Byzantine coin collection

logger7

A fellow who moved from the LA area who has moved here to CT recently called me up to sell these Byzantine coins with some Russian empire 5 kopek coins. Is there any way to research these and are they worth anything?

bronzemat

Photos are too blurry to tell, but the majority look like common byzantines. Depending on the condition, most look like they're in the $20 - $50 each range.

logger7

Thanks, I'll try to update them with better pictures. From what I've seen the head of Christ draws interest.

bronzemat

@logger7 said:
Thanks, I'll try to update them with better pictures. From what I've seen the head of Christ draws interest.

Christ was on many of the coins, so it's nothing unique or special. It mostly depends on the emperors, the mint and mainly, the condition and most Byzantines are ugly, just because of how they were made.

logger7

The local shop guy who does a lot of foreign coins did not see any real value in the group; so I should check with someone else who knows more about them.

OnlyGoldIsMoney

Unless there is some rare, short lived emperor or usurper in this group I would view these as worth around $10 each and It may take a bit of time to sell them even at that level.

logger7

Here are a few with somewhat better images.

Sapyx

Most of them, and all three of the ones posted just above, are of the type known as "anonymous bronzes". These were struck in the period AD 969-1059, and as the name suggests they do not bear the name or portrait of the emperor, showing instead the portrait and titles of Christ. Scholars have figured out a classification and a rough timeline of issues (as many of these coins are overstruck on earlier types).

Your four coins above: the top three coins area all the same type, Class B, attributed to the reign of emperor Romanus III (AD 1028-1034).

Number 4 is a Class A, which spans roughly Ad 969 to 1029. Class A has three main subclasses, depending on weight: Class A1 weighs 7 grams and dates from John I; Class A2 is much larger and heavier at 15 grams and dates from the Basil II-Constantine VII period; Class A3 is in between at around 9-10 grams and dates from Constantine VIII. So weigh your coin (nearest gram should be fine) and that'll give you your subclass.

These anonymous bronzes are, with a couple of exceptions, among the cheapest Byzantine bronzes you can buy; not only are they relatively common, but because they lack specific mention of an emperor, the "one-from-every-emperor" collectors don't really want them. Still, prices for all things ancient and mediaeval went crazy during COVID and haven't really settled back down yet; reputable dealers seem to be asking around $30 to $50 each, fully identified.

As for references, Wildwinds is still pretty good. Here's the Anonymous Bronzes page, with thumbnail pictures: http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/byz/anonymous/t.html

logger7

Also have a few of these king heads:

Sapyx

That last one is Roman, not Byzantine. Emperor Hadrian, I believe.

bronzemat

@Sapyx said:
That last one is Roman, not Byzantine. Emperor Hadrian, I believe.

It's Antoninus Pius. And the denomination is a sestertius.

logger7

Thanks.

logger7

Allen Berman was kind enough to review them when I shipped the group of coins to him and he made me a fair offer.

MrMonkeySwag96

I bought this “Anonymous” follis of emperor Basil II from a dealer for $35. What attracted me to it is the jade green patina & Christ’s portrait with fully struck facial details. This shows that decent examples of these coins usually retail for well under $100.