Auction 126 - Session 4
Date: 2024-05-28 00:00:00
Lots: 318
Total starting: $ 0.00
Total realized: $ 0.00 (+0.00%)
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Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 126 - Session 4 . 969
Justinian II. Second reign, 705-711. AV Solidus (19.5mm, 4.43 g, 6h). Constantinople mint. Struck 705. Nimbate facing bust of Christ Pantokrator, raising hand in benediction and holding Gospels / Crowned facing bust of Justinian, wearing loros, holding cross potent set on three steps and patriarchal globus cruciger inscribed PAX. DOC 1; MIB 1; SB 1413. Lustrous, faint rotated double strike on obverse, some faint hairlines, trace deposits. EF. An outstandingly bold strike from detailed dies. From the Family of Constantine Collection, assembled with guidance by Roland Michel, Geneva.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 126 - Session 4 . 970
Justinian II, with Tiberius. Second reign, 705-711. AV Solidus (20.5mm, 4.45 g, 6h). Constantinople mint. Struck 705-711. Nimbate facing bust of Christ Pantokrator, raising hand in benediction and holding Gospels / Crowned facing busts of Justinian, and Tiberius, both wearing chlamys, holding between them cross potent set on two steps. DOC 2a; MIB 2a; SB 1414. Lustrous, obverse flan flaw, minor spot of weakness, hairlines. EF. From the Family of Constantine Collection, assembled with guidance by Roland Michel, Geneva. Ex Leu 77 (11 May 2000), lot 946 (part of).
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 126 - Session 4 . 971
Philippicus (Bardanes). 711-713. AV Solidus (19mm, 4.50 g, 6h). Constantinople mint, uncertain (1st or 3rd) officina. Crowned facing bust, wearing loros, holding globus cruciger and eagle-tipped scepter / Cross potent set on three steps; [...]//CONOB. DOC 1; MIB 1; SB 1447. Lustrous, struck slightly off center, light scratches, hairlines on reverse. EF. A wonderful portrait. From the Family of Constantine Collection, assembled with guidance by Roland Michel, Geneva.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 126 - Session 4 . 972
Anastasius II Artemius. 713-715. AV Solidus (19.5mm, 4.44 g, 6h). Constantinople mint, 1st officina. Crowned facing bust, wearing chlamys, holding globus cruciger and akakia / Cross potent set on three steps; A//CONOB. DOC 2a; MIB 2; Füeg 2.A.1; SB 1463. Toned with some luster, metal flaw on reverse, hairlines. EF. An excellent portrait. From the Family of Constantine Collection, assembled with guidance by Roland Michel, Geneva.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 126 - Session 4 . 973
Theodosius III of Adramytium. 715-717. AV Solidus (18.5mm, 4.35 g, 6h). Constantinople mint, 7th officina. Crowned facing bust, wearing loros, holding patriarchal globus cruciger hand and akakia / Cross potent set on three steps; Z//CONOB. DOC (1c); MIB 1; Füeg 1.A.7; SB 1487. Lightly toned, clipped, marks and scratches. Near EF. Very rare in this officina. From the Family of Constantine Collection, assembled with guidance by Roland Michel, Geneva.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 126 - Session 4 . 974
Leo III the "Isaurian". 717-741. AV Solidus (19.5mm, 4.47 g, 6h). Constantinople mint, 5th officina. Struck 717-720. Crowned facing bust, wearing chlamys, holding globus cruciger and akakia / Cross potent set on three steps; Є//CONOB. DOC 1c; MIB 1; Füeg 1.A.5 (same obv. die as 1.A.1 example); SB 1502. Toned with some luster, obverse slightly off center, area of roughness on reverse, light scratches and hairlines, minor deposits. Near EF. From the Family of Constantine Collection, assembled with guidance by Roland Michel, Geneva. Ex Leu 91 (10 May 2004), lot 870.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 126 - Session 4 . 975
Leo III the "Isaurian", with Constantine V. 717-741. AV Solidus (19.5mm, 4.45 g, 6h). Constantinople mint. Struck circa 737-741. Crowned facing bust of Leo, wearing chlamys, holding globus cruciger and akakia / Crowned facing bust of Constantine, wearing chlamys, holding globus cruciger and akakia; Θ at end of legend. DOC 7d var. (rev. legend); Füeg 7.F.3 (same obv. die); SB 1504. Lightly toned, obverse die rust, a few light scratches and marks. Near EF. From the Family of Constantine Collection, assembled with guidance by Roland Michel, Geneva.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 126 - Session 4 . 976
Artavasdus, with Nicephorus. 741/2-743. AV Solidus (21.5mm, 4.42 g, 6h). Constantinople mint. Struck 742/743. Crowned facing bust of Artavasdus, wearing chlamys, holding patriarchal cross / Crowned facing bust of Nicephorus, wearing chlamys, holding patriarchal cross; A at end of legend. DOC 2a; Füeg 2.A; SB 1542. Toned, slight rotated double strike on obverse, spot of weakness, some light hairline scratches. Near EF. Very rare. From the Family of Constantine Collection, assembled with guidance by Roland Michel, Geneva. Ex Numismatica Ars Classica 24 (5 December 2002), lot 426; William J. Conte Collection (Baldwin's 2, 5 October 1994), lot 85; Numismatic Fine Arts XVIII (1 April 1987), lot 887.Artavasdus was first appointed strategos of the Armenian theme by emperor Anastasius II. After Theodosius III usurped Anastasius, Artavasdus sided with and aided Leo III in his later revolt against Theodosius. In exchange for his loyalty, Artavasdus was granted the honorific title kouropalates (master of the palace) and given Leo's daughter Anna in marriage. Upon the death of Leo III in 741, Artavasdus' loyalty did not extend to Leo's son and successor Constantine V. One year later he successfully usurped the throne from Constantine for himself in July 742. Artavasdus successfully ambushed and defeated Constantine's forces as they set out to campaign against the Umayyads. Following the disastrous battle, Constantine fled into exile at Amorium where he began rallying support for his cause against Artavasdus. In contrast to Leo and Constantine, Artavasdus was an iconodule who restored the adoration of icons during his brief reign in opposition to the policies taken by Leo III. The controversy had been brewing since the decisions made by the Quinisex Council in 692 under emperor Justinian II, but the issue began to come to the forefront of Byzantine politics at this time. Unfortunately for the iconodules, Constantine and Artavasdus would meet in battle again, this time at Sardes, where Constantine emerged victorious and Artavasdus' brief reign came to an end. Upon retaking the throne, Constantine promptly reinstated his father's iconoclast policies and had Artavasdus and his son Nicephorus mutilated and exiled.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 126 - Session 4 . 977
Constantine V Copronymus, with Leo IV and Leo III. 741-775. AV Solidus (21mm, 4.42 g, 6h). Constantinople mint. Struck 751-circa 757. Crowned facing busts of Constantine V and Leo IV, both wearing chlamys; cross above, • between / Crowned facing bust of Leo III, wearing loros, holding cross potent; Θ at end of legend. DOC 2c var. (rev. legend); Füeg 4.A.3 (this coin illustrated); SB 1551; Berk, Roman 228 (this coin). Toned, some doubling, spot of weakness, minor dig at edge. Good VF. From the Family of Constantine Collection, assembled with guidance by Roland Michel, Geneva. Ex "An Important Private Collection of Byzantine Coins" (Sotheby's New York, 2 November 1998), lot 407.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 126 - Session 4 . 978
Leo IV the Khazar, with Constantine VI, Leo III, and Constantine V. 775-780. AV Solidus (20mm, 4.40 g, 6h). Constantinople mint. Struck 776-778. Crowned facing busts of Leo IV and Constantine VI, both wearing chlamys; cross above; Θ at end of legend / Crowned facing busts of Leo III and Constantine V, both wearing loros; cross above. DOC 1b; Füeg 2.A.1; SB 1583. Toned, a few minor marks, trace deposits. Near EF. Well centered and struck. A very nice example. From the Family of Constantine Collection, assembled with guidance by Roland Michel, Geneva. Ex UBS 52 (11 September 2001), lot 336 (hammer CHF 2400).
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 126 - Session 4 . 979
Constantine VI & Irene, with Leo III, Constantine V, and Leo IV. 780-797. AV Solidus (19.5mm, 4.30 g, 6h). Constantinople mint. Struck 780-790. Crowned facing busts of Constantine VI, wearing chlamys and holding globus cruciger, and Irene, wearing loros, holding globus cruciger and cruciform scepter; • between / Constantine V, Leo III, and Leo IV seated facing, each wearing crown and chlamys. DOC 1; Füeg Ir.2.18/C.2 (obv./rev.); SB 1593. Lightly toned, lightly clipped. VF. From the Family of Constantine Collection, assembled with guidance by Roland Michel, Geneva. Ex Peus 376 (29 October 2003), lot 1165.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 126 - Session 4 . 980
Constantine VI & Irene. 780-797. AV Solidus (19.5mm, 4.53 g, 7h). Constantinople mint. Struck 792-797. Crowned facing bust of Irene, wearing loros, holding globus cruciger and cruciform scepter / Crowned facing bust of Constantine, wearing chlamys, holding globus cruciger and akakia. DOC 3c.2 (same dies); Füeg 5.D; SB 1594. Toned, minor digs and marks. VF. From the Family of Constantine Collection, assembled with guidance by Roland Michel, Geneva. Ex Numismatica Ars Classica 24 (5 December 2002), lot 431; N. K. Collection (Bourgey, 27 October 1992), lot 435.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 126 - Session 4 . 981
Irene. 797-802. AV Solidus (20.5mm, 4.39 g, 6h). Constantinople mint. Struck 797-802. Crowned facing bust of Irene, wearing loros, holding globus cruciger and cruciform scepter / Crowned facing bust of Irene, wearing loros, holding globus cruciger and cruciform scepter; archaic Θ at end of legend. DOC 1a.2; Füeg 2.B.1; SB 1599. Toned, minor doubling on obverse, slight rotated double strike on reverse. Near EF. An attractive coin in hand. From the Family of Constantine Collection, assembled with guidance by Roland Michel, Geneva. Ex Leu 86 (5 May 2003), lot 1120.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 126 - Session 4 . 982
Nicephorus I. 802-811. AV Solidus (20.5mm, 4.40 g, 6h). Constantinople mint. Struck 802-803. Crowned facing bust, wearing chlamys, holding cross potent and akakia / Cross potent set upon three steps; X at end of legend. DOC 1b; Füeg 1.B; SB 1603. Toned with some luster, a few light scratches. Good VF. From the Family of Constantine Collection, assembled with guidance by Roland Michel, Geneva.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 126 - Session 4 . 983
Nicephorus I, with Stauracius. 802-811. AV Solidus (21mm, 4.46 g, 6h). Constantinople mint. Struck 803-811. Crowned facing bust of Nicephorus, wearing chlamys, holding cross potent and akakia / Crowned facing bust of Stauracius, wearing chlamys, holding globus cruciger and akakia; Θ at end of legend. DOC 2b.3; Füeg 2.A.1; SB 1604. Lightly toned with some luster. Good VF. From the Family of Constantine Collection, assembled with guidance by Roland Michel, Geneva.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 Nicephorus and Stauracius.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 126 - Session 4 . 984
Michael I Rhangabe, with Theophylactus. 811-813. AV Solidus (20.5mm, 4.41 g, 6h). Constantinople mint. Crowned facing bust of Michael, wearing chlamys, holding cross potent and akakia / Crowned facing bust of Theophylactus, wearing loros, holding globus cruciger and cruciform scepter; Є at end of legend. DOC 1b; Füeg 1.A; SB 1615. Toned with some luster, a couple minor die breaks, light scratch under tone. EF. Rare. From the Family of Constantine Collection, assembled with guidance by Roland Michel, Geneva. Ex Dr. Anton C. R. Dreesmann Collection (Part II, Spink 144, 13 July 2000), lot 606; Numismatic Fine Arts IV (24 March 1977), lot 805; Leu 15 (4 May 1976), lot 488.Michael I Rhangabe was one of the few nobles to survive the disaster at Pliska. Theophanes records that: "The caiopalates Michael, who escaped unharmed, received many entreaties from his friends that he should be proclaimed emperor, but did not consent because of his oath to Nikephoros and Staurakios" (Theophanes, 492). However, due to Stauracius being unfit to rule given the wound he received at Pliska, Michael succeeded his brother-in-law on 2 October 811. Unfortunately for Michael and his son Theophylactus, like their predecessors Nicephorus and Stauracius, the two emperors also suffered a disastrous defeat at the hands of the Bulgarian Khan Krum, this time at the battle of Versinikia which occurred less than two years into their reign. Following the disaster, the army proclaimed the strategos of the Anatolian theme, Leo as emperor. Michael quickly abdicated and retired to a monastery.During his short reign, Michael notably reversed the iconoclast policies of his predecessor and recognized Charlemagne as emperor of the West in exchange for the return of Venice. The Venetians, however, simply ignored the edict which Michael was unable to enforce. Michael's coinage in all metals is quite rare.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 126 - Session 4 . 985
Leo V the Armenian, with Constantine. 813-820. AV Solidus (20.5mm, 4.43 g, 6h). Constantinople mint. Crowned facing bust of Leo, wearing chlamys, holding cross potent and akakia / Crowned facing bust of Constantine, wearing chlamys, holding globus cruciger and akakia; Є at end of legend. DOC 2a; Füeg 2.B.1; SB 1627. Toned with some luster, spot of edge filing, a few faint scratches. Near EF. From the Family of Constantine Collection, assembled with guidance by Roland Michel, Geneva. Ex Leu 91 (10 May 2004), lot 882.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 126 - Session 4 . 986
Michael II the Amorian, with Theophilus. 820-829. AV Solidus (21.5mm, 4.35 g, 6h). Constantinople mint. Struck 821-829. Crowned facing bust of Michael, wearing chlamys, holding cross potent and akakia / Crowned facing bust of Theophilus, wearing loros, holding globus cruciger and cruciform scepter; X at end of legend. DOC (5b); Füeg 4.A.2; SB 1640. Toned with some luster, minor marks at edge. Near EF. Rare. From the Family of Constantine Collection, assembled with guidance by Roland Michel, Geneva. Ex Triton IV (5 December 2000), lot 802.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 126 - Session 4 . 987
Theophilus. 829-842. AV Solidus (20.5mm, 4.41 g, 6h). Constantinople mint. Struck 829-830/1. Crowned facing bust, wearing loros, holding globus cruciger and cruciform scepter / Patriarchal cross potent set on three steps; *Є at end of legend. DOC 1a; Füeg 1.A.1; SB 1655. Toned, a few die breaks, marks, a few light scratches, minor edge marks, light deposits. Good VF. Rare. From the Family of Constantine Collection, assembled with guidance by Roland Michel, Geneva.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 126 - Session 4 . 988
Theophilus, with Constantine and Michael III. 829-842. AV Solidus (20.5mm, 4.31 g, 6h). Constantinople mint. Struck 830/1-840. Crowned facing bust of Theophilus, wearing chlamys, holding patriarchal cross and akakia; * at beginning of legend, Θ at end / Crowned facing busts of Michael and Constantine, both wearing chlamys; cross above. DOC 3d; Füeg 3.H.1.y.6; SB 1653. Toned, light scratches, hairlines on reverse, minor deposits. VF. From the Family of Constantine Collection, assembled with guidance by Roland Michel, Geneva.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 126 - Session 4 . 989
Theophilus. 829-842. AV Solidus (15.5mm, 3.85 g, 6h). Syracuse mint. Struck 831-842. Crowned facing bust of Theophilus, wearing loros, holding cross potent / Crowned facing bust of Theophilus, wearing chlamys, holding globus cruciger. DOC 24; Anastasi 530c; SB 1670. Toned. Near EF. From the Family of Constantine Collection, assembled with guidance by Roland Michel, Geneva. Purchased from Numisart, October 2001.