Catalogue
Justin I, (518-527), gold solidus, issue of 519-527, Constantinople mint, (4.47 g), 1st officina, struck 518-9, obv. helmeted and cuirassed bust three-quarters right, holding spear, around DN IVSTI NVS PP AVI, rev. Angel standing to left holding long cross, cross on globe, around VICTORI A AVCCCA, in exergue CONOB, star in left field, (S.55, DOC 1a, MIBE 2, R.381). Full flan, off centred, nearly very fine, scarce.
Estimate $400
SOLD $400
Justinian I, (A.D.527-565), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, (4.21 g), issued 545-565, 5th officina, obv. bust of Justinian I facing, with plume and diadem, two pearls at each side, wearing cuirass, D N IVSTINI ANVS PP AVC around, rev. Angel facing in tunic and cloak, in right hand long cross, globe in left hand cross above, star to right, around VICTORI A AVCCCE, CONOB in exergue, (S.140, DOC 8d, MIBE 6). Extremely fine with mint bloom.
Estimate $500
SOLD $460
Justin II, (A.D.565-578), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, (4.38 g), issued 565-578, 9th officina, obv. beardless bust of Justin II facing, with plume and diadem, two pearls at each side, wearing cuirass, and holding globe surmounted by Victory, d N I VSTI NVS PP AVI around, rev. Constantinople seated looking right, with helmet tunic and mantle, on right shoulder aegis, left hand holds a spear, cross on globe, around VICTORI A AVGGG **Q*, CONOB in exergue, (S.345, DOC 4h, MIB 5). Double struck, otherwise very fine, scarce.
Estimate $400
SOLD $440
Maurice Tiberius, (A.D.582-602), gold light weight solidus, Antioch mint, (4.25 g), 3rd officina, issued 583-601, obv. crowned, draped and cuirassed bust of Maurice Tiberius facing, wearing plumed helmet, holding globe surmounted by cross, D N MAVRC TIb PP AVI around, star in right field, rev. VICTORI A AVCCI, CONOB in exergue, Angel standing facing holding long staff surmounted by P with cross, and cross on globe, (S.528, DOC. 150a-d [variety], BN 18 [attributed to Constantinople], R.1016-7). Off centred reverse, otherwise very fine. very scarce.
Estimate $400
SOLD $440
Phocas, (602-610), gold solidus, (4.44 g), struck at Constantinople mint, 10th Officina, issued 603-607, obv. crowned facing bust holding cross, DN FOCAS PERP AVI, rev. Angel facing left holding P headed cross, and globe supporting a cross, around VICTORIA AVCUI, CONOB in exergue, (S.618, DOC 5j, MIB 7). Good very fine and scarce.
Estimate $500
SOLD $420
Phocas, (A.D. 602-610), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, (4.30 g), issued A.D. 607-610, 5th Officina, obv. Phocas facing bust, bearded, wearing cuirass, paludamentum and crown, holding cross, around DN FOCAS PERP AVI, rev. Angel facing, holding in right hand long staff, with partial chi-rho symbol at top, in left hand globe with cross above, around VICTORIA AVGUE, CONOB in exergue, (S.620, DOC 10e, BMC 10-11, T.8, R.1181). Trace of mint bloom in field, good very fine, scarce.
Estimate $600
SOLD $420
Heraclius, (610-641), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, issued 616-625, (4.43 g), 10th officina, obv. facing busts of Heraclius and Heraclius Constantine, wearing chlamys and crown, around dd NN hERACLIVS ET hERA CONSt PP, rev. cross potent on base and three steps, below CONOB, around VICTORIA AVGUI, (S.738, DOC [13i variety], MIB 11). Light scratches in reverse field, otherwise struck on a full flan, extremely fine with some mint bloom, a rare officina.
Estimate $500
SOLD $420
Heraclius, with Heraclius Constantine and Heraclonas, (610-641), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, 8th officina **Q*, dated RY 12 = 638-639, (4.25 g), obv. standing crowned figures of Heraclius in centre, Heraclius Constantine on left, and Heraclonas on right, cross on each crown, rev. cross potent on three steps, monogram to left, IB monogram to right, around VICTORIA AVGU**Q*, CONOB in exergue, (S.767, cf.DOC 41, MIB 48). Extremely fine and a rare variety, unpublished for officina.
Estimate $700
SOLD $620
Heraclius, (610-641), gold solidus, issued 639-641, Constantinople mint, 4th officina, (4.41 g), Class IVB, obv. standing figures of Heraclius in centre, Heraclius Constantine on left, and Heraclonas on right, cross above, rev. Cross potent on three steps, monogram to to left, around VICTORIA AVGU**D*, CONOB in exergue, (S.769, DOC 43c, MIB 50). Off centred reverse, good very fine/very fine and scarce.
Estimate $500
SOLD $460
Heraclius, (610-641), gold semissis, Constantinople mint, issued 613-641, (2.17 g), obv. diademed, draped and cuirassed bust to right, [DN] HERACLI US t PP AV, rev. cross potent, around VICTORIA AVGUS, (S.785, DOC 52b, MIB 72). Off centred, weak in places, otherwise very fine.
Estimate $200
SOLD $210
Constans II, (641-668), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, issued 641-646, (4.41 g), 7th officina, obv. bust facing of Constans beardless, wearing chlamys and crown, around dN CONStAN TINUS PP AV, rev. cross potent on base and three steps, below CONOBS, around VICTORIA AVGUH, (S.940, DOW 3, MIB 7). Minor weakness on obverse legend, otherwise good very fine/extremely with some mint bloom, very scarce.
Estimate $500
SOLD $500
Constans II, with Constantine IV, (641-668 A.D.), gold solidus (4.49 g), Constantinople mint, 1st officina, struck 654-659, obv. crowned busts of Constans, wearing long beard, and Constantine facing, both wearing chlamys, cross above, around DN CONSTATINUS C CONSTANTI, rev. cross potent set on three steps, around VICTORIA AVGUA in exergue CONOB, (S.959, DOC 25a, MIB 26). Light weakness on reverse, nearly uncirculated with some mint bloom and very scarce.
Estimate $750
SOLD $600
Constans II, (641-668), gold tremissis, Constantinople mint, Officina S, (1.42 g), obv. diademed, draped and cuirassed bust to right, around D N CON[STANTINUS PP AV], rev. cross potent, in exergue CONOB, around [VI]CTORIA AVGUS, (S.984, DOC 45); together with Roman coins of Maximianus (286-305), AE follis, Lugdunum mint, (S.13246); Constantius II, (337-361) Alexandria mint, (S.18235), another Siscia mint, rev. HOC SIGNO VICTOR ERIS, (S.18204). First coin damaged and bent, otherwise fair - good very fine. (4)
Estimate $150
SOLD $220
Constantine IV, (668-685), gold solidus, (4.41 g), Constantinople mint, Class III, issued c.674-681, 1st officina, obv. three-quarter facing bearded bust of Constantine IV, wearing helmet with plume and cuirass, holds spear and shield, around dN C A N[USP], rev. cross potent above three steps, between facing figures of Heraclius on left and Tiberius on right, each holding cross on globe, around VICTOA VGUA, in exergue CONOB, (S.1154, DOC 8 var.). Off centred obverse, otherwise extremely fine and rare variant.
Estimate $500
SOLD $520
Constantine IV, (668-685), gold tremissis, Constantinople mint, (1.43 g), obv. diademed, draped and cuirassed bust to right, around [d N CONST]AN TINUS PP AV, rev. cross potent on base, around [VICT]ORIA AVGUS, [C]ONOB in exergue, (S.1162, DOC 17, BMC 19-22, T.110, R.171-2). Weak in places, otherwise good very fine.
Estimate $150
SOLD $200
Justinian II, (first reign 685-695), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, issued 692-695, (4.48 g), officina -, obv. bust facing of Christ with beard, cross behind head, holding book of Gospels, around IhS CRISTOS REX REGNANTIPM, rev. [D IUSTI]NIANUS SCRU ChRISTI A, Justinian wearing crown and loros standing facing holding cross potent and akakia, below [C]ONO[P], (S.1248, DOC 7, R.1682, BMC -, T.27). Weak in places on legend, otherwise good very fine and rare.
Estimate $1,500
SOLD $3,500
Tiberius III, (A.D. 698-705), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, (4.48 g), 2nd officina, obv. cuirassed bust facing with short beard, wearing crown and holding spear, around d TIbERI US PE AU, rev. VICTORIA AUGUB around, cross potent on three steps, beneath CONOB, (S.1360, MIB 1, DOC 1b). Extremely fine with original mint bloom, very rare.
Estimate $1,200
SOLD $1,150
Nicephorus I, (802-811) with Stauracius (from 803), gold solidus, (4.44 g), Constantinople mint, issued 803-811, obv. facing bust of Nicephorus I, wearing crown and chlamys, holding cross potent, around NICI FOROS bASILE', pellet in field to left, rev. facing bust of Stauracius beardless wearing crown and loros, holding cross on globe, around STAVRA CIS DESPOIC, (S.1604, DOC 2, BMC 4-10). Obverse scratch and weakness, otherwise good very fine and rare.
Estimate $800
SOLD $660
Michael II and Theophilus, (821-829), gold solidus, (3.86 g), struck at Syracuse mint, obv. Michael facing bust holding cross on circlet, has a short beard and wears a crown, around MI XAHL, rev. Theophilus facing beardless wearing loros and crown, in right hand cross crosslet, around **Q*E O FIL, (S.1646, DOC 15, BMC 11-12, T.13-14). Dumpy flan as usual, nearly extremely fine and scarce.
Estimate $600
SOLD $520
Theophilus, (A.D. 829-842), gold solidus, issued at Syracuse mint in A.D. 831-842, (3.53 g), obv. facing bust of Theophilus, crowned with cross, holding cross potent and wearing chlamys, around **Q*EO FILOS, rev. facing bust of Theophilus, wearing loros, cross on head, holding cross on globe, around **Q*E O [FILOS], (S.1670, DOC 24, BMC 31-33, R.-). Nearly extremely fine and very scarce.
Estimate $500
SOLD $520
Basil I the Macedonian and Constantine, (A.D.867-886), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, issued from A.D. 867-879, (4.40 g), obv. Christ enthroned facing wearing nimbus, raising right hand in benediction, also holding Gospels, the throne has curved ornamented arms, around + IhS XPS REX REGNANTIUM*, rev. bASILIOS ET CONSTANT' AUGG' b' around, facing busts of Basil I wearing loros on left and Constantine wearing chlamys on right, both crowned, between them long patriarchal cross, (S.1704, DOC 2b, R.1858). Nearly very fine and very scarce.
Estimate $600
SOLD $400
Constantine VII and Romanus II, (A.D.913-959), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, issued from A.D. 945, (4.39 g), obv. Christ facing bust wearing nimbus, raising right hand in benediction, also holding Gospels, around + IhS XPS REX REgNANTIUm around, rev. around CONSTANT CE ROMAN AVGG bR around, facing busts of Constantine VII wearing loros on left and Romanus II wearing chlamys on right, both crowned, between them long patriarchal cross, (S.1751, R.1905, DOC 15, BMC 60-63, R.1905). Graffiti on obverse, good very fine and scarce.
Estimate $600
SOLD $640
Nicephoros II Phocas with Basil II, (A.D.963-969), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, (4.10 g), obv. Christ enthroned facing wearing nimbus, raising right hand in benediction, also holding Gospels, around + IhS XIS REX REGNANTINM*, rev. +**Q*EOTOC' bH**Q* NICF DESP around, facing busts of the Virgin nimbate on left, M **Q* each side of her neck and Nicephoros with short beard on right, wearing crown and loros, between them long patriarchal cross, (S.1778, DOC 4, R.1912). Good very fine and rare.
Estimate $750
SOLD $920
Basil II Bulgaroktonos and Constantine VIII, (A.D.976-1025), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, (4.42 g), obv. Christ enthroned facing wearing nimbus, raising right hand in benediction, also holding Gospels, around + IhS XIS REX REGNANTINM*, rev. + bASIL' C CONSTANT bR around, facing busts of Basil II wearing loros on left and Constantine wearing chlamys on right, both crowned, between them long patriarchal cross, (S.1796, DOC 2, cf.R.1937). Very fine or better and rare.
Estimate $750
SOLD $680
Romanus III, (A.D. 1028-1034), gold histamenon nomisma, Constantinople mint, (4.41 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**Q* above between figures, (S.1819, DOW No.1c, BMC 1-3, R.1972-3). Nearly extremely fine and very scarce.
Estimate $500
SOLD $520
Constantine IX, (A.D.1042-1055), electrum gold histamenon nomisma, Constantinople mint, (4.42 g), obv. bust of long bearded Christ facing, wearing nimbus, raising right hand, in left hand the Gospels, +IhS XIS RE REGNANTINM around, triple dotted border, rev. +CWNSTAN bASILEUS RM around bust of Constantine facing, bearded wearing crown and loros, holding labarum and globe with cross, triple dotted border, (S.1830, BMC 6-9, D.O.3, R.1970-1). Large flan, extremely fine, very scarce.
Estimate $500
SOLD $460
Constantine X, (A.D.1059-1067), gold histamenon nomisma (Scyphate), Constantinople mint, (4.24 g), obv. Christ seated facing on throne with straight arms, wearing nimbus, raising right hand, in left hand the Gospels, +IhS XIS REX REgNANTInm around, rev. +KWN RAC **L D*OVKAC, around standing figure of Constantine facing, bearded, wearing crown, saccos and loros, holding labarum no pellet on shaft and globe with cross, (S.1847, DOC 1a, BMC 3, R.2010). Nearly very fine, scarce.
Estimate $250
SOLD $340
Romanus IV, (1068-1071), gold histamenon nomisma (scyphate), Constantinople mint, Class II, (2.86 g), obv. Christ standing on footstool, with nimbus crowning Romanus and Eudocia, IC XC, around traces of +PWMA EVDKKA (sic), rev. Michael in centre, Constantius on left, and Andronicus on right, without footstools, around KWN MX AN**D*, (S.1861, DOC 2, R.2026). Clipped, hence its light weight, nearly very fine/fine.
Estimate $200
SOLD $260
Michael VII, (A.D.1071-1078), electrum gold histamenon nomisma (scyphate), Constantinople mint, (4.42 g), obv. bust of long bearded Christ Pantokrator facing, wearing nimbus, raising right hand, in left hand the Gospels, IC XC across, double dotted border, rev. +MIXAH**L* BACIE, around bust of Michael facing, bearded wearing crown and loros, holding labarum without pellet on shaft and globe with cross, (S.1868, DOC 2, BMC 3, R.2032). Good bust of bearded Christ, extremely fine/good very fine, scarce as such.
Estimate $450
SOLD $420
Michael VII, (A.D.1071-1078), electrum gold histamenon nomisma (scyphate), Constantinople mint, (3.37 g), obv. bust of long bearded Christ Pantokrator facing, wearing nimbus, raising right hand, in left hand the Gospels, IC XC across, double dotted border, rev. +MIXAH**L* BACI**[L O D]*, 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). Clipped, light weight, otherwise very fine.
Estimate $300
SOLD $280