109. Constantius I. AD 305-306. Argenteus (Silver, 3.52 g 12), Serdica, 305-306. CONSTANTIVS AVG Laureate head of Constantius I to right Rev. VIRTVS MILITVVM /.SM.SDΔ. Camp gate with three turrets. RIC 11a var. (this officina unpublished. Extremely rare. A superb, lustrous coin. FDC. The silver argentei from Serdica are actually very rare in general - in this condition they are virtually unheard of
Byzantine Coinage
110. Anastasius I. 491-518. Solidus (Gold, 4.40 g), Constantinople, 491-498. DN ANASTASIVS PP AVC Helmeted and cuirassed bust of Anastasius 3/4 facing to right, holding spear in his right hand and with shield over his left shoulder Rev. VICTORIA AVCCCΓ / CONOB Victory standing left, holding long cross; to right, star. DOC 3c. SB 3. A superb piece, well struck and nicely centered. Extremely fine.
111. 5th - 7th Centuries AD. A weight of 3 Unciae (Bronze with inlaid Copper and Silver, 34 x 35 x 9 mm, 80.40 g). A square bronze weight with slightly curved edges leading to a beveled top edge. The top, or upper surface is ornamented with engraved designs. At the upper corners is an inscribed flower with an inlaid silver center, the bottom corners each contain a silver inlaid Γ; the center is bordered by an inlaid copper laurel wreath with an inlaid silver ornament at 12, 3, 6 and 9 o’clock; within the wreath are the facing busts of two nimbate, crowned and draped imperial figures, their faces inlaid in silver Rev. Plain with some scattered file marks, probably made to adjust the weight after its manufacture. Bendall 61 ff. var. L. Holland, An Unusual Bronze Coin-Weight from Caesarea Maritima, IAPN Studies, p. 94 and pl. 30, 2 (this piece). Very rare. A fascinating and attractive example of late Roman - early Byzantine metal work. The reverse and edges are as found, the top has been cleaned to reveal the design and the original contrasting colors: golden-brown bronze, red copper and grey silver. Extremely fine. Ex LHS 102, 29 April 2008, 473. A remarkable item. Decorated weights like this must have been used for weighing precious commodities such as spices, gold and silver and the like. The presence of the two unidentifiable Imperial busts (could they be Justin I and Justinian I or are they earlier?) implies that it was used officially, but it might also have been merely a prestigious private object. In any case it is an exceptional and very rare piece.
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