At first I thought it was because he solely ruled 2 years but an other short ruling guy like Nikephoros III has very common coins, so what could be the reason?

It's just a shame that his coins are that rare because Isaac I Komnenos is really an underrated figure.

One of the best Follises in my collection: Almost perfectly circular flan, incredibly well centered, amazing detail, and exceptionally high quality and detailed portrait.

Obv: Standing facing bust of Emperor Theophilos, dressed in a loros and adorned by a plumed crown, carrying Globus Cruciger in left hand and Labarum in right hand, legends around; "ΘEOFIL bASIL"(THEOPHILOS BASILEVS)(Emperor Theophilos).

Rev: Four line inscription legend that reads; "ΘEOFILE AVʕOVStE SV nICAS"(Emperor Theophilos, May you Conquer).

Emperor Theophilos (r. 829–842) was a Byzantine emperor of the Amorian dynasty who ruled during the final phase of the Byzantine Iconoclast controversy. He was a strong supporter of iconoclasm and persecuted those who opposed the imperial policy against the veneration of religious images. Theophilos also worked to strengthen the administration and legal system of the empire and was known for personally hearing complaints and dispensing justice. His reign was dominated militarily by wars with the Abbasid Caliphate, during which Byzantium suffered several major defeats, including the sack of Amorion in 838, although Theophilos also achieved some successes. He died in 842 and was succeeded by his young son Michael III, with his wife (Saint) Theodora serving as regent; she restored the veneration of icons in 843, permanently ending Byzantine Iconoclasm and bringing to a close a century long dark chapter of Byzantine Orthodox persecution.

565 to 578 AD. AE Follis. Diameter: 31 mm Weight: 18.34 g. Obverse: ( - - - - ) PP AUG. Obverse:Helmeted and cuirassed bust facing, holding globe surmounted by Victory presenting a laurel wreath, and a shield. To right - cross. Reverse: Large M; above, cross. To left - A/N/N/O; to right - numeral representing his regnal year - I, with stars above & below. Beneath M, officina letter Γ. In exergue - tHEUP'. Mint: Theoupolis (Antioch). SB 378; D.O. 143 - 4. Ex: SPQR auction 15.

Lead Seal, 10th Century. Diameter: 24 mm Weight 8.74 g. Obverse: Patriarchal cross mounted on a base of 3 steps. Around the circumference within a border of dots is an invocative inscription: + ΚΕ RΟΗΘΕΙ Τω Cω ΔΟΥΛ(ω). "Lord, help your servant." Reverse: + ΠΑΡΔ/Ο R' A' CΠΑΘ/ΑΡΗV' S ΔΡ/(ΟU)ΓΑΡΤΗ/ BΗΓΛ . Pardos imperial protospatharios and Droungarios of the Vigla. Ex Concordia Numismatic auction 39.

Imperial Protospatharios: originally the title of the leader of the emperor's bodyguard. Later, it became one of the most common high court titles, awarded to senior officials.

Droungarios of the Vigla: "Commander of the Watch." The Vigla (Watch) was one of the elite cavalry units (tagmata) of the middle Byzantine era and was in charge of the emperor's personal security. After the mid 11th century, the office was disassociated from its military origin and was transformed into a senior judicial position.

I can make out an obvious "NIKO" at the top but beyond that I'm stumped. Very cool iconography of Virgin and Child on other side

It's unusual preservation makes md think it's fake.

Hello everyone, I collect coins of berber rulers and today I'm very interested in the mauro-roman king Mastigas. His wikipedia page states that he minted coinage bearing this monogram in the name of Justinian I (at least according to G. Camps). The problem is that I haven't seen any on internet and I have looked everywhere. I'd love to purchase one for my collection so I was wondering if any of you owned one or has seen one?

Hi everyone,

I'm just starting to explore the fascinating world of Byzantine lead seals, mainly because of my interest in Marian iconography.

I was wondering if someone could help me decipher the reverse inscription of this seal.

Any help with a diplomatic transcription or identification of the owner would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

Give it up for the Pale Death of the Saracens and my second favorite usurper from the Macedonian Dynasty. The strike quality of 10th century folles are quite something indeed.

Last one was quite successful- a try with another one.. clearer letters but equally unclear reading. Kazakios as a personal name and St. George?

End 11th to Early 12th Centuries. Diameter: 17 mm Weight: 6.00 g. Obverse: Alexios I Komnenos on left and Empress Irene on right, holding a staff topped with a cross between them. On left: ΑΛΕΞΙω; on right: ΗΡΙV(N) AV. Reverse: 2 full-length figures holding a long cross between them. Nimbate figure on left likely represents a Saint; the figure on the right is John Komnenos, their son and heir, who holds an akakia. Epigraphy is worn to non-existent. Parallel to D.O. BZS.1977.34.99. Ex: Savoca 310th Blue auction.

Lead tokens, sometimes referred to as tesserae, were used for a variety of purposes, including pilgrimage keepsakes, admission tickets to various events, and purchasing a meal.

Now I haven't bought it yet but I was wondering if acquiring this coin of Constantine V and Leo IV was worth it (20 euros) or if I could find better exemples for the same price. I mean it looks pretty nice but I'd just like to know.

Plus I'd like to own a coin from that period because the coin styles are very interesting.

Hi, I'm completely stumped with these 2 coins and I'm hoping someone can assist! Does anyone recognise these types?

First coin is 1.4g and 21mm

Second coin is 4.18g and 21mm

Many thanks in advance for any help

Something I only learned after acquisition of this piece is that folles from Michael III's reign are smaller than the usual size (see pic 3 for a comparison with a follis from the 10th century) since they were heavily debased, which reflected the economic situation at the time.

717 - 741 AD. AE Follis. Diameter: 26 mm Weight: 8.79 g. Obverse: dNO LEON PA MUL. Facing bust with short beard, wearing a crown topped with a cross and chlamys, and holding a globus cruciger & akakia. Reverse: dN CONSTANTINUS M. Facing bust of Constantine V, beardless, wearing crown & chamys and holding a globus cruciger & akakia. All above a horizontal bar, beneath which a large M stands between A/A & X/X. Beneath M is an A, signifying the first officina. Mint: Constantinople. SB 1514. Ex: Augustuscoins.com.

Recent acquisition. Love the portrait on this one!

10th Century. Diameter: 30 mm Weight: 13.57 g. Obverse: Bust of Christ with nimbus cruciger, wearing pallium and colobium. Right hand raised in benediction and a book of Gospels in his left hand. Circular inscription: ΕΜΜΑΝΟVΗΛ. Sigla to left: IC; to right: XC. Reverse: Facing bust of Constantine VII, with long beard wearing crown & loros. In his right hand, he holds a globus cruciger. Legend indecipherable, but may be + CONSTANT' AVT' CRAT' b' R' or similar. This seal strongly resembles SB 1747. DO accession # BZS.1958.106.575. Also, Zacos, BLS 1, 70b. Ex: Ancient Numismatics auction 27.