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Is this a Byzantine piece?

ormandhormandh Posts: 3,111 ✭✭✭
in World & Ancient Coins Forum
I bought this a couple of weeks back in a junk bin, but was only gambling that it was worth the half dollar I paid for it. Can someone help me attribute it? Or is it too far gone to decipher? Thanks! -Dan


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Comments

  • lordmarcovanlordmarcovan Posts: 44,379 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Yes, it does indeed look like a Byzantine follis, but that is about all the information I can personally offer, I'm afraid.

    Edit to add: you paid fifty cents for it? You did well! I can say that much, too. image

    (It's probably not the cherrypick of the century, but heck, for fifty cents, you're in definite "can't lose" territory!)

    Collector since 1976. On the CU forums here since 2001.

  • lordmarcovanlordmarcovan Posts: 44,379 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Oh, yeah- as you have probably guessed, that would be a facing portrait of Christ on the obverse (with a halo behind His head).

    Collector since 1976. On the CU forums here since 2001.

  • FilthyBrokeFilthyBroke Posts: 3,518 ✭
    That is quite a deal! I really need to start searching the junk bins.
  • STLNATSSTLNATS Posts: 1,601 ✭✭✭
    Yes, it appears to be one of the anonymous bronze coinage of the mid 10th thru 11th centuries. There are several series of these which have similar obverses - Christ bust - but different reverses. Gernerally common and inexpensive in lower grade, well stuck high grade pieces bring big premiums.

    edited to add: just saw the reverse, and I think it looks like the class B variety (cross with legend in corners). These are attributed to Romanus III (1028-1034). I'm not an expert, altho I do find the varieties a lot of fun and have a few examples. BTW, these are often overstruck on other varieties so can have elements of more than one type showing. Certainly worth half a buck.

    image
    Always interested in St Louis MO & IL metro area and Evansville IN national bank notes and Vatican/papal states coins and medals!
  • lordmarcovanlordmarcovan Posts: 44,379 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Hey, I'd swap you an 1838-D half eagle for it! image

    Collector since 1976. On the CU forums here since 2001.

  • ormandhormandh Posts: 3,111 ✭✭✭
    Great! I am very frugal with ancients because they often times are a dime a dozen, literally speaking. -Dan
    Numismasource ebay store
  • ormandhormandh Posts: 3,111 ✭✭✭
    Should I soak this one in EVOO?
    Numismasource ebay store
  • ormandhormandh Posts: 3,111 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Hey, I'd swap you an 1838-D half eagle for it! image >>



    I will think about it! I actually have an extensive collection of dealer tokens. My favorite one is made of aluminum from a dealer in Atlanta and dated 1982. The dealer's name escapes me though. -Dan
    Numismasource ebay store
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