Catalogue
Anastasius I, (A.D. 491-518), gold solidus, issue of 492-507, Constantinople mint, 9th Officina, (4.47 g), obv. helmeted and cuirassed bust three-quarter face to right, holding spear and shield, around DN ANASTA SIVS PP AVC, rev. Victory standing left holding cross with reversed at top VICTORIA AVCCC **Q*, exergue CONOB, star in left field, (S.5, DOC 7i, SB 3, MIBE 4a). As struck, uncirculated, with mint bloom, rare as such.
Estimate $1,500
SOLD $1,600
Justin I, (A.D. 518-527), gold solidus (4.36 g), Constantinople mint, 3rd officina, struck 518-519, obv. pearl-diademed, helmeted, and cuirassed bust facing slightly right, holding spear and shield around D N IVSTI NVS PP AVG, rev. Victory standing left, holding long cross; star in left field, around VICTORIA AVGGG**G*, CONOB in exergue, (S.55, DOC I 1b, R.381-2, BN 2). Very fine with light scratches in fields.
Estimate $500
SOLD $800
Justin II, (A.D.565-578), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, 4th Officina, (4.48 g), obv. 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 **D*, CONOB in exergue, (S.345, DOC 4c, To. 5, R.752, BNP 2, Hahn 5). Good extremely fine, off-centred reverse die.
Estimate $500
SOLD $700
Justin II, (A.D.565-578), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, 8th Officina, (4.49 g), obv. 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 H, CONOB in exergue, (S.345, DOC 4g, BMC 10, Hahn 5, R.756). Good extremely fine, rusted obverse die.
Estimate $500
SOLD $650
Tiberius II Constantine, (A.D. 578-582), gold solidus (4.44 g), Constantinople mint, 9th officina, struck 579-582, obv. crowned and cuirassed bust facing, holding globus cruciger and shield, around dM TIb CONS TANT P P AVI, rev. cross potent set on four steps, around VICTORI A AVGG**Q*, CONOB in exergue, (S.422, DOC 4i, MIB 4). Good very fine with a weakly struck wavy obverse.
Estimate $500
SOLD $600
Heraclius, with Heraclius Constantine, (610-641), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, issued 626-629, (4.45 g), 3rd Officina, obv. facing bearded busts of Heraclius and Heraclius Constantine, wearing chlamys and crown, cross above, around dd NN ERACLIVS ET hERA CONSt PP, rev. cross potent on base and three steps, below CONOB, around VICTORIA AVGU**G*, (S.749, DOC 26c, MIB 29, W.-, T.172, R.1369). Extremely fine/good very fine, scarce.
Estimate $800
SOLD $650
Heraclius, with Heraclius Constantine and Heraclonas, (610-641), gold solidus, (4.47 g), Constantinople mint, 5th officina, Dated IY 11 (637-8), obv. Heraclonas, Heraclius, and Heraclius Constantine standing facing, each wearing crown and chlamys and holding globus cruciger, rev. VICTORIA AVGUE around, Cross potent set on three steps, monograms flanking, in exergue CONOB. (S.764, DOC 39d, MIB 45). Extremely fine, rare.
Estimate $900
SOLD $950
Constantine IV, (A.D. 668-685), solidus, Constantinople mint, Class IV, issued 681-685, (4.34 g), Officina S, obv. helmeted three-quarter cuirassed bust to right, with frontal plume, holding spear and shield, P CONST A NUS PP A around, rev. Cross potent on three steps, around VICTOR AVGU S, CONOBA in exergue, (S.1158, DOC (11S, cf.DOC 15c, 15d, BMC -). Slightly off centred on obverse, edge knock, light scratches on reverse, otherwise extremely fine and rare.
Estimate $500
SOLD $650
Constantine V Copronymus, (A.D. 741-775) with Leo IV (from 751) and Leo III, gold solidus, Constantinople mint, issued 764-773, (3.74 g), obv. facing draped busts of Constantine V and son Leo IV, each crowned bust facing wearing chlamys, cross above, dot between, around CONSTANTINOS S LEONO NEOS, rev. facing bust of Leo III wearing loros, with short beard holding cross potent, C LE ON PA MUL around, (S.1551, DOC 2a, Fueg 4,A.6). Very fine and clipped, scarce.
Estimate $600
SOLD $850
Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus, with Romanus I and Christopher, (A.D. 913-959), gold nomismata, (4.04 g), Constantinople mint, struck 924-931, obv. IhS XPS REX REGNANTIUM* around, Christ Pantokrator enthroned facing, rev. half-length crowned facing busts of Romanus, wearing loros, and Christopher, wearing chlamys, holding long patriarchal cross between them, around ROMAN ET XPISTOFO AVGG B, (S.1745, DOC 7.6, F?eg 7). Very fine, clipped.
Estimate $700
SOLD $800
Constantine VII and Romanus II, (A.D. 913-959), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, issued from 945, (4.36 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). Die crack on obverse, very fine and scarce.
Estimate $600
SOLD $1,200
Constantine VIII, (A.D. 1025-1028), gold histamenon nomisma (4.38 g), Constantinople mint, obv. facing bust of Christ Pantokrator around + IhS XIS REX REGNANTInm, rev. crowned facing bust of Constantine with long beard, holding labarum and akakia, without pellet on shaft of labarum, around +CWnSTANTm bASILEVS ROm, (S.1815, DOC 1, F?eg II 1.A.6, R.1969). Small die flaws on edge both sides, otherwise extremely fine and very scarce.
Estimate $750
SOLD $1,300
Romanus III, (A.D. 1028-1034), gold histamenon nomisma, Constantinople mint, (4.37 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). Struck from rusty dies, weak in places, otherwise extremely fine and rare.
Estimate $750
SOLD $850
Constantine IX (A.D. 1042-1055), histamenon nomisma, (4.37 g), struck at Constantinople mint, flat flan, Class I, obv. Christ enthroned facing, with nimbus, around +IhS XIS REX REGNANTInm, rev. Constantine bust facing bearded wearing loros, saccos and crown, in right hand cruciform sceptre, and in left hand patriarchal cross, triple border, around +CW nSTAnTn bASILEURm, (S.1828, DOC 1a, BN 1, R.1987). Large flan, has been flattened, otherwise good very fine and scarce.
Estimate $600
SOLD $800
Isaac I, (A.D.1057-1059), scyphate gold histamenon nomisma, Constantinople mint, (4.39 g), obv. Christ seated facing on throne without arms, wearing nimbus, raising right hand, in left hand the Gospels, +IhS XIS REX REgNANTInm around, rev. +ICAAKIOC RACILEVC PWM, around standing figure of Isaac facing, bearded, wearing crown and military attire, holding sword in right hand and left hand resting on sheath, (S.1843, DOC 2, BMC 2-3, R.2007). Extremely fine and a rare ruler.
Estimate $1,000
SOLD $5,000
Constantine X, (A.D.1059-1067), scyphate gold histamenon nomisma, Constantinople mint, (4.36 g), obv. Christ seated facing on throne with curved arms, wearing nimbus, raising right hand, in left hand the Gospels, IhS XIS REX REgNANTInm around, rev. +KWN AC L DOVKAC, around standing figure of Constantine facing, bearded, wearing crown, saccos and loros, holding globe with cross has hand placed on his head by Virgin standing to right, (S.1848, DOC 2, R.2011, BMC 4-7). Nearly extremely fine, holed and scarce.
Estimate $300
SOLD $440
Alexius I, (1081-1118), gold hyperpyron (flattened), Constantinople mint, post reform issue, 1092-1118 (4.39 g), obv. Christ enthroned facing, wearing nimbus, raising hand in benediction and holding Gospels, IC XC across, to left KE RO, to right H**Q*EI, rev. facing figure of Alexius standing wearing crown, holding patriarchal cross to right crowned by 'manus Dei' legend to left **A/LE/SIW/ DE*C/**PO /TH to right **TW/ KO/ MNH/ NW*, (S.1913, DOC IV, 20, Hendy Pl.3, 4-10, BMC 4-6, R.2057-8). Good very fine, scarce.
Estimate $600
SOLD $1,400
Manuel I (1143-1180), electrun aspron trachy, (2.23 g), struck at Constantinople mint, scyphate flan, obv. Christ enthroned facing, with nimbus, throne has backing, rev. The Virgin on right and Manuel I on left, together hold a patriarchal cross, Virgin with nimbate wears pallium and maphorium, Manuel on left crowned, in right hand wears divitision and chlamys, around [MAN8HA **D*EC**P*OT], (S.1958, H. Pl.14, 1-4, BMC 21-24, R.2118). Very large flan, very fine weak in places.
Estimate $250
SOLD $280
John III Ducas (Vatatzes), Emperor of Nicaea, (A.D. 1222-1254), gold hyperpyron Nomisma (3.72 g), Magnesia mint, struck circa 1232-1254, obv. Christ Pantokrator enthroned facing, rev. partial legend visible, John standing facing, holding labarum in right hand and akakia in left, being crowned by the Virgin Mary, (S.2073, DOC 5). Nearly extremely fine.
Estimate $400
SOLD $650
Michael VIII, (1261-1282), gold hyperpyron (scyphate), Constantinople mint, (4.24 g), Class IIa, obv. bust of Virgin within city walls and six towers, control letters (sigla) P H, rev. St.Michael presenting kneeling emperor Michael to Christ with Gospels, legends both sides, (S.2243, DOC 22, PCPC 5). Struck on a nearly full flan, nearly extremely fine, weak in places, scarce.
Estimate $400
SOLD $380
Andronicus II Palaeologus, (1282-1328 A.D.), gold hyperpyron 26mm, (4.08 g), Constantinople mint, struck 1282-1295, obv. half-length figure of the Virgin Mary, orans, within city walls with six towers, C/NC flanking Virgin, rev. Andronicus kneeling right, being blessed by Christ standing facing; C/N to right, uncertain siglon NC possibly between emperor and Christ's feet, (S.2326, DOC 220 var. (sigla); PCPC 91, LPC p.34, 1). Very fine with typical weakness in areas.
Estimate $300
SOLD $360
Andronicus II and Michael IX, (1295-1320), gold hyperpyron (scyphate), Constantinople mint, (4.10 g), obv. bust of Virgin within city walls and four towers, control letters (sigla) K and N to left and right, rev. Andronicus II and Michael IX to left and right with Christ standing between both emperors, most of the partial legend downwards of each emperor, (cf.S.2396, Bendall PCPC 128, type sigla 175, cf.DOC 244). Weak in places as usual, otherwise very fine and very scarce.
Estimate $500
SOLD $380
Andronicus II and Michael IX, (1295-1320), gold hyperpyron (scyphate), Constantinople mint, (4.06 g), obv. bust of Virgin within city walls and six towers, control letters (sigla) B and **G* to left and right, rev. Andronicus II and Michael IX to left and right with Christ standing between both emperors, traces of partial legend downwards of each emperor, (cf.S.2396, Bendall PCPC 127, type sigla 10, cf.DOC 244). Weak in places as usual, otherwise good fine and very scarce.
Estimate $400
SOLD $320
Andronicus II and Michael IX, (1295-1320), gold hyperpyron (scyphate), Constantinople mint, (3.35 g), obv. bust of Virgin within city walls and four towers, control letters (sigla) B and **D* to left and right, rev. Andronicus II and Michael IX to left and right with Christ standing between both emperors, most of the partial legend downwards of each emperor, (cf.S.2396, Bendall PCPC 128, type sigla -, cf.DOC 244). Weak in places as usual, flan cracks, has been clipped, otherwise very fine and unlisted sigla, rare. $$ Ex CNG c.2000.
Estimate $250
SOLD $240
Andronicus II and Michael IX, (1295-1320), gold hyperpyron (scyphate), Constantinople mint, (2.95 g), obv. bust of Virgin within city walls and four towers, control letters (sigla) K three dots above and N? wiuth three dots above to left and right, rev. Andronicus II and Michael IX to left and right with Christ standing between both emperors, most of the partial legend downwards of each emperor, (cf.S.2396, Bendall PCPC 128, type sigla 182A, cf.DOC 244). Weak in places as usual, flan cracks, has been severely clipped, otherwise fine - very fine, rare.
Estimate $150
SOLD $220
Andronicus II and Andronicus III, (1325-1328 or later), joint reign, gold hyperpyron (scyphate), Constantinople mint, (3.06 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 the emperors, traces of partial legend downwards of each emperor, (S.2461, Bendall PCPC cf.185 var.14, DOC 502). Small flan, very weak in places as usual, otherwise fine - very fine.
Estimate $250
SOLD $240
John V Palaeologus, (A.D. 1341-1391), gold hyperpyron, (21mm), (3.42 g), Constantinople mint, struck c.1347-1354, obv. John V and Anna standing facing, each holding sceptre, X to left, rev. Andronicus III kneeling right before Christ standing left, holding hand above emperor in benediction, (S.2466, DOC 943 var. (sigla), LPC 190.1-2 var. (same, but see no. 8 under recorded sigla). Nearly very fine, weak in places.
Estimate $400
SOLD $420
John V Palaeologus, with John VI, (A.D.1341-1391) gold hyperpyron (20mm), (3.46 g), Constantinople mint, struck circa 1347-1354, obv. half-length figure of the the Theotokos, orans, within city walls with four towers, uncertain sigla, rev. Christ standing facing, crowning John V and John VI kneeling to either side, (S.2526, cf.DOC 1193, LPC 1 [p.138]). Nearly very fine, areas of flat strike, with numerous faint scratches, rare.
Estimate $400
SOLD $420
Axum, (Ethiopia) Ebana, (c.450 A.D.), gold third solidus, 18mm, (1.59 g), obv. crowned and draped bust right, holding branch, framed by grain ears, rev. draped bust right, wearing headcloth, holding branch, framed by two grain ears, legend around, (Munro-Hay Type 71, BMC Aksum 304). Good very fine, rare.
Estimate $400
SOLD $2,800