Byzantine Coins (Page: 1)

ANASTASIUS I (491-518). GOLD Solidus. Constantinople - 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 A / CONOB. Victory standing left, holding long staff surmounted by reversed staurogram; star to left.MIBE 7; DOC 7a; 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: 4.44 g. Diameter: 21 mm.Estimate: € 850

988 € 720

ANASTASIUS I (491-518). GOLD Solidus. Constantinople - 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 B / CONOB. Victory standing left, holding long staff surmounted by reversed staurogram; star to left.MIBE 7; DOC 7b; 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: Extremely fine.Weight: 4.47 g. Diameter: 21 mm.Estimate: € 900

989 € 720

ANASTASIUS I (491-518). GOLD Solidus. Constantinople - 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 Є / CONOB. Victory standing left, holding long staff surmounted by reversed staurogram; star to left.MIBE 7; DOC 7e; 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 mint state.Weight: 4.50 g. Diameter: 21 mm.Estimate: € 900

990 € 720

ANASTASIUS I (491-518). GOLD Solidus. Constantinople - 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 Z / CONOB. Victory standing left, holding long staff surmounted by reversed staurogram; star to left.MIBE 7; DOC 7g; 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 mint state.Weight: 4.52 g. Diameter: 21 mm.Estimate: € 900

991 € 720

ANASTASIUS I (491-518). GOLD Solidus. Constantinople - 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 H / CONOB. Victory standing left, holding long staff surmounted by reversed staurogram; star to left.MIBE 7; DOC 7h; 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: Extremely fine.Weight: 4.46 g. Diameter: 22 mm.Estimate: € 900

992 € 720

ANASTASIUS I (491-518). GOLD Solidus. Constantinople - 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 Θ / CONOB. Victory standing left, holding long staff surmounted by reversed staurogram; star to left.MIBE 7; DOC 7i; 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 extremely fine.Weight: 4.49 g. Diameter: 21 mm.Estimate: € 900

993 € 40

994 € 40

995 € 80

996 € 40

997 € 40

998 € 40

999 € 40

1000 € 40

1001 € 40

1002 € 40

1003 € 40

1004 € 40

1005 € 400

1006 € 40

1007 € 80

1008 € 80

1009 € 240

1010 € 40

1011 € 40

1012 € 40

1013 € 40

1014 € 40

1015 € 40

1016 € 400

1017 € 2'400

THEODORA (1055-1056). GOLD Histamenon Nomisma. Constantinople - THEODORA (1055-1056). GOLD Histamenon Nomisma. Constantinople. Obv: + IhS XIS REX REGNATIm. Christ Pantokrator standing facing on footstool, holding book.Rev: + ΘΕΟΔωPA AVΓOVCTA. Theodora, wearing crown and loros, and the Virgin standing facing, holding between them labarum with pellet on shaft.DOC 1a; Sear 1837.Theodora Porphyrogenita was born in 984, the youngest daughter of Emperor Constantine VIII and Helena. For many years she lived in the background of the imperial court, overshadowed by her elder sister Zoe, who was considered the more politically relevant of the two. Her life changed only when the deaths of Basil II and then her father placed her once again at the centre of imperial affairs. In her youth she had been promised to Otto III, but the marriage never took place: the emperor, struck by Zoe’s beauty, chose her instead. Teodora remained in the palace, watching the intrigues of the Macedonian dynasty unfold around her. Upon Constantine VIII’s death, he attempted to marry her to Romanos III Argyros, but Teodora refused, citing both consanguinity and the fact that Romanos already had a wife. The throne passed to Zoe and Romanos, whose marriage soon deteriorated into hostility, extravagance and plots. Teodora, still respected by part of the court, was accused of conspiracy and forced into a convent, where she remained for thirteen years. During Zoe’s turbulent reign with her husbands (Romanus III, Michael IV, and later Michael V Kalaphates) Teodora was repeatedly watched, confined and even compelled to take holy orders. But when Michael V attempted to exile Zoe, the people revolted. Both sisters were recalled, and Teodora was taken from the convent and crowned basilissa alongside Zoe. The joint rule of the Porphyrogenita sisters was brief but vigorous. Teodora, more disciplined and capable than Zoe, led reforms against corruption, improved administration and ordered the arrest and blinding of Michael V and his brother, ending their usurpation. When Zoe married Constantine IX Monomachos, Teodora was sidelined but retained considerable influence. The people regarded her as a stabilising figure, and in moments of crisis it was she who reassured the crowd and protected the Empire’s continuity. After the deaths of Zoe (1050) and Constantine IX (1055), Teodora, now elderly, returned to power. With determination she was proclaimed sole reigning Empress, the last sovereign of the Macedonian dynasty. She governed firmly, purging corrupt officials, controlling the aristocracy and intervening in ecclesiastical appointments, though her severity drew criticism. In 1056 she fell gravely ill. With no husband or heirs, she adopted Michael Bringas as her successor, but died shortly afterwards, on 31 August 1056, at the age of 76. Her death marked the end of the Macedonian dynasty, one of the most illustrious in Byzantine history. Condition: Extremely fine.Weight: 4.39 g. Diameter: 25 mm.Estimate: € 3000

1018 € 2'000

THEODORA (1055-1056). GOLD Tetarteron Nomisma. Constantinople - THEODORA (1055-1056). GOLD Tetarteron Nomisma. Constantinople. Obv: IC - XC. Bust of Christ Pantokrator facing.Rev: + ӨЄOΔω AVΓOV. Crowned bust of Theodora facing, wearing loros and holding globus cruciger and jeweled sceptre.DOC 2; Sear 1838.Theodora Porphyrogenita was born in 984, the youngest daughter of Emperor Constantine VIII and Helena. For many years she lived in the background of the imperial court, overshadowed by her elder sister Zoe, who was considered the more politically relevant of the two. Her life changed only when the deaths of Basil II and then her father placed her once again at the centre of imperial affairs. In her youth she had been promised to Otto III, but the marriage never took place: the emperor, struck by Zoe’s beauty, chose her instead. Teodora remained in the palace, watching the intrigues of the Macedonian dynasty unfold around her. Upon Constantine VIII’s death, he attempted to marry her to Romanos III Argyros, but Teodora refused, citing both consanguinity and the fact that Romanos already had a wife. The throne passed to Zoe and Romanos, whose marriage soon deteriorated into hostility, extravagance and plots. Teodora, still respected by part of the court, was accused of conspiracy and forced into a convent, where she remained for thirteen years. During Zoe’s turbulent reign with her husbands (Romanus III, Michael IV, and later Michael V Kalaphates) Teodora was repeatedly watched, confined and even compelled to take holy orders. But when Michael V attempted to exile Zoe, the people revolted. Both sisters were recalled, and Teodora was taken from the convent and crowned basilissa alongside Zoe. The joint rule of the Porphyrogenita sisters was brief but vigorous. Teodora, more disciplined and capable than Zoe, led reforms against corruption, improved administration and ordered the arrest and blinding of Michael V and his brother, ending their usurpation. When Zoe married Constantine IX Monomachos, Teodora was sidelined but retained considerable influence. The people regarded her as a stabilising figure, and in moments of crisis it was she who reassured the crowd and protected the Empire’s continuity. After the deaths of Zoe (1050) and Constantine IX (1055), Teodora, now elderly, returned to power. With determination she was proclaimed sole reigning Empress, the last sovereign of the Macedonian dynasty. She governed firmly, purging corrupt officials, controlling the aristocracy and intervening in ecclesiastical appointments, though her severity drew criticism. In 1056 she fell gravely ill. With no husband or heirs, she adopted Michael Bringas as her successor, but died shortly afterwards, on 31 August 1056, at the age of 76. Her death marked the end of the Macedonian dynasty, one of the most illustrious in Byzantine history. Condition: Good very fine.Weight: 4.01 g. Diameter: 20 mm.Estimate: € 2500