Byzantine Coins

Lot # 1010 - BYZANTINE LEAD AMULET (Circa 10th-11th century). Obv: Eagle facing with head right and wreath in beak; X to left, pellets around; all within wreath border.Rev: Six-rayed design with central cross-in-circle; all within wreath border.. Condition: Good very fine.Weight: 3.37 g. Diameter: 18 mm.Estimate: 100,00 €

Lot # 1009 - BYZANTINE SEALS. Uncertain (Circa 6th-7th century). Obv: Facing bust of the Theotokos (Virgin Mary), holding Christ medallion on breast; cross to left and right.Rev: Monogram.Unpublished in the standard references. Condition: Very fine.Weight: 3.73 g. Diameter: 17 mm.Estimate: 75,00 €

Lot # 1008 - EMPIRE OF TREBIZOND. John II (1280-1297). Asper. Obv: (OA) - Є/V -ΓЄ/NI/O. St. Eugenius standing facing, holding long cross.Rev: Iω / O / KO/MN-N/O/C. John standing facing, holding labarum-headed sceptre and globus cruciger; six-pointed star to lower right; manus Dei to upper right.Retowski 8-9; Sear 2609. Condition: Very fine.Weight: 2.8 g. Diameter: 24 mm.Estimate: 100,00 €

Lot # 1007 - EMPIRE OF TREBIZOND. Manuel I Comnenus (1238-1263). Asper. Obv: St. Eugenius standing facing, holding long cross.Rev: Manuel standing facing, holding labarum and akakia; manus Dei to upper right, star to inner right.Retowski 115; Sear 2601. Condition: Very fine.Weight: 2.8 g. Diameter: 23 mm.Estimate: 100,00 €

Lot # 1006 - JOHN VIII PALAEOLOGUS (1423-1448). Stavraton. Constantinople. Obv: Facing bust of Christ Pantokrator, holding Gospels.Rev: Crowned facing bust of Constantine.DOC 1665ff.; Sear 2564. Condition: Very fine.Weight: 6.6 g. Diameter: 23 mm.Estimate: 100,00 €

Lot # 1005 - ANDRONICUS II PALAEOLOGUS, with MICHAEL IX (1282-1328). Basilikon. Constantinople. Obv: KYPIЄ BOHΘЄI / IC - XC. Christ Pantokrator seated facing on throne, raising right hand in benediction and holding book of Gospels; star to left and right.Rev: AVTOKPATOPЄC PωMAION. Andronicus and Michael standing facing, holding labarum between them.DOC 536-8; Sear 2402. Condition: Very fine.Weight: 1.93 g. Diameter: 22 mm.Estimate: 75,00 €

Lot # 1004 - ANDRONICUS II PALAEOLOGUS, with MICHAEL IX (1282-1328). Basilikon. Constantinople. Obv: KYPIЄ BOHΘЄI / IC - XC. Christ Pantokrator seated facing on throne, raising right hand in benediction and holding book of Gospels.Rev: AVTOKPATOPЄC PωMAION. Andronicus and Michael standing facing, holding labarum between them.DOC 523; Sear 2402. Condition: Near very fine.Weight: 1.8 g. Diameter: 21 mm.Estimate: 50,00 €

Lot # 1003 - EMPIRE OF NICAEA. John III Ducas-Vatazes (1222-1254). GOLD Hyperpyron. Magnesia. Obv: IC - XC. Christ Pantokrator seated facing on throne, raising right hand in benediction and holding book of Gospels; pellet to right.Rev: John standing facing, holding labarum and akakia, and being crowned by the Virgin Mary to right.Sear 2073. Condition: Extremely fine.Weight: 3.4 g. Diameter: 24 mm.Estimate: 250,00 €

Lot # 1002 - EMPIRE OF NICAEA. John III Ducas-Vatazes (1222-1254). GOLD Hyperpyron. Magnesia. Obv: IC - XC. Christ Pantokrator seated facing on throne, raising right hand in benediction and holding book of Gospels; pellet to right.Rev: John standing facing, holding labarum and akakia, and being crowned by the Virgin Mary to right.Sear 2073. Condition: Extremely fine.Weight: 3 g. Diameter: 24 mm.Estimate: 250,00 €

Lot # 1001 - LATIN RULERS OF CONSTANTINOPLE (1204-1261). Trachy. Constantinople. Obv: IC - XC. Facing bust of Christ Pantokrator.Rev: Archangel Michael standing facing, holding sceptre and globus cruciger.Sear 2036. Condition: Very fine.Weight: 1.70 g. Diameter: 23 mm.Estimate: 50,00 €

Lot # 1000 - ANDRONICUS I COMNENUS (1183-1185). Trachy. Constantinople. Obv: MP - ΘV. The Virgin Mary standing facing on daïs, holding bust of Holy Infant on breast.Rev: ANΔPONIKOC ΔЄCΠOTHC. Andronicus standing facing, holding labarum and globus cruciger, and being crowned by Christ to right.Sear 1985. Condition: Good very fine.Weight: 4.56 g. Diameter: 31 mm.Estimate: 50,00 €

Lot # 999 - ANDRONICUS I COMNENUS (1183-1185). Trachy. Constantinople. Obv: MP - ΘV. The Virgin Mary standing facing on daïs, holding bust of Holy Infant on breast.Rev: ANΔPONIKOC ΔЄCΠOTHC. Andronicus standing facing, holding labarum and globus cruciger, and being crowned by Christ to right.Sear 1985. Condition: Very fine.Weight: 4.41 g. Diameter: 30 mm.Estimate: 50,00 €

Lot # 998 - ANDRONICUS I COMNENUS (1183-1185). Trachy. Constantinople. Obv: MP - ΘV. The Virgin Mary standing facing on daïs, holding bust of Holy Infant on breast.Rev: ANΔPONIKOC ΔЄCΠOTHC. Andronicus standing facing, holding labarum and globus cruciger, and being crowned by Christ to right.Sear 1985. Condition: Very fine.Weight: 3.60 g. Diameter: 30 mm.Estimate: 50,00 €

Lot # 997 - ANDRONICUS I COMNENUS (1183-1185). Trachy. Constantinople. Obv: MP - ΘV. The Virgin Mary standing facing on daïs, holding bust of Holy Infant on breast.Rev: ANΔPONIKOC ΔЄCΠOTHC. Andronicus standing facing, holding labarum and globus cruciger, and being crowned by Christ to right.Sear 1985. Condition: Very fine.Weight: 4.67 g. Diameter: 30 mm.Estimate: 50,00 €

Lot # 996 - ANDRONICUS I COMNENUS (1183-1185). Trachy. Constantinople. Obv: MP - ΘV. The Virgin Mary standing facing on daïs, holding bust of Holy Infant on breast.Rev: ANΔPONIKOC ΔЄCΠOTHC. Andronicus standing facing, holding labarum and globus cruciger, and being crowned by Christ to right.Sear 1985. Condition: Very fine.Weight: 4.09 g. Diameter: 29 mm.Estimate: 50,00 €

Lot # 995 - ANDRONICUS I COMNENUS (1183-1185). Trachy. Constantinople. Obv: MP - ΘV. The Virgin Mary standing facing on daïs, holding bust of Holy Infant on breast.Rev: ANΔPONIKOC ΔЄCΠOTHC. Andronicus standing facing, holding labarum and globus cruciger, and being crowned by Christ to right.Sear 1985. Condition: Very fine.Weight: 4.40 g. Diameter: 31 mm.Estimate: 50,00 €

Lot # 994 - MANUEL I COMNENUS (1143-1180). Trachy. Constantinople. Obv: MP - ΘV. The Virgin Mary seated facing on throne.Rev: MANOVHΛ ΔECΠOTHC. Manuel standing facing, holding labarum and globus surmounted by patriarchal cross.Sear 1964. Condition: Good very fine.Weight: 4.86 g. Diameter: 32 mm.Estimate: 50,00 €

Lot # 993 - ALEXIUS I COMNENUS (1081-1118). GOLD Hyperpyron. Thessalonica. Obv: + KЄ ROHΘЄI / IC - XC. Christ Pantokrator seated facing on throne.Rev: AΛЄZIω / ΔЄCΠOT - Tω / KOMHN. Alexius standing facing, holding labarum and globus cruciger; crowning manus Dei above.DOC 20; Sear 1924. Condition: Good very fine.Weight: 3.8 g. Diameter: 26 mm.Estimate: 300,00 €

Lot # 992 - NICEPHORUS III BOTANIATES (1078-1081). EL Histamenon Nomisma. Constantinople. Obv: IC - XC. Christ Pantokrator seated facing on throne with back.Rev: +NIKHΦY ΔЄCΠ Tω BOTANIAT'. Niceophorus standing facing on daïs, holding labarum and globus cruciger.DOC 2; Sear 1882. Condition: Good fine.Weight: 4.31 g. Diameter: 30 mm.Estimate: 400,00 €

Lot # 991 - NICEPHORUS III BOTANIATES (1078-1081). EL Histamenon Nomisma. Constantinople. Obv: IC - XC. Christ Pantokrator seated facing on throne with back.Rev: +NIKHΦY ΔЄ Tω BOTANIAT'. Niceophorus standing facing on daïs, holding labarum and globus cruciger.DOC 2; Sear 1882. Condition: Good fine.Weight: 4.27 g. Diameter: 30 mm.Estimate: 400,00 €

Lot # 990 - MICHAEL VII DUCAS with MARIA (1071-1078). Miliaresion. Constantinople. Obv: ЄN TOVTω NIKATЄ MIXAHΛ KAI MAPIA. Cross crosslet with central X and pellet-in-crescent set upon globus on three steps; to left and right, crowned facing busts of Michael and Maria.Rev: MIXAHΛ / KAI MAPIA / ΠICTOI BA / CIΛЄIC Pω / MAIωN. Legend in five lines.DOC 6b; Sear 1874. Condition: Very fine.Weight: 2.32 g. Diameter: 24 mm.Estimate: 200,00 €

Lot # 989 - MICHAEL VII DUCAS with MARIA (1071-1078). Miliaresion. Constantinople. Obv: ЄN TOVTω NIKATЄ MIXAHΛ KAI MAPIA. Cross crosslet with central X and pellet-in-crescent set upon globus on three steps; to left and right, crowned facing busts of Michael and Maria.Rev: MIXAHΛ / KAI MAPIA / ΠICTOI BA / CIΛЄIC Pω / MAIωN. Legend in five lines.DOC 6b; Sear 1874. Condition: Very fine.Weight: 2.23 g. Diameter: 25 mm.Estimate: 200,00 €

Lot # 988 - MICHAEL VII DUCAS with MARIA (1071-1078). Miliaresion. Constantinople. Obv: ЄN TOVTω NIKATЄ MIXAHΛ KAI MAPIA. Cross crosslet with central X and pellet-in-crescent set upon globus on three steps; to left and right, crowned facing busts of Michael and Maria.Rev: MIXAHΛ / KAI MAPIA / ΠICTOI BA / CIΛЄIC Pω / MAIωN. Legend in five lines.DOC 6b; Sear 1874. Condition: Fine.Weight: 1.21 g. Diameter: 20 mm.Estimate: 275,00 €

Lot # 987 - CONSTANTINE IX MONOMACHUS ? (1042-1055). Miliaresion. Constantinople. Obv: + ΔЄCΠOI NA CωZOIC / MHP - ΘV. The Theotokos (Virgin Mary) standing facing on dais, orans.Rev: Constantine standing facing, holding long cross and sword in sheath.Cf. Sear 1834. Condition: Good fine.Weight: 1.23 g. Diameter: 19 mm.Estimate: 50,00 €

Lot # 986 - BASIL II BULGAROKTONOS, with CONSTANTINE VIII (976-1025). Miliaresion. Constantinople. Obv: ЄҺ TOVTω ҺICA ЬASILЄI C CωҺSτ. Cross crosslet with central X and pellet-in-crescent set upon globus on four steps; to left and right, crowned facing busts of Basil and Constantine.Rev: + ЬASIL / C CωҺSTAҺ / ΠORFVROS / ΠISTOI ЬAS / RωMAIω. Legend in five lines; decoration above and below.Sear 1810. Condition: Very fine; minor edge filing.Weight: 2.36 g. Diameter: 21 mm.Estimate: 50,00 €

Lot # 985 - JOHN I ZIMISCES (969-976). Miliaresion. Constantinople. Obv: + IҺSЧS XRISTЧS ҺICA (star). Cross crosslet set on globus above two steps; in central medallion, crowned bust of John facing.Rev: + IωAҺҺ / ЄҺ Xω AVTO / CRAT ЄVSЄЬ / ЬASILЄVS / RωMAIω. Legend in five lines; above and below, pelleted cross between dashes.DOC 7a; Sear 1792. Condition: Very fine.Weight: 2.9 g. Diameter: 22 mm.Estimate: 100,00 €

Lot # 984 - JOHN I ZIMISCES (969-976). Miliaresion. Constantinople. Obv: + IҺSЧS XRISTЧS ҺICA (star). Cross crosslet set on globus above two steps; in central medallion, crowned bust of John facing.Rev: + IωAҺҺ / ЄҺ Xω AVTO / CRAT ЄVSЄЬ / ЬASILЄVS / RωMAIω. Legend in five lines; above and below, pelleted cross between dashes.DOC 7a; Sear 1792. Condition: Good very fine.Weight: 3 g. Diameter: 23 mm.Estimate: 100,00 €

Lot # 983 - THEOPHILUS (829-842). Follis. Constantinople. Obv: ΘЄOFIL' ЬASIL'. Facing bust, holding labarum and globus cruciger, and wearing crown surmounted by tufa.Rev: + ΘЄO / FILЄ AVς / OVSTЄ SV / ҺICAS. Legend in four lines.DOC 15; Sear 1667. Condition: Near extremely fine.Weight: 7.93 g. Diameter: 27 mm.Estimate: 300,00 €

Lot # 982 - CONSTANS II (641-668). GOLD Tremissis. Constantinople. Obv: d N CONSTANTINЧS P P A. Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right.Rev: VICTORIA AVςЧS / CONOB. Cross potent.MIB 51; DOC 45; Sear 984. Condition: Extremely fine.Weight: 1.42 g. Diameter: 17 mm.Estimate: 360,00 €

Lot # 981 - PHOCAS (602-610). GOLD Solidus. Constantinople. Obv: δ N FOCAS PЄRP AVG. Crowned and cuirassed facing bust, holding globus cruciger.Rev: VICTORIA AVGЧ I / CONOB. Angel standing facing, holding globus cruciger and staff surmounted by staurogram.MIBE 9; DOC 10j; Sear 620. Condition: Extremely fine.Weight: 4.50 g. Diameter: 21 mm.Estimate: 750,00 €

Lot # 980 - MAURICE TIBERIUS (582-602). Half Follis. Nicomedia. Dated RY 7 (588/9). Obv: Crowned and cuirassed bust facing, holding globus cruciger and shield decorated with horseman motif.Rev: Large K; cross above, A/N/N/O - ς/I across field, B below.MIBE 80D; DOC 114; Sear 514. Condition: Very fine.Weight: 5.90 g. Diameter: 24 mm.Estimate: 50,00 €

Lot # 979 - TIBERIUS II CONSTANTINE (578-582). Half Follis. Nicomedia. Obv: D m TIB CONSTANT P P AVG. Helmeted, draped and cuirassed bust facing, holding globus cruciger and shield.Rev: Large XX; cross above, NIKO B(?) below.MIBE 37; DOC 33b; Sear 443. Condition: Very fine.Weight: 3.84 g. Diameter: 19 mm.Estimate: 50,00 €

Lot # 978 - JUSTIN II, with SOPHIA (565-578). Follis. Cyzicus. Dated RY 3 (567/8). Obv: D N IVSTINVS P P AVG. Justin and Sophia seated facing on double throne, holding globus cruciger and cruciform sceptre, respectively; cross above.Rev: Large M; A/N/N/O - II/I across field; cross above, B below; KYZ in exergue.MIBE 50b; DOC 117b; Sear 372. Condition: Good very fine.Weight: 14.53 g. Diameter: 31 mm.Estimate: 50,00 €

Lot # 977 - JUSTIN II (565-578). Follis. Nicomedia. Dated RY 6 (570/1). Obv: D N IVSTINVS P P AVC. Justin, holding globus cruciger, and Sophia, holding cruciform sceptre, seated facing on double throne, both crowned; cross between heads.Rev: Large M between A/N/N/O and ς; above, cross; beneath, B; in exergue, NIKO.MIBE 46b; DOC 96b; Sear 369. Condition: Good very fine.Weight: 15.37 g. Diameter: 34 mm.Estimate: 50,00 €

Lot # 976 - 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 Θ / CONOB. Constantinopolis seated facing, head right, holding spear and globus cruciger.MIBE 5; DOC 4; Sear 344. Condition: Very fine.Weight: 4.4 g. Diameter: 22 mm.Estimate: 400,00 €

Lot # 975 - JUSTINIAN I (527-565). Follis. Cyzicus. Dated RY 29 (555/6). 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/X/GIII across field; cross above, A below; KYZ.MIBE 120; DOC 179a; Sear 207. Condition: Good very fine.Weight: 19.1 g. Diameter: 35 mm.Estimate: 100,00 €

Lot # 974 - JUSTINIAN I (527-565). Follis. Constantinople. Dated RY 18 (544/5). Obv: D N IVSTINIANVS P P AV. 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/Ч/III across field, cross above, Γ below; CON.MIBE 95d; DOC 43d; Sear 163. Condition: Good very fine.Weight: 20.16 g. Diameter: 36 mm.Estimate: 150,00 €

Lot # 973 - JUSTINIAN I (527-565). GOLD Tremissis. Constantinople. Obv: D N IVSTNIANVS P P AVG. Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right.Rev: VICTORIA AVGVSTORVM / CONOB. Victory advancing right, head left, holding wreath and globus cruciger; star to right.MIBE 19; DOC 19; Sear 145. Condition: Very fine.Weight: 1.5 g. Diameter: 17 mm.Estimate: 100,00 €

Lot # 972 - JUSTINIAN I (527-565). GOLD Solidus. Constantinople. Obv: D N IVSTINIANVS P P AVG. Helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly right, holding spear and shield decorated with horseman motif.Rev: VICTORIA AVGGG Γ / CONOB. Angel standing facing, holding long cross and globus cruciger; star to right.MIBE 5; DOC 3c; Sear 137. Condition: Good very fine.Weight: 4.53 g. Diameter: 21 mm.Estimate: 700,00 €

Lot # 971 - JUSTIN I (518-527). Follis. Thessalonica. Obv: D N IVSTINVS P P AVG. Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right.Rev: Large M; star to left and right; cross above, Є below; THESSOB in exergue.MIBE 69; DOC (24); Sear 79.Rare Condition: Near very fine.Weight: 15.14 g. Diameter: 32 mm.Estimate: 50,00 €

Lot # 970 - 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. Condition: Very fine.Weight: 18.00 g. Diameter: 30 mm.Estimate: 80,00 €

Lot # 969 - 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. Condition: Good very fine.Weight: 4.53 g. Diameter: 20 mm.Estimate: 800,00 €

Lot # 968 - 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. Condition: Good very fine.Weight: 4.53 g. Diameter: 21 mm.Estimate: 800,00 €

Lot # 967 - 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 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: 4.48 g. Diameter: 21 mm.Estimate: 850,00 €

Lot # 966 - 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: Extremely fine.Weight: 4.40 g. Diameter: 20 mm.Estimate: 850,00 €

Lot # 965 - 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 4b; 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: Near extremely fine.Weight: 4.49 g. Diameter: 21 mm.Estimate: 750,00 €

Lot # 103 - LEONE VI IL SAGGIO (886-912). Follis, Costantinopoli. AE (6.55g). Leone seduto in trono, regge labarum. R/ Leggenda su quattro righe. DOC 5; Sear 1728.

Lot # 102 - COSTANTE II (641-668). Solido, Costantinopoli, anno 7 (648/9). AV (4.49g). Busto frontale, con corone e clamide, regge globo crucigero. R/ Croce patente su tre gradini; Z (anno indizione 7) a destra; CONOB+ sotto. MIB 17a; DOC 14 var. (officina); Sear 950. SPL+. nr. Reg. 527/21

Lot # 101 - ERACLIO (610-641). Solido, Costantinopoli. AV (4.48g). Busti coronati frontali e drappeggiati di Eraclio ed Eraclio Costantino; croce sopra. R/ Croce patente su tre gradini; I a destra; CONOB+ sotto. DOC 14d; Sear 739. SPL+. nr. Reg. 395/20

Lot # 6815 - Byzantine Copper Manuel I. Half Tetarteron; Manuel I; 1143-1180 AD. Uncertain Greek Mint, 1/2 Tetarteron, 1.54g. Sear-1979, DO-22. Obv: Cross joining letters Rx: No legend; bust of emperor facing, beardless, wearing crown and loros, and holding labarum and cross on globe