The Byzantine Empire (Page: 1)

Lot # 707 - Anastasius I (491-518). AV Solidus, Constantinople mint, 492-507. Obv. DN ANASTASIVS PP AVG. Helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly right, holding spear and shield. Rev. VICTORIA AVGGG Θ. Victory standing left, holding long jewelled cross; star in right field; in exergue, CONOB. D.O. 3; MIB 4a; Sear 3. AV. 4.48 g. 20 mm. Brilliant and choice, sharply struck from fresh dies. Peripheral scratches on reverse, otherwise. FDC.

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Lot # 708 - Justin I (518-527). AV Tremissis, Constantinople mint. Obv. DN IVSTINVS PP AV. Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev. VICTORIA AVGV[STOR]VM. Victory advancing right, head left, holding wreath and globus cruciger; to right, star; in exergue, CONOB. D.O. 4; MIB 5; Sear 58; Ratto 388. AV. 1.46 g. 18.5 mm. Superb and well centred, struck on broad flan. Die swift. EF.

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Lot # 709 - Justinian I (527-565). AR Siliqua. Carthage mint, c. 533-537 AD. Obv. DN IVSTINIANVS PP AC. Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev. VOT / MVLT / HTI in three lines within wreath; CONOS beneath. D.O. 280; MIB 51; Sear 253. AR. 1.21 g. 16 mm. Scarce. Brilliant and good example, with pleasant tone. Good VF. Issued at Carthage after the reconquest of the African province from the Vandals by Belisarius.

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Lot # 710 - Justinian I (527-565). AE Pentanummium, Rome mint. Obv. DN IVSTINIANVS P P AVG. Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev. V (mark of value) within wreath. MIB 246 (Sicily); D.O. 327; Sear 309. AE. 1.37 g. 13 mm. Unusual well impressed and stylized portrait. Good example with earthy green patina. About EF.

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Lot # 711 - Justinian I (527-565). AR 125 Nummi. Ravenna mint, c. 552-565. Obv. DN IVSTINIANVS. Diademed bust right, wearing robe ornamented by row of pellets. Rev. Large PKE within wreath. D.O. 335a-b ; MIBE 68-70 (Rome); Sear 315; Ranieri 348-53. AR. 0.63 g. 11 mm. RRR. Extremely rare and in excellent condition for issue. Pleasant tone, with underlying luster. Blackish deposits. About EF.

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Lot # 712 - Justinian I (527-565). AR ½ Siliqua, Ravenna mint. Obv. DN IVSTINIANVS P AVG. Diademed and cuirassed bust right, wearing imperial mantle. Rev. Large Christogram within wreath. D.O. 338/1; Ranieri 359. AR. 1.5 g. 14.5 mm. RRR. Extremely rare, with superb portrait. Exceptionally well-executed example. Good EF. Ex Artemide XLIV, 2015, 307.

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Lot # 713 - Maurice Tiberius (582-602). AE Follis, Theoupolis (Antioch) mint, dated RY 11 (592-593). Obv. Bust facing, crowned, wearing consular robes, holding mappa and eagle-topped sceptre. Rev. Large M; cross above; A/N/N/O-XI across field; below, A; in exergue, THEUP'. D.O. 162; MIB 96C; Sear 533. AE. 11.3 g. 31 mm. Choice example with brown patina and green hues. About EF.

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Lot # 714 - Phocas (602-610). AV Solidus. Constantinople mint, 607-610. Obv. ∂N FOCAS PЄRP AVC. Draped and cuirassed bust facing, wearing crown and holding globus cruciger. Rev. VICTORIA AVGЧ B. Angel standing facing, holding globus cruciger and staff surmounted by Staurogram; in exergue, CONOB. D.O. 10b; MIBE 9; Sear 620. AV. 4.39 g. 21 mm. Good strike, small area of flatness. FDC.

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Lot # 715 - Phocas (602-610). AV Tremissis. Ravenna mint. Obv. D N FOCAS PЄRP AVG. Bearded, draped and cuirassed bust right, wearing diadem surmounted by cross. Rev. VICTORIA AVGVSTORVN. Victory advancing right, her head turned left, holding wreath in her right hand and cross set on globe in her left; in field to right, star. D.O. 129; MIB 51; Sear 701; Ranieri 513. AV. 1.49 g. 15.5 mm. RRR. Extremely rare, with an unusual representation of the bearded Emperor on obverse. Faint marks. About EF.

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Lot # 716 - Heraclius, with Heraclius Constantine and Heraclonas (610-641). AV Solidus. Constantinople mint. Obv. Heraclonas, Heraclius, and Heraclius Constantine standing facing, each holding globus cruciger, all crowned. Rev. VICTORIA AVGЧA. Cross potent on three steps; Heraclian monogram to left; I (date) to right; beneath, CONOB. D.O. 38; MIB 44; Sear 763. AV. 4.4 g. 20 mm. Brilliant and choice, well centred. Minor scratches on reverse. EF.

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Lot # 717 - Constans II (641-668) with Constantine IV. AV Solidus, Constantinople mint. Obv. dN [CONSTANT]INЧS C CONSTANtI. Facing busts of Constans, with long beard, and Constantine IV,beardless, each wearing crown and chlamys; between their heads, cross. Rev. VICTORIA AVGЧ I. Cross potent on three steps; beneath, CONOB. D.O. 25; Sear 959. AV. 4.45 g. 20.5 mm. Brilliant and superb, with underlying luster. Virtually as struck. About FDC.

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Lot # 718 - Constans II (641-668). AV Solidus, Syracuse mint. Obv. Fragmentary legend: dN CONSTA-NTI. Facing busts of Constans, with long beard, wearing plumed helmet, and Constantine IV, wearing crown and chlamys. Rev. VICTORIA AVGCIKU. Cross potent above three steps, between facing standing figures of Heraclius and Tiberius, both beardless, each wearing crown and chlamys and holding globus cruciger; beneath, CONOB. D.O. 162c; Sear 1086A. AV. 4.33 g. 20 mm. RR. Very rare and choice, with delicate tone. Nick on edge on obverse, nicks and scratch on reverse. Good VF. Ex Roma Numismatics, Byzantine Collection, 2023, 191. Ex Bertolami, 87, 2020, 634.

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Lot # 719 - Constans II (641-668). AV Tremissis, Syracuse mint, 649-655. Obv. ∂N CONSTAN-TINςЧ P P AV. Diademed and draped bust right. Rev. VICTORIA AVςЧV. Cross potent; Ч to left, CONOB beneath. D.O. 175; Sear 1102. AV. 1.38 g. 14.5 mm. R. Rare and attractive example. Peripheral areas of weak strike. EF.

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Lot # 720 - Constantine IV Pogonatus (668-685). AV Solidus. Class IV. Constantinople mint, 681-685. Obv. P CONSτAN(retrograde Ч)S P P A. Pearl-diademed, helmeted, and cuirassed bust facing slightly right, holding a spear over shoulder and shield decorated with horseman motif. Rev. VICTORA (sic) AVGЧA. Cross potent set on three steps; in exergue, CONOBA. D.O. 15; MIB 11; Sear 1158. AV. 4.21 g. 19 mm. R. Lightly toned over brilliant surfaces. Minor scratch on reverse and peripheral area of weak strike. EF.

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Lot # 721 - Justinian II (685-695). AV Solidus, first reign. Uncertain Italian mint. 685-690. Obv. d N IVST-INIANO PP. Draped bust facing, wearing crown with cross, globus cruciger in right hand. Rev. VICTORIA-AVGVSTOR. Cross potent with base on three steps, Θ in right field, CONOB in exergue,. D.O. 70; MIB 35; Sear 1311. AV. 4.27 g. 19 mm. RRR. Extremely rare and brilliant. Slightly bent, minor marks. About EF. Ex Spink 21155, 2021, 8653.

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Lot # 722 - Justinian II (First Reign, 685-695). AV Semissis, Constantinople mint. Obv. δ N IVSTINIANVS PP. Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev. VICTORIA AVςЧ K. Cross potent set upon globus. D.O. -; MIB -; Sear -. AV. 2.16 g. 17.5 mm. RRR. Extremely rare, apparently unpublished in the standard bibliography. Well centred and brilliant. Scratches on reverse and peripheral areas of weak strike. About EF.

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Pope Sergius I

Lot # 723 - Justinian II and Pope Sergius I (687-698). AR 1/8 Siliqua, Rome mint. Struck c. 687-695. Obv. Crowned and beardless facing bust, wearing chlamys. Rev. Full monogram of Rome, S in upper left field. Sear 1308A; O’Hara/Vecchi, 21; Berman 6. AR. 0.16 g. 9 mm. RRRR. Of the highest rarity, very few specimens known. Chipped, otherwise. good VF. Sergius I is remembered for trying to strengthen ties with the Lombard Kingdom, which controlled much of northern Italy. During his papacy, he worked to resolve the legitimacy crisis that had plagued the Church due to the usurpation of the papal throne by certain groups. One of his significant actions was his opposition to Monophysite tendencies, aiming to maintain the orthodoxy of the Catholic Church.

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Lot # 724 - Tiberius III, Apsimar (698-705). AE 30 Nummi or 3/4 Follis. Rome mint. Obv. Crowned and draped facing bust, [holding spear and shield?]. Rev. Large XXX; ROM below. D.O. 42; MIB 81; Sear 1405. AE. 1.67 g. 12.5 mm. RR. Very rare issue. VF/About VF. For reasons both stylistic in the obverse depiction and in the shape of the flan, this coin cannot be attributed with certainty to an emperor. Others who also minted this type of denominal were Justinian II, Leo III “the Isaurian” and Theodosius III of Adramytium.

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Lot # 725 - Leo III the 'Isaurian', with Constantine V (717-741). AV Semissis, Constantinople mint. Obv. [δ N LЄO]N P A [MЧ]. Facing bust of Leo III with short beard, wearing crown and chlamys, holding globus cruciger and akakia. Rev. [C N CON]STAҺ[TIҺ']. Facing bust of Constantine V with short beard, wearing crown and chlamys, holding cross potent and akakia. D.O. 18; Sear 1508. AV. 1.22 g. 15 mm. RR. Very rare and brilliant example, with bright fields. Rusty dies. Good EF.

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Lot # 726 - Leo III the 'Isaurian' (717-720). AV Tremissis, Sardinia mint. Obv. [- - -]. Crowned facing bust, holding globus cruciger. Rev. VIST[- - -] VG(retroverse)VS. Cross potent on step; Γ in left field; S in right field; in exergue, CONOB. D.O. -; Cf. MIB 5 var. (left field); Cf. Sear 1522B (same); Cf. Piras 1996, 60 (same). AV. 1.17 g. 11.5 mm. RRRR. Of the highest rarity, apparently unlisted in the standard bibliography. Brilliant, with delicate warm tone. Choice for issue. EF.

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Lot # 727 - Leo III, the Isaurian (717-741) with Constantine V. AV debased Tremissis, Rome mint, IY 6 = 737/8(?) AD. Obv. D NO LЄ P A MЧL. Crowned facing bust of Leo III, bearded, wearing chlamys and holding globus cruciger and akakia. Rev. D N O CONTANTI. Crowned facing bust of Constantine V, wearing chlamys and holding globus cruciger and akakia; star to left, ς (Indiction year) to right. D.O. 78ff. var. (date); Sear 1534. AV. 1.1 g. 15 mm. RRR. Extremely rare Rome mint issue with indiction year. Good VF/About EF.

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Lot # 728 - Constantine V Copronymus with Leo IV (741-775). AV Solidus, Constantinople mint. Obv. COҺSTAҺTIҺOS S LЄOҺ OҺЄOS. Crowned equal sized busts of Constantine V, bearded and on the left, and Leo IV, beardless and on the right, facing and wearing chlamys; between their heads, cross and pellet. Rev. [C] LЄON P A MЧ L. Crowned bust of Leo III facing, wearing loros and holding cross potent on base in his right hand. D.O. 2d; Sear 1551. AV. 4.43 g. 20.5 mm. R. Rare and good example, with delicate tone. Scratches. Good VF.

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Lot # 729 - Michael II, the Amorian (820-829). AV Solidus, Syracuse mint. Obv. MI XAHL [-]. Bust of Michael, facing, with short beard, wearing crown and loros, and holding cross potent. Rev. ΘЄ OFILOSЄ. Bust of Theophilus, beardless, wearing crown and chlamys and holding globus cruciger. D.O. 14; Sear 1645. AV. 3.86 g. 13.5 mm. Brilliant and superb example. Bright fields and virtually as struck. About FDC.

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Lot # 730 - Theophilus (829-842). AV Solidus, Constantinople mint, 829-830. Obv. * ӨЄOFI LOS ЬASILЄ'. Crowned facing bust, wearing slight beard and loros, and holding cruciform scepter and globus cruciger. Rev. CVRIЄ ЬOHӨH τO SO ∂OVLO * Є. Patriarchal cross set upon three steps. D.O. 1a.2; Sear 1655. AV. 4.38 g. 21.5 mm. R. Rare and superb example. Peripheral areas of weak strike. Good EF.

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Lot # 731 - Theophilus (829-842). AV Solidus, Syracuse mint. Obv. ΘEOFILOS bASIL. Crowned facing bust of Theophilus, wearing chlamys, holding cross potent; star at beginning of legend. Rev. ΘEOFILOS bASIL. Crowned facing bust of Theophilus, wearing loros, holding globus cruciger. D.O. 18; Sear 1671. AV. 3.88 g. 16 mm. R. Rare and superb example. Sharply struck from fresh dies. About FDC.

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Lot # 732 - Theophilus (829-842). AV Semissis, Syracuse mint. Obv. ΘEOFILOS bA. Crowned facing bust of Theophilus, wearing chlamys, holding globus cruciger; star at beginning of legend. Rev. ΘEOFILOS bA. Crowned facing bust of Theophilus, wearing loros, holding globus cruciger. D.O. 19; Sear 1676. AV. 1.75 g. 13.5 mm. R. Very rare and choice specimen. Good EF.

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Lot # 733 - Theophilus (829-842). AV Tremissis (?), Syracuse mint. Obv. *ΘЄOFIΛOS bA. Crowned facing bust, wearing chlamys, holding globus cruciger. Rev. ΘЄOFIΛOS bA. Crowned facing bust, wearing loros, holding globus cruciger. D.O. 20; Sear 1679. AV. 1.24 g. 12 mm. Brilliant, with delicate warm tone. Virtually as struck. About FDC.

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Neapolis mint

Lot # 734 - Theophilus, with Constantine and Michael II (829-842). Debased AV Solidus, Neapolis (?) mint. Obv. ΘEOFI – LOS bASILEO. Bust of Teophilus facing, wearing crown and chlamys and holding globus cruciger and akakia. Rev. mIXAHL S COnSTAnTIn. Bust of Michael II or Constantine facing, wearing crown and chlamys and holding cross potent and akakia. D.O. 33a.3; Sear 1683. AV. 4.14 g. 22 mm. RRR. Extremely rare issue, seldom offered. Well centred, with delicate warm tone. Area of compression on obverse. About EF.

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Solidus with Thecla

Lot # 735 - Michael III 'the Drunkard', with Theodora and Thecla (842-867 AD). AV Solidus. Constantinople mint. Obv. Bust of Theodora facing, wearing crown and loros, holding patriarchal cross on globus and cruciform sceptre. Rev. Facing bust of Michael III, beardless (on left). and half-lenght figure of Thecia (sister of Michael III) on right) both crowned; the emperor wears chlamys and holds globus cruciger with his sister and holds long patriarchal cross. D.O. 1; Sear 1686; Ratto 1840. AV. 4.34 g. 22 mm. RRR. Extremely rare and historically significant issue. Well centred and struck on broad flan. Traces of mount and repaired. Good VF. With NGC grading tag. Ex Goldberg 142, 2024, 560. Surely among the most sought-after byzantine coins. Thecla was one of the sisters of the Byzantine Emperor Michael III and was proclaimed Augusta in late 830's. She become the lover of Basil I, his friend and co-Emperor. In 867, Basil I assassinated Michael III and became the sole Emperor. However, his relationship with Thecla deteriorated, especially after she began an affair with John Neatokometes. When Basil discovered this betrayal, he ordered severe punishments for both Thecla and her lover, confiscating their properties and exiling them to a convent. Thecla spent the rest of her life in the monastery of Gastria, where she died after 870.

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Lot # 736 - Basil I the Macedonian (867-886) with Constantine (868-879). Debased AV Semissis, Syracuse mint. Obv. bASILEIOC. Crowned facing bust of Basil, wearing loros, holding globus cruciger. Rev. CONSTANT. Crowned facing bust of Constantine, wearing chlamys, holding globus cruciger. D.O. 14a; Ratto 1859; Sear 1714. AV. 1.26 g. 13.5 mm. R. Rare and good, well centred. Metal flaw on reverse. EF.

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Lot # 737 - Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus and Romanus II (945-963 AD). AV Solidus, Constantinople mint. Obv. + IhS XPS RЄX RЄϚNANTIЧM. Half length bust of Christ facing, wearing nimbus cruciger pallium and colobium, right hand raised in benediction, book of Gospels cradled in left. Rev. COhStAht CЄ ROmAh' AЧϚϚ I'R'. Crowned facing busts of Constantine VII (on left), bearded, wearing loros, and Romanus II (on right), wearing chlamys pinned at right shoulder, jointly holding long patriarchal cross. D.O. 15; Sear 1751. AV. 4.42 g. 20 mm. Brilliant and choice. EF.

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Lot # 738 - Basilius II (976-1025). AV Histamenon Nomisma, Constantinople mint, 1005-1025. Obv. +IhS XIS ReX ReGNANTIhw. Bearded, facing and nimbate bust of Christ, wearing tunic and himation, holding Book of Gospels in his left hand, his right hand raised in benediction; crescents in the two upper parts of the nimbus; all within triple dotted circle. Rev. +BASIL C COnSTAnTI bR. The facing half-length figures of Basil, bearded, wearing loros, pendilia and crown with cross, and of Constantine, wearing chlamys, pendilia and crown with cross, holding between them with their right hands long cross; small crown (wreath) over Basil's head; all within triple dotted circle. D.O. 6a; Sear 1800. AV. 4.38 g. 26 mm. Scarce. EF.

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Lot # 739 - Basilius II (976-1025). AV Histamenon Nomisma, Constantinople mint, c. 1005-1025 AD. Obv. +IhS XIS ReX ReGNANTIhw. Bearded, facing and nimbate bust of Christ, wearing tunic and himation, holding Book of Gospels in his left hand, his right hand raised in benediction; crescents in the two upper parts of the nimbus; all within triple dotted circle. Rev. +BASIL C COnSTAnTI bR. The facing half-length figures of Basil, bearded, wearing loros, pendilia and crown with cross, and of Constantine, wearing chlamys, pendilia and crown with cross, holding between them with their right hands long cross; small crown (wreath) over Basil's head; all within triple dotted circle. Sear 1800; D.O. 6a. AV. 4.42 g. 26 mm. Scarce. Choice example, struck from fresh dies. EF.

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Lot # 740 - Constantine VIII (1025-1028). AV Histamenon nomisma, Constantinople mint. Obv. +IhSIS R'X R'gNANTI§. Nimbate, facing bust of Christ, wearing pallium and colobium, holding book of Gospels in his left hand, raising his right hand in benediction; all within triple dotted circle. Rev. +CwnSTAnTI - n bASILEyS ROm. Facing, bust, wearing crown and loros, holding akakia in his left hand, in his right hand, labarum with pellet on shaft; all within triple dotted circle. D.O. 2; Sear 1815. AV. 4.42 g. 26.5 mm. Scarce. Well centred and choice, sharply struck on broad flan. EF.

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Lot # 741 - Romanus III Argyrus (1028-1034). AV Histamenon Nomisma. Constantinople mint. Obv. + IhS XIS RЄX RЄϚNANTIЧM. Christ Pantokrator seated facing on throne. Rev. ΘCЄ bOHΘ´ RωMAnω. Romanus, holding globus cruciger, standing facing, being crowned and blessed by the Theotokos (Virgin Mary); MΘ above. D.O. 1c; Sear 1819; Ratto 1972. AV. 4.4 g. 27 mm. EF.

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Lot # 742 - Constantine IX Monomachus (1042-1055 AD). AV Histamenon Nomisma, Constantinople mint. Obv. +IҺS XIS RЄX RCςNANTIҺm. Christ Pantokrator enthroned facing. Rev. +CωҺSτAhτh BASILЄЧS Rm. Crowned bust facing, wearing loros, holding labarum in right hand and globus cruciger in left. D.O. 2a; Ratto 1988; Sear 1829. AV. 4.4 g. 28.5 mm. Scarce. Superb example with delicate tone and bright fields on obverse. Sharply struck from fresh dies. About FDC. Ex InAsta 109, 2023, 365.

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Second known seal of Argyros, son of Meles as magister and dux of Italy, Calabria, Sicily and Paphlagonia

Lot # 743 - (Argyros, son of Meles), magister and dux of Italy, Calabria, Sicily and Paphlagonia. PB Seal, second half of XI cent. Obv. Bust of the Virgin, holding the Christ child on her left arm. Border of dots. Sigla: ΜΡ-ΘV (Μήτηρ Θεοῦ). Rev. Inscription of seven lines:-+-[ΑΡΓVΡ] / (Μ)ΑΓΙCT S Δ /[ΚΙ] ΙΤΑΛΙΑC / ΚΑΛΑRΡΙΑC / CIKELIAC / ΠΑΦΛΑΓΟ[Ν] / ΤωΜΕ(Λ)Τ[Ἀργυρῷ] μαγίστ(ρῳ) (καὶ) δ[ού](κι) ᾿Ιταλίας Καλαβρίας Σικελίας Παφλαγο(νίας) τῷ Μέ(λη)τ(ι). 27.71 g. 36 mm. The owner of this seal simultaneously held the titles of magistros and doux of Italy, Calabria, Sicily, and Paphlagonia. Therefore, despite the lack of a clearly legible name on the seal, there is no doubt that it belonged to Argyros, son of Meles (Vera von Falkenhausen: Untersuchungen über die byzantinische Herrschaft in Süditalien vom 9. bis ins 11. Jahrhundert, Wiesbaden 1967, pp. 93–94). A full reconstruction of the inscription is possible thanks to the existence of a seal from the Kofopoulos collection (1606). The obverse of the specimen from that collection is considerably less well preserved (J.C. Cheynet, Argyros, fils de Mélès, et sa descendance (In:) Revue des études byzantines, tome 76, 2018, p. 209. About EF. Argyros was the son of the Apulian separatist Meles of Bari and Meralda. Around 1009/1011, when Meles first rebelled against Byzantine rule in southern Italy, the inhabitants of Bari captured Argyros and Meralda and sent them together to Constantinople. It wasn’t until 1029 (according to other sources: 1038) that he was allowed to return to Apulia. In May 1040, when Argyros entered Bari, the Lombards rebelled against Byzantine rule and overthrew the katepan Nikephoros Dokeianos. In this endeavor, they were supported by Norman mercenaries under Arduin of Melfi, who had deserted from the Sicilian expedition of the Byzantine general Georgios Maniakes. In February 1042, Argyros was proclaimed princeps and dux of Italy by the rebels in Bari, succeeding Atenulf, who had been bribed by Byzantium. However, already in July 1042, Argyros also accepted a bribe and switched sides: he aligned himself with the new Byzantine emperor, Constantine IX, and opposed Maniakes, who had declared himself an enemy of the emperor in Sicily. After the Apulian uprising was suppressed, Argyros was honored in Constantinople with the high-ranking titles of patrician and magister vestes. In 1051, the emperor entrusted Argyros – the first Lombard to hold such a position – with the governance of the Catepanate of Italy (under the title Dux of Italy, Calabria, Sicily, and Paphlagonia). It is precisely from this period that the seal must originate. In order to face the growing Norman threat in southern Italy, he formed an alliance with the papacy, but he failed (or perhaps chose not) to prevent the defeat of Pope Leo IX at the Battle of Civitate in June 1053, where papal forces were defeated by the troops of Humphrey of Hauteville, and the pope himself was taken prisoner. Argyros served as imperial governor in southern Italy until 1058, without achieving a renewal of the Byzantine–papal alliance. Later information about him is scarce. He likely died in 1068 in Bari; shortly before his death, he donated a richly embroidered silk robe to the monastery of Farfa, which has survived to this day. An autograph of Argyros is preserved (Trinchera, Syllabus Graecarum membranarum, 1865, p. 665).

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Lot # 744 - Michael VII Ducas (1071-1078). AV Histamenon Nomisma, Constantinople mint. Obv. IC-XC. Nimbate bust of Christ facing, wearing pallium and colobium, raising right hand in benediction and holding in left book of Gospels. Rev. MIXAHΛ RACIΛ. Bust facing, bearded, wearing crown and loros and holding labarum and globus cruciger. D.O. 2; Sear 1868. AV. 4.22 g. 29 mm. Well centred and choice, with pleasant warm tone. Intriguing graffiti on obverse. About EF/EF.

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Lot # 745 - Alexius I, Comnenus (1081-1118). EL Histamenon Nomisma. Pre-reform period, transitional coinage. Thessalonica mint, 1081-2 AD. Obv. + KЄ RΘ AΛ[ЄZ] (reversed). Bust of Christ facing, wearing nimbus crown, pallium and colobium, and holding book of Gospels with both hands; IC-XC across fields. Rev. St. Demetrius, on left, standing right, presenting labarum to Alexius on right; the saint is nimbate, wears military attire and holds sword in left hand; the emperor wears crown and loros, and grasps shaft of labarum with right hand; ΔI/MI/T/I on left, Δ/EC/Π/I/T/H to right. D.O. 4; Sear 1904; Ratto -; BMC 14 (Alexius III). EL. 4.42 g. 28 mm. R. Rare, with pleasant tone. Peculiar squared flan. About EF.

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Lot # 746 - John III Ducas (1222-1254). AV Hyperpyron, Magnesia mint, c. 1232-1254. Obv. Christ seated facing upon throne without back, bearded and nimbate, wearing colobium over chiton, hand raised in benediction, holding Gospels in left; IC and XC in field above left and right; pellet to right of throne. Rev. Standing facing figures of John, wearing stemma with pendilia, loros and divitision, holding labarum and akakia, and crowning the emperor, the Theotokos, nimbate, wearing maphorium over chiton. D.O. 6; Sear 2073. AV. 2.59 g. 25 mm. Choice. Sound metal and lovely warm golden tone with reddish spots. EF.

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Lot # 747 - John V Palaeologus, with Anna of Savoy (Regent). (1341-1391). AV Hyperpyron, Constantinople mint. Struck 1341-1347 AD. Obv. Anna, holding trilobate sceptre and placing hand on breast, and John, holding akakia and cruciform sceptre. Rev. Andronicus III kneeling right, being blessed by Christ standing left. D.O. 942-3; Sear 2466; LPC p. 116, 1. AV. 2.83 g. 21 mm. RR. Very rare. VF.

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Lot # 748 - Alexis II (1297-1330). AR Asper, Empire of Trebizond. Obv. St. Eugenius on horseback right. Rev. Emperor on horseback right. Sear 2619. AR. 2.12 g. 22.5 mm. Attractive tone. Minting flatness. Good VF/VF.

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