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* Note: Rasiel Suarez’s photo, digitally published on Tantalus, Coryssa/Coinvac, used with acknowledgement.

Return to “Provenance Coins, Part VI: Byzantine (to this coin)”

Cover coin for ERIC II by Rasiel Suarez (2010).

Constantine IV Pogonatus (668-685 CE) AV Solidus (4.37g, 19mm, 6h). Struck at the Constantinople mint, 10th officina, circa 674-681.

Obverse: D N CO(●TN)-A-NЧS PP [or similarly devolved]. Pearly-diademed, cuirassed bust facing three-quarters right, with short beard, wearing helmet with frontal plume only, holding a spear over shoulder and shield decorated with horseman motif.

Reverse: (VICTOA) AVGЧ I / CONOB. Cross potent set on three steps between facing, standing figures of Heraclius and Tiberius, each crowned, draped in chlamys, and holding globus cruciger.

References: DOC 8e; MIB 7a; SB 1154; ERIC II 64 p. 1319, 5 (obv) and 8 (rev), and front cover (this coin illustrated).

Provenance: Ex-CNG Auction e-484 (Lancaster, PA USA; 27 January 2021), Lot 978; Rasiel Suarez Collection (Dirty Old Coins LLC); acquired 28 March, 2005 (Coryssa / COINVAC ID #1044946 = Tantalus Coin Registry 179).

Numis. Notes: This coin published in Rasiel Suarez’s (2010) Encyclopedia of Roman Imperial Coins, 2nd ed. (ERIC II). An XRF Analysis performed by Suarez/Dirty Old Coins, LLC measured the alloy at 98.52% gold.

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Categories: Byzantine Roman Coins

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Justinian I “The Great” (527-565) AV Tremissis (1.45g, 17mm, 6h). Constantinople, circa 527-565.

Obverse: DN IVSTINIANVS PP AVG. Diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right.

Reverse: VICTORIA AVGVSTORVM / CONOB in exergue. Victory advancing right, head left, holding wreath in right hand & globus cruciger in left. Star to right.

References: SB 145; DOC I 19; MIB I 19.

Provenance: Ex-CNG e-Auction 455, Lot 394 (Lancaster, PA 30 Oct 2019), from the Jack A. Frazer collection; Harlan Berk Buy or Bid Sale 27, Lot 8 (13 Sep 1983); includes original inserts from CNG & HJB.

Numis. Notes: Typical slightly wavy flan. Tiny obv. graffito: large “B” between head/legend & crosses (11h, 1h).

Hist. Notes: Representative of shift from Pagan toward Christian symbols on Byzantine coinage (much like Imperial coinage of Constantine). Note, particularly, the figure on the reverse depicted holding a wreath (indicative of Roman deity Victory), but also a globus cruciger (perhaps suggestive of an angel, as on coins of Justin II & later, but clearly referencing Christianity).

The reverse figure is persuasively identified as Victory in the literature, but since the joint reign of Justin I and Justinian (c. 519; see SB [1987] p.14 & 44), an (always male) angel had largely replaced Victory on the AV Solidus. The figure of Victory seems to have been preserved on the Tremissis (sometimes visibly female). One wonders, though, whether and to what extent that shift may have influenced both the design of the Victory-type Tremissi by the mints and their reception by the public.

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Justinian I “The Great” (527 – 565 CE) AE Follis (23.8g, 39mm, 6h). Struck in Constantinople, 1 Aug 540 – 31 Jul 541 (Regnal Year 14).
Obv: D N IVSTINIANVS P P AVI. Diademed, helmeted & cuirassed bust facing, holding globus cruciger in r. hand & shield over l. shoulder decorated w/ equestrian motif; in field to r., cross.
Rev: Large M, ANNO – X/II/II to either side. Cross above. A below. CON in exergue.
References: SB 163; DOC 39a.
Provenance: Ex-Ancient & Medieval Coins Canada Auction 2, Lot 274 (9 Nov 2019); Ex-“TheRed” Collection; Ex-FORVM Ancient Coins, with tag.

Video w/ numismatic & Historical writepul here

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Marcian (AD 450 – 457) AV Solidus (4.45g, 20mm, 5h). Constantinople, 450-457 AD.
Obv: D N MARCIANVS P F AVG. Helmeted & cuirassed bust facing three-quarters right, holding spear & shield decorated with equestrian motif (horseman spearing fallen enemy).
Rev: VICTORIA AVGGG Z / CONOB in exergue. Victory standing left, holding cross; star in right field.
Ref: RIC 510; DOC 481.
Pedigree: Ex-Auctiones Gmbh Auction 34, Lot 136 (Bern, 22 February 2015)

Numis. Notes: Obv. Graffito (cross), light obv deposits.

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Categories: Byzantine Roman Coins

Tags: #Byzantine #Gold #Roman #Showcase