SINCONA AG
Auction 37 16 May 2017
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BALDWIN II OF COURTENAY, 1240-1261
Mint of Constantinopolis
Hyperpyron. Imitation of the hyperpyrons of John III.
Obv. Christ on throne facing, r. hand raised in benediction, book of Gospels in l. hand. IC in field below l., XC in field r. above. Three pellets on r.
Rev. Emperor in loros on l. with akakia and labarum, Virgin on r., crowning the emperor. M – Θ above.
Sear 2073 (John III). Hendy see p. 250-254.
4.39 g. About extremely fine.
Auction Münzzentrum 159. Solingen 2011. Lot 686.
Baldwin II and John III had contractually agreed not to imitate each other's coins, but Baldwin did not keep this agreement. Since the Byzantine coins were a generally well accepted monetary medium, he imitated them, contrary to his contract, but with lesser gold quantity. He had the coins marked with tiny symbols, here four points, as described by Pegolotti in his book on then current coins. These marks served the purpose that the Latins were able to distinguish their coins from the Byzantine originals. Pegolotti was a Venetian merchant who traded with the East in the time of the Latin rule. His book is the only contemporary document that informs about the difference between the two emitting authorities.
Mint of Constantinopolis
Hyperpyron. Imitation of the hyperpyrons of John III.
Obv. Christ on throne facing, r. hand raised in benediction, book of Gospels in l. hand. IC in field below l., XC in field r. above. Three pellets on r.
Rev. Emperor in loros on l. with akakia and labarum, Virgin on r., crowning the emperor. M – Θ above.
Sear 2073 (John III). Hendy see p. 250-254.
4.39 g. About extremely fine.
Auction Münzzentrum 159. Solingen 2011. Lot 686.
Baldwin II and John III had contractually agreed not to imitate each other's coins, but Baldwin did not keep this agreement. Since the Byzantine coins were a generally well accepted monetary medium, he imitated them, contrary to his contract, but with lesser gold quantity. He had the coins marked with tiny symbols, here four points, as described by Pegolotti in his book on then current coins. These marks served the purpose that the Latins were able to distinguish their coins from the Byzantine originals. Pegolotti was a Venetian merchant who traded with the East in the time of the Latin rule. His book is the only contemporary document that informs about the difference between the two emitting authorities.