Wreath, cloak and crescents/Wolf right, jaws open, bird on back and pellets, pellet and crescent below, beaded exergual loop

Scarce

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ABC 1393; 17mm, 6.15g

well struck on a broad flan, full wolf and surrounding detail clear. Obverse off struck but as a result full hair detail shows, a premium coin

Provenance

This coin is from The London Collection of Ancient British Coins. For more information click here: The London Collection – Silbury Coins : Silbury Coins

M Vosper, 1997. Found north of Ely, Norfolk VA 610-1

This coin comes with a previous label.

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Laureate bust right/Maximinus togate standing holding globe and baton

Antioch mint

RCV14806, 19mm, 5.28g

A most appealing portrait of fine, eastern style on the obverse coupled with attractive full portrait of the emperor standing on the reverse, a premium coin showing little sigh of wear.

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Maximinus II was born in Illyricum to humble parents. He was the son of a sister of Galerius and because of his family connections he rose rapidly through the ranks of the Roman army. When Galerius became emperor for the east Maximinus was able to secure the elevation of his nephew Maximinus to Caesar.
When the two western emperors, Constantius and Severus died in quick succession There appeared to be a good chance of further promotion however Licinius was appointed instead creating a deep rivalry with both Maximinus and Constantine who had both been overlooked. Although Galerius tried to placate them by granting them the empty titles of Filius Augustorum or Son of Emperors when Galerius died in AD 311 Maximinus seized Asia Minor leaving Licinius with only Thrace.
In addition Maximinus ignored Galerius edict to abandon the persecution of the Christians. Instead he initiated an even more vigorous policy of persecution and issued a series of anonymous coins which celebrated paganism. Civil War with Licinius and Constantine, who had become allies, became inevitable. Maxentius , who was allied with Maximinus, was decisively beaten by Constantine at the Battle of Milivian Bridge in AD 312 leaving Maximinus to conclude an uneasy peace. Licinius and Constantine issued the Edict of Milan in AD 313 allowing religious toleration. This resulted in a final showdown with Maximinus who was defeated. Although Maximinus survived and fled he died a few months later.

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Helmeted bust facing / Constantinopolis enthroned holding globus cruciger  and sceptre

RCV21158; 21mm, 4.46g

A sharply struck example showing little sign of wear.

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Helmeted bust facing

Constantinople

RCV20706; 20mm, 4.49g

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A sharply struck example with little wear and much original lustre.

Arcadius was the eldest son of Theodosius and Aelia Flaccilla and was born before his father was elevated to the eastern throne in AD379. He was co emperor with his father for 12 years until his elevation as sole emperor of the Eastern empire upon his father’s death in AD 395. Married to Aelia Eudoxia he had 5 children including Theodosius II who succeeded him as emperor in AD 408.
Largely untalented and ineffective his wife Aelia Flaccilla together with the praetorian prefect Rufinus effectively ruled the Eastern empire until Aelia’s death in AD 404. Rufinus also became increasingly estranged from Honorius, Arcadius’ brother and from AD 393 co emperor of the Western empire. There was also an intense rivalry between Rufunus and Honorius’ chief minister Stilicho which resulted in an estrangement between the 2 empires. This period saw the transfer of power to ambitious deputies, some of who were of barbarian origin. This weakened the authority of the emperors and eventually led to the collapse of the Western empire. The Easten empire was more fortunate as Arcadius’ daughter Pulcheria proved to be a capable administrator during the reign of Theodosius II who succeed.

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Athena in helmet right / Nike standing left

17mm, 8.56g

Comes with old label

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This coin comes from the Cambridge collection of Ancient Greek Coinage. This extensive collection was formed over 40 years by a couple who shared their passion for classical history, carefully collecting as many known types as were available, spending hours labelling each coin and fitting it in to their collection. The kingdom of Ancient Greece is not easy to understand but illustrated with these wonderful coins a map emerges and being so beautiful in their design, they are a pleasure to handle. As with any collection the time comes where it must be passed on and in this case the collectors decided to sell each coin individually to give the next generation of enthusiasts the opportunity to select pieces for their own collections. Many of the coins have previous labels.

Alexander III of Macedon, known as Alexander the Great, was a king of the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon. He succeeded his father Philip II to the throne at the age of twenty and spent most of his ruling years on an extensive military campaign through Asia and north east Africa, creating one of the largest empires of the ancient world by thirty years of age. It stretched from Greece to north western India. Alexander was undefeated in battle and is considered one of the most successful military commanders throughout history.

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Helmeted and cuirassed bust facing/Victory holding cross holding long jewelled cross

Constantinople mint

RCV21404, 4.38g, 20mm

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Bust right / Two emperors

Trier mint

A most pleasing example, little wear and good detail throughout.

RCV20409; 20mm, 4.47g

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Draped bust right/Dove standing right CONCORDIA

Rome mint

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RCV4689 var, 19mm, 7.40g

A wonderful coin with little wear and much lustre to surfaces.

ex Morton & Eden 100 / L343

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Crowned bust of emperors/Cross potent on steps

Constantinople mint

4.52g, 19mm

Heraclius was one of the greatest of the Byzantine rulers as well as the founder of a remarkable dynasty. Under the previous emperor, Phocas, the empire dissolved into Civil War and came close to complete disintegration being threatened on all sides. In AD 608 Heraclius, who at that time was the Exarch of Carthage, raised a rebellion against Phocas. Two years later Heraclius Constanine, son of Heraclius, reached Constantinople executing Phocas and putting an end to his reign.
Heraclius was crowned emperor in AD 610 and his first task was to reorganize the administration. A system of military government was introduced which extended across the empire eventually forming the backbone of the Byzantine State. Heraclius also changed the official language of the empire from Latin to Greek. In AD 622 Heraclius began a counter offensive against his enemies. Often leading his troops in battle the Avars were eventually driven back from Constantinople with both their fleet and army being virtually annihilated. The Persians as well as the Sassanian Empire, both great rivals, were also thrown back and their king Khusru II was deposed and murdered. Amidst great rejoicing Heraclius reinstated the Holy Cross to Jerusalem.
The sons of Heraclius, Heraclius Constantine and Heraclonas, were made associate emperors in AD 613 and AD 638 respectively. This aureus depicts the 3 emperors and was minted shortly before Heraclius died in AD 641.
Heraclius lived long enough to see some of his work undone as the closing years of his reign saw the first dynamic expansion of Muslim power with the loss of Syria and Palestine.

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Facing busts of Two emperors / Cross potent on steps

Carthage

4.49g, 11mm

Heraclius was one of the greatest of the Byzantine rulers as well as the founder of a remarkable dynasty. Under the previous emperor, Phocas, the empire dissolved into Civil War and came close to complete disintegration being threatened on all sides. In AD 608 Heraclius, who at that time was the Exarch of Carthage, raised a rebellion against Phocas. Two years later Heraclius Constantine, son of Heraclius, reached Constantinople executing Phocas and putting an end to his reign.
Heraclius was crowned emperor in AD 610 and his first task was to reorganize the administration. A system of military government was introduced which extended across the empire eventually forming the backbone of the Byzantine State. Heraclius also changed the official language of the empire from Latin to Greek. In AD 622 Heraclius began a counter offensive against his enemies. Often leading his troops in battle the Avars were eventually driven back from Constantinople with both their fleet and army being virtually annihilated. The Persians as well as the Sassanian Empire, both great rivals, were also thrown back and their king Khusru II was deposed and murdered. Amidst great rejoicing Heraclius reinstated the Holy Cross to Jerusalem.
The sons of Heraclius, Heraclius Constantine and Heraclonas, were made associate emperors in AD 613 and AD 638 respectively. This aureus depicts the 3 emperors and was minted shortly before Heraclius died in AD 641.
Heraclius lived long enough to see some of his work undone as the closing years of his reign saw the first dynamic expansion of Muslim power with the loss of Syria and Palestine.

The post Byzantine Heraclius AD 610-641 Gold Solidus Carthage appeared first on Silbury Coins.