| Savoca Numismatik GmbH & Co. KG > Online Auction 243 | Silver | Auction date: 24 November 2024 |
| Lot number: 313 Price realized: 2,000 EUR (Approx. 2,102 USD) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Basiliscus AD 475-476. Mediolanum Tremissis AV 14 mm, 1,47 g D N BASILISCVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed and draped bust right / Cross within wreath; COMOB in exergue. Good Very Fine RIC 3315. Basiliscus, a usurper Roman Emperor, reigned in the years 475 and 476. He was the brother of Empress Verina and brother-in-law to Emperor Leo I. Basiliscus served as consul in 465 and played a role in the unsuccessful campaign against the Vandal king Genseric in 468. Later sources criticize him for either betrayal or failure during this expedition. In 474, discontent with Emperor Zeno's disputed legitimacy led to a conspiracy, orchestrated, according to some accounts, by Basiliscus's sister, Verina. Zeno, forewarned of the plot, fled Constantinople on January 9, 475. The next day, with Senate approval, Basiliscus assumed the imperial throne. He received co-emperor recognition from Romulus Augustulus, another usurper in Italy. Zeno, returning with a formidable army in 476, found dissatisfaction among Basiliscus's troops due to mismanagement and religious policies. With the involvement of generals Illus and Armatus, Zeno regained control in July or early August 476. Basiliscus's fate is uncertain, with some sources claiming he sought refuge in a church but eventually surrendered to Zeno. Whether true or not, Basiliscus met his end, and Zeno resumed rule in Constantinople. Starting price: 500 EUR |  |
Match 1:
| Savoca Numismatik GmbH & Co. KG > Herakles Auction 2 | Auction date: 3 March 2025 |
| Lot number: 134 Price realized: This lot is for sale in an upcoming auction - Bid on this lot  | |
| Lot description: Migration Period Visigoths. Narbonne (?) AD 509-520. Pseudo-Imperial issue in the name of Anastasius . Tremissis AV 13 mm, 1,50 g D N ANASTASIVS P P AVG, draped, cuirassed and diademed bust right / VICTORIA AVGVSTONVA/ COMOB, Victory advancing right, holding wreath and palm over shoulder. Extremely Fine Cf. MEC 178ff. The Visigoths issued pseudo-imperial coins as they established themselves in the former Roman territories, especially in southwestern Gaul and, later, in Hispania. These coins were not original designs but rather imitations of Roman coinage, reflecting both continuity with Roman traditions and the Visigoths' emergent political identity in a post-Roman world. The pseudo-imperial coinage often imitated Roman gold *solidus* and *tremissis* coins, which had been widely circulated and trusted. Visigothic rulers initially retained Roman iconography and inscriptions on their coins, typically featuring the image of the reigning Roman emperor, such as Honorius, Anastasius, or Justinian I. By doing so, the Visigoths could leverage the authority and acceptance of Roman symbols, promoting stability and familiarity in commerce. However, these coins frequently included subtle differences in style, lettering, or minor iconographic changes that reflected the Visigothic origin. Over time, as the Visigoths became more independent from Roman authority, they began to introduce their own royal symbols and gradually replaced the emperor's portrait with that of the Visigothic king. The inscriptions on these coins might still attempt Latin phrases or imperial titles, but with increasing variations and even errors that revealed their local production. By the time of King Leovigild (reigned AD 568–586), Visigothic coinage had fully transitioned to feature native symbols and the names of Visigothic kings, reflecting their shift from Roman subjects to independent rulers. Starting price: 1000 EUR |  |
Match 2:
| Savoca Numismatik GmbH & Co. KG > Online Auction 237 | Silver | Auction date: 27 October 2024 |
| Lot number: 345 Price realized: 360 EUR (Approx. 389 USD) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Theodosius II AD 402-450. Constantinople Tremissis AV 16 mm, 1,46 g D N THEODOSIVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right / VICTORIA AVGVSTORVM, Victory walking right, her head turned left, holding wreath in her right hand and globus cruciger in her left; star in right field, CONOB in exergue. Nearly Extremely Fine RIC 213; Depeyrot 70/1. Starting price: 50 EUR |  |
Match 3:
| Savoca Numismatik GmbH & Co. KG > Herakles Auction 2 | Auction date: 3 March 2025 |
| Lot number: 114 Price realized: This lot is for sale in an upcoming auction - Bid on this lot | |
| Lot description: Roman Imperial Constantius II AD 337-361. Londinium Siliqua AR 16 mm, 1,91 g D N CONSTANTIVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Constantius II to right / VICTORIA DD NN AVG, Victory advancing left, holding wreath in her right hand and palm frond in her left; LVG in exergue. Extremely Fine RIC 210; RSC 259c; Bastien 258. Ex Savoca Auction 42, Lot 391. Constantius II, son of Constantine the Great and Fausta, reigned as Roman Emperor from AD 337 to 361. His rule spanned a critical period in the empire's history, marked by religious conflict, military challenges, and the consolidation of his father's reforms. After the death of Constantine the Great in AD 337, Constantius and his two brothers, Constantine II and Constans, divided the empire among themselves. Constantius received control of the eastern provinces, including the wealthy cities of Antioch, Alexandria, and Constantinople. Early in his reign, he was involved in a violent purge of potential rivals, including many members of his extended family, to secure his position. Constantius' reign was heavily influenced by his military campaigns. In the east, he faced the Persian Empire under King Shapur II, engaging in a protracted conflict over Mesopotamia and Armenia. While Constantius managed to defend key Roman territories, the war drained resources and left the eastern frontier unstable. In the west, Constantius had to contend with internal disputes between his brothers. After Constantine II was killed in AD 340 during a clash with Constans, and Constans was later overthrown by the usurper Magnentius in AD 350, Constantius became the sole surviving legitimate emperor. He defeated Magnentius in AD 353 at the Battle of Mons Seleucus, consolidating his authority over the entire empire. Religiously, Constantius II was a staunch supporter of Arian Christianity, which held that Christ was subordinate to God the Father, a view condemned at the Council of Nicaea in AD 325. He actively promoted Arianism, exiling prominent Nicene bishops such as Athanasius of Alexandria and attempting to impose Arian doctrine across the empire. His policies deepened divisions within the Church and alienated many in the western provinces, where Nicene Christianity remained dominant. Constantius also undertook administrative and architectural projects to strengthen the empire. He expanded Constantinople, enhancing its defenses and transforming it further into a major imperial capital. He maintained a strong central authority and continued the reforms initiated by his father, Constantine the Great. In AD 360, Constantius faced a revolt by his cousin Julian, who had been appointed Caesar in the west. Julian's growing popularity among the troops and his successful campaigns against barbarian incursions in Gaul gave him the support needed to claim the imperial title. As Constantius marched west to confront Julian, he fell ill and died near Tarsus in AD 361. Constantius II is remembered as a complex figure-an emperor who defended the empire from external threats and expanded its infrastructure but whose religious policies and autocratic style contributed to internal strife and division. His death paved the way for Julian's rise to power and a brief return to pagan policies in the Roman world. Starting price: 500 EUR |  |
Match 4:
| Savoca Numismatik GmbH & Co. KG > Herakles Auction 2 | Auction date: 3 March 2025 |
| Lot number: 122 Price realized: This lot is for sale in an upcoming auction - Bid on this lot | |
| Lot description: Roman Imperial Marcian AD 450-457. Struck AD 450. Constantinople Solidus AV 20 mm, 4,47 g D N MARCIANVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear and shield decorated with horseman motif / VICTORIA AVGGG B, Victory standing to left, holding long jewelled cross; star in right field, CONOB in exergue. Nearly Mint State RIC X 510; Depeyrot 87/1. Marcian was Byzantine Emperor from AD 450 to 457 and is remembered as a wise and effective ruler who stabilized the empire during a challenging period. Born in Thrace or Illyricum around AD 392, Marcian had a military background and served as a trusted officer under several emperors before ascending to the throne. Marcian became emperor after the death of Theodosius II, through his marriage to Theodosius' sister, Pulcheria. Although their union was political and likely celibate due to Pulcheria's vow of chastity, it legitimized Marcian's claim to the throne and established him as a member of the Theodosian dynasty. His reign marked a departure from the policies of his predecessor, particularly regarding the empire's relationship with the Huns and its financial priorities. One of Marcian's most notable achievements was refusing to pay the tribute that Theodosius II had offered to Attila the Hun. This bold stance was partly due to Attila's preoccupation with campaigns in the Western Roman Empire. Marcian's firm policy helped preserve the eastern provinces from Hunnic invasions during his reign and showcased the empire's renewed strength. Marcian's reign was also significant in religious history. He convened the Council of Chalcedon in AD 451, which became one of the most important ecumenical councils in Christian history. The council affirmed the doctrine of Christ's dual nature-fully divine and fully human-against the Monophysite position, which held that Christ had only one divine nature. This decision had far-reaching theological and political implications, solidifying orthodoxy within the empire but alienating some regions, such as Egypt and Syria, where Monophysitism was strong. Economically, Marcian was prudent, halting extravagant spending and restoring the empire's finances, which had been strained by years of warfare and tribute payments. His fiscal discipline left the treasury in good condition and strengthened the stability of the Eastern Roman Empire. Marcian died in AD 457, possibly from natural causes, and left no heirs. His death marked the end of the Theodosian dynasty. He was succeeded by Leo I, chosen with the support of the powerful military commander Aspar. Marcian's reign is often regarded as a period of recovery and consolidation for the Byzantine Empire, demonstrating the strength and resilience of the Eastern Roman state during a time when the Western Roman Empire was in decline. Starting price: 1000 EUR |  |
Match 5:
| Savoca Numismatik GmbH & Co. KG > Herakles Auction 1 | Auction date: 14 October 2024 |
| Lot number: 91 Price realized: 900 EUR (Approx. 985 USD) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Constantine III AD 408-411. Arles Siliqua AR 17 mm, 1,69 g D N CONSTANTINVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Constantine III to right / VICTORIA AAAVGGG, Roma seated to left on cuirass, holding Victory on globe and inverted spear; SMAR in exergue. extremely fine RIC X 1538. Constantine III was a Roman usurper and briefly an emperor in the Western Roman Empire during AD 407–411. His rise to power occurred during one of the most chaotic periods of the empire, as internal strife, barbarian invasions, and economic decline severely weakened Rome's ability to maintain control over its territories. In AD 407, Constantine III, a general stationed in Britain, was proclaimed emperor by his troops amidst growing dissatisfaction with the central authority of Emperor Honorius, who ruled from Ravenna. Seizing the opportunity, Constantine crossed into Gaul, where he gained significant support from Roman legions and local leaders, consolidating his power over much of the Western Empire's northern provinces. His swift and relatively unopposed expansion into Gaul, and later into Spain, gave him considerable control over key regions. Despite his initial success, Constantine III's fortunes quickly deteriorated. He faced internal rebellions and external pressures from barbarian invasions, particularly from the Visigoths and Vandals. In AD 409, as his position weakened, he elevated his son, Constans II, to co-emperor, but the political instability continued to escalate. Honorius, who initially struggled to respond to Constantine's rebellion, eventually sent the general Constantius (later Constantius III) to confront the usurper. In AD 411, Constantine III was captured after besieging the city of Arles. He was subsequently executed, marking the end of his brief rule. Constantine III's rebellion is indicative of the fractured and declining state of the Western Roman Empire in the early 5th century, where ambitious generals could leverage military discontent and regional instability to challenge central authority. Starting price: 500 EUR |  |
