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Byzantine Gold Coins 2

SCYPHATES (cup shaped)

The reason for the striking of scyphate coins is obscure. My own theory would be that in an era obssessed with and determined by the spread of Christian theocracy, the coin shape was supposed to recall that of the Ciboreum: the cup which stored the Eucharist: the symbolic blood and body of Christ

At any rate, it has been determined (by Simon Bendall) that in order to render full images and legends, the dies of these coins had to be struck twice while rocked gently from side to side. Furthermore, the obverse die was comprised of two discreet halves.

It is thus extremely difficult, even with the most plentiful issues, to find coins that are well struck on both sides, without being double struck. It is equally difficult to find coins of full weight and original contours. Nice examples are few and far between.

In fact, finding a well struck scyphate is about as difficult a task as you will encounter in the ancient coin market.

Here below are several unusually well struck examples.

click on the coin to see the image enlarged.

.......................................BYZANTINE GOLD COINS PAGE 1

Isaac I Comnenus. 1057-1059.
AV Histamenon Nomisma (27 mm, 4.41 g). Constantinople. Christ enthroned facing, raising hand in benediction and holding Gospels / Isaac standing facing, holding drawn sword and resting hand on sheath. DOC 2; SB 1843
EF.............................sold

Constantine X. Ducas, 1059-1067,

Histamenon nomisma 1059-1067, Constantinople. Gold (4,42 g.) Christ enthroned facing with nimbus, raised right hand in blessing and book of Gospels / Emperor standing facing with crown, labarum and globe cruciger. Sear 1847,

NGC graded CH AU stk 5/5 surf 5/5
sold

Romanus IV Diogenes, 1068 – 1071, and colleagues. Histamenon nomisma 1068-1071, AV ( 4.37 g.) + P&MANS – EVDOKIA Three figures: Christ, nimbate, in centre, crowning Romanus, on l. and Eudocia, on r., both wearing crown and loros and holding globus cruciger. Above, IC – XC. Rev. K&N – MX – AND Three figures standing on separate cushions: Michel VII, in centre, Constantius, on l. Andronicus, on r., DO 1. Sear 1859. fine. Ex Spink sale 13 July 2000, Dreesmann part II, 692.

NGC graded AU stk 5/5, surf 3/5 (lightly clipped - .03 gms light),,,,,........sold

Alexius I., 1081-1118

AV-Hyperpyron (Scyphat), 1092/1118, Thessalonica mint; (4,42 g). Christus thront v. v.//Kaiser steht v. v. mit Labarum und Kreuzglobus. Ex Kuenker

DOC 20 h; Sear 1924.

NGC graded MS stk 5/5 surf 5/5
$2600

Alexius I Comnenus. 1081-1118.
EL Histamenon Nomisma (4.14 g, 6h). Thessalonica mint. Pre-Reform coinage, circa 1082-1092. Facing bust of Christ Pantokrator / Standing facing figures of St. Demetrius, nimbate, holding sword, handing patriarchal cross to Alexius, wearing crown and loros. DOC 5a; SB 1905.

NGC Graded: CH AU Stk 5/5 surf 4/5
.$1350

JOHN II, Comnenus. 1118-1143 AD. EL Aspron Trachy (4.56 gm). Constantinople mint. Christ enthroned facing / John and St. George standing facing, supporting between them patriarchal cross on three steps. DOC IV 8c; SB 1942. From the Jürgen K. Schmidt Collection. Ex Jean Elsen Vente 57 (6 March 1999), lot 2033; Münzen und Medaillen Liste 498 (April 1987), no. 73. Superb for the issue.
NGC graded: AU Strk 5/5 surf 3/5
$1950

Manuel I. Komnenos, 1143 - 1180 .
AV Hyperpyron (4,33 g.), Thessalonika mint. Vs.: + KE RO-HQEI / IC - XC, Christ nimbate. MA/NOU/HL DES/PO - TW / P/OR/FU/RO/GE/NH/T/W, King with Labarum and crucifer, this mint is described as "extremely rare" by D. Sear.
DOC 1f; Sear 1971; Superb for the issue.
NGC graded AU stk 4/5, surf 5/5
$1850

Manuel I Comnenus (1143-1180). EL aspron trachy (4.30 gm). Thessalonica, 1160-1167. MP—ΘΥ, the Virgin seated facing on throne, holding a medallion with a bust of the infant Christ / Manuel (left) and Saint Demetrius standing, Manuel crowned wearing divitision and loros, Demetrius nimbate and wearing military attire, holding between them Labarum. DOC 9. Hendy pl. 14, 7-9. Sear 1974. Rare. Exceptionally well struck on a broad flan.
NGC graded AU ** stk 5/5 surf 3/5. $2200.

Andronicus I Comnenus, 1183-1185. Hyperpyron 1183-1185, AV (4.53 g). The Virgin, nimbate, enthroned facing, wearing pallium and maphorium and holding before Her, nimbate head of the infant Christ facing; MHP ligate – QV. Rev. A – DRONIKOC – DECPOTHC Christ, on l., , bearded with crossed nimbus, and Andronicus, r., facing; Christ wears pallium and colobium, holding Book of Gospels and crowning the Emperor, who wears divitision, loros and sagion and holds labarum and globus cruciger. IC – XC. DO 1. Sear 1983. Ex NAC 56. Very rare and in superb condition for the issue. Absolutely insignificant marks on reverse,
Superb extremely fine .......sold

Andronicus I Comnenus, 1183-1185. Aspron trachy 1183-1185, EL (4.28 g.) + Q KE – ROHQEI The Virgin orans, nimbate, standing facing, wearing pallium and maphorium; on Her breast, nimbate head of the infant Christ,. MHP ligate – QV. Rev. ANDRONIK& – [DECPOTHC] Christ, bearded with crossed nimbus, and Andronicus standing facing; Christ wears pallium and collobium, holding Book of Gospels and crowning the Emperor, who wears divitision, loros and sagion and holds labarum and anakakia. IC – XC. DO 2a. Sear 1984. Very Rare.
Superb Extremely fine...........$2850

Isaac II Angelus 1185-1195 AD, EL aspron trachy, (4.23gm,) Constantinople mint. Obv: The Virgin enthroned facing, nimbate wearing pallium and maphorium, holding the nimbate head of the infant Christ facing; on either side of nimbus, MP and ΘV, both overlined. Rev: Archangel Michael, nimbate right and Isaac left, with Michael wearing military attire, holding jewelled sceptre, and crowning Isaac, who wears divitision and chlamys and holds cruciform sceptre and akakia; between their heads, Θ; to lower right, X/M. Sear BCV 2002; Ratto 2178f.
NGC graded MS stk 5/5 surf 4/5
.$2500

The Empire of Nicaea. John III Ducas-Vatazes, 1222 – 1254. AV Hyperpyron, Magnesia mint 1232-1254 (4.57 g). Christ enthroned, with crossed nimbus, wearing pallium and colobium, r. hand in benediction holding Book of Gospels in l.; IC – XC. Rev. [I& DECPOTH T& ORFVROGENNHT&] (some letters visible) John, on l., holding labarum, crowned by the Virgin; in upper field, MHP ligate – QV. DO 5.9. Sear 2073. LBC –. Light Graffito on reverse, otherwise exceptional and extremely rare in full weight.
NGC graded AU stk 5/5 surf 2/5 graffitto noted.........$1800

Andronicus II Palaeologus, with Michael IX. 1282-1328. AV Hyperpyron (23mm, 4.02 g,). Thessalonica mint. Bust of the Virgin, orans, within city walls with six groups of towers; K(retrograde)-K / Christ standing facing, crowning Andronicus and Michael kneeling to either side. DOC -; SB 2396 var.; Bendall 207.2.
Good VF, for the issue............$645

Byzantine Gold Coins Page 1

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