BYZANTINE
704
Taman Goths (c.3
rd
to 4
th
Century AD), Silver Denarius, 2.52g. Abstract male head, radiate, facing right. Rev.
Degraded depiction of Mars, carrying a transverse trophy, double X and O in field (cf Kazamanova
Vestnik
Drevneel Istorii I
(1961), Group I; Faltin “
Taman Imitations – Coins of the Unknown People
” Celator 20,
7 (July 2006), pp.22-26; also The New York Sale XXVIII, lot 1090). Debased metal, extremely fine, a choice
example.
Very rare
$ 1,000
705
Taman Goths (c.4
th
Century AD), Æ Denarius, 1.63g. Abstract male head, radiate, facing right. Rev. much
degraded depiction of Mars, carrying a transverse trophy, double X and O in field (Kazamanova type III).
Very fine.
Very
rare
.
$ 250
Based on Roman coins of Mars advancing type, these very rare imitative Denarii were struck on the Taman peninsula of the Black
Sea (east of Crimea). They are generally considered to be the first Gothic coinage.
706
Constans II (AD 641-668), Silver Hexagram, 6.7g. Mint of Constantinople, AD 642-647.
d N CONS
τ
AN-
τ
INUS P P A
, crowned, draped and cuirassed bust facing, holding globus cruciger. Rev.
dEUS AdIU
τ
A
RomANIS
, cross potent on globe set on three steps (DOC 48; MIB 142; SB 989). Some scattered light
scratches on the reverse, extremely fine.
$ 900
707
Justinian II (first reign, AD 685-695), Gold Solidus, 4.36g, 5h. Mint of Constantinople.
IUSTINIA-NUS
PEAV
, bust facing, with slight beard, wearing a crown ornamented with a cross, and a chlamys, holding a
globus cruciger. Rev.
VICTORIA AVGU Θ
, cross potent on three steps,
CONOB
in exergue (MIB 4; S 1245).
About extremely fine.
Rare
.
$ 2,000
