SINCONA AG
Auction 37 16 May 2017
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CONSTANTINUS IV POGONATUS, 668-685
Mint of Constantinopolis
Anonymous, Period of Constantine IV, 668-685.
AR Half-Siliqua, 668-674 (but very possibly earlier in date).
Obv. Helmeted, draped and cuirassed bust of a beardless, male emperor to right, with three lines of pearls hanging from his right shoulder; border of dots.
Rev. Chi-rho monogram.
1.03 g. Extremely rare and apparently unpublished. Toned. Obverse slightly off center, reverse with numerous scratches or pock-marks. Otherwise, very fine.
Purchased from Frank Sternberg, Zurich, in 1976
Precisely when this was struck, and by whom, seems rather uncertain. The best known Chi-rho reverses are found on silver coins from the 6th century, primarily those from mints in Italy, either Ostrogothic or issues of Justinian. Initially it was assumed that this piece was of roughly the same date, probably struck in the last quarter of the 6th century, either by Tiberius II or Maurice. However, the closest parallel for this coin is a similar piece that seems to be struck from virtually the same obverse die, but which is combined with a T-topped cross with an X at the crossing (see Leu 91, 844 – but with the T-top at the right rather than at 12°). This piece was identified as Constantine IV, following MIB Constantine IV 69 (Constantinople) and DOC Constantine IV 79 (Italian mint); yet the bust on that coin is both taller and more schematic than the one here, thus making the present piece appear earlier. In any event, this is a remarkable object of both historic and numismatic interest!
Mint of Constantinopolis
Anonymous, Period of Constantine IV, 668-685.
AR Half-Siliqua, 668-674 (but very possibly earlier in date).
Obv. Helmeted, draped and cuirassed bust of a beardless, male emperor to right, with three lines of pearls hanging from his right shoulder; border of dots.
Rev. Chi-rho monogram.
1.03 g. Extremely rare and apparently unpublished. Toned. Obverse slightly off center, reverse with numerous scratches or pock-marks. Otherwise, very fine.
Purchased from Frank Sternberg, Zurich, in 1976
Precisely when this was struck, and by whom, seems rather uncertain. The best known Chi-rho reverses are found on silver coins from the 6th century, primarily those from mints in Italy, either Ostrogothic or issues of Justinian. Initially it was assumed that this piece was of roughly the same date, probably struck in the last quarter of the 6th century, either by Tiberius II or Maurice. However, the closest parallel for this coin is a similar piece that seems to be struck from virtually the same obverse die, but which is combined with a T-topped cross with an X at the crossing (see Leu 91, 844 – but with the T-top at the right rather than at 12°). This piece was identified as Constantine IV, following MIB Constantine IV 69 (Constantinople) and DOC Constantine IV 79 (Italian mint); yet the bust on that coin is both taller and more schematic than the one here, thus making the present piece appear earlier. In any event, this is a remarkable object of both historic and numismatic interest!