Catalogue
Julian II, (A.D. 360-363), gold solidus, Antioch mint, issued as Caesar 347-355, (4.494 grams), obv. draped and cuirassed bust of Julian to right, around D N IVLIANV S NOB CAES, rev. Roma and Constantinopolis seated enthroned facing, each support between them a shield inscibed with six pointed star, around legend GLORIA REI PVBLICAE, in exergue star SMANZ, (cf.S.4057, RIC 167 [R3], C.22). Good very fine and a very rare variety.
Estimate $6,000
SOLD $0
Theodosius II, (A.D. 402-450), gold tremissis, Constantinople mint, (1.236 grams), obv. pearl-diademed bust of Theodosius II to right, around DN THEODO SIVS PF AVG, rev. VICTORI A AVGVSTORVM around, Victory facing, holding wreath and cross on globe, star to right, CONOB in exergue, (S.4293, RIC 278 [R2]). Slightly crinkled, otherwise, good very fine.
Estimate $200
SOLD $270
Leo I, (A.D. 457-474), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, Officina I, (4.380 grams), obv. Leo three-quarter facing bust, wearing cuirass, paludamentum and crown, holding spear and shield, around DN LEO PE RP ET AVC, rev. Victory standing to left, in right hand holding long cross, in right field a star, around VICTORI A AVGGG I, in exergue CONOB, (S.4333, RIC 605). Slightly worn on the obverse face, otherwise good very fine.
Estimate $280
SOLD $420
Zeno I, (A.D. 474-491), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, Officina E, (4.456 grams), obv. Zeno three-quarter facing bust, wearing cuirass, paludamentum and crown, holding spear and shield, around DN ZENO PERP AVC, rev. Victory standing to left, in right hand holding long cross, in right field a star, around VICTORI A AVGGG E, in exergue CONOB, (S.4385, RIC 910). Nearly extremely fine.
Estimate $300
SOLD $440
Anastasius I, (A.D. 491-518), gold tremissis, Constantinople mint, (1.462 grams), obv. diademed bust of Anastasius I to right, around DN ANASTA SIVS PF AVG, rev. VICTORIA AVGVSTORVM around, Victory facing, holding wreath and cross on globe, star to right, CONOB in exergue, (S.8, DOC 10, BMC 10-15, T.12-13, R.327-330]). Slightly crinkled, weak on reverse legend, otherwise, good very fine/very fine.
Estimate $200
SOLD $260
Justinian I, (527-565), gold solidus, issue of 545-565, Constantinople mint, (4.442 grams), Officina H, obv. helmeted and cuirassed bust facing without pellets on breastplate, holding cross on globe, around DN IVSTINI ANVS PP AVI, rev. Angel standing facing holding long cross with chi-rho at top end, and cross on globe, around VICTORI A AVCCCH, in exergue CONOB, star in right field, (S.140, DOC. 9j, To.39, BMC 18). Full flan, slightly bent, well centred, good very fine.
Estimate $300
SOLD $300
Justinian I, (527-565), gold solidus, issue of 545-565, Constantinople mint, (4.358 grams), Officina I, obv. helmeted and cuirassed bust facing without pellets on breastplate, holding cross on globe, around DN IVSTINI ANVS PP AVI, rev. Angel standing facing holding long cross with chi-rho at top end, and cross on globe, around VICTORI A AVCCCI, in exergue CONOB, star in right field, (S.140, DOC. 9j, To.39, BMC 18). Full flan, well centred, good very fine.
Estimate $300
SOLD $340
Heraclius, (610-641), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, issued 613-616, Officina E, obv. facing busts of Heraclius and Heraclius Constantine, wearing chlamys and crown, around dd NN hERACLIVS ET hERA CONSt [PP AVG], rev. cross potent on base and three steps, N to right, below CONOB, around VICTORIA AVGU E, (S.736, DOC 9a, BMC -, T.140-141, R.1361). Broad flan, extremely fine, weak in places and a rare variety.
Estimate $600
SOLD $480
Constans II, (641-668), gold solidus, issued, (4.410 grams), Constantinople mint, Class VI, issued c.661-663, Officina E, obv. large crowned long-bearded bust facing of Constans, wearing chlamys and plumed helmet, ornamented with cross, Constantine IV on right wearing crown with cross on top, around dN CONST [...], rev. Cross potent above three steps, figures of Heraclius on left and Tiberius on right, each holding cross on globe, around VICTORIA AVGUE, in exergue CONOB, (S.964, BNP 56-57, DOC [30x], R.-, T.-). Good very fine and a rare officina.
Estimate $600
SOLD $0
Constantine IV, (668-685), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, Class II, issued 674-681, (4.496 grams), officina B, obv. helmeted three-quarter cuirassed bust to right, with crest and plume, holding spear and shield, around dN COT NVSP, rev. Cross potent on three steps, between Heraclius and Tiberius, around VICTOA AVGUB, CONOB in exergue, (S.1153, DOC [10aa], W.-, R.-, To.-). File mark on edge, possibly has been mounted, weak in places, otherwise extremely fine and an unlisted officina.
Estimate $500
SOLD $300
Justinian II, (first reign 685-695), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, issued 687-692, (4.388 grams), officina H, obv. bust facing of Justinian with slight beard, wearing chlamys and crown, holding cross on globe, around DIUSTINIA NUS PE AV, rev. cross potent on base and three steps, below CONOB**G*, around VICTORIA AVGU H, (S.1247, DOC (6e), BMC -, T.11). Edge has been lightly filed in places, otherwise extremely fine and a very rare variety.
Estimate $800
SOLD $0
Tiberius III, (A.D. 698-705), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, (4.266 grams), officina **Q*, obv. cuirassed bust facing with short beard, wearing crown and holding spear, around d TIbERI US PE AU, rev. VICTOR[IA] AUG**Q* around, cross potent on three steps, beneath CONOB, (S.1360, BMC 6, T.6, DOC [1h]). Edge has been filed, the reverse slightly off centre, otherwise good very fine/very fine and very scarce.
Estimate $500
SOLD $500
Justinian II, (second reign 705-711), with his son Tiberius, gold solidus, Constantinople mint, (4.166 grams), obv. bust of Christ facing with cross behind head, around D N IhS ChS R[EX REGNANT]IUM, rev. around DN IVSTIANVS ET TIBERIUS PP.A, half length figures of Justinian and Tiberius facing both nearly the same size bust, (S.1415, DOC 2b, BMC 1-2 = T.2, R.1705). Some weakness, otherwise very fine and very scarce.
Estimate $700
SOLD $600
Leo III the 'Isaurian' and Constantine V, (717-741), gold solidus, (4.032 grams), Constantinople mint, issued 720, obv. facing bust of short beard of Leo III 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 [£550 EF], DOC 3a, BMC -, To.-, R.-). Old edge file mark, nearly extremely fine and rare.
Estimate $1,100
SOLD $1,100
Nicephorus I and Stauracius, (802-811), gold solidus, (4.388 grams), Constantinople mint, issued 803-811, obv. facing bust of short beard of Nicephorus I wearing crown and chlamys, holding cross potent, on base, around pellet and [NI]CI FOR[OS] bASILE', rev. Stauracius bust facing beardless wearing crown with cross and chlamys, holding cross on globe, around STAVRA CISdESPO' X/E, (S.1604 [£900 EF], DOC 2c/2a, cf.BMC 4-5, To.7-9, R.1783). Weak on obverse at edge, otherwise good very fine and rare.
Estimate $1,400
SOLD $1,200
Basil I the Macedonian, Constantine and Eudocia Ingerina (his second wife), (A.D.867-886), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, issued from A.D. 882, (4.444 grams), obv. Basil facing bust, bearded, wearing loros and crown with cross, in his right hand globus surmounted by patriarchal cross around +bASILIOS AYGYST'b, rev. CONSTANT' SEVdOCIA* around, facing busts of Constantine on left, holding globus surmounted by cross, Eudocia on right wearing loros and crown with cross and two pinnacles, holding cross sceptre, above between both a cross, (S.1703 [£6000 EF], DOC 3, R.-, T.5). Good very fine and very rare.
Estimate $12,500
SOLD $0
Basil I the Macedonian and Constantine, (A.D.867-886), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, issued from A.D. 867-879, (4.378 grams), 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 Romanus II wearing chlamys on right, both crowned, between them long patriarchal cross, (S.1704, DOC 2b, R.1858). As struck extremely fine or better and rare.
Estimate $900
SOLD $550
Basil I the Macedonian and Constantine, (A.D.867-886), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, issued from A.D. 867-879, (4.438 grams), 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 Romanus II wearing chlamys on right, both crowned, between them long patriarchal cross, (S.1704, DOC 2b, R.1858). Nearly extremely fine and scarce.
Estimate $750
SOLD $560
Constantine X, (A.D.1059-1067), gold histamenon nomisma (Scyphate), Constantinople mint, (4.334 grams), 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). Good very fine.
Estimate $300
SOLD $320
Michael VII, (A.D.1071-1078), electrum gold histamenon nomisma (scyphate), Constantinople mint, (4.336 grams), obv. bearded Christ enthroned 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 of four pellets, (S.1869 [£300], DOC 1, BMC 1, R.-). Internal striking crack, off centred, otherwise extremely fine and very scarce.
Estimate $450
SOLD $0
Nicephorus III, (A.D.1078-1081), electrum gold histamenon nomisma (scyphate), Constantinople mint, (4.354 grams), obv. bearded Christ enthroned no back, facing, wearing nimbus, raising right hand, in left hand the Gospels, IC XC across, double dotted border, rev. +NIKH**F D*EC T W ROTANIAT, around bust of Nicophorus facing, bearded wearing crown and loros, holding labarum with X on shaft and globe with cross, (S.1881, DOC 3, BMC 7-11, R.2051-2). Good bust of bearded Christ, extremely fine and scarce.
Estimate $450
SOLD $500
Nicephorus III, (A.D.1078-1081), electrum gold histamenon nomisma (scyphate), Constantinople mint, (4.274 grams), obv. bearded Christ enthroned no back, facing, wearing nimbus, raising right hand, in left hand the Gospels, IC XC across, double dotted border, rev. +NIKH**F D*EC T W ROTANIAT, around bust of Nicephorus facing, bearded wearing crown and loros, holding labarum with X on shaft and globe with cross, (S.1881, DOC 3, BMC 7-11, R.2051-2). Good bust of bearded Christ, nearly extremely fine and scarce.
Estimate $400
SOLD $330
Manuel I, (1143-1180), gold hyperpyron (scyphate), Constantinople mint, (4.396 grams), obv. Christ bust facing, beardless wearing nimbus, IC XC over to left KE RO, to right H**Q*EI, rev. facing figure of Manuel standing wearing crown, holding patriarchal cross to right 'manus Dei' legend to left **ML/NWHL/ DE*C/**PO /TH to right **TW/ POR/ FUROG/ NH/T*, (S.1956, Hendy Pl.12, 1-11, BMC 1-13, R.2111-4). Nearly extremely fine/extremely fine and rare.
Estimate $600
SOLD $440
John III Ducas called Vatatzes, Empire of Nicaea, (A.D. 1222/3-1254), gold hyperpyron nomisma, Magnesia mint, (4.362 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, (S.2073; DOC 6a, Vol.4, pl.XXX; H.Pl.32, 3). Weak in places, otherwise extremely fine and very scarce.
Estimate $600
SOLD $450
John III Ducas called Vatatzes, Empire of Nicaea, (A.D. 1222/3-1254), gold hyperpyron nomisma, Magnesia mint, (4.228 grams), second coinage transitional to late style, issued 1232-1254, obv. Christ enthroned facing nimbate, raising hand, IC XC either side of head, three dots to right above throne, rev. John standing left being crowned by the Virgin Mary, to left and right traces of legend, (S.2073, DOC (9c), Vol.4, [not illustrated], cf.l.32, 3-5, apparently an example was in a Glendining Auction 24.1.1945 [lot 74] and two others in the Istanbul Archaeological Museum). Holed, extremely fine and very rare, double struck on obverse, coin being struck from three dies.
Estimate $600
SOLD $0
John III, Ducas called Vatatzes, (1222/3-1254), gold hyperpyron of Magnesia mint type, (4.704 grams), 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 $100
SOLD $80
Michael VIII, (1258-1282), gold hyperpyron (scyphate), Constantinople mint, (4.074 grams), obv. bust of Virgin within city walls and six towers, control letters (sigla) **F P* to left an right, rev. St.Michael presenting kneeling emperor Michael to Christ with scroll, **Q* between figures, (S.2242, Bendall PCPC 4, var. type sigla 47, cf.DOC 6). Large flan, some weakness in places as usual, otherwise good very fine and rare.
Estimate $500
SOLD $500
Michael VIII, (1258-1282), gold hyperpyron (scyphate), Constantinople mint, (4.164 grams), obv. bust of Virgin within city walls and six towers, no control letters (sigla) over lis on right, rev. St.Michael presenting kneeling emperor Michael to Christ with scroll, (S.2242, Bendall PCPC 4, var. type sigla 6, cf.DOC 6). Large flan, weak in places as usual, otherwise very fine and rare.
Estimate $450
SOLD $0
Andronicus II, (sole reign 1282-1295), gold hyperpyron (scyphate), Constantinople mint, (4.032 grams), obv. bust of Virgin within city walls and six towers, control letters (sigla) C and Z to left and right, rev. Andronicus II with nimbus crouching before Christ, in five lines in left field **AND*R/ ONIKOC/ IXIWE/ **PLOEI/DIPH*, (S.2326, Bendall PCPC 91, var. type sigla - [cf.41], DOC Class I, cf.No.224). Flan crack, weak in places as usual, otherwise good very fine and very rare, the sigla unlisted.
Estimate $400
SOLD $440
Andronicus II and Michael IX, (1295-1320), gold hyperpyron (scyphate), Constantinople mint, (4.102 grams), 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, traces of partial legend downwards of each emperor, (S.2396, Bendall PCPC 128, var. type sigla 175, DOC 366). Large flan, holed, weak in places as usual, otherwise very fine and rare.
Estimate $400
SOLD $0