The Byzantine Empire (Page: 2)

Lot # 541 - Theophilus (829-842). AV Solidus, Syracuse mint. D/ ΘЄOFILOS. Facing bust of Theophilus, wearing crown surmounted by cross and chlamys, holding globus cruciger in his right hand. R/ ΘЄOFILOS. Facing bust of Theophilus, wearing crown surmounted by cross and loros, holding cross potent in his right hand. D.O. 24; Sear 1670. AV. 3.88 g. 15 mm. R. Rare Solidus, sharply struck. EF.

Watch:

Starting price: € 500

Number of bids: -

Minimum bid: € 500

Observed by: [login required]

B.P.: 20.00%

Closing on: 2026-05-03 14:00:00 Roma time

Lot # 542 - Theophilus (829-842). AV Semissis, Syracuse mint. D/ ΘЄOFILOS. Bust facing with short beard, wearing crown and chlamys, and holding globus cruciger. R/ ΘЄOFILOS. Bust facing with short beard, wearing crown and loros, and holding cross potent. D.O. 26a; Sear 1673. AV. 1.84 g. 12.5 mm. R. Choice example; well struck on a broad flan. EF.

Watch:

Starting price: € 300

Number of bids: -

Minimum bid: € 300

Observed by: [login required]

B.P.: 20.00%

Closing on: 2026-05-03 14:00:00 Roma time

Lot # 543 - Theophilus (829-842). AV Tremissis, Syracuse mint. D/ ΘЄOFILOS. Bust facing with short beard, wearing crown and chlamys, and holding globus cruciger. R/ ΘЄOFILOS. Bust facing with short beard, wearing crown and loros, and holding cross potent. D.O. 27; Sear 1678. AV. 1.16 g. 10 mm. Superb example, virtually as struck. About FDC.

Watch:

Starting price: € 250

Currently: € 250

Number of bids: 1

Minimum bid: € 270

Observed by: [login required]

B.P.: 20.00%

Closing on: 2026-05-03 14:00:00 Roma time

Lot # 544 - PB Seal, Byzantine, c. 8th-9th century. John of Liparis(?). D/ O AΓIOC ΓЄOPΓIOC. St. George standing facing, holding spear and grounded shield. R/ + Cω[...] / IωNH IMЄ / TON ΛIΠAPI / [...]HMAP / [...]. Legend in five lines. BZS -. PB. 48.3 g. 35 mm. Good VF.

Watch:

Starting price: € 300

Number of bids: -

Minimum bid: € 300

Observed by: [login required]

B.P.: 20.00%

Closing on: 2026-05-03 14:00:00 Roma time

Lot # 545 - Basil I, the Macedonian (867-886 AD). AV Solidus, Constantinople mint. D/ +IhS XPS REX REGNANTIЧM*. Christ, nimbate, enthroned facing, raising hand in benediction and holding Gospels. R/ ЬASILIOS ЄT COҺSƮAhƮ' AЧGG Ь'. Crowned facing busts of Basil, with short beard and loros, and his son Constantine, beardless and wearing chlamys, holding patriarchal cross between them. D.O. 2; Sear 1704. AV. 4.4 g. 20 mm. Brilliant, from masterly engraved dies. As struck. FDC.

Watch:

Starting price: € 600

Number of bids: -

Minimum bid: € 600

Observed by: [login required]

B.P.: 20.00%

Closing on: 2026-05-03 14:00:00 Roma time

Lot # 546 - Basil I the Macedonian, with Constantine (868-879). AR Miliaresion, Constantinople mint. D/ IhSЧS XRI-StЧS nICA. Cross potent with base on three steps set on globe. R/ + bASI/LIOS CЄ / COnStAn/tIn' PIStV / bASILIS / ROmЄO', legend in six lines. D.O. 7; Sear 1708. AR. 2.98 g. 24 mm. Iridescent patina. EF.

Watch:

Starting price: € 250

Number of bids: -

Minimum bid: € 250

Observed by: [login required]

B.P.: 20.00%

Closing on: 2026-05-03 14:00:00 Roma time

Lot # 547 - Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus and Romanus II (945-963 AD). AV Solidus, Constantinople mint. D/ + IhS XPS RЄX RЄϚNANTIЧM. Half length bust of Christ facing, wearing nimbus cruciger pallium and colobium, right hand raised in benediction, book of Gospels cradled in left. R/ COhStAht CЄ ROmAh' AЧϚϚ I'R'. Crowned facing busts of Constantine VII (on left), bearded, wearing loros, and Romanus II (on right), wearing chlamys pinned at right shoulder, jointly holding long patriarchal cross. D.O. 15; Sear 1751. AV. 4.44 g. 21 mm. Choice example; well struck from detailed dies. FDC.

Watch:

Starting price: € 750

Number of bids: -

Minimum bid: € 750

Observed by: [login required]

B.P.: 20.00%

Closing on: 2026-05-03 14:00:00 Roma time

Lot # 548 - Romanus III Argyrus (1028-1034). AV Histamenon Nomisma. Constantinople mint. D/ + IhS XIS RЄX RЄϚNANTIЧM. Christ Pantokrator seated facing on throne. R/ ΘCЄ bOHΘ´ RωMAnω. Romanus, holding globus cruciger, standing facing, being crowned and blessed by the Theotokos (Virgin Mary); MΘ above. D.O. 1c; Sear 1819; Ratto 1972. AV. 4.41 g. 24 mm. EF.

Watch:

Starting price: € 600

Currently: € 600

Number of bids: 1

Minimum bid: € 650

Observed by: [login required]

B.P.: 20.00%

Closing on: 2026-05-03 14:00:00 Roma time

Lot # 549 - Romanus III Argyrus (1028-1034). AR MIliaresion, small module. Constantinople mint, c. 1030 (?) AD. D/ +ΠAΡΘЄΝЄ COI ΠOΛVAINЄ. The Virgin, nimbate, standing three-quarter facing to right, on footstod, wearing palladium and maphorium; with her left arm she holds the Infant Christ, nimbate, facing; to left, M; to right Θ. Triple border with eight equally spaced globes. R/ ΟC ΗΛΠΙΚЄ ΠΑΝΤΑ ΚΑΤΟPΘΟΙ. Romanus, bearded, standing facing on footstod, wearing crown, saccos and loros and holding long patriarchal cross and globus surmounted by patriarchal cross. Triple border with eight equally spaced globes. Sear 1822; D.O. 3. AR. 2.15 g. 21.5 mm. RRR. Extremely rare and nice example. Oxidation spots. VF. Ex Artemide Aste LXI, 2024, lot 805.

Watch:

Starting price: € 500

Number of bids: -

Minimum bid: € 500

Observed by: [login required]

B.P.: 20.00%

Closing on: 2026-05-03 14:00:00 Roma time

Lot # 550 - Constantine IX Monomachus (1042-1055 AD). AV Histamenon Nomisma, Constantinople mint. D/ +IҺS XIS RЄX RCςNANTIҺm. Christ Pantokrator enthroned facing. R/ +CωҺSτAhτh BASILЄЧS Rm. Crowned bust facing, wearing loros, holding labarum in right hand and globus cruciger in left. D.O. 2a; Sear 1829. AV. 4.38 g. 28 mm. Scarce. Great example. EF/Good EF.

Watch:

Starting price: € 500

Number of bids: -

Minimum bid: € 500

Observed by: [login required]

B.P.: 20.00%

Closing on: 2026-05-03 14:00:00 Roma time

Lot # 551 - Constantine IX Monomachus (1042-1055). AV Tetarteron Nomisma, Constantinople mint, 1053-1055. D/ + IҺS XIS RЄX RЄςNANTIҺM. Bust of Christ Pantokrator facing, cross-nimbate, holding book of Gospels. R/ + CωҺSTAҺT ЬASILЄЧS. Bust of Constantine facing, crowned, wearing jewelled chlamys, holding labarum and globus cruciger. D.O. 6; Sear 1833. AV. 4.04 g. 19 mm. Well centered, metal flaw on edge. EF. Ex Artemide Aste LXI, 2024, lot 807.

Watch:

Starting price: € 750

Number of bids: -

Minimum bid: € 750

Observed by: [login required]

B.P.: 20.00%

Closing on: 2026-05-03 14:00:00 Roma time

Lot # 552 - Constantine X Ducas (1059-1067). AV Histamenon Nomisma. Constantinople mint. D/ +IhS XIS RCX – RCGNANTIhm. Christ Pantokrator enthroned facing. R/ +KωNRΛCΛ – OΔOUKΛC. Constantine standing facing, holding labarum and globus cruciger. D.O. 1b; Sear 1847. AV. 4.44 g. 27 mm. Good EF.

Watch:

Starting price: € 600

Number of bids: -

Minimum bid: € 600

Observed by: [login required]

B.P.: 20.00%

Closing on: 2026-05-03 14:00:00 Roma time

Lot # 553 - Michael VII Ducas (1071-1078). EL Histamenon Nomisma, Constantinople mint. D/ IC-XC. Nimbate bust of Christ facing, wearing pallium and colobium, raising right hand in benediction and holding in left book of Gospels. R/ MIXAHΛ RACIΛ. Bust facing, bearded, wearing crown and loros and holding labarum and globus cruciger. D.O. 2; Sear 1868. EL. 4.37 g. 30.5 mm. Attractive cabinet tone; scratch and graffito, otherwise. good EF.

Watch:

Starting price: € 650

Number of bids: -

Minimum bid: € 650

Observed by: [login required]

B.P.: 20.00%

Closing on: 2026-05-03 14:00:00 Roma time

Lot # 554 - Nicephorus III Botaniates (1078-1081). EL Histamenon Nomisma, Constantinople mint. D/ Christ enthroned facing, wearing pallium and colobium, raising right hand in benediction and holding book of Gospels in left. R/ +NIKHΦ ΔEC Tω ROTANIA. Nicephorus standing facing on footstool, wearing crown and loros and holding labarum with X on shaft and globus cruciger. D.O. 3b; Sear 1881. EL. 4.37 g. 29 mm. Flan-crack, otherwise. Good VF.

Watch:

Starting price: € 500

Number of bids: -

Minimum bid: € 500

Observed by: [login required]

B.P.: 20.00%

Closing on: 2026-05-03 14:00:00 Roma time

Lot # 555 - Alexius I Comnenus (1081-1118). AV Hyperpyron Nomisma, Constantinople mint. D/ Christ Pantokrator enthroned facing. R/ Alexius standing facing, holding labarum and globus cruciger; Manus Dei to upper right. D.O. 20c; Sear 1912. AV. 4.22 g. 32.5 mm. Light scratches and graffiti, otherwise. about EF.

Watch:

Starting price: € 500

Number of bids: -

Minimum bid: € 500

Observed by: [login required]

B.P.: 20.00%

Closing on: 2026-05-03 14:00:00 Roma time

Lot # 556 - John II Comnenus (1118-1143). AV Hyperpyron. Thessalonica mint. D/ Christ seated facing on throne without back, wearing nimbus cruciger, pallium and colobium and raising right hand in benediction; in left, holding book of gospels; to left, cross. R/ Facing half-length figures of the virgin, nimbate, wearing pallium and maphorium, and John, crowned, wearing loros and akakia; both holding patriarchal cross between them; above, manus dei. D.O. 4 var. (no cross on obverse); Sear 1947. AV. 4.48 g. 30 mm. RR. Very rare variant with cross on obverse. Good style. About EF. Ex NAC R, 2007, lot 1752 (misdescribed).

Watch:

Starting price: € 500

Number of bids: -

Minimum bid: € 500

Observed by: [login required]

B.P.: 20.00%

Closing on: 2026-05-03 14:00:00 Roma time

Lot # 557 - Manuel I Comnenus (1143-1180). AV Hyperperon, Constantinople mint. Struck 1143-1160. D/ ΚЄRΟ ΗΘЄΙ. Facing bust of Christ Pantokrator. R/ ΜΑΝΥΗΛ ΔЄCΠΟΤΗ Τω ΠΟΡΦΥΡΟΓЄΝΙΤω. Manuel I standing facing, holding labarum and globus surmounted by patriarchal cross; manus Dei above; five jewels on collar, six pellets in loros end. D.O. 1b; Sear 1956. AV. 4.24 g. 32.5 mm. Few scratches on reverse, otherwise. EF. Ex NAC R, 2007, lot 1757.

Watch:

Starting price: € 800

Number of bids: -

Minimum bid: € 800

Observed by: [login required]

B.P.: 20.00%

Closing on: 2026-05-03 14:00:00 Roma time

Lot # 558 - Isaac II Angelus (1185-1195). EL Aspron Trachy. Constantinople mint. D/ MP-ΘV across upper field. The Theotokos enthroned facing, holding head of the Holy Infant on lap. R/ Isaac standing facing, holding cross-tipped scepter in right hand and akakia in left, being crowned by St. Michael the Archangel, holding jeweled sceptre. D.O. 2b; Sear 2002. EL. 3.91 g. 29 mm. Some edge-cracks. Good VF.

Watch:

Starting price: € 300

Number of bids: -

Minimum bid: € 300

Observed by: [login required]

B.P.: 20.00%

Closing on: 2026-05-03 14:00:00 Roma time

Lot # 559 - Latin Rulers of Constantinople. BI Trachy. Constantinople mint, c. 1204-1261. Imitating Manuel I. D/ IC - XC. Nimbate Christ seated facing, holding Gospels. R/ MANOVHΛ [...] Emperor standing facing, holding sword and globus cruciger. Sear 2022; D.O. 2. BI. 5.61 g. 32.5 mm. Green patina. Good VF. Ex Artemide Aste LXI, 2024, lot 817.

Watch:

Starting price: € 100

Number of bids: -

Minimum bid: € 100

Observed by: [login required]

B.P.: 20.00%

Closing on: 2026-05-03 14:00:00 Roma time

Lot # 560 - The Empire of Nicaea. John III Ducas (1222-1254). AV Hyperpyron, Empire of Nicaea, Magnesia mint, c. 1232-1254. D/ Christ seated facing upon throne without back, bearded and nimbate, wearing colobium over chiton, hand raised in benediction, holding Gospels in left; IC and XC in field above left and right; pellet to right of throne. R/ Standing facing figures of John, wearing stemma with pendilia, loros and divitision, holding labarum and akakia, and crowning the emperor, the Theotokos, nimbate, wearing maphorium over chiton. D.O. 6b; Sear 2073. AV. 4.4 g. 27.5 mm. Nicely toned. Good VF.

Watch:

Starting price: € 400

Number of bids: -

Minimum bid: € 400

Observed by: [login required]

B.P.: 20.00%

Closing on: 2026-05-03 14:00:00 Roma time

Lot # 561 - John III Ducas-Vatatzes (1222-1254). Debased AV Hyperpyron, Empire of Nicaea, Magnesia mint, c. 1232-1254. D/ Christ Pantokrator seated facing, right hand raised in benediction and holding Gospels in left. R/ Iω ΔΕCΠΟ - (Tω) ΠΡ/Φ/V. Emperor and the Virgin Mary standing facing; emperor holding labarum and akakia and Mary crowning him. Cf. D.O. 4; Cf. Sear 2073. Debased AV. 2.94 g. 26 mm. EF.

Watch:

Starting price: € 250

Number of bids: -

Minimum bid: € 250

Observed by: [login required]

B.P.: 20.00%

Closing on: 2026-05-03 14:00:00 Roma time

Lot # 562 - Andronicus II and Michael IX (1295-1320). EL Hyperpyron, Constantinople mint, 1294-1303. D/ Half-length facing figure of the Theotokos, orans, within city walls with six towers; sigla: Θ-B(?). R/ Christ standing facing, crowning Andronicus and Michael, kneeling to left and right respectively. PCPC 128.2; D.O. 258ff; Sear 2396. EL. 3.45 g. 27 mm. Good example; some marks and flan-cracks, otherwise. good VF.

Watch:

Starting price: € 300

Number of bids: -

Minimum bid: € 300

Observed by: [login required]

B.P.: 20.00%

Closing on: 2026-05-03 14:00:00 Roma time

The Last Reigning Byzantine Emperor

Lot # 563 - Constantine XI (1448-1453). AR Quarter-Hyperpyron or Half Stavraton. Constantinople mint. D/ Facing bust of Christ Pantokrator; barred IC XC flanking, pellets in margin. R/ Crowned facing bust of Constantine XI, bearded and nimbate, wearing tunic and colobion and holding sceptre in left hand; to left, pellet. LPC p 176, 1; PCPC 354 (same rev. die); S. Bendall, 'The Coinage of Constantine XI,' Revue Numismatique 1991, pl. XVI, 102 (same dies); Sear 2569; D.O. 1788 (same rev. die). AR. 3.14 g. 18 mm. RRRR. Extremely rare, few specimens known with sceptre on reverse. VF. Son of John V and Helena, Constantine XI Palaeologus is remembered as a valiant commander. When his brother John III ascended the throne, Constantine and his two other brothers, Theodore and Thomas, divided the Morea among themselves. Constantine proved to be the most resourceful and capable of the three, managing to expand the borders of the Morea, then defeating the Franks and annexing the Peloponnese and Achaea. Thanks to these successes, he was named successor to the throne and, upon the death of John VIII, was crowned in 1449 and entered Constantinople as emperor, unaware that he would be the last. In 1451, Murad II was succeeded by Mehmed II, who immediately began construction of a fortress near Constantinople with the intention of conquering it and uniting the eastern and western parts of the vast Ottoman Empire. Constantine thus asked the West for help, but he also had to deal with the anti-Latin hatred of his subjects. In any case, Alfonso V of Aragon, called upon to help Constantinople, could not and did not want to embark on such a difficult undertaking. In 1453, Mohammed began to besiege the city and, thanks to the numerical superiority of the Turks and the firepower of his cannons, he prevailed in two months. Constantine did not flee and attempted a final heroic and futile assault, managing to kill many enemies but ultimately succumbing. His decapitated body and his insignia were sent to the sultan. Constantinople fell and became the capital of the Ottoman Empire, and the Church of Hagia Sophia was converted into a mosque.

Watch:

Starting price: € 1'000

Number of bids: -

Minimum bid: € 1'000

Observed by: [login required]

B.P.: 20.00%

Closing on: 2026-05-03 14:00:00 Roma time