Roma Numismatics Ltd
E-Sale 30 29 October 2016
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Nicephorus I AV Solidus. Syracuse, AD 802-803. Bearded bust facing, wearing chlamys and crown with cross; in right hand, cross potent and in left, akakia / Cross potent on base of three steps; C-I across fields. DOC –, Spahr –; Anastasi –; Sear –; cf. Baldwin's 37, 5 January 2016, lot 954 (same dies). 4.06g, 18mm, 5h.
Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare.
Until the example sold by Roma Numismatics (Auction V, 23 March 2013, lot 945) no gold had been recorded from the mint at Syracuse for the sole reign of Nicephorus.
Minister of Finance under Irene, Nicephorus was crowned immediately after the empress was deposed, which had been the result of a plot instigated by Nicephorus himself with the help of the patricians and eunuchs of the court. In contrast to the marked individuality seen on Irene's coinage, showing the empress on both obverse and reverse, Nicephorus chose instead to revert to the ancient cross-on-steps type of his predecessors, with the same reverse legend that occured on the miliaresion for his solidi from the mint at Constantinople.
Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare.
Until the example sold by Roma Numismatics (Auction V, 23 March 2013, lot 945) no gold had been recorded from the mint at Syracuse for the sole reign of Nicephorus.
Minister of Finance under Irene, Nicephorus was crowned immediately after the empress was deposed, which had been the result of a plot instigated by Nicephorus himself with the help of the patricians and eunuchs of the court. In contrast to the marked individuality seen on Irene's coinage, showing the empress on both obverse and reverse, Nicephorus chose instead to revert to the ancient cross-on-steps type of his predecessors, with the same reverse legend that occured on the miliaresion for his solidi from the mint at Constantinople.