Catalogue
Justinian I, (A.D.527-565), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, (4.49 grams), issued 542-552/565, obv. bust of Justinian I facing, with plume and diadem, two pearls at each side, wearing cuirass, holding globus cruciger and shield, d N IVSTINI ANVS PP AVI around, rev. Angel facing in tunic and cloak, in right hand long cross surmounted by P, globe in left hand cross above, star to right, around VICTORI A AVGGGH, CONOB in exergue, (S.140, DOC 9h, MIBE 7). Full weight, broad unclipped flan, about as struck with original mint bloom, extremely fine.
Estimate $750
SOLD $600
Maurice Tiberius, (A.D.582-602), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, (4.432 grams), Officina E, obv. crowned, draped and cuirassed bust of Maurice Tiberius facing, wearing plumed helmet, holding globe surmounted by cross, D N MAVRC TIb PP AV around, rev. VICTORI A AVCCE, CONOB in exergue, Angel standing facing holding long staff surmounted by P with cross, and cross on globe, (S.478, DOC. 5d, MIB 6). With full mint bloom, about as struck, extremely fine or better.
Estimate $700
SOLD $780
Constantine IV, (668-685), gold solidus, (4.228 grams), Constantinople mint, Class III, issued c.674-681, Officina **D*, obv. three-quarter facing bearded bust of Constantine IV, wearing helmet with plume and cuirass, holds spear and shield, around dN C A NUSP, rev. Cross potent above three steps, between facing figures of Heraclius on left and Tiberius on right, each holding cross on globe, around VICTOA VGUH [H like an N], in exergue CONOB, (S.1154, cf.DOC 10g, BMC -, R.-, T.-). Extremely fine, with mint bloom, and rare variant.
Estimate $600
SOLD $0
Michael II and Theophilus (821-829), gold solidus, (3.85 grams), struck at Syracuse mint, obv. Michael facing bust holding cross on circlet, with short beard, wearing crown, rev. Theophilus facing beardless wearing loros and crown, in right hand cross crosslet, (S.1646, DOC 15c). Small flan, good very fine and rare.
Estimate $900
SOLD $800
Basil I the Macedonian and Constantine, (A.D.867-886), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, issued from A.D. 867-879, (4.354 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 $1,000
SOLD $1,200
Nicephorus III, (A.D.1078-1081), electrum gold histamenon nomisma (scyphate), Constantinople mint, (3.97 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). Flan edge uneven, otherwise very fine/nearly extremely fine and scarce.
Estimate $500
SOLD $400
Manuel I, (1143-1180), gold hyperpyron (scyphate), Constantinople mint, (4.376 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). Brilliant, extremely fine and rare.
Estimate $1,000
SOLD $1,050