Feb. 16, 2001, The Benson Collection Part 1, Sale 8
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Byzantine Coins

Lot 3217
Byzantine Empire. Justin I, 518-527 AD. Gold Solidus (4.4 g), Constantinople mint. Struck 518-519 AD. Helmeted and cuirassed bust of Justin facing, holding spear and shield. Reverse: Victory standing left, holding Chi-Rho staff. D.O.C. 1; SBC 55. Lustrous, sharp strike. Slight graffiti obverse left field. Extremely Fine. This a one year type only. Scarce.
Estimated Value $400-550.

Lot 3218
Byzantine Empire. Justinian I, 527-565 AD. AE Follis, Constantinople mint. Struck 538/539 AD. Helmeted and cuirassed facing bust, holding globus cruciger and shield. Reverse: Large M, cross above; Year 12. SBC 163. Deep brown patina, in better style. Nearly Extremely Fine.
Estimated Value $150-200.

Lot 3219
Byzantine Empire. Maurice Tiberius, 582-602 AD. Gold Solidus (4.4 g), Constantinople mint. Helmeted, draped, and cuirassed facing bust of Tiberius, holding globus cruciger. Reverse: Angel, standing frontal, holding Chi-Rho staff and globus cruciger. SBC 478; D.O.C. 5. Lustrous. Extremely Fine.
Estimated Value $200-250.

Lot 3220
Byzantine Empire. Heraclius, 610-641 AD. Gold Solidus (3.8 g), Constantinople mint. Heraclius, standing facing, flanked by Heraclonus and Heraclius Constantine, each crowned and holding globus cruciger. Reverse: Cross potent on three steps. SBC 765; MIB 46. Lustrous. Extremely Fine.
Estimated Value $200-250.

Lot 3221
Byzantine Empire. Heraclius, 610-641 AD. Gold Solidus (4.4 g), Constantinople mint. Struck c. 616-625 AD. Facing draped and crowned busts of Heraclius and Heraclius Constantine, cross above. Reverse: Cross potent on three steps; in right field, N. SBC 741a; MIB 13. Lustrous, with sharp and pleasing portraits. Superb Extremely Fine.
Estimated Value $250-350.

Lot 3222
Byzantine Empire. Heraclius, 610-641 AD. Gold Solidus (4.5 g), Constantinople mint. Struck 616-625 AD. Crowned and draped facing busts of Heraclius and young Heraclius Constantine. Reverse: Cross potent on three steps. SBC 739. Very lustrous. Extremely Fine.
Estimated Value $200-250.

Lot 3223
Byzantine Empire. Constans II, 641-668 AD. Gold Solidus (4.4 g), Constantinople mint. Struck 654-659 AD. Crowned and draped facing busts of Constans and young Constantine IV. Reverse: Cross potent on three steps. SBC 959; D.O.C. 25. Lustrous, with trivial edge weakness. Extremely Fine.
Estimated Value $250-350.

Lot 3224
Byzantine Empire. Constans II, 641-668 AD. Gold Solidus (4.4 g), Constantinople mint. Struck c. 661-663 AD. Facing draped and crowned busts of Constans and Constantine IV, cross above. Reverse: Cross potent on three steps between facing figures of Heraclius and Tiberius. SBC 964; D.O.C. 30. Bold strike and highly lustrous fields. Extremely Fine.
Estimated Value $250-300.

Lot 3225
Byzantine Empire. Basil I & Constantine, 867-886 AD. AR Miliaresion. Cross potent on three steps, globe below. Reverse: Inscription in six lines. SBC 1708; D.O.C. 7. Sharply struck from fresh dies, with attractive iridescent toning. Superb Extremely Fine.
Estimated Value $200-300.

Lot 3226
Byzantine Empire. Basil I & Constantine, 867-886 AD. AR Miliaresion. Cross potent on three steps, globe below. Reverse: Inscription in six lines. SBC 1708; D.O.C. 7. With light iridescent toning. Superb Extremely Fine.
Estimated Value $200-250.

Lot 3227
Byzantine Empire. Nicephorus II, Phocas, 963-969 AD. AR Miliaresion. Cross crosslet on two steps, globe below, with central portrait medallion of four lobes, with facing bust of Nicephorus. Reverse: Inscription in five lines. SBC 1781; D.O.C. 6. With faint gray to deep golden toning. Superb Extremely Fine.
Estimated Value $200-250.

Lot 3228
Byzantine Empire. John I Tzimisces, 969-976 AD. AR Miliaresion. Cross crosslet on two steps, globe below, with central portrait medallion with facing bust of John. Reverse: Inscription in five lines. SBC 1792; D.O.C. 7. With handsome iridescent toning. Superb Extremely Fine.
Estimated Value $200-250.

Lot 3229
Byzantine Empire. Constantine IX, 1042-1055 AD. Gold Histamenon Nomisma (5.0 g), Constantinople mint. Nimbate Christ enthroned facing, holding Gospels. Reverse: Facing bust of Constantine, crowned and in loros, holding scepter and globus surmounted by patriarchal cross. SBC 1828; D.O.C. 1a. Lustrous and fully struck. Extremely Fine.
Estimated Value $250-350.

Lot 3230
Byzantine Empire. Lot of Ten middle and small AE's, 7th-11th centuries AD. Included are: Folli of Constans II, Basil I, and Leo VI, plus a half follis of Constans II. Phocas, Heraclius, and Constans II are represented with Nummiae of various sizes. Lastly, two anonymous folli, Sear Class A nd B. Lot of 10 coins. All nicely struck, a few finely patinated. A pleasant group, worth close inspection. Coins grade from Very Fine to Extremely Fine.
Estimated Value $150-250.

Lot 3231
Byzantine Empire. Manuel I, 1143-1180 AD. Pale Electrum Aspron Trachy (3.9 g). Christ standing facing on dais, holding Gospels. Reverse: Manuel and St. Theodore, in military attire, stand facing, holding between them large patriarchal cross atop globus. SBC 1959; Ratto 2120. Good strike for type, with reddish toning. Nearly Extremely Fine.
Estimated Value $200-275.

Lot 3232
Byzantine Empire. Manuel I, 1143-1180 AD. Electrum Aspron Trachy (3.8 g), Constantinople mint. Nimbate beardless Christ facing, holding scroll, hand raised in benediction. Reverse: Beardless Manuel, facing and holding labarum, being crowned by Virgin at right. SBC 1957; Hendy pl. 13, 1-2. The electrum pale, almost silver in appearance. Nevertheless, well struck and handsome. Choice Very Fine, or better.
Estimated Value $150-250.