEO FILOS, rev. facing bust of Theophilus, wearing loros, cross on head, holding cross on globe, around **QEO FILOS, (S.1674, DOC 26c, BMC 36-40). Base gold issue, extremely fine and scarce.
Estimate $300
SOLD $340
Romanus III, (A.D. 1028-1034), gold histamenon nomisma, Constantinople mint, (4.38 g), obv. Christ enthroned facing with nimbus, around +IhS XIS REX REgNANTInm, rev. Virgin with nimbus placing hand on Romanus head crowning emperor, who holds cross on globe, around **Q*CE bOH**Q* RWMANW, M**O* above between figures, (S.1819, DOW No.1c, BMC 1-3, R.1972-3). Nearly extremely fine and very scarce.
Estimate $700
SOLD $800
Michael VII, (A.D.1071-1078), electrum gold histamenon nomisma (scyphate), Constantinople mint, (4.46 g), obv. bust of long bearded Christ facing, wearing nimbus, raising right hand, in left hand the Gospels, IC XC across, double dotted border, rev. +MIXAHL BACIL A, around bust of Michael facing, bearded wearing crown and loros, holding labarum without pellet on shaft and globe with cross, (S.1868, DOC 2d, BMC 3, R.2032). Good bust of bearded Christ, nearly extremely fine.
Estimate $400
SOLD $340
John III Ducas called Vatatzes, Empire of Nicaea, (A.D. 1222/3-1254), gold hyperpyron nomisma, Magnesia mint, (3.46 grams), second coinage transitional to late style, issued 1232-1254, obv. Christ enthroned facing nimbate, raising hand, IC XC either side of head, rev. John standing left being crowned by the Virgin Mary, to left and right traces of legend, cross to left and right above throne, (S.2073, DOC 4d, Vol.4, pl.XXIX, 4d; H.Pl.31, 14). Clipped, light weight in pale gold, otherwise nearly extremely fine and very scarce.
Estimate $200
SOLD $240
John III, Ducas called Vatatzes, (1222/3-1254), gold hyperpyron of Magnesia mint type, (4.70 g), a tooled imitative issue of the standard type with additional borders and erased legends, probably made intentionally round (cf.S.2073). Holed, very fine.
Estimate $220
SOLD $180
Andronicus II and Andronicus III, (1325-1328 or later), joint reign, gold hyperpyron (scyphate), Constantinople mint, (3.47 g), obv. large bust of Virgin within city walls and four towers, control letters N (reversed) X to left and right, rev. Andronicus II and Andronicus III to left and right with Christ standing between both emperors, traces of partial legend downwards of each emperor, (S.2396, Bendall PCPC cf.185 var.15, cf.DOC 503). Small clipped flan, very weak in places as usual, flan crack, otherwise very fine.
Estimate $200
SOLD $200
Andronicus II and Andronicus III, (1325-1328 or later), joint reign, gold hyperpyron (scyphate), Constantinople mint, (3.27 g), obv. bust of Virgin within city walls and four towers, control letters :./[K], :./X to left and right, rev. Andronicus II and Andronicus III to left and right with Christ standing between both emperors, traces of partial legend downwards of each emperor, (S.2461, Bendall PCPC 185.3 var.14, DOC 502). Large flan, very weak in places as usual, otherwise fine - very fine.
Estimate $300
SOLD $200
Andronicus II and Andronicus III, (1325-1328 or later), joint reign, gold hyperpyron (scyphate), Constantinople mint, (3.35 g), obv. bust of Virgin within city walls and four towers, control letters N (reversed) X to left and right, rev. Andronicus II and Andronicus III to left and right with Christ standing between both emperors, traces of partial legend downwards of each emperor, (S.2461, Bendall PCPC cf.185 var.15, cf.DOC 503). Small flan, very weak in places as usual, otherwise fine - very fine.
Estimate $200
SOLD $140