Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4
Date: 2025-01-14 15:00:00 (2 weeks from now)
Lots: 1152
Total starting: $ 3,093,540.00
In this auction, Numistats has matched 121 coins, providing AI-powered purchase recommendations and detailed analysis. View more.
Auction Summary
La subasta "Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4", programada para el 14 de enero de 2025, presenta una impresionante colección de 1152 lotes, destacando monedas de diversas épocas y regiones. Entre las piezas más notables se encuentra un estater de plata de Arkadia, datado entre 360-350 a.C., que muestra un magnífico retrato de Deméter y Hermes, con un precio estimado de 180,000 USD. También se destaca un denario de Bruto, famoso por conmemorar el asesinato de Julio César, que se ofrece por 150,000 USD, siendo considerado uno de los más icónicos de la numismática romana. Otro ejemplar notable es un estater de oro de Nektanebo II de Egipto, que representa un caballo y un collar jeroglífico, con un precio de 60,000 USD. Además, se presenta un dekadrachm de Siracusa, que es considerado uno de los más bellos de la antigüedad, con un precio de 60,000 USD. Estas monedas no solo son valiosas por su rareza y belleza, sino que también representan momentos significativos de la historia antigua, lo que las convierte en piezas de gran interés para coleccionistas y estudiosos.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 801
Libius Severus (Severus III). AD 461-465. AV Solidus (21mm, 4.34 g, 6h). Ravenna mint. D N LIBIVS SEV ERVS P F AVG, rosette-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right / VICTORI A AVGGG, Severus, wearing crown and military attire, standing facing, placing right foot on human-headed serpent coiled below, holding long cross in right hand and Victory on globe left in left hand; Victory holding palm frond in right arm and wreath in left hand; R|V//COMOB. RIC X 2718; Ranieri 155; Lacam Type A and pl. 16, 19; Depeyrot 24/2; Biaggi –; Mazzini 8. Toned, graffiti, scrapes, scratches, edge marks. VF. Very rare.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 802
Romulus Augustus. AD 475-476. AV Tremissis (14mm, 1.47 g, 6h). Mediolanum (Milan) mint. D N ROMVLVS AGVSTVS P F (AV)G, pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Cross within wreath; COMOB. RIC X 3419; Lacam Type 1, pls. CLXXXV (first and second illustrations) and 48, 34-5 (same dies); Depeyrot 43/2 corr. (obv. legend); Toffanin 541/1; Biaggi –; Mazzini –. Toned, trace deposits. EF. Very rare. An excellent example of this desirable issue struck from fresh dies. From an earlier die state than the examples illustrated by Lacam.
The task of ruling the Western Roman Empire in the late fifth century AD was devoid of the glory that once accompanied the office. Gone were the days of conquest and firm imperial power. In their place were consistent threats on the Empire’s crumbing borders, a corrupt bureaucracy, and the ever-present threat of violent insurrection and usurpation. During this fraught time in Rome, on 31 October AD 475, a new emperor was proclaimed — Romulus Augustus.
Romulus was the young son of the Western Empire’s magister militum, Orestes, who had deposed the Emperor Julius Nepos via military coup. Nepos fled to Dalmatia in exile, while the rogue Orestes elected to put Romulus, about 14 years old, on the throne. With his son as his puppet, Orestes went about his own agenda while trying to fulfill the expected functions of government in Italy, which was largely all that remained of the Western Roman Empire. Unfortunately for Orestes and Romulus, the presence of the Eastern Roman Empire, far more wealthy and powerful, could not be ignored. To gain legitimacy, they needed the recognition of Constantinople. Unfortunately for them, the Eastern Empire was undergoing its own ruling crisis between the rival emperors Zeno and Basiliscus, and both claimants still considered the exiled Julius Nepos as the legitimate western ruler.
Nepos wielded no real power in exile, leaving Romulus Augustus as the de facto emperor in the west. However, his time was destined to be short. Early in AD 476, a group of barbarian foederati, mercenaries in Rome’s employ, demanded a third of the arable land in Italy in payment for their services. Orestes refused their demands. Led by one Odovacer, the mercenaries marched on Ravenna. Orestes and his personal guard tried to stop them, but he was defeated and killed at Ticinum. On 4 September AD 476, Odovacer seized Ravenna. Young Romulus, alone and friendless, sat on the throne wearing his diadem and purple cloak, holding the imperial scepter and orb, awaiting his fate. Odovacar elected to spare his life, but ordered that he hand over the ruling regalia and forced him sign an instrument of abdication, which he sent on to Zeno in Constantinople. Romulus Augustus, whose name combined those of the first king and emperor of Rome, had reigned just under 11 months. Odovacar proclaimed himself King of Italy and informed Zeno that he would rule as viceroy of the Eastern Roman emperor; Zeno politely insisted that Julius Nepos was still the legitimate Augustus of the West. Nepos, however, never set foot in Italy again and was murdered in AD 480, eliminating the last legitimate Western Roman ruler.
Romulus who had survived his own overthrow was sent to the countryside to live out his days on a yearly pension of 6,000 solidi. He was still alive in AD 507 when he had a brief correspondence with Theodoric the Great, who had replaced Odovacar as king.
The sad episode of Romulus Augustus is considered by most historians to mark the end of the Western Roman Empire. The famous historian Edward Gibbon popularized this verdict in his monumental History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. Gibbon had this to say of the unremarkable, but historic Romulus Augustus. “The son of Orestes assumed and disgraced the names of Romulus Augustus; but the first was corrupted into Momyllus, by the Greeks, and the second has been changed by the Latins into the contemptible diminutive Augustulus. The life of this inoffensive youth was spared by the generous clemency of Odoacer; who dismissed him, with his whole family, from the Imperial palace, fixed his annual allowance at six thousand pieces of gold, and assigned the castle of Lucullus, in Campania, for the place of his exile or retirement.” Ultimately, due to the brief nature of his reign, the coinage of Romulus Augustus is quite rare and highly sought after for its historical significance. This example is a particularly excellent and high grade specimen.
The task of ruling the Western Roman Empire in the late fifth century AD was devoid of the glory that once accompanied the office. Gone were the days of conquest and firm imperial power. In their place were consistent threats on the Empire’s crumbing borders, a corrupt bureaucracy, and the ever-present threat of violent insurrection and usurpation. During this fraught time in Rome, on 31 October AD 475, a new emperor was proclaimed — Romulus Augustus.
Romulus was the young son of the Western Empire’s magister militum, Orestes, who had deposed the Emperor Julius Nepos via military coup. Nepos fled to Dalmatia in exile, while the rogue Orestes elected to put Romulus, about 14 years old, on the throne. With his son as his puppet, Orestes went about his own agenda while trying to fulfill the expected functions of government in Italy, which was largely all that remained of the Western Roman Empire. Unfortunately for Orestes and Romulus, the presence of the Eastern Roman Empire, far more wealthy and powerful, could not be ignored. To gain legitimacy, they needed the recognition of Constantinople. Unfortunately for them, the Eastern Empire was undergoing its own ruling crisis between the rival emperors Zeno and Basiliscus, and both claimants still considered the exiled Julius Nepos as the legitimate western ruler.
Nepos wielded no real power in exile, leaving Romulus Augustus as the de facto emperor in the west. However, his time was destined to be short. Early in AD 476, a group of barbarian foederati, mercenaries in Rome’s employ, demanded a third of the arable land in Italy in payment for their services. Orestes refused their demands. Led by one Odovacer, the mercenaries marched on Ravenna. Orestes and his personal guard tried to stop them, but he was defeated and killed at Ticinum. On 4 September AD 476, Odovacer seized Ravenna. Young Romulus, alone and friendless, sat on the throne wearing his diadem and purple cloak, holding the imperial scepter and orb, awaiting his fate. Odovacar elected to spare his life, but ordered that he hand over the ruling regalia and forced him sign an instrument of abdication, which he sent on to Zeno in Constantinople. Romulus Augustus, whose name combined those of the first king and emperor of Rome, had reigned just under 11 months. Odovacar proclaimed himself King of Italy and informed Zeno that he would rule as viceroy of the Eastern Roman emperor; Zeno politely insisted that Julius Nepos was still the legitimate Augustus of the West. Nepos, however, never set foot in Italy again and was murdered in AD 480, eliminating the last legitimate Western Roman ruler.
Romulus who had survived his own overthrow was sent to the countryside to live out his days on a yearly pension of 6,000 solidi. He was still alive in AD 507 when he had a brief correspondence with Theodoric the Great, who had replaced Odovacar as king.
The sad episode of Romulus Augustus is considered by most historians to mark the end of the Western Roman Empire. The famous historian Edward Gibbon popularized this verdict in his monumental History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. Gibbon had this to say of the unremarkable, but historic Romulus Augustus. “The son of Orestes assumed and disgraced the names of Romulus Augustus; but the first was corrupted into Momyllus, by the Greeks, and the second has been changed by the Latins into the contemptible diminutive Augustulus. The life of this inoffensive youth was spared by the generous clemency of Odoacer; who dismissed him, with his whole family, from the Imperial palace, fixed his annual allowance at six thousand pieces of gold, and assigned the castle of Lucullus, in Campania, for the place of his exile or retirement.” Ultimately, due to the brief nature of his reign, the coinage of Romulus Augustus is quite rare and highly sought after for its historical significance. This example is a particularly excellent and high grade specimen.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 803
Anastasius I. 491-518. AV Solidus (19.5mm, 4.46 g, 6h). Constantinople mint, 3rd officina. Struck 492-507. D N ANASTA SIVS PP AVG, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly right, holding spear over right shoulder in right hand and shield decorated with horseman motif on left shoulder / VICTORI A AVGGG, Victory, draped, standing left, holding long jeweled cross in right hand; star to right; Γ//CONOB. DOC (3c); MIBE 4a; SB 3. Toned, minor hard deposits, minor cleaning scratches, light die rust on obverse. EF.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 804
Anastasius I. 491-518. AV Solidus (20.5mm, 4.47 g, 7h). Constantinople mint, 9th officina. Struck 507-518. D N ANASTA SIVS PP AVG, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly right, holding spear over right shoulder in right hand and shield decorated with horseman motif on left shoulder / VICTORI A AVGGG, Victory, draped, standing left, holding long staff surmounted by reversed Christogram in right hand; star to left; Θ//CONOB. DOC 6b; MIBE 6a; SB 4. Toned. In NGC encapsulation 2400569-004, graded MS, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 4/5. From an exceptionally scarcer issue with the reversed Christogram than the usually encountered SB 3 (long cross) and 5 (reversed staurogram).
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 805
Justinian I. 527-565. AV Solidus (20mm, 4.45 g, 6h). Constantinople mint, 10th officina. Struck 527-537. D N IVSTINI ANVS PP AVG, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly right, holding spear over right shoulder in right hand and shield decorated with horseman motif on left shoulder / VICTORI A AVGGG, Angel, draped, standing facing, holding long cross in right hand and globus cruciger in left; star to right; I//CONOB. DOC 3i; MIBE 5; SB 137. Toned and lustrous, light scratches. Superb EF.
Purchased by the consignor from Antiqua, 2007.
Purchased by the consignor from Antiqua, 2007.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 806
Tiberius III (Apsimar). 698-705. AV Solidus (19.5mm, 4.41 g, 6h). Constantinople mint, 1st officina. D τIЬЄRI ЧS PЄ AV, crowned and cuirassed facing bust, holding transverse spear in right hand and shield decorated with horseman motif on left shoulder / VICTORIA AVςЧ, cross potent set on three steps; A//CONOB. DOC (1a); MIB 1; SB 1360. Toned and lustrous, slightly clipped, light hairlines. EF.
Ex Leu 91 (10 May 2004), lot 859.
Ex Leu 91 (10 May 2004), lot 859.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 807
Tiberius III (Apsimar). 698-705. AV Solidus (19.5mm, 4.44 g, 7h). Constantinople mint, 5th officina. D τIЬЄRI ЧS PЄ AV, crowned and cuirassed facing bust, holding transverse spear in right hand and shield decorated with horseman motif on left shoulder / VICTORIA AVςЧ, cross potent set on three steps; Є//CONOB. DOC (1d); MIB 1; SB 1360. Lustrous. Superb EF.
Ex Tkalec (7 May 2009), lot 220.
Ex Tkalec (7 May 2009), lot 220.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 808
Justinian II, with Tiberius. Second reign, 705-711. AV Solidus (19.5mm, 4.47 g, 6h). Constantinople mint. Struck 705-711. ∂ N IҺS CҺS RЄX RЄΓNANTIЧM, draped and nimbate facing bust of Christ Pantokrator, raising right hand in benediction and holding Gospels in left / [...]RIЧS PP ´, crowned facing half-length busts of Justinian and Tiberius, both wearing chlamys, holding cross potent set on two steps between them with right hands. DOC 2a; MIB 2a; SB 1414. Small metal flaw on obverse. EF.
Ex Numismatic Fine Arts I (20 March 1975), lot 439.
Ex Numismatic Fine Arts I (20 March 1975), lot 439.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 809
Philippicus (Bardanes). 711-713. AV Solidus (19.5mm, 4.36 g, 6h). Constantinople mint, 2nd officina. D(retrograde) N FI[LЄPPIC]ЧS MЧL TЧS AN, crowned facing bust, wearing loros, holding globus cruciger in right hand and eagle-tipped scepter in left / [VICT]ORIA AVςЧ, cross potent set on three steps; B//CONOB. DOC 1b; MIB 1; SB 1447; cf. CNG 123, 744 (same obv. die). Lightly toned, with some luster, lightly clipped, a couple spots of weakness, trace die rust and slight clashing on obverse, slight doubling and light hairlines on reverse. EF. From the obverse die with the less frequently found spelling of Philippicus’ name with two P’s rather than the more prevalently encountered spelling with just one. This coin from an earlier obverse die state than the CNG 123 coin.
Ex Economopoulos Numismatics inventory 12002614 (ND).
Ex Economopoulos Numismatics inventory 12002614 (ND).
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 810
Constantine VI & Irene, with Leo III, Constantine V, and Leo IV. 780-797. AV Solidus (19mm, 4.49 g, 6h). Constantinople mint. Struck circa 790-circa 792. SIҺIn(retrograde)I nI ΛΓ´ mIτ´ AVτ, crowned facing half-length busts of Constantine VI, wearing chlamys, holding globus cruciger in right hand, and Irene, wearing loros, holding cruciform scepter in left hand; cross above, • between / SVҺIRI ҺI ΛΓ´ mI´ AVτOЧ, Constantine V, Leo III, and Leo IV seated facing, each wearing crown and chlamys, wide suppedion beneath them. Cf. DOC 2 (for issue without die pairing error); Füeg Ir.4.11/Ir.4.3 (obv./rev.); cf. SB 1592/1591 (for obv./rev. type). Lightly toned, small edge scuff. Good VF. Extremely rare error with these dies paired together. Both sides with legends for Irene only. Only two noted in Füeg’s corpus. This example the third known and the only example without weakness on the obverse making the full legend readable for the first time.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 811
Constantine VI & Irene. 780-797. AV Solidus (21.5mm, 4.43 g, 6h). Constantinople mint. Struck 792-797. IRIҺH AΓOVSτ[I], crowned facing bust of Irene, wearing loros, holding globus cruciger in right hand and cruciform scepter in left / COҺSτAҺ τ[IҺ]OS ЬAS´, crowned facing bust of Constantine, wearing chlamys, holding globus cruciger in right hand and akakia in left; Θ at end of legend. DOC 3a; Füeg 5.A; SB 1594. Toned, with some luster, minor doubling, areas of weakness, a couple of minor marks, thin die break and faint hairlines on reverse. Near EF.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 812
Irene. 797-802. AV Solidus (20mm, 4.37 g, 6h). Constantinople mint. ЄIRInH ЬASILISSH, crowned facing bust, wearing loros, holding globus cruciger in right hand and cruciform scepter in left / • ЄIRIҺH ЬASILISSH (archaic Θ), crowned facing bust, wearing loros, holding globus cruciger in right hand and cruciform scepter in left. DOC 1a; Füeg 1.C.1; SB 1599. Toned, with some luster, a couple of spots of weakness, die cud and minor die rust on obverse, doubling on reverse. Near EF.
From the Ramrodivs Collection. Ex Harlan J. Berk inventory cc70053 (ND).
From the Ramrodivs Collection. Ex Harlan J. Berk inventory cc70053 (ND).
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 813
Nicephorus I. 802-811. AV Solidus (20mm, 4.48 g, 6h). Constantinople mint. Struck 802-803. ҺICI FOROS ЬASILЄ´, crowned facing bust, wearing chlamys, holding cross potent in right hand and akakia in left / IҺSЧS XRIS τЧS ҺICA, cross potent set upon three steps; X at end of legend. DOC 1b; Füeg 1.B; SB 1603. Lightly toned and lustrous, a few minor marks. EF. Well centered.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 814
Nicephorus I, with Stauracius. 802-811. AV Solidus (18mm, 4.39 g, 6h). Constantinople mint. Struck 803-811. • ҺICI FOROS ЬASILЄ´, crowned facing bust of Nicephorus, wearing chlamys, holding cross potent in right hand and akakia in left / SτAVRA CIS ∂ЄSPO´, crowned facing bust of Stauracius, wearing chlamys, holding globus cruciger in right hand and akakia in left; Є at end of legend. DOC 2a; Füeg 2.B.2; SB 1604. Lightly toned, with some luster, lightly clipped, minor die breaks and die rust on obverse, a few light scratches and slightly off center on reverse. EF. Well struck.
Nicephorus’ career came to an abrupt end at the battle of Pliska on 26 July 811 during his Bulgarian campaign. The initial campaign was a rousing success, and the battle came immediately after the sack of Pliska (the Bulgarian capital) by Byzantine forces. The Bulgarian Khan Krum attempted to sue for peace after the disastrous loss of his capital city, but Nicephorus, confident from his great victory refused and planned to retake all of Bulgaria. While the Byzantines were plundering the city, Krum blocked their exit from the valley with traps and fortifications including a wooden palisade. Nicephorus was unwilling to assault the newly-constructed battlements and elected to set up camp. This proved unwise. The Bulgarians spent the next few days across in their camp rattling their shields in an effort to intimidate the Byzantine forces. By the time the two armies met in battle, the Byzantine army’s morale had evaporated. Despite the Byzantine’s possessing superior numbers, the army was completely routed by the Bulgarian Khanate. Very few members of the approximately 30,000 strong Byzantine army escaped the slaughter. Emperor Nicephorus himself was slain and his son and successor Stauracius received a serious wound to his spine which left him partially paralyzed. Theophanes the Confessor summarized the aftermath in his Chronographia as follows: “Among the victims were ... the patrician Romanus, who was strategos of the Anatolics, and many protospatharioi and spatharioi, the commanders of the tagmata, including the domestic of the excubitors and the drungarios of the Imperial Watch, the strategos of Thrace, many officers of the themata, and an infinite number of soldiers so that the flower of Christendom was destroyed ... May not Christians experience another time the ugly events of that day for which no lamentation is adequate” (Theophanes, 491).
Nicephorus’ body was not recovered and Theophanes records that the Khan Krum “cut off the head of Nikephoros and for several days hung it on a pole so as to exhibit it to the tribes that came before him ... After that, he bared the skull, reveted it on the outside with silver and, in his pride, made the chieftains of the Sklavinians drink from it” (Theophanes, 491-2). This follows the ancient Skythian custom recorded by Herodotus in The Histories Book 4.65. Thus ended the reign of Nicephorus and Stauracius.
Nicephorus’ career came to an abrupt end at the battle of Pliska on 26 July 811 during his Bulgarian campaign. The initial campaign was a rousing success, and the battle came immediately after the sack of Pliska (the Bulgarian capital) by Byzantine forces. The Bulgarian Khan Krum attempted to sue for peace after the disastrous loss of his capital city, but Nicephorus, confident from his great victory refused and planned to retake all of Bulgaria. While the Byzantines were plundering the city, Krum blocked their exit from the valley with traps and fortifications including a wooden palisade. Nicephorus was unwilling to assault the newly-constructed battlements and elected to set up camp. This proved unwise. The Bulgarians spent the next few days across in their camp rattling their shields in an effort to intimidate the Byzantine forces. By the time the two armies met in battle, the Byzantine army’s morale had evaporated. Despite the Byzantine’s possessing superior numbers, the army was completely routed by the Bulgarian Khanate. Very few members of the approximately 30,000 strong Byzantine army escaped the slaughter. Emperor Nicephorus himself was slain and his son and successor Stauracius received a serious wound to his spine which left him partially paralyzed. Theophanes the Confessor summarized the aftermath in his Chronographia as follows: “Among the victims were ... the patrician Romanus, who was strategos of the Anatolics, and many protospatharioi and spatharioi, the commanders of the tagmata, including the domestic of the excubitors and the drungarios of the Imperial Watch, the strategos of Thrace, many officers of the themata, and an infinite number of soldiers so that the flower of Christendom was destroyed ... May not Christians experience another time the ugly events of that day for which no lamentation is adequate” (Theophanes, 491).
Nicephorus’ body was not recovered and Theophanes records that the Khan Krum “cut off the head of Nikephoros and for several days hung it on a pole so as to exhibit it to the tribes that came before him ... After that, he bared the skull, reveted it on the outside with silver and, in his pride, made the chieftains of the Sklavinians drink from it” (Theophanes, 491-2). This follows the ancient Skythian custom recorded by Herodotus in The Histories Book 4.65. Thus ended the reign of Nicephorus and Stauracius.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 815
Michael III "the Drunkard", with Theodora and Thecla. 842-867. AV Solidus (21mm, 4.29 g, 6h). Constantinople mint. Struck 842-circa 843. + ΘЄO∂O RA ∂ЄSPVҺA, crowned facing half-length bust of Theodora, wearing loros, holding patriarchal globus cruciger in right hand and cruciform scepter in left / • mIXHL S Θ ЄCLA, crowned facing half-length figures of Michael, wearing chlamys, holding globus cruciger in right hand, and Thecla, to right, wearing loros, and holding patriarchal cross in right hand and akakia in left. DOC 1b; Füeg 1.D.12 (same rev. die as illustrated example); SB 1686. Toned, minor doubling, overstruck, clipped, minor marks and die marks. Good VF. Very rare. A pleasing and clear example for the type. This reverse die known from only a single example in the Füeg corpus.
Michael III was only two years old when his father Theophilus died in 842. His mother Theodora as regent was the effective ruler of the empire, and the first coinage of his reign gives her prominence on the obverse. Michael was generally kept in the background, even overshadowed on the coins by his sister Thecla such as on this early solidus issue. With Michael in isolation, Theodora maintained the empire with the assistance of her brothers, Bardas and Petronas, along with Theoktistos, the logothete of the dromos. During Theodora’s regency, she brought an end to the second iconoclastic controversy and demonstrated herself as an effective and capable ruler. In a typical example of Byzantine family intrigue, Theoktistos moved against Bardas, who in turn conspired with the young emperor in 856 to remove his mother’s regency and eliminate Theoktistos. Theoktistos was ultimately killed and Theodora was removed from power and confined to a convent. The conspiracy continued and Bardas was murdered in 865 by Basil, an ambitious court official who befriended Michael and soon became co-emperor. Basil proceeded to promptly eliminate his benefactor shortly thereafter.
Although Michael was given the unflattering epithet the "Drunkard," this smear on his name was perpetuated by Basil to justify his seizure of power. Michael appears to have been a conscientious ruler and capable military leader, his only fatal failing being that he was too easily swayed by his unscrupulous associates.
Michael III was only two years old when his father Theophilus died in 842. His mother Theodora as regent was the effective ruler of the empire, and the first coinage of his reign gives her prominence on the obverse. Michael was generally kept in the background, even overshadowed on the coins by his sister Thecla such as on this early solidus issue. With Michael in isolation, Theodora maintained the empire with the assistance of her brothers, Bardas and Petronas, along with Theoktistos, the logothete of the dromos. During Theodora’s regency, she brought an end to the second iconoclastic controversy and demonstrated herself as an effective and capable ruler. In a typical example of Byzantine family intrigue, Theoktistos moved against Bardas, who in turn conspired with the young emperor in 856 to remove his mother’s regency and eliminate Theoktistos. Theoktistos was ultimately killed and Theodora was removed from power and confined to a convent. The conspiracy continued and Bardas was murdered in 865 by Basil, an ambitious court official who befriended Michael and soon became co-emperor. Basil proceeded to promptly eliminate his benefactor shortly thereafter.
Although Michael was given the unflattering epithet the "Drunkard," this smear on his name was perpetuated by Basil to justify his seizure of power. Michael appears to have been a conscientious ruler and capable military leader, his only fatal failing being that he was too easily swayed by his unscrupulous associates.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 816
Leo VI the Wise, with Constantine VII. 886-912. AV Solidus (19.5mm, 4.41 g, 6h). Constantinople mint. Struck 908-912. + IҺS XPS RЄX RЄςNANTIЧm, Christ Pantokrator enthroned facing on suppedion, armrests with eight pellets, draped and nimbate, raising right hand in benediction and holding Gospels in left / LЄOҺ ЄT COҺS(τ retrograde)AҺ(τ retrograde)´ AЧςς´ ROm´, crowned facing figures of Leo, holding globus cruciger in right hand, and Constantine, holding globus cruciger in left hand, both wearing loros decorated with a cross at end and together holding patriarchal cross between them with left and right hands respectively. DOC 2; Füeg 3.A.1 (same rev. die as illustrated example); SB 1725. Toned, light scuffs, spots of slight tooling on obverse. EF.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 817
Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus, with Romanus I. 913-959. AV Solidus (18.5mm, 4.39 g, 6h). Constantinople mint. Struck 920-921. +IҺS XPS RЄX RЄςNANτIЧM *, Christ Pantokrator enthroned facing on suppedion, draped and nimbate, raising right hand in benediction and holding Gospels in left / COҺSτAҺτ´ CЄ ROMAҺ´ AЧϥϥ´ Ь´, crowned facing busts of Constantine and Romanus, both wearing loros and together holding patriarchal cross between them with right and left hand respectively. DOC 3; Füeg 3; SB 1741. Toned, trace deposits, a few minor die breaks on obverse. Good VF. Rare.
Constantine VII’s time as emperor had a very complex path to his eventual sole reign. Following the death of his uncle Alexander, Constantine began his reign under the regency of the Patriarch of Constantinople, Nicolas Mystikos. However, Nicolas’ regency was short-lived. After the Tsar of Bulgaria, Symeon, appeared outside Constantinople with a massive army, Nicolas capitulated to the Bulgarians’ demands and granted them numerous concessions. This lack of strength by Nicolas led to a palace revolt in which Nicolas’ regency was removed and replaced with that of Constantine’s mother, Zoe Karbonopsina. This change in government led Symeon to invade the Byzantine empire and lay waste to numerous provinces. His destructive campaign was eventually stymied by the capable general Romanus Lecapenus. Upon Romanus’ initial victories, he assumed the regency from Zoe, whom he forced into a convent. Romanus additionally married his daughter Helena to Constantine. In December of 920, Romanus assumed the title of co-Augustus and, though he did not depose Constantine, he kept all the power for himself. Romanus and Symeon continued to war against each other until Symeon’s death in 927. Symeon’s death seriously diminished the Bulgarians’ power and Romanus was free to turn his attention towards matters of state.
Between 921 and 945, Romanus elevated three of his sons as co-Augustus: Christopher, Stephen, and Constantine. All the while, the former senior Augustus Constantine VII was completely sidelined for over thirty years (Romanus officially displaced Constantine as senior Augustus around 921). However, matters eventually changed when Stephen and Constantine turned on their father and deposed him in December 944. This was precipitated by Romanus drafting a will in which he intended to leave Constantine VII as sole Augusutus following his death. Constantine VII seized his chance and in turn successfully deposed Stephen and Constantine that following January. Finally, in the thirty-first year of his reign, Constantine VII was free of his domineering associates and became sole Augustus. Later that year, he added his own son Romanus II as co-Augustus. Constantine reigned for an additional fourteen years after he finally deposed the Lecapeni before dying in 959 after reigning for a total of forty-six years. This issue was struck during the brief one-year period in which Romanus I had assumed the title of Augustus but before he began elevating his own sons which accounts for the rarity of this difficult issue.
Constantine VII’s time as emperor had a very complex path to his eventual sole reign. Following the death of his uncle Alexander, Constantine began his reign under the regency of the Patriarch of Constantinople, Nicolas Mystikos. However, Nicolas’ regency was short-lived. After the Tsar of Bulgaria, Symeon, appeared outside Constantinople with a massive army, Nicolas capitulated to the Bulgarians’ demands and granted them numerous concessions. This lack of strength by Nicolas led to a palace revolt in which Nicolas’ regency was removed and replaced with that of Constantine’s mother, Zoe Karbonopsina. This change in government led Symeon to invade the Byzantine empire and lay waste to numerous provinces. His destructive campaign was eventually stymied by the capable general Romanus Lecapenus. Upon Romanus’ initial victories, he assumed the regency from Zoe, whom he forced into a convent. Romanus additionally married his daughter Helena to Constantine. In December of 920, Romanus assumed the title of co-Augustus and, though he did not depose Constantine, he kept all the power for himself. Romanus and Symeon continued to war against each other until Symeon’s death in 927. Symeon’s death seriously diminished the Bulgarians’ power and Romanus was free to turn his attention towards matters of state.
Between 921 and 945, Romanus elevated three of his sons as co-Augustus: Christopher, Stephen, and Constantine. All the while, the former senior Augustus Constantine VII was completely sidelined for over thirty years (Romanus officially displaced Constantine as senior Augustus around 921). However, matters eventually changed when Stephen and Constantine turned on their father and deposed him in December 944. This was precipitated by Romanus drafting a will in which he intended to leave Constantine VII as sole Augusutus following his death. Constantine VII seized his chance and in turn successfully deposed Stephen and Constantine that following January. Finally, in the thirty-first year of his reign, Constantine VII was free of his domineering associates and became sole Augustus. Later that year, he added his own son Romanus II as co-Augustus. Constantine reigned for an additional fourteen years after he finally deposed the Lecapeni before dying in 959 after reigning for a total of forty-six years. This issue was struck during the brief one-year period in which Romanus I had assumed the title of Augustus but before he began elevating his own sons which accounts for the rarity of this difficult issue.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 818
Romanus III Argyrus. 1028-1034. AR Miliaresion (24.5mm, 2.65 g, 7h). Constantinople mint. Struck circa 1030. + ΠΑΡΘЄΝЄ CΟΙ ΠΟΛVΑΙΝЄ, the Theotokos Hodegetria, wearing tunic and maphorion, standing facing on suppedion, holding the Holy Infant with left hand and resting right hand on breast; M and Θ, both with macron above, flanking across upper field / ΟC ΗΛΠΙΚЄ ΠΑΝ ΤΑ ΚΑΤΟPΘΟΙ, crowned facing figure of Romanus, standing facing on suppedion, wearing loros, holding long patriarchal cross in right hand and patriarchal globus cruciger in left. DOC (3b.1); SB 1822. Toned, flan crack, scratches and marks. Good VF. Very rare.
Ex Triton XXIV (19 January 2021), lot 1194.
Ex Triton XXIV (19 January 2021), lot 1194.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 819
Constantine IX Monomachus. 1042-1055. AV Tetarteron (18.5mm, 4.03 g, 6h). Constantinople mint. +IҺS XIS RЄX RЄςNANTIҺm, facing bust of Christ Pantokrator, draped and nimbate, raising right hand in benediction and holding Gospels in left / + CωҺSτ AҺτҺ BASILЄЧS Rm, crowned facing bust of Constantine, wearing jeweled chlamys, holding scepter surmounted by trefoil in right hand and globus cruciger in left. DOC 5a; Füeg II 5.A.2; SB 1832. Toned, minor scratches and marks, edge marks; minor die break, tiny lamination, and light scuff on reverse. Good VF.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 820
Theodora. 1055-1056. PB Seal (36mm, 39.03 g, 12h). + ЄMMΛ NOVHΛ, facing bust of Christ Pantokrator, draped and nimbate, raising right hand in benediction and holding Gospels in left; IC XC, both with macron above, flanking / + ΘЄOΔωPΛ ΛVΓ OVCTΛ H ПOPΦV, half-length facing bust of Theodora, wearing ornate crown and jeweled loros, holding jeweled cruciform scepter with tendril ornament in right hand and resting left hand on breast. BLS I 82 var. (rev. legend); DOCBS 6, –. Even tan patina. Good VF. Extremely rare. Very clear and wonderfully complete. An excellent and impressive imperial seal of the venerable Theodora.
From the Jonathan Kern Collection. Ex Peter J. Merani Collection (Triton XXIV, 19 January 2021), lot 238; Gemini IV (8 January 2008), lot 541.
From the Jonathan Kern Collection. Ex Peter J. Merani Collection (Triton XXIV, 19 January 2021), lot 238; Gemini IV (8 January 2008), lot 541.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 821
Ekdikoi of the Hagia Sophia. Circa 12th century. PB Seal (55mm, 107.50 g, 12h). The Theotokos, wearing tunic and maphorion and Justinian I, wearing crown and loros, both nimbate, supporting between them a model of the Hagia Sophia held in both hands; [+VΠЄPAΓ]IA Θ[Є]O TOKЄ ROHΘЄI around, H/A/[Γ/I]/A C/O/Φ/I/A down central field / – • –/ + TOIC ΘЄ/OCЄRЄCTA/TOIC ΠPЄC/RVTЄPOIC/ KAI ЄKKΛH/CЄKΔIK´/ – • – in eight lines. BLS II 65. Tan-brown patina, light roughness, a couple of minor stress cracks on reverse. VF.
Ex Classical Numismatic Group 121 (6 October 2022), lot 1145; Classical Numismatic Group 108 (16 May 2018), lot 780.
The ekdikoi were a college of priests responsible for the administration of holy sites, who additionally carried out a judicial function. In this capacity, accused criminals who sought asylum in churches would be judged by them. The office was established by Justinian I (527-565), but it did not acquire a real presence in the administration of church affairs until later in the 11th century._x000B_
Ex Classical Numismatic Group 121 (6 October 2022), lot 1145; Classical Numismatic Group 108 (16 May 2018), lot 780.
The ekdikoi were a college of priests responsible for the administration of holy sites, who additionally carried out a judicial function. In this capacity, accused criminals who sought asylum in churches would be judged by them. The office was established by Justinian I (527-565), but it did not acquire a real presence in the administration of church affairs until later in the 11th century._x000B_