Byzantine Coins (Page: 1)

Lot # 746 - ANASTASIUS I (491-518). GOLD Solidus. Constantinople. Obv: D N ANASTASIVS P P AVG. Helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly right, holding spear and shield decorated with horseman motif.Rev: VICTORIA AVGGG I / CONOB. Victory standing left, holding jeweled cross; star to right.MIBE 4a; DOC 3i; Sear 3.Anastasius was nicknamed ‘dikoros’ (=two pupils) because of the different color of his eyes. When Zeno died, since he had no living heirs, his widow Ariadne had the difficult choice of appointing a successor to the people, who demanded an orthodox emperor. Ariadne eventually chose Anastasius, about whom we only know that he was a palace official, responsible for maintaining silence during important sacred ceremonies. After Zeno's funeral, Anastasius received the crown from the patriarch, was acclaimed augustus by the crowd in 491, and married Ariadne to legitimize the succession. His main task was to restore Constantinople's finances, which had been severely affected during his predecessor's reign. He managed to balance the budget despite a policy of tax relief, making the people pay less tax, but in cash rather than in kind. This favored the cities but was to the detriment of the people living in the countryside, and in fact many revolts broke out in rural areas. He also revolutionized the tax collection system by introducing the ‘vindices’ and encouraged the return of copper folles, which began to circulate again with a precise value ratio to the gold solidus. Anastasius demonstrated wisdom and competence, and the Byzantine Empire flourished once again. A great amount of money flowed into the state treasury, which favored the work of his successors, particularly Justinian I. With regard to foreign policy, Anastasius reached an agreement with Theodoric, king of the Roman-Barbarian kingdom in Italy, promoting trade that benefited both kingdoms. Despite his undeniable qualities as an administrator, Anastasius was constantly threatened by intrigues and uprisings. He was also engaged in a long war against the Persians (502-506), which ended with a peace treaty and the construction of the Anastasian Wall to defend Constantinople along the Propontis and the Black Sea. However, the internal situation was more delicate. The emperor was not orthodox, as the people had asked Ariadne, but a convinced Monophysite, and he attracted much dissent, partly because he contributed to distancing the Eastern Church from that of Rome by interfering in the nomination of the new pope. The discontent led to a civil war (513-515) with the insurrection of Vitalian at the head of the Isaurians, who was eventually defeated by the general Marinus of Syria. Anastasius died in 518 at the age of almost ninety, but left no children to succeed him to the throne. Condition: Extremely fine.Weight: 4.43 g. Diameter: 20 mm.Estimate: € 1000

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Starting price: € 800

B.P.: 18.90%

Closing on: 2026-08-02 16:00:00 Roma time

Lot # 747 - ANASTASIUS I (491-518). GOLD Solidus. Constantinople. Obv: D N ANASTASIVS P P AVG. Helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly right, holding spear and shield decorated with horseman motif.Rev: VICTORIA AVGGG S / CONOB. Victory standing left, holding long staff surmounted by reversed staurogram; star to left.MIBE 7; DOC 7f; Sear 5.Anastasius was nicknamed ‘dikoros’ (=two pupils) because of the different color of his eyes. When Zeno died, since he had no living heirs, his widow Ariadne had the difficult choice of appointing a successor to the people, who demanded an orthodox emperor. Ariadne eventually chose Anastasius, about whom we only know that he was a palace official, responsible for maintaining silence during important sacred ceremonies. After Zeno's funeral, Anastasius received the crown from the patriarch, was acclaimed augustus by the crowd in 491, and married Ariadne to legitimize the succession. His main task was to restore Constantinople's finances, which had been severely affected during his predecessor's reign. He managed to balance the budget despite a policy of tax relief, making the people pay less tax, but in cash rather than in kind. This favored the cities but was to the detriment of the people living in the countryside, and in fact many revolts broke out in rural areas. He also revolutionized the tax collection system by introducing the ‘vindices’ and encouraged the return of copper folles, which began to circulate again with a precise value ratio to the gold solidus. Anastasius demonstrated wisdom and competence, and the Byzantine Empire flourished once again. A great amount of money flowed into the state treasury, which favored the work of his successors, particularly Justinian I. With regard to foreign policy, Anastasius reached an agreement with Theodoric, king of the Roman-Barbarian kingdom in Italy, promoting trade that benefited both kingdoms. Despite his undeniable qualities as an administrator, Anastasius was constantly threatened by intrigues and uprisings. He was also engaged in a long war against the Persians (502-506), which ended with a peace treaty and the construction of the Anastasian Wall to defend Constantinople along the Propontis and the Black Sea. However, the internal situation was more delicate. The emperor was not orthodox, as the people had asked Ariadne, but a convinced Monophysite, and he attracted much dissent, partly because he contributed to distancing the Eastern Church from that of Rome by interfering in the nomination of the new pope. The discontent led to a civil war (513-515) with the insurrection of Vitalian at the head of the Isaurians, who was eventually defeated by the general Marinus of Syria. Anastasius died in 518 at the age of almost ninety, but left no children to succeed him to the throne. Condition: Very fine.Weight: 4.50 g. Diameter: 22 mm.Estimate: € 900

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Starting price: € 720

B.P.: 18.90%

Closing on: 2026-08-02 16:00:00 Roma time

Lot # 748 - ANASTASIUS I (491-518). GOLD Solidus. Constantinople. Obv: D N ANASTASIVS P P AVG. Helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly right, holding spear and shield decorated with horseman motif.Rev: VICTORIA AVGGG Γ / CONOB. Victory standing left, holding long staff surmounted by reversed staurogram; star to left.MIBE 7; DOC 7c; Sear 5.Anastasius was nicknamed ‘dikoros’ (=two pupils) because of the different color of his eyes. When Zeno died, since he had no living heirs, his widow Ariadne had the difficult choice of appointing a successor to the people, who demanded an orthodox emperor. Ariadne eventually chose Anastasius, about whom we only know that he was a palace official, responsible for maintaining silence during important sacred ceremonies. After Zeno's funeral, Anastasius received the crown from the patriarch, was acclaimed augustus by the crowd in 491, and married Ariadne to legitimize the succession. His main task was to restore Constantinople's finances, which had been severely affected during his predecessor's reign. He managed to balance the budget despite a policy of tax relief, making the people pay less tax, but in cash rather than in kind. This favored the cities but was to the detriment of the people living in the countryside, and in fact many revolts broke out in rural areas. He also revolutionized the tax collection system by introducing the ‘vindices’ and encouraged the return of copper folles, which began to circulate again with a precise value ratio to the gold solidus. Anastasius demonstrated wisdom and competence, and the Byzantine Empire flourished once again. A great amount of money flowed into the state treasury, which favored the work of his successors, particularly Justinian I. With regard to foreign policy, Anastasius reached an agreement with Theodoric, king of the Roman-Barbarian kingdom in Italy, promoting trade that benefited both kingdoms. Despite his undeniable qualities as an administrator, Anastasius was constantly threatened by intrigues and uprisings. He was also engaged in a long war against the Persians (502-506), which ended with a peace treaty and the construction of the Anastasian Wall to defend Constantinople along the Propontis and the Black Sea. However, the internal situation was more delicate. The emperor was not orthodox, as the people had asked Ariadne, but a convinced Monophysite, and he attracted much dissent, partly because he contributed to distancing the Eastern Church from that of Rome by interfering in the nomination of the new pope. The discontent led to a civil war (513-515) with the insurrection of Vitalian at the head of the Isaurians, who was eventually defeated by the general Marinus of Syria. Anastasius died in 518 at the age of almost ninety, but left no children to succeed him to the throne. Condition: Mint State.Weight: 4.50 g. Diameter: 21 mm.Estimate: € 850

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Starting price: € 680

B.P.: 18.90%

Closing on: 2026-08-02 16:00:00 Roma time

Lot # 749 - ANASTASIUS I (491-518). GOLD Solidus. Constantinople. Obv: D N ANASTASIVS P P AVG. Helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly right, holding spear and shield decorated with horseman motif.Rev: VICTORIA AVGGG I / CONOB. Victory standing left, holding long staff surmounted by reversed staurogram; star to left.MIBE 7; DOC 7j; Sear 5.Anastasius was nicknamed ‘dikoros’ (=two pupils) because of the different color of his eyes. When Zeno died, since he had no living heirs, his widow Ariadne had the difficult choice of appointing a successor to the people, who demanded an orthodox emperor. Ariadne eventually chose Anastasius, about whom we only know that he was a palace official, responsible for maintaining silence during important sacred ceremonies. After Zeno's funeral, Anastasius received the crown from the patriarch, was acclaimed augustus by the crowd in 491, and married Ariadne to legitimize the succession. His main task was to restore Constantinople's finances, which had been severely affected during his predecessor's reign. He managed to balance the budget despite a policy of tax relief, making the people pay less tax, but in cash rather than in kind. This favored the cities but was to the detriment of the people living in the countryside, and in fact many revolts broke out in rural areas. He also revolutionized the tax collection system by introducing the ‘vindices’ and encouraged the return of copper folles, which began to circulate again with a precise value ratio to the gold solidus. Anastasius demonstrated wisdom and competence, and the Byzantine Empire flourished once again. A great amount of money flowed into the state treasury, which favored the work of his successors, particularly Justinian I. With regard to foreign policy, Anastasius reached an agreement with Theodoric, king of the Roman-Barbarian kingdom in Italy, promoting trade that benefited both kingdoms. Despite his undeniable qualities as an administrator, Anastasius was constantly threatened by intrigues and uprisings. He was also engaged in a long war against the Persians (502-506), which ended with a peace treaty and the construction of the Anastasian Wall to defend Constantinople along the Propontis and the Black Sea. However, the internal situation was more delicate. The emperor was not orthodox, as the people had asked Ariadne, but a convinced Monophysite, and he attracted much dissent, partly because he contributed to distancing the Eastern Church from that of Rome by interfering in the nomination of the new pope. The discontent led to a civil war (513-515) with the insurrection of Vitalian at the head of the Isaurians, who was eventually defeated by the general Marinus of Syria. Anastasius died in 518 at the age of almost ninety, but left no children to succeed him to the throne. Condition: Near uncirculated.Weight: 4.45 g. Diameter: 21 mm.Estimate: € 850

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Starting price: € 680

B.P.: 18.90%

Closing on: 2026-08-02 16:00:00 Roma time

Ex M. Raviola, Turin (circa 1950-1981)

Lot # 750 - JUSTIN I (518-527). Follis. Thessalonica. Obv: D N IVSTINVS P P AVG. Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right.Rev: Large M between stars; above, cross; beneath, THЄSSOB.MIBE 70; DOC 23; Sear 78.Ex Mario Raviola, Turin (circa 1950-1981) with ticket Condition: Near very fine.Weight: 17.41 g. Diameter: 30 mm.Estimate: € 50

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Starting price: € 40

B.P.: 18.90%

Closing on: 2026-08-02 16:00:00 Roma time

Lot # 751 - JUSTIN I (518-527). Follis. Antioch. Obv: D N IVSTINVS PP AVGI. Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right.Rev: Large M between star and crescent; above, cross; beneath, ANTIX.MIBE 59; DOC 49; Sear 101. Condition: Very fine.Weight: 13.60 g. Diameter: 34 mm.Estimate: € 50

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Starting price: € 40

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Closing on: 2026-08-02 16:00:00 Roma time

Lot # 752 - JUSTINIAN I (527-565). Follis. Cyzicus. Dated RY 19 (545/6). Obv: D N IVSTINIANVS P P AVG. Helmeted and cuirassed bust facing, holding globus cruciger and shield decorated with horseman motif; cross to right.Rev: Large M; A/N/N/O - X/ЧI/II/I across field; cross above, B below; KYZ.MIBE 95a; DOC 171b; Sear 207. Condition: Good very fine.Weight: 19.76 g. Diameter: 36 mm.Estimate: € 150

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Starting price: € 120

B.P.: 18.90%

Closing on: 2026-08-02 16:00:00 Roma time

Lot # 753 - JUSTINIAN I (527-565). Follis. Antioch. Dated RY 20 (546/7). Obv: D N IVSTINIANVS P P AVG. Helmeted and cuirassed bust facing, holding globus cruciger and shield decorated with horseman motif.Rev: Large M; A/N/N/O - X/X across field; cross above, B below; ЧHHЧΠ' in exergue.MIBE 145a; DOC 217b; Sear 220. Condition: Very fine.Weight: 20.48 g. Diameter: 36 mm.Estimate: € 125

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Starting price: € 100

B.P.: 18.90%

Closing on: 2026-08-02 16:00:00 Roma time

Lot # 754 - JUSTIN II (565-578). GOLD Solidus. Constantinople. Obv: D N IVSTINVS P P AVG. Helmeted and cuirassed bust facing with short beard, holding globe surmounted by Victory and shield.Rev: VICTORIA AVGGG A / CONOB. Constantinopolis seated facing, head right, holding spear and globus cruciger.MIBE 5; DOC 4a; Sear 344. Condition: Mint State.Weight: 4.49 g. Diameter: 22 mm.Estimate: € 750

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Starting price: € 600

B.P.: 18.90%

Closing on: 2026-08-02 16:00:00 Roma time

Lot # 755 - JUSTIN II (565-578). GOLD Solidus. Constantinople. Obv: D N IVSTINVS P P AVG. Helmeted and cuirassed bust facing, holding victoriola and shield decorated with horseman motif.Rev: VICTORIA AVGGG S / CONOB. Constantinopolis seated facing on throne, head right, holding sceptre and globus cruciger.MIBE 5; DOC 4e; Sear 345. Condition: Near uncirculated.Weight: 4.40 g. Diameter: 22 mm.Estimate: € 750

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Starting price: € 600

B.P.: 18.90%

Closing on: 2026-08-02 16:00:00 Roma time

Lot # 756 - JUSTIN II, with SOPHIA (565-578). Follis. Constantinople. Dated RY 1 (565/6). Obv: D N IVSTINVS PP AVG. Nimbate figures of Justin and Sophia seated facing on double throne, holding globus cruciger and cruciform sceptre, respectively.Rev: Large M between A/N/N/O and date; cross above, B below; CON in exergue.MIBE 43; DOC 22b; Sear 360. Condition: Extremely fine.Weight: 13.55 g. Diameter: 30 mm.Estimate: € 50

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B.P.: 18.90%

Closing on: 2026-08-02 16:00:00 Roma time

Rare Variety

Lot # 757 - TIBERIUS II CONSTANTINE (578-582). 12 Nummi. Alexandria. Obv: D N CONSTANTINVS PP AV. Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right; cross before.Rev: Large IB; between, cross above two steps; AΛЄΞ in exergue.MIB 62b; DOC 57; Sear 461.Very rare Condition: Very fine.Weight: 3.98 g. Diameter: 16 mm.Estimate: € 50

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Starting price: € 40

Current bid: € 45

B.P.: 18.90%

Closing on: 2026-08-02 16:00:00 Roma time

Lot # 758 - TIBERIUS II CONSTANTINE (578-582). Decanummium. Ravenna. Obv: Dm TIb CONSTANT PP AVG. Crowned and cuirassed bust facing, holding globus cruciger.Rev: Large I between two crosses; all within wreath.MIBE 67; DOC 66; Ranieri 451; Sear 472. Condition: Near very fine.Weight: 3.78 g. Diameter: 19 mm.Estimate: € 50

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Starting price: € 40

B.P.: 18.90%

Closing on: 2026-08-02 16:00:00 Roma time

Lot # 759 - HERACLIUS (610-641). GOLD Semissis. Constantinople. Obv: δ N ҺЄRACILЧS T P P AV. Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right.Rev: VICTORIA AVGЧς. Cross potent set upon globus.MIB 72; DOC 52b; Sear 785. Condition: Good very fine.Weight: 2.19 g. Diameter: 18 mm.Estimate: € 250

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Starting price: € 200

B.P.: 18.90%

Closing on: 2026-08-02 16:00:00 Roma time

Lot # 760 - HERACLIUS (610-641). 6 Nummi. Alexandria. Obv: dd m hЄRACLS. Cross potent on two steps.Rev: Large S.MIB 210; DOC 198; Sear 862. Condition: Extremely fine.Weight: 2.35 g. Diameter: 13 mm.Estimate: € 50

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Starting price: € 40

B.P.: 18.90%

Closing on: 2026-08-02 16:00:00 Roma time

Ex M. Raviola, Turin (circa 1950-1981)

Lot # 761 - CONSTANTINE IV POGONATUS (668-685). Decanummium. Constantinople. Obv: Crowned and cuirassed bust facing, holding globus cruciger.Rev: Large I; cross to left and above; K to right; CON.MIB 88; DOC 38; Sear 1182.Ex Mario Raviola, Turin (circa 1950-1981) with ticket Condition: Very fine.Weight: 5.94 g. Diameter: 25 mm.Estimate: € 50

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Starting price: € 40

B.P.: 18.90%

Closing on: 2026-08-02 16:00:00 Roma time

Lot # 762 - CONSTANTINE IV POGONATUS, with HERACLIUS and TIBERIUS (668-685). Follis. Syracuse. Obv: Crowned and cuirassed bust facing, holding globus cruciger.Rev: Large M; monogram above; to left and right, Heraclius and Tiberius standing facing, holding globus cruciger.MIB 104; DOC 60; Sear 1207.Overstruck Condition: Very fine.Weight: 2.06 g. Diameter: 23 mm.Estimate: € 50

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B.P.: 18.90%

Closing on: 2026-08-02 16:00:00 Roma time

Lot # 763 - MICHAEL III 'THE DRUNKARD', with BASIL I (842-867). Follis. Constantinople. Obv: + MIҺAЄL IMPЄRAT. Crowned facing bust of Michael, holding akakia and globus surmounted by patriarchal cross.Rev: + ЬASILIЧS RЄX (star). Crowned facing bust of Basil, holding akakia and globus surmounted by patriarchal cross.DOC 8; Sear 1693. Condition: Near extremely fine.Weight: 5.91 g. Diameter: 28 mm.Estimate: € 100

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Starting price: € 80

Current bid: € 85

B.P.: 18.90%

Closing on: 2026-08-02 16:00:00 Roma time

Lot # 764 - NICEPHORUS II PHOCAS (963-969). Ae. Cherson. Obv: Cruciform monogram.Rev: Cruciform monogram.DOC 9; Sear 1784. Condition: Very fine.Weight: 2.59 g. Diameter: 21 mm.Estimate: € 50

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Starting price: € 40

B.P.: 18.90%

Closing on: 2026-08-02 16:00:00 Roma time

Lot # 765 - CONSTANTINE X DUCAS (1059-1067). GOLD Histamenon Nomisma. Constantinople. Obv: + IҺS XIS RЄX RЄGNANTIҺM. Christ Pantokrator seated facing on throne, holding book of Gospels.Rev: + KωN BAC Λ O ΔOVKAC. Constantine standing facing on footstool, wearing crown and loros, holding globus cruciger and labarum with pellet on shaft.DOC 1b; Sear 1847. Condition: Good very fine.Weight: 4.37 g. Diameter: 27 mm.Estimate: € 500

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Starting price: € 400

B.P.: 18.90%

Closing on: 2026-08-02 16:00:00 Roma time

Lot # 766 - MICHAEL VII DUCAS (1071-1078). EL Histamenon Nomisma. Constantinople. Obv: IC - XC. Facing bust of Christ Pantokrator, holding book of Gospels.Rev: + MIXAHΛ BACIΛ O Δ. Facing bust of Michael, holding labarum and globus cruciger.DOC 2d; Sear 1868. Condition: Near uncirculated; slightly bend on edge.Weight: 4.37 g. Diameter: 30 mm.Estimate: € 500

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Starting price: € 400

B.P.: 18.90%

Closing on: 2026-08-02 16:00:00 Roma time

Lot # 767 - MANUEL II PALAEOLOGUS (1391-1423). Ae Follaro. Constantinople. Obv: Greek cross, with star in each angle.Rev: ΜΑΝΟVΗΛ. Crowned facing bust.DOC 1610; Sear 2559. Condition: Very fine.Weight: 0.42 g. Diameter: 15 mm.Estimate: € 50

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Starting price: € 40

Current bid: € 40

B.P.: 18.90%

Closing on: 2026-08-02 16:00:00 Roma time

Lot # 768 - BYZANTINE LEAD SEALS. Uncertain (6th-7th century). Obv: Nimbate and draped bust of Saint facing; cross to left and right.Rev: Cruciform monogram.Unpublished in the standard references; Leu Numismatik web 32, lot 2922. Condition: Extremely fine.Weight: 13.34 g. Diameter: 23 mm.Estimate: € 50

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Starting price: € 40

B.P.: 18.90%

Closing on: 2026-08-02 16:00:00 Roma time