| Classical Numismatic Group > Electronic Auction 582 | Auction date: 5 March 2025 |
| Lot number: 791 Price realized: 700 USD (Approx. 668 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Theodore Gabras. Ruler of Trebizond, 1075-1098. Æ Follis (21mm, 2.93 g, 7h). Trebizond mint. Facing bust of Christ Pantokrator with nimbus of three bars / Cross potent set upon one step; A - Λ - B - P in quarters. S. Bendall, "The mint of Trebizond under Alexius I and the Gabrades," in NC 137 (1977), Issue 13b. Dark green and red-brown patina, a couple of light scratches. VF. Extremely rare. Only six known to Bendall and with none in CoinArchives. At the disastrous battle of Manzikert on August 26th 1071, the Byzantine forces under the command of emperor Romanus IV were decisively defeated and Romanus himself taken prisoner by the Seljuk Turks. Following the disaster, the eastern city of Trebizond was captured. It was later recovered by the effective general Theodore Gabras in 1075 during the ineffective reign of emperor Michael VII. So far removed from the tumult of the court of Constantinople, Trebizond was relatively insulated from the tumultuous years that followed, which included the downfall of Michael VII, the brief reign of Nicephorus III, and the three subsequent revolts of Nicephorus Bryennius, Basilacius, and Melissenus. However, once Nicephorus III's capable general Alexius was crowned as emperor Alexius I, the new Comnenian dynasty took a more assertive role along the eastern frontier. After having been left alone to rule his fiefdom for the past 6 years, Alexius ensured Theodore's loyalty by holding his son hostage in Constantinople. A rescue attempt orchestrated by Theodore in 1091/2 proved unsuccessful. This, however, made Theodore even less inclined to heed the central government in Constantinople and he largely pursued his own agenda and policies while in power in Trebizond. During Theodore's rule of Trebizond, a number of interesting issues were stuck there, such as this rare follis. Ultimately, Theodore's lordship of Trebizond came to an end when he was captured and killed by Turkish forces in 1098. Estimate: 200 USD |  |
Match 1:
| Classical Numismatic Group > Auction 129 | Auction date: 13 May 2025 |
| Lot number: 573 Price realized: 2,250 USD (Approx. 2,016 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Constantine I. AD 307/310-337. Æ Follis (19mm, 3.46 g, 12h). Constantinople mint, 1st officina. Struck AD 327. Laureate head right / Labarum surmounted by Christogram, with three medallions on drapery, spearing serpent; A|–//CONS. RIC VII 19. Dark green-brown patina and toned trace silvering, some roughness and cleaning marks with some details enhanced. VF. An well detailed reverse with an attractive composition. A rare and popular type. There has been much discussion devoted to this rare issue, minted only at Constantinople during AD 327, since it is the only issue of Constantine I which appears to be so overtly Christian in its symbolism. The reverse shows for the first time the labarum (a Christian emblematic replacement for the vexillum) firmly planted on the back of a wriggling serpent. Influenced by the ancient sources (the Panegyrici Latini and, in particular the Vita Constantini of Eusebius), J. Maurice, in his Numismatique Constantinienne (II, pp. 506-13), was the first to argue for such an unambiguous interpretation – the symbol of Christ piercing the dark powers of Satan – a view accepted by subsequent scholars and numismatists (P. Bruun, "The Christian signs on the coins of Constantine" in Studies in Constantinian Numismatics: Papers from 1954 to 1988 [Rome: 1991], p.61). Constantine I was constantly adjusting his public image to meet the changing status of his political career. Such was the case with his new diademed portrait, adopted in 324 following his victory over Licinius I, which depicted Constantine I looking slightly upward, as if in the attitude of prayer. There, the emperor seemed to have been intentionally ambiguous, so that imperial images could be viewed by various groups within the empire in the context of their own hopes and aspirations (for a discussion of Constantine's use of deliberately ambiguous language and imagery, see T.G. Elliot, "The Language of Constantine's Propaganda," TAPA 120 [1990], pp. 349-353 and H.A. Drake, Constantine and the Bishops: The Politics of Intolerance [Johns Hopkins, 2000]). Is that same ambiguity, however, at work here? Beginning with the sons of Constantine and their successors (excluding Julian II, the Apostate), the labarum would appear more regularly on imperial solidi of the mid-fourth century onwards and would be interpreted by Christians and pagans alike as an emblem of imperial power. Likewise, the serpent (or dragon), which first appeared as a non-beneficent symbol on the denarii of Julius Caesar (Crawford 443/1), came to represent enemies of the state, such as "barbarians", "pagans", and "heretics" (cf. Gnecchi 2 for the serpent as a representation of Germanic tribes on a bronze medallion of Constantine I). As with the labarum, the serpent thereafter became an integral part of late Roman imperial iconography, particularly on the reverse of various solidi, where the emperor is depicted triumphantly placing his foot on a serpent. In 327, however, the imagery presented on this coin may not have been so ambiguous and may have been directed specifically to those Christians living in and around the new capital. Following his defeat of Licinius I at Chrysopolis in 324, Constantine I worked to reestablish peace and stability within a restored empire. In 325, he successfully convened and oversaw an ecumenical council of Christian bishops in at Nicaea, primarily to address the trouble produced by the Arian controversy in the eastern portion of the empire. The result of this council was the creation of the Nicene Creed and the establishment (under imperial auspices) of a theologically orthodox Christianity. This success, however, was tempered the following year when the imperial family underwent a crisis when Constantine executed his son and heir-apparent, Crispus, and the empress Fausta likewise perished under mysterious circumstances, reportedly on account of mutual improper behavior between the two. Now, a new dynastic arrangement needed to be implemented, and a period of contrition followed. Not only were the remaining three sons elevated to receive the empire jointly, but also the emperor's mother, Helena, went on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, in part to expiate the sins of the imperial household, and during which journey she discovered a number of important holy relics, including the True Cross, which she brought back to Constantinople. Now, with religious controversies settled, the difficulties of the previous heir replaced by the three new co-heirs, and the bringing of holy relics to the new capital, Constantinople could be untainted by the faults of the past. In the context of these recent events, this coin, meant for local popular circulation, could reassure the populace that Constantine I and his rule, inspired by divine intervention and represented by the labarum, would ensure orthodox stability against all imperial enemies, represented by the serpent. Estimate: 1500 USD |  |
Match 2:
| Classical Numismatic Group > Electronic Auction 581 | Auction date: 19 February 2025 |
| Lot number: 725 Price realized: 190 USD (Approx. 182 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Constantine I. AD 307/310-337. Æ Follis (22mm, 3.43 g, 6h). Londinium (London) mint. Struck late AD 314-early 315. Laureate and trabeate bust left / Sol standing left, raising hand and holding globe; S|P//MSL. RIC VII 78 corr. (bust type); RML 715 (this coin illustrated); C&T 8.07.022; David W. Burge, "Bourton-on-the-Water (Gloucestershire) Hoard of Constantinian Folles" in NC (1973), p. 120, no. 248 (this coin); BM 1988,0136.5. Dark green-brown patina, minor edge split. Good VF. Extremely rare. RR in RML. From the Dr. Malcolm Lyne Collection, purchased from Galata Coins, June 1988. Ex 22 March 1970 Bourton-on-the-Water Hoard (IRBCH 1083) . This coin has evidentially experienced some misattribution in the past lending to some confusion. C&T note in their footnote for 8.07.022 that the "BoW coin may have been misattributed." In the cataloging for the BoW hoard there is one example of RIC 78 noted. Ultimately, this example does appear to be the BoW coin. RML correctly notes in footnote 32 that "RIC VII describes this as a cuirassed bust but it appears to be trabeate on all specimens seen." The footnote additionally clarifies that RIC 78 contains a typographical error and that is was intended to describe the bust as left facing. This coin was purchased from Galata Coins (which owned a portion of the BoW hoard) at the time the hoard was being dispersed circa 1988. This coin is additionally the example illustrated for the type in RML, however, RML cites the BM coin (1988,0136.5) which is the cited and illustrated example in C&T and which additionally likely served as the known example of RIC 78. In sum, this is a laureate and trabeate bust left, not cuirassed as described in RIC VII. Burge correctly cataloged the coin as a RIC VII 78 despite the left facing aspect of the bust being erroneously omitted in RIC. This coin was evidently later sold to Dr. Lyne as part of the BoW hoard in 1988 and has now ultimately reappeared today. It is additionally superior to the BM example which appears to be the only other known specimen. Estimate: 100 USD |  |
Match 3:
| Classical Numismatic Group > Auction 129 | Auction date: 13 May 2025 |
| Lot number: 494 Price realized: 5,500 USD (Approx. 4,927 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Nero. AD 54-68. Æ Sestertius (36.5mm, 25.18 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck circa AD 67. IMP NERO CLAVD CAESAR AVG GERM P M TR P XIII P P, laureate bust right, wearing aegis / PACE P R TERRA MARIQ PARTA IANVM CLVSIT, S C across field, Temple of Janus with garland hung across closed double doors to left and latticed windows to right. RIC I 354 var. (bust type); WCN 171 var. (same); BMCRE p. 215, note †; BN 429 var. (same); Elkins, Monuments Figure 77. Brown patina, flan flaws, brassy highlights. Near EF. An interesting architectural reverse type with the closed doors of the Temple of Janus, sending the signal to the Roman people that there was no war. From the Meander Collection. Ex Long Valley River Collection (Roma XX, 29 October 2020), lot 560; Artemide Aste (2 September 2004), lot 156. The Temple of Janus was one of Rome's most ancient centers of worship. It was said that Romulus had built it after he made peace with the Sabines, and that it was king Numa who decreed that its doors should be opened during times of war and shut during times of peace. In all of Roman history until the reign of Nero, the temple doors had been shut perhaps five or six times – once under king Numa (who originated the tradition), once at the end of the Second Punic War, three times under Augustus, and, according to Ovid, once under Tiberius. In AD 65, when peace had been generally established in the Empire, Nero understandably requested the closing of the temple's doors. He marked the event with great celebrations and trumpeted his policy of peace by issuing a large and impressive series of coins. The inscription on this issue announces "the doors of Janus have been closed after peace has been procured for the Roman People on the land and on the sea." The doors of the temple probably remained closed for less than a year, being opened again with the onset of strife in Judaea in 68. Estimate: 5000 USD |  |
Match 4:
| Classical Numismatic Group > Electronic Auction 585 | Auction date: 16 April 2025 |
| Lot number: 668 Price realized: 200 USD (Approx. 176 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Nicephorus Basilacius. Usurper, 1078. Æ Follis (26.5mm, 9.00 g, 7h). Thessalonica mint. Facing bust of Christ Pantokrator / Jeweled patriarchal cross with central saltire and three pellets at end of each extremity; C / N - B / B in quarters across field. DOC 2b (Nicephorus Bryennius; Unidentified Mint); SB 1890. Dark brown surfaces, porosity/roughness. Good Fine. Overstruck as usual. AD 1078 was a tumultuous year in the Byzantine world. It opened with the latter days of the rule of Emperor Michael VII Ducas, and ended with Nicephorus III Botaniates in power. But Nicephorus Botaniates' revolt against Michael was not the only revolt of 1078; rather, it was not even the only revolt to feature a general by the name of Nicephorus. To further muddy the waters of coinage in 1078, Nicephorus Basilacius and Nicephorus Bryennius also revolted in the same time period. While still in the service of Emperor Michael VII, Nicephorus Basilacius was dispatched in October 1077 to deal with the rebelling Duke of Durazzo, Nicephorus Bryennius. Although Basilacius put little effort into attempting to quell the revolt which was gripping most of the provinces of Macedonia and Thrace, he did in the process occupy Thessalonica, thereby denying the important city to Bryennius. The dynamic changed when Nicephorus Botaniates successfully deposed Michael VII and occupied Constantinople in early April 1078. He subsequently offered the revolting Duke Bryennius the rank of Caesar in an attempt to make peace. But the consolatory prize of second rank was not enough to satiate the aspiring Bryennius who promptly refused the offer. Consequently, the now Emperor Nicephorus III Botaniates dispatched his trusted general, the future emperor Alexius I, to deal with Bryennius. Meanwhile, Basilacius continued to occupy the city of Thessalonica. Bryennius was defeated in battle by Alexius at Kalavrye in Thrace. His fleeing army was assumed by Basilacius who made his true intentions known by also revolting and declaring himself emperor at Thessalonica. Alexius was subsequently sent by Nicephorus III to Thessalonica to deal with Basilacius. Besieged by Alexius, the citizenry of Thessalonica, evidently weary of the constant stream of revolting Nicephori, gave Basilacius up to Alexius. These rare folles are attributed to either the rebel Bryennius or Basilacius; a matter complicated due to the similarity of their names. But due to Basilacius' occupation of Thessalonica, which possessed a mint, some scholars advocate for the attribution of these coins to Basilacius over Byennius. In the end, while Nicephorus III had successfully deposed Michael VII and defeated his revolting peers and fellow Nicephori, he only ruled for three years. Unfortunately for him, a fourth Nicephorus appeared on the scene when Nicephorus Melissenus revolted. The apt Nicephorus-defeating general Alexius would prove incapable of relying upon this time as Melissenus was his brother-in-law. Nicephorus III found the situation impossible and abdicated, making way for a new dynasty headed by Alexius-the Comnenian. Estimate: 200 USD |  |
Match 5:
| Timeline Auctions > Auction 162 | Auction date: 8 March 2025 |
| Lot number: 3480 Price realized: 150 GBP (Approx. 194 USD / 178 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Nicephorus Basilacius (Usurper) AE Follis. AD 1078. Thessalonica mint. Rare Light Module of Usurper Nicephorus Basilacius Nicephorus Basilacius (Usurper) AE Follis. AD 1078. Thessalonica mint. Nimbate bust of Christ Pantokrator facing; IC XC across fields / Jewelled patriarchal cross with central X set on base; [C]-B N-B in quarters. DOC 2b (Nicephorus Bryennius); SB 1890. 2.98gr, 22mm, 6h. Very Fine. Very rare light module. Property of a London, UK, gentleman. Nicephorus Basilacius was a general of Michael VII who had been sent in 1078 to quell the revolt of Nicephorus Bryennius, duke of Dyrrhachium. Whilst Basilacius was unsuccessful in his attempts to oppose Bryennius, he took possession of Thessalonica where he would soon after proclaim himself emperor. The revolts of the Nicephori would, however, be short lived as Nicephorus III Botaniates took control of Constantinople and sent his general Alexius Comnenus to deal with the rebels. Basilacius was surrendered to Alexius by the citizens of Thessalonica following a short siege of the city. Starting price: 5 GBP |  |
