Artavasdus Solidus
536. Artavasdus. July 742-2 Nov. 743 AD. Solidus, 4.42g (5h). Constantinople. Obv: G APTAuA - SDOS MuLT Facing bust of Artavasdus with slight beard, wearing crown and chalmys, and holding globus cruciger and akakia. Rx: G NIChEOR - uS MuLTu A Facing bust of his son Nicephorus, beardless, wearing crown and loros and holding globus cruciger and akakia. DO 2b. Berk NC2. Sear 1542. Tolstoi 3. BMC p. 391. One of the classic rarities of the Byzantine series. EF $60,000
538. Leo IV, the Khazar. 775- 780 AD. Solidus, 4.43g (6h). Constantinople. Obv: LEOn VS S EUUOn COnSTAnTInOS O nEOS Facing busts of Leo IV, with short beard and Constantine VI, beardless. Each wears a crown, chlamys; between their heads is a pellet; in field above, cross. Rx: LEOn PAP’ COnSTAnTInOS PATHR Facing busts of Leo III and Constantine V, both with short beards, each wearing crown and loros; between their heads, pellet. In field above, cross. Berk 232. DO 1. Sear 1583. Ratto 1765-6. BMC 1-2. Tolstoi pl. 67, 1-4. Though the obverse legend is slightly doubled, this is a remarkably well-struck coin with immaculate surfaces. Mint State $2,500
Enlargement
539. Leo IV, the Khazar. 775-780 AD. Solidus, 4.46g (6h). Constantinople. Obv: LEOn VS S EUUOn COnSTAnTInOS O n EOS Facing seated figures of Leo IV and Constantine VI on double throne. Each wears crown and chlamys; between their heads, cross. Rx: LEOn PAP’ COnSTAnTInOS PATHR Facing busts of Leo III and Constantine V, both with short beards, each wearing crown and loros; between their heads, pellet; in field above, cross. Berk 233. DO 2. Sear 1584. Ratto 1767. BMC 3-6. Tolstoi pl. 67, 5-8. Mint State $1,500 Enlargement
537. Constantine V, Copronymus. 741-775 AD. Solidus, 4.13g (6h). Constantinople. Obv: COnSTAnTInOS S LEOn O nEOS Facing busts of Constantine V, with short beard (on left) and his son Leo IV, beardless (on right). Each wears crown and chlamys; between their heads, a pellet. Rx: G LEON P A MuL Facing bust of Leo III, with short beard, wearing crown, loros and holding cross potent. Berk 228. DO 2. Sear 1551. Ratto 1750-52. BMC 7-10. Tolstoi pl. 67, 33-40. Unsually nice. Beautifully struck on both sides. Normally the obverse is poorly struck. Mint State $1,500
540. Constantine VI and Irene. 780-797 AD. Solidus, 4.43g (6h). Constantinople. Obv: S IRInI AVΓ’ MITHR Facing busts of Constantine VI, beardless, on left and Irene. Both crowned and with cross between their heads; Constantine wears chlamys and holds globus cruciger in right hand; his mother wears loros and holds cruciform scepter in left and a globus cruciger in right. Cross between both above and pellet at face level. Rx: COnSTAnTInOS C’b’b’ Leo III, Constantine V and Leo IV seated facing, each wearing crown and chlamys. Berk 234. DO 1. Sear 1593. Ratto 1774. BMC 2-3. Tolstoi pl. 68, 5. Mint State $6,000
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