BRONZE ROMAN BYZANTINE COINS

Thirteen Roman Byzantine coins dating from about 300-1100 AD, not cleaned or polished. The coins are quite badly worn but a collector has examined them and tentatively identified and described them as below, in paragraphs A-M. In addition, this Lot includes twenty-seven coins of the same period, but these have not been identified or described.

A: Follis of Constantine VII 913-959. Obverse: bust of Constantine VII, short beard, holding Akakia and Cross on globe. CONST b ASIL ROM. On reverse: CONST ENOEObA SILVSR OMEON. Minted in Constantinople. Diameter 23-24mm 5g.

B: Follis of Heraclius 610-641 AD. Obverse: Three persons - Heraclius, his son Heraclius Constantine and his wife Martina. On reverse: A large M (meaning 40 nummia). A 'P' on 'h' monogram and the regnal year (16) to the right. The mintmark CON implies the Constantinople mint. The regnal year indicates that this coin was minted in 626 AD. Diameter 20-21mm 2g.

C: Countermarked coin. Could be Byzantine or Roman. Interest in this coin is based on the three countermarks. The metal appears to be orichalcum. If so, then the coin dates from the earlier Roman Empire. Diameter 27-28mm 11g.

D: Follis of Constantine X 1059-1067 AD. On Obverse: standing figure of Jesus Christ facing the front holding a book in the cradle of one arm. Around the figure the letters EMMANOUHL. To the left of the figure is IC and to the right XC. On reverse: the standing figures of Empress Eudocia to the left and Constantine X on right, holding a laburum with cross. Each figure on the reverse wears a crown and loros toga. Diameter 25-26mm 7g.

E: Follis of Phocas 602-610 AD. On Obverse: figures of Phocas and his wife Leontia in imperial dress. Phocas on left with globe and cross, Leontia on right with sceptre with cross. DN FOCA NE PE AV. On reverse: M with a cross above. On left ANNO, on right the regnal year V indicates 607 as the date of mint. THEUP implies that the coin was minted in Theopolis. Diameter 26-28mm 11g.

F: Bronze follis of Justinian I 527-565 AD. On obverse: bust of the emperor facing right surrounded by letters DN JUSTINIANUS PP AUG. On reverse: M with star on left, cross above and star on right. Below the M is the mintmark CON indicating the Constantinople mint. Diameter 28-30mm 15g.

G: Bronze follis of Justin I (Uncle of Justinian I) 518-527 AD. On obverse: Bust of emperor facing to the right surrounded by DN IUSTINUS PP AUG. On reverse: M with star on left, cross above and star on right. Mintmark CON indicates the Constantinople mint. Diameter 27-29mm 13g.

H: Bronze follis of Justin I 518-527 AD. On obverse: bust of emperor facing right surrounded by letters DN IUSTINUS PP AUG. On reverse: M with star on left, cross above, star on right. CON indicates the Constantinople mint. Diameter 28-30mm 15g.

I: Half follis of Justinian I 527-565 AD. On obverse figure of the emperor facing to the right with the letters DN IVSTINIANVS PP AVG. Justinian I attempted to restore the Roman Empire by re-conquering the western Roman Empire. On reverse: A large K (indicating a value of 20 nummia) A long cross on left, star above and below and the officinal letter to the right. There is no mintmark but other coins of this type were minted at Constantinople. Diameter 22-25mm 13g.

J: Byzantine overstruck coin. An older coin was used as a base on which to strike a coin. On Obverse: A helmeted emperor's head and part of his name. M indicating the value of a follis. To the right of the M, the regnal year (111?). On reverse: an obscured M with regnal year to the right and CON below. Minted in Constantinople. Dim outline of two figures plus surrounding worn inscription. Diameter 30-33mm 15g.

K: Bronze follis of Justinian I 527-565 AD. On obverse: Bust of emperor, facing to the right. Surrounding the bust DN IVSTINIANVS PP AVG. On reverse: large M denoting 40 nummia. Star on left, cross above, star on right. Below the M is the mintmark abbreviation for Antioch. Diameter 29-30mm 16g.

L: Half follis of Justin II 565-574 AD. On obverse: two figures, Emperor Justin II on left, Sophia on right, both seated facing a double-throne. Justin holding cross on globe, Sophia holding a sceptre. Surrounded by DN IVSTINVS PP AVG. On reverse: large K indicating value of half follis. ANNO to left, Cross C above, Epsilon on right. The mintmark is TES, indicating that the coin was minted in Thessalonica.

M: Big bronze coin of Gallienus 260-268 AD. A coin of the original Roman Empire. This identification is uncertain. The head of Gallienus facing to the right on the obverse, with an inscription starting AYTK but which it is not possible to reproduce here. On the reverse is also an inscription, and the figure of Artemis moving to the right holding bow and drawing arrow from quiver, with hound running at her feet. Diameter 37mm 23g.